The Bloody Judge (1970) - full transcript
Christopher Lee plays the Lord Chief Justice of 17th century England who condemns women as witches to further his political and sexual needs.
[ominous music ♪]
♪
♪
[narrator]
1685.
Storm clouds gather
over Europe.
In England, the good
King Charles is dead,
and his brother, James II,
sits on a very shaky throne.
The country is torn asunder
by dissenting factions;
one, loyal to the last
of the Stuart kings,
the other, faithful
to Prince William of Orange
across the channel.
While the Duke of Monmouth
plans to raise an army,
invade England, and usurp
the throne from King James,
the Lord High
Chief Justice Jeffries
dispenses his peculiarly
inflexible form of justice
to vast numbers of suspects,
both real and imaginary.
This is a time of plot
and counterplot,
a time of witchcraft,
when the shadow of the executioner blots out...
the innocent
and guilty alike.
We shall destroy
the bloody judge, my dear,
and then we shall,
all of us, rejoice.
[overlapping voices]
[singing in foreign language]
[singing continues]
Alicia...
Alicia, my darling!
- Oh, Capple,
I'm deliriously happy.
Let's go somewhere
and be alone.
- How can I refuse
a request like that
from such a pretty lady?
[singing continues ♪]
[moaning]
[both gasping]
Oh, yes, darling.
[gasps]
[chatter and singing]
[horse hooves approaching]
[screaming]
[screaming]
[man]
Quickly, men,
we've got to find Capple.
[intense music ♪]
♪
[Alicia giggling]
Capple, I arrest you
in the name of King James.
Damn King James!
[Alicia gasps]
No!
Capple!
No!
Oh!
♪
[screams]
[man]
That should tame your spirit,
you evil wench.
[chuckles]
[playing fanfare ♪]
♪
[processional music ♪]
♪
♪
[quiet chatter]
[whispers]
[throats clearing]
In the presence of the Lord
Chief Justice Lord Jeffries,
in the city of London,
court of Earl Bailey,
this court is now in session.
God save the King.
Let the business
of the court commence.
[women clamoring]
[shouting and screaming]
Quiet!
Quiet, bitches!
[screaming continues]
Shut up!
I said quiet!
[screaming stops]
[girl]
Ketch is coming.
[heavy footsteps]
Look at that walk he has.
[squeaking footsteps]
Ah...
Now, here's a pretty wench.
- Aye, and you'll hang
that pretty head, yet.
- What's she at Newgate for?
Cutting a purse?
Or cutting a caper
in me lord's bed
and being caught for it?!
[all laughing]
[laughter dies down]
[women gasping]
- A witch!
- She's not a witch.
[overlapping whispers]
May it please Your Lordship,
on indictment from
the assizes at Exeter,
before the King's bench,
Alicia Gray,
spinster of the parish
of Rainsford,
in the county of Wessex.
The charge, witchcraft.
[overlapping chatter]
Silence.
[chatter continues]
[chatter intensifies]
Silence!
Proceed, Sergeant Allan.
If Your Lordship pleases,
the Crown will show
that this female,
Alicia Gray,
did, in fact, indulge
in practices alien to our faith
and in contempt of the
existing laws of our kingdom.
We shall also prove
that she did,
on the first day of May,
frequent a place where
pagan rites were carried out.
That she was caught
in flagrante
with one certain Capple,
a long-suspected practitioner
of the black arts.
The Crown has more than
sufficient proof of witchcraft
against this Capple
to have him hung,
drawn and quartered,
as prescribed by law.
But unfortunately...
Unfortunately what,
Mr. Prosecutor?
The villain evaded capture,
my Lord.
He died.
[laughter]
If Capple is dead
what is his relevance
to this case?
The accused female is guilty
by association, my Lord.
You have witnesses to prove
that association?
Oh, yes, my Lord,
they were lovers.
Has the accused
been examined thoroughly
by physicians
and members of the clergy?
She has been examined.
Thoroughly?
Well, has she?
As thoroughly as we
are allowed, my Lord,
under the Law.
Under the Law?
We are under the Law here,
Sergeant Allan.
Of course, I need not
remind you of that fact.
The accused, Alicia Gray,
will be examined thoroughly
for abnormality of mind
and body.
A report to be made
to this court.
Executioner...
[crowd gasping and whispering]
Silence.
Take her.
Alicia!
[suspenseful music ♪]
♪
[screaming]
[crying out in pain]
[screaming]
[man]
Go on...
Tighten it!
[screaming]
That's enough.
Rest while you can, my dear,
we have other delights
in store for you.
[gasping]
W for witch.
Can you spell?
You can cast spells...
[chuckles]
But that's different.
Witches don't like iron.
Cold iron...
or hot.
Witches hate it.
[screams]
A witch can make
a dead man bleed.
Now, here's a dead man.
Now then...
[screaming]
Can you make him bleed?
[grunts]
Look, he bleeds.
But that's my blood!
You took it from me!
I say he bleeds!
Thieves!
Liars!
[screams]
We mustn't keep
Judge Jeffries waiting,
must we, my dear?
[chuckles]
[organ playing ♪]
♪
You observed the witch, Palafox?
They're getting quite rare
these days.
Is she guilty, me Lord?
You shock me, Palafox,
the girl has not
been tried yet.
Her father was a traitor.
He was one of
the minor villains
in the Rye House conspiracy.
He plotted against
the King's life,
and was duly hanged for it.
I had the pleasure
of sentencing him.
And now his daughter comes up
for judgement, 'ey, sir?
His daughter, yes.
She was found while you
were away in Winchester.
Interesting, don't you think?
[Mary] I must see him!
[man] You can't go in there!
[woman] I must, I tell you!
It's a matter of life or death!
I must see him!
I must!
How dare you disturb
the judge?!
Take her away!
Oh, I beg of you, please!
Let me see him!
- No!
- One moment.
What is your name?
Mary Gray, my Lord.
Gray?
I see.
You may leave us.
All right, all right.
Well, Mistress Gray, you realize
this is most improper.
Yes, my Lord, but...
I came to ask you
for the life of my sister.
I know she's not a witch.
She's innocent.
That is for the court
to decide.
If your sister
is not a witch...
she is then, perhaps...
a Whig.
A member of the party
against the King.
No, my Lord,
my sister and I are not
interested in politics.
Our father died of them.
Ah, you have wit
as well as beauty.
And what would you give
for the life of your sister,
Mistress Gray?
Anything.
Anything?
[ominous music ♪]
♪
[gasps]
[sobbing]
After having been duly examined
for the crime of sorcery,
Mistress Alicia Gray,
in the presence of Lord
Chief Justice Lord Jeffries,
here in the Earl Baily,
city of London,
will be judged by
a duly appointed jury
who have indicated that
their study of the evidence
in this case
has been completed.
Gentlemen of the jury,
are you of one mind?
[man]
We are, me Lord.
And how do you find?
[man]
Guilty, me Lord.
[crowd reacts]
Alicia Gray...
the bill against you
has been proven.
Now let the court hear this...
Let the whole country
hear this...
and hear it well...
The laws of this land
will be upheld!
Alicia Gray,
I find you guilty...
as charged.
You will be taken
to a place of execution
and you will be burned.
May the Lord have mercy
on your soul.
[sobbing]
Rise for the Chief Justice!
[somber drumming]
[excited chatter]
[chatter continues]
[drumming]
May the Lord forgive us
and protect us...
and exorcise the Devil
from this poor child.
Oh... oh God.
Oh, God.
[crowd chattering]
Alicia! Oh!
Oh, Alicia!
♪
Oh! Oh!
Speed her death,
I beg you!
Speed her death!
Please!
Please do something!
[suspenseful music ♪]
♪
[screaming]
Oh, no!
[sobbing]
[thunder crashing]
[rain pattering]
Mary?
Is that you?
I've been waiting for you.
[sobbing]
Alicia is dead.
I know.
Come closer.
Tears...
Too many tears.
My eyes don't cry anymore.
Tell me what's gonna
happen to me.
Don't ask.
I've got to know.
Please?
I see more pain
than you can bear.
I see death...
destruction...
murder...
cruelty...
and madness.
But in the end,
when all the madness is over,
I see for you, peace...
happiness...
love.
Mary?
Mary?
Mary.
God help her.
[somber music ♪]
♪
Stamped out.
Stamped out like rats
in a granary.
Else we shall never cleanse
England of this pestilence.
This is no time
for the faint hearted,
my good Lord Wessex.
Oh, I agree, I agree,
my good Jeffries.
But you'll find no taint
of treachery in my county.
No?
Less than a month ago
I burned a witch.
She was from your county.
She was from your village.
Indeed, my Lord,
she was one of your tenants.
Uh, claret, my Lord?
A true Englishman's wine.
By that witch, I presume
you mean Alicia Gray.
She was a stranger here.
Besides, she was not a plotter
against our good Lord the King,
God bless him.
She was just a witch.
Under the evil spell
of the Devil.
A witch, she was rightly
put to death.
Well, rightly,
of course, my Lord,
since it was you
who sentenced her.
But, of course, she leaves
no taint of treachery
on this fair county of ours.
Your health, Jeffries.
She was tainted with
the treachery of her father,
for which he was also
put to death.
My Lord, do you believe
that the west of England
is entirely loyal
to our sovereign Lord,
King James?
Why, loyal to a man,
and to his brother before him.
Why, as loyal as I am,
and, of course, there's
no question of my loyalty.
In troubled times,
we must all search
our consciences.
Who questions my loyalty
is answerable to my sword.
Indeed.
Oh, not you, of course,
my good Lord Jeffries,
but some of those knaves
in Whitehall,
plotters and time-savers.
We do out humble best
at Whitehall.
God save us, my Lord,
from your worst.
Wessex, have you ever heard
of a young man
by the name of Barnaby?
Barnaby?
No, the name's not known to me.
It seems he was at Oxford
with your son.
With Harry?
[mumbling]
He may have been...
Since my Lady wife died,
I see little of my son
and his friends.
You may be right, of course.
I am right, Wessex.
Barnaby knew your son.
He may still know him.
But why are you interested
in this young man?
Because it appears
he may be in league
with the Monmouth plotters
in Holland.
[chuckling]
My good Lord Jeffries,
your spies must've been
busy lately.
Plotters at court,
plotters abroad,
who want to see the King's
bastard nephew on the throne?
Like Barnaby.
More wine, my Lord?
- Wessex!
- Yes, my Lord?
Speak with your son.
Question him with subtlety.
About what, my Lord?
About Barnaby
and his associates.
[coughing]
Show zeal
in this pursuit, Wessex,
or this fine estate of yours
will know more suffering
than ever it knew
under Cromwell.
My Lord, forgive
the intrusion, sir,
but I had to be the first
to inform you...
Not now. Not now.
But it's your son, my Lord.
He's taken up with a wench.
Sister to that witch
who burned last month.
Your pardon, my Lord,
I thought...
I thought you were alone.
'Tis unpardonable.
Get out!
Wait!
Wait.
Who is this lumpkin?
It's Satchel, my Lord,
my bailiff.
A worthy man, but sometimes
a little too zealous.
Zeal is a good quality,
my Lord,
do not apologize for it.
Ah, Satchel...
Well, Satchel,
you know who I am?
I believe you are the chief
of all judges, my Lord.
Chief of all judges.
How quaint.
But not altogether inaccurate,
is it Wessex?
Hmm.
Now, Satchel...
tell me true,
the Earl's son is under
a spell, perhaps,
and wenches with a she-devil?
I know not if young Mary
is a witch, sir.
My son, my Lord, is young,
wayward, hot-blooded...
Ah, hot blood.
How eager are the young
to spill it, are they not?
Mary, you say?
I will sup tonight at The Bell
in Torminster.
Have the wench
brought to me there.
Yes, me Lord.
As for you, my Lord Wessex...
I leave you
to instruct your son...
as to the folly of yet
another unwise association.
Do I make my meaning clear?
As always, my Lord.
Quite clear.
[light music ♪]
♪
Oh, Harry, I must go.
Oh, let Mistress Gurney wait.
But I shall see you
later tonight.
And then tomorrow night,
will leave Rainsford forever.
[moaning]
Oh, is it true, Harry?
Are you really going to
take me with you?
Oh, it is arranged.
We go, by night, into Devon,
married by a good old friend
who's waiting there patiently,
and after that,
the world is ours.
I must hurry.
England may be
too small for us.
The hands of men like Jeffries
are too heavy.
Where can we go?
Ireland?
France?
Further.
A new world.
This evening,
I'm meeting secretly
an old friend.
He's a good friend.
He knows ways in and out
of this country.
He's a good friend.
Barnaby.
[kissing and moaning]
♪
[ominous music ♪]
♪
Oh, Barnaby.
Good to see you again,
old friend.
Well, Harry, you're late.
But then, you always were.
I'll be early for my wedding,
I swear.
Barnaby, let me tell you
about this girl.
No time for wenches
and weddings, friend,
the Duke has moved at last.
Monmouth?
Then what's the latest?
Well, Barnaby?
I crossed from the low country
two nights ago
with letters from Monmouth
to friends in the West Country.
The Duke will land
at Lyme Regis with an army.
When?
Well, come on,
you can trust me.
Monmouth lands tonight.
[footsteps approaching]
Harry!
Harry!
Where have you been?
I've been seeing a friend.
The wench?
Is that what kept you
from your supper?
No, the friend was a man.
A man?
Now, you tell me how you
came to know about "the wench,"
as you call her.
It's common talk.
That's a lie.
You call your own father
a liar, you young coxcomb?
Hmm, you're right.
Now, listen to me, Harry.
Jeffries has been here.
Hm, Jeffries.
Hinting at treason
and disloyalty.
Asking questions
about our friends.
Smelling out witches.
Aye, and finding one
right under my very nose.
Your wench.
What have you got to say
to that?
So, you've turned witch hunter
now, father?
Jeffries' infulence?
Or is it just a change from
plotting against the Crown?
That's not true
and you know it.
But is your own record clean?
Never mind that.
I love "the wench,"
as you call her.
God knows she's
suffered enough.
Now, look, Harry...
You have to understand...
Jeffries has ordered that you
may not see this wench again.
And if you defy...
I defy a hundred Jeffries.
To the Devil with that monster.
Harry, be careful.
Goodbye, father.
Harry.
Harry, listen to me!
I'm leaving, father.
Tonight, instead of
tomorrow night.
And I'm taking Mary with me.
She's gone.
Gone?
Satchel took her to Jeffries.
Where?
- Where?!
- There's no need...
Even though you're my father,
as God as my witness,
I'll kill you
if you don't tell me!
There's no need for violence.
The Bell at Torminster.
Harry.
Be careful!
[tense music ♪]
♪
Me Lord?
Come!
- Has the girl arrived yet?
- No, my Lord.
I thought I heard horses.
You're perfectly right.
You did, my Lord.
What is that?
A messenger
just brought it, sir.
The Duke of Monmouth
has landed en force.
We shall return
to London tonight.
Have the coach ready
in ten minutes.
And the girl?
Leave word with the innkeeper.
Satchel will hold her safe.
Bring Lord Jeffries' coach
around immediately.
Prepare it for leaving at once.
[distant explosion]
[cannon fire]
Master Satchel, they told me
you wanted me to go somewhere.
Aye, you're to come with me.
Where to, sir?
Do you question
the Earl's orders?
No, of course not, sir, but...
Come!
You ride with me.
[horse fussing]
Will we be going far?
You see, I was supposed
to wait for Lord Sefton...
Silence, lass.
Where do you think
I'm taking you?
Your young man is the one
who sent me to get you.
Come on.
Oh, I see.
[both grunt]
[distant dog barking]
[hoofbeats approaching]
[grunts]
Innkeeper.
Innkeeper!
[indistinct whispering]
That's right.
[indistinct whispering]
Thank you.
His Lordship was called away
to London.
He left certain instructions
about you.
Are you listening, wench?
Listening, but not caring.
Don't play hoity-toity with me,
draggle tail,
or I'll knock the spit
out of you.
Have some liquor.
No, thank you.
Ah, it was a rough ride, lass,
but now we're both out of it,
ain't we?
All cozy and warm.
Let's you and me both enjoy
a little bit
of comfort now, 'ey?
I only obey orders, you know.
I'm not such a bad fellow
when you get to know me better.
You're lucky, you know,
to have...
escaped Jeffries.
[chuckles]
I'll look after you know.
Don't worry.
Good, then let me go home.
Can I?
This time of night?
The roads are swarmin'
with thieves,
and highwaymen,
and curt-throats,
and such like.
Oh, no, my dear.
We bed here tonight.
Well, can I go to my room?
[cries out]
[gasping]
Fight away, me beauty,
we have the whole night
before us.
[cries out]
[grunting]
[panting]
[growls]
[cries out]
No!
[screaming]
Mary, come away
from there, quickly!
[groaning]
Harry!
Come, we must go at once!
[groaning]
[footsteps approaching]
- Me Lord.
- Is there news, Palafox?
- The city buzzes with rumors.
- Whitehall?
Much as expected, sir.
Those nearest the King
are in panic.
They are frightened
of phantoms.
Those phantoms have already won
several skirmishes, me Lord.
Brushes with militia,
no more.
They say he marches with
an army 10,000 strong.
Monmouth's cause is
already lost, Palafox.
Even now, the King's armies
are marching night and day
to cut him off.
At this precise moment,
His Majesty's ship, Tangiers,
is within striking distance
of Bridgewater in the west.
Colonel Kirk,
and those white-coated
troopers of his,
his lambs, he calls them,
will show the rebels
no quarter.
Colonel Kirk
has the royal artillery.
The rebels have naught
but their muskets.
The lambs will become lions,
and blast those foolish rebels
to perdition.
[tense music ♪]
♪
♪
His Grace, the Duke of Monmouth
will lead the first charge!
His Grace, the Duke of Monmouth
will lead the first charge!
♪
Ready!
Fire!
Fire!
Fire!
[cannon fire continues]
♪
Fire!
Fire!
Fire!
[musket fire]
[indistinct shouting]
Charge!
Ready!
Fire!
♪
[gunfire]
♪
More of Kirk's dragoons.
There are too many for us.
I'll get the horses.
Don't worry, old friend.
[groaning]
I must find a physician
for you.
[distant cannon fire]
[cannon fire continues]
[horse whinnying]
[groaning]
Harry!
- OH, Harry.
- Barnaby's badly wounded.
We must get horses.
[groaning]
He could never make it
to Bridgewater on foot.
- Can I leave him in your care?
- Of course.
I'll make for
my father's stables.
Rainsford isn't far
across country.
Do be careful, Harry.
[weakly]
I feel as if...
as if...
I feel as if... dying.
It's dark now.
Try and rest now, Barnaby.
Harry will bring help.
[door opens]
[door closes]
Who's there?
Oh, Satchel, you've come back.
Me Lord.
Good God, what have they
done to you?
The wench will pay dearly
for this.
The witch?
Mary Gray?
Your son's mistress.
Satchel, why have you
come back?
I bring you a warning.
You dare to warn me?
Your son is an outlaw.
He's a fugitive
from Monmouth's rebel army.
Like the others, he's on
the run from Sedgemoor.
Thank you, Satchel...
for coming back to tell me.
I do you no favors,
my good Lord.
There's a price for the warning
I bring you.
Price?
What do you mean, you dog?
No, not your dog.
No longer!
You've become a Jeffries man.
My price is 100 crowns.
What for?
Pay the price
and the information
will never reach Jeffries
or his spies.
100 crowns, you said?
Aye.
Pay up!
I shall take
your best saddle horse,
and be on my way.
A small price to pay,
my good Lord...
for a son's life.
[door open]
[door closes]
Thank you for your help, Sally,
one day I'll repay you.
Who was that?
A friend.
No one you would know.
- What friend?
- A boy from the village.
You're lying, you little slut!
You're lying, Sally.
You're lying to your master.
You're not my master.
Not anymore!
Come back here, slut!
Now you listen.
Tell me who rode out,
or by God,
I'll snap your throat.
[spits]
[grunts]
[growling]
[panting]
[crying out]
Who was it?
Tell me!
[screaming]
[groaning]
Tell me quickly!
Who was it?!
Tell me!
Young Lord Harry.
[grunting]
Harry...
Harry Sefton?
Sally!
You were a good girl
to tell me.
Mary, now...
is she with him?
Where he goes...
she can't be far away.
She'll make a good recruit
for my army.
For being such a good girl,
Sally,
I'm recruiting you, too.
[cackling]
Come on!
Get up!
Slut!
[gasps]
♪
Oh, God.
When will it ever end?
Mary.
[ominous music ♪]
♪
[cries out]
[bell ringing]
Palafox! Palafox!
Coming, my Lord.
Me Lord?
How many rebels are there
in Taunton Prison?
At the last count, me Lord,
500 persons held
in Taunton Castle.
Then we shall need 500 ropes,
shall we not?
If Your Lordship
finds them guilty.
The instant they took up arms
against the King,
they condemned themselves.
Quite so, my Lord.
A swift and speedy end
to traitors.
That's the best way.
Justice is a terrible thing,
Palafox.
But justice must be done!
Where is Ketch?
I believe he is at the prison
waiting for Satchel
to bring the women rebels,
my Lord.
[ominous music ♪]
♪
[sobbing]
[Satchel]
Stop!
Hey, Mother Rosa!
Mother Rosa!
Is that you, Satchel?
It is I, old witch!
[laughs]
Be careful. You're going
to your own destruction.
[laughing]
Eh, one day I'll cut off
your tongue!
You cutting my tongue...
I'm cutting yours.
♪
[women crying]
You need have no fear,
old witch.
How did you know
where to find me?
Well, I remember this cave
from... from my boyhood.
Don't you remember me?
Oh, Master Harry!
You've got a beard.
My God, you've got a beard.
What do you want?
We hunt a villain
who has stolen away our women
for the great trial at Taunton.
Women?
They passed this way
two hours ago...
on foot,
and suffering cruelly.
Among them was
the one you love.
There was one guard at the head
and one at the rear.
Then there's four against two.
We'll have Satchel for supper.
Beware the devil
in red robes...
and the man whose face
has been marked
by the Prince of Darkness.
Thank you, dear lady.
♪
Bring them here inside.
[women moaning]
[whip lashing]
Get over there.
Stand upright!
Will, news at last.
Satchel took the road to Taunton
not so long ago.
The road over Blackrock Moor.
Every man jack of you is wanted
by Judge Jeffries
and the hangman.
It's not too late
to back out now.
My wife's up there on Blackrock.
That swine, Satchel, took her
and left the two children
in an empty house.
- Count on me.
- And me.
That monster's got my Sal.
Come on, then.
There's work to do.
[women softly moaning]
[distant dog barking]
[crying softly]
Don't worry.
What's going to happen to us?
I don't know.
There ain't no use crying.
It's not going to help.
[suspenseful music ♪]
♪
[grunting]
[cries out]
Mary!
[girls reacting]
[Jeffries voice-over]
Sometimes I ask myself
whether the right
to life or death
was ever given to mere men,
or if God Almighty
did not, himself,
deliver unto me
the responsibilities
for that which we are doing.
Yet, when I am confronted again with the unholiness,
the rebellion, the crimes,
and the sacrilege...
I am reassured that we were
not unjust
in dealing the most atrocious
punishment to these criminals.
My Lord.
You dare disturb me?!
It was a surprise attack.
The women escaped!
Send for the captain
of the guard.
He's waiting, my Lord.
You will take a strong
force of men
and you will recapture
the rebels
who escaped on the moor today.
See to it.
Satchel believes
that Harry Sefton was
at the head of the band, sir.
Henry...
Sefton...
Lord...
Rainsford.
I declare him...
outlaw.
This man's...
forfeit...
to...
the Crown...
His person...
at... the mercy...
of the King.
♪
Who is it?
[bird calling]
[cries out]
[whimpering]
Where did the women go?
Tell me, woman!
I will spare the life
of Harry Sefton.
Harry's been captured?
Of course.
He hangs before tonight,
unless you tell me.
Tell me, woman!
They went...
They went...
across the moor.
Truro-Truro came
and brought me some food.
Barris...
Barris...
That's where they went.
- Barris.
- Barris, eh?
Harry's safe.
He's safe now.
No, you have not saved him
because...
he hasn't been caught yet.
Liar!
[yells]
If you kill him...
you'll burn for this.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You-
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn!
[sobbing]
Rosa?
[Rosa sobbing]
Rosa!
What's the matter?
- Mary...
- Yes.
Harry's been killed.
No, Mother Rosa, he's here.
- Where?
- Right here.
Where?
Give me his hand.
Harry...
I feel danger.
Go away.
We've come for your blessing.
You have my blessing.
Go. Go, you're in danger.
Go, quickly, go.
Go away.
Go.
Take him alive.
Judge Jeffries' orders.
In name of His Gracious Majesty,
King James II...
let the assizes be open.
The prisoners will stand.
The accused, Jonathan Dicken.
The charge, high treason.
You, Dicken...
I sentence you to be hanged
by the neck
until you are dead.
John!
After, of course,
the formalities of
drawing and quartering.
The accused,
Sally Downs.
Spare her, my Lord!
Spare her!
Silence, you dog!
[gasping]
[speaking German]
[speaking German]
[speaking German]
You will be examined for sorcery
in the castle dungeons.
After which, you will rejoin
your lover...
in Hell.
The accused,
Lord Henry Sefton.
Not he!
His case will be tried later.
For such a nobly born rogue
as you, Sefton,
we must take special measures.
The accused, Steven Truro.
What name?
[with difficulty]
T-Truro.
I have a title, rogue!
Use it or I'll have your tongue
by the roots!
I said Truro...
me Lord.
Well, Truro,
the bill against you
is clear enough.
How do you plead?
Not guilty, m... my Lord.
You have wasted enough
of the court's time, Truro.
I sentence you to death.
You will be hanged together
with all these rebel dogs.
[man]
James Quigly, me Lord.
Charge, treason.
[Jeffries]
Condemned.
[man]
Ian Oxley, me Lord.
The charge, treason.
[Jeffries]
Condemned.
[man]
Patricia Leader, me Lord.
The charge, sorcery.
[Jeffries]
Condemned.
[man]
Roger Cartwright, me Lord.
The charge, conspiracy.
[Jeffries]
Condemned.
[man]
Edward Mac, me Lord.
Charge, conspiracy.
[Jeffries]
Condemned!
[trial continues, echoing]
[Jeffries]
Condemned!
You are all condemned,
for crimes against King
and Kingdom,
to hang.
To dangle until you are
but dead.
To be then cut down,
still alive,
to have your entrails drawn out
and thrust
into your own mouths.
To be further hanged,
then quartered like the
carcasses of beef you are.
You number 500...
but even if you were 5,000,
the execution of this sentence
would be just
before God Almighty.
And may He have mercy
upon your souls.
[ Ketch]
Get busy, turnkey.
We have much work to do.
Whether witch or wench...
[woman screams]
They must be taught obedience
to the laws of God and country.
[screaming]
Admit your witchcraft,
and you shall only burn.
Otherwise I shall have
the pleasure of my skills.
A slow, painful,
never-ending death.
I'm not a witch.
I'm not a witch!
[screaming]
Now...
will you not change your mind
and admit that you dabble
in sorcery,
and mix with sorcerers?
I'm not a witch.
You're a traitor,
like all your friends.
[indistinct]
There is certain information...
believe me...
Release her.
Me Lord?
The Earl of Wessex, sir.
Well, my Lord Wessex?
My Lord.
I've come, sir, for the person
of my son.
Palafox, take note of this.
I do believe my Lord Wessex
is attempting to suborn justice.
If my son is your prisoner...
The King's, Wessex.
The King's.
Then in the name of the King,
I ask you to pardon him.
It is the King's pleasure.
Do you not understand?
So the King has pardoned him?
But this is a plea
for clemency.
It is a very different matter,
my Lord Wessex,
as you very well know.
Your son has not been pardoned
by the King,
nor by anyone else.
His fate is still in my hands.
If you ignore
the King's pleasure,
if you hang him...
Whether I hang him, draw him,
quarter him, behead him,
transport him,
or pardon him...
is entirely a matter
for my court.
I bid you good day, my Lord.
My Lord, would that, but once,
you had seen one of your own
sentences carried out.
♪
Unfortunate, me Lord.
I shall do my best
to contain my disappointment.
Wessex still has power
at court,
though our spies
distrust his loyalty.
The Earl of Wessex's
time will come.
I pity it, though, sir,
to let young Sefton slip
right through our hands.
Did I say he had?
Fetch me the girl.
Mary?
[woman grunting]
[screams]
[speaking German]
[speaking German]
[gasps]
[mournful music ♪]
♪
[crying]
[speaking German]
[speaking German]
[speaking German]
[tense music ♪]
♪
[laughing quietly]
♪
You sent for me, my Lord?
I did.
You had a great love
for your sister, did you not?
Yes, my Lord.
And His Lordship of Rainsford.
You had a great love for him,
too, so it seems.
I do, my Lord.
Such devotion...
deserves a worthy reward.
A life, perhaps?
I could bestow such a gift.
And you...
[gasps]
[Jeffries speaking German]
[mournful music ♪]
♪
[crying]
[moaning]
My Lord...
tell me again that you're
going to spare Harry's life.
His life?
Doubtless, he will make
a new life for himself.
In the plantations.
Plantation?
Exile?
Without a doubt.
And now... in God's name,
get you gone.
[intense music ♪]
♪
Devil!
[grunting]
Palafox! Palafox!
Take this bitch away!
[cries out]
See that she goes to London
in chains.
[gasping]
[whispering]
I just spoke to Sally.
[indistinct whispering]
Pass the word down the line.
Right.
Harry.
Tomorrow, the executions begin.
- Are you certain?
- Aye.
I got it from
one of the guards.
Brings our gruel.
He's a Devon man, too,
poor soul.
The soldiers are mostly gone.
Together with the women.
Left for the plantations.
So, Mary and my wife, as well.
We shall have to act speedily,
if at all.
Rather death by the sword
than slow torture.
Pass the word.
[door clattering]
[footsteps approaching]
Hmm.
Well, me beauties?
Are you enjoying yourselves?
You've not much longer
on this earth.
You talk mighty proud,
good Satchel.
What a proud valet you are.
You impudent dog!
[grunting]
Free everybody.
[man]
Let's give the dirty dog
what he deserves.
[overlapping chatter]
The court is now in session.
Satchel...
as justice of this court,
I ask you your plea.
Guilty or not guilty?
[all]
Guilty!
Let the prisoner speak
for himself!
Well, sir?
What are you?
Spare me please!
Spare me!
Quiet, dog!
What say the jury?
[all shouting]
Is he guilty of all crimes?
[all shouting]
I sentence you
to be hanged by the neck...
until you are dead.
[Sally]
No!
No, not hanging.
That's too good for him.
[grunting]
[screaming]
[all clamoring]
[Satchel screaming]
Truro, we have a lot to do.
[screaming and clamoring]
Harry.
Thank God you're safe.
Now William of Orange
has landed,
you are free.
But aren't you
a King James man?
In perilous times,
deceit becomes a necessity.
But the other prisoners
on the way to London?
Oh, every man with a horse
to his name is with us.
The prisoners travel slowly
with King James' guns.
They won't get far.
[organ playing ♪]
♪
Lord Chancellor of England...
I have the great seal, at last.
Me Lord!
What use is the great seal
to you now?
The King is gone!
You lie, Palafox.
You lie.
When have I ever lied to you,
my Lord?
Tell me truly, Palafox,
what is the news
from Whitehall?
The King has fled the country.
His last message was that you
should join him, me Lord,
in France.
I stay here.
Me Lord, don't you understand?
Prince William of Orange
has landed to claim the throne.
I am the Lord Chancellor.
Whoever reigns... I stay.
♪
[distant crowd shouting]
What now?
[crowd shouting, drums]
The city beggars...
Stuart or Orange man,
it's all the same to them
so long as they have
their bellies full.
Me Lord...
I have a warrant
for your arrest.
And this time, it is
the King's pleasure.
As well as mine.
Traitor.
No, my Lord...
'tis you who have
betrayed England.
Bring him to the tower.
[tense music ♪]
♪
[whip lashing]
All right!
Come on!
[gasps]
[gunfire]
♪
[quiet drums]
[Jeffries voice-over]
Surely a man loyal to God,
King and country,
such as I have always been,
cannot be condemned as cruel
and unjust
for pursuing his duties
vigorously
even when it weighed heavily
on his conscience.
Perhaps in the wake
of today's hysteria,
history will judge me fairly.
[drums continue]
[man groaning]
[choking, struggling]
[man crying out]
[screaming]
[grunts]
[groaning]
[coughing]
[hoarse gasping]
Jeffries?
Jeffries?
[weakly]
You...
were...
right...
Wessex, I...
I never knew...
[dramatic music ♪]
♪
♪
♪
[narrator]
1685.
Storm clouds gather
over Europe.
In England, the good
King Charles is dead,
and his brother, James II,
sits on a very shaky throne.
The country is torn asunder
by dissenting factions;
one, loyal to the last
of the Stuart kings,
the other, faithful
to Prince William of Orange
across the channel.
While the Duke of Monmouth
plans to raise an army,
invade England, and usurp
the throne from King James,
the Lord High
Chief Justice Jeffries
dispenses his peculiarly
inflexible form of justice
to vast numbers of suspects,
both real and imaginary.
This is a time of plot
and counterplot,
a time of witchcraft,
when the shadow of the executioner blots out...
the innocent
and guilty alike.
We shall destroy
the bloody judge, my dear,
and then we shall,
all of us, rejoice.
[overlapping voices]
[singing in foreign language]
[singing continues]
Alicia...
Alicia, my darling!
- Oh, Capple,
I'm deliriously happy.
Let's go somewhere
and be alone.
- How can I refuse
a request like that
from such a pretty lady?
[singing continues ♪]
[moaning]
[both gasping]
Oh, yes, darling.
[gasps]
[chatter and singing]
[horse hooves approaching]
[screaming]
[screaming]
[man]
Quickly, men,
we've got to find Capple.
[intense music ♪]
♪
[Alicia giggling]
Capple, I arrest you
in the name of King James.
Damn King James!
[Alicia gasps]
No!
Capple!
No!
Oh!
♪
[screams]
[man]
That should tame your spirit,
you evil wench.
[chuckles]
[playing fanfare ♪]
♪
[processional music ♪]
♪
♪
[quiet chatter]
[whispers]
[throats clearing]
In the presence of the Lord
Chief Justice Lord Jeffries,
in the city of London,
court of Earl Bailey,
this court is now in session.
God save the King.
Let the business
of the court commence.
[women clamoring]
[shouting and screaming]
Quiet!
Quiet, bitches!
[screaming continues]
Shut up!
I said quiet!
[screaming stops]
[girl]
Ketch is coming.
[heavy footsteps]
Look at that walk he has.
[squeaking footsteps]
Ah...
Now, here's a pretty wench.
- Aye, and you'll hang
that pretty head, yet.
- What's she at Newgate for?
Cutting a purse?
Or cutting a caper
in me lord's bed
and being caught for it?!
[all laughing]
[laughter dies down]
[women gasping]
- A witch!
- She's not a witch.
[overlapping whispers]
May it please Your Lordship,
on indictment from
the assizes at Exeter,
before the King's bench,
Alicia Gray,
spinster of the parish
of Rainsford,
in the county of Wessex.
The charge, witchcraft.
[overlapping chatter]
Silence.
[chatter continues]
[chatter intensifies]
Silence!
Proceed, Sergeant Allan.
If Your Lordship pleases,
the Crown will show
that this female,
Alicia Gray,
did, in fact, indulge
in practices alien to our faith
and in contempt of the
existing laws of our kingdom.
We shall also prove
that she did,
on the first day of May,
frequent a place where
pagan rites were carried out.
That she was caught
in flagrante
with one certain Capple,
a long-suspected practitioner
of the black arts.
The Crown has more than
sufficient proof of witchcraft
against this Capple
to have him hung,
drawn and quartered,
as prescribed by law.
But unfortunately...
Unfortunately what,
Mr. Prosecutor?
The villain evaded capture,
my Lord.
He died.
[laughter]
If Capple is dead
what is his relevance
to this case?
The accused female is guilty
by association, my Lord.
You have witnesses to prove
that association?
Oh, yes, my Lord,
they were lovers.
Has the accused
been examined thoroughly
by physicians
and members of the clergy?
She has been examined.
Thoroughly?
Well, has she?
As thoroughly as we
are allowed, my Lord,
under the Law.
Under the Law?
We are under the Law here,
Sergeant Allan.
Of course, I need not
remind you of that fact.
The accused, Alicia Gray,
will be examined thoroughly
for abnormality of mind
and body.
A report to be made
to this court.
Executioner...
[crowd gasping and whispering]
Silence.
Take her.
Alicia!
[suspenseful music ♪]
♪
[screaming]
[crying out in pain]
[screaming]
[man]
Go on...
Tighten it!
[screaming]
That's enough.
Rest while you can, my dear,
we have other delights
in store for you.
[gasping]
W for witch.
Can you spell?
You can cast spells...
[chuckles]
But that's different.
Witches don't like iron.
Cold iron...
or hot.
Witches hate it.
[screams]
A witch can make
a dead man bleed.
Now, here's a dead man.
Now then...
[screaming]
Can you make him bleed?
[grunts]
Look, he bleeds.
But that's my blood!
You took it from me!
I say he bleeds!
Thieves!
Liars!
[screams]
We mustn't keep
Judge Jeffries waiting,
must we, my dear?
[chuckles]
[organ playing ♪]
♪
You observed the witch, Palafox?
They're getting quite rare
these days.
Is she guilty, me Lord?
You shock me, Palafox,
the girl has not
been tried yet.
Her father was a traitor.
He was one of
the minor villains
in the Rye House conspiracy.
He plotted against
the King's life,
and was duly hanged for it.
I had the pleasure
of sentencing him.
And now his daughter comes up
for judgement, 'ey, sir?
His daughter, yes.
She was found while you
were away in Winchester.
Interesting, don't you think?
[Mary] I must see him!
[man] You can't go in there!
[woman] I must, I tell you!
It's a matter of life or death!
I must see him!
I must!
How dare you disturb
the judge?!
Take her away!
Oh, I beg of you, please!
Let me see him!
- No!
- One moment.
What is your name?
Mary Gray, my Lord.
Gray?
I see.
You may leave us.
All right, all right.
Well, Mistress Gray, you realize
this is most improper.
Yes, my Lord, but...
I came to ask you
for the life of my sister.
I know she's not a witch.
She's innocent.
That is for the court
to decide.
If your sister
is not a witch...
she is then, perhaps...
a Whig.
A member of the party
against the King.
No, my Lord,
my sister and I are not
interested in politics.
Our father died of them.
Ah, you have wit
as well as beauty.
And what would you give
for the life of your sister,
Mistress Gray?
Anything.
Anything?
[ominous music ♪]
♪
[gasps]
[sobbing]
After having been duly examined
for the crime of sorcery,
Mistress Alicia Gray,
in the presence of Lord
Chief Justice Lord Jeffries,
here in the Earl Baily,
city of London,
will be judged by
a duly appointed jury
who have indicated that
their study of the evidence
in this case
has been completed.
Gentlemen of the jury,
are you of one mind?
[man]
We are, me Lord.
And how do you find?
[man]
Guilty, me Lord.
[crowd reacts]
Alicia Gray...
the bill against you
has been proven.
Now let the court hear this...
Let the whole country
hear this...
and hear it well...
The laws of this land
will be upheld!
Alicia Gray,
I find you guilty...
as charged.
You will be taken
to a place of execution
and you will be burned.
May the Lord have mercy
on your soul.
[sobbing]
Rise for the Chief Justice!
[somber drumming]
[excited chatter]
[chatter continues]
[drumming]
May the Lord forgive us
and protect us...
and exorcise the Devil
from this poor child.
Oh... oh God.
Oh, God.
[crowd chattering]
Alicia! Oh!
Oh, Alicia!
♪
Oh! Oh!
Speed her death,
I beg you!
Speed her death!
Please!
Please do something!
[suspenseful music ♪]
♪
[screaming]
Oh, no!
[sobbing]
[thunder crashing]
[rain pattering]
Mary?
Is that you?
I've been waiting for you.
[sobbing]
Alicia is dead.
I know.
Come closer.
Tears...
Too many tears.
My eyes don't cry anymore.
Tell me what's gonna
happen to me.
Don't ask.
I've got to know.
Please?
I see more pain
than you can bear.
I see death...
destruction...
murder...
cruelty...
and madness.
But in the end,
when all the madness is over,
I see for you, peace...
happiness...
love.
Mary?
Mary?
Mary.
God help her.
[somber music ♪]
♪
Stamped out.
Stamped out like rats
in a granary.
Else we shall never cleanse
England of this pestilence.
This is no time
for the faint hearted,
my good Lord Wessex.
Oh, I agree, I agree,
my good Jeffries.
But you'll find no taint
of treachery in my county.
No?
Less than a month ago
I burned a witch.
She was from your county.
She was from your village.
Indeed, my Lord,
she was one of your tenants.
Uh, claret, my Lord?
A true Englishman's wine.
By that witch, I presume
you mean Alicia Gray.
She was a stranger here.
Besides, she was not a plotter
against our good Lord the King,
God bless him.
She was just a witch.
Under the evil spell
of the Devil.
A witch, she was rightly
put to death.
Well, rightly,
of course, my Lord,
since it was you
who sentenced her.
But, of course, she leaves
no taint of treachery
on this fair county of ours.
Your health, Jeffries.
She was tainted with
the treachery of her father,
for which he was also
put to death.
My Lord, do you believe
that the west of England
is entirely loyal
to our sovereign Lord,
King James?
Why, loyal to a man,
and to his brother before him.
Why, as loyal as I am,
and, of course, there's
no question of my loyalty.
In troubled times,
we must all search
our consciences.
Who questions my loyalty
is answerable to my sword.
Indeed.
Oh, not you, of course,
my good Lord Jeffries,
but some of those knaves
in Whitehall,
plotters and time-savers.
We do out humble best
at Whitehall.
God save us, my Lord,
from your worst.
Wessex, have you ever heard
of a young man
by the name of Barnaby?
Barnaby?
No, the name's not known to me.
It seems he was at Oxford
with your son.
With Harry?
[mumbling]
He may have been...
Since my Lady wife died,
I see little of my son
and his friends.
You may be right, of course.
I am right, Wessex.
Barnaby knew your son.
He may still know him.
But why are you interested
in this young man?
Because it appears
he may be in league
with the Monmouth plotters
in Holland.
[chuckling]
My good Lord Jeffries,
your spies must've been
busy lately.
Plotters at court,
plotters abroad,
who want to see the King's
bastard nephew on the throne?
Like Barnaby.
More wine, my Lord?
- Wessex!
- Yes, my Lord?
Speak with your son.
Question him with subtlety.
About what, my Lord?
About Barnaby
and his associates.
[coughing]
Show zeal
in this pursuit, Wessex,
or this fine estate of yours
will know more suffering
than ever it knew
under Cromwell.
My Lord, forgive
the intrusion, sir,
but I had to be the first
to inform you...
Not now. Not now.
But it's your son, my Lord.
He's taken up with a wench.
Sister to that witch
who burned last month.
Your pardon, my Lord,
I thought...
I thought you were alone.
'Tis unpardonable.
Get out!
Wait!
Wait.
Who is this lumpkin?
It's Satchel, my Lord,
my bailiff.
A worthy man, but sometimes
a little too zealous.
Zeal is a good quality,
my Lord,
do not apologize for it.
Ah, Satchel...
Well, Satchel,
you know who I am?
I believe you are the chief
of all judges, my Lord.
Chief of all judges.
How quaint.
But not altogether inaccurate,
is it Wessex?
Hmm.
Now, Satchel...
tell me true,
the Earl's son is under
a spell, perhaps,
and wenches with a she-devil?
I know not if young Mary
is a witch, sir.
My son, my Lord, is young,
wayward, hot-blooded...
Ah, hot blood.
How eager are the young
to spill it, are they not?
Mary, you say?
I will sup tonight at The Bell
in Torminster.
Have the wench
brought to me there.
Yes, me Lord.
As for you, my Lord Wessex...
I leave you
to instruct your son...
as to the folly of yet
another unwise association.
Do I make my meaning clear?
As always, my Lord.
Quite clear.
[light music ♪]
♪
Oh, Harry, I must go.
Oh, let Mistress Gurney wait.
But I shall see you
later tonight.
And then tomorrow night,
will leave Rainsford forever.
[moaning]
Oh, is it true, Harry?
Are you really going to
take me with you?
Oh, it is arranged.
We go, by night, into Devon,
married by a good old friend
who's waiting there patiently,
and after that,
the world is ours.
I must hurry.
England may be
too small for us.
The hands of men like Jeffries
are too heavy.
Where can we go?
Ireland?
France?
Further.
A new world.
This evening,
I'm meeting secretly
an old friend.
He's a good friend.
He knows ways in and out
of this country.
He's a good friend.
Barnaby.
[kissing and moaning]
♪
[ominous music ♪]
♪
Oh, Barnaby.
Good to see you again,
old friend.
Well, Harry, you're late.
But then, you always were.
I'll be early for my wedding,
I swear.
Barnaby, let me tell you
about this girl.
No time for wenches
and weddings, friend,
the Duke has moved at last.
Monmouth?
Then what's the latest?
Well, Barnaby?
I crossed from the low country
two nights ago
with letters from Monmouth
to friends in the West Country.
The Duke will land
at Lyme Regis with an army.
When?
Well, come on,
you can trust me.
Monmouth lands tonight.
[footsteps approaching]
Harry!
Harry!
Where have you been?
I've been seeing a friend.
The wench?
Is that what kept you
from your supper?
No, the friend was a man.
A man?
Now, you tell me how you
came to know about "the wench,"
as you call her.
It's common talk.
That's a lie.
You call your own father
a liar, you young coxcomb?
Hmm, you're right.
Now, listen to me, Harry.
Jeffries has been here.
Hm, Jeffries.
Hinting at treason
and disloyalty.
Asking questions
about our friends.
Smelling out witches.
Aye, and finding one
right under my very nose.
Your wench.
What have you got to say
to that?
So, you've turned witch hunter
now, father?
Jeffries' infulence?
Or is it just a change from
plotting against the Crown?
That's not true
and you know it.
But is your own record clean?
Never mind that.
I love "the wench,"
as you call her.
God knows she's
suffered enough.
Now, look, Harry...
You have to understand...
Jeffries has ordered that you
may not see this wench again.
And if you defy...
I defy a hundred Jeffries.
To the Devil with that monster.
Harry, be careful.
Goodbye, father.
Harry.
Harry, listen to me!
I'm leaving, father.
Tonight, instead of
tomorrow night.
And I'm taking Mary with me.
She's gone.
Gone?
Satchel took her to Jeffries.
Where?
- Where?!
- There's no need...
Even though you're my father,
as God as my witness,
I'll kill you
if you don't tell me!
There's no need for violence.
The Bell at Torminster.
Harry.
Be careful!
[tense music ♪]
♪
Me Lord?
Come!
- Has the girl arrived yet?
- No, my Lord.
I thought I heard horses.
You're perfectly right.
You did, my Lord.
What is that?
A messenger
just brought it, sir.
The Duke of Monmouth
has landed en force.
We shall return
to London tonight.
Have the coach ready
in ten minutes.
And the girl?
Leave word with the innkeeper.
Satchel will hold her safe.
Bring Lord Jeffries' coach
around immediately.
Prepare it for leaving at once.
[distant explosion]
[cannon fire]
Master Satchel, they told me
you wanted me to go somewhere.
Aye, you're to come with me.
Where to, sir?
Do you question
the Earl's orders?
No, of course not, sir, but...
Come!
You ride with me.
[horse fussing]
Will we be going far?
You see, I was supposed
to wait for Lord Sefton...
Silence, lass.
Where do you think
I'm taking you?
Your young man is the one
who sent me to get you.
Come on.
Oh, I see.
[both grunt]
[distant dog barking]
[hoofbeats approaching]
[grunts]
Innkeeper.
Innkeeper!
[indistinct whispering]
That's right.
[indistinct whispering]
Thank you.
His Lordship was called away
to London.
He left certain instructions
about you.
Are you listening, wench?
Listening, but not caring.
Don't play hoity-toity with me,
draggle tail,
or I'll knock the spit
out of you.
Have some liquor.
No, thank you.
Ah, it was a rough ride, lass,
but now we're both out of it,
ain't we?
All cozy and warm.
Let's you and me both enjoy
a little bit
of comfort now, 'ey?
I only obey orders, you know.
I'm not such a bad fellow
when you get to know me better.
You're lucky, you know,
to have...
escaped Jeffries.
[chuckles]
I'll look after you know.
Don't worry.
Good, then let me go home.
Can I?
This time of night?
The roads are swarmin'
with thieves,
and highwaymen,
and curt-throats,
and such like.
Oh, no, my dear.
We bed here tonight.
Well, can I go to my room?
[cries out]
[gasping]
Fight away, me beauty,
we have the whole night
before us.
[cries out]
[grunting]
[panting]
[growls]
[cries out]
No!
[screaming]
Mary, come away
from there, quickly!
[groaning]
Harry!
Come, we must go at once!
[groaning]
[footsteps approaching]
- Me Lord.
- Is there news, Palafox?
- The city buzzes with rumors.
- Whitehall?
Much as expected, sir.
Those nearest the King
are in panic.
They are frightened
of phantoms.
Those phantoms have already won
several skirmishes, me Lord.
Brushes with militia,
no more.
They say he marches with
an army 10,000 strong.
Monmouth's cause is
already lost, Palafox.
Even now, the King's armies
are marching night and day
to cut him off.
At this precise moment,
His Majesty's ship, Tangiers,
is within striking distance
of Bridgewater in the west.
Colonel Kirk,
and those white-coated
troopers of his,
his lambs, he calls them,
will show the rebels
no quarter.
Colonel Kirk
has the royal artillery.
The rebels have naught
but their muskets.
The lambs will become lions,
and blast those foolish rebels
to perdition.
[tense music ♪]
♪
♪
His Grace, the Duke of Monmouth
will lead the first charge!
His Grace, the Duke of Monmouth
will lead the first charge!
♪
Ready!
Fire!
Fire!
Fire!
[cannon fire continues]
♪
Fire!
Fire!
Fire!
[musket fire]
[indistinct shouting]
Charge!
Ready!
Fire!
♪
[gunfire]
♪
More of Kirk's dragoons.
There are too many for us.
I'll get the horses.
Don't worry, old friend.
[groaning]
I must find a physician
for you.
[distant cannon fire]
[cannon fire continues]
[horse whinnying]
[groaning]
Harry!
- OH, Harry.
- Barnaby's badly wounded.
We must get horses.
[groaning]
He could never make it
to Bridgewater on foot.
- Can I leave him in your care?
- Of course.
I'll make for
my father's stables.
Rainsford isn't far
across country.
Do be careful, Harry.
[weakly]
I feel as if...
as if...
I feel as if... dying.
It's dark now.
Try and rest now, Barnaby.
Harry will bring help.
[door opens]
[door closes]
Who's there?
Oh, Satchel, you've come back.
Me Lord.
Good God, what have they
done to you?
The wench will pay dearly
for this.
The witch?
Mary Gray?
Your son's mistress.
Satchel, why have you
come back?
I bring you a warning.
You dare to warn me?
Your son is an outlaw.
He's a fugitive
from Monmouth's rebel army.
Like the others, he's on
the run from Sedgemoor.
Thank you, Satchel...
for coming back to tell me.
I do you no favors,
my good Lord.
There's a price for the warning
I bring you.
Price?
What do you mean, you dog?
No, not your dog.
No longer!
You've become a Jeffries man.
My price is 100 crowns.
What for?
Pay the price
and the information
will never reach Jeffries
or his spies.
100 crowns, you said?
Aye.
Pay up!
I shall take
your best saddle horse,
and be on my way.
A small price to pay,
my good Lord...
for a son's life.
[door open]
[door closes]
Thank you for your help, Sally,
one day I'll repay you.
Who was that?
A friend.
No one you would know.
- What friend?
- A boy from the village.
You're lying, you little slut!
You're lying, Sally.
You're lying to your master.
You're not my master.
Not anymore!
Come back here, slut!
Now you listen.
Tell me who rode out,
or by God,
I'll snap your throat.
[spits]
[grunts]
[growling]
[panting]
[crying out]
Who was it?
Tell me!
[screaming]
[groaning]
Tell me quickly!
Who was it?!
Tell me!
Young Lord Harry.
[grunting]
Harry...
Harry Sefton?
Sally!
You were a good girl
to tell me.
Mary, now...
is she with him?
Where he goes...
she can't be far away.
She'll make a good recruit
for my army.
For being such a good girl,
Sally,
I'm recruiting you, too.
[cackling]
Come on!
Get up!
Slut!
[gasps]
♪
Oh, God.
When will it ever end?
Mary.
[ominous music ♪]
♪
[cries out]
[bell ringing]
Palafox! Palafox!
Coming, my Lord.
Me Lord?
How many rebels are there
in Taunton Prison?
At the last count, me Lord,
500 persons held
in Taunton Castle.
Then we shall need 500 ropes,
shall we not?
If Your Lordship
finds them guilty.
The instant they took up arms
against the King,
they condemned themselves.
Quite so, my Lord.
A swift and speedy end
to traitors.
That's the best way.
Justice is a terrible thing,
Palafox.
But justice must be done!
Where is Ketch?
I believe he is at the prison
waiting for Satchel
to bring the women rebels,
my Lord.
[ominous music ♪]
♪
[sobbing]
[Satchel]
Stop!
Hey, Mother Rosa!
Mother Rosa!
Is that you, Satchel?
It is I, old witch!
[laughs]
Be careful. You're going
to your own destruction.
[laughing]
Eh, one day I'll cut off
your tongue!
You cutting my tongue...
I'm cutting yours.
♪
[women crying]
You need have no fear,
old witch.
How did you know
where to find me?
Well, I remember this cave
from... from my boyhood.
Don't you remember me?
Oh, Master Harry!
You've got a beard.
My God, you've got a beard.
What do you want?
We hunt a villain
who has stolen away our women
for the great trial at Taunton.
Women?
They passed this way
two hours ago...
on foot,
and suffering cruelly.
Among them was
the one you love.
There was one guard at the head
and one at the rear.
Then there's four against two.
We'll have Satchel for supper.
Beware the devil
in red robes...
and the man whose face
has been marked
by the Prince of Darkness.
Thank you, dear lady.
♪
Bring them here inside.
[women moaning]
[whip lashing]
Get over there.
Stand upright!
Will, news at last.
Satchel took the road to Taunton
not so long ago.
The road over Blackrock Moor.
Every man jack of you is wanted
by Judge Jeffries
and the hangman.
It's not too late
to back out now.
My wife's up there on Blackrock.
That swine, Satchel, took her
and left the two children
in an empty house.
- Count on me.
- And me.
That monster's got my Sal.
Come on, then.
There's work to do.
[women softly moaning]
[distant dog barking]
[crying softly]
Don't worry.
What's going to happen to us?
I don't know.
There ain't no use crying.
It's not going to help.
[suspenseful music ♪]
♪
[grunting]
[cries out]
Mary!
[girls reacting]
[Jeffries voice-over]
Sometimes I ask myself
whether the right
to life or death
was ever given to mere men,
or if God Almighty
did not, himself,
deliver unto me
the responsibilities
for that which we are doing.
Yet, when I am confronted again with the unholiness,
the rebellion, the crimes,
and the sacrilege...
I am reassured that we were
not unjust
in dealing the most atrocious
punishment to these criminals.
My Lord.
You dare disturb me?!
It was a surprise attack.
The women escaped!
Send for the captain
of the guard.
He's waiting, my Lord.
You will take a strong
force of men
and you will recapture
the rebels
who escaped on the moor today.
See to it.
Satchel believes
that Harry Sefton was
at the head of the band, sir.
Henry...
Sefton...
Lord...
Rainsford.
I declare him...
outlaw.
This man's...
forfeit...
to...
the Crown...
His person...
at... the mercy...
of the King.
♪
Who is it?
[bird calling]
[cries out]
[whimpering]
Where did the women go?
Tell me, woman!
I will spare the life
of Harry Sefton.
Harry's been captured?
Of course.
He hangs before tonight,
unless you tell me.
Tell me, woman!
They went...
They went...
across the moor.
Truro-Truro came
and brought me some food.
Barris...
Barris...
That's where they went.
- Barris.
- Barris, eh?
Harry's safe.
He's safe now.
No, you have not saved him
because...
he hasn't been caught yet.
Liar!
[yells]
If you kill him...
you'll burn for this.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You-
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn.
You'll burn!
[sobbing]
Rosa?
[Rosa sobbing]
Rosa!
What's the matter?
- Mary...
- Yes.
Harry's been killed.
No, Mother Rosa, he's here.
- Where?
- Right here.
Where?
Give me his hand.
Harry...
I feel danger.
Go away.
We've come for your blessing.
You have my blessing.
Go. Go, you're in danger.
Go, quickly, go.
Go away.
Go.
Take him alive.
Judge Jeffries' orders.
In name of His Gracious Majesty,
King James II...
let the assizes be open.
The prisoners will stand.
The accused, Jonathan Dicken.
The charge, high treason.
You, Dicken...
I sentence you to be hanged
by the neck
until you are dead.
John!
After, of course,
the formalities of
drawing and quartering.
The accused,
Sally Downs.
Spare her, my Lord!
Spare her!
Silence, you dog!
[gasping]
[speaking German]
[speaking German]
[speaking German]
You will be examined for sorcery
in the castle dungeons.
After which, you will rejoin
your lover...
in Hell.
The accused,
Lord Henry Sefton.
Not he!
His case will be tried later.
For such a nobly born rogue
as you, Sefton,
we must take special measures.
The accused, Steven Truro.
What name?
[with difficulty]
T-Truro.
I have a title, rogue!
Use it or I'll have your tongue
by the roots!
I said Truro...
me Lord.
Well, Truro,
the bill against you
is clear enough.
How do you plead?
Not guilty, m... my Lord.
You have wasted enough
of the court's time, Truro.
I sentence you to death.
You will be hanged together
with all these rebel dogs.
[man]
James Quigly, me Lord.
Charge, treason.
[Jeffries]
Condemned.
[man]
Ian Oxley, me Lord.
The charge, treason.
[Jeffries]
Condemned.
[man]
Patricia Leader, me Lord.
The charge, sorcery.
[Jeffries]
Condemned.
[man]
Roger Cartwright, me Lord.
The charge, conspiracy.
[Jeffries]
Condemned.
[man]
Edward Mac, me Lord.
Charge, conspiracy.
[Jeffries]
Condemned!
[trial continues, echoing]
[Jeffries]
Condemned!
You are all condemned,
for crimes against King
and Kingdom,
to hang.
To dangle until you are
but dead.
To be then cut down,
still alive,
to have your entrails drawn out
and thrust
into your own mouths.
To be further hanged,
then quartered like the
carcasses of beef you are.
You number 500...
but even if you were 5,000,
the execution of this sentence
would be just
before God Almighty.
And may He have mercy
upon your souls.
[ Ketch]
Get busy, turnkey.
We have much work to do.
Whether witch or wench...
[woman screams]
They must be taught obedience
to the laws of God and country.
[screaming]
Admit your witchcraft,
and you shall only burn.
Otherwise I shall have
the pleasure of my skills.
A slow, painful,
never-ending death.
I'm not a witch.
I'm not a witch!
[screaming]
Now...
will you not change your mind
and admit that you dabble
in sorcery,
and mix with sorcerers?
I'm not a witch.
You're a traitor,
like all your friends.
[indistinct]
There is certain information...
believe me...
Release her.
Me Lord?
The Earl of Wessex, sir.
Well, my Lord Wessex?
My Lord.
I've come, sir, for the person
of my son.
Palafox, take note of this.
I do believe my Lord Wessex
is attempting to suborn justice.
If my son is your prisoner...
The King's, Wessex.
The King's.
Then in the name of the King,
I ask you to pardon him.
It is the King's pleasure.
Do you not understand?
So the King has pardoned him?
But this is a plea
for clemency.
It is a very different matter,
my Lord Wessex,
as you very well know.
Your son has not been pardoned
by the King,
nor by anyone else.
His fate is still in my hands.
If you ignore
the King's pleasure,
if you hang him...
Whether I hang him, draw him,
quarter him, behead him,
transport him,
or pardon him...
is entirely a matter
for my court.
I bid you good day, my Lord.
My Lord, would that, but once,
you had seen one of your own
sentences carried out.
♪
Unfortunate, me Lord.
I shall do my best
to contain my disappointment.
Wessex still has power
at court,
though our spies
distrust his loyalty.
The Earl of Wessex's
time will come.
I pity it, though, sir,
to let young Sefton slip
right through our hands.
Did I say he had?
Fetch me the girl.
Mary?
[woman grunting]
[screams]
[speaking German]
[speaking German]
[gasps]
[mournful music ♪]
♪
[crying]
[speaking German]
[speaking German]
[speaking German]
[tense music ♪]
♪
[laughing quietly]
♪
You sent for me, my Lord?
I did.
You had a great love
for your sister, did you not?
Yes, my Lord.
And His Lordship of Rainsford.
You had a great love for him,
too, so it seems.
I do, my Lord.
Such devotion...
deserves a worthy reward.
A life, perhaps?
I could bestow such a gift.
And you...
[gasps]
[Jeffries speaking German]
[mournful music ♪]
♪
[crying]
[moaning]
My Lord...
tell me again that you're
going to spare Harry's life.
His life?
Doubtless, he will make
a new life for himself.
In the plantations.
Plantation?
Exile?
Without a doubt.
And now... in God's name,
get you gone.
[intense music ♪]
♪
Devil!
[grunting]
Palafox! Palafox!
Take this bitch away!
[cries out]
See that she goes to London
in chains.
[gasping]
[whispering]
I just spoke to Sally.
[indistinct whispering]
Pass the word down the line.
Right.
Harry.
Tomorrow, the executions begin.
- Are you certain?
- Aye.
I got it from
one of the guards.
Brings our gruel.
He's a Devon man, too,
poor soul.
The soldiers are mostly gone.
Together with the women.
Left for the plantations.
So, Mary and my wife, as well.
We shall have to act speedily,
if at all.
Rather death by the sword
than slow torture.
Pass the word.
[door clattering]
[footsteps approaching]
Hmm.
Well, me beauties?
Are you enjoying yourselves?
You've not much longer
on this earth.
You talk mighty proud,
good Satchel.
What a proud valet you are.
You impudent dog!
[grunting]
Free everybody.
[man]
Let's give the dirty dog
what he deserves.
[overlapping chatter]
The court is now in session.
Satchel...
as justice of this court,
I ask you your plea.
Guilty or not guilty?
[all]
Guilty!
Let the prisoner speak
for himself!
Well, sir?
What are you?
Spare me please!
Spare me!
Quiet, dog!
What say the jury?
[all shouting]
Is he guilty of all crimes?
[all shouting]
I sentence you
to be hanged by the neck...
until you are dead.
[Sally]
No!
No, not hanging.
That's too good for him.
[grunting]
[screaming]
[all clamoring]
[Satchel screaming]
Truro, we have a lot to do.
[screaming and clamoring]
Harry.
Thank God you're safe.
Now William of Orange
has landed,
you are free.
But aren't you
a King James man?
In perilous times,
deceit becomes a necessity.
But the other prisoners
on the way to London?
Oh, every man with a horse
to his name is with us.
The prisoners travel slowly
with King James' guns.
They won't get far.
[organ playing ♪]
♪
Lord Chancellor of England...
I have the great seal, at last.
Me Lord!
What use is the great seal
to you now?
The King is gone!
You lie, Palafox.
You lie.
When have I ever lied to you,
my Lord?
Tell me truly, Palafox,
what is the news
from Whitehall?
The King has fled the country.
His last message was that you
should join him, me Lord,
in France.
I stay here.
Me Lord, don't you understand?
Prince William of Orange
has landed to claim the throne.
I am the Lord Chancellor.
Whoever reigns... I stay.
♪
[distant crowd shouting]
What now?
[crowd shouting, drums]
The city beggars...
Stuart or Orange man,
it's all the same to them
so long as they have
their bellies full.
Me Lord...
I have a warrant
for your arrest.
And this time, it is
the King's pleasure.
As well as mine.
Traitor.
No, my Lord...
'tis you who have
betrayed England.
Bring him to the tower.
[tense music ♪]
♪
[whip lashing]
All right!
Come on!
[gasps]
[gunfire]
♪
[quiet drums]
[Jeffries voice-over]
Surely a man loyal to God,
King and country,
such as I have always been,
cannot be condemned as cruel
and unjust
for pursuing his duties
vigorously
even when it weighed heavily
on his conscience.
Perhaps in the wake
of today's hysteria,
history will judge me fairly.
[drums continue]
[man groaning]
[choking, struggling]
[man crying out]
[screaming]
[grunts]
[groaning]
[coughing]
[hoarse gasping]
Jeffries?
Jeffries?
[weakly]
You...
were...
right...
Wessex, I...
I never knew...
[dramatic music ♪]
♪