The Lives of a Bengal Lancer (1935) - full transcript

- All right. 2:30 tomorrow.
Thank you. Goodbye.

Thanks, sergeant.

Report of horse rations,
thirtieth hussars.

Regimental and general files.

Now, each of these buttons represents
troops. Do you understand?

Yes, sir. Good.

The buttons are thickest up
near the northwest frontier.

Oh, yes, always.

We have 300 million
people to protect.

And most of the danger is there.

It's so romantic
to a greenhorn like me.



Kipling and all that, you know.

Romantic?

Well, at first, yes.

A-another button to move.

41st Bengal Lancers.

Here, near the pass.

The pass? Does that mean...

It means nothing but maneuvers.

As Col. Stone says
in his report here.

You hear that firing, Hamilton?

Typical sniping fire, sir.

Yes, and Afridi muskets
every one of them.

Not a shot from our detachment.

Good. Hendrickson's
a good soldier.



Rough on him,

having those Afridi swine
popping away at his men

and not able to return fire.

Well, he'll get a citation
if this plan works.

Plan's good enough, sir, if it were
anybody but Mohammed Khan.

He's a clever dog.

Yes, of course he is.
I ought to know.

But he's nibbling
at our bait this time.

And if we can once
draw him down

out of those hills far enough,
out into the open

so that we can
cut off his retreat,

we've got him red-handed!

And that's what
I've been waiting for,

for 15 years, Hamilton.

Afridi swine. When do we
go into action, Hendrickson?

On no account return fire.
Col. Stone's orders.

Colonel's orders.

Narain Singh.

Now can we start something?

Colonel's orders, McGregor.

But the old fool
couldn't have foreseen this.

I'd like to have you
with me in a war,

but for peace time,
you're a bit too...

Too...

Too impulsive.

Machine guns!

Forward!

Most unfortunate,

the command
devolved upon you.

Of course you didn't
know my orders.

I did know them, sir.

Why didn't you obey them?

You call yourself a soldier?

That's all.

The colonel knows India,
McGregor. You don't.

You're right, I don't.

I'm just a fool Scotch-Canadian.

Came into your outfit
to get action.

He's got a ramrod
for a backbone.

He's a terror for drilling, but
when it comes to the real thing...

McGregor,
the colonel has the right

to act as he thinks best
and say what he pleases.

Mount!

One more thing, sir.

Two replacements come in
today from Delhi.

Paperwork.

When we came into
the regiment as boys,

we didn't know that this
was 9/10ths of soldiering.

No.

We thought and acted
rather like McGregor.

Mmm.

What about these
two replacements?

What are they sending to us now?

Lt. Forsythe.

The Blues, eh? Well, that's
a fashionable regiment.

All spit and Polish.
Who's the other one?

Lt. Stone.

What?

From Sandhurst?

What, they're sending me
a young cub,

not dry behind the ears yet?
Unseasoned?

Straight from,
fr-from military college

to the frontier?

Oh, bless me.

Hmm, what'd you say
his name was?

Donald Stone, sir. Hmm.

And who asked you to interfere

in my personal affairs?

Will you forget
that you're my colonel

for a moment, sir?

Yes.

Look here, Tom.

In about two years,
you'll be retired.

So you sent for my son

because you feel sorry
for me, is that it?

Not at all.

The idea was to keep
the name of Stone

in the 41st after you're gone.

There's no room for
sentimentality in the army.

Hardly fair to ship him home
without a trial.

Still, he'll measure up
to my standards,

or out he goes.

Of course.

And at the first sign
of favoritism,

from you or anyone else,

there'll be trouble.

And that's an order,
Maj. Hamilton.

Just as you said, major.

It's the colonel's privilege

to do and say what he likes.

McGregor, you'll meet the two
replacement officers this morning.

Lieutenants Forsythe and Stone.

Yes, sir. S-Stone?

His son.

His what?

I said, his son.

I can't imagine old ramrod
ever having been that human.

The train arrives at 10:30,
Mr. McGregor.

Yes, sir.

[imitating Col. Stone]:
“Madam, you'll marry me
Tuesday the 29th.”

“Be at the church at 10:00.
That's an order.”

“Furthermore,
you're improperly dressed.”

Ha, ha.

Did you want
to speak to me, McGregor?

No, sir.

I hope he's a nice follow.

He won't be. Ramrod.

I beg your pardon?

One Stone isn't enough.
We have to have two.

There he is, the younger
ramrod himself.

Everything was all right?
Thank you, sir.

Couldn't be anybody else.
Just as sure of himself as...

Look at the way
they jump around for him.

Look at his luggage,
everything just so-so.

Well, come on,
let's get it over with.

No, I've got a little business.

You get your precious
replacements.

I'm McGregor, Lancers,
sent to meet you.

Oh, sort of reception
committee, eh?

It's nice to know
I was expected.

The regiment's been practically
breathless for a week.

Oh?

Traveling light, huh?

Well, you see, I did expect
to stay a little while.

That is if you don't
mind too much.

It's all right with me.

Goodbye.

And thank you very much
for being so kind.

Not at all.

Your luggage and everything
all taken care of?

Everything, thank you.

May I present Mr. McGregor,
Miss Leys?

Very happy. How do you do?

Goodbye.

Goodbye. Goodbye.

Who's she?

I met her on the train,
if you don't mind.

Bad business talking
to strange people out here.

You know, this is India.

You don't know who they are,
and you might...

Oh, I see. Beautiful spy meets
the young Lancer officer,

makes him give away
important military secrets.

The empire goes smash.

Melodrama, my dear McGregor,
melodrama.

It might not be as funny
as it sounds, Mr. Stone.

I don't suppose
it matters to you,

but my name isn't Stone.

- No?
- No, it's Forsythe.

Well, then,
that must be Stone there.

That's very good, you know.
That's really very good.

It's almost brilliant.

Stone? I'm McGregor,
sent to meet you.

That's very nice of you.

Stone, meet mister, uh...

What did you say
your name was?

Forsythe.

Mr. Stone, Mr. Fort.

We met on the train,
and the name is Forsythe.

Too hot for Forsythe.

Fort, Stone. Stone, Fort.

Stone fort. And that's funny.

If you two will hold onto each other,
I'll tend to your luggage.

Pleasant chap.

So friendly.

Isn't he?

Just what I've always imagined

a real officer
on the frontier would be like.

Well, my mother kept me
in the states

until I made her send me
to Sandhurst.

I've knocked about a bit
in the states.

Scotch-Canadian, myself.

What is this I'm in?
The foreign legion?

I didn't even think my father
knew I was at Sandhurst,

until this happened.

What?

His sending for me
to his regiment.

Oh?

Sort of, carry on
our tradition, you know?

Naim Shah,
your servant, Stone.

Ali Hamdi, yours.

The night watchman,
the water carrier, the sweeper.

You can hire
the rest of them later.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

Those things hurt my ears.

That's odd.

They sound to me
like a Scotch bagpipe.

Your quarters, Stone.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

Pretty, huh? And soothing.
Thought I might entertain you.

Wild Scotch airs.
Remind you of home.

Your room.

Someone deeded all this junk

to the South Kensington museum?

That junk represents
the personal belongings

of the man you're replacing.

Killed on the border last month.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Oh, McGregor, did my...

Uh, the colonel say anything
about what time he'd see me?

No, he didn't. And my guess is
he won't see you till Durbar.

Oh.

Don't let that get you down.

The old... the old man's
a stickler for red tape.

Durbar. Bugles.

And that's an order. Ramrod.

Durbar.

Oh, a-already?
I'll be right with you.

I want you to help me

to keep them in good condition.

You keep then shined

and I'll... uh, keep them dirty.

Durbar.

Whenever you're ready, sahib.

Thanks, old colonial.

Durbar, Barrett.

Not today, old boy.

Where to now?

Over the border.

I wish I'd taken
my mother's advice

and joined the church
instead of the army.

I wish I had the job.

Does the colonel think you're the
only one here who talks Pushtu?

Who knows what
the colonel thinks?

I agree with you there.
Well, good luck.

Thanks, Mac.

Left wheel, turn!

Left wheel, turn!

Good head, eh? Yeah.

How old is she, major?

Places, men.

Good morning, gentlemen.

Good morning, sir.

What's this?

An Afridi ghazi, Colonel sahib.

Caught in the quarters
of Capt. Norton, with this.

Anything stolen?

He meant to kill Capt. Norton.

Said Capt. Norton slept
with his feet toward Mecca.

There are trees,
and we have rope.

What have you got to say?

Oh.

Take him and hang him to a tree,

and then sew the dead body
in the skin of a pig.

Well, that's what will happen
to him if he tries it again.

You tell him that
and let him go.

He doesn't seem to like pigs.

If that happened, in heaven

he wouldn't get the 48 maidens
allotted by Allah.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Sad.

Capt. Norton.

- Yes, sir?
- Have you a compass?

Yes, sir.

Change the direction
of your bed.

Yes, sir.

Yes, that's all.

Mr. McGregor.

The two replacements?

Mr. Forsythe, from the Blues,

Mr. Stone, from Sandhurst.

From the Blues, eh? Quite so.

Well, that's
a fashionable regiment.

I am afraid, Mr. Forsythe,
you'll find us different.

We have a reputation
as soldiers,

and we're proud of it.

Mr. Stone.

You've come to us
direct from Sandhurst,

without previous service.

Is that correct?

Yes, sir.

Yes. Well, you've got
a great deal to learn.

And I trust that you,

and you, too, Mr. Forsythe,

will measure up
to our requirements.

That's all, gentlemen.

Crusty old--

I'm sorry.

Is it over? Is that all?

That's all.

Lt. Stone.

Yes, sir?

The colonel forgot something.

I want you to take this to him.

Yes, sir.

- What's so funny?
- You are.

So the rough soldier
has a heart of gold.

Never mind,
it comes out in all of us.

It's the mother instinct.

Is this it, sir?

What?

Where did you get this?

Mr. McGregor ordered me
to give it to you, sir.

What infernal impudence!

No, uh, not you.

Not... not... not you.

How's, uh, how...
h-how's your mother?

Quite well, sir.

Good, good.

She always hated the army.

I... I don't understand
why she ever let you

go through Sandhurst.

She had to.

I've kept after her about it
ever since I was so high.

Oh? Wanted to be a soldier, eh?

We've always been soldiers,
for generations.

Yes.

Still, you're not one yet,
you know?

Yes, sir.

Really, you, uh,
you ought not to be here.

Uh, not on the frontier.

But I am here, sir.

Yes, but, uh, don't try
to take advantage.

Don't expect any favoritism.

I don't, sir.

I, uh, I... I...
I'm glad to see you,

of course, and I...

I'm sorry that the situation
makes any sort of,

uh, o-of, uh, social relation
impossible.

And I... I, uh...

No, no, wait! W-wait.

Uh, come back a moment.

You see, uh, this frontier,

it's not the same
as home service.

No place for a cub.

A man's got to be seasoned.

You've got to start
from the bottom.

Learn everything,
and if you don't measure up,

Out.

The service comes first.

Something your mother
never understood.

Yes, sir.

Is that all, sir?

What? Uh, uh, yes.

Y-yes, that's all. That's all.

I'm very glad to see...

Poor kid.

I thought if I got them alone...

But the old man
has ice-water in his veins.

You don't know
the colonel, McGregor.

Neither do you.

- Mr. McGregor.
- Yes, sir.

As I remarked to one of my
other officers this morning,

there is no place for
sentimentality in the army.

Neither sentimentality

nor impertinence, Mr. McGregor.

Stone.

Interesting, the Durbar,
isn't it?

I'm sorry I sent you in there.

I should have known better.

Should have known
how he'd treat you.

What's a son to him,

compared to his
blasted regiment?

Martinet. Ramrod.

That's what he is.
Everybody knows it.

You might as well
get used to it.

That's a lie.

I'm sorry,

I can't keep my mouth shut.
That's my trouble.

Biggest fool in the army.
I'm sorry.

That's all... all right, Mac.

♪ Sure I love the dear silver
that shines in her hair ♪

♪ And the brow
that's all furrowed ♪

♪ And wrinkled with care ♪

♪

♪ Oh, god bless you
and keep you ♪

♪ Mother McGregor ♪

Now, when a troop wheels
on the move,

what do the troop leaders
look out for?

Mr. Stone,
I asked you a question.

Yes, sir.

Come on, come on, come on.
Come on.

Got it all that time.

All right.

Bedding should be
changed, Mr. Stone.

Yes, I see now, Risaldar Major.

We don't have these
beastly ticks in England.

Sergeant, have this
horse's shoe attended to.

Come on!

Give him a good walk
while he cools off.

A good man, Forsythe.

Jump!

See the way he took that jump?

Yes, they teach them
to jump in the Blues.

Yes. Yes, what?

Oh.

Good work, Forsythe.

Thank you, sir.

Mr. McGregor,
you're improperly dressed.

I'm sorry, sir.

That was a nice jump
you made, Mac.

Thanks. Hello, Stone.

Hello.

Remarkable man, your father.

Knows a good soldier
when he sees one.

Appreciates neatness, too.

Well, how about
a spot of scotch?

Thanks. I haven't finished
inspection yet.

Ten minutes for their backs
and five for their bellies.

That's the order of grooming.

Very touching,
the lad's devotion.

Must warm the maternal
cockles of your heart.

Eh, McGregor?

What about pulling
a few pegs with me, huh?

I'm in favor of it. Let's go.

Well, uh, how about 10 rupees?

Make it 20.

Ready?

Whenever you say.

They should make
those pegs smaller.

Be more sport to it, huh?

♪ Oh, he flew through the air ♪

♪ With the greatest of ease ♪

♪ And the daring young man
owes me 20 rupees ♪

Have some tea, Stone?

No, thanks.

Call it for first in the bath.

Heads.

Right.

You fellows bathe to keep cool

and I bathe because
I badly need it.

Every time I do this

I remind myself of my old man.

Whiskers.

He was a crabby old cuss.

Back in Alberta
I had a colt once.

Lot of class and nerve.

You could tell
he was no carthorse

when he was a yearling.

The old man hooked him
to a plow.

Took all the spirit out of him.

He broke him in,
as he said he would

and I never forgave him for it.

I don't think the horse
ever did realize what...

What the old man did to him.

So I'm the horse.

Very subtle, Mac.

What the blazes do you mean?

I'm no two-year-old. I'm 21.

And if anybody thinks my old
man's going to break my nerve...

What are you talking about?
I wasn't thinking of you at all.

And let me tell
you another thing,

I don't need a nurse.
Now you can go on shaving.

Have a little soap.
You need it.

Do you have to do that?

Why, like you, I have
a softer side to my nature.

It finds its outlet in music.
See? The scales.

Hey, Mac, get me a towel,
will you?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

Variations, one hand, Mac.

Listen, Forsythe.

This Mother Machree business
has gone far enough.

Why, of course, Mac.

I'm sorry. I didn't realize it.

Well, let's, uh, just forget
all about it. Hmm?

Thanks.

Hey, Mac,
that soap's in my eyes.

Give me a towel, will you?

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

McGregor.

Variations, two hands, Mac.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

How long are you going to--

Keep playing.

Variations, Mr. Forsythe,
with both hands.

Cobras have a softer side, too.

Finds an outlet in music.

Of course, if you...
if you stop playing,

you know, you might live
a couple of hours.

I had a friend once
that lived for two days.

Try it with one hand.

Mac!

Allow me. You might spill it.

For sale, cheap.

One secondhand
musical instrument.

200 feet more.

Plus 200 east.

Elevation, 300.

- Mr. McGregor.
- Yes, sir?

There's no word yet
from Barrett.

- We must get in touch with him.
- Yes, sir.

You're familiar
with the roads north east

of Fort Jamrud?

- I am, sir.
- Yes, good, good.

You'll cross
the frontier tonight.

Take one subaltern,

one NCO, ten men,
four spare horses.

And, uh, rifles.

Not lances.

I see, sir.

Ostensibly,
a hunting expedition.

What subaltern
shall I take, sir?

Mmm, any preference?

Mr. Stone, sir.

No service experience.
Take Morgan.

He's on leave, sir.

Well, then, take Forsythe.

Yes, sir.

Here are your orders.

And this time, obey them.

Yes, sir.

Forsythe.

Huh?

We're leaving for
the border immediately.

What?

Action?

Can't say.

Oh.

We leave for the border?

Uh, small expedition.
Only one junior officer.

Forsythe. Yes?

One junior officer,
so he had to choose...

I chose Forsythe.

I see.

Sir.

What do you mean by
intruding like this?

Why wasn't I chosen
to go with McGregor?

Are you questioning my orders?

Then it was your orders.

It wasn't McGregor's choice.
It was yours.

Mr. Stone.

I came out to India
to be an officer,

and I've been given things to do

I learned in my first year
at Sandhurst.

I haven't asked any favors,
and I'm not asking any now.

But if you meant to
treat me this way,

why did you bring me out here?

Why did you send for me?

I didn't send for you.

Y-you didn't?

Oh.

Are you aware
we're being shot at?

We camp here.

This is no place to camp.

Are you out of your mind?

They'll rush us in the night
and slit our throats.

This can't be what
the colonel meant.

Easy to see how much
you learned in the Blues

about frontier fighting.

No firing.

He's mine.

Rapid fire!

You just missed my ear, Mac.

You're lucky, Barrett.

You got a cigarette?

Yeah.

Thanks.

What shall I tell the colonel?

Mohammed Khan,

is effecting a coalition
of all the tribes.

But don't forget, colonel,
Gopal's a friendly state.

The Emir's our friend, as
who knows better than you.

Oh, of course, I've known
Othman Alli for 20 years.

Every year or so
I take the regiment

up to Gopal for maneuvers
and pig-sticking.

He's got the best wild pig
north of the Ganges.

Ah.

But two million
rounds of ammunition.

Oh, no, Woodley.

Why, that's enough
to start a small-sized war.

And then, who knows?

Yes, who knows?

But he asked for it.

And if we refused, well,
he mightn't be our friend.

- And so he gets it, eh?
- Yes.

McGregor, sahib.

Oh, ask Mr. McGregor
to come in.

Oh, sit down, sir, won't you?

- You saw Barrett?
- Yes, sir.

He reports Mohammed Khan is trying
to stir up all the border tribes,

and effect a coalition
of all of them.

They're listening to him
as he's promised

to supply them
with machine guns,

and two million
rounds of ammunition.

Ammunition?

Oh, that's good work.
Thank you, McGregor.

Thank Barrett, sir.

Look at here, sir, I... I know
it's none of my business,

but couldn't we
slip out of here,

a small detachment of us,
anyway, on our own?

Try to get a chance
at him, kill him,

and... and nip the whole
business in the bud?

Are you suggesting

that I should commence
hostilities without orders?

And, uh, ahem,
without reporting this

to the intelligence?

Intelligence, those fools.
General staff?

You know, sir, they'll send us
anywhere but into action.

To Gopal to stick pigs for
instance, like last summer.

An excellent suggestion.

Sir Thomas, Mr. McGregor.

Mr. McGregor, Maj. Gen.
Sir Thomas Woodley.

Chief of intelligence.
Army headquarters.

Mr. McGregor.

Col. Stone, your regiment
will leave at dawn for Gopal.

Yes, sir.

Now, get yourself
a couple of hours sleep.

We leave at 6:00.

Yes, sir.

Wish I could go with you.

I always liked pig-sticking.

Pig-sticking.

Well, I seem to remember
feeling that way once.

He's probably right.

Hm.

But he brought
our answer, Stone.

A plain two and two
that makes a very plain four.

Mohammed Khan needs two
million rounds of ammunition.

And the Emir of Gopal asks us
for two million rounds...

Yes, yes, and it's not
difficult to guess,

that Mohammed Khan persuaded
the Emir to ask for it.

He knows we'll have
to let him have it, too.

And Gopal's not only remote,

but far enough removed
from the Khan's home fires,

that we shouldn't be suspicious.

Very pretty, indeed.

And it becomes
our very pleasant job,

to see that the Emir

really is the one
who gets the ammunition.

That old pussy-footer

gets paid for being intelligent.

I tell you, Forsythe,
everything's going to smash.

What?

Pig-sticking.

We're going to ride all around Gopal
sticking toothpicks into pigs.

Sounds rather fun.

I ought to be rather good
at that, don't you think?

Hmm.

By the way, McGregor,
I've got bad news for you.

Your ward needs
parental control, I fear.

That is, if you can find him.

Naim Shah tells me he's been
out every night since we left.

Rolling home to quarters blotto.

Tonight he's still
out on a binge.

Hm. We leave for
Gopal in two hours.

Oh, without Stone, it appears.

My, what will
the stern father say?

You'd better do
something about it, Mac.

The young fool.

Let old ramrod do
what he likes with his son.

It's no concern of mine.
I'm going to bed.

So am I.

What are you doing here?

The same as you are.
Looking for him.

And I wish you'd be
honest with yourself,

and let me know what
you're really going to do.

If you'd just tell me,
maybe I'd get more sleep.

Now that we are here,

what would you do
if you were drunk?

How drunk?

Pretty drunk.

I'd go looking for that music.

Come on, speed it up, Stone,

or we'll all be doing stable duty.

I can take care of myself.

Come along, Casanova,

these will make
a new man of you.

Forgot something.

I thought you
might get lonesome.

Get yourself a cobra.

The welcoming committee
from the Emir.

That's his vizier,
bringing gifts

for the colonel
from his old pal.

His highness,

Othman Ali Bahadur,
Emir of Gopal,

bids welcome to his friends
and allies of the raj.

Thrice welcome,
in the name of Allah.

Convey my thanks
to your master,

ahem, my old friend.

Uh, m-may he live
a thousand years.

His highness orders me
to express his wish, Huzoor,

that you may live long enough
to be present at his funeral.

Uh, oh, yes, quite so. Quite so.

He went the old man
one better that time.

Wicked looking birds,
aren't they?

Hunting falcons, Forsythe.

Swiftest thing in the air.

Full of fight
and trained to kill,

like the rest of these
mangy-looking fellows.

A long-legged man
is always full of wind.

Barrett.

His highness
invites you, Huzoor,

and all the officer sahibs,
to an entertainment

in your honor,
tonight at the palace.

I accept on their
behalf with pleasure.

All my thanks to his highness.

His highness awaits you.

Salaam, Colonel sahib.

Salaam, your highness.

May I present the officers of the
41st Bengal Lancers, your highness?

My poor hovel is yours, sahiban.

Everything here
is for your pleasure.

Please enjoy yourselves.

Now, this is what
army life should be.

Like the Arabian nights,
isn't it?

Anything like this
in Canada, Mac?

Quite a teepee, huh?

I sent to London
for that, and you...

My two good friends.
My guest, Col. Stone.

My guest, Mohammed Khan.

Very glad to
know you Khan sahib.

At last, Col. Stone.

We almost met once before,
did we not, you and I?

Yes, I... I believe we did.
Just missed you, didn't I?

“A blind man wants
nothing except his eyes.”

That's an Afghan proverb.

And now, if you will forgive me,

I must leave my
two good friends together.

I must go to see
my other guests.

Oh, yes, your highness.

No doubt that Khan and I will
find much to talk about.

Highness.

You were not expected
with your Lancers.

A hasty trip, wasn't it?

In search of, uh...

Pigs.

There's another proverb:

“The little jackal barks,
but the caravan passes.”

Won't you sit down, Col. Stone?

Yes.

I say, look.

I saw her first.

No, no, no, no, no, no, Mac.

A direct frontal attack?

That's the wrong tactics.
This requires finesse.

I'll toss you.
The loser stays clear.

Right you are.

Heads.

Now watch closely.

Well, uh, go ahead.
Uh, I'm watching you closely.

Gentlemen.

Uh, two more of my officers
I should like you to meet.

Mr. McGregor, Mr. Forsythe.

This is our friend and neighbor,
Mohammed Khan.

A great pleasure, gentlemen.

Let me give you some
advice, Mr. Forsythe.

Never make fun of
military intelligence.

Thank you very much.
And now...

Uh, wait a minute.

That girl and...

I've got some things
to find out.

He plans to leave
tomorrow morning.

I knew he would
as soon as we got here.

We must keep him
here if possible.

I was right.

She came here with
Mohammed Khan.

Aha, so that's how it is.

Diplomatic complications
rear their heads, huh?

Looks like it.
We'd better find them.

Mac, I've been thinking.

I'm very fond of you, you know.

I have a feeling this is
going to cost me something.

Oh, no, Mac.

Now, you've done
enough for him, really.

This time, I'll take
on the rescue work.

Well, that touches me deeply,

but how many times have you
told me he was my job?

Uh, we'll both do it, Mac. Huh?

Mr. Stone, I'm sorry, but uh,

but Maj. Hamilton
wants to see you.

Very important, he said.

I beg your pardon. I'll be back
in just a moment.

Surely.

No manners at all,
this younger generation.

Completely forgot
the introductions, didn't he?

My name's Forsythe.

How do you do?

That's McGregor.

Scotch, you know.
Very queer race.

Did you send for me, major?

No.

I'm sorry.

I made that same mistake
once before.

How are your pigs
this year, highness?

Pigs?

My land is overrun
with unclean beasts.

Oh, that means
good sport tomorrow.

You'll join us, Khan sahib,
of course?

Oh, I'm sorry,
I'm leaving in the morning.

But if you wish real sport,
you must come to my country.

An invitation?

My land and all it contains
is at your disposal.

Yes, yes, sahib.

Why, he gives his word,
the word of a prince.

I swear it upon the Koran.

An oath?

Oh, I'll put it to the test.

He has you.

What do you
demand of him, sahib?

Postpone your departure.

Join us at
pig-sticking tomorrow.

I... I... I can't.
My affairs demand that...

You must.

You give your oath
upon the Koran.

I am honored, Bahadur.

Tomorrow,

pig-sticking.

I don't believe
in explaining orders,

but this time it's necessary.

Mohammed Khan's men
are in these hills,

to seize that ammunition convoy

before it reaches
our friend, the Emir.

There's no need to tell you
how serious one ill-advised

or careless move by any of you

might be in this situation.

Oh, of course, we're here
for sport and maneuvers.

And as some of you who are
new to India may not know,

a wounded pig
is a dangerous animal,

so a word of advice
to, uh, the younger officers.

If you wound a pig
and he takes to cover,

do not dismount and follow.

Foolhardiness is not courage.

It's not good soldiering
and it's not good sport.

Good morning, sir.

Good morning. Good morning.

We shall ride together, sir?

It will be a pleasure.

You have the advantage
of me, in years.

The older the English fox,
the safer his brush.

Cunning comes with age,
Col. Stone.

Hunted in the shires, I see.

And you on the border.
We're fairly matched.

But I prefer your
English sport to this.

You prefer hunting the fox?

Mr. Stone.

I'm worried about you.

Such a dangerous sport.

Nonsense. Why,
there's no risk at all.

Good luck.

Old ramrod's spotted one.
Look at him ride.

He made a direct kill.

Look!

- 20 rupees on the first spear.
- Right.

♪ Oh, he flew through the air
with the greatest of ease ♪

Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.

Did you see old ramrod
make that kill?

"A wounded pig is
a dangerous animal."

What rot.

Pig hasn't a chance.

Think so?

Hey, look.

There's your chance to
find out how simple it is.

Stone!

Mr. McGregor! Mr. McGregor!

You get back on your
horse and stay there.

Mr. Stone! Mr. Stone!

McGregor, give me your tunic.

No one, you understand, no one,

must know of this.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

Mr. Stone, you've seen fit
to disregard my advice.

You will please be good
enough to leave the field.

Yes, sir.

I, uh, I... I should
thank you two.

Well, thank you, gentlemen.

Now, uh, help me on my horse.

And you, too,
disobeyed my orders.

I distinctly told
you not to dismount.

Lights out.

How do you feel, sir?

I, oh, oh, quite
all right, thanks.

What?

Much better talk to them
yourself, I think, sir.

He's your son, you know.

Better effect than
if it came from me.

And when you talk,

I happen to know there's
quite a strong friendship

between the boy and McGregor.

Yeah. Yes, yes, of course.
Of course, yes.

Well, all right.

They're here.

Well, all right.

Come in.

Oh, yes, yes, of course,
it's you. Yes, I-i...

G-good evening, gentlemen.

Good evening, sir.
Good evening, sir.

Yes, I, uh,
I... I...I sent for you.

I... I want to talk
to you about something. Uh...

Uh, sit down.
S-sit down, both of you.

No, no, no, don't go, Hamilton.

It, um, it's about, uh, um...

Are your quarters comfortable?

Yes, sir.

Just like Salisbury plain, sir.

Yes, yes.

There are three of you
together, I understand.

I... I...I mean, my s...

Uh, Mr. Stone is quartered
with you, isn't he?

Yes, sir.

Yes.

Well, I, uh,

I... I... I want to talk to you
about something.

Uh,

uh, oh,

uh, oh, t-try some
of my tobacco, McGregor.

I-1-it's my own mixture.

You know... you know,
that fellow in Jermyn street.

Lot of perique in it.

Hm.

Too strong for me, maybe.

No. No, not for you, McGregor.

I-I-it might be for Forsythe.

Of the Blues.

Late of the Blues, sir.

Huh? Oh, yes, yes,
late of the Blues.

Uh, I... I...I knew
your father, Forsythe.

Oh, did you really?

Yes.

Snake charmer, wasn't he?

What? Brigadier general,
a... a snake charmer?

Well, I thought...

Well, you see,
his son plays one of those...

Oh, that's odd.
I...I... I never heard of it.

Uh...

Oh, oh, probably,
it's just as well.

Probably. Yes, probably, sir.

Yes. Yes, I... I... I knew him.

Uh...

Y-your father must be
very proud of you, Forsythe.

T-T-The army a-a-and all that
sort of thing, I mean.

Oh, he took all that
for granted, sir.

Yes. Yes. Uh...

Uh... uh, you... you ought to make
a good officer, Forsythe.

Oh, you've got a lot
to learn yet, of course.

Oh, yes, sir. Yes.

W-w-where is your father now?

Cheltenham. Retired.

Retired?

Yeah.

Well, we... we come to it.

We all come to it.

Not much to look
forward to then.

Not much, unless, uh...

Well, uh, we've had a hard day.

Now, you... you'd better
get yourself some sleep.

Good night, gentlemen.

Good night, sir.

Good night, sir.

Good night, sir.

Yeah, good night, Hamilton.

That fellow in Jermyn street.

Pour lumps of sugar.

Not much to look forward to.

So he wanted to talk to us.

Well, whatever it was,

he couldn't get it
off his chest, could he?

Say, do you suppose...

Ah, is the light
beginning to break?

I got it.

The old man doesn't know
what to do about his kid,

and wants us to help him,

but just couldn't get it out.

That's brilliant, Mac.

That's positively brilliant.

That's it, all right.

I never thought
he cared that much.

I never thought
he was that human.

Yet the way
he went after that pig

when he thought
his boy was in for it.

Yeah, game old cock.

Those tusks got him a lot
worse than he lets on, too.

Boy's pretty bitter and ugly.

Largely the old
man's fault, of course.

Partly the old man's,
partly our system's.

But mostly the boy's.

Let's wake him up.

Well, no, Mac. I leave that
to you. He's your ward.

Well, the old man talked
to you, too, didn't he?

That girl.

Ah, youth, youth!

I trust you won't find
the journey

too uncomfortable, Mr. Stone.

Halt! Who goes there?

Guard, turn out.

Barrett sahib.

As he turned around, we fired
and brought him down, sir.

Thank you, McGregor.

Your version, Forsythe?

Mr. Stone was not in his tent.

That's all we can say, sir.

You've both tried to shield him.

All the facts are obvious.

He couldn't have been seized

in the middle of the camp
without some outcry.

Just slipped out against orders.

Anyway, he can tell
where they've taken him, sir.

Hamzulla, ask him where
Mohammed Khan has taken my son.

I think I can
make him talk, sir.

Well, try.

Guards doubled as ordered, sir.

Thank you, Norton.

Barrett?

Bad?

The eyes, and the usual...

Mogala.

Thank you, McGregor.

I learned that one from you, sir.

Hamzulla Khan, take him away.

Trial of that Afridi,
10:00 A.M. tomorrow.

Services for Barrett, at noon.

That's all, gentlemen.

But, sir. I thought that...

You thought what, Mr. McGregor?

That you were going
after your son, sir.

This incident will not change
our plans in any respect.

But... but knowing where
he's taking your son

makes all the difference, sir.

We can be at Mogala
almost as soon as he is.

This regiment can ride, sir.

I'm aware my regiment can ride.

I'm also aware that
I am not going to do

precisely what Mohammed Khan
has planned that I should do.

He took my son
to goad me into pursuing him

to draw the Lancers
from their position.

He's mistaken his man.

But this...
In our present position,

the regiment holds
Mohammed Khan checkmate.

The regiment stays here.

Then let me go.

I can take a small detachment...

Mr. McGregor, I cannot
weaken the strength

of the regiment
in this emergency.

And I can't permit you
or any other officer

to risk their lives
for Mr. Stone.

But he's your son, and
we can save him, can't we?

That will be all, Mr. McGregor.

Then take a look at that.

That's what Mohammed Khan
does to his prisoners.

That's quite unnecessary,
Mr. McGregor.

I know what may
happen to my son

through his own
disobedience and folly.

I'd just begun to think
I was wrong about you,

but I wasn't.

You haven't a human bone
in your body.

There's not a drop
of blood in your veins.

You're nothing but a...

McGregor.

So you'll sit here
with your regiment

while they kill
your son by inches.

Well, I won't!

I'm going after him whether
you like it or not.

Mr. McGregor!

Pending charges
of insubordination

you will please consider
yourself under arrest.

Mr. Forsythe, you will be
responsible for the prisoner.

You fool. Can't you see...

- So you--
- Mac!

Come along.

Well, I must say
you spoke your mind,

old colonial, if there's
any virtue in that.

"Regiment, duty,
you're improperly dressed."

That's all he cares about.

So they'll say,

"Very good, Col. Stone,”
and pin another medal on him.

Or else he's--

Haven't you said enough,
McGregor?

The colonel's right
and you know it.

You're only making it
harder for him.

If you take my advice,
you'll go over and apologize.

Not me. Apologize
after what he did?

Oh, for heaven's sake, man,
get some sense.

Do you suppose it was
an easy thing for him to do?

His own son?

Why wasn't it?

He doesn't care about him.

He'd do the same thing
to any of us.

But to sit here and let them
pull his own son to pieces

because of a few
cases of ammunition...

Are you blind, man?

You think he doesn't care?

Well, I know he does.

Well, I suppose
if it were your son,

you'd sit here, too,
like a dummy.

You would not...

No, I should probably
have ordered the regiment out.

That's because I'm not
the man the colonel is.

Nor the soldier.

Well, if that's what
you call being a man

or a soldier, I don't
want any part of it.

Not me.

That kid needs him.
It's his own blood,

and if he cared
a hang about him...

Of course he cares. But
what's that got to do with it?

He loved his wife, too,
but he lost her.

She was American.

Couldn't stick the service,
couldn't understand.

So he chose the regiment then
just as he's doing now.

But that doesn't mean
he didn't care.

I know.

I ought to know.
We were cubs together.

He put his whole soul
into the regiment,

and that's all he's had.

And he won't have that long,
either. Retirement.

He'll have an armchair
in the club,

and a window over the rag,
and that's all.

And he'll have nothing

if his boy doesn't carry on
in this regiment.

Then he'd have everything?

Of course he would.
That's what it means to him.

But you think he'd let that make

any difference
to his orders, to his job?

Well, why shouldn't it?

Why can't he be
a little less of a soldier

and more of a man?

Why can't he forget
his blasted duty for once?

Man, you are blind!

Have you never thought

how for generation
after generation here,

a handful of men
have ordered the lives

of 300 million people?

It's because he's here,
and a few more like him.

Men of his breed
have made British India.

Men who put their jobs
above everything.

He wouldn't let death
move him from it

and he won't let love
move him from it.

When his breed of man
dies out, that's the end.

And it's a better breed of man

than any of us will ever make.

Good night, gentlemen.

There's a great deal
of speaking of minds

going on here tonight.

I didn't think
the old boy had it in him,

but he's right.

According to his way
of thinking, maybe.

It's funny, your being out here

and thinking of it
in any other way.

On their side, huh?

Well, I'm not. So I'm
going to do something.

There's been enough thinking
and talking, too. I'm going.

Are you really, now?

You know, you put me
in a rather awkward position.

Look, I don't want
any trouble with you,

but I'm going.

Well, when do we start?

What do you mean "we"?

You're my prisoner, you know.

I couldn't let you
out of my sight.

I regret to have to report, sir.

McGregor and Forsythe
have disappeared.

What, desertion?

I suppose it is, technically.

Well, what did you expect?

♪ Sure I love the dear silver ♪

♪ That shines in her hair ♪

♪ And the brow
that's all furrowed ♪

♪ And wrinkled with care ♪

♪ I kiss the dear fingers
so toil-worn for me ♪

♪ Oh, God bless you
and keep you ♪

♪ Mother ♪

♪ McGregor ♪

Why do they want to talk
so many languages in India?

It's up to you.

You'll have to be the
talking merchant.

I'll be the deaf and dumb one.

Well, at least we're in.

I hope getting out is as easy.

Trying to be funny?

No, I'm not trying to be funny.

I'm scared stiff.

What are we going to do now?

Try to look and act
like the rest

of these merchants.
Set up shops.

Sell a few doodads while
we take a look around.

I don't see anything
that looks like a plan.

As far as I can see,

we've just stuck our head
in the lion's mouth.

A very large and
unpleasant lion, too.

Suppose you were
Mohammed Khan,

where would you
have put him?

Oh, no, you play first.
It'll be more fun.

All right.

You stay here
and unpack these things

and set up shop.

I'll take a look around.

Don't forget
you're deaf and dumb.

You'd better cut
your prices, Mac,

before I get my throat cut.

Do you think she recognized us?

I hope not.

I don't think so.

Anyway, we won't worry about it.

Did you see
anything interesting?

Not a thing.

What's that mean?
Time to go?

Yes.

But we're gonna stay
right here until we can...

He's in all right.
No doubt about that.

And doing rather well, too.

Clicquot. I saw the label. Iced.

If that's the way Mohammed
Khan tortures his victims

I'd like to change places
with him for 10 minutes.

That guard's got
a key all right.

If we can last till night,
hit the guard over the head

get the kid out,
try and steal some horses--

Jump them over a 40-foot wall

and then that mad dash
for the border.

Well, you think
of something better.

Mohammed Khan sent for us.

He wants to see
our rugs and laces.

- Do you suppose?
- No, I don't suppose.

Don't forget
you're deaf and dumb.

Oh, come, come, gentlemen.

It isn't everyday
that two British officers

prostrate themselves at the feet
of a poor border chieftain.

Mr. McGregor, Mr. Forsythe.

I told you, this Mardi Gras
would be a washout.

I had hoped the colonel
might come himself

but since he has so
very cleverly refused,

I welcome you
to my humble home.

You remember,
my dear, of course?

How could I forget?

They were such charming
dinner companions.

Dinner. Yes, of course.

You will dine with me
surely, gentlemen,

to try my poor savage fare?

I know you must be anxious
to meet my guest of honor.

I wouldn't do that
if I were you, Mr. McGregor.

Yes, I've... I've seen
good cricket in my time.

I was an Oxford man,
you know.

But I must compliment you,
Mr. Forsythe,

on your delivery.

Superb.

Oh, charming compliment.

My only regret is that
it wasn't a hand grenade.

A charming thought.

A charming dinner.

The mutton was, uh, excellent.

Always mutton.

We have mutton or chicken
up here. But, as you say,

good mutton, quite the equal
of your English south down.

Now you put me in a very
difficult position.

Pride of country urges me
to argue the point.

But my position as, uh...

As a guest, shall we say...

By all means a guest,
for the time being.

For the time being, huh?

Pass the wine.

My position as a guest

for the time being, of course,

inclines me to agree with you.

Well, a compliment indeed,

that we can approach the
excellence of anything British.

I'm fed up with this
cat-and-mouse business.

Let's talk sense.

You've got us here and now what
are you going to do with us?

Mac, manners, manners.

By the way, we didn't
thank the Khan sahib

for our charming
and picturesque raiment.

Suppose we stay
with the subject?

I'm quite prepared to supply you

with horses to return
to your regiment.

You can tell your colonel
that some of my men

misunderstood his son's
innocent flirtation.

Of course, when I found it out,

I punished them at once.

An easy explanation of how
I came to set you free.

And, uh, what's the catch?

You have only to answer
two very simple questions:

By what route is the
ammunition train coming

and just where does
the regiment plan

to meet it for convoy?

Well, when the furry
little animal

jumped out of the bag
he really jumped, didn't he?

Well, gentlemen.

We have ways to make men talk.

If you'll forgive me,
I... I have a headache.

Oh, I'm sorry, my dear.

Madame Volkanskaya
finds our methods

in this part of the world

a little too direct
for her taste.

Your brandy, gentlemen.

Take it. We may need it.

I regret this,

but thanks to your colonel's
cold heart and cold brain

I have no other choice,
and very little time.

Now that we're no longer guests,

tell him what you
really think of the mutton.

Oh, yes.

As much as I regret to say this,

your mutton is undoubtedly...

"Rotten" is the word.

Thanks, Mac.

Come, now, gentlemen,
must I proceed

to these absurd
and unpleasant extremes?

Little bamboo slivers

but when they're driven
under the fingernails

and lighted,

we find them very effective.

Bring the other two gentlemen
a little bit closer

so they can see well.

I shall proceed first
with Mr. McGregor.

I'll get you some water.

I'd rather have
a cigarette, Mac.

Dentist once in Montreal
hit a nerve.

It hurt almost as bad.

Well, he's been to a dentist.

Let me alone!

Come on, Tania.
Don't fail me, Tania.

Come along, Mohammed Khan.

Show some speed!

Tania!

For dear old Forsythe.

Tania! Tania!
Run, jump, do something!

Do anything.

That's right. Here we go.

Tania! One jump.

Come on, Mohammed Khan,
take that hurdle.

Ah, Mohammed Khan,
by half a length.

That makes 40 million
rupees you owe me.

Another day of this,
and I'm broke.

Another day of this, we'll
be going around in circles

like those cockroaches.

Ah, I wonder when these
whiskers stop itching

and begin to be a beard!

Foulest torture ever invented.

Keep us in a cell that crawls

and fix us so we can't scratch.

All the Khan's horses
and all the Khan's men.

It didn't take him long.

I'd like to have seen the look

on the colonel's face.

It looks as if they were
expecting trouble.

There's only one answer.

The colonel's after them.

And with all
the ammunition here,

there's nothing to
keep him in Gopal.

With those machine guns

and two million rounds
of ammunition

the regiment
wouldn't have a chance.

The old ramrod's a fool
to try it.

There's nothing much
we can do about it.

I wish I had
my toodle-oodle here.

I'd play you some
wild Scotch airs.

Over my dead body, you would.

You know, that's
rather clever, Mac.

Why don't you say it? Why don't
you say what you're thinking?

Forget it!

I'm to blame. I told them,
that's what you're thinking.

- Why don't you say it?
- Shut up!

All right, I told them
and why shouldn't I? For him?

To stand there and watch

and know all the time
I was gonna be next

to have your nails torn off
and those pincers

and burning sticks
driven into you until...

And things you
can't even talk about.

Why should I stand all that?

For what? For him?

For a service that makes him
like he's been to me?

He left me here, didn't he?

He knew what they'd do.

He wouldn't come
after me, not him.

Regiment, service, duty!

Why should I stand
what you did for them?

Why should I?
Why should any of us? Why?

I told you to forget it.

All right, Mac.

But I still
don't understand why.

Why? Well...

Well, there are some things
they don't teach you

in military college.
Can't, I guess.

India's big, you know.
There are 300 million people

and run by, uh,
just a handful of men.

The... the... the job comes first.

Like old ramrod,

you can't let death
move you, nor love.

And it's like...

How can I tell you
what it's all about

when I don't know myself?

“The time has come,
the walrus said,”

"to speak of many things”

“of ships and shoes
and sealing-wax,”

“of cabbages and kings.”

Oh, shut up!

You don't like poetry?

How should I know?
I never read any.

Perhaps something more rugged.

“Ever the faith endures,”

“England, my England”

“take and break us,
we are yours”

“England, my own”

“life is good, joy runs high”

“between English earth and sky”

“death is death and we shall die”

“to the song
on your bugles blown, England”

“to the stars on
your bugles blown!”

If I had known I was
going to say all this,

I would have brought my violin.

You weren't by any chance
thinking how nice it would be

if someone spilled the fire
into that ammunition, were you?

About 200 yards, I'd say.

Nearer a 100.

My last year in Oxford
I won the 220.

I ran the 100 in 10 flat
at Mcgill.

It's nearer 200.
And where's Mcgill?

Mcgill's in Montreal.

And this is a job
for a 100-yard man.

Forget I'm your superior officer?

Forget you're my prisoner?

Toss you?

The cockroaches.

If Tania gets to the wall first, I win.

It's a go?
Mohammed Khan! Come on!

Tania, what's the matter?

Mohammed Khan again!
It's my job.

Your luck's as good
as ever, Mac.

And now all I have to do

is figure a way
to get out of here.

That's all.

Too late, sir.

Hopeless to
attack that strength.

If we retire now
and that ammunition

is distributed
amongst the tribes...

You know what that means.

Yes, a costly job, sir.

I know.

But it's worth
the whole regiment.

Squadron, wheel into line.
Gallop!

What are you doing?

I'm trying to wear
a hole in the wall

so we can all climb through.

It occurred to me, gentlemen

that you might like to know
what is to become of you.

I'm expecting a visit from
your colonel in a few minutes.

I can assure you he will
receive a very warm reception.

In the coming engagement,
if the colonel escapes

I shall send you all
back to him alive.

If he is captured,
you will all die.

In any case,
I shall have the pleasure

of bringing the colonel
face to face with a son

who betrayed his empire.

Very foolish, Mr. Forsythe.

You should always temper
courage with judgment.

That's a fool thing to do.

We'll get it soon enough.

Did you get a gun, too?

Just about enough powder
in those, I think,

to blow that lock off.

It took us five days
to think of that.

Us?

Take a little water and mix
enough straw and mud

to seal this lock.

What do we use for a fuse?

Mac.

Yeah.

This idea, I'm in on it.

It was my fault, all this,

and if there's any way...
I mean...

Sure, I know.
Ready with that wick?

I mean, there's not
much left that...

Well, I couldn't go back,
like he said,

not to the regiment
or to England.

If anybody's going
to take any chances,

I'll take them.

Sure you're in on it.

Never thought of it
any other way.

Just stick close and
do what you're told

till we get this open.

There's someone on that
tower with a machine gun.

Let me get it and cover you
while you make a run for it.

All right.

Look, I've got a hunch

we're going to get out of this.

We can't let the old man or
anybody know what's happened.

Mohammed Khan!
Mohammed Khan!

This way.

All right, Mac,
you keep me covered.

I can make it from here.

Bugles. Trumpets.

Man needs seasoning.

Poetry!

Mac! Mag, I... I...

He did it for me.
To undo what I did!

The last thing Mac asked you...

The old man mustn't know.

It's just as good a way
of paying what you owe.

Mother McGregor.

Lt. John Forsythe

by command of his majesty
the king-emperor,

I confer upon you

the distinguished service order.

Second it. Donald Stone,
41st Bengal Lancers.

For conspicuous gallantry
and devotion to duty.

He attacked single-handed,
a group of the enemy

and killed their leader

thus demoralizing hostile forces

at a moment when
the success of our arms

at Mogala was in the balance.

Second it. Donald Stone

by command of his majesty
the king-emperor

I confer upon you the
distinguished service order.

Lt. Alan McGregor

41st Bengal Lancers, deceased.

For valor.

At the sacrifice of his life

he destroyed enemy
ammunition supplies

contributing thereby
to the success of our arms

in the action at Mogala.

His majesty the king-emperor
has been graciously pleased

to confer posthumously
the Victoria cross

upon the late it. McGregor.

In accordance with
the custom of this regiment

I place this cross

upon the saddlecloth
of his horse.