Young Winston (1972) - full transcript

CROWD CHEERS

AEROPLANE PROPELLERS TURN

CROWD JEERS

BELL RINGS

AIR-RAID SIREN WAILS

AIRCRAFT OVERHEAD

LOUD EXPLOSION

SHIP'S WHISTLE WHOOPS

Who's that bloody fool on the grey?

Someone who wants to be noticed,
I should imagine. He'll be noticed.

Get his head blown off.



CHURCHILL: My Early Life,

by Winston Spencer Churchill.

On the 16th of September 1897,

at the age of 22, I found myself
taking part

in a punitive expedition
of the Malakand Field Force,
on the north-west frontier of India.

In a sense, I had arranged for my
participation in this action myself.

YOUNG CHURCHILL:
August 5th, 1897, a letter
to General Sir Bindon Blood.

"Sir, I do hope you'll not be
annoyed if I remind you that you
once promised me, that when you had

"your next command, you would
try to find a place for me."
"Very difficult. No vacancies.

"Come up as a correspondent.

"We'll try to fit you in. Blood."

Now, which of these
gallant chaps will lead me

to something really exciting,
an adventure I can write about?

That column there, or that one?



It's all a lottery, isn't it?

Just luck.

God, I hope I'm lucky today.

The joke of it all is that I
never really wanted to be a soldier.

No, politics, Parliament, that's
my arena. But how am I to get there?

I have no reputation,
no family in the Government
and worst of all, no money.

Now, money,
my darling mother wrote to me often
on that tiresome subject.

"Really, Winston, you are simply
irresponsible about money.

"I am sending the man
the ?11 he asks.

"But why will you write cheques
when you have no money in the bank?

"Actually, in America, it's illegal
and they sentence people to
long terms in jail for doing it.

"My dear, do be careful
and do write when you can.

"Please, please don't take
any unnecessary risks.

"Your loving mother,
Jennie Randolph Churchill."

Who's that bloody fool on the grey?

Can't tell.

Someone who wants to get noticed,
I should imagine. He'll be noticed.

Get his head blown off.

Sir!

Lieutenant Churchill,
sir, 4th Hussars.

Actually, I'm here
as a correspondent,
Pioneer and Daily Telegraph.

If you're going to that village
up there, would you mind awfully
if I came along with you?

Ah, yes, Churchill, 4th Hussars.

Actually, we don't care much for
correspondents out here, Churchill.

Or white horses either.
Where did you get him?

The auction last week, sir. Malakand
Pass. Previous owner killed?

I believe so, yes, sir.

Didn't that teach you anything?

Sir? Well, come along if you like
but keep out of the way.

Thank you very much, sir.

One more thing -
we do try to bring our wounded back.

These chaps can be very nasty.

But as you're only an onlooker,
I can't guarantee anything,
understood? Yes, sir.

Thank you very much, sir.

The truth is, I'm not at all brave.

In fact, I've often felt myself
a coward, especially at school.

But if I could win a reputation for
courage and daring,

if I could be
mentioned in dispatches,

that would help me to
get started in politics.

In short, I need medals.

Lots and lots of medals.

And I have to learn so much
and there's so little time.

I have to read all the books
I should have read before.

I must become my own university

and I must overcome my speech
impediment when I speak in public.

The Spanish ships I cannot she...
SEE, for they are not in shi...
SIGHT! Damn!

Everybody gone, sir.

All gone, sir.

Very well then.

Carry on.

Carry on!

Number three section, follow me.

Wouldn't you know it.

All this way for nothing.

Talk about rotten luck.

Right, we'll start back now.

Keep a dozen men, and cover us
until we get halfway down.

Then we'll cover you. Right.

Come along, Mr Cartledge,
we're going back now.

Very well, sir.
Come along, bring them down!

Not bad at that. Could be worth
two or three hundred words.

MAN SHOUTS COMMAND, THEN GUNFIRE

Get back! Get back!

Willie!

Come on, get out of there!

Come on! We'll cover you!

Hold back, hold back!

No, sahib.
Oh, sahib, you're hurting me!

Ooh, sahib, let me go!

Please,
on my knees, I am begging you!

Come on, you idiot!

Get out of it!

Get out of it!

And to conclude these dispatches,

the general in the field wishes to
mention and commend the courage of

Lieutenant WLS Churchill, who made
himself useful at a critical moment.

BUGLE CALL

Thereupon,
I sat down and wrote a book.

The literary critics
were most kind to me.

"If General Kitchener
should ever find time

"to read Mr Winston Churchill's
new book, The Malakand Field Force,

"it's fascinating to imagine the
great warrior's reaction to it.

"The book is excellent
for a first effort

"but perhaps its title should
have been Some Helpful Hints For
Generals From A Young Lieutenant."

Hurry up, the train
is about to leave!

For some reason unknown to me,
I have always been charged
with being unpunctual.

But then, in my lifetime,
I have constantly been accused
of many wicked things.

Perhaps I paid for all those sins,
real or imaginary, in advance,

for when I was but seven,
I was cast out of my happy home
and sent away to school.

I left behind me
all who were dear to me,
especially my nurse, Mrs Everest...

Winnie, bye-bye.

..who looked after me
and tended all my wants and to whom
I poured out all my troubles.

For some reason I cannot now
remember, I called her Womany.

And when I went away,

I think I missed her most of all.

Dearest Mother, my white horse
has been a marvellous investment.

Everyone noticed me.

The news here
is that Kitchener is going to fight
the Dervishes in the Sudan.

Mother, darling,
you must use all your influence and
charm to get me into his command.

My American mother always
seemed to me a fairy princess,

a radiant being possessed of
limitless riches and power.

She shone for me
like the evening star.

I loved her dearly,

but at a distance.

Nevertheless, it was my father
who was the greatest and most
powerful influence on my early life.

He was the second son of the Duke
of Marlborough and a Tory member
of the House of Commons.

Unfortunately, if my mother had
little time for me in those days,

I saw and spoke to
my father even less.

He numbered among his friends
some of the most important men
in Parliament

and, indeed, in all England -

men like Lord Salisbury,
the leader of the Tory Party,
which was then in opposition;

his nephew, Arthur Balfour;
and Joseph Chamberlain.

And even I knew that one day,

when the people came
to their senses and swept
the Conservatives back into power,

it would be these men who,
together with my father,
would form the Government.

No Lord Rothschild
and none of your Jewish friends
to be with us today, Randolph?

No. I didn't think it
would be fair to them.

You know how easily bored they are.

LAUGHTER

Winston?

Thank you, sir.

Now, we enter this in your name,
so...

and then you can purchase anything
you like from the school shop,

up to the limit
of your credit, of course.

I'm afraid Winston doesn't
quite understand about money yet.

We shall teach him.

This young man will be very happy
here, Lady Randolph, I assure you.

I am certain he will.

CLOCK CHIMES

Would you take tea, Lady Randolph?

Oh, I'm afraid I can't.
I shall miss my train.

Another time, perhaps,
when I come again.

You will be good, darling,
and you WILL write, won't you?

Yes, Mama.

And so, young Churchill, here we are.

Come along. Yes, sir.

I am going to tell you something
I shall want you to remember always.

Your school days are the most
important days of your life.

How you get on here
will determine precisely
how you get on in the world.

Succeed here
and you will succeed as a man.

Fail here

and you will be a failure
to the end of your days.

Do you understand?

Yes, sir. Good.

Your father is a great man.

Be like him in all things.

Now, you wait here while I see
about getting you settled in.

Have you had any Latin? Latin?

No, sir.

Hm.

While I am gone,

learn this.

This, on the right-hand page.

When I return,

we shall see how well you have done.

They are ready for you. Come along.

Now then, have you learnt it?

I think I can say it, sir.

Then please do so. Mensa, a table.

Mensa - o table. Mensam - a table.

Mensae - of table.
Mensae - to or for a table.

Mensii - from a table.

Very good!

Come along. Excuse me, sir,
but what does it mean?

It means what it says.
Mensa - a table. Mensa

is a noun of the first declension.
There are five declensions.

You have learnt the singular
of the first declension. Yes, sir,

but what does it mean?

I have told you. Mensa

in Latin means "a table".

But it means "o table" too, sir,
and what does "o table" mean?

"Mensa - o table"

is the vocative case. "O table."

You would use that in addressing
a table, in invoking a table.

You would use it in speaking
to a table.

But I never do, sir!

Churchill, in this school,
if you are impertinent,
you will be punished,

and punished, let me tell you,
very severely.

Come along.

MacSweeney, PJMW.

"He exhibits rather too relaxed
an attitude toward the disciplines
of academic life." Gamma.

Stand forward, MacSweeney.

Mr MacSweeney, I shall be
obliged if after this assembly

you will take your customary
step through my study door.

"Dear Mama, I hope you are well.

"I am very happy at school!

"I do wish you could come
and visit me one day soon."

"He gabbles his translations and is
dirty with his written work."

Step forward, Stuart MacKenzie.

May, ACW.

Stand forward, Mr May.

Mr Belcher tells me in this report
that you suppose noise to be an
effective camouflage for inattention.

You will shortly give me
your attention in the study,

where we will explore your
capacity for making noise.

Mr May, you're first.

CANE STRIKES

CANE STRIKES AGAIN

..which is, in my view, essential.

Oh, come, come. It really is time
the honourable member stopped trying

to introduce bogus bills in order
to prevent action on bona fide ones!

Mr Speaker!

Mr Speaker, I protest!

Those words should be taken down.

Mr Speaker, I agree,
I wholeheartedly agree.

Those words SHOULD be taken down!

Will the gentlemen of the press
please take these words down?

It...really...is

time...the honourable member stopped
trying to introduce bogus bills!

CANE STRIKES

"Dear Papa, how are you?
I am well." Mr Churchill.

"I am very happy at school.

"I had a nice birthday. Thank you
ever so much for the present.

"I know you're ever so busy,
but it would be ever so nice
if you could come one Sunday."

CANE STRIKES

When the next election came,
my mother added an American flavour
to the proceedings.

Good morning!

Good morning! Good morning!

Good morning. Are we new
in the neighbourhood, ma'am?

I must say, I don't
recall the pleasure.

Well, you've come to the right
place to save a bit of money.

Never hurts to do a little shopping
yourself and learn your way about.

What can I do for you, ma'am?
Actually, I want to talk
to you about the election.

My husband, Lord Randolph Churchill,
is standing for this constituency,
and I'm helping him to get elected.

Oh, er, ma'am...

in this constituency, in effect,
we vote as we please,

and we don't like people
coming round asking us for our votes.

Furthermore,
I never discuss politics with women.

Even Ladies, ma'am, begging
your pardon, in-in-in-in effect.

But I want your vote!

How am I to get it
if I don't ask for it? Indeed!

Well, that's the point! Quite so!

You have a point there, ma'am.

It is a point. But it's no use.

I'm a lifelong Liberal.

Besides, I don't hold with Lordships
lolling about the House of Commons.

No, horses for courses, I say.

Lords for Lords,
commons in the Commons, in effect.

But my husband doesn't loll!

He never lolls! He works very hard.

That's why he isn't here and
I am, in his place. In effect.

Oh, and what time, may I ask, does
His Lordship arise in the morning?

Most days about eleven.

You see, the House sits at night,
sometimes very late.

He stays in bed till eleven?!

Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am,
I could never vote for a man
who lies abed until eleven o'clock!

That is the end of it, ma'am.

Good day.

Good day.

DOOR BELL RINGS

Just a moment!

Doesn't get out of bed
till eleven, does he?

Well, ma'am, looking at you now,

it's a wonder to me
he bothers to get out at all.

Good day to you, ma'am.

Good evening. Welcome home, m'lady.

Thank you!

Is Lord Randolph in? No, my lady.

Oh! Where's Everest?

I'm here, Lady Randolph.
If I might speak to you?

Now, please?

When did this happen?

Have you called the doctor?

We shall be taking him out of
that place, won't we, m'lady?

Ladies and gentlemen,
Lord Randolph Churchill,
Secretary of State for India.

Lord Randolph, many people give you
the major credit for the return of
the Conservative Party to power,

yet there is a rumour that you
tendered your resignation to
the Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury.

I trust I am not here to exchange
gossip or to encourage rumour.

But you will not deny that
there is friction between
yourself and Lord Salisbury?

I refuse to discuss that any further.

To put an end to it, let me say
that I have never run away from a
fight when I believed it necessary.

But I am, and always will be,
loyal to the Tory Party. Mind you,

some of my friends in my own party
have a great lesson to learn.

The Tory Party will
never remain in power

until it gains the confidence of the
minorities and the working classes,

because the working classes
are quite determined
to govern themselves.

Ah, yes,
your theory of Tory democracy.

It is said that there are few
who take it seriously.

Really?

Yes. After all, as an aristocrat
it's difficult to accept you
as an advocate of democracy.

Many people think you use it
as a device to make yourself Prime
Minister in Lord Salisbury's place.

Do YOU?

Not at all!

Good. Er, recently you have
expressed strong views
on the state of the Irish question.

Ah, well...

the Irish question.

That, I'm afraid,
will never be solved.

Quite.

Now, Lord Randolph,
on a more personal note,

you and Lady Randolph, the former
American heiress Jennie Jerome,
are leaders of society.

Your racehorses are most successful,
you entertain lavishly

and His Royal Highness
the Prince of Wales
attends your dinners frequently.

And Lady Randolph and you
are identified with all
that is new and fashionable.

Your splendid home here in
Connaught Place is one of the few
to have electric lighting.

How do you find it?

Do you prefer it to gas?

Well, it's all rather
up to date, I suppose.

That thing in the cellar -
I think you call it the dynamo -
it's rather noisy.

The lights will keep going out,
always at the wrong times.

Now, I don't think that electric
light will ever replace gas,
at least not in private houses.

No, no. I believe, Lord Randolph,
you have a son.

What? Yes, actually two,
two sons, Winston and Jack.

No doubt they're very proud
of their father.

Well...that thought had
never occurred to me.

I had scarcely passed
my twelfth birthday

when I entered the inhospitable
regions of examinations,

through which for the next seven
years I was destined to journey.

These examinations
were a great trial to me.

I should have liked to be
asked to say what I knew.

They always contrived to ask
what I did not know.

This sort of treatment
had only one result.

I did not do well in examinations.

Begin.

This was especially true of
my entrance examination to Harrow.

I wrote my name
at the top of the page,

I wrote the number
of the question - 1.

After much reflection,

I put a bracket around it.

But thereafter I could not think
of anything connected with it
that was either relevant or true.

Incidentally, there arrived
from nowhere in particular a blot
and several smudges.

I gazed for two whole hours
at this sad spectacle.

Then merciful ushers collected
my piece of foolscap
with all the others

and carried it up
to the headmaster's table.

Who is this? The long-haired
boy in the second row, sir.

It was from these
slender indications of scholarship

that Mr Welldon, the headmaster,
drew the conclusion that I was
worthy to pass into Harrow.

It is very much to his credit.

It showed that he was a man capable
of looking beneath the surface,

a man not dependent
on paper manifestations.

I have always had
the greatest regard for him.

Happy Christmas, Lord Randolph.

Thank you! And to you, my boy.

Well, Mr Buckle, a visit from me
to the Times at this hour must be
somewhat of a surprise to you.

Oh, the Times has learnt
never to be surprised by
Lord Randolph Churchill.

Then perhaps this WILL surprise you.

This is a letter from you to the
Prime Minister. That is correct.

But it's a letter of resignation
from the Cabinet.

That is also correct.

Lord Randolph...

..you have
taken me into your confidence
by showing me this letter.

I ask you...

I BEG you not to send it
to Lord Salisbury.

I already have. That's a copy.

Then I urge you to withdraw it.

That's not possible.

Lord Randolph, once before
you threatened to resign
and the Prime Minister retreated.

This time he will stand firm.

Really? Forgive me if I seem to be
taking a liberty,

but for you to resign now, to leave
the Government at this time,

on this issue of the budgets
for the Army and Navy, would be
a tragic error. You must not do it.

I have no choice.

I'm pledged to economy up to my eyes.

I gave my word.

How can accept this flagrant
misuse of public money?

May I say that public money
has been wasted before
and the nation has survived!

As I understand it, every one
of your colleagues in the Cabinet
is willing to accept this bill.

Then why do you feel
it necessary to resign?

Because in addition to being Leader
of the House of Commons I am also
Chancellor of the Exchequer.

I am responsible
for the country's money.

Why resign? In protest?

The country will not be grateful.

After all, isn't this
a matter of national defence?

Withdraw this resignation at once.

Now. The Prime Minister has already
accepted it. I have his letter here.

Mr Buckle, I came to you

rather than any other editor
in the hope that you of all people
would give me your support.

I see.

The Times has criticised
the Government
when we have thought it necessary.

But we will not lend a hand
toward bringing it down.

Hm.

Will you at least publish

both my letter
and the Prime Minister's reply?

No. Both letters are
private communications
between you and Lord Salisbury.

To publish his letter
I would have to have
the Prime Minister's permission.

That you will never get.

I presume I shall see the news
in tomorrow's edition of the Times.

Yes, tomorrow.

Randolph!

Randolph!

Randolph!

Randolph...
Quite a surprise for you.

It IS true. Must be -
it's in the Times, isn't it?

DOOR BELL RINGS

Last night you knew.

You knew then,
and you didn't tell me.

When you said you were going to the
club, you were going to the Times.

I saw no reason
to spoil your evening.

But you've worked so hard!

Yes, I'm very tired.

Why don't we take a holiday?

We've arranged to be home at
Christmas. We have engagements.

Mr Moore, my lord.

Oh, dear, yes.
Show him in, will you?

Good morning, Lady Randolph.
Good morning, Mr Moore.

Lord Randolph...
Yes, it's quite true, Moore.

Now be a good fellow, have a cup of
coffee with us. No, thank you, I...

I just came to tell you that if
I can ever serve you in a private
capacity, I would be honoured.

Very kind of you. Do sit down.
Thank you, no.

I really must go.

I'll see you to the door.

I'll see myself out, Lady Randolph.

In all my 20 years
in Her Majesty's Government,

I have never served a more able
or more brilliant minister.

He has flung himself from
the top of the ladder,

and he will never reach it again.

Winston, hurry up!

The devoted Mr Moore had a heart
attack and died shortly thereafter.

I can see my father now
in a somewhat different light
than I did in those days.

I have long since passed the age
when he died,

and I understand very clearly the
suicidal nature of his resignation.

My mother remained, as always,
loyal and steadfast.

CHOIR SINGS

A light on Marmion's visage spread
And fired his glazing eye

With dying hand above his head
He shook the fragment of his blade
And shouted, "Victory!

"Charge, Chester, charge!"

"On, Stanley, on!"

were the last words of Marmion.

"Dearest Mother and Father, two
weeks from Monday there is to be
prize giving in the Speech Room.

"I have memorised 600 lines from
Macaulay's Lays Of Ancient Rome,

and if I can get 1,000 lines
by heart,

"which I will do,
I am bound to get a prize.

"So will you please both come down?

"Everyone will be there, and
it would make me so happy if you
were there to see me win a prize.

"You have never been down to see me
at Harrow, either of you,
and this will be a perfect time.

"So, dearest Mummy and Papa, please,
please, please do, do, do come.

"Your loving son,
Winston S Churchill."

And under that great battle

The earth with blood was red
And, like the Pomptine fog at morn,
The dust hung overhead;

And louder still and louder
Rose from the darkened field

The braying of the war-horns,
The clang of sword and shield...

KNOCK ON DOOR

Come in.

Oh, Dr Roose, do come in.

Thank you. He is better, isn't he?

Oh! Do sit down.

I shan't be a moment. Will you
have a cup of coffee with me?

Lady Randolph,
I should like you to meet
Dr Buzzard, whom I have consulted.

But I thought he was getting better.

I am sorry to have to tell you,
madam, that your husband is very ill.

You must, I fear, prepare
yourself for the worst.

Dr Buzzard... We agreed to be frank
with Lady Randolph, did we not?

Frank, yes, but I see no necessity
to be brutal.
What are you talking about?

Lady Randolph,

it is my sad duty to tell you
that Lord Randolph is
suffering from an incurable disease

from which at the most he will
die within five or six years.

STOP!

What are you telling me?

You're talking about a man
who is only 38 years old!

Lady Randolph, please believe,
this is extremely painful for us.

Do sit down.

May we?

Lady Randolph,

I am a specialist,
and what I have to tell you is,
I am sorry to say, beyond question.

But what is the cure?

There is no cure.

But what is it?
Why don't you tell me?

Let us call it

an inflammation of the brain.

In the years to come,
although he will seem to recover,

although he will seem from time to
time to be perfectly normal, in fact
he will deteriorate consistently.

He will suffer paralysis
in his limbs

and his speech will become impaired,
as will his mind.

There will be periods of violence.

I am sorry, believe me,
but it is necessary for you to know.

Is it true?

It can't be.

It isn't true, is it?

Yes.

Yes, I'm afraid it is.

SHE SOBS

Oh, my God!

Randolph!

Does he know?

No. And, in our opinion,
he should never know.

Lady Randolph? Yes?

How recently have you had physical
relations with your husband?

Why do you ask? Forgive me, but
it is a matter of some importance.

I beg you.

Um...

Not for a considerable period.

If it is necessary for you to know,

perhaps not for...

..a considerable time.

Thank God. Yes, thank God.

Neither you nor the two boys
are in any way affected.

But I am afraid there must be
no further physical relations

between you and your husband
ever again.

DOOR OPENS

Good morning, Mother.
Good morning, Father.

Good morning, Winston.

CLATTERING OF SILVERWARE

Winston! Go to your room and
stay there until you learn how
to behave in a civilised manner!

Yes, Father.

Don't you think
that was a little excessive?

His manners are atrocious.

I know...

But most boys are ugly
and tiresome at his age.

To the best of my memory,

I was always fairly presentable.

I do not recall grunting
at table like a pig on heat!

Randolph, we haven't seen
much of Winston this past year.

And he does worship you.
You were right, of course.

But you were a bit harsh. Nonsense!

You don't really think that, do you?

If you ever spoke to me like that,

I'd feel as if you didn't
care about me at all.

Of course.

Perhaps I should
have a chat with him.

Oh, that would be nice!

Yes, I think I'll do it now.

Why don't you finish your
breakfast? No. Now would be best.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Father!

I'm awfully sorry, Father.

I'll be better.
I promise you, truly.

I'm sure you will be.

We won't talk about it any more.

Thank you, Father.

You know, Winston...

the world of politics can be
very difficult sometimes,

and I have my share of
problems these days.

Things I do are misjudged,
things I say are often distorted.

Perhaps that's why I'm
so often bad-tempered.

Oh, no, Father, you're a great man!
Everyone knows that!

Everyone knows Lord Salisbury
treated you very badly,
and you'll show him - all of them!

Thank you.

Thank you, my boy.

Anyway...

I think older people aren't
always particularly considerate
to younger people, to children.

They forget what it was like
when they were children.

Sometimes, when they're bad-tempered,
they speak more harshly

than they think they are or mean to.
Yes, I know, Father.

Well, I think there have been times
when I have done that.

Perhaps this morning.

But I would never

wish you to feel

that I don't care for you very much.

Because I do.

Thank you, Papa. I mean Father.

I say, Winston, your collection has
become most impressive, hasn't it?

You are rather short of
artillery, aren't you?

Yes, Father. Only five field guns.

Yes, well, now, that's not really...

It was one of the three or four
long, intimate conversations
with him

which are all I can boast.

He spoke in the most wonderful
and captivating manner,

and when he inspected my troops,

he displayed such a knowledge
of military affairs

that it would have astounded me
had I not already been aware
of his breadth of mind.

Winston?

When you grow up,
would you like to go into the Army?

Would you like me to, Father?

No, it's what you
would like that counts.

Well...

I'm awfully good at history,
especially about wars and
battles and generals, and...

Yes, Father, I'd like to very much.

Very much.

Good!

We'll talk about that again later.
There's an army class
at Harrow, isn't there?

I'll have a chat with Welldon,
see what he thinks.

Yes!

Goodbye, Winston.

Goodbye, Father.

Womany! WOMANY!
What is it, for Heaven's sake?

Father talked to me! He talked to me
for the longest time, and he was so
kind, and I'm going into the Army!

The Army?

The Army?

Jennie, he's our son, but we mustn't
blind ourselves, must we?
He's no scholar.

Can you imagine him
qualifying for the Bar or cutting
any kind of figure in politics?

So unless you see him
in the Church...

Now, you see, the Army's all that's
left. I think it's an inspiration.

We have to get him into Sandhurst.
That, of course, means
passing the examination.

The Army...

Well, that's three or four
years off, anyway, isn't it?

Unfortunately, it took not one
but three examinations
to get me into Sandhurst.

LIGHT KNOCK ON DOOR

ANOTHER KNOCK

Come in.

Did my letter come, Father?

I've been accepted. I passed!

You seem very pleased
with yourself, Winston.

I'm afraid I don't share
your satisfaction.

But I passed! Yes, you passed.

There are two ways of passing an
examination, Winston - one that does
you credit and one that does not.

As usual, you have chosen the latter.
Seventh from the bottom
of the entire class.

But I did pass. Yes.

You passed.

But you failed
to get into the infantry.

You barely scraped into the
cavalry, which everybody knows is
the mark of a third-rate pass.

Now, that will cost me an extra...

?200 a year to get you a horse.

And this after all those months
of cramming and all the trouble
I went to with the Duke of Cambridge

to get you into 60th Rifles,
one of the finest regiments
in the British Army.

But I only failed the infantry
by 18 marks, Father! I'm sorry!

Sorry?

You are sorry?

Winston, how many times have I
heard that word from you before?

You've had every possible advantage.

Your mother and I have
done everything possible
to make life easy for you.

Remember how you behaved at Eton?
You mean at Harrow...?

Your reports, they've been nothing
but an embarrassment to me -
untidy, slovenly, bad, lazy...

You're my greatest disappointment.

You lie, you shirk. You boast!

You care nothing for anyone
but yourself, Winston.

Ever since you were a child
you've been a problem to me,

nothing but trouble and heartache.

What's to become of you, boy?

No, you're no longer a boy.
You're 20. You'll be 21 in...

No, Father, I'm 19.
Don't interrupt me, Winston, please!

Winston...

if you do not change
your ways at Sandhurst,

if you do not face up
to your responsibilities like a man,
if you don't buckle down, Winston...

I can accept
no further responsibility for you
after your 21st birthday.

If you don't change,

you'll become just another...

public-school failure,
a social wastrel...

living out a shabby and a miserable
life to the end of your days.

Do you understand me, Winston?

Yes, Father.

Good afternoon, sir.

Nevertheless, once I became
a gentleman cadet,

I acquired a new status
in my father's eyes,

and when I was on leave
I was sometimes allowed
to go about with him.

I dearly loved these outings.

I had no idea that he had
less than 18 months to live.

Lord Randolph! General.

Good afternoon, sir!

This your boy? Yes. Winston.

Winston, you have the privilege
of meeting General Bindon Blood.

How do you do, sir? Sandhurst, eh?

Good, good.
See you in India one day. Right?

I hope so, sir. I'd like to
serve under you some day, sir.

I mean in the field, sir.

Like a bit of gunpowder, do you?
Good, good.

Well, young fellow, you do well
at Sandhurst,

and if ever there's another war,
which I doubt, worse luck,

I'll find a place for you.

I give you my word.

Ambition's a good thing
in a young man, Winston, but
one mustn't be too pushy, you know.

Yes, Father.

Hello, Joe!

Randolph! I was going to write
to you to congratulate you on
this young man's maiden speech.

Excellent, Austen.
Made a fine impression on the House.
Thank you, sir.

You should be very proud of him, Joe.

Yes, I thought it was
a reasonable effort.

You've grown, Winston.
Be an officer soon, eh?
I hope so, sir.

Father, I've been thinking. Yes?

Arthur Balfour is
Lord Salisbury's nephew.

They're very close,
and he helps Lord Salisbury a lot.

Now that Austen Chamberlain's an MP,
he must be a great help
to his father.

Well, I was just wondering...

I mean, when I have some leave,

couldn't I help your secretary?

I mean, you were your father's
secretary for a while, and...

They fancy Rosebery's
gelding in this race.

He's a handsome enough fellow.

The breeding's there, but there's
something lacking in the stamina,
you know?

Character.

No, I don't see him winning the race.

RANDOLPH: It was not

so long ago...

Excuse me.
..in terms of the calendar,

honourable members may recall I made
a previous statement...

..a previous statement...

..made by me on a previous occasion.

Honourable members may recall...

Members, I repeat...

..if I may...

..on that...

on that...

..on that occasion...

On that occasion...

..honourable members may recall I...

Her Majesty's Government...

..Her Majesty's Government...

..are spending huge amounts
of money

on Army and Naval operations.

They are doing so...

They are...

They are doing so without regard
to the pledges they made
to the country...

..without regard...

They are doing do without regard
to the pledges they made to the
country...without regard...

to the will

and the voice of Parliament.

That's what I...

said.

Must have

had a reason...

Come along, old friend.

He was only 46.

Had he lived another four
or five years, he could
not have done without me.

But all my dreams of comradeship
with him,

of entering Parliament at his side
and in his support,
were ended.

We buried him near Blenheim,

where both he and I were born.

His friend Lord Rosebery wrote of
him, "He was human, eminently human,

"full of faults,
as he himself knew,

"but not base
or unpardonable faults.

"Pugnacious, outrageous,
fitful, petulant,

"but eminently lovable
and winning."

Not a bad epitaph, at that,

nor one I should mind
having for myself.

Now there remained for me
only to pursue his aims
and vindicate his memory.

Rank...

present arms!

BAND PLAYS

Gunner parties, halt.

Raise shoulder arms!

I passed out of Sandhurst
with honours, eighth out of 150.

I mention this only because it shows
that I could learn quickly enough
the things that mattered.

Victoria, by the grace of God,
Queen, Defender of the Faith,

Empress of India, to our trusty and
well-beloved Winston Leonard Spencer
Churchill, gentleman, greeting.

We, reposing a special trust
and confidence in your loyalty,
courage and good conduct,

constitute and appoint you
to be an officer in our land forces
with the rank of Second Lieutenant.

Four months later,

I lost the one person
who had never failed me.

Elizabeth!

Elizabeth! It's Winston.

Do come in.

Winston?

What a god boy you are

to come and see your old Everest.

Oh, you've grown!

It's the Army.

Do you think they'd take me?

I'm afraid I'm not
much good any more.

Oh, you'll get better, Womany,
you'll see.

I was thinking this afternoon
about your father.

Do you know what he did?

When I retired,

I gave him my savings,

and made a special trip to the City

to talk to Lord Rothschild
about investing them for me.

Now, wasn't that kind?

And he with so many cares
of his own!

Oh, they were cruel to him...

Lord Salisbury, that
Arthur Balfour and Mr Chamberlain.

Supposed to be his friends.

Broke his heart.

You're wet...

You're soaked through!

It's raining!

You came in the rain? You must take
that off.

You'll catch cold!
No, it's all right.

No, no, you must take that
jacket off and you must dry it!

Please, dearie.

All right, Womany,

in just a moment.

Your boots aren't damp, are they?

No. No, they're dry.

Good.

It's what gives you toothache,
you know,

sitting in damp boots.

I know!

How are you enjoying
the cavalry, dearie?

Very much, Womany.

Very much.

Next! Arms up!

Watch your riding position.

One, two, three, four!

And one and two

and three and four!

Walk on.

Come along, Mr Churchill, sir.
You'll have to do better than
that if you want to go to India.

"Mother darling,
India has nothing more to offer me.

"And now that you unfortunately
have lost most of our money in that
American stock-market swindle,

"I really must go to the
Sudan with Kitchener.

"I could write another book
or sell some articles.

"So please, please
talk to everyone you can.

"By the way, I have met the most
beautiful girl I have ever seen.

"Her name is Pamela Plowden.

"We are going to do a tour of
Hyderabad tomorrow on an elephant.

"You have to ride on an elephant
because if you walk about

"the natives have a habit
of spitting at you
and crowding you into the gutter.

"Mother darling, you won't
forget about Kitchener, will you?"

LADY RANDOLPH: "Darling,
as you asked,

"I have written to
General Kitchener, and I should
be getting his reply soon.

"You will be pleased to learn,
I know, that the Prince of Wales
is reading your book."

I cannot resist writing you
these lines to congratulate you
on the success of your book.

Everyone is reading it.

But your dear mother tells me
you are thinking of resigning

your commission
and standing for Parliament.

I hope you will not do so.

You have plenty of time before you
to make your name and your friends
in the Army.

And now to Sir Ian Hamilton,
Lord Roberts, Lord Curzon,
Sir Evelyn Wood, Lord Cromer,

the Prince of Wales,
the Prime Minister
and Lady Randolph Churchill

to say that I insist
on the privilege of selecting
my own officers,

to say, as I have already said,
not once but many times before,
I have no room for Churchill. None.

To say that... Just arrived, sir.

To say that time grows short
and I have a great many more
important things to think about

and that the matter is closed,
finally, definitely and for ever,

and I don't want to hear
any more about it.

You'll dress that up, of course.

Certainly, sir.

Lady Randolph Churchill,

widow of Lord Randolph Churchill,

formerly Miss Jennie Jerome
of New York and Paris.

You play, if I may say so,
Lady Randolph, most beautifully.

It has been said that you could
appear on the professional concert
stage, if you desired,

and you've given us ample proof
of that skill. Thank you.
It has also been said,

no doubt with malice,

that you interest yourself
a great deal in your son Winston's
affairs and in his advancement.

I should be a most
unnatural mother if I didn't.

Of course.

But there are those who find
an interesting contrast between
your efforts on his behalf now

and your neglect of him
when he was a child.

"Neglect"?!

But that was never the case!

That is vicious and hurtful.

My son never lacked a mother's love.

Naturally, when he was
a child he went off to school,
the very best of schools.

At home he had my attention and a
marvellous nanny, who was with us
almost from the time he was born.

Naturally, I was at the same time
devoted to my husband's career,
as any wife would be.

I see.

You do on occasion entertain or act
as hostess for the Prince of Wales.

His Royal Highness finds you
charming, gracious, amusing.

You are at liberty to think so.

But if you are insinuating
the slightest impropriety...

Not at all, dear lady, not at all!

Please be calm!

I am perfectly calm.

Then we can proceed.

You're aware of course that
your name has been linked
with another royal personage -

Count Charles Kinsky,
the well-known sportsman.

I don't know what you mean
by "linked".

We are friends. We have been
friends for many years.

Yes, friends, exactly. Friends.

Yet at one time there was gossip,
malicious of course,

that your marriage to Lord Randolph
was, shall we say, pro-forma
and that in the event of a divorce...

There was never a possibility of
a divorce. But you and Count Kinsky
are still friends? Yes.

Charles was married
shortly before my husband died.

Three weeks before,
in his own country, in Austria.

He has remained there ever since.

He has great responsibilities there.

One last question.

What precisely was the nature
of your husband's last illness?

It is well known.

It was caused by overwork.

Yes, but the symptoms were
most curious, were they not?

I don't know what you mean.

Surely you're aware of your
husband's symptoms? That is enough.

But this is of great interest
to the public. Is it?

Why should it be? Why should it be
of any concern
to what you call the public?

The public is everyone,
and the public has a right to know.

Why? What right?

I don't know anything about
such a right. I only know about
the right to some decent privacy.

Oh, come, come, Lady Randolph,
we live in modern times.

Surely the word syphilis
need hold no terrors for us.

Are you content?

Have you heard?

We have had a death.

Young Chapman, 21st Lancers.

Really? Pity.

Just when he was
going out to the Sudan too.

Yes. So we have a vacancy, don't we?

Yes. You know, I was wondering.

What?

What about young Churchill?
Are you mad?

Well, why not? Firstly,
because if the general twigged,

he would have our balls
for breakfast. Secondly, why?

Surely you don't have any use
for that little publicity hunter?

None at all.

But his mother is a smasher.

Yes, I know.

I say, you dog.

Do you know her? No.

But I'd give anything to meet her.

What do you say, hmm? There's not
a chance in the world
the old boy will ever...

'War Office to Lieutenant Churchill,
you will proceed to the 21st Lancers
at your own expense.

'In the event of injury to yourself
or your horse, no charge
will be made against Army funds.

'Sign here please, three copies.'

'I say, Churchill, we
at the Psychical Research Society

'have an interesting experiment
in mind, which, as a journalist,
should interest you too.

'If you should
unfortunately get killed, will you
try to communicate with us?'

Chapman.

I say Chapman.
Chapman, are you deaf?

Oh, sorry sir, it's Churchill, sir.

Oh yes, of course, Churchill.
Chapman is the one who is dead.

Sorry about that.
What condition is your horse in?
First rate, sir. Not tired.

Oh good. Now you're the one who
wants to see a show, aren't you?

Report up forward to Colonel Martin,
he'll tell you what to do. Yes, sir.
Thank you very much, sir.

And Chapman...I mean Churchill,
my compliments to the Colonel.

Yes, of course, sir.

Sir, Lieutenant Chapman re...
Churchill.

Sorry, sir. Lieutenant Churchill
reporting for Major Finn, sir.

Come with me.

Sir. Your horse reasonably fittish?

Yes, sir. I have a message
I want you to deliver.

I want you to see the situation
for yourself so you can describe
what you have seen. Sir.

My estimate is something
approaching close on 60,000.

I know it may not seem like it,
they are coming on pretty fast.

I want you to report on what I've
told you, and what you have seen,
personally to General Kitchener.

Oh, God.

Sorry, I mean, yes, sir.

Are you all right, Chapman?

Yes, sir.

What do I say?

"Lieutenant Churchill reporting to
General Kitchener"? He'll kill me.

He'll send me home.

He will have me court-martialled.

He will skin me alive
before the entire Army.

I will be ruined.

Oh, my God.

Oh well, I died for my country.

Sir, I come with a report
from the 21st Lancers.

The dervish army is advancing
between yourself and the city
of Omdurman.

Colonel Martin estimated their
strength in the region of 60,000.

I saw them 40 minutes ago,
they're moving rapidly.

They're moving rapidly, you say?
Yes, sir.

How long do you think I've got?
I would say an hour, sir.

Possibly an hour and a half.

'An hour and a half
should be ABOUT right.

'I hope.'

ONE SOLDIER SHOUTS OUT

ARMY SHOUTS IN RESPONSE

Fire!

They're breaking, sir!

GUNFIRE FADES TO SILENCE

During the mopping-up operations
the next day, I took part
in what was destined to become

the last full charge ever
of British cavalry.

Sound the trot.

Sound troops to the right.

On the charge.

Charge! Charge!

Charge!

Cha-a-arge!

Cha-a-arge!

Cha-a-arge!

Bloody hell!

Argh!

Mr Winston Churchill,
war correspondent, author,

recently resigned from the Army,
and candidate for Parliament
for Oldham at the age of 23.

24 actually, in November.

Thank you, Mr Churchill.

There is gossip that you were
detested in the Army,

where it is said that you were known
as a medal-hunter, publicity-seeker
and social climber.

Pushing, aggressive and scheming.

Forgive me, I'm sorry,
I was wondering
why a certain kind of person

always seems to believe
the worst about me.

At Sandhurst, for example, I was
accused of being everything from
a horse thief to a homosexual.

I had to sue for libel, and win, to
prove my innocence on both counts.

As to what you have just said,
I am sorry to hear it.

I thought I had served
my country faithfully,
at some danger to myself.

Yes. Some officers have stated that
your criticism of General Kitchener

in your new book, The River War,
was inexcusable.

Have you read the book? No.

Then perhaps you should read it.

My statements concerning his
atrocious treatment of enemy
wounded were entirely factual.

As to our victory, although
the enemy had superior numbers,

they were no match
for a modern army. I see.

Your father also had a weakness
for offending people, did he not?

I wouldn't call it a weakness.

I would describe it as his strength.

And I would attribute it to
the strength of his convictions.

My father was a brilliant man,
he had no time for fools.

Yes. Actually you were not
very well acquainted
with your father, were you?

Not as well as I should
have liked to have been.

However, solitary trees,
if they grow at all, grow strong.

Indeed.

Something you have read?

No, something I have written,
in my new book, The River War.

You really should read it,
there are some good things in it.
Reverting to your father's enemies,

do you imagine they will welcome you
into politics?

I don't know what you mean by
enemies. Oh come now, Lord Salisbury
who kept him out of Government,

Mr Balfour, who supported
Lord Salisbury,

Mr Chamberlain, who destroyed
your father's last chance of
returning to power,

and the others.
They were never enemies.

They may have disagreed at times
but that's the nature of politics.

Lord Salisbury has been very kind
to me. I dedicated my book to him.

Then you feel you have no cause
to fight for in your father's name,
no wrong to right,

no vendetta to keep alive. Vendetta?

That is an Italian word, isn't it?

There is nothing like that
in England, is there?

Why are you so friendly with David
Lloyd George, who is a Liberal?
I like people.

People who can help you. A young
man starting out in life needs help.

But don't you think that,
in these times,

politics has little room for
wealthy and privileged young men?
I am not wealthy.

I live on what I earn. And I support
my mother and my younger brother.

But why exactly do you wish to
stand for Parliament, Mr Churchill?

To serve my country.
And to advance yourself? Yes,
is there anything wrong in that?

Is there anything right in it?

Who are you to aspire to the
greatest parliament in the world?

What do you have to offer, other
than your ego and your ambitions?

Only myself.

I believe in myself.

I believe in my destiny.

Really?

Have you consulted
a fortune teller recently?

As matter of fact, I have.

She agrees with me.

Is it a crime to be 24?

No, no, not at all.

What would you like me to do?

Play games?

Be seen but not heard?

Close my eyes and ears?

Be a child forever?

Must we always be ruled by old men?

Doesn't every old man in politics
betray the wonderful things
he believed in when he was young?

And by doing that,
betray his country.

I think there is room for a young
man, many young men, in Government.

If I could, I would say this
to young men all over the world.

Come on, you are needed
more than ever now.

You must take your places
in life's fighting line.

20-25, those are the years.

Don't be content
with things as they are.

Yes, you will make mistakes, but as
long as you're generous and true,
you cannot hurt the world.

Nor even seriously distress her.

She was made to be
wooed and won by youth.

She has lived and thrived
only by repeated subjugations.

Well, something else
you have written?

No.

No, it's something I am
going to write, I think. Really?

In your autobiography, no doubt.

Yes.

Yes, I think I WILL write
an autobiography some day.

I think I'll have
something to write about.

Yes.

Well.

The Autumn Evening Chronicle.

Young Mr Winston Churchill's
first attempt to enter
politics has met with defeat.

He has left for South Africa
as a correspondent to write
about our war with the boys.

In South Africa, I had
the good luck to encounter
a Captain Aylmer Haldane,

whom I had met in India,
and who had befriended me there.

He invited me to go out on
a reconnaissance with him
in an armoured train.

Going back?

This is as far as our orders take us.

Seems quiet enough. Let's go and
have a spot of breakfast, shall we?

You know, Haldane,
I've been thinking.

After the Malakand Field Force,
I went on to the Tirah Expedition,
do you remember?

Yes. Well, I never did get my medal
for that.

Now if you were to
write to the War Office...

A medal for the Tirah?

Winston, don't you ever relax?

I can't, I'm almost 25.

Down!

Look out!

On the left.

Carry on, Sergeant. Enemy left.

GUNFIRE

GUNFIRE CONTINUES

Brakes!

Come on, lads,
on your feet, on your feet.

Haldane, we're off the rails.

Shall I go up front
and see what I can do?

Good idea.

Hey, where are you going?

I'm a civilian.

I don't get paid for being shot at.

Come back here.

Come here. Let go.

Listen, listen, you have got more
chance of being hit if you run.

Listen to me, I'm a soldier.
No-one ever gets shot twice on
the same day, that's a fact.

You get back in there,
it's the safest place there is.

When this is over, you'll
get a medal, that's a promise.

Come on. I'll go with you.

Can this engine still run? It might.

The track's blocked, we can't move.

Unless we get uncoupled from
that truck in front of us.
Come on, get in.

And get it over on its side. I see.

And there's no way of doing that.

We can try.

Is there an officer here?

Yes, what is it?

We have to uncouple that truck and
push it over on its side. Martin,

bring a dozen men.

Who was that? A Boer?

Worse than that, he's crazy.

Come on, give him a hand.

Ease it up from underneath.

It's moving.

You men, out you come! Outside!

Come on, out you get!

You men, over here.

Get over here!

Come on, heave! Heave!

Hold it, hold it.

Keep it up! Hold it up.

Get it over! Heave!

Come on, men! Push it!

We did it, by God.

You didn't get it off the track.

You said we had to get it uncoupled
and push it over.

It was too heavy
to get it off the track.

I'll have to ram it off now.
Well, ram it off!

I don't know if the engine will run.
Well, try it.

Good, now go ahead.

I'll have to back her up first.

Well, then, bloody well
back her up, you idiot!

You don't have to get excited.

Get out of the way,
get out of the way!

Right, now go ahead,
and you keep shovelling. Yes, sir.

We could go off the rails, you know.
GO ON! Here...

Sorry, but go on.

Oh, Christ!

Haldane!

Haldane!

Move, Fusilier, move, move, move.

The track up ahead is clear
but we can't get back to you. And
anyway, the couplings are smashed.

I know, I know, I know.

Can we load the wounded
onto the engine? Yes.

Well, that's something. The rest
of us will have to go on foot.

Thanks very much, Winston,
I'll remember this. So shall I!

Wounded, onto the engine.

The rest of us are using it as cover.
Get out now!

Wounded on the engine,
get the wounded onto the engine.

Move along.

All right?

I think so.

..All right, go ahead.

Go ahead. As slow as you can.

Slow down, Winston!

Slow down!

You're getting ahead of them.
All right, all right.

Winston, slower! Slow down,
you damn fool!

For God's sake, Winston!

He said slow down.

Oh shut up.
Slow down, you damned idiot!

I can't, you silly ass,
we are on the downgrade.

I'll kill you.

I can't help it, the brakes are gone.

Now what?
I must go back and get Haldane.

Back there? What do I do? Wait.

Wait ten minutes, and if you
don't see us coming, you can go.

'Pretoria.

'We have captured Lord Churchill,
who claims to be a war correspondent,

'but from our intelligence, we know
that he was responsible for one part
of the armoured train getting away.'

'Sir, I am a special correspondent.

'I was unarmed and I took no part
in the fighting when I was captured.

'I respectfully submit that I should
be released as soon as possible.'

'On no account is he to be released,
for the duration of the war.'

I've been watching you two.

You're working on an escape.

You're out of your mind.

I'm not, but I will be
if you won't take me with you.

Never. Be quiet, Rocky.

We can't use you, Winston.
You don't know the country,
you don't know the language.

If we got separated,
you wouldn't have a chance.

Anyway, you'll be the first
to be missed from here.

Play.

I'm going mad in here.

And tomorrow is my birthday.

Congratulations.
Shut up, you don't understand.

I'll be 25.

I can't stay cooped up in here
for the rest of the war.

Please, Haldane,

you said you'd remember what I
did that day, do you remember now?

I wouldn't have been caught
if I hadn't gone back for you.

No.

Do shut up, Rocky.

I can't think.

What's for dinner tonight?
Any idea?

They're too close.

You're afraid.

See for yourself.

I'll go and look too. Oh, no no.

It was maddening.

Besides, normally there was
only one guard on duty here.

The thought crossed my mind
that we were suspected.

Suddenly I felt it was now or never,
and the impulse was too overpowering
to resist.

But how was I to inform my comrades?

Then I heard a heavenly sound.

WATER GURGLES

Pst!

Who's there?

It's Churchill, keep quiet.

Churchill?

Where are you?
What are you doing out there?

Never mind. Just go and tell
Haldane and Rocky, right away.

I get it, good show.

'London, the Morning Post.

'Our special correspondent, Winston
Churchill, who distinguished himself
'before his capture,

'has, in a fashion as yet
undisclosed, escaped.'

'Johannesburg. A reward of ?25
is offered for the capture
of Winston Churchill,

'dead or alive.'

'Pretoria. 'Although Mr Churchill's
escape was cleverly executed,

'there is little chance of his
being able to cross the border.

'When he is recaptured, it is
probable that he will be shot.'

DOG BARKS

Who's there?

My name is Dr Bentinck.

I've had an accident.

Lay down.

Now, what did you say?

Are you English? Never mind.

What do you want?

I've had an accident.

I fell off a train.

The truth is, I'm afraid I'm lost.

All right,

come in.

Now then,

I think you'd better
tell me the real truth.

I think so too.

My name is Winston Churchill.

Correspondent for the Morning Post.

I escaped from Pretoria last night
and I'm making for the border.

I have ?75. Will you help me?

My God, it's lucky you came here.

It's the only house for 20 miles
where you wouldn't be handed in.
My name's Howard, I'm British.

I'm the manager of this mine.
There are three more of us
keeping the place going.

The Boers keep an eye on us.
There were some here this afternoon.

Looking for you.

Then perhaps I had better go.

Nonsense.

We'll just have to be
extremely careful.

Have a drink, Mr Churchill.

Thank you, Mr Howard.

This is our engine man, Mr Dewsnap.

Stay with him for a moment
while I get the food and blankets.

Are the others ready?
Waiting down below, sir.

I know who you are.

You're young Winston
bloody Churchill.

Don't worry,
I'm from Oldham, you see.

My wife writes to me regular.

She told me how you got beat
at the last election.

Don't worry, lad, you'll get
all their votes next time.

Come on now, watch your step.

Round the other side.

I couldn't bring much food,
the housemaids are all Boers,
can't take the risk.

Take one of these, lad.

Ever been down a coalmine before?

I think you'll find it an experience.

Not very comfortable, I'm afraid,
but you mustn't move away
from here whatever happens.

I'll try to bring you some more food
tomorrow. You'll be all right?

Of course. It's very cosy,
just like home.

Mr Howard, gentlemen,

thank you very much. Pleasure.

RANDOLPH: You've been shamefully
careless with this watch, Winston.

The repair bill was very expensive.

If you can't take proper care
of a fine watch,
you don't deserve to have one.

'Yes, Father.'

I remained underground
for three days and nights

while the brave Mr Howard planned
how to spirit me across the border

to Portuguese East Africa,
from whence I could take ship
to British territory.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Pst!

Thank you, Mr Dewsnap.

'Pretoria. Mr Winston Churchill
has given himself up.'

'Johannesburg. It is announced here
that Winston Churchill has been
recaptured, dressed as a woman.'

'Pretoria. Although Mr Churchill
is still at liberty,

'there is no doubt that
he will soon be a prisoner again.'

'Johannesburg. It is reported that
Mr Churchill has been captured,
disguised as a policeman.'

'Rome. So far as is known, Winston
Churchill is still at liberty.

'The entire world
watches the progress of his escape.'

'Paris. There is no confirmation
that Mr Churchill has been captured.

'At the same time however,
no-one knows his whereabouts
or if he is alive and well.'

I was not yet aware that I had leapt
from a latrine into world celebrity.

'London. Young Mr Winston Churchill
continues to give the Boers
a run for their money.

'Everyone in Britain
is cheering him on.'

'New York. Winston Churchill, who
is American on his mother's side,
is still free.

'The whole world
is praying for him.'

I'm free!

I'm free!

I'm Winston bloody Churchill,
and I'm free!

CROWD CHEERS

Ladies and gentlemen!

A man who, after his daring escape,

rejoined the army of his country,

distinguished himself
again and again in battle...

..helped to free his fellow officers
from the very same prison
he escaped from,

I give you...
CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

Ladies...

Ladies and gentlemen of Oldham.

Friends.

I promised Mr Daniel Dewsnap,

without whose wonderful help
I should not be here tonight,

that the first time
I returned to Oldham,
I would give his love to his wife.

She's here, she's right here!

Thus, at my second attempt,
the Tory electors of Oldham

sent me victorious
to the mother of parliaments.

'The Times. 'In raising his
amendment against the Government's
bill on military expenditure,

'young Mr Winston Churchill
in his first major speech,

'seems bent after one short
and promising year in the House,

'on repeating the most disastrous
mistake of his father's career.'

I don't understand. I wish I COULD
understand. Does it really matter?

Yes, it does matter.

It matters very much to me.

I never understood your father
when he did what he did.

Throwing his life away.

And now you're doing the same thing,
only this time I know in advance.

You're being dramatic.
I'm not throwing my life away.

But you are, my darling. Everything
you have worked so hard for.

I had a note from Arthur Balfour.

No, thank you. He says the Prime
Minister is very angry with you.

Winston, you can't attack the three
most important men in your party,

in the Government, and think
that they'll forgive and forget.

You'll be finished after tonight.
We'll see.

Oh Winston, it isn't Pamela, is it?

Because if it is... Pamela?

Of course not.

Of course I loved Pamela, still do.

I'll never love another woman.

But she had every right
and reason to marry an earl.

Belted earl, as you Americans say.

I do wish you weren't
so friendly with Lloyd George,
such an odious little man.

He has the most annoying way of
looking at women.

I'm sorry, darling, I must go.

Sign for me, will you, please?

Winston.

For my sake...

I'm begging you,

don't move your amendment,
don't speak tonight.

Please.

Good evening. Good evening.

Are you prepared to face
the savage beasts who even now
are lying in wait for you?

As prepared as I will ever be.

WOMAN: Excuse me, sir.

I'll deal with this, Mother.

I intend to escort your son
to the arena. You're very kind.

Winston speaks of you often.

We are great friends, I trust,
despite our political differences.

Your presence in the House
tonight makes it a special occasion.

I am sure it will
inspire all the speakers.

Are you speaking tonight?

No, I shall be listening with great
interest to your son.

Well now, Winston, I said
I would escort you so let us go.

I hope one day to escort him
to the other side of the floor.

Heaven forbid.

Lovely lady, your mother.

Has she talked you out of it? No.

They'll have your head. Lord
Salisbury never forgets, as you know.

Well, there will always be room
for you in the Liberal Party.

Why don't you quit the Tories
and come over to us?

Never.

Good luck.

Excuse me.

To a thorough, sweeping,
and almost revolutionary
reconstruction of the Army,

we have failed to rise
to the hopes of the country.

Is there any confident authority
who really believes

that the Right Honourable Gentleman
has made the best
of his opportunities?

Mr Churchill.

Mr Speaker...

I stand here tonight

to plead the cause of economy.

It may be, at some other time,
and under other circumstances,

I may take
a directly opposite position.

But tonight, I speak on behalf of
military economy and retrenchment.

The Secretary of State for War

is asking, indeed demanding,

a great deal of money.

I do not think he should have it.

I say it humbly but with, I hope,
becoming pride,

no-one has a better right
to this position than I have,

for it is a cause I have inherited

and it is a cause for which
the late Lord Randolph Churchill

made the greatest sacrifice
of any minister of modern times.

I'm glad the House has allowed me,
after an interval of 15 years,

to lift again the tattered flag that
I found lying on a stricken field.

It is quite recent history.

Lord Randolph
was Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Lord Salisbury was Prime Minister,
as he is now.

And on this same issue of economy,

Lord Randolph Churchill
went down forever.

But wise words, sir,

stand the test of time,

and his words were wise.

I have frequently been surprised

since I have been in this House,
to hear with what composure,

and how glibly, members,
and even ministers,

talk of a European war.

I say, sir, we must not regard
modern war as a kind of game

in which we may take a hand, and
with good luck and good management,
play adroitly for an evening,

and when we have had enough,
come safely home with our winnings.
Hear, hear!

Oh no, sir.

It is no longer a game.

A European war

cannot be anything but a cruel
and heart-rending struggle

which, if we are ever to enjoy
the bitter fruits of victory,
must demand, perhaps for years,

the whole manhood of the nation,
the entire suspension of
peaceful industries,

and the concentrating to
only one end of every vital agency
in the community.

Ah, yes,

it may be that the human race
is doomed never to learn
from its mistakes.

We are the only animals on this
globe who periodically set out

to slaughter each other
for the best, the noblest,
the most inescapable of reasons.

We know better
but we do it again and again
in generation after generation.

It may be that our empire too is
doomed, like all those that have
gone before it,

to continue to spill and waste
its best blood on foreign soil,

no matter what we say or do in
this place, or think, or believe,
or have learned from history.

But, thank God,

for us, there is still
such a thing as moral force.

And in spite of every calumny
and lie, it is known
that upon the whole,

and it is upon the whole
that such things must be judged,

British influence

is a healthy

and a kindly influence.

And so I say, sir,

at this particular moment
in history,

we would make a fatal bargain

if we allow the moral force,
which this country
has for so long exerted,

to become diminished
or perhaps destroyed

for the sake
of the costly trumpery,
dangerous military playthings

upon which the Secretary of State
for War has set his heart.

Hear, hear!

Hear, hear!

'The Times.
Mr Winston Churchill's outburst

'brought forth some cheers
but not, it should be noted,
from his own party.'

Congratulations. Thank you.

'The Morning Post, London.

'Mr Winston Churchill last night
served notice that there is a young
lion loose in the House,

'and the lion has sharp claws.'

Well, well.

I deeply suspect what
you've done tonight and yet...

I have to believe you were
completely sincere and very brave.

You know, Churchill,

you're a child of your class
and you may never outgrow it.

But you've got something.

KNOCK ON DOOR

Congratulations. Thank you.

I looked for you
but I couldn't find you.

I thought you might be here.

Well...

..do you think
I still have a career?

We shall have to wait and see,
won't we?

Hmm.

How do you feel?

Tired. Tired but free.

It's odd but I feel free...

Sorry, darling, a brandy?

No.

I don't know.

It's like when I escaped...

..when I first knew
I was really free.

It's odd.

Oh, Mother...

I saw a girl tonight.

Tall, fair-haired,
rather lovely I thought.

Dressed in pale yellow, I think.

You didn't see anyone like that
in the gallery, did you?

Yes, there was one young woman who
more or less fits the description.

Oh? Well, you know everyone.
You wouldn't, erm...

Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do.

You must mean Clementine Hozier.

Your uncle, Jack Leslie,
almost dropped her in the font
when she was christened. Oh.

Did he now? Yes.

It was an end and a beginning.

My darling mother continued

on her headlong, headstrong, but
always gallant and courageous way,

whilst, seven years later,

Clementine Hozier and I
were married

and lived happily ever afterwards.