Disraeli (1978): Season 1, Episode 1 - Dizzy - full transcript
Having returned to England after a lengthy period abroad, Benjamin Disraeli goes about re-integrating himself with the upper crust of British society. He has had some success as an author but not surprisingly is penniless and clearly lives beyond his means. Known as Dizzy to his friends, he continues his affairs with married women and with the help of his father, manages to stay afloat financially. He soon sets his sight on being elected to Parliament and while his sympathies lie with the Radicals, he chooses to run as an independent, but without success. He enters into a quasi-permanent relationship with the married Henrietta but it comes to an end when he catches her with another man. He is finally elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament or, as he puts it, a progressive Conservative.
Open up!
Open up!
Come on, we know you?re in there!
Open up!
When he does do you think
he?ll have any money with him?
This bill been is outstanding for nine months.
This one is nearly 12 months.
47 pound this bill.
I beg you pardon, sir...
Do you happen to know the person who lives in here?
Do you know if he?s at home?
Mr Disraeli... I believe I saw him just now
at the corner of the street.
Are you sure he's gonna be here?
I can?t promise. We?ve sent Disraeli invitation after invitation
but he?s dropped out of sight since
he returned from his travels.
Well I do hope he comes.
I should be dreadfully dissapointed.
I can?t imagine why you?re so keen,
he?s just another conceited writer.
Please, not again!
Is here!
The most illusive man in London.
I?m so glad you could come.
I can?t tell you how much I?ve
looked forward to seeing you again.
I was abroad for some time Mr Bulwer.
Edward, please.
My dear, may I present Mr Benjamin Disraeli?
My wife Rosina.
At last! Now perhaps my husband
will stop talking about you.
I was almost jealous.
Now, now..
Is it true, you are the only living writer
besides himself that he really admires
That I admit, too.
But you do me too much honour!
Impossible
Besides, the world is so slow to recognize genius
we must at least praise each other.
Mrs Bolton, may I introduce you Mr Disraeli,
author of "Vivian Grey" and "The young duke"
You did well indeed, mr Disraeli.
Mrs Bolton..
I hear you?ve been touring in the Middle East.
Until recently.
Please give my regards to doctor Bolton.
Now, who else do you know?
Well, no one I?m afraid.
I must confess with my
acquaintance with society so far
has been in respectable
but less exalted circles.
Yet, they all know you.
Most of our guests are here
because they are eager to meet you.
but I thought...
Your novels outcome grieved and the serious minded/
But before I let people I thought of his friends
passed in the street/
That was a year ago
Our cousin that is in the United states write
that you are required reading over there.
Please, you are overwhelming him.
Well then.
Come meet some of your admirers.
You'll excuse me for introducing that
disagreeable subject, but what are your politics?
Depends on who I?m talking to.
No convictions?
Many!
I?m as obsessed by politics as
most men are by drink or women
In fact it is only there I
feel like would make my mark
but without political friends
or noble acquaintances to help me..
Well, we must do something about it.
Who would you like to meet first?
Daniel O?Connell
Case was the dirt of the Irish drug
never spoke to me afterwards//
The Prince of the dandies.
Count Alfred Dorsey
Dorsey..
Over there with the longneck beauty
Esquisite.
Yes, influential.
Lord Melbourne?s friend, Mrs Caroline Norton.
May I present Mrs Caroline Norton
Mrs Norton
I hear you become great traveller.
You must tell us about everything you?ve seen.
O, hellas, Madam..
Like all great travelers I?ve seen more than I remember
and I remember much more than I?ve seen.
Tell me
Who is the tinsel coxcomb that they?re all cooing over?
Disraeli, the novelist, Mr O'Connell.
Would you like to meet him?
Not even if he would be the last man in the country.
I can not abide these flashy Israelites.
Mr Disraeli?
Mrs Wyndham Lewis and Wyndham Lewis,
member of parliament from Maston
You have been very cruel.
Madam?
Not to have come earlier!
My wife is an admirer of yours, Mr Disraeli.
No, I am your greatest admirer!
I read everything you ever wrote!
Well then, some of my correspondence
have been extremely indiscreet, Madam.
Well, that's very funny..
Is it from one of your books?
I try not to work myself madam.
Please don't call me Madam.
It seems so very ancient.
You should call me Mary Anne.
Very well, madam..
Mary Anne.
I could tell you things about
yourself that will surprise you.
I know far more about you than you realize.
Well I?m convinced of it.
You?re locking me again!
I assure you I?m not!
I don?t mind.
You see, I can tell when you?re being
serious which is nearly all the time.
You say serious things in a funny way
so people will think you?re so suffered.
especially about politics
You seem upset about politics
even when you write about love!
Well, politics surely is the great romance.
I think that he thinks it?s right/.
Then he?s a Tory of course.
Are you a Tory?
No, I'm inclined the more
Liberal Party they tending..
to get much better dinners
than the more amusing
Give me a chance to convert you
by coming to dine with us
Well, I just recently...
You will leave me no alternative.
Well if you would excuse me,
now I do have to see Bulwer in some urgent matter.
Only on condition that you don't forget me.
You need to have no fear of that.
She will not let you go.
It is the price of fame, Ben.
For how long have you been home?
About three weeks.
And you saw me this evening?
I stayed with my family.
And now?
They rent rooms in Saint James.
Duke's street.
That's convenient.
We were trying to decide which university you were,
was is Oxford or Cambridge?
Neither.
I left school at 15
15?
I completed my education at home in my father's study.
Didn't you want to go to university?
I also wanted to publish a newspaper,
went to Parliament,
be a soldier,
a saint and a poet like Byron all at once.
Instead my father argued with me
to be solicitor in the city.
So you became a lawyer.
Alas, no, I gave it up.
But why?
For the fun of life!
And the bar, low and bad jokes.
still your fault in them are the most brilliant success,
the prospect of gout and the coroner
I think we can go in now.
Mr Disraeli, I have promised Mary Anne winter boots
that you will take her into dinner and sit with her
That suffering woman!
I love this great
There you are, my perfect knight!
you must know I like silent melancholy men.
I have no doubt of it.
Two weeks without a word, not even a note!
I have been busy!
Not too busy to see Mrs Bowden!
No, she?s a friend
And what am I?
Twice, you have been to
see me only twice in a month!
I?ve been trying to finish my new book.
You used to say that I gave you inspiration.
But that was a year ago.
Clara what was between us is now over.
I will not be discarded!
Let me remind you it was you who discarded me!
Well, you?d become a laughingstock.
It's ruined to be seen with you
Still I lose no sleep over you.
You may be taken up by
the fringe of society now
but they?ll soon drop you
when the novelty wears off.
What are you?
Just a penniless upstart with
a great opinion of himself.
In a year or two no one will
even remember your name!
Ben..
Edward, Come in, come in.
That was Mrs Bolton I saw leaving?
You should be more discreet.
She will not come again
I am delighted to hear it!
I should hate to think of you as just another
of the little flies that dangle in her web.
I was once.
Like many men before you.
How did you meet her?
I exausted myself working for time
and her husband treated me.
and Clara completed the cure.
She is a more used to doctor Bolton?s
practice than 100 scientist and moniales
Still I must admire her, she has taste.
Only men of willful promise appeal to her.
But she made an error of judgment with me.
How so?
Caution retired//
I believed that, not having an influential
family that I must have riches to succeed
so at 19 I gambled on the Stock
Exchange with money that I did not own
thereby crippling myself with debts
that I?ve been paying off ever since.
I was 19. Since then I?ve not known a quiet hour.
Couldn?t your father have settle it?
He thinks he has.
I couldn?t tell him the full amount.
Surely your books sell well.
Only enough to pay the interest on what I owe.
I burn to write a great drama
instead I have to turn on romantic novels
to satisfy the demands of my creditors.
Each bad review brings them beating at the door
A problem we share.
So admittedly my reviews
aren?t as bad as yours.
Yet at the moment I have not
6 shillings in the bag.
I thought...Pose my dear Ben!
the pose is everything!
In society it is not what you are,
but what you seem to be that matters.
Like a traveling salesman
And I have precious little self
You have forgotten your most valuable asset.
And what is that?
Yourself, man!
You have just enough of yourself in your books
for people to want to know more
So I tell myself.
I wish I could believe it
All belief is the result of wishing to believe
Now who said that?
You set out to conquer society.
All you have done so far is
hand in your visiting card.
Now you must storm the salons
They would drop me after a year!
All they wanted to do was rise on your coattails
No. I have been sent to bring you
to the shrine of art and fashion!
Where is that?
To Lady Blessington's.
where the lovely Marguerite
holds caught with D'Orsay.
At last!
I've almost given you lost
It was my fault, I?m afraid .
I was delayed by a moment of self criticism.
Nothing too serious, I hope.
No tries as I might .
I could not quite find the right chain
It's the only excuse I would have accepted.
Marguerite, may I present Mr Benjamin Disraeli,
lady Blessington
I should never listen to rumor again.
Why is that?
They tell me the lady Blessington was beautiful,
not that she dimmed all other things.
I warn you, Mr Disraeli.
I?m not susceptible to flattery
Sincerely hope not,
My most earnest study all my
life has been to tell the truth.
I wanted to ask you...
No, Alfred, later you may ask anything you wish,
for the moment he?s mine.
I thought you said it was in despair
I assure you he was only an hour ago!
A genius, dandy and part actor.
An irrezistible combination
You find Mrs Norton beautiful also?
Grecian statue brought to life with all the wisdom of athenians
How ungallant, meant
to make me jealous already!
And last because youngest miss Selena Forester.
Is she beautiful too?
I wouldn?t rather
I thought how fearful of the wind across the globe
I?m afraid mr Disraeli is too kind.
He finds all ladies beautiful .
In this company I cannot deny it.
If, like Paris you had to choose
not between three goddesses but between the six of us
To whom would you give the golden apple?
Then I would divide it into 6 equal parts
and present one to each
If you excuse us ladies,
you must spare him a second.
I have been telling Mr O?Connell that I intended
to stand at the next general election
And as a radical I was glad to hear
Bulwer tells me that you are responsible
for all those political articles in "The times"
Very perceptive.
It only goes to show that one should
never judge it candy by his wrapping!
You?re a diamond bites roughness.
Well I was warned about the quickness of your wit.
I see I must be careful.
I can just hear them
no one could speak more effectively.
Are you thinking of standing for parliament too, Mr Disraeli?
Well, that is my secret ambition for years,
although I realize it will be difficult.
But certainly would it be.
And which side will you support?
Well, as a careerist I suppose I should support the government
but I?m afraid I cannot agree with their
policies then again by upbringing amatory
but I am sympathetic to the radicals.
It?s a pity there?s not a party that combines
the best of all three.
And you would only find that in Utopia.
Well I wish you luck with whatever you decide.
You're winning him over!
I?ve never seen O'Connell so friendly.
Still "mon ami" ,that?s not right in one basket?
I have met the leader of the radicals.
Would you like now to meet the leader of the Tories?
Peel is here?
Over there with...Do you know sir Robert?
No, but I heard him speak in the House.
Sir Robert, may I present Mr Benjamin Disraeli?
Sir Robert this is indeed an honor
I was brought up to revere the name of Peel
canning
Mr Disraeli is one of our most distinguished
younger novelists, Sir Robert
oh, yes. I was recommended to read one of your books.
I didn?t finish it.
Mr Disraeli is also "etudiant "of politics
He heard you speak in the House.
Oh, indeed?
what was the debate?
I?m afraid I can?t remember, I didn?t stay until the end.
A most interesting evening.
Touche'
That?s not a way to answer
It was a moment you
should immortalize on canvas
Dignity confronted by impudence!
Providing you make it quite clear who was being impudent.
Here come the ladies again.
If you take my advice, you?ll concentrate on them
The one thing I have learned
is that they have more influence on
public opinion than anyone else.
Mr Disraeli, we?ve been trying to decide on a name for you.
We can?t call you Ben.
Why not? Benjamin perhaps.
Ben is a name for prizefighters.
Then how should we call him?
Something from one of his own books.
Vivian?
Champagne for a christening
With his permission, I shall call him Dizzy.
To Dizzy.
I think it?s the most wonderful thing I?ve ever heard
It depends in which sentence you use the word wonderful.
But father, isn?t it exciting for Ben to
be fighting a byelection at Wickham...
only a few miles away?
It is certainly an improvement on the
incessant round of parties involved
and dinners that have appeared to be
his only occupation for the last year.
Father I may seem to have been a social butterfly,
but I have not been wasting my time.
Well, I am relieved to hear it.
All society is governed by a few influential hostesses.
Everyone of importance
in the fashionable world
in art, literature, government is
to be seen at their receptions.
Not to be invited is not to exist.
Debate, well.
Fact of life.
At least now I?ve known and have met many people
who could be of great use in my career.
In politics...
Yes!
And it is with their encouragement that
I offer myself as a parliamentary candidate.
With their encouragement!
But no one there to support you.
But first, I must prove myself that is
why understanding as an independent.
Ben.. Ben, let me remind you
of the political facts of life!
Now.. there are very few electoral
seats in this country and all are controlled.
They are directly controlled by one
or other of the two main parties.
Then the voters must be given an alternative!
That is why I should present myself as a candidate
totally dedicated to their interests, not to any party!
Exactly!
Yes now before we?re all carried away
may I also remind you that it become that
outermost only 30 or 40 men eligible to vote!
And most of them are told whom to elect by
the land owners and the businessmen who employ them!
But if they listen to my argument...
They will still have no choice.
They will still have to stand up in public
in pooling day and announce their votes!
With their employers watching!
Well then, I should appeal to the unattached.
Who give their but it?s quite simply
to the man who offers the highest bribe.
And I shall win on merit, not bribery
Very well, but where are you going
to find enough money, Ben?
I offer new blood, new ideas as a member of parliament, father.
I can show, I can talk to the people and show them
Perhaps the government need not be dull,
heavy clinging to the past
but alive, creative, exciting, father!
I know Ben, but where
are you going to find the money?
Yes, I am a true independent!
Your interests and your needs
are the only party bag that I need...
I understand the people
because I have sprung from the people!
Like Moses from the bulrushes!
I could ask for no better faith, my friend!
For he was put by a Princess and
rose to be a leader in his adopted land!
I have no noble blood nor have I
ever taken a penny of public money.
If and when I?m elected as I am bound to be...
I promise to support not the privileges of the few
but to work for the good of the nation as a whole!
My policy can be summed up in one word
and that word is: England!
Yes, my friends! When the pole
is declared I should be there!
And my opponent is there!
I cast my vote for Colonel Gray
I vote for Colonel Gray!
20 votes for Gray and only 12 for me.
I can?t say I?m really surprised
..more than enough money and influence
to make sure their own man was elected.
Charles Gray is the son of the Prime Minister
And that's how the recommendation...
Sit still if you want to be immortalized.
That?s alright.
I?ve already sketched him
And his sister.
Remarkably intelligent young woman Sarah.
You know she started canvassing Wickham
for the next round already?
Are you going to stand again?
Yes!
The next general election.
Reform bill will be in by then.
There will be 200 or so more voters
He'll have a better chance.
Yes, but is all the effort worth it?
This life of pleasure, idleness and occasional work
is delightfully hours to days a years slip by in a dream..
I never so often
My ambition pricks me awake
and reminds me I?m achieving nothing.
Remember what you said yourself
"without noble birth, powerful friends or a fortune
behind you, what can you help to achieve?"
Everything!
I know Lord Melbourne himself told you
there are too many obstacles in your way,
that you can never hope to reach the highest office.
He?s very experienced.
But not infallible. I intend to prove
him wrong as quickly as possible.
You?re going on in spite of what he said?
If did not think I succeed
I would not step on the ladder.
Wickham is nearly the first run
But it?s a two candidates seats and each elector has two votes
Maybe you will have one
Yes, the only problem is, where do I get the money?
Simple:
borrow more money from your creditors.
If you win is their only way
of getting their money back!
Why are you so miserable?
It is not easy to have to accept defeat for the second time!
... it was very close
Oh, it?s no consolation.
Your election expenses must have been very heavy.
Can you pay them?
I have not sixpence in the bank.
Ben, don't worry.
I should take care of it for you.
O, father. I know you have other debts as well.
I settled the most urgent of them.
Father I can?t keep asking you..
It will come out of what I'd hope to leave you.
Little enough I can do for you.
I wish I could do more but..
Sarah was right, you know.
You've done well.
To come last..
But closer than anyone could have expected!
You doubt my ability?
Never that
You have been trying to become a politician,
a public figure.
You... well you?ve not taken
into account the effective hidden prejudice.
I am an Englishman and a member of the Church of England
Yes. But you aren't still by birth, are you?
Yes, which I have never denied, no tried to conceal.
Precisely!
Precisely!
And that is what Melbourne ment.
Even to be elected to the House of parliament
without anything else would have been a triumph.
You would not only have been an MP
but you would have been the first jew
who ever tormented the House of Commons.
You must not take it to heart
because the time center is it against you.
My only regret father is that there might
not be another by-election for months, even years.
Remain to try again.
Yes, again, again and again, father.
And not only for ambition but for pride!
I refuse to let myself be beaten!
May I congratulate, mr Bulwer,
for your speech today?
I thank you, mr Robert.
There was, I believe, only one thing wrong with it.
May I ask what that was?
But it did not come from my side of the House.
Mr Disraeli
I have not seen you to congratulate
you on your showing at high Wickham.
On being defeated, sir?
We must all admire your perseverance.
You'd not been downhearted.
I assure you Madam, I?m not.
I?ve had copies made of all your speeches.
I tell everyone how brilliant they are.
Well, I?m flattered to have such an admirer and champion.
Enough to come dining at us again?
Whenever I?m invited!
I have a very special "dejeuner"on 26th.
I should expect you there without fail!
And might you don't flirt with
all my lady guests in turn.
It makes them all very jealous.
Your duty is to flirt only with me ?cause I?m your biggest fan//
You understand the art of turning
beauty into a pleasance.
There.The woman I saw at opera last night.
"Belle inconue"?Where?
There!
Talking to Marguerita and the older man
Lady Henrieta Sacks
The man is Lord Lyndhurst, famous as formatory chancellor
and even more famous as a ruin.
She must like the type.
Her husband , sir Francis Sykes
is also well known as a womanizer
Well, I must meet her.
Edward, I must congratulate you
"The last days of Pompeii"
... party
My dear, will you fetch me another glass of punch?
Of course.
You have your husband to stay well trained, Laura.
He will do anything to please me.
Tell me, do you use kindness or cruelty?
The delicate mix of both.
Irrezistible.
There is someone you must know.
Sir Francis,
may I present Mr Benjamin Disraeli?
Mrs Dawton..I believe you already know...
Yes very old
She knows everyone... Clara
Oh, Disraeli, my wife often speak about you!
Oh, indeed, sir?
She read some of your novels.
I?m honored, sir.
Dizzy has quite a collection of fair admirers.
We are all collectors in our own way.
What a situation
Rest assured yourself.
She?s too clever to say anything.
And at least you know
Henrietta as head of you.
I must see her, Alfred.
I didn't realise you would be here.
I came because I thought you would be here.
When can I see you?
When can I come to you?
Doctor Bolton thought he saw you heading this way
We came to see the view.
We were afraid you might have strayed.
Esquisite! Isn't it?
Does it inspire you, Ben?
I do hope so.
I will point if you?re joining us on this holiday together close
for you to be able to work on your epic poem
I never felt more inspired in all my life!
Very keen.
Now, I think perhaps we should go back
The doctor Bolton is waiting for us.
He had seen to the picnic arrangements.
Didn't he notice that you have gone?
Eventually, Lady Sacks..
Eventually.
Another cup of tea, Mrs Bolton?
No thank you, Lady Sacks, that was delightful.
but then you?re so welcome
I?m always happy to welcome my husband's friends.
And I, yours my dear.
We're one big happy family, eh?
I particularly enjoyed our
holiday in Southhampton
It reminded me of the happy times I spent
visiting your parents at Bradenham, Dizzy.
Yes Henrietta and I must visit them
next time we are in Buckinghamshire.
Well I?m so sorry to break up
our little tea party but I really must go
Must you Clara?
But I must put it in appearance at home sometime.
Thank you dear mrs Sykes.
Goodbye, Ben.
I'll see you to your carriage.
How long is this to go on?
It is a torture for me to see you
alone like now for only moments,
for weeks for months now we?ve shared
fears about his dinners whole
weekends with your husband and Clara always there,
I cannot work for thinking of you Harriet..
To have you with me!
It is worse for me
/ nothing else to fill my days but think of you!
Francis will be back.
Leave him!
I couldn't!/come home for days
then he walks in her book to point
you stop I know he?s been with her
Only say you love me.
Love you?
I would give my life, my.. my friends, my duty,
all hope of heaven itself for you!
Well I think our little comedy
is gone for long enough, don't you?
Well I would sooner call it the tragedy
if it did not contain so many elements of farce.
Quite so.
I can no longer hide my
feelings which you encouraged
because having me under your roof
allowed you to carry on your affair
with Mrs Bolton without open scandal.
Quite so.
It was an ideal arrangement for us all.
Recently however, the situation has become intolerable
and therefore I... I now intend to resolve it
Divorce..you would give her the act of divorce.
There's no question of divorce.
I shall simply go abroad for an year or so and take Clara with me.
you will then avoid giving rise to scandal
is your own concern.
I do trust you will be discreet.
Howevere, knowing Henrietta?s
willful disposition I very much doubt it.
Free..
Henrietta, he is right.
We will be the targets of gossip.
Essential of society but...
are you willing to risk all that for me?
What is the world without you?
If you love me?
I'll belong to you completely.
Is you that I want.
Should we go to Lady Blessington tonight?
Henrietta...I have to find more profitable
ways of spending my days
What do you mean?
you know more ways of spending
money than anyone I?ve ever known
No, it's true!
We are beseech by creditors.
We cannot go out by daylight.
We are forced to stay inside
with the doors locked.
How perfect is this man
You finish your epic and make thousands of pounds
We should count our blessings.
When I see others like Rosina and Bulwer,
falling out of love, quarelling
I realize how lucky I am to found
someone like you, so perfect, so true..
Dearest..
Oh, life would be ideal
If I only had some hope of success..
With next book.
I just don?t want to write
I don?t want just to write about great events I want to act in them,
Don?t you see that my love for you
has rekindle, redoubled all my ambitions!
There are days when I feel
I could guide the destiny of nations.
move thrones, continents..
That is all that stops our lifes together
to be totally happy
Then I must wave my magic wand
and do something about it.
What do you mean?
Wait and see!
And here is the very man, lord Lyndhurst.
You remember my Dizzy?
But of course
At the moment the man in all London I?ve most envy.
We receive so few callers
or others so few callers choose to be received
I?m grateful that you accepted my invitation.
Henrietta?s been telling me about your political ambitions
We?ve all seen your determination.
How many times have you stood for Parliament now?
Three times for Wickham and once for Marylebone,
but I withdrew from that election.
And you stood as a radical ?
No, no, as an independent.
Well, whatever you are, you?re certainly not a Tory.
No, I?m not.
Well, you see my difficulty.
If I tell Wellington and Peel and all those others
at the Carlton club that you now wish is to help you
they?re going to say "he must have a
very flexible political conscience"
But I?ve never changed my basic beliefs
or claim to be what I?m not!
Very commendable, but what are you?
I?m a conservative to conserve
what is good in the constitution
and right a radical
to change what is wrong
No, I am if you like a progressive conservative.
I rather like that.
You're no different to Peel.
Yes, we need new younger spirits to counter
these knew young Wigs who call themselves liberals.
I?ll do what I can
Now what can I say?
First thing is to get you elected
to the Carlton club.
Will that be possible?
well you said yourself they
would doubt my sincerity
Not if you come along as my unofficial secretary
to work up speeches, write letters and so on.
that so if you'd care for the job
I'd be delighted!
Then we must find you a seat in parliament
as a by-election is coming along at Taunton shortly
We will put you up as conservative candidate.
Do you think Dizzy will get it?
With his own brilliance and our official backing?
Is the best chance he?s had yet.
Now, even with officials support at last,
I knew there was little chance of winning.
It?s not... it?s not that that makes me angry!
What is it, then?
Is it this thing in the paper?
My eyes I cannot see news print anymore
and Sara will not read it to me!
Merely report of the speech that O'Connell made in Dublin, father.
Daniel O?Connell about your defeat, Ben?
More personal. Much more.
He says that by joining the conservatives
I have proved I have all the necessary qualities of
depravity, like a principal selfishness that by.. well
Well?
He says that the British Empire is degraded
by tolerating a miscreant of his abominable nature.
His name shows he?s of Jewish origin
he is the most degraded of his species
he possesses just the qualities of the
impenitent thief on the cross whose name
I hardly believe if it was searched out
must have been Disraeli"
And I apologize for reading out such filth,
father.
Did the Tory shot him down?
It was great laughter and applause.
It shall not go unanswered.
This is what I was afraid of, Ben.
There is no answer.
There is no answer that
will not make it worse.
Follow him, Ben.
It would only tell me to turn the other cheek
and it?s too late for that.
what are you going to do?
The only thing I can do !
Send a column public challenge to prove his words
A duel?
What are you thinking of?
it?s the only way I can answer
this insult to myself and my family.
You might be killed!
No, it won't come to that.
O'Connell is hiding out the vow
he?s taken never to fight
His son is apologizing him indirectly.
I won already.
And saved your precious name.
What about mine?
Henrietta..
As if the shame of being cut by most of society were not enough?
My own family will not speak to me because of you
Should I have accepted his insult
and lost all my pride and all hope in the future?
You lose more of your pride with every election.
But one day I'll win!
Why is it so important?
Am I not enough?
I'll never understand you.
Lyndhurst understands.
He only supported you because I asked him
to help, he'll do anything for me.Why?
Do you think you?re the only man who?s ever loved me?
Was your lover?
Oh, you used his affection for you to buy
favors for me, is that it?
Of course not.
Why did you say it?
I was upset.
He told me he admires you.
Really sincerely admires you.
I flirted with him once but that?s all in the past.
Don?t look so stiff, it?s not fair
when I?ve been so worried about you
I?m sorry, Henrietta..
No, I?m sorry.
I?m sorry.
Don?t ever doubt me
Yes?
Danny... Am I interrupting anything?
No, no.
The... the girl sent me straight up
It's all right, Danny.
I didn?t know you had a sitting today
We don?t.
I was hoping to see himself
Don?t tell me someone?s commissioned my portrait.
Well, O Connell might want a memorial stone.
No, I was looking for you.
D?orsay is desperate to see you.
What about?
He wouldn't tell me but it's urgent.
Important news.
Here you are at last!
We weren't sure you're even back in town!
I'm bursting with curiosity, now what is it?
It?s about that horrid challenge
of yours in the newspapers!
I wished I was proud to make the arrangements
Which thank heavens won't needed.
Anyway it has had the most
extraordinary effect.
The Duke of Wellington...
The Duke has been greatly
impressed by your courage
and has written to Peel to say
he must do something for you!
Peel wants you to dine with him!
and Lynhurst says "you have square brushed O'Connell"
whatever that may mean..
Everyone speaks of you with new respect
The sod is sometime mightier than .., you see
This is true, this is all true?
If you doubt my word I
shall have to challenge you!
Don?t you dare!
Instead I shall walk with him to the Carlton club.
I shall allowed to members to buy a champagne
until dinner in honor of his triumph
Forgive me, Marguerite and Alfred..
it is so rare to have good news I
must get back and tell Henrietta.
Henriette.
Father says I have to comfort you.
Does he know?
Not everything.
Only that something happened
well I appreciate your concern my dear Sarah,
but you don?t have to worry.
If you treat me like one of your ladies in London,
I should pull your raise and break your hobbyhorse
Stop waggling and have self pitty!
Hmm, you?re right
Of course you?re right.
I am behaving like a child yet I am over.
Why are you so bittered?
Why do you hide yourself down here,
instead of returning to London?
Cause I realized it after all those
months with Henrietta I have achieved nothing.
I?m almost 33, I'm not a boy anymore.
It?s shaming.
How can you say you are no further forward?
Your speeches are reported in the papers!
You're a close friend of Lyndhurst,
Wellington and Peel speak highly of you
Because they learned they can?t ignore me
but they still did not trust me.
Then you must prove to them that they can!
The old king is dying.
There will be a new reign
and another general election.
You must be ready!
You owe it to yourself!
And to me!
To everyone who believes in you, to try and try again!
Look, it's horse cavalry!
I?d rather be in ten other places rather
than here listening to Mary Ann Louise's chatter.
She is devoted to you.
neither her for 10 minutes of frivolity
the path there the world is turning
She wanted to see you on some urgent matter.
In matter of urgency to me is that there is an election foot
and I have not one penny to spend as a candidate.
So you were really there, at Kensington Palace?
Lyndhurst took me as his personal secretary.
How was little Victoria?
A revelation
Changed overnight from a girl into a woman.
Tiny, pale but very composed.
A queen to the very tips of the toes.
To our new Queen, Victoria!
May God prosper her!
Victoria!
Oh, Wyndham, look at them!
The three handsomest men in London!
Don't you think so?
I assure you I?d like to have you all cast in bronze!
Before that metallic fate overtake us,
with your permission Bulwer and I will withdraw.
We only brought him as requested.
If you must.
Monsieur..
Don?t bother to see us out.
I trust we may stay longer on our next meeting.
Sir..
How delicious to have you to ourselves.
No disrespect to Mr Bulwer and count Dorset
but well they?re not of out party.
My wife has become quite a raging
conservative thanks to you, Mr Disraeli
And how wonderful for you
to be recognized officially at last!
I followed your career and admired
your courage from the first day we met
I?m not worthy of so much kindness.
Kindness, my foot!
Anyone will tell you I only back winners, which..
which brings me to the point.
I haven?t heard that you?ve been chosen
as a candidate for any constituency yet.
Well I must confess to an embarrassment
of choice I?ve been asked to contest
not one but seven different seats.
Seven?
That's unheard of!
Have you chosen one?
THAT is the embarrassment.
Will you excuse me a moment?
Remarkable woman Mary Anne!
Oh she is, isn?t it?
Forgive me but...
Do I take your embarassement is financial?
Total.
I myself am one of two MPs for Maidstone
The second is a liberal who was retiring
at this election and a radical is standing in his place.
It would be a great stroke to have two Torries.
I see
My wife and I wondered if you would
care to stand with me.
That is of course if you haven?t chosen someone else.
Well.. unfortunately the electors of
Maidstone are notoriously corrupt
Expenses will be very high
thousands of pounds.
I am flattered Sir but I have already...
I don?t think you quite understand me Sir.
I am offering to pay your election expenses
Pay?
You overwhelm me.
But I feel I must point out that on my past record
it is highly unlikely that I should be successful.
I admire you for saying that sir,
however I have learned to trust
Mary Anne?s judgment.
besides I want another conservative in the ..
What do you say?
You accept?
With both hands!
Well my dear, did I do it right?
Perfect, Wyndham.
Mrs Lewis... Mary Anne
I thank you from the bottom of my heart
and if I am successful,
it should be entirely thanks to you!
Oh, nonsense!
It?ll be thanks to your genius!
And Wyndham's money!
On 27th July 1837
Wyndham Lewis 707
Benjamin Disraeli, so far 616...
Open up!
Come on, we know you?re in there!
Open up!
When he does do you think
he?ll have any money with him?
This bill been is outstanding for nine months.
This one is nearly 12 months.
47 pound this bill.
I beg you pardon, sir...
Do you happen to know the person who lives in here?
Do you know if he?s at home?
Mr Disraeli... I believe I saw him just now
at the corner of the street.
Are you sure he's gonna be here?
I can?t promise. We?ve sent Disraeli invitation after invitation
but he?s dropped out of sight since
he returned from his travels.
Well I do hope he comes.
I should be dreadfully dissapointed.
I can?t imagine why you?re so keen,
he?s just another conceited writer.
Please, not again!
Is here!
The most illusive man in London.
I?m so glad you could come.
I can?t tell you how much I?ve
looked forward to seeing you again.
I was abroad for some time Mr Bulwer.
Edward, please.
My dear, may I present Mr Benjamin Disraeli?
My wife Rosina.
At last! Now perhaps my husband
will stop talking about you.
I was almost jealous.
Now, now..
Is it true, you are the only living writer
besides himself that he really admires
That I admit, too.
But you do me too much honour!
Impossible
Besides, the world is so slow to recognize genius
we must at least praise each other.
Mrs Bolton, may I introduce you Mr Disraeli,
author of "Vivian Grey" and "The young duke"
You did well indeed, mr Disraeli.
Mrs Bolton..
I hear you?ve been touring in the Middle East.
Until recently.
Please give my regards to doctor Bolton.
Now, who else do you know?
Well, no one I?m afraid.
I must confess with my
acquaintance with society so far
has been in respectable
but less exalted circles.
Yet, they all know you.
Most of our guests are here
because they are eager to meet you.
but I thought...
Your novels outcome grieved and the serious minded/
But before I let people I thought of his friends
passed in the street/
That was a year ago
Our cousin that is in the United states write
that you are required reading over there.
Please, you are overwhelming him.
Well then.
Come meet some of your admirers.
You'll excuse me for introducing that
disagreeable subject, but what are your politics?
Depends on who I?m talking to.
No convictions?
Many!
I?m as obsessed by politics as
most men are by drink or women
In fact it is only there I
feel like would make my mark
but without political friends
or noble acquaintances to help me..
Well, we must do something about it.
Who would you like to meet first?
Daniel O?Connell
Case was the dirt of the Irish drug
never spoke to me afterwards//
The Prince of the dandies.
Count Alfred Dorsey
Dorsey..
Over there with the longneck beauty
Esquisite.
Yes, influential.
Lord Melbourne?s friend, Mrs Caroline Norton.
May I present Mrs Caroline Norton
Mrs Norton
I hear you become great traveller.
You must tell us about everything you?ve seen.
O, hellas, Madam..
Like all great travelers I?ve seen more than I remember
and I remember much more than I?ve seen.
Tell me
Who is the tinsel coxcomb that they?re all cooing over?
Disraeli, the novelist, Mr O'Connell.
Would you like to meet him?
Not even if he would be the last man in the country.
I can not abide these flashy Israelites.
Mr Disraeli?
Mrs Wyndham Lewis and Wyndham Lewis,
member of parliament from Maston
You have been very cruel.
Madam?
Not to have come earlier!
My wife is an admirer of yours, Mr Disraeli.
No, I am your greatest admirer!
I read everything you ever wrote!
Well then, some of my correspondence
have been extremely indiscreet, Madam.
Well, that's very funny..
Is it from one of your books?
I try not to work myself madam.
Please don't call me Madam.
It seems so very ancient.
You should call me Mary Anne.
Very well, madam..
Mary Anne.
I could tell you things about
yourself that will surprise you.
I know far more about you than you realize.
Well I?m convinced of it.
You?re locking me again!
I assure you I?m not!
I don?t mind.
You see, I can tell when you?re being
serious which is nearly all the time.
You say serious things in a funny way
so people will think you?re so suffered.
especially about politics
You seem upset about politics
even when you write about love!
Well, politics surely is the great romance.
I think that he thinks it?s right/.
Then he?s a Tory of course.
Are you a Tory?
No, I'm inclined the more
Liberal Party they tending..
to get much better dinners
than the more amusing
Give me a chance to convert you
by coming to dine with us
Well, I just recently...
You will leave me no alternative.
Well if you would excuse me,
now I do have to see Bulwer in some urgent matter.
Only on condition that you don't forget me.
You need to have no fear of that.
She will not let you go.
It is the price of fame, Ben.
For how long have you been home?
About three weeks.
And you saw me this evening?
I stayed with my family.
And now?
They rent rooms in Saint James.
Duke's street.
That's convenient.
We were trying to decide which university you were,
was is Oxford or Cambridge?
Neither.
I left school at 15
15?
I completed my education at home in my father's study.
Didn't you want to go to university?
I also wanted to publish a newspaper,
went to Parliament,
be a soldier,
a saint and a poet like Byron all at once.
Instead my father argued with me
to be solicitor in the city.
So you became a lawyer.
Alas, no, I gave it up.
But why?
For the fun of life!
And the bar, low and bad jokes.
still your fault in them are the most brilliant success,
the prospect of gout and the coroner
I think we can go in now.
Mr Disraeli, I have promised Mary Anne winter boots
that you will take her into dinner and sit with her
That suffering woman!
I love this great
There you are, my perfect knight!
you must know I like silent melancholy men.
I have no doubt of it.
Two weeks without a word, not even a note!
I have been busy!
Not too busy to see Mrs Bowden!
No, she?s a friend
And what am I?
Twice, you have been to
see me only twice in a month!
I?ve been trying to finish my new book.
You used to say that I gave you inspiration.
But that was a year ago.
Clara what was between us is now over.
I will not be discarded!
Let me remind you it was you who discarded me!
Well, you?d become a laughingstock.
It's ruined to be seen with you
Still I lose no sleep over you.
You may be taken up by
the fringe of society now
but they?ll soon drop you
when the novelty wears off.
What are you?
Just a penniless upstart with
a great opinion of himself.
In a year or two no one will
even remember your name!
Ben..
Edward, Come in, come in.
That was Mrs Bolton I saw leaving?
You should be more discreet.
She will not come again
I am delighted to hear it!
I should hate to think of you as just another
of the little flies that dangle in her web.
I was once.
Like many men before you.
How did you meet her?
I exausted myself working for time
and her husband treated me.
and Clara completed the cure.
She is a more used to doctor Bolton?s
practice than 100 scientist and moniales
Still I must admire her, she has taste.
Only men of willful promise appeal to her.
But she made an error of judgment with me.
How so?
Caution retired//
I believed that, not having an influential
family that I must have riches to succeed
so at 19 I gambled on the Stock
Exchange with money that I did not own
thereby crippling myself with debts
that I?ve been paying off ever since.
I was 19. Since then I?ve not known a quiet hour.
Couldn?t your father have settle it?
He thinks he has.
I couldn?t tell him the full amount.
Surely your books sell well.
Only enough to pay the interest on what I owe.
I burn to write a great drama
instead I have to turn on romantic novels
to satisfy the demands of my creditors.
Each bad review brings them beating at the door
A problem we share.
So admittedly my reviews
aren?t as bad as yours.
Yet at the moment I have not
6 shillings in the bag.
I thought...Pose my dear Ben!
the pose is everything!
In society it is not what you are,
but what you seem to be that matters.
Like a traveling salesman
And I have precious little self
You have forgotten your most valuable asset.
And what is that?
Yourself, man!
You have just enough of yourself in your books
for people to want to know more
So I tell myself.
I wish I could believe it
All belief is the result of wishing to believe
Now who said that?
You set out to conquer society.
All you have done so far is
hand in your visiting card.
Now you must storm the salons
They would drop me after a year!
All they wanted to do was rise on your coattails
No. I have been sent to bring you
to the shrine of art and fashion!
Where is that?
To Lady Blessington's.
where the lovely Marguerite
holds caught with D'Orsay.
At last!
I've almost given you lost
It was my fault, I?m afraid .
I was delayed by a moment of self criticism.
Nothing too serious, I hope.
No tries as I might .
I could not quite find the right chain
It's the only excuse I would have accepted.
Marguerite, may I present Mr Benjamin Disraeli,
lady Blessington
I should never listen to rumor again.
Why is that?
They tell me the lady Blessington was beautiful,
not that she dimmed all other things.
I warn you, Mr Disraeli.
I?m not susceptible to flattery
Sincerely hope not,
My most earnest study all my
life has been to tell the truth.
I wanted to ask you...
No, Alfred, later you may ask anything you wish,
for the moment he?s mine.
I thought you said it was in despair
I assure you he was only an hour ago!
A genius, dandy and part actor.
An irrezistible combination
You find Mrs Norton beautiful also?
Grecian statue brought to life with all the wisdom of athenians
How ungallant, meant
to make me jealous already!
And last because youngest miss Selena Forester.
Is she beautiful too?
I wouldn?t rather
I thought how fearful of the wind across the globe
I?m afraid mr Disraeli is too kind.
He finds all ladies beautiful .
In this company I cannot deny it.
If, like Paris you had to choose
not between three goddesses but between the six of us
To whom would you give the golden apple?
Then I would divide it into 6 equal parts
and present one to each
If you excuse us ladies,
you must spare him a second.
I have been telling Mr O?Connell that I intended
to stand at the next general election
And as a radical I was glad to hear
Bulwer tells me that you are responsible
for all those political articles in "The times"
Very perceptive.
It only goes to show that one should
never judge it candy by his wrapping!
You?re a diamond bites roughness.
Well I was warned about the quickness of your wit.
I see I must be careful.
I can just hear them
no one could speak more effectively.
Are you thinking of standing for parliament too, Mr Disraeli?
Well, that is my secret ambition for years,
although I realize it will be difficult.
But certainly would it be.
And which side will you support?
Well, as a careerist I suppose I should support the government
but I?m afraid I cannot agree with their
policies then again by upbringing amatory
but I am sympathetic to the radicals.
It?s a pity there?s not a party that combines
the best of all three.
And you would only find that in Utopia.
Well I wish you luck with whatever you decide.
You're winning him over!
I?ve never seen O'Connell so friendly.
Still "mon ami" ,that?s not right in one basket?
I have met the leader of the radicals.
Would you like now to meet the leader of the Tories?
Peel is here?
Over there with...Do you know sir Robert?
No, but I heard him speak in the House.
Sir Robert, may I present Mr Benjamin Disraeli?
Sir Robert this is indeed an honor
I was brought up to revere the name of Peel
canning
Mr Disraeli is one of our most distinguished
younger novelists, Sir Robert
oh, yes. I was recommended to read one of your books.
I didn?t finish it.
Mr Disraeli is also "etudiant "of politics
He heard you speak in the House.
Oh, indeed?
what was the debate?
I?m afraid I can?t remember, I didn?t stay until the end.
A most interesting evening.
Touche'
That?s not a way to answer
It was a moment you
should immortalize on canvas
Dignity confronted by impudence!
Providing you make it quite clear who was being impudent.
Here come the ladies again.
If you take my advice, you?ll concentrate on them
The one thing I have learned
is that they have more influence on
public opinion than anyone else.
Mr Disraeli, we?ve been trying to decide on a name for you.
We can?t call you Ben.
Why not? Benjamin perhaps.
Ben is a name for prizefighters.
Then how should we call him?
Something from one of his own books.
Vivian?
Champagne for a christening
With his permission, I shall call him Dizzy.
To Dizzy.
I think it?s the most wonderful thing I?ve ever heard
It depends in which sentence you use the word wonderful.
But father, isn?t it exciting for Ben to
be fighting a byelection at Wickham...
only a few miles away?
It is certainly an improvement on the
incessant round of parties involved
and dinners that have appeared to be
his only occupation for the last year.
Father I may seem to have been a social butterfly,
but I have not been wasting my time.
Well, I am relieved to hear it.
All society is governed by a few influential hostesses.
Everyone of importance
in the fashionable world
in art, literature, government is
to be seen at their receptions.
Not to be invited is not to exist.
Debate, well.
Fact of life.
At least now I?ve known and have met many people
who could be of great use in my career.
In politics...
Yes!
And it is with their encouragement that
I offer myself as a parliamentary candidate.
With their encouragement!
But no one there to support you.
But first, I must prove myself that is
why understanding as an independent.
Ben.. Ben, let me remind you
of the political facts of life!
Now.. there are very few electoral
seats in this country and all are controlled.
They are directly controlled by one
or other of the two main parties.
Then the voters must be given an alternative!
That is why I should present myself as a candidate
totally dedicated to their interests, not to any party!
Exactly!
Yes now before we?re all carried away
may I also remind you that it become that
outermost only 30 or 40 men eligible to vote!
And most of them are told whom to elect by
the land owners and the businessmen who employ them!
But if they listen to my argument...
They will still have no choice.
They will still have to stand up in public
in pooling day and announce their votes!
With their employers watching!
Well then, I should appeal to the unattached.
Who give their but it?s quite simply
to the man who offers the highest bribe.
And I shall win on merit, not bribery
Very well, but where are you going
to find enough money, Ben?
I offer new blood, new ideas as a member of parliament, father.
I can show, I can talk to the people and show them
Perhaps the government need not be dull,
heavy clinging to the past
but alive, creative, exciting, father!
I know Ben, but where
are you going to find the money?
Yes, I am a true independent!
Your interests and your needs
are the only party bag that I need...
I understand the people
because I have sprung from the people!
Like Moses from the bulrushes!
I could ask for no better faith, my friend!
For he was put by a Princess and
rose to be a leader in his adopted land!
I have no noble blood nor have I
ever taken a penny of public money.
If and when I?m elected as I am bound to be...
I promise to support not the privileges of the few
but to work for the good of the nation as a whole!
My policy can be summed up in one word
and that word is: England!
Yes, my friends! When the pole
is declared I should be there!
And my opponent is there!
I cast my vote for Colonel Gray
I vote for Colonel Gray!
20 votes for Gray and only 12 for me.
I can?t say I?m really surprised
..more than enough money and influence
to make sure their own man was elected.
Charles Gray is the son of the Prime Minister
And that's how the recommendation...
Sit still if you want to be immortalized.
That?s alright.
I?ve already sketched him
And his sister.
Remarkably intelligent young woman Sarah.
You know she started canvassing Wickham
for the next round already?
Are you going to stand again?
Yes!
The next general election.
Reform bill will be in by then.
There will be 200 or so more voters
He'll have a better chance.
Yes, but is all the effort worth it?
This life of pleasure, idleness and occasional work
is delightfully hours to days a years slip by in a dream..
I never so often
My ambition pricks me awake
and reminds me I?m achieving nothing.
Remember what you said yourself
"without noble birth, powerful friends or a fortune
behind you, what can you help to achieve?"
Everything!
I know Lord Melbourne himself told you
there are too many obstacles in your way,
that you can never hope to reach the highest office.
He?s very experienced.
But not infallible. I intend to prove
him wrong as quickly as possible.
You?re going on in spite of what he said?
If did not think I succeed
I would not step on the ladder.
Wickham is nearly the first run
But it?s a two candidates seats and each elector has two votes
Maybe you will have one
Yes, the only problem is, where do I get the money?
Simple:
borrow more money from your creditors.
If you win is their only way
of getting their money back!
Why are you so miserable?
It is not easy to have to accept defeat for the second time!
... it was very close
Oh, it?s no consolation.
Your election expenses must have been very heavy.
Can you pay them?
I have not sixpence in the bank.
Ben, don't worry.
I should take care of it for you.
O, father. I know you have other debts as well.
I settled the most urgent of them.
Father I can?t keep asking you..
It will come out of what I'd hope to leave you.
Little enough I can do for you.
I wish I could do more but..
Sarah was right, you know.
You've done well.
To come last..
But closer than anyone could have expected!
You doubt my ability?
Never that
You have been trying to become a politician,
a public figure.
You... well you?ve not taken
into account the effective hidden prejudice.
I am an Englishman and a member of the Church of England
Yes. But you aren't still by birth, are you?
Yes, which I have never denied, no tried to conceal.
Precisely!
Precisely!
And that is what Melbourne ment.
Even to be elected to the House of parliament
without anything else would have been a triumph.
You would not only have been an MP
but you would have been the first jew
who ever tormented the House of Commons.
You must not take it to heart
because the time center is it against you.
My only regret father is that there might
not be another by-election for months, even years.
Remain to try again.
Yes, again, again and again, father.
And not only for ambition but for pride!
I refuse to let myself be beaten!
May I congratulate, mr Bulwer,
for your speech today?
I thank you, mr Robert.
There was, I believe, only one thing wrong with it.
May I ask what that was?
But it did not come from my side of the House.
Mr Disraeli
I have not seen you to congratulate
you on your showing at high Wickham.
On being defeated, sir?
We must all admire your perseverance.
You'd not been downhearted.
I assure you Madam, I?m not.
I?ve had copies made of all your speeches.
I tell everyone how brilliant they are.
Well, I?m flattered to have such an admirer and champion.
Enough to come dining at us again?
Whenever I?m invited!
I have a very special "dejeuner"on 26th.
I should expect you there without fail!
And might you don't flirt with
all my lady guests in turn.
It makes them all very jealous.
Your duty is to flirt only with me ?cause I?m your biggest fan//
You understand the art of turning
beauty into a pleasance.
There.The woman I saw at opera last night.
"Belle inconue"?Where?
There!
Talking to Marguerita and the older man
Lady Henrieta Sacks
The man is Lord Lyndhurst, famous as formatory chancellor
and even more famous as a ruin.
She must like the type.
Her husband , sir Francis Sykes
is also well known as a womanizer
Well, I must meet her.
Edward, I must congratulate you
"The last days of Pompeii"
... party
My dear, will you fetch me another glass of punch?
Of course.
You have your husband to stay well trained, Laura.
He will do anything to please me.
Tell me, do you use kindness or cruelty?
The delicate mix of both.
Irrezistible.
There is someone you must know.
Sir Francis,
may I present Mr Benjamin Disraeli?
Mrs Dawton..I believe you already know...
Yes very old
She knows everyone... Clara
Oh, Disraeli, my wife often speak about you!
Oh, indeed, sir?
She read some of your novels.
I?m honored, sir.
Dizzy has quite a collection of fair admirers.
We are all collectors in our own way.
What a situation
Rest assured yourself.
She?s too clever to say anything.
And at least you know
Henrietta as head of you.
I must see her, Alfred.
I didn't realise you would be here.
I came because I thought you would be here.
When can I see you?
When can I come to you?
Doctor Bolton thought he saw you heading this way
We came to see the view.
We were afraid you might have strayed.
Esquisite! Isn't it?
Does it inspire you, Ben?
I do hope so.
I will point if you?re joining us on this holiday together close
for you to be able to work on your epic poem
I never felt more inspired in all my life!
Very keen.
Now, I think perhaps we should go back
The doctor Bolton is waiting for us.
He had seen to the picnic arrangements.
Didn't he notice that you have gone?
Eventually, Lady Sacks..
Eventually.
Another cup of tea, Mrs Bolton?
No thank you, Lady Sacks, that was delightful.
but then you?re so welcome
I?m always happy to welcome my husband's friends.
And I, yours my dear.
We're one big happy family, eh?
I particularly enjoyed our
holiday in Southhampton
It reminded me of the happy times I spent
visiting your parents at Bradenham, Dizzy.
Yes Henrietta and I must visit them
next time we are in Buckinghamshire.
Well I?m so sorry to break up
our little tea party but I really must go
Must you Clara?
But I must put it in appearance at home sometime.
Thank you dear mrs Sykes.
Goodbye, Ben.
I'll see you to your carriage.
How long is this to go on?
It is a torture for me to see you
alone like now for only moments,
for weeks for months now we?ve shared
fears about his dinners whole
weekends with your husband and Clara always there,
I cannot work for thinking of you Harriet..
To have you with me!
It is worse for me
/ nothing else to fill my days but think of you!
Francis will be back.
Leave him!
I couldn't!/come home for days
then he walks in her book to point
you stop I know he?s been with her
Only say you love me.
Love you?
I would give my life, my.. my friends, my duty,
all hope of heaven itself for you!
Well I think our little comedy
is gone for long enough, don't you?
Well I would sooner call it the tragedy
if it did not contain so many elements of farce.
Quite so.
I can no longer hide my
feelings which you encouraged
because having me under your roof
allowed you to carry on your affair
with Mrs Bolton without open scandal.
Quite so.
It was an ideal arrangement for us all.
Recently however, the situation has become intolerable
and therefore I... I now intend to resolve it
Divorce..you would give her the act of divorce.
There's no question of divorce.
I shall simply go abroad for an year or so and take Clara with me.
you will then avoid giving rise to scandal
is your own concern.
I do trust you will be discreet.
Howevere, knowing Henrietta?s
willful disposition I very much doubt it.
Free..
Henrietta, he is right.
We will be the targets of gossip.
Essential of society but...
are you willing to risk all that for me?
What is the world without you?
If you love me?
I'll belong to you completely.
Is you that I want.
Should we go to Lady Blessington tonight?
Henrietta...I have to find more profitable
ways of spending my days
What do you mean?
you know more ways of spending
money than anyone I?ve ever known
No, it's true!
We are beseech by creditors.
We cannot go out by daylight.
We are forced to stay inside
with the doors locked.
How perfect is this man
You finish your epic and make thousands of pounds
We should count our blessings.
When I see others like Rosina and Bulwer,
falling out of love, quarelling
I realize how lucky I am to found
someone like you, so perfect, so true..
Dearest..
Oh, life would be ideal
If I only had some hope of success..
With next book.
I just don?t want to write
I don?t want just to write about great events I want to act in them,
Don?t you see that my love for you
has rekindle, redoubled all my ambitions!
There are days when I feel
I could guide the destiny of nations.
move thrones, continents..
That is all that stops our lifes together
to be totally happy
Then I must wave my magic wand
and do something about it.
What do you mean?
Wait and see!
And here is the very man, lord Lyndhurst.
You remember my Dizzy?
But of course
At the moment the man in all London I?ve most envy.
We receive so few callers
or others so few callers choose to be received
I?m grateful that you accepted my invitation.
Henrietta?s been telling me about your political ambitions
We?ve all seen your determination.
How many times have you stood for Parliament now?
Three times for Wickham and once for Marylebone,
but I withdrew from that election.
And you stood as a radical ?
No, no, as an independent.
Well, whatever you are, you?re certainly not a Tory.
No, I?m not.
Well, you see my difficulty.
If I tell Wellington and Peel and all those others
at the Carlton club that you now wish is to help you
they?re going to say "he must have a
very flexible political conscience"
But I?ve never changed my basic beliefs
or claim to be what I?m not!
Very commendable, but what are you?
I?m a conservative to conserve
what is good in the constitution
and right a radical
to change what is wrong
No, I am if you like a progressive conservative.
I rather like that.
You're no different to Peel.
Yes, we need new younger spirits to counter
these knew young Wigs who call themselves liberals.
I?ll do what I can
Now what can I say?
First thing is to get you elected
to the Carlton club.
Will that be possible?
well you said yourself they
would doubt my sincerity
Not if you come along as my unofficial secretary
to work up speeches, write letters and so on.
that so if you'd care for the job
I'd be delighted!
Then we must find you a seat in parliament
as a by-election is coming along at Taunton shortly
We will put you up as conservative candidate.
Do you think Dizzy will get it?
With his own brilliance and our official backing?
Is the best chance he?s had yet.
Now, even with officials support at last,
I knew there was little chance of winning.
It?s not... it?s not that that makes me angry!
What is it, then?
Is it this thing in the paper?
My eyes I cannot see news print anymore
and Sara will not read it to me!
Merely report of the speech that O'Connell made in Dublin, father.
Daniel O?Connell about your defeat, Ben?
More personal. Much more.
He says that by joining the conservatives
I have proved I have all the necessary qualities of
depravity, like a principal selfishness that by.. well
Well?
He says that the British Empire is degraded
by tolerating a miscreant of his abominable nature.
His name shows he?s of Jewish origin
he is the most degraded of his species
he possesses just the qualities of the
impenitent thief on the cross whose name
I hardly believe if it was searched out
must have been Disraeli"
And I apologize for reading out such filth,
father.
Did the Tory shot him down?
It was great laughter and applause.
It shall not go unanswered.
This is what I was afraid of, Ben.
There is no answer.
There is no answer that
will not make it worse.
Follow him, Ben.
It would only tell me to turn the other cheek
and it?s too late for that.
what are you going to do?
The only thing I can do !
Send a column public challenge to prove his words
A duel?
What are you thinking of?
it?s the only way I can answer
this insult to myself and my family.
You might be killed!
No, it won't come to that.
O'Connell is hiding out the vow
he?s taken never to fight
His son is apologizing him indirectly.
I won already.
And saved your precious name.
What about mine?
Henrietta..
As if the shame of being cut by most of society were not enough?
My own family will not speak to me because of you
Should I have accepted his insult
and lost all my pride and all hope in the future?
You lose more of your pride with every election.
But one day I'll win!
Why is it so important?
Am I not enough?
I'll never understand you.
Lyndhurst understands.
He only supported you because I asked him
to help, he'll do anything for me.Why?
Do you think you?re the only man who?s ever loved me?
Was your lover?
Oh, you used his affection for you to buy
favors for me, is that it?
Of course not.
Why did you say it?
I was upset.
He told me he admires you.
Really sincerely admires you.
I flirted with him once but that?s all in the past.
Don?t look so stiff, it?s not fair
when I?ve been so worried about you
I?m sorry, Henrietta..
No, I?m sorry.
I?m sorry.
Don?t ever doubt me
Yes?
Danny... Am I interrupting anything?
No, no.
The... the girl sent me straight up
It's all right, Danny.
I didn?t know you had a sitting today
We don?t.
I was hoping to see himself
Don?t tell me someone?s commissioned my portrait.
Well, O Connell might want a memorial stone.
No, I was looking for you.
D?orsay is desperate to see you.
What about?
He wouldn't tell me but it's urgent.
Important news.
Here you are at last!
We weren't sure you're even back in town!
I'm bursting with curiosity, now what is it?
It?s about that horrid challenge
of yours in the newspapers!
I wished I was proud to make the arrangements
Which thank heavens won't needed.
Anyway it has had the most
extraordinary effect.
The Duke of Wellington...
The Duke has been greatly
impressed by your courage
and has written to Peel to say
he must do something for you!
Peel wants you to dine with him!
and Lynhurst says "you have square brushed O'Connell"
whatever that may mean..
Everyone speaks of you with new respect
The sod is sometime mightier than .., you see
This is true, this is all true?
If you doubt my word I
shall have to challenge you!
Don?t you dare!
Instead I shall walk with him to the Carlton club.
I shall allowed to members to buy a champagne
until dinner in honor of his triumph
Forgive me, Marguerite and Alfred..
it is so rare to have good news I
must get back and tell Henrietta.
Henriette.
Father says I have to comfort you.
Does he know?
Not everything.
Only that something happened
well I appreciate your concern my dear Sarah,
but you don?t have to worry.
If you treat me like one of your ladies in London,
I should pull your raise and break your hobbyhorse
Stop waggling and have self pitty!
Hmm, you?re right
Of course you?re right.
I am behaving like a child yet I am over.
Why are you so bittered?
Why do you hide yourself down here,
instead of returning to London?
Cause I realized it after all those
months with Henrietta I have achieved nothing.
I?m almost 33, I'm not a boy anymore.
It?s shaming.
How can you say you are no further forward?
Your speeches are reported in the papers!
You're a close friend of Lyndhurst,
Wellington and Peel speak highly of you
Because they learned they can?t ignore me
but they still did not trust me.
Then you must prove to them that they can!
The old king is dying.
There will be a new reign
and another general election.
You must be ready!
You owe it to yourself!
And to me!
To everyone who believes in you, to try and try again!
Look, it's horse cavalry!
I?d rather be in ten other places rather
than here listening to Mary Ann Louise's chatter.
She is devoted to you.
neither her for 10 minutes of frivolity
the path there the world is turning
She wanted to see you on some urgent matter.
In matter of urgency to me is that there is an election foot
and I have not one penny to spend as a candidate.
So you were really there, at Kensington Palace?
Lyndhurst took me as his personal secretary.
How was little Victoria?
A revelation
Changed overnight from a girl into a woman.
Tiny, pale but very composed.
A queen to the very tips of the toes.
To our new Queen, Victoria!
May God prosper her!
Victoria!
Oh, Wyndham, look at them!
The three handsomest men in London!
Don't you think so?
I assure you I?d like to have you all cast in bronze!
Before that metallic fate overtake us,
with your permission Bulwer and I will withdraw.
We only brought him as requested.
If you must.
Monsieur..
Don?t bother to see us out.
I trust we may stay longer on our next meeting.
Sir..
How delicious to have you to ourselves.
No disrespect to Mr Bulwer and count Dorset
but well they?re not of out party.
My wife has become quite a raging
conservative thanks to you, Mr Disraeli
And how wonderful for you
to be recognized officially at last!
I followed your career and admired
your courage from the first day we met
I?m not worthy of so much kindness.
Kindness, my foot!
Anyone will tell you I only back winners, which..
which brings me to the point.
I haven?t heard that you?ve been chosen
as a candidate for any constituency yet.
Well I must confess to an embarrassment
of choice I?ve been asked to contest
not one but seven different seats.
Seven?
That's unheard of!
Have you chosen one?
THAT is the embarrassment.
Will you excuse me a moment?
Remarkable woman Mary Anne!
Oh she is, isn?t it?
Forgive me but...
Do I take your embarassement is financial?
Total.
I myself am one of two MPs for Maidstone
The second is a liberal who was retiring
at this election and a radical is standing in his place.
It would be a great stroke to have two Torries.
I see
My wife and I wondered if you would
care to stand with me.
That is of course if you haven?t chosen someone else.
Well.. unfortunately the electors of
Maidstone are notoriously corrupt
Expenses will be very high
thousands of pounds.
I am flattered Sir but I have already...
I don?t think you quite understand me Sir.
I am offering to pay your election expenses
Pay?
You overwhelm me.
But I feel I must point out that on my past record
it is highly unlikely that I should be successful.
I admire you for saying that sir,
however I have learned to trust
Mary Anne?s judgment.
besides I want another conservative in the ..
What do you say?
You accept?
With both hands!
Well my dear, did I do it right?
Perfect, Wyndham.
Mrs Lewis... Mary Anne
I thank you from the bottom of my heart
and if I am successful,
it should be entirely thanks to you!
Oh, nonsense!
It?ll be thanks to your genius!
And Wyndham's money!
On 27th July 1837
Wyndham Lewis 707
Benjamin Disraeli, so far 616...