Shaka Zulu (1986): Season 1, Episode 1 - Part I - full transcript
[amusing instrumental
music playing]
[Henry] England, August 1882
at the end of the Zulu Wars.
At a Country Residence of
Her Imperial Majesty Queen
Victoria.
Amidst an unprecedented
blaze of publicity
and public interest
in the Zulu people
of Southern Africa,
an historic meeting
took place between
the Queen, her political
and military advisors
and the defeated
and exiled King of the Zulus.
He came with one aim in mind...
he wanted his kingdom back.
[Shepstone]
Your Majesty, His Highness
Cetshwayo kaMpande Zulu.
[speaking in Zulu]
[solemn instrumental
music playing]
[speaking in Zulu]
His Highness thanks her
Imperial Majesty
for the kind way he has been
received in Great Britain.
He hopes he is here,
he says, to seal
that pact of friendship
once and for all.
[Lord Kimberley] Your Majesty,
the Colonial Office feels
that any act of clemency
would be a grave miscalculation
of the Zulu threat.
Ma'am, gentlemen,
we are not merely concerned
here today
with a dispute over territorial
borders of the re-vindication
of a defeated king, we are
called upon to defend Africa.
It is, I believe, our sovereign
duty, Ma'am, to safe guard
the well-being of those of our
countrymen who have settled
in these distant lands,
as well as that of
the Kaffir tribes
who look to us to bring
peace to this land
that has,
for the past 60 years,
been devastated by one of
the most formidable
military empires ever created,
the empire of Shaka Zulu.
Here represented by his
legitimate heir,
King Cetshwayo.
Professor Bramston, Ma'am
Shaka Zulu, Your Majesty...
yes, the founder of
the Greater Zulu Nation
and the Zulu Empire,
reigned from 1816
to the 1828.
Most definitely one of the
greatest military geniuses
in history.
Certainly on the level
of a Caesar or
an Alexander the Great.
Imagine, if you will,
the prodigious feat accomplished
by this 19th Century
African Archilles,
Shaka Zulu.
[speaking in Zulu]
[Bramston]
In less than 12 years, he
transformed a handful of
idyllic, relatively
harmless herdsmen,
who were, by nature
reluctant to engage
in any form of warfare,
into a Spartan army of over
80,000 highly trained,
ruthless warriors.
Extending his influence,
over most of
South-East Africa.
An empire comparable,
in extension and might,
to that of Napoleon,
and in treachery
to that of Genghis Khan.
Your Majesty, Gentlemen
the war machine created by
Shaka Zulu was so monolithic.
It has survived his death
by almost half a century.
Yes, the Crown
has defeated it,
but that defeat is
purely temporary.
It can and will rise again
and again if we do not stop
it once and for all!
And why?
[tribe music playing]
Because King Shaka
was no ordinary mortal.
He was a Messiah!
A God-figure!
Like an African Mephistopheles,
he gave the Zulus glory
in return
for their souls,
wielding the forces
of life and death
on an endless battlefield
of blood and carnage-
[Lord Kimberley]
Thank you Professor!
Your Majesty.
Ma'am,
the threat is real,
and the decision
before us clear.
Therefore, the Colonial Office
suggests that we constitute
within the Zulu Kingdom
a progressive destruction
and dislocation
of the military
and economic system.
In so doing, we feel that
the Zulu people,
deprived of central
leadership, will revert
to the state of
innocuous bliss that
they enjoyed before
the insane conditioning
of Shaka.
[Lord Chelmsford] I tend
to agree with Kimberley.
If the Zulus won't bend,
break 'em and be done with it,
that's what I say!
I rather think we'll
be doing them a favor.
A return to the plough
should prove to be
the most therapeutic
for these savages.
[Prince of Wales] Might even
bless then with a hint of
civilization. [clears throat]
Am I meant
to translate, M'Lords?
That won't be necessary, sir.
We have so little in common,
Especially our concepts
of human respect.
Thank you, Your Lordships,
for your chivalry.
[enthralling instrumental
music playing]
[Victoria] Thank you.
Tell me...
what does
Shaka Zulu mean to you?
He was one of those
rare men
who had the courage
to live his ideals,
and to instill his dreams
into the hearts
of his country men,
That is precisely why
we cannot give
you back your realm.
Shaka Zulu is more
alive today than ever.
His military strength
still prevails.
You are the king,
but it is his spirit
which rules your people.
We are a practical
woman your highness.
We will not form
an alliance
with a legend.
[Henry] And so it was
that the Empire created
by Shaka Zulu
some six decades earlier
was disbanded.
The king's territory
sub-divided
and placed under
British supervision.
The resultant political
mismanagement,
continual white interference
in the ensuing strife
would effectively destroy
the house of Shaka.
From this time on,
the Zulu people would only
be able to dream of
the dignity and the glory
given them by
their legendary King.
This then, is his story!
[theme song playing]
[vocalizing]
[singing in Zulu]
♪ We are growing higher ♪
♪ Growing higher ♪
[singing in Zulu]
[Henry] The first time that
Europeans began to feel
the ripple effect of Shaka's
war machine was in 1823.
The Zulu King was at
the height of his power,
but like most military despots,
Shaka had become both,
master and victim
of his regime.
His empire having been
born out of aggression,
now required continued
war action to keep it alive.
[chanting in Zulu]
[drums beating]
Shaka had successfully
attacked and crushed
all the immediate
neighboring territories,
uniting the defeated tribes
into a single Zulu nation.
But Shaka needed
more victims,
not only to satisfy
his propensity for war,
but to keep his
huge army employed.
And so regiments were
sent further afield
to enlarge and enrich
the Empire,
and as they did so,
those who did not wish
to subject themselves
to Zulu rule fled
before the onslaught,
often attacking
others in their flight.
The effects of this
tremendous upheaval
touched not only the people
at which it was directed,
but began to be felt
by the British colonists
of the Cape,
who themselves were beginning
to expand northwards.
It was therefore inevitable
that sooner or later the two
empires would crash.
As a result, the Governor
of the Cape Colony,
Lord Charles Somerset was
prompted to send an urgent
communique to London.
[Charles]
To Lord Henry Bathurst,
majesty, secretary of state
for war in the colonists.
"My Lord, in consequence
to your Lordship's wish that
I communicate my writing,
my deep concern for the future
of the Crance colony
of the Cape of good hope,
I beg leave to submit
the following evidence
regarding the menace of
the Zulu nation under
it's King, Shaka Zulu."
[chanting in Zulu]
[Charles] Since he ascended
the throne of the Zulu in 1816,
Shaka has forged one of
the mightiest empires
the African continent
has ever known.
[amusing instrumental
music playing]
[singing in Zulu]
"In less than six years,
his small, insignificant tribe
has risen from obscurity
and given its name to an all
powerful nation organized
into a fearsome
military machine.
Shaka is known as
a mass murderer,
a depraved ogre whose thirst
for conquest knows no limits.
He has deluged his
county with innocent blood,
disregarding the most
sacred ties of affection,
turning father against son,
son against brother,
in a bloodbath that
defies description."
"I regret to inform Your
Lordship that it has reached
my attention that
the threat of Shaka Zulu
may soon be directed
at the White settlers
residing in the Crowns
territories.
If that were to happen,
the Cape would find itself
virtually defenseless
and at the mercy of this
ruthless barbarian.
I respectfully submit this
pressing matter to your
Lordship's judgment
and that of his Majesty."
"Signed: Sir Charles Somerset,
Governor of the Cape
Colony, Colonial Africa.
Cape Town January 7, 1823."
[talking]
[clears throat]
His Majesty the King has woken,
after a pleasant night's rest.
[clapping]
Lord Bathrust,
his Majesty
will see you first.
Thank you.
Oh no, oh lord!
[playing the harp]
[laughing]
[laughing]
[George] Oh dear, hmm.
For you,
Oh, dear go on
yes hmm.
Good morning, Your Majesty.
Is it, Lord Henry?
Sir.
Your expression,
Lord Henry.
It bodes anything
but a good morning,
hmm.
[George chuckles]
Mmhmm, enough.
Till tonight.
[harp still playing]
[clears throat]
We are all attention,
Lord Henry.
[Bathrust] It is
the colonies, Sir.
We seem to be faced with
a slight problem.
Your office always
seems to be having
"slight problems"
with the Colonies
doesn't it, Lord Henry?
Well, Sir, it is
the Colonial Office,
and if one deals with melting
pots one is apt to be scorched
once in a while.
Well, who is it this
time, the Canadians?
No, Sir. I am happy
to report that
the remainder of
North America is still
under our thumb so to speak.
It is Africa,
I'm afraid, Sir.
I have received a most alarming
missive from Lord Somerset
at the Cape.
It concerns the Zulus, Sir.
The Zulus?
Are you implying
that the Colonial Office
of the British Empire,
considers a tribe
of savages
running around
in their birthday
suits a problem?
Oh, really. [chuckling]
Oh, what ineffable
twaddle, Lord Henry!
It is somewhat more
than a tribe, Sir.
We are convinced that
we are at grips
with a proper empire
of a quarter of a million
such "birthday" suits.
Really? My, they,
do multiply don't they,
like bunnies?
[Bathrust] Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Hmm?
It is possible
that the Zulus
will attack the Cape.
If that should happen,
we would have to deal
with a very large
number of these bunnies,
under the leadership
of a March Hare
by the name of Shaka.
Well then, send on
the reinforcements.
[Bathrust] We have
thought of that, Sir.
But, it is rather a long
way to the Cape,
6,000 miles
and four months by sea,
to be precise,
and I fear that
by the time we
have trained
fresh troops in the art of
native warfare and shipped them
in flock, it would be too late.
Well then, transfer
some of our
Bengali troops from India.
And lose India, Sir?
Then use mercenaries.
Not to be trusted, I fear.
Rubbish!
Your own words, Sir.
[harp still playing]
Look out there,
Lord Henry.
What do you see falling?
Rain, Sir.
And is that a frequent
occurrence in England?
Rain falling, I mean...
Alas, Sir,
all too frequent.
And what do our colonies
represent for us?
Sunshine, Sir?
Precisely, and it is
your privilege
to safeguard
our sunshine.
Thomas Jefferson,
drove my poor father,
out of his wits.
I trust you will keep
the same fate from me.
Tend to the Zulus, Bathrust,
[intense music playing]
or it will be our sad task
to find someone who can.
[flinches]
Your Majesty.
[chanting in Zulu]
[drums beating]
[Henry] The Zulu armies
were now fighting their
way steadily south,
the noisy victory
celebrations echoing
across the Cape's
Northern frontier,
ominously signifying Shaka's
advance on the colonists.
In Cape town itself,
at the Castle of good Hope,
Lord Charles Somerset
anxiously awaited word
from his supervisors in London
but nothing appeared to be
forthcoming and time
was running out.
[thump]
[Bathurst] We have
been blind, gentlemen.
Here we are trying
to devise a away
of confronting him
with an entire regiment,
when all we need
is a solitary Caucasian!
Ah, I'm afraid I uh...
I don't follow you, sir.
Let us pretend,
for the sake of
discourse, Worthing,
that you are King Shaka.
Let us also pretend,
Wilkins, that you are
the ruthless
cut-throat so vividly described
in Somerset's missive.
Now... you are toying
with the idea of
attacking the Whites,
creatures you have
never even set eyes upon.
Would that not make
you slightly weary?
I mean, it's all very well
to fight against known odds
but against Lunarians?
That is a very different
kettle of fish.
What if a Lunarian came
to visit you, at your court,
as a diplomat of sorts
from the other world.
And what if he said to you,
"Now hold on, Shaka, hold on
we know what you're up to,
now hear me out before
you start tipping
the scales of war.
We have spears
that spit fire, you know.
See for yourself."
Bang! A lion drops
dead at 600 paces!
We also have magic powder
that can produce lightning
and hollow logs
that make thunder!
You mean, frighten him?
In a word, Worthing... yes.
Surely his spies will have
told him about our cannons
and our gunpowder?
Yes, quite possibly,
but these are not our
only superior weapons.
We have one other,
gentlemen, civilization!
Years of tried
and tested double talk.
If we can't soothe
the savage beast,
we can at least
confuse him whilst
we mount an effective
military defensive.
Where do you suppose
we locate, Sir
a Lunarian disposed
to go down there
and carry out
this novel scheme?
I think I may know the very
man that you need, Worthing.
That I had the pleasure
and honor of serving under him,
in His Majesty's royal Navy.
Lt. Francis George Farewell.
A master of land and sea
and just eccentric enough
to perhaps want to do it!
First...making
Shaka's acquaintance.
[bubbling]
[Francis] That in itself should
prove to be a major obstacle...
Now, to begin with...
Thank you. Let us, to use
a nautical term, take the
bearings of our problem.
From reports that I was
privileged to acquire on
my last trip
to Portuguese Delagoa,
it would appear
that Shaka's capital,
a place which the
natives call "Bulawayo",
if I remember correctly...
it lies somewhere
in this vicinity.
There are only two ways
of reaching it. overland
from the Cape.
though I would
exclude this option,
considering that the only
white man so far to have
attempted the journey
a Dr. Cowan by name,
was never heard of again.
Which leaves us
with an approach by sea.
Landing somewhere
along this Coast.
The Wild Coast of Natal.
From a recent survey
made by the admiralty,
the two most likely
places for a landing are,
St. Lucia Bay,
and Rio de Natal,
though that, too, could
prove a problem, I think.
In what way,
Lieutenant?
Well, no one's ever landed
on that coast,
and lived
to brag about it.
[intense music playing]
[tribal music playing]
[chanting in Zulu]
[intense music playing]
[speaking in Zulu]
[guard] Colonel Cloete
to see you, sir.
[Charles]
Oh, what is it, Colonel?
News from the north,
Sir, Shaka.
What's that damn
savage up to now?
Well Sir,
from what I have been
able to sift from
the reports,
there is every reason
to believe that the Zulus
are now fighting
right on the frontier.
Are you sure?
Yes, sir. I took the liberty
of checking my sources.
It spells trouble, sir,
any chance of those
reinforcements
from London?
Mmm, not likely, colonel.
However, the fact that no one
has yet conquered that coast
doesn't me that I won't.
God knows I have been in some
tight spots in my sailing days.
Does that mean that you'll
be joining us then, Sir?
Oh, most definitely,
Tim. Yes!
I would never miss
a chance to serve my king,
and collect the ivory.
Did you say ivory,
Lieutenant?
Natal is said to be
a paradise for
ivory hunters.
My dear Worthing, has it
not occurred to you that
I shall need good and
adventurous men to join
me on this mission?
Men who are willing,
and above all able to
face the hazards of that
coast and more particularly
Shaka Zulu.
Experience has taught me
that men of that caliber
are very often greedy.
What would you say
to have me entice them?
That you're doing for
the honor of your King?
For the glory of Britannia?
I need courage, Worthing.
Not patriotism!
There is always
a price on courage
and in this case,
it should be paid
in ivory.
"Farewell Trading Company"
I rather like the sound
of it, don't you?
You said that there
were two major problems.
Now, the first,
if I understand correctly,
is reaching Shaka.
What is the other?
Why, the most obvious,
Tim.
Convincing the King
of a primitive empire
that our civilisation
is to be feared,
when, in fact, we are not
a match for him out there.
Centuries of enlightenment do
not necessarily make a country
or its people
militarily stronger.
Indeed, as Atilla the Hun
proved,domestication is
usually a weakening factor.
No! No! Fear's not the answer.
I'm sure that Shaka's more
of a specialist in that
than we could ever be!
No, we shall just have
to find another emotion
to work with,
pride, or vanity.
Vanity Francis!
That is the greatest
weakness of all men,
whether they be nuns,
Englishmen of Zulus!
Elizabeth!
Elizabeth, let me
introduce to you
Mr. Worthing, Tim Wilkins.
Gentlemen, my wife.
Ma'am.
Enchanted ma'am.
Lieutenant,
I had no idea
you were married.
[laughing]
Most people find it
hard to believe that
my husband shares
his life with anything
but his dreams.
And without the benefit
of my wife's practical mind,
my dreams would go
hopelessly adrift.
Then let's drink
to the sunshine
of the Colonies,
and the ivory.
[chattering]
[bagpipes playing]
[Bathrust]
To Lord Charles Somerset,
Governor of the Cape Colony,
Colonial Africa.
"My dear Lord Charles,
I cannot begin to tell
you how alarmed I was
upon reading your missive
of the 7th January ultimo.
I assure you that His Majesty
and I share your deep concern
for he Zulu threat as
you so vividly outlined it.
Unfortunately, due to
the economic and military
retrenchment policies
the Crown has adopted since
the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
His Majesty's Government
is not a this time
prepared to sanction
the allocation
of British troops.
[Charles]
However, Sir Charles,
after adequate deliberation,
colonial office has devised
an alternate plan,
the architect of which,
Lieutenant
Francis George Farewell
of your acquaintance,
the bearer of this missive.
I trust your Lordships will
concede that
Lieutenant Farewell's
undertaking is entitled
to every encouragement
and assistance, being of such
hazard, and if successful,
likely to lead to the best
possible solution of
the problem at hand."
Hmm.
You!
60,000 ferocious Zulu warriors
bent on attacking this Colony,
and what do I have
from the crown
to prevent the slaughtering
of every man, woman and child
in their path?
A haughty letter
of apology, and...
no offense, Lieutenant,
but you!
[sighs]
I need a drink, will you
join me, Lieutenant?
Be glad to, Sir Charles.
[instrumental music playing]
[Francis] In approximately
two months time,
I intend to land a party
of hand pick'em men
on the shores of Natal.
Ostensibly our presence there
will be as ivory traders,
but trading will
be merely a cover.
My ultimate purpose will
be to contact Shaka Zulu
in order to secure an alliance
with His Majesty King George.
Alliances are made for
civilized peoples, not savages.
The whole idea, is absurd.
Even if you are
successful in obtaining
some sort of agreement
Shaka would never respect
his end of the bargain.
Their values of good
and evil, life and death,
are completely devoid
of a moral code.
Well, their Actions
prove that.
There is no defined
perspective
in their human relations
they are pagans, Lieutenant,
and pagans lack reason.
Oh, do they, Reverend?
Wasn't Cicero a pagan?
Tacitus, Virgil, Homer,
Julius Caesar, Plato,
Aristotle, Socrates?
Do I need to continue?
Those men were
enlightened, Lieutenant.
You cannot possibly
compare them to Shaka.
He's a barbarian,
an assassin.
So was Charlemagne in
his own very special way.
[Charles] I fail to see your
point, Mr. Farewell.
Lord Charles,
the only chance
the Crown has
of preserving its
territories in Africa
or America or Asia
is if it finally sheds
its hypocrisy and starts
treating others as equals.
Well, I believe that is
the true Christian message.
Wouldn't you agree Reverend?
Or does our moral code
justify our own ends?
Anyway, I intend
to contact Shaka Zulu
in order to negotiate
an alliance with Britain.
In doing so, I can only
hope that King Shaka
will prove more reasonable
than Pope Alexandra Borgia
would have been.
[Charles] I appreciate
your idealism, Mr. Farewell,
but you've obviously
not been made aware of
the situation in Africa,
and I suspect that Mr. Vegte,
our experienced
Dutch resident,
knows what
I'm talking about
No, I don't feel
that I can approve
this absurd mission
of yours.
[Wilkins] But you have
no choice, Lord Charles.
Mr. Farewell's mandate
came from Downing Street
and, the Colonial Office
requests
your complete
co-operation.
Well, if you would
excuse us, gentlemen,
we didn't brave
the high seas
for four months
in order to discuss these
interesting points of history.
[Francis] Lord Charles,
I have a crew to recruit.
Good day, Sir.
Lieutenant!
[Vegte] Please excuse me,
gentlemen. Mr. Farewell,
may I walk with you?
I want you to understand,
Mr. Farewell,
that your are planning
to confront
an awesome savagery.
Thank you, Mr. Vegte. I shall
certainly heed your warning.
Mr. Farewell...
I want to go with you
on your expedition.
Also, I speak
the Xhosa language
which is fairly similar
to the Zulu language,
reasonably well.
In short, Mr. Farewell,
I may be indispensable
to your expedition.
Perhaps you are.
Is that an Englishman's way
of saying that you'll take me?
Perhaps.
[chattering]
[suspenseful music playing]
[exclaiming]
[Henry] The situation at
the frontier was now
becoming almost untenable.
With the Zulu onslaught
pushing steadily south,
the fleeing tribes were
having to vie for what
territory remained.
Desperate pitched battles
frequented the northern borders
and the frontier farmers
became increasingly
nervous of the instability
being caused by
these violent encounters.
They demanded urgent
action from Lord Charles.
Blast! Tell that damn Farewell
to do something and fast!
Dismissed.
Yes, Sir.
[Henry] But Lt. Francis George
Farewell was not to be pushed
by the rantings of
a disgruntled Lord Charles.
Knowing the value of
careful planning for
an expedition as he was
putting together,
he meticulously sought out
people he knew would be of
value to him,
which brought him
into contact with me,
a meeting which, I might add,
would change the course of
my already eventful and
extraordinary encounter
with Africa,
and, indeed, would
change my whole life.
[Vegte] Hello, Mr. Fynn,
this is Lt. Farewell
We sent a message
to your lodgings.
About the possibility of
joining Mr. Farewell's
upcoming expedition to Natal.
As my medical adjutant
and superintendent of cargo,
Mr. Vegte tells me that your
experience in both areas is
quite extensive.
I got the message, yes.
They say it prevents
infection though
after four bouts of
malaria, I'm beginning
to doubt its efficacity.
Malaria?
Is that what they have?
That, and sundry
assortments of...
yellow fever, dysentery,
cholera...
and diseases of
the soul that are,
far harder to diagnose
and almost impossible
to cure, ah.
It's only by the grace
of God that any
of these people will
reach their,
as yet unknown,
destination alive.
Or maybe its his
will that they don't.
So, Lieutenant, why are you
venturing into those forsaken
regions?
What do you know about
a man named Shaka?
[mumbling]
[foreboding music playing]
Does that answer
your question, Lieutenant?
The Masane tribe, Nxumalos,
Hlubis, Cunas, Ngwanes,
countless others
the banished
of South-East Africa.
Fleeing Shaka's spears,
going straight into the arms
of white slave traders,
and the British troops
on the borders
of the Cape Colony.
In a way, Lieutenant, they
are the ultimate victims of
recent history
If you'll favour my comparison
they are the 'wandering Jews'
of Africa,
fleeing the Pharaoh Shaka,
into the Babylonian captivity
of slavery
Fynn, if this empire's quite
vast, and I'm told that it is
then the Pharaoh
must be giving his people
something in return
for their fidelity,
or they'd all be wandering.
Have you ever read
Faust, Lieutenant?
Marlow's, Bacon's,
Lessing's or Goethe's?
Touche, what was Faust given
in return for his fidelity?
Hmm.
[Henry] There's a legend,
Lieutenant, amongst the
native witch doctors.
Of a child. A prophetic child.
[suspenseful music playing]
They say he'll bring
with in an era in which
the name Amazulu
will signify terror
and death.
Many people see Shaka
as the incarnation
of that prophecy.
Oh calm down, Fynn
you're far too intelligent
to believe in that kind
of hocus pocus, surely.
I've seen that child,
Farewell.
Aah, not in flesh
and blood.
In the eyes
of the Fingoes,
in the eyes
of these prisoners.
Well then, tell me now,
how do you suggest
we go about
stopping this
diabolical child?
With a stake through
the heart on the eve
of the full moon.
If there is no other way,
Lieutenant, then we will
have to kill him.
Well, I don't think
we will be taking
many stakes with us, but,
possibly might find ways
of doing the same thing,
less bloodily.
You going
to be with us?
Are you going, Mr. Vegte?
Oh yes, Mr. Fynn.
[foreboding music playing]
Then yes, Lieutenant.
I may as well be with you...
and may God help us.
[laughing]
[chattering]
[suspenseful music playing]
[Wilkins] Next gentleman please.
Now please be patient,
we won't be long
Your name?
Henry Ogle, Sir.
Yes, do sit down,
Mr. Ogle.
Thank you, sir.
Now, do you know all about
this expedition, do you?
Pretty much, sir.
Up the east coast.
Your trade,
Mr. Ogle?
Sailor, sir, but
also useful on land.
Served on decent ships?
The best sir.
H.M.S. Victory.
Good... you're in.
Now, in due course
you will be reporting
to Mr. Vegte here
and he will begin to teach
you basic Zulu, thank you.
Thank you, sir!
[Francis] Next man,
Tim, please.
Tonino!
Tonino who?
Just Tonino.
Just Tonino?
Oh. And where do you
hail from, just Tonino?
[Tonino] Italy.
Italy. Do you?
Your purpose, sir?
For the adventure.
I think we may be able
to supply a little of that.
Morning, sir.
Your name?
Popham, sir.
[Francis] I see, and Popham
is your surname, presumably.
No, sir.
[Francis] No, it's
your Christian name?
I am not a Christian, sir.
[laughing]
John Cane. Forty five.
Qualified seaman.
Can cook and handle
a rifle as well anybody.
Valuable qualifications, sir,
prove them to us
and you are in.
Thank you, sir.
[solemn music playing]
[chattering]
Tim, next man.
Next!
Zacharius Abrahams.
Please come in, sir.
Mr. Zacharius Abrahams,
gentlemen.
Mr. Abrahams.
[Henry] Well now,
you're not proposing,
to travel with us sir, are you?
I hope to, Mr. Fynn.
Mr. Abrahams is a, leader of
the commercial community
here in Cape Town.
Mm.
Mr. Abrahams,
with the greatest respect
to you,
our journey will be arduous
and, we think, dangerous.
And it will probably be
of considerable duration.
Lieutenant,
I have experienced
over 60, interesting years.
But I am exceptionally
sound in my health.
Tell me Mr. Abrahams,
how do you see
our positive contribution?
With all due respect
to the rest of
the expedition, sir,
I would be the most
successful trader
on the East Coast
of Africa
not excepting
the go ahead
Americans or the...
clever Arabs.
Great Britain needs
to develop territories
for trade!
And I would continue to be
a valuable British subject.
[bagpipes playing]
[crying]
[chattering]
[trumpets playing]
[captivating music playing]
[man] The wind crushing, sir.
All aboard, now, men!
[screaming]
[dramatic music playing]
[exclaiming]
[man] Check the horses again!
[yelling]
[enthralling music playing]
[squealing]
Hold my hand. Come
on, pull dammit!
Yeah, hold on!
[man] Save the rob, lads!
Lieutenant,
Let me help you.
[horses neighing]
Come on, boy.
Woah.
Come on! Pull!
Help! Help!
[exclaiming in agony]
[Henry] Get him
out of the water!
Come on, Fynn, there are
people still alive out there!
Come and give me a hand!
[screaming]
[screams] Your hand!
[foreboding music playing]
[coughing]
All right.
[exclaiming in horror]
Oh, Lieutenant,
Lieutenant, look over here!
Lieutenant! Lieutenant!
Look at those men!
Look!
Lieutenant!
Mr. Fynn, Lieutenant!
Anybody!
Look over here!
Help! Help!
-Mr. Fynn!
-Lieutenant!
[singing in Zulu]
[drums beating]
Come on! Come on!
Put those weapons down!
Put 'em down!
[singing in Zulu]
[drums beating]
[speaking in Zulu]
Stand still! Nobody move!
[foreboding music playing]
[neighing]
[horse neighing]
[speaking in Zulu]
Mr. Vegte,
go and tell him,
that we come in peace
from the King of the Whites.
Tell him that we want
to meet Shaka.
Go!
[enthralling music playing]
[speaking in Xhosa]
[music increases in tempo]
[Francis] Stand still!
[speaking in Xhosa]
[speaking in Zulu]
I suspect they
are taking me
because of the language.
I will do my best.
I don't think they
intend to harm us.
[Francis] What do we do now?
[Henry] Just wait...
it's the only thing
we can do.
[theme song playing]
[vocalizing]
[singing in Zulu]
♪ Be a man of greatness now ♪
♪ A man so tall
A man so kind ♪
♪ Be a man of wisdom now ♪
♪ A man of mind
A man of light ♪
♪ Be a man of kindness now ♪
♪ A man so big
And strong in mind ♪
♪ Be a man so humble now ♪
♪ A man of men
Now let it shine ♪
♪ This is what you are ♪
♪ This is how
It was planned now ♪
♪ This is what to be
Every kind of man now ♪
♪ This is what to say
With the kind of meaning ♪
♪ This is what to feel
With the kind of feeling ♪
♪ We are growing
Growing higher and higher ♪
♪ We are growing
Growing higher and higher ♪
♪ We are growing
Growing higher and higher ♪
♪ We are growing
Growing higher and higher ♪
♪ Hear the children
Hear the children ♪
♪ They are talking to you ♪
♪ Hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow ♪
♪ It is coming for you ♪
♪ See the grass grow
See the grass grow ♪
♪ It whispers his name ♪
♪ See the fire blow
See the fire blow ♪
♪ His heart in the flame ♪
[singing in Zulu]
[vocalizing]
Subtitles downloaded with "Netflix subtitle downloader" UserScript by Tithen-Firion.
music playing]
[Henry] England, August 1882
at the end of the Zulu Wars.
At a Country Residence of
Her Imperial Majesty Queen
Victoria.
Amidst an unprecedented
blaze of publicity
and public interest
in the Zulu people
of Southern Africa,
an historic meeting
took place between
the Queen, her political
and military advisors
and the defeated
and exiled King of the Zulus.
He came with one aim in mind...
he wanted his kingdom back.
[Shepstone]
Your Majesty, His Highness
Cetshwayo kaMpande Zulu.
[speaking in Zulu]
[solemn instrumental
music playing]
[speaking in Zulu]
His Highness thanks her
Imperial Majesty
for the kind way he has been
received in Great Britain.
He hopes he is here,
he says, to seal
that pact of friendship
once and for all.
[Lord Kimberley] Your Majesty,
the Colonial Office feels
that any act of clemency
would be a grave miscalculation
of the Zulu threat.
Ma'am, gentlemen,
we are not merely concerned
here today
with a dispute over territorial
borders of the re-vindication
of a defeated king, we are
called upon to defend Africa.
It is, I believe, our sovereign
duty, Ma'am, to safe guard
the well-being of those of our
countrymen who have settled
in these distant lands,
as well as that of
the Kaffir tribes
who look to us to bring
peace to this land
that has,
for the past 60 years,
been devastated by one of
the most formidable
military empires ever created,
the empire of Shaka Zulu.
Here represented by his
legitimate heir,
King Cetshwayo.
Professor Bramston, Ma'am
Shaka Zulu, Your Majesty...
yes, the founder of
the Greater Zulu Nation
and the Zulu Empire,
reigned from 1816
to the 1828.
Most definitely one of the
greatest military geniuses
in history.
Certainly on the level
of a Caesar or
an Alexander the Great.
Imagine, if you will,
the prodigious feat accomplished
by this 19th Century
African Archilles,
Shaka Zulu.
[speaking in Zulu]
[Bramston]
In less than 12 years, he
transformed a handful of
idyllic, relatively
harmless herdsmen,
who were, by nature
reluctant to engage
in any form of warfare,
into a Spartan army of over
80,000 highly trained,
ruthless warriors.
Extending his influence,
over most of
South-East Africa.
An empire comparable,
in extension and might,
to that of Napoleon,
and in treachery
to that of Genghis Khan.
Your Majesty, Gentlemen
the war machine created by
Shaka Zulu was so monolithic.
It has survived his death
by almost half a century.
Yes, the Crown
has defeated it,
but that defeat is
purely temporary.
It can and will rise again
and again if we do not stop
it once and for all!
And why?
[tribe music playing]
Because King Shaka
was no ordinary mortal.
He was a Messiah!
A God-figure!
Like an African Mephistopheles,
he gave the Zulus glory
in return
for their souls,
wielding the forces
of life and death
on an endless battlefield
of blood and carnage-
[Lord Kimberley]
Thank you Professor!
Your Majesty.
Ma'am,
the threat is real,
and the decision
before us clear.
Therefore, the Colonial Office
suggests that we constitute
within the Zulu Kingdom
a progressive destruction
and dislocation
of the military
and economic system.
In so doing, we feel that
the Zulu people,
deprived of central
leadership, will revert
to the state of
innocuous bliss that
they enjoyed before
the insane conditioning
of Shaka.
[Lord Chelmsford] I tend
to agree with Kimberley.
If the Zulus won't bend,
break 'em and be done with it,
that's what I say!
I rather think we'll
be doing them a favor.
A return to the plough
should prove to be
the most therapeutic
for these savages.
[Prince of Wales] Might even
bless then with a hint of
civilization. [clears throat]
Am I meant
to translate, M'Lords?
That won't be necessary, sir.
We have so little in common,
Especially our concepts
of human respect.
Thank you, Your Lordships,
for your chivalry.
[enthralling instrumental
music playing]
[Victoria] Thank you.
Tell me...
what does
Shaka Zulu mean to you?
He was one of those
rare men
who had the courage
to live his ideals,
and to instill his dreams
into the hearts
of his country men,
That is precisely why
we cannot give
you back your realm.
Shaka Zulu is more
alive today than ever.
His military strength
still prevails.
You are the king,
but it is his spirit
which rules your people.
We are a practical
woman your highness.
We will not form
an alliance
with a legend.
[Henry] And so it was
that the Empire created
by Shaka Zulu
some six decades earlier
was disbanded.
The king's territory
sub-divided
and placed under
British supervision.
The resultant political
mismanagement,
continual white interference
in the ensuing strife
would effectively destroy
the house of Shaka.
From this time on,
the Zulu people would only
be able to dream of
the dignity and the glory
given them by
their legendary King.
This then, is his story!
[theme song playing]
[vocalizing]
[singing in Zulu]
♪ We are growing higher ♪
♪ Growing higher ♪
[singing in Zulu]
[Henry] The first time that
Europeans began to feel
the ripple effect of Shaka's
war machine was in 1823.
The Zulu King was at
the height of his power,
but like most military despots,
Shaka had become both,
master and victim
of his regime.
His empire having been
born out of aggression,
now required continued
war action to keep it alive.
[chanting in Zulu]
[drums beating]
Shaka had successfully
attacked and crushed
all the immediate
neighboring territories,
uniting the defeated tribes
into a single Zulu nation.
But Shaka needed
more victims,
not only to satisfy
his propensity for war,
but to keep his
huge army employed.
And so regiments were
sent further afield
to enlarge and enrich
the Empire,
and as they did so,
those who did not wish
to subject themselves
to Zulu rule fled
before the onslaught,
often attacking
others in their flight.
The effects of this
tremendous upheaval
touched not only the people
at which it was directed,
but began to be felt
by the British colonists
of the Cape,
who themselves were beginning
to expand northwards.
It was therefore inevitable
that sooner or later the two
empires would crash.
As a result, the Governor
of the Cape Colony,
Lord Charles Somerset was
prompted to send an urgent
communique to London.
[Charles]
To Lord Henry Bathurst,
majesty, secretary of state
for war in the colonists.
"My Lord, in consequence
to your Lordship's wish that
I communicate my writing,
my deep concern for the future
of the Crance colony
of the Cape of good hope,
I beg leave to submit
the following evidence
regarding the menace of
the Zulu nation under
it's King, Shaka Zulu."
[chanting in Zulu]
[Charles] Since he ascended
the throne of the Zulu in 1816,
Shaka has forged one of
the mightiest empires
the African continent
has ever known.
[amusing instrumental
music playing]
[singing in Zulu]
"In less than six years,
his small, insignificant tribe
has risen from obscurity
and given its name to an all
powerful nation organized
into a fearsome
military machine.
Shaka is known as
a mass murderer,
a depraved ogre whose thirst
for conquest knows no limits.
He has deluged his
county with innocent blood,
disregarding the most
sacred ties of affection,
turning father against son,
son against brother,
in a bloodbath that
defies description."
"I regret to inform Your
Lordship that it has reached
my attention that
the threat of Shaka Zulu
may soon be directed
at the White settlers
residing in the Crowns
territories.
If that were to happen,
the Cape would find itself
virtually defenseless
and at the mercy of this
ruthless barbarian.
I respectfully submit this
pressing matter to your
Lordship's judgment
and that of his Majesty."
"Signed: Sir Charles Somerset,
Governor of the Cape
Colony, Colonial Africa.
Cape Town January 7, 1823."
[talking]
[clears throat]
His Majesty the King has woken,
after a pleasant night's rest.
[clapping]
Lord Bathrust,
his Majesty
will see you first.
Thank you.
Oh no, oh lord!
[playing the harp]
[laughing]
[laughing]
[George] Oh dear, hmm.
For you,
Oh, dear go on
yes hmm.
Good morning, Your Majesty.
Is it, Lord Henry?
Sir.
Your expression,
Lord Henry.
It bodes anything
but a good morning,
hmm.
[George chuckles]
Mmhmm, enough.
Till tonight.
[harp still playing]
[clears throat]
We are all attention,
Lord Henry.
[Bathrust] It is
the colonies, Sir.
We seem to be faced with
a slight problem.
Your office always
seems to be having
"slight problems"
with the Colonies
doesn't it, Lord Henry?
Well, Sir, it is
the Colonial Office,
and if one deals with melting
pots one is apt to be scorched
once in a while.
Well, who is it this
time, the Canadians?
No, Sir. I am happy
to report that
the remainder of
North America is still
under our thumb so to speak.
It is Africa,
I'm afraid, Sir.
I have received a most alarming
missive from Lord Somerset
at the Cape.
It concerns the Zulus, Sir.
The Zulus?
Are you implying
that the Colonial Office
of the British Empire,
considers a tribe
of savages
running around
in their birthday
suits a problem?
Oh, really. [chuckling]
Oh, what ineffable
twaddle, Lord Henry!
It is somewhat more
than a tribe, Sir.
We are convinced that
we are at grips
with a proper empire
of a quarter of a million
such "birthday" suits.
Really? My, they,
do multiply don't they,
like bunnies?
[Bathrust] Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
Hmm?
It is possible
that the Zulus
will attack the Cape.
If that should happen,
we would have to deal
with a very large
number of these bunnies,
under the leadership
of a March Hare
by the name of Shaka.
Well then, send on
the reinforcements.
[Bathrust] We have
thought of that, Sir.
But, it is rather a long
way to the Cape,
6,000 miles
and four months by sea,
to be precise,
and I fear that
by the time we
have trained
fresh troops in the art of
native warfare and shipped them
in flock, it would be too late.
Well then, transfer
some of our
Bengali troops from India.
And lose India, Sir?
Then use mercenaries.
Not to be trusted, I fear.
Rubbish!
Your own words, Sir.
[harp still playing]
Look out there,
Lord Henry.
What do you see falling?
Rain, Sir.
And is that a frequent
occurrence in England?
Rain falling, I mean...
Alas, Sir,
all too frequent.
And what do our colonies
represent for us?
Sunshine, Sir?
Precisely, and it is
your privilege
to safeguard
our sunshine.
Thomas Jefferson,
drove my poor father,
out of his wits.
I trust you will keep
the same fate from me.
Tend to the Zulus, Bathrust,
[intense music playing]
or it will be our sad task
to find someone who can.
[flinches]
Your Majesty.
[chanting in Zulu]
[drums beating]
[Henry] The Zulu armies
were now fighting their
way steadily south,
the noisy victory
celebrations echoing
across the Cape's
Northern frontier,
ominously signifying Shaka's
advance on the colonists.
In Cape town itself,
at the Castle of good Hope,
Lord Charles Somerset
anxiously awaited word
from his supervisors in London
but nothing appeared to be
forthcoming and time
was running out.
[thump]
[Bathurst] We have
been blind, gentlemen.
Here we are trying
to devise a away
of confronting him
with an entire regiment,
when all we need
is a solitary Caucasian!
Ah, I'm afraid I uh...
I don't follow you, sir.
Let us pretend,
for the sake of
discourse, Worthing,
that you are King Shaka.
Let us also pretend,
Wilkins, that you are
the ruthless
cut-throat so vividly described
in Somerset's missive.
Now... you are toying
with the idea of
attacking the Whites,
creatures you have
never even set eyes upon.
Would that not make
you slightly weary?
I mean, it's all very well
to fight against known odds
but against Lunarians?
That is a very different
kettle of fish.
What if a Lunarian came
to visit you, at your court,
as a diplomat of sorts
from the other world.
And what if he said to you,
"Now hold on, Shaka, hold on
we know what you're up to,
now hear me out before
you start tipping
the scales of war.
We have spears
that spit fire, you know.
See for yourself."
Bang! A lion drops
dead at 600 paces!
We also have magic powder
that can produce lightning
and hollow logs
that make thunder!
You mean, frighten him?
In a word, Worthing... yes.
Surely his spies will have
told him about our cannons
and our gunpowder?
Yes, quite possibly,
but these are not our
only superior weapons.
We have one other,
gentlemen, civilization!
Years of tried
and tested double talk.
If we can't soothe
the savage beast,
we can at least
confuse him whilst
we mount an effective
military defensive.
Where do you suppose
we locate, Sir
a Lunarian disposed
to go down there
and carry out
this novel scheme?
I think I may know the very
man that you need, Worthing.
That I had the pleasure
and honor of serving under him,
in His Majesty's royal Navy.
Lt. Francis George Farewell.
A master of land and sea
and just eccentric enough
to perhaps want to do it!
First...making
Shaka's acquaintance.
[bubbling]
[Francis] That in itself should
prove to be a major obstacle...
Now, to begin with...
Thank you. Let us, to use
a nautical term, take the
bearings of our problem.
From reports that I was
privileged to acquire on
my last trip
to Portuguese Delagoa,
it would appear
that Shaka's capital,
a place which the
natives call "Bulawayo",
if I remember correctly...
it lies somewhere
in this vicinity.
There are only two ways
of reaching it. overland
from the Cape.
though I would
exclude this option,
considering that the only
white man so far to have
attempted the journey
a Dr. Cowan by name,
was never heard of again.
Which leaves us
with an approach by sea.
Landing somewhere
along this Coast.
The Wild Coast of Natal.
From a recent survey
made by the admiralty,
the two most likely
places for a landing are,
St. Lucia Bay,
and Rio de Natal,
though that, too, could
prove a problem, I think.
In what way,
Lieutenant?
Well, no one's ever landed
on that coast,
and lived
to brag about it.
[intense music playing]
[tribal music playing]
[chanting in Zulu]
[intense music playing]
[speaking in Zulu]
[guard] Colonel Cloete
to see you, sir.
[Charles]
Oh, what is it, Colonel?
News from the north,
Sir, Shaka.
What's that damn
savage up to now?
Well Sir,
from what I have been
able to sift from
the reports,
there is every reason
to believe that the Zulus
are now fighting
right on the frontier.
Are you sure?
Yes, sir. I took the liberty
of checking my sources.
It spells trouble, sir,
any chance of those
reinforcements
from London?
Mmm, not likely, colonel.
However, the fact that no one
has yet conquered that coast
doesn't me that I won't.
God knows I have been in some
tight spots in my sailing days.
Does that mean that you'll
be joining us then, Sir?
Oh, most definitely,
Tim. Yes!
I would never miss
a chance to serve my king,
and collect the ivory.
Did you say ivory,
Lieutenant?
Natal is said to be
a paradise for
ivory hunters.
My dear Worthing, has it
not occurred to you that
I shall need good and
adventurous men to join
me on this mission?
Men who are willing,
and above all able to
face the hazards of that
coast and more particularly
Shaka Zulu.
Experience has taught me
that men of that caliber
are very often greedy.
What would you say
to have me entice them?
That you're doing for
the honor of your King?
For the glory of Britannia?
I need courage, Worthing.
Not patriotism!
There is always
a price on courage
and in this case,
it should be paid
in ivory.
"Farewell Trading Company"
I rather like the sound
of it, don't you?
You said that there
were two major problems.
Now, the first,
if I understand correctly,
is reaching Shaka.
What is the other?
Why, the most obvious,
Tim.
Convincing the King
of a primitive empire
that our civilisation
is to be feared,
when, in fact, we are not
a match for him out there.
Centuries of enlightenment do
not necessarily make a country
or its people
militarily stronger.
Indeed, as Atilla the Hun
proved,domestication is
usually a weakening factor.
No! No! Fear's not the answer.
I'm sure that Shaka's more
of a specialist in that
than we could ever be!
No, we shall just have
to find another emotion
to work with,
pride, or vanity.
Vanity Francis!
That is the greatest
weakness of all men,
whether they be nuns,
Englishmen of Zulus!
Elizabeth!
Elizabeth, let me
introduce to you
Mr. Worthing, Tim Wilkins.
Gentlemen, my wife.
Ma'am.
Enchanted ma'am.
Lieutenant,
I had no idea
you were married.
[laughing]
Most people find it
hard to believe that
my husband shares
his life with anything
but his dreams.
And without the benefit
of my wife's practical mind,
my dreams would go
hopelessly adrift.
Then let's drink
to the sunshine
of the Colonies,
and the ivory.
[chattering]
[bagpipes playing]
[Bathrust]
To Lord Charles Somerset,
Governor of the Cape Colony,
Colonial Africa.
"My dear Lord Charles,
I cannot begin to tell
you how alarmed I was
upon reading your missive
of the 7th January ultimo.
I assure you that His Majesty
and I share your deep concern
for he Zulu threat as
you so vividly outlined it.
Unfortunately, due to
the economic and military
retrenchment policies
the Crown has adopted since
the end of the Napoleonic Wars.
His Majesty's Government
is not a this time
prepared to sanction
the allocation
of British troops.
[Charles]
However, Sir Charles,
after adequate deliberation,
colonial office has devised
an alternate plan,
the architect of which,
Lieutenant
Francis George Farewell
of your acquaintance,
the bearer of this missive.
I trust your Lordships will
concede that
Lieutenant Farewell's
undertaking is entitled
to every encouragement
and assistance, being of such
hazard, and if successful,
likely to lead to the best
possible solution of
the problem at hand."
Hmm.
You!
60,000 ferocious Zulu warriors
bent on attacking this Colony,
and what do I have
from the crown
to prevent the slaughtering
of every man, woman and child
in their path?
A haughty letter
of apology, and...
no offense, Lieutenant,
but you!
[sighs]
I need a drink, will you
join me, Lieutenant?
Be glad to, Sir Charles.
[instrumental music playing]
[Francis] In approximately
two months time,
I intend to land a party
of hand pick'em men
on the shores of Natal.
Ostensibly our presence there
will be as ivory traders,
but trading will
be merely a cover.
My ultimate purpose will
be to contact Shaka Zulu
in order to secure an alliance
with His Majesty King George.
Alliances are made for
civilized peoples, not savages.
The whole idea, is absurd.
Even if you are
successful in obtaining
some sort of agreement
Shaka would never respect
his end of the bargain.
Their values of good
and evil, life and death,
are completely devoid
of a moral code.
Well, their Actions
prove that.
There is no defined
perspective
in their human relations
they are pagans, Lieutenant,
and pagans lack reason.
Oh, do they, Reverend?
Wasn't Cicero a pagan?
Tacitus, Virgil, Homer,
Julius Caesar, Plato,
Aristotle, Socrates?
Do I need to continue?
Those men were
enlightened, Lieutenant.
You cannot possibly
compare them to Shaka.
He's a barbarian,
an assassin.
So was Charlemagne in
his own very special way.
[Charles] I fail to see your
point, Mr. Farewell.
Lord Charles,
the only chance
the Crown has
of preserving its
territories in Africa
or America or Asia
is if it finally sheds
its hypocrisy and starts
treating others as equals.
Well, I believe that is
the true Christian message.
Wouldn't you agree Reverend?
Or does our moral code
justify our own ends?
Anyway, I intend
to contact Shaka Zulu
in order to negotiate
an alliance with Britain.
In doing so, I can only
hope that King Shaka
will prove more reasonable
than Pope Alexandra Borgia
would have been.
[Charles] I appreciate
your idealism, Mr. Farewell,
but you've obviously
not been made aware of
the situation in Africa,
and I suspect that Mr. Vegte,
our experienced
Dutch resident,
knows what
I'm talking about
No, I don't feel
that I can approve
this absurd mission
of yours.
[Wilkins] But you have
no choice, Lord Charles.
Mr. Farewell's mandate
came from Downing Street
and, the Colonial Office
requests
your complete
co-operation.
Well, if you would
excuse us, gentlemen,
we didn't brave
the high seas
for four months
in order to discuss these
interesting points of history.
[Francis] Lord Charles,
I have a crew to recruit.
Good day, Sir.
Lieutenant!
[Vegte] Please excuse me,
gentlemen. Mr. Farewell,
may I walk with you?
I want you to understand,
Mr. Farewell,
that your are planning
to confront
an awesome savagery.
Thank you, Mr. Vegte. I shall
certainly heed your warning.
Mr. Farewell...
I want to go with you
on your expedition.
Also, I speak
the Xhosa language
which is fairly similar
to the Zulu language,
reasonably well.
In short, Mr. Farewell,
I may be indispensable
to your expedition.
Perhaps you are.
Is that an Englishman's way
of saying that you'll take me?
Perhaps.
[chattering]
[suspenseful music playing]
[exclaiming]
[Henry] The situation at
the frontier was now
becoming almost untenable.
With the Zulu onslaught
pushing steadily south,
the fleeing tribes were
having to vie for what
territory remained.
Desperate pitched battles
frequented the northern borders
and the frontier farmers
became increasingly
nervous of the instability
being caused by
these violent encounters.
They demanded urgent
action from Lord Charles.
Blast! Tell that damn Farewell
to do something and fast!
Dismissed.
Yes, Sir.
[Henry] But Lt. Francis George
Farewell was not to be pushed
by the rantings of
a disgruntled Lord Charles.
Knowing the value of
careful planning for
an expedition as he was
putting together,
he meticulously sought out
people he knew would be of
value to him,
which brought him
into contact with me,
a meeting which, I might add,
would change the course of
my already eventful and
extraordinary encounter
with Africa,
and, indeed, would
change my whole life.
[Vegte] Hello, Mr. Fynn,
this is Lt. Farewell
We sent a message
to your lodgings.
About the possibility of
joining Mr. Farewell's
upcoming expedition to Natal.
As my medical adjutant
and superintendent of cargo,
Mr. Vegte tells me that your
experience in both areas is
quite extensive.
I got the message, yes.
They say it prevents
infection though
after four bouts of
malaria, I'm beginning
to doubt its efficacity.
Malaria?
Is that what they have?
That, and sundry
assortments of...
yellow fever, dysentery,
cholera...
and diseases of
the soul that are,
far harder to diagnose
and almost impossible
to cure, ah.
It's only by the grace
of God that any
of these people will
reach their,
as yet unknown,
destination alive.
Or maybe its his
will that they don't.
So, Lieutenant, why are you
venturing into those forsaken
regions?
What do you know about
a man named Shaka?
[mumbling]
[foreboding music playing]
Does that answer
your question, Lieutenant?
The Masane tribe, Nxumalos,
Hlubis, Cunas, Ngwanes,
countless others
the banished
of South-East Africa.
Fleeing Shaka's spears,
going straight into the arms
of white slave traders,
and the British troops
on the borders
of the Cape Colony.
In a way, Lieutenant, they
are the ultimate victims of
recent history
If you'll favour my comparison
they are the 'wandering Jews'
of Africa,
fleeing the Pharaoh Shaka,
into the Babylonian captivity
of slavery
Fynn, if this empire's quite
vast, and I'm told that it is
then the Pharaoh
must be giving his people
something in return
for their fidelity,
or they'd all be wandering.
Have you ever read
Faust, Lieutenant?
Marlow's, Bacon's,
Lessing's or Goethe's?
Touche, what was Faust given
in return for his fidelity?
Hmm.
[Henry] There's a legend,
Lieutenant, amongst the
native witch doctors.
Of a child. A prophetic child.
[suspenseful music playing]
They say he'll bring
with in an era in which
the name Amazulu
will signify terror
and death.
Many people see Shaka
as the incarnation
of that prophecy.
Oh calm down, Fynn
you're far too intelligent
to believe in that kind
of hocus pocus, surely.
I've seen that child,
Farewell.
Aah, not in flesh
and blood.
In the eyes
of the Fingoes,
in the eyes
of these prisoners.
Well then, tell me now,
how do you suggest
we go about
stopping this
diabolical child?
With a stake through
the heart on the eve
of the full moon.
If there is no other way,
Lieutenant, then we will
have to kill him.
Well, I don't think
we will be taking
many stakes with us, but,
possibly might find ways
of doing the same thing,
less bloodily.
You going
to be with us?
Are you going, Mr. Vegte?
Oh yes, Mr. Fynn.
[foreboding music playing]
Then yes, Lieutenant.
I may as well be with you...
and may God help us.
[laughing]
[chattering]
[suspenseful music playing]
[Wilkins] Next gentleman please.
Now please be patient,
we won't be long
Your name?
Henry Ogle, Sir.
Yes, do sit down,
Mr. Ogle.
Thank you, sir.
Now, do you know all about
this expedition, do you?
Pretty much, sir.
Up the east coast.
Your trade,
Mr. Ogle?
Sailor, sir, but
also useful on land.
Served on decent ships?
The best sir.
H.M.S. Victory.
Good... you're in.
Now, in due course
you will be reporting
to Mr. Vegte here
and he will begin to teach
you basic Zulu, thank you.
Thank you, sir!
[Francis] Next man,
Tim, please.
Tonino!
Tonino who?
Just Tonino.
Just Tonino?
Oh. And where do you
hail from, just Tonino?
[Tonino] Italy.
Italy. Do you?
Your purpose, sir?
For the adventure.
I think we may be able
to supply a little of that.
Morning, sir.
Your name?
Popham, sir.
[Francis] I see, and Popham
is your surname, presumably.
No, sir.
[Francis] No, it's
your Christian name?
I am not a Christian, sir.
[laughing]
John Cane. Forty five.
Qualified seaman.
Can cook and handle
a rifle as well anybody.
Valuable qualifications, sir,
prove them to us
and you are in.
Thank you, sir.
[solemn music playing]
[chattering]
Tim, next man.
Next!
Zacharius Abrahams.
Please come in, sir.
Mr. Zacharius Abrahams,
gentlemen.
Mr. Abrahams.
[Henry] Well now,
you're not proposing,
to travel with us sir, are you?
I hope to, Mr. Fynn.
Mr. Abrahams is a, leader of
the commercial community
here in Cape Town.
Mm.
Mr. Abrahams,
with the greatest respect
to you,
our journey will be arduous
and, we think, dangerous.
And it will probably be
of considerable duration.
Lieutenant,
I have experienced
over 60, interesting years.
But I am exceptionally
sound in my health.
Tell me Mr. Abrahams,
how do you see
our positive contribution?
With all due respect
to the rest of
the expedition, sir,
I would be the most
successful trader
on the East Coast
of Africa
not excepting
the go ahead
Americans or the...
clever Arabs.
Great Britain needs
to develop territories
for trade!
And I would continue to be
a valuable British subject.
[bagpipes playing]
[crying]
[chattering]
[trumpets playing]
[captivating music playing]
[man] The wind crushing, sir.
All aboard, now, men!
[screaming]
[dramatic music playing]
[exclaiming]
[man] Check the horses again!
[yelling]
[enthralling music playing]
[squealing]
Hold my hand. Come
on, pull dammit!
Yeah, hold on!
[man] Save the rob, lads!
Lieutenant,
Let me help you.
[horses neighing]
Come on, boy.
Woah.
Come on! Pull!
Help! Help!
[exclaiming in agony]
[Henry] Get him
out of the water!
Come on, Fynn, there are
people still alive out there!
Come and give me a hand!
[screaming]
[screams] Your hand!
[foreboding music playing]
[coughing]
All right.
[exclaiming in horror]
Oh, Lieutenant,
Lieutenant, look over here!
Lieutenant! Lieutenant!
Look at those men!
Look!
Lieutenant!
Mr. Fynn, Lieutenant!
Anybody!
Look over here!
Help! Help!
-Mr. Fynn!
-Lieutenant!
[singing in Zulu]
[drums beating]
Come on! Come on!
Put those weapons down!
Put 'em down!
[singing in Zulu]
[drums beating]
[speaking in Zulu]
Stand still! Nobody move!
[foreboding music playing]
[neighing]
[horse neighing]
[speaking in Zulu]
Mr. Vegte,
go and tell him,
that we come in peace
from the King of the Whites.
Tell him that we want
to meet Shaka.
Go!
[enthralling music playing]
[speaking in Xhosa]
[music increases in tempo]
[Francis] Stand still!
[speaking in Xhosa]
[speaking in Zulu]
I suspect they
are taking me
because of the language.
I will do my best.
I don't think they
intend to harm us.
[Francis] What do we do now?
[Henry] Just wait...
it's the only thing
we can do.
[theme song playing]
[vocalizing]
[singing in Zulu]
♪ Be a man of greatness now ♪
♪ A man so tall
A man so kind ♪
♪ Be a man of wisdom now ♪
♪ A man of mind
A man of light ♪
♪ Be a man of kindness now ♪
♪ A man so big
And strong in mind ♪
♪ Be a man so humble now ♪
♪ A man of men
Now let it shine ♪
♪ This is what you are ♪
♪ This is how
It was planned now ♪
♪ This is what to be
Every kind of man now ♪
♪ This is what to say
With the kind of meaning ♪
♪ This is what to feel
With the kind of feeling ♪
♪ We are growing
Growing higher and higher ♪
♪ We are growing
Growing higher and higher ♪
♪ We are growing
Growing higher and higher ♪
♪ We are growing
Growing higher and higher ♪
♪ Hear the children
Hear the children ♪
♪ They are talking to you ♪
♪ Hear the wind blow
Hear the wind blow ♪
♪ It is coming for you ♪
♪ See the grass grow
See the grass grow ♪
♪ It whispers his name ♪
♪ See the fire blow
See the fire blow ♪
♪ His heart in the flame ♪
[singing in Zulu]
[vocalizing]
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