1. SCRIPT APPEARS ON BLACK SCREEN:

One hundred years ago the British Colony of Natal in Southern

Africa was surrounded by a

vast and independent Zulu Kingdom.

In 1879, a banle took place that was forever to alter the

course of colonial history:

I SANDHLWANA

2 EXT. DAWN.

Four Zulu's are seen in silhouette herding cattle up a hill.

3. LONG SHOT - Two Zulu's are seen in silhouette high on a

precipice.

4. Seven Zulu's are seen walking in silhouette against the

sunrise.

5. The sun fills the screen as the sound of many running feet

and Zulu drums are heard.

6. EXT. ZULU KRAAL. DAY.

A large regiment of Zulu warriors carrying shields and assegais

(stabbing spears)

are seen running into the Kraal whilst the sound of tribal

singing, chanting and drum

beating escalates.

7. Inside the camp a group of Zulu's are seen grappling with a

bull as they struggle to

bring the animal to the ground. They are watched by a vast

circle of warriors all

shouting encouragement.

8. An elaborate tribal dance ensues. It appears to be some sort

of Fenility Rite. The

females stand opposite the men in rows, chanting as they move

in closer.

9. CETSHWAYO, the great Zulu King emerges into the throng. He is

tall, beautifully

fat, with a big intelligent face and superb dignity. He surveys

his subjects with

interest as they stand unanimous, thrusting their assegais into

the air whilst shouting

their allegiance.

10. EXT. HIGH COMMISSIONER'S RESIDENCE, PIETERMARITZBURG,

NATAL. NIGHT.

BARTLE FRERE (V.0.)

Reading aloud the letter he has just written.

Cetshwayo '5 Zulu army to disband and the warriors permitted to

return

to their homes.

2

11. SWITCH TO INTERIOR. FRERE is seated at his desk whilst LORD

CHELMSFORD is seen in the background standing on the veranda.

BARTLE FRERE

He continues to read aloud:

Present military system to be abandoned. New regulations

concerning

the defence of the realm worked out.

CHELMSFORD enters the room, sits and studies two sheets of

paper.

FRERE continues:

All who do not submit will be dealt with as enemies of the

Crown. We

will not permit the arbitrary killing and

FRERE pauses as he underlines a certain word:

and unjust oppression which the Zulu people have suffered from

their

own King Cetshwayo

Pausing, FRERE looks up as if to meet his comrade's gaze.

CHELMSFORD,

however, continues to read, turning the page.

BARTLE FRERE

You '11 see from the letter that this ultimatum is our decision

alone. Her

Majesty's government seems to prefer a negotiated settlement

12. CLOSE UP of CHELMSFORD's letter:

Her Majesty's government confidentially hope that by the

exercise of prudence

and by meeting of the Zulus in a spirit of forbearance and

reasonable

compromise it will be possible to avert the very serious evil

of a war with

Cetshwayo:

13. Return to BARTLE FRERE. As he melts some sealing wax over a

silver burner:

BARTLE FRERE

(Referring to the letter he has just completed)

Does this do what we both know to be right Frederick?

CHELMSFORD

It does Sir Henry (He folds the papers neatly in half)

excellently.

The pair exchange glances as BARTLE FRERE applies the wax to his

letter.

14. CLOSE UP of stamped seal.

15. EXT. CHELMSFORD'S CAMP PIETERMARITZBURG. DAY

3

Activity everywhere, the incessant movement of an army in the

final stages of its

formation. Huge ox-wagons are being hauled into the camp.

16. CHELMSFORD and CREALOCK are on horseback in full regaJia as

they ride into

the centre of the Camp.

17. Squads of Basuto-infantry - tall, rangy bodies, naked except

for a loincloth and neck

ornaments - are being drilled by foul mouthed, bullying

European NCO's.

18. LT. MELVILL, young, dapper, inspects the Martini Henry

rifles of a company of

REDCOATS who are lined up near the BASUTOS. A CSM (SOT.

WILLIAMS)

stalks behind MELVILL.

ONE REDCOAT, young, thin, gangling, turns his head slightly to

peek at the

Basutos, and the swift eye of SOT. WILLIAMS detects the

disaffection. The young

redcoat (PTE. WILLIAMS) turns, guilty at being caught out of

the 'Attention'

position. The CSM (SOT. WILLIAMS) leans forward until his face

is one inch

from that of his quavering prey.

SGT. WILLIAMS (Shouting)

You moved (With more restraint) You moved go and tell the NCO

of that black shambles that you love 'im more than you love

me (Shouting) NOW'

19. PTE. WILLIAMS blinks, swallows then runs over to the

Basuto's NCO.

NCO (Addressing the Basutos)

You're not fit to be in the British army you different coloured

articles.

STRAIGHTEN UP! You're like a load of bloody herd boys! (He

suddenly becomes aware of PTE. WILLIAMS' presence).

PTE. WILLIAMS

I'm to tell you Corporal, that I love you more than my Colour

Sergeant

The Basuto's NCO walks up to PTE. WILLIAMS.

NCO

That's frightening... Get out of my bloody sight lad. And put

your rifle

over your head and double round this field (shouting) until you

drop

bloody dead. Now move, get on with it, at the double.

The Basutos, laughing, raise their shields into the air in

general amusement as

PRIVATE WILLIAMS runs past.

NCO

Shut up! Get back in the ranks you shower of animals.

20. CHELMSFORD, still on horseback, surveys the encampment. He

salutes to SOT.

WILLIAMS. CREALOCK, as always, is in attendance.

21.

4

SGT. WILLIAMS

Facing the ranks:

Company Shoulder arms.... (LT. MELVILLjoins SOT.

WILLIAMS) Present arms.

LT. MELVILL turns standing to attention, saluting as CHELMSFORD

passes.

22. Two BOERS ride into the camp, passing two SUTLERS wagons. We

see SOT.

WILLIAMS' dismissed COMPANY hurriedly crowding round one of the

SUTLER'S wagons, shouting for cigars and gin.

23. The two BOERS, one an elderly man, one a boy of sixteen,

have dismounted. SOT.

WILLIAMS strides over to them.

You passing through?

SGT. WILLIAMS

ELDERLY BOER

We 've come to fight the Zulu.

SGT. WILLIAMS

We aren't at war yet Referring to the boy: Bit young 'in' he?

ELDERLY BOER

He's my nephew... he can shoot, track and speak Zulu and fight

like

hell... he's got Assegai marks to prove it...

He gestures to the boy to show SOT. WILLIAMS. The YOUNG BOER

pulls

up his shin, showing an horrendous white scar across his

stomach.

SOT. WILLIAMS stares in amazement. Coming to, commanding the

attention

of a BOY-PULLEN in the ranks:

You!

Sir. (Running over)

SGT. WILLIAMS

BOY-PULLEN

SGT. WILLIAMS

Take 'em to the orderly officer. (SOT. WILLIAMS departs).

BOY-PULLEN

(Standing to attention). Colour Sergeant Addressing the BOERS:

This

way.

24. The BOERS follow as the PTE. Leads oft

25. A TROOP OF SIKALI HORSE under the command of COL. DURNFORD

ride

into the camp. He is a tall, thin-haired man with handsome

sunburnt features,

intelligent and sensitive eyes and an over-length moustache. He

has only the use of

5

one arm, his left arm being completely paralyzed and held

immobile, tucked into a

special pocket he has sewn into his tunic. COL. DURNFORD and

SOT. MA3OR

KAMBULA (A powerful and intelligent African radiating

authority.) pull up as the

troop ride by.

26. With the SIKALI in the foreground, PTE. WILLIAMS is seen in

the background,

still running, his rifle above his head.

27. The same NCO seen previously addresses the BASUTOS:

NCO

Company.... 'Shun!

(The BASUTOS comply).

Move yourselves.

28. SIKALI are seen cantering as if a pre-ordained manoeuvre is

about to commence.

29. DURNFORD and S.M. KAMBULA are surveying their troops.

S.M. KAMBULA

Shall I give the order Sir?

COL. DURNFORD

Alright, Sergeant

30. S.M. KAMBULA rides offscreen.

31. The SIKALI gather together. S.M. KAMBULA's voice is heard

above the throng:

S.M. KAMBULA

Sikali Horse Forward!

32. The SIKALI ride full pelt, charging at the BASUTOS.

The troop continues almost into the first line of the BASUTOS,

which consists of

their European NCO's.

The European NCO's of the BASUTOS stare at the SIKALI troop as

they wheel

and once again come galloping at them.

33. COL. PULLEINE, LT. MELVILL & LT. COGHILL are seen outside

the Officer's

Mess amused at the commotion.

34. CLOSE UP. COL. DURNFORD laughing.

35. The NCO's edge away, unsure, prepared to take to their heels.

The BASUTO infantry watch, admiring, clapping.

6

The troop skilfully turns their horses, as if on a penny,

inches from the BASUTO

NCO's then ride away, whooping, in high spirits.

LORD CHELMSFORD & COL. CREALOCK, having watched this exhibition,

ride forward to meet COL. DURNFORD.

CHELMSFORD

Splendid horsemanship Who are they?

DURNFORD

Sikali Horse, My Lord. Christians alL I know each one by name.

CHELMSFORD

They come well recommended do they?

DURNFORD

My Lord, they rode for me at Bushman '5 Pass.

CHELMSFORD

Oh... indeed. Crealock, we should see that Colonel Dumford has

an

Officer for his hard riders. Perhaps a subaltern from the

Twenty Fourth.

DURNFORD

I thought it might be more effective to find someone who speaks

Zulu.

CHELMSFORD & CREALOCK exchange glances.

CREALOCK

Yes. I see you've issued each of them with a Martini Henry

Carbine.

Our quota for Native contingencies: one rifle to ten men and

only five

rounds per rifle.

CHELMSFORD

But will they make good use of them?

DURNEORD

They're as good marksmen as horsemen.

CHELMSFORD

There's no doubting their horsemanship Colonel Durnford.

CHELMSFORD & DURNFORD salute.

DURNFORD

Mr. Crealock.

CREALOCK nods.

DURNFORD exits offscreen.

7

CHELMSFORD

We must think how to make best use of Colonel Durnford's African

knowledge.

36. Through the smoke of the field kitchens enters the

Honourable WILLIAM

VEREKER, aristocratically aloof on a fine stallion, his servant

following on an

equally fine horse. He rides purposely towards COL. DURNFORD as

if he has

been seeking him.

VEREKER

Colonel Durnford... William Vereker. I hear you 've been seeking

Officers?

DURNFORD

Good ones, yes, Mr Vereker. Gentlemen who can ride and shoot

DURNFORD waits for a reaction. VEREKER, cool, looks into

DURNFORD's

face and takes out his rifle.

Cantering some distance away, VEREKER turns, spurs his horse

vigorously and,

on reaching DURNFORD, throws his rifle up into the aim. He

fires one-handed

at the half carcass of a cow being hung up near the field

kitchens without veering

his galloping horse. The half carcass judders under the impact

of the heavy

bullet.

37. PTE. WILLIAMS has been jogging wretchedly on. On hearing the

bullet he throws

himself to the ground believing he has been shot. Two of the

kitchen hands help

him to his feet.

38. CLOSE UP of SOT. WILLIAMS.

SGT. WILLIAMS

Shouting across the field:

Private Williams. You've stopped.

39. PTE. WILLIAMS regains his composure and, once more lifting

his rifle above his

head, continues to jog. SGT. WILLIAMS looks on with smug

satisfaction.

40. As VEREKER approaches, DURNFORD commands the attention of

LT. RAW:

DURNFORD

Mr. Raw. Take Mr. Vereker to the Store and see he '5 issued the

necessary equipment And then show him to the Mess and explain

to him

how an Officer is expected to behave.

RAW salutes and leads VEREKER off left, as DURNFORD watches

their

departure.

41. INT. OFFICERS' MESS TENT. DAY

8

CLOSE UP. A scorpion is being removed from a specimen jar with

a pair of

tweezers. It is lifted out of shot to be examined under a

magnifying glass revealing

LIEUTENANTS COGHILL & MELVILL seated at an impressive green

baize table.

There are African servants, white-jacketed. SERGEANT MURPHY, a

short, broad

humorous, coarse-faced man, supervises the servants.

CHELMSFORD sits alone at a corner table reading his newspaper.

Other Officers are seated around the main table drinking claret

and smoking the

obligatory cigars. COLONEL PULLEINE is writing a letter whilst

LT. HARFORD

sits with his tins around him classifying his specimens.

As SOT. MURPHY refills their glasses COGHILL & MELVILL gossip

covertly in

half whispers so that their voices don't carry to the table of

their commander.

MELVILL

Lighting COGHILL' 5 cigar:

Our good Colonel Dumford scored quite a coup with the Sikali

Horse.

COGHILL

Um. There are rumours that my Lord Chelmsford intends to make

Durnford Second in Command.

MELVILL

Well that's typical of Her Majesty's army. Appoint an engineer

to do a

soldier's work.

PULLEINE

He continues writing without looking up:

Now, now Mr. Melvill, less of your spleen.

COGHILL & MELVILL smile at one another before their attention

is drawn to

LT. RAW and VEREKER entering the Mess.

RAW

Addressing the Mess:

Stranger in the Mess. Gentlemen. (To CHELMSFORD) My LorJ

The officers and Vereker survey each other.

RAW

To VEREKER: Announce yourself

VEREKER spots CHELMSFORD in the corner.

VEREKER

Good day Frederick.

9

CHELMSFORD

Good day William. (Folding his newspaper, he stands to shake

hands).

Pleased you could join us.

The OFFICERS turn, a bit startled, to look at this newcomer who

is somehow on

first-name terms with the Lord General.

VEREKER

It was either that, or join the Zulu.

CHELMSFORD

(Removing his glasses).

Join the Zulu? Oh yes, you're right in the thick of it aren't

you? Talked to

your father before we sailed.. he said you 'd taken to farming

near Zulu land.

Sent his regards.. Should I meet up with you.

VEREKER (Wryly)

That was nice of the old boy.

CHELMSFORD

I think you 'd better call out who you are.

VEREKER turns to address the Mess. CHELMSFORD sits.

VEREKER

William Vereker.

Sergeant Murphy.

RAW

MURPHY

Sir?

RAW

Bring drinks for the stranger. Allow me to introduce the Mess:

Colonel Pulleine. Messers. Melvill, Coghill...

With the exception of PULLEINE & MAJOR RUSSELL the Officers

stand as

they are introduced.

COGHILL

Morning.

During the introductions, SOT. MURPHY selects a large, silver,

chalice-like

receptacle from a trophy table in another corner. He takes it

to the head of the

table.

RAW

Jackson, Milne, Major Russel4 Stevenson,.

I0

STEVENSON

How do you do?

RAW

Haiford. . and Haiford's best frienJ

HARFORD raises a glass jar containing one of his prized

specimens in

acknowledgement.

Meanwhile MURPHY has collected a bottle of claret from a tray

brought by

another black servant. He pours the contents into the trophy.

RUSSELL

Don 't leave your gin around, Vereker, or Harford will have it

full of

preserved butteifties. A damned waste, if you ask me.

HARFORD chuckles as he replaces the lid on his jar.

VEREKER

Oh I doubt if I'll leave much of that around. There's quite a

shortage

where I've been.

COGHILL

Puffing on his cigar:

Theyfight with spears don 't they? I mean it doesn't seem quite

fair

against the Martini Henry.

MELVILL

You didn't really have to chose between your country and the

Zulu did

you?

VEREKER

Um. And a damn close thing it was too.

RAW

Taking the freshly filled trophy from MURPHY.

Ah, well done Murphy. (He presents it to VEREKER).

HARFORD

Stranger's Cup. (The Officers sit.) Down it in one and we where

share

your Mess bill for a week.

VEREKER

And {fI don't?

RAW

Then a bottle of good claret to each member of the Mess is

charged to

your account

MELVILL

if it's too much we can have the bill forwarded to your

father... in the

11

House of Lords. Oh no offence meant, Vereker.

VEREKER

No offence taken, Melvill. (Taking the trophy from RAW).

To men who aren 't afraid to speak their minds.

RAW

Good luck, Sir

VEREKER begins to drink. Gradually, the officers join in with

cheers of

encouragement until the entire Mess is chanting "Down, down,

down". They

bang their fists on the table in time with the chants.

Gulping back the liquid, VEREKER stops as if he has

accomplished his task.

The Officers applaud. General ad. lib. "Well done". Etc.

VEREKER (Expressionless)

Not quite.

Turning the trophy upside-down, he pours a small amount of

liquid onto the

floor. Appearing slightly intoxicated, his lips stained red

with the wine, he

smiles:

The bottles of claret, are on me Gentlemen.

General calls of "Here, here".

RAW

Standing, he raises his glass to propose a toast:

The Regiment

OFFICERS

The Regiment

VEREKER

Still smiling, he wipes the remaining wine from the corners of

his moustache.

The Regiment.

42.EXT. ZULUKRAAL. DAY

A tall, bald imposing Zulu named MANTSHONGA enters the camp. He

makes

his way through a large regiment of young Zulu braves and older

INDUNAS

(officers). They surround two young Zulu warriors who are

tautly circling.

Their shields are held at the defensive, their assegais poised

for underhand

thrust.

43. CLOSE SHOT - The two warriors fighting.

44. LONG SHOT - The vast crowd encircling the warriors.

45. The crowd cheers as CHIEF CETSHWAYO watches from his

throne.

12

46. MANTSHONGA, spotting CETSHWAYO, walks purposefully towards

him.

MANTSHONGA

I bring greetings from your friends, the British, and from the

Great Lord

ChelmsforJ

CETSHWAYO

Still watching the fighting Zulus;

And what do your Masters say?

MANTSHONGA

They are angry and send these demands. They say you rule in old

ways

that are wrong, that you kill your people without triaL The

Great White

Queen herself cannot kill her lowliest subject though she rules

forty

lands, each greater than all ofZululanJ

BAYELE

Kill the Traitor, Father'

CETSHWAYO

Gesturing to his son to calm down:

I do kill, under the customs of the Zulu, and I shall not

depart from that

Do I go to the country of the white man and tell him to change

his laws and customs?

MANTSHONGA

The British say your armies grow larger and they demand that you

disband your lmpis of War

CETSHWAYO

Tell the British I will not cross the river which divides our

lands. But

ask Lord Chelmsford if he would disarm his warriors in the face

of

such threats.

47. CLOSE UP. The two Zulus are now in ferocious combat.

48. SWITCH back to alternate CLOSE shots of CETSHWAYO &

MANTSHONGA

MANTSHONGA

I will ask him but his answer will be to start war against

your 30,000

warriors.

CETSHWAYO

My armies will defend this land

49. General uproar as one of the fighting Zulus falls to the

ground. Standing,

CETSHWAYO gives the signal to kill. The triumphant Zulu drives

his assegai into

the other's heart. A group of warriors converge upon the body

as MANTSHONGA

turns and EXITS.

13

50. EXT. GARDEN. DIOCESAN MANSION. DAY.

A garden party is in full swing. There are tables and chairs

dotted about a

spacious garden. Stringed music is playing and there is an air

of English civility.

There are ladies with parasols, children playing and Officers

present.

51. FANNY COLENSO -25, her cheeks aflame, her manner excitable,

is engaged in a

sedate' game of cricket with some children and officers. She

bats the ball some

distance away near COL. DURNFORD.

FANNY

Anthony (Shouting)... Anthony

COL. DURNFORD, engaged in conversation with an Officer and a

lady, turns

on hearing his name. He spots the ball.

COL. DURNFORD (Handing his hat to the Officer)

Hold this.

Picking up the ball, he gives it to a little girl who has run

to collect it.

(Smiling at FANNY) Well batted Well batteJ

FANNY curtsies in mock recognition. Her eyes flash to his and

we sense their

secret feeling for each other.

52. VEREKER & two other officers ride along the drive to the

mansion. Dismounting

VEREKER hands the reigns of his horse to a well-dressed black

groomsman and

steps forward extending his hand in greeting to the black

butler.

VEREKER

Joseph, how are all the Colenso girls?

JOSEPH

They are all in the garden, Sir And they will be glad to see

you, I'm

sure.

VEREKER walks down the slope of the lawn, past a young girl on

a swing, her

maid is in attendance. Removing his hat, he spots FANNY being

bowled to by

LT. MILNE. Creeping up behind her, VEREKER indicates to MILNE

to bowl

high.

VEREKER (catching the ball MILNE has just bowled)

You tipped id Youtippedit! Out! Out!

FANNY

I did not (Turning) William. (Hugging him) You cheat, you.

VEREKER

Me cheat? Same old Fanny. (He kisses her on the cheek).

14

FANNY

With genuine affection: Welcome. Welcome back.

Taking his arm, FANNY & VEREKER walk across the lawn. VEREKER

throws the ball back to the cricketers.

53. DURNFORD, still engaged in conversation, turns smiling. His

smile fades as he

spots FANNY with VEREKER.

DURNFORD

Excuse me, Ladies. Leaving them, he makes towards FANNY &

VEREKER.

54. FANNY

Did you get your farm going?

Yes, I did.

Oh. How was it?

I've never been so happy.

VEREKER

FANNY

VEREKER

FANNY

Stopping, FANNY addresses him earnestly: I'm sorry you had to

leave.

55. DURNFORD approaches them.

DURNFORD

You 've met the... Honourable William Vereker, I believe.

FANNY

Yes Anthony, we were childhood friends.

DURNFORD

Your childhood friend shot a dead cow at the gallop the other

day.

(FANNY laughs). He wasn 't impressed.

56. SWITCH TO MANSION VERANDA.

CHELMSFORD watches the threesome as BARTLE FRERE approaches him,

puffing on a cigar.

CHELMSFORD

There is a Mrs. Dumford, is there?

15

BARTLE FRERE

She exists.. .but er. . .nothing '5 been heard of her, the

eight years

Durnford's been in Africa.

CREALOCK

Although much is spoken of her now, My Lord.

These three walk along the veranda.

BARTLE FRERE

I, er, recommended him to you.. .because he knows Africa so

well.

CREALOCK

Oh indeed. His ability to recruit native contingents is proving

invaluable

to His Lordship.

BARTLE FRERE

How do you rate him as a soldier?

CREALOCK

It is widely held that he has great courage and he's an

excellent

engineer

BARTLE FRERE

(Walking down the veranda steps). Shall we join the guests?

57. The DEWITT sisters, both in their whites, are seen playing a

game of tennis. They

are being watched by LTS. MELVILL & COGHILL (They are both

seated). One of

the ladies moves off court to fetch the ball that has gone out

of play. She glances up

at COGHILL.

COGHILL

Do you think she might be interested in someone?

MELVILL

Which one?

COGHILL

Well that one. The one who keeps looking at me.

MELVILL

ft could be you flatter yourself CoghilL It's that odd eye.

LT. RAW approaches

RAW (Tongue-in-cheek)

They must have locked all the good ones up.

58. BARTLE FRERE, CHELMSFORD & CREALOCK have now joined a

selection of

the guests at some tables on the lawn for afternoon tea.

16

MRS. DEWITT

Ah, General. (She curtsies. CHELMSFORD acknowledges). Do you

find our Border Country congenial, My Lord?

CHELMSFORD (Sitting)

The landscape, most congenial Ma'am but the Border,

vulnerable.

MRS. PRETORIOUS (Also sitting)

Do you really think Cetshwayo will attack us?

DURNSFORD, VEREKER & FANNY have also joined the party.

CHELMSFORD

The intention of the Zulu Impis and their King concern me

deeply,

Ma 'am.

FANNY

Cetshwayo has no intention of attacking Natal, Mrs. Pretorious.

Unless

he '5 given no option. He has no quarrel with us. (She sits).

BARTLE FRERE (Sitting next to FANNY)

It's very rare to meet a young lady interested in tactical

matters, Miss

Colenso. Is it not, Sir Henry, most rare?

MR. PRETORIOUS

You are talking of a violent and murdering barbarian who

commands an

army of 30,000 warriors just across the river

FANNY

My father has known and lived with the Zulus for many years.

MR. PRETORIOUS

Cetshwayo massacred 20,000 of his own people to make

himseifKing.

COLENSO

The English Tudor Kings did no less. Much later in our nation

'5 history,

I might add, and the French much more recently.

CHELMSFORD

That may well be, Your Grace, but be that as it may, my duty is

clear

The defence of all this (indicating the surroundings) NataL

COLENSO

Yes, well, it's difficult to stand against that position. if

you speak only

of . (Leaning forward & looking him in the eye).. defence.

MR. PRETORIOUS

And what does our good Colonel Durnford think?

17

DURNFORD (Walking around the tables to join VEREKER)

if the people ofNatal wish to feel safe, let them persuade

their husbands

and sons to volunteer We need both Officers and men.

CHELMSFORD

We do Colonel, good point.

COLENSO

I cannot be brought to believe that Cetshwayo wants a war with

Britain.

BARTLE FRERE

Every Zulu is raised to be a warrior Without a war there 'd be

no Zulu

nation.

MRS. DEWITT

Nobody is really safe, are they Your Excellency?

JOSEPH has appeared at BARTLE FRERE's side. He whispers

something into

his ear.

LADY FRERE

Mrs. Dewitt has four daughters, Henry, and Ifear she feels for

them alL

59. VEREKER has wandered away from the tables. He is watching

MELVILL &

COGHILL chatting to the two DEWITT girls who were previously

playing

tennis.

VEREKER

Your daughters may indeed be in some danger Mrs. Dewitt, but

not at

the moment from the Zulus, Ifear

60. The parties' attention is drawn to the four on the lawn.

61. CLOSE UP of MRS. DEWITT as she laughs politely.

62. As the camera swings back to the four on the lawn we see

MANTSHONGA in

the background. The camera follows him ending in CLOSE UP as he

strides

forward to meet BARTLE FRERE. BARTLE FRERE looks grave as if he

is

already aware of the news he is about to hear.

63. SWITCH, LONG SHOT to where BARTLE FRERE, CHELMSFORD,

CREALOCK & MANTSHONGA are now standing. BARTLE FRERE

addresses the entire garden party.

BARTLE FRERE

Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please.

64. LONG SHOT of lawn. The guests move forward.

65. The camera closes in on the four on the veranda. With one

arm behind his back,

a cigar in his other hand, BARTLE FRERE continues:

18

BARTLE FRERE (Slowly and deliberately)

I think I should inform you that I am obliged to issue a state

of war

between Her Majesty's Government and the Zulu King, Cetshwayo

66. SWITCH to CLOSE UP of VEREKER & COLENSO. General background

noises of dismay as BARTLE FRERE carries on.

67.

BARTLE FRERE

on his non compliance with the ultimatum made on him urging

reformation...

68. CLOSE UP of FANNY & DURNFORD. He drops his head, averting

her gaze.

69. CLOSE UP of BARTLE FRERE. He continues:

BARTLE FRERE

and redress for violations of British Sovereignty.

The guests applaud as CHELMSFORD & BARTLE FRERE shake hands.

70. CLOSE UP of FANNY & DURNFORD.

FANNY

why? Why do men think ofnothing but killing? (She touches his

disabled arm lovingly).

Tucking his hat under his arm, he looks into her eyes and

kisses her hand.

Walking away, he replaces his hat and reaching the top of the

veranda steps,

turns. They exchange desperate, painful glances.

71. CLOSE UPofCOLENSO

COLENSO (To himself)

This wondeiful land we are privileged to share. (Removing his

glasses.)

Dear God (hanging his head) there should be room for all of us.

72. EXT. CHELMSFORD'S CAMP. PIETERMARITZBURG. NIGHT

ASSORTED CLOSE SHOTS TO COVER THE MOVE TO RORKE'S DRIFT

- WAGON WHEELS CREAKING AS THEY TAKE THE FIRST STRAIN OF

MOVEMENT, OXEN HOOVES STARTING FORWARD ON RUTTED DIRT

SURFACES, WAGONEERS FLICKING WHIPS, PACKS GOING ONTO

BACKS OF SOLDIERS, BARE FEET OF NATIVE LEVIES, OFFICERS

MOUNTING, THEN SIMILAR DETAILS TO SHOW RHYTHMIC

FORWARD PROGRESS, MARCHING, ROLLING DARK SILHOUETTED

FORMS. TORCHES.

73. THREE OFFICERS stand watching:

19

OFFICER

There goes Number Two Company.

74. Q.S.M. BLOOMFIELD CUTS ACROSS SHOT he is studying a list

attached to a

clipboard. He is about to walk past a tent when he hears a call

of "I'll see yer"

coming from within. Suspecting gambling, he moves to

investigate.

75. Pulling back the tent flap reveals a group, including

BOY-PULLEN playing a game

of cards.

BLOOMFIELD

Do I believe what me eyes see? The whole bleedin' Army movin'

off to

meet the murderin' heathen and what goes on in 'ere? A game

ofBrag.

(Sterner) Brag?

BOY-PULLEN (Standing)

I'm sorry, Quartermaster

BLOOMFIELD

You'll be more sorrier still when the Zulu ask Lad.. "What 'ave

you got

to offer me not to slit your gut?" and you say (Pointing to the

cards in

BOY-PULLEN's hand) ah, the Knave of Hearts, Sir, the Knave of

Hearts.

The rest of the group chuckle.

Offering BOY-PULLEN a coin, BLOOMFIELD gives the order "Move!"

Taking the coin BOY-PULLEN leaves the tent.

76. SWITCH to BANDSTAND. A band is playing "Men Of Harlech".

CHELMSFORD & BARTLE FRERE move into CLOSE UP in foreground.

CHELMSFORD

For a savage as to a child, chastisement is sometimes a

kindness.

BARTLE FRERE

Let us hope then, that this will be the final solution to the

Zulu problem.

77. EXT. COLUMN ON THE MOVE. NIGHT

BOY-PULLEN moves against the traffic towards the back of the

moving

column. He passes squads of torchlighted marchers, artillery

units, riders,

wagons, until he comes to the SUTLER'S wagon.

78. THREE SOLDIERS ENTER SHOT and surreptitiously help

themselves out of the

back of the moving wagon. Noticing, BOY-PULLEN seizes his

chance and

grabbing a bottle out one of the soldier's hands, makes a dash

for it.

SOLDIER

'Ere! Come back 'ere you thievin' little beggar~

20

79. MOVING SHOT. CHELMSFORD, on foot salutes an officer as

DURNFORD

approaches from behind on horseback.

DURNFORD (Calling)

My Lord. (CHELMSFORD turns.) I've prepared a list of ideas for

you

to see. (He removes a paper from his tunic).

CHELMSFORD

Excellent. Thank you. (He continues to walk away) Give them to

Crealock, would you?

DURNFORD

My Lord. (CHELMSFORD turns again) This list was prepared for

you. I don 't think another can understand its true value.

CHELMSFORD (Taking the list)

Thank you Colonel Durnford. (He exits as DURNFORD looks on).

80. CHELMSFORD joins his group of officers. He mounts his horse

and then addresses

them:

CHELMSFORD

Gentlemen, within ten days we shall cross the Buffalo River and

British

soldiers will then be in Zululand. Colonel Durnford will remain

down

river

81. CLOSE UP of DURNFORD. He looks agitated by this remark.

82. Undeterred, CHELMSFORD continues:

CHELMSFORD

where he will be responsible for the defence of the Natal

border

Turning his horse and without looking at DURNFORD he leads his

Party off

83. BLOOMFIELD is joined by BOY-PULLEN

BOY-PULLEN

Will you hear "Last Post", Sir?

BLOOMFIELD

I listened extra careful to your "Stand To" this mornin', Boy.

ft was

peifecL I couldn't 've done it better meseif, not even when I

was Bugler

to The Duke Of Wellington.. .now tell me, where did you get

that black

eye?

BOY-PULLEN

From the Cook, Sir They saw me dip your shaving tin in the

tea-water

this morning, made their tea taste of Lifebuoy toilet soap,

they saij

Handing him the bottle of gin he purloined earlier.

2t

BLOOMFIELD

So, you got it in the line of dooty.. (Taking a swig from the

bottle &

handing it back to BOY-PULLEN)... point taken.

BLOOMFIELD gets up onto a wagon as BOY-PULLEN gulps from the

bottle.

BOY-PULLEN

Will we be fighting the Zulus soo~, Quartermaster? (Joining

BLOOMFIELD, he jumps up onto the front of the wagon).

BLOOMFIELD

Could be. (He shouts for the wagon to move out) Across the

river into

Zululand. (They share the bottle of gin). They might just be

waiting

there for us to show up... .them stabbing assegais pointing

right at our

bellies!....

BOY-PULLEN

You afeared of the Zulus then, Quartermaster?

BLOOMFIELD

One Zulu is only one man.. ..and I'm afeared of no one man...

but the

Zulu, they come in the thousands.... like a black wave of

death.... in the

thousands.... and them assegais.... stabbing!

The BOY-PULLEN doesn't answer. He stares into the darkness,

contemplating

the prospect of the morning as described by BLOOMFIELD.

84. Back in the centre of the camp, VEREKER rides past the

bandstand to meet

DURNFORD.

DURNFORD

Your orders, Mr Vereker?

VEREKER

I'm to take the Sikali with the main column to the river

DURNFORD

Lord Chelmsford seems to want me to stay back with my Basutos.

VEREKER

I think Chelmsford wants a good man on the border Why he fears a

flanking attack and requires a steady Commander in reserve.

DURNFORD (Angrily)

The wrong side of the river! The wrong place! (DURNFORD glares

at

VEREKER, who realizes he has hit a raw nerve.) Does he wish me

to

fight the Zulu, or merely observe their natural habitat?

Sensing his cue to exit, VEREKER salutes and saying "Sir" turns

his horse to

join the Sikali who are leaving the camp.

22

85. DURNFORD walks his horse a few paces forward as he watches

the troop leave.

DURNFORD (With sincerity)

God go with you, Mr Vereker (He turns his horse about as the

band

music swells to its conclusion).

86. THE CAMP AT RORKE'S DRIFT. THE BORDER WITH ZULULAND. DAY.

TRAVELLING P.O.V.

THE THREAT OF THE BACKLIGHTED LANDSCAPE BEFORE THEM,

THE SUN GLARE MAKING CLARITY OF VISION DIFFICULT. CAMERA

PANS UP RIVER. THE MOUNTED INFANTRY CROSS TO THE FAR

BACK, THE UNION JACK HELD PROUDLY ALOFT.

87. RIVER BANK.

Two punts, carrying redcoated soldiers are being hauled across

the water by

rows of Basutos on the opposite bank.

As they unload, the soldiers immediately form into columns.

88. The first ox-wagon is driven out of the river, with much

shouting and

encouragement from the drover and watching soldiers. There is

general activity

everywhere.

89. LOW SHOT. The wheels of the wagons and the Basuto's feet are

seen trudging

through the slop of mud.

90. LONG SHOT OF CAMP. A column of Basutos is seen walking

towards the camp.

The white tents are dominant in the background.

91. SWITCH to CHELMSFORD, seen mounted on horseback. He surveys

the

proceedings through a pair of binoculars.

92. CAMERA PANS to discover VEREKER, on horseback, leading the

troop of

SIKALI HORSE across the river.

93. CAMERA PICKS UP a calm LT. RAW as he crosses amidst the

multitude.

94. CLOSE UP of VEREKER. With gritted determination he spurs his

horse onward

up the bank.

95. SOT. WILLIAMS is seen seated upon a covered wagon about to

enter the water.

PTE. WILLIAMS is on foot trying to instruct the animals.

PTE. WILLIAMS (Pushing one of the animals from the rear)

Come on ox.

SGT. WILLIAMS

Out! Not the ox's arse, you bloody idiod

(PTE. WILLIAMS returns to pushing the side of the wagon).

23

Get 'em in line!

(PTE. WILLIAMS loses his footing, slipping into the water. He

is fully

immersed).

PTE. WILLIAMS

Serg' ah, I'm drowning Sergeant.

(He stands and we see that the water only comes up to his

knee).

SGT. WILLIAMS

Williams, what the bloody 'ell do you mean by 'aving the sante

name

as me?

PTE. WILLIAMS

Sorry Serg' (He struggles onward through the water).

96. COGHILL & MELVILL are seen crossing.

97. More oxen cross.

98. A column of redcoats carrying rifles are seen striding

onward. The SIKALI

HORSE ride past in the foreground.

99. WIDE ANGLE. Both sides of the river are seen. Redcoats climb

the hill in the

foreground. Everywhere seems more settled.

100. CAMERA again picks up the SIKALI HORSE. They ride across

screen in

CLOSE FOREGROUND to reveal a stationary VEREKER on horseback.

NORRIS-NEWMAN rides towards him. He has a red

claret-and-port-drinker's

face and is wearing civilian bush-clothes including a huge

bush-hat.

NORRIS-NEWMAN

Do you think Cetshwayo will send a party to greet you, Mr

Vereker?

VEREKER (Calmly stroking his horse)

Oh they're here alright. We just have to make sure they don't

get back

to announce us.

NORRIS-NEWMAN

You mean you've seen them?

Without answering, VEREKER turns his horse towards the hills.

Breaking into

a gallop, he shouts the command:

VEREKER

Forward Sikali!

NORRIS-NEWMAN watches through his binoculars, then turns his

horse back

towards the camp.

24

101. EXT. RIVERBANK OPPOSITE RORKE'S DRIFT. DAY

CLOSE UP of CHELMSFORD. We see the view through his binoculars.

He is watching NORRIS-NEWMAN enter the camp.

CREALOCK approaches on horseback. They exchange salutes.

CHELMSFORD

What's that strange name the newspaper chap's called?

CREALOCK

Er, called Noggs, Sir Actual name is Norris-Newman. He presented

credentials from "The Standard".

CHELMSFORD

Our runners bare his dispatches, do they not?

CREALOCK (Smiling)

Of course, Sir

They exchange knowing looks and turn their horses about towards