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S1.E3 ∙ The Great Game 1858-1872
Disraeli rises to power in the Conservative Party and builds a close relationship with the Queen as Mary Anne's health begins to deteriorate. Starring: Ian McShane, Rosemary Leach, Mary Peach.
S1.E3 ∙ The Great Game 1858-1872
Disraeli rises to power in the Conservative Party and builds a close relationship with the Queen as Mary Anne's health begins to deteriorate. Starring: Ian McShane, Rosemary Leach, Mary Peach.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:25Members, desirous of taking their seats,
00:00:28will be pleased to come to the table.
00:01:02I'm desirous of taking the oath from the Old Testament.
00:01:13Order!
00:01:13Order!
00:01:18Baron Lionel de Rothschild, you may withdraw.
00:01:44As did Israeli.
00:01:45Sir, Baron de Rothschild has been freely and fairly elected by the City of London as a member of this
00:01:51Parliament.
00:01:52To deny him his seat as a Jew is to publish to the world
00:01:55that we are still influenced by the darkest superstitions of the darkest ages that ever existed in this country.
00:02:01We take our oath on the true faith of Christianity.
00:02:06I cannot sit in this house with any misconceptions of my opinion on this subject,
00:02:12whatever may be the results on the seat that I hold.
00:02:14This is a Christian Assembly!
00:02:16Yes!
00:02:17And it is as a Christian that I will not take upon myself the awful responsibility
00:02:23of excluding from the legislature those in whose religion my Lord and Saviour was born.
00:02:30Amen.
00:03:27You made hats?
00:03:29Yes, I was an apprenticed milliner to eke out my allowance.
00:03:32Oh, but it didn't last long.
00:03:34Oh, I was the belle of Clifton.
00:03:37All the young gentlemen in the West Country used to pay court to me.
00:03:42I married my first husband when I was 17.
00:03:45You make it sound as though you'd had half a dozen, my dear.
00:03:49I think it sounds very romantic.
00:03:52Oh, so did I at the time, but I didn't know the meaning of the word till I met Dizzy.
00:03:59More tea, Mrs. Gladstone?
00:04:00No, thank you.
00:04:02It was lovely.
00:04:03Mr. Gladstone?
00:04:04Yeah, thank you.
00:04:04No.
00:04:11I believe we were all married in the same year.
00:04:14I believe so.
00:04:15It all seems so recent, but you know, I was looking through one of my scrapbooks today
00:04:20and I realize it's nearly 20 years ago.
00:04:27You keep a scrapbook?
00:04:30Oh, a dozen.
00:04:31What do you put in them?
00:04:33Anything from the newspapers and magazines that mentions Dizzy.
00:04:37Marianne is my most faithful archivist.
00:04:46Here's a report of a speech from the Times.
00:04:49Oh, and comments from the Quarterly Review.
00:04:53Oh, no, no.
00:04:56Oh, well, why not?
00:04:57Why, what is it?
00:04:58It's a cartoon from Punch.
00:05:02The Balancing Brothers of Westminster.
00:05:05Yes, isn't it clever?
00:05:07Yes, the artist was kinder to you than he was to me.
00:05:10Yes, I do not find such drawings amusing.
00:05:13You know what I think it means?
00:05:15That whatever Dizzy proposes, you propose the opposite and vice versa, just out of habit.
00:05:21Well, it could mean that your talents are so evenly balanced
00:05:25that together you could achieve something outstanding.
00:05:28Yes, well, that is another matter.
00:05:31I think we might leave the ladies alone for a few moments, if they don't mind.
00:05:35Not at all.
00:05:36If you wish.
00:05:37We shall be in the study.
00:05:50Oh, aren't we fortunate to have such remarkable husbands?
00:05:56Yes.
00:05:58William is always saying how very clever Mr. Disraeli is.
00:06:03You know what Dizzy admires most about Mr. Gladstone?
00:06:06It's his moral courage.
00:06:07Of course, Dizzy has none at all.
00:06:10Oh, no, that can't be true.
00:06:11Oh, it is.
00:06:12When he has a shower, he can never pull the string for the cold water.
00:06:16I always have to do it for him.
00:06:21Oh, you must come and visit us at Hewenden someday.
00:06:24Oh, that would be delightful.
00:06:27And you must come to Hornden.
00:06:29I hear it's very beautiful.
00:06:32Oh, I think so.
00:06:34And more beautiful every year.
00:06:37William has cleared another acre in the park.
00:06:39Cleared it?
00:06:40Yes, of trees.
00:06:41His relaxation, his tree-felling.
00:06:44It's opening up new areas.
00:06:46How different to Dizzy.
00:06:47His passion is, well, planting trees
00:06:51and watching them grow into forests.
00:06:59One should treat a cigar like a mistress.
00:07:03Put it away before one gets sick of it.
00:07:08Well, that is the position as we see it.
00:07:11Frankly, we need you.
00:07:13After all, it would not be so great a step.
00:07:16You have supported us pretty steadily for the last three years.
00:07:19Yes, there is a small but active section of your party.
00:07:21Our party.
00:07:25A section
00:07:26who regard me as representing dangerous ideas.
00:07:29You wish for reform, and so do I, and always have done.
00:07:32No, in truth, Mr. Gladstone,
00:07:34it is the relations between us
00:07:35that form the great difficulty.
00:07:38Between us?
00:07:43I have never in my life taken a decision which has been influenced by it.
00:07:50I'm glad to hear it.
00:07:52I can assure you, if you join Lord Derby's cabinet,
00:07:56you will find warm personal friends and admirers.
00:07:59Now, you may consider me as neither,
00:08:02but I assure you, you would be wrong.
00:08:07I must consider the conditions that would make cooperation possible.
00:08:13What I said just now
00:08:15was not mere empty words.
00:08:21I have asked Sir James Graham
00:08:22to accept the post
00:08:23as leader of the House of Commons in my place
00:08:25to allow both of us to serve under him.
00:08:28Now, if he will not accept,
00:08:29we shall let our fellow members decide
00:08:31which of us is to lead.
00:08:33In either case,
00:08:35I can assure you
00:08:38that I would consider you
00:08:39as sharing equally
00:08:40in any position I might hold.
00:08:47I need time to reflect.
00:08:49The situation is critical.
00:08:52You to stand aside at a time like this
00:08:54is a great responsibility.
00:08:55Don't you think it's time
00:08:56you might deign to be magnanimous?
00:09:00There's a power beyond us
00:09:01that disposes of what we are and do
00:09:04and to find the limits of choice in public life
00:09:07to be very narrow.
00:09:11Sanctimonious humbug.
00:09:13He may wrap himself in a cloak of morality
00:09:15but he's really driven by only two things.
00:09:18Personal ambition and envy of you.
00:09:20Well, what will he do now?
00:09:22Wait on the sideline
00:09:23seeing which way to jump.
00:09:25Well, that's enough of him.
00:09:26I must get back to Downing Street.
00:09:30And you must get ready.
00:09:32Now remember, don't commit us to anything
00:09:33and don't try to be witty.
00:09:36Most decidedly not.
00:09:37They still distrust you.
00:09:38Who?
00:09:39This time you must try and win their approval.
00:09:42Whose? Whose approval?
00:09:44It's been decided that...
00:09:50It's been decided
00:09:51that Dizzy shall be the one
00:09:53to report cabinet business.
00:09:54I have to go to Windsor
00:09:56for an audience with the Queen and the Prince.
00:09:58That's wonderful.
00:10:00It's what we've prayed for.
00:10:01It'll give you a chance to win them over.
00:10:04Remains to be seen.
00:10:08Of course you will.
00:10:10I forbid you to be nervous.
00:10:12Easier said, my dear.
00:10:14Facing Queen Victoria and Prince Albert
00:10:16is like looking down the muzzle
00:10:18of a double-barreled shotgun.
00:10:20So, you call it a rebellion
00:10:23and not a mutiny.
00:10:25A mutiny is merely a rising
00:10:27of soldiers against their officers.
00:10:29But this is much more.
00:10:30This is a national revolt
00:10:32amongst all classes of the Indian people.
00:10:34Yes, that is true.
00:10:37Then, I assume
00:10:38you are not in favour of appraisals.
00:10:41There must be punishment
00:10:42for those guilty of atrocities.
00:10:44But for those who
00:10:45fought against what they see as persecution
00:10:48there must be justice
00:10:49tempered with mercy.
00:10:52Yes, Her Majesty
00:10:53and I have discussed this matter fully
00:10:56and have reached the same conclusions.
00:10:59You spoke of a change of policy.
00:11:01What do you propose?
00:11:02We propose, ma'am
00:11:04to take the rule and power of India
00:11:06from the East India Company
00:11:08and transfer it to the crown
00:11:11to appoint a viceroy
00:11:12and to issue a proclamation
00:11:14to the native princes and population
00:11:17that the Queen of England
00:11:18guarantees their laws
00:11:20customs
00:11:21and religion.
00:11:23That could do much.
00:11:25More than all our fleets and armies, sir.
00:11:27I look forward to seeing
00:11:29your detailed proposals.
00:11:32But what is
00:11:33the feeling of the House
00:11:35towards your government now?
00:11:36It is not kind, sir
00:11:38but for now
00:11:38the opposition is content
00:11:40to let us pull their chestnuts
00:11:42out of the fire.
00:11:44And after so many years
00:11:45in temporary quarters
00:11:46it is
00:11:47a pleasure
00:11:48to be in the new House of Commons
00:11:50which is so admirably suited
00:11:52to our purposes.
00:11:53I, as you may know,
00:11:55was chairman
00:11:55of the reconstruction committee.
00:11:58Of course.
00:11:59And that explains
00:12:00if I may be permitted, ma'am.
00:12:02The brilliant use of space
00:12:03and the perfect blend of comfort
00:12:05with harmonious proportions.
00:12:11We must not detain you
00:12:12any longer, Mr. Disraeli.
00:12:22your most faithful servant, ma'am.
00:12:36What an extraordinary man.
00:12:40He's really quite handsome,
00:12:42don't you think?
00:12:44Although so very Jewish.
00:12:49I cannot understand
00:12:51why I had such an
00:12:53unfavorable opinion of him.
00:12:55A few are so surprisingly similar.
00:12:59We want about it.
00:13:00You cannot expect us
00:13:02to support you
00:13:02in this bill, Mr. Disraeli.
00:13:03But I do, Robert.
00:13:05Giving the right to vote
00:13:06to the lower paid
00:13:07can only benefit the liberals.
00:13:09I should have thought
00:13:10that the cure in justices
00:13:12would have been the aim
00:13:13of every responsible government.
00:13:15Reform is a dangerous experiment.
00:13:17Dangerous for the country
00:13:18and the government.
00:13:19Robert.
00:13:19No, father, I must speak.
00:13:21It's only what many others
00:13:22are thinking.
00:13:24Political thought must develop
00:13:25even in the Conservative Party.
00:13:27I tell you frankly, sir,
00:13:29I cannot support you.
00:13:33I must apologize for my son.
00:13:35There's no need, Lord Sorcerer.
00:13:36I, of course, would ask you.
00:13:40Robert Sissel is right in a way.
00:13:42Voting reform is liberal policy.
00:13:44We shall outrage them
00:13:45if we adopt it
00:13:46and not please our own supporters.
00:13:48That is why we need
00:13:49all the strength we can muster
00:13:50and I shall expect you to speak, Edward.
00:13:52I, as you know,
00:13:54I have been in poor health
00:13:55for some time.
00:13:56I doubt if I could stand
00:13:57the strain of a violent debate.
00:13:59Everyone must be there
00:14:01even if they have to be carried
00:14:02in on a stretcher.
00:14:03I shall give you a public funeral
00:14:05if you die before Easter.
00:14:06It is not hopeless.
00:14:09Radicals should back us.
00:14:11Oh, precisely.
00:14:12Disraeli is selling us out.
00:14:13Well, I am with him.
00:14:14The right to vote must be extended.
00:14:16I agree.
00:14:17Besides, it is a way of beating
00:14:18the continuous majority
00:14:19of the Liberals in Parliament.
00:14:20I don't know.
00:14:22I can't vote against my own party,
00:14:24but, um...
00:14:31have you heard, Mr. Gladstone?
00:14:32What do you say?
00:14:37This attempt to carry favour
00:14:39with the lower elements
00:14:40is the act of an unprincipled adventurer
00:14:42desperate to cling to power
00:14:43at any price.
00:14:45You should appeal to the honour
00:14:47of your leader.
00:14:48Oh, it's no use.
00:14:50Lord Darby is only interested
00:14:51in his racehorses.
00:14:52He leaves everything to Disraeli.
00:14:55That's what it's come to.
00:14:57We're governed by a Jew
00:14:58and a jockey.
00:15:02So the ayes have it.
00:15:05Resign!
00:15:06Resign!
00:15:08Resign!
00:15:12Resign!
00:15:14Resign!
00:15:15He smashed his own government
00:15:16with this bill.
00:15:17And all the Liberals had to do
00:15:18was promise the Radicals
00:15:20more sweeping reforms
00:15:21if they voted against it.
00:15:22Once again,
00:15:23Darby will have to resign.
00:15:24Give to that Mountiebank to Israeli.
00:15:26be agreed to.
00:15:28Those in favour,
00:15:29say aye.
00:15:30Aye!
00:15:31Do the contrary, no.
00:15:37Now, my dearest,
00:15:40the doctors expressly said
00:15:42that you were to stay in bed.
00:15:44Oh, I don't lie.
00:15:45They're fretting.
00:15:46Besides, Lord Stanley's coming to dinner
00:15:47and I've got to cut your hair
00:15:48before he arrives.
00:15:49Please, my fair Delilah,
00:15:50spare me that martyrdom.
00:15:54Something wrong?
00:15:56I've just been reading this article
00:15:58by Robert Cecil
00:15:59in the Quarterly Review.
00:16:00Ah.
00:16:01Is that all you can say?
00:16:03Ah.
00:16:04That the son of one of your oldest friends
00:16:06should write such a thing?
00:16:09Mr. Disraeli's policies
00:16:11in the House of Commons
00:16:12have long discredited
00:16:14and misguided the...
00:16:15The Conservative Party
00:16:16and his tactics are so...
00:16:18He's only doing
00:16:20what young politicians do
00:16:22to further their career.
00:16:23Attack their elders.
00:16:25Yes, but what makes me angry
00:16:26is the fact that it appeared
00:16:28in the Quarterly Review.
00:16:29The leading Conservative Journal.
00:16:31Well, it's clear that your own party
00:16:33still doesn't trust you.
00:16:35I've dealt with it.
00:16:36How?
00:16:38Well, I've written an open letter
00:16:40to all the leading members
00:16:41of my party
00:16:42saying that since they all
00:16:43obviously agree with this attack on me
00:16:45that I shall resign
00:16:46as soon as possible.
00:16:49What did they accept?
00:16:50Of course not.
00:16:51A mere threat was enough.
00:16:52They begged me to reconsider
00:16:53which of course I shall.
00:16:56Oh.
00:16:58It's all a game to you, isn't it?
00:17:00A great game.
00:17:02No, not entirely.
00:17:05No, not entirely.
00:17:08After 23 years of service
00:17:1023 years of struggle
00:17:12what have you?
00:17:14Nothing but bills
00:17:15and debts
00:17:16and demand for payments.
00:17:17Something will turn up.
00:17:18It always does.
00:17:19They will be met.
00:17:20How?
00:17:21By borrowing more
00:17:23and more money?
00:17:25Where will it end?
00:17:26Marianne, do not distress yourself.
00:17:28You know that whatever happens
00:17:30you need never worry.
00:17:32I am not thinking about myself.
00:17:35Don't you understand?
00:17:36I shall not always be here
00:17:38and a man who dies with me.
00:17:39What will you do when I'm gone?
00:17:42I cannot imagine such an empty world.
00:17:46I would rather live with you
00:17:48in a hovel
00:17:49than with a duchess
00:17:50in a tower of gold.
00:17:55Shall I tell you the news
00:17:57and it will make
00:17:58the wife of every member
00:18:00of parliament envious of you?
00:18:03Envy to me?
00:18:04No mad with envy.
00:18:08Well, don't tease, dearest.
00:18:10What news?
00:18:12We have been invited
00:18:13to spend a weekend
00:18:13at Windsor Castle
00:18:15with the Queen
00:18:16and the Prince Consort.
00:18:21Why is I never asked?
00:18:23That's what makes it so special.
00:18:25Are you pleased?
00:18:30I don't know if I'm thrilled
00:18:31or terrified.
00:18:35Is it true?
00:18:39Dizzy?
00:18:42I'll stay and do
00:18:43all the wrong things.
00:18:46You know I don't know
00:18:47how to behave.
00:18:49Just be yourself, Marianne.
00:18:52I'm bound to adore you.
00:18:55I'm bound to adore you.
00:18:56I'm bound to adore you.
00:18:59I'm bound to adore you.
00:19:12I'm bound to adore you.
00:19:13I'm bound to adore you.
00:19:16I'm bound to adore you.
00:19:20I'm bound to adore you.
00:19:21I'm bound to adore you.
00:19:22I'm bound to adore you.
00:19:22I'm bound to adore you.
00:19:22I'm bound to adore you.
00:20:12So, like Lord John, you have no intention of retiring.
00:20:19Politicians rarely retire, sir. Indeed, sometimes they hang on until they have to be carried.
00:20:27Frankly, you know, I'm surprised you didn't accept the appointment as first viceroy of India.
00:20:33No doubt. The government thought of it as an ideal way of removing me from the scene.
00:20:38But I shall admit I was tempted.
00:20:42Sumptuous palaces, jeweled potentates, all the riches of the East,
00:20:46and Mrs. Disraeli and I arriving for the Durbar in a gilded elephant.
00:20:50Like a scene from one of my novels.
00:20:53No.
00:20:56No, it would have meant saying goodbye forever to the House of Commons.
00:21:04Leave me.
00:21:26It appears my daughter has monopolized you all evening, Mrs. Disraeli.
00:21:31Oh, Her Highness has been most kind, ma'am.
00:21:34And what have you been discussing, Alice?
00:21:36Education, Mama.
00:21:37I can scarcely believe it, but Mr. Disraeli left school when he was 15.
00:21:41He was never at university.
00:21:43But surely I heard he'd received a degree at Oxford.
00:21:47Oh, yes, but an honorary one, an ADCL, I think.
00:21:51Uh, do you mean a ADCL, Mrs. Disraeli?
00:21:53Doctors of the Law?
00:21:55Yes, yes, something of the sort.
00:21:57If it were permitted for young ladies, I should have liked to have gone to university.
00:22:01Really, Your Royal Highness?
00:22:02Yes, there's nothing. I'd like more.
00:22:04Well, that's a very modern idea, my dear.
00:22:07Still, perhaps you, well, you don't know the benefit of having an affectionate husband.
00:22:12How very true.
00:22:14And were you present at the degree ceremony, Mrs. Disraeli?
00:22:18Oh, yes, I wouldn't have missed it.
00:22:20Dizzy was very apprehensive.
00:22:22You see, he thinks that all students are radicals, but they cheer him louder than anyone.
00:22:27Oh, is that so?
00:22:29And do you attend many functions with your husband, Mrs. Disraeli?
00:22:32Oh, sadly, no. He's so busy.
00:22:35But then you'd understand that, ma'am.
00:22:38Too well.
00:22:39You must get him to take you to the exhibition at the British Museum.
00:22:42Yes, it is very fine.
00:22:45There's so many beautiful things.
00:22:46There was a statue of Apollo, which especially impressed me.
00:22:50Absolute perfection of form.
00:22:52Yes, but you should see my Dizzy in the bath.
00:22:59Alice, you should not be listening.
00:23:03May we know why you are laughing, my dear?
00:23:07I couldn't possibly tell you.
00:23:14You look more relaxed than I've seen you for weeks.
00:23:17Well, perhaps that is because I have at last met a statesman with unbiased opinions.
00:23:24It is difficult to remain prejudiced in the company of an enlightened prince.
00:23:29Well, we have both in our time been accused of being alien.
00:23:33Hopefully, we have now both proved that we have our country's interests at heart.
00:23:54God is the Orient, God is the Occident.
00:24:04God is the Occident.
00:24:09God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident,
00:24:19God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident,
00:24:24God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident,
00:24:24God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident,
00:24:24God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident,
00:24:26God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident,
00:24:27God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident, God is the Occident,
00:24:30God is the Occident, God is the Occident
00:24:57Mr. Israeli!
00:25:01We just had word.
00:25:02Prince Albert's fever.
00:25:03No.
00:25:04It's typhoid.
00:25:06They can't save him.
00:25:15In your position as leader of the opposition, I beg that you will not bring about any crisis.
00:25:21I feel in my present condition I could not survive it.
00:25:27I promise to take no strong action unless it becomes an absolute necessity in the interests of the country.
00:25:39I knew I could depend on you, Mr. Israeli, as on no other.
00:25:50I must thank you once again for your generous praise of my adored beloved husband.
00:25:55In these conversations with which of late years the prince honored me, I gained a great deal both in knowledge
00:26:03and feeling which will always influence my life.
00:26:11You alone, of everyone, seem to realize his unequaled worth, and how immense the loss has been both to myself
00:26:23and to the country.
00:26:29And now I feel so alone.
00:26:47Your most faithful servant, ma'am.
00:27:15Goodwill is also his refuge for their past.
00:27:16If he went and hoped for a long-term like a block, it's sometimesAtbun.
00:27:17If his reborn foot was to him, he ran into doubt about someone just to him.
00:27:59Oh, it's the one thing that's always made me envious.
00:28:04I've always wanted to have a house for the ballroom.
00:28:07I'm sure you would fill it every night.
00:28:10Oh, we would.
00:28:11And if we ran out of guests, I'd get dizzy to dance with me to dawn.
00:28:16All by ourselves.
00:28:18That sounds very exhausting.
00:28:20Oh, not a bit of it.
00:28:21I'm sure it would be for Lady de Rothschild and myself.
00:28:24Oh, fiddlesticks.
00:28:26And I can give you both a hundred years, Lady Chesterfield.
00:28:30Still, I'm all energy.
00:28:32When I was a child, my mother used to call me Whizzy.
00:28:35Little Whizzy.
00:28:36How fortunate I wasn't Christendom.
00:28:39Otherwise, I'd be Mrs. Whizzy-Dizzy.
00:28:55Gladstone has officially joined the Liberals.
00:28:57My information is that Palmerston offered to make a transfer of the exchange.
00:29:02And the Rothschild Information Service is more reliable than a government dispatch, Redwood.
00:29:07He is the last person I would have expected to desert his principals and his friends.
00:29:11I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner.
00:29:14Why?
00:29:15The Liberal leaders are old men.
00:29:18So, one day soon, he can expect to take their place.
00:29:21Whereas, with us, he would always be second to you.
00:29:26I'm sorry, gentlemen, but however much I may agree with you, I don't think this is a subject we should
00:29:31be discussing.
00:29:32Your pardon, Baron, I had forgotten.
00:29:34You must allow me to observe.
00:29:36The fact that you are a radical seems at times faintly incongruous.
00:29:42If you'll excuse me, I must greet my hostess.
00:29:50This will make things more difficult for you.
00:29:52Or it's bad enough having you on the opposite side of the house now.
00:29:56Thanks to you, you showed the way.
00:29:58I follow one of them.
00:29:59You won through your own determination.
00:30:02Yes, but ten, eleven years without them letting me take my seat,
00:30:07we Jews have much to thank you for.
00:30:11You haven't met my special guest.
00:30:14The Prussian.
00:30:17Coming man, I hear.
00:30:18Word is that before long he may be chief minister in Berlin.
00:30:23I find him quite charming.
00:30:25His technique is the disarm, by frankness.
00:30:28Do you agree?
00:30:49Mr. Benjamin Disraeli, may I introduce Count Otto von Bismarck?
00:30:55I have heard a great deal about you, Mr. Disraeli.
00:31:00Now, I notice your name is mentioned on the continent with more respect than it is here.
00:31:06Will you be staying long?
00:31:08Only a few days, I'm afraid.
00:31:10I find it difficult to talk to your British foreign office.
00:31:12They seem to have no real interest in making contacts, exchanging views.
00:31:16They do not always have any.
00:31:17Oh, you, I think I could talk to.
00:31:22It is a pity you are not in power.
00:31:24A great pity.
00:31:26I did hear that you may soon be recalled to Berlin.
00:31:30You are remarkably well informed, Mr. Disraeli.
00:31:32Yes, it is possible.
00:31:34And once you have assumed responsibility for Prussian affairs, what will your aims be?
00:31:39Frankly?
00:31:41Preferably.
00:31:42I shall reorganize the army with or without the help of Parliament.
00:31:46As soon as it is in a condition to command the respect, I shall subdue the minor states
00:31:51and give national unity to Germany.
00:31:54Under Prussian leadership?
00:31:55Naturally.
00:31:57Of course, to do that, I must seize the first opportunity to declare war on Austria
00:32:03and to show France that we cannot be intimidated.
00:32:06Then Germany will be able to take her true place.
00:32:10That is what I came here to tell your Queen's government.
00:32:14Most impressive.
00:32:16Have you set a time limit on all?
00:32:18It shall be completed within the next ten years.
00:32:21Excuse me.
00:32:22I have enjoyed our talk,
00:32:24but I have promised to dance with the Baroness von Rost.
00:32:37I have had the two minutes allotted to those of little importance.
00:32:44You wonder the Foreign Office wouldn't listen to him?
00:32:47No, they should.
00:32:50Look out for that man.
00:32:52He means what he's saying.
00:33:17That young man's here.
00:33:19What young man?
00:33:20Well, you know the one that we met at the Duke of Cleveland's, our Corrie...
00:33:24Corrie.
00:33:27Montague Corrie.
00:33:28Yes.
00:33:29Yes.
00:33:29Yes, that's him.
00:33:30He's in there.
00:33:32I'd better have him in there.
00:33:33No, no, no.
00:33:34No, you rest your leg.
00:33:35I'll get him.
00:33:38Um.
00:33:42He seems a very serious young man.
00:33:45Oh, yes.
00:33:45I think he's trying to impress me.
00:33:47What does he want?
00:33:48He's helping find him some position, I expect.
00:33:50Oh, I'm not here, surely.
00:33:54He'd made me feel uncomfortable.
00:33:56Well, that's what I thought, until one wet afternoon at Rabie, I opened the door of the
00:34:02drawing room and found this remarkably grave young man entertaining the young ladies with
00:34:08a knees-up dance and a comic song.
00:34:14I wish I'd seen that.
00:34:17Oh, well.
00:34:18Maybe there's something in him, after all.
00:34:26In there.
00:34:39I hope I have not commented in an opportune moment, sir.
00:34:42By no means, Mr. Corrie.
00:34:48But you wanted me to do something for you.
00:34:52What?
00:34:54Um.
00:34:57I am most anxious to get a start in political life, sir.
00:35:00I ventured to hope that you might know someone to whom my services might be acceptable.
00:35:06What have you been doing?
00:35:09Well, for the past three years, I have been in practice as a barrister.
00:35:12Oh, Lord.
00:35:14Hmm.
00:35:14I thought you had all the gravity of a country judge.
00:35:17But you also do a very funny dance.
00:35:21Most regrettable.
00:35:22I...
00:35:23Well, the ladies insisted.
00:35:26I realized at once, of course, that I had forfeited any hope of your good opinion.
00:35:30On the contrary.
00:35:31I had thought you devilishly dull up till then.
00:35:34But at that moment, I said to myself,
00:35:36I think he must be my impresario.
00:35:44Sir?
00:35:46Oh, I have to make it more plain.
00:35:48I am looking for a new private secretary.
00:35:50And from all I have heard, you will do admirable.
00:35:54I am overcome, sir.
00:35:56Now, you'd better sit down, then.
00:36:00I take it you accept?
00:36:03Why, yes.
00:36:05Good.
00:36:07Good.
00:36:08I need someone I can trust, because I'm about to go to war.
00:36:13Since Lord Palmerston's death, Mr. Gladstone has assumed leadership of the Liberals.
00:36:17A very forceful man.
00:36:20Quite so.
00:36:22And like all converts,
00:36:24has become a fanatic.
00:36:26And a dangerous one.
00:36:30I think he's had his own way for far too long.
00:36:34Now, what can Dizzy do?
00:36:37We must trust him.
00:36:38This new bill of Gladstone's gives us no opportunity to fight.
00:36:44Good evening, gentlemen.
00:36:48Thank you, John.
00:36:50Oh, do I interrupt?
00:36:52No, no, not at all.
00:36:57Something wrong?
00:37:02We seem to face a lifetime in opposition.
00:37:07On the contrary.
00:37:10Gladstone has just played into our hands.
00:37:12In what way?
00:37:13He introduced his bill like an Old Testament prophet announcing moral truth.
00:37:17Oh, but Robert, he blinded himself by his own righteousness.
00:37:21He sees the vote, not as a right, but as a privilege to be earned.
00:37:26Now, this infuriates the radicals.
00:37:29While most of his own party would prefer merely to talk of reform,
00:37:33as they have done for the past 50 years.
00:37:36That's true.
00:37:38So?
00:37:40We have to stimulate both sides
00:37:43and keep proposing amendments.
00:37:48And we shall see.
00:37:56We shall see.
00:37:59If this amendment is carried,
00:38:01the government may feel it's duty to resign.
00:38:29I cannot tell you how delighted I am to have you once again as my Chancellor, Mr. Dillon.
00:38:37He does not keep me fully informed, as you do.
00:38:45He speaks to me as if he was addressing a public meeting.
00:38:49Instead of conversation, he lectures me on Homer, or the Hittites, or the Athanasian Creed.
00:38:54Allow me to say, I have far too much respect for your majesty ever to lecture you.
00:39:01Especially on the Athanasian Creed.
00:39:07But...
00:39:08These are difficult times with these reform riots which have swept the country.
00:39:12It's a question that can no longer remain unsettled.
00:39:17Various administrations have tried and all have failed.
00:39:21You must do something about it, Mr. Disraeli.
00:39:24And immediately.
00:39:26I assure your majesty, my government intends to.
00:39:34After all these months of preparation, I'm so excited for you.
00:39:40Now, now you must not be nervous.
00:39:43Even if I am, I shall not show it.
00:39:47What does it matter if I'm insisting that the others have resigned?
00:39:51The rest of the party will support you.
00:39:53Well, still, tonight we'll settle many things.
00:40:07Still, tonight we'll settle many things.
00:40:20Thank you for coming with me, my dearest.
00:40:23I wish me luck.
00:40:24That.
00:40:27My love.
00:40:29Whatever happens.
00:40:51Fartman.
00:40:52Open the door.
00:41:00Dive on.
00:41:04Never let it be said that the Commons of England passed a bill such as this.
00:41:12An invitation to mob rule and the corruption of the electorate.
00:41:16We must reject, and utterly reject, this gigantic engine of Ford, cynically conceived for the purposes of the hour.
00:41:34Mr. Disraeli, the right honourable gentleman has spoken with much eloquence and much passion and much violence.
00:41:52Yet the, um, the damage can be repaired.
00:42:09Hey! There never was such a smash!
00:42:11We've done it! We've done it! We've dished the wings!
00:42:16Now tell me, why is Gladstone like a telescope?
00:42:19Why isn't it?
00:42:21Because Disraeli draws him out, sees through him, and, uh, shuts him up!
00:42:27Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
00:42:29Well, it's all right!
00:42:34Very good!
00:42:35Woo!
00:42:35Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
00:42:38Woo!
00:42:39Woo!
00:42:41Woo!
00:42:44Oh, yes, the man of the brave who took the time and did the trick!
00:42:51The Colton's never seen anything like it.
00:42:54You are the hero of the hour and well-deserved.
00:42:58Very welcome.
00:42:59This is a night that should go on forever.
00:43:02You'll stay for something.
00:43:03You know I must get home.
00:43:05It's almost morning. Marianne will be asleep.
00:43:09This is a historic occasion. You can't disappoint all your friends and supporters.
00:43:12Tonight, of all nights, I shall be expected home.
00:43:22Monty sent word.
00:43:24I knew it.
00:43:26Oh I knew you'd do it.
00:43:28I'm so proud.
00:43:31Many of the opposition voted with us.
00:43:34Many abstained and I think that we...
00:43:36Dearest not now.
00:43:37What have you done to your hand?
00:43:38It's nothing. It's just a little grave.
00:43:40You've thought and talked enough.
00:43:42This is splendid.
00:43:45What a feast and champagne.
00:43:47For a christening.
00:43:50For a christening.
00:43:55Oh!
00:43:56My darling.
00:44:00You are more...
00:44:04...of a mistress to me.
00:44:17I'm glad that Marianne has recovered.
00:44:21It is an indescribable relief.
00:44:22She has not had an attack like that for quite some time.
00:44:26The Queen told me she was most anxious.
00:44:30Her Majesty's sympathy was a great comfort but then she is very attached to Marianne.
00:44:34And to you.
00:44:36I'd say she appreciates you more than any other minister I can remember.
00:44:40How do you do it?
00:44:41With every one response to flattery with royalty one simply has to lay it on with a trowel.
00:44:46This does not alter the fact that I do admire her profoundly.
00:44:50But just as well.
00:44:52In view of what I'm going to say.
00:44:55A year ago when I mentioned I may have to resign because of my health you begged me to carry
00:45:01on.
00:45:02I no longer have any alternative.
00:45:04My doctors have told me that if I stay in office I have no hope of recovery.
00:45:09Oh, Darby.
00:45:10No, no.
00:45:12A year ago I hesitated because I was afraid that the party would still not accept you as Prime Minister.
00:45:20That will never be said.
00:45:22No.
00:45:22It is you the party and the country need.
00:45:26You have fairly and most honourably won your way to the highest rung of the political ladder.
00:45:34I am flattered and grateful but I must ask you to consider to take time.
00:45:43I already have.
00:45:44I've sent my resignation to the Queen at Osborne.
00:45:48And recommended that she appoint you in my place.
00:46:00I accepted you as young England's leader many years ago.
00:46:04As I was the first then, let me be the first now.
00:46:08Thank you, John.
00:46:13A few months ago,
00:46:15but who would have thought all those years ago
00:46:18that one day you'd be Prime Minister?
00:46:21Oh, yeah.
00:46:21But I understand that no steps...
00:46:23I've climbed to the top of the gruesome.
00:46:25...in the matter until all the answers have been received and...
00:46:28Yeah!
00:46:29Yeah!
00:46:31Yeah!
00:46:32Yeah!
00:46:33Yeah!
00:46:34Yeah!
00:46:36Yeah!
00:46:36Yeah!
00:46:38Yeah!
00:46:40Yeah!
00:46:40Yeah!
00:46:40Yeah!
00:46:42Yeah!
00:46:50Yeah!
00:46:51Yeah!
00:46:53Yeah!
00:46:53Yeah!
00:46:53Yeah!
00:46:54Yeah!
00:46:54Yeah!
00:46:55Yeah!
00:46:56Yeah!
00:47:00And I had looked forward to a long and increasingly happy association.
00:47:04The general election could not be delayed any longer, Martin.
00:47:09And Mr Gladstone used the excuse to go barnstorming round the country on some kind of evangelical crusade.
00:47:15And convincing the new electors that their right to vote was given to them not by you but by himself.
00:47:19Now he did turn the election into a pilgrimage of passion.
00:47:24But the liberal majority has been doubled.
00:47:26There is no possibility of my continuing.
00:47:31Then I must accept your resignation.
00:47:34Although with much regret.
00:47:38I suppose I shall have to send for Mr Gladstone.
00:47:41He is undoubtedly the leader of his party now, ma'am.
00:47:44The people's William.
00:47:50I must confess, ma'am, that owing to the strain of the last few years,
00:47:55I shall not be so reluctant as I might have been to lay down the burden.
00:48:00You would not think of retiring.
00:48:02Only for a period of rest, ma'am.
00:48:04I'm relieved to hear it.
00:48:08I myself have been concerned about your health, Mr Disraeli.
00:48:13The strain, as you say, of conducting daily business in the House of Commons.
00:48:19The simplest answer would be for you to lead your party from the Lords.
00:48:25And for that purpose, and in recognition of your services,
00:48:29I would like to offer you a peerage.
00:48:34I am deeply sensible of the favor which your majesty is prepared to bestow.
00:48:40However I feel for the sake of my party, I must decline.
00:48:46If that is your wish.
00:48:48There is, however, someone to whom I might humbly request your majesty to grant an honor.
00:49:02Oh, Dizzy.
00:49:05Forgive me.
00:49:07I was waiting for your courage.
00:49:08I must have dropped off.
00:49:12Well, did the Queen accept your resignation?
00:49:15With regret, I am happy to say.
00:49:18What did she say? Come on.
00:49:20Tell me everything.
00:49:21Oh, many things.
00:49:22But most important,
00:49:25she offered me an old.
00:49:27Oh, Dizzy.
00:49:28Well, I told her that if I had been able to accept,
00:49:31I would have chosen the name Beaconsfield from our neighboring town.
00:49:35Well, if you've been able to accept.
00:49:37Well, many people think it is my fault that we lost this election.
00:49:41Now Gladstone has returned with an increased majority,
00:49:43and I must be there in the Commons to do battle with him.
00:49:48Yes, yes, of course.
00:49:51But I'm so disappointed for you, my darling.
00:49:53Oh, no, no, no, no.
00:49:55I'm not disappointed at all.
00:49:57You see,
00:49:59the Queen
00:50:01has been graciously pleased
00:50:03to transfer the honor
00:50:05to my most trusted and constant companion,
00:50:08whose courage has always been my spur
00:50:10and whose love
00:50:12my inspiration.
00:50:16It is the greatest privilege I've ever been given
00:50:21to tell you that you are now, my dearest,
00:50:25in your own right,
00:50:26the Viscountess Beaconsfield.
00:50:46You must know why Mr Disraeli prefers to work down here in the country, Sir Stafford.
00:50:51Of course. I realize that Lady Beaconsfield is unwell.
00:50:54Yet, as leader of the party, his place is at Westminster.
00:50:58We hardly ever see him at Westminster, Mr Rose.
00:51:01He tells us he's working on something, but he will not say what it is.
00:51:05I hope it's not another book.
00:51:08Lothair was a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic.
00:51:11Undoubtedly.
00:51:13Who had ever heard of an ex-Prime Minister writing a romantic novel?
00:51:20Dizzy,
00:51:21your terraces are exquisite,
00:51:23but why so many peacocks?
00:51:25They are essential, Lady Chesterfield.
00:51:28Who ever heard of a terrace without peacocks?
00:51:30A kind of personal symbol, do you suppose?
00:51:33Oh, surely not, Baron.
00:51:35Baron de Rothschild and Lady Chesterfield
00:51:38knew my Dizzy when he was not always so solemn.
00:51:43The very first time I saw him, Lady Manners,
00:51:45he was wearing a green velvet jacket,
00:51:48plum-colored trousers with gold braid,
00:51:51a scarlet waistcoat smothered in gold chains,
00:51:55and emerald rings over white gloves.
00:51:58I really cannot imagine it.
00:52:01Young women who only know my Dizzy now think he's ugly.
00:52:05I don't think he's ugly at all.
00:52:07No, are you sure?
00:52:08I think we might change the subject, my dear.
00:52:12He was so striking,
00:52:14all the young women found him irresistible.
00:52:17That's very true.
00:52:19None of them all he chose me.
00:52:22I've never ceased to thank Providence.
00:52:25The gratitude should be entirely on my side, my...
00:52:30Marianne.
00:52:31No, it's nothing.
00:52:34It's just a little twinge I get when I don't stick to my dad.
00:52:39Come, come. I'll show you to you.
00:52:40I'll go and find out.
00:52:46Monty.
00:52:49Monty will take me.
00:52:50We can't both leave our guests.
00:52:52I'm sure everybody understands.
00:52:54Naturally, naturally.
00:53:22Dizzy.
00:53:24Why did you not warn us?
00:53:27Lady Beaconsfield is clearly much more ill than any of us suspected.
00:53:35What is it?
00:53:40Marianne is suffering from cancer of the stomach.
00:53:42I've known for five years.
00:53:44Only Monty and I know.
00:53:47Can not her doctors do something?
00:53:49It's incurable.
00:53:53She does not know that I know,
00:53:55so to save worrying me,
00:53:57she pretends that her illness is slight and temporary.
00:54:05I've...
00:54:06I've no need to ask you not to say.
00:54:14I care Marianne has had to lie down.
00:54:17Hmm.
00:54:19It is a fallen attempt to introduce these siestas to Buckinghamshire.
00:54:27Have they been badgering you, Philip?
00:54:30Proving.
00:54:31More or less delicately, I would say.
00:54:33You should know better than to try to worm secrets out of a lawyer, especially mine.
00:54:37I assure you I have...
00:54:39No need, Northcote.
00:54:42I can guess your complaints exactly.
00:54:44I have not been writing another book.
00:54:47Philip and I have been discussing a plan for the total reorganization of the party.
00:54:52The setting up of a central office to define policy,
00:54:57and consult with and advise local constituencies.
00:55:01In short, the creation of a party machine.
00:55:03It cannot be run from here.
00:55:06Which is why I am leaving for London tomorrow.
00:55:10We cannot let Gladstone have it all in his own way.
00:55:14He's gaining in strength every day.
00:55:17No one dares stand against him.
00:55:20Oh, well...
00:55:22I thought I might try.
00:55:26Horrible scenes of violence have been occurring in Ireland, and the government never moved.
00:55:35Landlords were shot down.
00:55:38Respectable farmers beaten to death.
00:55:40Policemen stabbed.
00:55:40Households blown up.
00:55:42And still the government never moved.
00:55:46Yet...
00:55:48When a government candidate lost an election in Ireland...
00:55:52Oh, troops were put in motion.
00:55:53Sent from Liverpool to Dublin.
00:55:56And I seem to remember...
00:55:57I think it was last year, one of Her Majesty's ministers saying...
00:56:01Anyone can govern Ireland with troops and artillery.
00:56:06So it seems...
00:56:09Even the right honourable gentleman there.
00:56:13Even the right honourable gentleman there.
00:56:39Oh, dizzy.
00:56:41Dizzy, do sit still.
00:56:43I've nearly done.
00:56:43Making notes for my speech.
00:56:45Yes.
00:56:46Well, do so.
00:56:47Just pretend I'm not here.
00:56:49Can I?
00:56:49Snip, snip, snip.
00:56:51I feel like I've...
00:56:51fallen into the hands of some female...
00:56:53Sweeney Todd.
00:56:55Well, you'll know what to expect then, won't you?
00:56:57Oh, do sit still.
00:56:59I will not have you going to Manchester looking like some...
00:57:02out of work scapegoat.
00:57:04I might not go to Manchester.
00:57:05Why on earth not?
00:57:06It's going to be the great rally of all the Conservative associations.
00:57:11And then there's your speech at the Free Trade Hall.
00:57:14Only one of three monster rallies in the north.
00:57:17And I shall expect it at each to make a speech lasting several hours.
00:57:22Well, think of the effect it will make.
00:57:24I am thinking nowadays with my asthma I can only stay on my feet...
00:57:27talking if I drink brandy and water non-stop.
00:57:31So I shall lose the churchgoers and temperance vote straight away.
00:57:34Well, I know.
00:57:37Why don't you put white brandy in the water, Jack?
00:57:41The audience will not know anything about it.
00:57:44Lady Beaconsfield, you are as fair as an angel...
00:57:49and as devious as a serpent.
00:57:54Oh, I beg your pardon?
00:57:56It's all right.
00:57:59I've done.
00:58:05May I get rid of that for you?
00:58:06Well, how do you come here?
00:58:10Now, Dizzy...
00:58:11Dizzy, don't you work poor Monty too hard?
00:58:14You are as a man.
00:58:22The fingers were so swollen she could scarcely hold the scissors.
00:58:26I thought Lady Beaconsfield seemed a little better.
00:58:29She will not give in.
00:58:30She insists on travelling to Manchester with me.
00:58:33Could you not advise against it, sir, because of the appalling weather?
00:58:35She will not listen.
00:58:37Even though I'm afraid the journey might prove too much for her.
00:58:43For her own sake, sir, could you not refuse to let her go with you?
00:58:48How can I?
00:58:51Every time she hears me speak, she's afraid it will be the last.
00:59:03Not satisfied with the rape and anarchy of Ireland,
00:59:08they have begun to attack every institution,
00:59:11every interest, every class and calling in the country.
00:59:25So...
00:59:27So all along, this so-called government of Mr Gladstone's
00:59:32has behaved like a body of men
00:59:34under the influence of some deleterious drug.
00:59:44I watched them.
00:59:46And as time progressed, it was not difficult
00:59:49to perceive that extravagance
00:59:52was being substituted for energy
00:59:55by this government.
00:59:59Some sought refuge in melancholy.
01:00:02And their eminent chief
01:00:03alternated between a menace and a sigh.
01:00:09As I sat opposite the treasury bench,
01:00:13the...
01:00:14the ministers reminded me of one of those marine landscapes
01:00:19that are not unusual on the coasts of South America.
01:00:23You behold a range of exhausted volcanoes.
01:00:27Not a flame flickers on a single pallid crest.
01:00:36Yet...
01:00:37the situation is still dangerous.
01:00:40There are occasional earthquakes,
01:00:43and ever and anon
01:00:45the dark rumblings of the sea.
01:00:59That's right.
01:01:02I wanted to go to the sea of the sea.
01:01:09A sea of the sea of the sea of the sea.
01:01:19Their affection is as much for you as it is for him.
01:01:24They have seen his devotion to you.
01:01:29And I have seen a perfect marriage.
01:01:32Does he marry me for my money?
01:01:37But, well, if he had to do it again,
01:01:40I think he'd marry me for love.
01:01:54Do you see him?
01:01:58Do you see him?
01:02:01Do you see his face?
01:02:03I know.
01:02:41Do you see him?
01:03:18Do you see him?
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