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S1.E4 ∙ The Chief 1872-1881
Disraeli leads Britain as Prime Minister and favorite of the Queen as he protects British interests in the Suez Canal and the Balkans. Starring: Ian McShane, Rosemary Leach, Mary Peach.
S1.E4 ∙ The Chief 1872-1881
Disraeli leads Britain as Prime Minister and favorite of the Queen as he protects British interests in the Suez Canal and the Balkans. Starring: Ian McShane, Rosemary Leach, Mary Peach.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:14There's so much, sir. Every letter from you, every note, every scrap of paper since you first met.
00:00:29Perhaps we should leave it to later, sir. 33 years. 33 years and not one moment that was not filled
00:00:37with love and loving-kindness.
00:00:41No. If I do not do it now, I'll never do it.
00:00:49It is like burying her again.
00:00:53Well, I'll pass it here.
00:00:58This letter seems to be unopened, sir.
00:01:01Monty?
00:01:10Every two weeks of our life she cut my hair.
00:01:15She preserved it all in these little packets.
00:01:19All dated.
00:01:25It is not fair of me to make you go through this. I should be alone.
00:01:31As you wish, sir.
00:01:33But this letter is addressed to you from Lady Beaconsfield from the date it was written over 16 years ago.
00:01:43Thank you, Monty.
00:02:05My own dear husband, if I should depart this life before you, leave orders that we may be buried in
00:02:13the same grave at whatever distance you may die from England.
00:02:19And now, God bless you, my kindest, dearest.
00:02:26You've been a perfect husband to me.
00:02:31Be put by my side in the same grave.
00:02:35And now, farewell, my dear Dizzy.
00:02:43Do not live alone, dearest.
00:02:46I earnestly hope you may find someone as attached to you as your own devoted Marianne.
00:02:54, dear, you too.
00:03:07Do not live alone.
00:03:10I don't care, dear.
00:03:11I'll show you only because one of the last things are still alive.
00:03:11The last thing is blessed to be, of course, Junior.
00:03:12The next thing is to be more beautiful, of course, one and the last thing is an opera,
00:03:12we will walk down a littleفveton with a wholestripe and the dawn of our city.
00:03:14And I'm feeling the hardest thing is to live alone, I can only take my last thing.
00:03:14And what I do, the last thing is to live in a little bit,
00:03:15I'll be doing well, let's just live.
00:03:16And I don't see you.
00:03:16Let's be a little bit.
00:03:16And I can tell you about it.
00:03:18But that's what I do not know the last thing.
00:04:08A Baron de Rothschild to see Mr. Disraeli.
00:04:14A Baron de Rothschild to see Mr. Disraeli.
00:04:17Oh, yes, sir, if you'll excuse me.
00:04:21Boy? Boy.
00:04:26Ah, never mind. Mr. Corrie.
00:04:28Good day, sir. I'm sorry. I didn't know you were expected.
00:04:32I'm not. I just heard he was here.
00:04:34Is he, uh, at home?
00:04:36Why, yes, I'll take you up.
00:04:38Excuse me.
00:04:39Yes, of course.
00:04:43See these are posted, will you?
00:04:44Yes, sir.
00:04:47This way, sir.
00:04:50Oh, what, uh, what is he doing here?
00:04:58It is comfortable and fairly convenient for Westminster.
00:05:01Yes, but why did he leave Barclay?
00:05:03The house there was left to Mary Ann by her first husband, but only for her lifetime.
00:05:10But he'd lived there for over 30 years.
00:05:12Surely her relatives wouldn't have turned him out.
00:05:15He was given a month to remove his personal possessions.
00:05:26Do you know that Gladstone's latest Irish Bill has been defeated?
00:05:29He has resigned as Prime Minister?
00:05:31Yes.
00:05:32So Mr. Disraeli will be asked to form a government.
00:05:35Is the country going to be run from a room in an hotel?
00:05:45Fire under Rothschild, sir.
00:05:46Oh, I know.
00:05:49Good to see you, Ben.
00:05:51I do not intrude, I trust?
00:05:52No, of course not.
00:05:56Well, I could hardly believe it when I heard you'd move to an hotel.
00:06:01Oh, I, uh, I will confess I do find it a mockery when I tell the coachman to take me
00:06:06home.
00:06:08I'm hurt, but you didn't come to me.
00:06:11Charlotte and I would have been honored to have you stay with us.
00:06:14No, no, no, no, no.
00:06:14I could not impose.
00:06:16But you would not be a guest and have your own rooms to come and go as you please.
00:06:22And you need only join in if and when you choose.
00:06:25I am grateful to you both, but I...
00:06:28Well, at any rate, for the moment, I'm better on my own.
00:06:30Oh, very well.
00:06:33But remember, my house is your house.
00:06:38Do you realize the Queen is bound to call for you shortly?
00:06:41She already has.
00:06:43Oh, so what has been decided?
00:06:48I have called the other leading members of the Conservative Party to a meeting at the Carlton Club until I
00:06:54have spoken with them.
00:06:55Oh, I cannot tell you.
00:07:00Hmm?
00:07:02You refused.
00:07:04I told Her Majesty I did not see any possibility of forming a government.
00:07:11She must have been thunderstruck.
00:07:14She understood.
00:07:15I wish I did.
00:07:16It is quite simple.
00:07:19Never since I have been in Parliament has there been a Conservative majority.
00:07:25We always have to depend on the support of other parties and are therefore always at their mercy.
00:07:31So you think that this is a trick of Gladstone?
00:07:34What else?
00:07:36We are for power which the Liberals can snatch away at any moment.
00:07:39I will not be trapped.
00:07:44I must warn you, there is growing dissatisfaction amongst the younger members of the party.
00:07:51Led by Salisbury.
00:07:54Dissatisfaction with me.
00:07:56There is a growing feeling that a general election is coming and that a younger leader might win us more
00:08:03votes.
00:08:09I may as well tell you, the new leader they suggested was myself.
00:08:14I refused because you are the man we need.
00:08:17And the people agree.
00:08:19You remember the reaction to your speech at Manchester?
00:08:22The audience wasn't just traditional old-fashioned Tory.
00:08:25It was sensible working men.
00:08:27Concerned about what is happening to their country.
00:08:29We've won every by-election since.
00:08:32When it comes to an election, we put our confidence in you.
00:08:37Well, I prefer to put mine in the new party organization.
00:08:41At least, when the time comes, we shall have a full team of selected candidates to put into the fields.
00:08:48What is our policy until then?
00:08:50To bide our time.
00:08:52To bide our time.
00:08:53But to be ready.
00:09:04That's another one for us.
00:09:07It's Lennox.
00:09:09You're back.
00:09:10Increase majority.
00:09:11Congratulations.
00:09:12Thank you, Edward.
00:09:14John's in again, too.
00:09:16Good.
00:09:20There's been nothing like it since Pitt.
00:09:24Not even Peel had a majority like this.
00:09:27The liberal whip has fled town.
00:09:30We're in for years.
00:09:32And who do we owe it to? One man.
00:09:35Every vote for us was a vote of confidence in him.
00:10:05Have you heard the latest news, sir?
00:10:07Unable to face being defeated, Gladstone has resigned from Parliament.
00:10:13As leader of the Liberal Party.
00:10:16To the Chief!
00:10:28A majority of 105 seats over the Liberals. 50 overall parties.
00:10:36It is astonishing. It is unprecedented.
00:10:39I must confess I'm still astonished myself, ma'am.
00:10:41You have been triumphantly chosen by the country you've worked for so long.
00:10:48I know you will have no difficulty in forming a government.
00:10:51I have taken the liberty of drawing up a list of names for your majesty's perusal.
00:11:01Lord Derby, yes.
00:11:03Mr Cross, Stafford Northcote, Lord John Manners.
00:11:12You've gathered together a team of exceptionally able men.
00:11:15I'm anxious to bring as much new blood into the cabinet as quickly as possible.
00:11:20I have been training them for years, ma'am.
00:11:23Well, with Lord Derby as Foreign Secretary, guided of course by you,
00:11:28our voice should be heard once more in world affairs.
00:11:31That is one of my most fervent wishes, ma'am.
00:11:33You may depend on my support.
00:11:35As I know, I can count on your consideration in everything that concerns me.
00:11:42Whatever your majesty wishes shall be done, whatever the difficulties.
00:11:48May I offer my complete devotion and loyalty as unaltered as on the first occasion that I gave it,
00:11:56that of your majesty's coronation.
00:11:59I would also dare to offer you my heart, but your majesty had that a long time ago.
00:12:10Well, one not inconsiderable result of your victory, Mr Disraeli,
00:12:15will be that all serious opposition to you inside your own party should now have ended forever.
00:12:20Hmm?
00:12:22Postmaster General.
00:12:24I have every confidence in your ability, John.
00:12:28I'm grateful and of course accept.
00:12:31Though I may be a square peg in a round hole in a business department.
00:12:35I should be able to give you plenty of time to learn.
00:12:39Yes, you now have unlimited power.
00:12:41Power?
00:12:42It's come twenty years too late.
00:12:45If only.
00:12:46Still there are things you can do now, things you've always wanted to do.
00:12:50I feel like a child in front of a toy shop window.
00:12:52Holding a five pound note.
00:12:54Where do I begin?
00:12:56Have you chosen the rest of your cabinet?
00:12:58Hmm.
00:12:59It is nearly complete.
00:13:02I'm keeping it as small as possible.
00:13:04No more than twelve.
00:13:05Six peers, six commons.
00:13:06Perfect balance between tradition and democracy.
00:13:09We're living in the age of democracy.
00:13:11All have accepted.
00:13:12There's only one post that remains to be filled.
00:13:13The secretary for India.
00:13:18Must be a peer.
00:13:20What about the new Lord Lytton?
00:13:22Poor Bulwer's son.
00:13:23Oh, I have other plans for Bulwer.
00:13:26I'm thinking of offering it to young Salisbury.
00:13:30Salisbury?
00:13:31He's your severest critic.
00:13:33You've always forgiven him, but this is too generous.
00:13:35No, no, this is not generosity.
00:13:36I can see great promise in Salisbury.
00:13:38He's highly intelligent, balanced, inquiring.
00:13:42And, besides, if he accepts, it would lessen the possibilities of a revolt by the right wing of the party.
00:13:49Indeed, yes.
00:13:51Well, still, I doubt if he will accept.
00:13:54Oh, no, no, no doubt he will mutter and search his conscience, but in that case I shall have to
00:13:59have a word with his stepmother.
00:14:00Lady Derby, a very old friend of mine, a very persuasive woman.
00:14:05I will not take up too much of your time, gentlemen.
00:14:08I know you have your departments and offices to organise.
00:14:12In fact, I only have two specific requests.
00:14:16One is to ask you, Lord Salisbury, to look into the replacing of the Viceroy of India.
00:14:23Very good, sir.
00:14:24And to ask you, Chancellor, to prepare for an early budget.
00:14:27Oh, tricky, sir.
00:14:28Gladstone went to the country with an offer to abolish the income tax.
00:14:31Which he himself introduced.
00:14:33Oh, I'm in favour of an immediate reduction, but Gladstone could only abolish it by
00:14:39halving the army and scrapping half the ships in the navy.
00:14:42It's madness.
00:14:43With Germany threatening France again, it could lead to a war which could spread throughout Europe.
00:14:48Surely even Bismarck wouldn't risk that.
00:14:50He might, because these past years have taught him to discount any chance of British intervention.
00:14:55No, we must show the Iron Chancellor the Lion is not dead.
00:14:59He's merely been sleeping.
00:15:07Is that all, sir?
00:15:09Oh, I have far too much respect for the intelligence of everyone round this table to give you directions at
00:15:14this stage.
00:15:15May I ask, what will be your main concern, sir?
00:15:19To push forward the kind of progressive conservatism that has been my ideal for the past forty years.
00:15:25You mentioned social legislation.
00:15:28Could you give us some idea of what you have in mind?
00:15:31Oh, nothing too much.
00:15:33Say, slump clearance, setting up of savings banks, shortening the working hours,
00:15:40legal equality between workers and employers,
00:15:42and the establishment of the rights of trade unions, amongst other things.
00:15:47But... but that is more radical than anything ever proposed by Gladstone.
00:15:52Certainly does not sound like conservative policy.
00:15:56I want this government to represent the interests of every class,
00:16:01since it was every class that elected us, not just one section of society.
00:16:07Now, I will admit, though...
00:16:11I'm not quite sure how certain of these proposals are going to be put into operation,
00:16:15but I intend to speak to the Queen at the earliest opportunity.
00:16:19Oh, well, might not that give her a false impression of her personal power, sir?
00:16:23She's bound to accept cabinet decisions.
00:16:26Let me tell you my attitude towards the Queen.
00:16:30Having been trained by the Prince Consort
00:16:32and used to discussions with a series of brilliant ministers,
00:16:36she has an understanding of British and international politics
00:16:40that few statesmen can equal.
00:16:42a fool.
00:16:43Anyone who ignores her advice is a fool.
00:16:46One must remember, however, she is a woman.
00:16:50Therefore, added to everything else, she has feelings and intuition.
00:16:56Gentlemen.
00:17:16There. It's better. Nice to have you to myself for a few moments.
00:17:21I've looked forward to it.
00:17:23I wanted to congratulate you on the way you have forced Bismarck to back down.
00:17:28Selina, I did not invite you here to talk about politics.
00:17:33It is you who have given me an interest in them.
00:17:36How did you do it?
00:17:37Not convince you or Bismarck.
00:17:40Bismarck.
00:17:41Everyone is saying that a European war has been avoided.
00:17:45all due to you.
00:17:47I'm so proud of your friendship.
00:17:51You must know that what I feel for you is not just friendship.
00:17:56I beg you not to say any more.
00:17:58You must not keep saying you love me.
00:18:02Someone might believe it.
00:18:03It is true.
00:18:05I cannot help it.
00:18:06I'm even aware of being faintly ridiculous.
00:18:08But at heart, I feel like a boy for you.
00:18:11I live for the moments when I see you.
00:18:14I accept invitations to receptions, dinners,
00:18:16in the hope that you will be there to see you alone.
00:18:20With others, it's the difference between the sun and the moon.
00:18:25No, please.
00:18:26You must not go on.
00:18:28I should not have encouraged you.
00:18:30It happened before you even smiled at me.
00:18:33And you see, I was flattered.
00:18:36But I am a married woman.
00:18:38And if you feel like this, I cannot see you again.
00:18:41You were never absent from my thoughts for a minute.
00:18:43I can remember every word you have ever said to me
00:18:46every time we have met.
00:18:49No, no.
00:18:50Selina, I would never do or say anything
00:18:53that would embarrass you in public.
00:18:55But the thought...
00:18:57The thought that you could cut me so...
00:19:01simply out of your life is unbearable.
00:19:04Well...
00:19:06I know I can rely on your honor.
00:19:09But at least...
00:19:11we must not meet so often.
00:19:13And you must not write to me so often.
00:19:15Nor shall I.
00:19:17To live without love.
00:19:19No.
00:19:20That is merely to exist in a grey world.
00:19:23To see you.
00:19:24Or to hear from you at least once a day.
00:19:28Is absolutely necessary to my life.
00:19:31It is impossible.
00:19:32At least...
00:19:34not more than...
00:19:36three...
00:19:36times a week.
00:19:43We've been discussing those reports in the Daily News about the Balkans.
00:19:47What are they?
00:19:48Descriptions of atrocities carried out by the Turkish army
00:19:51on groups of Christian peasants who are in revolt.
00:19:53It is horrifying.
00:19:54Are they true?
00:19:55Well...
00:19:56I have heard from the ambassador that the stories are greatly exaggerated.
00:19:59Yet there is great agitation in the country.
00:20:02Against the Turks.
00:20:03Most of it has been stirred up by Gladstone.
00:20:05How?
00:20:06He is using his retirement to bring out a series of pamphlets.
00:20:10Denouncing the Turks as savage murderers.
00:20:12The Turks are not fighting mere peasants.
00:20:14This is a full scale revolution backed by St Petersburg.
00:20:17Exactly.
00:20:17And whatever happens we must honor our agreements.
00:20:20Well yes of course.
00:20:21But we cannot take any action that would risk war with Russia.
00:20:25Austrian Germany are bound to support the Tsar.
00:20:30Now Turkey being our ally we...
00:20:32we must support them.
00:20:34You don't have to explain it so simply.
00:20:36I did understand.
00:20:37It's a habit born of many years.
00:20:41Mary Ann's talents did not lie in foreign affairs.
00:20:44No.
00:20:45But surely if those others combine against her,
00:20:47Turkey is lost.
00:20:49I think we should discuss this more fully in the garden.
00:20:54We keep our heads.
00:20:56We'll be no need for war.
00:21:06So the reported atrocities have turned out to be more true than our ambassador told us.
00:21:11I'm afraid so, ma'am.
00:21:15But surely the foreign secretary realizes that Russia's threat to Turkey is really an indirect attack on England.
00:21:21Lord Derby is well aware of it and will do everything in his power to prevent it.
00:21:25Short of war.
00:21:29Are you not well, Mr. Disraeli?
00:21:32Touch of gout, ma'am.
00:21:34Then you should take more care of yourself.
00:21:37You should not be standing.
00:21:41It's a pity that no one may sit during an audience.
00:21:44No one has, you know, ever.
00:21:46No one would dare commit such a breach, ma'am.
00:21:53You shall have a chair.
00:21:54I would not have the effrontery to be seated in the presence of your majesty.
00:22:02Nonsense! I insist!
00:22:05Much as it grieves me to disobey your majesty,
00:22:09I must out of respect decline your gracious offer.
00:22:13Well, if you're determined.
00:22:17I must thank you again for keeping me so fully informed in foreign affairs.
00:22:23Oh, our standing abroad, ma'am, is not merely a matter of prestige but ultimately also of economics.
00:22:30Well, exactly.
00:22:31And in the case in point, a Russian fleet in the eastern Mediterranean would threaten Egypt and the Suez Canal.
00:22:37And threatening thereby our direct routes to Australia and British India.
00:22:42It has been perfectly obvious for years that the real design behind the Russian push to the east has been
00:22:47to take control of India.
00:22:49Oh, that we shall never allow, ma'am.
00:22:50I did receive a letter the other day from His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as he passed through
00:22:55Egypt.
00:22:56He observed that one of Britain's greatest mistakes was in not buying shares in the Suez Canal Company at the
00:23:02beginning.
00:23:03His exact words were, I think,
00:23:06if we do not own it, we might be forced one day to take it.
00:23:11It was unusually perceptive of him.
00:23:13He also observed that the ruler of Egypt, the Khedive Ishmael, appears to be almost totally bankrupt.
00:23:23He was certain?
00:23:25Oh, I had it confirmed by our agent in Egypt and I also had inquiries made discreetly in Paris,
00:23:31where it appears the Khedive has let it be known that his shares may be for sale.
00:23:40Is there a possibility?
00:23:42No more than that, ma'am, but I shall do everything in my power.
00:23:46It must be done.
00:23:48It must, Mr Disraeli.
00:23:51Buy the Suez Canal?
00:23:53The 177,000 shares owned by the Khedive.
00:23:57Is there any certainty he'll sell?
00:24:00After years of colossal extravagance, he has made his country almost totally bankrupt.
00:24:05Our agent in Cairo tells us he has given an option on his shares to a French syndicate.
00:24:12For how much?
00:24:1592 million francs.
00:24:19Three... six... six...
00:24:21Three million six hundred and eighty thousand pounds.
00:24:25Then there's no point the French have it.
00:24:27No, no, no, no, not yet.
00:24:28This is the weekend they have until Tuesday.
00:24:30Now they would sell to us at once for a higher sum and in cash.
00:24:36A higher sum?
00:24:39Four million pounds.
00:24:41Oh, well.
00:24:43It's out of the question.
00:24:44It is an international waterway.
00:24:46We have more interest in it than anyone else.
00:24:50Four fifths of the ships that use it are British.
00:24:53But why do we have to buy it?
00:24:55To make sure that no one prevents us using it.
00:24:59The possibility of that link being cut has an enormous threat to India.
00:25:02With Russia already poised on its northern borders.
00:25:05Yes, of course.
00:25:06But we cannot make a hasty decision.
00:25:08In any case, the Khedive shares are less than half.
00:25:10We would still not control it.
00:25:12We would have by far the largest holding.
00:25:15And with the few shares we already own and more that we may acquire,
00:25:19we would have a controlling interest.
00:25:22It is too big a step.
00:25:27I shall quote the Prince.
00:25:28If we do not buy it now, one day we shall be forced to take it.
00:25:33Nothing is more certain.
00:25:37If the French are allowed to buy the shares, they will have a majority.
00:25:42Now the French are already trying to extend their influence in Egypt.
00:25:45If nothing is done, then in a few days Bismarck will hear of it
00:25:49and will put the resources of Imperial Germany into the bidding.
00:25:54And then there is the Russian influence in the Middle East.
00:25:57No, no, no. Britain must have a stake in the canal.
00:26:01For a sum such as four million pounds, the decision should be taken by Parliament.
00:26:06Parliament is not in session.
00:26:08It is up to us, to the twelve of you sitting here.
00:26:11You said yourself it is a matter of urgency, Prime Minister.
00:26:14We cannot approach the Bank of England before Monday.
00:26:17Then there will be endless inquiries and committees to go through for such a large amount.
00:26:22We must have a decision.
00:26:23There is no way we can raise it quickly enough. It is impossible.
00:26:27Do I have your agreement, yes or no?
00:26:32Yes.
00:26:59Yes.
00:27:13Mr. Corey, do sit down.
00:27:22You will forgive me intruding, Baron.
00:27:25I have just come on an errand from the Cabinet Room for Mr. Disraeli.
00:27:31He needs a sum of four million pounds.
00:27:36By tomorrow.
00:27:39And what is your security?
00:27:43The British government.
00:27:46Tell him he shall have it.
00:27:56Gamblers, capitalists, platooned, organized secret agents in every corner.
00:28:02We were never suspected.
00:28:04Well.
00:28:06It would have given France virtually the control of Egypt.
00:28:12And now you are to turn the Queen into an Empress.
00:28:15Empress of India.
00:28:17She must value you very highly.
00:28:20The British Empire has been a fact for two hundred years with this title.
00:28:27I've given the name a reality.
00:28:30And fulfilled a dream.
00:28:33And not many left.
00:28:35I suppose not.
00:28:38My dear Anne, I must confess to having an ulterior motive for asking to see you alone.
00:28:44Yes.
00:28:47We have been friends for many years and I have come to appreciate your delightful company and judgment.
00:28:54As always, you are too kind.
00:28:56I only speak the truth.
00:28:57I flatter myself that you have a similar appreciation of me.
00:29:02After all, we are similar in many ways.
00:29:05Both alone.
00:29:07Both married to Monians.
00:29:13In short, my dear Anne, in spite of being half blind, half crippled and scarcely able to breathe, I'm asking
00:29:27you to do me the honor of becoming my wife.
00:29:31Dear Dizzy.
00:29:34I care for you far too dearly ever to marry you.
00:29:39Not because of your age or failing health.
00:29:41But because you'd only be marrying me to be closer to Selina.
00:29:50Why that ridiculously obvious.
00:29:53No, never that.
00:29:54But you are a young baron who has lived into the age of steam.
00:29:59And pure romance has vanished.
00:30:01If I believed that, it would no longer be worth living.
00:30:05And you must be practical.
00:30:07Selina and myself are both grandmothers.
00:30:11Right.
00:30:13Wise as ever.
00:30:14Very, very wise.
00:30:17Yet, I think there must be no greater misfortune than...
00:30:23To have a heart that will not grow old.
00:30:32The opposition claim that we should join with the other nations in driving the Turks from Europe.
00:30:42I say that our duty in this critical moment is to maintain the Empire of England.
00:30:49Nor will we take any step that, though it may obtain for a moment,
00:30:54Comparative peace and a false prosperity hazards the existence of that Empire.
00:31:07The question is that they'll be read the third time.
00:31:11Those in favor say aye.
00:31:12Aye.
00:31:14The contrary, no.
00:31:17The ayes have it.
00:31:18The ayes have it.
00:31:19Order, order.
00:31:22Cruelty to animals bill committee.
00:31:25Order, order.
00:31:45Order, order.
00:31:46The question is that clause one stand part of the bill.
00:31:51As many as in favor say aye.
00:31:55Aye.
00:31:56To the contrary, no.
00:32:23is it true?
00:32:25it can't be.
00:32:26I've just heard that Disraeli has left the House of Commons forever.
00:32:30it is true.
00:32:32he can no longer bear the constant strain of debate.
00:32:36he's gone to the House of Lords
00:32:38as Earl of Beaconsfield and Viscount Huendor.
00:32:42you both knew?
00:32:44only the Queen and the Cabinet knew.
00:32:46it was a closely guarded secret.
00:32:48somehow Gladstone heard of it.
00:32:50what else would bring him roaring out of his retirement?
00:32:54he's waving one of his pamphlets
00:32:56about the Turkish atrocities
00:32:58and making one of his pilgrimages of passion
00:33:00through Midlothian.
00:33:02all Scotland is flocking to hear him.
00:33:04in a few days
00:33:06he'll be back in Westminster.
00:33:08let the Turks now carry away their abuses
00:33:11in the only way possible
00:33:14namely by carrying off themselves
00:33:17their Zapteus and their Mudeus
00:33:20their Binbashis and their Yuzbashis
00:33:24their Chaimakams and their Parshas
00:33:27one and all bag and baggage shall I hope
00:33:31clear out
00:33:35from the province they have desolated and profaned.
00:33:43Clifeson's speeches have caused a violent reaction in the country.
00:33:47because of him many thousands are now clamoring
00:33:49for us to join with Russia in a holy crusade.
00:33:53have you read his pamphlet Prime Minister?
00:33:55hmm. it is the worst of the Bulgarian horrors.
00:34:00it is no laughing matter.
00:34:02he calls on us to drive the Turks
00:34:04out of their territories in Europe.
00:34:05and that is exactly what I am determined to avoid.
00:34:10the Russian ambassador wants to know where we stand.
00:34:12his government wants our assurance
00:34:14that we shall not intervene.
00:34:16one thing I have learned from Russia
00:34:19you gain nothing from them
00:34:21by conciliation
00:34:22or concession.
00:34:24then what do we do?
00:34:27stand by our agreements
00:34:29and if the Tsar's troops do
00:34:31march into the Balkans
00:34:33and Mr Gladstone will soon find
00:34:34that his new allies have nothing to learn
00:34:37about atrocities from the Turks.
00:34:40nevertheless
00:34:42I have said it before
00:34:43I am not prepared
00:34:45to take any step
00:34:46which might lead to a confrontation with Russia.
00:34:57do I understand you correctly?
00:34:59you wish for me to become a foreign secretary?
00:35:01as from now
00:35:04why?
00:35:06because I admire your intelligence
00:35:09and because you are one of the few men
00:35:11of real courage it has been
00:35:12my privilege to work with
00:35:15and it will take courage
00:35:16to back me at this minute
00:35:18in what?
00:35:20sending the British fleet to Constantinople
00:35:24you will not achieve much without troops.
00:35:26they're already on their way.
00:35:28for what purpose?
00:35:30first and foremost
00:35:32to safeguard British interests
00:35:33in the Middle East
00:35:36might be considered a selfish policy sir
00:35:38selfish as patriotism
00:35:40to ensure peace
00:35:42we must seem to be ready to fight
00:35:46the Tsar will either call our bluff
00:35:47or
00:35:48prepare for a peace conference
00:35:51the attitude of the people has certainly changed
00:35:53Russian victories have brought them to their center
00:35:56we don't want to fight
00:35:58but by Jingo
00:36:00if we do
00:36:01you realize you'll be leading them over in a bit
00:36:05I've always had a good head for her
00:36:12are we to hear what's in this ultimatum for Bismarck?
00:36:15hardly an ultimatum
00:36:19there's crowds
00:36:20crowds
00:36:21gathering outside
00:36:22some of the news has already leaked out
00:36:27the soldiers
00:36:28which the Prime Minister sent to Garrison Malta
00:36:30are a thousand native troops from India
00:36:34as a sign of his determination
00:36:35to commit the whole might of the Empire
00:36:37in the defense of her rights
00:36:41that
00:36:41and the presence of the fleet
00:36:43has made the Sultan invite us to occupy the Dardanelles
00:36:46and the Tsar has asked for an armistice
00:36:50a trial
00:36:50well then what is the message from Bismarck?
00:36:54he has withdrawn his support from Russia
00:36:57still hoping to emerge as the leading statesman in Europe
00:37:01he has invited all the chief powers to a congress in Berlin
00:37:05to decide the Pista
00:37:06but once they're at Berlin
00:37:09Russia and Turkey might not agree to the terms
00:37:11and the British fleet will stay where it is until they do
00:37:15you will have to be prepared for a deal of hard bargaining
00:37:18you'll be like Daniel going into the lion's den
00:37:22I shall not be alone
00:37:35as well
00:37:35we have to see our next
00:37:36créatiens
00:37:36the
00:37:36the
00:38:18You have changed.
00:38:21So have you, my prince.
00:38:23Bear a few pounds.
00:38:26My people are all desperate to meet you.
00:38:29A prime minister who writes books.
00:38:31All mine were keen to see you.
00:38:34A chancellor who lived on blood and iron.
00:38:39Let me introduce the others.
00:39:04Lord Beaconsfield gives his first address to the Congress tomorrow.
00:39:08Yes.
00:39:10I've seen the draft.
00:39:12It's in French.
00:39:13Why not?
00:39:15French is the diplomatic language.
00:39:17Yes, but when he speaks it, he seems to have made up his own pronunciation.
00:39:21Un très bon jour, n'est-ce pas?
00:39:28Well, I see you.
00:39:31And the other delegates will laugh rather than listen to what he says.
00:39:35The effect could be disastrous.
00:39:57You look well, sir.
00:39:59Well, yes.
00:40:03Yes, I might say I am almost fairly well.
00:40:07I believe you have met Prince Bismarck before.
00:40:11Hmm.
00:40:11Almost 20 years ago.
00:40:15Outre tem, outre mours.
00:40:19There is a rumour you are to speak to the Congress tomorrow in French.
00:40:26It will be a very great disappointment to the other delegates.
00:40:32So, they know you are the greatest living master of the English language and, as such, have been looking forward
00:40:39to hearing you.
00:40:41As the intellectual experience of their lives.
00:40:45Yes, sir.
00:41:13Cher confrere, it is with a profound sense of emotion that I rise to dress you today.
00:41:31A sense of emotion and a grave.
00:41:56It appears that the Tsar refuses to allow Turkey the right to station troops in each section.
00:42:04But that will leave the route to the Mediterranean still open.
00:42:07The Russian Chancellor is coming, sir.
00:42:26My dear Lord, Nick.
00:42:31I had to tell you how absorbing these last weeks have been.
00:42:37I only agreed to undertake the long journey from Petersburg for the pleasure of meeting you.
00:42:45May I say that my expectations have been more than fulfilled.
00:42:52You honor me. And I must confess to more than slight curiosity to meet one of the masters of European
00:43:02diplomacy.
00:43:05Now, it remains for us to decide the size of the garrison to be placed on the Turkish border of
00:43:11Bulgaria.
00:43:12Oh, but there can be none. The Tsar would never permit it.
00:43:19Then I fear His Imperial Majesty has been wrongly advised.
00:43:25His Imperial Majesty will have the last word.
00:43:30St. Petersburg, perhaps, would this Congress rule.
00:43:35But if Turkey is allowed to arm her European borders, we will have fought for nothing.
00:43:44Oh, you will have liberated the Christian section of Bulgaria, which was your declared intention.
00:43:49A hundred thousand men lost? And millions of money? And all for nothing?
00:43:58You must see, Lord Beaconsfield, that we cannot possibly agree.
00:44:08What a change, Monty, hmm? To breathe fresh air.
00:44:13Shouldn't you have stayed indoors, sir?
00:44:15Oh, I would have only been continuously bothered by messages and deputations.
00:44:22The Russians say they need time to send an envoy to the Tsar.
00:44:27Hmm, a telegram would do.
00:44:32Austria, Italy and Turkey have begged you to reconsider.
00:44:36They know the Tsar will not give in.
00:44:40It will mean war between us and Russia in which they would inevitably be involved.
00:44:46A war of an extent and horror unimagined before now.
00:44:51All they ask is that you stay on for more talks.
00:44:58Contact the German railway company and order a special train for tomorrow morning.
00:45:04To go where, sir?
00:45:06To Calais. To take us and the rest of the English delegation home.
00:45:11But you are dining with Prince Bismarck this evening. He's bound to hear it.
00:45:15Oh, he hears everything. Bismarck is trying to dominate the Congress.
00:45:18Gochikov would never have acted without his support.
00:45:23Order the train, Monty.
00:45:41Now, that's enough of the family.
00:45:43My wife and daughter have been badgering me to invite you.
00:45:46Oh, I was delighted to meet them. And dinner was superb.
00:45:52Well, now we can talk a little.
00:45:56Brandy?
00:45:57Oh, a suggestion.
00:46:02I am sorry not to have seen his majesty, the Kaiser.
00:46:08He, er...
00:46:09He is recovering from his wounds, I hope.
00:46:13Slowly are these damned socialist anarchists.
00:46:16It was one of them that shot him, a so-called doctor of philosophy.
00:46:21A philosopher with a gun.
00:46:23It's the coming thing in politics.
00:46:29Now, what's all this business with the train?
00:46:33Train?
00:46:34The one you ordered to stand by.
00:46:36Oh, it is to take my delegation home.
00:46:40You can't be serious.
00:46:42You'll be prepared to break up the Congress.
00:46:44If necessary, it's a matter of principle.
00:46:47I cannot continue unless I receive a favorable answer from the Russians.
00:46:51By favorable, you mean giving in to what you demand.
00:46:54I mean an answer that satisfies the conditions under which I came here.
00:47:00So everything has to be settled on your terms.
00:47:03That would be an ultimatum.
00:47:05Not only to Russia, but to me.
00:47:07And all the other powers.
00:47:10Well, that's exactly what it is, then.
00:47:13An ultimatum.
00:47:19Do you have a cigar?
00:47:21That would be most agreeable.
00:47:26I'm surprised you smoke at all with your asthma.
00:47:29Oh, I used to.
00:47:31But, um, this will be my first wine for many years.
00:47:35And it will probably be the final nail in my coffin.
00:47:40Then why did you take it?
00:47:42Well, when two men sit down to talk together.
00:47:45If only one of them is smoking, he cannot relax properly.
00:47:49And the one who does not smoke is somehow rather like a spy
00:47:53who is taking down the conversation in his mind.
00:47:57Smoking together helps to put us at our ease.
00:48:01Oh, my God, I like you. You're not like the others.
00:48:04It's easy to do business with you.
00:48:06In a quarter of an hour, you know exactly where you stand.
00:48:11Well, it's surprising that sometimes complete honesty is taken for cunning.
00:48:16Honesty was another matter.
00:48:18In politics, honesty is a matter of accepting the inevitable.
00:48:23For example, England, Germany.
00:48:25We exist.
00:48:27We must accept each other.
00:48:29Gladly. There is a natural sympathy between our two empires.
00:48:32And great harm could be done if we intrigued against each other.
00:48:36Oh, I have a disgust for political intrigue.
00:48:39It's a slippery slope once you start.
00:48:41Oh, but it fascinates the young.
00:48:43It appeals to our invention, our courage.
00:48:46It's a dazzling practice.
00:48:48But one which really should be left at the second rate.
00:48:51Great minds must trust to great truths
00:48:54and great talents for their rise and nothing else.
00:48:59Like you.
00:49:01It is a rare thing to hear someone speak one's secret thoughts.
00:49:06Why not?
00:49:07We've both risen by our talents and always by service to someone else.
00:49:11And we can both be dismissed as soon as we no longer please.
00:49:15You by your electors,
00:49:18and me by the Kaiser I created.
00:49:20That is hardly likely to happen.
00:49:22Likely no, but we are always and only judged by results.
00:49:29I tell you one thing, my friend.
00:49:31The Suez Canal is in your pocket.
00:49:34Turkey can't stop you.
00:49:36I can't understand why you don't take Egypt.
00:49:39Because of Prince Bismarck.
00:49:42I don't want it. I won't stop you.
00:49:44Egypt's of no interest to Germany.
00:49:46On the contrary.
00:49:47You would use it to drive a wedge between England and France.
00:49:53Just as you have been playing us off against the Russians.
00:49:56It is an old principle.
00:49:58Divide and rule.
00:50:02Well, we are well suited.
00:50:06If we were only 20 years younger,
00:50:09what things we could achieve together.
00:50:15By the way, I shall speak to the Russian Chancellor.
00:50:19Oh, I had hoped you might.
00:50:21It is not for a man like you to preside over a Congress
00:50:24and see it come to nothing.
00:50:26Exactly.
00:50:28By the way,
00:50:31Turkey has ceded the island of Cyprus to Britain
00:50:33as a base from which we can guard the Suez Canal.
00:50:42Oh, how are they?
00:50:49Well, where did you pass from?
00:50:51I'm going to have to be a police officer.
00:50:51I am going to have to roll the bush.
00:50:51Well...
00:50:52Let me see you later.
00:50:56Here it is,
00:50:58Oh, I know!
00:50:59What can you pass from?
00:51:06Well...
00:51:06I would not do the work with the state of Canada.
00:51:08George Salisbury and I have brought you peace, but peace, I hope, with honor.
00:51:22Not a day passes but I remember him. I miss him.
00:51:28Do you not find the same, my dear Lord Beaconsfield?
00:51:31Sometimes when I try to remember Mary-Anne it is difficult.
00:51:38All I feel is a presence.
00:51:42It is the little things such as a gift of primroses from the hand of your majesty
00:51:49which reminds me that there is another life of open sky and green pasture outside Parliament.
00:51:58You have made me, you have made us all, so aware.
00:52:08I am proud to have you as my friend and chief minister.
00:52:14Then I have all the thanks I shall ever need.
00:52:19But I feel I must point out to your majesty that I may not be your prime minister very much
00:52:24longer.
00:52:25You are not again thinking of retiring.
00:52:27Not out of choice, ma'am, but five bad harvests in a row have caused the price of food to
00:52:34rise
00:52:34and the electorate will turn against any government that is found to be unable to control the weather.
00:52:51But if I lose you as prime minister I may have to put up with you-know-who.
00:52:56That would indeed be a sad day for both of us.
00:52:59It is unthinkable.
00:53:01How can I work with that opinionated half-mad fanatical old man?
00:53:05I inclined to agree with Labouchere who said he did not object so much to Mr Gladstone always having the
00:53:13ace of trumps up his sleeve
00:53:14as to his conviction that God Almighty put it.
00:53:21No, no, no.
00:53:23I am sure that if Mr Gladstone is returned to office then he will do everything he can to serve
00:53:32your majesty faithfully.
00:53:37Lord Beaconsfield, what are you doing?
00:53:40I have just removed the evidence, ma'am.
00:53:43No one must ever know that I had the effrontery to be seated in the presence of my sovereign.
00:54:09Is it confirmed?
00:54:11Yes, Gladstone is in the lead.
00:54:13We are out of office.
00:54:15Lord Beaconsfield has resigned.
00:54:17Where is he?
00:54:18He's gone back to Huondon to rest.
00:54:20He has no bitterness.
00:54:22It is the people's choice, he says.
00:54:26He would accept no more honours.
00:54:29Only a peerage for his secretary, Corrie.
00:54:49From Her Majesty's garden, sir.
00:54:55She never forgets this gift of life, won't she?
00:55:08No, no, no, no.
00:55:08Are you writing something, sir?
00:55:12I...
00:55:14I did not want anybody to see it, but I did not want anybody to see it.
00:55:18It does not matter.
00:55:21what is it sir oh I could not find anything to read so I decided that I
00:55:29would write another novel I'm calling it Endymion well what is the subject sir
00:55:36it's the usual about a penniless young man who finds romance in London and then
00:55:51on the last page he becomes Prime Minister hmm will it not be too much work for you sir
00:55:59no no no it is almost finished and now I have the house for Kirsten Street I promised Dr. Kidd
00:56:08that
00:56:09um he can he can visit me there what you must try to rest sir no no I will not
00:56:16do much I will speak
00:56:19from time to time in the Lords dine with friends and occasionally I I might I might visit Windsor
00:56:45you
00:56:46you
00:56:46you
00:57:25Monty, I'm sorry to drag you away from your holiday. I should never have left.
00:57:31Oh, nonsense. Well, now you're here, we might as well do some work, hmm?
00:57:38Work? Proofs. My last speech from the Lords. It may very well be my last, too.
00:57:51Well, you should not, sir. You will tire yourself.
00:57:54I would rather live, not afraid to die, and I will not go down in posterity speaking bad grammar.
00:58:13Sir, from Windsor. I thought the Queen was at Osborne.
00:58:20Hmm? She has come to Windsor, sir, to be nearer you.
00:58:29Sir, the messenger was to ask if you felt well enough for Her Majesty to pay you a short visit.
00:58:37She would only ask me to take a message to Albert.
00:58:40But, and I, I would dearly love to see my sovereign, but I, I strain, I, I cannot, I cannot.
00:58:56There is a letter, sir. Open it, Monty.
00:59:15I, I, I, I, I, I do not know what is in it. It can only be read by a
00:59:15privy counsellor.
00:59:15Oh, the Queen's writing.
00:59:21I cannot make it out now.
00:59:24Shall I read it for you, sir?
00:59:32Well, I, I, I, I, I do not know what is in it. It can only be read by a
00:59:36privy counsellor.
00:59:41Lord Paddington.
00:59:47I've suffered much.
00:59:51Yes.
00:59:56Yes.
01:00:17Dearest Lord Beaconsfield, I send you a few of your favourite spring flowers.
01:00:23I would come to see you, but I think it far better you should be quite quiet.
01:00:27You are very constantly in my thoughts, and I wish I could do anything to cheer you
01:00:33and be of the slightest use or comfort.
01:00:36Ever yours very affectionately, Victoria R.I.
01:00:47The strength of will, his long-sighted persistence of purpose,
01:00:56his remarkable powers of self-government.
01:01:00And last, but not least of all, his great parliamentary courage.
01:01:11The nation has called for a state funeral at Westminster Abbey.
01:01:15But Lord Beaconsfield left clear instructions that he was to be buried in the little churchyard at
01:01:22Hewenden, next to his wife.
01:01:26And he was to be buried in the little churchyard at the old churchyard at the old churchyard at the
01:01:45old churchyard at the old churchyard.
01:01:47Thank you Bobby.
01:02:15Thank you guys.
01:02:34ORGAN PLAYS
01:03:15ORGAN PLAYS
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01:03:52ORGAN PLAYS
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