-Come here, Celia. -Have him stop. Look after you, bud. Yeah. I know. Gonna be my best man. Why this flurry of queries about my campaign? -It's not the PM's business. -It's Bartlett, sir. Must be. You will not leave without permission. This is an official reprimand. Johnny Hamilton's a good man, Ellis. He's a fool. BRAITHWAITE: The break-out will occur over 48 hours. A hundred thousand troops on five fronts. Is it all too complex? Activity, Cecil. A build-up of reinforcements at Anzac, 20,000 men landing at Suvla... STOPFORD: Is it enough for me, though? What if the Turks dug in? BEVAN: Where are you mob going? Up Walker's or the Nek. -Not sure exactly. -What about you blokes? I heard Lone Pine. -(MACHINE-GUN FIRE) -You blokes move forward! (FIRES RIFLE) HAMILTON: Have the New Zealanders moved south to support the Australians at the Nek? No, sir. So, alone at the Nek. Forward! -(WHISTLES BLOW REPEATEDLY) -(MEN ROAR) (GUNFIRE) -(GUNSHOT) -Oh! Ugh! HAMILTON: Where's Stopford? Aboard the 'Jonquil', sir. The navy should do something about their slippery ladders. ASPINALL: From General Stopford, sir. Now we have Chunuk Bair, I need him there up in those hills, aiding the Anzacs. He says the Turks "tend to be aggressive". I'm going to Suvla Bay. I'm taking charge down there. -If I may say... -No, you mayn't, Braithwaite! Your advice is not welcome at the moment. I'm going to Suvla Bay, dammit. Well, now, good afternoon, sir, and welcome to Suvla. What are you doing, Freddy? Getting it done, Johnny. This is only temporary. For the shade, of course. Your orders were to move from here and take the hills. I gave you 20,000 men! They're very tired, Johnny. Hasn't been an easy day, as you can imagine. And so very hot. I ordered you to advance to the heights. We must move to aid Birdwood's New Zealanders! Doing it. I'm on the move. Some of my men are in the foothills already, clearing the way. (MEN SCREAM) TOLLY: Down the coast at Suvla Bay, the British finally attacked. Artillery shells set fire to the scrub and the British troops were caught in the flames. The Turks chased them back to the beach. It was the end of the Suvla push to the heights. (SCREAMING CONTINUES IN THE DISTANCE) (THEME MUSIC) www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2015 1 1 (SEABIRDS SQUAWK IN THE DISTANCE) (HAMILTON CHUCKLES) Silly. Bartlett. General. It's so silent now. Yes, Bartlett. Yes, it is. I witnessed yesterday, sir. Must be difficult for you. Don't patronise me, Bartlett. Still, I spoke with Aspinall. He told me of the victory at Chunuk Bair. I congratulate you. I relieved the New Zealanders up there with the North Lancs and the 5th Wiltshire. They were overrun. I've lost Chunuk Bair. Sir. Ah, speak of the devil, Johnson. You met our distinguished visitor, Colonel White? -How do you do, Johnson? -Sir. Mentioned in dispatches twice, Johnson. So, son, how do you feel about an extra four shillings a day? What do you mean? You've been bumped up to full corporal. WHITE: You'll be telling me what to do by the end of this war. Hey? No, sir. (MEN LAUGH) What'd I tell ya? The Sergeant said you didn't take kindly to promotion. Sorry, Harry. Lieutenant now. Dismissed, Johnson. Thank you, sir. (FLIES BUZZ, MAN COUGHS) I always knew you'd be something, Tol. A corp's not anything, Bev. It's just the army. Still, I'm proud of you, mate. Yeah, Mum will be too. Nah. Dad'd be real proud. You reckon? Yeah. Little Tom. Don't remember much about him. Nah, he never belted you. You were his "little Tommy". "But you just watch him," he'd say. I'm not much, Bev. Just a bloke. Oh, you're not something yet, Tolly. But you will be. Yeah. I know what I'll be. Listen, you've got just as much chance as everyone else. As much as Stewie and Chook? BEVAN: And Two Bob? And Cliffy? So, Charles, I thought I told you not to get shot. I thought you were in Suvla. I was, for my sins. Oh, here. Something for your convalescence. Is it painful? How did you get it? I wanted to go up with Godley's men to the heights battle. It's just a stray bullet. There are no stray bullets in war, Charles. You're probably lucky you didn't make it to the top. Such a disaster. Not the word. Over the past four days, Hamilton's run up... ..how many casualties, do you suppose? 20,000? 25,000? On three fronts. -LEDWIDGE: And lost all three. -Maybe not. We're holding on. Dammit, Bean. Why are you always like this? (SCOFFS) "Holding on." Hamilton's task was a peninsula. What's he managed? A few bloody acres of nothing. I watched men burn to death yesterday. Saw English troops running away from the guns. Hamilton and men like him are forging the end of an empire. You go too far, Ellis. Charles, you're injured. Repatriate yourself. Go to London. You'll be relieved of your obligations and you can write the truth. We're all censored. Geography doesn't negate that. Then I'll write it and you take it to London. I'm staying here, Ellis. I've got a job to do. Not for much longer, I'm thinking. Surely even Hamilton can see it now. HAMILTON: Never mind, Birdie. Never say die, I say. I'll be in touch, sir. We had Chunuk Bair in our hands for some time. Means we know how to take it. So your plans to retake, Birdie, they're well advanced? Still working out the details, sir. Good. Well, I gave Freddy Stopford at Suvla some ginger. He's to immediately take the first ridge leading to the heights, and then, uh...on we go. Good. (SOMBRE MUSIC) -Welcome back, sir. -Suvla, Braithwaite. What do we have on General Stopford? He's...been in contact, sir. Once again. Has he finished moving to the ridge I ordered? He says he wants to push on, sir. I don't give a fig what he WANTS. I asked you, has he moved for the ridge? Not quite, sir. He says he'd very much like to, but, first, he needs more artillery and water. HAMILTON: God help us. (GROANS) PEOPLE CHATTER, DANCE MUSIC PULSATES They've been on the sauce. PEOPLE CHATTER, DANCE MUSIC PULSATES They've been on the sauce. Your party! DANCE MUSIC PULSATES They've been on the sauce. Your party! That's Mary's boy, isn't it? Yeah. Maybe you should say something. Yeah. Maybe you should say something. Nah. I'm crap at that kind of thing, Barry. Yeah, but they're just kids. If we don't say something... (GROANS) Hey, boys? Boys? Why don't you get a lift home tonight? Oh, whatever, mate. I've only had a couple. No, no, no, no. It's too late now. I've spoken to you and I know your mum, so that means our fates are aligned. You get into that car and you get yourself killed or you kill someone else, I become part of it too. How? yourself killed or you kill someone else, I become part of it too. How? Well, it's like, um, my balls are in your hands. BOYS LAUGH, SNORT BOY: Oh, you want the balls! BOYS LAUGH, SNORT BOY: Oh, you want the balls! Nobody wants that. Hey, how about I drive you? What? Oh. BOY: Oh, you want the balls! Nobody wants that. Hey, how about I drive you? What? Oh. BOYS LAUGH, DANCE MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO BOY: Oh, you want the balls! Nobody wants that. Hey, how about I drive you? (SWITCHES RADIO STATION) BOYS LAUGH, DANCE MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO BOY: Oh, you want the balls! Nobody wants that. Hey, how about I drive you? (SWITCHES RADIO STATION) YODELLING MUSIC PLAYS DANCE MUSIC PLAYS ON RADIO BOY: Oh, you want the balls! Nobody wants that. Hey, how about I drive you? I like it. MAN: Keep moving! MAN 2: Colonel, move your battalion inland now. More like a million. TOLLY: After the failure of the big break-out, everything came to a stop. We'd been here four months and got nowhere. We were completely fought out. The Turks were probably the same. No-one knew what to do next. (GENTLE MUSIC) (FIRE CRACKLES) (MAN COUGHS) Reminds you of home, eh? Nah. It's an old moon. Means change. I had such faith in him... ..in the beginning. Definition of insanity. To repeat the same action over and over again and expect a different result. DAWNAY: Do you think London really understands what's going on? We have to do something. But is it up to us? (GRAMOPHONE MUSIC PLAYS LOUDLY IN THE DISTANCE) Will someone please rid us of Ashmead-Bartlett? Will someone please rid us of the commander? BRAITHWAITE: Good evening, gentlemen. -Sir. -Good evening, sir. I couldn't help overhearing. We're just fussing, sir. I apologise. Not at all. We're together on this. So, what's to be done, do you think? (MEN CONVERSE QUIETLY WITH EACH OTHER) Gentlemen? BRAITHWAITE: Sir? I think you should know I cabled Kitchener that I relieved General Stopford of his command at Suvla. -He leaves the peninsula tomorrow. -If I may say, s... General De Lisle will replace Stopford until the arrival of General Byng. BRAITHWAITE: Byng's a fine choice, sir. Hm. Gentlemen, General Braithwaite and I have something to discuss. Sir. (SIGHS) Since the failure of the break-out, there's been a general nervousness in London. I detect it in my correspondence with Kitchener. More than ever now, we must all do what we can to pull together. BRAITHWAITE: Of course, sir. You're stroke of the GHQ boat. Is all well, do you think? Are we all pulling together? What is it you mean, sir? It was Kitchener who suggested I replace Stopford. BRAITHWAITE: Yes. He suggested I sack you too. You ought perhaps to know that I didn't select you, Braithwaite. Kitchener gave you to me. But I'll not abandon you. I cabled him that my confidence in you is complete. Thank you, sir. Am I correct in this? Do I have your complete trust? Absolutely, sir. Good. Good. (WAVES CRASH IN THE DISTANCE) (SOMBRE MUSIC) (OMINOUS MUSIC) (EERIE MUSIC) (GASPS) (SIGHS) (WHOOSHING) (GASPS) (SIGHS) You wish to see me, sir? I want you to go to England, Dawnay, immediately. It's clear I need somebody I can trust in my corner. Yes, sir. Tell the King - you're his friend - tell Kitchener, tell England... ..we can prevail here. Yes, sir. Thank you, Guy. I'm relying on you as my man. Sir. Sir, let me introduce Keith Murdoch, an Australian correspondent. Who? Murdoch, sir. Oh, yes, yes. I received your letter. Hm. How do you do? How do you do, General? Are you alright, sir? Well, now that you're here, uh... ..what do you want? I'd like your permission to visit Anzac, sir... ..for a short time. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY) Step this way. You are aware we have strict protocol regarding journalist reportage? I am. You must not impart any confidential military information, unless through the censor. Right. There have been some who have tried to transgress. I hope you won't be one of them. Not at all. Beautiful, hm? It is. So, Murdoch, I have your absolute word on this? You have my word. (OMINOUS MUSIC) MAN: One, two, three. And... ..lift. (DAVE COUGHS) (CONTINUES COUGHING) Dave... -(DAVE COUGHS) -Mate. Come on, you gotta report sick. Nah. TOLLY: Oh, shit. (COUGHS) BEAN: Come on, Murdoch. (DAVE COUGHS) -Oi. -OK. (SOMBRE MUSIC) ASHMEAD-BARTLETT: Battle plans? What battle plans? Schoolboy could do better. Blind schoolboy. Stop this, Bartlett. You've been like it since the beginning. I have, Henry, since you so kindly pointed out. From the moment Hamilton slaughtered his men at Helles. This is war, for Godsake. Men die! Your attacks on the leadership are nothing else but emotion over intelligence. Henry, please. Am I to take it that you intend to continue this campaign against General Headquarters? There's no such campaign, Henry. In fact, it's the other way round. They hate me... (LAUGHS) ..for no apparent reason. Good God, you're drunk, Bartlett! And I'm tiring of your company! Both points clearly very true. Oh, now, Henry, don't be like that, for goodness sake. What? You too? Gentlemen? Please don't let old Henry intimidate you, for Godsakes. Since I've arrived... met the GHQ staff... all of them. Bean took me on a tour of the Anzac trenches today. I saw it all. Yes. This is a total disaster. And you're telling me this? MURDOCH: The Australian newspapers are full of... Oh, yes, they're full of tales of advances... MURDOCH: Mm. ...honourable battles... ...medals won. Mm. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT: Tales told by idiots. And that's us, Murdoch. He said, "I'm just sorry that my own children won't have that chance." (ALL CHUCKLE) I'll say goodnight, gentlemen. -Goodnight, sir. -Goodnight, sir. -'Night, sir. -Ah. I've suggested to him that he encourage the navy to another major push. And? No. He still believes in his army. MACKENZIE: What's left of it. He now admits, at least, the break-out was a failure. And his response is this call for more men. I can't believe... Another 95,000 to be tossed into the maw. Surely Kitchener can't agree to this. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT: The man has a very dim idea of who his real enemies are, or if he's in any danger, which he is. He's only got that moustache and cheery disposition to protect himself. Well, that's B-Bean's view. Yeah, well, Bean's a good man and he understands better than the others. Mm, that's my impression. I tried to engage Bean the other day. (SIGHS) He's not a man to rock the boat. I wanted him in London, telling the Prime Minister what's actually happening here. What, you'd break the c-censorship agreement? Well, that's besides the point, now, wouldn't you say? Well, the issue now is... to save the lives of some of these young men. I'm leaving for London tomorrow. (INTENSE MUSIC) ASHMEAD-BARTLETT: It's an introduction to the Prime Minister and details what's going on here. -Godsake, Murdoch, keep it safe. -Thank you, Bartlett. -You can rely on me. -Now, there's a sigh of relief. If I felt any better this morning, I'd be positively jubilant. (TRUCK ENGINE STARTS) (INTENSE MUSIC) Thank you, Nevinson. You've done your duty. I had no choice, sir. Who's yours from? Mum. What's she got to say? Not much. (SIGHS) (SOMBRE MUSIC) (SOMBRE MUSIC CONTINUES) (MUSIC INTENSIFIES) (WOMAN SPEAKS FRENCH) Merci. -WOMAN: Merci. -MAN: Mr Murdoch. (TENSE MUSIC) (MOTOR VEHICLE APPROACHES) (MOTORCYCLE PASSES OUTSIDE) We spoke in June, Bartlett. Do you recall? Of course. And do you remember the subject matter of our discussion? Hm? You gave an assurance not to criticise GHQ or its officers or the conduct of the campaign. As far as I know, I've kept to this. Hmm. On September the 8th, you sent a letter, via Mr Murdoch, to Mr Asquith. An uncensored letter. Indeed I did. I have a perfect right to address my Prime Minister. How did you find out about it? That letter has been seized by us. Has it? And has it been forwarded to the proper address? I warned you I would send anyone away who spoke against the campaign. Well, then you must send away practically everyone on the peninsula, including the Turks. Your press credentials are hereby revoked. You are no longer the guest of the army. You are to return home. Ah. And may I leave at once? -What? -Thank you so much, Walter. I've been anxious to get back for some time. I'll certainly have a lot to say in London. -I... -Oh, um... Mediterranean leishmaniasis. I beg your pardon? ASHMEAD-BARTLETT: It's a parasite. It finally kills its host and therefore dies as well. I suggest you look it up. (TENSE MUSIC) The General felt he needed to put his case for a continuation of the campaign. -And more men. -Did he? What bloody difference were you going to make? I have no idea, sir. He wants 95,000 more men! Well, you're part of his GHQ. What do you think? I think it's a ridiculous idea. You know him, sir. He's... He's seeing a curate's egg. Is this the view of your fellow officers? Sir, the truth is, General Hamilton has lost the support of all his closest advisors, with the possible exception of Birdwood. Are you aware of this blasted letter from the Australian journalist Keith Murdoch? I thought Bartlett had written a letter. KITCHENER: He did. Confiscated. This bloody Australian wrote his own. Now Asquith's circulating it to the whole cabinet. I've not seen it, sir. Scathing on Hamilton. It's a farrago... but the PM is in a mood to believe most of it... (POIGNANT MUSIC) (CLACKING) (TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACK) What's next for you, Ellis? I'm through with all this. I'm broke. I'm doing a lecture tour of Australia and New Zealand, show them my moving pictures. It'll be fun. Well, enjoy it. Show them the truth. Truth is, I've been an observer of these horrors for far too long. This is my seventh war, Charles. I'm tired. Yes. Good luck. (HORSES PASS BY OUTSIDE) And Kitchener accepts this? "As a...as a strategist, he has completely failed. "For the General Staff and Hamilton, men have nothing but contempt." 'Contempt'? "Australians now loathe and detest them. It..." What's his name again? Murdoch, sir. Murdoch... has no honour. (FOOTSTEPS APPROACH) I'm turning in. Goodnight, General. -'Night, Braith. -Sir? Lord Kitchener is about to send another cable. He says it has to be deciphered by you alone. Mm. BRAITHWAITE: Shall I have you woken to read it? (POIGNANT MUSIC) No. I'll read it tomorrow. BRAITHWAITE: Sir. (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (THUNDER RUMBLES IN THE DISTANCE) (SOMBRE MUSIC) (EERIE MUSIC) (THUNDER CRASHES) (EERIE MUSIC CONTINUES) (YELLS) -(DRAMATIC MUSIC) -(GASPS) (SCATTERED GUNFIRE IN THE DISTANCE) Dave? You're eating. (HALF-LAUGHS) Yeah. (HALF-LAUGHS) TOLLY: I don't know what it was... but for the first time I felt some hope. Maybe we were gonna make it. Maybe I'd make it home. (QUIETLY HOPEFUL MUSIC) (MUSIC CONTINUES) www.able.co.nz Captions were made possible with funding from NZ On Air. Able 2015