"HORSES NEIGH, COWS LOW" "ZULUS CHANT" "CHANTING CONTINUES" "CHEERING" ""Cetshwayo's Zulu army to disband" ""and the warriors permitted to return to their homes." ""Present military system to be abandoned." ""New regulations concerning defence of the realm worked out." ""All who do not submit will be dealt with as enemies of the Crown." ""We will not permit the arbitrary killing and..." ""and unjust oppression which the Zulu people have suffered" ""from their own king, Cetshwayo."" "You will see from the letter that this ultimatum is our decision alone." "Her Majesty's Government seems to prefer a negotiated settlement." "Does this do, um... ..what we both know to be right, Frederick?" "It does, Sir Henry." "Excellently." "FANFARE PLAYS" "MEN SHOUT ORDERS" "You moved!" "You moved." "Go and tell the NCO of that black shambles that you love him more than you love me." "Now!" "You're not fit to be in the British Army, you different-coloured articles." "Straighten up!" "I'm to tell you, Corporal, that I love you more than my colour sergeant." "That's frightening." "Get out of my bloody sight!" "Put your rifle over your head and double round this field till you drop bloody dead!" "Now move!" "Get on with it!" "At the double!" "Get back in the ranks, you shower of animals!" "Company... shoulder arms!" "Present arms!" "Over here, boys!" "Over here!" "Come on, here we go." "No, no!" "One at a time." "What do you want?" "What do you need, eh?" "Candles?" "..." "The money, please." "SPEAKS AFRIKAANS Are you passing through?" " We've come to fight the Zulu." " We aren't at war yet." "Bit young." "My nephew." "He can shoot, track, speak Zulu and fight." "He's got assegai marks to prove it." "Show him." " You!" " Sir!" " Take them to the orderly officer." " Colour Sergeant!" "This way." "Company...'shun!" "Move yourselves!" " Shall I give the order, sir?" " All right, Sergeant." "SIKALI HORSE, FORWARD!" "Splendid horsemanship." "Who are they?" "Sikali Horse, my lord." "Christians all." "I know each man by name." "Do they come well recommended?" "Milord, they rode for me at Bushman's Pass." "Oh, indeed." "Crealock, see that Col. Durnford has an officer for his hard riders, the subaltern from the 24th." "I though it might be more effective to find someone who speaks zulu." "Yes." "I see you issued each of them with a Martini-Henry carbine." "Our quota for natives contingencies, one rifle to ten men and" " only five rounds per rifle." " Will they make good use of them?" "They're as good marksmen as horsemen." "No doubting their horsemanship, Col. Durnford." "Crealock." "We'll think how to make best use of Col. Durnford's African knowledge." " Col. Durnford." "William Vereker." " Yes?" "I hear you're seeking officers." "Good ones, yes, Mr Vereker." "Gentlemen who can ride and shoot." "Private Williams!" "You've stopped." "THEY SPEAK BANTU" "Mr. Raw!" "Take Mr. Vereker to the store and see he's issued the necessary equipment." "And then show him to the mess and explain to him how an officer's expected to behave." "Our good Col. Durnford scored quite a coup with these Sikali Horse." "It's rumoured that Lord Chelmsford's to make Durnford" " second-in-command. - Typical of Her Majesty's Army!" "Appoint an engineer to do a soldier's work." "Now, now, Mr Melvill." "Less of your spleen." "Stranger in the mess!" "Gentlemen, my lord." "Announce yourself." "Good day, Frederick." "Good day, William." "Pleased you could join us." " It was that or join the Zulu." " Join the Zulu?" "Oh, yes, you're in the thick of it." "I've talked with your father before." "He said you were taking to farming near Zululand." "Sent his regards, should I meet up with you." " That's nice of the old boy." " I think you'd better call out who you are." "William Vereker." "Sgt Murphy, bring drinks for the stranger." "Allow me to introduce the mess." "Col. Pulleine." "Messrs. Melvill," " Coghill," " Morning." "Jackson," " Milne, Major Russell Stevenson..." " How do you do?" "Harford and Harford's best friend." "Don't leave your gin around, Vereker, or Harford will full of preserved butterflies." "Damn waste, if you ask me." "There's a shortage of that where I've been." "They fight with spears, don't they?" "Is that fair against a Martini-Henry?" "Did you really have to choose between your country and the zulu?" " A damn close thing it was, too." " Ah, well done, Murphy." "Stranger's cup." "Down it in one and we share your mess bill for a week." "And if I don't?" "Then a bottle of good claret for each member of the mess is charged to your account." "If it's too much, we'll forward the bill to your father, in the House of Lords." "No offence meant, Vereker." "No offence taken, Melvill." "To men who aren't afraid to speak their minds." "Good luck, sir." "Down, down, down!" "Down, down, down, down!" "Not quite." "The bottles of claret are on me, gentlemen." "The regiment!" "ALL:" "The regiment!" "The regiment." "ZULUS CHEER AND SHOUT" "Very good!" "Thank you!" "Anthony." "Anthony!" "Hold this." "Well batted!" "Well batted!" "HE SPEAKS BANTU" "Joseph!" "How are the Colenso girls?" "They're all in the garden, sir." "They'll be glad to see you, I'm sure." "Ready?" "Right!" "Oh, you beast!" " Somebody!" " Ah, that fooled you!" " Tipped it!" "Out!" " I did not!" "William!" "You cheat!" "You!" "Me cheat?" "!" "Same old Fanny!" "Welcome!" "Welcome back!" "Excuse me, ladies." "Did you get your farm going?" "Yes, I did." "How was it?" "I've never been so happy." "Sorry you had to leave." "You've met the Hon. William Vereker, I believe." "Yes, Anthony." "We were childhood friends." "Your childhood friend shot a dead cow at the gallop yesterday." "Most impressive!" "There is a Mrs. Durnford, is there?" "She exists, but nothing's been heard of her the eight years Durnford's been in Africa." "Although much is spoken of her now, my lord." "I recommended him to you because he knows Africa so well." "Indeed." "His ability to recruit native contingents is proving invaluable." "How do you rate him as a soldier?" "It is widely held he has courage and he's an excellent engineer." "Shall we join the guests?" "Do you think she might become interested in...someone?" " Which one?" " The one who keeps looking at me." "Could be you flatter yourself, it's her odd eye." "They must've locked the good ones up!" "Ah!" "General!" "Do you find our border country congenial, my lord?" "Landscape - congenial, ma'am." "As a border - vulnerable." "Do you really think Cetshwayo will attack us?" "The intention of the Zulu Impi and their king concern me deeply." "He has no intention of attacking Natal, unless he's given no option." "He has no quarrel with us." "How rare to meet a young lady interested in tactical matters!" "Is it not most rare?" "You are talking of a violent and murdering barbarian who commands an army of 30,000 warriors just across the river." "My father has known and lived with the Zulus for many years." "Cetshwayo massacred 20,000 of his own people to become king!" "The English Tudor kings did no less - much later in our nation's history, I might add." "And the French, much more recently." "That may well be, your grace, but be that as it may, my duty is clear... ..the defence of all this..." "Natal." "Yes." "Well, it's difficult to stand against that position - if you speak only of defence." "And what does our good Col. Durnford think?" "If the people of Natal wish to feel safe, let them persuade their husbands and sons to offer as volunteer." "We need officers and men." "We do, Colonel." "Good point." "I cannot be brought to believe that" "Cetshwayo wants a war with Britain." "Every Zulu is raised to be a warrior." "Without war, there's no zulu nation." "Nobody is really safe, are they, his excellency?" "Mrs. DeWitt has four daughters, Henry, and I fear she feels for them all." "Your daughters may indeed be in some danger, Mrs DeWitt, but not from the Zulus." "MUSIC DROWNS OUT SPEECH" "Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please!" "I think I should inform you that I am obliged to issue a notification declaring a state of war between Her Majesty's Government and the zulu king, Cetshwayo," "on his non-compliance with the ultimatum made on him, urging reparation and redress for violations of British sovereignty." "SCATTERED APPLAUSE" "Why?" "Why do men think of nothing but killing?" "This is a wonderful land we're privileged to share." "Dear God..." "..there should be room for all of us!" "There goes No 2 Company." "Quartermaster." "Quartermaster." "I'll see ya!" "No-no!" "Do I believe what me eyes see?" "The whole bleedin' army moving off to meet the murdering heathen and what goes on in here?" "A game of brag!" "BRAG!" "Sorry, Quartermaster." "You'll be more sorry still when the zulu ask," ""What can you offer me not to slit your gut?"" "And you'll say, "The knave of hearts, sir!" "The knave of hearts!"" "THEY CHUCKLE Move!" "For the savage, as for the child, chastisement is sometimes a kindness." "Let us hope, General, that this will be the final solution to the Zulu problem." "Come on, boys!" "Get up!" "Quick!" "Calm down!" "And again!" "Come back here, you thief!" "About ready, sir." "My lord, I've prepared a list of ideas for you to see." "Excellent!" "Thank you." "Give them to Crealock, would you?" "My lord, this list was prepared for you." "I don't think another can understand its true value." "Thank you, Col. Durnford." "Gentlemen, within ten days we shall cross the Buffalo River and British soldiers will then be in Zululand." "Col. Durnford will remain down-river and he'll have the responsability of defend the Natal border." "Will you hear Last Post, sir?" "I listened to your Stand To this morning, boy." "It was perfect." "Couldn't have done it better myself" " even when I was bugler to Wellington." "Tell me, where did you get that black eye?" "The cooks, sir." "They saw me dip your shaving tin in their tea water this morning." "Made their tea taste of soap, they said." "So you got it in the line of duty." "Point taken." "Will we be fighting the Zulu soon?" "Could be." "ATTAS!" "When we cross the river into Zululand they might be waiting there for us to show up - them stabbing assegias pointing right at our bellies!" "Are you afeard of the Zulu?" "One Zulu is only one man, and I'm afeard of no one man!" "But the Zulu, they come in thousands, like a black wave of death, in their thousands." "Them assegias, stabbing!" "Your orders, Mr. Vereker?" "I am to take the Sikali with the main column to the river." "Lord Chelmsford seems to want me to stay back with my Basutos." "I think Chelmsford wants a good man on the border - he fears a flanking attack and requires you stand in command in reserve." "The wrong side of the river, the wrong place?" "!" "Does he wish me to fight the Zulu or merely observe the natural habitat?" "Sir." "God go with you, Mr. Vereker." "SOLDIERS:" "Hip-hip!" "Hooray!" "Hip-hip!" "Hooray!" "Hip-hip!" "Hooray!" "GET UP NOW!" "GET ON!" "Get off his arse, you bloody idiot!" "KEEP 'EM IN LINE!" "Sarge!" "Sarge!" "I'm drowning, Sarge!" "What the hell do you mean by having the same name as me?" "!" "Sorry, Sarge!" "Do you think Cetshwayo will send a party to greet you?" "They're here." "We just have to ensure they don't get back to announce us." "You mean you've seen them?" "Forward, Sikali!" "Come on!" "Come on!" "What's that strange name the newspaper chap's called?" "Nogg, sir." "Actual name is Norris Newman." "He presented credentials from The Standard." " Our runners bear his dispatches, do they not?" " Of course, sir." "Come on, lads!" "It's only a river!" "Come on!" "Make it today!" "Come on, you lot!" "Get these bastards across!" "It's only water!" "You'll only get wet!" "Come along, you idle scum!" "Break that ammunition crate and I'll have your guts for garters!" "An historical moment, don't you think?" "Excuse me, my lord, Norris Newman of The Standard." "I saw you lead our cavalry, sir." "Indeed." "I was one of the first across." "Were they in good heart entering enemy territory?" "They spurred onto the high ground, my lord, full of spirit and looking for the Zulu." "Full of sport, they were, my lord." "Tell what you see, write it well, sir, and make sure you get it right." "If I've got it right, my lord, you lead an invasion into Zululand " "I see it all around me - but "Why?" is the question my readers will ask. "Why?"" "Do not confuse yourself." "Why?" "We must strike a heavy blow." "This cannot be a war of manoeuvre." "So attack is your defence." "Well, let's hope Cetshwayo will offer his Impis for destruction." "My only fear is that the Zulu will avoid engagement." "I have it, my lord, we attack for sport." "Or is it reputations?" "Enough of your politicking, Noggs." "I know your views of the uses on the press, my lord, but the Englishman back home want to know what the regiments are doing." "Then I trust you will tell them exactly what you've observed." "Tricky business, Mr. Bloomfield." "Look at that waste!" "Five rounds ruined." "Each round has to be accounted for." "It's terrible!" "Quite dreadful!" "Something must be done!" "If they'd been put back in their boxes, the boxes screwed down properly... as his lordship ordered - nothing would've happened to them." "I refer to our drowned natives." "Natives is not on my invoices, Mr. Harford." "Ammunition is, and has to accounted for, and brass cartridge cases returned." "Several natives went under." "Shouldn't we have a roll call?" "Not practical, we haven't had time to make up the roll yet." "Besides, I'm not sure how many we had before the crossing." "HE SHOUTS ORDERS" "GUNSHOT BLASTS" "WHY DO YOU COME TO THE LAND OF THE ZULU?" " May I answer, sir?" " By all means, Mr. Melvill." "WE COME HERE BY THE ORDERS OF THE GREAT QUEEN VICTORIA," "QUEEN OF ALL AFRICA." "FORWARD!" "C Company, advance!" "Get up!" " Major, send the troops." " Yes, sir." "Well done, sir!" "Did you see that, Noggs?" "He deceived him with the up and took him with the down." "Well, well!" "This one's a grandfather at least!" "If he'd been a Zulu in his prime, I'd have given odds against your lancer, Mr. Melvill." "Well, gentlemen, first blood to us!" "And a rousing good report in the newspapers to satisfy the politicians!" "BUGLE PLAYS "Last Post"" "ZULUS CHEER" "ZULUS CHANT" "All ready to move out, Colonel." "My lord, we're prepared to move armour to..." "Your destination, Colonel?" "Is..." "Isil..." "Isandhlwana." "Four miles further than that tallest hill." "Follow the track and it will lead us to the slopes of the mountain." "Isandhlwana." "Yeah." "Isandhlwana." "I want your wagons in extended lines, but not too extended or my company can't protect them." "50 feet or less between each one." "When we're too close together, they walk into each other, and you can sit on your arse for a good four hours!" "Company arse, keep 'em moving!" "No more than 50 feet!" "Keep 'em moving!" "KEEP 'EM MOVING!" "There, Melvill!" "There, stretched out, is My Lord Chelmsford's army!" "What a wonderful adventure we undertake!" "What a marvellous spree!" "CATTLE LOW" "SHOUTS IN BANTU" "REPLIES IN BANTU" "SHOUTS IN BANTU" "SHOUTS IN BANTU" "Zulus!" "Here!" "I'm ill." "Dozens of them followed me." "I must've shot five, six, ten" " I lost count." "They just kept coming!" "Blood-curdling swine!" "Why did they attack you?" "I discovered their army, your honour..." "A valley full of them, and beyond." "Army?" "What army?" "Beyond them hills, sir, and coming this way." "Mr. Vereker, would you mind I ask you taking a look at this map?" "By all means, Colonel." " Your wagons, Colonel." " What about my wagons?" "On an open slope like this, you must bring them round and form them into a laager immediately." "I hear you have prisoners, Colonel." "Well done!" "Evening, William!" "Thank you, sir!" "Good evening, Frederick." "I think you should hear this." "What do you say?" "Your brother didn't laager his camp..." "They had 73 in their party." "They found 73 skeletons six months later." "Boers require a laager with only a few wagons, we have many." "An unassailable square of British fire power is a defence which can be formed in a moment." "You're leaving us?" "I'm going to camp among the rocks over there." "My lord, Mr. Fannin claims to have seen the Zulu Impi - some few thousand or so, exactly here in this valley." "Unlikely, it would mean taking 24,000 men over mountain tops." "This is not helpful!" "Have the prisoners brought to my camp." "SOLDIERS LAUGH All right, Corporal." "Anything?" "No, sir." "Nothing." "Be sensible, man!" "Tell us!" "Good evening!" "Dirty work, eh?" "Very dirty." "(Very dirty.)" "PRISONER SPEAKS IN ZULU" "What did they say?" "Claim they're deserters from the Impis in the east." "Followed this one so they could give themselves up, go home." "Do you believe that?" "They're well oiled, fed regularly..." "it's unlikely they're fugitives." "Have them questioned further." "They claim that the zulu Impis are east towards the Royal Kraal and yet this fellow says they're further towards the north." "Wherever they are, there are 60,000 or more." "They multiply, Mr. Fannin." "You speak the Zulu tongue?" "Tomorrow I intend to find the Zulu Impi," "Mr. Fannin, and you will accompany me." "I'm no soldier, your honour, and it's further into Zululand." "You will accompany me, Mr. Fannin, or you will be arrested." "This way, Mr. Fannin." "Crealock, we have scouts in the direction he claims he saw the Zulus?" " Of course, sir." " And?" "The only reports of enemy activity have come from the direction of the Royal Kraal, at Ulundi." "Thank you." "Why don't the Zulus attack?" "Zulu may not wear shoes or trousers and the like but that doesn't mean to say they've got no brains." "They'll watch us and wait, find our weaknesses." "Have we weaknesses, Quartermaster?" "HE PLAYS "Last Post"" "A HORSE WHINNIES" "AN ANIMAL SCREECHES" "What was that, Storey?" "I never heard nothing..." "I don't think!" "Well, I did!" "Stand to!" "Stand to!" "Stand to, Colour Sergeant!" " Who gave the order?" " Private Williams, sir." "I've got to see this!" "Did you call stand to, Private Williams?" "I didn't hear nothing, Sarge!" "POUNDING OF HORSES HOOVES" "Well, stand to, damn you!" "No, you done well for once." "Don't push your luck." "I heard 'em first!" "I'll get you a medal for modesty!" "Would you like that?" "You never would, Colour Sergeant!" "A medal!" "Colonel Durnford here!" "Easy, lads." "Just follow the tracks, sir." "You'll reach Lord Chelmsford's headquarters." "Sergeant." "Stand down, lads." "You done well!" "Keep it up, lad!" "Keep it up!" "You intend prevent your reserves to cross the river?" "!" "I've received intelligence of sources of my own that the Zulu is moving north of you, to threaten your left." "Intelligence?" "!" "Sources of your own?" "Did it not occur to you they may be native rumours?" "!" "Rumours to draw you off, to leave Natal open to a possible counter-thrust?" "!" "Cetshwayo wants a head-on battle, a decisive victory, so his people can get on with what matters for your life and death:" "the delayed harvest." "Are you dictating the strategy of this war?" "!" "I'm explaining my reasons." "Yes?" "A large party of Zulus has been sighted in the direction of the King's Kraal." "Tomorrow we will continue our advance on Ulundi." "Durnford, return to your unit and bring them here immediatly to support Pulleine." "Mr. Vereker will join you as ADC." "You understand me clearly?" "The threat of counter-invasion no longer exists?" "Colonel, if, on another occasion, you flout my direct orders," "I shall complete relieve you of your command." "Perhaps he has thought to conquer Zululand on his own, my lord." "BUGLER PLAYS "Reveille"" "I trust you will keep me informed of Col." "Durnford and his men when they come in." "Certainly, Frederick." "Gentlemen, we move to find camp and engage the enemy." "And my nose tells me we may make early contact." "Mr. Melvill, until the reinforcement arrives, we will stand to." "Sir!" "You there!" "Sound the fall in!" "BUGLER PLAYS "Fall In"" "A huge expanse to keep an eye on!" "Would you ride over to Stuart Smith?" " Ask him to bring his artillery about." " Sir!" "Mr. Melvill, send a lookout." "Tell him to call out the instant he advices" "Colonel Durnford's column coming to reinforces." "Stuart, how quickly can you move your artillery forward?" "My horses are feeding." "It will take a little while." "Pulleine wants them in position immediately." "Right." "Bombadier, to me, please!" "Close up, lads!" "Move on!" " What o'clock is it, Mr. Noggs?" " 11 o'clock, my lord." "Our friend Colonel Durnford will be... should be approaching Pulleine." "We'll eat here." "I want to scout that mountain top and be back with an appetite in one hour." "Sir!" "SOLDIERS CHEER" "What the...?" "!" "I'll fix him, Sarge." "All right." "Shut that yelling up!" "You hear me?" "ZULU CONTINUES SHOUTING" "Did you hear me?" "!" "Shut up!" "SPEAKS ZULU" "SOLDIERS CHEER" "Exceedingly pleased to greet you, sir!" "I see you're standing to." "Perhaps the men could eat with their equipment unbuckled." "Yes, of course!" "Excellent idea!" "Mr. Melvill, order stand down!" "Sir!" "Please." "Sergeant, stand the men down." "Crealock, old fella," "I'm doing notes for my dispatch and I need to clear up a few military points." "I don't want to bother his lordship." "I had it drummed into me that a good commander never willingly splits his force, especially in an enemy's country, before knowing their dispositions." "If we were facing a European enemy armed with guns, your point would hold." "May I remind you, I do not create the strategies you comment on." "I'm only his lordship's secretary." "I wouldn't take overly comfort from that, Crealock, old fella, because if he sinks, then you sink with him." "So, you've been asked to look after me, Lieutenant." "I assure you, sir, I have no desire to create difficulties." "And I say you do not." "In fact, I'd be obliged for your best advice." " What have your scouts seen?" " So far, only Their scouts." "But we've had reports of a small Impi further north, over there." "His lordship is of a different opinion." "It's a too difficult approach to be chosen by the Zulu command." "Yes, well, difficulty never deterred a Zulu commander." "How many?" "We don't know." "I think it would be wise to picket the hills." "Just in case." "SPEAKS ZULU" "THEY SHOUT" "CATTLE LOW AND MEN WHISTLE" "There's steak on the hoof, sir!" "Sikali, forward!" "GUNFIRE" "Mr. Vereker!" "Mr. Vereker!" "Come and look at this, sir!" "You just managed to bring down a boy of 12!" "My God!" "We've found them!" "ZULUS CHANT" "Warn the camp." "Tell Chelmsford." "Inform his lordship we've found what he's looking for." "Yes, sir!" "Sikali, forward!" "Take aim!" "Fire!" "Retire!" "Retire!" "DISTANT GUNFIRE" "Oi!" "Come on!" "What are you doing?" "GUNFIRE CONTINUES" "Don't tell me the Zulu managed to get up there after all!" "ZULU!" "Get up!" "Get!" "They're here!" "I've sent to Lord Chelmsford!" "Bugler, sound the alert!" "FALL IN!" "AT THE DOUBLE!" "FALL IN!" "COME ON, LADS!" "AT THE DOUBLE!" "Come on, now!" "Tighten those ranks!" "Private Storey, get those range markers pegged out at the double - one every 100 yards!" "Make sure he pegs them in a straight line TOWARDS the enemy." "Hold them, please, God!" "For three minutes, please hold them!" "Come on!" "Come on!" "Come on!" "Come on, men!" "92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99..." "What's next, boy?" "Oi!" "You useless little bastard." "Come here!" "Look!" "Look!" "ZULUS CHANT" "Splendid site, Crealock!" "Splendid!" " I want to establish camp here immediately." " Certainly, sir." "After lunch, Brown, I want you shall return to Isandhlwana and instruct Col. Pulleine to join us here immediately." " If you'll excuse me, my lord." " No appetite, Colonel?" "My men last ate yesterday and they have no supplies until I get them back to Isandhlwana." "They can start now and you can join them when you've eaten." "Kindly, my lord." "But I don't think it wouldn't be proper for me to sit at your table, and they with their bellies stuck to their backbones." "Excuse me, sir." "Learn nothing from that Irishman," "Harford, except how NOT to behave." "LAUGHTER Thank you, sir." "Here, here!" "A strange message from Vereker, my lord." "It would seem that Pulleine has a battle on his hands." "No details." "No intelligence." "Mr. Milne, kindly take your telescope to a high point and note events at Isandhlwana." "Sir!" "ZULUS SING" "ZULUS DRUM ON SHIELDS AND CHANT" "ZULUS CRY OUT" "TAKE POSITIONS TO FIRE!" "Prepare to fire!" "FIRE!" " Steady, men!" " Prepare to fire!" " Steady now!" " Fire!" "Reload!" " Sergeant!" " Yes, sir!" "Ride to Lord Chelmsford." "Tell him the battle he longs for has started and he needs to move quickly." "Yes, Colonel!" "NUMBER ONE GUN, FIRE!" "NUMBER TWO GUN, FIRE!" "FIRE!" "All right!" "This'll do!" "Grab that!" "Come on!" "FIRE!" "Come on, sir!" "They're coming!" "Oh..." "Bugger that!" "Come on!" "PRESENT!" "FIRE!" "PRESENT!" "FIRE!" "PRESENT!" "FIRE!" "FIRE!" "Come on!" "PRESENT!" "FIRE!" "PRESENT!" "FIRE!" "Somebody's not watching our bloody markers!" "Come on, sunshine!" "Oh, no!" "Come all this bloody way to get shot by a bullet from Birmingham!" "Shoot straight, you bastards!" "Are we ready?" "Fire one!" "Fire two!" "Reinforce Durnford!" "And ride to Stuart Smith." "Let his guns cover Durnford for a fall-back." "Yes, sir!" "Sikali, follow me!" "OFFICER SHOUTS ORDERS IN DISTANCE" " Give covering fire for Durnford on the right flank." " Whole section rise!" "Fire!" "Retreat!" "In order." "Come on!" "PRESENT!" "FIRE!" "PRESENT!" "FIRE!" "Choose your targets, men!" "Watch those markers!" "KEEP STEADY!" "You're the best shots of the 24TH." "You let them heathens know it!" "Front rank, present!" "Fire!" "Fire!" "Rear rank, present!" "Fire!" "Watch your markers!" "Adjust your sights!" "I'm running out of bleeding ammunition!" "Bugler!" "What?" " More ammunition!" " I've been twice already!" "Go on!" "Run both ways!" "Soft-headed buggers, these!" "Flatten out against the bone!" "Smash 'em out!" "But bullets run out." "Those spears don't." "Pulleine!" "Do not issue ammunition from this wagon to any unauthorised company." "This lot have their own." "SPEAKS BANTU" "Go and get it from your own wagon." "How long have we got to wait Pullaine, sir?" " Get back in line, boy!" " But, sir!" "Move!" "Pulleine?" "All the tops are screwed down." "Come on!" "I'm waiting!" "Fire!" "Present!" "Fire!" "Hurry up with that bloody ammo!" "My lord!" "My lord, I watched the camp for 20 minutes." "The haze obscures much." "The tents have not been struck." "The only thing I could distinguish is the wagons been gone massive into the camp." "Thank you, Mr. Milne." "Inform Col. Crealock, will you?" "Sir!" "Thank you, Milne." "The camp is under attack." "Pulleine sends for help." "Be calm!" "Where do you come by this?" "Durnford's carbineer rode in." "Col Harness has turned the artillery." "They have?" "I see." "Ride out to Lord Chelmsford and acquaint him with this." "Mr. Harford!" "Control your passions!" "The professional soldier must keep cool." "INCESSANT GUNFIRE" "Good work, Vereker!" "Prepare to fall back!" "Move the horses!" "Move, men!" "FIRE!" "BACK!" "FIND THE HIGH GROUND!" "Speed the ammunition flow, Vereker." "I'll try and hold the road to Rorke's Drift." "Sergeant, come with me!" "FIRE!" "FIRE!" "PRESENT, FIRE!" "BOTH RANKS RETREAT!" "SAVE THOSE GUNS!" "PRIVATE WILLIAMS!" "SERGEANT WILLIAMS!" "COME 'ERE!" "COME ON!" "GET UP!" "I'll get that medal yet!" "WAIT YOUR BLOODY TURN!" "WAIT YOUR BLOODY TURN AND GET IN LINE!" "THERE YOU ARE, BOY!" "THERE YOU ARE, SIR!" "Over here!" "Quickly!" "Quickly, trooper!" "Well done, Vereker!" "Now, goodbye!" "Go on!" "Sergeant!" "Well fought, gentlemen!" "It's time to save the Colours." "Get to Rorke's Drift." "You must warn them." "The Colours!" "Carry them to safety, Mr. Melvill." "Sir!" "SERGEANT!" "SERGEANT!" "Take my horse!" "Off you go!" "Sergeant, ride back to Natal." "When you see the bishop, tell him... that is, tell his daughter..." "I was obliged to remain here with my infantry." "Now go!" "God go with you!" "I leave God Jesus with you." "MOVE IT!" "Give them to me!" "Come on!" "COME ON!" "For God's sake, hold them back!" "I'll get the horses!" "It's all right!" "It's all right!" "ANGUISHED CRY" "Excuse me, my lord, there's something I must convey to you." "I rode a little along the track to Rorke's Drift - the sky above is red with fire." "Your orders, my lord?" "Do we move to the Drift?" "A DOG WHINES" "ZULUS SING" "Subtitles by Roger Young and Clare O'Malley" " BBC Broadcast"