 Call all hands, speak to quarters. Get into it, if you please, Captain Bush. Pointes on target! Linz stops ready! Aye, aye, sir! Michael Redgrave as C.S. Forester's Indomitable Man of the Sea, Horatio Hornblower. Britain's naval strength and ingenuity. Bring them into the war on our side if you can. Orders which might, of course, prove somewhat contradictory on occasion. Once we'd entered Constadt Harbor, the Tsar himself had come aboard in cognizzo. Even though he hadn't once admitted his identity, I'd hoped he'd been impressed with the fine show we'd staged for him. My old comrade Captain Bush was still puzzling about all this the next morning on our quarterdeck. Sir, was it actually the Tsar himself? Are you quite sure? Yes, of course I'm sure. But all that talk about the Cont du Nord, we would be sure to call the visitor that, sir. A million amuses when he's travelling, old Bush. Bush, what an old skeptic you've become. I'd say, look forward, Bush. That smart little lugga with the insignia. That's our answers on the way. Mr. Hearth? Say hello to the airing porters from the shore. Aye, aye, sir, I noticed. Well, let me know when the moment she's alongside Mr. Hearth. If she carries the messenger, make him welcome. Aye, aye, sir, I'll see you in the bomb, sir. Your clerk seems interested, too, sir. Over there, the starboard rail. He's just come from the road. Oh, Saga, you mean. He's a peculiar fellow there. Did you know he was a thin and caught himself a man without a country now because of what the Russians did to Finland? Do you like him, sir? What do you mean? Oh, you don't, huh? Well, sir, I... I'm a bit shifting. You're right. It amuses me, the admiral posting him to help me win the Russians over. Oh, well. Well, at least he speaks all these weird port tongue. Yes, Mr. Hearth? Lager alongside, sir. There's our officer aboard, bringing you this letter, sir. You wait for your answer. Thank you, Mr. Hearth. Give him a drink of rum or something. Aye, aye, sir. What did I tell you, Bush? Look at that coat of arms, will you? Imperial Palace of Petals. Oh, yes, in French. Uh, I am bitten to dine with his Imperial Majesty and his Royal Highness the Prince of Sweden this afternoon at four o'clock. Oh. Oh, as accompanied by my staff, the officer who conveys this letter will serve as guide. Oh, tell me, would you, uh, would you care to dine with a Tsar this afternoon? What? His Imperial Majesty, the Tsar of all the Russians, at Peterhof, his palace on the Iranian-bound shore over there at four o'clock. Sir, I... Naturally, I'd, uh, but I'm a mere left-hand, sir. No, I think you need a little change. You'll still look a bit seedy. This preposterous, oriental document mentions a staff. Well, we must create one, since Captain Bush will stay here with the squadron. Now, who do you suggest beside yourself? Well, sir, I... I'm deeply honored and excited. You will need Mr. Sorgar, I expect. Sorgar? Uh, the clerk, sir. Well, can he post it as your interpreter? Yes, he was. Just why they saddled me with that glum fellow I... Oh, yes, yes, we must, we must have him along, of course. Then Hurst must go as first lieutenant, protocol, and one midshipment. Which one, mind? Sir, Summers is the brightest, if I may say so. Well, the fat one? Well, very good. Summers it is. Well, please part the way to him as you return to change the clothes. The dress uniforms, of course. We must, we must be off in, uh... Oh, half an hour. I shall be ready, sir. Thank you, sir. Definitely was not near the water. We docked amid saluting ventures in monstrous bearskins, and then were ushered into carriages, in which we drove for what seemed miles and miles, past parks and terraced lawns and marble fountains. I couldn't help thinking how much my dear wife Barbara would enjoy all this. But every turn there were centuries on guard, stiffly presenting arms as we whirled by. Oh, there and I had lost. The Peter Horse. Just round the next curve, you see? Which would casual remark about assassination that turned my thoughts uneasily back to Saga and that pistol. I remember the man's brooding hatred of Russia, his bitter sense of oppression, and suddenly great happens why hadn't it occurred to me before. Could it be...? Could he intend it? Yeah, I... As we drew up before the palace and were met by swarms of liveried footmen, I contrived to have a word alone with Mound, who with Saga and the others had occupied another carriage. Of all my company, I felt Mound was the most reliable. Well, you see what I mean, eh, Mound? I do see, sir. A member of my own ship's company, my own clerk. I think he's conceivable, isn't he? Oh, well, perhaps I'm imagining the whole thing. I helped him, sir. Well, help me keep an eye on him. It looks as if there'll be a crush on people. Now, watch out. Here he comes now. Who's this with him with all the gold glaze? Please, you have the kindness to accompany me, so on, Lord. I trust that I'll see you in good health, Sir Commodore Von Bloch. Thank you. I'm in the best of health at Exonship. And your squadron, which I had the pleasure of visiting, but yesterday, in company with the Coons. Do you know? My squadron's in the best of health, too, Exonship. Yes. Yesterday, aboard your clerkship, we discussed very briefly this man, Bonaparte, his policies. Yes. It was, I believe, your opinion that his troops might constitute a real threat to Russia. Might, sir? I fear it's less conditional than that. Bonaparte overran Swedish Pomerania the other day. Then 50,000 troops in the moment he got news of our appearance in the Baltic. Yes, Prince Bernadotte Frieden is here even now. This evening he'll be conferring with his imperial majesty. Yes, I had heard so. Now, sir, Bonaparte now controls the entire Baltic coast, right to the Russian frontiers. That would be most convenient to him in one particular event, in the event of his deciding to attack you. Perhaps you are right. But you know, we've had a treaty with... Oh, Bonaparte respects no previous excellency. And now he's taken Pomerania. There's no place for an attack on his rear. He can march an army against St. Petersburg with no fear of it being cut off anywhere. Perhaps, perhaps. There are so many considerations, pro and con. But for us, his promise has to be a very difficult decision. Then what your excellency is saying to me is... Come along. I am merely advising patients. Since there is no decision yet by those responsible for higher policies, I cannot wish you to draw premature conclusions nor to be overheated in communicating with your government. That was why I asked to see you privately. We must not seek to hasten the slow steps of history. And now, if I obtain you longer, you'll be late for the imperial reception. There are lovely ladies waiting to meet you. Ah, they will soon erase that troubled frown of yours. I am certain. His British Majesty's royal name. It is the greatest of pleasures, sir. Delighted. As a distinguished stranger, Commodore, you will take precedence immediately after the Persian ambassador his excellency in Korsakabad. And now, if you'll excuse me, there are other guests I have to welcome with this reception. Sir, closely, my friend, and you will see the Prince of Sweden enter with his imperial majesty, our star. Then suddenly, I did see Soga. He stood quite unobtrusively at one end of the gallery, beside a pillar. But there was something in his attitude, fierce inner intensity that froze my blood. Alexander had conquered Finland. Prince Bernadotte had condoned the act, and there stood Soga, hating both of them. I turned the plot play from the countess and found the gallery's fares. I had to push my way through a dense crowd. Where was Marlon? I might need help. Ah, there he was, sir. Well, nothing's going to miss. I kept him inside pretty steadily. Don't be fool, Marlon. Look at him now. Don't follow me. Hurry. I felt an agony of suspense now. It was almost impossible to move through the packed onlookers, all standing there, gaping at the celebrities below. Oh, excuse me. Your pardon, ma'am. I'm sorry, ma'am, please. Your pardon, sir. Come on, honey. There stood Soga by his pillar, so absorbed he didn't even notice our approach. His hand went to his waistband beneath his coat. He was drawing my pistol. Shall I shoot, sir? No, no. There's just one way, one silent way. My sword. Stand back. I whipped my sword out of its scabbard. I couldn't afford to miss my mark at the first stroke. Pistol. With tendon severed, the man's fingers opened mercilessly. The gun fell heavily to the carpet, and Soga turned in open, mild surprise. Staring first at the spurting blood, then at me, venomously. All right, Soga, that does it. Make one more move, and you'll feel the blade somewhere else. Observe. It's pointed at your heart. Well, if there's anything to say, Soga. No, Commodore. I have nothing to say. Take the pistol, ma'am. Look after him. Tie that wrist up. Get him out somehow. Nobody's noticed yet. They're all much too absorbed in their precious royalties down there. I'll find Summers and Hearst. I'll click. We can stow him somewhere. Good lad, good lad. Sorry, but I've got to get back down below. Act the untroubled emissary from old England. Then why, sir? I'll see. He causes no more trouble if I have to sit on his thick head all the afternoon. Welcome back, sir, Commodore. I'm extremely sorry, Countess. I have no intention of... You're such a great haste. You fraud in leaving me mature. I couldn't help but think I had offended you. No, no, no. Nothing like that. You see, well... Never mind. I have forgiven you already. And please do not look so austere. But see, here come the royal party. They make the tour of the great company speaking a word to each. Oh, shouldn't you have to speak English? The grand marshal will soon present you to his Imperial Majesty. I've already met... No, no, my mistake. I wonder if they can't do no or not to be here too, this afternoon. They can't do no? No, I do not know him. Your Imperial Majesty, this is Commodore Sir Horatio Hornblower. Your Imperial Majesty. His Royal Highness the Prince of Sweden. Your Royal Highness. Your Imperial Majesty, your Royal Highness. It is a privilege to meet Commodore Hornblower of whom I have heard of his exploits. Your Majesty is much too kind. We appreciate your time here with us today, Commodore. Commodore, stuck me as odd everyone standing up to dine. But then one shouldn't question others' customs. The long tables literally groaned with food of all descriptions. Though it was quite odd too. Perhaps I appeared a trifle misdivider, especially when some grey, unappetizing looking stuff was handed us by a footman. So the Countess came to my rescue. That is caviar. Try, you will approve, I think. And what's this in the glasses? It looks like water. No, no, it is not water. You'll discover vodka, Commodore. Vodka, the drink of the people. Interesting. This other stuff, this is caviar. Delicious. It's truly delicious. You know, it seems a bit unusual to a stranger to eat standing up. But you know, this is one of the jolliest parties I ever attended, Countess. Right, right, beautiful women music. You know, I'm feeling quite like exhilarated. I thought that was innocuous looking, transparent stuff. What did you call it? Vodka, Commodore. Yes, everyone here seems to toss it down in quantity, most casually, I must say. I've been some time at sea, you know. It's a different kind of life, and then all this sort of thing. You know, bits with harsh compared to this. I'm sure. Well, I think I'll have some more of that salad and some cheese. It's extremely good. Thank you. How many courses, Countess? Don't be concerned. At least you've now discovered you like Russian preliminaries. I shall gladly advise you on which courses to neglect. Ah, you have a kind heart, Madame. Holy interest, Monsieur, very much. Pictures? Yes, same thing. The picture gallery of this salad is considered very fine. This evening after dinner, I could show it to you. Unless, of course, you would prefer to join the cart, please. Oh, no, no, no. I'd much prefer to see pictures, Countess. After the royal party has withdrawn, if you are by the door on the far side, I shall show you the way. That would be delightful, Madame. My husband, Countess, used to be quite interested in pictures. I married him as a mere child. But, after all, he is now quite elderly. He has lost interest in the minor phrase. Just as we rose and left the dining hall, man slipped up to outside the door. I thought you'd want to know, sir. We had him in the side room up along. Good, good, good. You, I could trust you, mind. He fainted with the loss of blood. We had to use a tourniquet. Half of my shirt. Someone's in here to guard him. Anyone find out about it, mind? No, sir. Nobody saw us go. Good. I bought some liquor on his coat. And from the smell of him, anyone will think he's drunk. All right. We'll smuggle him out somehow. But, sir, the sooner we get him away, the better, sir. Yes, you're right. Well, except that, um... No, I don't think we can hurry off at once. No, hold the fort, mind. We'll have to stay here another hour, at least, just as it demands. But, sir, I thought, just as you say. I've waited, as you see. I said you had a kind heart. Countess, can you read? The Italian pictures of the Cinquecento are in the farthest gallery. But, um, perhaps you'd care to see the more modern ones first. Their gallery isn't quite so well-lighted. Unfortunately, it's just come to be that, well, I must return to my ship with the others. Yes, I'm afraid in times like these, so many duties weighing heavily... Indeed. And it is only now that you remember them? Well, I must. Thank you so very much for your great kindness to an awkward guest, and also for your friendliness. For me today, the Russians are the most delightful people in the world. But I must be getting back aboard my ship. Best return from a rather extraordinary day at the Czar's Court. You would have been amused, I think, to see me determined to uphold the dignity of Britain amid all that gold lace and pomp and circumstances. Amongst amazing people, these Russians, highly ambiguous as to their intentions in this war, yet going some lengths today to show me friendliness and sympathy. Oh, yes, yes, there was a rather attractive little country, sir. Well, I forget that exact name. Well, for a time, made herself especially amiable in showing courtesy to us strangers. None of them here, however, can begin to compare with our English women, either in appearance or in deportment. Just when we shall move out of Cranstead Harbor, I'm not quite sure yet. I miss you so very much tonight. I send you all my love. Remember that. You're most obedient husband.