Original subtitles

[film reel rolls]

[ominous music]

[crickets chirping]

[whispers] Clare.

[speaks in Gaelic]

Clare.

[speaking in Gaelic]

[singing in Gaelic]

[bushes rustling]

[bushes rustling]

Don't use so much glaze. You'll burn the meat.

Do you want to poison our guests?

Stand up straight, you girl!

And you, you fat Miss Molly

your shoes look like they're dipped in shit!

Eyes front!

I wanna see my face in those!

If you cunts are not back here tonight

lookin' like the belle of the fuckin' ball

I'll make you wish you were never born, understood?

Yes, sergeant!

Company, shoulder arms!

Fall out!

They'll be like nuns in church, lieutenant. You have my word.

Polish your boots and brush your coat.

You look like shite yourself.

Yes, sir!

It's near perfect.

Company, shoulder arms!

[horse whinnies]

Company, general salute!

Present arms!

Shoulder arms!

[indistinct chatter]

We are honored to welcome Captain Goodwin to our post.

We trust your visit here will be a fruitful one, captain.

To start the evenin' off

I'd like to call on our little nightingale

to sing a good old British love song for all us homesick lads.

[applause]

[whistling]

[laughter]

[fiddle music]

♪ As I went walking one morning in May ♪

♪ I met a young couple

♪ So fondly did stray

♪ And one was a young maid so sweet and so fair ♪

♪ And the other was a soldier and a brave grenadier ♪

♪ And they kissed so sweet and comforting ♪

♪ As they clung to each other

♪ They went arm in arm along the road ♪

♪ Like sister and brother

♪ They went arm in arm along the road ♪

♪ Till they came to a stream

♪ And they both sat down together love ♪

♪ To hear the nightingale sing ♪♪

[indistinct chatter]

[laughing]

Fuckin' hell!

- She likes you, Wallace! - Keep it down!

May I, sir?

What's happened to His Lordship?

Jago's taken him to look at the sentries.

Then he's off to bed.

- Doesn't drink. - Doesn't drink?

I bet he likes it up the windward passage, that one.

Bloody sodomite.

Go and find his nibs, will you?

Make sure he's happy.

I'm off to Bedfordshire myself.

Got a full day of arse-kissing tomorrow.

Close the door.

Come here.

I can't do that, sir.

[scoffs] It's alright.

For your singin'.

And this one..

...I got in Hobart especially for you.

You'll insult me if you don't take it.

Sing a song.

Just for me.

♪ As I went a-walkin' -- ♪

Oh, not that one.

The one for me.

♪ I wish my love was a butterfly ♪

♪ I'd light on my love's breast ♪

♪ Or if I was a blue cuckoo

♪ I'd sing my love to rest

♪ Or if I was a blackbird

♪ I'd sing till the daylight clear ♪

♪ I'd sit and sing

♪ For you my love

♪ For I have loved you dear ♪

God, you're beautiful.

Every man in that room wanted you tonight.

Sit on my lap.

Sir, my letter of recommendation

sir, it's due three months ago now.

I'll send it when I'm ready.

I'm meant to be in the care of my husband now, sir.

It's the law.

"It's the law," cried the thief.

Didn't I rescue you from that hellhole of a prison?

They warned me you'd be too much trouble. I took you on, anyway.

You'd still be there if it weren't for me.

I'm very grateful for that, sir.

I let you marry the Irishman.

Got you your own hut.

Not good enough for Her Highness?

I'm very grateful to you, sir.

I even got you your own horse.

No other convict in the district's got their own horse.

Aidan worked for that horse for three years, sir.

He paid for it himself.

Ungrateful!

Oh, here it comes. This is the part where she cries.

[sobs] I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry.

I decide when you leave and when you stay.

Stop cryin'.

You're doing this deliberately, with the captain here.

- No, sir, I'm not. - Yes, you are.

You're doing it deliberately to get at me.

I shouldn't have said nothing, sir.

I'm so sorry. I'll leave you be.

Come here!

Please don't, sir!

I need to get my baby.

Please don't, no. No!

[sobbing]

Shut it.

[screams]

[breathing heavily]

[birdsong]

[gunshot]

[laughter]

Fix your sleeve.

[knock on door]

Lieutenant.

Captain. Out you go, miss.

Your soldiers have been firing off their guns for no reason.

They do that, sir, to ward off the blacks.

They were rotten drunk

and firing at the night sky, lieutenant.

[baby crying]

Finally.

Some of us are living the high life

while I take care of their screaming babies!

You can take that dress off. You're a convict, not royalty.

I'm taking it off now, damn you!

I beg your pardon?

You can start on the boilers before dawn.

[metal clanking]

Aidan.

Aidan!

Can we go, love?

And the little bird was so frightened.

She thought she was going to die out there in the forest

all alone.

She called out in her sweet baby voice

to see if her ma could hear her.

Her voice was so pure

it carried for miles through the trees.

And suddenly out of nowhere..

...her ma came flying down

and scooped her up in her breast.

And the little baby bird chirped with delight.

She held on tight through the trees

till they came to a beautiful place

where she and her ma and da could all live happily together.

The sun shone brightly

and the air was clear.

She was home.

She was free.

And what did he say?

- He'll send it when he's ready. - Christ's sake!

I'm demandin' it first thing in the mornin'.

No, you can't order him to do anything. It won't work.

He owes you your ticket, Clare.

You've served your time and then some.

- What's that mark? - What?

- There's another on your neck. - I fell.

[speaking in Gaelic]

Alright?

Alright, me missus?

[speaking in Gaelic]

[ravens cawing]

[indistinct chatter]

[indistinct chatter]

[laughter]

What are you made of? Come on.

- I can't, sergeant. - Drink. Drink. Drink.

Drink. Drink. Drink. Drink.

Don't waste it, son.

Salutations, lieutenant. You've done well.

Not long now, we'll be calling you captain.

What a bloody rigmarole.

Won't be bendin' over for the likes of him when I'm captain.

[gasps]

What? Give me a slice, sir!

I'm sorry, sir. I'm so -- I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I've had too much.

[laughter]

You've had five soldiers flogged

and in the clink already, sergeant.

Do you want the rest of them in there?

Get to bed, you tosspots!

Don't drain the dregs. Just get!

[clamoring]

[indistinct singing]

- Have you been drinking? - I'm just gonna talk to him.

No!

[indistinct chatter]

Let her go.

- Beg yours? - I asked you nice this mornin'.

Now I'm tellin' you. Let her go.

Hey, hey, hey, hey. Watch your mouth.

Well, let him speak.

She's been askin' for three months.

Every week you say you're gonna send the letter

and every week you don't.

Why won't you let her go?

Aidan, please. Aidan.

She's paid her dues and so have I.

Is that right?

She's my wife.

And she's my property

so I'll do what I want with her.

[laughing]

Please, love. Just walk away now.

No!

[grunts]

[grunts]

[groans]

In your office, lieutenant.

What the hell were you thinking, fightin' an officer?

Do you wanna ruin us?

He's a troublemaker, sir, he and his wife.

And what is she to you?

Nothin', captain.

Do you think I'm an idiot?

No.

The lieutenant governor finds moral indiscretion

in his officers abhorrent.

I agree.

I don't tolerate any indiscretions.

I've spent enough time here now.

Noted your conduct and that of your soldiers.

I'm afraid I can't recommend you for the captaincy up north.

But I was told by the lieutenant colonel himself

that he would put me forward to Major Bexley.

Pending my recommendation.

And I'm afraid I can't recommend you.

Sir, I took on this post

with the promise it would be one year.

Three years later, I'm still here.

I've been handed the sorriest band of soldiers

that ever sullied the British Army

and still I've had consistent results.

I've civilized the land

got rid of the blacks, made it safe --

No one owes you anything, lieutenant!

There is no officer in this colony

who's put in more work than me, no one who knows it better.

If an officer can't even control

the convict detritus that surrounds him

how on earth could he command a bigger post up north?

I've a long trip back.

I'll travel north to Launceston, see Major Bexley meself

and apply for the position in person.

If you insist.

The post will be filled in four to five days, I'd say.

Four to five days?

Well, no other officer knows the colony better than you.

Why don't you take your nag and ride up?

It's nigh on impossible to get a horse up that way from here.

Then take some men and walk it.

Fuck!

Fuck!

We're headed up north to Launceston first thing

through the interior.

[scoffs] What?

Isn't that dangerous?

Yes, it's fucking dangerous, you fat-headed lobcock!

But we're not ready yet, sir.

I haven't handed things over to the corporal.

We don't have any supplies, no black tracker.

Then get us ready, Ruse.

Do something useful for once.

Drink up. We're paying a visit.

[speaking in Gaelic]

Shh, shh.

[footsteps approach]

[baby wailing]

Shh.

Going somewhere?

We don't want no trouble.

That's just the way, isn't it?

You don't want trouble, but sometimes trouble wants you.

- We're very sorry. - Not you!

[baby crying]

Him.

Apologize.

I'm sorry.

No!

[baby wailing]

No!

Aidan, no!

[baby wailing]

What, are you gonna shoot me now, you Irish cunt?

You're nothing but the shit on my shoe.

He's drunk, sir. He's very sorry for what he did. We both are.

She's a beauty, your wife.

I've enjoyed her greatly.

[laughs]

Did she not tell you?

Oh, we've been fucking like mad since she pushed that brat out.

[sobbing]

She loves it too.

Got the scratches on my back to prove it.

Don't listen to him, love.

She begged me for it.

Says I'm the best she's ever had.

Get your hands off her!

You want to see how she likes it?

No. Aidan!

[screams]

I'll fucking kill you!

No!

[baby wailing]

[screams]

No!

[grunts]

I'll fucking kill you!

- I'll fucking kill you! - No!

- No! - Please, stop!

- No! - No!

- Please! - Alright, I'm sorry!

I'm sorry! I'm sorry, please!

[screams]

- No! - No.

[screams]

No!

No!

No!

You fuckin' snake!

[sobbing]

No!

No!

[speaking in Gaelic]

[baby wailing]

[speaking in Gaelic]

Help me!

[groans]

[grunting]

[gunshot]

[sobbing]

[wailing]

You've wanted to try it.

So try it.

No!

No! My baby!

No! No!

No!

No!

[moans]

[crying]

[baby wailing]

Shut it up.

- No! - Shh, shh, shh.

She won't shut up. Hey.

- Shh, shh. - My baby!

- Be quiet, be quiet. - Shut it up, will ya?

- No! - Shh. Hey, be quiet.

No!

Please, please, be quiet.

- No! No! My baby! - Shut up, please. Shut up!

She won't shut up. Please, please, be quiet!

- Shut it up or I will! - No!

No! No!

[screams]

- Will you shut it up? - Please, shut up!

Shut up! Shut up!

- Do it now! - No!

[thud]

[moaning]

You ruined it, Jago, you dolt.

We'll have to finish it.

What do you mean?

Her, it.

No. I -- I can't.

What are you made of? Finish it.

Finish it!

[instrumental music]

[gasps]

[sobbing]

[screams]

No!

What's wrong, love?

[sobs] Oh, no, no! Oh, dear.

You were meant to be here at sunup.

Where is he?

What have you done to the babe?

Where is the lieutenant?

Where is he?

He left at dawn

with the sergeant and the young ensign.

To go where?

- I don't have to tell -- - To go where?

To Launceston.

To take up that new post, he said.

They were goin' overland.

[sobs] Clare, wait!

Did your husband do this?

No, damn you, I told you!

Watch your mouth.

My husband is lying dead in a shack

murdered by your officers.

You want me to take the word of a woman convict

over that of an officer?

This is my word.

This is my proof!

Are you going to help me or not?

I can write up a report, send it to Hobart.

Go to hell!

Don't go in there, Luddy. You don't need to see.

You coming with me? I'm going after them.

I've only just got me ticket meself.

They'll put me back where I come from

away from Luddy.

I can't.

Aidan would have died for you.

Are you gonna leave him in a cold, dark grave

while his murderers are free to do as they please?

- He was my friend, too, Clare. - Clare..

- And we loved the little one. - Please.

I want you to bury them under that tree.

Put her in his arms so she's safe.

Clare, what are you doing?

Say a prayer. Bless them for me.

- Clare, you can't just.. - Please, Clare.

Clare, wait!

- Don't go, love. - Stop!

Stop! Whoa, whoa. Whoa.

What in Christ's name are you doing?

You don't even know where you're going!

- I'll follow the paths. - What are you talking about?

It's murderous out there. You'll die in a day!

Should I stay home and do needlework?

It's a fucking wilderness.

At least take a guide, for God's sake.

There's a guide that I work with.

He's smart and knows the land.

Those black ones, they know the way --

I'm not traveling with a black.

End up in a pot of someone's dinner.

What are you trying to do to me?

Clare, please.

I can't let you go out there on your own.

I couldn't live with meself.

[barking]

Boy!

Fuck off!

Billy.

Billy!

I've got a job for ya.

Them soldiers come here already.

I told them to bugger off.

Uncle Charlie go with them instead.

I'm not helping you white bastards no more.

- You never pay. - The job's for me.

I'm not workin' for no bloody white woman.

I'll give you two shilling.

One now and one when you get me to the soldiers

that came by this morning.

You don't have two shillin'.

I'll cash this jewelry for the rest.

If you kill me before the job's done

you won't find anyone who'll take these for coin.

So don't even think about it.

I seen you..

...at the boss bastard's house.

- Where's your baby? - I don't have no baby.

- What happened to your face? - Do you want the job or not?

My husband's traveling with those men.

You get me to my husband, then take us both to Launceston.

Alone, no soldiers.

I don't want no trouble.

- For God's sake, boy. - Wait, wait.

You give me one shilling now, we go tomorrow.

You take me now or I'll find someone who will.

You're not taking that horse with you. Too slow.

- She's coming with us. - Then I'm taking the dogs.

No dogs!

Bloody dangerous riding with that.

- Blow your head off. - You need to move.

Move, boy!

Wait, will ya? Wait!

Go the wrong way, if you want. Them soldiers went this way.

- What's with that face, ensign? - Sorry, lieutenant?

You've been looking like a scared little girl all day.

- Drop it. - Yes, sir.

Move, ya cunts!

Good choice, Ruse. A skeleton, a simpleton and a midget.

- Well done. - I had no choice, sir.

All the other convicts are off finishing the bridge.

- We'd be faster without 'em. - All respect, sir.

I can shine your boots, make a fire, fetch your water

and run faster and work harder than them old farts.

It appears the midget has some balls, lieutenant.

[baby crying]

[gunshot]

There they go! Did you see?

- That's my black. - What do you mean yours?

He's my guide, you fool!

Are you soft in the head?

You're traveling alone with that?

I've lost him now, thanks to you.

Them savages lit that fire.

They killed our sheep.

They would have killed the wife and young'uns, too

if we didn't come home early.

Oh. Are you mad, woman?

You cannot go out there on your own!

There's a war on, you know.

Aye, well, your funeral!

[flies buzzing]

[rustling]

[gasps] Jesus Christ Almighty!

Don't sneak up on me like that.

What you gonna do? Shoot me or hang me?

Our people cleared that land

so we could hunt, get food.

Be quiet, boy.

Then you white devils come put sheeps on it.

Told us to get off our land.

Now we got no food. You kill us.

I heard enough.

[speaking in Aboriginal]

Where's the food? I'm starvin'.

It must have fallen off.

- What are you doing? - I'm getting us food.

What? Stealin' it?

- Boy! - Yes, I'm stealin' it.

You go anywhere near that house and I'll leave you here.

How are we gonna eat?

Maybe we can eat that bloody horse.

Why are you black, boy?

You sick?

[laughs]

Leave him be, sergeant.

Charlie's a good boy. Aren't you, Charlie?

Three more days till we're up north.

Watch out. He'll get you in your sleep.

They eat little ones like you.

Ah!

[laughs]

Leave him alone.

He's just a boy.

Says he, the great protector of children.

What'd you say?

Just makin' light, sir. Just makin' light.

What's wrong, ensign?

Just thinkin' of what happened, sir.

What we did.

What?

Some Irish convict scum trying to kill an officer.

He went for me with his musket.

The world will thank us for it.

The girl didn't die, sir.

- I'm sure of it. - So?

Even if she didn't, who's gonna do anything about it?

For all anyone knows

her husband killed the baby in a rage.

Then he set upon her, so she shot him.

Don't worry yourself, lad.

We could hang for it, sir.

This is the last time you'll mention it, ensign

to anyone.

You were never there. You don't know what happened.

And when I look at your stupid face

from this point on

I wanna see a permanent fucking smile.

Alright?

Look on the bright side, sir.

Two months in Van Diemen's Land

and you're already a baby killer.

Hey.

Hey!

Hey!

If either of you do anything to jeopardize this post for me

I swear I'll leave you in the fucking bush to rot!

[urinates]

[baby wails]

[baby wailing]

[speaking in Gaelic]

[snarling]

Shut it up or I will!

[gasps]

[snarling]

[thunder rumbling]

[horse snorts]

[grunts]

Come on, sweetheart.

That's the way.

[grunts]

They went that way, five of them.

- Five? - And a little one.

A kid.

Plus Uncle Charlie, them seven.

They go fast. Hardly no stop.

How long till we reach them?

Maybe catch 'em up tomorrow. I don't know.

Well, can't we go a quicker way?

That way quicker way, catch 'em up today.

But much more harder. More bush, more..

[gasps]

Get them off!

Ah, get them off!

That's pipina. They love you, them ones.

- Don't touch me. - Help me!

Ah, they're big and fat. They're full of themselves.

[groans]

[bird chirping]

[clinking]

Boy?

Boy?

[clanking]

Whoa! Whoa, whoa, whoa.

- Where are you goin'? - My husband's traveling ahead.

There's only army men through here.

Your husband a soldier, is he?

[sniggers]

I need to get to my husband.

So you said.

Where's your papers?

I'm a free married woman.

What sort of a husband lets a woman travel out here

on her own?

Me and my mate, we're partial to a bit of Irish cunny.

You stay here a while, there'll be a decent coin in it for ya.

I wouldn't touch you if my life depended on it.

Then show me your papers, you Irish cunt.

When my husband finds out what you said..

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Every time something bad happens

you're nowhere to be found.

I'm paying you to protect me!

No, you're not.

I'm showing you the way.

You protect yourself.

You're a bloody coward.

I'm not a coward.

Those ones who see a blackfella, they shoot a blackfella.

Bit hard for a dead man to show you the fuckin' way.

You take 'em, midget. I gotta piss.

[indistinct chatter]

Koa!

[babbling]

[speaking in Aboriginal]

[gasps]

Look at you.

[crying]

[speaking in Aboriginal]

I've never seen one like you before.

I'm not gonna hurt ya.

[speaking in Aboriginal]

Look what I found!

I was takin' a piss and she was right there.

What in the hell are you doing bringing one here?

Where there's one, there's ten, sergeant.

She was with a bunch of dead ones.

She was just cryin' like this. I swear they were all dead.

This was the only live one.

I just wanna try one, sir. Just once.

- No. - You've swived them before.

- Why can't I? - Don't be disgusting.

Pack up!

[whimpers]

Get rid of her.

[screams]

I done plenty of things for you, sir.

This is the least you could do for me.

I'm sorry, sir. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I -- I was just..

You can swive her first, sir. I don't mind.

She's a beauty. Look at her, sir.

This was the only live one.

[speaking in Aboriginal]

It's alright. It's alright.

It's alright. It's alright.

[speaking in Aboriginal]

Shh, shh, shh.

[speaking in Aboriginal]

Shh, shh, shh, shh.

Tie her up to the cart.

Any problems, that's the end of it.

[screaming]

[speaking in Aboriginal]

Shut it!

- They close. - How close?

Get to 'em today if the river not too high.

Hear that river?

[water gushing]

- Close. - Please can we hurry?

Please.

What are you doing?

River too high. Get to 'em another day.

- You said we would make it. - I'm not the boss.

- River the boss. - Jesus Mary!

What are you doing?

We're not going across.

- We're going across. - No.

River too high, too fast.

No!

Come on, Becky.

Hyah! Hyah!

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

[gasps]

[snorts]

[gasps]

[gasping]

[gasping]

[gasping]

[coughing]

[gasping]

[coughing]

Hey.

We need to eat.

[flies buzzing]

[sniffs]

[knocking]

Hey!

You fuckin' little black devil!

[gunshot]

Come back here!

Come here!

[gunshot]

Plenty of food out here I could get.

But I need time.

I can make spear to hunt.

Why don't you go and do it now then?

Stop whinging about it.

You bloody white people.

Take me from my family.

Say, "You'll be like white boy now.

"You don't hunt. Don't do ceremony.

That's bad way. You do it whitefella way."

Whitefella way is shit way.

- Now I got nothing. - Poor you.

No. Not poor me. Bastard England.

You think you're the only one with problems?

I've looked after meself since I was a kid.

Never knew me father.

Me mother worked herself to an early grave.

I lived on the streets, stole what I could to survive.

And now I'm here at the arse end of the world with you.

Welcome to the world, boy.

Full of misery from top to bottom.

I'm not your boy.

I'm mangana,the blackbird.

I'm Letteremairrener man.

I'm not "God Save The King" like them white bastards sing.

I'm..

[singing in Aboriginal]

Stop!

[continues singing]

Stop it!

Sounds bloody awful.

My brothers, my father, my uncles..

...all them dead.

Them whitefella shot 'em all in front of me when I was a kid.

My mother, my aunties..

...all them run away.

Never seen 'em again.

Them whitefella take me far from my family.

Chain me, beat me.

Say, "You be like white boy now."

I don't never wanna be like white boy.

Not now, not ever.

That big boss you following, he's the worst one.

He make me take him to blackfella

then he shoot the blackfella.

I'm not working for no bloody whitefella no more.

I'm gonna go up north.

I'm gonna find my mother, my aunties.

Go back home to my country

so you can't hurt me no more.

What do you mean me?

I didn't hurt your family. I didn't do anything.

You England.

I'm not England. I'm Ireland.

- You bloody England! - I'm Ireland!

[speaking in Gaelic]

- You Ireland? - Yes, I'm Ireland, you fool.

I feckin' hate the English.

I'm Ireland.

Bloody white people.

[singing in Gaelic]

[screaming in Aboriginal]

[screams]

[sobbing]

[screams in Aboriginal]

- How was it? - All yours.

[screaming]

Are you hurtin' her?

- What's your name, lad? - Eddie, sir.

Where are your parents, Eddie?

Both dead, sir.

I can look after meself.

Can you read or write, Eddie?

No, sir.

I'll teach you how to write your name.

[speaking in Aboriginal]

[sobbing]

Clare.

Look at you.

What are you doin' here?

All the way out here.

Fuckin' hell.

I found something here!

- Where are ya? - Here!

- We see the fire! - We're comin' over.

You fuckin' li..

Cooper? Cooper!

- Where are ya? Oi! Oi! - Hurry.

[metal scraping]

Someone's gotta get us tucker.

Food. Remember food?

If I was gonna kill ya, I would have done it by now.

Left you in the river or with them devils last night.

Can you fix it?

Please? It's broken.

Not broken.

Just got wet when you threw it in the river.

Where did you get that?

Stole it from the hut

where that bastard one shoot at me.

- What? - I'm smart.

You white ones go fast, fast, fast

get nowhere.

I go slow, get everything done.

I'm blackbird.

Just fix it. We need to get going.

Hurry up.

[shouting in Aboriginal]

[war cry]

[grunting]

[speaks in Aboriginal]

[war cry]

[speaking in Aboriginal]

[gunshot]

[speaking in Aboriginal]

- Lowanna. - Go, boy!

Lowanna.

[sobbing]

Lowanna.

Lowanna.

[panting]

- All dead, were they? - Where's Jago?

Forget him. He's done for.

[panting]

[groans]

[grunts]

Them tracks here, older ones.

- But these ones fresh. - What? I don't under --

Shh.

Coming back this way.

Going over there.

That big fella, the soldier one.

Walk like this.

He went that way.

- When? - Very close.

He's hurt. There's blood.

[grunting]

[grunts]

Hello?

Hello?

Ah!

What are you doing?

I just wanted him to stop is all.

If that one's your husband, you need another husband.

- How do we get to him? - I don't want no trouble.

Please help me.

You know what it's like to have a whitefella

take everything you have, don't you?

They stole something from me

and I need to get it back.

- You got the rum, lad. - It's all I could get, sir.

It was the best thing you could have got.

At least we can get drunk tonight.

You did better than the sergeant.

He picked up bugger all.

No tears now. Be a man.

I'm not cryin', sir. Tears are for girls.

You know how to work a pistol?

No, sir.

Would you like to learn?

Yes, sir.

Come and walk up front.

You can have some rum, too, once we stop.

Sergeant.

You walk back.

- Keep a lookout at the rear. - Yes, sir.

That way if they attack again, you'll be the first to go.

How long now, boy? Get there tomorrow?

Maybe, boss. Maybe day after.

I'll give you big reward if you get us there by tomorrow, boy.

Go get Becky and wait for me there.

Go!

[panting]

I surrender!

You surrender?

[gunshot]

[screaming]

You surrender?

I didn't mean to kill the babe.

I just wanted it to be quiet.

Please.

Please!

[screaming]

Please, I..

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, please. I didn't mean it.

[gun clicks]

No!

[screaming]

[screaming]

[grunts]

[screams]

[coughs]

Die!

[gasping]

[heavy breathing]

Mother..

[sobbing]

[screaming]

[sobbing]

[bird chirping]

[wings fluttering]

Boy.

Boy.

Boy.

Please, just..

Billy, please.

Don't leave.

I'll give you everything I got.

Becky's yours.

Do you know how much she's worth?

Ten whole pounds.

I'll sell her for you in Launceston.

Don't want her.

If you go back that way, you won't last five hours

before some whitefella tries to blow your head off.

Billy, please.

I can't be out here on my own.

What did he do to ya to make you do that to him?

You're not lookin' for your husband, are ya?

You don't have a baby no more.

[sobbing]

Alright?

This way.

Up there?

Not here?

Too many blackfella that way.

More fight, get killed.

No good.

This looks steep.

Blackfella chasing you now 'cause you killed that woman.

Blackfella not go up mountain way.

Safer way. Quick way too.

[birds chirping]

[crow cawing]

Bad spirits here. Very bad.

[metal clinking]

- Quickly. - Oi.

Stop!

Stop!

Stop!

Oi!

Come back here, you bitch!

When I find you..

...I'll not baulk to put a shot in your brain!

You and your black monkey!

Fuckin' animals!

Big, big fight here.

This is where the big fella got the spear

before you finished him.

Them soldiers shot a blackfella.

His family carry him away.

It was a woman.

You sure you wanna follow him? Them mad devils.

I came here to do something and I'm gonna do it.

You comin'?

Boy?

You sure this is the best way?

Yes, best way.

I need to get to Launceston tomorrow.

Very important.

Do you understand?

- Answer him, boy! - Shh.

Do you understand?

Charlie will get you there tomorrow

to meet the big boss. You'll be happy.

- Alright. - Getting dark.

Stop now. Up early.

What are they doin'?

- Is that a shortcut? - No.

No one go up that way, not even blackfella.

She won't get through there. Too steep.

We go long way around, still get to 'em tomorrow.

It's getting dark. We camp around here.

I'll get some food. You wait here with her.

[twig snaps]

Billy!

Billy!

Over here.

Here. Tomorrow, wallaby.

Tonight, loiti.

Eat.

You need to wash them clothes.

- Get the blood out. - I'm alright.

What's your name again?

Clare.

Clare.

You Ireland?

Yes.

I'm Ireland.

Ireland far away.

Charlie's your uncle?

Not like you say.

Charlie from a different family.

Plangermairreenner man.

He help me do ceremony.

Help me live our way. Blackfella way.

Charlie my family now.

You have more family here?

If I saw them white ones

the ones that killed my family..

...I would have done what you did.

[laughs]

Don't worry, my love.

Don't worry about us.

I wanted to come tell you we're alright.

We're all alright.

We're all alright.

We're all alright.

[echoes]

We're all alright.

We're all alright.

We're all alright.

We're all alright.

We're all alright.

We're all alright.

We're all alright.

We're all alright!

[screams]

We're all alright!

We're all alright!

We're all alright!

Clare. Clare.

[gasps]

My auntie made a paste.

Make milk dry up, pain go away.

I can make it.

[groans]

We stay, I do smoke ceremony.

I don't want you puttin' your hocus-pocus on me.

We're leavin'.

[bird screeching]

Ha!

Mangana.

That's my bird, the blackbird.

That's me.

[bird screeching]

You see that one? He's a strong spirit one.

He'll help you, show you the way.

Yah!

Yah!

Yah!

Yah!

Yah!

[groans]

[singing in Aboriginal]

[speaking in Aboriginal]

[gasping]

[shudders]

Got a good one.

Good little one.

Good one.

Good, good.

[sobbing]

Stop.

Stop, boy!

For Christ's sake, stop!

I haven't seen a path this whole day.

- Where are we? - It's very close now, boss.

Up this hill.

Here we are.

- What? - You stay here.

Wait, where are you goin'?

You want all the land? Here is the land.

Here.

Good view.

You'll be a king up here.

You need to get me off this mountain

and into Launceston now.

Is long way from town here.

I'll come back later, see how you're doin'.

- Right, boss? - You fucking black prick!

Alright! Alright.

You've had your joke.

Boy?

Boy!

I'll give you whatever you want.

I'll give you 20 pounds.

You won't ever have to work again, boy!

I don't want your money.

And don't call me boy, you England bastard.

[gunshot]

He -- he - he was makin' fun of ya.

You stupid fucking cunt head!

I don't know if you noticed, Ruse

but we're in the middle of fucking nowhere!

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

There was only one person who could have got us out of here

and it was that fucking black cunt!

[groaning]

Two days.

Two days to a captaincy

or rot out here in this hellhole.

That's the situation, isn't it, Ruse?

You're our new boy, sergeant.

You got rid of our last one so you're the new one.

You got one day to get us to Launceston, alright?

I'll make you the sergeant now, Eddie.

This pistol's yours.

Do you remember how to use it?

Yes, sir.

Good.

And if this boy puts a foot out of place..

...you can shoot him.

No!

No!

Charlie.

Charlie.

[sobbing]

What did they do to you?

[sobbing]

Where are we, boy?

Huh?

Nearly there?

I've got to start work in a day.

Get up.

- I don't.. - You don't what?

You don't what?

Please.

No, no.

What should we do, Eddie?

Kill him or let him live?

Please.

Kill him

or let him live?

Please.

[sobbing]

Kill him? Yes, no?

- No, don't kill him! - Ah!

[gasping]

You owe your life to a child.

Don't you ever forget that.

[sobbing]

[chanting]

I'll help you get the men.

They're close.

Find 'em easy.

You go up there.

Follow around that mountain way.

They'll walk right to us.

We'll never get Becky around that ridge.

Yes, we will.

We should leave it.

You saw what they did to Charlie.

You gonna let them get away?

After what they did?

No time to be a bloody coward.

You don't know what you're talkin' about.

I'll be the first to put a shot in their heads myself.

Wait till they're close.

Not too high. They'll see ya.

He's seen ya!

You have to shoot! He's seen ya!

What are you doing? Shoot!

[gunshot]

[gasps]

We need to get up there now!

Clare!

Stop! Clare!

Clare!

I want this all to stop.

I wanna go home. I wanna go home.

I'll get you out of here, I promise.

- But we have to go now. - We have to get Becky.

- We need to go. - We can't just leave her!

- She's Aidan's horse. - Shh, shh, shh.

Please. She's my husband's horse.

I don't have anything else from him.

You have to wait here.

No, don't leave me here. I'm goin' with you.

I'm not jokin'. I'm goin' on me own.

It's too dangerous.

I promise I'll come get ya.

Here, take the musket. I don't want it.

Take it!

Please, make sure she's safe.

Lord in heaven.

Look who's here.

[grunts]

Get the horse!

I thought you were too good for us, boy.

So what are you doing here, you piece of shite?

Come all this way to shoot at me?

Huh, boy?

Where is she?

I saw her.

Where is she?

She got shot. Ran off.

Mad bitch done for.

Good riddance.

Well, she'll die out here without you, that I do know.

Hear that, you Irish whore?

You could have saved yourself the trip

and killed yourself at home!

Your old mate didn't make it.

Did you know?

Had an accident.

He tripped and fell and killed himself.

[sniggers]

Eddie.

This one's gonna take us to town.

Don't take your eyes from him.

If he tries to run, you shoot like I showed ya.

- Aim for the heart. - Yes, sir.

That's a good man.

Move, you dog.

Fuckin' move, you black bastard!

Get up!

Yah!

Yah!

Yah!

I will shoot you myself, boy.

[rustling]

[gasps]

[gunshot]

That's right! Ireland's that way!

Keep runnin'!

Keep runnin'!

My baby.

My baby girl.

[baby crying]

Shut it up or I will!

Shut it up now!

[heavy breathing]

[instrumental music]

[sobbing]

[laughs]

[babbling]

[laughing]

[gasps]

[shuddering]

[screaming]

[dramatic music]

Big reward for you, boy, when you get us to town.

[laughs]

Do your job, midget.

We made it.

We fuckin' made it!

Well done, boy. You deserve your reward.

Doesn't he, Eddie?

Come on.

Give him his reward and you win your freedom.

Be a man, son!

Give him his reward!

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

Fuck!

What did I tell ya?

- Jesus. - I'm sorry, sir.

I'll shoot the next one, sir, I will.

I'm sorry.

I thought you had somethin'. You don't.

You're nothing and you'll always be nothing

you worthless little gutter rat!

[sobbing] No, sir, please.

Please.

You stay here.

As soon as I get to Launceston, I'll tell the authorities

there's a convict on the loose.

That will get you five more years.

No. No, please, sir, please!

I can do better, sir, please.

Please don't leave me here, please!

I'll shoot the next one, I will.

Please!

I'll shoot the next one, I will!

I'll shoot..

God!

I can't stand the fucking noise of it.

[birds chirping]

[fluttering]

[screeching]

[screeching]

Where am I?

Where you going?

Nowhere.

That way's Launceston.

This way's not much of anything.

Is this the main path to town?

[laughing]

Please may I ride on the back, sir?

Please may I ride, sir?

Get away, you whore!

Get up on the back

and I don't wanna know you're there.

Thank you.

[whistles] Giddy up, giddy up, giddy up.

Giddy up, giddy up.

Stop! Stop!

[hens clucking]

[flies buzzing]

[flies buzzing]

[indistinct singing]

Billy.

Put your hands up and walk in front.

Just do it!

♪ And skinned so many a whaler ♪

♪ You'll never shine in Paradise Street no more ♪

Oi, where you headed with this..

Shut up, will ya?

Where you headed?

Up to our farm a ways.

This one's been stealing our supplies.

Fuckin' scum. We caught these ones near town.

[speaking in Aboriginal]

Shut up!

Jibber-jabber, jibber-jabber!

[laughter]

[speaking in Aboriginal]

I said shut your bone box!

[laughter]

[speaking in Aboriginal]

Shut it.

Shut it!

[gunshot]

[gunshots]

[laughs] Did you see 'em drop?

We could do your one, too, if you like.

No! I want my husband to fix it.

- Suit yourself then. - I want a trophy, Davey.

- You promised me a trophy. - Shut up, Thompson.

I want a head. Give me the head!

Alright, alright.

You mad bastards.

Come on, Davey.

- Oh. - Oh.

[laughter]

Move, you dog!

[indistinct chatter]

[birds chirping]

Oh, steady, boy. Whoa.

I'll kill you if you touch the black.

I'm not gonna touch the black.

You look a fright.

You should come for a wash and a feed.

- Oh, dear Lord, Harold. - Shut up, woman.

Jump in back.

Thank you.

You.

Come up here. Eat with rest of us.

I said come up here and eat with rest of us.

[sobbing]

This is my country.

This is my home.

[sobbing]

[snoring]

Whoa. Steady, boy.

Here we are then.

Get what you need here and get out.

He'll be fine with you.

But without you..

Not with the way things are now.

Don't give yourself more trouble

than you've already had.

Thank you.

Alright.

You don't go away from here.

If anyone tries to hurt you

you come straight into the store.

This is for emergency.

[indistinct chatter]

Impressive that you made that route without a native.

I've spent years civilizing this land, sir.

It's in the blood.

Well, we'll be happy to have you over for a drink

when you're ready.

- Bring the sergeant. - Very happy to, sir.

I don't buy stolen property.

They were a gift.

[scoffs] Where are your papers?

Are you going to take them or not?

Not.

Billy.

Billy! What are you doing?

Becky.

Clare.

Jesus Christ.

Don't you ever fucking die?

Look at ya.

You and your black boy.

Ruse, go find a constable.

Tell him we have a thievin' whore in our midst.

Tell him she stole me horse and tried to kill an officer.

Yes, sir.

If I see you again, I'll kill you myself.

Go back to that spot and stay there.

I mean it! Go!

[indistinct chatter]

You can tell me to shut up.

You can threaten to kill me.

But it won't do nothin'.

That girl you raped..

...whose husband and baby you murdered..

...that girl died.

And you can't kill what's already dead.

This woman's a lyin' thief.

She's just upset because I caught her

trying to steal my horse.

I'll have you arrested, you drunken whore.

I'm not your whore.

I'm not your nightingale..

...your little bird, your dove.

I'm not your anything.

[scoffs]

I belong to me and no one else!

When all the women are raped

when all the men and babies are killed

what will you do then, lieutenant?

Get out, madwoman. You're not allowed in here.

Look at you.

All dressed up and shiny.

Like butter wouldn't melt.

- The big strong man. - Someone get her out!

What's the matter, little soldier boy?

Didn't your mammy love ya?

♪ I wish I were on yonder hill

♪ It's there I'd sit and cry my fill ♪

♪ And every tear would turn a mill ♪

♪ Is go dte tu mo mhuirnin slan♪

♪ I'll sell my rock I'll sell my reel ♪

♪ I'll sell my only spinning wheel ♪

♪ To buy my love a sword of steel ♪

♪ I wish I wish I wish in vain ♪

♪ I wish I had my love again ♪

Clare, we have to go.

Please, Clare, we have to go now.

Do you have ones like them?

Men like them.

Blacks like them.

Like that bastard boss man?

Sometimes we have.

Bad ones.

Full of bad spirits.

And what do you do with them?

Our old people will talk to them..

...try to get 'em see good way.

Ask our ancestors for help.

Do ceremony.

And if they don't listen?

If they keep being bad, how do you deal with them then?

- How do you fix them? - Fix them?

We don't fix them.

We kill them.

[bird chirping]

[speaking in Aboriginal]

Shh.

Shh.

Shh.

[chanting in Aboriginal]

Billy.

Billy!

[whispers] Billy.

Billy!

[screams]

[gasping]

[screaming]

Help! Help!

It's done now, Billy. It's over.

We can go.

Billy, no!

[gunshot] No!

Billy.

Billy. Billy.

[grunting]

No, no, no, no.

[gasping]

[gasps]

[screaming]

Hey! Hey!

What's happening?

[indistinct shouting]

When we get to the river, just follow it all the way.

[groans]

[groans]

I'm still here, you white bastards!

I'm still here!

And I'm not going nowhere!

[singing in Aboriginal]

[speaking in Aboriginal]

Yah!

Yah!

Yah!

[speaking in Aboriginal]

[singing in Gaelic]

[instrumental music]