Original subtitles

No, no, no, not that one.

Look, do not cut that tree.

It is a beautiful tree, and I wish to keep it.

Hmm?

Not that one.

No, you get it done, Robin.

This flower, I'm afraid.

Tom, Liz, I can't make them understand the word I say.

Look, no!

Well, go, Jack, it don't go.

It's been a bit thick-headed, isn't it, Green?

No, they just think a bit differently from us, that's all.

These lads haven't been brought up to be farm workers.

Up to recently, when we came along,

their men job has been to get ready to have a good fight with the marsy.

The women do all their cultivation.

They're willing enough.

It's just that we don't seem to understand each other quite yet.

Could you explain to them that I don't want this tree fell and I wish to preserve it?

Yeah, right.

Kooja-hapa!

Buonah aa anasema hapana kushikamuchi!

Muchi hoyo nimungu yake!

Sire!

Right, just explain to them that this is a tree that you consider to be sacred.

They understand that.

Thank you.

Right.

I'm working hard on my swagili. I've got a book.

But it's of our dragonmen has been eaten by a lion variety.

No, you'll soon pick it up.

But if I might say so, Robin, what you need at the moment is a really good head man.

Is there such a thing?

Just occasionally one turns up.

A fellow came to see me yesterday.

Seen quite a good chap. I'll send him along.

Thank you very much.

Poor pigeon.

Have you hurt your leg?

If you don't want me to help you, I won't.

So you think?

Why aren't you doing your lessons?

Finished.

It's a pigeon that's tied its leg.

Will you help me catch it?

Later darling.

Well, these rarely grow into great big coffee bushes.

One day.

Now they'll turn into little seedlings.

And then we'll plant them out when the rains come.

When's that?

March?

No, I'd have them, yeah.

Nothing else.

No, it's cold.

Easy.

Two thousand coffee bushes.

Not bad for a morning's work.

What do you think of them?

Run, tell the jumbo to get the mules ready.

And we'll fetch the post.

Alright.

Okema leeza kazi.

Enda kormorne bwamma.

Do your mumsa, bwamma.

Quayheri.

What's your name?

Samibana.

I need a head man, Samib.

Yes, Bana.

That I can see.

That is why I am here.

Good.

Well, let me show you around.

That will not be necessary, Bana.

You're only good.

Goodness.

Smart people.

Oh, I would love a pony.

Yes.

One day.

Always one day.

My dear lady.

And Elste.

Boy, wagany wumifika.

Robin asked me to thank you very much for finding Samib.

Oh, not a bit.

He's a good lad.

He's half my size.

So he despises the kikuyu and the other half kikuyu.

So he understands them.

Yes, he was with dear old Tubby Aldrich.

Until Tubby lost an argument.

With a rhino.

I've made some guava jelly.

Some for you.

Oh, my dear.

Bless you.

Who are your expensive guests?

Damn nice couple called Palmer.

You and they Pucker.

He was in the nice lancers.

In chanting wife.

They want to meet you.

They've got the next block to yours.

You mean they're actually going to settle here?

Yes.

Come and meet them.

Oh, we're really not dressed.

Just came to fetch the mail.

Come along.

This is Palmer.

There I introduce.

This is Grant.

How did you do?

The end of her daughter Elsteth.

And then.

Captain Pucker.

How did you?

Hello.

Hello.

How nice to meet you.

Hello.

Hi.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Hello.

How did you teach you?

And as I gather we're going to be neighbours, I better be tinny.

I'm lettuce and my husband's herald.

His parents knew from birth he was going to be a handsome soldier.

We're tired of my tired.

Would you like to sit down?

Oh, thank you sir.

Don't guard me, tells me.

Sir, you're just out.

Yes.

Completely wet behind the ears.

Of course, herald knows India.

So drink.

And you really live here and you have a house and a garden and everything.

Well, a sort of house and a sort of garden.

What dear little dogs.

Chang and Zina.

Poor things, they're hot.

Yes.

Oh dear.

Such thick fur coats.

Not fair on the dogs to bring them out here.

I couldn't leave them behind.

I love them so much.

And they have hearts of lions.

What do you think of it?

Tilly.

Probably be all right if you're careful.

You'll have to dress their coats every day with paraffin against the ticks.

And boil their meat to cause off the worms.

What a perilous country.

We're going to need our lion hearts, aren't we?

We actually saw a lion on the way.

Oh, there are times of the mat in the plains.

Plenty of game, I suppose.

Oh, yes.

I think plenty.

The only beautiful thing in this country as far as I can see the wild animals and the birds.

Everybody simply craves to shoot them.

We don't.

I mean, Daddy doesn't.

I mean, Daddy doesn't.

You've bought the block next to ours, I hear.

Yes, damn lucky, really.

I bumped into old Roger Stillbeck at the Norfolk Hotel and he just had this block left.

Only ten pounds an acre.

Very cheap.

We're going to build a proper estate.

An Indian contractor fellow is coming out this afternoon to look at the site.

Roger said there was a move to start a polo club.

I don't think Mr. Stillbeck has ever actually been a little bit more than a couple of years ago.

He's never actually been here.

He's rather a talker, we found.

But certainly, one of the first things he must build are some stables.

Oh, why?

Well, your ponies will all die of horse sickness if they're not shut up by dark.

Oh, that's damn funny.

Well, Roger said, um...

He is rather a talker.

Is there much disease?

Those poor toad like women carrying vast loads and those little children with pot bellies we've seen everywhere.

They've got enlarged spleens because of malaria.

Elspen.

That's what Mrs. Nemo said.

The natives are rather riddled with yours and parasites.

I mean everywhere, it's the same.

Paponic plague and smallpox are endemic and of course typhoid.

They're rather a lot of elephantiasis.

How did anyone survive?

They must die in droves.

They're not frightened of dying.

And Jumbo told me.

The Africans are apt to tell you what they think you want to hear.

Now these people are from the Kikuyu tribe.

Very nice, friendly.

Thanks the Lord for small mercies.

You must come and see us soon.

You've been a great help.

Yes, indeed.

I say why don't you come and have dinner?

Uh, tomorrow.

How kind?

If we can reach you through the sea of germs.

I'm afraid the car won't manage it.

We haven't quite finished the road.

That's fine.

Got a brand new mule buggy coming up later today.

Dinner?

Yes.

Fred, I rather lost my head.

We've never had a dinner party here.

There's never been anyone we've wanted to ask before.

Oh God.

Is he the sort of fellow who wear a dinner jacket?

Yes.

Mommy, I need your help.

I bet the moths are the answer eaten mind of bits.

All right, do you think?

Well, it looks beautiful.

What are you going to do with it?

Family's going to help me make a cage.

In fact, I thought I might start up a sort of animal hospital.

Yes, well let's get the dinner party over with first.

Can I stay up for it?

You can come in in your dressing gown when they arrive.

If I could come in in my dressing gown?

Do you know I've got Fred?

Have you?

Definitely.

I feel like I've stuffed good with anything.

My hands.

Just like a navis.

And my nails.

Off.

I have got some white gloves somewhere.

I think they'd be just a little out of place here, don't you?

Look at my complexion.

I look like a gypsy or something.

It wasn't until I met Lettie's Palmer that I realized

was an awful old frump had become.

Nonsense.

You look lovely, my darling.

And I'll bet you'll make Mrs. Palmer with a real second-rate her.

You wait till you see her.

Lettie.

How did you do?

My wife Lettie.

Groving grand.

She's a coward.

Hello.

Hello.

Hi.

I'm so glad you would come.

I hope you have different habits you've tried for the journey.

No, you're just fine.

You're too bumpy.

You're really just that.

You're really warm.

Well, I'm terribly hungry in the nine classes.

Indeed, he was.

Was it difficult to find a cooking machine?

No, actually.

I've had to do my family's star.

We cordially hated each other as children,

and I must admit she has improved.

I saw Tobe and Claire just before we came over.

They think great.

Tobe was my brigade major and I thought I'd have to go.

You weren't a regular soldier, were you?

Lord, now.

This is our first time.

Tobe missed his polo.

Got his hand to come up to five when we were in India.

One of his fellows who can write to save his life

had the most wonderful, natural eye for all.

Thank you.

I imagine.

Where do you go to school elsewhere?

I don't.

Not for a moment.

But when the coffee's going well,

they might have to go then.

Next year I expect.

Five years?

It's rather a slow business, I'm afraid.

Five years?

A pair of wood?

It takes five years for the wretched coffee to grow.

I know, my dear.

Damn valuable crop in the end, you know.

In five years, we shall be middle aged.

I shall be fat and frowsy and you'll have twinges of gout.

And that is if you haven't both been murdered

by our drunken headman by then.

This is Palmer?

Once we have a house, it could be all right.

I can have my piano and hair, or we can have his trophies.

Coles to Newcastle perhaps, but they are pretty fine lot.

One black buck I shot in cash mail was almost a record hair band, Tony.

What's the matter with you?

I don't know.

I don't know.

I'm a little bit concerned about it.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

I don't know.

What will you do when the coffee is made your fortune, Tilly?

I'd like to own a balloon and breed new forest ponies

and go to China on the Trans-Siberian Railway.

I don't know which comes first.

What about your husband?

Guess.

Shoot Tigers.

Buy a yacht.

A castling scotter.

Ellsmith knows.

I told her once.

Daddy would like to do absolutely nothing

because that's the most expensive thing in all this world.

And what about you, Ellsmith?

What do you want most in the world?

Oh, Lord.

A chameleon, I think.

A chameleon, I don't know.

I don't know Ellsmith.

Oh, dinner's ready.

Goodbye.

Good night, Ellsmith.

Goodbye.

Good night.

Good night, Lily.

Good night, sweetheart.

Come and say good night, weren't you?

Yes, darling.

Shall we go in?

Yes, darling.

It's fine.

The chanting daughter you have in this room.

So nice to see you.

Yes, that's a good man.

Yes, it's a good man.

No, no, no, no, no.

Oh, shit, shit.

Declaration...

What?

Extraordinary how quickly one gets used to the animals.

Even the most frightening ones?

Well, what frightened me about this country isn't the animals.

It's the sort of quiet, smiling, destructive ferocity of everything.

Nothing anyone has created survives.

Shall they leave?

Just a matter of time.

I think something rather awful is happening.

What is it, sweetheart?

Outside.

No.

Oh, God.

Bloody hyenas.

They'll eat anything.

I say I am sorry.

She's a stupid boy of mine.

Oh, Lord.

Her old old old man.

I don't find it very funny.

Oh, my Lord.

I don't know.

Juma cooked really rather a good dinner.

Yeah. No one's fine until you really shouldn't have laughed.

It was a sort of half guilty laugh.

After all, there's no power hyenas.

There's something odd about those parmurs.

Well, he's a pompous sort of cuss.

Then there's nothing very unusual about that.

I think she's a damn fine woman.

Emotional?

She's a fish out of water here, I'm afraid.

Well, he's rich.

Can you build her a pool where she can shunt her under the water lilies?

Yeah, she does the helpless female act very well.

Probably as tough as old boots underneath.

But why have they come?

They're not the type.

Sport?

Oh.

He wants more heads for his collection.

He can just go on a big safar.

I think they've ran off together and have to live abroad.

I wonder who she was before.

You wicked woman.

How you do love a whiff of scandal.

Well, whoever she was,

now the fage has thrown herself away.

Well, at least it's onto a comfortable silver plated.

I am glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

I'm glad you threw yourself around me.

Your old boys know nothing, man.

I'm afraid we're all beginners.

Go back to him. Go back to him.

Go back to him.

You're very kind as the wood.

Go back to him.

Sammy, Mr. Roos is going to show you how to handle a cattle.

Give me that boy.

Poor bloody cattle.

Corn, corn, that's what you do.

Corn, corn.

I'm an imaginant.

I'm a young man.

I'm a young man.

I'm a young man.

I'm a young man.

It's a good job.

Can you go?

I'm a grown man, I'm a young man.

Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

Come here.

environment okay

Who is that place?

Who

do you know?

Are you concerned?

Christ,

You don't have to shout to the animals all the time.

Put up that chain, two more links.

Not in you boy.

Did you hear me? Come on.

You stupid bastard! Who is I? Who do you?

You stupid bastard!

Hey!

You stupid bastard!

I'm going to give you 20 of the best with this! No, you're not!

This is my father.

And he's my boy.

You do it then!

Show them who's boss! Clear off, Sammy.

Come up and have a drink.

Mommy!

Sammy! Daddy and Mr. Ruth are having a fight!

Listen to me, Mr. Groth.

You let one of these boys cheat you and get away with it.

Next thing, he'll kill you in your bed.

He didn't mean to be rude.

And he is my head man.

He's just like the others.

You obstinate, ruined, neck-british, will spoil this country for the rest of us.

Yes, well thank you for your advice, Mr. Ruth. And for your help.

You flop that boy.

Or you won't have to thank me for anything.

Robin, what happened?

Ruth seems to think that unless the few white men stick together, stamp on the Africans,

flog them when they sneeze, we won't survive.

Perhaps you learn.

Never.

And he's marvellous with any animals.

And he walks and eating out of his hand in minutes.

Sometimes wonder whether anything will ever grow in this place.

The veranda posts are beginning to sprout.

Yes.

Robin.

It's from lettuce.

I wonder what the hell's happening.

I asked the size who brought it. He said he didn't know anything.

I wonder if she's panicking.

Highly strong as it'll want.

Got an ungallant thing to say of your latest in Amalata.

Only the other day, she was a damn fine woman.

I think you ought to go, just in case.

After all, Harroward is buying our stone for the foundation of his house.

Well, we'd better all go.

Taking guns and bandages and things.

And family.

I wonder where everyone is.

Harroward?

Nefes?

You think we once been eaten by the cannibals?

Perhaps they've had a visit from Mr. Roos.

I should think Harroward Palmer's perfectly capable of starting amusingly without his help.

Dogs are here.

I can't take lettuce with leaped dogs.

Lettuce!

Thank God you've come.

There's a man in here being cut to ribbons.

I've done what I can.

It's also dark and filthy.

Oh.

I hope I'm not going to be sick.

Ask her.

You go look after the dogs.

Come along.

Lettuce, what happened?

We didn't know anything about it till this morning.

And then they'd all run away.

He didn't respect him and died.

Who is he?

Come on.

I had men.

It wasn't very good.

And usually drunk.

Where's Harroward?

He's gone up to the reserve chasing.

Look at her.

It's got a terrible temper.

I do.

All right. All right.

I'd best go after him.

Lettuce, please go into the house.

No, I'll help.

Although I'm not very good at this sort of thing.

First day it's not my strong point.

But I'm getting used to it.

I'll just get my things.

Please go in.

All right?

All right.

I'll go.

What's he awfully gushed?

Yes.

Probably a panga.

I'm sorry.

I expect they had a beer, Bruce.

Is he...

Is he dead?

Quite dead.

Apparently I wasn't so completely useless at everything.

I could have saved him.

I know I can't.

I wonder if there is many things going up in the bedroom.

Lettuce.

Come on, Lettuce.

Come on, still, get him.

Let's just forget him.

Take him on.

He was a rotten headman.

Drink most of the time and you know it.

Matter of fact, you're well rid of him.

How can you be so jealous?

I'm going to be left here alone.

We've got a servant and a murderer on the loose.

Nobody's leaving you alone.

What do you think we're here for?

This sort of thing is always happening in Africa.

And you've just got to get used to it.

We could do a mamboyote.

Mr. Fanya, I'm here to save you from the death of the young man.

I'm not going to be alone.

No one is here.

I'm going to be alone.

I'm going to be alone.

If you do not find the man who did this terrible crime,

I shall go straight to the district commissioner.

Do you understand?

Jambo, Chief Kupanya.

Jambo, one.

Abar.

Mzud-san-a-one.

Tilly's looking after lettuce.

I've been trying to get this old idiot to do something.

I'm going to be able to make a decision.

I'm going to be able to make a decision.

I'm going to be able to make a decision.

Kupanya wishes to say to Bonapalma and Bonagrant that he understands

there has been a fight at Bonapalma's chamber and that

Khimani has been hurt.

Dead, most likely.

Oh, then it's murder.

I think he's not a feller.

Where is the Kua, Keshia, Kua, Aokua, Bila, Maksudila?

The Kini, Mimi, Chief Kupanya, Nita, Chungua, Mambo, Nam, Kosadi, Attash, Takiwa.

Kupanya says it could be a case of murder or manslaughter.

Kupanya says he will find the man who did it so that he can be sent to the D.C.

How the hell is he going to do that?

I'd leave it up to him, old man.

He's a wise, old bird.

Seems to know everything that goes on around here.

What about all my...

What about all my staff? Where are they?

Bonapalma and Gependa, Kujua, Wafani, Kaziwakiwa to Amanda, Ape.

Wambi, Ewa, Tumishu, Akewa, Teo, Watam, Rudia.

They will be back.

You've been absolutely un-geny. All of you. I'm sorry we couldn't help more.

But you have.

When we had the house built and we had my piano, with Heroin's head, we would have a celebration.

Thank you, Robin. Thank you so much, Tilly.

What a toll. Sorry, I was rather...

Oh, don't be silly.

Robin, I was wondering what to do about the body.

Oh, boys went very...

Don't worry about that. When it gets dark, they'll take it out into the bush.

Painers will do the rest.

They're very practical people, actually.

Oh, and they'll burn the heart down. That's no great loss.

Come on, will you?

Shuri, I heard it. Goodbye, Robin.

Bye, Tilly.

Goodbye.

Goodbye, Ospiv.

Bye-bye. Thank you, Sammy.

Oh, nice. They have such good neighbours.

Tilly makes me feel so helpless.

Oh, my dear.

You weren't brought up to this sort of thing.

Tilly Grant wasn't either.

Yeah, I must say she's a real fizzer.

Grant's a bit more of a man than I thought he was.

Well, I could do the drink.

Darling, I...

Isn't it better to be honest?

I'm afraid I'm never going to be able to cope with this sort of life.

Well, when you haven't really given it much of a chance.

I'm not sure I want to.

Oh, it's for you to decide.

Let me do whatever you want.

Good morning, pigeon.

Look, tomorrow, I will take off your splint.

And you will all be mended.

Good morning, Congenie.

John Bell!

Good morning, Congenie.

John Bell!

John Bell is not here.

I will come planning with him, sopney.

Where is him, John Bell?

He is not here.

It's here.

Find the elders. I've sent for him.

Is it still the dead man at Wanna Palmer's?

Why should you ask that?

Can money the dead man work at Wanna Palmer's Shamba?

And John Bell works here.

Co-op.

running up by a

Honeygudbert, he is calling us.

Calling us?

If we follow him, he will take us to where the bees have made honey.

He wants us to go and take the honey so that he can eat the grubs underneath.

Gosh, help never! Shall we follow him?

No, no. It may be a long way away and up the top of a tree.

But if ever you follow one, always remember to leave some of the honey.

Of course, that's only fair.

Come. I will show you the weaver birds.

Mom! Mom! Mom!

Come.

Maybe we see a kingfisher.

He's gone. If we wait quietly, he will come back.

If you tell me back in Jambold, I will not tell my mother or father.

I promise.

These affairs are not for the Mamsab Nogo.

Well, Kapana said in Jambold's D.C.

He will not go to the D.C.

Walapama will send him.

Jambold is Kapana's nephew.

Kimani was drunk and insulted in Jambold. They fought him.

With pangas?

Yes, with pangas.

Many people are struck with pangas.

Some enemy of Jambold used bad medicine to make Kimani die.

Kapana promises them the murder to the D.C.

Kapana will find someone to send. They will not be any trouble.

Jambold is poor, but he will have to pay heavy fines.

Instead of buying a wife, all his goats will have to go to Kimani's father.

Look.

Frankly, very good to eat.

I hope that he will come back one day.

He will come back. He will need much money to buy goods to pay Kimani's father.

Kimani was a worthless man, but now he has died.

He will make his father rich.

Look, kaboh, el luevenard.

What kaboh? Read it, if you can guess.

Med, kaboh, sur un arb, perce, tenetans son bek u formage.

Must be a bird.

Yes? What sort of bird?

A cheese-loving bird.

A cheese bird. Like the honey-guide bird. Like honey. A crow.

A cheddar from the parmurs.

Something for you, Elizabeth.

Else but in the middle of her fridge. Thank you.

Oh, no! Two darling convenience.

It's for lettuce.

Mrs. Palmer, to nicely brought up young girl.

No, she asked me.

I hope they are here, is she?

No one seems to know.

Anyway, they seem to be friends.

Lettuce.

Oh, it's a gorgeous present.

I wonder if they'll change colour.

Careful not to put them on the top.

Well, they'll burst.

What, they really?

Of course they won't.

Don't you think you ought to christen them?

It's a good sort of chameleon name.

And Anthony and Cleopatra?

No, too long.

Gilbert and Salavu.

Oh, no.

That won't do. They're both male.

We've got sort of crumbs.

Yes, they're very dignified and loyal.

Victoria and Albert.

I've got it.

George and Mary.

Perfect.

George and Mary.

Witch's witch is difficult.

I'll just have to take it and turn.

I wonder where they can live.

I think if we build a cage around a nice shrub,

I'll ask him, John, be.

Oh, Robin.

Samu came in to Satan's jumbo head to go into the reserve for a few days.

His mother's very ill.

Go on in your mouth.

I'll go in and out.

I'll go in and out.

George and Mary.

This is your kingdom.

Johnbo.

I'm glad you're back.

Look at my chameleon.

They're bad things.

They do know, huh?

They're bad.

Why?

Our god who is living on Mount Kena sent one of them with a message to the first Kiku

men to stop Man dying and also the moon.

The chameleon forgot.

So now, the moon dies every month and Man dies too.

How is the pigeon?

All right.

I'm just going to take her then to let her go.

Come and help.

Hey, Jenny?

Pigeon!

Pigeon!

Did someone bear?

We're all with trouble, we've taken.

Oh, Pigeon!

Something's wrong with you.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Sometimes things do just die, especially wild things.

Perhaps she was very old.

He doesn't look old.

Why don't you give her a proper funeral?

Yes.

Yes, I will.

Of course.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.