Disraeli: Portrait of a Romantic (1978) Ian McShane TV Miniseries Political Drama E03
Watch the full short drama with English subtitles. CEO, billionaire, revenge, betrayal — complete story in one video.
#shortdrama #ceodrama #drama #revenge #fullmovie #englishsub #reelshort #dramabox #miniseries #love #betrayal #drama2026
Watch the full short drama with English subtitles. CEO, billionaire, revenge, betrayal — complete story in one video.
#shortdrama #ceodrama #drama #revenge #fullmovie #englishsub #reelshort #dramabox #miniseries #love #betrayal #drama2026
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Short filmTranscript
00:00:25Members, desirous of taking their seats,
00:00:29will be pleased to come to the table.
00:01:02I'm desirous of taking the oath from the Old Testament.
00:01:13Order!
00:01:14Order!
00:01:18Baron Lionel de Rothschild, you may withdraw.
00:01:44Bastard Israeli.
00:01:47Rothschild has been freely and fairly elected by the City of London
00:01:50as a member of this Parliament.
00:01:52To deny him his seat as a Jew is to publish to the world
00:01:55that we are still influenced by the darkest superstitions
00:01:58of the darkest ages that ever existed in this country.
00:02:01We take our oath on the true faith of Christianity.
00:02:06I cannot sit in this house with any misconceptions of my opinion on this subject,
00:02:12whatever may be the results on the seat that I hold.
00:02:14This is a Christian Assembly.
00:02:16Yes!
00:02:17And it is as a Christian that I will not take upon myself
00:02:22the awful responsibility of excluding from the legislature
00:02:26those in whose religion my Lord and Saviour was born.
00:02:31Amen!
00:02:31Amen!
00:03:27you made hats?
00:03:28well yes I was an apprenticed milliner to eke out my allowance
00:03:32oh but it didn't last long
00:03:34oh I was the belle of Clifton
00:03:38all the young gentlemen in the west country used to pay court to me
00:03:42I married my first husband when I was 17
00:03:45you make it sound as though you'd had half a dozen my dear
00:03:49I think it sounds very romantic
00:03:51oh so did I at the time
00:03:53but I didn't know the meaning of the word till I met Dizzy
00:03:59more tea Mrs Gladstone?
00:04:00no thank you it was lovely
00:04:03Mr Gladstone?
00:04:04yeah thank you
00:04:04I believe we were all married in the same year
00:04:14I believe so
00:04:15it all seems so recent
00:04:17but you know I was looking through one of my scrapbooks today
00:04:20and I realize it's nearly 20 years ago
00:04:28you keep a scrapbook?
00:04:30oh a dozen
00:04:31what do you put in them?
00:04:33anything from the newspapers and magazines that mentions Dizzy
00:04:37Mary Ann is my most faithful archivist
00:04:46here's a report of a speech from the times
00:04:50oh and comments from the quarterly review
00:04:53oh no no
00:04:56oh well why not?
00:04:57why what is it?
00:04:58it's a cartoon from Punch
00:05:02the balancing brothers of Westminster
00:05:05yes isn't it clever
00:05:07yes the artist was kinder to you than he was to me
00:05:10yes I do not find such drawings amusing
00:05:12you know what I think it means?
00:05:15that whatever Dizzy proposes
00:05:17you propose the opposite and vice versa
00:05:19just out of habit
00:05:21well it could mean that your talents are so evenly balanced
00:05:25that together you could achieve something outstanding
00:05:28yes well that is another matter
00:05:30I think we might leave the ladies alone for a few moments
00:05:34if they don't mind
00:05:35not at all
00:05:36if you wish
00:05:37we shall be in the study
00:05:51oh aren't we fortunate to have such remarkable husbands
00:05:56yes
00:05:58William is always saying how very clever Mr Disraeli is
00:06:02you know what Dizzy admires most about Mr Gladstone?
00:06:06it's his moral courage
00:06:07cause Dizzy has none at all
00:06:10oh no that can't be true
00:06:11oh it is
00:06:12when he has a shower he can never pull the string for the cold water
00:06:16I always have to do it for him
00:06:21oh you must come and visit us at Hewenden someday
00:06:24oh that would be delightful
00:06:27and you must come to Hornden
00:06:29I hear it's very beautiful
00:06:32oh I think so
00:06:34and more beautiful every year
00:06:37William has cleared another acre in the park
00:06:39cleared it?
00:06:40yes of trees
00:06:41his relaxation
00:06:42his tree felling
00:06:44opening up new areas
00:06:46how different did Dizzy?
00:06:48his passion is
00:06:49well planting trees
00:06:51and watching them grow into forests
00:06:59one should treat a cigar like a mistress
00:07:03put it away before one gets sick of it
00:07:08well that is the position as we see it
00:07:10frankly we need you
00:07:14after all it would not be so great a step
00:07:16you have supported us pretty steadily for the last three years
00:07:19yes there is a small but active section of your party
00:07:21our party
00:07:23hmm?
00:07:25a section
00:07:26who regard me as representing dangerous ideas
00:07:29you wish for reform and so do I and always have done
00:07:32now in truth Mr Gladstone it is the relations between us
00:07:35that formed the great difficulty
00:07:38between us?
00:07:43I have never in my life taken a decision which has been influenced by it
00:07:50I'm glad to hear it
00:07:53well I can assure you if you join Lord Derby's cabinet you will find warm personal friends and admirers
00:07:59now you may consider me as neither
00:08:02but I assure you you would be wrong
00:08:07I must consider the conditions that would make cooperation possible
00:08:13what I said just now
00:08:16was not mere empty words
00:08:21I have asked Sir James Graham to accept the post as leader of the house of commons in my place
00:08:26to allow both of us to serve under him
00:08:28now if he will not accept we shall let our fellow members decide which of us is to lead
00:08:33in either case
00:08:36I can assure you
00:08:38that I would consider you as sharing equally in any position I might hold
00:08:47I need time to reflect
00:08:49the situation is critical
00:08:52you to stand aside at a time like this is a great responsibility
00:08:55don't you think it's time you might deign to be magnanimous?
00:09:00there's a power beyond us that disposes of what we are and do
00:09:04and to find the limits of choice in public life
00:09:07to be very narrow
00:09:11sanctimonious humbug
00:09:13he may wrap himself in a cloak of morality
00:09:15but he's really driven by only two things
00:09:18personal ambition and envy of you
00:09:21well what will he do now?
00:09:22wait on the sideline
00:09:24seeing which way to jump
00:09:25well that's enough of him
00:09:26I must get back to Downing Street
00:09:31and you must get ready
00:09:32now remember don't commit us to anything
00:09:34and don't try to be witty
00:09:35most decidedly not
00:09:37they still distrust you
00:09:39this time you must try and win their approval
00:09:43who's? whose approval?
00:09:44it's been decided that
00:09:50it's been decided that Dizzy
00:09:52shall be the one to report cabinet business
00:09:54I have to go to Windsor for an audience with the Queen and the Prince
00:09:58that's wonderful
00:09:59it's what we've prayed for
00:10:01it'll give you a chance to win them over
00:10:03it remains to be seen
00:10:08of course you will
00:10:10I forbid you to be nervous
00:10:12easier said my dear
00:10:14facing Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is like looking down the muzzle of a double barreled shotgun
00:10:20so you call it a rebellion
00:10:23and not a mutiny
00:10:24a mutiny is merely a rising of soldiers against their officers
00:10:29but this is much more
00:10:30this is a national revolt amongst all classes of the Indian people
00:10:35yes that is true
00:10:37then I assume you are not in favour of reprisals
00:10:41there must be punishment for those guilty of atrocities
00:10:44but for those who fought against what they see as persecution
00:10:48there must be justice tempered with mercy
00:10:52yes her majesty and I have discussed this matter fully
00:10:56and have reached the same conclusions
00:10:59you spoke of a change of policy
00:11:01what do you propose?
00:11:02we propose ma'am
00:11:04to take the rule and power of India from the East India Company
00:11:08and transfer it to the crown
00:11:11to appoint a viceroy
00:11:13and to issue a proclamation to the native princes and population
00:11:17that the Queen of England guarantees their laws, customs and religion
00:11:23that could do much
00:11:25more than all our fleets and armies say
00:11:28I look forward to seeing your detailed proposals
00:11:32but what is the feeling of the house toward your government now?
00:11:37it is not kind sir
00:11:38but for now the opposition is content to let us pull their chestnuts out of the fire
00:11:43and after so many years in temporary quarters
00:11:46it is a pleasure to be in the new house of commons
00:11:50which is so admirably suited to our purposes
00:11:53I assume it was chairman of the reconstruction committee
00:11:57of course
00:11:59and that explains if I may be permitted ma'am
00:12:02the brilliant use of space
00:12:03and the perfect blend of comfort with harmonious proportions
00:12:11we must not detain you any longer Mr Disraeli
00:12:21your most faithful servant ma'am
00:12:36what an extraordinary man
00:12:40he's really quite handsome don't you think?
00:12:44although so very Jewish
00:12:49I cannot understand why I had such an unfavourable opinion of him
00:12:55my views are so surprisingly similar
00:12:58oh
00:13:00you cannot expect us to support you in this bill Mr Disraeli
00:13:03but I do Robert
00:13:05giving the right to vote to the lower paid can only benefit the liberals
00:13:09I should have thought that the cure in justices would have been the aim of every responsible government
00:13:15reform is a dangerous experiment
00:13:17dangerous for the country and the government
00:13:19Robert
00:13:19no father I must speak
00:13:21it's only what many others are thinking
00:13:24political thought must develop even in the conservative party
00:13:27I tell you frankly sir
00:13:30I cannot support you
00:13:33I must apologise for my son
00:13:35there's no need Lord Solskjaer
00:13:37I of course should ask you
00:13:40Robert Sissel is right in a way
00:13:43voting reform is liberal policy
00:13:45we shall outrage them if we adopt it
00:13:46and not please our own supporters
00:13:48that is why we need all the strength we can muster
00:13:50and I shall expect you to speak Edward
00:13:54as you know I have been in poor health for some time
00:13:56I doubt if I could stand the strain of a violent debate
00:13:59everyone must be there
00:14:01even if they have to be carried in on a stretcher
00:14:03I shall give you a public funeral if you die before Easter
00:14:06he's not
00:14:10radicals should back us
00:14:11oh precisely
00:14:12Disraeli is selling us out
00:14:13well I am with you
00:14:14the right to vote must be extended
00:14:16I agree besides it is a way of beating the continuous majority of the liberals in parliament
00:14:20I don't know
00:14:22I can't vote against my own party but
00:14:30have you heard Mr Gladstone?
00:14:33what do you say?
00:14:37this attempt to carry favour with the lower elements is the act of an unprincipled adventurer
00:14:42desperate to cling to power at any price
00:14:45you should appeal to the honour of your leader
00:14:48it's no use
00:14:50Lord Derby is only interested in his racehorses
00:14:52he leaves everything to Disraeli
00:14:55that's what it's come to
00:14:57we're governed by a Jew and a jockey
00:15:03so the ayes have it
00:15:15he smashed his own government with this
00:15:17all the liberals had to do was promise the radicals more sweeping reforms if they voted against it
00:15:22once again Derby will have to resign
00:15:24that the main question as a red need be agreed to
00:15:27those in favour say aye
00:15:30aye
00:15:31to the contrary no
00:15:37oh now my dearest
00:15:40the doctors expressly said that you were to stay in bed
00:15:44oh I don't lie there fretting
00:15:46besides Lord Stanley's coming to dinner and I've got to cut your hair before here
00:15:49please my fair Delilah spare me that martyrdom
00:15:54something wrong?
00:15:56I've just been reading this article by Robert Cecil in the quarterly review
00:16:00ah
00:16:01is that all you can say?
00:16:04that the son of one of your oldest friends should write such a thing
00:16:10Mr Disraeli's policies in the house of commons have long discredited and misguided
00:16:14the conservative party and his tactics associated
00:16:18he's only doing
00:16:20what young politicians do to further their career
00:16:23attack their elders
00:16:25yes but what makes me angry
00:16:26is the fact that it appeared in the quarterly review
00:16:29the leading conservative journal
00:16:31well it's clear that your own party still doesn't trust you
00:16:35I've dealt with it
00:16:36how?
00:16:38I've written an open letter to all the leading members of my party
00:16:42saying that since they all obviously agree with this attack on me
00:16:45that I shall resign as soon as possible
00:16:49what did they accept?
00:16:51of course not a mere threat was enough
00:16:52they begged me to reconsider which of course I shall
00:16:56oh
00:16:58it's all a game to you isn't it?
00:17:00a great game
00:17:02no not entirely
00:17:05no not entirely
00:17:08after 23 years of service
00:17:1023 years of struggle
00:17:13what have you?
00:17:14nothing but bills and debts and demand for payments
00:17:17something will turn up it always does
00:17:19they will be met
00:17:21how?
00:17:22by borrowing more and more money?
00:17:25where will it end?
00:17:26Marianne do not distress yourself
00:17:28you know that whatever happens
00:17:30you need never worry
00:17:32I am not thinking about myself
00:17:35don't you understand?
00:17:37I shall not always be here
00:17:38no money dies with me
00:17:39what will you do when I'm gone?
00:17:42I cannot imagine such an empty world
00:17:46I would rather live with you in a hovel
00:17:49than with a duchess in a tower of gold
00:17:51shall I tell you the news
00:17:57it will make the wife of every member of parliament envious of you
00:18:03envious of me?
00:18:04no mad with envy
00:18:09don't tease dearest
00:18:10what news?
00:18:12we have been invited to spend a weekend at Windsor Castle
00:18:15with the queen and the prince consort
00:18:21why is I never asked?
00:18:23that's what makes it so special
00:18:27is it true?
00:18:27oh, Dizzy
00:18:29oh, I don't know if I'm a little terrified
00:18:35is it true?
00:18:39Dizzy
00:18:42I'll stay and do all the wrong things
00:18:46you know I don't know how to behave
00:18:49just be yourself Marianne
00:18:52I'm bound to adore you
00:18:53and I'm gonna do it
00:18:57I'll stay here
00:18:59without you
00:18:59I'll stay here
00:19:01I got here
00:19:10I'll stay here
00:19:13with a moment
00:19:16I'll stay here
00:19:19with my channel
00:19:19to give you some questions
00:20:12So, like Lord John, you have no intention of retiring.
00:20:19Politicians rarely retire, sir.
00:20:22Indeed, sometimes they hang on until they have to be carried.
00:20:27Frankly, you know, I'm surprised you didn't accept the appointment as first viceroy of India.
00:20:33No doubt.
00:20:34The government thought of it as an ideal way of removing me from the scene.
00:20:38But I shall admit I was tempted.
00:20:43Sumptuous palaces, jeweled potentates, all the riches of the East,
00:20:47and Mrs. Disraeli and I arriving for the Durbar in a gilded elephant.
00:20:50Like a scene from one of my novels.
00:20:53No.
00:20:56No, it would have meant saying goodbye forever to the House of Commons.
00:21:04Leave me.
00:21:27It appears my daughter has monopolized you all evening, Mrs. Disraeli.
00:21:31Oh, Her Highness has been most kind, ma'am.
00:21:34And what have you been discussing, Alice?
00:21:36Education, Mama.
00:21:38I can scarcely believe it, but Mr. Disraeli left school when he was 15.
00:21:42He was never at university.
00:21:43But surely I heard he'd received a degree at Oxford.
00:21:47Oh, yes, but an honorary one.
00:21:49An ADCL, I think.
00:21:51Uh, do you mean a DCL, Mrs. Disraeli?
00:21:54Doctors of the Law?
00:21:55Yes, yes, something of the sort.
00:21:57If it were permitted for young ladies, I should have liked to have gone to university.
00:22:01Really, Your Royal Highness?
00:22:02Yes, there's nothing. I'd like more.
00:22:04Well, that's a very modern idea, my dear.
00:22:07Still, perhaps you, well, you don't know the benefit of having an affectionate husband.
00:22:12How very true.
00:22:14And were you present at the degree ceremony, Mrs. Disraeli?
00:22:18Oh, yes, I wouldn't have missed it.
00:22:20Dizzy was very apprehensive.
00:22:22You see, he thinks that all students are radicals.
00:22:24But they cheer him louder than anyone.
00:22:27Oh, is that so?
00:22:29And do you attend many functions with your husband, Mrs. Disraeli?
00:22:33Oh, sadly, no. He's so busy.
00:22:35But then you'd understand that, ma'am.
00:22:38Too well.
00:22:39You must get him to take you to the exhibition at the British Museum.
00:22:43Yes, it is very fine.
00:22:45There's so many beautiful things.
00:22:47There was a statue of Apollo which especially impressed me.
00:22:50Absolute perfection of Apollo.
00:22:52Yes, but you should see my Dizzy in the bath.
00:22:59Alice, you should not be listening.
00:23:04May we know why you are laughing, my dear?
00:23:07I couldn't possibly tell you.
00:23:14You look more relaxed than I've seen you for weeks.
00:23:18Well, perhaps that is because I have at last met a statesman with unbiased opinions.
00:23:23It is difficult to remain prejudiced in the company of an enlightened prince.
00:23:29Well, we have both in our time been accused of being alien.
00:23:34Hopefully, we have now both proved that we have our country's interests at heart.
00:23:55God is the Orient, God is the Occident.
00:24:04God is the Occident.
00:24:09God is the Occident.
00:24:09God is the Occident so we ought to say.
00:24:14God is the Occident.
00:24:19God is the Occident.
00:24:22God is the Occident.
00:24:22I listen to God for dost estar.
00:24:22If you having seemed to trust me, please take me 알 dibuj.
00:24:23For house is the Occident, my idan, thebling Things are the Occident.
00:24:23For your own strength.
00:24:23God is the Occident.
00:24:34That is the Occident.
00:25:01We just had a word, Prince Albert's fever.
00:25:05It's typhoid.
00:25:06They can't save him.
00:25:16In your position as leader of the opposition, I beg that you will not bring about any crisis.
00:25:21I feel in my present condition I could not survive it.
00:25:27I promise to take no strong action unless it becomes an absolute necessity in the interests
00:25:36of the country.
00:25:39I knew I could depend on you, Mr Disraeli, as on no other.
00:25:50I must thank you once again for your generous praise of my adored beloved husband.
00:25:55In these conversations with which of late years the prince honored me, I gained a great
00:26:02deal both in knowledge and feeling which will always influence my life.
00:26:11You alone, of everyone, seem to realize his unequalled worth and how immense the loss has been, both
00:26:22to myself and to the country.
00:26:29And now I feel so alone.
00:26:47Your most faithful servant, ma'am.
00:26:50And now I feel so alone.
00:27:20And now I feel so alone.
00:28:00Oh, it's the one thing that's always made me envious.
00:28:04I've always wanted to have a house with a ballroom.
00:28:08I'm sure you would fill it every night.
00:28:10Oh, we would.
00:28:11And if we ran out of guests, I'd get dizzy to dance with me to dawn.
00:28:16All by ourselves.
00:28:18That sounds very exhausting.
00:28:20Oh, not a bit of it.
00:28:21I'm sure it would be for Lady de Rothschild and myself.
00:28:24Oh, fiddlesticks.
00:28:26And I can give you both a hundred years, Lady Chesterfield.
00:28:30Still, I'm all energy.
00:28:32When I was a child, my mother used to call me Whizzy.
00:28:35Little Whizzy.
00:28:37How fortunate I wasn't pristened her.
00:28:39Otherwise, I'd be Mrs. Whizzy-Dizzy.
00:28:56Gladstone has officially joined the Liberals.
00:28:58My information is that Palmerston offered to make a transfer of the exchange.
00:29:02And the Rothschild Information Service is more reliable than a government dispatch, Redwood.
00:29:07He is the last person I would have expected to desert his principals and his friends.
00:29:11I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner.
00:29:14Why?
00:29:15The Liberal leaders are old men.
00:29:17So, one day soon, he can expect to take their place.
00:29:22Whereas, with us, he would always be second to you.
00:29:26I'm sorry, gentlemen, but however much I may agree with you, I don't think this is a subject we should
00:29:31be discussing.
00:29:32Your pardon, Baron, I have forgotten.
00:29:34You must allow me to observe.
00:29:36The fact that you are a radical seems at times faintly incongruous.
00:29:42If you'll excuse me, I must greet my hostess.
00:29:51This will make things more difficult for you.
00:29:53Or it's bad enough having you on the opposite side of the house now.
00:29:56Well, thanks to you, you showed the way, I followed one of them.
00:30:00You won through your own determination.
00:30:02Yes, but ten, eleven years without them letting me take my seat, we Jews have much to thank you for.
00:30:11You haven't met my special guest.
00:30:15The Prussian.
00:30:17The coming man, I hear.
00:30:19Word is that before long he may be chief minister in Berlin.
00:30:23I find him quite charming.
00:30:25His technique is the disarm by frankness.
00:30:49Sir Benjamin Disraeli, may I introduce Count Otto von Bismarck?
00:30:55I have heard a great deal about you, Mr. Disraeli.
00:30:59Now I notice your name is mentioned on the continent with more respect than it is here.
00:31:07Will you be staying long?
00:31:08Only a few days, I'm afraid.
00:31:10I find it difficult to talk to your British Foreign Office.
00:31:12They seem to have no real interest in making contacts, exchanging views.
00:31:17They do not always have any.
00:31:19You, I think I could talk to.
00:31:22It is a pity you are not in power.
00:31:24A great pity.
00:31:26I did hear that you may soon be recalled to Berlin.
00:31:30You are remarkably well informed, Mr. Disraeli.
00:31:32Yes, it is possible.
00:31:33And once you have assumed responsibility for Prussian affairs, what will your aims be?
00:31:39Frankly?
00:31:41Preferably.
00:31:43I shall reorganize the army with or without the help of Parliament.
00:31:46As soon as it is in a condition to command the respect,
00:31:49I shall subdue the minor states and give national unity to Germany.
00:31:54Under Prussian leadership?
00:31:55Naturally.
00:31:57Of course, to do that, I must seize the first opportunity to declare war on Austria.
00:32:03And to show France that we cannot be intimidated.
00:32:07Then Germany will be able to take her true place.
00:32:10That is what I came here to tell your Queen's government.
00:32:14Most impressive.
00:32:16Have you set a time limit on all this?
00:32:18It shall be completed within the next ten years.
00:32:21Excuse me.
00:32:22I have enjoyed our tour.
00:32:24But I have promised to dance with the Baroness von Rosse.
00:32:37I have had the two minutes allotted to those of little importance.
00:32:44You wonder the Foreign Office wouldn't listen to him?
00:32:48No, they should.
00:32:50Look out for that man.
00:32:52He means what he said.
00:33:19He means what he said.
00:33:22And the Duke of Cleveland's our Corrie...
00:33:24Corrie.
00:33:27Montague Corrie.
00:33:28Yes.
00:33:29Yes.
00:33:29Yes.
00:33:30That's him.
00:33:30He's in there.
00:33:32I'd better have him in there.
00:33:33No, no, no.
00:33:34You rest your leg.
00:33:36I'll get him.
00:33:39Um...
00:33:42He seems a very serious young man.
00:33:44Oh, yes.
00:33:46I think he's trying to impress me.
00:33:47What does he want?
00:33:49He's hoping I'll find him some position, I expect.
00:33:51Oh.
00:33:52I'm not here, surely.
00:33:54He'd made me feel uncomfortable.
00:33:56That's what I thought.
00:33:57Until one wet afternoon at Raby, I opened the door of the drawing room
00:34:02and found this remarkably grave young man entertaining the young ladies
00:34:07with a knees-up dance and a comic song.
00:34:14Oh, I wish I'd seen that.
00:34:17Hmm?
00:34:17Oh, well.
00:34:19Maybe there's something in him after all.
00:34:21Hmm.
00:34:27In there.
00:34:39I hope I have not commented in an opportune moment, sir.
00:34:43By no means, Mr. Corrig.
00:34:49But he wanted me to do something for you.
00:34:52What?
00:34:55Um...
00:34:57I am most anxious to get a start in political life, sir.
00:35:01I...
00:35:01I ventured to hope that you might know someone to whom my services might be acceptable.
00:35:07What have you been doing?
00:35:09For the past three years, I have been in practice as a barrister.
00:35:12Oh.
00:35:14Hmm.
00:35:15I thought you had all the gravity of a country judge, but you also do a very funny dance.
00:35:21Most regrettable, I...
00:35:23Well, the ladies insisted.
00:35:26I realised at once, of course, that I had forfeited any hope of your good opinion.
00:35:30Oh, on the contrary.
00:35:31I had thought you devilishly dull up till then, but at that moment I said to myself,
00:35:36I think he must be my impresario.
00:35:44Sir?
00:35:46Oh, I have to make it more plain.
00:35:48I am looking for a new private secretary, and from all I have heard, you will do admirable.
00:35:54I am...
00:35:55I am overcome, sir.
00:35:57Now you'd better sit down, then.
00:36:00I take it you accept?
00:36:03Why, yes.
00:36:05Good.
00:36:07Good.
00:36:08I need someone I can trust, because I'm about to go to war.
00:36:13Since Lord Palmerston's death, Mr Gladstone has assumed leadership of the Liberals.
00:36:17A very forceful man.
00:36:20Quite so.
00:36:22And like all converts, has become a fanatic, and a dangerous one.
00:36:30I think he's had his own way for far too long.
00:36:34Now what can Dizzy do?
00:36:37We must trust him.
00:36:39This new bill of Gladstone's gives us no opportunity to fight.
00:36:44Good evening, gentlemen.
00:36:48Thank you, John.
00:36:50Oh, do I interrupt?
00:36:52No, no, not at all.
00:36:58Something wrong?
00:37:03We seem to face a lifetime in opposition.
00:37:08On the contrary.
00:37:10Gladstone has just played into our hands.
00:37:12In what way?
00:37:13He introduced his bill like an Old Testament prophet announcing moral truth.
00:37:17Oh, but Robert, he blinded himself by his own righteousness.
00:37:22He sees the vote not as a right, but as a privilege to be earned.
00:37:27Now this infuriates the radicals.
00:37:29While most of his own party would prefer merely to talk of reform,
00:37:33as they have done for the past 50 years.
00:37:36That's true.
00:37:37So,
00:37:40we have to stimulate both sides,
00:37:43and keep proposing amendments.
00:37:48We shall see.
00:37:59If this amendment is carried, the government may feel it's duty to resign.
00:38:04Do it now!
00:38:07Resign!
00:38:08Do it now!
00:38:29I cannot tell you how delighted I am to have you once again as my Chancellor, Mr Disraeli.
00:38:35these past years with mr gladstone have been very trying he does not keep me fully informed as you
00:38:44do he speaks to me as if he was addressing a public meeting instead of conversation he lectures
00:38:51me on homer or the hittites or the athanasian creed allow me to say i have far too much respect
00:38:58for
00:38:58your majesty ever to lecture you especially on the athanasian creed but these are difficult times
00:39:10with these reform riots which have swept the country it's a question that can no longer remain
00:39:15unsettled various administrations have tried and all have failed you must do something about it
00:39:23mr disraeli and immediately i assure your majesty my government intends to
00:39:34after all these months of preparation i'm so excited for you
00:39:40now now you must not be nervous even if i am i shall not show it
00:39:47what does it matter from insisting the others have resigned the rest of the party will support you
00:39:53still tonight will settle many things
00:40:20thank you for coming with me my dearest i wish me luck that's my love whatever happens
00:40:51thought man open the door
00:41:00drive on
00:41:04never let it be said that the commons of england passed a bill such as this
00:41:11an invitation to mob rule and the corruption of the electorate.
00:41:17We must reject, and utterly reject, this gigantic engine of Ford,
00:41:24cynically conceived for the purposes of the hour.
00:41:35Mr. Disraeli,
00:41:39the right honourable gentleman has spoken with much eloquence and much passion and much violence,
00:41:52yet the damage can be repaired.
00:42:08Hey! There never was such a smash!
00:42:12We've done it! We've done it! We've dished the wings!
00:42:16Now, tell me, why is Gladstone like a telescope?
00:42:20Why is it?
00:42:21Because Disraeli draws him out, sees through him, and shuts him up!
00:42:27Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
00:42:35Ah! Whoa!
00:42:42Oh, yes, it's the man ofēs who took the time and did the trick!
00:42:49Gizzy!
00:42:51The Colton's never seen anything like it.
00:42:54You are the hero of the hour and well-deserved.
00:42:58Very welcome.
00:42:59This is a night that should go on forever.
00:43:02You'll stay for something.
00:43:04No, I must get home.
00:43:06It's almost morning. Mary Ann will be asleep.
00:43:09This is a historic occasion. You can't disappoint all your friends and supporters.
00:43:13Tonight, of all nights, I shall be expected home.
00:43:22Monty sent word.
00:43:24I knew it.
00:43:26Oh, I knew you'd do it.
00:43:28Oh, I'm so proud.
00:43:31Well, many of the opposition voted with us.
00:43:34Many abstained, and I think that we...
00:43:36Dearest, not now.
00:43:37What have you done to your hand, Mary?
00:43:39No, it's nothing. It's just a little grave.
00:43:41You've thought and talked enough.
00:43:42This is splendid.
00:43:45What a feast and champagne.
00:43:48for a christening.
00:43:56My darling.
00:44:00You are more
00:44:04of a mistress to me.
00:44:07No, I.
00:44:18I'm glad that Mary-Anne has recovered.
00:44:21It is an indescribable relief. She has not had an attack like that for quite some time.
00:44:27The Queen told me she was most anxious.
00:44:30Her Majesty's sympathy was a great comfort but then she is very attached to Mary-Anne.
00:44:34And to you, I'd say she appreciates you more than any other minister I can remember.
00:44:40How do you do it?
00:44:42With every one response to flattery, with royalty one simply has to lay it on with a trowel.
00:44:47This does not alter the fact that I do admire her profoundly.
00:44:51Just as well, in view of what I'm going to say.
00:44:55A year ago when I mentioned I may have to resign because of my health, you begged me to carry
00:45:01on.
00:45:02I no longer have any alternative. My doctors have told me that if I stay in office, I have no
00:45:08hope of recovery.
00:45:10Oh, Darby.
00:45:11A year ago I hesitated because I was afraid that the party would still not accept you as Prime Minister.
00:45:20That will never be said.
00:45:21No.
00:45:23It is you the party and the country need.
00:45:26You have fairly and most honourably won your way to the highest rung of the political ladder.
00:45:34I am flattered and grateful but I must ask you to consider to take time.
00:45:43No, I already have.
00:45:45I've sent my resignation to the Queen at Osborne and recommended that she appoint you in my place.
00:46:00I accepted you as young England's leader many years ago.
00:46:04As I was the first then, let me be the first now.
00:46:07No action to be taken.
00:46:09Thank you, John.
00:46:15Who would ever have thought all those years ago that one day you'd be Prime Minister?
00:46:21Oh, yes.
00:46:23Climb to the top of the gruesome.
00:46:25No matter until all the answers have been received and...
00:46:28Yes!
00:46:29Yes!
00:46:31Yes!
00:46:33Yes!
00:46:34Yes!
00:46:38Yes!
00:46:40No!
00:46:40Yes!
00:46:41Yes!
00:46:42Yes!
00:46:43Yes!
00:46:43Yes!
00:46:45Yes!
00:46:46Yes!
00:46:47No!
00:46:48Yes!
00:46:51Yes!
00:46:53Yes!
00:47:00and i had looked forward to a long and increasingly happy association the general election could not
00:47:06be delayed any longer and mr gladstone used the excuse to go barnstorming around the country on
00:47:13some kind of evangelical crusade and convincing the new electors that their right to vote was
00:47:18given to them not by you but by himself now he did turn the election into a pilgrimage of passion
00:47:24but the liberal majority has been doubled there is no possibility of my continuing
00:47:32then i must accept your resignation although with much regret
00:47:38i suppose i shall have to send for mr gladstone he is undoubtedly the leader of his party now ma
00:47:44'am
00:47:45the people's william
00:47:50i must confess ma'am that owing to the strain of the last few years i shall not be so
00:47:57reluctant
00:47:57as i might have been to lay down the burden you would not think of retiring only for a period
00:48:03of
00:48:03rest ma'am i'm relieved to hear it
00:48:08now i myself have been concerned about your health mr disraeli the strain as you say of conducting
00:48:15daily business in the house of commons the simplest answer would be for you to lead your party from
00:48:22the lords and for that purpose and in recognition of your services i would like to offer you a peerage
00:48:35i am deeply sensible of the favor which your majesty is prepared to bestow however
00:48:40i feel for the sake of my party i must decline if that is your wish if there is however
00:48:49someone
00:48:50to whom i might humbly request your majesty to grant an honor
00:49:02i am deeply grateful for you i am deeply grateful for you i am deeply grateful for you i am
00:49:06deeply grateful for you
00:49:06forgive me i was waiting for your courage i must have dropped off
00:49:12well did the queen accept your resignation with regret i am happy to say
00:49:18what did you say come on tell me everything oh many things but uh most important she offered me an
00:49:26olden oh dizzy and i told her that if i had been able to accept i would have chosen the
00:49:32name beaconsfield
00:49:33from our neighboring town if you've been able to accept well many people think it is my fault we lost
00:49:40this election now gladstone has returned with an increased majority and i must be there in the commons to
00:49:46do battle with him yes yes of course but i'm so disappointed for you my darling oh no no no
00:49:54no i'm not
00:49:55disappointed at all you see the queen has been graciously pleased to transfer the honor to my most trusted
00:50:07and constant companion whose courage has always been my spur and whose love my inspiration
00:50:16it is the greatest privilege i've ever been given
00:50:21to tell you that you are now my dearest in your own right the viscountess beaconsfield
00:50:46you must know why mr disraeli prefers to work down here in the country sir stafford of course i
00:50:52realize that lady beaconsfield is unwell yet as leader of the party his place is at westminster we
00:50:58hardly ever see him at westminster mr rose he tells us he's working on something but he will not say
00:51:03what
00:51:04it is i hope it's not another book lothair was a sensation on both sides of the atlantic undoubtedly who
00:51:13had ever heard of an ex-prime minister writing a romantic novel
00:51:21your terraces are exquisite but why is there many peacocks they are essential lady chesterfield who
00:51:28ever heard of a terrace without peacocks a kind of personal symbol do you suppose oh surely not baron
00:51:35baron to rothschild and lady chesterfield knew my dizzy when he was not always so solemn
00:51:43the very first time i saw him lady manners he was wearing a green velvet jacket
00:51:48a plum colored trousers with gold braid a scarlet waistcoat smothered in gold chains
00:51:55and emerald rings over white gloves i really cannot imagine it
00:52:01young women who only know my dizzy now think he's ugly i don't think he's ugly at all
00:52:07no i assure you i think we might change the subject my dear no no no he was so striking
00:52:14all the young
00:52:15women found him irresistible that's very true and out of them all he chose me i've never ceased to
00:52:24thank providence well the gratitude should be entirely on my side my marianne
00:52:33no it's nothing it's it's just a little twinge i get when i don't stick to my dad come come
00:52:39i'll show
00:52:40you do you think i'll go and find out
00:52:48monty monty will take me we can't both leave our guests i'm sure they everybody understands
00:53:23Dizzy, why did you not warn us?
00:53:27Lady Beaconsfield is clearly much more ill than any of us suspected.
00:53:35What is it?
00:53:39Mamrie Ann is suffering from cancer of the stomach.
00:53:42I've known for five years. Only Monty and I know.
00:53:47Cannot her doctors do something?
00:53:50It's incurable.
00:53:53She does not know that I know.
00:53:56So to save worrying me, she pretends that her illness is slight and temporary.
00:54:06I've no need to ask you not to say.
00:54:14I can't hear Marianne has had to lie down.
00:54:19It is a full-on attempt to introduce these siestas to Buckinghamshire.
00:54:27Have they been badgering you, Philip?
00:54:31Proving. More or less delicately, I would say.
00:54:34You should have been better than to try to worm secrets out of a lawyer, especially mine.
00:54:37I assure you, I have no need, Northwood.
00:54:42I can guess your complaints exactly.
00:54:44I have not been writing another book.
00:54:48Philip and I have been discussing a plan for the total reorganization of the party.
00:54:52The setting up of a central office to define policy and consult with and advise local constituencies.
00:55:01In short, the creation of a party machine.
00:55:04It cannot be run from here.
00:55:06Which is why I am leaving for London tomorrow.
00:55:10We cannot let Gladstone have it all in his own way.
00:55:15He's gaining in strength every day.
00:55:17No one dares stand against him.
00:55:20Oh, well.
00:55:22I thought I might try.
00:55:25Hmm?
00:55:26Horrible scenes of violence had been occurring in Ireland, and the government never moved.
00:55:33Hey.
00:55:35Landlords were shot down.
00:55:38Respectable farmers beaten to death.
00:55:40Policemen stabbed.
00:55:41Households blown up.
00:55:42And still, the government never moved.
00:55:46Yet, when a government candidate lost an election in Ireland, oh, troops were put in motion.
00:55:54Sent from Liverpool to Dublin.
00:55:56And I seem to remember, I think it was last year, one of Her Majesty's ministers saying,
00:56:01Anyone can govern Ireland with troops and artillery.
00:56:06So it seems.
00:56:09Even the right honourable gentleman there.
00:56:39Oh, Dizzy.
00:56:42Dizzy, do sit still, I've nearly done.
00:56:43Making notes for my speech.
00:56:45Yes.
00:56:47Well, do so, just pretend I'm not here.
00:56:49Can I, snip, snip, snip?
00:56:51I feel like I've fallen into the hands of some female mini-tod.
00:56:55Well, you'll know what you expect, then, won't you?
00:56:57Hmm?
00:56:57Oh, do sit still.
00:57:00I will not have you going to Manchester looking like some out-of-work scarecrow.
00:57:04I might not go to Manchester.
00:57:06Well, why on earth not?
00:57:06It's going to be the great rally of all the Conservative associations.
00:57:11And then there's your speech at the Free Trade Hall.
00:57:14Only one of three monster rallies in the north.
00:57:17And I shall expect you, at each, to make a speech lasting several hours.
00:57:22Well, think of the effect it will make.
00:57:24I am thinking, nowadays, with my asthma, I can only stay on my feet talking if I drink brandy and
00:57:30water non-stop.
00:57:32So I shall lose the churchgoers and temperance vote straight away.
00:57:34Oh, I know.
00:57:37Why don't you put white brandy in the water, Jack?
00:57:41The audience will not know anything about it.
00:57:44Lady Beaconsfield, you are as fair as an angel and as devious as a serpent.
00:57:54Oh, I beg your pardon.
00:57:56It's all right.
00:57:59I've done.
00:58:05May I get rid of that for you?
00:58:07No.
00:58:08I'll do it on here.
00:58:10Now, Dizzy, don't you work poor Monty too hard?
00:58:22Her fingers were so swollen she could scarcely hold the scissors.
00:58:26I thought Lady Beaconsfield seemed a little better.
00:58:29She will not give in.
00:58:30She insists on traveling to Manchester with me.
00:58:33Could you not advise against it, sir, because of the appalling weather?
00:58:36She will not listen.
00:58:38Even though I'm afraid the journey might prove too much for her.
00:58:43For her own sake, sir, could you not refuse to let her go with you?
00:58:48How can I?
00:58:51Every time she hears me speak, she's afraid it will be the last.
00:59:03Not satisfied with the rape and anarchy of Ireland,
00:59:08they have begun to attack every institution,
00:59:11every interest, every class and calling in the country.
00:59:26So, all along, this so-called government of Mr. Gladstone's
00:59:32has behaved like a body of men
00:59:35under the influence of some deleterious drug.
00:59:46And as time progressed, it was not difficult to perceive
00:59:51that extravagance was being substituted for energy
00:59:55by this government.
00:59:59Some sought refuge in melancholy,
01:00:02and their eminent chief alternated
01:00:05between a menace and a sigh.
01:00:10As I sat opposite the treasury bench,
01:00:14the ministers reminded me of one of those marine landscapes
01:00:19that are not unusual on the coasts of South America.
01:00:22You behold a range of exhausted volcanoes.
01:00:28Not a flame flickers on a single pallid crest.
01:00:36Yet, the situation is still dangerous.
01:00:40There are occasional earthquakes,
01:00:43and ever and anon,
01:00:45the dark rumblings of the sea.
01:00:48LAUGHTER
01:00:53APPLAUSE
01:00:58APPLAUSE
01:01:03Good day, good day.
01:01:05Good day.
01:01:05APPLAUSE
01:01:19Their affection is as much for you as it is for him.
01:01:24They have seen his devotion to you.
01:01:29And I have seen a perfect marriage.
01:01:32Does he marry me for my money?
01:01:34OK, but, well, if he had to do it again, I think he'd marry me for now.
01:01:54Do you see?
01:01:58Do you see?
01:02:01Do you see?
01:02:02Do you see?
01:02:02Do you see?
01:02:02Does his face were at all?
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