The Wind and the Lion (1975) Movie Script
1
Don't you think
the most important
part of a meal
is the wine?
Everything must follow the wine
and in this case
I could favor a red Bordeaux.
A red Bordeaux at lunch?
Your late husband would
never have approved.
William?
William, stay away
from the edge.
The edge is no place to play.
Yes, ma'am.
What is it, William?
I don't know.
He's got a knife in his back.
William!
Watch where you're...
William!
Joseph, over there.
Get down, Eden.
Damn.
Joseph!
Oh!
Leave us alone.
You hear?
Get back.
Leave us alone. Oh!
Come, girl.
Come on.
I am the Raisuli.
Do not laugh at me again.
Secretary of State
to the President:
I regret to inform you
that I have received
the following dispatch
from Samuel Gummere
United States General Consul,
Tangier, Morocco.
On October 15
Mrs. Eden Pedecaris
and her children
were kidnapped from
their residence in Tangier
after the brutal murder
of her servants and a guest
Sir Joshua Kenyon-Smith,
a British subject.
This act of
barbarous criminality
appears perpetrated
by Mulay El-Raisuli
Sherif of the Riffian Berbers
and the last of the
Barbary pirates.
The British minister
and myself concur
there exists alarming
prospects of danger
for all foreigners in Morocco.
Request warships.
Gentlemen, the presidency
was never won
by a Vice President filling out
his fallen predecessor's
term of office.
Now, that may not
obtain in this instance...
The only thing that people will
remember about McKinley
is he had the good sense
to get himself shot.
Teddy's the most popular
President since Washington.
Why drag in Washington?
Ah, you know it, and I know it
but that damn cowboy
doesn't know it.
What he wants is some issue
to hang his campaign on
something to arouse
the populace.
A cavalry charge?
So to speak.
Morocco?
You know as well as I do we
can't have Arab desperadoes
running around kidnapping
American citizens.
If I had my way, I'd go in there
with a couple of Winchesters
a battalion of Marines
but I can't do that.
Can I?
No.
- Has this Raspuli...
- Raisuli.
Raspuli, Raisuli, whatever.
Has he made any terms?
No.
Hmm. Good.
That gives us an excuse.
He will, though.
What makes you so sure?
He kidnapped a
British consul once
but they became friends,
and he sent him back.
- He spat on the blood money.
- Spat on it?
Yes. There's been
others, though
Spanish and French emissaries.
Did he send them back too?
- Parts of them.
- Parts of them?
Obviously, he has no
respect for human life.
Threatening the lives and
property of American citizens.
It's an insult in the eyes of the
world community, you realize that?
Arabian thief holding me up
like a common desperado.
Theodore, you're
on to something.
I don't quite know what.
What is it that you
want, Theodore?
What do I want?
I want respect, that's what.
Respect for human life
and American property
and I'll send the Atlantic squadron
to Morocco to get respect.
That's illegal.
Now, why spoil the
beauty of a thing
with legality?
Well...
the fleet sails tomorrow.
America wants Pedecaris
alive, or Raisuli dead.
Very good.
Pedecaris alive...
or Raisuli dead.
Bull's-eye.
Ah! Ah!
Horses! Come on now.
We go to the horses, madam.
Don't touch me
with that thing again.
I'm quite capable of
understanding your gibberish.
Jennifer? William? William!?
Your hand, lady.
Oh, get away from me,
for God's sake, you...
Get on those horses, Jennifer.
Let go of this.
Now, I don't know who you
are or what you want with us
but I will tell you
that I am no coward
and if you or any of these men
should dare to lay a hand on me
I will try with all the
strength in me to kill you.
And with my last breath,
I shall curse you to God.
God will listen.
Do you play checkers?
No. I play chess.
Better.
This is the Rif.
I am Mulay Achmed Mohammed
El-Raisuli the Magnificent.
Sherif of the Riffian Berbers.
I am the true defender
of the faithful
and the blood of the
Prophet runs in me
and I am but a
servant of his will.
You have nothing to say?
It has never been my intention
to encourage braggarts.
Your shell is strong,
like a turtle's
but it is brittle.
Your tongue is clever and fast.
Be careful you
do not trip over it.
You are a great deal of trouble.
Now, see here, Abal.
I don't intend to waste any
more time watching you eat.
This is an effrontery.
Have you ever heard of
the "big stick," Bashaw?
Do not threaten me,
Mr. Gummere.
I have been threatened
by the French...
Germans...
and the English.
I've been threatened by experts
Mr. Gummere.
And yet Morocco is still the
only sovereign Muslim throne
west of Constantinople.
Yes, but it is shaky.
Yes, we have French infantry
and German cavalry.
Our currency is Spanish
but my nephew is the
Sultan of Morocco.
And it is as it shall be.
Well, if you wish it
to stay that way
then I implore you
to send your French infantry and
your German cavalry into the Rif
and bring our people back.
Better to serve the
leopard than the fox.
I am only a servant
of the Sultan
the chosen one, the
defender of the faithful.
I can make no such decision.
Very well then, we shall seek an
audience with the Sultan himself.
He will not see you
unless it pleases him.
Now, listen here
we represent a modern power.
We're talking about Marines,
battleships, big guns.
- We are not fooling about.
- Richard.
We are not here to make threats,
merely entreaties.
Now, tell me, Bashaw,
what would please
the Sultan? Gold?
More bicycles?
Another carriage?
Lions.
Lions?
Lions would please the Sultan.
Lions are noble.
Very well.
Mr. Dreighton will leave
this afternoon for Fez
with a pair of lions.
Lions?
We shall drink from my well.
Thank you, William.
That's rather refreshing.
Here children, have some of
these. They'll give you strength.
Mama, who do you
think he really is?
Is he a pirate?
He's a brigand and a lout.
Pay him no serious mention.
We shall see the better
side of this, God willing.
He has the way about
him, doesn't he?
He sure has the way.
Woman, I want you
to understand this.
I am not a barbarous man.
I am a scholar and
a leader to my people.
I am not a barbarous man.
These four men
have dishonored me.
They have eaten from my trees.
They have drunk water
from my wells.
They have done all of
these things to me
and they have not even evoked my
name to God, in thankfulness.
I am treated this way
because I make war
upon the Europeans.
You see the man at the well?
How he draws the water?
When one bucket
empties, the other fills.
It is so with the world.
At present, you
are full of power.
But you are spilling
it wastefully
and Islam is lapping
up the drops
as they spill from your bucket.
Oh!
Did you see that?
And you are not a barbarous man.
They had broken God's will.
You mean they had
broken your will!
I have no will,
only that of God.
I had to kill the two or I could
not trust the other two.
A barbarous man would
have killed them al...
Of course.
Be not so quick
to judge our ways.
Ignorance is a steep hill with
perilous rocks at the bottom.
Do you pray often?
I pray to Mecca
five times a day.
Is that so? I wonder
how you find time.
You're so busy cutting
off men's heads
and kidnapping
women and children.
If I miss the morning prayer,
I pray twice in the afternoon.
Allah is very understanding.
You gonna build that canal
in Panama, Teddy?
I'll dig it with my own
hands if I have to.
Remember the Maine!
I remembered it, did you?
Teddy, you ain't gonna let them
push us around in Morocco?
Madam, I have something
to say about Morocco.
This is a good time
as any to say it.
It is my policy.
It's my policy
to protect American citizens
and American interests
whenever, wherever
they are threatened.
And... And furthermore.
Furthermore
I am not a man to stand by
and condone barbaric acts
which are perpetrated against
innocent women and children.
We shall mete out
justice that is swift
and retribution that is final.
America wants Pedecaris
alive or Raisuli dead.
I was good, wasn't I, John?
It was a marvelous speech.
I'd even vote for you myself.
Have the train go slowly.
I want to listen
to them a while.
You will be more pleased here.
Sleep better.
It is the wish of the Raisuli.
Be sure and thank him for me.
You will sleep here.
Yes, I was told.
Good.
You do not want to eat?
This is not a good move.
I can take your knight.
- You can?
- Yes.
Well, the loss of my knight
does not mean you will win.
The lion takes long strides
but the path is worn
smooth by pygmy armies.
Yes, and a fool and his
money are soon parted.
I've checked your queen also.
You are in a lot of trouble.
You should never have moved
that bishop or kidnapped me.
Both will see you undone.
It is not I who decides
the outcome of these events.
It is the will of Allah.
I am but an instrument
of that will.
It is the wind that passes,
but the sea remains.
A stitch in time saves nine.
Make your move.
What do you intend
to do with us?
It is my intention to embarrass
Mulay Abdul Azziz
the Sultan to Morocco.
The tribesmen will see
that he is the bought dog
of the European armies,
a slave to French
and German masters.
The tribesmen will
join me in a jihad
to abolish this
foreign pestilence.
And this is your way?
Abducting women and children,
killing unarmed servants?
I prefer to fight the
European armies
but they do not fight as men.
They fight as dogs.
Men prefer to fight with swords
so they can see
each other's eyes.
Sometimes this is not possible.
Then they fight with rifles.
The Europeans have guns that fire
many times, promiscuously
and rend the earth.
There is no honor in this.
Nothing is decided from this.
Therefore,
I shall take women and children
when it pleases me.
What have you demanded
for our return?
Gold, rifles...
the head of the Bashaw
in a basket of melons...
the sovereignty of my people.
The English have paid
very well in the past.
Well, you'll not have your way
with the Americans.
President Roosevelt will have
your head for this.
Roosevelt.
This President Roosevelt
he would try and
take it himself?
He certainly would.
He is a man of grit
and strong moral fiber.
He does not kidnap
women and children.
What kind of rifle does he use?
A Winchester.
Winchester?
Winchester?
I have no knowledge
of this rifle.
You will.
Sherif of Wazan,
Lord of the desert.
Mrs. Pedecaris.
The pleasure is mine.
Charmed.
The Sherif has honored me
by carrying my entreaties
to the Europeans.
What is that?
That is a tongue.
Well, why would anyone want
to cut out a man's tongue?
Perhaps the previous owner
had nothing pleasant to say.
I believe I'm about to be sick.
Must be the heat.
- What is it?
- Some kind of tongue.
What kind?
Children, get up from that
tongue. Good God.
The reply from the
American Bashaw.
Himself speaking for the
Lord of the Americans.
- President Roosevelt?
- Mm-hmm.
"Pedecaris alive
or Raisuli dead"?
You are not in a
position to laugh.
Do not laugh at the Raisuli!
Go to Zinat.
Cut the small finger
from a woman.
Take it to these Americans.
Tell them it is a finger
of the woman Pedecaris
and that the Raisuli
is a man of patience,
but not unending.
Does this President,
this Roosevelt
does he have no respect
for human life?
Hey, what'd you
bring in, Colonel?
Got some venison and a cougar.
Heard about the bear, have you?
Big one, I heard.
Coffee, Mr. President?
Is that the bear?
Yes, this is the bear that attacked
the horse camp at dawn.
He knew that men would be
asleep or at their worst, at dawn.
You know, he injured one of
the Indians quite severely.
Killed several of
the horses too.
Did you yourself participate in
stopping the bear, Mr. President?
Yes, I regret to say.
Why do you regret,
Mr. President?
Because he's a fine creature.
This is his valley.
This valley belonged to the bear
and we're the intruders here.
We're accustomed to wild
animals taking flight
at the sight of men with guns.
The American grizzly
fears nothing
not man, not guns, not death.
Do you intend to have this bear as a
rug in the White House, Mr. President?
Rug? No.
No, I intend to have him stuffed
and placed on exhibit.
The Smithsonian Institute.
The American grizzly bear
is a symbol of the
American character:
Strength, intelligence, ferocity.
A little blind and
reckless at times
but courageous beyond all doubt.
And one other trait that
goes with all previous.
And that, Mr. President?
Loneliness.
A bear lives out his life alone.
Indomitable, unconquered,
but always alone.
He has no real allies,
only enemies
but none of them
are as great as he.
Do you feel this might be
an American trait?
Certainly.
The world will never love us.
It may respect us
they may even grow to fear us,
but they will never love us
for we have too much audacity
and we're a bit blind
and reckless at times too.
Are you perhaps referring
to the Panama Canal
and the situation in Morocco?
If you say so.
The American grizzly
embodies the spirit of America.
He should be our symbol,
not that ridiculous eagle.
He's no more than
a dandified vulture.
Dandified.
Do you speak English?
Yes, sire.
Tell me,
why doesn't the Sultan
build the road to Fez?
I had to bring these
lions by camel.
Do you know what that's like?
No, sire.
It wasn't easy.
The ease of others is not
the concern of the Sultan.
We'll build a road some day.
A road? Here?
Foolish.
The desert is like the sea.
You cannot build
a road in the sea.
We will.
We have men that
can do anything.
Absolutely anything.
We have men that can fly.
Fly?
Fly.
Watch the goal.
Watch the goal.
Watch the goal.
Say, haven't I seen you
somewhere before?
Nein.
Perhaps Your Highness Abdul
would care to fire
the Maxim gun?
Herr Sultan is displeased?
This is broken.
Mend it.
The ambassador of the
Americans, Your Exultancy.
I am Mulay Abdul Azziz,
Sultan to Morocco.
It has been said that you
have brought me lions.
Yes, sir, two of them.
It's out of bounds.
It would please me to take the
pleasure of this meeting
in my carriage of state.
You will come.
Beautiful.
It is quite extraordinary.
You may sit.
You wish to discuss the Raisuli?
Yes.
Have you made any
contact with his people?
He wishes for the return
of the woman Pedecaris
that he be granted the lands
of the Rif by formal decree,
and that the Bashaw
of Tangier's head
be presented in a golden jar.
He didn't ask for money?
Yes, but that is honorable.
You have offered
to pay it, I presume.
Do not distress me
by such a question.
Now, see here, we will have
our people back and right quick
or we are prepared
to do something about it.
I will not endure
this treatment.
Have you ever heard
of the "big stick," Sultan?
Right now, there are
squadrons of warships
in your coastal waters.
In days, there will be
Marines, cavalry
and artillery to enforce
my demands.
Now, my country wants
the woman Pedecaris alive
or Raisuli dead.
You cannot talk to the
defender of the faithful
in this manner!
You do not understand it!
It is so difficult to be Sultan.
You do not understand.
What do you know
of this Raisuli?
He is a wonderful man,
a servant of God
but he is a brigand
and a criminal as well.
He taught me to shoot a rifle
when I was five years old.
You know him?
He is my uncle.
But the Bashaw in
Tangier is your uncle.
They are both my uncles.
They are brothers.
It is so difficult to be Sultan.
You foreigners
do not understand.
These are my true riches.
A man's worth is counted
in the number of his rifles.
Does this Roosevelt,
does he have such men?
Probably not.
Well, with such men
who needs guns that fire
many times promiscuously?
Machine guns?
Yes. Who needs
such guns?
Well, maybe I don't
believe it, either.
Look at this.
Where'd you get it, William?
Did you steal it?
No. He gave it to me.
Gayaan the Terrible.
He's a brigand who's
killed over 30 men.
Did he kill any with that?
Certainly.
What will they do with us,
William?
Keep us.
Teach us to ride, shoot,
cut men's throats
and be brigands.
Even girls?
Yes, but you'll have
to wear a veil.
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday, Father.
Happy birthday.
Blow out the candles, Father.
Takes a big wind,
lots of hot air.
Then I'll need some help
from you, Mr. Hay.
I propose a toast.
To the Panama Canal.
Yes, and Jupiter
Pierpont Morgan.
Likie knifie?
You Likie forkie?
Splendid.
And now, Mr. President, blow.
May the breath
of Theodore Roosevelt
be like the wind that he has
sent across the Pacific.
Wind that bends the trees
of aggression and injustice
but a true wind marked
also for its warmth.
An American wind.
You Likie speechie?
Well, I suppose I should
make the first cut here.
See? Nothing to it.
There you are.
See how easy that was?
Now, you all go on
and finish it.
Not having any,
Mr. President?
Oh, no. No cake
for me, John
birthday or no.
I have to remain fit and trim
vigorous and active.
After all, this Raisuli fellow
is reputed to be over 50
and still a very
formidable brigand.
You may well make a
formidable brigand yourself.
You've made a good start in life
and we all have
high hopes for you
when you grow up.
Now I shall have
some of your cake.
Let them eat cake, huh, kid?
Not good for you, John.
Neither are those cigars.
At my age, I can afford it.
Let me see that.
Take a note to the Winchester
Repeating Arms Company
New Haven, Connecticut.
Dear Sirs,
I have received my
improved model
1895 Winchester
in .405 caliber.
As you and I both know,
this is a very fine rifle.
However, once again
you have blundered
both in regard to
the stock dimensions
and the recoil pad.
How long will these
mistakes be repeated?
After all, I am the President
of the United States.
I see no reason why
an American President
can't get satisfaction from
an American gun maker.
Huh? What must I do
for a proper fitting?
Go to England?
- I should hope not.
- No, sir.
Why are you standing there
like that, young man?
- In regard to your...
- Well, speak up. Speak up.
This is a government,
not a rest home. What is it?
- Your bear, sir.
- My bear? What bear?
- Your grizzly bear, sir.
- He's from the Smithsonian.
Oh, the Smithsonian.
Yes, you have the sketches.
Thank you.
Now, let's see.
Let me see these.
Oh, I'm sorry.
That won't do.
No, that's...
No, that's all wrong.
That's terrible.
And that one.
You see, what's wrong
here, young man
is the position.
You've made this fine
specimen of a grizzly
look like a hairy cow.
Now, would you like to be portrayed as
a hairy cow if you were a grizzly bear?
Perhaps the President
had a position in mind.
Certainly. There you are.
Now, watch.
The American grizzly
must always be portrayed
in a fighting stance.
That's the sort of animal he is.
You see, upright, rampant,
on his two hind feet.
His great forepaws
extended like that.
Teeth bared, clawing, growling.
Understand?
- Would you like to sketch that?
- Yes sir.
Take a photograph.
Good. Ready?
Growl again, Father.
You like that?
See that he gets a copy.
Now, where was I
with Winchester?
Um. "What must I do
for a proper fitting?
Need I go to England?"
Yes, uh.
Oh, that's all right the
way it is. Send it out.
What must a man do, anyway,
to get a proper-fitting rifle?
You can bet that Raisuli fellow's
got a rifle that fits him.
Those people know the
value of a good weapon.
The rifle is the very
soul of the Arab.
Raisuli's a Berber,
Mr. President.
Well, it goes double
for Berbers.
What sort of rifle does
he use, do you suppose?
- I don't know, sir.
- Well, send him a cablegram.
Find out what kind of weapon
the old bastard uses.
I think you're the best shot
that's ever occupied
the office, sir.
Oh, I don't know.
Andrew Jackson back
there was quite a shot.
Carried a brace of pistols
all the time, you know.
Shot a fellow right off
the porch right out there.
Caned another one to death.
Admiral Chadwick, I presume.
I'm Vice Consul
Richard Dreighton.
- Ray.
- Admiral.
It's certainly good to see you.
Captain.
I must say we've been
awaiting your arrival
with a great deal
of anticipation
and I must say,
not a little nervousness.
You see, gentlemen
what we have here is a problem
of enormous
diplomatic complexity.
Now, the Sultan of Morocco...
Make yourselves
comfortable, gentlemen.
The Sultan of Morocco
favors the German Kaiser
while the Bashaw,
who is the real power here
is leaning toward
the Czar of Russia.
Now, in the middle of all this
an American woman is kidnapped
by some desert pirate
and our President, of course,
gentlemen, only wants to know
what kind of a rifle
this brigand carries.
And he probably wants
to build a canal too
for all I know.
It's been done before, you know.
Now, now, Admiral.
Mr. Dreighton, see if the gentlemen
care for a cigar, would you, please?
You and I are both old men
and we've seen these
disasters come and go.
Now, our problem is
to make this one go
and make it look good.
I must remind you, sir
that I was at Santiago Bay
when this President
was running up San Juan Hill.
I'm afraid that we'll have to do
more than just look good this time.
Well, what did you
have in mind, exactly?
Military intervention.
Yes. We are,
at this moment
the most powerful naval
force in Tangier Harbor.
Well, I... I don't see what
that has to do with anything.
We are a major power
at this moment.
We carry the biggest stick.
Now, just how many men
do you have, captain?
Two reinforced
rifle companies, sir.
Well, you see, the
Sultan of Morocco
has three foreign
regiments in Fez.
That's right, sir.
They're at Fez.
The Bashaw has only his household
cavalry and guard here.
The power lies with the Bashaw.
Who is this boy?
Let him go on.
It would be as useless
chasing Raisuli
as the redcoats on Bunker Hill.
And the Sultan, if I'm
correct in my assumption
will not meet his demands.
Yes, go on.
The Sultan is not the power.
The real government is here.
That's right.
Well, it'd seem quite obvious,
I would think, sir.
We must seize the government
and make our own negotiations.
Seize the government?
At bayonet point.
I certainly would like to see
that old son of a bitch
at bayonet point, huh?
But it's ridiculous.
It's outrageous. It's lunatic.
Yes, isn't it, though?
I should think
Teddy would love it.
What about the French,
the Germans, the British?
Why, we're in the
Shadow of Gibraltar.
Damn the legations.
You realize, of course
that if we fail in this,
in even the slightest way
we'll all be killed.
Yes
and the whole world
will probably go to war.
Gentlemen, if we fail
and are killed
I certainly hope that the
world does go to war.
World at war.
A world war.
Now that would be
something to go out on.
William. Jennifer.
Jennifer!
What is it, Mama?
I was sleeping.
Dress quickly in the
robes they gave you.
Why are you dressed like that?
Where are we going?
We're going to make
good an escape.
An escape?
Right now?
I was asleep.
You cannot wait for these things to
occur at your convenience, Jennifer.
Now, I've bribed
a man with jewels.
Now, come on.
Get dressed and hurry up.
William!
Come along.
Be quick about it.
The rifle, boy.
Rifle.
Yes, it is mine.
Give me your riffle.
Give it to me, yeah?
You'll get the rifle when we
reach safety and not before.
Now move ahead.
I'll take the rifle, I want it.
Be careful.
Help!
William!
William. William.
Mama.
William.
Get back.
William, get those loose
horses there. Quick.
Jennifer, go with William.
Mrs. Pedecaris
you're a great deal of trouble.
There is all that you need here.
Clothes of the finest silks
spiced meats, figs for you
when you wish to eat.
Scented water to bathe in.
But where are your guards?
Is it your intention to
let us roam about freely?
You're the guests
of the Raisuli.
In the Raisuli's house,
I don't need guards.
My eyes are with you
wherever you go.
Allah is with me
and no one can escape from God.
What will you do if they
do not accept your terms?
What do you mean?
What will become of us,
my children and myself?
I will play chess with
you one more time
and then return you
to your house.
Alive?
Yes, of course.
Then you're just bluffing them.
You've never had the
intention of killing us.
Raisuli does not kill
women and children.
That's a silly question.
Why do you do this?
Because I am bluffing too.
Mrs. Pedecaris,
you trouble me.
Ship, oars!
Present arms!
Good morning, sir.
The company is formed.
Sergeants, take your post.
Company
fix
bayonets.
Move!
Right
face.
Port
arms.
Column left,
march!
Column right,
march!
Eyes
right!
I don't think the French and
Germans are gonna like this.
Too early in the morning
for rattling sabers.
Double-time
march.
Right on me.
Column left, now!
Column left,
march!
Column left!
Quick-time.
Quick-time.
March!
Third and fourth squads,
column right, march.
First and second squads
column right, march.
Mark time
march.
Company
halt!
Hostiles to the left.
Left face!
Firing positions, move!
Aim!
Fire!
Prepare to charge the palace!
Charge!
Capt. Jerome,
United States Marine Corps
and you are my prisoner, sir.
You are a very
dangerous man, captain
and your President
Roosevelt is mad.
Yes, sir.
He's gone cowboy again.
Stand back. Let me
deal with him, or try.
Theodore, what are you doing?
Isn't that the Czar?
A facsimile.
But that's like shooting
at your own brother.
Oh, Kermit's in the pits.
That's his idea
of a little joke.
Obviously, you relish jokes in view of
your approval of the Gummere report.
I try to go along
with them, John.
I suppose a declaration of
war would be a joke too?
Well, you have to admit
it would be entertaining.
A barrel of laughs.
Have you any idea of the
risk you're running?
Have you any idea of the
territory I'd be gaining?
Theodore.
You're dangerous.
You might even shoot somebody.
Accidentally, I mean.
John, I'd never shoot
anyone accidentally.
I need their votes.
Madness.
- Madness.
- Sir?
Utter madness.
Why are you closing
your left eye, Father?
You've always told us to shoot
with both eyes open.
Well, the light bothers me. I can't
see out of that eye anymore.
What do you mean?
I'm blind in my left eye.
- Since when?
- Since Saturday. Boxing.
Now, don't say anything
to Edith about it, do you hear?
Maybe it'll go away.
And don't let anyone come up
on my left side either.
Father, is Raisuli
a real pirate?
Yes, indeed, Quentin. He's the
last of the Barbary pirates.
Why do you say that?
Well, the world is fast outgrowing
pirates of that sort, anyway.
Do you know any others?
Yes, J.P. Morgan.
He's the only other
real pirate I know.
I hope you have him brought
before you in chains.
J.P. Morgan?
I should hardly...
No, no, no. Raisuli. Have
Raisuli brought before you.
I should like to see that.
Oh, I should like to see
him too but not in chains.
Let's have the Winchester, Alice.
You like him, don't you, Father?
You like J.P. Morgan
too, don't you?
Of course I do, Alice.
But they're your enemies.
Well, sometimes
one finds that your enemies are a lot
more admirable than your friends.
You pick the road to greatness
and you'll have
that choice some day.
You come to realize that the
road traveled by great men
is dark and lonely
and lit only at intervals
by other great men
and sometimes they're
your enemies.
But they're the only
true luxury you have.
Yes, it's a dark and difficult road and
I do not look down upon anyone
who has the good sense
not to take it.
I was young
and full of the sayings
of young men.
I did not yet understand
the ways of the Prophet
the will of God.
I thought that men
could oppose such will.
I was very foolish.
A man can trust no one,
yet often trusts women.
I trusted my brother
and openly opposed
the old Sultan at Fez.
He was letting the Europeans
give him money
and money is always
followed by more Europeans.
My brother betrayed me,
and I was sent to Mogador.
Mogador?
It is a dungeon on
the edge of the sea.
I was sent there to die
but I was young and strong.
My brain was as agile
as my fingers.
The confinement.
Speak of the confinement.
It was the intention
of my brother
to permit the flies and the
ants to consume me
but as the years passed
and the chains were
replaced many times
it was always I who remained.
It was then that the guards saw
that the Baraka was with me.
They arranged my escape.
I thanked them for the years
of wisdom they had given me
and I wandered
into the mountains.
- Are you asleep?
- No. Did I look like it?
No, but you made no noise
and well, others have
fallen asleep while I speak.
The wandering, Raisuli.
Uh, yeah.
I wandered into the mountains.
I wished only to hear
the voices of women
babbling about common things.
You permit me to say
the conversation of women
does not interest me very much.
But when one is in prison
one is inclined to have
a different sense
of disposition.
The Riffians found me.
I learned to read
and to speak again.
The women aided me in this
because of my lineage
but the men
they wanted to sell my head to the old
Sultan at Fez for rifles and gold.
There was but one thing to do:
Challenge Abdel Malak the Cruel.
We fought with swords
on horseback
and the Baraka was with me.
I cut off his arm
and he wounded me
many times.
The tribesmen judged him
and every voice was against him.
And his eyes
which had witnessed
much injustice
were burned out with
heated copper coins.
And today, he wanders the land
a blind beggar.
Thus, I became the true
defender of the faithful
for the blood of the
Prophet runs in me
and I am but an
instrument of his will.
Salaam.
Raisuli, Lord of the Rif. Salaam.
Salaam.
I have never seen
such fierce retainers.
Well, these are my immortals.
They have such...
- Jennifer, put that thing down.
- Let it be.
They are feared in
the streets of hell
and their courage is such that golden
thrones await them in paradise.
You are pleased, Sherif?
I am pleased
the Raisuli will be pleased.
The Bashaw offers this:
70,000 pieces of Spanish gold
all foreign soldiers to be
removed from the Rif
and the Raisuli
and his followers
are to be granted
the freedom to travel
in the cities and marketplaces.
And last
all those held in the
dungeons of Mogador
who swear fealty to Raisuli
shall be placed
under Raisuli's care.
This in return
for the American woman
and her children.
It is the word of the
American Sultan Roosevelt
and his honor.
Even with treachery,
such an offer is impressive.
The American Bashaw wished
that the Raisuli act in haste
as the other Europeans
are not pleased.
You must take their offer.
Each day that you keep us here
the Europeans use as an
excuse to land more troops.
Everything that you have
fought for is wasted.
They are using you, Raisuli.
You are becoming a dupe to them.
Do not call the Raisuli a dupe.
I do not need the
counsel of women.
The American woman is true.
Every day, more
Germans travel to Fez.
They have guns that
need wheels to carry them.
What is stopping you?
Can't you see?
It is no longer our concern.
The great powers want this land
and they will fight each
other to take this land
and when they are done,
there will be nothing.
Not your mountains,
nor your palace
not pride, nor your honor.
It is a wind so strong
no tree can stand in it.
And where there are no trees,
there is no shade from the sun.
And what is land without
shade from the sun?
Desert.
The desert I know very well.
Mrs. Pedecaris, you
speak like a Berber.
It must be the heat.
Why do you do this?
I do not ordinarily ask
the counsel of any man
let alone the counsel of women.
You're not even one of my wives.
I should certainly say not.
I am not.
Children, come here.
We have no more business here.
Let these brigands
decide for themselves
what they shall do with us.
Mrs. Pedecaris, I have
decided it would please me
to return you to
President Roosevelt
because you're a lot of trouble.
Perhaps he will know
what to do with you.
It is not my fate to find out.
Even you laugh at the Raisuli.
This woman has
taken the Raisuli.
You say such things
in front of my men.
What has become
of honor, respect?
Everything is changing,
drifting away on the wind.
It's been a bad year.
The next one will
probably be worse.
Where do we have to
take them to get our gold?
I will take them. You
need not risk your life.
What does my life matter?
I've nothing else to do.
Prepare to ride.
I do not understand this woman.
My entire education has
been horses and the Koran.
What have I learned?
Look what I've become.
You are Lord of the Rif.
Yes, and you would think
I would understand this woman.
Where is it exactly
where we are going?
To a small village east of Rabat
at the foot of the mountains.
It is good.
What is good?
It is good to know
where we are going.
What are they singing?
They are singing songs to God.
Why are you not singing?
I am the Sultan.
They do the singing.
That is ridiculous.
It is customary.
There is just one
thing I'd like to ask you.
Yes, what is it?
What is your first name?
My first name?
Yes, your Christian name.
I mean what is the name
that precedes all
your other names?
My first name?
My Christian name?
I am Mulay Achmed Mohammed
Raisuli the Magnificent,
Lord of the Rif.
Mulay. Mulay,
that is a nice name.
Yes.
Mulay.
I am Eden, Mulay.
Eden.
Of course.
You need not go any further.
My retainers will
bring back the gold.
What good is the word
of the Roosevelt
if it is not met by the
word of the Raisuli?
My brother knows this.
I do not fear treachery or fate.
I fear only God.
It is foolish and silly
to talk as such.
These Europeans are not men.
They do not respect
the laws of men.
Let me take the woman.
He is right. It is no
longer your concern.
No longer my concern?
It is I who took you.
It pleased me to do so.
It pleases me now
to bring you back.
No longer my concern.
Sherif, bring your retainers.
The woman Pedecaris
must not be endangered.
She must return to
President Roosevelt.
If there is to be treachery,
Allah will not leave my
side, but you must.
Ride back.
Lead the mahalla.
Let there be jihad.
Let the swords run with
the blood of the infidels.
We will all eat
lamb in paradise.
Throw down your arms.
They obey only my will,
and I am the Raisuli.
I am Mrs. Pedecaris.
I do not intend to have my family
endangered any further.
Mrs. Pedecaris.
Capt. Jerome,
U.S. Marine Corps.
- Help the children.
- Yes, ma'am.
Better take cover inside, ma'am.
Inside. Inside.
I am the Sherif of Wazan.
These are my retainers.
They do not ride
with this brigand.
Take him if you want.
What will they do to him?
That can't be
our concern, ma'am.
We're quite outnumbered here.
Let's go inside.
I expect gold and
rifles for his head.
I do not do this
for a lackey's wages.
Can't we get out of here?
Not until it's light, ma'am.
I wouldn't trust these
sorts in the dark.
Mother.
Mother, aren't you going to do
anything about the Raisuli?
William, the Raisuli
is not our concern.
Aren't you going to do
anything about him?
Go to sleep, William.
Mother.
William.
William.
William, have you
got your dagger?
Captain?
Captain!
Could you bring us
some water, please?
Of course, ma'am.
Here we go.
For the boy first, Captain.
He has a fever.
Here, son, hold your head up.
There we go.
Oh, man!
Don't any of you move!
I shall cut this man's throat
as surely as you stand there
if you do not do
exactly as I say.
I am not fooling! Now
drop those weapons.
You know, you
could hurt somebody...
Don't touch that.
William, get them.
Jennifer, help him.
Get the pistols, too.
William, give me the short one.
Get up.
Now, easy with
that thing, ma'am.
I have shot grouse in Scotland
and quail in North Carolina.
Believe me, I know
how to use this thing.
Just what are you trying
to do, Mrs. Pedecaris?
Just what are you
trying to get across?
Now, President Roosevelt
made an agreement
with that man being
held over there
and President Roosevelt
keeps his agreements.
Now, there's no need to do this.
We're all Americans here.
What exactly did
you have in mind?
I intend to free the Raisuli.
Alone, I suppose.
With my children.
Well, now, ma'am, I wish you'd
said that in the first place
because if you're going to try
it alone with your children,
you haven't got a chance.
What do you suggest I do, then?
Captain?
I'd like to throw in with you
and God help us.
Draw your weapons
from the boy here.
Check for a full load.
My pistol, please.
Halt!
We want to see your prisoner.
I said, we want to
see your prisoner.
We want to see the Raisuli.
President Roosevelt
negotiated in good faith...
What do think you're doing?
Let's go.
Hurry up! Cover us.
Oh, my God.
Oh, Mrs. Pedecaris.
The Baraka has not deserted me.
Cut me down quick
before it does.
The sword, woman!
The sword!
Better.
Oh, my...
Are you hurt?
Mrs. Pedecaris,
you're a lot of trouble.
Whoo!
I'll see you again,
Mrs. Pedecaris
when we're both like
golden clouds on the wind.
There was
nothing to worry about, John.
All I have to do is go to
Oyster Bay for the weekend
and the government
of Morocco falls.
By the way, how
is Mrs. Pedecaris?
Oh, she's in fine health, sir.
Quite a remarkable woman.
According to Capt. Jerome,
during the fighting at Ar Sarib, she
displayed commendable courage.
Yes, so did that Jerome, boy.
I want to see him
decorated with something.
Whatever you think
is appropriate.
And Gummere and, what's
his name? The other fellow...
Well, decorate the
whole outfit, all of them.
I must say, Theodore, you
should thank your lucky stars.
Why, luck had nothing
to do with it, John.
I had God on my side.
Maybe Allah.
What's that?
Well, that's your bear.
Your grizzly bear, sir.
First reports are we can get
anything we want in Morocco, sir.
Coaling rights. We can put
anybody we want on the throne.
Their camps were divided.
It's as simple as that.
At this moment, Theodore is
the most popular President
in the history of the office.
Take that cover off.
What, sir?
Take the cover off.
I want to see my bear.
Later perhaps, Theodore.
No, I want to see him now.
A good speech would be appropriate
in the next few days, sir.
Even the papers
are cheering you.
There's no doubt about the
outcome of the election, Theodore.
Gentlemen
nothing in this world is certain,
absolutely nothing.
The fate of the nation will be decided
by the American people in November
and the fate of Morocco will
be decided tomorrow by me.
Now, gentlemen,
if you don't mind, I'd just like
to be alone with my bear.
I trust he was a Democrat.
To Theodore Roosevelt.
You are like the wind
and I, like the lion.
You form the tempest.
The sand stings my eyes,
and the ground is parched.
I roar in defiance,
but you do not hear.
But between us,
there is a difference.
I, like the lion, must
remain in my place
while you, like the wind,
will never know yours.
Mulay Achmed Mohammed
El-Raisuli the Magnificent
Lord of the Rif
Sultan to the Berbers.
Great Raisuli,
we have lost everything.
All is drifting on the
wind just as you said.
We have lost everything.
Sherif, is there not
one thing in your life
that was worth
losing everything for?
Don't you think
the most important
part of a meal
is the wine?
Everything must follow the wine
and in this case
I could favor a red Bordeaux.
A red Bordeaux at lunch?
Your late husband would
never have approved.
William?
William, stay away
from the edge.
The edge is no place to play.
Yes, ma'am.
What is it, William?
I don't know.
He's got a knife in his back.
William!
Watch where you're...
William!
Joseph, over there.
Get down, Eden.
Damn.
Joseph!
Oh!
Leave us alone.
You hear?
Get back.
Leave us alone. Oh!
Come, girl.
Come on.
I am the Raisuli.
Do not laugh at me again.
Secretary of State
to the President:
I regret to inform you
that I have received
the following dispatch
from Samuel Gummere
United States General Consul,
Tangier, Morocco.
On October 15
Mrs. Eden Pedecaris
and her children
were kidnapped from
their residence in Tangier
after the brutal murder
of her servants and a guest
Sir Joshua Kenyon-Smith,
a British subject.
This act of
barbarous criminality
appears perpetrated
by Mulay El-Raisuli
Sherif of the Riffian Berbers
and the last of the
Barbary pirates.
The British minister
and myself concur
there exists alarming
prospects of danger
for all foreigners in Morocco.
Request warships.
Gentlemen, the presidency
was never won
by a Vice President filling out
his fallen predecessor's
term of office.
Now, that may not
obtain in this instance...
The only thing that people will
remember about McKinley
is he had the good sense
to get himself shot.
Teddy's the most popular
President since Washington.
Why drag in Washington?
Ah, you know it, and I know it
but that damn cowboy
doesn't know it.
What he wants is some issue
to hang his campaign on
something to arouse
the populace.
A cavalry charge?
So to speak.
Morocco?
You know as well as I do we
can't have Arab desperadoes
running around kidnapping
American citizens.
If I had my way, I'd go in there
with a couple of Winchesters
a battalion of Marines
but I can't do that.
Can I?
No.
- Has this Raspuli...
- Raisuli.
Raspuli, Raisuli, whatever.
Has he made any terms?
No.
Hmm. Good.
That gives us an excuse.
He will, though.
What makes you so sure?
He kidnapped a
British consul once
but they became friends,
and he sent him back.
- He spat on the blood money.
- Spat on it?
Yes. There's been
others, though
Spanish and French emissaries.
Did he send them back too?
- Parts of them.
- Parts of them?
Obviously, he has no
respect for human life.
Threatening the lives and
property of American citizens.
It's an insult in the eyes of the
world community, you realize that?
Arabian thief holding me up
like a common desperado.
Theodore, you're
on to something.
I don't quite know what.
What is it that you
want, Theodore?
What do I want?
I want respect, that's what.
Respect for human life
and American property
and I'll send the Atlantic squadron
to Morocco to get respect.
That's illegal.
Now, why spoil the
beauty of a thing
with legality?
Well...
the fleet sails tomorrow.
America wants Pedecaris
alive, or Raisuli dead.
Very good.
Pedecaris alive...
or Raisuli dead.
Bull's-eye.
Ah! Ah!
Horses! Come on now.
We go to the horses, madam.
Don't touch me
with that thing again.
I'm quite capable of
understanding your gibberish.
Jennifer? William? William!?
Your hand, lady.
Oh, get away from me,
for God's sake, you...
Get on those horses, Jennifer.
Let go of this.
Now, I don't know who you
are or what you want with us
but I will tell you
that I am no coward
and if you or any of these men
should dare to lay a hand on me
I will try with all the
strength in me to kill you.
And with my last breath,
I shall curse you to God.
God will listen.
Do you play checkers?
No. I play chess.
Better.
This is the Rif.
I am Mulay Achmed Mohammed
El-Raisuli the Magnificent.
Sherif of the Riffian Berbers.
I am the true defender
of the faithful
and the blood of the
Prophet runs in me
and I am but a
servant of his will.
You have nothing to say?
It has never been my intention
to encourage braggarts.
Your shell is strong,
like a turtle's
but it is brittle.
Your tongue is clever and fast.
Be careful you
do not trip over it.
You are a great deal of trouble.
Now, see here, Abal.
I don't intend to waste any
more time watching you eat.
This is an effrontery.
Have you ever heard of
the "big stick," Bashaw?
Do not threaten me,
Mr. Gummere.
I have been threatened
by the French...
Germans...
and the English.
I've been threatened by experts
Mr. Gummere.
And yet Morocco is still the
only sovereign Muslim throne
west of Constantinople.
Yes, but it is shaky.
Yes, we have French infantry
and German cavalry.
Our currency is Spanish
but my nephew is the
Sultan of Morocco.
And it is as it shall be.
Well, if you wish it
to stay that way
then I implore you
to send your French infantry and
your German cavalry into the Rif
and bring our people back.
Better to serve the
leopard than the fox.
I am only a servant
of the Sultan
the chosen one, the
defender of the faithful.
I can make no such decision.
Very well then, we shall seek an
audience with the Sultan himself.
He will not see you
unless it pleases him.
Now, listen here
we represent a modern power.
We're talking about Marines,
battleships, big guns.
- We are not fooling about.
- Richard.
We are not here to make threats,
merely entreaties.
Now, tell me, Bashaw,
what would please
the Sultan? Gold?
More bicycles?
Another carriage?
Lions.
Lions?
Lions would please the Sultan.
Lions are noble.
Very well.
Mr. Dreighton will leave
this afternoon for Fez
with a pair of lions.
Lions?
We shall drink from my well.
Thank you, William.
That's rather refreshing.
Here children, have some of
these. They'll give you strength.
Mama, who do you
think he really is?
Is he a pirate?
He's a brigand and a lout.
Pay him no serious mention.
We shall see the better
side of this, God willing.
He has the way about
him, doesn't he?
He sure has the way.
Woman, I want you
to understand this.
I am not a barbarous man.
I am a scholar and
a leader to my people.
I am not a barbarous man.
These four men
have dishonored me.
They have eaten from my trees.
They have drunk water
from my wells.
They have done all of
these things to me
and they have not even evoked my
name to God, in thankfulness.
I am treated this way
because I make war
upon the Europeans.
You see the man at the well?
How he draws the water?
When one bucket
empties, the other fills.
It is so with the world.
At present, you
are full of power.
But you are spilling
it wastefully
and Islam is lapping
up the drops
as they spill from your bucket.
Oh!
Did you see that?
And you are not a barbarous man.
They had broken God's will.
You mean they had
broken your will!
I have no will,
only that of God.
I had to kill the two or I could
not trust the other two.
A barbarous man would
have killed them al...
Of course.
Be not so quick
to judge our ways.
Ignorance is a steep hill with
perilous rocks at the bottom.
Do you pray often?
I pray to Mecca
five times a day.
Is that so? I wonder
how you find time.
You're so busy cutting
off men's heads
and kidnapping
women and children.
If I miss the morning prayer,
I pray twice in the afternoon.
Allah is very understanding.
You gonna build that canal
in Panama, Teddy?
I'll dig it with my own
hands if I have to.
Remember the Maine!
I remembered it, did you?
Teddy, you ain't gonna let them
push us around in Morocco?
Madam, I have something
to say about Morocco.
This is a good time
as any to say it.
It is my policy.
It's my policy
to protect American citizens
and American interests
whenever, wherever
they are threatened.
And... And furthermore.
Furthermore
I am not a man to stand by
and condone barbaric acts
which are perpetrated against
innocent women and children.
We shall mete out
justice that is swift
and retribution that is final.
America wants Pedecaris
alive or Raisuli dead.
I was good, wasn't I, John?
It was a marvelous speech.
I'd even vote for you myself.
Have the train go slowly.
I want to listen
to them a while.
You will be more pleased here.
Sleep better.
It is the wish of the Raisuli.
Be sure and thank him for me.
You will sleep here.
Yes, I was told.
Good.
You do not want to eat?
This is not a good move.
I can take your knight.
- You can?
- Yes.
Well, the loss of my knight
does not mean you will win.
The lion takes long strides
but the path is worn
smooth by pygmy armies.
Yes, and a fool and his
money are soon parted.
I've checked your queen also.
You are in a lot of trouble.
You should never have moved
that bishop or kidnapped me.
Both will see you undone.
It is not I who decides
the outcome of these events.
It is the will of Allah.
I am but an instrument
of that will.
It is the wind that passes,
but the sea remains.
A stitch in time saves nine.
Make your move.
What do you intend
to do with us?
It is my intention to embarrass
Mulay Abdul Azziz
the Sultan to Morocco.
The tribesmen will see
that he is the bought dog
of the European armies,
a slave to French
and German masters.
The tribesmen will
join me in a jihad
to abolish this
foreign pestilence.
And this is your way?
Abducting women and children,
killing unarmed servants?
I prefer to fight the
European armies
but they do not fight as men.
They fight as dogs.
Men prefer to fight with swords
so they can see
each other's eyes.
Sometimes this is not possible.
Then they fight with rifles.
The Europeans have guns that fire
many times, promiscuously
and rend the earth.
There is no honor in this.
Nothing is decided from this.
Therefore,
I shall take women and children
when it pleases me.
What have you demanded
for our return?
Gold, rifles...
the head of the Bashaw
in a basket of melons...
the sovereignty of my people.
The English have paid
very well in the past.
Well, you'll not have your way
with the Americans.
President Roosevelt will have
your head for this.
Roosevelt.
This President Roosevelt
he would try and
take it himself?
He certainly would.
He is a man of grit
and strong moral fiber.
He does not kidnap
women and children.
What kind of rifle does he use?
A Winchester.
Winchester?
Winchester?
I have no knowledge
of this rifle.
You will.
Sherif of Wazan,
Lord of the desert.
Mrs. Pedecaris.
The pleasure is mine.
Charmed.
The Sherif has honored me
by carrying my entreaties
to the Europeans.
What is that?
That is a tongue.
Well, why would anyone want
to cut out a man's tongue?
Perhaps the previous owner
had nothing pleasant to say.
I believe I'm about to be sick.
Must be the heat.
- What is it?
- Some kind of tongue.
What kind?
Children, get up from that
tongue. Good God.
The reply from the
American Bashaw.
Himself speaking for the
Lord of the Americans.
- President Roosevelt?
- Mm-hmm.
"Pedecaris alive
or Raisuli dead"?
You are not in a
position to laugh.
Do not laugh at the Raisuli!
Go to Zinat.
Cut the small finger
from a woman.
Take it to these Americans.
Tell them it is a finger
of the woman Pedecaris
and that the Raisuli
is a man of patience,
but not unending.
Does this President,
this Roosevelt
does he have no respect
for human life?
Hey, what'd you
bring in, Colonel?
Got some venison and a cougar.
Heard about the bear, have you?
Big one, I heard.
Coffee, Mr. President?
Is that the bear?
Yes, this is the bear that attacked
the horse camp at dawn.
He knew that men would be
asleep or at their worst, at dawn.
You know, he injured one of
the Indians quite severely.
Killed several of
the horses too.
Did you yourself participate in
stopping the bear, Mr. President?
Yes, I regret to say.
Why do you regret,
Mr. President?
Because he's a fine creature.
This is his valley.
This valley belonged to the bear
and we're the intruders here.
We're accustomed to wild
animals taking flight
at the sight of men with guns.
The American grizzly
fears nothing
not man, not guns, not death.
Do you intend to have this bear as a
rug in the White House, Mr. President?
Rug? No.
No, I intend to have him stuffed
and placed on exhibit.
The Smithsonian Institute.
The American grizzly bear
is a symbol of the
American character:
Strength, intelligence, ferocity.
A little blind and
reckless at times
but courageous beyond all doubt.
And one other trait that
goes with all previous.
And that, Mr. President?
Loneliness.
A bear lives out his life alone.
Indomitable, unconquered,
but always alone.
He has no real allies,
only enemies
but none of them
are as great as he.
Do you feel this might be
an American trait?
Certainly.
The world will never love us.
It may respect us
they may even grow to fear us,
but they will never love us
for we have too much audacity
and we're a bit blind
and reckless at times too.
Are you perhaps referring
to the Panama Canal
and the situation in Morocco?
If you say so.
The American grizzly
embodies the spirit of America.
He should be our symbol,
not that ridiculous eagle.
He's no more than
a dandified vulture.
Dandified.
Do you speak English?
Yes, sire.
Tell me,
why doesn't the Sultan
build the road to Fez?
I had to bring these
lions by camel.
Do you know what that's like?
No, sire.
It wasn't easy.
The ease of others is not
the concern of the Sultan.
We'll build a road some day.
A road? Here?
Foolish.
The desert is like the sea.
You cannot build
a road in the sea.
We will.
We have men that
can do anything.
Absolutely anything.
We have men that can fly.
Fly?
Fly.
Watch the goal.
Watch the goal.
Watch the goal.
Say, haven't I seen you
somewhere before?
Nein.
Perhaps Your Highness Abdul
would care to fire
the Maxim gun?
Herr Sultan is displeased?
This is broken.
Mend it.
The ambassador of the
Americans, Your Exultancy.
I am Mulay Abdul Azziz,
Sultan to Morocco.
It has been said that you
have brought me lions.
Yes, sir, two of them.
It's out of bounds.
It would please me to take the
pleasure of this meeting
in my carriage of state.
You will come.
Beautiful.
It is quite extraordinary.
You may sit.
You wish to discuss the Raisuli?
Yes.
Have you made any
contact with his people?
He wishes for the return
of the woman Pedecaris
that he be granted the lands
of the Rif by formal decree,
and that the Bashaw
of Tangier's head
be presented in a golden jar.
He didn't ask for money?
Yes, but that is honorable.
You have offered
to pay it, I presume.
Do not distress me
by such a question.
Now, see here, we will have
our people back and right quick
or we are prepared
to do something about it.
I will not endure
this treatment.
Have you ever heard
of the "big stick," Sultan?
Right now, there are
squadrons of warships
in your coastal waters.
In days, there will be
Marines, cavalry
and artillery to enforce
my demands.
Now, my country wants
the woman Pedecaris alive
or Raisuli dead.
You cannot talk to the
defender of the faithful
in this manner!
You do not understand it!
It is so difficult to be Sultan.
You do not understand.
What do you know
of this Raisuli?
He is a wonderful man,
a servant of God
but he is a brigand
and a criminal as well.
He taught me to shoot a rifle
when I was five years old.
You know him?
He is my uncle.
But the Bashaw in
Tangier is your uncle.
They are both my uncles.
They are brothers.
It is so difficult to be Sultan.
You foreigners
do not understand.
These are my true riches.
A man's worth is counted
in the number of his rifles.
Does this Roosevelt,
does he have such men?
Probably not.
Well, with such men
who needs guns that fire
many times promiscuously?
Machine guns?
Yes. Who needs
such guns?
Well, maybe I don't
believe it, either.
Look at this.
Where'd you get it, William?
Did you steal it?
No. He gave it to me.
Gayaan the Terrible.
He's a brigand who's
killed over 30 men.
Did he kill any with that?
Certainly.
What will they do with us,
William?
Keep us.
Teach us to ride, shoot,
cut men's throats
and be brigands.
Even girls?
Yes, but you'll have
to wear a veil.
Happy birthday!
Happy birthday, Father.
Happy birthday.
Blow out the candles, Father.
Takes a big wind,
lots of hot air.
Then I'll need some help
from you, Mr. Hay.
I propose a toast.
To the Panama Canal.
Yes, and Jupiter
Pierpont Morgan.
Likie knifie?
You Likie forkie?
Splendid.
And now, Mr. President, blow.
May the breath
of Theodore Roosevelt
be like the wind that he has
sent across the Pacific.
Wind that bends the trees
of aggression and injustice
but a true wind marked
also for its warmth.
An American wind.
You Likie speechie?
Well, I suppose I should
make the first cut here.
See? Nothing to it.
There you are.
See how easy that was?
Now, you all go on
and finish it.
Not having any,
Mr. President?
Oh, no. No cake
for me, John
birthday or no.
I have to remain fit and trim
vigorous and active.
After all, this Raisuli fellow
is reputed to be over 50
and still a very
formidable brigand.
You may well make a
formidable brigand yourself.
You've made a good start in life
and we all have
high hopes for you
when you grow up.
Now I shall have
some of your cake.
Let them eat cake, huh, kid?
Not good for you, John.
Neither are those cigars.
At my age, I can afford it.
Let me see that.
Take a note to the Winchester
Repeating Arms Company
New Haven, Connecticut.
Dear Sirs,
I have received my
improved model
1895 Winchester
in .405 caliber.
As you and I both know,
this is a very fine rifle.
However, once again
you have blundered
both in regard to
the stock dimensions
and the recoil pad.
How long will these
mistakes be repeated?
After all, I am the President
of the United States.
I see no reason why
an American President
can't get satisfaction from
an American gun maker.
Huh? What must I do
for a proper fitting?
Go to England?
- I should hope not.
- No, sir.
Why are you standing there
like that, young man?
- In regard to your...
- Well, speak up. Speak up.
This is a government,
not a rest home. What is it?
- Your bear, sir.
- My bear? What bear?
- Your grizzly bear, sir.
- He's from the Smithsonian.
Oh, the Smithsonian.
Yes, you have the sketches.
Thank you.
Now, let's see.
Let me see these.
Oh, I'm sorry.
That won't do.
No, that's...
No, that's all wrong.
That's terrible.
And that one.
You see, what's wrong
here, young man
is the position.
You've made this fine
specimen of a grizzly
look like a hairy cow.
Now, would you like to be portrayed as
a hairy cow if you were a grizzly bear?
Perhaps the President
had a position in mind.
Certainly. There you are.
Now, watch.
The American grizzly
must always be portrayed
in a fighting stance.
That's the sort of animal he is.
You see, upright, rampant,
on his two hind feet.
His great forepaws
extended like that.
Teeth bared, clawing, growling.
Understand?
- Would you like to sketch that?
- Yes sir.
Take a photograph.
Good. Ready?
Growl again, Father.
You like that?
See that he gets a copy.
Now, where was I
with Winchester?
Um. "What must I do
for a proper fitting?
Need I go to England?"
Yes, uh.
Oh, that's all right the
way it is. Send it out.
What must a man do, anyway,
to get a proper-fitting rifle?
You can bet that Raisuli fellow's
got a rifle that fits him.
Those people know the
value of a good weapon.
The rifle is the very
soul of the Arab.
Raisuli's a Berber,
Mr. President.
Well, it goes double
for Berbers.
What sort of rifle does
he use, do you suppose?
- I don't know, sir.
- Well, send him a cablegram.
Find out what kind of weapon
the old bastard uses.
I think you're the best shot
that's ever occupied
the office, sir.
Oh, I don't know.
Andrew Jackson back
there was quite a shot.
Carried a brace of pistols
all the time, you know.
Shot a fellow right off
the porch right out there.
Caned another one to death.
Admiral Chadwick, I presume.
I'm Vice Consul
Richard Dreighton.
- Ray.
- Admiral.
It's certainly good to see you.
Captain.
I must say we've been
awaiting your arrival
with a great deal
of anticipation
and I must say,
not a little nervousness.
You see, gentlemen
what we have here is a problem
of enormous
diplomatic complexity.
Now, the Sultan of Morocco...
Make yourselves
comfortable, gentlemen.
The Sultan of Morocco
favors the German Kaiser
while the Bashaw,
who is the real power here
is leaning toward
the Czar of Russia.
Now, in the middle of all this
an American woman is kidnapped
by some desert pirate
and our President, of course,
gentlemen, only wants to know
what kind of a rifle
this brigand carries.
And he probably wants
to build a canal too
for all I know.
It's been done before, you know.
Now, now, Admiral.
Mr. Dreighton, see if the gentlemen
care for a cigar, would you, please?
You and I are both old men
and we've seen these
disasters come and go.
Now, our problem is
to make this one go
and make it look good.
I must remind you, sir
that I was at Santiago Bay
when this President
was running up San Juan Hill.
I'm afraid that we'll have to do
more than just look good this time.
Well, what did you
have in mind, exactly?
Military intervention.
Yes. We are,
at this moment
the most powerful naval
force in Tangier Harbor.
Well, I... I don't see what
that has to do with anything.
We are a major power
at this moment.
We carry the biggest stick.
Now, just how many men
do you have, captain?
Two reinforced
rifle companies, sir.
Well, you see, the
Sultan of Morocco
has three foreign
regiments in Fez.
That's right, sir.
They're at Fez.
The Bashaw has only his household
cavalry and guard here.
The power lies with the Bashaw.
Who is this boy?
Let him go on.
It would be as useless
chasing Raisuli
as the redcoats on Bunker Hill.
And the Sultan, if I'm
correct in my assumption
will not meet his demands.
Yes, go on.
The Sultan is not the power.
The real government is here.
That's right.
Well, it'd seem quite obvious,
I would think, sir.
We must seize the government
and make our own negotiations.
Seize the government?
At bayonet point.
I certainly would like to see
that old son of a bitch
at bayonet point, huh?
But it's ridiculous.
It's outrageous. It's lunatic.
Yes, isn't it, though?
I should think
Teddy would love it.
What about the French,
the Germans, the British?
Why, we're in the
Shadow of Gibraltar.
Damn the legations.
You realize, of course
that if we fail in this,
in even the slightest way
we'll all be killed.
Yes
and the whole world
will probably go to war.
Gentlemen, if we fail
and are killed
I certainly hope that the
world does go to war.
World at war.
A world war.
Now that would be
something to go out on.
William. Jennifer.
Jennifer!
What is it, Mama?
I was sleeping.
Dress quickly in the
robes they gave you.
Why are you dressed like that?
Where are we going?
We're going to make
good an escape.
An escape?
Right now?
I was asleep.
You cannot wait for these things to
occur at your convenience, Jennifer.
Now, I've bribed
a man with jewels.
Now, come on.
Get dressed and hurry up.
William!
Come along.
Be quick about it.
The rifle, boy.
Rifle.
Yes, it is mine.
Give me your riffle.
Give it to me, yeah?
You'll get the rifle when we
reach safety and not before.
Now move ahead.
I'll take the rifle, I want it.
Be careful.
Help!
William!
William. William.
Mama.
William.
Get back.
William, get those loose
horses there. Quick.
Jennifer, go with William.
Mrs. Pedecaris
you're a great deal of trouble.
There is all that you need here.
Clothes of the finest silks
spiced meats, figs for you
when you wish to eat.
Scented water to bathe in.
But where are your guards?
Is it your intention to
let us roam about freely?
You're the guests
of the Raisuli.
In the Raisuli's house,
I don't need guards.
My eyes are with you
wherever you go.
Allah is with me
and no one can escape from God.
What will you do if they
do not accept your terms?
What do you mean?
What will become of us,
my children and myself?
I will play chess with
you one more time
and then return you
to your house.
Alive?
Yes, of course.
Then you're just bluffing them.
You've never had the
intention of killing us.
Raisuli does not kill
women and children.
That's a silly question.
Why do you do this?
Because I am bluffing too.
Mrs. Pedecaris,
you trouble me.
Ship, oars!
Present arms!
Good morning, sir.
The company is formed.
Sergeants, take your post.
Company
fix
bayonets.
Move!
Right
face.
Port
arms.
Column left,
march!
Column right,
march!
Eyes
right!
I don't think the French and
Germans are gonna like this.
Too early in the morning
for rattling sabers.
Double-time
march.
Right on me.
Column left, now!
Column left,
march!
Column left!
Quick-time.
Quick-time.
March!
Third and fourth squads,
column right, march.
First and second squads
column right, march.
Mark time
march.
Company
halt!
Hostiles to the left.
Left face!
Firing positions, move!
Aim!
Fire!
Prepare to charge the palace!
Charge!
Capt. Jerome,
United States Marine Corps
and you are my prisoner, sir.
You are a very
dangerous man, captain
and your President
Roosevelt is mad.
Yes, sir.
He's gone cowboy again.
Stand back. Let me
deal with him, or try.
Theodore, what are you doing?
Isn't that the Czar?
A facsimile.
But that's like shooting
at your own brother.
Oh, Kermit's in the pits.
That's his idea
of a little joke.
Obviously, you relish jokes in view of
your approval of the Gummere report.
I try to go along
with them, John.
I suppose a declaration of
war would be a joke too?
Well, you have to admit
it would be entertaining.
A barrel of laughs.
Have you any idea of the
risk you're running?
Have you any idea of the
territory I'd be gaining?
Theodore.
You're dangerous.
You might even shoot somebody.
Accidentally, I mean.
John, I'd never shoot
anyone accidentally.
I need their votes.
Madness.
- Madness.
- Sir?
Utter madness.
Why are you closing
your left eye, Father?
You've always told us to shoot
with both eyes open.
Well, the light bothers me. I can't
see out of that eye anymore.
What do you mean?
I'm blind in my left eye.
- Since when?
- Since Saturday. Boxing.
Now, don't say anything
to Edith about it, do you hear?
Maybe it'll go away.
And don't let anyone come up
on my left side either.
Father, is Raisuli
a real pirate?
Yes, indeed, Quentin. He's the
last of the Barbary pirates.
Why do you say that?
Well, the world is fast outgrowing
pirates of that sort, anyway.
Do you know any others?
Yes, J.P. Morgan.
He's the only other
real pirate I know.
I hope you have him brought
before you in chains.
J.P. Morgan?
I should hardly...
No, no, no. Raisuli. Have
Raisuli brought before you.
I should like to see that.
Oh, I should like to see
him too but not in chains.
Let's have the Winchester, Alice.
You like him, don't you, Father?
You like J.P. Morgan
too, don't you?
Of course I do, Alice.
But they're your enemies.
Well, sometimes
one finds that your enemies are a lot
more admirable than your friends.
You pick the road to greatness
and you'll have
that choice some day.
You come to realize that the
road traveled by great men
is dark and lonely
and lit only at intervals
by other great men
and sometimes they're
your enemies.
But they're the only
true luxury you have.
Yes, it's a dark and difficult road and
I do not look down upon anyone
who has the good sense
not to take it.
I was young
and full of the sayings
of young men.
I did not yet understand
the ways of the Prophet
the will of God.
I thought that men
could oppose such will.
I was very foolish.
A man can trust no one,
yet often trusts women.
I trusted my brother
and openly opposed
the old Sultan at Fez.
He was letting the Europeans
give him money
and money is always
followed by more Europeans.
My brother betrayed me,
and I was sent to Mogador.
Mogador?
It is a dungeon on
the edge of the sea.
I was sent there to die
but I was young and strong.
My brain was as agile
as my fingers.
The confinement.
Speak of the confinement.
It was the intention
of my brother
to permit the flies and the
ants to consume me
but as the years passed
and the chains were
replaced many times
it was always I who remained.
It was then that the guards saw
that the Baraka was with me.
They arranged my escape.
I thanked them for the years
of wisdom they had given me
and I wandered
into the mountains.
- Are you asleep?
- No. Did I look like it?
No, but you made no noise
and well, others have
fallen asleep while I speak.
The wandering, Raisuli.
Uh, yeah.
I wandered into the mountains.
I wished only to hear
the voices of women
babbling about common things.
You permit me to say
the conversation of women
does not interest me very much.
But when one is in prison
one is inclined to have
a different sense
of disposition.
The Riffians found me.
I learned to read
and to speak again.
The women aided me in this
because of my lineage
but the men
they wanted to sell my head to the old
Sultan at Fez for rifles and gold.
There was but one thing to do:
Challenge Abdel Malak the Cruel.
We fought with swords
on horseback
and the Baraka was with me.
I cut off his arm
and he wounded me
many times.
The tribesmen judged him
and every voice was against him.
And his eyes
which had witnessed
much injustice
were burned out with
heated copper coins.
And today, he wanders the land
a blind beggar.
Thus, I became the true
defender of the faithful
for the blood of the
Prophet runs in me
and I am but an
instrument of his will.
Salaam.
Raisuli, Lord of the Rif. Salaam.
Salaam.
I have never seen
such fierce retainers.
Well, these are my immortals.
They have such...
- Jennifer, put that thing down.
- Let it be.
They are feared in
the streets of hell
and their courage is such that golden
thrones await them in paradise.
You are pleased, Sherif?
I am pleased
the Raisuli will be pleased.
The Bashaw offers this:
70,000 pieces of Spanish gold
all foreign soldiers to be
removed from the Rif
and the Raisuli
and his followers
are to be granted
the freedom to travel
in the cities and marketplaces.
And last
all those held in the
dungeons of Mogador
who swear fealty to Raisuli
shall be placed
under Raisuli's care.
This in return
for the American woman
and her children.
It is the word of the
American Sultan Roosevelt
and his honor.
Even with treachery,
such an offer is impressive.
The American Bashaw wished
that the Raisuli act in haste
as the other Europeans
are not pleased.
You must take their offer.
Each day that you keep us here
the Europeans use as an
excuse to land more troops.
Everything that you have
fought for is wasted.
They are using you, Raisuli.
You are becoming a dupe to them.
Do not call the Raisuli a dupe.
I do not need the
counsel of women.
The American woman is true.
Every day, more
Germans travel to Fez.
They have guns that
need wheels to carry them.
What is stopping you?
Can't you see?
It is no longer our concern.
The great powers want this land
and they will fight each
other to take this land
and when they are done,
there will be nothing.
Not your mountains,
nor your palace
not pride, nor your honor.
It is a wind so strong
no tree can stand in it.
And where there are no trees,
there is no shade from the sun.
And what is land without
shade from the sun?
Desert.
The desert I know very well.
Mrs. Pedecaris, you
speak like a Berber.
It must be the heat.
Why do you do this?
I do not ordinarily ask
the counsel of any man
let alone the counsel of women.
You're not even one of my wives.
I should certainly say not.
I am not.
Children, come here.
We have no more business here.
Let these brigands
decide for themselves
what they shall do with us.
Mrs. Pedecaris, I have
decided it would please me
to return you to
President Roosevelt
because you're a lot of trouble.
Perhaps he will know
what to do with you.
It is not my fate to find out.
Even you laugh at the Raisuli.
This woman has
taken the Raisuli.
You say such things
in front of my men.
What has become
of honor, respect?
Everything is changing,
drifting away on the wind.
It's been a bad year.
The next one will
probably be worse.
Where do we have to
take them to get our gold?
I will take them. You
need not risk your life.
What does my life matter?
I've nothing else to do.
Prepare to ride.
I do not understand this woman.
My entire education has
been horses and the Koran.
What have I learned?
Look what I've become.
You are Lord of the Rif.
Yes, and you would think
I would understand this woman.
Where is it exactly
where we are going?
To a small village east of Rabat
at the foot of the mountains.
It is good.
What is good?
It is good to know
where we are going.
What are they singing?
They are singing songs to God.
Why are you not singing?
I am the Sultan.
They do the singing.
That is ridiculous.
It is customary.
There is just one
thing I'd like to ask you.
Yes, what is it?
What is your first name?
My first name?
Yes, your Christian name.
I mean what is the name
that precedes all
your other names?
My first name?
My Christian name?
I am Mulay Achmed Mohammed
Raisuli the Magnificent,
Lord of the Rif.
Mulay. Mulay,
that is a nice name.
Yes.
Mulay.
I am Eden, Mulay.
Eden.
Of course.
You need not go any further.
My retainers will
bring back the gold.
What good is the word
of the Roosevelt
if it is not met by the
word of the Raisuli?
My brother knows this.
I do not fear treachery or fate.
I fear only God.
It is foolish and silly
to talk as such.
These Europeans are not men.
They do not respect
the laws of men.
Let me take the woman.
He is right. It is no
longer your concern.
No longer my concern?
It is I who took you.
It pleased me to do so.
It pleases me now
to bring you back.
No longer my concern.
Sherif, bring your retainers.
The woman Pedecaris
must not be endangered.
She must return to
President Roosevelt.
If there is to be treachery,
Allah will not leave my
side, but you must.
Ride back.
Lead the mahalla.
Let there be jihad.
Let the swords run with
the blood of the infidels.
We will all eat
lamb in paradise.
Throw down your arms.
They obey only my will,
and I am the Raisuli.
I am Mrs. Pedecaris.
I do not intend to have my family
endangered any further.
Mrs. Pedecaris.
Capt. Jerome,
U.S. Marine Corps.
- Help the children.
- Yes, ma'am.
Better take cover inside, ma'am.
Inside. Inside.
I am the Sherif of Wazan.
These are my retainers.
They do not ride
with this brigand.
Take him if you want.
What will they do to him?
That can't be
our concern, ma'am.
We're quite outnumbered here.
Let's go inside.
I expect gold and
rifles for his head.
I do not do this
for a lackey's wages.
Can't we get out of here?
Not until it's light, ma'am.
I wouldn't trust these
sorts in the dark.
Mother.
Mother, aren't you going to do
anything about the Raisuli?
William, the Raisuli
is not our concern.
Aren't you going to do
anything about him?
Go to sleep, William.
Mother.
William.
William.
William, have you
got your dagger?
Captain?
Captain!
Could you bring us
some water, please?
Of course, ma'am.
Here we go.
For the boy first, Captain.
He has a fever.
Here, son, hold your head up.
There we go.
Oh, man!
Don't any of you move!
I shall cut this man's throat
as surely as you stand there
if you do not do
exactly as I say.
I am not fooling! Now
drop those weapons.
You know, you
could hurt somebody...
Don't touch that.
William, get them.
Jennifer, help him.
Get the pistols, too.
William, give me the short one.
Get up.
Now, easy with
that thing, ma'am.
I have shot grouse in Scotland
and quail in North Carolina.
Believe me, I know
how to use this thing.
Just what are you trying
to do, Mrs. Pedecaris?
Just what are you
trying to get across?
Now, President Roosevelt
made an agreement
with that man being
held over there
and President Roosevelt
keeps his agreements.
Now, there's no need to do this.
We're all Americans here.
What exactly did
you have in mind?
I intend to free the Raisuli.
Alone, I suppose.
With my children.
Well, now, ma'am, I wish you'd
said that in the first place
because if you're going to try
it alone with your children,
you haven't got a chance.
What do you suggest I do, then?
Captain?
I'd like to throw in with you
and God help us.
Draw your weapons
from the boy here.
Check for a full load.
My pistol, please.
Halt!
We want to see your prisoner.
I said, we want to
see your prisoner.
We want to see the Raisuli.
President Roosevelt
negotiated in good faith...
What do think you're doing?
Let's go.
Hurry up! Cover us.
Oh, my God.
Oh, Mrs. Pedecaris.
The Baraka has not deserted me.
Cut me down quick
before it does.
The sword, woman!
The sword!
Better.
Oh, my...
Are you hurt?
Mrs. Pedecaris,
you're a lot of trouble.
Whoo!
I'll see you again,
Mrs. Pedecaris
when we're both like
golden clouds on the wind.
There was
nothing to worry about, John.
All I have to do is go to
Oyster Bay for the weekend
and the government
of Morocco falls.
By the way, how
is Mrs. Pedecaris?
Oh, she's in fine health, sir.
Quite a remarkable woman.
According to Capt. Jerome,
during the fighting at Ar Sarib, she
displayed commendable courage.
Yes, so did that Jerome, boy.
I want to see him
decorated with something.
Whatever you think
is appropriate.
And Gummere and, what's
his name? The other fellow...
Well, decorate the
whole outfit, all of them.
I must say, Theodore, you
should thank your lucky stars.
Why, luck had nothing
to do with it, John.
I had God on my side.
Maybe Allah.
What's that?
Well, that's your bear.
Your grizzly bear, sir.
First reports are we can get
anything we want in Morocco, sir.
Coaling rights. We can put
anybody we want on the throne.
Their camps were divided.
It's as simple as that.
At this moment, Theodore is
the most popular President
in the history of the office.
Take that cover off.
What, sir?
Take the cover off.
I want to see my bear.
Later perhaps, Theodore.
No, I want to see him now.
A good speech would be appropriate
in the next few days, sir.
Even the papers
are cheering you.
There's no doubt about the
outcome of the election, Theodore.
Gentlemen
nothing in this world is certain,
absolutely nothing.
The fate of the nation will be decided
by the American people in November
and the fate of Morocco will
be decided tomorrow by me.
Now, gentlemen,
if you don't mind, I'd just like
to be alone with my bear.
I trust he was a Democrat.
To Theodore Roosevelt.
You are like the wind
and I, like the lion.
You form the tempest.
The sand stings my eyes,
and the ground is parched.
I roar in defiance,
but you do not hear.
But between us,
there is a difference.
I, like the lion, must
remain in my place
while you, like the wind,
will never know yours.
Mulay Achmed Mohammed
El-Raisuli the Magnificent
Lord of the Rif
Sultan to the Berbers.
Great Raisuli,
we have lost everything.
All is drifting on the
wind just as you said.
We have lost everything.
Sherif, is there not
one thing in your life
that was worth
losing everything for?