Breaker Morant (1980)

Alan Cassell: Lord Kitchener

Quotes 

• Lord Kitchener : Needless to say, the Germans couldn't give a damn about the Boers. The diamonds and gold of South Africa they're interested in.

  Major Bolton : They lack our altruism, sir.

  Lord Kitchener : Quite.

• Lord Kitchener : Good God, Johnny, l'm not trying to prove some academic point. I'm trying to put an end to this useless war. The Boer leaders must see in this court-martial the demonstration of our impartial justice. If these three Australians have to be - sacrificed - to help bring about a peace conference - it's a small price to pay.

  Col. Ian (Johnny) Hamilton : I quite agree, sir. Though I doubt the Australians share our enthusiasm.

• Col. Ian (Johnny) Hamilton : Colonials, most of them. Australians.

  Major Bolton : I understand they've been quite effective, sir.

  Col. Ian (Johnny) Hamilton : Very effective. We've just arrested three of them for shooting Boer prisoners and a German missionary.

  Lord Kitchener : I've received, Bolton, a telegraph message from Whitehall. The German government has lodged a serious protest - about the missionary, in particular.

  Major Bolton : Yes, sir.

  Lord Kitchener : The Kaiser, as you know, is our late Queen's grandson.

  Col. Ian (Johnny) Hamilton : The fact is that Whitehall feels the Germans are looking for an excuse to enter the war. On the Boers' side, of course. We don't want to give them one.

• Lord Kitchener : You go to Pietersburg, Johnny. You deal with the order to shoot the prisoners.

  Col. Ian (Johnny) Hamilton : What do I say?

  Lord Kitchener : I think you know what to say.