Major Charles 'Copper' Carrington VC is arrested for embezzling £125 from his unit's safe. Other charges include going absent without leave from the base, and entertaining a woman officer in his room.
Defending himself at his court-martial, Carrington's case is that he had told his superior, Colonel Henniker, that he would take the money to advertise his complaint that he was owed for expenses. He transferred £100 of it to his wife, Valerie, who was suicidal from financial worries, and left the base to compete in a horse race in which he bet the rest of the money on himself, hoping to be able to pay back the cash. When he fell from his horse, his friend Captain Alison Graham tried to replace the money, but was denied access to the safe.
While bed-ridden from the fall, Carrington was visited by Graham to discuss the embezzlement. She was sitting in a chair fully dressed when Colonel Henniker stormed in, saying it was against regulations for males and females to be together in private quarters. He admits to having waited for some time after seeing Graham go to Carrington's room before following.
Henniker resents Carrington. Carrington could be cleared if it is established that he had forewarned Henniker of his intentions. Henniker perjures himself by denying it.
Due to her ill-health, Carrington had not intended to call Valerie as a witness, but does so after Henniker's testimony.
Before Valerie's appearance, Graham admits to her that she had a one-night stand with Carrington, but that Carrington then insisted that a full affair would not be fair to anyone.
Valerie perjures herself by denying Carrington had mentioned telling Colonel Henniker he planned to take the money. Carrington is about to read extracts from a letter she wrote to him in which she refers to his informing Henniker, when the judge insists the entire letter be examined to be accepted into evidence. As the letter also contains personal matters about Valerie's health, Carrington tears it up.
Carrington is found guilty on all counts, which means dismissal from the service subject to the verdict's confirmation.
Carrington decides not to appeal the verdict, and his marriage is also over.
Gossiping about the case, a telephonist reveals that she overheard Carrington's phone call with his wife in which he said what he had told Henniker. Her colleague brings her to the court martial panel to give her evidence.
Cast
David Niven as Major Charles 'Copper' Carrington VC
Carrington, V.C. was nominated for the BAFTA Film Award for Best British Film and Best Film from any Source. David Niven was nominated for Best British Actor, and Margaret Leighton and Noelle Middleton were both nominated for Best British Actress.
References
^Vincent Porter, 'The Robert Clark Account', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 20 No 4, 2000 p 504
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