Alex Sawit, feature articles

NEW YEAR'S EVE SPECIAL:

by Alexander Sawit

It's said that the only regrets we have in life are the opportunities we don't take. This New Year's Eve, 1999, as the world prepares to celebrate the last night of the century, we might perhaps reflect on the following story as a reminder that some opportunities happen only once in a lifetime... and that, in this case, they sometimes happen only when we kiss a century goodbye.

Actually, the story is a re-telling of a scene from an old black and white Hollywood classic, That Hamilton Woman (RKO Radio Pictures, 1941). Starring Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier, the film is a dramatization of one of history's most celebrated love stories: the Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton affair.

Few historical figures evoke an image as romanticized as Admiral Horatio Nelson. One of the England's most celebrated military heroes, Nelson forged his legend through some of the greatest victories in naval history, the most famous one being the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 (for which the soaring landmark at Trafalgar Square in London was commemorated in his honor).

As our film title implies, however, our movie focuses on another dramatic part of his life, involving his controversial love affair with Emma Hamilton - a lady remembered as one of the most beautiful women of the Napoleonic Age. "Exceedingly beautiful and finely built," marvelled the great poet Goethe who was one of her contemporaries, echoing how Lady Hamilton had come to captivate elegant European society. History records that the lovers first met in 1798, when Nelson, after a battle at sea, paid visit to the southern Italian city of Naples. Arriving as a guest of the British ambassador, Nelson was prevailed upon to stay by the ambassador's beautiful young wife, the Lady Hamilton. And stay he did for the next several years.

With this historical backdrop, and with some literary license to improvise on the original script, our New Year's Eve story unfolds midway through the film.

* * * * *

New Year's Eve, 1799, on the southwestern shore of Italy - on the last night of the 18th-century. On a hill overlooking the city of Naples stands a villa with a view towards the sea. It is nearly midnight, yet someone has left open the glass doors leading outdoors to the terrace.

Outside, Lady Hamilton sits alone at the terrace edge. It is a clear, moonlit night as she gazes out into the seascape and she can see everything for miles around. Her eyes catch sight of tiny dark crosses floating on the distant surface, and she recognizes them as the tall masts of fighting ships anchored in the bay. A cold breeze blows in from the sea, chilling her slightly.

Nelson arrives at the scene. Inquiring of the lady's absence inside the house, he settles beside her to offer quiet conversation, which she accepts with a lonely smile.

Casting his eye toward the bay, Nelson sees the ominous shapes of his warships. It is a constant reminder to them both that their time together is precious. There is a war going on, with Napoleon's armies on one side and Nelson's countrymen on the other. Very soon, the call of duty will force him to set sail and leave the woman he loves.

On this New Year's Eve, as clocks throughout the city move closer to midnight, the lovers can only contemplate what future awaits them. Like Lady Hamilton, he is already married. Scandal is certain if they should ever return to England together, where rumor and gossip have preceded them like a silent storm. And yet he will mock any scandal for her sake, no matter what the cost.

A chill sweeps through the terrace, and the lady nestles her face close to him. The hour is almost over. At the stroke of midnight, this whole century will come to an end, the century in which they were born and have lived all their lives. Yet now, as they hold each other and watch over the ships on this final night, all their thoughts of the future seem to melt away.

They no longer feel the chill in the air. They no longer care. The future can take care of its own worries in its own time. Here and now, their love is all that matters.

Their eyes meet. As the final seconds of the hour slip away, they quietly embrace... and kiss...

Moments later, the air is pierced by sounds pealing in the distance. It is the sound of bells ringing from the ships below, welcoming the new year. And as it echoes throughout the city, amidst all the celebration, a brave realization takes hold that a new century has begun.

Slowly, the lovers draw their lips away. But they do not yield their embrace. And while they cannot make time stand still, yet will they make this moment stay. As the cold breeze blows from the sea, he whispers to the woman he loves.

"Now, I have kissed you... through two centuries."

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