A Reason to Live, a Reason to Die (1972) - full transcript

* UNA RAGIONE PER VIVERE
E UNA PER MORIRE *

On 22 March, 1862.

As from today,
the martial law is declared

throughout all the Territory
of New Mexico.

Looters,
Confederate sympathizers,

persons violating the curfew...

or illegally possessing arms,

or any other people believed
inimical to the Union,

shall upon capture,
be summarily executed,

by order of the
Officer Commanding,

Maj. Charles Ballard,
United States Army.



Can you recommend
a good restaurant here, mister?

I got a couple of dollars.

A man with a nose for grub,
usually finds it. Hm!...

Did you read that?
I can read.

You will be shown hanged,

if behold much
as nails an apple.

And would they?
I doubt it.

Many loud noise scared
of looters.

As well as a solid citizen.

I would sell my soul
for a roast turkey with chestnut.

Shut up, will you?

I'm feeling faint
just thinking by it.

Ah!...

And a hand of chicken,
and on the side, a golden corn...



all soaked in butter
with a touch of cloves.

Cloves ain't to my taste.

All without a clove is
a playful buttered corn.

If they stick cloves in my corn,
I'll sender it back.

A whole ham...
I can't stand the look at it.

Hm!...

The proprietor always
closes at noon,

goes home to dinner
and comes back an hour later.

I watched that
grocery for a week.

I reckon there's,
a lock on the door.

But what I really need is
a partner

to keep an eye open outside
while I'm inside.

Right in front of you.
We split even.

A third and all you can eat.

I'm in.

If someone comes along...

Times are wasted.

And Will be summarily executed...

Hello there, friend.
Could you spare a bite,

for a poor veteran
who hasn't eaten long?

He sacrificed his
right leg fighting...

to free the slaves like
Abran Lincoln said,

was the only thing humane
to do.

And so I gave my legs
for my country.

Which leg?

This here. They made it out
of rotten wood,

it swells up like a sponge
in wet weather.

So, I'll. Have you gone loco.
You'll smash it!

And show a little respect,

for a war hero, you cracker.
Hm!...

I lose a leg fighting and you
just sitting around and eating.

To hell with you!

It's got to be treason.

The war's supposed only
30 miles from here.

Why do you say that?

It's all the fault of that traitor,
who surrendered at Fort Holman.

He opened the gates and the
rebels just strolled right in.

Oh, it does!

The great dictator,
the biggest in the world.

That shells are bigger
as wash tubs.

Those Reds keep firing those guns
to break up the Union's ranks.

To keep our men hold up
like frogs in a pond.

Fort Holman was the best stronghold
we had until that Pembroke

just turned it over
to the enemy.

Do you think that guns
will be on top of us?

No...

they're out of range of us.

Well, almost probably.

I wish they get
this war over with.

I lost a son at Fort Sumter,
and for what,

just to see these Reds
ride inside my house.

Yeah,
I was at Fort Sumter too.

I shot off so many bullets my rifle
lightly melted in my hand.

I had to spit on it
to cool if off.

Maybe your son was
fighting right beside me!

13th Brigade?
Sure it was, 13th Brigade.

A real tough brigade!

Say, you wouldn't have a little grub
you could spare to an old soldier

that lost a leg?
Fighting alongside your own son?

I hardly got the corn
like he does.

Oh!...

Sorry.
I have never could do.

Help! Help!
Please, help! Help!

I'm stolen! Sheriff,
come fast

What about the door?
There are thieves in my store!

Clean them all out!

You must fulfill your duty
as Sheriff while on duty!

Open up there!

Ah!...

Didn't your ma ever tell you that your
eyes were bigger than your stomach?

And now everything goes
right back were it was.

Well, what are you waiting for?

The whistle.

Hey, you was not at sleep.

It's better you don't shoot.

Otherwise, all the soldiers
in town are down on us.

If I was you, I'd get rid of
that gun in a big hurry.

If they find it on you,
you are dead.

Did you read that
post on main street?

Ballard don't play games.

You sure had me scared, man.

You took the front lines too, huh.

There are more lucrative here.

And it's safer, too.

Hey look...

we could join up.
All I need is a friend behind

to see nobody's watching and...

What about that cross?

Just maybe you're making
a collection for your private chapel.

You got it off the altar, huh?

Sure tell me you got there first.
Sure, sure.

I know, it's yours.
I didn't say it wasn't.

I have got a bag full.
And good stuff too...

What about that?
Nice, huh?

Hum!...

Oh God,
my God, how could I?

How could I even think
of stealing the church?

When I think what
a saint my mother was.

She has been dead a long time.

She'd turn into her grave.

She wanted me to put on
a cloth in her church,

but look what I turned in.

Well, I've had enough of this kind of life!
I will be an honest man.

To be that my father told me!

and be in peace with the Lord.

I'll give up all my belongings.
The belongings!

The results of my sins!

And thank you, Lord, for
making me see the light.

Repent, my brother,
repent with me.

You can't imagine
how relieved I feel now.

Give up all the fruits
of your evil ways,

turn them over to the Lord...

and he will rescue you!

You'll see the Lord will
forgive you if you ask him.

Give up your bad ways!

Repent, brother.
Move.

Please, let me pass.

Lord has guided me to you!

Eh!...

Wait!

Wait!

Wait for me!
Where did he go? Hey!...

Stop a thief!
Help, help, I have been robbed!

Hurry up, Sergeant!
Then who the hell are you?

What did they steal of you?
I am the sacrist.

A gold cross was stolen from the church.
If we don't we won't catch the thief.

What kind of cross is it?
It's a gold cross, that big.

Covered with precious stones.
Come on sergeant, he'll get away.

Come on boys!...
Are you looking for me?

And for this?

Is that him?
Yeah. And that's the cross.

It belongs to me.

To hell, it belongs to the church.
I dont know.

And that gun, too?
That is right, sergeant.

That's mine!...
Take it off.

God bless you, Sergeant.
God bless.

If you can give me the cross...
I'll give it to the priest myself.

Ah, it is my responsibility.
I am church caretaker.

Put the other in the car. Aren't you
gonna search him too sergeant?

You can't do that.
Because I have nothing to hide.

I am the sacr...

A couple of looters, sir.
Very well, to the major.

Major Ballard, we caught them
to loot the church in Buckstown.

Send the one with the hat on
over to my quarters, sergeant.

Yes, sir.

The court martial says you
handed Fort Holman over

to the enemy without
a shot being fired.

For God sake, why?
I remember at West Point

what you thought of Benedict Arnold,
and what he tried to do.

It's not important.
Not important?

Our campaign in the southwest
depended on that stronghold.

With your best friend
I wish you'd rotten

in that southern prison
camp instead of...

coming back here to the gallows,
ordered by the Court Martial.

Don't let the thought of executing me
ruin your appetite, Charlie.

They will probably make
you a Colonel for it.

It could be right.

It's good wine.

And what if
I took Fort Holman back?

They'll make you a general for that.
You are impossible.

Why do you want to retake it?
It was you who gave it away. Yes

It's a personal matter.
Also military.

Once I've done it I'd disappear.
You never see me again.

You have my word on it, Charlie.
You know me.

I can't risk it.

I have already lost
a third of my men.

Not with a frontal attack...

but from within.
Surprise them from within.

From the defense platform,

called the Pulpit,
and across the suspension bridge...

through the gallery
and into the fort.

You must be completely
out of your mind.

It's impossible to reach the Pulpit!
It's not for me.

With a few men.

The orders are crystal clear.

I'm not allowed to
spend one more soldier.

If the Fort's fallen,
the route is to the north is open.

You can get reinforcements
from Gen. Canbie,

you can take Santa Fe
in one day.

Sibley is in Arizona

with his forces left the
city practically defenseless.

If you're wondering how I know,
I just escaped from there.

If we capture Santa Fe,

Sibley will be cut off from
his troops south of there.

You'll cut him to pieces
and chase him down to Rio Grande

right through Texas,
all the way to New Orleans.

The whole southwest
is yours again.

It could decide the outcome
of the war.

Come in I need twelve men...

General.

When does that take place?

Tomorrow morning.

What are you waiting for?
Get it over with!

Shut up, private pighead!

The Major has an
announcement to make.

There is only...

one hope that you still have
lo let you escape the gallows.

Volunteers are needed for,
a mission which is as dangerous

as it's important.

And if any of you are
prepared to volunteer,

I'll release you.
in his custody...

Gentlemen,
I can't promise you nothing.

Except a chance to die honorably,
and possibly live.

In any case,
freedom at the end.

Donald MacIvers, mule skinner.

He fraud the army for $ 4,000

with a false requisition
for a live stock he never delivered.

What about it, MacIvers?
All right.

Private Samuel Piggott.
Yeah, I'll accept.

Murdered his commander
at Sandy Creek.

Then raped that officer's wife when she
discovered him trying to hide the body.

Ted Wendel,
caught stealing food supplies.

What do you say, Wendel?
You bet your ass!

This sir, we can't identify him.
Well, I know this one.

The Lord set you on my trail?

It's better I come with you then.
But lead me not into temptation.

I thought you'd gonna whistle,
you rat!

Will Culder.
Stole vital medicines

and sold them
to a Confederate agent.

30 Union soldiers died
as a result.

What do you say, Culder?

Yeah, I'll ride.

Jeremy, half-Cheyenne.

Killed a white man
for selling alcohol to the tribes.

You wanna come?

This is the worst,
a religious fanatic.

Arrested in front
of an army recruiting center

for urging men not to enlist
and assigning them rebellion.

Eternal doom awaits you!

Renounce war, repent!

Are you in or out?
The Lord is my shepherd...

"Vengeance is mine",
saith the Lord.

Saith the Lord.

That's the cross
your wife always wore.

Yes.

And Sergeant Brent
wishes to volunteer.

Yes, sir.

Corporal, free all these men.
Except the last one.

What would your life be worth
out there with those cut-throats?

What's it worth now?

Thank you, Charlie.

Sergeant Brent!
Sir.

Organize the men in some
kind of ranks. Yes, sir.

Here is your authority.

Assume your responsibility.

Excuse me, but just out of curiosity
what direction are we going?

East.
Is that Fegett!

According to the Colonel,
we are heading east.

You've got anything
to do back east?

No, I don't think so.
And what about you, Will?

East, west, north, south...
it's all the same to me.

What I don't like we're getting
told where I got to go.

Just you wait,
you fat son-of-a-bitch.

I'm gonna see you're gonna learn
to whistle when I give you the finger.

Pig stinking fat pig!

If I ain't mistaken,
this is the Rio Puerco.

You are right.

This running water has
the name Rio Puerco.

MacIvers! Yeah?
What's "Puerco" mean?

All I know that it's Spanish.

I know that! Ask the Colonel.

He knows everything,
that's why he is a colonel.

He knows that it means dirty.

But he's too fine
to use words like that.

You should not have called him
that, he'll be offended.

He ain't no Colonel no more.

That's right,
I had plumb forgotten.

They adjusted the gentleman out.
Because of treason. Hm, hm!...

No, I can't believe that.
An officer and a gentleman...

But this is impossible!...

He was discharged dishonorably.

Tell me the reason why
is not a Colonel anymore?

Because he is a traitor.

And we'll be judged by
the company we keep!

It's time we separate
the men from the boys.

Let's choose up sides.

Well? What do you say?

Any of your guys want to
stay with the Colonel? Oh!... No.

I think it's a good idea to
stick with the Colonel for a while.

As long as he's
heading for Santa Fe.

I got me some unfinished
business there.

The Colonel is taking
his assurances we'd be

to leave and he'd
be there alone.

This is blackmail.
He has got our guns!

Piggott,
I'll quote you an old maxim.

"The innocent
will inherit the earth".

It's a long way to the sierra,
anything can happen.

The first time he got of his horse,
he's dead as a doornail!

Calm down, Willie.

Yeah, it's easy for you to talk.
He sounds like a big man.

Sure,
that's what makes an officer.

Without a gun,
they are no better than us.

Something worse than an officer,
is one who suck up to an officer!

He's letting all the horses!
What the hell is gong on?

He let the horses go!

The horses are free,
but we're still prisoners.

You...

dirty, rotten
double-crossing traitor!

Looks like you gonna
walk to Santa Fe, Piggott.

He's gonna carry
me on his shoulders!

We're moving over
to Confederate territory.

So we can't do it on U.S.
branded horses.

Bravo, Piggott!
Stop, that's enough.

I said, hold it!, order!

Just nerves.

Why don't you guys relax.
Just a goddamn minute!

Let's find out what this
chicken Colonel has in mind.

We are on to Fort Holman, gentlemen.
To enter it, and retake it.

Let's go.
We've got a train to catch.

What makes you think
we're going with you?

Eight of us on foot are
gonna storm that fort?

You must be crazier
than we thought.

It's the job you
men volunteered for.

Yeah, but that was with
a rope around our neck.

Well, Colonel Pembroke, it looks
like your mission ends here.

Eh, speak for yourself.

I want to know why the Colonel is
in such a hurry to get back there.

He wants to risk our ass
to save his face,

isn't that right?

No, gentlemen, for gold.

Gold?

That's what he said.
Gold?

Gold? What gold?

Captured Confederate gold that's

buried down near,
a sundial at the fort.

That's what we're gonna get.
How much gold is it, Colonel?

I would say, roughly there's
around $ 500,000 worth it.

How much?
500,000.

Hm, hum!...

One, two, three, four,
five hundred thousand.

You can sure save a lot
of face for 500,000.

Would you repeat that?

Roughly there's around
half a million dollars.

How much is Ballard's cut?
No.

Ballard knows nothing
about the gold.

He send me out here
to clear my name,

and win him a promotion doing it

He hinds us getting in there.

It's not gonna be easy,
but I can do it.

And if the eight of us
an work together,

we'll makes Ballard a General...

and we'll be living high in good
old Mexico, rich and free.

Ah... I almost forgot...

Gentlemen... your weapons.

I think you're lying.
There's only one way to find out.

Yeah, by telling us
where the gold is.

I already told you.
Near the sundial.

You better start
paying attention to me.

If you pull that thing
on me one more time,

you better be prepared to use it or
I'm gonna shove it up to your ass!

Just bring what
you can carry easily.

You won't get anymore out of him,
even if you shoot his balls off.

There she is, gentlemen.
Our ride through the lines.

It takes us about a half
day's march of Fort Holman.

This will be a high grade,
but I know we can capture it.

Let's move.

This way.

Colonel, you made a mistake
sending that idiot, MacIvers.

He's a mule skinner, Brent.

The Colonel is right.

How much longer are
we gonna wait here?

We're going down now.
Get your gear.

Come on, redskin.

Hey, Hog...
What is it, pa?

We've got company.

Hank! Good afternoon.
Well, stranger?

We're just on our way
to army headquarters

and we stopped by to see
if you had anything to eat.

Sorry, mister.
I don't mean to act unfriendly

But you can't be too careful.

I imagine you got a lot of
funny people walking by.

Yeah, they come and they go.

Now you all come inside, behold,

my daughter will
make some dishes.

April!

Put more plates on the table,
we've got guests for dinner.

The land is not too
generous these days.

Who comes from afar,
comes from God.

Come in, friends.

A real pleasure to have you.

Go on, sit.

Where is the nearest
Confederate base?

Up north. Fort Holman.

Fort Holman?

How far is that?

8 miles north, and a bit west.

Say, you wouldn't have
a horse for sale?

A horse? The soldiers took everything
when they passed through.

You must be tired.

If you want to stay the night
I won't charge you.

Thanks,
but we're over due already.

I ain't said Grace yet!

Leave us our sins, Lord,

and bless this food
we're about to eat.

Amen. Amen.

The Dynamite!
Get it from the stove!

We damn near blew up ourselves,
instead of Fort Holman.

Hm!...
There is no fire in it!

You just stay right
where you are.

Fred, line them up
against the fireplace.

I took you into my
house, gave you food...

Sorry old-timer, you heard too much.
I didn't hear nothing!

Did you hear anything?
No.

They ain't done nothing to us.

All we need is a few hours.
We can tire and gag them.

It's a half million dollars
and our hides against theirs.

I beg you,
we wouldn't say nothing!

We're not to blame
if you talked too much.

God knows, nobody asked you!

You all look in the barn.

MacIvers!

Why?

This is why...
To steal everything he had!

God knows how many
they've murdered.

Try this on.
We need a uniform.

Who, me? Yes, you.

Now we are only seven to share.

Let me see it! Come on.
How does it fit?

How's that?

What is that?

"Colonel William A. Morrow
from the security services of Georgia"

"is authorized to travel freely

in all territories of the states,
occupied areas"

"and military zones".

It could come in pretty handy.

Come on, Brent,
you and I buy a horse.

Isn't that risky? Yeah.

Take it.
Gonna do any shooting with it.

You do as we end at Fort Holman.

And all that gold too?

Yeah, the gold too.

What's this?
You make it yourself?

Thank you.
Well, let's see...

Malts, a sacks of beans, lard...

coffee, bacon,
cheese, salt, sugar,

bread, whiskey...

You'll buying supplies if
there was a war going on!

Whisky... what else?
Ah, oil fuse...

Gunpowder and rope.
Gunpowder, that's right.

That's about it.
How much is it?

I know I forgot something.

Corn meal, coffee

bacon, cheese, whiskey, salt,

sugar, lard, bread,
rope, gunpowder, fuse...

There's something missing.
That's got to be it.

How much is it?

I'm trying to think!
Don't rush me!

Sugar...
corn meal, whiskey, yaah,

Pay the man,
let's get out of here.

I forgot to put down the mule!

That's a hundred dollars.
Are you gone out of your mind?

Bon voyage and happy
hunting down south.

How are you, Scully?
Not bad.

Strangers here abouts?

Yeah, two hunters
bought the whole store.

They didn't mention what
they was hunting for.

They bought gunpowder, fuse and rope
and paid without bargaining.

A hundred dollars in cash.

Is that so?
Which way did they go?

Out that way.
Thanks, Scully.

Hey, you got to live up to our
agreement as long as Scully do!

They was caught.
Come on, let's go.

Let's see what
you got there, boys.

Why? Nothing special.
Take a look.

We won! We won!

The war is over! Hooray!

The war is over!
Long live the Confederacy!

The war is over!
Come on!

What's happening?
The war is over!

Who told you the war is over?
A trapper up in the hills!

This guy he just rode in from Santa Fe.
He said:

"The only sober man
in town was a preacher".

And he won't be for long!

Cat long!...

What are we waiting?
He's no better than us!

Let's get drunk!
Let's all get drunk! Hey!...

Victory is ours!
Long live the Confederacy!

Free drinks now,
it's on the house!

Dance, buddy!

What's your name?
Robinson.

Got any more, Brent?
Eh!...

Yeah, sure.

This is the first decent time
we've had on this stinking mission.

Being as volunteers.

Don't give them anymore,
they have had enough.

Give me that, Brent.
Oh, come on.

The Colonel don't want us to drink.
To hell with him.

He's an idiot.
Give me the bottle, Piggott.

Piggott! Give me the bottle.

Go to hell!

Look what you've done,
you bastard!

It's your fault we
all go hungry tonight!

Colonel Pembroke,
you gonna pick up those beans,

one at a time.

What did I tell you about
that gun, sergeant?

I said, pick them up!
I want to see you on your knees.

Now eat them beans.

Beans don't agree with me.
I'll shoot them out of your hand, ok...

and into your mouth.
One at a time.

How's that for a digestion,
Colonel.

That's enough.
The party is over.

Always on his side.
I'm on my own side.

He's the one who is gonna get
me to Fort Holman. That's all.

Too bad.
They was real good.

Thanks, Eli. I didn't like seeing
you down on your knees.

Worse things
have happened to me.

Why did you do it?
They wouldn't have killed you.

They need you too bad.

I blame Brent for that.

Piggott was just drunk
enough to start shooting

after the Confederates
landed on us.

Goodbye for women!

Is it that important?

Yeah, it's that important.

Half a million dollars will buy
us a lot of tortillas in Mexico.

Oh shit!

Oh shit, I wouldn't get
on my knees for that.

And neither would you.

I got a feeling there's something
else behind all this, hun.

The uniforms fits pretty good.
Hm!...

Now let's say this
is the Pulpit.

And that's the bridge
that leads to the gallery

connecting with the fort.

Now, there's an alarm system,

and it's your job to see
that it never goes off.

The fort with its gallery
and suspension bridge

were all built
to command the trail

that passes through,
a mountain tunnel.

Well, Colonel?

If our little plan worked
Eli is inside by now.

The Password?
Confederacy and liberty.

Take me to Major Ward.
Yes, sir.

Sir...

Santa Fe prison camp has confirmed
that Pembroke has escaped.

When?
About ten days ago, sir.

I want you to send two
platoons from B-company.

I want a 24 hour patrol
for 50 miles perimeter.

Yes, sir. Satisfy.

And you?
What else do you want?

I request permission to remain
overnight at the Fort, sir.

Report back to your unit.

I'm scourged but...

my buttocks is awful sour, sir.

Don't get smart with me,
soldier!

Major...

I respectfully request permission
to show the cheeks of my ass.

Show him the quarters, but
make sure he's out by morning.

Come on!

I want Lieutenant
Babbitt and Ryan report

in this office immediately.
Yes, sir.

There's no danger.
He's only one man.

Can I make you a drink?
No, thank you.

I would prefer to be alone.

Is there a sundial
anywhere around here?

A sundial? Yeah.

All the Confederate forts
have a sundial.

Well...
maybe up there by that cannon.

There's never been a sundial
here when I've been around.

Hm, there must be!...

That damn horse.
After one week in the saddle

I just got about the most
sensitive buttocks in the world.

You're real lucky.

Robinson and Hutton
are out on patrol.

There's a couple of free beds.

Otherwise you got
to ride out of here tonight.

You remind me of someone.

IS that so?

I've never seen you before.

What we got to do now is wait for
dawn and the changing of the guards.

Eli, good luck.

"EMERGENCY"

Halt!
What are you doing here?

I didn't know where latrine was,
and there were no signs, so I...

Stop pointing at me.

It is forbidden to come
near the emergency panel.

All right. Be quick about it.

I can't stay here all night.

See you in the morning.
Right, Sergeant.

Well, what the hell was
taken you so long?

What is going on here?

I was gonna pee, over here.

You picked the wrong place.

Well, go on.

Well? I can't do it when
someone is around me.

Please, mind moving
a little out of sight.

Come on!

You haven't done it yet?
Almost.

That feels better.
Now I can go to sleep.

Keep a sharp watch.
Yes, sir.

It's almost dawn.
What do we do?

We wait.

Piggott, load off the dynamite.
Yeah.

I'm so tired.

You had a long nab.

How was your rest?
So, so.

I got to go.
Duty watch on Pulpit tonight.

Hey!...

Hey, I'm afraid I can't
sleep you mind,

if I come and get a breath
of fresh air with you?

Your logo. Come on!

Uh...
Uh, what?

Uh, nothing.

He must have been caught.

I bet the son-of-a-bitch...
son...

is caught, hm!...

You got enough
ammunition here to fight

off the whole Union Army.

How did you manage
to bring it all in?

Oh hell,
that was all here when we came.

You got to say about the Yankees...
they are really organized.

Come on!...

Hey I get dizzy with this wind.

Come on!
Just don't look down.

Lieutenant Wilkins!
Are you ready to relieve me, sergeant?

Everything is great.
Very well

The great mountain air.
There is usually too much of it.

It blows you right
off the bridge.

Them tents must be
kind of precarious.

They're replaced twice a week.

And the men inside of them?

You like a cigar?
I prefer my pipe.

If you can spare a couple
for the lads over there...

Oh, sure.

Thanks.

Thank you, Sergeant.
Mighty fine these things are.

Pull it down a bit.

I said, let go!

There, it's free.

It's caught again.

Hey, not too hard!
It's gonna break.

Easy and pull!
I told you it's gonna break!

If it breaks we
start all over again.

We're not getting anywhere
this way. Pull!

Easy. He has got it.
Let go!

What is it?

I thought I was going
to be sick.

I'm waving out.

I get me an attack,
now I'm feeling better.

Thank you.

It is best that you turn in,
you got a long ride this morning.

That's right!...

It will be dawn in just,
a few more minutes.

I know, there's something
familiar about you.

I just can't
put my finger on it.

Yeah? Well let me know
when you figure it out.

Say, were you here
when the fort was taken?

Hell, yes.

And I tell you it
was a true miracle.

How's that? Oh it's.

Well, we had half of Sibleys force
massed down in the valley...

with orders to take
the fort at any cost.

You know,
what that would mean?

It would mean we'd been
all wiped out.

That's why. Go on.

There we was, all set to go,
and then a miracle happened.

Pembroke hold up
the white flag

and we just walked in here,
but we have to be careful

They're all the same them Yankees.
They're turning in like a flash.

Not Pembroke.
He's tough as nails.

The truth is that Ward got
his hands on Pembroke's son.

Then what happened?

They send Pembroke word
to surrender the fort.

Or he would hang the boy.
And Pembroke surrendered.

Hm!... Smart trick.

But he didn't hang the kid?
Oh no, Ward is a man of his word.

He doesn't hang him,
he shoots him.

But that is another story!

With Pembroke free,

I sure wouldn't be in Wards shoes.
What?

Why? What chance has one man
against a fort full of soldiers.

I wouldn't change places with Ward
for anything in the world.

Being inside this Fort is
safer than in a bank vault.

Have you seen the alarm system?

Ward connected it to that suspension
bridge to blow it to hell.

He's smart as hell,
that Ward is.

They say he invented
the alarm-system out of own head.

Kind of electrical thing
but I don't know how it works.

There's probably nobody
that does but Major Ward.

Anyway, every time I cross
that bridge it scares the pants of me.

You mean that if the alarm is set of,
the bridge is gonna blow up?

It's mined.

If someone manages
to storm the Pulpit

and the emergency
alarm goes off...

the major, and only him,
pulls a handle or something.

And bang,
the bridge blows sky high.

What's so funny?
That alarm system.

I was taking a leak right at
the alarm box.

If I had peed on it would
never have worked again!

Just think,
as for a call of nature,

it's gonna could have cost
the South the whole fort.

A good thing I didn't ground it out.
But there are others that I highlight

Do you feel all right?
Sure.

What are you doing?

I've something in my jacket.

A dice.

How much do you wanna bet,
you can't roll a six?

How did you do that?
Now you try it.

Hands up!

What's the matter?
This one is one of,

loaded dice that belonged
to private Robin.

He took me more than $100
before I got wise to him.

This uniform must be his.
I found it.

Lieutenant Wilkins!

Who's that?
The sergeant at the watch!

Over here, lieutenant!
What is it, Sergeant?

Come on.

Look inside the jacket.

I bet that's Robins too.
This dice was in his pocket.

I swear that I found it.

Mine was completely worn out.
Come on!...

Lieutenant, give me a break.

All right, take him
to Major Ward. March

Listen, we've had it here.
Let's retreat before we are spotted.

Give me the knife.

I suggest your men to relax
while you read this.

Sir!

I am Colonel Morrow, Secret Service
of the Confederate Army...

under the direct order
of General Sibley.

You are in trouble, Ward.

Well, what do you mean, sir?
What do I mean?

I was sent here to check
on your security, but...

does not exist in your command.
It is not existent!

First I was able to pass
with an elementary trick.

Second: I was shown at your present,
without checking on my identity.

I could have assassinated you.
Third:

I had access to the powder magazine
and could have blown up the fort.

Fourth: But why go on?

In all my 20 years of service...

I've never witnessed more flagrant
bleaches of elementary security.

But Colonel Morrow...
There is no excuse!

Sorry.

I'll report detail
to General Sibley.

I'm tired and sour.

I'm gonna need,
a few hours sleep,

before I leave to Santa Fe,
in the morning

Sergeant!

You see the Colonel
to my quarters.

Then you make sure that he
has everything he wants.

Sir! Thank you.

What are we gonna do now?

We could...

Yes?

Morrow can only damage you if
he reports what he has seen.

That's right. Go on!

But if he never
returns to Santa Fe...

And then he'd never would be able
to make the report. And then?

An accident?
Oh no, no, no accident!

Accidents are too risky.

Accidents have a way
to be investigated.

Now he came here to check
on our security measures.

And we showed him
how tight it is.

That's right.

Now he claims to be Colonel Morrow
of the Secret Service.

Sir, I can assure
you I have never seen

a Colonel Morrow at Fort Holman.
Fine!...

He is a Yankee saboteur.
All right

I'll be fair to you!...

That's right out of the nose.

What do we do with
a Yankee saboteur?

We execute them.
We execute them, yes all right

And all they can do is commend us
for being so...

For being so... efficient.

And now, Lieutenant...

I want you,
to keep him under guard

and then when morning comes you show
him all the southern hospitality.

Let him show
you the cheeks of his ass...

And then you shoot his ass off.

Halt! Who goes there?
Halt, or I will shoot!

Halt!

Emergency alarm!
The fort is under attack!

On the double!

Man, at battlement!

What the hell is going on?
They're attacking the Pulpit.

Pembroke. How many are there?
I don't know, sir.

But it must be serious.
They sounded the emergency alarm.

The bridge.

Second platoon, follow me!

Come on defend this,
but just shoot at my orders

Piggott, you and the Indian guard
the other end of this gallery. What?

Get some men and cover the tunnel!
You men!

Bring a machine gun,
on the double!

You must take cover,
please sir.

We'll never get out of this
trap by ourselves.

What are you looking for?

There is a ventilation
shaft behind us.

If we can break through then
we can get right to the top.

Find me a pick.

Soldier!

Back to your post!

Ah!...

There's no time for court martial
Execution on the spot!

I've been looking for you, Colonel.
We're almost out of ammunition.

There is a powder magazine.

Take everything you need.
Give him a hand. Right.

He is dead.

Are you finished?
Just about.

What are they doing out there?
They are waiting. Yah...

They are blocked in the magazine.
Get all guns...

and keep them faced
towards the tunnel.

What can we do now, sir?
Well...

Well, Napoleon said there is,
a time to fight and a time to wait.

So that's what we're gonna do,
sergeant.

We're gonna wait.

Call the others.

Against the wall. Stand still!

Why don't you try thinking of us!
What's the matter, Brent?

Are you scared?

Go on.

Sergeant!
Yes, sir.

You say you saw that man
in the alarm box.

Yes sir,
and he was acting suspicious.

You better take four men
and surround my quarters.

He may escape. Yes Major

You know the prisoner
Colonel Morrow...

He's a real spy.

A saboteur.

He came in here in order
to make way for the others.

Hey! Down there!

Get on down that machine gun!
Come on!

Ward!

It's me, Ward.

I've come to get you!

Get that machine gun over there.

Go on! Help him.

Sergeant!

Place your men on the wall!

Let's go up!
Come on, men.

Here.

Hold your fire, we surrender!
Let's go

Hey Brent, are you crazy?

Stop shooting, they're surrendering!
Go fuck yourselves!

Good man!

Somebody has got to stop him.
Wait!

He's after Eli!
Better get there quick, Piggott.

Ward!

It's all over!

Come on out!

You're finished!

Hold it, Pembroke!

Now you're gonna tell me where
the gold is hidden! Troc.

I didn't risk my hide...

just to make a hero out of you.

You got to pay off, right now!

Fucking!...

Eli...

you son-of-a...

Let me remind you, Colonel.

There is a military
procedure for surrender.

Congratulations!

He was innocent.
Ah, ah!...

Today I have killed
for the first time.

And it's the last for me.