Overland Pacific (1954) - full transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

[DRIVER SHOUTING]

DRIVER: Hyah!

Hyah, come on. Hyah!

[TELEGRAPH KEY CLACKING]

Must you play
with that thing?

Sorry.
Just passing the time.

Had no idea
it disturbed you.

Mentally,
I've been heaving you

and that whatchamacallit
out of the window
for hours.

It's a telegraph key.



In my line,
you have to practice
to keep your speed up.

Well, don't wear
yourself out.

[TAPPING]

I was just introducing myself.

Granger's the name.
New telegrapher
for the railroad.

Maybe now that you're awake,
you feel like talking.

A bad guess. Not even ten words?

[TAPPING RESUMES] [COUGHING]

What's the matter, Jessie?
A little smoke oughtn't
to bother you.

Oh, go arrest somebody. See? Nobody likes
a peace officer.

Maybe they're too busy
gasping for breath.

Not Jessie here.
Fresh air'd poison her.

If you're a bachelor
and are settling into Oaktown,

you'll get to know her
real well.



You never did,
fat stuff.

My name
is Jessie Loraine.

BLANEY: She works in
The Silver Dollar.

It's a saloon,
a gambling hall.

I've found that men that
condemn such places most

are usually
their best customers.

Hyah, then!
Come on.

Whoa.

[GASPS]

Better get back inside.
It's not very pretty.

That's Hawley
the lineman.

All right.

What an awful way
to die.

You know of a good one?

Give me a hand.
We'll cut him down.

What for?
We'd better mosey.

Out here we'd be
easy pickings.

You're not gonna
leave him up there.

He won't
get lonesome.

DRIVER: Anyhow,
we got no room
'lessen you put him inside.

Put him on top.

No.

Look, Mister,
it's like he said...
Not a bit of room.

Then we'll make room.

Thunder and lightnin',
that's good whiskey.

BLANEY: It's a good thing
none of them broke.

Hard liquor...
That's what saved them.

Get it,
"hard liquor"?

You're wasting time.

That new railroad feller,
I don't like him.

His eyes ain't eyes,
they're rocks.

Yeah, he's tough,
plenty strong.

One pull like this
and our barrels went off.

Hyah!

Well, well,
look who's back.

If you're going to ask
if I had a good trip, don't.

From now on I'm taking
my vacations in bed

with a batch of cold drinks
to keep me company.

That's where I work,
if you're interested.

I don't play cards anymore.
I had enough of that
in the army.

We also serve drinks.
But on second thought,

considering what we serve,
it's almost safer
to play cards.

Do you come
with the deck? Sure, I'm a wild deuce.

Oh, Jenks, did you pick up
my cattle medicine?

Sure did, Mr. Broden.
I'll fish it right out
for you.

I think
you'd better take care
of the body first.

Funny, can't seem
to find it.

Must have bounced off
when we hit a chuckhole.

[GROANS]

[CROWD MUTTERING]

[GRUNTING]

[WINDOW SHATTERS]

Aren't you going to stop it?
You're the sheriff.

The boys are just
letting off steam.

[GRUNTS]

[GRUNTS]

Beat it.

[GRUNTS]

[PUNCHES LANDING]

Now go on out
and bring in the body.

[GRUNTS]

Del! [LAUGHS]

You always did throw
a rotten right.

Hey, you're getting soft. Ross, you old mule-hide.

What are you
doing around here? Making new friends.

I never thought
I'd run into any old ones.

Hey, you're dressed
like a dude.

Oh, yeah, all duded up.
I'm living.

I've owned
The Silver Dollar there
ever since the war ended.

Whatever got you
west of St. Louis?

A job.
I'm a railroad
telegrapher these days.

What happened?
I couldn't see much
from the gallery.

Oh, just a small slaughter.
You remember me telling you
about my old wartime buddy?

DEL: Meet Ross Granger.

How do you do?

It's a pleasure.
I've heard so much about you.

I don't always
look like this.

Put Miss Dennison down
on your list of females
to lay off of.

Not only is she my girl,
she's your
new boss's daughter.

Oh.

ANN: You're
the new telegrapher. Yes, ma'am.

There must be a story in it.
I remember the day
we mustered out,

he swore that he was going
to spend the rest of his life
avoiding trouble.

Somebody should warn you...

Around these parts,
railroaders don't
send out laundry.

I gathered as much.
We found a lineman today

that went off salary
kind of sudden.
His name was Hawley.

Hawley?

One more week,
he'd have been back
with his wife and kids.

I'd better go tell dad.

Very nice to have
met you, Mr. Granger.

I'm going after her.

Come to my place
tonight for dinner.Right.

Mr. Stewart, did he tell you
what the fight was about?

Not now, Jenks.
I'm busy. You'd better listen.

He pushed
your whiskey barrels off
to make room for a stiff.

Well, what are you
standing here for?
Go back and get them.

And the body too.

I'll take your valise,
Mr. Granger.
My name's Weeks.

Much obliged.That's my hotel
over there.

Usually full up,
but I can take care
of you

now that Mr. Hawley's
changing his room.

Wrong... Hawley isn't
changing his room,
he checked out.

No, he'll be occupying
the downstairs rear.

You see, I'm also
Oaktown's undertaker.

Having my establishment
on the premises
saves so many steps.

Well, at least he'll be quiet.

[PIANO PLAYING]

I'm telling you,
best white-faced herd
west of the Mississippi.

Yeah,
west of the Mississippi.

Hey, Saber, pull the cork
out of that bottle
and pour us another drink.

See, honey, my wife
just don't understand...

The chump I'm with is
a trifle sentimental.

So he'll swap you this drink
for something sad.

How about if I remind him
of his mother?

From the looks of him,
his old lady died laughing.

[CHUCKLES]

That was the finest
wine cellar I've ever seen,
before or since.

We had the biggest heads
I've ever seen
before or since.

We had to deflate them
to get out of it.

You should have seen us
the next day.
12 hours late.

Delivering the orders
for the general
to retreat.

[LAUGHS]

I was ready to step
in front of a firing squad.

DEL: Instead of that,
we got promoted
on the spot.

It seems the old boy
assembled his forces,
decided to attack

and won himself
a big battle.

And all the time we were
in the middle of our
fifteenth bottle of Chablis.

[LAUGHTER]

The stuff from which
heroes are made.

Those were the days.

What's the matter
with now?

You're out of the cellar
and up on the roof.

Yeah, I guess
you're right.

Things were a little different
a couple of years ago though.

My total capital
when I landed here...
One silver dollar.

I never can keep them myself.
They break too easily.

Not this one.

I flipped it to see
whether I'd eat
and I lost.

So I brought it
right in there

and in one minute,
it had a twin brother.

Three weeks later,
the place was his.

Del's always lucky.
Are you?

Not me. Every time
I say heads, it comes up
tails or stands on end.

[DOOR OPENS]

I've been looking
all over town for you, Ann.

Mr. Dennison,
I'd like you to meet...

It's one thing for you
to go around with a man
like this,

but I never thought you'd be
having dinner with him here.

Please, Dad,
not now.

You're of age, Ann,
but remember this...
You're still my daughter.

You're certainly not
respecting my wishes.

I want to, but you're
being unreasonable.

It isn't unreasonable
for a man to resent

finding his daughter
in a cheap gambling house.

Now look, Mr. Dennison,
that door,

which incidentally,
you forgot to close,

separates the reputable
from the disreputable.

The only thing that filters
through the cracks is money.

That's all you're
interested in... Money.

What's the difference,
as long as I get it?

Please, Del,
you're only prolonging this.

I'm sorry, Ann.
Forgive me.

Mr. Dennison,
it doesn't matter what
you think of me as a man,

it's useless for you
to try and come between
your daughter and myself.

If it'll make you
feel any better,

I've told Ann that
I'm willing to give up
The Silver Dollar

and settle down to
a life of raising cattle
and little Stewarts.

You see, Dad, I told you
Del would stop gambling
if I asked him.

You can't just
stop gambling, Ann,

any more than you can
stop breathing.

Well, maybe I am being
unfair to you.

Must be some good in you
for Ann to feel about you
the way she does.

That's more like it.
Why don't you pull up
a chair...

Oh, Ross, I'm sorry!
We didn't mean to subject
you to a family scene.

Yes, our chaperone
tonight is your
new telegrapher.

Oh, you Granger? Yes, sir.

Came in
on the afternoon stage. How do you do?

Your troubles are over.
Ross isn't afraid
of Comanches.

Why should I be?
I've never seen one.

Well, I'm glad
somebody isn't.

I just came from the camp
out there and the men are
all threatening to quit.

They won't quit, Dad.
They think too much
of you.

Nevertheless,
we keep on losing them.

I'm afraid
you're going to lose me too,
Mr. Dennison,

at least for this evening.

I guess I was born tired
and it's getting late.

Thanks for the dinner, Del.

Good night, Miss Ann.
See you in the morning.Good night.

All right. See you, Ross.

WOMAN: Listen, Mister,
your wife may
not understand you,

but I do, and I say
fox furs first.

What'll it be? Brandy.

What happened
to your face?

Do you want to drink
this brandy or wear it?

Either way.

But if I wear it,
I'll take my change
in teeth.

Enjoy your dinner? Not much.

Why not? Don't you
go for charcoal-broiled
Auld Lang Syne?

Del's changed a lot
in two years.

So who hasn't?
Life is a long walk.

If it's through
a flower garden,
you come out smelling sweet.

If it's in the gutter,

well, you keep checking
the mud on the soles
of your shoes.

He used to play it soft.

I know, I've seen him
under fire.

Now he plays it
tight and tense.

It's the girl.
He wants to keep her up
in the fresh air

and to do that, he's got
to stand on his toes.

When it was me,
he could stand naturally.

He could even sit down.

I smell something burning.

Could it be a torch?

Maybe last year.
This year I've got it down
to the size of a match.

Don't worry, Jessie,

one day somebody'll
come along and blow it out.

Water!

What? Water again?

You'll be rusting
your insides, man.

Either this wood's
getting harder
or I'm losing my strength.

'Tis older you're getting,
that's all the trouble is.

You'll be
long dead and buried
before we're through the pass

if you don't
get a move on.

MAN:
Where'd that water boy go?

Hey, Jerry,

bring the water over here.

Coming, Mr. Connors.

[ARROW WHOOSHING]

Comanches!
Come on!

[WHOOPING]

I'm beginning to think
there's something more

behind these raids
than Comanches.

They've been hitting
our equipment lately too...

Jimmied switches,
steam valves plugged up

so the boilers explode.
And they've been cutting
the telephone wires...

Putting them back together
so the breaks
are hard to find.

That isn't Indian thinking! [GUNSHOT]

Hold up a minute.

What's the matter?Listen.

[GUNSHOT]

That sounds like
it might be out at camp.

[GUNSHOT]

Sounds like
a repeating rifle.

That's impossible.
There aren't any
in this territory.

Come on.

Where's Connors?

We're through,
Mr. Dennison.

We've got our families
to think about.

Yeah, when Indians
come at us with
repeating rifles,

that's when I draw my pay.

They don't manufacture
them things themselves

and they don't go
back east to buy them. No, they don't.

If you quit,
I don't blame you.
Where is Connors?

[HORSE SNORTS]

[TAPPING TELEGRAPH]

This is the last, Stewart,
and I'm sorry
I ever listened to you.

If you're gonna
shed tears, here.

I don't know why I was
weak enough to let you
talk me into it.

Land, mortgages,
auctions...

If the railroad
bypasses Oaktown,
I'm ruined!

Everything I've got
is tied up in land too,

except this.

Don't worry, we're gonna
make a killing.

Those raids by Dark Thunder
are really ringing the bell.

The railroaders
are in a panic.

For every mile of track
that's laid,
a half mile's torn up.

Yes. But I didn't know
I was financing
wholesale murder.

What did you think
the Comanches were gonna
do with those rifles,

hunt deer?

Why don't you be honest
with yourself, Broden?

If the railroad could be
forced to change its route
and go through Oaktown,

you won't care if every tie
is a human body.

You're pretty free
with your mouth, Mr. Stewart.

Your fists too.

You know,
Mr. Broden hires me
to protect him from people.

Why not?
It's cheaper than
having a conscience.

Oh, let's not get excited.
After yesterday's raids,

I think Mr. Dennison will be
willing to make
a slight detour.

You're a long
ways from home.
What do you want?

That's a nice way to greet
a future son-in-law.

You're not married
to her yet.

I haven't got time
to talk to you.
I'm busy.

You know, Mr. Dennison,

you've built
too many railroads.

Your thinking's
getting warped.

You're beginning to believe
that everything has to move
in a straight line.

I said I was busy.

That's why you don't
understand human beings,

not even
your own daughter.

I don't understand
what she sees in you,
if that's what you mean.

Ann's young.

You keep trying to build
a fence around her.

I'm offering her a ladder.

And every step on it
is rotten.

[CHUCKLES]

Listen, Mr. Dennison,
I didn't come down here
to discuss personalities.

I came down here
because I'd hate to
have to marry an orphan.

Your passion
for straight lines

is leading you
straight to the cemetery.

Why do you insist
on laying track

right across
a Comanche hunting ground?

That's my business.

You could go around
that mountain,
save a lot of your men

and make Oaktown happy.

I told you before, Stewart,

I changed the original survey
because the country
around here

is crisscrossed
with gullies.

Every spring, the floods would
sweep out all of our trestles.

Suppose you have to replace
a few trestles now and then.

That's better than
battling Comanches.

Besides, you'd have a better
chance of defending yourself
on level ground.

Why are you so interested
in switching the route?

I'm not, personally.

But there's a group
in this district that is.

They want the road
to go into Oaktown

because if it doesn't,
the place'll become
a ghost town.

Listen, Stewart,

Oaktown's of
no interest to me.

If it dies, as it might,

and if the Comanches die
as they might, and if I die,
that doesn't change it.

That's just the present.
The railroad's the future.

Mr. Dennison, I'm authorized
to offer you $25,000

if you'll go back
to your original survey.

I don't take bribes, Stewart!

And you can tell
whoever sent you out here

that I'm wiring the board
of railroads in Washington
to look into the matter.

I'd think that over
if I were you.

I knew you were low,
but how you could murder
innocent men...

Hold it, Dennison!

I'm not in on this
and neither are the people
that I represent.

Don't forget, Indians have
no love for railroads.

They're attacking you
on their own.

$25,000,

that's a lot of money,
Stewart.

How much do they pay
for repeating rifles?

[GUNSHOT]

Careful, Stewart,

or I'll drop you.

Why did you do that?

I thought it was
the fourth of July.

He'd have seen the light.

Just in case he didn't,
I let a little
through him.

Another couple of raids
and we'd have been building
our own station.

I handle Mr. Broden's
interests in my own way.

Handy, aren't they?

[TELEGRAPH TAPPING]

Hello. Hello, Ross.

Have you seen my father?

He's out surveying.

I thought you were
supposed to stay in town?

I couldn't stand
the hotel today.

I guess I'm too squeamish.

Mr. Weeks has
all those bodies.

Dead men can't hurt you.

It's the live ones
you have to watch.

Are you
implying something?

I never imply
on Tuesdays.

Only Wednesdays
and Saturdays.

I get so tired
of people telling me
Del Stewart's no good for me.

You're his friend.
I thought
you'd be different.

Did I say anything?

You're too sensitive.

I'm sorry, Ross.

Hold these.

No, I don't believe
in giving advice.

The most interesting part
of life is making mistakes.

So you do think
Del's a mistake.

Now you're the one
that's doing the thinking...

For both of us.

I'm sorry again.

It's just that Dad can't
get it through his head

there's some things
in life you can't control.

If you're
in love with someone
you don't make conditions.

Don't you? Of course not.

Ross, do you think
if a man's
once been a gambler,

he'll always be one?

Depends on the gambler.

None of my business,
of course,

but how did you get
hooked up with one?

Del says it was
his silver dollar that
brought us together.

Offhand, I'd say
a luck charm like that
is worth having.

[HORSE WHINNIES]

[ANN SOBBING]

"The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want.

"He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures,

"He leadeth me beside
the still waters,

"He restoreth my soul.

"He leadeth me
on the paths of righteousness

"for His name's sake.

"Yea, though
I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,

"I will fear no evil

"for Thou art with me.

"Thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me.

"Thou preparest a table
before me in the presence
of mine enemies.

"Thou annointest
my head with oil.

"My cup runneth over.

"Surely goodness
and mercy

"shall follow me
all the days of my life

"and I will dwell
in the house of the Lord

"forever.

"Ashes to ashes,

dust to dust."

Whoa.

We won't need you
anymore, Charlie.All right, Mr. Stewart.

I'd...
Del, if you don't mind,

I'd like to be alone
for a while.

We understand.
If there's anything
you need...

Just yell.

I think we could
both use a drink.

Weeks' voice matches
his profession.

[SHUDDERS]
Gives me the creeps.

Yeah.

You don't look
so good, Sheriff.

What's the matter,
strain your credit?

Anything else he has today
is on the house.

Thank you, Del.
On my small salary...

Oh, cut it out.
You'll have me in tears.

I'm glad you're here, Sheriff.
I've got something to show
both of you.

Looks like an ordinary
.45 slug to me.

But that one's been places,
through Dennison's spine,
lungs and heart.

I had Weeks
dig it out for me.

You're a gruesome one.

What are you gonna do,
wear it on your watch chain?

Nope, return it
to its owner.

I don't get it.
Dennison was killed
by a white man.

Comanches don't use pistols.

That's the silliest thing
I ever heard.

Who'd want to kill
poor old Mr. Dennison?

About half the town. That takes in
a lot of people.

Which half?

Well, I thought you could
help me there, Sheriff.

Who's been buying
a lot of land lately?

A speculator would
stand to make plenty

with Dennison
out of the way and the road
going through here.

That's right.

The sheriff'll look into it.

And I'll keep
both eyes open myself.

See you later.

So he's the telegrapher?

Yep.

Well, he just
sent me a message.

Yeah?

He ain't no telegrapher.

JESSIE: Through grieving?

This office is private.

It is, isn't it?

Look, Jessie, we've been
through for a long time.

The fire's out,
nothing left but ashes.

Blow on them. Heh.

Funerals
do something to me.

I look at that
long black coffin,

I think about clocks.
They keep ticking

and the hands keep moving.

No one can hold them back.

Did you ever consider
how many minutes we waste?

How many opportunities
we pass up?

I'll remind Ann.

Well, you must be
in love with her.

Like I never was
with you, Jessie.

Are you sure?
I remember when
you started with me.

It was all roses
and conversation
and blank verse.

Of course
it didn't last.

Once the stove
was lit...

Del, why don't you face it?
You could never love
anybody but yourself.

You're looking
in the mirror,
can't you see it?

You're all flash...

An empty bottle
with so many cracks in it,

it would never hold
holy water.

But it'll hold
whiskey, Del.

Why don't you forget
the little princess

and come back
to the common herd?

The only thing you find
in a herd is cows.

You are unwelcome
in our hunting grounds.

Your wisdom is
the wisdom of the snake.

Many braves have
listened and perished.

Some braves have died,
but you still have your
hunting grounds, Dark Thunder.

The hunters are
more to be valued
than the hunting grounds.

He who spoke those words
was not Dark Thunder.

Those were the words
of a squaw.

Then the squaw
has wisdom.

Only the madman beats
his fist upon the rock

which is of eternity.

The railroad is not
of eternity.

The railroad already
breaks under your blows.

Soon it retreats
to the south.

Hear this, Dark Thunder,

I have more new weapons
for your braves.

They will be given to you
at the accustomed place.

With them you will drive
all white eyes
from the mountain.

It is well.

Hyah!

You shouldn't be here.
I told you I'd come out
and collect his things.

I always
hated this hat.

He never bought
a new one.

It's funny...

Now I'll never be able
to throw it away.

Why not?
It's just a hat.

Now get this straight.
Your father was a good man
and a hard worker.

If he'd have lived, he'd have
sliced right through those
mountains to the ocean.

But he died

and you're preserving
his hat, setting it up
as some kind of shrine.

He doesn't need
that anymore.

That's his shrine.

And every time a train
gets this far hauling
passengers or freight

it'll be your father
that's making
the delivery.

Now I got
a lot of work to do.

Get back to town
and stay there.

I've talked to most of
the men. They're a little
ashamed of themselves.

We'll start work
in the morning.

[HORSE GALLOPING]

DEL:
You sure had me worried.

Whatever possessed you
to ride out here alone?

Does it matter? Of course it matters.

You're very important to me.
You're my whole future.

My father was always
talking about the future.

He sacrificed
everything for it...

His comforts,
his health,

finally his life.

Ann, you've simply
got to pull yourself together.

I'm trying to. The shock you've had
will pass.

Not here, I want
to go away somewhere.
I don't care, anywhere.

I was gonna
tell you tonight.

That's a surprise.

I'll tell you what...
Why don't you give me
a couple of weeks or a month

to wind up my affairs
and turn my place over
to somebody else

and I'll come along with you?

No, Del. But you...

Well, you can't go alone.

Why not? I am alone.

Inside, we're all alone.

That's not true.
You're just upset.

Look, Del,
why can't we be honest
with each other?

How deep do our feelings
actually go?

I want to marry you, Ann.

But how deep
are your feelings?

You sure that you didn't
bury them with your father?

[TELEGRAPH TAPPING]

What did you do,
train your horse
to tiptoe?

I thought it was
about time we have
a little talk, Granger.

That's right neighborly
of you.

Let's step out
on the terrace.

Well, I'm listening.

Hot today, isn't it?

You didn't ride 10 miles
to tell me that.

Not exactly, no.

For a man that thinks
it's time for a little talk,

you're certainly
not very talkative.

I don't know
where to begin.

Try the beginning.

Look, Granger,

I think you know
what I'm gonna say so why
make it any tougher on me?

I gotta get something
off my back. It's been
riding there quite a while.

If your conscience is
bothering you, Blaney,

why come to me?

I'm a telegrapher,
not a chaplain.

The way I see it,
you ain't either one.

I pegged you
pretty quick.

You're a railroad agent.

All us lawmen
smell alike.

I hope not.

It's like this, Granger,

I'm an old man.

Peace officers get scared

and they get hungry.

Pick them up off the ground
dead every day,

the only thing that comes out
of their pockets is pennies.

You know what I mean.

Overtures bore me.

If this is
gonna be an opera, sing.

I just wanted to explain
why I'm setting still for it.

When I found out
about it a year ago...

Well, I always had my eye
on a small ranch.

Nothing big, you understand,
just a few head.

How do the rifles come in?

In whiskey barrels.

Yeah, that's right,
in whiskey barrels.

You remember the other day

when you rolled them barrels
off of the stage?

I pretty near had
a heart attack.

If they'd have broken open,
Jenks would have had
to kill you.

And probably Jessie.

Well, I've been doing
a little checking...

The bank
and the land office.

I spotted you right away
and a cattleman named Broden.

You've been speculating
heavily in acreage.

[SIGHS]

The third party
I thought was coincidence.

Whiskey barrels.

Why kid myself? There's only
one saloon in town
and Stewart owns that one.

You want me to show you
the place where the Comanches
get the rifles?

Deer probably.

Don't blame you
for being jumpy.

Never could
come through here
without looking back.

Great place
for an ambush.

Yeah, come to
think of it.

Well, now we're stopped,
might as well have a smoke.

We got a long ride
for ourselves.

You can smoke later.

Take it easy, friend.
You don't think
I'm leading you

anywhere you ain't
coming back from,
do you?

Nobody could
take a shot at you here
without getting me.

I said smoke later!

Take it calm.

Why, I'd have
to drive my heels
into this old haybag

to give whoever it was
a clear shot.

Like this!

Granger?
[ECHOING]

GUNMAN: Granger?

How bad you hit? I'm dead.

[GUNSHOT]

We don't want
to kill ya.

Throw out your gun
and we'll talk.

Like you did with Dennison?

It's a pretty rough
conversation. [GUNSHOT]

That the best
you can do, Blaney?

Some sheriff.

All that lard you're packing
around... You're gonna be
my favorite target.

GUNMAN: Granger,
don't be a fool.
Throw out your gun.

Why do you want to die
for the railroad company?

They never gave
anybody anything.

After 25 years
you'll get a pat on the back

and a gold watch.

All right.

There's my gun.

Come on up and help me.

I'm bleeding bad.

Well, fancy that.

You must have
a lot of faith
in human nature, friend.

Our company don't even
give fake watches.

[GRUNTS]

[GRUNTS]

BLANEY: All right, Granger,

I hate to do it,
but I ain't got no choice.

Pull it.

It won't go off
by itself.

I'll give you a minute.
You may want to pray.

Pull it!

Having trouble,
aren't you, Blaney?

But I know your kind.

You'll pull that trigger
even if it takes all day.

And afterwards

you'll go over
behind the rocks

and vomit.

And you'll hate yourself

even worse
than you do now.

But it'll stick with you.

And your wife...

She'll wonder
what's wrong with you.

But you won't
be able to tell her.

And every day
this'll happen...

Over again.

Shut up, Granger. Pray.

For you, this is it.

I'm gonna put out your lights
in a second.

It takes nerve to shoot
an unarmed man, Blaney.

[LABORED BREATHING]

I'm beginning to think
it's a toss-up...

Whether you're even a man.

Pull it.

Dear me, I'm getting
quite good at this.

That only took about
five minutes.

When he comes to,
will you tell him
he owes me 50 cents?

You think
he'll be all right? Oh, of course.

He's lost a great deal
of blood, but he's built
like a ton of bricks.

Well, I must run, ladies.

The Sheriff
caught me in the middle
of a fascinating autopsy.

I wonder who did it.

I couldn't get anything
out of old fat stuff.

He just brought him in,
laid him down
and went out again.

Fine sheriff we got.
He looked sicker than Ross.

I think he's coming to.

You mustn't move.

Maybe I won't have to.

Where's Stewart? He'll be in.

You stay put.
You've been through
the mill, friend.

Ross, you've got
to tell us
what happened.

The sheriff wouldn't
spill a thing.

The man who shot
your father was Jason.

A little while ago
I killed him.

How are ya feeling, Ross?

You're under arrest,
Stewart.

What's the matter with him?
Has loss of blood
affected his mind?

I don't know.

I wasn't sent out here
just to tap out
telegraph messages.

I came to check on
the Indian raids.

Something about them
didn't add up to feathers.

Del here's been needling
the local tribes

then supplying them
with repeating rifles.

Really, this is getting
too rich for my blood.

Del's a gambler
and I have an idea

that his wheel
in there is educated.

But he's no renegade
and he don't mix in murder.

All right, baby,
thanks for the references.

And for your information,
the wheel is honest.

Time you got
back to work.

What would be
his percentage?

Comanches pay off
in dried toads
or something.

Beat it, Jessie.

Ross, please,
I don't understand
any of this.

That makes two of us.

All right,
then I'll tell you.

Del, Jason,

Broden and the Sheriff
were all in
on a big land swindle.

Get the railroad
to come into town
and triple their price.

The rifles he was
giving the Comanches,

they were coming in
in whiskey barrels.

Let's go to your warehouse,
Stewart, I want to see
those whiskey barrels.

Why not?
Let's humor the mad man.

Afterward,
we'll have dinner.

Uh, you better put on
your shirt.

You know, Ann,
I'd find this whole
thing more amusing

if you weren't
taking it seriously.

I'm sorry, Del.
Frankly, I don't know
what to think.

Do you think I'm capable
of a thing like that?

Yes. Open the door, Del.

Let's not turn this
into a debate.

This is it.
You'll find the whiskey
in the whiskey barrels,

the beer in the beer barrels.
And when you've
satisfied yourself,

I'll expect an apology.

I'll expect an apology
from you too.

What's got into you?

I don't know.
Del, I'm sorry
for what I said.

I had such a strange
feeling all of a sudden.

[HAMMERING] Oh, it's the shock, dear.

You haven't been the same
since your father died.

Ann, let's stop
all this foolishness.

I'll get Weeks to marry us
in the morning

and we'll go back east
for a couple of months.

No, Del. Well, why not?

Just no.

Surely you don't
believe all this?

I don't love you, Del.

The whiskey barrels are full
of whiskey and the beer
barrels are full of beer.

Lock the door
when you're finished.

And when you're ready
to apologize, you know
where to find me.

I made a mistake.
Have you?

No.

We still have
one whiskey barrel
to check.

Come on.

They made sure
the last whiskey barrel
was empty.

I don't have to ask you
why you've come back.

In spite of the way you
felt about Connors and my dad,
I know that's not the reason.

After taking my dad
to the cemetery, I made up
my mind to leave here.

Now I'm ashamed of it.

Everything he wanted,
everything he worked
so hard for,

everything he was
is right here

and lies unfinished.

What you are,
what you've worked for

is right here too,

and that's why
you've come back.

I know that every
foot of track has meant
suffering for somebody.

But when the work's done,
these same tracks

will bring your wives
and your children to you

and your food
and your goods. [WAGON APPROACHING]

And then you'll know
you haven't just
built a railroad,

but that you've built
your future.

ROSS:
You heard what the lady said.
Let's get the job finished.

Each man'll draw a gun
and keep it near him
at all times.

We're gonna push
those tracks right through
that mountain pass

and no man red or white
is going to stop us.

We'll go along
with you on that, Ross.

Come on, let's get started.
What are we waiting for?MAN: Just a minute.

Just a minute!
None of you know me,

but my name is Perkins,

and I happen to be your new
chief of construction.

These are my credentials
if anyone wishes
to examine them.

[MUTTERING] I've been given
explicit orders

by the company to abandon
the present route
through Boulder Pass.

Economically,
the entire project has
been a complete failure.

Men have been attacked
by Indians,

valuable equipment
has been sabotaged,

and time has been lost.

This is what
we're going to do.

We're going to rip up
all of the track this side
of the crossroad

and swing around so as
to pass through Oaktown.

I'm afraid there's no more
champagne, Mr. Stewart.

There must be.
You just didn't look
in the right place.

Where would that be?

A party came in here
last night and drank
six bottles of it.

There's some
behind the bar.
That party last night...

After the third bottle,
they was drinking sauterne.

[LAUGHTER]Well, they had a good time.

Say, but what are we
celebrating today?
Leap year?

Christmas, honey.
Santa Claus came down
the chimney.

Yeah, and he's gonna
fill our stockings
right to the top.

Of course we'll
have to give Santa
a little kickback.

I don't get it.

Never mind, baby,
there'll be a candy cane
in it for you.

What's keeping him
so long?

You don't suppose
there's gonna be
any trouble, do you?

Relax,
you'll live longer.

There he is now.

There was no argument?

You can pour me a glass.

The occasion is appropriate.
We begin ripping up the track
tomorrow

and by this time next week,
Oaktown will have a railroad.

That noise you heard
was me quitting
my bartending job.

Yeah, but what about
the Comanches?

You're gonna have to
ride out and call them off.

You know what you can do
with that candy cane?

Give it back
to Santa Claus.

You fool!

Saddle my horse
and meet me out front.

Take your hands off me
or I'll have to
take another bath.

Jessie, honey,
what you heard,

you're drawing
the wrong conclusions. I'll bet.

Come on into my office.
I'll explain everything.

I don't like
being pushed.

And I'll save you
the trouble of
thinking up lies.

Everything Granger
said about you was true.
It adds up.

So? Stop adding.

Close your little
bookkeeping mind.
It's too neat.

It doesn't go
with the rest of you.

I'm through with Ann, baby.

She's a puritan.
She creaks when she walks.

I'm not interested
in her habits.

For all I care she can
have morals that stretch
like rubber bands.

You're wasting time.
The furnace is stone cold.

It won't work, Del.
Not anymore.

You've played me
for a sucker
for the last time.

I always knew
you were a louse,
but it didn't matter.

I loved you.

And the pity of it is

way down deep inside,
I guess I always will.

Jessie, it's not like you
to be squeamish about things.

You've been around
long enough to know that
when big money's involved

people are bound to get hurt.

Why don't you forget about
the whole thing, baby?

Would it help your
feelings any if I asked
you to marry me?

I waited a long time
to hear you say that.

But I'll tell you again, Del.
I guess you didn't hear.

You're wasting time

and you haven't got
much of it left.

What do you mean?

You're sick

and the only cure
for that is hanging.

I'm going to
turn you in, Del.

Don't make me laugh.

You won't.

You mean...

You won't, Jessie,

ever again.

[GUNSHOT]

[PLAYING LOUDER]

Mr. Perkins, you've had
a long trip today,

you better go back
to the hotel and rest.

We don't want anything
to happen to you.

Everything all right?

Certainly.

Come with me.

Jess, for the love of...

I'll let you know
later, chum.

I'll send you a postcard
if I get there.

I'll get old Weeks.
He'll fix you up right away.

Not unless he's been
hoarding spare parts.

Listen, Gus,

do me a favor,
will you?

Sure, Jess, anything.
You name it.

You know this guy Granger? The telegraph fella?

Yeah. Ride out there
in the railroad camp

and... And tell him that...

Tell him that... Yeah, Jessie?

Tell him what?

That new boss, Perkins,

is in Del's pocket.

All right, I'll tell him.
I'll tell him right away.

Now can I get Weeks?

Yeah,

but make sure
he brings his shovel.

All right, this'll be
spit in the ocean.

I'd rather
spit in my hands
and get to work.

How long
do we aim to wait?

Till we get an answer
to Granger's message.

The time they're taking,
they could deliver it
in person.

Ross?

Yeah?

What'll you do
when the answer comes,
if they back Perkins?

I don't know.
Nothing, I guess.

The decision
isn't up to me.

Nobody's going to tell me
to lay off of Stewart.

I'm the one
who should be bitter.

Strange, but...

I can't even remember
what it was I felt
for him.

Oh, I remember,

but it's as if it happened
to someone else...

A stranger.

At least you're not confused.

If I were a father,

I'd chain my daughters
in the cellar
until they were 30.

[LAUGHS]
And your sons?

Don't be silly.
How could I have any sons?
I'm not married.

Ross? Yeah?

I wondered if you were. If I were what?

Married.

If that message
doesn't come soon,

the only safe place
for me will be out
with the Comanches.

[HORSE GALLOPING]

Whoa.

I don't see
why I had to come along.

You were doing
very nicely with
the Comanches by yourself.

Exactly.

Yes, but I don't get it.

Well, it's simple, Broden.
Not that I anticipate
any trouble,

but if there's ever
any inquiry about secret
dealings with the Indians,

I won't be
the only goat.

Keep calm.
And if you want to live,

for the love of Mike,
don't reach for a gun.

I seek Dark Thunder.
Why is he not here?

[SPEAKING OTHER LANGUAGE]

What'd he say?

I don't know.

Lead us
to Dark Thunder!

Let's go.

I guess I'm the only one
they'll let through.

Relax, I'll be back
as soon as I can.

Relax?

The white eye
is unwelcome here.
Does he bring rifles?

He brings
something better.

He brings Dark Thunder
good news.

When he comes, he's always
accompanied by death.

Not this time.
I come to tell you
the railroad is broken.

It retreats
from your territory.

There will be no more death
among your people.

The white eye speaks
with the tongue of the crow...

Noise which means nothing.

The railroad at this moment

approaches the sacred hill
where my firstborn is buried.

The attack must begin at once.

And it is my command that
every white eye will die.

I make no exceptions.

What you say isn't possible.

The order to tear up the track
has already been given.

Come!

Look!

There must be
some mistake.

Every white eye will die.

Surely not those who have
come to you in peace?

Myself, my friends?

[SPEAKING OTHER LANGUAGE]

Your friends are already dead.
You, I will kill myself...

After you have watched
every white eye die.

MAN: Look, Comanches!

[WHOOPING]

[YELLING]

I've got to get you
to a safe place.
Come on.

There isn't any safe place.

Anyway,
I'm staying with you.

O'Brian, McGruder, come on.

[WHOOPING]

[GUNSHOTS]

[GUNSHOTS]

[SPEAKING OTHER LANGUAGE]

[GRUNTING]

[GUNSHOT]

[GUNSHOT]

[GUNSHOT]

Give up, Stewart.

Maybe a lawyer could prove
you did all this
in your sleep.

All right.

Take me.

Del?

Yeah?

Hardest thing
I ever had to do.

I kept remembering
that wine cellar in Virginia.

Found this
on the ground.
Is it yours?

ROSS: No, it was his.

Keep it.
It won't help him
where he's going.