Buck and the Preacher (1972) - full transcript
After the American Civil War, many freed slaves head out West in search of free land and a better life. Former slave and Union Army sergeant Buck becomes a self-employed wagon master to wagon trains of freed slaves heading West. Buck knows the region well and he charges fair wages from the wagon trains employing him. He also has a working relationship with the local Indian tribes that charge trespassing fees from the wagon trains heading West across Indian lands. In return, they allow the settlers to move across Indian territory unhindered and to hunt a few buffalo needed to feed the wagon train settlers. However, not everyone in the region is friendly toward the black settlers traveling West. Owners of Southern plantations, dismayed by the loss of slave manpower that previously worked the plantations for free, hire band of white rogues and outlaws to prevent former black slaves from going West. In order to achieve this aim, the hired bands of rogues attack wagon trains and destroy the wagons, the supplies and the food resources of the former slaves. They threaten the black settlers with harm and they tell them to return to the Southern states where they came from and work the plantations. Wagon master Buck encourages the freed slaves to continue their trek westward and to not give up their dream of settling in the West. Knowing this, the band of rogues led by DeShay plans to capture and kill Buck. The DeShay gang sets up ambushes and traps but Buck always manages to avoid capture. The gang resides in the town of Copper Springs where the sheriff, an honest man, doesn't agree with the gang's ruthless tactics against wagon trains of freed slaves. Chased by the DeShay bunch, wagon master Buck and his tired horse arrive at a river where a black preacher, Reverend Willis Oakes Rutherford, is bathing. A desperate Buck switches horses with the preacher, against the man's will, and rides off to meet his wagon train. The preacher heads to Copper Springs where he bumps into DeShay's gang. Recognising Buck's horse, the gang interrogates the preacher about Buck's whereabouts. DeShay promises a 500 dollar reward to the preacher if the preacher finds Buck and captures or kills him. DeShay also instructs the preacher to convince all black settlers to turn back east toward the Southern plantations and abandon their trek Westward. The preacher agrees with DeShay and leaves town. Outside town he meets a wagon train formed of freed slaves and led by none other than Buck. After an angry exchange between the preacher and Buck, the preacher joins the wagon train. During the following days of travel, the preacher notices that all the money of the wagon train is kept in a money belt carried by one of the women around her waist. A few days later, a distrustful Buck orders the preacher to leave the wagon train and he himself rides away to scout the area and to pay in cash a right of passage to the local Indian tribe in behalf of the trespassing wagon train. The preacher follows Buck and he witnesses the payment made by Buck to the Indian chief for safe passage of the settlers. When Buck, followed by the preacher, returns to the wagon train, a gruesome scene awaits. DeShay's gang attacked the wagon train, stole the settlers' money, destroyed their food and supplies and even killed a few settlers. Heartbroken, the surviving settlers want to turn back but Buck encourages them to go on. Angry at the devastation, Buck and the preacher decide to ride to the town of Copper Springs and exact revenge on DeShay's gang and also try to retrieve the money DeShay stole from the black settlers. There only are two against many but Buck and the preacher are determined to do it.
* BUCK AND THE PREACHER *
"The Civil War was over
anda by law the slaves
were freed.
"But when the promise of land
freedom was not honored,
many ex-slaves journeyed
out of the land
of bondage in search
of new frontiers
where they could be
free at last.
"They placed their hopes
in the hands of the few black
wagonmasters that knew
the territories of the West".
None of this came easy,
to overcome a hostile
wilderness, but nightriders
and bounty hunters were
hired by
by "persons unknown"
to hunt them down and turn
them back to the fields.
This picture is dedicated
to those man,
women and children
who lie in graves
as unmarked as their place
in history.
The 1000 acres, from this tree
to the river, are yours.
Here you have it, put it away.
Do you want to stay a while?
We would like that very much.
Thank you.
Very lucky.
Now you will hear me.
You come from Louisiana,
right?
Well, then you have
to harvest the cotton
and plant sugar cane.
Good jobs for the people,
who are with you.
Born there, you will die there
This site is not for you.
You couldn't stand a winter.
There is nothing for you!
No farms, no cattle, nothing!
You must come back.
I'ts understood?
Hey you.
Come here.
Where's Buck?
I am looking for the head
of the expedition, a certain Buck.
I dont know.
We don't know any Buck.
He brought you here, didn't he?
Well, where is he?
Where did you hide it?
Where is he?
The man who brought us
was not called that.
I do not know him.
I will find this Buck.
Be careful.
Now do as I say.
Get out and wave to that man.
If you try to deceive me,
I will destroy everything here.
Understood
By horse. Floyd!
Fast!
Hey, what do you want!
I need your horse
I understand.
I give you 20 dollars.
It's a good price.
But I don't sell horses,
brother.
I Have hurry.
Believe me,
I wish I could help you, but...
Don't make me accept.
How to get?
Quiet.
I can't put on, my pants?
Or do you need them too?
I just wanted to get my boots.
You are eating my rabbit!
What are you doing here?
Dressing me up, don't you see?
You will accept?
Take off those clothes.
Wait, bro! Remove!
You forgot coffee!
There are two mountains,
pointing to the sky.
Beyond, a green valley
with lots of clean water.
I can see him.
He's there and his name
is Colorado.
You must not go back.
But,
this valley will be our home.
Let's move on.
Very well.
Thieves attacked people
here two weeks ago.
Then they set a train on fire,
believing I was getting on.
This way.
Then they went to Smith Country,
on the banks of Clayton Pond.
Now they come here.
You have to go tonight.
Hey boy.
Can you bring me
a bottle of whiskey?
Why don't you come
in and have it? Face...
Good whiskey should be
drunk outdoors.
Anyway,
my heart longs to find,
my race brothers.
Where are the blacks?
Where you live?
With my mother, at Mr. Logan's.
10 miles from here.
Do people of color live there?
No, we are passing through.
We do the harvest.
Toby! Toby!
Whiskey, son.
40 cents,
the bottle and the money.
How did you get that, horse?
So? I met him by the river.
And where is the man,
who was riding him?
I dont know.
Tell me, don't you know?
One comes and goes
and the desert erases the tracks.
Only God can know.
I'm not in the mood for jokes.
There is no one here.
Where's Buck?
Buck, is that his name?
Where is it?
Sir!
I am looking for that miserable
bastard who is also a sinner.
When I find him,
he'll find out who I am.
How did you get that horse?
I told you, on the river.
That bastard stole mine.
It's a lie!
As if God were my judge.
I swear on the Bible!
Why are you here?
Same as you: fighting sin.
Following the Lord's way.
I heard,
we'll have to find Buck.
We have to find him.
If you see him,
tell us where he is.
There is a $ 500 reward for you.
Will you remember well?
500 dollars.
This looks great. Hmm!...
And how do you prefer it,
alive or dead?
Whatever!
And if you look for it,
I find it, tell me,
How can I find you?
In Copper Springs.
Ask for Deshay.
Deshay, Mr. Deshay.
He is a preacher,
who is spreading,
the word of the Lord,
to the people in these places?
Yes sir.
The need to hear the sacred word
is the same for everyone.
The best advice you can give
them is to come back...
and come home.
Yes sir,
turn around and go home.
Hey boy!
What a beautiful afternoon?
Yes sir.
Are you coming home
No snhor, I sleep at the bar.
Oh! The harvest is over
and we?ll eat roast pork
and chicken.
That's nice.
Who is your preacher?
We have none.
And who thanks the Lord?
Uncle Cudjo, but he's more
of a sorcerer than a preacher.
I understand.
Hey, do you want me
to accompany you on horseback?
I said on horseback.
Who's coming with Toby?
My blessings,
in the name of the Lord.
I?m Reverend
Willis Oakes Rutherford,
of the Holy Church,
of Persuasion.
Where are you from,
reverend?
Santo Lacard, Mississippi.
Where you go?
The Lord's green lands are vast
And there's nowhere where
I don't go with my mission
Today I am here
and tomorrow, there.
Ah, where are you from?
We are from Santa Ana Parish,
Louisiana.
Ah...
My name is Kingston.
Delighted, Brother Kingston.
Well, well, preacher.
Be welcome.
They have come a long way.
And we go even further.
Ah, I am very happy to find
a Christian congregation.
Yes, if you allow me...
After eating something,
I would like to offer a prayer,
because they are lucky to be
in this wonderful land,
created by the Lord.
How did you find me?
I asked your horse.
Do not worry.
What are you looking for?
My horse.
Among other things.
Well, I got your horse.
What are you doing around here?
Spread the word of the Gospel.
Are you a preacher?
Yes.
Reverend Willis Oakes Rutherford,
of the Holy Church
of Persuasion.
Well, you can have dinner
here, Reverend.
We are at peace for the rabbit.
Get some rest and then go.
Buck ...
50, 60, 70, 80,
90, 400, 410 and 420.
Four mules and a pig stick.
I hope you are happy.
Yes, sir, everything is fine.
If your people want to stay here
and plant another crop,
we can do the same deal.
No, we had better go,
but we are very grateful, sir.
Very well. Come on.
Come on.
C'mon C'mon!
Hayah! Oh, oh...
Which path are you taking,
preacher?
The truth is,
I haven't decided yet.
You have three possibilities.
Ah yes?
East, North or South.
And the West? Let?s go.
Well, this is too big.
If we agree,
we won't get in the way.
You have your horse
back so don't be lucky.
Tell me, Buck, what do you have
against me? Nothing.
How crazy to leave
a weasel in a chicken coop.
I know a man from the East,
you are not good enough to work.
I already said that I am not from
the East, I am a preacher.
Well, okay.
I think I thought better of it,
in the west.
Goodbye, brothers. Hey.
Hey. May the Lord be with
you, amen.
Hayah, hayah!...
Today you must put
double surveillance. Yes.
I'll be back tomorrow at sunset,
with the women!
You will find the wells with
the map. Yes, I've seen it.
Indians!
Buck, the Indians are coming!
What the hell are you doing?
Get off the horse.
Did you see what's behind?
Get down.
Don't tell me
you are going to pray.
Preacher, don't lose your cool
and keep your mouth shut.
My God.
Lord have mercy.
If you don't stand still,
they will kill you.
Sinsie. Couples.
Are you well? Yes.
All right? More or less.
What do you want, sergeant?
A caravan is coming this way.
40 people not counting,
children.
What kind of people?
Black.
I want them to reach
the sources safely,
on the Pecos coast.
You have five days to do this.
Impossible, they have
sick horses and old mules.
Five days.
It's ok. Ten dollars each.
I thought there were six.
Eight days! Eight.
They have to live all winter
and feed their children.
Let's say children
are not worth eight.
Eight. Children, nothing.
They will need food.
I would kill three buffalo.
A buffalo.
My husband says that with
two buffalo it is better.
Thank you, Sinsie.
Brother,
you are good for everything.
How do you get along
with the Indians?
Why do you follow me?
Me?
I'm lost.
And I thank God,
for finding you.
If not, I would have died,
like a coyote.
Toby! Toby!
My God.
Carefully.
Like this.
Excuse! It's all over.
Take it easy.
Traed gave me water.
The money is gone, my $ 14,000.
How are we going to live
all winter without food or seeds?
We have nothing to do,
we will have to go back.
Ben, Susana, Tom Cooper.
Joseph...
Rachel's son, Toby.
All dead.
But the valley awaits us...
green and cozy.
It's there.
We will continue.
We have no provisions
and no food.
We will not be able
to resist winter.
We will die in the snow.
No, you will not die
in the snow.
Do we move on?
Yes.
And what are we waiting for?
We have no money to pay,
what we owe you.
Does not matter.
You paid what is necessary to pass
through the region of the Indians.
You must cross the river,
to the north.
You have five days to do this.
Let's meet up near
the river, Ben.
You have nothing
to do here, boy.
You can come or go,
I don't care.
Have you heard
of Copper Springs
and one called Deshay?
I do not?
I arrested your horse
in the Frenchman's Ford.
They asked me
very strange questions.
Now I know why.
Copper Springs? I heard them
say they were going there.
I remember each of their faces.
Deshay, wait a minute.
What is it, Sheriff?
I want to talk to you.
Great.
Floyd, bring me a brandy.
I know that you
attacked some caravans.
We just had a chat with them.
Now listen,
what am I going to tell you.
You cannot shoot or burn
in this city
as long as I enforce the law.
And that goes for people
of color and others.
I came to get my mail
and have fun, nothing more.
It doesn't matter, I repeat.
These people are free,
to come and go, that is the law.
Sheriff...
are there any formal complaints
against me and my men?
Listen, we act in good faith
when dealing with these people.
I think we always behave
well, in Louisiana
We never gave reasons
for people to speak ill of us.
You know that very well,
Sheriff.
I don't care what you do,
but this is not Louisiana.
And now, be careful here.
Are they. Deshay is
the one wearing the hat.
There are only eight.
Yes, the other two are
in the room.
Do you want to fuck
all eight at once?
Five. Three of them
are very busy up there.
But they won't always be
there, I know.
I have to catch them off guard.
Let me talk to them.
Then you will take
them by surprise.
My blessings, for this house.
I am the reverend,
of the Holy Church of Persuasion.
What the hell are
you doing here?
Do you remember
that we met before, sir?
It's the preacher.
Yes brother.
I run a serious home,
not a gaming house like. Shut up.
What you want?
Good...
do you remember
who was interested
for some unscrupulous trickster,
a guy named Buck?
Do you know where is it?
They have eyes and don't
see until they are opened!
I'm not in the mood for jokes.
Oh, I'm not kidding, sir.
But, if I'm not mistaken,
a value was mentioned,
Ah, $ 500 to be exact.
Where?
Although it slides like a shadow,
I will take up to 500 dollars.
I'm not arguing with you.
Tell us where he is.
Are you interested in my money?
Get him out of my house,
I have to take care of my prestige.
You are like that woman,
Jezebel,
who believed, to be a prophetess
to teach and lead my
servants to sin!
Revelation, chapter two.
Do you want to expel
him from here?
He's a preacher.
You said that, brother!
I'm preaching.
And anyone who sins is
against his own body.
Corinthians one.
It's you, Esther.
It's you, Esther.
Sin is the way, to ruin!
What a desolation,
what a terrible desolation.
Shut up!
Hey, reverend!
You better not be distracted,
I'm preaching.
The poor man sins.
However, there is time to sin.
Come on!
I'm Buck.
I put my faith, in the Bible.
Ah!
There are no more than
100 dollars here!
Here are 30.
Ah!...
Where's the money!
Come on, say it! No!...
Where is it?!
Let's talk! Where is it?
Come on, Buck, we have to go.
Go ahead, preacher.
Help us, Lord.
Do you want to hurry up?
What they?re trying,
They know very well where I am going,
they?ve been there before.
157 dollars.
They spent drinking
and they hid more than
1000 dollars.
Just for the drink.
They didn't even have my $ 500.
Which 500 dollars?
Those who were going to give me up,
for giving up on you.
Well, I'm here.
And they are dead.
Hayah! Yes.
Buck, motherfucker!...
It's ok?
I went to aunt's house...
Did they hurt you?
They just hit me on the head.
They hurt the people,
from Parroquia de Santa Ana.
They killed some and burned
everything there.
You can rest well.
I have no time.
I didn't know
if you were still alive.
I couldn't go back
if they were waiting for me.
I know I know.
The horses are well tied.
This is Ruth.
And this is the preacher.
Your servant, lady.
Thank you, for me.
Where can we get horses here?
Aunt Pennybegger yes.
It is very reliable.
How many do you need?
At least one for you.
You come too. They were here
and can come back.
Are they still chasing you?
Not all, some are dead.
Eight to be exact.
Are we going north?
To Canada?
It's not possible.
Not yet. And why not?
Where will we go?
You did what you could
in the country and you were shot.
I'm not going to live
here anymore, do you hear me?
The war has not changed anyone.
It is like a poison that
has penetrated the depths.
They give us nothing
not a few pieces of land,
or mules.
Not even freedom.
Yes, it is a poison,
which has penetrated deep.
The weather has changed
you know.
I don't want to spend my life
doing other people's clothes.
I want to live with you, Buck,
I have a right to that.
I want to have your children
and educate them, somewhere
where there is no slavery.
I want to sew, do my homework
and take care of my family,
until God, give me strength.
I want to go somewhere
else with you, Buck.
And I want to have
your children,
but I don't want
to have them here.
That's why I'm going,
to another place.
I don't know if they want us
in Canada.
But I will go to the end
of the world and continue.
The people of the Parroquia
de Santa Ana...
go there and have
no food or seeds.
And they will starve
when winter comes.
Buck, dear, you're just a man.
But say my word.
Go, spend it.
I will find the horses.
What is on your mind?
Are you worried
about the massacre?
Do not.
He had killed before.
Now I confess,
I don't know what to do.
I think they'll get me.
The leaders did not do so,
with slavery
nor the rebels during
the war, however...
I think...
This will end up catching me.
Is weird.
When it gets dark.
It seems that
the hope of failing
You will continue to fight,
the best you can.
It seems that there
is no other way.
I love you, Buck.
Where did you get that gun?
In Windsmith, Reverend.
And where did you get
that curious Bible?
Well, it's an inheritance.
Before the war,
when I was a child,
my mother and I were sold
to a preacher.
When he was drunk,
he helped him to go to bed.
We travel,
through these worlds of God
and he preached the end
of the world.
And always the same.
He hit my mom once.
I never forgot that.
He once sent me, to the city...
for a bottle of whiskey.
I was 16 when I drank whiskey.
When I returned,
my mother was gone.
It sold for a few dollars.
That night he got drunk
And he said, "Boy, lay me down".
I took him to the corral,
where there was a lime pit and...
I left it there, of course.
Of course,
I put some flowers around.
As he had no relatives,
I took the car, the horse,
the preacher's suit
and this Bible.
Where will you get it,
the money?
I dont know.
If it were me,
I would look for the money,
where it is kept.
In a bank. For example.
In other words, we go
to a bank and take the money.
That's right, brother.
And I know a place.
There is no sheriff or commissioner
and there are almost no people.
They are all in the mountains,
looking for gold.
You're crazy, Krieser!
Yes.
What do you want, boy?
If you make the slightest noise,
you will not speak again.
We are running out of time.
What's in this box?
What's in this box?
It is a remittance, from
the United States Government.
A shipment of what?
Of what!
Gold.
Gold.
God help us, brother.
Come on!
Where is the money?
There is nothing.
I already sent the money
to the bank.
Do you want to leave this?
There is gold!
You heard? Gold!
You cannot carry it,
on the horse.
The key.
There must be a key.
It's in Texas,
they ship separately.
He's telling the truth.
There must be money in the accounts.
I'll ask you the last time:
where is the money?
I told him.
In the bank.
I sent it over there.
Do you think so?
I wonder,
if not, we?ve lost all morning.
Psst!...
People are arriving
and the Sheriff, with them.
Let's get out of here.
Preacher.
I'm going, to that bank.
But that bank is up
front, the Sheriff's.
I know, but there is,
a lot of money there.
And so we will not have
wasted the morning.
Now you?re crazy.
Good morning, Miss. Esther.
How are you doing?
Something better, thanks.
It is not very easy to forget,
but life goes on.
My money is good!
Money always is.
I won it.
It is the profit of all my work.
Someone gave me bank
notes from Ohio.
Will I be able
to receive 3% interest?
It is a steal.
We were robbed!
Help!
If they are going to escape us.
Yes.
Quiet.
If you fire that rifle,
you're dead.
Will you be sacking?
"remember the caravan, which
you fired three months ago"? Yes.
They never came back.
I wonder if they are going
to meet them.
He says he won't fight,
for you.
I understand.
Tell him that I need to pass,
for my people.
They need supplies.
I can buy them. Dried meat,
everything you can sell me,
horses,
gunpowder and ammunition.
Five horses.
Without gunpowder.
No rifles.
Ask him again.
Tell him,
tell him that we are brothers.
He won't give you rifles,
it's hard to get them.
Food. Beef.
Flour. Wheat.
Do not ask for more.
He stopped that gang
because he gave you a word,
to let your people
go healthy and safe.
You won't do more.
Ask him again.
Tell him what they're
looking for, a land to live in
and that they will fight to make
way because they cannot go back.
Before the white man,
my father and grandfather
hunted buffalo,
they raised horses.
And they took their women
close to the Fox River
through the grass land.
Now we are divided, forever.
Now we have our backs
to Snow Mountain.
And the white man sends soldiers,
to finish us off.
Tomorrow we will be,
like ghosts,
like spirits that appear,
in dreams without land to live.
But we will fight.
We will fight ten times,
ten years,
and our children's children,
will continue to fight.
We need rifles and ammunition
for our fight.
Tell him that your enemies
are our enemies.
He says his black people fought,
alongside the enemy
against our people.
There are no more in the Army.
He said that, Buck.
No rifles... no bullets.
1800 dollars is your part.
For what we received,
we thank the Lord. Amen.
I go back east, to Illinois.
I'm going to buy myself
a big tent
and organize the largest
congregation
since King Solomon preached
to his people.
And you, brother,
you already have a good woman.
Take the money
and do what she says.
You may want to go
to Canada.
Okay brother, a question:
How do I get out of here?
To Illinois?
There are two ways.
Go back to where we came from
and continue to Canada.
There are armed men waiting there.
Yes, it is so.
What is the other way?
Go west through Pecos through
the mountains,
we will continue, to the north,
in another territory.
And go around to Canada.
How long does it take?
All winter. All winter.
What are the chances
that they won't see me?
Not many.
You know what?
When I saw you eating my roast.
I would have crushed
you against the rocks.
Buck! Buck!
The explorers have arrived.
These people did not turn around.
They followed the caravan.
How far from it?
A day on horseback from
the great river.
Ask him how long it would take us
to reach them on horseback.
Maybe two days.
He says he'll give you days,
to take you through the mountains
Remember,
they will not fight for you.
I know.
Well... it seems to me that it
is the shortest path of course.
I will try to overcome this
and take a chance.
Brother...
has done a lot for those people,
from Santa Ana Parish,
more than one person can do.
Why do you want to die
for them?
What happened, did they block,
the shortest path?
If you find them,
they will find them before sunset.
Come on, finish,
with that caravan.
They were not against the law.
They will return to their land.
What is it, boy?
What do you have against them?
Is it on your side?
Won't you end that crowd?
They killed Deshay
and robbed the bank.
They do not.
It was Buck and his friend,
and I'm going to find them.
But don't you understand?
I have to take them, no matter what.
If we let them get away now,
we will have lost everything.
We will continue to act as before.
You have to keep things
in place
and you have 16 men
down there. 16
If you leave me in half,
I will finish this matter.
As long as it depends on me,
this caravan goes wherever it wants.
And if you do something against
these poor people,
I'm taking you to Cooper Springs
on your horse.
Where's Ollie?
Upwards covering the passage.
He entrusts
you with this mission. Yes?
He'll let us know
if he sees Buck.
What do you want us to do?
Attacks the caravan.
Well, if that's what you said...
Come on!
You have to take this for them.
What are you going to do?
Go with the caravan.
But...
I'll be back later.
Here, stay with him.
On the other side!
Guys, we have to stop
your withdrawal!
I ran!
"The Civil War was over
anda by law the slaves
were freed.
"But when the promise of land
freedom was not honored,
many ex-slaves journeyed
out of the land
of bondage in search
of new frontiers
where they could be
free at last.
"They placed their hopes
in the hands of the few black
wagonmasters that knew
the territories of the West".
None of this came easy,
to overcome a hostile
wilderness, but nightriders
and bounty hunters were
hired by
by "persons unknown"
to hunt them down and turn
them back to the fields.
This picture is dedicated
to those man,
women and children
who lie in graves
as unmarked as their place
in history.
The 1000 acres, from this tree
to the river, are yours.
Here you have it, put it away.
Do you want to stay a while?
We would like that very much.
Thank you.
Very lucky.
Now you will hear me.
You come from Louisiana,
right?
Well, then you have
to harvest the cotton
and plant sugar cane.
Good jobs for the people,
who are with you.
Born there, you will die there
This site is not for you.
You couldn't stand a winter.
There is nothing for you!
No farms, no cattle, nothing!
You must come back.
I'ts understood?
Hey you.
Come here.
Where's Buck?
I am looking for the head
of the expedition, a certain Buck.
I dont know.
We don't know any Buck.
He brought you here, didn't he?
Well, where is he?
Where did you hide it?
Where is he?
The man who brought us
was not called that.
I do not know him.
I will find this Buck.
Be careful.
Now do as I say.
Get out and wave to that man.
If you try to deceive me,
I will destroy everything here.
Understood
By horse. Floyd!
Fast!
Hey, what do you want!
I need your horse
I understand.
I give you 20 dollars.
It's a good price.
But I don't sell horses,
brother.
I Have hurry.
Believe me,
I wish I could help you, but...
Don't make me accept.
How to get?
Quiet.
I can't put on, my pants?
Or do you need them too?
I just wanted to get my boots.
You are eating my rabbit!
What are you doing here?
Dressing me up, don't you see?
You will accept?
Take off those clothes.
Wait, bro! Remove!
You forgot coffee!
There are two mountains,
pointing to the sky.
Beyond, a green valley
with lots of clean water.
I can see him.
He's there and his name
is Colorado.
You must not go back.
But,
this valley will be our home.
Let's move on.
Very well.
Thieves attacked people
here two weeks ago.
Then they set a train on fire,
believing I was getting on.
This way.
Then they went to Smith Country,
on the banks of Clayton Pond.
Now they come here.
You have to go tonight.
Hey boy.
Can you bring me
a bottle of whiskey?
Why don't you come
in and have it? Face...
Good whiskey should be
drunk outdoors.
Anyway,
my heart longs to find,
my race brothers.
Where are the blacks?
Where you live?
With my mother, at Mr. Logan's.
10 miles from here.
Do people of color live there?
No, we are passing through.
We do the harvest.
Toby! Toby!
Whiskey, son.
40 cents,
the bottle and the money.
How did you get that, horse?
So? I met him by the river.
And where is the man,
who was riding him?
I dont know.
Tell me, don't you know?
One comes and goes
and the desert erases the tracks.
Only God can know.
I'm not in the mood for jokes.
There is no one here.
Where's Buck?
Buck, is that his name?
Where is it?
Sir!
I am looking for that miserable
bastard who is also a sinner.
When I find him,
he'll find out who I am.
How did you get that horse?
I told you, on the river.
That bastard stole mine.
It's a lie!
As if God were my judge.
I swear on the Bible!
Why are you here?
Same as you: fighting sin.
Following the Lord's way.
I heard,
we'll have to find Buck.
We have to find him.
If you see him,
tell us where he is.
There is a $ 500 reward for you.
Will you remember well?
500 dollars.
This looks great. Hmm!...
And how do you prefer it,
alive or dead?
Whatever!
And if you look for it,
I find it, tell me,
How can I find you?
In Copper Springs.
Ask for Deshay.
Deshay, Mr. Deshay.
He is a preacher,
who is spreading,
the word of the Lord,
to the people in these places?
Yes sir.
The need to hear the sacred word
is the same for everyone.
The best advice you can give
them is to come back...
and come home.
Yes sir,
turn around and go home.
Hey boy!
What a beautiful afternoon?
Yes sir.
Are you coming home
No snhor, I sleep at the bar.
Oh! The harvest is over
and we?ll eat roast pork
and chicken.
That's nice.
Who is your preacher?
We have none.
And who thanks the Lord?
Uncle Cudjo, but he's more
of a sorcerer than a preacher.
I understand.
Hey, do you want me
to accompany you on horseback?
I said on horseback.
Who's coming with Toby?
My blessings,
in the name of the Lord.
I?m Reverend
Willis Oakes Rutherford,
of the Holy Church,
of Persuasion.
Where are you from,
reverend?
Santo Lacard, Mississippi.
Where you go?
The Lord's green lands are vast
And there's nowhere where
I don't go with my mission
Today I am here
and tomorrow, there.
Ah, where are you from?
We are from Santa Ana Parish,
Louisiana.
Ah...
My name is Kingston.
Delighted, Brother Kingston.
Well, well, preacher.
Be welcome.
They have come a long way.
And we go even further.
Ah, I am very happy to find
a Christian congregation.
Yes, if you allow me...
After eating something,
I would like to offer a prayer,
because they are lucky to be
in this wonderful land,
created by the Lord.
How did you find me?
I asked your horse.
Do not worry.
What are you looking for?
My horse.
Among other things.
Well, I got your horse.
What are you doing around here?
Spread the word of the Gospel.
Are you a preacher?
Yes.
Reverend Willis Oakes Rutherford,
of the Holy Church
of Persuasion.
Well, you can have dinner
here, Reverend.
We are at peace for the rabbit.
Get some rest and then go.
Buck ...
50, 60, 70, 80,
90, 400, 410 and 420.
Four mules and a pig stick.
I hope you are happy.
Yes, sir, everything is fine.
If your people want to stay here
and plant another crop,
we can do the same deal.
No, we had better go,
but we are very grateful, sir.
Very well. Come on.
Come on.
C'mon C'mon!
Hayah! Oh, oh...
Which path are you taking,
preacher?
The truth is,
I haven't decided yet.
You have three possibilities.
Ah yes?
East, North or South.
And the West? Let?s go.
Well, this is too big.
If we agree,
we won't get in the way.
You have your horse
back so don't be lucky.
Tell me, Buck, what do you have
against me? Nothing.
How crazy to leave
a weasel in a chicken coop.
I know a man from the East,
you are not good enough to work.
I already said that I am not from
the East, I am a preacher.
Well, okay.
I think I thought better of it,
in the west.
Goodbye, brothers. Hey.
Hey. May the Lord be with
you, amen.
Hayah, hayah!...
Today you must put
double surveillance. Yes.
I'll be back tomorrow at sunset,
with the women!
You will find the wells with
the map. Yes, I've seen it.
Indians!
Buck, the Indians are coming!
What the hell are you doing?
Get off the horse.
Did you see what's behind?
Get down.
Don't tell me
you are going to pray.
Preacher, don't lose your cool
and keep your mouth shut.
My God.
Lord have mercy.
If you don't stand still,
they will kill you.
Sinsie. Couples.
Are you well? Yes.
All right? More or less.
What do you want, sergeant?
A caravan is coming this way.
40 people not counting,
children.
What kind of people?
Black.
I want them to reach
the sources safely,
on the Pecos coast.
You have five days to do this.
Impossible, they have
sick horses and old mules.
Five days.
It's ok. Ten dollars each.
I thought there were six.
Eight days! Eight.
They have to live all winter
and feed their children.
Let's say children
are not worth eight.
Eight. Children, nothing.
They will need food.
I would kill three buffalo.
A buffalo.
My husband says that with
two buffalo it is better.
Thank you, Sinsie.
Brother,
you are good for everything.
How do you get along
with the Indians?
Why do you follow me?
Me?
I'm lost.
And I thank God,
for finding you.
If not, I would have died,
like a coyote.
Toby! Toby!
My God.
Carefully.
Like this.
Excuse! It's all over.
Take it easy.
Traed gave me water.
The money is gone, my $ 14,000.
How are we going to live
all winter without food or seeds?
We have nothing to do,
we will have to go back.
Ben, Susana, Tom Cooper.
Joseph...
Rachel's son, Toby.
All dead.
But the valley awaits us...
green and cozy.
It's there.
We will continue.
We have no provisions
and no food.
We will not be able
to resist winter.
We will die in the snow.
No, you will not die
in the snow.
Do we move on?
Yes.
And what are we waiting for?
We have no money to pay,
what we owe you.
Does not matter.
You paid what is necessary to pass
through the region of the Indians.
You must cross the river,
to the north.
You have five days to do this.
Let's meet up near
the river, Ben.
You have nothing
to do here, boy.
You can come or go,
I don't care.
Have you heard
of Copper Springs
and one called Deshay?
I do not?
I arrested your horse
in the Frenchman's Ford.
They asked me
very strange questions.
Now I know why.
Copper Springs? I heard them
say they were going there.
I remember each of their faces.
Deshay, wait a minute.
What is it, Sheriff?
I want to talk to you.
Great.
Floyd, bring me a brandy.
I know that you
attacked some caravans.
We just had a chat with them.
Now listen,
what am I going to tell you.
You cannot shoot or burn
in this city
as long as I enforce the law.
And that goes for people
of color and others.
I came to get my mail
and have fun, nothing more.
It doesn't matter, I repeat.
These people are free,
to come and go, that is the law.
Sheriff...
are there any formal complaints
against me and my men?
Listen, we act in good faith
when dealing with these people.
I think we always behave
well, in Louisiana
We never gave reasons
for people to speak ill of us.
You know that very well,
Sheriff.
I don't care what you do,
but this is not Louisiana.
And now, be careful here.
Are they. Deshay is
the one wearing the hat.
There are only eight.
Yes, the other two are
in the room.
Do you want to fuck
all eight at once?
Five. Three of them
are very busy up there.
But they won't always be
there, I know.
I have to catch them off guard.
Let me talk to them.
Then you will take
them by surprise.
My blessings, for this house.
I am the reverend,
of the Holy Church of Persuasion.
What the hell are
you doing here?
Do you remember
that we met before, sir?
It's the preacher.
Yes brother.
I run a serious home,
not a gaming house like. Shut up.
What you want?
Good...
do you remember
who was interested
for some unscrupulous trickster,
a guy named Buck?
Do you know where is it?
They have eyes and don't
see until they are opened!
I'm not in the mood for jokes.
Oh, I'm not kidding, sir.
But, if I'm not mistaken,
a value was mentioned,
Ah, $ 500 to be exact.
Where?
Although it slides like a shadow,
I will take up to 500 dollars.
I'm not arguing with you.
Tell us where he is.
Are you interested in my money?
Get him out of my house,
I have to take care of my prestige.
You are like that woman,
Jezebel,
who believed, to be a prophetess
to teach and lead my
servants to sin!
Revelation, chapter two.
Do you want to expel
him from here?
He's a preacher.
You said that, brother!
I'm preaching.
And anyone who sins is
against his own body.
Corinthians one.
It's you, Esther.
It's you, Esther.
Sin is the way, to ruin!
What a desolation,
what a terrible desolation.
Shut up!
Hey, reverend!
You better not be distracted,
I'm preaching.
The poor man sins.
However, there is time to sin.
Come on!
I'm Buck.
I put my faith, in the Bible.
Ah!
There are no more than
100 dollars here!
Here are 30.
Ah!...
Where's the money!
Come on, say it! No!...
Where is it?!
Let's talk! Where is it?
Come on, Buck, we have to go.
Go ahead, preacher.
Help us, Lord.
Do you want to hurry up?
What they?re trying,
They know very well where I am going,
they?ve been there before.
157 dollars.
They spent drinking
and they hid more than
1000 dollars.
Just for the drink.
They didn't even have my $ 500.
Which 500 dollars?
Those who were going to give me up,
for giving up on you.
Well, I'm here.
And they are dead.
Hayah! Yes.
Buck, motherfucker!...
It's ok?
I went to aunt's house...
Did they hurt you?
They just hit me on the head.
They hurt the people,
from Parroquia de Santa Ana.
They killed some and burned
everything there.
You can rest well.
I have no time.
I didn't know
if you were still alive.
I couldn't go back
if they were waiting for me.
I know I know.
The horses are well tied.
This is Ruth.
And this is the preacher.
Your servant, lady.
Thank you, for me.
Where can we get horses here?
Aunt Pennybegger yes.
It is very reliable.
How many do you need?
At least one for you.
You come too. They were here
and can come back.
Are they still chasing you?
Not all, some are dead.
Eight to be exact.
Are we going north?
To Canada?
It's not possible.
Not yet. And why not?
Where will we go?
You did what you could
in the country and you were shot.
I'm not going to live
here anymore, do you hear me?
The war has not changed anyone.
It is like a poison that
has penetrated the depths.
They give us nothing
not a few pieces of land,
or mules.
Not even freedom.
Yes, it is a poison,
which has penetrated deep.
The weather has changed
you know.
I don't want to spend my life
doing other people's clothes.
I want to live with you, Buck,
I have a right to that.
I want to have your children
and educate them, somewhere
where there is no slavery.
I want to sew, do my homework
and take care of my family,
until God, give me strength.
I want to go somewhere
else with you, Buck.
And I want to have
your children,
but I don't want
to have them here.
That's why I'm going,
to another place.
I don't know if they want us
in Canada.
But I will go to the end
of the world and continue.
The people of the Parroquia
de Santa Ana...
go there and have
no food or seeds.
And they will starve
when winter comes.
Buck, dear, you're just a man.
But say my word.
Go, spend it.
I will find the horses.
What is on your mind?
Are you worried
about the massacre?
Do not.
He had killed before.
Now I confess,
I don't know what to do.
I think they'll get me.
The leaders did not do so,
with slavery
nor the rebels during
the war, however...
I think...
This will end up catching me.
Is weird.
When it gets dark.
It seems that
the hope of failing
You will continue to fight,
the best you can.
It seems that there
is no other way.
I love you, Buck.
Where did you get that gun?
In Windsmith, Reverend.
And where did you get
that curious Bible?
Well, it's an inheritance.
Before the war,
when I was a child,
my mother and I were sold
to a preacher.
When he was drunk,
he helped him to go to bed.
We travel,
through these worlds of God
and he preached the end
of the world.
And always the same.
He hit my mom once.
I never forgot that.
He once sent me, to the city...
for a bottle of whiskey.
I was 16 when I drank whiskey.
When I returned,
my mother was gone.
It sold for a few dollars.
That night he got drunk
And he said, "Boy, lay me down".
I took him to the corral,
where there was a lime pit and...
I left it there, of course.
Of course,
I put some flowers around.
As he had no relatives,
I took the car, the horse,
the preacher's suit
and this Bible.
Where will you get it,
the money?
I dont know.
If it were me,
I would look for the money,
where it is kept.
In a bank. For example.
In other words, we go
to a bank and take the money.
That's right, brother.
And I know a place.
There is no sheriff or commissioner
and there are almost no people.
They are all in the mountains,
looking for gold.
You're crazy, Krieser!
Yes.
What do you want, boy?
If you make the slightest noise,
you will not speak again.
We are running out of time.
What's in this box?
What's in this box?
It is a remittance, from
the United States Government.
A shipment of what?
Of what!
Gold.
Gold.
God help us, brother.
Come on!
Where is the money?
There is nothing.
I already sent the money
to the bank.
Do you want to leave this?
There is gold!
You heard? Gold!
You cannot carry it,
on the horse.
The key.
There must be a key.
It's in Texas,
they ship separately.
He's telling the truth.
There must be money in the accounts.
I'll ask you the last time:
where is the money?
I told him.
In the bank.
I sent it over there.
Do you think so?
I wonder,
if not, we?ve lost all morning.
Psst!...
People are arriving
and the Sheriff, with them.
Let's get out of here.
Preacher.
I'm going, to that bank.
But that bank is up
front, the Sheriff's.
I know, but there is,
a lot of money there.
And so we will not have
wasted the morning.
Now you?re crazy.
Good morning, Miss. Esther.
How are you doing?
Something better, thanks.
It is not very easy to forget,
but life goes on.
My money is good!
Money always is.
I won it.
It is the profit of all my work.
Someone gave me bank
notes from Ohio.
Will I be able
to receive 3% interest?
It is a steal.
We were robbed!
Help!
If they are going to escape us.
Yes.
Quiet.
If you fire that rifle,
you're dead.
Will you be sacking?
"remember the caravan, which
you fired three months ago"? Yes.
They never came back.
I wonder if they are going
to meet them.
He says he won't fight,
for you.
I understand.
Tell him that I need to pass,
for my people.
They need supplies.
I can buy them. Dried meat,
everything you can sell me,
horses,
gunpowder and ammunition.
Five horses.
Without gunpowder.
No rifles.
Ask him again.
Tell him,
tell him that we are brothers.
He won't give you rifles,
it's hard to get them.
Food. Beef.
Flour. Wheat.
Do not ask for more.
He stopped that gang
because he gave you a word,
to let your people
go healthy and safe.
You won't do more.
Ask him again.
Tell him what they're
looking for, a land to live in
and that they will fight to make
way because they cannot go back.
Before the white man,
my father and grandfather
hunted buffalo,
they raised horses.
And they took their women
close to the Fox River
through the grass land.
Now we are divided, forever.
Now we have our backs
to Snow Mountain.
And the white man sends soldiers,
to finish us off.
Tomorrow we will be,
like ghosts,
like spirits that appear,
in dreams without land to live.
But we will fight.
We will fight ten times,
ten years,
and our children's children,
will continue to fight.
We need rifles and ammunition
for our fight.
Tell him that your enemies
are our enemies.
He says his black people fought,
alongside the enemy
against our people.
There are no more in the Army.
He said that, Buck.
No rifles... no bullets.
1800 dollars is your part.
For what we received,
we thank the Lord. Amen.
I go back east, to Illinois.
I'm going to buy myself
a big tent
and organize the largest
congregation
since King Solomon preached
to his people.
And you, brother,
you already have a good woman.
Take the money
and do what she says.
You may want to go
to Canada.
Okay brother, a question:
How do I get out of here?
To Illinois?
There are two ways.
Go back to where we came from
and continue to Canada.
There are armed men waiting there.
Yes, it is so.
What is the other way?
Go west through Pecos through
the mountains,
we will continue, to the north,
in another territory.
And go around to Canada.
How long does it take?
All winter. All winter.
What are the chances
that they won't see me?
Not many.
You know what?
When I saw you eating my roast.
I would have crushed
you against the rocks.
Buck! Buck!
The explorers have arrived.
These people did not turn around.
They followed the caravan.
How far from it?
A day on horseback from
the great river.
Ask him how long it would take us
to reach them on horseback.
Maybe two days.
He says he'll give you days,
to take you through the mountains
Remember,
they will not fight for you.
I know.
Well... it seems to me that it
is the shortest path of course.
I will try to overcome this
and take a chance.
Brother...
has done a lot for those people,
from Santa Ana Parish,
more than one person can do.
Why do you want to die
for them?
What happened, did they block,
the shortest path?
If you find them,
they will find them before sunset.
Come on, finish,
with that caravan.
They were not against the law.
They will return to their land.
What is it, boy?
What do you have against them?
Is it on your side?
Won't you end that crowd?
They killed Deshay
and robbed the bank.
They do not.
It was Buck and his friend,
and I'm going to find them.
But don't you understand?
I have to take them, no matter what.
If we let them get away now,
we will have lost everything.
We will continue to act as before.
You have to keep things
in place
and you have 16 men
down there. 16
If you leave me in half,
I will finish this matter.
As long as it depends on me,
this caravan goes wherever it wants.
And if you do something against
these poor people,
I'm taking you to Cooper Springs
on your horse.
Where's Ollie?
Upwards covering the passage.
He entrusts
you with this mission. Yes?
He'll let us know
if he sees Buck.
What do you want us to do?
Attacks the caravan.
Well, if that's what you said...
Come on!
You have to take this for them.
What are you going to do?
Go with the caravan.
But...
I'll be back later.
Here, stay with him.
On the other side!
Guys, we have to stop
your withdrawal!
I ran!