Son of the South (2020) Movie Script

That's me, Bob Zellner,

the one in between.

You've got to keep the white

and the Black separate.

The South was in an uproar

over the Civil Rights Movement

In my town,

Montgomery, Alabama,

five years ago,

there was a bus boycott

which began with the arrest

of Mrs. Rosa Parks

for not giving up her seat

to a white man.

We walk with God.

If we have to walk for a year,

we'll walk until those buses

are no longer segregated.

That's what happened.

They walked for a year

and they won.

Some of my people got

pretty ticked off about that.

Have no fear. The Right and

the white will win.

And last year

was the sit-ins

to desegregate lunch counters

all across the South.

As you can see,

a lot of white folks

had a short fuse

when it came to

the Civil Rights Movement.

Here he is.

This group,

the spark that lit their fuse

was a college paper

I got assigned to do

with four of my friends,

a paper on race relations.

That's what could

get you killed.

A senior paper.

Five months ago,

life was simpler.

Come on, baby. Let's twist.

Wait a minute. Are you even

old enough to drink?

What is this

you got growing right here?

Got dirt on your face?

What is it?

You know, boys, I happen to

think that it looks pretty good.

You know, I got a cat

back in Mississippi.

I could lick that off for you.

Whoa, whoa, look out,

ladies and gentlemen,

we've got a genuine

bona fide scholar.

How does a dumb country boy like

you end up at top of the class?

Hey, school has her favorites.

You should be

ashamed of yourself.

To Bob.

Free, white, 21.

I'm not 21 anymore.

Come on, Bob. Let's dance.

- Carol Ann.

- Come on.

Not exactly free, neither.

Boys, look, at his dancing.

He's definitely white.

Okay.

Okay, that's far enough.

- What?

- We have to stop.

Okay. You're right.

You promised.

It won't be long

till we're married.

We just have to be strong.

How do you think she did it?

- Who?

- Joan of Arc.

She wasn't normal.

She didn't think about sex.

No, not, not that. She was

up against everybody

and they burned her

at the stake.

She was a little crazy.

She heard voices.

They told her what to do.

What do your voices

tell you, Bob?

Do they say, "Get your skinny little

white butt to that Black church?

Or do they say,

"Get back in line there, boy?

"The hell do you think

you're doing?"

I already told you.

There's no way.

But all we wanna do is audit

one of their meetings.

Bob, you can't go to

one of their meetings.

The Montgomery Improvement

Association is one of

the most active

civic groups here.

And Miss Rosa Parks is in town

for one of their celebrations.

I forbid this.

You cannot meet with Rosa Parks

or any of them.

Really?

No Black people for

a paper on race relations?

I just didn't see

how we could eliminate

one of the races

the relations were about.

Excuse me, Dr. Abernathy.

My name is Bob Zellner.

This is Townsend Ellis,

John Hill, Joe Thomas

and William Head.

And we are college seniors

working on

our thesis on race relations.

Do you all know Mrs. Parks?

Of course. Yes.

You all attend

the Methodist College?

Yes, ma'am.

They sent you over

to talk to us?

Not exactly.

Not exactly. I see.

We were wondering if we could

ask you a few questions

about the Montgomery

Improvement Association.

Yeah. Well, that is

a laudable endeavor.

We can only hope

that more students

would be willing to tackle

such an important subject.

We were actually wondering if,

with your permission, of course,

we could come to

the celebration at your church.

You do understand the police

might want to arrest you.

Are you all willing to

make that choice?

It ain't anything like that.

We're not trying to

stir up trouble.

Now, now, son.

I'm starting to wonder

if you are aware

of the poison in the apple

that you have bitten into.

You met with him. Talked to him.

Now you got what you want.

Get the paper done.

Hand it in.

You know I'm German.

I've seen the Brownshirts

and the Hitler Youth.

I've seen what people

are capable of.

You've got to

protect yourself.

I'm glad to see today

that we are once again,

blessed with the company of

State Investigator

Willy B. Painter

and Officer Fuller.

Today we have come together in the

Brick-a-Day First Baptist Church.

And I don't think

the assembled would mind

if I lend a welcoming hand

and thank you for so lovingly

recording our messages

for Governor Patterson.

- Amen. Mm-hmm.

- Oh, yes. Oh, yes.

And as long as the governor

is now listening,

I'd like to ask the governor

if he is aware

of the great economic strides

made here in Montgomery

since the success of the boycott

five years ago.

It appears that freedom is not

only good for the Negro

- in Montgomery...

- That's right.

...but the white population

benefits from it as well.

And I'd like to

tell the governor

that we are glad to help.

But please don't be alarmed.

Yes, sir.

The bus boycott was

only the beginning.

We intend to benefit Montgomery

much more from now on.

It appears the police have

surrounded the church.

What do they want?

They've come to arrest you

and your friends.

For what?

If I recollect,

we had this conversation.

They can't arrest us.

The Montgomery Police Department

might not do many things well,

but arresting white boys for

attending Black churches,

they do extremely well.

We're just doing

research for a paper.

Yeah. I mean, we haven't

chosen any sides here.

I'm not so sure

the powers that be

will so readily agree.

Please. We gotta get out of this

some way.

There's a back door

to the church.

I'll go out front

and draw everybody's attention

around there.

Y'all, come on. John. Eugene.

Y'all get up here

a little closer.

As you all are aware...

Today we have come together

to honor

what became known as

the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Come on.

Thank you.

You know, there's gonna

come a time when...

something really bad happens

right in front of you,

and you're gonna have to decide

which side you're on.

Not choosing is a choice.

Good. Good, Doc.

Keep that guard up.

Good job, buddy.

- Yeah.

- Good job.

- Good work, Doc. Well done.

- Thank you. Thanks.

Hey, Bob, get in here.

Don't worry about it.

You're not gonna need that.

Come on.

I hear the school's gonna

get you for leading some kind of

Martin Luther Coon rally.

What are you talking about,

Coach?

It's Reverend.

I ain't your coach.

Now, what Bob and I here

are gonna demonstrate for you

is the importance of

keeping your guard up.

- Oh!

- You see?

He let his guard down.

Put your hands up, boy.

What's that about?

You can't take it?

What, you don't know

how to hit back?

I can hit back.

Hey!

The niggers are making you soft.

You can't at least

try to fight back?

I'll try anything three times.

Hey!

How's that, Reverend?

- Is that soft enough for you?

- Hey, hey!

Back off.

Jesus! What the hell you doing?

He's an old man.

You could kill him.

Okay. Come on. Come on.

As the duly elected

Attorney General

of the great State of Alabama,

I look at you and I ask myself

what makes five young, upstanding

Southern scholars like yourselves

go march and sit in

and demonstrate

and generally disrupt the peace?

Excuse me, son.

You have to speak up.

We never did any of that.

March, sit in, demonstrate.

You have fallen under

the influence of the communists.

There's communists in Alabama?

Well, no.

But they come through here.

I'm gonna read you a list of

names and I want you to tell me

which ones you've met with.

Virginia and Clifford Durr,

Anne and Carl Braden,

Aubrey Williams.

Do you know these individuals?

- No.

- No, sir, I don't.

None of them are in Alabama?

Well, the Durrs are here.

Now you boys

are being expelled.

- What?

- Asked to leave.

All right. Asked to leave.

For the sake of the college,

we have negotiated a resolution.

You will not be charged

with any crimes

if you resign from school

and leave the city of Montgomery

immediately.

School has agreed to this.

I think it's more than fair.

I have no idea

what crimes we've committed.

So I see no crime for which

we could be charged.

There are two members

of this group who have achieved

the highest scholastic honors

given by this institution.

Now, this close to graduation,

I will not voluntarily leave.

I think you're making

a mistake there, son.

Look at there.

This is what this was all about,

wasn't it?

You're a big man now.

You're on the front page.

You think I put us in the paper?

You don't care who you ruined.

Townsend, I never called

the paper. I swear.

I just can't imagine why

everybody's drawers

are in an uproar.

We're in Alabama.

But don't you think

this is its own shade of crazy?

I mean, what the hell do we do?

You did what you did

and drug me and John

in it with you.

And what did I do, Townsend?

Exactly what did I do?

You know, for a big boy,

you sure are shit scared

of your own shadow sometimes.

Hey, Zellner. Ku Klux Klan's

about to march on campus

because of what you did.

Professor Kleiner's got a whole

bunch of boys down yonder.

Come on, man, we gotta go.

Shit's about to hit the fan.

Those rowdies

have been telling us

to send

the "nigger lovers" over.

That's outta line, Bob,

calling you a "nigger lover."

That's all that happened?

No, no, no. They tried to

come on campus.

They wanted to get

all five of us.

They called you sons of

you know what.

We told them you're definitely

sons of you-know-what,

but you're our sons of

you-know-what.

And no one's coming on campus

to do anything to anybody.

This ain't right. I'm gonna go

straighten these boys out.

Bobby!

Grandaddy?

Bobby, you're looking thin.

Grandaddy, what are you doing

out here?

They figured out who was who

and they called me down

from Birmingham.

They tell me you went to some,

uh, nigger convention

- or demonstration or something.

- Wasn't anything like that.

We're just doing a paper

for our professor over there.

So this is all about

school work?

- Is that what you're telling me?

- Yeah.

Did you burn that cross

under our dorm room?

Bob, you should know

better than that.

But I'm gonna

tell you something.

Some of these old boys

around here,

they really mean to

do you some harm.

It's good they didn't

catch me alone.

Do you think that professor

saved you?

Have enough of those boys that,

they killed their share of Nazis

back in the big one.

I don't think one more

dead Kraut

would bother them very much.

I stopped them, Bob.

Daddy, Daddy,

just hold it right there.

It's all your fault.

You know that, don't you?

- That's my fault?

- You're goddamn right, it is.

Taught this boy right from wrong

right from the get-go,

he wouldn't have gotten himself

into any trouble.

I wouldn't have to be down here

trying to get him out of it.

So when did it become a capital

offense to go to church?

White or colored?

I'm heading back up to

Birmingham a little while.

All right.

Look around you, Townsend,

we've got support.

Nobody has to leave school.

No,

you got support, Bob.

If the Klan or school touches

a hair on your head,

your daddy will show up

with 20 liberal preachers

to protect

your skinny little ass.

No offense, Mr. Zellner.

I'm here for you too, son.

It's a nice thought, sir,

but it's not altogether true.

The rest of us, we're leaving.

We're going back to Mobile

and Union Springs and Dothan.

What do you think our families

are gonna do when we get there?

Gonna help pick out the limb

the Klan's gonna hang us from.

I know it looks scary from

where you're standing right now.

You got options, Bob.

That's why in your head,

this is just some big game.

You do not have the commitment

of someone like Rosa Parks.

You're going off to some

impressive school in the fall.

- Full scholarship.

- Yeah, and I worked hard for that.

Yeah, so did I. Bob.

Which one do you think

you're gonna pick?

- Yale? Princeton?

- Harvard?

You'll have a hell of a story

to tell 'em when you get there.

Excuse me.

Virginia and Clifford Durr.

This is where they live?

Wow.

Hello.

You've reached the Durrs.

Mrs. Durr,

my name is Bob Zellner,

and I'm a student

over at Huntingdon College.

Everybody, everybody,

here he is!

Mr. Bob Zellner

of the illustrious

Huntingdon farm.

Bob, I am so glad you called.

I'm Virginia. This is my...

my husband, Clifford.

- And you are?

- I'm Carol Ann Dunlap,

Bob's fiance.

- Hello, Bob.

- Mrs. Parks.

Uh, and this is Aubrey Williams

and his Yankee assistant

for the summer,

Mr. Derek Ang.

- The Communist.

- I know.

- Where you from, Carol Ann?

- Union Springs.

Any relationship to

Martin Dunlap?

He's my grandaddy.

Looks like you're moving up

in the world, Mr. Zellner.

Well, y'all sure are stirring

up the Methodist wasp nest

pretty good over there

at the college.

Well, they're doing

all the stirring.

We're just trying to

stay out of the way.

A bunch of hypocrites.

They stripped his right to give

the commencement speech.

They'd like to kick him out

altogether.

You know,

Clifford is an attorney.

A lawyer?

That's what they keep

telling me.

Sir, over and over,

I get the feeling we broke the law.

Because you did.

- What law is that?

- Mm.

They broke the law that

people don't have the rights

to do anything the Ku Klux Klan

doesn't want them to do.

Bunch of cowards.

We have fought far tougher

enemies than them.

We're still having

so much trouble with

all these silly, scared

white men hiding under hoods.

I just don't understand it.

Well, if you understand

the Southern mind...

Clifford, I believe

I have a Southern mind,

and I believe I have

an understanding of it.

Everybody here, with

the exception of Derek Ang,

has a Southern mind.

Even Bob knows

he broke the law of the KKK.

Bob's more like you,

Mrs. Parks,

when you refused to get up

from your seat.

He didn't think all this was

gonna lead to anything.

Yeah, I was just

a poor little seamstress

tired from her day.

Am I missing something?

Are you saying...

you knew

what you were doing?

You think I am a child?

We had to change

the bus laws.

Therefore, somebody

had to refuse to get up.

You knew, getting on that bus,

that you were

gonna get arrested.

Well, not that

particular bus and...

I wasn't sure

I'd ever do it, but still...

pretty interested to see

what rights I had or not.

A lot of it was worked out

at Highlander.

I read that Tennessee is

trying to shut the school down.

- Oh, again?

- Highlander?

It's a center

where people, Black and white,

from all across the South

come to work and study

political action together.

And you've been up there?

Oh, we've all been.

That's right.

I really did know

what I was doing.

Maybe you'll be up there soon.

I'm sorry,

but I won't be going anywhere

but up north

for graduate school in the fall.

Is that so important

for you to do it right away?

Yes, ma'am, it is.

I mean, most of my family didn't

even make it through high school.

So getting to go off

on a full scholarship

to get a masters is

a pretty big deal.

He has already

jeopardized that once.

When we read about you

in the papers,

we thought

we'd found somebody.

Find somebody like who?

We have a need

for somebody like Bob,

somebody who could speak

to other white students

throughout the South.

I'm sure that's needed,

but we do have plans

and none of them include

Bob ending up in jail.

Things have got

to change, Bob.

Mm-hm.

- I know you know that.

I think we both know

that things have to change,

don't we, Carol Ann?

But maybe there's a better way.

Without risking too much?

Maybe. I mean,

we do live in a democracy.

It's a republic, actually,

which is what Germany was

when Hitler rose to power.

In 1939, in Nazi Germany,

they had a law that said all the Jews

were supposed to pack up their bags

and get down

to the train depot.

Now that seems like

a pretty good law to break,

wouldn't you say?

Where are you from?

I'm from New York.

But if you're looking

for somewhere more exotic,

my family came over

from California.

Well, what are you doing

all the way down here?

Trying to find out where

they buried freedom, brother.

What are you doing here?

Well, that woman

was a handful.

How arrogant to decide the fate

of people you never even met.

We had our lives

all planned out for us in there.

I did something

with somebody once.

What are you talking about?

I got in the wrong car

one day, and...

we went nigger knocking.

Ooh! You got her.

Yeah, but the sumbitches

just broke my stick.

Yeah, but what do you expect?

That ain't a real

nigger-knocking stick.

We got a bat in the back.

Boys, do you see it?

You can hardly

hit 'em with this.

Yeah, but when you do...

Lookie there.

Skeeter, get that bat.

Get that, boy.

Get him.

Ah! You missed him.

- But he fell.

- Yeah, well, you still missed him.

See that coon up there, Bob?

- Yeah, I see him.

- I want you to get him.

I don't know about this.

You don't know?

What's there to know?

About this sort of thing.

Hey, this is in your blood.

All right? This is where

you belong, boy.

You grab that bat

and you do what's right.

Bob, you gotta do this.

I don't think so.

Skeeter, you told me

he was the right kind of guy.

Is he? Is he the right

kind of guy?

Bob.

Take the goddamn bat.

Take it.

You don't get that nigger,

we're gonna use that bat on you.

How bad did you hurt

that kid?

Bad.

Hey! Hey!

Need some help?

You look like

you need some help.

What's your game?

No game.

Just being friendly.

I know you

from somewhere?

I-I don't think so.

I got a bike

with a basket on it though.

I see.

What happened to your arm?

I fell.

I should've told him

it was me.

I should have apologized,

but it's...

hard to explain

to a perfect stranger

why you do something

as senseless as that.

I don't even know

why I did it.

I was just...

scared, I guess, but...

looking at that boy...

I wish it was me

they had beaten with that bat.

We will continue

our Freedom Ride

from Birmingham

and onto Montgomery.

And from there,

we plan to travel

all the way to New Orleans with

a stop in Jackson, Mississippi.

And do you expect

the authorities in these cities

to allow that?

Uh, I'm not certain

about the local authorities.

We are testing the resolve

of the federal government

to enforce the Interstate

Commerce Commission ruling,

which gives each and every American citizen

the right to use the facilities equally.

Aren't you concerned

that they'll burn this bus

the same way they burned one

in Anniston just two days ago?

Acting like he's as good

as me.

Well, I didn't take care

of the yellow bastards in Korea

to be pushed around

by the Black ones back here.

Weren't you a medic, Doc?

Yes, I was.

And I even saved some of

those Black sons of guns

when they got

themselves shot up.

Drug one, must have been

200 pounds,

the length

of a football field.

Bullets whizzing all

around our heads.

Yeah, you do

crazy things in war.

But we are not

in the war now.

How do you feel generally

about Freedom Riders

and groups like that?

I think they're just

asking for trouble.

It's not gonna last too long

before the people down here get

a little antagonized with it,

and they're gonna take it

into their own hands.

I just think we ought to have

open season on all of 'em.

Freedom Riders are waiting

for a bus to take them

to their next stop,

Montgomery, Alabama.

Where are you going?

Are they crazy?

Montgomery's gonna make Anniston

look like a Sunday go-to meeting.

We already set up to create

as much protection as possible

for them when they arrive.

You got guns?

We're gonna meet the bus

and get everybody

into automobiles into safety

just as quick as possible.

I was hoping

that you might wanna volunteer.

You must think

I've lost my mind.

I'm going to go down and

meet 'em when they get here.

You think you're invisible?

All those folks down there are gonna

see is dark hair and dark skin,

and they're gonna think

that you're a Freedom Rider.

We could use you, Bob.

You see the TV?

What would give somebody the courage

to put their butts

in the frying pan like that?

I couldn't do it.

Derek...

Why are you really down here?

It's like you said.

Black hair, darker skin.

My family got brought over here

as labor too, you know.

Well, yeah,

but they weren't slaves.

Of course not.

I'm fourth-generation American.

Still, when I was a kid

during the war,

my parents got me

to wear this sign every day.

It said, "I am Chinese."

That's strange.

Not really.

They didn't want me

to get arrested

or get beaten up

for being Japanese.

The sign.

Scared the hell out of me.

Want to know what's really

messed up, though?

I was just so glad.

So glad I wasn't Japanese.

Them, not me.

The Greyhound

bus company has finally agreed

to provide a driver

and a bus

to carry the Freedom Riders

from Birmingham to Montgomery.

They'll be escorted along the

way by Alabama State troopers,

led by Floyd Mann.

They should be arriving

in Montgomery soon.

- Shoot. It's your nickel.

- Bob,

the Freedom Riders have

already left from Birmingham.

I'm down at Clifford's office.

Can you pick up Derek

at my house?

You know,

I never said I was gonna go

down there to get anybody.

Why? Well, what's the matter?

Well, I got the habit

of breathing,

and I don't really

feel like giving it up too soon.

So you don't care

what happens to them?

This was their choosing.

Okay, I get it.

Give me your keys.

All right, simmer down.

- I'll get you close.

- All right.

- Are they here yet?

- They're here.

Where's that police car going?

God, this doesn't look right.

Maybe it's early.

- John Lewis!

- Excuse me, John Lewis!

Mr. Lewis, please.

We have some questions.

How can you possibly succeed

with so few of you?

Non-violence.

...be overcome by violence...

Freedom Riders have

landed on the shores of Montgomery.

And at this very moment,

they're at the bus depot

with their white cohorts

right there with them,

not white Americans

but Red Army commies

sent here directly

by the Kremlin.

- Get us outta here.

- I can't drive her.

- These people will tear me apart.

- You can't leave us here.

It'll look like I'm hitting her

with nothing but a purse.

They have arrived

with weapons, that I know.

They are armed to the teeth.

So take whatever you can grab,

bats, chains,

sticks and bricks,

get down there,

and stop these commies in their tracks.

Please! Please!

Stop it!

Hey! Don't!

Please! Please!

I bet you ain't happy you came

to Montgomery, now, boy.

- Sweet Jesus!

- Oh!

We don't know what happened,

but you're finally here.

Thank God.

Bob, you see that woman

in the pink dress?

Her name is Jessica Mitford.

Can you try and get her?

Okay.

Wait. Where are you going?

If you're going, I'm going.

What?

I'm only doing this once.

Hey, you all right?

Hey, are you...

Are you Jessica Mitford?

- Who wants to know?

- I don't think it's the best place to...

What do you think? That you and your

bullies here are gonna frighten me?

I have seen...

Let go of me this instant.

Hey, I'm the press.

Esquire magazine.

Virginia sent me.

She's right up there.

Can you just walk away

from me this instant?

Virginia Durr!

- Who are you?

- Someone trying to keep you

from getting your head busted.

Now come on!

Get in.

Let's go!

- Are you okay?

- I can't believe you sent that young man to rescue me.

I was completely fine.

Slightest danger at all. You know,

there are some young girls out there.

Ran into that building, the one with

the horribly reproduced Greek facade.

Courthouse?

They... They need some help.

Bob?

Well, hop to it. Go on.

This is a formal injunction.

I'm reading you the riot act.

Forbidding persons named

and unnamed...

This is a hearse.

There'll be no killing

here today.

This is over.

Floyd Mann, you ain't

supposed to be here.

We are not having

a discussion here.

The next shot I fire

will not be a warning.

...in the State of Alabama,

to engage

in the so-called

Freedom Ride

and other acts or conduct

calculated to promote

breaches of the peace.

Hey!

No, no, no, no, no, no.

I'm here to get you.

To get you out. But...

We gotta skedaddle.

Come on.

- I'm Bob.

- Very nice to meet you, Bob.

Joanne. And behind you, Susan.

- Hi.

- How you doing?

You can put me down now.

Oh, yup.

All right.

We're rolling.

Anytime you're ready, son.

That's Jim.

- Segregation must be...

- Oh, my Lord.

...stopped.

Must be broken down.

Those of us...

who were on the Freedom Ride...

will continue to Freedom Ride.

I'm not sure I'll be able to.

But we're going on to New

Orleans, no matter what happens.

We're dedicated to this.

We'll take hitting,

we'll take beating.

We're willing to accept death.

But we're going to keep coming

until we can ride from...

anywhere in the South

to any place else

in the South...

without anybody...

making any comments.

Just as American citizens.

- Where are you going?

- I need to borrow your car.

- But where are you going?

- To the hospital.

All right, well, I'm driving.

- We should go too.

- I don't think so.

So what's gonna happen next?

We continue on.

With the Freedom Ride?

All the way to New Orleans.

But yours is over at least.

What are you talking about?

Well, look at you.

Freedom Ride is over.

But we're still breathing.

They got Jim Zwerg

up in that white ward

and I don't think

he'll be coming,

but we are getting back

on that bus tomorrow.

That's crazy.

Yeah, you know

what Mississippi is like?

No. What's it like?

After getting criticized

for being backwards,

people from Georgia say,

"Thank God for Alabama."

And in Alabama, we say,

"Thank God for Mississippi."

So you think

it's gonna be rough?

Suicide.

Yeah. Yeah.

You're probably right.

But John and I

are getting back on that bus.

Is our cause just?

If so,

then you must ask yourself,

"If not now, when?

"If not me, then who?"

Thank you, fellas,

for coming down.

It means a lot.

♪ I'm taking a ride

♪ On the Greyhound bus line

♪ I'm riding the front seat

♪ To Jackson this time

♪ Hallelujah

♪ I'm traveling

♪ Hallelujah

♪ Ain't it fine?

♪ Hallelujah

♪ I'm traveling down

freedom's main line ♪

Gentlemen.

In Montgomery,

an angry white mob

is holding over a thousand people

inside the First Baptist Church,

where they've come

to listen to speakers

such as the Reverend Fred

Shuttlesworth of Birmingham.

The most guilty man

in this state tonight

is Governor John Patterson.

The people of Alabama

are law-abiding citizens.

Uh, these people that came

into Alabama,

uh, were law violators.

They created the breaches

of the peace

and provoked the local people

into disturbances.

US Attorney General

Robert Kennedy has engaged us

and assured us

that he has the National Guard

coming here

to the Brick-a-Day Church now.

We must remain where we are

until they get here to protect.

And despite what took place

at the bus depot earlier,

despite the angry crowd

that surrounds us,

we must remain nonviolent.

Now, I know some of y'all

think you wanna strike back,

that you might wanna

go blow-for-blow.

But we cannot,

- and we have to restrain others from doing so.

- Yes, yeah.

We hold the moral

high ground.

Yeah.

And we intend to keep

that high ground,

if ever we hope

to transform America

into a better place.

- Oh, yeah.

- Amen.

- Thank you.

- Mm-hmm.

- It's beautiful down here.

- Yeah.

Montgomery's a pretty town.

With a pretty ugly side to it.

Yeah. Well. that's probably

true everywhere.

It's certainly true

in Nashville.

Virginia gave me this.

Found it inside.

Do you mind?

I was an Eagle Scout.

I got a merit badge in first aid.

Oh, all right then.

As long as you've got

a merit badge.

Before today, I'd never touched

a Southern white person before.

And none ever touched me.

How's that even possible?

My father's a professor

of advanced mathematics.

I grew up on campus,

all Black school.

I did study in Paris, though.

There were all sorts of white people there.

But they were different.

There were more French

than white.

Nobody's ever called

me a nigger

until I started sitting-in in the

lunch counters in Nashville last year.

Take your Black ass

off my stool!

You know what

I thought then?

"No, they must be joking.

"Don't they know who I am?

"I'm an associate professor.

I speak five languages."

- How many you speak?

- Five.

Wow.

Can I ask you something?

I've been told

that down here,

white folks' hair smells like

chicken feathers when it gets wet.

- Is that so?

- They told you what?

Can I smell your

chicken-feathered hair?

Just to see.

I guess you better

wet it first.

Okay.

Oh!

What is that?

You smell like my cousin Elroy.

Oh, yeah. He probably

uses Burma Shave.

Mm.

- Bob!

- Carol Ann!

Is this where

you've been all day?

No, I was...

I was downtown.

- In the riot?

- Yeah.

You cannot believe

what went down there.

And who is this?

Carol Ann, Joanne.

Joanne, this is...

Can you excuse us a moment?

What was she doing back there?

She just wanted

to smell my hair.

- For what reason?

- Just see if I smelled like a chicken.

Look, Carol Ann,

these are the craziest human beings

I think I've ever met.

They're actually planning

on getting back on the bus

to go on to Mississippi.

It's like they're running

a three-legged dog.

They think they're gonna beat the pack.

They are something.

So what is it

you're telling me?

You wanna go get on a

Greyhound with these people

so some old redneck

can beat the hell out of you?

No, I'm not saying that.

I'm... I'm just telling you,

I admire 'em.

Yeah, it's admirable.

Now, let's go

get back to campus.

Not tonight.

Oh, no, Carol Ann.

Don't go thinking that.

Do not get all caught up.

You will ruin our lives

if you get caught up in this.

I know.

You're scaring me, Bob.

It was incredible. Amazing.

One of the most exhilarating

experiences of my entire existence.

You really shouldn't

have missed it.

- You want a coffee?

- Marvelous idea. Black.

Get him one too.

Dear girl, how did you get back?

I didn't hear my car drive up.

I have a little Nash Rambler

back in California.

I can drive it here for you.

- Why would you do that?

- The brakes are good.

The real problem

is just getting it started.

What are you talking about?

Where is my car?

They burned it, all right?

We did everything.

Everything we could

to stop them, didn't we, Dickie?

You parked right

in front of the church.

I told you to park

three or four blocks away.

You did! You did, darling.

I know you did...

I'm glad you're in one piece.

It's just that Clifford

is gonna wanna kill you.

They're taking the bus down

to Jackson, Mississippi, later.

- They're leaving today?

- Who's leaving?

Those who aren't too badly hurt.

And a handful of volunteers

to take the place of the others.

Did somebody volunteer for me?

I think so, yeah.

Well, nobody needs

to take my place.

Were they from Montgomery?

Mostly. A reporter took

everybody's name down who's riding.

I gotta get some sleep.

Hold on to this for me.

Virginia, I think I found

a picture of your car.

- Derek Ang.

- He's one of the volunteers.

Sweet Lord Jesus.

Put everything back, Bob.

You're not going anywhere!

- Okay!

- I don't have to tell you

that this is crazy!

- This is crazy!

- Yep. You're right.

I forbid this.

Do not walk out that door!

You stop right now!

I am talking to you. Bob!

Put down that suitcase.

I'm warning you, Bob.

You go down to that bus depot

and you get on that bus,

and we are over! Done!

- We're done?

- Your decision.

Well, in that case,

I'll try and be back

in a few days.

Bob!

- I want to get on that bus.

- Mm-mm.

Uh-uh.

Jackson citizens

watched by the hundreds,

jostling each other

for a better view.

The Freedom Riders

stepped off the bus,

some still bearing the bandages

of their encounter with Alabama.

A policeman ordered

them to move on.

Then each was arrested and led

outside to a waiting paddy wagon.

The charges were breach of

the peace and inciting to riot.

The trial was short.

The sentence...

Leave it alone.

...which was suspended.

The Real McCoys is about to come on.

That's my favorite show.

And I'll break your arm

if you touch that TV.

Well, you really are something, Bob.

You know that?

Carol Ann.

That could have been you.

I'm glad you decided

to come to your senses.

I didn't.

Bus was leaving by the time I got

there, and they wouldn't let me through.

You really meant to go off

and get yourself arrested?

You know what I felt when I

saw I couldn't get on that bus?

Relieved.

My head was saying, "Thank God.

"Thank God. Thank you, Jesus."

That's right. Thank you, Jesus.

What do you think Jesus

would have done in my place?

You are not Jesus, Bob.

You got that right.

That's John Lewis.

That man right there.

You see him?

Virginia Durr told me

he's a minister.

He doesn't look old enough,

does he?

Well, he's the first real man

of God I think I've ever met.

Oh, so he's Jesus?

No, he's a man.

But me, I was afraid

to get on that bus.

- What does that make me?

- Reasonable.

I was in a riot two days ago,

and I walked

right through it unharmed.

And I know why.

It's 'cause I'm just like

everybody else.

You know what I think

most of the time?

"It ain't happening to me.

So it's okay."

It should be my motto,

just get it tattooed on my body someplace.

- "Not my problem."

- What is the point you're trying to make?

I'm gonna go call

these people up right now.

Find out what

they're really about.

And I know that

you're not gonna like that,

but that's what I'm gonna do.

Well, if that's all

you do, it's okay.

I'm not asking

your permission, Carol Ann.

And that's just it.

I'm capable of doing a lot of

things you're not gonna approve of.

I am trying to preserve the life

we've been planning together.

Is that at all

meaningful to you?

I think about it constantly.

There's a voice in my head saying, "Get

back in line, you dumb ass country boy."

So what is it

you want to do?

You wanna go off,

get yourself arrested,

jeopardize your whole life

for some grand principle?

Isn't that what they're doing?

I mean, they're my age!

Half of them are in college too.

So how is it that

they can do it?

And what about me?

You wanna give me up too?

No, I don't. I just,

I got to do something

and I don't see you

putting up with that.

You had me fooled

for a long time, Bob Zellner.

I really thought

you were gonna be somebody.

I thought you had ambition.

But you are nothing

but a dumb ass country boy.

And maybe it's all right for you to

end up living life in a shotgun shack,

trying to save the world.

But that has never been my dream.

Who do you think

you are, anyway?

We both know

you're not anybody's savior.

Well, the niggers aren't

on TV anymore, are they?

This is The Real McCoys.

Starring Walter Brennan,

created by Irving Pincus...

Student Nonviolent

Coordinating Committee.

- Yes, is this the SNCC office?

- Yes, it is.

We'd like to thank you, Father,

for this blessed meal you've set before us.

I'm calling from Alabama.

I was wondering if you needed

volunteers for the summer.

We'd like to ask that you keep

an eye on our second eldest, Bob,

who's leaving to take up arms

and to fight

for freedom and justice.

We could use you.

How soon can you get over here?

I can be there in a few days.

You know our son,

Lord, I'm sure that you know

that he is headstrong,

a fighter, and resolute.

First of all, Lord,

he is righteous.

Please walk with him

and keep him safe.

Amen.

Bob, darling,

take care of yourself.

I mean, there's no reason for you to

go out of your way to get in trouble.

Going away to school in a few weeks.

Remember that.

- Okay?

- What's going on here?

You're acting like

I'm going off to war.

I'm sorry

I wasn't there at graduation.

I just couldn't go.

I couldn't face it.

Hey, Bob, you start applying

for work as a nigger-lover yet?

Now, what's that all about?

You still up to something?

Nah, they're just

fooling around.

Calling you a nigger-lover,

is just fooling around?

Don't listen to them, son.

They're white trash.

It means nothing, Daddy.

You know how people are.

Listen, I don't wanna

find out that my grandson

is trying to help

the niggers take over.

Not that you would

tell me about it.

It was supposed to mark

the beginning of our life together,

truly together.

And I can see now

it was really marking the end.

Mama wants me

back in Union Springs,

and I'm going back

for now.

Don't come to find me.

I don't want to see you.

I hope you find your way

when you get out there.

I'm leaving today.

I think.

I'll let you know

if I get on that bus.

Bye.

Bob Zellner.

You're the phone call

from Alabama?

Yes, sir.

The volunteer?

You expecting somebody else?

You know,

I gotta admit, I was.

You know what we do here?

You're a freedom organization.

And you're Southern?

Alabama born and raised.

All right, Alabama.

Well, listen.

I gotta catch a bus.

Here are the keys

to the office.

Notepad, pencil.

Most important thing.

Guard this briefcase.

Never let it out of your sight.

When you leave,

take it with you.

I'll guard it with my life.

You don't have to do all

that, but don't lose it.

Everything's in there.

You better be on

the up and up, Alabama.

Oh, uh...

sorry... what am I

supposed to do?

Well, you open up the office

around 8:00 a.m.,

stay until about 5:30,

and in between,

you answer the phones.

- Okay.

- You take all the phone messages.

Who's calling, who they're calling

for, and what they want.

Um, what about the briefcase?

Just keep it with you. When somebody

comes, they'll know what to do with it.

- Well, who's coming?

- I don't know.

- Well, when are you gonna be back?

- I won't be.

- McDew?

- Uh, I think McDew just left.

- Oh, who is this?

- Bob Zellner.

From where?

East Brewton, Alabama.

Uh, I don't wanna

insult you, but, uh...

- You sound white.

- I get that a lot.

All right, I... I got a message

for Bob Moses.

- Um, you think you could...

- Go ahead.

Um...

Uh, Student Nonviolent

Coordinating Committee.

Bob Zellner speaking.

Who is this?

Bob Zellner.

Did I call

the right number?

This is the SNCC office, right?

Yes, it is.

Don't move.

Burma Shave!

- Hey, Joanne.

- What in God's creation are you doing here?

America's

favorite family comedy,

The Adventures

of Ozzie and Harriet.

Hey, how do you like

your new room?

It's a lot better than the Y.

- You play?

- Do you?

Because I'm a Negro,

I shouldn't know how to play chess?

I didn't mean it like that.

Oh, because I'm a girl.

I get it. Sit down.

I'm gonna let you know,

I'm pretty good.

Uh-huh. We'll see.

♪ Happy birthday to you! ♪

You know, this movement

is about more than just

voting rights and being able

to eat at Woolworths.

Check. Don't go easy on me.

You don't have to worry

about that.

Check. Look, we're trying

to change the world, Bob.

Have you read

Jean-Paul Sartre?

No. Never heard of him.

Well, you've got

a lot of studying to do.

- Checkmate.

- Yeah.

Wanna go again?

Well, it is getting pretty late.

Chicken hair,

are you getting chicken?

Oh, don't be a sore loser.

- SNCC office.

- Bob!

- Grandaddy?

- I'm downstairs, god damn it!

- Grandaddy?

- Hey.

Is there a place where a white man

can go and sit down around here?

There's a park.

Park? Good idea.

But he told me

you've gone nigger crazy.

He saw you with a Negress

walking down the street.

I'm just helping some people out

for the summer.

Ah, let's call

a spade a spade.

They're called niggers.

With your delicate sensibilities

you want me to call them,

what, Negroes?

Whatever you choose.

Bob, I've known Negroes

all my life.

I got nothing against them.

Now, you might think because I'm

in the Klan, I'm against the Negro.

I'm not against the Negro.

I'm for the white race,

that's all.

As any decent white man

should be.

Hell, you know history.

History teaches us

the white race

pulled humanity out of the muck

and gave the world civilization.

Hell, they don't

understand civilization.

Not them. Not their fault.

Christ, they're barely

out of the jungle themselves.

A couple of hundred years.

That's why we just,

we can't mix in with them.

Hell, I don't want to, anyway.

I don't want to sit with them.

I don't want to eat with them.

I don't want to pray with them

or ride on the goddamn train.

I prefer not even to see them.

That's my cross to bear,

I guess.

It's a colored organization.

I work for 'em.

It's called the Student

Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

But what the hell do you

hope to accomplish with that?

Eating, sitting, praying, riding trains

together. The whole kit and caboodle.

The Southern way of life,

you just throw that away and just

stomp that

into the ground, right?

It's gonna happen, Grandaddy.

I've met the people changing

everything, and they're...

you can't stop them.

They are tougher,

they are stronger, they're more

resilient, and they're right.

You trying to tell me

that the Klan can't

beat a few niggers

back into line?

Hey, hell. That's hardly even

gonna be a fight.

I wouldn't count on that.

They're gonna bury Jim Crow.

The only funerals

are gonna be for these...

these commie niggers.

And to tell you the truth, son,

you're on that

slippery slope yourself.

I'm really only here

to tell you something, Bob.

I need to tell you this

face-to-face, man-to-man.

You come to Birmingham

to march, protesting,

sit-in in a bus depot,

I'll put a bullet through

your head my own damn self.

You understand me? Huh?

You've fallen off the path, son.

We got eyes on you, Bob.

We got eyes on you,

god damn it. Got it?

- Hey.

- Hi.

Well, are you gonna

introduce us?

Joanne, this is my grandfather.

Grandaddy, this is Joanne.

Certainly nice to meet you.

What am I looking at here, Bob?

We better go.

I'll tell Daddy you said hi.

SNCC office. Bob Zellner here.

Well, yeah. All right.

Mr. Zellner,

this is Mr. Herbert Lee

from McComb, Mississippi.

Well, I know you're not calling for me.

Would you like to leave a message?

Well, yes, I would.

I'm trying to find Bob Moses.

Uh, he's helping us with

voting registration over here.

He's supposed to be

back last week

and I hadn't heard a thing from him.

Would you know where he is?

I wish I did.

Everybody's calling for him.

And that's about all

I can tell you.

You sound kind of troubled, son.

Everything all right?

No, sir, it's not.

Well, you know, this work

can get rough sometimes.

I've never done

anything like this

and I know that

we don't know each other,

but I just don't know

what I'm doing here.

I hear you, son.

I hear you. I hear you.

I'm bored to tears.

Bored?

It ain't anything like what it

looks like in the papers, Mr. Lee.

Oh. Mr. Lee, um, I gotta go.

I'm sure this is costing you

an arm and leg anyways,

but I'll get your message

to Bob Moses.

Thank you, son.

Um, I appreciate you.

- You are?

- Bob Zellner.

East Brewton, Alabama.

Okay. Bob Zellner, East Brewton,

Alabama. I'm Jim Forman.

Oh, shoot. Am I glad to see you.

I got nothing but messages here.

You've been taking messages?

Yeah, that's about all

I've been doing.

- Well, how did you get in here?

- He gave me the keys.

Who in God's name

gave you keys?

McDew. I think McDew.

He didn't tell me. I just gathered...

No, don't say another word.

This is June 22nd, 1961.

This is Jim Forman.

I'm here in the SNCC

headquarters, Atlanta, Georgia,

with Mr. Bob Zellner. From?

East Brewton, Alabama.

And East Brewton,

is a pretty small place?

Well, not so small

you could spit across it.

Can I assume that East Brewton,

like much of Alabama,

is segregated with

a healthy share of racism?

- Well, that and then some.

- Okay, but not you?

I don't think

I understand the question.

Okay, well, can you recall your

earliest memories of race?

- You know, I can.

- Well, what was it?

I was about

four years old,

shopping with my mother at a

downtown store where everybody went.

Mm-hmm.

My mother just bought me

a little water pistol.

I spotted a fountain

pretty close to my own height

to go fill it up.

And so I turn the lever

for that water,

get that little

water pistol open,

and just as I'm about

to fill that thing up,

a pair of hands grabs me

from behind,

turns me around.

It was a woman, never

seen her before in my life.

Perfect stranger.

She said to me...

That water fountain's

not for little white boys.

You see that sign over there?

That says "colored"

and that sign over there,

that says "white"

and that's what you are.

Don't let anybody catch you

drinking out of

the colored fountain.

If you want a drink of water,

just ask anybody to lift you up.

Indoctrination.

- Go along to get along.

- Mm.

So you really didn't have much

to do with Black folks?

Oh, yeah, I did. Yeah.

The South is a funny place.

You know, I worked

in a general store.

I waited on Black folks

as I did white folks.

There's not a whole lot of

separation between the races there.

There were definitely rules

to abide by, though.

What rules were those?

I couldn't carry anything

out to a Negro customer

even if they were

old and feeble,

no matter how heavy it was.

I could if there weren't

any white people around.

And, uh, I had to see

to the white folks

before seeing any

of the Black customers,

no matter how long they've been

standing there, that sort of thing.

So how is it that

you are here, Bob Zellner,

instead of out somewhere

kicking Negro ass?

That will be my daddy.

I think, yeah.

He's a minister,

and he was in the Klan.

Let me explain.

My daddy went on a cultural exchange

in the '30s to the Soviet Union.

And he was there

for a long time,

and he was starting

to get homesick,

and one day, he hears that there's

a Baptist gospel choir from Georgia

performing at

the same town that he was in.

I can tell you I was pretty excited

to see some folks from home.

But when I got there...

turns out that

it was this Black choir.

I was taken aback,

but, uh, they started singing.

It was one of the most

beautiful sounds I'd ever heard.

Afterwards, we started

traveling together.

We went all over that

whole part of Russia.

Bob, pretty soon

a terrible thing happened.

What was that?

I went color blind.

It hit me one evening that...

I was ruined

as a Klansman.

I had to go back and tell

my own daddy that.

He didn't want anything

to do with the Klan

and their robes

for the rest of his life.

He had a robe and all?

Several, for different

occasions and such, I guess.

And one day, my mother

cut 'em all up

and made shirts out of 'em

for me and my brothers.

Not... not this one.

Just when I was younger.

Yeah, this is from a catalog.

Okay. Well...

...that'll be enough for now.

Well, should we, uh, pack up,

clean up, close up shop?

- What's in the briefcase?

- I don't know. I thought you'd know.

Oh, really? How would I know?

- What is all that?

- Well, it's SNCC.

That's the whole organization

right here.

The whole organization

is in that briefcase?

- How big is SNCC?

- Counting you?

Good night!

So, what is it that you think

you can do for SNCC?

What I was thinking was, somehow I

could be a liaison to college students.

I know there's still a lot of people

on the fence about the whole issue.

And maybe I could go around

college campuses,

talking to students about the Negro cause.

The what?

The Negra cause.

Well, for one thing, you better

learn how to pronounce the word.

- It's Negro.

- Negra.

- Negro.

- Negra.

No.

Negro.

What am I saying?

What you're saying, "Ne-gruh."

Okay. I'm gonna

break it down for you.

What is that?

My knee.

Right. How does a child

get bigger?

They grow.

Now, put it together.

Okay. Take your time.

- Knee grow.

- Once again.

Negro.

Right. I got it.

Negro. Negro.

Negro.

- What did you say?

- He's okay. He's with me.

He's with you?

He's trying to learn

how to say something.

And "Negro" is the word

he's trying to learn to say?

So what word was he using?

We're not looking

for any trouble.

We were just having some coffee.

Well, look at that.

Your monkey speaks.

- Did you just call me a monkey?

- Deepest apologies, to the monkeys.

Listen. I don't know you.

You don't know me.

Let's just keep it that way.

The only way to that...

is if you take this coffee...

to go.

Ah! What the hell?

Bob. Bob! Settle down.

You better put a leash on your

redneck before it gets hurt, Jim.

Reggie.

Bob is a volunteer.

We're recruiting

from the Klan now?

He's for real, Reggie.

Oh, yeah, I can see that.

Well, I was thinking of starting

him on his non-violent training.

Mm-hmm.

He could use that.

But you know what I see...

when I look

at Mr. Wonderbread here?

I see FBI.

Mm. Maybe some local fuzz.

You think they're trying

to infiltrate us

by sending us a good old boy?

That's about they speed.

Look at him, sitting there

just egging us on.

Monkey see, monkey do.

You know what monkeys are like?

I know what monkeys are like.

Oh, yeah.

- Leon! Leon!

- I can't do this!

- Cool down. Cool down, baby.

- I can't! No!

- Cool down, baby.

- I can't do this. No.

- Cool down.

- I can't do this.

Cool down. Sit down.

There you go.

Sit down. All right?

- I can't do this.

- I know, I can see that.

But, Leon, if you want

to participate,

this is what you're

gonna have to learn.

We ought to be

fighting back.

We ought to be killing

the white sons of bitches!

Listen, you can't

kill all of 'em.

And we'll be the ones

that are getting killed.

And then, we won't be able

to change anything.

I know it's hard.

And I know that

you want to strike back,

but you gotta try

this other thing.

It can work.

Gandhi defeated

the British Empire

and never...

fired a shot.

I just see red sometimes.

Me too, brother.

Me too.

Uh, yeah?

Come in.

- Buonanotte.

- What's that?

"Good night" in Italian.

Bonne nuit. French.

Gute Nacht. German.

Oyasuminasai. Japanese.

Wow.

- About today...

- That was pretty rough.

I guess I should probably go

through that training too, huh?

I bit a girl's hand

my first time.

- Dang.

- I did.

But the real deal is

much worse.

You should know that.

I know.

I was in a riot once,

right there with you.

But no one was throwing

punches at your head, Bob.

When they do, you think

you're gonna throw punches back?

Well, that's the whole point,

not to, right?

That is the point.

But can you do that?

What you drinking?

Mai Tai cocktail.

You wanna try?

Shoot. I'll try anything

three times.

Well,

you might not like it.

This looks pretty good.

I'm sorry. That's terrible.

Oh, shoot.

Did you really

just do that?

I'll get it.

I'm in my birthday suit.

- No, it's fine. I can...

- Oh.

- Sorry.

- It's all right.

Should we be doing this?

Probably not.

Oh. It all makes sense now.

Old Bobby has

just been sniffing around.

- Slumming

- Reggie.

Born for this, right,

Wonderbread?

Because you certainly living

the great Southern tradition.

So you're telling me you

didn't use the pool, not once?

No. They make you wear

trunks now to swim at the YMCA.

What do you mean?

Well, up until now,

they wouldn't let you wear anything.

You mean like butt naked?

That's the only way

you could swim in the Y.

Yeah. That's why I didn't swim.

I didn't have a trunk.

- They killed Herbert Lee.

- What?

How did it happen?

His white neighbor killed him.

State legislator named

E. H. Hurst...

gunned him down...

in the bright of day.

I loved that nigger.

And I hated I had to do

what I had to do.

He didn't leave me no choice.

I mean, you can't just stand by

and let 'em run all over you.

No reason to feel bad

for doing what you had to do.

You know, I loaned him

the money to buy his place.

That's the thanks I get?

Registering to vote.

Just a damn ingrate.

They didn't even

arrest him, did they?

Calling everyone to McComb.

Bob Moses is there.

So is McDew,

half a dozen SNCC staffers.

It'll be the first time

we all in one place...

to be able to have

that SNCC staff meeting.

- Bob?

- Yeah. I'm there.

We're gonna need your car.

Dang it.

It's so hot under here.

Couldn't we have just got

a sheet or something?

Leon, you hear

what this cracker just said?

- Hmm?

- He said he wants a sheet

instead of them filthy blankets.

Just like a white cat to feel

more comfortable in a sheet.

Oh, come on, Bobby.

That was funny.

We've got to watch this one.

That's for sure.

- For sure.

- I got to sit up.

- Oh, whoa, whoa!

- No, no, no, no.

We ain't gonna let no

cracker cop see us riding

with a white boy like you.

- I'm gonna melt.

- You gotta suffer for the cause, baby.

You gotta suffer

for the cause.

Since Herbert Lee's

murder,

there have been

a number of actions

by high school students

in McComb

organized by brother

Bob Moses here.

Three of these students

were arrested

sitting at a lunch counter

at the five and dime

on the square.

They're being released today,

but I've just been informed that

there will be an assembly held

at the high school at which the principal

will be addressing the student body

on these three students.

Now we're expecting a...

♪ We've done all you wanted

♪ We've done all you want, Lord

♪ We've done

All you wanted... ♪

Hey. What is it?

They wouldn't let Brenda Travis

back in.

They're trying to send her

to a reform school.

The principal just caved.

We're going to march

on Magnolia.

We wanna make some signs.

Okay. Uh, Leon,

Chuck, give them

some papers.

When they get up to go,

you just stay back.

It's crazy marching off

like this without a plan.

I shouldn't be

involved in this.

Everybody's gonna get

thrown in jail

and I can't get arrested.

I gotta leave tomorrow.

This is happening too quick.

If I get busted,

what's gonna happen to my mama and daddy?

Everybody will find out

back home,

and there'll be hell to pay.

Daddy will lose his church.

If I'm a part of this,

it will just cause more

violence down here than normal.

Really, Bob? What's

a normal level of violence?

You can lay back here

with me if you want.

You're not going?

Somebody always

has to stay back.

So it's been decided.

Reggie and I will hang here.

Get people out of jail,

that sort of thing?

I'll hang with the march

for a little bit,

but at some point,

I'll have to turn back.

This isn't make-believe

anymore, Bob.

Things are gonna get

real serious out there.

Nobody here expects you to

step out that door, lover boy.

Anyway, you already got

what you wanted.

♪ I woke up this morning

With my mind

♪ Stayed on freedom

♪ I woke up this morning

With my mind

♪ Stayed on freedom

♪ I woke up this morning

With my mind

♪ Stayed on freedom

♪ Hallelu

♪ Hallelujah

♪ I'm walking and talking

With my mind

Get your Black asses

out of here!

♪ Stayed on freedom

♪ Keep it stayin'

♪ On freedom

♪ I'm walking and talking

With my mind

♪ Stayed on freedom

♪ Hallelu, hallelu

♪ Hallelujah ♪

Son of a bitch.

Hey, Zellner.

Zellner!

You low-down son of a bitch,

what the hell

do you think you're doing?

- Hey, Doc.

- You've really lost your mind, you know that?

Is this where you're from?

You're in way over your head

on this one.

You know what they're gonna

write on your tombstone?

"Traitor."

Yeah, I'm gonna piss on it

to seal the deal.

- Do you know him?

- Yeah, that was Doc.

I guess he's from McComb.

You're not just passing?

You're really white, aren't you?

Yeah.

Skin me alive.

♪ Freedom

♪ Seeing the light come on

♪ Freedom

Everybody now!

♪ Freedom

♪ Freedom, freedom

♪ Freedom

♪ Freedom, freedom ♪

"Our Father,

which art in heaven,

- "hallowed be thy name...

- Lock 'em.

"Thy kingdom come...

Your will be done..."

"...on earth

as it is in heaven.

- "Give us this day, our daily bread...

- Arrest 'em.

"...and forgive us

our trespasses

"as we forgive those

who trespass against us...

Lock 'em all up!

"Lead us not into temptation

"but deliver us from evil."

Bob, keep your head down.

They're gonna kill him.

Oh, we gotta get out of here.

I want to make a phone call.

You want what?

Every prisoner has a right

to a phone call

and I want to make mine

right now.

But you're not under arrest.

- Then arrest me.

- For what?

What did you get

everybody else for?

- Breaching the peace.

- Okay, then.

Well, I can't do that.

- Why not?

- Because you didn't breach the peace.

I had a right to be down there

but everybody else didn't?

Well, put him

at the head of the class.

What if I slug

this fellow right here?

Is that enough

to get me arrested?

Jay-Jay, get him

the hell out of here.

Jay-Jay,

why don't you slow up?

Uh, I don't think

ain't nobody chasing us.

Yeah, Jay-Jay,

why don't you slow up?

You ain't in any real hurry,

are you?

Hey, why don't you shut up?

You New York

Jew bastard communist.

You really a communist?

Well, Jay-Jay says so.

I ain't never heard nobody

speak no communist.

Can you say something

communist for me?

Younger, shut up.

But I ain't never heard nobody

speak no communist before.

You ain't got the sense

God gave a billy goat.

He always talk to you like that?

Yeah, pretty much.

Younger, I told you

to button it.

And stop talking to that goddamn

New York Jew commie bastard.

What do you know about New York, Jay-Jay?

You ever been up there?

No. And I don't

plan to go neither.

But I guess we'll be sending your

remains back up there to somebody.

My remains will be sent back to

Alabama since that's where I'm from.

- You're lying.

- No.

Daddy's a Methodist minister

and I'm from East Brewton,

Alabama.

You're telling me

you're from Alabama?

We got cousins over

in Dothan.

That ain't far from Brewton.

Maybe you know 'em.

- Ethel...

- Younger!

We're not making friends here.

Your daddy's a minister.

Where did he go

to seminary school?

Bob Jones College.

You ever heard of it?

I heard of Bob Jones.

- He's got a school?

- Yeah, it's who I'm named after.

I'm telling, y'all.

I'm from Alabama.

He sure sound like it.

Does your mother know

that you're doing this?

She knows.

You should be ashamed

of yourself.

A minister's boy too...

named after Bob Jones

and everything.

Get him back in the car.

There he is. Come on, Younger.

- Where you going?

- I'm out.

- You... What's going on here?

- This boy's from Alabama.

Well, no shit.

You already knew that?

You gotta draw the line

somewhere, Jay-Jay.

And this boy here

is way over it.

Hey, Doc.

Back in town, how come you didn't

have the guts to step forward?

Why don't you shut up, Bob?

Bob? You know him?

Oh, yeah. We went to school together.

Go ahead.

I'm warning you, boy.

Tie him up.

We about to hang a buddy of yours.

That don't seem right.

We are in crap

right up to our necks.

I'm out

and I'm taking Younger with me.

There ain't no reason to be out.

Everybody has seen us take him.

That don't matter.

You sure about that?

Did you know who everybody was downtown?

I didn't.

There was what looked like

feds down there.

Well, murder is a state charge.

And you never saw the feds do anything

to anybody else any other time.

This ain't like any other time!

When they give you

all the chair for killing me,

I guess it'll be justice

for everybody else you killed.

Nobody is getting the chair.

He's from Alabama.

You went to school with him.

They're gonna give us

the chair for sure.

You knew

his daddy's a minister?

It... Nothing

is gonna happen to us.

Nothing's gonna happen to me

'cause I'm gone.

You do what you want.

Let's go.

Feds will still get you for

aiding and abetting, Jay-Jay.

Okay!

What the hell?

I didn't give no goddamn signal!

Cut the rope!

Cut the goddamn rope.

Holy Jesus and Mary.

There was a civil rights march in

McComb, Mississippi yesterday.

Oh... How many people were hurt?

And guess who they say led it?

Twenty-two-year-old

Robert Zellner.

- That can't be right.

- We better call somebody.

Operator. I want to make

a call to Alabama.

Hey, there,

Mr. Civil Rights leader.

- Good morning.

- How's your neck?

Oh. My neck already had

a tinge of red to it.

Well...

according to the New York paper,

you, Mr. Robert Zellner,

led the first civil rights march

in the great state

of Mississippi.

It's the great state of Alabama.

What did you say?

Why would they write that?

That's a lie.

They looked out

and saw a hundred Black folk

and thought

they couldn't possibly

have the guts

or brains to pull that off.

And then they saw you and thought,

"Oh, it all makes sense now."

Man, I didn't mean to.

No, well, you're famous now.

But, as my mother always says,

"Don't believe anything you

read, only half of what you see."

Yeah, right.

You still plan on

skipping town today?

Reggie told me

you have a bus to catch.

- A bus?

- Your friend from the bridge came by

and burned your car.

He did what?

So, you think about

coming down to visit for

Thanksgiving or Christmas break?

I have been considering it.

Okay.

Well, write me.

You know, you could think about

coming up for a visit as well.

- I could think about that.

- Don't think too long.

And it won't hurt to take

a language while you're up.

Somebody said they saw you

coming out here.

I see you still enjoy the

company of mongrels over men.

Let it go, Bob.

Your bus will be here in a minute.

What the Black bitch says

is true.

Nothing down here is any of

your business any which way.

I just came by to remind you that

if you do decide to come back,

I got something waiting...

- Bob...

- Don't you say another damn thing.

Hey! I just bought that.

Don't get in between white folks

arguing, you hear me?

Ain't you supposed to be

non-violent now?

I'm having a real big problem

with that right now

'cause what I want to do is

pull you clean out of this truck

and beat you

like there's no tomorrow.

I want to knock you

into next week.

I want the next face you see

to be the emergency room doctor.

But I don't think

I'm gonna do that.

You're a monster, Doc.

You deserve no pity shown to you.

But you know something else?

I'm a goddamn monster too and

I don't want to be one anymore.

I don't want to be like

every sucker I grew up with.

See that woman over there?

She's trying to teach me

what it means to be a man.

She says I should not beat you

till your mama won't know ya.

She says an eye for an eye

leaves everybody blind.

Well, I want to be

more like her.

I don't want to be the horror

in some little child's eyes.

Now, you drive off.

Don't you turn around,

don't you come back here with anybody

'cause if I ever see you again,

I'm gonna forgive myself

and I don't wanna do that.

And not just 'cause she wouldn't

like it but that would be enough.

Can we agree on that?

You missed your bus.

Ah, no, that wasn't my bus.

My nigger.

What?

My nigger! Yeah!

Look at you go!

I saw you. Oh, you were

gonna get him, yeah!

- Is that supposed to be a compliment?

- Mm-hmm. Little bit.

What are we, uh...

What are we supposed to do now?

We're gonna check on

McDew and the others

and see how they're doing

in county jail.

All right. Well, I guess

I better go too, then.

Oh! So you're gonna give this

whole civil rights thing a try?

Oh, you know me,

I'll try anything three times.

- Easy white boy, let's go.

- All right. Come on.

We think that

in order to facilitate change,

and in order

to create the type of society

that we think

that we all basically want,

that we have to take this sort of

peaceful, non-violent direct action.

How long will this group remain

outside this locked door, Mr. Zellner?

We'll stand here until we're able

to reach some sort of agreement

to open the restaurant.

Attempt to stand here

as long as we're able.

Do you feel that

your position is reasonable?

I think so. And I think that

it's the only way to do it.

My philosophy is very simple.

When you see something

that is not right,

not fair, not just,

you have a moral obligation to

say something, to do something,

stand up, speak up, speak out.

Son of the South (2020) - full transcript