The Winds of Autumn (1976) - full transcript
In 1884, an eleven-year-old Quaker boy sets out on his own to seek revenge against a gang of outlaws who senselessly murdered his family.
[ducks quacking]
[eagle screams in the distance]
[gallop approaching]
[horse neighs]
Move on!
[ominous music]
[dramatic western music]
[screaming] Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
[man] Well, boy, did you go
to Canada for that water?
[panting]
Pa, there was a bunch of men
riding on the other side
of the river.
They turned and headed
toward Kalispell.
Well, there's many strangers
in our valley these days.
There's nothing to concern
thy self with.
And pa, there was an old lady
traveling with them.
She looked like a witch!
Hear now, young man.
Thee should not judge strangers
so harshly.
[boy] They were evil, pa.
I could just feel it.
Well... Anyway,
they're gone now.
Hurry up. Thine mother will
have a fit if we're late.
[mellow instrumental music]
[instrumental music intensifies]
[music turns calmer]
[music continues]
[music fades]
-[papa] Evening, Martha.
-Good evening, Kermit.
[Kermit] Catherine.
Evening, papa.
But I'm hungry.
Mama, he didn't wash himself
good again,
he's got dirt on his arms.
Back to the wash basin,
young man.
Oh, ma, they're clean enough.
[Catherine gasps]
Mama, he did it!
Please calm thyself.
He did what?
That demon put these eggs
in my chair
knowing that I'd sit on them!
I just forgot where I put them.
He didn't forget,
he did it on purpose.
[Martha] Well, young master,
since thou art
so full of the devil,
after supper, thee shall boil
a dozen eggs and devil them
for the picnic after services
on Sunday.
Oh, ma, that's girls' work.
Besides...
I'm supposed to go
over Mr. Pepperdine's tonight.
[papa] Do exactly
as thy mother says.
Thee can visit
thy friend Pepperdine tomorrow.
Yes, sir.
May we say grace?
[man 1] Why do we stop?
[man 2] That's why.
[man 2] Let's go over this.
Pay attention!
This is the potato field.
Right alongside here
is the road.
Yesterday, they got
about halfway through the field.
I figure tomorrow they will stop
somewhere along in here.
[woman] Off our route...
Two of the guards stay
on the wagon.
The other two situate themselves
on either side of the field.
That's what these two marks are,
here.
Now we'll dig two holes.
Right here.
Lester, that's yours.
Wire, you're in this one.
Now, we'll cover you two boys up
about sun up.
That way you'll only have to be
there about... a couple hours.
I ain't in shape
to be put in a hole,
I've got a raisin' on my butt.
That's enough outta you.
Don't you disrespect
your uncle that way.
You do what you're told!
[man 2] When you get
in the hole,
you take a bead
on the guard in front of you.
When we start shootin',
you cut him down.
And if you miss,
I'm gone leave you permanently
in that whole. You understand?
[chains and carts rattling]
[indistinct chatter]
[guard] Hold!
Get off the wagon, get in line!
[guards yelling
indistinct orders]
Line up!
[suspenseful music]
Lined up!
Line up!
[gun clicks]
Alright, get them sacks out!
Get 'em out!
Stay in line.
Come on, hurry it up!
Let's go, hurry it up.
In a line, get in line.
Let's go! Move on.
Let's go. In line!
[chains rattling]
[guard] Hold it up!
Hold up!
Bring up the wagon!
Okay, bring up that wagon!
[suspenseful music continues]
[metallic thuds]
-Guard?
-Yeah?
Alright. Make it snappy.
[guard] Stay in sight!
[prisoner] Yeah, Ferd,
he wants to watch you.
[prisoners laughing]
Shut up! Maybe you birds
would like to go all day
with nothing to eat!
[men laughing and groaning]
[whispering] Is that you, Wire?
[Lester] It's Lester,
get out of here.
[guard] Hey, Ferd!
Didn't you hear me say
to get a move on?
I just had a stomach cramp
for a minute.
[gunshot]
[action music]
[indistinct voices overlapping]
[shotgun clicks]
Ferd!
[screams excited] Whoo!
Ferd!
Hey, ma!
Ferd!
Woohoo!
[laughing and crying]
[dramatic music]
Lester!
[woman] Oh my God!
[man grunting] Hang on.
[Lester groans]
[woman] You gonna be all right,
now.
[man 2] Let's get outta here!
[whooshing]
[boy] Mister, Pepperdine!
The scythe needs sharpening,
you're knocking some down.
[Mr. Pepperdine] Yeah,
guess I better whet it up again.
[boy] Doggone...
I can'’t figure out how I missed
that rabbit last week.
[kicks wheat]
Well, you gotta move fast
to get the right shot off.
You blast away
without leading it properly.
Come over here.
Lemme show you something.
See these shells, boy?
They are hard to come by
these days.
You don't wanna waste them.
Remember that.
Yes, sir. I'm sorry.
[spitting]
It's alright,
as long as you learn something.
Yes, sir.
When I came by Lookout Point
this morning,
I saw a bunch of ducks.
Looked mostly
like green-head mallards.
[Mr. Pepperdine] Well, a couple
of them would make a nice meal.
You reckon
when we finish with the wheat,
we could go see
if they're still there?
[Mr. Pepperdine]
I don't see why not.
I reckon it's too soon
for me to try out old Betsy.
I think we better stick
to the 20 gauge.
Yeah.
Old Betsy probably kicks so hard
it'd knock me head over heels.
[laughs]
You aren't hefty enough yet
to handle a full-choke
double barrel 12 gauge,
but the way you filling out,
it won't be long.
How come you know so much
about guns?
Well, I used to fool around
with 'em a little.
[exhales sharply]
Pa says
thy hasn't always been a Quaker.
That's right.
I guess I was older than your pa
before I changed my ways
and joined
the society of friends.
Ma says thy is a good man.
But she don't like them guns.
Well, Joel...
Gun's just a tool.
A tool's got to be used
to keep meat on the table.
Some use guns for evil purposes
and other men have to use guns
to defend themselves from evil.
But Joel, a gun all by itself
ain't never done nothing,
good or bad.
It just depends
upon the man using it.
Yes, sir.
But I'd...
appreciate it if you not mention
to ma or pa about me
actually shooting them guns.
Well, Joel,
if they ask me straight out,
I'm gonna have to answer
truthfully.
Yes, sir, I know that.
I guess you won't be shooting
guns anymore, ah?
No, sir. I think I'm gonna keep
right on shootin'.
But I'm just gonna pray
that ma or pa don't ask thy
straight out.
[Pepperdine laughs]
- [adventurous music]
- [excited screams]
[laughing and howling]
[horse neighs]
[Wire] They didn't expect that!
[laughs]
Wooh!
I think we gotta stop
for Lester.
[groans]
Seems to me I seen a house
over that ridge when we rode in.
We'll stop there.
[horses neigh]
Mama...
Mama!
There are some men
riding up in the yard.
-[tense music]
-[dog barking]
[knocking on door]
[knocking louder]
Good morning, lady.
Good morning, friend.
We've got somebody with us
that's hurt.
We're gonna need hot water
and some bandages.
[Martha] Put some hot water on,
Catherine.
Bring him in.
[exhaling sharply]
[moaning]
Sit down there.
[gasping and moaning]
[woman] Hang on, boy.
You're gonna be alright, son.
Where is the man
around this place, ma?
[woman] Where is your man?
He's in the field.
You ever picked
any buckshot out, lady?
I'll do it!
If you got some tweezers.
Gonna need something
to help him stand the pain.
Got any whiskey around?
No, we don't have any whiskey.
What have you got for pain?
We have carbolic salve
and laudanum.
Well, bring the laudanum.
Boys, I'll take care of Lester.
Hog, you go ask the lady
if she can get us some vittles.
Yes, ma'am.
Ma says we gonna be needing
some vittles, ma'am.
Catherine, get some more eggs.
[gasping and moaning]
It sure don't look good,
does it?
Give me your knife
and I'll cut these away.
Wish we had that whiskey.
Well, you got him a bed,
that's...
that's more than we had before.
[ominous music]
[rushing wind]
[music intensifies]
[chickens clucking]
[Ferd] Don't scream.
[wind howling]
Please! Let go of me!
[moaning]
Let go!
[dramatic music]
[panting and moaning]
[girl crying]
[grunting and moaning]
[heavy breathing]
[loud cry]
[grunting]
[music intensifies]
[girl cries]
[Ferd groans]
[Catherine screams]
[muted thud]
[thud]
[music ends abruptly]
Hog?
Where's Ferd?
I don't know.
He was here a minute ago.
Well, get outside and find him.
Go on!
[heavy breathing]
[Ferd sighs]
[groans]
[exhales sharply]
God almighty, boy.
You have done it this time.
[inaudible]
I should've let you rot
in the cage, where you belong.
[Martha] Catherine!
Haven't seen that girl,
have thee?
[grunts]
Catherine!
[man 2] Wait a minute.
Somebody's coming down the road
on a mule.
Damn!
That must be her old man.
[Kermit] Neighbors.
Whoa!
Damn idiot!
See what you've done now?
Go get Wire.
Dumb! Idiot!
[Martha screams]
[suspenseful music]
Martha!
[Martha] Kermit!
Kermit, oh my God! No!
[Martha screaming and crying]
Go on. Get it over with.
[music intensifies]
-[gunshot]
-[Martha cries]
[gunshot]
[horse neighs]
J. Pete, what's going on?
This damn crazy son of yours
has killed the girl.
The worst day of my life
was the day I bore you.
[J. Pete] That woman came out
and went to the barn
looking for the girl,
but then...
her old man came in
from the field.
Them shots?
You mean...
Uh-huh. We didn't have no time
to talk it over with you.
Stark ravin' men!
The whole lot of you!
Don't go flying off
at the handle, we had no choice!
Turned my back on you
half an hour,
and you sealed
our death warrants!
Don't you realize
that every lawman in the area
is gonna be after us?
We better get outta here
before somebody sees us.
The first sensible thing
I've heard since...
Get in there! Get Lester
and get him on his horse!
[galloping] [men whooping]
[ominous music]
Mama!
[emotional music]
Mama!
[dramatic music]
[thunder rumbling]
[preacher] On behalf
of the family
of friends Kermit,
Martha and Catherine,
I welcome thee to this meeting
of worship
in memory of our dear friends.
This day, our sympathy
and our hearts reach out
for young Joel.
And our prayer is
that God will give him
the strength to look ahead
and to carry on his life
in the footsteps of his father.
[sad music]
Listen to me, young Joel.
Keep your head high, son,
and your faith unbroken.
For it is thee to whom God
will give the strength
to be an inspiration
to all of us.
Do it in the name
of your father,
your mother and your sister.
It was Kermit and Martha Rigney
that came into our valley
more than three years ago.
[dog whines]
They never asked for much.
They gave a lot.
They built this place
and worked this land
with their bare hands
and the help of the good Lord.
And Jesus said:
"Behold, for I am alive
forever more."
[all] Amen.
[thunder rumbling]
[dramatic music intensifies]
[music crescendo]
Come here.
[dog whines]
[dramatic music fades]
Friends,
this is a sad occasion
for us all.
A time when we must put
ourselves
in the hands of the Lord.
[indistinct murmuring]
Evening, Joel.
Evening.
[preacher] We must decide
who is to care for young Joel.
He needs a proper guardian.
I'll take care of the boy.
So important a matter
as the upbringing of a young boy
is a matter of decision
for the council of the elders.
Now, if you would ask me,
I-I would say
that an elderly bachelor
is hardly a proper person
to-to educate
and raise a young boy.
Well...
I'll abide
by whatever the boy says.
I reckon I'm old enough
to take care of myself.
But what I wanna know
is who's gonna go
after the men who did this.
Friend Joel,
you're old enough to know
that we're peaceful people,
opposed to meeting violence
with violence.
Peaceful?
How can we be peaceful
when this people come in
and kill us?
Young friend,
we sympathize with thee
for thy sorrow,
but thee must thrust out
these ugly and unchristian
thoughts of vengeance.
"For vengeance is mine",
said the Lord.
Yes, ma'am.
But didn'’t he also say,
in chapter 19 of Deuteronomy,
"the elder shall send for
and fetch the slayer hence,
and deliver him
to the avenger of blood
that he may die?
A life for a life,
an eye for an eye,
a hand for a hand,
and a tooth for a tooth"?
[inspiring music]
Come on.
Amen.
[door creaks]
Joel, I want you to come
and stay with me
until you make up your mind
what you wanna do.
But who will look after
the place?
The elders will take care of it.
Don't worry.
Mr. Pepperdine?
You're the only man
who could help me, if you would.
I know what you have hidden
in your trunk.
And I know who you used to be.
[laughs faintly]
Oh, boy,
that was a long time ago.
I was a young man, then.
Now I'm almost 70.
Look at these hands.
They're full of rheumatism.
I couldn't do you no good,
even if I tried.
I'm too young
and you're too old.
Nobody else is willing to try.
You reckon the good Lord
will help me out?
Well, the Lord works
in mysterious ways.
I just can't believe
he let this evil deed
go unpunished.
[dog whining]
Believe me, boy,
the wrath of the Lord
is on its way.
-[cow mooing]
-[chicken cackling]
Mr. Pepperdine!
Good morning!
Good morning.
[Pepperdine]
You alright this morning?
[Joel] Yes, sir.
[cow moos]
You reckon thee could do
without me a while this morning?
What's on your mind?
I just wanted to go home
to see if everything is alright.
Oh, I'm sure it is.
Friend Caleb said he'd take care
after things.
Well, I just wanted to see
old Jack.
He must be kind of upset
about no one being there.
Well...
I reckon that'd be alright.
You sure that won't make you
feel bad?
I'm sure.
What time will you be back?
I reckon about nine.
By then I'll be over
in the east field.
Say, would you like to ride
old Molly?
No, sir.
If it's all the same to you,
I'd just as soon walk.
[sad harmonica music]
[longing music]
[suspenseful music]
[creaking]
[music intensifies]
[chickens cackling]
[adventurous music]
[cat meows]
Doggone, Jack,
it's good to see you.
[donkey hee-haws]
Where's old Mood?
There you are, Mood.
How have you been?
Missed me?
[dog whines]
Old dog, I really missed you.
And old Jack too.
[Preacher] Listen to me,
young Joel.
Keep your head high, son,
and your faith unbroken.
For it is thee to whom God
will give the strength
to be an inspiration
to all of us.
[birds chirping]
I need some more water.
That's a boy.
[moaning]
You're gonna be better.
[harmonica music approaching]
[wagon rattling]
You know, it is a pretty day!
Dag gum!
Wire, get on your fit.
What is it, J. Pete?
We alright. Take care of Lester.
Hog.
You stay where you are.
Whoe, Professor!
Whoe! Whoe!
Looks like you folks
could use a little help.
And this is your lucky day
'cause your old knight
of the west is here to help.
Permit me to introduce myself.
I'm Rattler Gravley,
professor of herbal ointment.
But you, my friends,
can call me Rattler.
Because everybody does.
[high pitch laugh]
Catching rattle snakes
is my hobby.
Why, if you had
all the rattlers I've caught
and just tie them together,
you'd have a ribbon
of snake skins around the world.
I'm the world's champion
rattle snake catcher.
I snap the heads off
just like you snap your fingers,
friend.
I ain't your friend.
Well, I can hardly believe that.
You look friendly.
Tell me, with all that stuff,
got any medicine
that's worth a damn?
Listen, my friend,
in that little old wagon there,
I've got Doctor Krab's
snake oil liniment,
herbal ointment,
Mother Krab's tonic water,
this-this thing can cure
the hives, hiccup, heartburn,
bunions, hemorrhoids.
Why, I know a poor fellow
over south Dakota,
why, he had hemorrhoids so big,
that he had to rest them
on a chair when he went to bed.
But after using one bottle
of Doctor Krab's snake oil,
he now sleeps on the floor
and the hemorrhoid sleeps
in the bed.
[laughs loudly]
You got anything for ridin'?
[woman] Shut up, Wire.
Have you got any bandages?
Yes, ma'am,
think I can scrape up a few.
What's this man seem
to be afflicted with?
Blood poison.
Blood poison!
I got a special pottage
that'll suck out the bad blood
just like a hungry calf
sucking its mother's milk.
See that buffalo there?
The only one in the world
that's ever been hypnotized.
I just ran alongside of him,
chunk some hocusin' pocusin'
at him,
and stopped him cold
in his tracks.
Stood still he did!
Just like a statue.
Then I made him follow me.
And he trotted
all the way back to camp.
[laughs loudly]
Get them bandages
and that pottage,
then you can go on
with your windbaggin'.
Yes ma'am!
Would you and your boys
like a little dose
of mother Krab's tonic water?
It's only 15 cents.
And besides, it's good for you.
[exhales] Ahh.
Yeah, lemme try that.
It ain't bad.
[gulping]
[burps]
[exhales sharply]
No wonder they call you Hog.
Bring that pottage right here
to my son!
Yes, ma'am! God!
[woman] There, boy.
[birds cawing]
[J. Pete] What is it?
This here, my friend,
is the secret ingredient
to a healing pottage
that the world has seldom seen.
Open it up, let's see it.
Ouh!
Christ, that stuff stinks!
What the hell is it?
Buffalo guts, guaranteed
to suck out the poison.
Well, get it out of here.
I know it has
an unpleasant odor, but...
You take my advice, peddler,
move while you're still able.
Yes sir, but I'd just like to...
-Move!
-Oh, don't you know it!
Get him out of here.
[Lester groans]
Hold up!
Where's there a real doctor
around here?
Well, ma'am,
that'd be old doctor Piedmont,
over in Great Falls.
About a two-day ride.
[Rattler]
I got the best medicine here...
[mumbling]
My pottage
is as good as anybody's.
[eagle screaming
in the distance]
Give me a couple more bottles
of that tonic water.
I'm afraid
I'm running short on tonic.
But I guess
I can spare a couple.
Here you go, big fella.
It's 40 cents
for the tonic water
and 20 cents for the bandages.
On second thought,
I'll just jot it down
and catch you
the next time around.
Here you go, young fella.
No charge, just what you need.
-What is it?
-Worming medicine.
Looks like you could use
a good worming.
[Rattler laughs]
Alright, let's get the hell
out of here!
[Hog and Wire laugh]
[dumb laugh]
[chickens cackling]
Joel?
He was supposed to be back
hours ago.
What happened to him?
Joel?
[suspenseful music]
My God!
He's gone after them by himself.
[music intensifies]
Lord, I put these guns away
a long time ago.
When I did...
it changed my life.
[intense action music]
[wind rushing]
[horse neighs]
[galloping away]
-[music fades]
-[wind howls]
[fire crackling]
[crickets chirping]
[peaceful music]
[inaudible]
[inaudible]
[Martha] Goodnight, Joel.
Good night, ma.
[thunder rumbling]
[soft harmonica music]
[Martha] Good night, Joel.
[Joel] Good night, ma.
[tranquil music]
Come on, Jack!
Giddy up!
[Rattle's harmonica continues]
[gunshot]
[gunshot]
Hold your fire, damn it!
Hold your fire!
You wouldn't shoot a man's dog
if he barks when you come
into his place, right?
So a man ain't safe
out on the prairie.
You come in here shootin' up,
what's wrong with you?
Boy,
these here snakes is my dogs.
They let me know when someone
is sneakin' up on me.
Boy!
You sure did make a mess
out of Agatha and Roger.
I'm sorry, I was scared.
Well, they ain't no loss.
I was gonna eat them anyway.
I'll make stew
instead of frying them.
Come over and sit a spell like.
You look like you could use
a hot meal.
No, thanks, I already ate.
Oh, come on!
Come on, boy. Come on.
Come on.
Come on up here and sit down.
[Rattler mumbles]
You don't have any more snakes
around here, do you?
Don't you worry, young fella,
you're in the company
of Dr. Rattler S. Gravely,
the world's greatest
rattle snake expert.
You sure you wouldn't like
a little snake and beans?
I'm sure.
They're good for you,
they help you.
Say, ain't you a little young to
be traveling all by yourself?
I'm just trying to catch up
with the people I got lost from.
You don't mean an old woman
and old man and four boys,
one of them hurt badly?
I didn't know
one of them was hurt.
Yeah. They're taking him
over to the Dr. Piedmont
over in Great Falls.
I could have fixed him by myself
with my buffalo pottage,
but they didn't seem to like it.
How far is that from here?
Great Falls?
It's about a two-day ride,
I'd say.
But they-they goin' east,
heading towards the Dakotas.
Yes, sir, I think so.
Are you riding or walking?
I'm riding my pall's mule.
Mule! Why,
you ain't got no trouble at all.
You know, son,
If I was you,
I'd head right over the top
of that hill there,
and over that big mountain
and down into the valley.
Indians use it.
I've made many,
many a trip over it myself.
Until I collected
so many possessions,
I had to get me a wagon.
I want you to remember
one thing.
Possessions is a burden.
You remember that, you hear?
[groans]
I better get them snakes goin'.
Here you go, young fella.
Take this tonic water with you.
You never know
when you'll be took down
with the measles.
It's good for you,
besides helping you.
Yes, sir.
Thank you for all your help.
And don't you worry
about Agatha and Roger, son,
'cause I'm the world's champion
rattle snake catcher.
I'll catch me some more.
[birds chirping]
And may God go with you, son.
[inspiring music]
[adventurous music]
[horse neighs]
[music turns dramatic]
[music fades]
[horse neighs in the distance]
[panting]
[indistinct chattering
and laughter]
[panting]
[men speaking
in Native American language]
[men continue chattering]
[dramatic music]
[music turns calmer]
[men speaking and laughing]
[dramatic music]
[wind blowing]
[distant wolf howling]
[ominous music]
[wolf howling closer]
[Joel screams] Jack!
Hey, Jack!
[eerie music]
Jack!
Jack!
Jack!
[panting]
Jack!
[dramatic music]
[music crescendo]
[music intensifies]
[wind howling]
[horse neighs]
[peaceful music]
Jack.
[calm music]
[music intensifies]
[birds cawing]
I wonder what's keeping them.
[door opens]
[J. Pete] How is he, doctor?
Well he's about as well
as could be expected.
I took out all the buckshot
I could find.
But there is one piece
lodged next to his spinal cord,
and I didn't dare touch that.
But what concerns me most
is that blood poisoning set in
in six or seven places.
How soon will he be able
to ride?
-Ride?
-Yeah.
You don't understand,
his condition is critical.
He can't be moved,
much less ride.
It's out of the question.
Let's go Ora Mae.
Thank you, doctor.
Yes, ma'am.
[J. Pete] No way
we can hang around town
without word of it
getting around.
[Ora Mae] I know.
We gotta leave Lester
in the doctor's office
till morning.
Then we gotta get out of here
no matter... Give me my coat!
Ferd, I want you to get a wagon
and fill it full of straw
so it'll ride nice and easy.
I'm gonna need some money.
Do you have money for a wagon?
Just about.
We gotta get some more supplies,
we gotta find some somewhere.
I wonder if they got a bank
in this town.
[Ora Mae] I want you to find
that out, Hog.
In the morning, I and J. Pete
is gonna take Lester
and get a three hour start.
Then I want you boys
to take the bank.
They only got one sheriff here,
and he's a drunk.
[J. Pete] That's it. Come on.
Come on.
Whoa!
[J. Pete] How's Lester doing?
[Hog] I don't know, I didn't
check on him after you left.
Why not? What about the bank?
[Hog] Well, they got one here,
but it's closed.
Everybody does their banking
at Fort Denton now,
about 45 miles to the east.
We're going in that direction
if you want to wait.
We're not going there,
they got a U.S. marshal
and he's got deputies.
We'll have to get the money
somewhere...
Where's Ferd?
I don't know. He ought to be
here ahead of me with the wagon.
That damn boy!
You can't trust him 15 minutes.
Alright, you-you go get him!
The two of you.
-[cheerful music]
-[chatter and laughter]
[indistinct chatter]
Damn, boys, you sure came
to the right place.
[woman] Evening, boys.
Welcome to Maydell's.
I'll be right with you.
Check your hardware
behind the bar.
Guns and gals don't mix.
Give me that gun.
[giggles]
[indistinct conversations]
[giggles]
[Hog] Reckon where he is?
There must be 20 or 30 rooms
in this place.
Yeah.
[woman] Give them
a drink. You boys from the mine?
Yes, ma'am,
that's why we're here.
We got this little problem,
ma'am.
I know it. Everybody that comes
in this place has a problem.
Well, ma'am, this is kind
of a special problem.
This man, he's sort of a short,
little scrawny fella,
he must get back
to the mine right away.
Would you happen to know
what room he's in?
Lord, no. But if he's as scrawny
as you say he is,
I don't expect you'd have
too long a wait.
I got nothing
but healthy girls here.
Sit down and relax. He'll be out
in no more than ten minutes.
[cheerful music continues]
This place is busier
than an ant hill.
No wonder, look at them girls!
They're prettier than a litter
of speckled pups.
-Yeah.
-I told you.
Reckon how much they charge.
More than you've got,
that's for sure.
Go ask her.
Ask her?
You ask her yourself!
I'm gonna squeeze you up
like a ball
and bounce you out of here.
[inaudible]
Well?
All the way up to five dollars.
If you know what you want.
Five dollars! You foolin'!
This place is making a fortune.
Have you seen anybody
guardin' it?
Yeah.
And that's him,
standing right over yonder.
What's going on with you,
anyway?
I've been thinkin'.
If there ain't no bank
in this town
and we ain't goin' to that town
where there is a bank,
what do you think
about holdin' this place up?
Well, that mean lookin' jasper
standin' there is a good reason.
You're gonna let a little reason
like that hold you up, are you?
I don't know, maybe I wouldn't.
Hey, we ain't never held up
no place like this.
Let's do it.
Let's wait for Ferd,
we're gonna need him.
Look yonder! Look yonder!
Here comes that scoundrel now.
[women laughing loudly]
Yeah, he's got that hair
all slicked down.
Will you look at that!
[inaudible]
I betcha he done had a bath,
too.
What's the matter?
[loud chatter continues]
What are you two doing in here?
Not spending ma's wagon money
gettin' our back rubbed.
No tellin' what else
you been doin' up there.
Listen, you two.
I've been trottin' in that jail
for more than a year
while you two were having
a good time.
-I can't even...
-Watch out, before I mash you.
Now you pay attention.
We're gonna rob this place.
You gotta be kiddin' me.
Ma will kill us.
No, she won't. We need the money
and the place is loaded with it.
Now you listen.
This is what we're gonna do.
[inaudible]
Ouch!
[gasp]
If you wanna play, buster,
first you pay.
George, this guy's a grabber.
[cheering and clapping]
[thud]
[grunt]
Hold it!
Alright, this is a stick up!
You're kidding! [laughs loudly]
[girl gasps] What's going on?
[women screaming]
What's going on downstairs?
Oh, just lay back honey,
don't worry about it.
Hey!
Alright.
Put it on the table, lady.
[footsteps approaching]
[door opens and closes]
-Who's there?
-What do you want?
Shut up, this is a stick up.
[Wire howls]
Who is it?
[havoc music]
[gasps]
[girl screaming]
[Wire] Don't you know
this is a stick up?
[lively bluegrass music]
[Wire] Hey!
Ferd, will you hold your fire,
damn it, boy!
[Hog] What are you doin' boy?
Check that damn door!
[girl screams]
I don't believe this!
-Got any money?
-Nobody would answer the door.
Answer the door? Get down
that hall and find some money.
-[Hog] Where's Ferd?
-[Wire] I don't know.
[Hog] Get him.
Hey, Ferd!
[Ferd yells, excited]
[Hog] I got one more room
to check.
[Wire] Come on, boy!
Let's get out of here!
[man] Come back here, damn it!
[Wire howling]
[Ferd] Ah?
Come back here, you dirty...
[man yells]
What's wrong with you, ma!
We got a whole bunch of money,
we didn't even kill nobody.
Have you forgot about Lester?
Now we have to get out of here,
they'll have a posse after us.
Why didn't you wait
as we planned? Damn it!
We was already there,
and it seemed
like the natural thing to do.
Get your butts out of here,
get a wagon and get some hay,
and bring Lester
out of that doctor's place!
I'll do it.
They'd be recognized in town.
Give me the money, Hog.
Give me that money!
You boys get packed up.
[Ora Mae] Look at you.
You look ridiculous!
[adventurous music]
[calm music]
He was my first born.
Only one of you any damn good.
[Ora Mae sobbing]
[clinking sound approaching]
[horse neighing]
Listen.
I hear something.
[clinking sound continues]
What is it?
I don't know, but it stopped.
[suspenseful music]
[shotgun clicks]
J. Pete, I...
I don't wanna travel
anymore today.
I don't wanna leave Lester
here alone on his first night.
Alright.
Come on, boys.
Let's set up the camp.
[gun cock]
[Ora Mae sobbing]
Ma, I guess it's...
my fault about Lester.
Oh...
Take off your hat.
[moaning]
[suspenseful music]
[click]
[sobs]
[heavy breathing]
[music intensifies]
[leaves rustling]
[panting]
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[horse neighs]
[gunshot]
[gunshot]
[Ora Mae] Ferd!
Ferd!
[metallic clinking]
[ominous music]
[wind rushing]
[horse neighs]
[Wire] Unc, I don't like this.
Can't see nothin'.
Ain't no tellin'
where that damn bushwhacker is.
He can't see in this fog
any better than we can.
Well, whoever it is,
he ain't no lawman
I never knew a lawman
to bushwhack.
Why don't everybody
just shut up?
-And let's keep movin'.
-Listen!
[metallic clinking]
That's the same sound I heard
the day Ferd got it.
Seems to be stayin'
about the same distance away.
We ain't gonna travel blind
right into him
and get our heads shot,
let's spread out!
You're right.
Let's not get caught bunched up.
[clinking continues]
[suspenseful music]
[gun clicks]
-[gunshot]
-[groan]
[groaning]
[gunshot]
[dramatic music]
I didn't know it was you!
I didn't know it was you!
[dramatic music]
[moaning]
[sad music]
[wind blowing]
[rain falling]
[thunders rumbling]
-[J. Pete] Put the horses there.
-[Wire] Alright.
[Hog groans]
[moaning]
[Hog] Easy.
It looks bad.
Here, lift it up.
Take it easy.
-Listen!
-[metallic clinking]
What is it?
[J. Pete] I don't know.
Turn out that lamp.
[clinking gets closer]
[suspenseful music]
[rattle]
[J. Pete] Bring him here,
I wanna talk to him.
Look at this damn thing.
I ain't got nothing
against pig stickin',
not even a little one
if he needs pig stickin'.
So just you tell us
everything you know
since the day you could walk.
I... ain't got nothing to tell.
Why are you followin' us, boy?
What you got against us?
Who do you got with you?
Nobody, I'm by myself.
Why don't I just go ahead
and stick him?
No, the boy is traveling
with somebody.
Don't know
how he got separated from them,
but I figure he'll bring them
to us.
And I don't think
they'll be long in comin'.
Tie him to that post over there.
[grunting] Alright, boy.
Speak up. Who are you?
My name is Joel, Joel Rigney.
What are you doin' out
on a night like this, Joel?
After-after I finished plowin',
I went over to see
a friend of mine.
On the way home
I got caught in the storm.
And it got worse.
So I decided to stop off
here in this barn.
I don't believe
a damn word of that.
Check his mule,
see what he's got.
Don't pamper this whelp!
I'll slit his throat!
Don't you see that damn gun?
I see the damn gun!
I'm tellin' you
I don't want the kid hurt
until I get this thing
figured out.
I'm certain he's traveling
with the folks after us.
You ain't gonna make me believe
it's no kid who did that.
I didn't say he done it!
I said he's traveling
with those who done it.
Somebody's gonna be comin'
for this kid.
When they do,
we'll get down to the grizzle.
Uhm? Gotta get some rest.
You take the first watch
and gag the kid.
[muted scream]
[rainfall and thunder continue]
[rat squeaking]
[galloping]
[adventurous music]
Unc!
[Wire] Hog, you all wake up!
There's somebody comin'.
I knew he'd be comin'.
He's circlin' around the barn.
[inaudible]
[suspenseful music crescendo]
[Pepperdine] Mornin', friends.
Easy!
Put them guns down.
Put 'em down!
I ain't here to harm nobody.
I just want that boy.
But I warn you...
if you force me to, I'll kill.
Now, you two,
back up over there.
Turn around.
Do what he says, Wire,
I can't see him.
Alright, big fella,
roll over on your stomach.
Easy!
Joel, where are you, boy?
[suspenseful music]
-[gunshot]
-[horse neighs]
You alright, boy?
Oh, it's good to see you.
But you're hurt.
It ain't nothin'
a little turpentine won't fix.
The Lord was on our side today.
[tranquil harmonica music]
[door creaks]
Mr. Pepperdine!
I ain't never seen anybody
that could shoot like you did.
Besides, you came in
just at the right time.
That thin one
was gonna pig stick me.
I couldn't see you.
But I knew where you were
when I saw the fire
from them guns.
And you know somethin' else?
Mr. Pepperdine?
[emotional music]
[water splash]
Are you sure you're alright?
[water splash]
[horse neighs]
Besides...
these shells
are hard to come by.
Let's go home, Joel.
[tranquil music]
[music intensifies]
[eagle screams in the distance]
[gallop approaching]
[horse neighs]
Move on!
[ominous music]
[dramatic western music]
[screaming] Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
Pa!
[man] Well, boy, did you go
to Canada for that water?
[panting]
Pa, there was a bunch of men
riding on the other side
of the river.
They turned and headed
toward Kalispell.
Well, there's many strangers
in our valley these days.
There's nothing to concern
thy self with.
And pa, there was an old lady
traveling with them.
She looked like a witch!
Hear now, young man.
Thee should not judge strangers
so harshly.
[boy] They were evil, pa.
I could just feel it.
Well... Anyway,
they're gone now.
Hurry up. Thine mother will
have a fit if we're late.
[mellow instrumental music]
[instrumental music intensifies]
[music turns calmer]
[music continues]
[music fades]
-[papa] Evening, Martha.
-Good evening, Kermit.
[Kermit] Catherine.
Evening, papa.
But I'm hungry.
Mama, he didn't wash himself
good again,
he's got dirt on his arms.
Back to the wash basin,
young man.
Oh, ma, they're clean enough.
[Catherine gasps]
Mama, he did it!
Please calm thyself.
He did what?
That demon put these eggs
in my chair
knowing that I'd sit on them!
I just forgot where I put them.
He didn't forget,
he did it on purpose.
[Martha] Well, young master,
since thou art
so full of the devil,
after supper, thee shall boil
a dozen eggs and devil them
for the picnic after services
on Sunday.
Oh, ma, that's girls' work.
Besides...
I'm supposed to go
over Mr. Pepperdine's tonight.
[papa] Do exactly
as thy mother says.
Thee can visit
thy friend Pepperdine tomorrow.
Yes, sir.
May we say grace?
[man 1] Why do we stop?
[man 2] That's why.
[man 2] Let's go over this.
Pay attention!
This is the potato field.
Right alongside here
is the road.
Yesterday, they got
about halfway through the field.
I figure tomorrow they will stop
somewhere along in here.
[woman] Off our route...
Two of the guards stay
on the wagon.
The other two situate themselves
on either side of the field.
That's what these two marks are,
here.
Now we'll dig two holes.
Right here.
Lester, that's yours.
Wire, you're in this one.
Now, we'll cover you two boys up
about sun up.
That way you'll only have to be
there about... a couple hours.
I ain't in shape
to be put in a hole,
I've got a raisin' on my butt.
That's enough outta you.
Don't you disrespect
your uncle that way.
You do what you're told!
[man 2] When you get
in the hole,
you take a bead
on the guard in front of you.
When we start shootin',
you cut him down.
And if you miss,
I'm gone leave you permanently
in that whole. You understand?
[chains and carts rattling]
[indistinct chatter]
[guard] Hold!
Get off the wagon, get in line!
[guards yelling
indistinct orders]
Line up!
[suspenseful music]
Lined up!
Line up!
[gun clicks]
Alright, get them sacks out!
Get 'em out!
Stay in line.
Come on, hurry it up!
Let's go, hurry it up.
In a line, get in line.
Let's go! Move on.
Let's go. In line!
[chains rattling]
[guard] Hold it up!
Hold up!
Bring up the wagon!
Okay, bring up that wagon!
[suspenseful music continues]
[metallic thuds]
-Guard?
-Yeah?
Alright. Make it snappy.
[guard] Stay in sight!
[prisoner] Yeah, Ferd,
he wants to watch you.
[prisoners laughing]
Shut up! Maybe you birds
would like to go all day
with nothing to eat!
[men laughing and groaning]
[whispering] Is that you, Wire?
[Lester] It's Lester,
get out of here.
[guard] Hey, Ferd!
Didn't you hear me say
to get a move on?
I just had a stomach cramp
for a minute.
[gunshot]
[action music]
[indistinct voices overlapping]
[shotgun clicks]
Ferd!
[screams excited] Whoo!
Ferd!
Hey, ma!
Ferd!
Woohoo!
[laughing and crying]
[dramatic music]
Lester!
[woman] Oh my God!
[man grunting] Hang on.
[Lester groans]
[woman] You gonna be all right,
now.
[man 2] Let's get outta here!
[whooshing]
[boy] Mister, Pepperdine!
The scythe needs sharpening,
you're knocking some down.
[Mr. Pepperdine] Yeah,
guess I better whet it up again.
[boy] Doggone...
I can'’t figure out how I missed
that rabbit last week.
[kicks wheat]
Well, you gotta move fast
to get the right shot off.
You blast away
without leading it properly.
Come over here.
Lemme show you something.
See these shells, boy?
They are hard to come by
these days.
You don't wanna waste them.
Remember that.
Yes, sir. I'm sorry.
[spitting]
It's alright,
as long as you learn something.
Yes, sir.
When I came by Lookout Point
this morning,
I saw a bunch of ducks.
Looked mostly
like green-head mallards.
[Mr. Pepperdine] Well, a couple
of them would make a nice meal.
You reckon
when we finish with the wheat,
we could go see
if they're still there?
[Mr. Pepperdine]
I don't see why not.
I reckon it's too soon
for me to try out old Betsy.
I think we better stick
to the 20 gauge.
Yeah.
Old Betsy probably kicks so hard
it'd knock me head over heels.
[laughs]
You aren't hefty enough yet
to handle a full-choke
double barrel 12 gauge,
but the way you filling out,
it won't be long.
How come you know so much
about guns?
Well, I used to fool around
with 'em a little.
[exhales sharply]
Pa says
thy hasn't always been a Quaker.
That's right.
I guess I was older than your pa
before I changed my ways
and joined
the society of friends.
Ma says thy is a good man.
But she don't like them guns.
Well, Joel...
Gun's just a tool.
A tool's got to be used
to keep meat on the table.
Some use guns for evil purposes
and other men have to use guns
to defend themselves from evil.
But Joel, a gun all by itself
ain't never done nothing,
good or bad.
It just depends
upon the man using it.
Yes, sir.
But I'd...
appreciate it if you not mention
to ma or pa about me
actually shooting them guns.
Well, Joel,
if they ask me straight out,
I'm gonna have to answer
truthfully.
Yes, sir, I know that.
I guess you won't be shooting
guns anymore, ah?
No, sir. I think I'm gonna keep
right on shootin'.
But I'm just gonna pray
that ma or pa don't ask thy
straight out.
[Pepperdine laughs]
- [adventurous music]
- [excited screams]
[laughing and howling]
[horse neighs]
[Wire] They didn't expect that!
[laughs]
Wooh!
I think we gotta stop
for Lester.
[groans]
Seems to me I seen a house
over that ridge when we rode in.
We'll stop there.
[horses neigh]
Mama...
Mama!
There are some men
riding up in the yard.
-[tense music]
-[dog barking]
[knocking on door]
[knocking louder]
Good morning, lady.
Good morning, friend.
We've got somebody with us
that's hurt.
We're gonna need hot water
and some bandages.
[Martha] Put some hot water on,
Catherine.
Bring him in.
[exhaling sharply]
[moaning]
Sit down there.
[gasping and moaning]
[woman] Hang on, boy.
You're gonna be alright, son.
Where is the man
around this place, ma?
[woman] Where is your man?
He's in the field.
You ever picked
any buckshot out, lady?
I'll do it!
If you got some tweezers.
Gonna need something
to help him stand the pain.
Got any whiskey around?
No, we don't have any whiskey.
What have you got for pain?
We have carbolic salve
and laudanum.
Well, bring the laudanum.
Boys, I'll take care of Lester.
Hog, you go ask the lady
if she can get us some vittles.
Yes, ma'am.
Ma says we gonna be needing
some vittles, ma'am.
Catherine, get some more eggs.
[gasping and moaning]
It sure don't look good,
does it?
Give me your knife
and I'll cut these away.
Wish we had that whiskey.
Well, you got him a bed,
that's...
that's more than we had before.
[ominous music]
[rushing wind]
[music intensifies]
[chickens clucking]
[Ferd] Don't scream.
[wind howling]
Please! Let go of me!
[moaning]
Let go!
[dramatic music]
[panting and moaning]
[girl crying]
[grunting and moaning]
[heavy breathing]
[loud cry]
[grunting]
[music intensifies]
[girl cries]
[Ferd groans]
[Catherine screams]
[muted thud]
[thud]
[music ends abruptly]
Hog?
Where's Ferd?
I don't know.
He was here a minute ago.
Well, get outside and find him.
Go on!
[heavy breathing]
[Ferd sighs]
[groans]
[exhales sharply]
God almighty, boy.
You have done it this time.
[inaudible]
I should've let you rot
in the cage, where you belong.
[Martha] Catherine!
Haven't seen that girl,
have thee?
[grunts]
Catherine!
[man 2] Wait a minute.
Somebody's coming down the road
on a mule.
Damn!
That must be her old man.
[Kermit] Neighbors.
Whoa!
Damn idiot!
See what you've done now?
Go get Wire.
Dumb! Idiot!
[Martha screams]
[suspenseful music]
Martha!
[Martha] Kermit!
Kermit, oh my God! No!
[Martha screaming and crying]
Go on. Get it over with.
[music intensifies]
-[gunshot]
-[Martha cries]
[gunshot]
[horse neighs]
J. Pete, what's going on?
This damn crazy son of yours
has killed the girl.
The worst day of my life
was the day I bore you.
[J. Pete] That woman came out
and went to the barn
looking for the girl,
but then...
her old man came in
from the field.
Them shots?
You mean...
Uh-huh. We didn't have no time
to talk it over with you.
Stark ravin' men!
The whole lot of you!
Don't go flying off
at the handle, we had no choice!
Turned my back on you
half an hour,
and you sealed
our death warrants!
Don't you realize
that every lawman in the area
is gonna be after us?
We better get outta here
before somebody sees us.
The first sensible thing
I've heard since...
Get in there! Get Lester
and get him on his horse!
[galloping] [men whooping]
[ominous music]
Mama!
[emotional music]
Mama!
[dramatic music]
[thunder rumbling]
[preacher] On behalf
of the family
of friends Kermit,
Martha and Catherine,
I welcome thee to this meeting
of worship
in memory of our dear friends.
This day, our sympathy
and our hearts reach out
for young Joel.
And our prayer is
that God will give him
the strength to look ahead
and to carry on his life
in the footsteps of his father.
[sad music]
Listen to me, young Joel.
Keep your head high, son,
and your faith unbroken.
For it is thee to whom God
will give the strength
to be an inspiration
to all of us.
Do it in the name
of your father,
your mother and your sister.
It was Kermit and Martha Rigney
that came into our valley
more than three years ago.
[dog whines]
They never asked for much.
They gave a lot.
They built this place
and worked this land
with their bare hands
and the help of the good Lord.
And Jesus said:
"Behold, for I am alive
forever more."
[all] Amen.
[thunder rumbling]
[dramatic music intensifies]
[music crescendo]
Come here.
[dog whines]
[dramatic music fades]
Friends,
this is a sad occasion
for us all.
A time when we must put
ourselves
in the hands of the Lord.
[indistinct murmuring]
Evening, Joel.
Evening.
[preacher] We must decide
who is to care for young Joel.
He needs a proper guardian.
I'll take care of the boy.
So important a matter
as the upbringing of a young boy
is a matter of decision
for the council of the elders.
Now, if you would ask me,
I-I would say
that an elderly bachelor
is hardly a proper person
to-to educate
and raise a young boy.
Well...
I'll abide
by whatever the boy says.
I reckon I'm old enough
to take care of myself.
But what I wanna know
is who's gonna go
after the men who did this.
Friend Joel,
you're old enough to know
that we're peaceful people,
opposed to meeting violence
with violence.
Peaceful?
How can we be peaceful
when this people come in
and kill us?
Young friend,
we sympathize with thee
for thy sorrow,
but thee must thrust out
these ugly and unchristian
thoughts of vengeance.
"For vengeance is mine",
said the Lord.
Yes, ma'am.
But didn'’t he also say,
in chapter 19 of Deuteronomy,
"the elder shall send for
and fetch the slayer hence,
and deliver him
to the avenger of blood
that he may die?
A life for a life,
an eye for an eye,
a hand for a hand,
and a tooth for a tooth"?
[inspiring music]
Come on.
Amen.
[door creaks]
Joel, I want you to come
and stay with me
until you make up your mind
what you wanna do.
But who will look after
the place?
The elders will take care of it.
Don't worry.
Mr. Pepperdine?
You're the only man
who could help me, if you would.
I know what you have hidden
in your trunk.
And I know who you used to be.
[laughs faintly]
Oh, boy,
that was a long time ago.
I was a young man, then.
Now I'm almost 70.
Look at these hands.
They're full of rheumatism.
I couldn't do you no good,
even if I tried.
I'm too young
and you're too old.
Nobody else is willing to try.
You reckon the good Lord
will help me out?
Well, the Lord works
in mysterious ways.
I just can't believe
he let this evil deed
go unpunished.
[dog whining]
Believe me, boy,
the wrath of the Lord
is on its way.
-[cow mooing]
-[chicken cackling]
Mr. Pepperdine!
Good morning!
Good morning.
[Pepperdine]
You alright this morning?
[Joel] Yes, sir.
[cow moos]
You reckon thee could do
without me a while this morning?
What's on your mind?
I just wanted to go home
to see if everything is alright.
Oh, I'm sure it is.
Friend Caleb said he'd take care
after things.
Well, I just wanted to see
old Jack.
He must be kind of upset
about no one being there.
Well...
I reckon that'd be alright.
You sure that won't make you
feel bad?
I'm sure.
What time will you be back?
I reckon about nine.
By then I'll be over
in the east field.
Say, would you like to ride
old Molly?
No, sir.
If it's all the same to you,
I'd just as soon walk.
[sad harmonica music]
[longing music]
[suspenseful music]
[creaking]
[music intensifies]
[chickens cackling]
[adventurous music]
[cat meows]
Doggone, Jack,
it's good to see you.
[donkey hee-haws]
Where's old Mood?
There you are, Mood.
How have you been?
Missed me?
[dog whines]
Old dog, I really missed you.
And old Jack too.
[Preacher] Listen to me,
young Joel.
Keep your head high, son,
and your faith unbroken.
For it is thee to whom God
will give the strength
to be an inspiration
to all of us.
[birds chirping]
I need some more water.
That's a boy.
[moaning]
You're gonna be better.
[harmonica music approaching]
[wagon rattling]
You know, it is a pretty day!
Dag gum!
Wire, get on your fit.
What is it, J. Pete?
We alright. Take care of Lester.
Hog.
You stay where you are.
Whoe, Professor!
Whoe! Whoe!
Looks like you folks
could use a little help.
And this is your lucky day
'cause your old knight
of the west is here to help.
Permit me to introduce myself.
I'm Rattler Gravley,
professor of herbal ointment.
But you, my friends,
can call me Rattler.
Because everybody does.
[high pitch laugh]
Catching rattle snakes
is my hobby.
Why, if you had
all the rattlers I've caught
and just tie them together,
you'd have a ribbon
of snake skins around the world.
I'm the world's champion
rattle snake catcher.
I snap the heads off
just like you snap your fingers,
friend.
I ain't your friend.
Well, I can hardly believe that.
You look friendly.
Tell me, with all that stuff,
got any medicine
that's worth a damn?
Listen, my friend,
in that little old wagon there,
I've got Doctor Krab's
snake oil liniment,
herbal ointment,
Mother Krab's tonic water,
this-this thing can cure
the hives, hiccup, heartburn,
bunions, hemorrhoids.
Why, I know a poor fellow
over south Dakota,
why, he had hemorrhoids so big,
that he had to rest them
on a chair when he went to bed.
But after using one bottle
of Doctor Krab's snake oil,
he now sleeps on the floor
and the hemorrhoid sleeps
in the bed.
[laughs loudly]
You got anything for ridin'?
[woman] Shut up, Wire.
Have you got any bandages?
Yes, ma'am,
think I can scrape up a few.
What's this man seem
to be afflicted with?
Blood poison.
Blood poison!
I got a special pottage
that'll suck out the bad blood
just like a hungry calf
sucking its mother's milk.
See that buffalo there?
The only one in the world
that's ever been hypnotized.
I just ran alongside of him,
chunk some hocusin' pocusin'
at him,
and stopped him cold
in his tracks.
Stood still he did!
Just like a statue.
Then I made him follow me.
And he trotted
all the way back to camp.
[laughs loudly]
Get them bandages
and that pottage,
then you can go on
with your windbaggin'.
Yes ma'am!
Would you and your boys
like a little dose
of mother Krab's tonic water?
It's only 15 cents.
And besides, it's good for you.
[exhales] Ahh.
Yeah, lemme try that.
It ain't bad.
[gulping]
[burps]
[exhales sharply]
No wonder they call you Hog.
Bring that pottage right here
to my son!
Yes, ma'am! God!
[woman] There, boy.
[birds cawing]
[J. Pete] What is it?
This here, my friend,
is the secret ingredient
to a healing pottage
that the world has seldom seen.
Open it up, let's see it.
Ouh!
Christ, that stuff stinks!
What the hell is it?
Buffalo guts, guaranteed
to suck out the poison.
Well, get it out of here.
I know it has
an unpleasant odor, but...
You take my advice, peddler,
move while you're still able.
Yes sir, but I'd just like to...
-Move!
-Oh, don't you know it!
Get him out of here.
[Lester groans]
Hold up!
Where's there a real doctor
around here?
Well, ma'am,
that'd be old doctor Piedmont,
over in Great Falls.
About a two-day ride.
[Rattler]
I got the best medicine here...
[mumbling]
My pottage
is as good as anybody's.
[eagle screaming
in the distance]
Give me a couple more bottles
of that tonic water.
I'm afraid
I'm running short on tonic.
But I guess
I can spare a couple.
Here you go, big fella.
It's 40 cents
for the tonic water
and 20 cents for the bandages.
On second thought,
I'll just jot it down
and catch you
the next time around.
Here you go, young fella.
No charge, just what you need.
-What is it?
-Worming medicine.
Looks like you could use
a good worming.
[Rattler laughs]
Alright, let's get the hell
out of here!
[Hog and Wire laugh]
[dumb laugh]
[chickens cackling]
Joel?
He was supposed to be back
hours ago.
What happened to him?
Joel?
[suspenseful music]
My God!
He's gone after them by himself.
[music intensifies]
Lord, I put these guns away
a long time ago.
When I did...
it changed my life.
[intense action music]
[wind rushing]
[horse neighs]
[galloping away]
-[music fades]
-[wind howls]
[fire crackling]
[crickets chirping]
[peaceful music]
[inaudible]
[inaudible]
[Martha] Goodnight, Joel.
Good night, ma.
[thunder rumbling]
[soft harmonica music]
[Martha] Good night, Joel.
[Joel] Good night, ma.
[tranquil music]
Come on, Jack!
Giddy up!
[Rattle's harmonica continues]
[gunshot]
[gunshot]
Hold your fire, damn it!
Hold your fire!
You wouldn't shoot a man's dog
if he barks when you come
into his place, right?
So a man ain't safe
out on the prairie.
You come in here shootin' up,
what's wrong with you?
Boy,
these here snakes is my dogs.
They let me know when someone
is sneakin' up on me.
Boy!
You sure did make a mess
out of Agatha and Roger.
I'm sorry, I was scared.
Well, they ain't no loss.
I was gonna eat them anyway.
I'll make stew
instead of frying them.
Come over and sit a spell like.
You look like you could use
a hot meal.
No, thanks, I already ate.
Oh, come on!
Come on, boy. Come on.
Come on.
Come on up here and sit down.
[Rattler mumbles]
You don't have any more snakes
around here, do you?
Don't you worry, young fella,
you're in the company
of Dr. Rattler S. Gravely,
the world's greatest
rattle snake expert.
You sure you wouldn't like
a little snake and beans?
I'm sure.
They're good for you,
they help you.
Say, ain't you a little young to
be traveling all by yourself?
I'm just trying to catch up
with the people I got lost from.
You don't mean an old woman
and old man and four boys,
one of them hurt badly?
I didn't know
one of them was hurt.
Yeah. They're taking him
over to the Dr. Piedmont
over in Great Falls.
I could have fixed him by myself
with my buffalo pottage,
but they didn't seem to like it.
How far is that from here?
Great Falls?
It's about a two-day ride,
I'd say.
But they-they goin' east,
heading towards the Dakotas.
Yes, sir, I think so.
Are you riding or walking?
I'm riding my pall's mule.
Mule! Why,
you ain't got no trouble at all.
You know, son,
If I was you,
I'd head right over the top
of that hill there,
and over that big mountain
and down into the valley.
Indians use it.
I've made many,
many a trip over it myself.
Until I collected
so many possessions,
I had to get me a wagon.
I want you to remember
one thing.
Possessions is a burden.
You remember that, you hear?
[groans]
I better get them snakes goin'.
Here you go, young fella.
Take this tonic water with you.
You never know
when you'll be took down
with the measles.
It's good for you,
besides helping you.
Yes, sir.
Thank you for all your help.
And don't you worry
about Agatha and Roger, son,
'cause I'm the world's champion
rattle snake catcher.
I'll catch me some more.
[birds chirping]
And may God go with you, son.
[inspiring music]
[adventurous music]
[horse neighs]
[music turns dramatic]
[music fades]
[horse neighs in the distance]
[panting]
[indistinct chattering
and laughter]
[panting]
[men speaking
in Native American language]
[men continue chattering]
[dramatic music]
[music turns calmer]
[men speaking and laughing]
[dramatic music]
[wind blowing]
[distant wolf howling]
[ominous music]
[wolf howling closer]
[Joel screams] Jack!
Hey, Jack!
[eerie music]
Jack!
Jack!
Jack!
[panting]
Jack!
[dramatic music]
[music crescendo]
[music intensifies]
[wind howling]
[horse neighs]
[peaceful music]
Jack.
[calm music]
[music intensifies]
[birds cawing]
I wonder what's keeping them.
[door opens]
[J. Pete] How is he, doctor?
Well he's about as well
as could be expected.
I took out all the buckshot
I could find.
But there is one piece
lodged next to his spinal cord,
and I didn't dare touch that.
But what concerns me most
is that blood poisoning set in
in six or seven places.
How soon will he be able
to ride?
-Ride?
-Yeah.
You don't understand,
his condition is critical.
He can't be moved,
much less ride.
It's out of the question.
Let's go Ora Mae.
Thank you, doctor.
Yes, ma'am.
[J. Pete] No way
we can hang around town
without word of it
getting around.
[Ora Mae] I know.
We gotta leave Lester
in the doctor's office
till morning.
Then we gotta get out of here
no matter... Give me my coat!
Ferd, I want you to get a wagon
and fill it full of straw
so it'll ride nice and easy.
I'm gonna need some money.
Do you have money for a wagon?
Just about.
We gotta get some more supplies,
we gotta find some somewhere.
I wonder if they got a bank
in this town.
[Ora Mae] I want you to find
that out, Hog.
In the morning, I and J. Pete
is gonna take Lester
and get a three hour start.
Then I want you boys
to take the bank.
They only got one sheriff here,
and he's a drunk.
[J. Pete] That's it. Come on.
Come on.
Whoa!
[J. Pete] How's Lester doing?
[Hog] I don't know, I didn't
check on him after you left.
Why not? What about the bank?
[Hog] Well, they got one here,
but it's closed.
Everybody does their banking
at Fort Denton now,
about 45 miles to the east.
We're going in that direction
if you want to wait.
We're not going there,
they got a U.S. marshal
and he's got deputies.
We'll have to get the money
somewhere...
Where's Ferd?
I don't know. He ought to be
here ahead of me with the wagon.
That damn boy!
You can't trust him 15 minutes.
Alright, you-you go get him!
The two of you.
-[cheerful music]
-[chatter and laughter]
[indistinct chatter]
Damn, boys, you sure came
to the right place.
[woman] Evening, boys.
Welcome to Maydell's.
I'll be right with you.
Check your hardware
behind the bar.
Guns and gals don't mix.
Give me that gun.
[giggles]
[indistinct conversations]
[giggles]
[Hog] Reckon where he is?
There must be 20 or 30 rooms
in this place.
Yeah.
[woman] Give them
a drink. You boys from the mine?
Yes, ma'am,
that's why we're here.
We got this little problem,
ma'am.
I know it. Everybody that comes
in this place has a problem.
Well, ma'am, this is kind
of a special problem.
This man, he's sort of a short,
little scrawny fella,
he must get back
to the mine right away.
Would you happen to know
what room he's in?
Lord, no. But if he's as scrawny
as you say he is,
I don't expect you'd have
too long a wait.
I got nothing
but healthy girls here.
Sit down and relax. He'll be out
in no more than ten minutes.
[cheerful music continues]
This place is busier
than an ant hill.
No wonder, look at them girls!
They're prettier than a litter
of speckled pups.
-Yeah.
-I told you.
Reckon how much they charge.
More than you've got,
that's for sure.
Go ask her.
Ask her?
You ask her yourself!
I'm gonna squeeze you up
like a ball
and bounce you out of here.
[inaudible]
Well?
All the way up to five dollars.
If you know what you want.
Five dollars! You foolin'!
This place is making a fortune.
Have you seen anybody
guardin' it?
Yeah.
And that's him,
standing right over yonder.
What's going on with you,
anyway?
I've been thinkin'.
If there ain't no bank
in this town
and we ain't goin' to that town
where there is a bank,
what do you think
about holdin' this place up?
Well, that mean lookin' jasper
standin' there is a good reason.
You're gonna let a little reason
like that hold you up, are you?
I don't know, maybe I wouldn't.
Hey, we ain't never held up
no place like this.
Let's do it.
Let's wait for Ferd,
we're gonna need him.
Look yonder! Look yonder!
Here comes that scoundrel now.
[women laughing loudly]
Yeah, he's got that hair
all slicked down.
Will you look at that!
[inaudible]
I betcha he done had a bath,
too.
What's the matter?
[loud chatter continues]
What are you two doing in here?
Not spending ma's wagon money
gettin' our back rubbed.
No tellin' what else
you been doin' up there.
Listen, you two.
I've been trottin' in that jail
for more than a year
while you two were having
a good time.
-I can't even...
-Watch out, before I mash you.
Now you pay attention.
We're gonna rob this place.
You gotta be kiddin' me.
Ma will kill us.
No, she won't. We need the money
and the place is loaded with it.
Now you listen.
This is what we're gonna do.
[inaudible]
Ouch!
[gasp]
If you wanna play, buster,
first you pay.
George, this guy's a grabber.
[cheering and clapping]
[thud]
[grunt]
Hold it!
Alright, this is a stick up!
You're kidding! [laughs loudly]
[girl gasps] What's going on?
[women screaming]
What's going on downstairs?
Oh, just lay back honey,
don't worry about it.
Hey!
Alright.
Put it on the table, lady.
[footsteps approaching]
[door opens and closes]
-Who's there?
-What do you want?
Shut up, this is a stick up.
[Wire howls]
Who is it?
[havoc music]
[gasps]
[girl screaming]
[Wire] Don't you know
this is a stick up?
[lively bluegrass music]
[Wire] Hey!
Ferd, will you hold your fire,
damn it, boy!
[Hog] What are you doin' boy?
Check that damn door!
[girl screams]
I don't believe this!
-Got any money?
-Nobody would answer the door.
Answer the door? Get down
that hall and find some money.
-[Hog] Where's Ferd?
-[Wire] I don't know.
[Hog] Get him.
Hey, Ferd!
[Ferd yells, excited]
[Hog] I got one more room
to check.
[Wire] Come on, boy!
Let's get out of here!
[man] Come back here, damn it!
[Wire howling]
[Ferd] Ah?
Come back here, you dirty...
[man yells]
What's wrong with you, ma!
We got a whole bunch of money,
we didn't even kill nobody.
Have you forgot about Lester?
Now we have to get out of here,
they'll have a posse after us.
Why didn't you wait
as we planned? Damn it!
We was already there,
and it seemed
like the natural thing to do.
Get your butts out of here,
get a wagon and get some hay,
and bring Lester
out of that doctor's place!
I'll do it.
They'd be recognized in town.
Give me the money, Hog.
Give me that money!
You boys get packed up.
[Ora Mae] Look at you.
You look ridiculous!
[adventurous music]
[calm music]
He was my first born.
Only one of you any damn good.
[Ora Mae sobbing]
[clinking sound approaching]
[horse neighing]
Listen.
I hear something.
[clinking sound continues]
What is it?
I don't know, but it stopped.
[suspenseful music]
[shotgun clicks]
J. Pete, I...
I don't wanna travel
anymore today.
I don't wanna leave Lester
here alone on his first night.
Alright.
Come on, boys.
Let's set up the camp.
[gun cock]
[Ora Mae sobbing]
Ma, I guess it's...
my fault about Lester.
Oh...
Take off your hat.
[moaning]
[suspenseful music]
[click]
[sobs]
[heavy breathing]
[music intensifies]
[leaves rustling]
[panting]
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[horse neighs]
[gunshot]
[gunshot]
[Ora Mae] Ferd!
Ferd!
[metallic clinking]
[ominous music]
[wind rushing]
[horse neighs]
[Wire] Unc, I don't like this.
Can't see nothin'.
Ain't no tellin'
where that damn bushwhacker is.
He can't see in this fog
any better than we can.
Well, whoever it is,
he ain't no lawman
I never knew a lawman
to bushwhack.
Why don't everybody
just shut up?
-And let's keep movin'.
-Listen!
[metallic clinking]
That's the same sound I heard
the day Ferd got it.
Seems to be stayin'
about the same distance away.
We ain't gonna travel blind
right into him
and get our heads shot,
let's spread out!
You're right.
Let's not get caught bunched up.
[clinking continues]
[suspenseful music]
[gun clicks]
-[gunshot]
-[groan]
[groaning]
[gunshot]
[dramatic music]
I didn't know it was you!
I didn't know it was you!
[dramatic music]
[moaning]
[sad music]
[wind blowing]
[rain falling]
[thunders rumbling]
-[J. Pete] Put the horses there.
-[Wire] Alright.
[Hog groans]
[moaning]
[Hog] Easy.
It looks bad.
Here, lift it up.
Take it easy.
-Listen!
-[metallic clinking]
What is it?
[J. Pete] I don't know.
Turn out that lamp.
[clinking gets closer]
[suspenseful music]
[rattle]
[J. Pete] Bring him here,
I wanna talk to him.
Look at this damn thing.
I ain't got nothing
against pig stickin',
not even a little one
if he needs pig stickin'.
So just you tell us
everything you know
since the day you could walk.
I... ain't got nothing to tell.
Why are you followin' us, boy?
What you got against us?
Who do you got with you?
Nobody, I'm by myself.
Why don't I just go ahead
and stick him?
No, the boy is traveling
with somebody.
Don't know
how he got separated from them,
but I figure he'll bring them
to us.
And I don't think
they'll be long in comin'.
Tie him to that post over there.
[grunting] Alright, boy.
Speak up. Who are you?
My name is Joel, Joel Rigney.
What are you doin' out
on a night like this, Joel?
After-after I finished plowin',
I went over to see
a friend of mine.
On the way home
I got caught in the storm.
And it got worse.
So I decided to stop off
here in this barn.
I don't believe
a damn word of that.
Check his mule,
see what he's got.
Don't pamper this whelp!
I'll slit his throat!
Don't you see that damn gun?
I see the damn gun!
I'm tellin' you
I don't want the kid hurt
until I get this thing
figured out.
I'm certain he's traveling
with the folks after us.
You ain't gonna make me believe
it's no kid who did that.
I didn't say he done it!
I said he's traveling
with those who done it.
Somebody's gonna be comin'
for this kid.
When they do,
we'll get down to the grizzle.
Uhm? Gotta get some rest.
You take the first watch
and gag the kid.
[muted scream]
[rainfall and thunder continue]
[rat squeaking]
[galloping]
[adventurous music]
Unc!
[Wire] Hog, you all wake up!
There's somebody comin'.
I knew he'd be comin'.
He's circlin' around the barn.
[inaudible]
[suspenseful music crescendo]
[Pepperdine] Mornin', friends.
Easy!
Put them guns down.
Put 'em down!
I ain't here to harm nobody.
I just want that boy.
But I warn you...
if you force me to, I'll kill.
Now, you two,
back up over there.
Turn around.
Do what he says, Wire,
I can't see him.
Alright, big fella,
roll over on your stomach.
Easy!
Joel, where are you, boy?
[suspenseful music]
-[gunshot]
-[horse neighs]
You alright, boy?
Oh, it's good to see you.
But you're hurt.
It ain't nothin'
a little turpentine won't fix.
The Lord was on our side today.
[tranquil harmonica music]
[door creaks]
Mr. Pepperdine!
I ain't never seen anybody
that could shoot like you did.
Besides, you came in
just at the right time.
That thin one
was gonna pig stick me.
I couldn't see you.
But I knew where you were
when I saw the fire
from them guns.
And you know somethin' else?
Mr. Pepperdine?
[emotional music]
[water splash]
Are you sure you're alright?
[water splash]
[horse neighs]
Besides...
these shells
are hard to come by.
Let's go home, Joel.
[tranquil music]
[music intensifies]