All language subtitles for The Good Earth (1937 us).US.en.SDH

[Rooster crows]

[Rooster crows]

This is the day.

[Moo]

Yes, yes, lo. I'm up.

[Moo]

Quiet. Quiet.
Will you wake father?

[Rooster crows]

Here, friend.

And eat a little bit
more for once.

Morning, friends.

Good morning, Wang Lung.
Good morning.

So this is the day!

The day!

Tomorrow, another
will draw the waters.

Another.

I know! I know!
Who doesn't? Ha ha!

[Man coughing]

Now, then, where
is my hot water?

My lungs are cold.

[Coughing]

It's ready, father.

I'm too old to wait
for my food like this.

Tomorrow, a woman will
bring food to us both.

Yeah. She'll need food, too.

And there's little
enough for any of us

until the harvest.

And if the rains don't come,
there won't be a harvest.

Tea! Have you lost your mind?

Tea is like eating silver!

But this is the day, father.

If the woman brings us luck,

we may never go hungry again.

Tea! Waste!

Do you think she'll be
an ugly woman?

Heh. If things go on like this,

someday the bridegrooms
will want to see the brides

before they marry them.

Well, then I won't have
a pockmarked woman

or one with a split lip.

Now, then, are you
a farmer's son or not?

Your woman must work
as your mother did

and bear children as she did--

6 sons like mine.

Your tea will be cold.

True, true.

And 5 sons died

in the years
of flood and famine,

but your mother worked on
with me until she died.

Now I know that
she was the one--

the best a man could have.

[Slurps]

But I'll tell you one thing--

your woman is not deformed.

Thank you, father.

[Pouring water]

Now, there is water enough

to bring a crop to fruit!

Must you waste it?

I haven't washed
my body all at once

since the new year.

It won't do,

starting a woman like this!

Tea in the morning,

water, and all this washing!

Father?

Well, what is it?
What is it?

I would be grateful to you
if you would please you

to ask a friend
to a feast tonight.

Aah.

A very small feast.
It's only this once.

No, no, no.

Spend for a feast,
make way for a famine.

Good morning, father Wang.

It's going to rain.

It is unlucky to mention it.

I haven't said it would rain.

I haven't said it.

Here's some very bad wine
for the bridegroom.

Oh. This gift is much
too good for my son.

Oh, it's miserable wine.

Where's the bridegroom?

He's washing his whole body.

Is that my friend Wang Lung?

Ching!

That's my son!

Wasting good water
before the rains come!

Ah, but the rains will come.

And what's a tubful
of water to you?

A man who will live
to see grandsons.

Young men and fools are alike...

Until the gods
teach them wisdom.

I'm asking a few friends
for a feast tonight.

Oh, a very small feast!

If you will come,
my son will be honored.

You were boys together.

Ching!

Ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha ha!

This is the day!

[All laughing]

Peaches! Buy! Eat!

Purge your blood
and clear your liver!

Peaches!
6 for 2 coppers!

Now, then, what?

I-I-I'm Wang Lung, the farmer.

Well, and Wang Lung
the farmer what?

But I--I'm come!
I'm come!

I can see that.
I can see you're a fool.

There's...
there's a woman to be...

Ha ha ha! So you're he!
You're the bridegroom!

I thought you were a peddler.

Why do you bring a basket?

Are you going to
carry her home in it?

[Laughing]

The bridegroom!
He comes!

The bridegroom!
He comes!

[Girls giggling]

The bridegroom!

O-LAN, here's the bridegroom.

Come here, O-LAN!

Man: he's here!
The bridegroom!

He's here!
The bridegroom!

[Laughing]

You fool! Get up!

Your farmer's come.

He smells like a stable.

This old rattrap yours?

Open it. Open it!

We'll see what's in it.

There's a thief
in every kitchen.

When did you steal these?

My mother gave them to me.

Save them for your own brats!

Pick up your rags!

Hurry!

Woman: mistress,
the kitchen slave.

This woman came into my house

when she was a child.

Her parents were farmers,

but during the famine,
they sold her to me for food.

She has a strong body
and will work well for you

in your house and your fields.

Take her and use her well.

O-LAN, obey him
and bring him many sons.

Bring the first son
for me to see.

Well, go, go, go!

Take the box.

[Chatter]

Peaches!
fresh peaches!

Fresh peaches of the spring!

Purge your blood
and clear your liver!

Peaches!
fresh peaches!

Thank you.

Peaches!
fresh peaches!

They're yours...
To eat for yourself.

A tree will grow from this seed.

Hee hee hee!

[Laughter]

Hey, let him be.

For this I'll say,
she's a good cook,

an excellent cook.

I'm an old man,

and I have never tasted
such food before.

No, it's very poor food,
very badly prepared.

The woman can't cook at all.

[Men laughing]

My friends,

my poor farm
barely produces enough

to keep my family alive,

but tonight I rejoice

that my brother's son
has been favored by heaven.

Ah, youth, youth,

how beautiful it is
and how fleeting.

That youth.

[Laughing]

Oh, forgive me.

Poor fellow, he's
bathed and shaved

and hoping we'll go home.

No, no, no, no.

Your presence delights him.

Then we'll all stay here
till cockcrow.

[Laughing]

[Imitating rooster crow]

May you have many grandsons.

I'm saving my bed
for the first one.

He'll warm my old bones.

Ching: rest well, rest well.

Brother, your joy is mine.

Nephew!

Now that the woman
will work in the house,

you might help your old...

Uncle in the fields.

[Door creaks]

Alas, I--

[door creaks]

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night, cousin.

Good night, cousin.

Good night.

Good night!

Good night!

[Ching imitating rooster crow]

Good night.

It will grow.
This is good land...

And old.

My ancestors came here long ago,

and they sleep in it.

My father plowed it,
and it's mine--

the best a man can have.

Now it belongs to us both.

It's raining.

Why did you put up your hand?

Were you afraid?

Afraid of me?

Were they cruel to you
in the great house?

No one will be cruel
to you here.

[Chuckles]

[Laughing]

[Ducks quacking]

I am with child.

Enough for today.

We'll tell old father.

Why have you left the fields?

She's with child already.

Heh heh! So I'm to be
a grandfather, eh?

I shall prepare food now.

Yes, food, food, food.

Heh heh heh!

I know nothing of these things.

When a child is born,
you'll need a woman.

Perhaps there's a woman
in the great house,

someone you knew in the kitchen.

Not in that house.

Well, we're only 2 men here.

There must be someone
in the great house.

When I go back in that house,

it will be with
my son in my arms.

I'll have a red coat on him

and red flower trousers

and a hat with a gilded Buddha

and tiger-faced shoes,

and I'll go into the kitchen

where I spent my days as a slave

and into the great hall

where the old mistress
sits with her pipe,

and I'll show myself and my son

to all of them.

Hmm.

Well...

Now, I...

I haven't heard
you speak so many words

since you came to this house.

[Chattering]

Now, then...

Why are you not
in the fields today?

The wheat must be cut.

Today, I shall not
go into the fields.

[Excited chatter]

Look! Storm clouds!

Rain?

We'll lose the harvest!

We'll starve this winter!

Bring the ox.

[Thunder]

[Thunder]

Hurry! Load the wheat!

There's hail in that storm!

Faster! Faster!

Help father load the cart.

[Thunder]

What is it?

Is it the child?

[Thunder]

Wang: I get a woman.

O-LAN: no. Go back
to the wheat.

[Thunder]

[Rain falling]

[Baby crying]

But I played my game correctly.

So you did,

but you lost
every game correctly.

Of course.

How did I know what he had?

You might have looked
over his shoulders.

But I did.

Then you gave me the wrong sign.

[Baby crying]

There.
what did I tell you?

And you made me
play another game

while this was happening!

[Baby crying]

Is it a man?
Is it a man?

A man!

A man-child has been born.

Behold, we have a son.

A man-child!
A man-child!

I'm a father!

And...

And you're a grandfather!

Yeah! Hee hee!

I never could get my wife

to work the way
that woman did...

With a child about to be born.

If it weren't undignified,

I'd tell her that
she's a good wife.

Nephew,

I rejoice with you.

It's nothing
that I lost my own wheat

helping with the child.

Nothing.

[Baby crying]

Hear him?
Heh heh.

[Baby crying]

I get eggs...

And dye them red
for the whole village.

Everyone must know I have a son.

[Baby cooing]

* I cannot sing you
any lovely song *

* I only sing a song... *

[singing in Chinese]

Oh, my son is very pleased.

Ching: oh, it was
a dismal noise.

No, no.
Very good noise.

* we're playing a drum *

* right-hand gong *

* both hands forgive us *

* I will sing a song *

[singing in Chinese]

[Laughter]

Now, then!

Those cakes are not to be eaten.

Well.

And I am poor, but I can
at least be honest.

My dear nephew,

please add this fowl
to the little colored cakes...

Which you haven't offered me.

But they're a gift
for the great house.

Very bad for the stomach.

Only fit for rich people...

If they're not too rich
to accept them.

Those people are not
as rich as you think.

They're feeling
a pinch this year.

I've heard that
they're selling land.

Man: land?

Selling land?

I heard it yesterday

from their agent
at the gambling--

at the teahouse.

Well, am I asked to fill my cup

in this house of prosperity?

Uh, please, please.

[Men laughing]

What have I not thought of?

Uncle: a good new year,
my prosperous nephew.

Ching: a prosperous
new year. Good-bye.

Good fortune.

Good-bye.
good-bye.

We could buy land...

From the great house.

Rice land.

Now, then, if we lost our wheat,

we'd have no money.

But we haven't.

But how close it was
between this money and nothing.

Not even food.

But when a man

has 2 fields...

Or 3 fields,

he can lose his wheat
and still have food.

That rice land is sure,

and to be sure again next year,

I'd even go to the great house

and buy it.

Do you think they'd kill me?

Well...

Well, I'm not afraid.

I go to the great house and say,

"tell them I have
important business.

"Money is concerned.

"What is a fair price?

I have it in my hand."

Well, it was a good thought.

But what use is a good thought

if...no one agrees with it?

[Coins jingle]

[Children laughing]

[Music playing]

And a child,

a beautiful child,
a beautiful boy.

Woo woo woo woo!

Woo woo woo woo!
Ha ha ha ha ha!

Here is the son of Wang Lung.

Here is the son
of Wang Lung the farmer.

He's a man-child.

Yes, a man-child.

Ahh!
ohh!

Here is O-LAN,

wife of Wang the farmer,
and her son.

You will announce them
to the ancient one.

And you said her child
would be a female.

Ha ha ha! A female.

Be quiet!

Or crow for your own hen.

Hmm. He has a sickly look.

Very pale and green.

Let's hope he won't die
before spring.

[Laughter]

Stop your cackles!

Hurry, woman!

Must I waste the whole day?

Heh heh heh!

He's a beautiful child.

Yes. He's a beautiful child.

The old mistress
laughed and said,

"he's a beautiful child."

She said those words--
"a beautiful child."

Well, she said no more
than the truth.

And I saw not one slave
in all that house

with a new coat like mine.

And why should you go about

like the wife
of a common fellow?

I can afford a piece
of cloth, I think.

Now I have 2 fields.

I bought it today
from the great house.

The land?

They said it was less
than an inch

and took all our silver
as if it were nothing,

and the foolish clerks
who don't own a foot of land

laughed a goose cackle at me

because I couldn't
write my name,

but I'll buy again and again

until my land is more
than an inch,

even in the house of a prince!

Look, young farmer,

someday, all this
will belong to you,

and you'll be a prince, too,

and I'll buy more land
and more land and--

what a pity.
We are so poor.

We have nothing,

and the child is nothing.

Yes, yes.
Less than nothing,

and it's only a female

and it's covered
with smallpox as well.

Yes, yes.

Only a female,

and covered
with smallpox as well.

You're mighty gods.
You're wise gods.

You've been good to me.

For many years,

you've been good
to this humble person.

I had only one field.

Now I have 5.

I had only one child.

Now I have 3.

My eldest son planted
his first rice today.

My youngest son is big enough

to lead the ox.

My third child is only a female,

but I won't
reproach you for that.

[Ah-choo]

Excuse me.

And we haven't forgotten you.

We bought you fine
new robes of red paper

so you won't forget me.

You'll send me rich
harvest this year also,

and you'll persuade my uncle

to work a little now and then

and not ask for money so often.

If he does,

please allow my husband
to refuse him.

I'll do that anyway...

Very gracefully.

Man: Wang Lung!
Come here!

Wang Lung!
Come on here!

Wang Lung will know.

He'll know what it is.

Wang Lung.
How will he know?

He's as slow-witted
as my old woman.

Here he is.

Well, and what now, neighbors?

Look. Look.

An army.

No.

Merchants, perhaps?

So many?

People from the north.

But why?

There must be famine
in the north.

They are going south
where there's food.

Famine!
what ideas you have.

The woman is right.
I've seen it before.

That's what happens
when a man has only one field,

but I have 5.

We must thank the gods

for giving me so much foresight.

What talk is this?
Forgive my son.

He's young and stupid

and talks too much.

It was famine
that made me a slave.

[Moo]

It dries even as we carry it.

Well, then, if the vines starve,

we'll all starve.

The wheat's gone...

And the rice.

From all my fields,

I have only
this handful of beans.

Boy: father! Father!

Children: father! Father!
Father! Father! Father!

Father! Father!

You know we're not thieves.

But the ox is mine.

We're hungry.
Our children are hungry.

You should help us.

Wang: if I had money,
I would help you.

Uncle: my nephew.

You can sell your land.

Sell my land?

Yes!

Well, when the money
is gone...And the land...

At least we could live well

through the famine.

What good is this land now?

You're young.

You don't know what
a famine is like.

My father knew years of famine,

but he kept the land.

I must keep it for my sons.

The earth is good.

If we work, it will feed us.

But how am I to live?
How am I to live?

Work as I do!

I'll not Rob my sons
to feed you who are idle.

You--you--

must we go hungry
while you have land,

this land that you won't sell?

I'll not sell my land.

It's my life.

It's mine.
I'll never sell it.

I'll dig up the earth first
and feed it to my children.

Yes, and you'll bury them in it!

[Wind blowing]

[Child whimpering]

[Child crying]

He's my friend.

My friend.

We're not hungry.

[Boy continues crying]

Mercy on me, o powerful ones.

I starve, and my women starve,

and there is no one to give me

a handful of rice.

There is one who has plenty,

but he's a rich man,

and riches harden the heart.

Soften his heart,
o powerful ones,

that he may give me a little

out of his abundance.

Would not a man sell his lands

unless he had food
to give his children?

He has food, and I starve!

He has food,

and these good men starve!

Well?

What?

You have food.

We are starving.

You have food.
Food.

I have nothing.

I dig for roots for my children.

You have food hidden,
food and silver!

Food?

Find it.

She's cooking!
She's cooking!

Wang Lung has food!

I told you!
He has food!

But...it's earth.

It stays hunger...

And it's warm.

Ching.

Hunger makes men mad.

Come, come.

You're little men now.

You won't cry.

Look.

Your sister doesn't cry.

Little one...

She never cries now.

What is it?

Why?

If you could have a little food,

you'll have strength
to bring the child.

I'll find it.

Tomorrow, I'll--

when have you had food?

There's a thing in me
that hurts...

And not hunger.

But a man has no words.

No words?

But I know.

O-LAN, the earth
has forgotten us.

The earth...

I hate it.

I hate it!

I'll sell it!

No.

Cursed land!

No! No,
not the land!

Not the land.

We're ready, nephew.

[Baby crying]

Are you safe?

O-LAN: yes.

Safe.

Uncle: oh, another
mouth to feed.

Man: my poor man.

For the sake of your children...

We'll give you a better price
for your land

than you can get
anywhere else in these times.

We'll give you...

12 pieces of silver.

What?

12 pieces?
For all my land?

I...I paid 100 times that much.

But who was starving then?

Thieves!

Thieves!

As well you know, I must sell.

No. Not the land.

We'll not sell the land.

We'll keep it.

We'll go south,

and when we return,
we'll still have the land.

But I've arranged it.

I brought these men here.

You must sell!

Is it your land?

Did you buy it bit by bit?

The land is our life.

And it's better to go south

or die walking

than to give it to you
for nothing.

Now, look--

what a pity.

What a pity.

How can you walk anywhere...

With the child?

The child is dead.

Dead?

But I heard it cry.

The child is dead.

What do you say, father?

Shall we ride
in this fire wagon?

I'll feel safer on your back.

They say it crawls
on these iron poles.

Grandpa says it's a god of fire.

It's wagons chained together.

Do we get inside the thing?

We sit in it
while it walks south.

[Train approaching]

[Whistle blowing]

[Excited chatter]

[Whistle blowing]

[Man shouting in Chinese]

With these mats,
we can build a home.

Well, then, get to work!
Get to work, all of you!

No. Look at me...
And listen.

Take the bowl
in your right hand so

and hold it out
to everybody that passes

and cry out to them--

"a heart, good sir.
A heart, good lady.

"A good deed,
and you shall prosper.

"The small cash,
a coin you throw away.

Feed a starving child."

Have a kind heart.

A good deed will
bring you fortune.

The small cash,

the coin you throw away--

give, or the child dies.

Have a kind heart.

A good deed
to bring you fortune.

The small cash.
Feed a starving child.

Please have a kind fortune.

Bring your good heart.

Small cash is starving.

Poor little child in my cup.

Please have a kind fortune.

Bring your good heart.
Small cash is starving.

Uh! Have a kind heart,
good sir.

A good--
well, now...

Well...and today?

Nothing.

No work of any kind.

For things a beast should do,

there were 100 men fighting.

It would have been better

to starve on our own land

than to come to this great city

where there is no work
for a man's hands.

It will come.

Now, then, must I wait
for my meat any longer?

Meat?

Ha ha ha!

It's the first we've had

since we killed the ox.

You must have begged
from a prince today.

It's mine.

Where did you get meat?

I took it from an old woman.

You stole it?

You thief!

Thief!

Thief!

[Crying]

Meat is meat.

Do we have to steal
or beg for it to live?

A man can't stand it here...

With land of his own
in the north.

In times like this,

my parents
found a way to go back.

They sold me to the old mistress

in the big house.

You could sell the little one?

I would sell her...

To take you back to the land.

If it wasn't for me,

you would die
before you sell her.

We won't sell her...

Not if I spend my life
in this wilderness.

[Woman crying]

What is it?
What happened?

What happened?

[Crying]

He was pulling timber.

He fell and died...

In the harness.

Where did he work?

Where did he work?!

The great market.

Soldier: come on!

Where are all these
soldiers going?

They say there's
a revolution coming.

A revolution?

What is revolution?

I don't know,

but it has something
to do with food.

Things are growing again.

You were a farmer?

I own land in the north.

So did I...
10 years ago.

Why didn't you go back?

You've got to have an ox.

You've got to buy seed.

You've got to live
till you make a crop.

I tried to save enough
for 10 years.

I'll never get back.

Neither will you.

I'll get back.

If I can pull that thing,

I can pull a plow...
Ox or no ox.

Man: listen, my brothers,

before the tyrants
close my mouth!

In a few days,
China will be a free country!

The day of the Manchu's
tyranny is over!

The revolutionary army
is on its way!

They've been marching
30 miles a day

in spite of the rains
in the north!

[Cheering]

Did you hear him?

Yes, but what does it all mean?

It's raining in the north.

Every city in the south
has joined the revolution.

All of China will soon be free!

Don't let them drag you
from your homes and families

to fight against your own cause!

Look out!
Soldiers!

Run! Soldiers!

Man: don't let them pick you up!

Man: aah!

[Gunshot]

Aah!

What is it? What is it?
Why are you shouting?

We are free!

The revolutionary are here!
China's a Republic!

A Republic?
What is a Republic?

Where are they going?
Where are they going?

Into the great house to Rob.

It's so all over the city.

A man may take what he likes!

[Pounding]

[Cheering]

[Pounding]

Aah!

Ohh.

[Gunfire]

Aim!

Fire!

Aah!

[Soldiers barking orders
in Chinese]

No! No!
I was hungry!

Not me! No!

I was hungry!
Hungry!

Not me! No!

Not me! No!

Aim!

Fire!
[gunfire]

[Grunts]

Captain, prepare to march.

Fall in!

[Whistle tweets]

Soldier: fall in. Fall in.

Let them be a warning to you!

We're Republicans, not bandits!

Order must be maintained
throughout the city!

You may go, but remember--

anyone caught looting
will be shot!

[Men shouting]

What have I not seen?
What have I not seen?

I can never tell you.

Such things. Crowds.
How I got through...

The city is mad.

They're robbing the rich,

killing, burning.

Now soldiers have come
from the north.

Ah. It's well you were here.

It's well you were here.

Look.

We can go back.

We can go back to the land.

Whoa! Home!

We are home!

Home.

Home.

Come.

Whee...

Hey!

Down with you!

Yay!
ha ha ha ha!

Run to uncle's home.
Tell him Wang is home.

Tell all our friends.

Tell them I have grain! Run!

Away with you!

Ha ha ha ha!

We're home.
We're home.

We're home.

This is yours.
Take what you need.

Please, take it all--
the sack, all.

[Laughter]

There's food for all
until the harvest.

All: thank you.

May you have good crops.

Thank you.

Good-bye.

Good-bye.
thank you.

Good-bye.
you may need more.

Come back.
We have plenty.

Ching!

Wang Lung.

I saw no face in the city
like yours, my friend.

These belong to you.

I kept them in my house.

Kept them...
And starving.

Why didn't you sell them?

I have your plow, too.

But keep it.

Tomorrow I'll bring my oxen

and help plow your field.

I have no field.
I had to sell it.

Sell the...

Well, you...

You should come and work for me.

I've had luck in the south.

I have it in mind
to buy more land.

Will you come?

I'll come...

And gladly.

Nephew, brother, my loved ones.

I predicted it.
I predicted it.

I always said

if those southerners
had anything,

my nephew would bring it
home with him,

but it's too late to help me.

I've had to sell my daughters.

Well, uncle,

anything you want
and I have--

nothing. Nothing.

Still, if you could let me have

a few pieces of silver,

2 or 3?

Say 4?

4?
why, take 10, 15, 20.

20!

Why not?
I have this and more.

I have jewels.

Jewels!

A handful, all colors--
red ones, white ones.

Come. I want to feel
my toes in the earth again.

O-LAN: but there is something.

Well?

Are you going to sell the jewels

to buy the land?

Sell them?
Why, of course.

And what else
would I do with them?

If I could have 2,
only 2 small ones,

the 2 white ones--

the pearls? You?

Oh, I wouldn't wear them.

I'm much too plain-looking.

Oh? I never noticed it.

But I could hold them
in my hand...Sometimes.

Thank you.

It's nothing, nothing.

After all,
you helped find them...

And you must wear them,

yes, and you must dress
in a way becoming to them.

Not as a poor farmer's wife--

we'll see to that.
We'll look after you.

We'll come and live with you.

We'll rebuild the house.

No. This house is enough.

But, no.
We'll make it bigger.

We must have room
for a household.

No. No. We were happy here.

We'll be happier.

We'll have men in the fields

and slaves in the house.

No slaves. Nothing.

But you must have a slave
until you're well again.

I am well now.

See?

It's cured me, coming home.

But you shall rest
and have everything.

We'll live well and in comfort.

We'll be safe from hunger
as long as we live.

Longer, longer!

Why, nephew, you are rich.

You can live like a great lord.

Why, you can even
take a second wife.

Listen to him.
Heh heh heh!

Listen to him.

But why not?
You have 2 oxen.

No. Ha ha ha! No.
Ha ha ha! But come along.

Wang: ha ha ha!
Ha ha ha ha!

Second wife.
Ha ha ha ha!

It is further agreed

that the above-named seller--
Wang Lung--

shall deliver to
the respected merchant--

lui phung chi--

the said wheat, as and when,
same as harvested,

cost of transportation
to be borne by the seller.

Ahem. It is agreed between
the above-mentioned parties

that the price of this wheat
is to be as follows--

for each bushel of wheat,
four pieces of silver.

In the event
of damage to the crop

from storm, pest,
or other cause,

the worthy purchaser--
lui phung chi--

shall be held free
of any liability

to accept this wheat.

Read that last paragraph.

Uh, Mr. Wang,
I'm delighted to pay you

such a high price
for your wheat,

even though my profit
might be slight.

Very kind of you to buy
my wretched grain.

The contract's ready, father.

Well, then it's time.

But this contract is wrong.

This is the radical for wood.

It should be
the radical for water.

Change it, then.

We'll not put our name to
anything wrongly written.

Mr. Lung, 2 clever sons
like these

are the better half
of your wealth.

They're stupid,
worthless creatures.

If anything was driven
into their thick brass skulls,

it was by beating them.

I told their teacher
to beat them.

He beat them so well

that this one's
going to the university.

If I'm not too unworthy,

I hope to win a degree
in agriculture.

Degree?
agriculture?

That's some kind of paper

that will make it
rain just enough,

but not too much.

And you, are you going, too?

No, sir.

I'll stay on my father's land.

When my brother returns,

he'll show me what more
can be done with it

than we have done.

Now, then, that's talk enough.

Take the money home.

Uh, my ignorant daughter.

A beautiful girl.

She has a wretched appearance.

Now, you two might mix
your blood in one bowl.

Oh, but your daughter

is much too good for my son.

Oh, no. But you would never

condescend to such a marriage.

Oh, but I couldn't presume
to look so high.

It's impossible,

quite impossible...

But it might be done.

Yes, indeed.
If you would be

good enough to consider it

in due time.

I shall think of it
night and day.

Good-bye.

It would be immodest of me

to say that this idea was mine.

Good-bye.

Uncle: ahh! What
a beautiful day!

That music...

It seems to draw me
in spite of myself.

[Gong banging]

I'm not used to these places.

Eh?

I--I have no clothes.

I'm only a farmer.

I have work to do.

Work?

Work.

You must learn
to enjoy yourself.

There's more in the world

than earth and crops.

There are songs and dancing,

and girls who do
these things elegantly.

Watch.

[Woman singing in Chinese]

That must be the stairway.

Yes.

Shall we see what it feels like?

No, no, no.

I--I've never been
off the ground

in my life.

[Gong crashing]

[Music playing]

[Music stops]

She's like a dream person.

[Ring]

Stop it! Stop it!

Stop it!

[Ringing]

Quiet!

[Muffled ringing]

[Ringing stops]

I told the thing

not to wake me till feast time.

Another feast?

The dragon feast, woman.

It's my duty to observe
the old customs.

My nephew insists on it.

Old customs, indeed.

There's more than that
with your nephew.

When a farmer buys silk robes

and washes his
whole body every day,

there is a woman, that's sure.

But a rich man may have 2 wives,

but the wife must cling
to her husband.

That is as it should be.

That's right.

A woman is allowed
but one mistake.

Of course.

Now, then, it is said,

you may see a teapot
with 4 teacups,

but did you ever see
a teacup with 4 teapots?

It is also said, do you ever see

2 spoons in the same bowl

that do not knock
against each other?

Well, what is it?
What is it?

Excuse me, father,
but you look like

the lord of a great house.

Well...

And that is not
as strange as you think.

I've just...

Tell your mother
I wish to see her.

Yes, father.

C-can you spare me a moment?

I must know what seed to prepare

for the summer planting.

Why trouble me about it?

Prepare the seed
my son gives you!

These flowers
are dead, little one.

Your sister knows
only happiness.

Mother...

Is it a letter
from your brother?

No, mother.

Father wishes to see you.

Oh.

He'll want his shaving water.

Are you well?

The old pain, is it bad?

No, no.
It's nothing.

You sent for me?

Well, there's a thing I've done.

I bought the great house--

the house of loo,

courts and land.

I'm the new lord there.

Well?

Have you no thanks?

I thought it would please you

to be mistress in that house

where you lived as a slave.

Our sons were born here.

They must have wives.

We'll have grandchildren.

There's room
in that house for all.

You'll have the high place

with money to spare for slaves.

You must make yourself
becoming to it.

Look at your hair, your clothes.

You disgrace me.

One would think
you're still a wife

of a common laborer.

Where are the pearls you had?

The pearls?

I have them.

You will never wear them.

Oh, I...

I look at them sometimes.

I need them.

Give them to me.

I know that I'm ugly

and not to be loved.

All that we have now
came from you.

That is the truth, and I say it.

But--but now...

But now?

There's a woman.

Not such a one as you...

Not as good as you.

It's like a sickness.

When I'm with her,
it's not enough.

When I'm not with her,
there's nothing.

Even the land is nothing.

Then it will be better

when she's in your house.

You will say that?

Is it your wish?

Yes.

Let it be, then.

O-LAN...

What is there more to say?

Nothing.

Who is it?

Who was that man
going out the gate?

He looked something
like my son Lung.

[Sobbing]

[Crying]

Now, then, what?

I'm ching the farmer.

Well, ching the farmer, what?

I have business
with Wang the farmer.

Wang the farmer?

This is the great house of Wang.

He is the lord here.

There's a bad woman
in the house!

There's a bad woman
in the house!

Bad woman!

[Spits]

Father, hush!

It's but the second wife.

I say it's a bad woman!

I had but one woman,

and my father had but one woman,

and we farmed the land.

Come, father.

It's but the second wife.

[Coughing]

I'm tired.

I want my tea.

The old man is childish.

Nobody listens to him,

but he shall be kept away.

I'm hated in this house.

How can I be happy here?

But...what can I do?

I just sit here,
shut-in all day.

If I stir out,

they whisper and look
at me hatefully.

Where can I walk in the evening?

If I had a garden...

If I had a garden all mine...

With singing birds
and a pavilion...

And a fountain, too,
with fish...

But...the money.

Then it's money that you love.

No, no, little flower.

But it will not be easy.

Until the harvest, I must see.

I must see.

My youngest son
keeps the accounts.

But these few little things...

If you love me...

If I please you...

It shall be done.

Anything.

Anything.

Be careful.

My pearls.

[Music playing]

I may come in?

Does my music disturb you?

Oh, no, no.
I--I like it.

I listen sometimes.

I play because I'm lonely.

I want so much
to talk and laugh,

but there's no one.

Well, I'm--I'm sorry.

I'm very sorry.
You must excuse me.

I--I have some business
at the grain merchant's.

If you please, I must go.

Then you'll pass by
the cobbler shop?

Yes.

Would you mind having him

regild this buckle with silver?

Well, I, uh...

Yes, yes.

But you won't misunderstand?

Why should I?

When a woman gives
her slipper to a man...

But I shouldn't tell you.

Oh, but please.

Well, then...

It means he's taken her fancy.

But you asked me
to have it gilded.

But the buckle
doesn't need gilding.

It's pure silver.

Here's a letter
from your brother.

Will you read it to me?

Of course, mother.

Now, then...

We'll hear what
our scholar has to say.

"First, I am ashamed
of my ignorance,

"but I am not ashamed
to inquire of my teachers.

"Each day I learn new ways

"of bringing about
nature's effects

in case nature herself
should fail us."

Well, what does he say?

He says he's learning
many things to help us.

But is he happy there?

Does he say
if he needs anything?

No, mother.

"I miss my beloved
father and mother deeply,

"and I'm eager to share

the happiness of our new home."

[Music playing]

Mother, I want to go away, too!

Go away?

To the wars!
I'll be a soldier!

Now, then, what madness is this?

Well, but I've heard stories

of war and plunder and battle,

and I hate this house!

And I'll go!

I wish she'd stop that music!

Now this house
is full of silences.

I was reading my mother

a letter from older brother.

Would you like to hear it?

If he's well, it can wait.

But there's more in your face

than the letter.

He will be a soldier.

A soldier?

Now, then, men
don't take good iron

to make a nail...

Nor a good man
to make a soldier.

It would be a disgrace to me,

a man of silver and land,

to have a son who's a soldier.

But I'm nothing in this house!

If you're lost in this house,

go back to the land!

Help ching until the harvest.

Rub a little earth on yourself!

That's good for any man.

Well, if the land isn't
fit for you anymore,

it isn't fit for me!

Now, what all this stuff is,

I don't know.

He's come to the age
of tempers and weeping.

When I was a lad,
I had no such tempers.

You worked on the land,

but he's like a young lord,

and he's been alone here.

When you were his age,
you had a bride.

But I was given a sla--

my marriage cost
my father nothing.

The boy's our son.

He would be better dead

than here with this woman!

What?

You...dream.

[Music playing]

Even she hears it...
Who hears nothing else.

It fills all this house.

The woman calls,
and she is bored,

and your son is young!

Enough!

Gossip!
kitchen gossip!

That's where you came from,

where you wish to live!

Live there, then!

Eat and sleep where you will.

But between you and me,
there's nothing!

Nothing!

A man is lonely here.

What are you doing in the house?

There's work to be done
in the fields.

What...

What is it?

Why, you're...

You're weeping.

When you must do it,
a man can be sorry.

But...
why do you weep?

There's food
for every day now...

And a fire.

Sometimes a man gets
a longing for his fields.

Well, if it pleases you
to come out again

and work in them, they're yours.

No. It's better
for my son to come.

In the house,

he pulls against the yoke.

He has all the freedom
here he wants.

Where is he today?

He comes and goes--

sometimes one day,
sometimes two.

I thought you knew.

I knew nothing.

I spent my time in town.

Why didn't you tell me,

you slow-witted ox?

Why should I tell you

what everyone's been
saying for weeks?

Saying?

What?

Well...

Well, speak!

If you had eyes and ears,
you would know.

Know?

Know what?

That the second wife
and your son--

liar!

Get off my land.

Well, it's been
a long time with us.

Take what belongs to you and go.

I came to you with nothing.

I'll go with nothing.

Good day, master.
Good day.

[Chimes ringing]

[Music playing]

Lotus: aah!

Father!

Out!

Out of my sight!

Good-bye, mother.

Mother!

Mother, you're ill.

You should have a doctor.

It's nothing.

Wherever you go,

you ought to tell me.

They say there's
a war in the north.

Sometimes in wars,

there are those who die.

Well, if that's best, let it be.

When I'm gone,

you must see to the harvest.

We almost have it all ready.

The clerk will
tell you how much.

I will see to it.

If you must go,

there's a thing to be done.

Speak to your father.

No, no! I can't!

You are his youngest son.

Father.

Father,

I'm--I'm going away.

I...

I only want to tell you that I--

how I--

if you could forgive me...

But go!

Nephew!
we're ruined!

Everything is gone,

and I predicted it!

I predicted it!

What happened?

I knew it!

I ran miles to tell you.

What is it?

I forgive everybody.

What is it?

This.

Locust!

The flying plague.

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

Well, let them come.

But the land, the harvest!

What can we do against the gods?

It's not the gods!

It's a thing of nature.

We can fight it.

Have you ever seen
a plague of locusts?

No, but--
I have.

They come in millions.

The air is black with them

and stinking.

And where they come down,

there's nothing left--

not a grain of wheat,

not a blade of grass,

not a leaf or flower.

Nothing.

And can you fight that
with your books?

Forgive me.

I mean no disrespect
to my elders,

but I speak on what
I heard at school.

And I heard this:

That a man is a slave to
the earth or its master,

and when it turns against him,

he must fight it!

We can fight
these creeping things!

If we save but one field,

it will be a new thing
in all this land

and the best
in a thousand years!

If this thing can be done,

show us how to do it.

If it please you,
come into the fields.

Now, look.

The locusts will come down here.

The wind blows
between these hills

there, like a whirlpool.

It will blow the locusts
through a hole.

They'll come down there
and in no other place.

I saw it as a boy.

They came down there,

and they were gone
with a change of wind,

but the crops
were gone with them.

But that's the thing!

We must hold them off
until the wind changes.

We must dig a firebreak
along these hilltops--

make a wall of fire.

But my wheat lies
outside the fire wall!

Other men:
And mine!

I'll pay each man

for what is eaten
and what is burned!

We'll get kerosene!
Bring it in carts!

The fire stuff--it makes
a quick, high flame.

We can fight for everything

behind this wall.

If they break through,

we'll widen the ditch
behind the fire--

wall of water.

It will fail.

If it fails,

we'll fight them
with torches, with noise,

with our hands!

If we can hold them off

until the wind
picks them up again,

we can save
at least those fields!

It can't be done!

It must be done!

All you have and all I have

depends on it!

You think I'm rich,

but if I lose this harvest,
there's nothing!

If I save anything,
I'll share it!

Yeah!
yeah!

Let the men dig and women!

Let the old men and boys
make torches, smoke pots!

Get all things
that will make a noise.

Bring the fire stuff!

Get the ox and the plows,
sickles, spades!

Everyone, hurry!

Hurry!

Uncle: useless!
All useless!

I'll stay here and pray!

[Excited chatter]

Faster! Faster!

The firebreak must be wider!

Up here! Hurry!

Hurry!

Bring the fire stuff!

Come on, men!
Hurry!

We need torches!

[Buzzing]

Billions.

Billions.

Plague.

See? They land in one place.

Yes, but they crawl.

Hurry!

Hurry with the fire stuff!

Throw the fire stuff off here!

Get the--

get the torches.

More torches!

Light the fire!

More fire stuff!

They're smothering the flames!

[Banging on pots and pans]

They're breaking through,

just as I predicted.

Just as I predicted.

Bring the water!
Flood the ditches!

Flood the ditches!

They're beaten!

There's no doubt about it now.

No doubt about it.

That ditch will never hold them.

We must fight them
with our hands...

With shovels...

Anything!

Come!

Son! Keep fighting!

Don't give up!

Wang:
we must keep fighting!

Everyone defend!

Up! Up!

I said save the wheat!
Save it!

The wind!

The wind!

The wind!

[Buzzing]

Wang: the wind!

We've beaten the thing!

We've beaten them!

We've beaten them!

All: yeah!
We've beaten them!

Yes! We did it!

We beat them!

Victory!

Victory!

We've done it!

[Cheering]

The young master!
It's wonderful!

He did it!
The son of his father!

A son to be proud of!

A father to be proud of!

The wisest in 3 generations!

But it's nothing,

just a matter of oil and fire--

something we learned from books.

But I'm worn-out!
Worn-out!

But we saved the crops!

The harvest is saved!
The gods are good!

What's the matter?

I'll call your husband.

No, no. Say nothing.

He's on the land again
with his sons,

and this day is his...
And must be.

You shall bring in the harvest

and lead the workers.

Both of you.

And ching is my steward.

Well, there's work to be done!

Yeah!
yeah!

Harvest is good again!

Good again!
Good!

And another thing must be done,

and you must do it...Quickly.

I work?

Go to the bankers.

There's a commission to be had.

And if you Rob me a little,

it will be yours
for old-time sake.

Hee hee hee!

I will sell the great house.

Sell? But why?

The harvest is saved.
You will have money.

You can live like a lord.

All that is finished.

I will sell the great house.

[Laughter]

It's a wedding again.

But whose?

It's your grandson's wedding.

And soon there will be
great-grandsons.

[Laughing]

Many of them!
Many of them!

Please! Please!

Man: let him be!
Let him be!

His cheeks are as red

as this excellent wine.

Second man: My stomach
is very pleased.

Third man: Perhaps it's
loss of memory,

but I've never eaten such rice.

Uncle:
it's very bad rice.

The worst I ever bought.

Old father:
Grandchildren! Hee hee!

Great-grandchildren!
Hee hee hee!

[Laughter]

Have all the guests had wine?

Yes, yes.

Is the sweet rice hot,

with lard and sugar
and the 8 fruits?

It's just as you wished.

Mistress, your son's bride.

Well...

And she's beautiful.

My daughter...

Look to your husband...

And your husband's father

and his grandfather,

and you have no duty
to any other.

[Men laughing]

You must rest.

Everyone be merry

and not less merry
because of me.

Let them be for the bride.

In good time.

In good time,

for you'll be well again.

Well...

This thing is waiting.

You can't speak of that

and please me.

I'm content.

And what must be done...

You've done.

[Men laughing]

[Clapping]

Ching: Phi Phum hasn't
heard a word.

Man: he's wishing we'd go home.

Phi Phum: No, no, indeed.
I should be honored

if you stay the whole evening.

All other men: Ooh!

Do you remember?

Yes.

If a man could speak,
there are things...

Some are forgotten.

But now I know
that you were the one

and the best a man could have.

O-LAN?

O-LAN?

This I cannot bear.

I'd sell all my land
if I could heal you.

No.

I would not let you,

for I must die sometime,

but the land will
be there after me.

I beg you...
Stay here with me.

I cannot.

Forgive me.

O-LAN...

You are the earth.

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