All language subtitles for Roots.The.Next.Generation.S01E04.720p.WEB.DL

Last on "Roots.."

Would you like to take me

to the church picnic?

Why...why, yes,
Miss Palmer.

'I'd be, I'd be right proud
to escort you to the picnic.'

I is a dirt farmer, and
that's what your brothers be.

That's what schooling
teach you?

To be high and proud for
scorning your own people?

Think you better
than your own kinfolk?

- That isn't the point.
- I tell you the point!

Ain't no money to waste
on a grown man going schooling.

(Simon)
I could warm up
some milk for the lady.

Well, that's very kind of you.

Thank you very much.

'What's your name?'

George.
Just call me George.

George will do fine.

No. I mean
your own name.

Simon.

My name is Simon Haley.

A letter..

...registering Simon Haley
for a full year

with tuition
paid for in advance

by certified check.

Simon Alexander Haley, I am
furious at you. You hear me?

- I am just furious!
- Honey, honey--

Running off to enlist
without a single word.

I came all the way
from Henning.

We planned
a surprise for you.

- You had to spoil it.
- I'm sorry.

Let's get these damn coons
on the train.

(male #1)
'Yes, sir!'

Bye!

I love you!

I love you, Simon.

[drumroll]

[drumroll continues]

[chains clinking]

(male #1)
'"The earth is the Lord's
and the fullness thereof."'

'"He leads me forth
beside the waters.."'

'"The world
and they that dwell therein.."'

'"For he hath founded it
upon the seashore.."'

"to bring you forth
from the ties of righteousness.

'"...and established it
upon the floods."'

'"Who shall ascend
into the hill of the Lord?"'

(male #2)
'"I will fear no evil,
for thou art with me.'

'Thy rod and thy staff.."'

'"Thou shalt prepare
a table before me'

'in the presence
of them that trouble me."'

(male #1)
'"Who hath not lifted up
his soul unto vanity.."'

(male #2)
'"Thou hast
anointed my head with oil."'

(male #1)
'"He shall receive
the blessing of the Lord."'

(male #2)
'"Surely thy
loving kindness and mercy'

'shall follow me
all the days of my life.'"

(male #1)
'"This is the generation
of them that seek him."'

(male #2)
"The Lord is my shepherd,
therefore.."

"He that hath
clean hands.."

(male #2)
'"...lead me
beside the waters.."'

(male #1)
'"Who hath not lifted up
his soul unto.."'

(male #2)
'"...shall convert my soul."'

'"Ye, though I walk through'

'"the valley
of the shadow of death'

'I will fear no evil
for thou art with.."'

(male #1)
'"This is the generation
of them that seek him.'"

(male #2)
'"Thy rod and thy staff
comfort me."'

"Thou shalt prepare
a table before me

"in the presence of them
that trouble me.

"Thou hast anointed
my head with oil

and my cup shall be full."

(male #2)
"Who is this king of glory?

'The Lord of hosts,
he is the king of glory."'

Attention!

"If ye but believe in me,
ye shall never die."

¶ When Israel
was in Egypt land ¶

¶ Let my people go ¶

¶ Oppressed so hard
they could not stand ¶

¶ Let my people go ¶

¶ Go down ¶

¶ Moses ¶

¶ Way down in Egypt land ¶

¶ Tell old pharaoh ¶

¶ Let my.. ¶¶

Sweet Jesus...
have mercy on the souls

of those poor boys
that were hanged.

Receive them in thy bosom

and comfort
their loved ones.

'Dear brothers and sisters'

the army called it
mutiny and murder

but those boys
of the 24th Infantry..

...had no chance to testify

to the provocation,
the indignation

and the humiliation
they suffered

at the hands of the police
of Houston, Texas.

'Where was the army when
the police took a colored MP'

'and beat him
and threw him in jail?'

- Amen!
- Amen!

(male #3)
'Then when those
colored boys themselves'

'marched into town
to protect their brother'

'there was shooting'

and there were 20 men dead,
black and white.

- Yes, there was!
- 'Yes, there was!'

(male #3)
'But the army
only blamed the colored.'

'They put most of
150 men on trial'

'but was it done by the law?'

Oh, no. No.

The army took
those colored boys in secret..

...without the review
of the war department

and the president,
like the law says.

- Yes, they did.
- 'Have mercy!'

Took 'em in secret
to Salado Creek and hung 'em.

Hung them dead!

(male #4)
'Yeah, they dead now.'

(male #3)
'They call that
military justice.'

Brothers and sisters,
I say unto you..

...that was a lynching!

[indistinct chattering]

A lynching!

(male #5)
'Yes, indeed! Mm-hmm.'

Miss Ida Barnett
from the NAACP in Chicago

sent down a petition
to President Wilson

for mercy for the men
of the 24th Infantry

'whom they're still
fixing to hang.

'So whilst we pray'

'I want every one of you
to fix your names to it.'

Mama, what's gonna
happen to Simon?

We gonna pray that
he gonna be alright.

Well, they're gonna do
something to him

in that army.

I won't ever
see him again.

(male #3)
'Dear Lord, who mark
the fall of the sparrow'

mark our boys from Henning

who've been called
to the United States Army

to fight for their country.

Yes, Lord.

'We appreciate
anything you do for them'

in the way
of protection over there.

Dear Lord, sweet Jesus

put forth your hand
and protect our boys over here

where they needs it bad!

[indistinct chattering]

Lord!

Haley! Button that button!

'Attention!'

Left face!

Morning.

I want to welcome you
new men to the division.

I am
Second Lieutenant Ten Eyck.

You men are now soldiers
in the United States Army

and I want you always
to be proud of that.

I know that you are going to
perform your duties diligently.

Now, I am required to read
to all new recruits

a directive from
Major General Charles C. Ballou

commanding 92nd division.

"Directive 35.

"Pursuant to a recent incident
in Manhattan, Kansas

"where a noncommissioned officer
of the 92nd colored

"was refused entry to
a local theater by the manager.

"It has been determined

"that although the civilian
was in violation of state law

"the sergeant in question
was guilty of a greater wrong

"in doing anything,
no matter how legally correct

"that will provoke
racial animosity.

'"Enlisted men
of the 92nd Infantry, colored'

'"are ordered to refrain'

'"from going
where they are not wanted'

"and are instructed
to take warning.

"White men made the division

"and they can break it
just as easily

if it becomes
a troublemaker."

Sergeant,
dismiss the platoon.

(male #6)
'Yes, sir.'

That's funny.

I mean..

...this is a whole division
of colored troops

and I haven't seen
one colored officer.

And you ain't likely to,
either, buddy.

When this war busted out
there wasn't but

three colored officers in the
whole damn United States Army.

There you go, Haley.
Now, that's just by the book.

Can't be no
wrapping too tight

les'n your feet
swell up, fall off.

You're regular army,
aren't you, Haywood?

(Haywood)
'I got in the army
when I was 16 years old.'

'Soldiering's about the only
thing I know how to do.'

Besides, ain't no other reason

for a black man
to be in this here army.

I volunteered.

[chuckles]

Now, you just shut on up, Doxey.
We know why you here.

Judge done told you
one year in jail

or join the army.

Yeah, and I ain't sure

I done made
the right choice!

Haley, you're a college man
and all that.

What the hell
you volunteer for?

President Wilson said that..

"The world must be
made safe for democracy."

Whoo!

That's alright
for them white boys

but, uh, what's in it for us?

Dr. Du Bois said blacks must..

...overlook
their special grievances

for the duration of the war

'th-that winning takes
precedence'

'over the fight for rights.'

We-we make
no ordinary sacrifice

but we make it
gladly and willingly

with our eyes
lifted to the hills.

Amen!

Praise the Lord! Amen!

[laughing]

I'll make a deal
with you, Haley

that you
and your Dr. Du Bois

keep your eyes
lifted to the hills

and I'll keep your behind
out of trouble

down here in the mud
where we all gonna be.

(Will)
'Socialists.'

'Damn socialists, that's what!'

Will Palmer,
what are you doin'?

Cousin Georgia come
all the way from Kansas City

and you reading
"The Chicago Defender"

right in her face.

I says tell the truth

and shame the devil.

They socialists.

Who is, Cousin Will?

This here Chancellor Owens

and A. Phillip Randolph.

I don't understand,
Cousin Will.

What they do?

They been agitating
against the war.

You just listen
to this here.

"Negro leaders
can volunteer to go to France

"if they are
so eager to fight

"to make the world
safe for democracy.

We would rather make Georgia
safe for the negro."

My husband,
Mr. Anderson, say

that being against the war
is being pro-German.

And he's right.

First thing you know

all the white folks gonna say

that the colored
ain't patriotic

that they is afraid
to fight for their country.

How they say that
when Grandpa Chicken George

fought in the union army
right nearby at Fort Pillow?

Cousin Georgia, ain't nobody
remembers that no more.

I do. I remember all the old
stories better than anybody.

About grandpa and his mama
Kizzy and the old African

and all that truck.

[knock on door]

Mm-hmm.

Mr. Palmer?

Yes.

Could I speak with you,
Mr. Palmer, sir?

Sure. Come on in.

Uh, no. I..

I done rode
ten miles to get here

and I smells of mule sweat.

Same to you, I'd rather
talk on the porch.

Okay, Luke.

I.. I didn't know
who to ask for help.

Well, my fanny,
she say, uh

"Go see Mr. Palmer."

See, now, I done
told them I can't go

'cause I got the farm
and the children, and--

Now, wait a minute.
You couldn't go?

You talking
about the draft board?

They say I got to go
three weeks from Saturday

and I can't.

I got 50 acres
in cotton to chop.

Now, I done
explained to them

I got a wife and three kids
and one coming.

You is exempt
for dependents.

All you has to do is
appeal the classification--

Mr. Palmer, they is
all white men on that board.

You think they gonna
listen to a nigger dirt farmer?

Now, you look here, Luke.

That don't make no nevermind.

They has to go by the rules.

Well, now, there is
young Mr. Calloway

and they knows you.
You can talk to 'em.

There is nobody else
to speak up for me, sir.

Well..

...I guess I'll just
go down to that draft board

with you
on their next meeting.

Thank you, sir.

[grunts]

(male #7)
'Recover!'

[grunting]

'High port!'

'Whirl!'

'High port!'

'Whirl!'

[grunts]

'Recover!'

[soldiers grunting]

'High port!'

Well, how they
shaping up, lieutenant?

Not bad, sir.

I've been looking over
some of the records.

There are even a few
college men among them.

Hope you stay around longer than
the last two lieutenants we had.

But then I guess
you've got your request in

for a transfer already, eh?

No, sir.

No?

Well, takes all kinds.

Suppose it don't matter to you,
the war is over

you just go on back
to your fancy college.

'Let me tell you,
if you're in the regular army'

'it rubs off on you.'

Headquarters says,
"Captain Bowker? Oh, yeah.

Ain't he the one
with that coon regiment?"

There goes your chance
for promotion.

Captain, don't you think that if
these men are treated...fairly..

...and patiently that
they'll do as well as any other?

Oh, my.
Ten Eyck, where you from?

Fishkill,
New York, sir.

Well, let me tell you

the army has had
a lot of experience

handling nigger troops.

(male #8)
'Haley! Who told you you can
open your canteen?'

- He's sick, sir.
- 'Alright, Haley!'

Now you spill that
water out on the ground.

You heard me!
Spill it out on the ground!

And that's the way
it's gonna be.

- Sergeant?
- Sir!

- Any trouble?
- No, sir!

A man done
pass out. That's all.

Get him out of the sun.

Haley, Haywood,
move him out!

- Soldier!
- Yes, sir?

You're Haywood.

I read your record.

You were busted
from sergeant

you did three months.

Yes, sir.

I want you to know
there's not gonna be

any trouble
like that in my company

do you understand?

Yes, sir.

See what I mean?

It's the only way
to handle them.

Come down hard
from the word "go."

Now, Will,
the Selective Service Act

is very complicated.

Shoot, I sat on the committee
that drafted it

and I'm blamed if I can
understand all that lawyer talk

and the small print.

Yes, sir,
but Luke here

ought to be
classified 4-A.

"Man whose wife
and children are

mainly dependent
on his labor for support."

Or 4-C, "necessary
sole managing head

of necessary agriculture
enterprise."

Now, Will, I assure you
every case is considered

on its own merits.

Yes, sir.
I'm sure that--

They done deferred
George Mckay

and he's a colored farmer,
same as me

and he ain't married yet.

We had an affidavit

from Mr. Bordegray,
who owns Mckay's farm

that there would be
a large financial loss

if he was not deferred.

Now, Will,
we just don't have

that kind
of affidavit for Luke.

That 'cause Luke here
owns his own place.

Mr. Calloway, I've done
business with your father

at the bank for 20 years
'fore he passed away.

Now, I done come
to know your family

as fair-minded
Christian gentlemen.

Well, thank you, Will,
but the point is--

Hear me all the way, sir!

'Are you really
gonna draft this man'

'who is a farmer'

'with a wife
and three children'

and one on the way?

There are rules and laws!

Will Palmer, I never
thought I'd hear you

stand up for a slacker.

My father used to say
you were the one colored man

that could be trusted,
but maybe he was wrong!

All I is saying
is fair is fair!

You are impugning
the impartiality of this board.

There'll come a day
I'll remember that, Will Palmer.

- Now, you listen here--
- Gentlemen, gentlemen.

Gentlemen.

Now, Will, there are
appeal procedures

but the review board
is likely to be reluctant

to challenge the wisdom

of a democratically
chosen local board

and as an old friend,
I'm telling you

it ain't gonna
do any good anyway.

The army ain't gonna hurt
a good Henning colored boy.

It's an honor
to serve your country.

White and black,
fighting for democracy.

Side by side.

Say, Haley, where did you
go on your pass?

Uh, to the...the social
at the Methodist church.

(in unison)
Ooh-hoo-hoo!

Professor, now you
just don't know where to look!

'Now, I found me
a big woman.'

Now, I done
had some big women

but this woman was big

and she had
this big old brass bed

and there was room enough..

...there was room enough for..

[door opens]

Haywood.

Come on.

- Here.
- Get some water.

No, no. Whiskey.
Dushay, bring my canteen!

Take it easy.

What happened?

Damn town cops.

They had a fellow
from D company between 'em.

They was busting his head
with their sticks.

Lousy bulls!

Now, I asked them real nice,
I said, "Is he under arrest?"

You can't mess with
no small-town Illinois police!

(male #9)
'It's not worth it,
man!'

And then, one of them
lays his pistol

up alongside my head.

Well, they works me over
pretty good

and then tells me
that I'm under arrest

and try to take me
down to the station.

Well, I kicks
one of them real hard

and busted loose
and I come back to camp

and a court martial's ready.

But that's an affront
to the United States Army.

You were in uniform, obeying
orders. They can't do that!

Yeah. Well, where's their
respect for this damn uniform?

(in unison)
That's right! Right!

There has got to be
some kind of action taken.

Now, you talking,
college boy.

- 'Hand me my gun!'
- 'I'm serious!'

[indistinct chattering]

Come on, professor.

What you got
in your blood?

Grab your piece
and join the party.

We going back
and make that damn town

safe for democracy.

You've got to report this
to the authorities.

I done that, Simon.

Captain asked me how come

I'm inciting racial violence.

Ain't you heard enough
yet, Haley?

You gonna back up your buddy?

You a soldier
or you a yellow dog?

- 'Right!'
- 'Let's go!'

- I'll go.
- Alright!

[indistinct chattering]

[instrumental music]

(Haywood)
'Alright, hold it!'

Now, anybody that
leave here tonight

gonna go over my dead body.

What you talking?
They done laid your head open!

They insulted the whole
damn United States Army.

Now, we have a right
to defend ourselves.

We going back
and make some white police

pay for your blood.
That right?

I'll tell you what happened.

It was the same
thing what happened

to the 24th Infantry

in Houston, Texas.

'The army brass come in and
disarmed the whole'

'damn battalion.'

'A hundred
and ten colored soldiers'

in the stockades for murder.

They done hung 13 of them

and gonna hang more!

They got 41 doing life
in Leavenworth

so put your weapon down,
soldier.

Put your weapon down,
all of you!

'You're on my squad now'

'and I ain't gonna
let not one of you'

'hang from the end
of a US Army rope.'

You want to shoot somebody?

Wait till you get to France.
You can shoot some Germans.

What I got against
them Germans?

It seems to me we fighting
the wrong white men.

I know, Mr. Calloway,
but Luke is appealing

the draft board rule
to the state review in Memphis.

No, sir, I ain't
instigating nothing.

That's Luke's right by law.

Well, I's sorry
you feel that way, sir, but..

Well, goodbye to you, sir.

Mr. Calloway
don't take too kindly

to no appeal
at the state review.

He ain't gonna
do nothing to you, Will.

His father set you up in this

lumber business
in the first place.

Oh, yeah, but then

there come a pharaoh

who knew not Joseph.

Daddy, you didn't give
me an answer about..

A young lady
do not pick up

and go all the way to Chicago
unchaperoned to be with a man.

Simon's in the army,
pappy. That's--

I ain't gonna
argue with you, girl.

(Bertha)
'You the one who said
we can get married'

'after his graduation.'

'We're practically married.'

Practically ain't
the same thing!

Now, you have him come here
with your family around.

His division is goin' overseas.

All he can get is
a one-day pass to Chicago.

I don't want to lose him.

The child telephoned

Miss Ida Wells Barnett
in Chicago.

She can stay with her.

And you know Miss Barnett
for a long time.

'She the head of that NAACP
and everything.'

Miss Barnett fine,

but you don't throw
two young people together

with all
that foolishness about..

...going overseas
and-and last chance.

'You just asking for trouble!'

Will Palmer, have I ever
mixed in your family?

No, Lizzie.

You ain't never
mixed in my family.

Well, let me tell you
something, Will Palmer.

A father got to love
his daughter

and she got to mind
what he say

up to a point.

There comes a time when a papa
got no more notion

of what's going on
in his child's heart

than he got
the other side of the moon.

My pappy Tom made
that kind of mistake.

So, Will, you want to keep
the love of the child.

You want to keep her respect
for your word?

Then you got to bend.

You got to let go.

I'm talking about
what's proper and decent.

(Elizabeth)
'Will, these children
are in love'

and that boy's
going off to war.

Now, old folks say,
"Don't make no nevermind.

He come back by and by."

Well, that ain't true.

They don't always come back

and there are times
all a woman got to remember

the rest of her life..

...is the soft, sad word
of her love saying goodbye.

I know.

I still hear John Dolan.

Now, god forbid
Simon don't come back.

Now, you let them
cling to each other

and say goodbye.

[melancholic music]

Tell me everything's
gonna work out.

Tell me I won't lose Simon.

You won't
lose Simon, baby.

Tomorrow morning, we'll go down
to the train station

and get your ticket.

Wire Miss Barnett
that you're coming to Chicago.

Thank you, daddy.

[jazz music]

[indistinct chattering]

¶ I say hey hey big mama ¶

¶ Leaves shaking on your lawn ¶

¶ I say hey big mama ¶

¶ Sweep me all your own ¶

Hey, Doxey!

By the time you
finish going through

them frog gals, man

there ain't gonna be enough left

for a dose of Epsom salts!

You ain't got to mind
them old frog girls, now.

There ain't no lovin' like good
old down-home Chicago lovin'.

Ooh!

When Frances gets
finished saying goodbye to you

you ain't gonna
be able to say hello to nobody.

[knock on door]

[knocking continues]

I thought I heard somebody
knocking out there.

Uh, is this where
Doxey Walker lives?

They said third floor, rear.

That's right.

Hey, Doxey!

'Friends of yours?'

Come on in.

Simon?

The professor!

I didn't think you
was gonna be here!

We got lost
on the trolley.

Well, well, well,
looky here.

Uh, um, Miss Palmer, I'd like
you to meet Doxey Walker.

So, you're Bertha!

Well, that's all
he talk about in camp.

"Bertha, Bertha, Bertha."

'And you much prettier
than he say.'

How do you do, Mr. Walker?

Mr. Walker?

That's my daddy's name
and he been gone

since the day I was born.

Doxey, that's me.
Doxey.

This here is Big Slew.

- How you doing?
- Pleasure.

- How are you, ma'am?
- He work at the stockyards.

He don't even need no sledge
to poleax them steers

'cause he bust them
twist eyed with his fist!

(Big Slew)
Doxey, you ain't nothing
but a big old--

(Doxey)
Shut your mouth, fool nigger.

Can't you see
there's a lady present?

Y'all come on in.

Get yourself a drink

a mess of ribs or something

'cause everybody
here is friends.

Hey, hey, hey, Francey.

This here is my buddy
from the army.

Simon, the professor.

This is his girl Bertha.

Well, hello.
How you doin'?

Y'all just make
yourself at home

and, you know,
if you got to go

it's out back
in the yard.

Here, have a drink!

(male #10)
'Hey, Doxey. Come on over here.'

- 'Play something for us.'
- Look here.

Y-y-y'all just relax have
yourself a good time, you hear?

Hey! Here you are, sweet pea.

Have one of these
here pig ears here.

[glass shatters]

Get back! Get back!
Hey, look. You don't want one?

Look, they my bestest thing.

I get them by the buckets
at the stockyard.

No.. No, thank you.

Maybe later.

Simon, I think
it's whiskey.

No, honey,
that's gin.

It puts hair on your chest!

What will I do?

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chattering]

[music continues]

You alright, honey?

I just feel..

I just need some air.

I know it.

It was quite hot.

Stuffy,
that's all it was.

Ooh! What's that?

I think that's the stockyards.

Do you want
to go back inside?

Simon, what we gonna do?

Ain't no place to go.

I know, honey.

We don't know anyone
else in Chicago.

We can't go back
to Miss Barnett's.

She won't let me receive
a gentlemen caller there.

Simon, it's our last night.

Hey! Hey, professor!
What you doing out here?

Come on in
and join the party.

Doxey, you
some kind of idiot?

Hey, buddy, look,
this is our last night

before we headed over there.

You better load up
on some home cookin'

and some home lovin'!

Thanks. W-we'll be in soon.

Well, can't you see this
little lady here's shivering?

Everybody know the night air
from the stockyards

bring on the ague.
Come on in here.

I'll be alright, really.

Doxey, you ain't got
the brains

of a jumping flea.

Can't you see
they's in love?

'They don't want
to spend their time'

with a bunch
of gin-swiggin' strangers

a-whoppin'
and a-hollerin'.

Honey, y'all can
have alone in my room

on the second floor in front.

Ain't nobody
bother you there

and I got a big, fine brass bed
with a real sateen--

Thank you, but, uh,
w-we can't stay too long.

We'll be alright here.

Oh, oh! Well, Francey, come on.

There's plenty
of liquor in here

ain't been drunk yet.

Well, ain't been
for the lack of trying.

Now, honey, I know
they're wild and all

but, well, maybe that's just
'cause they're city folks

and we've never met
anybody like that.

I wish..

I wish you could
stay with me now.

Come home
to Henning.

We could get married
in an old church.

We will, honey.
We will.

Simon,
why do you have to go?

It's..

Well, it's just
my patriotic duty.

Well, that's what Dr. Du Bois
wrote in "The Crisis."

"We of the colored race

"have no ordinary
interest in the outcome.

"German power spells death
to the aspirations of Negroes

for equality, freedom, and
democracy. Let us close our.."

I don't want to hear
Dr. Du Bois.

I don't want to hear
about patriotism

or politics or anything.

I just want to hear
you say you love me

and you're gonna be
coming back alright.

Honey, please.

Well, I-I-I just don't know.

I mean,
about being alright.

Then lie to me.

- Tell me lies, Simon, ple--
- Bertha.

Bertha, I love you.

I'm gonna
come back to you.

That's all that matters.

Oh, Simon, I love you.

Nothing else matters.

Nothing.

We love each other.

Remember that.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

[gunshot]

[explosion]

[explosion]

Let's move out!

'Let's move out!'

[intense music]

[machine gun firing]

The two machine gun
positions are here..

...and here.

Now, my orders
from Captain Bowker

are to get to the guns
and destroy them.

Battalion wants them wiped out
before the push.

Yes, sir.

Sergeant, go check the men.

Alright, sir.

Lieutenant..

...them Krauts got
that whole field of fire

measured and zeroed in.

They could shoot the toenails
off a fly in the dark.

Don't worry about it,
corporal.

Headquarters is calling in
a creeping barrage

from division artillery.
That'll keep their heads down.

We'll be very well covered.

Lieutenant..

...listen.

Notice anything?

'There ain't nothing
to listen to.'

[distant gunfire]

Lord almighty!

They were supposed
to be here five minutes ago.

Where the hell is artillery?

They're probably
in the sack.

They sure as hell ain't
shooting off no 75s.

Well, Captain Bowker
made it absolutely clear

we have got to destroy
those machine guns.

What do you think, Haywood?

Lieutenant,
I ain't paid to think.

Alright.

We are going to wait
exactly five minutes

for covering artillery.

And then what?

Then we're going to follow
the captain's orders.

[sighs]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Nothing from artillery.

A long, loud nothing.

Alright.

Let's go.

Move out!

[dramatic music]

That's wire! Get down!

Wire! Down!

[indistinct]

Go under it!
Move it down there!

Move it!

[machine gun firing]

[dramatic music]

[machine gun firing]

Johnson! Johnson!

I'm caught in the wire!

Doxey, you alright?

Come on, you recruits!

Move in!

[machine gun firing]

Aah!

We're taking too much fire,
lieutenant.

We got to go back!

Men, go back!

Men!

(Doxey)
'Stay down!'

[machine gun firing]

[dramatic music]

Sergeant Washington's
out there dead..

...and Johnson.

Dushay hit in the leg,
but he be alright.

Cut up by the wire
some, though.

Why the hell
didn't artillery come?

That's what
I want to know.

'Hell, that fool white man'

'probably didn't call
no artillery liaison.'

'Why bother?'

Nothing out here
but a bunch of niggers.

That cracker.

Corporal..

...I can't let you
talk like that.

Captain Bowker is
your superior officer.

Oh, that what he is?

Yes, sir.

That's all we need
in this hole in the ground

is a bunch
of military courtesy.

Yes, sir.

Haywood, what are we
going to do?

You the officer.

Yes, but you're
an experienced soldier.

Now, do you think we can
we get through that barbed wire?

Oh, hell.

With no artillery cover

we ain't got no wire cutters
and them heinie machine guns

'with a known-range
field of fire..'

...it'd take a frontal assault

at full-battalion
strength, sir.

Yes. I agree with you.

(Bowker)
I sent you out
to carry out my orders

and you just plain failed.

- Captain if I--
- Stand at attention, Ten Eyck!

What am I
gonna tell battalion?

Patrol of dumb darkies

just sat in some
damn shell hole

rolling their big bug eyes?

Sir, my men
did their duty.

Two of them are dead,
and one is wounded.

The patrol was undermanned, sir.

There was no wire
shown on my map.

We weren't provided
with wire cutters.

I don't want
to hear any excuses.

'And there was supposed to be'

'an artillery barrage.'

What happened to it?

They cancel it or did somebody

just forget to call division
artillery--

'How the hell
do I know what went on'

'up in battalion?'

'Something always goes wrong!'

Well, are you going
to find out, sir?

Are you going to protest
that you almost lost an--

Lieutenant, just exactly
how far do you think

I would get with that?

Somebody up there
is awful busy

covering up his rear.

I'm gonna cover up mine.

Sir, no patrol
in the world could have--

Lieutenant, up in battalion

they expect
these troops to fail.

They know
what we are up against.

They don't want
to hear anything else.

They did not fail!

Nobody gets a promotion

by telling higher command
what they don't want to hear.

Captain, I cannot let my men

be held responsible
for something--

'You stick your thumb
in your mouth'

and you listen to me!

They put me
in this manure pile.

I'm gonna get out
with my record clean!

- Dismissed!
- Sir, I cannot--

Dismissed!

[instrumental music]

(Simon)
Where have you been?
You're half an hour late.

(Ten)
'Sorry, Haley.'

Oh, I'm sorry, sir.

I thought it was Walker.

Anything going on?

No, sir.

All quiet.

There was
an observation two-seater

about a half-hour ago

crossing this sector
left to right.

Yes, we saw that.

And there was
a barn swallow.

You mean a bird?

Yes, sir.

Or some kind of swift.

It's nesting
in that dead tree

about 100 yards out.

Wh..

Ha!

A bird's nest
in this circle of hell.

What a sight.

There's a female
sitting on top.

[Ten laughs]

"Hope is that thing
with feathers

which nestles near the heart."
Emily Dickinson.

You ever read
any of her poems at college?

I took ag courses mostly, sir.

Oh, that's interesting, Haley.

You want to be a farmer?

I wanted to teach agriculture

at the college level.

You really have it
all figured out, don't you?

You know exactly
what you're going to do.

I guess so. Yes, sir.

I wish to hell I did.

I went through
three years at Harvard

with a gentleman's "C"
and all I know

is the first two lines
of a handful of poems

and all the verses
of "Abdul Abulbul Amir."

Yes, sir.

You know what's interesting
though, Haley?

I've never known
a colored person before

other than my uncle's butler.

There was that chap
at Harvard but..

'...none of us ever
seemed to, um, speak to him.'

Here we are
living together

for all we know,
dying together

and I still don't
know a damn thing

about any of you.

Sir, I'm supposed
to, uh, keep the sector

under constant
observation.

What?

The binoculars, sir.

Oh, no, Haley. Uh, go on
down to the rear dugout.

Sergeant Haywood has
brought up the chow

and the mail is in.

Well, you don't
have to do that, sir.

Walker is supposed to be here.

It's alright.
That's alright.

Go ahead.

I'll take over for a while.

Thank you, sir.

Ha! She's back on the nest.

Hey, y'all, listen up here.

I got something
to tell you. Hey!

Hey, wake up here.
Hey, wake up, Williams!

Hey, Haley! Hey!

They talking about
a big push coming.

Now, the Heinies
may use gas in this sector

and I want all of y'all
to have your gas masks

with you at all times.

'Now, if you got
tobacco and rations'

'or that kind of mess
in your mask'

'just get it the hell on out!'

(male #11)
What you talking about, a push?

'That ain't what
them Krauts say.'

(Haywood)
What you talking about?

That heinie two-seater
fly over yesterday

drop a mess of leaflets.

Come in real handy
'cause we clean out of paper.

What them Heinies say?

"Hello,
brave black boys.

"What are you doing
over there fighting Germans?

"Why?

"For democracy?

"What is democracy?

Can you go to a restaurant
where white people dine?"

Don't want to
'cause white folks

don't know good food.

Like this food
we eating right here.

"Or can you ride
in the south

in the same streetcar
with white people?"

Hell, no! Now, they
saying gospel there.

'"Is lynching a lawful process'

'"in a democratic country?'

'"There is nothing in
the game for you but death.'

'"Throw your gun away'

and come over
to the German lines."

It's a good thing they wrote
that on thin, smooth paper.

Them it do be good
for something.

(male #12)
'Simon.'

Simon, what's the matter?

My father died.

Bertha heard
from my mother.

(male #12)
'I'm sorry.'

He, uh..

He died
on the operating table in that..

...in that, uh..

...that colored hospital
in Memphis.

(male #13)
'Hey, I'm real sorry, buddy.'

That's all she says.

"Your father died
on the operating table."

[explosion]

That's yellow smoke
in F company.

Damn! That's gas!

Gas! Get your masks on!

- Who's in the forward post?
- The lieutenant.

Well, Haley, get over there
and tell him about it.

He can't see it.
It's behind him.

It's blowing
this way! Hurry up!

Lieutenant!

Lieutenant, gas.

Lieutenant!

[explosion]

[intense music]

[explosion]

[music continues]

How are you?

What outfit are you from?

You from the 92nd?

Listen, uh..

...do you know anything
about, uh, company C?

Did you hear anything
about company C?

The 366th?

'Do you know
if anybody else around here'

'is from the 366th?'

My name is Simon Haley.

Simon Haley.
What's yours?

What's the matter with you?
I'm talking to you.

[coughing]

What are you doing?

I told you to lie still,
to rest.

[speaking in foreign language]

What? What..

Oh! Oh, I understand.

No. He is not American.

'He is Senegalese,
a French soldier, an African.'

- He's from Africa?
- 'Yes, yes. Africa.'

'He is no Yankee.'

'He doesn't speak French'

'only his African language.'

You're from Africa?

[speaking in foreign language]

I'm sorry, buddy.

The folks didn't..

The folks didn't
carry on the language.

I guess we
could be related

some kind of kin

and we can't say
one word to each other.

[speaking in foreign language]

What are we doing
in the middle of France

fighting Germans?

Oh! No, no,
thank you.

[speaking in foreign language]

Thank you.

As a matter of fact,
I'm temperance.

[speaking in foreign language]

Why not?

Thanks, cousin.

To you

to, uh, to Africa

to the end of the war.

[speaking in foreign language]

[instrumental music]

¶ Mademoiselle
from Armentieres ¶

¶ Parlez-vous ¶

¶ Mademoiselle
from Armentieres ¶

¶ Parlez-vous ¶

¶ Mademoiselle
from Armentieres ¶

¶ She never heard
of underwear ¶

¶ Hinky dinky
parlez-vous ¶¶

Hey, Haywood!

Hey, Simon.

I want y'all to meet
a friend of mine.

She's, uh, a grande femme.

That's frog for a big woman.

That's my friend,
the sergeant.

Sergeant Haywood.

This is my buddy,
Simon Haley.

Simon, Simon, he just come back
from the hospital

just in time
to go home!

Vive les Americans!

Vive la paix!

(Doxey)
'Hey, Haywood, look at him.'

'The boy is blushing!'

Doxey, you're drunk.

(Doxey)
'You're right,
and I'm gonna stay drunk'

till I gets my papers

that gets me out
of this man's army.

Then y'all know
what I'm gonna do?

Gonna get drunk again.

I'm gonna stay right here!

I'm going to Paris

where's I can walk up

have me a drink
at any bar that I want.

Where I can ride a train

where I don't have to worry

about no dirty Jim Crow car

and where I can...
where I can..

where I can mess
with a pretty woman.

And don't have to worry
about some redneck

lynching me up
to the nearest tree.

Hey, Haywood,
how about you?

Why ain't you
turning frog with me?

No, Doxey.

I'm too old for them
kind of carryings on.

Well, what will you do
now that the war's over?

Well, I guess
I'd go on back home

take care of my sister
and her children

in Knoxville and then..

...I guess I'll just reenlist
for another hitch.

You mean
you going back

to that miserable, lowdown

nigger-hating country?

That may be, Dox

but it's my miserable, lowdown

nigger-hating country.

Well, that's alright.

"Everyone to his own taste"

the man said
as he kissed the pig.

[laughing]

How about you, Simon?

You college and all that truck.

Why ain't you go get

that pretty gal of yours

bring her over here

so you can live
the life of Riley, huh?

I guess I just
want to go home.

Anyway, it's gonna be
different about race.

Boy, you is whistling
up a hollow tree.

Well, it's got to be.

There was our division
and the 93rd

and all the other
colored troops

and we fought
for our country.

They know that.

'President Wilson
has brought Negroes'

'into the government
as advisors.'

That means something.

Everything's gonna be different.

Buddy, what you drinking?

I wants me a shot of that.

Attention!

Oh, at ease.
Oh, my goodness!

Oh, pardon.

That's all right.
Gentlemen, sit down, please.

Please sit down.

Oh, madame, asseyez-vous,
s'il vous plait.

Really, it's, uh.. Sit.

Haley, I wanted
to see you before--

Lieutenant,
why don't you sit down

and have a drink with us?

Shut up! You crazy?

No, no, sergeant.
Tha-that's alright.

I.. I think
that's a fine idea.

Uh, might I borrow
this chair?

Yes, sir.
Thank you.

Well, what are we drinking?

Well, anything we can get.

Thank you.

To my platoon..

...the best damned
fighting men in the AEF.

A la victoire.

Vive Marianne!

[instrumental music]

Ah! Come on, honey.

Let me show you how
they do the one-step

on the south side
of Chicago!

Y'all excuse me? Thank you.

I've been looking
for you because I..

...haven't had
the chance to tell you..

...I'm grateful.

That's alright, sir.

Aren't you drinking?

Uh, no.

You know, Haley,
I'm-I'm, uh, 22.

...twenty two.

When I go home
there's every chance

that I won't ever do
anything of any..

...consequence again
in my whole life.

[music continues]

In a way, I envy you.

You're going home
to a challenge..

...and you have
a very clear idea

of what you're going to do.

I..

I will drink
to your homecoming.

Thank you, sir.

Whereas I
...will probably spend

the next 50 years
going to dinner..

...in all the same
isolated houses.

Tuxedo, Rhinebeck,
Hyde Park.

But I will have met men..

...that none of them
will ever know.

I hope I remember.

Thank you, Haley.

(Bowker)
'Lieutenant.'

What are you doing here?

I am having a drink
with my victorious legions.

'Will you join us?'

You crazy? Drinking
with enlisted men?

Niggers! You can't sit
with them.

Why not?
I almost died with them.

You're drunk.

At ease.

[sighs]

You don't want to get
in any trouble now, son.

All hell is breaking
loose right now.

General Bullard
up in second army

has just ordered all colored
outfits shipped home first.

Well, how thoughtful
of the dear general.

The point is,
he told Marshal Foch

the French don't know
how to keep the blacks in line.

[laughing]
A votre sante.

Now, you listen up good.

I'm ordering you
to round up all your men..

Captain...I'm no longer
under your command.

Here is my transfer order.

The army has assigned me
to go to the Sorbonne

to study Rimbaud,
Verlaine and Balzac.

Lieutenant, I gave you an order!

Balzac.

- Sergeant!
- Sir!

(Bowker)
'I want every colored soldier'

out of this town
in five minutes!

All of you!

You are restricted to camp.

'You will be shipped home first'

'and you better
start to remember'

how to stay
where you belong!

Move them out!

[indistinct chattering]

Time to go home.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

There he is.

It's Simon!

It's Simon. I saw him.

Oh, child, that's
a whole regiment up there.

(Cynthia)
It's like picking out
one black-eyed pea in a bushel.

I did see him.

Oh, look at that.

Old Blackjack Pershing
himself.

[all cheering]

[music continues]

That Henry Johnson,
he whupped a whole 20 Germans

single-handedly.

[whistling]

[music continues]

This white minister
from first congregational

Jackson, Mississippi

preached this sermon
on, uh, racial tolerance

and it made all the papers

and he preached it
right here in Tennessee.

[music continues]

Even the governor done
issued out a proclamation

against lynching.

Baby, I tell you..

...your Simon coming home
to a new world.

Afternoon, Will.

- Congressman.
- It's a great sight.

Our boys
marching home victorious.

Yes, sir.

Well, Bertha, I expect
your young fellow

will be coming home soon
and then you can settle down

and raise yourself
a whole passel

of fine little pickaninnies.

She's got a..

...Kodak snapshot of her soldier
boy in France.

- Show it to him.
- Papa, I--

Bertha, I would
admire to see it.

I have the greatest
admiration for our boys

in their country's service.

(Will)
'That's Simon there
on the right-hand side'

'before he got wounded.'

That's very interesting.

That's a fine-looking boy.

Well, I-I think it's about time
we should be moving along.

It's very nice talking
to you. Excuse us.

[whispers]
Pickaninny.

(Earl)
Make your blood boil

black bucks standing there

with rifle guns and bayonets

the government give them.

It looks like we're in
for interesting times

when the boys come home.

What are we all gonna do
when them nigger soldiers

get home, anyway?

How are we gonna keep them
down on the farm

after they seen Paris?

It isn't only the farm,
we are gonna need a large, cheap

and manageable labor supply.

Colored boys coming
home with wild ideas

about all kinds of things
isn't gonna help.

The mistake, sir,
was in taking perfectly

amiable negroes
and putting them in the army

in the first place.

I tell you, we have sown

dragon's teeth, sir.
Dragon's teeth!

I told you, them French
would spoil our niggers rotten.

Everything in
the country's unsettled.

Where will it all end?

Well, gentlemen, I'm reminded of
my old father Colonel Warner.

Now, he deplored
violence in any form

but there would come a time

when he would say of some
particular obstreperous darky

"it's too bad
but I guess that fellow

deserves whatever's
gonna happen to him."

Well, I do hope the negroes

will be sensible
and will settle down

'without provoking
any violence.'

(Andy)
I'm afraid there have already
been violent outbursts

of indignation
in Longview, Texas

Elaine, Arkansas,
up north in Chicago..

...against negro soldiers coming
home with dangerous ideas.

Sorry days for all.

Well, gentlemen,
if I'm to become senator

I have work to do,
if you'll excuse me.

Certainly, Andy.

Andy, I'm going up
to Knoxville on Tuesday

to remind the blacks
they're coming back home.

Now, Earl..

...inside two years
I expect to be junior senator

from the state of Tennessee.

Now, a national figure and a
power in the democratic party

cannot be mixed up in unexpected

spontaneous outbursts

before they happen.

Shoot, Andy, I don't care

if you're running
for dogcatcher

or senator.

When push come to shove

you're gonna holler "Nigger.."

...like always.

But with dignity, Earl.

Always with dignity.

[dramatic music]

"O kinsmen! We must meet
the common foe.

"Though far outnumbered,
let us show us brave

"and for their thousand blows
deal one deathblow.

"What though before us
lies the open grave?

"Like men, we'll face
the murderous cowardly pack

"pressed to the wall, dying..

...but fighting back."

Where it come from?

It's by Claude McKay

in "The Messenger."

(Bubba)
Ain't that the truth?

I done heard of groups
of white men

strolling through the streets

looking for a friendly lynching.

Around the corner..
Bam!

Black men fighting back.

Bubba, eat your vittles.

Simon, you want potatoes?

Oh, thank you, ma'am.
This is just fine.

Listen, y'all,
I'm sorry I asked y'all

to come to Knoxville.
I thought y'all was coming--

(Doxey)
Now, it ain't your fault
them rednecks rampaging

all over town.

It's a good idea.

Chance to meet your sister

sort of be together
for the last time.

Besides, my train connection
is in Knoxville.

I would've been here anyway.

Well, you're all safer
off the streets.

This ain't one of your regular
lynching's with the town folk

looking for one
particular nigger.

Now, they got gangs
streaming through

the colored part of town,
they don't care

'who they gets either
as long as they're black.'

(Doxey)
'Yeah. Ain't nowhere safe,
even in Chicago.'

Papers say 23 colored
was killed last month.

Sixteen white.

And a thousand families
was burned out.

Always the colored, too.

I've seen this old white man
driving a Rio

gang of coloreds throw
rocks through his windshield

and drag him out.

And that poor old man
was all over blood.

Well, it's the red summer.

That's what they calling it.
"The red summer."

Haywood, maybe we ought have
stayed in France.

At least ways there,
we had hand grenades.

Well, I got myself a couple
souvenirs around the house here.

Maybe you should've stayed
in France, Doxey.

Maybe we all should have.

Tell you the truth, buddy.

Sleeping in that
old French barn

with all that
cow manure piled up

I got awful homesick
for that sweet smell

of them stockyards
blowing across Division Street.

[[all laughing]

[knock on door]

(Tim)
'Miss Carson! Miss Carson!'

- What is it, Tim?
- They're up the street!

Mama told me to run down
and tell the folks.

There's a whole gang
of white men.

They going mad!

Okay, honey, be careful.

[indistinct shouting
in distance]

[intense music]

Rosie, you take
the kids, you hear?

'Go on out to Mr. Pinckney's
place past the square.'

You done cooked for him
a lot of years.

He'll hide you in his house.

'Go on.'

Children, come on.

I'm about to load
this thing up.

Don't let it jam up
on you now.

Let me have one.
I can cover the back.

No, Simon, you take Rosie and
those kids to a safe place.

Doxey and me will hold position,
here and you'll get your clear.

- Well, let me, let me--
- I gave you an order, Simon!

(Bubba)
'Now, somebody has to take
these kids to safety.'

Go ahead. You can do it.
Go on, boy.

Here you go, Dox.

[music continues]

[glass shattering]

[groaning]

[glass shattering]

[gunshots]

[music continues]

[gunshots]

Burn them out!
Cover him!

[gunshots]

Doxey, start the retreat.
I'll cover you. Come out.

'Go on, boy!
Go ahead!'

[music continues]

[gunshot]

[gunshot]

Aah!

[gunshot]

[music continues]

[gunshot]

Hey, his clip's empty!
He's fired his clip!

[screaming]

[gunshot]

I got him, boys!

I got him.

I got him.

Alright, boys. Let's check
these other houses.

[indistinct shouting]

[gunshots]

[screaming]

[groans]

Aah!

[train whistle blowing]

[train chugging]

[gasping]

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

Oh!

- Bertha!
- Oh!

- Darling!
- Oh!

Ah!

Oh! Oh, my darling,
I missed you.

Oh, I missed you so much.

- Oh, Simon, I'm so happy!
- Uhm.

[music continues]

Will?

'Will Palmer?'

[engine revving]

[horse snorts]

[music continues]

- Luke Bettiger?
- Yes, sir.

Look, Will, if there's
anything I can do

I mean, for the widow.

We're real proud
here in Henning

of all our war heroes.

Luke Bettiger
ain't no war hero.

He just a plain farmer

with four children

who got drafted

and die of Spanish influenza

Camp Alexander, Virginia.

Now, Will, don't use
that tone with me.

I'm offering a favor.

Mr. Calloway..

...I'm gonna pay my notes
at the bank

when they due.

I ain't never gonna ask you

for no favor.

Y'all go ahead.
I'll meet you at the cemetery.

(Simon)
'"For America
and her highest ideals'

'"we fought in far-off hope.'

'"For America, that represents
and gloats in lynching'

'"disenfranchisement,
caste, brutality'

'"and devilish insult.'

"We were forced by a vindictive
fate to fight also.

"We return,
we return from fighting.

We return fighting."

Dr. Du Bois?

Simon, what is it?

I don't understand.

When I saw you
at the station my heart just..

Well, I just
couldn't stand it.

When I was running to you
I kept thinking, "It's over.

Now we can begin.
It's finally over."

Simon, it's over.

I went down home
to Savannah.

My mama was..

...turned out of the ferry house
when papa died.

She's working with a, a white
family in town sleeping in.

She has a..

...a room over the stable.

No bigger than an upper berth

and there isn't anything
I can do to help her.

I don't have any money. I..

I tried to find a job but the..

The only work
was digging ditches.

And there, there was 50 men
in line ahead of me.

Why you want that
kind of job anyway?

You're a college graduate.

I'll tell you what I am.

Same thing I was in the army.

A nigger.

Simon Alexander Haley

I don't ever wanna hear you
say anything like that again.

You're a colored.
You're a negro and so am I.

Don't you ever use their words
to make yourself small.

But I've seen too much.

- I'm not a fool anymore.
- Yes, you are.

You're the worst
kind of a fool.

Didn't you just read to me
from Dr. Du Bois?

"We return fighting."

- You call this fighting?
- What good is it?

You only lose in the end.
Haywood is dead.

Well, that's one way
of fighting.

Now, you were gonna
get your masters degree

and-and teach agriculture.

Bertha, you don't understand.

Oh, yes, I do.

I always used to make fun
of mama and Auntie Liz

when they told stories
about the old days.

I never liked
that old-timer stuff.

But I listened.
I couldn't help it.

And now I see what they meant
...a-about the African?

He kept trying to be free
till the cut off his foot

and Grandpa Tom fought off
the Klan after the war.

And papa, he's in trouble
with the bank

because he fought
the draft board

for being unfair.
I mean, you..

You just can't sit down
and give up. They never did.

Yeah, well, maybe that
isn't my kind of family.

Well, it will be
when you ask me to marry you!

Oh! Ah.

[laughing]

[instrumental music]

[giggling]

Honey. Alright. You win.

You are irresistible.

And you're right, ha.

I'm going to
get my degree and..

...and then I'm going to--

That's for later.

Now, papa's building
a brand-new house

and the first Sunday
after it's finished

you're gonna marry me

and we're gonna have
the reception on the front lawn.

[music continues]

¶ What a fellowship ¶

¶ What a joy divine ¶

¶ Leaning on
the everlasting arms ¶

¶ What a blessedness ¶

¶ What a peace of mind ¶

¶ Leaning on
the everlasting arms ¶

¶ Leaning on Jesus ¶

¶ Christ my savior ¶

¶ Safe and secure from ¶

¶ All alarms ¶

¶ Leaning on Jesus ¶

¶ Christ my savior ¶

¶ Leaning on
the everlasting arms.. ¶¶

"Best wishes
and eternal gratitude

"your military coll-ea-gue

Hamilton Ten...Eyck."

Hmm.

My land!

Well, I've never
seen the like!

This silverware displayed
in a velvet-lined box

like it was a $500 funeral.

"To Mr. and Mrs.
Simon Alexander Haley.

'"Warmest congratulations.'

"Mr. And Mrs. R.S.M. Boyce

"The Saturday Evening Post.""
Now, who they?

I don't know.

But it came all the way from the
tiffany store in New York city.

Will Palmer sure spread himself

on this here wedding.

Paid a $100 to bring
that college choir

down here from Jackson.

Ain't no card.

Now, who sends something
like this here to a wedding?

Do I gets to kiss the bride?

Why! Of course you do.

Mm. You're a lucky man, buddy.

[laughing]

[sighs]
Too bad old sergeant Haywood
ain't here with us.

Drink some cognac
to the bride and groom.

Well, I'm afraid this is,
uh, very Methodist, Doxey.

No liquor.

Now, don't you worry

'cause I done brought
my own canteen.

Come on. Come on.

I certainly don't
understand you southerners.

In New York, we'd never think
of going to a negro wedding.

It's the custom, my dear.

See, Tom Calloway is here

and Judge Quartermain.

That's why we get along so well
with our negroes.

We have mutual respect.

When I married you, Andy,
I expected to be

in the middle of
the Washington social life.

But I didn't count
on starting at

the "Darktown Strutters' Ball."

¶ Give me that
old-time religion ¶

¶ Give me that
old-time religion ¶

¶ Give me that
old-time religion ¶

¶ It's good enough for me ¶

Mama, are you alright?

Maybe you ought
to get out of this sun.

Child, I've been out
in the sun

fourteen hours a day
chopping cotton.

I'll stand the might of it
to see my boy's wedding party.

[laughing]

So you having
a good time, mama?

Well, yes and no.

To tell you the truth,
I am plain scared.

I never seen such grand folks,
white and black.

They're no grander
than you are, mama.

Well, that's as will be.

I remember your daddy say

"I ain't gonna waste no boy

on schooling!"

This here's some waste.

[laughing]

You go and spot your friends.

- How do you do?
- Fine. How do you do?

Well, I, I am sorry
that I missed the ceremony

at the church, Will, but I..

...I just drove back
from Knoxville.

I had to identify a body.

Excuse me, please.

You know, I hear tell they find
Earl Crowther's body.

My god, it was awful.

He'd been under a porch
for two weeks

with his throat cut
from ear to ear.

- It's a terrible business.
- It surely is.

I guess it's like
the good book say

"Thou shalt die
by the sword."

Let me introduce you
to the groom's mother.

(Andy)
'My dear.'

This here is Miss Queen Haley.

How do you do?

- Queen Haley?
- Yes, ma'am.

My middle name Victoria.

Queen Victoria Haley.

How interesting.

This here is my son-in-law,
Simon Haley.

Congressman and Mrs. Warner.

Well, now, I hope
you two newlyweds

are gonna settle down
right here in Henning.

We could use fine young folks
of the right sort.

Well, actually, sir,
I've just heard

from Cornell University
in New York State.

I'll be going there to study
for my degree in agriculture.

(Andy)
'Well, that is somethin'
for a boy from Tennessee!'

All the way to New York!

Well, and here comes
the beautiful bride.

Well, Bertha, I believe
I have known you

long enough
since birth and now..

...I'm gonna kiss the bride.

[chuckling]

Well, my dear, I'm sure
there are a lot of people

who are just dying
to make your acquaintance.

It was very nice meeting you.
If you'll excuse us.

Come, my dear.

Bertha.

Oh, Miss Carrie,
Uncle Jim's waiting

to show you the new library
and music room.

That can wait but
if you don't cut the cake soon

the icing's gonna
wilt in this heat.

You know,
your Grandmother Irene

made my wedding cake

and I made this the same way.

Smooth in some places
and rough in others

to show that life
will be both.

(Will)
'You figures on taking
my little girl away from here?'

Away from her family?

Her mama and her daddy?

That what you plans to do?

Well, I..
I wouldn't--

The truth is..

...I'm getting on.

Oh, I puts up
a good front but..

...I just ain't what I was
when I was younger

and I'd done got myself into
kind of a bind down at the bank.

I got these extra mortgage
payments I got to make.

I just ain't got the cash
to hire on extra help.

'With this arthritis
coming on and all.'

But that ain't it, really.

She's my onliest child.

Bertha George.

See, I gave her the name George
in case she was a boy..

...but she was a girl..

...my little girl.

Just let her stay home
a little while longer.

Well, I-I don't wanna seem--

That's all I asking.

The summer.

One more summer
with my little girl.

Well..

Ain't long, another month..

...maybe a year or two.

[door opens]

[indistinct chattering]

Simon.

Simon, you go on out
and take care of your mama.

She among strangers here.

Oh, yes, ma'am.

Thank you.

Will Palmer, you been crying
your arthritis to that boy.

You been deviling him
to stay here.

I've been talking
about families.

Colored families got
to stick together.

That's the only way
they gonna get the strength

to go forward
in this here world.

And that's all
I've been talking about.

- Oh...is that all?
- 'Mm-hm.'

Well, let me tell you
something, W.E. Palmer.

All these years, you been trying
to bind Bertha to you.

Spoiled her till it's a wonder
she done growed up at all.

'Well, praise the Lord,
somehow she did'

'and she is not
your little girl..'

'...no more.'

Then what's the use?

What's the use in working and

scraping so hard
all these years

if I loses everything
I worked for now?

Honey..

...it like..

It like holding
a butterfly in your hand.

If you holds it too tight
you gonna crush it.

You got to let it fly!

I know it.

I know.

I know.

We be alright.

[whispers]
Yeah.

[indistinct chattering]

(Will)
Alright, everybody!

Quiet down
and gather round here.

Come on.

It's been a happy day..

...and I was real proud
to announce

that the bride and groom
gonna be leaving soon

'for Cornell University, Ithaca'

State of New York

where my son-in-law, Simon Haley

going to be studying
agriculture.

And he going to get
his master of science degree.

[all cheering]

[laughing]
You know what that is?

That master degree?

I reckon that's more education

than a body can stand.

[all cheering]

- Alright.
- Alright.

[all cheering]

- 'Alright.'
- 'Alright.'

[all cheering]

(all)
Bye!

- Have a good trip!
- Bye.

Alright. Ready?

- Yup.
- Huh?

Oh! Here we go!

Get it there, Doxey!

[all cheering]

[engine revving]

[all cheering]

[instrumental music]

Oh, it's your arthritis. I..

I can get you
a hot water bottle.

Woman, would you be still?

Can't you see
I'm trying to sleep?

Standing barefoot
in the middle of the floor?

- Will, what you worrying on?
- Nothing.

[sighs]

Is it about the bank?

No! No.

Anyway, that ain't it.

Well, then, what is?

How long it's been since
that girl write us a letter.

Well, I guess there just
ain't much to write about.

No, I know.

I sent her $500 for Christmas

and I told her not to tell Simon

where she got it from.
That's it.

'Suppose he found out?'

And suppose he's so
stiff-necked, he get peeved?

And suppose he won't
let our daughter

write home? And suppose--

Will, you're supposing more

than the good Lord
knows for sure.

I got half a notion
to go up there

and give him a piece
of my mind.

You can't do that. You gotta
take care of the lumberyard.

Well, I'll tell you what.

If we ain't heard by Saturday

I'll get the train up to Ithaca,
New York, my own self.

Done!

And, by gee, I don't
care what it cost.

Yeah.

You suppose you can
get some sleep

before you meet
yourself getting up

in the morning?

[sighs]

[exhales]

[rattling]

[whispers]
Will.

Hmm?

I hear something.

Oh, no, woman.
Don't start that.

I just got my mind at peace.

Will, Will, I hear somebody.

Somebody fussing
with the front door.

[door rattling]

There.

There's a knocking.

[intense music]

[knocking]

Who's there?

[knocking]

Simon!

Simon!

Will! Will!
It's them!

They come home!

Oh!

Why didn't you
...write you comin'?

'Bertha, what you doing
out there?'

'You come--'

[baby moans]

'Oh, my!'

'Oh, my.'

[baby crying]

Jesus!

Surprise for you, mama.

It's a boy.

[baby crying]

Oh, child..

[indistinct chattering]

Oh, my Mama Irene
about the mouth.

Hello, papa.

I'm so glad
to see you, papa.

[baby crying]

One of his names
is after you.

Will?

He's Alexander Murray
Palmer Haley.

You come with me,
Alex Haley.

- Come on here.
- Alex.

Oh, come on.

Oh, yeah, yeah.

Mm-hm. Come on.

[Alex crying]

Mama...where's he going?

Oh, don't you worry, child.
It's alright.

It just something
come down in our family.

Your Grandpa Tom
done the same thing

the night you was born.

Come.

[instrumental music]

My Grandpa Chicken George
held me up to the night

and his mama Kizzy
done it for him

and the old African himself

showed his Kizzy
to the moon

and I expect
way back in Africa

his papa held up Kunta Kinte
the night he was born.

Moon...this here is the
seventh generation since then.

'This here is Alex Haley.'

'You watch over him.'

[music continues]

[theme music]