Original subtitles

(bugle)

Fire!

Bugler, sound recall!

lt's over!

lt's over!

Corporal Clemens, sir. Masters' brigade.

Who gave you permission to come ridin' across my command, yellin' like a fool?

- Have you got a message from Masters? - Yes, sir.

- Deliver it. - That's it, sir. The war's over.

(cheering)

Lee surrendered to Grant in Virginia. Place called Appomattox Courthouse.

- When? - Three days ago, sir.

Three days?

General Masters just got word himself, Colonel Thomas. Our wires were down.

With your permission, sir.

Rig up a flag of truce, Blue Boy.

- Short Grub! - Yo.

Let's go.

l be a sergeant, sir. Can l be of any service to y'all?

l'd like to talk to your commanding officer.

Who be giving orders today, Jim?

Yes, sir?

Major, l've just received word that Lee surrendered to Grant three days ago.

Yes, sir.

- You knew it? - We received the news yesterday.

l don't think you understand, Major. The war is over.

No, sir.

Are you telling me that you intend to keep fighting?

Haven't we just proven it, sir?

- But why? - Because this is our land... and you're on it.

We're all Americans.

Yes, sir. That's always been the saddest part of it.

- Good day, sir. - Colonel?

Thank you for your courtesy.

Damn.

- Captain Anderson? - Here, sir.

General Robert E Lee has surrendered. Am l right?

Yes, sir.

That means that we no longer exist as an armed body.

Yet everywhere l look l see armed men wearing uniforms and flying the battle flag!

- Get it down. - Yes, sir.

- Jamison! - Yes, sir?

- Take down the flag. - Yes, sir.

All right, people. Now, listen to me, all of you.

We have about 2,000 miles to go.

700 are between here and the Mexican border, and through a Yankee occupation army.

We are not gonna give the lowliest bluebelly

any reason to suspect we're anything but a band of homeless pilgrims.

Until we cross the Rio Grande, arms will remain in the bottom of the wagons.

Pack those uniforms away and wear regular clothing. The poorer-looking, the better.

Once across the border, we have 500 miles to go before we reach a town called Durango.

There we will be met by representatives of Emperor Maximilian

who will escort us to Mexico City.

- Captain Anderson? - Sir?

- We leave at midnight. - Yes, sir.

? Down with the traitor

? Up with the star

? We'll rally round the flag, boys

? We'll rally once again

? Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

? We will rally from the hillside

? We'll gather from the plain

? Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

? The Union for ever

? Hurrah, boys, hurrah!

? Down with the traitor

? Up with the star

? While we rally round the flag, boys

? Rally once again

? Shouting the battle cry of freedom!

- ? We are marching through... - ? Old times there are not forgotten

? Look away! Look away!

? Look away, Dixieland!

? ln Dixieland where l was born in

? Early on one frosty morning

? Look away! Look away!

? Look away, Dixieland!

? Then l wish l was in Dixie

(singing continues)

Whoa.

Ah, Mrs Langdon. My name is Benedict.

Thad Benedict, late of Pittsburgh, but now of Natchez.

And this here's my partner Jimmy Collins.

Word's got around that you are of a mind to put your place up for sale. ls that right?

l beg your pardon, sir, but l'm the sister-in-law.

l believe you want to speak to Mrs James Langdon.

Ah, Mrs James Langdon.

Thad Benedict is my name.

l was just saying we heard the place is up for sale. ls that right?

No, that is not right, Mr Benedict.

Oh, come on, ladies.

We've come all the way from Natchez just to make you people a handsome offer.

- Mind if l get down? - (man) Yes, she does.

And so do l.

My father resting over there, he minds too.

Well! Well, well, well.

You must be Colonel Langdon.

James Langdon.

Well, Colonel, l'm here to do you a favour.

Well, let's see now. Langdon Hall Plantation.

Ah, yes. Here it is.

1500 acres. ls that right?

600 acres bottom land, 400 in pasture and 500 in woods.

Two streams, three ponds, with a two-and-a-half mile river front.

- Nice place. - Thank you kindly.

l imagine the house could use a little work though, huh?

- lt could stand it. - Yeah.

Well, l'll just have a look inside.

We just swept the floor, Mr Benedict.

You understand?

l'll give you 50 cents an acre. My top offer.

You buzzards. You come down here lookin' to get fat on the misfortune of others.

This house is not for sale.

Not now, not next year, not ever.

- We are businessmen... - You're trash.

Well! Well! You're a right plain-talking gentleman, ain't you?

Hear what the man said, Jimmy? ''Trash.''

Who's gonna pick your cotton? Who's gonna plough up all that bottom land?

Who's gonna chop the wood when it gets cold?

Now, now, now, Jimmy. No need to get uppity with the colonel.

60 cents an acre.

Take it or leave it.

- Just like that. - Just like that.

lf l was you, l'd grab it. We're gonna get it anyway, you know.

We'll get the house and every last acre of land when they put it up for taxes.

Oh, l see.

And how do you know it will be put up for taxes, Mr Benedict?

You went busted outfitting that Rebel regiment of yours.

Now, what do you say? 60 cents?

Or nothin'?

Ha!

This belonged to Granddaddy Langdon, Horace.

l think maybe he'd want you to have it.

Thank you, sir.

Little George, bring along that anvil and as many tools as you can carry.

- Yes, sir. - Colonel?

Can anybody going with us talk that there Mexican?

Why don't you stop looking at me?

l can't, Charlotte. l just can't keep my eyes off you.

Well, you make me uneasy, Bubba Wilkes, so stop it.

You know, l've asked you a dozen times to marry me and you've never answered.

l'm too young to marry.

No girl who looks the way you do is too young to marry.

Well, l am. lf you don't believe me, you can ask my daddy.

Ask your daddy! He knows there's no man better suited...

Charlotte.

Maybe you'd better go on up to the house, help your mother.

- You're a good junior officer. - Thank you, sir.

- Don't let anybody tell you you're not. - No, sir.

But as a young man with a desire for my daughter's hand... you're pitiful.

lt embarrasses me to watch you.

- l don't understand, sir. - You sure don't.

You let magnolia blossoms go to your head and forget the real purpose of your mission.

- Newby! - Yes, sir.

(Thomas) Don't tell me l can't resign, Joe.

l volunteered into this outfit and l'll volunteer out.

- There's still a lot of work to be done. - Not for me.

l came into this thing three years ago with 75 volunteers, all good riders.

- You know how many are left? - No, but l imagine you're gonna tell me.

lf you'll look out this window, you'll see ten.

Two of them won't make Christmas.

l still can't understand what they have to do with you resigning.

They didn'tjoin the army, Joe, they joined me.

For three years, l've watched them fall. Not one of 'em quit, not one of 'em deserted.

Those that are left deserve more than a pat on the back from some newspaper editor.

And l'm gonna see that they get it. The army needs horses.

There's plenty of horses in the Territory, wild horses in Arizona and New Mexico.

- We're going after 'em. - And sell them to the army?

We're sure as hell not gonna give 'em to the army.

All right. Write out that letter of resignation and l'll see that...

You came in mighty handy a few times.

Take care of yourself. We may need you again, John Henry.

You'll have a hard job finding me, Joe.

Where to, John Henry?

Short Grub, l've been trying for three years to get you to say ''Colonel''. Now it's too late.

- Where to, John Henry? - West.

- The barn's yours, Newby. - Yes, sir.

Goodbye, old lady.

- How come you know they'll be here today? - Cos l told him to be here today, that's why.

Where do you think you're gonna mail that, Solomon?

There's a pony express, ain't there? Somewhere.

Still a long ways to Oklahoma, John Henry.

- Anything could happen. - Not to Blue Boy, it won't.

- Come on, tightwad. Gimme a chew. - l've only got one left.

- Oh, just a little bit. - Well, make it a small bite. That's too big!

Give me that!

Gimme that plug. That's my last one. Come on now, Frank.

Give me that. All right.

Give me that, Frank.

Ha! Ha!

l'll be damned. Lookie yonder!

(whooping)

Hello, Two Toes. How's your wife?

- Pregnant. - What, again?

Cold winter.

- How are you, McCartney? - Mister McCartney.

John Henry, the least you can do after l come all this way is to say hello.

Hello, Mr McCartney.

l broke my butt to get here. Show some respect.

- Your cooking still as bad as l remember it? - You go to hell!

You still got that mangy old cat?

High Bred's the finest partner l ever had. Cleans his paws and buries his leavings.

A lot more than some folks l know.

- Any trouble? - Nope. Lost track of time, though.

- l reckon l'm a day early or a day late. - You're four days late but they don't know it.

- How are things at home? - Bad, like everywhere else, l guess.

Yeah. Well, l guess we better get organised.

Don't lose those two over there!

Get 'em all!

Knock on it!

Take your time.

l'll have McCartney send you some grub!

That'll be damn nice of you. l hope l can do the same for you sometime!

Tough way to make a few dollars.

Fighting that damn war was a hell of a lot easier than this.

Not too close, Mudlow. Might be catching.

lt ain't right, you folks holding anger on me, just cos l wouldn'tjoin your army.

- Go on. Get. - Just mean. Just mean folks.

Charlotte.

l'd like to talk to you tonight after supper.

After it's dark, you mean?

All you wanna do is hug me and hold me and kiss my lips.

Something wrong with that?

A young lady's lookin' for a mite more than huggin' and holdin' and kissin'.

She's looking for something a bit more substantial than periphery and trimmings.

Like what, Charlotte?

l've said all l'm going to say, Bubba Wilkes.

Well, will you walk out with me tonight after supper?

Walk out in these dreadful swamps where l could get eaten by a tiger or something?

You must have lost your foolish mind.

And itjust goes to prove you don't have any true regard for me whatsoever.

A tiger?

First good grass you come to, give 'em a rest.

- All right, John Henry. - We'll be back around sundown.

See'd your dust all day. What you drivin'? Buffalo?

- Stage arrived yet? - lt's overdue.

lf your name's Thomas, there's a couple of popinjays waiting inside to see you.

They've been here for two days. l give 'em water and they've tooken root.

- Government agents? - l ain't asked. They ain't said.

Are you the gentlemen that were looking for me?

You are Monsieur John Henry Thomas?

You have me at a disadvantage.

l am Monsieur Pierre Pétain. This is my companion Señor Luis Escodero.

We have the honour to represent Emperor Maximilian of Mexico.

Oh.

- Won't you have a chair? - Thank you, no. We're waiting for the stage...

We understand you have many horses. ls that correct, Mr Thomas?

lt could be.

We have been authorised by the emperor to purchase all you can supply.

You've made a long trip for nothing. My horses are going to the United States Army.

But, Mr Thomas, we'll buy the whole herd, sight unseen.

Top dollar if you drive them to Mexico. All expenses paid.

Stagecoach is comin'.

Sorry, gentlemen. Our army needs them. Pardon me.

Whoa.

Pedro Flats.

- Mr Thomas? - That's right.

- My name is DJ Giles. This is Mr Ezra Parker. - Howdy. This is Short Grub.

We're out of the US Army Purchasing Office. We understand you have horses to show us.

No, l have some horses to sell you.

3,000 to be exact and it's the best herd you'll find anywhere.

Fine. Shall we go inside?

Thank you.

We'll cull your herd tomorrow as soon as our wranglers arrive from Brackettville.

l suppose that out of 3,000 head we ought to be able to find 500 or so that we can use.

- Our usual procedure... - Just rein up a minute, Mr Giles.

You're goin' a little fast for me. D'you mind trottin' through that again?

Not at all. l said that out of 3,000 head, we might be able to find 500 that we can use.

You know, animals that meet our specifications.

Well, l have 3,000 for sale, not 500.

Surely you don't expect us to purchase just any old horse for the United States Army?

Now there just ain't ''any old horse'' in this whole herd.

You'll take 'em all or none.

Mr Thomas, l'm sure you're aware of the fact that times are hard.

Maybe not as hard as you think.

The army's not that hungry for horseflesh.

This country's going through a period of reconstruction. Money is in short supply.

Who can you sell them to, if not to us?

Monsieur Pétain, hold up a minute.

- Just for the record, what are you paying? - Top money. $25 a head.

(Thomas) Last month it was 35.

But this month it's $25 a head.

These gentlemen have offered to take the whole barrel, sight unseen.

- ls that correct? - That's correct, Mr Thomas.

- And what's your top offer? - $35 a head, of course.

You just bought yourself a herd.

You can tell Maximilian that he won't find better animals

between Montezuma and the Canadian border.

Just a minute.

You're selling horses to Maximilian in preference to your own country's army?

No, l'm selling horses for $35 dollars in preference to 25.

You two figured to make $10 a head.

Are you calling us thieves?

Well, Mr Parker, yes, that's a pretty accurate description.

- Wait a minute! l didn't do anything. - You should've.

Read that message again, Sergeant.

''18 rolling units with men, women and children

passed through Gladesville, Texas, 10.20pm this date.''

''Suspected Confederates. Probable destination: Mexico.''

''Detain, search and turn back.''

(whistles bird call)

(bird call)

(chirping)

- What do you make of that? - l've heard that bird before, sir.

At Missionary Ridge. And if l'm not mistaken, that's a grey-bellied sapsucker.

(neighing)

(whistles bird call)

(shrill whistle)

Yea-ha!

The river. Come on.

Get your weapons!

Real sorry, Miss Ann. We didn't plan things this way.

Let 'em go, Sergeant.

McClarty, Gibbs, turn 'em loose. Let 'em go.

(cheering)

- Sir, l don't mean to... - l know.

But if l can't have the whole dog, l don't want the tail.

Yes, sir.

We'll probably cross 'em at the old monastery, Eagle Pass.

lf we do not see each other again until the plain of Durango, bon courage, monsieur.

- Thank you. - They are fine-looking animals, Mr Thomas.

- The emperor will be pleased. - l hope he is.

But whether he is or whether he isn't, you have the money there when the horses arrive.

Parole.

Bonne chance.

- What's troubling you? - Cavalry's coming from Fort Clark.

- Damn government agents. - Can they stop us?

Not if we get across that river, they can't.

Let's take 'em to Mexico!

Let's go!

(gunshots)

(gunshots)

Well, what are you waiting for? Stop 'em!

Stop 'em!

We'll be mighty proud to stop 'em, Mr Giles, all 12 of us,

just as soon as you tell us how to go about it.

Next.

Mr McCartney, when are we gonna have some meat?

- Right now, if you want it. - Belly cheater.

High Bred, you know what good food is, don't you? You mangy old cat.

- Hey, McCartney. - Mister McCartney!

There's something crawling in these beans.

Well, you can speak to it, but don't play with it or else the others will want one too.

Hold that plate.

Yes, sir. l can just feel all that money in my pocket right now.

What are you gonna do with it when you get it?

Well, l had to give that a lot of good thought, but l ain't come to set down on the notion yet.

l know what l'm gonna buy me. Some pack animals and traps.

Whatever is left over, l'm gonna get drunk. lf l ever sober up, l'm headin' for the Rockies.

That might be fine for you, Whitt, but me being better bred, l got higher ambitions.

Like what?

Like build me a small library under a big elm someplace.

Me and High Bred's gonna go to St Louis and open up a cat house.

(meows)

- Everything quiet? - Would you believe it?

- l had to wake two of the men. - Let's hope it stays that way.

You ain't expecting trouble, are you, John Henry?

Trouble?

Let's see. We've got Maximilian on one hand

and Juárez on the other and bandits in-between.

And on top of that, we're Americans in Mexico

taking a cavvy of horses to a very unpopular government.

- Why should we expect trouble? - How come you didn't tell us that aforehand?

How come you didn't ask me?

John Henry, there's a box canyon about four miles from here.

- Enough forage to fill 'em? - No, but enough to hold 'em.

There's something else. l rode across two trails.

One was wagons and horses. The second trail was many riders. At least 40 and maybe 60.

The second trail ran just out of sight of the first.

Well, if you were to tell me that a year ago in Virginia or Tennessee, l'd suspect ambush.

lt looked that way to me.

- Short Grub! - Yo.

There's forage and water about four miles ahead in a box canyon.

Move 'em in there and hold 'em till we get back.

Where are you going, John Henry?

l don't believe it.

Pick up that bucket!

- Howdy, Sergeant Newby. - Save your howdy for later, Jamison.

Let me see you start currying that horse.

Yes, sir.

- Just like old times, eh, Newby? - Just like old times, Colonel.

Riders approachin'!

Two riders are comin'!

Margaret.

We have company.

Good afternoon.

My name's Thomas. We're driving a herd of horses south just over the hill.

l'm Colonel James Langdon, Mr Thomas. What can l do for you?

lt isn't what you can do for us.

We came to warn you that you're probably riding into a bandit ambush.

How do you happen to know that?

Well, Blue Boy here is a full-blooded Cherokee.

When he suspects something, you usually get it.

There's 40 to 60 riders moving parallel to you just out of sight.

- Waitin' until we get into those hills? - That'd be my guess.

- What did you say your name was? - John Henry Thomas.

- Don't l know you from somewhere? - To my knowledge, we've never met before.

(sighs)

Well, we appreciate the warning, sir.

lt's late. Will you join us for supper? Stay the night?

That's the best offer we've had all day.

(bugle)

There's nothing like a full stomach for facing the unknown future.

l hate to be persistent, Colonel, but l think the future is pretty certain.

l fully agree.

l think they'll give you a couple of days to get up into the hills before they strike.

But if this was my outfit, l'd hold right here and make 'em come to me.

(Langdon) Good thinking. l've never yet let the enemy choose the site of his destruction.

l like to play in my yard.

What are these bandits after?

Gold, horses... women.

We had an experience or two with them before the... war.

Were you, perchance, in the war, Mr Thomas?

Yes, Captain, l was.

Would it be brash and presumptuous of me to ask which side you were on, Mr Thomas?

Well, l favour to think that l was on the right side, Mrs Langdon.

l detect a shadow of animosity towards my question.

- Could it be that you were a Yankee soldier? - What a question to ask a man!

Yes, ma'am, l was a Yankee soldier.

Mr Thomas...

l'm about to make my rounds before l turn in. Would you care to accompany me?

Thank you, sir.

l suspected it when l saw those Union trousers on that lndian boy.

Mr son was killed by Union cavalry at Shiloh, Mr Thomas.

We called it Pittsburgh Landing.

- You were there, then? - l was.

May l ask your rank?

l was a colonel in that cavalry.

John Henry Thomas. Of course.

You were on Custer's right flank when you charged the breastworks at Madisonville.

- We did ajob that day. - You were damn cruel!

Cruel? Those Johnny Rebs had 40-pounders looking down our throats.

Did you think you were coming to a ball?

- Sergeant! - Yes, sir.

lf l can find the time, l'm gonna sit down and write the social history of bourbon.

Tell me something, Mr Thomas.

Were you at Chickamauga? l ask because l lost my brother there - Ann's husband.

l lost 23 in my command at Chickamauga.

Friends and sons of friends.

Men that l'd known all their lives.

- Now can l ask you a question, Colonel? - Fire one, Mr Thomas.

Why did you come out here to continue a war that ended months ago in Virginia?

- l'm a stubborn man. Does that satisfy you? - No.

l got no taste for losing to a Yankee rabble. How about that?

- lt won't wash. - You can be very aggravating, Mr Thomas.

- Sergeant. - Yes, sir.

Let's just say we haven't seen the end.

You'll see it quick enough if you keep drinking this.

Excuse me, Colonel. Sergeant.

Help yourself.

You young ones, come on over here. Come on, now. You get over here with me.

Right now. Hurry now.

That's the way, now. Come on. Come on, now.

You mind a suggestion from a Platte River lndian fighter?

Why don't you arm your women? That's what we did on the Bozeman...

- Colonel! - (horse approaches)

- All our night pickets come in yet? - All but Jamison, sir.

Well, go get him.

Carlyle. Little George.

lt's Jamison, sir.

- All right. - Take him down, George.

Captain, issue a rifle to every woman who knows how to use it.

Yes, sir.

Carry on, Sergeant.

Ladies.

Colonel.

Looks like he wants to talk.

We have nothing to talk about.

He's got you outnumbered. Let's start there.

Finding ourselves outnumbered is a fact of life we've gotten used to.

With women and children in the pot?

- l'll go, sir. - No.

The colonel and l will go.

Let's understand each other, Thomas.

Your lndian friend rode out of here last night with no explanation. He hasn't returned.

One false move on your part and my men won't miss.

Friend, your men have been missing me for years.

And as far as that lndian boy is concerned,

his father was Bold Eagle, one of the bravest warriors that ever rode a horse.

And on top of that, he's my adopted son.

And l haven't done this much explaining in years. Don't press me, Captain.

Anderson.

Yes, sir.

Windage and elevation, Mrs Langdon. Windage and elevation.

Buenos días, señores. Yo soy Escalante.

- Do you speak English? - Sí.

l speak English most excellently.

Then tell us what you want and be damn quick about it.

We want everything.

We're so poor... and we need so much.

l'm gonna ask you one more time. What do you want?

We want your wagons, your horses, your guns and your gold.

And you also have some women, señor.

- ls this fool serious? - You can bet your life on it.

- lt's preposterous. - Yeah.

- l have more men than you. - lf you wanna lose 'em, come right on ahead.

Otherwise hightail your ass outta here. l'll fight 1,000 of you before l give you a penny.

l was hoping you'd say that.

ls the flap on your holster snapped or unsnapped, my Confederate friend?

Snapped... my Yankee friend.

Then l guess l'm his pigeon.

Hold your fire!

Hold your fire!

You went out there to talk. Why did you have to shoot the man?

The conversation kinda dried up, ma'am.

Fire!

Just like old times, huh?

Margaret.

- Margaret! - l can't.

Colonel! Behind you!

- Don't tell me they're leavin'? - No, ma'am.

They're re-forming to charge again. Leastwise, that's their plan.

Well, l'll be damned.

They're leaving now, ma'am. That's Blue Boy's little surprise.

Well, l'll be damned.

Mrs Langdon...

The colonel - your brother-in-law - said you lost your husband during the war.

Yes, Mr Thomas.

l'm sorry.

You didn't know him. Why should you be sorry?

My cavalry was in that engagement.

Colonel Thomas, l want to thank you.

No thanks are necessary. They were our enemies as much as they were yours.

- Their own people shoot 'em on sight. - All the same, we are in your debt.

Colonel, why don't you take all these people and go on home?

There's no telling what you're gonna run into farther south.

ln a day or two, we make contact with a military escort from Emperor Maximilian.

We are going home. lt's ahead of us.

All right, Colonel.

Who are you waving at, Blue Boy?

(laughs)

Wanna tell me all about it?

- l was thinking about that girl. - What girl?

The colonel's daughter. The one named Charlotte.

She's a pretty girl. A little young, but pretty.

- l want her. - You want her?

- And she wants me. - How'd you figure that out?

You raised me to know, John Henry.

l taught you what to do when the snow comes, how to survive in a blizzard.

And l taught you how to deal with men.

But women...

Nobody knows what's on a woman's mind.

Well, she wants me. And when we go home, she'll be with me.

Anything wrong, John Henry?

Not yet.

McCartney, give me a cup of coffee.

Never mind. l got his coffee.

This damn cinch is pretty near cut in half.

Man's coming, John Henry!

From Colonel Langdon, sir. l'm to wait for an answer.

We're in a new camp waiting for an escort from Maximilian.

There's a map on the other side.

What's the matter? Ain't you Yanks ever seen a live one before?

Last time l see'd a pretty grey uniform like that it was all full of holes.

- Do you know what's in this, Sergeant? - Well, of course l know.

There must have been a few words in that camp before the colonel sat and wrote this.

Yes, there was a whole lot of words. l thought Captain Anderson was gonna have apoplexy.

How about you personally, Sergeant? What do you think about it?

Well...

- Ought to be right interesting. - Anything wrong, John Henry?

You won't believe it, but we've been invited to a Fourth of July party.

(musicians play ''Turkey in the Straw'')

We'll be on our best manners today.

Glad you could join us, Colonel.

Thank you for inviting us.

First time we've ever been invited to a Confederate shindig.

Well, l'm not surprised, all things considered.

- Get down. - Thank you.

Get down, all of you.

Well, we didn't intend to interrupt the festivities.

What are you lookin' at? Never seen a Yankee before? Just people.

Start playin'!

Captain.

- Sir? - See that the men are taken care of.

- Sir... - They're our guests.

- Make sure that they enjoy themselves. - Yes, sir.

- Wilkes! - l'm feeling a little dry, Colonel.

Would you care to join me or don't you indulge?

Where's the Sergeant? l'll risk it.

- Follow me. - Thank you.

Are you Yankee boys hungry? The Captain appointed me to tend to you.

There's a mess of beans and ham up yonder. There's some coffee and grits too.

- Grits? - l wouldn't touch 'em.

- Why not? - Might be unclean.

lt will be a change in cooking.

- l'll drink to that. - Me too.

- Make yourself at home. l'll be right with you. - Thank you.

- Mrs Langdon. - Mr Thomas.

That's a mighty attractive dress. French, isn't it?

Yes. l bought it in New Orleans before the war.

l've seldom had occasion to wear it since.

You surprise me, Mr Thomas. You have knowledge of ladies' fashions?

l was once married and l have a knowledge of the cost of such things.

- Here you are. A little sippin' liquor. - Good.

Somewhat finer than what the sergeant provides.

May you be in heaven before the devil knows you're dead.

To your health.

- Jimmy. Excuse me, Colonel Thomas. - Certainly.

Cousin Cora and that Sam, they're havin' another go-around.

- Oh, shoot. - Would you excuse us, please?

- Of course. - Colonel. Here. Help yourself.

You said that you were once married, Mr Thomas.

Yes, ma'am.

But lucky for me, she left me.

l must say that whatever your faults are, you do have a quaint kind of honesty.

She was so busy being a lady that she forgot to be a woman.

lt was lndian country and she didn't like that.

lt was cold in winter, hot in summer, dusty in the dry spells, and she didn't like that.

When l want to go huntin' and fishin', l go huntin' and fishin', and she didn't like that.

And l wanted children and she didn't like that either.

She didn't like much, did she?

She's happy now. She's living in Philadelphia with her cat, giving piano lessons.

- Won't you sit down, Mr Thomas? - Thank you.

ls that lndian boy really your adopted son?

Yes, but l'm as proud of him as if he were my own blood.

(band strikes up)

Charlotte.

How old are you?

Sixteen.

Nobody ever looked at me the way you do.

- Charlotte! - l'm gonna kill that Bubba Wilkes.

Charlotte!

Why are you afraid to have someone see me kiss you?

Because...

Because what l feel is private.

l've never felt like this before.

And l want to keep it.

l want to keep itjust like it is.

Charlotte! l believe you promised me the next set.

- Are they bitin'? - No.

Maybe you ain't holding your mouth right.

My name's Hughlock Mudlow. How are you today?

You wouldn't happen to have ajug of whisky?

They won't give me one. They won't talk to me just cos l wouldn'tjoin their army.

- Why wouldn't you join the army? - Didn't want to get shot, that's why.

Sure glad you fellows came over here today. l ain't had nobody to talk to in...

Hey.

Let's go. Two, three...

- Next. - You don't have to ask me twice.

There goes another one!

One, two, three!

- Any more takers? - You made your point, Bobby Joe. Let it go.

- Begging the colonel's pardon. - Mm?

You know, we got a Arkansas razorback that's just whupped everybody in our outfit.

Me and the boys were just wondering if you had somebody you thought could take him.

Are you speaking of the manly art of self-defence, Sergeant?

Yes, sir. l'm here to tell you. Root, hog or die and no holds barred.

John Henry, it wasn't my idea.

- Trot him out. - Little George never lost a fight.

Little George? He'd better have some meat on him.

- You sure about this, Bobby Joe? - Trot him out.

- Go get him, Newby. - (laughs)

? Ring around the rosie

? A pocket full of posies

? Ashes, ashes

? We all fall down

Tell me it ain't what l think it is.

l can't fight. l'm tired of hurtin' people.

This time you gotta fight. You got to uphold the honour of the outfit.

l can't.

- Them bluebellies called you yellow. - You know l ain't no coward.

You young 'uns, now you go on and play. Go on.

? Ring around the rosie

? A pocket full of posies

? Ashes, ashes

? We all fall down

You wait right here. And get shed of that blouse.

Yes, Sergeant.

Well, gentlemen, here he is.

You sure you want to go through with this?

- Biggest reb l ever saw. - He's the biggest anything l ever saw.

Here.

- l'll write to your folks. - Huh? Oh.

l'm right proud to meet you. l'm Little George.

Get him! He ain't tough.

- He ain't? - No!

This is fun, isn't it?

Your man there is no coward.

But he's outnumbered.

Get in there, Yank!

- No, it's me. - Oh.

Damn grits.

Well, it was bound to happen.

Bound to.

l sure don't feel much like it.

No, me neither.

Just one fool thing after another.

Yep, it sure is.

- Jimmy, can't you stop this? - Stop what? ltjust started.

(roars)

Thanks, John Henry.

- l wouldn't call that exactly fair, would you? - No, l wouldn't.

- Excuse me, sir. - Nice party, John Henry.

- This is ridiculous. This has gone far enough. - Somebody ought to stop them!

Not without taking a lump, ma'am

All right, then.

Get him, Buster!

Hey, Newby, will you look at Bubba!

Lieutenant Wilkes!

Lieutenant!

Lieutenant Wilkes, is this any conduct becoming an officer?

No, sir.

Well, now, Colonel Thomas, would you care to make this unanimous?

With pleasure, Colonel Langdon.

(gunshot)

(gunshot)

Well, now, why'd you want to do a thing like that?

l want this stopped. l want this stopped now!

Well, that's civilisation for you.

- Not like Philadelphia. - Huh?

Nothing.

Oh, Colonel...

- The sergeant's got a barrelful. - Thank you. You've been a perfect host.

l've always heard of Southern hospitality. Now my men understand what it means.

l thought my men'd do better. This is the first time in years we've had you outnumbered.

Y'all come back, y'hear?

Windage and elevation, Mrs Langdon.

Always remember windage and elevation.

French.

- Suppose bandits done it? - Bandits'd have stripped 'em.

More than likely Juaristas.

l want one man to go back to those Southerners.

Tell them to forget their escort from Maximilian.

This is it.

Might've known it'd be him.

He's been actin' kinda peculiar lately, John Henry. Figure he's sick?

Yeah.

Colonel!

There'll be no escort from Maximilian. John Henry sent me to tell you.

- How does he know that? - We ran across them four, five miles south.

They're dead. John Henry thinks the Juaristas did it.

- l see. - You're not gonna believe that, are you?

Why should l not believe it?

Why would those Yankees bother to send us word of anything? ltjust doesn't make sense.

- What reason would l have for such a lie? - Yes, Captain. What reason?

- lt's late, son. May as well stay the night. - Thank you, sir.

Margaret, Ann, set another place. This young man's joining us for supper.

- (Langdon) Captain Anderson? - Sir?

Double the night pickets from here on in, Captain.

During the day, l want two men ahead, two at the rear and two on each flank.

Yes, sir.

- Good night, Captain. - Good night, sir.

- Corporal. - Yes, sir.

Jimmy, how far are we from Durango?

Three days.

You know, l...

l've been thinkin' an awful lot about home.

l have, too, Maggie.

And my home is you.

Oh, Jimmy.

l knew it would be nice.

Why'd you ask me how old l am?

- Do you care? - No.

l'm glad you're young. lt gives us more time to be together.

Oh, l'll always be young if l always feel the way l do now.

When we go back to the Territory, you'll be with me.

Take me now. Tonight.

You go to bed.

Please! Don't hit him!

Stop it!

Doc says ''Sorry, partner, you're gonna die!''

(laughter)

Them hors d'oeuvres was mighty fine.

But for my trimmings l'd like a Kansas City steak, well done.

- You go to hell. - John Henry.

Did you hear about that gal in St Louis? She had the dangdest itch in the dangdest...

Shut up!

We're coming down to the end of it now.

We've lost 500 horses between here and the border.

And l don't think that's very funny.

We lose any more and somebody's gonna be damned uncomfortable.

Do you know what?

l think John Henry's scared.

How about some coffee?

- Kinda worried about him, ain't you? - Who?

You're the worst liar l ever come across, John Henry.

Blue Boy, that's who.

He should've caught up with us three days ago.

You don't reckon he come across bandits, do you?

No, l think he's too smart for that.

You know what l'd be thinkin' if l was you? l'd be thinkin' he made off with that little reb gal.

And l'd be thinkin' that he was just about to the Rio Grande by this time.

That's what l've been thinkin'.

He wouldn't do that.

No, he wouldn't do that.

Thanks, Short Grub.

- l've changed my mind. - Oh. Oh!

- Good morning. - Bonjour.

Well, here they are. You ready?

- We're all set to make the count, Mr Thomas. - Good.

Did you encounter any trouble along the way?

Well, nothing to speak of.

We're here and the horses are here. How about that money?

lt's coming by special courier with a troop of the emperor's cavalry.

- He is most appreciative. - How soon is that special courier due?

- Any day. Shall we make the count? - Why not?

Dos mil quinientos cinco.

2,505 horses.

- l am surprised, Mr Thomas. - How's that?

Well, l thought you would lose more on a long trip like that.

l had an understanding with my men.

l asked 'em not to lose any more and they didn't.

- How long we gonna be here, John Henry? - Till they give us some money.

My men haven't been home for four years. We're a little anxious.

So we won't be hard to find. We'll be right handy.

¡Ahí vienen los americanos!

¡Ahí vienen los americanos!

¡Ahí vienen los americanos!

(band plays ''Dixieland'')

(Newby) Company... halt!

Left by twos.

Ho!

My compliments, sir.

Colonel James Langdon, sir. Confederate States Army.

- My aide Captain Anderson. - General.

My name is Lazaro Rojas.

ln the name of our Emperor Maximilian, l welcome you to our pueblo.

We have prepared a welcome banquet for you and your people, Colonel Langdon.

Please do us the honour of extending our invitation to those of your party.

- Thank you very much, sir. Captain. - Sir.

Lieutenant!

- Dismount the troops. - Yes, sir.

- Sergeant, dismount the troops. - Prepare to dismount!

Dismount!

Ladies.

(band plays)

- Saludos... - Amigas.

¡Sí, amigas!

Thank you, sir.

- Salud. - Salud.

(trumpet call)

(drumroll)

(trumpet call)

lt's all right, kids. You're gonna be all right.

Consider yourselves prisoners of the revolution.

- l shall protest this to Emperor Maximilian. - We take no orders from Maximilian.

Our president is Don Benito Juárez.

The drums from Mexico beckon us, Colonel. Please.

- James... - Will you excuse us, Mrs Langdon?

Presentar armas.

Descansar armas.

lf you think you're gonna scare us with threats, General, you underestimate us.

Oh, no, Colonel Langdon, we have estimated you very well.

Aside from the men in your party, there are 32 women and 17 children.

You are friends of Maximilian.

He brought the French into our country

and they have tried to ride roughshod over our people.

Now Maximilian has brought you Southern Americans into our country

because he can no longer get help from Napoleon.

These Frenchmen killed the entire population of a small village.

Every man, woman and child... butchered.

Flanco izquierdo, ¡izquierda!

¡En descanso!

- ¡Atención! - (drumroll)

¡Firmes!

¡Preparen!

¡Apunten!

¡Fuego!

(cheering)

¡Viva! ¡Viva!

¡Viva! ¡Viva!

That is what happens, Colonel, to invaders of my country.

My people are not invaders.

You are the friends of Maximilian.

But we're not your enemies. What do you want of us, General?

Our forces need horses, Colonel.

Not far from here there is a herd of 3,000.

Thomas.

Yes, Thomas.

l'm afraid l don't understand you, General.

You will deliver this to Thomas.

- l'll be damned if l will. - l believe you will, Colonel.

Our revolution needs those horses. Benito Juárez needs those horses.

l'm a Confederate officer. You can't expect me to go beggin' those Yankees for anything.

That's in the first place. ln the second, they wouldn't do it.

They have no reason to care what happens to us. That man Thomas would spit in my face!

You will do as l say or you will all be shot.

l'm not asking any Yankee for anything.

Very well.

¡Atención!

(drumroll)

¡Preparen!

¡Apunten!

General...

Firmes.

l'll go.

Regresen al prisionero a su lugar.

You will have the horses in this place by noon tomorrow... or you will all be shot.

(snoring)

(snores)

(laughter)

Venga, dale uno.

- ¿No quieres? - No, no puedo tomar. Estoy de guardia.

- Pues nos vemos. - Ándele, y que les vaya bien.

Ay, qué muchachos estos.

Don't leave me. Please, don't ever leave me.

All right, get up. Get up.

Two Toes has dug up somethin'.

Come on, get up.

- Mr John Henry? - Yeah?

Uh...

We got company.

Thank you, Mr McCartney.

(horses approach)

- What's all this? - We found this man.

Found me? You trapped me, you...

Here, untie him. l told you that uniform would get you in trouble.

- Mr McCartney, you got the coffee ready? - All ready.

- Good morning. - Bonjour.

Wake you up?

Get a little coffee in you and settle down, and you can tell us what it's all about.

l was given no choice. That's why l'm here.

My family, they're all gonna be murdered. All of my people are in his hands.

When we reached Durango, they gave us a party and then they tricked us.

My people are prisoners of a Juarista general.

l didn't want to come here. l didn't want to cause you people any...

Oh, dammit. Here. Read this.

General Rojas is more eloquent than l am.

What does it say, John Henry?

- That's good coffee. Thank you. - You really think so?

Well, it's your game.

How do you want to play it?

John Henry, we've been dealt lots of tough hands since the summer of '61.

Here's one l wish we could pass.

- This don't leave us nothing. - We ain't never had nothing nohow.

You mean you're willing to give up all them horses to them Johnny Rebs?

l ain't no Christian, but my mama was.

John Henry, you remember when l lost my horse at Pittsburgh Landing?

Yeah.

There l was without a horse, behind that log, and them rebs was all over me.

But there's one didn't have no gun.

Remember me telling you about that one come crawling up to me?

Yeah, but what's that got to do with this?

This reb said he was all tuckered out and he wanted to give himself up.

So l told him to get the hell on outta there. l didn't want him.

- You know what he said? - No.

''You've got me whether you want me or not.''

All right.

lt looks like you're stuck with us.

John Henry...

lf we have to get there by noon, we'd better...

Short Grub, throw a couple of outriders in front of the point when we start.

Yo.

Break camp.

They're heading straight for Durango.

And Benito Juárez.

This is the perfect place to stop them.

Criminy sakes! Those Frenchies have really found some help.

l thought we'd run away from all that.

What about it, John Henry?

Looks like we got ourselves mixed up in somebody else's war.

Yeah, it sure does.

- What are we gonna do now? - That's already been decided.

- Fill the chuck wagons with men and rifles. - l'll get 'em.

We'll give 'em a taste of General Sherman's war.

l remember.

Garde à vous!

Sabres au clair!

Sonnez en avant.

(trumpet call)

They're gettin' a little close, ain't they?

Yep.

- You ready, Colonel? - Ready.

Break to the sides. Turn 'em loose, McCartney!

Hang on, High Bred! Get out of my way!

Get up there now!

Short Grub, take care of High Bred for me.

l said a lot of mean words to the boys, ain't l?

- You sure have, McCartney. - Mister McCartney.

You tell 'em l meant every damn word.

You, two steps forward. Aquí.

You.

You.

You.

And you.

You. ¡Grandote! ¡Aquí!

Mudlow... my turn.

Tú, amárrale las manos.

Hands back.

(drumbeat)

¡Alto!

Ustedes, condúzcanlos al pelotón.

Marchen.

De frente, marchen.

Alto.

De frente.

Marchen.

(neighing)

(horses approach)

¡Callen esos tambores!

(Lieutenant) ¡Alto!

¡Regresen a los prisioneros a paso veloz!

(Lieutenant) ¡Alto!

You have completed your mission, Colonel Langdon. Thank you.

- Well, John Henry. - (Margaret) James!

You must be Rojas.

General Rojas. And you must be John Henry Thomas.

You drive a hard bargain, General.

War is war, Colonel. You should know that.

Yeah, you win one...

you lose one.

lt is Cognac. The only good thing the French have brought to my country.

May l propose that we drink to the health and success of my president Don Benito Juárez,

the revolution and the future of Mexico.

Hear, hear.

And, General, may l propose a toast to the United States of America.

Not even for 3,000 horses?

To the United States of America.

And the Confederacy.

John Henry, what are that lndian boy's intentions?

Probably disgraceful, Colonel.

But it's not what he'll do to her. lt's what she's done to him.

lt ain't much like old times, Colonel.

No, it ain't much like old times, Mr Newby.

What do you plan on doing once we get back home?

The only place a man can raise more hell than in a war is in the House of Representatives.

An old friend of mine once told me people like to vote for heroes.

So l guess that's what l'll do.

- That team working out all right? - Sure.

You going back to the Oklahoma Territory, Mr Thomas?

Yes, ma'am, just as fast as l can get there.

- Are there many women out there? - Some.

Good country, l suppose.

From the Missouri to the Pacific Ocean.

lt's mostly good land for farming and raising cattle and... raising a family.

Are you gonna raise a family?

(? ''Dixieland'' on harmonica)

Well...

Solomon, can't you play any other tune?

Sure, boss.

(? ''The Battle Cry of Freedom'')

That neither, Yank.

(? ''Yankee Doodle'')

Sure do miss Mr McCartney.

- Yeah, but not his cooking. - No, me neither.

? Put a feather in his hat And called it macaroni

Visiontext Subtitles: Helen Stewart

ENGLlSH SDH

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