Original subtitles

(gentle music)

- Trouble, father?

- No, Carl Andrew.

Preacher wants to take me on.

- Yeah, now I've heard everything.

- Let's get it done.

- Not so fast, Merill.

Are you sure about this, Collin?

(man grunts)

Is there any other way of settling this?

- His brother don't have the stomach, he'll do.

- Have you used one of those before?

- Yes.

- Collin, this is a very brave, full-hearty thing to do.

- Jessie, there's no other option.

- Look, the lad's made up his mind.

Why don't you just butt out, ma'am?

- I don't suppose you've got enough guts to wait

until Matt McGregor gets back.

- Matt doesn't work for me.

The father has to suffer, just like I did.

- All right.

If there's gonna be a gun fight, it's gonna be a fair one.

- Look, this is men's business.

Why don't you stop interfering, woman?

- Mr. Merill, one way or another you ought a leave this town.

Do you want it to be right now, in a box?

- Just spit out what you want done.

- You meet outside here, at 11.

You draw and fire one shot each, and one only.

After that, it's over and done with

and whatever the outcome, the Merill's move on

and leave Patterson's Ridge in peace.

- Sounds fair to me.

As long as whatever is left of your family leaves town.

- Well I know who'll be riding out and who will be

pushing up the daisies in your graveyard, preacher.

- Are these rules acceptable to you, Collin?

- Yes.

- Mr. Merill?

- I only need the one shot.

- That's settled, then.

- No it ain't.

But it will be.

At the stroke of 11 o'clock.

(tense music)

- Morning, got a problem?

- No, just trying to warn travelers off.

You haven't heard?

- Can't say I have.

- Epidemic, typhoid.

- Where?

- [Man] Patterson's Ridge.

- Oh, that's where I was headed.

- I'd think again if I were you, friend.

- Yeah, I might just do that.

Maybe you can help me.

Seen anything of this girl?

- Nancy Duggan.

No.

- What about you?

You seen this girl?

- Nope, never seen her.

- All right, thanks.

Might try over at Blaine's Ravine.

- Nancy, I promise with all my heart,

I'll do everything I can to settle

your differences with the institution.

- You don't understand, I done things.

- You're right, I don't understand.

I couldn't hurt you when I had the chance.

And I really don't think you wanna hurt me.

What are you afraid of?

- I killed a man.

- Tell me.

- He's the man that ran the institution.

He made advances towards me.

I didn't want to, you know?

I beat him 'round the head with a rolling pin,

so many times, his face was like a squished tomato.

So you see, my soul has been consigned to hell

for what I've done.

- Oh, Nancy.

God is not so cruel.

He'll understand.

- He's a man.

He does things the way men do.

He took my bar and settled a miserable life for me.

- God is not like that.

- Yes he is.

Now you see, why I can't ever let you leave?

I'm a terrible, evil person.

I'm gonna roast for my sins.

- Hello?

Hello?

Is anyone home?

- Matt.

- What happened, are you all right?

- No doubt about you McGregors.

You never wait for an invite before barging in.

- What's going on?

- Don't move.

Tie his hands behind his back.

- I'm sorry, Matt.

I came blundering in here.

- Like you did, Mr. McGregor.

Too bad.

- You all right Emily?

- If anything's gonna bring it on, this is.

- Not so much talk, just get on with it.

- Listen young lady, I don't know what your game is.

But my daughter-in-law needs to be back in town w...

- You ought a learn to keep your nose

out of other people's business.

You're only gonna make things worse.

Soon, the whole world's gonna know I'm here.

Real tight.

- Sorry, Matt.

- This is not what we agreed on.

You can't face Merill, you haven't fired a handgun in years.

Since before you took up the cloth.

- It's the way it's going to be.

- You're not a gun slinger, Collin.

You're an ordained minister of religion, remember?

- I know that, Rob.

- Well then don't you think that killing a man

goes against your beliefs?

- Maybe it won't have to.

- What are you gonna do in a fraction of a second, huh?

You gonna wound him, you gonna make him drop his gun?

- Maybe.

- Then I suppose the Merill's are just gonna turn around

and ride out of town, is that it?

- That's the agreement.

- How can you be so stupid?

Merill has to be stopped.

I'm the only chance we've got,

the only chance the town's got.

- I'll still handle it my way.

- All right, so suppose you go through with this

and you get yourself gunned down in the street?

What happens to your family?

- I expect they'll be well looked after.

There's you, dad, Jessie.

- Don't you wanna see your kid?

- I pray that I will.

- Well why risk it?

You got too much to lose.

- Let me be the judge of that.

- I'm younger than you, I'm faster and I'm fitter.

And I've got nothing to lose.

- You're my younger brother.

That makes it my job to look after you.

Fitter?

Look at you.

Faster?

I don't think so.

- I don't need you to look after me,

I can do that myself thanks.

- Rob, in dad's absence, I'm responsible for the McGregors.

That's my duty, and my decision.

- Good day, sir.

- Sorry, can't hlp if you want a message sent.

There's a fault on the line.

We spent all day yesterday trying to track it down.

- Then you haven't heard about the epidemic.

- What epidemic?

- Typhoid, in Patterson's Ridge.

- Are you sure about that?

- That's what I was told.

- Then I'd better get this line fixed right away.

- Could you spare a moment to take a look at this?

Seen anything of this girl?

- Can't say I have.

- What's she done?

- Squandered from a girl's reformatory in Melbourne.

She's facing serious charges.

A court order's been issued for her arrest.

- Young girl like that, what's the world come to?

(gun firing)

(laughing)

(gun firing)

(laughing)

- Hey, Jessie.

How about fixing us up with a couple of girls?

Hey, you'd do.

If you weren't so stuck up.

(laughing)

- Hannah?

It's Jessie.

- Hey Jessie, where you keepin' all your girls?

(dog barking)

Jessie!

- You should not be out on the street, Jessie.

Those boys ask to make trouble.

- I know, I just had to see

if there was any word from Emily.

- And?

- None, the telegraph line's still down.

No messages coming in and none going out.

- I wonder what could have happened to her.

- She could've been in an accident.

Her horse could've gone lame, she could be lost in a bush.

(sighs)

What worries me most is that her time is so close.

- Perhaps that is the answer.

The baby came a little early, delaying her departure.

- Why haven't we heard?

- Well you said yourself, the telegraph lines are down.

- Of course, why didn't someone ride over and tell us?

The McArthurs must know we're all still on tent hooks.

- The Merills, they won't let anybody into town.

- It is all right, Josh.

- Is Rob gonna go and shoot them?

- No, no he isn't.

- Somebody has to.

- Well I expect the situation will be resolved fairly soon.

Collin has accepted Burt Merill's challenge.

- Collin?

(Emily groaning)

- Emily?

(Emily groaning)

- I think the baby's coming.

- It's a trick.

I know it's a trick.

- No, no I swear.

- Nancy, untie me.

(Emily groaning)

Come on!

- Nancy, please!

(Emily breathing heavily)

(horse galloping)

(horse whinnying)

(horse exhaling)

- The baby's coming.

- Well, can't you stop it?

- No.

- Oh, crikey.

- Nancy.

- This is my first child.

I've never given birth before.

(breathing heavily)

I'm gonna need help, Nancy.

- Me?

I don't know nothing about delivering babies.

- Nancy, untie me.

- I can't.

I can't.

(Emily breathing heavily)

- [Collin] My dearest Emily, I hope by now you've

returned safe and well to our home.

I'm sorry to have missed you.

In hindsight, it might be considered I acted rashly

or even foolishly, but I could only do what I saw

as my duty as a McGregor.

I couldn't live with myself if I left my family down or

allowed Rob to take my place.

If nobody else understands, dad will.

You should seek comfort from him.

My only regret apart from the pain you'll inevitably suffer

is that I may never see our child.

Or be by your side to see him grow to manhood

and proudly carry the McGregor name.

When I go out to meet my maker this morning,

you are, as always, in my thoughts, and forever in my heart.

All of my love...

- Collin, you can't.

- It has to be done.

- Not by you.

- You wouldn't want me to go back on my word, now would you?

- What I want is for both of my brothers to be alive

at the end of the day.

- We will be.

- Thomas Feld said the Merill's wouldn't fight fair.

- Oh, Josh.

- You and Rob could get in first and ambush them.

- That wouldn't be fair fight, now would it?

- Who cares?

- Don't try to tell me you trust the Merill's, Jessie.

- Nope, wouldn't go that far.

- They have come here for McGregor blood.

And they're not gonna stop until they get it.

- Rob, if that's all they wanted, why didn't they just

ride into town and kill you?

They set this up, I'll do my best

to make sure they stick to the rules.

- Sure you will, but what happens if Collin

get lucky and shoots him, huh?

- Then that'll be the end of it.

- Oh, be honest.

You know what's gonna happen, the rest of them

are gonna go on a rampage and burn this place down.

- Yes, it's highly possible.

- Win or lose, Collin ends up nothing,

but a sacrificial man.

- Then what do you suggest we do about it?

- I don't know.

Maybe we should try to get some sort of guarantee.

- That's far enough.

What do you want?

- We want to talk, Merill.

- Rob McGregor, the smart one.

- What makes you say that?

- You're smart enough to stay out of the line of fire.

- There's a couple things we wanna clear up.

- Do you, now?

- What happens after my brother shoots you?

- I've got more chance of shooting myself in the foot

than getting shot by the preacher.

He'd be flat out hitting the side of the church.

- Nonetheless, we'd still like to know.

- We need your assurance there aren't gonna be any reprises.

- Is that right?

Zach, Carl, get out here.

- Yeah, pa?

- Mrs. McKlasky and the McGregor boy here

was worried about what might happen to Patterson's Ridge

if I don't survive today.

Well, let's get this straight, huh.

If by some freak of nature, or divine intervention,

the preacher should gun me down in the street,

you know exactly what to do, don't you boys?

- Sure, pa.

- What is that?

- We high-tail it out of town before we all get killed.

(laughing)

- That's not good enough, Mr. Merill.

- We want a guarantee the town's gonna be safe.

- Stop your squawking, Sally.

The preacher fronts up, or we torch Patterson's Ridge

right away.

- Look, Nancy I know a little bit about these things.

Now, I can assist Emily if you can't.

All you have to do is just...

- Just be quiet.

- Nancy, please!

- Both of you.

- Please, I beg of you.

I want my baby to be born whole and healthy.

- What for?

Why bring another child into this miserable world?

Do you, Mr. Matt McGregor, swear to do me no harm

if I let you loose?

- Yes.

- Swear.

- I swear, I won't do you any harm.

- Do you swear not to turn me over to the troopers?

Not to reveal my whereabouts to any living soul?

- Yes, I swear.

Now please, untie me.

(Emily groaning and breathing heavily)

Well, what are you gonna do, Nancy?

- Nancy?

- I guess I'm just gonna trust you.

- You won't regret this.

- Things could get much worse.

- You have some water?

We'll need some clean towels.

- Towels?

- Yeah, any dry, clean clothes will do it.

All right, that's it.

You're gonna be just fine, just fine.

- Whatever happens to Collin won't stop the Merill's

from running amok, they're gonna ruin this town.

- Maybe.

- So the only way we can spoil their fun

is if we get together and fight.

- That sounds like stirring up trouble to me.

A lot of people could get hurt.

- Anyway, this is a McGregor fight.

- This town wouldn't exist if it wasn't for my father.

- Nobody's arguing that, but I don't notice Matt around

when it comes time to defend it.

Might make a difference.

- Why should it come down to Matt McGregor, huh?

There's enough of us to make a stand on our own.

- Rob, you might have something to prove to your old man,

but we don't.

We've got wives and kids of our own.

- So what are you gonna do about it?

- What can we do?

We're gonna lie low 'til this blows over.

- Suggest you do the same.

- Okay, here we go, you ready?

One big breath, and, push!

(Emily screaming)

That's the way, good girl.

All right, and again here we go.

Breath and push!

(Emily screaming)

- Gee, gee I didn't know how big these are.

But you are doing great Emily, honest.

- How much longer?

- Not much longer, we're getting there.

There we go.

(horse whinnying)

Again, here we go.

And breath, push!

- All right, gets your hands up.

- Hello, Nancy.

- Hands up, I said.

Or I'll blow you right out of that saddle.

(somber music)

- I just need to take a rest for a minute.

- Here you go.

- I don't know what I would have done

if you hadn't turned up, Matt.

Thanks.

- Hey, you're doing just fine.

We'll get you through it.

- Oh, I'm not so sure about that.

Nancy's not very stable.

She can fly off at anything.

She said she's killed a man.

- Yeah well, you let me worry about that, huh?

You just concentrate on one thing, okay?

(Emily groaning)

All right, here we go.

Breath and push!

(Emily screaming)

- What's that?

- Nothing.

- What's going on in there?

- You wouldn't wanna know.

I can't hardly believe it myself.

- Nancy, we really need to talk.

- I expect it's not a social visit.

- It's always nice to see you, Nancy.

- Yeah?

(Emily screaming)

- Take the gun out, Nathan.

Very careful-like.

Keep both hands where I can see 'em.

Don't have to tell you how jumpy I am.

Right, chuck it.

Get off the horse, nice and slow.

No tricks.

- Here we go, that's it.

Here we go, and push.

(Emily screaming)

(Emily breathing heavily)

Okay, all right here we go again.

And push.

(Emily groaning and breathing heavily)

Good, that's the work.

(dog barking)

(calm music)

- They just want the Merill's gone without

ever lifting a finger to help.

- You can not blame them for being frightened, Rob.

The Merill's, they thrive on violence.

It is meat and drink to them.

- Yeah, and they're gonna make a meal out of this town.

- Perhaps.

- They're just gonna demand more and more

until there's nothing left.

- You're right, but what can we do about it?

That's what I wanna know.

- Stop them in their way.

We can draw a line on the ground and tell them

if they cross it, they're dead.

- I agree.

However, it appears nobody else does.

- Dad's the only one that can unite Patterson's Ridge

against the Merill's.

He's due back any time, maybe it's not too late.

- Right.

(Emily screaming)

Good girl, good.

- Sit down over there.

We'll talk when this is over.

(Emily screaming)

(Emily breathing heavily)

- Look, I suggest you do whatever she says.

We don't need anymore distractions.

(Emily groaning)

Push, push.

(Emily screaming)

Good girl, good girl.

That's the way, good girl.

- I've been neglecting my duties, Mr. Merill.

Would you like a drink?

On the house?

- I don't need a drink to steady my nerves.

Nor will I be drunk when I deal with Collin McGregor.

If he ever turns up.

I'll do my drinking later.

But thank you for the thought, Mrs. McKlasky.

(glasses clinking)

(horses exhaling)

- Swear, I've never had so many visitors in my whole life.

(Emily groaning)

- So, are those friends of yours?

- McGregors?

No way.

They just happened along at the wrong time.

- Like me.

- You'd be welcome here, Nathan.

If it weren't for that darn uniform.

(Emily groaning)

- We could do with a bit of a hand here, please.

Someone!

- Thanks, who's your friend?

- Nathan and me was kids together.

Used to play down by the creek.

The he went and joined the police force

and well, that was that.

- You gotta come on, just a few more pushes

and you're almost there, okay?

Push, come on, push!

(Emily screaming)

- Well, there's only 15 minutes to go

and there's still no sign of that preacher.

I reckon he's up in the church on his knees,

praying for salvation.

- Perhaps you should do the same.

- Ah, I've no need for the almighty by my side.

Just this.

- You will.

Sooner or later.

- Well, today's not the day.

'Cause the preacher's lost his nerve.

And the young fellow's too smart to risk his neck.

That's McGregor's for you.

I reckon I know what their favorite color is.

Yellow.

As in dingo.

Well, they can run but they can't hide.

My boy's will sort them out.

- No doubt you'll be checking out this morning, Mr. Merill.

One way or another, I'll get your bill ready.

- Yeah, you do that, ma'am.

(laughing)

- Push, big one, push.

(Emily screaming)

Good girl, good girl.

It's almost there, come on.

One last one.

One last one, Emily, come on.

(Emily screaming)

(baby crying)

Oh, good girl Emily.

Emily.

You've got yourself a little daughter.

(laughing)

(baby crying)

- This is stupid, Collin.

Merill's not gonna play by the rules.

You've got one shot.

You really think you're gonna kill him?

- Rob, I've never conceived of being in a situation

where I thought I might have to kill a man before.

But this time, I might have to, if I can.

- Was a bit harder than what I expected.

- I helped.

- Yeah, couldn't have done it without you.

- That's right.

Thanks, Nancy.

- Couldn't let anything happen to this little one.

- Yes, you certainly were worth all the effort.

- What are you gonna call her?

- I don't know yet.

Didn't you say Nancy was a nice name?

(giggling)

- I did, too.

- It's almost time.

- You're not going anywhere.

- Now, Rob.

Let's not fight amongst ourselves.

That's exactly what Merill wants, isn't it?

All right.

If your right side is as good as you claim.

And you can catch this bible when I throw it to you.

Then I'll reconsider who takes on Merill.

- That's the most sensible thing you've said in days.

- You ready?

- Yeah.

(Rob grunting)

- I'm sorry.

- What happened to Rob?

- He had a relapse.

- Can't wait for Collin to see him.

- Did he want a girl?

- I don' think he minds either way.

Though he probably would have preferred a boy.

To carry on the McGregor name.

- Yeah, plenty of time for that.

- Yeah, this is just the first.

- Say Nancy, suppose we go for a stroll, huh?

You won't need the gun, all we're gonna do is talk.

I promise I won't try to trick you or harm you in any way.

- Okay.

- Would you look after Josh for me until Emily gets back?

- Would you like some brown sugar, Josh?

- No thank you.

- Well, come over here and see what else we can find.

- Dani, this is for Emily.

Could you make sure she gets it?

- What is it?

- It's a letter to welcome her back.

- Please don't do this, Collin please.

- Dani, it'll be all right.

(somber music)

It will.

- Some fruit, Josh?

I have toffee apple.

- I'm not hungry.

(somber music)

- I want you to always walk with your head high.

Because you're a McGregor.

- I'm the one who buried him.

- Then you must know how he died.

- Not exactly, he was already gone by the time I found him.

But I can guess.

- Yes.

- Well, he cut himself.

The wound got infected, poison got into his system.

And well, the trouble was he was by himself.

He had nobody around to take care of him.

- I would have been here, only.

- I know.

- Ma dumped me in that institution

so she could be with her fancy man.

She's the one who ought to be buried here.

My dad was a gentle soul.

He never harmed nobody.

- Come on, let's walk.

(gentle music)

- Why did you do that Nathan?

- What?

- Take the trouble to dig a grave for pa?

- Can't you guess?

- No, but I'm indebted to you.

I truly am.

- Nancy I've always cared about you.

Ever since we were kids growing up together.

One day I hoped we'd get together.

- I ain't nothing but trouble.

You must know that.

Big trouble.

If I ever go back to Melbourne they're gonna hang me

by the neck until all the life's choked out of me.

- No they're not.

- Well yes they are.

I killed Mr. Gal.

I beat him with a rolling pin

'til his head turned into mush.

He couldn't keep his hands off me.

- Theodore Gal isn't dead.

- He's not?

- No.

You may have dented his skull but he survived.

He's pressing assault charges.

He couldn't do that if he was six feet under now could he?

And if you want my personal opinion,

I think he got what he deserved.

- Oh, yeah but

that won't do no good in court.

They believe him any day ahead of me.

- Who says you have to go to court?

- Isn't that why you come for me?

- No.

(door slamming)

(footsteps tapping)

(gun clicking)

- Forgive me for what I'm about to do.

(tense music)

(footsteps crunching)

(men mumbling)

- All right preacher, you said your prayers yet?

- Only for your blighted soul Mr. Merill.

- Well let's get on with it.

- Both of you, unload five bullets.

(gun clicking)

(bullets tapping)

- Satisfied?

(tense music)

(toy rattling)

- Josh, you stay here with Hannah all right?

Be good please.

- Oh, oh no, you must stay here.

- Ready Mr. Merill?

Colin?

- Ready.

- Dani stop.

(gun firing)

(screaming)

(grunting)

- May I remind you Mr. Merill that Colin McGregor

has the right to return fire?

- Don't try anything.

- There won't be no need for that Mr. McGregor.

We're shipping you back to Paterson's Ridge.

So as the baby can meet her daddy.

- Why should I believe you Nancy?

- It's true, Nancy's giving herself up.

- What's gonna happen to the girl?

- Hardly a girl Mr. McGregor.

More like a woman wouldn't you say?

I apologize for the trouble you've had but

Nancy's been under severe stress.

That's all done with now.

- Oh is it?

Well you care to explain?

- Look I'm almost 22 years old.

I think it's time I settle down and got married.

And Nancy has agreed to become my wife.

- What, you're getting married?

- Ain't that great?

Won't be long before I have a bub of my own.

Now I seen how it's done.

- He showed us no mercy don't you.

(tense music)

- Take your time Col, make sure of it.

(gun firing)

(screaming)

(dog barking)

- Collin!

Thank goodness you're still alive.

- Count them.

Two brothers alive at the end of the day.

- Don't know how you had the nerve

to just stand there and not fire.

- I did.

I must've missed him by a mile.

(screaming)

- Come on.

- Yeah that'll hold.

- It's amazing.

- What if the authorities send someone else

to arrest Nancy huh?

- Ah they're welcome to try but how would they know

which Mrs. Smith they're after?

There's 12 in my family alone.

- And who would suspect the wife of a trooper huh?

- Mr. McGregor you have my word Nancy did nothing

but defend herself.

The law should've protected her not turn her into

a terrified fugitive.

It's my plan from here on to make sure

she comes to no harm ever again.

I hope you'll agree that in her case

justice has been blind.

- There's such a thing as natural justice Nathan

and that can sometimes be fairer than the brand

they dish out in court.

Well up here we're inclined not to interfere with nature.

I wish you both well in your life that lies ahead.

- Thanks Mr. McGregor for everything.

- I'm glad it turned out like this Emily.

It's given me renewed hope.

Maybe life's not so bad after all.

- Matt.

- I could never have killed you in the barb.

You know that don't you?

Deep down I'm just an old softy.

Come and visit us any time.

Cross my heart you'll get a different welcome next time.

- Thanks Nancy, we might do that.

- Well it's time you went home to meet your daddy.

Good luck you two.

Yeah.

- I own this new gun him down.

- It didn't happen quite like that Josh.

Jessie was actually the one that shot at Merill.

- Yeah?

- Mm hmm.

- Now how about the board lolly Josh?

- [Josh] You bet.

- Danny what is that?

- Oh nothing important anymore.

- Oh well done Jessie.

- I never knew you were a crack shot Jessie.

- Ah who could miss at that range.

- Where are the Morills now?

- They've just left town, all of them.

For good I hope.

- And Burt Morill?

- He'll survive.

- Worse luck.

- He'll be pulling bird shot out of his legs

for the next six months though.

(laughing)

(upbeat music)

(people chattering)

- Matt and Emily are back and you'll never guess what.

- Emily?

Emily.

Emily are you all right?

- Yes.

You have a granddaughter mother.

- He's not even a day old and yet some kinda wrinkly.

- Here you go.

(baby cooing)

- You have no idea how grateful I am to

finally see you little lady.

- She's got the right idea.

I'm never going to let you out of my sight again either.

(cows mooing)

- All right a little bit of attention please everyone.

As you will now I'm not one for making speeches,

but I don't think we can let this occasion pass by

without welcoming the latest addition to the McGregor clan.

Welcome little Cathleen.

(clapping)

(calm music)