Original subtitles

By the end of our nation's great civil war,

thousands of children found themselves orphaned.

Their fathers killed in battle, their mothers taken by disease or grief.

Many ended up on the orphan dream, a program to relocate children from the

decimated northern cities to families in other

territories, families with love to give and farms to run.

My brother, sister, and I rode the orphan train, cold, hungry, and scared.

Little did we know at the time that the only thing stronger than death was our

father's love for his children.

I'll miss you, Daddy.

I'm gonna miss you, too.

So, this is a doll for both you girls.

It's gonna protect you while I'm gone.

And anytime you miss Daddy, you can hold that doll when you go to sleep at night

and know that I'm always thinking about you.

Okay?

Come here, Lily.

Oh, I love you.

When father started talking about leaving, Leaving for the

war, our oldest brother Philip was determined to go with him.

Charlie, you're the man of the house now.

Father told him to stay and look after us, but eventually relented.

I'll be home soon.

I got you.

Get him to safety!

Get him to safety!

Look at it!

Get him back!

Put him down!

Put him down!

No,

you're not going back!

Get him back!

Charlie, stay with my son!

I can't leave them, Father!

Father, no!

Let's go!

Father, no!

Stephen, stay with me.

Corporal, stay with me.

Come on!

All aboard!

Let's get these children on the train.

We leave in five minutes.

Mother got word that Father had died in battle.

It was like part of her broke.

Like she had a hole inside.

Before too long, tuberculosis came and aimed to fill it.

Riding on that train, though, we felt a little less lonely.

Next to the rest of the orphaned children, we considered ourselves lucky.

At least we had each other.

At least we were still part of a family.

So how did you end up on the surfer train?

My father, he didn't come back from the war.

And my mother, she recently died.

So I'm going to live with my brother, Phil.

Order!

Arms!

Manhood comes sooner for some.

Why don't you follow me down to the Children's Aid Society?

I told them you were alive.

And I think your siblings should be here soon.

Corporal, the Army is moving your post.

There's a lot of folks moving out west and they want

to relocate your post to one along the Bozeman Trail.

Government's going to give you land.

Aids, you can build a home on the river just outside of Bozeman.

Son, this is a lot to take in.

You understand what I'm saying?

I think this could be a real good start for you and your family.

Yes, sir.

I do.

My apologies.

It'll be a good beginning.

I hope it is.

Thank you.

There's a couple of angry tribes out there, son, and I can't blame them.

Well, settlements have moved west rather quickly and things have gotten messy.

We need good soldiers like yourself to help bring some peace.

Just give me a minute to gather myself.

Oh, I... We can go upstairs.

I don't want anything from you.

I just...

I'd like to buy this lady a drink.

You, uh, you all right?

Yes.

Come in.

Four years ago, I had to put my baby on the orphan train.

I just wonder what she's like now.

I want her bed to be ready just in case she does come back.

We can talk about it if you'd like to.

Ain't no man ever wanted to stay up all night and talk to me.

What was, uh... what was your daughter's name?

Gretel.

I named her after my mother.

I wanted her to have a better life than I could give her.

What will you do now the war's over?

I...

I lost...

both of my parents.

So I'll have to be taking care of my little siblings now.

The army's relocated me up to Montana, so...

Your siblings, what's their names?

So my younger brother, his name is Charlie.

And, uh, so proud of that little guy.

He's...

He's gonna be a big man someday.

You know?

Reminds me a lot of my father.

And, uh...

Gosh.

Lizzie.

Little ball of fire.

And then Lily.

Kinda afraid that she won't remember me.

And the thing that I can't stop thinking about...

is how am I gonna...

How am I gonna...

break it to them?

You know...

Father...

is gone.

And it's just gonna be me.

And how am I gonna be him?

Um...

Maybe I could walk you to the train station tomorrow.

Mr... What's your name again?

Uh... Phillip.

Phillip Caldgrove.

Thank you for just wanting to talk to me.

Yeah.

You're welcome.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

What's the matter, sweetheart?

Did you miss my mom and dad?

I'm so sorry.

Why does God let bad things happen?

I don't have an answer to that, but we have to have faith.

I want you to try and get some sleep.

It's a long train ride.

My mom and I want you to stay gentle.

All I want you to do is die.

I wanna make sure I'm staying true to me all the time.

And then I'll care for you all the time.

Oh Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder

consider all the worlds thy hands have made.

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

thy powers throughout the universe displayed.

And sings my soul, my savior God to thee.

How great thou art.

How great thou art.

Come on.

Get up.

War's over.

Move, boy.

Come on.

Come on.

Get.

Keep walking, Desmond.

Keep walking.

Go.

Lieutenant Calgrove.

Samuel Hagen.

Boys looked like you had it rough.

Yeah.

Desmond Richards.

Samuel Hagen.

Well, I got these horses here, straight as I picked up off the battlefield.

These boys getting home.

Charlie!

I'm home!

Marley?

Nobody's home.

Everything all right, Mr. Calgrove?

Marley!

I think I'm dead.

Hmm...

I've got to find my children.

Gentlemen, allow me to welcome you home on behalf of our great nation.

And know that while you have lost comrades, brothers, and friends,

that it was not in vain.

And that your nation thanks you.

But I'll be damned.

Company, present arms!

Several days after Molly had heard of your death, she passed, Jack.

It's tuberculosis.

I'm sorry.

Molly's wish was that the young ones be sent to the hospital.

And that you live with your son Phillip in Missouri.

Phil's still alive?

Yes.

And who's been tending to Charlie, Lizzie, and Billy?

The army contacted an orphanage in New York.

A gentleman by the name of Edward Pagan.

He's doing many fine works.

Placing children with good homes.

The Orphan Train Movement.

You mean to tell me you put my children in an orphanage?

Jack, when I found out Phillip was still alive, I

needed to get those children to Missouri to meet him.

There's 50 kids on that train.

It seemed to me to be the most reasonable option to transport them.

Help me God, you put my kids on a train you sent to Missouri?

You realize how dangerous that is?

That's hostile territory.

We just finished fighting a war right where that train's going.

Are there armed officers on that train?

Yes, Jack.

The government has ordered that Company K ride with the orphaned trains to guard

them against hostile Confederates and Natives.

Company K is a group of sharpshoot Natives from Michigan.

I was in the 54th Regiment and I did some work with Company K.

Jack.

I can send a message through Company K alerting

your son Phillip that you're still alive.

I reckon you point me in the direction of that train.

All packed up.

You know, you don't have to go with me.

You might enjoy some peace and quiet.

I ain't got no house I gotta be.

And I want to help you get your family back.

You're good, man.

Let's get on the trail.

That's right.

Be right here.

Excuse me, would it be okay if we had a few more pieces of bread and water?

Yes, dear.

Um, I'll go ahead and distribute the bread to everyone.

Thank you.

What happened to you?

Mom not want you anymore?

Just work at one of them whorehouses.

Here, you can come sit with us.

Jeremy, you good?

Yeah.

Some bread for you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Good morning to you all.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Beautiful day for some new families.

Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters.

Thank you for coming.

We've arrived in Independence, Missouri, and you're all about to go home.

Please stay seated for right now, and Mr. Smith

will be right on to tell you where to go next.

You'll have to fill out the paperwork for this gentleman.

It's required by law.

Those of you who've already filled out the paperwork can just step to the front of

the line over there, and we'll bring out the children.

I need some strong boys to help me.

Oh, we got strong ones and strong girls, too.

Do they have names?

Oh, yeah.

They all have names.

Everyone, get off the train.

Follow me, and we'll form a line.

Here you go, Jimmy.

There we go.

Please form a line at the stand.

Here we go.

Here we go, little boy.

Got it, young lady.

Here you go.

Phil!

Lizzie!

Come here.

Phil!

Watch your step.

Come on.

Hey, buddy.

Oh, my gosh.

Look how big you've grown.

Dang.

Hey.

Hey, uh, Lily, I know you may not remember me, uh, but I'm your older brother, Phil.

I'm gonna take care of you, okay?

She hasn't talked since mother and father died.

Is this all your stuff right there?

Yeah.

Sir, you will need to fill out the proper paperwork.

Okay.

All right, you guys, get in line.

I'll be right back.

Okay.

Ingrid.

All right, parents, step up to the front.

We'll need your paperwork.

Come on up.

Come on up.

Don't be afraid.

Thank you.

Here you go.

Paperworks.

This way, please.

Step this way.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

You are welcome.

Thank you.

This way, please.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Please, sir.

Next group.

What's your name?

Emily.

Hi, Emily.

Welcome to our family.

Next!

In our house, you're in your keep.

You work hard, you're rewarded with a good supper.

If you don't work hard, you hit the road.

In this house, I'm the law.

Is that understood?

Yes, sir.

Is that understood?

Yes, sir.

Alright.

Come on.

Come on down this way.

Right around.

Come on now.

Come on.

For Charlie, Lizzie, and Lily Calgrove, please.

That's my brother, Phil.

Phil, can we take Mary with us?

I'm sorry, children.

I have Addison, Mary, Johnny, Ray, and Jacob down.

It's all getting adopted by the Smith family, and they've not shown up yet.

They don't show up by tomorrow morning, and you'll go back on the train.

But tonight, you'll sleep in the local orphanage.

Wait.

What about Jimmy?

Uh, well, the family didn't take Jimmy.

Uh, lots of times, they don't take the older children.

My dad gave me this doll.

I would like you to have it.

Bye.

Alright, uh, Lily, Lizzie, Charlie.

It's time to get going.

Here.

I got this for you.

Go on, sweetheart.

Bye.

You're one brave cowboy.

And sometimes, cowboys have to part ways to their cattle.

I beg you, please help me.

My daughter's been taken.

Please.

You lost?

Ain't much around here but remember turning home from the war.

For a black woman, it ain't a safe place to be.

There's a town about 25 miles back the way we came.

Thank you.

I'm sure someone there can help you.

Keep the guns down.

Looks like we got a couple of no-good yanks.

A couple of downed Yankees.

The war's over.

You guys keep on moving.

Over when we say it's over.

How about I just whip you off that horse?

Move on.

Keep going.

We got to keep moving.

I don't want to rip their throats out just as bad as you do.

One more step!

Come with us.

Your daughter was in an alley living out of a cardboard box.

You gave us no choice but to remove her.

Don't you tell me that!

You don't know what I've been through to find freedom!

Not to have my child ripped away!

You tell me where my child is right now!

Right now!

Please, I beg you, sir.

I beg you, please.

She ain't ever been without me.

I'm a good mother.

I promise.

I'm a good mother.

Mother, I promise.

I'm a good mother.

Forgive me.

Now let's see what we can do for you.

Looks like Mary is on a train heading to Missouri with about 40 other children.

She will be at the orphanage in good care.

You sure your daughter's on that orphan train?

I lost two years of my life in those Confederate camps.

My baby's voices echo through my head every day.

It's what kept me from dying.

How old's your daughter?

She's ten.

So her name was... Mary.

Mary Banks.

Mary.

Where are you headed off to?

Told you that you can't get emotionally involved with these men who come in here.

They aren't safe.

I never wanted this life.

Do you think any of us want this life?

I hate myself for bringing you here with me and Jimmy.

When he died, I thought I could work here until I found

another man or got me an honest job to take care of you.

I never intended to drag you into this dark hole with me.

We can leave in the morning and never look back.

I met an honest soldier.

He ain't your normal man.

He just wanted to talk to me.

Ingrid, you little fool.

Where do you think this honest man is going to take you?

What do you think is going to happen to you?

I'm leaving!

I would rather die a gruesome death than spend

one more night here having a man touch me.

I remember when we was little girls.

We used to run through the sunflower fields of North Carolina.

You used to tell me that dreams are from God.

And that when you stop dreaming, you stop living.

Sarah, we aren't living.

Dreams aren't real.

I ain't too sure God is real.

But I ain't going to stop you from leaving here.

There you go.

Lily, this is yours.

And Charlie.

Thank you.

There you go.

Muffins are my favorite.

And last, but certainly not least, Miss Lizzie.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

So, I got some news.

The Army is relocating me up to Montana.

That means that we're going to be leaving tomorrow morning.

I think it will be a good start for all of us.

What will we do up there?

The Army is giving me some land by a river.

And I plan on turning it into a farm.

So, we'll be raising crops.

And we'll have horses.

And we'll have sheep and cattle.

And there's even a town.

And in that town, there's a little school that I'll take you all to.

Oh, can I fish on the river?

I used to love fishing with my father.

You can fish all you want.

Yeah.

That's a family.

Yeah.

But I caught the most fish.

Did you see father die?

Uh, hi.

Uh, come in.

Come in.

Hi, I'm Lizzie.

Hello, Lizzie.

Nice to meet you.

I'm Ingrid.

Hi, Charlie.

Hello, Lily.

Um, here.

Let me get you something to eat.

The three of you sure look alike.

Uh, Charlie, Lily, and Lizzie.

Uh, Ingrid is a friend of mine.

Can I come with you to Montana?

I won't be any trouble.

I just... I want a better life.

I think it would be nice for her to come with us.

Yeah, um...

Yeah, I suppose.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Ingrid, do you think you can talk Phil into

letting our friends come with us to Montana?

I don't think they have any homes.

Um, they made friends with other children on the orphan train.

And they didn't get adopted this morning.

But you know what?

I know you had a long day today on the trains.

And we're going to have a very long day tomorrow.

Because if we're going to be traveling, we're going to have to pack up.

So, I think it's time for you guys to get to bed.

I can make a pilot for them by the fireplace.

Oh.

Lizzie and Lily, how about I braid your hair before bed?

Okay.

Okay.

Thanks for the help, soldier.

Yes, sir.

Maybe more coming.

Come on.

We've been tracking these Apaches for a while now.

Lieutenant Calgrove.

Chantu.

United States Army.

Company K.

Ah, you're the Native Union Sharpshooting Group.

Yes, sir.

Wait a minute.

Calgrove.

The letter, please.

What letter?

You're the father coming for his children.

Here's the letter we're delivering to the station in Independence, Missouri.

But why didn't he get there?

We got his orphan trains at night.

We'll pull away to pick on those Apaches you

just encountered that took us far off track.

My son, Phillip Calgrove, lives in Independence, Missouri.

That's where he's stationed.

We're supposed to be holding him with him there.

How far is it?

It's about 100 miles from here.

Let's move.

The kids are still sleeping.

Morning.

We're all loaded up now.

Good morning.

Is everything okay?

We don't know each other, but what I do know is

we seem to be in the same place in our lives.

We're both searching for a greater purpose.

I just can't walk in there and adopt six children.

I can barely take care of myself.

I had stopped believing in goodness until the night we met.

From that night on, I started thinking maybe there's another way for me.

Maybe with these children, I could be worth something.

I can help you.

We could do it.

Mary, Addie, Johnny, Jake, Jerry, Jimmy, get out here.

Well, your brother already sending you back, huh?

No, sir.

We would like to take our friends with us.

I'd like to formally adopt all these children that we left behind.

You're serious, sir?

Dead serious.

hooks.

We could use your help on the farm, from all of you guys.

Well, you'll all be glad to have a family again.

Right?

Yeah.

Yes, sir.

I'll get the paperwork and you can be on your way.

Okay.

Thank you.

All of you.

Thank you.

Ray, welcome to the family.

I'm Phil.

Hi.

What's your name?

I'm Mary.

Goodbye, Frank.

I'll miss you, Ray.

I'll miss you too.

Bye, Jimmy.

Good luck to you.

Hope to see you again.

Thank you.

God bless.

All right, everyone.

We met up with another family leaving town.

And together, we set out to start our lives over.

Huddled in the back of those wagons, we were ready to take on the world.

Charlie, why didn't you get up here?

I want to show them how it's done.

Right over there.

Okay.

Find your sights.

And sit back, everybody.

Dang!

Charlie!

Yeah, Charlie?

Bullseye, buddy.

It doesn't surprise me at all, but...

Who's next?

Can I go next?

Yeah, get up here.

Just like your brother, right at those tin cans I set up.

Okay.

Now I know it's a little loud, so want me to cover you up for you?

All right, line it up a little bit.

You got it?

Nice shooting, cowgirl.

Thanks.

Dang, Lizzy, you can shoot.

I'll go, it's easy.

Hit that one right there.

There you go.

Now just like the other two, line it up.

Now let her rip when you're ready.

Which one of these are the triggers?

All right, so first rule of handling a gun is you never aim at another person.

Only if it's the bad guy, though.

Thank you, Charlie.

Only if it's the bad guy.

Children, supper's ready.

All right, we'll do this later.

Come on, Jimmy.

As we traveled west, our hearts began to heal from the wound of losing our parents.

We let go of our fear and anger.

Love reentered our lives.

Corporal, welcome to Missouri, Lieutenant.

Looking for the local orphanage.

You point us in that direction?

Down that way at the edge of town.

Thank you.

I'm here for my children.

Oh, yes, sir.

Well, I will need for you to fill out the necessary... I don't think you understand.

My children arrived here a few days ago.

Philip Calgrove.

Philip Calgrove, yes.

And the children.

They are with him.

Where the hell are they?

They're on a wagon train on their way to the Oregon Trail.

It's west.

Tell me, you got a map?

You got a map in here?

I have many maps.

I'm sure you can find it.

Was there a child named Mary Beggs with them?

Mary Beggs.

Mary Beggs.

Lieutenant.

Lieutenant.

You cannot travel that alone.

You know the route?

Sure do.

We'll override together.

Mary is... Yes, she's with us.

She's with them.

Yes, yes, I remember Mary.

She's with them.

You'll need this paper.

Thank you so much.

Yes.

Thank you.

Yes.

Phil's been assigned to a new post.

Someone must have given the order.

Looks like you folks left one war, jumped right into another one.

Where are they?

Here.

Bozeman, Montana.

See, a lot of these tribes were forced west, and

they had their land seized by the government.

They blame the settlers and have started raiding the whole area.

We had to station men at different posts to help keep the peace.

Are the children in danger?

Well, the Cheyenne have been causing most of the trouble.

Charlie, get the girls.

We don't want any trouble.

We're just passing through.

On our way to Montana to farm.

Here, come.

Break bread.

With us.

Mm.

Okay.

Yeah.

Okay.

Hey, guys.

Let's break bread.

It'll be okay.

No!

Please.

Please, no more.

Please.

Please.

Enough.

Please.

Please, no more.

They're just children.

They're children!

No!

Please!

He's gone.

There's children.

She's dead.

There's another.

Oh, no.

No.

Charlie.

Charlie.

Charlie.

Charlie.

Charlie, stop it.

Charlie.

I got you.

I got you.

I got you.

I got you.

Come here.

Come here.

I got you.

Daddy, it hurts.

I tried to protect her.

You did so good, Charlie.

You did so good.

Don't you go.

Don't you hurt me.

Shh.

You're my boy.

You're my boy, Charlie.

Don't go.

No, don't go.

Don't.

I got you.

Daddy's here.

Daddy's here.

I'm gonna leave.

Please.

God, please don't do this.

Ah.

Every night I'd sit around the table.

She'd read a Bible verse out of this Bible.

Let me take turns saying the nightly prayer.

Charlie...

Charlie was always the first...

to say he wanted to say the prayer.

He became a man the day I left...

and died innocent.

I know...

if they shot him...

he was trying to save somebody.

My husband Charles and I planned to...

escape the plantation.

Mary was a baby.

We wanted to give her...

a better life.

We almost got off that plantation...

before we got noticed.

Charles told me...

you run and you don't look back.

Well, I circled back...

and they hammered him to a cross...

and set him on fire...

right in front of my eyes.

Doesn't seem fair what...

some have to go through... on this side of life.

I'm sorry.

I'm gonna find your daughter... Miss Beggs.

I'm gonna get my children back.

Nothing's gonna stop me.

Nothing.

Just give me a minute.

I'm gonna miss you, son.

Come on.

Father, don't go.

Oh, Lily.

I promise you...

I'll be home soon.

How do you reckon we find them?

We'll lure them to us.

Yes.

They'll be back by the next wagon train passing by.

Just a matter of time.

Let's get ready.

I'd like to see bạn kia ahora.

If they aren't, there's truly no hope.

Guess I'll have to contact the CIA.

And I took them back...

Didn't I tell you to stopOS,

to kill to save my life.

That's how we're gonna do it.

Manny.

Alright, you're gonna lead us there.

Shantouf, take your men and you guys drop down the ridge.

I'll meet you in the middle.

I got you.

Get the kids.

Get the kids.

Get in the safety.

Where are the girls?

You're safe.

Where's your sister?

They took her.

They took her.

Where?

Where?

Under the bridge.

Okay.

Here's my pistol.

If anybody comes near you, you shoot them.

Okay?

You're safe now.

Alice.

Perry!

Perry!

Perry!

Perry!

Perry!

Oh, my baby.

Let me look at you.

Let me look at you.

You okay?

Huh?

I miss you so much.

I hope you made peace with God.

You killed my son.

I'm gonna make sure every single one of you pay the price.

Jack.

Please stop.

Thank you.

No, honey.

We want peace as well.

I won't miss this day.

Bread makes you something else.

Fire!

Shantu suggested to Father that we honor all lives lost that day.

That in order to bring peace we must first acknowledge our own mistakes.

We ended up moving to Montana and used the land

the government gave us to start an orphanage.

We welcomed all who wanted to be a part of our community,

with the promise to also learn from their traditions.

Thanks for bringing the children.

My pleasure.

Watch your step.

I figured it was time I started dreaming again.

What is your name, child?

Little Jack.

Little Jack.

I'm Lizzy Calgro.

This is my son.

And this is my sister, Lily Calgro.

Lily Calgro.

We're going to take really good care of you.

God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers.

Father, you held my hand when I was small.

You caught me when I fell.

You were my hero of my childhood and my later years as well.

You taught me the purpose of life is to discover your gift, develop it,

and give it away.

I know heaven is a beautiful place, because it has you.