Original subtitles

Woman: Pete, it's getting late.

I'll be right there.

You know, I think I like my study here

better than I did the one in Boston.

Look, ma.

Oh, why, Dan, that's just wonderful.

It's cap. Can you recognize him?

I certainly can.

Pete, our son has quite a talent.

Too bad it doesn't extend to football.

Dan: Dad, I'm getting better.

After all, the boys at those academies

were there because of their playing skills.

It's no disgrace that Dan couldn't compete.

So you've said on numerous occasions.

Woman: It's true.

I say it's a matter of attitude.

Always has been, always will be.

Maybe moving back to Minnesota will help the boy. Maybe not.

Dad, I'm going to try, honest.

Well, that's all I can ask.

You won't be growing up here like I did.

We'd have to be poor for that.

You're going to be mixing in with plain, hard-working people,

just like I did.

Maybe it'll toughen you up.

Yes, sir.

Come on, now. Eat your breakfast. We don't want to be late.

Albert: 16!

32!

24!

Hike!

Albert: Yay!

Hey, that boy has the makings of a fine player.

Can't disagree with that.

Albert!

Come over here, son.

I'd like you to meet Mr. Ellerbee and his son, Daniel.

Oh, nice to meet you.

That was a good run you just made.

Oh, thank you.

Dan here is starting school today.

He plays some football, too.

Well, are you going to join our team?

Yeah, if it's all right.

Sure! We can use you. Come on.

Harriet: Nels!

Come on. The meeting's ready to start. Come, put your coat on.

Come on!

Coming, dear!

Nels: And I'm happy to report

that there's more than enough money in the treasury

to cover the cost of the new textbooks.

So, I'll send the order in today.

Now, I realize that we have to adjourn pretty soon

so Laura can get on with her classes,

but I would just like to take this opportunity

to welcome back a native son.

Pete ellerbee, there, left these parts years ago

to become one of the great heroes of college football.

I can attest to that myself,

because I was playing for Princeton

when Pete... "big rock," they called him...

Was making rutgers a great power.

I was only third string, so I rarely had to face him myself,

but, oh, I can tell you, the team was pretty nervous

any time they knew they had to face "big rock."

Well, anyway, Pete, welcome home.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

When I decided to retire from a successful business back east,

there was one place I wanted to come,

and that's right here, where my roots are.

Nels oleson has been awfully generous with his compliments,

and I want to thank him. Nels.

Life has been very good to me

but never so much as those 4 glorious years playing at rutgers.

You know, football is more than just a game.

It's something that shapes a man's character and builds his confidence...

Maybe no more than other life experiences

but certainly among the very best.

My wife and son and I want to become a part of walnut grove

in any way we can,

and I'm thinking maybe I could make a special contribution

by helping mold the fine young men in this town

into a championship football team.

You mean that?

Pete: Well, I'd be honored.

Well, that's the most remarkable...

Well, speaking for myself, I'm ready to step down immediately.

Oh, no, nels. I didn't mean that you should...

Nels: I insist on it.

Why, to have someone like you, a man of your stature,

coaching our little team...

Why, that's an opportunity that we couldn't even dream of

in the normal course of things.

Oh, I should say!

Oh, Mr. Ellerbee.

We accept your most generous offer.

Well, thank you. Thank you very much.

I think coach ellerbee deserves a round of applause.

Harriet: Yay!

On to victory!

Gentlemen, I can't promise you a championship.

What I can promise you is to teach you how to win,

and that's the hardest, grueling work you'll ever know.

If you've got it in you, you can become a winner,

but only if winning becomes the most important thing in your life.

That's right. I said, the most important.

You have to become totally dedicated,

totally committed, and totally fit.

If any of you can't handle that,

you can leave right now.

All right. Do you want to be winners?

Boys, quietly: Yeah.

I want to hear that louder. Do you want to be winners?

Yeah!

- Louder! - Yeah!

I want to hear that louder. Do you want to be winners?

Yeah!

All right! Let's go to work!

Pete: All right, boys. Let's get a move on.

I only want to see air under your feet.

Keep up with Albert. Come on. Let's move it!

Faster! 10 more laps!

Come on. Drive those legs. Dig in there.

Drive those legs. Drive them!

Next! Come on, now. Drive those legs.

You're kicking the ball too low.

I'm sorry, dad.

The ball has to hang high and long

so your team can get downfield. Didn't I teach you that?

- Yes, sir. - Well, then do it.

Or do you think because you're an ellerbee,

it makes you special?

No.

You're wrong. It does.

It means you have to work twice as hard as anybody else.

Is that clear?

- Yes, sir. - All right.

Ok, fellows, we're going to try that play again,

and this time, I want you to put some muscle in it.

Let's go!

Pete: Let's move out!

They're as raw as I'll ever hope to work with,

but we're making headway.

Did I tell you our first game is with last year's champions?

Yes, I believe you did.

Well, it depends on how they improve between now and then.

What they don't have yet is the right, uh, spirit.

But if we do well against the champions, even beat them,

that ought to do it, right, son?

I suppose.

Pete: What do you mean, "I suppose"?

Come on, come on. You can speak up.

You sure?

Well, I've been working you hard enough.

You deserve that at least.

Well, except for Albert, dad,

nobody's that good.

And some of the guys are really bad,

especially Willie oleson.

You're right.

Willie oleson has a lot of improving ahead of him,

but I don't think the team's in that much trouble.

Well, I guess you'd know more about that than I would,

but it just seems like that

even I play better than most of them.

You're playing better period.

That's why the other boys don't seem up to your standards.

Really?

Now, don't go getting a swelled head.

This is what you needed... to be in a situation where people don't run over you.

Confidence. That's all you needed.

And you're getting it.

Yeah. I think I am.

Is that all you're going to eat?

Just so tired, I lost my appetite.

Maybe you should go to bed.

I think I will.

Good night.

Good night.

Son, don't be late for tomorrow's practice.

I won't. Good night.

Good night, dear.

Oh, that was nice.

What was?

Complimenting Dan.

I hope I didn't overdo it.

Hardly.

He needs your approval so very much.

Well, if he deserves it, he'll get it. Simple as that.

It does worry me how tired Dan's been looking.

All the boys are tired. That's part of the training.

Once they toughen up, they won't be tired.

Hey, Albert?

Yeah, pa?

Make sure you get those feed sacks unloaded before dark.

Oh, yeah.

You look awful.

I'm done in.

Practice was tough, huh?

I guess.

It's just sort of hard to take care of chores,

do my homework, and practice football.

I can see that.

You know, pa,

I think it was real nice of Mr. Ellerbee

to offer to coach US and all,

but to tell you the truth, I'd just rather have Mr. Oleson back.

You're kidding me. How come?

Well, I used to like football a lot.

Now it's just a lot of hard work.

Then why do it?

Well, I can't let the team down.

Well, I guess you can't, if that's the way you see it.

Just make sure you're not letting yourself down, huh?

Yeah.

I'll take care of the feed sacks.

You go on in and wash up for supper.

Thanks, pa.

You're welcome.

Every single member of that football team

is going to fail if this keeps up.

I mean, look at these papers!

My best students, even Albert,

can't complete the simplest homework assignment.

Have you talked to them?

Well, of course I have,

but it's always the same answer.

They're too tired from football practice.

What are you going to do?

I don't know...

Yet.

- Are you all right? - Albert!

On this series of downs, I want you to hit the line quicker.

Come on! Move it! Get in here.

No, Willie. I'm not all right.

- Mr. Ellerbee? - Yes?

Look, I know you've been counting on me

to help win our game against redwood falls.

I'm counting on everybody, Albert.

Well, I'm sorry. I don't want to play anymore.

Would you mind telling me why?

Because it doesn't leave room for anything else.

I'm so tired out, I can't do my homework or my chores.

Every day, I come out here to get knocked around and jumped on,

and I don't know why.

Then I think definitely you shouldn't be playing.

If you don't know why you want to play football,

why play it?

The other boys seem to know why they're playing it.

They want to learn something courageous and difficult

and do it well.

They want to be part of a winning team.

And a winning team is something where every man does his best

so as not to let the others down.

Football is a basic lesson in life.

It's a fundamental step to becoming a man.

If you can succeed in it, you can succeed in anything.

Without that knowledge, your talent isn't enough,

and sooner or later, you'll let the team down. Why?

Because you don't have what it takes to be a competitor.

You don't have the courage.

You don't have the team spirit.

You don't have the determination.

So in the long run, we'll be doing better without you than with you.

All right, gentlemen, let's try that formation again.

Hallett, you're the new quarterback.

All right. Let's go!

Hallett: Hike.

- Mr. Ellerbee? - All right. Come on.

I want to see that offensive line blocking harder than that!

Mr. Ellerbee.

I think we've said everything there is to say, Albert.

But I've changed my mind.

The decision is final, Albert. Now, go home.

But I never thought about the game the way you said.

I didn't know it was supposed to mean so much.

Well, it does.

Please. Can't you give me another chance?

I can't give you another chance, son.

It's up to you.

You can't pretend to want to play football. You have to know it.

If you can search yourself and really know it,

then maybe you can find a place on this team.

Can you do it?

Yes, sir.

Can you honestly tell me

you're willing to give your all to this team?

Yes.

Because I won't take anything less. Not from you, not from anybody.

Mr. Ellerbee, I swear it.

I'll work hard, and I won't complain.

I won't quit.

All right. Get out on that field and play football.

Yes, sir!

Break. Go.

17!

21!

4! Hike!

It was probably the most amazing run of my career.

I caught the ball in my own end zone,

and it looked like I was barely going to get out.

Half the Cornell team was ready to Bury me.

So, in a purely desperate move,

I lateraled to my fullback.

He ran about 10 yards and lateraled back to me.

Suddenly, I was in the clear.

104-yard run for a touchdown.

Oh, my! That is just so amazing!

Well, after that, we kept it on as a special play.

Mostly, fundamentals work best.

You know, grinding out the yardage by brute strength.

But every now and then, we'd bring out our old lateral play.

By the way, I'm teaching our boys to use it.

Sort of a secret weapon.

With the size of some of those fellows on the redwood falls team,

I think we'll need it.

Well, size isn't everything, nels.

Maybe our boys will surprise everybody.

You sure got Albert all fired up.

I've never seen such a change.

Nels: You know, I noticed that with Willie, too.

Yes.

Well, it's just something that happens in time.

Sort of like what happens in war.

War?

Pete: That's right.

New soldiers in the beginning usually resent

the hardship of training and discipline.

Then with the first sign of battle on the horizon,

they see that only by depending on each other can they win.

Hmm, that's a most unusual comparison.

Not really.

Any group effort with an element of danger

brings people closer together and instills a team spirit.

That's what happened to Albert, Willie,

and even my own son, I might add.

They have a team spirit, and they really want to win.

Football played properly, Mrs. Ingalls, is a war.

I think nels, here, knows what I'm talking about.

Those games we had at Princeton really were a battle,

weren't they, nels?

Nels: Yes, indeed.

I remember my junior year. It was...

Oh, Pete, I wish I could have seen you run over nels!

Caroline: It was a wonderful meal.

Well, we'll do it again.

Oh, yes, and next time, at our house.

Fine.

Charles: It's a date, then. Good night.

Nels: Good night, Pete. Good night, Sandra.

Caroline: Sorry.

Harriet: Oh, excuse me. I'm sorry.

See you at the first football game.

Charles: We'll be there! Hope we win it!

It was a pleasant evening, I would say.

I don't think they were too thrilled with that war analogy.

Well, it happens to be true.

And that touchdown story? Ha ha!

What about it?

Oh, lord knows I've heard you tell it a hundred times.

And over the years, it's kind of grown,

with more yardage and... ha ha!

That's just the way it happened.

Pete, I'm only joking with you.

Where's your sense of humor?

I don't see anything humorous

about a man's wife calling him a liar.

I wasn't doing that.

That game was so long ago,

nobody could remember the exact details.

I remember it like it was yesterday.

Fine. Let's forget it.

This obsession of yours with football

is getting a little out of control, I think.

What's that supposed to mean?

It's taken over. That's what I mean,

blown out of all proportion.

It's not even a game anymore.

It's like you said... A war,

and you're the commanding general.

If that's the way you see it, I can't help that.

Oh, look, if you were the only one involved,

I wouldn't say a thing about this.

This is Dan I'm worried about

and what this could do to him.

What it could do to him is make him a fine football player,

maybe even a great one.

Every day, he shows improvement.

Of course he does, because it's the only thing he can do

to win your approval!

Can't you see that Dan hates football?

That's a lie.

Oh, he hates it, and he always has!

The only reason he keeps trying

is because you want it so much.

You don't even care what he wants.

How can you say that?

The whole reason for coming here was for Dan.

No. It was for you

in the hope that by making Dan a big fish in a small pond,

he'd get over his fears and learn to play well enough

so that by the time he's college age,

Dan can enter rutgers and carry on the great legend

of Pete ellerbee, football hero!

Sandra, I'm warning you.

No, Pete. I have to warn you.

If you keep pushing Dan to do something

he hasn't any talent or desire for,

the boy is going to end up hurt in more ways than one.

I'm going to bed.

Oh, Pete!

Pete!

22! 16! Hike!

All right. That's better.

Let's try it again.

Coach, couldn't we just rest for a few minutes?

I don't understand you people.

Your game's getting better,

but you still don't have any stamina.

Same old problem.

Laura... Uh, miss Wilder...

She won't ease up on the homework assignments.

She won't go easy even on me, and I'm her own brother.

She says she'll fail anybody who doesn't keep up.

All right. Rest up.

I think I'll have a little talk with Mrs. Wilder.

Pete: Mrs. Wilder?

Mr. Ellerbee.

Sorry to disturb you.

Oh, that's all right. Just trying to get a head start

on grading these test papers.

Meaning the teacher has as much homework as the students?

More, much more.

Well, you seem to be a dedicated professional.

That's commendable.

Thank you. I guess I am.

I won't keep you. There's something I've been meaning to discuss.

Oh?

I think you know how hard the football team's been working

preparing for its first game this weekend.

Yes, I'm aware of that.

They've made remarkable progress, all things considered,

except in one area.

And I'm hoping you might be able to help out there.

Well, if I can. What area is that?

- Sleep. - Sleep?

They all seem to be suffering from the lack of it,

and the reason given seems to be you.

Too much homework.

Well, that is a coincidence.

Oh?

We seem to have identical problems.

My students, the ones on your team, claim

that they can't do their homework assignments properly

because of you.

They're just too exhausted from football practice.

I can understand you might look at it that way,

but the truth is, for what they're facing on Saturday,

they couldn't get enough practice.

I see that.

And from what they're facing in the way of grades

at the end of this term,

they couldn't get enough study time.

You mean you'd actually fail them?

No. They'd do the failing.

Like you, I can only teach them the best that I can

and grade the resulting tests accordingly.

All I'm asking is that you cut down on their homework

during football season.

Mr. Ellerbee, the students are in this school to learn,

not to play football.

Football is an extracurricular activity.

Now, it only seems logical to me

that if my homework assignments are too difficult for them

because of football activities,

then football practice should be cut down, not homework.

I see.

Then you're not sympathetic with my problem.

No, I'm not.

Thanks for your time, Mrs. Wilder.

All right. On your feet!

Got another hour of scrimmage!

Let's move out there!

Let's go!

When I say "let's go," I mean let's go.

I was just trying to finish history.

Not during football practice.

Now, I want you to get out there, and I want you to hit hard.

Yes, sir.

How are the practices coming along?

Oh, they'll be ready by Saturday. I guarantee it.

Albert: 16!

24!

Hike!

Boy: You all right?

Hey, coach! Albert's hurt!

What is it, son?

Can you sit up?

Where does it hurt?

My side.

We best get him over to doc baker.

Definitely no ribs broken.

Does that mean I can still play football?

I said no ribs were broken,

not that you couldn't have a slight fracture in one of them.

Doc's right. No use taking any chances.

Exactly.

But I'd know that if I did.

Honest. It hardly hurts at all.

Baker: I can only give you my opinion.

The rest is up to your father.

We won't stand much chance without Albert.

Albert: Pa, please.

It means so much to the team.

I'll be all right.

Albert, I'm sorry. No.

Pete: Doc, what about if you tape him up real good?

I could do that. It's bound to be painful.

Albert: But it's not.

Really, it isn't.

Please, pa. I have to play.

Don't worry. If he has any pain during the game,

I'll take him right out.

Well, it's against my better judgment, but...

All right. Go ahead.

I'll tape him up.

Whoa.

You feel well enough to feed the stock?

Sure. I told you I was fine.

All right. I'll unhitch the horses, then.

Pete, just look at the size of them!

How can you even think of allowing Dan to face them?

Sandra, I told you before,

I'll keep the boy out of most of the game.

I'll only put him in to kick, and that's all.

Just remember, any little bit of pain you have,

you're coming out.

Come on, pa. I'll be fine.

Well, this is it.

Good luck.

The visiting team will call it in the air.

Heads.

Walnut grove will receive.

I can hardly wait.

Referee: Ok, take your positions.

Oh, my goodness! Oh, my Willie! They're crushing Willie!

You let him play in this game! I told you!

You're the one who wanted to buy the uniforms

so he could play.

Well, but... well!

Oh, shut up!

Oh, for heaven's sake! We're not going to win!

That's ok. Don't...

Time-out!

Willie, go in there for Clark, and tell Albert I want to see him.

Hey, Albert, coach wants to see you.

Yeah, coach?

Albert, what's wrong with you?

You're not giving 100%, and you know it.

I'm trying to, coach, but I hurt.

You better take me out.

Take you out? Listen to me.

Do you think you're the only boy

that ever played this game with an injury?

Of course you're hurting, but this is football.

That's part of the game.

I used to play a whole season in pain, but I didn't quit.

I didn't ask to be taken out,

because I knew my teammates depended on me.

We can win this, Albert.

We can win it, but not without you.

Now, use your pain. They hurt you. You hurt them.

Now, come on, son. Let's get in there and beat them.

Come on. Let's go.

Must be all right. He's going back in.

Hey, kid, you guys play like a bunch of girls.

Ha ha!

All right. We've taken enough.

The hike goes to Willie.

- Me? - Yeah, you.

Lateral play, left end. Let's go!

All right, now, boys, let's show them how to play football!

Willie: 16!

24! Hike!

Go, Albert!

- Go, Albert! - Go, Albert!

You got it! Go! Go!

You did it, Albert! That's it! You did it!

Come on, son. Come on. We need that extra point.

Now, get in there.

16!

24! Hike!

That's it! That's it! Attaboy! Now we got a football team!

Walnut grove's ball!

That bit of luck's going to cost you.

Pete: All right, boys. Now, let's move it down the field!

Come on. Let's move that ball!

Albert: 24!

Hike!

Charles.

Don't worry. Pete will take him out now.

Pete: On your feet, Albert!

Come on. Get mean. On your feet.

Man: Yay!

I'll get him out.

Ellerbee, I want you to take my boy out of there.

- What? - Take him out.

Just when we're in a position to score?

All right. You don't take him out, I will.

Charles: Time-out.

Come on, son. Come with me.

Pa, we can win.

Maybe you can, but they're going to have to do it without you.

Come on.

Boy: Taking him out?

Baker: Let me take a look.

There's no doubt about it this time.

Two ribs broken, possibly more.

What kind of man are you?

Let's get him over to my office.

Right, doc. Come on, son.

Dan.

I want you to take over as quarterback.

Me?

We've got this last chance to win the game.

But, dad, I'm not good enough.

You're the best we have left.

Oh, dad, I...

I want you to make me proud of you.

You want me to be proud of you, don't you?

- Yes, sir. - Then show them.

Show them you're Pete ellerbee's boy.

Ok, come on.

Don't send him in there.

He'll only be in a couple of minutes.

I don't care. You promised.

I didn't promise you anything. Stop interfering.

If you don't want to watch the game, then go.

Ok, Dan, let's go. Here we go, boys.

Dan: 24! Hike!

I wonder what's happening?

Just relax. Let the doc bandage you up.

You're a lucky boy.

You could have shoved one of those broken ribs right through a lung.

What would have happened then?

Well, it's hard to say,

but you should have come out of that game

when you started hurting real bad.

Well, I wanted to.

Then why didn't you?

The way Mr. Ellerbee talks.

I don't know.

Makes me want to forget everything but winning.

Winning's the only thing that's important.

Baker: Well, winning's fine, but it ain't worth much

when you're not around for the victory party.

You mean, it could have been that bad?

I mean, god give you pain to make you quit whatever it is you're doing.

It's kind of a signal.

If a person don't heed it,

then he's going to get himself into a heap of trouble.

There you are.

The less he moves around, the better.

Thank you, doctor.

There you go.

Is winning that important to Mr. Ellerbee?

I'm afraid it is.

Can I watch the rest of the game?

I think we've had enough of that today.

Please, ma.

No matter what, it still is my team.

What do you say, doctor?

It'll be all right.

Can't be but a few minutes, anyway.

Time-out!

Pete: Hey, Danny!

Come over here!

We've got time enough for two plays.

- Are you listening to me? - Yes, sir.

All right. You can win this game. It's up to you now.

You can do it. I want you to fake the lateral this time

and run up the middle.

They'll be playing Willie to run wide.

Remember, make me proud. Now, get in there. Come on.

Pete: Here we go. Come on. Let's go.

Pete: Ok! Come on.

18!

20!

6! Hike!

Run, Dan! Run!

He almost made it.

You still got a chance. He's down to the 5.

All right, boys! This is it. The last play!

Now, come on. Here we go! We can win this game!

Let's get them!

Man: Come on, boys. Here we go.

You got nothing to be ashamed of. You played a good game.

Albert: Great game. Really good!

I wish I could have played... what happened?

Pete: Team, over here. Team, over here.

Albert: We were so close.

We could have won it. Just by that much...

Pete: All right. Quiet down.

I said, quiet.

No game you lose is a good game.

You could have won that game, but you didn't want it bad enough.

Well, I'm going to fix that.

I'm going to work you boys so hard this week,

you'll think this game was a picnic.

Sure you don't want some soup?

I'll bring it up.

I don't want to play anymore.

I never wanted to play in the first place.

I know.

I did my best today. I did.

I can't be what he wants me to be.

I want him to love me, but I...

Shh.

Shh. It's all right.

He's gone off to sleep.

I would have won today if I hadn't lost that Ingalls boy.

We were that close.

You lost Dan today, too.

He doesn't want to play football anymore.

Oh, don't be silly. He just has a few bumps and bruises.

He'll be all right.

He just needs to toughen up, that's all.

That's not what he needs.

Well, I think his coach would know more about that than his mother.

He doesn't need a coach.

He needs a father!

He needs a man to hold him and to love him once in a while.

Well, you make a sissy out of him if you want to.

I'm going to make him a man.

I don't believe I'm hearing this!

What does it take to make you understand?

It's you that doesn't understand, and you never will.

Oh, what am I supposed to understand, that this makes a man?

Or these? Or these?

Sandra, stop it.

I said, "stop it"!

Hurting people doesn't make you a man!

Knowing how to love them does!

If the boy doesn't want to play football, he doesn't have to.

He was only in today because the Ingalls boy got hurt.

Now, there's a football player.

I could make something out of that boy.

He's got guts.

Yeah.

I could make something out of that boy.

All right. Get your shoulders into it.

That's it. Now let's run it again.

Hi, Mr. Ellerbee.

Well, well. You're a welcome sight. How are your ribs?

Oh, still real sore,

but the doctor says they'll be good as new in a month or so.

Good. Good. Might mean you'll be able to play in the last game,

maybe the last two.

No, sir, I don't think so.

Well, it depends on what your doctor says, of course.

Not even then.

That's what I came to tell you.

Oh?

Yes, sir.

I don't mean to say I didn't appreciate playing.

All the things you taught me... team spirit,

needing to win, not giving up.

They're all true, you know, Albert.

I guess they are,

but you see, sir. I plan to grow up to be a doctor,

not a football player,

and I do need my studies.

And I just can't afford all the time it takes to practice.

You mean, football isn't important enough to you?

Not that important.

It's just a game to me,

and games are fun.

Football used to be fun.

Maybe we lost all but one game last year, but it was still fun.

Mr. Ellerbee, playing this way just isn't fun.

Well, good luck with the team.

All right. Practice is over.

You've had enough for today.

Willie: Coach, where are you going?

I'm going home to talk to my son.

Laura, voice-over: Mr. Ellerbee cut the practice sessions

in half the rest of the season,

and my students' grades improved.

The walnut grove football team

finished with a record of 2 wins and 6 losses,

but they had fun.