Original subtitles

[opening theme music playing]

"My help cometh from the Lord

who made heaven and earth.

It is He who shall preserve us from all evil.

It is He who shall preserve thy soul.

The Lord shall preserve thy going out

and thy coming in from this time forth,

and even forever more."

Amen.

Heavenly Father,

you have called your daughter, Sarah,

into your kingdom.

We ask that you give courage

to these four loved ones that she has left behind.

Help them to endure the pain of her loss

and to always remember their mother's love.

Amen.

[poignant music playing]

Josh.

Go ahead and get in the van.

Josh, I want you to meet Mr. Sanders.

He's with Children's Services.

I'm real sorry about your mother.

Thanks.

So were you able to work things out for us?

Josh, I'm afraid that we'll have to separate you boys.

I'm sorry.

But I was hoping we could stay a family.

I know.

It's your ages.

They just worked against us.

Again, I am sorry.

[Mr. Sanders] Josh, at least you and Jimmy will be together,

and I'm almost sure

that we'll be able to keep John and Jason together, too.

I want to be the one to tell them,

if you don't mind.

[Mr. Sanders] I understand.

Mrs. Barnes, if you could give us

some time by ourselves,

it would make things a lot easier.

All right.

Uh... you have everybody ready to go

by this afternoon.

Yes, sir.

[poignant music playing]

All right! Everybody get in here.

What's wrong, Josh?

I need to talk to all of you, so just sit down.

We all know that burying Mom

has made this the saddest day of our lives.

But now there's more.

The county wants to separate us.

They can't keep us together as a family.

I don't want to be taken away from you, Josh.

I know, Jason.

That's why what I've got to say here

is very important.

Mom was afraid something like this

might happen to us.

So before she died, she made me promise

that I would keep us together as a family.

How are you gonna do that?

We're going to get out of here

before the county comes.

All of us. And we're going as far away as we can.

But, what if they catch us, Josh?

They won't,

not if we all pull together.

I know this is not going to be easy.

Mom left us a little money

and I'll take care of everything else.

But what about your scholarship?

If you leave now, you won't be able to get it.

Look, all we have now is each other.

As far as I'm concerned,

staying together is more important than anything.

Okay?

Together.

[all] Together.

[pleasant music playing]

All right, Jonathan, I need two answers.

One, what's our next assignment gonna be,

and give me a seven-letter word for "seer."

Mark, this is the tenth answer I've given you.

Who's doing the puzzle, you or me?

I am. And I'm almost finished.

Teacher.

I can't believe it, you gave me the wrong answer.

No, I didn't.

That's what I'm gonna be, a teacher.

That's our next assignment.

Oh, that's great.

You know how much I love being a teacher.

Maybe he'll make me a football coach or something like that this time.

Oh, no, no, the boss has something else in mind for you.

Oh, yeah?

Take a look at 35 across.

[mumbling]

That's a three-letter word for "vagrant."

[chuckling]

B-U-M.

Bum.

Hey, wait a minute.

The boss wants me to be a bum?

Come on. You're the one who's always saying how much you love the great outdoors.

Oh, that's cute. That's really cute.

That's cute, boss, way to go.

I'm gonna be a bum.

I think you'll be great at it.

[soft instrumental music playing]

[ambient noises]

Where are we?

It's a park. I think we'll be safe here.

Go on back to sleep.

We all have a big day tomorrow.

[soft instrumental music playing]

Let's go, guys. I don't want anybody to be late.

Come on, Jason. Let's go.

How do I look, Josh?

Zip up your pants, Jason.

All right now, look, guys,

we've got to take care of these clothes,

so no horsing around, okay?

Morning.

[all] Yeah.

Saw you guys pull in last night.

I wanted to welcome you to my park.

You, uh... you own this place?

Well, no, not exactly,

but I'm the only one around.

Yeah? Well, what can I do for you?

My name's Gordon. Mark Gordon.

Not many folks come up here anymore.

I'm just glad to see I'm gonna have company.

Listen, uh, Mr. Gordon,

We're going to be keeping to ourselves.

I'd appreciate it if you'd do the same.

Oh.

Nice talking to you, too.

All right, come on, guys. We got to go.

[indistinct chatter]

Here, let me give you a hand with that.

I've had Mondays that start out like this.

Thank you, mister...

Smith. Jonathan Smith. I'm the new fifth grade teacher.

Stella Brisby.

I'm the old and soon-to-retire sixth grade teacher.

If you don't mind my saying, you don't look old enough to retire.

Mr. Smith, I've been teaching children

for over 30 years.

And God knows I didn't do it for the money.

I did it because I enjoyed

watching children learn and develop.

Then why are you retiring?

Because I'm tired.

I'm tired of fighting the distractions

that children seem to have these days.

I mean there doesn't seem to be any desire

for learning.

At least I haven't seen any for a long time.

Well, maybe we're just not looking for it.

Well, you do the looking, Mr. Smith.

I'm too tired.

Okay.

Now, everybody knows exactly what to say, right?

Our Dad travels quite a bit, so we only get to see him on the weekends.

And Mom works lots of different shifts,

so we depend on our brother, Josh, to do most of the driving.

Good.

Hey, Jason, can you remember all this stuff?

Go ahead, just ask me.

Remember to do exactly as I've said.

Nothing should go wrong.

All right. Let's go.

I don't want to see any roaming eyes during this test.

If there is, it's instant failure.

All right?

Mr. Sheesley.

Good morning, Miss Brisby.

Good morning.

This is Jimmy Barnett.

He and his brothers are new students here at Madison

and he will be in your class.

Nice to meet you, ma'am.

Well, I was just about to give a spelling test.

But you can be excused since you don't know the words.

Ma'am, I don't mind to take the test,

that is if it's all right with you.

All right... Jimmy.

You can take that desk over there,

and then we'll start.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you, ma'am.

All right, class. Let's begin.

First word,

Catastrophe.

Next word,

Calculate.

Next word,

Chrysanthemum.

Next word,

Cultivate.

Ah, Miss Brisby.

Mr. Smith.

Has your day improved any since this morning?

Yes, a little bit.

As a matter of fact, that boy over there is the reason.

That's one of the Barnett boys.

I've got his brother, John, in my class.

I must say, he's a pretty good student.

Well, it must run in the family.

Because Jimmy certainly shows a real desire to learn.

It's nice to know that everybody isn't affected

by today's distractions, isn't it?

Yes, it is.

Zip up your pants, Jason.

-Oops. -Let's go.

Hey, boys, did you have your lunch already?

Mom forgot to give us money,

But that's okay, we're not that hungry.

Now, wait a minute,

I forgot all about the welcome lunch program for new students.

You guys are supposed to eat for free.

Isn't that right, Miss Brisby?

Oh, yes. That's correct.

Jimmy, take your brothers over to the lunch counter and tell the server

I'll take care of the lunches.

Yes, sir. Thanks!

That was nice, Jonathan.

I learned long ago

that a child can concentrate much better if he has his stomach full.

Amen to that, Miss Brisby.

It's Stella, Jonathan.

Amen to that, Stella.

[machine humming]

Okay, Josh. Now, do you think you got the idea?

Yes, sir. I'd like to thank you for this job, Mr. Di Maggio.

I won't let you down.

Hey, look, any son trying to help his mom out

is okay in my book.

And you make sure you tell her that for me, all right?

Yes, sir. I sure will.

Look, since I'm not paying you that much,

you tell your mom to send in her laundry

and we'll do it... free of charge.

Thanks, Mr. Di Maggio.

You betcha.

[cawing]

[Jonathan] Good morning.

Oh, Jonathan.

I really hate to see you working this hard, partner.

Well, I was just resting my eyes for a minute.

Really? It sounded like you were doing an impression of Rip Van Winkle.

Oh, that's cute, that's cute.

Boss keeps me up till past midnight

waiting for the Barnetts to arrive,

you show up doing standup angel.

Have you made friends with them yet?

Are you kidding?

They don't want anything to do with me.

Can't say I blame them.

Would you trust anybody dressed like this?

Mark, what you look like isn't what matters,

it's the kind of person you are that's gonna win their trust.

Well, that is gonna be difficult.

Josh just told me to just stay away from them.

I brought some things

that might help you win their confidence.

[gleeful chuckle]

Oh, look at this stuff!

What a setup!

After tonight, I think Josh will be a lot more trusting.

Just make sure you stay alert.

What do you mean, stay alert?

Jonathan?

Jonathan?

I hate it when he does that!

Hi. How you doing?

Help, Josh!

Help!

Quiet. Quiet.

Josh, help!

-Hey, hey, quiet. Quiet. -Help! Help!

-Hey. Hey, come on. -Help, Josh, help!

-It's all right. Shh! Quiet. -Help, Josh

Quiet. It's fine. Everything's all right.

What did he do to you?

I didn't do anything.

You stay where you are. What did he do?

Nothing. Remember what mom said about strangers?

You yell for help?

Oh, yeah.

Okay. Go wash up.

Sorry about the mistake.

Hey, it's all right.

Hey, Josh, just because I don't dress nice,

doesn't mean I'm some kind of pervert.

Yeah. I suppose.

Yeah, I'm looking for company,

I thought you were, too.

You know, there is strength in numbers,

especially around here.

We're doing just fine by ourselves.

If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna make something to eat.

Wait, I got some hot dogs on ice over there.

Put them on the grill, I bet the boys will love them.

Hey, man, if my brothers need something,

I'll be the one to get it for them. Okay?

Yeah. Whatever you say.

[ambient noises]

[loud opening of door]

All right, don't do anything stupid.

No keys up here.

Just get out, and nobody gets hurt.

Come on. Move it. Let's go!

Come on. Move it!

Come on!

Give me the keys.

I said give me the keys!

If you want them, go and get them.

[tense music playing]

Go on. Hot wire it!

[tense music playing]

How you doing in there?

Did you hear what I said?

Yeah. Yeah, I heard you.

I heard you!

Listen to me, pal.

When I let you go, you had better run.

I better never see you around here again.

You got it?

Yeah.

All right. Get out of here!

Everybody all right?

Yeah. We're fine.

Thanks for saving us, Mr. Gordon.

It's Mark.

Why don't you guys go back to sleep?

Everything's all right now.

Hey, Mark.

I, uh... would like to apologize

for everything I said.

I see now I was wrong.

I understand.

Hey, look, why don't we just forget everything that we said

and start over, okay?

Okay.

Hey, listen, um...

I'd really appreciate if you could

keep an eye on them the next few nights.

I'm doing some house painting after I drop them off from school

And, I mean, I should be back by 8 o'clock or so.

No problem.

Like I said, it pays to stick together.

Look, why don't you get some sleep now, huh?

I'll be here.

All right.

[bell rings]

All right.

That's all for today.

Remember, tonight we have parent-teachers conferences.

I'm looking forward to meeting all your parents.

See you later.

My dad's out on business,

And my mom's working late tonight.

So they won't be able to come.

Oh. I'm sorry to hear that.

Our older brother would have come by,

but he's painting houses after work today...

This whole week.

I thought he worked at the cleaners.

Oh, yeah, he does. He just wanted to make extra money.

You're a hard-working group.

Yes, ma'am. I got to go.

Jimmy?

If your brother needs more paint work,

have him call me.

I need a few things done at my place.

I'll tell him.

[scraping noises]

[dog barking]

[door opens]

Josh, you did a wonderful job on the dining room.

Oh, thank you, Miss Brisby, I'm glad you like it.

Have some cookies.

That can wait.

Ah. Well, thanks.

You know, I really like this house.

It's been around a long time.

But it could use some fresh paint and a few nails.

If you're offering the work, I'm accepting.

Why not? You've impressed me with your work so far.

Well, thank you.

I appreciate it.

I was born in this house.

You mean, there were no hospitals around back then?

Yes. Yes, there were.

We just did things a little differently back then, Josh.

So then you've been here all this time?

Hm-mm.

I've lived here all this time.

My mother had hoped that I would fill it with grandchildren,

but it didn't work out that way.

Now I've become one of those spinster schoolteachers

that you read about in Charles Dickens.

Well, I'd better get back to work.

Would you like to stay and have dinner?

Oh. Thanks, Mrs. Brisby, but, uh...

you know, my mother has this rule

about us all sitting down together for dinner.

Well, that's a fine rule.

I hope I get a chance to meet this Wonder Woman

who keeps the whole family together.

Oh, I'm sure you will.

Good.

You'd better get on with it.

[door closes]

[kids chattering]

[Billy] Well, if it isn't the nerd brothers.

Can you believe these nerds?

They can't get enough of school

so they gotta study before it even starts.

What's your problem, Billy?

You are, nerdo.

I mean, you come to school and think you're some kind of genius or something.

Whatever old Brisby asks, you got an answer for it.

My brother can't help it if he's smart.

Shut up, nerdface, nobody's talking to you.

Watch your mouth, Rucker.

Jimmy, remember, we don't want any trouble.

Yeah, Jimmy, we don't want old Brisby to think

you're a troublemaker.

[cloth ripping]

Hah. Oh, his little pocket ripped.

[boys] Go. Go!

Come on, come on. Get him.

Yeah. Yeah!

-Yeah. -Come on.

Josh, if you'd just let me explain.

Man, what is there to explain?

You blew it, Jimmy. You blew it for all of us.

They want one of our parents to come in.

I'm sorry.

Well, sorry doesn't quite cut it with me.

All I wanted was for you guys to play it cool, man,

and we'd be all right!

See, now we have to leave.

Josh, please, all I did--

I said I didn't want to hear it! Okay?

[poignant music playing]

Jimmy.

Jimmy, I'm so sorry, man.

That's okay, Josh.

No, it's not okay.

Jimmy, I'm sorry. I didn't--I...

I'm just trying to keep things going, you know?

It's so hard,

but, uh...

I just don't want anything

to tear us apart, you know?

Me, neither, Josh.

Me, neither.

[lilting instrumental music playing]

Boy! They sure smell good.

I was about ready to call you guys to come join and me.

I appreciate that, Mark.

Hey, I got plenty.

Mark, I need to ask you a favor,

A big favor.

Ask away.

See, Jimmy got in trouble at school today,

And, uh... the thing is,

His teacher wants to have a meeting

with one of his parents.

Oh, I see.

Yeah, and, uh...

Mark, would you go for us?

You know, pretend to be our dad?

Whoa, whoa. Wait a minute. Me, your dad?

Well, yeah. You've gotten to know us,

and we kind of look at you as a...

well... a special friend.

Oh, I don't know, Josh.

What if I mess things up for you?

But I know you won't.

I know you won't, Mark. Just--what do you say?

Please.

All right. All right, I'll be glad to be your dad for a day.

All right!

All right. I'll get you some nice clothes from the cleaners and everything.

All right. Now, why don't you go tell your brothers to come and get it?

All right.

Oh. Thank you, Mark.

You're welcome... son.

Miss Brisby, I want to assure you,

Jimmy now understands

that fighting is no way to settle a problem.

Well, he's such a fine student, Mr. Barnett.

I'd hate anything like that

to overshadow everything he's done.

Oh, I understand.

I want to thank you for confining it to this classroom.

I guarantee you, there will be no more problems.

Well, at least not with Jimmy.

I'm sure there won't be.

You know, he thinks the world of you.

He looks forward to seeing you here at school.

Well...

I think he's a very special boy.

As a matter in fact, all your boys are just fine young men.

I can't tell you how I've looked forward to seeing you.

Oh, thank you very much. Thank you.

You're welcome, Mr. Barnett.

I hope I have a chance to meet your wife.

My wife...

My, uh, wife, uh...

Yes! Oh, I'm sure we can arrange that.

Well, uh...

I better run.

Oh!

Keep up the good work.

Again, thank you for coming.

Josh, I got an emergency.

Can you stay an extra hour? I'll pay you double.

I got to pick up my brothers at 4:30.

Hey, this is important. I gotta get this work out.

Yeah. All right, then. They'll wait for me.

Great. Thanks a lot.

[machine running]

[telephone ringing]

[dial tone]

There's still no answer.

He must have had to work late.

Jimmy, they're going to close up the schoolyard pretty soon.

I know. Look, don't worry, he'll be here.

[engine won't start]

Damn it!

Why now?

Hello, boys.

Oh, hello, Mr. Sheesley.

Don't you boys have a ride home?

Yes, sir. Our brother is due any time.

Well, it's pretty late.

Maybe he got held up or something.

What's your phone number? I'll call for you.

We already did. There's nobody at home.

We'll be okay, Mr. Sheesley.

I'm sure Josh will be along any minute.

Well, I got to lock up.

Tell you what. You come with me, I'll drop you at the house.

Oh, no. We can't do that.

Well, I can't let you stay out here.

It's against policy.

Let's go.

Come on.

How much further, Jimmy?

Uh, we're getting close.

It's, uh, that house across the street.

I'll wait just in case no one's home.

Thanks a lot, but you don't have to wait.

Well, you go ahead and make sure.

It's okay. Our dad's home.

All right, let's get out of here!

[latch opening]

Hi. Jimmy left this jacket in my car.

What are you selling?

I beg your pardon?

The jacket's a great lead-in.

What are you selling?

I just dropped your three boys off.

I have nine girls.

Aren't you Mr. Barnett?

No. My name is Ramirez.

I'm sorry for bothering you, Mr. Ramirez.

I guess I got the wrong house.

[suspenseful music playing]

Jonathan, was John Barnett in school today?

No, he wasn't.

Oh, darn it.

And Jimmy was out sick, too,

And here I wanted to send home Josh some money I owed him.

Stella, didn't Mr. Sheesley talk to you?

No. Why do you ask?

The Barnett boys were taken out of school today.

Why?

They're runaways.

They have no parents.

That's impossible.

No, it isn't.

When their mother died, they were gonna be put in foster care.

They were gonna be separated.

Rather than have that happen, they ran away.

They've been living in a van in the park ever since.

Josh even quit school to try to help support them.

I don't believe it.

It's impossible. I met their father.

Oh, he was just an impostor. Someone they met in the park.

They're such fine boys.

What's going to happen to them?

The younger ones will be put in foster care.

Since Josh broke the law,

they're taking him away, he's gonna have to have a hearing

A hearing?

All he did was try to keep his family together.

I know that, but I'm not so sure the court's gonna see it that way.

The courts,

or the law, or the system... Oh, my god.

Doesn't anybody ever consider

people's feelings anymore?

Not as much as they should, I suppose.

Anyway, the hearing's tomorrow.

I'm gonna take a run down there, try to lend them a little support.

Is there anything you'd like me to tell the boys for you?

Oh, yes.

Tell them I...

pray God will help them.

I'll tell them.

[somber music playing]

They are not only fine young students, Your Honor,

but they're really fine young men.

I only hope the court can see its way past the law books

to do everything possible

to keep this family together.

Thank you very much for your time.

Thank you for coming, Mr. Smith.

You may step down.

Josh Barnett, please take the stand.

Please raise your right hand.

You swear to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

-I do. -Please be seated.

Josh, do you understand that you broke the law

when you ran away with your brothers?

Your Honor, I wasn't thinking of any laws.

I was only thinking of keeping my family together.

Well, Mr. Barnett, it's time to think about the law.

And why you disobeyed the court order.

Your honor,

My mother knew that we might be split up after she died,

So I promised her I'd do everything I could

to keep us all together.

That's why you ran away?

[Josh] Yes, sir.

Well, you may have acted a bit prematurely.

Children's Services usually do everything they can

to keep a family intact.

Excuse me, your honor.

But due to the ages of these boys,

we were unable to keep them together.

They will be placed in separate facilities.

Josh, the court knows

that no malice was intended

In your attempt to keep your family together.

Therefore, no charges will be brought against you.

However, the court also recognizes that your act

was one of extreme recklessness,

Even though it was done to fulfill a dying mother's request.

Excuse me, sir,

But I did it to fulfill our dying mother's love.

Yes, well...

You may step down.

This court

hereby orders the minor children of Sarah Barnett

to be placed under the supervision

Of the county Children's Services.

Court is adjourned.

[Mrs. Brisby] Excuse me, Your Honor.

Madam, the court is adjourned.

But I must have a moment of your time.

Your Honor,

My name is Stella Brisby.

I have been a teacher in this state for 30 years.

In all that time, I never questioned anything pertaining to the law.

But, Your Honor, I have to speak out.

What happened in this courtroom today...

Four people's lives were changed

by the stroke of your pen!

Mrs. Brisby, I have already told you

this court is adjourned.

Then unadjourn it!

Bailiff, please.

Your honor, what would it hurt the court to listen

to what Miss Brisby has to say?

Mr. Smith, I have already made my ruling.

Nothing this woman says is going to make me change that.

Then let me ask one question.

What would it take to keep all these boys together?

Someone who was qualified,

who is willing to take them in and give them a good home.

I see.

I want all you boys to know

that I would never fill your mother's shoes.

God knows I wouldn't dare to try.

But I can offer you a good home.

A home you can call your own, if you want to.

Miss Brisby, we don't know what to say.

Well...

I think a simple "yes" would make us all very happy.

[all] Yes!

Mr. Sanders,

would you be kind enough to do whatever is needed

so I can take these boys home.

Well, I'm, uh... I'm afraid it's not that simple.

It isn't that complicated either.

There's some paperwork to do,

but I'm sure we can expedite that,

Can't we, Mr. Sanders?

Of course, Your Honor.

Of course.

All right, then.

Well, Miss Brisby,

unless you have a very unsavory background,

in a little while,

you'll be the mother of four.

Congratulations.

[upbeat music playing]

[theme music playing]