Original subtitles

[music playing]

Huh.

Yeah, this part of the world sure hasn't changed much.

Uh, change from what?

From what it was like when I was a kid.

But you are from Oakland.

What do you know about Oklahoma?

Well, I spent some time out here when I was

a kid on my grandpa's ranch.

Boy, I tell you it's hardly changed at all.

[tyre punctures]

Oh, great.

Just terrific.

More car trouble since I've known you.

It goes with the territory.

I don't suppose you could just sort of, you know,

lay a little power on it, save some time and effort.

Mark, I'm an angel.

I'm not the Auto Club.

Terrific.

Could you lend a wing?

Be my pleasure.

We'd better find a place to spend the night.

No streetlights.

I can hardly see a thing.

Yeah, there should be a little town up here somewhere.

Yeah, Twin Rivers.

It's the closest place to my grandpa's ranch.

And we're in the neighborhood.

Do you want to stop and see some old friends or something?

Nah.

Grandpa died when I was a kid.

There's nobody left around here.

It might be fun for you to stop by the old ranch.

I doubt if there's anything left.

Probably subdivided into condos, or something like that.

I think that's what really killed him, you know,

losing the place, even back then.

I know he wanted something to hand down to his grandkids.

Look at me.

You didn't make it?

Nah.

I don't think I'd have made much of a farmer anyhow.

Oh, he wanted something to hand down.

It's during World War II.

Dad was in the Army.

My mom took sick.

Sent me out of here to spend some time with my grandpa.

Boy, I haven't thought about him a long time.

Sounds like you two were pretty close.

Nah, not really.

Not back then.

You know, I think he died not really knowing

how much he meant to me.

One hell of an old man.

[brakes squealing]

[car honks]

What's the problem?

My friend went off the road. He's hurt pretty bad.

We got to get him to a hospital.

Hospital's nearly 50 miles away.

We got a doctor in Twin Rivers. I'll give you a hand.

Thank you.

[door knocking] Hey, Doc.

Doc, wake up.

DOCTOR: Thurman, what's all the ruckus?

Doc, I've got a fella out in the car, hurt pretty bad.

DOCTOR: Well, get him in here.

Put him down right here.

Why don't you two wait in the front room?

There's hardly enough space in here for me.

All right, Doc.

What happened, Thurman?

Oh, this fellow and his friend were in a car accident.

Doc's taking a look at the other fellow now.

I'll put some coffee on.

Oh, don't bother anybody.

Oh, no bother.

None for me, Flora.

I got to get back to the house.

Well, this young man looks like you could use some.

I got to be going.

Good luck to you and your friend.

I can't thank you enough.

For what?

For stopping on the road back there and bringing us here.

Ah, you ain't from around here, are you?

No, I'm not.

Around here, folks do for one another.

Good luck.

Thurman?

Here's some biscuits, left over from dinner.

And if you weren't so stubborn, I'd heat them up for you.

Thank you very much.

You take care.

You had anything to eat?

Oh, I'm fine, really.

Thank you.

Well, I'll get that coffee for you.

Is he going to be all right, Doc?

It's hard to tell.

Nothing broken.

He has a concussion.

Head injuries are tricky.

Can I say him?

Well, sure.

He's liable to drift in and out of consciousness.

They do that sometimes.

Come on.

Mark?

Mark, can you hear me?

Please try to listen to me if you can.

You got to fight this thing, buddy.

You gotta fight.

It's not your time to die.

It's not you time.

Son, I'd say that was in God's hands

right now, not yours or mine.

You'd better let me check you out too.

You're a little shaken up yourself.

No. I'm all right.

That won't be necessary.

Uh-huh.

I'll say what's necessary and what isn't.

That's funny.

What?

You don't have any heartbeat.

I mean I know that can't be.

Sorry, you'd be dead as a door nail,

but I couldn't hear anything.

Maybe you probably just have a bad connection.

Why don't you try it again?

(LAUGHINGLY) Well, I'll be darned.

I do hear it now.

It's the strongest heart I've ever heard in my life.

Yeah, you seem fit.

You're welcome to sleep on the couch if you like.

We won't know anything about your friend for quite a while.

I'll just stay here with him if it's all right with you.

No.

Suit yourself.

I smell some coffee brewing if you like some.

If you need me, just holler.

Thank you, Doc.

[music playing]

Granddad.

Granddad.

Mark?

Mark?

Jonathan?

I am right here, buddy.

I smell breakfast.

Welcome back.

I'll tell you it's the most remarkable thing

I've ever seen in my life.

Oh, you mean how quick he recovered?

No.

I mean how much he ate for breakfast.

[laughter]

Doc, I can't thank you enough for what you did for.

Didn't do a thing.

Beats me the way he recovered like he did.

I'd take it easy though if I were you.

Oh, I will.

But is there a place around here we could rent a room?

If you want to pay, there are a couple of rooming houses.

And if you don't, there's a Simms place.

They'll give you lodging in exchange for work.

They still call it that?

DOCTOR: Call it what?

The Simms place.

Um, it's the only thing they've ever called

it as far as I can remember.

So why don't we try that, Jonathan.

I'd like to see the old place again.

Certainly, you got it.

Hey, Doc, thanks a lot for what you did.

It's OK.

I'm glad everything worked out the way it did.

Ma'am, thank you for that breakfast.

It was a pleasure.

You take care now.

Remember, try not to overdo.

I won't let him.

DOCTOR: [laughs]

DOCTOR: [laughs]

I can't get over it.

What's that?

They still call the ranch the Simms place.

You know, it was my granddad's name,

or at least they used to be.

Carl Fred Simms.

Probably these small towns, the old timers

probably just call a place where they always call it.

Yeah, you're probably right.

And I cannot believe this place has

not changed an iota since I was a kid, not even a little bit.

Look at these cars.

They're old. All right.

I'm surprised people haven't sold them.

You know, these cars are worth a lot of money nowadays.

I bet they're.

It's there.

What?

Music.

Even it hasn't changed.

It must be one of those oldies but goodies station.

Spooky.

I mean nice, but spooky.

Well, come on, we've got a long walk ahead of us.

Dear God, the old Moony Bridge.

JONATHAN: How does it look to you?

Any different?

MARK: Like I walked away from it 5 minutes ago.

You know it's been almost 40 years.

I spent some time here.

Yeah, doing what? Fishing?

No.

playing hooky.

I used to tell my granddad I was going to school.

I come down here.

Mope around all day wishing I was back in Oakland.

Boy, I tell you, I love this spot.

Hey.

Are you all right?

Yeah, I got a little dizzy there for a minute.

Are you sure?

Yeah, I'm fine.

Hey, take a look.

Looks like somebody stole your spot, huh?

Yeah, looks like it.

Hi there.

What do you want?

I am not supposed to talk to hobos.

What?

You look like bums.

Got a real sweetheart here.

Hey, kid, you know I used to hang around here.

I used to play hooky here.

I ain't playing hooky.

- Nobody said you were. - No.

We're just looking for work.

We heard there was some at the Simms place.

Yeah, if you go down there, you'd

better not rat on me to my granddad about playing hooky.

You better not, or I'll tell the Sheriff you tried to hurt me.

Nobody's going to rat on you.

What's your grandpa's name anyway?

Why are you stupid?

You're about the most obnoxious little brat

I've ever met in my life.

Why is that?

So why are we stupid?

Because you said you were looking for the Simms place.

Why do you think they called it that?

That's my granddad's name, Mr. Simms.

What's your name?

And what's it to you?

So I don't have to call you, hey you.

What's your name?

Mark.

Mark Gordon.

MARK: Jonathan, what's happening?

That kid was me.

I mean, he was me when I was nine years old.

JONATHAN: That's right.

Same sweet disposition and all.

MARK: But how can that be?

JONATHAN: Remember what you told me back in the car about how

your grandfather died before you ever got to tell

him how you felt about it?

MARK: Yeah.

JONATHAN: You're getting a second chance, Mark.

You're getting a chance in this life

to get that little boy who was you to tell his grandfather how

much he really loved it.

MARK: You knew all along?

JONATHAN: No.

No, I didn't know until I met the boy.

Then I knew.

MARK: What is this?

A dream?

JONATHAN: Does it feel like a dream?

MARK: No.

Then it isn't.

Mr. Simms?

Yeah.

I wonder if we could have a word with you, sir.

What can I do for you?

Granddad.

What?

Oh, nothing.

You just remind me of my granddad, that is all.

Oh, I do.

Do I?

Yes, sir.

Well, from the way you sound like

you're trying to self-soap me.

I figure you're out here looking for a handout.

If that's the case, you're barking up the wrong tree.

Now get off my land before I get the law on you.

Judas Priest!

First, two bums, and now another.

Only this one wears a Sunday school suit.

Now I know where you got your disposition from.

Hello, Carl Fred.

Well, Mr. Stone.

What brings you out here today?

You plan to give me a hand with the chores?

(LAUGHINGLY) No, no.

Actually, I'm afraid I have some unpleasant news for you.

Never knew you to bring any other kind.

The bank has refused to make you another loan.

Why?

Well, you know why.

You world's dried up.

You don't stand a chance to farming without water.

That's why I need the loan, to dig a well.

Well, there's no guarantee you'd find water.

I'm sorry.

You make a payment in 48 hours, or we take possession.

Land is nothing to you, but dollars and cents, is it?

Farming's a business, Carl Fred.

And if you can't cut it, then you lose.

Oh, by the way, my daughter and son-in-law

are looking for a place.

Now you should sell this place to me

before the bank takes possession,

and you make yourself $1,000.

$1,000!

This land has been in my family over 100 years.

Well, it's more than you'll get two days

from now, which is nothing.

Besides, you got that grandson of yours to think of.

How are you going to take care of him

after you lose this place?

I'll give you till noon tomorrow to think about it.

Good day, Dear Carl Fred.

You buzzards hanging around here for?

I thought I told you to hit the road.

Look, Mr. Simms, we're not looking for a handout.

We're hoping to find some work here.

You deaf?

You heard me talking to that loan shark.

I can't pay no wages.

Well, we weren't asking for any.

Room and board to be enough.

I mean you have to dig a well, we could help.

Shows what you know.

I dug 10 dry wells in the last six months on this property.

Came up empty.

How are we going to find the right spot,

and then dig a hole by hand in 48 hours?

I'll tell you I've done my share of divining.

That's a hogwash.

Maybe it is, Mr. Simms, but at least it's worth a try.

It's a waste of time.

Mr. Simms, you say this land has been in your family

for 100 years.

Yeah.

It sure has.

What business is it of yours?

Well, I mean you must have kin buried around here, like maybe

parents, grandparents.

Doesn't seem right to give that up without a fight.

You seem to know how folks feel about land.

Like I said, you remind me of my grandpa.

He had a spread a lot like this.

They tried to take it away from him too, but he fought for it.

Did he win?

My granddad always said that winning was for prize fighters.

Life wasn't a game.

It was a journey.

Ended up in the same place for everybody.

What was important was family and what you did along the way.

He said that, did he?

Well now, I don't know what we can get done in two days.

But you're welcome to stay on.

Come on.

I'll show you where you can sleep.

Mark.

You can't tell him who you are.

He's my granddad.

I want to tell him I love him.

He was your grandfather.

He's that little boy's grandfather now.

It's up to him to do the telling.

With this food which we are about to receive, Oh

Lord, make us truly grateful.

Amen.

Amen.

All right, dig in.

Smells good.

Mark, how was school today?

OK.

Something I want to talk to you about.

I have a choice to make.

You are part of it.

I have to lay out a mortgage payment or lose the range.

Now we can hit water in two days, which

I reckon is near impossible.

I'll make the payment.

I don't know if I'm going to be able to make

the one after that, but I'll make this one,

or I can sell out right now, and pick up 1,000 bucks.

What will happen to me if you sell this place?

Where will we live?

Take you back to Oakland, I reckon.

CARL: 1,000 bucks ought to see us through to get

mortgage back on our feet.

You mean, I could go back to Oakland.

Mark, you know I wanted to give this land to your uncle,

but he got killed in Sicily.

A little grave and cross is the only land he got.

I was kind of hoping to hang onto it

long enough to give it to you.

To me?

I hate this place.

I just wanna go home.

This hole is just a bunch of ignorant clodhopper Okies.

They sent me here to punish me because my mom got sick.

No, that's hogwash.

No, it isn't.

I hate this place.

I hate it.

Mark!

I guess that settles that.

You only fight for something when it's worth fighting for.

You fellows can help me start packing up tomorrow morning.

Hi.

How did you know where I was?

Well, like I said, I know an awful lot about you.

Mark, listen to me.

I know you blame yourself for your mother getting sick.

You two had a fight, you got real mad at her.

And you wished she was dead.

Never said that to anybody, you know.

You just wished for it.

You just thought about it in your head.

Next day she got sick and was taken to the hospital.

I never told anyone that.

I know.

It's an awful load for a little boy to carry around.

Especially when it's not true.

It is true.

I told Carter she was dead.

She got sickened.

Mark.

Your mother didn't get sick because of anything you wished.

I'll tell you something else.

She's going to get better.

And your dad's going to come back

from the war safe and sound.

Are you sure?

Yep.

Tell me everything that's going to happen.

I can't.

All I can tell you, everything is going to be OK.

I'll tell you, Mark.

I tell you what's important.

Right now, you know your grandpa loves you an awful lot.

No, he doesn't.

He only cares about this dumb ranch.

Mark.

I mean you, this land, this work--

they're just-- they're all tied up together in his head.

That's the way it is with adults sometimes, you know.

They work real hard so that he can have something

to hand down to their grandkids because they love them so much.

And they love the land so much.

You know, you-- you broke your granddad's heart tonight.

I know you didn't mean to, but you did.

Oh, come on.

He's like a rock.

He don't feel bad because of everything I say.

Why?

Because he didn't cry?

Put on his act?

What act?

Being strong.

You think that no matter what comes along,

he can handle it, right?

Not true.

He gets scared.

He gets afraid like everybody else.

He just doesn't let on.

My dad's never scared.

Oh, yes, he is.

Believe me, I know.

Do you know what your granddad's most scared of?

No.

That the family will be forgotten.

The roots.

That old man in there, he's got stories.

He could tell you that'd just knock your ears off.

How come he never told them?

Because you never asked to hear them.

That old man is a book, Son.

Our grandparents are.

They're like-- like magic books that are filled up with who you

are, where you come from, why your eyes are like grandpa

Jakes, why you've got a temper just like your great grandpa,

Carl.

And when those old people die, the books are lost forever.

He needs you, Mark.

He needs something right now that only one

person in the whole world can give him.

That's you.

But I don't have anything.

What can I give him?

Your love.

It's your love, Mark.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Well, Carl Fred, I'm a busy man.

What's your answer?

Granddad.

Tell him the answer is no, Granddad.

Mark, you're supposed to be in school.

I was playing hooky.

I saw him drive over the bridge.

Tell the answer's no.

Now see here, little boy, children should be seen

and not heard.

Cute, real cute.

Granddad, we can bring in that well, the four of us.

I know we can.

Carl Fred, if you turn down my offer now,

you'll be throwing away $1,000.

This land has been my granddad's

family for 100 years.

You can that old $1,000 and go get stuffed.

Tell him to get off our land, Granddad.

Somebody ought to teach this boy some manners.

You're absolutely right, Mr. Stone.

Mark, you've no right to be telling

Mr. Stone what I should have the pleasure of telling him.

Get off our land.

Stone heart, stone head!

Get off our land.

You'll regret this, Simms.

Not as much as you'll regret losing your upper plate

if I don't see your backside moving toward that empty car.

You really told him, Granddad.

Yeah.

We both told him, huh?

[laughs]

Now are you ready for me to start divining?

Where?

Start right here.

I told you it was hogwash.

Give me a minute.

Uhh.

Uh-huh.

Hogwash, huh?

Uhh-- Oh yeah.

Look it.

Look at it, Granddad.

Mark!

Get the barn door.

All right.

That's it.

That's the spot.

In the barn.

Well, yeah, in the barn.

I don't pick the spot.

I just follow the wand.

But this ground looks awful hard.

It sure is.

Maybe we ought to go down to the bank and take Stone's offer.

[inaudible] is probably the smart thing to do.

Granddad, is our family known for being smart?

Well, now I wouldn't say we were overly brainy.

Nice folks, decent.

But I can't recall any geniuses offhand.

Well, let's not do the smart thing.

(LAUGHINGLY) Mark, I'm beginning

to like you a whole lot.

Come on, boy.

Let's get some tools and dig us a well.

Hhh-- Time to start shoring, set up the rig.

Mark?

Yeah.

I was talking to my grandson.

Hey, boy, will you toss down the canteen?

Right, Granddad.

Here you go.

Thanks.

And check if Jonathan's got the lumber loaded.

Sure thing.

It's thirsty work.

Yeah, sure it is.

You should take a break.

You've been at it for hours.

Don't you worry about me, young fella.

I'm used to hard work.

Feel had hand.

Go ahead.

Feel it.

You don't get hands like that crocheting doilies, huh?

Yeah, sure don't, Granddad.

Don't you go making fun of me.

Oh, it wasn't.

I was-- It's just you remind me so much of my own granddad.

He must have been a stubborn ass.

[laughter]

Come on.

Let's get busy with these boards.

[music playing]

You're not asleep?

You put in a heck of a day.

Oh, no.

Body is tired, but the head is not.

Still I don't know if I'm doing the right thing.

I know I--

I got all worked up about it, but that's just stubborn me.

You've earned the right to be stubborn.

I'm going to miss that boy.

We're going to hit that water.

You wait and see.

Even if we do, he isn't going to stay here.

I don't blame him.

He doesn't have the same feelings as I

do about the land, or about me.

Sure he does.

No.

No.

You really pitched in today, didn't he?

I was proud of him.

You remind me of--

What's it?

What's wrong?

I don't know.

Push, pushing.

[tv playing]

What's wrong?

It's your granddad.

I'm going for the doctor.

Granddad?

What's wrong with him?

It is his heart, son.

I did it.

No, you didn't, son.

Yes, I did.

Your friend told me he knew everything.

He said I broke his heart.

I got to make it right.

I got to, I got to.

We're going to hit it, Granddad.

You'll be all right then.

JONATHAN: Mark.

The doctor is with the grandfather.

You better come home now.

No.

I have to hit water.

I have to.

JONATHAN: You better come now, son.

No, no, no.

It's here.

It's here, Granddad.

We did it.

We did it.

How's my granddad.

You better go in now.

Granddad?

You got to be all right.

We hit water.

They can't take our land away now.

Granddad?

He can't hear you, Mark.

He can't hear either one of us.

Mark?

Mark?

Granddad.

Granddad.

Look at you.

I thought I told you to wash up before you came in the house.

Huh?

I hit water.

They can't take our land away.

(SOBBING) Oh, oh, what I'd give to see

the look on old Stone's face?

You will, Granddad.

This old boy burnt his clock out.

There, there now.

Don't cry.

It's going to be all right.

I've had my time.

It was good.

Just think, you're going to go back to the big city now, huh?

That's what you, isn't it?

(SOBBING) No.

I want to stay with you.

I love you, Granddad.

You do?

I love you more than anything.

What do you know?

I'll be darned.

I love you too, boy.

I know.

I know.

Mark?

Mark?

Jonathan.

I am right here, buddy.

I smell breakfast.

Welcome back.

You know that's the most remarkable thing

I've ever seen in my life.

You mean how quick he recovered.

No.

How much he can eat.

Oh, by the way, they brought your car back in this morning.

It seems it didn't do much damage after all.

Doc, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done.

Didn't do a thing.

Beats me the way he recovered like that.

It's a miracle.

Yeah, something like that.

Bye, ma'am.

How are you doing?

You all right?

A little weak, otherwise I'm fine.

I'd like to take one last look at the old place

if you don't mind.

Sure.

Hey, Jonathan.

Stop the car.

Mark?

I thought you were somebody else.

But you're supposed to be at school?

What business is it of yours?

None.

None at all.