Original subtitles

[theme music]

[upbeat music]

Jonathan, I don't know how I'm gonna explain this to you.

You already have, Mark.

I don't want to do this.

I know.

Yeah, but you don't know how much I don't want to do this.

Oh, I know, Mark.

I mean, I really, really, really don't want to do this.

I really, really, really know you don't.

I mean, I really, really, really, really--

- Mark. - What?

Mark, I know you don't want to be a cowboy.

Right.

But it's our assignment.

Let it be somebody else's assignment.

Boss wanted a cowboy, why didn't he get Tom Mix?

He wants us.

Or Randolph Scott?

Mark--

Or Gabby Hayes.

When's the last assignment Gabby Hayes worked?

Mark, it's us.

Got Trigger.

Could use Trigger.

Trigger loves horses.

You know why?

Trigger's a horse.

[scoffs]

[laughing]

Damn.

It's flat.

What is it, a flat?

Yeah, it's a flat, dad.

Can I give you a hand with it?

No, I don't want you to give me a hand, dad.

I don't need you to give me a hand.

Just let me change the dang thing, OK?

Hey, can I give you a hand?

Uh, no.

It's just a flat.

I'll be happy to help you change it.

Well, thanks, I appreciate it.

But it's just a flat.

It's-- it's no big deal, OK?

Oh, that's wonderful.

Oh, that's just wonderful.

Spare's flat, too.

What's flat?

The spare is flat?

Yeah, dad.

The spare's flat, too.

You ought to check it.

You don't want it to be flat when you need it.

I did check it, dad.

I just checked it just last week.

It was OK.

I don't know how it got flat.

Not much use in carrying a spare around

if it's flat when you need it.

Look, I'd be happy to give you a lift.

Uh, I'd appreciate that, Mr--

Smith.

Jonathan Smith.

I'm Billie Harwood.

This is my dad Jet Sanders.

Pleased to meet you.

Come on, jump in.

Well, I'm telling you--

you don't prepare for stuff, life will get you.

Yeah, life will get you, dad.

Trust me, I know all about that one.

I know how life can get you.

[birds chirping]

Ranch is just up the road a ways.

If you could drop us off, I can get one of the boys

to come back and deal with the flat.

Yes, ma'am.

Hey, you wouldn't, by any chance,

have an opening for a couple of cowboys at your place,

would you?

Not me.

I don't know of any other ranchers around here that do,

either.

That's a shame.

Isn't that a shame?

Would you mind stopping?

I've got to relieve myself.

Dad, we just stopped 15 minutes ago.

We'll be home in a second.

[birds chirping, cows mooing]

What happened, Jake?

How'd they got loose?

Damn mustangs again.

They broke the fence down.

I'd have got one but your boy got in the way.

Then about a dozen head broke before we could stop them.

We'll go after them after we get these back in.

I'm telling you, Mrs. Harwood, we got to get rid of them

horses.

Oh, then Earl quit this morning, so we're short-handed, too.

All right.

All right, Jake, thanks.

We've got to get rid of them horses, Mrs. Harwood.

It wasn't their fault. They were thirsty

and Foxtail River's dry.

They were just trying to get to the troughs.

If you'd just stick a trough outside the fence for them--

Then they'd be down here every day causing even more trouble.

This isn't a game reserve, Richie, it's a business.

Well they've got a right to live, too.

BILLIE: Not if it costs me money they don't.

I'm telling you, Richie, I got to do

something about those horses.

I cannot support you and your granddad

and this ranch and them too.

Do you understand me?

And you can't be interfering.

Well, Jake was going to shoot them.

Well, maybe Jake was right.

Well, I'm not going to let him shoot them.

You're going to do what I tell you to do, young man,

or there's going to be some other kind

of trouble around here.

If'n Paul was alive, he wouldn't

let you hurt those horses.

You looking for work, right?

Yes, ma'am, that's right.

Well, you just heard one of my hands quit.

I could use one of you if you know your way around ranch.

You two work it out and I'll hire whoever wants the job.

Yeah, well, we both do.

(STAMMERING) Jonathon, Jonathon, that's just fine.

You take it. - No, no, I can't do that.

We're a team, remember?

Well, all right.

I've been thinking about hiring somebody

on to help out with my dad.

Most mornings he gets up so stiff it's all he

can do to get his clothes on.

Perfect.

That's perfect.

I was looking to get him some kind of attendant,

but he puts up such a fuss he just won't hear of it.

I'll tell him you're the new cook.

That's a good idea.

Great.

Listen, your dad and I are going to get along just fine.

I'll show you where you bunk.

[chuckles] No horses.

[upbeat music]

Oh, hi Jericho.

[horse whinnies]

Oh boy, you could have got yourself shot today.

I know you were thirsty.

I got to figure out a way to get you water.

My mom won't listen to me.

I'll think of something.

[horse whinnies]

OK, I'll race you.

(SINGING) Yippie ki yi yay, get a long little doggie.

I'm not a cowboy, got dishes and--

[gun cocks]

[screams]

Freeze.

Uh, sir (STAMMERING).

I said freeze!

Frozen.

Just what the heck do you think you're doing in here?

Me?

Well, you're the one I'm pointing this gun at,

ain't you? - Yes, sir.

Uh, well, I was doing the dishes, see?

I'm the new cook.

Mrs. Harwood hired me and my friend Jonathan.

Billie hired you?

Billie? Billie.

Billie.

B-Billie-- Mrs. Harwood! Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Yes.

Well, it's my ranch, not hers.

Did she tell you that?

Uh, no, sir, I don't believe that came up

in the conversation. (NERVOUS CHUCKLE) Sir,

I was wondering if maybe you could just, you know,

point that somewhere else.

It's my gun, too.

Point it where I want to.

MARK: Yes, sir.

She runs the ranch but I own it.

You understand?

Where is she?

Billie?

Billie?

Uh, sir, sir, I think she went to see

somebody about a load of hay.

I need her to help me take my boots off.

I want to take a nap.

I can't get my boots off.

Oh.

Oh, well, look, I can help you with that.

JET: I don't need your help.

Oh, well, then I'll just go on back to my cooking.

JET: No salt.

No salt?

No salt, no butter, no fried foods,

no sodium, and no cholesterol.

And will you help me take my boots off?

I-- I want to take a nap.

Oh, sure.

I'll help you as soon as you put that gun somewhere else.

Aw, don't worry, it ain't loaded.

[gunshot]

[melancholy music]

Oh, god.

You all right, sir?

I could have killed somebody.

Don't you understand?

I didn't know this gun was loaded,

I could have killed somebody.

Hey, don't worry.

Young people can make mistakes like that.

I'm no good to nobody.

Everybody would be better off if I was dead.

[hopeful music]

[horse approaches]

How you doing, RIchie?

My name's Jonathan Smith, I'm a new hand.

Your mom sent me out looking for you.

It's getting kind of late.

[birds chirping]

It's a nice spot you've got here.

Good place for daydreaming.

What do you know about daydreaming?

Plenty.

What, you think only kids daydream?

I know my mom doesn't.

She don't abide my daydreaming.

Eh, I wouldn't be so sure.

All grown-ups have dreams.

Difference is it's just a little tougher to share them

when you're grown.

Afraid other grown-ups will laugh at you.

Grown-ups don't laugh at grown-ups. Just laugh at kids.

Not true.

Difference is they don't laugh at them in front of them

the way kids do.

I think kids are a little more honest.

Boy, that's a fine looking horse.

Yeah.

His name's Jericho.

Oh yeah?

Well, that's what I call him.

Sounds like you two are old pals.

We are, sort of.

Sometimes when I ride home from school on my bike

I see him and we kind of race.

I brought apples for him once and he took them,

so I bring apples all the time.

He likes them.

You ever ride him?

Oh, no, sir.

Why not?

Scared?

Mmm, no, sir.

Well, maybe a little.

But I don't think I'd want to ride him.

How come?

Well, it's kind of stupid, but he's

not like you or me or ranch horses or anything like that.

How do you mean?

He's wild.

Wild and free.

And so beautiful.

I mean, maybe he'd let me ride him, but then--

then he wouldn't be free anymore.

Told you it was kind of stupid.

No, I don't think it's stupid.

I don't think it's stupid at all, son.

People need that.

Restores the soul to see something wild and free.

People need that just like they need sunsets and fresh water

and daydreams.

The important thing is to balance that out

with the other stuff people need.

What other stuff?

Well, like work, for instance.

A friend of mine used to say that's how a boy

becomes a man-- through work.

Yeah.

That's what my dad said.

Dreams are where you want to go and work is how you get there.

Sounds to me like your dad was a pretty smart man.

Yeah, he was.

Uh, Mr. Smith? - Hmm?

We'd better be getting back.

I got some chores.

[horse whinnies]

[cows mooing]

Richie, where the heck have you been?

Just riding, mom.

I lost track of the time.

Yeah, well, take Jonathan's horse.

We've got to go find grandpa.

What happened?

He's gone, that's what happened.

My fault, Jonathon.

Went in his room, thought he was asleep.

He must have snuck out the back door.

I don't think he snuck out.

I don't think he knew what he was doing.

Jake, you and the boys take the south end.

I'll go along the creek with Richie.

Jonathan, you and Mark take the Jeep, check out the north end.

[mark sighs]

Jonathon, this is all my fault.

It's not your fault. Stop worrying.

We'll find him.

You know, I don't think he just wandered off.

All he's been talking about is about having an end to it all.

He came out here to die.

[somber music]

[somber music]

[slow string music]

There he is.

[music swells]

You all right, Mr. Sanders?

[quiet sobbing]

Why'd you come after me?

Why don't you leave me alone?

Leave you alone to do what?

Die, damn it.

So I can die.

Everybody's going to die, Mr. Sanders, you don't

have to go looking for it.

When your time comes, it'll find you.

I'm a useless old man.

I'm no good to nobody.

Only if you want to be.

You think I want it like this?

Mind don't work anymore, my body don't work no more.

Nothing works.

Nobody gives a damn.

Nobody cares.

Everybody's out looking for you.

Does that sound like they don't give a damn?

Well, I don't care anymore.

My wife's dead and gone.

I never thought she'd go before me.

And Sam, Billie's husband, he wasn't just a son-in-law to me,

he was like my own son.

He was my son.

Why didn't God take me?

I've lived my life.

Why did Sam have to die?

You think you're the only one who's lost somebody?

You've got a daughter out there who lost her husband.

who's carrying more weight on her shoulders

than she can handle.

You've got a grandson who lost his father.

Who needs somebody to help him learn how to be a man.

You think I don't know that?

But I'm just too damn old to help him,

to teach him anything.

And neither one of them want whatever

I got to give them, anyway.

When's the last time you tried?

I try all the time.

She don't want to listen to me.

She treats me like I'm a kid.

Well, maybe she wouldn't if you'd stop acting like one.

Come on.

It's kids that run away.

I'm tired.

Don't you understand?

I got nothing to give to anybody no more.

You are really giving your grandson one

hell of a lesson right now--

when the going gets tough, you get a little tired.

Just quit.

Run away.

That's the final lesson you want to teach him?

No.

I figure you for more of a man than that.

[somber music]

[horses approaching]

We've looked all over the place, Mrs. Harwood.

I don't see how we can do much more 'til morning.

Guess I'd better call the police.

[car horn honks]

Gramps.

Gramps!

You OK?

I'm OK.

Then what the hell is this all about?

What are you trying to do to me, dad?

Billie, I don't want to talk about it now.

I'm still trying to sort this out.

Well, I want to talk about it now.

I want to talk about it right now.

I cannot--

Mom.

Don't interrupt, Richie.

I can't deal with this, dad, don't you understand.

Mom, he said he was trying to sort stuff out.

A person's got to do that sometimes.

I said not to interrupt.

This is none of your business!

Well, he's my grandfather too.

And you're always shouting at him.

You're always shouting at everybody.

I am trying to do the best I can for this family!

And no matter what I do, it's not enough lot for either one

of you, and I'm sick of it!

[somber music]

Come on, gramps.

I'll help you with your boots.

What are you all standing around for?

As far as I know they didn't declare a holiday tomorrow.

Go get some sleep.

It's still a work day.

Smith?

Yes, ma'am.

I want to talk to you.

You want one?

No, thanks.

Beer's all I've got.

I don't keep anything harder.

No, I don't drink.

Oh.

Some kind of reformed alcoholic or something?

Or something.

What did my dad say to you out there when you found him?

Oh, I think that's something you'd better ask him.

Well, I'm asking you.

I may not be able to get my son or my dad

to pay any attention to me, but by god, you work for me.

(WEAKLY) Damn.

[billie cries quietly]

Hey, it's OK.

It's OK.

What are you doing?

Look, you're crying.

I thought you could use a shoulder to lean on.

Well, I'm not some little kid, Mr. Smith.

Even adults need someone to lean on once in a while.

Nobody can make it alone, you know?

I don't understand. (CRYING) I just

don't understand any of it.

Richie and I used to be so close.

And now it's-- it's more like he hates me.

When Sam died, I just thanked God

that I had Richie and my dad.

And I thought we would pull closer together.

But no.

Instead, we're just pulling apart.

All three of us.

I feel like-- what am I telling you this for.

I don't even know you.

You're some stranger.

Well, you're just not paying me $75 an hour to listen.

No, that's true.

Oh my god, look at my hands.

I don't even recognize them.

I used to have pretty hands, Mr. Smith.

You wouldn't know it now.

I used to be happy and--

just easygoing.

And now, it's just bills and mending fences

that those crazy horses of Richie's break down.

I'm cleaning up after him.

Cleaning up after my dad.

I feel more like a jailer for the both of them,

instead of somebody who just loves them.

Half my life is over.

I just don't even know how that happened.

I'm looking at middle age and I can't believe it.

What's that song-- some song.

It's not exactly how I planned it.

Boy, is that true.

Your boy's at a tough age, too.

He's too big for toys, too little for cars.

His childhood's just about over and his manhood

hasn't started yet.

Same with your dad.

He's at an age where he feels his life is over.

You said it yourself, he was the strongest man you ever saw.

He spent most of his life being the man of the house

and he's not anymore.

No.

I am.

Because you felt you had to be.

Oh, you were going to show them.

Took the bit in your teeth and started running.

Why don't you try slowing down, Billie.

Let your family catch up to you.

[horses galloping]

What?

What the hell?

Damn!

God.

God, look at this place.

I'm telling you right now, Mrs. Harwood,

you've got to get rid of those horses once and for all

or you ain't going to have a ranch left to run!

What do you mean "get rid of them"?

Well, the other ranchers will help us.

They're as much of a plague to them as they are to us.

We'll just round them up and sell them

to the slaughterhouse, that's all.

No!

Mrs. Harwood.

Now, you can fire me if you want,

but your husband left you a decent spread here

and you're running the damn thing right into the ground.

Shut up, Jake!

I'll do what has to be done.

It's not their fault, mom, they were thirsty.

You can't do what he's talking about.

I don't have any choice, Richie.

I won't let you.

Jake, you call the other ranchers tomorrow.

Set up a meeting.

We'll plan this thing out and get it done.

Yes, ma'am.

I hate you.

I hate you!

[somber music]

We'll mount up first thing in the morning

and go after the strays.

Get Henry to mend that fence.

And if you see any of those horses on my land, shoot them.

[pensive music]

Morning, Richie.

Hey, how about an omelet a la Gordon?

Not hungry.

How about some biscuits?

Biscuits and gravy.

You don't even have to be hungry to eat this stuff.

My mom around?

No, no.

She left earlier.

Probably to see some of the other local Nazis

to plan out how to kill the mustangs.

Come on, Richie, your mom's doing the best she can.

No she's not.

She's just trying to prove that she's right

or that she's the best man around or something.

She won't even listen.

Well, you know, it is real hard to listen to somebody

who talks like they hate you.

Got no right to kill them.

None of them do.

I'm not going to be around to see it.

Well, what are you going to do?

You going to run away?

Come on, Richie, that isn't going to do any good.

Sure isn't going to help them horses you care so much about.

Well, what can I do about it?

I don't know.

Why don't you talk to your grandpa?

Won't do any good to talk to him.

Why is that? 'Cause he's old?

Richie, let me tell you something--

old folks know stuff.

You know why?

Because they've been around for a long time.

They've been around almost everything

you're going through right now.

And you know what?

They can be like road signs for you.

Help you get to where you're going.

But the thing is, you have got to stop

long enough to talk to him.

You know, he's just sitting out there right now.

Just waiting.

You've got some time before you have to get to school.

What do you say?

[birds chirping]

Gramps?

Gramps?

Huh?

Nothing.

I just-- nothing.

Richie.

What?

What's on your mind, bub?

I don't know.

I just--

What's wrong, son?

I don't know, I just--

I don't know why I'm crying.

That's OK, son, I cry too sometimes

and I don't know why I do it.

Kids and old folks, I guess we got a lot in common like that.

It's just that nobody listens, you know?

Like I said, kids and old folks got a lot in common.

Seems like the older you get, the more

they treat you like a kid.

I'm not even toilet broke no more.

[jet chuckles softly]

I'm listening now, son.

It's about the mustangs.

They're going to round them up and they're going to kill them.

Oh, now, you don't know that.

Yes I do.

We got to stop them, gramps.

Mark said that you know stuff.

Me?

Yeah.

What should we do.

Well I'd--

I'd sure like to help you, but I can't.

Why?

I'm just too old.

I'm just too old, son.

[somber music]

Where's Richie?

Oh, he hasn't come down yet.

Well, make sure he's not late for school.

Smith, you were supposed to be ready to ride at 6:00.

I'm not going.

What?

I think what you're doing is wrong.

I'm not going.

You don't go and you're fired.

Fair enough.

I'll have your check ready tonight.

Mrs. Harwood, It's a shame you can't fire your father and son

when they disagree with you.

I'd better get Richie.

Come on, Richie, got your breakfast ready.

Mom doesn't want you late for school.

I'm not going to school.

What are you talking about?

Mark, I got to try to stop them.

Oh, please.

Richie, listen to me, you can't.

Why, because I'm too little?

No, not just that.

Mark, you told me to go to my grandfather

because he would know what to do.

Well, he didn't.

Maybe because he's too old or he's too scared.

Well, I'm not.

I know it's not right to kill wild things just for money

or because they get in your way.

Richie, I understand how you feel but you can't win.

Sometimes in life you have to face that.

Mark, if you loved someone and 100 men

were going to kill him right there in front of you,

would you try to stop them?

Well, I-- (STAMMERS)

Would you?

Yeah, I would.

Well, I love those horses, and I've got to try to.

Mark, I can keep an eye on grandpa.

We can get to them better with the Jeep.

Let's go.

[slow string music]

Why aren't you out with the vigilantes?

Got fired.

For what?

For refusing to help them round up the mustangs.

If Sam was alive he wouldn't have let it happen.

He loved the land and the wild things on it.

He'd have stopped them.

It's a shame you're not a little more like him.

What's that supposed to mean?

When Sam was ill he never stopped fighting.

He didn't sit around the house feeling sorry for himself

like you do.

Why don't you get out of here and just leave me alone?

Ah, you bet.

You know, your grandson was right.

You're too old and too scared to do anything to help.

That's why he's out there trying to stop them by himself.

What do you mean?

Where's Richie?

He's out there trying to stop the round up.

At least Sam can be proud of his son.

Good bye, Mr. Sanders.

Smith!

Smith!

Yeah.

Saddle my horse.

[hopeful music]

Yes sir, Mr. Sanders.

[tense music]

Couldn't find him in a better spot.

We'll run them right up that wash into that box canyon.

Let's do it.

Charlie, work your way around the other side

but keep your distance.

That stallion's no dummy.

You got it.

[music continues]

We're all set.

You'd better follow us on up, Mrs. Harwood.

You're not the only one who can ride, Jake.

Yes, ma'am.

All right, boys, let's ride.

[hopeful music]

[energetic music]

Come on, Jericho.

Come on. Come on, boy.

Come on.

Jericho.

Come on, boy. Come on.

[horse whinnies] - Come on.

Come on, Jericho.

I'll race you.

Come on, Jericho.

Come on, boy.

[horse whinnies]

Damn.

Well, you can forget about trying for them today.

That kid of yours ought to get what-for for this.

Richie, you want to try and explain this?

I told you I wasn't going to let you try to do it.

And your mama told you it was none of your business.

That's all right, Jake, I can handle this.

Mark, you take Richie back to the house.

I'll talk to you about this there.

It won't do you any good because every time

you try to round them up I'll be there to stop you.

Well, you won't have Mr. Gordon

to drive you around anymore.

Don't make no never mind.

I'll come on horseback.

And if you take my horse I'll come on foot.

Because they're wild things, ma, and you

got no right to kill them.

Right, Billie.

BILLIE: Dad?

The boy's right.

Mrs. Harwood, we--

JET: Shut up, Jake.

You're on my land so you're working for me.

When you're working for somebody you don't interrupt them.

Billie, when Sam died the heart just went out to me.

I quit living and I shoved everything on to you.

And damn it all, I shouldn't have done it.

But this is my daddy's land and his daddy before him.

Someday, it'll pass on down to my grandson,

so he's got just as much say-so as anybody.

I was ranching before most of you was even born.

And half of what I remember is gone now.

When the horses are gone there won't be no more

to take their place, and a piece of God's great plan

will be missing.

We're the custodians of this land and all that's on it.

And if we don't take care of it nobody will.

My grandson has seen the horses running wild.

He stood out there on the mesa with his eyes and his heart

wide open, touched by the beauty of it.

And he looked up to his maker, struck

down with awe and reverence.

You can't buy that feeling.

You can't put a price on it.

Well, I can't put a price on what

those horses are costing me.

And I'm telling you, they come on my land

I'll do as I please with them.

They won't come on your land, CT.

I'll see to that.

I'll fence them in on my place in Grace Canyon.

Dad, that's some of our best grazing land.

It won't support the cattle and the horses, too.

Well, we'll just cut down on the size of the herd.

We'll make do, Billie.

Mrs. Harwood, you going along with this?

I have to.

He's my father.

[triumphant music]

Climb up, son, we're going home.

Coming, ma?

Yeah.

[horse whinnies]

JET: (VOICEOVER) When those mustangs are gone

there won't be no more of them.

A piece of God's great plan will be missing.

Now, we're the custodians of this land

and everything that's on it.

If we don't take care of it nobody will.

[theme music]