(country music playing)
(gunshot)
Charlie: For a second there,
I thought I finally done enough to see glory,
but my senses is telling me...
you ain't no angels.
Well, you add a few wrinkles, take away a little hair,
well, that'll look like we got Charlie Storm.
Cow rustling spirits pusher.
Charlie: Lawman, uh, I'm not exactly well here right now.
Give me a little assistance getting out of this mire,
and I'll... I'll turn myself in.
Nice and peaceful like.
Well, why don't you just get down and walk out?
I'll arrange someone to get your mare.
Damn. If I could walk out of here on my own strength,
you'd be having this conversation
with only my horse here, not me.
What do you surmise, Bass?
One of us'll have to bring him out of that pit.
Franks: Well, you heard the man.
If he could walk in that,
he would be somewhat dancing with the savages.
Besides,
I ain't dressed for the occasion.
(laughing)
Easy.
What I was trying to say is...
(clears throat)
I'd walk through,
carry him across my shoulders back to you for the iron.
So you're gonna walk seven paces out there
in mud that a horse can't walk in?
Yes, sir.
If you say it, I wanna see it.
Marshal, you're gonna get that nigger
kill himself with me in the process.
Franks: You need to watch your mouth, old man.
Mr. Reeves here he may be a negro,
but he's my posseman,
and he may be the one that just saves your neck.
- I ain't goin'. - Franks: Oh, you're goin'.
Oh, I ain't goin'.
Franks: If he makes it out there to you,
you're very well going to get on his shoulders
and make your way back over here.
No, I won't!
I'm good right here,
above ground and breathing.
That little nigger, he's gonna sink,
and he's gonna sink with me in it.
Quite frankly I don't really care
if you survive or not.
Right here it says dead or alive. (chuckles)
Mr. Reeves, why don't you try not to sink
before you get within an arm shot of this bank here?
I don't think that mud's gonna remove from my linens very well.
Marshal, you better fix my obit right.
The outlaw Charlie Storm,
the most wanted outlaw in the Indian Territory,
took a fight on him
with eight US Marshals and sixteen possemen.
You think you can get me out of this thing?
(grunts)
Well, I'll be.
Franks: Charlie Storm. Charlie Storm.
Charlie: Yeah?
Franks: By the power vested in me...
from the Federal Judge Isaac Parker,
boy, I place you under an arrest.
Let's go, Bass.
What is it now?
Think I'm gonna help that mare.
Help it do what?
Help it out.
You know we can't wait on you.
Let's go, Charlie.
The outlaws here are unruly.
The only solution to that unruliness
is the rule of a law.
The law that you were brought here
to dispense.
Judge Isaac C. Parker...
is there a man out of the ones that you sentenced
that didn't make a victim out of an innocent man or woman?
Man: Now, you can bring me the final part of the quest.
The man that killed his friend.
Shouldn't I have a counselor with me?
I do not care to speak with you about your legal status.
The purpose of my inquiry today is to endeavor to speak with you
about softening your heart
in preparation for your inevitable meeting with God.
You shot your best friend in the back.
And it will not be long before you leave this world
and enter into eternity.
Now, I cannot have mercy on you.
But there is one who can pardon your offenses,
there is a savior whose blood is sufficient enough
to wash this stain from your soul.
And I beg of you to seek the salvation
of his Holy Cross,
because I cannot and I shall not pardon your crimes.
May God have mercy on you.
Charlie: I didn't realize the Fort was beaming
with so much unruly activity.
Franks: Well, you know today is the day
that Judge Parker gonna send six souls to meet their maker.
Charlie: Six? At one time?
Franks: Judge Parker relishes on efficiency.
Charlie: What kind of a man hangs six men
in the name of efficiency?
Sound more like an outlaw than the law.
The law he is.
He passed the bar exam when he was 21.
He was the city attorney at 23.
He left the democrats 'cause he arbors slavery.
Yeah.
All that speak you speak,
all my mind can remember is he's hung six souls.
- Mornin', Judge. - Mornin'.
This is Charlie Storm here,
uh, he's ready for his arraignment.
Parker: Marshal, your prisoner is covered in mud,
yet you remain pristine.
Well, you know a good Marshal
knows how to bring his man in
without sacrificing his stature.
- You understand? - Very well.
Bring him to the jailers,
I'll arraign him tomorrow forenoon around 11:00.
(screams)
Y'all leave me the fuck alone.
Jessi: You know the colored man, Bass Reeves?
No.
No, I can't say I do.
He broke away from his master during the war.
Burned their land, their native tongue
before coming here and...
Well, Mr. Reeves has been a posseman for a few years now.
I reckon it's time for a promotion.
You want me to promote a negro to Deputy Marshal?
Yes, I do.
Why do incessantly you push me
to do things that are sure to get me fired?
I'm doin' no such a thing.
I'm your assistant, and I'm assisting you.
You'd do well just to listen.
Parker: You know as well as I do,
this country, as progressive as it pretends to be,
is not ready for a colored Marshal.
These people, they can only handle so much change.
Bass and my Archie, homestead land together.
He'd have told ya.
You won't find a man more capable with a pistol.
I'll tell you, you won't find a man more loyal to the law.
That's the kinda deputy you need.
Evenin', Bass.
Evenin', Jessi.
You know Judge Parker?
Yes, ma'am.
Evenin', sir.
Evenin'.
I'll be seein' ya.
You're one of our possemen, are you not?
Yes, sir.
How did you and that horse
find the occasion to be so stained by mud?
You'd have to "ax" Marshal Franks, sir.
As a federal judge, I'm inquiring of you now, sir,
and frankly I expect nothing less
than a straight answer here.
With all respect due ya,
Marshal Franks is the man I ride for.
I will give you $20,
federal salary,
if you speak plainly to me, sir.
Judge, there is not a dollar amount
that would cause me to betray my employer.
Parker: Oh, come on, I employ him.
He employs you, so technically I employ you.
What does he pay you anyway,
about three dollars a week?
I'm offering you $20
to tell me about a horse.
I guess I just don't see it that way.
Sir.
Miss Jessi.
Parker: You care to hear something humorous?
I was with Franks today,
and he was spit shine clean
but his prisoner was covered about like you and that horse.
When I mentioned that fact to him,
he failed to even acknowledge you or your name.
Good Lord...
in Jesus' name,
let me know that I'm doing the right thing out here.
♪ Dona ♪
♪ Nobis pacem ♪
♪ Pacem ♪
(guns cock)
Wait.
I firmly believe that it's been appointed to man
to live and die but once.
Yet before me stands a soul that I know
has departed from this place.
- (gun clicks) - You killed my brother.
Parker: No, wait, I did no such thing.
Now, your brother, he did what he did.
Look, he got justice.
Don't do this.
(speaking Creek) Kill him.
Let's go.
He must know why he dies, or he dies in vain.
You spoke it. Now, we do it.
(muttering)
(Bass speaking Creek): Drop your arms.
(speaking English): Came back to apologize...
for being rude.
You Creek?
(speaking Creek): No.
You are...
but a boy.
I'm not a boy.
I'm Rufus Buck.
(speaking Creek): Leave or die.
Rufus Buck...
(speaking Creek): You... should leave.
(speaking Creek)
You don't retreat?
(continues speaking Creek)
Lord above.
Jessi was right about you.
She didn't exaggerate at all.
I've never seen a man utilize his armaments
with such speed and efficiency.
I mean, you had that boy dead to rights
and you just let him go.
Thank you.
What's wrong, sir?
Sir, I'm not a lawman.
And some of those folks was white.
And you a witness.
Well, they drew first.
On you and me.
You're damn right I'm a witness.
So be it.
If you the witness, who gonna be the judge?
Well, there may be a solution.
Bass.
What's wrong?
I think I'm... I might be a Deputy Marshal.
You're what?
Bass...
You put a star on your chest, you the target.
I've always been a target, it's no different.
You're trying to make a widow of me?
I can just leave right now and save you the trouble.
I'm not...
Let me go of me, Bass George Reeves.
Let me alone.
We're doing just fine with you on the farm
and walking with the Marshal on occasion.
Why now, Bass? Why?
Why?
'Cause we got six souls sleeping in the next room.
(birds chirping)
(exhales)
All right, you three go around back.
We'll flank the front.
Wait.
Look, Jim, I know we done come all this way,
but I think it's wise for us to call someone to assist us.
Since when did you go yellowbelly?
I ain't no yellowbelly, my friend.
But you've heard the same stories
that I've heard about Dozier.
Six of us here, that ain't enough to bring him in.
You see this?
You see those words?
That says United States Deputy Marshal.
I am the United States,
and we, as the United States,
are gonna go in there and we're gonna take Dozier
back to Judge Parker to answer for his crimes.
And if any of you are yellow like Tom,
then you can just go somewhere and bury your face
'cause your country doesn't need you.
You say it like you want, but I'm going home.
Judge is gonna have your head for this.
Maybe.
But he might have yours for not listening to reason.
You two go around back.
Just the five of us?
It's one man, Ned.
I know.
Jim: Bob Dozier!
I'm United States Deputy Marshal Jim Bruce.
I have a warrant for your arrest
out of the District Court in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Your house is surrounded.
Turn yourself in now
and prevent the unnecessary spilling of your blood.
Bob Dozier.
The United States Deputy...
Dozier: I heard you cackle.
Repeating yourself is not gonna endue you
with anymore jurisdiction over me
or my person than it did the first time.
You might not have heard, but the United States
has jurisdiction over the Indian Territory,
and this is the Indian Territory.
- Is that right? - Jim: Yeah.
How did your government get jurisdiction
over a land it don't own?
Pardon?
This land belongs to the Indian...
savages.
It seems to me, the Indian should be
giving you jurisdiction
seeing as you stole every piece of land from them
and you forced them on this territory,
I don't see them doing so.
Sir, you must be mistaken,
the government doesn't ask for permission.
We are the United States, and we're advising you
to come on out or we're coming in there after you.
I dare you.
- Well, go get him. - (gunshots)
Is anyone left?
Dozier: Oh, yes.
United States Deputy Marshal Jim Bruce,
someone is left.
I told you, you do not have jurisdiction
over me or my person,
yet you still choose to awaken me from my slumber,
caused a ruckus in my town.
Tell me something,
Deputy Marshal Jim Bruce.
What do you do when a rodent invades your home?
(groans sharply)
(screaming)
That question was not designed to be rhetorical.
(groans)
- You kill it? - Dozier: Yes!
You don't just kill it,
you kill it and you send it back to where it came from.
This way all the other rodents see what happens
if they get the same idea.
(screaming)
Dozier: Gather the coins that he and the others carried.
Put 'em with the gains from last night's coach.
And give it to the families that need it.
Keep the rest so we may eat.
I apologize to the women and children
who had to witness that defense of self.
(Jim groans)
Bring him to the vault...
and bring me my knife.
(Jim coughs)
You government man
are gonna deliver a message for me.
It needs to be unmistakable.
Look at me.
Can you do that?
Senator Smith.
Word reached that you might be slumbering in these parts.
And I heard there are several souls
that slumber in these parts at the hand of a black man.
One of those gentlemen was white.
Now, you know that even here,
as progressive as we may be,
a negro cannot shoot a white man
without the protection of the shield.
Is that what we call a white man that ambushes a judge?
A gentlemen?
- You miss my... - No never mind,
because I intend to name that man Deputy Marshal.
Retroactively protecting his bravery last night.
You do realize
that if you name that negro,
the one that lacks the good sense
not to shoot down a white man, and he fails,
it would be a setback for the whole negro race.
- Senator... - No, no, no.
- Senator, let me tell you... - You hear me out.
You hear me out.
I nominated you because I trust your judgment.
President Grant believes in the liberty of the negro.
He's fighting that unrest in the south.
But in order to protect our progress,
we have to nurture the negro.
Not just set 'em fully free.
I mean, they are ready to be free,
but are they ready to lead?
And if he fails,
there's likely not to be another one around
for 100 years.
So can you tell me just what it is about this negro
that makes you believe
that he's worthy to carry that burden?
Well, I don't know if it's fair
to hoist the burden of an entire race
upon his shoulders.
(sighs)
Your Honor, I know you to be a man of the church...
Parker: Yes, sir.
...and the law.
Parker: Mm-hmm.
But are you willing to gamble
your seat on the bench for that man?
Parker: I never gamble.
Deputy Marshal Reeves.
Well done, sir.
Judge, I'm sorry, but I've buried my words far too long.
I fancy Mr. Reeves here as a posseman.
You know I do.
But you bring a dishonor.
A dishonor on the name of the Marshal by naming him.
Franks, negro or not, in the course of a day,
I've known this man to rescue a horse,
rescue an outlaw and bring him to justice,
save a judge from perish from five men
and refuse a payment worth many times his monthly salary
simply to provide information.
Now if those actions do not qualify that man there
to ride as a Deputy Marshal in my district,
then I might just pull the stars off every man here.
- Judge, you're making a mis... - Including yours.
Man: No outlaw will bow for a black man with a badge.
He'll be dead in a week, save them kids.
Parker: Who said that?
Now, there will be order in this court.
I'll clear this whole gallery.
(clears throat) Delivery here for Judge Parker.
I'm Judge Parker, just set it there.
Oh, yes, sir.
Franks: Judge, you may not know,
but Mr. Reeves here, he can't read.
And if he can't read, well, he can't ride.
Is that right, Bass?
That's right, sir.
Parker: Can you tell me...
how is it that you come to shoot like a man possessed
but you can't read?
My generation was not born free.
My master taught me to shoot,
but he refused to teach me to read.
Said that'd make me too dangerous.
More dangerous than you are with those Colts?
Man: Where?
How in God's good name
is he going to read a warrant
and ensure that he brings in the right man?
We don't need litigation by negligence...
(crowd murmuring)
...caused by a negro.
(clears throat)
Man: Tell 'em, Marshal Franks!
My husband may not read...
but you will respect him.
My husband Bass...
can be and will be
a deputy worth rememberin'.
(crowd murmuring)
Okay, now, we've heard you.
- We'll have order in this court. - (gavel pounds)
May I?
Now, Bass, you know I can't do that.
There are no coloreds allowed in the bar.
What is that awful smell in my courtroom?
Okay.
Judge?
I suspect the smell is coming from, uh, this here package.
Well, open it up.
(murmuring)
Man: Judge, you ain't gonna like it.
Horrible, Judge, horrible.
Jesus!
(gasps)
(overlapping chatter)
Franks: That here was a promise.
It was a promise and it was a promise fulfilled.
Now, you let him stay where he is.
Should he make his way into town
then you let the law have its way with him.
Bruce went on a fool's errand
and he returned home slight of his body.
Well, be that as it may.
Is there anyone here...
who will execute service of this here warrant?
Anyone?
No one
under the authority of this court here
shall stand above the law.
Franks: Judge, ain't nobody ill enough in their right mind
to take on that assignment.
You chase an animal in his own habitat
is simply suicide.
I will.
Oh, that's good.
Mr. Reeves...
you aren't a deputy.
It seems, sir, that we both have a problem and a solution.
You need someone to put an end to Dozier's terror.
And I need to prove
that I would be a more than capable deputy.
Both problems solved by the same solution.
If I can bring him back you'll put a badge on my chest.
Parker: So this man here,
who many of you feel isn't worthy enough
to strap your boots.
This man has more courage than any of you all combined.
Now, if I grant this request...
is there anybody that will ride with him?
I ride alone.
No, Mr. Reeves,
as much as it might be your inclination to do so,
you will not ride alone.
My orders.
Who will ride with him?
Franks: Ain't nobody going back to hell to chase that man.
We're kinda partial to having our heads attached to our torso.
I will.
Pardon my crimes,
shit, I'd ride with the nigger.
Parker: Well, you wouldn't be the first outlaw.
You put on a straight path by being a posseman.
You are charged with some serious crimes, sir.
You would likely fall upon the ground at foot in prison,
being as old as you are.
Upon execution of this warrant with Mr. Reeves here...
I will pardon you.
- What's his name? - Franks: Storm.
Charlie Storm.
Pleased to meet you.
All right, you ain't so bad.
Somebody hung all them sumbitches.
Franks: Oh, I get it.
We got a negro and a senile old man
to bring in the most notorious outlaw in this territory.
God save this country.
("Running Home" by Jerrica Ricard playing)
♪ Can you hear me? ♪
♪ Run away ♪
♪ Freedom, can you hear me? ♪
(rapping)
♪ Yea, though I walk in the valley ♪
♪ Of the shadow of death ♪
♪ I will fear no evil ♪
♪ Whoa-oa ♪
♪ Father, Father, can't you hear me? ♪
♪ Father, Father, hear us callin'... ♪
You can wear my star, daddy.
♪...runnin' home to you ♪
♪ For thou art with me ♪
♪ Thy rod and thy staff ♪
♪ They comfort me ♪
You go to bed now.
- Yeah? - Okay.
♪ The Lord will also be a refuge ♪
♪ For the oppressed ♪
♪ A refuge in the times ♪
♪ Of trouble ♪
(upbeat music playing)
♪ Whoa-oa ♪
♪ Father, Father, can't you hear me? ♪
♪ Father, Father... ♪
Bass: What'd you do...
when the whole world doesn't believe in you?
You make believers out of every last one of 'em.
(rain pouring)
Irish Jack: That rain's coming down.
Should we get some cover?
I think it'll pass.
You think it's smart to leave town?
I don't think anyone will bother us again.
One thing about the government is they don't like to lose.
Won't pick a fight if the decks are stacked.
Around here, we own the decks.
They know that.
Let's ride.
Senator: I need to see Judge Parker now, missy.
I have orders from his boss, President Grant,
not to appoint Bass Reeves US Marshal
and to have him arrested forthwith.
I'm sorry, Senator.
Judge Parker is not in the office today.
Nor is Mr. Reeves.
Well, where in the hell is he?
I don't know, sir.
But they both have a home.
I'll be sure to pass the message along.
Have a good day now.
Nellie,
would you send Bass out?
So we can allow him to answer to the proper authorities.
There ain't nothin' he needs to answer for.
Gentlemen, Mr. Reeves is not here.
And it would behoove you to lay those arms aside.
Should one of her innocent children get harmed,
I'd dare not be the man
to stand between that person and Bass Reeves.
Put your arms away, boys.
It'd be nice if you did too, ma'am.
I have orders here from President Grant,
delivered from Senator Smith
that Mr. Reeves stand trial.
Parker: Should they succeed in their endeavor,
I'll take it up with President Grant myself.
If not...
No "if not."
Bass Reeves is coming home.
'Course. Sorry, ma'am.
(whistling)
You see all them men
Judge sent to their grave?
Sumbitch is no better than the outlaws out here.
You know, I wanna just pull my horse up,
turn around if I don't get some straight talk.
All right, riddle me this,
how does a nigger get land?
You can't own land, can you?
You got a pretty wife, you know.
How did a ugly sumbitch like you get such a pretty wife?
Don't you speak of my wife.
Oh, so he can talk.
I talk when I need to.
Uh-huh.
- And don't you speak of my wife. - All right.
Don't you worry about it.
I'm not gonna speak at all.
I don't know if you realize this.
You can't get him without me.
Bass: I don't need you or nobody out here.
(Charlie humming)
Charlie: We've been riding for two days
but haven't seen a soul.
Do you even have a plan
or you just get up and go?
No time to plan.
Charlie: Well, shit, there's always time for plannin'.
Plannin' is the difference between being
a cow rustler and spirit pusher
and being wanted for killing somebody
having to face that hanging judge of yours.
What you trying to say?
You done kill somebody and got away with it?
I'm just saying what I said.
Yo, shut up, Charlie.
You ain't nothin' but bluster.
But we can't even hit a lick.
Can't even hit a buffalo in a herd.
You know, I'm startin' to think riding to Detroit
would have been easier on my nerves
than riding with you.
You know, your pardon doesn't depend on
how many words you speak.
Charlie: Oh, I know.
I just find joy in talking.
Besides, you should thank that God you sing to,
I can shoot pretty good too.
Yeah, okay.
Okay?
Yeah, okay.
- Point. - We do not have time for...
No, no, no, no, you just called my ability into question.
Let me put your mind at ease.
I'm either gonna prove you right or wrong.
Now, point.
That rock.
Which one?
All right, let me bring it closer.
Charlie: No, no, no, you don't have to bring it closer.
- The big rock in between... - I got you.
- ...in between the tree. - I got you. I got you.
(gunshot in distance)
That wasn't me.
Bass: Let's go.
(inaudible)
(gunshot)
(man screams)
(gunshot)
(man screams)
(gunshots)
(grunts)
Why did you tear off like that?
They needed help, I helped.
You don't get it, do you?
Them people might've been dead.
You just go off without no plan.
Just tear off like that.
Don't they teach you niggers anything about patience?
You're such a coon.
(groans)
That is the last time you use that word around me.
That's why you swung on me?
I... I don't mean nothing by it.
That's what my pappy taught me.
Horse.
Nig... Okay, okay, okay.
It don't mean nothin' coming from me.
Bass: It means something coming to me.
Charlie: Well, all right.
Shit.
All I'm tryin' to say is...
you're all coon and no crow.
- Bass: What? - Coon. Coon.
You know, the animal, coon?
He'll come into your house, he takes what he wants
and he leaves, he's fearless.
Now, a crow, a crow wants a nut,
he don't wanna break his beak.
He'd drop that nut in the middle of the road,
wait for a wagon to come by, break it,
pick it up, take his bounty and leave.
It's called patience.
Now you makin' no sense, Charlie Storm.
Charlie: I'm makin' a lot of sense.
And you'll get it...
as soon as you get it.
Gentlemen.
Sorry to disturb your brotherly spat, but...
the sun'll be setting before you settle.
♪ The time has come ♪
♪ For us to part in the partin' band ♪
♪ So, farewell, friends ♪
♪ Farewell ♪
Sweet song.
Why you getting shot at?
Pap: Well, we been moving our people from the south
to this fertile ground in Kansas.
Been doin' that since '72.
But the federal government
been moving their troops out the south,
so we had to find a new route.
You should come.
We just planted our first colony.
We've been fetching for people.
Got about 600 right now.
- Bass: I got land. - You own it?
Bass: I homesteaded it.
'66 when the law changed.
Became a citizen.
Federal government approved me.
Pap: Homestead.
You heard of taxes?
Landlords?
I was a undertaker back there in Nashville.
And sometimes I'd have to bury fathers.
Maybe by the next mornin'.
That landlord would go to their mother.
She'd have about six or seven children.
And that landlord would tell her,
"Your husband owed me before he died."
And then he'd say,
"You have to go some other place.
I cannot take care of you."
Now, that's something I would take notice of.
Sooner or later you'll find her
comin' out of some disorderly house,
and those children...
state prison.
Sounds like tales of excess.
Thought old Abe set you free.
Columbus: Although the law say we free,
the South still sends for us with money on our heads.
They call that a southern bounty group.
The southern country is out of joint, sir.
And it's coming west.
They running out of land already...
and when they come...
they bringing all their ills with 'em.
I know.
The blood of a white man run through my veins.
There is some good white men in the southern country,
but it ain't the majority, to which you just might fit.
Yeah.
Maybe I would.
Maybe you just don't know what you want.
But I do.
I want to shut my eyes
without the sound of white oppression
coursing through my ears.
I got a mission.
And I'm gonna need to be rested for it.
Bass: Gotta finish some work we started days ago.
We can take you to the next town over.
See that you get a wagon and a horse.
You'll be all right in Cherokee land.
Dozier: Fellas.
Fellas.
Ohh.
I think you and the lady... might be lost.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
You don't have to do that in my territory.
Your territory?
Man as handsome and strong as yourself
needn't worry about us.
We just wandering.
Man: We don't want any trouble either.
Woman: Mm-mmm.
Dozier: Couple of my men were gunned down.
We're lookin' for who's responsible.
- That wouldn't be... - Why do you care?
Why do I care?
I'm sayin', are they kin to you?
- They gotta be kin for me to care? - Woman: Maybe not.
But to approach a stranger seeking information,
I would judge you to be kin or crazy.
Well, I ain't kin.
Well, then you must be crazy.
I didn't get your name.
Well, I'm Frank.
James.
This is my brother, Jesse.
And this firecracker right here, well, that's Belle.
- Belle. - Belle: Belle Starr...
of the Sam Starr gang.
So if that name means somethin',
I suggest you be on your way.
Irish Jack: James.
Of the Younger gang?
Yeah, they call us that.
Well, thanks for the information
on your compadre.
I think we'll be...
going to find him now and congratulate him.
Okay.
What'd you put inside the hole?
Just our dog.
Irish Jack: It's a mighty big hole for a dog.
He was a mighty big dog.
(scoffs)
(clicks tongue)
Hup.
Charlie: You kin to him?
Tom: Do I look like him?
A bit.
But you don't sound like him, though.
Where you from?
Scotland.
- Where's that? - Europe.
I read about it. Pinkerton's from there.
Pinkerton?
You mean that motherfucker can't catch Jesse James?
Tom: Yeah.
He's about as skillful as his "daady" too.
- Tom: "Daady." - (laughs)
"Daady."
What's goin' on, Bass?
We gotta go.
(horses trotting)
Well, havin' a plan would come in real handy about now, wouldn't it?
Who are you?
Bass...
Reeves.
We don't want no trouble.
Maybe trouble seeks you.
Sir, excuse my friend here, he...
He said he knew this land here.
If we knew this was your piece,
we could have avoided this whole unfortunate confrontation.
Shut up, old man.
Yes, sir.
Man: You say your name was Bass Reeves?
Who ask?
My goodness,
thought you was Dick Glass' boys
riding behind us to get their piece of vengeance.
Sam?
- Sam Sixkiller. - Mm-hmm.
This here is Sam Sixkiller.
He took me in when I left my mas...
I left the war.
Saved my life.
Charlie: What kinda name is Sam Sixkiller?
And this here is Charlie Storm.
Your friends?
- Yeah. - Oh.
What are you doing in these parts, Bass?
I thought you was too fancy to visit these lands again, huh?
I'm just headin' to Muskogee for now.
Mm-hmm. Me too.
Sun's settin'.
Why don't you come rest up in town?
Get that looked after.
Bass.
You all have an open invitation to join us.
Well, we would but we can't.
Bass got a family back home
depending on us getting back finishing this mission.
I understand.
Sam: You be careful, that'll make you drowsy.
You believe Pap?
Bass: About what?
The white man took his land?
Well, you white, you want land?
Oh, I had land.
They took it too.
They, they who?
Well, Confederates took it first.
That brought the Union soldiers to my doorstep.
Then the Union took it.
Kept it.
What about your wife,
offspring?
No.
(groans)
(clears throat) So what's this mission?
You on the hunt?
- Yeah. - Mm-hmm.
And who'd that be?
Charlie: Bob Dozier.
(sighs)
We should get a drink.
- I don't... - I'll drink for the both of us.
(indistinct chatter)
(country music playing)
Charlie: ♪ Oh, Susanna, oh, don't you cry for me ♪
♪ I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee ♪
♪ Oh, Susanna, oh, don't you cry for me ♪
♪ I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee ♪
♪ I jumped aboard the telegraph and traveled down the river ♪
♪ Electric fluid magnified ♪
♪ And killed five hundred chigger ♪
♪ Oh, Susanna, oh, don't you cry for me ♪
♪ I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee ♪
Bass.
You hear a single utterance?
I apologize, man.
Thought I was gonna have to have a word with Charlie over there.
(chuckles)
Sam: He's quite a character, isn't he?
Well, that man you seek,
he is as bad as they come.
We cut from the same clay,
breathe the same air.
If he's as bad as you say he is,
what does that make me?
Ha!
Dick Glass isn't as mean as that man's pinkie toe.
I don't run from a fight, and you know that,
but I would not pursue him.
I ain't never met a man that mean or that fast...
not even you, Bass.
Well, you haven't seen me for a while.
No. No, I haven't.
Look, he sent a man's head
with a badge attached to the eye to a judge.
Well, you never mind 'cause I don't know where he is.
Not many do.
(clicking tongue)
Ohh.
- (gun cocks) - Whoa, whoa. Easy, guys.
Easy.
It's just me.
I have a message for Dozier.
Dozier: Any creature that would leave to die
the delicate...
they warrant any punishment that befalls them.
Negro.
Speaks Creek.
Shot five men before they could draw.
(laughs)
Right. He's looking for me?
Well, I guess my last message wasn't loud enough.
Government man wants to find me, negro or not...
I'll make it easy for him.
Charlie (slurring): ♪ Oh, Susanna ♪
♪ Oh, don't you cry for me ♪
(indistinct chatter)
♪ I come from Alabama with a banjo on my knee ♪
How come you ain't singing, Bass?
(indistinct chatter)
♪ Oh, Susanna ♪
♪ Oh, don't you cry for me ♪
♪ Oh, I jumped aboard the telegraph ♪
♪ And traveled down the river ♪
♪ Electric fluid magnified ♪
♪ And killed five hundred chigger ♪
Hey, Bass, did you hear me?
No "nigger."
Chigger.
(laughing raucously)
♪ Killed five hundred chigger ♪
Hey, Bass.
The horses. We left the horses back...
- They're gonna be just fine. - Okay.
- We'll get them in the mornin'. - Okay.
Okay.
Hey.
You're all right.
You're all right, Bass.
Bass.
Yeah.
What is it, Sam?
Just never thought of you as a lawman.
Not after what the law did to you.
The law put me in chains...
but the law also set me free.
Now I got six little ones that I need to stay free.
Sam: Six? (laughs)
Gracious Bass,
you wearing that poor woman out, ain't you?
(laughing)
I hear there's a black boy seeking my whereabouts.
That's him.
- That's Dozier. - Don't.
Seek no more, here I am.
Bass.
He's riding into my town. We take him together, Bass.
No. For he rides into your town for me.
It's me he gets.
Well, you can't face them alone.
Even if I can't,
you with your one arm...
it's not gonna be much help.
I can shoot with one better than most with two,
you know that, Bass.
Sixkiller...
you saved a drowning boy once.
Now, let that man repay you.
You got two minutes.
I won't need 'em.
Don't tell me you went coward on me.
Well, I'll be damned.
That young Indian was right.
A negro on a quest for me.
Bass: Bob Dozier.
I have a warrant... for your arrest.
Well, a negro and that warrant has no authority here.
Bass: Oh, but it does.
And so do I.
I'm gonna excuse your ignorance,
give you a chance to claim your life.
Thank you, Mr. Dozier.
I will return.
Not without executing this warrant.
Dead... or alive.
(sighs)
That the way you want it to be?
That's the way it is.
(clicks tongue)
Your move, boy.
(gunshots)
(neighs)
Dead or alive.
Come for it, boy.
(gunshot)
(grunts)
(grunting)
(yells)
Parker: "Bass hasn't been seen in a week.
"And he's feared dead.
President Grant will be here in two days."
(inaudible)
(screams)
We take him together, Bass.
Bass: Sixkiller, you saved a drowning boy once.
(Bass screaming)
(gasping)
♪ And everything ♪
♪ Will be all right ♪
♪ Pray on ♪
Where you off to?
Thought you were still asleep.
Charlie: Well, I'm up now.
Spanish Fort.
About a half a day's ride.
You thinkin' about going alone?
He got one arm, you liquored.
It'd slow me down.
All right.
Go on, then.
Make a widow of your wife and orphan of them kids.
Go on!
Badass Bass Reeves.
Man who rides with nobody by his side.
Shit.
Well, go on!
Tom: He may be slow of tongue, but his words are sharp.
Now, Dozier may have some men...
but he don't need them anymore.
(screams) Well, what good are you?
You got one arm.
You can't even go a day without drinking.
The border's right there.
Why ain't you run?
You don't have to finish.
I... I seen what you did to Dozier's men.
If you only had some help.
(Tom sighs) I mean...
What I'm trying to say is,
if you insist on goin' after what you now know...
then fuck it!
I'll go, too.
But we better pray my boots become unstuck.
Yeah, I could run.
I could just head for the border.
Keep taking what I want.
Shoot anybody who doesn't want to give it to me.
Or maybe I could do somethin'.
You know, somethin'...
worthy.
My proper obit. Hmm?
Somethin' worth writing about.
Why don't you go home? You're the one with the family.
You should leave this fool's errand
to this coward here
and this old drunk outlaw.
If I leave...
who's gonna save you from the fool's folly?
Attaboy.
(chuckling)
Attaboy.
Go!
(sighs)
"Thou anointest my head with oil,
"my cup runneth over.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life."
Forty men off three.
Not odds I'd take if I was gamblin'.
Yeah, you win at them odds, you a legend.
All right.
We wait till nightfall.
Circle the town.
And then we jump 'em before daybreak.
That's, uh...
That's what you wanna do?
That's why we came.
We circled this before and it was six of us...
Well, five.
And he was alone.
And he still lives.
You got him by surprise?
No, the stupid bastard announced.
Well, you don't knock on the devil's door
and ask to come in.
We wait till nightfall.
We go in real quiet like.
You can take out every man that's posted.
You can make your way through the house.
You get to his bedroom, you surround the motherfucker.
He comes out with you.
Dead or alive.
Nightfall it is.
♪ There ♪
♪ Was a time ♪
♪ Everything ♪
♪ So supreme ♪
Irish Jack: Then I threw that man
right through the window.
And the boss rides up.
Lights the dynamite, tosses in the house.
We ride off and then, boom!
The whole ground shook.
That's about it.
(inaudible)
(indistinct conversation)
No... I'm...
No, no.
(coughs) I'm gonna go and sleep off this fun.
The stage comes through tomorrow.
If we pull this off the right way, this town eats for a year.
♪ You may run for a long time ♪
♪ Run on ♪
♪ For a long time ♪
♪ Run on ♪
♪ For a long time ♪
♪ Let me tell you... ♪
(indistinct chatter)
♪ Let me tell you that God's gonna cut you down ♪
(indistinct chatter)
♪ My God spoke and He spoke so sweet ♪
♪ I thought I heard the shuffle of angels' feet ♪
♪ And He put a hand upon my head ♪
♪ Great God Almighty, I'll tell you what He said ♪
Charlie: It's time.
♪ Go tell the long tongue liar ♪
♪ Tell that midnight rider ♪
♪ Tell the gamblers, the ramblers, the backbiters ♪
♪ Tell 'em that God's gonna cut them down ♪
Man: Look a little lost there, fella.
I was just passing through.
You the law?
I don't know of any colored lawmen
(laughing) around these parts.
No!
Man: Oh, easy.
If you've come for Dozier, we ain't got no quarrel.
I do what I do out here.
Just not to die.
Where does Dozier keep his horse?
Man: Outside his house.
Specially since that Marshal showed up.
Woods are dangerous over there.
You're a lucky man.
Lord, tell me if I should act now.
I'm sorry, Lord.
I was kinda hoping you'd be louder...
but you didn't say no.
You killed a dear friend of mine.
- (sighs) - You tried to kill me, too.
You didn't die.
Like, I said before...
I'm here to return you to Fort Smith...
by the power given to me by the federal court.
You can cackle all you want.
You and no federal court has any jurisdiction over me.
Then maybe I'll just shoot you dead now.
Just pull this trigger.
Dozier: You won't.
'Cause you ain't me.
(snickers)
You don't want to shoot first,
or you'd have done so when my men surrounded you, no?
But me, I'd shoot you dead.
You better be a good shot.
(laughing)
I'm better than good.
Did you know I used to be a Deputy Marshal?
It doesn't matter.
It matters.
But your government...
accused me of robbery.
Stripped me of my star,
they lashed me to confess.
Locked me up. I lost my family.
Yellow fever.
Couldn't do nothin'.
My Annie was the purest thing I ever seen.
So was my Corina, but they met the dirt.
Like an outlaw.
'Cause the law wasn't reasonable.
And my wife and my baby died.
It was made very clear to me
that I was to pursue my earnest desires.
'Cause livin' is to live...
and then you die.
That may well be.
Jim Bruce, Sam Sixkiller, Belle Starr's brother
no longer live, and you are.
But you gonna do your livin' and dyin' in Detroit prison.
(gunshot in distance)
Man: Well, you ain't leavin' here tonight, colored boy.
You should have thought this through.
Charlie.
(groans)
Man: Get him!
Charlie!
(gunshots)
(groans)
(groaning sharply) - (flesh sizzling)
(gunshot)
(groaning)
(thunder crashes)
(neighs)
Go get that sumbitch.
(thunder rumbling)
Bass: Now, it's too dangerous in here.
I'm gonna be back.
And if I don't, you make sure you take
Nellie and my little ones where they need to be.
(thunder crashes)
(voices whispering)
Dozier: A negro and that warrant has no authority here.
Man: You ain't got no idea where Dozier is.
(voices continue)
- (child's laughter) - (voices stop)
(man talking indistinctly)
(horse neighs, snorts)
(horse whinnies)
Cheer up.
(horse neighs)
(grunts)
I gotta give it to you.
Really come close to unseating me than any white lawman.
You and me would have made a hell of a team
any other night.
Nigger and all.
Why don't you come out now and we could have a fair fight?
(grunts)
(laughing)
(thunder crashes)
(Bass humming)
I told you, lawman...
government doesn't have any jurisdiction over me.
(gun cocks)
(gunshot)
(groans sharply)
(laughs)
(gun clicks)
- (gunshot) - Bass: Dead or alive.
(thunder rumbling)
Thank you.
Well, old man, you got the spirit to ride,
or should I just retire you here?
You wish.
Tom, you comin'?
No, I think, uh...
Spanish Fort is a place that needs some lookin' after.
Charlie: Well...
if anybody ever says Tom Pinkerton's a coward...
you just send 'em my way.
Thanks.
Charlie: Come on, Jake.
Hey, Charlie!
I got my boots unstuck.
You crazy.
You gentlemen are makin' a mistake.
No, Your Honor.
You made the mistake.
Charlie: Good people of Fort Smith,
gather the paper writers.
Charlie Storm and Bass Reeves
has returned with the bounty.
(laughs)
You ain't gonna believe this.
None of you said we could do it, did you?
We done brought back an outlaw
that has killed many lawmen,
innocent people and others.
We done brought back Bob Dozier!
Woman: Nellie. Nellie!
Bass is back.
They killed Dozier.
I thought you was dead.
(mouths) No.
I've been thinkin' about my obit.
Oh, not this again.
You are no longer an outlaw.
That's my point.
What's a good obit for a lawman?
Man: Bass Reeves.
For some reason...
I think you're gonna have plenty of time.
Well, you know, you can't be too careful.
Parker: Gentlemen.
Mr. Reeves.
You may enter the bar...
here and in any court I preside in,
as long as there's breath in my body.
Please, sir, come forward.
You have somethin' for us, Judge?
I have a stack of warrants for you.
No less than three thousand.
Ma'am.
Parker: Well, Mr. Reeves,
I think you'll need this.
(Charlie sighs)
Will you gentlemen be needing any additional help?
- Nah. - Nah.
♪ Run away ♪
♪ Freedom, can you hear me? ♪
♪ Run away ♪
♪ Freedom, can you hear me? ♪
♪ We gotta keep runnin' ♪
♪ Runnin', runnin' ♪
♪ Runnin', runnin', runnin' ♪
♪ Home to you ♪
(rapping)
♪ Yea, though I walk in the valley of shadow of death ♪
♪ I will fear no evil ♪
♪ Whoa-oa ♪
♪ Father, Father, can't you hear me? ♪
♪ Father, Father, hear us callin' ♪
♪ Glory runnin' home to you ♪
♪ Run away ♪
♪ Freedom, can you hear me? ♪
♪ Run away ♪
♪ Freedom, can you hear me? ♪
(rapping)
♪ Yea, though I walk in the valley of shadow of death ♪
♪ I will fear no evil ♪
♪ Who-oa ♪
♪ Father, Father, can't you hear me? ♪
♪ Father, Father, hear us callin' ♪
♪ Glory runnin' home to you ♪
(woman vocalizing)
♪ For thou art with me ♪
♪ Thy rod and thy staff ♪
♪ They comfort me ♪
♪ The Lord will also be a refuge ♪
♪ For the oppressed ♪
♪ A refuge in the times ♪
♪ Of trouble ♪
♪ Whoa-oa ♪
♪ Father, Father, can't you hear me? ♪
♪ Father, Father, hear us callin' ♪
♪ Glory runnin' home to you ♪
♪ Father, Father, can't you hear me? ♪
♪ Father, Father, hear us callin' ♪
♪ Glory runnin' home to you ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ Father, Father, can't you hear me? ♪
♪ Father, Father, hear us callin' ♪
♪ Glory runnin' home to you ♪
♪ Father, Father, can't you hear me? ♪
♪ Father, Father, hear us callin' ♪
♪ Glory runnin' home to you ♪
♪ Gotta keep runnin' ♪
♪ Runnin', runnin' ♪
♪ Gotta keep runnin' ♪
♪ Runnin', runnin' ♪
♪ Runnin', runnin', runnin' ♪
♪ Gotta keep runnin' runnin', runnin' ♪
♪ Runnin', runnin', runnin' home to you ♪
Man: Jam All Productions.