Original subtitles

♪♪ [ trumpet ]

Howdy, I'm the Old Ranger,

and Death Valley's my stampin' ground.

Many's a tale of adventure I'm going to tell you

about the Death Valley country.

True stories, mind you.

I can vouch for that.

[ bells ringing ]

OLD RANGER: This is the San Gabriel Mission

as it looks today,

one of the earliest of a chain of Missions

established throughout California

by the Franciscan Fathers

to bring civilization to this part of the New World.

It was built in 1771 and dedicated

to the patron saint San Gabriel Arcángel.

Around it, the old padres planted vineyards and orchards

and taught the Indians useful trades.

Above it rolled the bell tower calling the faithful to prayer.

It is a story of one of these bells

that I'm about to tell you.

It starts back almost 200 years ago

in far away Spain,

in the little town of Campana near Seville.

It was a poor village.

The only noteworthy thing about it

was a foundry of Pablo Ruelas where bells were cast

to be sent all over the world.

That is enough, Miguel.

You can go home now.

Well? What is it?

You do not wish to go home?

Excuse me, sir,

but this is the day for my wages.

Already?

Always it seems it is the day for your wages.

Here. In another year,

it going to be two coppers you earn.

Thank you, sir.

Be sure to be on time in the morning,

for tomorrow, we cast the bell.

How early?

As soon as Father Lopez arrives. Yes, sir.

Good night, Juan.

MAN: There are only three riding in the party.

The child herself, Don Pedro, and a servant.

Then it will be easy.

The servant can be dispatched with one thrust of the knife.

Make sure no harm comes to the child, though.

Or to the father. Dead man pays no ransom.

You know the place? Where the road narrows and grows steep?

About a leap from here.

Better not to be seen leaving the village together.

I will meet you there just after dark.

I'll saddle at once.

Wait, wait!

What do you mean,

frightening our horses like that?

You deserve to be flogged.

I came to warn you, señor.

There are men who lie in wait for you up the road.

They plan to kidnap the child.

Child?

The young lady.

How do you know this?

I heard them talking in the village.

I ran all the way across the hills

to try and head you off.

You they are going to kill.

Now you enlarge the story.

You do not believe me?

Come here, boy.

He is telling the truth, Papa.

I can tell.

I think you are right, Isabella.

We will turn back, take the other road.

What is your name?

Miguel, sir.

Miguel Sanchez.

Here, Miguel.

Thank you, sir. Oh, thank you.

God go with you.

Silver.

Real silver.

Miguel, where have you been all this time?

I'm sorry, Mama. For this, you get no supper.

Then I'll buy some.

Not just bread, either, but meat and sweets.

So, that's what you've been up to.

Stealing.

No, Mama! My son has turned thief!

It was given to me. A likely story.

By a rich nobleman.

The banditi, they were going to kidnap

his daughter.

I ran and warned him, and he rewarded me.

Don't lie to me.

By the Holy Saints, it is the truth.

Silver.

First I have ever touched.

Miguel, we are rich. Yes, Mama.

Now we can buy things. Food.

Clothes. Shoes. Things for the house.

We can go to the shops. The shopkeepers will come to us.

They will?

As soon as they hear we have silver.

The first thing in the morning, I will send for them

to bring their goods here to show us

just as the rich people do.

Elégante.

Huh? Yes?

Elégante. Yes.

And this for the boy.

Do you like it?

Try it on.

Wait till I walk down the street.

How people will stare.

They won't know you for the same boy

who works in the foundry.

Foundry?

Today is the day they cast the bell.

I must not be late!

Here.

Ah, what a pity. A great pity.

One cannot give what one does not have, Father.

Oh, do not think I am finding fault, my son.

No bells in all Europe are finer

than those cast by Pablo Ruelas.

The town is proud of you.

But, the fact remains,

the town is poor.

In the case of ordinary bells, it does not matter.

But a bell such as this will be,

which will summon people to prayer,

it should be sweet upon the ear,

for it is the voice of God.

Is that not right, Miguel?

If you say so, Father.

He has never heard the bell with silver in it. Silver?

That is what gives the sweetness to the tone, Miguel.

Oh. The metal is ready to pour.

And you will make the announcement,

or shall I?

You already know the answer, Father.

They've been the same for years.

Nevertheless, it is a part of the ritual

and should be observed.

Very well.

All ears, all ears.

Is there one among those present

who wishes to sweeten the voice of the bell

by a silver offering?

Do not be ashamed, my people.

It is no sin to be poor.

And the good Lord knows,

if you had silver to give,

you'd give it gladly.

Juan, help me put the core in the mold, please.

No, wait! Wait.

I'll be right back.

Mama!

Your mama, she's showing one of her fine dresses

to a neighbor.

Miguel!

Where are you going with the silver?

I'm sorry, sir,

but you can take these things back to your shop.

I have better use for my silver.

No, wait! Wait!

Wait, I have silver. This is no time for tricks, boy.

But I have. I have!

Praise be.

Our prayers have been answered.

Did you come by this honestly, Miguel?

Yes, Father.

Then I will ask no more questions.

The ladle, señor Ruelas.

Hold out the ladle.

Here, my boy.

You may drop it in.

God will bless you, Miguel,

for the sacrifice you made today.

It will not go unrewarded.

WOMAN: Miguel! Miguel!

My mother!

Miguel, what is this that Salvator told me?

You came home and took the silver?

Please don't be angry with me, Mama.

Then let me have it at once.

I... I can't.

It's gone.

Gone?

I gave it away.

What are you talking about?

Have you lost your mind?

They needed silver for the bell, Mama,

to sweeten its tone.

You threw that silver in the furnace? Yes, Mama.

All of it?

It was for God.

The only silver we've ever had in our lives,

or ever will have.

Oh, you fool. You little fool!

A wonderful thing your boy has done today, Elaina.

You have brought him up well.

I've done my best, Father.

You will both be present when the bell is blessed?

Yes, Father. Yes, Father.

In our same old clothes.

We are gathered here today

to bless this bell,

which is to carry the word of God across the seas

to the new world.

Grant, oh Lord, that this bell,

destined for thy holy church,

may be sanctified by the Holy Spirit,

that its ringing

will invite the faithful to the house of God

and to eternal recompense.

To the the honor of Maria Santissima.

Whenever it rings, may the spirit of evil depart.

Peace be unto thee.

[ ringing ]

Listen to it, Mama. Yes, listen well,

for it's the last you'll ever hear of the sound of silver.

Father Lopez says I'll be rewarded.

Where, in heaven?

GIRL: There he is, Papa!

I knew we would find you.

We have been looking everywhere for you.

Your mother?

Yes, sir. This is the gentleman, Mama,

who give me... the silver.

A poor reward, señora, for saving my daughter

from the hands of bandits,

so I have come to do more for him.

My father wants to take you into his service.

Service?

To work for me on my estate.

I can use a boy who is quick and bright.

Miguel is very bright, Your Grace,

and a good worker.

A noble boy, too.

Do you know what he did with the silver you gave him?

He put it in that bell to sweeten the tone.

That was indeed noble.

You should be very proud of him, señora.

Well, do you accept my offer?

Of course he does, Your Grace.

He would be honored to enter your service,

wouldn't you, Miguel?

Yes, sir. I would be honored.

OLD RANGER: And, so, young Miguel Sanchez became the...

protégé, I guess you'd say, of the wealthy nobleman,

and, by the time he'd grown up,

he was overseer of the Don's whole vast estate.

[ laughing ]

I could not help it, Miguel. You looked so earnest.

Now I will have to copy this page all over.

Very well. You may slap my hand.

Then you're not cross with me?

I'm glad, because today is my birthday.

My 18th birthday. Yes, I know.

There's to be a dinner tonight in my honor.

You are to attend.

Me? It's all arranged.

You are to sit on my right hand by my own request.

I'm sorry, Isabella,

I will not be able to come.

You have other plans?

Yes.

Another girl?

No.

It is Father Lopez.

Oh, the priest.

You can see him another time.

I have put him off too many times already.

He's growing anxious.

And, besides, he is not well.

What does he want of you?

He wants me to follow in his footsteps.

But surely you would not consider such a thing.

Give up all this...

and more?

I do not know. I cannot decide.

He can't ask it of you, Miguel.

He doesn't realize. He's an old man.

In any case,

I must give him my answer.

I'm sorry about the dinner.

It's all right. It doesn't matter.

I am here, Father.

Father!

Father Lopez?

Oh, Miguel.

I must have dozed off

while I was waiting.

I am sorry to be so late.

Have you given further thought

to the matter we discussed, my son?

It has never been out of my mind, Father,

but I just cannot seem to bring myself to...

the world has so much to offer, Father.

I suppose it's wrong of me to feel that way.

Not wrong, Miguel.

Only human.

Everyone faces the same thing.

I did myself, once.

And you have never regretted it?

I only wish I had another life to give,

that I might answer the call to go to the New World.

The New World.

New Spain.

It sounds like a fabulous country.

But my generation is too old.

Our roots go too deep here

in our native soil.

Like these ancient trees,

we cannot be transplanted.

It is young men the church needs, my son.

Men with strength and courage and zeal.

But why me?

Why must it be me?

Because you have in you the spirit of sacrifice.

I've known it ever since that day

when, as a small boy,

you gave your silver to the bell.

I'll give you my answer tomorrow.

I promise.

Tomorrow, then.

Good night, Father.

Good night, my son.

You can contribute to the church

in other ways, Miguel.

Support it as I do with money.

You will have plenty some day if you stay here.

Surely you know my regard for you, Miguel.

Over the years, you have become like my own son.

That, too, I had hoped. Well?

Thank you, Don Pedro.

What are thanking him for?

For helping me to make up my mind.

Well, you seem very pleased about it.

I am, Isabella.

Excuse me? What is it, Louis?

I've been asked to deliver this to Señor Sanchez.

It was his last request.

His last?

Father Lopez died last night.

[ clearing throat ]

Well, too bad.

Now at least you are spared having to tell him.

I did not have to.

He knew.

God go with you, Miguel.

OLD RANGER: Even then, it was several years

before Miguel was allowed to go to the New World

he had dreamed of,

but, at last, he arrived in Mexico City

and was received by the Arch Bishop.

Welcome, my son.

It is good to be here, Your Excellency.

You had a rough journey, I understand?

Storms all the way.

There were times when we wondered if the ship

would ever ride them out,

and times when when we did not care,

but it was worth all we went through

to be here now.

What a wonderful city this is.

The Cathedral.

It is as large as the one in Seville.

And the university.

You must take a few days to rest

and regain your strength.

Already I feel recovered.

The hardest part of the journey lies ahead.

I do not understand.

You heard of Father Sera and the missions

he is founding in California?

Only vaguely.

There are only a few as yet.

That part of the country is still a wilderness,

its people, savages.

But, with the help of God,

and men like you... Like me?

This part of the country has been assigned to you,

Father Sanchez.

About a four month's journey north of here.

The Mission of San Gabriel, Arcángel.

OLD RANGER: And a few days later,

accompanied by another priest,

an Indian guide, and an escort of soldiers,

he started on a 2,500 mile journey northward.

The soldiers deserted after a few weeks,

and, a short time later,

Miguel's fellow Padre was killed by an Indian arrow.

We turn back.

No, my friend.

We will not turn back.

We will bury our brother and continue on.

We go on, we get arrow, too.

I have no other choice but to obey my orders.

Chala have choice.

Chala turn back.

OLD RANGER: Lost in this strange country,

knowing only that his destination

lay somewhere to the North,

Miguel continued grimly and faithfully on.

But, after many weeks of hardship and suffering,

he became a man torn with doubts and fear.

Had dedicating himself to the church been a mistake?

If only the Lord would give him some sign.

[ bell ringing ]

The Angelus.

[ bells ringing ]

[ bells ringing ]

My own.

My own.

Forgive me, Father,

for ever doubting you.

Now I know.

OLD RANGER: That happened almost 200 years ago.

But, at the mission of San Gabriel,

the same bell still rings, calling folks to prayer.

And, in the church garden below,

within sound of its silver tone,

sleeps Father Miguel Sanchez,

who early learned that sacrifice

brings its own reward.

♪♪ [ trumpet ]