Original subtitles

(light, uplifting music)

(men struggling)

- Careful.

- What's in this one?

- Memories, that came with us all the way from England.

- Well, it would be easier on my back

if you kept your memories in your head.

Have you left anything for Jack to sit on?

- [Kathleen] Yes, most of the large furniture

and kitchenware.

- So we don't need to go back for the kitchen sink?

- Seeing as how Jack is looking after the place for awhile,

I thought that I'd better leave him at least that.

- [Colin] Come on, there's only one trunk left.

- No, there's three more trunks at home.

- Langara's your home now.

- Don't worry Michael, you'll get used to it soon enough.

- Where am I gonna sleep?

- I think there's some room in the chicken coop.

- [Emily] Oh Danni, don't be a tease.

- Michael, you coming?

- Can I, mom?

- All right.

- Thanks.

- Make sure you look after that horse for me.

- I will.

- And stay away from where they're setting up

the shooting competition.

- Oh mom.

- Just wait for the rest of us to arrive.

- But you'll be ages.

- They won't start without Colin.

- They better not, I'm suppose to be judging it.

- Well I don't think it's fair.

- What's that?

- Well dad donated a beautiful horse as first prize

and he doesn't even get to shoot.

- Oh it's for charity (grunting),

winning's not that important.

- That's easy for you to say,

you won it three years in a row.

- You wanna take this for me.

- Where do you want it?

- Oh just stick it on top of all the rest.

(train horn blowing)

- Six, seven, eight, nine, even.

(train horn blowing)

- [Seb] What are we shootin' for?

- A mountain horse, one of Matt McGregor's finest.

You're not from around here, Mister...

- What time's the shootin' start?

- This afternoon, three o'clock sharp.

It's a pound entry, the proceeds go to church fund.

Oh, thank you.

I'll a, I'll just get my ledger.

Um, what did you say your name was again?

(shotgun firing)

(woman screaming)

- Holgate.

(light, uplifting orchestra music)

- I'll see you down there, Rob.

- All right.

- Hey,

sure is a nice-lookin' horse.

- Dad thinks he might have a touch of thoroughbred in him.

The one that got away at Renoir's, you know.

- Hey fella.

I'm still interested in buying him.

- Oh you might not have to buy him, if you can use a rifle.

- How good's the competition?

- Oh, you only have to beat me.

(crowd chattering)

- Montana Hale

- A woman.

- Any objections?

- No, not at all.

- Miss Montana

Hale.

- Mister Gleeson said they've come from all over,

Diggers Rest, Sandhurst,

he said there's even someone from Ballarat.

- Long way to come to win a horse.

- Probably just someone passing through.

- I wish I could shoot.

- We've already talked about this Michael.

- You don't even have a rifle.

- Well I could borrow one.

- You'd probably shoot yourself in the foot.

- [Michael] No, I wouldn't.

- You know how I feel about guns.

When Matt thinks you're ready, he'll teach you.

Until then, you're a spectator.

- Should I tell Kathleen?

- I was gonna tell her tonight.

- I thought I might show her,

give her time to get used to the idea.

- What about you, are you used to the idea?

- No.

- Colin, they're ready to start soon.

- Coming Michael.

- Let's go.

- Why don't you show her, I'm sure she'll understand.

- What are you two up to?

- Come with me.

- I can't possibly imagine what secrets

the general store might hold, Emily.

- Good day, Missus McGregor.

- Good afternoon.

- Not the store, the room's at the back.

It's been empty since Missus Berkowitz

moved into a cottage.

She wants to rent it out, what do you think?

- Are you and Colin thinking of living here?

- Not thinking about it, we've already decided.

Now that the church is finished, Colin just feels he,

he should be in town, closer to his parishioners.

He's been talking about it for ages.

- That's not the only reason though, is it?

- Kathleen, it wouldn't be fair to stay on.

Not to you, not to Matt.

Now you're married...

- But you love Langara.

- And you'll see us out there all the time, I promise.

But you and Matt are starting out and

that takes space and time and privacy.

- That's very generous of you.

- Anyway, it's not so bad.

As long as Colin and I are together,

nothing else matters really.

- Well, thank you.

- Only those marksmen who record a hit on the target

can proceed to the next round.

At the end of each round, the distance to the target

will be increased a further 25 yards.

Any dispute as to what constitutes a hit or a miss

will be decided by our trusted judge, Colin McGregor.

Now then, any questions?

No, well then, may the best man, or woman, win.

(cow bell ringing)

(guns firing)

- Hit, miss.

(guns firing)

Hit, hit.

(crowd applauding)

(tense, somber music)

(gun firing)

Hit, miss.

(crowd applauding)

- [Emily] So what's it like being married to Matt?

- Wonderful.

- What was the wedding night like?

- Emily.

- Well.

- Well,

well it was exactly like I expected it to be.

- Any thoughts of a family?

- We have a family.

- You know what I mean.

- Well I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

(Emily laughing)

(gun firing)

- [Judge] Miss, miss.

(crowd applauding)

- [Man In Crowd] Come on Rob, you can do it, mate.

(gun firing)

- [Judge] Hit, miss.

(guns firing)

Miss.

(crowd laughing)

- Bad luck, Jack.

- [Jack] Bad as she could be.

(gun firing)

- [Man] Hit, miss.

(crowd applauding)

- [Man In Crowd] Yeah, that's not bad at all, not bad.

- That completes this round.

The target will now be moved to 75 yards.

- Hello.

- Hi, how you doin'?

- Good.

- Watch this bunch.

(gun firing)

- Hit, miss.

(gun firing)

Miss.

(guns firing)

Miss, miss.

That concludes this round, the remaining three competitors

will now test their skills with the target set at 100 yards.

- Come on Rob, you can do it.

(gun firing)

- Miss.

- [Judge] Miss.

(sorrowful music)

- She'll never do it.

- She will.

(gun firing)

- It's a hit.

(crowd applauding)

- You must really want that horse.

- What about him?

- [Rob] I think he just wants to win.

(gun firing)

- It's a hit.

- Hit.

The target will now be set at 125 yards.

- How bout you set that target at 150, mister.

- [Man In Crowd] Ooh.

- That is if my friend here has no objections.

- You heard the lady.

- [Judge] 150 yards.

- Has anyone ever hit the target over that distance before?

- Not in this contest, they haven't.

None others I know of either.

(suspenseful music)

(gun firing)

- [Judge] Miss.

(gun firing)

(crowd applauding)

- [Matt] Well that was great shooting.

- [Montana] Thanks, Mister McGregor.

- It's Matt, call me Matt.

- [Danni] Where did you learn to shoot like that?

- My father.

- I wish dad would teach me.

- [Michael] Well he's gotta teach me first.

- Congratulations, Miss Hale.

- [Montana] Thanks.

- [Kathleen] Now, are you staying in town?

- Until I find a spread.

- Are you going to live here?

- That's what I had in mind.

Why don't you just call me Montana.

I'm not used to folks calling me Miss.

- Well Montana, I believe this is yours.

- Thanks.

- If you have some time, I'd like to write a story

for the newspaper.

- Well, there's not much to write about.

At least nothin' folks would find

interesting enough to read.

- Oh I'm sure we can find something,

isn't every day we have a real life cowboy move to town.

- Maybe when I'm not busy.

- I won't take no for an answer.

- I guess you won't.

- What do you make of her?

- [Matt] Well, she's got a good horse.

- What about you Rob, what do you think?

- Ah she looks all right.

- Aye, Rob.

- Well no, I meant, I meant,

she looks like she'll fit into town all right, you know.

Well, she's pretty.

She fires a gun well.

She's got a, got a great horse.

Well it doesn't mean anything, does it?

- [Man] Nice shootin', Miss.

(suspenseful music)

(light, uplifting music)

(people talking and laughing)

- [Matt] Decided what you'll do

with the money you've raised?

- Should pay back the rest of the church bills.

- Excuse me.

- The bank's been very patient.

And with the leftover we thought we might set up a fund

for families in need.

- [Matt] Well, all that should keep you busy.

- [Colin] Yeah.

(Kathleen sighing)

- Matt, I think Colin and Emily have something to tell us.

- Oh.

- We've decided to move back to town.

We'll be renting rooms at Mrs. Berkowitz's store.

- You sure about this,

well it's what you want?

- We're sure, Matt.

- It's what we want, as much for you as for us.

Well this is your house dad, well yours and Kathleen's now.

- Well, if that's what you've decided.

- Great.

- Michael!

- Sorry, would you mind if I had your room?

- Heard about Rob's snoring, have you Michael?

- Very funny, Colin.

- Well, can I?

- No point in leaving it empty.

(roster crowing)

(horse neighing)

- Hey, fella.

How you doing?

- Ooh!

(deep, somber music)

- [Matt] Bring the wagon in this afternoon.

No more heavy furniture, hey Rob.

- [Rob] Yeah.

- We got a few things to do this morning,

so we could be a bit late getting into town.

- Take care.

- Bye Matt.

- Bye Emily.

- Bye.

- Well, that's gonna take a bit of getting used to.

- What's that?

Kathleen being here, or us being in town?

- (chuckling) Both.

- I'm gonna telegraph the story to the Melbourne newspapers.

Markswoman out-shoots high country's finest.

That should raise a few eyebrows.

- She reminds me of you.

- Who?

- [Emily] Montana Hale.

- I hardly think so.

- She's strong-willed, independent,

knows what she wants out of life.

- I haven't met an American yet who doesn't.

- And she's not scared to stand up to men.

- I don't dress up in men's clothes and carry a gun, Emily.

- You don't need a gun, you've got a pen.

- Yes well, it isn't always mightier than the sword,

I can assure you.

- [Emily] Who's that?

- I don't know.

- Whoever it is, they're in a hurry.

Looks like Montana's horse.

(chickens clucking) (blacksmith pounding)

(Montana moaning)

- Hey Jack, that young lady's hurt, come quick.

- You all right, there mate?

- Thank you.

- What happened, Mister Custer?

- That horse of hers got out.

Must a kicked her in the head.

Out cold, she was.

- Let's get her inside.

- Come on.

- [Kathleen] You took quite a knock.

- [Emily] What happened?

- I was hit over the back of the head.

- You were attacked?

- Stole my horse.

Where's the sheriff?

- There isn't one, the nearest troppers are in Melbourne.

- My horse could be in the next state

by the time they get here.

It's okay, I'll be fine.

- You don't look very fine.

- If there was a man, he could be anywhere by now.

- Missus O'Neil, ah, Missus McGregor's right, Miss Hale.

If no one saw this man,

how on earth are you going to find him?

- We saw him.

Near Langara, the man leading the horse.

It must've been him.

- It's possible, I suppose.

- If you haven't got a sheriff, then I haven't got a choice.

- Yes you have, you can wait.

- Where I come from, if there's no law

you deal out your own justice.

- Well we do things differently here, Montana.

- [Montana] All right, tell me.

- Well, well, we don't go off alone, for a start.

If you insist on going after him, I'll go with you.

- Missus McGregor.

- Kathleen!

- We'll just have to go to Langara first,

I'll need to change, and we can get fresh waters.

- That would only waste time.

- If it is the man we saw, you have to cross Langara anyway.

Then we can take the buck board.

- I'll get my rifle.

- Kathleen, do you know what you're doing?

- Matt's as close to the law as we're going to get.

If I can get her out to Langara, she might listen to him.

- She might.

- Then again, she might not.

- Do you have any better ideas?

(horse galloping)

(slow, somber music)

You know how to handle this thing?

- I can handle anything.

Ya, ya, ya!

(adventurous music)

I'll saddle the horses.

- [Kathleen] I'll change.

- Mom, what is it?

- [Kathleen] Where's Matt?

- Well he's not back yet.

- [Kathleen] Is Rob with him?

- Rob and Colin, what's wrong?

- Montana's horse has been stolen.

Tell Missus Tan to throw together some food.

- Here's some food.

- Oh,

thanks.

Kathleen.

- I've been thinking,

I think we should wait til Matt gets back.

You know he couldn't be far away.

- Kathleen if you don't wanna come with me that's fine.

I'm not forcing you.

- I just think we should wait.

- I can't wait, it's my horse.

I won it fair and square, I want it back.

Now either you're comin' with me or you're not.

Okay.

- Montana!

Tell Matt we're heading west on the old bullet trail.

- Be careful.

- Bye.

(harmonica music)

- Shush!

- What?

- Quiet.

(cocking rifle)

It's him.

You were suppose to be here yesterday.

- [Seb] Do you do anything else but complain?

Francie figures there're horses up there again.

- [Man In Middle] Bet you didn't get that from Chandler.

- You stole it.

- It was mine, all I did was take it back.

- They aren't out lookin' for you, are they?

- There's not a trooper within a hundred miles.

Now if you haven't got the stomach for this Liam,

you can settle up and ride right on outta here now.

- Tea's still warm, boys.

- Well what are we gonna do about Chandler?

- I told you I'll handle Chandler.

- Those last horses he sold to us were worthless Seb.

He knew they were sick and could die.

And here we are about to buy more from him.

- Who invited you here?

I said who?

- You did.

- That's right, me.

Now you just do as you're told, I'll handle Chandler.

(harmonica music)

- [Montana] Are you sure about what you saw?

- [Kathleen] A rider leading a second horse.

It could've been the palomino.

- You didn't get a close look at him?

- Well I only saw him for a couple of seconds.

He was too far away.

You know who he is, don't you?

- Holgate, the man I was shooting against.

This is it, a rider leading a second horse.

- I'm not sure about this, Montana.

- Look on the bright side, Kathleen,

there's two of us and only one of him.

- That's very reassuring.

- She went where?

- After the man who stole Montana's horse.

They went west on the old bullet trail.

- And Montana went with her?

- It was more like mom going with Montana.

- How long ago?

- A couple of hours.

- Saddle up some fresh horses.

- He's joined up with someone.

Two others by the look of it.

- Great, so now we're outnumbered.

- Gun oil.

- This isn't a game, Montana.

- Never was a game, Kathleen.

- What are you gonna do if you catch up with them?

- Look, I just want my horse.

You never really intended to come with me, did you?

- I thought if I could get you out to Langara,

I could get Matt to change your mind.

- You should be able to follow our tracks

back to the main trail,

it's not hard to find Langara from there.

(light flute music)

(tense music)

- [Frank] Seb.

- [Seb] How are ya, Frank?

- I'm just fine.

Had me thinkin' you'd changed your mind.

Where have you been?

- Had some other business to attend to.

- Well boys, make yourself at home.

Billy's boiling, just help yourself.

- It's been a long ride.

- A little something to seal our business deal, eh?

Want to see the horses?

- I can wait til the morning.

- Whatever you say Seb.

Maybe a little something to help us get some sleep, eh?

- Hope these horses are better than the last lot.

Frank.

- I didn't know Seb, and that's the honest truth.

I lost nearly 20 of my own horses.

Nature can be cruel.

- Nature can.

- [Montana] We'll camp here, rest the horses.

First light, we'll try to catch up with them,

before they break camp.

(Kathleen sighing)

- Where'd you learn to track?

- Back home, when I was a kid.

- Did your father teach you?

- No, a Shoshone Indian.

We lived near a government Indian reservation.

Still doin' that story for the newspaper?

- No, no, no, just curious.

- [Rob] There's four sets of tracks,

they'll be in there somewhere.

- Running out of light, dad.

What do you wanna do?

- We keep following the tracks until

we can't see 'em anymore.

Then we pick 'em up again at first light.

Let's just hope we find them before they find him.

(bugs chirping)

- So do you miss home?

- I was 11 when my father died,

my mother died a couple of year later.

Grandpa raised us, me and my little sister.

- My father died when I was young too.

Makes you grow up quickly.

- Yeah, I guess it does.

- Maybe Emily was right.

- Emily?

- She thinks we're alike.

- (laughing) I don't think so.

- Strong-willed, independent women, she says.

- Well, I guess that's true enough.

- You ever ask yourself why?

- Never thought much about it.

- Sometimes other women frown at me like they disapprove,

like I'm threatening the whole balance of things.

- You should try wearing trousers.

- (laughing) Why are we out here?

We've got nothing to prove.

- We're out here because he stole my property.

I want it back.

- Is that all?

- It's enough.

- Matt could give you another horse.

- It wouldn't be the same.

I'm not gonna go through life

having men take things off me just because I'm a woman.

- So what else have they taken off you?

- Have you ever fired a rifle?

- Um, a few times, mm-hm.

- Ever shot anything bigger than a jackrabbit?

- If you're asking me if I ever shot another person,

no, I haven't, have you?

- One day we'll be equal, man or woman,

it won't make any difference.

- Well it's not gonna happen soon.

- One day.

Maybe that's why I'm out here.

Better get some sleep.

(gentle, inspiring orchestra music)

(birds cawing)

Time to get movin'.

(Kathleen groaning)

You all right?

- Oh.

What am I doing here?

(Kathleen laughing)

- Three horsemen, then Kathleen and Montana's.

They're still followin'.

- This camp's a day old.

- I know, they could be anywhere by now.

- We've lost them.

- They have to be here somewhere.

(horse snorting) (harmonica music)

There are four of them.

We've gotta go back.

- Not without my horse.

Look, you don't have to stay.

- Why are you doing this?

- Why are you?

- This isn't just about a horse, so why?

- I'm not leaving, not until I get back what's mine.

- What're you gettin' at Seb?

You just said the horses were fine.

- Good enough.

- [Frank] Well you're not takin' 'em without payin' for 'em.

- That's exactly what I am gonna do.

- You're still upset about that last load, aren't you?

- [Seb] You knew they were sick, Frank.

- Course I didn't, why would I sell you sick horses?

- Because you think I'm stupid.

Or because you thought you could get away with it.

- You're not takin' those horses.

If you want 'em, you gotta pay for 'em.

And that's my final word on it.

- You're right Frank, that is your final word.

(gun firing)

(horse whinnying)

What was that?

- Come on.

- Hey!

(gun firing)

Get the horses.

Make sure you're out there for the track.

- Ya, get up!

(gun firing)

(Kathleen crying out)

- Kathleen!

Are you all right?

- Oh.

- [Man On Horse] Who is it?

- [Montana] Run.

(gun firing)

Go!

- Come on, Montana!

(guns firing)

- Who are they?

- She's come looking for that horse.

- Women, we're shooting at women.

- They're shooting back, aren't they?

- You shouldn't have done that.

You didn't have to shoot him.

- Look, he's dead.

And the only way anyone's ever gonna know

is if we let them get away.

You hear what I'm saying?

- We're gonna have to kill them.

(slow, solemn music)

- There's no way out except the way they came in.

They're trapped.

(slow, solemn music)

(gun firing)

- (gasping) Are you all right?

- Well, I think so.

- They're still out there, I can see their horses.

Sorry I got you into this.

- Oh, I got myself into it.

What do you think they'll do?

- Wait awhile,

and when they get sick of waiting, come in and get us.

- Why did you come here, Montana?

(gun firing)

- It felt right.

First time anything's felt right since I left.

- And have you ever shot anything bigger than a jackrabbit?

- I wounded a man once.

- Why?

- He was trying to take away something,

something I loved.

- Where are they?

(guns firing)

(suspenseful music)

- Which way?

- I don't know.

Ya, go on.

(guns firing)

- What are we waiting for?

- If we have to do it, let's just do it.

Come on Seb, there's three of us, let's get it over with.

They're only women.

- I can work my way up, and along the top.

I'll get a clear shot of them from there.

You keep their heads down.

(guns firing)

- They weren't very patient, were they?

(guns firing)

- When I start firing, keep your head down and run.

- I'm not leaving you.

- [Montana] Kathleen!

- No!

(tense, suspenseful music)

- Kathleen!

Kathleen!

- [Kathleen] Matt!

- [Matt] Stay down!

(gun firing) (Seb crying out)

- We've been had, 'fraid let's go.

- Let 'em go, we'll get them later.

- Kathleen.

- Oh, Matt.

(gentle, flowing music)

(gentle, uplifting music)

You've got yourself a fine horse.

- Yeah, well I hope so, after all we went through.

You know, I didn't mean it to end like this.

When I went after him I just wanted my horse back,

that's all.

- Montana, you're no more to blame than Matt is.

Holgate brought it on himself.

- I guess maybe Emily's right,

bout us bein' alike.

- (laughing) Oh I guess we could be,

just a little.

- Yeah, just a little.

- All set to go.

- Thanks.

You know, I never could've made that shot.

- Yeah, well, I was only trying to wound him.

- I still couldn't a made it.

Well, I best get back to town before it gets dark.

Thanks, Matt.

- Goodbye, Montana.

- Get up.

- I better check the fence line.

- The fence line looked fine to me.

- If I knew, I'd got there sooner.

- You can't change it, Matt.

You took a life to save mine.

You don't want me to say you shouldn't have done it, do you?

- No.

- All I can do is love you more.

Come home, come and be with your family.

(gentle orchestra music)

(light, uplifting music)