Original subtitles

The 5th Cavalry, on behalf of the government of the United States, hereby

carries out the execution of Trooper Bart Maverick.

All right, Odell.

A Warner Brothers television production.

Mostly, you don't catch me hanging around Army posts.

I don't have a hankering for the military life.

But this fort was different.

There was always a big poker game going on in the Suttler store.

Trappers in from the wilds would take a hand, and some of those cavalry boys in

blue were pretty sharp card players.

You know the kind.

When payday came around, they'd wind up with most of the money in the barracks.

So whenever I was in the neighborhood, I'd drop in and try to even things up a

little.

Fifty.

I'll make it a hundred.

Four times in a row I open, four times in a row you raise.

My old pappy always used to say, once you get the call, don't be a backslider.

The what?

My pappy.

That's what I thought you said.

Can't you find some chores for this boy? Say, in the next 30 seconds?

No, you don't. I'm off duty till tomorrow morning. Then why don't you go

town and paint it red like any normal growing American boy?

I like it right where I am.

Three of the most beautiful aces in this part of the country.

Pickings ain't so easy this time, are they, Maverick? Old story, Dakota.

The poor are always trying to get the rich, and usually do.

Attention!

Maverick? Right here.

Captain Berger, officer of the day.

Well, nice to meet you, Captain.

Pull up a chair. There's still room for one more. You're under arrest.

What for, gambling? Exactly.

Just me? Just you. On your feet.

Well, see you later, boys.

I think the colonel wants a poker lesson.

I wouldn't count on that.

You don't know Colonel Sam as well as I do, Captain.

Captain?

Do you want to see the prisoner, sir? I have him outside.

How long has it been?

Two hours, sir.

We'll wait another two.

All right, sir.

Wait two hours for what?

Oh, a little business I have to take care of.

At this hour?

It can't be helped, my dear.

I'm getting awfully tired of spending my evenings alone.

This won't take long.

You told Berger to wait two hours. Why can't you take care of it now?

Prisoners ordered, sir.

Well, how about it, Sam?

You spin something loose upstairs or something?

That'll be all, Captain.

But the prisoners, sir, you'll need a guard.

I think I can handle Maverick alone.

All right, sir.

You've got a good man there, Sam.

I'm glad you appreciate him, Bart.

Yeah, well, now what's this all about?

Gambling.

It's against regulations.

Maximum penalty, 180 days in the stockade.

Yeah, well, that regulation has been in effect around here ever since I've been

dropping by.

Matter of fact, you violated that regulation on several occasions yourself

in my company.

True, true.

But I wouldn't put myself in the stockade, now would I?

You know, Sam, despite that gleam in your eye, I get the idea you're not

kidding. You're very perceptive, Bart.

However, there is an alternative to the 180 days in the stockade.

Sam, you can't do this to me.

What's my name on that paper?

I put it there myself.

This is an enlistment paper.

Well, read the small print, Bart. It's a short term.

Only 180 days.

Me? In the army? In the cavalry?

Well, you must be out of your mind, Sam.

Well, I don't know the first thing about being a soldier, and I sure don't want

to learn.

There's always a stockade.

You mean this?

As sure as I'm sitting here, I mean it, Bart.

Now sign it.

I said sign it.

Sam, I'm not a spiteful man, but I swear, someday I'm going to get even

you.

I don't think so, Bart.

Not after I've told you why.

I'm afraid there's going to be a war.

Well, that's ridiculous. The Indians are peaceable.

They have been, but I'm afraid that's ready to end.

Shipments due for arrival never get here.

Supplies are stolen from the post, yet there hasn't been a single raid.

Officially, we're at peace, and officially, they're living up to it.

That can mean only one thing.

They're stockpiling for a full -scale attack.

Oh.

And you want little old Bart to rise up and smash those savages?

Someone in my outfit is working with the Indians.

Whoever he is, whoever they are, they're clever.

I need someone just as clever to uncover them.

Your sloppy behavior in un -military ways should draw them to you.

Now, don't change on me now, Bart.

How do you know it's somebody in your outfit?

Maybe the Indians are getting smart, that's all.

The last man I secretly assigned to infiltrate the ring didn't make reveille

morning.

Had a knife in his back.

I have to say it again, you'll be standing there for ten hours.

That includes you, Heaven.

What he says true, is that really your name, Heaven? Sure is.

Albert C. Heaven from Henson, North Carolina.

Well, good Heaven.

Listen, dude.

Yes, sir. If what you have to say is so important, come right out here and tell

the whole truth.

No, Sergeant, sir, you see, it wasn't that it's so important. I was just

to socialize with some of my newfound friends.

I'll take care of your socializing.

Don't breathe unless I say so. Don't move unless I tell you to. And whatever

do, don't think unless I say so. Is that clear?

Yes, sir, Sergeant.

I'm Sergeant Schumacher.

Your company commander is Captain Ronald Berger.

As long as the colonel wanted me to act sloppy and unmilitary.

I decided to do the best I knew how.

The way I looked at it, the sooner everybody figured me for a gold brick

hated the army, the quicker the conspirators would contact me.

Begin to make the cavalry a career.

Any questions?

Yes, sir, Sergeant.

Now that I'm in the cavalry, where's my horse?

So you want to know where your horse is.

You and your smiling friend just double -time it over to the stables, and there

you'll find a horse.

Lots of horses!

Well, job well done, Albert.

Pretty clean, Albert.

Five, one, two, three, four. One, two, three, four. Come on, move in there,

in there.

To the rear.

Five, one, two, three, four. One, two, three, four.

I was the most un -military trooper this fort had ever seen.

I thought you said about face, Sergeant.

I... Heaven! Yeah!

How? I kept trying to draw attention to myself.

Maverick!

Maverick! Sergeant,

I'm sorry I'm right here.

Not soldierly, but spectacular.

Anything right?

Sarge, I...

Say,

Heaven, would you mind telling me what you can find to smile about?

This food's mighty good.

I'll bet the cook was from back home.

How long the rope use for?

180 days.

Well, you only got 176 left.

Don't remind me.

I signed up for five years myself.

You're facing a pretty rough road there, Albert.

Maybe Schumacher will be transferred.

Oh, I got a feeling I'm going to get along just fine with him.

First thing you know, he's going to come up to me and say, Trooper Albert C.

Heaven, you is hereby a corporal.

Yes, sir, that's Sergeant. He's a fine man.

All right.

You've had enough time to eat. Now get busy on that KP duty.

Right to it, Sarge.

to it.

Who?

Lieutenant? Don't get smart. You better start shaping up.

You're going to be working a 24 -hour day. Now get busy.

Yes, sir.

Sergeant.

Well, Rogers, it looks like we're near the end of the line.

I'm glad of that.

I want to be over that border before the war starts.

Oh, you will be. A few more wagons, one big haul, we'll be paid off in full.

But we have to get ourselves another man.

What for? We're doing all right.

It's going to take three of us to handle a Gatling gun.

A Gatling gun?

That's the first I've heard of it. Sell the requisition. It's coming through all

right.

Why do we need another man? Can't the two of us handle it?

Have I been wrong yet?

Remember what happened once before, Judd?

It's just another reason we'll have to be more careful this time.

You've got somebody in mind.

A fellow who's in this outfit against his will.

A fellow who loves money. A fellow who's a number one Class A gold brick.

Maverick. That's right.

He's got plenty of reason to hate the Army.

He could be working for the Colonel.

And if he is, he's going to end up with a knife in his back.

But if he isn't, he's our third man.

Not do it!

Be a forced ride this morning. Come on, move along.

It was a trick, Colonel. A couple of rays moved in around the settlement as

they were preparing an attack.

When we got there, they were gone.

They don't play games, Captain.

They must have had a reason.

Yes, sir. It was coming back.

We found the wagon on its way here with a hundred repeating rifles.

They tied up the driver and took the rifles.

That'll be all, Captain.

Any further order, sir?

Dismiss the troop.

Yes, sir.

Sergeant! Yes, sir? Dismiss the troops!

Left wheel!

Forward! Halt!

That makes 400 rifles in the last two months.

Still think it means war?

What else can I think?

At a time like this, General Smith insists I make a trip down south to see

Maybe you should.

He doesn't want to talk about Indians.

Just want someone to hold his hands while he rants and raves about

and the fact he hasn't been transferred there. Part of your job, Sam.

Not when there's a war ready to start at any minute.

You mean you'd rather kill Indians, huh?

Catherine, you know that isn't true. Don't start that again.

You had to kill. You'd kill, wouldn't you?

Wouldn't make any difference how I felt, would it?

How can it, my dear?

With the working over Sergeant Schumacher had been giving me,

to sleep on guard duty wasn't hard at all.

What's going on?

Simmer down, Maverick.

It's kind of late to be going out for a stroll, isn't it?

You know how it is.

A fellow will go a long way for a little female companionship. Hey, let me see

your pass.

Well, don't be silly. If I had a pass, I wouldn't try to sneak out the gate,

would I?

Then you're not going to get out any other way.

Oh, you mean you deprive a buddy of some fun?

Yeah, but it's going to cost me.

Do you have any idea what Schumacher would do to me?

Tell you what, I'll make it worth your while.

How? You like money, don't you?

Well, who doesn't?

Twenty dollars if I go through this gate.

That's almost what you make a month, Jack.

See, that gal must be supporting you.

Well, let's just blame it on my boy's charm.

What about it?

Thirty, and I might go back to sleep.

Twenty now and ten later.

That's fair enough.

I don't expect you'll be taking any extended trips.

Thanks, buddy.

Now, don't get riled up, Jed. A man takes chances. He should be able to

little something, preferably money.

Did he go for the money?

Uh -huh.

With very little hesitation.

Now, don't you say the United States Cavalry never gave you nothing?

What are you doing?

Well, I'm just giving them a few scraps of food, Mrs. Percy.

You get them off the post this minute, you hear?

What? You do exactly as I say.

Those people are not supposed to come here begging.

Yes, Mrs. Percy.

It can't be Catherine Percy talking that way.

It can be and is, Dakota.

Did you forget so fast who them people are?

I know who they are.

Then why don't you act like it?

They're not supposed to come here begging.

It's against the rules.

Maybe so.

But there's a lot more important things.

Like providing a home for a little white girl.

Ten years.

After Ma and Paul was killed.

Boy, you've been too busy to remember that.

I'm the colonel's wife now, Dakota.

Ain't nobody holding that against your child.

You haven't changed in the least, have you?

I wish I could say that much about you.

Maybe you ain't got any Indian blood in you, Catherine.

But they raised you.

And they're still your people.

Sam Percy brought me back to my world and I married him that settles who my

people are It's been nice seeing you maybe maybe another

five years we could say hello again

Howdy

fellas you got a true gamblers heart Maverick I have in order to play against

you, Odell.

That's not what I mean.

Berger might come in, slap another six months on your hitch.

The way I've been performing, it'll just be a matter of days before they offer

me money to leave.

Deal?

Maverick! Get up from that chair!

I said get up!

What have I done this time?

I've had enough of you, Maverick. I'm gonna beat you to the bone. Will you

your bellowing for a minute and tell me what I've done?

The captain just made a spot inspection.

Because of your equipment, the entire company didn't pass.

Nobody in my outfit puts a mark on my record.

You know something, big man?

If it wasn't for those stripes, I'd put a mark on you you'd never forget.

Consider the stripes off.

That's real nice of you.

Matter of fact, it's the most delightful thing that's happened to me since I've

been in the cavalry.

I mean, they... Hold it!

Hold it! Hold it! Hold it!

Keep smiling.

You're still going to do that 40 hours of extra duty, minute by minute.

All right, move out.

Looks like it's time for us to enlist our third man.

Pretty good idea on that third man we need.

Oh?

I'll follow through with your approval, of course.

Who?

A new and very unhappy trooper your husband corralled. A fellow named

Does that mean anything to you?

No.

But I didn't know anything about the man you killed, either.

What was I supposed to do? Let him go to your husband and turn me in?

Let's make this quite clear.

I gave you explicit instructions no one was to be killed.

Now, I don't want that repeated, understand?

What about Maverick?

Go ahead.

Maverick, it's been said you love money more than anything else.

It's been said right.

It's also been said you were tricked into uniform.

That is an understatement.

Tell me, how far does your hatred of the cavalry go?

You see this eye?

Well, that feels exactly the way I feel about the cavalry.

Cigar? How do I know you are Kondo?

I might be delivering these supplies to one of your competitors.

Look, I'm just in this thing for the money. I'll be a thousand miles away by

time all the yelling starts.

Just out of curiosity, would you mind telling me what you expect to accomplish

with this war?

It seems to me there'll be a lot of blood spilled all over these hills.

And for what?

The history of man, Mr. Maverick. That is your answer.

It teaches us that the majority has always ruled.

In my instance, the will of the tribe.

In yours, money represents the same will.

You see, you are being pushed along in spite of your personal convictions.

And where are you headed, Maverick?

Ah, good evening, Sergeant.

Nowhere in particular, just taking a walk.

Well, now, I didn't know you were the walking kind.

Hmm.

A lot of things about me you don't know, Rogers.

Suppose I go along with you and you fill me in.

Fine.

Say, Heaven, when you write a letter to a superior officer, do you have to send

it through channels?

Gosh, I don't know, Bart.

Well, maybe you could do me a favor.

Sure, what do you want me to do?

When I finish writing this note, would you deliver it for me?

Yeah. Evan, Schumacher wants you in the only room on the double.

I wonder what he wants.

I wouldn't worry about it. He'll tell you loud and clear.

I'll do that favor for you some other time, Bar.

Yeah, thanks, Albert.

Well, he doesn't know it yet, but I'm going to pay him to do my extra detail.

Are you having trouble sleeping, Maverick?

No. No.

Good night.

Over here, Jed.

I didn't really expect to see you tonight.

Why? You know I'd be here.

Doesn't that husband of yours ever get jealous?

Well, he's usually very tired this time of night.

Besides, he trusts me implicitly.

I'm afraid I could never do that.

You're, uh, you're much too beautiful.

Is everything arranged?

Naturally.

It's all there.

A condo will meet you one mile from where you pick up the gun.

Good.

Where are you going?

Our business is finished.

Business isn't everything.

If you value your life, Jed, I think you'll agree this is the last time we

each other.

First to cut.

Riffle. And there it is.

Nine of diamonds.

That's good.

You got it?

I got it.

And I'm gonna use it.

Now, Maverick, you're a pretty clever fellow.

After this is all over, how'd you like to go to Mexico?

No, thanks.

California's far enough for me.

How did they find out what we've been doing?

I'll still take my chances.

I just had a talk with the captain, and my recommendations for guard were

myself, Benedict, and Maverick.

And?

Approved and entered in the duty roster.

Good.

Say, would you fellas mind telling me what part I'm supposed to play?

The day after tomorrow, some guards from Fort Smith will bring the gun to Twin

Forks. That's where we pick it up.

We carry on alone from there?

As far as soldiers are concerned.

Of course, Condor will meet us along the way.

You have any more questions?

No, no.

Just as long as I get paid.

Oh, you'll be paid before we start on it.

Sounds fair enough.

Guess I'd better call it a night.

Maverick.

I'll join you.

Good.

Colonel, sir.

May I see your number, sir?

Very well, sir.

Thank you.

Cutting.

Once again, I tried to talk to the colonel.

And once again, something happened.

Fabric.

We're leaving today at noon.

Good. You want your money, I'm ready to pay off now. Fine, just as soon as I get

through with this detail.

I want to take care of it now.

Well, if I leave the compound for more than five seconds, Schumacher will be on

me like a herd of buffalo. There's not a chance Schumacher's off the post till

three o 'clock. Come on.

made it official.

I have to go to Fort Smith today.

He ordered you to go?

In a telegram I received this morning.

He wants me to explain how the Indians are able to raid our supply wagon.

But you send him written reports every week.

I know.

The report will just take ten minutes. The rest of the time I'll spend holding

his hand.

How long do you think you'll be gone?

Two or three days.

Make a nice trip for us. Us?

Not me, Sam.

But you're always complaining about never leaving the post.

Well, it's better than a dusty ride.

And the general's wife.

What is it?

Someone put his initials in the dirt.

You're in command, Captain.

Yes, sir.

Have a good trip, sir.

Oh, Sergeant.

Yes, sir.

Has the guard left for Twin Fork? Yes, sir. Three men as orders.

Fine. Pick your most qualified men, Sergeant. We're going to check on the

competency of that guard.

Sir, aren't three men enough?

While the colonel's gone, I'll be instituting some changes in order to

a detailed report on the regiment's efficiency, which I think is below

Yes, sir.

What are you stopping here for?

Sarge, I've been thinking, what if those Indians don't remember who we are?

Condal will be here, and he knows the setup.

But Sarge, we just... Now get going!

I assume you've been paid.

That's right.

You, uh, have yourselves a good war.

Maverick, let's have those ropes.

You must leave the binding to us.

We have a unique way of using rope.

Weta!

Go in firing.

There's nothing but Indians and traitors down there.

Charge!

A close one.

I thought you were going to blast me.

We were trying.

Just because you got your partner for us, that doesn't save one inch of your

hide. Captain, you don't understand.

At least we'll hang one of them.

Take him in as a prisoner, Sergeant. Yes, sir.

The colonel didn't tell you?

Tell me what?

Nothing. Nothing at all, Captain.

Take me in in chains.

It won't be so funny with that rope around your neck, traitor.

I'd like to make a little wager that never happened. How are you going to pay

off?

Good evening.

Attention!

Don't be ridiculous.

Don't be ridiculous.

Soldier, these are the official charges prepared by the court martial board.

Sign. Is the colonel back yet?

What difference does it make to you? He has no interest in traitors.

Sign.

I hate to tell you this, Captain, but I'm not going to sign any more papers.

Matter of fact, I was working for Colonel Sam.

I was trying to uncover Benedict's ring.

That's why I'm in the cavalry in the first place.

I'm told that when a man's about to die, he comes up with the wildest notions

just to save his neck.

You go on thinking whatever you want.

I just hate to see you waste all this time when the Colonel's going to clear

up.

All right, Maverick.

But as it stands now, the court -martial convenes day after tomorrow to hear

your case.

Captain, you just don't understand.

You see, there is no case.

That remains to be seen.

The colonel arrives tonight. If he backs up your story, the charges will be

dismissed. Open the gate!

Soldier? Is that the colonel's party?

Yes, sir.

What's all the commotion about?

It's the colonel.

What about him?

He's dead, sir.

They ran into a road agent. He thought they were on his trail, put up a fight,

and killed Colonel Percy.

You might as well sign these now, Maverick.

Colonel's wife is here to see you, Maverick.

Hello, Mrs. Percy.

I'm very sorry about the Colonel, but I hope you're here for the reason I think

you're here.

Shh.

I am.

Then you know.

How did it happen?

I don't know.

Everything... was going according to Benedict's plan and suddenly Berger and

men came in out of nowhere.

Look, I'll do everything I can to help you, Maverick, but it won't be easy.

But you're the colonel's wife. You've got to be able to convince them.

It's a tickling situation, you'll have to admit.

Can't you come up with some kind of proof?

That's the only way.

I'll think of something.

Please do.

It's tragic. We were so close to the end and then...

I just don't understand how Benedict was stripped up.

What did you say?

Somebody must have gotten word to my husband.

Do you have any idea who it could have been?

No.

No, I haven't the slightest idea.

Are you all right?

Yes. Yes, everything's just fine, thank you.

Oh, look, try not to worry.

I'll be back later in the day with some kind of plan.

I want you to know I appreciate your not implicating me.

That idea of yours, of insisting that you work for my husband, was very smart

considering my involvement.

If we can't think of anything else, I'll testify to that in court.

Fine. Thank you.

Guard!

To whom it may concern, in case any accident meets with my person, this

is in witness thereof that Bart Maverick was hired by me in absolute secrecy to

aid in breaking the ring that was abetting the Indians in their attempt to

stockpile goods and weapons prior to what, in my opinion, would be a full

war.

The court -martial board has reached its verdict.

Super Maverick is found guilty of the charge and will be hanged by the neck

until dead.

And tomorrow morning at 7 o 'clock.

Why did you wait so long to send for me?

What was the need?

But I'm free now.

I thought you'd be glad.

Glad that a man is dead?

You know I didn't love him.

But he was still your husband.

What difference does it make?

We can be together now.

Together over another man's corpse.

Only thing that matters is we're free.

I don't think you are.

I don't think you're free from the hate that burns inside you.

I spent a year trying to help our people fight back against the white man.

Is that what you mean by hate?

You know I've never believed in this decision of my father's.

How else did you get even?

Killing each other avenges nothing.

What happened to you?

I've been to the white man's school.

I've listened to them talk.

There is common ground for understanding.

I have changed my feelings.

I have no desire to change mine.

My father cannot fight a war without the young ones.

And the young ones will follow me.

You're turning your back on me?

That's up to you.

I'm turning my back on hate.

What has happened to Maverick?

Why do you ask?

He was the only one of the three that had wisdom.

And I thought you were a good judge of people.

He was working for my husband.

Then he was working for peace.

The court -martial board has convicted him of treason.

He hangs tomorrow morning.

You could save him with a word.

I will not save him.

I wonder which one of us is the savage.

T -Town!

Oh, I hate to see you go, Bart.

I was hoping when Mitch was up, you could break me in as a professional

Here. I want you to have these.

The 5th Cavalry, on behalf of the government of the United States, hereby

carries out the execution of Trooper Bart Maverick.

who has been tried and convicted of the crime of treason.

Do you have anything further to say before your sentence is carried out?

Uh, yes, Berger, I have a rather long story to tell you, but I don't think

understand.

All right, Odell.

May I speak to you a minute?

Yes, Mrs. Percy.

I think you'd better read this.

It is brought to my attention and further substantiated by proof that the

defendant had been working with the late Colonel Samuel Percy.

These facts are so stated and signed in this letter by the Colonel himself.

The charges against Trooper Maverick... I suspend it until a further

investigation is completed.

Release the prisoner.

You all right?

Oh, where am I?

Then I'll tell you.

Yeah.

Carry on, Sergeant.

But why didn't you wait until the last minute?

As long as I'm free, I think it's only fair to tell you that... That you really

were working for Sam?

The letter was no fake.

I found it in his personal effects shortly after our conversation.

What made you change your mind? Not that I don't appreciate it.

I made a decision.

Oh?

About hate, love, and where I belong.

Goodbye, Maverick.

Detail. Oh, Maverick.

Didn't you get the word, Schumacher? Yes, I got it.

Captain Berger tells me that I can't discharge you until your enlistment is

That's 122 days away. And as far as I'm concerned, Maverick, you're nothing but

a miserable private.

Corporal Heaven, he's assigned to your detail.

Corporal. All right, Maverick, fall in next to Odell. Oh, Albert, leave me. I

said fall in and keep your mouth shut till I tell you to speak. I'll have you

standing here for the next 24 hours.

Attention!

Bowed face!

Forward march!

Somebody ought to change that boy's name.

Who is the tall, dark stranger there?

Maverick is the name.

Riding the trail to who knows where, luck is his companion, Camden is his

Smooth as a handle on a gun, Maverick is the name.

Wild as the wind in Oregon, blowing up a canyon, easier to tame.

Riverboat, ring your bell, fare thee well Annabelle, luck is the lady that he

loves the best.

Massachusetts, New Orleans,

living on Jackson, Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.

Riverboat, ring your bell.

Farewell, Annabelle. Luck is the way that he loves the best.

Massachusetts, New Orleans, living on Jackson, Queens.

Maverick is a legend of the West.