Original subtitles

Merry Christmas, everybody.

Merry Christmas, one and all.

Here you go. Here you go, big guy.

Please, Ranger Walker, would you tell us a Christmas story like the one last

year? Yeah!

Well,

let me think here. Who wants your Christmas story? Not me.

Christmas ain't real.

It's just a bunch of hype for selling toys and making money and stuff like

It is not. Christmas is real.

Yeah!

Like wanting to be adopted and getting a family someday.

It ain't real.

Okay,

kids, all right.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion. But what about you, Ranger Walker?

Do you think Christmas is real?

Well, I guess the best way to answer that, Sally, is to tell you a story. You

want to hear it? Yeah!

Oh, this ought to keep us on the edge of our seats, a Christmas story for

children.

Don't be a ball humbug.

Well, back in 1876, there was a Texas ranger named Hayes Cooper,

who was also an orphan, just like you kids. And he was faced with that very

question.

Is Christmas real?

It all began in a small town called Harpersville, Texas.

The first week of December 1876, there was a bank robbery.

It's real simple, folks.

You hold your fire, you keep your posse in town, or Mr. Holmes here gets

ventilated.

Isn't that right, Will Stanton?

Just what do you think you're doing?

You wouldn't understand, Sheriff.

He's here stealing cattle.

Stanton held the banker hostage for three hours.

More than enough time for Diggs and his gang to get away.

Then he gave himself up.

No one in Harpersville could understand why a good family man like Stanton would

do such a thing.

Well, what's gotten into you?

Go to jail.

During the trial, Stanton never said a word in his own defense and left his

neighbors no choice but to convict him of aiding and abetting the robbery.

Ranger Hayes Cooper was ordered to escort Will Stanton to the new prison in

Paso.

I'm here to pick up the prisoner, Will Stanton.

Right now, Ranger.

Cooper and the shackled Will Stanton started off on the long trail to El

But little did Cooper and Stanton know, they weren't alone on the trail.

Red Bear was a young Comanche war chief who had a very personal score to settle

with Hayes Cooper and had made a sacred promise to take the Ranger Scout.

Of course, he didn't know it at the time.

but Red Bear was just the beginning of Hayes Cooper's upcoming trouble.

The truth is, this would be a Christmas the Ranger would never forget.

In the eyes of a Ranger.

The unsuspecting stranger had better know the truth of wrong from right.

Cause the eyes of the ranger are upon you.

Anything wrong you do, he's gonna see.

When you're in Texas, look behind you.

Cause that's where the ranger's gonna be.

Prisoner to escort.

The wild Comanche on your tail.

I'd have been really scared.

But Ranger Cooper didn't know he was being followed.

Not yet, anyway.

Is any of this true?

Hayes Cooper was a real Texas Ranger.

When he died, he left a journal.

This was one of his stories.

Okay, so what happened?

The prisoner Ranger Hayes Cooper was escorting wasn't like any other outlaw

had ever encountered.

You looking forward to the holidays, Ranger Cooper?

December's just another month to me.

Nothing special.

But Christmas is special.

Most important day of the year, at least to me and mine.

My wife and children think so.

Always have.

Not Santa Claus or things like that, but a true celebration of our Lord's

birthday.

This will be the first year we won't be together on Christmas morning.

Where is your family?

East to here and north.

Right near Diamond Lake.

We call it the ranch. It ain't much, really.

I run some mustangs, wild longhorns. Becky, my wife, has herself a garden.

Will Jr.

and Mary help out.

I haven't seen them in over a month.

They weren't at the trial?

No.

Well, if you don't tell me why, that's your business.

I can't, Ranger.

About my family or my partners in the robbery. Nothing.

Suit yourself, Stanton.

Hold it.

Hold it.

Our horse picked up a stone.

Mind if I ask you a question?

Sure.

Why did you do that?

Do what?

You know, back there.

See, Ranger Cooper, once upon a time I was a heck of a sinner.

But I was lucky enough to get myself reborn.

I have faith now.

Faith.

In what?

In the Lord Jesus Christ, Ranger Cooper.

Well, growing up in an orphanage where they beat the Bible into you every day

kind of sours you on religion.

Well, it's not religion I'm talking about, Ranger.

It's faith.

Life's pretty empty if you don't have faith in something.

Get some sleep.

There he is.

Who?

That's the one who tried to kill you.

Yeah, his name's Red Bear.

Why is he after you?

Blood debt.

I killed his brother. You killed his brother?

A place called Willow Creek.

Willow Creek?

Everybody in the state of Texas heard about that battle.

That was war.

There's a treaty now.

Tell that to Red Bear.

Used to hunt this far south of my spread all the time.

Straight that way.

What is it?

Watch out!

Steer up the horses.

You killed him.

No.

Let's go.

Look out!

Why'd you do that?

I'm sorry, Ranger Cooper.

But when I got saved, I swore I'd never abide the killing of another human

being. That's a pretty hard promise to keep in the Badlands. Maybe.

But if you put your trust in the Lord, things have a way of working out.

Some Christmas story, huh?

I have to admit, it does build a certain amount of suspense.

Will you people be quiet, please? I'd like to hear this story.

Well, for Ranger Hayes Cooper, a simple journey had suddenly become very

complicated.

Oh, Jimmy.

And Ranger Cooper chose the only course possible to save the prisoner's life. He

headed for Will Stanton's homestead and away from the prison in El Paso.

And all the way, Will Stanton was calling out to someone named Timmy.

Who's out there?

He's Cooper, Texas Ranger, ma 'am.

I've got your husband.

He's been injured.

Will Jr., come out here.

Mary, you stay inside. Hurry up, Will.

What happened to him?

We ran into a Comanche.

He took an arrow meant for me.

You're taking him to the El Paso?

Yes, ma 'am.

I've got to get him inside.

Daddy?

Is he going to be okay?

How is he? Hurt bad?

No, what's going on?

Lift him up.

Praise God.

I'm going to have to push it through.

Open his shirt up.

Over the next few days of living with Will Stanton's family, Hayes Cooper

aware of something that left a question mark burning in the ranger's mind.

The children, Will Jr.

and Mary, took special care each night to pray for little Timmy, and their

heartfelt concern was very clear.

Cooper himself would have been more than a little concerned had he known that

the Comanche Red Bear was still on his trail and waiting for his chance to

strike back.

But Cooper was busy trying to figure out just who little Timmy was.

Adding to the mystery was a baby's crib in the cabin and a doll that Becky

Stanton would sometimes hold as if it were a real child.

and finally Cooper came to the only conclusion that a man of his insight

arrive at.

Well, what are we going to do?

You probably told me the truth.

Maybe I can help. You don't understand, sir.

I understand you have a baby missing.

And it's my hunch someone's holding him.

So you won't talk.

You're right.

Vicki. No.

Will.

Tell this man I trust him.

Everything you figured out is true.

Cody Diggs and his gang are holding little Timmy. Cody Diggs?

I've heard of him.

How'd you get mixed up with a man like that?

I told you I was a hellraiser once.

I rode with Cody.

And when he found out we were here, he asked Will if he would help him rob that

bank. And when Will refused, he took Timmy.

Where's Diggs now?

I can't tell you that.

He has your son, Mr. Stanton. Once I'm delivered to prison, he's promised to

return to me. I wouldn't count on that.

Well, please.

I need you to promise me, Ranger Cooper, to do your best to try not to take a

life.

That's a tough promise to keep.

I know.

It's one I hope you'll keep.

For the birthday of Jesus.

For Christmas.

For the hope of a better world.

No promises, but I'll try.

Now, where is he?

South, across the border.

A place called Devil's Hole.

Remember our talk about Christmas and what it really means?

For me, the Christmas spirit is simple.

It's what you're doing for me and my family.

And since you don't have a family of your own, we'd be honored if you'd think

about us that way.

I'd be proud to. Thank you.

God bless you and protect you, Ranger Cooper.

Thank you, ma 'am.

Now that Cooper knew that Stanton was an honest man, he was determined to rescue

Timmy from the outlaw, Cody Diggs, and restore Stanton's family and his good

name.

Ranger Hayes Cooper knew he was taking the biggest risk of his life.

But for a lawman like Cooper, there was no other choice.

He had to get that baby back to his parents.

Amen.

I hope he does.

Renaud, you're a damn cheater.

Please, no.

You proved your point, mister.

No need to kill him.

You're either insane or you're very, very fast.

If anyone's a friend of his, best get him out of here.

Careful, stranger.

Mister, let me give you some advice. Get back on your horse and keep riding.

I'm looking for Cody Diggs.

I work for Cody Diggs. I'm Renault from New Orleans.

That supposed to mean something?

It does to 12 men in Boot Hill.

Not to me.

Don't you turn your back on me.

Why'd you stop my play?

Your play was over.

Anything else would have been murder.

I smell righteousness.

Ethics. I smell a damn egg -sucking lawman.

Then maybe your nose needs fixing.

You're a dead man.

Your gunfighting days are over.

Get out of town.

Ranger Hayes Cooper beat his man to the draw and crewed to his word to Will

Stanton. No one had died.

He just shot one of my best men.

He should have kept his gun in his holster.

Why didn't you just kill him?

Well, let's just say I've got the Christmas spirit.

Are you superstitious about gunning a man down on the holidays?

Could be.

Well, I heard stranger.

You got a name?

Smith.

Catchy.

Got a first name? John.

Well, John Smith.

What brings you to Devil's Hole?

I come to join up, Cody Diggs.

You got a ton of sand, friend.

If this so happens, I'm a man short.

You got yourself a job.

Drinks are on me, boys.

All right.

She's taken.

I figured.

Leader of the pack always gets first choice, right?

That's for true and certain.

The leader of the pack.

I like that.

I like that a lot.

Here's what I'm looking for, and I can make some real profit.

See, the governor of Texas, he's going to declare amnesty real soon.

I'm going to get my name on that list.

And then what, huh?

Take a guess there, Mr. Smith.

I know what I would do.

I'd get myself elected sheriff of Bombette County and loot it six ways

Sunday.

Cooper got a lucky break when he spotted Timmy, but his luck was short -lived

when he saw Jake Ketchum.

Ketchum was a horse thief and a killer, and Ranger Hayes Cooper had more than a

little history with this career criminal. In an instant, Ranger Hayes

knew that his time in Devil's Hole had been drastically reduced.

Jake!

Catch up, you quiet old man.

Get over here and get yourself a drink.

Thank you.

Who was that fellow? I mean the one with the beard and the nice duster coat.

John Smith.

He took old Renault's place on the payroll.

We must be missing something here. I'll just have a drink.

You're just too old.

How are you, girly girl?

I'm not too old, am I, honey?

Oh, my goodness.

What is it?

What do you want?

I've come for the baby.

Don't you dare touch my baby.

Ma 'am, I'm a Texas Ranger, and I've come to take the baby back to his

His mother?

His mother is dead.

Cody told me his mother was dead.

Cody's lying.

His mother's alive.

No.

No.

You can't take it.

You can't take my baby.

Ma 'am, he's not your baby.

The mother misses him very much.

I've got to take him back to her.

never take a baby from his real mother.

All I ever wanted was someone to love.

Someone to love me back. I would never take a baby from his real mother.

I'm sorry.

I wish there was another way.

Chief of Texas Ranger, man.

Don't kill him.

Certainly got a ton of sand, Ranger Cooper.

You're going to need every bit you can muster. This is the final curve.

You know,

fellas, I never thought I'd say this, but it's going to be kind of nice having

ranger hanging around.

Well, Joey.

You are lucky today, Cooper.

I know why you came to this place.

You came for that boy child of the man who was your prisoner and his woman who

weeps. How did you know that?

I have ears to listen and eyes to see.

I saw and understood.

Just remember, there is too much blood between us to ever be friends.

But you have a good heart.

I wish you luck in bringing back that child to his parents.

May the Great Spirit guide and protect you, Red Bear.

Merry Christmas, Ranger Kimber.

I'll be.

I'll just check in the stable.

Hey.

Use

it

or lose it, boys.

Now get out of here.

Drop him, Cooper.

Yeah, you're a hard man to kill.

That's what's going to make this so good.

Finish it. It is finished for now, Diggs.

And you're not going to kill me?

I told you.

I've got the Christmas spirit.

And I strongly suggest, Diggs, you get into that spirit too.

Merry Christmas.

So what are your plans?

I think I'll... Head up north.

Maybe come through Texas.

He'll look you up.

Anytime, ma 'am.

Well, Timmy, the weather doesn't look too good.

I'd better get you home.

Adios, man.

And if Cooper thought the worst was over, or Mother Nature was letting him

just the opposite was true.

Lord, I never asked you for anything.

But I'm asking now, not for me, but for this baby and his parents.

Lord, please, please help me get this baby home.

Thank you Lord.

Something very special happened to Hayes Cooper that night.

Clouds broke, and he followed a star to Bethlehem.

Bethlehem, Texas.

I need some milk.

For the baby.

Now.

Go help.

I'll get some milk. Would you like me to feed the baby?

and then on Christmas morning.

Thank you, Lord, for these, thy gifts, which we are about to receive.

And we also give thanks that most of us are together on this birthday of your

son, Jesus.

And we ask that you watch over our friend, Ranger Hayes Cooper, and our

little boy, Timmy.

And we pray that wherever they may be,

Merry Christmas, folks.

We've got a fat goose and a present for everyone. Thank you.

For the best present of all.

Terry, my baby.

My lord, Ranger, you did it.

I don't know how to thank you.

Yes, they should be thanking you, folk.

Because I finally realized that Christmas is real.

As real as that baby.

Amen. Amen.

Amen. Amen.

And no one died. Thank you.

So what

happened to Mr. Stanton?

Did he go to prison?

When Ranger Cooper explained the circumstances to the judge, all charges

dropped against Mr. Stanton.

Praise the Lord.

Merry

Christmas,

everyone. And have a safe and happy New Year.

Come to the eye of those rangers who are upon you.

Any wrong you do, he's going to see.

When you're in Texas, look behind you.

Because that's where the rangers want to be.

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