Original subtitles

MAN 1: Is this the last one?

MAN 2: I don't know. There's no ether either.

MAN 1: Jesus Christ.

You there. Is this the last one?

God, what a mess.

At least there's no gangrene.

MAN 2: Well, there will be if it doesn't come off soon.

MAN 1: Well, I can't saw if I can't keep my eyes open.

I'm sorry.

Let's coffee up. He can wait a few more minutes.

MAN 3: Pick up your guns. Get over here now.

[GRUNTING]

Over here! Move it!

Oh, God.

[GROANS]

TIDE: Glass.

- Is that Tucker's men? AIDE: Yes, sir. I think it is.

TIDE: How long has it been like this?

AIDE: We just found them this morning, sir. They've been here for two days.

MAN: Is that you, lieutenant?

[GUNSHOT]

Crap. Sons of bitches.

Come on. Hey, boy, you better take cover.

[GUNSHOT THEN BULLET WHIZZES]

I ain't kidding. These boys are shooters. Come on. Go under cover.

There you go.

CONFEDERATE [IN DISTANCE]: Come on. Put it back up there. Put it back up there.

You went to the hospital?

It was no good.

[MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY IN DISTANCE]

What's going on here?

What's going on here?

That seems to be the question, all right.

See, you could ask the major...

...but he don't know.

He's busy.

He's busy trying to figure out how come the officers' mess run out of peach ice cream.

Then, of course, you got the general.

He come up to see the show.

All he knows is there ain't no show.

Now, the major, he's looking at the general.

He's thinking to himself, "I better do something."

You know what that means.

I sure as hell don't want to be the first one across this field.

They're supposed to be beat up just like us.

Hell, everybody knows Tucker's men are tough as cobs.

So far, the only thing been killed out here is three milking cows.

Course, that's about to change.

[GUNSHOT]

[CONFEDERATES JEERING AND CHORTLING IN DISTANCE]

You son of a bitch.

You know, some of the boys are saying if we ain't gonna fight...

...we could just settle this whole business with a little high-stakes poker.

Wouldn't that be a sight?

A bunch of fellas sitting in the middle of this field...

...drawing cards, huh?

[MAN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

Jeez!

AIDE: What is it, sir?

Looks like a suicide.

Tucker!

[GUNSHOT THEN HORSE NEIGHS]

CONFEDERATE 1: What's he doing?

[GUNSHOT]

CONFEDERATE 2: Shoot him? CONFEDERATE 3: Yeah.

[GUNSHOT]

[CONFEDERATES LAUGHING AND CHATTERING]

What did you say to him?

I didn't say nothing.

CONFEDERATE 1: Goddamn it! CONFEDERATE 2: Come on, boys.

CONFEDERATE 3: Just shoot him, lieutenant. CONFEDERATE 4: Yeah!

[UNION SOLDIERS YELLING]

[SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

CONFEDERATE 1: Come on back, you son of a bitch!

- Come on back! CONFEDERATE 2: Come on back!

CONFEDERATE 3: You won't make it no second time!

All right by me.

- Come on back. - Yeah!

Forgive me, Father.

CONFEDERATE 1: He's coming back again! CONFEDERATE 2: Here he comes, boys!

CONFEDERATE 3: Get him!

[GUNSHOT]

CONFEDERATE 4: Ready! SHARPSHOOTER: I got him.

[GUNSHOT]

[SOLDIER WHOOPS]

[SOLDIERS YELLING AND WHOOPING]

SOLDIERS: Get him in there and close it.

Don't...

Don't...

Don't take off my foot.

You rest easy, son. You'll keep your foot.

With God as my judge, you'll keep it.

- Bring up my ambulance. - Sir?

Bring up my ambulance, and bring my surgeon with it.

We got an officer who's worth something lying here.

[SOLDIER CHANTING]

DUNBAR: The strangeness of this life cannot be measured.

In trying to produce my own death...

...I was elevated to the status of a living hero.

I was also awarded Cisco...

...the trusty mount that carried me across the field that day.

And on full recovery, was given transfer to any station I desired.

The bloody slaughter continues in the east as I arrive at Fort Hayes...

...a tiny island of men and material surrounded...

...by a never-ending sea of prairie.

[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

MAN: A barrel of a barrel.

I'm good, and I raise my own food too.

[CHATTERING]

Hey, Bill.

SOLDIER 1: Lieutenant. SOLDIER 2: Lieutenant.

"Lieutenant John J. Dunbar."

Lieutenant John J. Dunbar?

- Yes, sir. -"Yes, sir."

Indian fighter, huh?

Excuse me?

It says you're to be posted on the frontier.

The frontier is Indian country.

I quickly deduced that you're an Indian fighter.

I did not ascend to this position by being stupid.

- No, sir. -"No, sir."

It says here that you've been decorated.

Yes, sir.

And they sent you here to be posted?

Actually, sir, I'm here at my own request.

Really? Why?

I've always wanted to see the frontier.

You want to see the frontier?

Yes, sir.

Before it's gone.

Such a smart lad, coming straight to me.

[BOTTLES CLINKING]

Sir...

...Knight.

I am sending you on a knight's errand.

You will report to Captain Cargill...

...at the furthermost outpost of the realm...

...Fort Sedgewick.

My personal seal will assure your safety...

...through the many miles of wild and hostile country.

- I was wondering... - Yes?

I was wondering, sir, how will I be getting there?

You think I don't know?

- No, sir. - You think I don't know.

- It's just that I don't-- - Hold your tongue.

I happen to be in a generous mood. I will grant your boon.

See that peasant out there?

He calls himself Timmons.

He's going to your Fort Sedgewick this very afternoon. You can ride with him.

He knows the way. Thank you. That is all.

Sir Knight?

I've just pissed in my pants...

...and nobody can do anything about it.

[TAPPING ON GLASS]

To your journey!

[TAPPING ON GLASS CONTINUES]

To my journey!

WOMAN: Honey, go call your daddy.

Hyah!

Get over a little bit, Jim.

Get over a little bit, Jim.

The king is dead.

Long live the king.

[GUNSHOT]

Haw a little Jim and Jake!

Haw a little bit, Jim. Haw a little bit.

Get a little bit, Jim. Get a little bit, Jim.

Get a little bit. Get on a little bit.

[CHANTING]

TIMMONS: What you got there?

[LAUGHING]

Somebody back east is saying, "Why don't she write?"

Ptooey. You stupid bastard.

Easy, darling. Easy, darling.

The hell was that?

What is that?

[RUSTLING]

What the hell is that?

[LAUGHING]

What is--?

[COUGHING]

[TIMMONS SNORTS THEN SPITS]

[TIMMONS FARTS]

[TIMMONS LAUGHING]

Why don't you put that in your book?

Why don't--?

DUNBAR: Were it not for my companion...

...I believe I would be having the time of my life.

I know he means well...

...but he is quite possibly the foulest man I have ever met.

DUNBAR: Get up, Timmons.

Timmons.

Get up.

Get up.

Come on. Get up.

- Get up! - Oh! Ow.

Someone poked me in my butt. Was that you?

Goddamn it.

Damn it.

I'm gonna have a welt.

DUNBAR: How come we haven't seen any buffalo?

You can't figure the stinking buffalo.

You can't. Sometimes you won't see any for days.

Other times, they'll be thick, like curls on a whore. Ha, ha.

What about Indians?

Indians? Goddamn Indians!

You just as soon not see them unless the bastards are dead.

They're nothing but thieves and beggars.

Haw up there.

Not what you would call much of a going concern now, is it?

DUNBAR: Go down there.

- Why? There ain't nothing down there. - Because I said.

Go down there.

Hyah! Hyah!

There, son of a bitch.

There ain't nothing here, lieutenant.

Hey!

There ain't nothing here, lieutenant.

Lieutenant!

Everybody's run off or got killed.

All right. Let's unload the wagon.

What? What, and leave it all here?

I'm staying too.

There ain't nothing here, lieutenant.

No, not at the moment.

We don't know what's happened.

So-- So I-- Things--

Things being as they are...

...we might as well just turn around and get headed back.

This is my post.

-"This is my post"? - This is my post.

"This is my post"?

Jesus H. Christ. What, are you crazy, boy?

Lieutenant.

Fast son of a bitch.

- Jesus H. Christ. - This is my post.

- All right. Put it down. - All right?

These are the post provisions, all right? Now get your ass off the wagon.

TIMMONS: Put it down. - And help me unload.

We're just having a conversation. Now put it down.

I'll let them know where you are.

Good.

Good luck, lieutenant.

Thank you.

Jake and Jim.

Good mules. Good mules.

Haw up there now!

Hyah! Hyah!

Haw over, Jim! Haw over, Jack!

Good mules.

Good boy.

Haw, now. Get on up in here.

Haw, now. Good mules.

Good mules. Good girl.

Haw up now.

[TIMMONS CHANTING]

DUNBAR: Have arrived to find Fort Sedgewick deserted.

Am now waiting for garrison's return or word from headquarters.

The post is in exceedingly poor condition...

...and I have decided to assign myself clean-up duty beginning tomorrow.

Supplies are abundant...

...and the country is everything I dreamed it would be.

There can be no place like this on Earth.

[FOOTSTEPS

[FOOTSTEPS CONTINUE]

[SIGHS]

Bad horse.

Bad horse.

Come on, Cisco. One more time. Hyup.

Get up.

Come on. Get up, Cisco.

Get up.

Get up. There you go.

Easy.

Easy.

[IN PAWNEE] Only a white man would make a fire for everyone to see.

[IN PAWNEE] Maybe there's more than one.

[IN PAWNEE] There might be three or four.

PAWNEE 1: I know three or four...

...who will not be making the trip back home.

We have nothing to show for this trail.

PAWNEE 2: We have no rifles.

White men are sure to have rifles.

[IN PAWNEE] It's hard to say how many might be down there.

We should forget this and go home.

Then go.

I would rather die...

...than argue about a single line of smoke in my own country.

[SPEAKS IN PAWNEE]

He will not quit until we are all dead.

[SINGING INDISTINCTLY]

[ARROW WHIZZES]

Ow!

[WHIMPERING]

[SCREAMING]

[CRYING]

[GRUNTING]

Oh, look at me.

Don't hurt my mules.

Stop.

Stop it.

Please don't hurt my mules.

[TIMMONS SCREAMS]

[PAWNEES WHOOPING]

DUNBAR: Men had been living in these caves, but why?

Were they frightened? Had there been some sort of revolt?

I can make no sense of the clues left to me here.

Perhaps my relief will provide the answers.

It's been almost 30 days.

Still no sign of Captain Cargill's command.

Communication can only take place if I leave...

...and I don't want to abandon my post.

Though well-supplied, I have decided to ration my goods...

...as if I were part of a post rather than the whole affair.

There is a wolf who seems intent on the goings-on here.

He does not seem inclined to be a nuisance, however, and aside from Cisco...

...has been my only company.

He's appeared each afternoon for the past two days.

He has milky white socks on both feet.

If he comes calling tomorrow. I will name him Two Socks.

[DUNBAR SINGING "SOLDIER, SOLDIER, WILL YOU MARRY ME?"]

[DUNBAR CONTINUES SINGING]

[CONTINUES SINGING]

[HORSE NEIGHING]

[MAN MURMURING IN ENGLISH]

DUNBAR: You there!

KICKING BIRD: Hyah. - Hey!

DUNBAR: Have made first contact with a wild Indian.

One came to the fort and tried to steal my horse.

When I appeared, he became frightened and ran off.

Do not know how many more in the vicinity...

...but assume where there is one, there's sure to be another.

Have decided to bury excess ordnance lest it fall into enemy hands.

My afternoon rides have been pared down to short circular patrols...

...always keeping the fort in sight.

I'm still alone, however, and unless troops arrive soon...

...all may be lost.

It's been two days now, and nothing.

My presence here must have been reported by now.

Have made all the preparations that I can think of.

Cannot mount an adequate defense as I am still alone.

But will try to make a big impression when they come.

Waiting.

Postscript.

The man I encountered was a magnificent-looking fellow.

[MEN MURMURING IN SIOUX]

MAN [IN SIOUX]: I do not care for this talk about this white man.

Whatever he is, he is not a Sioux, and that makes him less.

When I hear that more whites are coming, I want to laugh.

We took a hundred horses from these people.

There was no honor in it.

They don't ride well. They don't shoot well.

They're dirty.

Those soldiers could not even make it through one winter here.

And these people are said to flourish?

I think they will all be dead soon.

[MEN SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

I think this fool is probably lost.

[LAUGHING]

[IN SIOUX] Wind In His Hair's words are strong and I have heard them.

It's true the whites are a poor race and hard to understand.

But make no mistake. The whites are coming.

Even our enemies agree on this.

So when I see one man alone without fear in our country...

...I do not think he is lost. I think he may have medicine.

I see someone who might speak...

...for all the white people who are coming.

I think this is a person with which treaties might be struck.

[MEN SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

Kicking Bird is always looking ahead and that is good.

But this man cannot cover our lodges or feed our children.

He is nothing to us.

I will take some men.

We will shoot some arrows into this white man.

If he truly has medicine, he will not be hurt.

If he has no medicine, he will be dead.

[MEN SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[IN SIOUX] No man can tell another what to do.

But killing a white man is a delicate matter.

If you kill one, more are sure to come.

[MEN SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[IN SIOUX] It's easy to become confused by these questions.

It's hard to know what to do.

We should talk about this some more.

That is all I have to say.

[MEN SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[FOOTSTEPS AND CISCO NEIGHS]

Yes, sir, I have-- No, I'll ask, sir.

[BOY SHOUTS INDISTINCTLY IN SIOUX]

[HORSE NEIGHING AND BOYS WHOOPING]

SMILES A LOT [IN SIOUX]: We'll be heroes.

Hyah!

[LAUGHING]

They'll write songs about us.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[NEIGHS]

What happened?

[IN SIOUX] I don't know. My arm doesn't work.

You shouldn't have fallen off. Now we'll get in trouble.

It was your idea.

My idea was only to take the horse, not fall down.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

Otter hurt himself.

What are you looking at? I'm the one who's hurt.

I will be when my father finds out. His bow will be across my back.

[GRUNTING]

[WHOOPING]

[SHRIEKING]

I am Wind In His Hair.

I am Wind In His Hair.

Do you see that I am not afraid of you?

Do you see?

[YELLS]

[SHRIEKING]

[CISCO NEIGHS]

[YELLS]

DUNBAR: I realize now that I have been wrong.

All this time, I've been waiting.

Waiting for what?

For someone to find me?

For Indians to take my horse?

To see a buffalo?

Since I have arrived at this post, I have been walking on eggs.

It has become a bad habit, and I am sick of it.

Tomorrow morning, I will ride out to the Indians.

I do not know the outcome or wisdom of this thinking...

...but I've become a target, and a target makes a poor impression.

I am through waiting.

What are you looking at?

[WOMAN SINGING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

[CLEARS THROAT]

Son of a bitch.

No. Wait.

Wait.

Wait. Wait. Wait.

You need help. You're hurt.

- You need help-- - No!

[STANDS WITH A FIST WHIMPERING]

Let me-- You need help.

You need help. You're hurt. Let me help you.

Let-- Let me help you.

You're hurt. You're-- You're hurt.

Don't.

[SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

[SHRIEKS]

[LAUGHING AND CHATTERING IN SIOUX]

[GROANING]

[BOYS LAUGHING]

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[SHOUTING IN SIOUX]

She's hurt.

[MURMURING IN SIOUX]

She's hurt.

WIND IN HIS HAIR: You are not welcome here.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

No. She's hurt.

Go away from us.

You are not welcome. Go away from us.

[MEN WHOOPING]

Stop.

The soldier did not come to fight.

He is going away and we will let him.

[SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

[MEN CHATTERING IN SIOUX]

TEN BEARS: I am in agreement with Kicking Bird.

We will go down and talk to the white man.

And find out why he is here.

If this council decides to talk to the white man...

...then it will be so.

But in my mind it's not right...

...that a chief as great as Ten Bears...

...goes to ask the business of a puny, trespassing white man...

...who has only a smart horse and a few white man's clothes.

I will not go.

You will go.

And you will go.

That is all I have to say.

DUNBAR: Welcome.

Welcome.

Hi.

Come.

Please, sit down.

Sit down.

Wait just a-- Just a minute.

[GRUNTING]

His mind is gone.

[SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

Tatanka, buffalo.

DUNBAR: Buffalo.

Buffalo.

-[IN ENGLISH] Buff-- - Buff-- Buff--

- Buff-- DUNBAR: Buffalo.

[SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

DUNBAR: The fierce one, as I call him, seems a very tough fellow.

I hope I never have to fight him.

From the little I know, he seems to be honest and very direct.

I like the quiet one immensely.

He's been patient and inquisitive.

He seems eager to communicate.

I would conclude that he is a man of some weight among his people.

Buffalo.

I believe I made an even greater impression on their next visit.

I produced a coffee grinder, something none of them had seen before.

Is the coffee not good?

It's too strong, maybe. Too strong, maybe.

Sugar.

Put in.

Taste it.

[CHUCKLING]

Sugar.

You want some?

You want some?

That's a lot.

It's good to finally have some company.

So much goes unsaid, and I have the feeling that these people...

...the quiet one in particular, want something from me.

Made presents of coffee and most of the sugar.

It didn't figure to last anyway.

Don't believe I go too far in saying...

...that a foundation for good relations is being laid.

KICKING BIRD [IN SIOUX]: Stands With A Fist.

We will talk awhile.

Your wounds are healing well?

[IN SIOUX] Yes, they are.

You are happy here, with my family?

I am glad to be here.

I am missing my husband.

Perhaps you will marry again when the time is right?

Perhaps.

We have word from many places that the whites are coming.

They are coming into everyone's country.

I think they will soon be in ours.

This white man who lives at the old soldier fort...

...I have visited him and I believe his heart is a good one.

[KICKING BIRD SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

I am afraid of the white man at the fort.

I am afraid he will tell others that I am here.

I am afraid they will try to take me away.

I've heard they take people away.

Every warrior in camp would fight them if they tried.

I cannot make the white man language.

He cannot speak Sioux.

It has been a long time since I made the talk.

I want you to try.

I don't know how.

Yes, you do.

I can't.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

I can't. It's dead in me.

I don't ask this for myself. I ask this for all the people.

He knows things about the whites which we do not.

Now, you must remember.

I can't.

Will she make the white words?

She won't try. She is being difficult.

Well, she's the one who's crying.

Perhaps the difficulty is yours.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

WOMAN 1: Christine!

Christine!

Christine!

MAN 1: Get them, Joe. Get them chickens.

MAN 2: Boy's growing fast, Harry. MAN 1: Yeah, he is.

WOMAN 2: Billy, you get away from those puppies now.

Okay, honey. Go to daddy.

[HORSE NEIGHS]

MAN 2: Damn.

Get the kids, and get them in the house.

- Go on. MAN 1: Get them in the house. Go on.

WOMAN 1: Christine!

Christine, where are you? Willie!

Joe, get in the house right now!

MAN 1: You stop. WOMAN 1: Get in right now.

GIRL: Come here. WOMAN 1: Come, Billy. Leave those alone.

- Who is it, Willie? - They look like Pawnee.

My father and your father are talking to them.

- What do they want? - I don't know.

MAN 1: Go on. You heard him. Just get out of here.

[GROANING AND PAWNEES WHOOPING]

Run, Christine!

I said run!

WOMAN 1: Joe! Joe!

Christine!

CHRISTINE: Mommy! Mommy!

Mommy!

[SNIFFS THEN MOANS]

Come on, Two Socks. Bacon.

DUNBAR: Two Socks, like Cisco, has become a trusted friend.

He still won't eat from my hand...

...but his keen eyes and ears never fail to alert me when something is wrong.

Tatanka.

No. I haven't seen any buffalo.

Sorry.

Are--? Are you hungry?

Are you hungry?

I have food. I have-- I have a lot of food.

[SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

DUNBAR: Nothing I've been told about these people is correct.

They are not beggars and thieves.

They are not the bogeymen they have been made out to be.

On the contrary, they are polite guests and have a familiar humor I enjoy.

Real communication is slow, however...

...and the quiet one is as frustrated as I am.

Most of our progress has been built on the basis of failure...

...rather than success.

I've thought to inquire about the woman I found, whether she lived or not...

...but it seems far too complicated a subject, given our limitations.

One thing is clear, however. There are no buffalo.

And it weighs heavy on their minds.

Yesterday's meeting was the best yet.

It seems I've been invited to the village, and I'm looking forward to going.

[FOOTSTEPS]

KICKING BIRD: We were waiting for you.

We were waiting for you.

Now tell him we are glad that he is here.

STANDS WITH A FIST: Uh...

[SIGHS]

[IN ENGLISH] Hello.

You...

...here...

...good.

Thank you. I feel good.

I feel good.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

Ask him why he is at the soldier fort.

STANDS WITH A FIST: Uh...

Th-- The s-- Soldier fort.

- Wait. Wait. Wait. STANDS WITH A FIST: You come there--

DUNBAR: What is your names?

- Our names? - What is his name?

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

He's right. Introductions should come first.

Hi-- He, uh...

He...

Kick.

Kick? Kick?

[SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

- M-- More. - More kick?

- More kicking? - Kicking.

Kicking.

Um, bird? Bird, kicking bird.

Kicking Bird.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

What is he...? Uh...

Is he chief?

No.

[STAMMERING]

[KICKING BIRD SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

A holy man.

Holy man.

Your name?

- I-- I don't-- DUNBAR: How are you called?

[KICKING BIRD SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

Uh...

Get-- Get up?

Stand up?

Stands? Stands.

Stands. Your name's Stands?

Stands.

Stands.

- With. - With?

- With. - Stands with?

- With. - With.

Fist?

Yes.

Stands With A Fist?

Stands With A Fist.

I'm John Dunbar.

John-- John Dunbar.

- Dunbar. - Dunbar. John Dunbar.

John Dunbar.

[IN ENGLISH] Dumb Bear.

No, not Dumb Bear.

Dunbar. Dunbar. Dunbar.

DUNBAR: Dun-- - Dun--

- Bar. STANDS WITH A FIST: Bar.

Not Dumb Bear.

KICKING BIRD: Dunbar.

DUNBAR: There's been an exciting breakthrough with the Indians.

A woman among them speaks English, and today, clear progress was made.

For some reason, I am reluctant to answer all their questions.

Maybe it's my sense of duty...

...but something tells me not to say too much.

It was good to see Fort Sedgewick again.

I look forward to another visit with my neighbors.

But this is still my home.

I remain watchful for my relief and can only hope...

...that my negotiations here will bear fruit.

[RUMBLING]

[PEOPLE SINGING IN SIOUX AND DRUMS BEATING]

DUNBAR: Buffaloes!

Buffaloes! I've seen buffalo!

[WHOOPING]

Buffalo.

Buffaloes. Buffaloes. Buffaloes.

Tatanka. Yes. Tatanka. Tatanka.

Yeah.

[KICKING BIRD SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[ALL WHOOPING]

DUNBAR: Riders were sent out to pick up the trail.

In the time it took to gather my things at Sedgewick...

...the entire tribe was well on its way.

The efficiency of the people and speed at which they moved...

...was enough to impress any military commander.

Spirits are high, and overnight I have gone from a person of suspicion...

...to one of genuine standing.

I am greeted with open smiles and looks of appreciation.

In short, I have become a celebrity.

SMILES A LOT: Lieutenant.

- Lieutenant. WORM: Lieutenant.

Scouts picked up the trail exactly where I said it would be.

It was not hard to find...

...a gigantic swath of torn-up ground extending to the horizon.

The sheer numbers it took to create this impossible image...

...was hard to imagine.

KICKING BIRD: Lieutenant.

Lieutenant.

[ANIMAL GRUNTS]

[BLEATING]

DUNBAR: Who would do such a thing?

The field was proof enough...

...that it was a people without value and without soul...

...with no regard for Sioux rights.

The wagon tracks leading away left little doubt...

...and my heart sank, as I knew it could only be white hunters.

Voices that had been joyous all morning...

...were now as silent as the dead buffalo left to rot in this valley...

...killed only for their tongues and the price of their hides.

[PEOPLE SINGING IN SIOUX AND DRUMS BEATING]

As they celebrated into the night the coming hunt...

...it was hard to know where to be.

I don't know if they understood, but I could not sleep among them.

There had been no looks, and there was no blame.

There was only the confusion of a people not able to predict a future.

[CHATTERING IN SIOUX]

[SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

[GROWLS]

[PEOPLE WHOOPING]

[HUNTERS SHOUTING IN SIOUX]

[ARROW WHIZZES]

[GUNSHOT]

[HORSE NEIGHS AND SMILES A LOT GRUNTS]

[GRUNTS]

[GUNSHOT]

Are you all right? Are you all right?

[BUFFALO GRUNTS]

[PEOPLE WHOOPING AND LAUGHING]

[GRUNTS]

[CHEERING]

[CHATTERING IN SIOUX]

[WOMEN SINGING IN SIOUX]

[DUNBAR SIGHS]

DUNBAR: I can't.

No, I'm full.

I'm full. I can't-- And I can't tell the story anymore.

- Ah. - Mm.

No.

Do you want to try it?

You want to try it?

Here.

I can't. This is too much.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

It's a good trade.

This is-- This is a good trade.

No, no, I can't. I'm full, I'm tired.

No.

No. No.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

CHILDREN: Lieutenant. DUNBAR: No.

CHILDREN: Lieutenant. DUNBAR: No.

[DUNBAR GRUNTS]

[PEOPLE CHATTERING]

Big tatanka.

- Big tatanka. Big tatanka. - Tatanka.

[LAUGHING]

[IMITATES GUNSHOT]

[CHATTERING IN SIOUX AND LAUGHING]

That's my hat.

Hey.

Hey.

You're wearing my hat.

It's my hat.

I found it on the prairie. It's mine.

No. No, you...

My hat.

That hat belongs to the lieutenant.

He left it on the prairie. He didn't want it.

Well, you can see he wants it now.

We all know that it's a soldier's hat.

We all know who wears it.

If you want to keep it, that's all right.

But give something for it.

[SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

[SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

[IN ENGLISH] Good trade.

[MAN CHUCKLES AND MOANS]

[BLACK SHAWL MOANING]

[BLACK SHAWL CONTINUES MOANING]

DUNBAR: It seems every day ends with a miracle here.

And whatever God may be, I thank God for this day.

To stay any longer would have been useless.

We had all the meat we could possibly carry.

We had hunted for three days, losing a half a dozen ponies...

...and only three men injured.

I'd never known a people so eager to laugh...

...so devoted to family, so dedicated to each other.

And the only word that came to mind was "harmony. "

Many times I've felt alone...

...but until this afternoon...

...I'd never felt completely lonely.

Though only two days, it seems like a week.

And I am missing the company of my new friends.

I can see all of their faces, but somehow it is not enough.

Tomorrow I will make an unannounced visit.

After all, they are my neighbors. What can it hurt?

Hey!

God! Go home!

Go.

Go home, Two Socks.

Bad wolf.

[YELLING]

It is autumn now and I am spending more time than ever with my friends.

They have given me my own lodge, and I feel comfortable there.

We talk every day, but I know Kicking Bird is frustrated with me.

He always wants to know how many more white people are coming.

I tell him the people will most likely pass through this country...

...and nothing more.

But I am speaking in half-truths.

One day there will be too many, but I cannot bring myself to tell him that.

I am sure that Stands With A Fist knows that I am holding back...

...but to her credit, she says nothing.

[DUNBAR ROARS THEN CHILDREN LAUGHING]

[DRUMS BEATING]

A war party is going against the Pawnee soon, and I have asked to go.

I sense that I made a mistake in doing so...

...but I could not bring myself to take it back.

They are my friends, and from what little I gather...

...the Pawnee have been very hard on these people.

I hope I have not overstepped my bounds.

[TAPPING ON WOOD]

DUNBAR: Come in, please.

Sit down?

[SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

Kicking Bird wants to know...

...why you want to make war on the Pawnee.

They have done nothing to you.

They are Sioux enemies.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

Only Sioux warriors to go.

Tell him that I have been a warrior longer...

...than many of the young men who will go on this war party.

Tell him.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

He said that the Sioux way of being a warrior...

...is not the white way.

- You are not ready. - I know, I understand.

But tell him-- Tell him that I cannot learn these ways in camp.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

He also asks that you...

...watch over his family while he is gone.

This thing he asks is a great honor for you.

Tell him that I would be happy to watch over his family.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

He thanks Dances With Wolves for coming.

Who is Dances With Wolves?

It is the name which all the people...

...are calling you now.

Dances With...

That's right.

That day.

Dances With Wolves.

How do you say it?

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[IN SIOUX] Keep on with the white man talk if it pleases you.

[IN SIOUX] I like to make the talk.

- Oh, I-- I cut this off. - Oh.

- I shaved it off. More. - Oh.

[IN ENGLISH] Grass grows on the prairie.

"Grass grows on the prairie"?

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

- Wrong. - Wrong?

You said, "Fire lives on the prairie."

I did?

No-- No laughing, though.

How did you get your name?

I was not very old...

...when I came to be with the people.

And I was made to work.

I worked every day, very hard.

There was one woman...

...who didn't like me much.

She used to call me bad names, and sometimes she:

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

Uh...

Beat me?

And one day, she was...

...calling me these bad names...

...with her face in my face...

...and I hit her.

I was not very big, but she fell down.

She fell hard and didn't move.

And then I stood over her with my fist...

...and I asked if there was any other woman...

...who wanted to call me bad names.

No one bothered me after that day.

[CHUCKLES]

No, I wouldn't think so.

Show me.

Show me where you hit her.

[CHUCKLING]

Why are you not married?

- I'm sorry. - I have to go.

I'm sorry.

- Can I help you? - No.

[MUTTERS INDISTINCTLY]

Some of your words are wrong but you are learning fast.

So what can I tell you today?

DUNBAR [IN SIOUX]: I want to know about Stands With A Fist.

Why is there no man with her?

She is in mourning.

[IN ENGLISH] I don't unde--

[IN SIOUX] I do not understand "mourning."

She cries for someone.

Cries for who?

It is not polite to speak of the dead.

But you are new, so I will tell you.

She cries for her husband.

He was killed not long ago.

That is how you came to find her on the prairie.

How long will she cry?

It is Kicking Bird's place to say when she is finished.

He's the one that found her when she was very little.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

People are talking about you.

[IN SIOUX] What are they saying?

They are proud of the medicine...

...you are making with Dances With Wolves.

I have hurt him, and I should go talk to him.

You can't. He is gone.

He left this morning.

[RUSTLING]

[IN ENGLISH] Bet you were thinking:

"Now, why don't he write?"

Hello, Two Socks.

Hm?

Come on.

Come on.

I won't hurt you. Come on. You can do this.

You can do this.

Come on.

This is easy.

This is easy, Two Socks.

[IN ENGLISH] I am in mourning.

No, we cannot.

- Yes. - We must be careful.

We must be careful.

Okay.

DUNBAR: Wait.

Wait, wait, wait.

[BOTH MOANING]

[HORSE NEIGHS]

[PEOPLE SHOUTING IN SIOUX]

DUNBAR: What?

Trouble.

[THUNDER CRASHES]

[CHATTERING IN SIOUX]

The Pawnee are coming. A big party of 40 or 50 men this time.

Hunters found them not far to the north. Soon in our camp.

[IN SIOUX] Stone Calf, wait. I will follow you.

The Pawnee do not come for horses. They come for blood.

Get your weapons and come to my lodge.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

I will get them.

Stone Calf, wait.

[IN ENGLISH] I have-- I have guns.

[IN SIOUX] I have many rifles.

STANDS WITH A FIST: At the fort? -[IN ENGLISH] Yes.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

No. The ride is long and we can spare no men.

[IN SIOUX] Guns would make one warrior like two.

Take one man and go quickly.

I will take Smiles A Lot.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[THUNDER CRASHING]

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[IN ENGLISH] Oh. Come here!

[DOG YELPS]

[GRUNTING]

[SHRIEKING]

Shoot the gun.

[GUNSHOT THEN MAN SCREAMS]

[GUNSHOT]

[CHILDREN SCREAMING]

[PAWNEE ROARS THEN BLACK SHAWL SCREAMS]

[SCREAMS]

[SCREAMS]

[SIOUX WARRIORS WHOOPING]

[GRUNTING]

[PAWNEE YELLS]

[GUNSHOT]

[GUNFIRE]

[SCREAMS]

[SHRIEKS]

[WHIMPERING]

Hyah!

[SHRIEKS]

[SIOUX WARRIORS WHOOPING]

[SHRIEKING AND ROARING]

[SHRIEKS]

[CHEERING]

DUNBAR: It was hard to know how to feel.

I'd never been in a battle like this one.

There was no dark political objective.

This was not a fight for territory or riches or to make men free.

It had been fought to preserve the food stores...

...that would see us through the winter...

...to protect the lives of women and children and loved ones...

...only a few feet away.

Stone Calf was a great loss, but even the old men could not remember...

...such a one-sided victory.

And I gradually began to look at it in a new way.

I felt a pride I'd never felt before.

I'd never really known who John Dunbar was.

Perhaps the name itself had no meaning.

But as I heard my Sioux name being called over and over...

...I knew for the first time who I really was.

[PEOPLE SINGING IN SIOUX AND DRUMS BEATING]

PRETTY SHIELD: He would have forgotten all about me...

...if he hadn't needed my help to climb it.

And we sat there all day as this old cow circled below.

Making loud noises and hitting her head against the trunk.

[LAUGHING]

[PRETTY SHIELD CONTINUES SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[IN SIOUX] Where are you going? There is gambling tonight.

Horseback's games are always good.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[IN SIOUX] I'm tired. Horseback already has a good rifle of mine.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

Good night.

[PRETTY SHIELD CONTINUES SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[PEOPLE LAUGHING]

How long will Stands With A Fist mourn?

I don't know.

I hope it will not be too long.

Has something happened?

What?

She has found love again.

With who?

Who do you think?

Tell me.

Dances With Wolves.

[SPEAKS IN SIOUX]

Are you certain of this?

When you see them together, you will know.

What are people saying?

They like the match.

No one is angry?

It makes sense. They are both white.

I suppose I will be the one to say something.

She's your daughter now.

I know.

Relax. You can't see everything coming.

Stop it. Quit your playing.

Stands With A Fist.

You will mourn no more.

WIND IN HIS HAIR: Turn around.

You look good.

You know, the man she mourned for...

He was my best friend.

I didn't know that.

He was a good man.

It has been hard for me to like you.

I am not the thinker Kicking Bird is.

I always feel anger first.

There were no answers to my questions.

But now I think he went away because you were coming.

That is how I see it.

[PEOPLE SINGING IN SIOUX AND DRUMS BEATING]

KICKING BIRD: This is a good day for me.

[IN ENGLISH] And for me.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

If you want this man, take his hand in yours.

[KICKING BIRD SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

DUNBAR: I had never been married before.

I don't know if all grooms have the same experience...

...but as Kicking Bird began to speak about what was expected of a Sioux husband...

...my mind began to swim in a way that shut out everything but her...

...the tiny details of her costume...

...the contours of her shape...

...the light in her eyes...

...the smallness of her feet.

I knew that the love between us would be served.

[KICKING BIRD CONTINUES SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

Have you heard all that I have said?

Yes.

KICKING BIRD: Good, then take her inside.

She is your wife.

Oh, good.

[IN SIOUX] Thank you.

[IN ENGLISH] Bye.

Bye.

[PEOPLE WHOOPING]

[PEOPLE SINGING AND DRUM BEATING]

DUNBAR [IN SIOUX]: It's good to be out.

KICKING BIRD: Yes, it must be.

We are trying for a baby.

No waiting?

No waiting.

I was just thinking that of all the trails in this life...

...there is one that matters most.

It is the trail of a true human being.

I think you are on this trail, and it is good to see.

We call you the Busy Bee.

You always ask about the white people.

You always want to know how many more are coming.

There will be a lot, my friend.

More than can be counted.

[IN ENGLISH] How many?

[IN ENGLISH] Like the stars.

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[IN SIOUX] It makes me afraid for all the Sioux.

[IN SIOUX] We should tell this to Ten Bears.

The men who wore this came...

...in the time of my grandfather's grandfather.

Eventually we drove them out.

Then the Mexicans came. They do not come here anymore.

In my own time, the Texans.

They have been like all the others.

They take without asking.

I don't know if we are ready for these people.

But I think you are right. I think they will keep coming.

When I think of that, I look at this helmet.

Our country is all that we have, and we will fight to keep it.

Tomorrow we will strike the village...

...and go to the winter camp.

You have everything from the soldier fort?

[IN ENGLISH] Yes.

There's nothing for me there.

That's good.

The journal.

Stands With-- Wait!

- It is important. STANDS WITH A FIST: No!

The words in the book are like a trail for people to follow.

Now, it tells everything about my life here. I must get it.

Enough.

We cannot wait for you.

I'll catch up. I'll catch up.

MAN 1: Injun! Injun!

MAN 2: Get him! Injun!

[NEIGHING]

MAN 3: Keep firing! - No!

[GRUNTS]

Stay down. Stay.

MAN 4: Don't kill. MAN 5: He ain't hit. Watch it.

Oh, God.

MAN 6: Here, boy.

Oh, God.

It's okay.

[GRUNTS]

Something has happened.

Dances With Wolves is not coming.

He must have trouble.

KICKING BIRD: Pick two good men and send them back to the soldier fort.

MAN 1: Spivey.

- Spivey. SPIVEY: Yeah, sergeant.

Tell the major he's waking up.

Move your worthless ass.

You got yourself a hell of a shiner...

...didn't you?

MAN 2: Major's coming through.

Well...

Does he speak English?

I don't know, sir.

Speak English?

Talk English?

Talk!

I speak English.

Who are you?

Lieutenant John J. Dunbar. This is my post.

Why are you dressed like this?

I came out from Fort Hayes last April, but there was nobody here.

Do you have proof of that?

My journal's on the bunk in my quarters. My orders are in the journal. It'll--

It'll tell you everything.

Spivey, you and Edwards were the first ones here.

Did you find anything? A journal?

No, we didn't find nothing, sir.

MAJOR: Where's Edwards?

He's outside.

He didn't find nothing either.

MAJOR: Somebody find me Edwards.

[CHUCKLING]

You turned Injun, didn't you?

Didn't you?

- He's a white man. - Doesn't look white.

MAN 1: He looks white. - They say he's a soldier.

MAN 2: Soldier? He's an officer.

MAN 3: Officer? Well, do you salute him or shoot him?

[MEN LAUGHING]

[CROWS CAWING]

Here, you. Eyes front.

I said eyes front!

[GRUNTING]

MAN 1: Don't shoot him! Hit him! Get him!

Get him! Get him!

Get him!

MAN 2: Get him. MAN 3: Get him.

Why are you out of uniform?

- What's the army doing out here? BAUER: Hey.

- Lieutenant's asking the questions. - Bauer.

We're charged with apprehending--

We're charged with apprehending hostiles and recovering stolen property...

...retrieving white captives taken in hostile raidings.

- There are no hostiles. MAJOR: We will ascertain that for ourselves.

Now, if you'll guide us to these camps and serve as an interpreter...

...your conduct will be re-evaluated.

- What conduct? ELGIN: With all due respect--

Your status as a traitor might improve should you choose...

...to cooperate with the United States Army.

There's nothing for you to do out here.

Are you willing to cooperate or not?

Well, speak up.

[IN SIOUX] I am Dances With Wolves.

What's that?

[CONTINUES SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

I have nothing to say to you.

You are not worth talking to.

Sergeant, form a detail and take this man down to the river.

- Let him clean up his face. SPIVEY: Yes, sir.

Not you, Spivey.

[MAN SHOUTING AND HORSE NEIGHING]

MAN: Hey, Spivey.

Hey, Spivey. You got paper?

- What's it to you? - Well, give me some, shit-bird.

Can you read?

No, I can't read. What the hell is the difference?

You can't read either. Now just give me some.

- Quick, give me some. - All right. Hold your horses.

[SPIVEY SNICKERING]

SPIVEY: Bauer!

Bauer!

Let go of me.

[CHUCKLING]

Lap it up, Injun. Go ahead. Lap it up.

- You son of a bitch! I'll kill you. BAUER: Hey, hey, hey.

It's all right.

It's all right.

He's going to get hungrier, that's all. But maybe that don't matter.

Word is they're gonna ship you back to Hayes.

And once you get there, they gonna hang you.

Come on. Forget about him.

- Go on. Get out of here. SPIVEY: All right.

Get up in there.

[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Get up in there, Charlie. Hey.

Hyah! Get up in there.

EDWARDS: Hey, Spivey, what is that?

SPIVEY: Looks like he's following us.

EDWARDS: Hell, I'm gonna shoot him.

[GUNSHOT]

- Damn it. SPIVEY: Hey, you missed him.

MAN: Don't shoot, goddamn it. My shot. EDWARDS: Hey, wait. I seen him first.

Look at that stupid bastard.

He ain't even moving.

EDWARDS: Wait a minute. Wait a minute. That's my shot.

SPIVEY: Shoot him!

[GUNSHOT]

SPIVEY: Hit him, Edwards. He's standing there.

Shoot him!

[GUNSHOT]

BAUER: Jesus Christ! EDWARDS: Holy shit.

Bauer.

MAN: He's killing him.

EDWARDS: Bauer, get him off him!

[GRUNTS]

He might have killed you.

[MEN LAUGHING]

[GUNSHOT]

I'll get that son of a bitch.

Sit down, goddamn it.

[GUNSHOT]

[WHIMPERING]

[YELPING]

That's it. I got him. I got him.

Dead shot, boys. Come on.

SPIVEY: Son of a bitch! ELGIN: Spivey!

SPIVEY: Get up!

ELGIN: Edwards! SPIVEY: Get up! I'm gonna--

- Get up! I mean it. ELGIN: Spivey, that's enough.

- Spivey! SPIVEY: Get up. Come on, get up!

- Spivey. - What?

You bash that prisoner one more time, I'll put those shackles on you.

You men get back here!

Now!

Goddamn it.

ELGIN: Shackles on any man that gets out of line.

That goes for you too, Bauer.

And I do not want to see that prisoner touched again.

Get down here.

Boo.

[SNICKERING]

ELGIN: Clear behind that stand of trees? - Ooh, hoo, hoo.

ELGIN: Both sides?

- Hey. ELGIN: All right. Let's go.

SPIVEY: I don't see nobody.

[LAUGHING]

[GROANS]

MAN: Indians! Unh.

[WHOOPING]

[GUNSHOT]

[GRUNTING]

[GUNSHOT]

[SCREAMING]

[GUNFIRE]

Bauer!

Bauer!

Bauer!

[GRUNTING]

[SHRIEKING]

[WHOOPING]

[CLICKS]

[GRUNTING]

[WIND IN HIS HAIR SHRIEKING]

[SPEAKING IN SIOUX]

[WHOOPING]

[PEOPLE SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

[STANDS WITH A FIST MOANING]

Dances With Wolves is quiet these days.

Is his heart bad?

Killing the soldiers at the river...

...was a good thing.

I did not mind killing those men. I was glad to do it.

But the soldiers hate me now, like they hate no other.

They think I am a traitor.

[MURMURING IN SIOUX]

And they will hunt for me.

And when they find me, they find you.

I think it would be wise to move the village now.

I will be leaving.

I must go and talk with those who would listen.

[MEN CHATTERING IN SIOUX]

[WIND IN HIS HAIR SHOUTING IN SIOUX]

TEN BEARS: Quiet. You are hurting my ears.

Leave us alone.

You are the only white man I have ever known.

I have thought about you a lot. More than you know.

But I think you are wrong.

The man the soldiers are looking for no longer exists.

Now there is only a Sioux named Dances With Wolves.

Let's smoke awhile.

DUNBAR: With Ten Bears, it was always more than a while.

There was purpose in everything he did, and I knew he wanted me to stay.

But I was sure of myself.

I would be an excuse, and that's all the army would need to find this place.

I pushed him as far as I could to move the camp...

...but in the end he only smiled and talked of simple pleasures.

He reminded me that at his age a good fire is better than anything.

Ten Bears was an extraordinary man.

[IN ENGLISH] You have nothing to say?

What can I tell you?

What's ever on your mind.

You've made the decision.

My place is with you.

I go where you go.

You're not afraid?

No.

I told Ten Bears we'd leave when the snow breaks.

Did you tell everyone?

Not everyone.

[MUTTERS IN SIOUX]

It's all right.

[IN ENGLISH] You...

...finish your pipe?

Ah.

Good pipe.

How...

...does it smoke?

I've never smoked it.

We come far...

...you and me.

I will not forget you.

WIND IN HIS HAIR: Dances With Wolves.

[SHOUTING IN SIOUX]

I am Wind In His Hair.

Do you see that I am your friend?

Can you see that you will always be my friend?

[SHOUTING IN SIOUX]

[WIND IN HIS HAIR CONTINUES SHOUTING IN SIOUX]

MAN: Sergeant! Over here! Now!

[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

[WOLF HOWLING]

[ENGLISH SDH]