All language subtitles for Death.Valley.Days.S05E02.The.Bear.Flag.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DD+2.0.H.264-bigworm_track3_[eng]

OLD RANGER:
And now,Death Valley Days.

♪♪

MAN: Hi-yah!

Yah!

Yah!

Howdy, folks.

I'’m the Old Ranger.

And I have another
interesting true story

for you about the historic

Death Valley country.

In telling
this particular story,

I realize
I'’m leaving myself wide open,

for it'’s an important bit
of California history

on which no authorities agree.

Even folks who lived through it

left conflicting accounts.

I read them all,

visited the scenes

where the events took place,

and tried
to the best of my ability

to give you here at least

the essentials of the story.

This is my version

of the story of...

"The Bear Flag."

♪♪

OLD RANGER:
Here is the Pueblo

of Sonoma, California

in the year 1846.

The northern outpost

of the Mexican Republic,

taken from an early painting.

In command of the region

with a title
of Military-Governor

is General Mariano Vallejo.

His is the house

with the watchtower

overlooking the plaza,

where on this day
in early June,

flies the flag of Mexico.

In his office, General Vallejo

is entertaining
a neighboring ranchero,

Don Miguel Ruiz.

The talk, as everywhere else
in California,

runs to politics.

Things cannot go on
like this much longer.

Some kind of change
is imminent.

The settlers are talking
of revolution.

What have they
to revolt against?

They don'’t belong here
in the first place.

I will try to get them out.

They are coming
in over the mountains

as in greater numbers
every year.

Hunting, farming, trading.

And marrying.

Your son-in-law
is a Yankee, is he not?

How does he feel
about the political situation?

Oh, he'’s prejudiced, naturally.

He thinks California
should be a part

of The United States.

I agree.

If I were head of this country,

I would ask
for annexation at once.

General Vallejo!

How can you make
such a statement?

You know as well as I do,

but our Mexican government
is, like...

weak, divided, corrupt.

Nevertheless, it'’s ours.

That flag that
flies out there

is the flag we owe
allegiance to.

I am simply being
realistic, my friend.

The great powers of the world

all have their eyes
on California.

One of them
will move in on us

and take over.

Russia, perhaps.

Huh! Heaven forbid.

She has been creeping

steadily down the coast.

The United States
is the one to which

we should belong.

Can the garrison
defend Sonoma?

What garrison have we?

A few rusty soldiers

which I pay
out of my own pocket.

A few pieces of artillery.

If we had an invasion,
we would be defenseless.

Then you really think
it'’s imminent?

General Castro at Monterey
expects trouble.

He has just
commandeered 200 head

of horses from this region

to be used
in case of attack.

Hmm.

I have heavy mind

to send the women
of my family

down to Monterey

when this crisis is over.

There'’s no protection
at the ranch.

I hope I'’m not
alarming you unduly.

No, indeed. No.

♪♪

I help put this flag
in California

when we threw off
the yoke of Spain.

I have one hope.

It continues to fly here.

♪♪

The corral is just ahead.

This time in the morning,
they'’ll still be asleep.

So we can take them
by surprise.

Or shoot them down.

No, not unless
they put up a fight.

The horses are all we want.

Ready?

Ready.

[ horses neighing ]

Hi-yah!

Yah! Yah!

[ horses galloping ]

Yah! Yah!

Yah!

♪♪

[ horse neighs ]

What is the meaning of this?

Get your hands up,
all of you!

I got you covered!

All right, boys.
Open the corral

and start
running '’em out.

♪♪

[ horses neighing ]

[ horse neighs ]

♪♪

[ horses neighing ]

MAN:
Lets go. Yah! Yah! Come on.

These horses
are the property

of General Castro.

We know what he wants them for,

drive the Americans
out of California.

I shall report this outrage.

There will be reprisals.

Now, let'’s get one thing
straight, mister.

The U.S. government'’s got
nothing to do with this.

We'’re acting
strictly on our own.

Just a band of settlers?

EZEKIEL: Right.

We are sick and tired
of the way

things are being
handled around here.

MAN: Yah!

Yah! Yah!

♪♪

We'’ll leave your mount

and your arms.

You are very kind, señor.

The name'’s Merritt,

Ezekiel Merritt.

♪♪

Merritt and his men
staged a surprise attack.

They drove all the horses
into the mountains.

Yes, I know.

The whole valley was
buzzing about it today.

They are lawless
adventurers.

Hmm, discontented farmers.

You should be
wearing your hair

in pins and combs now,
Margherita.

This way is more
comfortable, mama.

You'’re a woman grown.

Just 16.

And soon to be married.

How soon?

We are arranging
a suitable alliance.

Oh, mama.

You are so formal.

As if I didn'’t know.

MERCEDES:
Your father told you?

Rod himself told me.

Rodrigo, my dear.

When have you seen him alone?

A number of times.

When you father
was supposedly present?

Mama, how else

could I have learned
to love him?

That'’s not important.

To Americans, it is.

You'’re not an American.

My name is Brown.

But remember,

on your mother'’s side,
you are a Ruiz,

one of the oldest
families of Mexico.

HARVEY:
Mercedes, Maggie.

We have something
to discuss with you.

Is it about my wedding?

No.

The country around here

is in a state of unrest.

Under the circumstances,

Harvey and I think
it would be wiser

if you and your mother

went down to Monterey.

You think so,
sir, not I.

You said you
were willing.

I am.

I don'’t regard
the situation

as particularly
dangerous.

I tell you now
that those Americans

have tasted blood.

Anyway...

I feel the ladies

will be safer in Monterey,

under the protection
of my old friend,

General Castro.

You will go with us, Harvey?

I'’m afraid not, my dear.

I have responsibilities here.

And you, father?

I shall remain
here too, of course.

Oh, dear.

I wish I were a man.

[ chuckles ]

You will enjoy
the capital, chiquita.

MERCEDES: There are many
fine shops there.

Perhaps, we can
buy the silk

for your wedding gown.

MAGGIE:
That will be lovely.

I'’d like to see Rod

once more before I go.

I'’ll send him a word.

Harvey.

Why shouldn'’t she
have a chance

to say goodbye
to him alone?

♪♪

Of course, you should be
where no harm can befall you,

but I shall miss you
most desperately.

The minute my back
is turned,

you'’ll be serenading
some other senorita.

Querida.

My mother'’s watching you
from the window.

How long will you be gone?

Until things settle down.

That could be months, years.

Then I would be
an old woman,

of 21 perhaps.

I think I should go
to Monterey too.

Join General Castro'’s army.

Fight against the Americans?

Or anyone else
who threatens California.

I wish the Americans
would take us over.

Maggie, that'’s treason.

No, it'’s destiny.

My father said so.

There is danger.

I shall go with you
as far as Sonoma.

Rod, would you?

Could you?

Anything to put off
the moment

when we have
to say goodbye.

♪♪

We'’ve struck
the first blow.

Now, while
the iron is hot,

we got to strike
another one.

ALL: Yeah.

Fighting forward is my moniker.

Let'’s go.

We'’ll ride on Sonoma
without delay.

Sonoma?

What do you say, Ide?

I'’d say capture Sonoma

and the Californians
won'’t have a rallying point

north of the bay.

ALL: Yeah.

We'’ve only a handful of men.

How can we take a whole pueblo,
Mr. Merritt?

Same way we took the horses.

We stage a surprise
attack at dawn.

There are no sentries
in Sonoma.

We'’ll surround
thecomandante'’s house

and arrest him and all
the other high-monkey monks.

Take over the key
to the public buildings.

And their ammunition.

EZEKIEL:
It will be a cinch.

We'’ll show
those Spaniards

who'’s running California.

ALL: Yeah.

♪♪

I hesitate to ask
for an escort

for my ladies
to Monterey, General,

when I know
how short-handed

the garrison is here.

A couple of soldiers
will make no difference.

Two will be enough?

Oh, quite, quite.

I will arrange it
at once.

Thank you.

When will they be leaving?

They are due to arrive

here at Sonoma any moment.

My son-in-law
comes with them.

He'’s to stay
with our old friends,

the Hernandez, next door.

For safety sake,
you had best

get them up for
Monterey at dawn.

Then you do think
the situation is dangerous,

right, general?

Nothing would surprise me
at this point.

Look out there
at the plaza in the sun.

Quiet, sleepy.

Yet who knows?

It may be just the calm

before the storm.

Come, Margherita, Mercedes,

on your way
when all is quiet.

It'’s good you can get
such an early start.

It'’s barely daylight.

Do you have my letter
for General Castro?

Yes, in a safe place.

I wish I didn'’t
have to leave you, Harvey.

No, the whole thing
is nonsense in my opinion.

Just because a handful
of settlers

run some horses off
from our corral is--

what'’s that? MAN: Yah, boy. Yah!

♪♪

Stand back
and you won'’t get hurt.

But don'’t try
to leave the plaza.

That'’s Vallejo place
with the watchtower.

Cover all the exits.

Make sure nobody escapes.

♪♪

Vallejo!

Vallejo!

Come on out.

Come out and
Surrender yourself.

TODD: Come out of there...And the rebellion has come

sooner than I expected.

FORT:
We got you surrounded.

You can'’t escape.

Come out and surrender.

I'’m gonna break
the door down.

No, give them
a chance to open up.

What are they
going to do to him?

Perhaps he can escape
out the back way.

Not General Vallejo,
he'’ll face them.

Vallejo.

I apologize
for keeping you waiting.

But I was not dressed.

What is it you gentlemen wish?

You'’re under arrest,
General Vallejo.

By who'’s authority?

The Republic of California.

Which one of you is the leader?

I am.

Ezekiel Merritt.

Then perhaps
you will come inside

where we can discuss matters
more comfortably.

Do you think it'’s a trap?

I'’ll take these two men
and go inside.

The rest of you
stay out here.

Ide, you'’re in charge.

I won'’t be long.

♪♪

You don'’t suppose
he'’ll kill him in cold blood?

Well, they'’re not
butchers.

I wouldn'’t put
anything past them.

And you insisted
there was no danger.

♪♪

Now...

what can I do
for you, gentlemen?

There ain'’t no use beatin'
around the bush, general.

We'’re plain folks.

We believe in plain talk.

We'’re establishing
new government

here in California,

an independent republic.

That comes as a nasty shock
to you, I reckon.

No.

I have been expecting
something of the sort,

though not at this hour
of the morning.

You must be weary
after riding all night.

I will order
the refreshments.

You'’re under arrest,
General Vallejo.

Before we discuss details,

I think we had better
have some wine.

Or perhaps you gentlemen
prefer brandy?

Don'’t you understand, sir?

You are our prisoner.

And you are my guests.

Be seated, gentlemen.

I don'’t know what's
taking them so long.

Oh, the Spanish
take forever,

their formalities.

Nothing formal about this.

We want action.

What'’s happening there,
Merritt?

Don'’t keep us waitin'
out here all day.

MAN:
What'’s going on out there?

They'’re growing restless.

I don'’t like the sound
of it at all.

♪♪

So, this is the way
you occupy your time, drinking?

May I offer you
some wine, señor?

No, we'’re here
on business.

Blamed important business.

VALLEJO: It has all
been attended to.

I am under arrest.

I have delivered the keys

to the public property
of Sonoma.

I have relinquished

what arms we possess.

I fear you will find them
sadly inadequate.

And guarantees
have been thrown up

on both sides.

You'’re taking all this
pretty calmly.

It seems to me.

I have always been a friend
of the Americans.

Perhaps because I was born

on the 4th of July,

your Independence Day.

Well, I'’ll be darned.

I have openly
advocated annexation

to the United States,

believing it would offer
the greatest future

for California,
which I love.

Understand, sir, we have

no personal
quarrel with you.

Thank you.

EZEKIEL: Well...

guess that pretty well
covers it

from both sides.

We, the undersigned,

members of
the Republican Party

in California

haven taken
General MG Vallejo,

Lieutenant Colonel
Victor Prudon,

and Captain
Salvador Vallejo

as prisoners,

pledge ourselves
that we will not

disturb private property,

molest themselves,
their families,

or the citizens
of the town of "Zonoma."

Sonoma is spelled
with an S,

not a Z.

This one'’s for
your signature.

Being prisoners of war,

we pledge our word of honor,

we will not pick up arms

against the said armed force.

[ murmuring ]

Very well.

♪♪

Here they come.

[ music playing ]

[ crowd cheering ]

[ chattering ]

Senor Vallejo,

they cannot
do this to you.

I will not put us
in no danger, my friend.

Where are they taking you?

EZEKIEL: Sutter'’s Fort.

William Ide
will remain here

as Commander-in-chief
until I return.

[ crowd cheering ]

Let'’s go.

♪♪

What are we gonna put
in this place, Ide?

The stars and stripes.

But we can'’t do that,
that'’s United States.

We'’re the California
Republic.

Well then...

make a new flag.

Out of what?

Well, there must be
stuff around town.

I'’ve seen a woman
with red flannel petticoat

hangin'’ on the clothesline
as we rolled in.

Try paying for that.

[ laughs ]

Scout around and see
what you can find--

cotton cloth, paint,

needles, and thread.

♪♪

You know, Ide,
it'’s a good thing we got

a couple of saddle makers
in our outfit

that knows how to sew.

TODD:
Yeah. And a piece of homespun

that'’s never been worn.

♪♪

Well, there she is.

All done.

♪♪

Now, what do we put on it?

California Republic.

Just that and nothing more?

Ought to have
some emblems on it.

How about a star?

Who are you, mister?

I'’m Harvey Brown.

I'’m a Yankee from way back.

IDE: Oh, I thought
maybe a Texan,

suggesting a lone star.No.

Say, that'’s a good idea.

We can'’t just copy Texas.

We'’ve got to have something
that'’s really ours.

FORT:
Well, how about a bear?

A big grizzly?

Why a bear?

Well, a grizzly
is full of courage.

Once his dander'’s up,

he stands his ground.

All right.

The star and a bear,

and the words,
"California Republic."

We'’ll need some paint.

I think I know
where there'’s some.

I'’ll go get it.Good.

Who'’ll do the work?

Fort?Nope, not me.

Fighting is my line.

Todd?

I'’ll do my best.

♪♪

I'’ve got an aunt who'd laugh

to see me doing this.

Who is she, Betsy Ross?

Nope.

Mrs. Abraham Lincoln.

Well.

♪♪

Republic.

♪♪

Say, you left out the L.

Now, how did I ever
come to do that?

And I can'’t get
the ink out now.

Put a tail on the I

and make an L out of it.

Then the C has
got to be changed to an I

and another C added.

It will never show
when the flag is flying.

Anyway, I got no choice.

♪♪

Anyone would think
you sympathized

with your cause.

They'’re making
more than a flag.

They'’re making history.

♪♪

[ birds chirping ]

How much longer
do these rebels intend

to keep General Vallejo
prisoner?

It'’s been three weeks now.

Longer than that.

They took Sonoma
on the 14th of June.

Today is July 9th.

Twenty-five days.

And what has
the republic accomplished?

At least there'’s been
no fighting.

RODRIGO: Well, there
had to be a revolt.

I'’m glad they staged it
just when they did.

Otherwise, the ladies
would be done in Monterey

instead of here,

celebrating our betrothal.

I wish to propose a toast.

Margherita and Rodrigo.

[ inaudible chatter ]

What is all that commotion?

♪♪

[ speaks in foreign language ]

Seniors, I bring news.

The United States
and Mexico are at war.

Commander Sloat has raised

the American flag in Monterey,

claiming California
for the United States.

They know about this
at Sonoma?

A naval cutter
is on its way

there now from
San Francisco,

where the American flag
has also been raised.

Well, that means the end
of the Bear Flag Republic.

What will become
of the Californianos?

Californian'’s will
become Americans.

California
will be the greatest state

in the United States.

♪♪

OLD RANGER:
And so, on July 9th, 1846,

the Bear Flag
was lowered at Sonoma

by a young officer
from the United States

sloop of war,Portsmouth,

Lieutenant Joseph W. Revere,

grandson of the famous
Paul Revere.

And the Stars and Stripes

were run up in its place.

The Bear Flag Republic...

was over.

♪♪

OLD RANGER:
But the Bear Flag remains.

In 1911, it was approved
by a legislative act

as the official state flag
of California,

where it flies today

with Old Glory.