Original subtitles

Howdy, folks. I'm the Old Ranger,

with an exciting new story of real life in the Old West.

The easy road to popularity

is to tell people what they want to hear.

But what happens when a conscientious man

knows that the popular thing is the wrong thing?

When he realized California must surrender to the Americans,

this was the problem faced by Don Augustin Olvera.

[ men cheering ][ gunshots firing ]

Governor Pico, what shall we do?

Senores, let's face this problem squarely.

Is there a solution?

What do you think, Olvera?

Your Excellency, our position is hopeless.

We're overwhelmed by sheer weight of numbers.

Kearney's army threatens us from the south and the east.

Commodore Stockton's fleet blockades San Pedro.

His marines can force a landing at any time.

Don't be too pessimistic, Olvera.

We drove the last landing back into the water.

With due respect, Governor Pico,

he has since been reinforced by the Savannah,

a 54 gunship of the line.

Facing it, we have two cannon, both 100 years old.

[ sighs ] In three months, Bear Flag army

advances from the north and now camp at San Fernando.

North, south, east, west, and here we are.

Fish in a net.

[ men yipping ]

[ gunshot fire ]

[ speaks Spanish ]

[ dogs barking ]

[ men chattering ]

Those are American helmets, senores.

We have won a victory.

[ men cheering ]

Companeros,this is a great day for California.

We have learned to fight the American.

[ crowd cheering ]

We want to find victory at San Pasqual.

And it's only the beginning.

Soon my friends will drive these gringosback across the desert.

[ crowd cheering ]

Juan! Juan.

Delores.

Delores. [ speaks Spanish ]

Juan.

[ sighs ]

Delores, we ran them off the field.

Professional soldiers, and still we beat them.

Are you hurt? Any wounds?No, no.

See, I brought back a souvenir. A gringojacket.

Oh, Juan, it has blood on it.

[ chuckles ] Naturally, do you think he gave it to me?

MAN: Please, my friends. Not now.

We must report to the governor.

Maybe this will put courage in the old man, huh?

[ crowd laughing ]

Juan de Toro!

ALL: Hooray!

Victory, Your Excellency, at San Pasqual.

I brought you dispatches from your brother.

I'm glad you're safe, Juan.

The lieutenant is about to marry my daughter.

Congratulations, Lieutenant.

You join a fine family.

Excuse me.

[ chuckles ] Andreas never gives details.

Come on, tell us about the battle.

The Americans were camped in a village.

General Pico hid our main body in a ravine

a mile from their lines.

We advanced and challenged them with 50 men.

These dragoons, these professionals...

They formed a line of battle and charged.

We deliberately turned and ran.

We threw down our sombreros, our capes,

even some lances.

"Aye," I kept shouting.

"Oh, please, save me from these terrible gringos."

[ laughter]

In their eagerness to capture us, they broke formation.

We stayed just out of reach, and led them by our main body.

Then, General Pico hit them on the flank.

We wheeled and struck the center.

They broke and fled.

If it weren't for their artillery,

we would have wiped them out.

One cannot fight cannon with lancers.

PICO: You don't show much enthusiasm, Senor Olvera.

Captain, a notable feat of arms.

But senores... [ sighs ]

a pinprick in the hide of a giant and nothing more.

We proved we can beat their cavalry.

Now, if we had just guns enough to match their artillery.

You'd win, I believe that.

But we don't have the guns.

Or much else.

PICO: We have been discussing the whole course of the war.

Senores.You may listen if you like.

Go on then, Augustin.

This victory...

This victory means we can lay down our arms with honor.

But lay them down we must.

Senores, we bring you victory.

You talk of surrender?

Captain, please.But Your Excellency,

surrender an army still able to fight. It's cowardly!

AUGUSTIN: Still able to fight, Captain, but not to win.

This is necessity, not free choice.

Suppose... Suppose we did fight on.

Suppose by some miracle and by the certain sacrifice of our best young men,

we were able to take the enemy here in California.

Have we gained anything? No.

Here. Here in Mexico.

This is where the war will be won or lost.

And it is being hopelessly lost.

Veracruz has fallen.

General Santa Ana was beaten at Buena Vista.

American troops march on Mexico City.

Senores, we Californians continue to fight against overwhelming odds,

hoping to pin down American troops.

We succeeded, but our actions can no longer

affect the cause of the war. We can do nothing here but die.

By surrendering now, we--

we gain the most favorable terms,

and save the lives of our young men.

ROCHA: Save your concern.

You ask us to quit when we've seen the backs of the enemy.

We're soldiers. Good ones.

Your faith in us is too weak.

On the contrary,

our regard for you is greater than your own.

Hmph. Words, sir. Words!

If you supplied more cannon and less words,

it would be the gringos who beg for peace.

We refuse to surrender.

Enough. Be content with the honor you have won, captain.

Don't force me to deal with you as a rebel.

Anymore opinions, senores?

Senor Olvera has said it all.

Very well.

Meet with Colonel Fremont.

And arrange for the surrender of California.

[ sighs ] Caballeros,

in time, you--

Captain Rocha!

MAN: Move out.

[indistinct]

Follow me, gentlemen.

Gentlemen. I'm Colonel Fremont.

Which of you will speak for Governor Pico?

I will. Don Augustin Olvera.

Judge Olvera?

May I present General Andres Pico, military commandant.

And squadron commander, Jose Carrillo.

The terms of the treaty are simple.

Disband military forces.

Surrender such artilleries you have.

Your lives and property will be secure.

Your religion will be respected.

Everyone will have equal rights under equal law.

The terms are very generous.

We want them to be. I've been instructed to preserve

the friendliest relationships with the Californians.

Will you sign, gentlemen?

Thank you, gentlemen.

Oh, one moment. Judge Olvera,

I speak also for Kearney and Stockton.

We don't want to rule by martial law,

but we can't establish civil government without men of your caliber.

Would you consider serving us in your present capacity?

I might do you more harm than good.

I strongly urged the surrender

so the appointment might be misunderstood.

By whom? Anyone with an ounce of sense knows you were beat.

No one likes to surrender, colonel.

Even when it's necessary, no one wants to face it.

You don't have to give your answer now.

Think it over.

For obvious reasons, we could use a link with the past.

You were the civil law.

There will be no one to take over if you don't.[ sighs ]

[ drum rolling ]

[ drumming continues ]

[ drumming stops ]

[ trumpet blowing ]

So, it's now Don Pio Pico,

private citizen.

[ chuckles ] Not even Don. Mr. Pio Pico.

You can still be Judge Olvera.

How?

You know what the people would think?

Let me give you my experience as governor.

Don't worry about what people think.

Most of them don't. They only feel.

Besides, whether they love you or hate you, they need you.

We all need friends in the new government.

Suppose the appointment causes trouble.

If there's trouble, Olvera, you will not be the cause,

only the excuse.

[ chattering ]Can't be.

Quiet! Quiet!

Fremont has appointed a new civil judge,

Augustin Olvera.

[ crowd chattering ]

Olvera said he wanted to save our lives.

He wanted to save his job.

Are we going to be bound by a traitor's treaty?

ALL: No, no, no.

I say show these gringos we're men!

Make them respect us.ALL: Si, si.

That will do us more good in the future than any surrender.

Come, de Toro!

[ crowd muttering ]

[ woman crying ]

Delores, may I come in?

No.

Please, Delores.

[ crying continues ]

What happened?

Nothing.

Oh. You are crying on general principles?

Did we have to surrender, Papa?

My dear, listen to me, and try to understand.

Wars are fought.

One side wins, the other loses.

Then this is over.

Sometimes it is good to die in a lost cause,

but one must use judgment about

when to live and when to die.

Mexico cannot win.

She can only suffer and bleed.

But more important,

we couldn't help her anymore.

Now do you understand?

I do, Papa,

but no one else does.

[ Indians yelling ]

Collins! Smith!

[ gunshot ]

[ speaking Spanish ]

We'll meet at the camp.

These lances were taken from the bodies of two of my men.

They're not vaquerolances,

they're Mexican cavalry.

And just what do you want from me?

You're the civil authority, I expect you to stop them.

[ exhales ]

I'm not exactly their favorite advisor, colonel.

Yes, but one way or the other,

they're going to stop.

If they want more war,

I'll give it to them.

You wanted to see me, Papa?

Delores, we're gonna find Juan.

I haven't seen him since...

since he went hunting.

Hunting what?

American dragoons?

I didn't ask if you'd seen him,

though I know you have.

I asked if you knew where he was.

He wouldn't want me to tell you, Papa.

You don't have to.

Go to him and arrange a meeting.

I must talk to him and Rocha.

Will you do that?

I'll try.

[ indistinct chatter ] [ whistling ]

Delores!

Delores.

Juan.

[ speaks Spanish ]

Delores, how I've missed you.

But you should not have come here.

Papa sent me.

Here? Why?

He wants to talk to you and Captain Rocha.

Has he seen the American colonel recently?

Yes.

Then I know what he wants to say.

Talk would not change anything.

He wants it so bad.

Delores, you know what they tell us in church

about forsaking all others.

Your father and I may never speak again.

But as my wife, you must side with me.

But he's not always wrong.

True.

But we cannot live in a house divided.

If you think your father is right,

go back to him,

but do not try to convert me.

Don't make me choose.

Times have made us all choose.

I regret to say it, Olvera,

but your position's extremely awkward.

Many Californians think that you sold them out,

that you expected to...

But now, with the rumor that your daughter

has joined the insurgence,

the Americans don't trust you either.

What the Americans think does not concern me.

I've lost contact with our people.

Their sympathy is with the caballeros.

Yes, they're even taking pride in them.

He means Rocha's a hero.

And why not?

His men ride and fight well.

Who knows, senores.

Perhaps, if we were younger ourselves.

[ whistling ]

[ speaks Spanish ][ yipping ]

Back to the horses!

Hold it. Leave them for the hanging.

They will be tried as prisoners of war!

But there isn't any war.

You signed the peace treaty yourself.

They'll be tried as bandits and hanged.

Do you know how my men feel about this?

I only kept the prisoners alive to make an example.

I understand your problem, colonel, but--

Olvera, between us,

I admit, maybe Rocha thought he was right.

But as military commandant, I don't care

what a man thinks, if he kills my men.

I had to face the problem of what people think.

So can you.

Don't ignore the passions of my people

and pamper those of your own.

These men are heroes!

Fools too, perhaps, but do not call them bandits.

They are soldiers and I will try them as such!

If you don't hang them, I will.

Then I warn you, colonel. I'll resign.

This could cause an uprising.

An uprising? Over you?

You're not exactly the best loved man in Los Angeles.

No, not over me.

Over a principle, that'll prove

that we have no protection under the law.

That only those who obey you can stay in office.

All right, you think what you like.

But you remember, if there is an uprising,

I have the power to suppress it.Then you'll have to use it!

Let a war start again.

Slaughter each other.

But when I come into court tomorrow,

I'll carry my resignation in my pocket.

And if you take those prisoners from me,

I'm not only through, I'll join the irregulars myself.

Captain--

have a platoon of men at the courthouse tomorrow.

CAPTAIN: Yes, sir.

May I come in?

Oh?

Suddenly, you start asking my permission again?

Oh, Papa! Oh, Papa!

Papa, don't let them hang him, please!

Don't let them hang him!

[ crying ]

I doubt that I can stop it.

Then, can we be married first?

Now you care what I want?

I always have, Papa.

Only--Only you thought

I wouldn't understand because I'm old.

Delores, I wasn't born old.

You have my blessing.

[ people chatting ]

[ people yelling in Spanish ]

His honor, Don Augustin Olvera

judge of the first instance.

[ gavel thudding ] Everybody rise.

[ gavel thuds ] Be seated.

Prisoners, approach the bench.

Ricardo Rocha and Juan De Toro.

Murderers.[ people chatting ]

Prisoners of war,

who have violated the peace treaty.

Have you any defense?

Apparently, you felt dishonored by surrender.

Tell me, senores,

is honor satisfied now that you shed more blood?

Are the caballeros killed in your raid

now reveling somewhere in their glory?

Or are they just dead?

Stupidly dead?

The children of these men

cannot eat this glory of their fathers.

They make the real sacrifice.

It is left to cowards like us to remember our duty

and fill their little bellies.

Have you no wisdom,

no knowledge, no understanding at all?

Can't you see the emptiness of these gestures?

Since there is no defense,

I sentence you to five years in prison.

[ chattering ]

Come on.

JOHN: Hold it!

Hold it! Get back in line!

You heard me!

Get back there!

I know the verdict you wanted.

I wanted it myself

but we didn't get it,

and we're not going to pay the price to get it.

They were fools for honor.

We won't be fools for revenge.

At considerable cost to himself

Judge Olvera has been for the cause

of California- American friendship.

As a symbol of that friendship,

he's too valuable to lose.

We'll abide by his decision.

A few months later, Mexico suffered defeat

as Olvera predicted.

A general amnesty was declared.

All the prisoners of war were released,

permitting Delores Olvera to be reunited with her bridegroom.

After California became a state,

Don Augustin Olvera

was elected the first judge of Los Angeles.