Original subtitles

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

WHEN I WAS A BOY, I GREW UP IN THE OZARKS OF OKLAHOMA.

MY FOLKS WERE POOR,

AND THE PARCEL OF LAND WE LIVED ON

WAS ALLOTTED TO MY MOTHER BECAUSE OF THE CHEROKEE BLOOD

THAT FLOWED IN HER VEINS.

EXCEPT FOR ONE THING, I WAS THE HAPPIEST BOY ALIVE.

BUT IT'S HARD FOR ANY BOY TO BE COMPLETELY HAPPY

WHEN YOU WANT SOMETHING SO BAD, IT GNAWS ON HIS HEART

AND GETS ALL MIXED UP IN HIS DREAMS.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

♪ IN THE MORNING OF MY LIFE, I RAN THROUGH THE HILLS

♪ AND THE WHIPPOORWILLS SANG THEIR SONGS JUST FOR ME

♪ AND EACH BRAND NEW DAY WAS A SWEET MELODY

♪ IN THE MORNING OF MY LIFE WE'D SWIM IN THE CREEK

♪ PLAYING HIDE AND SEEK LIKE THE WIND WILD AND FREE

♪ AND EACH BRAND NEW DAY WAS A SWEET MELODY

♪ BUT NOW THE WORLD HAS GROWN SO OLD,

♪ THE SONGS HAVE BEEN SUNG

♪ THERE'S NO ONE LEFT FOR ME TO HOLD,

♪ BUT ALL OF MY MEMORIES REMAIN SO YOUNG

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

♪ IN THE TWILIGHT OF MY LIFE I DREAM OF THE HILLS

♪ AND THE WHIPPOORWILLS WHO ONCE SANG JUST FOR ME

♪ THE DAY IS FADING FAST

♪ AND NOW AT LAST, THE EVENING IS NEAR

♪ EVENING IS HERE

♪ HOW I'D LOVE FOR ONE MORE SONG

♪ OUT OF THE SWEET, MORNING OF MY LIFE ♪

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[DOGS BARKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

[RUNNING FOOTSTEPS]

[CAR RUMBLING]

[CAR RUMBLING]

HOWDY. HOWDY.

YOU WILL COLMAN? THAT'S RIGHT.

I'M BEN KYLE AND THIS IS MR. BELLINGTON.

THIS IS MY WIFE, JENNY.

HOWDY, MA'AM.

AND THESE ARE MY DAUGHTERS, SARAH, ALICE.

WE'RE ALL FROM TULSA.

TULSA. WE GOT KIN FOLK THAT LIVE UP THERE.

YOUR UNCLE FRED, HE'S THE ONE THAT SENT US OUT HERE.

HE SAID YOU HAD THE BEST COON HUNTIN' IN THE OZARKS.

YOU HEAR THAT, JENNY? UNCLE FRED SENT 'EM.

HOW'S HE GETTING ON?

FEED AND GRAIN BUSINESS DOIN' RIGHT GOOD.

HE WAS TALKIN' ABOUT SELLIN' OUT AND GOING BACK TO VERMONT.

WE HEARD ABOUT THAT.

WE'RE HOPING TO MAKE HIM A FAIR OFFER

FOR HIS BUSINESS SOMEDAY.

HOPE YOU CAN DO IT.

IT SURE WOULD BE A FINE THING FOR A FAMILY LIKE YOURS.

YOU STAY FOR SUPPER.

IT'S MIGHTY KIND OF YOU, MA'AM,

BUT IF WE GOING TO GET ANY HUNTIN' DONE,

WE GOTTA GET CAMP SET UP BEFORE DARK.

THERE'S A NICE SPOT JUST DOWN THE RIVER.

IT'S CALLED DRIPPIN' SPRINGS.

THIS WAGON ROAD'LL TAKE YOU RIGHT BY IT.

IN TOWNS LIKE THESE, YOU ARE BOUND TO CATCH

A PASSEL FULL OF COONS.

MR. BELLINGTON BRED THEM HOUNDS HIMSELF.

THEY'RE SURE FINE ONES, MISTER.

THANK YOU. THEY'RE CHAMPIONS.

WON THE COON HUNTIN' COMPETITION THREE YEARS RUNNIN'.

IS THAT RIGHT?

GOT ANY HUNTIN' DOGS OF YOUR OWN, SON?

NO SIR.

AIN'T THAT A SHAME.

ALL THIS FINE HUNTIN' AND NO DOGS.

YES SIR.

WE BETTER GET GOIN', KYLE. IT'S GETTING LATE.

SURE ENOUGH, MR. BELLINGTON. MIGHTY NICE MEETIN' YOU FOLKS.

I'LL SAY HI TO YOUR UNCLE FRED.

WE'D BE MIGHTY PLEASED IF YOU WOULD.

[CAR RUMBLING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYONE HUNGER AFTER ANYTHING

THEY WAY THAT BOY DID AFTER THEM DOGS.

WELL, I JUST DON'T WANT HIM OUT NIGHTS HUNTIN' WITH HOUNDS.

I MEAN, IT'S BAD ENOUGH HAVING HIM

PROWLING THE RIVERBEDS IN THE DAYTIME.

HE'S A BOY, JENNY. A BOY OUGHT TO HAVE A DOG.

AND YOU OUGHT TO HAVE A NEW MULE.

I KNOW, BUT I CAN'T HELP WANTIN' IT FOR HIM.

HE'S COUNTRY BRED, JENNY, LIKE ME.

A BOY LIVING IN THESE HILLS JUST OUGHT TO NATURALLY HAVE A DOG.

[DOGS BARKING]

[ROOSTER CROWING]

BILLY?

YES, PAPA?

I WAS UP AT GRANDPA'S STORE YESTERDAY.

HE TOLD ME OLD MAN STATTON'S COLLIE'S ABOUT TO HAVE PUPS.

I THOUGHT MAYBE WE COULD...

PAPA, I DON'T WANT ANY OLD COLLIE DOG.

I WANT HUNTIN' DOGS.

I KNOW WHAT YOU WANT, SON, BUT HUNTIN' DOGS COST MONEY,

AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE DON'T HAVE VERY MUCH OF.

WELL, RIGHT NOW THERE'S A BLUE TICK PUP FOR SALE

IN FRONT OF GRANDPA'S STORE FOR $35.

THERE IS?

CAN I GO SEE HIM?

DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID, BOY? $35.

WELL, I CAN AT LEAST GO LOOK AT HIM, CAN'T I?

PLEASE, PAPA.

WELL, I GUESS IT AIN'T GONNA HURT NOTHIN'.

BUT LISTEN, YOU BE BACK HERE AT NOON.

GOTTA FIX THAT FENCE DOWN ON THE SOUTH END.

[PUPPY WHINING]

I DON'T KNOW.

$35 IS A HELL OF A LOT TO PAY FOR A DOG LIKE THAT.

HE AIN'T WORTH MORE THAN 20, PA.

NOT EVEN THAT MUCH.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE PRICE, YOU TALK TO JED PARKER.

IT'S HIS HOUND, I'M JUST TRYIN' TO SELL IT FOR HIM.

HEY, BILLY.

[PUPPY WHINING]

OH, WELL, WE'LL TAKE IT.

THAT AIN'T NO $35 DOG, BUT I PROMISED THESE BOYS A DOG,

AND I'M GONNA GET 'EM ONE, EVEN IF IT'S A POOR ONE.

HERE'S $5 AND $25, $35.

COME ON, BOYS, LET'S GET TO THE HOUSE.

I SURE HAVE SEEN BETTER DOGS IN MY DAY.

IT'LL BE HARD, BUT WE'LL MAKE SOMETHIN' OUT OF HIM.

[WAGON CLANGING]

MAKES ME MAD, FOLKS LIKE THAT GETTING SUCH A FINE HOUND.

AS SURE AS I'M ALIVE, IT'LL WIND UP BEIN' AS MEAN AS THEY ARE.

SURE WOULD'VE LIKED TO BOUGHT IT FOR YOU, BILLY.

I AIN'T MUCH BETTER OFF THAN YOUR PA.

OH SHUCKS, YOU'LL HAVE YOUR OWN HOUNDS BEFORE LONG.

I DON'T KNOW, GRANDPA.

SOMETIME I THINK GOD DON'T WANT ME TO HAVE ANY.

IS THAT SO? WHY?

WELL, I'VE BEEN ASKIN' HIM FOR DOGS

AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER AND NOTHING'S HAPPENED YET.

IT COULD BE THAT YOU AIN'T DOIN' YOUR FAIR SHARE.

WELL, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

WELL, IF GOD WAS A MIND,

TO GET YOUR DOG'S AS SLICK AS CUTTIN' LINE.

HE'D BE DOIN' ALL THE WORK.

THAT WOULDN'T BE GOOD FOR YOUR CHARACTER.

I DON'T WANT CHARACTER, I WANT DOGS.

YOU WANT DOGS BAD ENOUGH, BILLY, YOU'RE GONNA GET DOGS.

BUT YOU WANT HIS HELP, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO MEET HIM HALFWAY.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WELL, YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

[BELL RINGING ON DOOR]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

YOU KNOW, I REALLY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT GRANDPA

WAS TRYING TO SAY TO ME IN THE STORE THAT DAY,

BUT AS THE MONTHS PASSED,

I THOUGHT A LOT ABOUT WHAT HE MEANT BY MEETIN' GOD HALFWAY.

AND I WAS WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO GET MYSELF SOME HOUNDS.

I WAS JUST PLAIN TIRED OF ALL THE HEARTACHE.

SLOWLY A PLAN BEGAN TO FORM.

I'D EARN THE MONEY MYSELF.

THE MORE I PLANNED, THE MORE REAL IT BECAME,

AND OUT OF THE CLEAR BLUE SKY,

I REALIZED WHAT MY GRANDPA HAD MEANT.

MY SHARE WAS TO DO THE WORK, AND GOD'S SHARE WAS

TO GIVE ME THE HEART, COURAGE, AND DETERMINATION.

SO ALL THROUGH THE FOLLOWING SEASON,

I WORKED AT ABOUT EVERY ODD JOB THAT WAS POSSIBLE

FOR A 12-YEAR-OLD BOY LIVIN' IN THE OZARKS TO DO.

PAPA WONDERED WHERE I FOUND THE ENERGY

TO WORK AT THE JOBS I HAD FOUND

AND STILL DO MY CHORES AT HOME.

I DIDN'T TELL HIM I WAS SAVIN' FOR A HOUND

BECAUSE I KNEW HE COULD USE ANOTHER MULE.

MANY TIMES I GOT DISCOURAGED BECAUSE IT SEEMED

LIKE IT WOULD TAKE FOREVER FOR ME TO EARN ENOUGH MONEY

TO BUY THE HOUNDS I HAD SEEN ADVERTISED.

BUT WHEN I WENT TO BED AT NIGHT, I COULD SEE PUPPIES,

FEEL PUPPIES, SMELL PUPPIES, AND EVEN DREAM ABOUT PUPPIES.

THAT WAS ENOUGH TO KEEP ME GOIN'.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

WHERE IN THE BLAZES DID YOU GET ALL THAT?

I SAVED IT, GRANDPA, SO I COULD BUY TWO HOUND PUPS.

WILL YOU ORDER 'EM FOR ME?

HUH. HOW LONG YOU BEEN SAVIN' THAT?

A LONG TIME.

I DID WHAT YOU SAID, GRANDPA.

YOU KNOW, ABOUT MEETING GOD HALFWAY.

HE'S THE ONE THAT HELPED ME.

DOES YOUR PAPA KNOW YOU GOT ALL THIS?

GRANDPA?

PAPA NEEDS A NEW MULE REAL BAD.

I WANT THOSE DOGS REAL BAD TOO.

BEEN WRESTLIN' THIS PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME, AIN'T YA?

AM I DOIN' RIGHT, GRANDPA?

OH BILLY, THERE AIN'T NO PERSON ON THIS EARTH

THAT GOT A RIGHT TO MAKE THAT DECISION, EXCEPTIN' YOU.

WELL, SEE, WHEN ONE SIDE WRESTLES ANOTHER SIDE,

ONLY ONE SIDE CAN WIN.

BILLY, THAT'S YOUR MONEY.

YOU EARNED IT. YOU WORKED HARD.

YOU WANT THEM DOGS, YOU'RE GONNA GET THEM DOGS BE DAMNED.

BE DAMNED.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

I DON'T REMEMBER MUCH ABOUT THOSE WEEKS OF WAITIN'

EXCEPT HOW SICK AND NERVOUS I FELT.

I COULDN'T EAT OR SLEEP, AND MAMA WAS REAL WORRIED.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

HELLO, SON.

HOWDY. WANT ME TO HELP WITH THAT FEED?

THAT'S ALL RIGHT, I CAN GET IT.

I JUST DROPPED THAT CORDWOOD BY GRANDPA'S.

SAID HE HAD SOMETHIN' FOR YA,

SO I TOLD HIM THIS EVENIN' THAT YOU MIGHT DROP BY...

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

WE GOT OATS, WE GOT SALT, WE GOT SOME RICE...

HEY, BILLY!

NOW WE GET THE TONIC.

THERE WE ARE, TONIC.

THERE YOU ARE, FOLKS, I BELIEVE THAT DOES IT.

I'LL PUT IT ALL DOWN. OKAY.

THANK YOU KINDLY.

GOODNIGHT. GOODNIGHT.

DID THEY COME? DID THEY COME?

WHAT COME?

OH WAIT A MINUTE, I BELIEVE SOMETHIN' DID COME, BILLY.

NOW WHERE'D I PUT THAT THING?

WAIT A MINUTE, I BELIEVE, YES, THERE YOU GO.

GRANDPA, WHERE ARE THEY?

TAHLEQUAH.

TAHLEQUAH? YEAH.

DOGGONE, THAT'S HALFWAY DOWN RIVER.

WHY DIDN'T THEY COME HERE?

THE MAIL BUGGY DON'T DELIVER DOGS.

TAHLEQUAH, DOGGONE IT.

DON'T GET SO EXCITED.

I ALREADY TALKED TO JIM HEDGES. HE'S GOIN' IN SATURDAY.

HE'D BE GLAD TO TAKE YA.

SATURDAY?

NOW LOOK HERE.

YOU JUST CHEW ON ONE OF THESE AND STAND ON YOUR HEAD

AND, WELL, IT'LL CALM YOUR NERVES.

OH, WAIT A MINUTE, I BELIEVE THIS MIGHT HELP SOME.

TEN DOLLARS. WHAT'S THAT FOR?

THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING'S GOIN' DOWN THESE DAYS,

INCLUDING HOUNDS.

THAT'S YOUR CHANGE.

A WHOLE WEEK.

WELL, YOU'VE WAITED ALL THIS TIME,

NOW SURELY A FEW MORE DAYS AIN'T GONNA HURT.

I'M THROUGH.

OH, OKAY.

ALICE, NOW THAT'S LOVELY.

IT'S A BABY, MAMA.

I KNOW...

WILL.

LOOK AT MINE, MAMA.

OH, NOW SARAH, THAT'S VERY GOOD.

WILL?

THAT'S, THAT'S BEAUTIFUL, SARAH.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL US HOW THIS MEANS LOVE?

IT'S A RED FERN, MAMA.

A RED FERN? WHAT'S THAT GOT TO DO WITH LOVE?

ALICE, DO YOU MEAN TO TELL ME YOU'VE FORGOTTEN

THE OLD INDIAN LEGEND ABOUT THE RED FERN?

WELL, THAT'S A SYMBOL OF THE STRONGEST KIND OF LOVE.

REMEMBER, ALICE, HOW THE LITTLE INDIAN BOY AND GIRL

WERE LOST IN A BLIZZARD AND FROZE TO DEATH?

AND THE NEXT SPRING WHEN THEY WERE FOUND,

A BEAUTIFUL RED FERN WAS GROWING BETWEEN THEIR BODIES.

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU KNEW THAT STORY SO WELL.

GRANDPA TELLS IT TO ME ALL THE TIME AND I BELIEVE IT TOO.

COME ON.

IT'S GETTING LATE, TIME FOR BED.

BILLY, I WANT YOU TO FINISH THE SUMS.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

WHERE ARE YOU GOING, BILLY?

SHHH. NOT SO LOUD, SARAH.

BUT WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

OH, ALL RIGHT.

PROMISE ME YOU WON'T SAY ANYTHING

AND I'LL TELL YOU A SECRET, OKAY?

I'M GOING TO TAHLEQUAH.

TAHLEQUAH?

SHHH!

WHY ARE YOU GOING TO TAHLEQUAH?

TO BRING BACK A SURPRISE.

PROMISE ME YOU WON'T SAY ANYTHING

TO MAMA OR PAPA OR ANYBODY.

YOU WANT ME TO SAY, "HOPE TO DIE?"

NO.

WHAT'S THAT FOR?

TO BRING BACK THE SURPRISE IN.

REMEMBER, NOT A WORD.

I'LL BRING YOU BACK A TREAT, OKAY?

OKAY.

NOW, GO BACK TO BED.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

ALICE, I GOT A SECRET.

DON'T ASK ME TO TELL YOU 'CAUSE I PROMISED.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

♪ WHERE THE WILD BLUE PLAY EASILY THROUGH THE PINES

♪ I HEAR THE SOUNDS OF LOVE

♪ WHERE THE SUN BREAKS OUT OVER THE HILL AND SKY

♪ I SEE THE SIGNS OF LOVE

♪ WHERE FLOWERS BEND WITH SUMMER RAIN

♪ WHERE THE SEASONS BLEND, THERE MUST BE LOVE ♪

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[CITY SOUNDS}

[CITY SOUNDS}

WELL, I DECLARE.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

CAN I HELP YOU, SONNY?

YES SIR.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE THE DEPOT STATION IS?

RIGHT OVER YONDER ACROSS THE TRACKS.

THANK YOU, SIR. YOU'RE WELCOME.

[SNORING SOUND]

[TELEGRAPH TAPPING]

MORNIN'. MORNIN'.

SURE IS A HOT DAY TODAY.

YES SIR, IT SURE IS.

MIGHT BE FIXIN' TO RAIN TOO.

WE'VE HAD A LOT OF RAIN UP WHERE I COME FROM.

OH, WHERE'S THAT?

UP THE RIVER A WAYS.

YOU KNOW, I GOT A CRATE IN THE BAGGAGE ROOM BACK THERE

MAKIN' SOME STRANGE NOISES FOR A BOY WHO LIVES UP THE RIVER.

NAME IS BILLY COLMAN.

EVER HEARD OF HIM?

YES SIR, THAT'S ME.

I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE.

COME ON, THEY'RE BACK HERE.

[PUPPIES WHINING]

WELL, THERE THEY ARE. WHAT DO YA THINK OF THEM?

[PUPPIES WHINING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

WELL, AREN'T YA GONNA PICK 'EM UP?

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

(LAUGHS) WELL, THEY ALREADY KNOW YOU.

WELL, IF YOU'RE GONNA TO CARRY 'EM IN THIS SACK,

WE'LL CUT IT A COUPLE HOLES IN IT SO THEY DON'T SMOTHER.

DO I OWE YOU ANYTHING?

OH, THERE'S A SMALL FEED BILL, BUT I'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT.

IT AIN'T MUCH ANYWAY.

I'M SURE OBLIGED.

NOW, JUST SLIP THE FIRST ONE RIGHT IN THERE. (LAUGHS)

AND NOW THE NEXT ONE IN WILL COME RIGHT OUT THROUGH HERE.

THERE WE ARE.

[PUPPIES WHINING]

(LAUGHS) WELL, AIN'T THAT SOMETHIN' NOW?

THERE WE GO.

WELL, THANKS AGAIN.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD HUNTIN'.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[PUPPIES WHINING]

[GLASS BREAKS]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

HEY, WHAT DO WE GOT HERE?

HE'S GOT A SACK OF DOGS.

HOW COME? YOU IN THE DOG BUSINESS?

YEAH, THESE DOGS BELONG TO A RICH MILLIONAIRE

AND HE'S HOLDING THEM FOR DOG RANSOM.

(UNISON) YEAH!

SOMEBODY OUGHTA CALL THE FBI.

TELL THEM WE CAUGHT PUBLIC ENEMY DOGNAPPER NUMBER ONE.

DO YOU GUYS MIND LETTIN' ME BY?

HEY, THIS GUY'S TRYIN' TO ESCAPE.

GRAB THE DOGS. I GOT 'EM.

DON'T DO THAT AGAIN.

YOU WANNA FIGHT, HUH?

NO, BUT DON'T TOUCH MY DOGS AGAIN.

[KIDS YELLING]

OW!

[CROWD OF KIDS YELLING]

ALL RIGHT BREAK IT UP, BREAK IT UP.

COME ON, GET, GET.

GET OFF HIM, COME ON, COME ON, COME ON.

COME ON, GET, GET.

COME ON, GET.

COME ON, SHOO, GET!

YOU ALL RIGHT, SON?

YES SIR.

I WOULDN'T HAVE FOUGHT HIM, BUT THEY DEVILED MY DOGS.

HEY, THOSE SURE ARE FINE LOOKIN' DOGS.

WHERE'D YOU GET 'EM?

FROM A DOG KENNEL IN KENTUCKY.

THEY COST ME $40.

YOU PAID FOR THEM YOURSELF?

YES SIR.

HEY, YOU MUST HAVE CLEANED A LOT OF HOG PENS,

CUT A LOT OF CORDWOOD TO SAVE UP THAT MUCH.

I SURE DID.

FORTY DOLLARS...

WELL, THERE AIN'T A KID IN THAT BUNCH WITH THAT KIND OF GRIT.

HEY, WHAT'S YOUR NAME, SON?

BILLY, SIR. BILLY COLMAN.

IS THERE A STORE IN TOWN THAT SELLS THINGS LIKE... OVERALLS

AND CANDY WITH MUSHY CENTERS?

RIGHT OVER YONDER.

YOU GOIN' SHOPPING, HUH?

I GOT TEN DOLLARS LEFT OVER

AND I FIGURED THERE'S SOME THINGS MY FAMILY MIGHT LIKE.

I'LL TELL YA WHAT.

I'LL TOTE HALF THAT LOAD AND YOU TOTE THE OTHER HALF, HUH?

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[WOLF HOWLS]

HOW'D YOU LIKE A BISCUIT OR SOME BEEF JERKY?

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

PRETTY GOOD, HUH?

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

AT LAST, I GOT WHAT I'VE ALWAYS WANTED, TWO COON HOUNDS.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

AND I PROMISE TO MAKE YOU THE TWO BEST COON HOUNDS

IN THESE OZARK HILLS.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

HEY, THAT TICKLES.

[OWL HOOTING]

[PUPPY WHINING]

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

WHAT DO YOU SEE OUT THERE?

[MOUNTAIN LION GROWLING]

[MOUNTAIN LION GROWLING]

IT'S ALL RIGHT. IT'S ALL RIGHT.

THE FIRE'LL HOLD HIM OFF.

IT'S ALL RIGHT.

[MOUNTAIN LION SNARLING]

[WATERFALL FLOWING]

[WATERFALL FLOWING]

DAN AND ANN...

DAN AND ANN!

[PUPPIES WHINING]

LITTLE ANN, COME BACK HERE.

DOGGONE, SHE ALREADY KNOWS HER NAME.

[PUPPIES WHINING]

[PUPPIES WHINING]

[PUPPIES WHINING]

MORNING, MAMA, PAPA.

WELL, WHAT ARE YOU CARRYING IN THAT SACK, SON?

DOGS, PAPA. HOUNDS.

I'VE BEEN TO TAHLEQUAH TO FETCH 'EM...

I KNOW, GRANDPA TOLD US,

SO IT WASN'T HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHERE YOU WENT.

ARE THEY YOUR DOGS, BILLY?

BILLY, IS THAT THE SECRET?

WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US, BILLY?

I SHOULD HAVE, BUT I WAS AFRAID YOU WOULDN'T LET ME GO.

WHAT'S THIS OTHER STUFF, BILLY?

BILLY, IS THIS MY TREAT?

(WHISPERS) I DIDN'T SAY A WORD.

THIS SACK'S FOR YOU AND ALICE.

WAIT!

THEY'RE FINE HOUNDS, SON.

I FIGURE THEY'LL DO.

THIS IS FOR YOU, PAPA.

WELL, THANK YOU, SON.

THIS IS FOR YOU, MAMA.

WELL NOW JENNY, LOOKIE HERE, AND JUST IN TIME TOO, SON.

MY OLD OVERALLS ARE BARELY KEEPING ME IN

AND THE BREEZE OUT.

WELL BY GOLLY.

JENNY, YOU'VE BEEN WANTING A NEW DRESS.

LOOKS LIKE ENOUGH MATERIAL TO MAKE A DOZEN.

YOU LIKE IT, MAMA?

ARE THE COLORS ALL RIGHT?

THANK YOU, BILLY.

IT'S, IT'S PERFECT.

YES SON, THANK YOU. THAT WAS MIGHTY THOUGHTFUL.

THANK YOU FOR THE CANDY TOO, BILLY.

THANK YOU, BILLY.

WHAT'S THEIR NAMES, BILLY?

WELL, THIS IS OLD DAN, AND THIS IS LITTLE ANN.

I'D SAY THAT JUST FITS THEM BOTH.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, JENNY?

WELL, I THINK IT'S ABOUT TIME THE BOY HAD A DECENT MEAL.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

♪ IF I COULD ONLY GO BACK AGAIN TO THE PLACES WHERE I HAVE BEEN

♪ FEELING LOVE AS WE DID THEN IF I COULD ONLY GO BACK

♪ CRYSTAL WATERS OF YESTERDAY

♪ GOLDEN RAINBOWS WERE WASHED AWAY

♪ LONELY CLOUDS THAT CAN ONLY SAY IF I COULD ONLY GO BACK

♪ TO LIVE IN YOUR ARMS AGAIN, TO LOVE AS WE DID THEN

♪ TO RUN FREE AS THE WIND FOREVER MORE ♪

♪ TO RUN FREE AS THE WIND FOREVER MORE ♪

HOLD THEM TIGHT SO THEY DON'T RUN AWAY.

[DOGS WHINING]

THAT KID.

ALRIGHT, LET THEM GO!

[DOGS BARKING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[DOGS BARKING]

COME ON, OLD DAN!

[LAUGHTER]

[BARKING]

COME ON, ANN, COME ON, LITTLE GIRL.

GET OUT OF THERE.

BILLY COLMAN!

UH-OH.

UGH!

[DOGS BARKING]

[METAL GRINDING]

THAT'S IT.

GRANDPA SAYS IN NEW ENGLAND,

EVERYONE'S GOING CRAZY OVER COONSKIN COATS.

IS THAT RIGHT?

SO WE SHOULD BE GETTING A GOOD PRICE.

I TELL YOU WHAT.

I'LL LET YOU HAVE ONE WHOLE WALL OF THAT SMOKEHOUSE

IF YOU THINK YOU AND THEM DOGS CAN COVER IT.

IT'S NOT HARDLY BIG ENOUGH, IS IT?

(LAUGHS) WHAT'RE YOU GONNA DO WITH ALL YOUR MONEY?

WELL, YOU'VE BEEN SAYING WE COULD USE ANOTHER MULE.

WELL, I WANT YOU TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS AX, SON.

PUT A FINE EDGE ON IT, BUT IT'S FOR CUTTING DOWN THE TREES

WITH COONS IN 'EM AND THAT'S ALL.

SURE, PAPA. THANK YOU.

[DOGS BARKING]

LOOK AT THAT, WOULD YA?

THEY KNOW THEY'RE GOING HUNTIN', SURE ENOUGH.

HERE'S SOME BISCUITS AND SOME HARD BOILED EGGS.

YOU'RE GONNA GET HUNGRY.

MAMA, NO NEED FOR YOU TO WORRY.

I'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

HERE, PUT THIS ON, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND

WHY YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR HUNTIN' AT NIGHT.

BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN COONS ARE UP AND AROUND.

WELL BILLY, YOU BETTER GET GOING.

THEY'LL BE STIRRIN' SOON.

GOOD LUCK, SON.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

I'LL BE LOOKING FOR A BIG COONSKIN

ON THE SMOKEHOUSE WALL IN THE MORNING.

BYE, BILLY. BYE, BILLY.

SEE YA IN THE MORNING.

IT WOULD MAKE A FINE CAP FOR A HUNTER.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

ALL RIGHT, I TAUGHT YOU EVERYTHING I KNOW.

NOW WE'RE GONNA SEE IF YOU COON DOGS OR IF YOU'RE NOT.

ALL'S I'M ASKING IS FOR YOU TO TREE A COON

AND I'LL DO ALL THE REST, OKAY? GO GET 'EM.

WHOO-EE!

[DOGS BARKING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

WHOO!

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[RACCOON SQUEAKING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[RACCOON SQUEAKING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[DOGS BARKING]

WHOO-EE, GET 'EM, DAN, GET 'EM!

[DOGS BARKING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[DOGS WHINING]

I AM ASHAMED OF YOU, LITTLE GIRL.

IF YOU LET THAT RING-TAIL FOOL YOU THIS WAY,

YOU'LL NEVER BE A COON HOUND.

NOW GET GOIN'.

YOU'LL NEVER FOOL 'EM AGAIN, OLD COON, NOT EVER!

WHOO-EE!

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[DOGS BARKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

IS HE UP THERE?

DOGGONE.

[RACCOON SQUEAKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

[CHOPPING]

[CHOPPING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

BILLY. BILLY.

BILLY, I THOUGHT YOU'D HAD AN ACCIDENT.

I'VE JUST BEEN WORRIED SICK.

I COULDN'T COME HOME, MAMA.

MY DOGS HAD A COON UP THIS TREE.

HE SURE PICKED A BIG SYCAMORE.

BIGGEST ONE IN THE WHOLE RIVER.

THAT'S ALRIGHT.

THE BIGGER THEY COME, THE HARDER THEY FALL.

WELL, THERE'S NO SENSE CHOPPING DOWN

A TREE LIKE THIS JUST FOR ONE COON.

COME ON BILLY, WE GOTTA GO.

I CAN'T, PAPA.

WHY NOT?

I MADE A BARGAIN WITH MY DOGS.

I TOLD THEM IF THEY'D PUT ONE UP A TREE, I'D DO THE REST.

THEY DID THEIR PART, IT'S UP TO ME TO DO MINE.

WELL, YOU'RE QUITTING AND THAT'S THAT, SO COME ON.

LET'S GO.

BILLY, DO I HAVE TO WHOOP YOU ON TOP OF ALL THE PUNISHMENT

YOU ALREADY BROUGHT ON YOURSELF?

DO I?

YES, MA'AM.

A MAN CAN'T KEEP HIS WORD, JENNY,

HE'S NOT MUCH GOOD, ESPECIALLY TO HIMSELF.

I'D SAY AMEN TO THAT, JENNY.

LOOK AT THOSE HANDS.

YOU GONNA CHOP DOWN A TREE LIKE THIS, BILLY,

YOU NEED A MAN SIZED AX.

HERE'S MY GLOVES.

THANK YOU, PAPA.

BEFORE YOU, UH, SWING THAT AX,

I WANT YOU TO EAT THESE TWO EGGS.

YOU CAN, UH, SHARE THE BISCUITS WITH THE HOUNDS.

YOU KNOW, BILLY, I BELIEVE EVERY BOY

OUGHTA HAVE A TREE LIKE THIS TO CHOP DOWN...

AT LEAST ONCE IN HIS LIFE.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

GIDDY UP, HAH!

BYE, BILLY!

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

IT'S NO USE, LITTLE GIRL.

I JUST CAN'T DO IT.

MY STRENGTH'S ALL GONE.

HAVEN'T I DONE MY FAIR SHARE, GOD?

CAN'T YOU JUST HELP ME A LITTLE?

[WIND BLOWING]

[TREE CREAKING]

[TREE CREAKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

WE DID IT. WE DID IT!

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

MAMA MADE ME A CAP OUT OF THAT FIRST COON HIDE,

AND SHE SAID AFTERWARDS THAT SHE WISHED

SHE HADN'T HAVE MADE IT FOR ME,

BECAUSE IN SOME WAY, IT AFFECTED MY MIND,

AND I BECAME COMPLETELY COON CRAZY.

BY THE TIME THE SECOND SEASON CAME AROUND,

MY DOGS' FAME HAD SPREAD ALL OVER THE OZARKS.

NO COON HUNTER CAME INTO GRANDPA'S STORE

WITH AS MANY SKINS AS I DID.

[MEN TALKING EXCITEDLY]

HERE IS THE MIGHTY HUNTER RIGHT NOW, GENTLEMEN.

HEY, BILLY.

UH, MOM NEEDS A BIG SACK OF CORN MEAL.

ALL RIGHT, SON, I'LL BE WITH YOU IN A MINUTE.

[MEN TALKING ALL AT ONCE]

ANYTHING ELSE?

UMM,GIVE ME TWO PLUGS OF TOBACCO.

YOU'RE A LITTLE YOUNG FOR THAT, AIN'T YA?

OH, IT'S FOR MY PA.

HEY COLMAN, WANNA MAKE A BET?

NO.

WHAT'S THE MATTER, YOU CHICKEN?

NO, I JUST DON'T WANNA.

[LAUGHTER]

[CLUCKING LIKE A CHICKEN]

HERE'S TOBACCO FOR YOUR PA.

BILLY, I'LL TAKE YOU OUT BACK.

I GOT THAT CORNMEAL OUT IN THE SHED.

YOU GET OUT OF HERE, GET OUT, GET.

[LAUGHTER]

SKIDADDLE.

YOU KNOW, YOU GONNA HAVE TROUBLE EXPLAINING TO YOUR PA

HOW HE GOT CHARGED FOR TWO PLUGS OF TOBACCO

THAT HE NEVER EVEN SEEN.

CHICKEN, CHICKEN, CHICKEN...

BET YOU COME FROM A WHOLE FAMILY OF CHICKENS.

I BET THEM HOUNDS AIN'T HOUNDS EITHER.

I BET THEY'RE CHICKENS TOO.

HERE, HERE, IS THAT ALL YOU PRITCHARDS EVER DO

IS GO AROUND LOOKIN' FOR A FIGHT?

WE AIN'T LOOKIN' TO FIGHT HIM, JUST BET HIM.

BET HIM ON WHAT?

WE GOT A COON UP IN OUR COUNTRY

THAT NO DOG'S BEEN SMART ENOUGH TO TREE YET.

WE CALL HIM THE GHOST COON,

AND WE GOT TWO DOLLARS SAYS YOUR DOGS CAN'T TREE HIM.

I KNOW MY DOGS CAN TREE HIM, BUT WE DON'T HOLD TO BETTIN'.

[MAKING CLUCKING SOUNDS]

TWO DOLLARS, BILLY'S GONNA TAKE YOUR BETTIN'.

GRANDPA!

HERE, YOU'RE GONNA HOLD YOUR MONEY, AND YOU HOLD YOURS.

GRANDPA, YOU SAID THE GOOD BOOK SAYS

A WAGER'S A FOOL'S ARGUMENT.

WELL, THE GOOD BOOK NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH NO PRITCHARDS.

NOW IT'S GONNA BE FAIR AND SQUARE,

OR I'M GONNA BE TALKIN' TO YOUR PA.

IT'LL BE FAIR AND SQUARE ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL MEET YOU TOMORROW NIGHT DOWN BY OUR PASTURE GATE.

(LAUGHS) RUBIN, I WAS WRONG ABOUT THE COLMANS.

THEY AIN'T CHICKEN, THEY'RE SUCKERS.

[MAKING CLUCKING SOUNDS]

BILLY, I NEVER ASKED NO MAN IN THIS WORLD FOR NOTHIN',

BUT I'M ASKIN' YOU TO GET THAT GHOST COON.

THIS IS ONE BET I WANT YOU WIN.

[DOG BARKING]

THERE HE IS, WELL, I'LL BE DOGGONE.

SHUT UP, OLD BLUE!

[DOGS BARKING]

I'M REALLY DEPENDING ON YOU TWO TONIGHT.

YOU'VE GOTTA TREE THAT GHOST COON FOR GRANDPA.

IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO HIM.

THESE ARE THE HOUNDS WE'VE BEEN HEARING SO MUCH ABOUT?

THEY DON'T LOOK LIKE MUCH TO ME...

[DOGS BARKING]

CUT IT OUT, RAINIE.

RAINIE, YOU MUST SMELL LIKE AN OLD COON! (LAUGHS)

OH SHUT UP, RUBIN!

YOU BETTER CUT IT OUT, OR I'LL KNOCK THE FIRE OUT OF YOU.

LET'S GET GOIN'.

[DOG BARKING, WHINING]

COME ON, TURN 'EM LOOSE.

YEAH, TURN 'EM LOOSE.

GO GET 'EM.

[BOYS YELLING]

[DOG BARKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

IT'S THE GHOST COON.

HE'S CROSSING AT BUCK FORD JUST LIKE HE ALWAYS DOES.

[DOGS BARKING]

SOUNDS LIKE THE OLD GHOST HAS GOT YOUR HOUNDS GOIN'

IN CIRCLES BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE RIVER.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL HAND OVER YOUR MONEY.

[DOGS SNIFFING]

[DOGS BARKING]

[BOYS YELLING]

LOOKS LIKE HE'S HEADED FOR THAT GOLDEN MILL!

SURE HE IS.

THAT'S WHERE HE ALWAYS HEADS,

AND ONCE HE GETS THERE, HE JUST DISAPPEARS.

AND YOUR TWO DOGS'LL DISAPPEAR RIGHT ALONG WITH HIM.

[DOGS BARKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

THE GHOST COON'S GONE.

SURE HE IS, THAT'S WHY HE'S A GHOST COON.

WE TOLD YOU HE'D DISAPPEAR.

PAY UP. WE'RE NOT STAYING HERE ALL NIGHT.

COME ON.

COME ON, PAY UP.

HEY, HALF OF THAT'S MINE! (TWO BOYS ARGUING)

COME ON, LITTLE ANN AND OLD DAN, COME ON.

AFTER WE GET HOME.

I WANT MINE NOW, RUBIN!

[BOYS ARGUING]

[DOGS BARKING]

[BOYS ARGUING]

[DOGS BARKING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

WHAT DO YOU THINK'S UP THERE?

I THINK THE GHOST COON'S UP THERE.

DOES THAT MEAN WE LOSE THE BET?

SHUT UP.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[RACCOON SQUEAKING]

IS HE UP THERE?

HE'S UP THERE ALL RIGHT.

WHAT ARE YA COMIN' BACK DOWN FOR?

CHASE HIM OUT SO YOUR DOGS CAN GET HIM.

NO, I DON'T WANT HIM KILLED.

ARE YOU CRAZY OR SOMETHIN'? WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?

THAT'S THE GHOST COON.

I DON'T CARE.

UP UNTIL NOW HE'S OUTSMARTED EVERY COONHOUND IN THESE HILLS.

I JUST CAN'T KILL HIM.

GET OUT OF MY WAY, I'LL POKE HIM OUT.

I WON'T LET MY DOGS KILL IT.

BEAT HIM UP, RUBIN.

BLOODY HIS NOSE, BEAT HIM UP, RUBIN!

[DOG BAYING]

WHAT IS IT, ANN?

[DOG BAYING]

SOMETHING'S MOVIN' IN THE BRUSH ACROSS THE CREEK.

MAYBE IT'S A MOUNTAIN LION.

LET'S GET OUT OF HERE.

SHUT UP, IT AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN LION.

LOOK.

IT'S OLD BLUE.

THERE'S YOUR MOUNTAIN LION.

HOW DID HE GET LOSE?

[DOGS BARKING]

DAN! DAN!

[DOGS BARKING]

DAN! YOU BETTER GET A HOLD OF HIM.

THERE'S GONNA BE A FIGHT.

I AIN'T WORRIED ABOUT OLD BLUE. HE CAN TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF.

YEAH, HE'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT OLD GHOST COON TOO.

JUST GIVE ME BACK THE TWO DOLLARS

AND I'LL GO HOME.

I DON'T HAVE TO STAY AND WATCH IT.

DON'T GIVE IT TO HIM, RUBIN. HE AIN'T WON THE BET.

HE HADN'T KILLED THE GHOST COON.

THE BET WAS THAT MY DOGS COULD TREE HIM AND THEY'VE DONE THAT.

NOW GIVE ME THE TWO DOLLARS.

WHAT'RE GONNA DO IF WE DON'T? GO CRY TO YOUR GRANDPAPPY?

I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT YOU,

BUT I WILL IF YOU DON'T GIVE IT TO ME.

FIGHT?

NOW WE DON'T WANNA FIGHT YA.

WE BETTER GIVE HIM HIS TWO DOLLARS.

WHAT!

GIVE HIM DOLLARS.

[DOGS FIGHTING]

[DOGS FIGHTING]

HELP ME, RUBIN!

CHOKE HIM, SMASH HIS HEAD!

[DOGS FIGHTING]

RUBIN, THEY'RE KILLIN' OLD BLUE!

[DOGS FIGHTING]

I'LL KILL THEM DAMN HOUNDS!

OH!

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

PLEASE, TAKE IT OUT.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

GO GET HELP...

GO GET HELP!!!

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

"YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY

OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH,

I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR THOU ART WITH ME.

THY ROD AND THY STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.

THOU PREPAREST A TABLE BEFORE ME

IN THE PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMIES.

THOU ANOINTEST MY HEAD WITH OIL.

MY CUP RUNNETH OVER.

SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME

ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE

AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER."

AMEN.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[THUNDER ROLLING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

SON, THERE'S NO NEED IN YOU GOING ON

BLAMING YOURSELF LIKE THIS.

I TRIPPED HIM, PAPA.

I'M THE REASON HE'S DEAD.

IF ANYONE'S AT FAULT, IT'S ME.

I WAS A STUPID FOOL TO CALL THAT BOY'S BET.

IT WAS PURELY AN ACCIDENT.

NOBODY'S AT FAULT.

MAMA, YOU CAN STOP WORRYIN',

'CAUSE I AIN'T NEVER GONNA GO HUNTIN' AGAIN.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

GIDDY UP.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

SARAH, WHAT ARE YOU DOIN' IN THERE?

GETTING GRANDPA SOME FLOWERS.

WELL HURRY UP, WE'RE LATE AND GRANDPA'S WAITIN'.

YOU KNOW, I GOT AN IDEA THAT WE'RE GOIN' TO SOMETHIN' MORE

THAN JUST A SUNDAY DINNER.

WHAT ELSE COULD IT BE?

I DON'T KNOW, BUT KNOWING YOUR DADDY, IT'S SOMETHIN'.

JENNY, HAVE ANOTHER PIECE OF PIE.

NO, PAPA, NO.

WILL, COME ON.

I'M DONE, GRANDPA.

KIDS, HOW ABOUT SOME MORE PIE?

HOW ABOUT SOME MORE HAM?

SWEET POTATOES? OH, COME ON NOW,

YOU AIN'T EATIN' ENOUGH TO KEEP A BUG ALIVE.

I'M GONNA HAVE TO THROW IT IN THE CREEK.

PAPA, WE ARE STUFFED.

ALL RIGHT, GRANDPA, LET'S HAVE IT.

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

MIND? WHAT WOULD I HAVE ON MY MIND?

WELL NOW, YOU MUST HAVE HAD SOME PURPOSE

FOR LAYING OUT A FEED LIKE THIS.

WELL, I WANTED JENNY TO GET OUT OF HER KITCHEN

AND SAMPLE SOME OF MY FOOD.

PAPA, WILL YOU STOP YOUR TEASING.

NOW YOU GOT SOMETHING UP YOUR SLEEVE, AND WHAT IS IT?

I GOT NOTHIN' UP MY SLEEVE.

I GOT SOMETHIN' IN MY POCKET.

GO ON, BILLY, READ IT. WHAT DOES IT SAY?

"CHAMPIONSHIP COON HUNT TO BE HELD."

I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE A PART OF ONE OF THEM BIG COON HUNTS

AND THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY.

WE CAN ENTER LITTLE ANN AND OLD DAN.

I TOLD YOU GRANDPA, I AIN'T NEVER GONNA HUNT AGAIN.

I DIDN'T SAY I WAS GONNA ENTER YOU, BILLY.

I SAID I WAS GONNA ENTER THE DOGS.

BILLY, THEM DOGS GOT A RIGHT TO PROVE

THEY'RE THE BEST COON HOUNDS IN THE WHOLE STATE OF OKLAHOMA,

NOT TO MENTION ARKANSAS.

CAN ALL THE DOGS AROUND HERE BE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP, GRANDPA?

NOT ALL OF THE DOGS, MISSY, THE BEST.

THEY GOTTA PROVE THEY'RE COON HUNTIN' MARVELS.

WHY, I'VE GOT A RECORD OF EVERY COON THAT BILLY'S DOGS TREE'D

AND I HAD TO TAKE IT DOWN TO THE COURTHOUSE

TO OLD H.B. MCCULLEN.

HE HAD TO NOTARIZE AN AFFIDAVIT.

ALL RIGHT GRANDPA, THAT'S ENOUGH.

ENOUGH?

THE DOGS BELONGED TO BILLY. HE WORKED FOR THEM.

IT'S GOTTA BE BILLY'S DECISION.

THAT WASN'T A VERY GOOD THING TO DO, BILLY.

SARAH? ALICE? ARE YOU SURE YOU WOULDN'T LIKE TO HAVE

ANOTHER PIECE OF GRANDPA'S PIE?

I THINK I'LL HAVE ONE MORE.

NO, NO, YOU'VE HAD THREE SLICES ALREADY.

GRANDPA, CAN I TAKE A PIECE HOME...?

YOU SURE CAN DARLING, YOU SURELY CAN.

HOW 'BOUT YOU, JENNY?

I'LL HAVE A LITTLE, THANK YOU.

I'LL DO IT.

WHAT?

I'LL DO IT.

BILLY, ARE YOU SURE?

MAMA, GRAMPA'S RIGHT.

DAN AND ANN ARE THE BEST.

THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROVE IT.

WHOO-EE!

[TALKING EXCITEDLY, LAUGHTER]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

I KNEW THERE WAS GOING TO BE SOME FOLKS HERE

BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GOING TO BE ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

THERE'S SOME FINE LOOKING HOUNDS HERE, BILLY.

HEY, THERE'S MISTER WHAT'S-HIS-NAME UP FROM TULSA.

GOING UP TO CHRIS DARTSMOUTH PLACE LAST SPRING.

I DON'T KNOW HIM.

I GUESS HE'S HERE TO WIN HIS FOURTH CHAMPIONSHIP.

OH, IS HE?

WELL, WE'LL JUST SEE ABOUT THAT, WON'T WE BILLY?

HEY, THERE'S MR. KYLE.

[DOG BARKING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[DOG BARKING]

AFTERNOON, FOLKS. HOWDY.

I'M, UH, COLLECTING FOR THE CASH POOL

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED.

CASH POOL?

HOWDY, SHERIFF.

WELL, WELL, IF IT ISN'T THE YOUNG MAN

WHO TRIED TO FIGHT EVERY BOY IN TOWN AT THE SAME TIME.

DON'T TELL ME THESE ARE THE SAME PUPS.

THEY SURE ARE.

THEY SURE ARE TURNED INTO FINE LOOKIN' HOUNDS.

THANK YOU.

GRANDPA, POP, THIS IS THE SHERIFF

I TOLD YOU ABOUT FROM TAHLEQUAH.

HOWDY, SHERIFF.

HOPE MY BOY DIDN'T CAUSE YOUR TOWN TOO MUCH TROUBLE.

OH, WELL NOTHIN' WE DIDN'T RECOVER FROM.

SHERIFF, YOU SAID SOMETHIN' ABOUT A CASH POOL.

OH YEAH, EACH CONTESTANT PUTS UP TWO DOLLARS,

AND THE WINNER GETS TO KEEP IT ALONG WITH A GOLD CUP.

TWO DOLLARS.

OH, WELL I CAN GO ALONG WITH THAT.

IT'S LIKE FINDING MONEY.

TWO DOLLARS IN THE NAME OF COLMAN.

COLMAN.

I SUGGEST YOU FOLKS GET SETTLED AS SOON AS YOU CAN.

GONNA HAVE THE DRAWINGS IN ABOUT THIRTY MINUTES.

DRAWINGS?

WE CAN'T HAVE ALL THE HUNTERS GOING OUT THE SAME NIGHT,

SO WE GOT A SPLIT THEM UP INTO THREE NIGHTS.

AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE THE DRAW

TO SEE WHICH NIGHT WHO GOES OUT WITH WHO.

WELL, WE BETTER GET OUR CAMP SET UP HERE, BILLY.

YOU GONNA BE A JUDGE, SHERIFF?

(LAUGHS) YOU MIGHT SAY THAT.

WELL I GOT SOME MORE COLLECTIN' TO DO,

SO I'LL SEE Y'ALL LATER AT THE GET-TOGETHER TONIGHT.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

SEVEN COONS IN ONE NIGHT, MR. HATTFIELD?

BILLY, IS YOUR GRANDPA PULLIN' MY LEG?

WELL, MAYBE JUST A LITTLE.

[LAUGHTER]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

LISTEN TO THEM HOUNDS SINGIN' NOW.

SOUNDS LIKE SOMEBODY'S ON ONE ALREADY.

WELL, HOWDY FOLKS.

HEY, MR. KYLE. THIS IS OUR GRANDPA. A PLEASURE.

YOU REMEMBER MY BOY, DON'T YA?

SURE DO, THEM YOUR DOGS, SON? YES SIR.

I KNEW YOU'D GET SOME DOGS ONE DAY,

BUT I DIDN'T FIGURE THEY'D BE SUCH FINE ONES.

WHAT NIGHT YOU DRAW?

THIRD.

SAY, YOU ARE IN LUCK. WE DREW THE SECOND.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN LUCK?

WHY, MR. BELLINGTON GOT HIS HOUNDS

IN THE BEST SHAPE EVER, AND THEY ARE SPOILIN' TO GO.

WELL YOU BETTER TELL BELLINGTON NOT TO POLISH THAT AWARD

UNTIL HE'S GOT IT IN HIS HAND.

THESE HOUNDS ARE FIXIN' TO SMELL OUT EVERY COON

FROM HERE TO ARKANSAS.

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERS]

CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION? CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION?

LIKE THEY SAY ON THE RADIO NEWS, HERE'S A SPECIAL BULLETIN.

CARL BROWN'S HOUNDS HAVE TREED THE FIRST COON

OF THE CONTEST NOT TEN MINUTES AGO.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

AND THEY'RE TRACKIN' THEIR SECOND.

IT LOOKS LIKE OLD CARL'S GONNA BEAT YOU FOLKS

BEFORE YOU EVEN GET STARTED.

[CROWD BOOING]

YOU HEAR THAT, GRANDPA?

THAT FELLOW'S ALMOST AT TWO COONS ALREADY.

WELL, JUST DON'T GO LOSIN' BEFORE YOU'VE EVEN STARTED.

I DON'T KNOW THOUGH, GRANDPA.

THERE'S SOME MIGHTY FINE HOUNDS THERE.

I KNOW, BUT YOU'RE GONNA LICK 'EM, BILLY.

YOU'RE GONNA LICK 'EM.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

MY DOGS WORKED TOGETHER WITH A SKILL

THAT WAS UNCANNY THAT FIRST NIGHT.

I FELT CERTAIN WE WOULD MAKE THE FINALS.

[DOGS BARKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

ALL RIGHT, GIVE ME YOUR ATTENTION.

GIVE ME YOUR ATTENTION, EVERYBODY.

NOW, THE ELIMINATIONS ARE OVER,

AND, AND THE HUNTERS WHO ARE GONNA COMPETE IN THE FINALS

ARE SAM BELLINGTON...

[APPLAUSE]

CARL BROWN...

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

AND BILLY COLMAN.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

ALL RIGHT, NOW WE'RE GONNA START AT SUNDOWN.

NOW THE HOUNDS THAT BRING BACK THE MOST COONSKINS BY MORNING

IS GONNA GET THE GOLD CUP, NOT TO MENTION THE CASH POOL.

[APPLAUSE]

ALL RIGHT, NOW IT'S GONNA BE A BIG NIGHT,

SO YOU CONTESTANTS BEST REST YOUR DOGS AND YOURSELVES.

ALL RIGHT, THAT'S IT. GOOD LUCK TO YA.

[DOGS BARKING]

YEAH, THESE, THESE DOGS ARE RARING TO GO.

GOOD LUCK, MR. BELLINGTON.

WELL THANK YOU YOUNG MAN, BUT I'M NOT RELYING ON LUCK.

I'M RELYING ON THE BEST PAIR OF HOUNDS I EVER OWNED.

LET'S FEED 'EM, COBB.

SURE THING, MR. BELLINGTON. COME ON, DOGS.

COME ON, BILLY.

LET'S GET SOME BREAKFAST AND SLEEP.

IT'S GONNA BE A LONG NIGHT FOR ALL OF US.

WE'RE GONNA NEED OUR REST.

LET'S GO ON, BILLY.

[HORSE NEIGHING]

[DOGS BARKING]

IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD UP THERE. IT LOOKS LIKE A STORM'S COMIN'.

YEAH, I BET IT GONNA BE A COLD ONE TOO.

WE'RE IN LUCK! HUH?

BECAUSE ALL GAME STIRS JUST BEFORE A STORM.

WELL, WHAT ARE YOU WAITIN' FOR?

[DOGS BARKING]

GO GET 'EM.

[DOGS BARKING]

HEY, THEY'RE ON ONE ALREADY!

WHOO-EE!

[DOGS BARKING]

GO TO THAT TREE!

BOY, THAT WAS FAST.

[DOGS BARKING]

WELL SON, YOU READY FOR NUMBER TWO?

READY AS WE'LL EVER BE.

I DON'T KNOW. IT'S GETTING WORSE FAST.

I THINK THEY'VE GOT THE WIND OF ANOTHER.

LET 'EM GO, BILLY. LET'S GO.

[DOGS BARKING]

[HEAVY WINDS AND THUNDER]

KEEPS UP LIKE THIS, THAT OLD COON WON'T RUN LONG.

HE'LL HEAD FOR HIS DEN.

WELL, IF IT GETS MUCH WORSE, I KNOW SOME OLD COON HUNTERS

THAT AIN'T GONNA BE RUNNIN' VERY LONG.

GONNA BE FROZEN STIFF.

[HEAVY WINDS AND THUNDER]

[HORSE NEIGHING]

I DON'T THINK WE CAN TAKE MUCH MORE OF THIS.

CAN'T SEE FIFTEEN FEET NOW.

THINK WE CAN EVEN FIND THE BUGGY? I THINK SO.

CAN ANYBODY HEAR THE HOUNDS?

NO TELLIN' WHERE THEY ARE NOW. THINK WE BETTER GO IN?

I'M SURE THEY'RE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK.

PROBABLY TREED A COON BY NOW

AND WE CAN'T HEAR 'EM BECAUSE OF THE WIND.

A MAN CAN FREEZE TO DEATH IN THIS KIND OF WEATHER, BILLY.

ANYWAY, YOUR DOGS WILL BE GIVIN' UP SOON AND COMIN' IN.

NO THEY WON'T, PAPA.

OLD DAN WOULD DIE BEFORE HE LEFT A COON IN A TREE.

[DOGS BARKING]

I HEAR 'EM.

THE WAY THAT WIND IS WHIPPING UP,

THAT SOUND COULD BE COMIN' FROM ANYWHERE.

OFF IN THAT DIRECTION.

[HEAVY WINDS BLOWING]

HEY, SLOW DOWN, I AIN'T THAT YOUNG NO MORE.

[THUNDER, HEAVY WINDS]

HOW'D YOU AND MR. BELLINGTON DO, CARL?

WELL, WE GOT THREE OF 'EM BEFORE THIS DAMN STORM BLEW IN.

THAT'S WHAT YOU HAD?

BROWNE HERE, HE GOT STUCK.

IS THAT RIGHT? HOW'S THE BOY DOIN'?

THEY HAVEN'T COME IN YET.

BUT IF I KNOW THAT BOY, HE WON'T QUIT.

[HEAVY WINDS, THUNDER]

SOUNDS LIKE THEY'RE RIGHT UP AHEAD.

[DOGS BARKING]

BILLY!

BILL!

[HEAVY WINDS]

BILL!

[THUNDER, HEAVY WINDS]

BILLY!

[THUNDER, HEAVY WINDS]

[THUNDER, HEAVY WINDS]

[DOGS BARKING]

I JUST KNEW THEY'D BE TREED, I JUST KNEW IT.

[DOGS BARKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

A TREED COON!

I DON'T BELIEVE IT! I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE IT.

[DOGS BARKING]

GRANDPA?

GRANDPA? GRANDPA?

I THOUGHT HE WAS RIGHT BEHIND YOU. I DID TOO.

GRANDPA! GRANDPA!

TAKE IT EASY BILLY, WE'LL FIND HIM.

I DON'T KNOW, WILL, IN THIS KIND OF STORM.

LET'S KEEP OUR HEADS AND WE'LL FIND HIM.

THE DOGS WILL FIND HIM.

COME ON, LET'S GO.

WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO GET THESE COONS, BILLY,

AND THESE DOGS AIN'T GONNA LEAVE TILL THEY DO.

THEY WILL FOR GRANDPA.

COME ON, LITTLE GIRL.

COME ON, OLD BOY.

YOU GOTTA FIND GRANDPA.

IT AIN'T NO USE, BILLY. COME ON NOW, WE GOTTA GO.

COME ON!

YOU GOTTA COME FIND GRANDPA. YOU JUST GOTTA.

COME ON! COME ON!

[HEAVY WINDS]

[HEAVY WINDS]

[DOGS BARKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

THEY FOUND HIM! THEY FOUND HIM!

[DOGS BARKING, WIND BLOWING]

[DOGS BARKING, WIND BLOWING]

THERE HE IS! I TOLD YA!

[DOGS BARKING, WIND BLOWING]

GRANDPA!

IT LOOKS LIKE HIS LEG. GRANDPA!

HE'S GONNA BE ALL RIGHT. HE'S GONNA BE ALL RIGHT, BILLY.

[WIND BLOWING]

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

I THINK HE BUSTED HIS LEG JUST TO GET ATTENTION, DON'T YOU?

[LAUGHTER]

ALL RIGHT, NOW I CAN ALWAYS SAY THIS HAS BEEN

THE MOST EXCITING HUNT I'VE EVER BEEN ON.

I SAY AMEN TO THAT.

[APPLAUSE]

WHERE'S BILLY?

I THOUGHT HE WAS HERE.

THEY'RE ABOUT READY TO GIVE OUT THE TROPHY, BILLY.

YOU COMIN'?

I JUST ASSUME NOT GO OVER PAPA.

ALL RIGHT, IF THAT'S THE WAY YOU FEEL ABOUT IT.

I'M NOT BE TELLIN' YA ANY DIFFERENT.

YOU'RE A MAN, BILLY.

YOU PROVED THAT LAST NIGHT.

...AND THE ACME FEED COMPANY.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

NOW WE'VE COME TO THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR,

THE PRESENTATION OF THIS BEAUTIFUL GOLD CUP.

NOW I DECLARE THE WINNER OF THE 20TH ANNUAL

SEVENTH DISTRICT COON HUNT TO BE SAM BELLINGTON.

SAM.

[CLAPPING]

[APPLAUSE]

THANK YOU, YOUNG MAN.

THAT WAS A SPORTSMAN-LIKE THING FOR YOU TO DO.

I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT WINNING THIS CUP

BECAUSE I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR DOGS.

NOW HIS DOG TREED THREE COONS

AND HE HAD TO GIVE UP AND GO FIND HIS GRANDFATHER.

NOW THOSE HOUNDS MIGHT HAVE GOT THOSE THREE COONS,

AND THEN AGAIN THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE, BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT.

THE POINT IS I DON'T WANT MY DOGS WINNING

A CHAMPIONSHIP THAT WASN'T THEIRS CLEAR.

SO I DECLARE BILLY COLMAN AND HIS FINE PAIR OF REDBONES

THE CHAMPIONS AND WINNERS OF THE GOLD CUP.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

[APPLAUSE]

TAKE IT, SON.

YOU WON IT FAIR.

[APPLAUSE AND CHEERS]

BUT, YOU BETTER BE READY TO GIVE IT UP NEXT YEAR,

BECAUSE ME AND MY WALKERS ARE GONNA BEAT

THE BRITCHES OFF OF YOU AND THEM REDBONES.

[LAUGHTER]

THE CASH POOL.

[APPLAUSE]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

WELL JENNY, THERE IT IS.

THE FULL AMOUNT YOU'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR.

ENOUGH MONEY TO MOVE US LOCK, STOCK, AND BARREL TO TULSA

AND TAKE OVER UNCLE FRED'S FEED BUSINESS.

I FIGURE WE'LL BE ABLE TO GO THIS SPRING.

YOU'RE, UH, YOU'RE NOT HAVIN' SECOND THOUGHTS, ARE YA...

ABOUT LEAVIN'?

WELL, HOW'RE WE GONNA BE ABLE TO TELL HIM?

I MEAN, WE CAN'T TAKE THESE DOGS FROM THESE HILLS

AND WHAT THEY'VE BEEN BRED TO DO.

IT WOULD BE LIKE PUTTIN' A MAN IN PRISON

FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE,

AND IT'D BREAK BILLY'S HEART TO LEAVE 'EM BEHIND.

WELL, THERE'S ALWAYS GRANDPA.

WHAT'S GRANDPA GOT TO DO WITH IT?

BILLY AND THE DOGS, THEY COULD STAY WITH GRANDPA FOR A WHILE.

BESIDES, HE COULD USE SOME HELP OVER AT THE STORE ANYWAY.

AND SEPARATE OUR FAMILY?

I'M NOT GONNA HEAR OF THAT.

[DOGS BARKING]

[DOGS BARKING]

THE WINNING OF THE GOLD CUP BROUGHT ME AND MY DOGS

EVEN CLOSER THAN BEFORE.

WE BECAME AN INSEPARABLE TEAM.

AND ALTHOUGH I'D ALWAYS KNOWN THEIR LOVE FOR ME WAS GREAT,

I NEVER REALIZED HOW DEEP IT WENT

UNTIL THE NIGHT OF THEIR GREATEST SACRIFICE

AS WE HUNTED TOGETHER IN THE CYCLONE TIMBER COUNTRY.

[DOGS BARKING]

WHAT IS IT?

WHAT DO YOU SEE UP THERE?

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING.

[DOGS BARKING]

[MOUNTAIN LION GROWLING]

[ANIMALS FIGHTING, SNARLING]

GO AWAY!

GET AWAY FROM THERE, DAN!

[ANIMALS FIGHTING]

[ANIMALS FIGHTING]

[DOG WHIMPERING]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

OH, I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A WOUND.

GET ME SOME MORE WATER, WILL.

MAMA, WILL HE BE ALL RIGHT?

WELL HE'S, HE'S HURT PRETTY BAD, BILLY.

HE SAVED MY LIFE.

THE LION TRIED TO GET TO ME.

WE'RE DOIN' WHAT WE CAN, SON.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

COME ON, LITTLE GIRL, LET'S GO.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

IT WAS HARD TO MAKE MYSELF BELIEVE THAT OLD DAN WAS DEAD.

THE PAIN WAS ALMOST MORE THAN I COULD STAND.

BUT AS THE DAYS WENT BY,

I BEGAN TO FEEL GRATEFUL THAT I STILL HAD MY LITTLE ANN.

COME ON, LITTLE GIRL, PLEASE EAT.

THE LIFE SEEMS TO HAVE JUST GONE OUT OF HER.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

LITTLE ANN! LITTLE ANN!

LITTLE ANN!

SHE'S NOT IN THE BARN, BILLY. LOOK IN THE HOUSE.

I'VE ALREADY LOOKED THERE.

LITTLE ANN!

OH, LITTLE ANN.

WHY DID I HAVE TO LOSE YOU TOO, LITTLE GIRL?

I PRAYED FOR BOTH MY DOGS.

NOW BOTH OF MY DOGS ARE DEAD.

YOUR MOTHER'S HAD SOME PRAYERS TOO, SON.

NOW, BECAUSE OF YOUR DOGS, THEM PRAYERS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED.

BILLY, YOUR FATHER AND I KNEW HOW HARD IT WOULD BE

TO SEPARATE YA FROM YOUR DOGS.

WHY, WE EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT MAYBE LEAVIN' YA

WITH YOUR GRANDPA FOR A WHILE.

BUT I GUESS THE LORD DOESN'T LIKE TO SEE FAMILIES SPLIT UP.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

WELL, I GUESS WE BETTER GET STARTED FIXIN'

A PROPER RESTING BOX FOR LITTLE ANN.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

MAMA, DO YOU THINK GOD MADE A HEAVEN FOR ALL GOOD DOGS?

I'M SURE HE DID, SON.

ONLY IT'S MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN IT IS HERE.

I'M SUPPOSED TO BE THERE.

WELL, I WAS HERE FIRST.

I DON'T WANNA HEAR ANY MORE OF THAT.

I WANT YOU TO SIT JUST WHERE I TOLD YA.

THAT'S EVERYTHING, PAPA.

ALL RIGHT.

PAPA, CAN I GO DOWN TO THE RIVER FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES?

ALL RIGHT, SON.

BUT DON'T BE LONG, WE GOTTA GET GOIN'.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

MAMA, PAPA, COME HERE!

HURRY!!!

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

WHAT IS IT, BILLY? WHAT'S WRONG, BILLY?

OH, A RED FERN.

ALL MY LIFE I'VE WANTED TO SEE ONE.

WHY IT'S JUST, IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL.

MAYBE IT'S GOD'S WAY

OF EXPLAININ' TO BILLY ABOUT HIS DOGS.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

I'VE NEVER BEEN BACK TO THE OZARKS.

ALL I HAVE LEFT ARE MY DREAMS AND MEMORIES.

BUT SOME DAY, IF GOD IS WILLING, I'D LIKE TO GO BACK

AND WALK AGAIN IN THE HILLS I KNEW AS A BOY.

AND I'D LIKE TO TOUCH THE HEART THAT'S CARVED

IN AN OLD SYCAMORE TREE THAT SAYS, DAN AND ANN.

AND I'LL LOOK FOR THAT SACRED SPOT BY THE RIVER

WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS.

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

♪ GONE AWAY, COULDN'T STAY DIDN'T SAY WHERE SHE WAS GOING

♪ SAID GOODBYE, TELL ME, LORD, WHY DID SHE CRY

♪ CLOSE YOUR EYES, MAKE ME REALIZE

♪ AND ALL THE TIME I THOUGHT SHE WAS HAPPY

♪ MUST SHE GO?

♪ STILL THERE'S SO MUCH THAT I OWE

[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC]

♪ GONE AWAY, (GONE AWAY)

♪ COULDN'T STAY (WHY CAN'T SHE STAY?)

♪ SHE'S GONE AND NOW'S THE TIME THAT I'M NEEDING HER.

♪ A THOUSAND TEARS, A THOUSAND YEARS WON'T BRING HER HOME

♪ SHE'S GONE AWAY ♪