Original subtitles

They call me Mad Jack.

And if there's anybody in these mountains that knows the real story of

Adams, that'd be me.

So I'm putting it down and writing just the way it happened in hopes of setting

the record straight.

Now, my friend Adams was accused of a crime he didn't commit.

So he escaped into the mountains, leaving behind the only life that he

knew.

Now, that wilderness out there ain't no place for a greenhorn, and his chances

of surviving were mighty slim.

There was no time at all, for he was beaten down, ragged, and nearly stopped.

Long about then, he come upon a grizzly bear cub, all alone and helpless.

Now, Adams knew that little critter couldn't survive without his help, so he

started right down that cliff, risking his own life to save it.

Now that cub took to Adams right off.

And that was when he discovered he had a special kind of way with animals.

They just come right up to him like he was a natural part of the wilderness.

But that bear cub, he was extra special.

As he growed, he became the best friend Adams ever had. And together, they

became a legend.

There's a time we'll call our own Living free in harmony and majesty

Take me home Take me home

That James Adams may be a genuine legend to a lot of folks, but to me, he's the

best friend a fella could ever have.

Still can't understand why all them critters take to him so.

Must be some special kind of feeling he's blessed with. I mean, when you

about it, a grown man and a big old 500 -pound grizzly bear living like they was

the best of buddies.

I wouldn't believe it myself if I didn't see it all the time with my own eyes.

Yep, that man is something special.

He knows that animals and people, they just got to live free to be happy.

Of course, I taught him just about everything he knows about being a

man.

Ben, you gotta learn to quit disturbing critters that are smaller than you.

I mean it.

Well, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

Well, wasn't it your idea to head for the creek and meet number seven and

All right, then maybe it was my idea.

But Jack's always got a honey bar for you.

All right.

Now, if you've got a contract with someone that says that you've got to

sample every brush and bush that we come across, now Adam's waiting for his

supplies. He'll be worried if we don't get up there and get them to him.

Well, would you look at that.

Civilization creeping in on us more and more every day.

You know, Time was in these mountains when you could go for months on end and

never see nary a soul.

Well, they're still coming.

We'd better lay low for a while. I don't want any more greenhorns on the back.

All right. Come on.

Get up there, Barney.

Come on.

Attaboy. That's a good boy. Come on, Barney.

Oh, oh.

Rick, we ought to get Barney some water.

Yes, Papa.

Hey, Martin.

Say, old -timer.

Old -timer?

He don't look like he's just left to cradle.

Keep your opinions to yourself.

You reckon we can make the river crossing for sundown?

Maybe you can.

Maybe you can't.

I'm sorry I asked you. I only did because I figured you know the country.

I know this country.

But you've got to be greener than grass.

Everybody knows that this river raises this time of year.

Makes it double hard to cross.

I made it this far, friend.

That's because you're lucky, friend.

If it was just you and the wagon, I'd lead you to this river.

But seeing as how you got a young lady with you there, I'll give you a hand.

Don't bother yourself.

I just don't want to be beholden to nobody.

Thanks a lot for the information.

Or the lack of it.

Here.

Hold the reins, Debra.

You know, if it's true that God is kind to

fools and jackasses, he

might just make it across that river.

I doubt it, though.

Papa. Yep?

Maybe we should have taken his offer of help.

No.

But, Papa, when we were peddling our wares back in Pike County, we never had

cross rivers like this. There were always bridges.

Well, I know this rough country.

We're just going to have to learn to do it ourselves.

Won't always be help around.

Come on, fellas.

Boy, I figured, Ben, you should have been here long before this.

Well, maybe his lumbago's acting up again.

Oh.

There's nothing that feels better than cool, fresh running water on a sunny

We're so deep here.

Don't you worry pretty little head about it now. Come on, Marvin.

Come on.

Come on, Marvin.

Come on.

Come on, boy.

Come on.

Looks like the wheel is stuck.

Have to take you shore.

Come on.

Now, just swing your leg over.

That's it.

Come on and sit him arms down. Got me, Papa?

I got you.

Attagirl. Now, just hold on.

Come on, get you shore.

Yeah. Are you all right?

Yeah. Now, I want you to take the reins.

When I yell, you pull.

I'll get my shoulder to the wheel.

We'll have this wagon out in no time.

Are you ready?

All right, now.

Pull!

Pull! Come on, Barnabas! Pull!

Pull, Barnabas!

Pull! Come on! Pull!

Pull! Pull!

Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull!

Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull!

Pull! Pull! Pull!

Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull!

Pull! Pull! Pull! Pull!

Gotta get some help.

Papa, where?

Unhitch Barnabas and ride on downstream so you can fight that old man.

Papa.

Don't be frightened. Barnabas is a gentle animal.

and something's going to get us both in trouble like a beehive.

Ben!

Ben!

Sometimes I think it's just like having a kid of my own.

I'm going to hold you, Papa.

Oh, it's no use.

I'm holding fast.

The rumors are rising.

Papa.

Listen, if I can't get out of this, I want you to sell the horse and the wagon

and the goods.

That'll be morning enough, buddy, to get you back to Pike County.

And when you get there, Reverend and Mrs.

Carmichael will take you in.

Oh, no,

Papa.

It's a bear!

Very slowly, slowly, get my rifle.

Out of the front of the wagon.

Come on.

Don't startle it.

What's he say now?

Get the rifle.

All right, pull the hammer back.

That's it.

Just pull it right back.

Good girl.

Get it tight against your shoulder.

That's it.

Good girl now.

Don't pull the trigger.

Just squeeze it.

Slowly.

Don't startle it.

Ben!

Ben!

Now what kind of foolishness is that?

Shooting up in the sky.

That bear's over on the shore and not right down some cloud.

He's a wild animal, I tell you. Now do as I say. Shoot him.

Wait. Hold on there.

Put that rifle down.

Spare means no harm.

You folks shouldn't be trying to cross the river here.

Now, get out of here.

Oh, Adam.

I'll be right there. See?

I told you it was a rifle fire, and the next time I tell you something you know,

I'm telling you the truth.

Come on down here, Jack, and hurry.

Well.

Well, well, well.

If it ain't the smart one.

Come on, Jack. This ain't no time for fun.

Let's get this man out of here.

Can you handle that horse?

I'll try.

Jack, tie number seven up to the front.

He can pull, too. Well, he can pull, but only when he wants to.

Oh, no, don't pull. Don't, don't. Just take it easy. We'll get you out of here

in no time.

All right. All right. All right.

When I want you to pull, I'll say pull. You ready?

Ready? All right.

Pull! All right. All right.

up on this way.

Come on.

That a boy.

All right, now.

loaded that greenhorn with the broke leg into the wagon and headed off in the

direction of Adams' cabin.

I guess Adams figured to doctor him just like he would one of his hurt critters.

That was just his way. If something needed help, didn't matter who or what

was, help was what he'd give it.

When we got there, the coma was waiting for us.

Sure did, Gene McCormack.

McCormack brought us a wounded hawk.

Just what we need.

We've got a white man in a wagon as the busted leg.

He might be needing some of that vile taste in medicine of yours. Can't wait

till you make the old Godger drink it.

Help me get him out of the wagon.

Me unload that old... old consideration for my lumbago.

One.

He's not eating sheep.

He's not eating sheep.

You expect me to believe this Indian knows about medicine and doctrine?

He knows enough not to get himself caught under a wagon wheel in a freezing

river.

It's pretty good, don't it?

It's going to be a mountain lion when I'm through with it. I still have some

more work to do on it, though.

Oh, Deborah.

Deborah. Oh.

Oh.

Oh, my leg.

Oh. His fever's gone now, Mr. Adams.

The coma never fails.

Oh, sure.

God heals and the medicine man takes the credit.

The way Benjamin Franklin put it was, God heals, but the doctors collect the

fees. Of course, the coma wouldn't ask for a fee.

Of course not.

He ain't no doctor.

He's the best doctor in these parts.

Just because he don't carry a black bag and sell store -bought medicine doesn't

mean that he doesn't know what he's doing.

The Indians have been living here for centuries.

You can learn a lot from them.

Can I get you some water, Papa?

Go ahead. He won't hurt you.

My way of thinking, he'll like it.

Real slow.

Oh.

Oh, he's beautiful.

Yes, yes.

I think he likes me.

Of course he does.

He knows you like him.

You know, um, Papa said that we have to leave early tomorrow morning.

And that'd be good news for Jack, but it just can't happen.

It's going to take a few days for that leg to heal before he can put a bit of

weight on it.

The other thing is we've got to fix that rear wagon wheel.

You've got four busted spokes.

You're lucky you made it up here from the river.

Why doesn't he fly away?

Maybe he's just worried about leaving his friends.

I've always wanted a pet.

You know, something of my very own so that I could take care of it.

Mama, she promised that she'd get me a canary once, but she died.

And Papa, he thinks canaries are useless.

I think they sing real pretty.

Well... Papa always says, pretty is as pretty does.

And canaries don't earn their keep.

Well, I've always thought that God made canaries to sing and for us to enjoy.

Deborah! Any time here to pick supper?

Now you remember.

She looketh well to the ways of our household and eateth not the bread of

idleness.

Proverbs 31, 27.

Mr. Metcalf, do you ever read the friendly parts of the Bible?

You know, I've read the good book from cover to cover more times than you've

drawn breath.

Then perchance you might recall the verse that begins, consider the lilies

the field.

Of course I do.

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow.

They tall not, neither do they spin.

But I say to you that Solomon, in all his glory, is not arrayed.

Like one of these.

Thank you.

You have made my point.

Deborah.

You heard what I said. Now get in there and fix something.

You are so beautiful.

You are.

Oh, I wish I could keep you with me always.

So pretty.

Look.

What's going on?

Don't let that bear play with those goods. They're worth a lot of money.

You know...

My lumbago sure ain't taking kindly to all this heavy lifting.

Do we have to unload the whole wagon?

We got lightning enough so we can lift her up to get that wheel off.

I got to fix these spokes.

Get up and hand me that barrel.

This is a music box.

It's an organ.

Now, it plays music. You see?

It's been a long spell since I've heard an organ.

Yeah. God gave her the gift, and her mother nurtured it.

Why, she was playing an organ before she could read.

When she was a little more than eight years old, I'd take her to meetings and

bring her home.

She'd come in, sit down at the organ, and she'd play some hymn she'd heard for

the first time.

You should be right proud.

No! Pride doeth before a fall.

Now, why do you have to read everything the wrong way?

You know that's not the kind of pride they meant.

Say, that's real good, Miss Deborah.

But, uh... Can't you play something that's a little more toe -tappin'? Like,

uh... Oh, do you know this?

Uh... Camp Town Race is five miles long. Doo -dah, doo -dah. Camp Town Race is

five miles long. Oh, doo -dah -day.

Goin' right all day.

Goin' right all night. Eatin' restaurants and eatin' bobsleds. Ain't

all day.

Papa,

I'm sorry. I know that was frivolous.

That's one of my faults, being frivolous.

Is that what you called it?

Frivolous?

I call it sinful.

What in power nation are you talking about?

That song.

That dancing.

You know, that song's about gambling.

It's a work of the devil.

Papa, I'm sure Mr. Jack meant no harm.

You go on, get in the cabin.

Get in the cabin!

If it weren't for that daughter of his, that fellow would be about as welcome

here as a polecat at a picnic.

What are you doing here? Get down there.

Go on down.

Get off of my bed.

Now get on outside where you belong. Get out where you belong. On outside.

Papa, this is where he belongs. It's his house. I will not stand for any

insubordination. Now you bear out.

An animal is an animal and should be treated as such.

It's not natural for a man to treat an animal as a friend.

It's better than not having any friends at all

What now?

Oh, there's a bird.

Well,

this ought to do just fine.

It looks kind of spindly to me.

Mr. Adams, what's that for?

Well, this will act as a lever so we can raise the wagon up to get this wheel

off and fix those broken spokes.

I'd help you, Adams, but my lumbago is really hurting me.

Would you quit your complaining, Jack, and let's set two once more. Come on,

help me.

Ready?

Put something into it.

Ready?

Yeah, you could take my place.

Jack, if we don't get this wheel off and get it fixed, Mr. Metcalf's going to be

a permanent guest.

Let's get this wagon off the ground.

Oh,

that ain't going to work.

This is going to be moved further that way, I think.

Move the wedge up further.

Let's see.

Ben, you can sure be a good helper if you want to be.

Just hold her down there.

Keep holding it.

Let me get this log under there.

All right. Ease her down now, son.

Easy.

That's a boy.

Thanks, Ben.

I don't think I could have done that without you.

Well, we're real fortunate that Ben wasn't suffering from your lumbago.

Say,

I seem to recall someone promising to pick some berries and make a berry pie.

Would it be all right to go pick some berries?

Well, I'll tell you what.

Me and Ben will go with you.

Ben knows where there's a patch of the juiciest berries just bursting out of

their pods.

Just aching to be picked, to be made into the most lip -smacking, mouth

-watering... Oh, why don't you quit talking and get to picking so Deborah

get to baking?

Okay. Ben, come on, let's go.

We're going berry picking.

That's a good one.

Yes.

Want to taste it?

Ah, yes.

Mr.

Adams.

Look.

You've picked enough berries to make enough pies to make Jack real sick.

Oh, Mr. Adams.

I wish Papa and I didn't have to move on all the time.

I wish that... I wish that I could stay here with you and Ben and Jack and the

coma. Oh, and you too, Hop.

That wheel fixed yet?

Nope.

Hey, that pierce is going to look good as new.

When I'm through with it, it'll be better new.

You sure are an ornery cousin.

You know, I get that from my pa.

Oh? My pa, whenever he'd save a man's life and he wouldn't say thank you or

give up his bed to him and sleep out on the ground or fix his wagon wheel and

never get so much as a thank you from him, he'd get real ornery.

And I'm just like my pa.

Deborah!

With Adams? Yeah.

Why didn't she ask me? Maybe she didn't want to.

Oh, just wait till that girl gets back.

I can hardly wait.

Oh, Mr. Adams, I am having the most wonderful time.

Yes, this has been the best day of my whole life.

I just feel so free here.

Well, I know how you feel.

I have it every day myself.

That feeling of being free.

Well, that sun's going down mighty quick.

I don't reckon we'll make it to the rise up yonder.

The rise?

Yeah. From up there, you can see the whole valley.

There ain't a prettier sight on the earth.

Oh, I'd love to see it.

And Hawkwood, too.

Maybe Mr. Adams will take us tomorrow, Hawk.

Hawk won't be needing us tomorrow.

He can see the valley for himself.

His wing's mended now.

But, Mr.

Adams, I don't want him to go away.

I know how you feel.

But he might like to feel free, too.

But I'd take care of him.

I would, and I'd love him, and I wouldn't let anything hurt him again.

Why isn't that girl back yet?

Maybe she's having a good time. A good time, indeed.

An idle brain is a devil's playground.

You know, I've been trying to figure out whether you was raised on sour sass,

frass, or prunes and proverbs.

Deborah!

Why did you leave camp without telling me where you're going first?

Well, Papa, you were resting, and I only went into the woods to pick berries.

No, Ben Franklin said...

Would you live with ease? Then do what you ought, not what you please.

And Tim was so learned he could name a horse in nine languages.

But yet so ignorant, he bought a cow to ride on.

Benjamin Franklin said that, too.

Deborah, we're leaving tomorrow morning.

Papa, can I take the hawk with us when we go?

Can I keep him?

Ridiculous.

Don't eat your insides out, Adams.

Eat with it.

Deborah is.

How pretty.

Hello there.

You like that?

Deborah. Deborah!

Deborah!

Deborah!

Deborah, where are you?

Medcalf! Will you stop that belly waller? And I put up enough of that with

number seven. Yeah, but Deborah's gone.

The hawk's gone, too.

Told that girl time and time again.

not to ever go off without asking me first.

Mr. Metcalf, you keep her locked up in a cage like that, and she's going to

fight like a wildcat to get out.

And when she does, she might not come back.

Yeah, but is she safe out there alone?

Oh, my God.

If anything was to happen to her...

Quit your fretting, Mr. Metcalf.

I kind of figured where she went with the hawk.

There's a rise back in the woods.

I'll go fetch her for you.

I can't understand it.

Always tried to be a good father to her.

Give her good, bring it up.

Her mother, she was never as strict as it was always me.

I never did anything to hurt her.

Well, there's always more than one way. It just takes a heap of pondering to

figure out which one's the right one.

Jack, give Mr. Metcalf a cup of coffee and take care of him.

I'll go after Deborah.

No coffee.

The man says, no coffee, thank you.

Mr. Metcalf, Mad Jack's coffee is famous throughout these mountains for putting

starch in your spine and twinkling in your right eye and it's strong enough to

grow hair on a billiard ball.

Well, if it's that good, then maybe I'll take two cups.

Thank you.

Now, I'm sure that this is the way we came with Mr. Adams.

I think.

He said the rise was that way.

Or was it that way?

Come on.

Let's go.

Let's go this way.

I don't see her anywhere, Ben.

I can't figure it, Ben.

I thought for sure she was coming to the rise to let the hot go.

No tracks anywhere.

Well, let's double back and pick up her trail.

Come on.

When a big old wolf catches the scent of a human out in the woods, he follows

her. Maybe he's just curious or...

You may be hungry.

You never know until you meet up with him.

Don't be scared, Hawk.

Don't be scared, but we're lost.

Now, Debra had a feeling that something was following her.

But she didn't know what it could be.

Look, Ben, here's Debra's tracks.

Ben, look it.

These are wolf tracks following Debra.

Come on, Ben.

Debra's in trouble.

It's all right. All right. You're going to be okay.

It's okay. Mr. Adams.

It's all right. Mr. Adams, I'm so scared.

You'll be okay.

As I ever did.

Try to protect her.

Well, it was foolhardy to bring her out here.

This wilderness is no place for someone that don't know their way around.

That wasn't what worried me.

What was worrisome was the boys.

They was always sneaking looks at her.

Even in church, they was looking at her.

Well, land to Goshen, Mr. Metcalf. That's only natural.

Why, I was 40 years younger.

I might be sneaking a few looks myself.

50 years?

He found them, Mr. Metcalf. Your little girl's all right.

Oh, thank God you're all right, Debra.

Papa, I'm safe.

I'll be with you again.

It takes a big man to admit he was wrong, Mr. Metcalf.

I think settling in town is the best thing for you and Debra.

Well, give her a chance to be with some people her own age.

I'll just have to learn to turn my head when them young fellas come around.

Well, a son's a son till he takes a wife, and a daughter's a daughter all

life.

It's Ben.

I'm never going to forget any of you.

Or this place.

I just hope that I can come back someday.

Well, it'll always be here.

I'd like to say goodbye to Hawk now.

I wonder if he'll ever fly.

You can have him if you'd like.

Mm -hmm.

Hawk, you know that I love you and that I'd like to take you with me.

But if I hold you too close, you'll never be able to fly.

You'll never be free, so... So fly, Hawk.

Bye, Missy.

I ain't very good at saying goodbyes.

Mr. Metcalf?

Especially when it's heartfelt.

Nobody is Mr. Metcalf.

Watch that leg of yours now.

Thank you, Adams.

Look, Hawk's come back to say goodbye.

Goodbye, Hawk.

I'll never forget you.

It's a funny thing about people and animals.

If you love them enough to let them go, they love you enough to come back.

What's wrong with your eyes?

Nothing. It's smoke from that blame fire.

Must be a pretty strong fire.

Why is that?

It's been out for a day.

Sure looks pretty up there, don't he?

Breathe.

Deep inside the forest is a door into another land.

Here is our life and home.

We are staying here forever in the beauty

of this place. Although we keep on hoping.