Original subtitles

The story of Grizzly Adams is big and powerful and beautiful.

They call me Mad Jack.

And me and my burl number seven been traipsing these slopes and valleys for a

long spell. So I know the story from the beginning. 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 starved.

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

a legend.

I've been traipsing around these here mountains for a good many years.

And I more than likely know every tree, every rock, and every bend of the river.

But when it comes to animals, I've got to admit that my friend James Adams has

the edge.

He can read critters as easy as trail signs.

And when it comes to folks and the things they do, well, he can sort of

them out, too.

And it seems... there ain't never nothing that surprises him anymore, no

how strange it might be.

Now on this particular morning, Adams was cooking up a mess of flapjacks for

himself and his friend Ben.

Who had a... special hankering for his favorite food. Ben, ain't these the best

pancakes you've ever eaten?

I'm telling you, that Jack's recipe is just about the best I've ever had.

There's no denying that.

You know, I don't even remember a moth's flap Jack's tasting this good.

Now, Ben, don't tell me you ate that already.

Boy,

I can't believe you.

You know, you've eaten over 20 pancakes.

You gotta learn to slow down.

Gotta digest your food.

Now, wait just a minute here.

My breakfast just didn't get up and walk away.

Well, I should have figured it was you, Joshua.

They're pretty good, aren't they?

They're a lot better with the syrup on them.

Quit your grumbling, Ben.

It's good to share.

I made enough batter here to feed a whole wagon train.

Hi, Nokoma.

Good to see you, my brother.

Why don't you sit down and join us for breakfast?

Make some flapjacks.

Ben,

did you hear that?

Tacoma says the fish are running up the river.

Whole tribe's down there laying in a good supply.

Like to know if we'd like to go along with them.

Nice big juicy trout.

You know that's your favorite.

I guess he's had one too many flapjacks.

He's eaten over two dozen already.

Kamali Rima.

I understand the coma.

You know them fish aren't going to wait for you.

I'd like to take some of these along with you in case you get hungry.

Right. You don't know what you're missing.

Good luck.

When the streams are high and plumb full of fish...

Every Indian of the tribe what can walk or crawl is out there with a spear,

looking to bring home enough supper to last a month.

Even the young 'uns have a go at it. It's kind of their way of proving

themselves skillful enough to be brave.

Now then, there was this one little feller by the name of Tumakwa.

He had more gumption than a bobcat with his tail on fire.

Well, he was kind of the run of the tribe.

He was an orphan, which meant he belonged to everyone in general, but no

particular.

And he sort of had what you might call a natural talent for being clumsy.

Of course, that ain't to say he weren't a darn good little fisherman.

In fact, he had caught more than his share of the fish already.

But there was this curious and hungry otter that had ideas of his own as to

them fish really belonged to.

Although Tamaqua had been down to the settlement and learned English and was

smarter than a whip with numbers, that otter had hoodwinked him.

And he would have caught him except for that knack of tripping over his own

feet.

When the other boys of the village saw Tamaqua with no fish, they started

joshing him, saying that he was going to bring disgrace to the tribe if he come

back with no fish.

Well... That sort of talk didn't exactly perk Tumakwa's spirits up enough.

Well, that's it, Ben.

There ain't no more.

I can't believe you ate another ten flapjacks.

I think I ate twenty all told myself, though.

Oh, I'm stuffed.

I don't think I'll ever eat again.

I think I'm going to catch a little shut -eye.

Let this breakfast of mine digest proper like.

Dan,

I don't feel like playing that right now.

I know.

Look, if you don't have the urge to get any sleep, why don't you just go on down

to the river and see what kind of luck Nokoma's having.

Chief Kehatsu and his men were having a fine day fishing while poor little

Tamakwa was fretting about having to go back to the fishing camp empty -handed.

He was a -worrying mightily because he'd be the only one coming back to the camp

without any fish, and he didn't want to be laughed at again.

Now, when Tamaqua saw the chief and his men pulling out even more fish, an idea

started buzzing around in his head.

Now, he was as honest as the next youngster.

But I guess you might say his frustration sort of turned to temptation

saw them fish just a -sittin' there, fingers away.

Now, you might say that basket just sort of jumped into his hands.

Now, that might have been all well and good, exceptin' for one

little thing.

Them fish was caught personal -like by...

Chief Keatsa himself.

And they was his own personal possessions.

Now when Okima came back to put more fish in the baskets, it looked like

something fishy was going on.

Kamakwa thought his troubles was over, but they was just beginning.

A pack of hungry wolves sniffed the tantalizing odor of that good fresh

Tamaqua could run almost as fast as a young deer, but he sure weren't no match

for them hungry wolves.

No, get away!

Tamaqua figured his life was worth more than them fish.

But he still wasn't out of the woods yet as far as them wolves was concerned.

In trying to escape from them wolves, Tumakwa's tribal feet fell off. And

he got them back, he was in for a spell of bad luck.

Tumakwa felt like a trapped raccoon up that tree.

But then good old Ben came along just in time.

and scared them wolves off.

Now the sight and smell of the fish just about made old Ben's mouth water.

But he was so full of flapjacks that all he could do was just play with the

fish.

Along about that time, Okima, the chief's brother, come looking for the

of missing fish.

And to him it looked like he'd found the thief red -handed.

I wouldn't do that if I were you, Jack.

It's too nice a day for an old mountain man like you to be chased through the

woods by a young greenhorn like me.

Well, I wasn't going to wet you down. I was going to offer you a drink.

You look like you was sleeping thirsty.

Give me your hand.

Just look what you made me do. You got my leathers all wet.

What was that stuff I stepped in anyway?

Why, that's the rest of your flapjack batter.

That's pure flapjack batter? Yeah.

My gracious boy, that stuff is deadly.

Well, that'll eat holes through your moccasins and peel all the skin off your

feet.

I thought you told me you made the best batter on this side of the mountain.

Well, I do.

But it's got to be cooked up real good. Otherwise, it's destructive.

Why, I had an uncle one time that chalked his log cabin with that stuff,

ate the whole cabin right to the ground before the sun went down.

How about that?

Well, in case you don't know it, that there's a hawk.

Hey. Hold up, Adam.

Come on, Seven.

That's it.

Let's take a look and see if that wing... You know this particular bird?

She had a broken wing a while back.

Let me guess.

You fixed it.

I did the best I could.

Seems to be healing up just fine.

You aren't going to be needing me anymore, are you? You know, Adams, you

away with every creature in this forest.

Except maybe me and number seven.

So go ahead.

That's it There

he goes He's flying real good

now

bringing some mighty bad news.

And because the embers were still warm, he knew that Adams was close by.

What is it?

Looks like a wolf pack's been running here.

By the looks of the way they tore this ground up, it looked like they were

mighty hungry.

Tracks show maybe there's three or four of them.

Well, they're still hungry.

Because they didn't get them rabbits.

Adam!

He

wouldn't

do that.

What makes a tribal council think that Ben stole the fish?

He couldn't have done that.

Ben and I just had breakfast together this morning.

He ate enough flapjacks to last him another couple of weeks.

What's a few fish matter anyway?

The streams is full of them.

He stole Chief Kahatsu's fish?

I don't like the sound of that.

What does the tribal council plan on doing?

Here they are.

They haven't made their mind up yet.

We better get up there, Adams.

And get this thing cooled down before it gets out of hand.

I mean, stealing is something that Nokoma's people don't look lightly on.

And stealing from Chief Kihatsu, Dan's in trouble.

You didn't want it turning out this way.

But how could you come right out and say, I'm

the one who's in the wrong?

Number seven, slow down.

Usually you're slower than a turtle wearing lead breeches. Now all of a

you think you're a racehorse. Let me be the leader.

Have you ever done something wrong?

Cause at the time it seemed the only way And

even though it caused you shame You left a friend

to take the blame And when you admit to

your mistakes

The bitter pill is not so hard to take.

Because everything we do is in his plan.

That's how you know when you're a man.

That's how you know when you're a man.

One look around, and we all knew that Ben was in serious trouble.

Yeah, I'll look at it.

I know what that means.

Ben's been accused of a crime, and he's got to stay in this rock circle till the

council over there decides what's the fit punishment.

Well, that's a fine mess you got yourself into, Ben.

But I know a thing or three about tribal law.

Wait just a minute.

Chief?

You didn't steal the chief's fish, did you, Ben?

I didn't think you did.

Well,

we can all relax.

Ben's troubles are practically over. You mean he's free to go?

Not exactly.

You see, the council over there have decided on a terrible fate for Ben.

But I reminded Chief Kehatsu that there was a tribal law that said that anybody

accused of stealing had a right to defend himself.

You mean they're going to have a trial for him?

Well, that's the short of it.

And who's going to speak up for Ben?

Well, I am, of course.

Don't you fret none, Ben.

I ain't never lost me a case yet.

And what happens if you lose this one?

Well, that's the long of it. If Ben's found guilty, he's vanished from the

mountain.

Wherever.

Adams, get rid of that long face. We're going to have Ben out of this trouble in

no time at all.

How do you figure on doing that?

Well, that shouldn't be too hard.

All these people know Ben. They know all there is to know about him. Yeah,

including his eating habits.

They all know fish are his favorite food, not counting your flapjacks.

You got something running around that head of yours?

Seems to me if we're going to prove Ben's innocence, we've got to find

something. Change the chief's mind.

Change his mind?

Last time he changed his mind, he's riding around in a cradle on his mama's

back.

Come to think of it, that isn't what got changed even then.

Jack, if Ben didn't take them fish, someone or something else had to, and

got to find out who.

Well, the way you tell it makes sense.

You sit tight, and I'll go powwow with the chief and see if I can get us some

more time.

Come on, Nakuma.

Ben, I don't know if you got a hang of what's going on around here.

But if we can't prove what you didn't do, what everybody thinks you did,

going to have to leave these mountains.

I know.

The same thing happened to me once, too.

Well, if you understand what I'm saying to you, I guess you're probably

thinking, well, right, they got to make you leave.

Well, this land belongs to them, Ben.

They've been here a long time.

They own the rivers and the streams and forests.

You and I chose to live here, so we got to live by their rules.

Let me tell you something, old friend.

If they make you leave, I'm going with you.

So you see, Chief, Ben and me, we need more time.

He ain't buying it, huh?

The book, the pill.

Killing ants on his blanket?

Tomorrow noon, when the sun's straight up.

Mighty obliging of you, Chief.

Do you ever miss?

I don't.

Adams tried to comfort Ben with the idea that maybe tomorrow he might find some

evidence to clear him.

Yo, look out what they got.

Being understood.

How much of that you got left?

We always got enough to feed a hungry boy.

Tamakwa, would you like some food?

Go easy with it. It's hot.

Here you go, Adams.

Thank you.

What do you think of that stuff?

Best I've ever had. What's in it? I got some, uh, goat's beard greens, some

mustard weed, and a little seagull lily. And some, uh, pepper grass to give it

flavor.

Will Ben be all right?

Well, of course he will.

I'm gonna talk for him at the trial, ain't I?

It's awful nice of you to be so concerned about Ben.

Everybody loves Ben.

Fix me another plate, would you, Jack?

That for Ben?

Yeah. Sort of like his last supper, so to speak.

I thought you won your tribal beads.

I did, but I lost them.

May I feed Ben?

I don't see why not.

You giving Ben your food?

Yeah.

It's not often you get to see a young pub give up his food like that.

You've got something on your mind.

What is it?

I don't know.

Please eat, Ben.

Please.

I wish you was mad at me, Ben.

You ought to be.

Because of me, you're in big trouble.

I know I should tell the chief.

I took the fish.

But I'm afraid, Ben.

If I do, no one will talk to me or play with me again.

Please forgive me, Ben.

Please.

Jack,

look at that.

He got Ben to eat.

I guess we ought to get some shut -eye.

We're going to have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.

It'll be all of that for sure

No

and didn't do it you can't send him away

That night, none of us got much sleep.

And Adams, least of all, because he kept worrying about the rest of us, like

always.

Yeah?

It's going to be quite a day tomorrow.

Jack! Jack, where are you?

Jack, are you anywhere about?

Ben, have you seen Jack?

You ain't seen Jack either, huh?

And so, chief, me, Ben, that greenhorn Adams,

gives you our word that that bear is no thief.

No, sirree, you can take it personal from old Mad Jack himself that their

has got as much decency in his bones as I have.

How do you stop that?

You're supposed to be the chief.

You're supposed to be listening.

Not braying and acting impolite.

Thank goodness you ain't on the council.

Where was I?

Oh, yeah.

And so, Chief, in finishing,

I want to tell you that that bear is innocent.

And he's a... Well, now, What are you doing here? You're supposed to be out

finding me some evidence.

Sure does make it hard when a fellow's got to do everything himself.

I was just on my way, Jack.

Well, make sure you're back here by high noon.

And, Adam, don't you fret.

Old Mad Jack ain't going to let you and Ben down.

Tacoma!

Come on, we've got to find some evidence.

From the looks of things, he's sure going to need it.

Don't worry, Ben.

Everything's going to be all right.

I heard Mr.

Jack say so last night.

I'm sure I remember the old Indian legend.

It says that animals were once given a chance to talk like men do.

But being smart, they figured if they talked like men, they'd have to work

men.

I'm sure these little fellas could talk, though.

Again. What is it, Nikoma?

I think we found the answer.

It sure comes with a mighty big problem.

So you see, Chief, you gotta look at it.

Chief.

What?

Oh,

you can't start yet.

Adams ain't here.

How are they, Doctor?

Well,

I know Ben's here.

Well, that's true. Ben is on trial and not Adams, but...

Where

in

tarnation is that greenhorn?

I sure do need him.

Well?

All the Ben's animal pals that were so worried about him were still waiting for

the trial to begin.

They was just as caring as we was as to what was going to happen to them.

Why don't we begin?

Well, see, Chief, we can't begin yet because

we don't have us a proper witness stand.

Well, a witness stand is a place where a fella can sit a spell.

Well,

ground's not a fitting place for a man to sit.

I mean, uh, for a witness to sit.

See?

Look at that stump there.

Now, I'll bet a few of your men could make that into a real proper witness

in three... maybe four hours.

I was getting mighty worried, hoping I had enough time to figure out a proper

defense for Ben. Ben's animal pals was getting mighty fidgety, too, and...

Well, so was Ben.

Sit it down right there.

Let's see. Let's cut this off right about... Right about here.

That's it. Good.

Now, just take it easy, fellas. I don't want to see anybody get hurt.

I should have known Adams wouldn't be late for Ben's trial unless there was a

darn good reason.

Well, a baby crow away from the nest is about as good a reason as they is.

Adams figured the baby fell out of the nest and wandered off, so it was up to

him and the coma to find his home.

The animals was all waiting for the trial to begin.

All pulling for their friend Ben.

Well, some of them, hopefully.

All right.

Let's have a look.

Hey, that's a pretty fair job of work, fellas.

But it still just won't do.

Let's see.

If you was to give her another cut... Right

about in there.

That'd fix her.

Adams found the crow's nest, all right, and...

Little fella's brother and sister was mighty glad to see him.

Once again, Adams had helped nature set things right.

But things was far from right back at the Indian camp.

All right, Chief.

We got us a witness stand.

Let the trial begin.

Now, you're not helping things one bit.

You just sit there and try to look in a... Go, Jack.

Where in the world have you been?

Well, I've been looking for something.

Did you find it?

I reckon so.

Well, let me have it.

I can't do that, Jack.

And I can't explain none neither.

What am I supposed to do?

Well, just keep doing what you're doing.

You're about as much help to me as Ben.

Look at this, Ben.

You and I both know who did it, don't you?

Ben? The boy's whole life depends on him coming to it himself.

What do you say we give him that chance, huh? I now call that Greenhorn Adams to

the stump.

Take the stump.

Now then, how long have you known Ben?

Well, you know how long I've known Ben.

Ever since he was a cub.

And have you ever knowed him to steal? Steal what?

And from who?

I'm supposed to be the one asking the questions.

I'm sorry, Jack.

Have you ever knowed him to steal fish?

Nope. Nope what?

Nope, I've never knowed him to steal fish.

You hear that, Chief?

Now, here's a man that has known this bear ever since he was a cub, and he's

never known him to steal fish.

Well, Jack, once while up by Crow Creek, you know, when I'm snoozing, Ben likes

to sneak up and... Who's side you're on anyway?

You're worse than Ben.

And you being my only witness.

Well, I ain't the only witness.

What do you mean?

Well, you got Ben.

Ben?

Oh, sure.

I was going to call on him next.

Well, am I through, Jack?

Yeah, yeah, you can step down.

No,

you can't decide now, Chief.

I still got me another witness.

Ben, take the stump.

You must be very worried about Ben.

I am, Tamakwa.

But I'm especially worried about somebody else.

Who?

Well, if Ben didn't take those fish, somebody else had to. They're going to

to live with that.

They're going to have to carry it with them every day like a stone.

Maybe he's afraid everybody's going to think he's a thief and no one's going to

talk to him again.

Well, I'm sure folks understand about people making mistakes.

But especially if they own up to them.

That's the important thing.

Oh.

Now then, Ben.

Have you ever seen these fish before?

That'll teach me to listen to you, Adams.

I guess that just about does it for Ben.

Wait!

Ben didn't steal the fish. I did.

I think these belong to you, Tamakwa.

It's a mighty big thing you're doing, and I'm mighty proud of you.

You want to tell me what happened?

I speared many fish, but an otter made me lose them.

I took the fish, then wolves chased me.

I climbed a tree, and then I lost my neck bead.

Then Ben came and chased the wolves away.

I know it was wrong.

But I didn't want my tribe to think me unworthy of being a brave.

Well, are you a good fisherman, Kamatwa?

Very good.

Seems to me that if you're a good fisherman, and you know it, you don't

prove it to other folks.

Isn't that right?

Kamatwa. Savaya Guksha.

Yes, your honor.

Time for him to stand in front of the council.

Of course I will.

So his punishment's going to be replacing the fish that the chief lost.

That's fair enough. I'll settle for that.

Well, Adams, you made everything come out all proper and fitting.

Well, I appreciate that.

Don't forget you were the lawyer.

Yeah, I was a lawyer.

Hey, look at that.

And the sink.

I made that all possible.

We want to thank you, Chief, for bringing us the fish. We appreciate it.

You mean you caught more fish than that?

You are a fisherman.

I'd like to thank you, Chief.

I'd especially like to thank you, Tamakwa.

It is I who owe gratitude.

I learned much from you and Ben.

And you too, Mr. Jack.

Are you sure you won't stay and help us eat the fish?

I'm sorry you have to go, Chief.

You know, You're a slayer in any old box in the forest.

What do you mean?

The minute you found them beads, you knew who stole them fish.

I reckon I did.

Bet you could have turned them over to the chief right then and there and the

whole thing would have been settled. But no, you had to play detective and make

everything come out your way, didn't you?

I just figured that Tumakwe had to come to admit it on his own.

Well, let's get at them fish the chief left us.

You know something, Jack?

You get a good feeling deep down inside you when you help somebody.

Yeah, I know, Adam.

Well, let's get at them fish. They look mighty tasty, and I ain't that oldie.

Deep inside the forest is a door into another land.

Here is our life and home.

We are staying here forever.

There's a world where we don't have to run.

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

Take me home.

Take me home.