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

became a legend.

You know, up here in the mountains when we go from season to season, Mother

Nature gets out that whopping big paintbrush of hers and gives us a change

colors that seem to be more dazzling than the time before.

I've also noticed that each season has a different effect on different things.

Now you take spring. It gives a heap of vim and vigor to new life. Those young

'uns at play have energy to burn.

And those spanking new flowers that have just bust up through the soil, they

show you a lot of get up and go.

Then when you come to autumn, they seem to slow down just like they do in life.

But when you got the likes of Adams and Banff, well, they go on and on and the

passing of time never seems to catch up with them.

Chasing a bear around a tree or vice versa may seem unnatural to some folks.

But for Adams and Ben, why, it's as natural as the air they breathe.

And that exercise is one reason they seem to stay so young and healthy.

We had ourselves quite a romp, didn't we, Ben?

That's pretty, isn't it, Ben?

A pretty picture like that will get us through the whole day, won't it?

I see a lot of our friends are down getting an early morning drink.

Well, you got this whole end of the lake to yourself.

Why don't you go take yourself a nice swim?

Go ahead.

Have a good time.

I'm going to go pick up some plums.

It's time to start socking away some food for the winter.

I'll see ya.

When it comes to vim and vigor, I'm a

lot like Adam, Ben.

I'm giving old father time a race for his money, and I'm gonna keep it that

We're just going to take ourselves a breather.

Not that I need it or anything.

I'm doing this for you.

You've been dragging your tail so much it's worn to a frazzle.

Let's just sit down over here.

Don't be looking at me like that.

He said, honest to goodness truth, I'm doing this for you.

You need the rest.

It was up to me. I could just run all the way from here to Adam's cabin if I

a mind to.

Now, I know the buzzard is a member of the hawk family, and there's really a

vulture or a condor. But being birds of prey, I guess the name buzzard rightly

fits.

But being looked at by a buzzard don't make a soul feel too good.

It's a little like someone tapping you on the shoulder and telling you your

has come.

And since I was in my prime, I didn't need no buzzard telling me anything

That's a whole lot better.

It's him again.

All right.

That's enough rest.

Let's go.

I'd like to give you more rest, but we just ain't got time.

Gotta get on to Adam's cabin.

All right.

I had no way of knowing right then what a shambles that buzzard was gonna make

out of my day. Well...

hear you, Ben.

You must have had yourself quite a time now at the lake.

You've done quite a spell.

What's wrong?

There is something wrong, Ben.

It's not too often we see our wolf friends alone like this.

Well, no wonder.

That wolf's hurt, Ben.

I don't think he can keep up with the wolf pack.

I'm going to have a look.

That's all right.

Hello, lady.

Take a look at your paw.

Well, you are hurt.

You got a nasty burr caught in there.

I can get it out all right. Now just hang on.

There.

Look at that.

You're going to feel a lot better now.

You'll be able to keep up with the back now. Go on, girl.

Go on.

I'm real proud of you, Ben.

It's awful nice of you to look out after the animals like that.

You the home?

Well, I guess he's off somewhere.

Now, I know your old bones is a creaking and a groaning.

But mine, I feel frisky as a frog in a cactus patch.

Yes, sir. I feel like...

He's trying to tell me something.

You reckon my time has come?

Number seven.

How do I look to you?

Thanks a heap.

Joshua?

How do I look to you? Now, just... Give me your honest opinion.

Thanks a lot.

Well...

I

do have... three or four wrinkles.

Maybe...

Maybe five or six.

They ain't wrinkles from aging. They's wrinkles from smiling and laughing.

And living a good life.

Why, they's only...

Number

seven? I think I'll go down to

the creek and get us a bucket of water.

Boy, did I outfox him.

Why don't you go and get out of here?

Now, in another part of the mountains, two old friends of mine, Gus Thackery

his wife, Gertie, were trying to find me.

They'd been working a claim in the South Range and were heading for new

diggings. When they come through the settlement, they learned that I could...

usually be found in these parts, so they decided to look me up for old time's

sake. Gus, we've been trailing this trail for a mighty long time. Why don't

just give up and admit you don't know where Mad Jack is?

I told us in the settlement he's in these parts someplace.

I'll find the old goat if the wind's right.

Well, there goes our belongings again.

I told you the load was too much for Wilbur. When are you going to get me a

burrow of my own?

Getting kind of fancy, ain't you? Wanting his and her burros?

Are you listening to me, you old geezer? You promised me one when we was itched.

I give you a fancy wedding gift.

What's your belly aching for?

Sure, it just ain't ever bride.

That can say she owns a monogram.

Quit your squagging, will you? You could have married Mad Jack, you know.

I know.

I remember it well.

You and Mad Jack was both courting me at the same time and buying for my hand in

marriage. Yeah, and I lost.

Well, you won't go.

Stop it, Gertie. I was only funny.

Gertie, that's better.

Now, when are you going to get me my very own burrow? I'll do it. I'll do it,

darling. I'll get him for you.

Before you even know it, Gertie, you're going to have your own burrow.

Oh, finally.

Wilbur,

you just wait a little while.

It won't be long before you'll have your...

Home company, too.

Nobody would have laughed, least of all me, if I'd have known what grief them

two were bringing with them.

Doesn't that feel good?

Well, don't look so surprised.

I know it's been a long time since I combed you and made a fuss over you.

But you know something, number seven?

There comes a time in the fellow's life when he begins to realize all the things

he has.

Yes, sir.

He needs a joke to make him stop and take stock.

I know I've had other mules.

It's you and me that's come the longest way together.

Let me look at you. Here I am.

Why, you are just as cute as you ever was, you old scallywag.

Do you really think so? And you don't look a day older than you did 20 years

ago. Hold on there. Hold on there now. Let me take a look.

Looks like buzzard bait to me.

Thanks a lot. Where you two been?

Oh, we've been working a couple of little claims out on the south range.

Doing any good?

Well, you know, a lot of digging, a little sparkle now and then.

It'll get better when we get up north. That's where we're headed.

Jack, every time I lay the pickaxe down, he says, stay with it, Gertie.

Someday we're going to strike a vein.

Yeah, well, don't you worry. It's going to happen.

Only vein I ever struck was one day the pickaxe ricocheted off a rock and hit me

in the leg.

I love the old geezer. Hey, Jack, you must have been doing real good for

yourself with this fine cabin and all. Oh, no, no, this ain't my cabin. It

belongs to a friend of mine named Adams.

He's out there in the hills somewhere.

He's a great one for looking after the animals.

Not too far from the cabin, the wolf that Adams had helped earlier appeared

be having problems again.

And his fellow neighbors were more than a mite concerned.

Hello, girl.

You having trouble with your pa again?

Huh?

Let me take a look.

There's nothing wrong.

You know what I think?

I think that you're just getting along in years and... Well, I know you wolves

aren't loners by choice, but... I think maybe the packs just rejected you.

What do you say we go look for the rest of your friends?

Come on.

While Adams was

helping the wolf, back at the cabin it was like old times.

Me and Gus have been bitter rivals for nigh on to 30 years. And here we were,

back at it again.

I'm just toying with you.

So am I. I just don't want to smash your fingers.

I could beat both you geezers with one left leg tied behind me.

I beat you. I beat you.

I just let you in.

Old geezer like you.

Afraid you'd have a seizure.

Yeah. Well, I can beat you any time, any place, doing anything.

What do you think of that? We'll see about that.

First, you got the winner's pick. What do you want of mine?

You got a hunting knife?

See, I got some horseshoes here.

What about we do that next?

Sure, I can beat you at that, too.

These fellas play sissy horseshoes.

My old man used to play horseshoes while they were still on the horse.

Meanwhile,

Adams had picked up the trail of the wolf bag.

There's some of your friends now, girl.

How about joining them?

It's worth a try.

We'll be close by.

I sure hope it works, Ben.

It's not easy getting up in years and being all alone out here in the world.

Mine's the closest.

No, sir, this one is right there. Anybody can see that, you lame brain.

Why, you moth -eating old fuss.

Gertie, come on over here and settle this.

No, settle nothing. If you two don't quit fussing, you're going to end up

wearing those horseshoes for collars.

All right, we'll call it a tie.

Good. Rigor. I beat you. I beat you.

I still got two shoes left.

Well, go ahead and throw them.

Everybody knows you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with a handful of

chicken feet.

A ringer.

That cancels your ringer.

All right, it cancels it. Go ahead and throw the other one.

Will you throw?

A ringer.

I won.

You lucky cuss, you. That's the way I played it.

Well, there she is, Jack. Take a look.

Yeah, you're the winner.

All right, I suppose you want your hunting knife back.

No, I don't want my hunting knife back.

Well, what do you want?

I want your burro.

My what?

Your burro.

You... Number seven? Why, you gotta be pun local out of your mind.

Winner's choice, Jack.

Yeah, I know, but we always played for knives and skillets and possibles bags

and... Not always.

If I recollect right, it was about 18 years ago you and me was playing

choice, and you took my buckboard.

The whole bloomin' wagon.

The buckboard.

The buckboard.

Well, you see, Gus, at that time, I needed a buckboard real bad. And at this

time, Gertie needs a burro real bad.

Don't you, Gertie?

Oh, Gus, I sure do. I sure do.

Well, darling, you got your very own burrow. I just won it from Jack here.

thank you. Thank you.

Oh, that's so sweet of you, Jack. So sweet.

I told Adams about Gus and Gertie, but not about my problem with losing seven.

Now, number seven, I want you to know it ain't my idea to turn you over to Gus

and Gertie.

I missed it, that Gus. He sort of caught me off guard.

Before I knew it, he'd warned you.

Hope you understand.

Thanks.

I can use a kind word about now.

Howdy, Jack.

Your friends gone?

Oh, Gus and Gertie?

Uh, no.

They're probably around here somewhere.

Celebrating.

Celebrating? Yeah.

What they celebrating?

Well, they're celebrating their good luck.

What good luck?

Adams, you and me better just sit down and talk a spell.

I don't like the sound of this, Ben.

What were you saying?

Well, Gus and Gertie are celebrating...

Good luck of getting a new burrow.

Where'd they get it?

They won it.

Who'd they win it from?

Me.

From you.

Now, don't get excited, Adams. There's nothing to get all stirred up about.

How could you do that? Number seven's family, Jack.

Oh, I know that, but... He's your prized possession.

Adams, I already feel lower than a snake's ankle.

Well, I feel sorry for you.

What?

Just that, well, Gus, he kind of outmaneuvered me, you see.

And the next thing I know, he'd won number seven.

I've been trying to figure out some way to get him back, but always just come up

with a blank.

It's just an idea, just a thought.

But when Gus won seven from you, he didn't win the shoes seven's wearing,

he?

No. No, he didn't.

And they won't come off me there.

Adams, you might make a mountain man yet. That'll work. That just might work.

What do you mean you're going to take the shoes off Seven before you give him

me? That's right.

You were number seven fair and square, but you didn't win them shoes.

Why, you conniving old coot. You know dang well I can't move that burrow out

here without them shoes.

Of course I know that.

But isn't that a pity?

Now, what about the shoes you were playing horseshoes with?

They're too big.

Well, Gus, it looks like we's gonna have us another contest.

Yeah, and I'll clobber you from here to Sunday.

What you got in mind?

A burrow race.

Number seven against your burrow. You win, you get number seven and the shoes.

win, I get number seven back. Now, what do you say?

You got yourself a deal. And since you're always bringing up that buckboard

incident, we'll have a race just like that.

That was the burrow relay race. There was two on each side.

That's right.

Me and Adams against you and Gert.

Me and Gert against you and Adams.

What do you say?

You're on. You got yourself a bet.

Gotcha.

Stupid big lummox betting you and me against Jack and that big brawny Adams

fella. Relax, Gertie, relax.

You ought to know your old man better than that.

I got some surprises for them fellas.

Some big surprises.

You miserable old fox. I should have known old Gus would figure out some way

slicker me out of number seven.

After telling Adams about our up -and -coming contest, I went out with Gus and

Gertie to lay out the course and set up the flags.

Now, Adam, being a fellow who don't get into anything unless he's whole hog

prepared, took number seven out for a little fling.

There's no two ways about this, Seven.

You've got to win this race for Jack.

I know he's not much on affection towards you, but, well, if he happened

this race, it'd just break him up something real bad.

Now, as far as you go personally, I know you've got just as much right to be as

stubborn as us humans do.

But I'm asking you to just kind of put that aside for a day or so.

Would you do that for me?

Seven, how about you and I running up to that tree and back?

Let's go.

Give it all you got.

That's it.

Come on, Seven.

That's it. Now back again.

Faster.

That's it.

Come on, son.

Good.

That was real good.

But tomorrow you'll be racing against an opponent.

That's a little different.

Ben, how about you pretending to be a burro and racing against number seven

here, huh?

Good.

All right.

We'll start right here.

We'll run up to the tree and back here.

Let's see if you and I can beat Ben, all right, Seven?

Okay, Ben.

On our marks.

Get set.

Go.

Come on, come on, Seven.

Come on, Seven. Ben's getting ahead of us. We've got to catch Ben.

I'd call that one a tie, Ben.

Yep, Seven. You both put up a good race.

Oh, Ben.

Look at there, Ben.

There's our wolf pack.

Looks like that wolf pack didn't accept him after all.

You keep an eye on number seven.

That's a girl.

You look sadder than ever.

There's some of your friends.

I ought to say some of your ex -friends.

Come on.

I know.

They just don't want you around, do they?

We'll follow them.

Go ahead girl. I'll follow you

All

right They

stopped running there's the leader he's the key to getting you back

It's alright fella we just want to be friends

We got a lonely wolf here that we'd like you to take back.

You're the leader.

It's up to you.

If you take her back, the others will accept.

There you go.

Yeah, she's home.

Thank you, Ben.

That's a good boy.

How about one more race before we head back to the cabin?

All right.

On your mark, get set, go!

With the big race coming up in the morning, I wanted to be ready for it,

I snuck off early whilst Gus and Gertie were inside the cabin talking with Adam.

When number seven come over to me, I could tell right off he had an inkling

something big in the office.

Well, I decided to level with him and get the truth out in the open.

Number seven, there's something we should talk about.

Now, I don't know exactly how to tell you this, but...

Well, this might be our last night together.

Now, I know we've had our differences in the past.

I've gone after you a lot.

You've balked on me and been stubborn.

But we're good friends.

Remember, I said could be our last night.

That doesn't mean it necessarily has to be.

Because... We got Adams on our side.

Adams is good.

Me? Well, I know I've been doing a lot of complaining about getting old and

rickety, but I'm in good shape.

Real good shape.

You and me, tomorrow, we're going to give them a run for their money.

Now, why don't you just get on out of here?

I got your message.

Now, you just go on over there and lay down.

Get yourself a good night's rest.

We're going to need it tomorrow.

Time had come for the great burrow race, and Gus was a -going over the rules.

In the parent, I was to race against Gertie in the first half, and Adams

race against Gus in the last half.

Now, one final thing.

This here is going to be a no -holds -barred race.

What do you mean by that?

Well, that's a race where anything goes. You know, you and me have done that

before.

Well, now all we need is an official starter.

Start this race while me and Adams gets up to the halfway mark.

Ben can handle that all right. Yeah?

Ben, I want you to give him a good, fair start.

Don't get him, Gurley.

Jack, you and Seven can do it. All you got to do is just work together.

I'll see you at the halfway mark.

Huh? Sorry, Jack.

A whole passel of number seven's friends were there to cheer him on when Ben

officially started the race.

Here we go. Come on, sweetheart.

Come on, Seven.

Now's your chance.

This is the...

and got us off the course.

So it's you again, is it?

I know you're not out here to cheer me on, so why don't you just fly on away

from here and quit spooking me?

Yeah.

Salmon?

Salmon, now... We... We gotta get back in the race.

Come on.

What do you mean?

Oh, you're right. We've got to stay between them flags.

That's the way.

He brings...

I guess this is what he meant when he said no holes barred and anything goes.

Gus knows burrows won't go through mud holes.

Come here, Ben. I need you to give me a hand.

Come on.

How far ahead is Gertie?

She's not too far.

Don't panic. I got to get you out of here. We've lost for sure.

Come on, Ben. Give me a hand.

Wait till I get out.

Number seven, get through there.

You ready, Ben?

Figuring Gus for more dirty tricks, Ben took a shortcut so he could keep an eye

on him.

Dang!

He's ganging on me!

Like I said, this is a...

what Gus had done and knowing it weren't fair and that another delay would cost

us the race, Ben went about undoing what Gus had done by pushing aside that log

that would have blocked Adam's way.

Thanks, Ben.

goes rules.

He figured by tying a string between them flags, either Adams or number seven

would be sure to trip over it. That would just about guarantee him the race

possession of seven.

But

he had

reckoned without the animals, like that fox who seemed to sense Adams would be

needing his help.

This was one time that fox was hoping to bite off more than me could chew.

You've got to try harder, Seven.

Come on, Seven.

Keep moving.

Wilbur, I promised you. I promised you, Wilbur. Come on.

Come on, Seven. We've got to win.

The finish line were practically within sight now, and each man and each animal

seemed to know it, so they gave it all they got.

Come on.

I know you're tired, but don't give up now. Just a little bit farther.

Come on,

Seven. Although Adams had picked up some lost ground, he was still behind when a

friend of his showed up.

It was the lone wolf that Adams had helped earlier.

She had left the pack temporarily to pay her thanks to Adams, and she seen right

off that Seven could use a little vocal encouragement.

Come on, Seven, I know you can do it. We've got to win, Seven.

Good boy, Seven. That's it, Seven.

Why, he's a veritable racehorse, ain't he?

He's the best.

Why, he's the fastest burrow in all the high country.

Where's Gus and Gertie?

Always around back, fixing to leave.

You know, there's only one thing bothering me.

That's that heavy load that burrow's got to tote.

Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, Mr. Adams.

We got a new partner for our burrow.

Got a new partner. Another jackass.

Just fine, honey.

Gotta admit, Adams, you really taught me a lesson about making up my own rules.

Gus, I learned something a long time ago.

Adams a hard man to beat at anything. He's got so much going for him that's

to overcome.

Like what?

Like all them friends out there.

Yeah, I'll buy that.

Jack,

you must feel real good about winning that race and getting seven back.

Fair to middling.

What do you mean, fair to middling?

What's eating at you?

Nothing yet.

You mean that buzzard?

Now, Adams, it's no laughing matter.

That thing has been following me everywhere I go.

But I'm taking it kind of philosophically.

I know I'm getting on in years.

I've had a good run at life.

I guess my time has come.

I guess time has come, Ben.

Would you quit carrying on like that?

How else are you going to explain that thing following you around all the time?

Well, if you think you can get up, I'd like to take you over on the other side

of the mountain and show you some new friends that moved in.

I hope I can last till I get over there.

Lookie there, Jack.

I didn't know all them critters were staying over here.

That one was just following you because he was lonely.

Now he's found his friends.

Well, it ain't too comforting to know you're a good companion for a buzzy.

Well, what's more important?

That business about you thinking you're grown old, that was just all in your

mind. You're only as old as your outlook on life. Ain't that right?

Right.

So you can put all that other foolish nonsense out of your mind.

Would you stop pondering on that and think about something positive?

Take that for instance.

Here forever in the beauty of this place All alone We

keep on hoping Maybe There's a world where

we don't have to run Maybe There's a time when