Original subtitles

[theme music]

(male narrator) Last on "Roots.."

See what my daddy managed to bring.

A free man.

We got a law here, Mr. Free Man.

If you stay in this state more than 60 days..

...you get to be plain nigger again.

And you want me to go?

I'm married to a free man, George Moore.

I ain't about to live with no slave ever again.

Oh, it's the Confederacy! It's war, boys, it's war!

Are we gonna whup them Yankees?

[cheering]

Now look at that rib poking out right there.

- See that rib, Levin? - Mm.

Why don't you just tuck it in for him, Kevin?

He's one of 'em. My friends.

You're the only friends I ever did know in all my life.

'You's like my family.'

Well, I just wanted a kiss.

[sobs] Tom.

Tom.

I do believe you are lookin' for a whippin'.

No.

You ain't gonna do nothin' to me.

'Cause I ain't gonna let you, Jimmy Grant.

Now Captain Brent's brother has been missing for three days.

Any of y'all have seen Jimmy Grant, speak up.

You ain't seen the last of me, nigger.

Hey! Ha! Ha! Ha!

[band music]

(male #1) "To all commanders in the field

"from General Robert E. Lee.

"After four years of ardous service

"marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude

"the army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield

"to overwhelming numbers and resources.

"I need not tell the brave survivors

"of so many hard-fought battles

"who remained steadfast to the last

"that I have consented to this result

"from no mistrust of them

"but feelin' that valor and devotion

"could accomplish nothing that could compensate

"for the loss that must attend

"the continuance of the contest.

'"I determine to avoid the useless sacrifice'

'"of those whose past services'

'"have endeared them to their countrymen.'

'"You will take with you'

'"the satisfaction of proceeds from the consciousness'

'"of duty faithfully performed.'

'"And I earnestly pray that a merciful God'

'"will extend to you'

'His blessing and protection.'"

It's over, folks.

The war's over.

God save the Confederacy.

[instrumental music]

Freedom! Freedom!

We're free!

Freedom!

Freedom!

Free!

We're free!

Freedom!

Freedom!

[laughs]

Hey, we're free!

We're free!

[laughs]

Freedo-o-om!

Who that, Rufus?

Young Lewis from the Harvey's place.

What was he bellowing?

Something 'bout we's free, sounded like.

Free.

[scoffs]

That nigger must be crazy.

Yeah, must be.

Ha, mule! Ha! Ho!

'Ho!'

Lewis, what you standin' around for?

We's free.

- Who say that? - It come over the telegraph!

This, the war is over!

The South, they give up!

Slavery is no more!

What, you be foolin' with me, uh?

Not fooling you about freedom, big brother!

I's here to tell ya.

It is the God's truth!

Free?

[country music]

[all cheering]

- Mama? - Mm-hmm?

Why is you looking so sad?

This supposed to be a celebration.

I guess I'm thinkin' about your daddy.

Wishin' he was here.

Well, don't you fret.

Chicken George be coming back soon enough

now that freedom's come.

Come dance with me.

- Oh! - Come on, mama.

Instead of slaving behind this table.

- Come on, just one dance! - Oh! Oh, no!

- One, one dance, come on. - Don't, don't, I can't!

- Don't, don't. - Come on!

[laughter]

[music continues]

[laughing and cheering]

Well, I..

I guess I don't have to ask if you've heard the news.

I don't know what it means, what it'll do to people's lives.

Guess no one does right now.

I'll try to hold on to the farm.

Not sure just how.

'You all might wanna go off on your own.'

Y-you can stay here if you want.

It-it's just that I-I-I can't pay anything.

I, everything I have is tied up in this year's crop.

'Maybe you could farm some of the land'

'and then share the crop with me.'

'We all gonna have to think about what we're gonna do.'

I don't..

I don't know what it means.

[cash register clanks]

Say hello to your mom for me now, Vicky.

Hi, what'll it be, Ed?

Uh, let's see now. Uh, I need, uh--

Uh, Mr. Brent.

I've been waitin' a long time.

I take care of you when I'm good and ready, now you git.

I was here first.

Now, looky here, you.

You no-account black--

Uh, i-it's alright, Evan.

I'll drop by a little later.

Hey, no need for that now. Hear?

(Ed) 'Later.'

Well.

A loaf of bread and a bag of grits.

Thirty six cents.

Yeah..

- Hello, Evan. - Senator!

Doggone, it's good to see you!

Just like old times!

Well, I thought you were still in England.

No, I've just returned.

Did you see that? Did you see it?

Senator, you won't believe the way

some of these niggers are carrying on.

Hell, you can't even call 'em niggers anymore.

At least not to their faces.

Uh, I wouldn't fret, Evan.

Let the Negroes have their day.

Oh, what you mean by that?

The same thing as old Uncle Richard

told me when I was a boy.

Old Brer Rabbit

when he can't get through one way

he change his way.

And by and by, he get where he wanna be.

[laughs] I get you now, sir. I get you.

That's right.

We is free at last.

- Yeah! - Yes, indeed.

Alright, we is free at last!

[cheering]

Ain't got no more massas.

Ain't nobody gonna whup us again.

Ain't nobody gonna abuse our womenfolk.

That's right.

Freedom sure taste good, don't it?

[cheering]

Well, maybe it tastes good..

...but it sure ain't gonna fill our bellies.

How is we gonna feed our children?

How is we gonna put a roof over our heads?

Now we is free..

...what's we gonna do?

I say we go somewhere where the pickings is better.

(all) Yeah, yeah.

Go where?

- Do what? - Well, I..

I don't know right off.

Must be some place.

You's ignorant, Virgil. Bone ignorant.

- Here now, Tom-- - 'It ain't your fault, Virgil.'

We's all ignorant.

We's just what the massas wanted us to be.

Ain't none of us been taught enough

to earn our keep in the white man's world.

'We gonna leave here'

'we better learn how to dofor ourselves first!'

Well, what do you say, Tom?

What you say we do?

I say..

...we stays here..

...and farms.

Just like we've been doing all our lives.

But not just for Harvey.

It gonna be part our own land for our own selves.

Our dirt we farms!

Now hold on a moment, Tom.

All I knows, all I ever seen in my whole life

is this here plantation

and that little town of company shops.

I wanna see some of the world, Tom.

What the good of freedom if, if you can't go nowhere?

'Course, you can go.

That the whole idea of freedom.

Lewis, you wants to wander for a while.

'Ain't nobody gonna stop you.'

'Same for all of you.'

But maybe we don't have to go!

Maybe now we can find what we wants right here.

I say we gotta give freedom a chance

and here's a good a place to start as any.

''Sides..'

...what's our daddy gonna do

when he gets back and we's all gone?

How do we know he come back?

All them years he been gone and ain't no word.

He comin' back 'cause he say he gonna come back.

And your daddy, Chicken George Moore

ain't never said nothin' in his whole life he don't mean.

You hear me, boy?

Just askin', mama.

Now I don't wanna hear no more about leavin'

'cause ain't nobody goin' nowhere till my man come back.

We is a family

and we is gonna stay a family.

[sighs]

Tom, Martha and me, we sure would like to throw our lot in

with you folks. If you want us, of course.

Want you?

You just try getting away, Ol' George

and you'll hear hound dogs baying at your heels

before long.

- Come with me, wife. - Where are we goin'?

I's gonna spark in the moonlight.

Oh, yes, you is!

And that's gonna be some sparkin'

with these two young ones hangin' on our arms.

Don't argue with me, woman. Just come along.

Damned if I'm gonna get my niggers any part of my farm.

Well, that land has been in my family for over a 100 years.

I'd as soon sell out to some carpetbaggers.

I'm with you, Fred.

Them niggers puttin' on enough airs as it is

without makin' them landowner.

They can all own land as far as I'm concerned.

- What you saying, Archie? - Their graves.

They can own them all they want.

(Jackson) 'Now, boys, I respect your sentiments'

but we've gotta be realistic.

Somebody has to work our land

and the niggers are done being slaves.

I don't like breakin' up my holdin' either

but I got no cash to pay wages

so I got to parcel out shares.

I'll never owe nothin' to a black except a whippin'.

And I always pay my debts.

Fred, you are livin' in the past.

You can't just go around whippin' blacks.

The federal authorities ain't gonna allow it.

He's talkin' sense, boys.

There's gonna be a circuit judge through here regular

and the army's here to back him up.

We ought to band together and string up a few of them

just to set a proper example for the rest.

Now you're talkin'.

There's a lot more minus than plus to that notion.

It might sound good, but there--

I'll tell you about plus and minus here.

Plus is what I come out of the war with.

I come out plus a Yankee miniball in my knee.

Come out plus a limp that I'm gonna have

the rest of my natural days.

And I'm minus my brother, sheriff.

And I'm telling you

no white man killed him.

No white man killed another in the last month of war.

Niggers killed him!

Every step I take

every time my leg twinges on me, I..

...I recollect who's responsible for the..

...for all the pluses and minuses

that I gotta live with now!

Yeah, I recollect who done it to me.

Niggers!

Well, gentlemen, I think I'd better leave now.

I'm bound to uphold the law.

Gave my solemn word to do that.

And it seems to me that upholdin' the law

just ain't what this meeting's all about.

Just a minute, sheriff.

I'm goin' with you.

Senator..

...these men respect you

'and surely you're not for violence.'

I agree that misdirected violence

is dangerous, Mr. Jackson.

What do you have to say, senator?

We ain't heard from you yet.

Yeah, what do you think we ought to do about it, senator?

It is my intention to acquire property in this county.

'A great deal of property.'

Uh, if it was anybody but you, senator

I'd say out of hand you was plumb crazy!

All the land of Dixie ain't worth a horse's apple

without slaves to work it.

Our niggra, under the misguided new business arrangements

is to receive a share of the crops he works.

And of course, before that profit is paid

his share of costs must be deducted.

'Grains, tools, wagons, mules, horses' feed.'

And somehow he just never manages to catch up on the cost.

Ain't that right?

It doesn't matter who works the land.

'What counts is who owns it.'

Poverty is power. It always has been and always will be.

Whoever controls the land controls the people on it.

I guess you know what you're doin', senator.

Be assured I do, sir.

I am my own Brer Rabbit.

He gonna get where he wanna be.

Tom!

Tom!

Woman, where have you been with that water?

We got some powerful thirsty m..

- Tom! - Reeny.

[sobbing]

What? What is it?

What?

Rufus just came in from town.

Telegraph say

a white man killed President Lincoln last night.

Shot him in the back of the head.

He's dead, Tom.

Still daylight left and work to do.

Did you hear her, Tom?

- Lincoln's dead. - I heard!

I know he's dead!

But it won't be for nothin'!

I won't let his dyin' be for nothin!

♪ Somebody's callin' my name ♪

♪ Whoa whoa whoa ♪ ♪ Hush ♪

♪ Hush ♪ ♪ Whoa ♪

♪ Somebody's callin' my name ♪

♪ Hush hush ♪

♪ Somebody's callin' my name ♪

♪ Oh my Lord oh my Lord ♪

♪ What shall I do ♪

♪ What shall I do ♪

♪ Where you know ♪

♪ It sounds like Jesus ♪

♪ Somebody's callin' my name ♪

♪ Whoa it sounds like Jesus ♪ ♪ It sounds like Jesus ♪

♪ Somebody's callin' my name ♪

♪ Sounds like Jesus ♪

♪ Somebody's callin' my name ♪

♪ Whoa ♪ ♪ Hmm ♪♪

[humming]

(male #2) 'Hiya!'

[dogs barking]

Tom, what is it?

[dogs barking]

[horses galloping]

[men screaming]

[intense music]

Cabins, everybody, quick.

- Tom? - I don't know.

[gunshots]

[screaming continues]

[gunshots]

[music continues]

[gunshot]

You keep out of this, Harvey!

[glass shattering]

[laughing and screaming]

[gunshots]

[fire crackling]

Lewis! Tom!

Come out! Come out!

'Let's get a line out here!'

Get some water on this fire!

Jesse, come on! Come! Everybody!

Hannah, Hannah, the barn's on fire!

[indistinct chatter]

Get another bucket! It's getting bigger!

Hurry before it spreads.

[indistinct chatter]

Free at last.

I don't understand it.

I just don't understand it.

We ain't gonna let 'em get away with this, hear?

We sweated too hard to raise our measly little crops.

Ain't nobody gonna just ride in here when they take a mind

and trample everything we got in this world.

We ought to get us some guns and fight back!

Who we gonna fight?

Damn!

I don't know!

Only thing I know is we can't just

let them get away with this!

White folks ain't gonna let us live here.

- We should get out! - No!

We ain't gonna do no such thing.

We stay 'cause we has a right to stay!

This don't change nothin'.

It just means that there's some few rebs around

still don't know the war's over.

They're not gonna push us off our land.

We is free men!

Besides..

...maybe they ain't gonna get away with this.

What do you mean, Tom?

Look here.

(Virgil) 'I don't see nothing except for some old hoof marks.'

That's right.

So what's so special about hoof marks?

Nothing.

All hoof marks exactly the same.

But supposin' they weren't?

Supposin' every hoof mark had a little somethin' on it.

Somethin' that set it off from the other.

What you gettin' at, Tom?

I's gettin' at those night riders.

That's what I's gettin' at.

Stands to reason..

...these night riders are some of our good neighbors, right?

And it stands to reason that most men

bring their horses to me for showing, right?

Now supposin'

every horse I shoes me from this day on..

...I puts a little special mark on it.

Maybe here.

Then we have a way of knowing

what horse the shoe belong to.

And if we know where the shoe fits..

May I ask why you're selling?

Well, place got run down durin' the war.

I thought I could hang on by passing out shares to the Negros

but night riders took care of that.

And you have no idea who they are?

No, not a clue.

They've been rampaging through the country destroyin' crops.

Scarin' the Negros half out of their wits.

Last week, they, they tore up everything I planted.

I, I just don't have the heart for farmin' anymore, senator.

Well, I'm sorry to hear about your troubles, Samuel.

Very sorry, indeed.

But business is a business.

In anticipation of our discussion

I had this contract drawn up.

Five thousand dollars isn't much for a man's life work, senator.

Well, I couldn't agree with you more..

'...unhappily.'

That's quite beside the point.

Now you yourself have indicated that the place is..

...isn't in the best of condition.

And in all good faith, 5000 is..

...is the best I could manage.

Well, you think about it.

I'll understand if you decide to wait

for a more satisfactory offer.

No, no, there won't be any better offers.

We both know that.

I'll accept it.

Good. That's it then.

There's just one other thing, senator.

Uh, my Negros owe me for seed..

It's a matter of a couple hundred dollars, it..

They've worked hard for me over the years.

I'd like to wipe the slate clean with him.

Consider it done. Here's my hand on it.

Thank you.

Aren't you done yet, boy?

Yes, sir, Mr. Drake. I's trying, sir.

Gots to fix it just right.

Well, I guess that's about it. Much obliged, boys.

Lila.

It's time, Lila.

Lila?

Oh, Sam, how can we?

- All those years. - I know, honey.

There's nothing we can do about it.

Well, I'm gonna miss this place and you folks.

'Sorry, I had to sell, but I really didn't have much choice.'

'The new owner should be out in a few days to talk to you.'

'Meantime, I suggest you go on putting in new crops.'

I'm sure you'll find Senator Justin a decent man

to work for.

He's agreed to wipe out your debts

so you can start from fresh.

Mrs. Harvey and I wanna thank you

for all of your kindness and your help over the years.

Goodbye and good luck to you.

Goodbye, Mr. Harvey.

Mrs. Harvey.

'Now what's the matter with y'all?'

Where's your manners?

Say goodbye to the Harveys and wish 'em well.

- Bye, Massa Harvey. - Bye, Massa Harvey.

- Bye, Massa Harvey. - Bye, Massa Harvey.

You was better than some, massa.

[instrumental music]

[dramatic music]

Now that we know who he is, I say let's kill him.

- No. - Why not?

I didn't know you were so particular about killin' whites!

There'll be no killing.

We go to the law.

White man's law?

That's right.

I'm sorry I'm late.

I had to help Martha with some chores.

And what we gotta do?

What's that white man doin' in here?

What white man?

There's only one white man in here as I can see!

Ol' George?

When the killing starts, like holds to like.

You've got no call to talk like that.

He can't help that he white!

I don't care! I wants him out!

Oh, you does, does you?

And who is you to be giving orders around here?

I ain't the only one around here that feels that way!

Well, I ain't listening to nobody say a word

against Ol' George.

No, Tom, Tom, it's alright.

Alright, I ain't one to tarry where I ain't wanted.

Ol' George?

Now I say we ain't going to no law!

I say we even up our own tally!

Lewis, you best sit down and shut your mouth.

'Cause you said enough for one day.

And you're lucky that mama weren't here

to hear you say that.

I said sit...down, little brother.

I ain't finished with you about Ol' George yet.

We gots to go to the law, don't you see?

Ain't supposed to be no white man's law.

Only supposed to be one law!

- The law! - You daft, Tom?

(Virgil) 'Hmm? You try to set the law on white folks'

they're gonna lynch you, brother.

Maybe, maybe not.

But we got to find out, don't we?

If we don't give the law a chance

freedom ain't worth a damn!

Now who going into town with me to see the sheriff?

You is a plumb stubborn fool!

Damn you!

What are you so all fired up about?

Why you gotta be the one to step forward?

You ain't even oldest!

Why you gotta be the big man every time?

'Cause I wants to look my daddy in the eye when next we meet.

'Cause I want our children growing up in freedom.

'Cause too many suffered to bring us this far.

Now ain't the time to go back.

'Cause somebody got to stand up, Irene.

Is that so?

Well, somebody gotta mind his wife and babies too.

Now who gonna do that after they...shoots you?

- Or hangs you up? - Irene.

Oh!

- Oh, don't go. - Irene.

Irene.

- Oh, please, please. - I've gots to.

Oh, Tom, I'm so scared.

Tom.

I don't want 'em to hurt you.

I ain't nothing without you, Tom.

Irene, I's scared too.

But I just can't not go.

I hate you for doing this.

I'd give anything, say anything

do anything to make you stay.

But I is proud of you, Tom Harvey.

Oh, I's terrible proud of you.

- Now. - What?

There's only one thing.

I am going into the company shops with you.

No. You's talking crazy.

- There's no telling what's-- - I am going.

- You is, you is! - Yes, Tom.

You is one fine woman.

That's what you is.

You is one fine woman.

(Biggs) 'Well, well, well.'

You're a one smart man, Tom Harvey.

Fancy you figuring out something like this?

There's no doubt about it.

You got them dead to rights.

You did good coming to be though.

Had you told anybody else about this?

Just my kin.

What you gonna do about it, sheriff?

Well, I'm, I'm gonna get after him, Tom.

But I gotta handle this careful.

I mean, this is, this is not just locking up

some Saturday night drunk.

I gotta-gotta study.

'I got to figure out how to handle this.'

But I...tell you what I want you to do.

Uh, you go on home

'...and just go on about your business.'

It's best that folks don't know you got anything

to do with this just right yet.

Yes, sir.

You take care of it then?

Well, I guess I got to, Tom.

I guess I got to.

- Tom? - I think we done right.

I think the law is the law.

What happened?

Heard me out and he going after them, that's what happened.

What you two doin' here?

Well, you're one crazy fool.

But you still our brother.

You sure?

He going after them, honey. Don't worry.

[knock on door]

Yeah.

- Can I come in? - Sure.

You alright?

Ol' George, I sorry about what happened.

You knows how we feel about you.

Yeah, I guess I do.

After last night, I guess I do.

Don't go on like that.

Lewis got no more sense than a bumblebee

when his blood's up. Don't mean nothin'.

If Lewis didn't mean what he said

then why ain't he here instead of you?

He come around, Martha.

He just needs more time to collect hisself.

Well, Tom, I guess

maybe I need some time too.

Sure, you do.

George.

What?

Maybe we've been here long enough.

Maybe we best be thinking of striking out for ourselves..

...while we're still young enough.

Now I'm sure you've all been concerned

about what's going to happen now that Mr. Harvey has left.

Well, let me reassure you that nothing is going to change.

'Mr. Harvey's agreement with you will be honored.'

'You will receive a fair percentage'

of the crops you raise.

Well, what do you say to that?

It's very kind of you, sir.

But if Mr. Brent gonna be in charge

I don't think my people wants to stay on.

Well..

...you're free, uh

to go, of course

'just as soon as you pay up your debt.'

What debt?

According to the farm's ledger, you was advanced $235

worth of seed, grain and other supplies against future crops.

But Mr. Harvey said he fixed that.

Told us we was free and clear.

Hmm, that's peculiar.

The agreements are on file at the county clerk's office

and I don't recall seeing that in the deed of sale.

Now you work hard on your share.

It'll reduce your debt considerably.

(Evan) Two hundred and thirty five dollars ain't all that much.

But in the meantime

don't nobody try leaving here.

You see, it's a legal matter.

We can get the sheriff to lock you up.

Senator, sir?

Is this what you wants?

I thought I made it clear, boy.

'Mr. Brent speaks for me.'

Aah, Mr. Johnson, we were wondering

what your plans are now that Mr. Harvey's left.

Well, I ain't got no special p-plans, sir.

I'll just go on working my share, I guess.

I'm afraid that won't do, George.

You see me and the senator, we got certain feelings

about, uh, white folks sharecropping alongside niggers.

Why should a smart young fellow like you

want to work like a common field hand

when there are other opportunities to consider, huh?

(Evan) 'We need somebody to keep his eye on things for us'

'to make sure the work gets done.'

Job's yours if you want it.

Oh, I don't know, Mr. Brent, I ain't much about overseein'.

(Evan) 'I'll pay you a good wage.'

'And if things work out, maybe someday'

'you and your family can, uh'

'move into the main house here, huh?'

'That's fair, ain't it?'

Alright, I'll do it.

Good boy, Georgie, good boy.

Uh, we'll settle the details later.

'Senator?'

I think that's everything for now, Evan.

I'm looking forward to a long and happy association.

You'll find me a fair man to work for

if you're willing to meet me...halfway.

Next time I'm back here, George

I expect to see all these darkies out in the fields

where they belong.

I want you in town reporting to me regular, huh?

I do hope you're gonna behave yourself, boy.

I surely do.

[knock on door]

Oh, howdy, sheriff? Come on in.

Howdy, Evan?

You know, Evan, we've been friends for a long time.

I want you to know that.

Sure, I know that, Charlie.

What's got into you?

And, uh, I'm on your side.

You understand that, don't you?

Sheriff, you been drinking?

[scoffs]

No, I, I don't think I could get drunk tonight.

No? Why? Why can't you get drunk?

'Cause I know who every single one of them

night riders is, Evan.

I got proof.

'Proof I'm gonna turn over to the federal circuit court judge'

'when he comes riding through here next weekend.'

- You got what? - You heard me, Evan.

I got proof. Tom Harvey gave it to me.

'Now I don't want the proof'

'and I don't wanna know what I know'

'but I know it for a real fact.'

Unless somebody does somethin'.

Then I'm sworn to do somethin' that'll make me a hated man

in this county, for the rest of my natural life.

Unless, somebody does something to Tom Harvey

to make him pull back his evidence.

Eh, do something like what? Uh..

Evan, I'm sick enough as it is.

Had myself for not to go this far.

Now, do I have to lay out the whole plan for you too?

No, no need for that.

You've done enough, sheriff, you've done enough.

Uh, I guess you're just have to see if I can--

Evan, I don't-I don't wanna know another word.

Now, I'm an officer of the law.

And sometimes an officer of the law, well

he just ain't got no choice in somethings.

You understand what I mean?

Hmm.

Won't nobody misunderstand, sheriff.

I'll see to that.

Well, thank you, Evan, I...much obliged to you.

Goodnight, Evan.

[dramatic music]

Hmm.

[music continues]

[horse neighs]

[dramatic music]

(male #3) Tom Harvey?

We want you, nigger.

Tom.

Tom!

Get yourself, out here, boy.

'Or we gonna burn your kinfolk.'

(Irene) 'No, Tom.'

[horse neighs]

Move!

Now!

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

- George? - There's six of 'em, Martha.

Six.

Anyway, why should I?

Like holds to like, that is what they told me, ain't it?

Ain't it?

Thought you was pretty smart, going to the sheriff

didn't you, boy, huh?

This here is a bad nigger

spend his time talkin' about the law

'instead of doing his work'

paying his debts.

Now, we're gonna teach him how to be a good nigger.

'I expect you all study hard what's gonna happen'

so you won't make any mistakes.

As you ain't never gonna leave here!

'Never!'

Alright, get on with it.

[grunts]

[screams]

Leave it! Will you leave my nigger be?

Johnson, you stay out of this.

This boy's spoilin' for a lesson.

Yeah, what's he done?

He's fixin' to set the law on us.

Alright, well then he's got it comin'.

But you put me in charge here

and nobody whips my niggers but me!

Let him do it.

[screams]

- What you stoppin' for? - It ain't no use.

- He's senseless. - 'That don't matter none.'

He'll remember every stroke when he wakes up..

...if he wakes up.

Now, get on with it.

Looks like you have proper work, now, Ol' George.

You make sure you teach him how to be a nigger now.

[George groaning]

God, let him be alive.

Oh, God, let him be alive.

'God...let him be alive.'

Irene, Irene I'm-I'm sorry.

Irene, I was just trying to..

'...make 'em think I was doin' their job for 'em.'

Well, you ain't got nothing to be sorry about

Ol' George Johnson.

You just saved my man's life.

'You just saved my man's life.'

Sorry, Ol' George.

I was wrong, dead wrong.

- Let's get him inside. - Oh, he's gonna be alright.

- 'He's gonna be alright.' - Easy, easy.

(Irene) 'Help him now...careful.'

- 'Easy.' - Oh, Tom!

What we gonna do?

- What are we going to do? - Ain't nothing we can do.

We ain't gonna never get away from here.

Never!

At least not alive, anyway.

All my fault.

I should've let ya'll go, when you wanted.

- Instead of.. - Now, you just hush, mama.

Don't you go blaming yourself.

We stayed here 'cause we wanted to.

(male #4) 'Tom, what we gonna do?'

Get my boy outa here.

I don't want him to see me like this.

Martha?

- Lewis? - Yeah, Tom?

Take that shovel

and dig up the floor

under Bud's bed.

What you meaning to do that for, Tom?

Do it!

[crickets chirping]

Bud, you mustn't worry about your daddy.

He's gonna be fine.

He's a strong man.

Ain't none stronger.

He'll be up and around in no time, you'll see.

I'mma kill those white men someday.

(Martha) 'Bud, you aren't to talk like that.'

I'm gonna kill 'em!

Bible says it ain't right to kill people, Bud.

Do the Bible say it's right for 'em whip my daddy?

No.

He don't say that neither.

Then I'm bound to get 'em.

Which ones, Bud?

Couldn't see their faces.

I'll find a way to get the ones who done it.

Sup-suppose you make a mistake.

Suppose you hurt some white folks

that ain't done your daddy no harm.

I'lldowhat I gotta do.

[sighs]

Then I guess you might as well start with me, Bud.

I didn't mean you.

Well, I sure am white.

'I'm white as a cotton ball.'

And if you starts hurtin' whites for being white

then sooner or later you'll get round to me and Ol' George.

I don't wanna kill you.

'Well, that's what happens when you starts hurtin' folks'

'for the color of their skin.'

You won't be any better than those men

who hurt your daddy.

I hate 'em.

Hate 'em!

Hate 'em for what they've done.

Not because they is white.

Me and mine is white.

But we love you.

Just like our own.

[instrumental music]

If you let us love you.

[sobbing]

Oh, Bud.

Oh, my poor little Bud.

[music continues]

This here is a Calvary officer's pistol.

'It got J.B. carved in the handle here.'

Lord, God!

Maybe Jimmi Brent's, put it away!

Give it to me.

Husband, what is you thinkin' of?

What if they catch you with that gun

they're gonna kill you sure.

I only knows one thing.

Ain't nobody ever gonna whoop me again.

Ever.

Someone's comin'!

[dog barking]

Blow out the candles.

[horse neighing]

[barking continues]

[footsteps approaching]

Open the door slow

whoever you is.

Or I'll blows you apart.

Now, you don't wanna do that, son.

Uh, not unless you gonna make yourself an orphan child.

[instrumental music]

Daddy.

[laughing]

My man.

- Grandpa! - Chicken George.

Good to see you.

[indistinct chatter]

- What's this? - This is..

Oh, I got news for you.

[indistinct chatter]

(Mathilda) 'Good thing you come home after dark, George.'

(Chicken George) 'Uh, why you say that?'

'Cause I is old and ugly I might scare you to death

in God's proper light.

[laughs]

I don't see you with my eyes, honey.

I sees you with my heart.

So I is old enough.

Oh, what you talkin' about.

Was a time when you used to look at me with your eyes.

Oh..

Alright, I'll look at you in the eye, come on.

Come on, I-I say come around here, come here.

You still is beautiful, Tildy.

You're still my beautiful woman.

Oh..

...sure, time has left a few tracks in its passing

like it's done me.

But you-but you got a sprinkling of moonbeam in your hair.

[laughs]

And your eyes..

...your eyes still have that little girl

snookin' out of 'em.

Feel like a your little girl tonight, George.

Been so long..

...just like the very first time.

Mm.

- Tildy. - Hmm?

What's goin' on here?

Tom whipped, and this Evan Brent in charge.

Nothin' that won't keep till morning.

- Yeah, but.. - Hush, now.

Brent and his like done

stole most our lives away.

Let's keep this one night for ourselves.

[whispers] Oh, my sweet, sweet mama.

[rooster crowing]

Yes, indeed.

The family sure owes a lot to these two birds.

With the money they won me

I bought us some land in Tennessee.

Land so rich and black.

You can plant a, a pig's tail and a hog will grow.

[laughs]

Daddy.

Ain't you heard a word we said?

We can'ts go to Tennessee.

'We can'ts go nowhere.'

Oh, you mean Brent's bunch?

Oh, wouldn't worry about that none.

I've been in worse situations in the war.

- 'Daddy.' - Hmm?

(Tom) 'What you gettin' at?'

Alright.

Let's look at it like it was a military operation.

Yeah?

'Here we are surrounded by the enemy.'

Outnumbered, outgunned and half our troops

are women and children.

'Now..'

'...on the face of it, it looks a bit bad.'

'Look like we're in a hopeless position.'

And that's our one strong point.

Don't really sound like no strong point to me, daddy.

The way I figure it.

Uh, Brent and this, uh, senator must be

feelin' mighty smug right until here.

Feel like they got us right where they want us.

Toeing the line, scared to death.

Well, from now on..

...we gonna do everything we can do to make sure

they go right on feelin' that way.

[men laughing]

(George) 'Clumsy fool!'

Here, look after Mrs. Randall.

I wanna see what's goin' on out there.

[dog barking]

(George) 'You dumb black boy'

'now, can't I trust you to do nothin' right?'

'I want every grain of that back in the sack.'

(Tom) 'I's trying, Mr..'

[indistinct chatter]

I is trying, Mr. George, I is trying.

Yeah, but you ain't tryin' harder, look, I don't want

no sack full of dirt, you do it careful.

- Yes, sir. - Those darks!

Oh, yeah, it's bad enough on their slavery

now they're just downright useless.

I's done, sir.

So what you waitin' on, boy?

Get the rest of the sack out of there!

Yes, sir.

Would you move your black backside?

Move it! Move it!

- Well, George. - Oh, Mr. Brent.

I see you've learned a thing or two.

Well, I wasn't too sure about takin' this job

overseeing them darkies as you well know.

But..

...I wanna tell ya, it beats farming all to hell.

I wanna thank you.

It's alright, son.

- Just don't you let up here. - Oh, don't you worry.

So I keeps on them all the time.

You'll do, Georgie, You'll do.

Oh, please, sir. Please.

We don't want no more trouble.

If a my man goes up in front of the judge..

...well, they'll kill him sure.

I got...two little babies, sir.

Now, what are we gonna do if they kills my man?

Oh, please, sir.

You mean, Tom wants to forget this whole thing..

...and drop the charges?

Oh, sheriff, sir, I swears to God

you ain't never gonna hear from him again.

Well, you seem like a good girl.

So I'm gonna do somethin' that I hadn't ought to do.

This is your husband's property.

You do with it what's you wanna do.

God bless you, sir.

[dog barking in distance]

I think that's about everything he asked for.

Thank you, sir.

Just a minute there, boy.

I ain't done with you yet.

Yes, sir?

Fetch me a dipper of water, nigger.

[horse neighs]

Yes, sir.

Ah.

Yeah, I do believe that it's the sweetest water

I ever tasted.

Yes, sir.

Fetch you some more, sir?

No.

I'll assure you did appreciate it.

You shapin' up into a good boy, Tom.

- Good boy. - Thank you, sir.

I's tryin', sir.

Yeah, you can run along now.

[dog barking]

[wheels rattling]

You see that uppity Tom how he fetch me

a dipper of water, nice and polite?

- Yes, I did. - Did my heart good.

And Charlie tells me that Tom's wife was in

beggin' to have them charges dropped.

'I think we can rest easy about the Harvey place from now on.'

Yes...it looks that way.

Well, is somethin' troubling you, senator?

Well, it's been my experience

that one should not depend on

an unbroken series of fortunate events.

'All this idyllic behavior is either a concealment'

of some furtive activity

or a tribute to Mr. George Johnson's ability

to work a miracle.

Uh, Johnson does seem to have things well in hand.

I do not reject the miracle.

I simply think it should be put to the test.

Have you been out to the farm yourself?

Uh, no, no, no, not recently.

I, uh, I'm a kinda busy over there, there at the store.

A little drive out there unannounced..

...might teach us something we oughta know.

[instrumental music]

(George) 'Alright, now stop your lollygagging'

'and put your backs into it, what do you think this is'

'some kind of a picnic?'

Tom, now, good God, I got my eye on both of you.

Now you either put your black backs into it

or I'll do it for ya!

Hold.

Good day, senator. Mr. Brent.

Hello, young man.

Just thought we'll drop by

and see how you gettin' on, George.

Well, I got to admit.

Ain't far long with the plantin' as I'd like to be

but we's still cleaning up some what them nightriders done

but things is coming along.

Yeah, it's coming along.

Massa Johnson. Massa Johnson.

Yeah, Lewis, what is it now?

We'd sure we'd like for you to

come over and take a look at the fence

we's fixing around the pigsty

see if it alright.

Alright, you go in back there, Lewis

keep workin' and I'll be there directly.

(Lewis) Yeah.

Thank you, sir.

(George) 'Go on, now.'

The blacks

they just like the little kiddies

can't do nothin' on their own.

[laughing]

Well, I guess, we ought to get started back to town.

Seems like Mr. Johnson's got his work in order.

Be seein' you, George.

You keep after 'em, now you hear?

Oh, don't you worry none, Mr. Brent.

Good day, senator.

(George) 'Oh, Mr. Brent!'

'Mr. Brent.'

- Mr. Brent. - Oh.

You know, them mules in Mr. Harvey's

is on their last legs, and they ain't hardly

'pullin' worth their feed now.'

It's up to you, of course.

But if I could have me six young mules

now, I know, I could plant at least another 100 acres.

Senator?

Well, I think Mr. Johnson's enterprise

ought to be encouraged.

I'll get 'em out here as soon as I can.

'Anything else you need?'

Uh, no, sirs, I think I got everything

I need right now, sir.

I'll get them six mules out first thing tomorrow.

(George) 'I'm much obliged.'

[whistling]

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]

Mr. Brent.

You gotta come out to the farm.

It's Georgie! He-he..

[sobbing]

Alright, oh, missy, alright.

I'll.. Just calm down.

Tell me what happened.

Ge-Georgie had an accident.

I think his leg is broke.

We better go get Doc Farrell.

No, I-I-I went to the doctor first, he's on his way.

But my husband want you to come out there.

He's-he's afraid that darkies

might take advantage and just run off.

Oh, Mr. Brent, you gotta come.

Alright, now, girl, alright now.

Calm down, everything gonna be alright.

Now you get back to your husband, huh?

I'll ride out as soon as I can.

Get, get, get, you hear.

[crickets chirping]

(Martha) 'Over here, Mr. Brent.'

[clucking]

How's he doin', doc?

Oh, he alright, Mr. Brent

but you ain't.

What you think you're about, boy?

Put that gun down.

We're gettin' out of this county, Mr. Brent

and we just wanna make sure that you ain't gonna stop us.

[laughing]

You been bamboozled, Mr. Brent!

Oh, you dirty nigger lover!

Mr. Brent

it ain't I loves niggers so much

it's just I don't like you at all.

You're not as smart as you think, Johnson.

Oh, no, that ain't the point, Mr. Brent, sir.

The point is, we ain't as dumb as you think we is.

'cause if we's that dumb

that's what does that make you, rat now?

We're takin' in charge. Now drop that gun.

You really think I was crazy enough

to ride out here alone? Huh.

'I didn't live through no war to walk into an ambush'

with my eyes wide open.

Boy..

...if you got any skin left on that black carcass of yours

you're about to lose it.

Now, where's the rest of 'em no-account niggers?

[screaming]

'Believe I asked you a question.'

- Do you hear me? - No! No! Please!

They're in the barn.

[dramatic music]

Oh.

Come on out of there.

'I know you're in there.'

'I'll give you a fair warning.'

It's gonna go hard on you

if I have to come in and get ya.

Break that door down.

[music continues]

[clucking]

Hold it right there, boss.

[chuckles]

Now.

I'd, uh, drop them guns

kinda nice and easy like.

[laughing]

Pick up the pop pistols.

Mm-hmm.

Now, what if..

This is the way my captain, old captain

used to teach us to think.

He'd say, "What if the enemy

"figures out your first plan?

Tell me what you gonna do, huh?"

[laughing]

Get yourself another plan.

[laughing]

Who the hell are you?

Oh.

I'm the daddy of these boys, Mr. Brent.

'Uh, don't you remember me?'

You chased me out of the county once.

Now, all I wants to do

is leave to county peaceably.

Tie 'em up, boys.

Tom, he all yours now.

[rooster crowing]

[grunts]

How do it feel, Mr. Brent?

To be tied up like a hog for slaughter..

...waiting for your flesh to turn to jelly?

What do you feel like, Mr. Brent

to be on the other side of the lash?

No, Tom.

Please. Tom.

'Tom.'

[birds chirping]

[screams]

[chuckles]

Time to go. All.

[rooster crowing]

(male #3) Get movin'.

Get the children back there. You all sit down.

- Maria Jane! - Oh.

Come on up, Bud.

Got your young ones, Tom?

My boy Tom has a good heart

and, uh, I admire his thinkin'.

If you bother me or mine

ever again

I'll kill you.

Hold them.

- Let's go. - No.

Not yet.

Mathilda, I know you's sorry to be leavin'

but we got to get moving.

I been sittin' here

tryin' to remember.

Been livin' here

maybe 14, 15 years.

I lost count.

I helped Irene birth all the grandchildren.

Seen 'em grow.

I held her second baby in my arms when she died.

We buried that sweet lamb at the end of the cabin row

by the willow.

'I knows every chink in every'

'wall the winter wind blow through.'

I know

it hard, old woman, leavin'.

Hard?

[laughing]

Chicken George

you is a foolish old man.

There ain't nothin' hard about being happy.

This ain't never been our home.

Never belong to us, no way!

This here is Massa Harvey's nigger quarters.

When we ride out of here

I ain't never gonna think of it again.

[both laughing]

Oh, go on there, mule.

[indistinct chatter]

(male #4) Okay, let's move on.

[cheering]

- Let's get in on moving. - Hey, Mr. Brent!

You'll be sure to thank the senator for these new mules.

We never could've made it without 'em!

[all laughing]

[instrumental music]

(male #5) 'Yippee.'

Come on, mule..

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

(George Moore) We's here!

This here,ourland.

[laughing]

Go, go on, mule, go on!

[laughing]

(Chicken George) Hold up there.

Whoa.

[instrumental music]

You get down. Easy, honey. Come on.

[laughing] Here's home.

Bud.

The first slave in this family

was my granddaddy

Kunta Kinte.

But he weren't always a slave.

Before he's a slave he was free man

in another country.

A country called Africa.

But then the slavers, uh, they catch him

when he went to find some wood

to make a drum

and they brung him to America.

Uh-uh, place called, called Annapolis.

But Kunta Kinte..

...he never forget where he come from.

He never forget Africa.

He never forget the words he spoke as a child.

How ko, mean a fiddle

and Kamby Bolongo mean a river.

'And he never stop fightin' against his chains'

'tryin' to be free once more.'

Not even after they cut off half his foot

to keep him from running away.

[instrumental music]

And before he die

he give that dream of freedom to his daughter.

Kizzy.

My mama.

And before she die

she give that dream to me.

And I've tried to keep that dream alive

in all you children..

...till that day come.

Hear me, old African..

...the flesh..

...of your flesh..

...has come to freedom.

You is free at last.

We is free!

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

(Alex Haley) The family did settle in Henning, Tennessee.

Mathilda passed away before Chicken George.

And he enjoyed life among his children

and his grandchildren

until he died at the ripe old age of 83.

The blacksmith, Tom

and his talented Irene prospered.

Their youngest daughter Cynthia

grew up and married a tall quiet black man

named Will Palmer

who came to own the town's lumber mill.

The Palmers had a daughter named Bertha

who attended Lane College

where she met and married Simon Alexander Haley.

In 1921

the Haleys welcomed a son

the seventh generation descendant

of Kunta Kinte.

That boy was me, Alex Haley.

And I never forgot those stories

which my Grandmother Cynthia told me.

And in 1963, after I had retired

from a career in the U.S. Coast Guard

I became obsessed with a desire

to know more about our family

more about its history.

It was a search that would take me

finally 12 years to complete.

And those things that I learned

I wrote in a book called "Roots."

[theme music]

[music continues]

[theme music]

[music continues]