Original subtitles

IN PURSUIT OF HONOR

The climax of the Bonus Army's two-month siege...

...Is rapidly developing in the shadow of our nation's capital.

Since early June, nearly 18,000 veterans...

...of the Great War of 1917, many homeless and starving...

...have been camped with their families on Anacostia Flats...

...demanding payment of their promised soldiers' bonus.

Today, one policeman and one Bonus Marcher were killed...

...In skirmishes with local police...

...prompting President Hoover to order the U. S. Army...

...under the leadership of General MacArthur...

...to remove the veterans.

Fifteen hundred federal troops. a combined force of Infantry, cavalry...

...and the newly-formed armor division...

...have responded to the President's call to put an end to the veterans' rebellion.

General, any thoughts about gong against former soldiers?

Watch me.

We want what's coming to us.

WE DEMAND IMMEDIATE PAYMENT OF THE BONUS

Regimental Sergeant, break out the colors!

Major Hardesty, sir, I think they know what army it is.

Do as ordered without insubordination, Sgt. Libbey.

Break out the colors!

In line right and halt!

Draw!

Sabers!

I gave an order, Sergeant.

Your order goes against my conscience.

These men served with us in France.

They're only asking for what they were promised.

This is mutiny, Sgt. Libbey.

You're under arrest, mister.

You and these men, return to post.

Under your own recognizance.

Advance!

The attack Is on. General MacArthur Is In command.

The Army of the United States Is attacking Its own veterans|

Their camps are being destroyed|

This Is a national disgrace...

...one of our country's darkest hours...

TEXAS

Damn it.

Are you okay?

What do you think you're doing?

I was walking.

The roads are for automobiles!

Yeah, if you got one.

You look okay to me.

Where are you headed?

Down to the border.

Get in the car!

What?

I said, "Get in the car," idiot!

There's a dust storm.

Much obliged.

Marsh Buxton, ma'am.

Only my good friends call me an idiot.

Jessica Stuart, and I'm not your good friend.

Kinda takes your breath away, doesn't it?

Cowboy soldier.

I should've guessed.

Excuse me.

Sir! Bachelor officers' quarters are the last building...

...at the left side of the drill field. Regimental HQ is in front of us.

Thank you, Private.

About the woman, sir.

Lady friends are off-limits at this time, sir.

With all due respect...

...she isn't my friend.

I'm Jessica Stuart, Private.

Stuart? As in Colonel Stuart, ma'am?

Holy Moses!

The commanding officer's daughter?

Kinda takes your breath away, doesn't it?

Let's see, you were fourth in your class at West Point...

...you speak three languages...

...and according to this, you're just about expert in everything.

I don't understand something. Why would they take a man so special...

...and waste him, send him out to a godforsaken place like this?

I don't...

Now I understand!

Listen!

Maybe you'd like to enlighten me...

...as to this incident here...

...of you striking an officer at your last post.

It was a soldier's fight, sir.

He was abusing his horse...

...and I stopped him.

Did you win?

Yes, sir, I did.

Let me ask you a question.

You have trouble with authority?

Yes, sir.

You'll have no trouble with authority here.

Let me explain that to you, all right!

The cavalry's in enough trouble now. Discipline...

...is critical to our morale...

...and essential for survival, yours and mine, understood?

You'll carry out your orders and you'll do them smartly.

And if there's one iota of insubordination in your eyes...

...you'll face charges!

-Am I understood? -Yes, sir.

-Can't hear you. -Yes, sir!

That's much better.

Okay.

Now, since you're attached to the 12th...

...and I had the honor of serving with your father...

...I'm gonna have Sgt. Rutherford...

...amend your records.

Then, you'll be able to start here with a clean slate.

Thank you, sir.

Dismissed.

Jessica.

Father.

Back, back...

'Evening, Mr. Quinlain.

'Afternoon, Top.

You got that stud working for you good, Tom.

He's coming along.

Hello, Ahab.

-'Afternoon, sir. -Gentlemen.

-Master Sergeant Libbey. -Marshall Buxton.

May I present Sgts. Quinlain and Mulcahey?

-Pleasure, sir. -It's an honor, sir.

I've been assigned officer in charge of remounts and stables.

Regulations call for a quartet of horses for each man.

These all the horses we have?

There's a few more.

Sgt. Quinlain, sound the recall.

They're still grazing, sir.

By any chance, would you be...

...related to a Thomas Buxton, sir?

He was my father.

May I say, sir, that he was one hell of a fine horseman.

The best, sir.

God love him.

Seems like everyone in the cavalry knew him.

We wasted the better part of our youth in the Mexican campaign.

Wasted? Hell, they got the Medal of Honor at the same ceremony.

It was a sight to behold, sir.

What are you doin' here?

It's a long story about a quick decision.

An old cavalry trick, sir.

A soldier got separated from his mount...

...a bugle call would bring him back, on the double.

Goddamn it, Quinlain! Is this some kind of a joke?

Sgt. Shattuck...

...can I introduce Lt. Buxton?

Pleased to make your acquaintance, sir.

Every officer can choose his own mount, sir.

But personally...

...I favor that sorrel mare.

Hey, get a load of this!

What's going on here?

Not Hardesty.

John.

Owen.

This is a surprise.

They didn't tell me it was gonna be you.

I wasn't notified until 10 days ago, myself.

This is my ADC, Major Forrest.

I'd like to be shown to my quarters now.

I'll take formal command at 09:00 tomorrow morning.

So, that's the future.

I feel like an idiot.

I don't think I've ever seen you out of uniform.

I haven't worn one of these...

...in years.

You look handsome.

Darling, I am a soldier...

...and it hurts me that you...

...disapprove of it.

I don't disapprove of you, I'm proud of you.

Sure, because I'm out of uniform.

I don't hate the Army.

It's the systematic stupidity of it that galls me.

I'm glad you write for the newspapers...

...'cause you got enough opinions...

...to choke a horse.

Sir!

You don't have to do that, I'm not in the Army anymore.

Sir, we'd like you to have the Villista standard...

...that we captured at Carrizal.

But I wasn't there...

...I was at Guerrero.

Yes, sir...

...and if you hadn't been at Guerrero...

...not a man in our unit would've walked out of Carrizal alive.

Sir.

It's been an honor, sir.

Thank you.

Miss Stuart.

Colonel.

Goodbye, sir.

If you're ever down Tucson way, drop in...

...and say hello to an old war-horse.

Thank you, sir, I will.

Stay out of the brig, Mr. Buxton.

I'll do my best, Miss Stuart.

Gentlemen...

...in compliance with War Department orders...

...the 12th Cavalry is to be incorporated with the 23rd Infantry.

I'll expect utmost cooperation from all officers and men.

I will brook no slackness within my command.

Additionally, by Special Order AG 474.71: "Subject: Salary.

"Salaries to all enlisted personnel, including officers...

"... shall be reduced 15 percent, henceforth.

"Special Order AG 474.72: Subject: Saber.

"The saber is discontinued as an item of issue to the cavalry. "

Finally...

...it has been directed by Chief of Staff General MacArthur...

...that in these times of increasing economic hardship...

...the cavalry is to dispose of excess horses.

With the cooperation of the Mexican government...

...these remounts will be driven across the border...

...to be thereby disposed of, two days hence.

Lt. Buxton, you will be in charge of this exercise.

Details will be worked out with Sgt. Gruber.

I'm sorry, gentlemen.

Army is the whipping boy of Congress.

Our supporters are either in insane asylums...

...or the movies.

Major Forrest, dismiss them.

Ten-hut!

Dismissed!

Sir!

I request permission to be excused from this detail, sir.

Request denied.

Sir!

I cannot, in good conscience, be part of it, sir.

Cannot?

You'll do as ordered, mister, or face a goddamned court-martial!

Your conscience be damned!

May I see your written orders?

-You may not. -Is there a written order, sir?

You're insubordinate.

Dismissed.

Hand it in, son.

Mr. Buxton! Lieutenant!

Better come quick, sir. It's Libbey.

Sergeant!

Sir!

Beg pardon, sir.

Go straight to hell.

You go to hell.

I'm already there.

There's nothing left.

No horses.

No cavalry.

No honor.

Goddamn it.

I hate what this world's becoming.

So do I.

Sergeant...

...carry on.

They should've been here by now, Sergeant.

Just a couple of minutes, sir.

Have these men fall back.

506 remounts, as requested and ordered, sir.

May I remind you, we're soldiers, not cowboys.

Cowboys use lariats, Mr. Buxton, soldiers utilize crops.

500 head are a lot to handle, sir.

The pit can handle only 100 at a time.

Instruct your men to divide them up and bring them in order.

Yes, sir.

Sgt. Gruber, prepare your men.

I'm not happy about this, Sergeant.

No, sir.

But then, we're cavalry, you're artillery.

There was a time when artillery depended on horses.

And they were properly retired to Fort Sill.

They weren't murdered.

I won't bandy words with you.

Carry on.

Let's cut out 100 of them and drive 'em down into the pit!

I hate to see this.

Platoon, lock and load.

Ready.

Take aim!

Fire!

God help us.

-We never even killed the enemy like that. -Shut up, Tom.

We gotta do something.

Like what? You got general stars on your collar?

Finish it, Sergeant.

1st Platoon, pick your targets and fire at will.

This ain't right, Top.

We can stop it, before they shoot any more.

Stop it, sir?

How?

By moving the remainder of the horses to safety.

Are you suggesting we steal the herd?

I suggest we take them into custody before they murder any more.

Take 'em where?

Away from those guns.

Goddamn it, I love those horses, but this smacks of insanity, sir.

That's insanity.

I suggest you decide now, Lieutenant.

Let's go. Tom!

Watch it!

What the hell do you think you're doing?

Saving the rest of the remounts.

-This is mutiny! -No, sir!

A cavalryman's first duty is to his horses.

Regulations specifically forbid...

...endangering their lives outside of enemy engagement.

This expedition is an illegal act by the War Department.

Illegal act?

Yes! Have you seen written orders?

As remounts officer, you're in charge of this!

I command the infantry.

It's also my belief, since I've seen no written orders.

I believe my first duty is to the horses.

Lt. Buxton, you've lost your wits.

Yes, sir.

Cut loose the machine guns now.

-No, sir! -Sergeant!

Have your men take possession of those guns!

Damn it, Jack, don't do this!

Now, we'll take possession of the remounts, sir.

This'll mean Leavenworth.

I will await the results of the court-martial, sir.

They have to be stopped!

Any suggestions as to how, sir?

Arrest them, damn it!

I doubt they'll submit, not without a fight.

I've known Jack Libbey 20 years.

Not a man I'd care to tangle with.

Damn them!

Yes, sir.

And you just let them go?

Begging the Colonel's pardon, we thought it was...

I'll remind you, Major, we're under War Department orders!

Where are they now?

They could be anywhere, but I think they'll held north.

North!

North indicates a vast area, Major.

North is all of America!

Sergeant.

Cable the details of this fiasco to the War Department requesting instructions.

Major.

Assemble the regiment.

I want "B" Troop patrolling the Mexican border.

The mechanized column will move north.

I want those men taken.

I want their hides framed and hanging on my wall!

Yes, sir.

May I speak, sir?

Be concise and constructive, Sergeant!

There's a lot of open country out there.

They know how to move quietly and cover their tracks.

Four hundred horses aren't easy to hide.

No, sir, but there's desert and canyonland to the north...

...and not many paved roads.

So, your vehicles will be worthless.

My vehicles will do quite well, mister.

They'll transport a squadron of your fine troopers to within striking distance...

...and you'll effect the capture of the renegades.

Yes, sir.

Colonel.

If they refuse to surrender, then shoot them.

The genie's out of the bottle, sir...

...we don't have the cork.

What now?

Tell you the truth, Sergeant, I haven't a notion.

What insane hell have we gotten ourselves into?

Trouble?

We've gotten ourselves into a lot of trouble.

Sir.

Col. Hardesty is bound to come after us.

And soon.

Head north by northwest.

Meet me at a place called Broken Hill. You know the spot?

I do indeed, sir.

And you?

If I ride hard, I can make Tucson by tonight.

I'll catch up with you sometime tomorrow.

Well, now.

We're out here, on our own, no plan.

An officer that couldn't lead flies to shit.

And Shawn here says, "Well, now... " like a priest.

That's one scared little lieutenant.

Let's not count him out...

...yet.

It's the tread. This tank's not going anywhere!

Move it!

I need to speak with your father.

Oh, God Almighty!

The Army has gone mad.

So, then, you and your men...

...you conspired to mutiny.

There were no written orders. I don't consider it mutiny.

May I remind you that you are an officer in the U. S. Army.

You have taken an oath to obey orders...

...whether they're written or not!

Sir.

Gen. MacArthur has decided that the cavalry is obsolete.

He may be right, I do not know.

When they muster the troops, they thank them and wish them well.

They don't march them behind the barracks and shoot them.

The cavalry is men and horses.

We have a tradition, and a duty to protect them.

They fight and die beside us, they deserve the same respect...

...and the same honor.

Well...

...it's a point of honor, all right.

Given the situation...

...if I was in your position...

...I hope to God I could do the same.

Stop gaping, woman!

Now, what's your plan?

Well, Hardesty is south.

I thought we might move north.

That's not a plan, that's a direction!

The truth is...

...with all due respect to the Army...

...nothing at the Point prepared me for this.

I don't know what rules apply anymore.

I was hoping...

...that you could help me.

I don't know what to do, sir.

First of all, sit down.

You've fallen out of the fold, that's for sure.

The War Department will give you little mercy.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur will give you none!

Now, you have to make a choice.

You can either fall back, or go forward.

Back is wrong, sir.

There you are.

That's your first, willful conscious decision.

And that's what makes a leader.

-You got a map? -No, I haven't, sir.

Here you are...

...one map...

...one compass...

...and that's about all the help you'll get.

-Thank you, sir. -Another thing.

Listen to Sgt. Libbey, he's a hell of a soldier.

I will, sir.

Lieutenant.

Good luck.

Thank you.

You're a damn boy scout, aren't you?

What do you mean?

Stealing 400 horses from the Army to save them.

You're out of your mind.

I don't exactly consider it stealing.

They were about to be destroyed.

I wish you luck, Lieutenant.

Thank you.

You'll need it.

You could've been more generous.

I gave him the best advice I could.

You gave him a map, and sent him on his way.

-What'd you want me to do, join him? -I don't know.

You can't just leave him out there.

I did everything I could do!

You're retired. Not dead.

-I know what I can do. -Sure, you're going to write your article.

You know what'll happen?

No publisher in the country will print it.

Gen. MacArthur will see to that.

You know MacArthur.

You go to him and tell him to stop this.

Come on, please, don't be ridiculous.

You just go ahead.

You write your article.

Let me...

...think about it.

Papa, there's lots of horses coming!

In a minute, son. I have a problem here.

Hell's bells, I can't see through all this steam.

Sure this is the right place, Jack?

It's Broken Hill.

Jack!

Shame, he gave up a damn good career.

We threw away a damn good retirement, didn't we?

Welcome back, sir.

You seem to know this country pretty well.

My father and I hunted here when I was a kid, but that's about it.

From here north...

...it's guess work, map work and a whole lot of luck.

North, sir?

We've got to keep moving, find a place to wait out the Army.

That's a bit like waiting out God, sir.

Can't be done.

North is either sparse and dry, or wet and cold this time of year.

North's as good a choice as any.

Travel at night, sir?

May I suggest that we travel by day as much as possible.

Make better time.

Good, then.

We'll leave in two hours, if you men are up to it.

We're not that old, sir. We just look like it.

Mulcahey, you and Quinlain and Shattuck tend to the horses, then get some rest.

What do you think Hardesty'll do?

I think if he finds us, he'll try to engage us.

I've never been in combat.

You have.

-Perhaps you're better qualified... -Beg your pardon, sir.

This is your detail.

I hope it doesn't come to combat, but if it does...

...there's nothing I can tell you that you won't learn in the first 5 seconds.

Sir, Hardesty's traveling nearly 30 miles an hour.

At that rate, they should engage them by nightfall.

Thank you, ma'am.

-Where do you think they are now? -Probably in the White Mountains.

And the Army?

They're probably running around the mountains looking for a paved road...

...trying to catch 400 horses they know nothing about.

How long since you were in Washington?

Washington...

I've been there eight or nine years ago.

The last time I was there...

...I was with your mother.

She loved army life.

But she hated to travel.

Mother did not love the Army. She loved you.

Same difference.

Big difference.

Are we going to go on for the rest of our lives...

...just butting heads?

Probably.

You're just like your mother.

No, I'm not.

I'm like you.

Hey!

I'll tell MacArthur you send him your love. How's that?

Easy.

Steady.

This is just the damn beginning.

We're pushing them too damn hard.

It's hopeless, goddamn it!

I'll let you know when it's hopeless, Mr. Shattuck!

Until then, we're moving north, hard and fast.

How many more die before that?

I don't know. Some will.

If you wanna quit, why don't you quit right now?

No, sir.

Well done, sir.

Damn it, it's going to cost us a day.

Capt. Novadin.

Proceed north across the river with the mounted troop.

Yes, sir. You'll remain here?

No. We'll move to the northwest.

We'll operate as a pincer, with the deserters between us.

You will locate them, drive them to us...

-... we'll bring this matter to a close. -Yes, sir.

Major, offload the horses!

Get these goddamned trucks turned around!

Break out the mounts!

Yes, sir.

Let's turn these trucks around.

I need a mechanic. This goddamn radiator's shot.

Fifty miles should take us just west of Rock Springs.

Address the Lieutenant.

Sir.

Dust, sir.

That's a mounted patrol.

They're at least 30 miles off.

So much for grazing the green pastures.

Let's get that herd moving.

Moving where, sir?

Up there, Mr. Quinlain.

We go up there. It's our only choice.

You heard him, boys. Let's go.

The General sends his apologies, but his schedule is full right now.

He can't be that busy.

You tell him I'll be back.

-I don't... -Tell him I will be back...

...tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that!

I want a word with that man!

It's a fascinating story! Why are you giving it to me?

There isn't a paper in the country willing to be the first to criticize MacArthur.

So, if I publish photos and file the story in London...

The press over here will have to pick it up.

Good boy, Ahab.

Indians!

How many?

A thousand or so.

I knew it. Where?

Montana.

What are you talking about?

The horses.

I don't follow your thought, Lieutenant.

The Sioux Reserve is right here...

...just below the Canadian border.

There are about 1,000 Indians on a lot of land.

They all love horses.

It's good grazing country, too.

Are you suggesting the cavalry give its horses to Indians?

That's exactly what I'm suggesting.

Don't that beat all?

Army'll go in and get 'em back.

That's the beauty of it.

By law, they have to be treated as a separate nation.

No federal troops are allowed on the reservation.

It's a fine plan, sir.

It's decided then: Indians.

The Indians riding cavalry mounts...

...my granddaddy'd never forgive me.

When you get to hell, don't tell him.

Beg pardon, Colonel.

These are my men.

You mind if I take a look?

I could get my ass handed to me for this.

They're pushing us, straight to Hardesty.

The main unit will be ahead.

Looks like they've got us all sewn up.

Nothing that's sewn, that can't be unsewn.

I just don't see any way around them.

Go back to your cavalry tactics manual.

Genghis Khan knew a trick or two.

You know what that means?

Yes, sir, I do.

Tonight.

Lead with the geldings. That way they won't nicker.

No mares, no warnings.

Let's get back.

-If they're ready and waiting? -And what if they shoot?

I mean, do we shoot back?

They're not the enemy.

Like hell, they're not.

It didn't stop them at Anacostia.

To them, we're deserters.

They're gonna be shootin' at us. I'm shootin' back.

We aren't shootin' back.

We just have to break through, and we're gone.

It'll take them time to regroup and follow.

We're in Montana now, we have a chance.

Unload your weapon, James.

You hear that? Everybody up!

-It's a stampede! -It's the horses!

Get up!

Sons of bitches!

-We did it! -Did you see that camp go down?

It's gonna take them soldiers days to regroup!

There's still a mounted patrol behind us.

Now they know where we are.

I suggest deliberate and steady going.

Take no chances and little forage, sir.

All right, Top.

Christ Almighty!

We'll have to close that wound or it'll take infection.

God!

Ready, Top?

Yes, goddamn it, do it.

The General will see you now.

It's been two weeks.

I'm getting calls, Owen.

Calls from a newspaper in London.

Today, I even got an inquiry from the Washington Chronicle.

Rumors are rampant.

The President is asking questions.

I'm to meet with him next week.

I hold you and your daughter responsible.

You always did blame somebody else when your plans failed.

I have to battle Congress and Roosevelt on a daily basis to keep this army alive.

I understand.

No, you don't.

Hitler's rebuilding the German army. Last month he met Mussolini in Venice.

There's talk of a pact.

C'mon now, it's peace time.

The Japanese are expanding into China.

War is around the corner, Owen. Modern war, and we're not ready.

I have nothing against the horses.

They've outlived their time.

They're soldiers to us. They go in battle with us, they get wounded!

Time and time again, they've saved our lives!

They're not worth what it costs me to feed them!

The Germans and the Japanese have tanks.

Good tanks, fine tanks, in great numbers.

We have 12.

Twelve tanks in the entire U. S. Army.

I can't afford a cavalry we can't use.

What about the men?

They're good men, just trying to do their duty.

Put yourself in their shoes!

But then, who would be in mine?

No, Owen, these soldiers of yours, these renegades, will be caught.

They'll face a general court-martial.

They'll be convicted and punished appropriately.

The horses will be destroyed as I have ordered.

This is a time of a great depression. The people need heroes...

No!

God help you when the public finds out about your actions! They'll devour you!

Even if they could, they wouldn't.

I'm General Douglas MacArthur.

The country needs me, and they know it.

You're dismissed.

General...

...I'm not in the Army, anymore.

Hut!

Lieutenant!

Lieutenant!

These six are finished.

Ahab's feet are split clean-through, Top.

They're finished.

They'll slow us down.

We can't compromise the herd.

Form them into a parade, and do it quick, before the 12th is on us.

Top?

Do not look to Top for confirmation! I gave a direct order.

Shit!

It had to come to this, didn't it?

At least we're not herding them into pits and slaughtering them.

Lieutenant!

I'll handle it.

We've got them, Sergeant.

Let's go!

I'll see you in hell, Ahab.

Let's move out.

Colonel!

They were sighted northeast of here.

My opinion is, they're attempting to cross at the Sioux Reserve.

We'll move to flank them.

Sir!

Move out smartly, Corporal.

Good move, Buxton.

Good move.

Montana.

I'll cable London.

C'mon, c'mon!

They cut 'em off.

Mulcahey, scout the left and southern flanks.

Whoa!

Get after them!

No!

Sergeant, I order you to stop!

Nothing more can be done for him now.

He was following an order.

My order.

You gave a soldier an order, he obeyed.

There's always a price.

We gotta keep moving, sir.

We got the 12th on our ass.

And we're flanked over there.

You think we could get past them to the reserve?

No, sir.

Then, it's Canada.

Canada?

We'll have to make a run for it and...

...pray there's no one at the border.

-Mount up! -What about Mulcahey?

If you want to give him a funeral, start digging.

Ready when you are, sir.

Corporal, organize a detail.

Prepare Mr. Mulcahey's body for transportation.

What are you doing? We have to keep after those men.

Take charge of it for proper burial.

This man was a renegade and a thief.

There's been no court, no review!

This man was a soldier!

We'll treat him with dignity.

You'll face charges for this.

If you wish to pursue and single-handedly capture them...

...I'm sure the War Department will commend you.

Not one of my men moves until this soldier's taken care of.

No sign of them.

How do you figure that?

It's Mulcahey. He took care of their horses better than anyone.

-They pay their respects and give us time. -You used a dead man!

Goddamn right, I did! And I'd do it again.

That'll be Hardesty coming to intercept us.

All right!

This is us. This is Milk River at the Canadian border.

This is Hardesty.

And the main body of the 23rd will probably cut us off here.

-I'm too goddamn old for this, Jack. -Quit.

The whole goddamned regiment's chasing us!

I don't even know what we're doing anymore!

You're free to back out, James.

You, too, Shawn.

With your permission, sir.

We traveled nearly 2,000 miles together.

If you men wanna stop now...

...you go ahead, no blame from me.

Christ on a crutch!

Hell, I've never been a quitter.

And neither is Shattuck.

Are ya?

No, I'll stick, you goddamn son of a bitch!

C'mon!

Well, then, let's go to Canada.

To the right is Milk River and the Canadian border.

That's the main encampment, over there. Two miles, I'd say.

They're in a good position. They'll move fast when they spot us.

I suggest we move slow, so we don't raise dust.

We'll rest the remounts for the final dash.

We might just make it.

Yes, sir...

...we might.

Good afternoon! This area's restricted.

We're the press, Corporal.

No civilians allowed.

This is Miss Jessica Stuart.

I'm Evan Buckley, a photographer for the London Tribune.

Please step out of the car, Miss Stuart.

I'm going to escort Miss Stuart to Col. Hardesty.

We'll have to detain you here, sir.

Am I under arrest, Colonel?

You're way off-limits here, Miss Stuart.

You will be detained until this exercise is over.

As for the deserters, we're ordered to shoot to kill if necessary.

That's official. From MacArthur himself.

Not many men get that order.

I have the privilege of attacking my own men, again.

Twice in one career.

You could choose to ignore it.

I won't.

I've been taught to obey and follow orders.

I will not do otherwise, Miss Stuart.

Being Army yourself, you should understand.

The chief of staff is building a new, modern army out of the ruins of the old.

This is insanity.

Certainly.

What would you have me do?

Give them a chance.

-File a protest with MacArthur. -I already have.

Then file another.

-I've sent a wire. -Wait for an answer.

I have my answer, Miss Stuart!

If you think I won't report this, then think again.

When you fire on those men, I will witness it and I will not be silent.

Corporal!

Keep Miss Stuart company.

Contact headquarters.

Advise them we have the renegades in sight and under the gun.

Mounties.

You think they're there to stop us?

No, they're waiting with cookies and milk.

A damned white flag?

Maybe they're surrendering.

You're outmanned and outgunned.

Looks like you've lost a good number of horses.

We can still save what's left.

You'd risk your life?

Your men's lives on a whim?

-They're on the table. -Christ, Jack.

We got four 75 mm howitzers on your flank!

-Orders are shoot to kill. -Give it up, man.

Stand the court. At least there's some honor in that.

We're not surrendering the horses.

You do whatever you have to do.

He's young and headstrong.

You and the others are just plain fools, Sgt. Libbey.

In your eyes, I suppose so.

Let's go!

We're pretty spread out for a dash...

...and it's gonna have to be a dash.

Spread out ain't so bad. Is it, Mr. Quinlain?

Not a bit.

Looks like I lead.

With your permission, sir.

Take the point, Sergeant.

Take the right flank, Shattuck.

I reckon we could take it from here, sir.

Meaning what?

Shattuck, Quinlain and me, we're kind of like the buffalo.

We've had our day.

We're lucky we lived this long.

But it doesn't have to end for you here.

You can turn back now...

...stand the court.

Hell, blame it on us.

I'd be honored to take the blame for any crime you committed.

Are you suggesting I relinquish command of this detail?

No, sir.

Good, then.

Carry on.

C'mon, Quinlain.

Hello, darlin'! Did you miss me?

Move it, move it!

My God.

All right, outta the truck. Let's go!

Adjust the guns.

Elevation?

-Forty degrees! -Range find!

One thousand yards!

-Elevation? -Forty degrees!

One thousand yards.

Elevation?

Forty degrees!

Colonel! Stop! They've been granted full pardon.

-By whom? -Roosevelt! Read it!

Before it's too late.

It's already too late.

Fire!

Fire!

Fire!

Well done, Sergeant.

They fired high and wide.

It would appear so.

Forrest never was much of an artilleryman.

Like hell.

Are we under arrest?

Have you broken a law in Canada?

We came over the river uninvited.

That you did. But I consider it a minor infraction.

What are your plans for the horses?

Only to keep them alive.

What about you, lads? You gonna make yourselves useful?

It'd be nice to have a new bunch of fellows to tell my lies to.

TO COL. OWEN STUART WAR DEPARTMENT COMMS OFFICE

MEN AND HORSES SAFE IN CANADA LOVE YOU DAD.

JESSICA.

I'm glad somebody else likes horses.

Well, we made it, sir.

Two thousand miles.

Another long story about a quick decision.

Where you headed?

I reckon I spent enough time in the Army.

I'm thinkin' about the Yukon, see what that looks like.

Alaska? Good God.

We've been heading north for so long, kind of hard to change direction.

And you?

You told me that you hated what this country was becoming.

I do, too.

I wanna help change it.

I'm gonna go back and stand the court.

I hope you kick their ass.

I do too, Top.

You take care, Jack.

You too, sir.

C'mon!

No animals were harmed during the making of this film.