Original subtitles

"Heads or Tails?"

A thrilling and true tale

by Buffalo Bill Cody.

Transcribed by J. W. Buel.

With the arrival of the steam engine,

the romance of the land fades into oblivion.

In this new world, bandits become heroes in the minds of the average boy

who longs to make his name known to the world.

You see, If a writer lends the magic of his imagination to the plain narrative...

...anything can transform into quite a story.

I met her at Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.

The greatest show of our time.

The crowd scatters,

in a cloud of dust, Buffalo Bill Cody emerges.

He fires one shot.

Our hero advances on the savage Sioux.

He fires two more shots.

Now upon the enemy,

he draws a knife to finish the deed.

The brave drops, lifeless.

He scalps him.

Shows it to his comrades and shouts,

"For Custer!"

That stupid son of a bitch.

This ends the uprising!

You're very kind.

What you have just seen is how America became

a land of opportunity.

God's brave men and women who paved the path

for civilization with their sacrifice,

America would not be the free,

united and powerful country it is.

I just can't breathe. This corset is too tight.

You finally look like a lady.

And remember to smile, dear.

America has possibility.

The possibility to better one's lot in life.

And the opportunity for every man and every woman

to become truly free.

Yes, friends, America is the land of freedom.

And now...

...we'd like to extend our sincere gratitude

to our generous hosts, the noble Rupè family...

...who, I'm told, are blazing a trail across this country,

much like the American settlers did.

Godspeed, and thank you.

And now, my dear friends, comes that bittersweet moment

when I must bid you arrivederci.

Before I do, I will leave you with this.

If you must shoot,

do not miss,

and always aim...

...for the heart.

Well, the taking of the scalp was revenge for Custer's death.

And it was deemed an appropriate act of war at the time.

But you asked if it was true. And I'd like to state, right here and right now,

unequivocally, everything in our show is absolutely true, down to the last detail.

And you can ask any Indian in the show and they'll tell you the same.

See, I've had quite a bit to do with the American Indian over the years.

I've tracked them, I've fought them, and I've tried to understand them.

I've also tried to be as fair to them as I could, given the circumstances.

Of course, our present circumstances find us

as a family here in this theatrical endeavor.

Very proud of that.

As a matter of fact...

I would like to turn things over to a dear friend of mine

who will speak to you herself.

She is a legend of the American West.

She's, in fact, the daughter of the great Chief,

Sitting Bull. May God rest his soul.

You won't find a better example of the nobility of her people

than Many Horses, who will speak to you now. My dear.

Is it all true?

Was it really so violent?

You speak inglese,

Well, let me ask you this, miss.

Is everything you say always true?

-Must be a terrible burden. -I do my best.

As do I. And the truth is, the American West

was much more violent than our little circus here. Terrible, in fact.

But sometimes terrible things must be done in the name of progress.

No great nation was ever founded without violence.

But is it glorious to win with blood?

What an interesting question.

You know, miss...

...if you don't mind my saying...

...I think you could be a star.

And I know how to pick 'em.

I don't know what it is, but you've got it.

But I think you need a different costume.

You don't seem comfortable in that one.

- I like it. It's just a little bit tight..

Bill. You met my wife.

French women talk too much.

- I see. Well, forgive me, sir,

but I do find your wife's curiosity very refreshing.

Enchanté, madame.

And speaking of refreshing, what say we go to the bar, shall we?

This way.

Very good. Now, as I was saying,

you know, people think they want the truth,

but what they really want is a good story,

and they're willing to pay good money for it, I can tell you that.

Whiskey doppio!

You know, they wanna come and hear a story

they want to hear about themselves.

And to see the finest cowboys on God's green earth.

Finest horsemen in the world.

Gracias.

Cowboys don't only exist in America.

My cowherders are the best in the world. Tell him.

The best cowboys in the world are in his stable.

Well,

I'm sure your Italian cowherders are quite special, sir,

but they wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance against my cowboys.

Want to bet?

Sorry?

I think he is challenging you. He loves to bet.

He loves to bet? You're gonna bet against my boys,

is that right?

Boys, you won't believe what I just heard!

You're gonna regret that bet, sir.

Can you imagine the temerity of it?

This fella here wants to bet against you.

Put these cowboys here in Italy up against you.

The sheer temerity of it!

I've never heard of anything so ridiculous in my whole life.

Hold on to that, slim.

Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. Sorry to interrupt the party,

but I've got $100 here

for anyone who thinks they can best

my cowboys at horsemanship.

It's a big bet for a big ride. Who is in?

-Thirty! -I can do that.

I don't want to mess with that action, that's for sure.

Look at this.

Is that enough? Or should I put more?

It's a sure win.

Okay. I can put more.

Easiest money.

Come on!

All right.

-Sure. -Use my horse.

Let's flip for it.

Heads or tails?

-Call it. -Heads.

Tails.

You asked for it and you got it. Our last big, unplanned act of the day.

-All right. -Here's how it's going to go.

There will be two six-men teams.

One team of Americans, one team of Italians.

Two wild horses. The best nag these Italians can provide...

...and an American mustang.

They must lasso...

...subdue, saddle and ride this wild beast

in the shortest time possible.

All right, boys, you ready?

Judging from the smell, you're counting on luck.

-Who's mounting today? -I am, sir.

Ma'am.

Quite a wild one there.

But don't you worry, we'll show those Yankees how it's done.

Maybe some other time.

Excuse me, sir. What do you mean by that?

You're a winner, aren't you?

Now and again.

Today, you do what I say.

You will fall.

With all due respect, half the county has bet on us.

You're wrong. I didn't.

Look at me.

Bravo.

I knew right away that you'd understand me.

You know what makes a true cowboy?

There we go! There we go!

It ain't luck, I can tell you that.

A cowboy must be tough, of course.

But he must also know the mind of a horse.

They must be brave and pure of character...

...because a horse knows a liar

without even seeing a man.

Ha!

Whoa, whoa.

A horse knows the true heart of a man

and sees straight through a wicked man.

A cowboy must be the champion of the weak...

...and be pure of heart.

He must have the strength of a man...

...but the innocence of a boy.

That is what defines a true cowboy.

Santino! Santino! Santino!

Santino!

An unlikely result. Congratulations.

Come on, boys, let's beat it.

Come on, let's go. Excuse me, ladies.

Santino! Santino!

Santino! Santino! Santino! Santino!

What are you doing here, ma'am?

My father was right.

You're nothing but a filthy whore.

Forgive me, I really tried to fall,

but it's not easy--

That was some show.

Are you proud?

Playing the hero in front of everyone.

Did it make you feel manly?

Look at me when I'm talking to you!

You and this whore...

...two pieces of trash that I pulled out of the mud...

What the...

You'd better get on the horse.

My mother gave me this gun.

I barely remember my mother.

What was she like?

She was beautiful.

She had class.

The kind of class a tart has, but still...

...real class.

And she always told me, "Nun, whore or wife."

She didn't have any other choice.

He was violent. I hated him.

I married him.

I made a mistake.

And how do you feel now?

Now I can breathe.

That means you did the right thing.

Want me to hang on to that?

No.

Well, I should get goin'.

The horse is yours. I'll walk.

Murder, folks.

Cold-blooded murder.

My son... was an honest man...

...and a gentleman of a husband.

A heroic soldier for the unity of the nation.

In fact, he was helping me

with the difficult task of reestablishing order

and enforcing the new Italian laws

in places that are in dire need of progress.

Deplorable places of moral decay.

Chasms of depravity.

Damned cockroaches.

Teresa.

I was saying...

...this incident, my friends, will not stop us.

The strikes weren't able to stop us.

Nothing and no one will stop the construction

of the new railway!

Sometimes, to put an end to the violence...

...you have to go back to the old laws.

See that? Trouble comes knocking

when you let your guard down.

- -Let's go before we end up like him.

Come on.

We will not tolerate anarchy

in this land of ours!

Therefore, a reward of 1000 gold coins

will be given...

...to whoever brings me the head,

the head of my son's killer!

Captain...

...Ercole Rupè.

You.

One last, one last family portrait.

Where are you taking me, cowboy?

Where do you wanna go?

-To America. -America?

America is far away.

We could go there, but what good would that do?

-Know anyone there? -Nobody.

So, you wanna go there and...

...live like scroungers?

There you can become whoever you want to be.

You can start over from scratch.

You can become famous like Buffalo Bill.

What do you say?

Nice.

What do you think?

Giddy-up.

What the heck?

Rosa.

Let's go.

Hop off.

Get lost. Ha!

Rotten bastard!

Son-of-a-bitch deadbeat!

He fooled us enough.

Well, with all due respect, sir...

...I can't help you.

You and my debauched son

made a mess with your bet,

and now he's dead.

Well, I did not kill your son.

"Buffalo Bill is an exploiter of the Indians,

a fraud, an impostor,

a shameless inventor of, of fairy tales,

a false hero, a scoundrel and a drunk."

Want me to go on?

That won't be necessary.

Now, a drunk, I would debate,

but the rest of it is bullshit and you know it.

-Good day. -Bill, you're not out of fashion...

...yet.

What do you want from me, Mr. Rupè?

I want you...

...to bring that woman back to me.

Bring her to me,

and every damn newspaper in this country...

...will have your name on the front page.

"Buffalo Bill catches the bastards...

...and saves... the dame."

Not bad. Not bad.

Not bad at all.

Yes, that might make a very fine tale.

Well, I hate to spoil the love story, Johnny,

but it's time to saddle up. We're back in the money.

Miss.

The outlaw had dragged his prisoner to a malarial swamp...

...to try and hide their tracks.

But such evasions can't fool a great tracker.

I have faced gators, timber rattlers, snapping turtles and more,

lurking in similar muddy waters.

Careful where you step or you'll sink.

Are there snakes here?

Even coots stay clear of this place.

What?

Never mind.

And though the land may be different...

...the spirit of this expedition remains the same.

With the courage and conduct that only the gallant possess...

...we set forth...

...to save our Rose.

Wait.

Who are we to stop frogs from singing?

You should take off your boots.

Damn it!

Get lost, you evil-omen buzzard!

What are you doing?

Making the bed.

How do you get to America?

What?

To America.

How do you get there?

It's not like you can swim there.

Then how?

How should I know?

By ship?

And you, have enough money for the ship?

Then what do we do, walk there?

At this rate, it'll take us forever.

Did you have a bad dream?

Me too.

But I can't remember it.

Damn it!

What's wrong?

I'm tired.

We've been walking for four days. My feet hurt.

I'm hungry, thirsty, I can't sleep at night.

It's too cold to sleep.

I can't take it anymore.

Why aren't you saying anything?

My feet are in pain too, you know?

So does my back.

So, what do we do?

You stay here, I'll go.

-You're leaving? -Yeah.

Are you stupid?

What'd you say?

What'd you say?

I don't understand what you want.

I just need a place to sleep, at least for one night.

Here, have some wine.

Here you are.

What happened to Arpini?

He's dead.

He's dead? He never worked a day in his life. How'd he die?

He wanted to go to Mount Casella, and, and after that,

he was never seen again.

He must have been eaten.

By the wolves.

Is there somewhere we could sleep tonight?

Yeah. I got the stable.

What are you staring at?

I've seen you before.

No, I don't think so.

No, you never saw her.

Yeah, yeah, I've seen you.

-Impossible. -I've never seen you before.

Well, yeah, I've seen you before.

Your friend's a strange one.

Nah, his head is just a little off.

Because he's always alone.

Tending to the animals. Poor guy.

'Cause people like us spend more time...

...with animals than people.

But you're not like him.

Why's that?

Because your eyes are bright and your heart is light.

I like it when you look at me.

What do you want from me?

The moment I saw you, I knew you'd take me away.

Promise me we're going to America.

Promise me.

Promise me.

Leaving me like this.

Dumping me here.

In style, my ass.

I'm leaving on my own, you two-bit son of a bitch!

No.

No, no. Turn.

Turn this way.

Easy, easy.

Be good.

Where are you taking me?

- Why are you stopping? What are you doing?

"The Prefect of the Province of Rome offers 1000 gold scudo

for the capture of Santino Menenti,

murderer of Ercole Rupè and kidnapper of his widow."

I wish it would rain. At least we'd feel the water.

Instead, there's nothing but sun and wind.

Not a single sparrow.

I want a mountain with nobody on it.

That would be bliss.

Ey.

I get it.

You don't talk much.

Not much talking within these walls as it is.

Except for the guard.

Once he starts, he never shuts up.

Shut up or I'll give you a whipping.

What's your name?

-Santino. -You can talk.

Del Monte Giovanni, known as Zecchino.

Born in Grotte, son of the late Domenico del Monte and Carmina Sterpa.

And you?

-Why are you in here? -Who knows?

So many innocent people in prison.

Why do they call you Zecchino?

Johnny! Look here.

You walked right past that. You see that twig?

That's a broken twig. You know what that means, don't you?

That means they walked right through here.

Now, every single thing on the ground is a clue for us.

There, look closer.

Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there.

See that, Johnny?

Lot of hidden truths out here. Write that in our journal.

Folks will think we're damn poets when they read it.

Mark my words, boy, this is gonna be quite a story.

Hell, might be the finest dime-store novel ever written!

True bravery is not the lack of fear...

...but the strength to keep going in spite of it.

So, be the hero of your own story.

Just like Buffalo Bill Cody.

Who's that? Can't I eat in peace?

I'm Captain Rupè's wife.

What the heck does she want?

You are not allowed to be here.

This man killed my husband.

He is about to be executed. His days are numbered.

I have to speak to him now. Open this door.

-What? -I said open the door.

-Open this door! -No way.

-Open this door right now! -Look--

-Stop it. Look-- -Don't touch me!

Don't! Don't touch me.

Open the door.

Lower the pistol.

Open the door or I'll shoot you.

Really? You're gonna shoot a guard?

You don't believe me?

Shoot him! Shoot now!

You whore.

Come on, boys, let's grab everyone!

Good morning, everyone!

Quick, move!

- Go, go! We don't have much time!

Come on, let's move your butt!

-God damn it. -Come on.

What are you doing here?

Come on.

You too.

What are you doing here? Hurry up!

Rosa.

Hurry up.

Santino Manenti!

It's you?

Fabri, give it here.

You're much more handsome than I imagined.

Your act has created a lot of expectations among the comrades.

-I really didn't do anything. -What do you mean, nothing?

No, nothing.

Okay. So, who are you?

I'm an exile from Argentina.

-And many other countries too. -I bet.

With my comrades, we're all forming a group

to organize an uprising...

...against all of those oligarch sons of bitches

who bust our balls!

That's great.

But I'm afraid I can't help you.

What do you mean?

You are the one who pushed the comrades into battle.

You gave us confidence.

You're the face of the revolution.

Three cheers for Santino!

Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!

Rosa, come on.

Rosa.

He's famous.

-Why were you in jail? -Me? I'm innocent.

I swear.

Rupè says that the newly-built nation

has to be held together with weapons and railways.

Fuck Rupè.

Maybe we should invite the Rupè family

to dinner with some fine wine

and kindly ask them if they'll give us their trains.

So we can divvy them up fairly.

Beautiful. Mwah!

Come along. Come here with me.

Look at this. Look at this face.

Beautiful. Beautiful.

Look at them, Santino.

You have the power to mobilize the masses.

Them, us.

- Rosa-- -Rosa's fine. She's here.

Don't worry? Come along. Come with me.

You are the flag of our revolution.

Look.

Look here.

Our weapons.

New. Never been used.

The railway isn't our salvation.

It's a chain, and we have to break it.

That's why we're occupying it.

The train, it's ours now.

And we need you now.

A picture.

To immortalize the moment.

Come on. Let's go.

Hold on.

Listen up.

Hey!

-Hey! -Don't you think he's a stud?

You wanted him all for yourself?

Your man's good?

Really talented.

No, no, stay. Come on, Santino!

Rosa. Rosa.

-Rosa, wait. -What are you doing?

-What am I doing? -What are you doing?

I was performing. Didn't you see?

What kind of man are you?

- -Look at you. You're just a fucking liar.

Well, who gives a shit?

The truth is, you've gotten a big head, and you like it.

-I like what? -That they're looking at you.

That you get applause.

That they shout your name. You like that, don't you?

Yeah, yeah, sure I do.

I like them applauding me for killing someone I didn't kill.

Actually, I killed him.

I know.

Well, why don't you go tell 'em?

Who'd believe you?

My face is on the reward poster.

-And that's my fault? -Sure is.

You used me.

You know you did.

To run away from your life.

And you ruined mine.

It's your fault I did it.

And you're envious too. Imagine that.

You're pathetic.

Hold on.

Go away.

Rosa.

Rosa, open up. Let's talk.

Don't you try to open this door.

It's all a lie. How can you not see it?

-Who do you think you are? -Nobody. Nobody!

You're nobody. You're nothing. You're not a hero, nothing.

They don't give a damn about you.

Yeah.

Dead drunk. Look at you.

You can't even stand up.

I don't know how I ever thought of running away with you.

You're right.

I'm not good with words.

I'm just a cowboy.

I don't even know where America is.

I don't even know who these people are.

I don't know a thing.

Please don't leave me out here. Open up.

You know I didn't use you! Good night!

Shit!

Get up! They're shooting at us!

We're under fire. Come on! This way!

Jacopo, you're with me.

Get down.

Come on! We gotta run!

God damn it!

Go! Go!

-Go! -Go, go, go!

Jump!

Jacopo is dead!

Viola! Viola.

-Viola, are you okay? -My hair is dirty.

Dirty? Don't touch it. Don't touch it.

No.

You sons of bitches!

Down!

Come on! Come on!

Go.

Let's go.

What a beautiful baby you have here.

What will his future be like?

And yours?

Here. Here.

Here.

There. There.

Yeah.

Here, here. Here you are.

Yeah, there.

Well?

Will you seize the opportunity

or will you let someone else decide your fate?

Look what you created.

Look what you brought into the world.

What will you make of it?

We sure pulled a fast one on him.

What an inconvenient place.

Well, now, isn't this dreamy?

-Table with an ocean view. -Butler, more caviar.

You've become a marquis.

And you're a count.

Call me "Sir."

What, you're not drinking?

Drink! Drink!

Drink up.

We got a fortune in our hands, brother.

Thousand gold coins.

Sure, you could have cut it a little better.

-What am I, a butcher? -Look at this.

-Got a nasty head, brother? -Jeez.

And our hero did well.

Just imagine their faces when they find the body.

Hey, I got myself a canary.

Put it down. It's valuable.

Good morning, sweetheart.

We got a pretty little goat.

I like goats like you...

...who wag their tail when they see me.

Look at me.

You know what they call me?

Thirty Vices.

But you'll make 31.

Knock it off!

Did you fall in love?

Take her. She's all yours. But I'll keep the head.

You think I'm some kind of idiot?

-Yeah, kinda. -No. Fucking stingy asshole.

We split it 50/50, that's the rule!

What are you talkin' about?

Then why didn't you cut it off?

You're chicken shit.

Let's make up, brother.

Brother crow...

...I'm looking for someone.

Can you help me?

Johnny, you won't believe what he just told me.

Shoo! Shoo!

Shoo!

Just get out of here.

They cut off my head like a snake.

I know, honey. It's hard for me too.

-You can't be talking. -I sure am.

Hey, don't leave me here.

I'm your Santino.

I don't wanna be eaten by crows.

But you're dead.

Yeah, I'm not feeling so good.

You don't exist.

Rosa.

Rosa, wait.

Rosa, please.

Look at me.

Look at me.

Don't leave me here.

Hey.

Come here.

Hey.

Come on.

Please.

If you'd listened to me, you wouldn't have ended up like this.

You're right.

If I'd known.

Your head is as thick as a marble.

We followed the bird's advice.

But what we discovered would make me question my very sanity.

Like the legend of El Muerto...

...he was left to roam for weeks as a warning to the other outlaws.

Some say his ghost still wanders the borderlands...

...when the moon is full.

Well, Johnny, we found most of him.

Crow was right.

Who else knows?

Nobody.

What are you doing?

-We have to destroy it! -Give it back to me!

-No, stop! -No, they can't know he's dead!

Just trust me.

They'll stick his head on a pike...

...and everything will collapse.

The legend, the revolution.

What revolution are you talking about? You're all alone.

What does a rich girl like you know about revolutions anyway?

You don't know anything about me!

You're selfish.

You only used him, that's all!

Coward!

Give it back, it's mine!

-Yours? -His head is mine!

Damn bitch, you bit me!

What are you, a dog?

What will you do with it?

He's dead.

Can't you see that?

-It's not true. -It's a head without a body!

What are you, loco?

It's not true. It's not true.

You loved him.

And he was handsome... yes.

But...

...I'm sure you'll meet somebody else?

Another man, you said?

Touch me and I'll shoot you.

Bullshit.

You shot...

...my balls!

The wind, the rain, the grind...

She had never slept under the stars before,

never walked this long without stopping.

A life for the strong, to be sure.

But damned if it ain't a life for the lonely as well.

You see, in the end, what are we left with?

Only the ones who touched our hearts.

Where exactly are we going, Rosa?

We have some water, but there's nothing here.

No peop--

God damn it!

We'll never get there.

It's a long walk.

Come on, pick me up, baby.

Think we can find a place to rest for a bit?

I sure do love clouds.

I never told you before.

In the end, this is all we need,

snuggling up together while looking at the sky.

Nothing more.

What a great trip we'll take, me and you.

It would've been better if I had legs, though.

But being together is what matters.

Right?

I don't understand anything anymore.

I know how you feel.

I'm talking about you.

About me?

But it's you talking to me, love.

Just shut up, then.

Shut up. Don't talk. Shut up!

I'm going crazy.

I know you're mad at me.

I'm sorry.

Why did you leave me alone?

-I didn't. -Yes.

No.

I'm here.

I don't wanna see you anymore.

Are you sure?

Howdy!

Did you really think I wouldn't find ya?

You must be dreaming.

Johnny, go gather some firewood.

Look at you.

You must be cold.

The jig's up, mademoiselle. You're safe now. You're with old Bill Cody.

You know, miss...

...the more I think about it...

...the more I think

there must have been something more going on

between you and that cowboy than people realize.

Because...

...you wouldn't have gotten this far being an uncooperative hostage.

But here's the good news.

I won't mention it.

Not to your father-in-law, not to anyone.

If you come back with me, you can tell them any story you want,

and I'll...

...I'll return you to your life of comfort.

It looks like the fellow that killed your husband has already paid the price.

This is the perfect ending for the story, isn't it?

I'm not going back.

I won't let anyone take me anywhere anymore.

I killed my husband.

-And I will kill you if I have to. -Well, well.

You see, there is something about you.

I am impressed with you, miss.

Well, I must admit, you've got the jump on me right now.

But one of us, maybe both of us...

...maybe all three of us

are going to end up getting shot if this continues.

That's how these things tend to work out in my experience.

And I think that would be a shame. Don't you?

So, if you don't mind, I'd like to propose another option.

No, no, don't get jumpy.

What say we let fate settle this?

See, see, I'll flip this coin...

...and if it comes up heads,

well, we'll have ourselves a good old gun battle.

But if it comes up tails, we go our separate ways

and we pretend this little meeting never happened.

What do you say?

You rely too much on luck, Mr. Cody.

But is it ever righteous to win with blood?

You know, the interesting thing about heads or tails, miss,

is what you wish for while the coin tumbles through the air.

She felt she had it all.

An elegant home, a polite smile, a happy marriage.

But fate had others plans.

Her husband was gunned down in cold blood.

The gutless murderer by the name of Santo shot his boss and kidnapped his wife.

The oldest story of them all.

Now she gazed into her captor's devilish eyes

and saw the blood-red mouth of a lion.

She screamed, her cries so wild and frantic

that the entire grandstand rushed to see what had happened.

This delicate rose was taken...

...in a cowardly manner...

...against her will...

...plucked from her beautiful garden.

Look at these wretched cockroaches.

Disgusting.

There you go.

What is that?

Is it what I think it is?

Bravo.

Bravo.

The reward.

I want the money.

Right.

You're still the same old whore, right?

Like you.

Come on, the money.

Come on.

What are you gonna do next?

How far do you think you can go?

Yeah, sure, take it.

No, girl.

You won't get far anyway.

I'll find you.

I killed your son.

You're already dead anyway.

Now I know how this story ends.

I have to say goodbye to my fantasy.

It seemed like a good idea to me, that America thing.

What a way to end up.

May your journey be peaceful...

...cowboy.

It was nice running away with you.