Original subtitles

- ♪ I see a land ♪

♪ With liberty for all ♪

- ♪ Yet still I know ♪

- ♪ The truth will rise and fall ♪

- ♪ Ooh yeah ♪

♪ That's just the way it goes ♪

- ♪ A word now to the wise ♪

♪ The world was made to change ♪

♪ Each day is a surprise ♪

♪ I'm looking at life through my own eyes ♪

♪ I'm searching for a hero to idolize ♪

♪ Feeling the pain as innocence dies ♪

♪ I'm looking at life through my own eyes ♪

- ♪ I'll take my heart into battle ♪

♪ Give that freedom bell a rattle ♪

♪ Get my independence signed ♪

♪ Declare it on the dotted line ♪

♪ Let Philadelphia freedom ring ♪

♪ And patriotic voices sing ♪

♪ Red white and blue never give up ♪

♪ You represent America ♪

- ♪ Hoping and praying for a brighter day ♪

♪ I listen to my heart and I obey ♪

♪ How can I see it any other way? ♪

♪ I'm looking at life ♪

- ♪ Looking at life ♪

- ♪ Through my own eyes ♪♪

♪♪

(man) - Here are some exciting scenes

from today's episode of "Liberty's Kids."

(girl) - Maybe you should do something useful

and join my father's regiment

instead of trying to write about it.

(boy) - Reporting on what's happening in the war

helps us pull together.

(girl) - And fighting in the war helps us win.

(man) - Since Congress has now made it clear

that it does not consider it in the best interest

of the United States of America

to promote me to major general,

my only honorable course of action is to resign.

♪♪

(horse galloping)

- Caesar, how'd you like it if Moses forced you

to write a story about some unsung hero of the Revolution?

What could be so great about this Ludington guy?

(Caesar nickering)

I'm glad you agree with me.

Come on!

I'm starving.

(Caesar whinnying)

I hope dinner's on the table.

(girl) - Stop right there.

State your business.

- Uh, this must be the wrong house.

I'm looking for Colonel Henry Ludington.

- I bet you are.

- James Hiller?

- Yes.

- Welcome.

I'm Henry Ludington.

This is my daughter, Sybil.

- Good to meet you, Mr. Hiller.

- Likewise... I'm sure.

(Caesar neighing)

♪♪

♪♪

(boy) - Pass the bread, please.

I'm so hungry.

(boy) - This bread is delicious.

(girl) - Please pass the potatoes.

- James, I expected you'd be famished from your trip.

- I was.

- There will be action for you to cover soon, James,

now that spring is upon us.

- In the meantime, father's militia

protects Patriots from Tories.

The lobsterbacks hates him.

- Father's got a price on his head.

- And 300 English guineas.

(boy) - Dead or alive.

- It's a reward I swear will never be collected.

- No wonder you were suspicious of me.

(Henry) - How do you wanna pursue

your story, James?

We'll help you anyway we can.

(James) - First, I'd like to interview you, Colonel.

Then I guess interview one of your men

who saved someone from a Tory.

- Interview?

What for, Mr. Hiller?

- So I can write about what they've done.

- Why?

- I'm a journalist.

I let people know what's happening in the war.

- But why aren't you fighting?

- What I'm doing is important, too.

- Hmm.

(Henry) - This being planting season,

James, my militia men have scattered to their homes.

You'll take him to see

Alexander Siler tomorrow, Sybil.

♪♪

(Sybil) - Yes, Father.

(girl) - You don't suppose he's not here, Mrs. Adams?

- Benedict Arnold not present for a ball

thrown in his honor?

No, I expect we'll find General Arnold...

(man) - Ladies and gentlemen...

- ... there.

- ... General Washington and I need men,

and we need them now.

They needn't be soldiers; I will make them soldiers.

(man) - Fine words.

(man) - Bravo, Mr. Arnold.

- Mrs. Adams and Ms. Phillips.

- General Arnold.

- What a delightful surprise.

I beg you'll excuse us a moment, Mrs. Knox.

My friends.

I have hoped our paths would cross again, Ms. Phillips,

away from the field of battle.

- I'm afraid Sarah's told me

of the disrespect you received from our own soldiers

at Fort Ticonderoga.

(Benedict) - We took the fort, ma'am.

Nothing else matter.

- Mrs. Knox, I've been looking all over for you.

(Sarah) - Where do you expect fortune

to take you next, General?

(Benedict) - Philadelphia perhaps.

(Sarah) - I too will be headed there soon.

(Benedict) - I have enemies there I must face.

(Mrs. Adams) - How far from the city

are General Howe and his army?

(Benedict) - Not the British, Mrs. Adams.

I'm speaking of Congress.

- Whatever do you mean, General?

- Congress has seen fit to promote

five patently unqualified men above me

in the military chain of command...

against the wishes of Washington himself,

who has written them on my behalf!

If they do not correct this grievous affront,

I shall to Philadelphia!

Because, ladies, my honor is at stake.

And in matters of honor...

I simply cannot compromise.

(man) - Well said.

(woman) - A true gentleman.

- I'm sure, General, that you will receive satisfaction.

(Sarah) - There must be a mistake.

Of course Congress will show its appreciation

for the work you've done for your country.

(Benedict) - Ms. Phillips,

tomorrow I leave for New Haven

in the house of my sister Hannah.

- Oh...

- My friend.

It is on the way to Philadelphia

I would be honored if you would be our guest there.

Then, if you wish,

you might accompany me to the Capitol.

- I think it's a wonderful idea.

- What do you say?

- I would be delighted, General.

If you will permit me to write your story

for Dr. Franklin's "Pennsylvania's Gazette."

(man) - Mrs. Knox!

And what about that dance, hey?

- I suppose that would be acceptable.

♪♪

(Sybil) - Watch me, Derek.

Under two fingers of loosely packed dirt.

There, you're helping feed your family.

Sorry.

What's wrong, Mr. Hiller?

- This is boring.

There's no story here!

(thundering)

- Then maybe you should do something useful

and join my father's regiment

instead of trying to write about it.

- I don't need you to tell me how to be useful.

- Obviously you do.

- Reporting on what's happening in the war

helps us pull together.

- And fighting in the war helps us win.

(thundering)

- That's it.

- Where are you going, Mr. Hiller?

- To pack.

I'm going back to Philadelphia in the morning.

To find a real story.

- Please don't let Mr. Hiller leave, Sybil.

- Hmm!

♪♪

(thundering)

- Since Congress has now made it clear

that it does not consider it in the best interest

of the United States of America

to promote me to major general...

my only honorable course of action

is to resign from the Continental Army.

Dearest Hannah...

please have my uniform pressed by morning.

(thundering)

- General... although this is good for my own country,

I'm truly sorry.

(thundering)

(wind whistling)

(banging)

- General Arnold?

- Yes.

- 1,500 redcoats are landed at Compo Point.

A bunch of Tories are with them.

General Wurster thinks they're heading for Danbury.

(thundering)

- Tell Wurster I am coming.

(Sarah) - General, may I come along to report on--

- Stay here.

- Hmm.

(thundering)

- Come, children.

I hope the rain stops so you can leave tomorrow, Mr. Hiller.

- You and me both.

(knocking)

- Lobsterbacks, Colonel.

Running wild in Danbury.

- Come in and get dry.

(man sighing)

Must have my militia here immediately.

But who will gather them?

- I'll gather them.

- It's a 40-mile loop in the dark and rain, Sybil.

You're just a girl.

- You must stay here to lead them when they arrive.

We have no choice.

It's the only way, Father.

- I wish, my dear, you weren't right.

- How do I get to Danbury?

(horses neighing)

(wind whistling)

- The men must come right away, Sybil.

- Yes, Father.

- By dawn at the latest, if we're to get there in time.

(horse neighing)

- James?

- I have to see what's happening in Danbury.

I'll see you there, Colonel, where I'll report back.

(Caesar neighing)

- Be careful, Sybil.

- I will, Father.

- You too, James.

(thundering)

(man) - I'm coming, I'm coming.

Sybil!

What are you doing out?

- No time, Edmond.

Danbury's under attack.

Ride east and tell Robert, Israel, and Paul

to be at the colonel's by dawn.

- Will do, Sybil.

- Hee-yah!

(horse neighing)

- Ahh!

Whoa!

(Caesar neighing)

Easy, boy!

Oh no.

♪♪

(horse neighing)

(James) - "The town of Danbury is ablaze.

"No, truly not the whole town.

"The redcoats are sparing Tory homes.

(glass shattering)

"How do they recognize those homes?

"In the Bible, the story of Passover

"tells how the Israelites marked their doors

"so the Lord would know to spare their firstborn.

(horse neighing)

(man screaming)

"The Tories of Danbury have painted stripes

"on their chimneys...

"... so the British soldiers know

to spare their homes the torch."

(Sarah) - "General Arnold's passion

"has forced him back into the fight.

"It is a passion for freedom

"shared by so many of his countrymen.

"But Benedict Arnold has a passion

"for more than freedom.

"It is a passion for honor and for glory.

Maybe even for battle itself."

♪♪

(James) - "Not content with setting fire to their homes,

"the British insist on terrorizing

the citizens of Danbury, too."

(man) - Ready!

Take aim!

(Sarah) - "Arnold's is a passion

that maybe even victory cannot satisfy."

(men shouting)

(James) - "The British have decided not to carry

"American armaments away with them,

"but to destroy them.

(glass shattering)

"Yes, they can destroy our arms,

"but surely...

"... they will never destroy the spirit

"which I have witnessed in the likes of

Colonel Ludington and his daughter."

I've got to warn the Colonel!

(wind whistling)

♪♪

- Oh my...

(wind whistling)

(horse neighing)

- Men, we ride to meet General Arnold

and the redcoats!

(all cheering)

James, I know you wanna report on this action, son,

but we need your horse.

- Yes, sir.

- Come, friends.

Let us repay the British for their want and destruction

of our neighbors' property, homes, and lives.

We must meet Arnold

before the lobsterbacks reach the coast.

Hee-yah!

(horses neighing)

♪♪

(bird squawking)

(cow mooing)

(wind whistling)

(Sarah) - Having completed their task

of destroying half of Danbury,

the British soldiers were off to meet their ships

to return to New York headquarters.

- Fire!

(all shouting)

Fire!

(Sarah) - "The British did take Danbury..."

- On!

(Sarah) - "But General Arnold and his men

chased them all the way back to the coast."

(men shouting)

"Only the arrival of the Royal Marines

"saved His Majesty's soldiers from complete destruction.

"General Arnold lead his soldiers in the round

"and nearly perished in the process.

Let Congress dare deny the general his promotion now."

(crickets chirping)

- "Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh,

"and upon Egypt;

afterwards he will let you go hence."

- Pardon me, James, but your dispatch

from Danbury is stirring.

- Thank you, sir.

I came to write a story about unsung heroes of the Revolution

and got more than I bargained for.

- I should say so.

I feel quite as if I witnessed these

awful events myself.

- I want my readers to be as angry as I was

when I was in Danbury.

Maybe it'll help them realize how important

our fight for freedom really is.

- James, I expect it will do just that.

(crickets chirping)

♪♪

♪♪

(twig snapping)

(Sybil gasping)

- Father!

Tories in the woods.

Armed.

- How many?

- About 20.

- 20?!

- They're surrounding the house.

- The reward for capturing you.

- Run, Father, run!

- Children, upstairs.

You too, girls, James.

I'm going to face them.

- I'm not going.

I know how we can get an entire regiment

into the house right now.

- What?

How many?

(man) - Too many.

- I think I hear them leaving.

- Keep marching.

We might have to do this all night.

Just to be sure.

I said they'll never get you, Father.

- Ms. Ludington.

- Yes, Mr. Hiller.

- You know that story I'm writing about

unsung heroes of the Revolution?

(Sybil) - Yes, Mr. Hiller.

- With your permission, I would like to

write it about you.

- Mr. Hiller.

- Yes, Ms. Ludington.

- I suppose that would be acceptable.

(crickets chirping)

♪♪

♪♪

(Benedict) - "Although you the Congress

"have finally seen fit to promote me

"to the rank of major general,

"you have failed to return to me

"the seniority my actions merit.

"Therefore, conscious of my own rectitude,

"I hereby resign from the army

of the United States of America."

- Please, sir.

You're the finest field general we have.

- Should my country need me

and were my proper rank restored,

I would gladly lay down my life for my country.

- General, please accept my sincerest thanks

for your companionship.

I shall never forget our time together.

- Ms. Phillips, your company has been

one of my few joys these past months.

I've come to think of you almost as a daughter.

I do hope we will meet again.

- I fear for my friend, Moses.

(Moses) - General Arnold? Why?

- Sometimes I think he's destroying himself

with his own bitterness and anger.

- Hello, all.

- James.

- Mon ami!

(James laughing)

- Hi, Sarah.

- It's so good to see you, James.

I've read your dispatches.

You and I nearly crossed paths in Connecticut.

- That's some fine work you've been sending us, James.

- Thanks, Moses.

Wait 'til you see the story I'm working on now.

- Is it a story of a great military hero,

like Sarah's about General Arnold?

- No, Henri.

It's about a different kind of hero.

And I can finally call her a friend.

♪♪

- ♪ I'm looking at life through my own eyes ♪

♪ I'm searching for a hero to idolize ♪

♪ Feeling the pain as innocence dies ♪

♪ I'm looking at life through my own eyes ♪

- ♪ I'll take my heart into battle ♪

♪ Give that freedom bell a rattle ♪

♪ Get my independence signed ♪

♪ Declare it on the dotted line ♪

♪ Red white and blue never give up ♪

♪ You represent America ♪♪