Original subtitles

Come all you cowboys

Don't you wanna go?

After the Civil War, the Union Army was saddled

with thousands of Black soldiers they didn't know what to do with.

Come all you cowboys…

And after having known the horrors of war,

some of these soldiers didn't know what to do with themselves.

One of the hardest battles

Was there ever on the western plains…

Many chose the West and the life of the gun.

Some became Buffalo Soldiers,

fighting the Indian wars for the US Army.

Oh, the hardest battle…

And some legendary few…

Was there ever on the western plains…

…became lawmen.

Whoo-hoo! A toast, boys!

To the fool at Central City Bank who thought it was a good idea

to send $10,000 in gold through Hardway gang territory.

Huh?

Must've been the wind, boys.

Anyhow, as I was saying, to us.

The Hard--

Shit!

Boy, you're a dead man.

One day.

Until then…

I'm Bass Reeves.

Got a bounty for one man, Ned Hardway.

The rest of you disarm peaceably, you might live.

What happens if we don't?

That happens.

Ned Hardway, you're under arrest.

Uh, whi…

Which is Ned?

I only need the one.

Y'all work it out between you who get the bullet.

W-w-wait! You're looking for Ned, not us.

He's our brother.

I can kill one or both.

Choose.

You can't do this. You're a lawman.

Not a lawman. Bounty hunter.

No!

You'll pay for this, you Black bastard!

Well, shit.

Kill him.

Anybody wanna reconsider?

You got until I finish reloading this gun.

You go to hell, you lowborn coon. You're the one who better--

Time's up.

Down to our knees…

And pray to the God We don't believe…

Down to our knees…

And pray to the God We don't believe…

Six in the morn' Fire in the street

Burn, baby, burn That's all I wanna see

You, you, you, you, you

And sometimes I get off Watchin' you die in vain…

They may say I suffer From schizophrenia or somethin'

But homie, you made me…

Black don't crack My nigga, my nigga, my nigga…

Huh.

Do hold still.

I… I was just thanking you for saving my life.

Hmm.

It ain't saved yet.

Jubal, Earl, this is for you.

Get down!

You hate me, don't you?

You hate my people Your plan is to terminate my culture

You're fuckin' evil

I want you to recognize That I'm a proud monkey

And this is more than confession

I mean, I might press the button Just so you know my discretion

I'm guardin' my feelings I know that you feel it

You sabotage my community Makin' a killin'

You made me a killer Emancipation of a real nigga

The blacker the berry The sweeter the juice…

The sweeter the juice

The blacker the berry The sweeter the juice

The blacker the berry The bigger I shoot…

You took my brothers away.

You're back with 'em now.

You really wanna know me?

Take a number

Pretty purse on ya head

Might attract a bounty hunter

I'm not, I'm not, I'm not the shooter But you might wanna runna

I'm not the shooter But you might wanna take cover

Look in the mirror Do you recognize who's staring back?

I'm not your sh-sh-sh-sh-shadow But I'm just as black

I'm not your brother's keeper I'm not your nigger either

Don't fear the Reaper Not your shadow, shadow, shadow, ow!

Straight up, don't turn your back Boy, check your cardiac

Straight up, don't turn your back

Face up, don't turn your back

Too late you hear the clack

Check your cardiac

I'm not your sh-sh-sh-sh-shadow But I'm just as black

Boilertech. Get your Boilertech here.

The world's newest marvel.

Cheap abundant labor.

They don't ask for raises. They don't go on strike.

The perfect employees.

That's the devil's work.

I'd rather go dead than turn into that.

-This freak again. -Who knows?

Disgusting.

Ugh.

Bass? Huh! I thought you were quitting?

I am, after this.

Hardway brothers, 300 each.

Hell of a going away present.

A hundred and fifty? No, price is 300.

Half.

No, it's half for Black bounties, not bounty hunters.

What about these others?

What you mean bounty already paid?

They ain't Ned, you infernal contraption.

They was triplets.

Goddamn Boilertech.

Uh, wonder there's any work left for us humans.

You do still consider yourself human, don't you, Bass?

Mostly.

I'm to fetch you to see the good Reverend Judge Parker

over at the gallows.

Why the gallows?

Because that's where he is.

I'm just returned from a long journey. Need to see my family.

Oh, you'll see them later.

Let's go.

Excuse me, sir?

But if you're looking for bounty hunting work,

I have a matter of dire interest.

You see, my uncle, he's been missing for nearly a month and--

-How much? -Uh…

Well, sir, I can offer a considerable discount

on quality goods sold at Starr Hardware.

What's the cash reward?

Well, um, what better reward is there than the gratitude of a child?

Money.

Money's, like, way better.

-There you are. -Hmm?

Do I pay you to hang flyers or to mind my shop?

Your shop?

It's my uncle's shop, and he--

Is gone.

Don't, Mr. Mason, please.

Something terrible has happened to my uncle. I know it.

-No, wait. -I told you he is not missing.

He sold me his shop, and in exchange,

I agreed to let you go on working for room and board.

Now, should I discontinue that arrangement?

No, sir, Mr. Mason.

Good. Then get back to the shop and finish restocking the shelves.

Be a good girl.

Yes, sir, Mr. Mason.

There was a time

weren't nothing but this here Fort Hope military base for miles.

Now look at it.

Whole town full of Irish and Chinamen

and, uh, well, whatever the hell you are, Bass.

But Fort Hope still maintains order around these parts.

So lucky for you, you're not one of those godless savages, eh, Bass?

Hmm.

"The Hanging Judge."

That's what the newspapers call me, as if it was some sort of insult.

But I see myself as God's instrument on Earth.

Sometimes we must kill to do justice.

How do you feel about it, Mr. Reeves?

I mostly just kill the ones trying to kill me.

A simple philosophy for a man of a simple race.

Now, General Kitts here has a mission

for which I have told him you are perfectly suited.

Kitts?

Lose your arm in the war?

It wasn't lost.

It was stolen.

Shame.

Still, seems someone did you a fine turn with a replacement.

Mister, what's this damn job?

Yes, well, one of our chief scientists, Dr. Starr, has gone missing.

The army brought him here to this camp

to develop special weaponry to be employed in our campaigns against the savages.

But he disappeared roughly a month ago.

We have reason to believe he was abducted into Indian Territory.

Several gangs of Confederate loyalists still roam that land.

If they get their hands on the kind of ordnance Dr. Starr has been developing,

they'd have the power to reignite the Civil War

and perhaps even win it this time.

Our nation's very future is at stake.

Now, Judge Parker tells me you have very good rapport with the heathens.

We want you to go out to the Badlands and retrieve our man.

This ain't what I do.

I bring back corpses, not living men.

Trying to keep some white fool alive out in Indian Territory

will get me killed.

Evil winds moving through them parts of late. Don't intend to tangle with them.

Surely you don't credit these reports

of savages wielding occult forces and the like?

Why, I took you for a man of reason.

Get somebody else.

Don't you have any loyalty, any honor?

I'm told you wore the Union blue in the war.

Son, your country still has need of you.

Mister, I don't have a country.

Well, there's, uh, one more thing.

Seems Starr was working with that magic metal that's going around.

Word is, he or someone out there is experimenting with it.

Using it on people.

I thought that might be of interest to one with your… afflictions.

If nobody stops them, well, nobody knows better than you what that could mean.

Now, if you should succeed,

the US Marshal Service is prepared to make you the first colored US Marshal,

paid equal to the whites.

This a trick?

No trick.

And in addition, we'll pay $1,000 for Dr. Starr's safe return.

A thousand?

Got it all here in writing.

Sign it, and we're in business.

I'll mull it over.

Need to consult with the boss.

Glory.

Glor…

Glory!

Kids, your father came back.

Right after I just drug this whole thing in the house by myself.

Hmm?

Look, Daddy. I grew. Can you tell?

Daddy, Daddy, I got new teeth. See?

Got myself a couple outlaws.

I'll be rounding you boys up directly.

Uh-oh.

Dinner's already dead.

Mmm. Hello, boss.

One hundred and fifty dollars?

For three months' work?

I told you to bring those flyers home to me to help you read.

Mmm, yes, boss.

Stop.

I'm not scolding you.

I know it don't matter now, but…

…I just wish you would've let me help you more.

How are you with a pistol?

You keep teasing me and find out.

Read me this one.

Another bounty?

-I… I thought this was your last job. -I thought it was too.

I'm plumb tired, Glory.

Are you?

I don't know nothing about tired. Hmm, wonder what that feels like?

Feels like getting so used to men wanting to kill you,

you surprised when they want anything else.

I almost shot a man today.

He was just…

…trying to thank me.

Being in the Badlands is like being back in the war,

and I'm starting to carry that war inside me everywhere.

It's getting the upper hand on me, Glory.

I'm the man I am out there more than I'm the man I am with you.

I'm afraid he's starting to take over.

Then don't go back out there. We'll figure something out.

How?

I can't retire off that $150, Glory.

We won't make it.

This time was supposed to be the last time.

Uh…

Mmm.

I'm thankful for all you put yourself through to provide for us,

but the boys need you here.

I need you here.

I will be here for good.

One last job, and I'll be here with a badge and money

that says we'll never have to be parted again.

Bass, what aren't you telling me?

Man said, might be somebody out there

experimenting on folks with Aianhli.

When are you gonna be done with that?

Can't you leave the past in the past?

You already lost one family.

You wanna lose this one too?

Sorry.

I'm sorry.

Just say the word.

I'll tear that thing up. Stay right here with you.

No, you won't.

Your mind is made up.

Bass.

Same dream?

My burden. I'll carry it.

I don't want you to anymore.

I want you to be free.

Go.

And come back the man that you wanna be.

Mmm.

Mmm.

Hmm.

Hmm.

But Uncle Eugene, I can't do it by myself.

Agh, it's too hard.

Okay, good.

Too hard is the perfect place to start.

An engineer's job is to find something that's too hard…

…and make it easier.

Remember, there's always a better way.

Okay, according to my research,

a man may survive three minutes without air,

three days without water, three weeks without food,

and a month without shelter.

Air is naturally abundant, of course, as are water and game in the Badlands,

so that leaves exposure as Uncle Eugene's biggest threat.

Well, after predation, murder, dysentery, despair.

Duh!

No.

So, averaging out all the threats and their likelihoods,

that leaves three days.

Three days before all hope of finding him alive is lost.

Well, that settles it.

What did you always tell me, Uncle?

Rely on no one so much as yourself.

If no one else will save you, well, then it's up to me,

and I won't turn back this time, no matter--

Hello?

Uh, down here.

This Starr's Hardware?

What's the sign say, mister?

I didn't ask the sign. I asked you.

Of course.

Well, we were Starr's Hardware,

and after I return with my uncle, we will be again.

-Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm about to… -Huh.

What's this?

Oh, that's nothing.

Criminal prod, just my own invention.

It's not for sale, and anyway, it's not quite finished yet.

Criminal prod?

Yeah, for use in law enforcement.

It emits an electrical charge that can knock a man out

when you just wanna incapacitate your target.

Shooting them usually incapacitates them just fine.

Dana Starr!

I told you to clean this place up,

and stop bothering customers with your silly…

Oh, we don't serve Negroes.

Oh, that's fine.

I don't eat 'em.

Here about this.

But that's my flyer.

Are you gonna help me find my uncle? Uh…

Wait a second. You're Bass Reeves, the famous Negro bounty hunter.

I've… I've read all about you.

The war hero who…

Is it true that you have a Boilertech arm?

Can I see it?

No.

Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to--

No, I'm sorry.

Sorry Dana wasted your time.

But as I've told her repeatedly, her uncle is not missing.

He moved back east shortly after selling this shop and its proceeds to me.

And I've told him many times, Uncle Eugene wouldn't do that.

Not without saying goodbye to me first.

Something has gone wrong. I think he's in trouble.

That is enough out of you.

Now get back to work and be a good girl.

When's the last you saw him?

Boy, I already told you, he is not missing.

-He sold me the shop-- -Show me the bill of sale.

Wha… What?

You say the man sold it to you, then show me the bill of sale.

Or I could ask the town clerk to show me,

or you can shut up and let me talk to the girl.

Fine. Talk to her.

Waste your time if you want to.

See if I care.

When's the last you saw him?

About a month ago.

He told me he had an invitation out to Indian Country

to pursue a scientific opportunity he couldn't pass up.

If we leave now, I really think we can--

Heard your uncle might have worked with a metal like this.

Ever seen it?

Yeah.

That's Aianhli!

Where'd you get it?

It was donated to me at a high velocity.

They say only Choctaw blacksmiths know how to work it.

But if you can smelt it, you can make armor so hard it'll block any bullet.

Or a bullet so hard it'll punch through any armor.

Obliged.

Wait. I'm coming with you.

I can help.

Badlands ain't like your little storybooks.

That place is full of dark magic.

Ain't no place for no little white girl.

Uh…

Actually, sir, I'm not a…

I'm not afraid of any silly superstitions.

And I'm not as young as I look. I'll be 15 next month.

I work alone.

Please, Mr. Bass, sir, if I went missing,

my Uncle Eugene would never stop looking for me.

How can I say I love him, sir, if I do anything less?

Hmm.

If he loved you like you say, he'd want you to stay put.

Now, I'll bring him back to you.

Be a good girl.

No.

No, I don't think I will.

No Negro allowed in here.

Baby, it's the best thing Talking, whispering

In your name nothing

Hear the chatter from a mile away

Got your heart Already shook up just right

I got your secret And I'm spilling it tonight

You can stay

If the price is right

Oh, you can stay

If the price is right

If the price is…

Mighty fine singing.

I'm trying to concentrate on my whiskey, mister.

I need to finish before I'm due back on stage,

and I won't be distracted from my task.

How about I take the cost of it off your mind?

That'll only buy you a song.

I don't sell anything else.

I'm just in the market for information. Seen this fella?

Put that away!

Wait five minutes and follow me.

Think those boys won't lynch you just because they let me sing here?

Some damn colored fool waltzing in here asking too many questions.

Just the one.

Seen him?

Maybe I got questions of my own.

Well then, you should've bought me a drink.

Say I wanted to know why you were looking for him.

And who sent you?

I'd ask why you was asking.

Oh, holy shit! It actually worked.

Girl, what in damnation are you doing here?

Mr. Bass, look out!

Sir, are you sensible?

Hmm.

Hmm.

Mm. Mm. Mm.

Child, what the hell are you doing way out here?

Your Boilertech arm is Aianhli!

Fantastic!

How does it work? What does it use for fuel? Can you--

Kill that half-boiler freak!

Let's go! Get out of here!

Come on. Let's go! Come on.

Hide.

Oh, but I can…

Now!

Hah!

Gotcha.

Huh?

Mr. Bass!

Stay put, or so help me Jesus, I'll--

Ah! You can do this, Dana. You can help.

Think. Come on, think!

Huh?

Ah!

Hold your fire!

You've got one chance for a quick death, you monstrosity.

Tell us who sent ya.

What the hell?

You wouldn't hurt a lady, would you?

No, but I doubt them contraptions is Christian as I am.

Maybe I'll let them sort you out.

Okay, we saw him. Bully Shaw came through with him last week.

He paid us to see to anybody who came along asking about him.

Where's this Bully Shaw now?

Indian Country. That's all I know.

I swear.

Ma'am.

Do we know this Bully Shaw, sir?

If he's absconded to Indian Country, then perhaps we should--

Hey! I saved your life.

Saved my--

Them damn fool things nearly killed me.

And I already got a partner.

And she's a fine horse, sir.

But can she reprogram Boilertech in a pinch like I just did?

Enough out of you. You going home.

I came by Boiler-bike, sir.

And unfortunately, I don't have enough fuel to return.

Well, then I'll take you back myself.

If you do, you'll be giving Mr. Bully Shaw one heck of a head start.

And wouldn't it just be prudent, sir?

Wouldn't it be safer to just, I don't know, take me with you?

You can come with me only until I find a train to send you back home.

Meantime, you will keep your trap shut.

You will not try to help me or get involved in my work.

You will obey me, or so help me, I'll put you over my knee.

Understand?

Mm-hmm. Completely.

So we're like partners. Mmm?

Hmm?

Hmm.

Hey.

Not a word out of you.

Mr. Bass.

Mr. Bass?

Stay back!

I'll do it!

Wouldn't matter if you did.

I won't go back there.

You can't make me.

Can't we?

I won't be a part of it anymore.

It'll bring evil.

I'm sorry, Dana.

Evil is already here.