Original subtitles

[Wind Whistling]

[Brakes Squealing]

[Train Whistle Blows]

[Car Backfiring]

[Kicks Truck] Shit.

[Metallic Tapping]

[Vehicle Approaching]

If you pair of deuces are looking for work,

I'd suggest you get your scrawny asses in here pronto.

Up on Brokeback,

the Forest Service has got designated campsites on the allotments.

Them camps can be three or four miles from where we pasture the woollies.

Bad predator loss if there's nobody lookin' after them at night.

Now, what I want is a camp tender...

to stay in the main camp where the Forest Service says.

But the herder, he's gonna pitch a pup tent...

on the QT with the sheep, and he's gonna sleep there.

You eat your supper and breakfast in camp,

but you sleep with the sheep, 100%.

No fire. Don't leave no sign.

You roll up that tent every morning case the Forest Service snoops around.

[Rings]

Yeah?

No.

[Man, Indistinct] No!

[Chuckles]

Not on your fucking life.

[Handset Slams]

You got your dogs, your .30-30. You sleep there.

Last summer I had goddamn near 25% loss. I don't want that again.

You.

Fridays at noon you'll be down at the bridge...

with your grocery list and mules.

And somebody with supplies will be there with a pickup.

Tomorrow morning we'll truck you up to the jump-off.

[Wind Howling]

Jack Twist.

Ennis.

Your folks just stop at Ennis?

Del Mar.

Well, nice to know you, Ennis Del Mar.

This is my second year up here.

Last year, one storm, the lightning killed 42 sheep.

Thought I'd asphyxiate from the smell.

Aguirre got all over my ass...

like I was supposed to control the weather.

But beats workin' for my old man.

Can't please my old man, no way. [Clears Throat]

That's why I took to rodeo.

You ever rodeo?

You know, I mean, once in a while,

when I got the entry fee in my pocket.

Yeah. [Chuckles]

- Why, you from ranch people? - Yeah, I was.

Did your folks run you off?

No, they run themselves off.

There was, uh, one curve in the road in 43 miles, and they missed it.

So, uh, bank took the ranch,

and brother and sister, they raised me mostly.

[Lighter Clicks]

Shit. That's hard.

Can I?

Thanks. [Clears Throat]

[Sheep Bleating]

[Men Shouting]

Don't let them stray. Aguirre'll have your ass if you do.

Only thing, don't never order soup.

Them soup boxes are hard to pack.

Well, I don't eat soup. [Horse Whinnying]

You wanna watch it there.

That horse has a low startle point.

Doubt there's a filly that could throw me.

Better get, unless you wanna sit around tying knots all day.

Hyah! Hah!

[Whistling]

Whoa.

[Bleating]

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

[Whistles] Whoa!

[Ennis] Run 'em in! [Dog Yapping]

Whoa! [Whistles]

Oh, shit.

I can't wait till I get my own spread,

and I won't have to put up with Joe Aguirre's crap no more.

I'm saving for a place myself.

Uh, Alma and me, we'll... we'll be gettin' married...

when I come down off this mountain.

Yeah, well, that "stay with the sheep, no fire" bullshit...

Aguirre got no right makin' us do something against the rules.

[Horse Blusters]

Come on. Hah!

[Thunder Rumbling]

No more beans.

Come on. Hyah!

[Thunder Rumbling]

Damn it. Shit.

- I don't know. - Something wrong?

Yes, sir.

Why didn't we get the powdered milk and the spuds?

That's all we got.

Well... well, here's next week's.

Thought you didn't eat soup.

Yeah, well, I'm sick of beans.

Too early in the summer to be sick of beans.

Come on.

♪♪ [Humming]

Come on! Come on!

- [Roars] - [Whinnies]

[Groans]

- [Mules Braying] - Hold it! Whoa, whoa!

I said hold it!

Shit!

Whoa! Come back here!

[Twig Breaks]

Whoa there. Whoa.

All right. Okay.

Come here. Come here, you bastard.

Where the hell you been?

I've been up with the sheep all day.

I get down here hungry as hell, and all I find is beans.

[Pot Clanging] What in the hell happened, Ennis?

I come on a bear is what happened.

Goddamn horse spooked, and the mules took off...

and scattered food everywhere.

Beans is about all we got left.

You got whiskey or something?

That dumb-ass mule.

I can't believe that.

Goddamn.

[Groans] Let me see here.

Shit.

Well, we got to do something about this food situation.

Maybe I'll shoot one of the sheep.

Yeah, what if Aguirre finds out, huh?

We're supposed to guard the sheep, not eat 'em.

What's the matter with you? There are a thousand of 'em.

Well, I'll stick with beans.

Well, I won't.

[Yelps]

Whoo-ee!

Yeah! I was getting tired of your dumb ass missin'.

Let's get a move on. Don't want the Game and Fish to catch you with no elk.

Come on. [Horse Blusters]

Shh.

[Groans]

You know, I'm commutin' four hours a day.

I come in for breakfast. I go back to the sheep.

Evenin', get 'em bedded down.

Come in for supper. Go back to the sheep.

Spend half the night checkin' for damn coyotes.

Aguirre got no right makin' me doing this.

If you wanna switch, I wouldn't mind sleepin' out there.

That ain't the point. The point is we both ought to be in this camp.

Goddamn pup tent smells like cat piss or worse.

I wouldn't mind being out there.

Well, I'm happy to switch with you,

but I warn you, I can't cook worth a damn.

I am pretty good with a can opener though.

Well, you can't be no worse than me then.

Here you go.

[Coughs]

[Clears Throat]

All right. Won't get much sleep, I'll tell you that.

Yeah. Come on. [Clicks Tongue]

[Horse Blusters]

Shot a coyote up there.

It was a big son of a bitch.

He had balls on him the size of apples.

He looked like he could eat himself a camel.

You want some of this hot water?

Oh. Sh...

It's all yours.

[Urinating]

Mmm.

I don't rodeo much myself.

What's the point of ridin' some piece of stock for eight seconds?

Money's a good point. Mmm.

True enough.

If you don't get stomped winnin' it, huh?

Yeah.

Well, my old man, he's a bull rider.

Thank you.

Pretty well-known in his day.

He always kept his secrets to himself.

Never taught me a thing. Never once come to see me ride.

[Exhales]

Your brother and sister do right by you?

They did the best they could after my folks was gone,

considerin' they didn't leave us nothing but $24 in a coffee can.

I got me a year of high school.

That was before the transmission went on the pickup.

Then my sis left. She married a roughneck, moved to Casper.

Me and my brother, we went and got ourselves some work on a ranch...

up near Worland till I was 19.

Then he got married and, uh,

no more room for me.

And that's how come, uh,

me endin' up here.

What?

Friend, that's more words than you spoke in the past two weeks.

Hell, that's the most I spoke in a year.

Now, my dad, he... he was a fine roper.

He didn't rodeo much though.

He thought rodeo cowboys was all fuck-ups.

The hell they are.

Hmm. Well...

Yee-haw!

[Laughs] Whoo! There you go.

I'm spurrin' his guts out!

Wavin' to the girls in the stands!

He's kickin' me to high heaven.

- Watch out. - But he don't jackboard me!

[Laughs]

I'd say my dad was right.

[Hawk Cries]

♪♪ [Harmonica]

Tent don't look right.

Well, it ain't goin' nowhere. Let it be.

That harmonica don't sound quite right either.

That's 'cause it got kind of flattened when that mare threw me.

Oh, yeah?

I thought you said that mare couldn't throw you.

Well, she got lucky.

Yeah, well, if I got lucky, that harmonica would've broken too.

[Laughs]

[Jack] ♪ I know I shall meet you on that final day ♪

♪ Water-walking Jesus ♪

♪ Take me away ♪♪

Very good.

Oh, yeah.

My mama, she believes in the Pentecost.

Oh, yeah?

What exactly is the Pentecost?

I mean, my folks, they was Methodist.

The Pentecost... I don't know... I don't know what the Pentecost is.

Mama never explained it to me.

I guess it's...

when the world ends and fellows like you and me,

we march off to hell.

Speak for yourself.

You may be a sinner, but I ain't yet had the opportunity.

Hmm.

Thank you.

[Ennis] Shit.

Well, I'm gonna go up to the sheep now. Give 'em hell.

I'm numb.

You can hardly stand. It's too late to go to them sheep.

Look.

You know what? You got an extra blanket?

I can just roll up out here and grab 40 winks,

and I'll ride out at first light.

[Groans]

You'll freeze your ass off when that fire dies down.

Oh, that's good.

Better off sleepin' in the tent.

Yeah.

All right.

[Shivering]

[Groans]

[Ennis Shivering]

Ennis!

What?

Just quit your yammering. Get in here.

[Pots Clang] [Owl Hoots]

[Groans]

[Snoring]

Hey!

What are you doin'?

Come here.

[Groans]

[Groans]

[Snoring]

See you for supper.

Hyah! Come on.

[Thunder Rumbling]

[Dog Barks]

Come on! [Barking]

[Dog Whines]

[Sighs]

[Flies Buzzing] [Barks]

[Whines]

[Sheep Bleating]

[Shivers]

This is a one-shot thing we got goin' on here.

It's nobody's business but ours.

You know I ain't queer.

Me neither.

[Whispers] I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

It's all right.

[Horse Blusters]

Twist, your Uncle Harold's in the hospital with pneumonia.

Docs don't expect he'll make it.

Your ma sent me to tell you, so here I am.

Bad news.

There ain't nothin' I can do about it up here, I guess.

There's not much you can do about it down there neither.

Not unless you can cure pneumonia.

[Wind Howling]

[Thunder Rumbling]

Ow! Jesus!

Them sheep will drift if I don't get back up there tonight.

You'll get pitched off the mountain in a storm like this...

and wish you hadn't tried it.

Just pull. Close it up!

[Men Speaking In Spanish]

Well, what are we supposed to do now, huh?

[Sighs] Get on in there...

and untangle them Chilean sheep out of ours, I guess.

Where is it? Shit.

[Man Shouting In Spanish]

Christ! Half the goddamn paint brands are wore off!

Vamos. We've gotta try.

The least we can do is get the count right for Aguirre.

Fuck Aguirre! [Sheep Bleats]

Oh, yeah. Fuck Aguirre.

What if we need to work for him again, huh? You think of that?

We gotta stick this out, Jack.

[Man Shouting In Spanish]

♪♪ [Harmonica]

You're gonna run them sheep off again if you don't quiet down.

[Shivers]

[Coughs]

Oh! Ooh!

Oh!

Ooh!

What are you doing?

Aguirre came by again.

He said my uncle didn't die after all.

He says bring 'em down.

Bring 'em down? Why? It's the middle of August.

He says there's a storm comin', movin' in from the Pacific.

Worse than this one.

Well, that snow barely stuck an hour.

Huh?

[Sighs] Besides, that son of a bitch,

he's cuttin' us out a whole month's pay.

It ain't... it ain't right.

Well, I can spare you a loan, bud, if you're short on cash.

I can give it to you when we get to Signal.

I don't need your money, huh?

You know, I ain't in the poorhouse. Shit.

All right.

Time to get goin', cowboy.

[Laughs]

Come here. This ain't no rodeo, cowboy.

[Grunting] [Laughing]

Ennis. Ennis.

Come here. You're okay.

Shh. Shh.

[Counting In Spanish]

Some of these never went up there with you.

The count ain't what I'd hoped for neither.

You ranch stiffs, you ain't never no good.

[Engine Sputtering]

Go on. Give it some gas.

[Engine Starts]

I can't believe I left my damn shirt up there.

Yeah.

You gonna do this again next summer?

Well, maybe not.

Like I said, me and Alma's gettin' married in November.

So, uh, I'll try to get something on a ranch, I guess.

And you?

I might go up to my daddy's place and...

give him a hand through the winter.

I might be back...

if the army don't get me.

Well, I guess I'll see you around, huh?

Right.

[Engine Starts]

[Wind Howling]

[Gasping]

[Gagging]

[Shouts]

[Whimpers, Sobbing]

What the fuck are you looking at?

Huh?

[Priest]And forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

[Together] Lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever.

Amen.

Under the powers vested in me,

I now pronounce you man and wife.

You may kiss your bride.

- And if you don't, I will. - [Chuckles]

[Applause]

[Screaming]

Oh. You all right?

- [Laughs] - [Groans]

Stop!

No, please don't. Please.

[Laughs]

[Man] My old lady's trying to get me to quit this job.

She says I'm gettin' too old to be breakin' my back shoveling asphalt.

I told her strong backs and weak minds runs in my family.

She didn't think that was too funny.

I told her it keeps me fit.

- Morning. - Morning.

[Man In Film]Pulled in last night?

Look like I woke you up.

[Woman In Film]No, I was just... Come here.

[Man In Film]I thought I'd tell you before the sergeant showed up.

Parking a trailer on the beach is illegal.

[Knocking] Yeah?

Well, look what the wind blew in.

Howdy, Mr. Aguirre.

I was wonderin' if you was needin' any help this summer.

You're wastin' your time here.

What, you ain't got nothin'?

Nothin' up on Brokeback?

I ain't got no work for you.

Ennis Del Mar ain't been around, has he?

You boys sure found a way to make the time pass up there.

Twist, you guys wasn't gettin' paid...

to leave the dogs to babysit the sheep...

while you stemmed the rose.

Now, get the hell out of my trailer.

[Wind Howling]

[Vehicle Approaching]

[Man On Radio]Remember, the next time you go shopping...

[Baby Crying]

[Man Continues Speaking]

How you girls doin'?

I'm all right. Jenny's still got a runny nose.

[Baby Continues Crying]

[Baby Crying]

- [Babies Wailing] - Oh.

Shh, shh.

Ennis, could you wipe Alma Jr.'s nose?

If I had three hands I could!

Come here. Come here. [Groans]

Oh, man.

Whoo, whoo.

[Sighs]

[Moans]

Hmm. Girls all right?

Yeah.

Jenny stopped her coughing.

I should take the girls into town this weekend,

get them an ice cream or something.

That'd be nice.

Can't we move to town?

I'm tired of these lonesome old ranches.

No one for Alma Jr. To play with.

Besides, I'm scared for Jenny.

Scared if she has another one of them bad asthma spells.

You know the rent in town is too high.

There's a cheap place in Riverton over the Laundromat.

I bet I could fix it up real nice.

I bet you could fix this place up real nice if you wanted to.

Ennis. Hmm?

I know you'd like it too.

A real home.

Other kids for the girls to play with.

Not so lonely like you were raised.

You don't want it to be so lonely, do you?

[Wind Whistling]

Hey.

Come here. Huh?

This ain't so lonely now, is it?

Hmm?

Are you sure the girls are asleep?

Yeah.

Oh, God.

[Light Switch Clicks]

Come here.

Ennis.

[Ennis Grunts]

[Man On P.A.]Let 'er rip and snort, boys!

Jack Twist hangin' on for dear life.

Oh, and down he goes!

Watch out there, fella. He's comin' for you.

[Clown Hooting]

Send in the clowns!

- Okay. Fine ride by Mr. Twist. - Shit.

Four seconds for him.

- Come back! - Give 'em a hand, folks.

Our very own rodeo clowns.

♪♪ [Jukebox: Country]

- Get us a beer. - Sure.

I'd like to buy Jimbo here a beer.

Best damn rodeo clown I've ever worked with.

No, thanks, cowboy.

If I was to let every rodeo hand I pulled a bull off of buy me liquor,

I'd been an alcoholic long ago.

Pullin' bulls off of you buckaroos is just my job.

So save your money for your next entry fee, cowboy.

You ever try calf ropin'?

Do I look like I can afford a fucking ropin' horse?

♪♪ [Band Playing]

[People Hooting]

Shouldn't we move a little closer?

No, come on. Let's don't. Jenny will get scared.

[Fireworks Exploding]

Whoo-ee! Look at this crowd.

Bound to be a lot of pussy on the hoof in a crowd like this.

All swelled up with patriotic feeling...

and ready to be humped like a frog.

So where do you figure the most pussy's at?

[Crying] Las Vegas or California?

- Sweetheart. - You make it between Montana and Wyoming,

I'd take Wyoming. Hey, you might wanna keep it down.

I've got two little girls here.

Fuck you. Asshole. [Laughs]

He probably quit giving it to his wife after his kids were born.

You know what that's like. [Laughs]

Ennis. Ennis. Ennis.

- Let's just move, okay? - [Man On P.A.] There they go!

[Fireworks Exploding] [Baby Wailing]

Now, I don't want any trouble from you.

You need to shut your slop-bucket mouth. Do you hear me?

You ought to listen to your old lady then.

That right?

Yeah. Move somewhere else.

What about it? You wanna lose about half your fucking teeth? Huh?

Not tonight, bud. I'd sure rather not.

[Babies Crying]

It's okay.

[Man On P.A.]Here she comes, ladies and gentlemen!

Oh, boy, look at her fly!

Miss Lureen Newsome from right here in Childress, Texas.

Come on, folks. She's one of yours.

Let's give her a big hand.

She's clear on two!

- She's around three! - Go, go, go!

Help her home! Come on! Come on!

And the time is... 16 and a half.

Here's Cheyenne Harper from Cody, Wyoming!

Come on, girl!

She's around two!

Ma'am.

[Clicks Tongue]

Come on, Cheyenne!

And her time is...

17 and two.

Here comes Scotty Griffiths out of Lubbock, Texas.

Come on, Scotty. Aw. Too bad.

Let's give Scotty Griffiths a big hand, folks.

Better luck next time, cowboy.

I tell you, what a heck of way to make a livin'.

Next up is an up-and-comer, Jack Twist,

from all the way up in Lightning Flat, Wyoming.

He's on board Sleepy today.

Let's hope he's not.

And there they go, folks!

And look at Sleepy! Oh, boy!

He's broken today, folks!

Come on! And spin and spin and oh!

- [Buzzer Sounds] - Good ridin', cowboy!

Well, let's see what the judges say.

I'll tell you, folks, that sure looked like the winnin' ride to me.

♪♪ [Country]

[No Audible Dialogue]

You know that girl?

I sure do. Lureen Newsome.

Her dad sells farm equipment.

I mean, big farm equipment.

$100,000 tractors... shit like that.

What are you waitin' for, cowboy? A matin' call?

♪ No one's gonna love you like me ♪

♪ No one else ♪

♪ Can't you see? ♪

♪ No one's gonna love you like me ♪

♪ No one ♪

♪ No one else ♪

♪ Can't you see? ♪

♪ No one's gonna love you like me ♪

♪ No one ♪

♪ I know sometimes ♪

♪ You felt so lonely ♪

♪ I know you felt so sad and blue ♪♪

[Moaning] ♪♪ [Radio: Country]

Oh, wait. Hold on.

You don't think I'm too fast, do you?

Maybe we should put the brakes on.

Fast or slow, I just like the direction you're goin'.

Oh, you are in a hurry.

My daddy's the hurry. Expects me home with the car by midnight.

[Baby Crying]

[Ennis] Come here, you.

- Hey, Monroe. - Hey, Ennis.

- Is Alma here? - Yeah. She's in the condiments aisle.

- The what? - Uh, ketchup.

Thanks.

[Alma Jr.] Excuse us!

- Yeah. Excuse me. - Hey, honey.

- Honey, what are y'all doing here? - Big hurry.

My boss called, and, uh, he wants me to go up to the ranch.

I guess all the heifers must have decided to calve at the same time.

I figured I could drop the girls off with you.

What? Ennis.

No. I... I got a million things I gotta do here before I can leave.

I don't get off for another three hours.

- Mama, I need crayons. - Not now, Alma.

Ennis, please, you promised you'd take them tonight.

Alma, I can't afford not to be there when the heifers calve.

It would be my job if I lose any of 'em.

What about my job?

[Baby Crying]

Okay. All right. I'll call my sister. I'll see if she can take 'em.

All right, all right.

Be a good girl for your mama, all right?

Uh, I'll be half the night.

Bring home some round steaks if you think of it.

It's okay. Come here.

[Baby Shrieks] Oh, Alma, please!

Oh, boy.

Okay. Monroe, I'm so sorry.

It's okay. It's okay, Alma.

I-I'll clean this up just as soon as I call my sister to come get the girls.

Really, Alma, it's okay. I'll get it.

- Alma, come with me. - Watch your feet.

Alma.

It's just like my hand. [Jack] Honey, got a surprise for you.

[Gasps] Hey.

Got two whole boxes of formula for you.

You do? Oh.

120 cans. 120?

L.D., where'd you put 'em?

Oh, hell. Backseat of the car where I left them.

Rodeo can get 'em.

L.D.

I can already see who little Bobby looks like.

Good job, little girl. He's a spittin' image of his grandpa.

Isn't he just a spittin' image of his grandpa?

[Baby Cooing]

Yeah.

Look at those eyes.

[Coughs]

[Door Closes] Hey.

Hey, honey.

Hey, Ennis, you know somebody name of Jack?

Maybe. Uh, why?

You got a postcard that come general delivery.

Is he somebody you cowboyed with, or what?

No. Jack, he rodeos mostly.

We was fishin' buddies.

[Alma] You can color that one too.

[Alma Jr.] I'll color the beach.

[Grunts]

Maybe we can get a babysitter.

[Clears Throat] Hmm?

Take your friend to the Knife and Fork.

No, Jack ain't the restaurant type.

We'll more than likely just go out and get drunk.

[Clears Throat] That's if he shows.

Okay. We take one more bite, and then you're finished with dinner.

There. That's a good bite. All right, you're excused.

Please. Thank you.

[Vehicle Approaching]

[Door Slams]

Jack fucking Twist.

You son of a bitch.

Come here.

[Whispers] Hey.

Come here.

[Door Opens]

Alma, this is, uh, Jack Twist.

- And, Jack, this is my wife, Alma. - Howdy.

Hello.

- [Alma Jr. Chattering] - Oh, you got a kid.

Yeah. I got two little girls. Alma Jr. and Jenny.

I got a boy. Yeah?

Eight months old.

Well... Smiles a lot.

Married the prettiest little gal in Childress, Texas.

Lureen. Well...

So, me and Jack, we're gonna head out and get ourselves a drink.

Yeah. Sure enough.

Pleased to meet you, ma'am.

We might not get back tonight when we get to drinkin' and talkin' and all.

Ennis?

Would you get me a pack of smoke...

If you need smokes, Alma, they're in the top pocket of my blue shirt.

They're in the bedroom. [Door Opens, Closes]

[Sighs]

Four years. Damn.

Yeah, four years.

Didn't think I'd hear from you again.

Well... I figured you were sore from that punch.

That next summer, I drove back up to Brokeback.

Talked to Aguirre about a job, and told me you hadn't been back, so I left.

Huh. Went down to Texas for rodeoin'.

That's how I met Lureen.

Made $2,000 that year bull ridin'. Nearly starved.

Lureen's old man makes serious money... Farm machine business.

Of course, he hates my guts. [Scoffs]

Hmm. And the army didn't get ya?

No, too busted up.

Rodeoin' ain't what it was in my daddy's day. Nope.

Got out while I could still walk. Hmm.

[Inhales]

Swear to God, I didn't know we was gonna get into this again.

Oh, yes, I did. I red-lined it all the way.

Couldn't get here fast enough. [Chuckles]

What about you?

Me?

I don't know. [Sighs]

Brokeback got us good, didn't it?

What are we gonna do now?

Well, I doubt there's nothing we can do.

So I'm stuck with what I got here.

Makin' a livin' is about all I got time for now.

[Truck Drives Up]

[Footsteps]

[Truck Door Closes]

[Door Opens]

Hey. Me and Jack's headed up the mountain for a day or two,

do ourselves a little fishin'.

You know, your friend could come inside, have a cup of coffee.

Well, he's from Texas.

Texans don't drink coffee? [Sighs]

You sure that foreman won't fire you for taking off?

You know, that foreman, he owes me.

I-I worked through a blizzard last Christmas. You remember that?

Besides, I'll only be a couple days. [Clears Throat]

Bring a fish, Dad. A big-big one!

[Grunts]

[Kisses]

Come here. Come here.

Come here. [Kisses]

See you Sunday, latest.

[Door Closes]

I'm starvin'. Want to get something to eat?

Yep.

[Alma Sobbing]

Come here.

Last one in!

Whoa!

[Both Shout]

[River Rippling]

There anything interesting up there in heaven?

I was just sendin' up a prayer of thanks.

For what?

For you forgettin' to bring that harmonica. [Chuckles]

I'm enjoyin' the peace and quiet.

You know, it could be like this, just like this, always.

Yeah? How you figure that?

What if you and me had a little ranch somewhere?

A little cow and calf operation. It'd be a sweet life.

I mean, hell, Lureen's old man, you bet he'd give me a down payment to get lost.

I mean, he more or less already said it.

No, I...

I told you. It... It ain't gonna be that way.

You know, you... you got your wife and baby in Texas.

And...

You know, I got my life in Riverton.

That so?

You and Alma, that's a life?

Oh, you shut up about Alma. This ain't her fault.

The bottom line is...

we're around each other, and this thing grabs hold of us again,

in the wrong place, in the wrong time?

Then we're dead.

I tell ya. There were these two old guys ranched up together, down home...

Earl and Rich.

They was the joke of town, even though they were...

They were pretty tough old birds.

Anyway, they...

they found Earl dead... in an irrigation ditch.

They took a tire iron to him, spurred him up...

and drug him around by his dick till it pulled off.

You seen this?

Yeah, I was about nine years old.

My daddy, he made sure me and my brother seen it.

Hell, for all I know, he done the job.

Two guys livin' together? No way.

Now, we can get together once in a while...

way the hell out in the middle of nowhere, but...

Once in a while.

Every four fuckin' years?

Well, if you can't fix it, Jack, you gotta stand it.

For how long?

As long as we can ride it.

There ain't no reins on this one.

[Exhales]

[Hinges Squeaking]

[Ennis] It's nearly suppertime. Where the hell do you think you're going?

- [Alma] To work! - I thought you had a day off!

Well, you thought wrong.

- [Ennis] The girls need to be fed. - You take care of it!

Alma. Alma!

Supper is on the stove!

No one's eatin' unless you're servin' it!

I already promised I'd take the extra shift!

Fuckin' tell him you made a mistake then!

Goddamn it, Alma! Alma!

You girls need a push or something?

[Together] No.

[Jack] Listen to her purr, gentlemen!

You ain't gonna get that with your Caddy.

I told you what she can do. Now let me show you.

[Farmer] Say, didn't that pissant used to ride bulls?

He used to try.

Honey, have you seen my blue parka?

Um, last time I seen it you was in it.

Day we had that big ice storm.

Well, I could've sworn I seen it in here.

You know, you've been goin' up to Wyoming all these years.

Why can't your buddy come down here to Texas and fish?

'Cause the Bighorn Mountains ain't in Texas.

And I don't think his pickup could make it down here anyways.

New model coming in this week. Remember?

You're the best combine salesman we got.

You're the only combine salesman, in fact.

Yeah, well, I'll be back in a week. That is, unless I freeze to death.

I'll freeze if I don't find that parka.

Well, I don't have your goddamn parka.

You're worse than Bobby when it comes to losing stuff.

Oh, speaking of Bobby, did you call his school about gettin' him a tutor?

I thought you were gonna call.

I complain too much. That teacher don't like me. Now it's your turn.

Okay, fine. So I'll just... I'll call later.

Right.

Bye. Mmm.

I have 14 hours of drivin' ahead of me.

See, now, it don't seem fair,

you going up there two, three times a year...

with him never coming down here. [Adding Machine Ratcheting]

[Radio]That's right. You tell that story about this great big guy.

Monstrous guy. Must've been a construction worker all his life.

And he's sitting at the bar next to this little bitty fella...

[Kisses, Clears Throat]

Ennis, they've got an opening over at the power company.

It might be good pay. [Sighs]

Well, as clumsy as I am, I'd probably get electrocuted.

[Alma Jr.] Daddy? The church picnic's next weekend.

Will you be back from fishing by next weekend?

Please, Daddy? Please?

All right, as long as I don't have to sing.

Hmm? [Giggles] Daddy.

You forgettin' something?

Thank you.

[Footsteps]

[Radio]How did you do that?

[Jack] You're late.

Look what I brought. Beans?

Gonna cook 'em the way I used to.

[Jack] Wish I could rope me a coyote.

[Jack Chuckles] Whoa!

There you go. No hands!

It's all yours, buddy. All yours.

Go! Come on!

Come on! [Lowing]

Hey, you left your key.

Come on in, Allen.

I've been trying to call you for hours.

It's Saturday night. We could still smarten up...

and head on over to the church social. [Scoffs]

That fire and brimstone crowd?

I think it'd be nice.

[Moaning]

Oh... Ennis.

As far behind as we are on the bills,

it makes me nervous not to take no precaution.

If you don't want no more of my kids,

I'll be happy to leave you alone.

I'd have 'em if you'd support 'em.

[Man] Custody of the two minor children,

Alma Del Mar Jr. and Jennifer Del Mar, is awarded to plaintiff.

Defendant is ordered to pay child support to plaintiff...

in the sum of $125 per month for each of the minor children...

until they reach the age of 18 years.

Del Mar divorce granted this sixth day of November, 1975.

♪♪ [Radio: Country] ♪♪ [Whistling]

♪ I'm a man of means by no means ♪

♪ King of the road ♪ ♪ King of the road ♪♪

Here you go. [Horn Honking]

[Man On Radio]And everybody just went nuts for it. Little Richard...

What are you doing here, huh?

I got your message about the divorce.

Come here.

Now, this here's Jack.

Jack, these are my little girls. There's Alma Jr. and Jenny.

Hey. Say hi, girls.

Hi. Hi.

[Clears Throat]

I got your card that the divorce came through.

Yeah. So here I am.

Had to ask about 10 different people in Riverton where you'd moved to.

Well...

Well, I guess I thought that this means you...

No. Now, Jack, I...

I don't know what to say. Uh...

See, I've got the girls this weekend.

And, geez, I'm...

I'm sure as hell sorry. You know I am.

See, I only get 'em once a month and I...

I missed last month, so I just...

Because of the roundup.

So, uh...

Well...

Yeah, all right.

Jack.

I'll see you next month then.

[Indistinct Radio Chatter]

♪ Just the smile in your eyes ♪

♪ It can light up the night ♪

♪ And your laughter is like wind in my sails ♪

♪ 'Cause I know ♪

♪ A love that will never grow old ♪♪ [Engine Accelerates]

[People Speaking Spanish]

♪♪ [Mexican Ballad]

¿Señor?

[Speaking Spanish]

[Announcer] The top defensive player for 1977.

Coming up.

Yum. Here we go.

Here we are.

Whoa there, Rodeo.

The stud duck'll do the carving around here.

You bet, L.D. I was just, uh, saving you the trouble.

- [Cheering On TV] - [Announcer] And incomplete.

I tell you, Don. That would've been almost as good as a punt.

Bobby, if you don't eat your dinner,

I'm gonna have to turn off that television.

Why, Mama? I'm gonna be eating this food for the next two weeks.

Hey, you heard your mama.

You finish your meal, and then you can watch the game.

He brings it back about nine, near the 46-yard...

Daddy?

Daddy!

That cost him the interception. Hell, we don't eat with our eyes.

You want your boy to grow up to be a man, don't you, daughter?

[Clears Throat] Boys should watch football.

Not till he finishes eatin' the meal...

that his mama took three hours fixin'.

Now, you sit down, you old son of a bitch!

This is my house.

This is my child, and you are my guest.

Now, you sit down before I knock your ignorant ass into next week.

[Sighs]

[Electric Carver Whirs]

[Clears Throat]

Daddy?

Tell about when you rode broncs in the rodeo.

Well, it's a short story, honey.

It was only about three seconds I was on that bronc.

Um, next thing I knew, I was flyin' through the air.

[Giggles]

Only, I was no angel like you and Jenny here.

I didn't have no wings. [Giggles]

And that's the story of my saddle bronc career.

[Man On TV]At this moment, they are in 12th place.

♪♪ [Classical]

Here you go.

You ought to get married again, Ennis.

Me and the girls worry about you being alone so much.

Hmm. Well, once burned...

[Clears Throat] You still go fishing with Jack Twist?

Hmm. Not often.

You know, I used to wonder how come you never brought any trouts home.

You always said you caught plenty.

And you know how me and the girls like fish.

Mmm. So one night I got your creel case open...

night before you went on one of your little trips.

The price tag still on it after five years.

And I tied a note to the end of the line.

It said, "Hello, Ennis. Bring some fish home. Love, Alma."

And then you come back, lookin' all perky...

and said you caught a bunch of browns, and you ate them up.

Do you remember?

[Ragged Breathing] I looked in that case first chance I got,

and there was my note still tied there.

That line hadn't touched water in its life.

Doesn't mean nothing, Alma.

Don't try and fool me no more, Ennis.

I know what it means. [Ragged Breath]

Jack Twist? Alma.

Jack Nasty.

You didn't go up there to fish. You and him...

You listen to me. You don't know nothing about it.

I... I'm gonna yell for Monroe. [Screams] You do it,

I'll make him eat the fuckin' floor! Get out!

And you too! Get out! Get out!

Get out of this house, Ennis Del Mar!

- You hear me? You get out! - Daddy?

- [Dishes Shattering] - Alma?

Bye, Daddy!

Bye!

[Tires Skid]

Hey, asshole! Watch where you're going!

Jesus! What?

Jesus!

Jesus! You stupid fuck!

Goddamn son of a...

Damn!

God!

[Blows Landing] Goddamn... Fuck.

Damn it.

[Jack] You know what I'm sayin', Ennis.

All I'm sayin' is, what's the point of makin' it?

If taxes don't get it, the inflation will eat it all up.

You should see Lureen punchin' numbers in her addin' machine,

hunting for extra zeros, her eyes getting smaller and smaller.

It's like watchin' a rabbit trying to...

squeeze into a snake hole with a coyote on its tail.

That's some high-class entertainment, you ask me.

For what it's worth.

You and Lureen, it's, uh, normal and all?

Sure.

She don't ever suspect?

You ever get the feeling...

I don't know, uh...

when you're in town and someone looks at you...

suspicious, like he knows?

Then you go out on the pavement...

and everyone's looking at you like they all know too?

Maybe you ought to get out of there, you know?

Find yourself someplace different. Maybe Texas.

Texas?

Sure, and maybe you can convince Alma...

to let you and Lureen adopt the girls.

And we can just live together, herdin' sheep.

And it'll rain money from L.D. Newsome...

and-and whiskey will flow in the stream, Jack.

That's real smart. Go to hell, Ennis Del Mar.

You wanna live your miserable fuckin' life, then go right ahead.

Fine! I was just thinking out loud.

Yep. You're a real thinker there. Goddamn...

Jack fuckin' Twist.

Got it all figured out, ain't ya?

[Man] All right, hon.

[Coins Clink]

♪♪ [Country]

♪ About the time Daddy left to fight the big war ♪

I just finished my shift.

- Wanna dance? - I was just on the way to the...

I'm Cassie. Cassie Cartwright.

Ennis Del Mar.

♪ I asked if I could have one someday when I grew up ♪

♪ Mama dropped a dozen eggs She really blew up ♪

♪ She really blew up Mama didn't understand ♪

♪ Mama says a pistol is the devil's right hand ♪

♪ The devil's right hand The devil's right hand ♪

♪ Mama says a pistol is the devil's right hand ♪

♪ My first pistol was a cap-and-ball Colt ♪

♪ Shoots as fast as lightning but she load a mite slow ♪♪

No more dancin' for me, I hope.

You're safe. My feet hurt.

It's hard work, is it? Yeah.

Drunks like you demanding beer after beer. Smoking.

Hmm. Gets tiresome.

What do you do, Ennis Del Mar?

Well, earlier today I was castratin' calves.

What are you doing?

Tryin' to get a foot rub, dummy.

All right.

Is that good? Mm-hmm.

♪♪ [Country]

[Woman Chattering]

And then I pledged Tri Delt at SMU.

And I sure never thought I'd end up in a pokey little place like Childress.

But then I met ol' Randall here at an Aggie game,

and he was an animal husbandry major.

So we've been here for a month,

and he got the foreman job over at Roy Taylor's ranch.

Like it or not, here I am.

Was you a Tri Delt? I was Kappa Phi myself.

Well, even though we ain't quite sorority sisters,

we just may have to dance with ourselves, Lureen.

Our husbands ain't the least bit interested in dancin'.

They ain't got a smidgen of rhythm between them.

It's funny, isn't it?

Husbands don't never seem to wanna dance with their wives.

Hey. Why do you think that is, Jack?

I don't ever give it any thought.

Wanna dance?

Yes. Thank you.

Do you mind? No.

All right.

[Woman] Pardon us. Thank you for asking me to dance with you.

I appreciate that. Randall never does.

Last time he did I think was at our wedding.

It's a good thing you and Lureen happened along when you did...

or else we'd still be stuck on the side of the road in that darn pickup.

I told Randall we ought to take the car.

Of course, he'd never listen to me.

He wouldn't listen to me if he was going deaf tomorrow. [Chuckles]

I told him it takes more than chewing gum and bailing wire...

to fix that pickup.

Well, he's never been very mechanical though.

You ever notice how a woman will powder her nose before she goes to a party?

Then she'll powder it again once the party's over?

I mean, why powder your nose just to go home and go to bed?

I don't know.

Even if I wanted to know, I couldn't get a word in with Lashawn long enough to ask.

Woman talks a blue streak.

Lively little gal.

You'll like workin' for Roy Taylor.

He's solid. Yeah, Roy, he's a good ol' boy.

He's got a little cabin down on Lake Kemp.

Got a crappie house, a little boat.

He said I can use it whenever I want.

We ought to go down there some weekend.

Drink a little whiskey, fish some.

Get away. You know?

[Lashawn] When I was right out of SMU,

I could've had my pick of pretty much any job in North Dallas.

So my pick was Neiman Marcus.

It was a disaster, because, honey, where clothes are concerned,

I got no resistance.

I was spending more than I made...

more than Randall ever will make.

We come out here thinking ranchin' was still big hats and Marlboros.

Boy, were we behind the times.

[Ennis] Hey, there, Junior. Ready?

[Woman On Jukebox]♪ Your J-O-B ♪

♪ Will be going away ♪

♪ I love you both and this will be ♪

♪ Pure H-E-double-L... ♪♪

What do you think?

Your daddy ever gonna see fit to settle down again?

I don't know.

Maybe he's not the marrying kind.

You don't think so?

Or you don't think I'm the one for him?

You're good enough.

[Snickers]

You don't say much, but you get your point across.

Sorry. I didn't mean to be rude.

[Clears Throat]

All right.

You're stayin' on your feet, cowboy.

Excuse me, darlin'.

♪ ...from coast to coast ♪

♪ Knowing many, loving none ♪

♪ Bearing sorrow, having fun ♪

♪ But back home he'll always run ♪

♪ To sweet Melissa ♪♪

So I'll pick you and Jenny up next weekend after church.

Fine.

You all right?

Yes.

Are you sure?

Daddy, I was thinkin'.

What with a new baby and all,

Mom and Monroe have been awful strict on me.

More on me than Jenny even.

I was thinking maybe I could...

Maybe I could come stay with you.

I'd be an awful good help. I know I would. [Sighs]

Now, you know I ain't set up for that. Uh...

With the roundup coming and...

I won't ever be home.

It's all right, Daddy.

I'm not saying that I wouldn't... It's all right. I understand.

Well, I'll see you on Sunday then.

Bye.

Bye, sweetheart.

[Lighter Clicks]

Gonna snow tonight for sure.

Yeah.

All this time, and you ain't found nobody else to marry?

I've been puttin' the blocks to a good-lookin' little gal over in Riverton.

She's a waitress.

Wants to go to nursing school or something.

I don't know.

What about you and Lureen?

[Exhales] Lureen's good at making hard deals in the machinery business,

but as far as our marriage goes...

we could do it over the phone.

Kind of got this thing going with the...

ranch foreman's wife over in Childress.

What?

Expect to get shot by Lureen or the husband...

each time I slip off to see her.

Well, y-you probably deserve it. Hmm?

Tell you what.

The truth is...

sometimes I miss you so much I can hardly stand it.

I guess I'll head up on to Lightning Flat.

See the folks for a day or two.

There's something I've been meaning to tell you, bud.

Most likely November before I can come out here again.

After we ship stock and...

before winter feedin' starts again.

November?

Well, what in the hell ever happened to August?

Well...

Christ, Ennis.

You know, you had a fuckin' week to say some little word about this.

Why is it we're always in the friggin' cold?

We ought to go south where it's warm.

You know, we ought to go to Mexico!

Mexico? Hell, Jack, you know me.

About all the travelin' I ever done is around a coffeepot lookin' for the handle.

Come on, Jack, lighten up on me.

We can hunt in November.

Kill us a nice elk.

I'll try, if I can, to get Don Wroe's cabin again.

We had a good time that year, didn't we?

There ain't never enough time. Never enough.

You know, friend,

this is a goddamn bitch of an unsatisfactory situation.

It used to come way easy. Now it's like seeing the Pope.

Jack, I gotta work.

Huh?

In them earlier days, I'd just quit the job.

I mean, you...

you forget what it's like being broke all the time.

You ever hear of child support?

Now, I'll tell you this. I can't quit this one,

and I can't get the time off.

It was hard enough getting this time.

The trade-off was August.

You got a better idea?

I did once.

You did once.

Have you been to Mexico, Jack Twist? Huh?

'Cause I hear what they got in Mexico for boys like you.

Hell, yes, I've been to Mexico. Is that a fuckin' problem?

I'm gonna tell you this one time, Jack fuckin' Twist,

and I ain't foolin'.

What I don't know...

All them things that I don't know...

would get you killed if I come to know them.

I ain't jokin'.

[Spits]

Yeah, well, try this one.

- And I'll say it just once. - Go ahead!

Tell you what. We could've had a good life together.

Fuckin' real good life. Had us a place of our own.

But you didn't want it, Ennis!

So what we got now is Brokeback Mountain!

Everything's built on that.

That's all we've got, boy. Fuckin' all.

So I hope you know that if you don't never know the rest.

Goddamn you.

You count the damn few times we have been together in nearly 20 years,

and you measure the short fuckin' leash you keep me on.

Then you ask me about Mexico.

And you tell me you kill me for needin' something...

that I don't hardly never get.

You have no idea how bad it gets.

And I'm not you.

I can't make it on a couple of high-altitude fucks...

once or twice a year.

You are too much for me, Ennis,

you son of a whores on bitch.

I wish I knew how to quit you.

[Sobbing]

Then why don't you?

Why don't you just let me be, huh?

It's because of you, Jack, that I'm like this.

I'm nothing. I'm nowhere.

[Ennis Groans]

Get the fuck off me!

Come here!

Sorry. It's all right.

[Sobbing]

Damn you, Ennis.

I just can't stand losin' any more, Jack.

Come on now. You're sleepin' on your feet like a horse.

[Groans] Come on.

My mama used to say that to me when I was little.

And sing to me.

♪♪ [Humming Lullaby]

I gotta go.

I'll see you in the morning.

♪♪ [Man Singing Country]

Excuse me.

Hey,

Ennis Del Mar.

Where you been?

Here and there.

I left word for you with Steve at the ranch.

You must have got those notes I left at your place.

Looks like I got the message, in any case.

[Clears Throat] Carl?

Yeah, Carl's nice. He even talks.

Good for you.

Yeah.

Good for me.

I don't get you, Ennis Del Mar.

I'm sorry.

I was probably no fun anyways, was I?

[Scoffs]

Ennis, girls don't fall in love with fun.

[Sobbing]

[Phone Ringing]

[Groans] Hello?

Hello. This is Ennis Del Mar.

Uh...

Who? Who is this?

Ennis Del Mar.

An old buddy of Jack's.

Jack used to mention you.

You're the fishin' buddy.

The huntin' buddy. I know that.

I would have let you know what happened,

but I wasn't sure about your name or address.

Jack kept his friend's addresses in his head.

That's why I'm calling... is to see what happened.

Oh, yeah.

Jack was pumping up a flat on the truck out on a back road...

when the tire blew up.

The rim of the tire slammed into his face,

broke his nose and jaw and knocked him unconscious on his back.

By the time somebody come along, he'd drowned in his own blood.

He was only 39 years old.

[No Audio]

Hello?

Hello. Uh...

Was he buried down there?

They put a stone up.

He was cremated like he wanted.

Half his ashes was interred here.

The rest I sent up with his folks.

He used to say he wanted his ashes scattered on Brokeback Mountain.

But I wasn't sure where that was.

I thought Brokeback Mountain might be around where he grew up.

Knowing Jack,

it might be some pretend place...

where bluebirds sing, and there's a whiskey spring.

No, ma'am, we...

we was herdin' sheep on Brokeback one summer...

back in '63.

[Groans]

Well, he said it was his favorite place.

I thought it meant to get drunk.

He drank a lot.

Is his folks still up in Lightning Flat?

They'll be there till the day they die.

Thank you for your time.

I sure am sorry.

We was good friends.

[Sighs]

Get in touch with his folks.

I'd suppose they'd appreciate it...

if his wishes was carried out.

About the ashes, I mean.

[Handset Settles In Cradle]

[Cows Mooing]

Want a cup of coffee, don't you? Piece of cherry cake?

Yes, ma'am, I'll have a cup of coffee,

but I can't eat no cake just now.

Thank you.

I feel awful bad about Jack.

Thank you.

I can't begin to tell you how bad I feel.

I knew him a long time.

I come by to say that...

if you want me to take his ashes up there on Brokeback,

like his wife said he wanted to,

then I'd be happy to.

Tell you what.

I know where Brokeback Mountain is.

Thought he was too goddamn special to be buried in the family plot.

[Scoffs]

Jack used to say...

"Ennis Del Mar," he used to say.

"I'm gonna bring him up here one of these days,

and we'll lick this damn ranch into shape."

Had some half-baked notion the two of you was gonna move up here,

build a cabin,

help run the place.

Then this spring,

he got another fella gonna come up here with him.

Build a place,

help run the ranch.

Some ranch neighbor of his from down in Texas.

Gonna split up with his wife and come back here, so he says.

But like most of Jack's ideas...

never come to pass.

I kept his room like it was when he was a boy.

I think he appreciated that.

You are welcome to go up to his room if you want.

Yeah, I'd like that. Thank you.

[Sighs]

[Crow Caws]

[Mr. Twist] Tell you what.

We've got a family plot.

He's going in it.

Yes, sir.

You come back and see us again.

Ma'am.

[Whispers] Thank you for this.

- ♪♪ [Radio: Pop] - Well, hey there, Junior.

Hey, Daddy. [Engine Turns Off]

Come here. Hey.

[Clears Throat] Like the car?

Yeah. Is it yours? It's Kurt's.

- Well, I thought you were seeing Troy. - Troy?

Daddy, that was two years ago.

Troy still playing baseball?

I don't know what he's doing. I'm seeing Kurt now.

What does Kurt do?

Works out in the oil fields.

So he's a roughneck, huh?

[Laughs] Yeah.

I guess you're 19. You can do whatever you want, is that right?

Sure.

[Cups Clinking]

Daddy, you need more furniture.

Yeah, well, when you got nothin', you don't need nothin'.

So what's the occasion?

Me and Kurt,

we're getting married.

Oh.

So how long you known this guy for?

About a year.

The wedding will be June 5 at the Methodist Church.

Hmm. Jenny will be singing,

and Monroe's gonna cater the reception.

Now, this Kurt fella,

he loves you?

Yeah, Daddy. He loves me.

I was hoping you'd be there.

Yeah.

Uh, I think I'm supposed to be on a roundup down near the Tetons.

But, um...

[Sighs]

You know what?

I reckon they can find themselves a new cowboy.

- [Chuckles] - My little girl... getting married.

Huh?

- [Bottle Rattles] - [Sighs]

To Alma and Kurt.

[Sighs]

[Whispers] Jack, I swear...

♪♪ [Country Ballad]

♪ He was a friend of mine ♪

♪ He was a friend of mine ♪

♪ Every time I think of him ♪

♪ I just can't keep from crying ♪

♪ 'Cause he ♪

♪ Was a friend of mine ♪

♪ He died on the road ♪

♪ He died on the road ♪

♪ He just kept on moving ♪

♪ Never reaped what he could sow ♪

♪ And he ♪

♪ Was a friend of mine ♪

♪ I stole away and cried ♪

♪ I stole away and cried ♪

♪ I never had too much money ♪

♪ I've never been quite satisfied ♪

♪ And he ♪

♪ Was a friend of mine ♪

♪ He ♪

♪ Was a friend of mine ♪

♪ He ♪

♪ Was a friend of mine ♪

♪ Every time I hear his name, Lord ♪

♪ I just can't keep from cryin' ♪

♪ 'Cause he ♪

♪ Was a friend of mine ♪♪

♪ One more chain I break ♪

♪ To get me closer to you ♪

♪ One more chain ♪

♪ Does the maker make ♪

♪ To keep men from bustin' through ♪

♪ One more notch I scratch ♪

♪ To keep me thinkin' of you ♪

♪ One more notch ♪

♪ Does the maker make ♪

♪ Upon my face so blue ♪

♪ Oh, Lord, how I know ♪

♪ Oh, Lord, how I see ♪

♪ That only can ♪

♪ The maker make ♪

♪ A happy man of me ♪

♪ Get along ♪

♪ Little dogies ♪

♪ Get along ♪

♪ Little dogies ♪

♪ Get along ♪♪