Original subtitles

Come buck

k lived a big house in the sun kissed Santa Clara Valley

Judge Millers place it was called

house was approached by gravel pathways which wound about wide spreading lawns.

under the interlacing boughs of tall poplars..

over this great domain Buck ruled here he was born,

here he had lived the 4 years of his life.

Good afternoon Big Bob

Ed

k did not read the newspapers, or he would have known trouble was brewing.

only for himself but for every tide water-dog

strong of muscle warm and of long hair.

m Puget Sound to San Diego.

because men, groping in the Arctic darkness, had found a yellow metal

because steamship and transportation companies

were booming the find

thousands of men

were rushing into the Northland.

These men wanted dogs

and the dogs they wanted were heavy dogs.

with strong muscles by which to toil,

and furry coats to protect

them from the frost.

Buck had accepted the rope

with quiet dignity.

he had learned to trust in men he knew

and to give them credit for a wisdom

that outreached his own.

But when the ends of the rope were placed in the stranger's hands.

growls menacingly.

two days and nights he neither ate nor drank.

during those two days and nights of torment

accumulated a fund of wrath that

that boded ill for whoever first fell afoul of him.

let him loose

you stay good and it be fine

you be a bad dog an I'll whale the stuffin' outa you.

Buck was beaten but he was not broken.

He saw that he stood

no chance against a man with a club.

That club was a revelation.

It was his introduction to the reign of primitive law.

A this the one you need

big strapping brute name of Buck

He's big enough all right

why he not eating?

he sulking

got a temper for a big dog, I just show him his place

this my best dog. Perrault.

He'll pull your mail sled all the way to Dawson by himself, mark my word.

300!

300?

that�s my price he's worth more

that's a lot of money.

he's a lot of dog.

I'll give you 300 for him and that frisky on over there.

Curly?

Deal.

The next morning Buck and Curly

were loaded on to the Narwhal.

The vessel sailed north from Seattle quickly Crossing the Canadian border

The journey continued pressing on through Queen Charlotte Sound, pass Juno

into Lynne canal and finally up toward Dyea beach

at last one morning, the propeller was quite

Buck new change was a end

Dogs Barking and whimpering

Sniggers

This buck

and Curly

take them over to the camp

I�ll look at them there

Shout at dogs

Here Billee

here Buck

Spitz

There you go Dave

and Curly

That was fair Buck decided

This was a new kinda man,

a man to wise in the way

of dogs to be fooled by dogs.

As a courier for the Canadian government baring dispatches

Perrault was anxious to secure the best dogs.

and he was particularly gladdened by the possession of Buck

- There you go sir - Thanks alot

Hello John. How are you this morning?

Fine Perrault and you?

alright

a fine day of mail for Dawson this time.

what the weather like these days?

not too bad

Dramatic music plays

GET THEM OUT FROM THERE

MEN SHOUTING

So that was the way

no fair play

once down that was the end of you

well

Buck would see to it that he never went down

Spitz looked at curly and unmoved

and at that moment Buck hated him with a bitter deathless hatred

Get out Buck

Get out

out

Francois

This is Sol-leks

what is the problem?

well he's old and half blind

he know how to pull a sled that all I care about

he sighs

no more fancy collars for you my friend

come buck

good dog

let�s get moving Francois

or we'll never make it through the cannon

mush

All though buck dignity was sorely hurt by being harnessed like a horse

he was to wise to rebel

he buckled down with the will and did his best

although it was all new and strange

he was glad to be dog

he was surprised with the eagerness

which animated the whole team

and was communicated to him

the toll and the traces seemed the supreme expression of the being

an all that they lived for

and only thing which they took to light

there you go Dave

Here Spitz

come on buck

thieves

what happened?

- one of them stole my bacon - where did you leave it?

doesn�t matter where i left it

he had no business stealing it

no Buck wouldn�t have stole it

was you wasn�t it? if i ever catch you

you'll wish you never been born

This first theft marked Buck's as fit to survive

in the hostel northlands environment

it marked his ability his capacity

to adjust himself to changing conditions

the lack of which of meant swift and terrible death

it was all well enough in the Southland

under the law love an fellowship to respect private property

and personal feelings

but in the Northlands under the law club and fang

whoso took such things into account was a fool,

and in so far as he observed them he would fail to prosper.

come on Buck

you build yourself a nest go back to it

hey hey alright hold it hold it get out of there Spitz GO

GO

next day they made forty miles

the trail being packed

but the next day, and for many days to follow

hey broke their own trail

worked harder, and made poorer time.

It was a hard days run up canyon

through snowdrifts hundreds of feet deep

and over the great Chilcoot Divided

which stands between the Ocean and the Yukon river

and guards forbiddingly the sad and lonely North.

Halt

We camp here

alright

You�re going to like this trust me

hurry up weather getting worse

come on come walk

come on Buck

don't worry you get use to them

that 's it buck

come on

that's it Buck

you'll get use to It

that's not normal Francois.

boots for a dam dog

How is the ice?

very bad

we'll lose half a day so keep your wits about you

h!

Here in Dawson were other Southland dogs.

and every night regularly at 9 at 12 at 3

they lifted nocturnal song.

A weird and eerie chant in which it was Buck right to join,

Seven days from the time they pulled into Dawson

they dropped down to the Yukon river trail

Perrault was carrying dispatches more urgent than those he brought in

also the pride had gripped him

and he proposed to make the record trip of the year

The weeks rest had recuperated the dogs and put them in thorough trim

alright

go on

what are you doing?

He must be tired of salmon,

little rabbit might taste good eh?

and you too

I hear them

leave them be

it's nice to have some quite around here

Dogs Start to bark and Growl

Spitz moans and howls.

There had been no hope for Spitz

mercy was a thing reserved for gentler climes

instinct long dead became alive again in Buck,

The domestic generations were falling from him

look like you put up a hell�va fight

damn it

it's tough enough on the trail without this

Am glad is finally over

you glad we lost a dog?

Buck worth two Dogs

we�re going to make better time

no more Spitz no more trouble

hope your right

Come on Sol-leks, come on

got a new job for you

Come on Sol-leks

Buck go away

so you thing you should take Spitz place eh go away

Go

Sol-leks will lead.

Stay

I�ve had enough

By god buck am going to teach your place

damn you Buck

Buck ying

so what we do?

I say we give buck a chance

he fought for it

sighs alright maybe your right

It was a hard trip the trail behind them.

and the heavy work wore them down

since the beginning of winter they had travel 1800 miles

dragging sled the whole weary distance

Buck stood keep his mate's up to their work and maintaining discipline

although he too was very tired.

Monsieur Perrault

no broken bones

- Put him back in the tracers - No he's too weak to pull

then you know what we have to do.

he might recover.

we'll make him run behind

Alright

let's get going

come on Dave

mush

come on Dave you can do it

Wait!

I'll do it

move the dogs ahead

mush mush

Gun shoot

Buck knew and every dog knew what had taken place

behind that belt of river trees

and they knew this thing was very close to them

30 days from the time it left Dawson

the mail with buck and his mates at the fore

arrived back in a wretched state

worn out and worn down

Dyea Thank god

sounds like your both lucky to be alive

too bad you have to go back to Dawson

what?

urgent mail for the northwest police

No way we 'all make to Dawson right now

The dogs are exhausted

they need a week to rest up

sorry you�re the only messengers in town

Cyrus O'Neil got some fresh dogs you can buy

Ye what am I going to do with my dogs?

sell them

Dyea crawling with southerners half them looking for dogs

phew

merci

and give the dogs a good rest they need it

where are the dogs?

Goodbye my friends

you�re a good dog Buck

Au revoir M�n ami

k listened to his new masters Apprehensively

the proceeded to load the sled.

re was a great deal of effort about their manner

not Business like method

No that one should go on top please - alright

Yes dear

I wouldn�t toot that tent along if i was you.

undreamed of how in the world would we manage without a tent.

it's all most spring you get along without it

thanks for the advice mister

think it will ride?

an why not?

whyeeee it seem top heavy that all

oh

alright listen up you mutts

am your new master

and I demand obedience

Stand

Stand I said

I a said stand up

lazy brute

no Hal you mustn�t

now you mustn�t be so harsh with them or i won't move a step

you have to whip the dogs if you want anything out of them

ask any one of those people

There as weak as water friend

they just got off the trail they need a rest.

but just look at them

well it the big one here he's lazy

what is name?

A Buck

ok Buck

up

You�re crazy mister.

Don't you talk to my brother in that tone voice sir.

you do what you think necessary

why don�t you get up an be the leader

what a good boy.

Back away Mercedes

let get going

loud sigh

Hello Yukon ha

Hal!

are you all right?

well we just have to take few things off

over that

feeling better

No how could I feel better leaving all my things behind

oh my sweet pea

with all the gold we�re going to find

I�ll buy you ever new dress in Dawson city

Right everyone just relax

with 7 dogs we�re really going fly

this is a lot harder than you told me Charles

ouck didn�t think getting rich, would be easy did you? dear

all right

all aboard the golden express

Ready? - yes

all right you mingy mutts MUSH

MUSH

What now? - well perhaps I should walk for a while

oh right here we go mush mush on

Hooray for the Klondike

This is freezing am glad we missed winter

Eat hardy lads you earned it

but Hal we didn't get very far today.

It's not bad for the first day

especially considering Cleopatra sat on the barge the entire way.

A woman can only walk so far in one day.

Now sweetheart don't be like that

Perhaps we should show her the map

It's your wife

I can hear you Hal

- What's wrong? - Oh we got a problem

- I thought we passed lake Bennett yesterday - No that was lake cacross

- Oh you poor dog 's you look so tired - what if this way?

it will lead us by the white pass trail here.

- we cut our distance by a third But

But In Dyea the said that trail was dangerous this time of year

No dear! Don't do that

You mustn�t over feed the dogs

no! no! no! don't be so cruel Charles they need there sustains

but we'll run out of food half way to Dawson

Am taking the white pass trail and were cutting the dogs rations

Buck felt vaguely that there was no depending

upon these two men and the woman.

They did not know how to do anything.

and as the days went by it became apparent that they could not learn.

this way

let�s go

mush

A mush on

Help me! Help!

Help me!

Freezing

How could you leave me out there? I all most have died

why you not wearing your snow shoes?

There back there

why don't you not go back and find them if there so precious

Charles would you please inform my sister this is Milwaukee.

that this is the middle of the damn Yukon.

Oh why don't you tell my foul mouth brother

that am trying my best.

but i just can't walk anymore I just can't

By this time all the amenities and gentleness�s of the Southland

fell away from the three people

shorn of its glamour and romance,

Arctic travel became to them a reality too harsh for them.

Ah mush on

Through it all Buck staggered along at the head the team

As in a nightmare.

Stop!

Whoa!

Whoa! Whoa!

What!

Look!

God lord

How we going to get across?

Look just don't panic we just

Follow the river upstream till it's frozen

Come on lets go

Stop! Stop Stop

- Stop the dog look he' fallen - Whoa Whoa

Don't for god sake

He's dead

let's just keep moving!

Ye ha mush ye mush

What he want?

I think he's trying to tell you something dear

- He wants off the sled - But I am freezing - GET OFF!

or were not going anywhere

I didn't want come on this trip you know

I didn't want look for gold

I only came because I wanted to be near you because I love you

and now

everything is ruined.

Yhea mush

Yhea

It was strange that neither dogs or humans were aware of it.

From every hill came a trickle of running water

All things were thawing

The Yukon was straining to break loose the ice that bound it down.

thin sections of ice fell through bodily into the river.

And amid all this throbbing of awakening life,

through the rushing of the swollen river.

like wayfarers to death, the two men, the woman, and the dogs.

staggered into John Thornton's camp at the mouth of White River.

Thank god

were travelling upstream looking for some ice to across

Well there lots of ice

But it's about to break i wouldn�t call it safe

we made it this far

we'll find a way across

You look frozen stiff?

No we

were just fine.

Come on Up!

Up

Come buck let's get up

we got keep going now.

Come lets Come Buck up

Come lets come on Buck

look at me, I said stand. up

UP!

Buck I said up

You listen to me Buck when I say up

come on

Like his mates, Buck was barely able to get up,

but, unlike them, he had made up his mind not to get up.

he sensed disaster close at hand out there ahead on the ice

were his master was trying to drive him.

This dog finished.

Gimmie the gun Charles

No Hal

- Gimmie the damn gun. - NO!

You finish the dog? I'll finish you.

He's my dog.

You mind your own business

Well take him he's nearly dead anyway.

Let�s go come on.

Let�s take a look at you.

By the time his search had disclosed nothing more than many bruises

and a state of terrible starvation,

the sled was a quarter of a mile away.

Bunch of idiots

Want to try this

come on

HELP!

When John Thornton froze his feet in the previous December

His partners Hans and Pete had made him comfortable and left him to get well,

going on themselves up the river with a boat of skins for Dawson.

He was still weak at the time he rescued Buck

but with the continued warm weather the weakness had left him.

and here beside the river bank

through the long days of approaching spring.

listening lazily to the songs of birds and the hum of nature,

Buck slowly won back his strength.

and then one day.

decided that he might trust John Thornton.

Hi... how are you

hay

Buck romps through his convalescence

and into a new existence.

Love, genuine passionate love, was his for the first time.

This he had never experienced at Judge Miller's

theirs had been a stately and dignified friendship

But love that was feverish and burning, that was adoration,

that was madness, it had taken John Thornton to arouse.

This man had saved his life.

For a long time after his rescue Buck out of his sight,

since he come into the northland he had feared that no master would be kind.

afraid that Thornton would pass out of his life too.

But in spite of this great love Buck bore John Thornton,

the strain of the primitive, which the Northland had aroused in him,

remained alive and active.

Each day mankind and the claims of mankind slipped farther from him.

Deep in the forest a call was sounding,

and as often as he heard this call, mysteriously thrilling and luring,

he felt compelled to turn his back upon the campsite and the beaten earth around it,

and to plunge into the forest and on and on,

he knew not where or why;

But as often as he gained the soft unbroken earth

and the dark forest shade,

the love for John Thornton drew him back again.

Thornton alone held him. The rest of mankind was as nothing.

convalescence was over

along bad stretch of rapids on the Forty-Mile Creek,

Thornton�s two partners Hans and Pete

were moving the long the bank with ropes,

they were getting ready to guide Thornton in the boat

which was loaded with the skins they would sell in Dawson.

Pete!... Pete!

Come on Hans.

Come here.. come on

Hang on John!

Go get him Buck.

ok pull!

John it me Hans

He's alright

You ok?

I could use a whisky right now

Hans and Pete laugh.

Daryl don't you be cheating you hear!

Don't say hello John

alright

how's thing with you?

You strike it rich yet?

No

I just look that way

Who's your friend?

it's my partner

Pretty fine looking dog mister

Hey John!

over here

Excuse us.

that looks pretty strong!

You know I got a dog that can breakout a sled with 500 pounds,

an walk right of with it

oh Yhea

well my boy Dutton same with 600 pounds.

Well my boy Buck can do 800 pounds.

All laughing

800 pounds

and walk with it for a 100 feet?

And walk off with it... .. for 100 feet

You know I would like to see that.

and I got 1,000 dollars worth of gold dust

that says he can't

Stay!

bet there going make needs 1000 Dollars

I got a sled waiting right outside

- OK - Done

2-1 Thornton�s dog can't meet the challenge

That deep man!

I say got to be 3-1

I'll take those 3-1 odds

an lay you another 1,000 at those odds any takers come on

Going to need more money!

all we got

A bugger triple it for us anyway

John I'll put my money on you.

200 more

Against my 600? Done

Do this for me don't let me down

Ok

Come on hey hey up

Come on

You can do it come on

Yhea...up you can do it come on

Come on!

come on pull

Step Step Come on

come on ...pull

Crowd cheer Buck on

Yhea Yhea

Sir I'll give you a 1,000 dollars for your dog

12,000

He's not for sale

Your share and $150

thanks for the support.

ah when you going to leave?

Pretty soon

Listen why don't you just think about it

you could sleep on it.

Maggie - mmm

why do you have to give me such hard time?

When Buck earned 16,000 dollars in five minutes for John Thornton,

he made it possible his master pay of certain debts.

and to journey into the East after a fabled lost mine.

the history of which was as old as the history of the country.

Many men had sought it; few had found it;

and more than a few there were who had never returned from the quest.

Bye - Good luck

From the beginning there had been an ancient and ramshackle cabin.

Dying men had sworn to it.

and to the mine which it marked,

clinching their testimony with nuggets

unlike any known grade of gold in the Northland

John Thornton asked little of man or nature.

He was unafraid of the wild.

With a handful of salt and a rifle he could plunge into the wilderness

and fare wherever he pleased and as long as he pleased.

this was Indian country

Being in no haste, Indian fashion,

he hunted and fished for his dinner in the course of the day's travel.

Lying next to Thornton dozing lazily in the heat of the day

Irresistible impulses were beginning seized Buck.

The months came and went,

and at the end of all there wandering they found not he lost cavern

but a shallow mine in a broad valley

they sought no further.

Wolves howl

The call still sounding in the depths of the forest.

It filled Buck with a great unrest and strange desires.

he was aware of wild yearnings and stirrings for he knew not what.

he pursued the call into the forest.

running the dim twilight

seeking for the mysterious something that called him to come.

Whistles

Buck barks

A there you are now it's time for breakfast ah

Buck barks... and Wolves howl

From the forest came the call

distinct and definite as never before,

a long-drawn howl, like, yet unlike, any noise made by a dog.

And he knew it, in the old familiar way

as a sound heard before.

Wolf howls

Buck was wildly glad.

He knew he was at last answering the call,

running by the side of his wood brother

toward the place from where the call surely came.

He had done this thing before,

somewhere in that dimly remembered world

and he was doing it again, now.

Then Buck remembered John Thornton.

Wolves howling

If you think you�re going to sleep here

you got another thing coming.

Get out!

Buck never left camp never let Thornton out of his sight.

but while restlessness came back on him,

he a thing of the wild

come in from the wild to sit by John Thornton�s fire

and was haunted by recollections of the wild brother,

Once again he took to wandering in the woods,

but the wild brother came no more.

There no gold here

we go home tomorrow.

Let's call it a day.

Buck had lessoned well

he must be master or be mastered.

but to show mercy was a weakness.

Mercy did not exist in the primordial life.

It was misunderstood for fear,

and such misunderstandings made for death.

Kill or be killed, eat or be eaten,

was the law.

BUCK!

Whoa whoa Yhea

Mumbles to himself

Buck

All day Buck brooded by Thornton�s body

Death, as a cessation of movement

as a passing out and away from the lives of the living,

He knew

and he knew John Thornton was dead.

It left a great void in him, somewhat akin to hunger,

but a void which ached and ached,

and which food could not fill.

And with the coming of the night,

brooding and mourning by the river,

Buck became alive to a stirring of the new life in the forest.

It was the call,

sounding more alluringly and compellingly than ever before.

And as never before, he was ready to obey.

John Thornton was dead. The last tie was broken.

Man and the claims of man no longer bound him.

And here may well end the story of Buck.

The years were not many when the Yeehats noted

a change in the breed of timber wolves;

or some were seen with splashes of brown on head and muzzle,

and with a rift of gold centring down the chest.

But more remarkable than this,

the Yeehats tell of a Ghost Dog that runs with the pack.

they are afraid of this Ghost Dog,

for it has cunning greater than they,

stealing from their camps in fierce winters

robbing their traps, slaying their dogs, and defying their bravest hunters.

there is a certain valley which they never enter

When the long winter nights come on

and the wolves follow their meat

he may be seen running at the head of the pack

through the pale moonlight

leaping gigantic above his fellows

his great throat a-bellow as he sings a song of the younger world,

which is the song of the pack.