All language subtitles for Roots.Part1.2016.720p.HDTV.x264-DHD

♫

Alex: This is how I heard
about the boy, Kunta Kinte.

And this is how
I'll tell you the story.

[ Woman singing indistinctly ]

The two most important days
in a man's life

are the day he is born

and the day
that he understands why.
[ Indistinct shouting ]

[ Man groans ]

[ Grunts ]

[ Screaming ]

[ Grunts ]

[ Exhales sharply ]

There was once
a rich and sophisticated city

named Juffure

in a Mandinka kingdom
in West Africa.

It was located on the banks
of the Kamby Bolongo,

the Great River of the Gambia.

[ Woman singing indistinctly ]

Like the Greeks, Romans,
and Hebrews,

Mandinka kept slaves
as servants.

Some slaves married
into these families,

others paid ransoms
to be free.

♫

Then Europeans arrived
in great sailing ships.

Some Mandinka were corrupted
by European guns and gold,

creating a violent market
for slaves.

But the many Africans
who fought European plundering

suffered brutal reprisals.

Kunta Kinte's family were
warriors loyal to the king.

On the day
that Kunta was born,

the Kinte family
had a violent clash

with their rivals,
the Koros...
[ Man shouts indistinctly ]

...who were loyal
only to their greed.

[ Man shouting
in Mandinka ]

[ Grunting ]

[ Groaning ]

It would take Kunta
a long time

to understand why he was
born into this world,

but when he did,

it was as clear as the sky
above the Kamby Bolongo.

Permission?

I do not need permission.

The king needs my sons and I
to support him.

The king knows
you sail upriver

to buy slaves
at favorable prices.

He knows you're trading them
for English guns.

None of this is your business,
Omoro Kinte.

We control who goes up and down
the river.

For our Mansa, the king.

[ Grunts ]

Aah!

[ Screams ]

Do not sacrifice your sons
for your own greed!

[ Horse whinnies ]

[ Drum playing ]

[ Horse grunting ]

[ Screaming ]

♫

[ Screams, grunts ]

Push, push.

[ Breathing heavily ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Push.

Aah! Aah!

Push! Push!

[ Drumming continues ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Turn.

Go. Wait.

[ Laughter ]

[ Binta screaming ]

[ Drumming stops ]

Binta:
[ Singing in native language ]

[ Laughter ]

[ Singing continues ]

Now you can enter,
brave Mandinka warrior.

[ Laughter ]

[ Humming ]

[ Woman singing indistinctly ]

You must hear your name first.

You are Kunta Kinte,

son of Omoro
and Binta Kinte.

Grandson of Kairaba Kunta Kinte
and Yaisa.

You must always
honor your ancestors,

the ones who love you
and watch over you.

Your name is your spirit.

Your name is your shield.

♫

Allahu Akbar!

Behold Kunta Kinte,

the only thing
that is greater than you.

♫

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Laughs ]

[ Cheering ]

[ Laughs ]

I am king
of the Kamby Bolongo!

[ Laughs ]

[ Laughs ]

[ Gasps ] Crocodile!

Aah! Aah!

[ Laughter ]

Kunta, don't run away.

You are so sour.

A crocodile
would spit you out.

[ Chuckles ] Jinna, come swim
down river with me.

Then we will see
who's scared of crocodiles.

Sitafa:
Back to work, Jinna.

And I don't see many oysters
in your basket.

Because they have disappeared
into your belly.

[ Laughter ]

Kunta, don't bother
with that girl.

Soon an older warrior
will take her for his bride.

Jinna is getting married?

One of the Koros.

He agreed to bring her
into the family.

Then she can bother the Koros
instead of you.

[ Xylophone playing ]

[ Woman singing
in native language ]

[ All singing
in native language ]

[ Singing continues ]

[ Rhythmic clapping ]

[ Singing continues ]

[ All cheering ]

Kunta!
[ Speaks native language ]

No, Kunta.
This is not the time.

Control your temper.

Anger is the path
to poor decisions.

Lamin is hungry.

Go to my room
and get a bowl of cooked rice.

But he's sleeping.

Is this back talk?

[ Rhythmic clapping
continues ]

Cooked rice.

[ Sword clangs ]
[ Shouting ]

Make me proud.

Kunta: [ Panting ]

Aah!

[ Panting ]

♫

Aah.

Man: Aah!

Uncle Silla!

Did I ask you to speak?
No, Uncle Silla.

If I didn't ask you to speak,
why do you keep saying my name?

I'm dying of thirst.

Aah!
Is there water?!

Man:
Of course there is water.

If I had run as far as you,
I would want water, too.

But what you want
is of no importance.

I am your Kintago!

All: Peace be with you.

Kintago:
[ Speaks native language ]

And with you.

May Allah's mercy
rain upon you.

You will need it.

Your lives will be measured
by what you do now.

Only the bravest
will be selected

to become warriors
to serve your king.

But if you fail,

no woman
will bear your children.

You must leave Juffure

and live your days
somewhere else.

Now stand up!

Line up!

And shut up!

Your jujuo
is across the river.

You will live there like
the old Mandinka way

in warm, comfy lean-tos.

What are you waiting for?

Now cross the river.

Go!

[ Whip cracks ]

[ All shouting ]

[ All grunting ]
Go! Go!

♫

♫

[ Horse whinnying ]

Kitango:
For a Mandinka warrior,

one horse is worth
20 men in battle.

I know you have been
taught to ride by your family,

but not a horse like this.

He is a king of a royal line

that goes back
to the great kings of Mali.

[ Horse whinnies ]

Who will ride him?

Kunta volunteers.

But I don't see a saddle
or reins.

This horse will never allow
a boy like you

to put a bit in his mouth.

And what if your enemy
took your saddle?

Would you try to run
without your horse?

Silla:
Hands up together.

But how will I hold on?

[ Whip cracks ]
Kintago:
what are your legs for?

[ Grunts ]

[ Horse whinnying ]

Kunta: Aah! Aah!

[ Breathing shallowly ]

[ Shouts ]

Slow! Wait, slow down!

[ Breathing shallowly ]

Go around. Go around.

Go around! Go around!

[ Horse whinnies ]
[ Grunts ]

[ Groaning ]

[ Horse snorting ]

[ Horse whinnies ]

This king of horses has made
you all look weak, unprepared.

You have far to go if you want
to be called a Mandinka warrior.

This horse
could feel your fear

because you are only
thinking of yourselves,

not about the horse.

[ Man singing
in native language ]

[ All singing
in native language ]

[ All grunting ]

Kintago: Are we moving?

Why do I still feel
we are on the riverbank?

Faster.

If we met an enemy,

this would be a canoe
full of dead warriors.

My hands
are like monkey paws.

Faster! Faster!

Paddle!

[ Horn blowing ]

You hear that?

[ Horn blows ]

The enemy approaches.

We must stop the enemy
on the river,

or he will kill you
and attack your families.

This can't be real,
is it?

Your weapons
are at your feet.

But these
are not sharpened.

Oh.

Did you all forget to prepare
your weapons in advance?

There is a word for a Mandinka
who is unprepared in battle.

A slave.

I see them.

It's only Master Silla.

Addo, stand up.

Use your javelin.

Attack your enemy
before he kills you.

What if I hit
Master Silla?

A warrior who hesitates
is a dead warrior.

Throw now.

[ Grunts ]

Aah!

Kunta! Up!

If you cannot fight your enemy
across the river,

you will be killed!

Taken as a slave!

Kunta: [ Grunts ]

[ Grunts ]

Kintago: I will not tolerate
your insolence.

You disobeyed my order.

I instructed you
to use your javelin.

Instead, you insulted
Silla Ba Dibba, your teacher.

I defeated my enemy.

Kunta Kinte,

we will see if you are as good
as you think you are.

You will be given
a head start.

If you make it back to our jujuo
before the others catch you,

you can continue your training.

But if you are caught,

you will fail your training.

You will never
become a warrior,

and you will be banished.

[ Shouts ]

Now run, Kunta Kinte.

Run!

Go!

[ Panting ]

[ Man speaks native language ]

[ Man speaks native language ]

[ Man shouting
in native language ]

[ Cow lows ]

[ Laughs ]

♫

♫

You sure the dead man
was from Juffure?

Kunta: Yes, Uncle Silla.
I knew him.

His name was Musa.

His family trades
rice and oysters.

His neck was tied
like a goat.

The Koros
have gone too far.

First they defy the king

and sell slaves from upriver
without permission.

Now they're taking our own
to sell for guns.

Brother, it's too dangerous
to be this far from Juffure.

Especially for our sons.

The Koros
can take them as hostages

and hold them for ransom.

We must fight them, Fa.

It's far easier
to rush into fighting

than to stop it
once it starts.

[ Shrieks ]

Kintago: He is asking you
a question.

What is the warrior's
first responsibility?

To serve his king.
[ Shrieks ]

[ Men shout
in native language ]
[ Shrieks ]

He says you are wrong.

To honor Allah.
[ Shrieks ]

[ Men shout
in native language ]
[ Shrieks ]

[ Men shout
in native language ]
Also wrong.

The first duty of
a Mandinka warrior

is to raise a family,

to have children,
to pass on our way of life.

This starts with
a clean and healthy foto.

What we're about
to do to you

has been done
to your fathers

and their fathers
and all of your forefathers.

The paste will help numb you
a little,

but not enough.

The pain will help you
remember Kasa Boyo.

And trust me,
you will remember it.

Hold out your foto!

Kunta Kinte.

[ Screams ]

[ Howls ]

[ Villagers singing
in native language ]

Jinna.

I missed your wedding.

But I am not married, Kunta.

[ Shrieks ]

[ Villagers cheer ]

Binta:
[ Singing in native language ]

Kunta.

Rise up, mother.

I'm sorry for coming
inside your new home

without your permission,
Kunta Kinte.

I'm happy to see you,
mother.

I made you a prayer rug,

a bowl for rice, and...

...and beads.

♫

The guests
will be arriving soon.

♫

[ Humming ]

♫

[ Laughs ]

Omoro: Have you ever
seen his like?

[ Horse whinnies ]

Now that you will serve
in the king's cavalry,

your horse
should be the best.

His line traces back to
the great herds of the Sahara.

[ Horse whinnies ]

If I accept this horse...

...must I stay in Juffure?

I don't understand.

Juffure is our home.

Why would you leave?

To study in Timbuktu.

Then we'd never
see you again.
Binta: That's true.

It is very, very far,
Kunta.

I need to know if I can attend
university.

Test myself against
the best students
in the world.

Timbuktu is a giant city

with aggressive
and ambitious people

where boys fight like dogs

to be accepted
in the university.

It'll be my own fight.

You would do this
to your mother?

I won't allow it.

Are you ordering me
to stay?

I want you to perform
your duties to this family

like I did,
like my father did,

and his father before him.

I won't always be there

to clean up
the trouble you cause, Kunta.

Listen to your elders.

Stay here.

Stop filling your head
with dreams.

And forget that girl.

We will make you
a better match.

♫

Old Mandinka say

they shall bring him
back to us in peace.

[ Horse neighs ]
Whoa, whoa, whoa,
whoa, whoa, whoa.

You scared him.

A wild-tempered horse.

Perfect for you, Kunta.

So, Kalabi Koro
chose someone else?

I turned him down.

But I know
the right warrior for me.

If he even exists.

Kunta:
My parents want to arrange
a marriage for me.

I turned them down, too.

But I came
to speak to you.

There's nothing
to talk about.

Now they say you are going to
Timbuktu to study.

Far, far away.

Instead of serving the king
or taking a wife.

Jinna.
Look, will you slow down?

I agree.

And you should only choose
the right warrior.

Jinna,
I'm the right warrior.

You know this.

We both do.

Everyone in Juffure
tells me what I can't do,

but...

[ Sighs ]

...I know what I want.

Lopes:
Peace be upon you, brother.

And upon you.

You look familiar.

Yes.

I think I have seen you.

You are
the boy of Omoro Kinte.

You speak Mandinka,
but you're not one of us.

I speak many languages.

How else can a man make a living
here on the Kamby Bolongo?

[ Horse grunts ]

Go home, girl, quickly,

or I will beat you.

[ Chuckles ]

Djeliba Koro:
It's time your family pay

for all the trouble
they have caused me, Kunta.

Come peacefully.

The ransom negotiations
should not take long,

then you can go free.

Go free?

I am free.

Run! Tell my father!

Shoot her!

[ Grunts ]

Yah!

[ Screams ]

♫

Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!

[ Horse whinnies ]

♫

[ Speaks native language ]

[ Horse whinnies ]
Hyah!

[ Horse whinnies ]

[ Grunts ]

[ Men shouting ]

Djeliba Koro:
How long must I endure
your family?

[ Both grunting ]

There will be no ransom.

Sell the boy to the English
with the other captives.

Take as many of his friends
as you can.

I want Omoro Kinte
to feel what I feel.

[ Whip cracks ]

Drop him now!

[ Branding iron sizzling ]
[ Screams ]

Djeliba Koro:
Three crates of muskets.

That's twice their worth.

These men are warriors.

Two crates. No more.

Restrain him!

Take him down,
for God's sake.

[ Man speaks native language ]

Aah!

Hove! Bring him forward

Get him.
[ Grunting ]

Stop wriggling!
Drop him down!

Kunta: Uncle Silla!

Uncle Silla!

Uncle Silla!

[ Screams ]

Move him on!

Man: [ In distance ]
All hands on deck!

[ Indistinct shouting ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Man coughing ]

[ Man shouts indistinctly ]

[ Ship rumbles ]

[ Man grunting ]

Silla: Kunta!

Uncle Silla!
Are you here?

[ Groans ]

Uncle Silla!

Kunta!

Uncle Silla!
What is this noise?

The ship is getting ready
to move.

I cannot breathe.

Why is there no air
in this hole?

Are we under water?

[ Coughs ]

[ Exhales sharply ]

How long
have we been here?

Do you speak Mandinka,
father?

Man: [ Coughing ]

[ Vomits ]

Uncle Silla.

I soiled myself.

Like an animal.

I'm ashamed.

The shame is not ours,
Kunta.

[ Water splashes ]

[ Indistinct conversations ]

[ Groaning ]

They hurt you,
Uncle Silla.

Your voice comforts me.

What if the Koros
hurt my father and my mother

and my brothers?

Uncle Silla,
how will my family find us?

[ Man singing
in native language ]

Silla: Kunta.

I think Allah sends us dreams
to guide us.

Dream of seeing your family
again.

Will you do that for me,
Kunta?

Yes, Uncle Silla.

Fa.

Please find me.

[ Man singing
in native language ]

Shh.

[ Screaming ]

[ Sobbing ]

Taylor: Up!

Clear a path!

Davies: I want food
in every black belly.

Move!

Just beat them back!

Peck:
Back! Move your filthy legs!

Man: Eat!

Don't look at me,
monkey.

Clear a path! Move!

Don't let them
spit it out.
Back back!

Move, monkey!

Taylor:
Move sharply, lads!

Faster they're fed,

faster we're out
of this privy.

Peck: Shove it in their faces,
but make them eat.

Watch their hands, boys,
and their teeth.

Eat now or go hungry.

Quickly,
or you'll get nothing.

Feed him, boy!

Eat, nigger.

No "nigger eat."

Here's another one
who won't eat, Captain.

A sharp poke in the ribs
if you need, boys.

Secure his chin.

Don't fight me, monkey.

[ Grunting ]

Davies: Hold him still.

Hold still.

[ Kunta grunting ]

Pour it now, boy.

Listen for the gurgle.

Kunta: [ Gurgling ]
Down it goes.

Young fool!

Don't let even one
starve himself, Mr. Taylor.

A dead nigger
is money lost.

Out.
Out when you're done.

You'll eat or suck metal,

but food
will get in your belly.

We got more work
up on deck, boys.

[ Spitting ]

[ Panting ]

[ Door slams ]

Silla: Kunta Kinte.

You will not live
if you do not eat.

Let me die.

Kunta!

Live!

Live! See what comes!

Do you know
what will come?!

Does Allah?!

[ Breathes shallowly ]

[ Thunder crashing ]

Man: Come on!

[ Shouts indistinctly ]

Brothers, I am Silla Ba Dibba
from Juffure.

How many
are Mandinka here?

We must help each other.

Mandinka sold the Wolof
to the Portuguese!

[ Men shouting
in native languages ]

Brothers, stop!

Stop!

We will not survive
as enemies.

I've been in chains on this ship
for two moons.

I do not want to survive.

[ Thunder crashing ]

[ Woman singing
in native language ]

[ Sailors shouting ]

[ Singing
in native language ]

[ Singing
in native language ]

Come inside, Kunta.

[ Singing continues ]

[ Humming ]

Taylor: Up, up, up, niggers!

Get up! Move!

On your feet!

Get them moving,
Mr. Peck!

Move!
Peck: Get up! Move!

Back! Run!
Move!

Run! Move!

[ Indistinct shouting ]

Move!

Up, nigger!

Faster!

Aah!
Up!

Carrington:
Get them in line!

-Move!
-Don't look at me!

[ Whip cracking ]

Move!

Move!

Stay in line.

Keep it straight!

Scrub them down,
Mr. Taylor.

Yes, Mr. Carrington.
Boy.

Eyes open, lad.

Back in line.

Okay!

[ Slaves shout ]

Taylor: Keep an eye, lads.

Every second out of the hold,

dancing with the devil, lads.

Do your jobs.

[ Grunting ]

[ Screaming ]

Drum!

[ Drum playing ]

Now, you're gonna jump!

You're gonna stretch your limbs,
work your muscles!

Keep it up
until the drum stops!

[ Drum rhythm continues ]

Jump!

Jump!

Jump! Jump!

Move! Move!

Jump! Move!

[ Drum rhythm continues ]

[ Singing
in native language ]

[ All singing
in native language ]

Davies:
Bring me the girl I like.

Bring her now,
Mr. Carrington.

Yes, Captain.

Mr. Peck.

[ Singing continues ]

Jinna!

Kunta!
Jinna!

-Hey!
-Kunta!

Jinna!

Davies: Very, very pretty.

I've got some extra food
for you.

[ Screams ]

Grab her!
But don't hurt her.

No cuts or scars!

Mr. Taylor!

[ Jinna crying ]

What's going on here now?

Grab her!

Kunta!

Grab her!

[ Speaks native language ]

[ All shouting ]

[ Crying,
speaking native language ]

That nigger girl
has provoked them.

Take them down now,
Mr. Taylor.

-Move!
-Come on!

Taylor: Move! Move!

I know when my cargo starts
to turn bad, Mr. Carrington.

We need an example.

We need to make them think twice
about starting trouble.

That one with the wound.

[ Grunts ]
His arm is diseased.

It must come off.

Yes, Mr. Carrington.

Make sure they all watch.

Peck: Get over here.

Silla: Aah!

Get him on the deck.

Hold that arm out.

Hold him steady.

[ Screaming ]

[ Screams ]

Man: [ Coughs ]

I was dreaming of
my daughters.

They would always run to me
when I came home.

Arms waving like the wings
of a stork.

Keep your dreams
to yourself.

I am not a brave man,
Kunta.

But if the time comes,
I'll fight.

And if we die,

the spirits of our ancestors

will tell our families

that we tried
to come home to them.

[ Breathing heavily ]

♫

Is there another man
who will fight with me

to take this ship?

♫

I will fight with the boy
from Juffure.

[ Men shouting in native
languages ]

And I will see you again.

[ Drumming ]

[ Slaves singing
in native language ]

Bring the girl to me.

Mr. Peck.

[ Slaves singing
in native language ]

[ Drumming faster ]

[ Singing louder ]

They broke the chain!

[ Gunshots ]

Man: Shoot the ones in front!
Shoot them!

Davies:
Get behind the door, everyone!

Carrington: Fire at will!

Don't let them get
behind the doors, lads!

Close it now!

Watch out!

[ All grunting ]
Close it!

Close the damn door!

Man: Help me! Help me!

[ All shouting ]

Close the damn door!

Watch out!

Carrington:
I'm going for the other gun!

♫

♫

♫

[ Thunder rumbles ]

♫

Davies: Look at his eyes.

He's not worth feeding.

♫

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Franklin: Proof is in
the pigmentation, gentlemen.

Fresh off the boat --
Guinea boys.

You will notice
their midnight hue,

their sizable feet.

Rare opportunity to purchase

lifelong laborers
and natural breeders...

[ Door opens ]

...females,
young and lively with them.

Hips for childbearing,
shoulders for field work.

Fine form
for the kitchen workplace.

$300.

Who will start for $300?

Let the scramble commence.

[ Indistinct conversations ]

Man: Open his mouth.

Don't tarry, gentlemen.
Someone else will buy.

This one has the flux.
Six minutes, gentlemen.

Take my word.
They'll all be sold.

Master.

Strong boy.

Ahh.

Franklin:
Three sold over here!

[ Sniffs ]

[ Grunts ]

Hey, boy! Stand still.

Franklin: Sold!

Cough.

[ Shouts ]
Cough.

[ Coughs ]

[ Grunts ]

Come.

Franklin: Sold! Sold!

[ Horse whinnies ]

Hey! No Guineaman talk.

Just Virginia talk here.

Now, you call me Samson.

Settle down.

We almost at Massa's farm.

[ Horse whinnies ]

♫

[ Humming ]

Samson: Hey! Guineaman!

Come back here,
Guineaman!

I said come back here!

Settle down, boy!

[ Panting ]

Come back here!
Hey,
one of you grab him!

Aaron: Get away, Guineaman!
You're gonna get us all hanged!

[ Panting ]

Samson:
Come back, Guineaman!

[ Horse grunts ]

Woman:
That there's a Guineaman.

If the overseer asks for me,

tell him Miss Elizabeth
sent me to the Albrights' party.

[ Laughter ]
Of course,

if there's a pretty
little filly in there

who needs
a good hard ride,

tell him I'm gonna be playing
all night long.

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

You the new Guineaman?

No, no, no. Can't be here.
Get back!

Samson:
What you done to me, boy?
What you done to me?

Kunta: [ Grunts ]

[ Irish accent ]
You let him get away.

He -- he -- he --
he a slippery one, Massa.

What's that?

Your words are hubble-bubble
to me, African.

I didn't tell you to leave,
Fiddler.

Miss Elizabeth said
she wants me to be on time,

so that's what
I intend to do.

She won't mind
if you linger a moment,

as a -- as a favor to me.

Step away from the African.

Samson: Y-y-yes, Massa.

[ Grunts ]

How many mistakes
you gonna make?!

Big, stupid bear
of a nigger, eh?

You can't do
what you're told, huh?

How many?! How many?!
How many?!

Samson: No!
What's Master Waller
gonna say if you kill him?

I'm an artist with a club,

just like you and your fiddle,
Fiddler.

[ Screams ]

Know just when to stop.

[ Whimpering ]

You just had your first lesson
in how things work.

All these fancy
Virginian gentlemen,

they don't understand you.

But I do.

You can't buy a slave.

You got to make a slave.

John: Connelly.
Georgia man is here to buy.

Ephraim, here.

Candide, and...

yes, Miss Ellen.

Connelly: Come on, you're going
Georgia way.

Not my mama! You can't!

Not me, Massa! Please!

Ah, shush, shush, shush, shush,
shush, shush, shush.

-Come on.
-Get them in the wagon.

Please!
Get ahold of them.

Got my daughter!
Get them inside!

Waller:
That one's a fine cook

and I gave you
a damn fine price for her.

All right?
Samson, sir.

He's more trouble now
than help.

It'll send a message
to them all

and put some extra money
in your pocket.

Very good.

[ Snaps fingers ]
All right,
come on, take him.

Get him in the back
of the wagon.

Come on, move.
Hurry up.

Samson work harder
than anybody on this
farm, Master Waller.

[ Breathing shallowly ]
Massa, please.

My daughter, Massa.

John: Sure about Samson?

Who we gonna get to break
the African boy?

Need to speak to you
about that, sir.

In private.

Get the African chained up
in a tobacco shed.

[ Ellen crying ]

Tabitha: Mama!

[ Door opens ]

John:
This one is easily spooked.

Elizabeth.

I told you,
this is no place for my wife.

And I almost obeyed you,
darling.

I only came
to find Fiddler.

Fiddler: Massa Waller.
Yes.

They told me
that you wanted to see me.

They didn't tell me why.

Connelly here tells me

that you knew
the African girl

over at
the Randolph place.

I wouldn't say I knew her,
Massa.

We didn't do much talking.

That was years ago.

Fine notion, sir.

Fiddler knows his way
around an African.

Let him handle the boy.

John. We spoke at length.

No more purchases for a while,
and look what you did.

Brother, I do not like holding
so much of your debt.

What on earth
are you talking about?

I'm gonna get 30 years
good service out of him.

And I have money
in my pocket

from selling the niggers
that he's replacing.

Fiddler: Massa Waller,
that's a brand-new Guineaman.

It's a mighty responsibility.

Much more responsibility
for an overseer

than it is
for a fiddle player like me.

No, no, Fiddler.
He's yours starting today.

And if the boy proves
to be recalcitrant,

then he'll go
in my pocket, too,

courtesy of the Georgia man,
same as Samson.

What are we calling
this one?

William: Does the lady
have a proposal?
Hey. Hey!

In Dorset, we had an old slave
in the stables.

Don't you ever
look at my wife.
He taught me
to abandon sidesaddle.

Sit astride a stallion.

Call this one Toby.

Named after the horse
or the slave?

Both.

Come along, Connelly.

Yes, sir.

Come up to the house
as soon as you're finished.

I want to hear all about
the Albrights' party.

Mrs. Albright
put on a barrel of weight.

Look like a newborn calf
at the udder.

I knew it.
I want all the details.

Yes, ma'am.

You're hurt.

It's nothing
to fuss about.

William.
William: Hmm?

Yes, that could go septic.

I'll attend to you up
at the house, Fiddler.

Thank you, ma'am.

Damn Albrights.

Playing for six hours.

Asked the oldest son if
I could take some time to rest

'cause my fingers
were clawing up.

Spoiled boy took my hand,
held it over a candle flame.

I still had
to play more tunes.

But you a tune I never
was expecting to play.

Just calm down!
Calm down.

Calm down.

Why you think
that overseer

got Massa to give you to me,
huh?

'Cause overseer know that
you're gonna take off again.

Then the Massa,
he gonna have to blame me.

I'll end up like Samson,
going out Georgia way.

You gonna start working
today.

You'll be planting
a new tobacco field.

Try to say this word.

Tobacco.

Tobacco.

Tobacco.

That's right.

Tobacco like a hole
in a water bucket.

Makes a --
makes a field run dry.

Run field dry.

It's gonna be a long summer.

Killing heat, biting flies.

Stay light so long,

it seem like the night
gonna never come.

I'm gonna get Miss Elizabeth

to hand you back over
to the overseer.

I got me a nice, warm spot
like an old hound

right there at the fireplace
by her feet.

I ain't gonna let
no Guineaman

get me kicked back out
to that field.

You understand me, Toby?

Kunta Kinte.

No, no, listen to me.

Massa's wife
done named you Toby.

Kunta Kinte.

[ Speaking native language ]

I ain't got time to chinwag
with a Guineaman.

Toby. Toby!
[ Speaks
native language ]

Toby! Toby! Toby!
Toby! Toby! Toby! Toby!

You're gonna be Toby now,

and you're gonna be Toby
forever.

And I don't care nothing about
your Africa ways.

You gonna work hard,
and you gonna cause no trouble,

you hear me, Toby?

Kunta Kinte!

♫

♪ So this be true ¶

♪ Tobacco gon' my life renew ¶

♪ Don't fear death ¶

♪ No killin' care ¶

♪ Soul's gonna rise ¶

Kunta: [ Humming ]

Blaine: Hey.

Hey!

[ Gun cocks ]
Back to work.

I'm gonna come by
and see you tonight.

If you want me...

you can have me.

Understand?

Kunta: No.

That be so bad?

Go.

♫

Aaron: Come on, now,
move fast, nigger,

before you gets us all
in trouble.

No nigger. Mandinka.

Fiddler: Snuck you something
from the kitchen.

With honey.

Always hungry when you
working in the field.

I remember that.

Thank you, Fiddler.

Your boy ain't keeping up,
Fiddler.

Need to get these hog's heads
to the Liverpool packet.

Miss that ship,

I'm telling Mr. Waller
it's your fault.

Almost done.

I'm getting about damn
tired of you, Guineaman!

Fiddler:
I got this. I got this.

[ Grunting ]

Aaron:
What's the matter?

You don't want to fight,
Guineaman?

Come here!

Don't stop.

Fiddler: Come on, then.

Come on out of that hole.
Come on.
Get up, Toby.

Come on!
Back to work.

Toby.

Get up.

On your feet.

No Toby.

Kunta Kinte.

Toby! Toby!

[ Grunting ]

I got him! I got him!
I got him! I got this.

Your name's Toby.

Now, get up, Toby.
Listen to me.

You're gonna get your
head cracked open like
a Chesapeake oyster.

I need you to get up.

All right, hear me?

Connelly: Next time
he doesn't answer to Toby,

you're the one
gets a beating.

Let's go right now,
ask Miss Elizabeth

what she think
about all that.

You think
she can keep you safe?

Like
the Queen of England.

Ain't just Toby don't know
who he really is.

Fiddler: You think that
Mandinka god hear you?

Best thing
to forget all that.

White folk
don't like no Africa god.

Get you in bad trouble,
Toby.

[ Clicks tongue ]

I can't believe
I got to ride 10 mile,

then I got to work
all damn night.

Miss Elizabeth called me
a -- a prodigy.

Prodigy just mean
that she -- she --

she rent me out
and she keep all the money.

[ Chuckles ]

Kunta:
[ Singing in native language ]

What's that tune?

[ Singing continues ]

Long time ago...

I swear that my grandmama
sang that...

'fore I got sold.

There was a man
on the farm,

played this old
Africa guitar.

He -- he --
I think he played it, too.

No guitar.

Kontingo.

I've been chasing that tune
i-in my head for...

a long, long time.

You must be putting that
Mandinka magic on me.

Making me think of
too many things

tucked away
real deep inside.

My mother sings
this to me...

every night
when I'm young.

It's a real pretty song.

I'm gonna figure it out.

Maybe build me
one of them...

Fiddler:
...Africa guitars.

This song is mine.

Nobody in this place
can have it.

It's okay.

It's okay.
[ Chuckles ]

I can wait
till you share it with me.

Mama sing her boy
a song like that,

she must be a fine lady.

Got to have
a fine...fine family.

[ Door closes ]

♫

[ Chisel scraping ]

♫

William: You cut me off!

Now I'll pass you.

Elizabeth: Come on!

One day,

she gonna let Massa's
brother catch her,

and this whole farm
gonna catch on fire.

[ Chuckles ]

I got a surprise
for you later.

Surprise in this place

be when toubab
do their own work.

Elizabeth:
[ Panting ] I won.

Or did you let me win?

No, no, no, I did my best.
[ Chuckles ]

Although I must say

I've become rather partial
to the view from second place.

[ Chuckles ]

Elizabeth:
Walk him down, Toby.

See that he gets
a good wash.

Oh, and I like to spoil him
with a bucket of carrots.

Understand?

Don't be afraid, Toby.

Toby?

Please do this for me.

Fiddler: Miss Elizabeth
being really kind to you.

That's her favorite horse.

Just do what she say,
all right?
Elizabeth: Fiddler.

Why are you making me wait
after all I do for you?

Get the boy to take my horse
to the stable now.

Yes, ma'am.

He's gonna do it.
I promise.

Just got to, uh,
be a little patient
with him, that's all.

Stop protecting Toby.

You pick up those reins
and tend to my horse.

John: Is there a problem here,
my dear?

Elizabeth: I want Toby to attend
to my stallion.

I asked Fiddler
for his assistance,

but he's not helping me.

You do as Mrs. Wal--
Connelly.

Toby.

Obey my wife immediately.

Toby!

Obey my wife immediately.

Toby!

William: John.

You are supposed
to have trained the boy.

Clearly you've not been
doing your damn job, Fiddler.

Yes, Massa.

He gonna clean your horse,

take care of your horse
real fine, Miss Elizabeth.

Real fine.

Connelly:
Get back to work, Toby.

Back to work.

[ Fiddle playing ]

I thought I'd carved out
a life for myself.

How'd these white folks
get to me?

[ Chuckles ]

I guess your Mandinka magic
is starting to work on me.

[ Laughs ]

Fiddler.

What road is north?

Just follow the dead niggers
hanging from the trees.

Get you right there.

[ Sighs ]
I can't stay here.

When right time come,
I go north.

Ain't no right time.

Overseer could walk backwards
and catch you in them irons.

And the day you run,

that's my last day
on this farm.

Besides, can't just fly off
north like a bird.

Country ain't like
it used to be.

White folks cutting down
old trees fast as they can

and putting up new houses.

You got to twist and turn
your way to get there.

And paddyrollers on the road
all the time

just hunting
for niggers like you.

I'm not scared of
paddyrollers.

Stupid never scared.

Of course,
ain't that many paddyrollers

on the road around Christmas.

A man could vanish

before anybody
could tell he gone.

And the Massa be having
a grand celebration

for the baby Jesus.

Everybody occupied then.

How soon this English Christmas
is coming?

It's almost here.

♫

Caesar:
Merry Christmas to you, too,
Miss Elizabeth.

Merry Christmas, Abigail.

Abigail: Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am.

Merry Christmas,
Pollidore.

Much obliged, ma'am.
Merry Christmas.

Blessing to you, ma'am.

Merry Christmas, July.

[ Man speaks native language ]

[ All cheering ]

[ Laughter,
indistinct conversations ]

[ Woman singing
in native language ]

[ All singing
in native language ]

[ Laughter in distance ]

[ Singing continues
in distance ]

[ Door opens ]

Came in to check on you.

All right.
Now you done it.

Can't put that chain
back together again.

That's for sure.

Need to get you
off of this farm

'fore the overseer
sees what you did.

Got to put a lot of miles
between you and this farm

'fore they know you're gone.

[ Laughter in distance ]

[ Indistinct conversation ]

These boys experts
at catching slaves.

They not going to catch me.

Not on her big horse.

You know how to ride
that hot-blooded stallion?

She been riding horses
all her life,

and -- and she can't even
handle it.

Don't ride
like English lady.

Ride
like Mandinka warrior.

I know what to do.

Fancy white folk
like to hear a real musician

around Christmastime.

Me.

I'll play so they --

so they can't take
they eyes off me.

But I'm really playing
for you.

You understand me?

That special surprise
I been working on.

So, when you hear
my fiddle playing,

that'll tell you
that the overseer,

he ain't walking around.

And it's time
for you to go.

At least one of us
gonna be free.

Fiddler.
What name is you?

Name from your mother?

Henry.

I remember
that's what she called me.

Henry.

Thank you.

[ Fiddle playing ]

[ Horse grunts ]

Blaine:
Stay out tomorrow?

Connelly:
I'll go up to the house

and offer Mrs. Waller
a merry Christmas.

Enjoy her hospitality.

Now, Waller will drink himself
to an early bed.

You can spend the rest of
the night with your wife,

but be back early.

Give the slaves
a half day without work.

[ Horse grunts ]

Shh.

Now you fly for me.

[ Fiddle playing ]

[ Applause ]

[ Plays Binta's lullaby ]

[ Singing in native language ]

[ Binta's lullaby continues ]

[ Horse whinnies ]

♫

[ Horse whinnies ]

[ Horse whinnies ]

[ Horse snorts ]

♫

[ Dogs barking ]

[ Horse snorts ]

Run like a warrior.

[ Dogs barking in distance ]

[ Barking continues ]

[ Panting ]

♫

[ Grunting ]

Connelly: [ Whistling ]

Blaine:
Got the black bastard!

Saved you the trouble
of burying him.

[ Pounding on door ]
Man: Fiddler!

Fiddler!

[ Horse whinnies ]

[ Horse snorts ]

Massa Waller, Massa Waller.

Can I talk to you
about Toby?

He had to know the African
would escape

while he was playing for you
at your party.

He probably planned it
with him.

Fiddler,
what do you got to say?

Fiddler: Boy just got scared,
that's all.

I can teach him better.
Just give me one more --

Fiddler: [ Grunts ]

[ Both grunting ]

Always acting
so cocksure and pleased,

as if we're the same!

I ain't the same as you!

I'm not a nigger,
understand?!

I ain't no nigger.

You ain't the same!
I ain't the same!

Connelly: We ain't the same!

I don't never want to be
the same as you!

Never want to be
the same as you!

I'm sorry,
Massa Waller.

Miss Elizabeth.

Massa Waller.

Sell him.

Or you'll ruin this farm.

The other gentry
will laugh at you.

The African boy, he's young.

He's got -- he's got
years of work in him.

Not this one.

You can't trust Fiddler.

Don't do this, Massa.

Don't do it.

I spent all my life
working with you.

Turn him into
money in your pocket.

And I made you...
good money.

Send word to the broker.

Get a good price for me,
huh?

William: I'll buy him.

This is none of your business,
brother.

The amount of money
that you owe me, brother,

the entire estate
is my business.

Anyone looks away
takes a turn.

Connelly:
Toby, I'm gonna give you
a chance to avoid this.

Maybe Mr. Waller will let
everyone enjoy this blessed day.

I want you healthy
so you'll work hard.

All you have to do
is tell me your name.

I'm Kunta Kinte.

Connelly: Son of a --

[ Whip cracks ]
[ Screams ]

Your name is Toby.

Now tell me your name.

I am Kunta Kinte.

That's not your name.

[ Screams ]
Toby's your name.

Now, what is your name?

Say it.

[ Weakly ] Kunta Kinte.

[ Grunts ]

[ Whip cracks ]
[ Screams ]

Toby's your name.

Now, I'll ask you again.
Tell me your name.

Say it!

[ Screams ]

Say it!

Say it!

[ Screams ]
Toby!

Say it.
Kunta:
[ Breathing shallowly ]

Just Say it.

Kunta Kinte.

[ Grunts ]

Connelly: Toby!

It's Toby! Now say it!

Toby! Damn you.
Please! Please!

You black nigger
bastard.
Please.

You will not move from here
till you say your name,

not if night falls
or a new day comes.

Now, you will say Toby.

Say it. Say it!

Say it!
Kunta: [ Screams ]

Say it!

[ Whip cracks ]

[ Screams ]

Omoro, I heard my boy.

Please.

I'm here.

No, Binta.

I can't see our boy.

I've looked for him
everywhere.

Connelly:
Just say it, boy.

He isn't coming home.

Connelly: Say it!
[ Whip cracks ]

Say it!
[ Grunting ]

Say it!

Say it!

Say your name your owner's wife
chose for you.

Say your name so you know
this ain't Africa.

This is Virginia,

and you're the property
of John Waller,

like the horses and hogs,
nothing more!

Now, say your name
so you know what you are.

[ Weakly ] Kunta Kinte.

Say it.

Say it.

Say it!

Say it!

[ Grunting ]

Say your name!

Say it!

Say Toby!

Tell me your name!
Say it, damn you!

[ Screaming ]

Toby!

Say Toby!
Just say your name!

He said it.
[ Whip cracks ]

He said it.

Say it again, louder.

What's your name?

[ Screams ]
What's your name?

[ Grunts ]

[ Weakly ] Toby.

[ Groans ]

He said it.

Massa Waller, he said it.

[ Groaning ]

Toby.

Get me that grease
inside there!

Connelly: Go home now.

Everyone go on. Go.

Tomorrow's another work day.

If you came
from another plantation,

get back there.

Holiday's over. Go.

[ Groans ]

Where that grease?

Where are you?

I'm here, son.

I'm here.

Fa. Please.

Please don't leave me alone.

You ain't alone, son.

You got lots of people here
who care about you.

It don't matter
what the Massa call you.

You keep your true name
inside.

I'm gonna keep it there,
too.

I promise.

This ain't your home.

But it's
where you got to be.

Kunta: [ Cries softly ]

I don't know what else
to say to you.

All I know is...

...Rain that fall in Virginia

get burned off by the sun...

[ Groans ]

...Rise up to the clouds,

and then them clouds,
they drift away.

They may drift all the way
across the ocean

till they get to that river
you call Kamby Bolongo.

Maybe the same rain
that fall here fall there

on your own people.

And I know
they want you to live.

[ Breathes shallowly ]

And they know
your true name.

Kunta Kinte.

Son of Omoro Kinte.

You live, Kunta Kinte.

You live.

♫

♪ Ooooooohh, oooh.

♪ Ooooooohh, oooh.

♪ Ooooooohh, oooh.

♪ Ooooooohh, oooh.

♪ Ooooooohh, oooh.

♪ Ooooooohh, oooh.

♪ Had a heart full of hope.

♪ I swallowed my pride.

♪ Seeing everything
I had go away.

♪ Praying for delivery now.

♪ Peace on my mind.

♪ Now let your
grace rain on me.

♪ What happened
to my freedom?

♪ Separated my family.

♪ Bringing to me
this foreign place.

♪ Now my hope is
for surviving.

♪ In the midst of evil.

♪ Things are never
gona be the same.

♪ I wasn't born this way.

♪ No, I wasn't born in vain.

♪ Oh no.

♪ Oh no.

♪ Why do I feel
so much shame?