Original subtitles

You gonna be all right. You'll be all right.

My name's Malizy. I's the cook.

You best know about Massa Tom Moore.

He's one of them white men that likes nigger women.

Young ones.

He'll be bothering you most every night for a while.

Used to bother me, but no more.

No sense in fretting. Ain't nothing you can do.

He stud you till you has a baby. Then he leave you alone.

Massa Tom Moore no worse than most white men.

Even fair.

Depends on you.

He figures you gotta deserve what you get.

When I has my baby...

...he gonna be a boy.

And when that boy grow up...

...I promise you one thing:

Massa Tom Moore gonna get what he deserve.

Welcome, Mr. Bennett. Welcome to our home.

It's not so fine as what you're used to.

Your smile will make any house a mansion.

- For heaven's sake. - Well said, sir. You have a gift.

No, not in comparison to my boy, Sam, here.

He's a terrible one for the ladies.

Yes, sir.

Not much to choose from here. I don't keep many slaves.

Mr. Bennett, won't you step inside and rest yourself?

Thank you, ma'am.

Kizzy, girl. That driver got his eye glued on you. Just glued!

Smile at him. Bee needs a sniff of honey to keep him buzzing around.

I'd sooner die than smile at that peacock.

Girl, pride is a deadly sin and you is too young to die.

Mama?

I...

- I can't eat supper with you tonight. - Why you can't?

Gotta get the chickens ready. Massa showing off to some gamecocker.

Massa! I made you a special supper, all the things you like.

Can't help it. Me and Mingo gonna be getting them birds ready.

Now, what you getting all fussed about? It ain't my fault.

Go on and say it.

"Georgie, I swear you loves them roosters...

...more than you loves your own mama.

Why can't you be like your granddaddy, the African...

...and get some learning?" I'll tell you why.

Nobody gonna cut off my foot for no damn fool runaway.

Keep your mocking tongue off my daddy!

Least he weren't like you, slave down to your bones.

You think you smart? I may not be much older than you...

...but I am your mama and I'll make something of you.

You gonna do as I say.

All right, Mama.

I'll tell massa, "I can't tend your chickens tonight.

My mama wants me to eat supper with her."

Get on out of here.

Thank you, Mama.

I think Massa Bennett wants to see old red.

Yes, sir!

Come on there, red.

Show him that gamecock, boy!

Here he is, old red!

Come on, now. Come on.

Catch it if you can, now. You badass, come on.

Bad chicken. Look it.

Come on.

Come on.

Time you got pitted anyway.

Catch it. Catch it.

Enough. Don't run him to death.

Nothing gonna kill that red devil, except a spur.

It's a fine bird. Your stock will strengthen our breed.

That's all, boys.

- Boy? - Yes, sir?

You have a sure hand with a gamecock.

Thank you, sir.

But ain't nothing I knows except what massa and Mingo teached me.

Where's that fancy nigger of yours?

Last I saw, he was chasing a plump chicken with a speckled bandanna.

I bet you give that man of yours one devil of a time.

I be by myself, thank you.

Look here... How is you called?

Kizzy.

Look here.

These are for you, pretty Kizzy.

Thank you. Massa Moore be mighty obliged, you weeding his garden.

Woman, you has a sharp tongue! But I likes you.

Yes, I likes you in spite of yourself.

What you say me and you go out walking this evening?

What you want with me?

What any healthy man want with a fine-looking woman.

You can want what you want all you want.

Now, look here.

I ain't gonna be here but for this week. Ain't you got any heart?

If I do, Mr. Fancy Driver...

...nobody take it free or buy it cheap.

His ears must be ringing!

Well, Sister Sara, my lungs is in the service of the Lord. Amen!

Daddy, you supposed to baptize Joshua Clayborne.

Yes. Thank you, Matilda. Excuse me, ladies.

Always good to see you, angel. How's Georgie been treating you?

It's my hope you and my boy gonna jump the broom.

Good wife like you just what he need to steady him down.

Miss Kizzy.

I so partial to that sinful boy of yours that I ashamed of myself.

But I ain't gonna give him time until he mends his ways.

That's what I'm saying!

We got to grab the evil, a scaly creature...

...by his slimy neck, you see and then you just shake him out!

I say you shake him good! And then you tussle him on down, you see...

...and then you tell him straight out.

Tell him straight out.

You say, "Get thee behind me, Satan. I say, get thee behind me."

"The Lord, the Lord am with me!"

I say, "Get thee behind me, Satan!"

George Moore, you stop this second!

Oh, well, it's always so nice to see a new face at the services.

I'm so glad you could join...

You is mocking my daddy!

- You is no-account, George Moore! - Wait...

Excuse me a minute.

Tildy! I's sorry.

You know I don't mean nothing against your daddy.

- Don't nothing matter to you? - You matter to me.

Even though you always a preacher's daughter.

Save that for them giggling ninnies who follows you around.

- Come here, Tildy. - Leave me alone, George Moore.

Go on, do what you want.

- It ain't nothing to me. - Oh, it ain't, huh?

Then how come you shaking?

I wanna show you what does matter. Something I ain't showed other girls.

If you's handing out kisses, where do the line start?

I ain't handing any out.

What you giving that chicken trainer, young George?

George is special.

- He anything to you, girl? - He my son.

You the boy's mama, huh?

Well, Lord, Lord, don't that beat all!

Look here...

...if you's going home, I thought I'd see you safe to your cabin.

You thought wrong as usual.

Come on now, what you scared of, girl?

I ain't scared of nothing, least of all you.

Shouldn't be no reason I can't see you home, should there?

Do the boy know the massa's his daddy?

He used to ask, but I never told him.

If he has a notion, he don't ask no more.

- He gonna find out someday. - Not from me.

Ain't nothing I wants to crow about.

I used to pray that George'd kill Massa Moore when he was old enough.

But I got older and wanted my boy to be older too...

...so I give it up.

Don't you be talking about niggers hurting white folks.

- You know it ain't healthy. - Ain't no fear of that.

They closer than finger and thumb...

...off to those cockfights with old Mingo every week.

Well, this is my place.

Do the boy stay here with you?

He stay where he's happy, with his chickens.

Well, what we standing out here for? Let's go inside.

You wanted to see me home safe. I's safe now.

Thank you and goodbye.

I thinks you powerful lonesome, Kizzy.

Well, if I is, it ain't for the likes of you.

Woman, you has a lot of pride. But I admire you for it.

But I's a prideful man myself.

And you ain't nourishing it.

Now, you can go on in there and shut the door on me...

...but if you do, do it for good.

Because I ain't gonna come knocking no more.

Well?

What you standing out there for, fool?

Look at them stags go at it. Ain't it something?

Easy, easy!

You'll have your day.

- Ain't you scared? - Scared?

I love these birds. They like my babies.

Good boy.

It's time they mated. That's what the ruckus is about.

Nothing's more ornery than a game bird...

...without a covey of hens to soothe him.

- It's the way of nature. - It's the way of dumb critters.

It's fine for them.

I ain't no dumb critter.

Won't think or live like one.

And I sure don't want to be treated like one.

Tildy...

Time I was getting home.

What you looking at me like that for?

You is a gentle man.

Something about you brings out the gentle in me.

Sam Bennett.

What's your real name, Sam?

- Just that. - No, it ain't.

That's your slave name. My slave name's Kizzy Moore.

My real name's Kizzy Kinte, after my daddy.

What is you talking about?

About where we come from. About Africa.

What we was before we were slaves.

Nothing's a bigger pain than a nigger with Africa on his mind.

What's so grand about Africa?

You know...

...I drive and see more than most Africans dream about.

You don't know how much an African can dream.

While driving, ever come upon the Reynolds plantation?

I reckon I have passed it.

It's about four hours away from here. Why?

I got some folks I know there.

At least I think I do.

- Who that? - My mama and my daddy.

And I'm longing to see them.

You're a girl full of longings, ain't you?

Yes, I is.

Girl, don't put no hex on me!

I'm not putting a hex on you, fool! I'm writing your name.

S-A-M.

Where you learn that?

Young Missy teach me, on another plantation.

Well, best you just forget it.

Massa don't like black folks reading and writing.

Why you worried what massa like?

I's only worried about you.

I don't want no harm to come to you is all.

Come here.

Kizzy, if I didn't know better...

...I'd say you was working on getting me fat.

- All this food you handing out... - Don't want you fat, Sam.

Just trying to keep up your strength.

- Come here. - Leave me be.

- I got work to do. - So has I!

Come on, now, stop.

Lord, Lord.

Look here...

I sure is thirsty, girl.

Has you got any water in here?

Fetch me some.

I glad to do that.

Got some lovely fresh spring water.

I'm taking it from the bottom of the barrel...

...so it'll be nice and cool.

Oh, that's good.

Here's your water, Samuel, dear.

- Why'd you do that?! - Never say "Fetch me."

You want something from me, I glad to give it.

But you ask.

Bedding me don't mean you can abuse me.

I slave enough. I won't be your slave.

Come here.

I mean, please.

Pretty Kizzy, please come here.

See now?

"Please" gets his self pleased.

Honey, what's wrong?

Come on, tell me what's wrong.

Oh, Sam, I loses everybody.

Everybody.

The first boy I ever loved.

Noah, he was sold away.

Then they took me from my mama and my daddy.

Now you'll go away.

Hush, girl, come here.

Oh, Sam, what am I gonna do after you're gone?

What am I gonna do?

Same as me.

Go on living one day at a time just like we always done.

Come here. We got a whole lot of night left.

Mama! Mama, I wanna talk to you!

"Good morning, Mama. How you feeling this morning?

- Fine..." - I want to talk about you.

Ain't you ashamed of yourself?

Everybody knows that driver's been in your cabin these nights.

Don't you care about how I feel?

It's a scandal. I can't go nowhere...

...without people laughing and winking.

- I won't stand for it. - What won't you stand for?

You let my mama be.

I know all about you.

And I's warning you. You leave my mama be.

Afraid I can't do that, boy.

I'm marrying your mama.

- Sam? - Massa always told me...

...if I find a girl I want to marry, he'd buy her.

Well, I asked him.

And he's agreeable.

Kizzy, I can't leave you.

And it ain't for lack of trying.

The boy's right about me, far as I know.

I've had a bunch of girls.

That ain't no secret.

I've been a rolling stone so long...

...I don't know any other way.

I never stopped being lonely till I met you.

Scared me half to death, wanting somebody so much.

But I want you, Kizzy. Will you have me?

I can't answer you now, Sam.

I got to puzzle things out.

Puzzle fast. We ain't got much time.

I admire the way you stand up for your mama, boy.

Does you proud.

I reckon he's a good man, Mama.

I reckon I could be wrong.

- I can't leave. You need me. - Don't you fret.

Besides, we'll see each other all the time.

He being a driver and all, and me...

I travel with Massa Moore.

Mama...

You give me all you could give me.

You got some happiness coming to you in your life.

Oh, Georgie. I loves you.

It's gonna be all right, Mama.

Don't you fret. It'll be all right.

Everything has its price. How much for the boy?

I'll be straight with you.

No amount of cash could pry George from me.

He's the best natural-born chicken fighter...

...there ever was.

That nigger's my fortune and my future.

I don't disagree with you, Tom, but I was obliged to try.

Selling him would be foolish and you're no fool.

Thank you, sir.

I've dined on French food from Philadelphia to New Orleans.

Nothing lingers on the palate like good country cooking.

- That was a fine meal, ma'am. - Thank you, sir.

Mr. Bennett, can I offer you the hospitality of my slave row?

- Not tonight, thank you. - You sure?

Nothing rounds off a meal better.

A great tradition of civilized living.

- Some other time. I'm a bit tired. - Up to you, sir.

Can I get you anything more?

No, thank you, ma'am. If you'll excuse me, I'm about to retire.

Mrs. Moore, Tom. Fine meal.

I'm feeling sluggish myself.

- Mind if I walk and enjoy a cigar? - Of course not.

I may be a while.

If you're tired, don't wait up.

That's very considerate of you.

Well, good night.

Good night.

Don't catch anything on your walk.

There's a little nip in the air.

Sam?

It's been quite a while, huh, Kizzy?

I haven't got all night.

- No! - What did you say?

No, massa, please.

I'm gonna be married.

I know that. I agreed to it, didn't I?

Got me another boot.

- Massa loan me the rig today. - He treat you good...

...letting you have this rig.

And traveling passes too. Oh, he one fine massa.

Treat me just like I's white!

- Yes, you gonna like it up there. - Sam?

- What? - Take me.

Where? What you talking about?

To Mama and Daddy at the plantation.

I don't know about that. That's four hours away.

Please. I ain't been away since I got here.

I'd do anything to see my folks to tell them about us.

Sam, take me there. I won't ask you anything again as long as we live.

Come on, now, back off. You'll have us in a ditch.

OI' Toby went about two years ago.

After your mama, Bell, was sold to the traveling slaver...

...he just faded.

- Lord, that crazy African. - What do you mean, crazy?

All he ever talked about was running away.

Plotting about escaping till he die...

...and him not hardly able to walk.

I was with him when he passed to glory.

Did he say anything before he died?

Nothing I could make no sense of...

...just jabbered away in African.

He kept saying something like:

"Belong..." "Belong" something.

Were it Kamby Bolongo?

That's right. He kept saying it over and over.

Like he were praying.

- Kamby Bolongo? What that mean? - It mean "river."

It was one of the first things he ever taught me.

I sorry about your folks, miss.

I sure miss that old African.

I'd like to be alone for a while.

Daddy, Mama.

Wherever you be...

...oh, I miss you so.

I'm sorry you died without my comfort.

I guess you worried about what happened to me.

Well, it ain't so bad.

I've had my sorrows just like you, and my joys.

I got me a son, George.

I wish you could see him.

He's tall and strong...

...and he got a grin that'll break your heart.

You'd like him, Daddy, I know you would.

I told him how you were looking for a log to make a drum...

...when the slave catchers took you.

And about your real name being Kunta Kinte.

And Kamby Bolongo mean river, and ko, a fiddle.

Sometime he seems to forget.

But he's a good boy, Daddy.

He's just young, that's all.

Soon, I'm gonna get married...

...and I'm gonna have more children.

And I'm gonna teach them about freedom...

...so they can teach their children.

I promise you, Daddy, your dream will not die.

Someday...

...we gonna be free.

I don't mean to trouble your mourning but...

...we better be getting back.

Get up, there.

You won't work in them fields no more, neither.

You gonna be in the big house with the missus.

Oh, and one other thing.

I knows you a proud and sassy woman...

Lord knows I loves you for it. But massa...

...massa can't abide a nigger gets above herself.

You gonna have to walk softer when you're up there in the big house.

That sun getting low. We gonna be in a world of trouble.

Step lively, lazy beasts!

Come on. Get up there!

You abused my good nature. I said be home before dark.

- I'm sorry... - I'll put you back in the fields.

- No, massa. - Give you real work.

- Maybe you'd appreciate the good life! - I'm sorry, massa.

- I might not buy her! - No, massa, please don't.

Bed down the horses. They're lathered up!

Yes, sir, massa. I'm sorry, massa, powerful sorry, massa.

- I'll deal with you tomorrow. - Bless you.

Bless you.

Oh, he powerful mad...

...but he'll be all right. He gonna be all right.

I don't ever, ever...

...wanna come that close to trouble again.

I'll take care of the horses...

...and come back and help you get your things together.

- Is you all packed, darling? - No.

What you mean, no? We's leaving here early.

No, Sam, I ain't going with you.

- I thought you loved me. - I do love you, Sam.

You is a good and loving man.

You've made me happier this week than I've ever been.

I won't forget you, but I can't marry you.

Sure, you just got the last-minute wobbles.

No, Sam, I can't marry you and no two ways about it.

Oh, now, Kizzy. Tell me what I done wrong, huh?

I'll make it up to you.

It ain't your fault. There ain't no making up to do.

It's just that we're too different, that's all.

I forgot who I was for a while.

I'm sorry. Forgive me.

- You think you better than I is. - I didn't say that.

No, but I hear it just the same.

Funny part is, you do the massa's business same as me.

Think I don't know Massa Moore was here?

- You knew? - I seen him come from the house.

Why didn't you say anything about it today?

Kizzy, now, what you expect me to say, huh?

What you expect me to say?

That's the way it is. Weren't nothing I could say about it.

Yes, there was! You could have cared. You could have cared!

The massa can take my body, but he can't touch my spirit.

He can't touch my dream of being a free woman.

When they bought you, you gave them your soul for free.

- Kizzy... - Oh, goodbye, Sam.

Kizzy, don't say I ain't got no dreams, 'cause I has.

It just ain't big as yours.

Well, I hope it come true for you, Sam.

Now that Bennett's birds are packed, we better crate these.

We got us some dates to fill around this county.

These birds is raring to go, and so is I.

Them birds is going, Mingo, but you're staying here.

You ain't looking too good lately. You need rest.

- I all right, massa. - Anyway, you too old for this travel.

George here can handle things on his own now.

But, massa, cockfighting is all my life.

I ain't taking away the chickens, you can still tend and train them.

Massa, Mingo, he fine, just fine.

Sure, he been feeling a bit poorly...

...but he's one of the finest cockfighters alive. You know that.

I made up my mind, boy.

Mr. Bennett admired you too much for me to overlook it.

You is my main trainer now.

We'll make a pile of money.

Gonna be two names gamecockers talk about:

Tom Moore and his boy, George.

- One more thing. - Yes, sir.

Find a wife quick, you hear?

I don't want you catting around, spending up your gumption.

Yes, Massa Moore.

Mingo, look, l...

Don't fret, boy. It been coming a long time.

And he right. You is ready.

I teached you everything about chickens.

There's things you know nobody can teach nobody.

Old man, I...

- Thanks for what you give me. - You the only one to give it to.

And I wanna thank you.

Georgie.

Yes, sir.

- Take it, boy. - No, no, I can't.

Take it, boy. You the cock of the walk now.

Take it!

- Thank you, ma'am. Much obliged. - Thank you, sir.

Okay, giddap there!

Mama! Wait till you hear the news!

Mama...

Why didn't you marry him?

Sam wasn't like us.

Nobody told him where he come from.

He didn't have a dream of where he's going.

I's sorry.

Hey, look here.

Master made me head trainer today.

That nice.

Mama, I know how you feel about cockfighting and all.

But listen to me one time.

I'm gonna tell you something.

I loves being a cockfighter.

I's proud.

Ain't nobody know them birds better than I do.

I'm gonna make a name for myself.

And get me some respect.

But not by running like your daddy. No.

I'll pit them birds until I can buy myself free.

I'll look straight ahead the rest of my life, not over my shoulder.

Another thing...

...I'm marrying Matilda.

She don't know yet.

I don't think she'll put up a fuss.

There's hope for you yet.

Hope for us, Mama. Hope for both of us.

A little for me.

But a whole lifetime of hope for you yet.

- One thing, Georgie. - What's that?

Don't believe everything massa says.

Don't you trust that man.

What you talking, Mama?

Why, massa, he treat me fine.

Why, he more like a daddy to me!

Subtitles by SDI Media Group

[ENGLISH]