Original subtitles

(ambient music)

(birds chirping)

(horse chuffing)

(horse neighing) (mellow country music)

♪ It was a time of the preacher ♪

(Horse neighing) ♪ When the story began ♪

(horse chuffing)

♪ And the choice of a lady ♪

♪ And the love of a man ♪

(picture clatters)

(drawer closes)

(mellow country music)

(guests chattering)

(guests applauding)

(horse chuffing)

(bright country music)

(guests cheering and applauding)

(horse neighing)

(insects chirping)

(wagon clattering) (horses clopping)

(wagon clattering) (horses clopping)

- Well, there it is.

Driscoll, Montana.

(wind whistling) (wolf howling)

(water flowing)

(water splashing)

(spurs rattling)

(footsteps shuffling)

(ominous music)

- Julian!

- Good afternoon, gentlemen.

(horse neighing)

My wife and I are on the way to Driscoll.

We've been a long time without the benefit of a bath.

Do you live around here?

- It's our water your woman's playing in down there, Mister?

- Your water?

- Our old Papa.

He owns that pond.

Ain't that right, Eugene?

- That's right.

He owns it.

You wanna wash in it?

You gonna have to pay.

- We'll be glad to pay.

How much will it be?

- There's different ways of paying.

Ain't that right, Avery?

(man chuckles)

(stone plops)

- There's different ways to pay, all right.

- Well, will a dollar would be all right?

- You might try a dollar.

See what happens.

- We're new out here.

We're kind of greenhorns, really.

But here's your money?

(coin plops)

(ominous music) (hammer clicks)

Now get it.

I said, get it!

(spurs rattling)

Now you gentlemen don't wanna get your clothes wet, do you?

(water flowing)

(wagon clattering) (horses clopping)

(horse neighing)

(horse clopping) (wind whistling)

(metal clinking)

(dog whining)

(horses clopping)

(metal clinking)

(water trickling)

(horses clopping) (wagon clattering)

(wind whistling)

(horses clopping) (wagon clattering)

(knife whacks)

(horses clopping) (wagon clattering)

- Where are you from?

- Philadelphia.

- Where's that?

- East.

(horses clopping) (wagon clattering)

(gentle piano music)

(harnesses clinking)

(wagon clattering)

- How do you do, Ma'am?

We're looking for Reverend Longly.

- The reverend's at his meditation.

- Well, I'm Julian Shay.

I've been commissioned by the assembly.

- The assembly?

- [Julian] Yes, Ma'am.

- Praise God, deliverance.

(wind whistling)

Reverend?

Reverend?

Reverend?

(door opens)

(horse chuffing)

- [Reverend Longley] How do you do?

- I'm Julian Shay. - Howdy.

- This is my wife, Raysha. - How do you do?

- The assembly sent them.

- Sent you to replace me?

- Well, yes, sir.

But there's no urgency.

- What'll you take for that wagon?

- You wanna buy my wagon?

- Well, I don't necessarily like the looks

of that hind wheel,

but I'll tell you what,

you keep our furniture,

we'll take your wagon,

and that's fair.

- No, don't go trading the furniture, Reverend.

- Let's just go, Mama.

(wind whistling)

- Yes, Reverend.

(horse neighing)

- Do we have a trade?

- Certainly. - Well let's get it

unloaded then.

(birds chirping) (wind whistling)

(flies buzzing)

(tailgate clacks)

- I came with pretties like that.

- Oh really?

- Yes, really.

- [Julian] You're all loaded.

- Well I stayed,

I stayed till the last.

- I know it'll be difficult for you to leave

after all these years.

- Difficult?

Coldest snake I ever touched, this town.

- Well they don't promise it'll be easy, do they?

- You'll be fighting the devil

on his own ground here, sir.

(wind whistling)

(mellow guitar music)

(wagon clattering)

(rooster crowing)

- How's your day going?

- Just fine. I'm Julian Shay.

- Cauley Felps.

You're the new preacher, right?

- [Julian] Yes, sir.

- You ain't got nothing in your bucket, Preacher.

- Well, I thought you might direct me to the town well.

- Well. (all laughing)

- You just past it, that pile of rubble down yonder.

That's the town well.

Of course, there ain't no water in it.

You won't water, you gotta buy it

from Mr. Wycoff in here.

Mr. Wycoff.

- Good morning, Preacher. - Good morning.

Can I buy some water from you?

Gentlemen, I'm your new minister.

I'll be expecting to see you in church Sunday morning.

(all laughing)

My text will be out of the book of Matthew, Chapter 4,

verses one through four. (water trickling)

- I don't believe I know that one, Preacher. (laughing)

- Well, that's the one where Jesus went into the wilderness

and was tempted by the Devil.

- Well how did the old boy do?

(all laughing)

- Well he did all right.

People are still talking about it.

(all laughing)

(wind whistling)

- It'd be a nickel.

(coins jangle.)

- Gentlemen, I'll see you in church.

(chickens clucking)

(boots tapping) (spurs rattling)

(Julian whistling)

♪ Where he leads me I will follow ♪

♪ Where he leads me I will follow ♪

♪ Where he leads me I will follow ♪

♪ I'll go with him ♪

♪ With him always ♪

♪ He will give me peace and glory ♪

♪ He will give me peace and glory ♪

♪ He will give me ♪ (men laughing)

♪ Peace and glory ♪ (men laughing)

♪ I'll go with him ♪

♪ With him always ♪

Our text this morning comes from the Book Of Mathew,

Chapter Four, verses one through four.

"Then was Jesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness

to be tempted of the Devil."

- [Man] Yee-ha!

(men laughing)

"And when he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights,

he was afterward hungered.

And when the tempter came to him, he said"-

- [Man] Praise Lord, God almighty!

(men laughing) Yee!

- [Man 2] Amen, brother.

(men laughing)

- "If thou be of the Son oF God,

command that these stones be made bread.

But he asks." (glass shattering)

(men laughing)

Gentlemen, you're a hellish ways

are interrupting our service.

(men laughing)

Lord, the Devil's own disciples have gathered

at our door today.

- Well here we are by God, Preacher.

(men laughing) I'm trying, Lord,

but I'm finding it difficult to concentrate on my text.

(men laughing)

Here's what I'm asking you to do.

Send down a curse on these heathens.

Send a visage as black as night to pluck out their eyes

so they can't see to find this place ever again.

- Preacher, you just wait just a minute.

- And down a plague that will turn their lips

and tongues to a festering rot.

And if they still persist in their evil mockings,

send a horrible and eternal death to each man here.

Enter the seeds of his loins

in the form of a thousand crooked Vipers,

each Viper with a thousand heads

and each head with a thousand fangs,

each fang dripping with vile poison

to strike a thousand times until there is not

but the weeping and the wailing

and the great gnashing of teeth

throughout this godless land.

Amen.

(gentle piano music)

- Now by God, you take that back.

(man laughing)

- I'm Reese Scoby, Sheriff.

- Julian Shay.

This is my wife, Raysha. - Hello.

- How do you do? - Hello there.

- Wanna have a beer with me, Preacher?

- Oh hello, nice to meet you. - Sure, I'll have a beer

with ya. - I'm Raysha.

- [Woman] You look so pretty.

- So glad to have you here. - Great service.

- [Woman] Yes.

(patrons chattering) (glasses clinking)

- Couple of beers over here, Wykoff.

- I'd like to buy these gentlemen a round too.

- Well thank you, Preacher. - You're welcome.

(spurs rattling) (patrons chattering)

(ominous music)

(glasses shattering)

Set 'em up another round, bartender.

(wind whistling)

- Preacher, all the same, we'll pay for this one.

(spurs rattling) (boots tapping)

(horses neighing)

(horses clopping)

- You do attract lighting, don't ya?

They're Larn Claver's boys.

He owns the- - I know, he owns the pod.

- Yeah, that's right.

The only water there is around here.

Ole Larn got rights to it years ago.

(mug scrapes) - Who is he?

- Ah, just an old wooffer.

Him and them boys poison 1,500,

maybe 2,000 wolves a year

for hides and bounty.

- Well, that's a damnable practice.

- Well, maybe so.

- And nobody says anything about it?

- Well that old fool of a preacher you replaced did.

Stood up there in that church and let go on 'em.

Preached a mighty bell-a-ringin' sermon

against them Claver's ways. (chuckles)

The paint was still fresh on the wood then.

He never got more than a handful of people

back through that door after that.

You understand what I'm saying?

- You're a hard man, Scoby.

- It's a hard country, Preacher.

Harder still if you can't get a drink of water.

(wind whistling)

(horses clopping)

(horse neighing)

(horses clopping)

(match strikes)

(wind whistling)

(Raysha screams) (intense music)

(wolf howling)

(fire crackling)

Why, it's just an old wolf's head.

- I think you should ride out to the Claver's.

- The Claver's?

What do you want me to do?

Arrest 'em for scaring your wife?

They're just wanting you to know your place, that's all.

I wouldn't worry about it.

You'll do just fine here if-

- Good night, Scoby.

- Yeah.

Good night, Preacher.

(ominous music)

Ms. Shay.

(door opens and closes)

- Julian, why did you bring me here?

- What do you mean?

- Let's go back. Let's just go back to Philadelphia.

Where we belong. - Go back?

- There is nothing for us here.

You know it too.

- Or there could be if I could get these people

to take a stand. - What are you saying?

You can't even get them to come to church.

Julian, nobody came.

Just some old women.

And nobody is gonna come.

- They're just afraid.

- Well, I'm afraid to.

- I know you are.

(Raysha sighs)

(gentle harmonica music)

(rooster crowing)

(bucket clacks)

(wood clattering)

(gentle harmonica music)

(wood clattering)

(birds chirping)

(chickens clucking)

(pigs snorting and squealing) (flesh squelching)

(water splashing)

(hawk shrieking)

(wind whistling)

- Papa.

(pigs snorting and shrieking)

(flies buzzing)

Preacher ain't even scared, is he, Papa?

(pigs squealing) (wind whistling)

(hawk shrieking)

(hammer clicks)

(gun fires)

(hawk shrieking) (stones clunking)

(chickens clucking)

- What the hell are you doing in there?

- I'm looking. - What at?

- Rocks. (Reese chuckles)

- [Reese] I'll bet you they're dry too, ain't they?

(horses clopping)

(horse neighing)

(horse chuffing)

- I believe there's water in this well.

(wind whistling) (chickens clucking)

It'll take a lot of work,

but the well can be deepened.

- We already got water, Preacher.

Anybody can get all they want down there

from me for a few penny.

- Well, you people are paying more than money

for your water.

(horse neighing)

Look at this town.

Look at you.

You made a poor trade with the Devil

if there's water down there.

(chickens clucking)

(Odie chuckles)

(all laughing)

(horse neighing)

(horses clopping)

- Listen Preacher, all kinds of people come and go here.

Them that squat in Driscoll ain't got nothing,

and no place else to go.

And the deal suits 'em too.

- And what's worse, it suits you sheriff.

(wind whistling)

(spurs rattling)

(birds chirping)

(wind whistling)

(metal clinking)

(chickens clucking)

(Julian sighs)

(gentle guitar music)

(stones clattering)

(metal clinking)

(horse neighing)

(crickets chirping)

(water sloshing)

Your Father, we're thankful for this food,

forgive our sins and bless those who love,

we ask in Christ, Amen.

(fire crackling)

- Why are you doing this Julian?

- Raysha, they're not gonna pamper us.

They don't care who we were,

what we had back East.

We can make a life for ourselves out here

but we're gonna have to earn it.

- Take me home.

- This is our home.

- It's not my home.

Not mine.

- It will be.

I'll see to that.

Raysha, don't let 'em do this to you.

Stand with me.

(fire crackling) (crickets chirping)

(Julian sighs)

(wind whistling) (scraping)

(ominous music)

(spurs rattling)

- I don't want ya diggin' in this hole no more, Preacher.

(rocks and sand pattering)

Come on, boys.

(shovel clacks)

(spurs rattling)

Odie, you keep watch around here.

We're gonna run our tracks.

Be back in a few days.

(spurs rattling)

- All right, Papa.

(horse chuffing)

- [Larn] Hey-a!

(horse neighs)

(horses clopping)

(wind whistling)

(boots tapping)

- Okay, there you go.

(hawk shrieking) Gonna get you outta here.

Yep, up we go.

(Reese grunting)

(crow cawing)

(Reese grunting)

You got him, Cauley? - Yeah.

(Reese breathes heavily)

- You all right?

Now you just let it alone, Preacher. Do you hear me?

You just Goddamn leave things alone around here!

- Scoby. - What?

- Look.

- Oh, no. (Cauley laughs)

- That's mud, Sheriff. - No.

- Mud! (laughs) _ I know it's mud, Cauley!

(Reese sighs)

(crow cawing)

(wind whistling)

(Julian groans)

(boots thud)

That old man's gonna kill ya next time, Preacher

He's gonna kill ya and nobody'll help ya.

- You help, Scoby.

And you help, Cauley.

(Reese sighs)

(boots tapping)

(crows cawing)

- Well, what the hell?

(Reese grunts)

Hand your bucket up here, Preacher.

- What? - I said,

fill your bucket up with dirt and hand it up here!

Me and ole Cauley are gonna help.

(boots tapping)

(Julian groaning)

(crows cawing)

(Julian groaning)

(stones clattering)

(wind whistling)

(stones clattering)

(bright country music)

(Reese grunting)

(water trickling) (Cauley laughing)

(Cauley cheering) - Oh-ho!

Yeah, we did it, Preacher!

- Oh, yeah! - All right!

- Whoo! - Yee-ha!

(bright country music) (hammer banging)

(nail clinks) (hammer clanks)

- All right, lift her up.

(saw scraping)

(pulley squeaking)

Got it? - Got it.

(horse chuffing)

(door thuds)

(knocks on door)

(key clattering)

(door creaks)

- Hi, I'm looking for Mrs. Julian Shay.

- There's her husband,

down there by the, well

- My letter is for Mrs. Shay.

- She don't get out much.

(horse clopping)

- You better give it to us.

We'll take it down there.

She's not gonna open the door to you.

- It's just for the misses.

- I understand.

(boots tapping)

- Open it.

- No.

- What the hell? Open it.

(fire crackling)

- A man brought this special.

He said it was just for you.

(wind whistling)

I hope it's good news.

(seal breaks)

(gentle harmonica music)

(horse chuffing)

- You're feeling better.

- Yes.

- I'm glad.

- You really do like it here, don't you, Julian?

- Yes I do.

You will too in time.

(brush scrapes)

(gentle guitar music)

(horse chuffing)

(horse neighing)

(horses clopping)

- Hey, Papa.

(horse chuffing)

(wind whistling)

- Did they find water?

(pigs snorting)

- Yes, sir.

- You did nothing to stop 'em?

- You just told me to watch, Papa.

- Did I say, "Let 'em find water?"

(pigs snorting)

You hear me say, "Let 'em find water?"

(pigs squealing)

Odie?

- No, sir.

(horses clopping)

(crows cawing)

(ominous music) (crickets chirping)

(horses clopping)

(spurs rattling) (sticks rustling)

(owl hooting)

(flamer fluttering)

(wood clattering)

(owl hooting)

- Hold up there.

Larn, get down off that horse.

- You go on about your business, Cauley.

(hammer clicks)

- I'll blow you right out of that saddle

before I see you burn that windmill down.

- Odie!

- I'm here, Papa.

(flame fluttering)

- Shoot him.

- Papa?

- Shoot him.

(crickets chirping)

(horse chuffing)

(hammer clicks)

(gun fires) (horses neighing)

(body thuds)

(dog barking) (horses neighing)

(flame fluttering)

Boys.

(horse clopping)

(birds shrieking)

(horses clopping)

- Odie, come on.

(horses clopping)

(birds shrieking) (dog barking)

(bars creaking)

- Get in there!

The Claver's tried to burn the windmill down,

and ole Cauley caught 'em at it.

- Odie here shot and killed him.

Right there's...

Go on now, there's doin' round here now.

Come on, move on out.

(door opens)

- Did you, Odie?

Did you shoot Cauley?

- He was gonna shoot my Papa.

I had to.

- You didn't have to, Odie!

Where do you get that?

You didn't have to kill ole Cauley!

- Listen to you.

Think you're gonna hang me?

My papa ain't gonna allow that,

and you know it.

(bars slam)

He's not gonna allow that!

He ain't gonna allow it, Scoby!

Goddamn you! (door slams)

(Odie scoffs)

- Odie's right.

You come morning, Larn and them boys

will be riding in here to get him.

- Well, surely the townspeople will help.

The townspeople won't,

won't be nowhere around.

Be squatting behind doors and windows.

Hiding.

- Well, you're not gonna let him go are ya?

If you let Odie go, they'll never stop.

Scoby, we've got water now.

- Water? I know we got water.

We're building your wife a regular garden

of paradise here, ain't we?

I'm sorry, Julian.

I don't slight you for it.

- So what are you gonna do?

- I don't know, Julian.

I don't know.

(door opens and closes)

(horses clopping)

(wind whistling) (pigs snorting)

(horse neighing)

- [Julian] All right, hold it!

Drop those guys, everybody!

Drop 'em on the ground! Quick!

(horses clopping)

- You're pushing it right to the edge,

ain't you preacher?

- Well, it's a hard country, Sheriff.

Don't you think?

- You better back off from this, Scoby.

(gun clacks)

- Get down off them horses.

(hammer clicks) - I said,

get down off of them horses!

(horse chuffing)

(ominous music)

(wind whistling)

(crow cawing)

Odie killed one of us.

We all know he did.

Ain't no gettin' beyond the fact of it.

And I can hang him,

or I can let him go.

Y'all gotta say which.

Why don't y'all go off down the street there

and talk about it?

(gentle harmonica music)

- Are they gonna hang Odie?

(wind whistling)

- I don't know.

- Talk for him.

They'll listen to you. Somebody's gotta talk for Odie

- Odie killed a man, Cindy.

(gentle harmonica music)

- I love him.

I don't wanna lose him.

(gentle harmonica music)

(wind whistling)

(hawk shrieking)

(insects chirping)

- [Julian] It's sure taking 'em a long time.

- They're scared.

Scared to hang him.

Scared not to now that you gave 'em a chance.

(sighs) Either way, it's gonna be hell to pay

once we let Larn and them boys loose.

(insects chirping)

(footsteps tapping)

(dog barking)

(wind whistling)

- I guess we gotta hang him.

- No!

No.

(jewelry rattling) (door opens)

- Raysha?

(lid thuds)

(wind whistling) (door closes)

(footsteps tapping)

Odie Claver killed Cauley Felps last night.

The town's gonna hang him

- Good.

- Now Raysha, you stop it!

I just told you a man was gonna be hanged.

Now the townspeople have stood up to the Clavers.

- I didn't ask for it!

I didn't ask for any of it! Did I, Julian?

Did I?

- No, you didn't.

- I didn't, Julian.

(Raysha sighs)

(door opens and closes)

(wind whistling)

(dog barking)

(horse neighing)

(ominous music)

- You happy now, Preacher?

- Sorry it came to this, Odie.

(wind whistling) (Odie sobbing)

- Don't you sniffle, Odie.

Damn you! (horse neighing)

Don't you sniffle!

I ain't gonna let go of this.

These son's of bitches will rue this day!

Every goddamn one of 'em!

- (sobbing) I'm all right, Papa.

- You got time, if you wanna say something, Odie.

(somber music)

- Bye, Cindy.

- I'll never love anyone else, Odie.

- I appreciate that.

(wind whistling)

(Odie sobbing)

Papa!

Don't you be starting any more trouble!

This is too hard!

It's too hard! (horse chuffing)

- You gotta goddamn these people, Odie.

You gotta goddamn 'em!

Goddman 'em with your last breath!

(horse neighing) (Odie groaning)

(horse clopping)

(neck snaps) (Odie gasps)

(dog barking) (pulley squeaking)

(rope straining)

(Cindy gasping)

(wind whistling)

- Don't pray for him.

Don't you pray for him!

You could have talked for Odie but you didn't!

(hand whacks) So don't you

pray for him now.

You don't have anybody either, Preacher.

Your wife's leaving you.

- What are you talking about?

- Leaving with another man.

He wrote her a letter. He said he was coming to get her.

(horse neighing)

(door closes)

- Raysha?

(wind whistling)

(somber guitar music)

(insects chirping) (wolves howling)

(shovels scraping)

(pigs squealing)

(crows cawing)

- What are we gonna do now, Pa?

- We're gonna just watch for a while.

Bide our time.

Let them get dependent on God's good wishes

and the blowin' of the wind for their water.

(somber guitar music)

Put some rocks on him.

I don't want the wolves

diggin' Little Odie up outta there.

(thunder rumbling) (somber guitar music)

(rocks clattering)

(church bell ringing)

(horse chuffing)

(horses clopping)

- Hello there, Mr. Cole.

(church bell ringing) Hello, Lady,

go in and sit down.

Preacher be here in a minute, I'm sure.

Just go right on in and sit down.

Folks, y'all go in. Preacher be here in a minute.

(church bell ringing) (meat sizzling)

(townspeople chattering)

(fire crackling) (wind whistling)

(door opens)

(door closes)

Julian?

You got a church full of people waiting on ya.

We're dedicating the windmill today.

(fire crackling)

- I don't have anything to say.

- Well by God, Preacher, you better reach way down

and find something to say.

- Scoby, you don't understand.

She's gone.

- Oh, forget that woman, Julian.

It was your first wife, that's all.

They come and go out here.

Believe me, I know.

All right?

(fire crackling)

Now dammit, you started this thing, Julian.

Take these people all the way with it.

I'm not mad enough to do it on my own.

I was gonna let Odie go.

And people in the church,

they're your family now.

Now, come on and say a few words over that windmill for us.

All right?

We'll be waiting for you.

(door opens and closes)

(fire crackling)

(door opens)

(bird shrieking)

(horse chuffing)

♪ It was a time of the preacher ♪

(horse clopping)

Julian!

♪ In the year of '01 ♪

(horse neighing)

(horse clopping)

♪ Now the preachin' is over ♪

(mellow country music)

♪ And the lesson's begun ♪

(water flowing)

(gentle guitar music) (horse clopping)

♪ Well he rode in Blue Rock ♪

♪ Dusty and tired ♪

(pen scraping)

♪ And he got him a room for the night ♪

(thunder rumbling) (rain pattering)

♪ He lay there in silence ♪

♪ With too much on his mind ♪ (lightning striking)

(horse neighing)

♪ Still hoping that he was not right ♪

(lightning strikes) (rain pattering)

(bright piano music in distance)

(rain pattering) (lightning striking)

(bright piano music in distance)

(horse chuffing)

(bright piano music) (rain pattering)

(chips clinking)

(roulette wheel clattering)

(lightning striking) (chips clinking)

(roulette wheel clattering)

- 20 notes.

(bright piano music)

(lightning striking)

(hammer clicks)

(gun fires) (horse neighing)

(gun fires)

(rain pattering)

(lightning striking)

(rain pattering)

(thunder rumbling)

(lightning striking)

(collar tears) (lightning striking)

(rain pattering)

♪ He found them that evening ♪

♪ At a tavern in town ♪

♪ In a quiet little out of the way place ♪

(horse neighing)

♪ And they smiled at each other ♪

♪ When he walked through the door ♪

(rain pattering) (lightning striking)

♪ And they died with their smiles on their faces ♪

(thunder rumbling)

♪ And they died with a smile on their face ♪

(horses clopping) (men grunting)

(insects chirping)

- Papa, (breathes heavily)

that damn little preacher,

he did went and shot up his wife.

Over yonder in Blue Rock.

(pigs snorting)

- He kill her?

- Where is he now?

- Nobody knows.

(pigs squealing) (crows cawing)

(ominous music)

(rooster crowing) (windmill whirring)

(wind whistling)

(horses clopping)

- [Larn] I made me a promise to my dead boy, Scoby.

- [Reese] We heard ya make it, Larn.

- [Larn] You hanged him,

you and that preacher.

- [Reese] And we would again.

Now you ride off,

or we'll have you hangin' from that windmill.

(windmill whirring)

- [Larn] Alex, Tom, you'd better get away from here

before I have to kill ya.

Wykoff, Flores?

(door opens)

- Ya, ya, ya, ya, ya! (horse neighing)

Ya, ya, ya, ya!

(horse neighing)

(door closes)

- [Larn] You gonna hang me all by yourself, Scoby?

(gun fires) (horse neighing)

(Reese groaning)

- [Reese] Shit!

(gun fires) (horse neighing)

(horses clopping) (Reese groaning)

- [Larn] All right, you people come out here

(Reese groaning)

and look on my work.

You ever again get to thinking

you can depend upon God

(fuse sizzling)

(device exploding)

(water rushing) and the wind

(Reese groaning) to bring your water,

you remember this day.

Come on out. (Reese groaning)

(gun fires) And look at what I done.

(Reese groaning)

I want you to remember.

(horses clopping)

(horses chuffing)

(horse neighing)

(horse clopping)

(somber harmonica music)

(water spraying)

(windmill squeaking)

(wolf howling) (wind whispering)

(door opens)

(wind whistling)

(Reese sighs)

- Scoby, we took up a little collection.

There's almost $20 here.

- You're running me off, ain't ya?

- We don't want no more trouble with the Clavers.

- You get well and then you just ride on outta here.

(wind whistling)

(coins jangle)

(footsteps shuffling)

- Any word of the preacher?

- No, not a word.

(wind whistling)

(somber harmonica music)

(door closes)

(door opens)

(spurs rattling)

(Reese sighs)

- What you gonna do if you find him?

- I'm gonna kill him.

(horse neighing)

(horse clopping)

(gentle guitar music)

♪ The red headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana ♪

♪ Rode into town one day ♪

♪ And under his knees was a raging black stallion ♪

♪ Walking behind was a bay ♪

(group chattering)

♪ The red headed stranger had eyes like the thunder ♪

♪ His lips, they were sad and tight ♪

♪ His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside ♪

♪ And his heart was heavy this night ♪

♪ Don't cross him, don't boss him ♪

♪ He's wild in his sorrow ♪

♪ He's riding and hiding his pain ♪

♪ Don't fight him, don't spite him ♪

♪ Just wait till tomorrow ♪

♪ Maybe he'll ride on again ♪

(patrons laughing) (bright piano music)

(patrons chattering) (glasses clinking)

(chips clattering) (patrons chattering)

- What's the matter darling?

You got no desires?

(bright piano music) (chips clattering)

(patrons chattering)

- [Woman] Whoo, whoo!

- Buy me a drink?

(glass scrapes)

Hello, Preacher.

(bright piano music) (patrons chattering)

You ain't so high and mighty now, are you?

(coin clattering)

(coin clattering)

(crickets chirping) (patrons chattering)

(horse neighing) (bright piano music)

(horse neighing)

(chuckles) You owe me more than a coin, Preacher.

(horse clopping)

(gun fires) (woman screams)

(horse neighing)

(horses clopping) (gun firing)

(head thuds) (gun fires)

(horses clopping)

(footsteps thudding)

(insects chirping)

- Horse thief.

(dog barking)

(horse neighing)

(horse clopping)

♪ The yellow haired lady was buried at sunset ♪

- Cindy. - Oh, my.

♪ The stranger went free, of course ♪

♪ For you can't hang a man for killing a woman ♪

♪ Who's trying to steal your horse ♪

♪ This is the tale of the red headed stranger ♪

♪ And if he should pass your way ♪

♪ Stay out of the path of the raging black stallion ♪

♪ And don't lay a hand on the bay ♪

♪ Don't cross him, don't boss him ♪

♪ He's wild in his sorrow ♪

♪ He's riding and hiding his pain ♪

♪ Don't fight him, don't spite him ♪

♪ Just wait till tomorrow ♪

♪ And maybe he'll ride on again ♪

(mellow guitar music)

(chickens clucking)

- Hello?

- Anybody in the house?

(door opens)

- Mornin', Ma'am.

- Mornin'.

- Saw your place from up on the hill.

The horses are thirsty, could use a little drink.

(horse neighs)

- There's my creek over there.

- Is that your Chink the field?

- He helps me.

- How'd you like him to live long enough

to eat his supper tonight?

- I'd like that.

- You feeling friendly toward us then?

Are you, woman?

- Yes, I am.

(horse neighing)

(flies buzzing)

Well you fancy me or him for first?

- I'd assume step in one pile of cow shit as another.

Guess I'll take you.

(both laughing)

(broom whacks) (man groans)

(man groaning)

(hammer clicks)

- You shouldn't have done that, woman.

(man groaning)

(gun fires) (man groans)

(horse neighing)

(body thuds)

(chicken clucking)

(hammer clicks) (gun fires)

(gun fires)

(horse neighing)

(man coughing)

(horse clopping)

- Have you killed me?

(cheek clicks)

(horse clopping)

- You didn't hear me hollering, "Help,"

did you mister?

We didn't need any help from you.

- They had my horse.

- Your course worth the life of this man?

- I couldn't say, I didn't know him.

- You got your horse now.

So go on away.

Go on, get!

Get outta here!

(horse clopping and neighing)

(horse chuffing)

(mellow country music)

♪ In the twilight glow I see ♪

(fire crackling)

♪ Blue eyes crying in the rain ♪

♪ When we kissed goodbye and parted ♪

♪ I knew we'd never meet again ♪

♪ Love is like a dyin' ember ♪

♪ Only memories remain ♪

♪ Through the ages I'll remember ♪

♪ Blue eyes cryin' in the rain ♪

(gentle guitar music)

(plow squeaking)

- It's that man, ain't it?

- Yes.

- What's he doing?

- He's plowing.

(gentle guitar music) (plow squeaking)

♪ Some day when we meet up yonder ♪

(plow squeaking)

♪ We'll stroll hand in hand again ♪

(plow clattering)

♪ In a land ♪

- Whoa, whoa. ♪ That knows no partin' ♪

♪ Blue eyes cryin' in the rain ♪

(birds chirping)

(water sloshing)

(Julian sighs)

(ladle plops)

(Julian sighs)

(gentle guitar music)

(clicks tongue)

(plow squeaking) (horse neighing)

Ya!

Ya! (reigns whip)

(gentle music)

(plow clattering)

(crickets chirping)

(owl hooting)

(horse chuffing)

(horses chopping)

(birds chirping) (horse clopping)

- Morning.

- Morning.

- I'm Reese Scoby.

Sheriff up at Driscoll, Montana.

I'm looking for a man who may have passed by here.

He rides a black horse, leads a bay.

(wood clattering)

- Nobody much comes around here.

(birds chirping)

This man you're looking for,

who is he?

- He used to be a preacher.

Till he took to killing.

Killed his own wife among others.

(horse clopping)

- [Julian] Scoby.

(horse neighing)

- Whoa.

Julian.

My God, I wouldn't have known you.

- Did you come to take me back?

- I come to see you dead.

- Well, that's a poor solution.

I've learned that much.

I went to whole goddamn way with you Julian,

and you run off!

Ain't no more windmill, no more water,

town's back like it was,

and the people bowing and scraping

to them goddamn Clavers!

- I didn't know.

- Would it have mattered to you?

- Not then.

- Well then, there you are.

(hammer clicks)

(gun fires) (horse neighing)

(birds squawking)

(body thumping)

(water splashing)

(gentle harmonica music)

(birds chirping)

- Was it the lawman shot you?

- He came here looking for ya.

Said you were a preacher.

- I was.

- He said you killed your own wife.

- I did then.

- Did you mean to?

- I did at the time.

- I don't know what to think about you.

- Well I don't know what to tell you.

- Think you can eat?

- All right.

(bowls clink)

- Nathan.

(Julian sighs)

(birds chirping)

- [Julian] Nice place you've got here.

- [Laurie] Didn't just happen.

- How long have you been alone?

- I'm not alone.

- Where's his father?

- I run him off one day and he never came back.

Just wanted to sit in the shade, anyway.

- Is that a warning?

- You've already done more work on this place

than he ever did.

What made you do that?

Just show up here that one day and start plowing?

- I guess I'd already gone

as I could go the other way.

- Well you've got a ways to go before you know how to plow.

Left a lot of crooked rows in my field.

- Mama, come on.

- I'm not a farmer.

(mellow country music)

(birds chirping)

(towels rustling)

(wagon clattering)

(ax whacks)

♪ Can I sleep in your arms tonight, lady ♪

(fire crackling) (crickets chirping)

♪ It's so cold lyin' here all alone ♪

(door creaking)

♪ And I need someone's arms to hold me ♪

♪ And I assure you, I'll do you no wrong ♪

(horse clopping) (wagon clattering)

- [Nathan] Give him a whack, Julian.

Make him go.

- [Julian] Leave him alone, he's all right.

- [Nathan] Ya!

- [Julian] Leave 'em alone, they're old.

- [Nathan] I wish I had a horse.

- [Julian] Maybe you will someday.

- [Nathan] Can I ride the Yankee horse?

- [Julian] The bay?

Nah, I don't think so.

- Why you gotta keep it if you ain't lettin' nobody ride it?

- Oh I don't know, I just have.

(gentle guitar music) (horses clopping)

- You like my mama?

- Boy, you're gettin' kind nosy there, fella.

Askin' all them questions.

- Well do you or not?

- Well, yeah.

- That's what I thought.

- What do you mean, that's what you thought?

- I know. - What do you mean, you know?

(Nathan laughs)

(horses clopping) (wagon clattering)

- Can I go lookin'?

- Yeah, but don't stay too long.

(horse neighing)

(saw scraping)

(horse neighing)

(horses clopping) (metal clanking)

(hammer banging)

(children playing)

(horse neighing)

(horse clopping)

- Look, I'm getting damned tired of this, Mister.

- You know what you can do?

- I don't even know you.

- Don't you know who I am, boy?

- No, sir.

- I'm the man who's gonna kill ya.

- I got a family, mister.

They're waitin' on my right...

I got kids.

- You're gonna do it, goddamn ya!

(man whimpering)

- I'm gonna do it. (whimpering)

- You sure?

- I'm sure. (whimpering)

(glass clinks)

(gun firing) (bullets ricocheting)

(trigger clicks)

(gun clacks)

- Go on home, boy. Goddamn you!

(gentle harmonica music)

(horses clopping) (cart clattering)

- Who was he?

- Just a man.

- Was he crazy?

- Yeah, he is crazy.

- What happens to an old crazy man like that?

- Somebody will kill him.

That's what he wants.

- How come?

- 'Cause that's all he's got left is his own dying.

Get out!

(gentle harmonica music) (horses clopping)

(birds chirping)

(goat bleating)

- Nathan told me about the trouble in town.

Who was it?

- It was Scoby.

- Scoby?

He's not still looking for you, is he?

- He thinks I'm dead.

He thinks he killed me.

He's a lot like me when I first rode in here

that first time, remember?

- That was a long time ago, Julian.

- Yeah.

It was.

- We're all right, aren't we?

You do hang on to your misery, don't you?

- Yeah, I guess I do.

(pot clanks)

- [Nathan] Where's he going?

- He's just going down to look at the creek.

- I'm going with him.

- No, you stay here.

- What's wrong, Mama?

- Maybe Julian has to leave.

- He don't wanna be with us anymore?

- Yes, he does. More than anything.

That's the hard part for him.

- He'd come back, wouldn't he?

- We've had him a long time, Nathan.

(insects chirping)

(insects chirping)

- I'm gonna be leaving in the morning.

- All right.

(birds chirping)

(rooster crowing)

You know where we are.

- Yeah, I know where you are.

(horse neighing)

(somber piano music)

(horses clopping)

(horse clopping)

Scoby. - Who's there?

- Scoby.

(gentle music)

- Julian, no, I...

No, I done killed you, Julian.

- Come on, Scoby. Wake up.

- That's a, Julian?

- Come on, let's go.

(Reese mumbles) Here we go.

Up you go.

(Reese groaning) There you go.

- Ah, Julian. - I got you, come on.

Let's go.

There we go. Step up.

(water splashing) Now sober?

- Surely, I'm sober, I (mumbles)...

(water splashing)

- Are you sober? - I'm sober!

I'm sober!

(water splashing)

(crickets chirping) (fire crackling)

What the hell you want with me anyway?

- Nothing.

- Son of a bitch, you're going back to Driscoll, ain't ya?

- Yeah.

- That old man'll kill you this time

and nobody will lift a finger to help you.

- Well I'm going.

- They run me out of town. Did you know that?

- No.

- Well they did.

Julian?

I'm going with ya.

- All right.

(wolf howling)

(bullets click)

(shotgun scrapes)

You ready? (barrel clicks)

- Yeah, hell, let's go.

(horse neighing)

♪ It was a time of the preacher ♪

(horse neighing)

(mellow country music)

♪ In the year of '01 ♪

(broom scraping)

♪ Now the preachin' is over ♪

♪ And the killin's begun ♪

(wind whistling)

(windmill squeaking)

(water flowing)

(insects chirping)

(ominous music)

- Papa!

Papa, come look'a here!

(wind whistling)

(door opens)

(ominous music)

(crow cawing)

- I'm gonna tear that goddamn thing down!

All the way this time.

- No, it stays.

- I'll see you in Hell, first.

(can clinks) (hammer clicks)

(insects chirping) (wind whistling)

(hammer clicks) (guns firing)

- Uh!

(pigs squealing)

- Avery, you and Eugene, take the other side.

(Calvin breathes heavily)

(wind whistling)

Victor, take a Look around back.

Avery?

(insects chirping) (wind whistling)

- They're gone, Papa.

(gun fires)

(horse neighing)

- I got one, Papa!

I got one! (Victor coughing)

I got one! (hammer clicks)

I got one! - Well you ignorant

son of a bitch, you shot your own brother!

(wind whistling)

- Preacher! Preacher!

- Victor!

I'm sorry!

I'm sorry, Victor!

(Victor gasping)

(rattling)

(wind whistling)

- Papa.

(hammers clicking)

(guns firing)

(bullets ricochet) (guns firing)

(Eugene grunting) (bashes door)

(gun firing)

(bodies thud)

(crows cawing)

Papa?

They got Eugene.

(Larn sighs)

(wind whistling)

(boots pattering)

(wind whistling)

(Reese groaning)

- Can you run for it?

- Yeah, I think I can.

(gun fires)

(spurs rattle) (hammer clicks)

(gun firing) (bullets ricocheting)

(gun firing)

(Reese groaning)

(barrel rattles)

(horse neighing)

(Reese groaning)

(barrels rattling) (bullets clicking)

(Reese breathes heavily)

(gun clacks)

(hammer clicks)

(wind whistling)

- I'm gonna try to get around the other side.

(hand patting)

(barrel clicking)

(barrel clicking)

(Victor gasping)

- Papa.

- Can you fight, boy?

Can you fight?

(Victor gasps)

Put him on his horse.

- Papa?

- Now!

(spurs rattle)

(insects chirping) (wind whistling)

(Victor gasping) (horse clopping)

(hand whacks) (horse neighing)

(horse clopping)

(guns firing)

(Julian gasps)

- Julian.

- I got him.

(wind whistling)

You hit, Preacher?

(Reese groans)

(wind whistling)

Go take a look.

Go on.

(insects chirping) (wind whistling)

- You got him. - Make damn sure.

(Reese groaning)

(hammer clicks)

(wind whistling)

(gun fires)

(horse neighing)

(crows cawing)

Avery?

(Reese gasping)

Avery?

(wind whistling)

Victor? (echoes)

(wind whistling)

Eugene? (echoes)

Calvin? (echoes)

(spurs rattling)

(Julian groaning)

- Goddamn you, Preacher!

(Julian groaning) You killed

all my boys!

(gun firing)

(wolf howling)

(wind whistling)

(mellow country music)

(flies buzzing) (insects chirping)

(horse clopping)

- I brought your horse back, Scoby.

- God, that is my horse.

(windmill whirring and creaking)

He's up there running again.

- Sure is.

- Well goodbye, Scoby.

- Julian.

♪ It was a time of the preacher ♪

(horse clopping)

♪ In the year of '01 ♪

♪ Just when you think it's all over ♪

♪ It's only begun ♪

(horse clopping) (mellow country music)

(hay rustling)

- Ha! (horse neighing)

Ha! (horse neighing)

(horse clopping) (horse neighing)

(mellow country music) (birds chirping)

♪ At a time when the world seems to be spinnin' ♪

♪ Hopelessly out of control ♪

♪ There's deceivers and believers and old in-betweeners ♪

♪ That seem to have no place to go ♪

(crickets chirping)

♪ Well, it's the same old song ♪

♪ It's right and it's wrong ♪

♪ And livin' is just somethin' that I do ♪

♪ And with no place to hide ♪

♪ I looked in your eyes ♪

♪ And I've found myself in you ♪

♪ I looked to the stars ♪

♪ Tried all of the bars ♪

♪ And I've nearly gone up in smoke ♪

♪ Now my hand's on the wheel ♪

♪ I've something that's real ♪

♪ And I feel like I'm goin' home ♪

♪ And in the shade of an oak ♪

♪ Down by the river ♪

♪ Sit an old man and a boy ♪

♪ Settin' sail, spinnin' tales ♪

♪ And fishin' for whales ♪

♪ With a lady they both enjoy ♪

♪ Well, it's the same damn tune ♪

♪ It's the man in the moon ♪

♪ It's the way that I feel about you ♪

♪ And with no place to hide ♪

♪ I looked in your eyes ♪

♪ And I've found myself in you ♪

♪ And I looked to the stars ♪

♪ Tried all of the bars ♪

♪ And I've nearly gone up in smoke ♪

♪ Now my hand's on the wheel ♪

♪ I've something that's real ♪

♪ And I feel like I'm goin' home ♪

(mellow country music)