Original subtitles

Last on Roots:

- Master made me head trainer today. - That nice.

I'll pick the birds until I can buy myself free.

You'll stay and fight chickens.

It don't matter how much I saves.

You're mine, George.

Can't you get that through your thick skull?

It got through that time.

- You'll be worse. - Killing massa?

- That's no more than killing a dog. - No, damn it! No!

He's your daddy.

Don't know about you, but I want to win and be champion.

If Speckled Red wins...

...I'll set you free.

The bird of Sir Eric Russell is the winner!

Don't want no crying. None of you all.

Your husband and your pappy and I'm telling you now.

A few years. That's no time at all.

Be back.

I'm married to a free man, George Moore.

I ain't about to live with no slave ever again.

War, boys, it's war!

Are we gonna whup them Yankees?

I believe you want a whipping.

You won't do nothing...

...because I won't let you, Brent.

Captain's brother has been missing.

If any of you seen him, speak up.

You ain't seen the last of me, nigger.

To all commanders in the field, from General Robert E. Lee:

After four years of arduous service...

...marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude...

...the Army has been compelled to yield...

...to overwhelming resources.

I need not tell the survivors of many hard-fought battles...

...who remained steadfast to the last...

...that I have consented to this result from no mistrust of them...

...but feeling that devotion could accomplish nothing...

...that could compensate for the loss that attends the continuance.

I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice...

...of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.

You will take with you...

...satisfaction coming from consciousness...

...of duty faithfully performed.

And I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend you...

...his blessing and protection.

It's over, folks. The war is over.

God save the Confederacy.

Freedom. Freedom.

We's free!

Freedom!

Freedom!

Free! We's free!

Freedom! Freedom!

Hey, we're free! We're free!

Freedom!

- Who that, Rufus? - Lewis, from the Harvey place.

- What was he bellowing? - Something about freedom.

Free?

- Nigger must be crazy. - Yeah, must be.

Come on, mule. Come on!

Lewis, what you standing around for?

We's free.

- Who say that? - Came over the telegraph.

The war's over. The South gave up.

Slavery's no more!

- You be fooling with me, I�ll... - Not fooling you.

I's here to tell you. It is the God's truth.

Free?

- Mama? - Yes?

Why you look so sad? This is a celebration.

Thinking about your dad.

Wishing he was here.

Don't fret. Chicken George be coming back...

...now that freedom's come.

You come dance with me instead of slaving at the table.

Come on, just one dance.

I guess I don't have to ask if you've heard the news.

I don't know what it means, what it'll do.

I guess no one does right now.

I'll try to hold on to the farm. I'm not sure how.

You all may want to go off on your own.

But you can stay if you want. I can't pay you anything.

Everything I have is tied up in the crops.

Maybe you could farm some of the land...

...and share the crop with me.

We all have to think about what to do.

I don't know what it means.

Say hello to your mom for me.

What'll it be, Harry?

Well, let's see now.

- I need... - Mr. Brent.

I been waiting a long time.

- I'll take care of you when I'm ready. - I was here first.

Now look here, you no-account black.

It's all right, Evan. I'll drop by a little later.

- No need for that now, hear? - Later.

Well?

Loaf of bread and a bag of grits.

Thirty-six cents.

Hello, Evan.

Senator! Doggone, it's good to see you!

Like old times. I thought you was in England.

- I've just returned. - Did you see that? Did you see?

You won't believe how they carry on.

Can't even call them niggers. At least, not to their faces.

Well, I wouldn't fret, Evan.

Let the niggras...

...have their day. - What you mean?

The same thing as old Uncle Richard told me as a boy.

Old Brer Rabbit, when he can't get through one way...

...he change his way...

...and by and by, he get where he want to be!

I get you now, sir! I get you!

That's right. We is free at last.

All right. We is free at last!

- Yeah! We's free! - Free.

Ain't got no more massas. Nobody going to whup us again.

Nobody gonna abuse our women.

No...

That's right.

Freedom taste good, don't it?

- Yeah, I can taste it! - Baby!

Well, maybe it taste good...

...but it sure ain't gonna fill our bellies.

How is we gonna feed our children?

How we gonna find shelter?

Now we is free, what's we gonna do?

I say we go where the pickings is better.

Yeah, yeah.

Go where? Do what?

Well, I don't know right off.

- Must be someplace. - You is ignorant.

- Bone ignorant. - Here now.

Ain't your fault, we's all ignorant.

We is just what the massas wanted us to be.

None of us been taught to earn our keep in the white man's world.

We gonna leave, we better learn...

...how to do for ourselves first.

Well, what you say, Tom? What you say we do?

I say we stays here...

...and farms, like we been doing all our lives.

Not for Harvey.

It gonna be part our own land for our own selves.

Our dirt we farms!

Well, now, hold on a moment, Tom. All I knows...

...all I ever seen is this plantation...

...and that little town of shops.

I want to see the world, Tom.

What is freedom if you can't go nowhere?

Of course you can go.

That the whole idea of freedom.

You wants to wander for a while, ain't nobody gonna stop you.

Same for all of you.

But maybe we don't have to go.

Maybe now we can find what we wants right here.

I say we gotta give freedom a chance.

And here is as good a place to start as any.

Besides...

...what's our daddy gonna do when he gets back and we's all gone?

How we know he coming?

All them years he been gone, and no word.

He coming back because he say he gonna come back.

Your dad ain't never said nothing in his life...

...he don't mean. Hear me?

Just asking, Mama.

I don't want to hear no more about leaving.

Ain't nobody going nowhere till my man come back.

We is a family...

...and we is gonna stay a family.

Tom? Martha and me sure would like to throw our lot in with you.

If you wants us, of course.

Wants you?

You just try getting away.

And you'll hear hounds baying at your heels before long.

- Come with me. - Where we going?

I's gonna spark you in moonlight.

Yes, you is! That gonna be some sparking with two young ones.

Don't argue with me. Just come along.

Damned if I'll give my niggers any part of my farm.

It's been in my family over a hundred years.

I'd as soon sell out to some carpetbaggers.

I'm with you. The niggers is putting on enough airs...

...without owning land.

They can all own land, far as I'm concerned.

- What you saying, Archie? - Their graves.

They can own them all they want.

I respect your sentiments, but we gotta be realistic.

Somebody has to work our land and niggers are done as slaves.

I don't like it either, but I got no cash for wages.

I got to parcel out shares.

I'll never owe a black nothing except a whipping.

I always pay my debts.

You are living in the past.

You can't go around whipping blacks.

Feds won't allow it.

He's talking sense, boys.

There'll be a judge here, and the Army'll back him up.

We ought to string up a few of them. Just to set an example.

Now you're talking.

There's more minus than plus to that.

It sounds good...

I'll tell you about plus and minus.

Plus is what I come out of the war with.

I come out plus a Yankee ball in my knee.

Come out plus a limp I'll have the rest of my life.

And I'm minus my brother, sheriff.

And I'm telling you no white man killed him.

No white man killed another in the last month of war. Niggers did it!

Every step I take, every time my leg twinges on me...

...I recollect who's responsible...

...for the pluses and minuses I gotta live with now.

I recollect who done it to me.

Niggers!

Well, gentlemen, I think I'd better leave now.

I'm bound to uphold the law. Gave my solemn word to do that.

It seems to me that the law ain't what this meeting is about.

Just a minute, sheriff.

I'm going with you.

Senator.

These men respect you, and surely you're not for violence.

I agree that misdirected violence is dangerous, Mr. Jackson.

What do you say? We ain't heard from you.

What should we do, senator?

It's my intention to acquire property. A great deal of property.

If it was anybody but you, I'd say you was plumb crazy.

The land ain't worth a horse's apple without slaves.

Our niggra, under the misguided new business arrangements...

...is to receive a share of crops he works.

But before that profit is paid...

...his costs are deducted:

Grain, tools, wagons, mules, horses, feed.

Somehow he never manages to catch up on the costs, right?

It doesn't matter who works land. What counts is who owns it.

Property is power, always.

Whoever has the land has the people.

I guess you know what you're doing.

Be assured I do.

By and by, Brer Rabbit, he gonna get where he want to be.

Tom! Tom!

Where've you been with the water?

We got some thirsty mouths.

- Tom! - Reeny?

What? What is it? What?

Rufus just came in from town.

Telegraph say...

...a white man killed President Lincoln last night.

Shot him in the back of the head.

He's dead, Tom.

Still daylight left to work.

Did you hear her, Tom?

- Lincoln's dead! - I heard. I know he's dead.

It won't be for nothing!

I won't let his dying be for nothing!

Tom? What is it?

To your cabins, everybody. Quick!

- Tom? - I don't know.

You keep out of this, Harvey!

Lewis! Tom! Come on, come on!

Let's get a line here. Get some water on this!

Jesse, come on, come on! Everybody! Hannah!

The barn's on fire!

- Everybody move. - Come on. Hurry up!

Pass the bucket. Pass it.

Move it, move it, everybody.

Buckets! It's getting bigger!

Hurry, before it spreads!

Get the bucket! Back! Get back!

- Back! Watch out! - Faster, faster!

Free at last.

I don't understand it. I just don't understand it.

We won't let them get away with this.

We worked too hard to raise our crops.

Nobody gonna ride in here and trample...

...everything we got in the world.

We ought to get guns and fight back.

Who we gonna fight?

Damn! I don't know.

We can't let them do this.

They won't let us live here. We should get out!

No! We ain't gonna do no such thing.

We's staying because we has a right to stay.

This changes nothing.

It means there's some rebs around don't know the war is over.

They won't push us off our land.

We is free men.

Besides...

...they won't get away with it. - What you mean?

Look here.

- I don't see nothing but hoofmarks. - Right.

- What's so special then? - Nothing.

Hoofmarks are all the same. But suppose they weren't?

Suppose each hoofmark had something...

...that set it apart.

- What you getting at, Tom? - Those nightriders, that's what.

Stands to reason...

...these riders is some of our neighbors.

Also, most of them bring their horses to me for shoeing.

Now suppose every horse I shoes me from this day on...

...I put a little special mark on it.

Maybe here.

Then we'd have a way of knowing what horse the shoe belong to.

And if we know where the shoe fits...

Why are you selling?

The place got run down during the war.

I parceled shares to the niggras...

...but nightriders came.

You don't know who?

No. They've been rampaging through the country, destroying crops...

...scaring the niggras half to death.

Last week they tore up everything I planted.

I don't have the heart for farming anymore, senator.

I'm sorry to hear about your troubles, Samuel. Very sorry.

But business is business.

In anticipation of our discussion, I had this contract drawn up.

$5000 isn't much for a man's life work, senator.

I couldn't agree with you more.

Unhappily, that's quite beside the point.

You've indicated that the place isn't in the best of condition.

And in all good faith, 5000...

...is the best I can manage.

Think about it. You might wait for a more satisfactory offer.

We both know there won't be any better offers.

I'll accept.

Good. That's it, then.

There's just one other thing.

My niggras owe me for seed. A couple hundred dollars.

They've worked hard. I wanna wipe the slate clean.

- Consider it done. Here's my hand. - Thank you.

Ain't you done yet, boy?

Yes, sir, Mr. Drake. I's trying, sir.

Got to fix it just right.

I guess that's about it. Much obliged, boys.

Lila.

It's time, Lila.

Lila...

Oh, Sam, how can we? All those years.

I know, honey. There's nothing we can do.

I'm gonna miss this place, and you folks.

I'm sorry I had to sell, but I didn't have much choice.

The new owner will come in a few days to talk to you.

Meantime, I suggest you put in your new crops.

I'm sure you'll find Senator Justin a decent man to work for.

He agreed to wipe out your debts so you can start from fresh.

Mrs. Harvey and I want to thank you for your kindness...

...and your help over the years.

Goodbye and good luck to you.

Goodbye, Mr. Harvey.

Mrs. Harvey.

Now, what's the matter with y'all?

Where's your manners?

Say goodbye to the Harveys and wish them well.

- Bye, Massa Harvey. - Bye, massa.

- Bye, Massa Harvey. - Bye, Massa Harvey.

You was better than some, massa.

Now that we know who they is, I say let's kill them!

No.

Why not? I didn't know you was particular about killing whites.

There will be no killing. We go to the law.

White man's law?

That's right.

Sorry I'm late. I had to help Martha with some chores.

- What we got to do... - What's that white man doing here?

What white man?

They's only one white man in here as I can see.

Old George?

When the killing starts, like holds to like.

You got no call to talk like that. He can't help it he white.

I don't care. I want him out.

And who is you to be giving orders around here?

I ain't the only one that feels that way!

I ain't listening to nobody say a word against Old George!

No, Tom, it's all right.

I ain't one to tarry where I ain't wanted.

Old George...?

Now I say we ain't going to no law!

I say we even up our own tally!

Lewis, you best sit down and shut your mouth. You said enough for one day.

You're lucky that Mama weren't here to hear you.

I said, sit down, little brother.

I ain't finished with you about Old George.

We gots to go to the law, don't you see?

Ain't supposed to be no white man's law.

Only supposed to be one law.

- The law! - You daft, Tom?

You try to set the law on whites, they gonna lynch you.

Maybe, maybe not. But we got to find out, don't we?

If we don't give the law a chance, freedom ain't worth a damn!

Who going into town with me to see the sheriff?

You is a plumb stubborn fool.

- Damn you! - What are you so all fired up about?

Why you got to be the one to step forward? You ain't even the oldest.

Why you got to be the big man every time?

'Cause I wants to look my daddy in the eye when next we meet.

'Cause I want our children growing up in freedom.

'Cause too many suffered to bring us this far to go back.

'Cause somebody got to stand up, Irene.

Is that so?

Well, somebody got to mind his wife and babies too.

Now who gonna do that after they shoots you or hangs you up?

- Irene... - Oh!

- Don't go! - Irene.

- Oh, please. Please. - I gots to.

Oh, Tom. I'm so scared.

Tom... I don't want them to hurt you.

I ain't nothing without you, Tom.

I's scared too...

...but I just can't not go.

I hate you for doing this.

I'd give anything, say anything, do anything to make you stay.

But I's proud of you, Tom Harvey.

Oh, I's terrible proud of you.

- Now... - What?

There's only one thing.

I am going with you.

- You's talking crazy... - I'm going.

- Woman, you is... - Yes, Tom?

One fine woman.

That's what you is.

You's one fine woman.

Well, well, well.

You are one smart man, Tom Harvey.

Fancy you figuring out something like this.

There's no doubt about it.

You got them dead to rights. You did good coming to me, though.

Had you told anybody else about this?

Just my kin.

What you gonna do, sheriff?

I'm gonna get after them, Tom, but I gotta handle this careful.

This is not just locking up some Saturday night drunk.

I gotta study. I got to figure out how to handle this.

I tell you what I want you to do.

You go on home and just go on about your business.

Best that folks don't know you got anything to do with this.

Yes, sir. Take care of it, then?

Well, I guess I got to, Tom. I guess I got to.

- Tom? - I think we done right.

- I think the law is the law. - What happened?

He heard me out, and he going after them.

What you two doing here?

Well, you one crazy fool.

But you still our brother.

- You sure? - He going after them. Don't worry.

Yeah?

Can I come in?

Sure.

You all right?

I sorry about what happened. You knows how we feel about you.

Yeah, I guess I do. After last night, I guess I do.

Don't go on like that. Lewis got no more sense than a bee...

...when his blood's up.

Don't mean nothing.

If Lewis didn't mean what he said, why ain't he here?

He come around. He just needs more time to collect himself.

Well, Tom.

I guess maybe I need some time too.

Well, sure you do.

- George? - What?

Maybe we been here long enough.

Maybe we best be thinking of striking out for ourselves...

...while we still young enough.

I'm sure you've been concerned about what'll happen...

...now that Mr. Harvey has left.

Let me reassure you that nothing is going to change.

Mr. Harvey's agreement with you will be honored.

You'll receive a percentage of the crops you raise.

Well, what do you say to that?

It's very kind of you, sir.

But if Mr. Brent gonna be in charge, I don't think my people wanna stay on.

Well.

You're free to go, of course.

Just as soon as you pay up your debt.

What debt?

According to the farm's ledger, you was advanced $235...

...in seed, grain and supplies against future crops.

But Mr. Harvey said he fixed that. Told us we was free and clear.

The agreement's on file at the county clerk's office.

I didn't see that in the deed of sale.

Now you work hard on your share, it'll reduce your debt considerably.

$235 dollars ain't all that much.

But in the meantime, don't nobody try leaving here.

This is a legal matter and the sheriff will lock you up.

Senator, sir?

Is this what you wants?

I thought I made it clear, boy.

Mr. Brent speaks for me.

Mr. Johnson.

We're wondering what your plans are, now that Mr. Harvey's left.

I ain't got no special plans. I'll just go on working my share.

That won't do. Me and the senator, we got feelings...

...about whites sharecropping with niggers.

Why should a smart boy wanna work like a field hand...

...when there are other opportunities to consider?

We need someone to keep his eye on things, make sure the work gets done.

The job's yours if you want it.

I ain't much about overseeing.

I'll pay you a good wage and if it works out, maybe your family...

...can move into the main house here. Now that's fair, ain't it?

- All right. I'll do it. - Good boy, Georgie. Good boy.

We'll settle the details later. Senator?

I think that's everything for now, Evan.

I'm looking forward to a long and happy association.

You'll find me a fair man to work for...

...if you're willing to meet me halfway.

Next time I'm here, I expect to see all these darkies...

...out in the fields where they belong.

I want you reporting to me regular.

I do hope you're gonna behave yourself, boy.

I surely do.

Oh, howdy, sheriff. Come on in.

Howdy, Evan.

You know, Evan, we've been friends for a long time.

I want you to know that.

I know that, Charlie. What's got into you?

And I'm on your side.

You understand that, don't you?

Sheriff, you been drinking?

No, I don't think I could get drunk tonight.

No. Why? Why can't you get drunk?

I know who every single one of them nightriders is.

I got proof I'm gonna turn over to the Federal Circuit Court judge...

...when he comes next weekend. - You got what?

You heard me, Evan. I got proof. Tom Harvey gave it to me.

I don't want to know what I know. But I know it for a real fact...

...unless somebody does something.

I'm sworn to do something that'll make me a hated man in this county.

Unless somebody does something to make Tom Harvey pull back his evidence.

Do something like what?

Evan, I'm sick enough as it is! At myself, for letting it go this far.

Do I have to lay out the plan too?

No. No need for that.

You've done enough, sheriff. You've done enough.

I guess I'll just have to see...

I don't wanna know another word.

I'm an officer of the law. Sometimes an officer of the law...

...just ain't got no choice in some things. You understand what I mean?

Won't nobody misunderstand, sheriff. I'll see to that.

Well, thank you, Evan. I'm much obliged to you.

Good night, Evan.

Tom Harvey!

We want you, nigger!

Tom. Tom!

Get yourself out here, boy. Or we're gonna burn your kinfolk.

Tom.

Move.

Now!

George.

They's six of them, Martha. Six!

Why should I? Like holds to like. That's what they told me, ain't it?

Ain't it?

Thought you was smart going to the sheriff, didn't you?

This here's a bad nigger!

Talking about the law instead of doing his work, paying his debts.

So we're gonna teach him how to be a good nigger!

It's best you study hard what's gonna happen, so you won't make mistakes.

Because you ain't never gonna leave here! Never!

All right! Get on with it!

Damn it! Now you leave my nigger be!

Stay out of this. Boy needs a lesson.

- What's he done? - He's fixing to set the law on us.

All right, he's got it coming!

But you put me in charge here and nobody whips my niggers but me!

Let him do it.

- Why you stopping? - No use. He's senseless!

It don't matter. He'll remember when he wakes up.

If he wakes up. Now get on with it.

Looks like you're on top of that!

Make sure you teach him how to be a nigger now!

- Tom! Tom! - God, let him be alive!

Oh, God, let him be alive! Please. Help him.

Let him be alive.

Irene? Irene. I'm sorry, Irene. I was just trying...

...to make them think I was doing their job.

You ain't got nothing to be sorry about, Old George Johnson.

You just saved my man's life!

You just saved my man's life.

I'm sorry, Old George. I was wrong. Dead wrong.

- Let's get him inside. - He'll be all right.

- He's gonna be all right. - Easy.

- Careful now. Be careful. - Easy.

Oh, Tom.

What we gonna do? What we gonna do?

Ain't nothing we can do.

We ain't never gonna get away from here. Never!

At least not alive, anyway.

All my fault.

I should've let y'all go when you wanted.

- Instead of... - Now you just hush, Mama.

Don't you go blaming yourself. We stayed here because we wanted to.

Tom? What we gonna do?

Get my boy out of here.

I don't want him to see me like this.

Martha.

Lewis?

Yeah, Tom?

Take that shovel and dig up the floor...

...under Bud's bed.

- What you want me to do that for? - Do it!

Bud, don't worry about your daddy. He's gonna be fine.

He's a strong man.

Ain't none stronger.

He'll be up and around in no time.

I'm gonna kill those white men someday.

- You shouldn't talk like that. - I'm gonna kill them.

Bible says it ain't right to kill people, Bud.

Do it say it right for them to whip my daddy?

It don't say that neither.

Then I'm bound to get them.

Which ones, Bud? Couldn't see their faces.

I'll find a way to get the ones who done it.

Suppose you make a mistake?

Suppose you hurt white folks that ain't done your daddy no harm?

I'll do what I gotta do.

Then I guess you might as well start with me.

I didn't mean you.

Well, I sure am white.

I'm white as a cotton ball.

If you start hurting whites for being white...

...then soon you'll get to me and Old George.

I don't wanna kill you.

That's what happens when you hurt folks for their skin color.

You won't be any better than them.

I hate them. Hate them!

Hate them for what they done...

...not because they's white.

Me and mine is white.

But we love you...

...just like our own.

If you'll let us love you.

Oh, Bud.

Oh, my poor little Bud.

This is a cavalry officer's pistol.

Husband, what is you thinking of?

They catch you with that gun, they gonna kill you.

I only knows one thing:

Ain't nobody ever gonna whip me again!

Ever!

Someone's coming!

Blow out the candles.

Open the door slow, whoever you is...

...or I'll blows you apart.

You don't wanna do that, son.

Not unless you gonna make yourself an orphan child.

Daddy?

My man.

Grandpa. Chicken George!

What's this?

I got news for you.

The old chicken-fighter has come home to roost!

Look at you.

Good thing you come home after dark, George.

Why you say that?

I's so old and ugly I might scare you to death in God's proper light.

I don't see you with my eyes...

...I sees you with my heart.

- So I is old and ugly? - What you talking about?

Was a time when you used to look at me with your eyes.

All right, I'll look at you now. Come on.

I say come on around here.

You still is beautiful, Tildy.

You still my beautiful woman.

Sure, time has left a few tracks in its passing...

...like it's done me.

But you got a sprinkling of moonbeam in your hair. Look.

And your eyes...

Your eyes still have that little girl looking out of them.

I feel like a little girl tonight, George.

Been so long.

It's just like the very first time.

What's going on here?

Tom whipped, and this Evan Brent in charge.

Nothing that won't keep till morning. Hush now.

Brent and his like done stole most our lives away.

Let's keep this one night for ourselves.

Oh, my sweet, sweet Mama.

Yes, indeed. The family sure owes a lot to these two birds.

With the money they won me, I bought us some land in Tennessee.

Land so rich and black you can plant...

...a pig's tail and a hog will grow!

Daddy...

...ain't you heard a word we said?

We can't go to Tennessee, can't go nowhere.

You mean Brent and his bunch?

I wouldn't worry about that none.

I been in worse situations in the war.

What you getting at?

All right.

Let's look at it like it was a military operation.

Here we are, surrounded by the enemy...

...outnumbered, outgunned...

...and half our troops is women and children.

On the face of it, it looks bad.

Look like we in a hopeless position.

And that's our one strong point.

Don't sound like no strong point to me.

Way I figure it...

...Brent and this senator must be feeling mighty smug.

Like they got us where they want us.

Toeing the line, scared to death.

Well, from now on...

...we gonna do everything we can...

...to make sure they go right on feeling that way.

Clumsy fool!

Look after Mrs. Randall.

I wanna see what's going on out there.

You dumb black boy. Can't I trust you to do nothing?

I want every grain of that back in the sack!

I's trying, Mr. Johnson.

You ain't trying hard enough. I don't want no sacks full of dirt.

Those darkies...

...they was bad enough under slavery, but now they's useless.

I's done, sir.

What are you waiting on, boy?

Get the rest of the sacks out of there!

Would you move your black backside?! Move it! Move it!

- Well, George. - Oh, Mr. Brent.

I see you've learned.

I wasn't too sure about overseeing them darkies...

...as you well know, but I wanna tell you...

...it beats farming all to hell.

- I wanna thank you. - That's all right, son.

Just don't you let up.

Don't you worry. I keeps on them all the time.

You'll do, Georgie, you'll do.

Oh, please, sir.

Please.

We don't want no more trouble.

If my man goes up in front of the judge...

...they'll kill him, sure.

I got two little babies, sir.

Now what we gonna do if they kills my man?

Oh, please, sir.

I swears to God you won't never hear from him again.

Well, you seem like a good girl...

...so I'm gonna do something that I hadn't ought to do.

This is your husband's property.

You do with it what you want to do.

God bless you, sir.

I think that's about everything he asked for.

Thank you, sir.

Just a minute there, boy.

I ain't done with you yet.

Yes, sir.

I do believe that's the sweetest water I ever tasted.

Yes, sir.

Fetch you some more, sir?

No.

But I sure did appreciate it.

You're shaping up into a good boy.

Thank you, sir. I's trying.

You can run along now.

You see that uppity Tom fetch me a dipper of water, nice and polite?

Yes, I did.

- Yes, it looks that way. - Something troubling you, senator?

It's been my experience one should not depend...

...on an unbroken series of fortunate events.

This idyllic behavior is either to conceal furtive activity...

...or a tribute to George Johnson's ability to work a miracle.

- Johnson seems to have things in hand. - I do not reject the miracle.

- Have you been to the farm yourself? - Not recently.

I've been busy at the store.

A little drive out there, unannounced, might teach us something.

Stop lollygagging. Put your backs into it!

You think this is a picnic?

I got my eye on you.

You put your black back into it, or I'll do it for you!

Good day, senator.

Wanted to see how you're getting on.

Ain't as far long with the planting as I'd like to be.

We'd like you to look at the fence we's fixing.

Go on back and keep working, and I'll be there directly.

- Thank you, sir. - Go on, now.

Can't do nothing on their own.

I guess we ought to get back to town.

Seems like Mr. Johnson's got his work in order.

Oh, Mr. Brent!

Mr. Harvey's mules is on their last legs.

They ain't hardly pulling worth their feed.

If I could have me six young mules...

...I could plant another 100 acres.

Senator?

I think Mr. Johnson's enterprise ought to be encouraged.

I'll get them out here as soon as I can. Anything else?

No, I think I got everything I need now, sir.

- I'll get six mules out tomorrow. - I'm much obliged.

Mr. Brent!

Georgie had an accident. I think his leg is broke.

- We better go get Doc Farrell. - I went there first.

He's on his way. But my husband want you to come.

He's afraid the darkies will take advantage and run off.

- Mr. Brent, you gotta come. - All right! Calm down.

It'll be all right. Get back to your husband.

I'll ride out soon as I can. Get! Get, you hear!

Over here, Mr. Brent.

He all right, Mr. Brent. But you ain't.

What are you doing? Put that gun down.

We leaving this county. We're making sure you won't stop us.

You been bamboozled, Mr. Brent!

Why, you dirty nigger lover!

The point is, we ain't as dumb as you think we is.

Because if we's that dumb, what's that make you?

We're taking charge. Drop that gun.

Think I'm crazy enough to ride out here alone?

I didn't live through no war to walk into an ambush with eyes wide open.

Boy...

...if you got any skin left on that black carcass of yours...

...you're about to lose it.

Where's the rest of them no-account niggers?

Believe I asked you a question.

- Did you hear me? - No! Please! They're in the barn.

I'll be hard on you if I have to go in there.

Break that door down.

Hold it right there, boss.

Pick up the pop pistols.

Now, what if...?

This is the way my captain used to teach us to think.

What if the enemy figures out your first plan?

Get yourself another plan!

Who the hell are you?

I'm the daddy of these boys.

Don't you remember me? You chased me out of the county once.

Tom, he all yours now.

How do it feel, Mr. Brent?

To be tied up like a hog for slaughter...

...waiting for your flesh to turn to jelly?

What do you feel like to be on the other side of the lash?

Time to go.

Get moving.

Get the children back there. Sit down.

Maria Jane!

Come on up, Bud.

Got your young'uns, Tom?

My boy Tom has a good heart and I admire his thinking.

If you bother me or mine ever again...

...I'll kill you.

- Let's go. - No.

Not yet.

I know you's sorry to be leaving. We got to get moving.

I been sitting here, trying to remember.

Been living here maybe 14, 15 years.

I helped Irene birth all the grandchildren.

Seen them grow.

I held her second baby in my arms when she die.

We buried that sweet lamb by the willow.

I know...

...it hard, old woman, leaving.

Hard?

Chicken George...

...you is a foolish old man.

There ain't nothing hard about being happy.

This ain't never been our home.

Never belong to us no way!

This here is Massa Harvey's nigger quarters.

When we ride out of here, I ain't never gonna think of it again!

Go on there, mule!

Let's move on.

Mr. Brent! Thank the senator for these new mules.

We never could've made it without them!

This here our land.

Go on, mule, go on!

Hold up there.

The first slave in this family was my granddaddy...

...Kunta Kinte.

But he weren't always a slave.

Before he was a slave he was a free man...

...in another country.

A country called Africa.

But then the slavers, they catch him...

...when he went to find some wood to make a drum...

...and they brung him to America.

To a place called Annapolis.

But Kunta Kinte...

...he never forget where he come from.

He never forget Africa.

He never forget the words he spoke as a child.

How ko mean a fiddle...

...and Kamby Bolongo mean a river.

He never stop fighting against his chains to be free again.

Not even after they cut off half his foot to keep him from running away.

And before he die, he give that dream of freedom...

...to his daughter.

Kizzy.

My mama.

And before she die, she give that dream to me.

Hear me, old African...

...the flesh...

...of your flesh...

...has come to freedom.

You is free at last.

We is free!

The family did settle in Henning, Tennessee.

Matilda passed away before Chicken George.

And he enjoyed life among his children and grandchildren...

...until he died at the ripe old age of 83.

The blacksmith, Tom, and his talented Irene prospered.

Their daughter, Cynthia, married a quiet black man named Will Palmer.

They had a daughter named Bertha...

...who attended Lane College...

...where she met and married Simon Alexander Haley.

In 1921, the Haleys welcomed a son...

I never forgot those stories which my grandmother Cynthia told me.

And in 1963, after I had retired from a career in the U.S. Coast Guard...

...I became obsessed with knowing more about our family...

...more about its history.

It was a search that would take me 12 years to complete.

And those things that I learned, I wrote in a book called Roots.

5@y3