Original subtitles

Come on, boys! Let's go. Hike!

Let's go! Hike!

Let's go! Hike!

Let's go, Curly.

Attaboy!

That's it, Curly. Hike!

Yeah!

That's a good boy.

Yeah!

Okay, let's go, boy!

Come on, now! We gotta race now!

We gotta race!

Let's catch 'em.

Come on, boys! Yeah!

That's it.

Come on, Curly!

Come on, Curly! Let's get there first!

Let's beat 'em!

Let's go! Come on, boys! Come on!

Come on! We gotta beat this train!

All right, we got 'im, now! We got 'im!

Come on! Almost there! Come on!

Yeah! All right!

Here you go.

Watch it! Look out!

Curly...

-Will, that was incredible! -Incredibly foolish.

You could have been killed, Will Stoneman.

Well, how many times is there an army truck in the middle of the street?

I've been comin' around this corner my whole life.

Has there ever been an army truck in the middle of the street?

Nice piece of runnin' there.

-So, how old are you, pal? -Seventeen.

Think you'll be ready to fight a war in a year?

I'm ready now.

War with who?

Stay alive, buddy. Your country might need ya.

-Comin' on the run tomorrow? -I ain't comin'.

What? We planned it. You gotta come.

I can't.

You know my father.

Yeah. Tell me something, Ward, you gonna do something

besides work for your father your whole life?

Please, Will.

Just 'cause you want some thing doesn't mean it's gonna happen.

I know, but you can try, can't you?

Ward! Get back to the dock.

The train is on time, Mr. Stoneman, and you are once again late.

Yeah, I got... It was a--

If you're late again, you're fired.

-What are you so riled about? -Old man Burton.

He's always got something to say.

Next time he opens his mouth, I swear, I'll knock his teeth in.

Don't waste your time worrying about the Burtons in this world, son.

They're too scared of living to see past their own faces.

Besides, there's too damn many of them anyway.

One day you'll make him eat his own words.

-You think? -Not a doubt in my mind.

There you go.

Come on. I'll help you sort the mail.

Let's see. Milkson, Sorrenson...

Jensen, Wilkerson and Zeider.

Yep. That's it for...

-What have you got there? -It's just a letter.

Is that the college?

Well, did you get in?

Yes, sir.

You got in! I'm so proud of you!

I'm not goin', Dad.

-What? -I'm not goin'.

What are you talking about? Of course--

Listen. I know how bad you and Mom want this for me, but it's just dreams.

-My place is here. -Listen, listen. Listen to me.

Your place is where your dreams are. Now, you never forget that. Never.

The money, Dad? What about the money?

Don't worry about the money! Look. When you need it, it'll be there.

That's a promise.

Come on. Let's go tell your mom.

All right.

-Come on, Will. -I'm here.

Let's go, boy!

Come on, Will. Whoa, boy.

-Tika. -Easy, now. Easy.

Slow up, now. Slow up.

-Good boy. -Good dog!

Hey, Ned. Good dog, yes.

Come here, Gus. How ya doin'?

You're my dog, aren't ya? You're my dog.

Hey, Gus, good dog. Good dog. You a good--

What? What is so funny?

-He bit me! -Bite him back.

-Bite him back? -He knows one master.

When he respects you as he does your father, then he'll like you.

Good dog, Curly. Good dog.

Such a good dog.

Yes, you are.

That's a good dog.

"Winnipeg to St. Paul Carnival Dog Derby."

Listen to this, Ned. "JW Harper announces

the longest, toughest, richest race

in the history of dog sledding

-with a first prize of $10,000." -Ten thousand dollars?

Yeah. "The race will run from Winnipeg, Canada,

to St. Paul, Minnesota, 500 miles."

Ten thousand dollars for 500 miles.

Not thinking of doing that, are you, Jack?

-No, of course not. -You should do it, Dad.

-He'd never make it. -Why do you say that?

He's too old.

He smokes too much.

No, now, Ned. It's just because I don't want it bad enough.

Besides, everything I want is right here.

Dad?

That's the way I feel, too.

Look, son...

if you want something real bad...

I mean, you really want it...

You've gotta go out where you can find it and grab it.

Everybody's probably thinking I'm just a big talker anyway.

You know, wouldn't last ten minutes away from the farm.

Actually, we were wondering how the farm would last without you.

Don't let fear stand in the way of your dream, son.

Attaboy! Come on.

-Go! Pull, Gus! Pull! -That's it, Curly.

Pull, Gus! Will!

Will, I'm caught!

Pull, Gus! Pull! Will!

Dad! No, Dad! Don't let go!

Dad, no, no, no, no! I'm here!

-Dad, don't let go! -Will, get back!

-Gus, pull! -You're being pulled in!

No! Dad, hold on!

Dad!

Get back! You're coming in!

No, no, no! Don't cut it, Dad!

No! Dad!

No!

He's not coming back, Gus.

He left us both.

Damn you, Dad.

I guess it's you and me now, Gus.

What? Why didn't you pull him out? Why?

You're his dog. There was a whole team of you.

You wanna fight, huh? You wanna fight? You think I'm scared?

-You think I'm-- -Don't!

It's not his fault.

It's not your fault either.

The river called his name. No other reason.

The river called his name.

-He's gone, Ned. -No.

No, he's with you forever.

I've contacted most of the customers.

-His dogs? -Yeah.

Listen. I'll help you work out a plan, but, Mrs. Stoneman...

You're going to have to think about the farm.

What you whistlin'?

I wasn't whistling anything.

It was your father's tune.

'Cept I can't do it like he did.

Maybe you'll find your own way.

I'm sorry, Will.

I've watched him, Mom.

I've worked with him. I can fill these orders.

It's furniture, Mom. It's tables and chairs and couches.

It wasn't only that.

It was your father's touch.

Ned can help. He watches everything. He knows Dad's work.

Will...

I'm arranging to sell the dogs.

We'll be able to pay off most of our debts...

-The immediate ones anyway. -You can't do that, Mom.

The money we could get for Gus alone--

-Gus? Gus is Dad's dog! -And you're his son!

And he wanted to pay for college because it was important to you.

Well, maybe it's not so important anymore.

Maybe it never should have been important.

Maybe I wasn't meant to go.

Down, Gus.

Mom!

-Mom, he was gonna enter the race. -What?

Winnipeg to St. Paul, 500 miles, Mom.

Will, he was thinking of entering the race. There's a difference.

Yeah, but this was his solution, and it still can be, Mom. $10,000!

That pays for the farm and college. And people to help while I'm gone, Mom.

Will, those men entering the race...

They're younger than your father was and stronger.

He couldn't possibly have won,

-and neither can you. -But I can, Mom. I can!

I just lost a husband. I won't lose a son!

But who said anything about losing, Mom?

Ned. Ned, you've seen me race.

Tell her I can do it.

I taught Jack for years. Even he couldn't run this race.

-You heard him say it. -Well, he didn't want it bad enough!

Listen to me, Ned. Since Dad died,

I felt my whole life was finished, you know, no more dreams.

We're barely making enough to survive, with no hope for anything better.

I couldn't dream anymore about school.

But when I saw this flier, I felt life getting back into me.

The race is in a month. You're not ready.

-Yeah, but you can get me ready! -Not in a month.

Mom. Mom?

I wanna feel alive. I wanna feel like Dad's alive...

Right here.

And I don't.

I don't.

Mom, he was gonna do this for me.

Now, let me do it for him.

Just tell me one thing...

Is it possible?

Let's go, Will.

What are you doing?

Ned, what are you... Ned!

What are you doing? Ned!

-Ned! -Training begins now.

Ned? Ned, it's cold!

Ned!

Mom!

Mom! Mom, please, it's cold!

Mom! Mom, it's cold! Mom!

Hi, guys.

Fellas.

The first few days, you sleep five hours.

Then four, then three, then two.

The last day you don't sleep.

You just run.

Run to the end.

You have to be strong. You have to learn focus,

stamina and balance.

Only the smart ones will finish. You have to run longer and sleep less.

It's your only chance.

-Run longer! -Yeah!

-Sleep less! -Sleep less!

You'll make friends who aren't friends.

You'll make enemies who wanna hurt you.

Be careful who you trust.

-How do I know who to trust? -Trust the dogs.

Get... Hey!

Can't I just use Curly?

-Gus is a champion. -Yeah, but Gus doesn't respect me.

You have one chance. You must run at night when the others have stopped.

Run with the moon. Embrace the darkness.

Grow hard with the cold.

Put pain from your mind. And on the last day,

when all will run at night, you alone will be friendly with the dark.

You will need these medicines.

If you are ill, this will give you strength.

If you are hurt,

this will heal you.

Ten thousand dollars, Will.

You don't have to die for it. If we lose the farm--

We'll lose it fighting.

But we're not gonna lose it.

Just come back alive.

Will!

Here.

It's supposed to be from me.

I think you're both crazy.

Will, I'm your best friend.

Don't matter what crazy things you do. I just wish you could win.

I'll win. You can bet all your money on that.

What's this?

-What? -It's just...

Being alone out there.

-Do you think I can do this? -Matters most what you think.

I think you should come, is what I think.

Be strong, boy. Be brave.

Your father will be with you always. He lives in your dreams.

Trust the dogs. Trust yourself.

I will.

When you come to face the thing you fear...

Let the Creator guide you.

Ned...

take care of my mom.

Run longer.

Sleep less.

Wake up, son. You're in Winnipeg.

Come on out of there. I'll show you where you can put up your dogs.

Thanks, mister.

Somethin', ain't it? Belongs to Mr. JW Harper...

Sponsor of the dog derby.

His personal steam locomotive.

Well, that's what I hear. Now...

Ladies and gentlemen, from the great Clyde shipyards,

Angus McTeague.

Since the bankers control all the money, I think it only right and proper

that Louis De Fontaine introduce his teams first.

My team consists of two racers from our mother Canada,

from Quebec City, Jacques Devereaux,

and from Montreal, Jean-Paul Remy.

Angus, your teams, if you please.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to present

Hyurtur Groven and Thordur Thorenson from far-off Iceland.

And the great Norwegian champion Gunnar Tveit.

And racing independently,

Joe McPherson from Butte, Montana.

The only American in the race.

And from Sweden,

the old Scandinavian champion,

Borg Guillarson.

And now, ladies and gentlemen,

the president of the Great Northern Railroad

and sponsor of this derby, JW Harper!

Thank you, Louis. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

Racing for the Great Northern Railroad,

I'm proud to introduce Mike Riley from Calgary.

-Take a bow, Mike. -Take it to 'em, Mike!

And the Canadian champion Indian sledders, Gabriel and Albert.

The legendary Carey brothers.

Ladies and gentlemen,

we are here about a race!

Yeah!

The race will commence tomorrow noon

from the great clock tower in the heart of Winnipeg.

It will cover 522 miles.

Starting order for all teams will be luck of the draw.

It will cover the following route.

The first man to arrive at Como Park Depot in St. Paul

will be the winner.

-Any questions about the-- -Mr. Harper! Sir! Mr. Harper! Sir!

I'm Will Stoneman from South Dakota.

-I'm here to enter the race. -All right, lad. Let's go. Come on.

Let him alone. Let him talk.

You say you're registered to race?

You're Will Stoneman? You're a boy!

Well, I sent in my entrance form and my $50.

-So, I wanna run the race. -You do, do you?

Might I ask, what for?

What for? For $10,000, that's what for.

Hey, that sounds good to me!

-How much money you got, son? -Two dollars. Why?

Well, I'm afraid the penalty for late registration is $10.

Well, I'll give you the $2 I got now...

And the rest I'll pay from my winnings.

I know what you're doing, Mr. Harper, and I don't like it.

-It's just 'cause I'm a kid! -Wait!

The Kane Newspaper Syndicate will cover the boy's registration fee.

Now, Mr. Kingsley--

Sir, if this young man is not allowed to compete,

twenty million Americans who daily read Kane papers

-will loudly cry, "Foul!" -Hear, hear!

You're prepared to risk this young man's life to sell some newspapers?

If it gets me back the warm office in Chicago, I am.

-Son, how old are you? -Almost eighteen.

This young man may be fighting Germans in a trench soon, Harper.

A lot farther from home than he is right now.

And you're saying he's not man enough to run a dog race!

-Let the kid race. -Yeah, let him race. He won't last

through the first day.

I'll last as long as any man here, including you, mister.

So, what's it gonna be, Mr. Harper?

One more racer...

-Or 20 million angry readers? -Let him race!

-Let him race! -Let him race!

Take a seat, lad. Someone get him a packet.

-And get the kid a cigar too. -Music!

My name is Kaiser Bill I'm the fella you want to kill

And I must take off to Europe today

Son, look, have a cigar.

But I hear a voice of freedom calling

Far across the sea

Hi.

And this is what they say to our men

Go home, Kaiser Bill

Hey.

Pack up your guns and beer

Pack up your guns and beer Get yourself on out of here

Go home, Kaiser Bill Better not test our will

We've almost had our fill

Go home, Kaiser Bill

Go home, Kaiser Bill Pack up your guns and beer

You're all my heart can bring

Not another word to these parasites, kid. You're Kane property now.

I'm nobody's property.

No, of course not, kid. It's just a figure of speech, that's all.

Just make sure you talk to me before them. Harry Kingsley, at your service.

Sorry, I gave 'em away to all the ladies.

You sure you want to sell your soul to this devil, kid?

Look. All I know is he put up my fee.

I'm not here to sell anything.

Of course you're not. Boy's got integrity.

Yeah, but you'll cure him of that in no time, right, Harry?

That's cute.

Drink it. Can't trust a man that doesn't drink.

To the best $8 investment I ever made.

-Can't die on me now, kid. -I never drank before.

Yeah, you never raced before either.

Can I ask you something?

Why'd you help me?

Helping you is helping myself.

Having you in the race gives me something to write about.

Gotta sell newspapers, kid.

I see it's the first time for a lot of things, huh?

Well, get an eyeful, kid, 'cause you won't be seeing anything

but the butts on your dogs for some time.

My dogs!

-Back off! -Hey, don't kick my dog, mister!

Well, then you shut your dog up, boy!

Well, it was your dog that started the trouble.

-You okay, Gus? You okay? -So...

you think you gonna last as long as me, huh?

You ever had frostbite?

You will, you run this race.

Yeah, the mercury drop to 30 below.

Forty below sometime.

Your fingers and toes, they gonna look like this.

Yeah.

This race, boy...

This is the meanest stretch of land that God ever put together.

Good men have died out there.

When you get the frostbite, you call me.

I cut off anything you want.

-No charge. -Don't give me an excuse, Borg.

You got a little frostbite on the brain, don't you?

What you say to me?

I said, don't let me catch you irritating my countryman again.

-Now, git! -Come on, Joe.

I was just having fun with the boy.

Remember to call me if you need anything cut off.

Stay away from him. Mean.

Got a little timber wolf not far down the family tree. You all right?

Yeah. Yeah, we're okay.

-All right. Take care. -Thanks.

I require a gentleman's promise from each of you.

You will not try to steal my chef. He is world class.

Although, at the end of the journey...

Since I've laid in some excellent vintages... Thank you, Abdul.

I'll make a gift of them to you if we have anything left over.

But, in the meantime, I think you'll find this cognac more than satisfactory.

Elevated only by the taste of my imported Havana cigars.

You should not have let him enter, JW, reporter or not.

I was not about to let Kingsley ruin the reputation of the race!

Whatever he might have done, it'll be nothing compared to what you'll face

if that boy gets himself killed.

Louis, we'll let the boy race for a day, then find some reason to disqualify him.

Gentlemen, didn't you want to take on the world at that age?

-Let the boy have a day! -If he lasts that long.

I'll bet $500 he does.

You two have already bet over $5,000, Jonah.

Well, then you're not gonna miss another $500, are you, Angus?

Right!

It's $1,000, says he won't make Heartbreak Hill.

-No. -Yes. You're on.

I couldn't have dreamed all this.

Can't wait to tell Ward.

Tell you something, though, Gus.

Ned's right. Gotta stay away from those racers.

Hey, how 'bout acting like I'm the boss tomorrow, huh?

Not embarrass me in front of 1,000 people?

I noticed your article, Harry.

-All the way on page 14. -Yeah, that's cute.

And so we send you brave men off in competition

with the pride of many nations at your shoulders.

Good luck and Godspeed.

Racing teams, are you ready?

Come on, dog team. Come on!

Hut, hut, hut!

Come on, boy! Come on! Let's go! Let's go!

Good boy. Come on, Gus. Let's go! Come on, Gus! Let's go!

Go, Will!

Let's go! Come on, now.

Let's go! Let's go! Come on, Gus! Come on, boy!

Come on! Come on! Let's move!

Let's go, Gus! Come on!

Keep up that pace, you'll be burying them dogs in Canadian ground.

Come on!

Hey, kid, where you goin' in such a hurry?

St. Paul, Minnesota. Come on, let's go! We got 'em!

We're coming up on the racers, sir!

Well, slow the train down, then, man.

-Jonah! Here. -Thank you.

Wonder how that young man's faring.

He's probably dropped out of the race already.

If I was you, Jonah, I'd get my $1,000 out now

because there's my boys coming up according to plan. One, two and three!

Make that nine, ten and 11, Angus. Look up there.

-What? -Where are Remy and Devereaux?

Good Lord! That young man's in the lead!

Hey, the kid's in the lead.

You think your boy's got a chance, Harry?

Doesn't matter what I think, Lambert.

If I convince 20 million Americans he can,

I may be back in the good graces of my editor.

Well, Heartbreak Hill's comin' up.

If he can make it through that and Devil's Run,

you might get that desk after all.

Attaboy, Gus! We'll give 'em something to talk about back home!

Come on, boys. Come on!

Wanna thank ya!

Hey, you cut a good trail, boy! Hut! He's a trailblazer.

I cut the trail for them. I cut the trail!

Move up, Adrian, move up!

Hey, Will! Let's go!

-On, Adrian. -Okay.

Let's go now, move.

Okay.

Okay, let's go, let's go, let's go!

Beautiful, no?

This is as far as you go, kid.

Leave him alone, Borg.

How 'bout $25 to the man who reaches bottom first?

You're out of your mind, Guillarson.

What, are you scared, Riley?

Maybe you should slide down on your rump along with the boyka here, huh?

Better yet, make it good.

One hundred dollars?

One hundred dollars!

Faster!

Come on, Gus!

Hey, Borg!

Come on!

Come on, Adrian! Comin' by.

Let me through!

Hey, what are you doin'?

Borg! Borg!

Adrian!

-Joe! -Go on! I'm all right!

Joe!

Gus! No, no, Gus!

Hey, Gus!

Hey, we wanna finish this race, we gotta make some kind of peace. Hear?

Gus! Gus!

We're on the southern side?

Yeah, right over there.

Wire just came. The Icelanders are in Morris.

-McTeague's boys. -That's 12 miles ahead.

Ahead of the Carey brothers. Boy, Harper's gonna be fuming

when he hears that, huh, Kingsley?

Don't look so concerned, Harry. Your boy's out there somewhere.

-No news is good news. -No news is unemployment.

Wait, wait. Groven's lost two dogs.

Devereaux, the Frenchman, is out, and one of the Americans.

Not your American.

Seems to me a man who really wanted to win this race would keep on goin'

instead of pullin' up every night to have supper with his competitors.

Smart fella, huh? You go out there, why don't ya, huh?

Go on out there. Take a leak while you're at it.

Watch it freeze before it hits the ground.

He wants us to race at night.

He wants us to race at night!

Well, look who's here.

That little lost Yankee.

I think for sure I'd never see you again.

We made it, didn't we?

You be careful now.

The cowboy ain't here to protect you no more.

Good boy.

Leavin' awful early, aren't you, kid?

Yeah, bad weather's comin'.

I'd like to get out in front if I can.

-What's that? -Fruitcake.

You're gonna run 40 miles on fruitcake?

It's a special fruit cake, Mr. Kingsley.

Well, I wouldn't go around talkin' about it.

People think you're crazy enough as it is.

Well, they can think what they want.

It saves time not havin' to build fires or cook,

and it cuts down on the weight I gotta carry.

Okay, let's go!

Fruitcake?

Geez, this kid's a gift from God.

"Date line, the Canadian wilderness.

At a time when the hearts of this nation cry out for heroes,

remember that there's a boy out there, an American boy,

racing against man, against nature, against time

with his mother's fruitcake and a homemade whistle

and a spirit that speaks of the truest American ideals.

So when you read this name, remember it.

Remember the name 'Will Stoneman.'"

Gus! Gus...

Dad! Dad, no!

Dad, no!

Gus, get back up here. Get up here now!

No, we're not crossing the lake, Gus.

Come on!

Page nine.

I need something else.

Can you hear me?

Can you hear me? It's Kingsley.

Listen. Get a hold of Potter.

Send him right away to Birch Ridge, South Dakota.

South Dakota!

Tell him to get everything he can on Will Stoneman and his family.

Well, find out where it is.

I don't care if you have to drop him down there from a balloon.

Just get me that story!

Come on, boys.

I just need a rest.

We'll be comin' up on Pembina in 30 minutes.

Thirty minutes, Pembina.

Thirty minutes.

What if something happens to him, Harry?

What do you mean?

Don't you feel somewhat responsible? He's missing.

What for? For tryin' to get him on the front page?

This kid'll have bigger headlines than the war when I get through with him.

-All of America will hear about him. -You got it wrong, Harry.

He'll make you. If it wasn't for him,

you'd still be on the back page. The canine section.

I just hope he lasts long enough for me to get that big promotion, that's all.

-And if he dies? -Then he'll die a hero, a somebody.

And I'll write one hell of an obituary for him,

lauding his courage, his idealism.

You know enough about such things to write about them, Harry?

I know plenty, Lambert. Plenty.

There's one coming in!

There he is! We found him.

-We need some help over here. -Come on! Make way!

It's Remy! Remy!

He's frozen to the sled.

Cut him loose! Cut him loose!

Hurry up.

Get him inside, quickly! Hurry.

Come on.

You're crazy, Groven!

You'll never make the next checkpoint!

You'll die out there!

Gus?

I fell asleep, didn't I?

I would've died if it wasn't for you.

Holy Chicago!

-Hey. -Come on, wake up!

What's goin' on?

He's in!

Get the door! Get the door! Get the flash! Get the flash!

Let's go.

Step aside. Let a man through.

Let a man through. Hiya, kid!

-What? What was that? -That was me, kid,

lighting the way for you.

-Here. Get this out yesterday! -Got it!

-How ya doin', kid? -A little tired.

Okay, come on, come on. Let him through.

Take care of my dogs, please.

The boy's been through enough.

Will, do you plan to continue with the race?

Not tonight.

My brother says you run too hard. You must rest.

You owe me $100, Riley.

I'll pay ya out of my winnings.

You will pay when it's time.

Yeah.

It's cold out there, huh?

Your mama, she must worry for you, boy?

You miss your mama...

And your papa?

Leave me alone.

Go home, boy.

Before when it's too late, you go home.

Why don't you have some coffee?

Buried again.

Easy.

Looks like one of the Icelanders, boys. We're closin' the gap.

Okay, let's go.

Groven?

Groven!

Gunther. He not old.

-Good dog. -No, I...

-My good dogs. -You're burning up.

Go.

Go!

Okay, hup, hup!

Come on, boy!

Borg! Come on, boys!

Hey! Come on! What are you doing?

Hey!

See you in St. Paul, Riley!

See you in St. Paul someday.

-Excuse me. Watch it. -Influenza. It's bad.

-You're lucky somebody found ya! -Boy.

Boy? What boy?

-The American? -Stoneman?

Stoneman.

-Stoneman? -Stoneman.

Well, Angus, this boy cost you $1,000,

but he did save your man's life.

And if he's kept going, then he's ahead of them all.

Boy has the heart of a bear.

He lost a lot of strength saving your man like that.

He could've died out there himself, you know.

I'll wager $5,000 he doesn't reach St. Paul.

I'll take that bet.

Okay, let's go.

Let's go!

Come on.

Heroic! Unbelievable! Over the last four days and nights,

in a dog sled race running between Winnipeg and St. Paul--

Selfless, courageous sacrifice. Racked by incapacitating influenza--

Will Stoneman, the plucky 17-year-old hailing from South Dakota--

He saved someone's life.

He's the last American hope in this race.

Racing through the night, driven by his own iron will with a courageous--

Wait a minute. Hold it.

Iron Will. That's great!

Kingsley, you're a genius.

Iron Will Stoneman, American hero--

-Iron Will Stoneman--

-Iron Will Stoneman-- -Iron Will Stoneman--

Homegrown hero left Birch Ridge a boy, but he'll return a man.

He's in the lead.

He saved someone's life.

He's the last American hope in this race.

The nation holds its breath in awe as its newest champion, Iron Will Stoneman

forges on with little rest,

barely holding his fragile lead as the dog derby continues.

So, as war looms over Europe,

the nation roots for a new symbol of hope and determination.

This heroic tale of a young man's bravery spreads across the land,

and America rallies behind Iron Will Stoneman.

Up, up, up, A little right, little right. That's great, Harry, that's great.

Okay, here we go, everybody. One, two, three, cheese!

Watch your step.

There you are.

-Can I help you, sir? -Excuse me.

Could you tell me where I might find the kin of Will Stoneman?

-Where's the box? -Box of what?

The boy's remains.

The boy's...

Mister, don't you people get the papers out here?

"Nourished only by his mother's fruitcake,

he carries a hand-carved whistle

from which emanates a melody people have taken to calling

Will's tune."

What is the significance of this whistling?

-It must be some magic tune, huh? -It's his father's tune.

I see. Well, charming.

And how does Mr. Stoneman feel about young Will racing?

His father's very proud of him.

Tell Kingsley I've got an angle for him.

Iron Will races to save mother's farm and go to college.

I'm not making it up. His father's dead.

I'm putting the mother and the Indian on a train to St. Paul.

They'll be there for the finish. Don't tell the kid.

Anyone know where the kid is?

The kid's been runnin' for a week, and we still can't track him.

Well, I know he's running! But how far did he get?

-Where did he stop? -He didn't stop.

He's still out there somewhere.

Angus.

That $10,000 we bet, maybe...

Maybe we should send some of it to the boy's mother.

You do what you like with your money, Jonah,

but don't tell me what to do with mine.

Jonah! Jonah, I still can't understand

why you allowed that boy to stay in the race.

I'll tell you why.

Because when I looked in that boy's eyes,

I saw myself 35 years ago.

Have we come so far that we've forgotten what it's like

to start out with nothing but a dim chance and a bright hope?

I will not be the one to snuff out that hope, gentlemen.

Not I.

-There's no sign of Stoneman. -Doesn't matter.

He's crazy out of his mind.

You never sleep, you go crazy.

So crazy he's beatin' the lot of you.

He'll never make the finish line. Nobody can last at his pace.

That's what you said on the first day,

and he's still runnin'.

Can you catch 'im?

You know I've personally wagered $10,000 my men would beat him.

Ten thousand?

Catch him.

Stop him.

And you might find yourself the beneficiary of a handsome sum.

Half.

No, no!

Gus! No!

No, no! Gus! Gus!

Gus!

Boil water.

Mix herbs. Cook down.

Make a paste.

Don't die on me now, boy.

We were just startin' to get along.

Now's when we need each other most.

It's okay, Gus.

-You tried to kill my dog! -Come on! Come on!

You want to fight, huh, kid? You want to fight?

So you want to fight?

What's the matter, kid, you scared?

I'm beyond being scared of you, mister.

Will, no matter what he's done, you tell us about it.

We'll take care of it.

I oughta kill you.

If you ever come near me or my team again, I'll kill you outright.

So help me, God, I will.

Will, it's good to see you. I was gettin' worried--

That's for using me and my family to sell your damn newspapers

and printing pictures that are gonna make my mother worry.

You okay? You all right, Harry?

Never figured him to threaten a man with a gun.

What's tomorrow's headline, Mr. Kingsley?

I should have never made you do this, Gus.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

How are you, Will?

Iit's a fine, fine race you're runnin'.

Angus McTeague, official sponsor of the race.

I know who you are, sir. Where are the others?

The others? No, I came alone.

I wanted to thank ya for savin' the life of my driver.

It was very noble of ya.

You came all the way here to thank me, Mr. McTeague?

I may be young, but I'm not dumb.

I was compelled to come

when I saw the terrible condition of you and your team.

You've put up a brave fight, lad.

And there's not a man amongst us that doesn't admire your effort.

But I do feel very strongly

that for you to continue would be risking your life.

I'm not quitting if that's what you're driving at.

Withdrawing

with $3,000 in your pocket isn't exactly quitting.

What $3,000?

I am prepared to offer you a reward

of $3,000.

That's a lot of money, Mr. McTeague.

It is, son. It is.

Well, you sleep on it.

And ask yourself

If you haven't already achieved the goals you had starting out.

How do I know you'll pay?

I'm not saying I'm gonna do it.

Well, when you say you are gonna do it,

I'll personally hand ya $3,000.

Now, you take care of that wee doggy there.

He'd be a real beaut to lose.

What? What, I didn't take it, did I?

Will!

Come on. This is crazy. You need more sleep than this.

You oughta be happy, Mr. Kingsley. It'll give you another headline.

You'd probably love to see me die, wouldn't you?

You've got my obituary

-written up already, I bet, huh? -Will.

I wouldn't spend another minute with you no-good bunch of backstabbing liars!

Get outta my way! Let's go.

Easy, easy.

Gus, you hear something? You hear something, Gus?

What is that?

Okay, let's go, Curly. Come on!

Hi.

Attaboy, son! The whole town's waitin' on ya!

-There he is! -It's Will!

Will!

-Good luck. -Thank you.

Iron Will! Iron Will, my father said to give these to you.

Said there's a few hundred miles left in 'em.

Thanks. My name's Will Stoneman. I think you might be confusing me--

To us, you're Iron Will, American hero.

That's what all the papers call you.

You're on the front page every day. Every paper from here to New York City.

Wait till you see. The whole country's rootin' for you!

Look at this, "Iron Will saves the Icelander and takes the lead."

"Iron Will races to save mother's farm."

"Iron Will vows to realize father's dream."

-We love ya! -"Iron Will...

America's hope."

-America's hope! -Yeah, for Iron Will!

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you all for everything.

Okay, let's go. Let's go.

God be with you!

Well, Gus, they're sayin' we're heroes.

We better start racing like heroes, huh?

-Iron Will, can we run with ya? -We know a shortcut.

-Come on, she's frozen, okay? -Is there a...

-Is there a bridge around? -Well, sure.

The train bridge. But it'll take us two miles out of the way.

That's where we'll cross.

But that's an awful waste of time, Will.

That's where we'll cross, all right?

Will! Train's coming!

Unhook the dogs!

No, forget it! There's not enough time. Let's go! Let's go!

Hurry!

No! No, no, no, Gus.

It's okay, it's okay!

Okay, let's move it!

Run, Will, run!

-Will! -You look like death, boy.

Well, grab a chair, kid. I'll get you a drink.

No.

I need a blacksmith.

My sled's busted.

Now, tell me if this is too hot.

-Thank you. -That's fine?

-Yeah. -All right.

See how rested they were?

I should have listened to those boys and crossed the river.

Oh, my God.

Good evening. If it's not too much bother,

I'd like to talk to the lad alone.

I'm prepared to raise the sum considerably, Will.

-Let's say $5,000. -Keep your money, McTeague.

I'm finishing this race no matter how sick I am.

Son...

I don't think you realize who I am.

But I do, McTeague.

In fact, I'd recognize you from a pretty good distance.

Kingsley! How long have you been hidin' there?

Long enough, McTeague.

Now, I suggest you get out of here before I make you tomorrow's headline.

Look, we should talk about this.

Maybe I'm not making myself clear.

If you bother the boy again, trust me, the world will know it.

That felt good.

Can you wake me in three hours?

Listen, kid, this is crazy. You're gonna kill yourself.

You've gotta sleep longer than that.

Make it two hours. Okay?

Two hours.

You got it, kid.

Mr. Kingsley? Thanks.

You're not so bad after all.

Don't get soft on me now, kid.

Relax. The boy sleeps.

On the last day,

when one leads, the rest must follow.

Which fool will start the day?

Will.

Come on.

It's time.

What is it?

I can't get up. I can't move my arms and my legs.

That's it. I'm getting a doctor.

No, no, no. I just gotta get my blood going.

Just help me.

-No! -Will, you can't go on now.

Enough is enough. I'm gonna get a doctor.

No. I am one day short of the finish line

and not you or anyone else is gonna stop me.

So help me, or leave me alone.

It's not about me anymore, Mr. Kingsley.

It's about all those people, all the people pulling for me.

It's about those boys. They came out and cut trails. It's about--

It's about you, Will, huh?

-What about you? -Just help me.

Hey, Gus. Hey.

Now, you gotta stay here if I'm gonna have a chance at this thing.

Hey, you want to wake somebody, mess everything up?

Okay.

We started this together, we'll finish it together.

That's the way it oughta be. You stay down.

Okay, we're gonna get goin'.

Stay there, Gus.

Let's go.

What?

The boy's gone!

Wake up! Get off the train!

Get off the train! The boy's gone!

The boy just left! Wake Thorenson!

Get up!

Get up! Hook up the teams!

Angus! Angus, have you lost your mind?

A thousand dollars to the man that beats that boy!

Come on! I wanna get this shot lit! Let's go!

Open up the gate! Open the gate! Get my teams out! Do you hear?

Go, laddies!

A thousand dollars! Do you hear me? A thousand dollars

to the man that catches that boy!

"Once in a generation an athlete pits himself against such overwhelming odds

that even the most jaded spectator finds himself cheering breathlessly."

Harry, you're writing from the heart. Didn't know you had one.

This kid's the genuine article, Lambert. He's A-1.

He sure gained your respect with one solid hook.

You know something, Lambert?

Last night for the first time since I've been in the newspaper business,

I actually felt excited by what I do for a living.

That's the finish line right there.

-Are you Mrs. Stoneman? -Yes.

Mrs. Stoneman, Harry Kingsley, Kane Newspaper Syndicate.

I've been covering the race.

Mrs. Stoneman, this is one of the few times in my life

that I mean it when I say it's truly an honor.

-Do you know where Will is? -That's hard to say exactly.

Is he all right?

Mrs. Stoneman, if I know anything about your son,

I'll guarantee you he's all right.

Now it's down to you and me, boyka.

And there's only one chance left if you want to win.

There's a shorter trail down there to St. Paul.

It's the only way you get there before the others.

-Why didn't they go that way? -You follow me and you'll find out.

I didn't think you was man enough!

When you come to face the thing you fear,

let the Creator guide you.

Trust the dogs.

Trust yourself.

Damn you, river.

I'll beat you.

You took my father.

Come on!

Why you stop? Hey!

Go on!

Buster, come back!

First man out is Albert Carey.

It's Albert Carey.

Wait a minute. It's Stoneman.

He's coming out of the woods a half a mile ahead of the Careys.

It's Stoneman!

It's not possible! I don't believe it!

-Get out your checkbook, you skinflint!

-Is that my Will? -The one and only, Iron Will.

Come on, Will!

Will, go! Go!

Will.

-Oh, God. -Will.

Get up.

Come on, boy! You're almost home!

-Come on, Will! -Come on, Will!

Come on, boy, go! Go!

Go!

-Come on, Will! Go! -Come on!

Iron Will!