Original subtitles

(pleasant music)

(pleasant music)

(water splashing)

(water splashing)

(children chattering)

(children chattering)

- Look alive Lincoln.

Time to rest in the grave.

Time to rest in the grave.

- If it's not too late Poppa,

I want to apologize for my behavior during

I want to apologize for my behavior during

childhood, adolescence, and early manhood.

childhood, adolescence, and early manhood.

(seabirds calling)

(laughing)

Smile you old son-of-a-gun, you haven't seen me in a year!

Smile you old son-of-a-gun, you haven't seen me in a year!

Smile you old son-of-a-gun, you haven't seen me in a year!

- Not a word.

Your mother thought you was dead.

Your mother thought you was dead.

I didn't know where to write, what to do--

- I know, Poppa.

- I know, Poppa.

I'm glad to be back!

I'm glad to be back!

Aren't you glad to see me?

Aren't you glad to see me?

(ship's horn tooting)

(ship's horn tooting)

Can't we forget?

I want to come home.

I want to come home.

- Forget?

To leave a man's soul to roast in the fires of hell

and you ask him to forget.

and you ask him to forget.

Menemsha, my son.

Menemsha, my son.

I've...

This is not another of your dirty tricks now?

This is not another of your dirty tricks now?

And your mother can't stand another time like

the last time! - I'm tired of that,

the last time! - I'm tired of that,

Poppa, let's have peace!

Lincoln!

Lincoln!

This is my son, Menemsha.

This is my son, Menemsha.

- Hi!

- Lincoln's my helper, Menemsha.

- Lincoln's my helper, Menemsha.

I don't know how we're gonna break the news

I don't know how we're gonna break the news

to your mother that you're still alive.

to your mother that you're still alive.

- Where's Robby?

- Where's Robby?

Poppa?

- We didn't know where to write,

we didn't know what to do.

Robby's dead, Menemsha.

It wasn't Robby's idea, he was afraid of the sea,

It wasn't Robby's idea, he was afraid of the sea,

that was your idea.

He never said it.

He never said it.

- You let him go out on the boat?

- You let him go out on the boat?

(fist thudding) (dramatic music)

(fist thudding) (dramatic music)

(fists thudding)

(fists thudding)

(laughing)

(laughing)

Die Poppa, die!

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(melancholy music)

(melancholy music)

- The missing ingredient of your clam bake!

- The missing ingredient of your clam bake!

- The old man's son didn't show up for work, huh?

- Well there's still justice in the world.

- Well there's still justice in the world.

The prodigal's among the missing,

the old man wants me to stay on.

the old man wants me to stay on.

- Well I see.

You get to keep the job but I have to do the work.

You get to keep the job but I have to do the work.

- Well you're work's very interesting.

- Well you're work's very interesting.

You uh, put the clams around the outside

and the lobsters in the middle, does it take long to learn?

and the lobsters in the middle, does it take long to learn?

- How about a Texas hard-head who's out

matching wits with lobsters,

matching wits with lobsters,

you mean you just put those wooden boxes on

you mean you just put those wooden boxes on

the ocean floor and the poor little beggars blunder in?

the ocean floor and the poor little beggars blunder in?

- Yep.

Of course I'm not working for my girlfriend.

Down home that's considered unmanly.

Down home that's considered unmanly.

- Now that has its advantages.

- Now that has its advantages.

- Well kiss her goodbye, did you know she's married?

- Well kiss her goodbye, did you know she's married?

To the returned prodigal.

To the returned prodigal.

(melancholy music)

(cheerful music)

(cheerful music)

- Well what have we got today Lincoln,

there's a couple of denizens of the deep!

there's a couple of denizens of the deep!

Every trap you haul in you wonder what's inside,

Every trap you haul in you wonder what's inside,

every lobster man's a gambler at heart!

every lobster man's a gambler at heart!

No, not that one Lincoln, she's a lady.

No, not that one Lincoln, she's a lady.

Warden catch you with her on board, you get a good fine.

Warden catch you with her on board, you get a good fine.

Funny, the way she carries her eggs like that.

Funny, the way she carries her eggs like that.

Maybe she's lucky, she never sees her young,

Maybe she's lucky, she never sees her young,

just drops her eggs, swims away.

just drops her eggs, swims away.

(water splashing)

(water splashing)

I never asked him to love me.

I never asked him to love me.

Had to do what I think's right!

He can respect me at least!

He can respect me at least!

- Well he came back, there must have been

something here he remembered that he wanted.

something here he remembered that he wanted.

- His brother, them two.

Robby that was wrong, everything Robby ever did

Robby that was wrong, everything Robby ever did

was my fault, so said Menemsha.

Robby half drowned himself when he was a kid,

Robby half drowned himself when he was a kid,

trying to teach himself to swim.

Menemsha slips up behind me,

Menemsha slips up behind me,

tries to brain me with a shovel!

Why, what do you make of a story like that?

Why, what do you make of a story like that?

- Why did Robby go to sea if he was afraid of the water?

- Why did Robby go to sea if he was afraid of the water?

- How should I know?

I told him he didn't have to.

I told him he didn't have to.

Ah the sea in February, throwing you up against the sky,

Ah the sea in February, throwing you up against the sky,

couple of us old seagulls following you out to sea.

couple of us old seagulls following you out to sea.

It's clean, my family's been doing it for almost 100 years.

It's clean, my family's been doing it for almost 100 years.

The only thing I got my grandfather lacked

The only thing I got my grandfather lacked

is this winch here, radio,

holler for help in case I need it.

holler for help in case I need it.

Well Robby, maybe he was trying to take his place

Well Robby, maybe he was trying to take his place

in the family, but he wasn't fitted for it.

in the family, but he wasn't fitted for it.

Not many of the young fellas stay with me Lincoln.

Not many of the young fellas stay with me Lincoln.

They go out to early, stay too late.

They go out to early, stay too late.

They ain't like it used to be.

No, that ain't so either.

My great grandfather says my grandfather's

My great grandfather says my grandfather's

never gonna come to nothing.

never gonna come to nothing.

He grew to be an old man of 92, mean as sin,

He grew to be an old man of 92, mean as sin,

deacon of his church, admired by all.

Now who'd do a thing like that?

Now who'd do a thing like that?

Men have been killed for hauling the wrong traps.

Men have been killed for hauling the wrong traps.

Let's go home Lincoln, I'm tired.

Let's go home Lincoln, I'm tired.

- Except for a few modern refinements,

this is exactly the way the early settlers

this is exactly the way the early settlers

first discovered the Indians were enjoying

the succulent delights of Main Lobster,

the succulent delights of Main Lobster,

while they were starving.

while they were starving.

Even then the legend has it the pilgrims

were too afraid of the lobster to try them.

were too afraid of the lobster to try them.

This looks like the dry land crowd.

This looks like the dry land crowd.

Just twist the claw off, and then crack it!

Just twist the claw off, and then crack it!

- With a nut-cracker, pliers, hammer, rock,

- With a nut-cracker, pliers, hammer, rock,

or any other blunt instrument.

or any other blunt instrument.

- You know if what you said didn't make me sore I'd laugh.

- You know if what you said didn't make me sore I'd laugh.

- All I said was that I was a little surprised

I had to find out from Linc you were married.

- What's it to you if I'm married?

- What's it to you if I'm married?

Separate tail piece from body

by arching it back (crunching)

til it cracks.

Come Labor Day you kiss the girls of Summer goodbye.

Come Labor Day you kiss the girls of Summer goodbye.

I have a 10-month old boy named Menemsha.

I have a 10-month old boy named Menemsha.

Okay, still like?

Okay, still like?

Mmm but you wonder, why did I marry him,

Mmm but you wonder, why did I marry him,

and why isn't he here where he belongs?

and why isn't he here where he belongs?

- Summer girl, who am I to ask questions?

- Summer girl, who am I to ask questions?

(melancholy music)

(melancholy music)

- Tear off flippers

and unhinge back from body. (crunching)

and unhinge back from body. (crunching)

- Just don't be afraid of them folks!

- What kind of a guy you think it was

- What kind of a guy you think it was

that first took a chance and ate one of these?

that first took a chance and ate one of these?

- Hey David!

- Hey David!

You know where my wife is these days?

You know where my wife is these days?

- Probably some college kid who ate one on a bet.

- You're welcome home Menemsha, your Pa missed ya'.

- You're welcome home Menemsha, your Pa missed ya'.

- Where'd you say she was?

- Why don't you leave her alone?

- Why don't you leave her alone?

- Don't you think that's between me and her, David?

Why don't you look after your own wife,

Why don't you look after your own wife,

or have you got her under control since I left?

or have you got her under control since I left?

- You wanna talk to me?

- What's my father to you?

- What's my father to you?

- I like him.

- Inside him there's an Old Testament prophet

- Inside him there's an Old Testament prophet

trying to get out, you ever live with

an Old Testament prophet?

- I've got a summer job.

- I've got a summer job.

I like the work, I like him.

- He ever tell ya' about my brother Robby?

- I don't think he's gonna get over him dying.

- I don't think he's gonna get over him dying.

- (laughs) Oh oh oh you're right, he's not going to.

- (laughs) Oh oh oh you're right, he's not going to.

He's gonna die of it.

He's gonna die of it.

I'm telling you the woods are burning!

The rocks of Hell are melting!

The rocks of Hell are melting!

And who are you to turn your back on me?

- All right I'm looking at ya' now!

- All right I'm looking at ya' now!

- You're standing on a deck,

where my father killed my brother with shame because he knew

where my father killed my brother with shame because he knew

my brother was scared of the water.

It's common herabouts.

It's common herabouts.

Look at the houses with their backs to the sea.

Look at the houses with their backs to the sea.

A lot of these ignorant superstitious,

backward louts never learned to swim.

backward louts never learned to swim.

It's in the air, all the generations

It's in the air, all the generations

of un-drowned spirits of our seafaring dead.

of un-drowned spirits of our seafaring dead.

Robby, tried to learn to swim,

Robby, tried to learn to swim,

I used to go along, to pull him out when he went under.

I used to go along, to pull him out when he went under.

He said the water scalded him like it was boiling hot.

He said the water scalded him like it was boiling hot.

One time he hit me,

because he thought he had it licked,

and I pulled him out too soon.

He didn't even know he was unconscious

He didn't even know he was unconscious

when I brought him to shore.

when I brought him to shore.

- So you hit your father with a shovel?

- So you hit your father with a shovel?

- (laughs) He told you about that, did he?

Look alive, Lincoln!

Look alive, Lincoln!

- Your father loved your brother I think.

(ominous music) - What makes you so

(ominous music) - What makes you so

owl-wise and cock-sure?

owl-wise and cock-sure?

Where'd you say she was, David?

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(poignant music)

- Why does your mother always wake up the cats?

- Why does your mother always wake up the cats?

- She can't stand seeing anyone sleep in the daytime.

- She can't stand seeing anyone sleep in the daytime.

- You and your whole family are like a bunch of mad dogs.

- You and your whole family are like a bunch of mad dogs.

I remember you and your brother coming down the street

I remember you and your brother coming down the street

in an old station wagon, trying to run your father down,

in an old station wagon, trying to run your father down,

right in the street.

He whipped you good.

He whipped you good.

- One morning I waked up in a street in Buenos Aires,

- One morning I waked up in a street in Buenos Aires,

and it had been raining all night long.

and it had been raining all night long.

Like I was lying there dead.

And all the anger had washed away

And all the anger had washed away

and seeped into the ground.

and seeped into the ground.

All the lousy anger and pain and greed was gone.

All the lousy anger and pain and greed was gone.

I was the heat of the sun, steaming the rain off my back.

I was the heat of the sun, steaming the rain off my back.

I was seaweed, growing on a rock, drifting with the tide.

I was seaweed, growing on a rock, drifting with the tide.

I couldn't even remember my father.

I couldn't even remember my father.

I couldn't remember whether I wanted

to love him, or hate him.

That was peace.

For the first time in my whole life I didn't just want,

For the first time in my whole life I didn't just want,

I was.

- What do I need you for?

- What do I need you for?

I earn a living like I always have

I earn a living like I always have

without any help from anybody.

- You're a stray cat.

- You're a stray cat.

I love you.

(chuckles)

- Love?

Misery and sleepless nights.

Being in love with you was like being in plane wreck.

Being in love with you was like being in plane wreck.

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

(seabirds cawing)

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

(melancholy music)

(melancholy music)

- I love you.

- I love you.

- I don't want to go through that again.

I don't want to be alone either.

I don't want to be alone either.

- They used to call me my brother's shadow.

- They used to call me my brother's shadow.

'Cause everywhere he went I went too.

'Cause everywhere he went I went too.

Now all that's left is a shadow.

Now all that's left is a shadow.

(sad music)

You want that?

Want to hide with me in my shadow?

- I want to.

(vulnerable music)

(vulnerable music)

- He must have known Robby would insist on going out.

There was only one person in the world,

There was only one person in the world,

who could keep Robby off the sea.

who could keep Robby off the sea.

It was him! - Sh!

- Wake up lazy!

- Wake up lazy!

Oh!

I don't know why I stand you around.

I don't know why I stand you around.

(sighing)

I'm not gonna wait on him any longer.

I'm not gonna wait on him any longer.

Sarah?

Benjamin will go and wash his hands!

- Samuel?

- Samuel?

Theo?

School's out.

School's out.

Summer people are all over the lobster grounds.

Summer people are all over the lobster grounds.

Samuel.

Caught a kid, hauling one of my traps just last week.

Caught a kid, hauling one of my traps just last week.

He's got the brass, just to offer to pay

He's got the brass, just to offer to pay

for the lobsters he stole.

If it gets started amongst us, somebody's gonna get hurt.

If it gets started amongst us, somebody's gonna get hurt.

(car horn honking)

- Children will keep their seats!

- Children will keep their seats!

Benjamin I see black under the fingernails.

Benjamin I see black under the fingernails.

- Mamma!

- We kept your place.

- We kept your place.

Put out a warm plate, Abigail.

- I brought Mrs. Faxon, your daughter-in-law, Poppa.

- I brought Mrs. Faxon, your daughter-in-law, Poppa.

- She's welcome, Menemsha.

- She's welcome, Menemsha.

- Have the courtesy to stand up for the lady!

- Have the courtesy to stand up for the lady!

- You'll sit on my right, Emma.

- You'll sit on my right, Emma.

- Thank you.

- It's the custom to have a drink.

Unless he's already marked the bottle for the weak,

Unless he's already marked the bottle for the weak,

and put it away.

- A lot of good that ever did with

- A lot of good that ever did with

you two boys watering it down.

Come Friday it'd taste like you drew it out of a tap.

Come Friday it'd taste like you drew it out of a tap.

Lord, we ask thy blessings on this place,

Lord, we ask thy blessings on this place,

and we thank thee for this thy gift of food

to thy dutiful servants, amen!

to thy dutiful servants, amen!

- [All] Amen!

- I hear my brother went over in a gale.

- I hear my brother went over in a gale.

- Menemsha!

- All right Mamma.

Poppa?

Poppa?

What about Robby's room, most of that stuff

wasn't worth much, but you must have

wasn't worth much, but you must have

got a good price for the record player.

Rule of the house, waste not, want not.

Rule of the house, waste not, want not.

- I see no reason to throw away hard earned money.

- I see no reason to throw away hard earned money.

Wasn't doing him any good in his room.

- Eat it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

- Eat it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.

- If you don't mind we'll not discuss family matters,

- If you don't mind we'll not discuss family matters,

religion or politics at the table.

- All right Poppa.

- Is it me?

I mean I don't want to force myself where I'm not welcome.

I mean I don't want to force myself where I'm not welcome.

But I love Menemsha, that ought to be some kind of a start.

But I love Menemsha, that ought to be some kind of a start.

- You're talking family matters at the table.

- You're talking family matters at the table.

Stomachs are churning!

Stomachs are churning!

- Shut up Menemsha.

Look I know you don't approve of me but I--

- Is that true Poppa?

- Is that true Poppa?

What about that Mamma?

Do you have anything to say Anna?

I'm waiting to hear what my family

has to say about my wife!

- Children will leave the table.

- Children will leave the table.

- Children will stay at the table!

- Don't send them away, I'd rather go.

- Don't send them away, I'd rather go.

- No you sit down!

I want--

- Sit!

- I want just one of you,

to say she's welcome to the family!

- If she's not it's because of the way you brought her here!

- If she's not it's because of the way you brought her here!

'Cause you only married her to insult your father!

'Cause you only married her to insult your father!

It's not her fault.

It's not her fault.

You've made her as unhappy as you have us.

You've made her as unhappy as you have us.

- You can just shut up where Menemsha and me are concerned!

- You can just shut up where Menemsha and me are concerned!

I don't need your approval or your sympathy

I don't need your approval or your sympathy

or your patronizing!

- Then you can leave my table, and the house.

- Then you can leave my table, and the house.

- Don't let him say that to you and get away with it.

- Don't let him say that to you and get away with it.

- Oh, you act like your house was the only place on Earth!

- Oh, you act like your house was the only place on Earth!

Boy I've fought my way through the jungle

and I'm proud of it!

and I'm proud of it!

Who are you to act like God and talk about me like

Who are you to act like God and talk about me like

I was some piece of dirt he'd tracked in on your carpet?

I was some piece of dirt he'd tracked in on your carpet?

(clapping) - Yay!

(clapping) - Yay!

- I feel sorry for you if you really love him.

- I feel sorry for you if you really love him.

(somber music)

(somber music)

Now you can get out of my house.

Now you can get out of my house.

- I hope he kills ya' all!

(smacking) Oh!

- Hey wait a minute!

- Hey wait a minute!

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

- Watch it (mumbles)!

(seabirds cawing)

(seabirds cawing)

- Hey you, look out there!

- Hey you, look out there!

(crashing) (thumping)

(crashing) (thumping)

- I was cleaning my gun.

- I was cleaning my gun.

It was an accident!

It was an accident!

- Mr. Mayhew.

He was hauling somebody's traps.

He was hauling somebody's traps.

- Yes siree Bob Hannah, Lincoln.

- Yes siree Bob Hannah, Lincoln.

Here ya' are!

The natives pursuing one of their quaint down-East customs.

The natives pursuing one of their quaint down-East customs.

The lobster war.

- There's a man hurt down here,

- There's a man hurt down here,

can you keep your mouth shut?

- Will someone help me get him up the ladder?

- Will someone help me get him up the ladder?

- They won't help ya' Lincoln.

- They won't help ya' Lincoln.

- What's the matter with you people?

This man's bleeding!

- He hauled somebody's traps.

Somebody defended his property.

Somebody defended his property.

- What proof do you have?

- [Thayer] The bullet hole in him.

- Well then call the police!

- Well then call the police!

- Them rugged individualists!

Rock ribbed and stone hearted, call the police?

Rock ribbed and stone hearted, call the police?

That's socialism!

They'll have grabbed their flintlocks

They'll have grabbed their flintlocks

and have at each other.

- Easy now.

- Right's right, he knew what he was doing.

- Right's right, he knew what he was doing.

Don't judge us Lincoln!

Don't judge us Lincoln!

Mayhew's been my friend all my life,

I'd a done the same!

That's the way things are.

That's the way things are.

Not everybody's strong enough to live up to it.

Not everybody's strong enough to live up to it.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

- Mayhew things ain't like they used to be.

- Mayhew things ain't like they used to be.

I've got to make reports.

You just can't pretend this was an accident!

You just can't pretend this was an accident!

- Was it Evan Hollis?

Rolly Higgins?

Samuel Oseeus Faxon?

Samuel Oseeus Faxon?

Make a complaint Mayhew!

- They're my friends, Menemsha.

- They're my friends, Menemsha.

- What friends, you got Mayhew!

- Leave him alone.

- Leave him alone.

- He was right!

- He was right!

I was stealin' a man's traps.

Someone was cuttin' my traps.

I lost two, $3000 worth of traps.

I lost two, $3000 worth of traps.

- What man Mayhew?

- What am I gonna say, Mayhew?

- What am I gonna say, Mayhew?

- Say it was an accident.

I was, cleaning my gun.

I don't know how, but I just forgot,

I don't know how, but I just forgot,

it was loaded.

(somber music)

- What say Lincoln?

If I was you I'd hightail it.

If I was you I'd hightail it.

- Why don't you just leave us alone?

- Why don't you just leave us alone?

- Us?

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

(tense music)

(tense music)

There's been a crime committed in this model community.

There's been a crime committed in this model community.

What is it a conspiracy to let a man die like that?

What is it a conspiracy to let a man die like that?

- What's bothering you Menemsha?

- What's bothering you Menemsha?

- There's open rebellion in this town,

the men set themselves up as the law,

the men set themselves up as the law,

a murderer walking the streets.

a murderer walking the streets.

- Mayhew himself said before witnesses it was an accident.

- Mayhew himself said before witnesses it was an accident.

What am I supposed to do?

What am I supposed to do?

- And there's Thayer Faxon,

he killed a man named Robby Faxon.

he killed a man named Robby Faxon.

Rye, David!

Stick around to drive me home.

Stick around to drive me home.

Just never never stops.

Just never never stops.

Generation begets generation.

Stand out in the streets of all those

thousands of cities full of dark houses

thousands of cities full of dark houses

and you think of all those millions of people

inside and you want to say "Stop, stop,

"you don't know what you're doing!"

"you don't know what you're doing!"

- When you figure, you'll be ready to go?

- When you figure, you'll be ready to go?

- When you figure, you'll be ready to go?

- When I can't talk.

(maudlin music)

(maudlin music)

Where'd you find me?

- Who would go looking for trouble?

- Who would go looking for trouble?

The police brought you.

They figured you didn't want to go to your father's

They figured you didn't want to go to your father's

and they didn't want to leave you lying

in the street, you were a traffic hazard.

in the street, you were a traffic hazard.

So they drugged you over here, as the constable put it.

So they drugged you over here, as the constable put it.

- Do I think of this as your house or our house?

- Think of it as the landlady's house.

- Think of it as the landlady's house.

- You washed my shirt.

- You washed my shirt.

- Peaches and cream.

- Peaches and cream.

- I know what you're doing Ella.

- [Ella] It's not so bad is it?

- [Ella] It's not so bad is it?

- I don't like it, it's not your fight,

- I don't like it, it's not your fight,

but you're the one that's gonna get hurt.

but you're the one that's gonna get hurt.

(baby chattering)

(baby chattering)

- Menemsha!

(music box-esque music)

(music box-esque music)

(baby chortling) His name's Menemsha.

(vulnerable music)

(vulnerable music)

He's sweet,

not like you at all!

The only reason I started the clam bake

was so I could spend the better part of my days with him.

was so I could spend the better part of my days with him.

Menemsha?

Can you say your name?

Can you say your name?

- Has my father seen him?

- No.

- No.

I asked him once if he wanted to see him

and he made funny face and walked away.

and he made funny face and walked away.

But he sneaked into the church for the christening.

But he sneaked into the church for the christening.

I saw him looking down, way up in the back of the balcony.

I saw him looking down, way up in the back of the balcony.

He was the only one there.

He was the only one there.

- Of all the people I've hurt the most,

- Of all the people I've hurt the most,

you've given me the least trouble.

you've given me the least trouble.

- It wouldn't be so bad Menemsha.

- It wouldn't be so bad Menemsha.

- [Menemsha] Mom.

- [Menemsha] Mom.

- I can't love you Ella.

I only hate him.

- I don't care about love anymore.

- I don't care about love anymore.

I can make you happy enough without that.

We used to have fun before, Menemsha.

You know I've got sense enough

You know I've got sense enough

to leave you alone when you want.

Maybe you were handing me a line when you said

Maybe you were handing me a line when you said

we were like two strays with no place in the world

we were like two strays with no place in the world

but in the same shadow.

And it was true, and now we have him with us and we--

And it was true, and now we have him with us and we--

And it was true, and now we have him with us and we--

(dramatic poignant music)

(tense music)

(tense music)

(thumping)

- Beginning to think we'd lost ya'.

- Beginning to think we'd lost ya'.

- Throw it overboard.

- I'm not gonna let anybody drive me off grounds

- I'm not gonna let anybody drive me off grounds

my family's been fishing for over 100 years.

my family's been fishing for over 100 years.

- That's the way they're all thinking.

Mayhew's cousin's will be out after

Mayhew's cousin's will be out after

whoever they think shot Mayhew.

And when they shoot somebody,

And when they shoot somebody,

his cousins will start hunting.

There's no trust, no honor, no courage, no dignity.

There's no trust, no honor, no courage, no dignity.

You're like a pack of rats chasing a baseball.

You're like a pack of rats chasing a baseball.

- Any man's free to stay ashore.

- Any man's free to stay ashore.

- Free?

How are you free when all you want to do is fish

How are you free when all you want to do is fish

and you don't dare do it?

- I'm gonna fish.

Never said it was always safe and comfortable.

Never said it was always safe and comfortable.

- You put your traps out over miles of open water.

- You put your traps out over miles of open water.

The Coast Guard the Navy and the FBI

couldn't stop from cutting traps!

couldn't stop from cutting traps!

Nothing's gonna stop it until

the men can trust each other again.

the men can trust each other again.

- I know Lincoln.

Maybe that's the only way.

Keep on fishing, try to keep your temper,

Keep on fishing, try to keep your temper,

try to hang on until the hot-heads have fought it out.

try to hang on until the hot-heads have fought it out.

Then it's good again.

Then it's good again.

- You still got the rifle.

How will you feel about killing a man over a lobster?

How will you feel about killing a man over a lobster?

- I'd give him the lobsters if that's all he wanted.

- I'd give him the lobsters if that's all he wanted.

You think that's what this is all about?

Everything I know or understand

is coming down around my head.

is coming down around my head.

I can't trust my friends and neighbors anymore.

I can't trust my friends and neighbors anymore.

They can't trust me.

It's my life he's stealing.

It's my life he's stealing.

Come on Lincoln, you've got to declare yourself.

Come on Lincoln, you've got to declare yourself.

Can't sit on the fence any longer.

Can't sit on the fence any longer.

- I'm not on the fence, I'm against you.

- I'm not on the fence, I'm against you.

(ominous music)

- That's all right boy.

- That's all right boy.

(motor rattling)

(motor revving)

(motor revving)

(motor revving)

(tense music)

- My beach quite up to your standards?

- I don't know what's going on between

- I don't know what's going on between

you and your father but whatever it is,

Ella deserves something better than being

Ella deserves something better than being

ground into pieces between the two of you.

ground into pieces between the two of you.

- Who are you two guys?

Do you belong here?

One of you out there, playing he's my father's son,

now you, wanna marry my wife,

now you, wanna marry my wife,

be the father to my son?

be the father to my son?

(laughs) I'd have to know more about you.

(laughs) I'd have to know more about you.

- No spears so you weren't fishing,

- No spears so you weren't fishing,

And no camera so you weren't taking pictures.

And no camera so you weren't taking pictures.

What was it, just for sport?

What was it, just for sport?

- I mean a father has to know what's right, doesn't he?

- I mean a father has to know what's right, doesn't he?

And if he has a son that doesn't measure up,

he's got to bite back the natural tendency

he's got to bite back the natural tendency

just to pat the kid and say thanks for trying.

just to pat the kid and say thanks for trying.

He's got to take that softest clay and, beat it and burn it

He's got to take that softest clay and, beat it and burn it

and shape it until he's remade it into his own shape.

and shape it until he's remade it into his own shape.

That's the way you make generation after generation

of men of character, by brute force and shame.

of men of character, by brute force and shame.

Well I can't do it.

- You started this whole thing

and you're keeping it boiling.

and you're keeping it boiling.

- I'm conducting a little experiment into the effects

- I'm conducting a little experiment into the effects

of distrust and suspicion on men of character, like you.

of distrust and suspicion on men of character, like you.

What are you gonna do?

What are you gonna do?

(somber music)

(somber music)

- [Tod] Linc?

- Nothing, every trap was cut.

- What happens now?

- What happens now?

- Well we make more traps and take 'em back out.

- Well we make more traps and take 'em back out.

- Well that won't end it.

- What's the matter Tod?

- Suppose I told ya' the old man's son

- Suppose I told ya' the old man's son

cut the first traps and he's still doing it?

Does that make you want to pack up and leave?

Does that make you want to pack up and leave?

- Not now.

(thumping)

- Wedged right into the trap

like he put 'em there deliberate.

like he put 'em there deliberate.

Menemsha Faxon.

- Ah no!

What good's that?

What good's that?

The boy will only find some other way

to throw it in Thayer's face.

to throw it in Thayer's face.

- Who's gonna tell the old man?

- Who's gonna tell the old man?

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

- Why should it be me?

- It won't be like a stranger telling him.

- It won't be like a stranger telling him.

On the other hand, come Labor Day and you'll be gone.

On the other hand, come Labor Day and you'll be gone.

Won't ya'?

Won't ya'?

Or have you sunk roots so deep you can't pull up?

Or have you sunk roots so deep you can't pull up?

- I'll be gone.

- (chuckles) Yeah.

- (chuckles) Yeah.

- They say you want me to a meetin'!

- They say you want me to a meetin'!

- Thayer, we wanted your advice.

Some say the police ought to be brought in on this.

Some say the police ought to be brought in on this.

Ask the Coast Guard to help us patrol.

Ask the Coast Guard to help us patrol.

- We always took care of it ourselves til now.

- Some say we're old fashioned,

- Some say we're old fashioned,

and, got out of date.

The only thing we changed in 100 years

The only thing we changed in 100 years

in about the way we live, is electricity,

in about the way we live, is electricity,

inside plumbing, maybe we should look around.

inside plumbing, maybe we should look around.

20th century.

20th century.

- Everybody looking to his neighbors for help!

That's right, the way it should be!

That's right, the way it should be!

We're lucky, we're all together here, it's our problem.

We're lucky, we're all together here, it's our problem.

With a little patience, guts, we'll take care of it,

With a little patience, guts, we'll take care of it,

not have to shove it off on somebody else!

not have to shove it off on somebody else!

- Thayer, it was in my thoughts,

- Thayer, it was in my thoughts,

suppose I find a man hauling traps,

suppose I find a man hauling traps,

and it was the new boy here.

- Cuttin' traps is a bad thing.

Look what it's already done to us,

Look what it's already done to us,

brought us to the jungle.

There's among us a man that's already killed!

There's among us a man that's already killed!

A widow, sleeping by a cold bed.

A widow, sleeping by a cold bed.

- You'd expect us to kill the new boy, Thayer.

- You'd expect us to kill the new boy, Thayer.

- He was trying to kill us, Rolly.

- He was trying to kill us, Rolly.

(somber music)

(somber music)

Are you sure it was Menemsha?

I got to be sure!

Lincoln?

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

- Yo!

(spirited music)

He knows Menemsha!

He knows Menemsha!

He knows!

- Good!

Who told him, you?

Even better!

He was getting mighty fond of you, Lincoln.

He was getting mighty fond of you, Lincoln.

- Get up man and get going!

- Where to, I've been all the other places?

- Where to, I've been all the other places?

- Do you understand, he's looking for ya'!

- Do you understand, he's looking for ya'!

- There you was, driving along in some

pleasing little New England town with the owls

pleasing little New England town with the owls

and the primroses and the old shingle houses,

and the primroses and the old shingle houses,

and unbeknownst you drove right out

of your world and into mine.

of your world and into mine.

But instead of spending Sunday afternoon polishing the car,

But instead of spending Sunday afternoon polishing the car,

we kill each other a little.

we kill each other a little.

- Is that what you want?

- Is that what you want?

- You see him, tell him come quick.

- You see him, tell him come quick.

(dramatic music)

- Is my son here?

- Is my son here?

- What made you think he'd come to me?

- What made you think he'd come to me?

You said he didn't love me, so why come here?

You said he didn't love me, so why come here?

- I thought you might tell me where he was?

- I thought you might tell me where he was?

- Why?

- Is that his baby?

- This is your grandfather, Menemsha.

- This is your grandfather, Menemsha.

Behind all that friendliness and old fashioned charm,

Behind all that friendliness and old fashioned charm,

he's ice cold and hard as nails.

We know who he is.

We know who he is.

- Don't do that Ella.

We haven't treated you well but don't do that.

- You haven't even noticed I existed,

- You haven't even noticed I existed,

so how could you treat me well or badly?

so how could you treat me well or badly?

- I'm sorry you had to suffer being mixed up with my son.

- I'm sorry you had to suffer being mixed up with my son.

He doesn't seem to have let much good in the world, does he?

He doesn't seem to have let much good in the world, does he?

(Menemsha chatters) - Mr. Faxon are you all right?

(Menemsha chatters) - Mr. Faxon are you all right?

- You must bring him to my house.

- You must bring him to my house.

- I don't understand.

- Mom.

- Will you remember that?

- Will you remember that?

(poignant music)

(poignant music)

Thank you.

(baby babbles)

(baby babbles)

(tense music)

(tense music)

- Miss Faxon!

Miss Faxon, maybe you know what I'm gonna say,

Miss Faxon, maybe you know what I'm gonna say,

I think you do, and maybe you can help.

I think you do, and maybe you can help.

Miss Faxon you're husband's gonna kill your son!

Miss Faxon you're husband's gonna kill your son!

- My mother used to say, "When trouble comes

"and you want to cry or strike out,

"and you want to cry or strike out,

"take something in your hand."

- Either that or they're gonna kill each other!

- Either that or they're gonna kill each other!

(sighing)

(sighing)

- When we were young and the children were little,

- When we were young and the children were little,

Thayer came home once and Menemsha and Robby

had picked tomatoes and were throwing them at the barn.

had picked tomatoes and were throwing them at the barn.

Well he laughed, and he went out,

Well he laughed, and he went out,

and he picked tomatoes and the three of them

and he picked tomatoes and the three of them

just stood out there and they,

threw tomatoes at the barn and laughed and laughed.

threw tomatoes at the barn and laughed and laughed.

threw tomatoes at the barn and laughed and laughed.

And then they got hoses and ladders

and they washed the barn.

and they washed the barn.

And the next day they painted it.

Then Thayer, Thayer went out and he

Then Thayer, Thayer went out and he

dug up all the tomato vines.

dug up all the tomato vines.

He said he always hated tomatoes anyway,

and, he was grateful to the boys

and, he was grateful to the boys

for making him do something about it.

for making him do something about it.

- I'd better call the police.

- Why Menemsha would never have come back

if they only hated!

if they only hated!

They love each other, they always have.

They love each other, they always have.

Can't you see that?

They love each other.

They love each other.

(perky night club music)

(perky night club music)

(clicking)

(clicking)

- How did it happen?

- How did it happen?

- He was untangling lines on a string of traps.

- He was untangling lines on a string of traps.

Rough weather all, we got hit by a squall,

he went over the side.

he went over the side.

- How'd he look?

Thrashing, like it was waves of boiling water?

Thrashing, like it was waves of boiling water?

Thrashing, like it was waves of boiling water?

- He never.

He just floated away quiet, looking up into my eyes.

He just floated away quiet, looking up into my eyes.

There's nothing I could do,

except go over the side and make it the two of us.

except go over the side and make it the two of us.

- That would have been better.

- I told him you're afraid of the water Robby, stay ashore.

- I told him you're afraid of the water Robby, stay ashore.

- Did you have to say it like that?

- Did you have to say it like that?

Like it was some kind of dare?

Like it was some kind of dare?

Say he was a coward, and the cold looks at breakfast.

- And the late nights,

- And the late nights,

and dragging him home all tore up and swearing,

you taught him to do that!

you taught him to do that!

He grew up thinking you were some kind

of a hero and you used it to get back at me!

of a hero and you used it to get back at me!

You poisoned his mind, and what

you told him was worldly wisdom.

you told him was worldly wisdom.

And he was too young to know

you was just using him to fight me.

you was just using him to fight me.

- You don't know the first thing!

- You don't know the first thing!

Robby was weak, Poppa!

Robby was weak, Poppa!

You and me are strong!

But it was killing Robby trying to live up!

But it was killing Robby trying to live up!

- Then why didn't he stay ashore?

- And admit he was weak?

When the only thing in the world you respect is strength?

When the only thing in the world you respect is strength?

- Then why didn't he go away?

- Then why didn't he go away?

- He couldn't go away Poppa,

- He couldn't go away Poppa,

any more than I could stay away!

any more than I could stay away!

- We are what we are.

- We are what we are.

- Now you've got it Poppa.

- Now you've got it Poppa.

(poignant music)

(poignant music)

(tense music)

(tense music)

(somber music)

(somber music)

(knocking)

(vulnerable music)

(vulnerable music)

- Oh yes!

(poignant music)

(poignant music)

- A Screen Gems presentation. (bouncy music)

Herbert B. Leonard, Executive Producer.

Herbert B. Leonard, Executive Producer.

(regal music)

(regal music)