Original subtitles

All right. Let's go.

A settler and his wife.

What a waste.

You mean a settler and his squaw, Captain.

The woman's Indian.

Apache, sir.

Emilie, get my bag from the wagon.

Sergeant, get a blanket. Yes, sir.

Howdy, folks. I'm the Old Ranger.

In the year 1880, the Apache Indians

threatened a final great uprising

against the frontier settlers.

Now, throughout the Arizona Territory

there was raiding, burning, and killing.

But with so few soldiers available,

the frontier forces had to consider what was best

for the majority of the settlers they were protecting

rather than the individual.

But there was one man, an army doctor,

who believed strongly in the rights of the individual.

Especially in the rights of one person.

A very little person named...

Don't worry now, dear. Everything's gonna be all right.

Poor child.

There, dear.

Dear.

Doctor's trying to help you. You try to think about something else.

Tell me your name.

Suzie.

My name is Suzie.

Oh, that's a very pretty name.

Mommy! Mommy!

Oh, your mommy'd be here, dear, if she could.

You try to pretend I'm your mommy,

and the doctor's your daddy, and he's helping you.

Mommy! Oh...

She's unconscious.

Best thing for her right now.

We're still almost 100 miles from Fort Apache, aren't we?

Oh, I'd say about 130 miles, Captain. Mm-hmm.

Wow, that's... that's too long a trip.

She'd never survive.

Are you planning on taking her with us?

You don't think I'm gonna leave her here, do you?

Looks like our transfer to Fort Apache will be delayed a few days, Emilie.

We'll have to take her back to Lowell.

Look, Captain, we've been together quite a spell.

Take my advice. Do what you can for the kid, but leave her here.

What? Leave her here?

I don't know why they wanted to wipe out this family,

but I'll bet it's because that Indian woman married a white.

This smells to me like a tribal blood feud.

What's that got to do with taking care of the child?

Well, she's a part of it. She's a half-breed.

Her mother was an Indian, her father a white.

This is Indian business, and we'd best keep out of it.

I wouldn't leave anybody in her condition, Brill.

Not even you.

We'll take her back to Lowell.

How is she, dear?

She'll be all right.

Her fever broke about an hour ago. Oh, wonderful.

Now we have to get you some rest.

You haven't had a wink of sleep since we brought her in here. Come on.

She's a pretty little thing, isn't she?

Frail, helpless.

Colonel Leacock wants to see you, sir.

Oh, good morning, Sergeant.

Good morning, sir. Ma'am.

You have any idea what it's about?

Yes, sir. It's no secret. About the little girl.

Oh, what have they found out about her, Sergeant?

Quite a lot, ma'am.

Ever hear of the name "Nahnee"?

You mean the Apache chief?

The chief of the Coyoteros,

the bloodthirstiest Apaches of them all.

You see, uh, Nahnee's daughter married a white man named Fisher.

They're the ones we found burned to death.

Suzie is Nahnee's granddaughter? Yes, ma'am.

You mean that Nahnee actually ordered the death of his daughter?

Why not? He hates whites.

He disowned his daughter for marrying a white and deserting her tribe.

Oh, and there's something else, Captain.

About an hour after we left,

the scout spotted Nahnee at the Fisher ruins.

He knows you have his granddaughter.

And he has ever brave of the tribe

between here and Fort Apache looking for her.

I guess he wants to finish the job.

Oh, Suzie.

What's the matter, Suzie?

Is it your burn here? Does it hurt?

Well, then, what is it, dear?

She's just frightened to death.

What's the matter, Suzie?

Did you hear us talking?

Oh, no. Do you know Nahnee?

I'm afraid of him!

There's nothing to be afraid of.

I wanna stay with you!

You don't have to go with him, Suzie.

You can stay with us as long as you want to.

I promise.

Where's the colonel?

You wanted to see me, Colonel?

Oh, yes, Doctor.

How's that child?

Oh, she's doing fine.

Good. Will she be able to travel soon?

Yes, I think so.

I've gotta send her back to Nahnee.

Send her back?

He's her grandfather.

Also the chief, but no fool.

I'm sure he knows the girl's here.

I can't risk an uprising. I have a hundred lives to protect.

'Course you know Nahnee killed Suzie's parents.

Probably, but we have no proof.

Chances are he's gonna kill her too.

Captain, I'm as worried about this child as you are.

But as Nahnee is her grandfather,

he has a perfect right to demand the child.

And unless we can prove his intention,

I have no choice but to give her back to him.

Her father was white.

Fisher knew the chief opposed the wedding.

He took his chances. Besides, Nahnee is her only living relative.

Colonel, I can't let you do it.

You think I'm some coldblooded monster?

You think I wanna do this?

Nahnee is itching for war,

and so is every Apache in the territory.

I can't risk my men and the lives of the white settlers

for one little half-breed Indian girl.

I'd give my right arm to save her,

but I have no choice.

I do. I can take Suzie to Fort Apache.

I can't give you an escort for two weeks.

It seems useless to risk your life.

May I have your permission, Colonel?

Doctor, I've admired you ever since you came here.

You work hard. Sometimes night and day.

We need men like you in the wilderness.

We need you badly.

That little girl needs me too.

Then why, in the name of heaven, do you risk your life?

I don't know exactly.

I guess it's just in my nature to get involved

with the people the way I do.

The little girl because she's alone,

she's hurt, terrified,

and because I promised not to leave her.

Now, may I have your permission, sir?

All right.

Thank you.

And, Doctor,

don't make me hate myself for the rest of my life.

You get through safely.

Any sight of the Coyoteros?

Not yet.

How's Suzie?

Oh, she's dozing but restless.

This is not exactly a smooth ride.

Yeah, I know it, but the more distance we put

between ourselves and Fort Lowell before dark,

the better chance we'll have of getting through.

Oh, we'll get through, Walter.

Walter, up there.

Get in the back.

Hyah!

Oh, Walter, you're exhausted.

You've been driving all night. Now, you have to get some rest.

No, we gotta keep moving. Well, you can't go on like this.

If you don't give out, the horses will.

There's no place to stop in this open country, Emilie.

What about the Collier place? They're not far from here.

No, I'm afraid just stopping there's gonna put them into jeopardy too.

Walter, you have to get some rest.

They'll understand.

You delivered their baby for them.

They'll want to help you.

Well, I haven't seen an Indian in the last half hour.

They know we're headed for Fort Apache.

They'll probably figure we'll stick to the road.

The Colliers are miles off the road.

Maybe... Maybe it'd be all right.

Yes.

Whoa. Whoa.

Collier!

Collier!

Collier!

They must be here.

Collier, it's your doctor.

Oh, hello, Collier. I thought maybe you didn't hear me.

I heard you, Doc. What do you want?

We're on our way to Fort Apache, and I... Yeah, I know all about it.

I was at Fort Lowell when you brought that kid in.

You're traveling with the Indian's granddaughter, ain't that right?

Yes. We'd like to hide the wagon and rest for a few hours.

That Indian's looking for that little girl, you know.

I've seen a couple braves this morning move around on top of those hills.

They was looking... for her... and you.

Yes, yes, I know.

Doc, I know I owe you more than a slammed door,

but I got my wife and baby to think of.

I can't help ya, Doc. I... I just can't help ya! Now...

Now, you better move along, Doc.

Giddyap!

Well, we fell into a hole.

I must've dozed.

Well, it's not very deep. The horses can pull us out.

Yeah, I... I suppose they can.

Oh, Walter, you've got to get some rest.

You've been driving for 24 hours now.

How's Suzie? Oh, she found an old nursery book of mine.

She's pretending to read it. Oh, that poor little thing.

I really wanted to keep my promise to her.

You will, Walter.

You know, Emilie,

all my life I've wanted to help people.

Especially those who were alone, couldn't help themself.

That's why I became a doctor, I guess.

But I don't know.

Out here in this wilderness.

Maybe Leacock was right. Maybe you...

you just can't worry about the individuals.

Whether they need help or not.

The law of survival is mighty strong.

But that little Suzie.

There's something about her that I...

I felt...

Like she was our own daughter.

Yeah.

And like maybe we were the only ones she could depend on.

Oh, Walter, look at you. You have to get some sleep.

Even just a little bit'll help.

All right.

Maybe just an hour or so.

I'll watch out for us.

What...

Where's Suzie? She's in the wagon, asleep.

Oh.

Oh, how long have I been asleep?

Not very long. Just a few hours.

Oh...

Well...

Anyway, I feel better.

You look better.

Emilie? Mm?

I'm sorry I got you into all this.

Didn't, Walter.

I insisted on coming, remember?

Anyway, this way, not matter what happens, we're together.

We better get outta here, Emilie.

The wagon which left the fort

moves again on the road to Fort Apache, Chief Nahnee.

This wagon carry child of Nahnee daughter?

Is the only one that has left since the new moon.

Which way go?

Get girl.

Get away! Get away!

Get away!

Walter!

No! Walter!

Walter!

Walter!

Walter! NAHNEE: Wait!

Oh...

This child my blood.

You took child.

She granddaughter of Chief Nahnee,

sworn blood enemy of all white men.

You hurt child to hurt Nahnee.

Took her as hostage.

Hostage?

My husband took that child when you left her there to die.

Quiet, woman.

You killed her mother.

You killed your own daughter! You...

Is true love for daughter turn to venom of snake

when she marry white man called Fisher.

So gods kill her.

The gods had nothing to do with it.

Your braves killed her parents. Suzie saw them.

Braves swear to god of sun was mistake.

Not know was daughter. Nahnee believe.

Braves good. Speak with pure tongue.

Why you cry?

White man hurt you?

Kill him.

Don't kill him! Please don't kill him!

Not kill? Why?

They're my friends.

Friends?

- White man? - Yes.

Then why you take away child from Nahnee?

Because we thought you were going to kill her.

Not kill child of Nahnee daughter.

Nahnee take back from white man to save her.

Well, then, we were both trying to protect her.

See, Nahnee, we have a lot to learn about each other.

Maybe. Maybe.

Su-zie?

Yes. Suzie.

Suzie, you want go

with white man?

Yes.

She not Coyotero. She white.

Have dress and way of white.

You soldier?

A doctor. Walter Reed.

Doctor medicine man?

Yes.

Good. You take her.

Go, child. Go in peace.

God be with you.

Suzie, you saved our lives.

We're going home now, Suzie. Home.

Walter and Emilie adopted Suzie,

and she stayed with them until she reached womanhood.

Then she returned to her mother's people as a teacher.

As for Walter, he was the same man who,

later, in his great love for humanity,

conquered yellow fever, which at that time

was one of the greatest killer scourges of man.

In his honor is named

the renowned Walter Reed Hospital

in Washington, D.C.