Alaska (1996) Movie Script
1
Quincy Air Service
to Super Cub 909-Tango.
Do you copy?
Quincy Air, this is 09-Tango.
Go ahead.
Did you drop those
hikers off in Denali?
Roger that, Charlie.
We're having a real heat wave.
Just above freezing.
What's your position?
You still on schedule?
You bet.
E.T.A. to Quincy's
about 1700 hours.
I'll see you then, Charlie.
09-Tango, clear.
Okeydoke, partner.
This is Quincy Air Service.
Clear.
Magnificent creature,
the polar bear.
Nature's perfect carnivore,
adapted to the most hostile
climate on Earth.
Yeah, it's a beauty.
He is also, along with
the leopard, one of the few
animals that hunts man.
How do you feel, Mr. Koontz,
to realize that, uh,
you are no longer
on top of the food chain?
It feels like ten
or 20 grand to me,
just for the skin.
I love this kind
of huntin'.
Your problem, Mr. Koontz,
is that you don't appreciate
the finer things in life.
Yeah, whatever.
You don't hunt
with a helicopter.
You don't hunt with a man
such as yourself.
This isn't hunting.
This...
is business.
A whale!
Jessie, look, a whale!
Cool!
Those sea lions were awesome,
weren't they?
They were great.
Well, we're home.
- Race you back to shore.
- Think you can handle it?
Well, it is a long way.
- Hey!
- - Last one back buys the ice cream!
I want
to start again!
Forget it!
Whoo!
Oh, man!
I'll still win.
- Hey, Jessie!
- Come on, Chip, let's go!
I won!
What? Are you nuts?
Anyone can see I won!
Chip, want to come over
and have dinner tonight?
All right.
Aw, man, I can't.
I gotta help my grandfather
in the store tonight. We're
leaving in the morning.
Where are you going?
On a caribou hunt.
Everyone goes this time
of year. My grandfather,
my uncles, my cousins.
It's this ritual.
I go out a boy,
come back a man.
Well, good.
Oh, my God, I'm late!
Late for what?
Hi, Mrs. Ben.
Hey, Ben.
Hey!
Watch it,
Jessie!
Sorry!
That girl's always
in a hurry.
Bye.
Three... two... one.
Home Fire,
this is Super Cub 909-Tango.
Do you read me? Over.
You're right on time, Dad.
Aviator rule number one?
A pilot sticks
to his schedule.
So, what are your numbers?
- I left Denali at 11:55.
- 1-7-0 degrees.
80 knots.
About 25 knots
out of the southwest. Over.
You should
just be hitting...
Devil's Thumb.
- That's a roger.
- But I suggest you go around it.
Whatever you say,
sweetheart.
Dinner smells good from here.
Is your brother helping,
like I asked him to?
- That's a big negative,
Niner-Tango.
- Where is he?
My guess is he's out shooting
the rapids or wrestling
a grizzly bear.
You know, just being
that Alaskan mountain man
we know and love.
Okay.
See you later, Mrs. Ben.
Thank you.
Don't worry. His squawk
is much bigger than his bite.
I wish you'd leave that
darn bird at home.
Why can't you keep a small dog
or a parakeet?
Shh. Don't say that
in front of him.
You make him hungry.
Easy there, big boy.
Uh, can you just sort out
any mail from Chicago?
He was there,
you know.
Where?
The great fires of 1935,
up the Yukon River.
I was a very young man
hunting alone.
The forest fire
jumped a ridge.
The winds were high,
and flames were moving
faster than I could run.
There was no way
out of the firestorm.
Then I looked up,
and through the smoke,
I saw an eagle,
flying a circle.
Something said to me,
"Trust the eagle."
He flew through the smoke,
and I followed.
I just kept looking
at the eagle...
till the sky cleared
and the fire was behind me.
You've been watchin'
too much TV. He was just tryin'
to get away from the smoke.
That's all.
Oh, was that it?
You were trying
to get away
from the smoke?
And all this time,
I thought you were
my Tornak.
- "Tornak"?
- He means his pet.
My spirit guide.
He's free to leave
whenever he wants.
Look, do you have
any mail for me or not?
Sorry, Sean, not today.
Real nice
king salmon
you got there.
I'm stuck in the boonies.
Well, you're stuck
in something.
Trust me,
it ain't the boonies.
Quincy Traffic,
this is Super Cub 09-Tango.
I'm two miles north.
I'll be making a straight-in
final for the harbor.
Nice landing, Jake.
That's a stiff crosswind.
Any landing you can
walk away from
is a good one.
I bet you didn't say that
when you were flying
747s for a living.
I could say anything
as long as I didn't spill
the drinks in first class.
I think
you still miss it.
What?
Being stacked up
ten planes deep over O'Hare
in a blinding snowstorm?
Nah.
Up here I got wide-open skies,
beautiful scenery.
Besides, what pilot
wouldn't be satisfied...
doing important work
for his community?
The citizens of Quincy
are forever in your debt.
Quincy Air Service.
Yeah, this is Jake.
I don't know what they call
ditching where you come from.
Around here we call it
"truancy," and it's a crime.
Maybe we should
cuff him to the dock,
hang a sign around his neck
"Big city
juvenile delinquent."
You'll look like a real Alaskan
by the time you finish scrubbing
the oil off the dock.
With this?
It'll take forever!
Just long enough for you
to appreciate the fragility
of our delicate ecosystem.
- Look, it wasn't my fault.
- Son, in Alaska,
if it happens to you
it's your fault.
- Hey, Jake.
- Sam.
I hate it here.
Look, I know this move's
been tough, but...
sometimes people
just need to make
a fresh start.
Open your eyes, son.
Look around.
This is a paradise.
For me, it isn't.
Remember that year
you struck out
ten times in a row?
Yeah.
Remember what I told you?
- Never give up.
Never give up.
- Never give up.
Now do I have to drag out
that batting trophy you won
the very next year?
That's Little League.
This is life.
Oh! I got you guys
something up in Nome.
Thanks, Dad.
It's beautiful.
Gee, thanks, Dad.
A compass.
What am I supposed
to do with a compass?
Well, you might try finding
your way with it, for a start.
Chip and I went sea kayaking
eight miles up the coast today.
Ooh, eight miles.
Excuse me while I call CNN.
His dad says
I'm a really fast learner.
That's great, honey.
We should go rock climbing--
- What is wrong with you guys?
- Don't start.
Dad, you used to fly 747s.
Now you deliver toilet paper.
Hello?
Hey, Charlie.
Uh-huh.
All right.
Get the ampicillin
from the clinic.
I'll meet you at the dock
in 15 minutes. Bye.
I'm gonna make
an emergency run
up to Douglas.
- Dad, it's getting dark.
- I'll be all right. There's
plenty of daylight left.
Maybe I won't be here
when you get back.
Maybe I'll buy myself
a one-way ticket to Chicago.
I don't have time for this.
Mom would have
had time!
She would never have
moved us here! No!
Stop it, Sean!
None of this would be happening
if she was still here!
But Sean...
she's not here.
And nothing you
or any of us can do
will change that.
We all miss her, Sean...
just as much as you.
But we have to get on
with the rest of our lives
as best we can.
You know that
that's what your mother
would have wanted.
Yeah?
Well, I wish you had died
and not her.
Jessie, I'll be taking
Devil's Thumb Pass.
I'll radio
at 9:00 tonight, sharp.
Clear!
There you go.
Yeah.
All right, all right.
What a cutie. Huh?
It's a shame
to separate a mother
and child, isn't it?
If we plump her up,
we got two skins
we can sell here.
Mama bear and baby bear,
like a matching pair.
That sound special, huh?
Dear God, Koontz.
You are a fool.
Do you have any idea
what my clients in Hong Kong...
would pay for one live
polar bear cub?
Higher than you can count,
Mr. Koontz.
Oh, I can count pretty high.
I can count on both hands
if I have to.
You'll have to.
Storm warnings in effect tonight
for the Gulf of Alaska.
Gale force winds
are predicted
for up to 50 knots.
So hang onto your hats.
It's gonna be a big one.
Trap-Line Chatter
is up next--
This is Home Fire
to Super Cub 909-Tango.
Come in. Over.
This is Home Fire
to Super Cub 909-Tango.
Come in. Over.
Are you there, Niner-Tango?
This is Home Fire.
Come in. Over.
Are you there, Niner-Tango?
Come in! Over!
Home Fire,
this is 909-Tango.
Do you read me? Over.
Dad, are you there?
I'm... here.
I got less than ideal
visibility.
Devil's Thumb's socked in.
I'm gonna go around,
try another pass. Over.
I can't hear you, Dad.
Say again.
Dad! Dad!
Are you there? Over.
Sean, I think
something's wrong with Dad.
Yeah, no kidding.
Home Fire, this is 09-Tango.
Did you copy? Over.
Mayday! Mayday!
909-Tango is going down!
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
Mayday--
...niner--
This is Home Fire.
Do you read me?
Dad, is that you?
Dad, are you there?
Don't worry.
We'll find him.
Quincy, this is 234-Zulu.
Uh, nothin'
on Coogan's Pass.
Quincy, do you copy?
Over.
He should be
just passed there!
Close to Devil's Thumb!
Be sure to take
a good look...
around Devil's Thumb.
Roger that.
Devil's Thumb.
That's a big negative
on Devil's Thumb, Charlie.
Quincy, nothin' but rocks
and snow on Devil's Thumb.
He has to be out there!
They're just not looking
hard enough!
Look, why don't you guys take
another pass just to be sure.
Uh, roger that.
We're getting low on fuel,
but we'll give it another look.
Sergeant Grazer,
we've seen a beer can,
an old boot and a gum wrapper,
but no plane, thank God.
If we don't refuel soon,
you're gonna have to send
a search party for us too.
Roger that, Charlie.
Come on home.
All right.
We're headin' back to Quincy.
This is 234-Zulu. Clear.
Why don't
you two go back
to the house?
We'll call you
when we've heard something.
There's nothing
you can do here.
Come on.
We covered this area twice.
We don't even know
where to look.
Well, we just can't
write him off.
We're not going
to write anybody off,
but we gotta face facts.
Search and rescue
has made three trips up there.
Now, you saw that storm.
Nobody's picked up any signal
from his rescue beacon.
Finding that plane
would be like looking
for a needle in a haystack.
Charlie, you know
what Jake's chances are.
Maybe he set it down
somewhere to wait it out.
Or that plane's in pieces
on the side of some mountain.
I can't believe this!
He'd survive no matter what,
and you guys are just gonna
give up on him!
He'd never give up!
Never!
Where are you going?
Nowhere.
Well, for somebody
who's going nowhere,
you sure packed a lot.
You're not exactly
packed light yourself.
This is stuff which
might actually be useful
in trying to find Dad,
like a map.
No, no, no.
- You are not coming with me!
- What were you gonna do?
Swim to Devil's Thumb?
Even if you caught
a ride on a fishing boat,
with what you know,
you'll die.
What I know, Jess,
is Dad is still alive.
He would survive.
If you think I'm just
gonna leave him,
you're wrong.
I already lost Mom.
I'm not losin' Dad too.
You'll never make it.
- You got a better idea?
- Of course I do.
No, no, no.
Easy strokes.
It's not gonna
get us there any faster.
Stay in sync.
One, two.
One, two.
One, two.
One--
Don't rock the boat.
Let the waves flow under it.
My arms
are killing me.
My butt is really
killing me.
We have to go through there.
Now you're killing me.
Can't we go around?
Not without paddling
25 miles out of the way.
Dad flew up that fjord,
and that's where we gotta go.
Ready?
Yeah.
Let's go.
Paddle hard!
Here comes a big wave!
Look out!
Whoa!
Keep going!
Easy!
Keep going! Paddle hard!
We're not out of this yet!
Here comes a big one!
Watch out!
Ya-hoo!
Yeah!
That was incredible!
We made it!
Sean! No!
Whoa!
You idiot!
I didn't do it!
You did it!
Get the paddle!
We've gotta dry off.
This is great.
Really great.
We're gonna freeze
to death.
So what's the big deal?
We'll make a fire.
-I hope you brought the matches.
-I can't believe you're dumb
enough to forget the matches!
What are we gonna do now,
Pocahontas?
Rub sticks
together?
Hey, what's that?
Looks like somebody
who didn't forget the matches.
Maybe they saw Dad's plane.
Hello?
Hello?
Is anyone here?
I don't like this.
Knock, knock.
Oh, God.
That's a polar bear skin.
That's illegal.
You can't hunt
polar bears in Alaska.
Really, Jessie?
"Dear Poachers, this is very,
very bad. I'm telling."
Let's get out
of here.
Wait.
Let's go.
Wait.
What is that?
Come on.
It's a baby polar bear.
Don't worry.
We're not gonna hurt you.
Jessie, get away!
We can't just
leave her here.
That's her mother back there.
How are you so sure
it's a girl?
Let's get out of here
before the poachers
come back.
A polar bear can travel
up to 50 miles a day.
They'll never find her.
All right, polar bear,
run like hell.
He's not going anywhere.
Anytime now.
Go! Run!
You're free.
Whoa! Hey!
The bus is leaving!
Write us a letter!
Hey, hey, hey!
Oh, what do we do?
Run!
Go, Jessie! Go!
Get the boat!
Let's go!
Sean!
All right, Mr. Koontz,
unload.
Robbed!
I don't believe this!
I mean, is there
no place safe anymore?
You don't think it was
Fish and Game, do you?
No, they would have
taken everything.
These were amateurs.
Oh, yeah?
They're one bear up on us.
We'll have to teach them
some manners.
Go load up the Zodiak.
Hey, wait a minute.
I don't have time--
You have no time.
Your time is my time.
I paid for it.
I'll decide how to use it.
Listen, when I signed on,
I signed on to fly the chopper,
get us some skins and stuff.
Not go traipsing halfway
across Alaska looking
for some damn bear cub!
Which, if you don't
mind me reminding you,
I said we should have skinned
in the first place,
when we had the chance!
Mr. Koontz!
I don't think
you understand me.
Let me be clear.
I'm accustomed
to getting what I want.
I want that bear!
Now go get the Zodiak.
All right.
But don't expect
pleasant company from me.
I'm gonna be irritable when
I come across these guys.
I'm counting on that.
Dinner, chez Sean.
Gourmet dining
at its finest.
Hey, it's the only thing
I know how to make,
but I make it good.
All right,
choose your weapon.
Stay on your half
of the pan.
Don't worry.
- This is good.
- I told you. No one does
junk food like Sean Barnes.
Wow.
What is that?
The Northern Lights.
Aren't they awesome?
Oh, no.
Hey!
Oh, man.
I hope he's eating
off your half.
Hey, that's our kitchen!
Hey, give me that!
Sean!
Give me that!
Let go!
Here, girl.
Look what I got.
A marshmallow pie.
Here, girl. Look.
Go get it. Go.
Great.
That should keep him
away for ten seconds.
Come on,
let's eat the rest
before he gets back.
Mmm, something smells good.
No, no, go ahead.
Don't mind me.
I've already eaten.
I saw your fire
and the boat.
It just didn't seem polite
not to stop and say hello.
Hello.
Hello.
Oh, that's
a fine-looking kayak.
You don't see these native boats
around much these days.
Where you taking it?
Up country.
Evening,
little lady.
My name is Colin Perry.
This is my pilot, Mr. Koontz.
You are--
Jessie.
Sean.
So, Jessie, Sean...
what's "up country"?
Our father.
Really?
Yes.
My, my, Grandma,
what big teeth you got.
And what a powerful jaw.
Your dog?
- A bear bit it.
- A bear.
Right before
my dad shot him.
Your dad shot a bear
for bitin' his pan?
For interrupting
his dinner.
Do you mind
if I have a light?
You know, Sean...
the only thing
worse than a thief...
is a liar.
I hate liars,
don't you?
When you see that bear,
tell him to come home.
Good night, young people.
Pleasant dreams.
I like that boy.
I thought you wanted
to get the bear.
Just gonna let them
rip us off now?
They didn't steal the bear.
You saw the pan!
What about your lighter?
They let it go!
What?
That bear could be
anyplace by now,
and we're not going
to find it at night.
Come on.
We'll start first thing
in the morning.
Shove off.
Mayday.
This is Super Cub 909-Tango.
Does anybody copy? Over.
Mayday, mayday.
Mayday. 909-Tango.
Does anybody copy? Over.
Damn.
Hold on.
That's Coogan's Pass.
Let's park it.
Can I stay in the car?
Now what?
We climb.
That thing?
Hey, kids.
It's me, Charlie.
I need to talk to you.
Hello?
Sean?
Jessie?
Oh, no.
Quincy Traffic,
this is helicopter 234-Zulu
departing northward.
What I would give right now
to be at a Cubs game.
I can almost smell
the freshly-cut grass,
foot-long hot dogs
right out of the wrapper.
By the time I see another
Cubs game, I'm gonna have
gray hair and a cane.
You think by then
they'll have won the pennant?
What the--
What?
I didn't do anything.
The hell you didn't.
Ow!
God. Oh, no!
- She heard you were a Cubs fan.
- Not that kind of cub,
you dumb animal.
Ooh!
I think that means
"chill out."
Well, there's no sign
of 'em up there.
These are their tracks
though.
That damn bear
is following 'em.
Let's get rid of this kayak
before it attracts
some unwanted company.
Who the hell's that?
"Unwanted company."
Give me one
of those paddles.
Here.
- Howdy.
- Hello.
Good morning.
How goes it?
Well, not so good.
I'm looking for a couple
of kids-- a boy and girl--
who may have headed this way.
Their dad's plane
went down in that storm
a couple nights ago.
I think
they went after him.
Alone?
I'm afraid so.
Have you seen 'em?
These young people--
They were brought up
on MTV and video games.
They know nothing
of the real world.
They can't conceive
of the true brutality
of nature.
Yeah.
Right.
What are you guys
doin' up here?
We're with
the Sierra Club.
Tree huggers, eh?
That's us. We're working
on next year's calender.
No kidding.
No. Keep it.
Say,
those two kids...
they weren't in a kayak,
were they?
- I think so. Why?
- Oh, dear God.
Some poor souls
smashed a kayak up in the rocks
about 25 miles up the coast.
One of those native boats.
We couldn't get near
the wreckage,
but we pulled this
out of the water.
Is it theirs?
Yeah.
- I'm sorry to hear that.
- Twenty-five miles
north of here?
Maybe a little further.
Much obliged.
Mr. Koontz...
let's get the job done.
Look, there it is.
Devil's Thumb.
Do you see anything?
No, too far away.
How are we gonna
get off this pass?
It's a pretty steep drop.
Do you want the crampons
or the ice ax?
I'll be the ax man.
All right, ax man, I'm gonna go
down about 100 feet and anchor
the rope; then you follow me.
Okay.
If you slip,
stop yourself with the ice ax.
Belay me.
What?
If I slip, hold the rope.
Okay.
Wait a sec.
Are you sure this is
how they do it?
It's how they do it
on ESPN.
Then it
must be right.
Hey, what are you lookin' at?
All right, ax man,
it's your turn!
You got a better way down?
Whoa.
Show off!
- Whoa!
- Sean!
Sean!
Tornak.
Sean!
Sean!
Sean! Oh, God!
Oh, God! Sean!
- Sean!
- Yes! God!
Can you scream a little louder?
I can still hear
out of this side.
I thought
you were dead.
No.
I thought
she was gonna--
What?
Take a bite outta me?
It's not a "she" anyhow.
It's a "he."
Trust me.
I got a very good look.
Come on.
We gotta get you off
this mountain.
Careful now.
Sean! Oh, God!
We have to stop somewhere,
get you dried off.
No. No, I'm fine.
Yeah, right.
Have you ever heard of
the expression "hypothermia"?
I don't want to stop.
We gotta keep goin'.
Sean, look.
Hello?
Is anybody here?
Hello?
I know. We should never
have come out here.
Well... we can
stay here tonight.
At least
we have a fire.
What do you mean, "stay"?
Plenty of daylight left.
Are you okay?
Yep.
I never felt better.
Come on, let's get goin'.
You should lie down,
get a good night's sleep.
You're not
thinking straight.
Dad is out there.
Do you think he's gonna
"get a good night's sleep"?
What am I supposed
to tell Dad...
after you die
from exposure?
Tell him I--
Tell him I died
trying to find him.
Sean, look.
You have to get some rest.
We've got at least two days
walking along this river.
Then we still have
to climb Devil's Thumb.
You can walk if you like.
I'm takin' the canoe.
Oh.
Quincy Rescue,
this is helicopter 234-Zulu.
I've gone up and down
the whole of the Inside Passage,
and I haven't seen a thing.
I'm gonna head back
and refuel. Over.
Roger, Charlie.
You've been out all day.
Take a breather.
That was a lot of fun.
Really, Jess.
Where would you be
without me?
Pretty much
where I am now, Sean.
Oh, man.
Packed it just in case I had
to tape your mouth shut.
I hope there's some left.
Well, guys, what do you say...
we have a little dinner?
- Never give up.
- Never give up.
Never--
See? It floats.
Where would you be
without me?
Probably back
in Chicago.
Sorry, Cubby.
- We're all full up.
- "Cubby"?
- Where did you get that name?
- It's what his mother
called him.
That bear's relentless.
What now, Cubby?
Sean.
Maybe we should have walked.
Forward!
Forward hard!
What's wrong, Jessie?
Look out! Brace! Brace!
Left! Go left! Whoa!
Whoa!
Whoa! Hang on!
Here comes another one!
Oh, no!
Whoa!
Watch the rocks!
Left! Left!
Go left!
Here we go!
Whoa! Brace!
Whoa!
Left! Turn left!
Brace!
Watch the log!
Watch the rocks, Jessie!
Here we go!
Watch out!
Here we go!
We're gonna brace! Brace!
Whoa!
Whoa!
Here we go!
No!
Whoa!
Whew!
We did it!
We made it! We made it,
Jessie!
Oh, no.
Oh, my God!
Jessie,
paddle for shore!
No! It's too late!
Go for it! Paddle hard!
Get up there!
Get up there, Jessie!
Climb on top!
Sean, grab onto my hand!
Jessie! Jessie!
- Grab hold of me!
- Sean!
Sean!
- Jessie! Jessie!
- Sean!
Jessie! Help!
Sean!
No! No!
Jessie!
Ben!
Sean,
are you okay?
We saved some
of your gear,
but your canoe's
history.
You know, we usually
portage around these falls.
You two are an awful long way
from home.
- Grandfather said their
Tornak led them here.
- I'll take you back to town.
No!
We can't go back.
- You kids have no appreciation
for this country.
- That's why they need to go.
Listen, Dad--
No. You listen
to me, young man.
In my father's time,
a young man had
to hunt a bear...
with only a spear
in his hand.
And so, take on a bear's
power or die trying.
These two are
on a spirit journey.
They've gone too far.
It'd be wrong for us
to stop them now.
Are you finished,
Dad?
Yes.
Their spirit journey
has come to an end.
This is the '90s, old man.
We head home first thing
in the morning.
Hi.
Hi.
My dad says he's gonna get
the two of you home safely if
he has to tie you to the boat.
So, hurry up.
We gotta get you out
of here before he wakes up.
- Come on.
- Wake up.
Here, I packed
some food and stuff
for you guys.
Come on, let's go.
Your dad's gonna kill you.
Then you can come
to my funeral.
This is really... manly of you.
There's a white bear
over there,
staring at you.
Cubby! She made it.
He's been following us
since the day before yesterday.
Her mother was killed
by poachers.
This sort of thing
doesn't happen every day.
I'd say he's lookin' out
for you two.
I'd say he's lookin' out
for more food.
He ate dinner with us
the last two nights.
Come here, girl.
Come on.
Some things, Sean,
you can only see
by opening your heart.
Yeah, or another box
of marshmallow pies.
Little Nanook.
In the old days,
we called him
"One Who Gives Power."
To touch him is a gift.
Don't throw it away.
Thanks. I won't forget
what you've done for us.
Sean.
Trust the bear.
Come on, Cubby.
Ouincy Rescue,
this is 234-Zulu. Over.
I think I found something.
Some sort of camp.
I'm gonna set her down
and take a look.
Poachers.
Sergeant Grazer, you better
send somebody up here, pronto.
Those guys were poachers.
They sent me on a wild
goose chase.
I'm gonna head back up
towards Devil's Thumb.
Where does he think
he's going?
Well, that's
Devil's Thumb.
Hey!
I think he wants us
to follow him.
Dad wouldn't have
flown that way.
Maybe. Maybe Cubby
knows something we don't.
I know Dad's route.
I know how far he could
have flown.
He has to be somewhere
in Devil's Thumb Pass.
Not up there.
No. We have
to trust the bear.
Look out!
Take her around!
It's the poachers!
- Cubby!
- No!
Cubby!
'Morning, Sean, Jessie!
Small world, isn't it?
No! No!
Have a nice hike!
Take her up.
He's gone, Sean.
Those jerks took him away!
For no reason! He didn't
do anything wrong!
It's not fair.
I just love this job!
One way or another,
if you're persistent,
fortune always smiles
on you.
Koontz!
How much tranquilizer
did you put
in this dart?
Four CCs.
It wasn't enough!
Set it down.
I'll have
to dart him again.
Set it down!
Damn it!
Damn it!
Damn it!
What do we
do now?
We keep going!
Mom would have wanted us
to keep going.
Never give up! Never!
Can't you hear her?
Where do we go?
This way. We keep going
where Cubby was taking us.
We have to!
Come on!
But, Sean,
I can't climb anymore.
I'm tired.
Come on.
I'll carry you
if I have to.
You can make it,
Jessie.
Jessie, look!
Look!
Dad! Dad!
Daddy! Where are you?
Dad!
Dad!
Sean! Sean!
Dad!
Look!
He's alive!
Yes!
Sean!
Oh, my God.
Hold on, Dad!
I'm going down there
to get him.
No, you're not.
I'll go down.
You can lower me.
I'm lighter.
I don't think so.
Remember what happened
the last time you
went down first?
Okay.
Andele.
Go for it, Sean.
Just like ESPN.
Hold on a second!
Give me some slack, Jessie.
Dad!
Sean!
Dad, I'm comin' out there
for ya!
Dad--
Sean. Oh, no!
Get off the plane!
It's slipping!
Dad, I'm gonna get you
out of here!
No, Sean, it's slipping!
Jessie!
Give me some slack!
All right!
Here, tie this
around your waist!
Your ascenders.
What?
The ascenders,
these yellow things.
Clip 'em into your rope.
Hurry up, Dad!
Sean!
- I can't hold both of you!
- Sean, Sean, listen.
Clip on this ascender
and climb.
Now go.
Go!
Hurry!
Jessie, hang on!
I'm comin' up!
Climb! You can do it!
Climb! You can do it!
Hang on!
- Jessie!
- Sean!
Hang on!
- Jessie, hang on!
- Sean, help!
Sean! I can't hold!
- It's Cubby!
- Huh?
Sean, climb up!
Hurry!
Cubby!
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine!
Come on, pull!
Pull, Cubby! Pull!
Pull!
Pull!
Pull!
Yeah, pull!
Pull!
Pull the rope!
Come on, Cubby!
Pull the rope!
That's it!
Pull the rope, Cubby!
Pull harder!
In sync, Jessie.
One... two.
One... two.
Try to climb up, Dad!
Pull, Cubby, pull!
I just want
to know one thing:
What took you guys
so long?
Don't ask.
Dad, before you left,
I said that I--
No. Don't worry.
I didn't hear a thing.
What the--
That's either a polar bear
or the whitest dog
I've ever seen.
It's a dog, Dad.
Can we keep him?
Hey,
over here!
Oh, no. No, no, son.
Better let me do that.
Dad, this
is nothing.
Whoa!
Quincy,
I got a flare here.
I'm five miles west
of Devil's Thumb.
He says he's got a flare
five miles west
of Devil's thumb.
That's right there.
That's
a long way off.
Charlie!
Charlie, over here!
It's Charlie!
Hey!
Oh, my God!
You guys ain't gonna
believe this.
It's them!
Jake and the kids!
Sean and Jessie found him!
They rescued him!
You have got
to be kidding!
Yeah!
Charlie!
It's ten or 12 days
to the nearest road.
But you had to keep on
with the damn bear,
didn't you?
If you'd have listened
to me-- But, oh, no.
You knew.
I said to ya at the time.
What did I say? Huh?
I said that animal
would be a lot easier
to handle...
skinned, cleaned
and neatly folded.
True enough, Mr. Koontz.
So would you.
Hey, Charlie,
set her down
over that ridge.
Go on. Go on,
get out of here.
That a girl.
Good-bye, Cubby.
I love you.
Go on, get out of here.
Go on, you're free.
Wait.
Thanks for helping me
find my way.
Let's go home, Dad.
Quincy Air Service
to Super Cub 909-Tango.
Do you copy?
Quincy Air, this is 09-Tango.
Go ahead.
Did you drop those
hikers off in Denali?
Roger that, Charlie.
We're having a real heat wave.
Just above freezing.
What's your position?
You still on schedule?
You bet.
E.T.A. to Quincy's
about 1700 hours.
I'll see you then, Charlie.
09-Tango, clear.
Okeydoke, partner.
This is Quincy Air Service.
Clear.
Magnificent creature,
the polar bear.
Nature's perfect carnivore,
adapted to the most hostile
climate on Earth.
Yeah, it's a beauty.
He is also, along with
the leopard, one of the few
animals that hunts man.
How do you feel, Mr. Koontz,
to realize that, uh,
you are no longer
on top of the food chain?
It feels like ten
or 20 grand to me,
just for the skin.
I love this kind
of huntin'.
Your problem, Mr. Koontz,
is that you don't appreciate
the finer things in life.
Yeah, whatever.
You don't hunt
with a helicopter.
You don't hunt with a man
such as yourself.
This isn't hunting.
This...
is business.
A whale!
Jessie, look, a whale!
Cool!
Those sea lions were awesome,
weren't they?
They were great.
Well, we're home.
- Race you back to shore.
- Think you can handle it?
Well, it is a long way.
- Hey!
- - Last one back buys the ice cream!
I want
to start again!
Forget it!
Whoo!
Oh, man!
I'll still win.
- Hey, Jessie!
- Come on, Chip, let's go!
I won!
What? Are you nuts?
Anyone can see I won!
Chip, want to come over
and have dinner tonight?
All right.
Aw, man, I can't.
I gotta help my grandfather
in the store tonight. We're
leaving in the morning.
Where are you going?
On a caribou hunt.
Everyone goes this time
of year. My grandfather,
my uncles, my cousins.
It's this ritual.
I go out a boy,
come back a man.
Well, good.
Oh, my God, I'm late!
Late for what?
Hi, Mrs. Ben.
Hey, Ben.
Hey!
Watch it,
Jessie!
Sorry!
That girl's always
in a hurry.
Bye.
Three... two... one.
Home Fire,
this is Super Cub 909-Tango.
Do you read me? Over.
You're right on time, Dad.
Aviator rule number one?
A pilot sticks
to his schedule.
So, what are your numbers?
- I left Denali at 11:55.
- 1-7-0 degrees.
80 knots.
About 25 knots
out of the southwest. Over.
You should
just be hitting...
Devil's Thumb.
- That's a roger.
- But I suggest you go around it.
Whatever you say,
sweetheart.
Dinner smells good from here.
Is your brother helping,
like I asked him to?
- That's a big negative,
Niner-Tango.
- Where is he?
My guess is he's out shooting
the rapids or wrestling
a grizzly bear.
You know, just being
that Alaskan mountain man
we know and love.
Okay.
See you later, Mrs. Ben.
Thank you.
Don't worry. His squawk
is much bigger than his bite.
I wish you'd leave that
darn bird at home.
Why can't you keep a small dog
or a parakeet?
Shh. Don't say that
in front of him.
You make him hungry.
Easy there, big boy.
Uh, can you just sort out
any mail from Chicago?
He was there,
you know.
Where?
The great fires of 1935,
up the Yukon River.
I was a very young man
hunting alone.
The forest fire
jumped a ridge.
The winds were high,
and flames were moving
faster than I could run.
There was no way
out of the firestorm.
Then I looked up,
and through the smoke,
I saw an eagle,
flying a circle.
Something said to me,
"Trust the eagle."
He flew through the smoke,
and I followed.
I just kept looking
at the eagle...
till the sky cleared
and the fire was behind me.
You've been watchin'
too much TV. He was just tryin'
to get away from the smoke.
That's all.
Oh, was that it?
You were trying
to get away
from the smoke?
And all this time,
I thought you were
my Tornak.
- "Tornak"?
- He means his pet.
My spirit guide.
He's free to leave
whenever he wants.
Look, do you have
any mail for me or not?
Sorry, Sean, not today.
Real nice
king salmon
you got there.
I'm stuck in the boonies.
Well, you're stuck
in something.
Trust me,
it ain't the boonies.
Quincy Traffic,
this is Super Cub 09-Tango.
I'm two miles north.
I'll be making a straight-in
final for the harbor.
Nice landing, Jake.
That's a stiff crosswind.
Any landing you can
walk away from
is a good one.
I bet you didn't say that
when you were flying
747s for a living.
I could say anything
as long as I didn't spill
the drinks in first class.
I think
you still miss it.
What?
Being stacked up
ten planes deep over O'Hare
in a blinding snowstorm?
Nah.
Up here I got wide-open skies,
beautiful scenery.
Besides, what pilot
wouldn't be satisfied...
doing important work
for his community?
The citizens of Quincy
are forever in your debt.
Quincy Air Service.
Yeah, this is Jake.
I don't know what they call
ditching where you come from.
Around here we call it
"truancy," and it's a crime.
Maybe we should
cuff him to the dock,
hang a sign around his neck
"Big city
juvenile delinquent."
You'll look like a real Alaskan
by the time you finish scrubbing
the oil off the dock.
With this?
It'll take forever!
Just long enough for you
to appreciate the fragility
of our delicate ecosystem.
- Look, it wasn't my fault.
- Son, in Alaska,
if it happens to you
it's your fault.
- Hey, Jake.
- Sam.
I hate it here.
Look, I know this move's
been tough, but...
sometimes people
just need to make
a fresh start.
Open your eyes, son.
Look around.
This is a paradise.
For me, it isn't.
Remember that year
you struck out
ten times in a row?
Yeah.
Remember what I told you?
- Never give up.
Never give up.
- Never give up.
Now do I have to drag out
that batting trophy you won
the very next year?
That's Little League.
This is life.
Oh! I got you guys
something up in Nome.
Thanks, Dad.
It's beautiful.
Gee, thanks, Dad.
A compass.
What am I supposed
to do with a compass?
Well, you might try finding
your way with it, for a start.
Chip and I went sea kayaking
eight miles up the coast today.
Ooh, eight miles.
Excuse me while I call CNN.
His dad says
I'm a really fast learner.
That's great, honey.
We should go rock climbing--
- What is wrong with you guys?
- Don't start.
Dad, you used to fly 747s.
Now you deliver toilet paper.
Hello?
Hey, Charlie.
Uh-huh.
All right.
Get the ampicillin
from the clinic.
I'll meet you at the dock
in 15 minutes. Bye.
I'm gonna make
an emergency run
up to Douglas.
- Dad, it's getting dark.
- I'll be all right. There's
plenty of daylight left.
Maybe I won't be here
when you get back.
Maybe I'll buy myself
a one-way ticket to Chicago.
I don't have time for this.
Mom would have
had time!
She would never have
moved us here! No!
Stop it, Sean!
None of this would be happening
if she was still here!
But Sean...
she's not here.
And nothing you
or any of us can do
will change that.
We all miss her, Sean...
just as much as you.
But we have to get on
with the rest of our lives
as best we can.
You know that
that's what your mother
would have wanted.
Yeah?
Well, I wish you had died
and not her.
Jessie, I'll be taking
Devil's Thumb Pass.
I'll radio
at 9:00 tonight, sharp.
Clear!
There you go.
Yeah.
All right, all right.
What a cutie. Huh?
It's a shame
to separate a mother
and child, isn't it?
If we plump her up,
we got two skins
we can sell here.
Mama bear and baby bear,
like a matching pair.
That sound special, huh?
Dear God, Koontz.
You are a fool.
Do you have any idea
what my clients in Hong Kong...
would pay for one live
polar bear cub?
Higher than you can count,
Mr. Koontz.
Oh, I can count pretty high.
I can count on both hands
if I have to.
You'll have to.
Storm warnings in effect tonight
for the Gulf of Alaska.
Gale force winds
are predicted
for up to 50 knots.
So hang onto your hats.
It's gonna be a big one.
Trap-Line Chatter
is up next--
This is Home Fire
to Super Cub 909-Tango.
Come in. Over.
This is Home Fire
to Super Cub 909-Tango.
Come in. Over.
Are you there, Niner-Tango?
This is Home Fire.
Come in. Over.
Are you there, Niner-Tango?
Come in! Over!
Home Fire,
this is 909-Tango.
Do you read me? Over.
Dad, are you there?
I'm... here.
I got less than ideal
visibility.
Devil's Thumb's socked in.
I'm gonna go around,
try another pass. Over.
I can't hear you, Dad.
Say again.
Dad! Dad!
Are you there? Over.
Sean, I think
something's wrong with Dad.
Yeah, no kidding.
Home Fire, this is 09-Tango.
Did you copy? Over.
Mayday! Mayday!
909-Tango is going down!
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!
Mayday--
...niner--
This is Home Fire.
Do you read me?
Dad, is that you?
Dad, are you there?
Don't worry.
We'll find him.
Quincy, this is 234-Zulu.
Uh, nothin'
on Coogan's Pass.
Quincy, do you copy?
Over.
He should be
just passed there!
Close to Devil's Thumb!
Be sure to take
a good look...
around Devil's Thumb.
Roger that.
Devil's Thumb.
That's a big negative
on Devil's Thumb, Charlie.
Quincy, nothin' but rocks
and snow on Devil's Thumb.
He has to be out there!
They're just not looking
hard enough!
Look, why don't you guys take
another pass just to be sure.
Uh, roger that.
We're getting low on fuel,
but we'll give it another look.
Sergeant Grazer,
we've seen a beer can,
an old boot and a gum wrapper,
but no plane, thank God.
If we don't refuel soon,
you're gonna have to send
a search party for us too.
Roger that, Charlie.
Come on home.
All right.
We're headin' back to Quincy.
This is 234-Zulu. Clear.
Why don't
you two go back
to the house?
We'll call you
when we've heard something.
There's nothing
you can do here.
Come on.
We covered this area twice.
We don't even know
where to look.
Well, we just can't
write him off.
We're not going
to write anybody off,
but we gotta face facts.
Search and rescue
has made three trips up there.
Now, you saw that storm.
Nobody's picked up any signal
from his rescue beacon.
Finding that plane
would be like looking
for a needle in a haystack.
Charlie, you know
what Jake's chances are.
Maybe he set it down
somewhere to wait it out.
Or that plane's in pieces
on the side of some mountain.
I can't believe this!
He'd survive no matter what,
and you guys are just gonna
give up on him!
He'd never give up!
Never!
Where are you going?
Nowhere.
Well, for somebody
who's going nowhere,
you sure packed a lot.
You're not exactly
packed light yourself.
This is stuff which
might actually be useful
in trying to find Dad,
like a map.
No, no, no.
- You are not coming with me!
- What were you gonna do?
Swim to Devil's Thumb?
Even if you caught
a ride on a fishing boat,
with what you know,
you'll die.
What I know, Jess,
is Dad is still alive.
He would survive.
If you think I'm just
gonna leave him,
you're wrong.
I already lost Mom.
I'm not losin' Dad too.
You'll never make it.
- You got a better idea?
- Of course I do.
No, no, no.
Easy strokes.
It's not gonna
get us there any faster.
Stay in sync.
One, two.
One, two.
One, two.
One--
Don't rock the boat.
Let the waves flow under it.
My arms
are killing me.
My butt is really
killing me.
We have to go through there.
Now you're killing me.
Can't we go around?
Not without paddling
25 miles out of the way.
Dad flew up that fjord,
and that's where we gotta go.
Ready?
Yeah.
Let's go.
Paddle hard!
Here comes a big wave!
Look out!
Whoa!
Keep going!
Easy!
Keep going! Paddle hard!
We're not out of this yet!
Here comes a big one!
Watch out!
Ya-hoo!
Yeah!
That was incredible!
We made it!
Sean! No!
Whoa!
You idiot!
I didn't do it!
You did it!
Get the paddle!
We've gotta dry off.
This is great.
Really great.
We're gonna freeze
to death.
So what's the big deal?
We'll make a fire.
-I hope you brought the matches.
-I can't believe you're dumb
enough to forget the matches!
What are we gonna do now,
Pocahontas?
Rub sticks
together?
Hey, what's that?
Looks like somebody
who didn't forget the matches.
Maybe they saw Dad's plane.
Hello?
Hello?
Is anyone here?
I don't like this.
Knock, knock.
Oh, God.
That's a polar bear skin.
That's illegal.
You can't hunt
polar bears in Alaska.
Really, Jessie?
"Dear Poachers, this is very,
very bad. I'm telling."
Let's get out
of here.
Wait.
Let's go.
Wait.
What is that?
Come on.
It's a baby polar bear.
Don't worry.
We're not gonna hurt you.
Jessie, get away!
We can't just
leave her here.
That's her mother back there.
How are you so sure
it's a girl?
Let's get out of here
before the poachers
come back.
A polar bear can travel
up to 50 miles a day.
They'll never find her.
All right, polar bear,
run like hell.
He's not going anywhere.
Anytime now.
Go! Run!
You're free.
Whoa! Hey!
The bus is leaving!
Write us a letter!
Hey, hey, hey!
Oh, what do we do?
Run!
Go, Jessie! Go!
Get the boat!
Let's go!
Sean!
All right, Mr. Koontz,
unload.
Robbed!
I don't believe this!
I mean, is there
no place safe anymore?
You don't think it was
Fish and Game, do you?
No, they would have
taken everything.
These were amateurs.
Oh, yeah?
They're one bear up on us.
We'll have to teach them
some manners.
Go load up the Zodiak.
Hey, wait a minute.
I don't have time--
You have no time.
Your time is my time.
I paid for it.
I'll decide how to use it.
Listen, when I signed on,
I signed on to fly the chopper,
get us some skins and stuff.
Not go traipsing halfway
across Alaska looking
for some damn bear cub!
Which, if you don't
mind me reminding you,
I said we should have skinned
in the first place,
when we had the chance!
Mr. Koontz!
I don't think
you understand me.
Let me be clear.
I'm accustomed
to getting what I want.
I want that bear!
Now go get the Zodiak.
All right.
But don't expect
pleasant company from me.
I'm gonna be irritable when
I come across these guys.
I'm counting on that.
Dinner, chez Sean.
Gourmet dining
at its finest.
Hey, it's the only thing
I know how to make,
but I make it good.
All right,
choose your weapon.
Stay on your half
of the pan.
Don't worry.
- This is good.
- I told you. No one does
junk food like Sean Barnes.
Wow.
What is that?
The Northern Lights.
Aren't they awesome?
Oh, no.
Hey!
Oh, man.
I hope he's eating
off your half.
Hey, that's our kitchen!
Hey, give me that!
Sean!
Give me that!
Let go!
Here, girl.
Look what I got.
A marshmallow pie.
Here, girl. Look.
Go get it. Go.
Great.
That should keep him
away for ten seconds.
Come on,
let's eat the rest
before he gets back.
Mmm, something smells good.
No, no, go ahead.
Don't mind me.
I've already eaten.
I saw your fire
and the boat.
It just didn't seem polite
not to stop and say hello.
Hello.
Hello.
Oh, that's
a fine-looking kayak.
You don't see these native boats
around much these days.
Where you taking it?
Up country.
Evening,
little lady.
My name is Colin Perry.
This is my pilot, Mr. Koontz.
You are--
Jessie.
Sean.
So, Jessie, Sean...
what's "up country"?
Our father.
Really?
Yes.
My, my, Grandma,
what big teeth you got.
And what a powerful jaw.
Your dog?
- A bear bit it.
- A bear.
Right before
my dad shot him.
Your dad shot a bear
for bitin' his pan?
For interrupting
his dinner.
Do you mind
if I have a light?
You know, Sean...
the only thing
worse than a thief...
is a liar.
I hate liars,
don't you?
When you see that bear,
tell him to come home.
Good night, young people.
Pleasant dreams.
I like that boy.
I thought you wanted
to get the bear.
Just gonna let them
rip us off now?
They didn't steal the bear.
You saw the pan!
What about your lighter?
They let it go!
What?
That bear could be
anyplace by now,
and we're not going
to find it at night.
Come on.
We'll start first thing
in the morning.
Shove off.
Mayday.
This is Super Cub 909-Tango.
Does anybody copy? Over.
Mayday, mayday.
Mayday. 909-Tango.
Does anybody copy? Over.
Damn.
Hold on.
That's Coogan's Pass.
Let's park it.
Can I stay in the car?
Now what?
We climb.
That thing?
Hey, kids.
It's me, Charlie.
I need to talk to you.
Hello?
Sean?
Jessie?
Oh, no.
Quincy Traffic,
this is helicopter 234-Zulu
departing northward.
What I would give right now
to be at a Cubs game.
I can almost smell
the freshly-cut grass,
foot-long hot dogs
right out of the wrapper.
By the time I see another
Cubs game, I'm gonna have
gray hair and a cane.
You think by then
they'll have won the pennant?
What the--
What?
I didn't do anything.
The hell you didn't.
Ow!
God. Oh, no!
- She heard you were a Cubs fan.
- Not that kind of cub,
you dumb animal.
Ooh!
I think that means
"chill out."
Well, there's no sign
of 'em up there.
These are their tracks
though.
That damn bear
is following 'em.
Let's get rid of this kayak
before it attracts
some unwanted company.
Who the hell's that?
"Unwanted company."
Give me one
of those paddles.
Here.
- Howdy.
- Hello.
Good morning.
How goes it?
Well, not so good.
I'm looking for a couple
of kids-- a boy and girl--
who may have headed this way.
Their dad's plane
went down in that storm
a couple nights ago.
I think
they went after him.
Alone?
I'm afraid so.
Have you seen 'em?
These young people--
They were brought up
on MTV and video games.
They know nothing
of the real world.
They can't conceive
of the true brutality
of nature.
Yeah.
Right.
What are you guys
doin' up here?
We're with
the Sierra Club.
Tree huggers, eh?
That's us. We're working
on next year's calender.
No kidding.
No. Keep it.
Say,
those two kids...
they weren't in a kayak,
were they?
- I think so. Why?
- Oh, dear God.
Some poor souls
smashed a kayak up in the rocks
about 25 miles up the coast.
One of those native boats.
We couldn't get near
the wreckage,
but we pulled this
out of the water.
Is it theirs?
Yeah.
- I'm sorry to hear that.
- Twenty-five miles
north of here?
Maybe a little further.
Much obliged.
Mr. Koontz...
let's get the job done.
Look, there it is.
Devil's Thumb.
Do you see anything?
No, too far away.
How are we gonna
get off this pass?
It's a pretty steep drop.
Do you want the crampons
or the ice ax?
I'll be the ax man.
All right, ax man, I'm gonna go
down about 100 feet and anchor
the rope; then you follow me.
Okay.
If you slip,
stop yourself with the ice ax.
Belay me.
What?
If I slip, hold the rope.
Okay.
Wait a sec.
Are you sure this is
how they do it?
It's how they do it
on ESPN.
Then it
must be right.
Hey, what are you lookin' at?
All right, ax man,
it's your turn!
You got a better way down?
Whoa.
Show off!
- Whoa!
- Sean!
Sean!
Tornak.
Sean!
Sean!
Sean! Oh, God!
Oh, God! Sean!
- Sean!
- Yes! God!
Can you scream a little louder?
I can still hear
out of this side.
I thought
you were dead.
No.
I thought
she was gonna--
What?
Take a bite outta me?
It's not a "she" anyhow.
It's a "he."
Trust me.
I got a very good look.
Come on.
We gotta get you off
this mountain.
Careful now.
Sean! Oh, God!
We have to stop somewhere,
get you dried off.
No. No, I'm fine.
Yeah, right.
Have you ever heard of
the expression "hypothermia"?
I don't want to stop.
We gotta keep goin'.
Sean, look.
Hello?
Is anybody here?
Hello?
I know. We should never
have come out here.
Well... we can
stay here tonight.
At least
we have a fire.
What do you mean, "stay"?
Plenty of daylight left.
Are you okay?
Yep.
I never felt better.
Come on, let's get goin'.
You should lie down,
get a good night's sleep.
You're not
thinking straight.
Dad is out there.
Do you think he's gonna
"get a good night's sleep"?
What am I supposed
to tell Dad...
after you die
from exposure?
Tell him I--
Tell him I died
trying to find him.
Sean, look.
You have to get some rest.
We've got at least two days
walking along this river.
Then we still have
to climb Devil's Thumb.
You can walk if you like.
I'm takin' the canoe.
Oh.
Quincy Rescue,
this is helicopter 234-Zulu.
I've gone up and down
the whole of the Inside Passage,
and I haven't seen a thing.
I'm gonna head back
and refuel. Over.
Roger, Charlie.
You've been out all day.
Take a breather.
That was a lot of fun.
Really, Jess.
Where would you be
without me?
Pretty much
where I am now, Sean.
Oh, man.
Packed it just in case I had
to tape your mouth shut.
I hope there's some left.
Well, guys, what do you say...
we have a little dinner?
- Never give up.
- Never give up.
Never--
See? It floats.
Where would you be
without me?
Probably back
in Chicago.
Sorry, Cubby.
- We're all full up.
- "Cubby"?
- Where did you get that name?
- It's what his mother
called him.
That bear's relentless.
What now, Cubby?
Sean.
Maybe we should have walked.
Forward!
Forward hard!
What's wrong, Jessie?
Look out! Brace! Brace!
Left! Go left! Whoa!
Whoa!
Whoa! Hang on!
Here comes another one!
Oh, no!
Whoa!
Watch the rocks!
Left! Left!
Go left!
Here we go!
Whoa! Brace!
Whoa!
Left! Turn left!
Brace!
Watch the log!
Watch the rocks, Jessie!
Here we go!
Watch out!
Here we go!
We're gonna brace! Brace!
Whoa!
Whoa!
Here we go!
No!
Whoa!
Whew!
We did it!
We made it! We made it,
Jessie!
Oh, no.
Oh, my God!
Jessie,
paddle for shore!
No! It's too late!
Go for it! Paddle hard!
Get up there!
Get up there, Jessie!
Climb on top!
Sean, grab onto my hand!
Jessie! Jessie!
- Grab hold of me!
- Sean!
Sean!
- Jessie! Jessie!
- Sean!
Jessie! Help!
Sean!
No! No!
Jessie!
Ben!
Sean,
are you okay?
We saved some
of your gear,
but your canoe's
history.
You know, we usually
portage around these falls.
You two are an awful long way
from home.
- Grandfather said their
Tornak led them here.
- I'll take you back to town.
No!
We can't go back.
- You kids have no appreciation
for this country.
- That's why they need to go.
Listen, Dad--
No. You listen
to me, young man.
In my father's time,
a young man had
to hunt a bear...
with only a spear
in his hand.
And so, take on a bear's
power or die trying.
These two are
on a spirit journey.
They've gone too far.
It'd be wrong for us
to stop them now.
Are you finished,
Dad?
Yes.
Their spirit journey
has come to an end.
This is the '90s, old man.
We head home first thing
in the morning.
Hi.
Hi.
My dad says he's gonna get
the two of you home safely if
he has to tie you to the boat.
So, hurry up.
We gotta get you out
of here before he wakes up.
- Come on.
- Wake up.
Here, I packed
some food and stuff
for you guys.
Come on, let's go.
Your dad's gonna kill you.
Then you can come
to my funeral.
This is really... manly of you.
There's a white bear
over there,
staring at you.
Cubby! She made it.
He's been following us
since the day before yesterday.
Her mother was killed
by poachers.
This sort of thing
doesn't happen every day.
I'd say he's lookin' out
for you two.
I'd say he's lookin' out
for more food.
He ate dinner with us
the last two nights.
Come here, girl.
Come on.
Some things, Sean,
you can only see
by opening your heart.
Yeah, or another box
of marshmallow pies.
Little Nanook.
In the old days,
we called him
"One Who Gives Power."
To touch him is a gift.
Don't throw it away.
Thanks. I won't forget
what you've done for us.
Sean.
Trust the bear.
Come on, Cubby.
Ouincy Rescue,
this is 234-Zulu. Over.
I think I found something.
Some sort of camp.
I'm gonna set her down
and take a look.
Poachers.
Sergeant Grazer, you better
send somebody up here, pronto.
Those guys were poachers.
They sent me on a wild
goose chase.
I'm gonna head back up
towards Devil's Thumb.
Where does he think
he's going?
Well, that's
Devil's Thumb.
Hey!
I think he wants us
to follow him.
Dad wouldn't have
flown that way.
Maybe. Maybe Cubby
knows something we don't.
I know Dad's route.
I know how far he could
have flown.
He has to be somewhere
in Devil's Thumb Pass.
Not up there.
No. We have
to trust the bear.
Look out!
Take her around!
It's the poachers!
- Cubby!
- No!
Cubby!
'Morning, Sean, Jessie!
Small world, isn't it?
No! No!
Have a nice hike!
Take her up.
He's gone, Sean.
Those jerks took him away!
For no reason! He didn't
do anything wrong!
It's not fair.
I just love this job!
One way or another,
if you're persistent,
fortune always smiles
on you.
Koontz!
How much tranquilizer
did you put
in this dart?
Four CCs.
It wasn't enough!
Set it down.
I'll have
to dart him again.
Set it down!
Damn it!
Damn it!
Damn it!
What do we
do now?
We keep going!
Mom would have wanted us
to keep going.
Never give up! Never!
Can't you hear her?
Where do we go?
This way. We keep going
where Cubby was taking us.
We have to!
Come on!
But, Sean,
I can't climb anymore.
I'm tired.
Come on.
I'll carry you
if I have to.
You can make it,
Jessie.
Jessie, look!
Look!
Dad! Dad!
Daddy! Where are you?
Dad!
Dad!
Sean! Sean!
Dad!
Look!
He's alive!
Yes!
Sean!
Oh, my God.
Hold on, Dad!
I'm going down there
to get him.
No, you're not.
I'll go down.
You can lower me.
I'm lighter.
I don't think so.
Remember what happened
the last time you
went down first?
Okay.
Andele.
Go for it, Sean.
Just like ESPN.
Hold on a second!
Give me some slack, Jessie.
Dad!
Sean!
Dad, I'm comin' out there
for ya!
Dad--
Sean. Oh, no!
Get off the plane!
It's slipping!
Dad, I'm gonna get you
out of here!
No, Sean, it's slipping!
Jessie!
Give me some slack!
All right!
Here, tie this
around your waist!
Your ascenders.
What?
The ascenders,
these yellow things.
Clip 'em into your rope.
Hurry up, Dad!
Sean!
- I can't hold both of you!
- Sean, Sean, listen.
Clip on this ascender
and climb.
Now go.
Go!
Hurry!
Jessie, hang on!
I'm comin' up!
Climb! You can do it!
Climb! You can do it!
Hang on!
- Jessie!
- Sean!
Hang on!
- Jessie, hang on!
- Sean, help!
Sean! I can't hold!
- It's Cubby!
- Huh?
Sean, climb up!
Hurry!
Cubby!
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm fine!
Come on, pull!
Pull, Cubby! Pull!
Pull!
Pull!
Pull!
Yeah, pull!
Pull!
Pull the rope!
Come on, Cubby!
Pull the rope!
That's it!
Pull the rope, Cubby!
Pull harder!
In sync, Jessie.
One... two.
One... two.
Try to climb up, Dad!
Pull, Cubby, pull!
I just want
to know one thing:
What took you guys
so long?
Don't ask.
Dad, before you left,
I said that I--
No. Don't worry.
I didn't hear a thing.
What the--
That's either a polar bear
or the whitest dog
I've ever seen.
It's a dog, Dad.
Can we keep him?
Hey,
over here!
Oh, no. No, no, son.
Better let me do that.
Dad, this
is nothing.
Whoa!
Quincy,
I got a flare here.
I'm five miles west
of Devil's Thumb.
He says he's got a flare
five miles west
of Devil's thumb.
That's right there.
That's
a long way off.
Charlie!
Charlie, over here!
It's Charlie!
Hey!
Oh, my God!
You guys ain't gonna
believe this.
It's them!
Jake and the kids!
Sean and Jessie found him!
They rescued him!
You have got
to be kidding!
Yeah!
Charlie!
It's ten or 12 days
to the nearest road.
But you had to keep on
with the damn bear,
didn't you?
If you'd have listened
to me-- But, oh, no.
You knew.
I said to ya at the time.
What did I say? Huh?
I said that animal
would be a lot easier
to handle...
skinned, cleaned
and neatly folded.
True enough, Mr. Koontz.
So would you.
Hey, Charlie,
set her down
over that ridge.
Go on. Go on,
get out of here.
That a girl.
Good-bye, Cubby.
I love you.
Go on, get out of here.
Go on, you're free.
Wait.
Thanks for helping me
find my way.
Let's go home, Dad.