Lost on a Mountain in Maine (2024) Movie Script
1
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[]
There's so damn
many places that you can fall.
You fall right outta sight.
1,000, 2,000 feet.
And you sure as hell ain't
gonna live through it.
And the other thing
are the thunderstorms,
they come in so damn quick.
And if you don't get down
behind a rock,
you're just a livin' target.
[thunder rumbles]
You're just a little kid,
you know, 12 years old,
scrawny.
You try to guess what
they might do,
but there's no damn way
of predicting
what a kid will do.
In fact, by nine days,
we were lookin' for a body.
[thunder rumbles]
[pants]
[bees buzzing]
[birds chirping]
[continues panting]
[water running]
Donn: Ooh!
[chuckles]
Ryan: Donn, it's Dad! He's up the road!
Come on, let's go, he's here!
[chuckles]
[pants]
Donn: We're goin' fishin'!
Wooh!
[pants]
Donn: Dad! Slow down!
Dad!
Dad!
Donn: Dad!
Hey, Dad, slow down!
Radio Newscaster 1: Russian armies are
menacing from the north,
German armies are menacing
from the west,
and the United States
remains neutral.
-Dad's home!
-Daddy!
[giggles]
-Tommy: Daddy.
-Ruth: Come on.
Tommy: Can I tell him about the pie?
Yes, you can.
[chuckles]
[door shuts]
[giggling]
Hiya, peanut.
-[grunts]
-Tommy: Welcome home, Dad.
Hello, handsome.
Never a moment's peace.
Oh, you have no idea.
Yes, ma'am.
Tommy: Daddy, we made a pie.
Blueberry?
Not if Patsy
keeps eating it all.
-Hey, hey, hey.
-Save some for me.
[giggling]
Tommy: I'm gonna eat it all,
and then I'm gonna
make another pie
and eat that, too.
[footsteps]
Everything okay?
Yeah.
-Work.
-Donn: Dad!
Press on.
-Ryan: Donn, I can't!
-Donn: [indistinct speech]
-Oh, boy.
-[chuckles]
Here they come.
All they talk about is the trip.
They've been up since dawn
just waiting for you.
Donn: Dad!
[chuckles]
[pants]
Sir.
Well, how's the water?
Good.
Great, sir.
Sir.
Look at these hands.
It's too much summer.
Not enough elbow grease.
[spits]
Donn Fendler, not in
front of your mother.
Sorry, sir.
Do you think
we'll catch more fish
than the last time?
Yes, sir. Grab my bag.
Donn: No, Ryan, I've got it. I've got it!
Donald: You said something
about blueberries?
-[chuckles]
-Ryan: Let me carry it! Come on.
-[grunts]
-Ryan: Hmm.
How much does this jacket cost,
good sir?
It costs $10,000!
10,000 smackers?
It was very, very,
very expensive.
[indistinct speech]
Ryan: I worked all summer, and I used
all of my elbow grease.
All I do is buy and sell,
and buy and sell,
and work like a dog,
sunrise to sunset.
-We gotta go to work now.
-Yeah, we gotta go work had.
-We gotta go! We gotta go!
-Yes, yes, yes.
[blows a raspberry]
Ryan: Buy, buy, sell, sell, buy, buy,
sell, sell, buy, buy!
Donn: Mother, we need more elbow grease!
[sighs]
I have seen Him
in the watch-fires of a...
Alright, I almost got it.
And then I'm telling you,
I'm gonna catch the biggest
fish in the whole world.
It's gonna be so big,
it won't fit on the boat.
Ryan: How are you gonna reel it
up with those arms?
Are you makin' fun of me?
You're makin' fun of me,
aren't you?
It's not like you're gonna catch
anything.
You're terrible at fishing.
You're not gonna catch anything
either.
Your line's all tangled.
You're making it more tangled.
Do you need help?
I'm sure Dad can help you.
Donn: No, I don't!
You're the one
who's always crying to Dad.
Ryan: No, I don't. You're an idiot.
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Stop!
Stop it!
Donn: You're an idiot.
Crybaby.
-Stop it!
-Donn: Stop what? Stop this?
-Ryan: Dad! -Boys!
Car wash.
-Now, get out there.
-Ryan: He started it.
Donald: I don't care who started it.
Both of you lunkheads, go on.
[footsteps]
Donn: Why'd you do that?
Ryan: You're the one poking me.
[birds chirping]
You're not doing any work.
Can you at least refill
the bucket?
I filled it the first time.
I wouldn't be doing this
if it weren't for you.
Well, if you didn't call me
an idiot in front of Dad,
I wouldn't be doin' this either.
Because you are an idiot.
[both grunt]
No.
[both grunt]
Ryan: Stop!
[both grunt]
Radio Newscaster 2:
Intervention by Mussolini...
The twins are at it.
[sighs]
Donald: Damn it!
[grunts]
[door creaks]
Ryan: Donn, stop!
Hey!
[both breathe heavily]
Go ahead. Finish your fight.
I-- I don't wanna fight.
Tough.
Sometimes you gotta fight.
Sometimes
you don't got a choice.
Go on!
Fight!
Fight!
Dinner!
[sighs]
Yes, ma'am.
Donn: Okay, let me get it.
They taste better
if you cut it this way.
Alright, I want you
to eat all of that, please.
There's no skins in them, right?
There is no skin in it.
No, I would never do that to
you.
Tommy, will you pass me
a biscuit, please?
Thank you.
Donn, elbows.
Look at your brother.
Thank you.
[slurps]
So, I have
some disappointing news.
I gotta go back to work.
I leave for Rye in two days.
What about our fishing trip?
I'm sorry.
[sighs]
But, to make up for it,
how about we go on a big hike?
We could leave tomorrow,
come back Monday night.
It's a short drive.
And this hike, Donn.
Mount Katahdin.
It's no picnic.
Treacherous terrain.
Takes a whole day.
And Mr. Condon's kid, Henry.
You remember Henry?
He said he'd take us up.
Um, what do you say, Donn? Hmm?
Sure.
Some crummy old mountains
instead of fishing for two weeks
sounds just swell.
-Ruth: Hey, Donn.
-No, no, it's okay.
Let him talk.
Why'd you even come back?
Say again, Donn?
I said,
"Why'd you even come back?"
Well, you don't have to go.
Maybe I'll leave.
You see how it feels
for a change.
[footsteps]
[sighs]
[knocking on door]
Hey.
I think it's about time
you get a haircut, skeeter.
What do you say?
[]
This cowlick, it's like
it grows twice as fast.
[]
I just hate his new job.
You wanna know something?
The night that you
and your brother were born,
your father cried.
He said, "We have gotta be
the luckiest people
in the world."
Your father's just afraid.
Because the world's a big mess
right now.
He loves you.
He might not show it,
but he does.
Now, don't you dare tell him
I told you this, okay?
-Deal?
-Yes, ma'am.
[chuckles]
Ruth: I don't know why you'd offer
to take them hiking
when you don't wanna go.
I figured
it's better than nothing.
Why didn't you say something
right away?
Donald: I don't know.
Ruth: They have been so
excited to see you.
-And they waited--
-Donald: I know that.
Ruth: All summer for this.
Donald: You think I wanna be away?
Ruth [OS]: You keep pushing
them like that,
one day you're gonna push him
right out of our lives.
Donald?
[donald sighs]
Everything's going to hell.
[sighs]
Donald: The world is not gonna
give them a break.
Neither should I.
[]
[]
[]
[grunting]
[shuts trunk]
[birds chirping]
Donald: See you in there.
-[giggles]
-Okay, okay.
-[engine starts, rumbles]
-[chuckles]
Ryan: I'm gonna win.
Tommy: [indistinct speech]
[]
[]
[birds chirping]
Radio Newscaster 3: Economic fears
persist as unemployment remains high
while prices
and wages remain low.
The war in Europe threatens to
further sink this idle economy.
President Roosevelt assures
the American people
that this war will not interfere
with our needs to grow,
calling for national unity
as the government continues
to champion private enterprise,
and plan and administer
large scale--
Donald: Somethin' on your mind, son?
You ever get afraid?
Um...
...sometimes.
When things are tough.
But you gotta press on.
You gotta--
Finish your fight.
No.
No, that-- that's-- that's not--
Look, my father was
on the road a lot, too.
And I hated him for it.
So just...
[sighs]
Just know that...
Daddy, wow, is that it?
-Yeah.
-Tommy: Ryan, wake up!
There she is.
We're gonna hike that?
Sure!
Well, you're almost men now.
[]
[]
[birds chirping]
Henry: Hey!
There they are!
There's Henry!
-Tommy: Henry!
-Ryan: Henry!
Hey, flatlanders.
You excited
for some marshmallows?
[TOGETHER] Yes, sir!
Ryan & Tommy:
[Together] Marshmallows!
Tommy: Marshmallows!
Alright,
you can keep this fire goin'.
I'll teach you how to
play harmonica later.
Okay, Henry.
-Cheers.
-Cheers.
-Nice work, man.
-Tommy: Mm, mm-mm.
[birds chirping]
[sigh]
There she is.
The cold front movin' in.
You boys wanna bunker
in the car?
-Tommy: Like this?
-No, we're fine.
Ryan: We're good.
-[fire crackles]
-[indistinct speech]
Here,
I know you like yours golden,
but try-- try it
when it's nice and black.
-Stop.
-It's better.
-No, it's gross.
-It's much better.
Trust me. It's gross.
You boys ready to climb
to the top of that?
Yeah, it's just a mountain.
Oh,
don't underestimate Katahdin.
Up there,
you get clear skies one minute,
thunder and fury the next.
The mountain fools you
into thinkin' it's a cakewalk.
But you gotta cross boulders
that are bigger than your house.
And it's surrounded by
a no-man's land of wilderness.
One wrong turn,
you're lost forever.
And when you reach the peak,
beware...
Pamola.
Pamola?
Pamola is the god of
the Penobscot Indians.
He's lived on that peak
since the dawn of time.
He's a monstrous creature.
The head of a moose,
the body of a man,
the legs and wings of an eagle.
And then Pamola
spreads his massive wings.
[mimics whooshing]
And sends rain, and hail,
and dark clouds.
And then Pamola strikes!
[thunder rumbles]
And all that's left is a mess
of giant eagle feathers.
You're just tryin' to scare us.
You should be scared.
The Penobscot believed Pamola
would trap you in the mountain,
and you would be damned to
wander alone in the afterlife,
for all eternity.
[thunder rumbles]
Do you really believe
in that stuff?
[wind whooshing]
Course not, dummy.
They're just tryna scare you.
[thunder rumbles]
[wind howling]
[grunts]
[wind howling]
[]
[]
[birds chirping]
Henry: Now, I'd stay on the path.
These woods
will swallow you whole.
And the trees eat sound,
so nobody's gonna be able
to hear you.
-[Henry chuckles]
Ryan: How long is this hike?
Henry: I'd say about five hours, at least.
Ryan: Five hours?
Henry: Oh, yeah.
And it only gets harder
as we get closer to the peak.
This is the easy part.
So stay close.
Donald: You boys hear that?
And remember,
if you see white paint,
it means
you're on the right track.
Ooh, look at this carcass.
Oh!
Yeah, do you see those ribs?
Ryan: Gross.
Henry: Yeah, that's-- that's actually
been there for a while.
Watch your step.
Now, you see this?
This is called lichen.
You can actually eat it.
Donn: Ew.
Tommy: We should've brought pie.
Ryan: Watch out for the moss.
So, uh,
you barely had a summer, huh?
-Tommy: [overlapping speech]
-Ryan: Be careful.
Sometimes work comes first.
Henry: Don't I know it.
Tommy: Ryan, where are you going?
Ryan: Watch your step.
Okay, uh, yeah,
one foot at a time.
-[spits]
-Hey!
-Ryan: There you go.
-Tommy: [indistinct speech]
How many times I gotta say
the same thing?
-[Henry grunts]
-Hey! Good mornin', fellas.
Startin' up now?
Uh, they're from out of town,
thought I'd take 'em up
to the summit.
Uh, gettin' pretty choppy
up there.
I'd pick up your pace.
[indistinct chatter
in background]
Come on.
Ryan, mind your brother.
This way. Be careful now.
Step there.
[thunder rumbling]
[birds, insects chirping]
[water dripping]
[thunder rumbling]
[breathing heavily]
Donald: Donn, slow down.
Tommy: Ryan!
Donald: Mind your brother.
You boys be careful.
Watch out.
Careful, there's a dip here.
Watch that ledge.
Donn.
[panting]
I'm callin' it here.
We're not dressed
for this kind of weather.
I'm tired.
I know, handsome.
No.
What did you say?
We're going to the top.
-Donn.
-You want us to be men?
Then let us be men.
If you wanna go to
work so bad, go ahead.
Go back.
We don't need you.
Okay, Donn.
You got him?
Are you coming or not?
Go ahead.
Keep an eye on him.
I'll start down with Tommy.
[grunts]
Stay with Henry!
You hear me?
[]
Watch your step, boys.
We got about two hours
to the top.
Don't wanna break an ankle now.
[]
[thunder rumbles]
[]
[raining]
Henry: Hey, boys, it's
getting pretty choppy!
Just say the word!
There's no shame in
turnin' back!
Ryan: I'm freezing!
Donn: Here, take my sweater!
I don't need a babysitter!
I'm fine to keep goin'.
Henry: Alright, Ryan, get a move on.
[]
[pants]
Henry: Watch your step.
Donn!
[thunder rumbles]
Careful.
This is the peak.
Your dad is way down
below those clouds.
Normally, you could see
the greatest view you ever saw.
Can we go back now?
I feel like my face
is gonna fall off.
Why are you in such a rush
to go back home?
I don't wanna be here.
Then go!
Dad's waiting!
Make him wait!
We're always waiting on him!
No! We're going!
Back off!
Boys! Easy, easy! Boys!
I said back off!
Boys, stop!
Stop it!
Maybe if you weren't such
a little shit all the time,
Dad would stay!
I'm goin' back alone.
[thunder claps]
[raining]
Get below the tree line!
Hey, we need to stick together!
Ryan: Donn, I'm sorry!
Wait!
Donn!
Henry: Oh God, Donn!
Wait!
Stop!
Donn: Ryan!
The trail!
[panting]
Donn: Dad!
Ryan!
Dad!
[pants]
[thunder rumbles]
[pants]
Dad!
I can't find the trail!
[pants]
Dad!
Ryan: Dad!
[ryan panting]
-Hey, oh! What--
-Oh, Dad.
What is it?
Where-- where's Donn?
[pants]
Where is he?
He got away from us.
We lost him in the fog.
-Where's Donn?
-I don't know.
Where's your brother?
[panting]
Donn!
[pants]
Donn!
[pants]
-[groans]
-[water splashes]
[pants]
[groans]
[panting]
[groans, pants]
[pants, sighs]
[birds, insects chirping]
Donn!
Henry: Donn!
Donn!
Henry: Donn!
Anything?
He must've gotten off the trail.
He's not at the summit,
and I checked
all around the top.
I need you
to run down the mountain
as fast as you can.
Mr. Fendler, I'm sorry.
No, no.
There's no time for that, son.
I need you to find help.
Find the ranger.
Tell him to bring people.
And tell 'em
to bring flashlights!
[]
[wind howling]
[panting]
[owl hooting]
[dogs howling]
[owl hooting]
[panting]
[]
First two days
were foggier than hell.
Boys, oh boys, you wouldn't--
you wouldn't have believed
the fog
goin' across that tableland.
If you haven't got a good sense
of direction, you've had it.
That's all there is to it.
Because all the where
were little rock piles there
with a little bit
of white paint on 'em
once in a while.
If you haven't got
the proper footwear,
and a lot of 'em wouldn't have,
they all always
used to advocate sneakers.
And my God, there's
nothing worse in this world
than a pair of sneakers,
'cause they won't--
they won't stay together.
And God only knows how
old some of those trees are.
But they've been down
in that moss long enough
so that their spikes,
about that long,
just as sharp as needles.
Now, if you aren't careful
when you set your feet down,
you're gonna rip your leg,
or rip your thigh
on one of them.
And if you ever fall,
God help you,
you may not get up out of it.
[crickets chirping]
[sighs]
[groans]
God...
I swear I'll be the best kid
in the entire world.
You won't even believe
how saintly I'd behave.
I'd be like Ryan, only better.
I won't even put my elbows
on the table.
And...
I just wanna see my mom again.
Even if it's just one more time.
[grunts]
[sighs]
And please don't let Dad
be too mad at me
for running off.
He can even go back to work.
I won't be mad.
Amen.
[]
Ranger 1: Donn Fendler!
Ranger 2: [indistinct yelling]
Ranger 1: Donn!
Ranger 3: Donn!
Ranger 4: Donn!
Ranger 1: Donn!
[]
[pants]
[indistinct conversation
in background]
[phone rings]
Ruth: [on phone] Hello?
Ruth.
What's wrong?
Donald: [on phone] Something's happened.
On the mountain.
What happened?
Donald: [on phone] We were
all together and...
What happened?
[takes deep breaths]
Donald: [on phone] I lost our boy, Ruth.
I lost our boy.
Which one?
[bird flapping wings]
[birds chirping]
[grunts]
[]
[spits]
[chuckles]
Donn Fendler, don't you dare
do that in front of your mother.
Well, too bad, Dad.
-You're not around.
-[bees buzzing]
[groans]
[bees buzzing]
-[indistinct chatter]
-No, no, he--
What about the back side?
There-- there's no paths there,
there's no trails in that area.
No, look, I don't know.
[door shuts]
Mom!
[sighs]
[kisses]
[indistinct chatter
in background]
Alright, I have two groups
up there now.
Seven men total, searching
all above the tree line.
But so far, no luck.
Well, get a plane up there.
We don't have those kind of
resources, Mrs. Fendler.
All we know is that it got
below freezing last night,
and the winds were blowin'
40 miles an hour.
Do you think, um--
Do you think our son is dead?
No, no, of course not.
I mean,
we don't know anything yet.
Then why are you searching
above the tree line?
If he really is
above the tree line,
you're not looking for--
For Donn,
you're looking for his body.
-Hold on a minute, Mister--
-Just be straight with us.
Please.
We have to consider
that possibility, yes.
And if he got off the mountain,
there's no telling
where he could be.
There's a 100,000 acres
of wilderness out there.
Okay, fine.
But if you were alone
on that mountain,
with all that wind, and rain,
and the temperature was...
Was freezing.
Yeah, freezing.
Do you think you'd stay
in one place?
I took Donn and his brother
camping a couple of times.
I always told him...
...remember three things
if you ever get lost out there.
First, don't lose your head.
But knowing Donn,
that probably isn't possible.
[sighs]
[groans]
[birds chirping]
Second, follow a stream.
Because a stream always leads
to a river.
And a river
always leads somewhere.
And third,
when things get tough,
Press on.
[]
Press on.
[]
[donn panting]
-[wood creaks]
-[pants]
[birds, insects chirping]
[sighs, groans]
[wind howling]
[owl hooting]
[crickets chirping]
[]
-[water running]
-[birds chirping]
[munches]
Gee, he was a live wire,
full of life.
And, boy, energy galore.
He was determined
and persevering, you know,
and also, of course, you could
say he didn't know all the odds.
He didn't realize all
that he was up against.
You know, and as you notice,
it's everything day by day.
We go far-- so far today,
and then he says,
"I'll go so far tomorrow,
and I just gotta keep pluggin'."
And he did.
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
His truth is marching on
[upbeat music]
Mine eyes have seen
the glory
Of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out
the vintage
Where the grapes of wrath
are stored
He hath loosed
the fateful lightning
Of his terrible swift sword
[giggles]
His truth is marching on
Glory, glory, hallelujah
[cheering]
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
His truth is marching on
[screams]
[takes a deep breath]
[birds chirping]
[gasps]
[groans]
Oh God.
[water running]
I can recall a-- a dead bird
on a rock
that looked like
a hawk or something
had killed it just, and--
and seeing that and feeling that
was a terrible omen.
And, uh, and uh,
crying about that.
Um, but I really had
a very strong feeling that
they wouldn't find him.
[birds chirping]
[footsteps]
Ugh. I thought you were him.
Do you think he's still alive?
[sighs]
Your brother is really stubborn.
[chuckles]
Even more stubborn
than your father.
[takes deep breaths]
[phone rings]
Hello.
Donald: [on phone] Nothing yet.
But I'm headed back up shortly.
Ruth: [on phone] When was your last meal?
Um.
[sighs]
Donald: [on phone] We need a plane.
Or just more volunteers.
Please eat something.
Donald: [on phone] Yes, ma'am.
Promise.
Get the phone book.
[]
Hello, is this the Great
Northern Paper Company?
My name's Ruth Fendler,
and I have a very big favor
to ask.
[whirs]
Is this Fire and Rescue?
We need volunteers.
Bangor Rail Yard?
Hello,
is this West Branch Logging?
May I speak with the office
of Governor Barrows, please?
Thank you.
We should call the newspapers.
The Bangor Daily News.
[whirs]
Is this the New York Times?
San Francisco Chronicle?
Chicago Tribune?
What about The Mill?
Great idea.
Hello, my name is Ruth Fendler.
Whatever you can do.
As many as you can send.
Hello, Bangor Daily News?
Yes, my name is Ruth Fendler,
and I--
Yes, he's-- he's my son.
[]
Volunteer 1: [indistinct speech]
Volunteer 2: Okay, you got
everything on there.
Volunteer 1: I have more potatoes, folks.
Volunteer 2: There you go.
-Volunteer 3: Good mornin'. -Good morning.
[indistinct chatter
in background]
Searcher 1: Here, I got it!
Good morning. Thank you.
Searcher 1: All the
[indistinct speech] let's go.
[indistinct speech]
[indistinct chatter]
-[grunts]
-Volunteer 4: Thanks.
Hurry up. Come on. Let's go.
Volunteer 5: Donn Fendler!
Ranger 5: Everybody spreadin' out.
Volunteer 5: Donn Fendler!
Dick: I was one of the few people
that knew the territory
out where the search
was bein' conducted,
so the meat and potatoes
of the thing
was to search the ground where
this fellow might have, uh,
fallen down, and--
and hurt himself.
So in no time at all,
we had the entire region,
uh, coming in to help out.
People felt
that they needed to find him
because there would always be
on your mind
for the rest of your life
is that, "Where is that fellow?"
The feeling of, uh,
neighborliness.
Uh, in Maine, you know, you--
[chuckles]
You depend on your neighbors.
Lead Ranger: Nobody knows anything.
[indistinct speech]
Lead Ranger: We need you out there.
I want to thank the volunteers.
They have been indispensable
in this search.
We want you to continue.
We need you out there.
We need hands,
we need boots on the ground.
Uh, all the help we can get.
Make sure you go
with another person.
Don't go-- no one go out alone.
Thanks.
I'll be answering the questions.
No, not the father.
If you have a question, ask me.
He's [indistinct speech]
Newspaper Seller: Read all about it.
Largest search party
in history of Maine.
Volunteer 6: Donn Fendler!
[Don breathes heavily]
[]
[Don breathes heavily]
[munches]
[breathes heavily]
[birds chirping]
[]
[]
[crickets chirping]
Ruth: [on phone] You
haven't slept in days.
Come home.
Even if for the night.
Donald: Yes, ma'am.
[engine whirring]
[door creaks, shuts]
[engine stops]
[birds chirping]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[spits]
[chuckles]
[birds chirping]
[grunts]
[takes deep breaths]
Hello?
Hello!
I'm over here!
Hello!
[pants]
Hello?
Sorry,
I don't have any pants on.
It's a long story.
Hello?
[grunts]
Okay.
Hello?
[takes deep breaths]
[sputters]
[grunts]
[pants]
[ribbits]
I am the kingfisher.
[grunts]
Come right over here.
[splashes]
[screaming]
[grunts]
[breathes deeply]
[birds chirping]
Just-- just to be clear,
I really didn't mean
to trespass.
I don't wanna be trapped in
the afterlife for all eternity.
You know, for a God, I kinda
figured you'd sound bigger,
but thank you.
Come here, Mr. Fishy,
I really do wanna be friends.
[grunts]
Yes!
[cheering]
I am the kingfisher!
[cheers]
Pfft!
You know,
matches would be swell.
[sighs]
[grunts]
[retches]
[gulps]
[sighs]
[]
[cuttlery clicking]
[]
[chuckles]
[engine rumbles]
[]
Don't leave.
You're always leaving.
Don't leave.
Please.
Donald: Don't lose your head.
Donn: Don't lose your head.
Donald: Follow the stream.
Donn: Follow the stream.
Donald: Don't lose your head.
Donn: Don't lose your head.
[birds chirping]
[clock ticking]
[owl hooting]
[grunts]
[sighs]
Radio Newscaster 4: The search for
the Fendler boy continues
in what has quickly become
the largest
search and rescue effort
in the history of Maine.
Donald: Don't lose your head, Donn.
Radio Newscaster 4: Donn Fendler, after
six days out somewhere in the vast expanse
surrounding Mount Katahdin.
Donald: Follow the stream.
Radio Newscaster 4: The National
Guard has deployed over 150 troops
to aid in the effort.
Donald: Press on.
Donn: Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
His truth is marching on
[breathes deeply]
[]
[water running]
-[thunder rumbles]
-[raining]
[breathes shakily]
-[thunder rumbles]
-[raining]
Mostly, uh,
people thought he was
still up on the mountain
someplace,
and that he had fallen in a--
in a crevice or-- or, um,
just laid down somewhere,
and, uh, died.
Like nobody would expect
after four, five days
that he--
he could have survived.
And everybody was waiting
for the boy
or the body to be found.
And, uh, and, uh, somebody swore
that they could smell an odor
coming up from a crevice,
and that they were
really very certain
that they were going to
recover his body.
State Trooper: Over here,
by the ridge line!
Come on, come on, come on!
[indistinct conversation]
Searcher 2: They have somethin' up there.
[indistinct conversation]
I think we found something!
[indistinct chatter]
The group is up at Chimney Pond
right now.
At the crevice.
Shouldn't you be there, in case?
It's not him.
[takes deep breaths]
[]
Ranger 6: Hold the rope tight back.
-Move back.
-Ranger 7: Here he comes.
Give him slack!
He's comin' out.
Is it him?
It's too narrow.
There's definitely somethin'
in there.
-I'll just go.
-You're not gettin' in there!
-None of us are!
-Hey, get out of my way!
Henry: Mr. Fendler!
It's too narrow.
Who's the smallest man here?
Ryan: I'll go.
Out of the question.
I can do it.
[Donald sighs]
[thunder rumbles]
[grunts]
[sighs]
[pants]
-[grunts]
-It-- it wasn't Donn,
it was just a coyote.
[indistinct chatter
in background]
-Oh, thank God.
-Ranger 6: Donn Fendler!
Searcher 3: Donn Fendler, where are you?
Ranger 7: Donn Fendler!
[door opens]
[both sighs]
We-- we--
we got into a fight up there.
He ran.
It's-- it's all 'cause of me.
Hey.
Hey, don't you ever think that.
This is my fault.
I should have been there.
We're gonna find him.
We'll find him.
[birds chirping]
[helicopter whirring]
[grunts]
[]
We're going home.
Hey, hey! Come back!
Help!
[grunts]
They aren't looking
in the right place.
Help! I'm right here!
[groans]
Hey! Where are you going?
They're searching
the wrong spot.
Help!
[panting]
[birds chirping]
[wind howling]
[thunder rumbles]
[]
[wings flapping]
[]
[steps reaching]
When me and Ryan
were real little,
Dad used to read us
these great bedtime stories.
Sometimes I'd even pretend
to be asleep,
just because I loved how he'd
pick me up and carry me to bed.
And he'd crawl in,
and wrap his big arm over me.
And fall asleep right there
with me.
But later,
as we got older,
he was on the road more
for work, you know?
And whenever we were together,
he started calling us men,
and we didn't seem to
laugh a whole lot anymore.
The way we used to.
And we stopped reading
those bedtime stories.
Which was too bad,
because they were just about
my favorite thing
in the whole world.
[sighs]
[]
Dad.
[snorts]
Son.
Donn!
I'm coming!
[pants]
Donn! I'll find you!
[grunts]
-[thuds]
-[glass shatters]
[thunder rumbles]
Doctor: The branch tore his left cornea.
It's very possible
he'll lose the eye.
[indistinct speech]
[ruth sighs]
Then I got the news
that Mr. Fendler had--
Had-- had his eye cut
with a branch of a tree,
and that I was to go over to
Bangor Hospital to be with him.
Of course, I didn't believe it.
I thought
maybe he'd lost his mind.
And, uh, 'cause I know
his devotion to his children.
And probably
he was blaming himself.
He felt terrible about it to
have-- to have that happen.
That he couldn't be right there,
right in the midst of it.
But at that time,
he had given up, too,
that they can--
ever gonna find him.
[birds chirping]
[bees buzzing]
[humming]
[breathes heavily]
[]
[breathes shakily]
[]
Ruth: Donald,
when you called me
from the mountain
to tell me
that you lost one of the boys,
do you know
what my first thought was?
I hoped it was Donn.
Because I know our boy,
and I knew
that if it was Donn,
he would have a chance
of surviving this thing.
[breathes deeply]
When I got home last week,
the boys were so excited to see me,
they wanted to--
-[sobs]
-Jump into my arms.
I should've let them.
But Donn...
There's so much of me
in that boy.
And the way the world is going,
I just wanted to
teach him to be ready for it.
So damn focused
on trying to make him tough...
I forgot to be his dad.
If I'd never lost our boy,
I never would've realized
that I did it all wrong.
[sobs]
-Everything.
-No.
We're just doing the best we can.
[sniffles]
[sighs] I just hope to God...
we get one more chance.
[sniffles]
[sighs]
[]
Donn: Dad.
Mom.
I'm gonna miss you so much.
[sobs]
[breathes shallowly]
[]
[]
[gasps]
Come home, son.
[]
[grunting]
Come home.
[grunts]
[grunts, pants]
[]
Come home, son.
[breathes shallowly]
[thuds]
[pants]
Help!
Help!
Woman: Fred! Fred!
Woman: Fred!
[pants]
[]
[footsteps]
[chuckles]
[]
Lead Ranger: Oh my God.
He walked over 80 miles.
A grown man
couldn't have done that.
Henry: But maybe a boy could have.
[]
Well, I said right away,
I said,
"If any of them had to be lost,
the best one would be Donn.
He would find a way."
You don't give up.
That's the main, biggest thing.
And you gotta have some faith in
something stronger than yourself.
[]
Sweetheart!
We leaned over, you know,
and then we put the
canoes together,
I was holding his hand,
you know?
[sniffles]
[chuckles]
-I missed you, Mom.
-Oh, you have no idea.
[chuckles]
[sniffles]
It was really a miracle.
I really think it was a miracle
that he survived.
Had he been a man grown,
he'd never in God's world
would have made it.
He'd have died somewhere
in there.
For a child that-- that young to
have that amount of drive
is very unusual.
Ryan Fendler: People came from everywhere.
It was, uh, just bedlam.
[]
[applause]
[clicks picture]
Welcome back.
[giggling]
Donn, you're back!
[]
[clicks picture]
[]
[door shuts]
Hey, Dad.
Hey, Donn.
I really made a mess of things,
huh?
[chuckles]
No, no.
No.
[]
[sniffles]
I love you.
I love you too, Dad.
I love you so much.
[sobs]
There were plenty of times
I wanted to give up.
Like those last few days.
But you just keep goin'.
I don't know what--
Like I told you just--
it's your will to live.
And, uh, if you fight,
you just fight.
Donn Fendler: You don't know you have it
until you come up against
a life-threatening situation.
And that's when you're
gonna find out
just how tough a person you are.
Tough in the heart
and tough in the mind.
And we all have this.
[]
[]
What did I get out of it?
It taught me how to be
responsible for my actions.
And it taught me love of family.
You never know
what love of family is
until you come up against
a bad situation,
whether it's sickness
or whatever it is.
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
There's so damn
many places that you can fall.
You fall right outta sight.
1,000, 2,000 feet.
And you sure as hell ain't
gonna live through it.
And the other thing
are the thunderstorms,
they come in so damn quick.
And if you don't get down
behind a rock,
you're just a livin' target.
[thunder rumbles]
You're just a little kid,
you know, 12 years old,
scrawny.
You try to guess what
they might do,
but there's no damn way
of predicting
what a kid will do.
In fact, by nine days,
we were lookin' for a body.
[thunder rumbles]
[pants]
[bees buzzing]
[birds chirping]
[continues panting]
[water running]
Donn: Ooh!
[chuckles]
Ryan: Donn, it's Dad! He's up the road!
Come on, let's go, he's here!
[chuckles]
[pants]
Donn: We're goin' fishin'!
Wooh!
[pants]
Donn: Dad! Slow down!
Dad!
Dad!
Donn: Dad!
Hey, Dad, slow down!
Radio Newscaster 1: Russian armies are
menacing from the north,
German armies are menacing
from the west,
and the United States
remains neutral.
-Dad's home!
-Daddy!
[giggles]
-Tommy: Daddy.
-Ruth: Come on.
Tommy: Can I tell him about the pie?
Yes, you can.
[chuckles]
[door shuts]
[giggling]
Hiya, peanut.
-[grunts]
-Tommy: Welcome home, Dad.
Hello, handsome.
Never a moment's peace.
Oh, you have no idea.
Yes, ma'am.
Tommy: Daddy, we made a pie.
Blueberry?
Not if Patsy
keeps eating it all.
-Hey, hey, hey.
-Save some for me.
[giggling]
Tommy: I'm gonna eat it all,
and then I'm gonna
make another pie
and eat that, too.
[footsteps]
Everything okay?
Yeah.
-Work.
-Donn: Dad!
Press on.
-Ryan: Donn, I can't!
-Donn: [indistinct speech]
-Oh, boy.
-[chuckles]
Here they come.
All they talk about is the trip.
They've been up since dawn
just waiting for you.
Donn: Dad!
[chuckles]
[pants]
Sir.
Well, how's the water?
Good.
Great, sir.
Sir.
Look at these hands.
It's too much summer.
Not enough elbow grease.
[spits]
Donn Fendler, not in
front of your mother.
Sorry, sir.
Do you think
we'll catch more fish
than the last time?
Yes, sir. Grab my bag.
Donn: No, Ryan, I've got it. I've got it!
Donald: You said something
about blueberries?
-[chuckles]
-Ryan: Let me carry it! Come on.
-[grunts]
-Ryan: Hmm.
How much does this jacket cost,
good sir?
It costs $10,000!
10,000 smackers?
It was very, very,
very expensive.
[indistinct speech]
Ryan: I worked all summer, and I used
all of my elbow grease.
All I do is buy and sell,
and buy and sell,
and work like a dog,
sunrise to sunset.
-We gotta go to work now.
-Yeah, we gotta go work had.
-We gotta go! We gotta go!
-Yes, yes, yes.
[blows a raspberry]
Ryan: Buy, buy, sell, sell, buy, buy,
sell, sell, buy, buy!
Donn: Mother, we need more elbow grease!
[sighs]
I have seen Him
in the watch-fires of a...
Alright, I almost got it.
And then I'm telling you,
I'm gonna catch the biggest
fish in the whole world.
It's gonna be so big,
it won't fit on the boat.
Ryan: How are you gonna reel it
up with those arms?
Are you makin' fun of me?
You're makin' fun of me,
aren't you?
It's not like you're gonna catch
anything.
You're terrible at fishing.
You're not gonna catch anything
either.
Your line's all tangled.
You're making it more tangled.
Do you need help?
I'm sure Dad can help you.
Donn: No, I don't!
You're the one
who's always crying to Dad.
Ryan: No, I don't. You're an idiot.
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Stop!
Stop it!
Donn: You're an idiot.
Crybaby.
-Stop it!
-Donn: Stop what? Stop this?
-Ryan: Dad! -Boys!
Car wash.
-Now, get out there.
-Ryan: He started it.
Donald: I don't care who started it.
Both of you lunkheads, go on.
[footsteps]
Donn: Why'd you do that?
Ryan: You're the one poking me.
[birds chirping]
You're not doing any work.
Can you at least refill
the bucket?
I filled it the first time.
I wouldn't be doing this
if it weren't for you.
Well, if you didn't call me
an idiot in front of Dad,
I wouldn't be doin' this either.
Because you are an idiot.
[both grunt]
No.
[both grunt]
Ryan: Stop!
[both grunt]
Radio Newscaster 2:
Intervention by Mussolini...
The twins are at it.
[sighs]
Donald: Damn it!
[grunts]
[door creaks]
Ryan: Donn, stop!
Hey!
[both breathe heavily]
Go ahead. Finish your fight.
I-- I don't wanna fight.
Tough.
Sometimes you gotta fight.
Sometimes
you don't got a choice.
Go on!
Fight!
Fight!
Dinner!
[sighs]
Yes, ma'am.
Donn: Okay, let me get it.
They taste better
if you cut it this way.
Alright, I want you
to eat all of that, please.
There's no skins in them, right?
There is no skin in it.
No, I would never do that to
you.
Tommy, will you pass me
a biscuit, please?
Thank you.
Donn, elbows.
Look at your brother.
Thank you.
[slurps]
So, I have
some disappointing news.
I gotta go back to work.
I leave for Rye in two days.
What about our fishing trip?
I'm sorry.
[sighs]
But, to make up for it,
how about we go on a big hike?
We could leave tomorrow,
come back Monday night.
It's a short drive.
And this hike, Donn.
Mount Katahdin.
It's no picnic.
Treacherous terrain.
Takes a whole day.
And Mr. Condon's kid, Henry.
You remember Henry?
He said he'd take us up.
Um, what do you say, Donn? Hmm?
Sure.
Some crummy old mountains
instead of fishing for two weeks
sounds just swell.
-Ruth: Hey, Donn.
-No, no, it's okay.
Let him talk.
Why'd you even come back?
Say again, Donn?
I said,
"Why'd you even come back?"
Well, you don't have to go.
Maybe I'll leave.
You see how it feels
for a change.
[footsteps]
[sighs]
[knocking on door]
Hey.
I think it's about time
you get a haircut, skeeter.
What do you say?
[]
This cowlick, it's like
it grows twice as fast.
[]
I just hate his new job.
You wanna know something?
The night that you
and your brother were born,
your father cried.
He said, "We have gotta be
the luckiest people
in the world."
Your father's just afraid.
Because the world's a big mess
right now.
He loves you.
He might not show it,
but he does.
Now, don't you dare tell him
I told you this, okay?
-Deal?
-Yes, ma'am.
[chuckles]
Ruth: I don't know why you'd offer
to take them hiking
when you don't wanna go.
I figured
it's better than nothing.
Why didn't you say something
right away?
Donald: I don't know.
Ruth: They have been so
excited to see you.
-And they waited--
-Donald: I know that.
Ruth: All summer for this.
Donald: You think I wanna be away?
Ruth [OS]: You keep pushing
them like that,
one day you're gonna push him
right out of our lives.
Donald?
[donald sighs]
Everything's going to hell.
[sighs]
Donald: The world is not gonna
give them a break.
Neither should I.
[]
[]
[]
[grunting]
[shuts trunk]
[birds chirping]
Donald: See you in there.
-[giggles]
-Okay, okay.
-[engine starts, rumbles]
-[chuckles]
Ryan: I'm gonna win.
Tommy: [indistinct speech]
[]
[]
[birds chirping]
Radio Newscaster 3: Economic fears
persist as unemployment remains high
while prices
and wages remain low.
The war in Europe threatens to
further sink this idle economy.
President Roosevelt assures
the American people
that this war will not interfere
with our needs to grow,
calling for national unity
as the government continues
to champion private enterprise,
and plan and administer
large scale--
Donald: Somethin' on your mind, son?
You ever get afraid?
Um...
...sometimes.
When things are tough.
But you gotta press on.
You gotta--
Finish your fight.
No.
No, that-- that's-- that's not--
Look, my father was
on the road a lot, too.
And I hated him for it.
So just...
[sighs]
Just know that...
Daddy, wow, is that it?
-Yeah.
-Tommy: Ryan, wake up!
There she is.
We're gonna hike that?
Sure!
Well, you're almost men now.
[]
[]
[birds chirping]
Henry: Hey!
There they are!
There's Henry!
-Tommy: Henry!
-Ryan: Henry!
Hey, flatlanders.
You excited
for some marshmallows?
[TOGETHER] Yes, sir!
Ryan & Tommy:
[Together] Marshmallows!
Tommy: Marshmallows!
Alright,
you can keep this fire goin'.
I'll teach you how to
play harmonica later.
Okay, Henry.
-Cheers.
-Cheers.
-Nice work, man.
-Tommy: Mm, mm-mm.
[birds chirping]
[sigh]
There she is.
The cold front movin' in.
You boys wanna bunker
in the car?
-Tommy: Like this?
-No, we're fine.
Ryan: We're good.
-[fire crackles]
-[indistinct speech]
Here,
I know you like yours golden,
but try-- try it
when it's nice and black.
-Stop.
-It's better.
-No, it's gross.
-It's much better.
Trust me. It's gross.
You boys ready to climb
to the top of that?
Yeah, it's just a mountain.
Oh,
don't underestimate Katahdin.
Up there,
you get clear skies one minute,
thunder and fury the next.
The mountain fools you
into thinkin' it's a cakewalk.
But you gotta cross boulders
that are bigger than your house.
And it's surrounded by
a no-man's land of wilderness.
One wrong turn,
you're lost forever.
And when you reach the peak,
beware...
Pamola.
Pamola?
Pamola is the god of
the Penobscot Indians.
He's lived on that peak
since the dawn of time.
He's a monstrous creature.
The head of a moose,
the body of a man,
the legs and wings of an eagle.
And then Pamola
spreads his massive wings.
[mimics whooshing]
And sends rain, and hail,
and dark clouds.
And then Pamola strikes!
[thunder rumbles]
And all that's left is a mess
of giant eagle feathers.
You're just tryin' to scare us.
You should be scared.
The Penobscot believed Pamola
would trap you in the mountain,
and you would be damned to
wander alone in the afterlife,
for all eternity.
[thunder rumbles]
Do you really believe
in that stuff?
[wind whooshing]
Course not, dummy.
They're just tryna scare you.
[thunder rumbles]
[wind howling]
[grunts]
[wind howling]
[]
[]
[birds chirping]
Henry: Now, I'd stay on the path.
These woods
will swallow you whole.
And the trees eat sound,
so nobody's gonna be able
to hear you.
-[Henry chuckles]
Ryan: How long is this hike?
Henry: I'd say about five hours, at least.
Ryan: Five hours?
Henry: Oh, yeah.
And it only gets harder
as we get closer to the peak.
This is the easy part.
So stay close.
Donald: You boys hear that?
And remember,
if you see white paint,
it means
you're on the right track.
Ooh, look at this carcass.
Oh!
Yeah, do you see those ribs?
Ryan: Gross.
Henry: Yeah, that's-- that's actually
been there for a while.
Watch your step.
Now, you see this?
This is called lichen.
You can actually eat it.
Donn: Ew.
Tommy: We should've brought pie.
Ryan: Watch out for the moss.
So, uh,
you barely had a summer, huh?
-Tommy: [overlapping speech]
-Ryan: Be careful.
Sometimes work comes first.
Henry: Don't I know it.
Tommy: Ryan, where are you going?
Ryan: Watch your step.
Okay, uh, yeah,
one foot at a time.
-[spits]
-Hey!
-Ryan: There you go.
-Tommy: [indistinct speech]
How many times I gotta say
the same thing?
-[Henry grunts]
-Hey! Good mornin', fellas.
Startin' up now?
Uh, they're from out of town,
thought I'd take 'em up
to the summit.
Uh, gettin' pretty choppy
up there.
I'd pick up your pace.
[indistinct chatter
in background]
Come on.
Ryan, mind your brother.
This way. Be careful now.
Step there.
[thunder rumbling]
[birds, insects chirping]
[water dripping]
[thunder rumbling]
[breathing heavily]
Donald: Donn, slow down.
Tommy: Ryan!
Donald: Mind your brother.
You boys be careful.
Watch out.
Careful, there's a dip here.
Watch that ledge.
Donn.
[panting]
I'm callin' it here.
We're not dressed
for this kind of weather.
I'm tired.
I know, handsome.
No.
What did you say?
We're going to the top.
-Donn.
-You want us to be men?
Then let us be men.
If you wanna go to
work so bad, go ahead.
Go back.
We don't need you.
Okay, Donn.
You got him?
Are you coming or not?
Go ahead.
Keep an eye on him.
I'll start down with Tommy.
[grunts]
Stay with Henry!
You hear me?
[]
Watch your step, boys.
We got about two hours
to the top.
Don't wanna break an ankle now.
[]
[thunder rumbles]
[]
[raining]
Henry: Hey, boys, it's
getting pretty choppy!
Just say the word!
There's no shame in
turnin' back!
Ryan: I'm freezing!
Donn: Here, take my sweater!
I don't need a babysitter!
I'm fine to keep goin'.
Henry: Alright, Ryan, get a move on.
[]
[pants]
Henry: Watch your step.
Donn!
[thunder rumbles]
Careful.
This is the peak.
Your dad is way down
below those clouds.
Normally, you could see
the greatest view you ever saw.
Can we go back now?
I feel like my face
is gonna fall off.
Why are you in such a rush
to go back home?
I don't wanna be here.
Then go!
Dad's waiting!
Make him wait!
We're always waiting on him!
No! We're going!
Back off!
Boys! Easy, easy! Boys!
I said back off!
Boys, stop!
Stop it!
Maybe if you weren't such
a little shit all the time,
Dad would stay!
I'm goin' back alone.
[thunder claps]
[raining]
Get below the tree line!
Hey, we need to stick together!
Ryan: Donn, I'm sorry!
Wait!
Donn!
Henry: Oh God, Donn!
Wait!
Stop!
Donn: Ryan!
The trail!
[panting]
Donn: Dad!
Ryan!
Dad!
[pants]
[thunder rumbles]
[pants]
Dad!
I can't find the trail!
[pants]
Dad!
Ryan: Dad!
[ryan panting]
-Hey, oh! What--
-Oh, Dad.
What is it?
Where-- where's Donn?
[pants]
Where is he?
He got away from us.
We lost him in the fog.
-Where's Donn?
-I don't know.
Where's your brother?
[panting]
Donn!
[pants]
Donn!
[pants]
-[groans]
-[water splashes]
[pants]
[groans]
[panting]
[groans, pants]
[pants, sighs]
[birds, insects chirping]
Donn!
Henry: Donn!
Donn!
Henry: Donn!
Anything?
He must've gotten off the trail.
He's not at the summit,
and I checked
all around the top.
I need you
to run down the mountain
as fast as you can.
Mr. Fendler, I'm sorry.
No, no.
There's no time for that, son.
I need you to find help.
Find the ranger.
Tell him to bring people.
And tell 'em
to bring flashlights!
[]
[wind howling]
[panting]
[owl hooting]
[dogs howling]
[owl hooting]
[panting]
[]
First two days
were foggier than hell.
Boys, oh boys, you wouldn't--
you wouldn't have believed
the fog
goin' across that tableland.
If you haven't got a good sense
of direction, you've had it.
That's all there is to it.
Because all the where
were little rock piles there
with a little bit
of white paint on 'em
once in a while.
If you haven't got
the proper footwear,
and a lot of 'em wouldn't have,
they all always
used to advocate sneakers.
And my God, there's
nothing worse in this world
than a pair of sneakers,
'cause they won't--
they won't stay together.
And God only knows how
old some of those trees are.
But they've been down
in that moss long enough
so that their spikes,
about that long,
just as sharp as needles.
Now, if you aren't careful
when you set your feet down,
you're gonna rip your leg,
or rip your thigh
on one of them.
And if you ever fall,
God help you,
you may not get up out of it.
[crickets chirping]
[sighs]
[groans]
God...
I swear I'll be the best kid
in the entire world.
You won't even believe
how saintly I'd behave.
I'd be like Ryan, only better.
I won't even put my elbows
on the table.
And...
I just wanna see my mom again.
Even if it's just one more time.
[grunts]
[sighs]
And please don't let Dad
be too mad at me
for running off.
He can even go back to work.
I won't be mad.
Amen.
[]
Ranger 1: Donn Fendler!
Ranger 2: [indistinct yelling]
Ranger 1: Donn!
Ranger 3: Donn!
Ranger 4: Donn!
Ranger 1: Donn!
[]
[pants]
[indistinct conversation
in background]
[phone rings]
Ruth: [on phone] Hello?
Ruth.
What's wrong?
Donald: [on phone] Something's happened.
On the mountain.
What happened?
Donald: [on phone] We were
all together and...
What happened?
[takes deep breaths]
Donald: [on phone] I lost our boy, Ruth.
I lost our boy.
Which one?
[bird flapping wings]
[birds chirping]
[grunts]
[]
[spits]
[chuckles]
Donn Fendler, don't you dare
do that in front of your mother.
Well, too bad, Dad.
-You're not around.
-[bees buzzing]
[groans]
[bees buzzing]
-[indistinct chatter]
-No, no, he--
What about the back side?
There-- there's no paths there,
there's no trails in that area.
No, look, I don't know.
[door shuts]
Mom!
[sighs]
[kisses]
[indistinct chatter
in background]
Alright, I have two groups
up there now.
Seven men total, searching
all above the tree line.
But so far, no luck.
Well, get a plane up there.
We don't have those kind of
resources, Mrs. Fendler.
All we know is that it got
below freezing last night,
and the winds were blowin'
40 miles an hour.
Do you think, um--
Do you think our son is dead?
No, no, of course not.
I mean,
we don't know anything yet.
Then why are you searching
above the tree line?
If he really is
above the tree line,
you're not looking for--
For Donn,
you're looking for his body.
-Hold on a minute, Mister--
-Just be straight with us.
Please.
We have to consider
that possibility, yes.
And if he got off the mountain,
there's no telling
where he could be.
There's a 100,000 acres
of wilderness out there.
Okay, fine.
But if you were alone
on that mountain,
with all that wind, and rain,
and the temperature was...
Was freezing.
Yeah, freezing.
Do you think you'd stay
in one place?
I took Donn and his brother
camping a couple of times.
I always told him...
...remember three things
if you ever get lost out there.
First, don't lose your head.
But knowing Donn,
that probably isn't possible.
[sighs]
[groans]
[birds chirping]
Second, follow a stream.
Because a stream always leads
to a river.
And a river
always leads somewhere.
And third,
when things get tough,
Press on.
[]
Press on.
[]
[donn panting]
-[wood creaks]
-[pants]
[birds, insects chirping]
[sighs, groans]
[wind howling]
[owl hooting]
[crickets chirping]
[]
-[water running]
-[birds chirping]
[munches]
Gee, he was a live wire,
full of life.
And, boy, energy galore.
He was determined
and persevering, you know,
and also, of course, you could
say he didn't know all the odds.
He didn't realize all
that he was up against.
You know, and as you notice,
it's everything day by day.
We go far-- so far today,
and then he says,
"I'll go so far tomorrow,
and I just gotta keep pluggin'."
And he did.
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
His truth is marching on
[upbeat music]
Mine eyes have seen
the glory
Of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out
the vintage
Where the grapes of wrath
are stored
He hath loosed
the fateful lightning
Of his terrible swift sword
[giggles]
His truth is marching on
Glory, glory, hallelujah
[cheering]
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
His truth is marching on
[screams]
[takes a deep breath]
[birds chirping]
[gasps]
[groans]
Oh God.
[water running]
I can recall a-- a dead bird
on a rock
that looked like
a hawk or something
had killed it just, and--
and seeing that and feeling that
was a terrible omen.
And, uh, and uh,
crying about that.
Um, but I really had
a very strong feeling that
they wouldn't find him.
[birds chirping]
[footsteps]
Ugh. I thought you were him.
Do you think he's still alive?
[sighs]
Your brother is really stubborn.
[chuckles]
Even more stubborn
than your father.
[takes deep breaths]
[phone rings]
Hello.
Donald: [on phone] Nothing yet.
But I'm headed back up shortly.
Ruth: [on phone] When was your last meal?
Um.
[sighs]
Donald: [on phone] We need a plane.
Or just more volunteers.
Please eat something.
Donald: [on phone] Yes, ma'am.
Promise.
Get the phone book.
[]
Hello, is this the Great
Northern Paper Company?
My name's Ruth Fendler,
and I have a very big favor
to ask.
[whirs]
Is this Fire and Rescue?
We need volunteers.
Bangor Rail Yard?
Hello,
is this West Branch Logging?
May I speak with the office
of Governor Barrows, please?
Thank you.
We should call the newspapers.
The Bangor Daily News.
[whirs]
Is this the New York Times?
San Francisco Chronicle?
Chicago Tribune?
What about The Mill?
Great idea.
Hello, my name is Ruth Fendler.
Whatever you can do.
As many as you can send.
Hello, Bangor Daily News?
Yes, my name is Ruth Fendler,
and I--
Yes, he's-- he's my son.
[]
Volunteer 1: [indistinct speech]
Volunteer 2: Okay, you got
everything on there.
Volunteer 1: I have more potatoes, folks.
Volunteer 2: There you go.
-Volunteer 3: Good mornin'. -Good morning.
[indistinct chatter
in background]
Searcher 1: Here, I got it!
Good morning. Thank you.
Searcher 1: All the
[indistinct speech] let's go.
[indistinct speech]
[indistinct chatter]
-[grunts]
-Volunteer 4: Thanks.
Hurry up. Come on. Let's go.
Volunteer 5: Donn Fendler!
Ranger 5: Everybody spreadin' out.
Volunteer 5: Donn Fendler!
Dick: I was one of the few people
that knew the territory
out where the search
was bein' conducted,
so the meat and potatoes
of the thing
was to search the ground where
this fellow might have, uh,
fallen down, and--
and hurt himself.
So in no time at all,
we had the entire region,
uh, coming in to help out.
People felt
that they needed to find him
because there would always be
on your mind
for the rest of your life
is that, "Where is that fellow?"
The feeling of, uh,
neighborliness.
Uh, in Maine, you know, you--
[chuckles]
You depend on your neighbors.
Lead Ranger: Nobody knows anything.
[indistinct speech]
Lead Ranger: We need you out there.
I want to thank the volunteers.
They have been indispensable
in this search.
We want you to continue.
We need you out there.
We need hands,
we need boots on the ground.
Uh, all the help we can get.
Make sure you go
with another person.
Don't go-- no one go out alone.
Thanks.
I'll be answering the questions.
No, not the father.
If you have a question, ask me.
He's [indistinct speech]
Newspaper Seller: Read all about it.
Largest search party
in history of Maine.
Volunteer 6: Donn Fendler!
[Don breathes heavily]
[]
[Don breathes heavily]
[munches]
[breathes heavily]
[birds chirping]
[]
[]
[crickets chirping]
Ruth: [on phone] You
haven't slept in days.
Come home.
Even if for the night.
Donald: Yes, ma'am.
[engine whirring]
[door creaks, shuts]
[engine stops]
[birds chirping]
[sighs]
[sighs]
[spits]
[chuckles]
[birds chirping]
[grunts]
[takes deep breaths]
Hello?
Hello!
I'm over here!
Hello!
[pants]
Hello?
Sorry,
I don't have any pants on.
It's a long story.
Hello?
[grunts]
Okay.
Hello?
[takes deep breaths]
[sputters]
[grunts]
[pants]
[ribbits]
I am the kingfisher.
[grunts]
Come right over here.
[splashes]
[screaming]
[grunts]
[breathes deeply]
[birds chirping]
Just-- just to be clear,
I really didn't mean
to trespass.
I don't wanna be trapped in
the afterlife for all eternity.
You know, for a God, I kinda
figured you'd sound bigger,
but thank you.
Come here, Mr. Fishy,
I really do wanna be friends.
[grunts]
Yes!
[cheering]
I am the kingfisher!
[cheers]
Pfft!
You know,
matches would be swell.
[sighs]
[grunts]
[retches]
[gulps]
[sighs]
[]
[cuttlery clicking]
[]
[chuckles]
[engine rumbles]
[]
Don't leave.
You're always leaving.
Don't leave.
Please.
Donald: Don't lose your head.
Donn: Don't lose your head.
Donald: Follow the stream.
Donn: Follow the stream.
Donald: Don't lose your head.
Donn: Don't lose your head.
[birds chirping]
[clock ticking]
[owl hooting]
[grunts]
[sighs]
Radio Newscaster 4: The search for
the Fendler boy continues
in what has quickly become
the largest
search and rescue effort
in the history of Maine.
Donald: Don't lose your head, Donn.
Radio Newscaster 4: Donn Fendler, after
six days out somewhere in the vast expanse
surrounding Mount Katahdin.
Donald: Follow the stream.
Radio Newscaster 4: The National
Guard has deployed over 150 troops
to aid in the effort.
Donald: Press on.
Donn: Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
Glory, glory, hallelujah
His truth is marching on
[breathes deeply]
[]
[water running]
-[thunder rumbles]
-[raining]
[breathes shakily]
-[thunder rumbles]
-[raining]
Mostly, uh,
people thought he was
still up on the mountain
someplace,
and that he had fallen in a--
in a crevice or-- or, um,
just laid down somewhere,
and, uh, died.
Like nobody would expect
after four, five days
that he--
he could have survived.
And everybody was waiting
for the boy
or the body to be found.
And, uh, and, uh, somebody swore
that they could smell an odor
coming up from a crevice,
and that they were
really very certain
that they were going to
recover his body.
State Trooper: Over here,
by the ridge line!
Come on, come on, come on!
[indistinct conversation]
Searcher 2: They have somethin' up there.
[indistinct conversation]
I think we found something!
[indistinct chatter]
The group is up at Chimney Pond
right now.
At the crevice.
Shouldn't you be there, in case?
It's not him.
[takes deep breaths]
[]
Ranger 6: Hold the rope tight back.
-Move back.
-Ranger 7: Here he comes.
Give him slack!
He's comin' out.
Is it him?
It's too narrow.
There's definitely somethin'
in there.
-I'll just go.
-You're not gettin' in there!
-None of us are!
-Hey, get out of my way!
Henry: Mr. Fendler!
It's too narrow.
Who's the smallest man here?
Ryan: I'll go.
Out of the question.
I can do it.
[Donald sighs]
[thunder rumbles]
[grunts]
[sighs]
[pants]
-[grunts]
-It-- it wasn't Donn,
it was just a coyote.
[indistinct chatter
in background]
-Oh, thank God.
-Ranger 6: Donn Fendler!
Searcher 3: Donn Fendler, where are you?
Ranger 7: Donn Fendler!
[door opens]
[both sighs]
We-- we--
we got into a fight up there.
He ran.
It's-- it's all 'cause of me.
Hey.
Hey, don't you ever think that.
This is my fault.
I should have been there.
We're gonna find him.
We'll find him.
[birds chirping]
[helicopter whirring]
[grunts]
[]
We're going home.
Hey, hey! Come back!
Help!
[grunts]
They aren't looking
in the right place.
Help! I'm right here!
[groans]
Hey! Where are you going?
They're searching
the wrong spot.
Help!
[panting]
[birds chirping]
[wind howling]
[thunder rumbles]
[]
[wings flapping]
[]
[steps reaching]
When me and Ryan
were real little,
Dad used to read us
these great bedtime stories.
Sometimes I'd even pretend
to be asleep,
just because I loved how he'd
pick me up and carry me to bed.
And he'd crawl in,
and wrap his big arm over me.
And fall asleep right there
with me.
But later,
as we got older,
he was on the road more
for work, you know?
And whenever we were together,
he started calling us men,
and we didn't seem to
laugh a whole lot anymore.
The way we used to.
And we stopped reading
those bedtime stories.
Which was too bad,
because they were just about
my favorite thing
in the whole world.
[sighs]
[]
Dad.
[snorts]
Son.
Donn!
I'm coming!
[pants]
Donn! I'll find you!
[grunts]
-[thuds]
-[glass shatters]
[thunder rumbles]
Doctor: The branch tore his left cornea.
It's very possible
he'll lose the eye.
[indistinct speech]
[ruth sighs]
Then I got the news
that Mr. Fendler had--
Had-- had his eye cut
with a branch of a tree,
and that I was to go over to
Bangor Hospital to be with him.
Of course, I didn't believe it.
I thought
maybe he'd lost his mind.
And, uh, 'cause I know
his devotion to his children.
And probably
he was blaming himself.
He felt terrible about it to
have-- to have that happen.
That he couldn't be right there,
right in the midst of it.
But at that time,
he had given up, too,
that they can--
ever gonna find him.
[birds chirping]
[bees buzzing]
[humming]
[breathes heavily]
[]
[breathes shakily]
[]
Ruth: Donald,
when you called me
from the mountain
to tell me
that you lost one of the boys,
do you know
what my first thought was?
I hoped it was Donn.
Because I know our boy,
and I knew
that if it was Donn,
he would have a chance
of surviving this thing.
[breathes deeply]
When I got home last week,
the boys were so excited to see me,
they wanted to--
-[sobs]
-Jump into my arms.
I should've let them.
But Donn...
There's so much of me
in that boy.
And the way the world is going,
I just wanted to
teach him to be ready for it.
So damn focused
on trying to make him tough...
I forgot to be his dad.
If I'd never lost our boy,
I never would've realized
that I did it all wrong.
[sobs]
-Everything.
-No.
We're just doing the best we can.
[sniffles]
[sighs] I just hope to God...
we get one more chance.
[sniffles]
[sighs]
[]
Donn: Dad.
Mom.
I'm gonna miss you so much.
[sobs]
[breathes shallowly]
[]
[]
[gasps]
Come home, son.
[]
[grunting]
Come home.
[grunts]
[grunts, pants]
[]
Come home, son.
[breathes shallowly]
[thuds]
[pants]
Help!
Help!
Woman: Fred! Fred!
Woman: Fred!
[pants]
[]
[footsteps]
[chuckles]
[]
Lead Ranger: Oh my God.
He walked over 80 miles.
A grown man
couldn't have done that.
Henry: But maybe a boy could have.
[]
Well, I said right away,
I said,
"If any of them had to be lost,
the best one would be Donn.
He would find a way."
You don't give up.
That's the main, biggest thing.
And you gotta have some faith in
something stronger than yourself.
[]
Sweetheart!
We leaned over, you know,
and then we put the
canoes together,
I was holding his hand,
you know?
[sniffles]
[chuckles]
-I missed you, Mom.
-Oh, you have no idea.
[chuckles]
[sniffles]
It was really a miracle.
I really think it was a miracle
that he survived.
Had he been a man grown,
he'd never in God's world
would have made it.
He'd have died somewhere
in there.
For a child that-- that young to
have that amount of drive
is very unusual.
Ryan Fendler: People came from everywhere.
It was, uh, just bedlam.
[]
[applause]
[clicks picture]
Welcome back.
[giggling]
Donn, you're back!
[]
[clicks picture]
[]
[door shuts]
Hey, Dad.
Hey, Donn.
I really made a mess of things,
huh?
[chuckles]
No, no.
No.
[]
[sniffles]
I love you.
I love you too, Dad.
I love you so much.
[sobs]
There were plenty of times
I wanted to give up.
Like those last few days.
But you just keep goin'.
I don't know what--
Like I told you just--
it's your will to live.
And, uh, if you fight,
you just fight.
Donn Fendler: You don't know you have it
until you come up against
a life-threatening situation.
And that's when you're
gonna find out
just how tough a person you are.
Tough in the heart
and tough in the mind.
And we all have this.
[]
[]
What did I get out of it?
It taught me how to be
responsible for my actions.
And it taught me love of family.
You never know
what love of family is
until you come up against
a bad situation,
whether it's sickness
or whatever it is.
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]
[]