Roots (2016) s01e04 Episode Script
Part 4
1 Your name is Toby.
Now tell me your name.
- Kunta Kinte.
- That's not your name! [Screams.]
And I will name you Kizzy.
I think I was selfish to have you born into a world like this.
You trained me well.
Woman: Kizzy! [Crying.]
Kizzy! This is my right! Help me! I'm gonna name you after my daddy George Lea II.
[Crowd chanting "Chicken George".]
George: Come on.
What you got, boy? I got to know a time gonna come when I can buy me free.
I don't see why not, George.
And I'm gonna see you again, my mornin' dove.
[All cheering.]
A name is who you is.
My daddy took whippings to protect his name.
You get to making babies, Tom would be a fine name for a boy.
Just bring yourself home safe.
You win this for me, and I'll set you free.
I swear.
- [Roosters clucking.]
- [Man speaks indistinctly.]
That Englishman will call me even if I give you to him - take back to England.
- England?! Get this nigger off of me! Who gonna watch my family? Tom Lea! [Grunts.]
[Pants, screams.]
Man #1: £100 on the red.
Man #2: £200 on the white.
Man #3: £500 on the white.
Man #4: Yeah, yeah, I cant take some bets.
Alex: Mandinka say, "Everything that enchants also deceives.
" I'm not sure which is more exotic your bird or your nigger.
Now, would another £10,000 clarify the issue? Done.
Excellent.
[Indistinct conversations.]
All right, there he is.
We're stronger, faster, smarter, prettier.
Insult to be in the same pit with you and me.
Now, what you gonna do about it? [Rooster clucking.]
- [Laughter.]
- Whoo! Ladies and gentlemen, America is a wild and dangerous land.
One time, I saw a Carolina bobcat drag a man high up a hickory tree, and two minutes later, his skeleton fell back down.
- [Laughter.]
- Flesh picked clean.
Just raining bones.
Clickety-clack.
I've been chased by savages, painted faces.
Alex: After he was sent off to settle a gambling debt, Chicken George won nearly every match.
The English loved him, and he fell into his old ways playing to the crowd.
Let me tell you now, I have wrestled mountain men big as bears.
They all naked.
They men parts covered only by their beards.
- [Laughter.]
- Chicken George! All: Chicken George! You've served me well, George.
And I want to assure you when I've earned back the money Tom Lea lost to me, I will send you home a free man.
Just wanted to know, sir.
When would that be? Sir, how much longer I got I will tell you when the time is right.
Alex: By the time Sir Eric set him free, George had been in England for over 20 years no longer enchanted, no longer deceived.
Man: Stand at the gate.
[Baby crying.]
Traveling homeward, George felt the past surge around him.
He remembered how Kizzy said Kunta Kinte came to visit her, but George was afraid that his vision would mean something different that his seven children would think of him as little more than another story.
Or worse, that they had forgotten him altogether.
[Woman singing indistinctly.]
[Singing continues.]
Did you fall? I just sit away from the trees, feel the light on my face.
- [Resumes singing.]
- Miss Malizy? It's George.
- George? - Chicken George.
I'm back from England.
George? Come on now.
Let's get you up.
[Humming.]
[Creaking.]
[Continues humming.]
Where is my family? I know where your mama is.
Kizzy got a pain in her side.
She knew she was dying.
Mama.
[Breathing shakily.]
I'm sorry.
Mama [Trembles.]
[Sniffles.]
Miss Malizy, I'm gonna look around.
Then I'll gonna come back and take you with me.
Oh, no, sir.
No.
No.
I got a right to be here.
I worked this ground every day of my life.
I got a right to be buried by Kizzy.
Miss Malizy, I got to go look for my family.
You ask Master Tom? Tom Lea's still alive? Mm-hmm.
[Door creaks.]
[Birds chirping.]
[Chickens squawking.]
[Gunshot.]
[Gun cocks.]
I'll shoot you, nigger, right here.
Let my chickens peck at your cold, black body.
I know you're here to rob me.
But I reckon I could kill you first.
Kill your own baby boy, Massa Tom? I know you? Sure you do.
- [Gasps.]
- All right.
George? My George? You come back for me, George.
[Sobbing.]
[Insects buzzing.]
You say his name Benjamin Murray, Alamance County? Murray.
Benjamin Murray.
That's who bought my children? He an engineer at the Fayetteville arsenal.
That right? Needed the money, George.
How could you leave me? Oh, I didn't leave you.
You sold me to pay a gambling debt, just like you sold my children.
I taught you everything.
It's all right.
Got you a life with fancy folk in England.
What did I get? Patricia run off.
Whore.
Old niggers can hardly work.
[Chuckles lightly.]
Who's gonna look after me, George? Who's gonna cook and clean? Who's gonna obey me? You said you'd leave papers for my family, so they free.
You swore that to me as they was dragging me away! Said you'd set my wife and all my children free.
So did you write them papers for my family? Where are they? [Panting.]
You a man without honor, Tom Lea.
You walked your feet out them dirt hills.
Not your filthy soul.
You and me have the same blood, boy.
I'm your daddy.
No, the blood in me from Kizzy, not you blood that kept me strong all these years away.
What few good things I done, that the blood of my granddaddy.
And every damn bit of foolishness in me, everything weak, everything selfish that's you, Tom Lea, 'cause that's who you is.
You ain't smart enough to change yourself.
And the truth is, your whole damn life, you was a slave, too.
You just never knew it.
God damn you.
Tom? Tom! Oh, Tom! Mama, what you doing out here? You got to get to work.
I need you to stop at the Barton farm on your way back.
See Old Man Augustus.
He he sells that special chestnut tea for asthma.
Mama, I'm not passing that way.
Besides, Massa Murray knows how many stops I make.
Son.
I'll work fast, mama.
Bring some back for you.
Hey, now you got to get to work.
You got a big heart, like your daddy.
I ain't like my daddy.
I'll never do nothing foolish to make Massa Murray angry, get myself sold away.
You just get home safe.
It only takes one crazy redneck, and Massa's road papers don't mean nothing.
Just look after Irene and that baby in her belly.
Now, get going now.
[Clicks tongue.]
Hyah! [Metal clanking.]
Business used to come to me in bunches.
Now with all this war talk, can't keep my shop open.
It ain't safe to be a colored free man in Carolina no more.
Ain't never been safe to be a slave.
Mm-hmm.
I hear Mr.
Murray send a fine blacksmith like you all over the state, Tom.
He pay you a little? I need to finish up with you, man.
Come on out here, boy.
[Door creaks.]
This boy a runaway.
Stay up here mostly.
I tell folks he's my slave.
Some freemen keep niggers, too.
How long you been hiding? August be seven whole years.
Seven years? My brother and me ran away from Chatham County.
He got caught, but they didn't see me.
I hid in the bushes.
Saw them patrol boys hang him.
When I passed by here, Orly let me hide.
I'm leaving the state soon, and this boy ain't got no papers, Tom.
You got a pass lets you go anywhere.
Name's Winslow.
Just get me by the docks at Elizabeth City.
Gonna sneak on a barge going north.
Can't help.
Massa Murray knows how long it takes me to make my rounds.
Got a clock for a heart.
Besides, I need to earn money for my family, buy them free.
Can't I be free? Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What's this place? Crossing into Duplin County.
[Horse neighs.]
Come on, now.
You got no papers, and I ain't got no way to prove you working with me.
So best take off now.
Can't just leave me out here.
You lucky I took you this far! [Horse neighs.]
And if they catch you, you better not tell nobody my name, understand? Come on.
Get in them trees now! Hyah, hyah! That's far enough! Just stop there! If I can just explain.
That's far enough.
I see that pistol in your waist.
You put it down, or I'll swear I'll take it from your dead body.
Toomey, what's all the fuss? Nigger has a gun.
I got a reason to be here.
If I can just speak to Mr.
Murray.
I'm his son.
First, you need to prove to me you ain't here to cause trouble with our niggers.
Who is it, Frederick? We got a smart-mouth nigger came strolling on the farm in his fancy clothes like he's paying a social call.
Got a fancy gun, too.
For all I know, he's here to provoke an insurrection.
- Hey, you know that old boy? - Mnh-mnh.
But he remind me of a man about to die.
Benjamin, is there trouble? Oh, it's nothing to concern yourself with, Charlotte.
- [Coughs.]
- Matilda, take my wife inside.
- [Coughs.]
- Come inside.
Matilda: You need some nice, hot steam, ma'am.
Mornin' Dove! George? Frederick: Tilda, you know this boy? That's my George, my husband.
- [Gun cocks.]
- Take another step, I'll shoot you right here.
Then you will kill Matilda's husband and a free man.
Check my pocket.
You'll see my paper.
I was manumitted by Sir C.
E.
Russell of Hampshire, England.
That's his family seal.
This is a free nigger.
So return his property and obey the law.
Thank you, sir.
There's your fancy gun, nigger.
Tilda, if this man is your husband, you will see him after the workday is done.
Until then, I will allow him to wait on the road.
We've been parted a long time, Tilda.
Few more hours ain't no bother to us.
Soon I will be done - Trouble of the world - Man: I want to see a lot less talk and a hell of a lot more work! Trouble of the world Trouble of the world Soon I will be done Trouble of the world [Horn blares.]
Goin' home to live with God No more Weepin' and wailin' No more Weepin' and wailin' With God Matilda: All this work, George.
Am I still pretty? I dreamed of you so many years.
My dreams failed me.
[Sighs.]
You are so much more beautiful than I could possibly bring to mind.
Now let me watch you bein' my wife.
[Laughs.]
Unless you had enough.
No.
I'm just getting started.
Mm-hmm.
[Rooster crows.]
[Goat bleats.]
[Chickens clucking.]
[Door creaks.]
Daddy! I'm Li'l Kizzy.
[Crying.]
Hi, Li'l Kizzy.
Hi.
That your little scamp? Virgil: Yeah, that's that's Uriah.
I'm I'm Virgil sir.
"Sir"? Boy, you my firstborn son.
This is, uh this is my Lily Su.
- That's me.
- Man and wife? Well, Lily Su's man got killed when his wagon tipped, but, um, Massa Murray he promises that that we can get married one day.
You just as pretty as the sunrise.
- Almost pretty as me.
- [Laughter.]
Ashford's our family cat.
Can't stay home at night.
Well, we'll just have to tie a bell to his paw so the gals can hear him coming.
- [Laughter.]
- [Coughs.]
Oh, you James.
That's right, Daddy.
Boy, you was thin-boned as a sparrow when I left.
- [Chuckles.]
- Massa let a doctor come by here? Massa Frederick won't pay for no doctor.
Says we need to use our own ways.
I don't need to see a doctor, Daddy.
I feel stronger every day.
And this is Irene, Tom's first baby.
Got that Cherokee hair.
You don't seem so high-strung like she say.
And you don't seem so foolish and no-account, like my Tom says.
[Laughter.]
Where's Tom? Why ain't he standing by you with that big belly? Massa Murray says Tom is the best blacksmith in Carolina.
Rents him out all over the state.
Helps Massa Murray build his guns.
Gets paid, too.
Saving to buy us free.
A slave never can pay enough.
Never.
Where are my other children? George Jr.
, Louis, and Mary got sold off a few weeks after we came.
Massa Murray said he sorry, but he couldn't keep all of us.
We tried to keep in touch with them, Daddy, but, uh, ain't none of them in Carolina no more.
It's my fault all of it.
Now, you listen now.
I put my trust in false things.
Thought I'd put on a show for the massas, they act kindly.
Thought they money and hurrahs mean respect.
I was a damn fool.
I'm gonna keep this family together, just like my mama Kizzy wanted, just like her daddy, Kunta Kinte before her.
Now, Daddy been gone a long time.
That ain't never gonna happen again.
Woman: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama have done their sacred duty to join South Carolina in secession.
It is time for North Carolina to stand up and join her brothers.
They printed your entire letter, darling.
We'll vote war, and sooner than later.
Charlotte: Frederick, so many boys will die.
Lincoln is weak.
He won't dare send his soldiers so far away from home.
And if he does, in two weeks, we'll declare victory.
North Carolina will reward the men that led us to freedom, turn to them for leadership for a new country.
Secession isn't something everyone wants.
It's too extreme.
Common sense can still prevail.
Common sense abandoned this country long ago.
Why should New York and Boston and Philadelphia tell us how to live? They don't understand.
There is no South without slavery.
[Chuckles.]
Haven't I found my match, Mother? Benjamin: Commence firing! Cannoneers, cease fire! Service the piece.
Cannoneers, load! See, Massa Murray runs test for the army.
- Advance the round! - Guns and cannons, bullets, too.
Says if war comes, Southern boys - gonna need to make their own guns.
- Mm-hmm.
What's your brother Tom gonna do with all this? See, Massa Murray asks his opinion all the time.
If something gets made by hammer and fire, Tom's the one massa depends on.
Benjamin: Cannoneers, commence firing.
[Horse whinnies.]
Watch out for Frederick, though, Daddy.
He part cannon hisself.
Never know when he going off.
Cannoneers, load! Sorry I'm late, massa.
Just got back.
Your father's been anxious to see you.
My father? Chicken George ain't no cock-and-bull story, boy! Here's our daddy hisself.
He's got lots of real good stories to tell, too.
Got no time for stories.
Got too much work now.
Frederick: Daddy.
We're getting quite the collection on the farm.
Every nigger but the Lost Tribe of Israel.
How long you plan on visiting with us, Chicken George? Oh, I ain't visiting.
I told Mr.
Murray I'm living here now with my family.
Mrs.
Murray relies on Matilda.
Having your father here has has brightened her mood.
- Ready.
- That's a great kindness, sir, to be with my children again.
Cannoneers, commence firing! [Indistinct shouting.]
- [Horse whinnies.]
- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Ho, ho, ho, ho.
[Horse whinnies.]
Benjamin: Is everyone all right? Breech exploded.
What went wrong? Need more precision on the ball.
Ain't truly round.
How the hell do you know that? - By my hands.
- Nonsense.
Bamboozle my father.
You lie to me, I'll string you up by your toes.
Collect the pieces.
Ashford, get over here and help clean this up.
Mr.
Murray think real highly of you, son.
I keep on his good side.
Ain't no good side for no slave.
Any good side dry up faster rain in a summer field.
Bet on it.
Betting is your game, not mine.
If Massa Murray want to play papa to me, I'm gonna let him.
Do anything to make it easier for my family.
Ain't every nigger get made the fool by his white daddy.
[Waltz playing.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
- There we go.
- There she is.
Woman: Bring another plate out here.
- [Sighs.]
- You can't slow down? Miss Nancy's barkin' orders like she runnin' the farm already.
She can bark all she want.
We just got to see if her bite is bad as his.
Her folks here? Both her folks died and left her a place in Raleigh.
She a book-smart lady.
Frederick fell for her as easy as a slip on a river rock.
What's wrong, son? Them boys right there They Mr.
Frederick boyhood friends.
They ain't even gonna let Abe Lincoln on a ballot in North Carolina.
[Applause.]
[Slow waltz plays.]
That's my mama's song.
Every band in the county plays it now.
It's changed some but always the same.
I can hear mama Kizzy humming it.
[Chuckles.]
These folks don't know where it come from.
Well, we do, Mornin' Dove.
Dance with me.
George.
We ain't allowed.
Oh, I'm allowed to dance with my wife.
[Laughs.]
It's been years, George.
[Waltz continues.]
[Both chuckle.]
Nancy: Come on, honey.
Let's go back in.
Stop it right now.
You shouldn't be around here.
You know Massa Frederick don't like you around here.
Boy, why don't you worry more about they working your Irene too hard? Go ahead, ask Massa Murray to let her rest till the baby come, since he looking out for you now like a father.
Or maybe I'll just buy my Irene free - with all that money you won in England.
- Both of you, stop this.
I got to get back inside to Miss Charlotte.
[Sighs.]
Every penny I saved to come home to my family.
Hallelujah! Like mama's daddy used to preach.
The old massa sent me to England.
I ain't got no choice.
I was a slave.
What else could I do? All I ever heard was how you wanted to gamble your way to be free.
Ain't the truth, Daddy.
You liked it.
[Applause.]
Ain't no right way to be a slave.
Only thing they ever gonna understand is this right here.
You old fool! You keep flashing that gun around, and we'll both be hanged from an oak tree.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Think I don't want to take my hammer and cave in a man's head who spits at my brothers or or insults mama? But what happens next? After they kill me or or sell me? Who watches out for the family? But that was never you, Daddy, 'cause you you had to be Chicken George, livin' the sportin' life.
[Waltz continues.]
Let me hold your hand.
[Chuckles.]
You know who holds hands? Mandinka warriors from Africa.
They're the strongest, toughest boys in this whole world.
You got to teach my baby, too, Daddy.
Don't you worry.
I got lots to teach you about Kunta Kinte.
[Horse whinnies.]
As your lawyer, I'd prefer you to refrain from shooting Chicken George.
A trial requires my valuable time, even played as a farce.
Here's where you say you have a smarter idea.
[Chuckles.]
I have a smarter idea.
North Carolina law's clear.
Now, freedom granted to any slave shall be upon the expressed condition that he leave the state within 90 days and never return.
How long has he been on your farm? Over two months now.
On the 91st day, you can seize him and sell him.
Why quibble over days when you can just take him? No, no, keep it by the book.
Old Chicken George will find out I'm a bag of nails compared to my father.
You leaving here tonight.
I'm right where I should be.
Is this all the bread you could find? Frederick and his friends ate through the pantry like a plague of locusts.
- Matilda, hold on.
- James will drive you to the Durham road.
And don't go waving these papers talking about you free.
Might as well throw a stone at a wasp nest.
Get the small cart ready.
We won't tell your brothers or your sisters until your daddy is far away.
I ain't leaving.
Hey.
Mr.
Murray ain't that bad, and as for Frederick And I'm telling you Massa Murray grows older every day.
Can't control Frederick.
He is as bad as they come.
He'll make your life a torment, then sell you Mississippi way or kill you.
I ain't scared of that boy.
I can't leave you again.
And I won't.
No.
I prayed so hard that you would come back, and we'd be free together, even after Massa Murray sold the children.
But if we can't be free together, at least you'll be free.
I know what Mama Kizzy would say.
Do what your grandfather would do.
Keep moving north, and don't ever look back.
Promise me.
I promise.
For now I'll go.
I don't know how, and I don't know when, but I know I will be back for this.
And next time, I ain't wavin' no papers to be free.
Ain't asking no permission from nobody.
Next time, my Mornin' Dove, I'm coming to take you.
[Door creaks.]
Take it, son.
I'll make sure he does, Daddy.
[Smacks lips.]
Hyah.
[Horse neighs.]
Irene: Maria wants her daddy 'fore he goes to work.
Oh, my hands are rough as tree bark.
Talk to her.
Tell her 'bout Kunta Kinte.
[Sighs.]
Where'd you hear that name? Chicken George said Kunta Kinte made these for Mama Kizzy.
Your granddaddy from Africa.
The one they stole on a ship, then cut his foot off so he wouldn't run off.
Ain't got no time for stories now, Irene.
Come on.
Chicken George said the Africans say special words for a new baby.
Say stories bigger than Bible stories.
Irene, when my my daddy gets to talking, telling stories, it's best stop listening now.
So, here.
Here.
Right here, sir.
Got these special England papers.
Man: All right, I got room for two niggers up on top.
- I got money.
- Show me money and papers.
The rest can turn around.
- Right here.
- Hey, hey, hey, say, boss.
Say, boss.
We free men.
We ought to be riding inside this cab.
No niggers inside.
Easy, now, son, or ain't none of us gettin' on There's a war startin', old man, sooner than later.
I need to put some miles between me and here.
You know there ain't gonna be no safe place once these crackers start shootin'.
Hey, watch watch out, watch out.
Hey, hey, hey, here, here, here.
What the hell is this, boy? That says I'm supposed to be inside that carriage.
[Chuckles.]
It's just a slip of old newsprint.
- [Grumbles.]
- You.
You, up top.
- We could ride on the back.
- That's it.
No more room.
The rest of you have to wait for the next one.
Well, you handled that real good, didn't you, son? Well, joke's on that cracker.
I can't read a word.
- [Laughs.]
- [Whip cracks.]
Get on it.
Come on.
[Horse whinnies.]
Ah, Cyrus.
Owned by the Brickle farm.
Virginia.
Caught me runnin' off into Pennsylvania, sent me down to Tennessee.
I run off twice more.
George.
Chicken George.
Free man for true.
It don't seem to be helpin' me much.
Hmm, well, I tell you what, Chicken George, let's say we start walkin' 'fore some Johnny Reb try and put us back in chains.
They say a nigger make his way up to a Union fort, he can get a gun and fight.
So, uh, what you waitin' on, Chicken George? [Chuckles.]
If you're moving in with us once we're married, why fuss with this? Ostentatious, don't you think, darling? I think I agree with whatever you say.
Too ordinary.
I can forge anything you want, Miss Nancy.
Uh, I got all kinds in my wagon.
Would you like to come choose with me, Frederick? I defer to your superior judgment.
That the right answer? Always.
Signal me if Frederick comes.
I thought he couldn't hear anything.
Jerusalem is deaf and mute, but if you face him, he can read lips.
South Carolina is calling a convention to vote on secession.
Once they leave the Union, states like North Carolina are just gonna fall in line like trees in a hurricane.
- Don't know nothing about that, ma'am.
- Yes, you do.
You read the newspapers.
Matilda sneaks them from the kindling.
I've seen her.
Most of your family reads.
That is a marvel.
Ma'am, don't say nothin' more, ma'am.
Tom.
I'm a spy for the North.
I'm here to gather information for Mr.
Pinkerton in Washington.
Intelligence, he calls it.
Mr.
Murray is aware of the Confederacy's plans for weapons and explosives.
You have a road pass, and he trusts you, Tom.
Will you help me? Nobody gonna hurt a fancy lady like you.
We slaves.
They'll cut us down like wheat in a field and won't think twice.
I-I can't.
I won't.
[Jerusalem clears throat.]
What's taking so long? This nigger trying to get money out of you? They're like children, always begging for more.
No, darling.
But you know us women.
Beautiful things dazzle us.
I just need time to decide.
Man: Company, attention.
[Indistinct conversations.]
There.
Much better.
A Major has to impress his men.
As long as I impress you.
Let's be careful, Daddy.
Gentlemen, uh, this boy Tom's the king of hooves.
He knows more about a horse's feet than the horse himself.
I expect you to look after every shoe on every horse in our company every night.
Yes, sir uh, Major.
Good shoes make good horses, and good horses win wars.
Who's really in command of this company, Frederick? I report to one commander, boys.
[Chuckles.]
Now, let's get this company ready for battle.
[Gunfire.]
You reckon, uh, them Johnny Rebs gave up huntin' us? Sure, Chicken George.
I reckon they changed their mind all about niggers going to fight for Abe Lincoln.
[Chuckles.]
You reckon you're too old for this, Chicken George? [Panting.]
What's new, boy? Man gave me this.
You ain't got to unfold it.
Just give it here.
I ain't much good with words.
Well, you know, I got a notion to read, but [chuckles.]
"Memphis Battery D, 2nd United States Light Artillery seeks volunteers of African descent.
" Oh, that's us.
"Pay $13 a month.
" $13 a month? I'll fight two wars for $13 a month.
Man said there was a recruiting office on Knoxville Turnpike.
- [Twigs crack.]
- Shh, shh.
Ohh! Go! - [Gunfire, bullets ricocheting.]
- Run, run! [Indistinct shouting.]
Go, George.
[Gunfire, bullets ricocheting.]
[Horse whinnies.]
- How? - Move! Man: Come back here, boy! [Groans.]
[Horse whinnies.]
Whew.
[Panting.]
You going the wrong way, George.
Chicken George, you going the wrong way.
What are you doing? You ride much, Cyrus? Don't trust these tough buggers one bit myself.
But let's go.
Come on.
- Come on.
- Let's find us Memphis Battery.
[Clicks tongue.]
[Crickets chirping.]
Man: Shut up and keep still! - [Crying.]
- Shut up! Woman: Please, no! No! No! Get out of here.
Now, Tom - Shut up, I said! - Tom - Come on, now.
- Help! Who that is? - Irene! - No! - That's my wife.
Get off me.
- No! - Come on, now.
- Break his wrists if you have to! - No, please! - Hold him down! [Screaming.]
I'm not gonna hurt her unless you make me.
- Irene! - Tom! You gonna wait there and let me and my boys get through with it.
[Screaming.]
[Tom whimpering.]
Tom.
[Gun clicking.]
Just tell me what you want me to do.
Confederate officer, Major John Marrett, has arrived here on his way to Augusta.
The South's rushing to build a new arsenal, and it must be stopped.
Nigger doing his job, ma'am? Fine, thanks.
Well, hurry it up, boy.
The dispatchers he carries have the designs and supply routes.
What do I do? Help us kill him on his way south, then we'll take the plans north.
You're talking.
You're a fake? Don't get all boiled into a jelly.
Charles Montpelier.
Mr.
Pinkerton asked Charles to cross into slave territory to guide me.
He's putting his life at risk.
Kill that Major my whole family be at risk, too.
Only ain't their choice.
I have a family, too, Tom.
Wife, four children.
I miss them every day.
But the truth is I couldn't live in safety any longer, not knowing how my people suffered as slaves.
How do we stop three riders, Tom? Frederick and his troops will be gone, and Marrett only has an escort of two men.
Massa Murray built hand charges he copied from a Northern grenade.
Toss 'em like a rock.
Stop 'em for sure.
Can you get them? He stores them away from the house.
All right.
Once we have the intelligence, Nancy will head for Philadelphia, and I'm for the Union lines.
They'll blame us, not you.
Well, not if they catch me.
Tom, what you doing? Oh, shh.
Go back to sleep now.
Why are you up so early? Irene, the way to help me don't ask me anything.
Chicken George used to say his mama used to talk to Kunta Kinte all the time.
Said the African used to come to her when she was scared.
Don't know if it's for true, but maybe ain't no difference.
It's the askin' him to help us makes the difference.
Jerusalem: Throw the grenade and try to kill all of them, then we can take the plans off the Major's body.
After that, you double back to the farm.
Frederick and the Rangers are away, so nobody's gonna miss you.
Hey.
Kneel with me, Tom.
Come on.
[Sighs.]
When it comes to standing up for a cause, help me, Lord, that I remain a candle in the storm, and let no evil smother my low, but powerful, glow.
Amen.
All right.
Go on.
Go on.
[Sighs.]
[Sighs.]
[Horse whinnies.]
Frederick: They sent me back with new dispatches for Major Marrett.
Well, you just missed him, Frederick.
He's already left for Augusta.
Well, tell Tilda to fry me up a dozen eggs.
I'll be back 'fore they're cold.
We'll catch up to him.
Be safe.
[Horse panting.]
[Horse whinnies.]
[Gun cocks.]
[Horses neighing.]
[Grunts.]
[Coughs.]
Come on, come on.
[Grunts.]
Go.
Go.
[Horse snorts.]
Frederick: It can't be much further.
It was over here.
This way.
Come on.
Whoa.
- [Branch snaps.]
- Whoa.
[Panting.]
We caught one of the assassins, but there were two.
The other escaped in the forest.
I'm sure you'll find the other criminal.
Yes, we will.
I'm just thankful that you weren't hurt.
So am I, my love.
You're always so thoughtful and concerned for me and my family.
[Gasps.]
Oh, did I did I mention that you know the one we caught? How could that be possible? Jerusalem.
Get up.
[Grunting.]
Get up.
Did you know he speaks? Of course, with a little bit of prompting, perhaps you'll have more success encouraging him to reveal his secrets.
[Gasping.]
This is unseemly.
I'm going back to the house.
Darling! Ask your nigger who is he, besides a spy and a murderer? Why was he working for you? And ask him the names of all of his conspirators, everyone who intrigued with him? Do this, and I will spare his life.
Of course we already know you were involved.
Do you? We searched your house, found your letters to Mr.
Pinkerton, notes on our troop movements.
String him up, boys.
[Grunting.]
Wait! Wait, wait.
If I tell you what you want, will you spare him? What choice do you have but to try me? [Grunting, panting.]
His name's Charles Montpelier.
He's a minister, an editor, a teacher from Philadelphia and a dear friend.
[Scoffs.]
[Gasps.]
Why would you do this to me? I believe men and women can't be owned like cattle.
I believe slavery is evil.
You pray in a church to a loving God, but you defend this sin against men and women created in His image? This is a chance to save your soul.
- [Groans.]
- Frederick! Frederick! Frederick, listen to me! Listen to me.
You send Nancy you send her to Richmond and let the authorities handle this matter.
The war has confused many honorable people, son.
Daddy, she is a liar and a traitor.
Take him.
Take him away.
- Unhand me.
- Get up, get up.
Listen to me, Frederick.
You do not disobey me, son.
Enough, Daddy.
You give me one name just one, and I'll send you to Richmond.
Who else was involved? The intrigue was my own.
There's no one else.
[Scoffs.]
Ride! Ride! [Gagging.]
No, higher.
No, higher.
Let this boy take his time.
[Gagging.]
You you love this nigger more than me! Frederick, you stop this! You stop this! - Get off me! - Let her go! Toomey, grab him.
- Let her go! - Frederick.
Clingman, give me my rope.
Listen to your father, Frederick.
Ballard.
Anderson, give me another rope.
That is a direct order.
No, Frederick, I forbid this! Not on my farm! Not on my farm! Don't you do this, Frederick! Don't you do this! [Fife and drum march plays.]
Man: Keep moving.
Pick it up in the back.
Can't hardly feel my feet.
Think the Major ever gonna give his horse a rest? Not unless it stands up and beg.
Captain said Fort Pillow's on real high ground.
Hard to get at.
- Should be plenty safe.
- Mm-hmm.
Don't you be no fool, boy.
Not one of us safe.
No, not from that nigger-hating Reb Nathan Forrest.
Heard his head turns full round when he sees a nigger in a blue uniform.
And they say this war about over.
That's for true.
The South's just about broken in two.
Keep moving.
Keep moving, men.
- Boy, don't you do nothing foolish now.
- Man: Stay together.
Sometimes you got to keep what's in your head quiet, right? Yeah, uh-huh.
Don't you worry.
I ain't gonna do nothing nothing foolish at all.
Whoa.
Hey, say, when we gonna get our sidearms and rifles so we can fight, Major? You have a job, boy, at your battery.
Keep those cannons barking.
Do that and make me proud.
Make you proud.
Get me killed by a Reb.
I decide myself I want to get shot.
You give me a rifle, and I fight for my own damn freedom.
- [Chuckling.]
All right, Private.
- Hyah! Don't mean nothing by it, sir.
Just too much sun.
Makes him loopy.
- Boy, you ever keep your goddamn mouth shut? - [Chuckles.]
I'm just tryin' to help these white boys win this war is all.
- [Laughs.]
- Get your ass back in line.
Ahh.
[Gunfire, indistinct shouting.]
Battery, fire! Double canister.
Load, load! [Soldiers shouting.]
Come on! Advance the round! Move that punch.
Them Rebs ain't waiting on you! Can't hold them off! Battery! Can't get an angle on these sons of bitches.
- It won't go down.
- We got to move this gun down! That's two degrees! We got to do better! Ready! Fire! Man: The cannons are overshooting! Advance! Go! It's not gonna happen! Get down! Get down, boys! Come on! Get in here! Come on! How'd I end up here? Man said if I joined the Union boys, they'd take me back up North with them.
When we leave here, you gonna be just fine.
Go wherever you want.
You leave here, you gonna be a free man.
You hear me? Man: I'm gonna blow your brains out, boy! Chain you to my mule, nigger! Nathan Forrest don't take nigger prisoners! Hear that? That ain't good news.
Why aren't you manning your battery? No good, sir! Barrel won't suppress enough.
We shooting straight over their heads! Major Booth gonna surrender the fort, sir? Major Booth's dead, but I'm sure Major Bradford will make the honorable choice.
The honorable choice would have been to give us rifles.
We could have ran them Rebs back over that hill.
Move! Move! Move! We're not safe here! - Don't stop! Go.
- Get that side arm, George.
[Bullets ricocheting.]
[Indistinct shouting.]
Get down, get down.
Man: We surrender now.
We surrender.
[Soldiers shouting.]
We surrender.
Don't shoot.
[Indistinct shouting.]
We gonna surrender now, too? [Indistinct shouting.]
You hang on now.
- Not so sure.
- Them white boys giving up.
- Why can't we, George? - Stay right here.
- Wait, wait.
- I got to go.
Fool.
I surrender! I surrender! Don't shoot.
Man: I don't want no more.
I don't want no more.
[Guns cocking.]
[Gunfire.]
Man: Come on, kill those nigger bastards every last one of them.
- I'm gonna kill them.
- You won't get two steps! Move! - Oh, how long, how long - George! Before the sun goes down? - Oh, how long, how long - No! No! No! - Before the sun goes down? - Stop! Stop! Stop! I wish I had a title when I was young Before the sun goes down I never woulda had-a this race to run Before the sun goes down Oh, how long, how long Before the sun goes down? Oh, how long, how long Before the sun goes down? - [Grunts.]
- They shot them.
They shot them all all the colored boys.
They was just trying to surrender.
How you do something like that? What kind of men are they? Maybe ain't men.
Maybe something else.
- Something come out in war.
- [Groans.]
You know what you doing, George? I got a rough idea.
[Groans.]
No! [Groans.]
You know, you's a good, old man, Chicken George.
[Groaning.]
Aah.
Tell me a story, George, about the African.
My granddaddy is Kunta Kinte.
He a Mandinka warrior they stole away across the ocean on the Kamby Bolongo.
Ka-Kamby Kamby Bolongo.
That's that's a big river, like the Mississippi? That's right.
Kunta Kinte could ride and swim.
Couldn't no man break him.
[Groaning.]
I figure I got some new stories now.
This young boy named Cyrus can't nobody tell him nothing.
But the way I see it, that boy saved an old man like me in a hard, hard place.
Wait a minute.
Wait.
Wait a minute, George.
Listen, my mama had a prayer she used to say to me back when I was sick.
You know, before they sold me off.
Now would be the time.
I know.
I know, oh, Lord, my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart.
- [Grunting.]
- [Groaning.]
Hey, come see this.
Get your ass out here and come and see this! [Cows lowing.]
You know this herd, James? Look like Massa Anson's cows, but that's four miles from here.
Well, why his slaves ain't stop them from wandering? I've been up by the big house.
Everybody gone.
- Gone? - All of them.
Where they gone? [Indistinct conversations.]
Boy: Mom! Hey, hey.
Hey.
- General Lee's gone home.
- What? The war's over for good.
[Chuckles.]
Overseer can blow his work horn all he wants, but we ain't slaves no more.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, ain't no more secesh? Not one more day.
[All murmuring.]
I heard it from a white man down at the courthouse.
Hey say Robert Lee he know he done for.
And so he gave him his horse and his sword, but old Ulysses wouldn't take it.
He just said, "You go on home now.
Stop this foolishness.
" [Laughs.]
So I tell you this war is over, and we ain't slaves! [All cheering.]
Tom, right now, right here, we free.
[Cheering continues.]
- Mama.
- Is it true? Blessed is this earth 'cause my people lie beneath it.
Blessed is the rain because it moistens their faces.
Blessed is the wind because it carries their names back to us.
Kunta Kinte.
Belle.
Mama Kizzy.
Miss Malizy.
Sarah.
My children Louis, Mary, and George Jr.
My daddy, Benjamin Lyon.
[Voice breaking.]
And my husband, George.
[Crying.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
I'm so thankful this war is done.
Just don't ask me to heft up my skirt and dance.
I can't measure these days in flags and armies, only in the ones that I'm missing.
[Trembles.]
Out here working just as hard as before.
Not a bad idea if you want to eat.
Didn't know "free" meant hungry.
We'd like to know where we stand, sir.
Man: What we supposed to do about food? You done locked all the sheds.
You moved all the hogs.
We don't even know where the where the grain got taken.
Well, I'm happy to announce that, uh, every the acres of my land that you clear and plant, I'll pay you one chicken and one hog.
And you can rent back, uh, farmland and your cabins at a fair price.
A fair price? For the massa or the nigger? We'll think on it a while.
Well, be of good cheer.
Things will improve.
[Clicks tongue.]
I thought we won that damn war.
Who is this coming? This the this the Murray farm? Yes, sir.
Man: Can we help you, friend? Can you help me? Maybe you can.
Maybe you can't.
Well, you need to state your business.
No.
First, I need you to answer my question.
And you best get it right.
Who is Kunta Kinte? No more than 20 of us colored boys make it out of Fort Pillow alive.
Oh, no.
Ol' Nathan Forrest couldn't kill us fast enough.
After I got shot, me and George, we took to the woods, then to the river.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, you must be Tom.
He said you had arms as big as cannonballs.
[Chuckles.]
Say you were smarter than Jeff Davis' own engineers.
He said you were the hunger in his heart.
He did.
Mm-hmm.
[Chuckles.]
Yeah.
Mighty fine food here.
What happened to my husband? Old George, he carried me to the hospital.
That was long after he cut off my arm here.
- Grandpa cut off his arm? - Son.
[Chuckles.]
Yes.
Yes, he did.
It's okay.
Only reason I'm alive now.
Old George say he was gonna walk home.
Say that's what a Mandinka warrior would do.
And then a man showed up.
Reverend Garland, was it? Yeah.
Reverend Garland said he had a church outside of Sewanee kept getting shot at by old, no-good white boys uh, the Bushwhackers.
Say they was stealin' and killin' niggers left and right.
Stealin' from white folks, too.
They was looking for colored soldiers to help them fight back.
Old George [chuckles.]
he was the first to volunteer.
Ha.
You sure this boy ain't around the bend? I reckoned you'd say that.
Reckon I would, too.
[Chuckles.]
Old George told me to bring this back in case he ain't make it.
There.
I miss old Chicken George, his Africa stories.
[Chuckles.]
Yeah.
Bring him back to me.
I'm coming with you, Tom, to find Daddy.
Can't, James.
You watch over Mama.
Hey, boy.
Hey.
You know Reverend Garland in Sewanee? My daddy called Chicken George.
Chicken George.
Did you ever hear of him? H-hey.
Hey.
Hey.
Hey, hold up now.
[Horse whinnies.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
Man: As soon as you load up, move out.
Don't wait.
Them Bushwhackers gone for now.
They gonna come back.
Quickly.
Let's go.
Do not stop until we get to Henning, Tennessee.
I'll meet you all there.
Godspeed.
[Indistinct conversations continue.]
Let's load it up.
Daddy? [Indistinct conversations continue.]
Daddy, it's Tom.
[Chuckles.]
It really is you.
Thought I was having another dream.
Cyrus said you had a rough go.
It's time to come home now.
You need to get on your feet, move out.
Not safe here.
I'm not coming with you.
I'm going home Carolina with my son.
I understand.
You've done more than enough for us, George, chasing off those Bushwhackers.
You saved our lives.
The war might be over, but some white men ain't never gonna let it go ain't never gonna accept us being free.
I do know one thing the Lord don't take no steps backwards.
And we ain't giving up our freedom.
Henning own some land there.
Gonna make it safe for our people.
God's watching over you.
- Let's move out.
- Get a move on, Daddy.
Come on, now, boys.
We going home.
[Groans.]
How'd you find me, boy? A boy brought me to you.
Dressed in this blue cloth on his body and his head.
Brought me straight to you.
- Blue cloth on his head.
- Mm-hmm? Ain't got no boy like that here.
Well, hey.
I thought you might be needing this.
[Chuckles.]
You're a good boy.
[Gunshot.]
Come on, Daddy.
Come on, let's go.
Hurry up.
Come on.
This way, this way.
- Come on.
- Get over there.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Man: Move up, move up! Come on, Daddy, let's go! Come on.
Keep it moving, Daddy.
[Gunfire continues.]
Go, go.
Get up.
[Groaning.]
Tom: We make that Union line, them Bushwhackers won't follow us.
We almost there.
Just keep moving.
Man #1: Run, boy.
Man #2: Got Bushwhackers up on the ridge.
Turn right back.
You ain't welcome here.
What? Y'all heard them shots.
Got Bushwhackers behind us.
Killed some of us already.
- Come on.
- That's not our trouble.
Not since President Lincoln got shot dead.
What? Some Southern traitor put a bullet in poor old Abe's head.
Now I'm tired of you people.
Ain't enough we already fought for you.
Now, we truly sorry about Mr.
Lincoln, sir, - but we got Bushwhackers - This is a military camp.
We don't have stuff for niggers.
- Get out of here! - Stop.
Tom: This man is Memphis Battery! Fought at Fort Pillow! Look at his damn uniform! A uniform don't make a soldier.
Not to me.
We've given our blood for you people.
- Oh, what about our blood? - Tell him, corporal.
What about the blood we gave for this country? - For years! - Easy now.
He got every right to be here! [Indistinct shouting.]
George: Hey, hold on.
Hold on just one cotton-picking second.
[Shouting stops.]
Y'all y'all don't know who you got there.
That right there it's best damn blacksmith in the whole damn Union.
That's who he is.
Let me tell you now, that boy he got rare, mystical skills, passed down by Mandinka craftsmen.
That's on the Kamby Bolongo in Africa.
One time, I saw him patch a cannon by sitting on the muzzle and hammering it as it fired! - [Laughter.]
- When that hammer broke, he just carried on pounding it with his fists! Look at him arms like cannonballs! Yes, sir, he can fix a rifle, mend a saddle, patch pots and pans.
That boy can smooth a knot from a twisted axle like a pretty girl pull tangles from her hair.
- [Laughter.]
- And y'all want to chase him off? Come on, now.
You'll be the first soldier boys home sitting up in your own bed, eating on your mama's home cooking.
Who wants to smell mama's gravy right now? Amen?! Together: Amen! If that boy can shoe horses, we can use him.
Let them all in.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Man #1: Everybody fall out.
Back to work.
Come on, now.
Man #2: Y'all get a little something to eat.
I fear, I fear, my mother, dear I fear I've come to harm No more to see her lovely face Now, I-I could be wrong.
I got a notion about that boy who brought you to me.
Suppose you gonna tell me he was a Mandinka spirit? Nope.
Gonna tell you he was Kunta Kinte hisself, same as came to my mama.
By the old barn gate My soul will pass you by I know you ain't over there thinking I can't do this by myself, is you? No, sir.
I think that'd be kind of risky.
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
[Chuckles.]
- "A"? - Mm-hmm.
- "B"? - Yeah.
Boy: "C"? [Indistinct conversations.]
Oh.
Jesus.
George.
George.
[Laughs.]
George.
Hey, Tom.
[Laughter.]
How you doing? George.
Oh.
You're a sight for sore eyes.
[Laughs.]
Old Chicken George.
About goddamn time you made it here, old man.
I'm giving you a chance to learn how to work a field.
- Oh, will you now? - [Laughter.]
Cyrus: Stand him.
Stand him up right.
Oh, hang on.
Ah.
Oh, that that was nothing.
Took out 20 men.
Neither one of us got a scratch on us.
[Laughter.]
Tom: Mr.
Murray, we all leaving.
Well, surely, we can work out something, Tom.
A-an extra chicken or two, if if that helps.
Thank you, sir, but Henning, Tennessee, is gonna have shops run by our own people.
Not that we won't take money from the white folk.
Money ain't got no color.
Tom, I don't know if you'll take my words to heart, but I wish you and your family good fortune.
There was a time when we were working together, I felt Well godspeed.
You niggers ain't going nowhere.
- Frederick.
- You got to pay 'fore you leave.
Don't have to ask you, Frederick.
- Talking to your daddy.
- I told you I would handle this, Frederick.
- My daddy's a fool.
- Son.
I want every penny you earned on this farm as a blacksmith.
Made a lot more money for this farm.
Goodbye, sir.
Son, son! You think anything's changed - 'cause the war's over? - Frederick, please.
Them Union boys gonna be home soon enough, but I'll still be right here, and plenty of men just like me.
We will redeem this country and put you people back where you belong.
It's just natural law.
I won't never see a nigger be my equal.
Don't have no interest in being your equal, Frederick.
Charlotte: No, no! F-Frederick! Oh, my god.
[Crying.]
[Panting.]
First thing good my daddy ever did for me.
- Yeah, we're ready.
- All right, baby.
Woman: Are you guys ready? All right, let's get the kids in there.
[Laughs.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
[Baby coos.]
Well, Chicken George, I reckon it's time I be moving on.
I thank you kindly for everything, and you you're all nice folks.
But after all, you you's all family.
And you're not my family.
We are now, if you want us to be.
Hmm.
Well, that doesn't sound so bad, now does it? Not bad at all.
- Can I come in? - Mm-hmm.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Yeah, she gonna be a strong one, just like my mama.
Mm-hmm.
You are so beautiful.
Tom: Irene, give me the baby? Tom, what's wrong? Matilda: It's all right.
Tom.
Get back.
[Breathing heavily.]
W-what do I do, Daddy? Tell me now.
What How do they how do I give her her name the right way? Son, I can't I can't say I know for sure.
Just talk to her.
I don't know any Africa words.
I don't know if this is the right time, or I don't know if the sky looks the way it's supposed to be, but I know you my first baby not born a slave.
First baby nobody can own.
But that don't mean you don't have to be a warrior.
Still gonna have to fight to stay free.
Every day.
Always gonna be someone wants to take away your freedom.
And I can't keep this family together if I don't teach you where we come from, who we are if I don't remember who I am.
So that's why I got to tell you this story so I can be the father I want to be.
Alex: His name was Kunta Kinte, son of Omoro and Binta Kinte from Juffure in the Kingdom of Niumi on the Kamby Bolongo.
Flying home from The Gambia, I knew I had to write a book about him.
My ancestors would be a symbol for millions of slaves, all of them seeds of American families living today, captured, chained, sailed across the same ocean in ships where untold numbers died.
Sold to thousands of plantations, millions of men and women who struggled to survive and fought to be free every day.
[Man chanting in native language.]
The truth can never be known.
It can only be told in a story.
There once was a boy who was taken from his family and carried halfway around the world.
He lived to start a new family.
And in his journey, he became a hero for a new nation.
I hope my story honors him, brings peace and pride to us all.
Ahhhh ahhhh ahhhhh.
Ahhhh ahhhh ahhhhh.
And when the door closes, Another one opens.
I walk through it.
With my head up.
At the end of a desert, There's always an ocean.
And when the night fades away, The sun comes up.
New beginning Oh, it's just a new beginning.
Oh
Now tell me your name.
- Kunta Kinte.
- That's not your name! [Screams.]
And I will name you Kizzy.
I think I was selfish to have you born into a world like this.
You trained me well.
Woman: Kizzy! [Crying.]
Kizzy! This is my right! Help me! I'm gonna name you after my daddy George Lea II.
[Crowd chanting "Chicken George".]
George: Come on.
What you got, boy? I got to know a time gonna come when I can buy me free.
I don't see why not, George.
And I'm gonna see you again, my mornin' dove.
[All cheering.]
A name is who you is.
My daddy took whippings to protect his name.
You get to making babies, Tom would be a fine name for a boy.
Just bring yourself home safe.
You win this for me, and I'll set you free.
I swear.
- [Roosters clucking.]
- [Man speaks indistinctly.]
That Englishman will call me even if I give you to him - take back to England.
- England?! Get this nigger off of me! Who gonna watch my family? Tom Lea! [Grunts.]
[Pants, screams.]
Man #1: £100 on the red.
Man #2: £200 on the white.
Man #3: £500 on the white.
Man #4: Yeah, yeah, I cant take some bets.
Alex: Mandinka say, "Everything that enchants also deceives.
" I'm not sure which is more exotic your bird or your nigger.
Now, would another £10,000 clarify the issue? Done.
Excellent.
[Indistinct conversations.]
All right, there he is.
We're stronger, faster, smarter, prettier.
Insult to be in the same pit with you and me.
Now, what you gonna do about it? [Rooster clucking.]
- [Laughter.]
- Whoo! Ladies and gentlemen, America is a wild and dangerous land.
One time, I saw a Carolina bobcat drag a man high up a hickory tree, and two minutes later, his skeleton fell back down.
- [Laughter.]
- Flesh picked clean.
Just raining bones.
Clickety-clack.
I've been chased by savages, painted faces.
Alex: After he was sent off to settle a gambling debt, Chicken George won nearly every match.
The English loved him, and he fell into his old ways playing to the crowd.
Let me tell you now, I have wrestled mountain men big as bears.
They all naked.
They men parts covered only by their beards.
- [Laughter.]
- Chicken George! All: Chicken George! You've served me well, George.
And I want to assure you when I've earned back the money Tom Lea lost to me, I will send you home a free man.
Just wanted to know, sir.
When would that be? Sir, how much longer I got I will tell you when the time is right.
Alex: By the time Sir Eric set him free, George had been in England for over 20 years no longer enchanted, no longer deceived.
Man: Stand at the gate.
[Baby crying.]
Traveling homeward, George felt the past surge around him.
He remembered how Kizzy said Kunta Kinte came to visit her, but George was afraid that his vision would mean something different that his seven children would think of him as little more than another story.
Or worse, that they had forgotten him altogether.
[Woman singing indistinctly.]
[Singing continues.]
Did you fall? I just sit away from the trees, feel the light on my face.
- [Resumes singing.]
- Miss Malizy? It's George.
- George? - Chicken George.
I'm back from England.
George? Come on now.
Let's get you up.
[Humming.]
[Creaking.]
[Continues humming.]
Where is my family? I know where your mama is.
Kizzy got a pain in her side.
She knew she was dying.
Mama.
[Breathing shakily.]
I'm sorry.
Mama [Trembles.]
[Sniffles.]
Miss Malizy, I'm gonna look around.
Then I'll gonna come back and take you with me.
Oh, no, sir.
No.
No.
I got a right to be here.
I worked this ground every day of my life.
I got a right to be buried by Kizzy.
Miss Malizy, I got to go look for my family.
You ask Master Tom? Tom Lea's still alive? Mm-hmm.
[Door creaks.]
[Birds chirping.]
[Chickens squawking.]
[Gunshot.]
[Gun cocks.]
I'll shoot you, nigger, right here.
Let my chickens peck at your cold, black body.
I know you're here to rob me.
But I reckon I could kill you first.
Kill your own baby boy, Massa Tom? I know you? Sure you do.
- [Gasps.]
- All right.
George? My George? You come back for me, George.
[Sobbing.]
[Insects buzzing.]
You say his name Benjamin Murray, Alamance County? Murray.
Benjamin Murray.
That's who bought my children? He an engineer at the Fayetteville arsenal.
That right? Needed the money, George.
How could you leave me? Oh, I didn't leave you.
You sold me to pay a gambling debt, just like you sold my children.
I taught you everything.
It's all right.
Got you a life with fancy folk in England.
What did I get? Patricia run off.
Whore.
Old niggers can hardly work.
[Chuckles lightly.]
Who's gonna look after me, George? Who's gonna cook and clean? Who's gonna obey me? You said you'd leave papers for my family, so they free.
You swore that to me as they was dragging me away! Said you'd set my wife and all my children free.
So did you write them papers for my family? Where are they? [Panting.]
You a man without honor, Tom Lea.
You walked your feet out them dirt hills.
Not your filthy soul.
You and me have the same blood, boy.
I'm your daddy.
No, the blood in me from Kizzy, not you blood that kept me strong all these years away.
What few good things I done, that the blood of my granddaddy.
And every damn bit of foolishness in me, everything weak, everything selfish that's you, Tom Lea, 'cause that's who you is.
You ain't smart enough to change yourself.
And the truth is, your whole damn life, you was a slave, too.
You just never knew it.
God damn you.
Tom? Tom! Oh, Tom! Mama, what you doing out here? You got to get to work.
I need you to stop at the Barton farm on your way back.
See Old Man Augustus.
He he sells that special chestnut tea for asthma.
Mama, I'm not passing that way.
Besides, Massa Murray knows how many stops I make.
Son.
I'll work fast, mama.
Bring some back for you.
Hey, now you got to get to work.
You got a big heart, like your daddy.
I ain't like my daddy.
I'll never do nothing foolish to make Massa Murray angry, get myself sold away.
You just get home safe.
It only takes one crazy redneck, and Massa's road papers don't mean nothing.
Just look after Irene and that baby in her belly.
Now, get going now.
[Clicks tongue.]
Hyah! [Metal clanking.]
Business used to come to me in bunches.
Now with all this war talk, can't keep my shop open.
It ain't safe to be a colored free man in Carolina no more.
Ain't never been safe to be a slave.
Mm-hmm.
I hear Mr.
Murray send a fine blacksmith like you all over the state, Tom.
He pay you a little? I need to finish up with you, man.
Come on out here, boy.
[Door creaks.]
This boy a runaway.
Stay up here mostly.
I tell folks he's my slave.
Some freemen keep niggers, too.
How long you been hiding? August be seven whole years.
Seven years? My brother and me ran away from Chatham County.
He got caught, but they didn't see me.
I hid in the bushes.
Saw them patrol boys hang him.
When I passed by here, Orly let me hide.
I'm leaving the state soon, and this boy ain't got no papers, Tom.
You got a pass lets you go anywhere.
Name's Winslow.
Just get me by the docks at Elizabeth City.
Gonna sneak on a barge going north.
Can't help.
Massa Murray knows how long it takes me to make my rounds.
Got a clock for a heart.
Besides, I need to earn money for my family, buy them free.
Can't I be free? Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What's this place? Crossing into Duplin County.
[Horse neighs.]
Come on, now.
You got no papers, and I ain't got no way to prove you working with me.
So best take off now.
Can't just leave me out here.
You lucky I took you this far! [Horse neighs.]
And if they catch you, you better not tell nobody my name, understand? Come on.
Get in them trees now! Hyah, hyah! That's far enough! Just stop there! If I can just explain.
That's far enough.
I see that pistol in your waist.
You put it down, or I'll swear I'll take it from your dead body.
Toomey, what's all the fuss? Nigger has a gun.
I got a reason to be here.
If I can just speak to Mr.
Murray.
I'm his son.
First, you need to prove to me you ain't here to cause trouble with our niggers.
Who is it, Frederick? We got a smart-mouth nigger came strolling on the farm in his fancy clothes like he's paying a social call.
Got a fancy gun, too.
For all I know, he's here to provoke an insurrection.
- Hey, you know that old boy? - Mnh-mnh.
But he remind me of a man about to die.
Benjamin, is there trouble? Oh, it's nothing to concern yourself with, Charlotte.
- [Coughs.]
- Matilda, take my wife inside.
- [Coughs.]
- Come inside.
Matilda: You need some nice, hot steam, ma'am.
Mornin' Dove! George? Frederick: Tilda, you know this boy? That's my George, my husband.
- [Gun cocks.]
- Take another step, I'll shoot you right here.
Then you will kill Matilda's husband and a free man.
Check my pocket.
You'll see my paper.
I was manumitted by Sir C.
E.
Russell of Hampshire, England.
That's his family seal.
This is a free nigger.
So return his property and obey the law.
Thank you, sir.
There's your fancy gun, nigger.
Tilda, if this man is your husband, you will see him after the workday is done.
Until then, I will allow him to wait on the road.
We've been parted a long time, Tilda.
Few more hours ain't no bother to us.
Soon I will be done - Trouble of the world - Man: I want to see a lot less talk and a hell of a lot more work! Trouble of the world Trouble of the world Soon I will be done Trouble of the world [Horn blares.]
Goin' home to live with God No more Weepin' and wailin' No more Weepin' and wailin' With God Matilda: All this work, George.
Am I still pretty? I dreamed of you so many years.
My dreams failed me.
[Sighs.]
You are so much more beautiful than I could possibly bring to mind.
Now let me watch you bein' my wife.
[Laughs.]
Unless you had enough.
No.
I'm just getting started.
Mm-hmm.
[Rooster crows.]
[Goat bleats.]
[Chickens clucking.]
[Door creaks.]
Daddy! I'm Li'l Kizzy.
[Crying.]
Hi, Li'l Kizzy.
Hi.
That your little scamp? Virgil: Yeah, that's that's Uriah.
I'm I'm Virgil sir.
"Sir"? Boy, you my firstborn son.
This is, uh this is my Lily Su.
- That's me.
- Man and wife? Well, Lily Su's man got killed when his wagon tipped, but, um, Massa Murray he promises that that we can get married one day.
You just as pretty as the sunrise.
- Almost pretty as me.
- [Laughter.]
Ashford's our family cat.
Can't stay home at night.
Well, we'll just have to tie a bell to his paw so the gals can hear him coming.
- [Laughter.]
- [Coughs.]
Oh, you James.
That's right, Daddy.
Boy, you was thin-boned as a sparrow when I left.
- [Chuckles.]
- Massa let a doctor come by here? Massa Frederick won't pay for no doctor.
Says we need to use our own ways.
I don't need to see a doctor, Daddy.
I feel stronger every day.
And this is Irene, Tom's first baby.
Got that Cherokee hair.
You don't seem so high-strung like she say.
And you don't seem so foolish and no-account, like my Tom says.
[Laughter.]
Where's Tom? Why ain't he standing by you with that big belly? Massa Murray says Tom is the best blacksmith in Carolina.
Rents him out all over the state.
Helps Massa Murray build his guns.
Gets paid, too.
Saving to buy us free.
A slave never can pay enough.
Never.
Where are my other children? George Jr.
, Louis, and Mary got sold off a few weeks after we came.
Massa Murray said he sorry, but he couldn't keep all of us.
We tried to keep in touch with them, Daddy, but, uh, ain't none of them in Carolina no more.
It's my fault all of it.
Now, you listen now.
I put my trust in false things.
Thought I'd put on a show for the massas, they act kindly.
Thought they money and hurrahs mean respect.
I was a damn fool.
I'm gonna keep this family together, just like my mama Kizzy wanted, just like her daddy, Kunta Kinte before her.
Now, Daddy been gone a long time.
That ain't never gonna happen again.
Woman: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama have done their sacred duty to join South Carolina in secession.
It is time for North Carolina to stand up and join her brothers.
They printed your entire letter, darling.
We'll vote war, and sooner than later.
Charlotte: Frederick, so many boys will die.
Lincoln is weak.
He won't dare send his soldiers so far away from home.
And if he does, in two weeks, we'll declare victory.
North Carolina will reward the men that led us to freedom, turn to them for leadership for a new country.
Secession isn't something everyone wants.
It's too extreme.
Common sense can still prevail.
Common sense abandoned this country long ago.
Why should New York and Boston and Philadelphia tell us how to live? They don't understand.
There is no South without slavery.
[Chuckles.]
Haven't I found my match, Mother? Benjamin: Commence firing! Cannoneers, cease fire! Service the piece.
Cannoneers, load! See, Massa Murray runs test for the army.
- Advance the round! - Guns and cannons, bullets, too.
Says if war comes, Southern boys - gonna need to make their own guns.
- Mm-hmm.
What's your brother Tom gonna do with all this? See, Massa Murray asks his opinion all the time.
If something gets made by hammer and fire, Tom's the one massa depends on.
Benjamin: Cannoneers, commence firing.
[Horse whinnies.]
Watch out for Frederick, though, Daddy.
He part cannon hisself.
Never know when he going off.
Cannoneers, load! Sorry I'm late, massa.
Just got back.
Your father's been anxious to see you.
My father? Chicken George ain't no cock-and-bull story, boy! Here's our daddy hisself.
He's got lots of real good stories to tell, too.
Got no time for stories.
Got too much work now.
Frederick: Daddy.
We're getting quite the collection on the farm.
Every nigger but the Lost Tribe of Israel.
How long you plan on visiting with us, Chicken George? Oh, I ain't visiting.
I told Mr.
Murray I'm living here now with my family.
Mrs.
Murray relies on Matilda.
Having your father here has has brightened her mood.
- Ready.
- That's a great kindness, sir, to be with my children again.
Cannoneers, commence firing! [Indistinct shouting.]
- [Horse whinnies.]
- Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Ho, ho, ho, ho.
[Horse whinnies.]
Benjamin: Is everyone all right? Breech exploded.
What went wrong? Need more precision on the ball.
Ain't truly round.
How the hell do you know that? - By my hands.
- Nonsense.
Bamboozle my father.
You lie to me, I'll string you up by your toes.
Collect the pieces.
Ashford, get over here and help clean this up.
Mr.
Murray think real highly of you, son.
I keep on his good side.
Ain't no good side for no slave.
Any good side dry up faster rain in a summer field.
Bet on it.
Betting is your game, not mine.
If Massa Murray want to play papa to me, I'm gonna let him.
Do anything to make it easier for my family.
Ain't every nigger get made the fool by his white daddy.
[Waltz playing.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
- There we go.
- There she is.
Woman: Bring another plate out here.
- [Sighs.]
- You can't slow down? Miss Nancy's barkin' orders like she runnin' the farm already.
She can bark all she want.
We just got to see if her bite is bad as his.
Her folks here? Both her folks died and left her a place in Raleigh.
She a book-smart lady.
Frederick fell for her as easy as a slip on a river rock.
What's wrong, son? Them boys right there They Mr.
Frederick boyhood friends.
They ain't even gonna let Abe Lincoln on a ballot in North Carolina.
[Applause.]
[Slow waltz plays.]
That's my mama's song.
Every band in the county plays it now.
It's changed some but always the same.
I can hear mama Kizzy humming it.
[Chuckles.]
These folks don't know where it come from.
Well, we do, Mornin' Dove.
Dance with me.
George.
We ain't allowed.
Oh, I'm allowed to dance with my wife.
[Laughs.]
It's been years, George.
[Waltz continues.]
[Both chuckle.]
Nancy: Come on, honey.
Let's go back in.
Stop it right now.
You shouldn't be around here.
You know Massa Frederick don't like you around here.
Boy, why don't you worry more about they working your Irene too hard? Go ahead, ask Massa Murray to let her rest till the baby come, since he looking out for you now like a father.
Or maybe I'll just buy my Irene free - with all that money you won in England.
- Both of you, stop this.
I got to get back inside to Miss Charlotte.
[Sighs.]
Every penny I saved to come home to my family.
Hallelujah! Like mama's daddy used to preach.
The old massa sent me to England.
I ain't got no choice.
I was a slave.
What else could I do? All I ever heard was how you wanted to gamble your way to be free.
Ain't the truth, Daddy.
You liked it.
[Applause.]
Ain't no right way to be a slave.
Only thing they ever gonna understand is this right here.
You old fool! You keep flashing that gun around, and we'll both be hanged from an oak tree.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Think I don't want to take my hammer and cave in a man's head who spits at my brothers or or insults mama? But what happens next? After they kill me or or sell me? Who watches out for the family? But that was never you, Daddy, 'cause you you had to be Chicken George, livin' the sportin' life.
[Waltz continues.]
Let me hold your hand.
[Chuckles.]
You know who holds hands? Mandinka warriors from Africa.
They're the strongest, toughest boys in this whole world.
You got to teach my baby, too, Daddy.
Don't you worry.
I got lots to teach you about Kunta Kinte.
[Horse whinnies.]
As your lawyer, I'd prefer you to refrain from shooting Chicken George.
A trial requires my valuable time, even played as a farce.
Here's where you say you have a smarter idea.
[Chuckles.]
I have a smarter idea.
North Carolina law's clear.
Now, freedom granted to any slave shall be upon the expressed condition that he leave the state within 90 days and never return.
How long has he been on your farm? Over two months now.
On the 91st day, you can seize him and sell him.
Why quibble over days when you can just take him? No, no, keep it by the book.
Old Chicken George will find out I'm a bag of nails compared to my father.
You leaving here tonight.
I'm right where I should be.
Is this all the bread you could find? Frederick and his friends ate through the pantry like a plague of locusts.
- Matilda, hold on.
- James will drive you to the Durham road.
And don't go waving these papers talking about you free.
Might as well throw a stone at a wasp nest.
Get the small cart ready.
We won't tell your brothers or your sisters until your daddy is far away.
I ain't leaving.
Hey.
Mr.
Murray ain't that bad, and as for Frederick And I'm telling you Massa Murray grows older every day.
Can't control Frederick.
He is as bad as they come.
He'll make your life a torment, then sell you Mississippi way or kill you.
I ain't scared of that boy.
I can't leave you again.
And I won't.
No.
I prayed so hard that you would come back, and we'd be free together, even after Massa Murray sold the children.
But if we can't be free together, at least you'll be free.
I know what Mama Kizzy would say.
Do what your grandfather would do.
Keep moving north, and don't ever look back.
Promise me.
I promise.
For now I'll go.
I don't know how, and I don't know when, but I know I will be back for this.
And next time, I ain't wavin' no papers to be free.
Ain't asking no permission from nobody.
Next time, my Mornin' Dove, I'm coming to take you.
[Door creaks.]
Take it, son.
I'll make sure he does, Daddy.
[Smacks lips.]
Hyah.
[Horse neighs.]
Irene: Maria wants her daddy 'fore he goes to work.
Oh, my hands are rough as tree bark.
Talk to her.
Tell her 'bout Kunta Kinte.
[Sighs.]
Where'd you hear that name? Chicken George said Kunta Kinte made these for Mama Kizzy.
Your granddaddy from Africa.
The one they stole on a ship, then cut his foot off so he wouldn't run off.
Ain't got no time for stories now, Irene.
Come on.
Chicken George said the Africans say special words for a new baby.
Say stories bigger than Bible stories.
Irene, when my my daddy gets to talking, telling stories, it's best stop listening now.
So, here.
Here.
Right here, sir.
Got these special England papers.
Man: All right, I got room for two niggers up on top.
- I got money.
- Show me money and papers.
The rest can turn around.
- Right here.
- Hey, hey, hey, say, boss.
Say, boss.
We free men.
We ought to be riding inside this cab.
No niggers inside.
Easy, now, son, or ain't none of us gettin' on There's a war startin', old man, sooner than later.
I need to put some miles between me and here.
You know there ain't gonna be no safe place once these crackers start shootin'.
Hey, watch watch out, watch out.
Hey, hey, hey, here, here, here.
What the hell is this, boy? That says I'm supposed to be inside that carriage.
[Chuckles.]
It's just a slip of old newsprint.
- [Grumbles.]
- You.
You, up top.
- We could ride on the back.
- That's it.
No more room.
The rest of you have to wait for the next one.
Well, you handled that real good, didn't you, son? Well, joke's on that cracker.
I can't read a word.
- [Laughs.]
- [Whip cracks.]
Get on it.
Come on.
[Horse whinnies.]
Ah, Cyrus.
Owned by the Brickle farm.
Virginia.
Caught me runnin' off into Pennsylvania, sent me down to Tennessee.
I run off twice more.
George.
Chicken George.
Free man for true.
It don't seem to be helpin' me much.
Hmm, well, I tell you what, Chicken George, let's say we start walkin' 'fore some Johnny Reb try and put us back in chains.
They say a nigger make his way up to a Union fort, he can get a gun and fight.
So, uh, what you waitin' on, Chicken George? [Chuckles.]
If you're moving in with us once we're married, why fuss with this? Ostentatious, don't you think, darling? I think I agree with whatever you say.
Too ordinary.
I can forge anything you want, Miss Nancy.
Uh, I got all kinds in my wagon.
Would you like to come choose with me, Frederick? I defer to your superior judgment.
That the right answer? Always.
Signal me if Frederick comes.
I thought he couldn't hear anything.
Jerusalem is deaf and mute, but if you face him, he can read lips.
South Carolina is calling a convention to vote on secession.
Once they leave the Union, states like North Carolina are just gonna fall in line like trees in a hurricane.
- Don't know nothing about that, ma'am.
- Yes, you do.
You read the newspapers.
Matilda sneaks them from the kindling.
I've seen her.
Most of your family reads.
That is a marvel.
Ma'am, don't say nothin' more, ma'am.
Tom.
I'm a spy for the North.
I'm here to gather information for Mr.
Pinkerton in Washington.
Intelligence, he calls it.
Mr.
Murray is aware of the Confederacy's plans for weapons and explosives.
You have a road pass, and he trusts you, Tom.
Will you help me? Nobody gonna hurt a fancy lady like you.
We slaves.
They'll cut us down like wheat in a field and won't think twice.
I-I can't.
I won't.
[Jerusalem clears throat.]
What's taking so long? This nigger trying to get money out of you? They're like children, always begging for more.
No, darling.
But you know us women.
Beautiful things dazzle us.
I just need time to decide.
Man: Company, attention.
[Indistinct conversations.]
There.
Much better.
A Major has to impress his men.
As long as I impress you.
Let's be careful, Daddy.
Gentlemen, uh, this boy Tom's the king of hooves.
He knows more about a horse's feet than the horse himself.
I expect you to look after every shoe on every horse in our company every night.
Yes, sir uh, Major.
Good shoes make good horses, and good horses win wars.
Who's really in command of this company, Frederick? I report to one commander, boys.
[Chuckles.]
Now, let's get this company ready for battle.
[Gunfire.]
You reckon, uh, them Johnny Rebs gave up huntin' us? Sure, Chicken George.
I reckon they changed their mind all about niggers going to fight for Abe Lincoln.
[Chuckles.]
You reckon you're too old for this, Chicken George? [Panting.]
What's new, boy? Man gave me this.
You ain't got to unfold it.
Just give it here.
I ain't much good with words.
Well, you know, I got a notion to read, but [chuckles.]
"Memphis Battery D, 2nd United States Light Artillery seeks volunteers of African descent.
" Oh, that's us.
"Pay $13 a month.
" $13 a month? I'll fight two wars for $13 a month.
Man said there was a recruiting office on Knoxville Turnpike.
- [Twigs crack.]
- Shh, shh.
Ohh! Go! - [Gunfire, bullets ricocheting.]
- Run, run! [Indistinct shouting.]
Go, George.
[Gunfire, bullets ricocheting.]
[Horse whinnies.]
- How? - Move! Man: Come back here, boy! [Groans.]
[Horse whinnies.]
Whew.
[Panting.]
You going the wrong way, George.
Chicken George, you going the wrong way.
What are you doing? You ride much, Cyrus? Don't trust these tough buggers one bit myself.
But let's go.
Come on.
- Come on.
- Let's find us Memphis Battery.
[Clicks tongue.]
[Crickets chirping.]
Man: Shut up and keep still! - [Crying.]
- Shut up! Woman: Please, no! No! No! Get out of here.
Now, Tom - Shut up, I said! - Tom - Come on, now.
- Help! Who that is? - Irene! - No! - That's my wife.
Get off me.
- No! - Come on, now.
- Break his wrists if you have to! - No, please! - Hold him down! [Screaming.]
I'm not gonna hurt her unless you make me.
- Irene! - Tom! You gonna wait there and let me and my boys get through with it.
[Screaming.]
[Tom whimpering.]
Tom.
[Gun clicking.]
Just tell me what you want me to do.
Confederate officer, Major John Marrett, has arrived here on his way to Augusta.
The South's rushing to build a new arsenal, and it must be stopped.
Nigger doing his job, ma'am? Fine, thanks.
Well, hurry it up, boy.
The dispatchers he carries have the designs and supply routes.
What do I do? Help us kill him on his way south, then we'll take the plans north.
You're talking.
You're a fake? Don't get all boiled into a jelly.
Charles Montpelier.
Mr.
Pinkerton asked Charles to cross into slave territory to guide me.
He's putting his life at risk.
Kill that Major my whole family be at risk, too.
Only ain't their choice.
I have a family, too, Tom.
Wife, four children.
I miss them every day.
But the truth is I couldn't live in safety any longer, not knowing how my people suffered as slaves.
How do we stop three riders, Tom? Frederick and his troops will be gone, and Marrett only has an escort of two men.
Massa Murray built hand charges he copied from a Northern grenade.
Toss 'em like a rock.
Stop 'em for sure.
Can you get them? He stores them away from the house.
All right.
Once we have the intelligence, Nancy will head for Philadelphia, and I'm for the Union lines.
They'll blame us, not you.
Well, not if they catch me.
Tom, what you doing? Oh, shh.
Go back to sleep now.
Why are you up so early? Irene, the way to help me don't ask me anything.
Chicken George used to say his mama used to talk to Kunta Kinte all the time.
Said the African used to come to her when she was scared.
Don't know if it's for true, but maybe ain't no difference.
It's the askin' him to help us makes the difference.
Jerusalem: Throw the grenade and try to kill all of them, then we can take the plans off the Major's body.
After that, you double back to the farm.
Frederick and the Rangers are away, so nobody's gonna miss you.
Hey.
Kneel with me, Tom.
Come on.
[Sighs.]
When it comes to standing up for a cause, help me, Lord, that I remain a candle in the storm, and let no evil smother my low, but powerful, glow.
Amen.
All right.
Go on.
Go on.
[Sighs.]
[Sighs.]
[Horse whinnies.]
Frederick: They sent me back with new dispatches for Major Marrett.
Well, you just missed him, Frederick.
He's already left for Augusta.
Well, tell Tilda to fry me up a dozen eggs.
I'll be back 'fore they're cold.
We'll catch up to him.
Be safe.
[Horse panting.]
[Horse whinnies.]
[Gun cocks.]
[Horses neighing.]
[Grunts.]
[Coughs.]
Come on, come on.
[Grunts.]
Go.
Go.
[Horse snorts.]
Frederick: It can't be much further.
It was over here.
This way.
Come on.
Whoa.
- [Branch snaps.]
- Whoa.
[Panting.]
We caught one of the assassins, but there were two.
The other escaped in the forest.
I'm sure you'll find the other criminal.
Yes, we will.
I'm just thankful that you weren't hurt.
So am I, my love.
You're always so thoughtful and concerned for me and my family.
[Gasps.]
Oh, did I did I mention that you know the one we caught? How could that be possible? Jerusalem.
Get up.
[Grunting.]
Get up.
Did you know he speaks? Of course, with a little bit of prompting, perhaps you'll have more success encouraging him to reveal his secrets.
[Gasping.]
This is unseemly.
I'm going back to the house.
Darling! Ask your nigger who is he, besides a spy and a murderer? Why was he working for you? And ask him the names of all of his conspirators, everyone who intrigued with him? Do this, and I will spare his life.
Of course we already know you were involved.
Do you? We searched your house, found your letters to Mr.
Pinkerton, notes on our troop movements.
String him up, boys.
[Grunting.]
Wait! Wait, wait.
If I tell you what you want, will you spare him? What choice do you have but to try me? [Grunting, panting.]
His name's Charles Montpelier.
He's a minister, an editor, a teacher from Philadelphia and a dear friend.
[Scoffs.]
[Gasps.]
Why would you do this to me? I believe men and women can't be owned like cattle.
I believe slavery is evil.
You pray in a church to a loving God, but you defend this sin against men and women created in His image? This is a chance to save your soul.
- [Groans.]
- Frederick! Frederick! Frederick, listen to me! Listen to me.
You send Nancy you send her to Richmond and let the authorities handle this matter.
The war has confused many honorable people, son.
Daddy, she is a liar and a traitor.
Take him.
Take him away.
- Unhand me.
- Get up, get up.
Listen to me, Frederick.
You do not disobey me, son.
Enough, Daddy.
You give me one name just one, and I'll send you to Richmond.
Who else was involved? The intrigue was my own.
There's no one else.
[Scoffs.]
Ride! Ride! [Gagging.]
No, higher.
No, higher.
Let this boy take his time.
[Gagging.]
You you love this nigger more than me! Frederick, you stop this! You stop this! - Get off me! - Let her go! Toomey, grab him.
- Let her go! - Frederick.
Clingman, give me my rope.
Listen to your father, Frederick.
Ballard.
Anderson, give me another rope.
That is a direct order.
No, Frederick, I forbid this! Not on my farm! Not on my farm! Don't you do this, Frederick! Don't you do this! [Fife and drum march plays.]
Man: Keep moving.
Pick it up in the back.
Can't hardly feel my feet.
Think the Major ever gonna give his horse a rest? Not unless it stands up and beg.
Captain said Fort Pillow's on real high ground.
Hard to get at.
- Should be plenty safe.
- Mm-hmm.
Don't you be no fool, boy.
Not one of us safe.
No, not from that nigger-hating Reb Nathan Forrest.
Heard his head turns full round when he sees a nigger in a blue uniform.
And they say this war about over.
That's for true.
The South's just about broken in two.
Keep moving.
Keep moving, men.
- Boy, don't you do nothing foolish now.
- Man: Stay together.
Sometimes you got to keep what's in your head quiet, right? Yeah, uh-huh.
Don't you worry.
I ain't gonna do nothing nothing foolish at all.
Whoa.
Hey, say, when we gonna get our sidearms and rifles so we can fight, Major? You have a job, boy, at your battery.
Keep those cannons barking.
Do that and make me proud.
Make you proud.
Get me killed by a Reb.
I decide myself I want to get shot.
You give me a rifle, and I fight for my own damn freedom.
- [Chuckling.]
All right, Private.
- Hyah! Don't mean nothing by it, sir.
Just too much sun.
Makes him loopy.
- Boy, you ever keep your goddamn mouth shut? - [Chuckles.]
I'm just tryin' to help these white boys win this war is all.
- [Laughs.]
- Get your ass back in line.
Ahh.
[Gunfire, indistinct shouting.]
Battery, fire! Double canister.
Load, load! [Soldiers shouting.]
Come on! Advance the round! Move that punch.
Them Rebs ain't waiting on you! Can't hold them off! Battery! Can't get an angle on these sons of bitches.
- It won't go down.
- We got to move this gun down! That's two degrees! We got to do better! Ready! Fire! Man: The cannons are overshooting! Advance! Go! It's not gonna happen! Get down! Get down, boys! Come on! Get in here! Come on! How'd I end up here? Man said if I joined the Union boys, they'd take me back up North with them.
When we leave here, you gonna be just fine.
Go wherever you want.
You leave here, you gonna be a free man.
You hear me? Man: I'm gonna blow your brains out, boy! Chain you to my mule, nigger! Nathan Forrest don't take nigger prisoners! Hear that? That ain't good news.
Why aren't you manning your battery? No good, sir! Barrel won't suppress enough.
We shooting straight over their heads! Major Booth gonna surrender the fort, sir? Major Booth's dead, but I'm sure Major Bradford will make the honorable choice.
The honorable choice would have been to give us rifles.
We could have ran them Rebs back over that hill.
Move! Move! Move! We're not safe here! - Don't stop! Go.
- Get that side arm, George.
[Bullets ricocheting.]
[Indistinct shouting.]
Get down, get down.
Man: We surrender now.
We surrender.
[Soldiers shouting.]
We surrender.
Don't shoot.
[Indistinct shouting.]
We gonna surrender now, too? [Indistinct shouting.]
You hang on now.
- Not so sure.
- Them white boys giving up.
- Why can't we, George? - Stay right here.
- Wait, wait.
- I got to go.
Fool.
I surrender! I surrender! Don't shoot.
Man: I don't want no more.
I don't want no more.
[Guns cocking.]
[Gunfire.]
Man: Come on, kill those nigger bastards every last one of them.
- I'm gonna kill them.
- You won't get two steps! Move! - Oh, how long, how long - George! Before the sun goes down? - Oh, how long, how long - No! No! No! - Before the sun goes down? - Stop! Stop! Stop! I wish I had a title when I was young Before the sun goes down I never woulda had-a this race to run Before the sun goes down Oh, how long, how long Before the sun goes down? Oh, how long, how long Before the sun goes down? - [Grunts.]
- They shot them.
They shot them all all the colored boys.
They was just trying to surrender.
How you do something like that? What kind of men are they? Maybe ain't men.
Maybe something else.
- Something come out in war.
- [Groans.]
You know what you doing, George? I got a rough idea.
[Groans.]
No! [Groans.]
You know, you's a good, old man, Chicken George.
[Groaning.]
Aah.
Tell me a story, George, about the African.
My granddaddy is Kunta Kinte.
He a Mandinka warrior they stole away across the ocean on the Kamby Bolongo.
Ka-Kamby Kamby Bolongo.
That's that's a big river, like the Mississippi? That's right.
Kunta Kinte could ride and swim.
Couldn't no man break him.
[Groaning.]
I figure I got some new stories now.
This young boy named Cyrus can't nobody tell him nothing.
But the way I see it, that boy saved an old man like me in a hard, hard place.
Wait a minute.
Wait.
Wait a minute, George.
Listen, my mama had a prayer she used to say to me back when I was sick.
You know, before they sold me off.
Now would be the time.
I know.
I know, oh, Lord, my flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart.
- [Grunting.]
- [Groaning.]
Hey, come see this.
Get your ass out here and come and see this! [Cows lowing.]
You know this herd, James? Look like Massa Anson's cows, but that's four miles from here.
Well, why his slaves ain't stop them from wandering? I've been up by the big house.
Everybody gone.
- Gone? - All of them.
Where they gone? [Indistinct conversations.]
Boy: Mom! Hey, hey.
Hey.
- General Lee's gone home.
- What? The war's over for good.
[Chuckles.]
Overseer can blow his work horn all he wants, but we ain't slaves no more.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, ain't no more secesh? Not one more day.
[All murmuring.]
I heard it from a white man down at the courthouse.
Hey say Robert Lee he know he done for.
And so he gave him his horse and his sword, but old Ulysses wouldn't take it.
He just said, "You go on home now.
Stop this foolishness.
" [Laughs.]
So I tell you this war is over, and we ain't slaves! [All cheering.]
Tom, right now, right here, we free.
[Cheering continues.]
- Mama.
- Is it true? Blessed is this earth 'cause my people lie beneath it.
Blessed is the rain because it moistens their faces.
Blessed is the wind because it carries their names back to us.
Kunta Kinte.
Belle.
Mama Kizzy.
Miss Malizy.
Sarah.
My children Louis, Mary, and George Jr.
My daddy, Benjamin Lyon.
[Voice breaking.]
And my husband, George.
[Crying.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
I'm so thankful this war is done.
Just don't ask me to heft up my skirt and dance.
I can't measure these days in flags and armies, only in the ones that I'm missing.
[Trembles.]
Out here working just as hard as before.
Not a bad idea if you want to eat.
Didn't know "free" meant hungry.
We'd like to know where we stand, sir.
Man: What we supposed to do about food? You done locked all the sheds.
You moved all the hogs.
We don't even know where the where the grain got taken.
Well, I'm happy to announce that, uh, every the acres of my land that you clear and plant, I'll pay you one chicken and one hog.
And you can rent back, uh, farmland and your cabins at a fair price.
A fair price? For the massa or the nigger? We'll think on it a while.
Well, be of good cheer.
Things will improve.
[Clicks tongue.]
I thought we won that damn war.
Who is this coming? This the this the Murray farm? Yes, sir.
Man: Can we help you, friend? Can you help me? Maybe you can.
Maybe you can't.
Well, you need to state your business.
No.
First, I need you to answer my question.
And you best get it right.
Who is Kunta Kinte? No more than 20 of us colored boys make it out of Fort Pillow alive.
Oh, no.
Ol' Nathan Forrest couldn't kill us fast enough.
After I got shot, me and George, we took to the woods, then to the river.
Mm-hmm.
Yeah, you must be Tom.
He said you had arms as big as cannonballs.
[Chuckles.]
Say you were smarter than Jeff Davis' own engineers.
He said you were the hunger in his heart.
He did.
Mm-hmm.
[Chuckles.]
Yeah.
Mighty fine food here.
What happened to my husband? Old George, he carried me to the hospital.
That was long after he cut off my arm here.
- Grandpa cut off his arm? - Son.
[Chuckles.]
Yes.
Yes, he did.
It's okay.
Only reason I'm alive now.
Old George say he was gonna walk home.
Say that's what a Mandinka warrior would do.
And then a man showed up.
Reverend Garland, was it? Yeah.
Reverend Garland said he had a church outside of Sewanee kept getting shot at by old, no-good white boys uh, the Bushwhackers.
Say they was stealin' and killin' niggers left and right.
Stealin' from white folks, too.
They was looking for colored soldiers to help them fight back.
Old George [chuckles.]
he was the first to volunteer.
Ha.
You sure this boy ain't around the bend? I reckoned you'd say that.
Reckon I would, too.
[Chuckles.]
Old George told me to bring this back in case he ain't make it.
There.
I miss old Chicken George, his Africa stories.
[Chuckles.]
Yeah.
Bring him back to me.
I'm coming with you, Tom, to find Daddy.
Can't, James.
You watch over Mama.
Hey, boy.
Hey.
You know Reverend Garland in Sewanee? My daddy called Chicken George.
Chicken George.
Did you ever hear of him? H-hey.
Hey.
Hey.
Hey, hold up now.
[Horse whinnies.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
Man: As soon as you load up, move out.
Don't wait.
Them Bushwhackers gone for now.
They gonna come back.
Quickly.
Let's go.
Do not stop until we get to Henning, Tennessee.
I'll meet you all there.
Godspeed.
[Indistinct conversations continue.]
Let's load it up.
Daddy? [Indistinct conversations continue.]
Daddy, it's Tom.
[Chuckles.]
It really is you.
Thought I was having another dream.
Cyrus said you had a rough go.
It's time to come home now.
You need to get on your feet, move out.
Not safe here.
I'm not coming with you.
I'm going home Carolina with my son.
I understand.
You've done more than enough for us, George, chasing off those Bushwhackers.
You saved our lives.
The war might be over, but some white men ain't never gonna let it go ain't never gonna accept us being free.
I do know one thing the Lord don't take no steps backwards.
And we ain't giving up our freedom.
Henning own some land there.
Gonna make it safe for our people.
God's watching over you.
- Let's move out.
- Get a move on, Daddy.
Come on, now, boys.
We going home.
[Groans.]
How'd you find me, boy? A boy brought me to you.
Dressed in this blue cloth on his body and his head.
Brought me straight to you.
- Blue cloth on his head.
- Mm-hmm? Ain't got no boy like that here.
Well, hey.
I thought you might be needing this.
[Chuckles.]
You're a good boy.
[Gunshot.]
Come on, Daddy.
Come on, let's go.
Hurry up.
Come on.
This way, this way.
- Come on.
- Get over there.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Man: Move up, move up! Come on, Daddy, let's go! Come on.
Keep it moving, Daddy.
[Gunfire continues.]
Go, go.
Get up.
[Groaning.]
Tom: We make that Union line, them Bushwhackers won't follow us.
We almost there.
Just keep moving.
Man #1: Run, boy.
Man #2: Got Bushwhackers up on the ridge.
Turn right back.
You ain't welcome here.
What? Y'all heard them shots.
Got Bushwhackers behind us.
Killed some of us already.
- Come on.
- That's not our trouble.
Not since President Lincoln got shot dead.
What? Some Southern traitor put a bullet in poor old Abe's head.
Now I'm tired of you people.
Ain't enough we already fought for you.
Now, we truly sorry about Mr.
Lincoln, sir, - but we got Bushwhackers - This is a military camp.
We don't have stuff for niggers.
- Get out of here! - Stop.
Tom: This man is Memphis Battery! Fought at Fort Pillow! Look at his damn uniform! A uniform don't make a soldier.
Not to me.
We've given our blood for you people.
- Oh, what about our blood? - Tell him, corporal.
What about the blood we gave for this country? - For years! - Easy now.
He got every right to be here! [Indistinct shouting.]
George: Hey, hold on.
Hold on just one cotton-picking second.
[Shouting stops.]
Y'all y'all don't know who you got there.
That right there it's best damn blacksmith in the whole damn Union.
That's who he is.
Let me tell you now, that boy he got rare, mystical skills, passed down by Mandinka craftsmen.
That's on the Kamby Bolongo in Africa.
One time, I saw him patch a cannon by sitting on the muzzle and hammering it as it fired! - [Laughter.]
- When that hammer broke, he just carried on pounding it with his fists! Look at him arms like cannonballs! Yes, sir, he can fix a rifle, mend a saddle, patch pots and pans.
That boy can smooth a knot from a twisted axle like a pretty girl pull tangles from her hair.
- [Laughter.]
- And y'all want to chase him off? Come on, now.
You'll be the first soldier boys home sitting up in your own bed, eating on your mama's home cooking.
Who wants to smell mama's gravy right now? Amen?! Together: Amen! If that boy can shoe horses, we can use him.
Let them all in.
[Indistinct conversations.]
Man #1: Everybody fall out.
Back to work.
Come on, now.
Man #2: Y'all get a little something to eat.
I fear, I fear, my mother, dear I fear I've come to harm No more to see her lovely face Now, I-I could be wrong.
I got a notion about that boy who brought you to me.
Suppose you gonna tell me he was a Mandinka spirit? Nope.
Gonna tell you he was Kunta Kinte hisself, same as came to my mama.
By the old barn gate My soul will pass you by I know you ain't over there thinking I can't do this by myself, is you? No, sir.
I think that'd be kind of risky.
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
[Chuckles.]
- "A"? - Mm-hmm.
- "B"? - Yeah.
Boy: "C"? [Indistinct conversations.]
Oh.
Jesus.
George.
George.
[Laughs.]
George.
Hey, Tom.
[Laughter.]
How you doing? George.
Oh.
You're a sight for sore eyes.
[Laughs.]
Old Chicken George.
About goddamn time you made it here, old man.
I'm giving you a chance to learn how to work a field.
- Oh, will you now? - [Laughter.]
Cyrus: Stand him.
Stand him up right.
Oh, hang on.
Ah.
Oh, that that was nothing.
Took out 20 men.
Neither one of us got a scratch on us.
[Laughter.]
Tom: Mr.
Murray, we all leaving.
Well, surely, we can work out something, Tom.
A-an extra chicken or two, if if that helps.
Thank you, sir, but Henning, Tennessee, is gonna have shops run by our own people.
Not that we won't take money from the white folk.
Money ain't got no color.
Tom, I don't know if you'll take my words to heart, but I wish you and your family good fortune.
There was a time when we were working together, I felt Well godspeed.
You niggers ain't going nowhere.
- Frederick.
- You got to pay 'fore you leave.
Don't have to ask you, Frederick.
- Talking to your daddy.
- I told you I would handle this, Frederick.
- My daddy's a fool.
- Son.
I want every penny you earned on this farm as a blacksmith.
Made a lot more money for this farm.
Goodbye, sir.
Son, son! You think anything's changed - 'cause the war's over? - Frederick, please.
Them Union boys gonna be home soon enough, but I'll still be right here, and plenty of men just like me.
We will redeem this country and put you people back where you belong.
It's just natural law.
I won't never see a nigger be my equal.
Don't have no interest in being your equal, Frederick.
Charlotte: No, no! F-Frederick! Oh, my god.
[Crying.]
[Panting.]
First thing good my daddy ever did for me.
- Yeah, we're ready.
- All right, baby.
Woman: Are you guys ready? All right, let's get the kids in there.
[Laughs.]
[Indistinct conversations.]
[Baby coos.]
Well, Chicken George, I reckon it's time I be moving on.
I thank you kindly for everything, and you you're all nice folks.
But after all, you you's all family.
And you're not my family.
We are now, if you want us to be.
Hmm.
Well, that doesn't sound so bad, now does it? Not bad at all.
- Can I come in? - Mm-hmm.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Yeah, she gonna be a strong one, just like my mama.
Mm-hmm.
You are so beautiful.
Tom: Irene, give me the baby? Tom, what's wrong? Matilda: It's all right.
Tom.
Get back.
[Breathing heavily.]
W-what do I do, Daddy? Tell me now.
What How do they how do I give her her name the right way? Son, I can't I can't say I know for sure.
Just talk to her.
I don't know any Africa words.
I don't know if this is the right time, or I don't know if the sky looks the way it's supposed to be, but I know you my first baby not born a slave.
First baby nobody can own.
But that don't mean you don't have to be a warrior.
Still gonna have to fight to stay free.
Every day.
Always gonna be someone wants to take away your freedom.
And I can't keep this family together if I don't teach you where we come from, who we are if I don't remember who I am.
So that's why I got to tell you this story so I can be the father I want to be.
Alex: His name was Kunta Kinte, son of Omoro and Binta Kinte from Juffure in the Kingdom of Niumi on the Kamby Bolongo.
Flying home from The Gambia, I knew I had to write a book about him.
My ancestors would be a symbol for millions of slaves, all of them seeds of American families living today, captured, chained, sailed across the same ocean in ships where untold numbers died.
Sold to thousands of plantations, millions of men and women who struggled to survive and fought to be free every day.
[Man chanting in native language.]
The truth can never be known.
It can only be told in a story.
There once was a boy who was taken from his family and carried halfway around the world.
He lived to start a new family.
And in his journey, he became a hero for a new nation.
I hope my story honors him, brings peace and pride to us all.
Ahhhh ahhhh ahhhhh.
Ahhhh ahhhh ahhhhh.
And when the door closes, Another one opens.
I walk through it.
With my head up.
At the end of a desert, There's always an ocean.
And when the night fades away, The sun comes up.
New beginning Oh, it's just a new beginning.
Oh