The Dead Don’t Hurt (2023)
Genre: Drama, Western
Director: Viggo Mortensen
Stars: Vicky Krieps, Viggo Mortensen, Solly McLeod, Garret Dillahunt, Danny Huston
Plot: The Dead Don’t Hurt is a story of star-crossed lovers on the western U.S. frontier in the 1860s. Vivienne Le Coudy (Vicky Krieps) is a fiercely independent woman who embarks on a relationship with Danish immigrant Holger Olsen (Viggo Mortensen). After meeting Olsen in San Francisco, she agrees to travel with him to his home near the quiet town of Elk Flats, Nevada, where they start a life together. The outbreak of the civil war separates them when Olsen makes a fateful decision to fight for the Union. This leaves Vivienne to fend for herself in a place controlled by corrupt Mayor Rudolph Schiller (Danny Huston) and his unscrupulous business partner, powerful rancher Alfred Jeffries (Garret Dillahunt). Alfred’s violent, wayward son Weston (Solly McLeod) aggressively pursues Vivienne, who is determined to resist his unwanted advances. When Olsen returns from the war, he and Vivienne must confront and make peace with the person each has become. Both a tragic love story and a nuanced depiction of the conflict between revenge and forgiveness, The Dead Don’t Hurt is a portrait of a passionate woman determined to stand up for herself in an unforgiving world dominated by ruthless men.
* * *
[labored, shaky breathing]
[birds squawking] [flies buzzing]
[breathing continues]
[pensive music]
[horse snorting] [hooves clomping]
[Vivienne exhales]
[breathing stops]
[flies buzzing]
[man sighs]
[flies continue buzzing]
[gentle music]
No, Weston!
[shots firing]
[horse whinnying]
God damn you, Weston.
God da…
[gunshot firing]
[door slams open]
[man] Weston!
[gun cocks]
Hm.
[man] Put the gun down.
Right now, Mr. Jeffries.
Give it up.
[shots firing]
[wind whistling] [spurs clinking]
[Weston humming]
[Weston grunts]
Whoa.
[horse whinnying]
[dynamic music] [humming continues]
[shovel thudding] [Holger grunting]
[horse whinnying] [birds calling]
[Holger panting] [flies buzzing]
[shovel thudding] [dirt clattering]
[Holger grunting] [horse whinnying]
[hooves clomping]
[horses grunting]
[Holger grunting] [shovel thudding]
[man] I’m sorry, Sheriff.
I’ve been meanin’ to come out here and pay you a visit.
I heard that Vivienne was faltering, but I didn’t know she was so far gone.
My condolences to you, and your boy.
We’ve come to inform you that great misfortune has befallen our community.
Ed Wilkins went on a bender, ended up killing six men.
Carl Ferguson, Ed Watson, Claudio, the piano player,
a fella from Missouri,
and then he shot Kendall.
Your deputy appears to have done his best to apprehend him, but he too was laid low.
Alfred Jeffries and his men found Wilkins sleeping under a Cottonwood a few miles out of town, dead drunk.
We have him locked up for you.
Initially he claimed not to remember any of it.
We’ll have him in front of Judge Blagden in short order.
We’re hopin’ for an expeditious trial and conviction.
Who saw it?
Saw it?
Witnesses?
Some of Jeffries’ men, as well as Tom Blanchard over there.
Got the livery stable and then they heard gunshots.
When they stepped outside, they saw Wilkins riding hard outta town.
Anyone else see it?
I don’t believe so.
Hm.
[sighs]
Would you like the reverend to come out?
Say a few words over her?
[Holger grunting] [shovel thudding]
[solemn music] [hooves clomping]
Good boy.
Let every person be subject to the governing authority, for there is no authority except from God.
[woman murmuring]
And those who pass judgment on this Earth have been instituted by the Almighty.
[woman] Amen.
Bring ’em in.
[crowd murmuring]
This ain’t a fair trial.
[woman speaking faintly]
You know he’s innocent!
[people clamoring]
[man] Innocent!
[slamming table]
I said order!
There will be order in my court!
Do you hear me?
[murmuring continues]
Has the jury reached the verdict?
Jeffries’ son done it.
[woman] Tell ’em, Martha!
Oh, hell!
[crowd murmuring]
Some people seen him ride into town.
That is an outrageous accusation.
There’s no foundation for such a bare-faced slur.
Everyone knows my son left for California months ago.
Mr. Jeffries, please try and ignore that woman and just sit down now.
God damn.
Liar.
Your Honor,
I will not tolerate such a liar.
If Mrs. Gilkyson says one more word on this subject, I will pursue legal remedy.
And if any man here so much as evinces a readiness to utter such calumny,
I will whip his ass personally right here, right now.
Well, might don’t make right, Mr. Jeffries.
[all yelling]
[gunshot firing] [crowd gasps]
You… you can’t do that!
[gunshot firing] [all exclaiming]
[all murmuring]
[Blagden Blagden] You best sit down there, Fergus.
All right.
[chair rattling]
Horseshit.
[crowd members chuckling]
Have you reached a verdict, sir?
Yes, Your Honor.
Let’s have it then.
Bring it over here.
Let’s hear it.
“We the jury…”
No.
Not out loud, you idiot.
[softly] “We the jury find the defendant…”
[horse whinnying]
“… guilty of all charges.”
[Blagden Blagden sighs]
“Do not be deceived.”
God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
The cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, idolaters, and all the liars, they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.
“That shall be the second death.”
[crowd murmuring]
Ed Wilkins, you are hereby unanimously declared guilty of the cold-blooded murders…
[crowd gasping]
…of six men in the town of Elk Flats.
I’m sorry but…
[woman speaking faintly]
[Ed] I… I… I did… I didn’t…
[Blagden] I have to sentence you to be hung from the neck until dead.
Wait, I… I… you… you…
[stammers] You…
Come on, hang him.
[Ed] I-I didn’t, I didn’t…
Court is dismissed.
[mallet tapping]
[crowd murmuring]
We’re done here, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you, Judge.
[Ed] No, no, it, it…
No.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you please be so kind as to make your way outside?
You… you… you… you…
It was… it was… you…
Please get this man out of here now.
[Ed] No, no! No, please.
Come on.
It wasn’t me.
Come on.
No, no! No!
[Ed whimpering]
No!
Be a good boy, Ed.
Help.
Be a good boy.
[man] Come on, Ed.
[Ed] Why, why, why?
[door creaking] [crowd members murmuring]
[Ed] It was, it was… No!
[ominous music]
[Ed] No! No! No!
[murmuring continues]
[reverend] “Whoever sheds human blood by humans” shall their blood be shed, for in the image of God has God made mankind.
“Through justice, let His will be done.”
Amen.
[woman] Amen.
You have any last words, son?
I… [chokes] I, I… wa…
[Ed stammering]
[Ed sobs]
It wasn’t me.
[horse whinnying]
[crowd gasping]
[rope creaking] [Ed choking]
[pensive music]
God damn shit show.
[horse whinnying]
[music continues] [choking continues]
[man] Cut him down.
Help him.
[man 2] Get back.
[man 3] Someone help him!
Help the man!
Cut him down!
Cut him down.
[hooves clomping] [music continues]
[Lewis] “I’d be damned if I touched that rancid whale blubber,”
I shouted at the rascal.
Not swayed in the slightest by the reverence you afford that putrid offal.
The dusky devil roared like a gut-shot banshee brandishing his barbed harpoon meaning to impale me upon the ice-paved wall of his fetid abode.
I proceeded to pistol whip the greasy whiskered two-faced barbarian…
[Vivienne singing in French] [gentle music]
[water splashing]
…right in the crotch.
Vivienne, I’d absolutely had it by that point.
So, I double timed him through the frigid night all the way to the local constabulary where a splendid Cossack sporting a voluminous set of mustachio clapped the scoundrel in iron arms.
But despite all this…
[woman speaking French]
[music continues]
[Vincent speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vincent speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Vincent speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[pensive music]
[Lewis] It is the indescribable vastness of Alaska’s untamed wilderness that stirs the plot and imagination of any forward-looking man.
Once we have managed to remove the marauding bands of godless…
[gentle music] [water splashing]
[music fades]
[Vincent speaking French]
[geese honking]
[water splashing] [gentle music]
[Lewis] It is our manifest destiny to tame that wild domain, and instruct the heathens in the ways of civilization in as much as they’re able to appreciate.
Benevolence.
What’s wrong, my dear?
Don’t you want to sample the mousse au chocolate or the Mille-feuille vanille?
No one prepares it like Chef Lume.
Vivienne?
[indistinct chattering]
[woman laughs]
[Vivienne breathing heavily]
Vivienne!
[dog barking]
[man speaking in foreign language]
[dog panting]
[dog barks]
[man speaking in foreign language]
[man coughs]
[water splashing] [birds calling]
[gentle music]
[flies buzzing] [music continues]
[creaking] [music continues]
[horse snorting]
[hooves clomping]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne giggles]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Agnes speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[birds chirping] [flies buzzing]
[spurs clinking]
[mellow music]
[Holger’s tongue clicks]
Whoa.
[Holger grunts] [music continues]
Come on, boy.
[Holger grunts]
Whoa.
[horse braying]
Whoa.
Come, son.
[Holger’s tongue clicks] [hooves clomping]
[music continues]
[Schiller] And I’m confident that the consternation that Presley runs high in some quarters of our fair town will subside as the dust settles on this matter.
Sure.
However, I do feel it would be best if Weston did not return to Elk Flats anytime soon.
Well, he was never here.
How the hell is he gonna return?
[Schiller] Precisely.
Nevertheless…
Let’s just cut the palaver, get back to business.
[Schiller] As you wish, Alfred.
So, to the matter of Kendall’s Saloon, after careful consideration of the related circumstances and seeing as Kendall do not hold an actual deed to the establishment, I foresee no obstacles in your way.
Damn straight.
[Schiller] Most people already think of it as your property anyway.
The saloon will be yours as soon as this document is signed by all parties.
Cigar?
No.
All parties?
You mean Kendall’s fat ass widow?
She better not make any trouble.
For a relatively modest fee, she will surely step aside.
She cannot afford the cost of a judicial contest with you and has no business sense whatsoever.
[match strikes]
Good.
[Schiller blows]
Furthermore, as my bank owns the buildings either side of the saloon and as mayor,
I have the authority to allow you to expand your gaming activities, and create sporting lady areas in those adjacent spaces as you’ve long expressed an interest in doing.
In exchange for a percentage of your monthly profits,
I will gladly rent you my buildings at a discounted rate, and guarantee that you’re allowed to conduct your affairs without interference from the city council or the sheriff.
You’re comin’ on full chisel, ain’t you, Rudy?
More shameless scavenger never blighted this fair town.
Birds of a feather, Alfred.
Birds of a feather.
Would you excuse me a moment?
[horse whinnying]
Hello, there.
I didn’t expect to see you so early this morning.
Hello, Vincent.
Please, have a seat.
Coffee?
[man] Thank you, Mr. Rogers…
[Mayor] Are you leaving us?
Oh no, please don’t fret about this month’s rents.
I’ll be glad to arrange for a reduced rate commensurate with the travails of your misfortune.
[coins clattering]
Adjusting to the actual days of tenancy.
[coins clattering]
[badge thuds]
[men yelling faintly]
[door slams]
[coins clinking]
Is there gonna be a problem, Mr. Schiller?
I don’t believe so, Alfred.
No.
You better be right.
Shall we finalize our agreement?
[soft music] [hooves clomping]
[clanking] [men yelling faintly]
[water splashing]
[anticipatory music]
[crowd chattering] [seagulls squawking]
[man] Fresh tomatoes!
Get your tomatoes right over here, folks.
Right off the vine.
Fresh, fresh tomato.
Over here.
[man 2 yelling indistinctly]
[Vivienne] May I?
[man 3] Yeah, they’re 20 pound.
Price of your fishes, if I may say so, outrageous.
[Lewis] Vivienne?
Vivienne?
God’s sake, what are you up to now?
I’ve been scouring the harbor for you.
I will be with you shortly.
Please allow my man, Johnson, to purchase these goods for you if you must have them.
Come, let’s take some tea.
[Vivienne] Leave me alone. I am busy.
This behavior really must stop.
I will not have you speak to me like that.
Go away then.
As you wish.
Don’t come crying to me for forgiveness.
A decent meal, you’ve run out of your second rate fish and your belly starts to grumble,
I do not have the patience of Job, and you’re not the only pretty thing in town, nor the freshest.
[speaks French]
[in English] Don’t mind him.
I’m sure your fishes are first-rate.
Thank you.
[indistinct chattering] [bell tolling]
[gentle music]
[water splashing]
[Vivienne clears throat]
Is it good?
[Vivienne chuckles]
[music continues]
Olsen.
Just Olsen?
Just Olsen.
Thanks.
Vivienne.
Just Vivienne?
Vivienne Le Coudy.
[Holger] Hm.
[speaking French]
[in English] No.
You’re not American.
Yes, I am.
You don’t sound like it.
[chuckles] And neither do you.
[chuckles]
So where are you from, Vivienne Le Coudy?
It’s a very long story.
I have plenty of time.
How fortunate for you.
[Vivienne chuckles]
[Night snorting]
This is Night.
Oh.
[speaks French]
[Holger chuckles]
[in English] Careful.
[Vivienne] What?
[Vivienne laughs]
[soft music] [utensils rattling]
Breakfast in bed?
You shouldn’t spoil me.
I am not.
Get up.
[Holger humming]
Hm.
So this fellow you were arguing with in the fish market,
what would he say about me being here?
He does not own me,
and he is no concern of yours.
Sit down and eat.
[Holger sighs]
Thank you.
Mm.
Nice omelet.
Omelette.
[Holger] Yeah, omelet.
Omelette.
[slowly] Omelette.
Yeah, egg. [Chuckles]
[Vivienne clears throat]
Mm.
So where are you going now?
[Holger] Going?
Who says I’m going anywhere?
[Holger chuckles]
Mm.
Very nice.
So, you have family here?
I did.
[Vivienne clears throat]
[plate thuds]
I’m sorry.
[water splashing]
Do you like to look at paintings, Olsen?
Yeah.
[Vivienne chuckles]
Good.
True.
[water splashing]
[light music] [indistinct chattering]
Hm.
[Vivienne speaking French]
[in English] This is where I come from.
[Vivienne speaking French]
[in English] Maples and red oaks.
Birches, hickories.
Different rivers than here.
Different sky.
Different everything.
[Holger] Hm.
You miss it?
No.
[Lewis] Vivienne?
I didn’t expect you to attend.
This is my friend Olsen.
Lewis Cartwright.
Welcome to my home, Mr. Olsen.
If you see anything you like, let me know.
Paintings are selling briskly.
Do you have a Christian name?
No.
Yeah.
Just Olsen.
[speaking French]
[sighs] Hm.
[in English] Please enjoy the exhibition.
[Vivienne laughs]
Have we seen enough?
Definitely.
[chuckles] Come.
[Holger chuckles]
You’re a very bad girl.
[chuckles] That’s why you like me.
[Holger] Yeah.
[Vivienne laughs]
[indistinct chattering]
[driver yelling]
Out of the way!
Thank you.
Thanks.
[driver] Watch your back there.
Coming through.
Miss Vivienne?
Ah. Monsieur [indistinct].
Thank you.
Please, can you bring more of these next Thursday,
if you can?
Yes, Miss Vivienne, I will bring.
There.
Thank you.
[water splashing] [indistinct chattering]
[Holger] How much for a single rose?
Depends on the rose.
The yellow one.
I thought you weren’t going anywhere?
I am now.
[indistinct chattering]
[Night nickers]
It’s on the house.
That’s very kind.
[Night exhaling heavily]
[Night nickering]
I think he likes you.
[Vivienne chuckles]
[rain pattering] [gentle music]
[hooves clomping]
[water splashing] [music continues]
[bird calling]
[fire crackling] [crickets chirping]
[Holger] That duck,
he was moving very high and fast.
Where did you learn to shoot like that?
I killed my first rabbit when I was five years old.
Hm.
By yourself?
With an arrow.
My father was with me but he did not help.
I cleaned it and cooked it also.
Hm.
You are more handy every passing day.
Handy?
Mm, useful, capable.
[Holger inhales]
Handy?
[Holger chuckles]
Quite.
It’s not too late to turn back, you know.
[light music]
[Holger breathing heavily]
[hooves clomping] [music fades]
This is it?
Yes.
The place you chose of all the places you have seen.
Yes.
Why?
It’s quiet.
Why did you go to San Francisco?
Hm.
To see the end of the world.
[chuckles] [Night nickers]
[flies buzzing]
[Vivienne sighs]
[gentle music]
[Vivienne groans]
[Vivienne clears throat]
[Vivienne sighs]
It looks like a bandit’s hideout.
[Holger chuckles]
And it smells of dead mouse in there.
In fact, there are dead mice.
So sad, no trees.
There are many trees.
Not here.
No flowers.
No garden at all.
So sad.
You live like a dog.
A happy dog.
What do you do here?
As little as possible.
[Vivienne sighs]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Holger sighs]
[light music]
[logs clattering]
[in English] Looks good.
[logs clattering]
Yeah.
[music continues]
[Vivienne grunts] [brush thuds]
[crickets chirping] [music continues]
[music fades]
[pen scribbling]
Were you ever married?
[flies buzzing]
[Holger sighs]
About 12 years ago, our country was invaded, and I went away to fight, as many others did.
It was a long terrible war, but we won.
And when I finally returned home, she was gone.
I cannot read this.
[Holger] Of course not.
It’s in Danish.
[both chuckle softly]
But I can tell you what it says.
I would love that.
[Holger chuckles softly]
[shovel thudding] [Holger grunting]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[in English] You woke me up.
[Holger] Yeah.
You can’t dream your life away.
Why not?
[laughs]
This is for the flowers.
What do you think?
You have to tell me where you want me to plant your trees.
Smells like shit.
It is shit.
Very good cow shit.
[Vivienne grimaces]
[Vivienne gasps]
[Vivienne groaning] [Holger chuckles]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[in English] Not in the shit, Olsen!
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Holger chuckles]
Mm.
[in English] Where did you get all these trees and flowers?
How did you pay for them?
I will build a barn for the man who gave them to me.
Mm.
A big barn?
Not very big, but it will be a good one.
How much will he pay you?
Enough.
He has a big ranch.
[Vivienne chuckles]
[gentle music]
You’re still a dog.
Maybe you can build a barn for us one day.
Yeah, a little one.
I could do that.
I could help you.
[chuckles] Yeah?
[Vivienne] Hm?
[music continues]
[hammer tapping]
[Holger] It’s crooked.
No, it isn’t.
See?
[Holger] Shit.
[light music]
[Vivienne] And now I take care of the roses
and the trees because you give them
too much water and they’re too rough for you.
That sounds sensible.
I am very sensible.
Not sensitive, sensible.
Pardon me.
From Mr. Jeffries.
My compliments on the striking company
you’re keeping lately, Holger. [chuckles]
Ogre?
Holger.
You mind if I call you Olsen, Olsen?
That would be fine.
[Vivienne chuckles]
He’s the son of the man I’m building the barn for.
[doors creaking]
[music stops]
Can I have your attention, ladies and gentlemen?
Well, well.
I am Sergeant Webb
of the fifth California Infantry Regiment,
here by order of Lieutenant Henry Stevens.
[Weston chuckles]
We need volunteers for the California Column.
[man] You’re not welcome here.
We’re lookin’ for men of honor and grit
who wanna fight to save the Union.
We need infantry men.
We need cavalry men.
We need horses and rifles.
And men who know how to use them.
You’re barkin’ up the wrong tree, partner.
[man 2] Shit.
[men chuckling]
You will receive an immediate bounty
of 100 dollars if you join up.
We head to New Mexico Territory at the end of the week.
We’re camped on the edge of town,
in the event any of you wish
to lend your service to our nation.
[man] Fuck California.
[man chuckles]
Good evening to you all.
[man 3] Better get goin’.
[indistinct chattering]
[light piano music]
[speaks Danish, chuckles]
[chuckles]
[speaks Danish]
[music continues] [chattering continues]
[anticipatory music] [Holger panting]
[bird calling] [flies buzzing]
[Holger grunts]
[Holger’s tongue clicking]
[anticipatory music]
[doors creaking]
[in English] Good afternoon, Mr. Kendall.
Good afternoon, Miss…?
Vivienne.
Um… Vivienne.
Oh, yes.
Mr. Olsen’s lovely companion.
Holger built the cabinets and the shelves for us here.
I know. He’s a very good carpenter.
Indeed.
Very handy.
Yes, he most certainly is.
How might I be of service?
Oh, I seek employment.
Perhaps you need someone to help you serve the customers,
or I can work behind the bar, keep it tidy.
It’s most commendable.
However, we are not lacking
for assistance on our day-to-day…
[Weston] What a capital idea.
[women snickering]
That’ll liven up this drab establishment considerably.
[snickering continues]
I am willing to do anything you need.
Anything?
[men chuckling] [spurs clinking]
[Weston grunts]
[man gasps]
[people snickering]
Do…
What?
You’re hired, darlin’.
Excuse me, I was talking to Mr. Kendall.
The job’s yours, Ms. Vivienne.
So, you do need some extra help then?
Well, don’t we all?
Mr. Jeffries has a stake in my…
our establishment.
Therefore, naturally he has the authority…
You bet your flabby ass I do.
Welcome to Kendall’s, Miss.
We can try you on weekends to start.
Next Friday would be most propitious.
Done and done!
[hand slams]
Well, congratulations are in order.
May I offer you a libation to mark the moment?
No, thank you.
I have other matters to attend.
Friday, what time?
Other matters?
Well, woe is me, spurned and forlorn. [Laughs]
Three PM, if that’s suitable.
Give you time to learn the ropes,
uh, before the place fills up.
Thank you, Mr. Kendall.
[patrons snickering]
[woman] There she goes.
[door creaking]
[Night whinnying]
How is the barn of Mr. Jeffries coming along?
Good, almost done.
[sighs] Couple of days of small details,
and to paint the outside.
I hired another man to help me.
There’s money for you?
Yeah, but well, I want to get it done quickly.
Why?
Well, it’s time.
When it’s done, uh,
Mr. Jeffries wants to have a small party to celebrate.
He would like us to come.
[making kissing noises]
[Vivienne] Is this a formal event, this party?
I don’t know.
I don’t think so.
I don’t have nice clothes.
Yes, you do.
You look beautiful always, no matter what you wear.
You’re blind.
He likes my barn so much
that he asked me to make another one.
[Vivienne] He needs…
Much bigger one.
He needs two barns?
No, it’s for a man who lives on the other side of the mountains.
He wants horse stables, too.
A lotta work.
What about our barn?
[Holger sighs]
I also have a job now.
What do you mean?
I have a job in town at Kendall’s.
Why?
I mean, do you need it?
I have things I want to do as well.
You didn’t tell me, I didn’t tell you.
And I like to work, and I like to earn my own money.
Yeah, of course.
I’m not going to take the other job.
Because of my job?
Because I’m…
thinking about enlisting.
Thinking about it?
I am going to take the 100-dollar bounty
and volunteer for the army.
They might pay even more
because of my previous military experience.
Why?
Why?
This is not your problem.
This is not your country!
It is now.
[Vivienne sighs]
It’s not just about money.
It’s the right thing to do.
Fighting against slavery.
Those who can, should.
Bullshit, Olsen!
[Vivienne speaking French]
[in English] I won’t be gone long.
Men are so stupid.
So stupid.
What if I don’t wait for you, huh?
I’m a good soldier.
They need me.
You’re too old to go to war!
Yeah, perhaps.
Yeah.
But I must go.
I need to see for myself what it’s all about.
What it’s all about?
Yeah.
[Vivienne speaking French]
[log thuds]
[in English] Selfish bastard!
[Holger sighs]
[door slams]
[Holger sighs]
[door creaking]
[spurs clinking]
[Holger sighs]
We have a life together now.
It is only beginning.
Vivienne,
be my wife.
Please.
You cannot make things right with a consolation prize.
[Holger] No.
You are everything.
[Vivienne sighs]
You are the sea to me.
Fuck the sea.
You cannot own the sea.
Never will I marry.
Not you, not anyone.
[Holger sighs]
[Night snorts]
Some bread for the journey.
Thank you.
I will come back as soon as possible.
Good.
I will miss you.
I hope so.
[Vivienne sniffling]
[bird calling]
[Night nickering]
[gentle music] [crying]
[sobbing]
[wings flapping]
[shots firing]
[Vincent speaking French]
[Holger, in English] No, the dead don’t hurt.
Come on, let’s go cook it.
[Vincent speaking French]
[thunder rumbling in distance]
[wolf howling]
[horse whinnying]
[wolves howling] [horse whinnying]
Whoa.
[Holger speaking French]
[Vincent speaking French]
[wolf howls]
[in English] That’s a wolf, son.
[howling]
[howls]
[both howling]
[both howling]
[wolves howling]
[horse nickers]
[crickets chirping] [fire crackling]
[Vivienne sighs]
[hooves clomping]
[Weston clears throat]
Fine Sunday for gardening, ain’t it?
Uh-huh.
I know Holger bought some manure from us awhile back.
Thought you might want a little more.
Thank you, Weston.
What do I owe you?
Nothin’ at all.
We have far more than we can use.
Happy to let you have as much as you need.
Shall I help you spread it?
[Vivienne] Oh, that’s very kind of you.
I will do it in the evening when it’s not so warm.
[chuckles]
You might wanna fence them rose bushes
and those too, else the deer’ll nibble at ’em.
I can send someone to put one up for ya.
I can do it myself.
[sighs] Of course you can.
Would you like some cold mint tea?
That sounds altogether inviting, Ms. Vivienne.
[Weston sighs, chuckles]
[horse snorts] [birds chirping]
[Holger sighs]
[light piano music]
[patrons chattering]
Quit that braidin’, man.
There ain’t no horses to break in here.
[man] Quit.
[Weston chuckles]
[patrons laughing] [upbeat piano music]
[men chattering]
[Weston] Oh, goddamn.
Son of a bitch!
[piano keys thudding] [Claudio gasping]
[Claudio shouts]
[Alfred] Son!
[man] Shit.
[Claudio grunting, shouting]
[Weston laughs]
[Claudio groans] [patrons exclaiming]
[Claudio groans] [patrons exclaiming]
Come on.
[foot thuds] [Claudio groans]
[Vivienne gasping]
I told you not to play that damn song,
you greasy bastard.
[laughs, stammers] That’s…
Shut the hell up, Ed.
Son, leave the man be.
[Ed laughing]
He must have forgot.
Won’t have that Yankee shit in this place.
[Alfred] The song is called “Our Generals.”
Could be anyone’s generals.
Well, they ain’t.
How the hell do you know?
Well ain’t a Confederate song, that’s for damn sure.
[Claudio whimpers]
[foot thuds] [all exclaiming]
Ah, now, Kendall.
Seein’ as how my men and I
are keepin’ this shithole afloat for ya,
I don’t suppose you’re gonna make a nuisance
of yourself ’cause of this trifling matter.
Are ya?
No, Mr. Jeffries.
This is ought to, uh, cover the expense
tunin’ up this inferior instrument.
Now pick the man up,
tell him to play somethin’ decent.
[man chuckles]
[Alfred] Do it.
[stammering] Do it.
Shut your hole.
[Ed chuckles]
[horse whinnying]
[Claudio groaning]
[Kendall] Come on, come on.
[Claudio groans]
[piano keys chiming]
Play somethin’ nice, Claudio.
Play somethin’ nice.
[men laughing]
[Weston] Mm.
[Claudio groans]
[Weston] There you go.
[Claudio gasps]
[Weston] Oh, no, no.
Mighty pretty.
You keep it up, boy. [Chuckles]
[Weston laughs, coughs]
Come on.
Gotta clean up your messes, boy.
[Weston] Let go!
[Alfred] Sit your ass down!
Everybody play, play.
[slow piano notes playing]
Show’s over.
[men laughing]
Surrounded by simpletons.
[light piano music]
All right, where were we?
[dramatic piano music] [men chattering]
[Claudio grunting]
[Vivienne grunts] [piano music fading]
[crickets chirping]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[water splashing]
[hooves clomping]
[horse whinnying]
[spurs clinking]
Just wanna be sure you got home safe, ma’am.
As you can see, I did.
I’m just bein’ neighborly.
No need to shoot me.
I am fine, Mr. Jeffries.
Oh, you most certainly are.
[gun cocks]
Hm.
Ain’t no sense bein’ all alone on a night like this.
No different than any other.
[laughs] That is…
That is where you are wrong, my dear.
I am not your dear.
But tonight
is the night you’ve gone from catching my fancy,
to stokin’ the flames of my ardor.
[door slams] [Weston grunts]
[glass shatters] [Vivienne gasps]
[Weston grunts] [Vivienne gags]
[Vivienne choking]
Come on.
Oh, yeah.
[shard thuds] [Weston groaning]
Bitch! [hand slaps]
[flame whooshing]
[Vivienne groaning softly]
[flies buzzing]
[Vivienne panting]
[somber music]
[music continues] [door closes]
[bags thudding] [stirring music]
[hooves clomping]
[men chattering]
Promptness is a virtue.
I never thought I need remind you
but you may consider yourself remind…
What happened?
[spurs clinking]
[man, softly] Quit starin’.
[water splashing]
Oh…
[doors creaking]
[pensive music]
[hooves clomping] [horse nickers]
[flag thuds]
[man speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[man speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[man speaking French]
[birds calling]
[Vivienne grunts]
[Vivienne breathing heavily]
[hooves clomping]
[in English] Hello, Billy.
Afternoon.
Another letter for you, ma’am.
Came in on the stage at Fort Churchill last month.
[Vivienne speaks French]
[in English] Would you like something to eat?
Coffee?
Thanks anyhow, ma’am, but I got a couple more to deliver.
I’ll be goin’ now if it’s all the same.
Of course.
Thank you, Billy.
[hooves clomping]
[eagle calls]
[light music]
[Vivienne chuckles]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[Vivienne sighs]
[music continues]
[Vivienne speaking French] [Little Vincent cooing]
[speaks French]
Ooh!
[Little Vincent crying] [Vivienne speaking French]
[blowing raspberries] [Vivienne speaking French]
[light piano music]
[in English] Yes. Maybe not so fast, hm?
It’s okay.
[piano key chimes]
Let’s try again.
[playing continues]
[Claudio speaking Spanish]
[piano key chimes]
[Vivienne speaks French]
[Vincent speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Claudio chuckles]
[playing continues] [spurs clinking]
[doors creaking]
Come here.
Found her wanderin’ the streets.
Should not have let your daughter traipse around town
all by her lonesome.
[Isabel speaking Spanish]
[Claudio speaking Spanish]
[Isabel speaking Spanish]
[in English] You can ask her.
Come on, don’t be shy.
[fists banging]
Can I get
some goddamn service?
[Vivienne speaking French]
[glass thuds]
[cork pops]
Isabel, would you like some lemonade before you go?
No. No thank you, Ms. Vivienne.
[Claudio speaking Spanish]
[liquid pouring]
[Weston clears throat]
[in English] We want for you to come.
My mother asked if you will have the dinner
again with us tomorrow night.
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Isabel speaking French]
[in English] I’m only teasing.
There’s no obligation.
Read it when it pleases you.
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Little Vincent speaking Spanish]
[doors creaking]
[sucks teeth]
[Weston chuckles]
Well, they make ’em sweeter every year, don’t they?
[Weston chuckles]
You’re gonna have to learn her some English, though.
Heard just about as much of that Mexican cluckety cluck
as I can stand.
[Vivienne] French.
Say what?
[Weston chuckles]
[Weston exhales] [wood scraping]
[spurs clinking]
[Weston clears throat]
Deal me in.
[man] Yeah.
[man 2] Yes, sir.
[Weston coughs]
Okay.
Okay.
[soft piano music] [men chattering]
[Weston] I’ll take two.
[man] I’ll take two.
[man 2] Two for you.
There you go.
[music continues] [players chattering]
[Vivienne laughs] [water splashing]
[Vivienne singing in French]
[Vivienne spits] [Little Vincent laughs]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[gentle music]
[hooves clomping]
[music continues]
[horse whinnying]
[eagle calls]
[music continues]
[Holger grunts]
[door creaking]
[flies buzzing] [water trickling]
[soft music]
[Holger exhales softly]
[Holger chuckles softly]
[Vincent speaking French]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Holger, in English] Hello.
Did you get my letters?
I received seven letters.
The last one got wet.
I could not read it.
Did you receive mine?
Yeah.
Well, I got one last year in New Mexico.
I was never in one place long enough to have more.
You wrote that you only work a little now in the saloon.
Of course.
And you sold the pack horse.
Yeah.
But you didn’t tell me about him.
I wanted to tell you in person.
Oh.
[Vivienne] How was your war?
What?
How was your war?
[Holger sighs]
Too long.
Not what I expected.
How was yours?
[Vivienne whimpers softly]
[cork pops]
No.
I don’t need it.
Whose son is he?
Mine?
Weston Jeffries.
Against my will.
No, he’s gone.
Two months ago.
He killed one of his father’s Mexican cowboy
and his 12-year-old son.
Mr. Jeffries made him leave town
before the US Marshall could get here.
So, his father knows?
Maybe, maybe not.
People talk a lot.
Some seem to think he’s Claudio’s son.
Claudio?
The piano player at Kendall’s.
He’s my friend.
His family has helped me a lot.
So, he could be Claudio’s son?
No.
Claudio’s a good man.
[Holger sighing]
[Holger exhales sharply]
Why Vincent?
Why?
[Holger] The name.
My father.
[Holger sighs]
[horse whinnying]
[door slams] [flies buzzing]
[Vivienne sobbing]
[hooves clomping] [bugs chirping]
Yah!
[water rushing]
[charm clinking]
[water splashing] [Holger gasping]
[door opens] [crickets chirping]
[water dripping]
[liquid splashing] [Holger breathing heavily]
[Holger grunts]
[Holger slurps]
[Holger breathing heavily]
I went swimming.
Oh.
Long swim.
How was the water?
Good.
Cold.
[sniffs]
[bugs chirping] [water trickling]
[horse whinnying]
[Vincent speaking French]
[Holger speaking French]
[light music]
[hooves clomping] [music continues]
[water splashing]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Vincent speaking French]
[music continues]
[Mayor] Most people respect you because of your military service
because you seem like an honest man,
and there’s not much to do here,
not in terms of enforcing the law.
Not yet.
But the new mining activity in this area
will allow Elk Flats to grow.
We’re a peaceful community.
We wanna keep it that way, prosperous and respectable.
Now, you’ll be paid every other Friday.
Your request for young Mr. Crossley
to be deputy sheriff has been approved.
I could shoot a rattler’s eyes out
at 50 feet ridin’ flat out.
Well, Mr. Crossley,
I don’t think there’ll be any call for that.
He’s just joking. Right, Billy?
His pay will come out of what you earn, Holger.
Yes, sir.
[Mayor] Well gentlemen, I have work to attend to.
I’ll let you get settled into your new office.
In addition to the desk and the chairs,
we have provided you with two rifles,
three pairs of shackles and the keys to the front door
and the prisoner’s cell.
I’d appreciate if you sign for those items
and return this document to me forthwith.
Good day, gentlemen.
Thank you.
Thanks, Mr. Mayor.
Hm.
Put this on.
Thanks, Holger.
[soft music]
[gentle music] [water trickling]
[mallet tapping]
[music fades]
[Holger chuckles]
[Holger exhales]
Do you wanna help me?
Come on.
I’ve been working alone for a very long time.
I could use a good helper.
[gentle music]
You have the hammer?
[Vincent] Oui.
Come on, up you go.
[man chuckles]
[doors creaking] [men chattering]
Good evening, Alan.
And a fine one it is.
[music continues]
[Holger] Bit slow perhaps.
[Kendall] Drink?
Well, yeah, I am officially off duty now.
No miners in tonight?
Nope.
I expect they will blaze a trail here Friday being payday.
[Holger speaks Danish]
[patrons chattering] [music continues]
[in English] I hear that vein of silver north of Fairs Canyon
looks promising.
Mayor Schiller and Mr. Jeffries,
they got all those new claims
up on that West Ridge sewed up tight.
Got an outfit comin’ here from back east.
It’s big money.
Oh, yeah?
Mm-hm.
[Holger] Hm.
Well, that might send some business your way.
We are the nearest town with the general store
and I am the owner of the only saloon in these parts.
Indeed.
Here’s to progress.
[glasses clinking]
[doors creaking]
Good evening.
[Holger sighs] [music stops]
[coin clatters]
[doors creaking] [music continues]
[patrons murmuring]
Set me up.
[patrons chattering]
[Holger] Goodnight, Billy.
[Billy] Goodnight, Sheriff.
[thunder rumbling]
It makes no sense for you to be here now, Weston.
I said we’d send for you at the appropriate time.
Got it right.
We agreed you’d stay out of town until you heard from us.
[chuckles] Well…
I want my share.
Certainly count on that.
All right Rudy, now don’t fret.
He’ll stay hid until we make our move.
And son,
when I say we’re good and ready,
then you’ll take Kendall out of the way,
this whole place will be ours to do with as we please.
[Mayor] You need to stay here until then, though.
People haven’t forgotten
about those Mexicans you shot last year.
I told you they drew on me.
That’s not the word around town, Weston.
Well, fuck them.
And this shithole.
[hand slaps] [Weston grunts]
[gun clicks]
You’re dead meat.
We need this shithole, boy.
This town’s our honey pot.
[gun cocks]
Well, you thinkin’ you can treat me
like all them no account losers around here?
I ain’t some lick finger you could push around.
It is a huckleberry above my pursuit
to cipher how you turned out so ornery.
I will anoint your ass right here and now.
[gunshot firing]
[Mayor grunts] [horse whinnying]
[gun cocks]
[Weston panting]
[Weston laughs]
[laughing]
You are crazier than a shit house rat.
[Weston laughing]
Come on, son.
Let’s go wet our whistles in the house.
[Weston continues laughing]
You too. Mr. Mayor.
Got a good bottle of Irish I’ve been savin’
for my crazy son’s homecomin’!
Hoh!
[gasps]
[Weston laughing]
[Weston coughing]
[groans] Fu…
[laughing]
[horse nickers]
[anticipatory music]
[Holger grunts] [horse whinnying]
You wait here.
Yah!
[tense music]
Yah!
[music continues] [hooves clomping]
[Weston] Come on.
[horse braying]
[horse whinnying] [Weston laughs]
Yah!
[horse whinnying]
[music continues]
[horse whinnying]
Vincent?
Shit.
[laughter]
Vincent?
[music ends]
[Vincent speaking French]
[Holger chuckles]
[in English] That’s a big one.
[gunshot firing] [Holger groans]
[Weston laughs]
[shotgun cocks]
Woo! [Laughs]
[gunshot firing]
[Weston] Woo!
[gunshot firing] [Weston laughing]
Yee-haw!
[hooves clomping]
[gun clicks]
[Vivienne speaks indistinctly]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Vivienne sighs]
[Holger grunts]
[speaking Danish]
[in English] This… this for me?
Have a seat.
Where should we put these ones?
Inside.
But can I put them here for a moment
so I can enjoy ’em?
So nice you help your mother.
[Holger speaking indistinctly]
[Vivienne grunting]
[horse whinnying]
Vivienne!
What is it?
[Vivienne groans]
What’s wrong?
[Vivienne groaning]
[Vivienne breathing heavily]
Thank you.
[Vivienne speaking French]
[wind whistling]
Go ahead.
[Holger] It’s okay.
[doctor] Her internal bleeding seems to be recent.
I’m not sure the cause, perhaps an ulcer,
but I’ve staunched it for now.
Yeah.
There is something else.
She appears to have syphilis.
Some call it the French pox, or venereal disease.
Yeah, I know what it is.
Good.
Now I must ask you to tell me truthfully
if you have detected any symptoms of your own.
[Holger] Like what?
No, I don’t think so.
A coppery rash on the torso or
on your private parts.
No.
Especially those…
No, I never had such a thing.
[doctor] Vivienne… has such sores.
My surmise is that
she is in an advanced stage of the ailment.
You yourself are at risk.
If you have not been infected, you likely will be.
She may also have passed the disease onto the child.
Vincent will… will also be sick?
Not necessarily.
Time will tell.
Tomorrow…
[grunts]
I’ll give you a bottle of mercuric chloride.
It has been known to arrest the disease for a time,
but it won’t halt its progress indefinitely.
And when she wakes up,
try and get her to drink some more soup.
Yeah, I will.
[wind whistling]
What do I owe you, Doctor?
I’ll bill you for the mercuric chloride tomorrow.
There’s no charge for the visit, Holger.
Oh.
[door creaking]
[wind whistling]
Thank you.
[Vivienne breathing heavily]
[pensive music]
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Vivienne, in English] I never wanted to be saved.
[Vivienne speaking French]
[in English] My mother,
she gave me an open window so I can fly.
She dressed me to come home before dark.
I shouldn’t have left.
You needed to go.
You wanted to.
[Holger sighs]
My Olsen.
[Vivienne speaking French]
[in English] Always remember…
part of us is inside our son,
but he’s mostly himself.
[Holger whispering] I’m not his father.
[Vivienne speaking French]
[Holger] Hm.
[in English] Please let me sleep a little.
[Vivienne exhales]
[flies buzzing] [birds chirping]
[Holger clears throat]
[anticipatory music]
[horse snorting]
[eagle calls]
[shotgun cocks] [horse nickers]
Well, well,
Holger Olsen as I live and breathe.
Howdy, Olsen.
You think I won’t blow you and the boy
clean outta your saddle, old man?
You don’t need to do that.
I’m not following you.
It certainly seems that way.
We’re just traveling, going West.
Throw me your weapons.
All of ’em.
Why?
Give ’em up.
[pensive music]
Eh.
Easy now.
Don’t do anything brash.
[gun thuds]
And then the pig sticker.
[Holger grunts]
[gunshot firing] [horse whinnying]
[Weston choking]
[horse whinnying] [Holger grunting]
[Weston grunting] [horse whinnying]
[Holger] Come on, come on.
[Weston grunting]
[Holger] Come on. [Weston grunts]
[gun cocks]
[gunshot firing]
[Weston groans]
[shots firing]
[gun clicking] [Weston groans]
[Weston coughs]
Wait.
[Weston choking]
[Weston groans]
[Weston coughs]
[gun clicking] [Weston groaning]
[shotgun cocks] [Weston grunts]
[Weston roars] [bones cracking]
[Weston groaning]
[Weston growls]
[gun thuds]
[Weston growls]
[Weston choking]
[Weston gasping]
[Holger speaking Danish]
[Weston coughing]
[Holger speaking French]
[Weston grunting]
[growls]
[Weston gurgles] Bitch.
Son of a bitch.
[Weston grunting]
[coughing]
[coughing]
[Weston panting]
[yells]
[coughing]
[gentle music]
[Weston yells]
[music continues]
[Holger] Bonjour, little man.
[Vincent grumbles]
[Holger chuckles]
[Holger speaking French]
[in English] Okay? Gimme your hand.
And start from the top and then we go down like that.
And you go like that.
Now you do it by yourself.
Start from the top.
Out,
in,
around,
all the way.
[gentle music]
Very good.
I like that one.
That was a very good one.
Now try one more.
One more just like that.
Maybe a little bigger.
Around.
Yeah, it’s perfect.
[music continues]
[music continues]
[waves crashing] [seabirds calling]
[Vincent speaking French]
[Holger speaking French]
[in English] Water and more water.
[Vincent speaking French]
[in English] Of this one.
[waves crashing]
[horse snorts]
[gentle music]
[music continues]
[music fades]
[soft music]
[waves crashing]
[music fades]
[bird calling] [waves crashing]
