## (drumroll)
## (rousing orchestral fanfare playing)
## (fanfare ends)
## (gentle, noble orchestral theme playing)
##
GIRL: I live on top of the world,
in the never-summer mountains of Wyoming,
8,000 feet closer to the sky.
In my mountains, when spring finally comes
to save me from a perpetual winter,
the world comes to life again,
and I remember what it is I'm here for.
I'm the only daughter in a long line of ranchers.
And when we let our horses out
for the first time every spring,
I love to watch them rediscover the world.
I can see in them an expression of my own restless spirit.
##
Charged with an appetite for adventure,
they take to the land without hesitation.
They are pure power.
## (soaring, robust theme playing)
When I see them running wild and free,
I often think of the first horses
and how they were the true pioneers of America.
(bell rings)
- (door creaks open) - (students chatting)
Thank you, sir.
Time's up, Katy.
(anxious sigh)
(girl shouts in distance)
GI RL: See ya!
How'd you do?
Not too bad.
Oh, Katy!
I'm so glad I saw you before you left.
Can you give this to Howard for me?
Not a problem.
(sighing): Thanks.
I think I'm gonna be seeing a lot of you this summer.
- Um, bye, Gracie. - See you next year, Miranda.
Hey,Jenny, wait up.
Kathy McLaughlin.
Yes?
You need to come see the headmaster.
## (woman singing alternative folk)
- Bye! See ya! - Have a good summer!
## (singing continues)
(brakes squeak)
## (singing continues)
Seems like I dropped you off yesterday.
##
(laughs, sighs)
Daddy.
## (singing continues)
## ( ends)
Let's go home.
(laughs): Okay.
( claps twice)
Howard!
(quietly): This is so cute, it's crazy.
What do you think?
Too many horses?
Too much?
Too babyish?
- Shall we do it? - Mom!
I know, I know: chill.
You got it.
(dog barking in distance)
- MOM: She's here! - (whoops)
(gasps): My baby.
Has anybody seen my daughter?
(laughs): Mom!
I missed you so much!
- How are you, baby? Oh... - (Katy laughs)
Oh, thank you.
Howard!
(grunts)
(laughs)
(gasps)
What?
This is from your fan club.
(laughs)
(parents conversing indistinctly)
Hey, you okay?
(whispers): Oh, he's gonna kill me.
How bad could it be?
- Worse. - Worse?
- Mm-hmm. - You can tell me later.
(grunts)
I think your mom will finally sleep through the night.
##
(insects chirping)
##
(grunts)
(laughs softly)
(quiet huffing, whinnying)
Who wants to go runnin'?
## (spirited melody plays)
(laughs)
##
## (quiet, gentle theme plays)
(sighs heavily)
Guess I can't avoid the inevitable.
Got to face him some time.
##
- (horse neighs nervously) - What is it, Yankee?
- (neighing loudly) - Hold on!
(gasps)
(grunts)
Yankee!
(vicious growling)
(Katy gasps)
(gasping)
(yells)
(panting)
## (quiet, gentle theme plays)
(huffs)
(soft gasp)
## (theme swells and soars)
(laughs softly)
(whinnies)
(loud, excited neighing)
( continues neighing)
(neighing)
(low growl)
(neighing)
You scared it off!
- ## (noble orchestral theme plays) - (neighs)
(neighing)
##
Norbert, it's your lucky day.
Oh, is that right?
You ready to meet a miracle on four legs?
Three-year-old stallion I been saving just for you.
- Something, ain't he, honey? - Mm, beauty.
Yeah, I can't use any more quarter horses.
I mean, any profit in middlemanning horses
is fading faster than a mountain sunset.
I'll get Howard to bring her around.
No, now, I don't need him for the rodeo, either.
Folks are just bored with calf-roping and barrel racing.
Howard!
Well, here's my check.
Now,just hold on a minute.
NORBERT: Now, I don't need any more horses- unless...
you might have something a little more interesting.
For instance?
Mestengos.
Mustangs.
That's right, wild horses.
More loco the better.
- Morning. - Hey. - Morning, hon.
No mustangs around here.
Them four-legged parasites
can strip ten acres of grassland overnight.
Wild horse racing's my biggest draw now.
I had a purse last year near $1 0,000.
Only takes one mustang foal to ruin a herd,
and then my quarter horses wouldn't be
pure quarter horse anymore, would they?
All I'm saying is, if you had a herd
of mustangs around here, I'd buy 'em all.
If I had a herd of mustangs around here, I'd be ruined.
Rob, it's fine. It's fine.
Well...
Nell, it's always a pleasure to see you.
Thanks.
But as for your husband here, uh...
gelding would be my suggestion.
I'll see y'all next year.
Bye.
There goes money we already spent.
It's easy being a rancher with good luck.
We'll get by, like always.
Howard, call your sister, start muckin' the stalls.
Yes, sir.
Mm!
She left before I got up.
She what?
- I'll go do it myself. - You good boy.
(imitates horse sputtering)
(typing)
(fax machine beeping and whirring)
##
Where's Katy?
She must've taken Yankee out.
(panting)
And for your dining pleasure, gentlemen,
wild gooseberry pancakes with crème fraiche
and rosemary chicken sausage.
Well, who lives better than us?
Uh, let me think... the Rockefellers.
Speaking of which, you gonna put your brand
on that little schoolgirl this summer?
You know,Jack, we stopped
branding our females a few years back.
Isn't that right, Rob?
ROB: Kinda miss it, though.
Well, take it from an expert-
don't let that little flicka
get away.
The what?
It means, uh, ''pretty girl'' or something.
That's what Gus calls Katy.
Oh, he does, does he?
A flicka is just a young girl- innocent.
You can see in her face the beauty she will become.
I, uh, I think it's Swedish.
My mama used to call my little sister flicka.
I just saw a lion on the mountain.
Dad, it was right there in front of me.
And this horse, this mustang, it just ran off the lion...
S-Slow down, Katy. Was it a lion, or was it a horse?
- It was both. We need to do something. - Where'd you see this lion?
I don't know where I saw it exactly, but it was there.
Oh, did you see Sasquatch, too?
Somebody ask your opinion?
- (thumping table) - NELL: Katy, wait.
Wh-What is this on your face? You have blood all over you...
It was a lion. Honest.
Well, as long as we're being honest,
do you have something you need to tell me?
About school?
(sighs)
- (whispers): Did you tell him? - I didn't say anything.
The headmaster faxed this to us this morning.
Do you want to read it?
Help me understand something, Katy.
He said he gave you the topic to your final essay in advance,
and you turned in a blank paper.
Not one word in two hours for the exam.
I wrote it in my head.
I just didn't... put it down.
In your head. Hmm.
Wouldn't have made a difference, anyway.
They just want us to spit back
exactly what they want to hear.
I have an opinion: it's just not their opinion.
Well, their opinion is that you should repeat
the year,just throw it away. Do you realize what
this family does without so that you can go to a private school?
Truck's passing 200,000 miles?
Well, let's see if it'll do
another 50. The barn roof's
about to blow away, we'll patch it again for the umpteenth time
- (banging table) - and all so you can go
to a fancy boarding school.
But I go along because your mother
wants you to go to college.
Hey, your father wants it, too.
Well, now we'll have to worry if she'll even graduate.
Thirteen...
Howard, can't you see the rot?
Fourteen...
Fifteen...
Come on.
Sixteen.
Dad...
I think we should bring that mustang in.
Seventeen. Not now, Katy.
But that lion can take down a horse, and...
Katy?
I could probably find her again.
No.
I'll help her.
This doesn't concern you, does it?
No, sir.
If you live on a ranch, you have to contribute.
That's how we get by.
Here's your summer:
You're gonna do your chores,
you're gonna help your mother,
and you're gonna write that essay.
Then maybe I can talk 'em into passing you.
(sighs): Yes, sir.
And then maybe we'll talk about horses.
You ready?
Eighteen...
KATY: A trim.
Split ends- that's it.
Sweetheart,just a few inches for the summer.
- No. - You stop it.
I get better-reasoned arguments from the hens.
Short hair makes me look like a boy.
No, that would be impossible.
You're so beautiful.
What's that thing that, uh, Gus said?
You're a-a... a flicka.
A flicka?
Yeah, a pretty girl.
(water splashes)
So, how's your friend Stephanie?
Shallow... vain...
The usual.
Since when?
Since Eric.
Or was itJustin? Lost track.
Well, you never know what'll happen.
People can surprise you.
I guess so.
(screams)
Surprise!
(laughing and shrieking)
I'm gonna get you!
Whoo-hoo-hoo!
(whispers): Okay, okay.
Looks good...
(gasps)
Harry, is that you?
You look good, big boy.
Look at you...
I'm so happy to see you. I am.
What is she thinking?
##
(gasps)
(whispers): There she is.
(snorts)
- (neighing) - Whoa, down, boy.
- (neighing) - Come on!
Let's get her.
Hyah!
## (rousing, spirited theme plays)
Hyah! Hyah!
(snorts)
ROB: Keep 'em moving, boys.
JACK: Howard!
HOWARD: Yeah, I got 'em this side.
Come on, keep going.
Something's bothering them.
You know what it is? It's that A.D.D.
- What's going on? Take it easy. - Come on, keep going.
Hyah! Hyah! I don't hear anything.
(neighing)
Yes! (grunts)
(groaning)
Mustang!
Damn!
Let her through.
Hold 'em back!
- Come on! -Jack, on this side!
She's taking the herd.
##
(neighing harshly)
##
(harsh neighing)
Jack, get ahold of this thing.
All right. Gus, get the herd.
I didn't want the lion to get my horse.
Your horse?
That animal doesn't belong to you or anyone else.
Must've separated from some herd.
I'm surprised it's still alive.
What are you gonna do with her?
I don't have to do a dang thing with that loco creature.
Ain't worth the price of a bale of hay.
Ain't Norbert looking for mustangs?
Get her behind the fence.
Keep her clear of the herd.
(whinnying)
Aw, hell! Forget it,Jack- I'll take her.
Welcome home.
Hey, Howard, where's your dad at?
Don't ask.
Something Katy did?
- You guessed it. - Oh...
JACK: Thank you.
So... how bad?
Gimme a category.
Oh, I don't think he made a category for this one yet.
Open the gate!
(neighing)
Aw... come on, now.
Hold still. Get around here.
Come on.
She's scared to go through.
Hyah! Hyah!
That's the wild horse.
Isn't she beautiful?
Wow, she's something, that's for sure.
That's a dangerous animal.
KATY: She's just scared.
I'd say she's about two years old.
ROB: Yeah, two years wild. And I'll bet most of it alone.
She'll calm down, once I
- start training her. - What?
ROB: No one's riding that loco thing.
I'm calling Norbert after supper.
No. I can ride her.
No, you can't! And you won't.
I won't tolerate it, Katy.
After that stunt you pulled today?
If you're gonna live under my roof,
you're gonna follow my rules.
Look at me!
Nobody goes in there without my permission.
Come on.
Howard! Get the horses.
(snorting)
Calm down, Flicka.
You named her?
Flicka.
(sighs)
That is the word, isn't it?
Oh, yeah.
Uh, beautiful, um...
young girl.
(Flicka neighing)
Well, you got the ''girl'' part right.
(whinnying, grunting)
( utensils clinking)
(Flicka neighs in distance)
(neighing continues)
ROB: I didn't see the vet bill.
NELL: Someone want to grab this last burger?
How much?
You know what I've been thinking about lately?
If quitters never win, why are you supposed to quit while you're ahead?
Or, how good can a bedtime story be
if it's supposed to put you to sleep?
- NELL: Right. - ROB: How much?
$1 ,648.3 2.
$1 ,600?!
That's just unacceptable.
NELL: Well, I'll speak to the horses.
ROB: I don't remember my daddy ever giving horses shots.
They were healthy, they took care
of themselves. Ain't that right, Gus?
Oh, sure. Back then, horses mucked their own stalls,
nailed on their own shoes,
even chipped in with the rent money.
Don't call Norbert!
(sighs)
I think I'll have that burger.
(Flicka whinnies loudly)
(insects chirping)
(neighing)
(knocking)
Hey, you.
I don't care what he says.
She's my horse.
Calm down. Give me a chance to talk to him.
He doesn't listen when he's this mad.
You know what they say-
anger is just fear on the way out.
Nice try.
He's not afraid of anything.
I don't know, you could scare the heck out of anybody.
(laughs): Yeah, right.
When you were three,
you climbed out of bed, unlatched the kitchen door
and walked outside.
He found you in Lightning's stall.
That horse was crazy, he could've killed you,
and you were laughing.
I don't remember that.
Yeah, well, he does.
Parents have this kind of... selective memory.
Sometimes I think I can't remember what I did yesterday,
and then I swear I can remember every injury, every close call,
every... ''another inch and they could've been killed,''
that ever happened to my children.
Try and understand
what it feels like to be responsible
for something you love so much.
(kisses)
Good night.
Give her the horse.
No.
Come on, honey, training her own horse
will make her responsible for something,
and-and she'll feel proud of herself.
Here it comes- psychobabble.
This isn't about psychology, Nell, this is about discipline,
and I'm not gonna reward bad behavior.
That sure sounds like psychology to me.
No horse.
(neighing)
(neighing continues)
(huffs, neighs)
(neighing)
## (singing lullaby, softly)
(whispers): That's right.
## (singing resumes)
(Flicka whinnies)
(neighing excitedly)
(gasps)
(neighing continues)
Sorry, girl, that was my fault.
(neighs, grunts)
##
(rooster crows)
(gasps)
Maybe you should wash up.
Or someone might think you slept on the ground all night.
( chuckles softly)
You ready for the Price Clu...?
(loud neighing in distance)
(loud neighing)
(whispers): My sweetheart.
(loud neighing)
## (singing lullaby)
## (stops)
(whispers): Hey, girl.
(huffing gently)
You want it?
(huffs)
Well, you're gonna have to come and get it.
But you'd have to trust me to do that, wouldn't you?
##
( crunching apple)
(laughs)
That's enough for tonight.
See you tomorrow.
( engine chugging)
You can have Chariot.
It's not the same thing.
Well, four legs, a tail...
Food goes in the front, out the back.
Well, as long as you're here, he'll be yours.
Not a problem- 'cause I won't be here.
I mean, on the ranch.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
I said I'd give the ranch a try, I tried it.
It's not working for me.
I think I'm gonna take
that scholarship from B.U.
If I can borrow somebody's backbone.
So will you tell him?
Why would you want to leave Wyoming?
Oh, I don't know, how about...
restaurants where you don't have to drive up to the window...
He needs you to keep the ranch going.
Hey, keep your voice down!
Nobody can hear us way out here.
What?
You didn't know?
He's got hidden cameras and microphones everywhere.
(imitates radio static)
- Can you read me, Dad? Over. - (Katy laughs)
What's that?
Yeah, yeah, I'll tell her.
Okay. Over and out. (imitates static)
He said... he doesn't need me.
He said
you're the one he needs.
He just doesn't realize it yet.
(softly): You're such a good girl.
Okay, now, I'm gonna try something new.
Okay?
I'm gonna try this hackamore.
(huffs)
Okay, good girl.
Good girl.
- (neighing) - It's okay, it's okay. Shh.
It's okay.
- (loud thump) - (yells)
(Flicka grunting, neighing)
Oh, my...
(grunting nervously)
(neighing)
##
All right, here we go.
I'm just gonna open...
(neighing)
( excited grunting, neighing)
Flicka, calm down.
You'll wake them all up.
Come on.
- (grunting nervously) - Good girl.
Good girl.
- (neighs) - Okay,
I'm just gonna try this hackamore.
Nothing to be scared of.
It's okay.
Okay, let's try this again.
Good girl.
See? Isn't so bad.
Okay.
##
(laughs)
( contented sigh)
##
Shh.
Hey, Dad, uh,
- I been thinking... - How they look?
Well, pretty much the same as yesterday.
That can change in a heartbeat.
Right.
You know, animals are a lot like us, son-
they'll... always find a way
to tell you exactly how they're feeling.
You just got to learn to listen to 'em.
Let's bring 'em in.
- Yeah. - Let's go!
- Hyah! - Hyah!
- Watch yourself,Jack! - Let's go!
Come on! Come on!
KATY: He said I can't ride you,
but I don't believe him.
(sighs)
Well... got to find out sometime, right?
Prove 'im wrong, right, Flicka?
##
( exhales): Thank you.
(gasps, screams)
(grunts)
(neighing)
- ( excited neighing) - Come on!
You're not supposed to go in there.
What's it to you?
You could get hurt.
Besides... that's what your father said.
How long are you gonna be afraid of my father?
( chuckles): Um... forever.
And you, why are you sneaking out here in the middle of the night
if you're not scared?
(Flicka neighs)
Because I have to.
Then don't let nobody stop you.
Good night.
(Flicka huffing gently)
(whinnies)
##
Babe.
## (woman singing alternative folk)
You want to take a ride?
Sure wish you would.
(squeals)
Bye!
We'll be back for dinner, Mama.
## (singing continues)
## ( ends)
- Beautiful. - Hi, Rick.
Hey.
Esther went out shopping with her interior decorator.
You know, at this point, it'd be cheaper
just to adopt that lady.
(laughs)
Hey, handsome.
Aw, thanks. (Miranda laughs)
What do you think about the horse?
(both laughing)
That's a nice bandanna.
Yeah. Some... some girl gave it to me.
- Oh, yeah? - Mm-hmm.
-Just any old girl? - No one special.
MI RANDA: Bet she'd like to see you at that rodeo.
You gonna come and cheer her on?
HOWARD: If she's good to me.
(Miranda laughs)
Did you tell them?
I will.
I'm waiting for the right time.
When is there ever going to be a right time?
Why don't you just tell them the truth?
''I changed my mind, I'm gonna take the scholarship.''
It's easier said than done.
( clucking like a chicken)
(laughs)
I don't know, I...
I feel like a cartoon.
My-my feet are running, but I'm just not moving.
I think everyone writes a story in their head
that eventually becomes their life.
And if you don't write it yourself,
then someone else is gonna write it for you.
That's not gonna happen to my story.
Am I in your story?
(door opens)
- How's it going? - Hey.
This was the Chapman Ranch.
1 2,000 acres.
Last piece sold off about two years ago.
You mean they just left?
With a great deal of money in their pockets.
Our marketing people did a magnificent job.
If you're ever curious...
I'm curious now.
What do you got there, about...
5,000 acres, more or less?
Well, mostly less.
You could get about 20 spectacular home sites
out of that ranch, and keep your house,
and a hundred acres.
We can't graze our herd on a hundred acres.
Uh, sweetie, everything changes in this life.
You know, one day some lucky guy's gonna marry you.
What are you gonna do if he doesn't want to ranch?
Break off the engagement.
(laughs)
Ah, wait'll you fall in love, sweetie.
Well, then I guess I won't fall in love.
You wouldn't sell our ranch, would you?
Now, Katy, don't get all worked up.
But we wouldn't sell: we're not like them.
It's time to go. You get in the truck.
## (radio playing country music)
You didn't even tell us you were gonna sell the ranch.
We're not discussing it.
You are?
I was just talking to the man.
I guess it can't hurt.
I mean,just to explore all your options.
Yeah. All my options.
I can't believe you would give our land to strangers.
Katy!
It's crazy! Loco!
That's enough!
(turns volume up): ## (man singing country)
Hey, hon, how'd it go?
Rob?
Prodigious day, Mom.
I don't even want to know.
(quietly): Crazy.
(insects chirping)
## (folk guitar)
## (man singing '60s folk)
What happened to your movie posters?
I'm moving into my Zen phase.
## (singing continues)
I hate him.
Tonight you do.
But he never understands me.
I know.
( crying): And now you're going away.
( chuckles): Oh, come on.
I'm changing time zones, not solar systems.
But once you're gone, you'll never come back.
## ( ends)
(birds chirping)
(sighs)
(Flicka neighing)
(huffs)
(neighs)
##
(neighing and snorting)
(whispers): Hey, girl.
You came to me.
You know me.
(laughs)
Let's ride.
- Good girl. - (neighs)
Good girl.
Okay.
Slowly walk.
Good girl.
Yes, Flicka!
I knew we could do it!
Let's go out. What do you say?
(neighs)
(neighing)
Come on, girl!
Whoa, Flicka.
- ( excited neighing) - Whoa! Wait!
Whoa!
- (neighing) - Hold on, Flicka!
Whoa!
Hey! Hey!
(screams)
(grunts)
( coughs)
- You all right? - Flicka went that way.
- What happened? - She got bucked off the mustang. We're on it.
Are you hurt?
No!
You couldn't have planned
a better way to get yourself killed.
Rob, don't.
Don't what? Don't be her father?
You're not protecting her, you're crippling her,
and she'll end up being as useless as that dang mustang.
Flicka isn't useless. She wants to learn.
No, she doesn't.
You want something that doesn't exist.
- It's time you see her for what she is. - I know what she is!
How do you know a dang thing about that creature?
Because we're the same!
You did this behind my back.
She was excited, she got carried away.
Don't-don't make excuses for her.
It's the same as if she had lied to my face.
You just don't get it.
There's got to be a better way.
Well, if there is, I don't... I don't know it.
Okay.
(thunder rumbling)
( excited neighing)
## (woman vocalizing)
MAN: Go slow now.
## (woman singing alternative folk)
(neighing) ## (singing continues, indistinct)
Whoa, whoa. Easy, easy.
KATY: Flicka!
No! No, you can't take her!
Katy, listen, it's better this way.
She's never been inside a trailer before.
She's gonna be fine, sweetie.
She's gonna be a rodeo star.
She's scared!
She can't see the sky!
Stop it!
No!
NELL: Katy! Katy!
You're not my father anymore.
Unload Flicka, before you look like a damn fool!
What is wrong with you?
You made this decision without me,
because you know it's wrong.
I'm done discussing this.
Well, I'm not done.
Katy found Flicka.
She should decide.
Until you're running this ranch,
I'll make the decisions around here!
I don't want to run your ranch!
- NELL: Howard! - No, I'm sick of this place!
You know what, I've given it a lot of thought,
and guess what?
I'm never gonna be a rancher. Never.
I want to go to college.
(Flicka kicking trailer)
Wh-Why didn't you say anything?
'Cause this is what you wanted me to do.
Katy wants this ranch.
I don't want any part of it.
I'm sorry you feel that way.
(kicking frantically)
(snorting)
Norbert... take your horse.
Hope to see you folks at the fairground.
No! Please! No!
- Please! - NORBERT: Let's move it.
Gus!
(Flicka snorting and kicking)
Flicka!
(neighing frantically)
No!
Stop! Stop!
## (singing continues)
## ( ends)
(sniffles)
KATY: The stories we hear
about how the West was won are all lies.
The history of the West was written by the horse.
Wherever a settler left his footprint,
there was a hoofprint beside it.
Men came further and further west to stake their claim
in the great American wilderness.
But they encountered a strength that couldn't be tamed.
Wild horses.
Mustangs.
The settlers called them parasites
that would strip the land and starve their own herds.
They couldn't domesticate them, so they destroyed them.
Isolated and hungry, they were on their way
to disappearing from the face of the earth.
Sometimes when the light disappears,
an afterimage remains,
just for a moment.
Mustangs are an afterimage of the West,
no better than ghosts, hardly there at all.
No one really wants them,
not ranchers, not city people.
That's their destiny.
Let them disappear once and for all,
along with all the other misfits, loners
and relics of a wilderness no one cares about anymore.
Lucky for us, a few mustangs survived,
hidden away in the mountains.
We need to protect them,
for they are the hope for some kind ofliving memory
of what the promise of America used to be...
and could be again.
Whoa.
Don't say anything.
Just get on.
Come on.
When the kids were little, I'd tuck 'em in
and say, ''I'll love you till the mountains tumble down.''
Right now, I feel like
they could blow away at any second.
Before Dad died,
he asked me if I wanted to sell the ranch and...
take the money.
I said, ''Over my dead body.
No way, no how.''
I thought that's what he wanted me to say.
But, no, he... he seemed almost disappointed.
He... he said he felt like that he was giving me
something that didn't make any sense anymore.
Maybe he's right.
But then I... I see these kids,
they're hanging out in the mall,
they're sullen, they're lazy.
Got no ambition, got no dreams.
This is the only way that I know
how to save our children.
Honey, Howard doesn't need saving.
He'll be fine wherever he goes.
But Katy, honey, we could lose her.
She's... smart and she's strong, but she can't survive out there.
Our daughter lives in a fantasyland.
So do you.
Look at you, sitting on top of cowboy mountain
looking down at the world passing by.
When are you gonna look at your daughter
and realize that she's you?
And that's why I love her so much.
They want to go to the rodeo, you know?
She wants to see Flicka.
Yeah.
They expect me to say no.
Yep.
I bet I'd really blow their minds if I said yes.
Then they'd see how diabolical I can really be.
You are such a bad boy.
I love it.
Race me back?
Let's go. Come on.
Come on, Belle.
- Last one back's naked first. - (Nell laughs)
Hyah!
(Nell whooping)
I'm gonna win!
Yeah, right!
Gotcha!
(Nell laughing)
( exhales)
Want to go swimming?
No, thanks.
It's a thousand degrees in here.
I'm busy.
You really want to go swimming.
What's he gonna say?
Well, that's his problem.
I'm gonna go see if the coast is clear.
Mom!
Nobody's home.
Let's go.
Are you sure about this?
Hey, we'll be back before anybody even knows.
Come on.
I'm hot. Are you hot?
Oh, yeah.
Oh, yeah!
- (squealing) - ## (woman singing alternative rock)
KATY: Miranda?
Close your eyes, cowgirl!
(yelling and laughing)
## ( ends)
KATY: What's going on?
Well, somebody tell me.
Miranda saw Flicka.
Where?
At the fairgrounds when I was practicing the course.
How did she look?
What?
I've never, ever
been scared around horses, not in my entire life,
but those horses that she was with...
What? Don't stop. Tell me.
You'd really have to work hard to make horses that angry.
HOWARD: Listen, I'm sorry, Katy.
I just thought you'd want to hear.
MI RANDA: The cowboys in that race are crazy.
But they say the purse is over $8,000.
HOWARD: Oh, money's no good if you're dead.
(gasps): I can win that race.
My demented sister is even more demented than I thought.
Riders get to choose their horses, right?
MI RANDA: Yeah.
I choose Flicka, I win.
If you can stay on her.
I can.
You're too young to enter.
You're not.
Bad idea.
Brilliant idea.
If I buy Flicka back with the prize money,
she won't be Dad's horse anymore, she'll be mine.
And if she wins, someone'll want her foal.
That's money in my pocket.
And if he tries to sell our land, I'll buy that, too.
Whoa, whoa, Katy, she is way too dangerous to ride.
Maybe for you but not for me.
I only have to stay on her for a few seconds.
I've already done that.
Miranda?
Oh...
(laughs)
The people have spoken.
No, the inmates have taken over the asylum.
Come on, let's see you walk it like you talk it.
Drown me, please.
Hey! Hey!
Whoa! Whoa!
(girls laughing)
Oof! That aftershave'll scare the livestock.
Oh. But the ladies find it reassuring.
Yeah, it let's 'em know I'm sensitive,
not just a... sexy beast.
(both laugh)
Can we get going?
(sniffs)
Oh,Jack, you stink.
Busted.
Let's go! Come on!
HOWARD: I'm coming!
( engine starts)
Well, what'll it be tonight, boys,
crazy eights or canasta?
(barks twice)
Canasta it is.
MAN (over P.A. system): Ladies and gentlemen,
welcome to the Red Gulch Roundup!
( crowd cheering)
Now, for those of you that may be visiting
our beautiful state for the first time,
welcome to Wyoming!
In our grand entry today,
our flags are being carried by Miss Rodeo America
and her lovely assistant.
And all of our beauty a-horseback.
Now in the center
of the arena is the world champion trick roper,
Mr. Gene McLaughlin!
They say in every cowboy's life, he gets a...
good horse, a good woman and a good loop.
All right, folks, it's rodeo time,
but it seems that Miss Rodeo America needs my assistance...
Aw, honey, how could you eat that stuff?
It makes me sweeter.
You're already sweet.
There she is!
ANNOUNCER: ...the barrel race!
All right, ladies, cowgirl up.
Mm, mm, mm.
Introducing our next barrel racer, Miranda Koop.
( cheering)
Come on, baby!
ANNOUNCER: Here she comes around
the first barrel.
Quick.
Another great run.
Coming to the third barrel...
( crowd groans)
Out she goes.
That's okay.
## ( country music plays)
## (man singing country)
Hyah, hyah!
## (singing continues)
She's mine, boys.
(squeals)
(laughing)
## ( ends)
( cheering)
## (slow country song begins)
## (man singing)
Katy, I'm scared.
I'm not, not even a little.
What do you think?
I think I should be the voice of reason.
We're runnin' out of time.
Hold on.
(distant music and cheering)
You need gum.
Yeah, okay.
(indistinct voices)
## ( country music playing)
Wait here.
Here's your receipt. Good luck to you, partner.
- Thank you, sir. - You bet.
How you doing, Norbert?
Oh, what you say, Wagner?
- Hey, sweetheart. - Hiya, Norbert.
Can I help you?
Yeah, uh, I want to register.
For an event. ( chuckles)
You gonna tell me which one, or do I have to read your mind?
The wild horse race.
Wild horse race.
That takes a team of two.
Mm-hmm. That's my partner.
Outside.
That little bitty feller?
( chuckles)
Good luck.
I need $50.
Yes, sir.
Fifty.
Gotta sign this waiver.
Right there.
Report to the corral.
Pick yourself out a hoss.
- WOMAN: Here you are, darling. - Thank you.
The event rolls at 5:00 p.m. sharp. Here's your receipt.
Thank you.
And if you come to your senses and want to back out...
you lose every penny.
( chuckles)
Good luck.
(horses whinnying)
(neighing)
(gasps)
It's okay, Flicka.
MAN: Doggone, Billy!
Hey, get outta there, you lunatic!
You choose your horse like everybody else,
or you can take a hike!
Do the rules say you can put a baby cradle on a horse?
- (laughing) - Quiet down!
All right, gather 'round, boys.
Shout 'em out.
(overlapping shouts)
Fourth team takes the black filly.
Son, you just lost a race.
That horse is truly loco.
Boys, next time you see your horse,
it'll be in the ring, trying to run you over.
MAN: All right, now.
Good luck!
(neighing)
Ladies and gentlemen, and cowboys...
the wild horse race is about to start.
Now, if you've got a weak heart...
Hey!
- Kick some cowboy ass. - Thanks.
...or you just ate a big meal, I suggest you...
Don't you dare get hurt.
Dang! Norbert.
You know what we say to our first group of riders...
welcome to our...
Do you think he recognized us?
- I don't know. - ANNOUNCER: Let's bring 'em in!
Come on.
Now, direct your attention to the chutes.
That ain't no earthquake beneath your feet.
That's wild horses coming at you.
Look at those crazy devils.
They've never been saddled, never haltered.
Angrier than a cowboy who just totaled his pickup.
Here's how it works.
In a few moments the horses...
- No way. - What?
Are you freaking crazy?!
Just try and stop me.
...the boys have gotta grab 'em, saddle 'em,
then ride 'em between a pair of barrels,
and any rider that stays on that long...
Your group's up next.
...wins $8,000.
- I'm giving my number back. - Go ahead.
So, let's bring in the first set of victims.
( chuckling): I mean, cowboys.
Team number one, this is
Jimmy Miles and John Bull.
Team number two, the Eggan boys.
Second generation, Wade and Trace Eggan.
Team number three- Chris Fadey and Big John Slim.
And this next team of kids, they are so green,
they've got moss oozing out of their pores...
- Hi, Norbert. How are you? - Well, well, well.
Hi, how are you?
Guess you changed your mind about mustangs, didn't you?
- ( chuckles) - Come again?
Well, you're here to see your boy
ride that wild horse, aren't you?
- My boy? - Howard?
Yeah.
What are you talking about?
Well, he's up now.
Where is he? I'm gonna kill him.
- NORBERT: Follow me. - Where's Miranda?
I don't believe this.
ANNOUNCER: ...the first four teams...
MAN: Riders, get ready.
HOWARD: Here we go.
Don't let anybody back out, boys. Your life's on the line.
Let's go for it.
Ten...
( crowd joining in): nine...
eight...
seven...
six...
five... four...
three...
two...
one...
ANNOUNCER: Aw, let her rip, boys!
Get back, Loretta. Here they come.
Four of the toughest broncs you're ever gonna see.
Remember, one man's gonna give chase:
one's gonna try to get him saddled.
You see this black filly, number 1 4-
she is out of control.
- Get her! Get her! - Whoa!
That's a bad old girl to have to deal with in this dance.
Them boys got more than they bargained for,
taking that horse.
Now this is the height of insanity-
we've got a man on right here.
Almost on.
(groans)
Oh, my Lord, my mother could've rode better than that.
Two riders up, one still unsaddled.
- Heads up, boys! - (man grunting)
Oh, that is not the recommended way to dismount a wild horse.
NELL: This is insane.
ANNOUNCER: There it is, on the far side.
Take a chance, put your life on the line.
Dropped him like a two-ton rock, split him like a $2 suitcase.
He's wide open, and he is all done.
Flicka!
Boy, I hope one of these guys wins this thing...
(snorts)
(announcer's voice fades)
Easy, girl.
(whispers): Hey.
(announcer continuing indistinctly)
I see Howard.
(panting)
ANNOUNCER: ...the last time we see...
(sighs)
It's Katy.
Oh, my God.
Rob! Rob!
ANNOUNCER: Lookee here!
Some lunatic just jumped out of the VI P section.
He's here.
What's he doing in the middle of the arena?!
- Look! - I'm an idiot.
He's never gonna let me keep her.
-Just win. - It won't make any difference to him.
- He doesn't want either of us. - Let go!
ANNOUNCER: Look at that crazy fool, this guy is still at it.
Where is he going?! What's going on?
Katy, let go.
Ya... come on.
Look a-here, jumped on bareback.
What in the world is going on?
I'm gonna set you free, girl. Hyah!
Ladies and gentlemen, number 1 4... is gonna be the winner.
ROB: Katy!
1 4, folks,
is not stopping at the barrels.
I've never seen anything like this in my life.
I've been watching this for 40 years.
So, call the state troopers in Wyoming.
He's headed for Cheyenne.
I don't think he can stop that black filly.
##
(thunder rumbles)
(sobbing gently)
I don't know what to do.
Where do we go, Flicka?
- Nothing you can do. - (garbled radio transmission)
NELL: What'd they say?
Can't get a helicopter here till morning.
Boys lost the trail.
Probably won't be able to pick it up again till daylight.
- Norbert, gimme a horse. - Two horses.
Y'all need to calm down.
No, we're not gonna calm down till we find our daughter.
She'll go home.
No, honey, she can't.
Not in the mountains, not in the dark.
Not Katy- Flicka.
Hey, our mountains are her home, too.
You're right. Let's go.
When we get back to the ranch, we're riding out.
Weather's coming in.
##
(thunder rumbling)
(Flicka huffs)
This is our creek, isn't it?
You brought us back.
(relieved sigh)
Thank you, girl.
Let's go home. Come on.
##
What is it?
What is it, girl?
(snorts)
What is it, girl? Huh?
(neighing)
It's okay, girl.
It's okay.
It's okay, girl.
Come on.
Come on, it's okay.
- (neighing) - (yells)
(snarling)
(gasps)
(snarling)
No!
(neighing)
No!
- (snarling) - (neighing)
Get away from her!
No!
(sobbing): Flicka!
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
(sobbing)
God! Get up.
Oh, God.
Oh, my God.
Flicka, get up, please.
Get up!
Somebody help me!
(sobbing)
Get up!
Get up, please!
- Hyah! Hyah! - Let's go.
- Hyah! Hyah! - Hyah! Hyah!
Hyah!
(thunder rumbling)
JACK: I'll search the ridge.
GUS: I'll take the south meadow. Katy!
ROB: I'm gonna check the creek.
You should go back.
Not a chance.
Katy!
Aah...
Oh!
(grunts): Katy?
Oh, baby.
It's gonna be okay, baby.
Daddy's got you. Come on.
Dad... the lion got her.
You're gonna be all right, baby.
(whispers): It's all right.
(huffs quietly)
Flicka.
( crying)
##
Is she all right?
(shuddering)
Find Jack. Go to the creek.
That horse is hurt bad.
NELL: A hundred and two.
I don't know if it's accurate. It's an old thermometer.
No.
The doctor can't land in the storm.
So... no. So, we'll wait.
(sniffles): Okay.
What do I look for?
A hundred and five.
Can that be right?
Howard, get some more ice, son.
Flicka!
(neighing)
## (singing lullaby)
(neighing)
## (singing continues)
(snarling and neighing)
## ( ends)
Flicka!
What's Katy's shirt doing around her neck?
She tried to stop the bleeding.
Oh, she's cut deep.
We ought to take away her pain.
(thunder rumbles)
You gonna shoot her?
What do you think?
How bad's the horse?
(thunder rumbles)
(sighs)
Go back and put her down.
She'll hear the shot.
She'll think it's thunder.
No, she won't.
Look, Katy's smart.
She sees things...
little details most people ignore...
the ones that make a difference.
She'll know it's Flicka.
I can't let that animal suffer.
I'll do it myself.
(thunder crashing)
- Dad? - Don't.
(voice breaking): I'm sorry.
I really screwed up.
Look at me.
You're a good man.
Yes, sir.
Now, you stay with your mother.
Yes, sir.
Are you gonna kill Flicka?
I'm just gonna have a look at her, baby.
(sobbing)
It's okay, Daddy.
You can shoot us.
(whispers): Katy!
It's okay, baby. It's okay.
(thunder rumbling)
##
Damn!
( echoing gunshot)
(murmured gasp)
Flicka!
(panting)
Shh!
It's okay.
Dang it.
(rain pattering outside)
(thunder rumbling)
( crickets chirping)
##
(door bangs)
Oh, dear God.
Oh...
Oh, look at her.
It was a lion.
There's no good reason she's alive.
There's a very good reason she's alive.
She's got mustang blood in her.
She's a fighter...
just like our girl.
Don't worry.
The doctors will be here in the morning.
Let's get her to the barn.
Come on, sweetie.
Come on, Flicka.
Come on, honey.
(sighs)
The day you were born...
...and they gave you to me...
...I felt my hands were too rough to hold you.
And you cried no matter what we did...
...but your mom said that that was a good sign.
You were strong.
That wasn't much comfort when I was holding you
and pacing back and forth all night.
All you did was look at me with those big, beautiful eyes.
I made all kinds of promises to you
if you would just go to sleep.
Katy...
I forgot to keep those promises...
...and I'm sorry.
Do you forgive me?
I'll tell you every day how proud I am of you
and how proud I am that you're my daughter.
Just stay with me...
please.
(kisses)
(sniffles)
(sighs)
(sniffles)
##
(sniffs)
(sniffles)
##
(sniffles)
(sighs)
(keys clacking)
##
(birds chirping)
(rooster crows)
## (woman singing alternative country)
Daddy.
Her fever's broke.
I want to see Flicka.
NELL: No, it's okay, sweetheart.
Oh, babe...
(sighs)
##
Katy, can you come downstairs for a minute?
( crying)
It's my fault Flicka's dead.
## (singing continues) - I don't think so.
Come on outside.
## ( ends)
(gasps)
Flicka!
Baby!
(sighs)
(whinnies softly)
(whispering): You're alive.
It's going to be okay now, okay?
(whinnies)
Aw...
Your mother's been taking good care of her...
but when you're better,
I expect you to take care of her yourself.
But you said if I don't get back into school...
Yes, that's what I said, and I meant it.
So Dad sent them your essay.
I told them I didn't know much about writing,
but I sure as heck know about the West.
So does my daughter,
and it's right there in her essay-
every opinionated,
ornery, hot-blooded part of it.
(Flicka whinnies softly)
What did they say?
What does anyone say to your father?
BOTH: ''Yes, sir.''
(laughing)
I love you, Daddy.
I love you, sweetie.
(neighing)
KATY: I believe there is a force
in this world that lives beneath the surface...
something primitive and wild that awakens
when you need an extra push just to survive...
...like wildflowers that bloom
after a fire turns the forest black.
Most people are afraid of it
and keep it buried deep inside themselves.
But there will always be a few people
who have the courage to love what is untamed inside us.
One of those men...
...is my father.
(sighs)
KATY: There was once a time
when Americans came west to discover their destiny.
Today, they seem to move around every which where,
restless and unsettled...
but I think they're still looking for the same thing-
a place where they can be optimistic about the future,
a place that helps them to be who they really want to be...
...where they can feel that this life makes sense...
...a place where they can feel
what I feel when I am riding Flicka.
'Cause when we're riding, all I feel...
...is free.
##
## (man singing country)
## (song fades out)