Justin Morgan Had a Horse (1972)

[bunniefuu]

NARRATOR:
It all started in Vermont
a long time ago.

[NEIGHING]

In the 1790s, to be exact.

With one colt
named "Figure,"

and one man,

Justin Morgan.

[WHISTLING]

[NEIGHING]

Morgan was a schoolteacher
and a composer of music,

which may explain his naming
the little colt "Figure,"

for a figure of music.

Morgan was a man
with a love of horses,

and a dream.

There would be no Morgan horse
and no story to tell
without that dream.

BOY 1: Guess that means
school's gonna
start again.

BOY 2:
Hey, look at that horse!
He's just right for me.

NARRATOR:
Morgan had borrowed
a great deal of money

for a cousin a while back,

but then his cousin
passed on,

and he was saddled
with the debt.

[SNORTING]

FISK: Whoa!

Well, now, Mr. Morgan,
I see your journey's
been fruitful.

MORGAN: Except you're seeing
the whole of it, Squire Fisk.

These two horses,
this wagon...

Cash, have I none.

It's $180 you owe me,
and I don't see it
sitting here.

Well, I was hoping
you'd accept the
two horses and the wagon

as partial payment
and just be patient
for the rest.

And since you don't have
a tin pot in this world
I can foreclose on,

it's the case
of a bird in the hand

worth all your
good intentions,
and then some.

Am I right?

Nobody's trying
to cheat you, Squire.

I'll admit to coming back
more or less empty-handed...

Empty-headed
is more like it.

I'm sorry.

In all the commotion
I'm afraid a proper
"hello" got lost.

Nice to see you again,
Kathleen.

And you, Justin.
You look well
after your trip.

[SIGHS] Well,
I've had a lot
of exercise.

Which has about as much
buying power as a smile.

Money is what
you should have
gotten plenty of.

Older than I am.

$10.

[SCOFFS]

You're not passing off
this shrimp as part
of any payment to me.

Now, just a minute, Squire.
He's a small horse,
I know, but...

Why even bother
bringing him back here?

Well, I was going
to leave him behind,

but then I got
to watching him.

The way
he carries himself.

There's something different
about that horse.

Stop sounding
like a fishmonger
hawking yesterday's carp.

This animal
is of no worth.

He's a misfit. A runt!

Well, I'll give you
a dollar for him.

The tanner might offer
a pittance for his hide.

His hide?

Squire, I know he's not
gonna grow as big
as one of your draft horses,

but that is as
pretty an animal
as I've ever seen!

When I want pretty,
I'll look at a sunset.

Now do you want
a dollar for this runt,
or don't you?

Well, you can just go
and keep your dollar,
Squire.

Except that I owe you,
I wouldn't part
with that horse,

not for $100!

A hundred dollars?

[CHUCKLES]

There should be quarters
in Bedlam with your name
above the door.

I'll send my man,
Robert Evans, by the
schoolhouse for that bay.

Miss Kathleen.
Good day, Squire.

Now, don't you go
looking at me
like I'm carrying horns

and waving
a pointed tail.

You can't get blood
from a stone.

But I can get
a little more respect
from you

until you've worked out
your indenture.

And that's
five more years.

And I won't have
your love life

taking your mind
off your chores,
or your loyalties.

You paid my expenses here,
so I'm bonded
in debt to you,

but you don't own me,
Squire Fisk.

And my love life,
as you put it,
is none of your affair.

Now you just mind
your place, missy.

Well, this is your
new home now, Figure.

Go on!
[NEIGHING]

NARRATOR:
No question
in Morgan's mind.

That colt was some
good stock, and it showed.

He had a certain
spark about him,
something extra.

[SIGHS]

A school teacher
with two horses, huh?

[SIGHS]

Must be stealing
public funds.

It might come to that,
considering what I owe Fisk.
[CHUCKLES]

Miss Kathleen told me
you'd gone a long
way for a short shrift.

Well, times were
kind of hard
back there, Bob.

Yeah, them Massachusetts
lawyers kind of picked
the estate clean, huh?

There wasn't much
of anything
left to pick.

[CHUCKLES]
They're thieves,
them lawyers...

Them and politicians both.
I don't know
which one's worse.

Easy, now, easy.

Hey, hey, hey.
Easy.

BOB: Hey, Figure.
[CHUCKLES]

He's a pretty colt,
Justin, I'll say that.
My goodness.

Stop trying
to make me
feel good, Bob.

Well, you see
the thing of it is,
can you afford a pet?

A horse is not a pet.

Yeah, well, this one is.

It's gonna be a couple
of years before you get
a stick of work out of him.

Meanwhile,
you're gonna have to care
for the little beggar.

And the squire knew that.

Yes, sir,
Mr. Fisk is a man
who knows value.

I'm gonna raise
one of the finest horses
you've ever seen, Bob.

I know how to prove
the value of this colt.

You're teaching school
and writing music,
isn't that enough for you?

You know, ever since
I've known you,

you've talked about
raising horses as well.

Well, you know me
and horses.

Oh, yes,
an all-purpose horse
as I remember.

For riding, working,
drawing the carriage.

Could be done.

BOB: Pipe dreams
are not the point.

What do you want
out of life?

And how're you
gonna get it?
That's the point.

Well,
what is it, Justin?

Can you eat it?
[CHUCKLES]

Can you wear it?

Can you put it
in your pocket
and hear it jingle?

Put a name
on it for me?

Ah, it's hard
to name, Bob.

Something that won't be gone
once you've used it.

Something that
means something,

has my stamp on it
and won't be forgotten
next Wednesday.

ANDREW: Hi, Mr. Morgan.

PETER: Hello, Mr. Morgan.

Hello, Andrew, boys.

We came
to see your horse.
Good morning.

Wish I had one
like that.

Just about
the right size for me.

[CHUCKLING]

We brought some apples.
All right if we feed him?

He'd never forgive me
if I said no.

Thank you,
Mr. Morgan
Thanks, Mr. Morgan.

PAUL: Give me your apple,
I want to feed him, too.

PETER: Nice horse.
Look what we brought you.

Well, money's your problem
and raising horses
your dream,

and never
the twain shall meet,
you want my opinion.

MORGAN: Looks like I'm not
gonna have any problem
feeding the horse.

Hmm. Well,
I wouldn't take it
too lightly, Justin.

That animal's
gonna be
a burden to you,

and you know who owns
all the loose oats,

and shoes
and tack around here.

FISK: Hey!

Warm her up, I said.

I didn't tell you
to sweat yesterday's
oats out of her.

I expected
you sooner, Morgan.

You just tell the stable boy
what you want and
I'll write it up later.

I thank you
for the credit.

Well, if you're gonna
squander your resources
on that misfit of a colt,

you might as well
squander them with me.

Mr. Schoolteacher,

you'll be in the
poor house by the time
you're up to my years.

You should have taken
that dollar I offered you
for that creature

and, uh, bought
yourself a scrub board
and taken in wash.

Be further along
devoting your time
to some productive enterprise

than wasting it
on writing music
and such...

And now that colt.

I thank you
for your advice.

Morgan.

Take a look
at a real horse.

Princess Gray Dawn.

Champion of Randolph county.

Look at the size of her.
The length of those legs!

MORGAN:
That's a fine animal,
the Princess!

The best.
Never beaten.

Well, just one time
those New York dandies
with their thoroughbreds.

Will your colt
ever look like that?

MORGAN: Well,
Figure has qualities
all his own.

And I've got my own ideas
about training him.

Ah, take what you came for
and get along with you.

A fool and his money
are soon parted.

Bit of wisdom
life will teach you

better than those
schoolbooks of yours.

Squire,

I think you're right
about a fool
and his money,

but there's one
other saying
that I've heard.

"Good things
sometimes come
in small packages."

[CHUCKLING]

Nah.

Come out
from behind there.

I didn't want
to butt in.

FISK: You didn't want
to embarrass your
gentleman friend, you mean.

Well, don't trouble
yourself about that.

Morgan hasn't got
sense enough to know
when he's licked

and he hasn't got
sense enough to know
when to feel shame.

Justin Morgan is no fool
and I admire the way
he sticks to his g*ns.

He said he had a plan,
ideas for training
that little horse.

Well, maybe he sees something
in that colt that you don't!

Time will tell.
Time will tell.

Fisk would have sent
that little horse
to slaughter.

I just pray Justin Morgan
isn't going in
the colt's stead.

NARRATOR:
It took perseverance,

but Figure was smart
and Morgan was
a first-rate teacher.

The training
was never a chore.

They enjoyed
the time together.

And as the seasons passed,
a bond built between the two.

A bond that would make
Morgan and Figure
a winning combination.

"We hold these truths
to be self-evident.

"That all men
are created equal

"and are endowed
by their creator

"with certain
inalienable rights.

"Among these are life,
liberty and the..."

[NEIGHING]

[RINGING]

[CHILDREN SHOUTING
INDISTINCTLY]

BOY: Come here, Figure.
Come on, boy.

Come on, now.
Here, boy, come on.
Here, boy.

NARRATOR:
It was evident to Morgan

that skittish was one thing
that Figure would never be.

[ALL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

NARRATOR:
Figure started small,
as horses go,

but Morgan knew
his capabilities would grow
with every challenge.

Figure seemed
to love trying harder

because it was Morgan
doing the asking.

A bigger job each time,

and soon there
wasn't anything small
about Figure's muscles.

♪ Oh, when we see
a harvest moon

♪ 'Tis then we hum
an autumn tune

♪ Oh, when we see
a harvest moon

♪ 'Tis then we hum
an autumn tune

♪ And if the snow
is on the trees

♪ We whistle
winter melodies

[WHISTLING]

♪ And as the leaves
turn green in spring

♪ It is a happy song
we sing

♪ Tra la la la la la

♪ Tra la la la la la
Tra la la la la
tra la la la la

♪ But now the days
are warm and long

♪ And so we sing
a summer song

♪ Tra la la la la la

♪ Tra la la la la la

♪ We sing
our summer song ♪

[LAUGHS]
Very good.

NARRATOR: Every break
in the Vermont winters

found Figure and Justin
continuing the training,

and Figure was
coming along just fine.

[ALL SINGING]
♪ O come, all ye faithful

♪ Joyful and triumphant

♪ O come ye,
o come ye to Bethlehem

♪ Come and behold Him

♪ Born a king of angels

♪ O come, let us adore Him

♪ O come, let us adore Him

♪ O come, let us adore Him

♪ Christ the Lord ♪

It's for Figure.
We all helped make it.

I'll meet you
in the barn.

[CHILDREN
TALKING INDISTINCTLY]

See. It's yours. Yes.

[CHUCKLES]

[SNORTING]

NARRATOR: The children
had forgotten when they
started the blanket,

that just as acorns
grow into mighty oaks

so do colts become
full-fledged horses.

There.
[CHUCKLES]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

NARRATOR:
Kathleen was growing too,

growing impatient.

Merry Christmas.
Oh.

NARRATOR: She and Justin
had been keeping company
for some time.

Had an understanding.

No question if they were
getting married,

but just when
was beginning
to bother her.

And this Christmas,
she didn't mind hinting

she was ready
to start housekeeping.

[CHILDREN LAUGHING]

[CHUCKLES]

NARRATOR: Each season
in Vermont is well marked.

The change is most dramatic.

And the changes
in Figure too
were dramatic.

He'd become
a strong two-year-old

and justified the faith
Morgan had had in him
all along.

Morgan didn't stint
when it came to giving,

but it took more
than love and care.

Figure required
some material things, too.

It wasn't much each time,

just some oats,
shoes and whatnot,
but it added up.

Morgan was getting
deeper and deeper
into debt.

The piper will
be paid, Morgan.

Bear it in mind,
the piper will be paid.

Look!

KATHLEEN: I see time
passing us by, Justin.

[SIGHS] Well...

Life's not so complicated
for those little creatures.

That doe isn't
indentured to Fisk,

and her mate isn't
concerned about being
able to feed and clothe her.

We could manage.

And being indentured...

Well, should
the world skid to a halt

because I've a...
A debt to work off?

No law says
I'm to grow old
in Fisk's employ.

And the squire
wouldn't object.

I object, Kathleen.

No, I've got to find
a way to pay off
my debt to Fisk

and to buy up
your indenture as well.

Why even talk about that
when every spare dime
that comes into your hands

goes towards that horse,
and our future be hanged.

Kathleen,

if Figure proves out
as I expect he will,

he's going to be
a very important
part of our future.

I think it might be
better for the
both of us

if we didn't see
each other for a time,

until you sort things out
and decide what you want.

What I want is
no secret to you.

NARRATOR: Come that summer,
Figure was a fine-looking
three-year-old.

Morgan's training
had paid off.

He knew he had
a horse and a half
on his hands.

And there'd be some others
soon finding this out,

including the man who owned
the champion trotter
of Randolph county.

MORGAN: Mr. Fisk!

Squire!

Hello!
Giddap!

Squire Fisk!

Squire Fisk!
One moment. Please.

Squire,

I was thinking, perhaps
we could make some sort
of an arrangement.

Come on, Midnight!

Show Morgan and his runt
what a real horse can do.

Hyah!

Stretch out, Midnight.
Stretch out there!

Hyah!

Hyah!

[LAUGHING]

Go on with you, Morgan!
Get out of my way!

[LAUGHING]

Oh, Figure.

[LAUGHING]

[PANTING]

[GRUNTING]

Justin, what are you
doing out here?

And Figure,
all done up
in haulin' gear.

Well, to quote the squire,

"It's time you started
putting a dent in that debt
you owe me, Mr. Morgan.

"If it doesn't curdle you
to get your hands dirty
at some honest work,

"and if you can spare the time
from your precious music."

I don't mind
for myself, but Figure
and heavy draft work?

Well, I wouldn't worry
about it too much, Justin.

Between the two of us
we'll take care
of the little fella.

Not overwork him.

What'd you do
to rile the squire?

[CHUCKLES]
Figure here
outran Midnight.

Fisk's best
trotting horse?

I once told you
that this little fella

was going to prove out
to be fine horse flesh,
and he's doing it.

No, that couldn't be.
Must be some mistake.

I mean, it'd take
a wonder horse to...

But, you know,
that sure would set
the squire's wig to smoking

if Figure ever did
manage to catch up

with that daddy long legs
Midnight of his.

Hey, can you picture
old Fisk thinking
he's being outdone?

[IMITATING FISK]
Stretch out, Midnight!

[WHINNYING]

Whoa!

Whoa, Figure!

Whoa, Figure!

Whoa!

Justin, Justin!
Did you see that?
Did you see it?

I didn't even
cut the roots,

and he ran away
with that thing
like it wasn't even there.

[CHUCKLES] I saw.

A wonder horse
I called him.
You heard me say it.

[CHUCKLES]
That's what he is,
this little horse of yours.

He's a seven-day-ring-tailed
kind of wonder horse.

NARRATOR:
Figure was indeed a wonder,

as Bob had said
and Justin Morgan
had known all along.

It seemed whatever Figure
was hitched to
just naturally had to follow.

I'll tell you, Justin.

All the talking you done
about training horses,

I thought you was
just spouting air,

but seeing the fine hand
you've had
with Figure here,

it's like
you had a calling.

It's what you were
meant to do,
I'll say it for a fact.

Kathleen seems
a mite frosty
this morning.

Something amiss
between you two?

Just asking is all.
Just asking.

'Bout time you two
tied the knot though.

I mean, you've been
going together a long time,
and women, they...

All right.

All right,
you made your point.
I got a long nose.

[HORSE NEIGHING]

MAN: Hyah! Come on!

Lot of work
to do.

Giddap! Come on!
Pull that! Giddap!

[HORSE WHINNYING]

[HORSE WHINNYING]

Hold on there,
Aaron!

You're not gonna get
that animal to haul
beyond its ability,

not if you beat it
into belt leather.

Well, maybe
you'd like me to take over

your chores
at the schoolhouse,

leave the logging
to you and that little
toy horse of yours.

Toy horse?

This is as strong
a horse as any horse
I've ever known.

Well, I've got a day's pay
sayin' you never
knowed much.

MATTHEW: Hold on!

You bettin' on that horse
walking off with this timber?

I'll take some
of that bet.

Unless Bob Evans
is backing out.

Now, wait a minute,
I think oxen
are called for here.

Robert T. Evans has
never been known
to run from any challenge.

I'll even do
the honors.

[CHUCKLES]

And leave you to think
on how you're gonna
work your magic.

Let's get a rig.
[LAUGHING]

What made you think
you can win a bet like that?

Get a ring.

You got yours?

Yeah, that's good.
Now make sure
it's hooked up.

MAN 1: I got it here.
MAN 2: Yeah.

This is gonna be good.

AARON: You know, we should
wish 'em good luck.
[MEN LAUGHING]

[SIGHS] Well, Justin,
I'm in the soup again.
Yeah.

Look at the
weight of that log.

It's pressing against
the ground like
it's in bed for the ages.

Hmm.

It sure is embedded,
all right.

A straight haul
isn't even going
to budge it.

That's it.

Start counting your money,
Robert T. Evans.

I'm counting it
as mine already.
[MEN LAUGHING]

Bob, climb up here.
Take a ride.
What?

Come on, sit down.

Sit down.
BOB: What's that?

Couple of you fellas
get on behind him,
will ya?

MAN: Really?
Go on, take a ride.

You gotta give Figure
a little bit of a
challenge anyway, huh?

[ALL TALKING INDISTINCTLY]

AARON: This ought
to be good, huh?

[LAUGHING]

All right, everybody,
don't roll off now.

[ALL LAUGHING]

Hold on.
MAN: Hold on?
[LAUGHING]

MORGAN: Here we go!

AARON: Hey,
come on, horse!

All right, now, Figure.

[LAUGHING]
Never.

Ready?

Ah, yeah.

JACOB:
Not too fast, horse.

[MEN LAUGHING]

That's it, Figure.
Come on, now.

Come on.
Come on, now,
this way. Attaboy.

That's it.
[GASPS]

All right, this way now.
JACOB:
He's moved it already.

Come on, Figure.

Hyah!

Come on, Figure.
That's it. Move!

[NEIGHS]

Attaboy! Come on.
Come on, Figure.
Come on!

All right, Figure.
Go all the way, Figure!
Come on!

[NEIGHS]
It's all right.

[MEN CHEERING]

Attaboy!

[MEN CONTINUE CHEERING]

BOB: Worth a day's pay
just to see that!

Yeah. You'll have
to wait till Friday
for my payment, Bob.

I'm afraid
I'm nearly clean.

[BELL RINGING]
Hey, that's
quitting time now.

[MEN LAUGHING]

BOB: Now, wait a minute.
Wait a minute!

You guys know me
and Justin didn't bring
no riding horses.

[MEN LAUGHING]

You bunch
of ungrateful lunks!

[MEN LAUGHING]

[MEN SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

By golly, you know,
I'd give my eye teeth
to whip those dunderheads.

Well, those boys
might just be in for
a little bit of a surprise.

Justin, you don't mean
we're gonna ride Figure?

There's no way
to catch them.

There is a shortcut,
you know.

The quarry?

It's not fit
for mountain goats.

Mother Evans,
pray for your boy Robert.
Oh...

Hey, who's that?
It's Morgan!

No. How'd they
get up there?

MAN: He must have come
through the quarry!

AARON: Come on,
let's catch 'em.

[URGING HORSES]

MAN: Yeehaw!

[MEN WHOOPING]

[MEN LAUGHING]

JACOB: Start pouring!

BOB: What kept you?

MORGAN:
Gentlemen, your health!

[BOTH LAUGHING]

You went through the quarry
and beat us down!

Wouldn't have believed it!

Yeah, I admit it.

That horse of yours
gave a good account
of itself.

'Course I'd have
caught him there
on the road

if I'd had
my brother's horse,
Pegasus, under me.

You talkin'
about a horse race?

Between Pegasus
and Figure?

Yes, by golly!
It's a bet!

[ALL TALKING EXCITEDLY]

MAN: [LAUGHING]
One other race!

Now, isn't that
pressing things
a little bit?

Justin, you know
that Figure can run.

Wouldn't you like to see
what he really can do?
[SIGHS]

Hey, Aaron,
wait a minute.

Matthew!

Yes, sir, Squire Fisk,
and good day to you, sir.

Is it true
what I heard
a moment ago?

That little horse
came down here
through the quarry

and beat
the lot of you?

And riding double,
too, sir, hard
as that is to swallow.

Way he come down
that road so fast...

Put me in mind of your own
Princess Gray Dawn.

Uh, will you be wanting
anything else of me, sir?

What?

Uh, will you be wanting
anything else of me, sir?

No, no, go on with you.
Go on with you.

[MEN WHOOPING AND LAUGHING]

MATTHEW: On your mark...

Ready...

Go!

[URGING HORSES]

NARRATOR: This race
would set the pattern
for many to follow.

From that time on,
Figure would be
the horse to beat.

BOB: Giddap!

[ALL CHEERING]

[ALL CHEERING LOUDLY]

NARRATOR: Yes, sir.
Figure made quite
a name for himself.

It was like
a dream come true
for Justin Morgan.

Great race, Justin.
Great race

[CHUCKLES]
Great ride.

Very good, very good.

I'll tell you, Justin,
you can be
proud of him.

That Figure can do
whatever's asked of him
like no horse I've ever known.

He's a pretty
special horse
to begin with.

BOB: Oh, yeah,
he's special, all right.

So special Fisk
would have sent him
to the tanners.

No, no, it's training,
Justin, and the faith
you had in the horse.

You take it
from Robert T. Evans.

Mr. Morgan,
that horse of yours
is making quite a splash.

It's all over the village
he's a mighty fair runner.

He is that,
Mr. Ames.
Mighty fair.

Fair?
What's this fair?

Whoa, whoa, whoa,
now all I meant
was that...

Well, considering
he's a work horse,
I hear he does ride well.

Well, would it interest
you to know this
work horse is working,

because he outran
Fisk's big black
carriage horse?

FISK: Whoa.
[CHICKENS CLUCKING ]

[HORSE NEIGHING]

BOB: The squire turned
green with envy
and had to get one up.

The squire does not have
to envy any other man
when it comes to horses.

He has the best
and he likes it
that way.

Now, if he found better,

he'd either buy it,
or he'd steal it.

[MEN LAUGHING]

But one way or the other,
it'd end up his.
Mmm.

Well, this may be his
and that may be his,

but Figure's ours...
Uh, Morgan's.

And he's proving out
to be just about
the finest horseflesh

in Randolph county,
you want to know.

Now, Evans,
when you mention
the finest,

you get a horse
in the Princess' class,
if you can find one.

Figure can out-pull,
and out-trot,

and out-run any horse
around these parts.

And if he had wings,
he'd be out-flying
the hawks!

[MEN LAUGHING]
Mmm.

Well, I'll be
exercising the Princess

out at the old
fairgrounds track
tomorrow morning

before workday begins,
like I do every morning.

Now, if you want to run
against Princess Gray Dawn,
you be there.

We'll end this muddle
once and for all.

Justin, this gray
is the champ
of Randolph county.

Only been beaten once
by that thoroughbred
from New York.

Now, if Figure
can beat her...

He'd be champion.

It's done then.

Tomorrow morning
at the old fairgrounds
track then,

before starting time.

Tomorrow morning
it is.

[MEN WHOOPING]

Whoa.

One lap around
as we agreed,
Mr. Morgan?

Right.

Like to warm him up?

That's been taken care of.
We're ready if you are.

All right.

I got nothing much
to say at this point.

And I feel funny
when I got
nothing to say.

We'll just let Figure
do the talking for us.

I didn't expect
to find you here.

Call it curiosity.

It isn't every day
a girl has a horse
for competition.

AMES: Aaron!
Want to drop the hat?

Excuse me.

AARON:
Ready, gentlemen?

On the count
of three.

One,

two, three!

[AARON WHOOPING]

Come on, Princess!

MORGAN:
Cut in, Bob, cut in!

That's it!
Hug the rail, Figure!

Come on,
stretch it out, Figure!

Attaboy!
Stretch it out, Figure!

[ALL CHEERING]

MORGAN:
Hey, Figure. Good boy!

[CHUCKLING]
Fine race, Bob!

And a fine race
yourself, Mr. Ames.

Your horse is due
no shame.

Finest race
she's ever run.

Any faster, and she'd have
left her shoes back
there along with me.

[ALL LAUGHING]

This horse can
out-trot, out-pull
and out-run

anything bragging
hooves and a tail.

[ALL LAUGHING]

Figure is the champion
of Randolph county.

FISK: Whoa!

All right.

You all having
a nice holiday?

I was taking my
morning constitutional
when I passed by the fields.

Stumps and stones aplenty
but workmen...

Not a one
and here you all are.

Begging your pardon, Squire...

Sir.

It's the beginning
of the day.

We were just
having a little sport
on our own time.

[BELL RINGING]

On my time.

I think you mean
you're on my time,
and you're stealing my wages.

That'll be a day's less pay
for all of you this week!

What?
That's not fair.

And you're lucky
you don't all lose
your places!

Mr. Morgan.

Did we not have
an arrangement?

You and your horse
working off a debt?

Yes, we did.

Yet not only
aren't you working,

you're interrupting
other work as well.

You've got my workmen
playing at racing
half the day,

talking about it the
other half and neglecting
my fields in the process.

I call that bad faith,
Mr. Morgan.

I call that
contract broken.

Your fields
are being cleared
as promised.

Broken and done!

The contract's void.

Now you owe me
considerable money,
Mr. Morgan.

Is it not my proper
and legal right
to foreclose on you?

Confiscate your property
in place of the debt?

[ALL MURMURING]

Is it not
my legal right?

Yes, it is.

And has been ever since
I returned from
Massachusetts with a runt

that you wanted
to sell for his hide!

FISK: So be it!

Morgan,

I'll allow

a hundred dollars
for that horse.

And I've never paid
so much for an animal before,

but I want no talk
of cheating here.
That fair?

I asked you
if that was fair,
Morgan.

We can always
call in a constable
to decide on a sum.

I wouldn't sell Figure
for any price.

If you're taking him,
you're taking him.

[CROWD MURMURING]

Ames, take that horse
and follow me
back to the stables.

You hear me, Ames?

You want to keep your place
as my trainer,
you take those reins

and come along.

Do what you have
to do, Mr. Ames.
[FIGURE GRUNTS]

[CROWD MURMURING]

Oh, Justin.

[NEIGHING]

FISK: Whoa.

The quitting bell
will be coming soon

and if you men
aren't finished by then,
you're quitting for good.

[CLICKS TONGUE]
Giddap.

Giddyup.

What about
the granary?

Well, same thing there.
Very little business
this week.

Same at the
lumber mill, no doubt.

Seems like my customers
are deserting me.

You have
to understand, Squire.

Folks hereabouts
kind of...

Well, they adopted
that little horse.

It's like
you stole a member
of their family.

You wouldn't have
foreclosed on Morgan

and taken his horse,
would you, Ames?

No, sir!

That's why
you work for me
and not vice-versa.

Giddap.

Well, there are no
other mills or granaries
around here.

When the pious populace
finishes pouting

they'll be dealing
with me again,
like it or not!

[NEIGHING]

Whoa! Whoa!

Whoa.

Whoa. Ah!

Whoa, whoa, whoa...

Whoa! Whoa!

Easy. Whoa!

Something sure
spooked that horse.

Well, these things
do happen.

Well, these things
have been happening
with great regularity.

Business dropping.

Miss Kathleen's
cooking suddenly
tasting like hog slop.

Runaway horses.

Ever since I got
that horse! That...
That blasted horse!

NARRATOR: Sometimes
a thing happens that
makes a man question

everything he's done
in his life.

That's how it was
for Morgan.

Coming up short
with Figure

made him wonder
if he'd been coming up short
the whole of his days.

If that were true,

he had some
decisions to make.

I came by
to say hello.

It, uh... It looks like
I've got things backwards.

I can't stay here,
Kathleen.

After all you did
with that colt?

[SCOFFS]
I... I know I may have
said different, but...

I came to admire it.

The way you stuck
to your g*ns and won out
when no one would have

given you a snowflake's
chance in July.

I never saw you
running away.

I'm not the man
you thought I was,
is that it?

Well, let's take
a look at this
man of yours,

this Justin Morgan.

He's an underpaid
civil servant who can't
so much as buy you

a glass of punch
at a church social

without wondering
if he's got enough
pennies in his pocket.

And this was the man
who was going to help
you buy up your indenture?

Perhaps he had
other qualities.

[SCOFFS] Oh, yes, indeed,
he had other qualities.

Here's a man
who chose to teach,

write music,
because they satisfied

some sense of the aesthetic
or some fool thing.

A man of vision,
this Justin Morgan.
A man of dreams.

No base pursuit
of the great
God dollar for him.

Oh, no!
[SCOFFS]

Dreams!

Drivel!

There was a time you held
a man who didn't dream
had quit living.

Well, I've been re-educated
in Fisk's classroom.

I've learned that
what life boils down to
is the question of a dollar!

I can't stand
the thought of Figure
in that man's hands.

That horse was perhaps
the only real accomplishment
of my life.

It's small consolation,
I know, Justin,

but you've had
your victory.

You set out to prove
Figure a fine animal

and you proved him
even beyond
your own expectations.

Why, people
are even calling him
the Morgan horse,

like he was a new
breed or something.

Well, that's it!
He is a new breed!

He's unlike any horse
that ever lived!

And where is he now?
He's out there hauling stumps,
chasing cows around!

He'll spend the rest
of his life in harness!

Every time I look at him,
I'm reminded

that I was too much
of a failure to keep him.

You're not a failure,
and don't ever say it.

For the want
of a dollar I lost Figure.

Well, I'm an educated man.

There are opportunities
in this world.

Would you at least
have come by the farm
and said goodbye?

Better than that.

Within one year's time
I plan to come back here

with ample to pay Fisk off
and be my own
master as well.

If things go right
there's going to be a new day
for both of us, Kathleen.

And if they
don't go right?

[SIGHS]

Whatever it takes,
for as long as it takes,

I'm determined to have
some of the gravy
for a change.

Kathleen!

[HORSE APPROACHING]

Mr. Justin Morgan, sir?
Yes.

Sir, I represent
the most honorable

Andrius Dans Forth
and his associate,

Modichaiah Wellington.

The afore mentioned, sir,
are gentlemen of distinction
from New York...

Hold on now.

What do these gentlemen
of distinction want with me?

They want to race
against your horse.

Figure?
Yes, sir.

We were on our way to Maine
for the Brunswick races,

but ever since we hit Vermont
all we been hearing about
is this horse of yours.

They sent me
to challenge you.

To prove the superiority
of our blooded stock

over the mongrel
bred Figure.

They'll give you
$50 for your trouble,
win or lose!

All you gotta do is
sign this agreement,
and you can get $50 real easy.

If you don't mind losing.

Nobody ever beats 'em.

No, I'm getting
rather used to losing.

Tell you what you do.
You take this

and give it
to Squire Ezra Fisk.

He lives right
down the road here.

Just look
for the biggest farm
you've ever seen.

And that's it!

You mean
I gotta say all that
memorizing again?

Well, Figure's out
of my hands now.

Him and everything
pertaining to him.

[HORSE GALLOPING OFF]

NARRATOR:
Though Justin had
made his decision,

leaving old friends
was never easy.

No stumps today,
I see.

Fisk accepted
the race?
Accepted?

You should have
seen him, Justin.

He nearly tripped
all over himself getting
that agreement signed.

Dans Forth and Wellington.

Those are those two dandies
that rubbed his nose
in it awhile back.

And you know
the squire
would walk through

burning coals
to get back at them.

And now he's thinking, uh,
Figure's the horse
to do it with.

What are you toting
in the carpet bag?

All my earthly possessions.

[CHUCKLES]

Can you believe that?
The wealth of a lifetime.

Why?
Are you going somewhere?

I have to go away
for a while, Bob.

I have some
business to attend to.

How's he feel
to you?

Well, why don't you
give him a ride
and find out?

A farewell ride, huh?

Kind of childish,
kind of sentimental...

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
But why not?

Giddap!

Why not?

It's what you came
here to do.

FISK: Whoa...

Giddap!

Whoa.

How come you don't have
the horse performing
like that, Mr. Evans?

Well, I can sit a horse
as well as
any man, Squire,

but it's more than that
that's makes a difference.

It takes a Morgan
to make a Morgan horse!

Whoa, boy.

You're a long way
from the schoolhouse,
Mr. Morgan.

I was just thinking.

Your talents
may extend beyond
book learning.

How would you
like to train
Figure for me?

Put him in shape
for next week's meeting

with those two
rapscallions from New York

and I'll mark
the $60 you owe me
right off the books!

We'll be square!

Square?

Well, you don't make
that much in two months
at that schoolhouse.

Mr. Morgan won't be
around for the race.
He's leaving.

Urgent business.

And I'd best
be on my way.

Goodbye.

The New Yorkers
are putting up a token
inducement of $50.

I won't stand
in the way of a man
seeking his fortune.

But if you'll put off
your urgent business
for a week

your debt'll be cleared
and you can put
that 50 in your pocket

walking out of here,
traveling money.

That's very tempting,
but I'd rather
start fresh.

Morgan! Winning this race
is important to me!

From now on
I do what's
important to me!

You've got your price,
Morgan. Name it!

Name my price?

All right.

I don't want anything
of yours, Squire.

All I want is what
is rightfully mine.

The return
of my property.

Your property?
That horse is mine,
Morgan!

Win, lose or draw,
he stays in my stables!

All right,
then go on with you.

I make a generous offer
and you throw it
in my face!

KATHLEEN: Justin...

There's so much
to say, and, uh...

I can't find
the right words to say it.

So I guess I'm stuck
with the usual "Good luck."

And I'll be
thinking about you.

I'm leaving Randolph county
because I've come
to a dead end here.

I'm not leaving you.

[SNIFFLES]

[SIGHS]

Good day to you,
Mr. Morgan, sir.

MAYS: Wait!
Hold up there! Whoa.

Our business is
with Squire Fisk.
You may proceed.

They're New Yorkers.
There's no
mistaking that.

[CHUCKLES]
I can see why
they'd rile the squire.

Yeah, they're not
exactly the type
you'd clutch to your bosom,

I can agree
with you there.

Mr. Morgan!
My name's Mays.

Sports reporter
for the New York Gazette.

I've been following
those two around
on a racing tour.

Sniffing after
a story worth writing.

Justin Morgan
and the Morgan horse
is about my last hope,

so don't skunk me.

Well, have you heard
that Squire Fisk
acquired my horse?

I'm not after examining
ownership papers.
I'm after a story.

Tell me the horse
drinks beer.

Tell me
he's got two heads.
[LAUGHS]

But tell me something!

I can't write racing stories
when the outcome
is always the same.

New York horses win!

New York horses win,
win, win, win.

What in blazes
could be in there?
[CHUCKLES]

Well, in that,
as I wrote
the other day, and...

Doom and gloom
and humiliation
of all opposition.

Without the
reportorial embroidery,
your competition, Mr. Morgan.

[NEIGHING]

[WHINNYING]

That's Sweepstakes!

Vandemeer farms,
Kentucky!

Sold the rest
of our stable to buy him.

[HORSE NEIGHING]

The beginning
of a new stable.

Quite a good beginning,
don't you think?

We did keep Royal Fortune.
You must recall him
I'm sure, Squire.

He beat your Princess
at our last meeting.

But you never said...

Sweepstakes was
never mentioned!

You can always forfeit.

If any horse
ever beat those two,
I'd have my story, all right.

Huh.
Did I say story?

I'd have a splash
I could send out
all over the country.

Yeah, it'd be
quite a celebrity,

any horse comes in
ahead of Sweepstakes.

[HORSE WHINNYING
AND SNORTING]

Squire!

I think we can make
an arrangement.

Morgan, before I knew
what I was getting into,
I bet $1,000 on this contest.

I wanted to get back
at those two
uppity rapscallions.

Well, what I'm saying is,
I won't mince words.
How much?

I'm not interested
in your money.

What then? What?

What can Justin
want from him?

I hope it's plenty.

Justin Morgan needs
another disappointment

like a hog needs
a smokehouse.

Figure?

You will extend us
the same hospitality
and stable privileges

as the last time,
won't you, Squire Fisk?

So good dealing
with a sportsman
like yourself.

My pleasure,
gentlemen, of course.

[STUTTERS]
Why, it's, uh...

It's a well-made
little horse, Morgan.

But I got a hunch for all
the story I'm gonna get
from this contest,

my editor's going
to reassign me to writing
obituary columns.

David and Goliath,
that's what it is.
David and Goliath.

I seem to recall
a happy ending
to that story.

Oh, I trust my Bible
when it says
it happened once.

Twice?

[WHINNYING]

NARRATOR:
It takes a bit of doing
getting a horse ready

for such
an important race.

But when it came to getting
the utmost out of Figure,

Justin Morgan
was the right man
to be in charge.

The bond built between them
over the years
guaranteed that.

They were the makings
of a winning combination.

Figure's sure
itching to go.

Yes.

We'll be running him
easy today, pacing him
to the distance.

Why, I thought
you said the flat-out
race was his meat.

It is, but
every little bit counts.

Those New Yorkers have
racing down to a science.
Been at it for years.

[HORSE WHINNIES]

They're gonna race!

Hold him down, Bob!

Bob! Pull him up!

Whoa.

Bob! Pull up!

All right, Figure.
Attaboy.

I'm calling off the race.

What?
FISK: It's a fiasco.

I'll pay if I must,
but I won't have those

monkeys jeering
and jabbering at me
from here to New York.

I'll tell 'em
Figure came up lame
or something, but it's over!

You're not going
to count us out yet!

There's too much
at stake here!

That wasn't even
their best horse!

Morgan,
if that little show...
MORGAN: Squire!

We have got
an entire week!

I intend to use
all of that time
training Figure.

I'm not gonna
waste any time
debating whether or not

I'm gonna lie down
and die without a fight!

Somewhere in your
little bag of tricks
you better come up

with a set of wings
for that horse.

BOB:
Wings or no, Justin,

Figure never could have
caught that thoroughbred.

Bob, Figure didn't lose
that race yesterday,
you did.

Or rather, I did.

Where does he get
his speed from?

Well, from his
hindquarters, of course.

All those years
of hauling
and hill climbing,

I don't know a horse
with more thrust.

And where were you sitting
when you rode him?

Figure's got
a short back.
Right.

And that means
I was sitting right
on top of all that power

just like an anchor
dragging him down.
You're right, Justin!

You know, we haven't made
a formal thing of racing,

haven't studied it like
those New Yorkers have.

But this is one
old dog that doesn't
mind learning some new tricks.

NARRATOR:
Time flew by,

the way time does
when you need
every moment.

By the day before the race
Morgan knew
that Figure was ready,

but he was still looking
for every advantage
he could give his namesake.

BOB: Oh, Lord,
don't tell me.

That's all we need is
Figure to come up lame.

There's no swelling.

Oh, his shoe is loose.

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

Say, you know,
I never noticed,
how heavy these things are.

Two and a half pounds
of metal in each shoe.

Times four hooves,
that's 10 pounds.

That's an awful lot
of weight for a horse to be
dragging around during a race.

Yeah, but you can't
make 'em any lighter.

As it is,
they wear right down.

A set of shoes
don't last
no time at all.

All they have to last
is one day,
one race.

Just a shell
for protection.

Do you mind
if I get nosey?

I'll tell you that
after I hear
the question.

It's just, it's been
kind of a puzzle to me

what kind of a deal
you and the squire worked out
about getting you to stay.

You've both been
pretty confidential
about it.

That's a secret.

And if we don't
win tomorrow, it's going
to remain a secret.

I thought the squire
was bargaining
for your time,

not for the promise
of winning.

No, it's strictly
on a win basis.

If Figure wins,
the squire wins,
and I win.

[FIRE CRACKLING]

[CLANGING]

[CLANGING CONTINUES]

Oh, you're an angel
of mercy. [CHUCKLES]

Mmm.

There's more
in the pitcher.

No, I'd better not
stop now. I'm getting
sleepy enough as it is.

I'm so glad
you stayed on here,
Justin.

Well, I couldn't go
and leave behind so much
that's important to me.

It's what I hoped,
that you couldn't go.

Not after talking
to that newspaper man.

There's too much riding
on tomorrow's race.

Newspaper man?

A Mr. Mays.

You know
what he told me?

If Figure wins tomorrow,
he'll be spread across
the front pages

of every paper
in the country!

That horse getting
in the paper, that's what
you stayed for?

Well, think
what that would mean,
Kathleen!

Every horseman
worth his salt

will want to have
his mares mated
to Figure.

We'll have a new
breed of horses.
Horses like Figure.

We'll have the first
American breed!

Justin Morgan, you've got
about as much romance
in your soul as...

MAYS: Well...
Well, now the pieces fit.

All the way back here,
it was a puzzle to me
why you've been

driving yourself
to train that horse.

A man with a dream!

What else?

Dreams don't
come true, Morgan.

You talk
about breeding.

Those thoroughbreds
have got generations of it.

Generations!

What's gonna beat 'em, hmm?
Your good wishes?

[SCOFFS]

[GROANS]

Go on making your shoes.

What can it hurt?

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

KATHLEEN:
Storm blowing in tonight.

Justin?
What do you think?

I think that there's no time
for crowing or crying.

Not until after
tomorrow morning.

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

Hello, Justin!
MORGAN: Bert!

Looks like we got
a full house today, huh?

Yeah, all here
to cheer you on, Justin.

Me and old hound here
is going to be camped
right on the startin' line.

Our prayers with you.
Thank you.

[DOGS BARKING]

Squire...

Storm last night
sure wet down the track.

The talk is Sweepstakes
is an exceptional mudder.

Well, Figure's just about
sure-footed as anything
that's got hooves.

Seen just about
every kind of weather

that Vermont can
throw at a horse.

[DOG BARKING]

After a week's training
is there anything
you can tell me

put a smile on our face?

Or will it be a repeat
of the last performance?

That, uh, Royal Fortune
running away from you?

Squire...

Every horse has its own
individual strengths.

In a long race
from a running start

that thoroughbred
had the edge.

A short race like this
Figure just might
have the edge.

He's the fastest
horse off the mark
I've ever seen in my life.

Now, that just
could be the race.
Right there.

Figure getting
the jump at the start.

But there's no saying.

So your money's
still up in the air.

Hang it all,
it's not the money
I'm worrying after.

Can we win,
is what I'm thinking?

Can we win?

Giddyup!

I've never heard
the squire use
the term "we" before,

as if there were anything
else in this universe
besides himself.

And not filled up
with his own money.

You suppose maybe
the squire's been hiding
a heart all these years?

[CHUCKLES]

Mr. Mays,

will you do the honors
and officiate as judge,

if that is agreeable
to all?

Agreed.

To your marks,
gentlemen!

[HORSE SNORTING]

Come on, get that
thoroughbred up here.

It's a good thing
they picked that
Royal Fortune to race

against Figure
and not that
Sweepstakes horse!

MAYS: Get set!

[g*n FIRES]

[CROWD GASP]

New start.
Interference on the track!

Once a starting g*n
has been fired,
a race must be concluded.

Official eastern
track rules,
as per our agreement.

Mr. Mays?

I'm afraid that's the case,
Mr. Morgan.
The race is on.

There goes
your fast start!

Come on, Figure!

[CROWD CHEERING]

He's catching up!

[CROWD CHEERING]

Stretch out, Figure!

He's gonna catch 'em!
Look! Look!

Cut in now,
Figure!

Stretch out, Figure!
Come on!

Come on!
Come on, Figure!
[ALL CHEERING]

[ALL CONTINUE CHEERING]

By heavens,
no doubt about that.

The Morgan horse
is the winner!

[ALL CHEERING AND APPLAUDING]

MORGAN:
Figure. [CHUCKLES]

Superb race, Bob!

Good job, Bob.

FISK: Incredible, Evans.
Incredible.

Fisk!

Yes.
[CLEARS THROAT]

It's somewhat early
for such jubilation.

I should think
you'd want
to spend your time

between races
more fruitfully.

Between races?

If the good Squire
will read his agreement

he'll note
that we specified

the two races
to be run at the time
of our choosing.

We choose now.

You don't ask
a horse to run twice!

FISK: Trickery...

We demand time!

Demand away, Squire.

All you'll get is
the exact letter
of our agreement.

You're a businessman.
Don't you read
what you sign?

That's what it says,
all right.

Agreement or no.
I've never heard
of such a thing.

What you heard is
of no importance!

DANS FORTH:
Modichaiah...

We certainly don't want
our friend of the press

reporting us
as unsportsmanlike
in our dealings.

We will amend
our agreement.

Champion Sweepstakes
against any horse
of the Fisk farm.

The Princess Gray Dawn,
for instance.

I think
that's generous of us.
Don't you, Mays?

Figure is the only
horse with a prayer

against the likes
of Sweepstakes!

I'd gladly
accommodate you further,

but we do have
business in Maine

and must be away
before night.

Modichaiah.

Justin, this horse
has given his all.

He'll give more.
He has to.

Not to me,
he won't.

What are you
talking about?

BOB: This horse has just
run a race that no horse
should ever have to run.

It sapped
his strength.

Now, for you,
he just might go
on heart.

But, Bob,
you're the man
he's used to.

Yeah, and you're the man
with more on this race
than you care to talk about.

I'd only lose it
for you.

Morgan, there's truth
to what he says.

Something special happens
when you ride that horse.

May I have
your knife, Bob?

What are you doing
with the saddle?

I'm gonna cut away anything
we don't really need.

If he loses...

Justin's never wanted
anything so badly
in his whole life.

Well, there's
a good deal
at stake here.

You'd be interested
to know just how much,

but I promised
not to reveal it.

I'll tell you
one thing, however.

That Justin Morgan
is more man than I ever
gave him credit for.

My heart goes
out to him.

Yes, sir,
he's quite a man.

Tell me anything
I should know
about that track out there.

Well, you got
to watch that turn down
there 'cause it's deadly.

You must swing wide,
you see, because
it's a swamp.

MAYS: On your marks,
gentlemen!

[WHINNYING]

Come on,
get that black horse up.
Come on, come on!

[WHINNYING]

[CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]

Get set!

[g*n FIRES]

Figure'll run
his own race now,
by golly!

Come on, Figure!
Come on!

Come on, Figure!

Come on!

Don't go too tight
into that turn.
It's a swamp!

Dig in, boy!

Stretch out, Figure,
stretch out, there!

Stretch it!
Come on, stretch it!

Take us home, boy.
Hyah!

Figure!

Figure!
The Morgan horse
by a head.

[ALL CHEERING]

Hyah! [LAUGHS]

[ALL CONTINUE CHEERING]

FISK: Missy!

This is for you.

It's your indenture.

Consider it paid in full!

It's the price
that man of yours
asked of me for winning.

Justin Morgan
never was much
of a businessman.

Well, good luck
to you, children,

and God bless
you both.
Oh!

Thank you.
[CHUCKLES]

[ALL SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

KATHLEEN:
Justin!

Justin...

Hey!

Kathleen!

Well, gentlemen?

Your note for $1,000!

I'd frame it,
but then you two peacocks

wouldn't have to pay,
would you?

What do you think
of my mongrel
horse now, huh?

Your horse, Squire?

[CROWD CHEERING
AND APPLAUDING]

Well, I got a story
to tell, all right.

The story
of the Morgan horse!

And I'll be
telling it good!

Your horse, Squire!

No, the horse
is yours, Morgan.

Always was, I guess.

If I didn't know it
before I learned
that ownership means

more than dollars
and cents.

Besides,
it gets me off the hook
for a wedding present.

Squire Fisk, I know you
for a shrewd Yankee trader

that would rather turn purple
than give away
something for nothing.

There's got to be
a condition.

Condition, indeed.
I was just
coming to that.

Morgan, that horse
of yours is one of a kind,

but he won't be
for long.

I want the first colt.

[LAUGHS]

Done!

Uh, there's a piece
of land adjoining mine
that I've had my eye on.

Might be that you and me
could get together

on breeding
the finest horseflesh
anyone's ever heard of.

Morgan horses, by golly.

I bet they'll make
wonderful children's horses.

[LAUGHING]

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

NARRATOR: And so,
Justin Morgan's dream
came to pass.

Figure did breed true
as Morgan knew he would.

Before you knew it,
there were
Morgans everyplace,

and every one
with the stamp
of the original.

The All-American horse!