Ride a Wild Pony (1975)

[bunniefuu]

[Whip cracking]

- [Man 1] Come on, bring 'em up!
- [Whip cracking]

[Man 2] Hah!

[Whip cracking]

Hah! Hah!

- [Whinnying]
- Hah!

Hey, you, Scott Pirie,
what are you doing with that pony?

Hey, you, Scotty, come back here.
Where do you think you're going?

[Whinnying]

I know you, Scott Pirie.
Why aren't you in school?

You little devil. We'll have
the law on you. You see if we don't.

[Rooster crowing]

Morning, Mrs. Pirie.
Is your husband around?

Mr. Pirie, I've got a summons here
for keeping your boy away from school.

You, Scotty, keep away
from Mr. Ellison's herd of ponies.

That's an order.

You've done what you came for.
Now get off my land.

The... the boy, he cannot get to school.

Hm. It says here
that he's been absent for two months.

How did he get to school before that?

Uh... my neighbor, John Dancy.

He had a horse and his boy and Scotty
used to ride on it together.

And the Dancys aren't there anymore.
Is that right?

No, no.

The boy would have
to walk seven miles each way.

Yes.

Thank you.

- [Sheep bleating]
- Go on, get going!

[Whistling] Bring 'em up!

h*! h*!

[Dogs barking]

[Man] Bring 'em up!

Hey! Hey!

I presume, Mr. Strapp,
that I shall be opposing you.

Naturally, since
I'm the police attorney.

Hm. Well, then I think
that I should inform you

that my client, Mr. Pirie,

is going to sue the state
of New South Wales

for not providing a proper education
for his son.

He... he what?

Since he lives seven miles
from the town,

and there is no means
of getting him to school,

an education should be
provided for him at home.

The other bush boys ride to school.

Mr. Pirie can't afford to buy a horse.

That's his problem.
He came here as an assisted migrant.

- If he can't make a go of it...
- He can't make a go of it,

because his land is salty and rocky

and is quite unsuited
for irrigation farming.

If... Ha!

If this comes to court I shall expect
some inquiries to be made

as to who sold the land
to the government

and what profit.

Now, see here!

I'II, uh...

I'll tell Sergeant Collins that...
further information's come to light.

And the summons will be withdrawn?

Yes, yes, I suppose so.

And the Board of Education
will find some means

of getting the boy to school?

Thank you.

[Man] Mr. Ellison is chairman
of the Board of Education,

[man] Mr. Ellison is chairman
of the Board of Education,

and he's prepared to give you
one of his wild ponies.

[Mr. Pirie] He can keep his pony.

I've never asked for charity.
I'm not gonna start now.

You may as well see it.

- [Whinnying]
- [Man] Easy, easy. Back up.

Back up there, back up.

Come on. That's a boy.
That's it.

That's it. Easy.

Come here, boy. Come on.

- Come on.
- [Whinnying]

I'll tell you what, Mr. Pirie.

If you won't take the pony
as a gift from Mr. Ellison,

then why not pay for it? It's unbroken.

It shouldn't be too expensive.

Uh... three pounds.

- Bluey?
- Yeah, I've known 'em to go for that.

They're real devils to break in,
these Welsh ponies.

Mr. Pirie,

the boy must have an education

if he's to make anything of himself.

Did you say three pounds?

Not a penny more.

And I'd like a receipt.

Come here, boy.

Come on, you bad boy.

Come on.

[Whinnying]

Whoa. Whoa, boy. Whoa.

That's a good boy.

Good on you.

Hey!

That's right. Down, boy.

[Whinnying]

Come on.

[Metal bit rattling]

Come on, boy. Here, boy.

Yah.

[Train whistle blowing]

Hey, look here. It's the Pirie boy.

Ha! He's trying to race
against the train.

When's he gonna stop?

He's not gonna. He's gonna...

[train whistle blowing]

You little devil!

- [Yelling]
- [Whistle blowing]

[Children laughing]

Thanks, Dad.

Hey, look at Scott Pirie!

Hey, that's one
of Mr. Ellison's wild ponies.

He's a beaut, Scotty.

- Can I ride him?
- You can try.

- What's his name?
- Oh, well, I don't know.

- He's a Welsh pony.
- [Bell clanging]

Taffy's a Welshman.
I reckon I'll call him Taff.

Scotty, tie up your pony
with the others and come inside.

Come on, everybody.
You're late already.

[Banging]

[Whinnying]

- [Banging]
- [Whinnying]

[Whinnying]

Oh, no!

Scotty! Scott Pirie!

[Children chattering]

[Whinnying]

- What's going on?
- That bush boy and his pony.

Scotty, can't you control
that pony of yours?

- [Boy] Come on.
- [Children] Go, Scotty!

I don't like Scott Pirie.

Mary Strapp has to sit next to him.
She says he smells.

Jeannie, he has the farm chores to do

before he comes to school
in the morning.

He could still have a bath.

Could he? The Piries have
no running water on their place.

Every drop they use has to be pumped up
and heated on the stove.

Anyway, I like Scotty.

You would!

Just because you go visit Josie Ellison
in her big rich house...

[Josie] He's too fat.

- He needs more exercise.
- Mother will take him out.

He needs a good gallop!

Josie, I'm going into town.

How about coming with me?

- No, thanks, Dad.
- Why don't you come, pet?

Make a change for you and...
I'd enjoy your company.

All right.

But I'm not going to get out of the car!

[Horn honking]

Isn't that the little Ellison girl?

- Hmm.
- Isn't often we see her in town.

Hello, Josie. How are you?

I'm very well, thank you, Jeannie.

How long ago was
that infantile paralysis?

It was two years.

You know, she's a year younger
than my daughter.

You wouldn't think so, would you?

Hey, you!
You nearly knocked me down!

[Grunting]

[Hoofbeats galloping]

Hey, you! Scott Pirie!

One day he'll go too far.

Yes. Uh... He always likes
to see how far he can go.

- Oh, no.
- That little devil.

Look at him go.

He's not gonna make it!

Scotty! You can't make it!
We're going too fast!

[Train whistle blowing]

- Pull on the brake.
- It's too late.

We'll have to put a stop to this
before he kills himself.

[Scotty] Mr. Quayle!

Mr. Quayle!

Mr. Quayle,
I've got some manure for you.

Shall I put it at the end of the garden?

What are you doing?

Watch out for the tomato plants!

I should spread it out at night
so it won't stink so much.

Yes. Uh... thank you.

[Chuckling]

Uh... how much do I owe you?

Nothing.
It's a present from my father.

Thank you.
Watch out for the...

Well, that's one way
to collect your legal fees.

Angus Pirie always pays his debts
the best way that he can.

[Chuckling]

Taff's knocked the rail down
and gone toward the river!

- Can you see him there?
- No.

I'm going to look for him.

Wait. I'll give you
your lunch to take to school.

I'm not going to school!

[Scotty] Taff!

Taff!

Taff!

Taff?

[Metal bit rattling]

Taff!

Taff!

- Josie.
- What are you saddling the pony for?

[Josie] I'm coming out with you.

- Josie, dear, you can't.
- Yes, I can.

- I often used to ride without stirrups.
- I know, but now...

It's only a matter of balance.

I know I can do it.

- Bluey, take the pony back inside.
- No, Dad! I'm going...

Bluey.

[Children chattering]

[Children chattering]

Hey, there's Scotty walking!

Hey, Scotty, where's Taff?

Don't know. He broke out.

Can't you find him?

Maybe some swaggie picked him up.

Or he wandered off
and can't find his way back.

- Not Taff.
- Maybe he fell in the river.

Or seen Mr. Ellison's ponies on the
other side and wanted to get to them.

You don't know Taff. Nothing
would make him go near the water.

He could have found a dry crossing.

I looked.
There's not one near our place.

- Well, where is he, then?
- He'll turn up. He always does.

[School bell clanging]

- What are you doing?
- Washing out the separator.

Want some help?

You can grab hold of this if you like.

- Where do you reckon he is?
- Don't know.

Maybe someone stole him.

Just took him off to some town nearby
and sold him.

Yeah, but then that means...

...Taff could be anywhere.

[Man] Hey! Hey! Hey!

Hey, hey! Go in, go in! Hey, hey!

Whoa.

Whoa, whoa.

Whoa!

- Would you like a lift, boy?
- Yes, please.

Hop in.

Hup! Faster! Hup!

Hup! Hup!

Come over. Come over!

Hup!

Hup!

Hup!

Faster.

[Indistinct chatter]

[Auctioneer chattering]

[Auctioneer] How much for the gray mare?

[Auctioneer chattering]

Mrs. Pirie.

- Do come in.
- Scotty has gone.

Gone?

You mean disappeared?

How long ago?

He hasn't been in school since Tuesday.

My husband has gone to the police.

Well, come in and have a cup of tea.

It's just made.

I thought maybe Kit might go and see if
Scotty's in the bush over by Riverside.

You mean on the Ellison property?

[Kit] Sure. Of course I'll go.

Is Scotty missing?

Hm. There's no need for Kit to go.

I shall ring Mr. Ellison.

[Telephone bell ringing]

Three, please.

Thank you.

- Mr. Ellison?
- Yes.

Uh... Quayle here.

What can I do for you?

[Quayle] We have
a missing boy, Scott Pirie.

His mother thinks he may be somewhere
on your property.

I haven't seen him myself, but I'll tell
my stockmen to look out for him.

Thank you. I'm very obliged.
Thank you very much.

- Goodbye.
- [Ellison] Goodbye.

[Hangs up phone]

He's going to ask the stockmen
to keep an eye out for him.

Oh, good.

I hope that makes you feel better.

James?

If you're going into town,
could you call at the Quayles

and ask if Jeannie could
come to tea on Sunday?

Yes, of course.

Josie really... hasn't enough to do.

It's so difficult.

There are so few children
around here she can associate with.

Yes, I know.

Quayle's a bit of a troublemaker.

Yes, but Jeannie's
a nice little girl, quite ladylike.

Where is Josie?
I thought she was with you.

Doing her lessons, isn't she?

- She should have finished by now.
- [Josie] Ah!

[Woman] Oh, no!

Hang on, Josie.

Bluey!

Oh. Ahh!

Bluey, catch the pony!

Josie? Josie, you all right?

Yes, I'm all right.

Whoa.

Whoa!

- Whoa.
- I can ride him back.

- Now, Josie!
- It was just, he was too fresh.

He hasn't had enough exercise.

You must promise me
that you won't ride again.

- No!
- Josie, you must.

You could have been k*lled.

I won't be stuck in that house
all the time, I won't!

- Now, sweetheart...
- And I hate that wheelchair!

Josie, we'll manage something.

I promise you we will.

What do you think of it?

It looks like your sulky.

Yes, but it's not for racing.

[Bluey] Now all you need is a pony.

Would you choose one
out of the paddock?

No.

I don't want one that's broken already.

Josie!

You'll have a job trying to teach
an unbroken pony to pull this thing.

I don't care.
He'll be my pony.

And I want to start from scratch.

He won't do anything
except pull my cart.

- [Man] Move back here.
- [Whip cracking]

Bring 'em up. Hah!

- h*!
- [Whip cracking]

Turn around. Bring 'em back.

Hup there. Hey!

Bring 'em up.

Hah!

[Whinnying]

- [Whip cracking]
- Hah! Go on, giddy up. Hey!

Chase them 'round, Bluey.

Hey! [whistling]

- [Whip cracking]
- No, not with your whip.

- Aw, Josie.
- I can't tell when you use your whip.

- Chase them around yourself.
- Aw, Josie!

Hey, hey, up and out!

h*, h*, hup!

Come on, come on.
Come on, come on.

Bluey, keep one of the ponies away
from the others.

Hey, hey! [whistling]

Hey, hey. Hey.

Hey, hey.

Now another.

[Hoofbeats running]

Yah, yah! Come on, come on!
[Whistling]

Yah, yah. Hey, hah, hah! Hah!

[Whistling] Go on, come on, go!

Go. Stay down, stay down. Go!

Come on, hah!

Now that one.

Go on. Come on. Go on.
[Whistling]

Hah. Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Keep that one, Bluey.
Don't let him go.

Whoa. Whoa, whoa!

[James] Good choice, Josie.

He's the gamest, most intelligent
and most determined.

Just what you want in a riding pony.

But this pony's got to pull your cart.

- You want one a bit more docile.
- No.

I want that one.

He'll give you trouble.

I don't care.

- I want him.
- All right, sweetheart.

If that's what you want. Bluey.

Sam.

There's that bush boy back!

- How long was that?
- Four days.

I'll bet he had fun.

Please... don't use
that cheap expression.

You don't bet anything.

- Kit?
- Yes, Dad?

Running away can become a habit.

Don't forget that.

Come on, Bo.
Come on, Bo!

Come on, Bo.
Come on, Bo!

Come on, you beauty.

Why don't you give him a carrot?

No.

I'm not going to spoil him.

He'll never let you near him
without one.

Yes, he will.

Come on, Bo, come on.

Come on, Bo.
He's afraid of the chair.

Yes, I know.

Come on, Bo.

Would you like me to ride him first?

No!

He's my pony,

and I'll do it my way.

- She's right, Bluey.
- Come on, Bo.

Come on, Bo.

Come on.

I'm not going to hurt you.

I'm just going
to stroke you a bit, that's all.

Yes, you're all right.

- [Whinnying]
- Whoa. Whoa.

He doesn't like them.

Just leave him alone a bit, that's all.
He'll get used to it.

- He'll break 'em. They'll stick in him!
- No, he won't.

Just bend them a bit, that's all.

- [Banging into fence]
- [Whinnying]

- Watch him, Josie.
- Keep away, Bluey.

- Don't you want me to?
- No.

Not yet.

- [Whinnying]
- That's mean!

He's laughing at you.

Go ahead and give him a good whack.

It wasn't a bite.

It wasn't.

It was just...

Just a joke.

- John O'Neill.
- Miss.

Scott Pirie.

Has anybody seen Scott Pirie?

Please, Kit, have you any idea
where he could be?

Thomas Pert.

- What do you want?
- I believe you've got a Welsh pony.

- What if I have?
- Have you got one?

None of your flamin' business.

Want some tea?

Like to see me pony?

Behind that bush.

[Laughing]

There's me pony!

Had him for years.
What do you think of him?

[Laughing]

[Josie] It looks much heavier than mine.

Yes, but it's the same dimensions.

At least if he kicks this one to bits
it won't matter.

All right, Bluey.

Come on, come on.
Up you go. Up. Come on.

[Josie laughing]

[Bluey] Back up, come on.

All right, come on.

[Josie] Back, Bo, back.

Come on, boy, around you go.
Come on, back, back. Come on.

He's not going to give in so easily.

- [Whinnying]
- Back up. Go on.

Go on, Bo. Go on.

[Bluey] Go on, get.
Go on, back up. Back up!

Go on, get in.

[Josie] Good pony. Good boy.

Easy, boy.

Easy, easy.

Easy, easy.

Whoa.

Come on, get up, get up, get up.
Come on. Get up. Come on!

He'll go in his own good time.

That won't do, Josie.
Can't let the pony decide.

- Oh, no, Dad.
- You know I'm right.

- [Bluey] Get up. Get up, go on.
- [Whinnying]

- Get up, get up, go on.
- Stop it. Don't hurt his mouth.

[Bluey] Hah! Hah!

Ooh! Come back! That's it.

Come on, come on.

Come on. h*, there. That's it.

Get up, get up.

Come on. Get up. Come on.

Go on. Get up.

Bluey, you cut his mouth.

Well, it's either that
or send him back to the wild.

Once he's in the shafts
you can't give way an inch,

even if you do cut his mouth.

You can't drive a pony
that won't obey you.

Anyway, he's quiet now.

- Let me get up in the buggy with you.
- [James] Oh, no.

He's got a long way to go
before he'll be ready for you.

- [Metal bit rattling]
- Taff!

He's good, Dad.

He's ready, Bluey. I know he is.

What do you think, Bluey?

I reckon so.

Look at him go.

He's just realized how light
that buggy is with only Josie in it.

Look what she's doing.
James, please...

I know, but she's got to learn
for herself what she can and can't do.

Not Josie.

What she can't do
she'll simply try to do.

[Josie] Get up. Come on, Bo.

Come on!

Get up. Come on, Bo, come on.

That wee pony's gone for good.

You just have to make the best of it.

Scott Pirie, you ought to be ashamed
of yourself. Where have you been?

What do you think will happen to you
if you stay away from school like this?

Don't you want
to make something of your life?

Scotty?

Go and sit down.

Hey, you, get out of my barn!
This isn't a public right-of-way.

At least you haven't got
that flamin' pony with you.

He'll be cat's meat by now,
and a good thing too.

Hey!

Why, you little...

You'll end up in the reform school!

She hasn't looked like this since...

Since it happened.

Isn't he wonderful?

I'm gonna enter you for the best turnout
for pony and trap at the town carnival.

- Do you think you'll win?
- Bo can win anything.

[Band playing up-tempo music]

Come on, come on.

Now, sonny, sonny, you'll be good.

Do as Elsie tells you.

Over this way now. Over this way.

- Come on.
- Oh, you be good!

- All right, now. You ready?
- I've forgotten my gloves.

- They're in the car.
- You better have them.

He may pull if he gets excited.

- Not Bo.
- I'll get them anyway.

Come on, move, move!

Darling, that way.

You are pushing the wrong way.

[Kit] These are not bad
toffee apples, eh, Scotty?

- There's Taff.
- Where?

There, that's him!

Go away.
Take your hands off him.

Scotty, that's Bo.
That's her pony, not Taff.

It's Taff!

- Go on, Bo, go on!
- Stay where you are, Taff!

Dad! Dad!

- Dad, stop him, stop him.
- What do you think you're doing?

Stop that!

It's Taff. He's my pony!

Don't be so stupid.
Let go and behave yourself. Bluey!

[James] Bluey!

- [Whinnying]
- Let go!

Bluey, get Josie.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

- [Whinnying]
- [Bluey] Ooh-ah, whoa.

- Whoa. Ooh-ah.
- Josie!

- [Whinnying]
- [Bluey] Ooh-ah, ooh-ah.

Leave me alone.
I can manage him!

- Ooh-ah.
- [Man] I'll take him.

Let me go! It's Taff, I tell you.
Let me go!

Ooh-ah, ooh-ah. Whoa.

- Come on, come on.
- Josie, are you all right?

Will you let me go? It's Taff!
I know it's my pony!

Peters!

Let me go! It's Taff, I tell you.
It's my pony!

Ooh, let me go!

[Starts engine]

Now, you go near that pony again
and I'll lock you up.

Do you hear me?

I think it was wicked and cruel
of Scott Pirie,

trying to take Josie's pony.

It's not her pony, it's Scotty's.

How do you know it isn't?

I... I just know.

Um...

And what if Josie Ellison just knows

that it's hers?

But suppose it really is Scott's pony.
What happens then?

Only a court of law
can decide that matter.

- Oh, but in this case...
- [Jeannie] Suppose it did go to court,

who would win?

- I'm not prepared to pre-judge.
- Come on, Father. Which do you think?

Well, in this case,

possession...

...is nine-tenths of the law.

- How do you know it's Taff?
- How do I know?

I know who you are, don't I?

Well, Bluey Waters said
he caught him in a wild herd.

I suppose he could have seen a herd
and swum across the river.

He'd never do that.

Maybe he wandered right along the river
and found a dry crossing.

One that you didn't know about.

Anyway, it's Taff.
That's all I know.

They'll never let him go.

What does your father say?

He says that in a case like this,
possession is nine-tenths of the law.

What does that mean?

It means that Josie Ellison's
got the pony and you haven't.

Dad! Dad!

'Morning, Mrs. Pirie.
Do you know Mr. Ellison?

'Morning.

- Would you like a cup of tea?
- No, thank you, Mrs. Pirie.

Where's Scotty?
I know he's not at school.

What do you want?

- We've come for the pony, Angus.
- Scotty's pony?

My daughter's pony, Mrs. Pirie.

Your son tried to take him
at the town fete.

The pony's not here, so get off my land.

We'll go when we're good and ready.
Do you want me to search the place?

I don't see any point, sergeant.

The pony could be anywhere.

- [Sergeant] He knows where it is.
- Do you?

Don't be a fool, Angus. If I find you
hiding that pony, I'll take you in.

- And your boy too.
- You just leave the boy alone!

- Get off my land!
- Angus.

Get off my land!

Josie, dinner's ready.

There's Scotty.

- [Children chattering]
- Hi, Scotty. Did you get Taff back?

- Did you get the pony back or not?
- Mind your own business.

I'll bet he has.

If he has,
he ought to be ashamed of himself!

I agree.

Well, how did he get the pony
across the river?

If that pony crossed the river,
it must be Bo.

[Sergeant] Where's Scott Pirie?

Went inside.

Well, he did.

You've got to bring the pony in, Scotty.

- No, I won't!
- Scotty...

If I do, they'll take him!

Well, you can't hide him forever.

Scotty, you've got to learn

to rely upon the law...

...and not defy it.

If the pony's brought in,
he'll be safe in the police pound.

Then we shall make a fair decision

- whose pony it is.
- He's mine!

Well... [chuckling]

...then I think you'd better
bring him in and prove it.

Hm?

Trust me, Scotty.

One day you're gonna
have to trust somebody.

Good luck, son.
I hope they let you keep it.

- Dr. Tableau.
- Pony-stealing bush boy!

- If you ask me, it's a disgrace.
- I quite agree.

He should be locked up.

It's Bo!

It is Bo!

Just a moment, Mr. Ellison.

- I beg your pardon?
- Mr. Kris would like to see him first.

Whoa, boy, whoa.

Taff always used to do that.

That's more like Bo, isn't it?

[Indistinct whispering]

Mr. Kris said that
he'd know that pony anywhere now.

- Are you suggesting?
- I'm not suggesting anything.

It's just a guarantee for both of us.

Have you any objection
to my approaching the pony now?

None, whatever.

Scotty, let him go.

- [Whinnying]
- Don't come up to his face like that.

He doesn't like it!

- No! No!
- Oh, no, you don't.

- Let me go! They're taking him away!
- Scotty, stop it!

- Let me go!
- Can't you control that boy?

- Yes, I...
- Let me go!

Scott!

I simply want to take the pony to
my daughter, or do you object to that?

No, not at all.

Kit, would you tell him it's all right?

Scotty, it's all right, honestly.

- They won't take him away.
- How do you know they won't?

Because my father won't let them!

Bo.

You wicked beast.

They can't take him.
The gate's locked.

Yeah, but look who's got the key.

- But Mr. Ellison can't...
- He's rich. He can do what he likes.

No, he can't. He...

Only... he made an agreement,
and he wouldn't break it.

Anyway, my father wouldn't let him.

It's only until the case is heard.

- Will I have to go to court?
- Yes, I suppose so.

Mr. Ellison is suing you
for the return of the pony.

- But it's a civil case.
- What's that mean?

It means you're not on trial.
You're on equal terms with the Ellisons.

Come on, we'll be late for school.

[Horn honking]

- [Scotty] What's he got?
- [Kit] Feed for the pony.

Father said it was
your job to provide it.

- Mr. Ellison offered...
- I don't want them to!

But he said
that you were to feed the pony.

Oh.

What do they want?

She's allowed to see the pony
as long as she doesn't take it away.

Bo. Come here, Bo.

Good boy.

Bo?

Good boy. Beautiful pony.

Here, Bo.

[Screaming]

- [Whinnying]
- Josie, are you all right?

Yes, I'm all right.
Leave me alone!

Leave it.
Wait till we get him home.

No! Go away, Dad.
You too, Bluey.

Leave me alone with him.

Come on, Bo.
It's all right.

Oh, don't you tell me that
that pony doesn't know her.

Come on. We'd better get to school.

[Grunting]

[Grunting]

Get back, Taff.

[Whinnying]

[Grunting]

Get back, Taff.

Go on, get back.

Come here, Taff.

Keep still.

- [Giggling]
- [Bluey] And I say it's Josie's.

If it wasn't, why was it wild
when we brought it in?

Scotty never trained that pony.
He just rode it.

I tell you, the pony we brought in
wasn't even shod.

- Nor was Scotty's.
- You mean he rode it unshod?

Sure. He hardly ever had it
on the road, anyway.

Used to take it all through the bush
like a wild thing.

I say it's a shame. The girl's crippled.
She's got a right to the pony.

- What about the boy's rights?
- His rights?

Ha! If you ask me,
he's nothin' but a thief!

We all know you, Bluey.
You say what Mr. Ellison says.

You're just his master's voice.

- Why, you...
- Aw, cut it out!

Bluey, if you want to fight, go outside.
Bluey! Out!

[EIlison] You're giving him too much
feed. He's not getting any exercise.

Give him one portion of oats
and one of chaff.

He won't eat oats.
He doesn't like them.

- Nonsense.
- But he doesn't.

Tell him not to pull his mane.

- Why do you pull on him like that?
- Tell her it doesn't hurt him.

If you let go of him he plays tricks
on you and knocks the feed bin over.

[Whinnying]

- [All chattering]
- I don't care what you say!

The pony belongs to Josie and
the Pirie boy'll have to give it back.

- Not him.
- The law's the law.

Yeah, and that pommy, Mr. Quayle,
knows all about it!

And what about J.C. Strapp?

You wait till tomorrow.
You'll see!

County court of Barambogie in the state
of New South Wales now in session.

All those having business
with Judge Mr. Justice Lager,

now adjourn here.

Case of Ellison v. Pirie.

[Bell clanging]

I represent the plaintiff, Your Honor,

and my learned friend, Mr. Quayle,
is appearing for the defendant.

This case, Your Honor,

relates to the ownership
of a Welsh buckskin pony.

My client, Mr. Ellison,

- gave this pony to...
- Objection, Your Honor.

Not "this" pony. "A" pony.

I think Mr. Quayle is right, Mr. Strapp.

Whether or not you're speaking
of this particular pony

is what we're all here to decide.

Very well.

He gave a pony from his herd

to his daughter

and had it specially trained
to pull her dog cart.

Miss Ellison was crippled
with infantile paralysis two years ago.

So I ask the court to imagine
how much the pony meant to her.

[Bluey] I caught him and I trained him,

and I know that pony in the yard.

He's Bo.

Thank you, Mr. Waters.

Who caught the Pirie pony
from the wild herd?

I did.

Is it possible the pony in the pound
could be Scott Pirie's?

No, I know it isn't.

I see.

Tell me, when you caught it,

did you measure it?
Did you take a note of its coloration?

Any distinguishing marks?

Any particularities
with its tail or its mane?

No. Those Welsh ponies all look alike.

Thank you, Mr. Waters.

I call Josie Ellison.

Would you prefer
to sit on a chair down there?

No, I'd rather sit there, thank you.

You believe that the pony
in the pound is your pony, Bo?

Yes, I do.

And how do you know?

Well, I know my mother is my mother,

and my father is my father.

- And I know Bo is Bo.
- [Crowd murmuring]

Yes, well, what does the pony
in the pound do that your pony does?

Well...

He pulls his head up like that
when you get too near him.

He lets me brush him under his jaws.

A lot of the Ellison ponies
don't like that.

He puts his head down and pushes me
when I tickle him.

And he bends his head down
to let me brush him

- when I can't reach him otherwise.
- The pony in the pound does that?

Yes, he does.

And a lot more, as well.

When you called the pony in the pound
by the name of Bo,

- did he come to you?
- Yes, he did.

Did Bo ever bite you?

- I mean, at home.
- No.

Bo never bit me, not really.

Are Ellison ponies inclined to bite?

Yes, they bite a lot.

Did the pony in the pound ever bite you?

No, never.

Even though you were holding its head,
brushing it, tickling it?

No, never.

Have you seen the pony in the pound
bite anyone?

Yes.

- Him!
- Objection.

I won't press the point.

Josie, do you love your pony?

Of course.

What would you do
if you lost him forever?

- I'd die.
- [Crowd exclaiming]

That's all, Josie.

But Mr. Quayle might like
to ask a few questions.

Miss Ellison, just one question,

then you can go back
to your mother and father.

- I don't mind being here.
- [Laughter]

But I do, Miss Ellison. I don't like
bringing children into court.

Tell me, did your pony

ever bite anyone at home?

No.

He just nibbled sometimes.

So he wasn't a biter...

...whereas, this one is?

That's because he liked
everyone at home!

- But he doesn't like him!
- [Crowd exclaiming]

Well, we shall have to see about that.

Thank you, Miss Ellison.

Perhaps this would be a good time
to take a luncheon adjournment.

[Jeannie] Kit!

What happened?
How's it going?

I don't know.

- Father, well, he seems to be...
- What?

He seems to be trying to prove
that no one can tell whose pony it is.

- What will happen?
- They'll give the pony to Josie.

- Well, it is her pony.
- Is it?

Do you know that pony's Taff?
The pony in the pound?

Do you know that pony's Taff?
The pony in the pound?

- Yes.
- Speak up, please.

Yes.

Did the pony come to you
when you called it Taff?

Yes.

Every time?

No, not every time.

[Quayle] Hmm.

Did the pony in the pound ever bite you?

Yes, two or three times.

Was that unusual?
I mean...

- Did Taff bite you?
- Oh, yes, but they weren't real bites.

He was always waiting for me
to be off my guard,

then he'd whip round and nip me.

And then he'd laugh.

- He'd laugh?
- I don't mean the way we laugh.

When horses have
played a trick on you, they...

Well, they laugh.

I see. And, um, Taff liked
playing tricks, did he?

Yes, he did it all the time.

- What did you do when he played tricks?
- I whacked him!

- Hard?
- Yes, sometimes.

- With a stick?
- No, with my hand.

Oh. Could we all please see your hand?

[Laughter]

Thank you.

If you lost your pony forever,

- would you want another one?
- No.

Well, Mr. Ellison has offered you one
from his herd instead.

I don't want another pony!
I want Taff!

- Why? Why do you want Taff?
- He's my pony, that's why!

- Where did you get this pony?
- My father bought it.

The pony you brought to the pound,
where did you get him?

Objection!

- If the boy took the pony...
- Objection!

Your Honor, counsel is asking the boy
to incriminate himself.

You cannot do that, Mr. Strapp.

I cannot allow that question.

In that case, no more questions.

Thank you, Scotty.

[Quayle] That concludes the evidence
for the defense.

I think that there is enough to show

that there is absolutely no hope

that either side could prove
to the satisfaction of the court

that the pony in the police pound

is Bo, belonging to Miss Ellison,

or Taff, belonging to Scott Pirie.

What?

What in heaven's name
are you asking the court to decide?

Nothing.

Nothing?

[Whispering] What's he think he's doing?

Bear with me, Your Honor.

It is a principle of British justice

that it must not only be done.

It must be seen to be done.

Obviously, the evidence that has been
presented before this court,

any decision

would be patently unfair and unjust.

Then exactly what do you suggest?

I think we should let the pony decide.

Quite right! Fetch the pony in.

- And make him take the oath.
- [Laughter]

I object! I object to this court
being made a laughingstock!

Silence. Silence in court! Silence!

[Laughter subsides]

Natural justice is a silver thread
that runs right through our common law.

Sometimes, when the law fails,

we need natural justice to aid us.

Now, these two young protagonists

both claim ownership of the pony.

Very well.

I suggest the court appoint a time

and a place

and let them both call the pony

and see which one
the pony decides to go to.

Your Honor...

I admit it's an intriguing idea,
Mr. Quayle.

But will the two parties agree to it?

I will if she will.

Yes.

Well, I suppose it is
a fair sporting proposition.

Hey, Bluey, I'll take a bet.

Hey, Bluey, I'll take a bet.

I've been watching
the boy with the pony.

If he doesn't win, I'll eat my hat.

[Laughing] You'll lose your money too.

- [Man] Come on.
- I'll have a quid on the girl.

- A couple of bob on the boy.
- Ten bob on the boy.

Two bob on the girl.

[All chattering]

Two. Any others?

- I'll bet my fountain pen Scotty wins.
- Done.

- Scotty won't win.
- Yes, he will.

All right, then what will you bet?

- Your new fishing rod?
- All right.

- I'll bet my new fishing rod.
- He won't win!

Scotty, I bet you don't win.

I bet you my new bike. [squealing]

[Children shouting]

[Struggling]

Scotty!

Scott Pirie, that's enough!

Are you all right, Flossie, dear?

All right, everybody,
into the classroom.

Kit Quayle? Come here.

Everybody's betting on this,
aren't they?

Which way did you bet?

Why does everybody hate me?

They don't.
A lot of people want you to win.

- What does he say?
- Who? Scotty?

Yes. Him.

Nothing.

He won't talk about it.

I won't, either.

And if that boy wins,
I'll never come into this town again.

And I'll never talk
to anyone here ever again.

I saw you talking to that girl.

I suppose she thinks she's going to win.

Your father says I've got to sit
in a chair tomorrow when...

Well, he says
I've got to sit in a chair.

Does she always have to be
in a wheelchair?

Yes.

Well, I don't care!

I'm gonna take this with me tomorrow.

Taff always comes to me
when I hold his bridle and rattle it.

He'll come.

You'll see!

Yeah.

[Crowd chattering]

[Man] Judge, get in the starting gate.

All right. Keep it quiet there.

- [Judge] Back to the rails, everybody.
- [Crowd whining]

- What's Scotty got?
- Wait and see.

- What is it?
- Let's get on with it!

What are we waiting for?

[Laughter]

[Quayle] I'll have to take
that bridle from you.

Come on, Scotty.
Judge's orders.

- He's taken it away.
- Oh, fair go!

Why don't you cut his arms off as well?

[Crowd shouting]

- It's fair.
- Good luck, Scotty.

Would you please note
the court is now in session.

- [Man] Good old Kaffy!
- [Laughter]

This is a court of law
and I want absolute silence!

If there is any disturbance,
the public will have to leave.

When I drop my handkerchief
the pony will be released.

After that,
I do not want to hear a sound

from any member of the public.

Otherwise, I will declare
the trial invalid

and the matter will have to be settled
in another way.

Good luck, Scotty.

[Josie] Bo, please come.
Please, Bo.

Come on, Taff, come on.
Come on.

Bo, come here this instant.

Come on, boy.
Come on, Taff, come on.

[Josie] Come here, Bo. Bo!

You're so wicked.
Will you come here this instant?

- [Scotty] Come on, boy.
- Bo. Bo!

- [Scotty] Taff!
- Come here!

[Scotty] Come on, Taff, listen!

- Please, Bo.
- Come on, Taff. Come on, boy.

Please come to me.
Don't go to him.

It's 8:00, Taff, time to get to school!

- [Scotty] Come on, Taff.
- No, this way, Bo, this way!

Come on, Taff, come on, boy.

- [Josie] Come on. Here, Bo.
- [Scotty] Taff! Come on, Taff!

- Listen!
- [Josie] Come on, Bo.

- Come on.
- [Scotty] Come on, Taff!

- You're so wicked.
- [Scotty] It's 8:00, Taff! Taff!

[Josie] Come here, Bo, come here!

Come on, boy.
Come on, Taff.

- [Josie] Bo!
- Come on, boy.

[Josie] Please come. Please, Bo.

Taff!

Come on!

[Josie] How dare you be so wicked?

- Bo!
- [Scotty] Don't listen to her, Taff!

Just come here!
You hear me, Taff?

- Come on, Taff, come on.
- Bo!

- Come here, Bo, come here.
- [Scotty] Taff! Come here!

That's right, sweetheart.
Come on, Bo.

Taff! Come here, boy.

You hear me, Taff?
Come on, Taff! Come on!

Bo! Come here, Bo!

- Come on.
- Taff!

- Come on, Taff!
- Bo!

Taff!

Bo!

Bo!

- [Whinnying]
- [Cheering]

[Excited chattering]

The decision of this court

is that the ownership of the pony

is hereby accorded

to Scott Pirie.

[Cheering]

[Whinnying]

How could you, Bo?

How could you?

But it's Bo too.

Yes.

[Cheering]

[Cheering]

- How did you get Taff across the river?
- I never said I did.

But if you had,
how would you have done it?

Could have been
a bit of a bank broken down, made a dam.

- If a tree got caught in it...
- There'd be a dry crossing.

That's how he got back
in the Ellison herd.

I never said he did.

It doesn't matter now.
The court's given him to you.

Who's that?

It's them!

They've come to take him away!

Scotty, don't.
They can't take him.

If you keep running away from
the big people, you make yourself small.

Scotty, if you don't stick it out
this time you're licked.

I know my father would say so.

Can I put her on the veranda?

The journey shook her up quite badly.

- All right.
- I don't want to go on the veranda.

Put me there.

I just wanted you to know
that I'm sorry.

I'm sorry we got your pony by mistake.

We didn't know it was yours.

I wouldn't have taken him
if I'd known.

And I'm sorry.

That's all.

We brought a couple of bags
of chaff for him.

We'd like to give it to you
if you'll let us.

Thanks, Mr. Ellison.
We'll be glad of it.

- I'll get it, Mr. Ellison.
- Thank you.

[Scotty] Looks as though
he's laughing at you.

[Josie] No, he's not.
He's laughing at you!

[Giggling]

Could you ride him
over to Riverside sometimes?

- Could I do that?
- Of course. That's what she's asking.

- All right.
- Will you come next Saturday?

No.

But I might come the Saturday after
if you like.

All right.