Transcription
[Music] This story, although said in the past, is about the future where I know freedom is. In the smallest of things, I see the flicker of hope. The key. Samuel, go, boy.
[Music] No one can shackle the hope that is hidden in our hearts. If only you will believe it, Samuel.
[Music] You're late. I got held up. Had to break up a fight in one of the cabins.
[Music] Jackson Roberts, get the horses. Didn't hold Jerome long enough at cabin 15. You go ahead. Meet you at the bridge. I'll fetch them dogs.
[Music] Away. Help us. God bless you. There he is. Come on. Get away.
[Music] Are you sure, Samuel? Where's Big? He'll be by soon, son. Even as we make our way toward freedom, would it ever be possible to leave behind what we'd endured? Come on now. Let's go. Let's go.
[Music] Lord have mercy.
[Music] He's had enough. He hadn't talked. He is nearly unconscious. Where are the others? The others have vanished, Mr. Monroe. Praise God Almighty. Where are they? If they get away because of your stupidity. Now you leave them strung up. Yeah. And get a hold of Plimpmpton. Plimpmpton? I want my property back before nightfall. Only you back to work. Come on now. Spring cherry and car home sweet. Sweet cherry. Please come home if you keep coming to car me home. Tell my friends I'm coming to coming to car me. Samuel, Samuel Woodward. Yes, Thomas Garrett. Mr. Garrett, you must be Vanessa. Adira, ma'am. And this is Jim. Hello, son. You've done well. Big hand, I see. Come on. We began our long journey north with Mr. Garrett on pathways known only to the Underground Railroad. Let's get my grandma. I'm all right. Whoa. You came. He's been waiting for you. In here. Mhm. Would have never happened in this old man's day. I heard tell my father was a fool. Plimpmpton took the concept of Christian charity too far. Get out. Slaves expensive. Plimpmpton and the Underground Railroad. Now they are targeting slave owners in Virginia. I'm retired. And there's more when they all get recaptured. All what? There's more than one. There's Samuel, his son, the old woman, and Vanessa. They're going to be easy to track. No slave has ever escaped from my plantation. Why'd you send Jerome? I want him back before they incite the others. Garrett's part of it. Garrett, him and his Quaker cohort. They are a menace to our industry. The entire economy of Virginia is at risk. Monroe, I am no longer in the slave hunting business. Now, now, you just you made a mistake, Clinton. Made you weak. Don't let your conscience get in the way of business. That's $500. I'm going to give you another thousand when you bring them all back. And that's including Vanessa. You can't let her go, can you? About the old woman? She's no use to me. She's too old and too sick. They going to be headed north. Said one of my boys with you. I don't need a babysitter. He will look after my interest. They will all be in church on Sunday. Get yourself a shave. You've done well. Most don't make it this far. We had hell, Mr. Garrett. Jim, thank you, Mr. Garrett. Our lives have been a dear has been a slave all her life. And my son has never seen the sunrise without the threat of a weapon. One day we pray. It be the white man's god. She prayed to Samuel. Freedom, Samuel. God willing. Freedom. Why you do this, Miss Sammy? You have to trust like your mama trusted Monroe. He going to want you back. Nessa, you his blood. that brought us thus far. Paul used to sing that song. He loved to sing. He refused to sing. One day you will, son. Amazing grace. That saved the rest like me. I was Jim's age when I first heard it. In the story of the man who wrote it, an infamous slave trader, a rich like you, Samuel. But He loved to sing. Broken doesn't mean that someone will die soon. Black cat isn't all bad luck, but redheads won't sink a boat. If you're drowning in the sea, will God keep you afloat?
[Applause] Congratulations, Captain Newton. Thank you, Mr. Barton. Oh, and uh, bravo. I remember a song you wrote about old Captain Penrose. Cruel Newton, but very witty. But I cannot believe you actually bought shares in the Pegasus, Mr. Button. After Penrose died, I acquired his half, and I'm now in partnership with Amos Clow. Amos Clow? Clow owns the slave factory on the Plantain Islands, and this will be our first shipment to Charleston. I know you've had your difficulties with Amos Newton. He promised me an apprenticeship, by the way. But he treated me like an animal, like one of his slaves. He actually chained and starved me for 18 months. It's all in the past. It's all a means to a good end. And now, as we always planned, you have the opportunity to share in the profits, Captain Newton. Now, I have to go to Charleston to set up the slave market. I'll meet you there on your arrival. Time is against us. I need you to leave this week to pick up the first load in Africa. But Mary, your fiance, will want for nothing. That's a lot of money, Newton. Now the first mate Davyy will take care of the cargo and be giving you one of Amos' slaves. He will interpret for you names Ozas. My business is now your business to ambition. Good luck, Newton.
[Music] It is blood money. Mary, I'm simply the captain of Barton's ship. I don't own it, nor the cargo. To me, and I'm sure to your fellow parishioners and most of this nation, it is just business. You speak of business, and I speak of your soul. Let's not argue. That I love. Marry Mr. Newton. We'll marry as soon as I return. I only pray that God allows it. I'll be away for 6 to 8 months. You know the perils of the sea. If I don't return, if I don't come back, I need to know you'll be cared for. I don't want you to go. I fear this time I shall never see you again. Mr. Newton, I shall pray every day for your return. Have faith, Mary. I do, John. I do.
[Music] It is well with my soul. It is well. It is well with my soul.
[Music] You should let Christmas.
[Music] This is amazing. Come on, keep it moving.
[Music] Straightener out 148 report. Captain Newton. Mr. David. Yes, sir. Your first mate. One moment. Mr. Captain Newton, your trunks already in your cap. Thanks, buzz. Pleasure, sir. Welcome on board the Pegasus. Get back to work, slave. That one there. Pick him up. Come on. No. No. He set sail that day to a new world. A soul without a compass like you, Samuel. Confused, confronted by his past, desperately hoping to find his freedom and his fortune on a slave ship. Have faith, Samuel. Usual conditions, Clinton. Always a pleasure. We got a family of slaves this time, son. I sent word on ahead. Who's this? Here is my watchdog. I said be ready at sunrise. Boy, you ride with me. You follow my orders. You understand? We won't have a problem, Mr. Plinton. Who's this? It's my tracker, Clem. We bring him back dead or alive. We bring them all back alive. That's a damn shame. Come on, we get going. Come on. Come on. I got you. We're nearly there. There's the cavalry. Right on time.
[Music] Who's here? Mr. Garrett. It's been a long time, sir. McGee. Very good to see you, sir. Hey, Pete. Big wide stretch, sir. There room for all of us, sir? Yes, sir. There is room for all of you. Even Mr. Garrett, come on. Ma'am, you're connect with Phillips with the freight train bound for Philadelphia. Get the family to Woodbridge and I'll take you there part of the way. All right, sir. Hey, right up here. It's fine. I'm on my way. I'm on my way to King's Land. I'm on my way. I'm on my way. I'm on my way. I'm on my way to King's Land. I'm on my way. Praise the Lord. I'm on my way to my heart road to my heart. But I'm on my way. I'm on my way. I'm like you, Samuel. I don't sing. I'm a Quaker. I'm on my way. I'm on my way to land. I'm on my way. Yes, my lord. To land. It's a couple miles further on. your fellow escapey big hand. He was caught. We also heard that Monroe sent in Plimpmpton after you. How many men he got with him? He's got two. That's it. We got more than that. The railroad doesn't go out of its way to confront these people, Samuel. Our fate is in God's hands, and we'll protect you with his guidance. Gentlemen, we got a problem. We got two roads blocked, one just up ahead. Oh, he must want you back real bad. And we're going to be exactly what we are. Slaves.
[Music] Are they going to catch us? Push up now, boy. All right. Hey, what do we got here? Hold up. What's going on here? Looking for runaways. Oh, we got these miserable slaves. Uhhuh. This one ain't so measurable. That's not your property, mister. Believe them. These ain't runaways. If they were, I'd decorate another tree for you. All right. All right. Come on through. Much replies by set your tracks. Balls Garrett's with him. All right. Hey, a wagon. How long you going to take Clinton? Already a day behind. Monroe will get his slaves back Sunday. Let's move. We Quakers don't believe in guns, Samuel, but I am occasionally grateful that Mr. McGee does. Should be the last time you have to wear these. Very arch. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Hope can be found in the darkest of places. No one is alone. Believe me, Samuel, there's always hope. Learn from those who have gone before you. I am a poor pilgrim of sorrow. I'm tossed in this wide world alone. No hope have I for tomorrow. So I've started to make heaven my home. Sometimes I'm tossed and driven, Lord. Sometimes I don't know where to go. But I have heard of a city called heaven. And I've started making my home.
[Music] Sometimes I'm to lost and driven Lord. Sometimes I don't know where to go.
[Music] But I have heard of a city called heaven. And I started to make heaven my home. I apologize. I didn't mean to startle you. Janut, you must think it's strange that I'm in command of a slave ship owned by Amos Cloud. You still have your Bible. I see. God has given you very little. Stay taught me to speak English with this book, but God's words have taught me so much more. God's words surely just written by me immortal men. It wasn't God who came in the night and gave me food and saved my life. You were treated so very poorly by Mr. CL. I was flogged on board his majesty's man of war as I for desertion. And now I'm in command of a slave ship. I'm the captain of a slave ship. I've learned to expect nothing from God. I remember one night the slave factory. I cried out in the dark, "Speak to me, father. Your servant listens." A huge roar split the heavens. I fell to my knees. I saw the trees bow in his honor. I heard the Lord speak my name in the rustle of the palm leaves. God spoke to me. Tell me this. Why does your just and merciful God condemn good people like you and me to slavery? There are no good people, John Newton. We are all dogs, hunted, shackled, enslaved. That is why we need God. Captain, what's going on? He was trying to hang himself. Captain, what is he saying? As he wants to die. Tell him we're taking him to a better place, a new life. He wants his freedom. Some of them are starving themselves too. Captain, this is felago. Mr. Davyy, I can't slaves killing themselves. Doctor, this one is gravely ill. her son. I don't know. What is it? The flux, captain. There's nothing to be done. Your greatgrandfather was on that ship, Samuel. A boy struggling to hold on to hope. His survival tied to the fate of Captain Newton. I'll leave you here. Garrett McGee, you take care. Look out for Plimpmpton. Samuel. Godspeed.
[Applause] Y'all take good care now, boys. Here it is. Whoa. Whoa. You unhitch the horses, Samuel. Who's inside? It's a Quaker house. See that lamp? It's safe. This is where we'll hide you tonight. Here you go. Come on. This way, Jim. Yes, watchman. What is left of the night? Morning is coming, but also the night. Come in, Mr. Garrett. We've been expecting you. Come on in. Here you go. This here is Samuel Woodward and his family. William Giddens. Come in. You must be hungry. There are too many of us. These men are from Missouri. Harriet Tubman brought them across yesterday. We cannot all hide here. There's not enough space. Harriet told us that four more free black men were kidnapped yesterday. Now stay calm. There you are. Where are you from? The Monroe place, the biggest plantation in the Norfolk area. We mad with Mr. Gad's help and guns. Chair don't build itself.
[Music] The boys at the roadblock arrive. I'll go around this way.
[Applause] Boss. Willie, you're next. Willie, get in. Get in. This is the first safe house. Think that Quaker's still running a safe house. He's a bigger fool than the Monroe boy here. Fool. You'll run out of time. You told Monroe Sunday. I want no more killing. You hear me? You clean yourself up. We got a long ride ahead of us.
[Music] We got visitors. Mr. Clinton, I believe. Samuel. Sarah, Mr. Kittens, there will be no shooting in this house. They're not taking us back there. Come on, y'all. Out the back. Hatch up the horses to the back. Let's go. There's no time, Samuel. You need to hide quickly. There are too many of us. Be around here somewhere. Come on. Come on. Jim, stay by me. Quick, let's go. Come on.
[Music] Check this side to go around the back. What can I do for you, Mr. Where's Garrett? A famous conductor of the Underground Railroad. You should board the train, too, sir. One day, we'll all stand at the terminal before God. I don't believe in God, Mr. Giddens. I got nothing to say to him. Clam. Yes, boy. I know where they are. You should never play poker, Mr. Giddens. This isn't them. Where are they? The others. Others? The ones I came for. Garrett and his passengers from Norolk. Where are they? I have nothing to say to you. Search the rest of the house in the barn and find Willie.
[Music] Come on.
[Music] You know, you may just hang for the Skittles. We mustn't be afraid of death, Mr. Plimpmpton. Plimpmpton, outside. Samuel, down. Get out. Come on. Shoot him alive. I said the great help you were. Go hitch their horses to the wagon and get those slaves tied up now. I'm afraid those gentlemen have gone, Mr. Clinton. Out the back door. You have lost them all. Dear, dear. You have broken a federal law, Mr. Giddens. God, boss. The Fugitive Slave Act requires that you assist in the recapture of escaping slaves. That is the law, sir. I follow my conscience, Mr. Plimpmpton, whatever the consequences. We're just god-fearing folk here. That's all. God-fearing folk is my biggest problem.
[Music] Phillips is waiting for us on the platform. Quick now while the train pulls in over there on that car. Phillips now. Quickly. They're waiting. You made it on time. You connect with the main line at Woodbridge. That's where you need to get off. Then make your way to Pikesville. You ain't coming with us? No. My job is to get you on the train. And my job is done. Next one. Come on. You'll be looked after every step of the way. Your first taste of freedom, Samuel. There's your compass. You're made for it. God speed. Can I ride? And all those over there, too.
[Music] Lord, I got my ticket. Can I ride it on the morning train? If I got my ticket, I got my ticket. Can I ride Lord if I got my ticket? I ride away to heaven in the morning. I hear them talk about the gospel train. I want to get on it. Yeah, that's my aim. Stand at the station and patiently wait. The train is coming and it's never late. so long coming that it worried my mind. Stop that train. I thought it was late, but it was just in time. Lord, if I got my ticket,
[Applause] if I got my ticket, I got my ticket to heaven in the morning. Sometimes I feel like a mother's child. Sometimes I feel like a mother's child. Sometimes I feel like child a long way from home. A long way. A long way. Sometimes I feel like I'm gone. Sometimes I feel like I can't go. Sometimes I feel like I'm almost gone way up to my heavenly way up to my heavenly land. But I True believer. I'm a true believer. A long ways from home. A long ways. A long ways from home.
[Music] [Music] The boy won't take any food. Come now. You're feeble. You must eat. Fore! Foreign! Foreign! All the
[Music] Hallelujah. Hallelujah.
[Music] Get me
[Music] La.
[Music] [Music] Freedom for all is the hope of love and forgiveness. Stand and face this truth and your heart will find its voice.
[Music] My soul. My soul.
[Music] Come on. Come on. There's no time to lose. Come on, let's go. Come on. I got you. Looking for Miss Davenport, sir. Thank you.
[Music] It's a theater. Samuel, where now? This way. We've been expecting you. Come on. I am compelled to request you as a gentleman to shun studiously the society of Lady Gay Spanker. Good gracious. Wherefore and by what right do you make such a demand? Why, I am a distant relative of the Spankers. Done, sir, if you don't appear to be related to every family in Great Britain. Oh, Mr. Woodward. Good evening. We were expecting you this morning, Mrs. Dav. We've been on foot and our grandmother dear has been ill. Oh, I'm so sorry. Please come and make yourself as comfortable as possible. And Rose, he needs some rest. No ro sustenance. Please sit down. Sid. Sid. We didn't hear from Garrett and we're worried. We got away on a train. Is someone following you? Yes, sir. Man by the name of Plimpmpton. Plimpmpton. He's back. Oh, fiddlesticks. Well, don't mind me, dear. My husband, Mr. Barney Fagan. Esquire. It's plan B now, darling. Yes, the graveyard scenario. Oh, yes. That's always a crowd-pleaser. You'll have to bunk down with us here tonight. Yes, there are men watching the hall and we can't be too careful. Oh, Barney, as you can see, thinks that men are spying on us. Well, they are spying on us, dear. I saw them in the alleyway. But he's always been a paranoid performer. The critics will loathe me. My dear, we are slaves to the critics. I promise you we will get you across the line before tomorrow night, Saturday at the latest. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow creep in petty pace from day to day to the last syllable of recorded time. And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dust to death. We'll do the best we can. Yes. And we have assembled a cast of super numerous just for the occasion. And then I said, "Ask the Bengal tiger. He's the one that ate him." Barney, Barney, we have got to rehearse for tomorrow. What do you think about this? Yes. True. Brilliant. Brilliant. Gather around everyone. We must learn this little diddy. Class me not, oh gentle Savior,
[Music] my humble, are you sure this is my key? Absolutely. Come on.
[Music] Savior, my heart on others, thou art calling. Thou art call. Do not pass me by. Do not pass me by.
[Music] Trusting only in thy merit. I seek thy face. Heal my wounded broken spirit. Save me by thy grace.
[Music] Oh, here
[Music] I think we might have it.
[Music] Do not pass me. One more time. You are blessing. Oh, well done, Vanessa. Well played, too. Beautiful performance tonight, my dear. Oh, really? I wasn't sure about the key. Drew never seems to get it right. I thought I was a little flat. No, no, no, no, no. Drew was a little sharp. We must pray for strength and steal ourselves for tomorrow. Our charges are terrified and rightly so. Vigilance, my darling girl, for our sake as well as theirs. Yes, there we go. Nice fit. Now, sit. Yes, sit. Sit. Mhm. Oh, no. Look straight ahead. And here we go. Oh, yes. Marvelous. This ain't never going to work, Mr. Bonnie. He's right, Mr. Bonnie. Fanny, are you absolutely sure? Absolutely. Now, Jim, this is it.
[Music] Don't you worry. Everything will be just perfect.
[Music] cry on others thou art calling. Do not pass me by. Pass me not gentle. Marty Fagan, right? Esquire Clinton's the name. Looking for some escaped slaves. Slaves? Oh, God forbid. I don't believe I've even seen a slave. Have I do? You ever seen this man? Thomas Garrett? No. But uh what a marvelous face. Uh allow me. Uh, with modest regards, Barney Fagan S. Squad. Now, you all know that you can go to jail for Aiden and Abettton to run away. Well, you have my permission to search our what some would refer to as our theater. How good an actor are you? Oh, exemplary, sir. There's no way I would know if you were lying.
[Music] You must excuse me sir. One of our troop has played his last performance. It is a cruel cruel world.
[Music] Hear my humble cry. While another thy predict Samuel paramulator is yours. Wagon? He means you can keep the wagon. Yes. One of the best ensemble pieces ever. Two, three. Nearly, my dear. Reverend Frederick Douglas will meet you at his church in Almyra. Here are your instructions. Thank you, Mrs. Davenport. Here, Vanessa. I wore it as Porsche. It's yours. Keep it hidden, my dear. Now, you'd better hurry. There's quite a tempest brewing, and we have to uh bury our dead. Thank you, sir. Reverend Douglas will see you through. Get up. Captain Tims on the board are getting ripped off. Release the slaves, Davy, else they all drown. If this will not do it, Lord have mercy on us. Freedom for all is the hope of love and forgiveness. Stand and face this truth and your heart will find its voice. Don't inflict your wrath on these men when I'm the one who doubted. Stay here. You understand? Keep this safe. Captain Newton was reborn that night, even as the storm raged and shattered the world he once knew. Captain, let's get loaded. Get ready, clothing, blankets, whatever you can find. Make sure all ports I need are filled. Did you hear me? Yes. Did we make it through? Yes, we did as eyes. God protected us. Yes. Yes, he did. I remember our time together. Day after day, working for that monster cloud, starved and shackled. I lost all hope. Not you. You live with strength and determination. I owe you my life. as I how can I repay you? I am a man. Am I not your brother? Yes. Yes. Nice. My brother by the grace of God I'll pray I'll be worthy. I'm going home, Samuel. Finally, I'm going to go home. No, we can all be saved. No. No. Hang on. Drink. Drink. Drink. But I want you to have these. The Bible belonged to your great grandfather. A gift from Mr. Newton himself. Read the Bible. How sweet the sound. You are not alone. You're free now. A dera,
[Music] there's no god for us. Samuel, no sh here. They'll head for Buffalo, cross into Canada there over the Niagara River. Three. over my dead body. Clen, I've been meeting up with Douglas at his church in town. Why'd you quit? I heard you caught a free black man and killed him by mistake. Whatever you say, Willie. I think all colored should be slaves or dead. Any man who thinks otherwise a damn fool. This just great big game for you and the boy. Conscience got the better of you. That's it, old man. There's the plinton from the stories. Not the slave sympathizer who's running this hunt like he's a railroad conductor. Enough. Willie, you'll keep old man. I'm riding to town. Do what we came here for. Samuel was so close. Have faith. Mr. Douglas will help us. Help us what? Run. Now they going to run us down. Nessa. They going to beat us again. They going to put the collar to us again. My dear said have faith. Faith. Look what good that did her. No. No. Death saved her from where we're going. S. Please stop. Not here. Not now. Why? Why? God chose us to be half human. To be strung up whenever they want. Huh? To work all our lives and to die? No. This church. This church. This church means nothing. This church means nothing to us. It ain't done nothing for us. We have Jim. I don't want to hear that. You should hold on for Jim and hold on for me. Hold on to me. Hold on to God. Not a second or another minute. Not an hour or another day. At this moment with my arms outstretched, I need you to make a way. as you have done so many times through a window or an open door. I stretch my hands to thee. Come rescue me. I need you right away. Vanessa. Mr. Douglas. Oh, I'm sorry. I'm dead to him, sir. I'm dead. He needs you more than ever now. He needs all your strength. Mom, I saw P. He's outside and he's so I'll go to him. Stay here. Won't like this, will he? It's been two weeks. Clinton's been letting a bunch of dogs get the better of him.
[Music] Ser, this is it. Let's go.
[Music] So, you're telling me you rode off and you left the others there? We got Samu. That's what you're telling me. They could be halfway to the state line by now. What good is he without her? And what use is Douglas? Huh? Samuel, you causing me one hell of a headache. You know that? Unfortunately, I need all of yours. Something that Monroe's watchdog here don't seem to understand. Yeah, but we got him. Drop it. Drop it. All right. All right. Drop it. Okay. All right. Look, you you hold all the cards in this hand. Look. There he goes. You too. Drop it. Are you on time? You're going to be running your whole life. You know that, don't you? You better shoot me now cuz we going to hunt you down like dogs. Samuel, you will never be free. Coming. Come on. Remember what I said, Samuel. Don't move. You must go quickly. There's not much time. You're nearly there, Samuel. With forgiveness comes true freedom. I tell you boy, move.
[Applause] Did you find him both? Yes, sir. I just left Mr. Bart and he sends his regards and congratulations. Congratulations. A successful maiden boy, sir. Only 24 dead. Yes, sir. And 16 with the flux. God knows how long they will live. Congratulations. Not a bad one. I want that one and that one. Excellent choice, Charisma. Thank you, Father. See 137 and 38. Thank you. Thank you. Back 149. You must go with them now. Take this. It's a gift. We still on the tight, Mr. Davyy. Up on the block. Now we have slave number 149. Male 8 to 11 years old. No signs of flux. Let's sell them. Let me hear $20. 20. Do thee love her? Comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health. So long as you both shall live, I do. You all know me, but I'm I'm not the same man who left Rochester 10 months ago. that John Newton was dramatically changed one night in a storm on the Atlantic Ocean. In utter despair, I cried out and was given another chance. Take away a toy from a child and give him another and he is satisfied. But if he'd be hungry, no toy will do. Thus, as newborn babes, true believers desire the sincere milk of the word. And the desire of grace in this way is grace. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found. was blind, but now I see.
[Music] Look, Pa, I can see the crossing.
[Music] Hey, go on, Samuel. Get Jim across. I'll wait here. Come on, boy. Let's go. We're free, son. We're free. Got you, boy. Hey, boy. Come on back now, boy. Don't make me do something stupid. Come on, Willie. Clim, are you with me? We'll split Monroe's money. Never mind. No more killing. I mean it. Monroe told me dead or alive. Old man. Clim, you just going to stand there? You best get out of here. Clen, I ain't going to ask again. So, you're just going to shoot Monroe's daughter, huh? I'm all yours, Mr. Pimpton. Shut your mouth, slate boy. No deal. Septey.
[Music] I had enough. No more killing. Monroe. Give me this to bring you in. Take it. Make a life for her and your son. It's a little gift from his grandfather. Huh? You're free now, Samuel. How sweet the sound. The amazing grace, how sweet the rich like I was now I was blind. But now I see.