A heavy match of birds.
A man who bets a mere thousand here or there
A man who mistreats a woman who loves him.
A name is who you is.
A private hack between Tom Lea
A thousand men come for this match.
A whole lot of training for they wings,
A woman who knows her own mind.
Aah!
Aah!
About a bird or two,
About that no count cracker and his birds.
Abracadabra.
Accepted.
Acting like he my second massa.
After George leaves,
Against me and Tricia, would you, George?
Ah, shit!
Ah, we're winning, George.
Ah, yeah!
Ah. Tomorrow.
Ain't got no right to be mocking your daddy.
Ain't got no worries.
Ain't no handling no massa,
Ain't that right, Tricia?
Ain't you a businessman?
All I know is how to make all this livable.
All right, all right, all right, all right.
All right.
All right.
All right.
All right.
All right.
All right.
All right. I got you, I got you.
All that stuff matter more to him than you.
All these white men saying, "Hey, Mingo,"
All this spinning is making me dizzy.
All your bragging and carrying on,
Allow me satisfaction in the field... a duel.
Always happy to take your money, Jewett.
Amen. Let's dance, Mama.
And 'cause my daddy was backwoods poor.
And ain't no sheriff gonna do nothing 'bout it.
And ain't none of them named Tom yet.
And ain't none of them named Tom yet.
And can't do that no more.
And don't nobody love ya like your mama.
And don't you say nothing about this to Massa Tom.
And fed them and helped Mingo fix them.
And fight your own birds.
And I ain't never gonna be that.
And I believe it will protect this baby and all of us.
And I deserve it.
And I expect you to keep her belly full.
And I fight them 'cause they're magic.
And I knew what he'd do if you don't name that boy Tom.
And I know all you care about is fighting chickens.
And I see you still they massa, I'd die every day.
And I want you to name him
And I want you to name him
And I'll give it.
And I'll hang for it gladly.
And I've been waiting for the right moment
And it break my heart.
And it was fun watching Massa Tom
And may God have mercy on your souls.
And men who speak with double hearts.
And my daddy gonna watch over you.
And never to you, sir.
And now that I'm free,
And right now I'm gonna kill him.
And see, my eyes is old,
And so far away from my mama and daddy,
And taters!
And the thing about rich white men,
And the time they start having babies,
And they true killers.
And Tom Lea of Caswell County, North Carolina.
And turn it to ash in a bonfire of foolishness...
And we couldn't get in.
And we gonna end up on paddle wheelers
And we got to win big.
And when a boy comes,
And yet you poke, poke, poke me like a damn hog.
And you be on your best behavior,
And you one, too.
And you will yearn for more!
And yours, too.
And, boys, I'll be open to all offers.
Anyone can see that Jackson is too boorish to be president.
Around fancy ladies.
Ashford and George Jr. Can start clearing out
Aw, come on!
Babies in their beds, using axes, swords, clubs.
Babies in their beds, using axes, swords, clubs.
Barley, milk, corn, rice, and my secret...
Be good for the boy.
Be sure of that!
Be waiting for you when you're done.
Been doing this fore you was alive.
Behold!
Being free takes a watchful eye,
Besides, my farm's worth half that much.
Best I ever felt.
Best move I ever made.
Bet a1,000?
Bet more just to see me.
Bet them pages cut right out your bible.
Bet your mama gonna be after you
Big ones, Mama!
Biggest farm in Carolina ain't enough
Bill your cocks.
Birds know who they can trust, know who love them.
Birds leave they marks on a man.
Birds... four pound six.
Bit of gossip, weather, fashion.
Bought my first ******.
Bought my own farm.
Bought my papers three years ago.
Boy forgot his pass
Boy, come on. You ain't got no money.
Boy, why you still standing there?
Boy's gonna be my good luck charm, Kizzy.
Boys stopping by to play for everybody.
Breathing even.
Bring that cock to the pen, Mingo.
Burning up little babies, serving them to his gang to eat.
But don't you ever get no shame, George.
But first, we got to survive.
But he who opens his lips...
But how'd you get the money?
But I can see what the Lord says.
But I do what I can to make the fit work.
But I heard Mama Kizzy telling the stories
But I know you ain't let go of my hand yet.
But I known you since you was a little boy.
But I prefer it to the alternative.
But I trained them right.
But I'd be so far from George.
But I've been wrong before.
But it ain't your faith.
But it's gonna cost you to find out.
But Mama...
But Massa Tom likes me, Mama.
But my baby's gonna have me all the time.
But she had locked everything up,
But she warned us that the streets are foul
But she's strong as a woman half her age.
But still so pretty, women cry when I pass by.
But that English bastard's offering me a way out.
But the belly of the wicked shall want chicken!
But when George and Matilda have children,
But why'd y'all come here today?
But you don't know birds.
But you have honored my father.
But, George, if you lose this fight,
But, yeah, I'm free.
Buy my George?
Cabins was on fire.
Came from Juffure, from Africa.
Came from my papa.
Came up from Durham way?
Came with me to fight birds.
Can I hold the bird, Massa Tom?
Can you believe that,
Can your damn English cousin handle $20,000?
Can't bet our home.
Can't ever talk to me like that, George.
Can't find that devil's prophet.
Can't no slave be 'round no white men
Can't stay by yourself all the time.
Can't stop these men once they start.
Can't trust nobody.
Can't you see I'm parched?
Carried me from a backwoods shack
Chain yourself to the wagon, George.
Charleston's a long ways away.
Chicken! Oh, chicken!
Cholera, lime leg, and canker.
Clear as day to those got eyes.
Come by the Easter picnic.
Come down on him!
Come here.
Come on now, George!
Come on now, George.
Come on now, Mingo!
Come on now, Red! Come on, Red!
Come on now, you little bastard.
Come on up! Come on! Get him!
Come on, boy.
Come on, George!
Come on, George.
Come on, let's go!
Come on, Mama. They ain't gonna play all night.
Come on, Red!
Come on, Red!
Come on, Red!
Come on, you son of a bitch!
Come on!
Come on!
Come on!
Come on!
Come on!
Come on!
Come on! Come on, now!
Come on! Come on, now!
Come on! Come on!
Come on! Get him, boy!
Come on! Rise up!
Come on.
Come on.
Come on.
Come pretty and go fast.
Come see the babies.
Come with me, cousin.
Congratulations. Bless you.
Cooks, sews, handles the house.
Damn fool.
Damn hard scheme for the likes of you.
Damn it, Byrd, yield.
Damn it!
Damn right.
Damn. What the hell is this?
Day might come when you're able to buy yourself free.
Deep in the damn dirt!
Did Mingo tell you that?
Did they hurt you?
Did you set me up, Mr. Lea?
Didn't know you were entertaining, Kizzy.
Different than everybody else.
Dirty ******. Dirty bastards!
Discharge your pistols in succession.
Do it, George, or I will shoot you.
Do it, George.
Do not resist. Do not waste his time.
Do this friend a favor.
Does it really matter if it comes
Don't ever question me about these birds.
Don't matter how much I got if we win, do it, George?
Don't need no African medicine.
Don't need no help.
Don't need no wing training.
Don't need to see nobody.
Don't trust you, neither.
Don't worry, Fa. You trained me well.
Don't you have love in your heart
Done.
Down by old Mingo.
Down! Down! Down! Come down hard on him!
Dry leaves my only blanket.
Durham, Fayetteville. You'll find us.
Earn a penny, spend a dollar...
England?!
Especially not one like Tom Lea.
Ever since Mingo died,
Every time some sheriff gets in a mood
Everybody carrying guns.
Everybody need chicken!
Excuse me.
Expect so.
F fa... fav..."
Face to face.
Far is free.
Favorable.
Feel good about the birds?
Fight him!
Fight them cocks.
Find somebody else.
Find yourself swinging from a low limb.
Finish him!
Finish him!
First shot.
Five militiamen came over here looking for slaves.
Five young stags hungry for blood.
Folks is mostly fools when it come to knowing that.
Folks say birds are stupid.
Folks sure did miss you at the wedding.
For a beautiful woman.
For a while, I didn't know how to feel nothing.
For a while, long as it's safe.
For anybody but yourself?
For cotton Mississippi.
For equipment, seed, and stock.
For losing his money.
For Mr. William Byrd.
For sure.
For what? Act like a gentleman.
For your scheme.
For your whole family waiting in a lockbox.
Fore I lose this goddamn bet.
From the mouth of a fool like me?
Froze my ass.
Gamecocks, George, not chickens.
Gave you that yellow skin.
Gentlemen, a hack fight!
Gentlemen, do either of you yield?
Gentlemen, face your birds!
Gentlemen, swords.
Gentlemen.
Gentlemen.
Gentlemen...
George Lea II.
George, get over here.
George, I need you to do this for me.
George, it hurts so bad.
George, next fight's yours.
George, no.
George, them birds will hurt you.
George, what are you doing?
George, what'd you do? What... What'd he do, Massa?
George, you and me used to be best friends.
George: We got 10 strong killers,
George!
George!
George! Oh, child!
George.
George.
George.
George.
George.
George.
George.
Get away from Massa Lea's birds.
Get back here!
Get him, Red!
Get him!
Get him!
Get him! Come on, boy! Get him!
Get him! Get him!
Get in, boys.
Get me that ax. Get me that ax.
Get over Massa's bird, gaff him from the top.
Get right at him.
Get the children weaving new grain baskets.
Get the wood.
Get up, George.
Get up, George.
Get up!
Get up!
Get your bets in, gentlemen.
Get your hands off me, you son of a bitch!
Getting free was all my daddy ever wanted.
Give me that.
Glad to see you. Thank God!
Glad to see you're feeling better, Massa.
Glad y'all made money.
Go ask Massa for my cut.
Go help Mingo with the birds.
Go north...
Go on, eat.
Go on!
Go on.
God damn me!
God damn me.
God help you if anything's happened to Tricia.
God!
Goddamn.
Gonna be more money at that Charleston jamboree
Gonna find Mama and Matilda.
Gonna go gather up some wood for my fire.
Good boy.
Good enough to let you buy yourself?
Good morning, Mr. Jewett.
Good morning, Mr. Lea.
Good morning, Mrs. Lea.
Got it.
Got plenty of ammunition.
Got to be a man when you messing with these birds.
Got to hold your stare.
Got to wait till your eyes see clear,
Greensville County in Virginia.
Had too many people taken away
Half bird, half man,
Half of the forest, half of my own soul.
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!
Hang on, now.
Has a sore tooth.
Have his God make slavery go away,
He a fine preacher.
He ain't never gonna see you for what you truly is
He always said we fight when we need,
He came to me, and I decided to live.
He could scratch the prying eyes from your head.
He don't know a damn thing about Tom Lea.
He don't know how to like nobody.
He gonna pay you well.
He gonna turn back wild just like that.
He had you.
He had you.
He had you.
He is giving you a fine cut of his winnings.
He love me, and he love you, too.
He my daddy?
He ought not to miss a field gal.
He pretty. I wanted to touch him.
He ran, and they shot him.
He say you dirt.
He yielded. It's time for mercy.
He yields. Let him be.
He... He don't like people.
He'll have no ouble with an Irishman and a ******.
He'll protect cotton investors clearing out woods
He'll ride him the rest of his living days.
He's a warmonger and an adulterer.
He's bleeding hard. Can't let him find his legs.
He's done.
Heard some riders was heading for the Lea farm,
Hell, I'm gonna be king of Caswell County.
Help me!
Her husband has a position with new clothiers...
Here he is, Jewett.
Here we come.
Here you are, sir.
Here, boy.
Here.
Hey, hey, hey.
Hey, look. He gave me money.
Hey, that's too heavy for you.
Hey! Mingo!
Hey! What y'all doing?
Hey.
Hiding guns and knives any place they can.
High card will decide who fires first.
Him on his feet, looking down on you?
His line has fought for kings.
His name was George, like yourn.
Hm. I know one thing.
Ho! Ho!
Hold this, Til.
Hold up now. Hold up.
Honey and milk are on thy tongue.
How come I always end up at the back?
How dare he fight us.
How we looking, George?
How you know it's the right spot?
How?
Hyah!
Hyah!
Hyah! Hyah!
I ain't as bad as some.
I ain't been bragging.
I ain't going nowhere for you, you understand me?!
I ain't gonna wait till I'm old to rise up where I should be.
I ain't got no other way to survive.
I ain't hardly trying, George.
I ain't interested in the white man's God.
I ain't leaving! I ain't leaving!
I ain't never seen Mama in a mood like this.
I almost took my life when you was born.
I ate scraps.
I brought you up right.
I can barely get a word out of you.
I can look after all of us.
I can pay it.
I can still make you money.
I can trust a child.
I can't even tell you 'part.
I can't feel my hand, George.
I can't go.
I can't.
I come to make sure Miss Patricia's all right.
I depend on you.
I didn't know what happened to you.
I do not settle my battles with fisticuffs
I do. Know about other birds, too...
I don't care how long you own them sons of bitches.
I don't even know where he was born.
I don't have to give no damn explanation to no damn slave!
I don't know how.
I don't know if he had one damn person cry for him!
I don't know what happened.
I don't know where Kizzy and Tilda are.
I don't know why we even brought you along, no way.
I don't see why not, George.
I don't think we should stay, Massa.
I don't understand the hell you saying to me.
I dropped from a chestnut tree high as a hawk,
I earned it! I'm free!
I fight for myself.
I figured out special exercises.
I gave you blood and sweat.
I give you Tom Lea...
I got a good Massa.
I got a question for ya.
I got clawed.
I got something for you.
I got to know a time gonna come when I can buy me free.
I had more skill to see it.
I had the courage to take it, and I had the man to win it.
I had to hide.
I have no idea if they're clean.
I have something I want to show you.
I hear thousands.
I hear thousands.
I heard he was a good man with the birds.
I heard your daddy preach that from King Solomon's songs.
I hope not.
I inquire merely because I understand
I intend to kill him with my first shot.
I intend to work hard.
I know how much time you spend with my birds.
I know how to handle Tom Lea, Mama.
I know I didn't pay it no mind with all our other babies.
I know my God's real.
I know the love you got inside you for Massa.
I know what I said,
I know what I see. Damn truth.
I know who I am, and you should, too.
I know who you is,
I know you can read it, George.
I know, George.
I know.
I like it. Yes, sir!
I like your look.
I look forward to it.
I look forward to testing your prowess against my birds.
I lost everything...
I love you too much.
I love you.
I mislead you boys.
I need an explanation,
I need to find my children, but I'll be back.
I need to keep Tom Lea alive for us.
I need younger field hands.
I offer conversation and good cheer on a fine holiday.
I own it and everything on it.
I pay no attention to you at all...
I promise I'm gonna write those papers for you.
I promise to stay by your side forever.
I raised these birds since they was chicks.
I relish the opportunity.
I say Old Hickory's gonna be a damn good president.
I say we be fine,
I see you clearly, sir, exactly as they all see you.
I see you, George!
I see you!
I shouldn't be surprised you act the way you do.
I spent my life in a cabin like this.
I swear I'll sell your ass in New Orleans.
I swear.
I talk to your birds.
I tell you to do something, you just do it.
I think I'm gonna save up my money, just like you, Massa.
I think we need to give Massa's birds
I think you mama's sweet on that boy.
I thought for a minute you was free, too.
I thought you said tonight was our night.
I thought you was dead.
I thought you were a free man.
I told you what I'd do.
I trained him... myself.
I trained them better.
I want him to know my hands
I want to buy Kizzy.
I want to hear more about what it takes
I want to tell you something.
I want you to come with me.
I was 11 years old when I hit the road,
I wouldn't trust no one.
I wouldn't want to get on her bad side if I were you.
I yearn to win my money back, Chicken George.
I yield.
I'd be a thousand miles gone.
I'd have bled my soul out on that field.
I'd like to buy the boy from you.
I'd never have some man bossing me around,
I'd rather sleep under the stars.
I'll always be my own man.
I'll be at the church in the trees when you want me,
I'll bring back gifts for everybody,
I'll fetch the white.
I'll geld you, you bastard.
I'll kill any ****** that gets in my way!
I'll look after him.
I'll make my money back, and more.
I'll meet you in church every Sunday.
I'll pay you in a week!
I'll protect our child.
I'll ride over and talk to MacGregor.
I'll stay with him.
I'll take a French pox and a screw
I'll teach you how to clean these cages.
I'm a better man than you.
I'm a fair man, Kizzy. You know that.
I'm always passing through places,
I'm famous up and down this county.
I'm free!
I'm free!
I'm free! That's what we agreed.
I'm free.
I'm gonna buy Matilda, then all my babies free.
I'm gonna do something for you, George.
I'm gonna go help our boys in the field.
I'm gonna name you after my daddy...
I'm gonna rise up above every man who ever looked down on me.
I'm gonna stay here,
I'm gonna tell Massa Tom to beat the hell out of you.
I'm gonna win back all them pennies and more.
I'm making sweet rolls for tomorrow.
I'm Matilda, ma'am.
I'm not a pious man like your daddy,
I'm not going!
I'm not sure anyone has much sway over your boy.
I'm not sure which one of y'all is the bad influence.
I'm ruined,
I'm six days from home, and I got five little ones.
I'm so relieved you're gonna make it.
I'm tired of explaining it to you!
I'm tired of pulling out my papers
I'm tired of working land.
I'm warning you boys... murder's spreading everywhere!
I'm worth 10 like you.
I've been drowning that truth in my head
I've been saving up. Got me a scheme.
If he hear you playing like that.
If he's got as many hands as you say,
If it's a boy.
If we keep giving lowborn men a vote.
If you both remain alive,
If you have faith in your Chicken George.
If you ******s interfere, we'll kill you!
If you won't come with me, take this.
In barns, cabins... right under our noses.
In front of my wife and these good people.
In Mississippi and Alabama.
In they hearts they always free.
Is 'cause it got beat into us.
Is a man who won't risk enough to take what he wants.
Is that right?
Is that what you came here for today?
It ain't our way.
It ain't the way my daddy taught me.
It look real fine.
It looks fine.
It seemed like I could hear his voice right here
It was happy, till I heard my boy
It was so nice of Mama Kizzy
It's a long road to Charleston, Massa Tom.
It's all dollars and cents.
It's all right now. It's all right now.
It's all right. It's all right.
It's everything, but I have it.
It's George. You trust me.
It's in your soul.
It's just a name, Mama.
It's over. It's done.
It's pretty.
It's the cocks.
It's time you loved yours.
It's when y'all get growed is when you get ideas.
Jewett tells me you're a sovereign of avifauna.
Just 'cause you kissing Massa's ass?
Just bring yourself home safe.
Just feel like I fit right in your arms.
Just like I like it.
Just like I told you, boy.
Just like that!
Just make sure some of that pot is yours.
Just sitting buck naked in the creek.
Just talked about them birds.
Just to take one step straight to what they want.
Keep a count.
Keep them babies sliding out, increase my stock.
Keep them babies sliding out, increase my stock.
Keep walking.
Keepeth his life.
Kept looking ahead,
Kept my hand in my own pocket, coin by coin.
Killing bred into the bird.
Killing men, women, children, any white folks they come upon.
Kizzy like this gal?
Kizzy, I think I was selfish
Kizzy!
Kizzy! No! No, Kizzy!
Kizzy.
Know Kizzy been teaching you.
Last wagers!
Leave me be.
Less likely to string the two of us up,
Let 'em through.
Let it be. We got...
Let me go.
Let me teach you how to read so you can be your own man.
Let them ******s on the farm eat flesh.
Let's go, Chicken George!
Let's go, Mingo!
Let's make it official.
Let's see if your scheme works.
Letting him see me eye to eye.
Like I say, them birds a soft kind of work.
Like some drunken bar brawler.
Little monkey keeps bothering Mingo,
Live.
Long as you listen to me.
Long as you understand your first place is with my birds.
Long ride, lots to do.
Look around.
Look at me, Byrd!
Look at me, look at me.
Look at me!
Look at my Red.
Look at the size of that.
Look how high I got him to fly.
Look up, little one.
Look, George,
Look, George, the farm ain't gonna cover my bets.
Look, Massa, some folks saying it's a custom
M most... most...
Make George a free man today.
Make her free to leave with me tomorrow,
Make me rich.
Make them stronger so they fly higher,
Make you as stupid as he is.
Make you want to open your eyes to a new day.
Malizy said she ain't never see you come by to visit.
Mama there for Miss Patricia. She be fine.
Mama, folks say make the best of a hard situation.
Mama, I let all the birds free, cage by cage!
Mama, I make Massa money.
Mama, you can't...
Mama, you need to meet somebody.
Mama, you said...
Mama.
Man saving up money got to pinch every penny.
Man: All right, Reverend. All right.
Man: Gentleman.
Man: Got lucky this time.
Man: It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
Massa Byrd can kill you without thinking.
Massa pays us a little when our birds win.
Massa Tom like me.
Massa Tom said I held 'em real good,
Massa Tom, why you start fighting chickens?
Massa, all these birds attack head on,
Massa, he a big help with all my chores.
Massa, what you doing?
Massa, you stay down, you gonna die.
Massa.
Match to Sir C. Eric Russell.
Matilda, it's me, George!
Matilda, it's me, George!
Matilda, it's me!
Matilda, it's me!
Matilda, it's me!
Matilda?! My children and my mama?!
Matilda.
Matilda.
Matilda.