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Cowboy Zombies (2016)
Back then I was a lawman
in the Arizona territory so sneaking up on bad men and outlaws was something I did quite often. No no. Nobody move. It's all right, Marshal. No no, it's all right. Let me see those hands. Nobody moves. You move, I'll kill you. This was a bad bunch. George River, Ike and Bob Davis. Outlaws through and through. Killers and horse thieves, and I'd been tracking them a long, long time. Today was gonna be their day of reckoning. Of all the bad things they did, all the things they stole. Don't you move! And all the people they killed, there would be a price to pay, there always was. I can't move, you shot me. Get up, convict. Get up. Get up. Lord, I pray that you have mercy on these two souls who are about ready to leave this green Earth. Caleb Jennings, you have been found guilty of rustling, theft by person, and murder. We are gathered here this morning to carry out your sentence of death. Do you have any last words? Nope. He dead. Now, I know I've not been a good man, but I've not done some things you say. I didn't kill them people, and God knows that this is so. So, to hang me today, well that'd be against God's will, I say. And, and... Wait! No, you can't. God, please, give these people a sign that I'm truly innocent. Please, God, please! You see, I told you. That was a sign from God almighty. You saw that, don't you? You all saw that. Yeah, I see it. You can't hang me, Sheriff. They seen it. What the hell? What's going on? I don't know. No. Can I at least have my hat, Marshal? What the hell was that? Marshal, you ever seen anything like that? I had never seen anything like that. It was something strange, that's for sure. Get up. Come on, untie me. And soon after, the horses were spooked and ran off. Marshal, I can't take no more. And they were dead 'cause I had shot each of the Davis brothers in the heart. Square, square clean in the heart with a.30-30 rifle. And nobody, and I mean nobody gets back up after being shot in the heart with a.30-30 rifle. So this was mighty strange indeed. What's going on here, Preacher? Apparently he's coming back to life. That's not possible. Well, he's as dead as that one, that's for sure. Clem, check his pulse. No pulse, Sheriff. Well, listen for a heartbeat. I don't hear nothing, Sheriff. Sheriff! No, Sheriff, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Get those two to defend him. She's dead too. No. What's going on, Sheriff? I don't know, Rose Anne, I don't know. I'll go get my medical gear. Okay. Clem, go with him in case some more of those things are out there. All right, Sheriff. What things? The dead outlaws. You should have seen... Go, Clem, go. Yes, Sheriff. And don't shoot nobody that don't need shootin' Yes, Sheriff. What are you talking about? What was all that running? Was it the hanging? Yeah, we hung 'em, but they didn't die. Well, they did, but then there was a flash in the sky, and they both opened their eyes and started screaming. It's the damndest thing I ever did see. It was like the dead come back to life. That's impossible. Jenny, please go and get me some water. We need to clean this little girl's face. It's the Miller girl Becky, poor little thing. Both her parents are dead, they were killed right before our very eyes. I mean, they were run over by a horse. Ben Miller and his wife? Yes! Did you say they're dead? They're dead, they're lying right outside dead. My god. Here, Miss Rose. Thank you. What am I thinking. Jasper? Get me a drink, will ya? Sure, Sheriff. I thought you said he was dead. I thought he was dead. He was dead, deader than a doornail. Ben? Ben? He don't look right. Hold right there, Ben. Daddy. I believe I've got everything. As soon as we get the sheriff patched up, then we're gonna take a proper look at that neck of yours. Sure. She's dead. What's going on here, Preacher? First that thing in the sky, and those dead men thrashing about. Sheriff's got a hole in his shoulder. I never shot anybody before, honest. You can fix it can't you, Preacher? You can fix this. Mrs. Miller? Are you all right, Mrs. Miller? Are you all right? Mrs. Miller? Mrs. Miller? Shoot her, Clem. Sheriff said not to shoot anyone that don't need shooting. Mrs. Miller? Not any more. Shoot her. Sheriff said not to shoot anyone. My god. She's coming. Who? Mrs. Miller, she... Shoot her, Clem! What the hell was going on here, Preacher. It appears the dead are coming back to life. It's not possible. Nevertheless, it's... It can't be happening. This ain't happening. Pull yourself together, Clem. No, no I'm not seeing this. Shoot her, Clem. I can't shoot a little girl! She's not a little girl any more. Shoot her. Somebody do something! You shot her, Sheriff! You shot little Becky Miller. You take this gun. Take it. And you go and stand by that door and you shoot any more of those things that try and come in here again. Go. Do what she says, Clem. All right, Sheriff. Without horses, we walked on, me and the outlaw, George Rivers. Around the summer months, the desert would have killed us for sure, but I was lucky that this all began in April. April, the year of our lord, 1876. They was dead, Marshal. You and I both know you don't survive a shot to the chest with that rifle of yours. You got 'em square in the heart too, you're a good shot. And the horses, that's why the horses started running away, man. This all spooked 'em. Something's not right about today. They was dead. Yeah, they was dead. Get up. You're not listening. The outlaw, George Rivers, was right. There was something not right about today. And Ike and Bob Davis had been dead before I killed them both for the second time. When I saw the old Apache surrounded by those things, I pretty much figured out this was happening everywhere. The dead were walking. Do not tell me you're gonna waste lead on there. That day was also the first time I ever used my rifle to protect an Apache. Usually I was using it to stop one of them from trying to kill me. They were a tough bunch. That's incredible. If you ever saw them, it was because they wanted you to see them. And they were usually none too friendly either. I can't say I blame them what with what was happening with territory, but they were always to be approached with caution. Why does the white man, an enemy, help an old Apache? Because he needed help. Thank you. You're welcome. Do the dead also walk among your people? Yeah, it seems to. Why is this Apache speaking like a human? Shut up, convict. Come on. Jenny. Hold it right there! Or I'll shoot, you better stop! You better... What are you shooting at? You said to shoot... I said don't shoot nobody that don't need shootin'. And Wyatt don't need shootin'. Wyatt? Jenny! Why is he shooting? He's not gonna shoot any more, are you, Clem? No. You sure he ain't gonna shoot no more? I'm sure. Are you okay? Preacher, what is going on? There's dead people walking in the street and the men on the ropes they're just, they're screaming! I should check on my folks. All the horses have run off. I know. I saw the horses run out of town. That's when my horse bucked me off and went running after. Don't worry, your folks will be fine. Mr. Gull? Sheriff, Mr. Gull's dead. One of those dead men was eating him. Eating him? Son of a bitch. We should close up the door and board up these windows. No telling how many more could be out there. Yeah, I got a hammer in nails in the back. There's some wood in the back there too. I can help. Yeah? Come on, Clem. Where are we going, Sheriff? To see if the telegraph works. All right, Sheriff. What are we gonna do with him? We gotta move him out of the way. Okay. Come on. You all ain't dead... As they day got longer, we met a buffalo soldier. I didn't know it at the time, but Sergeant Bale and I would become very good friends. He was a good man. Sergeant Bale, US Army. Marshal Frank Wilcox. Pleasure. Likewise. Now, this is just great. Shut up, convict. Now travelling with a lawman, an Indian, and now a Yankee. Meet the outlaw George Rivers, back shooter and killer of women and children. I don't know his name, but I'm guessing he's full blood Chiricahua. And how is it that you're travelling with an Apache? Well, he got in a little trouble back there with some of those things, and, I couldn't exactly stand by and let them get him now, could I. Guess not. You shouldn't have done that. Knocked my damn tooth out, you son of a bitch. You've seen 'em too, haven't you. Yes, sir. I surely have. Dead folks coming to life? Spooked my horse so bad he threw me. Probably done run himself to death by now the way he took off. This don't make no sense though. So where you all headed? I was headed to Tucson With some prisoners, but right now I'm just heading up this road. Town of Crumpit is just up ahead a spell. Good a place as any on this day. They won't be too happy to see him. He's not bothering anybody. What outfit you from? 10th. Line must be down somewhere. You think? Yeah, probably. You don't think the same thing's happening down in Tucson Do you? I don't know, Clem, I sure hope not. Telegraph is out. You don't look so good. Sit down. The thing bit me. It sure did. Be still, I gotta clean it. It's already infected. That's awfully fast. I don't feel too good. I got the shakes. You just relax. Any idea what's going on here, Preacher? I dunno. I'd like to examine the outlaws on the rope. They're the only ones I can safely approach. I wouldn't exactly say that. Examine them for what? Bodily functions and such. Just what makes them tick. I'd also like to visit the cemetery. The cemetery? I wanna know if all the dead are coming back to life or just the ones we've seen. That's crazy. Rose Anne, watch over Clem. I will. Wyatt, Jasper, you're coming with us. You be careful. I will. No heartbeat, just like the other one. So, he's dead. Absolutely, dead as a door nail. Then how... Well, that's the question now isn't it. Let's go dig. You gotta shoot 'em in the head. I hadn't been through Crumpit in a long long time. It had been one of those little boom towns built around the silver strike. Of course, the silver had long since played out and most of the people had moved on. So whoever had stayed was living a hard life indeed. I'm gonna die, Sheriff. That means, don't let me turn into one of 'em. Zombies? You're not gonna die, Clem. I am, Sheriff, I can feel it, I can feel it in my bones. You rest now, Clem. All right, sheriff. So you've heard of zombies. Yes, sir. Just stories spun by my grandmother is all. About the walking dead, about zombies. Zombies? Zombie's an other name for the voodoo that got done. Only heard of this happening in here. There are reports of ghouls, zombies walking out today. That's from stories of the voodoo practitioners from the Congo in Africa. I hardly ever paid it any mind but now. Who knows. I don't know what the hell you guys are talking about. Yes. Just don't bother waiting. Well, whatever these things were, they were now surrounding the Double Peach saloon and everyone in it. I don't know, Preacher, this idea of not shooting 'em, it doesn't sound like such a good idea. It must have veen the flash in the sky. What? I'm talking about the catalyst. The thing that caused all this to happen. What does it matter now? We gotta deal with these things. And knowing all about them will help us deal with them. I'm not sure that we have enough bullets to deal with all of 'em. We should have gone to Obarts and got us some ammunition and supplies. We still can. I'm not real excited about being stuck in here with no ammunition. I'm with you there. Hold on, we just can't open those doors and go out there, they'll tear us apart. Not if we have rifle fire from the front door. I can take care of that. Now hold on, I'm in no shape to go out there. Nobody's asking you to go. I'll go. Gotta offer you that choice. I'll go. I know Obarts like the back of my hand. Sergeant Bale was one of those rare men who could shoot real good at the worst of times. Times when men were shooting back at you, or what was the case that day, when the dead were walking. Obarts. Can you shoot something? Yes, sir. Young Wyatt probably could shoot, but not under pressure, not when it mattered. It could have been his youth and inexperience, only time would tell. The same could not be said for the Apache. He was a real warrior like Sergeant Bale. I was happy to see he hit what he had to when he had to. Obarts. Bullets. Yeah. Right, come on. What I remember of Jasper the bartender was that he had heart. He was a tough son of a gun and there was no quitting in him. He could shoot a pistol real good too. Back in those days, that was the difference between your livin' and your dyin'. Christ, Jenny, it'll be okay. How can you say that? Well, we'll see. The world has changed, it's falling apart. Nothing is gonna be the same ever again. We're together, okay? We're together. That's okay, isn't it? Of course that's okay. But dead people are walking the streets. I'm not gonna let anyone or anything hurt you, Jenny. Not ever. I would die before that would happen to you. That's what I'm afraid of. Don't let me become one of them. I don't wanna be one of them, all right? You rest now, Clem. Promise me, Sheriff! I promise. It's time to shoot me, Sheriff. Clem. I'd let go of his hand if I were you, Sheriff. Shut up, Preacher. Holy crap! I'm sorry, Clem. We didn't much like shooting Deputy Clem after he opened his eyes, but I doubt very much that the sheriff could have or would have been able to shoot his own man. From what I could see of the sheriff, he was a little too affable, and he seemed to lack some backbone. The Apache on the other hand was another story. There was a lot more to him than he was showing us, that's for sure. Nice gun. Thank you. You're welcome. You're Chiricahua, how do you find yourself so far west? The ones you kill capture me, they saw me alone, and horse give out. They take me, but they get careless and I kill them. But they no die. Then you come, then they die. Well, bet you'd have done the same for me. How you know? 'Cause I think, 'cause you're Datanta, great warrior chief of the Chiricahua, that's what I think. Not tell the others, might wanna hang me. Why is this happening? I don't know. Is it the end of the world? I don't think just yet. 'Cause there's so much I wanna do with my life. How about you? Being a lawman suits me just fine. Me, I wanna go to France. Paris, France. City of lights is what they call it. I guess I wouldn't mind having a spread somewhere. Spare horses. It'd be okay. You will. I hope so. So do I. Well, goodnight, Marshal. Goodnight, you sleep well. I will, you too. Let me go on watch for a while. Okay. What in tarnation was that? It ain't the walking dead, that's for sure. What is it? Don't let them hurt me. Somebody's out there shooting, that's what it is. If they don't hear us, they won't know we're here, right? We stop wasting shots. Wait a minute. It turned out to be just two people followed by a horde of zombies. There was more of us, but they're gonna keep up. At the end it was just me and this girl. They followed us all night. How many? First is wasn't too many, they just kept coming, lots of them. Like they could smell us. Heading this way? Now we have more of them to deal with. I told you... Well, we couldn't have just left them out there. No, but... Hector Ruiz, thank you for his life. You're Hector Ruiz? Yes, Marshal. You want my gun? Not just yet. I knew of Hector Ruiz. He was a Mexican gunfighter, an outlaw, a killer. Hi. It will be okay. Why? Why do you think it will be okay? I've always been this way, optimistic I mean. Even when my folks died, I knew that I would be okay. I mean, look around you, everyone here will protect you. We're safe here for now. Yes, for now. What happened to them? Who? Your parents. They got sick. I never knew my parents. That's okay. It's gonna be okay. Jasper, take that out of his mouth so he can eat, please. Little runt. Shut up or I'll put that gag back on. You're just mean through and through aren't you. Yes, ma'am, I am. There is another way we can leave. Yeah? The railroad. Railroad? There ain't no railroad coming during this mess. I know that, I'm talking about one of the hand carts like the Chinese use when they're building the line. So? Well, if we could find one, we could escape on the tracks. I ain't seen one of those around in a long time. I saw one on our way here last night. Yes, saw it also. About a mile east. It was just sitting there. But we have everything that we need right here, why should we go? Sooner or later we will start running out of things. Then what? I agree with the preacher. The problem is we all can't fit on a hand cart. No, but some of us could see what's happening elsewhere and send us help. I'll tell you what's happening everywhere else, same damn thing that's happening here. Probably so, but at least we could get the word out that some of us have survived. I agree with Rose Anne, we're safe here for now. It might be a good idea to find that thing just in case we need it. We'll go at dawn, me, you, Wyatt, Ruiz. I don't want you to go. Jenny, I have to go. Says who? You're not a boy any more, Wyatt. Nobody can tell you what to do. I know that. Then don't go. The marshal needs me to go, okay? This is the best thing for all of us. Why? So we can maybe get out of here. And go where? I dunno, okay, but we may need to. All right, but you better come back in one piece. And don't let one of them things bite you. I won't, I won't. Yes. What? I said yes. Jenny, what are you talking about? Wyatt Andrews, I know you've been working up the courage lately to ask me to marry you. Haven't you? Well, that is true. I said yes. The minute this is all behind us, and I'm telling you this tonight because it is one more reason for you to come back to me. And after this one time, you never leave me alone again. Okay, Jenny. Okay. Are you coming? Yeah, I'm coming. I thought the preacher was right. We should find that hand cart just in case we ever need it. I brought Hector Ruiz along so we could keep an eye on him. A man like that wasn't to be trusted. He was every bit as bad as George Rivers. My shoulder. Just lay back, Sheriff, and rest. My shoulder's killing me, Preacher. Can you take a drink of this? He's been getting worse. I see that. You all better keep an eye on him 'cause when he turns, he'll come back and gobble us all up. You better shut. You better shut up, you little runt. Untie me, somebody untie me right now. You better sit down. Or what? What are you gonna do to me. What are any of you gonna do to me? Big bad marshal's not around any more is he. I'll shoot you. I don't think so, darlin'. If you weren't such an evil man, we might have untied you long ago but... Shut up, old man. Jasper, you take him in the back and hogtie him. Okay. Come on. That's great. An Indian and a dwarf. Not so tough are you now, convict? Consider yourself the luckiest little boy in the world an Apache's standing behind you. Shut up, convict! Stuff you under the ground like a damn little scorpion. Yeah, we gonna have some fun now, aren't we convict. How about I gag you right about now? You're a little quieter now, son. It's a little harder to hear you now, convict. Yeah, yeah. Tie you up right here like this. Yeah, tie that up. Have a nice night. We traveled a good bit, but in the end, we found it. My god in heaven. Doc, move. I told you he was gonna turn. I'm outta here. Did you tie that rope real tight, Jasper? Yeah, double stitch. He ain't getting out of that. Why? Well, we're in no danger if we can tie his arms behind his... No danger? Are you serious? What if when this is all over, they come back to life as they were. If we kill him, this is our sheriff. He won't have that chance. Besides, I can study him. No, that's not Sheriff Wright any more. Get out of here. Preacher. Jenny! Jenny! Quiet. What's going on? They got in the back door and we climbed up the stairs. We're all right. They're all over the place in there. Go round the back, we'll draw 'em out. I'll go with you. Okay, don't move. It's gonna be okay. I learned early on in my life, the only thing that could stop a bad man with a gun was a good man with a gun. So I trusted in my weapons and my marksmanship. The same was true for these zombies, a gun would stop them. They're leaving. Be quiet, they're luring them out the back. I always wanted to be a matador. Seeing him toy with that dead girl turned my stomach. Only an evil, no good, devious man would do something like that. This is how you do it, old man. Some say I didn't help Hector Ruiz because he was an outlaw. That's not the case, I didn't help him because by the time I saw he was in trouble, he'd already been bit. Wyatt? We're leaving. Well I have to say, I agree with you, Marshal. Leaving town as soon as possible is a good idea. Those tracks go all the way to Tucson, there's bound to be more survivors there like us. Problem is, we can't all of us fit on that one bitty railroad cart. She won't take eight. I won't be going. You won't be going? Why not? I'm afraid one of them bit me. No. Yes. It got me good too. Right here on the back of the arm and it's already starting to tingle. I'm sorry to hear that, Preacher. So am I. Isn't there any way to stop it from happening to you? I dunno, Jenny, I've been thinking about that. The transfusion of blood might have some effect. At least it'd slow it down some. Just sorry I won't be around with you all to see how it all turns out. They got me too. You too? Jasper, no! On the ankle. Well, it looks like it's you and me, Jasper. Will that make enough room on the cart? Can we do six? Probably you can do six. Good. That was bad news to hear because by this point I liked Jasper and the preacher very much. You're gonna stick that thing into our arm, Preacher? Yes, shall I go first? No, I'll go first. Are you ready? Be gentle. How is he gonna be gentle with that thing? I'll be as gentle as I can, Jasper. I always wanted to run this experiment, I just didn't think it'd be on me. And me. How you holding up, Jasper? I don't feel anything. Hey, I want you to do me a favor. Okay. I want you to look out for Rose Anne when I'm gone. Sure. I seen the way she looks at you. She's sweet on you. Don't look so surprised, I seen the way you look at her too. Well, she is a fine woman. Cut the crap. She's the best woman in the whole world. I always thought I'd have a chance with her. But now, well you know, just, you've gotta look out for her. Treat her real good. Sure, okay. Shake on it. You treat her good. Yeah, I promise. How you feelin'? A little woozy but all right. Starting to think this just might work. The infection's not as rapid as with Deputy Clem and the sheriff. God rest their souls. You want us to wait and see. I'm afraid we'd both be too weary to partake in such an arduous journey. Besides, I don't wanna be remembered as one of them. Okay, Preacher. There's something that, something that I want you to know. If we make it, I want you to know in spite of everything that's just happened, I have feelings for you. You're a good man. And I would really liked to have gotten to know you better. Who said we're not gonna make it? We're gonna make it. So I hope you meant what you just said because I have feelings for you too. So we're gonna make it, okay? All right. Okay. We're gonna make it. I promise you, we're gonna make I it. Bye, Jasper. I don't know how to do this, I don't know how to say goodbye. I love you so. And I love you, Rose Anne. I... Maybe the preacher's experiment will work out. That we'll be okay. We'll be here. You'll be back for us? We'll be back as soon as we're ready. I hope you find us as we are. Me too, Preacher. Good luck. Good luck. As we moved out, I was struck by how easy they went down. The problem would come if you ever encountered a mob of them. If this was happening elsewhere, I couldn't help but wonder how it was in big cities. It felt good getting on the hand cart. It felt like an accomplishment. We moved on, putting some distance between us and Crumpit and for a while the world seemed normal again. And then we saw them up ahead. Good shot. Looks like we're gonna make it. Yeah, I think so. You know, for a while there, I had some doubts. Me too. Without you and your shots, I don't think we'd even be talking right now. Happy to be of service, sir. It's the blasted flywheel. We can crank this thing to kingdom come, we ain't going nowhere. Can you fix it? No, sir. We walk. No. We walk. Losing the hand cart was a real blow. We had no choice but to just walk on. Behind! Wyatt, get up! I was never, in all my life, so happy to see an Apache raiding party. Datanta we been tracking you many days. It's good to see you, my brother. It's good to see you also, White Face. Datanta thanks you. No, these people saved my life. They are friends of the Chiricahuas. You are a good war chief, I would ride with you against my enemies. And I would ride with you, Datanta. I will keep this gun to remember you. I can't believe it. I didn't know what our future held but I knew that there were dark days ahead for sure. This new world would not be an easy place. But so far, we had survived. |
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