There's so damn many places that you can fall.
You fall right outta sight. 1,000, 2,000 feet.
And you sure as hell ain't gonna live through it.
And the other thing are the thunderstorms,
they come in so damn quick.
And if you don't get down behind a rock,
you're just a livin' target.
You're just a little kid, you know, 12 years old,
scrawny.
You try to guess what they might do,
but there's no damn way of predicting
what a kid will do.
In fact, by nine days, we were lookin' for a body.
Donn: Ooh!
Ryan: Donn, it's Dad! He's up the road!
Come on, let's go, he's here!
Donn: We're goin' fishin'!
Wooh!
Donn: Dad! Slow down!
Dad!
Donn: Dad!
Hey, Dad, slow down!
Radio Newscaster 1: Russian armies are menacing from the north,
German armies are menacing from the west,
and the United States remains neutral.
- Dad's home! - Daddy!
- Tommy: Daddy. - Ruth: Come on.
Tommy: Can I tell him about the pie?
Yes, you can.
Hiya, peanut.
Tommy: Welcome home, Dad.
Hello, handsome.
Never a moment's peace.
Oh, you have no idea.
Yes, ma'am.
Tommy: Daddy, we made a pie.
Blueberry?
Not if Patsy keeps eating it all.
- Hey, hey, hey. - Save some for me.
Tommy: I'm gonna eat it all,
and then I'm gonna make another pie
and eat that, too.
Everything okay?
Yeah.
- Work. - Donn: Dad!
Press on.
- Ryan: Donn, I can't! - Donn:
Oh, boy.
Here they come.
All they talk about is the trip.
They've been up since dawn just waiting for you.
Donn: Dad!
Sir.
Well, how's the water?
Good.
Great, sir.
Sir.
Look at these hands.
It's too much summer. Not enough elbow grease.
Donn Fendler, not in front of your mother.
Sorry, sir.
Do you think we'll catch more fish
than the last time?
Yes, sir. Grab my bag.
Donn: No, Ryan, I've got it. I've got it!
Donald: You said something about blueberries?
Ryan: Let me carry it! Come on.
Ryan: Hmm.
How much does this jacket cost, good sir?
It costs $10,000!
10,000 smackers?
It was very, very, very expensive.
Ryan: I worked all summer, and I used all of my elbow grease.
All I do is buy and sell, and buy and sell,
and work like a dog, sunrise to sunset.
- We gotta go to work now. - Yeah, we gotta go work had.
- We gotta go! We gotta go! - Yes, yes, yes.
Ryan: Buy, buy, sell, sell, buy, buy, sell, sell, buy, buy!
Donn: Mother, we need more elbow grease!
Alright, I almost got it.
And then I'm telling you, I'm gonna catch the biggest
fish in the whole world.
It's gonna be so big, it won't fit on the boat.
Ryan: How are you gonna reel it up with those arms?
Are you makin' fun of me?
You're makin' fun of me, aren't you?
It's not like you're gonna catch anything.
You're terrible at fishing.
You're not gonna catch anything either.
Your line's all tangled.
You're making it more tangled. Do you need help?
I'm sure Dad can help you.
Donn: No, I don't!
You're the one who's always crying to Dad.
Ryan: No, I don't. You're an idiot.
Stop!
Stop it!
Donn: You're an idiot.
Crybaby.
- Stop it! - Donn: Stop what? Stop this?
Ryan: Dad! -Boys!
Car wash.
- Now, get out there. - Ryan: He started it.
Donald: I don't care who started it.
Both of you lunkheads, go on.
Donn: Why'd you do that?
Ryan: You're the one poking me.
You're not doing any work.
Can you at least refill the bucket?
I filled it the first time.
I wouldn't be doing this if it weren't for you.
Well, if you didn't call me an idiot in front of Dad,
I wouldn't be doin' this either.
Because you are an idiot.
No.
Ryan: Stop!
Radio Newscaster 2: Intervention by Mussolini...
The twins are at it.
Donald: Damn it!
Ryan: Donn, stop!
Hey!
Go ahead. Finish your fight.
I I don't wanna fight.
Tough. Sometimes you gotta fight.
Sometimes you don't got a choice.
Go on!
Fight!
Dinner!
Yes, ma'am.
Donn: Okay, let me get it.
They taste better if you cut it this way.
Alright, I want you to eat all of that, please.
There's no skins in them, right?
There is no skin in it.
No, I would never do that to you.
Tommy, will you pass me a biscuit, please?
Thank you.
Donn, elbows.
Look at your brother.
Thank you.
So, I have some disappointing news.
I gotta go back to work.
I leave for Rye in two days.
What about our fishing trip?
I'm sorry.
But, to make up for it, how about we go on a big hike?
We could leave tomorrow, come back Monday night.
It's a short drive.
And this hike, Donn. Mount Katahdin.
It's no picnic. Treacherous terrain.
Takes a whole day.
And Mr. Condon's kid, Henry. You remember Henry?
He said he'd take us up.
Um, what do you say, Donn? Hmm?
Sure.
Some crummy old mountains instead of fishing for two weeks
sounds just swell.
- Ruth: Hey, Donn. - No, no, it's okay.
Let him talk.
Why'd you even come back?
Say again, Donn?
I said, "Why'd you even come back?"
Well, you don't have to go.
Maybe I'll leave.
You see how it feels for a change.
Hey.
I think it's about time you get a haircut, skeeter.
What do you say?
This cowlick, it's like it grows twice as fast.
I just hate his new job.
You wanna know something?
The night that you and your brother were born,
your father cried.
"He said," We have gotta be the luckiest people
in the world."
Your father's just afraid.
Because the world's a big mess right now.
He loves you.
He might not show it, but he does.
Now, don't you dare tell him I told you this, okay?
- Deal? - Yes, ma'am.
Ruth: I don't know why you'd offer to take them hiking
when you don't wanna go.
I figured it's better than nothing.
Why didn't you say something right away?
Donald: I don't know.
Ruth: They have been so excited to see you.
- And they waited. - Donald: I know that.
Ruth: All summer for this.
Donald: You think I wanna be away?
Ruth: You keep pushing them like that,
one day you're gonna push him right out of our lives.
Donald?
Everything's going to hell.
Donald: The world is not gonna give them a break.
Neither should I.
Donald: See you in there.
Okay, okay.
Ryan: I'm gonna win.
Tommy:
Radio Newscaster 3: Economic fears persist as unemployment remains high
while prices and wages remain low.
The war in Europe threatens to further sink this idle economy.
President Roosevelt assures the American people
that this war will not interfere with our needs to grow,
calling for national unity
as the government continues to champion private enterprise,
and plan and administer large scale.
Donald: Somethin' on your mind, son?
You ever get afraid?
Um...
...sometimes.
When things are tough.
But you gotta press on. You gotta.
Finish your fight.
No.
No, that that's that's not.
Look, my father was on the road a lot, too.
And I hated him for it.
So just...
Just know that...
Daddy, wow, is that it?
- Yeah. - Tommy: Ryan, wake up!
There she is.
We're gonna hike that?
Sure!
Well, you're almost men now.
Henry: Hey!
There they are!
There's Henry!
- Tommy: Henry! - Ryan: Henry!
Hey, flatlanders.
You excited for some marshmallows?
Yes, sir!
Ryan & Tommy: Marshmallows!
Tommy: Marshmallows!
Alright, you can keep this fire goin'.
I'll teach you how to play harmonica later.
Okay, Henry.
- Cheers. - Cheers.
- Nice work, man. - Tommy: Mm, mm-mm.
There she is.
The cold front movin' in.
You boys wanna bunker in the car?
- Tommy: Like this? - No, we're fine.
Ryan: We're good.
Here, I know you like yours golden,
but try try it when it's nice and black.
- Stop. - It's better.
- No, it's gross. - It's much better.
Trust me. It's gross.
You boys ready to climb to the top of that?
Yeah, it's just a mountain.
Oh, don't underestimate Katahdin.
Up there, you get clear skies one minute,
thunder and fury the next.
The mountain fools you into thinkin' it's a cakewalk.
But you gotta cross boulders that are bigger than your house.
And it's surrounded by a no-man's land of wilderness.
One wrong turn, you're lost forever.
And when you reach the peak, beware...
Pamola.
Pamola?
Pamola is the god of the Penobscot Indians.
He's lived on that peak since the dawn of time.
He's a monstrous creature.
The head of a moose,
the body of a man,
the legs and wings of an eagle.
And then Pamola spreads his massive wings.
And sends rain, and hail, and dark clouds.
And then Pamola strikes!
And all that's left is a mess
of giant eagle feathers.
You're just tryin' to scare us.
You should be scared.
The Penobscot believed Pamola would trap you in the mountain,
and you would be damned to wander alone in the afterlife,
for all eternity.
Do you really believe in that stuff?
Course not, dummy.
They're just tryna scare you.
Henry: Now, I'd stay on the path.
These woods will swallow you whole.
And the trees eat sound, so nobody's gonna be able
to hear you.
Ryan: How long is this hike?
Henry: I'd say about five hours, at least.
Ryan: Five hours?
Henry: Oh, yeah.
And it only gets harder as we get closer to the peak.
This is the easy part. So stay close.
Donald: You boys hear that?
And remember, if you see white paint,
it means you're on the right track.
Ooh, look at this carcass.
Oh! Yeah, do you see those ribs?
Ryan: Gross.
Henry: Yeah, that's that's actually been there for a while.
Watch your step.
Now, you see this? This is called lichen.
You can actually eat it.
Donn: Ew.
Tommy: We should've brought pie.
Ryan: Watch out for the moss.
So, uh, you barely had a summer, huh?
- Tommy: - Ryan: Be careful.
Sometimes work comes first.
Henry: Don't I know it.
Tommy: Ryan, where are you going?
Ryan: Watch your step.
Okay, uh, yeah, one foot at a time.
Hey!
- Ryan: There you go. - Tommy:
How many times I gotta say the same thing?
Hey! Good mornin', fellas.
Startin' up now?
Uh, they're from out of town,
thought I'd take 'em up to the summit.
Uh, gettin' pretty choppy up there.
I'd pick up your pace.
Come on.
Ryan, mind your brother.
This way. Be careful now.
Step there.
Donald: Donn, slow down.
Tommy: Ryan!
Donald: Mind your brother.
You boys be careful.
Watch out.
Careful, there's a dip here.
Watch that ledge.
Donn.
I'm callin' it here.
We're not dressed for this kind of weather.
I'm tired.
I know, handsome.
No.
What did you say?
We're going to the top.
- Donn. - You want us to be men?
Then let us be men.
If you wanna go to work so bad, go ahead.
Go back.
We don't need you.
Okay, Donn.
You got him?
Are you coming or not?
Go ahead.
Keep an eye on him.
I'll start down with Tommy.
Stay with Henry!
You hear me?
Watch your step, boys.
We got about two hours to the top.
Don't wanna break an ankle now.
Henry: Hey, boys, it's getting pretty choppy!
Just say the word!
There's no shame in turnin' back!
Ryan: I'm freezing!
Donn: Here, take my sweater!
I don't need a babysitter!
I'm fine to keep goin'.
Henry: Alright, Ryan, get a move on.
Henry: Watch your step.
Donn!
Careful.
This is the peak.
Your dad is way down below those clouds.
Normally, you could see the greatest view you ever saw.
Can we go back now?
I feel like my face is gonna fall off.
Why are you in such a rush to go back home?
I don't wanna be here.
Then go!
Dad's waiting!
Make him wait! We're always waiting on him!
No! We're going!
Back off!
Boys! Easy, easy! Boys!
I said back off!
Boys, stop!
Stop it!
Maybe if you weren't such a little shit all the time,
Dad would stay!
I'm goin' back alone.
Get below the tree line!
Hey, we need to stick together!
Ryan: Donn, I'm sorry!
Wait!
Donn!
Henry: Oh God, Donn!
Wait!
Stop!
Donn: Ryan!
The trail!
Donn: Dad!
Ryan!
Dad!
I can't find the trail!
Dad!
Ryan: Dad!
-Hey, oh! What -Oh, Dad.
What is it?
Where where's Donn?
Where is he?
He got away from us.
We lost him in the fog.
- Where's Donn? - I don't know.
Where's your brother?
Donn!
Henry: Donn!
Donn!
Henry: Donn!
Anything?
He must've gotten off the trail.
He's not at the summit,
and I checked all around the top.
I need you to run down the mountain
as fast as you can.
Mr. Fendler, I'm sorry.
No, no. There's no time for that, son.
I need you to find help. Find the ranger.
Tell him to bring people.
And tell 'em to bring flashlights!
First two days were foggier than hell.
Boys, oh boys, you wouldn't
you wouldn't have believed the fog
goin' across that tableland.
If you haven't got a good sense of direction, you've had it.
That's all there is to it.
Because all the where were little rock piles there
with a little bit of white paint on 'em
once in a while.
If you haven't got the proper footwear,
and a lot of 'em wouldn't have,
they all always used to advocate sneakers.
And my God, there's nothing worse in this world
than a pair of sneakers,
'cause they won't they won't stay together.
And God only knows how old some of those trees are.
But they've been down in that moss long enough
so that their spikes, about that long,
just as sharp as needles.
Now, if you aren't careful when you set your feet down,
you're gonna rip your leg, or rip your thigh
on one of them.
And if you ever fall, God help you,
you may not get up out of it.
God...
I swear I'll be the best kid in the entire world.
You won't even believe how saintly I'd behave.
I'd be like Ryan, only better.
I won't even put my elbows on the table.
And...
I just wanna see my mom again.
Even if it's just one more time.
And please don't let Dad be too mad at me
for running off.
He can even go back to work.
I won't be mad.
Amen.
Ranger 1: Donn Fendler!
Ranger 2:
Ranger 1: Donn!
Ranger 3: Donn!
Ranger 4: Donn!
Ranger 1: Donn!
Ruth: Hello?
Ruth.
What's wrong?
Donald: Something's happened.
On the mountain.
What happened?
Donald: We were all together and...
What happened?
Donald: I lost our boy, Ruth.
I lost our boy.
Which one?
Donn Fendler, don't you dare do that in front of your mother.
Well, too bad, Dad.
You're not around.
No, no, he.
What about the back side?
There there's no paths there, there's no trails in that area.
No, look, I don't know.
Mom!
Alright, I have two groups up there now.
Seven men total, searching all above the tree line.
But so far, no luck.
Well, get a plane up there.
We don't have those kind of resources, Mrs. Fendler.
All we know is that it got below freezing last night,
and the winds were blowin' 40 miles an hour.
Do you think, um.
Do you think our son is dead?
No, no, of course not.
I mean, we don't know anything yet.
Then why are you searching above the tree line?
If he really is above the tree line,
you're not looking for.
For Donn, you're looking for his body.
- Hold on a minute, Mister. - Just be straight with us.
Please.
We have to consider that possibility, yes.
And if he got off the mountain, there's no telling
where he could be.
There's a 100,000 acres of wilderness out there.
Okay, fine.
But if you were alone on that mountain,
with all that wind, and rain,
and the temperature was...
Was freezing.
Yeah, freezing.
Do you think you'd stay in one place?
I took Donn and his brother camping a couple of times.
I always told him...
...remember three things
if you ever get lost out there.
First, don't lose your head.
But knowing Donn, that probably isn't possible.
Second, follow a stream.
Because a stream always leads to a river.
And a river always leads somewhere.
And third, when things get tough,
Press on.
Gee, he was a live wire, full of life.
And, boy, energy galore.
He was determined and persevering, you know,
and also, of course, you could say he didn't know all the odds.
He didn't realize all that he was up against.
You know, and as you notice, it's everything day by day.
We go far so far today, and then he says,
"I'll go so far tomorrow,
and I just gotta keep pluggin'."
And he did.
Oh God.
I can recall a a dead bird on a rock
that looked like a hawk or something
had killed it just, and and seeing that and feeling that
was a terrible omen.
And, uh, and uh, crying about that.
Um, but I really had a very strong feeling that
they wouldn't find him.
Ugh. I thought you were him.
Do you think he's still alive?
Your brother is really stubborn.
Even more stubborn than your father.
Hello.
Donald: Nothing yet.
But I'm headed back up shortly.
Ruth: When was your last meal?
Um.
Donald: We need a plane.
Or just more volunteers.
Please eat something.
Donald: Yes, ma'am.
Promise.
Get the phone book.
Hello, is this the Great Northern Paper Company?
My name's Ruth Fendler,
and I have a very big favor to ask.
Is this Fire and Rescue?
We need volunteers.
Bangor Rail Yard?
Hello, is this West Branch Logging?
May I speak with the office of Governor Barrows, please?
Thank you.
We should call the newspapers.
The Bangor Daily News.
Is this the New York Times?
San Francisco Chronicle?
Chicago Tribune?
What about The Mill?
Great idea.
Hello, my name is Ruth Fendler.
Whatever you can do.
As many as you can send.
Hello, Bangor Daily News?
Yes, my name is Ruth Fendler, and I.
Yes, he's he's my son.
Volunteer 1:
Volunteer 2: Okay, you got everything on there.
Volunteer 1: I have more potatoes, folks.
Volunteer 2: There you go.
Volunteer 3: Good mornin'. -Good morning.
Searcher 1: Here, I got it!
Good morning. Thank you.
Searcher 1: All the let's go.
Volunteer 4: Thanks.
Hurry up. Come on. Let's go.
Volunteer 5: Donn Fendler!
Ranger 5: Everybody spreadin' out.
Volunteer 5: Donn Fendler!
Dick: I was one of the few people that knew the territory
out where the search was bein' conducted,
so the meat and potatoes of the thing
was to search the ground where this fellow might have, uh,
fallen down, and and hurt himself.
So in no time at all, we had the entire region,
uh, coming in to help out.
People felt that they needed to find him
because there would always be on your mind
for the rest of your life is that, "Where is that fellow?"
The feeling of, uh, neighborliness.
Uh, in Maine, you know, you.
You depend on your neighbors.
Lead Ranger: Nobody knows anything.
I want to thank the volunteers.
They have been indispensable in this search.
We want you to continue. We need you out there.
We need hands, we need boots on the ground.
Uh, all the help we can get.
Make sure you go with another person.
Don't go no one go out alone.
Thanks.
I'll be answering the questions. No, not the father.
If you have a question, ask me.
He's.
Newspaper Seller: Read all about it.
Largest search party in history of Maine.
Volunteer 6: Donn Fendler!
Ruth: You haven't slept in days.
Come home.
Even if for the night.
Donald: Yes, ma'am.
Hello?
Hello!
I'm over here!
Hello!
Hello?
Sorry, I don't have any pants on.
It's a long story.
Hello?
Okay.
Hello?
I am the kingfisher.
Come right over here.
Just just to be clear,
I really didn't mean to trespass.
I don't wanna be trapped in the afterlife for all eternity.
You know, for a God, I kinda figured you'd sound bigger,
but thank you.
Come here, Mr. Fishy,
I really do wanna be friends.
Yes!
I am the kingfisher!
Pfft!
You know, matches would be swell.
Don't leave.
You're always leaving.
Don't leave.
Please.
Donald: Don't lose your head.
Donn: Don't lose your head.
Donald: Follow the stream.
Donn: Follow the stream.
Donald: Don't lose your head.
Donn: Don't lose your head.
Radio Newscaster 4: The search for the Fendler boy continues
in what has quickly become
the largest search and rescue effort
in the history of Maine.
Donald: Don't lose your head, Donn.
Radio Newscaster 4: Donn Fendler, after six days out somewhere in the vast expanse
surrounding Mount Katahdin.
Donald: Follow the stream.
Radio Newscaster 4: The National Guard has deployed over 150 troops
to aid in the effort.
Donald: Press on.
Mostly, uh, people thought he was
still up on the mountain someplace,
and that he had fallen in a in a crevice or or, um,
just laid down somewhere, and, uh, died.
Like nobody would expect after four, five days
that he he could have survived.
And everybody was waiting for the boy
or the body to be found.
And, uh, and, uh, somebody swore that they could smell an odor
coming up from a crevice,
and that they were really very certain
that they were going to recover his body.
State Trooper: Over here, by the ridge line!
Come on, come on, come on!
Searcher 2: They have somethin' up there.
I think we found something!
The group is up at Chimney Pond right now.
At the crevice.
Shouldn't you be there, in case?
It's not him.
Ranger 6: Hold the rope tight back.
- Move back. - Ranger 7: Here he comes.
Give him slack! He's comin' out.
Is it him?
It's too narrow.
There's definitely somethin' in there.
- I'll just go. - You're not gettin' in there!
- None of us are! - Hey, get out of my way!
Henry: Mr. Fendler!
It's too narrow.
Who's the smallest man here?
Ryan: I'll go.
Out of the question.
I can do it.
It it wasn't Donn,
it was just a coyote.
- Oh, thank God. - Ranger 6: Donn Fendler!
Searcher 3: Donn Fendler, where are you?
Ranger 7: Donn Fendler!
We we we got into a fight up there.
He ran.
It's it's all 'cause of me.
Hey.
Hey, don't you ever think that.
This is my fault.
I should have been there.
We're gonna find him.
We'll find him.
We're going home.
Hey, hey! Come back!
Help!
They aren't looking in the right place.
Help! I'm right here!
Hey! Where are you going?
They're searching the wrong spot.
Help!
When me and Ryan were real little,
Dad used to read us these great bedtime stories.
Sometimes I'd even pretend to be asleep,
just because I loved how he'd pick me up and carry me to bed.
And he'd crawl in,
and wrap his big arm over me.
And fall asleep right there with me.
But later,
as we got older,
he was on the road more for work, you know?
And whenever we were together,
he started calling us men,
and we didn't seem to laugh a whole lot anymore.
The way we used to.
And we stopped reading those bedtime stories.
Which was too bad,
because they were just about my favorite thing
in the whole world.
Dad.
Son.
Donn!
I'm coming!
Donn! I'll find you!
Doctor: The branch tore his left cornea.
It's very possible he'll lose the eye.
Then I got the news that Mr. Fendler had.
Had had his eye cut with a branch of a tree,
and that I was to go over to Bangor Hospital to be with him.
Of course, I didn't believe it.
I thought maybe he'd lost his mind.
And, uh, 'cause I know his devotion to his children.
And probably he was blaming himself.
He felt terrible about it to have to have that happen.
That he couldn't be right there, right in the midst of it.
But at that time, he had given up, too,
that they can ever gonna find him.
Ruth: Donald,
when you called me from the mountain
to tell me that you lost one of the boys,
do you know what my first thought was?
I hoped it was Donn.
Because I know our boy,
and I knew that if it was Donn,
he would have a chance of surviving this thing.
When I got home last week,
the boys were so excited to see me,
they wanted to.
Jump into my arms.
I should've let them.
But Donn...
There's so much of me in that boy.
And the way the world is going,
I just wanted to teach him to be ready for it.
So damn focused
on trying to make him tough...
I forgot to be his dad.
If I'd never lost our boy,
I never would've realized that I did it all wrong.
- Everything. - No.
We're just doing the best we can.
I just hope to God...
we get one more chance.
Donn: Dad.
Mom.
I'm gonna miss you so much.
Come home, son.
Come home.
Come home, son.
Help!
Woman: Fred! Fred!
Woman: Fred!
Lead Ranger: Oh my God. He walked over 80 miles.
A grown man couldn't have done that.
Henry: But maybe a boy could have.
Well, I said right away,
I said, "If any of them had to be lost,"
the best one would be Donn.
"He would find a way."
You don't give up.
That's the main, biggest thing.
And you gotta have some faith in something stronger than yourself.
Sweetheart!
We leaned over, you know,
and then we put the canoes together,
I was holding his hand, you know?
- I missed you, Mom. - Oh, you have no idea.
It was really a miracle.
I really think it was a miracle that he survived.
Had he been a man grown,
he'd never in God's world would have made it.
He'd have died somewhere in there.
For a child that that young to have that amount of drive
is very unusual.
Ryan Fendler: People came from everywhere.
It was, uh, just bedlam.
Welcome back.
Donn, you're back!
Hey, Dad.
Hey, Donn.
I really made a mess of things, huh?
No, no.
No.
I love you.
I love you too, Dad.
I love you so much.
There were plenty of times I wanted to give up.
Like those last few days.
But you just keep goin'. I don't know what.
Like I told you just it's your will to live.
And, uh, if you fight, you just fight.
Donn Fendler: You don't know you have it until you come up against
a life-threatening situation.
And that's when you're gonna find out
just how tough a person you are.
Tough in the heart and tough in the mind.
And we all have this.
What did I get out of it?
It taught me how to be responsible for my actions.
And it taught me love of family.
You never know what love of family is
until you come up against a bad situation,
whether it's sickness or whatever it is.