Flight Of The Phoenix
Script - Dialogue Transcript
Voila! Finally, the Flight Of The Phoenix
script is here for all you quotes spouting fans of the Jimmy Stewart movie. This script is a transcript that was painstakingly
transcribed using the screenplay and/or viewings of Flight Of The Phoenix. I know, I know, I still need to get the cast names in there and I'll be eternally
tweaking it, so if you have any corrections, feel free to
drop me a line. You won't
hurt my feelings. Honest.
Mr. Moran. Are we going
to be on time in benghazi?
I don't see why not, Gabriele.
I'll ask Captain Towns
to make a special point of it.
1350. Radio out of service.
Voltage regulators
inoperative.
Holding course for benghazi.
- Thanks, Mike.
I'll let you have 'em back.
- How's it going up there?
- Lousy.
Never yet taken off
in one of Arabco's old tubs
without something being wrong.
This time we've got
faulty regulators and a duff radio.
Yeah, well, don't let
that hold you up, mate.
I've got two months' leave coming,
and it's not the company's time
we're flyin' on.
Radios are not good anyway.
I got a radio.
Record players are nice though.
Reliable.
- Heh!
- Thank you, Doctor.
- Cigarette?
- No, thank you.
It's good of you oil people
to give the army a lift.
Not at all.
That's not much good, is it, Sergeant?
Stow it away with the cargo, hmm?
Oh, I meant to tell you.
The number four control pulley...
- on the starboard side
seems a bit noisy.
- Oh?
Perhaps binding a bit. I don't know.
I couldn't see it properly.
I don't feel it up here.
I better have a look.
Hand me the flashlight.
Ah, you ready for
another flying lesson?
I haven't recovered
from the last one yet.
Oh, now, I got her
all trimmed up for ya.
Just hold her straight.
Straight and level,
two-zero degrees.
Here, I'll take that.
All right, straight. Now,
don't overcontrol it. Don't sway it.
Thank you very much.
Oh, I say, don't leave me
holding this thing forever, will you?
- Hi, Skipper.
- How are you?
Hey, Mr. bill. Here. Try this.
It's real good for you.
One drink, the girl comes out
of the picture and bites you.
Hey, Skipper. You want some ouzo?
Make you fly real good.
No, thanks, son. I'm driving.
I reckon I deserve this.
Listening to that wog music
is giving me a headache.
That pulley's all right.
Squeakin' a little, that's all.
- How are you getting
along with your work?
- Magnificently.
but I-- I think
someone up there knows
that I'm flying this thing.
That's quite
a respectable sandstorm
he's sending our way.
Yep. I've seen it.
So much for
your weather report.
Let's have a look
at that chart.
- If this thing closes in on us--
- Yeah, and this old bird'll
need a new coat of paint.
- What alternate
did you nominate?
- El Assa.
Three stinking mud huts
and a poisoned well.
That's not a place.
That's a disease.
Oh, now, Lew. Don't worry.
We're not about to start turning
to alternates just yet.
We're bigger than
a little local sandstorm.
Old Auntie at traffic management's
gonna have kittens.
A pilot is supposed
to use his own judgment.
Don't you think?
Gee, if it weren't
for that--
I don't know, Lew.
I suppose pilots are just
as good now as they ever were...
but they sure don't
live the way we did.
I-I can tell you
that there were times...
when you took real pride
in just getting there.
Flying used to be fun. It really did,
Lew. It used to be fun.
- Well, think perhaps we should, uh--
- Head for the alternate?
You better take a look out the window.
We're being followed.
There goes our alternate.
That stuff up ahead
looks like it's rising.
We'd better find out
just how high it does go.
I must say,
without a radio...
I would've expected them to turn
for their alternate airport by now.
- Wouldn't you?
- I don't know you, do I, boy?
Are-Are you from
the oil fields?
My brother is there--
Dorfmann.
I went to visit him
on my holiday.
- You went to visit
your brother in Jebel?
- Yes.
He's chief analytical geophysicist
for the Arabco Oil Company.
That pilot--
I would have thought
he was a little elderly...
to be flying
without a copilot.
Wouldn't you?
That sand's a bastard,
you know that?
A real bastard.
Hey, Standish.!
Not while the train's
in the station, eh?
It's not gonna let up, Frank.
There she goes.
Are we gonna put her down?
That right engine
didn't make it.
The other'n probably
won't either.
We're just gonna have to put her down
before this one quits too.
Can you get any lift
out of her at all?
Well, maybe enough to hop over
a few sand dunes.
I'm gonna have to make it in
the first try, if that's what you mean.
We're going in
with our wheels down?
I'd give anything not to,
but we'll never get up again if I don't.
No. I suppose not.
- What's happening? What is it?
- The lights are shorting out.
It's gonna start a fire.
The bracket.!
It's breaking apart.!
Uuh!
- Waah!
Aah!
Lew?
Lew?
Come on, come on!
Get a flashlight!
Let me out of here!
Come on! Run, run!
It's gonna blow.!
Get away from the plane.!
Dio.! Padre dio.!
Maria. Maria.
Harris! Keep those guys together!
She won't burn now.
Get 'em back there under
the wing before we lose somebody.
Lew! See if you can get the
emergency lighting system working.
There are three trapped in the back!
Three trapped in the back!
Doctor Renaud!
Doctor Renaud.!
Doctor Renaud! Come here!
Come on.!
- Careful.
- All together.
Here it comes.
Ohh!
The leg is entirely crushed.
See if you can find my bag.
- What about the other two back here?
- They've had it.
They've what?
Frank.
Skipper!
What are we gonna do now?
Do you want to say something?
Like what? Sorry?
There. Make it secure, will you?
Captain, don't you think
it's time we started getting
things organized all around?
Yes, I think you're right.
Well, I'll get Sergeant Watson to
make up some containers for flares...
- but we'll need some of your fuel.
- Leave that to Moran.
Maybe you'd better check on
our water supply and figure up
some kind of rationing.
- Mm-hmm.
How much longer do you estimate,
uh, we'll have to be here?
I mean, uh...
I take it there will be
an air search before long.
Um... yes. Well, uh...
we're not due in benghazi
till, uh, well, now.
He's a right little organizer,
your captain, isn't he?
Yeah, they're all the same--
toffee-nosed bunch of gits.
Heh heh heh! You shouldn't
have joined, should you?
I never did.
I was what they called
a boy soldier. Me dad joined me.
Did he?
Attender in the public baths,
he was.
November , .
Me mum made a sponge cake
for me birthday tea.
Next morning the old man
walked me down our streets
right into the barracks.
""You'll be all right,'' he said.
""You'll like it. I know you will.''
Heh!
.
- You didn't have to join
for bleedin' life, did ya?
- I don't know.
One thing leads to another,
doesn't it?
Hey, Fritz!
Give us a loan of your book
when you're finished, will ya?
I don't think you'll
find it interesting.
Oh, incidentally...
my name is Dorfmann...
Heinrich Dorfmann.
Go on. Is it really?
Yes.
Hey, Sergeant, his name's
Dorfmann, Heinrich Dorfmann.
Hey.
- What's the matter, Doc?
- No. Nothing, Mr. Cobb. Nothing.
- How are you feeling today?
- All right. I--
What do you care?
Anyway, why ask me?
You got it all written down
in that little black book,
haven't ya? Haven't ya?
No, no. I have nothing
written down, Mr. Cobb. Nothing.
Yeah? Then why don't you
show it to me? Huh? Huh?
Yeah? Then why don't you
show it to me? Huh? Huh?
Anytime you wish. Right now,
though, I have to look at Gabriele.
What a crummy quack.
They're all alike, huh?
Huh? Huh!
hours, March .
What-- What about my wife,
Doctor?
No. Don't think about it now.
She'll be all right.
You'll be fine.
Do you have any kind
of liquor on board?
Well, there's still some morphine left.
Wouldn't that be better?
Umm... I would like to save it...
for when the pain gets worse.
Doctor.
Cause of crash--
pilot error.
All right if we issue
the water ration now, Mr. Towns?
- Sure. Go ahead.
Did you work something out?
- I think so.
Ah, could I have your
attention, please?
We have something important
to say concerning our water supply.
Now, there's just under a full measure
for each of us here.
Dr. Renaud informs me
that we shall require...
as an absolute minimum,
one pint of water per person per day.
- Is that right, Doctor?
- Yes. That's right.
Now, on the basis of the gallons
in the emergency tank...
that gives us roughly
to days.
That is, of course,
if we just sit here...
and don't exert ourselves
in any way.
Hey, Lightning,
do you hear that?
You're not to wear
yourself out, eh?
As we are... somewhat off
our original course...
and unless we are certain
of being picked up...
I think we ought to make due
with the absolute minimum.
- Is that understood?
- Hear, hear.
- Hear, hear.
- Hear, hear. Yeah.
- All right, Mr. Towns?
- Sounds reasonable.
If we have enough water
for all that time...
couldn't we set aside
just a little bit for washing?
- Washing?
- What a dumb thing.!
Hey, Captain.!
What are we supposed to do
for grub? I reckon we ought
to eat the monkey, don't you?
As far as food is concerned...
we seem to be
singularly fortunate.
There happens to be an
almost unlimited supply
of pressed dates on board.
- Pressed dates?
- All they're good for is regularity.
- Yes, I quite agree.
- They're sent back from Jebel
because nobody'd eat them.
Yes. I think that's about all.
That's about all?
That's enough, isn't it?
Thank you.
Excuse me, Mr. Towns, but
shouldn't some kind of rescue
plane have seen us by now?
Now, don't worry. Someone'll
be along even before you have
time to think about lunch.
You see, our accounts people
will be waiting for my report
on theJebel operation...
before they can get started
on the annual figures.
How big a hole will
a busted-up Skytruck...
make in your annual figures,
Mr. Standish?
Well, there'll be insurance...
but insurance companies
move in mysterious ways--
like God, of course,
but not half as generous.
- It's bound to be a setback.
- I imagine it will be.
Anyway, you don't have to worry.
They'll be here.
Oh. Thank you.
It'll work very well.
Mm-mm.
The captain says
our chances are good.
- A bit optimistic, aren't you?
- I don't think so.
Well, being miles off course
isn't exactly gonna help.
It's not gonna stop 'em either.
There's an empty island
There's an empty island
Music while you work, eh?
Heh heh!
- It's mine! I bought it!
- Did it ever occur to you...
we could use this thing
to find out what's happening?
- Why, I had it here. Nobody--
- He did say something about it, Frank.
It's my fault.
I-- I should've--
Hey, hey, hey
It's mine.
What's the matter
with this thing?
Hey.! Look at Heinrich, will you?
Hey! Shut that damn thing off!.
What are you trying to prove?
I'm trying to remain
reasonably clean.
You think this is
some kind of a picnic?
That's just a local station...
relaying a political broadcast.
I don't think you'll find any
station we want until nightfall.
Doctor, what was that chap
talking about anyway?
Water conservation and
a fabulous plan for irrigation.
A fat lot of use that is.
What this country needs...
is a few more pubs.
Fold it up!
Get this stuff furled!
Tie it on
so it won't blow away!
Get that line!
Give a hand!
Pull tight!
This damn wind's too much.
Hold it, hold it!
Don't let it get away!
Close it up!
Come on!
Close it up!
Okay, now. Get aboard!
Push! Push!
- Get in there! Lock it up!
- Here it comes.
Inside! Come on!
Let's get the door closed.
How are you feeling?
better have
some more of this.
Come on. Up you come.
I think you like this
better than I do.
That's all right.
As a matter of fact, I've given it up.
How is he doing?
Oh, he's fine. We'll have him
back with his wife in no time.
- Maybe too late.
- No. You can't tell.
Perhaps she'll be better
by the time you get there.
No.
She would never send a cable.
My wife is
a very modest person.
She'd send a cable only
if it were something bad.
Now, don't you worry.
We'll get you out of here.
He's right, Gabriele.
The sandstorm'll
make it more difficult, won't it?
What? Finding us?
Nah, it'll simplify things.
No end, old chap.
They'll just bloody well give up.
Oh, you're not frightened, are ya?
You don't want to be
despondent, old man, you know?
Wait till the water runs out.
Then you can really start laughing.
- Date?
- Hmm-mm.
They wouldn't really just...
give up looking, would they?
Never.
Don't you worry, me old duck.
They'll find us, all right.
Trouble is,
we'll all be dead.
No end at all
No sad good-byes
No fears, no tears
No love that dies
It's senza fine
Let it always be
Senza fine
Never ending
The sunlit days
The moonlit nights
The sea, the sand
The starry heights
Are yours and mine
Forever
You give that to the boy
for a little while.
To the boy.
Oh.
Thank you.
Thanks. Thank you.
I told our friend
Standish we wouldn't even have
time to think about lunch.
That was three days ago.
This is our fifth day.
Most them still believe
it's only a matter of time
before we're picked up.
I wish I could
be sure of that.
- This heat is intolerable!
You should come here
in the summer.
That's lovely.
Hey, Sarge. Look at this.
Hey, Abdul.!
They went that way.
Abdul!
Your mates, they went
flashing through here on a herd
of camels about an hour ago.
Can they see us?
- There it is!
- Where?
Yeah! I see it! Up there!
Hey.! Down here.!
- Down here!
- Hey!
- Come on!
- Hey.! Here we are, guys.!
Right down here.!
- Hmm.
Hey! Hey!
Hey.!
- Come on!
- Come back, guys!
Pretty high.
Probably about .
- More like .
- Hmm.
Couldn't be the airlines
down in this area.
I don't think they could see us
even if they were looking for us.
No, I suppose not.
- You're wasting your time.
They didn't see us.
- bloody pilot.
All them flares do
is make a lousy stink!
Might as well quit usin' 'em.
Then there'd be nothing.
Nobody could find us.
That's right, Standish.
Nobody will.
It's time we tried
to march out of here.
- Oh?
- You heard the others.
You know what they're thinking. It's
five days. We've had two sandstorms.
We're not sure if they're
even looking for us anymore.
- They're looking.
- Nevertheless. If we're
a hundred miles off course--
Which way were you thinking
of marching, Captain?
What is our nearest water point?
You said you could show me
in your charts.
What is our nearest water point?
You said you could show me
in your charts.
Well, yes. I can do that.
Tell me though--
How many were you thinking
of taking with you?
Apart from Sergeant Watson,
I don't know yet.
Well, perhaps now's
the time to find out.
Yes. Perhaps it is.
He can't walk out of here.
No. Of course he can't. but, well,
I suppose he's entitled to try.
- but he's not entitled to kill himself.
- Oh, don't worry, Frank.
I don't think he's anything like
aware of the problems involved.
I'll get the maps.
Gentlemen, I've made a decision,
and I'd like you all to hear about it.
Uh, I intend
marching out of here.
The plan is to, uh,
travel at night when it's cool...
and then rest as best
we can during the day.
We leave at sundown
this evening. Sergeant Watson,
will you come here, please?
I'll take Sergeant Watson
and anybody else who wants
to come with me.
If there's any volunteers,
give me your names...
and we'll start making
the necessary preparations.
- Uh--
- Captain Harris.
You, uh, wanted to know
our position.
If you'd like to come over here,
I'll show you.
Now, gentlemen,
we're in the middle of this circle...
which runs through
the three nearest water points.
That's Marada in the north...
Tazerbo in the east,
and Namous in the south.
Uh, Marada is, uh, --
say, uh, London to birmingham.
Except that Marada's not a city.
It's just a flea-bitten water hole...
with some borax quarries,
an oil well...
and a few lousy palm trees.
Well, that's our objective,
then: Marada.
Say, uh, Captain...
You've done much marching
in desert terrain?
- On exercises, that sort of thing, yes.
- How far?
Ten or miles,
full equipment, of course.
- And plenty of water, I suppose.
- Sufficient.
Look, I don't know what
your practical navigation's like.
Mine's not bad.
but I wouldn't march
paces from here.
In the daytime,
it's hitting in the shade.
And out there, there--
there is no shade.
If you could take as much
as four pints a day with you...
you'd still be sweating .
We intend marching by night.
Fine. Well... precisely
in what direction?
There are compasses,
you know.
That's fine.
That's just fine.
Someday I'll have you tell me just
what your compass was reading...
as you passed
theJebel Haroudj Mountains.
They're mostly magnetic rock,
and that sort of makes
nonsense out of the compass.
I can navigate by the stars.
But if you marched
miles by the stars...
and your calculations
were just one percent out...
you could pass
the Eiffel Tower in daylight
and never even see it.
Now, look where Marada is.
Just look. There's absolutely n-n-n--
- Nothing.
- nothing.
Nothing, nothing.
If you miss this
glorious little bunch of trees...
there's nothing between
you and the coast.
Well, that's miles.
Well, nobody's suggesting
that it was easy, Mr. Moran.
Tell me this, Captain--
Uh, are you right-handed?
Yes, as a matter of fact. Why?
Well, that means your right leg
is more developed than the other
one and takes a longer step.
So if you have an unreliable
compass,you'd go around in
a left-handed circle like that.
- And there's nothing you
can do about it. Nothing.
- You're right, Mr. Towns.
but you're talking
about right-handed civilians.
You must know that in
an officer's training corps...
we military men are taught
to march with absolute precision.
I can send Sergeant Watson on,
here, ahead.
As it happens,
he's left-handed.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Come along, Sergeant.
There's nothing you can do,
Frank. He--
- He goes by the book,
and you can't rewrite it for him.
- No.
Gentlemen.
- I've been examining this airplane.
- You have?
Yes. We have everything here that we
need to build a new one and fly it out.
Now, if you would like to have
a look at my calculations--
- I don't know whether you
can read my handwriting--
- Are you trying to be funny?
- What did you say?
- I said, ""Are you trying to be funny?''
That is precisely the reaction
I would have expected from a man
of your obvious limitations.
What's happening to everybody?
Here, here.
You can have this.
And here you are, Ratbags.
I won't be needing this anymore.
Heh heh!
I won't be needing this either.
Hey.
You don't have a coat, do ya?
Here, take mine.
I won't be needing it anymore.
- Oh, I don't think I should.
- Why? What's wrong with it?
That's a good coat.
Cost me bucks in Marseilles.
Why, it'd cost you more than
a hundred in the States.
- Well, if you really want me to--
- Oh, sure!
I gave the radio to the boy.
I won't be needing it anymore.
I'm going with Captain Harris.
Hey, I got somethin'
for you fellas too.
I got a lot of work shirts
I picked up cheap in Genoa.
They're good work shirts.
I only washed 'em once or twice.
Harris. Don't you know better than
to tell Cobb he could go with you?
How far do you think--
The man's crazy. He wouldn't
last a day out there.
Cobb? I haven't even
spoken to him.
Well, he seems to think
he's going with you.
Does he? Well, I'll have
to disillusion him, won't I?
No. Wait a minute.
Just let it alone for a while.
Incidentally, I appreciate
your concern about me going...
but I want you to know
I'm doing it off my own bat.
May be a bit of a gamble,
but it can only increase
your chances of being picked up.
Come along, Sergeant.
- What's happened, Sergeant?
- Must've twisted it, sir.
All right.
Let's get him over here.
Ow! Uuh!
Just tripped in the doorway, sir.
Must've caught it on something.
Oh, it seems
there is nothing broken.
Perhaps you just sprained it.
Sorry we have no ice.
Ah, looks as if you're
for the sick parade, Sergeant.
Just my luck, eh, sir? I suppose, sir,
I'd only be a burden to you.
Well, can't be helped now.
Perhaps if, uh, if I could
rest it tonight, uh,
I'll be all right tomorrow.
but we haven't time.
Don't you worry about it, Sergeant.
Yes, sir.
What do you mean, don't worry?
You don't think you're going
out there on your own?
Oh, no. No, he's not.
He's not gonna go alone.
I'm goin' with him. Huh!
Isn't that right, Captain?
I'm afraid not, old chap.
but I just told you.
I just told you I was going.
You're in no condition
to come with me.
Sorry, but it's better
that you stay here.
Well, I told you I was going!
Hold him!
Take it easy, Cobb.
- Come on!
- I told you! I told you!
- Let me go!
- Easy.
- The man's a bull.
- Easy, Cobb, easy. Easy.!
- We don't wanna hurt ya.
Eh, we'll all end up like him,
I'm thinking.
Leave him now, Captain.
I'll talk to him later.
Here.
Thank you.
- That an oil journal you're reading?
- No.
You're not in this line?
Line?
Well, yes. I mean drilling. Oil.
No, I'm a designer.
Oh, really? What? Furniture?
That sort of thing?
No, Mr. Moran. Airplanes.
I'm an aircraft designer.
Are you?
Then you really meant
what you said about, uh,
getting this thing out of here.
Do you think I was joking,
perhaps?
No, Mr. Dorfmann.
That I didn't think.
You always have to
spoil things for me, don't you?
Why did you have to tell the captain
I couldn't go along for, huh?
- I didn't tell the captain anything.
- Yeah.
You're the one that had me fired
in Jebel, though, wasn't it?
Hm. Chief rigger
in charge of seven guys.
You think I couldn't handle
a crummy job like that?
All I had to do was
hold on to this lousyjob
for another six months.
I could have gone back
to the States as a chief.
but no! Oh, no.
You had to spoil it for me.
Well, you still could go back.
Yeah? To what?
They ain't gonna let no headcase
run a drilling operation.
Nobody's describing you
as a headcase, Mr. Cobb.
That's what I came to tell you.
Now, you really must
try to understand...
that fatigue mentale--
I mean, mental exhaustion--
can happen to anyone.
but it doesn't last.
I don't understand
all those fancy words.
I don't think those guys
who do the hiring do either.
Well, possibly not, but...
it will pass.
It will pass, I assure you.
I tell you now, mate.
We're better off right here than
traipsing off on that bloody desert.
You think you can look
after Chucho for a few days?
I'm gonna go along
with Captain Harris.
Well, yeah, but, uh--
What's the matter here? I
thought you were savin'him for
some snotty-nosed Mexican kid.
Sure. but don't be jealous,
Ratbags.
Maybe one day I find
a present for you too.
Jealous, huh, huh.
Can't you learn to speak English?
Hey. Why would you want
to go walkin' off into that?
- Didn't you see
enough of that in Jebel?
- Who knows, Mike?
Maybe after
a few days' walking...
we'll be better off
than you are.
- It's all right, Chucho.
It's all right, Chucho.
It's all right, Chucho.
I will be back.
- Easy, easy, easy.
- I will be back.
It's all right, Chucho.
- Easy.
- Adios, Chucho. Portate bien.
Mm,you must be
bloody daft, mate.
Anyway, maybe Capitan Harris
can teaching me...
to speak-ee
real good English...
like you, my little Ratbags.
Yeesh.
Stupid sod!
Thank you, mate.
- Good. You all set?
- Yes, sir.
Welcome aboard.
Well, I'm not as confident
that we won't make it
as you seem to be...
but I would be grateful if you'd
send up some smoke at midday
for the next three days.
- It might help us
to keep our bearings.
- Three days?
Yes. We won't need it
after that.
Ah.
Well, Captain,
we all wish you every--
- Well,you know how
all of us feel, so--
- Yes. Well, come along.
It'll be getting dark soon.
We might get lost.
Hey, babozo! Slow down!
Remember, you got flat feet.
Adios, little Ratbags.
He's gone! He's gone!
He's gone.
Cobb's gone.
I don't understand.
Can they see him from
up there or can't they?
Of course not.
They're just lookin' at the view.
Haven't you been up there?
It's lovely.
There's a great big lake
on the other side. They got
speedboats, everything. Hmm?
Frankie, he's got
six hours'start on you.
How far could he get
without water? He didn't
even stop to take a canteen.
And it's my fault.
I should've watched him.
Even if you find him,
what can you do?
What can we do?
You'll be just as badly off
as Harris would be.
I'm gonna
bring him back, Lew.
You will see
we have all we need--
welding torches, steel cable,
all the tools we will need.
For example-- This here,
it all looks quite adequate.
- Why were they being returned?
- Well, you know
what engineers are like.
They just love shiny new tools,
especially if someone else
is paying for them.
Uuhh.
The prototype I have in mind would
have to fly at the first attempt.
To achieve that,
Mr. Moran, requires a pilot of
quite outstanding capabilities.
Granted, this may not be
the best possible advertisement...
but Frank Towns is probably
one of the few really great pilots...
left in this
push-button world of yours.
- Oh, really?
- Yes, "Oh, really'"!
He was flying
by the seat of his pants in
planes that were nothing more...
than bits and pieces
before you even went to school!
That is precisely what is wrong.
He has remembered everything
and learned nothing.
However, since he-- since
he apparently finds it necessary...
to run off into the desert
in pursuit of a lunatic...
who could be of
no practical value to this project...
the question
is entirely academic.
Don't you think so,
Mr. Moran?
I agree.
Entirely academic.
- Get away! Get out of here!
Get outta here!
Go on!
Get out! Get out!
What is it?
What's the matter?
It's three minutes after : .
Don't you want to start
the signals for Captain Harris?
And your Captain Towns?
Ah, get out of it, stinker.
It's Frank!
Hey, Skipper!
Someone get some water.
- I'll get it.
Frank.
What happened to Cobb?
You all right?
We're stuck here, Lew.
You know that, don't you?
Uh, Frank, I talked
to Dorfmann again.
I-- I--
I realize that he--
that he,you know,
irritates you...
but I do think he knows more
than we give him credit for.
What's he dreamed up now?
Well, maybe he hasn't a leg
to stand on. I don't k-know.
but you're the only person who's
even remotely qualified to tell him so.
All I'm asking you to do
is to-- is to talk to him.
Well,just talk to him.
All right.
I'll talk to him, Lew.
If it makes you happy,
I'll talk to him.
There's no component problem.
The port boom is undamaged
and so, of course, are all
the port-side components.
If we remove the starboard wing
and attach it to the port boom...
and perform a similar operation
on the tailplane...
you'll see that we'll have
the basis of, uh...
an entirely new and
aerodynamically sound structure.
- Is that understood?
- Oh, absolutely.
We need only to, uh,
clear the port engine...
of the sand
that choked it in flight.
The Coffman starter
is serviceable...
and we should have no difficulty
starting up the engine.
And if we don't waste too much
fuel on signals to Captain Harris...
who is unlikely to be in any
condition to benefit from them...
we shall have enough
of that as well.
Most of the hydraulic fluid
has leaked away...
but I have worked out
direct rod and cable controls...
so that is no problem.
All right, now, what are you going
to use for an undercarriage?
Our last landing rendered
the undercarriage unserviceable.
However, there's enough
H-section in the cargo monorail
and hull longerons...
to make up a skid cradle
for takeoff.
Skid cradle?
Well, uh, skis, Mr. Moran. Skis.
In order to take off, we shall have
to move the final structure...
to the valley
beyond that far dune.
The surface there
should be adequate.
Now, as to whether it will fly...
as far as the general
design factors are concerned...
there are no special problems.
The center of gravity will allow
us to distribute the payload--
that means ourselves--
- on both wings.
- Now, wait a minute.
Are you suggesting we string people
along the top of that wing...
like sacks of potatoes?
They'll be behind fairings,
of course.
Never mind about the fairings.
We got an injured man.
The doctor says
he can't even be moved.
Now, y-you're suggesting
we tack him on to this thing...
and bounce him around
like a wrangler in a rodeo?
That is not what I had
in mind, Mr. Towns.
With the material
and personnel available...
this project would require
at least days.
How long did you say Mr. Scarnati
might be expected to live?
- Six days?
Perhaps less.
See? The problem does not even arise.
Mr. Scarnati will remain here.
Why, you really are
a miserable--
Even with the men on them,
the wing loading is going to be
half that of the Skytruck...
because we shall leave the hull,
starboard boom, undercarriage...
chanson and so on
on the ground.
- Now, any more questions?
- Yeah. I have a few.
Now let's see
if I've got this straight.
You're just gonna unzip
that starboard wing...
lift it up all the way over
from the other side and
tack it on to this port boom.
- Is that correct?
- Well, yes.
The tapers will be, of course,
the wrong way, but--
Forget about the tapers.
You know what that wing weighs?
I estimated it as something
just over a ton.
Sounds just about right.
There are eight of us.
Do you think you can lift
pounds, Mr. Dorfmann?
We use wedges and levers,
Mr. Towns.
There is also a winch,
and we can construct an A-frame.
We'll have levers and wedges,
and we'll throw in a winch.
This bunch is living
on pressed dates with a sip
of water once in a while.
In a couple of days,
nobody's gonna have
the strength to do anything.
That is a very good point.
The heavy work will need
to be done first.
The wing will have to
be moved tonight.
- Tonight?
- Yes.
I have worked out a simple
winding gear for use with
the starboard generator...
which will keep
the batteries charged
and provide adequate lighting.
I see no other
immediate problems.
Unless you have more questions,
I still have some calculations to make.
I thought it was
all cut and dried.
You have a few things
you haven't figured out yet, huh?
Well... naturally
I discontinued my work...
when you decided to embark on
your romantic search for Mr. Cobb.
We do need a pilot
on this project...
and, frankly, I considered
your chances of survival quite remote.
However, now that you are with us again,
I can complete my calculations.
- I see no insoluble problems.
- Well, I'll give you one.
Now,you say building this thing
of yours will take days.
Well, that's just fine.
If we're real lucky, we just have
enough water to last another .
We also have several gallons
of antifreeze.
We can distill enough
of that to provide for
another four or five days.
but certainly I agree,
water will be a critical factor.
So maybe we'll all be dead
before you finish this thing,
or maybe we won't...
but that's what you call
a critical factor.
Let me tell you something
that makes nonsense
out of this whole thing.
- Please do.
- I'm not gonna give you
the old veteran flyer routine.
I just want you to know
that I've been flying
for quite some time now...
and it hasn't always been
for crummy outfits like this one.
I'm sure you've had
a very colorful career, Mr. Towns...
but that's not quite
the point.
All right. You know a whole lot more
than I do about aerodynamics...
and drag coefficients
and stress factors.
Okay. Your theory's fine.
but you get this, mister.
That engine's rated
at horsepower...
and if I was ever fool enough
to let it get started...
it'd shake your patched-up pile
ofjunk into a thousand pieces...
and cut us up into mincemeat
with the propeller.
I told you there would be
no difficulty building this airplane.
I also told you it would require
an outstanding pilot to fly it.
The only thing outstanding
about you, Mr. Towns...
is your stupidity!
- Look, what did you expect?
- Easy, easy.
What did you-- You want me
to throw a conniption fit
with those drawings of his...
say he's some kind
of a genius or something?
What good would that do when
I know the damn thing could never fly?
Excuse me, Captain,
but perhaps--
Perhaps there is
one other thing.
The way it is now, some of these
men may not last as long as the water.
but they need to believe
that there is hope for them.
I don't know, Mr. Towns,
but maybe to build a thing like this...
could be a lot of help.
So we prove it can't fly
and get killed in the process?
What are you giving us?
This is hard work.
These men can't stand
hard work.
Watching each other die
could be even harder.
I-- I've lost five men, Lew.
Gabriele in there, he's on the way.
That'll be six.
Are you-- Are you asking me
to kill the rest of them...
trying to get a death trap
off the ground?
I don't know.
I don't know, Lew.
It wouldn't work.
Itjust can't work.
All right.
Maybe it can't.
Maybe it can't,
and we'll all be killed.
but if there's just
one chance in a thousand
that he has got something...
boy, I'd rather take it than just
sit around here waiting to die.
You there, Mr. Crow.
We shall need those panels again.
You must be more careful.
All right, Heinrich.
I'll watch it.
He's a lovely little fella,
A little ray of sunshine.
A slow, steady turn
is quite sufficient.
You'll be relieved
in about half an hour.
Don't let that needle drop
below .
That one there.
- Eighty, huh?
- That's right.
Now, we pull on three.
One... two...
three!
Shift, you wee mother!
Ah! Hey, bellamy!
You big horse. Come up here
and give me a hand, will you?
Hang on, little Ratbags.
I'm comin'.
My hand's droppin' off.
You want me to leave this
in place, Frank?
Ask Mr. Dorfmann.
Leave both of the bolts
in place until the trestle
is ready to take the weight.
As soon as you've
finished that--
Mr. Moran.
Once you have finished that, would you
please come to the tail end?
I'll mark out
the assembly for you.
Hey. Hey.
Hey, what are you building?
Sand castle, hey?
A-buh-buh, bubbly by,
bubbly, bubbly aye.
Hashish, huh?
bubbly, bubbly.
Bubbly, bubbly. What's it for?
Come on. Hey?
I'm constructing a still.
The sand will prevent
the tube from fracturing...
when I bend it.
That's very cunning.
Sometimes I wonder how you chaps
never won the war.
- War?
- You know--
- I wasn't involved.
That's it then.
That's why they never won.
They didn't have old Heinrich.
Oh, no, no, no, no. We won't need
that second winch now.
Uh, go around and get
that cable over the apron.
Have you got enough rope?
Go on then. Don't keep
Uncle Heinrich waiting.
Double up, lad.
Double, double, double.
Mr. Watson?
Don't forget--
save those bolts.
Don't forget--
save those bolts.
- Very good.
No, we need a spanner.
Um...
have you got
a three-eighth spanner, darling?
Thank you, dear.
Give us a big wet kiss.
Look, knock it off, mate.
All right.
Everything's set.
Easy now.
That's it.
Come on. That's it.
Watch your step.
Are we ready, Mr. Towns?
- Yeah, I guess so.
- All right.
Let's commence.
Now!
Keep the pressure up.
That's it.
- Come on, come on. Come on now.
All right. A little slower.
Easy now.
Don't let her loosen up.
Easy.
Come on.
Pull harder. Come on.
Hold it.
Hold it there.
Enough!
- Stop.
Oh, Lord! I'm tired.
Harris.!
Harris.!
Well, Sergeant.
been holding...
the fort, hey?
Yes, sir.
This is full of sand.
Clean it up for me...
like a good chap.
Yes, sir.
We've worked at it two nights now...
but Dorfmann's brainchild
looks less like an airplane
than it did when we started.
And it's almost midday,
and he's still working.
He's right about one thing though.
The little men with the slide rules
and computers...
are going to
inherit the earth.
And it's kind of sad that
Dorfmann won't be there to see it.
But then I guess
he doesn't need to see it.
He already knows it.
Here.
Here.
Is that any better?
I'll try it.
Mr. Standish.
You can continue with
the cutting of the tail surfaces.
The tools are still
in the hull.
Hey, Standish.
Watch your diet.
You don't have to eat
all those dates. Save some
for the scum up here.
Your wife's a lovely girl.
She died.
but you can't know that.
You there. We need help
with the welding.
All right.
We're coming, men.
It's getting cold up here anyway.
Sisters of mercy.
Our brother will play
the violin again.
Did you, um--
Did you say something
to Captain Harris?
Now, what would I have said
to Captain Harris?
Oh, I don't know, um--
He's acting very funny.
Yeah. Yeah.
In here!
In here!
Here.
We're ready to proceed.
Come along. It's quite essential
to maintain our schedule.
Ah, I reckon we've been floggin'
a dead horse long enough.
- We have work to do--
- Of course you're right, but...
- couldn't we just rest
for another hour and--
- Absolutely not.
Come on.
Let's get going.
before we start talking about
who's gonna work and when...
let me tell you something.
Somebody's been stealing water
out of this tank.
Stealing the water?
Who in the hell would do
a thing like that?
Skipper, are you sure?
Damn! How much is gone?
I started checking on it yesterday.
How do you like that?
Now, I don't even
want to know who it is,
but I'm telling you this--
If it happens again
and I see who's doing it, I'll kill him.
It was me.
- You Nazi pig.!
- It was you?
- Shut up. Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
You-- You bloody fool.
In any case, I didn't steal it.
I took it.
You took it?
The people here could die
for lack of water, and you took it?
Yes.
Yes, because whilst you people
have been sleeping...
or pursuing your own
ridiculous little interests,
I have been working.
And since I was working
harder than you were...
I also needed more water
than you did.
However,
it won't happen again...
because from now on
we shall all work equally hard.
- Is that clear now?
- No, it isn't.
- Is that clear now?
- No, it isn't.
but maybe I'm an idiot.
Maybe you'll have to explain it to me.
If you think being some kind
of a boy wonder entitles you
to other people's water...
you've got
another thing coming.
Why did you have to steal it?
Why didn't you just come
and ask me for it?
because you
wouldn't have given me any.
You're damn right
I wouldn't!
If you're coming to tell me
I shouldn't be unkind
to that miserable Kraut...
you're wasting your breath.
Don't tell me
you don't think he's crazy.
Well, suppose we agree
he's as mad as a hatter.
Do you think
the rest of us aren't?
Do you think you've
been behaving rationally?
Do you really think
anyone would?
All right. Maybe not.
but he isn't even concerned
about getting out of here.
All he wants to do
is see that thing fly...
and he doesn't care
who gets killed in the process.
Well, now--
""Well'' nothing!
I've done my share of killing.
My score's five now.
What does he want to do,
improve on that?
- So we're back to that, are we?
- Yes.
You know I don't believe
you're really all that concerned
about those five men.
- I'm laughing myself silly.
- No, you're not laughing either.
What really gets you is the idea
that maybe you're wrong.
Or maybe that little, uh-- little,
uh, dried-up calculating machine...
really does know
the answers.
And maybe Frank Towns who's flown
every crate they've ever built...
and who could fly in and out
of a tennis court if he had to--
maybe that great
hell-for-leather trailblazer's
nothing more than a back number.
Or maybe men like Dorfmann
can build machines...
that can do Frank Towns's job
for him... and do it better.
You're getting to be quite
a little philosopher, aren't you?
All right.
Let's suppose you have
killed five men.
And if it gives you
any satisfaction...
to sit up here feeling sorry
for yourself, well, that's your--
th-that's fine.
but if you really mean
that it is all your fault...
then it's up to you to bloody well
get us out of here, isn't it?
And if you're not too proud
to talk to Dorfmann...
and you're half the pilot you think
you are, well, maybe you will.
If!. All right.
If you hadn't made a career
out of being a drunk...
you might not have been
a second-rate navigator
in a fifth-rate outfit.
And if you hadn't stayed in
your bunk to kill that last bottle...
you might have checked that
engineer's report on the radio...
and we might not be here!
Oh, Lew, I-- I--
Oh, Lew.
- Why the hell isn't anyone
on the generator?
- What's the point?
Come on, you drunken bum.
Let's get back to work.
Don't worry.
It'll be cut in time.
Do you think
the Wright brothers would approve?
Can't see why not.
It's all free and clear
up here, Heinrich.
What's the drill,
Mr. Dorfmann?
You're not yet ready
for heavy work.
I'd like to do something.
We could use Dr. Renaud
down here.
Perhaps you could relieve
him at the generator.
Now, how 'bout that?
Huh.
Heinrich Schweitzer.
It's all set.
I think we are read--
I think we are ready
to proceed.
All right? Go!
We did it.! That's it.!
Are we all ready?
Let's go!
Stop!
- All right.
- Well done, Watson.
- All right.
Everybody pull together.
Keep on.! Keep on.!
And pull it tight!
That's fine now.
Keep going. Keep going.
That's it.
Don't let up the slack.
That's coming fine.
Just fine.
- Hold it!
- Hold it.!
Take it easy now.
It's nearly there.
Nearly! Hold it!
I got a story for
the Daily Mirror when I get back.
""How I Stopped Smoking
in Three Days.''
All right. Here.
You hold this.
Aye, you've done
a wonderful job, Heinrich.
but will it fly, huh?
Oh, come on.
Let's finish it.
- It's all set up there.
Now it's really beginning
to look like something.
Don't worry, Mr. Towns.
Helicopters don't look
very elegant either...
but they fly
reasonably well.
Really looks pretty good.
Say, you suppose if we get
outta here, we're gonna have
some extra leave comin'?
From Arabco Oil?
We'll be lucky if they don't
take this off our two months.
Tell you what though.
If ever we do get out of here
alive and I get my leave...
I'm gonna stay put
in benghazi...
and fix meself up
with one of them Arab bints.
That's not all you'll
fix yourself up with in benghazi.
- I've been there, mate.
- No, straight up.
This place I was at last year,
there's this bint.
Farida or something.
She did a sort of a dance.
You should have seen it.
I've woken up a few nights in
a cold sweat thinkin' about it...
I can tell you.
Probably some poxed-up
old bag from Manchester.
Is this right?
What's the point of that?
Oh, I don't know.
I just thought
I'd give it a name.
What sort of a name
is that supposed to be?
It's a bird.
The phoenix
was a mythical bird...
that burned itself to ashes
and rose--
I'm not bloody stupid,
you know.
What's the matter, Captain?
Smell the sea?
He's staggerin'
around benghazi, you know...
with this ugly, ugly broad...
boxed out ofhis mind...
on KickapooJoyJuice
or hashish or something.
- KickapooJoyJuice!
- Hey! Hey!
Hey! Shh! Shh! Shh!
What's wrong with him?
Get Mr. Towns.
Eleven. I count twelve.
They are way off any route.
Yes.
Probably a razzia raiding party.
better go and tell the men.
We don't want to rush into anything.
Tell Mr. Towns
to come up here.
I already have.
There! Up there!
Arabs.
I'm sorry.
That's all I know.
but I don't get it.
They got camels.
They could take us outta here.
If they are a raiding party...
they're outcasts from their own tribe
and so far beyond the law...
that... killing a few people like us
wouldn't mean a thing.
They are, in all probability, lost...
and just as short of water
as we are.
They can only cause difficulties.
If we leave them alone,
they'll move on and...
we can get back to work.
but why don't we just talk to them?
We can do that, can't we?
They sound friendly enough.
- I wouldn't count on it.
- No.
but we have to find out.
This time I'll go with you.
They're staying put.
Now... I'll take Sergeant Watson
with me, and we'll go--
Now, wait a minute. I've already
told you that I'd be going.
What's the sense of building
this contraption if you're
not here to drive it?
He's right, Frank.
- Nobody's gonna drive
this fool thing!
- What?
Now, don't let's
have an argument.
It's unimportant to me
who goes out, but the sergeant
and I have the best chance.
Now, at first we'll tell them
there's only two of us.
We'll approach them in a circle
so that if they do prove
to be unfriendly...
they won't double back
and find you.
I think the uniform
might do the trick.
- Where's the sergeant?
- He went in the hull.
Right.
Makes sense, Frank.
There you are, Sergeant.
Ready?
- What's the trouble?
- Nothing. No trouble, sir.
Come along then.
I'm not going.
- What was that?
- I'm not going!
Sergeant, I don't think
you quite understood.
I'm giving you an order.
You are to come with me.
Look here, old chap.
There's only water
for three more days.
This thing they're building
won't work.
It's up to you and I
to go out to those Arabs
and get them to help us.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
I'm not afraid...
Mr. Harris.
Sergeant, I'm going to
repeat my order.
If you refuse it...
I shall have to assume that
you're willfully disobeying
a superior officer.
Is that understood?
Don't let yourself down,
Watson.
Report for duty.
Come with me.
You leave me no alternative but
to place you under open arrest.
- Give me that revolver.
- No.
You refuse?
Very well, Sergeant.
Mr. Towns,
I'm going out on my own.
Now, I suggest that
you don't light any fires...
and maintain absolute silence
until I report back.
I'll keep them quiet, Captain,
and there won't be any lights.
- Right.
- I-- I believe I'll go along with you.
Thank you, but that
won't be necessary.
Perhaps not, but I do
speak a little Arabic. Do you?
Not enough...
but these fellows
will understand.
Well, maybe not as much
as you might suppose.
Anyway, I'd like to go with you.
Merci. Allons-y.
I'm gonna wait another halfhour,
then I'm going down and have a look.
- We can't just sit here.
- Look, Frank.
Harris is no fool.
He-- He may be
very excessively british...
but he's no fool.
If those people
can be induced to help us...
Harris will do it.
but I mean, if the situation
is a bit tricky down there...
and he's told them
there's just the two of them...
he can't suddenly announce
there are seven more of us.
If you and I go barging in,
that'll really put the lid on it.
Yeah, maybe you're right.
Down there all that time.
- Hey!
Captain Towns!
Captain Towns!
They've gone.
They've taken our fellows with them,
but they left a camel or something.
I can't see properly up there.
Frank, there's no--
Come on, Lew.
We'd better have a look.
Camel's lame.
That's why they left it.
It's lame. Give me--
He's dead, isn't he?
Mr. Towns and I will be
in the fuselage itself.
The heaviest men will need
to be inboard...
the lighter men outside.
They'll, uh--
They'll lie flat...
holding on to the ribs
of the windscreen.
We testing this engine today?
Mr. Dorfmann, it's time
we tested this engine.
I think you can leave things
to me, Mr. Towns.
No, wait.
Wait a minute.
I'm not forgetting
you're the designer.
but if you want me
to fly this thing--
""This thing.'' This thing has a name.
It's called an airplane.
All right, all right.
It's an airplane.
I'd have a lot more respect for it
if I knew the engine worked.
The engine was running
perfectly...
until the sand blocked
the carburetor jets in flight.
There's no reason why
it shouldn't run as it did before.
Unless you haven't cleaned
the jets properly...
in which case I'd advise you
to do it again.
Now, listen.
Those sand screens are clear.
And I've checked everything under
that cowling pretty thoroughly.
And if I'm to fly this machine,
I'm gonna test-run that engine today.
If-- If we start
this engine now...
the vibration will put
unnecessary strain...
on the whole structure.
Furthermore, there are
only seven cartridges
in the Coffman starter.
It could take four or five
to start the engine...
leaving us only
with two or three...
when we are ready to depart.
I imagine
even you will understand...
that once we have used
all seven cartridges...
we have no further means
of starting this engine.
Any doubt about
starting this engine...
now's the time to find out.
Mr. Towns...
you behave as if
stupidity were a virtue.
Why is that?
Lew, I'm gonna
run up this engine.
Couple of you guys come up here
and pull this prop through.
And that's an order.
No, you are not!
There's no point in
going over it all again.
Look, I've got them
working on the fairings...
but we need you
for the control groupings.
There's nothing down on paper.
It's all--
It's all in your head.
Well, I'd hate to spoil the job
after all the work you've put in.
I-- I know it's
difficult for you...
to get on with Frank Towns...
but you've got to understand.
He-- He--
He--
He needs to feel
he's doing something.
You don't leave him anything.
- You want yours now?
- Uh-huh.
You ought to come in.
It's freezing out here.
Yeah.
Well, I've really
balled things up, haven't I?
Hmm. Dorfmann?
Yeah, I've been thinking
about this thing.
And I guess old Frank Towns...
just never could stand
being told what to do.
That's all there is to it.
You know, funny thing--
He was right
about the engine too.
I guess I just wanted
to make a point.
That's what really
gets you about him.
He always has to be right.
Coming in?
Yeah, in a few minutes.
What else do you want me to say?
Nothing.
Leave me alone.
Tomorrow's the last day.
Then there'll only be
what we get from the still...
and that's not enough
to keep us all going.
Do you want them
to fight over the water?
Is that what you want?
If we don't go back to work,
we're gonna die.
- All of us.
- Yes.
Well, for God's sake, man.
You're not a child, are you?
- Go away.
- You told Towns...
he was behaving as if
stupidity was a virtue.
If he's making it into a virtue,
you're making it into a bloody science!
Uh--
Lord-- Lord--
Lord Muck's woke up.
I want to talk to you.
No, I-- I want to
talk to all of you.
Mr. Towns,
who is in authority here?
You are.
Very well, then.
Since I am in authority...
I have decided
to finish this plane...
and make it fly.
We shall now go
back to work.
Hallelujah.
The fairings are about ready...
but you'll need to look
at the control linkages.
I'll be with you
right after this here.
What, is this the outfit
you work for?
Hmm. becker Flugzeuge, yeah.
Oh, I think I've heard of them.
build all kinds of models.
- Don't they build model planes?
- The best.
I didn't know they produced
the big stuff too.
Oh, the-- the biggest
we make is the Adler.
I think you'll find it on page .
The Adler has
a two-meter wingspan.
but it's not one of my designs,
because it's a glider...
and I work only
on the power models.
Page ?
Yes, I think it's .
Come on. What about the big stuff?.
Is it a different department?
The biggest I've
personally designed...
is theJaeger .
Uh, could I have this
a moment, please?
All right. Let's-- Here.
There it is.Jaeger .
It won the prize for extended flight
at Frankfurt last year.
Ex-- Extended flight?
Yes. The radio control
also is my design.
And then
on the opposite page...
there's another
rather fine model.
It's called Die Schwalbe.
It's there.
Yes, but I think what
Mr. Towns meant was the--
the real thing.
How much designing have you done
on the, uh, real thing?
The real thing?
Well, yes.
You know, like this.
Oh, no, no, no.
You misunderstand.
We make nothing
but model airplanes.
You mean you've...
never designed
a full-sized airplane?
Full-sized? No.
No, but then, of course,
the principles are the same.
Well, yes, they would be,
wouldn't they?
One encounters
different problems...
but basically
the principles are the same.
Well, I think I'd better check on
the control linkages.
He's crazy, Lew.
He-- He builds toy airplanes.
He... didn't even keep
anything from us.
He really doesn't
think there is...
any difference.
What are we gonna tell
those guys out there?
They've been--
What are we going
to tell them, Lew?
Nothing.
We haven't enough water left...
to stay alive.
We can die here...
or we-- or we can
die in that thing.
What's the matter?
Haven't you any curiosity left?
Wouldn't you like to know
how it feels...
to fly a toy airplane?
Now what's he up to?
I don't know.
Maybe we'd better
have a word with him...
about not saying anything
to the others, hmm?
Mm-hmm.
I don't know why
you keep humoring him like this.
If the thing can't fly, it can't fly.
That's all there is to it.
Anything... missing?
No, I don't think so.
I'm arranging
the harness attachments.
You'll be lucky if these guys
can walk tomorrow...
let alone pull this thing.
Nevertheless,
it will have to be done.
The propeller itself
will provide...
the basic impetus.
The men will mainly be
to give it direction.
Well, why not now?
It's too dangerous
in the dark.
I think maybe you're right.
It's too risky. Go on!
One-One other thing.
It, uh--
It might be better
not to mention to the others...
about, uh, being
a toy plane designer.
Toy plane designer?
Lew and I feel
it might upset them.
Mr. Towns--
Mr. Towns...
a toy plane
is something you wind up...
and it rolls along the floor.
A model airplane is
something totally different.
Model airplanes have been
flying successfully...
more than years
before the Wright brothers...
ever got off the ground.
They were not toy planes.
- All right.
- I didn't know that, Frank. Did you?
Nevertheless, it is a fact.
And there's something else you
should remember, Mr. Towns.
A model plane has to fly itself.
There's no pilot
to correct the trim.
Therefore, if anything,
a model plane has to be designed...
for greater stability than what
you have pleased to call the real thing.
In ...
Henson and Stringfellow
built a rubber-powered model...
that flew meters before
encountering an obstruction.
Airfoil surfaces,
lift and drag coefficients...
weight/thrust equations
and the whole pattern...
of modern aviation
originate from right there.
of modern aviation
originate from right there.
Well? Where is he?
I'll go and get him.
Here he is.
Our friend Dorfmann's
a bit impatient.
Hey. In-In-In ...
Henson and Stringfellow...
built a rubber-powered
model aircraft...
that flew m-meters
before encountering an obstruction.
Did you know that,
M-Mr. Towns?
That's great.
No, not great, but significant.
You understand those are
the only cartridges we have.
If you fail with them,
my work has been wasted.
The moment the engine fires...
throttle back.
Too much unnecessary vibration...
could shake the structure
to pieces.
Vibration must be
kept to a minimum.
- Clear?
- Clear.
That's number one.
Two.
What's wrong?
There ain't nothin'
wrong with that engine.
Maybe he ain't
givin' it enough juice.
- Three.
- but he should know, shouldn't he?
He does know.
Wait. Wait!
You are wasting
the cartridges.
We have only three left.
I know that.
- What are you doing?
- I'm gonna use one cartridge...
ignition off,
clean out the cylinders.
No!
What are you doing?
Stop! I forbid you!
I forbid you.!
Do you hear me?
I forbid you!
Come on, mate.
Come on, mate!
You bastard!
You did it!
You bastard!
Stop! Stop it!
Stop it!
Throttle back!
I told you, stop it!
All right, Mr. Dorfmann,
start pulling!
All aboard.
Heave! Come on, here.
I can't. I can't.
You did good, Skipper.
Give it some slack.
Come on.
Move!
That's it. That's it.
Watch your step.
Now!
Go!
What the hell is that?
Hey, they ain't gonna try
to land that thing here, are they?
Well, it sure as hell
looks that way.
Look at it! Look at it!
Just look at it!
I've never seen anything
so beautiful.!
Seventeen days
without a drink.
boy, I wouldn't believe
just plain water...
could look so good.
You never know, Frank. I might--
I might become an addict.
- Where did they come from?
These guys are either
drunk or crazy!
How far did you say that...
Henson and Stringfellow flew
that rubber-powered model...
in ,
Mr. Dorfmann?
Six hundred meters,
Mr. Towns.
Is that meters or yards?
Meters, Mr. Towns. Meters.