Original subtitles

I'd like to propose a toast.

Can you do it while there's still bubbles? Oh, yeah.

I don't know exactly how to say this, but it is proper to toast the bride and

groom, isn't it?

Bride? Groom? Who's getting married?

Oh, take a wild guess.

Hi.

I'm, uh, early.

Vicki, I'd like you to meet Janet.

My fiancée, Janet.

Did Dad write something I'm not supposed to read?

No, Nicholas, it's not what he wrote. It's where he wrote it. No, it's not

I wrote it. It's where they printed it. And where they printed it, none of you

are allowed to look at.

Now you guys know I feel to be unincluded.

Would you answer me a question?

Do you love me?

I mean, do you really love me?

I think so.

If, by some strange coincidence, you and I should be traveling in the same

general direction, it would make at least economic sense to go in the same

right? You want to travel with me? Just to Santa Fe.

Have you ever been to Yosemite? Mm -hmm.

You have, have you? Hey, look at that.

I wonder what it's like to fly one of those things.

Scary.

David!

Linda, look, I'm flying!

There's a magic in the early morning we found.

When the sunrise smiled on everything around.

It's a portrait of the happiness that we feel and

always will.

Oh, it is enough to fill our lives with.

And eight is enough to fill our lives with love.

All I did was put it on so Dutch could see how his kite cuts into the wind.

That's trim, boy.

Right. How it was trimmed.

He offered to take my picture at the same time. My feet never left the

Really, Linda, you don't have to act like my mother.

Act like your mother, huh?

Okay, try this. If you feel like killing yourself by jumping off the cliff and

trying to fly, that's your business.

But you've got the car keys, and I just don't feel like walking the rest of the

way to Santa Fe.

It's nice to know you care.

You don't make it easy.

I wouldn't let anybody take any flying leaps unless I was sure they knew what

they were doing.

Besides, this kite needs some more tinkering before it's ready for a high

flight.

That's Bill himself.

From scratch.

It looked it.

Oh, it may not look so pretty right now, but wait till it's finished. It's going

to be the state of the art.

I'm going into production with that baby when I prove what it can do and the

orders start coming in.

Well, thanks again for the help. Sure. I hope those pictures come out. Thanks.

I wonder if I could ask you for one more favor.

Quite a nice of you kids to volunteer.

Oh, boy, a lot of folks around here are going to be mighty surprised when they

see old Dutch Burwell's glider in action.

Even the birds will be giving it a second take.

Are you going to be flying in that competition coming up? Oh, heck no, my

will, not me.

No, hang gliding is a younger man's sport, or a younger woman's.

No, I'll probably recruit one of the local hot shots to take her up and show

her stuff.

Oh, someone like that guy I met?

Marty? Well, Marty might be okay. He claimed he was number one.

That sounds like something that Marty would bring up if he was trying to

a pretty girl.

I'll tell you something about that number one.

It's awful hard to get there, and when you get there along comes somebody else

and takes it away from you.

I'll help you unhitch my truck as soon as I show my wife I'm safe and sound.

Make sure I look around. Make yourselves at home.

Well, it's very charming, wouldn't you say?

Yes. Yeah, it's definitely not middle Sacramento.

You know, for a moment, I thought we might find something stupid in here,

horse. Not unless it has wings.

Oh, I see you found my laboratory.

Oh, we didn't mean to sneak around.

Oh, you sneak around all you want. I don't have anything to hide.

I sure do appreciate you getting me home and all. I'd like to pay you back.

Oh, forget it.

Well, at least stay for dinner. We don't have many visitors. My wife likes to

show off her cooking.

No, thanks. Oh, yes.

We'd love to.

Oh, okay. Yeah, sure. We'll be happy to join you. Well, fine. I'll tell the

missus to put on a couple extra plates.

I know you don't enjoy my culinary talents, but where'd you get the sudden

for home cooking?

Well, David, you remember when I wanted to go the short way to Santa Fe and you

insisted on the long way?

Yeah. And remember how you refused to even compromise on that?

Why do I get the feeling I'm being set up?

You're not being set up, exactly.

I just thought of a way you could pay me back. That's all.

Pay you back? I didn't know I owed you.

Hey, in fact, you still owe me for gas and oil.

You'll get it.

David, I want to stay here for a while.

You're putting me on. Why? Because I think there might be a story here.

About an old man's compulsion with flying, maybe.

Or the hang gliding contest coming up.

I don't know yet.

But there is a story here.

And if I can figure out what it is and get it on paper, I'll have something

dynamite to show my friend in Santa Fe. It could be my best piece.

Well, can't you just write something about our trip to Santa Fe and

two things at the same time?

I don't want to write travelogues, David. I want to write about people.

Dutch Burwell is people.

How much time are we talking about?

What is this? You have an appointment or something?

You know I don't. So relax and enjoy it.

Come on, trust me. You'll have a good time.

I will, huh?

You will.

Okay.

Okay, and while you're trying to figure out what to write, I think I'm going to

have a little fun myself.

Okay.

I'd be tickled to teach you flying.

You? Oh, no, I didn't mean for you to teach me. I thought maybe you could

introduce me to someone. Well, you already know someone. Me. I could teach

all the rudiments and have you flying in no time. It's mostly instinct, anyway.

All we'd have to do is... Pull out my son's old kite and give it to him once

over, and away you go.

Sounds great, I guess, as long as your son doesn't mind me using his stuff.

Our son's not with us anymore.

He crashed in one of those Air Force fighters putting on a show for some

military people.

One of the best pilots I ever saw he was. He took after the old man, I guess.

Oh, don't chuckle. Before my eyes started playing tricks on me, I was a

pilot myself. I flew everything from... Buy planes to jets.

Oh, Dutch, stop exaggerating. Jet says it now.

Well, I did go up for a ride with my son in a jet trainer once.

That is not the same thing.

Well, that's more than most people can claim.

Well, you want something else?

No, I'm stuck. Oh, no, thanks.

Well, why don't I show you where you and your wife are going to be sleeping? It

isn't fancy, but it's warm.

Oh, we're not married.

Did you hear that, Mother? They're not married.

We're also not what you call girlfriend and boyfriend.

Oh. No, we're just sort of traveling together.

Oh.

Platonically.

Well,

I've heard everything now.

It's fantastic.

Oh, you're just a natural, boy.

Hey, let's do it again. All right.

The tension on this pulley

matches the other side. Good.

A few high -flight tests will be ready for the weekend competition.

Did you get your test pilot yet?

Well, I went after the best, but I guess Marty's just too busy to work it into

his schedule.

Dutch, I'm not too busy.

You? You haven't even had your own high flight yet.

So, you said I was ready for it.

Hey, the kite and I can have our own test flight at the same time.

I don't think so, son. Oh, come on, Dutch.

This kite's the same as the one I've been flying, only better.

Plus, I put a lot of work into this thing. I think I at least deserve a

to test fly her.

You are crazy!

Lucky is a better word.

This thing is going to revolutionize the sport of hang gliding.

Since when are you the voice of authority? You never even saw one of

things till a week ago.

Okay, so I'm a beginner.

But Dutch taught me how to fly just like he said, didn't he?

Well, I have faith in him with this, too.

Oh, yeah? You're the only one who does.

Marty Garfield told me... Marty is a pompous jerk.

Now, remember, son.

Don't you try anything fancy.

Just head right out on over the flats there and take a turn to each side, see

how she trims with the hands off the bar and come in for a landing.

And remember, keep your speed up when you're coming down.

Anything else?

You gotta hook in.

Crazy. Crazy!

Son of a gun, that thing really does fly.

She does a lot more than just fly.

Maybe.

You'd know yourself if you'd fly it in a competition.

Ah, Dutch, we've already been over that.

I really would get off on winning this weekend my way.

You've got to have to be playing with a short deck to enter with your kite.

Nobody knows the stress limits, nobody knows the tolerances. I do, I do. Well,

then you fly it.

And then if it folds up around you, you can have a nice, long, intimate

discussion with a designer about what went wrong as you plunge 1 ,500 feet.

Let's go down the bottom.

I was tempted to scratch her some lips. Oh, you did just like I told you, boy.

I'm telling you, with a good pilot, this thing can take anybody in that

competition. Hands down. It wants to fly all by herself.

Well, I'm glad to hear you say that, because she's going to have the best

I know.

Me.

What does he mean, him?

Why did you have to prove that lousy thing could fly?

What did I do?

A humble form of apology.

My parents used to call it their icebreaker.

See, whenever they had a fight, the one who was in the right used to give the

one who was in the wrong a flower.

It's guaranteed to patch things up.

Wait a minute.

You're apologizing for being right?

Well, let's just say I didn't do anything wrong.

How do you figure that?

If you hadn't been so gung -ho to show off Dutch's glider, he never would be

planning anything as ridiculous as flying it himself this weekend.

Yeah, but if I didn't test it, he would have done it himself.

I knew this thing was important to the old guy, but I didn't know it was going

to turn out like this.

Linda, it's not my fault.

I accept your icebreaker.

Good.

Now, would you please exert some of the same influence you used on me to try to

talk some sense into Dutch?

Smells great.

A lot better if I had an onion.

Reach me down a platter from over there, will you, while you're here? Sure.

Has Dutch told you what he's planning to do this weekend?

Oh, he made some mention of flying that monstrosity of his this weekend.

You are planning to talk him out of it, aren't you?

I gave up trying to talk my husband out of his fool ideas long before you were

even born.

Mrs. Burwell, what Dutch wants to do goes beyond foolish.

He's looking at a solid day of flying against some of the toughest competition

around.

The physical demands on someone my age are bad enough, but with Dutch, you have

to talk him out of it.

Let me tell you something that Dutch won't even admit to himself.

In all the 42 years that we've been Mr. and Mrs., My husband's always been what

you might call a dreamer, always talking about how he's going to do this or that

or the other thing.

And in all those 42 years, not one single dream of his ever come true.

Maybe I haven't been much help in that department, but I'm sure not going to

stand in the way of this one, especially not when it's so close to happening.

Mrs. Burwell, we're not talking about dreams. We're talking about Dutch's

welfare.

The Dutch, they're the same thing.

Well, I still intend to talk them out of it.

Even without onions, it smells great.

Yeah, this is a...

A place where my son and I used to come to get away from it all.

A place to sort of do our thinking, you know, like, well, like in a church.

It's almost like you can see the end of the earth from here.

I remember when he'd have himself a worry, he'd, well, he'd stand right

where you are, and he'd lean over and he'd pick himself up a rock, put it in

hand, and close his eyes tight and think on that worry.

Then he'd throw the stone over the edge because he said he had to hit something

from up this high.

Dutch?

Is having your glider fly this weekend so important to you that you're willing

to get yourself hurt, maybe even killed doing it? Well, David, I don't think any

man would intentionally do something that's guaranteed to get him killed.

No, I just want to prove a point. But you're not denying it's dangerous?

Oh, I'd be the first to admit it. That's what makes it such an exciting sport,

that element of danger. I think that's what attracted my boy to it. You know,

loved flirting with danger, just like he liked flirting with the pretty girls.

As a matter of fact, David, the design for the glider I built was originally my

son's. Your son designed it?

On paper. He had some pretty radical ideas. He used to come up here, he and

and we'd work them out up here.

Oh, I just... sort of picked up where he left off, you know.

If it was just for myself, it wouldn't matter. I've had plenty of success, you

know, but my boy had himself a dream, and I personally want to see that

that dream comes true.

Well, we'd better get on down to dinner. Mary doesn't like anybody late.

Careful, Art.

Morning, all.

Good morning.

Just coffee for me this morning, Mrs. Burwell.

What's got you so fired up this morning, David?

Well, the competition's Sunday, isn't it?

That's only three days from now.

That leaves you two days to teach me everything you know.

You mean you're planning on entering the competition on your own?

Well, I was kind of hoping we could be a team.

You on the ground... And me in the air.

What? You heard me.

I appreciate that offer, but you're still a long way from that kind of

What do you mean?

You said I was a natural, didn't you?

And aren't you the best teacher there is?

Plus, flying that kite of yours, I'd just be along for the ride.

Come on, Dutch, what have you got to lose?

If it looks like I can't cut it, you can still go ahead and fly it yourself.

What do you say?

I say, let's give it a go.

Now listen to me, son.

Landing is just as important as any other part of this meet.

You miss the spot, there's no points.

You make an unsafe landing, that's minus points.

The trick is to lose altitude at the proper rate.

You come in too low, you're liable to fall short.

Remember that now. You are liable to fall short. You come in downwind, you'll

break something.

Like my head. I know that part.

Now look, if you get into any trouble out there, forget about the target.

Just head it into the wind and land on the flat.

Anything else?

Trust your instincts.

How'd you get?

You gotta admire the guy who jumps in with both feet.

So listen, Linda, some people started to arrive this morning, and we usually

have a little party the night before a meet. I thought you might like to come

by. I could introduce you to some of the other pilots for that story you write.

Well, thanks.

I'll let you know.

I suppose your friend could come by, too.

That is, if he gets through today's practice, one piece.

Marty, you're not very funny.

I wasn't trying to be funny.

I'm just watching your friend's approach. Looks a little high to him.

Forget the target, boy.

You're too high.

You're too high.

Hit the flaps.

Now let them win.

I told you about those downwind approaches.

Give it up, pal.

Hey.

Hey, I hit the bullseye.

Dutch, I hit the bullseye!

From where I was standing, it looked more like the bullseye hit you.

Well, Clayton and I both came out with only a few scratches.

This time.

Are you ready to quit yet?

Nope. I made a commitment.

Big deal.

You made a commitment to Janet, too. That didn't stop you from backing out of

your wedding.

What did we hear?

The divorcee calling the kettle black.

Okay, so I'm not playing fair.

But you're in over your head, and that's not playing fair either.

Would it be any more fair if I backed out and let Dutch go instead?

The man has been a loser all his life, Linda. Shouldn't he win just once?

That's his problem, not yours.

You're amazing.

Do you know that?

You were the one that wanted to stick around so you could write your little

human interest story.

But somehow you managed to stay detached, don't you? To observe from a

I can't stay detached like you.

I have to get involved.

What is that supposed to mean? That this is all my fault because I wanted to

stay here for a while?

Oh, no, David, no way.

There is no way I am going to accept responsibility for your insanity.

No one is asking you to accept responsibility for my insanity or anyone

David, I want you to have this.

My son got it when he learned how to fly.

Your son's wings?

Mrs. Burwell, I can't take this.

You can so take it.

Now, it's the only way I got to show you how much I appreciate what you're

doing.

It's okay, Mrs. Burwell, really.

It's just... See, I already lost one of my men.

I don't think I could take losing the other one.

You're good, David.

My boy would have liked you a lot.

Now, dinner's going to be ready in an hour.

Don't you dare to be late.

My meals are made to be eaten hot.

Who's the next one up?

Hey,

Linda! Over here!

Where's your friend?

Well, I don't know. He doesn't report in to me.

Well, I'm glad you could make it. Come on over here. Let me get you a beer. Oh,

no thanks.

Hey, everybody!

This is Linda!

This is the girl I was telling you about. The one that's writing the story

us.

You gotta forgive these guys. They think it's easy always being number one.

Well, in that case, shouldn't we talk in private so your friends don't get

jealous?

Step right into my office, my dear.

Thank you.

Yeah,

a buddy of mine dove this up.

Come on in. Make yourself at home.

Oh, no, thanks.

Okay.

So... What is it about me that you came all the way out here to find out?

Excuse me.

Why am I looking at this?

Will it fly?

Come on, girl. I know what you're going for.

And as much as I hate to say this to a very pretty girl, the answer is still

I plan to win this weekend, not take part in old man Burwell's flying circus.

Why is winning this particular weekend so important to you?

Winning is important to me all the time.

A win this weekend means that I can pick up some more endorsements, have some

fun.

Sounds more like a sure thing to me.

What, am I supposed to feel guilty for being lucky, being a winner?

No, but you... could give yourself a real challenge for once how about flying

duchess glider tomorrow why should i

tell me where is it written that i should spend my time and talent trying

prove old man burwell has a better idea it's not written anywhere i just thought

you might like to do something stupid like add some purpose to your life

Boy, when you try to talk somebody into something, you don't spare the

compliments, do you?

Marty, when you deserve a compliment, I will be the first one to offer it to

you.

Please understand what I'm trying to say.

You seem to take your luck for granted.

Well, I know someone who doesn't. Someone who has maybe never won anything

before in his entire life.

Let me tell you something. All this talk about winning and challenges and

wasting my life... That's just a smoke screen. The only reason you're here is

try and talk me into taking your friend's place.

You just don't want to see your traveling companion get himself killed,

Well, people get killed in these contests.

He knows the risks.

I don't want to see anyone get killed.

But you're still only partially right.

It has to do with getting involved.

It's not easy being number one.

Come on in.

Oh.

If I'd known we were having company, I'd have dressed up.

Hi. Hi.

Hey, where'd you get those?

From me.

David, Marty has a proposition.

If it's okay with you and old man Burwell, I'd like to enter the open

with that glider of yours.

Did she put you up to this?

David. Yeah.

Well, you can just forget it.

The only one flying Duchess Kite tomorrow is me.

But David... No, that's it. End of discussion.

You know, there's a very good chance that the officials won't let you compete

tomorrow.

You haven't had enough flying time.

I'll lie.

I offered, okay?

Your friend's not looking to be saved.

See you tomorrow.

Good flying.

What do you think you're doing?

You know why I didn't get involved?

Because every time I do, somebody sneaks up from behind and gives me a swift

kick in the pants.

Getting involved and butting in are not the same thing.

Oh, well, excuse me for not knowing all the subtleties. But you did tell me

about the old man's dream and how important it was.

Well, Marty is in a position to maybe make that dream come true. But no,

too busy being involved to see that, aren't you?

Here's your icebreaker.

See, in a one -on -one elimination, a guy can tell where he stands at any

moment. That way you know when to take chances and when to play it safe.

I can't imagine you playing anything safe.

Hey, Marty.

Is last night's offer still good?

Good to see you, Marty. You going for it today?

You bet.

Still flying that alpha of yours?

No, I think I'm going to try something new today.

Maybe.

Beats me.

Um, why don't you just call it the Flying Dutchman?

Never heard of it.

You will.

Thanks. My pleasure.

Hey, Marty, I hope your motor's running today. This little lady's gonna give you

a run for your money. Well, that's what I'm counting on, Mr. Burwell.

Hey, Dutch, I've got to talk to you, sir. Come on.

Now, Dutch, it's really important to me that you win today. I mean, you've got

it coming. Important to us? To us? Well, we got the best glider. All we got to

do is show them.

Well, the best way to show them is to have the best pilot, right?

I think our expert pilot's going to need some of your expert advice.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 1979 switchback open.

Each heat will include three tasks.

The speed run to the pylons, the pylons themselves, and of course, the landing.

Pilots, prepare to launch for heat number one.

Thank you.

Dutch, I'm a little worried about the glide ratio on this thing. It seems a

little high to me. It's going to be all right. Now, look, don't you go grabbing

for any more pylons than you need. I was watching you in the earlier heats, and

you were getting a little bit cocky. Dutch, I know what I'm doing.

It's better to miss the bullseye and make a safe landing than to lose points

going for broke.

Dutch, he knows what he's doing.

Yeah, you know what you're doing.

Garfield, it tries to launch.

Hey, you're not half bad, you know that?

Compliment accepted.

Hey, Linda.

Thanks for making me see the right way to handle this thing.

I'm just glad you had sense enough to realize I was right.

I mean, you're welcome, David.

That's fair.

Garfield to launch.

Bright to launch.

Let's get on down.

He's first to the landing zone, but I think he missed a pylon.

What does that mean?

That means they're even except in landings. See, he's too high.

I told him not to go picking up any extra hair. Darn it, it's just like

alone.

What is he doing?

He's doing everything he can.

He's coming in too fast.

I'm all in one piece.

And yes, I know I missed the pylon.

And yes, I know my landing stunk.

Well, at least when I landed downwind, I hit the bullseye.

But my numero uno will get me out of this thing.

Now the winner of the 1979 switchback open, Chris Price.

Number two.

I've never been second in my whole life.

Linda, why did I ever let you talk me into doing this?

Pay attention to what I said. You'd have won this thing. Look here, Dutch.

I didn't do anything wrong, and if you want to put the blame somewhere, you put

it where it belongs, on that lousy glider of yours. There is nothing wrong

that kite of mine that a decent pilot couldn't handle. You telling me that I

ain't decent?

Well, you read whatever you want to it.

Well, it just so happens that that glider that you think so much of has got

major design flaw.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah. The glide ratio is too high.

It doesn't lose altitude the way it's supposed to. Now, we've got to adjust

nose angle or something.

We'll do no such thing. Well, then I'm not going to fly it next month in the

manufacturer's invitation.

You mean you want to fly Dutch's glider again?

Sure I do.

It's got the potential to be the best thing in the air, despite the old fool

that built it.

That's what I've been trying to tell you all along, and I'm not an old fool.

Well, then listen to my ideas. Well, I will, but first tell me about that meet

next month, huh? Well, I figure that if we make those adjustments, maybe we got

time to build a second glider.

I got this friend. He's very good. And between the two of us... We got twice

chance. Hey, I like the way you're thinking, partner.

Well?

I don't know.

But Dutch called Marty partner.

Can't be all bad.

I didn't see your truck.

We thought you'd gone before we could say goodbye.

Well, I did go, but I had to come back and talk to you.

Something wrong?

Oh, no, no. That's what I wanted to make sure that you knew.

I didn't know exactly how to tell you.

David, ever since you came here, something's happened to me that

hasn't happened to me in a long time.

Well, for a while there, it almost seemed to me like, well, I was

working right alongside my own boy again.

Well,

he's gone now, but you put him and me

right up there amongst the winners.

And for that, we thank you.

Oh, and, David, I know you have a father of your own. I'd probably never be able

to fill his shoes, but, well... You were a son to me when

I really needed a son.

I want you to know that if you ever need a spare father in a hurry, I'm

available.

Thanks,

Dutch.

You come back, David.

Oh, I will.

All right, then.

I packed a lunch for the two of you. I know how it is with you young people.

Never eaten proper.

Oh, thanks for everything, Mrs. Brewer.

It's me that should be thanking you for putting up with a couple of old folks

like us.

Now, if you're ever back this way, you stop in, okay?

Of course. You bet.

Move over, Linda. I'm driving.

Paranoid.