Original subtitles

(whirring) (adventurous music)

(adventurous music)

(whirring)

(classical piano music)

(group applauding)

- [Mac] That was magnificent.

- Just great.

Look, I hate to break this up but we really must be going.

- Oh, can't Mr. Sladek play some more?

- Please, maestro.

- I'm sorry Mac, but we're late already.

- Well, if you must go,

it's been a privilege to hear you play.

- Oh thank you, and thank you for a wonderful dinner.

It's been a pleasure meeting you.

- We can just about make that plane, Mr. Sladek.

- Good, well, goodnight.

- [Joe] Goodbye, Mr. Sladek.

- [Mac] Goodnight, and may I wish you

the best of luck on your world tour.

- [Igor] Thank you.

- See you, Mac, goodbye Joe.

- Bye, Uncle Sam.

- Bye, Sam.

- I like Mr. Sladek, dad.

- Did you Joe, why?

- Well, he seemed sort of calm.

- Yes, I know what you mean, a great artist.

So why this?

(mysterious music)

Why did Sam Loover and the World Intelligence Network

want the brain patterns of a man like Igor Sladek?

It's incomprehensible.

- Pardon, dad?

- [Mac] Oh nothing, Joe.

(classical piano music)

("Star Spangled Banner")

(classical piano music)

(upbeat orchestral music)

(rapid classical piano music)

(upbeat orchestral music)

- Is this Sladek's last letter?

- Yeah, it's been processed by the lab

but there's nothing of significance there.

- Well Agent 8-8 is due to give a recital

at the embassy tonight, that may prove to be

a more interesting hunting ground.

(light, classical piano music)

(audience applauding)

- I must congratulate you, Sladek,

the recital was magnificent.

- [Igor] Thank you, colonel.

- It's a long time since I heard you play,

but your style remains inimitable.

- Oh you are too kind.

- There are many people here who would like to meet you.

Please mingle with my guests.

Sladek.

- Colonel.

- Hello, Igor.

- Good evening.

- May I have a word with you, colonel?

It's about the new airfield.

- [Malner] Well this is not the time or place.

- [Kloss] It is rather urgent, sir.

- Very well, out on the balcony, away from the guests.

Give me five minutes.

(slow, solemn music)

This will do, we can't be overheard here.

- Well sir, I have the report from the civil engineer.

The site for the new military airbase

will have to be moved about 10 miles east.

The new location is grid reference 0-1-7-C-4.

(tense music)

- Sladek, is this your pen?

- Oh, yes.

- You left it on the balcony.

(dramatic music)

(typewriter keys clicking)

- Ah, let's see, dear Sam, the tour is progressing well.

It has been hard work, but very enjoyable.

I hope to be back in England at the end of the week,

and look forward to seeing you then.

Hm, good.

- How's it coming, Kelly?

- It's just about ready, sir.

(clicking)

(rapid, light screeching)

Now, let's see what he managed to get.

- [Kloss] Good evening, may I have a word with you, colonel?

About the new airfield.

- Sounds promising.

- [Malner] Very well, out on the balcony,

away from the guests, give me five minutes.

This will do, we can't be overheard here.

- Turn up the volume.

- [Kloss] Well sir, I have the report

from the civil engineer.

The site for the new military airbase

will have to be moved about 10 miles east.

The new location is grid reference 0-1-7-C-4.

- [Malner] What's the reason for this change?

- Hold it, give this absolute priority.

Edit out Sladek's voice and do what you can

about the background, this is red hot.

(classical piano music)

(audience applauding)

- Congratulations, Sladek, a truly wonderful performance.

- Thank you.

- I would take it as a personal favor

if you would autograph this score for me.

- Of course.

(Casper clearing throat)

- Oh, I'm sorry, senator.

Sladek, may I present Senator Casper.

- Sir, I consider it a great honor to shake your hand.

Yes sir, I would like to say without fear of contradiction

that we have all just heard a truly great pianist.

- Oh uh, forgive me, you pen,

I'm afraid it's fallen right inside.

- No matter, it's not important, it's only a pen.

(somber music)

- Shall I read the telegram back, sir?

- No, just send it.

(mysterious music)

- The man who just left, show me his telegram.

- I'm afraid I can't.

Oh, I'm sorry sir, here it is.

(paper ripping)

Is everything in order?

- It seems harmless enough, it can go.

But send a copy to my office.

- Yes sir.

- Am rehearsing Rachmaninoff's eighth symphony.

The interesting minor melodic interpretation

now expected next Tuesday.

Well what does it mean?

And why has Sladek sent a telegram to us?

- I don't know, dad.

- I'm no expert on music, but I do know Rachmaninoff

didn't write eight symphonies.

(dramatic music)

(knocking at door)

- Uh, who, who is it?

- [Kloss] Major Kloss.

- What do you want?

- [Kloss] I have an authority from Colonel Malner

to detain you, open the door.

(pounding on door)

Open this door or we will break it down.

(dramatic music)

(light, solemn music)

- [Sam] I'm glad you called me down, Mac.

- Well, quite honestly Sam, I was baffled

why Mr. Sladek should send me such a telegram.

- Well Mac, you may as well know.

Igor Sladek is one of our top agents.

- [Mac] What?

- It's right, Mac.

- I can't believe it.

A man dedicated to music, a spy?

- Sladek is also dedicated to maintaining world peace.

His music gives him the perfect cover.

- Oh, I see, what do you think this telegram means, Sam?

- I'd say it's some sort of code, probably a block cipher,

very hard to crack.

I'll have to drive back to London right away

and get the experts onto it.

- Dad, Uncle Sam, I think I know what it means.

If you take the first letters of each word--

- Joe, Mr. Sladek is a highly intelligent man.

He wouldn't use--

- Wait a minute, Mac.

Am rehearsing Rachmaninoff's eighth symphony,

A-R-R-E-S-T, arrest.

- I-M-M-I-N-E-N-T, imminent, arrest imminent.

- That's it, he obviously didn't have time

to use a complicated cipher, great work, Joe.

- Thanks, Uncle Sam.

- This means his cover's been broken.

We've gotta move fast.

You have Sladek's brain patterns available, Mac.

- Yes, it's in the tape library.

Now I see why you asked me to record it.

- Right, okay, Mac, begin the transfer.

(whirring) (adventurous music)

(adventurous music)

(dramatic music)

- Sam, what's happening?

- Well, theye've got Sladek all right.

They're holding him at Vaslow prison.

- Couldn't we break in somehow, and rescue him?

- Out of the question, Joe.

There is one possible way.

- Go on, Sam.

- Sladek is a famous celebrity, they don't wanna risk

an international incident so they're allowing him

to make the worldwide broadcast that ends his tour.

- I remember reading about it.

He's playing his international concerto.

- Right, I've worked on a plan.

It's dangerous, but it's our only chance.

Here's what we do.

(classical orchestral music)

- Transmission in five minutes.

(tense music)

- Why, Joe.

- Hello, Mr. Sladek.

- [Igor] Joe McClaine.

- What is the meaning of this?

- I thought I could turn over the music for Mr. Sladek.

I've done it before.

- I would like him to do it.

- Out of the question.

- Wait, you may stay.

- But colonel.

- Be quiet, I don't want any kind of disturbance till after

the broadcast, don't lose your sense of proportion, major.

This is a young boy, what harm could he possibly do?

- Will you please go into the studio, Mr. Sladek.

(somber music)

- This cable channel leads right under the studio floor.

Have the car waiting here ready to take off

the moment Sladek gets clear.

- Okay Sam, I understand, good luck, Sam.

- Thanks, Mac, see you later.

- Transmission in two minutes, are you ready?

- The microphone is a little too near the base.

And, I'd like this acoustic buffer

moved to the right, please.

- We won't be able to see them, sir.

- What does it matter, we have ears.

If Sladek stops playing, we'll know immediately.

Tell him it's all right.

- The announcer has started, cue light in 20 seconds.

- Seal the building, give orders to shoot anyone

trying to get in or out.

- Yes sir.

- Five seconds, four, three, two.

Cue light.

(classical piano music)

(classical piano music)

- 18 minutes left.

(knocking)

(classical piano music) (knocking)

(classical piano music)

Less than 12 minutes.

(grunting and groaning)

- Ah, got it.

All right Joe, take over on the piano.

- [Joe] Thank you, Sam.

(classical piano music)

- Inimitable.

(classical piano music)

- How much longer?

- About nine minutes.

- Listen to the music,

this could well be Sladek's last recital.

- Right, follow the cable channel.

You'll find a car waiting in the street.

- But, how 'bout you?

- Don't worry about me, I'm gonna replace these covers.

Get going!

(classical piano music)

(thudding)

- I thought I heard something.

- Relax, Sladek is still playing.

(classical piano music)

- [Mac] Over here.

- [Igor] Mr. McClaine.

- Get in maestro, we must reach the frontier

before the broadcast ends.

(classical piano music)

Here's the frontier.

- My face is well-known in this country.

They're sure to recognize me.

- Just leave it to me.

(tense music)

(dramatic music)

(classical piano music)

Ah, the Igor Sladek recital.

- These seem in order, let me see your friend.

Turn your face this way.

I don't understand.

Wait here.

(classical piano music)

- It's nearly finished.

- How long?

- About one minute.

- Colonel.

- What is it?

- I beg your pardon, colonel, but it's the frontier.

They have a radio, but they're asking us to confirm

that the broadcast is live, and that Sladek

is actually playing the piano.

- Tell the tone deaf triton on the other end of that phone

that no one, no one in the world, could play the piano

as we are hearing it played now, except Igor Sladek.

Tell the unmusical, play them back.

(classical piano music)

Magnificent.

All right, major, take Sladek to the

interrogation room at Vaslow prison.

- Yes, sir.

(somber music)

You've been lying to us for two hours, now I want the truth.

Who was playing the piano?

And where did Sladek go?

- But I keep telling you, I was playing the piano,

and Mr. Sladek went down into the floor.

- I wouldn't hit my son if I were you.

Especially as he happens to be telling the truth.

- Hello, dad.

- Who are you?

- Professor McClaine, I've come to take my boy home.

- He is under arrest.

He'll be charged with nine serious indictments.

- Nine, eh?

One for every year of his life.

Well that should make interesting

headlines in the world press.

May even get you promoted.

- Please professor, the major is overworked.

I can't begin to understand all this,

but you and your boy are free to leave our country.

One thing, don't come back.

- A pleasure meeting you, gentlemen.

Come on Joe, let's go home.

- Yes, dad.

(adventurous orchestral music)

(light, upbeat music)