Original subtitles

The Tunnel

Based on the novel by B. Kellermann

Documentary footage courtesy of PIEUX FRANKI Co.

- Wasn't that Lloyd? - Nope. Vanderstift, the famous banker

Tell us, Mr. Woolf, what's the meeting about?

No idea. Ask Mr. Lloyd

I'd like a room on the top floor, facing Broadway

Normally it's quiet up there

But today there's a meeting on the terrace

Just my luck

Show the gentleman to Room 530

Sir! You'll have to come out. The terrace is off-limits today

But I'm a reporter!

Hello - New York Herald? I've set up a receiver on the terrace

The meeting is about to start - listen!

You're so elusive, Woolf! I couldn't get you on the phone

You'll support the project, won't you?

Naturally; your father's for it and I'm his right-hand man

Mac Allan is such a strong, straightforward man

Obviously

So you'll help him?

For your sake

Gentlemen, let's get started

Ladies and gentlemen, the meeting is underway

First, thank you all for coming

The importance of the project we're seeking to finance...

...will, I'm sure, make the trouble I've caused you worthwhile

First of all, let me introduce Mr. Mac Allan

The project he will outline to you...

...will surpass in scope anything attempted up until now

And the expense will too

Naturally, Mrs. Brown

I won't attempt to influence your decision

But I'd like to say that if you support Mac Allan's project...

...I will personally pledge 25 million for my participation in the enterprise

Now Mac Allan, the floor is yours

Seeing as how Mr. Lloyd has raised your curiosity...

...I'm afraid of disappointing you

The project is very simple

Wait, hang on - it's nothing

I'll fix it

Here's America... here's Europe

I want to link them with a tunnel

Trains will be able to cross the Atlantic in under 20 hours

There you have it

Now I'll give you a few technical details

The figures are...

125, 126, 127, 128, 129... 130

I can't

Yes, go on counting!

Nothing works - I can't keep calm

Six years of work, Hobby - six years!

And it could all be wiped out in one hour

I'm scared

Imagine what that will do to Allan

It'll crush him

Don't worry so much, Mary

It takes more than that to crush a man like him

Mac Allan's wife mustn't be afraid

I'll be brave, I promise

If it all falls through, no one will know I'm upset, not even him

- Listen, Mary: do you want to help him? - Yes

- Really? - Yes, really!

Then you must believe in him no matter what

I do believe!

But I'm scared

You were supposed to wait downstairs

Did you want every reporter in New York to overhear us?

Did you carry out my orders?

I've sold 9/10ths of your shipping shares

That comes to over 10 million dollars gross

Naturally, all the sales were in fake names

That only leaves 50,000 in Trans-Oceanic Steamships

Not very sharp work on your part, Gordon

Get rid of them, at any price

And how's it going?

Leave that to me

Stay here - don't move

I prefer we not be seen together

...a length of 100,000 kilometers

Work will start on the European and American sides at the same time

My task is not one of innovation, but in carrying out a work...

...one hundred - one thousand times greater than any to date

And if my forecast is correct, the job will be done in 15 years

If

What do you mean, "If"?

If the forecast turns out

You're an idiot, Mr. Vanderstift!

Against a great project that will double your investment!

Mind your own business, Mrs. Brown!

It's certainly no business of mine if you don't want to make money

What about competition from planes?

I've thought of that, Mr. Field. I'll match their speed

And move thousands daily between America and Europe

Gentlemen, there are so many ways of losing money these days...

...I don't care to explore new ones

I'm not interested in this Mac Allan

Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please

Could I ask Mr. Mac Allan to leave us alone for a moment?

Excuse us, Mac Allan. I'll call you when it's time

- You were wonderful, Mac Allan! - Thank you

Mr. Lloyd is investing 25 million in the tunnel

I will pledge 10 million

Let me share a few facts I've jotted down

Nothing you say will prop up shipping stocks

If this succeeds, all the shipping companies will be out of business

I hold no shares in shipping companies

Really? Since when, Woolf?

I'll have shares in the tunnel

Mr. Vanderstift, you're involved in all the big shipping interests

You're not very enthusiastic about the tunnel - I understand

Do you think your opposition will stop progress?

This tunnel guarantees 15 years of work for millions

It will produce an incredible boost to the construction industry

Let's be honest

It's not a question of supporting the tunnel

It's a question of seizing the opportunity the tunnel offers us

Mac Allan has left the terrace

This is from a reliable source:

Mac Allan has invented a method of extracting carbonic acid from the air...

...using a rotary machine

The meeting is behind closed doors. It started a half hour ago

In addition, Mr. Maurice Detross and Mr. Woolf are there

- Hurry up! - Get lost!

Hello, Evening Post? Banner headline:

"On the top floor of the Astoria, 15 people are meeting

They have a combined worth of 7.5 billion dollars... "

No point pacing around; I've got a good feeling about this

Darling, you'll see, it'll all be fine

No, it's all down the drain. The atmosphere up there...

Usually I'm not too bad at speaking

But I choked in front of that bunch of sharks

But you said several were on your side

Mrs. Brown was for you

Mrs. Brown doesn't care about Mac Allan, the tunnel or the link with Europe

She barely knows Europe exists

There's only one thing she cares about: her money

I guess it's back to Buffalo for us

Is that so bad? We were happy in Buffalo

Sit down and eat something. You'll see more clearly if you're not starving

Yes... what?

They're going ahead with the tunnel?

Allan! It's happened! They're going ahead with the tunnel!

What do you mean?

They're going ahead with the tunnel!

You're joking

No, they're going ahead with the tunnel

Mac Allan, they want more photos

Come on, Mary

When I was named President of the Tunnel Syndicate, it became clear to me...

...that this gigantic enterprise is not only of material and economic interest

What attracted me is its spiritual and intellectual importance

As a tool of social improvement

Ladies and gentlemen, will you please make room for the world press

Silence, please

Would you care to say a few words on this momentous occasion?

Allan, I never doubted you

You'll build the tunnel... I'm very happy

It'll be a masterpiece; I'm very proud of you

I'm sure you'll build the tunnel

I've nothing to add to what my wife has said

I can't argue with her

The Atlantic Tunnel Syndicate is formed

The Tunnel Syndicate presents this weekly update on the tunnel excavation

We'll use both words and pictures to illustrate

Mac Allan meeting with his engineers

The tunnel's army of workers is on the march

Preparatory work: the first blasting on Long Island

Enormous quantities of materiel...

...and thousands of kilometers of rails collect on Long Island

Drilling of the tunnel begins

The tunnel dives deep into the earth

The Long Island shoreline, under which the tunnel runs

During the first year, Mac Allan and his men have built...

...a section 180 km long and up to 1200 meters deep

The second year the work stretches 300 km long...

...and 2000 meters beneath the sea

The third year we reach 430 km

Maximum depth: 3000 meters

Warning - fire!

Warning - fire!

- Everything ready Harryman? - All ready, Mr. Allan

All the workers out?

Everyone out!

The third one!

Stay back! It could go off!

What the hell is going on here?

I knew it! Why didn't he listen to me?

Harryman!

That was a narrow escape!

Are you OK?

- Are you hurt? - It's nothing

How do you feel?

It's nothing. We got the last one

- Hello - What do you want?

To talk to the boss

You mean Mr. Mac Allan?

I mean I want to talk to the boss

Not write to him - I want to talk to him

If you want to see Mac Allan you need an appointment

You think he can personally meet every one of the thousands who turn up here?

I don't care about the thousands; I just want him to talk to me

Maybe you think the boss... There he is!

- Hello Mr. Allan - Hurry up, will you?

Are those for me?

- What do you want? - To talk to you, sir

Come on, then. What's your name?

Charles Baill�re

Get my bath ready

What do you do?

My last job was as a blasting specialist in a coal mine

- Where? - Nances

- Where's that? - In France

I started there as a horse-handler

Yeah? Me too

- What kind of horse did you have? - A white one

Yikes, a white horse down the mine! You spend all your time cleaning it

- Mine was a brown bay, named Polly - Mine was Max

Are you coming?

- So you want to work with us? - I'd like nothing better

Then go straight to B-9

Thank you, Mr. Allan

Well it's about time you got here

If it were a few pretty girls I could understand

I couldn't come any faster, I was talking to an old mineworker

I've hired him as a blasting specialist

- Another inventor? - No, a horse-handler

Careful, here comes the rinse

That feels good!

A week in the tunnel, I think I've brought 3/4 of it back with me

We'll look hilarious all dressed up tonight

I'm happy for Mary; we spend so little time together

It's not the banquet I care about

It's the party with all the workers after!

Come on, get down and join us!

Have some fun with us!

I can't, I've got too much work to do

Who cares about those bigshots? Come on and have some fun!

Just to make them happy, let's get out for a moment

Okay, five minutes

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen, the cream of society's here!

Ah, Mr. Hobby!

- I have to ask you something - What?

Do we have to go to this banquet?

But there are very important people there, all waiting for us

I just want a few minutes alone with you

I get to see you less and less

Can't you forget the tunnel just for a moment?

- All right, let's go then - Really?

Sure, we'll go tonight, wherever you want

Oh Allan! You're the most wonderful man in the world!

Now remember, you're the wife of a famous man

We need to keep up appearances

Go home, pack a bag, we'll leave at 5:00...

...and by 7:00 we'll be in the country

I love you

I hope we're not the last

Get me the Head Office

I have to talk to Mac Allan at once!

He's at the banquet at the Head Office

Get Mac Allan quick! Quick!

Don't be long. I'll expect you at the house in half an hour

I'll be right along, darling

Lizzie!

What is it?

Never mind - help me

We're going away for 3 days! Isn't it wonderful?

But such a short a trip...

3 whole days alone with him - it's an eternity! Paradise!

Gentlemen, let's get started

How did it happen?

It was exactly 23:05. I was on the job in B-9

The alarm went off, I phoned and Baill�re answered

Gallery B-9 struck a subterranean stream which we couldn't hold back

We're trying to save the gallery

We've built a temporary dam

Go on

B-9, where the flooding is, is 500m below sea level

The water pressure on the dam is so strong it won't last long

Who was the engineer in charge?

Me

What are you doing here?

I got a replacement. I was at B-8 for half an hour

Tomorrow we'll replace you for good. Get out

But Mr. Allan...

There's nothing to discuss!

I'm going down

I'll send instructions from B-9

I want complete secrecy from you all

Tell B-9 I'm coming

Hello? Get me B-9, quickly!

I won't force anyone

But we can't leave our comrades to drown

What'll it be, boys?

I thought I could count on you

I have a wife and children

Stay behind then. Any volunteers, follow me

It's me, Mary

Hobby! Where's Allan?

He's sorry, but he was called down to the gallery

- What's happened? - Nothing serious

You know how they call him up for nothing

He didn't give you a message for me?

No, but I'm sure he'll be back tomorrow morning

Why do you ask?

Nothing...

We were just...

But it doesn't matter. Well, goodnight

You can unpack, Lizzie

We're not going

You'll buy shares in shipping using all available funds

You're President of the Tunnel Syndicate and you're buying shipping shares?

Absolutely - sit down

I've been having some problems

Complications

I need cash right away

I've got a chance to make a killing

I don't understand

There was a leak in the tunnel tonight

They're fearing - and I'm counting on - a massive collapse

Collapse? Brilliant

Shipping shares will skyrocket

The news isn't out yet

Not yet?

The Tunnel Syndicate is keeping it quiet

But tonight the workers will talk about it at their meeting, thanks to me

Comrades! They're asking us to be heros

No deal. We're workers, and we've proved it

The Tunnel Syndicate just celebrated the 500th kilometer

How did they get there? Who worked in the cold, the heat, the mud, the water?

Keep saying the same thing: the sea's rising in the gallery

Twenty comrades are already dead

Next time it'll be a thousand! Two thousand!

Don't listen! He's a traitor!

Mac Allan will come and explain!

Comrades, we're not sewer rats! We're men!

It's easy for them to talk; they're not down there

When the water is pouring into the gallery...

...it's you, and you who'll pay the price!

Don't listen, comrades!

He's a false brother, a traitor!

Mac Allan will come here to explain

"Mac Allan! Mac Allan!" That's all anyone says

Are there still any poor saps here who trust Mac Allan?

Mac Allan is just like the others

He's lying!

You think he cares about you?

He cares about his celebrity, his success

He's lying!

Whether we die for the Syndicate's profits...

...or for Mac Allan's glory

I don't give a damn! We're dying no matter what!

I know we're making good money

But for the guys who died, was it worth it?

The Syndicate is entitled to our work

It's not entitled to our lives!

You're all crazy! Wait for Mac Allan!

Fellow workers!

Fellow workers, you've met here to discuss your work

Not just the tunnel! Us too!

And you make me come here instead of staying in gallery B-9?

- Go on back, then! - Go back and drown!

So, you're saying we're not on the same side?

Haven't I worked side by side with you?

I'm a worker like you

I feel as bad about this disaster as you do

I'm sorry for all who died down there

Yes, too bad for the workers, eh? Two hundred have been killed so far

That's right! Two hundred!

Do we stop work every time someone dies? No!

We struggle - work is struggle

There's no work without risk: in the mine, on the sea, in the factory

There's danger everywhere! Where there's life there's danger!

Why should we go back down there?

Tell us it's not dangerous!

I'm telling you the truth: I don't say there's no danger

But we're equal to the danger; we can still build the tunnel

Tomorrow will be too late

Half of the men down there could die

It's not about that. It's about millions of workers thrown out of work

That's what waits for all of us if we shut down

Then promise that we won't drown

Swear and we'll follow

We'll all follow you!

Did we ask for the danger? No!

But the risk is there; are we going to run?

Be strong, Mac Allan; tell us the truth

Promise us, and we'll believe you

I'm a loyal comrade

I promise you nothing, but I tell you with all my heart:

I believe. I have confidence

And I ask you to follow me

It's man versus the mud. Iron and concrete are nothing without you

Listen men, every minute we waste is a crime

That water's rising - I ask just one thing of you: your trust

Here's some coffee

Why are you bringing it? Isn't Lizzie here?

She's gone to bed, it's late

- You shouldn't have bothered - It doesn't matter

And what about you? Are you tired?

A little

Look at all these papers to go through

I'll be up most of the night

Goodnight, Allan

No kiss tonight?

- What's wrong? Are you crying? - It's nothing

I'm a little stressed. It happens

- What is it? - Let me go, Allan

You're not leaving until I know what's wrong

Tell me

I feel so alone

It's stupid. It's been going on for weeks

Months

I shouldn't tell you - you can't help it

You're right; but all this work...

I promise, I'll take 1 day a week and spend it just with you

Of course, Allan. It's not important...

I've just been carrying this around

Now that I've told you, it'll be better

Give me a smile now

Goodnight

Sleep well

Thanks to Mac Allan's intervention, we were able to avert a strike

Furthermore, gallery B-9 has been sealed

But there have been various attempts at sabotage by persons unknown

To prevent attacks, Mac Allan proposes armed guards

He's unable to join us, as he's been called to Mr. Lloyd's sickbed

I don't understand; he made the building of the tunnel possible

Unfortunately, we have to face it

Woolf is a crook

Great - the President of the Tunnel Syndicate gambling with shipping stocks

I've always thought him capable of anything. This time he's gone too far

It was a clever plan

If we hadn't averted the strike, if the disaster had happened...

...today he'd be on top of the markets

What should we do? We can't leave things like this, we have to act

I'm old and tired; I can't handle this unpleasantness

It's up to you to stop Woolf

OK

I'll handle it

Whatever happens, you're always smiling, Woolf

Always the flower in the buttonhole

Mr. Woolf

Ah, Mac Allan, you made it

I got them to agree to armed guards

The strike has left them worried

It's not that - it's about you

What do you mean?

You cost the Syndicate 3 million dollars

What do you base this accusation on?

Don't deny it

You've doctored the books; now everyone knows it

Unfortunately for us it's all too clear

I speculated on the Syndicate's behalf; I admit it

But that's no reason to take that tone with me

The Syndicate can survive the losses it took in its name

But you personally speculated on your own account

You've diverted 3 million dollars

Here's the proof; we've been watching you

Don't try to intimidate me. Without me, there would be no tunnel

I know

You have 3 days

If you haven't made good by then...

...I'll have you arrested

Thursday, 6:00 sharp

Not one minute later

Understand?

You have a back exit, right?

What's wrong, Woolf?

Watch out

So they caught you? It was bound to happen

No one knows yet. Find me the money to cover it up

I have 3 days

With the police on your heels? Are you nuts?

So you're just going to hang me out to dry?

I can't save you

If the Syndicate has checked its books, they know what's happened

You're cooked

So the answer's no?

No

I've got another trick up my sleeve

Where are you going?

Go out this way

It's late, Mr. Woolf. What's up?

Let me in

Brooce, I'm here to offer you a great opportunity

Another stunt like the strike?

But it needs a guy with nerve

That's why I've come to you

If it's about the tunnel, forget it

Scared?

Maybe I am

And to stiffen your nerve - how much?

You may not have enough

Not enough? What do you mean?

Listen - I have ways of forcing you

You know it, and I don't mean money

Are you kidding?

The answer's no

Do you expect me to get down on my knees and beg?

You think I'm here in the middle of the night because I'm at the end of my rope?

Not at all

If you had the tiniest bit of courage...

...we could blow them all sky-high

Lloyd, Vanderstift, the whole crew

I'm playing the biggest hand of my life, and you too Brooce

Listen: in three days...

Can't see a thing; I know it was that way, not far

It's on the other side, where the gallery starts

Yes, right behind; there's no parallel gallery here

It's really close

Who's there? Come back!

That could be it

Does Mac Allan know?

Yes... Fine

Where?

Johnson? Alright

What is it?

Superintendent Bl�ry wants you right away at C-24

The gallery again?

They can't leave me alone for a minute!

I can't get even five minute's shut-eye

You'll see Baill�re, tomorrow morning when everyone leaves

I promise we'll get them in the end

Over here!

Over here!

Quick! They're tearing up the rails!

This is station 463. This is Mac Allan

Block every exit between kilometers 2 and 25! Send Security!

Cheer up, Mary. I promised Allan I'd entertain you

That's why he sent us here

- Hear that music? - Yes, a waltz

A Viennese waltz. Vienna - Europe!

You'll soon be able to go there using Allan's tunnel

He'll be with you instead and you'll be happy. Much happier than tonight

Sometimes I wonder why I didn't marry you

You're always here. You have time to stay with me

A quarter hour with Allan is worth 6 years with me

- You're right - To Allan

We'll get them all, they can't get out of the tunnel

We'll stop at every cross-gallery and make a search

Since we're no more than 50 km from B-9, it'll be over by morning

I'm afraid it may not be so simple

We'll do everything we can

Look over there!

Someone's there! What's he up to?

Stop!

He's running away - stop!

Quick! After him!

Stop!

Stop him!

What are you doing down here?

Leave him!

My name's Mac Allan, and I don't waste words

I'll count to 3

You tell me what you're doing and who for...

...or I'll put a bullet in you

One

Two

Stop - I'll tell you

I've planted a bomb in gallery B-9

It's set to go off at 9:00

Precisely

You want to know who I'm working for?

- For... - Who?

Mr. Woolf

Mr. Lloyd asks you to wait a few minutes

- Good evening - Come in, Woolf!

What's new?

- Have you seen papa? - Not yet. He's expecting me

- We're not on the best of terms - Nothing serious, I hope

That depends

- What is it? - Nothing

I've leaving the Tunnel Syndicate

I admit I'm not sorry

I need a wider field.

A new future

As I regain my freedom I feel...

I'm telling you this because I admire and respect you

A feeling of exhilaration I've felt only once before:

When I went into business with your father

Today I'm leaving. But I hope our friendship will last...

...even if, by chance, I should become his rival

I'm afraid for you, Woolf

You're taking a wrong turn

I've never had more confidence in my lucky star

Excuse me; two gentlemen wish to see you

Already?

I'm coming

What's wrong, Woolf?

Nothing

They're waiting for me

Strange that we haven't seen any other trains

The men must be out by now

We've taken all precautions

We've called all the stations

They've been warned of a possible explosion

- How much longer? - Eight minutes

But if they've sabotaged the alarm...

Faster

Look up there!

They've cut all communication further on!

Anyone there?

Somebody answer!

So, have you got hold of anyone?

No, Mr. Bl�ry, only the next station

- There's no connection further on - Well get it back

- Bernard! - Yes?

Wait a minute

Go around behind the slag-heap

And change the drill bits

Mac Allan! Don't go any further!

It's suicide! You can't do anything to stop it now!

Be careful, Mac Allan; it's 9:00

Let me go!

Are you asleep, Mary?

Almost

Give me a light

- What time is it? - Just past 9:00

- Are you tired? - Yes

We'll be there soon

What a good pal you are; you like me

Don't try to stay awake; sleep

I think I had a little too much to drink

- My head... - I think so too

Allan - what's he doing right now?

- Where are you going? - To the tunnel

What's happened?

Huge accident - the tunnel's on fire!

Allan! I have to find Allan!

Mary, where are you going?

Mary, you're crazy! You can't do anything!

Get going!

We're staying here until we get all the men from gallery 106

They're all dead!

Quit fooling around, Baill�re!

We'll wait until the last comrade is saved!

Just hang on until they're here, then we'll go

Knock the bastard down!

Be reasonable! We can't betray them!

But it's not your fault

Don't try to persuade me; I'm going

You don't know what you're doing - think!

Nothing you say can change my mind - I'm giving it up

You can't decide now; wait a few weeks

You'll see more clearly

More clearly? After everything that's happened?

It won't change a thing

You go on with the tunnel if you want to, but me...

I can't

You're crazy; after everything you've gone through...

No, I can't, do you understand? I'm through!

What have I done? Every time I think of starting up again...

I cause disaster wherever I go

And you want me to go on? Why? For whom?

I don't care about any of it

Calm down, man

And Mary...

Poor kid, what sort of life did you have?

You wanted a little happiness, and now...

I can't, I can't.

Why didn't I die like the others?

What are you saying?

Do you think they went through all this struggle just for you?

No, it's because you're a man with a great idea

You have no right to give up after so much sacrifice

Allan, your life is not your own

You're a man, you've proved it. So do something

Pull yourself together

Come on, work. It's the best thing for you now

Leave me alone for a bit

The tunnel excavation continues under the supervision of Mac Allan

The two sections grow closer, and are only 50 km apart

The workers now work at a depth of 3,500 meters under the sea

Everyone back!

We're 3,500 meters below the surface of the Atlantic

The giant drills have reached the furthest point of the American section

I'm here on site

The European section is a few meters away, separated by a rock wall

The shot-firers place the final charges

Clear the gallery!

Mr. Hobby! Would you care to say a few words?

For 15 years we've blasted and drilled

If we don't match up the two parts as I hope we will, it'll be disappointing

In a few moments the press will tell you if we've succeeded or failed

I... well... Goodbye!

You've just heard what Mr. Hobby said. Goodbye!

European gallery clear?

Clear!

Clear the gallery!

Warning: Fire!

Hello, America! This is Europe!

Where's Mac Allan?

Here

Let me shake your hand

Thanks and congratulations from all the workers of the European section

I'm the one who thanks you

My work is finished

My happiness would be more complete if it hadn't cost so much

So much suffering... So much sacrifice...

Thanks to all who helped me, followed me, and had faith in me