All language subtitles for PT 109 (1963) EN

nstrumental music]

(male narrator)
On August 7, 1942

elements of the 1st Marine
Division landed on Guadalcanal.

The American Navy
was assigned the job

of sea support
in the Solomon Islands.

There were few
capital ships available

and they were ill-suited
for narrow channel warfare.

The PT boats were.

They were fast
shallow draft withers

carrying maximum torpedo power.

Their assignment,
harass the enemy

and buy time for a navy

that was still
on the drawing boards.

This narrative concerns
one of those boats

and its crew commanded by
Lieutenant JG John F. Kennedy.

PT 109.

[instrumental music]

Rogers.

Yes, sir?

Please notify
these three officers

they'll be disembarking
in an hour.

Yes, sir.

[knocks]

End of the line, Mr. Talbot.
Be in Tulagi in about an hour.

(Talbot)
'Thanks, Rogers.'

[knocks]
Mr. Claybon, won't be long now.

(Claybon)
'Much obliged.'

[knocks]
Mr. Kennedy, war is ready.

Oh, thanks, Rogers.

Mr. Kennedy, uh, can I be frank
with you for a minute?

Sure, come on in, Rogers.

I've always had good luck
being frank with lieutenants.

It's ensigns and admirals
you can't talk to.

Now right after this trip, I'm
shipping onto the beach

at Pearl, so far so good.
Now hear this.

Right away, you get yourself
transferred back to the States.

Zingo, you send for me.

- Zingo?
- Oh, we'd make a great team.

Maybe running a nice wave
barracks or Jacksonville

or some town where they got a
few sensible after-hour joints.

Rogers, I just got here.

Oh, you don't want this,
Mr. Kennedy.

Believe me,
I've been in this navy.

The worst thing you could do
is let them trick you

onto an ocean.

PT boat,
nothing but a plywood coffin.

Well, I can't ask
for a transfer.

Of course, you can. I've got
little, uh, background on you.

The word, you got the juice.

You got pliers down there
in Washington.

- The juice?
- Juice, muscle, glycerin.

Don't they teach you
any practical talk at Harvard?

It's an elective.

Tell the old man to drop
the word in somebody's ear.

Tell him to get a hold of Leahy.

You can get out of here
in no time.

No, I'm sorry, Rogers,
I'm afraid I used

all that glycerin
to get down here.

You mean you negotiated
your way out here?

That's right.

You put in a fix
to go the wrong way?

Right.

Mr. Kennedy,
they're fighting out here.

Wait, hold it.
Maybe it's not too late.

Tell them you went psycho,
you..

You ate some poisoned meat,
you woke up dizzy.

It's too late, Rogers,
and I'm surprised at you.

- Where's your spirit?
- Spirit? What's that?

The willingness to fight
for what you believe in.

Oh, that spirit, Mr. Kennedy,
I got it.

I believe in a transfer.

Now you know
I wouldn't snow you.

With thinking like this,
you're just not gonna make out.

(man on speaker)
'General quarters!
General quarters!'

'All men,
man your battle stations.'

[siren blaring]

[dramatic music]

Hey, you! Hey, you fella!

Give that sailor a hand
with the ammo.

[airplane droning]

[gunfire]

[canon fire]

[plane droning]

[explosion]

[explosion]

[gunfire]

[explosion]

[explosion]

Mr. Kennedy!

Welcome to the South Pacific.

[instrumental music]

- Best of luck, Jack.
- Same to you, captain.

- See you around, Jack.
- Right, Pete.

- Bulotti.
- Yes, sir.

I'm tellin' you
for the last time

I don't want this crane
in the pier area

when we're loading ammunition.

Yes, sir.

And I don't permit

oil drums in the area

when we're loading
ammunition either.

- Yes, sir.
- Afternoon, sir.

Good afternoon.
Even if I should permit it

'you should know better
than to permit it.'

- Yes, sir.
- What's your problem?

I was looking for
the squadron commander, sir.

Bulotti, I saw
your friend Nesbitt

ditch that cigarette butt.

You can tell him for me
he's in trouble.

He's in real trouble.

Yes, sir.

[sighs]
Huh, look at 'em.

'Skippers,
they call themselves.'

'They're not naval officers,
they're nothing'

'but a bunch of civilians
dressed up in costume.'

What, uh, what was
bothering you?

I was lookin' for
the squadron commander, sir.

- Which squadron?
- PT Squadron 2.

That'd be Lieutenant Cluster.

Go straight down main street.

The path this side
of the post office.

Last tent.

- Thank you, sir.
- You're very welcome.

- And Bulotti.
- Yes, sir.

I'm putting you on report for
not putting Nesbitt on report.

Yes, sir.

Fender head.

[instrumental music]

[knocks]

- Lieutenant Cluster?
- Mm.

[knocks]
Lieutenant?

[sighs]

Yeah, what is it?

Lieutenant Kennedy
reporting for duty, sir.

- Kennedy?
- Yes, sir.

Come in, sit down.

[sighs]

What time is it?

It's uh, quarter
of, uh, 2:00, sir.

A quarter of 2:00?

Mister, you just woke me up
in the middle of the night.

Oh, I'm sorry, sir.
I, I didn't know your schedule.

That's alright, lieutenant.
I'm Al Cluster.

Jack Kennedy.
Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you, Jack.

- Help yourself to a cigarette.
- Oh, thanks, no.

What can I do for you?

Well, I'm reporting
for duty, sir.

- What's your specialty?
- PT skipper.

Oh, that's too bad.
I need an engineering officer.

- Wanna take a crack at it?
- Well, aren't there any boats?

No, not right now.

But I can put you on staff.

Or as I said engineering
officer. I really need one.

Well, if it's all the same
to you, sir

I had counted on a boat.

You did, huh?

Well, there's uh,
there's the 109.

I suppose
you can call that a boat..

...now that you mention it.

But the engineering job,
it wouldn't last--

Oh, the 109 would be fine, sir.

Hm.

Well, we'll go
take a look at her

'Course it's all up to Ritchie.

He's our boat
maintenance officer.

Sweet soul.
You'll meet him soon enough.

You know,
I think I already have.

Lieutenant, can you tell me more
about, um, Commander Ritchie?

Retread.

He was on destroyers
in the first war, retired

then called back again
a couple of years ago.

Strictly regulation.
Does an honest job.

Only trouble, he doesn't
like this hooligan navy

much better than he does
the Japanese.

♪ Ninety eight bottles
of beer on the wall ♪

♪ Ninety eight bottles
of beer on the wall ♪

Well, there's a happy crew.

♪ Ninety seven bottles
of beer on the wall-- ♪♪

Hey, you Bing Crosbys, paint.

Slap it on. This ain't
no movie star's bedroom.

Let's get this boat out of here.

There was a happy ship.

Is it always this hot?

No, Mr. Kennedy,
it gets hotter.

- Any, uh, any questions?
- Yeah. Is it one of ours?

[chuckles]
Yep, officially listed. 109.

Quite a lot of wear and tear,
hasn't it?

Oh, no, it just needs
a woman's touch.

At least.

Wanna take a look
at the engines?

What kind of shape are they in?

Not quite as good
as the rest of the boat.

Well, let's save the worst
for last, alright?

Alright.

Well, it's gonna take
a lot of work.

I don't quite know
where to begin.

If I were you,
I'd start laying the keel.

- You still want her?
- I'd like to give it a try.

Mr. Kennedy, you try this,
you'll try anything.

[siren wailing]

This way!

[planes droning]

[explosions]

[explosions]

[explosions]

Good afternoon, sir.

Good afternoon, lieutenant.

Commander Ritchie,
this is Lieutenant Kennedy.

- He just checked in.
- Oh, yes, uh, yes, we met.

Uh, welcome aboard,
Lieutenant Kennedy.

Thank you, sir.

He, uh, he thinks
he'd like a crack at the 109.

Well, don't be a damn fool.
Show him the boat.

I've seen it, sir.

You think that boat
would ever pass inspection?

Yes, sir.

Another hot rod.

Alright, Mr. Kennedy, you have
one week to put it in shape.

That means one week,
that means in shape.

We'll have to get him
a good crew to help.

Oh, he'll get a crew, alright.

Whether they're any good or not
will be up to Mr. Kennedy.

[Ritchie chuckles]

Yes, sir.

Well, I'll, uh, see
who I can round up.

You do that.

Tsk, tsk, tsk.

[scoffs]

Oh, I'm sorry, sir, I didn't
get a chance to clean up.

It's alright, lieutenant.

You know,
this entire generation's

gonna wind up
dying flat on its belly?

Nothing personal, lieutenant.

Schnibbe.

This thing is full
of strikeovers again.

I could chain up a monkey
in the basement

and get better results.

Try using your elbows.

Come in, come in, sit down.

Ah, it's not like the old navy.

In the old days,
you could eat off the deck.

I mean it,
you could eat off the deck.

Yes, sir, they told us
that at Melville.

Nowadays, these kids,
these-these Hotentots..

Take those boats out, they
bounce 'em around like yo-yos.

They..

- Where?
- Melville, sir.

Mr. Kennedy, I don't care
where you've been.

I don't wanna know
anything about you.

I don't care whether
you've got a mother, a father

an orphan child,
you understand?

You just run a taut ship
and hang on to navy regulations.

If you do, you'll find me
a friendly man.

Damn friendly man.

But if you don't, you..

Schnibbe, where's that memo?

I'm gonna chain up that monkey.

Oh, that's,
that's all, Mr. Kennedy.

Yes, sir.

"A movie for the night.."

Well, you can be replaced
by a wave, you know?

That's all, Schnibbe.

[instrumental music]

Welcome to the South Pacific.

Mr. Kennedy?

Ensign Leonard Thom, your exec.

Oh, hi.
Glad to meet you, Leonard.

Welcome aboard.

How long did they give you
to put it in shape?

Well, we've used about half the
time just talking right here.

[chuckles]
What about a crew?

So far, I've got, um..

'...one land crab.'

Come on, Leonard,
I'll show you around.

Are they kiddin'?
Look at this thing.

Is that our mother ship?

[scoffs]
Holy Toledo.

Shouldn't we stow
our gear aboard?

We better wait for an officer
to report to.

- Know who we drew?
- I don't know.

I got a rundown
from one of the yeoman.

Let's see.

The exec is an ensign
named Leonard Thom.

He's had some sea duty.

He used to be a tackle
on the Ohio state football team.

That rules out mutiny.
How about the old man?

JG named Kennedy.
What the hell are you doin'?

- I'm killin'--
- Oh, will you stop it?

- Why?
- Makes me nervous.

Suffer.

Seems like all he ever did
was go to school.

He's had no sea duty.
Says here he wrote a book.

Sounds like he ought to be
in charge of a library.

What's the name of the book?

- "While England Slept."
- Any pictures in it?

Pidgures?

Pictures, idiot.

He's lookin' for pictures
and I'm an idiot.

Just serving under
a guy like this

'we'd rate the Purple Heart.'

I'll keep it in mind.

[sighs]

I don't think you men have, uh

met our new executive officer,
Ensign Thom.

I'm Lieutenant Kennedy.

Drewitch, sir.
Motor machinist second.

Drewitch.

I'm Harris, sir.
Gunner's mate second.

Harris.

We were just sayin', sir,
she's a very seaworthy craft.

- Lot of potential, anyway.
- Any relation of Bucky?

No, sir, they call me
that though, sometimes.

- Drawdy is my name, sir.
- Drawdy.

Motor machinist, second.

Alright, you men can stow your
gear in the engineering shack.

You'll be staying there
until we get squared away.

[grunts]
Yes, sir.

- Um, Mr. Kennedy?
- Yes, Drewitch?

There are only three of us
to clean up this whole boat.

There's five of us.

Is this the whole crew?

Well, it's all we have
for now. Why?

We'll spend the rest of the war
just gettin' the boat in shape.

Then we'd better get started.

Aye, aye, sir.

(Thom)
Alright, you're home, men,
get your gear.

Six new hands selected with
the upmost of care

to meet the requirements
of the 109.

Only six available.

I'm Kirksey, sir.
Torpedo man second.

Kirksey.

Maguire, sir.
Radioman second.

Maguire.

Marney, sir,
Motormech second.

Marney.

Kowal, sir.
Gunner's mate third.

Kowal.

Albert, sir.
Seaman second class.

Albert.

Mauer, sir.
Seaman first.

Mauer.
Where's your gear, Mauer?

Oh, I was on the Niagara, sir.

My, uh, my gear went down
with the ship.

We'll see if we can scare up
some stuff for you.

- Oh, thank you.
- Right.

Any of you men know how to cook?

Cook?

Yeah, yeah, I used to fix some
stuff for my kid brother, sir.

Good. You're our new cook.
What kind of stuff?

Peanut butter sandwiches, sir.

(Kennedy)
Nothing else?

Well, sometimes I'd stick
some jelly in 'em, sir.

Well, uh, maybe you could cook
up a third specialty, huh?

Maybe.

Drewitch, you wanna show the men
where to stow their gear?

Sir.

Drawdy, show these men
where to stow their gear.

Come on.

Well, what do you think, Jack?

Think they'll do
a good job for us?

Sure.

If we do one for them.

[upbeat music]

If we did get it ready in a week

it wouldn't pass
Ritchie's muster.

I wouldn't worry about that,
Andrew, my boy.

We're still one engine short.

(Kennedy)
'Here you are.
One box, 24 chocolate bars.'

Thanks. And see what you can do
about getting a turret

for that sick torpedo,
will you?

Will do.

And, Sam, um, you--

Thanks.

How are you fellas coming?

I'll say, we've got more
Cosmoline in the solvent

than we got on the gun.

Oh, here, hand it to me.
I'll get some clean stuff.

Thank you.

Alright! Alright! Send down
the bum that done this!

Sorry, chief,
I guess I'm your man.

You know what you got
for a brain, buddy?

A seed pearl. You know
how big a seed pearl is?

It's the damn smallest pearl
in the world.

Now I'm coming up there
and tellin' you the rest of it.

Let's go, sailor.

Permission to come aboard, sir.

Permission granted.
Chief, I'm sorry about that.

It's not you, sir.

It's that cotton-picking
enlisted man over there.

I'm gonna get that son of a gun
that dumped the oil on my head.

I'm afraid I'm
your man, chief. I--

I'm a chief petty officer
in this navy

and I'm not gonna take
that sort of things.

- I'm your man.
- What, sir?

I-I-I didn't realize
anybody was on the other side.

I'm sorry about that.

Well, sir,
I think them seed pearls

is about the best
I can do for you.

Say, chief.

With your permission,
I'd like to replace that shirt.

Permission granted.

- Wanna try it?
- Why not?

machinery whirring]

[engine sputtering]

Commander, do you really think
they can pass this inspection?

- Moment of truth.
- He'll say no.

- Two to one?
- Alright.

- Two chocolate bars to one.
- You're on.

Alright. All hands,
man your cleaning stations

for inspection.

Request permission
to come aboard.

Permission granted.
Ready for inspection, commander.

Well, at least
there's something that floats.

- Sir?
- Oh, uh..

- And how many primer coats?
- Two.

Two primer coats. Let's take
a look at your engines.

Alright.

With your permission, commander.

Go ahead.

Good afternoon, sir. Engine
room, ready for inspection.

Drawdy, motormech second,
standing by.

At ease, Drawdy.

- All three of them work?
- Yes, sir.

- Show him, Drawdy.
- No, no.

Now that won't be necessary,
Mr. Kennedy.

I take a man's word.

Good afternoon, sir.

Crew's compartment
ready for inspection.

Harris, gunner's mate second,
standing by.

Good afternoon.

Somebody's kid sister?

- Sorry, sir.
- He's very sorry, sir.

Oh, no, don't apologize.

That's the most seaworthy thing
I've seen on this boat.

Good afternoon, sir.
Galley, ready for inspection.

Mauer, seaman first,
standing by, sir.

Mauer.

Galley clean, well ordered.

Is there any hot food?

- Yes, sir.
- Good.

- Hot food?
- Peanut butter on toast.

- Commander?
- Yes, lieutenant.

I just wondered how you felt
about the inspection, sir?

How am I suppose to feel?

Well, the men worked hard
to get the boat in shape, sir.

I thought maybe a word of
encouragement would be in order.

I don't hand out pats
on the back for a job I expect

a man to do in the normal
performance of his duty.

I thought that was clear.

The men aren't looking for pats
on the back, commander.

They're just lookin'
for a little credit

for a job well done.

I'm not a bookkeeper,
Mr. Kennedy.

I don't dabble
in debits or credits.

I'm a naval officer.
I run a taut ship.

I expect you do the same.

Your boat's ready
for test run. Carry on.

That's all, lieutenant.

I wanna thank you men
for doing a good job.

Damn good job.

Engines check out
okay here, Drawdy.

Thank you, sir.

Everything alright
with you, Len?

No complaints. She runs
like the Queen Mary.

Alright. Prepare for shakedown
drill. General quarters.

Alright, general quarters,
man your battle stations!

General quarters!

Come on, come on.

Come on, come on.

[cocks gun]

Number 1 .50 mount,
manned and ready, sir!

Very well.

Go!

Aft .50, manned and ready, sir!

Right, very well.

.20 millimeter,
manned and ready, sir!

Very well.
What's your time?

Minute and ten seconds.

That's ten seconds faster
than we were last time.

Good.

Secure general quarters.

Secure general quarters.

Well, what do you think?

Yeah. Let's take
a practice run at that.

Full speed ahead.

Sir, this looks good.
We're about 1500 out.

We'll close to 1000.

[instrumental music]

Hey, watch it!

Standby to fire.

Thousand.

Alright. Fire one.

Fire two.

Right on him.

What's their hurry?

I don't know.

Let's find out.

[coughs]

[screeches]

Alright, make it fast, Harris.

- Mr. Kennedy.
- Yes, sir.

Did they teach you to maneuver
like that at Melville

or is that something
you picked up at Cape Cod?

Lieutenant, we like
these boats pretty much

just the way they are.

So don't you take it upon
yourself to change the design

of 'em by playing billiards with
those other boats out there.

Yes, sir.

The man sure rides your back.

Too bad he doesn't direct
some of that tension

towards the enemy.

The war would be over sooner.

Well, I guess I did
come in a little fast.

'Drawdy.'

- Those engines check out okay?
- Yes, sir.

- But there is one thing.
- What's that?

Those engines are pretty tired.

Burst them in highest speed,
they could stall.

- You'd wind up on the beach.
- Alright, thanks, Drawdy.

- I'll keep it in mind.
- Yes, sir.

How are you, Jack?

- How did it go?
- Fine, real fine.

- Your boat looks good, Jack.
- Well, I got a good crew.

Oh, don't be modest.

We've got a briefing session
in 15 minutes.

Fifteen minutes? Oh, that hardly
gives me time to refuel.

Oh, you won't get finished
refueling till after dark.

- It's only 2 o'clock.
- You're last in line.

- First come, first serve.
- Oh, yes.

You sure you don't want
that engineering job?

Yes, I'm sure.

I'm sure.

- Hi, John.
- John.

Oh, John.

You get those chocolate bars
I asked for?

Yeah, a full box of 24.

I'll send them down
to the boat, okay?

- Deal, thanks.
- Hey, Jack.

Oh, yeah.

Uh, Len.

- Uh--
- That's $3 you owe me.

With that sweet tooth
of yours, Jack

I'm afraid you'll never
make ends meet.

Well, I guess we're all here.

This briefing is mainly
for the new skippers.

I'm sure you know them by now.

Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Liebenow

'Mr. Edwards, Mr. Fuller.
Thank you.'

'To begin with,
I don't know how long'

we'll be operating out of here.

Task Force 31
has made landings on Rendova.

Here.

As soon as the island's secure,
we'll move up.

'Until that time,
the new skippers will'

'conduct test runs only.'

Unless, of course
one of the coastwatchers

turns up something.

For the benefit
of the new officers

that's our local spy set-up.

They're Australian volunteers
mainly and they do a great job.

They're located
in a lot of these islands

reporting to us
on Japanese troop movements

shipping, anything
that'll do us any good.

Yeoman, pass out those orders.

'Read them carefully,
gentlemen.'

'Then I'll answer
your questions.'

Welcome to
the South Pacific, Rogers.

I didn't know you went in
for this sort of thing.

Oh, believe me, Mr. Kennedy,
I had it all set up, locked in.

Recruiting duty in Columbus,
Ohio with sea pay.

Somebody blew the whistle.

I tell ya, it must have been
Roosevelt or somebody way up.

Really,
I had it all locked in.

You know, one of these days,
he's gonna talk himself

right into
the Japanese Imperial Staff.

(male #1)
'Prairie Dog, Prairie Dog,
this is GSE.'

'I have your message
and will relay to Tulagi.'

'GSE out.'

Hello, KEN, KEN, this is GSE.

From Prairie Dog, I have
a relay of message to Tulagi.

Priority urgent.
Message follows.

Prairie Dog urgently requests
at least two

I repeat, two Peter Tares.

Cover force,
withdrawal his force

by two LCVPs at Baker 91.

I repeat, Baker 91.

This is KEN. This is KEN.

Baker 91 will comply. Over.

Thank you, KEN. GSE out.

Emergency rescue, sir.
What can we put in the water?

I can give you a note
in a bottle.

I got five boats,
two in dry dock

two for night patrol
and the 109.

Thank you, sir.

Uh, why? What happened?
Something hit the fan?

Cluster!

Rescue mission.
Can you get underway?

For a few feet. We've only got
enough gas for a test run.

- Why, what's up?
- It'll have to do.

Marine paratroop battalion
hit Choiseul

to cover for the real thing
at Bougainville.

To make it look big,
they were ordered

to split into patrols
and raise scatter hell.

Alright, Lenny, wind 'em up!

Alright.

One of those patrols is trapped
in the north end of the island.

We have to get them off
the beach. Here's your position.

What do you want me to do?
Beach it?

No, we have two LCVPs for that.

Your job is to rendezvous
and provide cover.

I suppose you know
with that little gas

we'll never get back.

I'll send you a tow.
That's all I can promise.

If that's your best offer,
I'll take it.

- Good luck, Jack.
- Thanks.

(Kennedy)
Alright, standby, hand lines.

[instrumental music]

What are you reading now, Lenny?

About 1800.

You got a heavy foot, skipper.
We're down to 300 gallons.

Yeah. Thanks, Drewitch.

[explosions]

VP 1, VP 1, this is PT 109.

Request instructions. Over.

We're pinned down
in the beach.

Need your guns
so we can run for it.

We'll give you cover fire
while you load and clear. Over.

Alright, Lenny, I'll take over.

All stations, stand by!
We're moving in.

[gunfire]

Commence firing!
Commence firing!

[gunfire]

[explosions]

[explosions]

[gunfire]

[gunfire]

[explosions]

Alright, standby, Drewitch.
We're idling down.

[gears clanking]

- Nets over the port side!
- Right.

Nets over the port side!

Nets over the port side.

[gunfire]

Give him a hand
with that cargo net there!

Get it over.
Alright, let's go!

[gunfire]

Skipper, our fuel gauges
are bouncing on zero!

[gunfire]

[explosion]

[explosion]

Get those men out of the water!

[grunts]

Get that wounded man aboard.
Get him down below.

Alright, get him around
the other side, come on.

[gunfire]

Wounded man. Help him!

[grunts]

Stark, get on that gun!

Mag, over here.
Come here, let's go.

[grunts]

Get those nets up!

Let's get out of here!

[gunfire]

[explosion]

[explosion]

We don't stand a chance in hell
of getting back to Tulagi

unless you find a gas station
out here someplace.

[engine sputtering]

We've had it, skipper.
You better rig the sails.

At least
we're out of range, huh?

Yeah, but the tide's coming in.

[instrumental music]

[speaking in Japanese]

Hm.

Come in, Peter Tare.
Any Peter Tare.

This is Hangnail.
Come in, please.

[cocks gun]

Come in, Peter Tare.
Any Peter Tare, come in, please.

Any Peter Tare, come in.
This is Hangnail.

Come in, please. Come in.

Peter Tare, this is Geronimo.
What's your pleasure?

Geronimo, we're, uh, dry up the
beach. Can you give us a tow?

- That's what we're here for.
- Well, make it fast.

Another two minutes,
those zeroes will be

climbing down our backs.

Where the hell is he?

Jack, off our port bow.

[dramatic music]

Alright, Lenny, give them
a hand with the bowline.

Right.

Okay, haul away!

- Lenny?
- Yeah.

Keep the crew
in general quarters.

Let Tulagi know
what's going on.

Ready.

Pull back!

- How you doing?
- Fine.

All I need are a couple
of aspirins and a Band-Aid.

- How you doing, Drawdy?
- Not too good, sir.

Drewitch?

We gonna be replaced,
Mr. Kennedy?

- Yeah.
- Don't do that to us.

I mean, uh, just sitting
in a hospital

with them bombs coming down.

Wanna trade places?

That's a good idea.
Let him sit in the hospital.

- 'No chance, huh?'
- Afraid not, Drewitch.

We'll come and visit you.

I'll bring you over a snack
every now and then.

Don't do us any favors.

- Help you guys?
- Yeah.

We're replacements.
Is the XO aboard?

He'll be back in a couple
of minutes. Come on aboard.

I'm Maguire.

- Starkey, Johnson, Zinser.
- Hi.

I'm McMahon.
Who are we replacing?

Couple of guys in Arlington?

A little trouble at Choiseul.
Nothing serious.

[explosion]

It's just the cook fishing.

With a hand grenade?

In a war, you don't have time
to sit around

like Huckleberry Finn.

Come on,
I'll take you down below.

♪ Well it ain't gonna rain
no more no more ♪

♪ It ain't gonna rain no more ♪

♪ How in the world
does Harris know ♪

♪ It ain't gonna rain no more ♪♪

- You wanna hear some news?
- The war's over.

No, that happens on Tuesday.

Next week on Tuesday.
We're going to Rendova.

- And Ritchie stays here.
- You sure?

I just got the word
from the yeoman up front.

The way those Japanese flyers
cover that Rendova crossing

you'd think the whole war
was taking place there.

Kirksey, my boy, you got
nothing to worry about.

All we get is the Japs.
They got Ritchie.

We're gettin' a better deal,
believe me.

- Is the captain in?
- Yes, sir.

[knocks]

Come in.

- 'Captain?'
- Go ahead, commander.

Some of these gentlemen
can really foul things up.

These, uh, the orders
are all wrong.

The orders are correct.
You're staying behind.

Look, captain, in three weeks,
this will all be backwash.

- You're doing good job here.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That's what they told me
in the last war.

I was in destroyers, you know,
greyhounds of the fleet.

Sure, tied up to a pier

in Bayonne, New Jersey
for the duration.

I know. I've read
your service record.

Well, then you also know I've
been passed over twice already.

You leave me behind,
it could happen again.

Look, commander,
this is a different war.

Different breed of fighting men.
Like these PT boys.

'Trouble is, you've never made
an effort to understand them.'

I know they don't follow
navy regs. Why should they?

Fighting destroyers
from a piece of plywood?

Yes.

Yes, I suppose
that-that's what's eating me.

They're in combat.

I've been in this navy 25 years.

I-I've never been
close enough to the enemy

to shake a fist at 'em.

Captain, I'm no hero.

For all I know,
I, I may even be a coward.

If I am, I think I could live
with it, but..

...I'd at least like
the chance to find out.

Bushed, Pappy?

Wish somebody would invent
a middle-aged war.

You know, I don't get it.

Us, yes, but you, how'd you get
trapped into this thing?

I have a stepson.
He joined up.

Where does that leave me?

Well, I see your point,
but it's covered with fog.

I can't very well climb up
on my son's knee

and ask him about the war.

It wouldn't be dignified.

Skipper, topside!

- Schnibbe?
- Yes, sir.

What's the serial number
on that Jeep?

- I don't know, sir.
- Find out, write it down.

- I want the same Jeep.
- Yes, sir.

- Rogers?
- Yes, sir.

About that mosquito netting

I want it to arrive intact,
so pack it very carefully.

- I'll try, sir.
- Don't try, do it.

Because if I get a bite,
somebody's gonna get stung.

Request permission
to come aboard.

- Permission granted.
- Thank you.

I'm riding with you to Rendova.

Oh, are you in charge
of boats there, sir?

Naturally.

Welcome aboard, sir.

Thank you.

Is this the way
to, uh, Columbus, Ohio?

Oh, I can't figure it out,
Mr. Kennedy.

I wind up in Tulagi,
so I make the best of it

by trying to get
to the maintenance officer.

Scuttlebutt has it,
he stays behind.

Maybe you're not using
the right kind of juice.

Exactly. Maybe I should
have gone to Harvard.

Harvard.

Yes, sir.

Wind 'em up!
Stand by to cast off.

[engines rumbling]

Alright, cast off your bowline.

Schnibbe!

Let's get the hell out of here.

[dramatic music]

Zero at 5 o'clock, sir!

General quarters,
man your battle stations!

General quarters, man
your battle stations!

Request permission to stand by
at the .20 millimeter.

- Permission granted.
- Thank you.

Engine room, standby.
General quarters.

- Two o'clock.
- General quarters.

Aft .50 magnum ready, sir!

Very well.

[gunfire]

Request permission
to take over your gun.

Come on, son, come on.
Let me have a crack at 'em.

- Go ahead, sir.
- Thanks.

[plane droning]

[gunfire]

- You got him, sir!
- Yeah!

[explosion]

- Good shooting, commander.
- Ah, beginner's luck.

But thanks, son.

- Thanks very much.
- Yes, sir.

That was nice shooting,
commander.

- You led that plane just right.
- Oh, thanks, Marney.

I-I don't know,
he just kind of, uh, you know

slithered right into
my line of fire.

You must've had a lot of gunnery
during the first war.

Right, sir?

Yeah, we can, uh,
let it go at that.

Yes, sir.

[instrumental music]

Skipper!

Trying to beat us in.

There goes our sack time.

Not again.

Stand by your bowlines.

Remember what Drawdy said
about those engines, skipper.

[engine rumbling]

[gears clanking]

Skipper, skipper, can't reverse!

[dramatic music]

Clear the decks!

(Thom)
Jack, there's a boat coming out.

I see it, I see it.

Get a line over to those men
in the water.

Get your spring lines over.

'Marney, get the forward
spring line!'

'Harris, get
the aft spring line!'

'Starky, fender!'

Oh!

Well, that tears it.

Ooh!

(Kennedy)
Harris, throw out
the spring line!

- Grab a line, chief!
- Gangway.

(Kennedy)
Alright, throw 'em
the Jacob's ladder.

Let's get those men
out of the water.

Mauer, give 'em a hand.

Haul in your bowline!

- Mr. Kennedy!
- Yes, sir.

Did you arrange this landing
for my benefit

or do you always enter
a new port like that?

No, sir, I tried to reverse my
engines at too fast a speed.

I'll put it on my report.

Just make sure it jibes
with my report, Mr. Kennedy.

Yes, sir!

It's free, Jack. Take her out.

Well, I don't imagine
I'm very popular

with the Seabees right now.

- Hello, Jack. How are you?
- Hey.

- When'd you get in?
- Couple of days ago. Lenny.

- Welcome to your new home.
- Thank you, sir.

That was a very
impressive landing.

It didn't impress Ritchie.

He's, uh, a very sentimental man
where his boats are concerned.

Well, it's his job.
I can understand that.

I'm glad you do.

You're both wanted up at
operations right away.

Come on.

- What's up?
- Briefing.

Something big, I think.

You'll be assigned
to Brantingham's group

for the time being.

- Squadron commander?
- Yeah.

And a damn good one.

Hey, how come they call
this place Todd City?

Leon Todd Jr.
First PT man killed at Rendova.

This way, Jack.

This is it.

Jack, I'm leaving on a special
assignment for a few days.

I'll see you
when I get back, huh?

- Well, good luck, sir.
- You too.

And don't worry
about wrecking that shed.

You're not the first one.

We have a message from CTF 31.

I'll try to summarize.

There's a strong chance
the express may run tonight.

That means a group of destroyers
plus heavy barge traffic.

Their mission is to land troops
and supplies at Vila.

My instructions are to use
every available PT.

'Four of our boats have radar.'

'You'll form a division around
each of those four boats.'

Cookman, your group will patrol
South Ferguson Passage.

Scott, your area
is east of Makuti Island.

Berndtson, your group
will patrol

opposite Gurtarre Village.

My group will be
farthest up the strait

opposite the village
of Vanga Vanga.

'This should be enough
to stop any move'

to Vila through Blackett Strait.

We're on condition red, sir.

Boat captains, man your boats.

[dramatic music]

[siren wailing]

[plane droning]

[explosion]

[gunfire]

[explosion]

[gunfire]

[explosion]

[grunts]
Watch the kidneys.
They only issue two.

[explosion]

- Sorry, pal. I didn't see it.
- Jack!

Hey, Barney,
where did you come from?

Guadalcanal. I got my post
shot out from under me.

What are you doing here?

[explosion]

Fighting the enemy.

I gotta get to my boat.
I'll see you later.

Yeah, okay, Jack.
Oh, hey, listen.

Listen, Jack!

[gunfire]

[explosions]

Standby, engine room!

Where the hell is the skipper?

He's on his way.
Stand by that dock line, Mag.

[gunfire]

Get ready to cast off!

[explosions]

Your engines alright down there?

[plane droning]

[explosion]

What happened down there?

Harris, 2 o'clock!

Hey, skipper,
the water jackets are punctured.

- You can't run the engines.
- Mauer! Maguire!

Forget those lines.
The engines are dead!

[gunfire]

[gunfire]

[explosions]

Harris, 9 o'clock!

[gunfire]

[dramatic music]

Our position on Vanga Vanga
should be a very busy one.

If their destroyers
try to cross Blackett Strait

be sure your fish
are ready to fire.

If they try to go north
around Kolombangara

we have Burke's destroyers
and Kelly's PTs.

- Lieutenant Brantingham.
- What is it, Mr. Ross?

I'm without an assignment.

If anybody can use
an extra hand, I'm available.

Well?

I'm putting on a .37 millimeter.
You can have a go at that.

I'll take it.

Where did you get
a .37 millimeter, lieutenant?

I found it lying around Tulagi.
I figured it'd give us

a little added firepower.

Alright, Ross.
You're on the 109.

That's it.
Monitor regular channels.

Maintain radio silence.
Good luck, get going.

Haven't you had enough action
for one day, Barney?

I tell you, it's unsafe
on that island.

Bombs keep falling on it.
Rather have a boat under me.

You can operate
a .37 millimeter.

Well, I'm pretty quick
to learn.

Well, now we got a little class
on this two-by-four.

What about the mounting, sir?

Lash it to the planks for now.
We'll bolt it on later.

Yes, skipper.

Will you tell me
what we're doin'

with an anti-tank gun
on a PT boat?

Skipper'd mount a tank
if he could find one.

Okay.

[instrumental music]

Take it over, Lenny.

[humming]

I'm not too crazy
about havin' him around.

It's bad luck
havin' a stranger aboard.

Don't be silly,
that's for ships

like "Moby-Dick," not this one.

You'll have to show me
how a .37 works.

I have a small confession,
Barney. We'll learn together.

Hey, Mag.

Yeah, Andy?

Will you take care
of my things?

What things?
What're you talkin' about?

My things,
whatever belongs to me.

Look, uh, when we get back,
you better sack in for a while.

I'm not coming back.

- Ah, stow it!
- Maguire, I'm gonna get killed.

Listen, the last two boats
I was on

there was always a guy who
thought he was gonna get his.

- They knew too?
- They knew nothin'.

No one died
in any of those boats.

Skipper, can you spare a minute?

Sure, what is it?

I think you better talk
to Kirksey.

He's afraid they're gonna
mail him home.

Alright.

- Hello, Kirksey.
- Mr. Kennedy.

- Join me?
- No, sir, but thank you, sir.

Maybe I do need a cup,
lieutenant.

[chuckles]
I don't know what's the matter
with me, Mr. Kennedy.

I got this awful feelin'
I'm not coming back.

Andy, I don't think
there's a man on this boat

who hasn't had that thought
at one time or the other.

You don't understand,
Mr. Kennedy.

I don't think it, I know it.

Did you ever have a feelin'

ahead of time that
something was gonna happen'?

- Right before it does happen?
- Yes.

It's like somebody put
a cold hand on my heart.

I got chilled.
I can't shake it off.

It could happen, Andy.

You could die. That's war.

Whenever I think about that,
I try to remember

the odds are on our side.

Yes, sir, b-but the Japs aren't.

You tellin' me
I shouldn't worry, sir?

No, you'd be a fool
if you didn't.

Then what can a man do,
Mr. Kennedy, except pray?

You can do your job...
like all of us.

[dramatic music]

See anything?

No, but the Peter Tares
should be on station now.

They're gonna have a rough time
finding anything

out there tonight.

We're on station. Vanga Vanga
on the starboard beam.

Reduce speed to 6 knots.
Muffle all engines.

Inform the other boats
by blinker light.

6 knots. Muffle.

Muffle down.

Message from Oak 11, sir.
Reduce speed to 6 knots.

- Muffle all engines.
- Thanks, Mag. Lenny.

Engine room,
muffle your engines.

We can't see a thing tonight.

I hear we get radar
next month.

Yeah.

Sure is a lot of water
out there.

Yeah, that's just
the top of it.

You spot the 159, Mauer?

No, sir, not now.

She was off the port beam
about ten minutes ago.

Radar contact.

Bearing 095.

Range 3500.

Must be barges
close to the beach.

[dramatic music]

I just received orders
from Oak Zero.

Patrol south to a Wana Wana.

I don't know
exactly where that is.

Lenny, check the chart.

[intense music]

[dramatic music]

Ship at 2 o'clock!

[speaking in Japanese]

Hey!

[crash]

[men screaming]

[screams]

[explosion]

Somebody! Somebody!

Help!

- Anybody below?
- I don't know, sir.

Give Mauer a hand.
Look for survivors.

Yes, sir.

[dramatic music]

[groaning]

Mauer, haul away!

Pappy! Hey, Pappy.

Pappy?

[screams]
Hey!

Oh, oh, my God!

Oh, God!

Hey, somebody!

'Hey, Pappy is all burned!'

[groaning]

Somebody!

Maguire!

Johnson!

- Barney!
- Over here!

- Johnson!
- 'Here.'

- I'll get him.
- Where?

(Johnson)
'Help me! It's Johnson!
I'm over here!'

'Help!'

Mr. Kennedy.

I've got him, Buck.
Can you make it?

[coughs]
Yes.

Wait!

[groans]

Johnson!

[groaning]

I can't feel my legs.

Come on, Buck.
We're almost there.

My legs won't work.

Come on!

[groaning]

[groaning]

I'm going back for Bucky.

[groans]

- Mag, give me a hand!
- 'Over here.'

Watch it.

Take it easy.

[groaning]

[groaning]

[groaning]

How are you doin', Bucky?

- Leave me alone.
- Come on.

Leave me alone!

Come on, Buck, it isn't far.

[grunts]

Come on!

Bad arm.

Aah, easy!

Mauer!

For a guy from Boston,
you're putting up

a hell of an exhibit.
Now come on.

I don't need anybody's help.

Kick! Kick!

Kick!

- I can't.
- Come on, kick!

Watch it, skipper!

Mag!

Come on, Buck.
We're here.

Okay, sir.

[groaning]

Watch his leg.

[groaning]

Everybody aboard?

Everybody
but Marney and Kirksey.

Mag, take a look
at the starboard side.

- Yes, sir.
- It's my legs, sir.

They don't work.

Marney!

Kirksey!

Marney!

- Marney!
- Marney!

- Kirksey!
- Kirksey!

(Thom)
'Marney!'

Marney!

Kirksey!

(Thom)
'Kirksey!'

Marney!

(Thom)
'Marney!'

(Ross)
Marney!

Kirksey!

(Kennedy)
'Marney!'

- 'Marney!'
- 'Kirksey!'

What happened to the 109?

There's been no radio contact
since I ordered them

to patrol Wana Wana.

Maybe operations know something.

Jim, send this message
to CO Pat Ron Baker on Guadal.

Believe PT 109 lost
night action, 2 August.

2 miles, Northwest Meresu.

Repeat, Meresu.

Crew of 13.

Request air search
earliest possible.

Have Captain Saunders
release that.

Oh, Evans reported a barge
at fire on oil slick

2 miles southwest of Meresu.

Well, that could be the PT 109.

Maybe the crew's in the water
or on the beach.

Let's hope so.

[men groaning]

[groaning]

Picked a hell of a time
to hitchhike, Mr. Ross.

How's he doin', Lenny?

Third-degree burns
on both his arms.

Shoulder and his face
aren't much better.

Zinser, how's Johnson?

He's better, sir.
He stopped throwin' up.

If they come out here,
what are we gonna do?

Fight or surrender?

'What are you gonna use
to fight with?'

(Zinser)
'We got a .37 millimeter,
this Tommy gun and some .45s.'

'That ammo's been wet.
Suppose the guns don't fire?'

Alright, then we'll throw
bullets at them.

But I'm not gonna surrender.

That's alright
if they're a handful.

But what if they send
an army out here?

- What's the difference--
- Let's surrender.

We're not good to anybody dead!

I'm not gonna surrender!

(McMahon)
'Oh, that's okay for you guys.'

'I got a wife and three kids.'

(Zinser)
'So what makes you think
you're gonna'

'see 'em if you surrender?'

Knock it off!

Lenny, give me that map.

[creaking]

[dramatic music]

If this thing doesn't
go under, we'll float

right down into their laps.

Question is, which island?

You're not thinkin' of swimmin'
over there, are you?

I'm open to suggestions, Lenny.
You got any better ones?

Most of those islands
are held by the enemy.

(Kennedy)
'We know Kolombangara is.'

'We know Gizo is.'

'Yeah, here's one.'

Plum Pudding.

About 3 and a half miles.

- I think we can make it.
- Take us about four hours.

- It's our best bet.
- If it isn't?

Sir, some of these men
don't swim too well.

How far did you say
that island was?

Don't worry, Bucky.

We'll make it.

If you get 11 men
in the water

we'll be pretty
spread out, sir.

We'll lash the planks together.

I don't think
Pappy can make it.

I'll take care of Pappy.
You stay with the other men.

Come on, let's go.

Maguire, take that battle liner.

- Lash it to the plank.
- Right, sir.

You think we're gonna make it,
don't you, sir?

Take bets on it, Bucky.
Either you're a winner

or you don't pay off.

That's it, Pappy.
Put your feet on here!

Attaboy!

Lift them up, up, Pappy.

Alright, everybody,
get their shoes off

and tie 'em to the plank.
You can get 'em later on.

You got Pappy?

Just easy, Johnson.
Watch your feet.

Hey, you got him?
Bring him on down here.

Easy, easy on those burns.

[dramatic music]

[coughing]

You alright, Pappy?

[intense music]

[spits]

Four miles, long way.

It's only 3 inches
on the chart, Bucky.

[dramatic music]

[ship creaking]

Skipper, there she rolls.

[crash]

PWD, PWD, this is GSE.

GSE, this is PWD. Go ahead.

Last night's fire
seems to be a small barge.

It's afloat and still visible.

Japanese island patrols
are still active. Out.

Albert, what the hell
did you do that for?

They're heavy. Who needs 'em?

You'll find out
when that coral gets to you.

(Johnson)
Help.

Come on, Johnson.
Hang on there!

We'll have you on that beach
in, in no time.

- How you doin', Pappy?
- Okay, skipper.

[groaning]

[groans]

[grunts]

[engine whirring]

[dramatic music]

- Hurry up. Jap barge.
- Oh, my God!

[groaning]

[dramatic music]

[groaning]

[engine whirring]

Move further up the brush.
Barney.

You never introduced me
to your friends.

- They'll be back.
- Wonderful.

Our boat should be coming
through here tonight.

Well, not necessarily.

They could just about go up
through Gizo Strait.

Well, then they have
to go out this way.

Well, if I could get out there
with a lantern

we could flag 'em down.

What, are you a nut? You'd have
to tread water all night long.

There's a reef out there.
I could walk part of the way.

Well, you'd never
come back, buddy.

Well, I can't send
for room service.

How you doin', Pappy?

Fine. I just don't...
look so good, that's all.

You know, maybe some oil
from those coconuts

might help those burns.

Yeah.

How about a signal fire, sir

just in case
there's a rescue party?

Build a fire, we'll be
rescued in ten minutes..

...by the Japanese.

They're all around us, Bucky.

Kind of like
a bunch of burglars

breakin' into a police station.

It tends to be awkward.

Get some of the men
to haul down those coconuts.

Try the oil on these burns.

[dramatic music]

Oak Leaf 1, this is Blue Jay.

We've spotted a wreckage
mid channel.

No survivors.

Repeat, no survivors seen.

Out.

[dramatic music]

Lenny.

Keep lookouts posted all night
both ends of the island.

Zinser, Mauer,
take the first watch.

Good luck.

[instrumental music]

Ain't that the biggest
damn fool you ever saw?

Sir?

(Ross)
'Well, I hope
our boats come through'

'Ferguson Passage tonight.'

'That's where he'll be.'

[dramatic music]

Oak Leaf, this is
Tigertail Leader. Over.

Tigertail Leader,
this is Oak Leaf. Over.

I've completed Vella Lavella
sweep. I'm returning home.

Your order,
return Ferguson Passage.

But channel is narrow,
visibility low.

Request permission,
return Blackett Strait. Over.

Permission granted. Over.

Roger, Oak Leaf.
Over and out.

Let's go home
through Blackett Strait.

[dramatic music]

[engine whirring]

[instrumental music]

Makin' a record
of how long we're stuck here.

Notch a day.

Sure you got enough plank?

[Starkey coughs]

You alright, Starkey?

What's gonna happen to us,
Mr. Thom?

Are we just gonna
sit out here and die?

Skipper will turn up something.

Skipper, he's been
gone ten hours.

Where do they think we are,
down the ship store or AWOL?

We didn't get mislaid,
we're here.

I wish I could,
I wish I could do something

to get their minds off this.

Well, maybe they might enjoy
a little snooker

or a tea dance
or something like that.

Of course, we're not really
set up for it, are we, Lenny?

(Mauer)
'Mr. Thom! Mr. Ross!
He's back!'

(Ross)
Here you go,
I'll give you a hand.

That's it.

That's it. Come on.

Alright,
move him off the beach.

[breathing heavily]

Take it easy.

They didn't come.

All I saw was a Jap barge.

Barney, you go out tonight.

Jack, I'm with you.

You know that,
so's everybody else.

But if something
doesn't happen pretty soon

we're gonna tap out.

What do you mean?

Well, uh..

There's a Japanese-held island
right over there.

Yeah.

Some of the men feel
it's better than nothin'.

- That means giving up.
- It means givin' up alive.

- Nobody's giving up.
- Nobody wants to--

Nobody's goin' to.
We're gonna get out of here.

Alright, we'll wait and see.
Get some rest.

You're going out..

...tonight.

- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning.

- Well?
- No sign of them, sir.

- We patrolled all night.
- Where?

Blackett Strait.

Is that the only place
they could be?

You might as well face it,
commander, the 109's gone.

Just a minute, you.

You think I worry too much
about those boats, don't you?

No, but that's what
you're thinking.

And so are lot of
other people around here.

Well, let me tell you
something, mister.

I worry about those boats.
Yes, and for one reason.

Those boats have a deck on 'em
and men stand on those decks.

'That's why
I won't give up the 109.'

'She had men on her deck.'

I don't want the deck back.

I want the men
that were standing on it.

That's the only thing
that matters

in this whole big, hairy world.

And don't you ever give me
any of your smart mouth again.

You wanna put a high gloss
on these, please, porter?

Wake my friend when he gets
to Hyannis Port.

Good luck, Mr. Ross.

Well, there's nothing
out there to be afraid of.

Right, Mag?

Right, sir.

Right.

[dramatic music]

It looks as if they're checkin'
island by island.

Thanks, Zinser.

If they check this island,
we'll have to take another swim.

Well, either that
or we'll make a stand here.

If they send a dozen men
and we kill 'em all..

...they'll send 500 more.

Pappy?

Let me put a little more
of this stuff on you.

Skipper, it doesn't do any good.

[dramatic music]

Skipper! Skipper, he's here!

Watch it, Mag.

Get something.

Here, gently.

[sighs]
I'm sorry, Jack.

I drew a blank.

- How do you feel?
- Okay.

I rested a while
on a little island.

Alright, let's start
lashing our gear together.

We're going to Olasana.

'Well, skipper, I can't walk
on any more reef.'

My feet are already
cut to the bone.

I won't be able
to make Olasana.

- 'You have to make it.'
- Why move at all?

At least we know
there are no Japs here.

We also know
there's no food here.

Well, if we can get food one of
these times, it'll be sukiyaki.

At least out there,
we'll be closer to our boats.

They should be coming
through tonight.

The odds are on our side.

Boy, you kill me.

You really do.

Here we are beat and burned
and given up for dead

livin' on green coconuts
and no water

in the middle
of 15,000 Japanese soldiers

and you decide
the odds are with us.

It's a flaw in my character.

Almost there, Pappy.

[dramatic music]

[grunts]

[grunts]

Alright, we'll rest here
a while.

Then we'll scout the island
for food and water.

Lenny, you take Harris.

Mauer, to the north end.

I'll take the others
on the south end.

[dramatic music]

Oh, PWD, PWD.

This is GSE.

This is PWD. Go ahead, GSE.

Further report
on foredeck of 109.

It has grounded on the reef
of South Cross Island.

I'll repeat that.

Foredeck 109 grounded on reef

at South Cross Island.

Out.

PWD acknowledges. Out.

Sir, how-how would you like
that coastwatcher's job?

Just sitting on the cliff
with nothing to do

but stare into space?

Schnibbe..

...some men fight a war from
the turret of a 16 inch gun.

Other guys sweat it out
in an office or..

..or maybe on top of a hill
on some godforsaken island.

That doesn't mean
their job's any easier.

Evans is all alone
on that island.

If an enemy patrol spots him

that's the way
he's going to die.

Alone.

Remember that.

Yes, sir.

[dramatic music]

- 'Mr. Thom?'
- 'Yeah.'

There's a canoe
beached down there.

Hey, I think I found the owners.

Take it easy.

Hold it. Hold it.

Put your guns down.

We're Americans.

They don't look too friendly.

Yeah, as long as they have
those rifles

that's an open question.

I'll tell you one thing.
Those are Japanese rifles.

Well, let's do something.
I don't trust them.

I don't trust them
or those rifles?

- Who are they, Lenny?
- I don't know.

Mr. Kennedy,
those are Japanese rifles.

You speak English?

You know Rendova?

There must be some way
to get through to 'em.

Try 'em in Latin, Jack.

You take a message to Rendova?

What are you gonna use?

I'll find something.

[dramatic music]

Why don't we jump 'em, sir?

We can get the rifles
and the canoe.

Yeah. We can deliver
the message ourselves.

No, wait.

What about this, Jack?
It's smooth and everything.

Here. Put it on my knee.

I'm a friend of...

...Johnny Carey.

You know Johnny Carey?

Rendova. Johnny Carey.

- This could backfire, you know.
- It could.

If it falls in the wrong hands,
it's just like takin' out an ad.

Time is running
short on us, Barney.

There. How's that?

(Ross)
'"Native knows position.
He can pilot.'

'Eleven alive.
Need small boat. Kennedy."'

Well, it might do it.

You take to Rendova.

Rendova.

[dramatic music]

You think they'll deliver it?

You want my opinion,
I think they'll eat it.

Couple of guys like that,
you send them to Rendova

they're liable
to show up in Seattle.

That's alright.

Last I heard,
Seattle was on our side too.

Jack.

Take a look at this.

That's not even the way
to Seattle.

- Any luck, skipper?
- No. No luck, Zinser.

There ain't no food
and there ain't no water

on any of these islands.

I don't know about the brass,
but I made my last swim.

If I'm gonna die,
I'm gonna do it my way.

Maybe we should've stayed
on the foredeck.

Somebody might have seen us.

Don't even start tellin' us
what we should have done.

You think we're better off here?

I think somebody could've
guessed we got hit

and had to abandon ship.

We didn't abandon ship,
it abandoned us.

Why do you have to argue about
every damn little detail?

We wound up in the water.

PWD, this is GSE calling.

PWD, this is GSE calling.

This is PWD. Go ahead, GSE.

I anticipate moving
this station tomorrow.

I can't get a good view
of Ferguson Passage

or the west side
of Blackett Strait.

Uh, new position of the station
will be Dog 34.

I repeat Dog 34.

Final advice a.m. Over.

PWD acknowledges and out.

Thank you, PWD. GSE, out.

What good is it?

- What good is it?
- Take it easy.

Well, what good
is the damn thing?

Who we gonna wave it at, huh?

Nobody! That's who. Nobody!

We've struck out, Mag.
Admit it!

Look, we still have somethin'
workin' for us.

- Those two natives.
- Oh, they never got through.

- How do you know they didn't?
- Well, they didn't.

It's as simple as that.

[shatters]

You don't have to pull rank
on me, Mr. Kennedy.

We're not getting out
of here and I know it!

Well, you don't believe it.
Neither does anybody else.

- Ask 'em.
- Mag?

- I don't know, sir.
- Zinser?

It's getting so I really don't
care, Mr. Kennedy.

Well, you're gonna start
right now.

All of us are.
We're getting out of here.

- One way or the other.
- What about the natives?

If the natives won't do it,
we'll do it another way.

But we're getting out
of here if we have to get

underwater and drag this damned
island back with us.

[dramatic music]

Mr. Thom, Mr. Thom,
there's a canoe

full of natives off the beach.

Skipper.

Mag, stay with Pappy.

Mr. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy.

I'm Kennedy.

Mr. Kennedy, I'm Benjamin Kevu.
I have a letter for you.

It's from an Australian
coastwatcher named Evans.

He got the coconut.

"On His Majesty's service..

"...senior officer,
Olasana Island.

"Friday, 11:00 p.m.

'"I just learned
of your presence on Olasana.'

'"I strongly advise
you return here in this canoe'

'"and by the time you arrive, I
will be in radio communication'

'"with authorities at Rendova'

"where we can finalize plans
to collect balance

of your party. A.R. Evans."

I suggest we leave
as soon as possible.

Enemy patrols are active.

Alright, keep the men posted
undercover till I get back.

[instrumental music]

If he could just get past
those patrols.

♪ Rock of ages cleft for me ♪

♪ Let me hide myself in Thee ♪

♪ Let the water and the blood ♪

♪ From Thy riven side
which flowed ♪

[plane droning]

- What is it, Kevu?
- Japanese plane.

Please stay undercover.

♪ Rock of ages cleft for me ♪

♪ Let me hide myself in Thee ♪

♪ Let the water and the blood ♪

♪ From Thy riven.. ♪♪

[dramatic music]

Hello. I'm Reg Evans.
Very glad you made it.

Jack Kennedy.
Glad to be here.

I've set the rendezvous for the
Peter Tare at Patparan Island.

In the meantime, we'll send you
directly to Rendova.

They'll never get past those
reefs unless I take 'em through.

Yes, I entirely agree.

Alright, you make the rendezvous

at Patparan Island
at 0200 hours.

Peter Tare will approach
from north by northwest.

Fire four identification shots.

Well, I only have,
uh, three rounds.

- Use this.
- Thank you.

I'd like to give you cup of tea,
but you don't have the time.

I'm very grateful.

Glad to help, Kennedy.
Good luck.

[dramatic music]

Patparan, a beam.

[gunshots]

[gunshots]

[gunshot]

[engine rumbling]

[speaking in foreign language]

Barney.

'Hey, Lenny!'

Barney!

[dramatic music]

Pappy, we're gettin' you home.

Hello, skipper.

- 'Hey, skipper!'
- You made it!

- Here we are!
- I told you, Albert.

I told you we'd make it!

- 'Let me take a slice of this.'
- 'This stuff ain't bad.'

Thom.

Hey, bartender, don't give
my friend another drink.

You'll have to send him
home in a cask.

- This guy can't cook.
- How would you know?

[all laughing]

[indistinct chatter]

Hey, hey, old buddy.

We really won this ballgame.
We're on our way home.

- Home?
- That's right, Jack.

It's navy custom.
You lose a boat

you rate a stateside leave.

Well, that sounds great.

I'd like that.

You're goin', aren't you?

Jack, you rated, we all do.

I know.

Well, then why not take it
if you're entitled?

Nobody owes me anything, Barney.

My boat's gone.

Two men.

Took me a long time
to get out here.

I'd like to stick around
a while.

Can you get me another one?

[knock on door]

Come.

Well, Mr. Kennedy,
could I talk to you a minute?

Sure. Come on in, Albert.

- Uh, alone, sir.
- Alright.

Oh, stay here, Jack.

- Sir, give me a hand?
- Sure, Barney.

- Take it easy.
- Ow.

Come on in, Albert.
Want a cup of coffee?

No, thank you, sir.

- Sit down.
- Thank you.

I just came in to say..

Well, I want to apologize,
Mr. Kennedy.

For what?

Throwin' that lantern
around and, uh..

...poppin' off the way I did.

There's nothing
to apologize for.

Yes, there is.

Here you are trying to get us
out of this mess, and, uh..

...I start shouting about how..

...we won't be coming back..

...and havin' a fit
all over the place.

I owe you an awful lot, sir.

And I just wanted to say
I'm sorry.

Albert, if I ever get in
a jam like this again

I hope I have plenty of men
like you aboard.

Men who aren't afraid to say
what they believe

even though the odds
are against them.

- So stay available, okay?
- Thank you, sir.

- Well?
- He passed me over admiral.

- Made me skipper of the 61.
- Great.

Watch out
for Japanese destroyers.

Hey, skipper.

Bucky.

- What boat'd you draw?
- 59.

Another old one, huh?

Well, well,
what's old Bucky gonna do

with three weeks' leave?

Skipper.

- Hiya, skipper.
- Be thinkin' of you.

Shipwrecked at the top
of the mark.

- Hoist one for me.
- Thank you, sir.

- Johnson.
- Thank you, sir.

- Bucky.
- See you again, Mr. Kennedy.

Take me to the Golden Gate,
James.

[engine starts]

- Don't tell me.
- It's true.

You're just lucky, Mr. Kennedy.

Well, if you men haven't had
enough, you might as well

stow your gear.

Drewitch, Drawdy,
you wanna help him

fire up the engine
and see what we've got?

Yes, sir.

Maguire, sir.
Radioman second.

Mauer, sir.
Seaman first.

What happened
to your leaves?

Well, we decided to save them
till Christmas.

Besides, skipper, you're, uh..

You're a little on the thin
side. You need my cookin'.

That's right,
you never did develop

that third specialty, did you?

Well, I got one now, sir.

Spam a la Mauer.

- 'Schnibbe!'
- Yes, sir.

Tell the 114 to secure that brow

before somebody
breaks their neck!

Standby to cast off all lines.

[engine starts]

[chuckles]

Jockeys.

Just a bunch of jockeys.

[instrumental music]

[instrumental music]