Original subtitles

(slow expectant music)

(intensifying music)

(dramatic suspenseful music)

- It shouldn't be long now.

- That cloud should do the trick.

- It's blowing in pretty fast.

- But is it going to obscure the sun?

- Yes.

Yes, yes it is.

But will it be dense enough?

- Yes, I'm sure it is.

We better get down.

(slow suspenseful music)

- I guess it can prove the operation one way or the other.

Stand by.

Now!

(something explodes)

(officer coughs)

Nice work, Peter.

- [Peter] It worked, it worked!

- Splendid.

(dramatic climactic music)

(dramatic suspenseful music)

- Here, here, and this.

Okay, you two.

If you're happy with this detonator, we'll call it a day.

- We're happy all right,

but I can't say the general will be any convinced.

- Well show him the light test.

That'll impress him.

Get him to pass his hand between the detonator and the

source of light, like this.

(gadget clicks)

Perfect.

If it had been carrying a charge, we'd all be sky high.

- And what about the technical jargon?

- [Peter] It's all there

- This is all clever scientific stuff.

That's your pigeon, Betty, you're the scientist.

Better you can do the talking.

- You know he's expecting a promotion out of this,

don't you, Peter?

He wants you and I to do all the work.

(Peter laughs)

- [Peter] Have you got everything?

- Uh, yes, I've got your detonator,

instructions for setting light readings, the lot.

- Well, we'll let you know how it goes, Peter.

- Okay.

Well, I'll be getting back to Castle Hill.

- All right, we'll see you.

- Bye.

- Good luck.

- Thanks.

Now, let's get the facts right before I see General Martin.

This detonator of Brady's is basically a light cell,

isn't it?

- That's correct.

- And we place it on the top of of the general's mine.

- Yes, well, it's really an electric eye,

which is sensitive to the changes in light intensity.

The cell is linked to the detonator here,

and as soon as there's a change in light,

the cell reacts to it.

- Um-hmm, this seems to be just what the general ordered.

So all you need is a shadow across here, and boof,

up you go?

- Well it certainly should give the element of surprise

General Martin asked for.

- And in every other way, it reacts like an ordinary mine?

- Oh yes, because it has a trembler fuse as well.

Once it's activated, it'll go off when touched or moved,

any sufficient vibration.

- Good.

It seems that our Peter Brady's done the trick, Betty.

With a little help from us.

- You guarantee these reports, Captain Finch?

- Completely, sir.

Mr. Brady and I made a practical test of the detonator.

Worked perfectly.

- [General Martin] Good!

- It seems to us at the ministry to have

such a limited application, General.

When could it be used in warfare?

- It's exactly what I want, Mr. Lloyd.

Something you can chuck out of the back of a tank

when you're retreating in a hurry.

Why, with this detonator of Brady's,

all you've gotta do is drop the whole thing behind you

and 20 seconds later it is live.

Even a shadow across it after that, it'll go up.

- What about clouds across the sun?

- It's for desert warfare only.

- Then it might blow up at nightfall, mightn't it?

- In any change of light.

That's just what we want!

I commanded tanks in Northern Africa,

and I can tell you we have as many casualties

going over our own mines as ever we have from the enemy.

- But I don't quite see why this should have to happen.

- You don't ey?

I'll show you.

There you have it.

Second battle of Tobruk.

Tobruk, all right?

We retreated.

Samples moved in behind us, laid minefields.

Scattered the flaming things all over the place.

But then we had to advance.

- Didn't you chart them?

- Did you ever try charting a minefield

when you're under fire and in a hurry, Mr. Lloyd?

You don't keep very accurate records.

All right, next day we advance again, and boom,

up goes some of your best boys on your own mines.

It's happened time and again.

- Yes, I quite see your point, General.

- All right, young Finch, demonstration 3 o'clock tomorrow,

depending on the weather report.

- I'll see about that now, sir.

- Good.

- Any news, Barry?

- He's got Lloyd in there, a ministry man.

- Hmm, objecting?

- Niggling.

The general just shot him down.

- Good.

So we can go ahead with the demonstration.

- That's right, Betty,

D-Day is tomorrow, if the sun shines bright.

(suspenseful music)

(engine roars)

(man mumbles)

- Well the met boys got it right for once.

Promised us a clear day and here it is.

(metal clatters)

- Well, General, let's get on with it.

Where would you like us?

- Over there behind the sandbags.

You can see everything in there, safe as a house.

- What about the, what about the necessary shadow,

where would you get that from on a day like this?

- From an aircraft.

We've got one standing by.

It will fly over and leave a smoke trail.

Would you like to go ahead?

Thank you.

Mr. Daniels?

- Sir.

Now right over this way, please, gentlemen.

Over by the sandbags.

Thank you.

- Captain Finch.

- Coming, sir.

- Well, are you all ready?

- Yes, sir.

- Well get on with it, then.

- Yes, sir.

Sergeant.

Everything checked, Captain Clark?

- Everything's in order, sir.

- What about a little, uh, celebration tonight?

Dinner?

- That'd be fine.

Well, good luck, Barry.

Watch your shadow.

- Well let's get started, Sergeant.

All right, Sergeant, hand me down my baby.

- Message, sir.

- Read it, will you.

- Sir.

Flight control reporting aircraft Abel Seven standing by

for takeoff.

Awaiting your instructions.

- Tell them we'll be ready in a couple of minutes.

- Very good, sir.

(crank clatters)

- Hello.

- [Captain Finch] General Martin.

- Yup.

Captain Finch, sir.

- Hello, yes.

- The mine is now in position, sir.

- Good.

Give me the angle of the sun

- The angle of the sun is 51 degrees, sir.

- 51 degrees.

- I'm ready to activate the fuse now, sir.

- Good, go ahead.

- Right, sir.

I will set the fuse exactly 10 seconds after I say, "Now."

20 seconds after that, the mine will be live.

- Right-o, Finch!

- Now.

- The mine will be live in 30 seconds.

Give me flight control.

- [Soldier In Black Helmet] Yes, sir.

(quiet suspenseful music)

Flight control, sir.

- General Martin here.

Instructions to fly Abel Seven, I say again, Abel Seven

take off immediately, fly over the test area.

- Carry on, Sergeant.

(watch ticks)

(dramatic suspenseful music)

(engine roars)

Sergeant!

Sergeant, come back!

(dramatic suspenseful music)

Sergeant!

- Phone.

Hello, Finch.

What's going on?

(Captain Finch coughs)

(phone clatters)

Finch!

Something's happened to him.

(timer ticks)

Captain Finch?

- [Captain Finch] I'm here, sir.

- [General Martin] How did this happen?

- The side of the pit collapsed, sir.

- How much can you move?

- Not very much.

Every time I try, more sand slides towards the mine.

And anything can set it off now, sir.

- Can't we dig you out?

- Not without disturbing the mine, sir.

(something rumbles)

(plane buzzes)

- That's our plane.

On its way here.

Get it diverted at once!

- Yes, sir!

- And get an ambulance!

And have an emergency crew standing by.

- Sir!

Give me flight control, quickly.

- [Soldier In Black Helmet] Flight control, sir.

- Finch has been trapped next to the bomb.

- [Crowd] What?

- [Mr. Daniels] It's all right, gentlemen,

it's under control.

- [Soldier In Black Helmet] Army Experimental Unit

calling flight control.

- Hello, give me the rescue unit and the ambulance up here.

(airplane buzzes)

- [General Martin] Couldn't we possibly

get someone down in there the defuse the mine?

- I don't think so, sir.

- What if I crawl in alongside you and lie flat?

- No, it's impossible to defuse it, sir,

without casting a shadow over it.

- I won't be a minute.

(quiet suspenseful music)

(soil spatters)

- Careful, sir!

Watch your shadow.

- It's all right, young Finch, I know what I'm doing.

(soil spatters)

(quiet suspenseful music)

- Does he have much of a chance?

- He's got one chance, that's Peter Brady.

He doesn't cast a shadow.

(phone clatters)

(dramatic suspenseful music)

(quiet suspenseful music)

(phone rings)

- [Peter] Ahh.

Yes?

What?

Captain Finch?

My car is outside, I'm on my way.

It'll take me about a quarter of an hour.

(dramatic suspenseful music)

(engine revs)

- [Mr. Daniels] Brady's on his way, sir.

He says he hopes to be able to make it in about 15 minutes.

- How long we got, Captain Clark?

- I'd say about 20 minutes, sir.

- You come with me.

I want you to calculate exactly how long it will be

before that shadow catches the mine.

- Yes, sir.

(engine roars)

(quiet suspenseful music)

- Well?

- We have 18 1/2 minutes, sir.

- Then we can't rely on Brady.

- Look, sir, we must take a chance.

Now I know how to do it, let me try.

- I'm the only one who's taking chances around here.

(suspenseful music)

(engine roars)

(car honks)

(tires screech)

(engine roars)

(quiet suspenseful music)

Let me know the moment Brady enters the area!

- Right, sir!

(phone clatters)

(engine roars)

(quiet suspenseful music)

- Only nine more minutes, sir.

- Yes, and not a thing we can do until Brady gets here.

(engine roars)

- [Solider In Beret] Mr. Brady has just entered

the area, sir.

- Right, thanks.

Brady has just entered the area, sir!

- Any minute now, young Finch, he's here.

(engine roars)

- [Peter] Have you got a toolkit?

- Uh, yes, Mr. Brady, I'll, I'll get it.

- [Peter] Here, grab this.

Thanks.

- Oh, Peter.

Look, the side's fallen in on him.

There's very little time.

Look at that shadow.

- [Peter] Hello, Barry.

- Hello, Peter.

- This is a terrible thing to have to ask you, Brady.

The whole thing may go off the moment you touch it,

but you're the only person who doesn't cast a shadow.

- [Peter] I'll take it if it's all right,

but all I've specialized in is my light gadget.

- Well I know how the rest of it works.

I could take it down and put it together from memory.

- [Peter] Uh-huh, I see.

- It's not gonna be easy.

It's half-covered in sand already.

- [Peter] Okay, I'll get down there.

Betty, don't come any further around

or you'll throw a shadow.

- Watch how you go.

Don't disturb that sand any more.

- Where are you, Brady?

- [Peter] Don't worry, I'll be very careful.

I'm coming in directly from the sun.

(something clatters)

Okay, Barry,

I'm with ya.

- Well, there's no point in you hanging around here,

is there?

Over there by the sandbags.

Captain Clark.

Come on out a bit.

(Peter thumps)

Well get down!

(Peter thumps)

- [Peter] Right, Betty, just tell me what to do.

- Can you locate the detonator plunger?

- [Peter] Yes, I can see it.

Shall I withdraw it?

- No!

Don't touch it!

That's the one part you mustn't move!

- [Peter] Oh.

Uh, where do I start, then?

- Find the cover plate,

'round to the right of the plunger.

It has four bolts holding it.

- [Peter] I see it.

- [Betty] Now toodle it clear very gently.

- [Peter] Right.

They're coming.

(metal scrapes)

I won't be long now, Barry.

Try not to move.

- Now, Saint Peter, I'm liable to pass out.

If I do, I'm gonna send more sand down on it.

Why don't you get out before we both go up?

- [Peter] Don't be silly.

You're as strong as a horse.

Just stay steady.

We'll have you outta here in a minute.

- Take a look at the shadow, I don't think you've got

much more than that.

(metal clacks)

(quiet suspenseful music)

(metal clacks)

(metal clacks)

- [Peter] I've got it open.

Okay, I'm holding the plate.

Now what?

- Now listen carefully.

Get the thin cutters.

Lift the top of the plate,

just enough to get the cutters inside.

Feel the two wires in the center,

and cut them without pulling them.

- Gently does it.

- [Peter] Here goes.

(cutters click)

I've cut one wire but I can't get a grip on the other one.

- You must, Peter!

(cutters click)

- [Peter] Got it.

Both wires cut.

- Now lift the cover off.

- [Peter] Look at that cloud approaching.

- Peter, look, this is no place to stay.

- [Peter] Take it easy, Barry.

Everything's going very nicely.

It won't budge!

- Peter, I know this bit.

There's a retaining catch at the back.

It must be sticking.

Feel for it.

A round projection, push it away from it.

- [Peter] Got it!

(suspenseful music)

(airplanes whine)

- What's all that?

You carry on here.

I'll go and try get air control.

- The shadow is almost there.

- [General Martin] Get me command.

- [Soldier In Black Helmet] Command, sir.

- Command, General Martin here.

Get through to Air Force control.

There are jet aircraft approaching the Army

experimental ground.

Have them diverted immediately.

- Message received and understood.

(airplanes roar)

- Will they get the message?

- I hope so!

- You're getting to the last stage now,

but it's pretty difficult.

First, immobilize the electromagnetic relay.

That's the thing on the right.

- [Peter] I see it.

- Get the earthing clamp.

(airplanes roar)

- Peter, get outta here quick--

- [Peter] Well Betty,

what's next?

- You have to earth the positive side.

That's the red wire.

Get the earthing clamp onto it,

but don't disturb the points!

(airplanes roar)

- [Peter] Whew, thank heaven they've gone.

- And now we've only got the mine to deal with.

Less than a minute.

- Have you done that, Peter?

- [Peter] Yeah, I've turned it.

What now?

- Now whatever you do, don't rush this next bit.

That big bolt on the left is the fuse screw.

It carries the spring detonator.

- [Peter] And that, I guess, is what we're looking for.

- It has to be turned clockwise.

No!

No, I'm sorry, anticlockwise.

Anticlockwise.

Five complete turns will unscrew it,

then you have to withdraw it straight, Peter.

Dead straight.

- I should be doing this bit.

Hold it steady.

If it touches, the trembler can set it off.

- [General Martin] How's he doing?

- We're on the last lap now, sir.

- He's only got a few seconds.

- I know, General, but we can't rush this.

His hands have got to be steady.

- [Peter] I'm all right.

Two, three,

four, five.

- Now all you have to do is pull the detonator clear,

without touching the sides!

- That's all you've got to do.

- [Peter] It's coming.

Here we go.

(energetic suspenseful music)

That's severed.

You can relax.

(soil splatters)

(dramatic suspenseful music)

- Thanks, Saint Peter.

(Captain Finch grunts)

- Get up.

Get up.

(dramatic suspenseful music)

Come on, up, up with you.

Get that ambulance alongside here!

- That's all right, sir.

I feel fine

- You do?

- Really, sir.

- Well good.

Good.

Then I'll go and get rid of Master Lloyd and his friends--

- No, don't do that, sir.

Give us a few minutes, and we'll get that mine

in working order again.

- What?

- We'll give them their bang.

- You, you mean that?

- Yes, sir.

- All right.

Come on, Brady.

As you were, the ambulance crew.

We don't need you, fall out!

- Oh, Barry, I was so scared.

- So was I.

- [Peter] Well Barry, you want me any more?

- Peter, are you still here?

- [Peter] Come on, let's get back to work, huh?

- Well, Peter, thanks for everything.

- [Peter] I hope you're never sorry we dug him,

(Betty kisses)

thank you,

out.

(dramatic climactic music)

(grave music)

(slow expectant music)