Original subtitles

[opening theme music playing]

Well, everything looks good.

I just wish you were a little younger.

So do I, doc,

But, um, will it affect things?

Just don't get your hopes up too high.

Whoa! It's much too late for that.

Because, what we have is a major occurrence.

Hold on.

Me...

Sight?

Oh, brother.

For the first time?

Me... See?

Calm down, will you, Frank?

Okay, doc.

Um... What are the odds?

That's hard to say.

It's a combined process

Of a laser procedure on the optic nerve,

plus a retinal implant.

Both procedures are new.

I don't know why I'm asking about this.

I've been blind all my life.

I've nothing to lose. Let's go for it.

[mysterious instrumental music playing]

The angle of sight has diminished considerably.

I noticed.

It's progressing a lot faster than I anticipated.

Look, I did some reading up on retinitis--

Scott, please.

It said with absolute rest,

Atropine, avoidance of light--

Scott...

What you have is retinitis pigmentosa--

An entirely different form of retinitis.

I don't care what you call it.

Just tell me how you're gonna cure it.

I can't.

It's degenerative.

There's no cure at the present time.

You're full of crap. You know that?

What the hell am I paying you for?

You can't even help me out.

I'm sorry.

We can't bury our heads in the sand.

You are going blind.

I think you should start planning for the future.

What future?

I tell you, this whole thing doesn't make sense.

You sure we're not on an assignment?

I told you, no.

Alright, then tell me this why would Caz write to me?

He's your friend. What'd he say in the letter?

Nothing. Just that he needed help.

I haven't heard from Caz Lawton

in I don't know how long.

I do know how long... I haven't heard from him since he quit the force.

He quit before me.

He walked in one day, handed in his papers,

said he wanted something different with his life.

Why now? Why all of a sudden--

Mark! Here's the turn.

-Here's the turn. -oh. Right. Okay.

[captivating instrumental music playing]

I'm not gonna like this.

-How come? -Summer camp.

So?

Rich kids.

I can't believe Caz would have anything to do

With a camp for spoiled rich kids.

-Excuse me. -Yes sir?

Where would we find Caz Lawton?

Just follow this road down to the beach.

He's at the climbing area.

-Thank you. -You bet.

Climbing area?

Let's go see what rich kids climb.

That's not too tight, is it?

This snap is a very important snap.

Are you ready to go up, Leda?

Uh-huh.

Harry, Leda's ready to go up.

I want you to take her up the west face.

Hey, Caz!

Mark!

Aah!

Ha ha ha!

You made it!

I'm glad to see you!

Look out!

Watch out!

Hey, that wasn't too bright. Watch where you're going!

I certainly wish I could.

Wait a minute. You're--

I know. Please don't tell me I'm blind.

You rappelled down that cliff, and you can't see?

It's the only way I'd rappel down a sheer face like that.

Wouldn't take a chance if I were sighted, it's much too scary.

Am I done for the day, Caz?

Yes, you are Frank. Brian!

Give Frank a hand with his gear.

All right, what's going on here?

What do you mean?

Didn't I explain in the letter?

This is a camp for the junior blind.

The guy who almost landed on your head started it. And, I run it.

You didn't say anything in your letter, except it was very important.

It is important. My cook quit.

Your cook quit.

Yeah.

Your cook quit? Ha ha!

Mark, it's hard to explain.

When Willie, my cook, up and quit me,

There was no one in the world I could think of to replace him

but you.

Why me? I'm not a cook.

I know it doesn't make any sense.

But, that's what happened It was like I was getting a message--

"Get a hold of Mark Gordon."

Strange, isn't it?

Oh, yeah...

Very strange, very strange.

Caz, I offer you my heartfelt apology for scaring you.

Funny man, Frank.

Meet an old buddy of mine, Mark Gordon.

How are you?

Mark's gonna be our new cook.

Now, wait a minute... I didn't say--

What was your name again?

Jonathan smith. How you doin'?

I remember you. You're what they call--

I know-- the blind jock.

In college you wrestled, shot-put, discus--

Youthful enthusiasm. All gone now.

You're still skiing and running marathons?

Don't golf with him. He'll take your wallet.

Taking up mountain climbing now?

Just until my tryout with the Cincinnati reds.

Oh, good joke.

No, no. No joke.

I'm getting my sight in the near future.

Pete rose can use hard-throwing right-handers.

Until Pete calls, how about giving me a hand?

I got it started. It's up to you now.

You've got many counselors. And, I'm not a teacher.

It's a very special case.

They're all special cases, Caz.

He's sighted, but I don't know for how long.

No, I'm sorry. It's not a good idea.

Brian, get me out of here, would you?

I'll show you where we're bunking.

Wait, Caz! I told you we're not staying.

You mind if I have a crack at that special case of yours?

I've done some work with people with a disability.

Sounds good to me.

-Jonathan-- -I mean as long as Mark'll be your cook.

Jonathan!

[laughing]

[knock on door]

Scott?

Scott! Come on, I know you're in there.

I've been calling for the last two hours.

Didn't all that ringing bother you?

Will you let me come in,

or, are we gonna argue in the hallway?

Going away?

Camp.

The one Dr. Lovell recommended?

Yeah.

I thought you said--

I changed my mind.

Good. I'm glad...

I think.

What's that supposed to mean?

Are you really going to learn or, just running away?

I'm not running away.

Yes, you are.

Ever since this thing's gotten worse,

you've cut yourself off.

You quit your job--

I've had a lot on my mind lately.

I know.

Why don't you let me share some of it.

I'm going blind!

How do you want to share that--

What're you gonna do? Trade me one of your eye

so that we can both go blind in one eye?

If I could, I would.

Scotty, whether or not you have your sight

Is not what's important to me.

That's because it's not happening to you!

Look, I've got to finish packing.

Goodbye, Bets.

Scott, I think it's a very wise thing you're doing.

Yeah. Whatever.

My daughter's blind.

RP, Like you.

I wish I'd had the sense to do what you're doing

while she still had her sight.

Hmm?

Huh, Scott?

Alright, I'm gonna turn you over to Jonathan.

He'll show you around.

Okay? If there's any questions,

that's what we're here for--to help.

See you later, Jonathan.

You bet.

Follow me.

Watch your step on this bridge.

It takes getting used to.

Most of the activities around here are voluntary.

Caz figures if you pick out what you want,

you'll do better at it.

We've got stables down there on your left.

I don't ride. I don't like horses.

A ball game's starting pretty soon.

No, thanks.

How about that swimming pool?

Not much into water anymore.

Let me put it another way--

What is it you'd like to see?

Next week... Next year...

I'd like to see the rest of my life.

You ever been blind?

Huh?

No.

Right.

So, how are you going to teach me to be?

[chattering]

Hey, I'll see you in the ball field.

-See you in the ball field. -Hey! Bye.

Those are either the best behaved kids in the world, or, the hungriest.

I'm mean, bot one can play.

Mark, has it ever occurred to you that maybe...

-maybe the food was good. -Np, it wasn't.

I'm a lousy cook and I know it.

Let me tell you something, lousy or, not,

we have an old tradition here at the camp...

that the cook, umpires the Bowling Pin basketball game on Tuesday.

And, today is Tuesday.

-You just made that up. -No, I didn't.

No come on, I don't know anything about Bowling Pin basketball.

I'll explain the rules to you as we walk.

Very simple. Very Simple.

Hey, don't worry about it. I'll be along to help.

-Hey Jonathan. -Yeah?

You're heading for the ball game, mind if I tag along?

Hey, like the company.

Did I hear you correctly? You're gonna get your sight?

Did you ever?

-It's gotta be a great feeling. -It's all I can think about.

I know I shouldn't get my hopes up,

but, it's every blind persons dream.

All the things I've done...

are things they said a blind person shouldn't or, couldn't do.

I did, because, I was trying to show the world that...

I don't know, didn't matter.

But, down deep, I always knew it did.

I can't blame you for that.

I'll tell you something else.

I always thought of myself as... uh...

-...kind of a fraud. -You

-You gotta be kidding. -No, seriously.

I can even give you an example.

The slopes, are filled with people who ski and a lot have handicaps,

one kind or, another.

But because I'm blind... big deal.

Same with my running, or, golf.

You know, it's kind of a scam.

This camp you started is no scam.

Oh no. But, it's no big deal either.

A lot of people start camps, but, because I'm blind, that's a big deal.

Frank I gotta tell ya, you're selling yourself a little short.

Hey, I've done alright for a blind guy. So what?

You think you're gonna feel different when you're sighted?

I don't know.

At least I'll find out if I can cut it in the sighted world without allowances.

It means a lot to you, doesn't it?

Jonathan, when I was a little boy,

I used to hear the other kids play baseball in the park next door,

they we having so much fun...

but, all I had was a stick and a rock.

Throw up the rock and hit it with a stick.

Well then, why didn't you use a ball?

It's easy to tell, you've never been blind?

If I hit a ball, I'd have to spend a lot of time going to get it.

No big deal.

That's pretty smart.

You know, people think I'm crazy when I tell 'em...

that I'm gonna try out for the Cincinnati Reds, but, I know I can pitch.

I can hit the strike zone blind.

Imagine how good I'm gonna be if I can see.

And the arm...

[whistles] is good as new. Got a lot of mileage left on it.

That's what sight is gonna give me.

Baseball.

And, I'll see a rainbow...

and, a sunset.

And, flowers.

I'm gonna find out if they're as lovely as small.

[upbeat instrumental music playing]

[cheering]

Give me the ball.

Here we go. Here we go.

Alright!

[cheering]

You're not playing?

No.

What about helping me umpire first base?

No way.

Well, you should have asked me, jonathan.

Because when somebody yells, "the umpire's blind!",

They'll be right.

That's very cute, Frank.

-I'll see you later. -Okay.

All right, play ball.

Hi, I'm Frank Riley.

Scott lee.

Oh, yeah, you're the guy.

Guy who what?

The guy who's going blind.

Yeah, that's right.

Why do you think I'm here?

That's what I was wondering.

That's what I was wondering. Why'd you come here anyway?

If you're not going to participate?

You wouldn't understand.

Okay.

Oh! Good hustle out there. Play ball! Play ball!

Well, kiddo, here's where I got to leave you.

Why?

I got to go to work. That's why.

I'll come with you.

That's not a good idea.

You're a camper. You're supposed to camp.

Besides, a kitchen's a very dangerous place.

Hot stuff all over the place.

I won't get in the way.

No, no, no. Uh, excuse me, miss?

Jennifer.

Could you escort Jerry to where he's supposed to be?

Sure, I'll take care of him.

Come on, Jerry.

See you later.

What did you think of Scott?

You sat me there on purpose.

I didn't think you'd notice.

Don't try fooling a blind guy.

I can't get through to him.

Jonathan, what do you know about RP?

Just what I've read.

Your field of vision gradually narrows, tunnel vision,

Until one day there's nothing left.

It's among the cruelest diseases,

because you literally watch yourself go blind.

Can make a fellow pretty bitter.

How about giving me a hand with him?

Uh-uh, not me. I'm the wrong person.

You're uncomfortable working with blind people, aren't you?

I am now.

Why?

How can I tell him to accept his blindness,

when I'm about to get my sight back?

How can I do that and not think of myself

as the worst kind of hypocrite?

I don't know. Maybe you ought to find out.

Ah, not bad. Not bad. Mind if I try a couple?

Be my guest.

Can I have the ball?

You can bounce it to me.

The ball, sir.

Thank you.

Now, just stand under the basket.

Okay.

Okay, and if you can, just count for me.

Count?

Like in school.

1...

2...

3...

4...

Hey, that's pretty good.

Just a trick.

Yeah? How's your rebounding?

Oh, terrible.

Listen, they tell me you're a beach person.

Are you a lifeguard?

Surfer.

That's one of the best ways to go.

Not one of the best. The best.

What's it like?

You can't describe it.

Try me. Please.

Well, you spend lots of time waiting.

Then you see the one you want,

See it building.

You know it's good.

You get a good push off,

go sliding down the face,

picking up speed.

Sometimes, if the pipe's formed just right,

You can duck inside.

Then the water closes off all the sound.

It's just you...

And the wave.

You look up...

I don't do that anymore.

It sounds absolutely great.

I wish I could learn.

It's a little tough if you can't see.

I don't think it's so easy if you can.

Listen, I've... I've got an idea.

I like to jog every morning on the beach.

I always feel bad asking a counselor to accompany me.

Why don't you come along tomorrow?

I don't know.

You'd be doing me a favor.

Yeah, well...

All right, try this.

How about if you and I play a game of horse?

I win, you come jogging.

You're on.

Oh! The ball, please, sir.

Thank you.

Still under the basket?

I am now.

Whoo!

Magic Johnson!

Awoo! That's "H"!

Hey listen, close your eyes for a second.

What for?

Just want to find out if you're a sharp beach person you said you are.

Forget it, I don't wanna play blind man's bluff.

Hey, can we cool it here a second?

It's getting to my calves.

I agree. The sand's tough.

Look, Scott, all I was trying to do

was show you that as awful as blindness is,

it really isn't the end of the world.

Maybe not for you.

I don't think for you, either.

Look, for an old guy,

give it a try, huh?

Okay. Let's just get it over with.

Alright!

Let's start with, um,

tell me about what you can hear.

Ocean there, road there. I hear cars. Are we done?

Come on, Scott, what else?

Birds.

Where?

Everywhere.

No. No, wait.

Back-- back there.

No. They're moving over--

They're moving.

What kind?

Gulls.

And?

What do you mean, and? I don't know.

I never paid much attention before.

That is right.

I can hear pipers and terns and even some sparrows.

Wait.

I hear a plane.

What kind?

Very funny.

Just checking. Now, the good stuff.

Tell me about the waves.

What do you want to know?

What kind?

Are you kidding me?

I spent all those hours out there for nothing?

An even dozen.

A dozen?

I can only count 11.

That's not bad for a non-surfer.

Where is the wind coming from?

Over there.

How do you know?

I feel it on my face.

Very nice. What do you smell?

Salt water,

sand...

Hamburgers.

Yes! That's Charlie's.

It's a quarter-mile down the beach.

It's a bastion of culinary delight.

Let's get jogging. Got any cash?

I knew there was a catch to this.

Let's jog. You're buying.

[uplifting instrumental music playing]

All right, come on.

Something wrong?

Oh. Well, will you tell me what it is,

or, do I have to guess.

I'm scared.

Now, look, I'm going to be right there with you.

I wouldn't let you fall.

I'm not scared of falling.

What are you afraid of?

The horse.

Oh, well, that's because he's a stranger, see?

Come on, I'll introduce you.

Here we go.

All right. Now, this is old Dutchie.

Funny name.

Not for old Dutch.

Hey, Dutch, this is my friend, jerry.

Give me your hand.

Feel that? That's his neck.

Right there, that's his mane.

Feel it?

Right there, that's his ear.

He likes to be scratched right around there.

[whinnies]

Don't be afraid.

He's just saying thank you.

You ready to ride him?

No.

Do you think the old bear

is gonna let you get hurt.

Okay.

Atta boy. Up you go.

Hold right on that.

You okay?

Okay, as long as I'm with you.

All right, pal, let's go.

[lifting instrumental music playing]

Look down!

You trying to be funny?

I was talking to Scott.

Move right so he can climb up.

That's pretty tough.

You think this is tough?

Wait till we get to the next part.

Take a breath. I'm going to the next stop.

Nice place to watch the sunset.

I'll bet.

I like this.

Climbing?

That's not what this camp's all about.

I heard you messed up the basic classes,

Like braille and learning to use a cane.

I'll get to them.

Mm-mm. Climbing, running along the surf down there

Builds lots of confidence,

But, you've got to learn the practical stuff.

How to pour milk without making a mess,

Using a cane to go to work.

I said I'd get to it.

The time, my friend, is right now,

Before you lose your sight.

Alright!

Don't make it harder than it is already.

I'm not trying to make it harder.

I just want you ready to go on with your life.

You married?

Me? Nah, much too young.

You don't look too young.

Thanks a lot.

You married?

No.

You thinking about it?

Not anymore.

Because of the blindness?

I'd say that was a pretty good reason.

I think it's a very stupid one.

Alright, break's over. Let's move it!

Hey Jonathan, you seen Frank around?

He went to town with Mark.

When will he be back? You know?

It depends how long he's with the doctor.

Doctor? What's going on?

The one who's operating on his eyes.

He never told me.

I thought you knew.

There's a good chance Frank will get his sight back.

I'm sorry to be so long, Frank.

But, these test results took a while.

That's okay, doc.

So what's the good word?

The word's not so good.

We knew going in it was a long shot,

But, we thought it was worth a chance.

You...You...Won't do the operation?

It would be an exercise in futility.

I guess I...

I guess I figured that.

I'm not going to put you through the pain

and the expense of something I know

has a 100% chance of failure.

Frank, I'm really sorry it didn't work out.

So am I, doc.

but, you know, like they say,

Them's the breaks.

[melancholic instrumental music playing]

Frank.

Frank!

Hmm. Yes?

We're back.

Oh. Thanks for the ride.

Frank.

Remember what you said on the way to the doctor.

"If this thing doesn't work out,

it's not the end of the world."

No, but it is the end of a dream.

Maybe they're the same thing.

[knock on door]

Uh, Jonathan?

I can't find Scott.

Didn't he come to dinner?

No. The way I cook, I don't blame him.

He knows the rules about staying out after dark.

I'm worried about him.

We'll help you look for him.

[knock on door]

Who is it?

It's jonathan. I'm looking for Scott.

He's...Not here.

Have you seen him since you got back?

No.

Mark told me about what happened.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, too.

Scott heard about the operation.

It seemed to upset him quite a bit.

He doesn't know it's off?

No.

He's been missing since then.

If you happen to think of where he might be,

let me know. Okay?

Oh, Scott, you dummy!

Okay, here we go people, here's some more flashlights.

Jack and Arnie, check the beach.

The rest of us will sweep the camp.

If you see him, holler loud.

Let's go. Let's hit it.

Check the beach real good.

He might be down there.

What are you doing out here?

Waiting for you.

What for?

To look for Scott.

I thought you might need company.

It's getting on toward nighttime.

I'm not afraid of the dark.

I can be a big help.

I like being with you.

You know what?

I like being with you, too.

[gripping instrumental music playing]

[branches crunching]

Get away.

Who's that? Scott?

You heard me. Get away.

Ohh... You scared me to death.

I thought I was the only one up here.

What are you doing here anyway?

Watching the sun set.

I heard you'll be doing it soon.

Oh, you heard that, did you?

Yeah. All that time you were telling me

how it's going to be okay going blind,

You were just waiting to see.

And you think that's bad?

Well...

You're coming out of a dark room.

I'm going in.

Kind of makes you a hypocrite, doesn't it?

Would it help you...

if you found out...

I was going to stay blind?

Would that make you feel better?

Yeah, it would. It would.

Well, you got your wish

because they can't do the operation.

I'm sorry.

I didn't really mean--

All my life...

All my life,

I've wanted to see color, you know?

I've smelled flowers,

I've tasted grass--

Blades of grass,

But, I always wondered what green was.

But, all I'll ever see...

is black.

Maybe that's a blessing.

You don't know what you missed.

Oh, I think I do.

Today, when I drove into town,

I thought, for the first time,

I'd find out what a sunset

was really, really like.

It was a good one.

One of the kind that has everything.

The whole horizon was really red...

Like a fire engine.

Then it dropped off to orange...

And yellow...

And, there was a band up there

that was absolutely white...

and then the palest blue-green.

There was a bunch of low-lying clouds.

They had that bright red on the bottom...

And the bluest black on top.

It was the prettiest sunset I've ever--

I'll ever see...

again.

The tunnel vision's almost closed down now.

I kept running into things all day.

I guess that's one of the reasons

I climbed up here--

to see my last sunset.

I think...

I think you came up here to jump, Scott.

What makes you think that?

Oh, I don't know.

I guess 'cause we're supposed to hear everything.

I told you that

blind people, we hear everything.

Anyway, you're sort of a classic.

The trouble with you, Scott,

is that you think that you're the only one

in the world that hurts.

But, everybody at this camp

is in pain.

They hate the darkness,

but, they either let that hatred

turn them into lumps,

Or, they fight back.

Yeah, well that's easy for you to say.

You've always had it all together.

You're a fighter.

Well, hooray!

But, I'm not, okay?

So just leave me alone!

I can't do that.

Well, you don't have any choice.

Scotty...

You've got to understand.

If you jump... If you jump,

that's the end of everything.

And blindness isn't?

No. No, it's not.

Yeah. Yeah, you say that.

You say that because

You've never known anything but darkness.

You don't know anything else.

But, I do.

I mean, for the rest of my life,

I'm going to have to remember

What I've lost.

I'll know what I've lost.

I know, I know.

I can't handle that.

But, you will remember.

You've got memories to hold on to.

I don't want to hold on to them!

What can't you see that?

It hurts,

And, I can't take the pain anymore.

Let me go!

No!

Why?

Because--

Why won't you let me jump?

Because I can't!

I can't. I can't.

Think I always had it together?

That's what you think!

I came up here today,

Just like you, to jump!

Just like you!

And I can't!

All those so-called accomplishments,

all those things,

I was apologizing for being blind!

I was apologizing for being blind!

And that's stupid!

It's stupid because I'm damn good.

We are gonna make a choice.

It's stupid I am not--m damn good.

I am not going to let you turn into a lump!

You don't have to leave.

We can always use another cook.

Forget it.

You're just lucky Willie decided to come back.

Yeah, Willie shows up,

Begs for his job back.

Weird, isn't it?

Yeah, weird.

Jerry wanted to say goodbye.

I'll be right back.

Well, kiddo, I, uh--

I got to be going.

You take care of uncle Dutchie?

Yeah.

Will you brush him?

Yes.

Will you feed him?

Mm-hmm.

Will you ride him?

Of course.

So, kid, you take care of yourself, you hear me?

Okay.

There.

I love you.

I love you, too, kiddo.

I love you, too.

♪ I don't know Day from night ♪

♪ And I don't know Dark from light ♪

♪ And I believe That life is more ♪

♪ Than just A gift of sight ♪

♪ Rainbows I'll never see ♪

♪ Don't mean Half as much to me ♪

♪ Because I found The heart and soul ♪

♪ Have rainbows That can be ♪

♪ All the colors Of the heart ♪

♪ Are more than You can see ♪

♪ You've got To look beyond ♪

♪ To find What's you and me ♪

♪ All the colors Of the heart ♪

♪ May have A special plan ♪

♪ Look inside ♪

♪ Find the colors Of the heart ♪

[theme music playing]