Original subtitles

Downloaded from YTS.MX

(rumbling)

- [Voiceover] There are 1,500 active volcanoes

Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX

around the world.

60 of them erupt every year.

(rumbling)

The power and the beauty of volcanoes fascinate us,

but who dares get close?

Some have run that risk, to understand them,

to predict their unpredictable eruptions.

In the history of 20th century volcanology,

the names of two French scientists,

Katia and Maurice Krafft, stand out.

For 25 years, the couple chased

every eruption on the planet.

From their hundreds of expeditions,

they brought back extraordinary images

of the violence of volcanoes.

With each expedition, they raised the stakes,

they picked the most destructive.

Their ultimate goal was to film

the world's deadliest volcanic phenomenon,

the incandescent clouds, known as pyroclastic flows.

And on Mount Unzen Fugendake,

this quest finally cost them their lives.

It was 20 years ago in Japan.

On June 3rd 1991, at the foot of the volcano,

the town of Shimabara wakes after a peaceful night.

Firemen,

journalists,

scientists,

everyone waits for the volcano to wake.

The authorities have evacuated the inhabitants

of the villagers under threat.

Katia and Maurice Krafft are still waiting

for a helicopter to fly them over the volcano.

(thunder rumbles)

(phone rings)

- [Voiceover] What did happen on June 3rd 1991?

(he talks in French)

- It's too dangerous here, we've gotta go!

(phone rings)

- [Maurice] Go, go!

- [Harry] No, I can't go!

- [Voiceover] What really happened?

We've pieced together the tragic events,

minute by minute.

From images found and those reconstructed,

we can take you to the very heart of the action.

Face to face with the killer volcano.

The story begins in April 1991,

on Kyushu island to the south of Japan.

Shimabara is a quiet town that lies at the foot of a volcano

that has slept for 300 years.

Families go for Sunday walks on its peak.

It's been under observation by Professor Ohta.

an erudite volcanist,

but he has never actually witnessed an eruption close to.

- [Voiceover] Events are about to snowball very rapidly.

(rumbling)

- [Voiceover] The events outstripped Professor Ohta.

He works day and night to try to understand

and anticipate, but back in 1991,

there wasn't the scientific data on this kind of eruption.

- [Voiceover] The firemen are the first to be mobilized.

We traced one of them, Taniguchi.

He took us to where he lost his colleagues.

- [Voiceover] The mayor is the only one entitled

to make decisions for the townfolk.

(siren wails)

- [Voiceover] The first alarm,

and the first sensational images.

This black river of ash will galvanize the sleepy town.

- [Voiceover] The promise of catastrophe

arouses media curiosity.

Newspapers, TV, radio,

successive waves of journalists flood in

from all over the country.

Many of them will never return home.

- [Voiceover] The Kraffts learnt about Unzen's eruption

in May.

But at the time, the volcano wasn't active enough for them.

(they speak in Japanese)

- [Voiceover] In reality, this dome is a gigantic bomb

just waiting to blow.

It is Nakada, then a very young scientist,

who is first to spot the signs of a rare volcanic phenomenon

which he has never yet encountered.

- [Voiceover] May 25th, Professor Ohta

and the townsfolk are stunned to see for themselves

the very first pyroclastic flow of their lives.

- [Voiceover] The event Maurice and Katia

have been waiting for has just happened.

The flow is still a long way from the town,

but its deadly ash smothers it daily.

(sirens wail)

- [Voiceover] The inhabitants don't realize the threat.

Priority number one for them is the tobacco

growing on the fertile slopes of the volcano.

It's ready to be harvested.

- [Voiceover] At the summit, the dome gets bigger every day.

Yet more incandescent clouds billow down its flanks

getting steadily closer to the houses.

(rumbling)

These images will be flashed around the world.

(he speaks in French)

- Yes, and can you book a room for us, please?

We'll pay you back as soon as we get there.

Yes, thank you!

Yes!

(phone rings)

(indistinct talking)

- [Voiceover] The impending eruption

threatened severe damage to farmland and dwellings.

That's exactly what the Kraffts have come to film,

the devastating effect of a pyroclastic flow

on an inhabited area.

Their contact, Harry Glicken, is an American geologist

who speaks fluent Japanese.

Harry miraculously survived the eruption

of Mount St. Helens in 1980.

He will go with Katia and Maurice on their final quest.

- [Harry] They have up to now.

- He's been so busy, I haven't been able to see him.

But I wouldn't wanna be in his position,

he's so stressed out.

If it were up to him, he'd evacuate the whole area.

But, it's not that easy.

- [Voiceover] Professor Ohta had the means

of observing the volcano.

The Kraffts had the experience of this type of eruption,

but for the four days of this drama,

they never actually met.

- [Katia] Hello.

- Please, come in.

- [Katia] Thank you.

- Hello Nakada, how are you?

- Oh, long time no see, please come in.

- Yes, yes.

- [Voiceover] It is Nakada, not Ohta,

who will be the Kraffts' point of contact.

Meanwhile, something new mobilizes the town.

(sirens wail)

The pyroclastic flows have dried the surrounding forest

to the point where it bursts into flames.

(they shout in Japanese)

The volcano's eastern slope is on fire.

The inhabitants watch anxiously,

just how far will the flames reach.

- [Voiceover] The whole of Japan is enthralled

by these images of the burning mountain.

Suddenly, all eyes are on this awakening volcano.

From all over Japan, more journalists pour in.

The Kraffts find themselves in the middle

of a media battleground.

There are journalists everywhere asking questions,

looking for stories, but there is a surprise still in store

for Katia and Maurice.

Higher up, on the slopes of the volcano,

they will stumble on a veritable armada of them.

- [Voiceover] So this is then the Fixed Point.

it's the best vantage point.

- [Voiceover] The mountain is right in front of us,

and we're on high ground.

It's about 40 meters above the Mizunashi River

where the debris flows have gone.

In theory, we're safe here.

- I feel like we are in the Cannes Film Festival.

(laughing)

- Yeah, like I said, they're all here.

- We'll have to find a better place.

If we shoot at the same place as everyone else,

there wouldn't be any point in us being here.

Right, Katia?

- Mmhm.

- Let's set up a base here for now

We then can find our special place.

- [Harry] Okay.

- [Akira] So many reporters here.

Are you surprised?

- I am.

Influencing, you know, these states,

the area is very radioactive,

and it's difficult to get so close.

We are, probably, Katia and me,

the only crazy ones that break the rules.

Japanese journalists must be very courageous

to enter a restricted area.

Or, work less, which is it?

- Uh, in Japan,

an evacuation warning is not law.

Nobody wants to be scooped,

so even though we know it's dangerous, we stay.

(he speaks in Japanese)

Can we start?

- [Akira] Does your wife always work with you?

She's the only female volcanologist in the world, isn't she?

- Yeah, she may not look it,

but she's seen more eruptions than I have

and faced extremely dangerous situations.

She is very perceptive.

- [Akira] How many dangerous situations

have you been in?

- Perhaps 20.

- Oh, more than that.

I know because I have an inferiority complex about this.

Sometimes I think I would push her

into the crater on purpose.

That way I will catch up to her.

I use her as a scale of comparison in my movies.

Since she is not very tall,

the phenomena occurring behind her seems enormous.

Next time I will be sure to marry a hobbit.

- [Akira] How long have you worked

on volcanoes together?

- [Maurice] 23 years by now,

and we have seen 120 eruptions in that time.

- [Akira] How much filming have you done?

- 500 hours maybe.

Is this your first time in Japan?

- No, we have been here

several times for conferences.

So, we know about the Kyushu volcanoes.

- [Akira] Really?

- [Akira] Why have you come?

You've filmed so many volcanoes already.

- They gave us the nickname of Volcano Devil.

- [Akira] Volcano devils?

- Volcano devil.

- Ah, devils.

- Yeah.

Because we try to get as close as possible

to the eruption, you know?

There are three reasons for this.

First, there is no telling

how long an eruption will last.

Some will last only a few hours,

some for a week, or months, and some for years.

- And the second reason, it's very important

to arrive at the site even before the eruptions,

and the signs begin to present.

That way, we can research the progress of the eruptions

and draw various conclusions about the future

of volcanic activities.

And probably to film pyroclastic flows.

- This is where it happens.

- [Voiceover] Word quickly gets around

that the Kraffts are there,

and that they've installed themselves

in the non-recommended zone.

Professor Ohta's team is uneasy.

The Kraffts are making it legitimate to go

where the scientists don't want anyone to go,

but they don't have the authority to forbid them.

- Even if I die tomorrow, I don't care.

Look, Harry, it's you.

- Harry, you look so great on TV.

Look at this picture.

Is it very interesting?

- You must be in a helicopter doing this shot.

- Yes.

- You've got a lot of helicopter shots there.

- [Voiceover] Two days before the tragedy,

the volcano slumbers again.

All is calm, there's nothing to film, nothing to report.

The journalists chase whatever story they can find,

wherever they can find it to fill their news reports.

(coughing)

- [Voiceover] The volcano is now inactive.

This apparent calm puts the mayor in a dilemma,

he hesitates.

How long should he keep the evacuation order in place?

- [Voiceover] Professor Ohta has no authority here.

(rumbling)

(ominous music)

- [Voiceover] Just exactly as Ohta had foreseen,

the Kraffts prepared to get close to the crater.

Maurice is after exclusive shots,

and he wants to film the flow face on.

- [Maurice] Yeah, it's a good place.

If we shoot a charging tiger, which do you prefer,

his ass or his face?

- I would use a telephoto lens.

And I film it in safety.

- I was talking to the guy who owns the field

over there near the agriculture.

He owns a tobacco drying shed

and it's got stone walls and a steel door.

So, we can use it if we want to.

- [Voiceover] But that day, things will be calm.

The volcano will stay quiet, or so it appears.

- The lower expanse is possible on the east side,

and growing like a lava flow.

The reach of the pyroclastic flows are also increasing

day by day.

Here.

- Yeah.

- And, Professor Ohta asked me

to let you know that he thinks it's too dangerous

to go to Fixed Point.

- We want to complete our film

that will contribute to the prevention of volcano disaster.

At all cost.

- And for that, you're willing to take any risk?

- I have been a captive of the volcano

ever since I saw a photograph when I was in the fifth grade.

Why is it so beautiful?

I could almost hear the purpose of the Earth.

I spent my young adulthood with volcanoes

and met my husband through volcanoes

and lived with them,

volcanoes, our whole lives.

- The most dangerous place

in the world is your bed

because 85% of the people die in bed.

So, be careful tonight, Nakada.

- You're kidding?

(laughing)

- As a token.

- Oh, perhaps you will sign it for me?

Here.

- To Doctor

Satsuya--

- No, Setsuya.

- Setsuya.

- [Voiceover] It is now the 2nd of June.

The journalists have invaded the evacuated villages,

and set themselves up in the empty houses.

- [Voiceover] This decision will cost them their lives.

(they talk in Japanese)

(thunder rumbles)

June 2nd is another deceptive day.

The weather turns,

torrential downpours reduce all visibility.

- Harry?

- [Voiceover] There's still no helicopter

for Katia and Maurice.

There's nothing for the journalists to report.

- [Voiceover] The evening of June 2nd has an air of routine.

Tension subsides, fatigue sets in.

Some even think that the volcano stopped erupting.

The night shift of journalists take over from the day shift.

The scientists can detect no sign of activity

from the volcano.

Professor Ohta hasn't slept in days.

News now comes in that evening from the Philippines

that puts the Kraffts in two minds.

- [Voiceover] But, while everyone sleeps,

the volcano is quietly working away.

No one hears the rumbles from deep within the mountain.

It's now June 3rd, a new day dawns,

and seems just like the others.

- [Voiceover] Rain wraps the peak in a protective shroud.

It looks like nothing will happen today.

Firemen and police get ready to shield the villagers

from the hordes of journalists.

(they talk in Japanese)

- [Voiceover] Maurice and Katia

have still not filmed a thing.

Katia is keen to leave for the Philippines,

but Maurice wants his pyroclastic flow.

But with no aerial view, he can see nothing,

and knows he's running a huge risk.

- [Man in glasses] I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do.

- [Maurice] No!

(they argue in French)

(they talk in Japanese)

(they argue in French)

- Is something wrong, can I help?

- Come on, come on, come with me.

(rumbling)

- Is it about Katia?

- What?

- Is it something about Katia?

- This smoke makes it impossible to see anything.

Can you put something on?

(ominous music)

- What are you doing?

- I need to go to the Fixed Point, do you understand me?

To the Fixed Point.

My husband is there, he needs me, he's in great danger.

Do you understand?

Please.

(indistinct shouting)

- I don't think I can help you any more.

(rumbling)

(horns beep)

(shouting)

- [Katia] Harry, what does he say?

- He says that we have to leave now.

- We'll leave when it all looks good.

- [Harry] Okay.

- [Harry] Okay, hey,

okay, it's too dangerous now, we have to go.

It's too dangerous, we have to go!

(dramatic music)

We have to go!

- Go on, go.

We'll catch up with you.

- [Harry] No, I can't go!

- Go Harry, go!

(rumbling)

(sirens wail)

- [Voiceover] Professor Ohta and the mayor were right,

the journalists should have stayed away from the area

they advised them against,

but they were powerless to stop them.

- [Voiceover] The mayor's decision to evacuate

saved the inhabitants, just six of them perished

because they had ignored instructions.

- [Voiceover] The volcano claimed 43 lives.

Firemen and fire station were vaporized.

Every single volunteer died.

- [Voiceover] They were all swept away

while doing their job.

- There is sad news, more than 30 persons were killed

by an ash cloud, the rush of pyroclastic flow.

Maurice and Katia Krafft, Harry Glicken may be included

we couldn't contact with them for two days.

And their bodies are likely up there.

Or worse.

- [Voiceover] Not long after the tragedy,

on June 15th 1991, Mount Pinatubo

in the Philippines blew its top.

Thanks to Katia and Maurice's films

on what to do in the event of an eruption,

25,000 people were evacuated,

and a massive human disaster was avoided.

The Kraffts died, victims of their passion for volcanoes,

but they continue to inspire the men and women

who face great personal danger in order to save others.

- We hope always, but we cannot be sure,

and we don't know nothing.

You have big blocks on the top

and they have to come down, but when?

- [Akira] Okay, I got all my stuff.

(slow music)