Original subtitles

(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)

NARRATOR: The Hindenburg is coming again.

That's what all the excitement is about.

In spite of protests like this, the pride of Germany

is due here on the morning of May 6th.

During the 1937 season, the giant airship

is scheduled to make 18 round trips

from Frankfurt to Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Just 10 years ago, the Montgolfier brothers, two Frenchmen,

made the first controlled flight in a hot-air balloon.

This rock-a-bye baby is perkin' along with a new gas, hydrogen.

Soon an airborne banana split, with four scoops.

In the Gay Nineties, ballooning really got off the ground.

Ladies, check the balloon sleeves

on those stylish aeronauts in the basket.

By the early 1 900s,

everyone agreed that an airship should be shaped like a cigar.

Yes, sir, what the world needed was a good five-cent flying machine.

Alberto Santos-Dumont, a young Brazilian in Paris,

achieved a major breakthrough

when he hooked a two-cylinder gasoline motor to the basket.

Flat tire, Alberto?

All the same, he went on to win the 100,000 franc prize

for circling the Eiffel Tower in his 80-foot Tootsie Roll.

Next came the semi-rigid airship

with a light metal frame supported by...

Oops!

Things are looking up.

These early birds have more varieties than Heinz.

Bigger and better airships, all of them air conditioned,

continued to pop up before the World War.

The outdoor types.

With a girl along,

that probably was more fun than the rumble seat of a Stutz Bearcat.

Around this time,

a retired German army officer known as

the "Crazy old Count" von Zeppelin

flew a 400-foot sausage equipped with two marine motors

for 20 miles.

But seriously, folks, after this amazing feat,

everyone wanted to be associated with the ZeppeIin Company.

The Count and a young associate, Doctor Hugo Eckener,

founded the world's first air passenger line.

In 1 924, the ZeppeIin Company built an airship for the U.S. Navy,

the LZ-1 26, re-christened the Los Angeles.

Until last year, the Graf Zeppelin

was considered the marvel of the age.

Since 1928, she has carried 13,000 passengers

over a million miles without a single mishap.

But then, at the ZeppeIin Company works in Friedrichshafen,

German genius created the airship supreme, the Hindenburg.

Her vast, cathedral-like hull, almost three football fields long,

is an intricate web spun from more than ten miles of Duraluminum girders.

Fifteen stories high, it houses sixteen giant cells,

containing over seven million cubic feet of hydrogen,

which lifts her 242 tons of luxury into the clouds.

She is the climax of man's dream to conquer the air,

the new Queen of the Skies.

SECRETARY: The Embassy received hundreds of letters

like that last year, Mr. Ambassador.

Mostly from cranks.

We can expect many more this season.

Mrs. Rauch's letter is different. It's specific.

She spells out how and where

the zeppelin will be destroyed.

A time bomb over American territory.

Franz. Erwin.

Showing us how you do it in Spain?

Well, I'm afraid I don't fly very much there.

Good to have you back, Franz.

We hear they're giving you a Knight's Cross to your Iron Cross.

For writing up dossiers, I suppose.

Half the time on our own people.

They're turning us into a Gestapo, Erwin.

Get me out of intelligence.

Give me back my old Reconnaissance command.

That might not be easy, Franz. Why not?

All you have to do is sign the order.

You've been brought back for a special problem which we've inherited.

GOEBBELS: We've had our suspicions, Colonel.

And now that letter confirms there is a plot

to sabotage the LZ-129 on this flight.

Obviously, Dr. Goebbels, the sane thing to do is to cancel the flight,

until the Gestapo uncovers the plot.

Sane, but weak.

The propaganda value of the LZ-129 is highly important.

(SCOFFS)

From a military standpoint, she's a flying dinosaur.

Colonel, the LZ-129 is a world symbol of Nazi power.

It is an honor to guard her safety. And you've been chosen.

My field is the estimation of enemy air operations.

It's not espionage.

A zeppelin ride should be a vacation compared to Spain.

So you're being loaned to the LZ-129

as the officer in charge of security for this trip.

You will have the power to do anything you think necessary, but

quietly, discreetly, or it might appear we have internal opposition.

Ah, you're afraid it might strengthen the resistance movement.

There is no resistance movement, Colonel.

That's reassuring. Coming from the Minister of Propaganda.

I mustn't keep you from your next appointment.

Let us hope you'll change your opinion of our flying dinosaur.

Perhaps I will, unless there's an egg hatching in her.

LEHMANN: The Hindenburg is scheduled to leave in two days, Colonel.

Why did the Gestapo wait till now to show us this?

It's inexcusable that our passengers

have to make other travel arrangements this late.

The flight hasn't been canceled.

Not canceled? I thought...

Why are you here? I'll be aboard.

Sort of special security officer.

I'd like you along, Captain Lehmann,

as a Senior Airship Observer.

You may have to work with the Gestapo, Colonel, but I don't.

You built the Hindenburg, Dr. Eckener.

Don't you want to protect your interests?

I've protected them for 40 years, by taking no risks.

Even if I wanted to go, you'd never be able to clear it.

Dr. Eckener and l are out of favor at the Chancellery.

ECKENER: I refused to name the Hindenburg after the Fuhrer.

Captain Pruss, the new commander, is an excellent air shipman.

We trained him.

Don't embarrass yourself by requesting me, Colonel.

They won't allow it, and I prefer to leave it that way.

It's all arranged.

I'll see you at the airfield Monday.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

MAN: Give me a drink.

Stupid SS men crawling through our ship morning till night

with dirt on their shoes.

If we had an elephant in the lounge,

they couldn't find it. (LAUGHS)

They weren't looking for an elephant. (ALL LAUGHING)

Did you see Karl when the SS dog barked?

He jumped 1 0 feet and the dog bit him in the brains.

Here.

(ALL LAUGHING)

It's better than being bitten by the SS.

ALL: Ooh!

You should've refused to go on that whale.

(SHUSHING) The crew might think I'm a Jonah.

I can't bear it. Alfred, then Spain, now this.

We aren't far from Switzerland, Franz.

I was walking along the river today. No.

But you hate what you're doing now.

What would you have me tell them in Switzerland?

Yesterday, I was a colonel in the German Air Force?

No, it would be different if we were Jews or pacifists,

or even Communists.

Uncle Gustaf is in Geneva.

I can't.

I'd be a deserter.

Listen, to me, Eleanore,

I spoke to Erwin.

He says he'll try to get my old group back.

We can live in the south, far from Berlin.

Poor Franz.

(LAUGHTER)

ALL: One, two, three, four, five, six,

seven, eight, nine, ten. (ALL LAUGHING)

The winner.

You'll be drunk, Karl.

We'll be dry for two days on board, woman.

Please, Karl, not tonight.

MEN: Ooh!

MEN: One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.

Behave yourselves. You act like gypsies. (ALL LAUGHING)

Good night, good night.

Stewardess, we're going to bed.

We'll ring if we need anything.

(ALL LAUGHING)

Excuse me. Excuse me, I beg your pardon.

I'm just a poor gypsy.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

That Freda Halle. She's a loose woman. Oh...

They say she works for foreigners, some French bank in Frankfurt.

We should report it, Frau Knorr.

KNORR: Look, it's women's gossip.

I mean, we're all loyal Germans.

Besides that, Karl is no fool.

Enough now.

I drink to the one I love. (CHUCKLES)

The Hindenburg. (ALL LAUGHING)

ALL: (SINGING) Raise high the flag

Uniting us forever

Prepare to march with swastika unfurled

And when we've purified the Fatherland together

That song is going to make me sick.

Will dominate the world

(TICKING)

(TICKING STOPS)

(BRASS BAND PLAYING)

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

WOMAN: Charlie, yoo-hoo! We're over here.

It has wrecked more men, blasted more lives,

and dishonored more ladies

than any other scourge on this earth.

I wish you'd forget this zeppelin crap

and come on over to the Coronation.

Quaky's rented a Duke's palace

or something outside London.

Oh, not for us, Hattie.

Reed's finished the score on his new show

and rehearsals start on the 1 2th.

We couldn't possibly.

Besides, British quarantine won't let Heidi into the country.

You should've had children instead of dogs.

The evil spell's been lifted, Bess is pregnant.

At your age? (LAUGHING)

Finally. No rooftop announcements just yet.

We don't want to push our luck.

Bess.

Isn't it wonderful? (BOTH LAUGH)

OFFICIAL: How long will you be away from us, Countess?

COUNTESS: Oh, I suppose until I get homesick.

What's the purpose of your trip?

To visit my daughter at school, in Boston.

Where will you be staying?

With friends. Mr. and Mrs. Alden Winthrop.

In Boston?

Yes, and at their place on Cape Cod.

What does he do?

His occupation?

He's with the Winthrop First National Bank, and I can assure you, Major,

he is not the doorman.

MAN: Estelle, I've been looking all over for you.

PAGE: Mr. Douglas. Mr. Edward Douglas.

Cablegram for Mr. Douglas. I'm Mr. Douglas.

Here, sir. Thank you.

MAN: (OVER PA) Will Mr. Kenji Shimura please come to the information desk.

Mr. Kenji Shimura. Please come to the information desk.

Looks like we'll get off a little late.

Yeah. What's the holdup?

Let's get this show on the road.

WOMAN: I know I had it on the bus.

We're keeping all passports this trip, Countess.

It will be returned to you when we arrive at Lakehurst.

Oh, I see.

Your lighter will be returned after we've landed at Lakehurst.

OFFlCER: The official photographer should know better.

If you'll just step into the booth for a body search, sir.

It's company policy.

Stay up here with me now. And don't you get lost.

Oh... Oh.

So clumsy. Help Daddy.

Thank you.

Oh, your name is familiar, Mr. Breslau.

Oh? Do you have relatives in Germany?

Many friends and associates, but no relatives.

Well, now, you might have, Albert.

I've always been sure our name once had a "Von".

Von Breslau.

That's Prussian nobility.

That's where I've heard it.

Too bad, Mildred, The von doesn't count

when you're born in the States. (CHUCKLES)

We all were. Me, too.

Couple of cowboys, huh? (ALL CHUCKLING)

Come on, boys, now stay together.

Watch where you're going.

Over here.

That's a handsome cane, sir. May I see it?

You wouldn't admire it so much if you were crippled.

I don't intend to be.

Would you tape the end of Mr. Pajetta's cane

and return it to him, please.

Yes, sir.

I say, you must be the special security officer.

It's a good thing, too.

You know, this ruddy blimp is filled with hydrogen?

I'll make a note of that. Thank you.

They call that dumb Dutchman a security man?

The tape is for your own safety, sir.

The steel tip could strike sparks.

I'd expect more courtesy on a cattle boat.

Now, you just do as you're told.

May I help, Countess?

Franz. Are you on board?

Yes.

What's wrong this trip?

These people insist upon going through

all of my luggage and my trunk.

Will you speak to them, please?

Certainly.

Search it. Strip the lining.

Remove the metal corners.

If you run out of time,

ship it to the Countess on the Bremen.

Not very gallant, was it, Colonel?

The German Air Force is not at all what it used to be.

But then, nothing is these days.

Nothing.

(DOG BARKING)

Hi, nice dog. Hi. Hi.

(IMITATES BARKING)

(CACKLING)

No, no.

Your papers, please.

SPAH: Introducing the world's greatest, the one and only.

Here's my passport and ticket. All in order.

Throw the bag on the zap, my boy.

Oh, goody. We are going to play doctor.

Why not?

Give it a thorough examination. Also the suitcase.

Will Miss Breslau please write down her correct weight?

Well, I did, 106.

Keep the pen. It's a present from relatives in Germany.

And not a word to your father until after you've sailed.

He'll understand. We don't have any relatives in Germany.

(BRASS BAND PLAYING)

My God, Lehmann, are you suggesting I disobey orders?

No, Pruss. I'm saying the Captain has the authority

to cancel a flight anytime he doesn't think it's safe.

You know our situation.

I know that I don't believe much.

If you say there's a weakness in the new wrist pin on engine four,

you have a valid reason for not taking off.

I'll back you up on it.

Number four is perfectly reliable now.

The rest of your ship may not be.

No, it's out of the question, Lehmann.

The ship was searched twice today.

At least two Gestapo men on board that I know of.

And we have Colonel Ritter with us.

I'd look like a fool, or worse. No. Ritter, come board with us.

Colonel,

did you know we have the pleasure

of Captain Lehmann for this voyage?

Just as an observer, Captain.

And as a diplomat.

(LAUGHING) A worried diplomat.

Seems I'm to go to Washington to try to get us helium.

I wish we had it this trip.

(BRASS BAND CONTINUES PLAYING)

(DOG WHINING)

To the right, please. Countess. Excuse us, sir.

We'd like to look around a bit, first.

SPECK: Oh, yes, ma'am. I'll just put these in your cabin.

COUNTESS: All right.

(ALL MURMURING)

What's that? Let's go look in here.

(PLAYS NOTE)

(SCATTING)

MAN: This is my favorite room now, if we can get a drink.

MAN: (OVER PA) CoIoneI Ritter. Your party has been contacted.

I had to see you again. Yes.

I'll be back in six days. Then we'll talk.

Everything's in order, sir.

Prepare to weigh off.

(BRASS BAND PLAYING)

MAN: Bye now. Have fun.

PRUSS: Drop line.

Up ship.

(CROWD CHEERING)

MAN 1: In New York, Mitzie, remember, it's six hours' difference.

MAN 2: Happy landings.

Colonel Ritter. Martin Vogel.

Did you know? We're cabin mates.

Are we? Yes. I feel honored.

I hope the Colonel doesn't mind sharing quarters with me.

Delighted.

(ENGINES STARTING)

Weather over the Channel.

If you fly the north side of the storm,

the pressure pattern will simply push us over England.

The British don't want us over their chimney pots.

They'll complain to the Foreign Office.

The Foreign Office isn't aboard.

I'll do the worrying this trip, Captain.

We'll stay on course and try to outrun the storm.

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

She's on her way, sir.

Left Frankfurt ten minutes ago. 8: 1 8 by their clock.

Now we sweat, Hank.

Yes, sir. Till 6:00 a.m. Thursday.

Listen to this.

"No voyager on the Hindenburg need fear fire

"from within the ship." Etc, etc, etc.

That's the same magazine that predicted

Landon would beat Roosevelt in 32 states.

Well, that's why I read Ballyhoo exclusively, sir.

Every time she puts in here,

it's like walking on a crate of eggs.

A booby-trapped crate of eggs.

Remember what happened the last time we took the Los Angeles up?

TRUSCOTT: Yes, sir.

If we hadn't had helium, we wouldn't be here.

Have you found it, Colonel?

Found what? There are no secrets on zeppelins.

Let's hope not.

When do we eat?

A light supper will be served at 1 0:00, sir.

It's important that you put me at Mr. Reed Channing's table.

I've been checking on his dog.

You should not have gone back there, Mr. Spah.

It's against regulations.

So don't say anything.

Okay, Comrade?

Well, I still say the French line has the best of society.

Daddy, there's something I've been meaning to show you.

A young man at the airfield gave me this.

He told me not to... Where did you get that?

Daddy, I'm trying... Hey, give it to me, Dumpling.

Valerie, your father's right.

You shouldn't accept gifts from strange men.

Mother! No.

She's a pretty little thing.

With only 4,000 miles to go, I'd better meet her.

4, 1 00. Excuse me?

We've got 4, 1 00 miles to go.

(CHUCKLES) Right.

Ah.

Holland.

Uh, nine minutes late.

Or do you make it 1 0, Mr. Douglas?

(CHUCKLES)

Bring me a beer, please.

When you are quite through, may l, Mr. Pajetta?

PAJETTA: Only one damn lighter.

Hell on cigar smokers.

Filthy habit, cigars.

Oh?

Hmm.

COUNTESS: Ah.

Join me, Colonel? Goering adores it.

But it's true, sir. Right in there on the bar.

The pen stood upright for more than two hours.

That's how steady the Hindenburg flies.

Let's have a go at it ourselves, shall we?

Who has a pen?

Ah! Do you mind, old boy?

Yes, I need my pen.

NAPIER: Oh, not for a few minutes, surely. (CHUCKLES)

Come along.

Now, 50 quid, the bally pen will be toppled

in less than an hour.

Now, really, this is nonsense. Leave it. Be a sport.

I'll take the bet. Right to, anyone else?

Howell? You'll defend the honor of old Eli, won't you?

It's Harvard. NAPlER: A hundred, did you say?

The gentleman from Yale wagers one hundred dollars.

I didn't say that, I said, it's...

What would we bet, Colonel?

The honor of the Third Reich

also hangs in the balance.

On so thin a thread?

Five hundred marks it stands eight hours.

NAPIER: I'll take that bet.

Will you watch it through the night with me, Colonel?

I told you, I need my pen. I'm sorry. All bets are off.

(SIGHS)

When they came to me, I refused to do it.

They brought it to my daughter anyhow,

but she didn't know what it was,

neither did my wife.

Are your relatives Jews?

Damn you, yes. My grandmother was a Jew.

Look here, Colonel. I import a lot of German surgical instruments.

And you can bet the manufacturers won't be so sensitive

about my grandmother's background.

Mrs. Milstein. Yes.

They wanted me to sell the diamonds

so they could get out of Germany.

Does their name have to be a part of it now?

You know what could happen to them.

Just make sure that you declare those to U.S. Customs.

I'll keep the pen for the Gestapo museum.

(THUNDER RUMBLES)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Whoa! It's all right.

Oh, yeah, when I saw your dog, it was doing fine.

That was real kind, Joe. Thank you.

Oh, no, thank you. I never touch the stuff.

(LIGHTNING CRASHES)

Over here, Captain. See it? A clearing in the storm.

Alter course 30 degrees right, Frankel, head for that bright spot.

Forward engines to half speed.

We'll slow down in this turbulence.

That's how your American friends lost all their ships.

I would like to be in your new show, Mr. Channing.

I'm working on this new act, a zep act.

Real sophisticated.

Perfect for a show like yours.

(THUNDER RUMBLES) Ooh!

It's all right. It's okay.

Sugar, next time, let's take the Titanic.

That pen incident.

It was obvious what you were looking for.

Obvious to me, at least.

I knew he was the kind for diamonds, not bombs.

I could've told you about Breslau.

All the characteristics.

Brach cephalic skull, heavy lower jaw, skin.

Breslau happens to be just one quarter Jewish.

(LAUGHS)

The world is mongrelized, Vogel.

Only in Berlin is everyone so pure.

Well, we have all shapes of heads to choose from.

Can your x-ray eyes see inside them?

Major Napier, for one,

who has no traceable income,

but makes frequent trips on luxury liners.

A good way to pick up information from important people.

Why suddenly the Hindenburg?

His big earlobes make me think he's a British spy.

VOGEL: There's no need for sarcasm, Colonel.

May I humbly suggest that Mr. Edward Douglas also bears watching?

So very afraid we'll arrive late.

RITTER: He's head of the foreign branch

of an advertising company in Berlin.

Their big account is pharmaceuticals.

But he collected information from German plants

that supply parts for the Hindenburg.

VOGEL: Mmm, America also prepares for war.

RITTER: He was Naval intelligence during the last one.

Stayed abroad. Went into advertising.

But he's careful not to advertise his business this trip.

VOGEL: Joe Spah is just the opposite.

RITTER: Spah's just a clown.

VOGEL: A clown who canceled a performance for the Fuhrer

just to be on this flight. Also spent a week in Moscow.

To see the Russian circus, he says.

You can't deny Spah has an unfriendly attitude.

RITTER: Hmm. A lot of people fail to see all our lovable qualities.

VOGEL: Which are well displayed in the Countess. How do you happen to know her?

RITTER: Her husband and I were members of the same flying club in the days

before the Luftwaffe.

He was killed in a crash, and she went back to her family estate.

I hadn't seen her for years.

VOGEL: A rich widow with an estate.

RITTER: Yes, she's from a very distinguished North Baltic family.

Von Reugen from Peenemunde.

VOGEL: Peenemunde? At the mouth of the Oder?

RITTER: Owns half the island.

VOGEL: Not anymore.

Peenemunde's just been taken over by weapons research.

Big new development in rockets.

If she knows what's going on there,

it's risky letting her out of the country.

RITTER: I'd say it was risky for the ship's photographer to step out of line

with the Countess. VOGEL: If I were you. Colonel, I'd find out

just how much she really knows before I let her off this ship.

RITTER: Leave that to me. You stay away from her.

VOGEL: Tomorrow, this photographer

might take some pictures of the crew.

Find out what the common people are thinking.

RITTER: They say the rigger, Karl Boerth, has a mistress who works in

the, uh, Frankfurt branch of a French bank.

Where did you hear that? I also hear she's been around.

Boerth is not the first. Her name is Freda Halle.

I understand Boerth's a good man. Hitler Youth leader.

By the way, am I also a suspect? You?

You're my staunch ally, my teammate, my good right arm.

The Gestapo.

(LAUGHS) Ridiculous. Where'd you get such an idea?

Detailed information on everyone except Martin Vogel.

All it says here is official Hindenburg photographer.

Gestapo sources of information are really excellent.

Maybe not so good as you think.

It fails to mention

that Colonel Ritter doesn't like Gestapo methods,

doesn't use them himself, and doesn't want you operating behind his back.

That's why we're cabin mates.

HANDFORD: I'm sorry, Dr. Luther.

Captain Lehmann is wasting his time coming here.

Well, perhaps this at least will persuade state to make arrangements for

appointments for him.

You know how Congress feels about helium.

They're afraid that Chancellor Hitler will use it for military...

Dr. Luther, what's been done about this?

Everything possible to guarantee the safety of the Hindenburg.

The chief danger to her is the American monopoly of helium.

Now, if anything does happen,

Mr. Hanford, it could be blamed on your country.

Would you step outside for a moment, Lessing, please?

Certainly, Colonel.

Get this off to Gestapo Headquarters, Berlin.

Attention, Hochwald.

Send results.

Freda Halle surveillance so far.

Also run check on her lovers before Boerth.

Signed Ritter.

Destroy that after it's sent and record the message by code number.

Yes, sir.

REED: I don't like the dog so far away.

Suppose something happens?

Impossible, Mr. Channing.

Your dog is traveling first class,

as good as any of the passengers. (DOG BARKS)

You see, she agrees. RITTER: Kirsch.

What are you doing bringing passengers into the interior of the ship?

REED: Now, wait a minute, Colonel.

When we bought our tickets,

we were told we could visit the dog.

That may be, Mr. Channing,

but the ship's interior is now off limits to passengers.

No matter how much anyone tips. So please...

(DOG BARKING)

Damn it. I'm going to visit my dog.

Passengers are barred for their own safety.

Take a look, Mr. Channing.

If you fell, you'd go right through into the sea.

Rot.

Last year passengers were permitted inside the hull,

but not this voyage.

Typical. You're running this ship like a concentration camp.

I agree that I am running this ship.

Go to hell!

I take it back. That would be a lot better than Germany is today.

I'm curious, Mr. and Mrs. Channing,

as to why people like yourselves would choose the Hindenburg.

If you must know, only because my wife is...

Well, she gets sick on boats.

Hmm. The Zeppelin Company couldn't ask for a better recommendation.

I'll assign the cabin boy to visit your dog

every watch and report back to you.

Fair enough?

Now, why don't we talk about the arrangements

for your concert, Mr. Channing?

Do you really think I'm going to go through with that?

I announced the concert.

I'm sure you won't disappoint us.

(SIGHS) Okay. You're the Captain.

You want a concert, I'll give you a concert.

Take her down below the fog layer, Hans.

But no lower than 200 meters.

(CLICKING)

By all means, come right in, Franz.

Where did you get the lighter?

Our radio operator is hot-blooded.

Give it to me, Countess.

Behave, Ursula. You know it's dangerous.

Franz, I've learned a new game.

Breaking all the rules.

It's much more fun for people like us

than those shoe clerks and butchers in their brown shirts.

Because, my darling, we made the rules.

I made this one.

Go ahead, take it.

Help yourself to anything else.

That's the official policy now, isn't it?

They've taken my house and my land.

So I heard. How generous of you.

Generous? I screamed bloody murder.

Oh, Franz,

if I told you what was going on at Peenemunde...

You don't know. No one knows.

If they thought you knew,

you would never be allowed out of the country.

Listen to me. No questions asked or answered.

You have made a great sacrifice for the Fatherland.

Do you understand me?

Good.

Why anyone would want that wretched island I'll never know.

Did I tell you, Franz, I managed to get rid of it?

Trudi will be delighted.

Oh, Franz, she's growing up so nicely.

She'll be at the airfield. Perhaps you'll see her.

Beautiful child.

I heard you say she's going to school in Boston. That's marvelous.

And doing very well.

It's the best school for the deaf, I'm told.

She's learning to speak, and lip-read.

Maybe this summer we'll...

(CRACKLING)

(PANICKED CHATTERING)

MAN 1: Atmospheric pressure.

WOMAN 1: Steward, I want my things out of the safe.

MAN 2: Stand still, Peter, don't stir the air.

MAN 3: It's making me choke. (COUGHING)

MAN 4: What is all this?

WOMAN 2: Thank God, it's going away.

Please, please, don't be upset.

You've just been treated to a harmless display

of Saint Elmo's fire.

What's that?

As the ship came through the fog,

we accumulated an electrical charge,

like a child shuffling his shoes across a carpet.

We've been in no danger.

The ship is completely bonded together

and the charge has dissipated harmlessly.

(CROWD APPLAUDING)

PAJETTA: I was pretty sure it was Saint Elmer's fire all along.

Jolly good.

MAN: Personally, I could use a little Schnapps.

Marvelous sensation on an airship.

Floating, timeless.

Past, present, no difference.

They all seem to run together here.

Don't you find it so, Franz?

Do you still play cards, Countess?

Why?

Major Napier and Mr. Pajetta

piqued my professional curiosity.

I've been propositioned frequently,

but this is the first time

I've ever been recruited by the German Luftwaffe.

That is what you're doing, isn't it, Franz?

(CHUCKLES) Yes. With apologies.

I'll give you 10% of my winnings.

You probably remember.

I'm good at games of chance.

You're in the right place.

That's an odd thing to say.

LEHMANN: It's obviously some kind of private code.

In any case, we'll see the answer before Douglas does.

That gives us an advantage. True.

Go ahead and send it.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(PLAYING UPBEAT MUSIC)

Spah made this sketch of the ship's interior.

See if you can open this.

Standard combination.

Now what do you think of your pet clown?

I think we better watch him more closely.

Simple for a man who knows his job.

RITTER: Douglas got rid of that airport telegram very quickly.

We'll have to wait for the answer to the one he sent.

How long is this concert supposed to last?

No telling.

However, I asked the Captain to arrive 15 minutes late.

VOGEL: It's a coding device.

RITTER: I've never seen one quite like it.

Luftwaffe intelligence has been too busy sunning themselves in Spain.

RITTER: Operation "K".

What do you suppose that stands for, Vogel?

Kraut, Knockwurst, Kosher?

What more do you need to question Napier and Pajetta?

My orders are to move quietly.

Besides, when you surface a spy

and he doesn't know it,

you can turn him to your own advantage.

(CONTINUES PLAYING UPBEAT MUSIC)

(CROWD APPLAUDING)

(INAUDIBLE)

With your permission, Captain.

I would like to play for the first time in public,

a little number from my upcoming show,

and Mr. Joe Spah has kindly agreed

to take part in this little entertainment.

(CROWD APPLAUDING)

I hope you like it.

Captain, Mr. Spah. Mr. Channing.

(PLAYING PATRIOTIC MUSIC)

(SINGING) There's a new voice sweeping the Fatherland

Loyal Germans understand

As they rally round it’s exciting sound

How their hearts expand

There's a new voice keeping the Fatherland

To its ancient noble vow

Helping restless men start to build again

Showing where and how

There's a lot to be said for the Fuhrer

Why, I hardly know where to begin

For our pride in Aryan purity

Security

Thank Berlin

All the bold youthful steps he is taking

Make you feel like something special's in the air

What has got to be said for the Fuhrer is (CROWD LAUGHING)

Who else would ever dare?

(IMITATING HITLER)

(COUGHING)

(THANKING IN GERMAN) (THANKING IN SPANISH)

(CROWD LAUGHING)

REED: (SINGING) There's a lot to be said for the Nazis

They are bringing the press into line

They have modernized

The cinema Blech.

The radio (SNORING)

And the Rhine

BOTH: It's a simply spectacular party

And the failure to attend would be a crime

(GROANS)

(CROWD GASPING)

REED: There's a lot to be said

For the Nazis

And I hope it's said

In time

Who else is making opportunities

For busy pioneers in occupa...

(CLOSES PIANO)

(IMITATING ENGINE)

Thank you so much, Mr. Channing.

Unfortunately, your humor is not the same as ours.

Good night, sir.

(CROWD MURMURING)

Oh, it's you, Boerth.

What the devil were you doing up there?

Routine inspection, Colonel.

Inspecting what?

Control cables, sir.

A rigger's duty.

Is there anything I can help you with, sir?

I understand you were a Hitler Youth leader.

Yes, sir.

But you haven't been active for the last two years.

Only because of the Hindenburg, sir.

I helped build her at Friedrichshafen

and last year, I made all 10 trips.

If there's nothing else, sir, I'll get on with my duties.

Boerth.

I wonder what you were really doing, Boerth.

My duty, sir.

We're from the FBI, Mrs. Rauch. We'd like to talk to you.

G-men?

Oh, Lordy, Lordy.

You're sure you got the right party?

Yes, ma'am.

What...

Then you confirm that that is your letter in your own handwriting

to the German Ambassador? I certainly do.

And everything in it will happen. Just like I say.

Tomorrow, the zeppelin will fly over New York City and blow up.

I know it for a fact.

How do you know it, Mrs. Rauch?

Because two weeks ago, I saw it in a vision. Clear as crystal.

I'm clairvoyant and I'm never wrong.

Just ask any of the neighbors.

I also predict that Bette Davis will play the part of

Scarlett O'Hara in the movie.

And the Duke of Windsor will never marry Mrs. Simpson.

Read it from the shorthand.

"Checking information that former lover of Freda Halle

"was killed fighting for leftists in Spain. Signed, Hochwald."

To Hochwald.

Is there any information regarding bomb from Halle?

Have several suspects,

but I need evidence. Ritter.

Magnificent.

Icebergs!

VOGEL: They're too far away to photograph.

Will you turn around?

I never dreamed we'd see icebergs from the air.

That's interesting.

(PLAYING CLASSICAL MUSIC)

WOMAN: Where have you been, George?

Look at the icebergs.

GEORGE: Makes you feel like an explorer flying over the pole.

You still play beautifully.

Only I wish you were playing cards.

3:00, this afternoon.

(DOG WHINING)

You won't say anything about me bringing her down here, will you?

Oh, hell. I've been doing it since we left.

What kind of dog is she?

She's a Dalmatian.

She used to follow behind carriages, didn't you, girl?

She needs a lot of exercise.

(RIPPING)

(LOUD FLAPPING)

Cover on port fin ripped loose, sir.

Engines three and four idle.

Forward engines to quarter speed.

Suppose I go aft and take a look? Go ahead.

CREWMEMBER: Riggers are on their way to make repairs.

Right, yes, right.

Hold her into the wind.

Captain, we're losing altitude.

We're heavy. Picked up rain in the squall.

More power, sir? No.

The riggers would be swept overboard by the wind.

What's the altitude now?

350 meters, sir.

Rate of descent? 1 0 meters a minute.

That gives them about 25 minutes.

Argh! (GROANING)

Hold him! Grab him!

MAN 1: Foot on the bar. On the bar!

Lift him up.

Put your feet down here. All right, hold him.

Put me down on the girder.

Damn.

Jesus. It looks bad.

It's all right. Let's go.

Altitude, 280 meters.

Can't risk going below 100.

Altitude 260 meters.

Now losing 15 a minute.

Forward engines to half.

A little more breeze won't blow them away.

We'll gain some lift and a couple of minutes.

Forward engines half speed.

You've only got about 15 minutes.

KNORR: You sew, Karl, you're faster.

What exposure are you using, Mr. Shimura? SHIMURA: Five-six.

Thank the Lord I brought this camera.

WOMAN: Colored glass I bought in Sweden.

BESS: Look, darling. It's gorgeous

BOY: Get them away.

IRENE: That's worth the whole trip.

It's breathtaking.

It's all right to tell the Captain he can go on now, Kirsch.

We have all the pictures we want.

Yes, ma'am.

Go back inside and look after your eye.

Just finish up.

Stand by, Dimmler.

When we're down to 100, I want all engines full speed.

Get the riggers inside.

LEHMANN: Knorr. Boerth.

No more time. Back inside.

It's still too big. It'll rip.

LEHMANN: Captain's orders. Back inside.

Karl.

One rigger's still outside, Captain. Boerth.

Captain, Boerth is still outside.

I heard you, Dimmler.

All engines full ahead.

Nose up five degrees.

Knorr! Knorr, I'm going off.

Pull me!

(GRUNTING)

Pull me.

You're all right, Karl. Come on.

She's about seven hours late.

I assure you, madam, there's no need to worry.

She's right there.

100 miles off the coast of Newfoundland.

Then they won't be landing until tomorrow afternoon.

I suggest you come back tomorrow morning.

We'll know much better by then.

Thank you so much. My pleasure.

Mr. Douglas.

Oh, thank you.

I'll take that to the radio room for you, Mr. Douglas.

No, thank you. I'll do it myself.

But, sir, passengers aren't allowed...

I know, I know, I know. Here's my special pass. Thank you.

I'd like to see you, Mr. Douglas.

How about a drink later? Now.

What's this strong arm stuff? Come on.

You'd better tell me about this, Mr. Douglas.

While you're at it, explain these in code.

I don't have to explain a damn thing to you. Get out.

You'd better set it back to Frankfurt time.

That's where a fast police car will be meeting you

in roughly 94 hours.

Barring accidents, of course.

Okay, I'll tell you, Ritter.

But you've got to let me send that message.

It may mean the difference. To what?

To pulling off the biggest deal of my life.

Right now, I'm in a race.

A race to beat my competitor into New York. Who?

Fred Seemans, head of Seemans & Poelzig.

At this moment he's on the Queen Mary,

which left a day and a half ahead of us.

In the messages, we call his outfit the sharks, mine the hawks.

One by air and one by sea and both carnivorous.

You're beginning to get the idea.

Tomorrow, it will be announced that

General Motors has acquired the Opel Motor Company.

The advertising account will be up for grabs.

Whoever gets there first will have the jump.

All right.

Let's see if there's a Fred Seemans on board the Queen Mary.

POLICE CAPTAIN: Yeah?

Hi, Captain.

Three hours. Where you been, Baker?

All you had to do was phone the steamship line.

That was the easy part, Captain.

The individual Frederick Seemans

is on board the Queen Mary.

Occupying suite 31 2, First Class, C Deck.

It's the others that took the time.

Operation K, Passage, Raid, and Mr. Chandu.

You know who they are?

You're gonna tell me any day now, aren't you, Baker?

They're horses, Captain. What?

Well, you see, it had me stumped.

So I contacted the FBI, and was my face red.

These are the names of race horses.

Now why does some German on a zeppelin

want us to find out about the ponies?

You got me.

Maybe he's heard New York cops make book. Mmm?

Maybe he thinks he can sneak over to Belmont

and win himself a bundle.

That's near Lakehurst.

Two of these nags are running tomorrow.

Operation "K" and Mr. Chandu.

Well, send him the odds. That's probably all the guy wants anyway.

Think so? Hmm.

Which two horses?

I need it for the record.

Captain. (CHUCKLES)

Hi, Tony.

Now, you boys are going out to beautiful Jersey.

Special request of the State Department.

And this time, they got a Luftwaffe colonel aboard.

Name is Ritter.

Big wheel with intelligence.

Coming to land a couple of espionage agents, maybe?

Now don't you experts let any goddamn Nazis slip into the country.

That blimp better not fly too low over them Jersey woods.

Full of moonshiners.

They'll shoot any big-ass bird flying over their stills.

Yeah, The T-men are also sending a special customs squad.

Byrnes Duncan will be with them.

Duncan? Hmm?

He's with the Bureau of Explosives.

Oh, thanks a lot. Now we get the picture.

That's right.

Ravishing.

(PLAYING FOLK MUSIC)

Ah.

I thought we might be able to find time to relax

now that the famous Rauch letter turns out to be from a crank.

The Gestapo often exaggerates their information.

Are you building this? Yes.

My own design for a house in Zeppelinheim.

A new village near the airfield.

We're hoping a lot of our airship families

will settle there. (KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come.

For you, Colonel. Thank you.

It's from the Gestapo.

Boerth's woman has been arrested.

She's confessed that her ex-lover

was killed fighting for the leftists in Spain.

In the hands of the Gestapo,

anyone can be made to confess anything.

In bed with his mistress,

Boerth could've been talked into a plot.

What plot, Colonel?

A crank letter has been made into a matter of state.

The purpose of exaggerating the bomb scare

was to get helium.

I went along with that.

There are other sources of information.

Perhaps no more valid than the letter.

(SCOFFS) I'm not a believer in the occult,

like our Mrs. Rauch, but I'll tell you, Captain,

I have an uneasy sense of disaster.

As if a bomb were ticking inside me.

It's a constant feeling

with some people in Germany, these days.

A decent man, like you, Colonel,

with a wife, probably raising a family,

have you never had this feeling before?

Probably raising a family.

My only son was killed three months ago

working for the New Order.

But believe me, Captain, I'm not much better working for the Gestapo.

One of their spies lying in the bed above me.

What's happening to people like us?

I've given my life to zeppelins.

Last year for the sake of our company,

I even dropped political pamphlets from this ship.

Where does it stop?

I've been in the Air Force since the World War.

When the Versailles treaty abolished it,

I worked with Goring and the others to build a secret one.

I remember those days.

You people trained in gliders.

Yes, all over Germany. Mostly at night.

I was proud when Hitler brought the new Luftwaffe out into the open.

But I wasn't proud after last week at Guernica,

a little Basque village, a few hundred peasants.

We dropped 3,000 bombs on it.

You were there?

Chief of intelligence.

So that's how one wins the Knight's Cross in peacetime?

Peacetime.

Well, now we have two heroes aboard.

Boerth did valiant service to the Hindenburg today.

He doesn't seem to be the man to destroy the ship.

He does to me.

He's exactly the kind of man I would choose for a dangerous mission.

Bold, tough, cool.

You have those qualities in common with him.

You're both good men.

I must get to know him better.

Please, show this to Pruss.

Thank you for the coffee, Captain. Good night.

I hope you get your house built.

(SIGHS)

Freda Halle has been arrested.

Traffic violation?

No, by the Gestapo.

Because she works for foreigners?

Because I think she works with you.

She lives with me.

She's admitted that your, uh,

predecessor has been killed in Spain.

So?

If she knows about the bomb,

they'll make her confess that, too.

Where is it, Boerth?

They'll work on Freda until you tell me.

You filth.

No worse than the filth who wants to blow up 97 people.

But you won't have a chance because I'm locking you up.

You're under arrest. Ritter, get your hands off me.

Let's go. Get your hands off me or I'll blow it up now.

You can't stop it, I can make it go any second.

Don't force me, Ritter.

I need you to help me.

For Ritter, get it to him immediately.

He's hard to find. Prowls all over the ship.

RITTER: Where is it? The Gestapo knows about the bomb.

This ship is the Nazis' greatest propaganda weapon.

You patched her up today for your own propaganda.

No good if she simply tumbled into the sea, huh?

No politics in an act of God.

No survivors, either.

But that's not how I plan to do it.

It'll happen at the mooring mast at Lakehurst.

A hydrogen airship?

That's deliberate murder.

The Luftwaffe in Spain is deliberate murder.

And that's practice for Hitler.

You people are going to save the world

by blowing up the Hindenburg.

It's a place to start.

It'll prove there is a resistance.

Decent Germans will get the courage to join us.

And no one has to be killed if you help me.

You're the key to this. (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

LESSING: Boerth, is that Colonel Ritter with you? RITTER: Coming!

LESSING: Colonel, I've a message for you.

I have a date with my little Jewish model.

I'm curious to try one before they're all gone.

Cologne won't help you.

Why didn't you arrest Boerth?

Pruss showed me the message.

I'm still looking for a bomb.

Arresting Boerth won't keep it from going off.

It will, damn it, if you make him talk.

Your thumbscrews didn't make Freda Halle talk about a bomb,

before she was shot while trying to escape.

That was the mistake of a stupid guard,

you're making a worse one.

Arrest Boerth, Spah, Douglas, all of them.

Brilliant, Vogel.

The Hindenburg will come into Lakehurst like a prison ship.

I can see the headline, "Anti-Nazi Plot on Zep."

There are ways to keep it quiet.

lf it offends your delicacy, Ritter, I'll handle it for you.

Just do as you're told. I'll take care of Boerth.

You watch Napier and Spah, and of course, your little model.

I'll also be watching you.

Fine! Who'll be watching you?

I'm really disappointed, Colonel.

We thought, certainly, after the splendid example of your own son

that you would personify...

(SIGHS)

Gentlemen, new time of arrival, 5:00 p.m.

(ALL GROAN)

Now, you reporters can go back to the gin mills.

I'll ask the police and the security officers to stay on, though.

All right, boys, get 'em while they're hot.

Who needs a passenger list?

I'll take one.

There's a real pair, Napier and Pajetta.

You know those men, Sergeant?

Sure do.

The Major and Emilio "The Cane." They're boatmen.

Uh, card sharks. Usually work the luxury liners.

Real characters.

I'm supposed to check the copper tubing on the airship, sir.

Are those guys kidding about a bomb?

That's very funny.

BOY 1: Hey, look! BOY 2: Yeah.

Ah, yes.

Rainbows like that are very common in airship travel.

Hey, Dad! Did you see it? Hmm? What?

It's nothing, Dad.

Rainbows like that are very common in airship travel.

Oh, is that right?

Yeah. Yeah.

Are you with me? I have something to tell you.

I have no time for you.

This ship and I have six and a half hours left.

It concerns Freda Halle.

Gestapo?

Killed while trying to escape, they say.

Boerth?

I know, Boerth. I...

Lost my son last March. My only child.

He was in the Hitler Youths.

They went out to have some fun one night.

Paint slogans on a synagogue.

Alfred was on the roof. He slipped and fell.

His neck was broken.

Your son died for Hitler. Isn't that enough for you?

Plenty. I don't want 97 more dead on this ship.

I told you, it will happen at the mooring mast.

No one aboard.

My God, that's the last thing I want.

Ask Lakehurst for Marines to cordon off the ship.

Keep everyone at least 50 yards away.

I would have to see the bomb, know how it works.

No, you have a wife at home.

What time do we set the bomb for?

I've got to see it. Too much can go wrong.

You just see that the ship is empty.

Now, what time do I set the bomb for?

Ritter, I can do it without you, very easily.

The ship lands at 5:00.

All the passengers off at 5:30.

Another half hour to unload the freight and the mail.

Liberty party leaves at 6:30.

Remaining crew will eat at the naval station mess.

Captain Fellows' dinner party for the officers at 7:00.

Anyone standing watch, I'll evacuate.

I'll say...

U.S. Customs search, something.

No supplies or fuel or hydrogen will be loaded until after 8:00.

What time?

You leave with the Liberty party. Disappear into New York.

I'm staying aboard.

That can't help Freda now.

In the last few seconds I'm sending out

a radio signal that it was no accident.

What time?

7:30.

NAPIER: Check. Check.

I bet 100.

Ooh, the lady's out for blood, eh?

I use it to polish my fingernails.

HOWELL: I'm out.

I'll, uh, see you and raise you.

And I'll raise you, sir.

And I'll see you both.

Well, I'm afraid that lets me out.

Full house.

Sorry it's not strip poker, Countess.

You'd be looking for a fig leaf.

Straight flush.

PAJETTA: Well, we live and learn.

Well, once more into the breach, dear friends.

Spah was in the hull again.

And the stewardess found these in the cabin.

RITTER: Excellent, Martin.

This could mean he's working for someone else.

Someone who needs these. Who?

That's the man I want you to find...

After we, uh, take care of these two.

What happened to the tape, Mr. Pajetta?

Since when have you become the local house detective?

I deputized him.

Until we land, you and Major Napier

will be confined to your cabin.

Come along. What about the game?

Well, you can play hearts with Mr. Pajetta in the cabin.

You're going to regret this, sir.

My nephew was very close to Mussolini. Thank you both.

May I send a bottle of Chianti to your cabin?

Madam, what you can do with that bottle of Chianti...

I won't say in front of these gentlemen.

Well, Countess, I never thought I'd enjoy losing so much.

Thank you, dear Franz, for the assignment.

I made enough to fill 20 trunks.

How did you do it?

They cheat.

I believe they earn their living that way.

The cane?

Pajetta taps out signals with it.

And you still won?

I managed to scramble their signals.

I'd say your ten percent

was worth several cases of champagne.

Shall we start drinking it up?

Better send it to me.

I'll celebrate my homecoming in a bath of champagne.

I'd love to join you, Franz.

But I'm not going back.

I know.

Who tries to bring a wardrobe trunk aboard a zeppelin?

Oh, dear, sweet Franz.

It's all so depressing, isn't it?

This helps a little.

It's not what I need now, thanks.

No, it's a poor substitute.

It makes no sense at all, does it, Franz?

That you and I ever met.

I'll see you to say goodbye.

(THUNDER RUMBLING)

Kirby! Kirby!

Check over your procedures for a high landing.

Pruss just sent word he's gonna try one.

Pruss is nuts! An electric front is moving in.

Well, he's gonna try it.

And, Kirby,

when she's hooked up, slip her nose into the cup real easy.

Just keep remembering,

there's seven million cubic feet of hydrogen

at the end of our fishing pole.

(INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS)

DOUGLAS: My God! The Queen.

I've had it.

Not necessarily. We land at Lakehurst at 5:00.

She's just taking on her tugs.

(TICKING)

Boerth! What's there?

Find something, Karl?

That patch looked weak.

Must've loosened when the outer skin ripped.

I reinforced it. I'm sure it's secure now.

Uh-huh.

Well, come on. The chef's got sandwiches waiting for us.

They refused us the detachment of Marines.

Did you tell him the score?

He knows the score.

It was quite a battle.

He called the Hindenburg a flying crematorium.

Doesn't want his men near her.

Damn.

I hope Washington gives Lehmann the helium.

Mr. Dimmler... Yes?

I just found this stuck in the catwalk.

Jesus!

Any damage?

No, I don't think so, sir.

Something wrong? Ludecke just found this in the catwalk.

Some idiot must have dropped it.

Who does it belong to, Ludecke?

I don't know, sir.

He didn't report it?

Damn fool!

A knife dropped inside the hull could cause sparks,

damage a wire, control cable... Christ knows what.

We have got to find out who owns the knife

and why he didn't report it.

We want to see your knives.

Your knife, please, Karl.

Ludecke found this in the hull a few minutes ago.

He doesn't have it.

I know I left it in the sheath on my bunk, when I went to wash up.

Someone must have borrowed it.

Please forgive my appearance, Captain.

Is this yours, Knorr?

No, sir. Can you prove it?

My knife has a nick in the guard

from that fight we got in in Shanghai,

when we went around the world on the Graf.

Arrest him, question all of them.

Arrest me, Captain? Because my knife was borrowed?

(SHlP HORN BLOWING)

Enough of this stupid business.

Get dressed and go to your landing station, Chief.

Yes, sir. You men, too.

I trust the men in the Zeppelin family.

MAN: Look! Look up there! Here she comes!

(CAR HORN HONKING)

That's at least 25 knots.

Hell, they're only showing surface winds.

What's happened to gusts?

TRUSCOTT: We can't get it fixed, sir.

Flash red, damn it. Flash red.

Signal red, Captain.

Thank you kindly. I thought it was a Christmas tree.

Send this to Fellows.

"Riding out weather. Shall delay landing

"until further notice from NAL.

"Looking forward to dinner. Pruss."

Make sure the dog is unloaded as soon as we land. All right?

Here's a little something extra for you.

You've been a doll.

That's okay, Mrs. Channing. I like dogs.

Thanks, anyway.

Well, lovely.

It's the set for my zeppelin act.

I had better ones, but they disappeared from my cabin.

Somebody's trying to steal my act. That's how good it is.

Joe, I've got to be honest with you.

It's not right for my show.

You don't like it?

Well, I guess it's back to the circus.

Joe! Yeah.

You forgot this one.

Oh, it's just a drawing that I made

of that crazy rainbow for my kids.

How many children do you have? Three.

One seven, one four... And a baby boy who'll be an acrobat.

(ALL LAUGHING) Believe me, we have circus enough at home.

I'll bet.

Anyhow, it's been a great honor to know people like you.

Thank you, Joe.

We had some fun, huh?

Yeah. Goodbye.

Reed, I'd like to see Joe's act.

Okay, little mother.

I guess we'll give him an audition sometime next week.

(CHUCKLES)

This is absurd. Yes, ma'am.

I'm sure it's just a technicality

that will be straightened out before we land.

I want my passport this instant.

It's not here, Countess.

It's been picked up.

MAN: (LAUGHING) Same thing happened to a friend of mine in Italy.

You wouldn't believe the excuse they gave him.

Franz...

They've picked up my passport.

On whose orders? Yours, maybe.

Who else knows about Peenemunde? You're the only...

It's only a little storm, Countess.

In an hour you'll be laughing about it with your daughter.

ln fact, I'm going to escort you from the ship, personally,

to make sure that I see her.

All right?

(SIGHS DEEPLY)

(TICKING)

Let me see your knife.

You've seen my knife. I'm busy.

This is Knorr's knife, isn't it?

The hell it is.

A nick on the guard, just like Knorr said.

You stole it from him when you broke your own.

Now, what were you doing?

It's my knife. You're lying.

You can't arrest me without Ritter.

(SCOFFS) Watch.

Vogel, you Gestapo idiot. You're making the mistake of your life.

Captain, some of the passengers are getting nervous.

How long will it be before we land?

Whenever Naval Air at Lakehurst gives us the green light.

When do you estimate that will be?

You can tell the passengers we'll land when conditions are right

and not a minute sooner.

Three degrees out of trim. Lighten the bow.

Drop ballast aft, 200 kilos.

LEHMANN: Yes, she does feel tail heavy, Captain.

She's tail heavy because wind drove the rain aft.

The moisture will evaporate in a few minutes.

When we're over the field,

how long will it actually be before

the passengers can leave the ship?

The passengers are certain to ask.

A high landing takes 1 5 minutes.

Allow another 20 to disembark passengers.

Um, I understand that the Countess's passport is being held.

Vogel said it was a matter of internal security.

Vogel took it?

What the hell's the matter with you, Ritter?

I assume you know what's going on in your own department.

Yes, sir, I do.

(WHISTLE BLOWING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

If the wind shifts,

have your linesmen hang on until the main wire comes down.

Boerth?

I'm looking for Boerth. Have you seen him?

I need him, too. Try the nose section.

What's that?

That's just a worn place we patched, but I'm sure it's secure.

All right, but let's have a man watch this bag until we're on the ground.

KNORR: Yes, sir.

Boerth! Boerth!

Send to Dekka. "Recommend landing now.

"Ground crew is ready."

Reply to NAL, "Proceeding to land.

"Will be late for dinner. Apologies to madame. Signed, Pruss."

I'm uneasy about Cell Four, Captain.

You might have to make a major repair before going back.

We'll see. Landing stations.

Two degrees light in the bow and tail-heavy.

Six men from the off-watch into the bow.

Have you seen Boerth? MAN: No, Colonel.

No, sir. He should be here.

Winds shifted to the west.

Gusts? No reading on gusts.

No wonder they lose all their airships.

Hard rudder to port.

Aft engines full astern.

HOBAN: Come on, line up with her, knuckleheads!

Come on, move your butts!

She'll keep her nose in the wind.

Come on, move it.

Where's Boerth?

His landing station's in the nose.

(ALL LAUGHING)

(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

Ship in trim, but rising slightly.

Valve all cells five seconds.

Stand by for starboard line drop.

Beautiful.

Level as a board. Pruss is really showing us how.

The ship is standing still now.

Everything seems remarkably still.

She hovers just short of the mast.

Waiting for her nose cone to be connected up.

A great floating palace.

Please, Mr. Douglas, you have to leave. I'm closing up.

So, we're finally landing.

That calls for another drink.

I should've taken a rowboat.

Neuhaus, we've got a jammed cable. Come bear a hand.

Out, Ritter. I've taken over.

Out!

(BOTH GRUNTING)

(BARKING)

Boerth!

Boerth! It's Ritter!

It's 7:20. Where's the bomb?

It's not my knife.

Listen to me. There's less than 10 minutes left.

They're all going to die. Where's the bomb?

Repair patch four.

(GRUNTS)

VOGEL: Ritter!

No, no!

(ALL SHOUTING)

It's burst into flames!

It's burst into flames and it's falling and it's crashing!

Watch it! Watch it! Get out of the way!

Please, get out of the way! Get this, Johnny. Get this, Johnny, no!

(ALL SCREAMING)

Some landing!

Run! Run! Get out of there!

Hold it. Hold it. Stand fast there! Stand fast, damn it!

(PRUSS SHOUTONG INDISTINCTLY)

Let the stern fall. Give them a chance to get out back there.

Oh, my God!

Downstairs! Come on!

Here, give me that!

(PEOPLE CONTINUE SHOUTING)

Come on! Fire! Out of the way!

Stay with me. Help me.

(SCREAMS)

(COUGHING)

(SCREAMING)

Jump! Jump! Please! I can't. I can't. I can't.

My babies! No! Please! You've got to jump!

(SCREAMS)

(GROANING)

(SCREAMS)

Come on! Come on, jump!

Come on, jump! Come on, jump to me!

(SCREAMS)

Come on, get her out of here!

(WAILING)

Come on, jump! Don't be afraid. (CRYING)

You're the boys. You gonna let a girl be braver then you are? Come on!

Your brother did it! You can do it, too.

(CRYING)

(WHEEZING)

(COUGHING)

(PEOPLE SHOUTING)

(CRYING)

My God! My God!

(VOGEL GROANING)

Help him out.

(PANTING)

(COUGHING)

MOORE: Major! Emilio!

I was afraid your luck had run out on you.

GRUNBERGER: It's a miracle anybody's alive.

MOORE: All right! Get out of here.

Come on, get out, get out! Go ahead!

Take care of yourselves. Go ahead.

Thank you.

(COUGHING)

Trudi! Trudi!

Oh, my baby. Thank God!

Lehmann.

PRUSS: Ernst!

What happened, Ernst?

FELLOWS: Ernst! Ernst!

How? How did it happen?

(PEOPLE SHOUTING)

NARRATOR: Colonel Franz Ritter, dead.

Rigger Karl Boerth, dead.

SS Captain Martin VogeI, survived.

Captain Max Pruss, survived.

Captain Ernst Lehmann, dead.

Albert Breslau, dead.

Mildred Breslau, survived.

Edward Douglas, dead.

Elliott Howell Ill, dead.

Dead.

Survived.

Dead.

Survived.

Dead.

Survived.

In all, 13 passengers,

22 members of the crew,

one Navy linesman, dead.

62 survivors.

The final report of the Board of Inquiry states,

"The most plausible theories for the Hindenburg disaster are

"structural failure, static electricity,

"St. Elmo's fire, sabotage.

"No completely certain proof has been found

"for any of the possibilities cited."

The German commission report goes a step further.

It states, "The possibility of deliberate destruction

"must be admitted since no other originating cause can be proven."

However, the new Reich could not admit that a resistance,

much less a single saboteur,

had brought down the great symbol of Nazi power.

Chancellor Hitler concluded, therefore, that it was an act of God.

During the investigation, the eyewitness account,

recorded by Herb Morrison for radio station WLS Chicago,

was heard many times.

MORRISON: Standing still now, the back motors

of the ship are just holding it...

Just enough to keep it from... It burst into flames and it's falling!

It's tragic. Watch it! It's tragic, terrible!

Oh, my! Get out of the way, please.

It's burning and bursting into flames.

And it's falling on the mooring mast, and all the folks agree

that this is terrible.

This is the worst of the worst catastrophes in the world.

Oh!

Four or five hundred feet into the sky...

It's a terrific crash, ladies and gentlemen.

The smoke and the flames now...

The frame is crashing to the ground.

Not quite to the mooring mast.

Oh, the humanity, and all the passengers.

(CRYING) I told you... I can't even talk to people whose friends are on there.

(STAMMERING) It's a...

I can't talk, ladies and gentlemen. I can't.

Listen, folks, I'm gonna have to stop for a minute

because I've lost my voice.

This is the worst thing I've ever witnessed.