All language subtitles for Gleaming 1977

♪ My country tis of thee ♪

♪ Sweet land of liberty ♪

♪ For I this I sing ♪

♪ Land where my fathers died ♪

♪ Land of the pilgrim's pride ♪

♪ Oh, Lord ♪

♪ From every mountainside ♪

♪ Oh, Let freedom ♪

♪ Let freedom ♪

♪ Let it ring ♪

♪ Land where my father died ♪

♪ Land of the pilgrim pride ♪

♪ From every mountainside ♪

♪ Oh Freedom, Lord
Let freedom ring ♪

(Knock on door)

Come in.

Good morning, Mr President.

Good morning, Mr Willard.

General O'Rourke and Professor Foster
are downstairs.

Send them up.
Send them up.

Can't afford to keep important people
like that waiting now, can we, Mr. Willard?

No, sir.

Shit.

Want me to pull over, Captain?

Yeah, I guess you better.

Take it easy, mister.
Are you OK?

I think... I think
I broke my collarbone.

You'd better come with us.

Out. Move it.

(Gunshot)

(Gunshot)

Nobody told you
to shoot him.

I don't like sergeants.

(Gunshot)

RADIO: Conservative groups are pushing for the
governor's ratification of this bill.

Latest update on the prison breakout:
A Montana state highway patrol...

Gentlemen, you care
about the news?

- Never between wars. Get some music.
- Right, sir.

I've come to ask
a personal favor.

David...

...Zabat was an exchange student
who lived in my home for three years.

He loves and is loved
by my daughter.

Jesus Christ.

If he were my son,
I could not love him more.

I've come here
to beg for his life.

Zabat gunned down
the head of a country.

And sure,
he killed a dictator.

How the hell can I put charity above
the codes of all civilized nations?

You're asking me to send
a killer back to law school.

If I grant Zabat sanctuary...

...I give tacit approval to every dissident
with a cause and a gun.

Well...

Thank you for your time,
Mr President.

Wait a second. I...

- Tell your daughter that...
- David...

- Please... tell your daughter...
- David.

I'll tell my daughter
I did the best I could,

and I'll tell myself, though you
were not a brilliant student,

you are an honest man.

Professor.

By the look on his face,
you must have played all-day blinkin'.

Obviously, you didn't tell him that
we had to trade that kid for our air bases.

Three points.

May I remind you
that today's Sunday?

Screw church.

Rams over the Vikings.

- Safecracker, turn on the heat.
- Put on the coffee, Mabel.

Africa, you never get cold?

No, just cool... fool.

Up there on your left,
about 60 yards.

Got it.

Now remember, we have
to be finished by 8:00.

Kincaid, Roger F,
Captain.

(Officer 2) Social security
number: 076498765.

Witkin, Harry O,
First Lieutenant.

Social security number:
046543976.

Check.

Ten minutes late.
Not bad for a new crew.

Hey, Charlie...
do me a favor.

Don't big-deal it.
I'm hungry.

They get the
whole read, right?

Geez, the place
looks deserted.

Never mind that, Augie.

Just concentrate on that
social security number.

That goes for
you too, Hoxey.

Kincaid, Roger F,
Captain.

Social security number:
07649...8765.

Witkin, Harry O,
First Lieutenant.

Social security number:
04654...397...9.

Barker, Alan. A2.

Social security number...

...119590073.

Rams.

Vikings.

(Phone ringing)

Yes, sir.

(Truck motor stops)

The damn thing
won't start.

Would you take
the wheel, sir?

Hit it, sir.

Shit. The motor pool pricks
beat their meat all day.

We'll have to
push it in, sir.

(Speaking softly)
Remember to watch the cameras.

You men, give us a hand.

Push in unison.

Count off.

Oh... Mendez, I think, sir.

Come on, you guys, push.

Eh, we're on gravel, fellas.
Use those muscles.

Come on.
Together, now, push.

We're trying, sir.

Come on, push.

We don't have your weight, sir.

Come on, come on.
Let's go. Hurry up.

(MAN on PHONE)
Yes, sir.

(MAN on PHONE)
Yes, sir.

(MAN on PHONE) Yes, sir.
I sent it over a week ago.

(MAN on PHONE)
Yes, sir.

(MAN on PHONE) Yes, sir.
In triplicate, yes, sir. Yes, sir.

(MAN on PHONE) I'll ask him
when he comes in, sir.

- Don't!
- Yes, sir.

Who the hell
are you guys?

Where's that sergeant? You were
supposed to bring him in here!

What a cheap joint.
I've seen better crappers.

(Phone rings)

Son of a bitch!
What the hell you do that for?

I chose the wrong man
for the job.

(Phone still
ringing)

Ohhhh!

- What the hell's going on?
- Oh man, we got trouble.

They're cooks.
Lock 'em up down below.

Get back
to the biscuits.

- Security here.
- "Anything wrong with that car?"

No, sir. Replacement missile combat
crew. 962B. Reporting for duty, sir.

"Affirmative, Security. Put Captain
Kincaid on the box for challenge."

Right away, sir.

Captain Roger F. Kincaid.

"Captain Kincaid...
what is the password, please?"

- Romeo.
- "Second word."

- And.
- "Third word?"

Third word?

That prick, Kincaid,
must've held out on us.

There is no third word.

'Repeat. Third word, please.'

There's...
There's no third word, sir.

"Repeat. Third word, please."

No third word.

"I challenge you."

- "Well?"
- I challenge you.

"You are correct, Captain. No third word.
Permission to come down."

We're on our way down, sir.

Lock him up down below with
the others, and make it snappy.

We've only got
about 15 minutes.

Let's go. Let's go.

He's got brass balls.

He's got a brass skull, too.

Hoxey's the only one who
could open that safe, dummy.

Who dreams up
all this code stuff?

Some one-star asshole
with nothing better to do.

Eh, look. Is there gonna be
any more of that code crap?

Not before the
8:00 challenge.

By that time, we'll be isolated
and sitting in the catbird's seat.

Or dead.

Looks like the Holland Tunnel.

- Willie, come here.
- Man, I told you not to call me Willie!

- It's like Star Trek all over again.
- Not even Uncle Louis ain't seen anything like this.

Garvas, Powell, come on.
You're not on vacation.

This isn't Disneyland.

Kincaid and Witkin, ready to enter
launch control center.

Remember, move fast.

Hiya!

Larry.

Drag him into that dormitory,
and lock the door.

And pick up their weapons.

- This board controls
nine Titan missiles.

But the moment we prepare the launch,
four boards at four different sites,

all around us, will light up
like Christmas trees.

- What the hell for? - To keep some
lunatics starting World War III.

- Give me that toolkit.
- What toolkit?

- Under the table.
- Get to the punchline, man!

We isolate this board.

We cut off all inhibitors
and booby traps.

Otherwise we threaten nobody.

So, we disconnect them.
What's the big deal?

Big deal? The big deal is one mistake,
and we really will be dead.

P.A.: "Dr. Robert Bryer.
Dr. Robert Bryer."

"Please report
to third-floor OR."

All right. Easy, you guys. Easy. Gently.
He's lost a lot of blood.

Now, this green tube
contains a chemical called sarin.

And we're going to remove it.

And we have to be very careful,

because the ends are extremely thin,
and they'll rupture if it's tilted.

So?

The result will be terminal.

You mean that green
shit's gonna kill us?

That green shit,
as you so colorfully put it,

produces a deadly vapor
when exposed to oxygen.

You mean we broke out of death row
to end up in a gas chamber, right?

Not if we keep it
absolutely horizontal.

Uh-uh. I ain't messing
with no poison gas.

You didn't tell us
nothing about that!

No way! You just
count me out, please!

Where's he going?

Nowhere.
Come here, Augie.

Eh, uh, how do you get out
of this goddamn coffin?

Nobody gets out till
this job is done.

Now, come on back here.
We've wasted enough time.

Hey, listen, generalissimo,
I ain't in your fucking army!

I earned my
dishonourable discharge!

Get me an Allen wrench.

- What size?
- 1/8 inch.

Jive-ass punkie.

We've got an unidentified victim
of an assault.

No. He's got a pair of shorts and
an Air Force Academy ring.

The date is, uh... 1968.
(Phone rings)

Number: 8765.
(Phone still ringing)

- Do you mind?
- Yeah.

- Emergency.
- I'll call you later. You're very welcome.

Yeah, I know.

As soon as I get this last nut out, Augie,
it should be free.

General, I got a funny feeling.

Now, Augie, relax.

Now, slide it gently toward me,
till it's in the clear.

AUGIE: Till it's in the clear.
DELL: No, no, just easy.

Keep your eye on that bubble. As long
as it remains in the middle, we're OK.

All right, bring it toward me.

DELL: No, no, no.
Now, wait. Just hold it.

Give me your left hand.

- You can't...
- I can't!

You gotta clear that stanchion.

Augie, you've got to get your hands
around to this side of the stanchion.

Now, give me your left hand.

And bring it around here. That's it.

All right, now. Now, you got it.

No, release your right hand.

I can't. I don't think
this is gonna work.

My hands won't-- See?

My fingers, they're stuck.

Augie, let go. Augie!

Ohhhh.

Now, Augie, take it easy.

- Don't freeze up now.
- I'm trying.

- Just let your right hand go.
AUGIE: My right hand go.

Augie, let your right hand go.

No, no, no, Augie!

Now, just hold everything.
Now, let your right hand go.

Let your right hand go!

Ehhhhhh!

Powell?

- For Christ sake,
come here and give me a hand.

Powell, for Christ sake,
come here and give me a fucking hand!

- Ohhhh.
- Augie... just t-- take it e--

- I don't think it's gonna--
- He froze. Alright, alright...

- I'll take it. Come over.
- Let go, let go.

Easy... Bring it toward me.

- We gotta clear the stanchion.
- Right.

All right.

Watch that bubble.

Keep your eye on the bubble.
Easy. Easy. It's all yours.

I got it.

- It's all yours.

- Watch the bubble.

Our Father...
...who art in heaven...

- Easy.

- Easy.

- Beautiful.

- Beautiful.

Jesus.

You do damn good work, Private.

When they busted me, I was
a corporal. You got that?

Come on, you guys.
Time's running out.

- What do you think?
- Well, uh...

Good luck to you, Charlie.

What do you mean me?
You told me you knew about demolition.

You told me you knew
everything about explosives.

I would've told you I was George Wallace
with a tan to get out of that shithole.

Willie, boy, you're beautiful!

So, what are you gonna do?

Well, Willie, you may wish
you were back in that shithole.

You say that
to say what?

S.A.C.'s just like General Motors, they like to
change their equipment every couple of years.

Tentative ID indicates the assault victim
is Captain Roger F. Kincaid, Silo 3.

Did you call the cops?

Yes, sir. They're taking pictures over at
the hospital for positive identification.

But I thought you'd wanna know.

- Thanks, Kelly, Keep me informed.
- Yes, sir.

I hope you guys are having fun
down there.

One of those phones
is gonna ring any minute.

And most booby traps go off
when you increase the pressure.

This one is triggered
when you release it.

What's all the gab about?
Let's get on with it!

While you're holding it,
I'll remove these fuses.

You insert the non-conductor.
You got it?

Where the hell is it?

You mean that little thing
that was in Hoxey's pocket?

That's right.

Well, he's upstairs
sleeping, remember?

(Phone rings)

General Stonesifer's office,
Sergeant Shortland speaking.

AUGIE: All done?
- This is Colonel Horne, is he there?

- Colonel, he just left for Hangar Five, sir.
- OK, I'll try there.

AUGIE: That digital phone
is gonna ring any second.

AUGIE: What the hell's
he looking for now?

AUGIE: Hey! Are you crazy?
DELL: Terrific!

MAN ON PHONE: Hangar 5.
- This is Colonel Horne.

- I want General Stonesifer.
MAN: Yes, Colonel, he's right here.

- Ready?
- Let's do it.

COLONEL: Sir, we have a man at
Great Falls Hospital, an assault victim.

Tentative identification:
Captain Roger F Kincaid.

Currently assigned Silo 3.

But Hughie tells me
Kincaid code-checked at 07:09.

Well, that's impossible.

Remember, the pull can be
as much as 150lbs.

Only 30 seconds, you guys.

Release it slowly.

Easy.

Slowly.

Slowly.

Holding.

Let go.

Ahhhhhhh.

Good morning, gentlemen.
16 November, 1981.

Julian date: 8-1-2-1-5.

Today's briefing is
classified as secret,

according with the Air Force
regulation 219, paragraph 4-A,

SAC supplement 22-C.

Reference indicator report
numbers for further information.

At present, gentlemen,
we are at DEFCON 5.

Battle readiness for
man/bomber squadron is 90%.

a reduction of 3% over
yesterday's report.

Overall snakepit status
report, 89%.

(Phone rings)
DELL: Let it ring.

Well, what do you know?

AUGIE: Aren't you ever
gonna answer that?

They'll wait.

Silo 3.

This is Touchdown.
Give me the first word, please.

Touchdown, please connect me
with the duty controller.

Silo 3, who, who's...?

Touchdown, I gave you
a direct order.

Hold for Duty Control.

- Silo 3 wants to talk
to Duty Control.

- Silo 3?
- Yes, sir.

- Silo 3, this is duty controller.
Identify yourself, please.

You'll inform CINCSAC
that Silo 3 is in hostile hands.

I repeat, Silo 3
is in hostile hands.

Look, whoever
the hell you are,

unauthorised use of
telecommunications is forbidden.

I suggest to you:
Stop this nonsense, right now.

I wanna talk with General Martin
Mackenzie, direct, private and now!

Look, this is your final warning.

If you don't get off that phone, you are
gonna be in so much bloody trouble.

Whom am I speaking with?
Identify yourself.

Colonel Alexander B. Franklin.

Now, who the hell
am I talking to?

Colonel Franklin, this is Lawrence Dell,
and we have taken control of Silo 3.

You will inform Mackenzie that we have
knocked out his cut-offs and his inhibitors,

and we can now launch
his nine birds.

I repeat, we have
full launch control.

- First time I've seen him with a hard-on.
- What do we do now?

If we don't get the keys out
of that safe, we're bluffing.

Now, aren't you sorry
you killed Hoxey?

There are two men in there.
One of them will have the combination.

Let us ask:
How can we ignore these facts,

while lusting after
BX goodies?

(Pager starts beeping)

Let us... Let--

(Pager still beeping)
(Some people laughing)

Let us-- Let us ask--

how, what our responsibilities
are to our fellow man,

social scientists
and street-corner philosophers...

- Urgent message from the
duty controller, sir. - Right.

- Mackenzie.
- This is Colonel Franklin, sir.

We have rather
a peculiar situation in Silo 3.

- I'm listening. - General, I think
we better get on the scrambler.

OK, Colonel, let's have it.

Enemy at Silo 3.

- Where else?
- Nowhere else, sir. Just at Silo 3.

- And that's all it's going to be.
- Only Silo 3?

It's not them. General, I think you better
get back to the C.P. as soon as you can.

I'm on my way, Colonel.

Open up, Alfie.
Kick ass all the way.

Right, sir.

Sandy... we're gonna have
to have that combination.

You haven't learned a thing, have you?
Still going up against a stacked deck.

This time I'm gonna
blow it wide open.

This time? Hey, when are you gonna
wake up and smell the coffee?

Nobody gives
a Chinese fuck!

You can climb up on the Capitol building.
Wouldn't bring sweat on a pig's ass.

- What the hell
happened to you?

I mean, who are you?

I saw the light,
that's all.

I finally figured it out.

They don't wanna fucking know!
Period!

Sandy, if we can expose
their true intentions...

They'll crucify you.
That's what they'll do.

I don't believe it.

The problem lies with leadership.
Nobody's had the guts to get it out.

To say it. To tell the truth.

The truth?
Jesus Christ!

How long were we caged up?
Five years? Huh?

Well, I wasn't home five minutes before
they had me believing it was all my fault.

The VC, the war.
Me being taken prisoner.

The orphans. The massacres.
Everything!

Damn it, man, I took so much shit!
I wish I was back in the fucking jungle!

Maybe I was just a flunky captain. You would've
thought I was one of the Joint Chiefs.

That's because nobody knew
how it happened. Or why it happened.

Now they're gonna
find out.

Yeah?

If you think that this... crazy stunt
of yours is gonna change anything...

...you really are hopeless.

Now, get outta here.
Leave me alone.

For a man who broke out
of the joint to steal $10 million,

you sure talk a lot
about God and country.

Hey, I'm talking
to you, asshole!

You haven't said
a thing, yet.

It's your war, Generalissimo! But, unless
you get keys out of that fucking safe,

it's not gonna be a very long one.

Hey, wait a minute,
you guys.

Didn't you say something about
every system needing a backup system?

- That's right.
- Well, allow me, sir.

- What the hell's going on?
- I think you better listen to this, General.

DELL: Who am I speaking with?
Identify yourself.

- Colonel Alexander B. Franklin.

- Now, who in the hell
am I talking to?

- Colonel Franklin,
this is Lawrence Dell,

- and we have taken
control of Silo 3.

- You'll inform Mackenzie...
- Him.

- ...that we have knocked out
his cut-offs and inhibitors,

- and we can now
launch his nine birds.

- I repeat, we have
full launch control.

Jesus Christ.

They did it, General.

Don't ask me how,
but they did it.

Would you please check this
back to Computer Control?

That's impossible.

Colonel, I have a limited
tolerance for humor.

Well, all the inhibitor cables
have been severed.

All fail-safe
systems failed.

That's gotta be bullshit!

I have to contradict you,
General,

because it is a fact
that Silo 3 is independent.

And I suspect General Dell has
unimpeded, irrevocable launch control.

That's unbelievable.

General Dell was
an exceptional officer.

Nobody in the Air Force
knew our equipment better.

And you know that,
General.

Yeah. I know that.

What do you think?

I don't know
what to think.

Fast Charlie to Touchdown.
Approaching target area.

Charlie One,
Charlie Two, going in.

Charlie Three will remain
in radio contact. We're going down.

CHARLIE 1:
Perimeter defense is visible.

CHARLIE 1: A SAC pickup,
parked inside the compound.

CHARLIE 1:
We're going down.

CHARLIE 1: No sign of enemies.
100 feet. Here we go.

CHARLIE 1: Just 20 yards
from the touchdown.

DELL: Attaboy. Everything by the book.
You confirmed my faith in the military.

DELL: Well, what do you
know? Jack Fox.

DELL: They got the
First Team working today.

And it's Sunday.

- Who's in command of Fast Charlie?
- Major Fox, sir.

A tough son of a bitch.
He'll be ready.

FOX: OK, you guys. Get your ass moving!
DELL: A predictable strategy. Tell them, Jack.

Tell them we're
definitely for real.

You got the combination
for that thing out there?

Screw you.

Like I used to tell those scabs
back in Jersey,

it's a shame they gotta go to the
hospital with no union benefits.

You got a dog?
Does he got one?

Hey, buzz off!

Captain's gonna need a good
seeing-eye dog before this party's over.

Will! You keep your damn
mouth shut! You hear me?

(Captain screams)

Ooh, boy...

That leaves one.
Now the rest is up to you.

Are you gonna leave the captain with one
good eye, or pull the curtains completely?

- You blinded him?
- Ahhh, I asked you first, didn't I?

And you didn't
want to cooperate.

Wait a minute! Wait!

My dog tags.

- Dog tags.
- The dog tags.

It's the combination.

You know, you really
are a nice fella.

- And you're a fucking animal!
- What the fuck kind of attitude is that?

Don't cry.

Why, in a couple of days,

your man's gonna be
eye-balling all kinds of pussy.

You see, Jersey just gave him
a little shot in the shoulder.

I tell you, man, you white boys
sure ain't very street-wise.

Hey, General,
we got the combination.

DELL: Well, well...
We got company upstairs.

DELL: Right out of the
Air Force manual.

DELL: Don't forget to check out
the pickup truck.

DELL:
That's it.

I would estimate the phone
will ring in less than a minute.

Guard house empty...

- ...except for two bodies.

AUGIE:
Here... Merry Christmas.

(Knock on door)

AUGIE: They brought up the troops?
Hey, we're surrounded now.

- Relax.
- What the hell is going on?

Take it easy. They're just
having a look around.

Tell him to try Launch Control
on the intercom.

Fast Charlie, try Launch Control
on the intercom.

(Phone rings)
What did I tell you?

This is Major Fox,
speaking from Launch Control.

'What is the situation in Silo 3? '

Colonel Towne and Lieutenant Canellis
are cooperating with us.

A sergeant is dead
in the communications room.

His killer is lying in the corridor.
Pick them both up and get them out.

Further communications will come
from CINCSAC himself and nobody else.

Understood?

- Understood.
- Son of a bitch. He's down there.

Fast Charlie, this is Spider Biter,
obey all instructions.

I repeat,
evacuate guard house.

That means all personnel.

Containment procedures by air police
and armoured personnel carriers.

Stay 1,000 yards
from the church,

but call up as many men as you need
to form an unbreakable circle.

No ins, no outs.

- OK.
- Clear the net.

Suppose he's got the keys?

It wouldn't surprise me.

Gentlemen, we are now
a super power.

Well, gentlemen,
until we kill Dell,

and, make no mistake
about it, we will,

this situation will
remain top secret.

Only General Stonesifer at Malmstrom
is to know what's happened.

Now, get me Silo 3
on the phone, and tape it.

Make sure everything's put
on scrambler from now on.

- Get me Silo 3.
- Yes, sir.

- This is Mackenzie.
- Greetings, General.

Dell, I can't believe a former
general officer of the Air Force,

no matter what the grievance,
would humiliate the service.

Mac, let's cut out the shit. We both
know what these nine birds can do.

You've got exactly one hour
to connect me with the old man.

Look, you lunatic,
son of a bitch--

"Lunatic" in my book is defined
as someone who buries the truth.

I intend to hold it up to the world, and let
them see what it's really like for a change.

- I'm telling you, Dell--
- You're telling me nothing!

You had your chance.

A hundred times I begged you
to go upstairs to tell the truth, but no.

You sent my memos
to the shredder.

When I wouldn't trade what I believed in
for a star, you sent me to the shredder.

Well, I'm out now, General,

and I've got my finger on the button,
and you've got 60 minutes.

When this phone rings again, it better
be the President of the United States.

Well... what does
he want?

He wants to talk
to the President.

Come on!

- Come on!
- Yes, Mildred.

'The Secretary of Defense
has just arrived.'

Thank you.
Ask him to come in, please.

- 'Yes, Mr. President.'
- OK. General. Pretend it's halftime.

- Don't forget the Chicago charm.
- Yeah, yeah, yeah.

- Morning, Mr. Secretary.
- Mm-hmm.

So good of you to come.
Please sit.

You looked very sharp on Meet the Press
this morning, Mr. Secretary.

With the football game
on television, General,

I'm humbled that
you tuned in.

See uh... today's Dispatch
cartoon on us?

How about some coffee?

- Too early for a drink?
- No, thank you.

Mr. President,

when you asked me to come down
from Princeton to look after Defense,

as you quaintly put it,

you didn't tell me
I'd be working for Renfrew.

If the rumors about my imminent
departure are coming from him,

- I can handle it,

- but I will not be a member
of your election team,

if I'm to be replaced
after next November.

In other words, Mr. President,
if you're going to fire me, do it now.

Mr. Secretary, I have
no intention of firing you,

now or after
the election.

What I would like...
is for you and Renfrew

to expedite the policy
of this administration.

What policy?

You're saying we have no policy.

That's correct,
Mr. President.

(Phone rings)

- This is Stevens. - Mr. President,
this is General Mackenzie.

- We're on scrambler.
- Yes, General?

We have a crisis situation
at one of our missile centers, sir.

I'm listening.

Three escaped convicts, led by a former
general in the Air Force, Lawrence Dell--

Wait a minute. He the general convicted
of killing somebody out in Wyoming?

Montana... yes, sir.

They penetrated an ICBM
launch center near Malmstrom.

And, sir... we've confirmed
that Silo 3 is isolated.

Isolated?
What the hell does that mean?

It means, sir, we're unable
to inhibit launching.

You mean to tell me a renegade
general's got his finger

on the button
of a Titan missile?

No, sir.

The button can launch...
nine Titan missiles.

Jesus Christ, Mackenzie! What the hell
are you guys doing out there?

- Don't those missiles have atomic warheads?
- Yes, sir. Titans are first line of defense.

How in the hell does some... joker
walk into a top-secret installation,

and get control of the most sophisticated
weapons system in the world?

Now, do want to try to
explain that, General?

Lawrence Dell is no joker,
Mr. President.

He was on my staff
for two years.

He was one of the primary designers
of Malmstrom's missile installation.

Where are these
missiles aimed, General?

I don't know,
Mr. President.

You don't know?

All target areas are classified, sir,

known only to you, the joint chiefs
and the National Security Council.

Well, take a guess,
General.

Well, I would assume,
sir, the uh...

...the target areas are
somewhere in the Soviet Union.

Have you, uh, talked to this,
uh, this... Dell character

since he assumed
control of, um...?

Silo 3.
Yes, sir, I have.

He told me that if he didn't
talk to you in 58 minutes,

he was prepared
to launch.

Did he say
anything else?

He had a number of things
to say, Mr. President.

I can send you a transcription
in a matter of seconds.

General, I'm gonna ask a straight
question. I want a straight answer.

- Yes, sir. - Is there any way to talk
those bastards out at that missle silo...

- without endangering the entire world?
- No sir.

Second question: You said
General Dell was on your staff,

you must know him
pretty well.

You think it would be
possible for me to, uh...

...well, let's say... negotiate...
successfully with him?

Well, sir, I've watched you turn swords
into plough shares on TV.

But in this situation,
I... I wouldn't count on it.

I appreciate your candor,
General Mackenzie.

Oh, there's one more thing,
Mr. President.

In order to launch, two keys
must be turned simultaneously.

These keys are locked
in a wall safe.

We have no way of confirming
that Dell has opened this safe.

What's your opinion,
General?

Well, those boys in Silo 3 are
the best we have, Mr. President.

I don't think
they'd crack.

No, sir.

I think the son of a bitch
is bluffing all the way.

You better be right,
General.

Get Renfrew, Whittaker,
Klinger. Who else?

- Chairman of the Joint Chiefs,
Pete Craven of the Air Force. - Right.

Tell them to come in by the tunnel
from the executive office building.

- It'll be less conspicuous.
- Yes, sir.

MACKENZIE:
"I'm telling you, Dell--"

DELL: "You're telling me nothing!
You had your chance."

"A hundred times I begged you
to go upstairs to tell the truth, but no."

"You sent my memos
to the shredder."

"And when I wouldn't trade what I believed in
for a star, you sent ME to the shredder."

"Well, I'm out now,
General,"

"and I've got my finger on the button,
and you've got 60 minutes."

"When this phone rings again, it better be
the President of the United States."

- Anyone want a replay?
- No, once was enough.

- I think we got the point.
- Mr. President.

PRESIDENT: No, no, no.
Stay seated, gentlemen.

Thanks for coming in
by the servants' quarters.

Somebody once said that, uh...

the curiosity of the
White House press corps

is exceeded only
by their treachery.

Now, it's, uh, my decision to bypass
the National Security Council.

We must take every precaution to prevent
the Russians from learning what's going on.

Now, there are...
endless considerations.

Legal, diplomatic and moral.

But I think we can assume
it's a simple case of extortion.

Mr. President,
extortion is never simple.

I stand corrected.
Sophisticated extortion.

The United States Government
can't do business with murderers.

That's not true, Arthur, and it never has
been true. When it's to our advantage.

We have the most cordial relations
with a wide variety of undesirables.

Well, who is this
Dell character?

The CIA's never
even heard of him.

You all have a summary
of his service record.

General Crane... he was
in the Air Force, wasn't he?

Can you shed any
light on this man?

For almost 30 years,
Lawrence Dell was a superior soldier,

but he had great difficulty in adjusting
after five years in a prison camp.

When he came home,
he found that his wife had left him.

He was moody,
dissatisfied, unhappy.

- We tried very--
- You "railroaded" him.

- We what?
- We "railroaded" him.

He was political, he was radicalized,
we made him a general to shut him up.

The one star didn't work.
He kept on truckin'.

Then he threatened to go public.
The incident in Montana came up.

What incident?

He got into an argument
with the brother of a 'Nam MIA,

and it turned into a brawl,
and this fella had a bad ticker.

The whole thing was
simply an accident,

but it was just much too good
an opportunity to pass up.

So?

So... we threw
the book at him.

30 years to life.

It happened a long time
before we arrived, Mr. President.

Most regrettable, Mr. President,
but in the interest of the service.

I don't think you can avoid it,
Mr. President. You must talk to him.

Anybody disagree?

Mildred, get me Silo 3 at Malmstrom
for the President, please.

- Yes, sir.

(Phone rings)

- Yeah, who's calling?
- David Stevens.

- May I speak to General Dell, please?
- Hey, it's really him. It's really him.

POWELL: (mocking) It's really him!
AUGIE: Wow! That's the President on the phone.

Mr. President,
this is a great honor.

Thank you, General.

I don't mind saying,
you've got us over a barrel.

But I'm sure we can work it out
in a reasonable fashion.

I understand you've been a victim
of tragic circumstances.

Mr. President,
let me clear the air.

I did not take this action

because the Air Force blew up
Manslaughter into Murder One.

Well, what can
I do for you?

- There are several demands.
- You have my attention, General.

First, for the men with me,
$10 million in small denominations.

- And second? - Transportation
to a country of our choice.

- How?
- Air Force One.

Is that all?

And to make certain
we arrive safely... a hostage.

Who do you
have in mind?

You, Mr. President.

I see.

Anything else?

One more thing, sir.

I believe the time
has come for you

to restore the confidence of the
American people and their government,

by disclosing the true reasons why
this country was made to endure a war

that cost over 50,000 American lives,
and 20 times that many Southeast Asians,

all for nothing.

I'm... not sure I follow.

You will broadcast the contents
of NSC document 9759.

Minutes.

NSC? The minutes of a
National Security meeting?

Exactly. 9759.

And after we arrive at our destination,
you will appear on television,

and inform the American people
of its contents.

- How did you obtain that document?
POWELL: Ohhh Shi..it!

From a patriot,
but that's irrelevant.

I must ask you to give me
adequate time to study it.

How much time?

Let's say...
a couple of hours.

One hour.

As a gesture of, uh...
mutual confidence...

- ...how about an hour and a half?
- Agreed.

- Thank you, General.
- Thank you, Mr. President.

With that rhetoric, he could be
elected governor in ten states.

Ask Stoney to put all units
on combat alert,

and move in a command trailer for me
outside video range of Silo 3.

And I want direct lines to the White House,
here, Malmstrom and Silo 3.

- All on sealed secure channels,
you got all that? - Right, sir.

Target one: Novosibirsk.
Heavy industry.

This is horrifying.
I can't believe this.

Cool it.

Read and pass on.

Gentlemen, until all of us have
finished reading this document,

any further discussion
is irrelevant.

Page four.
Read and pass on.

Well, gentlemen, those are
the targets for Silo 3.

Attention!

Slow down.

At ease.

- Hello. All right.
- Hi, Steve. - Mac.

- Armour all in place, gentlemen?
- Yes, sir.

If you go in at exactly 4,800 feet,
you'll come in under the hold's radar,

and over the range scanners.

But, sir, you've got to go in
at exactly 4,800 feet.

A foot either way, they're gonna
see you and it's all over.

You're right, Colonel.
That's why we're using solid gold.

Solid gold, sir?

Once we get authorization
from the White House, we attack.

- Gold, huh?
- Yeah... Gold.

Good luck.

Mr. President?

Mr. President?

Somebody once said, "If it was
an easy job, they'd get a mule."

I hope that, uh... each of you
will express yourself freely.

Nothing said by anybody
will ever get outside this room.

I really mean that.

Mike?

There might be some
military blunder,

or a relatively unimportant axe
that Dell was grinding,

- but this, Christ.
- General Crane?

Well, it makes us
look like idiots.

I'll take that back.
You can live with idiots.

It makes all of military
look criminally negligent.

How will our people respond?
Could they take a joke like this?

I don't know.

- I really don't know.
- Ralph?

Well, the CIA feels that such
disclosures would be disastrous.

Under no circumstances
could we allow or want

this material to ever
be made public.

Arthur, what's the State
Department's position?

You will note that the action taken
that day was unanimously arrived at.

Phil?

I've been in the Corps
all my life.

I came up through
the ranks.

I've seen other men arise
to splendour in peace and war.

I believe this country is great
enough to survive the truth.

And maybe, just maybe, this could be
our last opportunity to trust our people.

Thank you.

Zach, what's on your mind?

Listening to Phil,
I was touched.

Maybe we could do it.
Under different circumstances.

With more preparation.

But to broadcast this with a gun
to your head, Mr. President...

...that'd be a tragic mistake.

(Phone rings)

- O'Rourke.
- It's me, Mike. Let me talk to Pete.

- Yes, sir.
- Yeah, Mike.

Operation Gold ready
whenever you are, Pete.

I'll get back to you.

Mackenzie's ready to go, Mr. President.
We need your permission.

Why does CINCSAC think he can get
his men in Silo 3 without being seen?

Well, there's a blind spot
directly over their television cameras,

and the chopper will go
right down in them.

Once they get in, why can't they drop it
down the elevator shaft?

Gentlemen, those concrete walls
in Silo 3 are eight-feet thick,

heat-sensitive
and steel-reinforced.

If we place it right outside the door,
they'll be jelly in a millisecond.

This weapon,
what is it exactly?

It's a miniature atomic bomb,
that's what it is.

Yeah, that's essentially correct.

A small, clean, nuclear device.

What about radiation fallout?

At 60 feet, minimal.

Define "minimal".

- Well...
- Acceptable?

Acceptable to whom?
The people of Montana?

Considering the gravity of the situation,
aren't we compelled to take this risk?

Maybe.

You might talk
to Dell again.

Who knows?

Perhaps we can negotiate ourselves
out of a critical situation.

- I agree.
- So do I.

- Yes, sir?

Mildred, get me General Mackenzie

at the Command Post at Malmstrom
for General Crane, please.

- Yes, sir.

- Mackenzie.
- Hold up Operation Gold, Mac.

- Pete, for Christ's sake--
- General Mackenzie!

Yes, sir.

- Now get Silo 3 for
the President, please.

- Right away, sir.

- Silo 3. Dell speaking.
- This is David Stevens.

- Yes, Mr. President?
- I'm prepared to make a counteroffer.

- I'm listening. - Now, General Dell,
you demanded $10 million.

- Willing to raise the ante to $20 million.
- $20 million?

I'll also grant a full pardon to you,
to Mr. Powell and Mr. Garvas for all crimes.

This covers the crimes each of you have
been convicted and sent to prison for,

and all crimes you may have
committed up to this date.

In addition, I will personally
guarantee in writing safe transit

to any country in the world
that you may choose.

Mr. President, I accept
your financial and travel offers.

But I must insist that you comply
with my final demand.

General Dell, there's nothing that I would
like better than to wrap this up right now,

but this office has
certain limitations.

I'm not free to do
anything I want.

If it were just up to me,
I would say fine.

But it simply isn't feasible to make
this document public at this time.

Mr. President,
I'm not interested in waiting.

Not for a month,
a week or a day.

There's simply no time left.

The doctrine of
presidential credibility,

by which I mean the license
to lie at home and abroad,

killed hundreds and thousands of people
in a war that should never have been fought.

This doctrine of credibility
single-handedly

destroyed the real credibility
of our country.

Instead of making us stronger,
it presented us as incompetent,

indecisive, helpless,
to say nothing of dishonest.

Mr. President,
the devastation of Indochina,

the countless deaths and sufferings
of an infinite number of people,

the descent and unrest
of our own people here at home,

these events born
out of a policy of secrecy,

was the result of the treacherous
doctrine of credibility.

I insist that the
time is past due

to eradicate this poison which
is killing our people and our country.

You, uh...

...make a persuasive case,
General Dell.

It's, uh... obvious that
you are not only well informed,

but, extremely articulate.

However, uh... I must respond
by saying there are... ramifications

and, uh... complexities here,
which even you are unaware of.

I won't argue that point,
Mr. President,

but the mothers and fathers
of boys who died for credibility

are gonna rise up in fury.

This purge is unavoidable, and it
must come now before it's too late.

I'm sorry, Mr. President,
but this item is non-negotiable.

If I, uh...

...hear no objection...

...we'll proceed with
Operation Gold.

- Mackenzie.

OK, Mac. It's your show.

Thank you, General.

We go.

Chopper goes.

- Chopper goes.

I wish to God I was
up in that chopper.

No kidding,
I really do.

(phone rings)

Mackenzie.

- Chopper is airborne.
I repeat, chopper is airborne.

Thank you, Major.

Chopper airborne.

Major Fitz,
begin your attack.

I repeat,
begin your attack.

AUGIE: The president's talking 20 million bucks
and this guy's talking about changing--

You'll get what you want,
and I'll get what I want.

Oh, fuck you and the flag, man.
I ain't interested in that shit.

General, look, be reasonable.
Didn't you hear what he had to say?

He don't give a rat's ass
about the money. We won!

Let me make one thing
clear to you men.

Either we're all going out winners,
or we're not going out at all. Understood?

What are we looking
at now, Pete?

On the left, the TV camera
on one of the tanks.

On the right, the TV
camera on the chopper.

So you gentlemen can see
exactly what's happening.

Turn right.

Hey, they brought up tanks.

How's that for your
Presidential credibility?

That looks like General Patton
coming down for us.

They're gonna
blow us up now!

Get me Mackenzie.

- You know, it's like we're
on the 50 yard line.

Hell, we're in the
middle of this game!

Unbelievable.

Well, let's just hope
we can fool General Dell.

- Well done.
- Thank you, General.

Oh, my God.

They're coming up.
Hey, General, you do that?

(phone rings)

- Red phone. Silo 3.
- Jesus Christ.

Mackenzie.

Mackenzie! You miserable
son of a bitch!

- What's the matter, Dell?
- What the hell are you doing?

- Are you crazy? - I don't know
what the hell you're talking about.

I'm talking about ten APCs and
a TV tank rolling across that front yard!

(phone rings)

- Mackenzie at Malmstrom.
- Mackenzie.

Mac, for Christ's sake, take
a look. He's got the keys.

Come on. Take it easy.
I tell you, he's bluffing.

He doesn't need the keys
to open, only to launch.

- What? - Mackenzie's right.
- Hold on, will you, Dell?

- Horseshit.
- I'm in Omaha.

I don't know what those idiots
are doing up in Montana.

I got Malmstrom
on the other line.

Give me a chance to find out
what's going on.

You're a Goddamned liar!

Cease attack.
I repeat, cease attack.

- They're stopping. - It's ok, Dell. I called
them off. There's no reason to launch.

I always knew you were
arrogant, but not insane.

Leave those vehicles where
they are and get the men out!

Those men aren't out
in 10 seconds, I launch.

- That man is serious. - One, two...
- General, Solid Gold Chopper is in place.

- All crews abandon vehicles. - Three...
- All crews abandon vehicles. - Four...

- I repeat, all crews abandon
vehicles immediately. - Five...

- Six... - It's being done, Dell.
- The crews will be out in a few seconds.

- That oughta teach you something, Mac.
- Always willing to learn, Dell.

They're tear-assing!

Come on!

Oh! You know, I thought
I was gonna piss in my pants.

AUGIE: 150 guys
against three! Yo!

General Dell, I'm with you.
Forget Powell.

- General, Operation Gold
proceeding according to plan.

- Troops are running to the woods.
- Perfect, Major.

As soon as our men hit the trees,
conclude your descent from chopper.

- Are you guys ready?
- Ready! - All set.

- Let's go.

All right! Go!

Easy. Take it easy.

Lower away!

Easy with that box.

- Don't worry!
Check on the left.

Watch the cameras.

- Keep watch.

And halt... Here it comes again.
- Heads down.

OK, let's go, let's go,
let's go.

Down!
Down!

Take it easy...
Easy.

Watch those steps. You're gonna trip.

For goodness' sake, let's get inside.

It's clear.

- Well, at least they got in safely.
- Well, first half worked.

The beginning of the
end of mankind.

In graphic
black and white.

Come on, come on, heads up.
Ok, once we leave this place,

There'll be as little
conversation as possible.

So, if anybody wants to make
a speech, this is the place, okay?

What's the matter with you guys?
The funeral's called off.

Why?

- Let's go, let's go, huh?

- What are you doing?
Sleeping?

- Why bring up the tanks...
- Come on, come on. Let's go.

...and not use them?

A diversionary attack,
huh?

A diversion from what?

Maybe their tank jockey
jumped off on his own.

I bet they kick
his ass real good.

Preparing to descend, sir.

They're beginning their descent
down the elevator shaft.

They're beginning their descent
down the elevator shaft.

(phone rings)

- Tell 'em to hold all incoming calls.
- Hold all incoming calls.

Damn mission.

That's it.
Watch that cable, Willie.

You're bouncing against it.
Watch it.

That's it.

That's it, that's it.

That's it. Yeah.
Put it down.

Come on, Jerry. Hurry up, man.
I can't hold on to this much longer.

Go ahead.
Stand up.

Put it down.
It's not that longer now.

Yeah. OK, OK.
Come on. OK.

- How's your feet?
- Fine. I'm fine. OK.

- Are you good?
- Yeah.

OK. I'm running in.

OK, come on.

Come on.
Hang on.

- Got it?
- No.

- I'll be right there.
- Let it go, let it go.

- This way.
- Okay.

Oh, Jesus Christ.

Descent completed, sir.
We're starting down the tunnel now.

- They are now in the outer control room.
- Descent is now complete.

They're now
in the outer control room.

OK. Easy.

POWELL: These goddamn TV
controllers probably don't work.

- OK.

- Come on, you're shaking the box!
- I'm not shaking it! You're shaking it!

- You can't even gauge?

- They can't hear us, can they?
- Are you kidding?

Just look at that door.

- We're at the door
now, sir.

AUGIE: What do they think? They think
they're fooling with a bunch of kids, huh?

There's no way in
without being seen.

Maybe they're convinced
we mean business.

They're up to something.

I can feel it.

- The floor slopes.
- Wait. Maybe I can fix it.

That's it.

- Unit charged.

(Alarm)

(Alarm off)

SOLDIER: Detonator ready.
Timer ready.

Do you read me, sir?

Detonator ready.
Timer ready.

- Detonator ready.
Timer ready.

- Detonator ready,
timer ready.

OK, check the balance.

(Siren alarm)

DELL: Soldiers, secure the door!
- I repeat, Gold has blown!

- General, what do we do?
DELL: Get me Mackenzie!

DELL: Powell,
get on that key!

- They wise to us!
- Turn on the count of three!

One, two, three!

What the hell is that?

DELL: Mackenzie! We're launched!
Turn off that fucking siren!

DELL: 55 seconds
and counting!

- Jesus Christ.
- It looks like the doors of hell.

I never thought
it would end like this.

- Well? - You asshole!
Dell's bluffing, huh?

He doesn't have the keys, huh?
He can't launch, huh?

Look again, Mackenzie, and tell me
those aren't fucking missiles!

General Mackenzie,
what do we do?

Request permission to go, goddamn it.
They can do it!

Hold on, boy, goddamn it.
Stay where you are.

Mackenzie wants permission
to fire, Mr. President.

- Mike, are you there?
- Here, General.

33...

Goddamn it, Mike!
Give me the order.

- General, what do we do?
- Give the order to fire!

- Give the order, before it's too late.
- Please General, give me an order!

Mr. President,
they know we can win.

- Let's get out of here.
- Stop pushing me.

Mr President, do something!

Do you hear, boy?
Don't run out on me now.

- 31, 30, 29, 28, 27,
- Mike, I request permmision to fire.

- 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19,

- 23, 22, 21, 20, - Mike!
- David! - Before it's too late!

- 17, 16, - Mike, please! - 15, 14,
- Mackenzie, this is the President.

- Get those men out. Don't fire.
- 12, 11,

- 10, - Do you hear me!?
MACKENZIE: Stop now. They're out!

Out!

The box! The box!

Come on, come on.

Come on!

Come on. Together, come on.

Come on, let's go, let's go!
Come on. Let's get out of here!

Come on! To the left, we go!
Hurry. Hurry.

(phone rings)

Mackenzie.

The countdown
stopped at eight.

Next time, they go.

Close the silos.

Drag him into
the other room.

Tie him up.

Time is running out,
gentlemen.

Somebody better come up
with a solution.

Buster Brown...

That man is double-talking you,
frontwards and backwards.

While you're talking justice,
he's calling up the armor.

And we don't know what
those cats left behind that door,

and I, for one,
don't wanna know.

It's Mackenzie.

Bastard convinced the President he could
blow us out of here. I'm sure of it.

- Bullshit!
- The President is not a liar.

Double-bullshit!

They pressured him.

Military always thinks they can solve
everything with firepower.

Unbelievable.

I'm reading it for the tenth time,
and I still don't believe it.

Gentlemen... can I have
your attention, please?

There's something I want
to read to you out loud.

You all have your own photographed
copies. You can follow me.

Page two,
paragraph three.

About the middle
of the page.

- You got it?
- Yes. - Yes.

The President is speaking.

"Are you gentlemen telling me
that more boys are going to die?"

The response is "Yes".

Again, the President...

"And these deaths
will be totally in vain?"

Again, the response is "Yes".

Again, the President...

"No territory
will be gained."

"There's no hope
of winning,"

"and we have no chance
of defeating the enemy?"

The response...
is "Yes".

And now we come
to the big one.

The President says...

...and I quote...

"You men are telling me
that the objective of this war"

"is to demonstrate to the Russians
a brutal national will"

"that we have the willingness
to inflict and suffer untold punishment,"

"and no matter what the cost
to American blood,"

"we would perpetuate
a theatrical holocaust?"

And all for, for, for...
credibility!

Gentlemen, let me
tell you right now,

if this was the attitude of the American
leadership in this country...

...then I am...

Arthur, what in the name of
the Holy Father were you thinking of?

You attended this meeting,
how did it happen?

It happened because this country
needed a foreign policy

that took into account
the implications of nuclear weapons.

In simpler words,

because of the unprecedented
destructive effect of those weapons,

all-out war became known
as, uh... counter-productive.

Mr. President, the consensus was,
or still is, as far as I know,

that we had to fight limited wars
to prevent the nuclear wars.

Well, let's not forget what
Hitler and Stalin did in Spain.

They were both ready to fight
right down to the last Spaniard.

Ralph! Are you comparing
Vietnam to Hitler?

I think, I-I think what
Ralph means is that, uh...

since nuclear war would

would literally destroy what
we euphemistically call civilization,

we faced a dilemma.

We had to convince the Russians
that we meant business,

no matter how unmotivated
our actions appear.

Our only option was
to show the Russians

that we would
go all the way.

Didn't anybody ever express
the opinion that such a posture

was not only immoral,
but homicidal,

to say nothing
of suicidal!?

That, Mr. President,
is blood over the dam.

So...

...we killed and maimed
over a million people.

Not for military or territorial or diplomatic
reasons, but to prove we're totally inhuman!

Not exactly.
Not exactly, Mr President.

The objective was to prove
that we were capable

of... inhuman acts.

Thank you, Arthur,
for that fine distinction.

Well, hoping, of course, that this knowledge
would inhibit the Russians' plans

of world takeover.

- I see. - Mr. President,
you mustn't take this personally.

We were forced into this
with the Soviet Union.

It's a game. They play
the game, we play the game.

It's the way business has been
conducted since, what, 1945.

All presidents have
had to do it.

Their missiles removed from Cuba,
we pull ours out of Turkey.

That's... that's terrific, Ralph.
That's just great.

So I'll just get up
on national television,

and tell the American people
it's all cold, calculated gamesmanship!

Jesus Christ.

Aren't any of you aware
of what's going on outside?

This country still hasn't
recovered from Vietnam!

It ripped us apart!

Soldiers died fighting it!

Kids died protesting it.

And what am I supposed
to do next time?

Get up on TV and tell them
it's all a PR gimmick?

To prove to our
friends in Moscow

that I'm capable of pushing the
nuclear button if they push me?

Zach, I'd like
to hear from you.

Well, Mr. President,

we've had nuclear weapons
for over 35 years now.

And in all that time, we've never had
a comprehensive policy,

governing their use.

Neither have the Russians, Chinese,
French, Israelis, or anybody else.

The world has simply never dealt
with this explosive problem.

It's a dilemma
without a solution.

A paradox
without an answer.

I certainly
don't have one.

If I did, I'd be living here, and you'd
be running the Defense Department.

Mr. President,
ever since Hiroshima,

through six different
administrations,

our national security has
been defined by two words:

Limited war.

35 years ago, we had an opportunity
to explain this to the American people.

It didn't happen.

They still, to this day,
don't understand the realities.

And why should they?
Nobody ever explained it to them.

It's apparent we have
the opportunity again.

General Dell demands
that we enlighten the public.

That we do it today
before the sun goes down.

And he's putting countless lives
where his mouth is.

Who knows...

...if this incident were ever
to be revealed,

historians might consider General Dell
some kind of modern messiah.

He not only believes
that Judgement Day is here,

but he threatens
a terrible wrath

if we don't make what he
considers the right choice.

Do you think he's right?

I mean, correct in how
he perceives the world?

He may very well be.

But this is hardly the moment for me
to either preach open government,

or to lobby for the
imperial presidency.

Thank you, sir.

Zach, has defined
the issue clearly.

Are we going to have
open government?

Or are we going to continue
to rule in the dark?

Often by deceit.

I simply don't think
the State Department

could operate
in that climate.

The same for the CIA.

The damage to the military
would be irreparable.

Over a period of years,

a gradual disclosure of some
of these facts may be made.

You think General Dell
will wait that long?

Mr. President...

...naturally, we can't
allow this...

...man to launch
nine nuclear missiles.

It's become clear,
at least to me...

...that the consensus
around this table is that...

...we do not go public.

I'm not sure General Dell offered us
a third option, or did I miss something?

I think what they're saying,
Mr President,

is that you will have
to go to Montana,

and that protective measures
will have to be taken.

Once General Dell
has evacuated Silo 3.

You're saying if, uh...

...a possibility exists that, uh...

What you're saying is if...

...I go to Montana...

...I could be...

...killed.

There's always that possibility,
Mr. President.

I would be glad to call this man,
and offer to take your place.

Well, that's... that's...
outrageous!

Gentlemen, I've no intention of being
sacrificed for the sins of others.

Period!

Think we ought
to shove him out?

Drag him in the other room,
if you want to.

But that door doesn't open
'til the President's on the elevator.

You know, the wife did that
painting when she was only 20.

She did that one
the following year.

She might've been
a really fine painter.

(Phone rings)

O'Rourke.

Is the President interested
in seeing a movie this evening?

No, I... I don't
think so.

Why don't you try
us tomorrow?

They got a great murder mystery.
You wanna see it?

No, I'm thinking about my own murder.

"I don't think so. Why don't you
try us tomorrow night?"

What makes you think I'll be
twitching tomorrow night?

Cos you were born lucky,
that's why.

Oh, Right on!,
as my daughter says.

Hey, now, that's my drink. You make
your own fucking drink. Come on.

You got elected, didn't you?
Tell me that wasn't luck.

The lousy convention
hadn't deadlocked,

you'd still be living on Lake Michigan,
instead of the Potomac River.

Come on, that's history.

What am I gonna do? Those pricks
down there are trying to bury me.

I can see you're gonna
be a big help.

You know, I'm no hero, but...

...I don't think I'd mind so much if I were
responsible, but I wasn't even here.

Same difference. Getting shot,
it's unpleasant for everybody, you know.

You know I hired every
one of those assholes.

They don't have enough guts
to look me in the eye.

Except Guthrie.
That old bastard never flinched.

Yeah.

It's a lousy goddamn break.

Oh, come on, David,
for Christ's sake!

It's got nothing to do with luck,
or breaks or the assholes downstairs!

It's who you are.
It is the job.

It goes with the territory.

You're the fucking President!
Nobody else is gonna take your place!

Who are you gonna send? Me?
Anybody down there?

Eisenhower? Shall we get him
on the phone? Dig him up?

You don't get it,
do you?

Has it ever occurred to you
I may be scared shitless?

Of course you're scared!
Who wouldn't be?

So?

So, in the immortal words of
Harry Houdini: "The buck stops here."

Forget right, wrong, justice,
or any of that bullshit.

You live here,
you gotta go!

Like, you said, "Urrr, outrageous,
that's it... Period." Slam.

Urrr! Asshole.

You prick!

You're the worst!
I should've dumped you years ago.

Yes, sir.

To hell with it.

- Nobody lives forever, right?
- Right, Mr President.

Gentlemen...

Gentlemen, please be seated.
Thank you, Mr. Willard.

Gentlemen...

...this has been a difficult day
for all of us.

It's not over yet.

There are a number of things that have
to be done, and the sooner, the better.

- Where's the Vice President?
- He's in Atlanta.

- I want him in the White House before
Air Force One touches down in Montana. - Yes, sir.

Now, if necessary,
each of you will do your best

to make the transfer of power
as smooth as possible.

What we've witnessed today
makes me understand

that the United States can't afford
to maintain its present direction.

The time has come
for this government

to make a declaration
to the American people,

to take them into its confidence,
to explain to them

what has actually taken place
since the end of World War II.

In this country...

...the people must have a right
to control their own destinies,

whatever the problems are.

They have a right.

And we have an obligation
to trust them.

Zach...

...you and I have known each other
a few short years,

and we have disagreed
many times.

If I'm unable...

...two weeks after the inauguration
of the new president,

I want you to promise to go on national
television and release that document.

The people must know.

And, damn it,
they will know.

Because you're
gonna tell 'em.

Can I have your word of honor
that you will do this?

Yes, Mr. President.
My word of honor.

Gentlemen.

Mac assures me
that he's got three guys

that can knock the eye
out of a hawk at 1,000 yards.

I hope they don't shoot
the President instead.

That wasn't meant
as a joke.

Look, there are three escaped convicts
coming out of that silo.

Three sharp shooters
for three convicts if we're lucky.

And if we're not?

I swear I just
saw something.

- Maybe I'm seeing things.
- Keep looking.

Mackenzie will try anything.

He's hated me
for over 30 years.

There's nothing
moving out there.

- They're in the APCs.
- Thank God for that.

What about
the press plane?

Developed engine trouble over St Louis,
and they had to turn back.

How convenient.

I don't know nothing.

I don't see nothing.

I sure feel something.

Touchdown.

This is General Stonesifer at Malmstrom.
Where's Mackenzie?

- OK.
- General Mackenzie...

Come on, boy. Don't freeze on me.
We've got a real situation up here.

But, sir, he's up there in Montana.
At the forward command post,

- just outside Silo 3.
- Silo 3?

Yes, sir.

I should've known
the minute I saw those APCs.

That miserable son of a bitch!

Oh yeah. They're really
up to something.

Connect me with a General Mackenzie
in the command trailer outside of Silo 3.

(phone rings)

Red phone. Silo 3.

- Mackenzie.
- Well, well.

Welcome to Silo 3, Mac.

I knew my old buddy
wouldn't wanna miss this show.

Well, you know
I've always been a fan of yours.

Mac, I haven't heard from the President.
And that can mean only one thing.

The President's on his way to see you.
He'll be landing in a few minutes.

Your, uh... moment of glory...
is almost here.

You try one more goddamn stunt,
and I'll light up the fucking sky!

He hasn't quit.
I can hear it in his voice!

You better leave,
you'll be late for the reception.

What the hell could they
be dreaming up?

I mean, why did Mackenzie
fly all the way to Montana,

if they weren't thinking
of something special?

What the hell did you expect?
Free tickets to the roller derby?

We did the right goddamn thing.
There was no other choice.

Here comes
Yankee Doodle again.

And that's how it happened.

May I bring you gentlemen
a beverage?

- Oh, you're just the man I've been looking for. I'll have
another Jack Daniel's, Mr. Willard? - Yes, Mr. President.

And here I thought the Prez
was your main man.

Well...

It ain't gonna be him
who jumps off that plane.

Of course the President's
coming off that plane.

You know what the
trouble with you is?

You ain't got
no imagination.

I bet you the real President never
got on that plane in the first place.

- I bet you they've got a double
sitting up there playing chief.

A double?

Yeah, you never saw that movie

where the Germans are trying
to kill Field Marshall Montgomery,

so the English substitute some poor slob
to take the heat for the real Monty?

You wouldn't know the difference
if they dressed up Smokey the Bear

and sent him
out there.

- You don't understand at all.
- That's right. I don't understand nothing,

- So don't ask me nothing!
- Well, I'm asking you.

You think there are sharpshooters
sitting out in those APCs?

They don't have
to be in 'em!

They can be under a rock
or behind a blade of grass!

My man, I had mere niggers in my outfit
that could shoot the asshole out of a rat

at a quarter
of a mile!

I mean, who knows? Maybe
they've got a midget out there.

A what?

Some little biddy fella
we never even saw.

There are no midgets
in the United States Air Force.

Fuck the Air Force. Maybe they
borrowed him from the Mafia.

It's all the same company.

On the other hand, would
they really run the risk?

I mean, they gotta know
we got all the buttons.

You're right. You're right!
Mackenzie would do--

Forget that cardboard
asshole, man. He is nothing!

We are up against
the real power!

Man! Don't you understand?

You are messing with
the brains of this country.

But we're not going out there alone.
The President will be right between us.

You really are pitiful.

What the hell are
you trying to say?

I'm saying they do not give a shit about
the President of the United States!

They will kill us all before
they let that poor bastard

make that speech
on television.

- Man, don't you know, they will
never let him blow their gig.

You declared war,

but they got the muscle,
and they are gonna keep it.

And Stevens...
is expendable.

All right. All right.
Come on.

Off your black ass.
Let's do it.

You really are funny.

Soldier, get on that key.

Then, give me another
good reason.

You said it yourself.

They have no intentions
of honoring their commitments.

Grow up, General.
Nobody honors nothin'.

But that's no reason
to blow up the whole world.

Get on that key.

And if you blow me away,
who's gonna turn that key?

Of course, you could ask your buddy,
the war hero, in there.

Oh, Lord.

What am I gonna do?

I'll tell you.

We got a dog's chance
of walking out of here,

getting on big number one,
with a piss pot full of money!

Now, who's to say us dogs
don't ever get lucky?

(phone rings)

Colonel Powell here.

Yeah, Mac. I'll tell him.

Air Force One lands
in 30 seconds.

- General Mackenzie,
Air Force One security clearance

- informs us that the president
and his party are about to disembark.

- Mr. President, General Stonesifer.
- General.

- General Horne.
- Sir.

- Beautiful day.
- Yes, sir.

- Thank you for meeting me.
- Your jeep is here, sir.

- Mr President, this is
Sgt. Fitzpatrick. - Sergeant.

Sir!

- Mr. President, I, uh...
- Yes, Mike?

I forgot your glasses.

OK, Sergeant,
we don't wanna be late.

How about that?

Well, Willie?

A very nice ride.
Thank you, Sergeant.

Thank you, sir,
Mr. President.

Well...

I'm Lawrence Dell.

- Pleased to meet you,
Mr. President. - General.

David Stevens.

Willis Powell.

Where's Mr. Garvas?

He ain't making this trip.

He's dead, sir.

Mr. President... are you prepared
to appear on national television, and--

Hey, wait a minute, um... unless that there
is a money belt, I don't see no $20 million.

And unless we got that,
we ain't going nowhere.

Even though my tailor's a genius,
it wasn't possible on such short notice

to add the pockets necessary
to deliver $20 million.

And to be honest, I'm not sure that
today I'd have the strength to carry it.

The money's
on the plane.

As to the document, General,
I'm prepared to comply with your request.

Well, then like
the old gal said:

"Get off, sonny, 'cause you
got all you're gonna get."

After you, Mr. President.

Just want you to know,
General, that, uh...

...win or lose...

...you are some
motherfucker.

Thank you... Willis.

We estimate objectives
will appear in one minute.

Sparrow?

Ready, General.

- Blue Jay?
- All set, sir.

Uh, General? What if
there's no clear line?

There are no ifs, Blue Jay.
You have your orders.

We estimate objectives exit
guard house, 30 seconds.

It's been a difficult day,
Mr. President.

Many troubled moments.

Troubled, but ultimately
rewarding, General.

Thanks to you,
Mr. President.

I'd like you to know, sir,
the first time since 'Nam,

I feel I've really
come home.

- Robin? - What if the
president's in our sights?

Those convicts are not
to reach Air Force One.

- Is that understood, Robin?
- Yes, sir.

We estimate objectives
to be entering guard house.

Sorry, Mr. President.

Objectives now visible.

Objectives crossing compound.
I repeat, objectives crossing compound.

Moving your way.

I repeat,
they're on the road.

- Identify.
- Sparrow ready, General.

But no clear target.

Blue Jay ready, General,
but no clear target either.

Robin ready, General,
but no clear target either.

- Blue Jay?
- Yes, General.

- Robin?
- Yeah, General.

- Sparrow?
- Yeah, General.

Sparrow, you are
now in control.

Yes, General.

Sweet Jesus!
Headin' for home!

Fire!

It's all right, Dave.
It's all right, yeah.

It's OK, buddy.

Guthrie.

Mr Secretary!

- It's all right.
- Guthrie.

Mr. Guthrie!

(Mike crying)

Will you...?

Will... you...?

Again, Mr. President.

Will... you keep your word?

Will you...
tell the people?

♪ Land where my father died ♪

♪ Land of the pilgrim's pride ♪

♪ Oh, Lord ♪

♪ From every mountainside ♪

♪ Oh, Let freedom
Let freedom ♪

♪ Let it ring ♪

♪ I'm singing for the land
Land where my father died ♪

♪ I'm singing for the land
Land of the pilgrim's pride ♪

♪ From every mountainside ♪

♪ From every mountainside ♪

♪ Oh, Let freedom
Let freedom ♪

♪ Let it ring ♪

♪ Oh, Lord, today ♪

♪ Please, Lord ♪

♪ Let freedom ♪

♪ Let it ring ♪

♪ In America In America,
Lord please ♪

♪ Let freedom
Let it ring ♪

♪ All over the world
Lord, Lord, Lord ♪

♪ Let freedom ♪

♪ Ring ♪