Original subtitles

(RADIO CHATTER)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

This is Mission Control. We have a hold at T-minus 7 minutes.

I repeat, we have a hold at T-minus 7 minutes.

Well, you've heard it.

We've got another hold at this, the 100th unmanned space shot.

This is Victoria Webster reporting from the launch site.

That Colby...

What's the matter now?

The 100th unmanned space shot... who cares?

There was a time when a lady was lucky to be doing the late night weather.

I've paid my dues.

You know what Colby said about you wasting film.

OSCAR: Seven minutes to launching, that's all I need.

Ah, relax, Oscar.

If the problem is cleared up in the next couple of hours...

they can still make the launch window.

Oh-oh, pressure's starting to build up in the helium supply tank.

We'll have to vent it or it could blow.

Wait, hold it!

But Colonel, the tank could blow.

Have I got five minutes?

Maybe, but it'll take longer than that just to empty the tank.

Good. Let me take a look at it.

If you don't hear from me in 5 minutes, go ahead and vent the tank.

Wait a minute, Steve, I don't want you...

You're wasting my five minutes, Oscar.

(STEPS APPROACHING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(MOVIE CAMERA FILMING)

(METAL CREAKING)

(BOLTS POPPING)

(CLANGING)

(AIR HISSING)

Capcon, this is Austin.

How's the helium inlet reading, now?

Good. Wh... what's that?

I just gave it a good, hard kick.

That seemed to be all it needed.

Yeah, Roger.

(END OF FILM, CLICKS)

FLIGHT COM: It looks good at NASA One.

B-52 PILOT: Roger.

BCS Arm switch is on.

FLIGHT COM: Okay, Victor.

B-52 PILOT: Landing Rocket Arm switch is on. Here comes the throttle.

Circuit breakers in.

STEVE: We have separation.

B-52 PILOT: Inboard and outboards are on.

I'm comin' forward with the side stick.

FLIGHT COM: Looks good.

PILOT: Ah, Roger.

STEVE: I've got a blowout in damper three.

SR-71 PILOT: Get your pitch to zero.

STEVE: Pitch is out. I can't hold altitude!

B-52 PILOT: Correction. Alpha Hold is oil“. Threat selector is emergency.

STEVE: Flight Com. I can't hold it! She's breaking up! She's breaking...

ANNOUNCER: Steve Austin. Astronaut.

A man barely alive.

Gentlemen, we can rebuild him.

We have the technology.

We have the capability to make the world's first bionic man.

Steve Austin will be that man.

Better than he was before.

Better, stronger, faster.

(MAIN TITLE THEME)

This is Mission Control. T-minus 20 seconds and counting.

17.

Take it to Colby and get it developed immediately.

It's very important.

What's so important about this film?

Just go, Billy!

FLIGHTCOM: Nine, eight, seven, six...

five, four, three...

two, one, zero.

(RADIO CHATTER)

There were some anxious moments...

when the countdown was stopped at Launch-minus 7 minutes.

The cause, a stoppage in the helium flow line...

was quickly corrected through the incredible effort of one man.

We hope to have further details later on.

The drama is over now or...

is it the beginning of another?

This is Victoria Webster.

(PHONE RINGS)

I'll get it. I think it's for me.

Hello. Oh, Jerry, great!

What you find out about Steve Austin?

Hey, Billy, where's Victoria? Doesn't she know what time it is?

Well, she's on the way in.

She wanted me to bring you this...

film she took at the launch site.

She took some more film on her own?

Yes, Mr. Colby, but she said it was very important.

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.

It's always important.

I mean, we got miles of film that she's taken of pigeons...

and clouds and all that was important, wasn't it?

(SIGHS)

Yes, sir.

You know, when I was a Washington correspondent...

I didn't use as much film on the President's inauguration...

as she wasted last week on sand castles?

All right, I'll see what's so important.

If it's what I think it is, she'll be back doing the late-night weather.

Well, I'm glad that's over.

That was almost a disaster.

Oh, come on, Oscar, it wasn't that bad.

I'm not talking about the launch. I'm talking about my vacation.

Oh, that.

You know how long it's been since I've had a vacation?

What? Two years?

Three years now, three years...

and I can't believe I'm going.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.

You know, I didn't know that you were interested in archeology.

I thought you were just going along to keep me company...

ride your dune buggy.

Well, what really interests me is watching Oscar Goldman dig holes in the ground.

Very funny.

VICTORIA: Colonel Austin?

I'm Victoria Webster of KNUZ TV.

Pleased to meet you.

Now this is Oscar Goldman.

Yes, I know.

You head up the Office of Scientific Intelligence in Washington.

Yes, well, if you'll excuse us, Miss Webster, we...

Today I was lucky enough to see one of your scientific developments.

VICTORIA: Him.

Maybe the film will enlighten you.

Film?

Yes, the footage I shot earlier of Colonel Austin tearing off the steel plate...

with his bare hands.

Now, do we talk about it, or shall I run it on the 6:00 news...

and let you answer a lot of questions from other people?

Wow...

why don't we talk about it?

Okay.

But not now, how about later on?

Okay. What time?

Oh, this evening. Around 7:30.

Meet us here and I'll tell the guard that you're coming.

Okay, but if anything funny happens, there's always the 9:00 news.

I understand.

It's a deal.

What a far-out looking blackmailer.

I've got to make a phone call.

Yeah, I like you'd better.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

VICTORIA: There were some anxious moments...

when the countdown was stopped at launch-minus 7 minutes.

MAN: Cue camera one, please.

The cause, a stoppage in the helium flow line...

was quickly corrected through the incredible effort of one man.

We hope to have further details later on.

The drama is over now or...

is it the beginning of another?

This is Victoria Webster.

MAN: Roll credits, please.

Good show. Thanks.

Did you see the film I shot today?

Um... come with me.

I don't believe it. The film is blank.

Yeah, look, Vicky, why don't you just do your job...

and leave the photography to the cameraman, okay?

You're not mad at me?

Well, I should send you back to the late night weather...

but I just like you too much.

(SIGHS)

It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime deals and now it's gone.

Um...

What did you think you had?

You wouldn't believe it if I told you.

Vicky...

I can't talk about it, Charlie.

It was an accident that I got it on film.

They'll make sure I don't get another chance.

Oh, they know you have it?

Yes, wasn't that stupid of me?

And there's no way to get extra footage?

No... not unless...

Sure! I told them I'd be coming back for an interview.

You did?

I'll just do what any other red-blooded news hound would do, I'll bluff.

If you let me stay on it.

Well, I have a feeling it'll end up in the trash can, but...

all right, go to it.

Just keep me informed, all right?

Thanks, Charlie. I really appreciate it.

Yeah, well, I believe in you.

What's the matter?

I don't appreciate it that much.

You know, we always knew something like this could happen.

I guess the only thing to do is make certain that the...

well, that the film doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Hey, now. Wait a minute, Oscar, what you're about to do...

that's like hitting a butterfly with a sledge hammer.

And I suppose you have a better idea.

Well... buy some time.

Invite her to go to Baja with us.

Give me a chance to talk to her.

Maybe I can find out what she wants.

Steve, what she wants is to show that film, you understand?

She wants to show it and she wants to add some dialog to it.

Do you have any idea what would happen if certain people saw that film?

They'd stop at nothing to get their hands on you.

But, Oscar, she could have hidden that film anywhere.

Our only chance to find out where it is, is from her.

Not to mention the fact that we shouldn't let her out of our sight.

I don't know.

Well, like they say back home...

it looks like you're in between a rock and a hard place.

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(CAR DOOR OPENS)

Sounds like the rock has arrived.

Ah, Miss Webster. Come in. Good evening.

Mister Goldman.

You remember Colonel Austin. Colonel Austin.

Won't you sit down? Thank you.

Would you like a drink?

Uh, no thank you.

Let's not waste each other's time, Mr. Goldman.

Let's get right to the issue.

Of course, and the issue is you might be violating a federal law.

Yes, I know, title 18?

Up to ten years in jail...

but there is no intent to divulge any defense secrets...

and I don't think you want to go to court.

I'm only showing what I saw.

It's called reporting.

Miss Webster, I don't want you to misunderstand this...

but there are times when certain things shouldn't be reported.

Oh, I'm sure there are several.

I know what a powerful man you are, Mr. Goldman.

I know you could pick up that phone and have my film confiscated...

and I don't know what else.

But I have made arrangements to have myself and my film protected.

I'm sure you have.

Where do we go from here?

How about Baja?

Baja?

Colonel Austin and I are going down there for a couple of days.

Sort of a vacation, a holiday.

I'm listening.

In order to tell this story correctly, we have to put it in the proper prospective.

Otherwise, it would be... well, disastrous.

A couple of days down in Baja would give us a chance to tell the story correctly.

You want me to go along with the two of you on vacation?

Separate campers, of course.

I have two conditions, Mr. Goldman.

I want you to promise I'll get the complete story...

and I also want to shoot more film on Colonel Austin.

You drive a hard bargain.

Does that mean you promise?

I promise.

And no tricks.

I mean, it would be pretty easy for a person to get lost down there.

No tricks, I assure you.

Besides, you protected yourself by hiding your film.

Well, we'll meet you at the main gate tomorrow morning at 6:00.

I'll be there.

Thank you very much for coming.

OSCAR: Good night.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

Ah, yes, operator.

Yes, this is Charles Colby.

I met His Excellency in Washington.

Look, would you just tell him that it's about a discussion we once had...

about a bionic man.

Yes, Your Excellency?

Yes, thank you.

Uh, are you still interested?

Yes, he does exist.

|... I have proof on film.

Uh...

what would you be willing to pay for such a man?

(SIGHS)

I see.

Um... yes, I understand.

Yes, you rest assured, I'll deliver him.

Thank you.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas...

majored in Journalism at the University of Texas.

Got her degree, began working in various news departments in Southern California...

and wound up at KNUZ.

So what? So that's it?

Well, if there's anything else your department would have found it.

I hope my people come up with that film.

Yeah, and if they don't?

We'll just have to do something... more extreme.

Oscar Goldman, the cool Washington big-wig type...

seemed too willing for me to come along.

I don't trust him.

Steve Austin...

the man with the incredible strength...

Well, I haven't figured him out yet.

But I will.

There's the turn-off I was looking for.

(METAL CREAKING)

This will give you a better idea of what you're up against.

(METAL CLINKS)

(PROJECTOR CLICKS OFF)

Well?

Do you still think you can take him?

So he's strong. But just a man.

How does he do that?

You ever hear of bionics?

No.

Never mind.

Why do you want this guy?

Because I want to retire in Central America with a lot of money.

Speaking of money...

Half now, the rest when we...

On a job like this, we want our money up front...

or you can forget it.

All right. Another thing.

We're not used to having anybody tagging along.

Well, that's too bad, because I'm going.

And you'll take orders from me.

Where do we find Austin?

Baja, California.

One of my reporters is with him. She borrowed my camper.

It's blue and white with the letters KNUZ on top.

Leave right now, we shouldn't have any problem.

There's only one main road in Baja.

The money?

It's in my bank.

Mm-hmm.

First your bank, then Baja.

Are you finished, Oscar?

Yeah, yeah, finished.

I'll clothe dishes.

You don't look like the domestic type.

Give her a chance, Oscar.

At what?

Being a woman.

Do you remember what I said to you about a target on your back?

Yeah.

Well, that lady is loading the rifle, pal.

Talk to her...

or I'll have to do to her what I should have done in the first place.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(DISHES CLINK)

Mr. Goldman.

Oh, Miss Webster.

I think I'd like to shoot some film of Colonel Austin doing something spectacular.

Well, I've decided that's not such a good idea.

But you promised.

Sometimes premises have to be broken.

Well... (SIGHS)

Whatever happened to the charmingly tactful Oscar Goldman?

She's blackmailing us! Do you understand that?

OSCAR: Blackmailing us! Or trying to.

She's not the type, Oscar.

All right.

You go ahead and try to talk her out of it.

He's a rat, your Mr. Goldman, calling me a blackmailer.

Oh, he's not so bad once you get to know him.

The world is entitled to know such advanced technology as you exists.

Think what that could mean?

It would give hope to countless people.

I'm going to get this story and you'd better believe it.

Miss Webster. Miss Webster!

Look, what do you say we start over?

Does that mean you apologize?

Yes.

Then apologize.

I'm sorry Oscar called you a blackmailer.

Okay.

How did it happen?

What?

The accident.

Well, I was testing a space shuttle...

and it crashed.

When I came to, they were replacing some of my parts with bionic limbs.

Bionic... Just like that?

Well, it took over a year.

How'd you feel during that year?

I was scared.

If something like that would have happened to me, I would've flipped.

I almost did.

You surprise me.

Oh, do I?

Well, I expected a lecture on why I shouldn't tell this story.

You know, patriotism and all that.

I appreciate your honesty.

Are you ready for a little more honesty?

Why not?

I think you're being very selfish.

You're putting out a story that could hurt a lot of people.

The only reason I can see is that you'll gain from it.

You'll get national recognition.

Maybe you'll move up from that small independent station to one of the networks.

All right. I've had to fight for every job I've ever had.

I've been a good reporter...

but I want to be recognized on merit.

People are always willing to help me because I'm pretty.

What's the matter with that?

I've had it with that.

Everyone always willing to give a, quote, pretty girl a shot.

Not because I'm smart... or because I can do the job better than any man.

You're right, I do want to get out of that local station...

and I'm sick and tired of having to apologize because I'm ambitious.

Okay, that's fair enough.

But don't start telling me about those countless people...

who would have been helped by your story.

Okay.

COLBY: Anything?

I don't see any camper with KNUZ on top.

Well, they couldn't have gone any further south than this.

We'll double back in a few minutes, start checking the side roads.

(SHOVEL DIGGING)

(TIMER TICKING)

(SHOVEL DIGGING)

(TIMER TICKING)

(TIMER TICKING)

(CAMERA CLICKS ON)

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(SCREAMS)

Steve!

(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)

VICTORIA: Steve!

(VICTORIA SCREAMS) Help me!

Help!

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

Steve! Help!

VICTORIA: Steve! Help!

Help me!

Steve! Help!

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

Help! Steve!

Steve! Help!

Help!

There's a campsite over there.

That's my camper.

Go on south and we'll turn around and come back and find a place to set down.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Hey.

(BREATHING HARD)

You sure we're going the right way?

You sure you hired the right people for this job?

We should be there in about an hour, Karl.

You better wait here. We'll bring Austin back.

What're you talking about?

Let's face it.

You're not cut out for climbing, fighting or killing...

and that's what we're going to be doing.

Look, remember, I said I'm giving the orders.

I don't want to hear any more about you giving orders.

Now, you want to tag along and watch...

you do that.

But from now on you are our silent partner.

No matter what we do, you are very, very silent.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

(CHAIN CLANGING)

I'd like to do some sketches of you, okay?

Sure, right after we go for a little ride.

Hop in.

You'd better sit on that sketch pad...

that is if you wanna keep it.

Nice, little safety belts up.

Are these necessary?

Well, you wouldn't argue with a pilot now, would you?

(ENGINE STARTS)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Oh!

How was that?

It was fantastic, let's do it again!

Okay.

About time for a rest.

What do you say we take a break?

Great.

This was a first for me.

Good.

You are a first, aren't you?

Yeah, I guess so.

(OMINOUS MUSIC)

Did you do that bionically?

No... that was control of the bionic strength.

What?

I'll show you.

That was absolutely unreal.

That was bionic.

How... how did you do that? I mean, what makes it work?

Are you always the reporter?

I mean, don't you ever take time to enjoy life...

or does your work take priority over everything else?

I have the unique capability of doing both.

Like new...

I'm enjoying both.

(TEARS PAPER)

You got a good memory, and a good eye for detail.

Goes with the job.

Does all of you go with the job?

Isn't there any just plain you?

Look, I'm doing the interview.

Okay.

You said that after the accident there were some parts missing.

Which ones?

Both legs, right arm...

this eye.

That's what the world should know about.

And learn about.

Don't you think?

Do you realize what applications of bionics there could be?

Are you listening to me?

I'd probably get more information out of that bush over there.

Do you know your southern accent comes out when you get mad?

Well, gracious me...

I do suppose you'd be a whole lot nicer to little ole me...

if I were sittin' on the porch swing just watching the river mosey on by.

Maybe.

Buzz off, Super Jock!

Hey, wait a minute!

Have you ever thought about the human side of me, or does that interest you?

Yes, it does and that bothers me.

I was afraid of this.

I knew it would happen the moment I met you.

It's nothing to be afraid of, Victoria.

I don't know why I want to cry.

Do you have to know the why about everything?

I guess not.

Well, I wonder where Oscar is.

Maybe he found something.

Oscar!

Oscar!

VICTOR: He's right here, Austin.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Get inside.

Who sent you?

What's the difference?

You can drive.

All right. Enough is enough.

You know you almost had me believing this.

I was almost ready to tell you I wasn't going to do the story...

that is, until you pulled this little stunt.

What's she talking about?

I'm talking about these phony theatrics.

You staged this whole thing...

so I would think there was some evil force out to capture Steve.

I'm not buying it.

Shut up.

Don't tell me what to do.

She thinks we're fakes.

I wish they were.

Ooh, very good, Mr. Goldman...

but not quite good enough.

Vic, get him inside.

Now I'll take care of you.

How corny can you get?

Oh, you're really good.

I'd print your name wrong, if! knew what it was.

Just keep it up, lady, if it'll make you feel better.

You guys are asking for it.

You must really think I'm stupid.

Put your hands up.

What does it take to convince you, lady? You've had it.

What do you mean, she's had it?

Charlie?

You haven't answered my question.

KARL: I don't have to.

Look, you've got Austin, you've got him under control.

He's one thing, she's something else.

No traces, no one to identify us.

You are gonna disappear in Central America.

KARL: We're not.

You mean this isn't something Goldman cooked up?

And you're in on it?

VICTORIA: Why?

Can you at least tell me why?

The film you took of Austin was good. I substituted blank film.

He's worth a lot of money, Victoria.

I've got a buyer for him.

I mean, my career is over. I'm at the bottom of the barrel.

At least this way I'll be rich.

You beginning to believe, now?

(GAS HISSING)

Now if you stand on your tippy toes, you might last a little longer.

Do we have to? We have to.

Vic, we'll pick up the packs.

You head to the plane, we'll catch up to you in the buggy.

Right. Start it up, Goldman.

(COUGHING)

(GASPS)

Nice and easy.

If you think you can speed up and scare me, forget it...

'cause the second I feel this thing accelerate, you're dead.

VICTOR: All we need is him.

So what have I got to lose?

A little breathing time.

Karl should be catching up.

Don't get too comfortable.

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(YELLS)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(CHAINS CLINKING)

Move the lock around.

What happened?

He's too much, you're gonna have to kill him.

He's not worth anything dead!

Shut up!

It's a personal thing for me now.

(METAL SNAPPING)

I'm going back for Victoria. Radio for help?

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)

(GUN FIRES)

(GAS HISSING)

(COUGHING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(GUN FIRING)

(GUN FIRES)

(BIONIC EYE SOUND EFFECT)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(BIONIC SOUND EFFECT)

(JACK HAMMER SOUND EFFECT)

(METAL CREAKING)

You all right?

Oh, Steve!

(UPLIFTING MUSIC)

You know, Oscar, you look like you could use a vacation.

You're very funny, pal.

You know, after what she's been through, we owe her.

Good morning.

Good morning. Morning.

Here's a copy of my story on Colonel Austin.

Thank you very much.

Aren't you gonna read it?

No.

'Cause you're gonna squelch it?

Yes.

Are Charlie and his friends in jail?

Yes, they are...

and we also have the original film that you shot of Colonel Austin at the launch site.

So, everything is, um...

well, everything's just fine...

except for this...

and I am truly sorry that I have to withhold it.

Too bad, it was a pretty good piece.

The pages are blank, Oscar.

Well, I'll be...

Well, thank you very much, Miss Webster.

That's very nice of you.

To show your appreciation, Mr. Goldman...

do you think you could get me a job at a Washington TV station?

Well, I'll try, I don't have too much influence with the TV stations...

but I will try, I'll do my best.

What's that?

Oh, this?

Well, this is the negative of the film...

Miss Webster shot of me rescuing her on the cliff.

It's all the bionic stuff.

Why, you...

Here, give me that.

Oh, no, Oscar. I'm on her side.

Hmm.

Lock, is this...

I mean, is this the end of it?

I mean, really, the end of it?

Is this all of it? Huh?

Yes, sir.

All right...

Victoria, how soon can you start your new job in Washington?

As soon as we...

Finish our vacation.

Come on.

(UPLIFTING MUSIC)

(END THEME MUSIC)