All language subtitles for Battle.Hymn.1957.1080p.BluRay.x264-GUACAMOLE-English

During the war in Korea,

I was in command of the 5th Air Force...

operating under the
United Nations' command.

This plane was just
one of the many involved

in our operations.

Its pilot I shall never forget.

I am pleased to have
been asked to introduce

this motion picture,

which is based on the
actual experiences of this pilot,

Colonel Dean Hess of
the United States Air Force.

The remarkable story of Colonel Hess,

his poignant and often secret struggle...

with a problem peculiarly his own,

his courage, resourcefulness
and sacrifice...

have long been a source
of inspiration to me...

and to fighting men who have known him.

But the story of Colonel Hess...

is more than a dramatic
demonstration of one man's

capacity for good.

It is an affirmation of
the essential goodness

of the human spirit.

For this reason, I am happy it is told.

It begins in the summer of 1950,

five years after the
end of World War II...

and one month after the
invasion of South Korea.

It is a quiet, sunny Sunday morning...

in the pleasant little town
of Westhampton, Ohio.

And so we ask ourselves:

How can we be free of guilt?

Through patience and humility...

will we find happiness.

A broken and contrite heart,

Thou will not despise.

Amen.

Nice sermon, Dean,
though if you'll forgive

my saying so,

you might dwell less on
guilt and more on the hope

that heaven holds for us.

Mary.

Can you stay for dinner, Deacon?

I'd like to, but I have to
get back out to the farm.

See you next Sunday, children.

Good-bye.

Good-bye, Deacon.

He's right, Mary.

I didn't have 'em with me today.

Dean...

No matter how hard I try,

all I seem to be able to do
is repeat words from a book!

Words! Words aren't enough, Mary.

Dean, why are you punishing
yourself with these doubts?

It's not fair.

I'm trying to face the truth.

I'm just not cut out to be a minister.

I've tried it now for almost two years,

trying to make amends.

You can't forget those
children in the German

orphanage, can you?

Never.

When I became a minister,

I hoped I could find
a way to live with it,

but I haven't.

Blue Leader to Blue Flight.

We're cleared on target. Arm your bombs.

Okay, Killer, let's go.

Dean, your bomb's stuck! Shake her loose!

This is Radio Berlin.

Today the Americans
made another infamous raid...

on an undefended, quiet, little town:

The peaceful hamlet of Kaiserberg.

These noble Americans totally destroyed

an orphanage and church,

murdering 37 children!

A crime so despicable
that even hell won't have

its perpetrator!

His hands will be stained forever...

with innocent blood of
those harmless infants!

Hello. Do you speak English?

A little.

Was this... St. Peter's Orphanage?

Ja, it was, before the big raid,

before your planes came.

The radio said... some
children were killed in the raid.

But the radio very often lies.

It was 37 children.

And no lie!

Good morning, darling.

Good morning.

Oh, what a wonderful day!

You working on your sermon already?

It's only Monday.

That's what I call indue...

This is to the Air Force, Mary.

They're making some recalls,
and I've decided to apply.

They need experienced people for Korea.

But you're needed here!

No, I'm no good here.
I've known it for a long time.

If you do go back,

shouldn't it be as a chaplain?

It's bad enough to be of
so little use to people here.

What help could I be to
wounded or dying men?

Oh, Dean!

How could you kill now?

Don't worry.

It's only for a training
program, not combat.

But it doesn't make sense.
It doesn't! Going back to war.

Why, that's where your problem began!

Don't look for sense
in this. You won't find it.

One doesn't always have
to have a clear reason

for the things he does.

It's just how I feel, that's all.

Mary... this is what I have to do.

Oh, Dean.

Dean, Mary just told me.

Is it true? You're going to announce...

Word came for me last night
to be in Washington next week.

You'll have to take over here.

Do you realize what you're doing?

Yes.

You spoke to me once about the reason why

a man becomes a minister.

I did.

I must tell you mine is
not a good enough one,

and it never has been.

Son, I...

Look, Deacon...

You knew my grandmother.

You heard her tell that our
family came from Germany,

from a little village near
a town named Kaiserberg.

Yes, of course, but...

It was one of her greatest
hopes to go back to that

little church in Kaiserberg,

where her grandmother
was baptized and married.

Well?

She never was able to, but I was.

I saw it from the air.

A bombing raid I was on.

There was an orphanage
next to that church,

full of children who
only knew that war had

come to frighten them;

a nightmare that might kill them.

I made their fears come
true with one flick of this

thumb on a bomb release.

I'm sorry, son.

I never knew, never.

But I do think you're acting rashly.

We'll have to talk this over at a more

convenient time.

It's useless, Deacon.

Would you please make the announcement

and take over the service?

Well... all right, Dean.

If you wish it.

Thank you, Sergeant.

I'm Colonel Hess.

Good morning, Colonel.

Ben Harrison, General's Aide.

Have a good trip?

A fast one, thank you. General in?

That you, Dean?

Yes, sir!

Come in.

Let me have a look at you.

Well, it's been a long time.

Sit down.

- Thank you, sir.
- How are you, Dean?

Fine, sir. I was glad to hear

I'm to work with you again.

And I'm pleased to have you, Dean.

These Koreans will listen
to a man with the same

kind of nerve they have.

That's why I called on "Killer" Hess.

You're to check out some
ROK pilots in the 51s,

train them in our tactics.

They're new to both, Dean.
Besides, they're a hot bunch.

They're overanxious.

They've cracked up a couple
of the planes we gave them,

and they won't get more.

We've none to spare outside combat.

I see.

What sort of a T.O. Will I have, sir?

A half dozen officers, a complement

of enlisted men.

You'll be the only friendly
air power based in Korea;

everything else has to fly from Japan.

The ground forces may
call on you for support,

but you can't oblige them.

Your sole purpose is to get
the ROK Air Force started,

so don't risk those planes
in any combat sorties.

Your group is waiting for
you at your headquarters:

An airfield, or what's left of it,

built years ago by the Japanese.

Right here, a few miles from Yongsan.

Good luck, Colonel.

Thank you, sir.

- Thank you, Sergeant.
- You're welcome, sir.

I'm Colonel Hess.

Herman, sir. Your first sergeant.

You're holding the fort by yourself?

Major Moore, the
exec, is at breakfast, sir.

And the duty officer, Captain Skidmore...

Skidmore?

What Skidmore?

The same one.

He says you and him fought
quite a war the last time out.

This is your office, sir.

And your quarters.

So Skidmore is still in.

Back in.

He said it was too cold outside.

I mean...

Even we retreads have our use, Sergeant.

Call a meeting of all the officers.

Get me the files on the officers and men,

and bring me the morning report.

Yes, sir.

Ten-hut!

I won't say "at ease"...

because it looks like
that's what you've been at

ever since you got here.

Our mission is to give instruction...

to a detail of Korean pilots
in our aircraft and tactics.

But before they and the planes get here,

I want this place cleaned up.

This whole area looks like a pigsty.

A helicopter couldn't
even land on that runway!

Any questions?

Major Moore, sir.

We haven't anything to work the runway,

except a few hand
tools from the vehicles.

What about that town I came through?

That's Yongsan, sir.

Couldn't we find something there?

Dean! Hiya, boy!

Hello, Skidmore. Where have you been?

Over at Yongsan.

Checkin' the action.
Boy, it sure ain't Paris.

Aren't you duty officer today?

You weren't due in till tomorrow,

and there's nothing much
doing around here, so...

Major Moore!

Until further orders,
Yongsan is out of bounds.

From now on, there's
plenty to do around here.

Any other questions? Come on, Sergeant.

So that's the buddy-buddy
you've been tellin' us about.

Hey, uncle, where do we find the mayor?

The mayor? Kingpin?

Big chief? Head wheel?

Hmm?

Boss man? "Boss man"?

Sounds like you rang the bell.

Boss man?

See?

He's not here. He must be out to lunch.

Now, listen, I, um...

um... need help.

Bulldozer.

Push dirt. You know, push dirt?

Big landing strip, for planes!

Pardon me.

Well, hello!

Can I be of any help?

It seems we need it, Miss...

En Soon Yang.

I'm Colonel Hess.

Sergeant Herman and I
are trying to locate some

tools for the airfield.

We have to get our runway in shape before

our planes can land.
- Oh.

He says there is nothing left.
What the enemy did not take,

they destroyed.

Oh.

Well, where's the next town?

Sosan. But I came through

last week.

It's burned out and destroyed
like the other towns around.

I see.

Well, thank you, Miss
Yang. Come on, Herman.

Guess I should have gone
through channels in the first place

and put in for some engineers.

Yeah, and they might get
to us by the end of the war.

Colonel!

This girl remembers seeing
some sort of equipment.

You called it a, um...

A bulldozer? No.

Uh...

Not a road scraper? Yes, thank you.

In a ditch on the road from Sosan.

Will you show us?

I must wait for the mayor,

but she will take you.

- Fine!
- She knows exactly

where it is.

Good! Thank you again.

Ours is the thanks, that you are with us.

Put your backs to it, you slaves!

I left Indiana to get
away from one of these.

Hey, Colonel!

Our ROK pilots!

- I'm Colonel Hess.
- First Squadron,

First Group,

Air Force of the Republic
of Korea reporting.

- I'm Major Chong.
- I'm glad to know you.

General Kim placed me in
charge of our group because I have

a little of your language.

Wonderful. Please tell your officers

we are honored to have them.

Sergeant Herman here will
show you to your quarters.

Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

How soon do you think
we'll be operational?

Well, we can use some extra hands.

As soon as we've changed.

Very fine.

Oh, by the way, did you bring a flag?

Yes, sir.

Good. We'll fly it with ours.

Are you sure these guys
don't know what we're saying?

Without an interpreter, they're dead.

They're dying rich.

We haven't won a game in an hour.

Not another blitz.

"Got a couple of Korean
pigeons," you say.

"Don't speak English.
We'll teach 'em Rummy

and clean 'em out."

Aw, it's just beginner's luck.

Excuse, please. No beginner.

English bad. Rummy good.

Old Korean game.

Skidmore, I ought to
hit you on the head...

till you can hold up your
socks with your teeth!

It's the planes! They're
calling control tower

for permission to land!

Granted! Tell 'em the strip is clear!

Granted! Tell 'em the strip is clear!

Only 10?

That's all.

And no more where they came from.

Remember that.

Treat 'em like your best girl, uh?

The planes are here now,
and the job really begins.

I just hope I'll be able to make it work.

- Oh, hello, Deacon!
- Good morning, Mary.

Here are your eggs.

Thanks. Won't you come in?

Mrs. Massing is
waiting for her eggs, too.

- I see.
- From Dean?

Uh-huh. He's well and
seems to be getting along fine.

- And you?
- I?

Yes, I saw you coming
out of Dr. Corrigan's office.

Try to keep a secret in this town.

I'm going to have a baby, Deacon.

Oh, that's wonderful!

Dean will be tickled pink.
Have you written him yet?

No, I'm not going
to tell him for a while.

Why not?

We've been disappointed before.

Oh, but, Mary, he should be told.

He has enough to worry about as it is.

Worry? Such news would only delight him.

I don't want to add to his problems.

I suppose you know best.
I better be running along.

Now you take care of yourself.

Bye.

- Bye.
- See you next week, Deacon.

They're looking better every day.

They're the eagerest beavers I ever saw.

They don't want to stay
down long enough to eat.

I'd like to have those flight reports

as quickly as possible.

Take care of it right away.

As soon as my head lands.

Maples!

Yes, sir?

The tower tells me you made

contact with enemy aircraft.

Only by sight, sir.

We had to tuck our tails and run.

Yeah.

Uh, you know, Colonel,
it feels sort of naked

up there...

without any experienced wing men.

Their ground patrols are being reported

closer every day.

From now on you'll have hot guns.

- Only for protection.
- Roger!

Hold it, hold it! Don't tell me!

Something besides C-rations?

Turkey for Thanksgiving, sir.

Well, don't let our
Korean friends see 'em!

They'll try to fly 'em!

Allow us!

♪ Ha-ha-ha, you and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug don't I love thee ♪

♪ Ha-ha-ha, you and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug don't I love thee ♪

♪ 'Tis you who makes
my friends and foes ♪

♪ 'Tis you who makes
me wear old clothes ♪

♪ Here you are so near my nose ♪

♪ So tip her up and down she goes ♪

♪ Ha-ha-ha, you and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug don't I love thee ♪

♪ Ha-ha-ha, you and me ♪

♪ Little brown jug don't I love thee ♪♪

You know, back home Pa always said grace

at Thanksgiving.

Not that we were extra religious,

it's just that Thanksgiving
is special to farm folk.

If we had a good year,
the table would be piled

so high with food...

that you could hear the joints creak.

Look, fellas, I'm not very good

at this sort of thing.

Doesn't somebody
here feel more qualified?

It seems as though I'm stuck.

Dear Lord...

first off, we want to thank
you for all of us being well.

Then I want to say that...

you sure did put yourself
out setting this table,

all this food and drink and abundance.

It seems a person never could be hungry.

And if we ever get to
complaining about anything...

you just put a stop to it quick.

- Amen.
- Amen.

Now while Cookie's carving that
turkey, how about another song?

Thompson, "Wait for the Wagon"!

No, no! "Jeanie with
the Light Brown Hair"!

♪ Will you come with
me my Phyllis, dear ♪

♪ To yon blue mountain free ♪

♪ Where the blossoms smell the sweetest ♪

♪ Come rove along with me ♪

♪ It's every Sunday mornin'
when I am by your side ♪

♪ We'll jump into the wagon ♪

♪ And all take a ride ♪

♪ Wait for the wagon Wait for the wagon ♪

♪ Wait for the wagon
and we'll all take a ride ♪

♪ Wait for the wagon Wait for the wagon ♪

♪ Wait for the wagon
and we'll all take a ride ♪

Anything stirring?

- Everything quiet, sir.
- Good.

Why don't you go back in
and grab something to eat?

I'll take over for a while.

You better hurry. The
turkey will be gone.

Well, thank you, sir.

- And happy Thanksgiving.
- Thank you.

Same to you.

♪ And off we will start ♪

♪ Wait for the wagon Wait for the wagon ♪

♪ Wait for the wagon
and we'll all take a ride ♪♪

Did you ever see bones picked so clean?

It's a tribute to your cooking.

These guys would eat nuts and bolts...

if you put some sauce on 'em!

Hey, you kids! Get away there now!

Scat!

Scat!

Go on! Go on, get outta here

and stay outta here!

Looks like a pretty big stick

for such small boys, Sergeant.

Yes, sir, but these
kids are driving us nuts!

They're coming down
from the north in droves.

They sneak on the
post and steal everything

they can get their hands on.

They don't look like very
successful thieves to me.

Chong, who's that woman?

She says she's trying to
look after these children,

orphans she has befriended.

What's his name?

Chu.

His name is Chu.

Chu. Hungry?

Looks like he could
use a little chow to me.

Chong, take these kids and feed them.

Yes, sir.

What's he trying to do?
Prove he's got a heart of gold?

No, he's always liked
kids. But this is idiotic.

Those little sneak-thieves
will be swarming out of every

hole in Korea.

Better nail down the furniture.

Hello, Chong. Hello, Chong.
This is Flight Leader. Over.

Go ahead, Flight Leader.

By any chance, do you know where we are?

Proceeding on Mount Keijo.

We'll take a heading of 84 degrees true

from there. Over.

Very good. Maples, how's your boy doing?

Right on course.

See that he holds it.

This is Mosquito One, Mosquito One.

Calling aircraft circling
10 miles east of Munsan.

Over.

This is Macintosh Leader.
Go ahead, Mosquito One. Over.

Got a target for you. Troop
convoy at Abel-Baker-7253.

Four miles east. Will you make a strike?

Over.

Come in, Macintosh Flight Leader. Over.

Wilco, Mosquito One.
Proceeding to target.

Macintosh Flight, prepare for attack!

- Read you, Flight Leader!
- Skidmore, you know we can't

risk these planes!

Maintain radio silence. Follow me. Out.

Okay, pour it on.

Maples! Off your left
wing, get that stray. Get it!

What's the matter, Maples?

Those kids!

Oh, those poor little kids!

Maples...

All right, so I didn't
follow the rule book.

But look what we handed
'em! All those troops!

Enemy troops! Scratched!

And strafing those refugees...
Can you scratch that too?

It was an accident.

Wars are full of accidents.
You know that yourself.

You know how everything
looks alike from the air.

Remember Germany. How many times...

That's enough!

Look, I don't know what kind
of a monkey you've got on your

back, but don't put him on mine.

- This is serious business.
- You don't have to tell me

how serious it is.

I'm not so sure about that.

Once I thought you
knew what war was about,

but not anymore.

Just keep this one thing in mind:

All that counts is who wins,
not how nice a guy you are.

You win or you die.
You go soft, and you're

one step from being dead.

Are you through?

You're grounded until further orders.

- Any questions?
- Yeah... one.

Whatever became of "Killer" Hess?

Maples.

Yes, sir?

I just wanted to tell you that...

Well, try to forget it
as soon as you can.

Thank you, sir.

I am sorry I lost control out there.

I'm all right now. I am better now.

I had a similar experience once.

It's something I've never
been able to completely shake.

So I'm not exactly the one
to give advice, but I thought...

Sir, it's the way of things, I guess.

I figure it's all God's making and will.

Doesn't the Book say that...

no sparrow shall fall to the earth...

unless he first gives his nod?

Well, he must have given
his nod to what happened

out there today too.

He must have.

Well, he's the Almighty, isn't he?

No, we have to trust him, sir.

How can we live without that?

Go on, Maples.

You see, Colonel, I've
come to the conclusion...

that God and all his reasons
are invisible to the eyes of man.

So, I guess we have to be satisfied...

if he even gives us light enough to take

our next step,

do our next chore.

Thank you, Maples.

Thank you.

Is the Colonel here?

Uh-huh. Cookie!

Yeah?

The men and I have decided
to have roast Long Island duck

tonight with wild rice.

You're gonna be lucky if
you get warmed-over gruel!

Those kids! Take a look at 'em!

- Colonel?
- Yes?

The mess sergeant here has a problem.

Yes, Sergeant?

Sir, them chow hounds
are multiplying like rabbits!

What am I gonna do?

Feed them.

Chong, what happened?

Enemy agent, Colonel. I had to shoot her.

She was just about
ready to throw that into

the ammunition dump.

Chong had suspected her
ever since the day you let her

on the post with those kids.

Oh, Chu.

Don't cry.

Don't cry, little baby.

That's the full story on the woman.

North Korean guerilla. Sabotage.

She picked up those poor, starving kids

to make her look good.

I've drawn an order making
the base out-of-bounds

to all civilians.

Including the little civilians?

Think there might be
guerillas among them too?

It's not that. But the way
they're crowding in here now,

they're becoming a nuisance.

They're making the pilots
nervous; afraid of hitting 'em

on takeoffs and landings.

All around, they could be dangerous.

Yeah, dangerous for what
they might become someday,

if they live long enough.

But you're right. It's no place for them.

Don't post that until tomorrow.

Yes, sir.

Come on, Herman. We're going to Seoul.

Want a lift?

They mistrust anyone in uniform.

They saw their family shot with the rest

of their village.

They'll have to be taught
there's many different

kinds of uniforms.

Hop in. I'm Colonel Hess.

This is Sergeant Herman.

Hi. My name

is Lu Wan.

The children and I thank you, as do our

poor, tired feet.

- Where do you come from?
- I come from Pusan.

There I have a shop
where I carve ivory statues

of a religious nature.

It is not a big shop,
understand. Very small.

Well, to be exact, it is
not even a small shop;

a stall in an alley.

But I make the best
statues in the whole city,

and I am by conscience a modest man.

Where are you heading?

To a Buddhist temple not
far from here where we hope

to find shelter.

I am a Christian, you understand,

but a house of God is for anyone.

If you'll drop us at the next crossroad.

No, we'll take you there.

Is this it?

Yes, but the enemy has been there too.

There are kids in here!

Why, Miss Yang.

Good evening, Colonel.

I understand you found
the equipment on the road.

Yes, we did. Thank you.

I can't tell you how much it helped.

What are you doing here?

Well, come in and see.

Peaceful here.

Oh, are they yours?

No, I found them on the road.

They have lost their parents.

And you're taking care of them alone?

Yes, we are about to leave.

There is nothing here I
hoped to find, and I could

get no help in Yongsan.

Well, where will you go?

Just south, and hope for the best.

Yeah.

Oh, he will ride in the cart.

Those roads are hardly passable.

He can't...

Then I will carry him
until he is well again.

He won't get well traveling.

But here he can only die.

Miss Yang... I'd like your help.

- Yes.
- There are over a hundred

children like this at the field.

- A hundred children?
- Yes.

I have to get them away,
and I just can't turn them loose.

I'd like to bring them here.

Here?

So you could take care of them.

Oh, but we have no
food, no fuel, no medicine.

There's no roof.

We'll fix the roof. We'll
furnish the supplies.

I don't know what I can
get, but it'll be a lot better

than you'll find along the road.

But a hundred children...
We'll help with them too.

How about it? Will you stay?

- Oh, I don't think so.
- Will you?

How could I refuse?

Good. I'll get on it right away.

Lu Wan, this is Miss Yang.
She'll stay and take care

of the children.

How about you? Will
you stay and help out?

I am sorry. I must get to Pusan.

My statues. Now there is more need

for them than ever.

There's a bigger need here.

You're a Christian, you
said. Remember Matthew?

"Whoso shall receive one
such little child in my name,

receiveth me." I will stay, for a while.

Thank you. Herman, you'll give them

a hand, won't you?

Yes, sir.

Good. I'll have you picked up later.

Come on, kids.

- Colonel.
- Yes, Lu Wan.

First impressions are nets
to catch the wind, but I have

a persistent one about you.

That you might be a man of God.

Just another pilot.

That's all.

- Say, Colonel.
- Yeah?

I'm free for a while.
I'd like to go along.

Maybe I can help them get settled down.

All right.

Oh, tell Miss Yang
that I'll be over there

as soon as I can. Right.

It'll be a relief to
have them outta here.

I almost hit a bunch of
'em yesterday on a takeoff.

Scared me silly.

- Any more than usual?
- Okay, let's take off!

Cheer up. There goes your problem.

Well, at least they ate what
I gave 'em without kickin'.

Herman.

Say, uh, take the jeep and
go into town and see if you can

find something for the kids.

Maybe some candy or something.

Candy?

I don't know, Colonel.
This ain't much of a country

for candy stores.

Maybe the good Lord will provide.

Well, I don't know much about the Lord,

but I got a hunch he ain't runnin' no

candy stores in Yongsan.

Well, then try Seoul.

Okay, there's your eight boxes of candy.

You better give me a couple
of cartons of that gum too.

Give me a couple of cartons of that gum.

Now what admiral did
you say that was for?

Herman. Admiral Herman.

Admiral Herman. Herman?

Want a lift, soldier?

No, thanks, Mac. I just had one.

You know, if the Navy ever
got a gander at what we're

doing with this tarpaulin...

They'd be happy to let you have it.

Yeah, in the neck!

Twenty years!

If we keep this up, we're gonna
have the mortgage paid off.

Second or third?

Oh, Sergeant, this is beyond belief.

- But what is this?
- Chewing gum.

- Want a pack, Lu?
- Thank you, no.

It's the best we could do on
short notice, but don't worry.

When the colonel and
me get on the ball, it rolls!

But where did you get
such wonderful things from?

Uh, the less said, the better, Miss Yang.

Your army has been very generous.

Oh, no, no, no, no,
no! You ain't supposed

to swallow it!

Just chew it. Chu! Me Chu!

Yeah, I know, I know,
but that ain't the point.

Now, here.

You watch me. Put this in your mouth.

Now just chew. See?

Don't swallow it. It'll last forever.

Just chew it.

Now you got it!

Food, soap, even beds.

You have no idea what
luxury you have provided for us.

Well, let's keep that kind of quiet.

If the quartermasters ever find out that

an army cot's a luxury,

I hate to think what they'll have us

sleepin' on!

Oh, no!

He swallowed it again.

Chu!

Chu! Hi there, old-timer! Major.

Hey, this is a cheerful place, Dean.

Thank goodness, you
came! He's done nothing

but ask for you.

Looks like we're in business, Miss Yang.

This is Major Moore.

I told Herman the Lord would provide.

But you didn't say he might work through

the U.S. Navy.

It's not bad for a start.

With a little more
money... even five dollars...

we could do better.

Pardon me.

- Yang.
- Thank you, Lieutenant,

Major.

Now I must bathe Chu.

He always manages
to be the last in the tub.

Come, Chu. Come, Chu.

Wait a minute.

Okay, sport. We'll
see it through together.

Nice job, isn't it, Major?

Many of the children are Christians,

so I thought they should
have their symbol too.

With my own tools it
would have been better,

I assure you.

Understand, it is not a poor job.

Someday I will carve you one of ivory.

It will be beautiful.
Someday we'll hold you

to that, Lu Wan.

The address of my shop in Pusan.

Thank you.

I wish the war would
stop just long enough...

to let these children
get to a safe place.

I know only one: Che ju.

It's where my home is.

Che ju? Where is that?

It may as well be on the moon.

It's an island 60 miles off the coast.

Have you always lived there?

Since I was a child.

My father was Korean,
and my mother from India.

They met in Delhi, and I was born there,

but Che ju has been my
home for almost all of my life.

No bombings there, are there?

None.

There would be food and help.

The school I taught in is empty now.

That would make a fine
shelter for the children.

Yeah.

Sounds like a perfect haven,

doesn't it?

But 60 miles...

What did he say?

Oh, he asked if you were his father.

Now what did he say?

That I was his...

It's time for supper, Colonel.
Would you care to join us?

Yes! I'd love to.

Ah, ah, ah! Thompson.

Come on. Major.

- How 'bout mine?
- Nothin' yet.

It can't be all my gals
have forgotten me.

Some wise guy. "Reverend Dean Hess."

Look, never mind the
jokes. Just hurry up...

Hey, wait a minute. Let me see that.

"Reverend Dean Hess." Well, I'll be a...

We've managed to pick up
a few old trucks and tanks.

Starting tomorrow,
you'll be able to give your

students target practice.

That should come in real handy, Colonel.

Mail's in, Reverend.

For you.

Seems somebody's trying to rib you.

It's from the deacon of my
congregation back home.

You mean you were a preacher?

And at Thanksgiving you
just let me fumble around?

You did just fine, Frank.

People who volunteer usually do.

I don't get it, Dean.

I thought I knew you pretty well.

We were in a lot of rough stuff together.

You weren't exactly the preacher type

over in Germany.

That was a long time ago.

Not so long! What happened to you?

Too many free pamphlets
on the street corner?

"Heaven's your destination.
Repent and be saved."

Don't tell me you got
caught up in that stuff.

I don't see how this concerns you.

Well, it does!

Why didn't you tell us
you were a preacher?

Oh, brother! A parson for a C.O.

Let me tell you, the men won't like it.

They'll like whoever gets the job done!

Yeah.

What are you gonna do if
you have to gun down a Yak?

This is a training unit.

Today it's a training unit, sure.

But that doesn't mean
it will be tomorrow!

That's all! You're excused.

Well? What'd he say?

It's true, all right.

Ain't that the livin' end?

Somebody buy me a drink, quick.

And while Mary wants to
keep it from you at present,

I believe you should know
that she is going to have a baby.

The doctor says that you
are not to worry and she's fine.

I'm going to headquarters
to make a phone call.

I'm gonna get some cigars!
I'm gonna have a baby!

At headquarters?

Yes? Oh, Colonel Hess.

Hello, Major.

- Is the General in?
- He's in Tokyo.

Anything I can do for you?

Yes, I'd like to use your phone

to call Westhampton, Ohio.

I'm gonna have a baby! You're what?

- My wife is.
- Oh, congratulations.

Thank you. There must be some way

to get through to her.

It's not going to be
quite as easy as all that,

but we'll see what we can do.

Good.

Hello? Hello? Dean?

Dean, I was petrified
when the operator said,

"Korea calling."

- Anything the matter?
- No, no, everything's fine.

I just heard from Deacon
Edwards about you.

Oh, darling, I'm walking on air.

I say, "I'm walking on
air." Are you all right?

Nothing to worry
about, Dr. Corrigan says.

- Everything is gonna be fine.
- It will be a boy, won't it?

If that's what you want, of course.

Anything you say, Colonel.

Hello? Dean?

Mary? Hello?

- Hello? Hello?
- Dean?

Come on now. Let's go. That's it.

How are you, Lu Wan?

Fine, thank you, Colonel.

Picked these children up on the road.

Did you get through
to your wife, Colonel?

Yes, everything's fine.

New guests?

- Hungry too.
- I'll take care of 'em.

I'll get these other chow
hounds into the sack

and drive you back to the base.

- Good.
- Say, you honest to gosh

gonna have a kid?

- Honest to gosh.
- Yeah?

Oh, here. I almost forgot.

Oh, thanks, Colonel.

Come on, team. Charge.

What have we here, Lu Wan?

A piece of army soap has many uses.

Let's hope you whittle
with it more successfully

than we wash with it. Chu!

Chu! He heard your jeep driving up.

He's always waiting for you.

You have such a way
with these little ones.

I better have. I'm gonna
have one of my own soon.

Well, don't you look handsome!

Your own?

I just found out today. I
even telephoned my wife.

Your wife?

Your wife must be very happy.

As happy as she can
be with a husband who's

left her alone.

She is not alone.

She will have her baby and
the knowledge that you will

come home to her someday.

Come, Chu. It's your bedtime.

Almost finished.

Why, it's Miss Yang.

Though to do it in soap is an insult.

She deserves the finest ivory.

A beautiful and remarkable young lady.

Yes.

But there's something... I don't know...

strange about her.

Like so many of us,
she's lost everything;

thrown into the middle of war,

deprived of home, family,
friends... and romance.

Listen to this old soap
carver speak of romance!

Why, romance is so far in my past,

I can't even turn it into a good memory!

Lu Wan.

Yes?

The children would like
to say good night to you.

Ah, I will see them.

It is always a pleasure
to talk with you, Colonel.

What a lovely evening.

You'd hardly think
there was a war going on

around here, would you?

Just smell the pine.

The pine, Colonel, is
our symbol for eternity.

Because it is green all the year round,

it seems to live forever.

On Che ju, near the schoolhouse,
there are twin pine trees.

They mirror each other.

When the wind blows, they sway together

like two dancers.

When it is still, they stand patiently,

their branches entwined.

The legend is that they grow together,

side by side...

Out of the graves of two lovers?

Of two lovers who could not
have each other in this life.

Miss Yang!

It's okay. They're all tucked in

and half asleep.

Thank you, Herman.

Miss Yang...

Well, uh... good night.

Good night, Colonel.

Poor boy. You're really loaded.

Let's see. How did I do?
Yeah, that's pretty good.

Up you go.

Who's next? You want to be next?

Let's see what we got here.

I think they're down
in the back this time.

They're gonna tickle a little bit, but...

Keep your eyes closed.

I think I'll recommend
you for an insect gun

sharpshooting medal.

I must have killed a million
of these bugs single-handed.

A delousing detail like this
gives me a sense of power!

Get these kids outta here!

Scramble!

Hit the deck!

Hollis! Break!

Bandit comin' in on your tail, Colonel!

- Macintosh Leader.
- Go ahead, Maples.

There's one on my tail. Can you get him?

Break right, Maples. I'll get on him.

He's closing in!

What are you gonna do if
you have to gun down a Yak?

Cut him off, Colonel! Help me!

Thanks, Colonel! That was crazy shooting!

It looked like you guys were
having one big time up there!

Where are you going? You're not leaving?

I have been here too long.

I must get to Pusan. I
have responsibilities.

We'd like you to stay. You know that.

It wouldn't be fair to
ask any more of you.

Thank you for what you've done.

What?

Jostle some children on
my knee so I can enjoy

their laughter?

It is I who should thank you.

But, Colonel... you seem troubled.

There's nothing so terrible as war.

I killed today.

Yes, war is evil.

I see what is in your heart.

Colonel, may a poor old carver of ivory

babble for a moment?

Understand, it is babble
and may have no more worth

than a handful of sand.

In times like these, can a man
of good conscience ask others,

"Protect me. Kill for
me. But do not ask me

to stain my hands"?

What must one do when
a choice between two evils

is all that is offered?

To accept the lesser sometimes can be

our only choice.

In order to save, at
times we must destroy,

and in destruction, create new life.

Is that the answer?

The true answer, Colonel,
is not in my babble.

It is in the Book.

"O Lord, thou hast seen my wrong;

judge thou my cause."

Who are you?

Just a weary old man,

most anxious to get
to his stall in Pusan.

The dance is a great favorite.

It tells of two girls
who are friends meeting

after a great adversity...

and relating their
discoveries about life.

One goes on and on
relating a hundred things

about this and that.

And the other?

She relates but one:

That faith is the
greatest comforter of all.

This is Macintosh Control.

How many tanks did you say?

Repeat.

Better alert the colonel.

Do you read me, Vagabond One?

Colonel!

- Colonel Hess.
- What is it?

We just picked up a radio report

from a forward observer.

Big enemy armored column movin' in.

Macintosh Control. Repeat your position.

Repeat your position. Over.

Macintosh Control. This is Vagabond One.

I'm at Able-Mike-7523.

Enemy column moving directly south.

Nothing to stop them this
side of Division Headquarters.

Need air strike immediately.

What a night for this!
Sure, they're using

the weather to push ahead.

Alert the men, Herman. Call Headquarters.

I'll get dressed.

Calling Butterfly. Calling Butterfly.

This is Macintosh Control. Over.

They're only 45 minutes to the north.

All the other airstrips
are socked in even worse

than we are.

Not a plane in the whole
area can get off the ground.

That goes for us too.

That runway, Colonel...
It'd take pontoons

easier than wheels.

Sir, my men and I volunteer to try it.

No, that runway's too tough.

I don't even know if
it's usable. Moore...

Why don't we find out?

Get a plane ready for
me, bombs and rockets.

Yes, sir.

Permission to go along. No.

You need someone for cover.

I'm not risking any more
planes than I have to.

If anything happens to
you, we're sitting ducks here.

If two of us go, one is
bound to get through.

Besides, I've got some
makin' up to do, Dean.

Go get your gear. Thanks.

Tell that observer we're on our way.

Ready the other planes.
Korean pilots on alert.

Wilco.

If things look bad, I'll let you know.

Get word to Miss Yang to be ready

to evacuate the children.

You better stay close to the deck.

Those clouds look like
they got rocks in 'em.

Good luck.

Permission to go first.

No. And if I don't make it,
don't you try. That's an order.

Roger.

He's crazy. They'll never make it.

Come on, boys! Come on, men!

Come on! Get up there.

Get up there! You can make it!

Go on!

I'm airborne. Come on ahead.

Right behind you.

Nothing to it.

I sure am glad we're coming out

of the soup.

We should be in the target area by now.

I'll try and contact
that British observer.

Hello, Vagabond. Hello, Vagabond.

This is Macintosh Blue
Leader. Come in. Over.

Hello, Macintosh Blue
Leader. This is Vagabond.

Is that all of you?

That's all. How does it look from there?

For a while, the weather
had them bogged down a bit,

but now it's stopped raining.

They've started to move again.

If you could knock out those lead tanks,

they'd block the road.

Got you. Did you read him, Skidmore?

- I got him.
- We'll do as he says.

Target straight ahead.

Wowie.

Nice going! Now if you
hit their rear, it'll contain

them until we can get more help.

Who needs it? Man,
this is a turkey shoot.

Macintosh Leader to Macintosh Control.

Do you receive me? Over.

This is Macintosh Control. Go ahead.

Major Chong's group ready?

Affirmative.

Turn 'em loose.

Roger. Green light.

Can you have another go
at the head? They're moving

around those lead tanks.

Roger. We'll go after them.

Did you read him, Skidmore?

Roger.

Okay. Let's make
these last rockets count.

Clobbered him on that one!

Yanks, you've got 'em boxed up!

Your crew can tie the ribbon on.

Pink... or blue?

Reaching fuel limit.
Let's head for the base.

Right.

Right with you, Dean.

You all right, Skidmore?

I'm afraid I've had it.

- Hang on!
- Don't know if I can.

Yes, you can, Stan.

Our ROK pilots at 12:00.

Here's where our
training starts paying off.

Wilco.

Here they come.

Macintosh Leader to Tower.

Get the ambulance and
crash wagons to stand by.

Yes, sir!

Sighting the field, Stan.

We're almost home, boy. Stay with me.

Okay.

You're doing just great, Stan.

Straighten up. Keep it straight now.

That's it. Now, put your wheels down.

Do you hear me? Put your wheels down.

That-a-boy.

Line it up, Stan. Keep it lined up.

Nice... and easy. That's a boy.

You're doing just great.
Keep it just like that.

Fly right on in for a nice landing.

I'll stay up till you've landed safely.

Dean? Dean?

Yes, Stan? Are you there?

- Right here.
- I'm... I'm scared.

There's nothing to be afraid of.

Nothing.

I thought I knew how to live...

but I didn't.

Now I... I...

don't know how to die.

- Dean?
- Yes, Stan?

Say...

Say a prayer for me.

It's already been said.

Look, don't be afraid.

Think of life as a shadowy place...

crowded with people...

who can't see each other very well.

Think also of a door just beyond.

When that door opens,

we pass through into
a wonderful brightness.

That's all there is.

Just a gentle step
from darkness to light.

From darkness to light.

Thank you...

Reverend.

If you say so.

Thanks.

And a wind came from the wilderness.

And it carried me...

where man can never reach alone.

And for the first time,

in trying to bring him
a measure of peace,

I felt that I may have
been the instrument...

that I had wanted and needed to be.

Perhaps, through the agony of war,

I have finally done...

what I never before was able to do.

In reaching beyond myself,

I have found myself.

Chu.

Sleep well.

We didn't expect you so late, Colonel.

The children are all sleeping.

May we step outside for a moment?

Of course.

Miss Yang, I...

I'm being moved to another airfield.

Moved?

Now don't worry. Herman
and Lieutenant Maples

are staying.

Everything will be just the same.

One thing is not the other, Colonel.

The mulberry bush will
not give the same shade

as the pine.

You will be here.

Who knows for how long?

Oh, forgive me.

It is not like me to admit to my fears.

But lately, Che ju has
been much in my mind.

Something...

Some fear tells me I will
never see my home again.

When this is all over,
you'll see Che ju again.

Good-bye, Miss Yang.

Good-bye, Colonel.

Until a better day.

Until... a better day.

Orders arrive for me
yet? Hess. Dean Hess.

Oh, yes, Colonel. Came
in about an hour ago.

From the looks of things,
you didn't get out of that

Yongsan area any too soon.

Why? What's up?

Enemy's mounting an all-out attack.

Your ROK outfit's already
abandoned the field and been

pulled back for regrouping.

The whole area's been written off.

Well, I'll get your orders now, Colonel.

No, no, no, not chew
gum! Come on! Get it inside!

Heads up!

Too bad we're fresh out of gum.

You're not kidding.

Hey, whatever happened
to that last carton anyway?

Ask Chu. Hey, it's the colonel!

Well, what in the world...

My jeep took one.

Is it true about the field?

Yes, sir. Closed yesterday.

We stopped by with
these supplies on our way

to the Replacement Pool.

Miss Yang!

Oh, Colonel! You knew we needed you!

You've got to move out of here!

But with all these children...

There are almost 400!

Well, you can't stay!

Now come on!

We haven't any time to waste.

Herman, put those
supplies back in the jeep!

Yes, sir.

All right. Put it in there.

Anywhere in here, Maples.

How's the boy?

I don't think he can go
much further, Colonel.

They're all exhausted.

There's an airstrip
eight or 10 more miles

down this road.

From there, we might be able
to get the children to Che ju.

Che ju? But how?

Just a few transport
planes could fly them across.

First thing in the morning,
I'll go on ahead and find out.

You start down the road, and
I'll meet you on my way back.

Colonel.

- Colonel.
- Why, Lu Wan!

Some refugees on the road
informed me that you had

to leave the temple.

So I turned back to offer my assistance.

Well, we sure can use it.

But I thought you wanted to get to Pusan.

I am not sure I want to go there anymore.

I was told my store
was destroyed by fire.

So, I thought that being of service

to those little ones...

is something that can never be destroyed.

We're hoping to get them to Che ju,

but it seems almost impossible.

The difference between the impossible

and the possible...

is the measure of man's will.

Lu Wan! Come and sit down.

You look tired.

Mine is age, Miss Yang.
It is you who must be tired.

Let me take the child, and you sleep.

Oh, no, no. L...

You must sleep.

♪ Swing low ♪

♪ Sweet chariot ♪

♪ Coming for to carry me home ♪

♪ Swing low ♪

♪ Sweet chariot ♪

♪ Coming for to carry ♪

♪ Me home ♪♪

Come on, will ya, Joe?
We gotta burn this place

down to the ground!

Hey, Frank, over here! Help me load this!

All right, all right, I'm coming!

Sergeant, I...

- Let's go! Let's go!
- I'm Colonel Hess.

Are you the duty officer?

I was, sir. The squadron
was diverted this morning.

Last plane just left.

You mean there's no
more planes coming in?

The field's been written off.

We're the last ones.

I gotta find some sort of
transportation to take some

kids to an island: Che ju.

Kids?

Yeah. Three or four hundred of 'em.

Can you help me out? Four hundred?

That's impossible, Colonel!
Have you tried the port?

No. How far is it?

Eighteen miles straight down the runway.

Thanks, Captain.

Yes, sir. Captain Reardon.

Everyone's gone but us.

- Have you started your fire yet?

- Yes, sir.

Oh, Major, a colonel was just here...

and wanted an airlift for
a bunch of kids to Che ju.

Children, hundreds.

What's his name? Hess, I think.

So that's where he is.
Tell him his orders are in.

Then get out of there!

Yes, sir!

Colonel! Colonel!

I wish we had a line to the port.

That colonel's in trouble!

Want me to, uh, hook it up again?

No, go ahead.

- To Che ju?
- Yes, sir.

Several hundred of 'em, the captain said.

Sev...

Put me through to him.

Right, sir.

Lieutenant, can you fix me
up with an evacuation boat

of some kind?

An L.S.T. Maybe?

An L.S.T.? There's nothing

free in the whole coast.

But these are orphans! Dying ones!

I'm sorry, Colonel, but
we're in a bind for anything

that'll carry troops.

You're the Navy! Where's all your ships?

You're the Air Force.
Where's all your planes?

Come on!

No luck.

No luck?

Ours?

No! Theirs! Off the road, everybody!

Down in the ditch!

Herman, get those kids off that cart!

Yung-Ai!

Yung-Ai!

Okay, back on the road. He's gone.

He's gone.

You...

You will see them to safety.

I know...

I- I was not to see Che ju again.

But you...

you will.

L...

I couldn't find anything to say,

not even a prayer.

Words do not carry the
greatest tribute, my son.

No more than they may
hold the perfect truth.

Good deeds are your purest prayers.

Planes!

Ours!

119s!

Troop Carrier Command!

Five of 'em! Five!

Maybe they're not for us.

Find out.

- Colonel Hess here?
- He sure is!

Who sent you people?

General Cambridge. Just call us

"Operation Kiddy-Car."

But our name will be mud

unless we get out of here now!

Yes, sir!

Hey, Colonel!

Wow!

What a thing to be
buddies with a general!

Come on! This way! Come on, children!

Come on this way. Come
on through. Come on.

That's my boy! Aha! Where ya been?

The lead pilot wants the word, sir.

Tell him to take off.

Yes, sir. Green light.

Take off.

Not bad.

Chu!

- This is old Chu.
- Chu! Me Chu!

- Me Mary, Chu.
- You Mary.

- Yes.
- Here you are, sport.

Oh, it's wonderful to
see them so healthy.

We fed 'em gum.

Darling, you look as happy

as the children.

It's always been the children.

♪ Mine eyes have seen the glory ♪

♪ Of the coming of the Lord ♪

♪ He is trampling out the vintage ♪

♪ Where the grapes of wrath are stored ♪

♪ He loosed the fateful lightning ♪

♪ Of his terrible swift sword ♪

♪ His truth is marching on ♪

♪ Glory, glory Hallelujah ♪

♪ Glory, glory Hallelujah ♪

Dedicated...

To those we could not save.

♪ His truth is ♪

♪ Marching on ♪♪

The children from THE
ORPHANS' HOME OF KOREA

portrayed themselves
in this motion picture.