Original subtitles

you're about to be letting on the most highly classified data america holds we

have a device that can allow us to send one human being back in time

I don't believe in a sun god, grandfather.

This Jesus they teach you, you have seen him.

No.

But the sun god, he shows himself to you each day in the sun that he carries

across the sky.

I don't believe in the old ways, Grandfather.

I believe in what the teachers at school say.

The sun god has spoken to you this night.

He says...

Your white teachers don't know squat.

It's extraordinary.

With any witnesses?

A couple of local Navajo, an old man and a boy.

What'd they see?

They say the sun god visited them.

Maybe they're right.

Come.

Looks like an organism.

There's something in there.

That's bone and tissue.

Let's get this thing home now.

Mr. Parker?

Impulse is unpremeditated.

Well, then at least call it a good kiss. It was a good kiss.

All right, it was a good kiss.

You weren't half bad yourself.

I'm better when I've had more warning.

How much warning do you need?

Mr. Parker. Oh, my God.

What is it? I have to go.

Olga, what's going on? Go back to your quarters, Mr. Parker. You don't have

clearance for this.

For what?

Isn't it incredible? I've been waiting all my life for this.

For what?

We haven't...

Sorry, Parker. You probably don't have clearance.

Oh, give me a break.

Doctor?

Doctor? Hi.

Now, hold on there, Parker. You don't have clearance. No.

Someone tell me what the hell's going... Is that what I think it is?

We certainly hope so.

What are you doing down here? You don't have... Clarence, I know. So how come

you do? They didn't exactly transfer close encounters in the seals.

All right.

Captain Donovan will be conducting the preliminary examination of the craft.

You'll have to return to your quarters.

You don't know what's inside that thing. Donovan and I have been watching each

other's backs for a long time now. If this gets hairy, you're going to want me

in there with him.

I could use a little backup.

This is Captain Craig Donovan, accompanied by Frank Parker, for a

investigation of the presumed space vehicle.

We're awaiting test results for carbon dating and atomic mass of the craft's

alloy to determine possible origin. It looks like steel.

Come on, buddy, let's do this one by the book.

All I'm saying is it looks like good old Motor City steel to me.

Frank, this is a technical evaluation of the craft for our records.

Technical, my butt. Somebody parked their spaceship in the wrong

and we're gonna strip it like a bunch of car thieves.

Well, he's right.

Continue, but please keep the editorial comments to a minimum, hmm?

Yes, sir. Sorry.

Think that's the doorbell?

Only one way to find out.

Not too broad a nick, though, baby.

Check this out, people. There's some kind of life form in here.

Is it humanoid? Yeah, two arms, two legs, a head and tentacles.

Could they be antennae?

Looks more like a breathing apparatus.

What's the gunk?

It might be an organic cushion to make the flight less traumatic for the pilot.

The egg yolk theory.

Exactly. I've always wanted to try it.

No thanks.

I have activity here, people.

Delta unit, lock and load.

If the bug is hostile, saw it in half.

Whatever it is, I think it wants out.

For God's sake, don't frame it.

It's not high on my list right now, Ballard.

Okay, baby.

Come to papa.

Something wrong?

He's trying to speak.

That's Russian.

It's not safe.

Did you know she was married?

Of course.

And you didn't think that little detail was something some of us might be

interested to know?

You mean, so that some of us might not come on to her and make asses of

themselves? Yes, something like that.

Well, I'll go on with it that way. Joseph had been presumed dead.

What happened?

They were working on a Russian program similar to our backstep.

He was their first colonel.

And then, seven years ago...

During a test run, he disappeared.

Ogre held on to the hope that he might still be alive, lost somewhere in time.

But after all these years... She's a lucky woman. I'll give her that much.

Indeed.

How many people have their lost loves just dropped back into their lives?

Yeah.

Not many.

Thank you.

I'm sorry. Sorry.

Come in.

I couldn't find reverse.

Ah.

Good, I see you're awake.

Joseph, I'm Bradley Talmadge, and this is Dr. Ballard.

You'll excuse our reluctance to identify ourselves further until we know a bit

more about you.

I respect that, but it's unnecessary. I know all about you, Bradley Talmadge,

and I say...

Special projects liaison to the Pentagon.

Dr. John Ballard, renowned physicist.

And resident genius behind Project Backstep.

The first time travel project that actually worked.

Resident genius. Maybe I should print up new business cards.

What you have is classified information, sir.

Not where I come from.

Where's that?

The future.

Real chicken.

So

you're

telling us you went 30 years into the future?

Eight months and 11 days, to be exact. I left in January 1992 and landed in

September 2025.

Now, how did you get your machine to go forward in time?

That was a complete accident.

Even three decades from now, time travel is still in its infancy.

It took me years before I dared attempt to jump this far back.

I'd very much like to study your craft.

Oh, Joseph!

I think you'll have to miss the rest now.

I have to be honest with you.

Can the doctor help you tomorrow?

Of course.

Sorry.

Mr. Parker?

Hmm? Were you spying?

Just curious.

How's he doing?

He's fine, considering the magnitude of the backstep he's just been through.

You've never worn that before?

No. Too bad.

Might have saved one of us some embarrassment.

I'm so sorry.

Joseph, this is Frank Parker.

Ah, yes, the chrononaut. What a pleasure it is to meet you.

He knows about me? Forgive me, Mr. Parker. I know if you exploit your

you will have done some fine work.

What's he talking about?

Oh, he says he's from the future.

Knows everything about us. If all you say is true, the knowledge you hold

be an incredible asset to us.

Oh, and not to mention every branch of government. Say, take the military, for

example. Be very careful what you ask of me, gentlemen.

Do you really wish to open Pandora's box?

Well, speaking strictly for myself, let me be the first to say, hell yes.

Okay, now, space travel. Do we send a man to Mars in our lifetime?

Mars? You think demodestly, Dr. Ballard.

Venus?

Saturn? Oh, come on. Give me a little hint.

You'll know soon enough.

Your discoveries here will be the key to making manned missions to the planets

possible. Really?

My discoveries?

They're going to be great, man.

Greater than you know, Dr. Violet.

So now might be a good time to ask for a raise.

All right. The big enchilada.

WW3. When's it start and who strikes first?

I'm happy to tell you, Mr. Ramsey, it doesn't happen.

You're kidding.

Isn't all the crazies out there?

I understand your reluctance to believe me. You're still living in a time of

superpowers and global conflict.

Oh, so I suppose all that's going to change into some wishy -washy socialist

utopia crap.

Well, not without some growing pains.

But the world is going to change dramatically and for the better.

Your idea of national boundaries will soon go the way of eight tractates.

You know who I am.

Of course, Dr. Medna. You were instrumental in breaking the codes of

technology.

You are the originator of the Backstep Project.

You will be revered for your achievements.

Dr. Pugovic, I am 84 years old. My wife is 79.

I have only one question, and I'm terrified to ask it.

I understand.

Do you know the answer?

I'm sorry, my Russian is not very good.

In the eyes of your children, you shall live forever.

I got one real simple.

Who wins the next five Super Bowls?

I'm sore. I'm a soccer man.

Okay, you know a lot about our operation, right?

I've studied it extensively, yes. Well, do I ever get to backstab?

I'd rather not say.

Why? Does something happen to me?

I don't think you really want to know anymore, Mr. Parker. I wouldn't if I

you. Would you like your life predictable?

Just one more question.

Not about the future, about the past.

Okay.

When you disappeared, you were loyal to your country, weren't you?

Very much so.

Who are you loyal to now?

That's enough, Frank. No, I want to know whose side he's on.

Mr. Parker.

I said that's enough.

Why did you come back here, Dr. Vukovic?

What do you want from us?

My wife.

And I hope after all these questions, I've earned the right to sometime alone

with her.

I don't like the idea of giving that Ruski free reign around one inch of this

place. I mean, for all we know, this whole thing could be some sort of

trick. Ramsey, the Cold War is over. Let it go.

Yeah, well, maybe in 2025 it is. Listen, Joseph is not a spy. He's a miracle.

Oh, yeah, you'd think that. He kissed your butt.

He practically told you you were the next Einstein.

Where do you stand on this, Doc? Well, when you've been around as long as I

and you hear the word miracle, the first thing you think of is snake oil.

But he seems decent enough.

Well, I guess we all know where Parker stands.

Oh, leave me out of this one. I'm reserving judgment until we get more

What?

You're jealous.

Oh, give me a break.

Well, it's true, isn't it?

No, is that what you think?

Look, I don't give a damn what your motives are, Parker.

I know we see eye to eye on this. This Joker cannot be trusted.

And I, for one, am going to do something about it.

What are you going to do?

Ramsey?

Ramsey, what are you going to do?

I have to apologize again for Mr. Parker. He was just so rude.

He's still on your mind.

Olya, is there something?

No, no, there's nothing.

Look, you don't have to feel guilty. I've been gone a long time.

For all you knew, I... There's nothing, Joseph.

Something is bothering you besides, Mr. Parker.

I have been waiting for this moment for so many years.

And now that it's here, now that you are here... I seem like a stranger to you.

No, I feel like a stranger to myself.

You would not say that if you could see your future.

I find you in Moscow.

You are teaching astrophysics to 12 -year -olds.

And I'm 60 years old.

And you are so beautiful.

You will always be beautiful.

But with your cheating, over the years we could have had

together...

Together we developed the technology to send me back.

For us.

I want you to come back with me, Ola.

To the future?

I crossed time for you, Ola.

No other love in history has ever done that.

I really think we should wait for Dr. Vukovich.

You know, maybe Bella's right.

What, get the bum to her? Forget it. I'm checking out this hunk of commie

hardware for myself.

That's what you're looking for?

Okay,

fine. Check it out. Just don't touch anything.

Oh, okay.

Like hell.

Well, here's one improvement the Ruskies have over us.

Somebody can ride shotgun.

Pretty cozy, huh? Time machine built for two.

Ah, what are those?

I'd say it's a photon reactor.

Careful. It has roughly the explosive capacity that of a hydrogen bomb.

Yeah, we simulated its possibilities as an alternate power source, but it never

seemed quite sufficient.

Well, I guess I had better luck in the future.

What's with your point in that thing?

Oh, relax, Parker.

If I know about anything, it's weaponry. I don't care what century it's from.

Nice shot, weapons expert.

She almost killed us.

That's impressive.

So how come Gandhi's packing a howitzer?

Okay, boys, take a look at the future of weaponry, Ruski style.

The stock and the barrel are a combo of energized plastic and titanium.

The slide is compressed nitrogen operated and fires a kick -ass ball of

-aggravated protons at a velocity of 3 ,000 feet per second.

Talk about your kill shot.

Phil, I bet it can't touch the hardware we all have in three decades.

Very nice piece of equipment, sir. Does it have a stun setting?

Could come in rather handy against our Mr.

Parker. Wanda loved.

May I, sir? Oh, no.

No, no, no. This is only safe in my hands.

And besides, this baby is going to get Dr. Rutkiewicz thrown out of here.

Of course I brought a weapon.

The end of the century.

He has a bit of a reputation, you know, when it comes to alien visitors.

Why didn't you tell us about this?

I should have done that in all this excitement.

You would have seen it today during the tour.

Please, keep it as a gesture of goodwill.

We never send Parker back without a weapon. It's SOP.

Well, let's table this discussion for now.

I spoke to Washington this morning.

The NSA is very interested in talking with you. You fly tomorrow for a

debriefing. Well, I expect it as much.

You can clear up the matter of your weapon with them.

And if you pass, master, we have a proposal which we hope you'll find

interesting.

Must be big news. They were with Vukovich all morning. Excuse me, boys. I

to be in the front row when we send old Joe back to Red Paradise.

Morning, Nate.

Morning, sir.

Last night, a very powerful weapon was recovered from Dr. Vukovich's craft.

He has since allayed our concerns about it, paving the way for news I'm very

happy to share with you all.

In just under 24 hours, Dr. Vukovich will fly to Washington for a debriefing

our people.

If all goes well, he'll become the latest member of our backstep team.

So is he going to be backup for Frank?

No, no.

His position will be strictly advisory.

His knowledge of the future is far too valuable for us to risk his life

backstepping.

That's it.

You know, I've been real quiet about my feelings up until now, but this...

Too much!

Get out of the damn way!

Any other dissenting opinions?

Mr. Parker?

How's your poker?

I'm afraid I'm not much of a gambler.

Well, we'll get you up to speed.

You got it?

Meeting's adjourned.

You told him you'd stay.

Yes.

If this is what it takes to keep you in my life, yes.

And what about the future?

The future belongs to us.

Wherever it begins.

Yes?

Dr. Ballard, of course I'd be delighted to tour this sphere.

I'll be right there.

The

legendary

Backstab Sphere.

You know, children still build toy models of it in the future. You've got

stop flattering me. It's terrible.

What is of particular interest to me is your fuel source.

Is it true that it's extraterrestrial?

Well, yes, that's our secret ingredient.

Actually, it's no bigger than a hot dog, but the power it generates bends light,

which creates its own gravity field and, oh, you know, bubble bombs. The fuel is

not on board the sphere?

No. All we need is a pulse to launch. Once that gravity field is created, the

severe just travels without the need for more fuel.

He'll attest to that.

For seven days.

And if you could provide a continual pulse... We could travel even further.

May I see it? The core?

Yeah. Sure.

Uh, Ballard, is this a good idea?

Come on, Parker.

Their technology is already much more advanced than ours. It's okay.

You ready?

Dr. Ballard.

Yes?

I'm sorry to cut short the tour, but you're needed up here immediately.

I'm sorry.

I guess we'll have to do this another time.

No problem.

In the meantime, I'd be more than happy to show you around the gift shop.

After you.

I heard you rode our new pal around here pretty hard today.

Just trying to make him feel like part of the team.

Right. Booski, at least until we pack him off to Washington tomorrow, if they

decide he's not a security risk, hey, I'm not going to argue.

And you sure there's no personal vendetta involved here?

Absolutely not.

Doesn't mean I got to put him on my Christmas list.

Besides, have you seen his eyes?

Kind of beady eyes. That's what I thought.

Beat it, damn.

I didn't ask you how you feel about all this.

Of course I'm happy to have my husband back and excited to be working with him

again. You sound like a press release.

Isaac.

Yes?

He's asked me to go with him.

To Washington? I think you should.

No, to the future.

But he's agreed to join Backstab.

Are you saying he can't be trusted?

I love him. He's a brilliant man.

But can we trust him?

Great. Wow, this is very impressive.

Very nice. Thank you.

Yeah, oh, well, I must admit, our seats are more comfortable.

We use a fine Corinthian leather, you see.

Excuse me?

Oh, I'm sorry. It's an old joke, American television.

Now, I couldn't help noticing you use photon energy as your fuel source.

Don't you find that a little inefficient?

Yes, George.

I do.

Well, set up shop, Kremlin.

Holy

mother.

I need your fuel source.

So let me guess.

The future wasn't all you made it out to be.

Somehow, every advance we made was undone.

Americans were always a step ahead.

My colleagues didn't believe me, but I knew the reason.

Open it.

All right, Parker, you're not exactly my favorite person, but I think we're the

only sane people left around here.

What's up, Nathan?

The gun's gone.

Where's Vukovich?

Security thought I'm heading for the spear hangar.

Well,

go on. Pick it up.

I just pick it up?

Sure. Carbon pliers, please.

Good boy.

I admire

your spirit, Dr.

Ballard.

That's why it's hard killing you.

Why kill me?

You have what you want.

Oh, yes.

But I don't have what you're going to create.

The alternate fuel, sir?

I did it?

Be proud.

What are you doing here?

Preparing my craft. We're leaving.

What? Right now.

Coming with me.

But you promised me. It was a promise made to fools.

My God.

Choose again.

Why are you doing this?

These people are nothing to you. I'm your blood. I'm offering you the life

were destined for.

Please.

No.

You are coming with me.

I never wanted to kill you, would I?

You make...

The fuel source, it's gone.

I don't know about you, but I think I'll go clean out my office.

Is there any chance for a back step, Isaac?

There's a small bit of residue in the pulse generator. It could take us back

seven days or seven minutes.

Or it could cost us another life.

So what you're saying is we're running on fumes.

In a nutshell.

Well?

Let's do it.

Come on, what are we waiting for?

When you get back, Bukovic will most likely already be here.

I'm not proud to say we'll be fans of his. For valid sake, I'll be happy to do

whole character assassination.

And I want to thank you.

For what?

For not saying I told you so.

Mr. Parker!

Take this.

Give it to me when you get back.

Otherwise, I won't believe you.

And Mr. Parker, I'm sorry for all of you two.

Yeah, it's a shame.

What?

You'll never remember you just said that.

100 % Engage

How the love in history has ever done that.

Say, you'll come.

The fear.

There must have been a back step.

I must go. Come, Joseph, come.

I'd rather stay here a little longer.

I'm still feeling a little, you know.

You sure?

You'll join us later?

I will, my love, I will.

Go, go, go.

Monday. Two days ago. Good.

Continue.

My car. My car!

You got my car? Don't worry.

I'll mail it back to you.

Hey, hey. We must have back -stepped.

We gotta get to the briefing room. Yeah, yeah. As soon as I take a look around

this craft.

I really think we should wait for Dr. Vukovic.

Get the bums to her? Forget it.

Oh, Joseph.

Oh, listen, I'm really sorry about this. Don't be.

You're impatient for a tour.

Let me oblige.

Thank you. Mills to special.

Has Parker checked in yet? No, not yet.

But the landing was close by. We sent a security team to pick him up. Where's

Dr. Vukovic? This could be a good opportunity for him to see what we do

He's not feeling well, but I'll see if he'll change his mind.

Time machine built for two, huh?

Very nice. Very impressive.

Here's something that may interest you.

Oh, mother.

Hey, Ballard.

So you're telling me the Cold War's over, huh?

It could have been great friends, you know.

I would have talked you everything.

Open it.

Five years of Taekwondo, you fake.

He was trying to kill Balor! Give him the gun!

Give him the gun!

No! No! No! No! Look!

Give him the gun!

All we've been through, you're telling me we get bupkis out of this crate.

Well, the photon reactor was the only element more advanced than our own

technology, and it was completely destroyed.

Without that, we'll never know how this thing would have gone into the future.

What about all the rest of the stuff in there?

Might as well have come from some 21st century radio shack.

Well, I guess that means that 33 years from now, the Russians will still be

sucking our exhaust.

Right, right.

There was a time I believed in him completely.

I would have waited forever.

Stupid. Well, whatever you did, you did it for love.

If you're going to make a mistake, you might as well do it for the only reason

that matters, right?

Here. Give me your hand.

Remember him as the man you loved.

Back at another time.

I'd rather go get a drink.

Now you talking.