Original subtitles

So I’m supposed to land on a truck

going 60 miles an hour?

No, I’m going to.

He’s a killer and a thief.

This movie stunt is probably a cover for another caper.

Then we no longer need you, Mr. Hawke.

There’s no way that I’m gonna undercut Dominic.

Even if you could save his life?

Come on. Won’t you even fight me

like I’m still a man?

He’s crazy.

He’s gonna kill us.

Do something.

File A56-7W. Top secret.

Airwolf,

A Mach 1 Plus attack helicopter,

sought by governments, friendly and foreign,

Airwolf has been hidden by test pilot

Stringfellow Hawke

to be returned to the government

only if his brother St John,

an MIA in Vietnam, can be found.

Michael Coldsmith-Briggs III, code name: Archangel,

deputy director of the intelligence agency that developed Airwolf,

believed to covertly provide logistical support

to Hawke in exchange for flying Airwolf

on missions of national interest.

Hawke is 34, reclusive, sensitive, a loner,

known to associate with his only friend and mentor,

Dominic Santini.

Together, Hawke and Santini

fly Airwolf at speeds

rivaling the fastest jets.

Backed by unmatched firepower,

Airwolf is a weapon too dangerous

to be left in unenlightened hands.

Finding Airwolf

is your number-one priority.

End of file.

Hold that truck at 60!

That idiot’s gonna run out of road.

Vinnie, you’re running out of time.

Vinnie? Vinnie, are you all right?

Come on, guys, let’s go see

if he’s all right.

Come on, let’s go.

Vinnie! Vinnie!

Vinnie, are you all right?

Vinnie!

Yeah.

At least I’m in one piece.

This thing can’t be done.

Come on. Help him out. Come on.

Hello, Simon.

I see you have succeeded in failing again.

I’m sorry, Mr. Maurice,

but I don’t really think that stunt can be done.

Script was approved and budgeted.

You agreed to it, Simon. There’ll be no changes.

Vinnie is one of the best pilots in the business.

He did the flying in the Green Cloudburst film.

Who is the best, Simon?

Santini Air, but that won’t be easy.

I’ll only deal with legitimate organizations.

Well, they’re legitimate, all right.

It’s, uh, just that they're a lot more expensive.

Mr. Sayes,

I discovered you at the bottom of the barrel

of used-to-be directors.

I’ve given you the opportunity to become

a wealthy man if this film is successful.

Do not pinch pennies on my behalf or yours.

Now, do you understand?

I think so.

No, don’t think, Sayes.

Just listen...

and do.

Yes, sir.

What do you got against rich?

I don’t know.

I never did.

Ah, "rich" ain’t an "it,"

it’s an "is."

That’s lousy English.

Well, I’m talkin' money,

not pronunciation.

I don’t need any right now.

Ha, ha, but I do.

So I’m supposed to land on a truck

going 60 miles an hour?

No, I’m going to.

I need you to work ground control.

You want me to work ground?

Yeah, you.

Why, what’s the matter?

Nothing, Dom.

Is the money really all that important?

Well, what are you trying to say?

Come on, spit it out, String.

You’re chewin' on something and not swallowin’.

I don’t think you ought to do this stunt.

What, are you saying I can’t do it?

You think I’m washed up?

Dom, I can’t run the hundred in ten seconds anymore,

and I can’t stay up for three days

and bounce back with four hours’ sleep.

And sometimes, when it’s real damp and cold,

the man-made cracks in these bones of mine

ache like hell.

I try to remember that

when I take one of these jobs.

Well, maybe you’re the one that’s gettin' old,

but I’m not ready to retire yet.

I’m flying this stunt with or without you.

Stringfellow Hawke?

Is the name for real?

It’s for real.

Only he won’t be doing the flying, I will.

Oh.

Great stuff, huh?

I just might consider investing

in an orchard, eh, Simon?

Gentlemen.

To the test run late this afternoon.

There’ll be no test run.

I believe I’m covering the cost of the test

in the overall deal.

Look, Mr. Santini,

I just want to make sure that you can do it,

- that’s all. - Oh, I’m sure,

’cause I'm not planning on killing myself.

Well, then why not do the practice run,

just to satisfy me?

Mister, I got 30 years of practicing under my belt.

I don’t think I need any more.

Besides, it’s gonna take me a couple of days

just to rig the helicopter,

do some figuring on the weights,

and he said there wasn’t much time.

From what I hear, this, uh...

this Stringfellow Hawke does most of the flying.

I’m Santini Air.

I decide who flies my equipment,

or who uses my equipment.

I’ll deliver,

or you don’t have to pay a red cent.

Without this stunt my film doesn’t work.

Are you willing to pick up the cost if you fail?

Yeah.

You could lose your whole business.

My business to lose, isn’t it?

Mr. Santini,

you’ve got yourself a deal.

Welcome aboard. Oh, by the way,

Mr. Sayes will handle everything.

Gentlemen.

What if he doesn’t pull it off?

The man is betting everything he owns

on his ability.

He could still be wrong.

I know. That’s why I want you

to contact this, uh...

Stringfellow, whatever.

Ahh.

Good morning, Edward.

Morning.

No, I can’t drink coffee anymore.

Gets my nerves raggedy.

I know that.

Take it.

It’s orange juice.

You know, if I didn’t know you better,

Mr. Maurice,

I’d swear my mother sent you.

God rest her soul.

What do you say we hold the services

for later, all right?

Sorry, Mr. Maurice.

I’m just a little nervous.

I think this should calm you down.

Now, I won’t be able to have the final schedule

until tomorrow.

Tomorrow will be fine.

What if I’m not on duty?

Make sure you’re there.

Yeah, but you see, it doesn’t work that way,

Mr. Maurice, uh--

Mr. Stoner, are you telling me

that you might be unable to deliver?

No, no. I’ll come through.

I’m sure you will.

You don’t have to worry about me, Mr. Maurice.

I have to worry about everything, Ed.

You only have to worry about your health.

You seem to have gone

to an awful lot of trouble,

contacting me by radio

just to see if Dominic Santini can fly.

Oh, I know he can fly, Mr. Hawke,

but can he do it as well as you?

He taught me.

How long ago?

Dominic is one of the best chopper pilots

in the business.

I hear that you’re the best.

Mr. Santini has given us a completion guarantee

that will either make him a great deal of money

or lose him his business.

What’s important is that if he fails,

my film fails.

What’s important

is that if he fails, he could lose his life.

Yes, that would be a shame.

Naturally.

And apparently, it concerns you

as much as it does me.

The only thing that seems to concern you is your film.

No, I believe we can satisfy all our purposes

if you fly the stunt for me.

It’s Dominic's company.

I can’t tell him what to do.

Well, what is it? The money?

I’m sure I can sway your thinking.

It’s not the money.

Of course.

I’m sure you'd like to keep him hale and hearty.

Here’s my offer.

I’ll disregard the completion guarantee

if you’ll fly the stunt sequence,

and, win or lose,

your friend, Mr. Santini, gets the best of it--

his health and a sizable profit.

I can’t tell Dominic what to do.

He’s his own man.

Think about it.

But I want an answer by tomorrow noon.

I can give you one right now.

There’s no way that

I’m going to undercut Dominic.

Even if you could save his life?

You know, junk food will kill you.

What, do you think my stomach’s

too old to take it?

Want to tell me how to eat now, too?

I didn’t mean it like that. I was just kidding.

Some things aren’t funny.

Sorry, Dom.

OK. Accepted.

What are you doing here at this hour?

I changed my mind.

About what?

The stunt?

Yeah.

I’d like to do it with you.

Ah, I knew you’d come around.

Now, now, String,

this stunt is not as tough as it seems.

All we need is 1/4 mile of straight road

and for the truck to go a steady 60, right?

Now, I’ll make a flying approach

lined up on the road.

The critical part is the last 6 inches.

You’ll call them up from the camera ship, huh?

Once I touch down,

we’re rich.

What’s the matter?

Oh. Oh, I forgot.

You don’t know from rich, huh?

Dom, I meant I’d fly the stunt for you.

Hey, come on, Dom, why you being so stubborn?

Because I’m not an old man ready for the rocking chair!

I’m a pilot and a good one!

I taught you, remember?

Yeah.

You taught me how to survive too.

Evidently, I didn’t teach you well enough.

’Cause you're still standing there.

- Hey, Dom. - I mean it, String!

I was on my way to an international

conference on terrorism,

and you get me here for this?

Dominic means a lot more to me than a "this."

OK.

Grounding his entire operation

just so that he won’t fly a stunt

could be considered overkill.

Yeah, and if he crashes, you call it underkill?

You sure you’re not just being

a little overprotective?

No. Listen, at his age,

his reflexes have slowed enough

that a stunt like this just could kill him.

I could get the FAA to pull his license.

That’d kill him a whole lot quicker.

Well, do you want my help or don’t you?

Yeah, I want your help,

but not by pulling his ticket.

There’s got to be some other way.

You sure don’t make it easy.

Well, that’s why I called for the best.

Oh.

Please, Hawke,

don’t try flattery.

You do it so badly.

Maybe...

maybe I could get the State to pull the film permit

just long enough for Dominic to calm down.

That’s a good idea. Thanks.

Well, don’t be grateful until you find out

what it’s gonna cost you.

What is it going to cost me?

I’ll think of something.

What’s the name of that production company?

"Bear Trap Productions."

Some guy named Philip Maurice.

What’s the matter?

Why don’t you fly this stunt?

I told you, Dominic won’t let me.

Well, it’s the production company’s decision,

- not Dominic’s. - If I fly it,

I’d lose a friend.

You’d be saving his life.

You said you’d help.

Now you’re crawfishin' on me. How come?

Oh.

Philip Maurice.

He’s one of those brilliant minds

that has the ability to function

totally without conscience in a deadly manner.

He masterminded a raid on a diamond mine

in South Africa,

hijacked Uranium

from a defense plant in England.

He stole a MiG-21 from Red China.

You name it, Mr. Maurice has done it.

Then every law enforcement agency in the world

ought to be after him.

Why don’t you just grab him and save us both a problem?

It’s not that simple. What he’s done

and what he can be charged with

are two different things.

Michael, there’s something you’re not telling me.

1978, he offered a KGB decoder

to the highest bidder.

I take it that wasn’t you.

No, the Russians bought it back.

You got outbid, eh?

You remember Sonia?

No.

She’d only been with me about a year

when she went to East Berlin

to bid on that decoder.

When the Russians picked it up,

they also got her.

Now, I can’t prove that Maurice

turned her over to them, but I know he did.

Just as sure as I know the sun will rise

in the morning.

I want him, Hawke.

And this movie he’s making

is probably a front for something

I can nail him on.

You know what you’re asking me?

If her name were Gabrielle instead of Sonia,

what would you do then?

I’ll let you know.

What, are you saying I can’t do it?

You think I’m washed up?

At his age,

his reflexes have slowed enough

that a stunt like this just could kill him.

I’m flying this stunt

with or without you.

I’m not an old man ready for the rocking chair!

I’m a pilot and a good one!

There’s no way I'm going to undercut Dominic.

Even if you could save his life?

You’ll fly the stunt?

That’s what I said.

Mr. Maurice will be very pleased.

I’d like to see him.

He’s out of town right now,

but I can sign the agreement.

There’s nothing to sign.

I’ll do the flying,

you pay Santini Air.

Why do I get the feeling

Mr. Santini knows nothing about this?

I don’t know, but whatever the reason,

it’s none of your business.

OK, no problem.

So when and where are we gonna shoot this stunt?

We’ll be filming on several locations around the world.

Your sequence will be shot in Northern California

within five days.

When and where, exactly?

What difference does it make?

Wind, weather, atmospheric conditions,

fuel supply, spare parts.

Not your problem. We’ll handle it.

Well, I’d like to know exactly how you’re handling that.

This isn’t our first production.

Mine, either.

I’ll get you a copy of your action sequence,

and I’ll get in touch with you

about the rest of the details

in the morning, OK?

Yeah.

Mr. Santini?

Yeah, this is Sayes from Bear Trap Productions.

I didn’t expect it from you.

Not you.

I’m sorry, Dom, I had to do it.

To make me feel like a useless old man?

Well, that’s not why I’m doing it.

Oh, you got a better reason?

Yeah, if you’ll listen.

Oh, I’m all ears.

Archangel knows Maurice.

He’s a killer and a thief.

He’s pulled off dozens of hi-tech robberies

all over the world.

This movie stunt

is probably a cover for another caper.

Archangel wants to nail him.

He asked if I’d help.

I’m supposed to believe this fairy tale?

Dom, it’s the truth.

OK, supposing it is,

then why are you still flying this stunt

- instead of me? - I told you,

Archangel asked me to help.

Then do it from the ground!

Probably give you a better position, anyway.

Damn it, Dom, we’ve been through this.

Yes, we have.

You think I’m over the hill,

ready for the bone yard.

No, I just think this one particular stunt

might be just a little too risky.

If I can’t cut it, then I want to know.

Even if it kills you?

Yeah, kid.

Even if it kills me.

Look, Dom...

Come on! Come on!

Won’t you even fight me like I’m still a man?

So now you’re to land a raiding party

on the boxcar of a moving train,

cut a hole in the roof,

rescue the girl,

and then take off to the strains

of a symphony orchestra?

Yeah, I know.

Sounds like a bad TV movie to me too.

Or the perfect cover for the great train robbery.

What is it, could be shipped by a train

that’d be worth all of Maurice’s efforts?

Well, not everything goes by plane, Hawke.

There’s still a whole world out there

in constant contact with the ground.

Precious metals, computer parts,

weapons, cash transfers, art.

Could be any one of 1,000 things.

So what you’re saying is, it could be something

shipped by a train anytime in the next five days

through the San Joaquin Valley.

I’m afraid so.

I could run a computer check

on all government shipments,

but that would still leave out

corporate transfers and private citizens.

It’s a start.

What’s wrong now?

I can’t use the firm’s computers.

The committee would find out what I’m up to

and want to take over the whole operation.

Maybe that’s not such a bad idea.

No, for two reasons.

In the past, Maurice has always

been able to catch on to our operations.

I think he has a tap inside the firm.

You said two reasons.

I want him personally.

Besides, I’ve thought of another way

to get the information.

A little risky, perhaps,

but I’m sure it will work.

You know, you blow this,

the committee’s gonna bust your butt.

There’s not much use for ex-deputy directors

on the street these days.

Well, I can always buy an ice-cream truck

with one headlight.

Here’s the final schedule.

I’ve done it all, sweetheart.

I’ve shot film in every part of this world,

under every possible condition.

Well, did you direct any of the famous stars?

All of them, at one time or another.

Like who?

Flynn.

Wayne.

Fonda.

All of them.

That’s wonderful.

Who’s in the picture you’re making now?

Unknowns.

I’m creating new ones.

Into stars?

Into millionaires.

Oh, you’re just fabulous, Mr. Sayes.

Hey, hey.

Call me Simon.

Tell me some more about the picture

you’re making now.

Tons of it. The treasury department

transfers it every year at this time

from regional depositories to Fort Knox.

By train?

Train, plane, truck, whatever.

It’s low-profile versus show-of-force.

Different type of security, but it works.

Government’s been using it for years.

They’ve got it down to an effective system.

Obviously, so does Maurice.

I told you he was good.

There are six train shipments

scheduled out in the next four days

that touch on that 500-mile fuel radius

you specified, Mr. Hawke.

Now, Sayes dropped the name "Stoner,"

we’re checking him out.

If he works on one of those runs

or is a dispatcher, he’s their inside man.

It might tell us which train

Maurice is planning to hit.

209 out of Bakersfield.

They’re all possibilities, Mr. Hawke. I mean, that is,

unless you possess some sort of E.S.P.

No.

I possess a 4:00 A.M. call.

That’s the only gold train out of Bakersfield.

I’ll arrange for air surveillance

- and a strike force. - No.

Every time I’ve set a trap for Maurice,

he’s managed to slip it.

I have to limit knowledge of this operation

to the people in this room,

at least until he hits the train.

We’ll fly cover.

No offense.

I’ve got someone else in mind.

Who?

You’re up late.

That’s what it takes to run a business.

What’s wrong with it?

Anything over 120 knots,

and she starts to vibrate

like a Hotel Street chippie.

Hotel Street?

Honolulu.

Where I once flew combat

with your father.

In World War II, remember?

Yeah, I remember.

What do you want?

I want to talk, not duck punches.

Are you gonna listen?

To what, a list of old age homes?

I need your help.

To gas your chopper, wash your windows?

To back me up on this job.

I’m not gonna follow you around

with a fuel truck either.

How about in Airwolf?

All set?

Yeah.

As soon as your little army here

unloads their weapons.

They’re blanks.

If one goes off, it’ll still start a fire.

They got ’em on safety.

Good.

Unload ’em.

- Oh, thanks. - Mm.

We could fly cover too, sir.

Hawke wouldn’t know until it was over.

No.

He risked losing his only friend

to do this job for me.

I’ve got to let him play it out on his terms.

I thought you and Hawke were friends.

Hawke and I?

No, we just use each other.

I wouldn’t call us friends.

No, sir.

Is that the track our train’s on?

Yeah, that’s it.

OK, baby. It’s just you and me.

There’s a train about ten miles down there.

That the one?

That’s the one.

Where’s the camera ship?

"Where’s the camera ship?"

What’s so funny?

Mr. Sayes has a very juvenile

sense of humor, Mr. Hawke.

Drop down 50 feet

and fly a heading of 1-8-0.

Now, Mr. Hawke.

Dominic, do you read me?

Loud and clear.

You didn’t report on station.

Well, I’m sorry.

I didn’t know I was still in the military.

Do you have them in sight?

Negative, but I got the train spotted.

They should be there by now.

Well, they’re not.

Are you sure it’s the right train?

Did he really call you that?

There it is. Right on time.

That’s your target, Mr. Hawke.

If he slows down or speeds up,

we’ll all be dead.

Then let’s hope he doesn’t.

Express one, this is Stoner.

You still on schedule?

That’s a 10-4. Just entered the Mojave Straightaway.

I wasn’t sure, our speedometer here shows

you’re down to 42.

You know your alarm goes off at 40 miles an hour.

Something’s wrong. My speedometer

is reading 55.

Ah, probably needs recalibration.

I’ll tell you what, why don’t you nail it to 60

for the next couple of minutes

and hold it steady?

That’s a 10-4.

OK, boys.

They’ve got to be there.

Well, come up here and see for yourself.

Sir, Stoner isn’t with any railroad.

Meryl, we’ve got a slightly larger problem

than locating Maurice’s inside man.

But, sir, he is a dispatcher

with Hi Desert Trucking.

They ship gold for the government too.

I’ve got her, Mr. Maurice.

Then we no longer need you, Mr. Hawke.

He’s got to be dead!

Don’t worry.

I can fly her off of here.

I’m betting our lives on that, Vinnie.

You’ve got to get there faster.

I’m flying her as fast as I can.

What’s your air speed, Dominic?

250 knots.

He’s not using the turbo thrusters.

He can’t, he'd never be able to control Airwolf.

Oh, what the hell. You only live once.

Well, you sure took your sweet time getting here.

Sweet time? Ha!

You’re lucky I got here at all.

You’re supposed to be robbin’

a railroad, remember?

If Archangel hadn’t found out

about some guy named Stoner,

working for Hi Desert Trucking Company,

huh, I’d still be following a train to Bakersfield.

Hey, Dom.

Huh?

Nice landing.

Mm.

Give me full power, both turbos.

We got some catching up to do.

You got it.

That’s it, Mr. Maurice.

We can’t lift off with any more.

Vinnie, how much do Sayes and Miller weigh?

About eight to ten bars.

Let’s make it ten.

I got a blip 5 miles ahead.

Just a few more minutes, guys,

and you can pull over to the side of the road

and throw up if you want to.

Hey! Hey, you can’t leave me here!

I believe Mr. Sayes had an accident, Vinnie.

Aren’t you gonna notify the authorities, Mr. Stoner?

Two minutes ahead of schedule.

Very nice.

Very nice, indeed.

What the hell was that?

You want chain guns?

No.

Vinnie!

He’s crazy. He’s gonna kill us!

Do something.

Sure, I will. I’ve had enough.

Give me the chain guns. Now.

Hawke, you can’t.

Chain guns!

You got it.

Come on!

String, don’t do it.

No!

Please don’t!

That’s enough!

Michael, I’ve got Maurice and a friend,

packaged and ready for you.

Good job.

Shall I pick ’em up, or will you bring ’em in?

We only gift-wrap. We don’t deliver.

What’s the rush? Too much for you?

Supposed to be exercise.

We already had the war.

Come on, come on, this old man ain’t done yet.

I ever call you that?

No, but you made me feel like it.

Now, Dom,

you made yourself feel like that.

Oh?

What, are you quittin’ on me?

Maybe.

And maybe not.

You know, Dominic...

you’ve always been younger than me.