Original subtitles

♪

Through the mirror of my mind, time after time,

I see reflections of you and me.

Reflections of the way life used to be.

Reflections of the love you took from me.

Oh, as I peer through the window of lost time,

looking over my yesterday, and all the love I gave away.

All the love that I've wasted.

All the tears that I've tasted.

All the pain.

Through the hollow of my tears, I see a dream that's lost

from the hurt that you have caused.

Everywhere I turn, seems like everything I see

reflects the love that used to be.

Reflections of the way life used to be.

Reflections of the love you took from me.

Reflections of the way life used to be.

Amazing.

Best so far.

I was talking about the light show guy.

Ah, that's spooky.

Gunships, man.

It's like painting the sky with fire.

It's beautiful.

Not close up.

I never knew any guys like you back home.

Well, you had to come out here to get like this.

What happened to you out there?

I hated it.

I loved it.

Couldn't have been better than this.

Different.

Out there, it was clear.

Not why.

Not what we're doing here.

But it was you and your bros,

and you thought you had a grip on it.

You just can't stay out there too long.

Why?

It's not something you can talk about.

I never used to wonder what went on out there.

Vietnam was just this place with lots of men

and a lousy sound system.

The place that made my makeup run.

But these guys, the look they get,

the way they are,

especially this guy,

oh, I wonder.

Kim, see that lawn?

Lawn?

That green rectangle of grass around the house.

A big lawn, yes.

I know, Kim, you're wondering how.

What's my trick?

There's no trick.

It's seeding.

Do it in the winter.

When the earth is wet

and no one's thinking of spring.

See? Spring's way too late.

The roots will never take hold.

Seed in the winter.

Lay your roots deep.

Another late night?

Very late.

Very nice.

Did you lay off that stuff?

Thanks.

Fume of the tropics.

Got a date?

Into the highlands

to see a special unit of American warriors

run by the legendary Captain Osborne.

He is one of our most decorated heroes in the real war.

He's still out there.

Brilliant strategist.

Tenacious fighter.

Grabbing for victory.

War is his mistress.

His love.

How far in are you going?

Very far.

Where there are no stage lights.

You mean the real Vietnam where all the guys go?

Can I come along?

I don't know what you're up to, but no.

Jerry's job.

To smile and pass out Kool-Aid?

I could do that.

Red Cross work.

Regulations.

No exceptions.

You're a backup singer.

Sorry I'm late.

I was in the bathroom.

I thought it'd never end.

No need to explain, dear.

My partner's face was as blue as her uniform,

and she just kept bringing it up.

We had to carry her to bed.

You don't have a partner?

No.

Right now, sprouts are just breaking through.

This soft green.

We have a rototiller.

A little fertilizer, a little lime.

With me gone, my wife Beth's had to learn how to do it.

In less than 20 hours, I'm going to see her.

On R&R.

R&R?

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Fonder, I think.

I hope you're right.

So just bring me the purchase receipt,

and I'll see you when you get back from that train.

Whoa, where's my pay for service with R&R?

Randy, you're services.

You'll get paid.

Hey, what's up, KC?

A little cash flow problem, honey?

Don't worry about it.

My assets are solid.

Whoo!

Yeah.

My combat boots.

What, Coco's out of style already?

No, I'm going out there.

Really far out there, and I need real boots.

Why do I think if you find one,

you won't necessarily be with the other?

Hey, those are boonies.

Yeah?

I thought we were too good of friends for that.

I needed the fabric.

Well, that's good.

I'm gonna use that line in the next guy I meet

for a very good cause.

It's a gift for Dr. Rich's R&R party.

Party?

I'll be there.

You know, in my family, at Thanksgiving,

everybody would come with a plate of something,

and they would all go home with a plate of something else,

so we ended up with a set of 20 plates,

and not one of them matched.

It was just this crazy quilt of dishes.

Well, I'll be there.

But first, I'm going out as a volunteer,

Red Cross official.

Cute.

To help us.

Just a special gentleman, I guess.

Hey, where's your door gunner?

Waste in Bangkok.

You want a pinch hit?

No, thank you.

I'm retired.

Hey.

Hey, what are you doing here?

Where are you going?

The highlands.

What?

What for?

To see Captain Osborne.

What?

You girls can't go out back.

It's dangerous out there.

Be in good hands.

But, Rhett, I told you.

I didn't.

Remember?

It's not something you can talk about.

Back off, Mooney.

Rhett, don't go.

Mooney, why?

Okay, let's do the list.

Not again, McMurphy.

Indulge me.

McMurphy.

Hairspray.

Nope.

Mascara.

Nope.

Tampons.

Nope.

Sponge curlers.

Nope.

Contraceptive foam.

Nope.

Then I really am working on that one.

No rush.

Cotton swabs.

Nope.

Those are cotton swabs.

They're on hold.

I need them for my pedicure.

This guy needs them to clean his rifle?

It is the one luxury I have.

What is?

Working with me?

Now, which do you think Beth would rather have?

These high tops or this shaving kit?

I'm going to go out on a limb and say neither.

You know, this place doesn't really have much for women.

What are you talking about?

We got, uh, we got your chewing tobacco.

Or we have your basic Ka-Bar knives here.

I guess I should have started looking earlier.

But maybe I'll get something at my send-off party.

Someone is giving you a send-off?

The thankless stick in the mud who had eight months

to get his wife a gift and didn't get her one thing?

She's very particular.

Can't be that particular.

Sympathy card?

Nope.

Emery board?

Nope.

Surf board?

Nope.

Just testing.

You girls have no idea what a privilege this is.

I've wanted to meet Captain Osborn for years.

Such daring acts of bravery.

Like flying in this cake mixer.

She shot at us.

Oh.

Charlie, put that pea shooter.

Tick me off.

Megan, dust him.

That's a roger.

What is he doing?

Engine power.

Going down.

Back again.

His temperature seems normal.

He doesn't appear to be in shock.

And his pulse is stabilized.

Boy, I'm dying.

What about him?

He has no pulse.

I've already checked.

He's dead?

Yes.

OK.

Come on.

Easy.

Let's get him up.

Easy.

Yeah.

OK, got him?

Good.

Steady.

Good girl.

When I'm frightened, I say a name over and over.

Its mellifluousness becalms me.

Any name?

No.

That's the beauty of it.

Something personalized.

Just for you.

Oh, God.

Good.

You've got the idea, Lorette.

I rub my forehead and intone the name.

Eleanor Roosevelt.

Eleanor Roosevelt.

Oh, God.

Now you've got it.

But many times.

Janis Joplin.

Janis Joplin.

Janis Joplin.

Who?

OK.

OK.

Let us take a deep breath.

Settle down.

Think this thing out.

The logical thing to do next is to get the hell out of here.

Run back to the base and not stop until we get there.

We cannot run willy-nilly into the wild.

I'm not sure the pilot should be moved.

We'll stay with the ship.

The ship, Lila, is sunk.

We should just make this into a stretcher

and carry him back with us.

No.

I'm sure help is on the way.

We've been here for hours and nobody's come.

It's been 10 minutes.

Help will come.

No, it won't.

But Lila's right.

We can't move him.

One of you should stay with him and one should go with me for help.

I'll stay.

OK.

Here.

You keep this.

I guess the thing to do is just hike to the river and float back to base.

On what?

Our looks?

One thing at a time, girls.

That way.

Are you sure you won't need this?

I can't stand guns.

We'll be all right.

How's the shopping?

Great new plaza by the beach.

Free parking.

Yeah, but do they have cabar knives?

What do we have here?

Beats me.

More light.

Surprise, surprise.

Don't we have an x-ray?

Where's the x-ray?

I got it.

Live round.

My favorite.

Let's go fishing.

Clear the area.

Everybody out now.

Clear the area.

Everyone out.

Move.

Move.

Go.

You too, lady.

I'm not leaving.

Look, this is a live mortar.

It could go.

Two dead's enough, thanks.

What if it doesn't, huh?

Well, then I'm a hero.

Without me?

McMurphy.

Let's get into flak suits and helmets.

You'll have to dress me.

You love saying that.

It's true.

I do.

How can they have a war in here?

I can't see a thing.

Are we still headed in the right direction?

Jerry?

I don't know.

I keep losing sight of the sun.

Well, would you say we're headed in the right direction generally?

I don't know.

I...

Maybe.

Definite maybe.

This way.

What's that?

I guess I got turned around.

I guess it was easier in Iowa.

I'd kill you if I seriously wasn't going to die a bright first.

Where's Lila?

Alone at last.

Just you and me.

And the kid.

You'll have one hell of a story to tell.

Sponge me off.

This is driving me crazy. Take it off.

Oh, Lila!

Oh, my God!

You're safe!

Yes, these men came and got me.

Us, too.

Boy, did they.

Thank goodness you're all right.

Are we?

Yes.

Where are we?

We found him.

I've been waiting for him.

He'll know what to do.

Captain Osborne?

Captain Osborne is twice his age and stature.

Soldier!

Can you direct us to the captain?

We found him.

Splendid.

Can't allow a lady to go in there.

Yes, of course.

Why not?

Military procedure, Lorette.

Will you please announce our arrival?

My name is Lila...

Garot. In the know.

And these American fine beauties are courtesy of the boss, Red Cross.

Your chopper wiped out on the homestretch at 0900.

You need to radio the rear and tell them you're here.

So stay tuned. More is in store.

Right?

Yes.

How did you know?

Captain Osborne knows.

What did I tell you?

What did he say?

The only hitch in the plans is the radio.

Any of you dames got the load down on transmittin'?

Certainly Captain Osborne's radio man could help you with your questions.

Well, that's me. DJ's my name and radio's my game.

You seem...

Did I meet you at a Firebase show?

Why, you pregnant?

Wasn't me, baby.

Me and the boys been mixing it with Charlie

up at the ridge left and right day and night.

I would like a word with Captain Osborne.

I'm the only one who can talk to him.

But he and I go back a long way.

We were in the same war together.

Well, this is a different war.

What, am I supposed to do my program?

I mean, I've got my orders.

Hey, and don't we know it.

Banks here volunteered to steer the welcome wagon.

Don't be shy, guy.

I can see from here you got a major plan playing over there.

How nice.

What are these made of?

Fingers.

Those are human fingers.

Oh, Janice Joplin, I love you most of all.

Janice Joplin, I love you most of all.

Janice Joplin, I love you most of all.

Janice Joplin, I love you most of all.

Well, it can't be heaven.

You're here.

Now, I know you'll be okay.

How's our boy?

Alive.

Oh, this.

You have a whole life away from here.

Ever see my picture of our lawn?

With seed instructions.

In the winter.

Lay your roots deep.

I just never tied that lawn in with a...

A family.

My family.

I've got R&R.

Did I miss my R&R?

The doctor says you'll be able to go.

You didn't let those butchers work on me, did you?

Lie down.

Ow.

Hey, I thought nurses were supposed to make you feel better.

Except doctors.

Doctors, we make miserable.

There.

Now I'm miserable.

Hey, hey, my hair.

What happened?

It's just a little burn patch.

I lost my hair?

You're lucky that's the only thing you lost.

Put it this way.

Most men watch it go down the drain.

Morning after morning.

Great.

I'm going to Hawaii to see my wife.

No gift, no hair.

Maybe your gift could be a whole new look for Bethann.

She might like it.

I'm not sure she was so crazy about the old me.

It'll be okay.

Yeah?

You so sure of everything?

Yeah.

He'll go to Hawaii, get a tan, burn your burn.

I'll be back here hating your replacement.

Probably be worse than you are.

Probably suck his teeth while they're surgery.

Wow.

You'll get used to him.

Yeah.

You'll get used to her.

What am I going to do about my hair?

I understand the thing to do is...

seed in the winter.

Lay your roots deep.

That's a Roger, China Beach.

Tijuana, 8-6, coming in with badly wounded.

ETA ten minutes.

That's a Roger, Tijuana.

I'm getting impatient.

I get angry, and sometimes you can never make it up to me.

I wouldn't want to do that.

You don't.

My copter left 0-600 hours today for a pick-up in Nha Trang.

I'll call it in right now.

Thank you.

Any more on Tiger Tail and the girls?

Nope.

What girls?

The Kool-Aid kids.

Their copter went down.

Where? How?

We don't know.

Got that call, Casey.

Your chopper landed at $1,100.

Tell him to get back here.

I'll get my merchandise.

He has to just get back here.

Okay.

Oregon.

Does anyone know the capital of Oregon?

Anyone?

Salem.

Well, that was a tricky one.

Virginia.

Who can name the capital of Virginia?

What city instantly pops into mind?

Harrisburg.

Well, that's close.

Harrisburg is Pennsylvania.

Is that where you're from?

From?

Mm-hmm.

From.

Well, that's an interesting concept.

Like, we're here, and there's this other place.

So if you're in, you're out, or by, or of, or to, for, with,

out of, out, around.

Keep the faith, girls.

There is something definitely wrong with that young man.

What was your first clue?

I have to speak with the captain.

Richmond.

Richmond, Virginia.

Alabama.

How about Alabama?

South Dakota?

Anybody?

Just call out.

What on earth is that?

It's a crazy quilt shirt for Dr. Richard.

Actually, it's for his wife.

I trust you're familiar with her taste.

No, but she'll love it.

It's made of her husband's second home.

Look, we've got Booney's shorts, Terry's patch,

or it's dress, scrub top.

She'll buy something in Deming,

something she'll want to wear in public.

Missing the point.

Each patch will mean something to Dr. Richard,

and he can share it with Bethann in Hawaii.

A man's gonna fly halfway around the world

to see his wife and talk about Booney's shorts?

Smart girl, you can be incredibly dumb.

What is eating you?

Cherry and Lorette.

The chopper went down.

Nobody knows where.

Nobody knows anything.

Heloise hint.

Lie on the inside, anything will do.

Basted.

Until you finish patching and stitching.

You buy your chips, you play your game.

That's what people do here.

Come and go.

One way or another.

I didn't even say goodbye.

You're scared too, aren't you?

Right.

Right.

Lining.

Can't be dead.

Sending them an R&R.

No, you may not relay my message.

Something is wrong here.

Please, get Captain Osborne.

Hey, whatever you say.

Let me just relay that message

that you don't want me to relay that message.

Captain Osborne, sir!

Yes, sir.

I explained it to her, sir.

Yes, sir.

That's right, sir.

No, sir.

I understand, sir.

Yes, sir!

You women have to understand

that the boys here might be able to take a break,

but the captain never can.

Don't disturb him, then.

And give him my regards.

Um, excuse me for barging in like this, Captain, sir,

but my name's Lorette,

and I'm with Lila Garot.

Captain Osborne.

Ugh!

Captain... Osborne?

We lost Pinky last night.

Pounce and Betty blew that boy away.

Nothing left.

Yes, sir.

We will miss him.

Yes, sir!

Payback mission is ready to roll, sir.

I got Banks, Jazzman, even Holcomb will go.

Hey, man, you're not supposed to be in here.

He just left.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

So this is Osborne?

No.

This is a hat, a buffalo skull, and a field jacket.

Good. I feel better.

But where's Osborne?

He's here. Where?

Hey, nobody leaves here once they've been.

They just go deeper and deeper in.

He disappeared?

Well, then who's in charge?

Ozzie's gone.

These men have been here so long.

But they still believe in Osborne.

They need to.

So I keep it all cranked up.

They couldn't send you a new captain?

Hey, look, sweet pea, noob won't do.

Won't have the skill.

Won't have the smell.

Won't have the feel, because he ain't gonna know hell.

I know who you are.

Dan the radio.

The boss with the hot sauce.

That's you.

You're from New Jersey.

I'm not from nowhere.

Don't tell me.

You're just here, right?

How'd you get so smart?

I got a friend in the same place.

Tell him where we are.

Tell him to send a chopper.

You scared it, man.

I scared it?

Don't the men ever wonder about Osborne?

Don't they ask to come see him?

They know.

But they don't want to know.

What's wrong?

I'm losing my touch.

Dan's your name.

Radio's your game.

Remember?

You can fix it.

He's talking about the radio.

You can do it.

I got here as soon as they radioed your call.

I need another trip.

You need a big favor, man.

I'll pay you back in steaks and beer, anything you want,

until your firstborn dies.

Three Girls Highlands, right?

Yeah.

Hop in. It's all been taken care of.

I've been loud and hearty

Deep inside I'm blue

So take a good look at my face

You'll see my smile looks out of place

If you look closer it's easy to trace

The tracks of my tears

Oh, I need you

I suppose I never said goodbye to anybody who was still standing up.

What's that?

It's my present for Dr. Richard.

I stuck to wrap it.

Petching. Very petching.

What are you gonna do, wrap it or shoot it?

Oh, I need you

Any word on those girls?

Maybe I should...

No, go on your R&R.

Dr. Richard, sir.

Yeah, your taxi's here.

Now, I'm gonna bird you over to the runway.

Oh, Dr. Richard.

Your gift. Well, actually, it's for your wife.

An ow-yai.

Authentic, 100% silk, handmade by artisans born to the trade.

Casey, I couldn't.

You don't think she'll like it?

Well, she'll love it. I mean, look at it.

I'd have to pay you for it.

No need. Just tell your friends.

Word of mouth is best advertising, right, Casey?

Smart girl.

Incredibly dumb.

Sir?

Right.

What if the girls do need me?

Don't be okay.

You didn't get me a gift, did you?

Take that to you.

Better never have kids, McMurphy.

Come Christmas morning, they accept no excuses.

Hey.

Get out of here.

Hey!

Make the new guy miserable.

My best.

Why don't any of you cooperate?

Would you put that gun down and just look at me?

You gonna save me tonight?

These seas all around us.

Crawl right up on us.

Now, my gun better be clean.

Now, you stick that in your geography lesson.

Here. I don't want that.

Why would you give me this thing?

You remind me of my sister.

Her name's Donnetta.

She's like you, always tagging along.

She still writes me.

Do you write Donnetta back?

No.

I was gonna send her a necklace.

Not a good idea?

I think she'd rather have a card.

Yeah.

Got it laid out all pretty-like, you know?

Bolt to the bolt cartridge.

Down to the gun.

In.

Return spring. In.

Dust cover.

Locked.

Full mag.

Cocked and locked and ready for action.

It's pretty amazing, huh?

Yeah, amazing.

Now, this is a game I can play.

I see.

You don't sound too juiced.

It's not you.

My brother's out here, too.

He might love guns now.

I might not even recognize him.

And if I do find him...

Gosh, he might not even be the boy I remember.

Landed the crash. We'll bring the stash.

Where are you, man?

Wouldn't tell you if I knew.

Need us where the copter blew.

Skip the local, catch the express.

That's all, Birdman. I'm taking a rest.

Okay, all you radio weirdos, this is me telling you,

get off of my frequency.

You're a natural, DJ.

I bet they could use somebody like you at China Beach.

Nah, I'm Osborne.

What about Dan the action man?

God, long distance, baby.

24 hours, tower of power.

Non-stop survival.

What's it for?

We're talking war.

This ain't a fling.

It's the real thing.

Eternal.

Love.

The guy can only stay out here so long.

He can't go back at all.

I have some news.

You let me buy in the layaway plant?

They located the girls. They're alive, okay?

What'd you have in mind?

You could wait for them.

I did have a late date.

I got a case of unopened beer.

It's all formaldehyde, but totally free.

Yeah, but is it cold?

Man, you drive a hard bargain.

Can I borrow that?

Thanks.

You went inside Captain Osborne's hut?

I did.

And?

He sent his regards, and he thanked us for coming.

How did you find him?

Unforgettable.

Everyone comes away with that exact sentiment.

He loved it. He hated it.

I don't know.

But I know this much.

Some things are better at a distance.

He definitely isn't one of them.