Original subtitles

(seagulls calling)

(suspenseful music)

(man screaming)

(ship horn blares)

- It's so friendly.

Where's the popcorn?

- Good catch.

- Here, birdie!

- They like us.

Here, birdie. Here, birdie.

- Okay, here.

Let's go check on Scout.

- Okay-

- Here, one in your ear.

Hey, Scout, man.

- Hello.

- Hey-

- One for the birds, one for Dad.

One for the birds.

- [Girl] How far is it'?

- [Girl] Yeah, how far is it'?

- [Girl] Mom, can I sit up front?

Scout's leaning on me.

- [Girl] How come I always get stuck in the back

like this, with Scout slobbering all over me'?

- [Girl] You do not.

I There were two girls Who had a dog I

r And Scout was 'ms name-oh 3

I S-C-O-U-T, S-C-O-U-T, S-C-O-U-T I

r And Scout was 'ms name-oh 3

- Stop it, you idiot.

- Come on, Jill, don't tease your sister.

- I can't believe you picked this place.

I mean, nobody even lives out here.

- That's the whole idea.

- That's right!

We're gonna get away from it all this summer.

- I'd rather be at home with my friends.

- Well, you know what, I bet when your friends hear about

your island adventures, they're gonna be really jealous.

- When are we gonna get there?

- This ought a be it about right here. Yep.

- [Girl] This is it'?

This house looks gross.

- [Girl] It looks like nobody's lived here for years.

Who are we gonna play with?

- [Woman] You'll play with each other, silly.

- [Girl] She's a little geek.

- [Girl] You're the geek!

- We're here!

You guys, grab your backpacks.

- Mom, they have a swing-set!

- Oh, great!

That'll come in handy.

(dramatic music)

- Cool.

- [Girl] Don't push.

- Girls, come here.

Let's check out the inside, come on!

Hey, Jill! Look, they've got

some checkers there on the table.

- [Jill] I'm gonna go find the TV.

- No running on the stairs!

- Okay!

- Well?

- What?

It's nice.

It's nice.

Wow.

Man, I can look at the ocean while I work.

- Yeah, which will probably just distract you,

keep you from getting anything done.

- What?

How can you say that?

It'll be an inspiration.

- I can't believe it.

There isn't a single TV in this whole stupid house.

- Honey, we're on an island.

Even if we had a TV, we wouldn't

be able to get reception with it.

- We could get a satellite dish.

- And videos!

(dramatic music)

- It won't kill you girls to go a few months

without watching television.

- But then what are we gonna do all summer?

- Gee, let's see.

How 'bout having a little fun?

(Scout barking)

- What's wrong, Scout?

(ominous music)

- [Girl] Do you think they can see us?

- I don't know, honey, they're pretty far out.

- Hello!

(Mom whistles)

- Come On, guys!

I'm not gonna unload the car all by myself!

- Okay, we're coming!

(ominous music)

- Tommy.

- [Tommy] Dad.

Daddy.

Dad.

(dramatic music)

Dad!

- Honey...?

It's okay.

You're okay, it was just a dream.

- God, he seemed so alive.

- I know.

- I'm gonna go check on the girls.

(dramatic music)

- Ted, come on, I don't want to be late.

- I had to get Joanna her shoes.

- Girls, you need to come along.

- [Jill] I don't mind staying at home.

- [Joanna] Me neither.

- Okay-

I was gonna take you guys shopping with me

and get us a little ice cream for later on,

but if you don't wanna go, it's okay.

Really, I understand.

- Can we get whatever we want?

- We'll see, we'll see.

After all, it is a vacation.

- [Jill] I want cookies'n'cream.

- Right, girls?

- It's a vacation for them.

We're supposed to be working, remember?

- [Joanna] Come on, Mom, hurry up!

- That's right.

We're ready, we're waiting for you.

Let's go.

(ominous music)

I guess this is it, huh?

A little nervous, are we?

- [Mom] Sort of.

Would you grab that file box?

- [Ted] Yes, I will.

- Thanks.

- Can we come in?

- Um, not on my first day.

- [Ted] Girls, why don't you

stay here and wait for me, okay?

- I'll see you tonight.

- [Ted] I'm just gonna be a minute.

- [Jill] Why can't we go in?

- [Joanna] Yeah, I wanna see where Mom works.

- Okay, yeah.

Uh-huh.

Sounds good.

(door knocks)

Thanks.

Gotta go.

Well, you made it.

- Francis Irving?

- Yeah, Frank. You must be May.

- Yeah, nice to meet you.

This is my husband, Ted.

- How're you doing?

Good to meet you.

- Hi, how are ya?

- Here, let me take that.

Let's see, where should I, uh...?

- Oh, right over here.

Right here with all the new computer equipment

that you're gonna teach me how to use.

- [May] Great.

- [Frank] Yeah, well, hey, I'm computer illiterate.

I don't know my RAM from my ROM.

A little joke.

- [May] Well, I can help you with that.

- [Frank] I hope so.

- Wow, did you take all these?

- Oh, yeah, yeah.

I used to get around a bit.

- Of course, Francis Irving!

I've been looking at your stuff for years.

How did a photographer like you end up in a place like this?

- Ted...

- Oh, well, I couldn't pass up the opportunity

to pontificate on the op-head page on the great questions:

should there be a traffic light on Main Street?

(May laughing)

Well, it was a power grab.

- So, uh, you're a teacher, Fred?

- It's Ted.

- Oh, I'm sorry.

- That's all right.

Yeah, Biology.

- college?

- Uh, no. High school.

- High school Biology?

- Mm-hmm.

- I think that was my worst subject.

- Well, that's probably because you

didn't have a very good teacher.

- Yeah, that must be it.

- Well, listen, I should let you two get to work.

Hey, it was great to meet you.

- Bye.

- Okay-

Um, I'll see you later tonight?

- Okay, I'll call you.

" [Ted] Okay.

- [Woman] I'll call you when he comes in, Nadine.

- What do you say, girls?

You about ready?

- Yep-

- Can we get these and these?

- Why don't we just pick one, okay?

Is that what you want'?

- Yeah.

- Okay-

Hi.

- Hello.

You must be the folks out at the old Holman place, right?

- That's us.

- How'd you know who we were?

- Oh, well, honey, I don't think

there's many secrets on the island.

- Not many that get by me.

There you go.

- Thank you.

- This okay?

- Yeah, sure.

- Wait a minute.

There's one for you and one for you.

- Girls, what do you say'?

- [Both] Thank you.

- You're welcome.

Oh, they're lovely little girls.

Any boys'?

- Uh, no, just..-just the two girls.

- It's a great place for kids.

- Well, it seems like a pretty nice place for grownups, too.

- Well, it's a little slower pace

than we have over on the mainland, but...

- Oh, that's true.

Actually, that's kinda why we came here,

for a little peace and quiet.

- Well, nothing's going to bother you at Land's End.

It's the quietest spot on the whole island.

Just the wind and the surf and the birds.

- Daddy, daddy!

It's that boat we saw yesterday.

- I'll be right back.

Excuse me.

- [Man] What's goin' on'?

- What happened?

- We don't know yet.

She ran onto some rocks up near South Point.

- Where's Gordy?

- Your guess is as good as mine.

Kevin saw him take her out yesterday,

but there wasn't anybody in this boat when we found 'em.

(ominous music)

(Scout barking)

- Girls!

- [Both] Yeah?

- Come on, time to get ready for dinner.

- Come on, Scout!

- Come on in and get washed up.

- Scout?

- He'll figure out it's dinner time soon enough.

Come on.

- [Jill] I wonder what he's barking at?

(Scout barking)

- Ow!

- Be careful.

I think I overcooked it.

- Can I go look for Scout?

- No, honey.

Just let him play.

He'll come in when he's hungry.

Excuse me.

- Go look for your sister, though,

'cause we're gonna eat now.

- Okay-

- So, how was your day?

- Oh, not bad.

- You get much done'?

- Enough.

How 'bout yours?

How's Mr. Action Adventure doing?

- Everything's fine.

In fact, Frank says I'm a lifesaver.

- Yeah, I bet he does.

Who wants to say grace?

- I Will.

- [Jill] Scout!

- Oh, man!

What has he got in his mouth?

- Ew, it's a dead bird.

- Scout, put it down. Drop it!

- Look, it's still alive.

- Don't touch it, Joanna, you just washed your hands.

- I got it.

Go get me something I can put him in.

- Don't hurt him, Daddy.

- I'm not gonna hurt him.

- Here.

- This will make it softer, like a nest.

There you go, little fella.

I think he's gonna be all right.

- Can we keep him?

- He's a wild bird, girls.

He's not really like a pet.

- Please!

I'll take really good care of him.

- [May] We'll see.

- Mom.

- Your father and I will talk about it after dinner.

Come on, let's eat.

- [May] Oh, no!

' [Ted] Scout!

Bad dog!

- Dad, can we go take our bikes and go exploring?

- Okay, just don't go too far.

- Okay-

- [Ted] Jill, you're in charge.

- Okay-

- But that's not fair!

She'll boss me around!

- Well, if she does that, maybe tomorrow I'll put

you in charge and you can boss her around.

How would that be?

- Okay!

Tomorrow, I get to boss you.

- Be careful.

- [Joanna] Dad says.

(dramatic music)

- [Jill] I can beat you if I wanted to.

- [Joanna] Hurry up, slowpoke!

(dramatic music)

- Dad, what're you doing on the ground?

- Oh, I thought I'd just take a break.

- Look at all the money I found.

- It's not money, dummy, it's sand dollars.

- Scout, Scout!

- Want a dollar?

- Girls, please.

Scout, come on.

- Come on, Scout.

Scout, come on.

- Get him outta here.

- [Joanna] I'm richer than you.

- [Jill] It's not real money.

- [Joanna] Yes, it is!

(dramatic music)

- [May] Oh, this countryside!

It reminds me of the south of France.

- [Frank] When were you in France?

- Ted and I backpacked through Europe right outta college.

God, that seems so long ago.

Hey]-

What, uh. - .what happened?

- Oh, I was just doing a little painting.

- Works better if you use a brush.

So, you want me to swing by,

pick you up tomorrow morning?

- Sure.

- That's okay.

I'll take her.

- Okay, see you there.

- Thanks for the ride, Frank.

- [Frank] See you tomorrow.

- I thought you were gonna start writing today?

- Well, I thought I'd just...

take a little time and work on the house.

- The house is fine.

I thought we had a deal.

I'd take a job in a nice, peaceful spot for the summer

and you'd work on your thesis.

- You know, we are supposed to be relaxing on this trip.

- What did you do to your head?

A seagull ran into me.

- A seagull?

- Yes, a seagull.

You don't believe me, do you?

- You should have a doctor look at this.

- Do you believe me?

- Yeah, sure.

- Hi.

- Oh, hi.

- Is Dr. Rayburn in'?

- You a patient?

- No, I had a little accident yesterday and...

- Yeah, well, if you want to see him now,

he's over in his other office.

- His other office?

- Didn't you know he was also the mayor?

(jazzy lounge music)

- What can I get for you?

- They told me I could find Dr. Rayburn here.

- I'm Rayburn.

Why don't you come on down here

and step into my office, huh?

- Thanks.

- Now, is this visit civic, medical, or is it purely social?

- Well, I thought maybe you could take a look at...

at this right here.

- Ooh, that's pretty nasty.

What the hell did you do to yourself?

- I didn't do anything.

It was a sea -- well, I guess it was a seagull.

- Where?

Where did this happen?

- We live out at Land's End.

- Oh, sure, yeah.

Helen told me about you.

You're the guy with the kids?

- Right.

In fact, that's what I'm mostly concerned about.

Does this kind of thing happen often around here?

- Often?

Hell, I've never heard of a bird

attacking people in my life.

- Wait a minute, I can't be

the only one this has ever happened to.

- Hey, Jesse!

Birds been giving you any trouble lately?

- Nope.

Me and most birds get along just fine.

- There have been a lot more gulls around, lately.

I mean, you get out there, a few miles from shore,

and the sky's thick with 'em.

- What's wrong with that?

I thought where there's birds, there's fish.

- Then how come I've been coming back

half-empty the last few days?

- Well, maybe it's because

you've been going out half tanked!

- Will you put that thing away?

- Oh, you moved!

- [May] What are you doing?

- I'm just finishing off a roll of black and white.

- Well, you know what? You're just wasting your film.

- Oh, no way!

You should see yourself in this back light.

- You know what, if you don't start paying attention,

you're never gonna learn how to do this.

- Now, who says that I'm not paying attention?

Besides, it's almost lunch time

and I just happen to know this

great little place on the island for seafood.

- Oh, I thought we had a deadline.

- You know, May, you're a very attractive woman,

and I get the feeling sometimes

that your husband doesn't tell you that often enough.

- Frank.

- No, I'm serious.

I mean, does he ever tell you how, sometimes,

when he looks at you,

you're so achingly beautiful his heart almost stops?

- Come on, Frank, don't tell me

that this approach actually works for you?

- What, are you kidding?

I've never had to work this hard

for a lunch date in my entire life.

- Actually, you know, I started out

just pretending to be a photographer.

Just so I could move around in places where I didn't belong.

Rock concerts, Watts, Chicago in '68.

Then I found out after that

there were people who thought that I was

actually pretty good with the camera, like the U.S. Army.

Oh, they drafted my ass, sent it to Vietnam.

Had me shooting the shooting.

After the discharge, I moved onto Belfast,

Middle East, Africa.

Everywhere I went, there were so many incredible images.

And then it was the early '70s

and I was kickin' around in Paris,

and that's where I met Emily.

- Who's Emily?

- My first wife.

You gonna finish those crab cakes?

- No, no, I'm not.

Here you go.

- Thank you.

- Look at all the new shells.

- Oh, this is a good place.

- Let's go look for some sand dollars.

- Ew, it's a dead bird.

- Don't!

- Ew, it's all stiff!

- [Joanna] Don't touch it!

Oh, look, it's that man.

- [Jill] Scout!

Get away, Scout! Scout!

(dramatic music)

(girls screaming)

(dramatic music)

(girls screaming)

- So what do you think, Doc'?

How'd he die?

- Must've drowned.

- What about those marks all over his face?

- Beats me.

Fish could've nibbled at him, or maybe an eel.

- What about birds?

- You tr yin' to be funny?

- You mean to tell me you don't think

those wounds look something like that?

- You saying birds attacked him?

- I don't see a gull doing anything like that.

- Do you think he did it?

(Scout barking)

- All right, kiddo.

Come on, time to go to bed.

- Good night, Egbert.

- That's my girl.

- Could they help that man in the water?

- No, honey.

There was nothing they could do for him.

- He was dead, like Tommy.

- Did they take away Tommy's eyes, too?

- No, honey, it was nothing like that.

- Why did Tommy have to die?

- I don't know, angel.

I don't know. Now try and get some sleep, okay?

- [Joanna] Okay.

- Okay-

Night-night.

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

- Well, they took that pretty well.

- Yeah, but it must have scared the hell out of them.

- At least we had a chance to talk to 'em about it.

- Want to talk about it with me'?

It's hard for me, too. I was his mother.

And I miss him.

Maybe even more than you, sometimes.

But that part of us is gone and we'll never get him back.

- I know that.

- Ted, he's with me in my heart.

I've lost a son, but I'm not about to lose my husband, too.

Listen to me.

It's been a long time, Ted.

It's affected your career, it's affected us.

You gotta focus on who's here.

We're here.

Me, the girls.

We need you.

Come on, let's go to bed.

- [Ted] I'll be up in a while.

(somber music)

(ominous music)

(glass shatters)

Jesus!

Damn!

- What happened?

Another goddamn bird. Look!

Son of a...

- [Helen] They still don't know how Gordy got all cut up.

- [Bo] The medical examiner said

there must've been rats on board.

Got him after he died.

The sheriff checked that boat stem-to-stern,

didn't find nothing.

- [Helen] Maybe it wasn't rats.

- [Bo] What was it, then?

- [Helen] Lord only knows.

That'll be $17.00.

- [B0] Can you put that on my tab, Helen?

- Okay, B0.

- Thanks, Helen.

- Sorry about your friend.

- Oh, thanks.

It's just so awful that your little girls

had to be the one's to find him.

- Well, I think they'll be fine.

- Why don't you have them bring me in some shells

and I'll trade them for some of those cookies they like.

- You better watch out.

You make a deal like that, it's gonna cost you plenty.

- What happened to your hand?

- Oh, I just cut it on some glass.

- Hasn't been a very good week for you, has it, Mr. Hocken?

Doc Rayburn told me about your other little accident.

- I'll bet he did.

- Well, never mind what he says, you and I both know

there's something going on around here, don't we?

- We do?

- The birds.

They're acting funny.

- So you've seen it?

- My nephew was hurt by one just yesterday.

- Here on the island?

- No, not far from it.

It happened when he was fishing off the shoals,

south of the island.

- Right down from us.

- Yeah, just a few miles off of Land's End.

- Last is worst, first is best!

If you finish last, you gotta take off your dress.

- I'm telling.

- No, you're not!

- Yes, I am.

- No, you're not!

What is it, a pirate house?

- No, it's a lighthouse.

It shines a light at night

so that ships won't run into the island.

- I wonder who lives there.

-I do.

(girls screaming)

(Scout barking)

- I'll bet it's lonely living in a lighthouse.

- I'd love to live in a lighthouse.

- But what if you were all by yourself?

- Well, I could always have Egbert with me

and you could always come and visit.

- [Jill] What are you doing?

Birds don't eat french fries.

- How do you know? Are you a bird?

- No, and I'm also not a little geek like you.

- Egbert!

- Catch him!

- Egbert!

Egbenl

- Mom!

Catch him!

- Egbert!

- Dad, catch him!

Mom!

- Egbert!

Daddy!

- What is it?

What's wrong?

- He's down here someplace!

He got out of his cage and he got out of our room!

- Oh, honey, are you sure?

Are you sure he's down here?

- I don't see him.

- Yes, we both saw him!

- Oh, no!

- Egbert, come back!

- He's gone.

- I wish we could've caught him.

- Well, the important thing to remember

is that Egbert was well enough to fly away.

That means you did a great job helping him get better.

- But Why'd he go?

I would have taken good care of him.

- Well, we know you would've, sweetheart.

Maybe he wanted to be with his family.

- Yeah, you wouldn't want

to be separated from us, would you?

-No.

" See?

- [Ted] I don't know, maybe we shouldn't

have let her keep the bird in the first place.

- Aw, she'll get over it.

People do get over things.

Everything's just so important at that age.

I remember when I was eight, my goldfish Lucy died

and when Dad flushed her down the toilet,

I just felt like it was the end of the world.

I did!

(ominous music)

What brought this on'?

- I don't know, maybe the salt air.

(dramatic music)

(Scout barking)

What is it, Scout?

- Ted.

- Shh.

I think he heard something.

What is it, boy'?

- Look, if I'm bothering the two of you,

I can just go inside.

(Scout barking)

- Brilliant.

Brilliant.

- Dad, can you go bike riding with us now?

- Maybe later, sweetheart. I'm working.

- But you promised.

- Come on, Dad!

Wait for me!

- Come on, slowpoke!

- I'm winning!

- Catch up, catch up.

I'll race you, go!

- Hey, no fair!

- Oh, you're gaining on me!

(ominous music)

(phone ringing)

- Phone's ringing, Dad.

- Look out, Scout!

I'm coming, I'm coming.

Great.

- Great.

He was supposed to be working, he promised.

Well, if he can take an unscheduled break,

I guess you can't complain if I, uh,

buy you a beer before you head home.

Come on, what do you say?

- Sure, why not?

- [Frank] So, why Gull Island and why this summer?

- Let's see...I thought that, you know,

a summer on the island, family being together,

Ted working on his thesis.

- Ah, except that he isn't.

- No, he's not.

He's stuck and I don't know if I can help him.

Actually, he probably doesn't want my help.

He got offered this really great job

two years ago at a city college.

All he had to do was finish up his degree.

- Here you go.

- Yeah?

What's wrong with this guy'?

He's got a beautiful wife, two great kids,

a man's best friend.

- I'll drink to that.

Five years ago, our son Tommy died,

and Ted's having a really tough time getting through it.

- I'm sorry.

- Thanks.

- And I don't blame him.

- I don't, either.

Just after a while, I realized, hey, life does go on,

and he just wants to be exactly the way it was and it can't.

- Well, maybe he's got to go in a different direction.

And maybe you gotta go in a different direction, too.

- You know, if you knew you were gonna be late,

you could've called me.

- I did.

- About five?

- Yeah, and no one was home.

- Yeah, I know, I called you right back and nobody answered.

- That's 'cause Frank and I went for a drink.

Did you start dinner?

- No, it's your turn tonight, don't you remember?

- Would it be such a big deal

for you to take the load off me now and then?

- What, so you can spend more time with Frank?

(door knocks)

I'll get it, I'll get it!

- It's him!

- My luck was good tonight.

This is too big for one old man.

You could feed a whole family with a fish like this.

It's very fresh.

Nice color, I cleaned it up for you.

- Thank you.

- Oh, Karl. Karl Melber.

- Ah, my name's Ted Hocken.

Good to meet you.

Would you like to come in and join us?

Help us eat it?

- [Karl] Well, I hadn't brought it for that.

- Ah, I know, but actually,

it'd go quite well with frozen peas.

- So, of course, a pirate either dies

at sea or at the end of a rope.

- So what happened to her?

Did she get hung, too?

- Yeah?

- Anne Bonnie was captured,

but she disappeared from her dungeon just like that

and was never seen again, and neither was her treasure,

but people are still looking for it here.

Digging around, ruining our dunes and wetlands.

- Okay, you little pirates, I think it's time

to climb into your PJs and get ready for bed.

- Can't we hear just one more story?

- There'll be more stories some other time.

- Come on, now, let's go.

- Say goodnight.

- Goodnight.

- Thank you for the stories.

- My pleasure.

- Get over here!

Where you goin'?

- Goodnight.

- Goodnight.

- Night-night.

- Night.

- Don't forget to brush your teeth and say your prayers.

I'll be up in a minute.

- [Both] All right.

- I take it you're quite an expert on the island.

- Are you interested as a biologist?

- Oh, I'm not a biologist.

- But you are a teacher.

There are no secrets on this little island.

- Oh, really what I was hoping is

I thought maybe you might have an idea

about what's going on around here with all these birds.

- There are many more of them right now.

More than I've ever seen before.

You see, Ted, for us, this is the edge of the earth.

Land's End, they call it.

But the birds, they just fly on.

The land belongs to us, the world belongs to them.

Kind of you to share your family with me.

Nice girls.

(dramatic music)

- A little slower.

There it is.

Now, let it slide.

Slower.

- Wow, it bounced.

- Good.

- How's that?

- Okay, just use a little lighter touch.

- A lighter touch?

Well, easy for you to say.

- Wait, here.

Like this.

Look, relax your hand.

Good.

Now, select text, click.

- Oh, I'm good at that.

- Good, that's right.

Okay, here, let's try and move this.

- I'm sorry.

I thought...I thought that's what you wanted.

- I don't know, I...

I don't know.

(ominous music)

(window tapping) (ominous music)

- What are you doing?

- Look, it's Egbert! He's back!

He really missed us!

That's why he came home!

(dramatic music)

(ominous music)

" Dad!

Mom!

(both screaming)

- What -- oh, my God!

Ted!

- Get back, Scout!

(dramatic music)

Get the girls out!

- [May] |can't, I can't, |can't move!

(dramatic music) (family yelling)

- Oh, God, 0h, God, girls, come here. Let me see.

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)

- Why did they do that to us?

- I don't know, honey.

I think maybe they got lost.

- I think it was because they were mad at Egbert

and they knew that we were his friends.

- Yeah, maybe that was it.

Jill, I want you to take Joanna inside

and play a game of cards or something for a while, okay?

- I don't mind helping.

- [May] Honey, that would be helping.

- Fine.

- Thanks, Jill.

- [Joanna] Are they gonna come back tonight, Jill?

- [Jill] No, they won't come back.

- May?

You ever seen a bird like that before?

- I don't think so.

Why? ls there something special about it?

- No, I just...I've just never

come across one like it, that's all.

- Yeah, well, we're not from around here.

- I know that.

I don't think this little guy is, either.

- Mom!

Telephone, it's Frank!

- Here.

- Well, couldn't you come in for a couple of hours?

- I can't, Frank, I really can't.

- Well, I'm stuck in the damn tutorial here.

- Okay, go through the, um, manuals that I gave you.

You don't need me for that.

- Is this about yesterday?

- No, yesterday has nothing to do with it.

Um, it...we just had a problem here last night, and, uh,

I can't go into it right now, Frank.

— [Frank] May?

- Yeah, look, I have to go now.

- What's goin' on out there?

- I'll call you tomorrow.

I'll try to come in tomorrow.

- [Frank] You'll try to?

- Yeah, thanks. Bye-bye.

- So, what did he want'?

- He just wondered why I wasn't in there today.

- Well, you really should go in if it's important to you.

- I thought you wanted me here.

- Not if you don't want to be.

-Jesus.

You had some visitors last night.

- It was loads of fun around here.

- Are the girls all right?

- Well, they were pretty shaken up last night,

but I think they're gonna be okay, yeah.

- I'm glad to hear that.

I'm not intruding, am I?

- No!

No, no, no!

Of course not.

In fact, maybe you can help me

answer some questions here.

- Maybe we can help each other.

Curious thing is happening with the birds

around this point of the island.

South Point, marsh lands, and now here, Land's End.

Helen told me about an attack on a fishing boat here.

Here, off the shoals.

- Yeah.

That fits.

- You wouldn't happen to know

what type of bird that is, would you?

- It's a black-napped tern.

This is the first time I ever heard

of one showing up anywhere near here.

- You're kidding.

- Wait.

Look at this guy.

I picked him out yesterday,

out of the wetlands at South Point.

It's all covered in oil.

- So what you're saying is that the oil killed him.

- You are the biology teacher,

I was hoping you could tell me.

I had a hard time identifying it.

According to the book,

this is commonly known as brown hooded gull.

- If it's so common, why was it hard to identify'?

I'm not following you.

- It's common only if you live on the coast of Brazil.

(man laughs)

- I take it His Honor is in'?

- That depends on what for.

- For starters, this island and everybody on it's in danger.

- What kind of danger are we talking about here, gentlemen?

This wouldn't have something to do with birds, would it?

- Yes, it does, but this time --

- Hey, just look around you, sonny.

How do you think people around here make a living?

Fishing and the occasional tourist, that's how.

Now, if you go around tellin' 'em

that the birds are dangerous,

and that their fishing grounds are contaminated

and their beaches are polluted, well, hell,

we might as well just close up

for the rest of the season right now.

- Mister, you don't understand, you've got a problem here.

- The only problem that I see here

is some mainlander tr yin' to stir it up, that's all.

- Well, I got two daughters, one nine and one 11,

and last night, they were attacked by birds.

Hundreds of them.

Now, I don't think you want to be responsible

if something like this happens to somebody else's kids.

- Did you put him up to this?

- I didn't have to, he could see for himself.

- Then he's as crazy as you are, old man.

- You just can't ignore this.

- Well, I don't know.

That sounds like a pretty good idea to me.

- If you're not gonna do anything about it, then I am.

- Well, you're just spinnin' your wheels, Hocken.

We like to go through channels around here.

Do things the right way.

- You mean your way?

- You got it.

- Ah, come on.

- Jesus Christ!

You believe that guy?

- I told you, it wouldn't do any good.

- How many people have to get hurt on this island

before he'll do something about it'?

- I guess this didn't turn out to be

the best summer to come visit your island, huh?

- Life gives you opportunities,

you either take them or you walk away.

You just give it your best shot.

When I ran away from my country,

I used to feel sorry for myself.

It turned me into a real son of a bitch.

- Ah, come on, Karl, you didn't end up so bad.

- I ended up alone.

- May?

Girls?

Jill,J0anna?

May, my God!

What are you doing out here?

Come on, we gotta get inside, it's almost dark.

- It's not dark yet, Dad.

- I was with them.

- Come on, Scout, you scared the hell out of me.

- [Jill] Come on, Scout, come on.

- Hurry.

' [May] Come on!

Come on, get in there.

(dramatic music)

- Ted.

You never came to bed last night.

- I had to keep the fire going.

They could have come down the chimney.

- Come here.

It's a beautiful day today.

Not a bird in sight.

- We can't stay here, you know that.

- I know.

I'll start packing today. That make you feel better?

Hey, let's go for a swim before the girls wake up.

Come on.

Come on!

This is great, hurry, come in here!

Come on!

- Uh-huh.

- Ah, the water was great, you should've come in.

- What has gotten into you?

- It must be the salt air.

- I guess I haven't been there for you, have I?

Sorry I let you down.

- You've been there when it counts.

- They've been gathering south of the island, haven't they?

- When the tide rolled in last night, so did the birds.

I could see them from the tower.

Just waiting there.

- [Ted] Waiting? Waiting for what?

- Just gathering, assembling, waiting like an army.

- You make it sound like it's gonna be war.

- It's not as if we haven't asked for one.

You know, Mother Nature can take only so much

before she hits back with all she's got.

Did you know something like this happened before?

- When? Recently?

- Twenty-five, 30 years ago.

- Why haven't I heard the other islanders talk about it'?

- Didn't happen here.

Somewhere out on the west coast.

- It happened in a little town in Northern California

called Bodega Bay, about 30 years ago.

They said the attack lasted a couple days.

- Well, if it only lasted a couple of days,

don't you think we're past the worst of it'?

- No, no I don't.

Now, there'll be a ferry here tomorrow at 10 o'clock,

I think we should be on it.

(soft piano music)

(ominous music)

- Scout!

Scout!

(ominous music) (Scout barking)

Come on, boy.

Here, Scout.

(Scout barking)

Bad dog, you were supposed to stay inside.

" Yes?

- What're you doing?

- Where's your sister?

- I don't know.

Last time I saw her, she was outside looking for Scout.

(suspenseful music)

-Joanna?

- Daddy?

- Walk to me slowly.

- But Daddy, there are so many of them!

Daddy, I'm scared.

(suspenseful music)

- Walk to me very slowly, honey.

May!

(dramatic music)

- Daddy, daddy!

(dramatic music) (Joanna screaming)

- Hurry!

- Get inside!

Get away from him, leave him alone!

Get off, get off him!

He'll be all right.

- Spread it out for him.

- Hurry up, sweetheart, hurry up.

- [May] Poor Scout.

- Is he gonna be okay?

- I don't know, we're going to do everything we can for him.

- [Jill] Mom, what's happening?

- [Joanna] Daddy!

Dad!

(dramatic music)

- May, go call the sheriff.

(dramatic music)

- [Joanna] Jill! I'm scared, Jill!

(dramatic music)

- It's dead.

(Joanna screams)

(dramatic music)

- It's okay.

Go to Daddy!

(dramatic music)

Oh, my God!

(dramatic music)

- Dad, daddy! Mom! Mom! Mommy!

Momma!

- Ted, do something! Please, do something!

(dramatic music)

Oh, God, Ted!

- Shh, Shh.

Listen, listen.

They're leaving, they're going away.

It's going to be okay.

(clock chimes) (Joanna screams)

It's all right, it's all right.

It's all right, girls.

(ominous music)

- Oh, my God!

(Karl crying OUT)

- You've gotta get back to the office right away.

- What for?

- There are people there who need you.

They're hurt!

- Don't tell me.

They've tangled with some birds.

- Scout, old friend, you've brought surprise

and adventure into our everyday lives

and you were a great source of joy for us all.

Even though I said I never would,

I forgive you for the two days you ran off

after Joanna was born.

You were a food thief and a bed warmer without equal.

We will all miss you.

- Lay the shell down.

- Will Scout be with Tommy in Heaven?

- Of course he will, honey.

- I didn't even get to say goodbye.

- [Ted] Do it now, sweetheart.

- But it's not the same.

- I know it's not the same, but sometimes it's

really what we should do when we lose someone that we love.

(melancholy piano music)

(people chattering)

- It's pretty weird, isn't it'?

- When did it start?

- Just a few minutes ago.

Isn't this the damndest thing you've ever seen?

- Try it again.

All right, try it again.

Forget it. Forget it, honey.

We're not going anywhere in this thing.

Goddamn it!

- Do you think they're gonna come back?

- If they do, the house isn't gonna take another attack.

- Will the birds hurt me?

- Honey, I'm not gonna let anything happen

to you or your sister, I promise.

- Look, what if we walked?

- No, it's too far.

The ferry'll be here in less than two hours.

- Karl could help us!

- Yeah!

- All right.

You kids go inside and wait.

Go on in with them.

(suspenseful music)

Karl?

(dramatic music)

(people chattering) (dramatic music)

- Frank!

What happened?

- Okay, girls.

Go, go!

- Come on, girls!

- Where's Karl?

- Karl can't come right now.

- Why not?

- He's gotta stay and take care of his lighthouse.

- See, he's not afraid of birds!

- Get in, sweetheart.

(dramatic music)

- Can it fit this many cars?

- It doesn't matter, we're going to walk on.

They'll be enough room.

Come on, girls.

(people chattering)

Here, stay here I'll be back in just a minute.

- Where are you going?

- I'm gonna talk to the mayor.

Somebody's got to get in touch with the Coast Guard,

tell 'em the lighthouse is out.

- What happened to the lighthouse?

- What about --

- Easy-

- What about Karl?

- He didn't make it.

- Jesus, Frank, what happened to you?

- Birds didn't like gettin' their picture taken.

- Startin' to sink in now, Doc'?

You got a problem in this town with birds!

Karl talked about the tides.

It was a high tide when they hit us last night.

- It won't be long before it comes back in again.

- Doc.

- All those birds need is a little attitude adjustment!

(gun clicks)

- Ferry's comin'.

- You people are crazy.

- [Woman] Stick together!

- It's okay, it's all right.

- What do you say, Jesse, we get ourselves

a few of these fine-feathered friends?

Hey! Hey, you!

You chicken-live red mainlanders.

What's the matter with you?

You afraid of a few little birds?

(guns firing) (dramatic music)

- We gotta get outta here, come on!

- Grab your stuff, girls, come on! Let's go!

(dramatic music) (guns firing)

- This way, girls.

- Ted, May, come on! Hurry!

- May, come on!

(dramatic music)

- Over here.

- No, no, no, not this way.

I got a Jon boat down at the end of the dock, you take it.

Go on, go on.

- Frank, what about you?

Come on.

- Nah, I'm gonna stick around and try to get the best shot.

- [Ted] Frank, come on!

- Go, go!

(dramatic music)

(explosion booming)

(dramatic music)

(suspenseful music)

- Daddy, you said you wouldn't let them get me.

- I won't, honey.

- Ted, what do we do?

- May, take the girls and get out of the boat.

I'm gonna tip the boat over.

And when you come up, come up underneath the boat.

(suspenseful music)

- [Jill] What should I do? What should I do?

- Honey, hold onto my back.

Get on my back.

Hold onto me.

- [Jill] What do I do now?

- Joanna, hang on, we're going under.

- Mama! Mama! Mama! Mama!

- Where's Joanna?

" Dad!

(suspenseful music)

- Oh, my God, my baby.

(boat thumping) (girls screaming)

- It's all right, it's all right.

They won't get in here.

We're safe in here.

(suspenseful music) (girls screaming)

They're going away, they're going away.

(dramatic music)

It's okay, they're gone!

Here, get up on the boat.

- [May] Go on, Jill. Pull.

We're gonna be all right, girls.

- Look, they're all flying away.

- Where are they going, Daddy?

- They're headed for the mainland.

(ominous music)

(dramatic music)

(dramatic music)