All language subtitles for (1955)TheNightMyNumberCameUp[ING]

Will you tell the wing commander
that Commander Lindsay
would like to see him?

- Is he expecting you, sir?
- No.

- Sorry, sir. He's very busy.
- Will you tell him
it's very urgent?

- If you can explain
what the business is.
- I'll explain to him...

Personally.

Aye, sir. Here's the
air traffic controller, sir.
Perhaps he can help.

I'm sorry.
I know you're busy
this morning.

I'm Commander Lindsay.

I'd like to see
the wing commander,
urgently.

I'm sorry, sir.
Any time but now.

You've heard the news
this morning, haven't you?

I have.
That's why I'm here.

You've got
some information?

I have something to say.

Something that the
wing commander must know.

I see. Would you come
this way?

(Knock on door)

Come in.

Commander Lindsay
to see you, sir.

I'm sorry to break
in on you like this,
but I had to see you.

That's all right, Commander,
if you have something
important to tell me.

Perhaps I ought
to explain something
about myself.

You don't have to, Commander.
I know you well by reputation.

Well, I hope that's
good enough for you to trust me

Because what I'm going to
ask you to believe is...

Was the air marshal Sir John
Hardie in this missing Dakota?

I'm not at liberty
to give the names
of the passengers...

Was he?

Have you any
further news of it?

No. It was last known
to be flying northward
over the mainland of Japan.

Do you know
the coastline of Japan well
and the surrounding islands?

I flew most of the
air routes in the East
for 20 years.

Do you know of a small bay,
wild, rocky with steep cliffs,

A headland with a small
lighthouse on it?

Straggling line
of fishing huts
on the beach.

Two or three big,
twisted rocks in the sea
around the headland.

Why do you ask me this?

Do you know any part
of the Japanese coast
like that?

That might apply
to a great many
parts of the coast.

Wild and rocky up here.

But that's the northwest.

But are there lighthouses?
Small fishing villages?

There are lighthouses,
certainly, because it's
a treacherous coast.

And fishing villages,
plenty of them.

Have you searched
that area?

Well, my dear fellow,
it's miles out.

The last signal was
at 1328 from here,
over the mainland.

They were flying northeast,
direct for Tokyo.

For all that,
will you search that area?
Send everything you can.

Aircraft, naval units, search
parties and comb that northwest
coast at once.

But I...
I must have some reason,
Commander.

If I did tell you,
you'd laugh at me
and do nothing.

You've got to trust me
and do what I say.

The last radio message
was from here.

There was heavy cloud
and they were approaching
high mountains.

Everything suggests a crash
in these mountains.

The lives of
all these people may be saved
if you do what I ask.

I'm not mad.
I'm not a crank.

I implore you
to do this before
it's too late.

Ask the controller
to come in, will you?

Intercom:
Very good, sir.

Yes, sir?

That message through
S.S. Dolphus that came
in this morning,

Where did they report
seeing this aircraft?

Way out here, sir.
More than 60 miles out
in the Sea of Japan.

Then it was seen!

I think for certain
it was a naval aircraft
off a carrier.

Did they give
its direction?

No, sir,
there was heavy mist.

- What time was
this report?
- 1610.

Then it's possible.
It could have been.

All right.

Send this message
to Tokyo.

Search area, Sado Island

And northwest coast from
Akita to Toyama.

Very good, sir.

Well, Commander,

The message has gone.

Would you explain things
to me now?

If I did,
you'd cancel it.

If this turns out
to be a waste of time,

I shall have a good deal
to answer for.

And if they do find them
up there,

Perhaps I'll come back
and explain everything.

Good-bye.

Bye.

- Good day, sir.
- Good day.

I got that away, sir.

They tell me Commander Lindsay
flew in from Singapore with
the air marshal

In this Dakota last Monday.

Did he?
So he did.

You know, in a sense,
this is my last lap.

After this,
I'm carrying on
in a Liberator.

You're going
the long way home,
aren't you?

Oh, yes, well,
I made a lot
of friends

When we were operating
in the Pacific.

Some of them Americans
who are now in Tokyo
and Washington.

I just thought it'd be
a good idea to look them up
on the way home.

We'll be landing
very soon, sir.

Oh, good.

Oh, by the way,
we'll be coming in
on runway 1-3.

If you've never flown into
Hong Kong before,

You'll be amazed
at the approach
we have to make.

What did he mean
by that?

"Runway 1-3," 13.
Ominous.

You naval types
seem to thrive
on superstition.

Well, the same runway,
1-3, has a very dicey approach.

Bit of a corker, isn't it?

Piece of cake.

(Tires screech)

- Hello, sir.
- How are you?

- Mr. Robertson's car
for you, sir.
- Ah.

- Hello, Robbie.
- Hello, John.
How are you?

- Fine.
- Did you have
a good trip?

Yes, perfect, thanks.

This is Commander Lindsay.

An old friend of mine,
Mr. Robertson.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

- Lindsay, you're the new
man on the naval staff.
- That's right.

This is Flight Lieutenant
McKenzie, my personal
assistant.

- How do you do?
- How do you do, sir?

- I'll go and see
about the luggage.
- Right you are, Mac.

Where are you staying?

I've got a room at the officers'
club for the time being.

Well, thanks for the lift, John.
Very enjoyable flight.

Don't mention it.
I'll see you again
before I go.

- What about lunch tomorrow?
- Well...

Are you doing anything
for dinner tomorrow night?

No, nothing.

Why not dine with us?

I'd like to
very much.

Just the family.
My wife and daughter.

I'll send a car
to pick you up
at the club.

Seven o'clock suit you?

Fine.
I'll be ready.

Strange people,
the Chinese.

The oldest civilization
on earth.

Yet, even today,
so many of them

Allow their lives to be
controlled by fears
and superstitions

That we laugh at as
childish, medieval.

What on Earth's all that about?

It's the ceremony
of the returning spirit.

For one night,
the dead come back to spend
a few hours in their old home.

The relations do everything
in their power to make
it a happy return.

Sounds as if they're
driving it away.

No, no,
they're driving the
evil spirits away

- so that the good ones
may return in peace.
- Mm-hm.

How do they know
when it's coming back?

They're told through
dreams and omens.

Times have changed
in China,

But many families
still cling to
the old beliefs.

Customs that go back
thousands of years.

And do they believe
what their dreams tell them?

Robertson:
Well, they don't regard them
as dreams

Quite in the way that we do.

They regard them
as visions of things to come.

They believe that
everything in their lives
is preordained.

The dream is a glimpse
into the future, sent
for their guidance.

Hmm.

Good thing the commander
isn't a Chinaman.

Why? What's the commander
been doing?

He had the weirdest dream
last night.

It wasn't anything.

McKenzie:
Gave me the willies.

Tell us what happened.

Oh, I was tired,
that's all.

Too much lobster for dinner.

Well, I must be going.

You're not going to leave
'til you've told us
about the dream.

Besides, you haven't had
your coffee yet, Commander.

Uh, no...
No, I won't, thanks.

- Yes, let's hear it.
- Yeah, come on.
Tell us, Lindsay.

Oh...

It was just
a silly, jumbled-up affair
like any other dream.

All mixed up with that Dakota
aircraft we flew in from
Singapore yesterday.

I wasn't in it myself.

I was seeing it
from the outside.

I saw the
passenger compartment.

There were six, seven...

Eight people.

One of them was
a very attractive
young woman.

I'd been with you all day,
so I suppose it was natural
I should see you there.

And one was a very
important civilian.

That must have
been you, Daddy.

Honey, yes, I'm sure it was.

Go on, what happened?

Well, they were lost.

They talked about the radio.
It had failed.

They were short of fuel.

They only just
had enough to get
to the coast.

Hardie:
You mean we were
over the sea somewhere?

I imagine so.
They kept talking
about the mainland.

They were in
very heavy cloud.

It was snowing.
Got darker and darker.

Then, suddenly,
they were out of the cloud

And there
was a bay surrounded by
reddish cliffs.

Rock-strewn beach.

Lighthouse on a
small headland.

One end of the beach
a sort of fishing village.

(Crash)

It's an odd thing
about dreams.

You see a place vividly
in every detail,

And yet for the life of you,
you can't remember having
seen it before.

And you say
I was in it?

Yes.

And it was
a twin-engine plane?

- A Dakota?
- Yes, that's right.

Really, Commander,
I think that's a terrible story
to tell to flying men.

Well, all I can say
is I'm glad we're going
in a Liberator and not a Dakota.

- But we are going
in a Dakota.
- But...

I only heard myself,
just before dinner.

We're going all
in the same Dakota.

You're joking, surely.

Robertson:
Well, I wouldn't worry
if I were you, Lindsay.

After all, you did say
there were eight passengers.

Yes.

Well, anyway,
we won't have an important
civilian or a girl on board.

Will it be takeoff the
same time tomorrow, sir?

Yes, ten o'clock.

Well, I must be going.

Please don't move.
Good-bye, Mrs. Robertson.

You must come and see us again.
Will you be here for some time?

Oh, yes, I think so.

- Thank you for
a very nice evening.
- Good night.

- Come along, John.
We'll see him off.
- Right.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Get the flight lieutenant
a drink, dear.

Well, if you'll excuse me,
I'm rather tired.

I think I'll say
good night, too.

- Yes, of course...
- No, please. Do stay
and have your drink.

- Good night, darling.
- Good night, Mother.

- Good night, Mrs. Robertson.
- Good night.

What a nice man
he is.

Who?

The air marshal.

Oh, yes, he's all right.

It must be interesting
being his personal assistant.

In a way.

Don't you like it?

Oh, yes, it's interesting.
But other chaps, you know,
they...

They think you've wangled
a cushy job for yourself.

They don't give you
a DFC for a cushy job.

Well, I got that long ago,
1940.

Battle of Britain.

Yes, I'd have been
a squadron leader by now

If the air marshal
hadn't pulled me out
to be his PA.

But it was
a great compliment,
wasn't it?

You might call it that,
but it, uh...

Put the lid
on what I hoped to do.

Now, have you
been over here long?

Oh, I was born here.

Daddy's been
in Hong Kong for ages.

I was at school in England
when the Jap war started.

Mommy and Daddy were interned.
I didn't see them for nearly
five years.

Did they have a bad time?

I think so.

Thanks.

Here's to happy days
in good old England.

No, here's to you,
Robbie.

You know,

I often wondered
after all you've been through,

Why you came back
here at all.

Best way to make up
for lost time.

You're still a young man.
You've got plenty of time.

Oh, if I were to
step up now, it would mean
another five good years.

Might get to be a...
A governor.

Stranger things have happened.

Yes, I'd like
to see you as a governor.

If I don't,
I go back to England next year.

Just one more civil servant who
didn't get quite as far as he
thought he should.

- (Knock on door)
- Come in.

Oh, excuse me.
Is there anything else
for tonight, sir?

- No, I don't think so.
- I've checked with the airport.
Everything's okay.

All right, thanks.
Good night, Mac.

Good night, sir.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Now, Mac was one of
the best fighter pilots
in the Battle of Britain.

Then quite suddenly...

Well, it was the way
things happened in those days.

Complete breakdown.

He got better, of course,

In a manner of speaking,
but there was no more
fighting for him.

But he still flies?

Only as a passenger.
Never as a pilot.

He's a braver man
than I am.

I'd sooner walk for a week
than fly for an hour.

You don't mean to say
you've never flown?

Please don't breathe it
outside this room.

I've never flown
in my life.

The governor's on the
phone, Daddy. Will you
take it in here?

Ah, yes, thank you, my dear.

What's the governor want
at this hour of the night?

Hello?

Good evening, Your Excellency.

Yes, yes, he's here
with me now. Just a moment.
It's for you, John.

He's got Lord Wainwright
with him.

Wainwright, oh, that's
wonderful.

Hello?

Good evening.

Yes, he flew in
this morning from Singapore.

He's on his way to Tokyo
for the trade conference.

Now, as you are flying there
yourself tomorrow,

He's wondering whether
he could keep you company.

Yes, of course.
That's splendid.

Well, he's here now.
Just a moment, he'd like
a word with you.

Thank you.
Hello, John.
How are you?

Hardie:
I'm fine, thanks.
Haven't seen you for ages.

It's a bit of luck
catching you here.

Well, it'll be good
to see you and hear the news.

What time you leaving?

Ten o'clock,
is that all right?

That'll suit me.

Splendid.
Well, I'll pick
you up about 9:30.

Good night, Bertie.

Good night, John.

Fancy old Bertie Wainwright
turning up here.

We used to be
at school together.

He was the most
awful ass in those days.

He's a big shot now, though.
What is his job, exactly?

He's practically my boss.

Advisor on Eastern Affairs
to the foreign office.

Well, I must try
and put in a good
word for you.

I'm just one of a crowd
to him. I don't suppose
he's ever heard of me.

You know, it's funny.

That dream Lindsay
told us about this evening.

He said there was
a very important civilian
in the aircraft.

Oh, yes, so he did.

Well, here he is.

Wainwright.

I suppose if I were a Chinaman,
I should take that as an omen.

Oh, if you were Chinese,
you would take it for granted.

He expects his dreams
to come true.

Of course, if you use
enough imagination,
put things together,

You can always make a dream
look as if it comes true.

A lot of bunkum.

It's always puzzled me
why an extremely intelligent
people like the Chinese

Retain their medieval ideas
about dreams and omens
and suchlike.

I shouldn't worry
if I were you, John.

- I'm not worried.
- You'll have another drink?

No, thanks.
I think I'll turn in.

What time do you
have breakfast?

Anytime after seven.
Is that okay?

Perfect, thanks.

Well, I have enjoyed this
little stay, Robbie. I wish
it could have been longer.

Yes, if you could have stayed
a few more days, we could
have had some golf.

- (Phone ringing)
- Oh, dear, we don't usually get
calls this time of night.

But it may be
Wainwright about something.

More likely a wrong number.
It's a terrible exchange.

Hello?
Yes, that's right.

It's the governor again.

Oh.

Yes, Robertson speaking.

Oh, that's all right, sir.
I was only just going up.

Wainwright:
Is it all right?

Yes, sir.
It's all right.

Good.
Is the air marshal there?

Yes, he's right here.

The governor wants
to speak to you.

What's the trouble?

Hello?

I'm sorry to have
to bother you again,

But Wainwright's very keen
to have Robertson
with him in Tokyo.

It's a question
of Japanese law.

And he'll also need
a good stenographer.

I suggested Miss Campbell.
Robertson knows her work.

That means there'll be four
counting Wainwright's private
secretary.

Can you cope
with that number?

Yes, of course.
No trouble at all.

I'm afraid I shall be unable
to see you off, so I wish you
bon voyage now.

Quite understand.
Thank you, sir.
Good-bye.

- Good-bye.
- Well, that's that.

Did he tell you
that I was wanted?

Yes, isn't that splendid?

What's the matter?

Oh, Robbie, I'm sorry.
I was forgetting you've
never flown.

No, it's not that, it's...

This other thing.
It's uncanny.

What, the dream?
Is that what's bothering you?

It's just an odd coincidence.

Coincidences are happening
to us every day of our lives.

Not to me, they're not.

Now listen, Robbie,
you must be sensible.

You can't seriously suggest that
I should ask Lord Wainwright

To travel on a different plane
than mine simply because some
fellow had a dream.

- No.
- If we changed our plans every
time someone had a dream,

Things would soon
be in chaos.

Besides, Lindsay said
there were eight passengers
in that confounded dream of his

And we're only six,
so it doesn't make sense anyway.

- Hello there.
- Good morning.

I say, it's the most
extraordinary thing.

- Do you know
what's happened?
- What?

We've got our important person,
Lord Wainwright.

And a girl.
Just what the commander saw.

My dear boy,
millions of people
dream dreams every night.

Yes, but if
it did happen...

If it did happen, then
there's no such thing
as reality.

I've been studying these
Oriental superstitions
for years.

The more I've learned,
the more ridiculous and
childish it becomes.

Take my advice
and forget it.

Has Lord Wainwright arrived?

Not yet.
We expect him at any moment.

Excuse me, sir.
Pardon the liberty, sir,

But are you one of the
officers flying in that
Dakota over there, sir?

- Yes.
- Well, they say you're
stopping in Okinawa.

Yes, I believe we are.

Well, me and my mate here,
we been on three days' leave
from Okinawa.

We're with the REME unit
attached to the Yanks.

Well, we were due to leave
earlier this morning, sir.

Well, sir, we missed the bus,
like, and now we want
to get back.

No, no, McKenzie,
certainly not. It's
quite impossible.

You'll have to see
the authorities and wait.

Well, sir,
I only thought that...

No, I'm afraid it's
entirely out of the question.

Well, what did I tell you?
Blinking civilians.

Never was no good.

You're right there, pal. Give me
the service bloke every time.

Yeah.

When a man like
Lord Wainwright is on
a confidential mission,

Is it usual to pick up
every Tom, Dick and Harry
who wants a lift?

That isn't what was
worrying you.

If we'd been eight and they'd
have made us ten, you'd have
paid them to come.

You might care to know
that I've written a book

Which proves the absurdity
of superstition.

- Good morning, Miss Campbell.
- Good morning.

Miss Campbell, this is
Flight Lieutenant McKenzie.

- Good morning.
- How do you do?

Mr. Robertson,
I'm sorry you didn't want
me to come with you.

Oh, I didn't mean that.

They told me you
rang the office
this morning,

Suggesting that
one of the men
went in my place.

Well, I just thought that...

A long journey by air
and an arduous conference
to follow,

The strain might have been
too much for you.

It was kind of you
to think of it that way,

But I'm certain
I shall be all right.

It was no reflection
on your ability,
I assure you.

I'm glad it wasn't that.

I begged them
to let me come.

I haven't been to
a big conference before

And it's tremendously exciting.

(Chuckles)

- Excuse me.
- (Car pulls up outside)

Here they come.
Will you excuse me?
I must go and meet them.

Yes, of course.

Mr. Robertson,
Lord Wainwright
has arrived.

Oh, thank you.

Oh, Robbie.

This is Mr. Robertson.

- Good morning.
- How do you do, sir?

I'm sorry to have done this to
you on such short notice.

Not at all, sir.
Delighted to be of service.

It's lucky to have
found you here.

I must confess, I don't
speak a word of Japanese.
If it weren't for you,

I should have walked in
on this conference and made
a fool of myself.

You wouldn't have done that,
sir, you're an expert
in these matters.

Well, there are two kinds
of experts in the world.

The ones who have learned from
books, like myself,

And the ones that have learned
from experience, like you.

- Too many of my kind
and not enough of yours.
- Just a living, sir.

Good morning, sir.

Good morning.
Oh, come with me
to Lord Wainwright.

Bertie, this is the
captain of our aircraft,
Squadron Leader Walker.

- Good morning.
- Good morning, sir.

What sort of weather
forecast have you?

- Favorable, sir.
- Right-o.

Well, there's
just one thing.

We haven't the range
to make Tokyo in one hop.

We'll refuel at Okinawa.

We shan't be in Okinawa
until about five o'clock.

And then there's an hour's
refueling.

That means a night's journey
on to Tokyo.

Look, I was wondering,
if you preferred it,

We could sleep the night in
Okinawa and then take a daylight

Trip along the Japanese
mainland in the morning.

That's an excellent idea.

Right, then I'll fix it.

- Oh, Mac.
- Sir.

Will you send a signal
to Okinawa

And reserve accommodation
for tonight?

Very good, sir.

Excuse me, sir.

- Just one more thing.
- What's that?

There are a couple
of soldiers outside who
want a lift back to Okinawa.

It appears they missed
their bus back.

John, I can't imagine why
these two men should persist
in this way.

They spoke to me outside.
I made it quite clear to them

That it was impossible for them
to travel back on this aircraft.

They're a decent enough
couple of fellows.

They wouldn't be
any bother, sir.

But Lord Wainwright is certain
to want to discuss important
matters during the flight.

Thank you, Robertson,
but personally, I wouldn't dream
of refusing them on my account.

If the men are due back at their
unit, I see no reason why my
presence should stop them.

Would there be
enough room?

There's room for 12, sir.

How many should we be?
Eight?

Well, I see no reason...
No logical reason...

Shall I tell them, sir?

- Yes.
- Right.

Let's know when
you're ready to go.

- Quite soon now, sir.
About ten minutes.
- Right.

Well, we should be
sitting down for
a long while.

Should we have
a stroll outside?

Why not?
It's a lovely morning.

Brandy, please.

A large one.

Yes, sir.

Thank you.

Of all the things.
You've heard what's happened?

Those blighters have pulled it
off and got a lift to Okinawa.

So we're eight after all.

Seven men and a girl.

Full steam ahead for the dream.

I say, sir, you're not fit
for this. You shouldn't come.

They'll find someone
to take your place in Tokyo.

You're implying
that I'm afraid.

- I never said that.
- That's what you meant.

No, really, I...

And are you the sort of man
who can accuse another of...

I'm sorry.
Will you have
a drink with me?

Mm-hm.
I'll have a beer.

I don't pretend
to be a brave man.

I hate flying.

But I've got a job to do

And I'm going to do it

No matter what
anybody dreams.

I have an idea you're a damn
sight braver than I am.

Well, here's to a good trip
and a happy landing.

Even if the dream is complete

Right down to the girl herself.

And who's been dreaming
about me?

Well, it's the most
extraordinary thing.
We've just been talk...

What's extraordinary?

Oh, nothing.

You said the dream
was complete,
including me.

That's the
extraordinary thing.

And because of me,
you didn't have
a safe landing.

- No, I never said that.
- I heard you say,

"Here's to a safe landing,
even if the dream's complete,
right down to the girl herself."

I assure you,
Miss Campbell, it's nothing.
Absolutely nothing.

Look, I'll tell you
all about it when we
get to Okinawa.

What difference does it make?
Why not tell me now?

Because I like
being mysterious,
that's why.

- Excuse me, gentlemen.
- Yes?

Are you passengers
on the Dakota for Tokyo?

- Yes, we are.
- We're ready
for departure, sir.

Thank you,
we'll come right away.

Hello, Robbie.

- I think you'll find this seat
most comfortable, sir.
- Thank you.

You'll have a nice view of
the harbor and the coastal
towns from here.

Do we follow the coast
for long?

For about a half an hour, sir.
Then we make for Formosa.

- I think if Mr. Robertson
could sit here with me.
- Oh, certainly, sir.

Then we could go through
my notes for the conference.

Do fasten your safety
belts, please, gentlemen.
No smoking 'til after takeoff.

Is that special
military protection?

You can hardly call them
protection.

Can I take her off, Skipper?

Sorry, Reggie.
This is a tricky airfield.

I better do it myself.

I looked over these notes
last night.

They'll give you a rough
idea of the ground we've
got to cover.

I'll read them over, sir.

Let me know what you think
the Japanese point of view
would be on

These clauses.
Three and four.

Three and four.

Tower from RAF Air, 632.

Permission to change frequency
to approach control, over.

Listen, Bertie.

You sit here, John.

Oh, thank you, Robbie.

Hardie:
Look, I've been glancing
at this map.

When we leave Okinawa,
it wouldn't take us
much out of our way

If we passed over
Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Oh, yes,
that'll be interesting.

Have you flown
over there before?

No... no, that's what
made me suggest it.

Look, this is roughly
where we are now.
About here...

You know, you've made me
awfully curious.

Why won't you tell me
what this mystery is?

I'll tell you all about it
when we get rid of those
two soldiers at Okinawa.

- What have they
got to do with it?
- Everything.

Yeah, my old woman will have
something to show around when
she gets my letter

Saying I've traveled
with all these nobs.

There's only a couple of nobs.
The others have been thrown in
just to make it look important.

Well, all the same. If I'd known
I was going to travel with
Lord what's-his-name,

I'd have cleaned me cap badge.

Yeah.

Okay, Reggie,
you can take over now.

- I'll drop back for a bit
and ease my legs.
- Thanks a lot.

Oh, Kent, did you
pick up my book this morning?

Yes, sir.

- Thank you.
- May I?

Excuse me.

Well, sir,
how's the trip?

Fine.
Are we on schedule?

Yes, sir.
So far as per
the flight plan.

There'll be coffee
and a snack coming around
in a moment or two, sir.

That will be very acceptable.

Well, you seem to have made
a good impression
on the great man.

- You think so?
- I'm sure of it.

I said last night
that I'd put in a
good word for you.

I don't think
you need it now.

If only one could
feel easy in one's mind.

What, you're not still worrying
about that dream, are you?

I know it's absurd,
but I didn't sleep
a wink last night.

- Oh, nor did I.
- You didn't?

Well, you know the story
of the old lady when they asked
her if she believed in ghosts

And she said,
"No, of course I don't, but I'm
still frightened of them."

Well, I think that applies
to anything supernatural.

You don't honestly think that a
thing like that could happen
just because somebody dreams it?

Well, if I said it couldn't,

I should begin to think that
it was going to at any moment.

So I'd rather
say to myself

It might,

Then, somehow,
I don't think it will.

- (Radio static)
- There's a good bit of
interference, Skipper.

Seems like an electric storm
somewhere ahead.

What do they report
from Okinawa?

A certain amount
of low cloud.

Slight sea mist building up.

It's funny, isn't it?

You on your way home,
your last flight.

Me perhaps on the edge
of something I've prayed
for all my life.

Here we are

With this absurd,
ridiculous thing

Hanging like some great, black
curtain between us and what we
want so much.

You'll enjoy it
all the more when you
get through the black curtain.

Then you think we shall?

Now, Robbie,
don't start that again.

- Have a coffee, sir?
- Oh, thank you.

- Ham sandwich?
- No, not for me,
thank you.

- Coffee, sir?
- Thank you.

- Sandwich?
- No, thank you.

Shift it.

Coffee, sir?

Ah, yes, thanks.
I'd almost forgotten
where I was.

These thrillers,
extraordinarily ingenious.

They just found
a dead man disguised
as a scarecrow.

Been standing in the field
for six weeks

With a laborer hanging out
a coat on his outstretched arms.

You'd have thought
by that time they'd have begun
to know something.

You won't feel like
a ham sandwich, then, sir?

No, thanks.

Well, we shouldn't be long now.
How are you feeling?

I'll be very thankful for
a good night's sleep.

Well, you'll get that
in an hour or so when
we touch down.

Maybe less.

You care to sit here, sir?

Oh, thank you, Mac.

Well, I don't see
why he should have
all the fun.

Thank you, Mac.

Wait, it's a ruddy rainstorm
over there.

I wonder what it's like
going through a storm
like that.

You won't have to wonder
much longer.

Wait'll we catch up
with the RSM.

Blimey, what a storm.

(Rolling thunder)

Alter course 20 degrees
to port.

We'll try
and miss that stuff.

Okay.
There's no guarantee
we'll miss it there either.

No, but we have a better chance
than flying straight for it,
haven't we?

Excuse me.

I was wondering just now,

I can't understand why
Lindsay should have told you
about that dream last night.

Well, why shouldn't he?

Well, it seems peculiar for
a man suddenly to describe
a dream for no reason.

What gave rise to it?
What led up to it?

Oh, I don't know.
Yawned, said he was sleepy.

Said he hoped he'd have a better
night than last night and...

That led him into the dream.

If he hadn't told you, we should
be enjoying this flight without
a care in the world.

That wouldn't have
altered the risk, would it?

I really don't know.

It's an interesting
theory, isn't it?

Perhaps nothing happens
in this world

Unless somebody
dreams about it first.

This dream that we're
mixed up in,

Did Lindsay tell you
any more about it than
he told us?

Yes, he did,
as a matter of fact.

What?

Nothing much.

Well, what was it?

Well, he described the
passengers a bit more clearly.

There were eight of them.

One was a coarse,
flashy type with a loud voice.

Well, that doesn't fit
very well, does it?

None of us is coarse
or flashy and the soldiers
are very quiet.

Was there anything else?

What else was there?

Why talk about it?

Why not tell me?

There's no need
to treat me like a child.

Whatever he said,
I'd like you to tell me.

Well, if you must know,
it was pretty awful at the end.

Just before the crash,
one of the passengers
went crazy.

Mad with fright.

The other passengers
had to hold him down.

He lost all control
of himself.

Well, naturally Lindsay didn't
tell you that part in front of
your wife and daughter.

Would you fasten
your safety belts, please?

There's nothing
to worry about.

We're running into
a patch of storm.

You were right, Reggie.
We didn't miss it.

Oh-oh, here it is.

Will you fasten your
safety belt, please, sir?

What a story
to tell the missus.

Yeah.

- Have you earthed your set?
- Of course I have, Skipper.

- Put the lights on in
the passengers' cabin?
- Yes, Captain.

- Pull the blinds?
- No, I'll go and do
that now.

How... how much longer
will we be?

We should touch down
any minute now, sir.

Ah, thank God.

RAF Air 632 from Okinawa tower.

You are turn one for landing.

Runway zero three.

Wind zero four five degrees,

Four zero knots.

Boy, I'll bet that's
one Limey who'll be glad
to see us.

Radio:
Tower from RAF Air 632,
on final approach, over.

RAF Air 632 from tower,
you are clear to land.

Not a bad landing
for a night like this.

Yeah, for me,
I'd sooner talk 'em down
than bring them down.

- Good evening, sir.
- Good evening.

Sir.

Sorry you had to fly
though one of those
bad storms of ours.

It was disturbing
while it lasted,

But after all,
these things are
interesting, you know.

I thoroughly enjoyed
the journey.

Quite sorry it's over.

- Be with you
in a moment.
- All right.

Well, boys,
I hope you
enjoyed the trip.

Well, all except
the storm, sir.

Yes, that was far from pleasant.
I hope it didn't shake
you up too much.

That's all right,
we'll get over it.

Good, perhaps you'll give me
the pleasure of buying
you a drink, hmm?

Man:
Where do you think
you're going?

Now, don't let me interfere.
Take your time.

The army can wait.

Right, shun!
About turn!

Forward march.
Left, right, left, right,
left, right, left, right.

What did you say?
"Service blokes are
better than civvies"?

- Give me civvies every day.
- Right yield!

You know, Robbie,
you should never play poker.
You haven't got the face for it.

You're quite right.
It's just the relief after
that nightmare journey.

Ah, here's the crew.

- Hello, Mac.
- Hello.

I guess it was amazing.
You see, it all fitted together,
right down to you.

One girl, he said,
and seven men.

Well, that was all right
at first 'cause we
were only six.

And then at the last minute, I'm
blessed if those two soldiers
didn't turn up to make us eight.

Well, I'm glad
you didn't tell me.

Well, Robbie,
I think I'll go and have a wash
and brush up before dinner.

I've been telling her
all about it.

Have you? It was a funny
business, wasn't it?

Funny? I think it was horrible.

Well, the details weren't
exactly like the dream,
you know.

The naval commander
didn't mention the
two private soldiers.

They were all civilians
except for the air marshal
and McKenzie here.

And then he
spoke to you about

- a coarse, flashy man with
a loud voice, didn't he?
- Mm-hm.

- Air Marshal Hardie?
- Yes.

I want to ask you
a favor.

Now, my name's Bennett,
Walter Bennett.

I'm the Managing Director of the
Anglo-Pacific Trading Company.
Perhaps you've heard of me.

Here's my card.

Well, what can I do for you?

Well, it's like this,

I hold a government warrant
to deal in war surplus.

I have all my papers here
if you'd like to see them.

No, that's quite all right.
What can I do?

Well, I'm on a big tour
of these Eastern military
establishments,

Buying up stuff
that isn't wanted.

And me and my secretary,
that's that little bloke
over there,

We got off here a couple
of days ago to do a job and I
have a very big deal

- to put over in Tokyo
tomorrow night.
- Yes?

Well, there isn't another
plane going through here until
Wednesday.

So, seeing as you got
plenty of room on that
Dakota of yours,

I was thinking that you'd be
a decent chap and give us
a lift in the morning.

Very sorry.
I'm afraid it
can't be done.

Why not?

I mean, there's only
the two of us and

I've just been told that two
fellas got off here to stay

So you won't be any more
than you were, will you?

That's not the point.
It's an entirely
different matter.

I'm very sorry,
but you'll have to wait
for another aircraft.

Are you on this Dakota?

- Yes.
- How many does it take?

What do you mean?

You know what I mean.
Passengers.

About a dozen,
I suppose, why?

- And there's six of you?
That's right, isn't it?
- Well, what about it?

Well, what's the matter
with that air marshal
of yours, ay?

Nothing as far as I know.

Listen, me and my
secretary have got
to be in Tokyo tomorrow.

Now, there isn't another
aircraft until Wednesday.

I ask him politely
for a lift and he...

He pretty well hits me
in the face.

Well, if he says you can't,
then you can't, can you?

Now, look, everybody helps
everybody else these days.

I mean can't you make
him see some common sense?

I'm ready to pay
and pay well too.

It isn't a matter of money.
If you had all the money
in the world,

You couldn't buy yourself
a place on an aircraft on a
special mission.

Look, I'm on a special mission.

Then you'll have to
get there some other way,
won't you?

Should we go and get ready
for dinner?

Well, I think this is
where I go to bed.

It's been a long day
for an old man.

I should be getting along
presently.

What time do you want
to get to Tokyo tomorrow?

Any time before dark.
We don't begin our talks
'til the following morning.

Well, we should need six hours
if we are going by Nagasaki
and Hiroshima.

I think we should leave
at ten in the morning.

It's a nice,
comfortable time.

Then I'll see
you at breakfast.
Good night, John.

Good night, Bertie.

McKenzie,
just a minute.

I'm going to my room now.
We should get away at ten
in the morning.

- Very good, sir.
- Send a signal through to
Tokyo first thing tomorrow.

Tell them we are making this
diversion over Nagasaki and
Hiroshima.

- We should be in Tokyo
about four.
- Right, sir.

- Good night, Mac.
- Good night, sir.

Excuse me a minute.

It's about this
business of mine
in Tokyo.

Now, I'm very sorry if I
offended you this evening.

No, no, it's no offense at all.
It's just that I couldn't help,
that's...

Oh, thank you very much.

Well, perhaps I don't
explain things very well.

You see, I'm not traveling
around picking up big profits
for myself.

It's more than that.

It's something big
for the country that I'm going
to pull off in Tokyo.

- Now, that's all
right, you keep them.
- No, no, these are yours.

Oh, thank you.
Well, as I was saying,

Now, this trade conference
that Lord Wainwright's going to,

All the big Jap businessmen
are going to be there

And the Americans too.

Now, why leave all the
best stuff for the Yanks?

I mean, it's a great chance
for us British to pull off

Something really worth having
for the old country.

But if you're traveling
officially,

Surely the British government
made accommodations for you.

They did, they did.

I got all my papers
fixed up by the Department
of Overseas Trade.

Now, here they are.
You're quite welcome to have
a look at them.

No, I'm quite sure
they're all right.

You see, they leave me
to fix my own traveling
arrangements because

I never know how long
these jobs are going to take.

But I've never had
any difficulty before.

Whenever there was a plane
available, I've been made
very welcome.

Everywhere. Now, if you was
to speak to Lord Wainwright,

He's all out for British trade.

Surely, if there's room on that
Dakota of yours,

You're not going to
leave me behind here
to lose the biggest deal

That Britain's had
since the war.

I shall have
to consider it.

But you will talk
to Lord Wainwright?

Well, I may.

Oh, that's fine.
That's fine.

Well, it's all okay.
I'm with you in the morning.

Drinks on me.
What you gonna have, ay?

What do you mean you're
"with us" in the morning?

Me and my secretary flying
with you to Tokyo
in the morning.

But didn't you hear
what the air marshal said?
He can't arrange it.

He saw common sense
when he knew it was important.

He's just given me the okay
out there on the balcony.

Well, come on.
What you gonna have, ay?

Well, you're a couple of fine
traveling companions, you are.

Who is that chap?

Did you know he got passage
on the Dakota tomorrow
with his secretary?

First I've heard of it.
Who fixed him up?

He said the air marshal's
given him permission.

Oh, well,
there's plenty of room.

We often pick up
people these days.

But this is terrifying.
It's frightening.

That means there'll
be eight of us again,
just like the dream said.

What dream?

Well, don't you know?

It's most uncanny.

There was a man in Hong Kong
who had an extraordinary dream...

You had a little too much.
It's time you cooled off
a bit.

You better come outside.

But, Mac, I've hardly
had anything.

It's such a
weird, uncanny thing.
It gives you the creeps.

First of all, he dreamt
there was a Dakota.

There were
eight passengers.

One of them was
the air marshal. Another
was a very important person

- and everything seemed...
- Would you please stop it?!

- Oh, dear.
- I think he's the one
that's had too much.

Excuse me.

Did you see all that?

No, what was it?

All about some
mysterious dream.

Do you know
anything about it?

Do you believe in these
things yourself?

I don't believe in anything
'til I know what it is.

I thought he would have
laughed at it.

Like you did.

You don't seriously
believe these things, do you?

Don't you?

No, not really.

It always seems to me that

If something evil is foreseen,
then we say it's fate.

There's nothing we can
do about it.

But if it's good,
then we can take the credit
for ourselves.

I'm a skeptic, I'm afraid.

I suppose being interned
has made me think like that.

Internment doesn't seem
to have done the same
for Mr. Robertson.

He believes, all right.

Does he?

Why, yes, of course.

That's why he
didn't want me to
come on this trip.

Poor Mr. Robertson.

And I was so
cross with him.

You didn't answer
my question,
did you?

Do I believe in
premonitions, is that it?

Mm-hm.

I don't know.

I don't think so.

But I'm certain one should
never put such things into
the mind of a pilot.

It's asking for trouble.

But when you've had a long
spell, are overtired, you know,
you often dream.

I remember once dreaming
I was over London in a fog
with the petrol running out.

A few days later, there I was,
over Northolt in a dense fog.

With no petrol?

Oh, plenty of that.

They sent me off to
a clear airfield about
50 miles away.

Then it wasn't
like your dream.

It never is exactly.

This one is.

We haven't crashed yet.
You're expecting too much
for your money.

Look, if you feel badly
about it, there's something you
can do to alter the setup.

Oh, can I?

It's this business of the eight
passengers that upsets you,
isn't it?

Well, the air marshal's
the one to decide. You better
see him about it.

Oh, no, I couldn't...

Excuse me, could you
tell me where I can find
Air Marshal Hardie?

Sir, there in room
on the right.

Thank you.

(Knock on door)

Come in.

Oh, hello, Robbie.

May I have
a word with you?

Well, yes, of course.
What's the trouble?

That man, Bennett,
and his friend.

You mustn't let them
come with us tomorrow.

My dear Robbie...

You're mad, John.
You're deliberately gambling
with people's lives.

You're letting this thing
get on your nerves.

There's something
happening here that none
of us understands.

One of the men that Lindsay
saw in his dream was Bennett.

Nonsense. I don't suppose
Lindsay ever saw Bennett
in his life.

How could he have
dreamt that he was
in the aircraft?

McKenzie told me he did.

He saw Bennett here
and decided to fit him
into his dream.

McKenzie's very highly
strung and imaginative.

He told me before
he saw Bennett.

He told me in the aircraft
before we got here.

He described him
exactly as Lindsay
described him

And it was Bennett.

Now, look, Robbie,
you're tired.

You must go to bed
and forget all this rubbish.

Is this your idea of
leadership, to lead these
people to certain death?

If you want to behave like a
child frightened of the dark,
then...

Well, you're the one
that ought to stay behind.

I'm thinking of the others
as much as I am of myself.

Well, leave me to think about
them.

It's my responsibility who flies
in this aircraft.

You realize that
every detail has
come true.

That only one remains.
And that one will come true

As sure as fate unless
you stop it now.

I shall do what
I consider right.

Then you'll be
the only lucky one

Because you won't
be alive to know the appalling
thing you've done.

What on earth
was all that about?

It was Robertson.

Yes, I saw him.
What happened?

Well, he's upset.
He's overwrought.

Why?

Well, it's an absurd,
fantastic thing.

But...

I don't want
to worry you about it.

He sounded very violent.
Isn't it something
I ought to know?

You're not
seriously concerned,
John, are you?

Well, I don't know, but...

Maybe events can be foreseen.

Certainly, there's no
effect without cause.

And the cause may be
happening now?

Something like that.

Are you suggesting that
we don't take these...

What do you believe, John?

If we left these men behind,

We should be putting ourselves
back a thousand years

To the days when men were slaves
to witchcraft and black magic.

We can't do that sort
of thing in the middle
of the 20th century, John.

No, I don't suppose we can.

We must brush these
primitive things aside

And behave like intelligent,
common-sense men in the
age of reason.

All the same, I wish this
fellow, Bennett, were at
the bottom of a coal mine.

- I shan't sleep a wink tonight.
- Nor shall I.

Well, if you don't,
then come in and we'll have
a game of gin rummy.

(Aircraft engine roaring)

Thank you.

Morning, George.

Good morning, sir.
Did you sleep well?

Wonderful.
That's the best night's
sleep I've had for years.

- It's a lovely day,
isn't it?
- Yes.

If I'd brought me
bathing drawers, you know,
I'd have gone down for a dip.

They say the sea's
very dangerous around here.
Sharks.

Sharks?
I'd like to see the shark
that can get the better of me.

Two fried eggs
and a lot of bacon, please.

Good morning, my lord.

Morning.

- Sleep well?
- Yes, thank you.

- Lovely day.
- Very pleasant.
Very pleasant, indeed.

Morning.

- Good morning, John.
- Good morning, Bertie.

Well,

You didn't come in
to play gin rummy.

No, I went straight off.
I slept like a log. Did you?

Fairly. Quite fairly.
I had a dream.

Oh, a good one, I hope.

Miffed if I know.
I can't remember a
thing about it now.

Morning, sir.

- Oh, good morning, Mac.
- Morning, sir.

- Everything picks up.
- Is everything
all right, sir?

Now, what's the
weather forecast?

- Fine all the way, sir.
- Oh, good.

You seen Mr. Robertson
this morning?

No, sir,
I haven't seen him
since last night.

Well, I think you
better go and give
him a knock.

It's past nine.
If he wants any breakfast,
he'll have to hurry.

Right, sir.

(Birds chirping)

- Good morning, sir.
- Good morning. All set?

All ready, sir.

There's a bit
of a headwind.

If we're going by
Hiroshima, Nagasaki,

We ought to get moving.

Right, we're all ready,
I think.

Very good, sir.

Did you give Mr. Robertson
a call?

Well, yes, I told him
breakfast is ready.

Did you see him?

McKenzie:
No, I just knocked.
He answered.

Did he sound all right?

Well, I think so, sir.
He just said thank you,
that's all.

Shall I go
and find him, sir?

No, don't worry.
I'll go myself.

Hello, Robbie,
I was just coming to find you.

I'm so sorry.
Have I kept you waiting?

No. We're just about ready,
that's all.

You get some breakfast?

They brought me
some coffee.

You're all right,
aren't you?

Yes, quite.
I don't as a rule
have much breakfast.

They told me there was
an aircraft flying through
to Hong Kong this morning.

I took the opportunity
of writing a line to my wife.

Have a nice trip, sir.

Thanks.

(Plane engine starts)

See, we shall hardly be
out of sight of land
from now on.

This whole group of islands
stretches right across to
the Japanese mainland.

Ah, what's that
little place
down there?

Takuno Island.

Now, what would they do
on a place like that?

I haven't the
faintest idea.

We shall alter course
presently. A little bit to
the north. There's Nagasaki.

Nagasaki. That's where
they dropped the atom bomb,
isn't it?

That's right.
And here is...

But that's miles
off our way to Tokyo.

Oh, quite a bit.

Well, what's the point?

Well, the point is that
we want to see Nagasaki
and Hiroshima.

Bennett:
Well, that'll make us late
getting to Tokyo, won't it?

Oh, we should be there
about five o'clock.

It will only add
two hours to our journey.

Are you having a successful
business trip, Mr. Bennett?

Well, pretty good, my lord.
I can't complain.

You know,
if I pull off this deal,
I'll make myself a packet.

Of course, it'll do the old
country a bit of good as well,
you know?

I've had a very hard life,
you know? Things haven't
always worked out my way.

If I pull this one off,
I shall retire and I'll

Get myself a suite in one of
those posh London hotels and a
yacht in the Mediterranean

And a nice country mansion,
'cause I'm a home-loving
sort of chap, you know?

Yes.

Bennett:
I don't fly around
the world for fun.

There's not much doubt
in his mind, is there?

No, I almost envy him
his confidence.

Oh, I don't know.

Anyone with sense has doubts.

It's being able to overcome them
that really brings confidence,
don't you think?

Yes, I suppose you're right.

Tired?

A bit of a head.

Whiff of oxygen.
That's what you want.

Oxygen?

I haven't got
pneumonia.

It's wonderful
for a headache.

Look, you stay here.

I'll go along to the
control cabin and see
if they can fix you up.

Miss Campbell's got
a bit of a hangover.

Too many cocktails
last night.

Can you get her
a whiff of oxygen?

- Haven't got any.
- No oxygen?

- No reason to go
above 10,000 feet.
- Well, that's too bad.

I'll fix her up
with a cup of coffee.
She'll be all right.

Tell the air marshal
we'll be over Nagasaki
in 20 minutes.

Okay. How are things going?

Bit hazy.
Probably clear when
we get to the mainland.

Thanks.

Sorry, no oxygen.
Try this coffee.

Oh, thanks.

Like an aspirin?

No, thank you.

What happened
to the oxygen?

Have all the crew
got hangovers?

No, they don't carry it on
this route. They don't need it.

The captain reports
we'll be over Nagasaki
in 20 minutes, sir.

Well, I hope it'll
be clearer than this.

Can you ask the air marshal
if he'll mind coming along?

Right, Skipper.

Captain says would you mind
coming up front, please, sir?

Uh, sorry, sir,
Nagasaki is right down
there below us.

What's our altitude?

6,000, sir.

Could we drop down?

I think we'll find this stuff
right down to the deck, sir.

That's bad luck.
Lord Wainwright rather
wanted to see Nagasaki.

Well, we could play around
for a bit, sir, if you like.

It may clear.

No, I wouldn't do that.

Better set course for Hiroshima.

Maybe clearer there.

Um, what's the distance?

160 miles, sir.
A matter of an hour
and ten minutes.

All right, well,
go ahead and do that.

Just connected with Tokyo.

What's it like
over there?

They've got a lot of
low cloud, but the front
appears to be moving.

Where are we?

Should be about
halfway across this
inland sea.

I reckon we're about
70 miles southwest
of Hiroshima.

Uh-oh, looks like
Hiroshima's out too.

We can't risk
going any lower.

There's some pretty high
land on Kyushu. It rises to
about 4,000 feet in places.

Why not climb above it?

- Could do.
- Shall I have a go?

All right.

7,000 feet, Skipper.

Looks like it's clearing.

Good.

Isn't it lovely?

It's just like Switzerland.

McKenzie:
Yes.

Will you excuse
me a moment?

One sometimes gets the idea
that one could land on top of
those clouds.

Go for a walk on them.

I'm afraid you'd get
your feet wet.

Besides, a walk on the clouds
wasn't in that dream.

No. I was thinking
about that just now.

Does a thing like that
have to worry the pilot?
Does he mind it?

Oh, no, it's all
in the day's work.

Even so, I wouldn't breathe
a word to the captain

Of an aircraft about
things like that dream.

But surely it wouldn't
worry a man like that.

It's curious, but it can.

If a pilot gets the conviction
that he isn't going to survive,

Gradually the strain
turns it into an obsession.

Then one day,
a crisis comes along,

Something, maybe,
that he could get out
of without much difficulty,

But he says to himself,
"Ah, this is it."

He accepts the inevitable
and goes down without any
attempt to survive.

Well, that's why we don't
talk about omens or bad
dreams in the air force.

They're the worst poison
a flying man can swallow.

(Radio emitting static)

(Radio static stops)

It's gone.
Packed up.

What's the trouble?

Power supply's failed, Skipper.

Can you do anything about it?

Not 'til we get to Tokyo.

I think it's burned out.

What's the trouble?

Nothing.

Uh, the engineer
spilled the coffee.

I think, perhaps,
you should know, sir,
that the radio is packed in.

Hiroshima doesn't look
too hopeful, does it?

No, I'm afraid not.

You better tell the
air marshal it looks as if we're
out of luck with Hiroshima

And I'm heading
direct for Tokyo.

Right.

Message from the pilot, sir.

There's no sign of a break
and we've just passed Hiroshima,

So he's set course for Tokyo.

Well, thank goodness for that.

I thought we'd get that, sir.

There was a high bank
of cloud right ahead.

Better get those old belts on.

It's all right.
We'll soon climb above it.

This is bad, sir.
It's coming in from the east.

What's your altitude now?

9,000, sir.

No oxygen?

Never needed it
up to now.

Yes, I know that,
but it's a bit rough
on the passengers.

That depends
on the passengers.

Are there any
bad hearts back there?

Not that I know of.

Lord Wainwright isn't a young
man, but he looks pretty fit.

I don't know about
the two new ones.

I didn't like the look
of Bennett much, sir.

Oh, well, we'll
just have to chance that.

What do you think?

Try and climb above this?

I think so, sir.

It's all right.
We'll soon be out
in the sun again,

But we're going high.
The air will be
a bit thin, so

Sit quiet and breathe
steadily.

14,000.

They aren't going to
enjoy this back there.

Maybe it's clear below.

I wouldn't want to go down
through this now.

We're beginning to ice up.

It's this
blasted bronchitis.

- (Crackling)
- What's that?

We're collecting ice.

I don't think
we can go much higher.

So long as that ice
keeps flying off,
we're all right.

These aircraft are built
for just that.

(Crackling continues)

I can't stand this.

It's all right for you.

I got a chest...

Bronchitis.

I'm choking.

Take it easy.
It's no good fighting it.

How can I take it easy?

I can't breathe.

You wait,
I'll report this.

Now be quiet.
It's the same for
all of us here.

It's all that mucking about
around Naga... Nag...

We should be in Tokyo
by now.

I'm afraid, Skipper,
we'll have to go down.

There's a fellow back there
who'll pass out if we stay
up here much longer.

I had to climb.

Keep running
into this stuff.

Just on 19,000.

Reggie, take over.

Don't risk a blackout, Walker.

It's easy for it to happen
without oxygen at this height.

Okay, sir.

Well?

We've flown 2 hours
and 25 minutes since
the radio passed out, sir.

On that reckoning,
we should be over Tokyo.

With estimating for
an easterly drift.

And has there been any change
in these cloud banks?

Any sign of a break?

None, sir,
except they get higher.

Each time we run into it,
we start icing up worse.

Fight to hold altitude
and keep clear of it.

We'll have to risk it
and go down.

Tell them we're going down.

- Stay in there with them.
- Right, sir.

We're going down.
We may get some bumps.

Will you fix your belts?

I'm worried about
this ice, sir.

By the look of the passengers,
I'd advise you to get down
as quickly as possible.

That's just my trouble.

To do that,
I'll have to lower
the undercart.

Probably use
the flaps as well.

Get as much drag as possible.

They're liable
to ice up, aren't they?

Yeah, that's just it.

And if it's freezing
down to ground level,
we'll be in real trouble.

Never be able
to control the plane.

Okay to go ahead now, sir?

We'll see how we go
as we are.

(Engine roaring)

(Rattling)

It's no use.

We'll shake ourselves
to bits at this rate.

(Engine slows)

Lower the undercarriage.

Give me quarter flap...

Now.

We'll try again.

Well done, Walker.

Let's hope it's not
freezing down to ground level.

13,000.

Still icing up badly.

My ears, they're turning
inside out.

Mine too.
Hold your nose and blow.
Make them crack.

Oh, my ears.

Try swallowing, sir.
It might ease you.

Oh, shut up, can't you?

What do you know
about it anyway?

9,000.

By my reckoning,
we should come down somewhere
southeast of Tokyo...

I hope.

6,000 feet
and if we hit a mountain,
we'll know you're wrong.

We're coming out of it.

It's the sea,
I'm right.

- There's a ship.
- Where?

There was a ship.

Over there. Starboard.
In the mist.

There it is.

Wireless operator,
get your lamp ready.

Give 'em a signal.

If only I knew
where the thing was.

I'll take a circle 'round.

Well, you chaps
seem well able to cope
with the situation.

I'll go back and get
out of your way.

Thank goodness.

It gives me the jitters
to have brass hats
breathing down my neck.

We'll fly due west
and pick up the coast.

Well, it seems we've come
down somewhere southeast of
Yokohama Bay.

We should sight
the coast soon.

Well, everybody all right?

Yes, no thanks
to the maniacs
driving this plane.

What's that ahead?

Is it cloud?

That's land, all right.
You don't get cloud that color.

Look, you can see the surf.

That's our first bit
of luck today.

We might have been heading
for the middle of the Pacific.

- Shall I go tell them, Skipper?
- Hmm?

Yes, good idea.
It'll cheer them up.

It's all right, sir,
land ahead.

Oh, I thought
we should be over
land all the way.

So we should have been,
sir, but

Up there above the clouds,
it's a bit difficult to
allow for crosswinds.

It's past four o'clock.
We'd be in by now if we
hadn't mucked about.

Here a minute.

Look, I wired last night to some
chaps telling them to meet me at
the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo.

Now you might send
a radio message saying I'll
be there in half an hour

And to book me two large
rooms with bath.

- I can't.
- Why not?

No radio.
It's broken down.

Well, I'll be...

No radio. No oxygen.

You'll be telling me
next the ruddy plane
hasn't any wings.

But it hasn't.

I'll turn due south down
the coast until you can
pick up a landmark, okay?

Okay with me, Skip.

You better check
the undercart
and the flaps.

Fine.

Undercart's okay, Skipper.

That's the second bit
of luck today.

You can see
the coastline quite
clearly now, look.

McKenzie:
That's a sight for sore eyes.

It really seemed
as though that dream
was coming true.

- Didn't you feel it?
- I did.

And all the time
I kept saying to myself,
"Storm, darkness, snow."

As long as they didn't come,
I felt we were all right.

That's why I didn't tell you
the radio had broken down.

- You knew?
- Mm-hm.

I'm afraid I'd have
died if I had known that.

How we are for fuel?

About an hour and a half's
flying, Skipper.

Do you see anything yet?

Nothing that helps
so far.

Think I'll go back
for a smoke, Skipper.

All right.

That's strange, Skipper.
We're heading due north now.

Take over, Reggie.

We could be going up here.

Walker:
Could be.

Keep a sharp lookout.
We got to find our
bearing soon.

What time's it get dark
in these parts?

Just before five.

About half an hour's time.

How are things, Walker?

Co pilot:
Something down there, Skipper.

Just a small village.

I should have thought
if we were over the
east coast of Japan,

We'd have passed over
one of the large towns
long before this.

I'm making some coffee, sir.
Would you care for a cup?

We might just as well wait
'til we get to the airport,
don't you think?

We may not be in
just yet, sir.

Wainwright:
Why, what's happened?

Engineer:
Well, it wasn't possible to
follow an exact course

Under these bad flying
conditions,

So we're following the coast
until we can establish
our position.

You mean,
you don't know
where we are?

I trust this is Japan.

It's Japan, all right, sir.

How do you know that, ay?

Because it couldn't
be anything else.

From what I've seen
of your flying methods,
it could be China.

Or Blackpool for that matter.

Now, look, I'm in a hurry.
I've got business to do.

You're sure
we're following the coast
in the right direction?

Certain, sir.

How long is it
since we started
to follow this coast?

Just on a hundred miles, sir.

Well, these big towns
are only 50 miles apart,
right along the coast.

We ought to have seen
one of them by now.

There's someplace coming up
right now, sir.

Hardie:
That's the place we passed
some time ago.

But it couldn't be, sir.
It's impossible.

It's no good pretending.
It's the same place.

We must have flown completely
'round an island.

There's only one
big island off Japan

And that's off
the northwest coast.

Sado Island, here.

It would take about a hundred
miles to circle around it.

How much longer
can we fly?

Not above half an hour, sir.

Well, then Tokyo's impossible.
That's 160 miles.

Nearest town
on the mainland is...

Niigata, about 40 miles.
Can we make that?

If we're lucky, sir,
we shall have a headwind.

Well, there's an airstrip,
just inland from the town.

That's our best plan.

Do you agree?

Set your course on that.
Straight across the island.

I better go and have
a word with them
back in there.

Navigator:
107 magnetic.

Well, I expect you all
want to know what's happened.

Our radio failed soon after
we climbed above these
clouds this afternoon.

We had to fly blind
for three hours in
the worst conditions.

In fact,
everything considered,

I think we're very lucky
to have found the coast at all.

But we're a long way to
the northwest of Tokyo.

We shall have to land
on the nearest airstrip
on the mainland.

But surely, John,
isn't this the mainland?

No, no, this is Sado Island.
About 40 miles from
the mainland.

We're making straight
for the mainland now.

It's not a long crossing,
only about 20 minutes.

You'll see a town called Niigata
and the airstrip just beyond.

It'll be dark.

Yes, I expect so.

But we'll signal,
and they'll see us in.

I'm sorry about all this.
It's just one of those things.

Something that nobody
could have helped.

Well, it can't be worse
than it's been.

I never mind once
I know where I am.

Why don't we land here
and stop the night?

Now take a look
for yourself.

If you landed there,
you'd stop for more
than a night.

You'd stop 'til someone came
and collected what was left
of you in a sandbag.

There's something
coming up ahead.

Did you say there
were 40 miles of
open sea?

32, to be exact.

It looks like high cliffs.

Couldn't be.
It's not more than
ten miles ahead.

It looks to me
more like a storm.

Well, it's no good trying to
dodge it. We'll have to go
right
through it.

Those passengers in there,
tell them it's safety
belts again.

Right, Skipper.

Anyway, they'll need
them soon for landing.

Will you fix
your safety belts, please?

We're preparing for landing.

The air marshal said
in about 20 minutes.

Must we wear them
so soon?

I think it's best, sir.
We may go through a patch
of rough weather in a moment.

Getting very dark, isn't it?

Sun's barely set.

I think it's the storm, sir.
It's right ahead.

We're not more than 20 miles
from the mainland now, though.

Lindsay:
They kept talking
about the mainland.

They were in very heavy cloud.

It got darker and darker.

We are going very fast,
aren't we?

It's the storm
that's going fast, sir.

Can't last much longer.
Not like that.

That's a real hurricane.

Is that snow
on the window?

Engineer:
Yes, sir. We get it like that
sometimes around here.

Storm.
Darkness. Snow.

This is it, isn't it?

That's all rubbish.

The dream said we were lost.

And we're not lost.

So the Chinese are right
after all.

Things are preordained.

Maybe they are.

Maybe Lindsay was right.
Maybe everything is predestined,
but...

But to go through life believing
that would be stupid.

A mockery,
a travesty of living.

Look, Robbie, we've all been
given a

Brain and a mind with
which to shape our lives.

We can't just accept what is to
come and do nothing about it.

It's our duty to life
to live it to the utmost.

That's our duty to God.

You can't just give in.
That's too easy.

Just by saying
if my number's on it,
then I'm going to get it.

Well, that's why it was so
central that the pilot

Shouldn't know anything
about this dream.

If he'd known about that,
he would've...

He does know.

I told him.

Cloud.
Darkness.
Snow.

Got the lot now.

Well, that's what he said,
wasn't it, sir?

Cloud, darkness and snow.

Now, look, Walker,
you've got to stop thinking
about all that...

Pull up,
we're nearly
in the sea!

Pull up!

That's what they are,
bloody madmen.

Turn around
and take her back.

Now you sit down
and keep quiet.

You're mad, the whole bunch of
you. It's a blasted lunatic
asylum! Where's that pilot?

Let me get at him.
He's not going to murder me!

Thank you, gentlemen.
I think he'll be all right now.

If you'll go back to your seats.

How's the fuel?

I'd say we've only
another 15 minutes left.

Co pilot:
Look out! Cliffs!

Storm, snow, cliffs...

And a beach.

(Engine sputtering)

Port booster.

This is it, sir.
I shall have to put her
down on that beach.

You can't do that.
It will be suicide.

You must not
put her down there.

It will be asking
for disaster.

Put her down in the sea.
It's our only chance.

Bring her down
in the sea, I tell you!

I'm sorry, sir.

I'm in command of this plane
and I'm going to put her down
on that beach.

You're quite right, Captain.

Sorry.

We couldn't be
in better hands.

Engineer.

- Sir.
- Make ready for
an emergency landing.

Okay, lads.
You can all get back now.

You know the drill.

Good luck, Skipper.

Good luck, Skipper.

We're going to make
an emergency landing,

But it's been done
many times before,

So there's no need
for undue alarm.

Uh, just tighten your
straps and brace on to
whatever you can.

Right, you go in there.

Right you are, go ahead.

All set in there, Skipper.

Right.

Here it goes.

Ask the air marshal
to come forward, will you?

The beach is too short
for landing, sir.

Thank God for that.

Pilot:
I've just noticed
a valley full of snow.

Looks pretty flat.
Probably paddy fields.

I'm going to
belly her down there.

Right, Walker.
Well, I'll go and see
all's well behind.

Make it snappy, sir.
We haven't got
much fuel left.

Well, Reggie?

You want to
take it this time?

No, thanks, Skipper.
You can have this one.

Good luck.

(Engine sputtering)

(Engine dies)

Yes, yes, it's excellent.

What made me suggest
searching out there?

Well, it's our job
to use our brains, you know?

Thanks very much.

Not at all.

Bye.

The governor's
on the other phone, sir.

The governor?

All right, thanks.

Good morning,
Your Excellency.

I hear it was you
who suggested searching
that remote area.

It must be a wonderful thing
to know that you've saved all
those valuable lives.

Well, I only did
my duty, sir.

Thank you very much, sir.

Bye.

Commander Lindsay
to see you, sir.

Lindsay?

Oh, yes, of course.

- All right, show him in.
- Yes, sir.

Would you come in, sir?

- Hello, Commander.
- Hello.

Well, this is great news.

Yes, it's good to know
that it's turned out all right.

I think some of the credit
for this may be due to you.

Oh, no,
the credit is yours,
not mine.

It's good of you
to put it like that.

After all,
I have described a scene.

It was you that ordered the
search of the northwest coast.

Yes, that's true.

Well, now that it's all over,
will you tell me what
made you describe it?

You really want to know?

Naturally.

- I had a dream.
- A dream?

Yes.
I dreamt the whole thing.

From what I hear,
it turned out exactly
as I dreamt it...

Except for the last part.

You often have dreams
like that?

Oh, yes,
as a matter of fact, I do.

Must be very disturbing.

Yes, it is, rather.

Only this afternoon
I dozed off

In the lounge of
the officers' club.
I had another dream.

- What about?
- You.

Me?

- Yes.
- What happened?

Oh, it wouldn't be fair
to tell you.

I think I ought to know.

No, I'd rather not,
but

If you do disappear,

I'll tell the authorities
where to go and look for you.