Original subtitles

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

Ha! Okay, 30-love.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hReady, Bubba? I'm always ready.

Why didn't you return it?

Return it? I didn't even see it!

All right, match point, you guys.

- I-I got it! - [ Bubba ] \h\hI got it!

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hGot it! \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hGot it! I got it! I got it!

What a team.

[ Chuckling ]

\h\h\h\hThat's game, set and match. \h\h\h\hNice goin', honey. Thank you, Dad.

The Braddocks take in three straight sets. Nice game, Bub.

Captain. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hSki, thanks.

Daughter's home from college, all of a sudden he's John McEnroe.

It does help to have a member of the college tennis team in the family.

[ Together ] College tennis team?

[ Laughs ] Well, look at it this way, fellas.

I figure with tuition, room and board, cost me about 25,000 to win this match.

She's worth every penny.

You're right about it, Frank.

You know, I think young Wonderlove is attracted to you.

[ Laughs ] Now you sound just like a father,

thinking that every man is attracted to me.

Only the smart ones, my dear.

Well, I think all the men in your group are pretty good guys.

I mean, Frank Chaney's a sweetheart.

He's headstrong, insubordinate, and he's a hotshot pilot.

Just like Ed Braddock, before he settled down behind a desk and got respectable.

[ Chuckles ] Now, who told you all that?

Don't you think Mom used to talk about it?

Yeah, I guess she did.

She loved you a lot, Dad.

I know.

[ Tires Squeal ]

Sorry, honey. We're outta milk. It'll only take a minute.

Oh, and get the nonfat kind. It's better for you.

Amy, you sound more like your mother every day.

Hi. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHi.

Would you please tell me where Fourth Street is?

I think it's about-- [ Screams ]

[ Grunts ] \h\h\h\h[ Screaming ]

- Get in the van! - [ Screaming ]

- Let's move! \h\hLet's move! - Daddy!

[ Braddock ] Amy!

Stop! \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h[ Honking ]

Police officer! I need your car! \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWait a minute!

Get outta the car!

[ Tires Squeal ]

[ Honking ]

[ Muffled Whimpers ]

[ Honking ]

[ Muffled Whimpering ]

[ Tires Screech ]

[ Steady Horn ]

We're trying to I.D. the kidnap vehicle right now, sir.

No, sir, I'm afraid I can't answer that.

Yes, sir. I understand, and we appreciate your concern. I'll keep you informed.

Good-bye, sir.

What'd Commander Henley say?

He's wondering if, uh, someone besides the captain should take over the investigation.

That makes sense to me.

It's not gonna make sense to him. Frank, another reporter.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAny update? No. Just verify the captain's daughter has been kidnapped.

No suspects. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hFrank, \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hwe've I.D.'d the van.

It was stolen in Chula Vista.

Reported into the Chula Vista P.D. at 1700 hours yesterday afternoon.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hNo suspects. Terrific. We're right back to ground zero.

Well, anything? J.J., get me the mayor on the phone right now.

The van was stolen in Chula Vista yesterday afternoon. No suspects.

And? \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHey, Captain, \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hwe're trying.

Yeah, I know you are, guys.

Talk to you a minute, Captain?

Yeah, sure, Frank. Come on in.

Sir, uh--

I've never had any children of my own, but--

Thanks, Frank. I know what you're trying to say.

Well, there's something else, sir. Commander Henley called.

He's wondering if it might not be a better idea if someone else took over the investigation.

Really?

You saying \hyou agree with him?

It's something you should think about.

Now look, Frank, I'm not just Amy's father.

I'm also the captain of this unit,

and there's no way I'm gonna sit at home and let somebody else do this.

There's no way.

Yes, sir.

Snap it up! We're already behind schedule! \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h[ Amy ] No!

No! No! No!

Hey, knock it off, baby!

[ Sobbing ]

We've been nice to you.

You want that to change? \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hUh-uh. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h[ Crying ]

That's better.

A little word of advice.

One more sound out of you, and this is what you'll get.

[ Gunshot ]

- [ Sobbing ] - You got that?

All right, let's go.

That's Sergeant Enrico from Central, right?

Call me the minute you hear anything further.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hThey found the van? Yes, sir.

In the desert, about 24 miles east of San Diego.

From the tire tracks, it appears that Amy was switched to another vehicle.

Why don't we go down there and take a look?

San Diego P.D.'s been over the entire area. Sir.

They've lifted some pretty good prints.

They're running them by now.

Well, good may-- maybe we're finally gettin' someplace, guys.

Sir, the van was riddled with bullets.

There were signs of a struggle and drag marks in the dirt.

Thanks for tellin' me, Frank.

[ Door Closes ]

Hey, Captain, don't you think you've had enough for today?

Makes me feel better, Bubba.

You'll open a hole in this bag if you keep goin' at this rate.

At least a few minutes more. Captain, we just heard from San Diego.

Got positive I.D.'s on three sets of prints.

\h\h\h\hThey know who took Amy? That's right. Three convicted drug dealers.

Nice goin', Frank. Let's run those names through every crime file we can assess, all right?

Yes, sir.

[ Grunts ] A workout always makes you feel better, huh, guys?

Thanks a lot. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hRight, Captain.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hRight. [ Sighs ]

Here's the little morsel you ordered, sir.

[ Teacup Clinks ]

It's always a pleasure to do business with you, sir.

Miss Braddock,

my name is Luis Creighton Acuna.

I do a considerable amount of... business in your country.

Many law enforcement officials, like your father,

know of me.

I move large quantities...

of expensive merchandise...

back and forth across the border.

Now what...

might be the most efficient means of transportation...

to accomplish that?

[ Helicopter Whirring ] [ Phone Ringing ]

Astro Command, Douglas speaking.

Captain, it's Amy.

Amy? Honey, are you all right? Where are you?

I-I don't know where I am.

Can you talk?

Well, he's--

The person who kidnapped me is here.

And he wants me to tell you what his ransom demand is.

[ Sighs ]

What is it?

It's Blue Thunder. He wants the helicopter.

You'll be contacted tomorrow with the details of where to deliver it.

Otherwise--

Otherwise, they kill me.

Honey, I'll work it out.

We're gonna get you outta there, Amy. I promise.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hDaddy, I'm scared. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h[ Crying ] [ Snaps ]

We'll get you outta there. I promise. You just--

[ Clicks ]

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWhat do you think, \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hFrank? I don't know.

He's been on the phone for hours. The sun's coming up.

How many people does he have to talk to at APEX?

Bubba, how're you coming with those names?

These guys got records as long as I am.

And they've all served time in the Mexican prison for running dope.

\h\h\h\hMexico? Frank.

I just got off the phone with Washington. I must've gotten half of APEX out of bed.

And?

[ Sighs ] \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hNever mind, Captain. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hI know what they said.

"It is the--" "It's the position \hof the government...

that if the country allows itself to be held for ransom, then nobody'd be safe."

I agree with that. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hYes, sir.

If I can't, I should-- I should step aside. I should go home...

and let somebody else do this job and--

and I m not about to do that, Frank.

Of course, knowing something's right doesn't guarantee that--

that you can deal with it.

You're dealing with it just fine, Captain.

[ Sighs ] Frank--

I wanna-- wanna thank you for not--

for not fighting me on this thing.

For not saying all those things that--

that wouldn't have helped anyway.

Yes, sir.

Please--

[ Sobs ]

[ Wonderlove ] Okay, here it is here. Here it is here again.

\h\h\h\hWhat'd he say? APEX said no deal.

Eh, they're all heart.

\h\h\h\hWell, we think we're \h\h\h\honto somethin' here, Frank. What is it?

We've cross-referenced every single file on these guys.

Now there's one thing that appears in each of them at least once.

That is the code name "Cobra."

Cobra, what is that?

It's a man-- a heavy-duty drug dealer in Mexico.

And no one knows his name, where he lives, or how he operates.

The narcs keep tryin' to get close,

but the last four agents who tracked him down were all killed.

Drug trafficking.

Now, now. It's easy to understand why Blue Thunder would be such a prize...

for someone who's peddling dope across the border.

How we gonna get this guy? Mexico's a big place.

Well, I guess I could go talk to Rosie.

I don't wanna talk to Rosie, but I will.

That's a great idea. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWho's Rosie?

If this Cobra dude's in Mexico, Rosie would know about it. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWho's Rosie?

Rosie's ex was a biggie with the Mexican syndicate.

She lives in L.A., but she's got connections all over Mexico.

Rosie puts out the word, we can find out a lot.

And Rosie would do anything for Ski. \h\h\h\hWell, then go talk to her.

Yeah. For the captain, I will. But that's the only reason!

[ Woman ] Ski!

[ Speaking Spanish ] ¡Mi amor! Mi corazón!

Rosie! Rosie!

[ Ski ] Rosie, you haven't changed a bit.

Oh, Ski! \h\h\h\hHow you been doin', \h\h\h\hRosie?

Oh, lonesome, querido. I've been missing you.

He's been missing you too, Rosie.

Is that true, Ski? \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hYeah. Sure.

And he has a very important question to ask.

Oh, Ski. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hRosie--

\h¿Sí? Do you know anything about a guy named Cobra?

Is that what you came here to ask me? Rosie, it's really important.

The captain's daughter's been kidnapped.

And we think this guy Cobra's behind it.

The Cobra-- He's very bad news.

Can you tell us anything about him?

No, nothing. Nobody knows.

It doesn't pay to go around asking questions either.

How about these guys?

Mmm, no. I don't know any of them.

- Think you could find out? - Maybe.

You leave these with me. I'll-I'll see what I can do.

But, uh, remember, querido,

that after this, you are mine.

- Deal? - Deal.

Okay, baby, you got it!

[ Screams, Laughs ]

[ Dogs Barking ]

Comida.

Oh, gracias. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hDe nada.

¿Cómo se llama?

Jaime. ¿Y usted?

Me llamo Amy. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hMucho gusto, Amy.

[ Groans ]

- ¿Qué pasó? - Mi tobillo. Mucho dolor.

- ¿Aquí? - Sí.

[ Muttering In Spanish ]

[ Dogs Barking ]

[ Barking Continues ]

[ Whimpering ]

[ Barking Continues ]

[ Panting ]

[ Barking Continues ]

[ Gasps ]

[ Dog Whines ]

[ Sniffs, Whines, Barks ]

[ Barking ]

[ Whimpers ]

[ Crying ]

[ Ski ] Well, we drew a blank with the Cobra,

but Rosie came up with some information about one of the suspects.

A muscle guy named Johnny Irons.

He was spotted last night down in a bar in Los Pablos.

We should tell Braddock. He could contact the authorities in Mexico.

That'll take a day just to go through bureaucratic details, and we don't have a day.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWhat else can we do? [ Phone Rings ]

- Hello. - Chaney.

Yes?

I'm calling you because I think we can strike a bargain.

Who is this?

You have something I want, and I have something you want.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hI'm listening. I know your government will not give up Blue Thunder.

That's why I'm calling you directly. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hGo ahead.

I've done my homework on you, Chaney.

I know what kind of man you are.

You don't particularly care about rules,

and the machine has little value to you...

when compared to a human life.

Deliver Blue Thunder to me, and I will release your captain's daughter.

Wait a minute. How do I know she's even alive?

She won't be alive much longer, unless you do as I say.

Copy these coordinates--

114 degrees west by 32 degrees north.

You fly Blue Thunder there and await my instructions.

If you don't, the girl dies...

by 1600 hours today.

Wait a minute. That's just three hours from now. We don't have--

[ Dial Tone ]

That was the Cobra.

[ Helicopter Whirring ]

Okay. I closed the blinds. I said there was a glare.

He's tied up in a long-distance call for about 10 minutes. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hGood work, J.J.

Frank, I'd feel a lot better if I knew why you were doing this.

[ Chuckles ] Believe me. You don't wanna know.

Let's go, JAFO. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hThat's what \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hI was afraid of.

[ Beeps ]

[ Wonderlove ] We just crossed into Mexico, Frank.

No turning back now. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hI sure hope this works.

Well, with Bubba and Ski heading to Los Pablos,

maybe they can find Johnny Irons and get some information from him.

Meantime, we just follow the Cobra's instructions and try to buy some time.

Good day to you, padres.

May I ask what you are bringing in to Mexico?

Food and clothing for the mission at Los Pablos. \h\h\h\hWe are running late, my son.

His work must not be delayed.

Wait. \h\h\h\hWhat do you mean, "Wait"?

We wanna get there before it gets dark.

Patience... is a virtue, Father Ski.

I'm sorry, padre, but I have been instructed to inspect every vehicle that passes here.

No exceptions.

This is embarrassing for me, padre.

But if I don't look, and someone finds out, I could lose my job.

- Food and clothing. - For the needy.

Uh, obviously.

Vaya con Dios, padres.

Bless you.

Father Ski?

114 degrees by 32 degrees. I'd say we're directly overhead now.

Just a barren piece of Mexican desert.

I don't get this. There's no one within miles of here.

Yeah, well, I'm betting he's gonna move us around a little.

See if we're alone, or we have a small army hiding someplace.

[ Beeping ]

[ Acuna On Headset ] Blue Thunder, good afternoon.

I'm glad you decided to accept my offer.

When do I get to see Amy Braddock?

Proceed now to this location-- 112 degrees west by 30 degrees north.

I repeat, when do I get to see the girl?

[ Chattering ]

[ Speaks Spanish ]

We're collecting money for the poor.

For all the poor souls who are less fortunate than these gentlemen.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hGracias. God bless you, my son.

Raise you 100. Cost you 150.

A lost soul.

\h\h\h\h\h[ Chattering ] For the needy?

Excuse me, gentlemen. We thought you might like to ante up for the poor.

How about donating your pot... into our pot?

[ Laughing ]

And I raise you one peso, amigo.

Stealing is a sin.

Father, I think we have a man who needs to make a confession.

Father, I don't think he's worth saving.

Where's Captain Braddock's daughter?

Cops! They're cops!

They're cops! [ Grunting ]

[ All Grunting ]

Where's the Cobra? \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hI don't know!

- [ Groaning ] - I don't know!

Come on! Where is she?

Hey! \h\h\h\hForgive me, Father.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWhere's the Cobra? I don't know!

[ Groaning ]

I got the information. \h\h\h\hOur work is finished here, \h\h\h\hFather.

Vaya con Dios, my sons. \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBless you.

He said Amy's being held at a ranch about 10 kilometers south of here.

It's the only hacienda in the area.

How'd you get him to tell you all of that?

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

You bit him, didn't you?

[ Sighs ]

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h[ Knocking ] Come in.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hSir? Yes, J.J.?

You know, I never knew why you had pictures of roses in your office.

Is that what you came in here to ask me about?

No, I just, uh, saw you looking at them.

My wife grew roses. It was a passion with her.

She won those ribbons. I was very proud of her.

You don't talk much about your wife.

No. Even after six years, it still hurts.

She was a wonderful woman, wonderful mother.

It's funny, the older Amy gets, the more she... reminds me of her.

Well, what did you want, J.J.?

Sir, I just wanted to tell you that Blue Thunder unit radioed in and, um,

they're assisting the fire department down in Tustin.

There was a construction accident, and, um, well--

- Cut it out, J.J. - Sir?

They're nowhere near Tustin, are they?

No.

If I guess right, they're somewhere in Mexico.

I saw them go. I didn't try to stop them. I knew what they were doing.

I haven't informed anybody, nor have I told the Mexican government.

So, I'm in this just as deep as any of you.

[ Bubba ] Junior to papa. [ Chaney ] Go ahead, Junior.

We're heading south on the Coast Road.

Found out Acuna's got some kind of hacienda about 10 kilometers up ahead,

but we don't know whether Amy's still there.

- Can you help us? - I wish I could, but there was \h\hno sign of Amy...

at the first contact point.

We're airborne to the next one now.

Acuna may show up with Amy, or he may go on playing games.

The best thing for you guys to do is go on to that Hacienda.

[ Bubba ] That's just what we were waitin' to hear, papa.

Talk to you when the smoke clears.

- Okay, Frank, we're at \h\hthe correct location. - We set down again.

[ Wonderlove ] This could get monotonous.

Somewhere out there, somebody saw us come down, is reporting to the Cobra right now.

Well, well, well. We have visitors.

[ Acuna ] Blue Thunder, do you read me now?

This is Blue Thunder. We read you.

[ Acuna ] Please wait in the helicopter until I arrive.

My men will keep an eye on you.

What about Captain Braddock's daughter?

[ Acuna On Headset ] You will be with her in a very short time.

You have my word on that.

I'm going to get the helicopter.

Take the girl into the field...

and kill her.

[ Helicopter Whirring ]

- Sir? - Yes?

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hCommander Henley. Commander.

Look, Ed, this isn't gonna be easy for me.

I was asked to come down here and find out exactly where Blue Thunder is.

I don't think that's anyone's concern but mine.

Blue Thunder belongs to APEX, not the police department.

We assigned you to this unit.

Yeah, you report to APEX, but we can yank you outta here any time we want.

That helicopter went to Mexico, didn't it?

- Yes. - For what reason?

Well, I assume to try to rescue my daughter.

Are you saying you didn't authorize it?

Well, Commander, I saw them leave, and I didn't try to stop them.

That clearly implies authorization.

That's the very reason that no one wanted you left in charge of this investigation.

Investigation? There's no investigation.

All this is, is a situation in which all of my instincts, all of my training,

all of my experience told me to act like a policeman,

but in spite of all of that, thank God, I acted like a father.

Now if that makes me a bad cop, or it makes me a weak commander,

you can have that.

I'll tell the chief I talked to you.

And that I agree with your decision.

Tie her!

If my head didn't hurt where you hit me, I might be sorry about this.

Please, I'd like to speak to Senor Acuna.

Senor Acuna is gone.

He gave his orders and left.

Well, listen. I'd like a cigarette.

At least you can do that.

[ Coughing ]

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hKill her! [ Machine Gun Fire ]

[ Amy Screams ]

[ Gunfire Continues ]

As soon as you're loose, get behind Bubba and lay down!

[ Whimpers ]

Gentlemen, please step out of the helicopter with your hands up.

Where is Amy Braddock? When will I see her?

In a few minutes.

When you exit the helicopter, go to the vehicle on your right.

My men will then escort you to my hacienda where you will see the young lady.

How do I know she's even still alive?

Show me the girl first. Then we'll get out.

Chaney, let's stop playing games.

If you're not out now, the girl will die in five minutes.

You're not in a very good bargaining position, my friend.

I suggest you follow my orders.

- Are we gonna do it, Frank? - We don't have a choice.

[ Sighs ]

-[ Ski ] \hBlue Thunder, this is Ski! -Thank you for using good sense.

Frank, it's a setup! They don't have Amy! Ski does!

Fire!

[ Engine Starts ]

Fire at the rotor!

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h[ Crashing ] What the hell was that?

- We're being hit by \h\harmor-piercing bullets! - [ Beeping ]

Back to the ranch!

Ski to Blue Thunder! Do you read?

- We need help! - [ Chaney ] \h\hSki, where are you?

[ Ski ] Acuna's hacienda. You can't miss it.

It's a big white house about four miles southwest...

of where you were when we checked with you last.

Ski, hang in there. We're on our way.

[ Screaming ]

There's Amy.

- [ Chaney On P.A. ] \h\hBubba, Ski. - She's all right.

Get Amy to the van. I'll be right behind you.

We got a little unfinished business.

\h\h\h\hFrank, you're not doing-- That's right, JAFO.

We're gonna go get ourselves a snake.

- There he is, JAFO. - Yeah. Him and his \h\harmor-piercing bullets.

[ Machine Gun Fire ]

[ Chaney ] Policía federales. Inspector Garcia, por favor.

Inspector, this is Blue Thunder again.

Our position is 31 degrees 15 minutes north by 116 degrees west.

Acuna and his men are making a run for it.

South, across the border. Their vehicles are out of commission, so they can't get far.

If you move fast, you can pick 'em up. Thanks.

Once again, our apologies.

Scratch one Cobra.

- I'll get on the horn \h\hto the captain now. - Yeah.

Tell him we're on our way home with precious cargo.

Oh, Dad. [ Sobbing ]

It's all right, sweetheart.

Everything's gonna be all right now.

[ Sighs ] Thanks.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]