Original subtitles

No?

You don't see it?

Lift the tail. -Come on, move it.

Come on, hurry up.

Move it.

Put those things underneath. Move it.

One, two, three, go.

How do you expect a plane to take off if its propeller gets stuck in the ground?

Lower it again.

Small construction error. -Small construction error? Get lost.

We'll replace this one with a four-bladed propeller and extend the landing gear...

How long? -A few weeks?

Three months. -Dammit. Where's Fokker?

I ask for a plane with several engines and he gives me this.

Where is he?

KLM twice? -Yes, we pay twice what the city does.

I'm sure you'll convince them. -Yes.

Are you crazy? The Fokkers aren't even ready yet and you start about new types?

The F-7 doesn't have the range for long distances.

It doesn't fit enough passengers to grow. -You wanted it yourself. You begged us.

We have to keep investing, otherwise we stand still.

I think you don't understand the difficulties we're in.

You immediately spend everything that comes in on new lines.

On new planes, on advertising.

We have no more reserves. I had to stop the cash payments.

Then we'll mortgage the F-7s and buy... -Plesman, we're broke.

I'm talking to the country's richest men. -How do you think we became that rich?

You wanted a restaurant. -At least it gives flying some cachet.

Plain folks can't afford the coffee here. -Plain folks don't fly.

No, not yet.

In due time they will. -There is no 'due time'.

If you want to get out...

someone has to take over your shares.

I'm not getting out. The figures speak for themselves.

The KLM can no longer be led by an administrator ignorant of management.

The KLM needs someone who knows the world of commerce, who has connections.

I'm willing to give up some of my supervisory activities...

and assume the function of general manager.

I suggest we vote. Gentlemen?

A tie. Let's get back to it next month.

It's almost as if you don't want to make money.

One more mistake. One mistake.

Albert, your technical service declared 200,000 where the budget was 150,000.

So you also want to get rid of me? -Your position was already safe.

I vote along with Van Aalst to appease him. This entry...

That's maintenance. -Fokker's task.

Then it takes twice as long.

So these 50,000 was spent on our own technical service?

Correct.

Trip expects a report from you. -Yes, I'm working on it.

You haven't lived up to one promise. -We flew to Batavia.

Mail flight. It was stranded in Bulgaria for four weeks.

Because of Fokker's machine.

It's never your fault, is it?

Frits, what if next month it does come down to your vote?

If he finds out what you really did with that money...

I won't tell him until I'm ready for it.

Amateurs.

Mr Plesman is looking how the poster looks to people who fell off their bikes.

Those posters will be displayed up high.

I have to know what they look like from this angle.

I don't know.

Doesn't it look more like a train?

It has something trainish. -Yes.

Less trainish, please. Now beat it. -Yes, sir.

Can you polish up our visitor numbers? -KLM.

Let me see if he's available.

Trip. Third time today. -No, I'm not here.

I'm afraid he just walked out.

I don't have his home number.

I'll tell him, sir.

I can't fob him off any longer. -A little longer. We're this close.

Albert. -A little longer.

Sudan-type landscape, Amazonia-type landscape. Why do I have to know this?

Very easy. -So you do my homework.

What do you have to know?

That they have an eq... -Equatorial climate?

Why do I have to know that? -Because you have an oral tomorrow.

I don't feel so well. -You're going to school tomorrow.

No buts.

Why can't we pick up? -It's someone I don't want to talk to.

Are you dreading your orals too?

Frits.

Weren't you going to drill Jan? -Later.

I know that. When Koolhoven is here, you keep talking till deep into the night.

Hey, Frits. -Hello.

Right.

Good evening, everyone. Hi, Suze.

Hello. -Come, let's go to my study.

Yes. -I'll do it next time. This has priority.

If this works out, I'll finally be rid of Fokker.

Let's go.

I'd like to discuss... -Biscuit?

Good morning. -Good morning.

Are those reports from the bank here yet?

Mr Plesman? -'Mr Plesman'? That's a first.

Mr Plesman. -Mr Trip.

We've been trying to reach you. -I'm glad to see you.

You made me a promise. -We reached Batavia.

In two months. A ship would have been faster.

The Fokkers aren't strong enough. A single engine is asking for trouble.

In America Fokker has an F-7 with three engines.

Soon your government contract ends. Any idea how you will pay back the money?

Wasn't it a grant? -Without results, it changes into a loan.

Small print?

This is a draft for a new grant application for the next seven years.

A new grant? -For 3.7 million...

You don't think I'll bite again, do you?

Without a new grant we'll have to close. Then paying back is out of the question.

Then you'll have a big problem. -So will you. I'll tell the minister...

the money was spent under your supervision.

Watch it, Plesman. -Giving up is disgraceful.

Keep investing. That shows vision.

You think you can blackmail me? -Would I dare if I didn't have faith in it?

You just said yourself the Fokkers aren't strong enough.

No, the Fokkers aren't. But I've thought of a solution.

Koolhoven Airplanes

Koolhoven. -Trip.

Mr Koolhoven is one of our best aircraft manufacturers.

I've been working on this machine for two years.

Two years? On one plane? -I put all my money in it.

Hereby I present the FK-33.

A flying range of 1 500 km. Before you know it, you're in the Indies.

And when? -Soon. First the flight test.

I'm sorry I have to bring it up again. -He's working on it.

Really.

I don't know what to tell my landlord.

It's not much...

Please.

So Koolhoven.

I was just about to inform the board. -You show initiative. I like that.

We expect to fly with Fokkers, of course. -Koolhoven is a Dutch manufacturer as well.

You're right, we should let the market do its work.

I know you haven't always agreed with my decisions...

Let's regard this as a new start.

If Koolhoven's plane is up to par... -It is.

There'll be a flight test soon, I heard?

I thought around the 16th. -Excellent.

Will you announce it at the next board meeting? It's on the 9th.

Yes. -I look forward to it.

Neeltje, call Koolhoven, now.

That's impossible, I need more time. -There is no time.

At the next meeting Van Aalst will try to oust me.

But you said... -I know what I said.

Now I'm saying something else. That flight test must take place sooner.

Otherwise it will all be in vain. -My whole future is in that plane.

Mine too. So you fly in a week, or we'll both crash.

Hey, stop it.

Hey, cut it out now. -He's always stealing from me.

Enough. Now keep quiet.

Look, there they are. Good flight.

Good flight. -Thank you.

It will be fine.

Exciting? -Yes.

Well, have a good flight, gentlemen.

Tony. Anthony.

Your mother said you'd arrive today. -My mother?

Forgive me, but I had to see you. -Did she say anything?

Yes, your father. I'm sorry. -Yes, I'm going there right now.

Why are you here? -I want to ride along, to Schiphol.

I understand that it's not ideal, but Plesman is running a flight test today.

I was not informed. -A plane from Koolhoven. Three engines.

Koolhoven? -I heard it from Trip.

I'd have thrown Plesman out at the next meeting, but he moved up the flight test.

You have to look at the plane and offer the KLM a cheaper alternative.

That will give me some ammo. -I have other things on my mind.

How was America? Done good business?

Perhaps. -You don't want them to hear...

that the KLM is switching to Koolhovens.

Do you?

Well, here we go. Good luck.

Ladies and gentlemen, the FK-33 is a trimotor plane for 10 passengers...

that will fly between the Netherlands and the Indies.

Today's pilot is Iwan Smirnoff. He has flown in Russia, England and Belgium.

But as of today, exclusively for the KLM.

As you see, a third engine is installed on top, so that...

there's more room for passengers.

What a fatty.

Good name, 'Fat Dirk'.

You don't bother to show up when you're own junk is delivered, but now you come?

Van Aalst asked me to come along. -So what?

Ladies and gentlemen, are we ready?

Let's quickly begin.

Ready?

Jacob, what's altitude?

It's not making enough altitude.

What are they doing?

They want to come back, but they can't make the turn. The wings are too long.

Full throttle.

Whatever happens, keep the public away. -Yes.

Keep Margot back. -Yes.

Iwan, Iwan.

Albert. -Iwan, where are you?

Hurry up, it's going to light up soon.

It's going up in flames soon, hurry.

Watch it. -Come on.

Put him down.

Do you hear me?

With a Fokker this wouldn't have happened. -That machine just wasn't ready yet.

This is why I want to get rid of Plesman. He makes costly mistakes.

Someone died and you talk about money? -That man's death is Plesman's fault.

You could have stopped him. -He moved up the flight test himself.

Because you put him under pressure.

We can forget that grant from Trip now. Anyway, every end is a new beginning.

I'm sure Trip is interested in a company in the Indies.

Just between you and me, I've already talked about it with Trip.

If I can just tell him I'll use Fokkers... -Yes, pull over.

What are you doing? -I'm going to Haarlem.

What, on foot? -Now, you're going on foot.

Get lost. Yes, off you go.

I come to ask how much longer till we will get our salaries again?

I know you're working on it. -Aren't you getting your money?

Huh? I thought you knew. -No one's getting money?

Is no one getting paid?

It doesn't matter... -Yes, it does.

I... I didn't know... Get Eddy Fuld on the phone.

Eddy, Plesman. How the hell can it be that my people are not getting paid?

As I told you, I had to stop all cash payments.

I thought you meant biscuits with the coffee. How can you withhold people's salaries?

There is no money left. -My people are getting paid today.

Pay them out of my salary.

Are you going to play with it or eat it? -Play with it.

Do you know what that fish costs? -No.

No, because you don't pay for it. -I don't like it.

You'll finish your plate, just like your brother.

That's not fair, Hans does like it. -Hans behaves, so why don't you?

Look at me.

Why is it always trouble with you? -Ab.

Can I leave the table? -No, you may not.

You failed your oral and will do as I say. -Did you pass your oral?

Stay here, I worked hard for that food.

Jan.

Jan, come with me.

Sit, and now listen, goddammit.

I'll have his fish. -No, Jan will finish it. Jan, come on.

No, I don't like it. -Come on.

Albert, he doesn't like it. -How does he know?

He hasn't taken a bite. It's just a notion he has.

Stay here, Jan. -Let go of me. I hate you.

He just keeps on dillydallying. I work my ass off for that food.

And today a man died because of my work. Because of my ideas.

And then I come home and my son won't even eat his food.

500,000 in the red. My people aren't getting paid. They don't have fish, Jan.

And everyone looks to me for answers. But I have no answers.

That boy today took off because of my...

Hello, Dad.

I thought you were in New York.

I'm back. -Why?

To see you.

I was there to explore the market.

I may want to live there. -You want to live everywhere except...

in your own country.

He's here now, isn't he?

I'm famous there.

Look.

That's me. Look.

Not because of my fighter planes, because of my passenger planes.

Let's let him sleep for now.

You know what I...

regret?

That we let Tonnie leave school without...

without a diploma.

Look, this newspaper was on the doormat of every home in America.

With the name Fokker on the front page. Dad.

When he flew around the St Bavo, that was wonderful.

Yes, it was.

They all said he could become the biggest of the Netherlands.

But he let himself get distracted.

Always.

He always... He always wants something else.

Always. Never... never perseveres.

Easy, now.

Hey, come.

I'm sorry.

What will we do if I get fired next week?

You'll find other work.

For all I care you become an egg farmer like your father. I won't mind.

Nor will the children.

Just don't apply for a job as dish washer.

This plate is as dry as can be.

I never thought it would be this hard, Suus.

Thank you. -My condolences.

Thank you.

When my father fell ill, I had to break off my studies and take over from him.

I hated it. Coal mining.

We have to make do with what's given to us.

Yeah, my father was basically an asshole.

I mean... My condolences.

Thank you.

And that Fat Dirk, if that had gone through...

Smart, Plesman.

My condolences. -Thank you.

I'm quickly going over to him.

So what will happen with him?

I don't think his position is tenable.

At least Plesman knows what flying is. Trust me, Van Aalst is not to be trusted.

I'm really sorry about your father.

That third engine, on top, I've never seen that before.

More space... -More passengers.

I'm sure it made Plesman happy.

To a new friendship.

What do you need a bankrupt friend for? -You're not bankrupt.

You know this can't be remedied.

I thought the same thing when I went down with my Spin, in Johannestal.

One of the cables snapped.

I was fine, but the lieutenant who'd come along was dead on the spot.

22 or 23 he was. What was his name again?

But if it wasn't for that crash I'd have never met Platz.

And Platz knew how to weld. And without him, I'd never have come this far.

But you had money. -And I still do.

And you have knowledge.

Why don't we work together for a while?

It's just an idea.

Are you serious? -Yes, why not?

Fokker and the NVI one company. We'll be the biggest in the country.

Frits, what's going on here?

He said we'd work together. He sold all my planes and is going to build Fokkers here.

What about you?

Then Fokker will have... -The monopoly in the Netherlands.

Thanks to us. -Where is he?

Is he inside? -No.

If you don't do it, they will.

Speak your mind. Tell them that they can all piss off.

That's some language, Mrs Plesman.

Well... -Bye, guys.

Bye, Dad. -Bye, Dad.

Albert, shall we start? -Shouldn't we wait for Cor?

Mr Van Aalst is no longer part of this company.

Sorry, what?

Turns out Mr Van Aalst's been planning to set up an airline company in the East.

Without us. -Judas.

I tried to keep him on board, but I can't tolerate that we get lied to...

no matter the reason.

And Van Aalst has Trip on his side, so we can forget about a new grant.

I can solve this. On one condition. -This is no time to make demands.

Oh no? Because I had planned to hand in my resignation today.

My letter of resignation. I can still tear it up.

What do you want, Albert? -I become general manager.

Not administrator, general manager.

Or not, in which case you can sort it out yourselves.

And then I leave as well.

Shall we vote, gentlemen? Who's in favour?

I'd like to see that it's unanimous.

I've taken a loan on the insurance for the salaries. But what will we do next month?

I will have a talk with Trip, see if something can be arranged.