All language subtitles for Ukroshcheniye ognya (1972)_eng

MOSFILM

Perhaps not all of what we are preparing
to say was just so in reality.

This is not a chronicle, and not protocol;

But these are the real feelings, thoughts,
and actions of people, and events...

...that already belong to history.

The Taming of Fire

Starring:
KIRILL LAVROV

Director:
DANIIL KHRABOVITSKY

Director of Photography:
SERGEI BRONSKY

Production Designer:
YURI KLABIENKO

Composer:
ANDREI PETROV

Subtitles:
DANIIL ABRAMOV

So...

Understood.

There are no further questions. You'll
stay on the site? I will call later. Good.

They are offering to solve the problem
themselves. They know better on-site.

Fueling of all levels of the carrier rocket
oxidizer has been completed.

Report received.

Maybe, despite this, we should still risk a launch?

You're asking me?

Who is the Chairman of the State Commission; You or me?

Andrei Ilyitch, for just a minute.

I do not like these urgent meetings
within thirty minutes of launch.

Has something happened?

Either way, let's look at the data.

Well, there it is.

I tried to persuade him, politely and forcefully,
asked and begged, to postpone the refueling,
until we figured out the causes of...

And, what did you get? There are no kind of causes.

Andrei Ilyitch, with all due respect, let me say this:

You know perfectly well that the on the stand...

the vehicle failed to separate from the
final stage of the carrier. Correct?

- Not completely.
- Then how? Last night I saw it with my own eyes.

It might have been a typical "visitor effect;" failure
of the device in the presence of management.

Stop it!

Fueling of all components has been
completed. No further remarks.

Fueling is complete, and we have no kind of
confidence. Andrei Ilyitch, perhaps we call it off?

On what basis? No, let's review this.

On the test stand, and in the large pressure chamber,
we made 25 test-firings, which were all excellent!

- Correct, comrade Morozov, or not?
- That may be so, but on the 26th firing...

- one of the valves failed to open.
- In any case, electronics had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Whether the electronics or the mechanical system -
Do you know why, Prichinov? No.

Fact: the ship did not separate from the last
stage. So what more is there to say?

Well, what if there had been only 25 test
firings? Would it have been the same?

Statistics has nothing to do with it. This is a
fact. Understand this, Andryusha: fact.

Why all this at the very last moment?

Because after that we had 5 more test
firings, which all went perfectly!

What is the quota on the number
of ground tests? Who stops it?

Attention! All launch services
announce thirty-minute readiness!

I repeat: thirty-minute readiness!

- Carrier System Control - ready for launch!
- Copy!

- Telemetry thirty-minute readiness acknowledged!
- Copy!

- All vehicle systems normal!
- Copy!

- All launch site services report thirty-minute readiness!
- Copy!

- All of the country's tracking station confirm thirty minute readiness.

- The hurricane is continuing in Kamchatka, but it will still work!
- Understood.

- Ships of the Command and Tracking Complex
in the Pacific report thirty-minute readiness!
- Confirmed.

- Ships of the Command and Tracking Complex
in the Atlantic report thirty-minute readiness!
- Confirmed.

- Mission Control Center thirty minute readiness order received!
- Confirmed.

Retract the service tower!

Well, here we are. Already thirty-minute readiness.

Cancel it. Cancel it!

Without the emotions!

It's not in the electronics, I swear on my head;

This is the result of negligence on the stand.
Nothing like this would happen in space!

Well, don't tell me. The laws of space dictate that
accidents are the most likely of undesirable events.

Wait a minute. Nikolai Ivanovich, I'm serious:

Space is one thing, but on the stand it's totally different.
Conditions on the stand are different from those during flight.

Why are they not complying? What's going on at the
stand? What, did they not give you enough money?

You really have not gone over all of your
reasons for pushing the ship over the hill.

Should we begin the scheduled evacuation
of people from the area?

Wait. Give a delay of fifteen minutes.

Attention! All services report a fifteen-minute
hold! I repeat: a hold of fifteen minutes.

I am begging you as a friend. Let's take the risk - and the
risk is minimal. Understand that I need this launch!

No, no. That will not work. And
what you suggest is not the case.

The first is the question of reliability. I am ready to
meet in Moscow for the failure to launch on time.

Do you have a one-hundred-percent guarantee?

One-hundred-percent guarantees only exist in insurance policies.

I have not received convincing arguments
in favor of launch. That is the final word.

And therefore, by the power invested in me by the government

....especially since we already know the
nature of the reaction from Moscow-

You already managed to report back? Well,
come on! Go ahead! Exercise your power!

Attention! All services are recalled. I repeat -

Shut down everything except for startup operations,
electrical systems, and fuel tanks.

Drain all fuel and oxidizer from the carrier block.

All systems reset to starting positions.
Disconnect the vehicle board.

Temperature Control System has been turned off!

Stabilization Control System has been turned off!

Orientation system has been turned off!

Automated Range Management has been turned off!

Radio systems have been turned off!

Turn off the loudspeaker!

Are you done with the jokes?

After everything we solved during start-up?

Interesting, how we work as a whole team,
yet I alone have to clean up the mess.

You are the most important here, and bear your cross.

Well, think about it, we delayed the
launch; is that such a big problem?

It is a problem! I'd like to see you walk in my shoes.

Not only am I a representative of the Central Committee,
but I am also your friend. Listen to me:

Do not open this door. Everything has to
be checked and rechecked ad-infinitum.

You can not do this, it's too difficult
to send millions to space like this.

- What do you suggest?
- Return to the test-stand.

- But you cannot conquer space on the stands! You need to fly!
- Why are you always in such a hurry?

In the past there have been failures. But the first
satellite is ours. The first cosmonaut is ours!

- and the Moon, and Mars, and Venus?

All this is a story for another day.

How long will it take to prepare a new launch?

Five to seven days, unless you're lucky.
But we're up against a holiday.

- Well, there. You see?
- No work will be authorized during the holiday.

What about immediately after the holiday?

The guarantee will end for the on-board
batteries and other vehicle systems.

Remove, replace, and then again repeat the tests... A month!

Time is our most irreplaceable resource.

And it's not a priority. Finally, to hell with it.

But this work opens up the way to a new road to space.

A program for many years, and we trade
it in because of some start-up problems.

Without cosmonauts, with an empty ship.

- I will fly to Moscow.
- When?

If you do not mind, now.

Well, I cannot deny you, but I don't advise it.

You're not right. Tomorrow you will wake
up and realize that today you were wrong.

Maybe tomorrow I will feel sorry about
this, but today I'm going to fly.

Andrei Ilyitch. Andrei Ilyitch. Wake up.

What, so soon? What time is it?

A quarter past six. Moscow did not permit a landing,
so we're sitting at an intermediate airport.

Well, here again, 25!

- Brothers!
- Look, our construction man!

- Hello.
- You were flying to Kislovodsk.

It's almost perfect weather for sunbathing
there. Where are you going?

Moscow. And you're flying with us.

Zhenya.

Do you believe that fate exists?

I don't understand. In what sense?

Not figuratively. Literally. Do you know where we are?

I started here in this city, when I was a little
boy. I left when I was nineteen years old.

What if we hit the road here? We have time.

Wander through the old country...

...breathe the air of the fatherland, which
is claimed to be sweet and pleasant.

Come on, then. We can call the local
Regional Committee, and order a car on duty.

There is no need. Home is not returned to on a white
horse.It is expected that you come home in rags.

So let's resort to the ancient world as a way of travel.

- And how?
- We'll hitchhike!

Now, after this turn, there will be an open sea.

And where is your sea?

I forgot. Everything cleaned out and forgotten!

I remember absolutely nothing. But once I knew
every rock here! A boy riding on a bicycle.

What nonsense are you talking? You rode a bicycle,
you were flying in the mountains in a glider -

A better thing to tell me is what this mountain
is called. What? Why are you silent?

No, no, you answer me. What is it called?

What are you - Andrei! Don't take me for a fool!

Andrei! What? Have you fallen ill?

Andrei! Wake up! Stop! Stop I tell you!

Let's bring him over here.

Hold him here. No, the other side. Careful, careful.

Hurry! To the airport! Find Marshal Golovin,
or Kostromin - Tell them: Bashkirtsev -

Understand? Hurry!

Come on Andrei, what are you playing at?

Now, Andrei, take this please...

Please take this, it will be ok.

Stop! I'm telling you to stop! Doctor!

Doctor? Is there not a doctor? What about water?

Andrei, drink this, here...

Oh my God, drink, drink, drink!
What is this?

Are you hurt?

No! Stay back!

Why are you shouting?

What? Why are you crying?

I ran - how I ran -

Why are you yelling? Have you gone mad?

- Why didn't you tell me?
- What was I to say?

- You're leaving?
- Yes, I'm leaving.

-If you go away, I'll die!
-Don't mess around with my head!

- Can I go with you?
- You need to grow up!
- But I've already grown! Three centimeters!

- Well, then you need to grow more.
- Then you'll have to wait. Why are you going to Moscow?

- Are you not satisfied with the market?
- I'm sorry!

I've constructed a plane, and airplane, you know? With
an electric motor, it can be powered by batteries.

- I understand!
- What do you understand?
- Why are you going to Moscow?

-I won't! I won't!
-Let go of me!

You will be sorry! All of your life you will think about us!

Young Communists! All are invited to a lecture about
rocket-planes, a flight to Mars, and its neighboring
planets.Lecturer A. Kartashov (From Moscow!)
Admission is free.

Well, you think no one will come?

This is dead! Everyone is hiding under a furnace.

- And you?
- What about me?
- Why are you not there?

- I have a sore throat.
- Well, the cold is here for you.
- How true. Not in the Crimea.

You're from Crimea? What devilry brought you here?

To do what? To build. But I cannot get acclimated here.

I understand - the firstborn of the Five-Year Plan.
But the Crimea is here - and Magnitogorsk, here.

Yes, it is a long way. And actually, I was going to Moscow,
with airplane drawings. I designed and built an airplane.

You? You built an airplane?

What, do you have a higher education?

Well, nothing of the highest - just school and all.

It's necessary to learn. Do you intend to go to college?

I intend to, but now, only after I learn about magnets.

I can help. What did you do with your drawings?

As it turns out, they weren't very professional. They
all went to Magnitogorsk, and I went after them!

Not all hope is lost. They did not come.

They're not coming. What an idiotic situation!

Listen, what if I gave a private lecture to you?

Can you imagine a satellite around the Earth? No, not
the moon, but an artificial satellite, built by people?

No, I cannot.

Tsiolkovsky's already solved it! Theoretically,
all justified! Have you read Tsiolkovsky?

- No.

You need to read Tsiolkovsky! Do
not think this is science fiction!

So, this means we'll be going to Mars soon?

Relatively soon.

In what Five-Year Plan?

Listen, young man - What did I just
drag you through over the last hour?

Do you know what kind of flight this is?

To do this...

Look around you!

We are just beginning! What are we working with?
Shovels and pickaxes? Excavators purchased abroad?

But this is only iron and steel!
An interplanetary rocket?

Do you understand what is needed in the first place?
Industrial potential. We need a culture of industry!

A rocket - is not a tractor or a train.

A rocket - is a rocket.

Take me away!

Run! I'll catch up!

I love you!

Again!

I love you!

Again!

Wait. Wait!

I want to tell you something.

Later!

No, now.

- Do you remember what day it is?
- Wednesday?

No, no...

Three years ago, do you remember? At the pier?

My button!

I bought that coat when I left to Moscow...

If you only knew how much I missed
you! Especially in Magnitogorsk.

Andrei, are you asleep?

What is it?

A vicious circle: to realize interplanetary flight, we
need tools that no politician could ever accept.

But on the other hand, only flight can provide an image that
would bring public recognition! It is unclear what to do.

- There is no spaceflight to which people will give money!
- And for what will they give?

- For something real!
- What could be more realistic than spaceflight?

For instance, take an aircraft.

An aircraft, which, instead of an engine, a
rocket. This is understandable to everyone.

I am not interested in airplanes.

I have flown in one! Do you want to know what I think?

I have a very realistic plan.

Where's Masha? Where did she go last night?!

Don't shout! I let her go! Today
they are selling cabbage soup!

But who will turn the magnet?

Can I do it?

Comrades, we are down to the last bottle of gasoline!
We've exhausted our supply until next quarter!

Don't lose heart! It will fly. Otherwise,
you can rip off my head.

Everyone, get ready!

Who is this? Who are you?!

Calm down, this is a correspondent!

There! Over there! Get out of here, I'm asking you!

Attention: the crane is open. Contact!

We have contact!

The crane is stuck in the grass again!

This ignitor won't work!

Stop advising each other! Everybody
climbing around with their advice!

Culture!

Well, friends, this is the last time. If it
doesn't work, we're closing down!

Comrades! I've prepared remarks,
just in case of a successful launch!

Comrades, while Germany is gripped by fascism -

Wait, this is a historic event!

The first Soviet launch!

/Arise, ye branded/

/The whole world is hungry and enslaved/

/Full swing, our minds are outraged/

/And we're prepared to fight/
/To our last breath!/

I am leaving. You don't need me.

Are you not fascinated? Add to the power of the rocket...

...And we can finally talk seriously
about creating a rocket airplane!

You do not want to understand me, Andrei!

I am not interested in aircraft, as a category!

I am not interested in flying your rocket
plane from Moscow to Ryazan!

I offer you a very concrete thing, and
you again put your head in the clouds.

Now then...

...Maybe it's for the best.

We are to blame.

What, was I to carry her in my
hands? I don't have time for this.

There is no time...

This is nonsense. She will probably
freeze, and come right back.

Let's calm down. If you imagine the body of
your rocket as a fuselage of a future airplane -

This is done. That's all.

The aerodynamics does not make me doubt that
a simple model of the airframe already exists.

Here everything is correct. The normal flight for
a reactive airplane has a loss on the order of five -

Here we will write a five.

But it is more efficient to climb to where the air density
is four times less, then the rate will double...

...And the loss factor is reduced in half.
Where there was a loss of five -

- there is now a loss of only two and a half.

But at the height where the medium is a hundred times less,
a reactive airplane has doubled its power per piston.

Thus, dear Andrei Ilyitch, reactive airplanes are the future!
Conquering the stratosphere, they displace the piston aircraft.

And here they ridiculed me.

It takes some getting used to! I
long ago got used to the ridicule.

You just go crazy in the city. Routine
and weakness of thought...

But, indeed, in the Universe,
there are no boundaries!

Copernicus was almost dragged to
the stake because of his book!

Thank God they no longer burn people,
as I would have surely met the same fate!

Thank you. This is so inconvenient. Put it
on the stool. Take off your coat, there
was something I wanted to show you.

Now this is it. To pick up a stone on the Moon,
to build a space station in the firmament...

...to see Mars from a distance of ten
miles! Of course, I am a heretic!

However, this is not heresy, but an established fact.

I have calculated it all with ordinary pencil and paper.

The first step consists of humanity going beyond the atmosphere,
to overcome the mass of the Earth and create a satellite.

I understand. The task is clear.

After a year, I will obtain my diploma. Then, an airplane,
and immediately afterwards, a large rocket.

I very much like your idea of using rockets to travel in space.

If you have the power, desire, belief in the ultimate goal -

Are you not afraid to become a martyr for your ideas?

All this time I have thought about what is out there.

Was it an inaccessible vault?

For now, people are still weak. But when everyone
understands that the fate of earthly creatures...

...depends on the fate of the Universe - That the Cosmos is
infinitely greater than Earth in size, mass, and time -

The goal of humanity should be to reach the empty worlds
and populate them with intelligent, rational beings.

- Maybe the ignition was late.
- The hell do I know?

No luck! There must be a solution, but what is it?

- Tolya! When did you return?
- Yesterday. What happened to your hands?

It's fine, they're just doused with acid. There, look! This
is a design for a future aircraft designed for attack runs.

A rocket with wings, unheard of, eh? A revolution in aviation!

How are you doing? How's your mother? How's Keshka?

Everyone's doing fine. Keshka's
grown, chasing after women!

And you? How are you doing? How is
your work going? Are you done?

Not done yet - But that's not important. You
should tell me how you're doing. How's Spain?

Bad. Everyone in Spain smokes tobacco.
You know how much smoke makes me sick.

What about the war?

It has already begun. In Spain. And here you are,
busying yourself with some mythical aircraft -

To be or not to be alive on Earth?
That is how the question stands!

What was that?

The RS installation: 16 rounds, 130 caliber. The
basis is the same principle of our reactive principle.

Like you said: We cannot focus completely on a
single problem. Everyone finds something to do.

Tolya, ever since I met with Tsiolkovsky, I have determined
my whole life, forever. This is for tomorrow.

Maybe. But do not forget about today.
It must remind you of yourself.

For the eleventh day, they have closed off the
Baltic, Belarus, and are moving on to Ukraine.

We must organize our groups to make a direct
hit in the Urals. We must seize this moment.

Nikolai Ivanovich! Here is Bashkirtsev.

Logunov. What are you doing now, Andrei Ilyich?

I am still working on the plane. We have
made a note to the Central Committee.

Sorry, but we are short on time. Have you
guessed why we have brought you here?

No, I do not guess.

You were recommended by Golovin as an
energetic and thinking person. Let's hope so.

The plane will have to wait for now.

Why, did you read our report?

No, it's not relevant right now. Are
you familiar with the RS installation?

Yes, of course.

That's about it, then. The installation is imperfect.
Nevertheless, it is badly needed.

Are you able to build it as a series?
We have found a suitable factory.

Bastards!

They're not letting us work.

Call the substation, find out if there is serious injury.

Comrade Chief Engineer, I need to be at Poklonnaya Hill at
4AM. They're attacking our trucks with shells, I cannot wait.

What time is it?

- 10 minutes to midnight.
- And how much work needs to be done?

2 hours. But the painting -

Beauty is not necessary. The bastards took out
the lighting. Where can we find some flashlights?

They're locked in an office.

Then break down the door!

But then we'll get in trouble, what are you?

Do you understand Russian or not?

Break it!

So, it's like this, Zhenya...

I will go with them. I'll come back after a week.

What, why?

I need to check how the new installation operates.

I'm sorry, Comrade, but I will not take
you. I am a soldier, obeying orders.

- All the people are named in the order, you are not.
- That's alright, we'll settle that later.

What are you thinking? You're going to
climb into the fire? Who then will work?

Over there, among other things, they're shooting each other!

They're shooting here too! But we're done
talking about this. You will stay here for me.

No, I refuse. I cannot do it! I don't have your experience!

Look, it doesn't matter if you can or cannot.
I trust you to complete the work here.

Fine, you've talked me into it!

Good, now take out a notebook and write.

I can take care of it myself. I know you, you'll go on the attack
immediately shout "Hurrah!" and get run over by a tank...

Since my childhood I disliked tanks!

Yes, and I spit on you! I'm sorry!

I don't care for you either! Now, write for me!

Finally! Here they are - our first swallows. Now things can
move forward. I have a reliable person in the factory!

What are you doing here?

I am going with them. I have to see how they operate on the field.

We'll talk on the way back. Get in the car. No objections.

- Nikolai Ivanovich, permit me, this is a very serious matter.
- Quiet.

I am unable to continue work on the series
without checking the setup in action!

You have had enough field tests!

A field test is not the war front!

Understand that you have no right to risk your head!

And I suppose you wouldn't let me go to an
amusement park? My head belongs to me.

- You are wrong!
- That's an academic dispute!

That son of a bitch. Well done!

It's time. First volley, fire!

Second volley, fire!

We cannot continue like this. Who knows where
the front is? And have you made any progress?

- You should have stayed at home with your wife and drank tea.
- I have no wife.

GERMAN:
I have received orders from high
command to collect this operation.

GERMAN:
The Fuehrer will use it for a variety of applications.

GERMAN:
We will soon learn the new secrets of the Russians.

GERMAN:
They were heading that way. Your top priority
is to capture this secret Russian weapon.

GERMAN:
We must gain a strong foothold against the enemy. Understood?

Get everything together! Tanks!

Ready? Direct fire on the tanks. Fire!

- Reload!
- Reload with what?

Carry him into the forest. We need to blow it all up.

Hey! Is anybody here?

- Zhenka, what is this?
- Yes, we were evacuated.

Today is the last night they're sending trains. Alive!
Damn, do you know how worried I was?

The "Katyusha," I had to destroy it.

And they bombed us, I went to tell the master,
Alekseyevich, remember? He was killed.

How could you afford to evacuate the plant?

What could I have done, Andrei?
It was an order from Logunov.

Why did you close down the plant?

It was a decision from the GKO.This is a general order.

Will you send repaired installations to the Ural Mountains?

Moscow is the front line. We cannot leave factories there.

All the more reason for more factories!

I cannot overturn the decision.

Do you have a more realistic plan?

Yes. Restart the factory.

Utopia! How do you move the
tools, the machines, the metal?

In Ramensky, bombed trains are on the
tracks. There are enough surviving cars.

I can let you do that. But where will you find the people?

Send an order to the military enlistment office.

Well, who would do all this? I don't understand any of this.

If necessary, I can do it.

You?

Do you have someone better in mind?

No, for now I cannot.

Well, in that case, there is no choice.
Now, where do we start?

Very well. Sit down and write a
notice. I'll send it to the GKO.

Listen, what if we broadened the question?
Not just repaired, but a full-fledged factory?

After two months we will be releasing new installations.
And we will have established repair in parallel to production.

Yes, Golovin was right, you're really an active person.
Listen, we should figure this out over tea.
I have some lemon lying around.

That will be good. Do you have any bread
accidentally laying around? I could eat.

Tell me, how are you living?

I am living well, mother. I brought you some money.

Speak louder, I cannot hear.

Good, I said. Everything is good.

Good? Thank God. Kyesha has wrote
me that he is well too, and healthy.

Oh, how much. It's rude to the neighbors, Andryusha.

Eat, mother, eat.

Have you married?

No, not married. And how is Natasha? Is she still alive?

Yes, she is alive. When the Germans
came, she hid. But her mother died.

Mother, come with me. How can you live here?

Everyone lives like this. The horror is already behind us.

Let's go, mother.

Your father rests here. I must stay with him.

Hello to you.

Hello, Nickolai Ivanovich!

It's the end of the month. Driven by the plan?

And in the morning we hope to pay. What brings you here?

It was on the way. I was going to plant 45.

Isn't it tiring, dealing with serial production?

War.

War comes to an end eventually. Victory is not far off.

In Poland, we found this underground, and Konev took
a picture for headquarters. Does it tell you anything?

A rocket engine? These are very poor pictures. Just a minute.

Look at this.

Now, that is a rocket engine. Solid, thrust not
less than twenty tons. This is the German V-2.

Everything is visible. Is it not inspiring?

Why these pointless conversations? Inspiring?
So what? For me this is already a pipe dream.

And if the impossible has been done? Try it, slowly?

Try it? Do you understand what it means to try this?

I understand you.

Then, tell me, for what? The Germans fired rockets
on London. We will not bombard Berlin?

We don't have the time!

No one makes such tasks. And the fascists'
rockets will not help, they're losing the war.

Then how do we make sense of this?

Are there only military targets? Will the war go
on forever? Another year, maybe a year and
a half. After all, there is tomorrow.

We need to start thinking about this now.

How do we start now? Are you joking?

I'm not joking. Let's start working on rockets.

The main thing is to build a test stand. You, me, Kostromin,
and the rest. Everyone has their own site, but we are all one.

With six major constructors, six ministers.

-Ministers?
-Ministers!

Minsters. Everyone, on his own powerful bureau
subcontractors with employees and institutions.

Do you really believe that this will happen?

I do believe it, Zhenya. I'll tell you more later, tomorrow!

I wanted to tell you something! But ok, tomorrow!

Tens and hundreds of factories will work for us!

Is everything ok?

Yes, we can launch.

Command it.

Stop! Lenka, come back!

Who let you climb out? Fool! What, are you tired of living?

Who the hell knows? It was somewhat involuntary.

Let's assess the situation soberly. The German
V-2, as stated in "Stars And Stripes"

the American technicians say it will save five
million dollars and five years. If it does,
should we try to reinvent the wheel?

Is that your personal view?

What difference does it make? Believe
me, this is an authoritative point of view.

In this case, I will make a different one. I wash my hands
of it. I learned from Tsiolkovsky and Kondratyuk.

- I have nothing to learn from Von Braun.
- Do you know who you are arguing with?

- If you only knew, who are you arguing with!
- I don't know, I don't need to know, and I'm not interested!

Unconvincing arguments. What are
you going to do? Specifically?

I don't know. I will go and learn.

Where will you go? You've worked up an attitude! Just think,
misunderstood genius. For you to squeeze pennies, dollars.

Half of Russia, in ruins! People are sleeping in huts, with
nothing to eat, nothing with which to plow the ground.

And now, you will go. Get out! We won't
cry! We'll manage without you!

WARNING
No smoking on the launch pad!

Comrade Chief Designer, who else but
you can smoke during the launch?

To Hell with it, it's already on fire!

He's right, that is clear. It is necessary
to do a domestic launch.

In order not to err in politics, you need
to look forward, not backward.

Americans are practical people.
They do not like to overspend.

We took from Thuringia dozens of trucks
with all the Von Braun rocket property.

Do not disdain them, even though they
are the work of an SS war criminal!

It is not an accident, that the General
Electric Company provided Braun...

...a base in Texas, which is where things stand today.

And among us there are militants who
demonstrate patriotism with their fists.

Quiet!

Allow me, Comrade Stalin.

What do you want to say? Your opposition
was outlined by Logunov. I read his memo.

We have guided missiles that have not yet engaged in one...

Get to the point. I know that we have what he did.

I ask you, if you can, do not stop me,
it is hard enough to speak as it is.

I will let you speak and I will be quiet.

I know the V-2. I saw it. The vehicle is very far from perfect.
Why should we repeat it? Von Braun, a talented engineer...

...is unlikely to make no headway. A
few years later he will move forward.

And what will we do? Launch outdated
V-2's with a radius of 250 kilometers?

Do you have something to propose?

One bureau is not enough!

The bureau is another topic.

This doesn't involve the OKB. First of all, we need
an experimental basis. Then, we need to dramatically
raise the quality of the instrument -

- to solve the problem of ballistic components, create a fuel with
higher power, not to mention the restructuring of dozens of
factories and a lot more than what will be allowed!

Only under these circumstances can we be expected to succeed.
We will create a design that is no worse than the German one.

Thank you, comrades. The day after tomorrow
I will discuss this with the Politburo.

Thirty seconds remaining.

The first signal has been sent!

Twenty seconds remaining.

The second signal has been sent!

Fifteen seconds remaining.

The third signal has been sent!

Ten seconds remaining!

9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0!

Are you not concerned about the morality of it?

I am concerned, as we need to deliver this anywhere in the world.

I think this question is misdirected. The question is addressed
not to us, but to those who unleashed these forces.

Physics is not terrible. This adventurous game
is not science, but is for the use of scoundrels.

This is a banal truth, and I am ashamed to repeat
it. You do understand that this is a simple fact?

But we, we, the preachers of humanity, and suddenly
here you are, with this horrible bomb!

You touch the moral aspects of war. Science
does not operate on such categories.

Science - the study - proposed an experiment.
So, I'll tell you as a citizen...

...when science makes a breakthrough
and opens up the possibility of action...

...affecting millions of people, there is a
need to rethink the rules of morality...

...to control these experiments. But nothing similar happened.
The opposite: Churchill's speech in Fulton, military bases and...

...bombers along our borders. The intentions are very clear.

Science has become a tool of blackmail,
in the main and decisive factor in politics.

Do you really believe that they will be stopped
by morality? And if this is the case, you have
to talk to them in their language.

A weapon that we have created is an instrument
of violence, but we were forced to create it
in order to avoid worse violence.

You know the legend of the four Great Fakirs?

- Do you know?
- I don't know, and I won't -

They wanted to surprise the world. The first picked
up a few sticks and turned them into a backbone,

...the second expanded flesh, the third clothed it in skin, and the fourth breathed life. But in the end they created a huge tiger!

What's the moral of the story?

There is no moral. Because all of this is
deeply immoral. The tiger ate all four.

It creates a strange sensation. As if we are here
supporting a war, for the universal destruction
of mankind, and you are trying to stop us.

- Agree, that's funny!
- Perhaps, if only I were to be in your place...

Everybody is better off in his own place! It is
believed that this is the easiest way to govern.

Then everybody is ready to offer you
advice on what he would do in your place.

And when you're sitting in his place,
and on the shoulders of you...

...rests the responsibility for millions of people and their lives.
In short, with the support needed, somebody has to do it.

Will you be building the carrier?
Only without demagoguery. Yes or no?

- Yes.
- Please, do not speak for me.
- Yes.

Well, let's go then. I think we are done here.

Mother of Andryusha

Did you see that I buried my mother?

Sad that she died on her own. Maybe it doesn't make
a difference. What do you think that we should do
with the house? Maybe I should trade it?

Trade it.

I should take everything out of it first, yeah?

I don't need anything from there.

Would it be better to leave you alone?

Yes.

Now go away.

What?

Leave.

What, leave? And then what?

And that's it. Leave.

Why don't you want to return with me?

Am I talking in riddles? You will never understand.

What is holding you to this city?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

I love you. I've loved you my whole life.

Leave, Andrei.

Where have you been, Bashkirtsev? Where have you been?

Here is a latest summary of the mass, Andrei Ilyitch.

When we started the BA-3 we had a ton on reserve.
Now, we don't even have tons. We've exhausted it
to a gram and still haven't plugged all the holes.

What, is this an April Fool's joke?

Unfortunately it is not a joke, Andrei.

Where have you wasted all the reserve mass? Explain.

We increased the mass of the head of the
body due to thermal protection. Again?

We found that the tanks were not strong enough,
so we increased their thickness. Twice as thick.

Then the managers did not meet the specified mass,
and placed three hundred extra kilograms...

Why were you silent? Why did you
not immediately report to me?

So, we need to make it clear to Kostramin to throw out
even a thought about these three hundred kilograms!

It can't work like that, Andrei. It's
not leaving. And finally, Ognev...

And this is what?

It does not get the three units of specific impulse.
You can even shoot at one these engines,
and you could not squeeze more out of them.

Are you crazy? The rocket just will not fly!

Well, it will still be able to fly, but at a limit. All
improvements will be used now due to distance,

- and cost us five hundred kilometers.

In stock, it's either a kilogram or a kilometer. That's it.

Well, thank you.

Failures are useful. Sometimes they even bring success.

I don't understand you.

Do not rush, you'll understand. This idea has exhausted
itself. The flaw lies in its existence, in the classical sense.

That means we have to break it. Break it substantially. Our
warranty has already run out. It will not make a difference.

Why didn't you give us permission in the first place?

In every case, simplicity plays an important
role. Newton saw an apple fall. From this
ordinary phenomena he saw great truths.

What is the status of the BA-5 version of the package?

As we agreed before: development is
continuing, but it's still in the initial phase.

It is still a distant prospect

Lonya, it seems to me that the time has come.

The rocket which we do not have is no longer needed.
It has not yet been born, and it is already obsolete.

You will not fly in space with that rocket.

And I need space. Space! Space!

And along the way, we can address the problems
of defense. One cannot exclude the other.

You're going to force the development of the BA5?

Long ago. Long ago, today you helped me. Thank you.

Hello?

Zhenya, did I wake you? Can we have a meeting?

Have you gone mad? I'm in my pajamas
and bare feet. Is it so urgent?

Urgent.

Alright, come on over.

I have already arrived. I'm calling from the porch!

Smart aleck! We're halfway through the night!

You woke me up for this? Hell, it's interesting.
I myself didn't think of this.

Twenty-five engines instead. Four chambers in tandem!

It's moving at such a high rate, that these
dimensions are no longer frightening.

Is this the first or second stage?

Do you want me to sell you the idea further?

What are you today? Stuffed with ideas?

Yes, it is clear. What is your idea here?

Putting the engines in a longitudinal configuration
to the overall vehicle's first and second stage.

We are used to the transverse solution: finish one
stage, start the next. Let's consider another
option: all engines included at the same time!

And this is not somewhere out in space, but on
Earth, under our electrical and visual control.

Andrei! You're great!

These ideas sell themselves.

How do they sell themselves? To whom?

To you. In exchange for your support. We'll have
to start work on the engine from scratch.

Oh, there it is! A pleasant surprise! Do you yourself understand
what you are offering me? We have everything in blueprints!

Working drawings! Half, in metal! Eighteen
months of work, down the drain?

What is it? Do you feel ill?

- It's nothing, it will be over in a moment.
- I will call an ambulance!

I don't need it, Zhenya, I am already better. Just stuffy today.

So, how do you decide? Yes, or no?

You idiot! Look at yourself! What, do
you think you can live twenty lifetimes?

Stop it.

Here, take some validol. Take it! When
was the last time you went on vacation?

I don't remember.

And do you go to the theater Are you reading books?

You know, Zhenya, I cannot bring myself to read.
I'm bored. I read and I think about something else.

My brain is turning into some kind of machine. I am always afraid
that not enough is being done. Nothing is being finished...

Don't mess around with your head. You're in a bad way.

I don't feel bad. I just feel like half of my life has
been spent building something just to stand on.

Andrei, I swear to you. I am ready to do
anything for you. Do you understand?

Tomorrow we will go together to the doctor.

Let's go.

It's tasty!

I swear, you're a fool.

In short: I am proposing a radical moving vehicle.

And don't doubt for one second that today, right now, that we
are ready to build rockets that can return to Earth intact...

And we project that we can build a brand new rocket
that fires with several engines simultaneously.

I can see that not everyone is convinced of what I'm saying.

Wait, do you understand what the phrase "new state" means?

A new management system. Do you understand?

I understand. We have to work if we want to change something.

Now this is horrible.

Maybe you're right, this is horrible. It's an enticing fantasy!

Pay close attention to this. Using our models, we've
developed this proposal. We have the two stages as
usual, and on top of that we've added a third stage.

Why a third stage?

Why?

Can you imagine what it means to have
an artificial satellite of the Earth?

And that's not all. It's a spacecraft with a
pilot who will view the Earth from orbit.

And even that's not everything! We can
reach the Moon, Mars, and Venus!

All this can be done with the third stage.

Yes... Our Andrei Ilyitch is a dreamer. But I, forgive
me, have my feet planted firmly to the ground.

And I live with the concerns of sinful humans. Their plans,
regulations, salary, kindergartens, shops, the devil take them!

What will I say at work tomorrow? I will tell a
story about a satellite? At all of the meetings,
on and on! The defense of the country! Work!

And now it turns out that we have to stop production?
It turns out that people have worked in vain?

Yes, you're right. They find it hard to rebuild. They're
not soldiers, not commanders, "Circle, March!"

It's no joke to stop production around which revolves
thousands of people! And subcontractors, in the
hundreds of thousands?

It's all true! People of a certain attitude have built an
inertia in thinking. Nothing can be done,
we will have to cross over psychological barriers!

It is easy to advise. Teach!

Teach what? Tell them the truth, they'll understand.

Who gave you the right to stop everything? It is insanity.

Long term plans are one thing, but then there are laws in place.

There are other things to do.

Permit me to say that these are ideas are becoming
obsolete. The morale behind them is obsolete.

Excuse me, I can do nothing for you if you insist on these plans.

-We insist.
-Don't insist on me! That's why I stopped production.

Your idea overruled production. Two
times, that is out of the question.

What, is this the only question? Is
this advised, or is it not advised?

But did you get approval, or not?

You can't move a paper without being noticed.

But what about without paperwork? What if we were only
dealing with a landlady? Is this a better idea, or not?

Andrei, my dear friend; don't faint! We're standing
by the facts. So long as you are pushing like this,
I understand that it will not be approved.

This is not just about rockets, Andrei. This is a
system of government. Do you understand?

Can I at least work on a variant?

Two years ago, in this exact spot, you
were saying the exact same thing!

I remember. It was exactly like this.

You are right. Two years of work needs to be finished. Two
years ago we went in on a risk without reservations.

There was an immense amount of paperwork.
But paperwork does not insure against error.

It's my fault. Every problem about this falls onto me. But if
you do not support me now, then a problem of construction...

...will move on to become a problem with political leadership.

Well haven't you gone over the edge. It would
be nice if we could only focus on your rocket.

It seems like its time to start correcting mistakes.
That is progress. Maybe we wish to pursue this?

No, it should not be.

We should think about this carefully. And the politics
might steer us toward another question.

And suddenly, then what?

Even without a third stage, we can launch a small
satellite of two hundred kilograms into orbit.

Who was it that said that, in principle, even a person's
soul could be broadcast by telegraph. The difficulty
was getting the authorization to do it.

You are being vain. What if we were just to throw it?

Throw it or not, it will still take time.

At maximum, two years.

And so we should count on three.

How was I able to convince myself?

Yeah, I am not jealous of you.

Why? I answered with my head. I'm
desperate. Let's find me a new head.

I will support him. And you?

You will have it.

PART 2

Hello. Everything is ready Andrei Ilyitch. Let's
go to the chart. Fueling is about to start, and
we need all outsiders to enter the shelter.

Announce it over the loudspeaker. Excuse me.

Who is this stranger?

Forgive me, Comrade General, you and the
Chairman of the State Commission. You never
know what can happen during the first launch.

We'll obey your orders.

How are you enjoying this?

It will take some getting used to.

Oh, I hope we haven't ruined the firewood.

Don't worry. These engines should
at least close the intake. And fly!

Leonid!

What?

How is that accounted for in the numbers?

What are you at, Andrei? This is our Zoe.
She is responsible for the calculations
of the refueling systems.

Sign a log, and I will let her leave.

You are giving me excuses. "Sign a log" - I know
you! Remove her, or I will remove you!

Why are you here? I did not call. Take my car
and go out three kilometers. There are shelters,
phones. In case we need you, we'll call.

I didn't come here to smell the flowers. And
I don't need your car. I have my own jeep.

- Well, that's great.
- Goodbye.

Very well.

By the spirit of the natives, I will not have her here!

- Leonid, where is Zoe?
- I don't know.

What do you mean, you don't know? I don't know
what's going on.We need to purge, refuel, and start
over. The devil himself couldn't figure this out.

Way out there, you will find Zoe Sergeyovna, three kilometers out.

What, did she finish?

Idiot. Talk to the Chief.

- He's lost it.
- We need to consult her.
- And she's too far away!

Attention. One minute readiness.

One minute readiness command received.

Pressurization has stabilized.

25 seconds, flight is normal.

30 seconds, flight is normal.

35 seconds...

Well? What is going on?!

Well, what Andrei? I congratulate you! Your first
flight. Your first fire. Now, the launch program
performed well. It was a beautiful takeoff.

But she wanted to return to the ground, that's
another story. All people need to start some-
where. I would like to shake your hand.

Well now. They're loud.

My first love...

Do you remember, how it all started?

- Well done. You flew well, Lt Gagarin.
- It was alright.

And to space - will you fly there?

I'll fly. If there's enough kerosene.

Well, consider it an agreement!

And I'm being serious.

And you already know, it's going to be him.

10 seconds, flight normal.

15 seconds, flight normal. The
pressure in the engines is stable.

20 seconds, flight normal.

30 seconds...

...command sent for engine shutdown!

You know, I had trouble sleeping more than a few hours.

Think about space, and what we've accomplished.

What space? Please pass the salt.

Something must be done. I just don't know what is beating me.
Every pain has a source. And if you're lucky, you see the result.

Well, here's my opinion. We do not name names,
and we should not. Finally, we are asked. We
have workers from twenty two ministries.

Not counting the factory size, we have thousands
of people! And no functioning rocket. The
rockets we do have, you will excuse me.

How do you explain this, Andrei?

Stupidity.

What? Please repeat it.

Please, stupidity! Comrades, this is an inevitable
step. This is everyday life in this work. Our
work. And you cannot wait to get the result.

And I cannot wait. But it does not happen this way!

But this is not the first launch that failed!

These are very good dumplings, eat
them! They can settle this without us.

Please, this is a principle question.

Andrei, answer me.

No, that is enough. The food will
spoil, and we'll be up all night.

- Today, Moscow will decide.
- Our debate here will change nothing.

Agree that the machinery in the preparation of complex
control system and motors are unreliable, the number
of defects does not decrease...

And who are you? Are you an expert on engines?

Don't start...

No, I want to know if you understand the engines?

I know one thing, your engines are not communicating.
And by the way, your control systems too!

Engines! I'm tired of all these amateur arguments. I've read
all of your suggestions. You simply insure the responsibility!

And offer what, re-do the engine, reducing the
payload by half? Yes, why are you looking at
me? This is the essence of your suggestions.

-Do not shout, I hear you very well.
-Sorry.

If we were engaged in pure science, but we are talking
about the defense of the country! You give me a reliable
vehicle, and I'll take it, satellites and everything!

-Did you hear?
-I heard.

Do you think that this conversation is strange?

No, and I think Morozov is right.

And why is it you've decided that we are insured against failure?
There is a learning process, and it does not speed up!

Any decisions and judgements - mankind has no such experience. One hope - that your friend Morozov teaches.

My friend Morozov was honestly doing his job,
and please do not touch it. And you and your
friends - you're just obsessed with outer space!

Anything else you don't want to know!

Wake up, comrades! Space exploration is not a
foolish whim! It is the dream of many respectable
people! Sorry, I thought better of you!

Thank you. I respect you.

Comrades, why all the fuss?

Every day, nobody lets us rest.

Konstantin, Moscow is on the line.

Well, there it is. I knew it. Talk to him, Andrei Ilyitch.

Don't be so hard on him. He's already under so
much pressure. Why make it harder on him?

You, Konstantin, are also correct. You properly
divided us. As luck, you made the right report,
but by accident, you gave it right to Bashkirtsev.

Not so sad. Play something merrier!

Nickolai Ivanovich. They said that Moscow
would not let you go. But yet here I see you!

It was trivial. Anatoly told me on the way.

Well, he made it on time.

- Galavenkov.
- Hello. Konstantinova

There is no time, Andrei. You gave up your very own "dry law."

Stop. What are you doing? Yerevan?
Sorry, I wouldn't have minded!

Law, according to Anatoly.

Three months before the start of a successful
batch, and now all the same.

As far as I understand it, the fuel
of a prematurely deceased rocket?

Something like that.

- Why are you all so depressed?
- What is there to be happy about?

Well, first of all, a big hello from Moscow!

- And a second hello from whom?
- Nobody, that's all.

What, 'that's all'? All of our failures?

- You have to understand the failures
yourselves. Who will do it for you?
- No instructions?

We have work to do. Please, let me take off my coat.

What quarrel, lads? How do we live longer?

Anatoly complains. I think he just doesn't understand
me. A fact of his biography, I regret.

You're not right, Andrei. Why didn't you share
this? So many years together, and suddenly...

Not suddenly!

In addition to purely military tasks,
there are those universal to humanity.

Who will argue with you?

- He does!
- Me?

Yes, you! And your slave!

Interesting, what he would do without us. Everyone
has their interests. I need a nuclear missile
shield. And he needs space exploration.

You, Anatoly, are also not right! He'... 'me' .. We
are! We need both. Why is there this opposition?

But the result of the launch is not enough?

There will be.

When? Name the time.

During the year.

Specifically!

Fourth of October. Are you happy with that?

- I'm not kidding.
- And neither am I.

So, the question has been exhausted. Now,
seriously. Sorry you poured a brandy...

..today we discussed the near-term prospects of the
Central Committee. I am referring to a cosmonaut.

Cosmonaut?

Not tomorrow, not after a year, but after four. Of course,
only if Bashkirtsev supports it both morally and materially.

So, what happens? Everyone is for, and I am the only
one against. You have left me with an enviable role.

Nobody told you to be against it.
Everyone chooses on their own!

Where did you get that from?

What if we recommended Golovin?

As a cosmonaut?

I think, for a cosmonaut, he is too old. And a grizzly
complexion. Chairman of the State Commission will do.

No, thank you. What a service. Just what I needed!

Every case requires a skeptic.
It brings a healthy balance!

And, here are the thinkers! What is
the shape of our artificial satellite?

Andrei, here we have debates on paper.
An ellipsoidal form. Or maybe a sphere?

And why a sphere?

Because it will be a small planet.

We'll do several iterations and test each of them.

How long will it take? A month, three months, a year?
Should we reserve eternity? The day after tomorrow.

I need a satellite by May 5th in the metal.

May the 5th?

What is it? At your age I slept through the day.

Goodbye, love life!

Phone call, Andrei Ilyich.

I asked that you disconnect these phones.

Yes. Yes, that. Yes. Please repeat everything
louder. Gromov? This is a conversation for you.

Konstantin, urgently!

In a moment, Andrei Ilyitch

Shirokova the technologist to me at 2:15.

Copy, Andrei.

Andrei Ilyitch, you called me?

Yes. All my comments? Sorted out?

All in order. It's being cleaned
up. It will be done in a week.

Two days.

Dear God, Andrei. What
do you mean, two days?

What was that chatter on the phone?
I couldn't get on for half an hour!

Chatter? This again. Barycz rang with the report
on the observations of military representatives.
We lose work because of the calls.

I forbade them to call!

They call anyway.

Senya? Hello, yes it's me. Your phone was not installed
for infinite enjoyment, and in particular, calling us.

This is their job, pieces of paper make the calls, and
without that we don't fly. Got it? Good. It happens.

He won't call any more.

Andrei Ilyitch, on the second stage assembly, Chepe.

If only we lost your Chepe.

He was drilling, and he punctured the hermetic seal.

Why were you drilling in the assembly?
I forbade it! Can you fix it?

The fact of the matter is that there it is. Now, this bay
will be back on the assembly no earlier than a week.

You throw me these tricks! Let's go to the shop.

- Andrei, you're wanted on the line.
- I told you to say that I wasn't here.
And what did you tell him?

- I said that I would forward the call.
- I'll fire you!

Why are you insulting her? She can not talk back to you.

Look, I'm sorry. I got a little excited. After all, I've
got a lot of trouble, one after another. Smile. Yes?

Sergei, turn it on again.

That's enough, turn it off.

Load it on.

Well, will you launch our first-born satellite?

You pulled it out through my veins. Now I can only draw.

The 4th of October. Is it accuracy? Or coincidence?

10 seconds...flight normal!

20 seconds...flight normal!

Pressure is normal!

30 seconds...flight normal!

35 seconds...all parameters normal!

Third stage engine shutdown!

Ignition of the carrier engine confirmed!

Journal du Dimanche, in a statement published by
Joliot-Curie: This is a great victory for humanity,
and a turning point in the history of civilization.'

Washington Correspondent United Press reports: 90%
of talk about artificial satellites was made by the US, and
as it turned out, 100% of the action came from Russia.'

Dr. Joseph Caplan from Princeton -

Dear friends, we will never forget this day.
Even our descendants will remember this day.

Hello. I wanted to see you at this hour.

I have not slept. Well, hello. But please,
don't look at me. I'm changing.

Get dressed. I'm not looking.

Sit down. What are you waiting for?

What winds have brought you back here?

I just wanted to see you.

Very sweet of you. Is it a fiction?

Yes, a fiction.

Sleep, son, sleep.

- Who is that?
- Aloshya.

Your son?

Mine.

Who is the father?

You are.

How old is he?

Four.

He was born in 1953.

I will show you.

Here, I brought him home.

Here, he started walking.

Here we are at my friend's dacha.

This one we took at his preschool.

Then he had measles, whooping cough...Then he
caught pneumonia... I thought I might go crazy.

Boys need fathers.

Somehow...we would not be bad together.

You turned me away in vain.

You're a Chief Engineer. I'd have
to be an idiot to give up on you.

Can I do anything for you?

Can you not visit?

Is it not convenient?

I don't care.

That's what it's about. We talk like strangers.

It is terrible to suddenly discover that
you are alone. In youth, it is simple.

With age, it becomes so difficult...
Damn, why am I telling you this?

Come on, don't whine!

If only you knew, how I missed you!

God, how I know you.

I know every one of your faults.
I know that your life is out there.

If I took that away from you, you would die.

But why me? Or him?

Work is your great joy. Your way of the cross.

Excuse me, I have to wake up early tomorrow

I want to stay here, do you hear me?
I promise! I will leave in the morning.

In any case, what I want is important. I do not want this.

Well, at least you said it directly and clearly.

Andrei Ilyitch, do you still need me here? I
will turn out the lights after you. Good night.

Andrei Ilyitch, are you busy?

Did something happen? Why so late?

I have a purely personal issue.

I go over personnel issues on Tuesdays.

Maybe you can make an exception for me?

Inevitably, yes. Please.

Andrei Ilyitch, this will be a serious conversation.

Two years ago, my husband and I ended
our marriage. Now I live alone.

So, what is your question?

Will you hear me out?

- May I smoke?
- Smoke, please.

Why are you here? You are taking my time.

You live alone. I also live on my own. Why don't we live
together? We have a common goal. We work together.

I understand. How am I supposed to interact with you?

It is enough to respect me.

You think that is enough?

I'm an adult, an independent person. Completely
independent of morale and material...

God, that I am! Why aren't you chasing me
out? How can you listen to this vulgarity?

Don't you see that I love you? You
blind, blockheaded old man!

Forgive me...forgive me!

Now, settle down. You hear, Zoe? I do not deserve
this. You are smart, you are a beautiful woman...

Forgive me...forgive me...

What should I forgive you for?

Everything is so clear and sad...
I have nothing to say to you.

You've taken everything over like a monopolist!

Interesting. Continue.

You had a fight with Kostromin, reported
him because of a trifling delay in supply...

If he was building me office
furniture... but I am doing work.

You are not working alone! And what
of us? The entire operation is working.

But you have nothing to spare.

Including myself. Do you want to leave?

I have to ask for the resignation.

Can you believe that it is accepted with my deepest regrets.

Driver, stop. Our comrade is getting off on the way.

When you chase away your friends, your soul dies.

- Alright, come on, get in.
- Are you kidding me? I'll find my own ride.

- Do you not see the weather?
- Let me go, I'll find a ride!

- Do you hear what I'm saying?
- Drive, I say!

- Fool! Do you want to get the flu?
- I said I will not go!

Why are you making a scene? Look, you're
slowing down traffic with your childish antics!

- I'm not a child! Don't yell at me!
- Get in the car! I said get in the car!

You already caught a cold?

You are a fool. An old fool. And
your idiotic behavior, I'm serious.

And I'm being serious. Where would you go without me?

We are old together in the most literal sense.
We have an entire lifetime behind us!

Is it bad for you to be with me? Look, already,
academic. What is that, a Gold Star?

Do you understand that you're suffocating
me? You don't let me breathe!

And you think you're the most perfect character? I'm
not complaining. And you have to endure. Why not?

In Moscow, at 7:30 in the morning there is a
festive demonstration, ending in Khabarovsk.

Good weather so early?

- Everything is relative. We assume that we are in Khabarovsk.
- To the the holiday!

Yes, Bashkirtsev!

Hi, Nikolai Ivanovich! Happy holiday to
you! Sharov? Yes, he's sitting right here.

No, he just came here, we are going to the parade. Please.

It's Logunov.

It's me, Nikolai Ivanovich.

Is this needed on May 1st?

- At 6, it was spotted over the Pamirs.
- Whose?

Unmarked. And no radio contact with anyone.

- High?
- 22,000 meters. No flak or fighters can reach it.

- They want to try a rocket.
- Yours?

- What do you think they have in mind?
- Who knows.

A bomb?

I will go to the defense center.

Wait, what about the parade? Can it be canceled?

- What are you worried about? Did something happen?
- Nothing.

Something either happened or it didn't.

- Hi.
- Hello.
- Happy holiday.

It's flying, already over the Urals.

- It will be here in 15 minutes.
- It won't.

Ural-8! Be ready to destroy the aircraft! Azimuth: 135

Range: 150. Height: 22.

Grid 51-01! At altitude, a single plane, not responding!

Subject detected!

Subject has azimuth of 135! Height of 22! Destroy them!

Attention! Launch!

Now we will find out.

- They killed it.
- How?

The first rocket.

The pilot used a parachute. He was a
scout. Now he'll be sent to Moscow.

Comrades, what are you hiding? Can you tell me?

What are you worried about? Live, be
happy! Look at this huge parade!

Conspirator!

Anything can happen. Dogs are dogs. But
you are a human. Imagine, the first!

- Don't be afraid, Andrei Ilyitch.
- I'm not afraid!

I want you to be aware of the degree of danger and risk.

Yes, I am aware, Andrei Ilyitch.
You are just making me worry more.

Do not save your courage for others. To Hell with courage!

Everyone has one life. There will not be another one.

Yesterday, the President of the Central Committee asked
me if I can guarantee one hundred percent safety.

I just said, "No, I cannot guarantee it."

I will do my best, but I can not guarantee
it. That is beyond my reach.

Have there been many failures?

There were, I'll be frank. There were.

Even at the very last moment?

Even in the very last. There is nothing more disgusting
than a lie. I did not lie, and don't forgive others who do.

It is better though, even though the truth is bitter...

- Does your wife know?
- She knows.

- And what?
- What? She cries.

Of course.

- I am feeling lucky. And you?
- Me too!

That means everything will be fine!

90 minutes, one orbit, and back. It will be
fine. Well, ten minutes on a parachute.

How time is flying! Well, go to sleep, with
the hope of the progress of mankind!

- And you?
- I will take another walk.

- Lonya!
- Yes.
- How are things going?

We conducted a dress rehearsal. Everything is in order.

Switch to the cabin of the ship.

Andrei Ilyitch. Moscow's on the HF.

- Logunov is already in there.
- They are asking for you.

TV reporters are taking us by the
throat. They are tired of crumbs.

You know that I don't decide these issues.
Ask the Chief, he'll say what to do.

Yes, everything is going well so far. Of course, I will
report back. Thank you, I'll let you go. Goodbye.

Andrei Ilyitch, for God's sake, I'm sorry.
I understand this is the wrong time, but
the TV crew overpowered me.

What is it?

- The space dogs had puppies.
- What?

- They're asking for access.
- What kind of access?

Can we pass this on to Central Television,
in the "News Relay" section?

- What do you think, Nikolai Ivanovich?
- I think we can. Puppies or not.
This is not a state secret.

I agree.

- Thank you, Andrei Ilyitch.
- Why thank me? Congratulate the dogs!

- We're excited, and he's so calm.
He could at least blink his eyes!
- He's a calm man.

In half an hour the whole world will know him!

He has an angel on his shoulder.

- I am confident.
- I am also confident. Only the angels are worried.

How do you hear me? I will transmit
commands to you. Over.

I hear you well. Over.

Attention! One-minute readiness.

One-minute readiness!

One-minute readiness accepted.

LAUNCH

Key is in the starting position!

Confirmed, key in starting position!

Advance the first switch!

First switch advanced!

- Exhaust!
- Exhaust confirmed!

- Drainage key!
- Drainage key confirmed!

- Switch 2!
- Switch 2 is on.

- Ignition!
- Ignition confirmed!

- Ignition...
- I copy. Ignition.

Primary...secondary...Lift off!

Can you hear me? Good luck to you!

Poyehali! - "Let's go!"

Are you happy now?

And you? I see it in your eyes.

It was worth living for.

Andrei Ilyitch! Everyone is congratulating you.

Why are you only congratulating me?
Congratulations to everyone!

We're all toasting to how Leonid is standing on his feet!

And who would have thought that all
this would have such a political impact?

And now even football games are
not without political impact!

Andrei: to you!

Why to me? To us!

And to you!

No, I want to drink to us. Not for everyone here, but
for millions and millions of us, named: the people!

Mankind has entered the Space Age.
He stepped into a different epoch,
and we have built him a bridge.

The same ones who froze in Magnitogorsk,
with shovels built the Dnieper Dam and
the Trans-Siberian Railroad...

...Survived through the hunger and cold,
defended Moscow, and took Berlin.

It will take some thirty years, but we will fly
through space on trade union flights, and people
will leave the Earth, as Tsiolkovsky wrote.

But nobody ever will repeat what we have done. We were
the first. And we will be known for centuries to come.

How hard it is to be the first.

Let's drink for Russia. For our party. For our
beautiful nation. For the first unified world!

/Listen, workers:/
/The war has begun/

/Drop your work,/
/Prepare to march!/

/Boldly, we go into battle/
/For the power of the Union./

/How we die as one/
/In the fight for it!/

Andrei Ilyitch! A lady with a nice voice is on the phone!

Is she pretty? Invite her over!

- Yes, I hear you, this is Bashkirtsev. Who is this?
- Me.

- Excuse me, but who are you?
- It's me, Natasha.

Natasha! Where are you calling from?

Moscow, I've been here for two weeks.

- What, two weeks? Why didn't I know?
- I called 14 times, but couldn't reach you.

I only got back yesterday! Listen, can you visit
me now? Give me the address, I'll send a car!

- No, I can't now. I'm leaving.
- What, why are you leaving? How is that?

I came on a business trip, and it's over.

One minute, Natasha.
Friends, I am asking you.

- Stop it!
- We have no secrets between us!

- I am asking you all!
- What is this?

Today I was on the square. What are you up
to? Did you have something to do with him?

- With who? With the cosmonaut?
- Yes.

Relatively, yes.

Still, it's great that we are the first, right?

Yes, of course it's great. Are you leaving right now?

I'm taking a plane at 3:30. We leave in two and a
half hours. A pity that we couldn't see each other.

What do you mean, can't see each
other? What makes you think that?

- But you have guests there. Stop it please!
- Yeah.

Wait, who are you talking to?

With a certain person.

With Alyosha? Is he with you?

- Alyosha, stop it right now!
- Yeah.

Is Alyosha with you? Why are you silent?

Andrei, why did you send him a motorcycle?
I thought you would have sent an airplane.

You didn't answer my question!

He is with me.

Alyoshka! Come on, put him on the phone.

Hello!

Again.

Alyosha! Bandit, how you've grown! Well,
come here. Do you know who I am?

I know.

Come here.

Come here, no?

They front desk called. The cab is here.

They can wait. Natasha, this is fate! I have
just completed my biggest project!

Let's figure out our issues.I
will not leave without you!

These things cannot be solved by storming in.
You're too late. It's time for us to go downstairs.

- I am asking you, Natasha. Don't leave Moscow.
- Stop. Stop, I don't think this is funny.

To me it's not funny at all.

I was always in a hurry to get somewhere...

I was chronically out of time. By
the month, the week, the day...

Why the small talk, Andrei? The
devil forced me to call you!

Very well. Let's go.

Alyosha, wake up.

- Well, where are we going to find a taxi?
- I have a car.

Let's stop at my place for a minute.

Understand that I had a house full of guests.
You'll see how I'm living. I'll show off your son...

- Another time.
- There will not be another time.
Today is my day, do you understand?

And now, you and Alyoshka are here...
Come on, don't worry about it!

- No, I cannot.
- You can. If you want to, you can.
- I can't.

Do you want me to call your Regional
Committee? Who's at the top, Zimin?

Hello? Crimean Regional Committee - Zimin.

- No, his apartment.
- Will you call straight to the UN?

How long are you going to drive me around? All day?

I'm not sure. Anyway, here is my house.
We'll go around. Misha! Stop.

Please.

Let me see your ticket. Void!

Are you in a position of power?
In name. You'll fly my plane.

- You have an airplane?
- Believe it!

- What are you, a Persian king?
- Approximately.

Andrei, you are a PIG!

I didn't know that you did all of this!

Everything I did and do, I do for the country's
defense. Mostly. And more, as you can see.
Satellites, spaceships, et cetera, et cetera.

I have been given great rights. I can
call upon anyone that I need to. Do
you understand? I need you.

Are you absolutely sure?

I need you! More than anyone in any
Committee, or any other person on Earth.

You and my son. This is called
life. A person cannot live alone.

I am exhausted to the point of nausea.
I come home to this empty apartment.

I sit here and think of you. I really have
become tearful and sentimental...

And now you're telling me this. You.
So I didn't really know you.

That's how it is. It is, you see, a pharmacy...

Andrei Ilyitch Bashkirtsev

Attention! This is Moscow!

All radio stations in the Soviet Union,
and Central Television, are reporting!

They are transmitting on all frequencies
and channels, on video and nonvideo.

Our microphones and TV cameras...

...are stationed on the plains of the Baikonur Cosmodrome!

THE END