Original subtitles

[music playing]

MAN: Time to go Samuel.

Samuel?

It's time to go.

It's getting late, and your grandfather's waiting.

I wish it was tomorrow morning.

It's awful to have to wait till Christmas

morning to open your presents.

Well, if that's the most awful thing that happened,

you'll have a pretty easy life.

Didn't you hate to it when you were a kid?

No, that's part of the excitement.

Wondering what you're going to get.

I hope I get everything on my list.

Knowing your grandfather, I'm sure you will.

I got a feeling that kid's Christmas list is longer

than the open phone book.

It is.

He's our assignment?

At least part of it.

Well, I hope the other people in the society

need some real help.

I got a feeling that kid has got it made.

Well, he does.

Then why is he part of the assignment?

Oh, mark.

Never mind, never mind.

You're going to give me that mysterious ways line again,

right?

Here Jonathan.

Look, see that guy right there?

That guy looks like he can use some help.

That's the kind of assignment we should have on Christmas Eve.

Well he is.

Mean he's part of the assignment?

Sure.

How about that for intuition, huh?

Merry Christmas.

Oh that's cute Jonathan.

You're doing the stuff, huh?

No, no she did that on her own.

She's part of the assignment too.

Oh yeah?

Mm-hm.

Anybody else?

Everybody.

You realize how many people live in this city?

I'm not talking about this city.

Well, thank you know who.

I don't mind working on Christmas Eve,

you know, up to a point.

I'm talking about the world.

Oh, well.

So much for watching "Miracle on 34th Street" tonight.

Hi Agatha.

Oh, good evening master Samuel.

Hi mom.

What took you so long?

It's about time young man.

I had to pick up grandfather's present.

It took you three hours to pick out shaving lotion?

How'd you know I picked out shaving lotion?

You pick it out every year.

Oh well. He likes it.

I know.

Don't shake the packages.

Christmas is tomorrow.

Can I open just one tonight?

No.

It's not fair.

You guys get to open all your stuff tonight.

You are breaking my heart you poor mistreated boy.

Go wash up.

OK.

Where's dad and grandfather?

He's in the study, but they're in a very important meeting.

Can I go in for just one minute?

I need to ask grandpa an important question.

No you don't because I have already answered it.

You are not opening anything tonight.

How come mothers always know everything?

Just a God given gift I suppose.

Now, go wash up.

OK.

The Senator feels it's going to take

a slick advertising campaign to get

this to appeal to the people.

I mean, you know the feeling of the public

since the Chernobyl fiasco.

I know.

But, I think my son has this pretty well under control.

Well, some aspects of the plan are obvious.

A nuclear power plant is needed in this part of the state

if we're ever going to have any chance of attracting

any kind of large industry.

And well, as far as the public fears are concerned,

I think we need to play up the technical superiority

of the United States versus the Russians.

We could make it a pride issue.

That's good.

And we tie this in with a plan to use

the increased revenue to secure more wetlands and state parks.

Yeah, if we could get one or two

of the environmentalist groups behind us,

it would make a lot of difference.

That's easier said than done.

Hey, nobody said it would be easy.

Listen, the world isn't going to stand still.

If we don't do it, somebody else will.

And we'll be left behind.

Go to [inaudible].

Yes sir.

I'll be in Washington on the second.

Have a nice Christmas.

I will.

And I'll be talking to you soon.

I'll be looking forward to it.

Have a nice trip.

Thank you.

A little bourbon?

Yes, thanks.

My son, this project is going to put HNNC through the roof.

We haven't got it yet, dad.

Oh, yes we do.

The timing is right, the project is right.

We're going to turn this state around you and I.

For the better I hope.

Of course for the better.

I wish you could get Barbara to understand that.

Maybe I can.

Look, you and I know this plane is a state of the art.

It has more backup systems, and safety controls than you

could shake a stick at.

This technical stuff, it's not her bailiwick.

Let's give her something concrete.

Like what?

The summer place.

What about it?

She likes it there.

Always has.

It's my Christmas gift to her.

Dad.

Hey, come on.

You're going to own it anyway someday, right?

And I'd like for her to have it now.

It's 60 miles from the plant site.

Now, does she think that I would give her that

if I had any worries about the plant?

I mean, after all, my grandson is going

to be there for God sakes.

Dad, I mean, you don't have to do that.

I'm doing it because I want to, not because I have to.

Now, get out of here.

I got to make a few phone calls before turkey time.

OK.

Can I--

Oh, yes, yes you can tell her.

She'll be thrilled.

She always wanted to redecorate the place anyway.

Thanks dad.

[doorbell ringing]

May I help you?

Aggie?

Do I know you?

Well, not really.

I know about your through your son, Peter.

Peter?

JONATHAN SMITH: Yeah, I do business in London on occasion.

We met while I was there.

In a pub, no doubt.

Oh no, it's his pub days are over Aggie.

He's turned his life around.

I'll believe that when I hear it from his own lips.

And you will, tonight.

He promised me he'd call you on Christmas Eve.

You know the last time I heard from him?

Nine years.

I won't be waiting by the phone.

He will call, Aggie.

I pray you're right, Mister, uh--

JONATHAN SMITH: Smith, Jonathan Smith.

This is Mark Gordon.

We're here to see Ronald on some business.

Is he expecting you?

No, but it won't take very long, and it's very important.

Oh, I'm sorry.

But, the master wouldn't mind at all, I'm sure.

Go right in.

Thank you, Aggie.

And I sure appreciate it.

You bet.

And the same to you and yours.

Hey, don't forget our little bet on the Rose Bowl game.

(LAUGHS) We'll see about that.

OK, I'll talk to you next week.

Bye bye now.

Who are you two?

My name is Jonathan Smith.

This is Mark Gordon.

We're sorry to barge in on you like this.

How did you get in here?

Agatha let us in.

Well, she can let you just out right now.

Hey listen, I don't like strangers coming into my house.

Especially on Christmas Eve.

Look, I understand how you feel,

and I won't take up much of your time.

But, it's important.

It concerns your grandson.

Samuel?

That's right.

Your company is the leading contractor for the proposed

nuclear plant at Galont.

What has this got to do with my grandson?

Everything.

His future, his health, the health of his children.

All right, right.

What group are you guys with?

The human race.

Oh, please spare me.

Please.

We have a Nuclear Regulatory Commission in this country.

Take your complaints up with them.

Come on, the NRC isn't going to listen to me.

And neither am I.

Are you willing to guarantee your grandson this won't turn

into another Three Mile Island?

Oh, we're going to bring that up again.

It's been blown way out of proportion.

Blown out of proportion?

Everyone involved, the NRC, the entire nuclear industry

spent a fortune convincing us that what happened at Three

Mile Island wouldn't harm anybody.

Yet, when they went to court they

said that the people who are dying of cancer

were at fault because they should have known all the time

that radiation was dangerous.

Look, let's put an end to this.

This plant is failsafe.

I guarantee it.

The Russian government guaranteed

their people Chernobyl wouldn't have

a meltdown for 10,000 years.

Are you comparing their technology with ours?

They're light years away from us.

And we guaranteed there'd be thousands of accident

free launchings of the space shuttle

before there was a disaster.

It took 20.

I've heard enough.

Time to go.

If you come back here again, I'll call the police.

Come on, out!

I almost forgot, Merry Christmas.

Aggie?

What?

Oh, Mr. Smith.

We're leaving now.

Leaving?

I don't remember letting you in.

[phone ringing]

Better get that, Aggie.

It could be for you.

Hays residence.

This is she.

Peter?

My boy.

Well, made Aggie happy.

Sure struck out with Hays.

What was that present you gave?

A look at the future he guaranteed.

RONALD HAYS: No one spoke, they were all

thinking about their adventure in [inaudible]..

They heard Sharron's mother call them to dinner,

and as they washed up to eat, they smiled at one another.

They had shared a great dream, and it would always

remind them of how much dreams can

help to bring people together.

All right, that's it for tonight.

Oh grandpa, just one more chapter.

I read three already.

Now come on.

Put your head on the pillow.

You go to sleep.

I have a big day tomorrow.

Lie next to me for a while.

Samuel.

Please?

I like it when you do that.

All right, only for a little while.

Grandpa?

Mm-hm?

Is that big blue box under the tree from you?

Mm-hm.

Boy, I wonder what's in it.

You'll know in the morning.

Couldn't be that car with a Real motor in it that we saw.

You wouldn't get me that.

Good night Samuel.

Good night grandpa.

Grandpa?

No more questions, Samuel.

I wasn't going to ask a question.

I wanted to say I love you.

I love you too, Samuel.

[music playing]

Merry Christmas grandpa 2018?

Merry Christmas grandpa 2018?

Merry Christmas grandpa 2018?

Merry Christmas grandpa 2018?

Where are we anyway?

Ronald Hays future.

You know what?

I feel different.

You should feel different, you're 30 years older.

I'm what?

You're 30 years older.

This is the year 2018.

You're kidding.

OK.

My hair's all white.

You're 80 years old.

Something's got to change.

Yeah, guess so.

Say, you mean I'm really going to live this long?

That's right.

Maybe now you'll thank me for getting you to quit smoking.

Hey, that's right.

What are we doing standing here?

Waiting for him.

Excuse me.

I don't know where I'm--

You, I know you.

You're the one who came to my house.

That's right.

What's going on?

Where am I?

In your future, 30 years from the time we spoke.

That's ridiculous.

Is it?

Barbara, why don't you take a break in my office?

Come on.

Yes, that's Barbara, your daughter-in-law.

This is crazy.

Why is she crying?

What's happening?

Why don't you go in the room and find out for yourself.

Who's in there?

JONATHAN SMITH:

Your grandson, Samuel.

Is there something wrong?

Is he ill?

No, he's not ill.

Come on.

That's, that's Samuel?

That's right.

And the little boy?

Ron Hays the second.

Your great grandson.

Oh dear God.

The plants you built had an accident.

Several hundred thousand gallons of radioactive water

went down Piper Creek.

Your son Gordon, and little Ron were swimming that day.

They spent all their summers at the lodge.

Little Ron really loved his grandfather.

What are you saying? Where is my son?

I want to see him.

I want to talk to my son.

He died of cancer a year ago.

Daddy, where's mommy?

She'll be back soon.

You look tired daddy.

Rest your head for a little while.

Daddy, I love you.

I love you too, son.

This is the future you guaranteed.

Samuel, Samuel, Samuel.

Samuel!

My Samuel, my boy.

Grandpa, what's wrong?

I had a dream.

A bad dream.

It scared me.

I've had them too.

They're just dreams though.

They can't really happen, can they grandpa?

Not if you don't let them, son.

Not if you don't let them.

[music playing]

Must have dozed off there for a minute.

Boy, I was dreaming.

It was a dream.

JONATHAN SMITH:

No, it was a nightmare.

One that might come true.

Where are we anyway?

Out in farm country.

Oh, yeah?

That's great.

You smell that air?

Love that.

I remember that from when I was a kid.

Now, this is the kind of place to grow up in.

Yeah, it used to be.

What do you mean it used to be?

You'll see.

[christmas music]

Oh, I'm sorry.

Hey, don't worry about it.

It's only two, that's a new record.

Here.

Can you hand me that dust pan?

I'll get it.

Why don't you put Bonnie to bed?

It's getting late.

Oh, not yet.

It's early and I'm not tired.

Well, maybe you're not but we are.

And you'll be up before the sun.

No I won't, I promise.

Don't make promises you can't keep.

Can't I see the lights first?

OK.

Then it's off to bed.

Oh.

It's beautiful.

The most beautiful tree we ever had.

I think so too.

I picked it out, remember?

How could I forget?

Give your mom a kiss. - Oh please?

Now.

Good night mom.

Good night my beauty.

Here we go.

Now, right off to sleep.

You got a big day tomorrow.

It's going to be hard to sleep.

I'm too excited.

Well, just close your eyes and let visions of sugarplums dance

in your head.

I don't even know what a sugar plum looks like.

Oh, well then count sheep.

That always works.

Give me a kiss.

I love you.

I love you too.

I'll get her presents.

You need help?

No, I got it.

You better put on some coffee though.

I got that dollhouse to put together.

I'm sure it's got 1,000 pieces.

Coffee coming up.

Hey Ruth?

RUTH: Yeah, what?

Were you in the chemical storage room tonight?

RUTH: No, Why?

The lights on.

RUTH: I'm not the only one who forgets to turn off the lights,

you know. - Yes, I know.

I'll be right back.

JONATHAN SMITH: Good evening Tom.

What?

Who are you?

My name's Jonathan.

This is Mark.

Look, I don't know what you want, but--

Hey, it's all right.

Don't be afraid.

I just want to talk to you, that's all.

How'd you get in here?

That's not important.

What I have to say is.

If you just wanted to talk to me,

why didn't you come on up to my house?

It's these chemicals I wanted to talk to you about.

You have quite an assortment here.

Pesticides, nitrates, you name it.

You use a lot of these chemicals?

I use what I need to use.

Look, what's this all about?

Maybe you use too much.

Look, I don't need anyone telling me how to farm.

I produce more per acre than any man in this valley.

At your family's expense.

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about the buildup of deadly chemicals

in your soil and your water.

When's the last time you had your well water analyzed?

I don't know.

A couple of years, it was in acceptable limits.

And you tested for all these chemicals?

Most.

Hell, I don't know.

Look, it's Christmas Eve.

I'd like you to get out of here.

Look, I understand how you feel.

I'm going to take up another minute of your time.

Tom, it's got to stop.

The indiscriminate use of chemicals has to stop.

You're respected around here, you could help.

Look, this isn't just me, it's everybody.

People want cheap food.

You realize what would happen if you stopped using this stuff?

Food costs would jump 30%.

Maybe more.

All right, let's say you're right about that.

But, what about the other costs involved?

Somebody's going to clean up this mess,

otherwise there isn't going to be any water left to drink.

And what about the other costs?

Hospital bills, insurance premiums.

I'm not doing anything illegal.

I'm following federal farm policy.

Come on, federal farm policy wasn't designed

to maintain the fertility of the soil,

or the purity of the water.

It was designed for one thing, to produce

an abundant supply of food.

And who gets rich?

Chemical companies, and commodity traders.

You get the government to do something,

then I'll do something.

Now, if you don't get out here, I'm going to call the police.

You're wasting your time, Jonathan.

Here Tom.

What's this?

A present.

Have a Merry Christmas.

[music playing]

Merry Christmas grandpa?

That guy's really wacky.

I don't have a grandchild.

[suspenseful music]

Ruth?

Ruth?

Bonnie?

Who are you?

What are you doing in my house?

Where's my wife and my daughter?

JONATHAN SMITH: She can't hear you, Tom.

She can't see you either.

You two.

What is this?

Where's my wife and my daughter?

Your wife died five years ago, soon after you did.

Soon a--

I'm having a dream.

Does it feel like a dream?

I'm dead?

Yeah.

You were only 52.

My daughter, Bonnie.

that's-- That's my Bonnie?

That's Bonnie.

TOMMY: Mom?

Mom?

Bonnie.

Here Tommy.

Mom I'm so thirsty.

There's no more, son.

More mom.

Thirsty.

I'll get more, Son.

I'll get more.

What's she doing?

The boys thirsty.

God.

JONATHAN SMITH: Pretty horrible, isn't it?

Yeah, build up of chemicals in the groundwater.

No way to stop it.

Well, there was a cry of emergency.

Ban the use of all chemicals.

By then, it was too late.

Where's she going?

To find water.

Your grandson, she's going to try to get him some.

Thank you.

That's a gallon, $50.

Can't you fill it, please?

You said 50 bucks worth.

Next.

A gallon.

$100.

Please, my wife.

It's your money old man.

100 bucks.

I don't have--

100 bucks.

I've got this watch.

What am I going to do with a watch?

Anybody here care what time it is?

(LAUGHS) Come back when you have money, old man.

But my wife needs water now!

Move on!

Next.

A gallon.

100 bucks.

Fill the old man's bottle first.

Fill it.

Bless you, bless you.

Bless you.

Now mine.

[suspenseful music]

Bonnie!

Bonnie?

RUTH: Tom?

Tom?

Yeah.

RUTH: What are you doing?

I'm coming.

What were you doing out there?

I was--

I don't know.

Thinking.

Have you ever had a dream without being asleep?

You mean like daydreaming?

Yeah, I guess so.

But it was--

It was what?

Nothing.

Whole thing was ridiculous.

Your coffee's on the stove.

Thanks hon.

I had this silly nightmare or whatever about you,

and Bonnie, and my grandson.

RUTH: Your grandson?

Kind of rushing Bonnie along, aren't you?

yeah, it was the craziest--

RUTH: Tom?

Tom, what's wrong?

It's getting late Jonathan.

What are we doing here?

Got an appointment with the president.

We've got an appointment with the president

1 o'clock Christmas morning?

I know you're an angel, but how'd

you get him to say yes to this?

To be honest, I didn't.

He doesn't know about it yet.

Oh no.

I got the feeling I'm going to be getting older again.

Mr. President.

Mr. President.

What?

I'm sorry I had to awaken you.

What the hell's going on here?

Don't bother, I'm on all the channels.

Even more than when you make a speech.

Someone on my staff must like practical jokes.

It's not a joke, Mr. President.

Don't try to get up.

You won't be able to.

Who are you?

What's going on?

Let's just say I'm an alien from outer space like the one

in the movie you were watching.

But you don't have to worry, I'm only here to talk to you.

Talk to me about what?

About Earth, about this planet, about it's destruction.

What if I told you that a force more

powerful than you can imagine was

coming to destroy the Earth.

What would you do?

Ridiculous.

Well, maybe it is.

But, it's ridiculous that you can't get out of that chair

and yet it's happening.

What would you do?

I'd notify Congress, and--

And?

Well, I'd call together all the world leaders.

Both friends and enemies?

Of course, you're talking about the destruction

of the world.

We'd all have to come together to fight it.

It's already here.

What's already here?

The force that's destroying the Earth.

It's been here for some time growing stronger every day.

Are you sure about this?

Oh, very sure.

Dear God, where did they come from?

From here.

From Earth.

We are the force that's destroying the Earth.

We're polluting our rivers, and our oceans.

Turning them into seas of poison.

We're destroying our ozone layer.

We're creating millions of tons of deadly nuclear waste with

no notion how to dispose of it.

Our rainforests are disappearing at the rate

of 50,000 acres a day, our oxygen supply

lowers with every minute.

Hey look, whoever you are, I want you to know that I've

discussed these things.

My form committees--

Will do nothing if it interferes with growth,

with money, and with greed.

No, that's not true.

Yes it is.

This destructive force can only be stopped

when all of the leaders of the world,

all of the people of the world make

it their number one priority.

We're not going to destroy each other Mr. President.

We're not going to be destroyed from outer space.

Don't you see, we are going to destroy ourselves.

What is it you expect me to do?

Let the world know that it's time to put away

their petty hates, and to join together

for the common good of all men.

We're on this Earth for such a short time,

we're only the caretakers for the next generation,

and the next, and the next.

And if we don't heal this planet Mr. President,

someday there will be no next generation for any of us.

[music playing]

Wait.

But, wait.

But wait!

Wait!

George. GEORGE: Wait!

George!

Wait!

Wake up, wake up.

What?

What a dream you were having.

Any louder, we would have had a room full of Secret Service.

Oh, I'm sorry.

It was so real.

There was a man here telling me about the destruction

of the world.

Well, we all have nightmares about atomic war.

It wasn't war.

It was about pollution, the water, the air.

Now, that's what you get for reading

ecology reports before bedtime.

From now on I'm only letting you read

how well the economy's doing.

You'll sleep like a log.

Come on to bed.

I've never had a dream like that in all my life.

Well, put it out of your mind.

You're going to need all your strength tomorrow.

You're going to have a White House full of grandchildren

in the morning.

He said if we didn't do something now,

there'd be no generations to come.

I guarantee you with all your grandchildren

there will be generations to come.

Now, go to sleep.

Good night.

What?

What?

[christmas music]

It's him, the man of my dreams.

Who are these children?

These are the great grandchildren

you would have had.

These would have been your great, great grandchildren.

And those are the great, great, great, grandchildren

you would have had.

Merry Christmas great, great, great grandfather.

You said would have been.

What did you mean?

The world died, Mr. President.

You did nothing to stop it.

They were never born.

It's not in my hands to stop it.

It's in the hands of all men.

All of us.

[somber music]

(SINGING) The first Noelle the angel did say

was a certain poor shepherd in fields as they lay.

In fields where they lay--

Quite a night.

Yeah, it was.

Think it'll do any good?

I don't know.

If anybody else on this Earth really cares, you got to try.

Come on, let's watch "The Miracle on 34th Street."

[christmas music playing]