The Catacombs Transcripts
By Martin Willey

The Full Circle

Screenplay Jesse Lasky Jnr, Pat Silver
Director Bob Kellett
Final shooting script 17th September 1974





Cast:

Titles

Martin Landau John Koenig
Barbara Bain Helena Russell
Barry Morse Victor Bergman

In Show Credits

None

End Credits

Prentis Hancock paul morrow
Clifton Jones david kano
Zienia Merton sandra benes
Anton Phillips dr mathias
Nick Tate alan carter
Oliver Cotton spearman

Uncredited

Sarah Bullen Operative Kate / Cavewoman
Suzanne Roquette Tanya Aleksandr
Annie Lambert Main Mission Operative (Julie)
Robert Phillips Main Mission Operative
Lynda Westover Main Mission Operative / Cavewoman
Mike Stevens Main Mission Operative
Andy Dempsey Main Mission Operative / Caveman
Chris Williams Orderly / Caveman
Glenda Allen Nurse/ Cavewoman
Kathy Mallory Nurse / Cavewoman
Colin Rix Copilot / Caveman
Alan Meacham Sandos
Tony Allyn Security Guard (Tony Allan) / Caveman
Chai Lee Alpha Nurse

Sets:


Int. Main Mission
Int. Command Office
Int. Medical
Int. Eagle Pilot Section
Int. Eagle Passenger Section

Ext. Planet Surface (locations)
Ext. Planet Surface Mist Entrance (studio)
Ext. Planet Surface Mist Area 2 (studio)
Int. Cave

Hook

1. EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Retha over base.

INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Come in, Eagle Six. Come in, Eagle Six."
-Big Screen (SFX): planet in space
PAUL (VO): "Report your situation."

2.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle stood in forest.
PAUL (VO): "Main Mission to reconnaissance party. Come in, please."

4.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Empty cabin.
PAUL (VO): "Come in, Eagle Six, report your situation."

5.INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Eagle Six, you are ordered to return to base immediately."
KOENIG (leans on inside of Paul's desk): "Why don't they answer?" ((to Sandra)) "What about the onboard systems? How do they check out?"
SANDRA: "All systems are working, Commander."
KOENIG: "Alright, keep trying."
PAUL: "Come in, Eagle Six. Come in, Eagle Six."
HELENA (arriving from office): "What's happened, John?"
KOENIG: "I don't know what's happened, Helena. I know what hasn't happened. A party of seven, on a reconnaissance party, should have been back hours ago. More than that, they haven't even checked in the last two hours."
HELENA: "Well, John.."
KOENIG: "Wait a minute. Paul. Can you bring Eagle Six back by remote control?"
Paul types.
PAUL: "Yes, Commander. I can."
KOENIG: "Do it." ((looks back at Big Screen))

6.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle launches and turns.

7.INT. MAIN MISSION

Paul moves control levers.
-Big Screen (SFX)/ Main Mission: Planet and Eagle over base. (sc 8/9)
KOENIG: "Helena, Victor, let's go." ((they leave))

11.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle lands, starboard to tube.

12.INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)

Travel Unit slows.

14.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Koenig, Helena & Victor enter. Koenig & Victor walk forward and Helena looks after them.

15.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig & Victor enter.
VICTOR: "No signs of a struggle."
KOENIG: "Nothing." ((they turn back))

16.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Helena waits by the door. She notices something.
Her POV: a tanned hand & a neolithic axe on the floor between seats (sc 17)
Helena calls (sc 18)
HELENA: "John."
Koenig & Helena join her & approach cautiously- a stone age man.
Closer POV: a stone age man in animal skins lies between the seats. (sc 19)

FADE OUT

ACT ONE


THE FULL CIRCLE
screenplay by Jesse Lasky Jnr, Pat Silver
story consultant Christopher Penfold
moon city costumes designed by Rudi Gernreich
directed by Bob Kellett

20.INT. MAIN MISSION

Koenig is sat his desk, with Helena, Victor, Alan & Paul stood around him.
KOENIG: "This is to be a full scale rescue operation. Paul, I want Eagles One and Two on the pad ready for immediate lift off."
PAUL: "Yes, sir." ((leaves for his desk))
KOENIG: "Helena, I want a medical team equipped for any eventuality. Now, who do you want to take along?"
HELENA: "One orderly, two nurses."
KOENIG: "Doctor Mathias?"
HELENA: "He's busy with the autopsy."
KOENIG: "Alright." ((Helena leaves)) "Now, the ground search party will be me, the copilot, one security guard and Helena's medical team. We'll take Eagle One. Alan, I want you to take Eagle Two. You'll conduct an aerial search. I want you to cover every inch within a radius of a hundred miles of that spot where the Eagle went down. Got it?"
ALAN: "Yeah, got it."
VICTOR: "I shall need some close photographic information on Retha, so, um, take Sandra if that's alright with you, John?"
KOENIG: "Yeah, alright. But remember: first, search, second, photographs. And third...record any sightings of people, where they are, and how many."
ALAN: "Right." ((he leaves; Koenig stands))
VICTOR: "I suppose you want me to stay."
KOENIG: "Yeah, Victor. I want you in command." ((puts his hands on Victor's shoulders, reassuringly)) "Look, I promise you, you'll get a chance to explore Retha. But first things first."
VICTOR: "Oh, of course."
KOENIG: "We've got to find the reconnaissance party. At least find out what's happened to them."
VICTOR: "Sure."
In Main Mission, Alan leans over Sandra. (sc 22)
ALAN: "Hey, look lively, sweetheart, you're coming with me."
SANDRA (she looks at Paul): "Where to?"
ALAN: "Down there."

21.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Planet.
ALAN (VO): "Aerial search. Come on."

22.INT. MAIN MISSION

SANDRA: "Now?"
ALAN: "Um. Now." ((they leave- camera remains on Paul))

23.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle raises on pad. Titles over.

INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)

Unit speeds up.

26.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan & Sandra enter: he nods towards the copilot seat.
ALAN: "Right, now that's yours. Make yourself comfortable."
Alan puts her seatbelt on.

25.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Another Eagle rises to surface, by a buggy. Titles resume.

24.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Helena leads the medics in with a stretcher, which they take up the access corridor.

27.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Koenig & his copilot complete checks.
KOENIG: "Eagle One ready for lift off."
PAUL (on screen): "Eagle one go."

29.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle launches.

31.INT. MAIN MISSION

Victor leans behind Paul.
ALAN (VO): "Eagle Two ready for launch."
PAUL: "Eagle Two. Go."

32.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle launches.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan smiles at Sandra.

35.INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "I wonder what happened down there."

34.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagles fly to planet horizon.
PAUL (VO): "Do you think they'll find the reconnaissance party."
VICTOR (VO): "Well, they haven't got long to find out. Three days and we'll be past Retha. If we're going to settle, we'll have to do it before then."
PAUL (VO): "Looks good, doesn't it, Retha?"

35.INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR: "Ah, it did look good. I'm going to check with Bob Mathias about our stone age man." ((he leaves))

36.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle landing.
Eagle 2 passes over trees.
Eagle 1 lands.

37.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

KOENIG: "Eagle One to base. Landing all okay. Moving out with the search party right away."
PAUL (on screen): "Base to Eagle One. Check."
Koenig & copilot release their seatbelts and leave their seats.

39.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle 2 flies over Eagle 1 in the clearing.

40.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "Eagle Two to base. I'm starting my search from Eagle One's position. I'm going north on the first leg of the north eastern sector."

41.INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Base to Eagle Two. Check. Eagle Two."

42.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

PAUL (VO): "Love to Sandra."
ALAN: "You'll be lucky."

INT. MAIN MISSION

Paul smiles.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan & Sandra smile.

43.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle 2 flies on.
Moonbuggy leaves rear of Eagle 1 (sc 44)

45.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

View out passenger section door as the copilot, medics & guard leave. The guard closes the door behind them.

46.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Koenig & Helena's moonbuggy drives up to a tree with a marker stuck into it.
KOENIG: "There it is. Their first marker. From here on we walk."
HELENA (as they climb out of the buggy): "I knew it was too good to last."
Koenig puts a black arrow shape in the marker & directs a scanner around. They start off in the direction it buzzes.

47.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle 2 flies over trees.

48.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

-Eagle viewport (SFX): POV travelling shot over trees, with patches of mist (sc 51)
ALAN (VO): "Eagle Two to base."

-Alan & Sandra:
ALAN (VO): "I'm just completing the first northern leg of the north eastern sector. I'm returning south on a parallel course."

49.INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Base to Eagle Two. Check. What's it look like?"

50.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Alan looks forward.
ALAN: "Well, it looks like the jungle in Brazil."

INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Where the nuts come from? Any sign of life?"

50.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "No, not yet."
-Eagle viewport (SFX): POV travelling over forest & mist. (sc 51)
ALAN (VO): "But there's, ah, one or two small patches of mist. Now they just..just could be smoke."
-Int. Eagle.
PAUL (on screen): "Keep in touch."
ALAN: "Will do."

52.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

A pond. On the bank, Helena & Koenig look down at a large dinosaur footprint, filled with a muddy puddle (sc 53 -sc 54)
KOENIG: "Look at the size of it."
They walk by the footprint. An animal screams, a tree shakes & birds chatter in alarm. They spin round, Koenig holding his laser. They step back, then move cautiously on. (sc 56) Koenig crouches to look at something on the bank.
HELENA: "John." ((she looks at the undergrowth on the opposite bank, sc 57. Koenig stands quickly and looks)) "I think we're being watched."
Koenig aims & fires into the water before the vegetation (sc 58-59). Alarmed sounds of animals & birds. But nothing else.
KOENIG: "Let's go." ((They hurry off))

The copilot leads the others to the buggy & the marker (sc 63). He waves his arm at them, holding the buzzer, and they follow.

Koenig & Helena find another marker under a rock ledge. Koenig fits the arrow and they carry on.

The copilot pauses, waves his buzzer, then leads the others on.

64.EXT. PLANET SURFACE Studio

Koenig reaches another marker. He scans: the buzzing directs him along a path into some mist. They walk along the path.

69.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Planet horizon.

70.EXT. PLANET SURFACE Studio

The copilot leads the others to the marker, pointing into the mist. The copilot takes his comlock.
COPILOT: "Search Party to Eagle Two. We're just moving into an area of mist. Ah, we'll try and catch up with the Commander before dark."

71.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

COPILOT (VO): "See you tomorrow."
ALAN: "Check."

EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle flies over misty surface.

72.EXT. PLANET SURFACE Studio

The search party walk into the mist.

74.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Planet horizon, now dark.

75.INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR: "Call up Commander Koenig, will you, Paul. I'd like to keep him up to date on the autopsy."
PAUL: "Base to Commander Koenig." ((types again)) "Base to Commander Koenig. Come in, please."

EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Planet, dark, with a silver western crescent lit.
PAUL (VO): "Base to Commander Koenig. Come in, please."

75.INT. MAIN MISSION

Paul types again.
PAUL: "Base to Support Party. Come in, please. Base to Support Party. Come in, please." ((types again, sc 77)) "Base to Eagle Two. Come in, please."

78.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "Yeah, Eagle Two to base. I've lost contact with the Commander. Can you try him please?"

79.INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR: "Well, we've lost contact as well. What was your last message?"

80.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

ALAN: "Support Party was trying to catch up before dark. Now, they were approaching an area of mist. I've had nothing from the Commander for some time."

81.INT. MAIN MISSION

ALAN (VO): "How long does the night last down here?"
VICTOR: "Just over two hours."
ALAN (VO): "Right. Well, I'll join Eagle One for the night. If you hear from the Commander let me know. Out."

82.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

SANDRA: "Alan, down there! Look! I saw something moving!"
Alan looks.
-Eagle viewport (SFX): dark forest. (sc 83)
-Alan gives up looking (sc 84)
ALAN: "Ah,..I can't see anything. But there is something odd about this place. Hold tight. I'm going down."

85.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle 2 descends by Eagle 1.

86.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Vegetation rustles in the darkness.

85.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle lands.

86.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Three hairy men, wearing animal skins, emerge from the vegetation to watch.

FADE OUT

ACT TWO

87.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Both Eagles. Morning.

88.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Sandra wakes. The sleeping bag by hers is empty.
SANDRA: "Alan?" ((she puts on her belt & comlock)) "Alan?"

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Sandra walks in
SANDRA: "Alan?"
She takes her comlock.

89.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Alan is walking past the moonbuggy. His comlock bleeps. On the screen is Sandra (sc 90)
SANDRA (on screen): "Where are you? You gave me a fright going off like that."
ALAN (sc 91): "I'm having a look around. I'm at the Moonbuggy. They've left a trail. I'm going to follow on for a bit."
SANDRA (on screen, sc 92): "Don't be long. And be careful."
ALAN (sc 93): "Hey! All this concern. Paul's going to get jealous."
Alan walks on. He walks across an open area (sc 94)- & falls into the ground (sc 96). He lies sprawled at the bottom of a deep pit. (sc 97)

INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Sandra folds up both sleeping bags & picks them up, looking at the screens.

98.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Alan's comlock bleeps on the mud by him. He does not move.

99.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

SANDRA (in copilot seat, using comlock): "Eagle Two to Carter. Eagle Two to Carter. Alan, where are you? Eagle Two to Carter. Don't play tricks on me, Alan, please. Alan, where are you?" ((she puts her comlock back on her belt))

106.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Boarding tube retracts from port side of Eagle.

107.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

David pilots with Victor in the copilot seat.
DAVID (piloting): "Eagle Three. Ready for lift off."
PAUL (VO): "Eagle Three. Go."

108.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)

Eagle launches, starboard to tube.

102.INT. MAIN MISSION

Paul is typing on a handheld calculator when he is interrupted.
SANDRA (VO): "Eagle Two to base. Eagle Two to base."
PAUL: "Good morning Eagle Two. What's the news?"

103.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

SANDRA: "I've lost contact with Alan. He went out to have a look around, and..and now nothing."

104.INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Professor Bergman's coming down with David."

110.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle flies to planet.
PAUL (VO): "We've heard nothing from the Commander or the Support Party. They'll be with you soon. Sit tight til they get there."

105.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

SANDRA: "Don't worry. Wild horses wouldn't drag me out of here."

INT. MAIN MISSION

Paul.

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Sandra switches off.

111.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Alan stirs & looks up the sides of the pit (sc 112), & sees a branch over the top of one corner. He gets up & jumps up to it twice, & the third time it comes down with him. He jumps up again, grabs some grass but has no grip (sc 113). He searches the mud floor & finds an angular stone. He uses uses it to dig at the mud wall (sc 114). A sound distracts him, & he looks up. Ringing the edge of the pit are 3 savages (sc 115). Alan backs (sc 116). Spearman jumps down into the pit (sc 120-121-122). They sidestep about the pit, the spearman lunging at him with his spear. Alan catches the spear & pushes Spearman against the wall, the shaft against his neck. But Spearman grabs Alan & lifts him up above his head (sc 126) & hurls him down (sc 127-128). Spearman lifts the spear over Alan (sc131-132). Alan's comlock bleeps (sc 133-134-135). Spearman discards the spear & nervously pokes the comlock. Clumsily he picks it up (sc 136). As the other 2 watch Spearman holds the comlock: he accidentally activates it (sc 137).
SANDRA (on screen, sc 138): "Alan! Is that you, Alan? I've been worried out of my mind. I have been trying and trying to get through to you. Professor Bergman and David are coming down in Eagle Three. They haven't heard from the Commander either."

140.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

SANDRA: "I'm sorry to go on like this, but you have no idea how scared I've been out here on my own. Still, it's good to talk to you, Alan. Alan?"

141.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Spearman tries to pick the image of Sandra from the comlock screen.
SANDRA: "Eagle Two to Carter. Are you receiving me? Come in, Carter? Alan? Please?"
The screen blanks (sc 143). Spearman knocks the side of the comlock twice to make it return (sc 144).

INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Sandra returns her comlock to her belt.

141.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

The 2 other cavemen lower the trunk of a silver birch into the pit so Spearman can climb out. The oters scrabble to look at the comlock, trying to grab it. Another joins them, gestures, & they leave.

145.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Eagle 3 approaches Retha.

146.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

VICTOR: "Ah, ten minutes to landing?" ((David nods)) "I'll let Sandra know."
DAVID: "Tell her to put some lunch on."
VICTOR: "Eagle Three to Eagle Two."

147.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

VICTOR (VO): "Come in, please."
SANDRA: "Eagle Two to Eagle Three. Receiving you."
VICTOR (VO): "We shall be arriving in ten minutes, and, ah, "

146.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

VICTOR: " Kano says put some lunch on, 'cause he's hungry."
SANDRA (VO): "I will be glad to."

147.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

SANDRA: "Hurry on down. I don't want it to get cold."
She gets up & goes back.

148.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Alan wakes & stands. He climbs up the tree & out of the pit.

149.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Sandra puts a third food tray on a console top.

EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

The Eagles

149.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION

Sandra looks at the door. She opens it with her comlock and gasps to see Spearman outside. Spearman enters (sc 150-151-152) and tries to grab her as she screams. Sandra runs to the pilot cabin. She backs into a corner in the access corridor- Spearman approaches. She throws her hand out, knocking over food trays, and he picks her up, throwing her across his shoulder (sc 153). She knocks over more trays & tries to bite his shoulder (sc 156). He shakes her & she is knocked out. He walks back to the door & out onto the surface.

157.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Alan runs through the forest.

158.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle 3 lands by the 2 others.

159.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Alan reaches the first marker & the buggy. He climbs in, turns round & drives it off.

160.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

Victor & David enter the passenger section (seen along corridor).
VICTOR: "Sandra! Sandra!"
DAVID (seeing trays): "I see she got some lunch ready."
Victor walks forward & finds the trays. He walks up to the pilot cabin.
VICTOR: "She's not here."
DAVID: "Where's she gone? We were talking to her ten minutes ago."

161.INT. CAVE

A group of cavemen by a fire, carrying spears, warming themselves. Spearman carries Sandra over his shoulder into the cave (sc 162). The cave people gather round. The Cave Chief approaches. Spearman takes Sandra off his shoulder. She wakes. Cave Chief feels Sandra's face. Spearman pushes Sandra away & pushes the shaft of the spear against the chief; the chief catches it & hits Spearman down with it before throwing the spear to the ground. The Chief drags Sandra to his side cave. He takes a skin from the cavewife, who moans and grunts angrily in protest; he pushes her away and she whines. The Chief takes a torch & chases Sandra up the side cave. In the main cave Spearman picks up his spear & goes, while the cavewife warms her hands against the fire & watches them. Sandra whimpers as the Chief puts the torch down & watches her.

173.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Night. Around a camp fire, Alan, David & Victor eat. Alan empties his food into the fire.

162.INT. CAVE

The cave wife sees the Chief put a torch by Sandra & sit watching her. She takes a torch & goes up to him. The Chief & cave wife look at each other, then at Sandra. Sandra screams, then stares at the cave wife. (sc 163)
SANDRA: "Doctor Russell?" ((fast cuts Helena in Alpha uniform)) "Commander?" ((cut: Koenig in Alpha uniform; sc 164)) "Oh...why did this happen? What is happening to me? You..must..know me! Helena! Please! Help me!" ((she cries))

FADE OUT

ACT THREE

175.INT. CAVE

Sandra sleeps. Spearman takes a jaguar skin up to her. He puts his hand over her mouth; she wakes & rises, terrified (sc 178). He offers the skin (sc 199). She retreats to the wall, but he rips her tunic off her shoulder. She screams, & Spearman turns & runs.
The cave chief runs after Spearman & throws him to the ground in the main cave. He then runs at him, tackling him & grappling on the ground (sc 200-203). As the cave people gather (sc 204), Spearman holds Chief off with his foot. He twists away and tries to crawl off, but Chief grabs his back and shakes him. Spearman grabs him & throws him over, then runs to grab a stick and strike at the Chief (sc 205-206). Chief rolls away to the fire and picks up a burning log. He waves it, forcing Spearman to retreat. Spearman runs round to a higher level, picks up a large rock and lifts it up to attack Chief (sc 207-209). But Chief picks up Spearman and hurls him onto the fire. Spearman rolls over in the gravel to extinguish the flames, then stands and retreats nervously (sc 214-217). The cave wife pours dirt on Spearman's back, followed by skins (sc 219).
The Chief returns to Sandra, now wearing the jaguar skin. He sees for her wrist monitor and approaches, reaching for it. Sandra slams a stone against his head three times: his blood splatters the sleeve of Sandra's discarded uniform (sc 225-233). Sandra creeps off (sc 134) & cave wife returns to see the sprawled Chief (sc 235-238). She screams & runs back into the cave to wail & gesture using Sandra's uniform. Men run off.

241.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Early light. Sandra runs through forest. She stops by a tree, then runs on, through large ferns.
Five cavemen track her (sc 243)
Sandra runs on.
Cavemen track her through the large ferns.
Sandra stops behind a tree, moves to another tree & slips to the ground, sobbing. (sc 248)

Alan holds a cup by the camp fire as Kano and Victor sleep. He hears two animal screams (sc 247)

251.EXT. SPACE (SFX)

Planet horizon as sunlight moves over it.

253.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

The camp, now in full daylight. Victor rises & takes his comlock, humming.
PAUL (VO): "Professor Bergman. Report your situation, please."
VICTOR: "Bergman to base. It's only just daylight. We'll be moving on right away. Ah, there are some markers so we can see what we're doing now."

254.INT. MAIN MISSION

VICTOR (VO): "What news from Doctor Mathias? Any information on our caveman would be a help."
PAUL: "I'll chase him up, Professor."

253.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

PAUL (VO): "As soon as we have anything we'll let you know."

254.INT. MAIN MISSION

PAUL: "Any news of Sandra?"
VICTOR (VO): "No. Nothing yet. But don't worry, Paul. We'll find her."
Paul switches off.

EXT. PLANET SURFACE

The three drive through the forest.

257.EXT. PLANET SURFACE Studio

David drives the moonbuggy towards the mist, with Victor by him & Alan in the back.
ALAN: "Kano! Stop!"
The buggy brakes.
DAVID: "What's the matter with you?"
ALAN: "Don't go into the mist."
DAVID: "I hate back seat drivers. We've got lights."
VICTOR: "The markers lead straight in." ((he gets out of the buggy))
ALAN (sc 259): "I know. They've all gone into that mist. The Reconnaissance Party. The Commander, Helena, everyone. The last message I got: we're moving into an area of mist. We're trying to catch up with the Commander before dark."
VICTOR: "They all went into the mist?"
ALAN: "Right. And none of them came out."
Beat.
VICTOR: "Let's go round on foot."
They leave the buggy & follow a trail around the mist.

260.INT. CAVE

The Chief, his face bloodied, leans on a long stick, swaying & moaning as woman beat wooden bowels rhythmically. The cave wife dabs yellow pigment from a wooden bowel on the Chief. They hear voices outside.
ALAN (VO): "Professor, be careful. David. Over here."
The women scatter, leaving the Chief still moaning. Alan leads David & Victor in. Victor takes a torch & holds it to the Chief. (sc 263)
VICTOR: "My god, look at the condition he's in. He's covered with blood. He's half dead. John? John? John!" ((sc 264a-264b-264c; the Chief backs, no longer moaning))
ALAN: "Victor, what the hell are you doing?" ((Alan aims at the Chief))
VICTOR: "No! Don't!" ((he knocks Alan's aim off as he fires; the Chief runs out of the cave))
ALAN: "Are you out of your mind?"
VICTOR: "I'm beginning to wonder.."
DAVID: "Professor. Look!" ((David brings them Sandra's tunic))
ALAN: "It's a yellow sleeve. It's Sandra's. Look at it!" ((examines it by fire)) "Look at it! It's got blood all over it! What have they done to her? All those murdering savages!" ((he takes a torch)) "I'm going to search this cave. Every inch of it! My god, if they've hurt her. Sandra! Sandra! Sandra!!"
VICTOR: "Kano. I can't explain it, but I think that was John Koenig."
DAVID: "The Commander?"
VICTOR: "We must go after him." ((they run out))

264d.EXT. MIST AREA 2

Victor leads David out through the rocks.
VICTOR: "We've got to find him. Look, you go that way, I'll go this way, meet round the other side." ((they separate))

255.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

The cavemen are scattered, searching. One finds the sleeping Sandra.

264e.EXT. PLANET SURFACE Studio

Victor & David arrive by the buggy; at the edge of the mist lies Koenig, unconscious. Victor lifts his eyelid, then they pick him up.

FADE OUT

ACT FOUR

265.EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)

Eagle returns to base from planet.

266.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION

VICTOR (coming up access corridor): "Get through to Doctor Mathias. I want everything prepared for immediate tests on the Commander for possible brain haemorrhage. And I want the operating theatre standing by."
DAVID: "Yes, Professor."
VICTOR: "He's lucky to be alive. Whoever hit him really meant business."

267.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

Sandra is carried slung from a pole by the cavemen.

269.INT. CAVE

Alan holds laser & torch as he searches the labyrinth. His words are echoed.
ALAN: "Sandra! Sandra!" ((in foreground cavewomen silently pass; Alan walks out into the main area)) "Sandra! Sandra!" ((two cavewomen pass a torch between them as they pass; Alan sees a shadow pass)) "Sandra? Sandra?" ((a cavewoman darts past)) "Sandra!"

275.INT. MEDICAL

POV focus on Victor & a nurse.
Koenig weakly recovers (sc 276) POV focuses on Victor smiling (sc 277) Koenig reacts (sc 278). The nurse removes his electrodes (sc 279). Victor sits on the side of the bed.
VICTOR: "We found you down on Retha. Thought we might have to operate. Lucky for you you've got a thick skull."
KOENIG: "What about the others? Helena?"
VICTOR: "No sign of them at all. Just markers going into the mist."
KOENIG: "The mist. Yes..."
VICTOR: "Hum. We found a big cave down there where a tribe of cavemen seemed to live. Very interesting. They were going to bury one of them, but he wasn't dead. But he was in pretty bad shape. Anyway, the light wasn't much good. But I did get a good look at him. And, do you know, for a moment I really thought it was you."
KOENIG: "Family resemblance. Victor, we've got to go back down there."
VICTOR: "Oh, yes."
KOENIG: "We've got to keep on looking until we find our people."
VICTOR: "But you're not going back down there any more. You're going to be confined to your bed for at least a week. And in less than two days we shall be out of range of Retha."
BOB (entering, sc 280): "Professor Bergman. Professor Bergman. Commander, excuse me."
VICTOR: "The autopsy report. What?"
BOB: "Oh, he was a stone age man alright. Ah, similar to our Cro Magnon period, say forty thousand years ago. Well, he died of shock. His heart just stopped. Nothing else was wrong with him. But, Professor, he had caps on his teeth."
KOENIG: "Caps on his teeth?"
BOB: "Now, on the basis of this, I made further tests. He's one of ours. Sandos."
VICTOR: "Sandos was the Eagle pilot on the first reconnaissance flight."
BOB: "Skin type, blood group, finger prints, hair, everything checks out. I don't understand it."
KOENIG: "Wait a minute. I think I'm beginning to understand. Victor, if one stone age man turns out to be Sandos, then maybe the one you thought was me.. was me..."
VICTOR: "Oh, how, I mean how could you possibly be..."
KOENIG: "Don't ask me how, but...if it was me then maybe Helena and the rest of the Alphans are...are also stone age people."
VICTOR: "It's our own people who've got Sandra.. My god. Carter."
KOENIG: "What? Tell me?"
VICTOR: "Carter's down there with a ray gun. If anything happens to Sandra.."
KOENIG (gets up): "I've got to get down there."
VICTOR: "N..no, you can't. We'll go."
KOENIG: "Like hell I can't. Bob, get my clothes."

291.INT. CAVE

The men bind Sandra to a square wooden frame. They start swaying in front of her.
Alan searches.

292.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Eagle lands by two others in clearing.

293.INT. CAVE

Alan searches: cave people pass in the distance
ALAN: "Sandra!"

294.EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Moonbuggy leaves Eagle.

295.INT. CAVE

Sandra & the frame are swayed in front of the fire. The cave wife arrives & is pleased to see Sandra bound by the men : she screams twice.

Alan stops, hearing the scream, & runs off (sc 298)

The cave men grunt as the women beat bowls in rhythm. The cave wife heats a blade in the fire & hold sit up to Sandra; Sandra screams. (sc 299)

Alan hurries on, having heard Sandra's scream. (sc 300)

The cave wife puts the blade back in the fire & dabs dried blood from a bowl on Sandra's feet, rising up her side (sc 301)

302.EXT. PLANET SURFACE

The buggy splashes through puddles.

303.INT. CAVE

The cave wife takes the blade from the fire to Sandra; the hot blade touches the wood of the frame & sizzles. Sandra looks up (sc 304) to see Alan in a gallery above (sc 305). He puts his finger to his mouth & shows his laser (sc 307). Helena circles the fire holding the blade & brings it back to Sandra (sc 308)
SANDRA: "No! No!"

EXT. MIST AREA 2

The buggy stops & Victor, Koenig & David leave it.
VICTOR: "This way."

309.INT. CAVE

Sandra is alarmed, as Alan prepares.
SANDRA: "No! No! Alan, they're going to kill me! No! Helena! Alan! Helena! Noo!"
Alan pushes the slider from stun to kill. (sc 309-313). Koenig leads the others in (sc 314)
KOENIG: "Stop!" ((he shoots Alan-sc 315, the cave people back. sc 316-317)) "Right, Sandra." ((he cuts her down. Alan recovers, sc 318-319c )) "Back to the entrance." ((they retreat slowly; & Alan joins them)) "Keep going."

320.EXT. CAVE

KOENIG: "Alright, go for the mist, move!" ((they run))

319f.INT. CAVE

The cave people rush forward.

320.EXT. CAVE

The cave people rush out.

321.EXT. MIST AREA 2

KOENIG: "You three are decoys. Lead them along the edge of the mist but don't go in it. Victor. Behind that rock. I'm over here. We'll force them into the mist."
Koenig & Victor hide as David, Alan & Sandra walk by the mist. The cave tribe race out after them. Koenig fires in front of them. (sc 321-327)
VICTOR: "John, what are you doing?"
KOENIG: "The answer's gotta be inside that mist. Fire!" ((they fire either side of the tribe twice- second shots not seen)) "Fire!" ((they fire closer- beams not seen; they back)) "Fire!" ((they fire- beams are seen))
The cave wife is the last to retreat into the mist. (sc 328-332)
HELENA: "John.." (sc 333)
KOENIG: "Over to the other side! Quick!" (sc 334)

EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)

Moonbuggy drives through low mist.

336.EXT. PLANET SURFACE Studio

The moonbuggy stops by the last marker & Koenig & Victor get out. Sandra, Alan & David run up. A dark form appears in the mist. (sc 336-340)
VICTOR: "Helena?"
HELENA: "Victor?" ((she leads the Alphans out)) "John!" ((she hugs Koenig)) "We nearly lost you."
KOENIG: "Likewise." ((they hug))

FADE OUT

EPILOGUE

343.INT. MEDICAL

The crew are being checked.
KOENIG: "Well, how are they? Any ill effects?"
HELENA (sat at desk): "None at all. We're all just as fit as before we left."
VICTOR: "And noone remembers anything I suppose."
HELENA: "Not first hand. Only what Sandra has told us."
VICTOR: "Damn. I mean an incredible experience like that and no first hand information. I mean, you go through a time warp, you go back forty thousand years and noone can tell me what it felt like."
KOENIG: "Sorry, Victor."
VICTOR: "Oh well. We're out of range of Retha by now, so I suppose we'll never know."
KOENIG: "I wish I could remember. I'd really like to know how much we have changed in all that time. I mean our instincts. Our basic emotions, our feelings."
HELENA: "From the sound of it, not all that much. It seems the cavewoman felt jealousy for the same reasons I would."
KOENIG: "As a matter of fact I was quite flattered when I heard about that."
HELENA: "Hum."
KOENIG: "Victor. Were there any other cavepeople there besides us?"
VICTOR: "No, just you."
KOENIG: "Because we couldn't speak to each other, couldn't communicate, we misunderstood."
SANDRA: "We got frightened, angry, jealous, vengeful."
KOENIG: "Yes, vengeful. To the point of killing. And yet it was only us there."
HELENA: "Under the skin, do you think we've changed that much in forty thousand years?"
VICTOR: "Do you think we ever will?"
KOENIG: "Maybe. Just maybe. I'll let you know in forty thousand years."
They all smile.

FREEZE FRAME
series created by Gerry & Sylvia Anderson

An ITC RAI co-production
produced by GROUP THREE for world-wide distribution
c ITC -Incorporated Television Company Ltd. MCMLXXIV

paul morrow Prentis Hancock
david kano Clifton Jones
sandra benes Zienia Merton
dr mathias Anton Phillips
alan carter Nick Tate
spearman Oliver Cotton

music by Barry Gray associate Vic Elms
special effects Brian Johnson production designer Keith Wilson

production manager Ron Fry
director of photography Frank Watts BSC
casting director Michael Barnes
script editor Johnny Byrne

supervising editor David Lane
camera operator Neil Binney
assistant director Ken Baker
sound recordist David Bowen

editor Alan Killick
sound editor Peter Pennell
music editor Alan Willis
continuity Gladys Goldsmith
Processed at the Rank Film Laboratories

make-up Ann Cotton
hair designer Helene Bevan
wardrobe Eileen Sullivan
Filmed at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire, England

SPECIAL EFFECTS
director Nick Allder
lighting cameraman Harry Oakes
camera operator Frank Drake
electronics Michael S. E. Downing

Copyright 2002 Martin Willey