The Production GuideScript To Screen: Collision Course
by Martin Willey
The Production Guide
Anthony Terpiloff turned in his "final shooting script" for Collision Course on Friday 9th August 1974. Unusually a second "final shooting script" was produced on Tuesday 13th August, just 4 days later. Filming would begin 2 weeks later on Thursday 22nd August 1974.
The story opens with Eagles placing nuclear charges on an asteroid. Carter's Eagle is late. In scene 80, Koenig decides to give him more time.
KOENIG
(decides)
Delay the blast forty seconds.
BERGMAN
Can't do it. We have to
destroy the asteroid to avoid
collision. And the timing is
vital to avoid being caught in
the radiation from the blast.
KOENIG gives him a look that thanks him for nothing.
KOENIG
Delay the blast......for forty seconds.
He presses the key again.
KOENIG (Contd.)
Alan, don't worry about accurate
siting. Just lay your egg and
get out of there.
CARTER (V.O.)
(an imitation of hen laying egg)
Even in this tense situation KOENIG cannot avoid the
trace of a smile.
9 EXT. ASTEROID, SFX.
Eagle One touches down on the surface with its charge.
10 INT. EAGLE ONE.
CARTER repeatedly punches a button on his control panel.
Then he tries to work a manual switch. He releases his
straps, jumps out of his seat and rips open a side panel
exposing complex circuitry.
11 INT. MAIN MISSION.
MORROW turns to KOENIG
MORROW
Time running out.
They wait for KOENIG's decision. He presses the key.
KOENIG
Alan, abort the mission. Return
to base.
(turning to BERGMAN)
We'll have to chance it with
eleven.
12 EXT. ASTEROID. SFX.
Eagle One rises from the surface. The charge remains
attached to the cargo frame. But instead of zooming
away the Eagle remains hovering.
13 INT. EAGLE ONE.
CARTER at work on the circuitry. His movements jerky
with fear.
CARTER
You don't want the nuke back at
base. You want it here.
He takes a printed circuit and deliberately shorts it
across two points. He rears back, shielding his face from
the electric flash. He jumps back to his seat and takes
over the controls, moving them violently.
Carter's egg laying was a rare moment of humour, but it was deleted in the 13 August script which instead dials up the tension. The following scenes were also reworked.
KOENIG
(decides)
Delay the blast forty seconds.
BERGMAN
Can't do it. We must destroy the
asteroid to avoid collision. And
timing is vital to avoid being
caught in radiation from the blast.
KOENIG gives him a look that thanks him for nothing.
KOENIG
Delay the blast... for forty seconds.
He presses the key again.
KOENIG (Contd.)
Alan, don't worry about perfection.
Just get in and get out.
KOENIG avoids the looks of the others as he turns back to
the screen.
He has put them all at risk of radiation exposure in an
effort to save Carter's life. They know it's a humane
decision, but it hurts to hear him make it.
9 EXT. ASTEROID. SFX.
Eagle One touches down on the surface with its charge.
10 INT. EAGLE ONE.
CARTER punches a release button. Nothing happens. He
punches it again and again in rising panic.
11 INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG cranes forward to the screen. And not understanding
the delay spins back to the console and presses a key.
KOENIG
(desperate)
Alan?
l1A INT. EAGLE ONE.
CARTER is close to panic. He tries to work a manual switch.
Again nothing happens.
CARTER
(in disbelief)
The release mechanism's jammed!
He releases- his straps, jumps out of his seat and rips open
a side panel exposing complex circuitry.
4
11B INT. MAIN MISSION
MORROW turns to KOENIG and voices everyone's fear.
MORROW
Time's running out.
Everyone looks at KOENIG knowing he has now to sacrifice
CARTER to give them a chance of survival.
KOENIG
(agonised)
We need it there, Alan. You
can save us - or die
with us.
When the Main Mission scenes were filmed (Thursday 29th and Friday 30th August), the dialogue was changed slightly again.
After Koenig delays the blast, Koenig has an additional exchange with Carter before the "don't worry about perfection" line. It further emphasises the tension of the countdown.
Koenig: Alan, we must detonate those nukes in two minutes. Can you make it?
Carter: All the way, Commander.
Koenig's final line in also reworked. There is no more choice ("save us or die with us"), and the line is simpler and more harshly grim.
Koenig: Alan. We've got to have it there. Or else we'll all die.
Copyright Martin Willey