The Production GuideScript To Screen: Collision Course
by Martin Willey
The Production GuideThe asteroid explodes. After the opening titles, we see the aftermath. In both versions of the script, we see the debris cloud descend over Alpha.
In the final edit, the opening scene 22 is moved before the opening titles. The blast debris is also missing, probably as it would have been too challenging for special effects. The moonbase and lunar mountains are static photos here. The bright light of the explosion doesn't change any shadows.
Instead, after the opening titles, we see two static shots showing bands of white cloud.
The 9th August script also makes a point of Koenig being calm and professional.
6
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
22 EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA. SFX.
A tremulous view from ground level, then including the
sky above. Debris from the blast bombards the base.
A mammoth cloud billows out from space, descending swiftly.
In a moment, the swirling matter envelops Alpha, wiping it
from view.
23 INT. KOENIG'S OFFICE/MAIN MISSION.
At his desk, KOENIG is a model of tough, professional calm.
BERGMAN is with MORROW at the console.
KOENIG
I want damage reports from
all sections.
MORROW
Getting them now, sir.
The 13th August script also has the debris and the cloud hitting the base. It underlines that Carter is probably dead. Koenig hears this exchange and starts calling Carter by himself at his own desk. Morrow's opening lines in space are not used, but the rest of the dialogue is little changed in filming.
6
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
22 EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA. SFX.
A tremulous view from ground level, then including the
sky above. Debris from the blast bombards the base. A
mammoth cloud billows out from space, descending swiftly.
In a moment, the swirling matter envelops Alpha, wiping
it from view.
MORROW (V.O.)
Alan, can you hear me? Come in
Eagle One. Eagle One do you copy...
MORROW's forlorn calling is distorted to unintelligibility
as the cloud envelops Alpha.
23 INT. KOENIG'S OFFICE/MAIN MISSION.
MORROW at the console, continues calling. BERGMAN steps in
beside him.
MORROW
Come in Eagle One.
MORROW stops calling.
BERGMAN
He didn't stand a chance.
MORROW
(tersely)
No.
In the 9th August script, Koenig quickly thinks of the interstellar frequency which can penetrate the radiation cloud.
KOENIG
Sandra... anything?
SANDRA looks towards KOENIG in same frustration. BERGMAN
backs her up.
BERGMAN
John....No instrumentation can
penetrate that radiation cloud.
KOENIG turns to MORROW.
KOENIG
Keep calling Carter. It'll
help him to know Alpha is still
operational.....Wait a minute!
In the 13th August script, Koenig spends more time calling Carter, and gets a warning from Bergman: "John, that's not helping any of us...". This is not the "professional calm" of the 9th August script. This ends with a furious exchange between Koenig and Bergman. The new dialogue adds drama, underscores Koenig's responsibility towards Carter, and hints that the stress has made Koenig a little unhinged. This foreshadows how the Alphans will see Koenig later, delusional and dangerous.
KOENIG
Keep calling Carter. It may help
him to know we're still alive -
if he is.
BERGMAN puts his hand on KOENIG's shoulder sympathetically.
BERGMAN
John...
But KOENIG shakes his hand off and turns on him ferociously.
KOENIG
If you're trying to tell me I made
the wrong decision, just tell me.
If you're telling me I'm wasting
my time trying to contact Carter
because his transmissions wouldn't
get through the radiation cloud, then
just tell me that. But if you're
telling me you don't believe Alan
can possibly be alive, I just don't
want to know.
BERGMAN looks at KOENIG a moment, then speaks very quietly.
BERGMAN
It was a human decision, John.
None of us would have decided any
other way. But now we have a new
situation to face.
KOENIG
(a little calmer)
But very few facts...
(a beat)
Wait a minute!
Koenig's final line, "I just don't want to know", will become " I don't want to hear that" in Landau's filmed line.
Koenig proposes taking an Eagle to search for Carter. In the 9th August script, Morrow warns about the radiation and debris, but in the 13th August script Bergman takes the lines. Because of the effects cost, there was no debris, so the line is dropped from the filmed version.
KOENIG
Alpha has radiation screens - so
do the Eagles...
BERGMAN
Effective against certain classes
of radiation that we know about.
But out there...
(he points to the window)
...is a radiation that we know
nothing about. Not only that,
space is full of debris from the
asteroid. It's still bombarding
Alpha.
KOENIG
(cuts in)
We have Alan to thank that it is
debris and not the complete asteroid.
If he's not there at least we'll know
it for a fact.
BERGMAN looks at him a moment, then turns to MORROW.
Copyright Martin Willey