The Production GuideScript To Screen: Collision Course
by Martin Willey
The Production Guide
After the collision, we see Alphans hurrying round to put out fires as Koenig stares ahead. He sees empty space where Atheria was.
This sequence continued, and we have publicity photos and call sheets to prove it was filmed. They were scheduled for Thursday 5th September but actually filmed on Friday 6th.
KOENIG moves slowly across to the window and looks out.
126 EXT. SPACE. SFX.
KOENIG'S P.O.V.
There is a calm, empty space sky. Not a trace of Atheria
is left.
Everyone else begins slowly to move across to the window.
BERGMAN puts a hand on KOENIG's shoulder. He looks at it,
and turns away. The hand falls.
KOENIG finds himself facing HELENA. She looks at him, and
his return look makes her move out of his way.
127 EXT. MAIN MISSION.
Shooting from outside looking in through Main Mission
windows. Camera pans along the faces of the people,
disbelieving, relieved, confused, shocked, silent. KOENIG
turns his back and walks behind them.
128 INT. MAIN MISSION.
Camera tracks with KOENIG alone. He walks towards the
exit. Under the arch, he turns and looks once more, alone,
out of the window.
129 EXT. SPACE. SFX.
KOENIG'S P.O.V.
A background of distant stars.
130 EXT. MAIN MISSION.
Shooting through the window. KOENIG alone looking out.
As Camera tracks back, ALAN CARTER enters the shot and
stands behind KOENIG.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR
The biggest change between the scripts of 9th August and 13th August 1974 was to completely rewrite the epilogue.
First, here is the original 9th August ending, which is set at another command conference. Bergman's recording and Koenig's glib assertion that he had faith in them is terribly fake.
55
EPILOGUE
FADE IN:
131 EXT. SPACE SKY. SFX.
The Moon floats, in splendid isolation, against a background
of distant stars.
132 INT. KOENIG'S OFFICE.
At the circular table are seated KOENIG, BERGMAN, HELENA,
MORROW, CARTER, SANDRA and KANO.
HELENA
What can we say, John.
KOENIG
You're satisfied that neither
Alan or I are suffering from
any radiation effects?
HELENA
Now that I've had time to carry
out the proper tests, Yes, I'm
completely satisfied
KOENIG
(turning to CARTER)
Well, that's good news.
SANDRA
We have thoroughly scanned this
area of space Commander and we
find absolutely no trace of
Planet Atheria.
MORROW
Sandra's right...it was like it
was never there.
KANO
(smiling)
As computer operator I'd like
to report that the Master Computer
confirms all the findings.
HELENA smiles at the dig.
BERGMAN
John, we all doubted your word...
CARTER
(Cutting in)
And mine, Professor.
CONTINUED:
56
132 CONTD.
BERGMAN
(smiles)
And yours, Alan....
When you were in that alien
ship John we had a command
conference. I'd like to
replay a section of it
He pushes a button on a small recorder.
BERGMAN'S VOICE REPLAY
..We are without command. I
think we have to guess what
decision John could have made
and then carry it out.....
Don't you agree?
He switches off the recorder.
KOENIG
Thank you, Victor... Thank you
all. I had faith in Arra.
I would like you to know that
I had faith in you...All of
you.
CUT TO:
END TITLES
THE END
This is the 13th August ending. It is pretty close to the version filmed on Friday 6th September, the last day of filming. It continues on directly from the end of act 4.
55
EPILOGUE
FADE IN:
131 EXT. SPACE SKY. SFX.
KOENIG'S P.O.V.
A serene backdrop of still stars.
132 EXT. MAIN MISSION.
Shooting through the window, KOENIG looks out. CARTER
is still in the background of the shot.
HELENA enters the shot and CARTER sees her look to KOENIG.
He leaves them alone.
HELENA moves forward to KOENIG at the window. She puts
her hand on his shoulders.
HELENA
(quietly)
I'm sorry.
KOENIG turns on her, his face set hard and serious.
KOENIG
You were right. Totally right.
And if you hadn't done what
you did I'd want to know why.
HELENA
But...
KOENIG
But nothing. If you'd gone out to
the spaceship and came back to me with
that story, I'd be crazy not to lock
you up.
(He softens, and smiles)
How could you possibly know that
two worlds set on a collision course
for billions of years need not
inevitably collide and destroy
each other - but only touch, and
be transformed.
HELENA
Atheria?
CONTINUED:
56
132 CONTD.
KOENIG
Yes. And perhaps Alpha, too,
has a new future.
KOENIG turns away from the window and walks out of
the shot.
HELENA remains, looking out at he backdrop of stars.
Camera moves in close on HELENA.
HELENA (V.O.)
(in awe)
Arra!
CUT TO:
END TITLES
THE END
Koenig's speech was simplified for filming, skipping the verbiage about billions of years and "transformed":
Koenig: "How could anyone possibly know that a planet on a collision course would not collide. But simply touch."
The line about Alpha's future is dropped. We see Koenig walking away in the final freeze frame, which unusually freezes motion. The script continued the scene as Helena looks out the window and says Arra's name; it's not known if this was filmed.
Copyright Martin Willey