Matter Of Life And Death
| Screenplay |
Art Wallace and Johnny Byrne |
| Director |
Charles Crichton |
| Original script title "Siren Planet" by Art Wallace |
|
Titles
| Martin Landau |
John Koenig |
| Barbara Bain |
Helena Russell |
| Barry Morse |
Victor Bergman |
In Show Credits
| guest artist |
Richard Johnson |
Lee Russell |
End Credits
| Prentis Hancock |
paul morrow |
| Clifton Jones |
david kano |
| Zienia Merton |
sandra benes |
| Anton Phillips |
dr mathias |
| Nick Tate |
alan carter |
| Stuart Damon |
parks |
Uncredited
| Suzanne Roquette |
Tanya Aleksandr |
| Christopher Matthews |
Main Mission Operative |
| Jeremy Anthony |
Main Mission Operative |
| Chai Lee |
Main Mission Operative (Anna Wong) |
| Alan Harris |
Alphan |
| Andy Dempsey |
Main Mission Operative |
| Loftus Burton |
Main Mission Operative (Lee Oswald) |
| Tony Allyn |
Security Guard (Tony Allan) |
| Quentin Pierre |
Security Guard (Pierce Quinton) |
| Chris Williams |
Orderly |
| Saad Ghazi |
Orderly |
| Barbara Kelly |
Computer Voice |
| John Oxley |
Bannion |
Int. Main Mission
Int. Command Office
Int. Care Unit
Int. Helena's Quarters
Int. Victor's Quarters
Int. Alpha Corridor
Int. Travel Tube
Int. Eagle Pilot Section
Int. Eagle Passenger Section
Ext. Planet Surface
1. EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
A pink planet over the base.
2. INT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig walks down from his desk.
ALAN: "Commander, we're getting a reading. Eagle One in orbit and holding."
PAUL: "Twenty seconds to visual contact."
SANDRA: "We have link up with on board computer."
PAUL: "Fifteen seconds to visual contact."
ALAN: "Eagle One still holding."
Koenig reaches Helena by the Big Screen. Victor enters.
PAUL: "Eagle One breaking orbit... now."
KOENIG: "Punch in long range cameras."
SANDRA: "Yes, sir."
Big screen (SFX): Eagle flies over planet horizon.
-Main Mission: Alan looks at Paul, satisfied.
HELENA: "Vital signs normal."
PAUL: "Alpha to Eagle One, do you copy? Alpha to Eagle One, do you copy?"
KOENIG: "Keep trying, Paul."
PAUL: "Eagle One, are you receiving us? Come in, Eagle One."
DAVID: "Commander. Preliminary reports from onboard computer coming through now, sir."
KOENIG: "Good."
-Big Screen (SFX):
COMPUTER:
"- - Subject : Planet - -
Designated Code Name
Terra Nova"
KOENIG: "Terra Nova. New Earth."
VICTOR: "Hmm. Just what we're looking for, isn't it?"
COMPUTER: "Resources to sustain human life unlimited."
(screen: '- - Resources - -
Capable of Sustaining
Human Life')
-KOENIG: "Looks good."
HELENA: "Uh huh."
BIG SCREEN: Eagle.
PARKS (VO): "Eagle One to Moonbase Alpha. Sir, you're not going to believe this, but I think we've made it this time."3. INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PARKS: "Commander, I've seen rivers, trees, lakes, mountains, valleys... "
BANNION: "It's just like Earth!"
KOENIG (VO): "Any sign of intelligent life?"
PARKS: "That's the beauty of it."
4. INT. MAIN MISSION
They watch.
PARKS (VO): "The planet seems empty. It's just waiting there for us."
5/5A. INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Streaks of lightning arc round the cabin.
PARKS: "Noo..!"
6. INT. MAIN MISSION
-Big Screen (SFX): lightning rises from bottom of screen to strike Eagle; static fills screen.
-Main Mission:
PAUL: "Eagle One. This is Alpha. Do you copy? Are you receiving me? Come in, Eagle One. Contact lost, Commander."
KOENIG: "Vital life signs?"
HELENA: "Not registering."
PAUL: "Eagle One, this is Alpha. Do you copy? Are you receiving me? Eagle One, come in, please."
ALAN: "Commander. Flight pattern shows Eagle One on course and closing."
SANDRA: "Eagle systems functioning."
HELENA: "Vital signs normal."
EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
Eagle closes.
6. INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Emergency Touch Down Procedure. All systems on yellow alert."
Klaxons blare: beneath the Big Screen monitors flash 'EMERGENCY YELLOW ALERT'. Koenig returns to his desk and sits.
FADE OUT
MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH
guest artist Richard Johnson
screenplay by Art Wallace, Johnny Byrne
story consultant Christopher Penfold
script editor Edward Di Lorenzo
moon city costumes designed by Rudi Gernreich
directed by Charles Crichton
7. INT. COMMAND OFFICE
Titles over: "MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH"
Koenig writes at his desk. He finishes, turns, & uses a desk button to open the Big Doors.
PAUL: "Eagle One on final approach."
KOENIG: "Flight pattern?"
ALAN: "Normal. Still on automatic."
KOENIG: "Emergency red." ((he presses key))
Klaxons sound again. Screens display 'EMERGENCY RED ALERT'
10. EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
Eagle closes. (view from underneath)
8/12. INT. TRAVEL UNIT
Helena & 2 medics with a stretcher enter the Travel Tube. They are seated as Koenig, Victor and Alan enter through the opposite door.
KOENIG: "All set?"
They sit.
9. INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)
Starts off.
13. EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle lands.
14. INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)
Slows.
15. EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Low view: boarding tube extends to Eagle.
High view as tube connects with Eagle.
17. INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
The door opens behind the unconscious pilots. Helena enters & crouches by Parks. She takes his wrist & checks the pulse against her wrist monitor. Koenig, & Alan watch. They glance to the other medic tending Bannion.
HELENA (softly): "They're alive."
VICTOR (from passenger section): "John!"
Koenig & Alan hurry back.
17. INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
VICTOR: "I thought this was only a two man crew."
KOENIG: "It was."
Koenig & Victor inspect the body in the seat. Helena walks up & turns the man's face up. She is shocked.
KOENIG: "Who is he?"
HELENA (quietly): "He's my husband."
18. INT. CARE UNIT
Parks' monitor pings. Bob looks at Bannion, then at a monitor between his bed & Parks. Bob then walks to Koenig, & Helena, taking a report from her. She crosses to Lee's bed, followed by Koenig. Her hand touches his cheek.
KOENIG: "You're absolutely certain it's him?"
HELENA: "Yes."
KOENIG: "It doesn't make any sense." ((She makes no response)) "Helena?"
HELENA: "No, it doesn't make any sense, but, John, I know my own husband."
KOENIG: "He's been dead five years."
HELENA: "Yes he has, he's been presumed dead." ((Bob walks up to adjust Lee's electrodes))
KOENIG: "Mathias. We'll be in Doctor Russell's quarters. If there's any change in their condition let us know immediately."
BOB: "Yes, Commander."
The 3 leave, and Bob switches on the monitor: the lines are straight.
19. INT. LIVING QUARTERS
Koenig looks at a photo of Lee in the country with a dog.
KOENIG (putting down photo): "Wasn't he on the Astro Seven mission?"
HELENA (seated, quietly): "The Astro Seven... Yes."
KOENIG: "The mission failed."
HELENA: "What?"
KOENIG: "They got locked in orbit around Jupiter."
HELENA: "Something like that. They..they lost contact."
KOENIG (walking away as she picks up the photo): "As I remember, it was radiation. The ship burned up."
HELENA: "I don't know, they just lost contact around Jupiter."
KOENIG (walks back): "Helena. We're billions of miles from Jupiter."
HELENA: "John, we may be billions of miles from Jupiter, but Lee is here. He is here."
KOENIG: "Many things have happened since we broke away from our solar system. Unexplainable things. But this time we might just have a chance of getting some answers,.. I mean if he is your husband-"
BOB (appearing on comms post): "Doctor Russell."
HELENA: "Yes?"
BOB: "Something strange, Doctor. Could you come to the Care Unit straight away?"
HELENA: "Yes." ((she rises))
20. INT. CARE UNIT
The monitor shows a straight line. Helena holds Lee's wrist as Koenig and Bob stand a little behind.
KOENIG: "You checked the equipment?"
BOB: "Yes, it's functioning perfectly. But it's still not recording his vital signs."
KOENIG (walking up to her): "How is he?"
HELENA: "Normal."
KOENIG: "Then why aren't the instruments recording?"
HELENA: "I don't know."
KOENIG: "Let's find out." ((he walks away to look towards the pilots))
21. INT. COMMAND OFFICE
A Command Conference. Helena is not present. Victor stands behind Koenig.
KOENIG: "Kano. What does the Computer have on Russell?"
DAVID: "He checks out. It's him alright, Commander."
VICTOR (taking a seat): "Ah, just a minute. John. The only information we have on Russell comes from his wife's file. Now that's too limited."
SANDRA: "Analysis of the data does suggest that the planet is just right for us, sir."
PAUL: "Commander. The accident to the probe's pilots has set Phase two behind schedule."
KOENIG: "Paul. How much time do we have for Phase two?"
PAUL: "Twenty hours."
KOENIG: "And Phase Three?"
PAUL: "A total evacuation of Moonbase Alpha will take forty eight hours."
KOENIG (after short pause): "Kano. If we cut Phase Two in half how will that leave us?"
DAVID: "We could do it, sir. But only just."
KOENIG (after short pause): "Then we postpone Phase Two by ten hours. That should give us enough time to check out Russell."
ALAN: "People are wondering why Phase Two is not taking place now, sir."
KOENIG: "Captain, I'm not going to jump the gun on this. I'm not going to endanger the lives of any more pilots until I know what happened to that ship."
ALAN: "But sir, it can't be Russell. It just can't be!"
KOENIG: "I repeat. Until we know what's going on, we're not going down to that planet."
EXT. MOON & PLANET (SFX)
Western hemisphere of Moon to the right of Terra Nova.
22. INT. CARE UNIT
Lee opens his eyes. Helena walks to him.
HELENA (softly): "Lee? Lee, can you hear me?"
LEE (eyes focus on her: in very gruff croak): "He- len-a...Are...you...Hel- en-a..?"
HELENA: "Yes, it's me, Lee."
LEE: "What is this -place?"
HELENA: "Lee, you're in a hospital room, we're on Moonbase Alpha."
LEE: "Hel-en-a,...I -came -to -you...I -came -because..."
He lapses into sleep. She sits on the bed and puts her hands on his shoulder. The screen above him still shows a straight line.
23. INT. LIVING QUARTERS (LQ12)
Koenig looks at comms post screen, showing the straight line, then goes to Victor, taking notes from a microscope.
KOENIG: "Victor, what do you think of it?"
VICTOR: "I don't know. I'll have a guess."
KOENIG: "What?"
VICTOR: "Well, our instruments are designed to respond to a human biological stimuli, as we know them. But assuming Russell was stranded on Terra Nova for five years, then perhaps some aspect of that planet's environment might have caused him to adapt, to change in some way, which our instruments can't record."
KOENIG (walking away): "Victor, that's all well and good, but it doesn't answer my immediate questions. I mean, how did he get onto that Eagle? Did he have any affect on our pilots? Can he be of help to us? What does he know about that planet?" (He looks at comms post screen again)
24. INT. LIVING QUARTERS
HELENA (at her desk): "You want me to bring him out of it with metrazine?"
KOENIG: "I must talk to him."
HELENA: "John. There are things about his condition that we don't understand. Can it wait?"
KOENIG: "Wait?"
HELENA: "A little longer at least?"
KOENIG: "In three days we'll be out of range of that planet. Every hour that passes lessens our chance of finding a decent home. There are three hundred lives, Helena. Can you or I deny them that chance?"
HELENA (resigning): "Alright."
25. INT. CARE UNIT
Bob injects Lee & retreats to Koenig,, Victor and Helena stood at the end of the bed.
BOB: "That's the maximum, sir. I can't give him any more."
KOENIG (advances): "I'm Commander Koenig. I've got to speak to you."
LEE: "Helena..."
HELENA (walks up behind Koenig): "It's alright, Lee. I'm right here. Commander Koenig is a friend. He's going to ask you some questions."
LEE (interrupts): "I...must speak to Helena.."
KOENIG: "It's important to all of us. How did you get on that planet?"
LEE (after short pause, as Victor comes up behind Helena and Koenig): "The planet..."
KOENIG: "What's there? Think. Try to remember."
LEE: "Helena -called me..."
KOENIG: "The planet? Is it safe?"
LEE: "Only...Helena...Only..." ((Eyes close))
BOB (having taken Lee's wrist): "It hasn't worked."
KOENIG: "Helena, you try."
She walks back to the end of the bed. He follows her.
HELENA: "I'm sorry, John. He's got to rest."
KOENIG: "Alright. But you stay with him."
Koenig, Victor and Bob leave. Helena walks to Lee: he is now wide awake and alert.
HELENA: "Lee?"
LEE: "This place. Helena, tell me."
HELENA: "Tell you what?"
LEE: "This place. Where is it?"
HELENA: "We're on Moonbase Alpha, Lee. There was an accident. The Moon was blown out of Earth orbit."
LEE: "What do you want?"
HELENA: "We think we've found what we want. A new world. Some place to live. Your planet. We're going to colonise it. We could be together."
(Sc 25B) He shakes his head & grips her shoulders. Lightning arcs to propel Helena across the room towards the door. Lee falls back to the bed, asleep.
FADE OUT
25C. EXT. MOON & PLANET (SFX)
South western hemisphere of Moon & distant planet to left.
27. INT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig enters & looks up at the Big Screen.
-Big Screen (SFX): planet.
-Main Mission: Koenig goes up to David by the computer.
KOENIG: "Kano. What's the latest time prediction on Phase Two?"
DAVID: "Hasn't changed, Commander. We've peaked your optimum take-off time. There's just two hours before we have to abandon Phase Two."
KOENIG: "I thought you said we had an emergency?"
DAVID: "Did I, sir? I must have been mistaken."
KOENIG (walks to Sandra): "Sandra. No bad news for me yet?"
SANDRA: "Nothing, Commander. Almost too good to be true."
KOENIG: "That's nice." ((starts back to desk))
SANDRA: "Oh, Commander. We are going down, aren't we?"
KOENIG (opens arms): "What's going to stop us?"
He walks back.
27. INT. COMMAND OFFICE
Koenig sits at his desk, (presses key- sound of Big Doors closing). He pauses, thoughtful. Bob appears on the desk screen as Koenig presses button six.
BOB: "Commander. Could you come to Doctor Russell's quarters, please?"
KOENIG: "Yes." ((He leaves through the office door))
27A. INT. LIVING QUARTERS
KOENIG: "What happened?"
BOB: "I found her on the floor of the Care Unit."
KOENIG (sitting on her bed): "You alright?"
HELENA: "Oh, I'm fine."
BOB: "I've checked her over. There's no damage."
KOENIG: "Thank you, Doctor." ((Bob leaves))
HELENA: "I must have passed out."
KOENIG: "Helena. It's not like you to just pass out. Now what's wrong?"
HELENA: "I don't know. Lee and I were talking.. "
KOENIG: "What? He talked?"
HELENA: "Yes, a little."
KOENIG: "What did he say?"
HELENA: "Not much, it was -just before I fainted."
KOENIG: "Did he talk about the planet?"
HELENA (after short pause): "I don't remember. No, John, I'm sure he didn't: I would have remembered that."
KOENIG: "Helena, you're sure, really sure, he's your husband?"
HELENA: "Yes, I'm sure of that."
KOENIG (stands & starts to walk away): "It just doesn't make sense. I mean it..." ((turns & sits back)) "How do you feel?"
HELENA: "Just a little tired, that's all. John. We are going down there, aren't we?"
KOENIG: "When we're sure it's safe to do so."
28. INT. LIVING QUARTERS (LQ12)
VICTOR: "These are some thermographic scans I did of Lee Russell. Normally they'd have been passed to Helena for analysis, but, um, Mathias was worried that they might upset her. You'll see why in a moment." ((Puts one plate up)) "Now, as you know, these plates respond to body heat. There you are. Lee Russell. And from this he seems to be perfectly normal. Ah, you can see the areas of body heat, brain, vital organs, and the, ah, cold areas, the yellows. All just as it should be. Oh, that hand at the bottom of the picture, that's Helena's. But now...look at this." ((puts up 2nd plate))
KOENIG (looking at yellow outline): "I don't get it, Victor. It's not a living being."
VICTOR: "Um. Exactly. Uh, nothing there. No body heat. No reds at all. Just yellow. And yet when this scan was taken, he was breathing. His heart was beating. But now, look at this." ((puts up 3rd plate)) "See. Normal again."
KOENIG (pointing to 2nd, then 1st plate): "Is Lee Russell dead or alive?"
VICTOR: "I don't know. According to that picture he's alive. And that one says he's dead. Take your choice. Of course, as I said, this may simply be a symptom of his having learned to adapt to living on that planet."
KOENIG: "I don't go with that, Victor. He was on that planet five years. It takes billions of years for a human being to adapt that radically."
VICTOR: "So we've always thought. On Earth. But we're a long way from home, and we're going to have to start thinking differently. If we're going to come to terms with space."
KOENIG: "Victor, where was Helena when this second scan was taken?"
VICTOR: "Certainly not in the Care Unit."
KOENIG: "So she was with him for the first -and last scan. And they're normal. Then she leaves him. And this happens." ((indicates 2nd scan))
VICTOR: "That's right. Very strange, isn't it? Whatever life force sustains him, he's drawing it from some outside source."
KOENIG: "From Helena."
29. INT. CARE UNIT
Lee's eyes open. He sits up.
LEE: "Hel-en-a."
30. INT. LIVING QUARTERS
Helena lies on her bed, eyes open. She sits up, blank eyed.
31. INT. CARE UNIT
Lee raises his hands, clenches them, turns them inward and opens them. Light reflects in the foreground.
31A. INT. LIVING QUARTERS
Helena feels her ring, then brushes her hair from her face.
31B. INT. CARE UNIT
Lee's hands move to his face and feels his features.
31C. INT. LIVING QUARTERS
Helena feels her ring on her finger.
31D. INT. CARE UNIT
Lee climbs out of bed & walks slowly to the shelves. He looks in a mirror on a low shelf. The door opens & Bob enters.
BOB: "Mister Russell. Please. You should be in bed."
LEE (he retreats): "I...want...Helena..."
BOB: "You're not well."
LEE: "I...want..Helena..!"
BOB: "Yes, in a moment."
LEE (retreats: Bob puts his arm forward & is grabbed): "No!"
Bob is thrown across the room into some trays. His comlock lands nearby & he reaches to it.
32. INT. LIVING QUARTERS (LQ12)
Klaxons sound: the comms post screen displays 'Emergency Care Unit 3'.
KOENIG: "Lee Russell!" ((They run out))
34. INT. CORRIDOR
Koenig & Victor run with 2 guards. (jazzy version of theme).
36. INT. CARE UNIT
KOENIG (rushing in): "Stop him!"
The guards run to grab Lee's arms.
HELENA (entering in her pyjamas): "Lee! Lee, it's alright."
Lee relaxes. The guards release him & back as Koenig approaches Lee.
KOENIG: "It's time we talked. Take him to my office."
The guards take him to the door. Helena goes to him.
HELENA: "Lee. Try to help us. Help us to understand."
Victor & Bob follow Lee & the guards out. Koenig goes to Helena.
KOENIG: "Helena. Stay away from him."
HELENA: "But why?"
KOENIG: "Stay away."
They leave her alone.
37. INT. COMMAND OFFICE
The light panels are red. Guards stand by the doors, with Bob. Koenig & Victor are before Lee, seated in a central chair.
LEE: "I -know -why you brought me here."
KOENIG: "Good."
VICTOR: "Then will you help us?"
LEE: "That's why I'm here. To help you. Where's Helena?"
VICTOR: "We think it's best if you don't see her."
KOENIG: "What were you doing on Alpha?"
LEE: "I -had -to come."
VICTOR: "Where do you come from, Mister Russell?"
LEE: "The planet."
KOENIG: "How did you get there?"
LEE: "That's not important."
KOENIG: "How?"
LEE: "Look, I don't know how I got there. How long I've been there."
KOENIG: "How did you board our ship?"
LEE (puts face in hands): "Please, you're wasting time!"
VICTOR: "Then help us, Mister Russell. Tell us what you know."
LEE: "I...know...you're in danger. All of you."
KOENIG: "From what?"
VICTOR: "Is the planet inhabited?"
LEE: "No. Yes. Not in the way you think." ((Stands; Koenig holds a hand up to the guards; Lee turns)) "You must not go near that planet."
KOENIG: "Mister Russell, we're marooned here on Alpha. We cannot survive indefinitely."
LEE (insistent): "You cannot go down there."
KOENIG: "That is a decision for us to make!"
LEE: "You face power beyond your understanding. It will destroy you."
KOENIG: "What is this power, this danger?"
LEE: "Your...opposite.." ((walks to them)) "...will annihilate you."
KOENIG: "Our calculations show that planet is perfectly suitable for human life."
LEE (walks away): "You -don't believe...do you?"
KOENIG: "What can we believe?"
VICTOR: "You appear. And we don't know how. You seem to be human. But are you?"
LEE: "You'll..go..to that planet, whatever I say. Isn't that so..?" ((Sc 37D: He slumps in his chair. With dying breath:)) "Helena..."
He closes his eyes. His head slowly bows.
KOENIG (leaning to look at him): "Mathias."
Bob comes down & takes Lee's wrist. He looks up.
BOB: "He's dead."
Koenig and Victor stand up.
FADE OUT:
38. EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Planet overhead.
39. INT. LIVING QUARTERS (LQ12)
KOENIG: "Victor, we're running out of time."
VICTOR: "At least wait until we find out why Russell died."
DAVID (appearing on comms post): "Commander Koenig." ((Koenig goes to post)) "Essential we have flight coordinates for Phase Two probe."
KOENIG: "Not yet available. Keep circuits on standby."
DAVID: "We're cutting it very fine, sir."
KOENIG: "I know how fine I'm cutting it, Kano, thank you."
DAVID: "Yes, sir." ((Line dies))
KOENIG: "Victor, we've got to go."
VICTOR: "We've got to find out all we can about Russell, alive or dead. For the sake of the mission we must wait. Mathias will rush the autopsy through."
KOENIG: "Alright, let him go ahead, but I'm not waiting for the results. I'm putting Phase Two into operation right now." ((starts to leave))
VICTOR (as Koenig opens the door): "Okay, but just let me have an hour."
KOENIG (pauses): "For what?"
VICTOR: "To run some skin tests on Russell."
KOENIG: "Well, alright." ((turns to leave))
VICTOR: "John. Has Helena been told?"
KOENIG: "Yes, she knows." ((He leaves)).
43. INT. LIVING QUARTERS
Helena is sat reading: her comlock bleeps on the shelf of the room divider.
KOENIG (on comlock screen): "Helena."
HELENA: "Come in."
KOENIG (in the doorway): "Helena, I..." ((He walks in))
HELENA (after pause): "I've already said it all to myself, John. I don't blame anyone for what happened to Lee."
KOENIG: "My decision to interrogate him could have something to do with it."
HELENA: "Could have. We simply don't know."
KOENIG: "The autopsy should give us some of the answers."
HELENA: "As a doctor, of course, I'm interested. As Lee's wife -I'd rather forget. The first time I lost Lee I thought I'd never survive it. Now that it's happened again -I'm just numb. I guess -I never really had him back." ((looks at Koenig)) "I'm alright."
48. INT. MAIN MISSION
-Big Screen (SFX): planet. Pull back to staff at desks, including Koenig at his.
ALAN: "Reconnaissance Section reports Eagle Two on standby. All equipment checked and loaded."
SANDRA: "Planetary data programmed into on-board computer."
KOENIG: "Fine. Kano?"
DAVID: "Yes, Commander!"
KOENIG: "Have you worked out the new flight plan yet?"
DAVID (walks up to him): "If we leave within the next thirty minutes we'll make it. Though it will cut our surface operating down to zero minimum."
KOENIG: "Fine, thank you."
PAUL: "We need a definite time for Phase Two launch, Commander."
Koenig is silent. Helena & Victor cross Main Mission up to him.
VICTOR: "John."
They join him at the Command Desk. He looks at them & closes the Big Doors.
KOENIG: "Victor, I've made my decision."
VICTOR: "Oh, this is about Lee Russell."
KOENIG: "Lee Russell is dead."
VICTOR: "No, the skin tests."
KOENIG: "Whoever he was, wherever he came from, doesn't matter to us now." His influence on us has gone. Don't you agree, Helena?"
HELENA: "Well, in that sense I'd have to, John, but -please listen."
KOENIG: "But you do agree there's nothing stopping us from going down there?"
VICTOR: "John, just hear me out. I put all the data on Russell's skin tissue through the particle analyser. The structure of his skin was normal, while he was alive, but since his death it shows that the atomic structure of his body is changing. There are definite signs of reversed polarity. And that change is becoming more pronounced, the reversal more complete."
KOENIG: "Reversed polarity? You're talking about something that's just speculation."
VICTOR: "Yes, but reversed polarity is the first stage in the process towards anti-matter. And as soon as that process is complete, it means annihilation."
KOENIG: "It's just a theory."
VICTOR: "Yes, it is just a theory so far, but if it's- "
KOENIG: "Sorry, Victor. It's not enough."
VICTOR: "That's your decision?"
KOENIG: "Yes it is." ((Opens Big Doors)) "Alan."
ALAN: "Sir?"
KOENIG: "Phase Two Eagle will lift off in fifteen minutes."
ALAN: "Right, Commander."
He is pleased. The countdown clock appears on screen.
KOENIG: "Paul."
PAUL: "Commander?"
KOENIG: "Activate Project Exodus, maximum alert. If Phase Two goes well, I want everyone off this rock in minutes."
PAUL: "They'll be ready."
Paul presses a key on the keyboard: Klaxons start: screens display 'MAXIMUM ALERT OPERATION EXODUS' Koenig walks to the top of the steps. The klaxons fade.
KOENIG: "Yes, we're going down to Terra Nova. Now we don't know what we'll find there. There's an awful lot about that planet we don't understand. At best it's a calculated risk. But there's a chance. A chance to find a place to live, to raise families, and to start again. Now, the landing party." ((Walks down steps)) "Many of you qualify. But this is my choice. " ((To Alan, rising)) "Captain Carter, Eagle pilot." ((To Paul, also rising)) "Paul Morrow." ((To Sandra)) "Analyst Sandra Benes." ((Passes Victor to go to Helena, by front arches)) "Doctor Russell, will you come?"
HELENA: "Yes."
KOENIG: "Phase Two landing party will be under my command. We'll rendezvous at Assembly Point Three at thirteen twenty five lunar time. Thank you." ((Goes to Victor, & leads him to the top of the steps)) "Victor. Victor, I'd like you to stay back here on Alpha. For any reason if things don't go too well, I'd - I'd like you to take over my command."
VICTOR: "Alright. Good luck, John." ((They shake hands))
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Planet on horizon.
54. EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Low view of Eagle as boarding tube extends.
High view as tube connects.
55. INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
View to Passenger Section as doors open along corridor; all walk up & store cases & packs. Koenig & Alan come forward & sit.
55A. INT. CORRIDOR
A door: above is sign 'AUTOPSY'
55A. INT. AUTOPSY
Bob & another surgeon in operating gowns approach the body on the trolley. Bub uncovers the sheet covering Lee & touches his hands, crossed over his stomach. Lightning forks from the body and hurls the men backwards into equipment behind them. The stretcher is now empty.
EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle waits.
56. INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "All pre flight checks now complete, sir. Countdown continuing. Twenty seconds to take off."
VICTOR (appearing on screens): "John. Something very serious."
ALAN: "Eighteen seconds."
VICTOR: "The autopsy of Lee Russell."
KOENIG: "What's happened?"
ALAN: "Sixteen seconds."
VICTOR: "His body's vanished."
ALAN: "Vanished?"
VICTOR: "John. Abort the mission."
KOENIG: "On what grounds?"
VICTOR: "Lee Russell's warning."
ALAN: "Seven seconds."
VICTOR: "And anti-matter. The risks are tremendous."
ALAN: "Five seconds. What do we do, Commander?"
VICTOR: "John. Please. Reconsider."
KOENIG: "Sorry, Victor. We'll just have to face those risks. Alright, Captain, lift off."
57. EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle launches.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan & Koenig.
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Eagle flies over base towards the large planet.
FADE OUT
58. EXT. EAGLE (SFX)
Eagle flies over NW horizon of planet.
59. INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Koenig & Alan.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE & EAGLE (SFX)
Eagle flies over vegetation.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Koenig & Alan smile at each other.
59. EXT. PLANET SURFACE & EAGLE (SFX)
Eagle lands.
60. INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Koenig gathers readout slips. He and Alan from their seats.
61. INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Koenig & Alan join the others looking at the surface on a seat screen.
SANDRA: "It looks good, uh huh?"
KOENIG: "Yes, it does look good, and the computer agrees. Atmosphere twenty two parts oxygen, seventy one parts nitrogen, outside temperature twenty three degrees, gravitational pull similar to Earth."
HELENA: "Please be careful. Don't approach any animal life, no matter how friendly or harmless it appears, and don't eat any vegetation without carrying out the appropriate tests."
KOENIG (indicating map on monitor): "Paul. You and Sandra will cover this hilly area to the right. Helena and I will take this wooded area to the left. Carter."
ALAN: "Yes, sir."
KOENIG: "You stay on the ship. Leave it under no circumstances. The rest of us will rendezvous back here at eighteen hundred hours. If for any reason we're not back..it means we're in trouble."
ALAN: "Right. As long as you keep your locator beams on..we'll find you."
KOENIG: "Well. Here we go."
He opens the door to the brightly coloured vegetation.
61. EXT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Outside of door as Alphans emerge.
HELENA: "Breeze."
SANDRA: "The flowers!"
ALAN: "Hey, Commander. Good luck." ((shakes hands))
KOENIG: "Thank you, Carter."
They leave.
62. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
Koenig & Helena move thru the idyllic scenery. Parrots walk on from low branches.
HELENA: "Commander. Water?"
KOENIG: "Let's find out."
They move to an orange pool. Koenig opens a case & hands Helena an instrument. She dips it's plastic tube into the pool, secures a cap and extends the aerial. She then programmes it.
WHIP PAN to-
64. INT. MAIN MISSION
Computer. David rips a readout slip from it.
DAVID: "No impurities."
VICTOR: "Data readout normal so far."
65. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
VICTOR (on comlock): "Have a drink on me, John."
KOENIG (to Helena): "Would you join me?"
HELENA: "I'd be delighted."
66. INT. MAIN MISSION
The staff watch, delighted.
-Big Screen (SFX): Koenig & Helena drinking on the Big Screen.
KOENIG (VO): "Clear, fresh water."
-Main Mission: Victor laughs.
67. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
Koenig cuts a fruit from a branch & cuts into it.
68. INT. MAIN MISSION
DAVID: "Edible."
-Big Screen (SFX): Helena eats a slice.
-Main Mission: the staff smile
-Big Screen (SFX): Koenig walks up behind Helena as she eats.
KOENIG (on screen): "Sorry, Victor, that's the end of the show for now. We'll call you back in ten minutes."
-VICTOR: "Alright, John. I haven't enjoyed a picture that much for a long time. Main Mission standing by."
69. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
Koenig walks on. He takes his comlock again.
KOENIG: "Paul. How are you doing?"
PAUL (on comlock screen): "I'm fine, sir. No dangerous elements so far."
KOENIG: "Okay, Paul. Keep in touch."
(Sc 71) Koenig walks on. His comlock bleeps and he answers it.
KOENIG: "Come in, Alpha."
VICTOR (on comlock screen): "John, we've got trouble here. Computer shows all atmosphere seals are weakening."
KOENIG: "All the seals?"
VICTOR: "All of them. Including the plastics on your Eagle. Get Carter to check it out and we'll work on it from here."
Koenig looks back at Helena, some distance away, and rechannels his comlock.
KOENIG: "Carter?"
ALAN (on comlock screen): "Yes, sir?"
KOENIG: "What's your situation?"
ALAN: "Well, the, um, insulation's beginning to act up a bit. Doesn't seem serious, Commander."
KOENIG: "Maybe not, but I'm recalling the landing party. Get ready for lift off."
ALAN (on screen): "Yes, sir."
KOENIG: "Helena, we're going back to the Eagle."
HELENA (coming to him): "What's wrong?"
KOENIG (taking comlock again): "Paul?"
PAUL (VO): "Yes, sir?"
KOENIG: "You and Sandra head back to the Eagle."
PAUL (VO): "But sir-"
KOENIG: "Do as I say!"
PAUL: "Yes, sir."
VICTOR (appearing on comlock): "It's worse than we thought, John. The plastic seals are melting. Our atmosphere screens are just burning up."
KOENIG: "We could use another Eagle up here."
VICTOR (VO): "Difficult. We can't vouch for their serviceability."
KOENIG: "Carter?" ((Comlock screen shows Eagle, thick smoke rising aft))
ALAN (VO): "Commander. I've got smoke pouring from the insulate panels. All the seals on the ship are melting."
KOENIG: "Punch in on-board camera." ((Screen shows Alan struggling in seat in thick smoke)) "Carter! Get out of there!"
ALAN (seen pushing at door vainly): "I can't get out! All the systems are failed!"
KOENIG: "Carter. We're on our way, let's go!"
(Sc 72) Clipping his comlock back, he & Helena run back.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)
Eagle smoking.
72. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
They see Paul & Sandra running up an adjoining path.
KOENIG: "Paul! Sandra! Quickly!"
There is an explosion by Paul & he falls.
HELENA: "Commander!"
They run up to Paul's body: Koenig sees his blackened side and takes Helena's laser.
KOENIG: "His laser exploded. Let's get rid of them."
They throw away their guns and Paul's, and ease Paul onto his back.
KOENIG: "Easy. Easy, Paul." ((Paul slumps back in their arms))
HELENA (feeling his chest): "He's dead." ((She goes to Sandra, clutching a tree. Koenig throws away her laser)) "Come on, come on. Come on, there we are. It's alright. It's okay-"
SANDRA (quietly): "I cannot see..."
KOENIG (leaving): "Helena, you stay with her."
SANDRA: "Aargh! I'm blind!!"
HELENA: "Okay."
Koenig pauses, then looks on- but he stops.
73. EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)
Thick smoke issues from the Eagle. It explodes.
73. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
Koenig holds up his arms to shield himself.
73. EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)
The explosion.
73. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
Shocked, Koenig takes his comlock.
KOENIG: "Come in, Alpha. This is Koenig, Alpha. Moonbase Alpha. Come in, Alpha."
VICTOR (VO thru static): "John, the situation here's -teriorating rapidly ------ Eagles have gone in various areas ----have evacuated ---we have many unaccountable technical troubles-- "
HELENA (sc 76A, approaching, very distressed, looking up): "John.! John.!"
77. EXT. PLANET SKY (SFX)
Moon glows & explodes.
77A. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
Koenig leads them off.
77B. EXT. PLANET SKY (SFX)
Explosion dies in sky.
77C. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
Koenig leads Helena on through undergrowth.
KOENIG: "Hold on!"
The sound of the Moon's explosion dies.
78A. EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)
A red dust storm crosses the vegetation.
79. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
The wind hits them; they shelter against a tree.
78C. EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)
Wind tears through vegetation.
79-79H. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
Trees and debris blow past them. Shots of vegetation in wind & debris. Koenig wanders through wind.
KOENIG: "Helena! Helena, where's Sandra?!" ((finds her cluctching trunk of tree)) "You alright? Where's Sandra?!" ((helps her up))
HELENA (they walk through wind): "Sandra!"
KOENIG: "Sandra!"
HELENA (quickly after): "Sandra!" ((Koenig leads her on))
KOENIG: "Sandra!"
They stumble on desperately. They head to a steep slope for shelter.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)
Slope: rocks start to slide & fall.
81. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
Koenig & Helena reach the base of a rock face. He looks up.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)
The avalanche of rocks continues.
81. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
Koenig pushes her into a hollow.
EXT. PLANET SURFACE (SFX)
Avalanche of rocks.
81. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
The rocks pound over the hollow & Koenig falls. The landslide ends & the wind dies. Helena advances to Koenig, lying bloodied and dirtied. She pulls pieces of earth from his face.
KOENIG (very weak): "Helena... We- we almost made it. You and -and I... "
His head falls to the side. She walks away, choking sobs, in the landscape of uprooted tangled vegetation and gravel. (sc 83) She slumps to the ground and moans.
LEE: "Helena. Helena."
HELENA (looking round & stands): "Lee? You?"
LEE (walks up in Astro 7 uniform): "I tried to stop you coming here."
HELENA (takes his hands): "Help me, please, Lee." ((They crouch together)) "How can this be possible?"
LEE: "The -Astro Seven mission. You remember. We went into close orbit around Jupiter. Our heat shields burned up. We were affected by an unknown form of radiation I suppose. It transformed us, scattered us into deep space. What I became, what I am now, ended up here, on this planet."
HELENA: "But you died?"
LEE: "No. Nobody dies: matter never 'dies', Helena. It changes it's form. There are many forms of life in space and many forms of death too. I... am the image in the mirror, the opposite of myself."
HELENA: "Antimatter?"
LEE: "If you like. But I couldn't survive in your world and you can't survive in mine. That's why you must leave now. You've experienced what can happen here; it will get worse, much worse. You must leave now."
HELENA: "But how?"
LEE: "I'll give you the strength." ((Stands & hugs her)) "See what you want to see."
She stands back from him. Her POV: devastated landscape. The trees & thick vegetation return: she walks down the path. Behind her, in Lee's place, stands Koenig. She goes to him to hold him. They look up. They return to the pool.
HELENA: "We cannot stay here, John."
He takes his comlock.
ALAN (on screen): "Paul and Sandra are waiting in the Eagle as instructed, Commander."
KOENIG: "Stand by."
VICTOR (on comlock): "Fifteen minutes to lift off, John. Operation Exodus ready when you give the word."
They look up in the sky.
85. EXT. PLANET SKY (SFX)
The Moon emerging from red clouds.
86. EXT. PLANET SURFACE
KOENIG: "Cancel Operation Exodus."
He puts the comlock back.
FADE OUT
87. INT. MAIN MISSION
Screen shows Koenig walking along corridor & through arch: Koenig enters & walks past David, touching his shoulder. The other staff are quiet. The rest of the party enter & the staff swap their seats. Victor touches Koenig's arm as he lets him have his desk back. David comes up to them.
DAVID: "Commander. You know those feasibility programs we've been running on Main Computer?"
KOENIG: "Yes, what about them?"
DAVID: "Well, it seems our present trajectory will take us past something like ten million planets. Well, it means we should pass near to three thousand, six hundred Earth type planets, statistically. Now, that means about ten Earth type planets for every one on Alpha."
VICTOR: "And how much older will you be by the time we reach the first of these Earth-type planets?"
DAVID: "Not very much, Professor. Relatively speaking, that is."
KOENIG: "More to the point, Kano, have you computed how much older you'll be when we reach the last of those planets."
DAVID: "Two thousand, five hundred and forty-three years old to be exact, sir." ((Victor smiles)) "Just thought you might like to know."
KOENIG: "Thank you, Kano."
Kano leaves. Koenig looks up. Helena is on the balcony looking out. Koenig walks up to watch her.
89. EXT. SPACE (SFX)
POV through window: Terra Nova shrinking.
89A. INT. MAIN MISSION
Helena looks out.
90. EXT. SPACE (SFX)
POV through window: planet recedes.
INT. MAIN MISSION
Helena.
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
parks Stuart Damon
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
supervising editor David Lane
camera operator Neil Binney
assistant director Ken Baker
sound recordist David Bowen
editor Derek Hyde Chambers
sound editor Roy Lafberry
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
Transcripts