The Last Sunset
| Screenplay |
Christopher Penfold |
| Director |
Charles Crichton |
|
| Final shooting script |
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 |
Uncredited
| Suzanne Roquette |
Tanya Aleksandr |
| Sarah Bullen |
Operative Kate |
| Maureen Tan |
Main Mission Operative |
| Robert Phillips |
Main Mission Operative |
| Andy Dempsey |
Main Mission Operative |
| Loftus Burton |
Main Mission Operative (Lee Oswald) |
| Alan Harris |
Alphan |
| Janet Allen |
First Alphan |
| Lynda Westover,
Linzy Scott |
Alphans on Lunar Surface |
| Mike Stevens |
Alphan on Lunar Surface |
| Quentin Pierre |
Security Guard (Pierce Quinton) |
| Jack McKenzie,
Richard Adams,
Anita West,
Guy Francois Groen,
Alf Joint (stunts),
Romo Gorrara (stunts) |
Technicians |
| James Fagan |
Johnson (Copilot) |
Int. Main Mission
Int. Command Office
Int. Technical/ corridor
Int. Alpha Corridor
Int. Eagle Pilot Section
Int. Eagle Passenger Section
Int. Airlock
Ext. Airlock/ Moon Surface (studio car park)
Ext. Moon Surface
1.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
North-west of Moon revolving, with planet and sun beyond.
3.INT. MAIN MISSION
VICTOR (indicating diagram): "A sun like ours. Planet Ariel with its atmosphere. It's a perfectly balanced little solar system."
KOENIG (sat at Command Desk): "But if we go into orbit what does that do to your sense of symmetry, Victor?"
VICTOR: "Ooh, if we go into orbit I shan't care about symmetry."
KOENIG: "Providing, of course, that the planet proves to be as well endowed as Computer predicts."
VICTOR: "Oh yeah."
4.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagles from front, one with astronaut seen in window.
ALAN (VO): "Hello, Main Mission."
KOENIG (VO): "Come in, Alan."
5.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN (in uniform): "Commander, Ariel's atmosphere looks like peasoup from up here."
6.INT. MAIN MISSION
HELENA (at desk): "It is, Alan. The oxygen content is more than four times that of Earth."
SANDRA (at Alan's desk): "You should monitor Eagle surface temperatures carefully as you enter the atmosphere."
PAUL: "Heat shields at maximum. Stand by to fire your retros in...thirty seconds."
Koenig walks down to Paul. David takes a readout from his desk to Victor. (sc 8)
DAVID: "Computer's flight plan for their descent to the planet surface."
VICTOR: "No problems?"
DAVID: "No problems."
VICTOR (gives to Paul): "Alright, Paul, put it through the onboard computer, would you?"
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagles travel to planet.
10.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
A bleeper starts.
ALAN: "I have scanner contact. Alien object approaching."
9.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Capsule leaves Ariel horizon.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan & his copilot look out.
EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Capsule leaves Ariel.
12.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "Alien object closing fast!"
13.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The Eagle rises.
The capsule follows.
14.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "It's homing on me! It's some kind of missile!" ((he raises control sticks))
15.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle manoeuvres sharply.
Object also changes course.
17.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "I can't shake it off!"
15.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagle manoeuvres. (same as sc 15)
Object follows (same as previous)
19.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan and his copilot assume crash position.
18.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
The capsule connects gently with the side of the nose of the Eagle.
19.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan and his copilot uncover their faces.
20.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Alan! Alan!"
21.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "We're alive, Commander. It hasn't gone off."
22.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Object settled on nose of Eagle.
21.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "It's just attached itself."
23.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Eagle Two and Eagle Seven return to base. Paul, evacuate personnel from Launch Pad One. Crash Units stand by."
24.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagles fly to Moon.
CU Eagle nose and object.
FADE OUT
THE LAST SUNSET
screenplay by Christopher Penfold
moon city costumes designed by Rudi Gernreich
directed by Charles Crichton
26.EXT. SPACE (SFX)
Eagles descend to base.
CU object on Eagle nose.
27.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "Approaching now for final descent."
KOENIG (on screen): "Alright, Alan. We won't take any chances, we'll bring you in on automatic. Eagle Seven, stand clear. Alan, Pad One is sealed off."
28.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "As soon as you land, skip all touch down procedures and get clear as quickly as you can."
29.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "Fine, Commander. So far it hasn't made a move."
30.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Well, my guess is it won't. At least not until you bring it home. Alright, Paul, bring him in."
Paul operates the remote control.
31.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle hovers over pad as another Eagle passes beyond.
32.INT. MAIN MISSION
Paul operates the delicate remote controls.
31.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle descends (close up nose).
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan & his copilot wait.
33.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle descends to pad.
CU landing gear as it touches down gently, flexing.
34.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan & the copilot gently ease themselves out of their seat belts.
36.INT. MAIN MISSION
The staff relax.
37.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
CU Eagle nose, with a target display over the alien object.
38.INT. TECHNICAL
Victor works with remote X-ray instrument. Koenig appears on comms post screen.
KOENIG (on screen): "Victor. What do you get on the scanners?"
VICTOR: "Nothing. Can't get any readings at all."
KOENIG (on screen): "Density? Radiation?"
VICTOR: "The object resists any remote analysis technique we have."
KOENIG (on screen): "We'll have to bring it in."
Victor pushes the scanner to the capsule, then manoeuvres the arm at it.
KOENIG: "An intelligent civilisation with an atmosphere similar to Earth's, sees Earthman approaching and tries to prevent him. So by creating a diversion and a continuing mystery does just that. Plausible?"
VICTOR: "Yes. But why?"
KOENIG: "Well, maybe they need time to find out more about us."
HELENA: "Or prevent us finding out anything about them."
ALAN: "Let the Professor prod it about as much as he likes. Don't let's waste any more time in getting back to that planet."
HELENA: "If we go into orbit around this sun we'll have all the time we need."
KOENIG: "Helena, we don't know if we're going into orbit any more than we know whether this thing's friendly or hostile. Even if it is some kind of an invitation card I think we've got to play this step by step. Anything so far, Victor?"
VICTOR: "Ah, not much I'm afraid. Weight four twenty-eight; diameter point eight six of a metre; temperature ambient; radiation zero. Composition.. still unknown."
KOENIG: "Inert?"
VICTOR: "Oh, totally."
Six slender antennae extend from the capsule; gas is jetted out from the sides.
KOENIG: "Gas!"
The four run to the door.
39.INT. CORRIDOR
Koenig closes the Technical door.
KOENIG: "Helena, prepare to receive casualties. Victor, analyse that gas sooner than possible." ((to comms post)) "Paul. Red alert. Evacuate the Technical Section. Seal it off. Then open it's airlocks to the surface." ((to Alan, left with him)) "Come on!"
40.INT. TECHNICAL
Capsule jets more gas, now dense over the floor.
41.INT. CORRIDOR
A comms post flashes 'Red Alert' as technicians run past, their feet in gas.
40.INT. TECHNICAL
The depth of gas increases.
41.INT. CORRIDOR
Several more Alphans run past the comms post. A service man & guard leave a door.
40.INT. TECHNICAL
The capsule is almost submerged in gas.
EXT. TECHNICAL
Viewport into Technical: it bursts open.
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Gas vents from buildings into space.
42.INT. MAINTENANCE
Gas rushes through an Eagle hangar.
INT. CORRIDOR
The Technical door bursts open, throwing a technician away.
42.INT. MAINTENANCE
Hangar fills with gas.
INT. TRAVEL TUBE (SFX)
Gas shoots along tube.
44.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Gas vents up open shaft.
More vapour and fragments billow out.
45.INT. MAIN MISSION
Screens flash 'Red Alert'. Koenig & Alan enter.
KOENIG: "Paul..?"
PAUL: "Technical Area sealed off and ventilated."
KOENIG: "Good. Kano.." ((walks to him at his desk)) "Can Computer assess the total capacity of that object?"
DAVID: "At present rate of expansion, Commander..not less than infinite."
PAUL: "Pressure in the Technical Area was up to eighty before we could activate the airlocks. It couldn't get out fast enough."
KOENIG (to Alan at his desk): "Diameter less than a meter; weight four twenty eight. That's impossible."
ALAN: "So it's made it's move."
Koenig nods.
46.EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Myriads of other capsules descend round the Alpha buildings.
47.INT. MAIN MISSION
Tanya looks out a viewport & hurries back to them.
TANYA: "Commander. We are being invaded."
Koenig runs to the viewports but is stopped by Victor appearing on a screen.
VICTOR (on screen): "John. John! It's air! That thing's brought us air!"
48.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Capsules scattered over surface, gas around.
The sun rises in a red sky over the lunar mountains.
49.EXT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig & Tanya walk to the viewports; the other staff run up.
48.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The sun rises into a red sky.
49.INT. MAIN MISSION
Other Alphans, including Bob, run up to join the staff looking out. Victor & Helena join them.
48.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The sun clears the lunar mountains.
53.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Red sunrise. Blue sky. An atmosphere. We've got an atmosphere."
54.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The Alpha buildings under the sun, low in the blue sky.
FADE OUT
55.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The capsules rise from the lunar surface in front of the base buildings.
56.INT. MAIN MISSION
SANDRA (walking from under Big Screen to Paul with readout): "Gravity is increasing, Paul. By the time we go into orbit it will be almost the same as Earth's." ((Paul takes readout))
HELENA (walks from office direction): "Kano. Has computer analysed my data yet?" ((David rips off a readout for her)) "Computer's telling us nice stories today."
DAVID: "Computer never tells.."
HELENA: "..tells stories." ((walks up to Command Desk)) "John. So far so good. Of course I can only test for elements that we know and can identify. There may be some things our instruments don't register."
KOENIG: "What about ultra violet? That was your main concern."
HELENA: "The atmosphere begins to thin off rapidly at twenty thousand. Now, on Earth that would hardly be enough to act as a filter. But here? I think we're going to be alright."
KOENIG: "But the final test is to breathe it. Right?"
HELENA: "And live in it."
KOENIG (stands): "Attention everyone. Doctor Russell is satisfied, as far as she can tell from processed data, that the atmosphere out there is breathable and safe. Now, what I'd like now are two volunteers to go out there and make sure." ((everyone stands)) "Sandra, Paul. Now, I want you to remember, this is the final stage of a scientific programme, it's not a joy ride. However, Kano, along with everything else I'd like you to keep a constant check on their joy levels."
57.INT. AIRLOCK
The 'Pressure Differential' sign flashes 'Balanced'. Paul & Sandra are in spacesuits (numbers 4 & 9).
PAUL: "Confirm airlock pressure equalised with atmosphere."
58.INT. MAIN MISSION
HELENA (at Sandra's desk): "Confirmed, Paul. You're cleared to move out now."
59.INT. AIRLOCK/ MOON SURFACE
The Airlock North door opens to the lunar surface under a blue sky. The two astronauts walk out. They look round, move together and look up at the sun gleefully.
EXT. SKY (SFX)
The sun.
62.INT. MAIN MISSION
HELENA: "You are now breathing more air than oxygen, "
-Big Screen (SFX): Paul & Sandra.
HELENA (VO): " and the pressures inside and outside your suits are equal. How do you feel?"
PAUL (VO): "I feel fine!"
SANDRA (VO): "My pulse rate is increasing."
-Main Mission:
HELENA: "Yes, I'm monitoring that. Chock that up to the excitement."
63.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul presses his glove release button and removes his glove, flexing his fingers in the air. He twists the helmet locks and raises his visor, taking a deep breath. Sandra does the same.
PAUL: "Smells very good."
HELENA (VO): "Like what?"
PAUL: "Like...like country air!"
The two embrace, but their helmets clash and Paul's visor falls shut. He opens it laughing and they try again, but cannot get close.
64.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Alan and Tanya play badminton while sunbathers lie around chatting. Tanya falls and laughs.
65.EXT. TECHNICAL
Koenig opens the viewport. A cool wind blows in his face. Helena & Victor join him
HELENA: "Ooh. Huh. We're going to have to worry about sitting in draughts."
KOENIG: "Well, we've simply exchanged one set of problems for another."
68.EXT. MOON SURFACE
View out of viewport: Paul & Sandra walk past the others, and a wolf whistle is heard.
VICTOR (VO): "I'm having trouble "
69.EXT. TECHNICAL
VICTOR: "I'm having trouble calculating our seasonal variations, but just instinctively I'd say it was spring." ((Koenig laughs))
70.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul & Sandra walk amongst boulders.
SANDRA: "Away from Alpha. Away from sensors, monitors and computers. We have done the longest tour of duty ever. We deserve a break." ((she sits; Paul sits by her))
70.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
POV: the barren surface.
PAUL (VO): "Not exactly home."
SANDRA (VO): "I am happy with anything that gets me out of Alpha."
70.EXT. MOON SURFACE
PAUL: "It makes you look at things in a different light."
SANDRA: "Sunlight?"
PAUL: "No, more than that. If this is the end of one life, we have to start to build a new one, to live like human beings again."
SANDRA: "Do you know which Earthly sound I miss most in the silence of space?"
PAUL: "Bird song?"
She smiles.
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
The Main Mission Tower.
PAUL (VO): "In there, cooped up, "
70.EXT. MOON SURFACE
PAUL: " there are thoughts we just can't allow ourselves to think."
They look at each other; he puts his arm round her & they kiss.
71.INT. COMMAND OFFICE
Victor taps a satellite photo on the table.
VICTOR: "If we go into orbit this old Moon could become our New Earth. We could settle and build outside Alpha, we could fertilise the lunar dust and raise crops."
KOENIG: "All we need is a rainfall."
VICTOR: "Oh, we can make that. The air here is rotten with humidity. All we've gotta do is start the cycle. Sowing cloud forming crystals in the sky."
KOENIG: "Victor, it took twenty five years to reclaim the Sahara desert. Right out there is a planet that already supports some kind of civilisation. I think our priority has to be to establish whether it can, or will, support us."
72.INT. TECHNICAL
The capsule re-extends its antennae. It flashes lightning.
73.EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Lightning forks up from the Tower into the clouds.
73.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul & Sandra stand as they hear lightning.
74.EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Lightning flashes from the clouds over the buildings.
79.EXT. MAIN MISSION
Alan, David, Tanya, & the staff leave their desks for the viewports. Rain starts to fall.
76.EXT. COMMAND OFFICE
Koenig & Victor look out to the viewports.
82.EXT. MAIN MISSION
Alan, Tanya and other staff look out at the rain on the viewports. Alan takes Tanya's hand and they run out, leading the others.
81.INT. COMMAND OFFICE
Koenig & Victor smile at the rain.
83.EXT. MOON SURFACE
The Alphans run out of Airlock North into the rain. They dance & embrace, Alan twirling Tanya. Paul & Sandra join them.
ALAN: "Hey, Paul! Tomorrow we'll build a swimming pool!"
PAUL: "Tomorrow we'll build the New Alpha."
EXT. COMMAND OFFICE
Koenig & Victor look out.
84.INT. COMMAND OFFICE
VICTOR (embraces Koenig): "The cycle's begun! The Sea of Tranquillity will become a genuine sea." ((takes photo)) "All those craters will fill up and become circular lakes. Oh, John, it's gonna be a beautiful new world."
KOENIG: "Wait a minute. How long will it take?"
VICTOR: "How hard will it rain?"
KOENIG: "Victor." ((picks up photo)) "Those circular lakes will look wonderful. But Alpha is built in a crater. And if it rains as hard as you hope it will, right at the bottom of one of those lakes will be Moonbase Alpha."
EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle on pad, under blue sky, starboard to tube.
85A.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Helena checks her lists as crew bring boxes into the Eagle through both doors.
86.INT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig stands before Alan, Helena, Sandra and Paul, around the command desk. The other staff are at their desks watching.
KOENIG: "This expedition will be under the overall command of Doctor Russell. The brief is straightforward. We've been combing the Universe searching for a new Earth. And now, suddenly, thanks to our mysterious friends on the planet Ariel, we've found it. Right here, under our very noses. Now, the job ahead for these people is to find the best place in which to live, so we may begin our new life, our new future. I'd like you to join me now in wishing them good luck."
VICTOR: "Yes." ((they walk down, shaking hands with staff)) "Take care of yourselves."
92.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle lifts off.
90.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan pilots as Paul copilots.
91.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Sandra, in a seat, & Helena at the desk smile at each other.
93A.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle rises over pad.
93.EXT. AIRLOCK NORTH
The staff wave outside the airlock.
KATE: "Good luck!"
MAN: "Bye!"
KATE: "Come back soon!"
MAN: "Good luck!"
MAN: "Good luck!"
93A.EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Eagle leaves outskirts of base.
93B.EXT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig, Tanya and Victor look out.
94.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Eagle flies over lunar hills.
95.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PAUL: "Nice heavy rain cloud forming over the Taurus mountains."
ALAN: "Fine. Not much evidence of rainfall."
PAUL: "Hm."
96.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
PAUL (VO calling back): "How you feeling back there?"
SANDRA: "Airsick! That's why I opted for the Space Programme!"
HELENA: "And this Data Transmitter's beginning to act like a primitive crystal set!"
97.INT. MAIN MISSION
Tanya, at David's desk, rotates it to David & hands him a readout.
DAVID: "Computer can't read much of this data. There's too much interference."
TANYA: "We've put all the filters in. It's the best we can get."
DAVID (walks to Paul's desk as Koenig walks down from the office): "They must be flying into an electric storm or something. An atmosphere is a mixed blessing."
KOENIG (coming up): "Not for me it isn't."
DAVID: "Ah, communications are bad, Commander. We're back to the static and crackle of Earth."
98.EXT. LUNAR ATMOSPHERE (SFX)
Eagle banks and ducks in cloud.
99.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "Now we're really flying!" ((he smiles at Paul))
102.EXT. LUNAR ATMOSPHERE (SFX)
Eagle buffeted by cloud.
103.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Lightning illuminates them twice.
ALAN: "Hello, Alpha. This is Eagle Two Eight. I'm getting severe turbulence on the run up to the Taurus mountains. I'm going over the top."
104.EXT. LUNAR ATMOSPHERE (SFX)
Eagle being buffeted.
INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Helena & Sandra are thrown forward as boxes topple.
106.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Come in, Eagle Two Eight. We're not receiving you, Two Eight. But if you can hear me, Alan, your orders are to return to base immediately."
105.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "Alpha, we're in trouble!" ((lightning strikes)) "Come in, this is Eagle Two Eight. Do you read me?"
106.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Keep trying."
DAVID: "Eagle Two Eight. Come in, Eagle Two Eight."
KOENIG (to Tanya): "I want their exact position."
107.EXT. LUNAR ATMOSPHERE (SFX)
Eagle being buffeted.
110.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
PAUL: "We're losing power!"
ALAN: "Main Boosters."
PAUL: "Main Boosters. Malfunction."
ALAN: "Back up power."
PAUL: "Back up power." ((a panel explodes)) "Malfunction."
111.EXT. LUNAR ATMOSPHERE (SFX)
Eagle dives.
110.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
ALAN: "All systems out. Crash positions."
They put their hands on the console top and lower their heads.
112.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Eagle belly flops onto surface.
Eagle slides into dust dune & as the dust clears we see it is mostly buried.
Closer view of Eagle, only top and rear projecting from dust.
FADE OUT
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Tower under bright sun.
116.INT. MAIN MISSION
The screens under the Big Screen are full of static. Tanya watches them & types.
DAVID: "Eagle Two Eight. Come in, Eagle Two Eight. Eagle Two Eight, come in. Eagle Two Eight, do you copy? Eagle Two Eight, come in. Come in, Eagle Two Eight. Eagle Two Eight, come in."
TANYA (turning from David's desk): "All contact lost with onboard computer."
DAVID: "Eagle Two Eight. Come in, Eagle Two Eight. Eagle Two Eight, do you copy? Come in. Eagle Two Eight, come in."
KOENIG: "Kano, I want every Eagle fuelled and ready for lift off. I want photographs. Every inch within a radius of five hundred miles of their last position. Victor, divide this sector into twenty eight zones." ((activates screen to show Bob's face)) "Mathias."
BOB: "Yes, Commander."
KOENIG: "Load Eagle One with Medical supplies and rescue equipment. You're coming with me."
117.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle rises on launch pad.
DAVID (VO): "Eagle Nine to pad One. Eagle Twelve to pad Three."
INT. MAIN MISSION
DAVID: "Eagle Two Four to pad Five."
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Alan's original copilot (Johnson) and his copilot enter & sit.
DAVID (VO): "Eagle One Nine to pad One."
INT. MAIN MISSION
DAVID: "Lift off, Eagle Twelve."
117.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle launches.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Koenig and Bob waiting.
INT. MAIN MISSION
DAVID: "Elevator locked on pad four. You're clear to go, Eagle One Four."
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
JOHNSON: "One Four to Main Mission. We have ignition..and lift off."
117.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle rises.
INT. MAIN MISSION
DAVID: "Main Mission to Eagle fleet. Wind is south westerly at two one zero and falling to strength three. Dust is still the problem over the search area but..good luck."
118.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Eagle 28, only the back visible in the dust.
119.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Alan searches round the computer as Paul & Helena tend Sandra.
HELENA: "No, no, let's not move her yet. She has severe concussion. With concussion you can never tell. If there are no complications she'll be alright."
Alan coughs and joins them.
ALAN: "Every transistor, every condenser. Not one of them isn't blown."
PAUL: "The lightning. It must have blown out every circuit in the ship."
ALAN: "Yeah."
HELENA: "That means we're totally dependant on Alpha to find us." ((beat)) "Paul. Why don't you give Alan a hand getting us some air." ((Paul feels Sandra's forehead)) "She'll be alright." ((the 3 stand))
ALAN: "Look. We've got enough food to last us a fortnight. It's about thirty gallons of drinkable water in the tanks. And with twenty seven serviceable Eagles back at the base, I'll lay you even money finding us is a piece of cake."
PAUL: "Come on, then." ((They start clearing boxes))
EXT. LUNAR ATMOSPHERE (SFX)
Eagle 1 in flight over lunar surface.
121.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
BOB: "We're directly over the last point of radar contact, Commander."
120.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The featureless surface, mist covering surface. POV.
KOENIG (VO): "Not much of a new world, is it?"
121.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG: "Not much of a place to be lost in."
123.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Alan backs from the door.
ALAN: "Doctor."
Alan fires his laser at the door. Alan & Paul then go to it and manually push it. It opens letting dust piled outside pour in. Paul, still coughing, goes to Helena, waving the dust from Sandra.
PAUL: "Dust! Are you alright?"
HELENA: "Yeah."
ALAN: "How's Sandra?"
They look at her, still unconscious. Alan climbs out.
125.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul & Alan walk out & look back.
PAUL: "Some camouflage, eh?"
ALAN: "They're never going to see us here."
They hear a distant Eagle whine.
126.EXT. LUNAR ATMOSPHERE (SFX)
Eagle 1.
ALAN (VO): "Hey!"
126.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Alan runs up a nearby mound waving.
ALAN: "We're here! We're here! Come back!" ((he rips off his sleeve & waves it)) "Come back!"
126.EXT. LUNAR ATMOSPHERE (SFX)
Eagle flies off over lunar hills.
126.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Alan and Paul stop waving.
EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Night. Eagle lands.
128.INT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig & Bob enter. Koenig goes to David.
KOENIG: "News?"
DAVID: "They've run out of daylight. The last Eagle is returning to base."
KOENIG: "Have them refuelled immediately."
VICTOR (from command desk, holding diagram): "Hey, John." ((Koenig joins him)) "It's looking promising. The Moon's curving in nicely towards an orbital station around our new sun. Gravitational influence continues to increase to a high point which we will reach eight days from now."
KOENIG: "With a fifty-fifty chance of going into orbit. Right?"
VICTOR: "Oh, ah.."
KOENIG: "And if we don't go into orbit, conditions on that surface will deteriorate rapidly. Also right." ((leaves Victor))
EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Surface in day.
129.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Alan pushes a box out of the door.
ALAN: "Hey, how many times has a man got to shift before he gets some breakfast around here?"
Helena brings a burnt container from the back of the Eagle as Alan throws another box out.
HELENA: "Briassic acid. The tanks have smashed, and it's eaten it's way into everything. Food, medical supplies, and the water."
ALAN: "Why was it stored anywhere near the food?"
HELENA: "It wasn't. The impact must have carried it into the cargo section along with the main motor. We're probably lucky it didn't explode right away."
ALAN: "Lucky?! Th- "
HELENA (she goes to look out door): "Come on, Alan! Take it easy! We've still got survival rations."
ALAN: "Oh yeah. And about half a drop of uncontaminated water. Great! It's a hundred and twenty degrees in the shade out there. What's that going to do to Sandra with a high fever, huh? She needs all the water she can get."
HELENA: "All right. Then you make sure the next time they fly over, they can see us."
PAUL (picking up box): "Let's get this gear outside. We've got to start making some kind of marker." ((he hurls it out))
130.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Wind and dust howl over the men as they add boxes to the shape of a cross, dust already building up over it.
132.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Paul shuts the door against the wind and walks to Helena, dabbing Sandra's face. They look at each other & Sandra.
137.INT. COMMAND OFFICE
DAVID: "Eagle One Five is grounded, Commander."
KOENIG (turning from Victor's photos): "Grounded?"
DAVID: "Apparent seizure of the lateral stabilisers. So far five Eagles have reported similar faults."
Koenig slams a photo on the table & goes to David.
KOENIG: "Now, look, Kano, we can't afford faults. We've spent months drifting through space, and those technicians have nothing to do but sit on their backsides. Now I need every Eagle I can get, what happens? Half of them go lame. Get those technicians moving, Kano. Get them moving! No Eagle is grounded until I say so! Now, go on."
David leaves. Koenig paces angrily.
VICTOR: "John, they're breaking their necks in the Technical Section."
KOENIG: "So they should."
VICTOR: "Listen. You've got to face the possibility we may not find them at all."
KOENIG: "We've got to find them, Victor. We've got to find them."
131.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Dust is blown over the cross made of boxes.
136.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Night. They now wear spacesuits for warmth. Helena pours water into beakers. Alan paces, rubbing his arms & blowing on his hands. Paul puts a hand on the shivering Sandra.
PAUL: "She'll die out here. A hundred and twenty degrees by day and freezing by night."
ALAN: "Well, you rooted pretty hard for the crazy idea of settling out here, instead of going down to the planet Ariel."
PAUL: "Noone reckoned on you for flying into a cloud bank for your kicks."
HELENA: "Come on, let's save our energy." ((offers Paul a beaker of water))
PAUL: "Make that three." ((she offers it to Alan))
ALAN: "No. Paul and I'll share one."
HELENA: "If we don't survive, Sandra won't make it."
She gives beakers to Paul & Alan. Reluctantly they take them. Helena takes the other beaker.
PAUL: "There must be something we can do?"
ALAN: "Like walk?"
Paul is thoughtful. He looks at Sandra.
138.EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Day. Eagle launches.
140.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Koenig pilots with Bob.
DAVID (on screen): "Nice lift off, Commander."
139.INT. MAIN MISSION
DAVID: "No systems malfunction indicated."
Victor runs in (sc 141)
VICTOR: "Kano! Stop him! For heaven's sake, stop him! Bring him back!"
Sirens and 'Crash Alert' on the screens are activated.
142.EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
Eagle flies low over the outskirts of the base.
143.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
KOENIG (takes crash position): "Doesn't anything function on this base?"
144.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
A nozzle falls off before the Eagle crashes into dust.
The Eagle slews to its side & stops.
145.INT. TECHNICAL
Koenig looks at the blackened component of an Eagle.
KOENIG: "Well?"
VICTOR (looking at microscope): "Something we don't know about in the atmosphere, coupled with incessant flying through fine particles of moon dust, caused very rapid corrosion. Your control systems just seized."
KOENIG: "Victor, you say every Eagle is affected?"
VICTOR: "Yes. Well, we found that parts covered with a graphite compound won't corrode."
KOENIG: "How long will it take to strip down one Eagle and graphite every exposed surface?"
VICTOR: "Take them less than three days. They've started already."
KOENIG: "They'll have to do it in two." ((indicates capsule)) "I don't know whether this is friend or foe but let's get it out of here, alright?" ((leaves))
EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The cross is almost obscured under dust and the wind.
Eagle 28, similarly buried.
146.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Paul crouches by Sandra, as the others sleep.
SANDRA: "Paul." ((he gives her a beaker to drink from))
PAUL: "You're getting better. You're going to be all right."
SANDRA: "I thought we had found our home."
PAUL: "We will. We will."
SANDRA: "But-"
PAUL: "Ssh. Ssh. I'll find you some more to drink." ((he glances at the sleeping Helena before pouring half a beaker)) "Here." ((she drinks it))
SANDRA: "Has it rained?"
PAUL: "Yes, it's rained."
She lies back, satisfied. He looks at the remaining water in the container, then at the door. He moves to the door. She notices.
SANDRA: "Paul."
He puts a finger to his lips, looks around, & picks up an empty water container. She lies back. Paul looks at her, then pushes open the door & closes it behind him. The gust of dust & wind wakes Helena. She goes to Sandra.
HELENA: "Sandra. Where's Paul?"
SANDRA: "Gone to fetch water."
147.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul drops the container as he struggles into the wind.
EXT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Helena opens the door and walks out.
HELENA: "Paul!"
EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul stumbles on.
HELENA: "Paul!"
EXT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Helena retreats to the door.
HELENA: "Paul!"
She steps back in.
149.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul leans against some rocks & unzips his suit top.
150.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Helena shuts the door & walks to Sandra, sitting down tired.
SANDRA: "Paul said it had rained."
HELENA: "He did? Oh yes.."
SANDRA: "Was it much?"
HELENA: "No, not really, just.. more of a promise of things to come."
151.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul falls to the ground. He looks up & sees some amorphous mushrooms growing before him. Paul turns over onto his back and squeezes one, water drips into his mouth. He smells another and eats it.
FADE OUT
154.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul carries Sandra to his shelter. Helena & Alan follow.
PAUL: "Home. The new city of Alpha. You'll be cooler up here when the sun's up. It gets whatever breeze is going." ((he places her on bed))
SANDRA: "Thank you, Paul. But I-"
PAUL: "We've found our home. We're the first Earthmen. This is our Garden of Eden."
SANDRA: "To begin the human race all over again. It's a nice thought, Paul."
ALAN: "Hey, you're a regular pioneer. Where'd you get the steam to be up all night?"
PAUL: "Breakfast?"
He indicates the mushrooms on the table. They gather round it.
HELENA: "What is it?"
PAUL: "Manna. Food from heaven. Or perhaps from the people on the planet Ariel, if you prefer."
HELENA: "Wait a minute. Where did it come form?"
PAUL: "Over there. Under the rocks. It's growing like mushrooms."
HELENA: "Oh, we have no way of analysing it, testing it. We can't eat it until.."
PAUL: "But I've already tested it."
HELENA: "You've eaten it?" ((he nods)) "Sandra?"
PAUL: "Not yet. We were waiting until you joined us. The change in Sandra's condition is born of hope. But man should not live by hope alone." ((he takes one to Sandra))
HELENA (she takes it from him): "Paul. We have to be careful."
ALAN: "It doesn't seem to have done him any harm. I mean, if he put this little lot together overnight, he must have got the strength from somewhere."
PAUL: "The way I see it is, it's no accident that the moment I lie down to die, this stuff literally appears in front of my nose. Look, it could be months before they find us out here. Every time we clear a signal area the dust covers it up again. Maybe we'll never even see another Eagle. Yesterday we were dying without hope. Today we not only have hope, but sustenance as well."
ALAN: "Hey, I say don't knock it, doc."
PAUL: "There's no alternative. We either eat it or die."
HELENA: "Look. Let's stick to the ration cubes for breakfast, while I do what tests I can. Then, if it's alright, and you're still alright, we'll all try it."
PAUL: "How long will that take?"
HELENA: "Lunch time."
ALAN: "Hey, just in case it is okay, I'm going mushrooming."
156.INT. COMMAND OFFICE
Koenig looks through binoculars.
EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
POV: in a envelope-shaped frame is the original capsule on the surface.
1565.INT. COMMAND OFFICE
Victor walks in from Main Mission.
VICTOR: "Hey, John. If you want to look at it that much you should have left it in the Technical Section."
KOENIG: "You don't have to tell me, Victor. That phoney cheerfulness tells me. We're not going into orbit, right?"
VICTOR: "Ah, well, no. No, we should have gone to the planet after all."
KOENIG (walks to sit at the conference table): "Somehow I don't think I'd like the people."
VICTOR: "They gave us air."
KOENIG: "Right. Which will turn into an ice cap the moment we pass beyond the warmth of Ariel's sun. And Alpha will be crushed to death. What's happening with the corrosion proof Eagle?"
VICTOR (puts down report): "Ready to go."
Koenig reads the report.
EXT. LAUNCH PAD (SFX)
Eagle launches.
INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
Bob & Koenig.
DAVID (VO): "Nice lift off, Commander."
KOENIG: "No problems here, Kano. We're clearing Alpha now on two four zero."
157.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Eagle leaves the outskirts of the base.
158.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul preaches to Sandra.
PAUL: "And we shall build farms first. And then will come the roads and the streets, and slowly the community will have a heart, an urban heart of great buildings. It'll be the capital of our new civilisation."
HELENA (arriving): "I'm not sure.. that it's safe. But I think maybe we should try it."
PAUL: "Of course!"
HELENA: "I'll do some more tests when we get back."
PAUL (stands; she backs & he follows): "We're not going back! We're staying right here to begin our new life! None of this happened by chance. We're given an atmosphere. A freak electrical storm and we're cut off!" ((she retreats by Sandra)) "A freak dust storm and we're buried! We are near to starvation and food is sent from the heavens! Oh no. The people on that planet have a sense of purpose and I believe we have one now. This land will flow with milk and honey. We will build and settle and bring up children; we'll multiply!" ((Alan arrives behind)) "And like the people of old Peru, who spread the human race across the Pacific in fragile rafts, so we will launch forth into space and spread humanity from solar system to solar system." ((Paul turns to see Alan; he drop kicks the mushrooms in the air)) "That was sacred, friend Alan. That was sent to us in our time of need!" ((he grabs Alan by the shoulders))
ALAN: "Paul. Wait a minute."
He turns to move away, but Paul strikes him; Alan rolls away.
PAUL: "Pick it up!"
Alan is hit again, but he takes Paul's arm & throws him over. Alan advances, but is kicked back into Helena. Paul runs up; Helena tries to pull him off, but he throws her away. Alan grabs Paul's back, pulling him away from Sandra, who falls out of the bed. Alan pulls him around to strike him across the face. Helena goes to a medical case. Alan is hit back again and falls to the ground. Helena grabs Paul's arm & holds up the hypo-gun, but he grabs her arms & she drops it.
PAUL: "You would come between me and my destiny. Noone shall stop me! Noone!" ((he starts to strangle her))
HELENA: "Paul..No!..No!..No!.."
Behind him the capsules descend from the sky. Paul release her & turns.
EXT. LUNAR ATMOSPHERE (SFX)
Capsules descend from sky.
159.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Paul walks from her & around the capsules.
PAUL: "Look, Doctor Russell! The people of the planet Ariel are here again! It is a second coming!"
Paul leaves her to walk round the capsules. Helena looks up.
160.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Helena's POV: Distant Eagle in sky.
161.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Helena moves off.
162.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The Eagle flies over the capsules on the surface.
163.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
BOB: "Atmospheric pressure's falling rapidly, Commander."
KOENIG: "Yeah. I'm not surprised. Those satellites are back."
165.INT. EAGLE PASSENGER SECTION
Helena enters & takes four gas cylinders, lining them up on a table before the door. In turn she opens their valves so they jet gas. She takes the laser blaster & leaves.
167.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Helena turns and aims the blaster.
EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Her POV: Eagle 28.
167.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Helena fires the blaster.
168.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Eagle 28 explodes.
169.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Helena is blown back by the blast.
170.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
BOB: "Commander! Fifteen degrees left!"
172.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
Eagle flies to a column of smoke.
173.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Helena turns onto her back.
177.EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The Eagle lands.
178.INT. EAGLE PILOT SECTION
BOB: "Spacesuits, Commander. The atmosphere is thinning fast."
KOENIG: "No time." ((they leave))
179.EXT. MOON SURFACE
Alan finds Helena & pulls her up. Bob & Koenig run up to them.
KOENIG (to Bob): "Take Helena." ((he grabs the weak Alan))
ALAN: "Commander. I'm alright. It's Sandra. She needs help. She's in a shack over there."
Koenig runs off as Alan follows Bob & Helena.
Koenig finds the shack & bends over Sandra to lift her (sc 180)
KOENIG: "Sandra."
PAUL (swinging him round): "Leave her alone!"
KOENIG: "There's not time for it." ((he turns back))
PAUL (turning him again): "I said leave her alone!" ((he throws him back onto the ground)) "We have laid the foundation stone of mankind's future, Sandra and I."
Koenig pushes him away. As Paul moves to strike him, Koenig takes his arm & twists it, throwing him.
KOENIG: "Sandra. Come on. Come on, Sandra."
Paul grabs him, but Koenig takes his arm & twists it; as he holds him, they both collide with the boxes & fall over. As they get up Paul takes a grapple hook. Koenig grabs him & brings his arm down on his knee twice, then throws him away. Paul drunkenly returns, & hits the ladder with the grapple as Koenig gets out of the way. Koenig grabs him but is pushed off. Koenig ducks the next swipe & kicks him in the arm, knocking the grapple away. Now disarmed, Paul jumps on him & they fall. They rise. Koenig takes his weak arm, holds him, then hits him. Paul falls to his knees, exhausted & defeated, then falls forward.
FADE OUT
181.INT. MAIN MISSION
Close on mushrooms, inside a glass box on Koenig's desk. The others are gathered round.
VICTOR: "What we have here is a food substance amazingly rich in second class protein and many of the essential vitamins. We can grow almost limitless crops, once we've removed all the hallucinating elements."
HELENA: "I'm sorry I didn't discover that sooner, Paul."
PAUL: "Oh, I'm not. It wasn't a bad trip. Except for the ending." ((he feels the bandage on his chin))
KOENIG: "It's at times like that you find out who your friends are, Paul."
TANYA (at Paul's desk): "Commander! There is movement of the alien object."
KOENIG: "Let's see it."
-Big Screen (SFX): the lone capsule rises before the buildings.
-Main Mission:
ALAN: "It's leaving us."
KOENIG: "The sooner the better."
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
The capsule raises over the Main Mission Tower. A white beam radiates down from it onto the tower.
ALIEN VOICE (VO): "We were neither benevolent or malevolent, Commander Koenig."
181.INT. MAIN MISSION
ALIEN VOICE (VO): "Our absolute need was to prevent you from penetrating the atmosphere of our planet."
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
ALIEN VOICE (VO): "So we gave you what you wanted, in the hope that you would not further disturb us."
181.INT. MAIN MISSION
KOENIG: "Can you hear me?"
ALIEN VOICE (VO): "And understand your thoughts."
KOENIG: "Then you must have known we came in peace!"
ALIEN VOICE (VO): "We believe your intentions.."
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
ALIEN VOICE (VO): " but we have been watching the progress of your world since the beginning of time."
181.INT. MAIN MISSION
ALIEN VOICE (VO): "Human nature is such that we could not afford to take the risk."
EXT. MOONBASE ALPHA (SFX)
The white beam fades & the capsule rises. The sky is now purple and darkening.
183.INT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig & the staff walk to the viewports.
EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The sun sinks in a red sky.
183.INT. MAIN MISSION
Led by Koenig, the staff gather at the viewports.
EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The sun sinks beyond the lunar mountains.
183.INT. MAIN MISSION
Koenig & Helena, Victor behind them.
EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The sun disappears behind the mountains.
183.INT. MAIN MISSION
The staff leave the viewports & return to their desks. Paul & Sandra remain.
EXT. MOON SURFACE (SFX)
The glow disappears from above the lunar hills. Stars reappear in the sky.
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
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
Transcripts