(dramatic music) - [Announcer] Attention,
will all members of the press please go to the area
allotted to them? Attention, attention, will all members of the press please go to the area
allotted to them? Attention, attention,
the emergency services are requested to
report to their posts. The emergency
services are requested to report to their posts. (doors opening) (jeep engines running) (doors closing) - [Sentry] New York Herald? Okay. Stop. Times? Okay. - Hello, everyone. In just two hours,
the atomic rocket will take off on its
flight to the moon, circumnavigating
it on its journey, and then returning
to this Earth, thus achieving
the most ambitious scientific adventure
of all time. 25 monitoring stations
throughout the world in direct communication
with the base here will follow the course
of X-Z by means of radar installed in
artificial satellites that have been
launched into space at intervals during
the last few years. The name of the pilot
is not yet known. It is being kept secret
till the last moment. There are three men
who are eligible for this coveted task from
Russia, England, and America. Which of them will
be first to attempt, in the immortal
words of Shakespeare, full soon to draw the clouds
that hide the silver moon? - [Announcer] That
they may not move from the enclosure
allotted to them. - Can anyone tell me
what's going on here? Here we are, stooging around like a pack of lost
kids at the seafront, wondering what comes next. I thought this was an
information center. - Ah, I can put
you onto something that'll save you waitin'
for the big blowup. Sure, you've seen
they've chosen me as the pilot of the rocket. - As most of you are
viewing already know, the cabin of the X-Z atomic
rocket has a mechanism which releases it instantly
in case of emergency. In fact... Attention, attention. Viewers, I was handed
only a moment ago the pilot's name. The first man to be
launched into space is the American, John McLaren. - I'm extremely happy that
you have been chosen, John. I offer my congratulations
both as a scientist and friend. - We designed and built
the X-Zed together, John. There couldn't have been
a better choice of pilot. Good luck and good landing. - Guess we're all a
little envious, John. But good luck anyway. - [Announcer]
Attention, attention. 90 minutes to launching. - Pardon me, your wife's here. - You? I'm frightened,
John, I'm frightened. - Everything's going
to be all right, Mary. - We'll be in
different worlds, John. I think I shall
be the loneliest. - There's no reason
to be afraid. And don't be lonely, either. It makes the waiting longer. Promise me. - [Announcer] McLaren
to go to control room, McLaren to go to control room. - Well, I'll see you
again in six days' time. Say goodbye to Dennis for me. (cries) Take care of yourself. - Good luck, John. (door closing) - [Announcer]
Reactor control group to report to launching site. Reactor control group to
report to the launching site. (jeep engine running) Squads three and five
to their stations. Squads three and five
to their stations. - [Herbert] Good luck, McLaren. - Thanks, Weisser. When I meet up with
your satellite, I'll say hello to it for you. - When you cross Weisser's,
you'll meet my Sputnik Beta. You can greet it for me too. - Herbert, if anything
should happen out there, you will take care of Mary
and the boy, won't you? - If anything should
go wrong with you, you must release the cabin. Nothing will, though. - Should you release it, try
not to fall on our heads. - I will, General. Your heads won't be
thick enough to save me. (laughing) - [Announcer] 40
minutes to zero. 40 minutes to zero. All personnel not
on control duty will now move into
the safety zone. All personnel not
on control duty will now move into
the safety zone. Emergency services alerted. Emergency services alerted. (jeep engines running) - It is now
approaching zero hour. At three exactly, the
X-Z will be launched on its long-awaited
journey 'round the moon, its fiery tail
proclaiming to the world that the interplanetary
era has begun. - [Announcer] All personnel
will leave the launching area. All personnel will leave
the launching area. (equipment beeping) - [Radio Operator] Radio
contact's established. - Will all radio operators
stand by to receive signal? - [Announcer] Blue
warning to all stations. Blue warning to all stations. - All operators check
blue warning received. All operators check
blue warning received. Connect to circuit R one five. - I'm connecting the cabin. Contact established. McLaren, check your
instruments please. Five minutes to countdown. Pressure oh five. Temperature one eight. Time of reaction oh one five. All okay there? - All okay, Weisser. - Randowsky.
- Sir. - Make radar chain contact
with all satellites. - TV networking circuits. - This is it, pal. - Radar chain
contact established. (radar beeping) - Maybe USA. Jupiter nine. - What about my sputnik? - Huh? - Look, Sputnik Beta. - You see? It's the busiest of them all. (laughs) - Leduq. - Yes, Weisser? - [Herbert] Ready with
the orbit calculations? - Ready. - [Announcer] 46
seconds to zero. - [Herbert] It's all
yours, Boetnikov. - Switching to circuit. (radar beeping) Connections. - [Stuart] Connection made. - Contact. - [Announcer] 37, 36,
35, 34, 33, 32, 31, 30, 29.
- Radio contact's established. - [Announcer] 28, 27, 26,
25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18.
- Radar contact's established. - [Announcer] 17,
16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11,
- Switch on. - [Announcer] 10, nine,
eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, zero. (rocket firing) - Good luck, John. - Yes indeed, it's
on its way at last, the X-Z atomic rocket with is courageous
pilot, John McLaren, the man fortune has called to open up a new
era in space travel. The X-Z is now no more than
a bright speck in the sky, but unlike heavenly lights, this one can make contact
with the Earth below. - Peking control
station to Cape Shark, the X-Z is passing above us now. Going to alpha, going to alpha. Coordinates four one four,
coordinates four one four. Speed 28,000 kilometers an
hour, 28,000 kilometers an hour. - Hello, Cape Shark,
hello, Cape Shark. Calcutta here. Point gamma coordinates
five three five. Five three five speed,
28,000 kilometers an hour. (rocket whooshing) - Moscow reporting to Cape
Shark, Moscow to Cape Shark. Position of X-Z now at its zenith. Coordinates four two four. Four two four. (rocket whooshing) - He's just about to complete his first circuit of the Earth. Now it's up to us. As soon as he passes Sputnik
Beta, he'll enter into orbit. - Coordinates four two four. - [Sergei] Leduq, get started on the calculations
of the orbit coordinates four two four.
- Four two four. (satellite beeping) - He's in orbit. - [Peter] Ready? In orbit at four one five. Height 2,500 miles, speed
28,000 kilometers per hour. - It's over it now. - Right, the motors have cut. Hello. Cape Shark calling McLaren. Hello, Cape Shark
calling McLaren. - [John] Hello,
I'm receiving you. - [Herbert] You've
done it, John! You're in orbit! How are you feeling? - Fine. - [Herbert] Can you give
me your observations? - Temperature constant. Cosmic radiation normal. - [Herbert] Is the
flight going well? The motors, are they
running smoothly? - [John] All okay. - Mrs. McLaren's outside. - [John] I've been in free
flight for one minute. - [Sergei] Meteorites? - Myriad quantity. - Has the loss of
weight affected you? - No, only the pencil. - [Sergei] McLaren,
you will be in your present position
again in 45 minutes. Switch on the motors at 45
minutes, three seconds from now. After 30 seconds, you will
be on course for the moon. As soon as you're out of
orbit, cut out the motors. - [John] Okay. - Quick, Mary, speak to him. - John! Can you hear me, darling? It's Mary. - Mary? Everything's fine. Don't you worry. - Nothing's wrong,
he's out of range. We'll see him again
in 45 minutes. - Well, gentlemen, the launching has been
a complete success. Thank you. (ticker tape clacking) - The orbit calculations, Peter. Something's troubling you? - You. - [Katie] I? - That cool beauty. It freezes my powers
of concentration. - [Herbert] Leduq, where
are the orbit calculations? - I was just going
to bring them along. - [Herbert] Bring the
other stuff too, okay? - Okay, I get it. A small celebration. Come and join us? - No, I'll get on with this. - Well, if that's
the way you feel. But you're going to miss
an excellent champagne. - And please to keep
the door closed. Variations in temperature
affect my calculator. - Professor Weisser,
the orbit calculations. - Hm.
- Paris calling Cape Shark. X-Zed is now overhead.
- Yes. - [Radio Operator]
Coordinates four three four, four three four, one call. - Perfect. Yes, my missile is perfect. - No, it is our missile. - Eh? (laughs) - I trust you'll think as
well of this, Boetnikov. The western nations are
happy to offer it to you as an expression of
their appreciation. - Thanks. Thank you, all of you. - A replica in gold. Solid gold. After all, we couldn't offer
you anything less than perfect. - Of course not, Weisser. I've often given
others a rocket, I never thought to receive one. - Unscrew the nose. Ha. A cocktail of my own invention. It contains American rye, Scotch
whisky, and French cognac. The best the West can offer. - With that recommendation,
I'll give it a try. (laughs) No doubt your finest
invention, Weisser. But for perfection, you should
add a little Russian vodka. - In which case
we should call it a cordial instead of a cocktail. - [Peter] We can go one better. Come try the universal
panacea, champagne. - Four, three, two, one!
- This is something! - Zero! - Might even pull the
Iron Curtain aside. - We'll all go into
orbit after this. - To the successful
conclusion of this venture. - [Lab Assistant] Geiger! You ought to celebrate too. Here, taste. - [Scientist] Look at him! - [Scientist] To
the manor born, huh? - Just look at our mascot. Do you think we
ought to allow it? - Oh, Miss Dandridge. Miss Dandridge. - [Katie] Sir? - Come and join us, won't you? - Thank you, but I must finish the calculations on
variations of course. - Oh well.
- The perfect example of scientific sang froid. - You put it too mildly, Stuart. I'd say she'd make an
efficient refrigerator. - Not at all, it's a form of
pretense that she practices. Given the time, the
place, the certain kiss, there'd be summer in December. You don't think so? - Another of your silly notions. - No, no, I've met
the type before. Just to prove I'm right,
I'll deliver the kiss myself. Care to bet on it? - Okay, Don Juan, it's on. It's not exactly in the
best of taste, but still, I'm quite confident
of the outcome. - How much time am I allowed? - There isn't much. In six days we'll be dispersing. - Oh, six days'll be ample. The winner to fix the forfeit. Well, aren't I most generous? - Or most unsure. Now where are you going? - To start the attack. - Communication from Moscow. - Thanks. - I brought your share
of the celebration. - Kind of you to think of it. I'll have it when
I've done this. - Here, special for you. - Oh, very well, then. - Something troubling you? - You are.
- I? - Your attempts at childish
frivolity are rather disturbing. - In that case, I guess I'd
better leave you alone, then. - Your guess is correct. And don't forget the door. The variations--
- Variations in temperature affect the calculator. I know. (radar whistling) - [Randowsky] There are
now 20 seconds to go. - [Herbert] Hello, McLaren,
Cape Shark calling. Everything in order? Are you ready? - I require the data
and the countdown for starting the orders. - 30,000 kilometers an
hour until zero plus four, after which you will push
them to maximum speed. - Okay. - [Weisser] Countdown. - [Stuart] Five, four,
three, two, one, zero. - Started one. Started two. Started three. (rocket firing) (alarms ringing) - I can't hear anything,
and he's still talking. - John, what's wrong? We can't hear you. John, hold it! - Sir, I'm losing contact. - John, John, listen to me. Cut the atomic reactor. - X-Z has gone up three. Can you control the wavelength? - Did you hear, John? Disconnect the reactor
and release the cabin, and you'll be all right. John, listen to me, cut loose. Release the cabin, man! Hello, hello, Cape Shark
to X-Z, Cape Shark to X-Z. - [Sergei] Call
Hulu Observatory, general alert to all stations. - Yes, sir, hello? - Call up Washington,
Admiral Goodridge. Yes, General. - [General] I'll take
the call in my office. - Hello, hello, Cape
Shark calling Mount Hula. - Connect me with
Washington, Washington. - [Announcer]
Attention, attention. Emergency services red warning. - General. What's gone wrong?
- Emergency services red warning.
- Now, don't get upset. We've lost contact temporarily, but for safety's sake, we've
ordered John to cut loose. - He'll be all right? - Of course. He releases the cabin,
cuts in his retired rocket, and then brings it
straight back to Earth. - Please, General,
find him quickly. - Naturally.
- Please find him. - I assure you, Mary,
there's no need to worry. - [Announcer] Radio and
television operators report to control. - [Radio Operator] Reverent
point beta one two. Off course five degrees. Tangents four oh one. - He's already lost a
great deal of height. Altitude 1,200 miles. Hulu observatory calling
base control Cape Shark. Hello, hello. - Base control Cape
Shark receiving you. - [Radio Operator] The pilot
has released the cabin. We have this in sight of him. - And X-Z? - [Radio Operator] It is
completely off course. We're trying to pick it up now. - Hello, what is the
position of the cabin? - [Radio Operator]
Altitude 1,200 miles. Your radar screen
should show it. - Here it is. He's losing height, though. Coordinates four six four. - That's on the west
coast, around Cape Muir. Stuart, link up with coastal stations
to be ready to salvage. (rocket whistling) - It's heading
towards the beach. - This is one five calling. Cabin coming down
over Cape Muir. - Message received. Message received. Continue, over. One five degrees southwest
of position, number one five. Here it is. Helicopter I-S one five,
helicopter I-S one five, get along to the
beach as directed. The cabin should be
landing any moment. (helicopter rotors beating) Hello, Cape Shark? Helicopter pilot radioed
he has picked up McLaren and is returning now. (helicopter rotors beating) - [Sergei] Give me
the transmitter. - [Radio Operator]
Yes, professor. - [Sergei] Stuart? Any news from the observatory? - [Stuart] I haven't
picked up the X-Z yet. It must be out of
their range by now. - Have you asked the
other observatories to join in the search? - Yes, sir.
- Thank you. - Why this delay, Herbert? - Try and have patience, Mary. - It's impossible to go
on living in this agony. I must see him, I must! Look, please, just
for a second, can't I? - He's making a good recovery. You may go in now, but
don't tire him too much. - Oh, John. - [John] Darling. It's all over now. - Dear God, I thank you. John, it was terrible. Terrible. - Don't worry anymore. We're together now, Mary. - [Mary] Yes. - [John] Us, Dennis. - He sends you his love. He's at home, waiting. Oh, John. - Now then, John, let's have it. What happened to you up there? - When I switched
on the third motor, the rocket started
to veer off course. I did my best to control it, but the steering gauge
just wouldn't respond. It had evidently
jammed or something. If I'd waited any longer
to release the cabin, it would have been too late. We'd have been outside
the Earth's gravity. - Of course you disconnected
the atomic motor. - No, I didn't. I left it to you to do it. I radioed to you that the
control panel was out of order. Wasn't it cut out? - We didn't hear you. We'd already lost contact. - So we've launched a missile
into outer space, then. Loaded full of potential death. (dramatic music) Three years of hard grinding
and what's the result? Great black letters a mile
high announcing I'm a failure. - John, no one could
help what happened. Just for a while, can't
you try and forget it? Only two days now, and
we'll be home again. At last we'll be able to
spend a little time together, make up to Dennis a little
of the fun he's missed. - When does the plane
leave for New York? - Tomorrow evening at
seven from Melbourne. - Hm. We'll have to be up early. It's a half day's
drive from here. - Gee, I've made it,
I've made it, pop! - You can't count that. The boomerang should've
whizzed right back to you. - But it wouldn't, no sir, not even when I tied
an elastic to it. (phone ringing) - Yeah? - [Peter] Leduq here. Can you come over right away? - What's so urgent? - Vision's home office advised
us that Sputnik Beta's radar is transmitting a signal
we can't account for. - I shan't be long. Sorry, Mary, that was an
urgent call from Leduq. I'll probably have to work late. Now, don't wait up for me. - [Dennis] But we're
going home tomorrow. - Sure, son, we still are. - Mom, can you find
room for this, please? And this as well. (radar pulsing) - Listen to this. (radar pulsing) - A magnetic disturbance
might cause it. - No, I just can't
account for it. - Here comes our satellite. Its radar certainly
got hold of something. Here it is now on the screen, that little spot at
four five degrees. - And the other stations? - They're also
registering the track. It's exactly the same
signal from all of them, even the sputnik. - You don't think it
could be a nebula, Alex? - No. - Or the tail of a comet? - We have just finished
correlating the data received from the
other stations. - It all coincides. The echo's at four five degrees. It's obviously millions
of kilometers away. - It could be the X-Z. - I'm afraid somebody will
have to stay here all night. Stuart, how about you? - Sure.
- And you, Katie? You may have to make some more checks.
- Okay. - Can't say I'm keen on it,
but still, we'll do our best. - Good. By tomorrow, the situation
should be clearer. - All this data'll
need checking. - If you get any news, let me
know before I leave, will you? - Okay, John. - Goodnight. - See you tomorrow. - If I may make a suggestion,
Professor Weisser. As Stuart needs some rest, I thought that perhaps
I could do his duty. - A really noble-hearted friend. - No, not as noble
as you might think. You see, the heart
enters into it. - Ah well, I guess
you'd better stay, then. Okay, Stuart, come on. It might stop that yawning. - Hello, Geiger, what is it? - [Herbert] What's
the matter with him? - [Sergei] He sure looks
troubled, doesn't he? (suspenseful music) - I can't think what it is. - [Peter] It must be
a magnetic distortion. Better check the data. - Let's have it. I'll work it out. (romantic music) - And now a few minutes'
hard-earned rest. - Are you calculating the time? - Naturally. And making sure the moon
is in the best position. Know something? When you're not
immersed in mathematics, Katie, the metamorphosis
is staggering. I can't imagine why you
ever chose this career. - I think fate decreed
I'd become a mathematician having this encounter in mind. - But seriously,
since I met you, I can think of no one else. - Destiny sure plays odd tricks. Well, has the ice thawed
a little, do you think? - The melting point's
certainly risen. - All gamblers take a
risk when they make a bet. - You knew about it? - You wanted to win, didn't you? Okay, so you won, smart guy. Now get out and leave me alone. - I'm sorry, Katie. I hadn't any idea. - Okay, Peter. I'd be glad if you'd just
forget the whole thing. - [Broadcaster]
Here's a news flash. Extraordinary phenomena has been reported
from many countries. Large herds of animals are
abandoning the coastal regions and making their
way to the interior in a colossal and
surprising migration, which hour by hour assumes
ever more alarming proportions. We are informed that
out-of-season migrations of this magnitude have
never before been recorded. It appears that this
unease is affecting not only the wild
animal population, it has also been
reported from zoos and owners of
domesticated animals. Authorities agree the
animals' acute instinct has evidently sensed
an indefinable menace, but discloses that the
causes of this phenomenon are for the moment unknown and therefore
- Hey, Geiger. cannot be explained. - [Peter] Base control at
Cape Shark receiving you. - [Radio Operator] Chelyabinsk
post number one two calling. We are picked up the arc
of the sputnik track. It comes from a point
at four four degrees. - [Peter] Repeat, please. - [Radio Operator]
Four four degrees. - Thank you, Chelyabinsk. It's moved away one degree. Yesterday it was at four five. (satellite beeping) This is base
control, Cape Shark. - [Radio Operator]
Sydney calling. Information from all
observatories now complete. Silver Island reports that
they registered yesterday at 11 hours 50 an atomic
explosion in Delta Zone. - The zone of the
Delta asteroids. - [Radio Operator]
At four five degrees. - Thank you, Sydney. That's something. Hello, Professor
Weisser, Leduq here. Sydney report that the
Silver Island observatory registered yesterday at 11
hours 50 an atomic explosion in the zone of the
Delta asteroids, from where we were
receiving the signal. - Weisser? Oh? How large? Have a word with the
astronomer, Carter. Okay. I'll be right over. Mary, I'm terribly sorry,
but I've got to stay. We'll have to put off
leaving for a few days. - Days or months, John? Where your work's concerned,
you never know the difference. I've had enough of
living in this desert. - I guess you're right, Mary, but it so happens that
whether you like it or not, I'm needed here.
- Maybe you are, but I still don't think
that gives you the right to neglect us for it. I can't take any
more of it, John. I don't think you realize what I went through
when you were lost. - This work's my life. I thought you'd
accepted that by now. - You mean, then, that
I'm to accept selfishness. After all, that's what
this inordinate concern for your work adds up to. Oh, John. You're impossible
to live with now. I'm taking Dennis home. - Do that. It'll be better
for the two of us. - The explosion took place
at exactly this spot. Near the point of orbit here of the group of Delta asteroids. - I don't think
there's any doubt that the X-Z caused
the explosion. Look, I went off course
about here in this direction. And here at four five degrees is where they registered
the explosion. Now, it's from that spot
we're getting the echo. The two facts are
obviously related. - At midnight, however, the
echo came at four four degrees. And then four three
degrees, four one, and about 10 minutes ago,
Copenhagen reported it three nine point one two. - In which case the echo
must come from a moving mass. (equipment beeping) (car engine running) - Mom, are we going to be
away from Pop very long? - Oh, maybe he'll catch us up. - When, though? - We hope it'll be soon. - The remarkable revelations
made by Professor Weisser have caused much comment
in international circles. For the first time, a discovery in the
cosmos is due to radar. The observatory at Hula
is now trying to identify this mysterious object in space. Furthermore, the government
is extremely worried by the continued reports
of strange phenomena. In New York and other
places on the East Coast, hundreds of people
have witnessed a singularly strange mirage. A large sphere surrounded
by a gigantic halo has appeared in the sky, disappearing only at
the approach of sundown. Other extraordinary phenomena are reported from
several European cities. Mysterious balls of
light have been appearing in various parts of the sky. The exact explanation of these
phenomena is not yet known, but it is generally
thought by men of science that they are in
some way the result of recent experiments
in space travel. The latest information on
the extraordinary migration of animals confirms that
this great exodus continues. Observers in the arctic regions report that birds
are migrating south two months ahead of
their usual time. It's an extraordinary fact
that all these movements have their beginnings
in the coastal regions. Taking this into account,
it has been suggested that the fear exhibited
by the animals could be indicative of
imminent marine disturbances, such as tidal waves and floods. From the intensity of
the animals' flight, now reflected all
over the world, the mysterious peril would
appear to be very near. (reporters clamoring) - That's enough, boys. Right now I have nothing to day. You'll just have to be patient. As soon as we have news,
we'll issue a communique. (reporters clamoring) Leduq, any news in
yet from Mount Hula? - No, not yet, sir. We've been calling
them all morning. They're setting controls, sir. - Here's the data on
the magnetism, Katie. - Good.
- Get it on the computer. - I'll see to it. - Hello, Cape Shark base
control calling Mount Hula. Hello, hello, Mount Hula. Come in, Mount Hula. - Any news? - We haven't been able
to make contact yet, due to a strong
magnetic disturbance. - [Van Dorff] Keep on trying
until they answer you. - Come in. - I think something
serious is going to happen. - Then don't think, because our instruments
aren't registering any alarming phenomena yet. - You've seen the way
the animals are behaving. Their instincts are more
sensitive than our instruments. Last night, Geiger disappeared. - Let's have a look
at the magnetism. - Calling Mount
Hula observatory. Hello. - Miss Dandridge. Are you through checking yet? - Sure, hold on while
I tell you, McLaren. The index of magnetism is
showing a constant pull. Right now the indicator
has dropped to minus four. - Minus four? I can't believe it. It seems like this
thing in space is absorbing all the
Earth's magnetism. - The observatory's on the line. - At last. - They're asking us
to cut out our link with the other stations
and to close the circuit. - Greenwood, Peterson,
leave us alone, will you? Leduq, see that all
junior staff are warned. No one's to come in. Close the circuit. - Circuit closed. - Orders are not
to let anyone pass. No one's to come in. - Hello, control calling. Hello, control calling. - The guards are posted. - Right, go ahead, Stuart. - Hello, hello, Mount Hula. Cape Shark calling. - Mount Hula here,
receiving you. Hello, Cape Shark. Are you on a closed circuit? - Yes, Mount Hula,
you may go ahead. - [Harrowsmith]
Is Weisser there? - Harrowsmith? - [Harrowsmith] Are
you alone, Weisser? - I am with my colleagues. You can talk. - We've been able to locate
the source of the echo. - Well? - [Harrowmsith] It comes from
the mass of Delta asteroids. The explosion of
X-Zed's atomic charge has driven them out of orbit. They've become attracted
one to another, forming a single mass which
is now wandering in space. - Direction? - [Harrowsmith]
Towards the Earth. From our first calculation
the mass of asteroids will enter the Earth's
gravitational field in about five days' time. - A bombardment of meteorites? - Does anyone else
know this yet? - [Harrowsmith] No. We are
awaiting your instructions. - Make sure it stays top secret. If it leaks out,
there'll be chaos. - [Harrowsmith]
We understand you. - We must inform the security
council of the United Nations. As from now, I'm declaring
a state of emergency. No one must leave the base
without my personal authority. All radio communications
will be made in code. - [Switchboard Operator]
Switchboard, switchboard. An urgent call to Washington. - [Sergei] Stuart,
call New York base. - Get me the airport. It's most urgent. - [Switchboard
Operator] Hello, hello? - [Switchboard Operator] Hello,
hello, yes, hold the line. - [Switchboard
Operator] Hello, hello, headquarters speaking. - [Switchboard Operator]
Hello, New York? - Hold the line, please.
- It's engaged. Will you hold on? - Airport on the line. - Put me through to departures. - [Airline Employee] Departures. - Today's plane to New York. Has it left there yet? - [Airline Employee]
Just a moment, please. It has been airborne
about one minute, sir. - Thanks. (plane engine roaring) (suspenseful music) - The latest observations have
revealed that these asteroids have a diameter in
excess of 10 kilometers. They may be compared
to diminutive planets, together weighing
millions of tons. That they are being drawn
towards the Earth's surface in a single mass
is of course due to their strong
metallic attraction. This explains the
extraordinarily heavy fall in the Earth's magnetism. Therefore, a collision with
the air surrounding the Earth is not great enough to
destroy the meteors. It will increase their velocity. When they fall on our planet
there is little probability of it being able to
withstand the impact. There will be
fiery thunderbolts. (crowd murmuring) To give you a precise idea of what the result of the
fall of one meteor could be, here is a very
instructive picture. It shows the great crater
made by a thunderbolt falling at Tunguska
in Siberia in 1908. It is many kilometers
in diameter. The size of that meteor
was insignificant when compared with the
cluster of asteroids a million times greater
now rushing towards us. (crowd murmuring) - Here's the latest data
transmitted by Mount Hula. I've checked it
on our calculator. - Ah, thanks. Gentlemen, I've just been
handed the latest report from the Mount Hula observatory. Their calculations on the
trajectory of the meteors leads us to believe
that it is possible that before striking the Earth, they will have to
traverse the moon. - If I understand correctly, the moon will
intercept the meteors? - Precisely. Its attraction may well
disintegrate the cluster, and the asteroids would
be dispersed into space. - A miracle. - No, you have my apologies
if that is what I implied. I thought to infer,
rather, reason to hope. - By all means, let us hope, since it seems to be the
only expedient left to us. However, let us not
lose sight of the fact that even were the moon
to be only sightly grazed, the Earth will still
feel a repercussion. I fear as a result
the Earth's magnetism would become distorted
and, presupposing this, then enormous tidal waves will
submerge all coastal regions. - Then those regions
must be evacuated. And we have three days to do it. Objections? Thank you, that is all. (crowd murmuring) - The armed forces will take
charge of the evacuation. They will requisition whatever
transport is necessary. Do you agree, Krasnov? - Agreed, Dimbleton. They must be given
absolute priority. - I suggest that the communique
on the proposed evacuation is issued as soon as we're
in control of the situation. - Agreed. - Mary and Dennis. I shouldn't have let 'em go. - Sorry, John. - [Announcer]
Attention, attention, all staff please go immediately to the nearest radio
or television receiver. - Attention, please. We are interrupting this program to broadcast a
special communique. The armed forces
have been entrusted with the task of
maintaining law and order. A state of emergency was
proclaimed at 12 noon today. (speaking foreign language) (speaking foreign language) - [Broadcaster] They will
reach and destroy our planet. An international
committee of scientists assisted by the United
Nations has assumed control. (jeep engine running) - All coastal regions
will be evacuated at once. I repeat, at once. There isn't a moment to be lost. The sea will flood
the hinterland for hundreds of kilometers. - Dimbleton here. Listen, you're to start
evacuation of the West Coast. Requisition whatever
transport you need. That's all. Any news? - Holland does not
find anything so easy. It means a total
evacuation in her case. - [Announcer]
Attention, attention. All roads must be kept
clear for refugee convoys. Panic is the enemy of safety. Disorder will be suppressed
with the utmost severity. Disorder will be suppressed
with the utmost severity. Attention, attention. You are warned not to panic. You will await your turn
in an orderly manner. There is no need for panic. Everyone will be evacuated. (horns honking) (radar pulsing) - [Announcer] Distance
1,800,000 kilometers. Distance 1,800,000 kilometers. - Angle of incidence
one-eight degrees. - To all stations on circuit,
to all stations on circuit. We are transmitting information
of approach as of today, 1500 hours local time. - [Announcer] Will
Professor McLaren go to General Dimbleton? Will Professor McLaren
go to General Dimbleton? - [MP] Professor,
you've forgotten to
give me your reports. - Oh yeah. - [Radio Operator] To
all stations on circuit, to all stations on circuit. We are transmitting
information of approach as of today 1500
hours local time. The meteorites are now 1,800,000 kilometers away.
- Here's the position. The cluster of meteors should
cross the path of the moon tomorrow at about 22
hours, four zero minutes. - Let's hope it will
disintegrate them. - If not, when is zero hour? - About six hours later. - [Radio Operator]
Approximate hour of contact minus 37 hours,
four zero minutes. Repeat, approximate
hour of contact minus 37 hours,
four zero minutes. - The end is not far off. - We're responsible
for this catastrophe. - That we are is purely
accidental, my friend. - But this time it involves
the whole of humanity. Maybe there's a boundary
we are not allowed to pass. - Oh, we passed that
with the nuclear age. All we have left is
recourse to the Almighty. - You believe in God? - Is it surprising? I think most men
do to some extent. Depending on circumstances. (laughs) Your cocktail. But with the addition
of a little vodka. - Now, the base is in
this area on high ground, so we're out of the sea's reach. - Then the base will be
able to shelter evacuees. - Sure, the store tunnel
could possibly shelter around four or 5,000.
(phone ringing) - Route evacuees from
Streppa to this area. - Yes, Van Dorff here. Of course get on with it! You must evacuate the
entire coast by midnight! - [Officer] But there's
no more transport. And anyway, the roads
are choked with refugees. - Imperative to alert
air force stations and civil airports to stand by. Speed is vital, got that? (plane engines roaring) - [Announcer]
Attention, attention. Groups three, four, and
seven be ready to take off. Keep the runways clear and
maintain an orderly evacuation. (crowd shouting) (Katie cries) - [Katie] It's all so useless. Useless. - Hey, Katie, this
is no time to panic. - I can't take it anymore. - Listen, Katie. We need you around here. Why not have a rest? You'll feel a lot better. I'll take over. Go on. - But you haven't
slept a wink either. - Don't worry about that, Katie. I guess I'm used to late nights. - Thanks a lot. (radar pulsing) Professor Weisser, I asked Leduq to stand
in for me for an hour. - [Announcer] Distance
800,000 kilometers. Distance 800,000 kilometers. - No! - Randowsky! - Where's McLaren? His wife's here! - [Herbert] He's with
General Dimbleton. Let him know, will you? - Mary!
- Herbert! - I'm so glad to see you here. - Where's John?
- They've gone to fetch him, but we thought you
were on the plane. - No, we didn't go. I decided to wait
at the airport, hoping that John would join us. But then we heard that
terrible communique, so I came back as
quickly as I could. Herbert, is there any hope? - [Announcer]
Attention, attention. All civilian personnel
will leave the base and proceed to the shelters. - But how long have we left? - Not long now, Mary, unless they disintegrate as
they cross the moon's path. - Mary!
- Oh, John! I'm sorry, I should
have waited here, John. - You were right to go. You see, I realized since just
how important you both are. - Oh. - Pop!
- Dennis! Come on, son. - [Announcer] All technical
personnel to control room. - [Herbert] John. - [Announcer] All technical
personnel to control room. - John, they're
calling us, come on. - Look, I must get back. You'll have to go
to the shelters. Come on, I'll find
someone to take you there. - But you. - I'll be happier when
I know you're safe. - [Announcer] All technical
personnel to control room. All civilian
personnel will proceed to the shelters immediately. All civilian
personnel will proceed to the shelters immediately. (crowd shouting) - [Dennis] Mom, Mom! - Dennis! - [MP] Hey, what the blazes
do you think you're up to? (crowd shouting) - [Announcer] Distance
400,000 kilometers. Distance 400,000 kilometers. - [John] Randowsky, keep your
eyes glued to that screen. We must know how many meteors
escape the moon's attraction. (ominous music) (missiles detonating) (waves crashing) (wind howling) - Can you see them?
- No, not yet. The image is still distorted. If the echo isn't picked
up within a few minutes, we can presume that
they have disintegrated. (radar pulsing) - But it can't be as
hopeless as all that. (radar pulsing) - [Announcer] Distance
350,000 kilometers. Distance 350,000 kilometers. - This is the end! It's your own fault,
and you deserve it! And each one of
you here is guilty. This is the judgment. The day of wrath. There they are. It's all over! - That'll do! Randowsky, pull
yourself together! - It's your fault. Yes, your rocket has brought
destruction from outer space! Your blasted rocket was
just another missile, a destroyer like
the rest of them! - A missile. Herbert, Boetnikov,
it's not the end. I just had an idea. Randowsky's lunatic ravings
about missiles started it. The missiles can
be used to save us. Have every suitable rocket
throughout the world equipped with atomic warheads. Then launched to hit the
target at a given hour, they would disintegrate
the meteorites. - He's right, we must
start a computer program. - [Herbert] Can
we do it in time? - It must be done. It's the only chance there is. - Well, we'd better
get on with it. - Just one thing, McLaren. We'd let loose a flood
of radioactivity. - No, General, the only
chance is they'll make contact with the meteors before
they reach the atmosphere. - Yes, but have we
sufficient missiles? There are thousands of meteors. - And America has
thousands of missiles. As for Russia, she has,
oh, we can only guess. Can you tell us, Boetnikov? - Oh, probably twice
as many as America. - Okay, it's up to you. A
couple of hours is all you have to prepare firing
data for all bases. Do you think the
calculator can do it? - Of course, provided there's
no atmospheric disturbance. - Even so, it's vital that
the data is produced on time, whatever the cost. - Sure. - General, how much
time is required to alert the American bases? - Half an hour. - And the Russian? - Less. We're always ready. - [Announcer] Top
priority, top priority. General alert now in operation. - This is Oslo
calling all bases. Launching towers alerted. Urgent, over. - Headquarter
London to all bases. Missile ramps alerted. Stand by for launching. Urgent, over. - Immediately. Thank you. This is Paris calling. General alert in operation. - This is the Kremlin. General alert to all bases. Our plan Red Moon is to go
into operation immediately. Do you understand? - Orders for alert.
- Hello? - Top priority.
- Yes, sir. - I'll have it
transmitted immediately. - I've passed 'em on, General. - Attention, launching
control squads to your posts. All control squads
prepare for launching. Distance 150,000 kilometers. Distance 150,000 kilometers. - Thanks, Katie. Here's another batch. Stuart, here's the data for
European launching bases. For London and north Europe,
oh three one four hours. Coordinates six six one. Got it, Stuart? - [Radio Operator] Hello
London, this is Cape Shark. (speaking foreign language) Hello London, this
is Cape Shark. What's your position now? Okay. - [Radio Operator]
Yes, go ahead. It's what? Repeat it, will you? Thanks, yes, go on. Coordinates six five three. - Hello, Cape Shark? Hello, Cape Shark? We require firing data. Are you there? Hello? Hello, Cape Shark? Can you hear? - For Marseilles, oh one
three four hours, 20 seconds. Coordinates six six zero, okay? - [Radio Operator]
Hello, Frankfurt. Hello, Frankfurt. Hello, Cape Shark here. Cape Shark here,
what's the position? - Cape Shark to Marseilles. We're transmitting the following firing data for your sector. - Ready. At what? Thank you. Oh three one four
hour, 20 seconds. (suspenseful music) - The thermometer's
still rising. - If it stops the calculator,
then we're finished. - Sure, I'll pass it on. London's just reported an
increase in ground temperatures taking place
throughout the world. Fires are breaking
out everywhere. (dramatic music) (flames crackling) (alarm buzzing) - [Katie] The temperature's
still going up, Peter. I don't know what to do! - [Peter] Leave it to me. Set the air conditioner
at 10 below zero. If that isn't sufficient,
push it to maximum. (radar pulsing) - Leduq. Leduq, is the calculator
still working? - [Peter] It is, for the moment. The air conditioning's
neutralized the
rise in temperature. - I shouldn't be surprised
if we have a hurricane soon. This heat wave's disturbed
the atmospheric pressure. The shelters are
very deep, you know. And with the natural
coolness of the place, I doubt if they'll
notice the heat. - [Announcer] Distance
130,000 kilometers. Distance 130,000 kilometers. - They're evacuating
all of them. The flames have reached
the shelters now. - [Herbert] Look,
we'll stay here. You go, John. - Weisser. Weisser. Range finders of eight
launching sectors are out of action
due to the heat. They're asking if we
can do the calculations. - Range finders of
eight launching sectors are out of action. Any possibility of
you giving the range? - [Katie] I don't know. How much time have we got?
- A little more than an hour. - [Katie] That should do, provided the calculator
doesn't pack up. - This is the end for all of us. We'll all be annihilated. The judgment is irrevocable. (lightning crashing) (crowd shouting) - Mary! Mary! Mary! Mary! - John! - We've got to get out. (flames crackling) (dramatic music) This is no place for him. We'll try to get
back to the base. - Ann, where are you? (dramatic music) - [Announcer] Distance
100,000 kilometers. Distance 100,000 kilometers. - The calculator,
it's still working? - No, the air conditioner's
out of action. - Where's Weisser,
Boetnikov, Peter? - They're all down in the
cellar trying to start it again. - [Radio Operator]
Glasgow calling. Please give us range data. Urgent, urgent! - I can't, it's not
available, Glasgow. It's not available, it's
not available, you got that? - Herbert, Boetnikov! - Randowsky's off his head. He's killed the sentry, he
cut off the air conditioner. He won't let anyone near him. (gun firing) - Just one step forward,
and you've had it! - [John] Randowsky,
get out of the way! You'll die too unless we can start the air conditioner again. - [Randowsky] You
won't escape your doom! No one will! No one! - [John] Okay, we'll
all go for him together. One of us should get him then. (gun firing) - [Herbert] Now! (gun firing) (dramatic music) (gun firing) - Oof! (gun firing) (gun clicking) (dramatic music) - [Randowsky] Ah! - [John] Come on. Leduq, get the air
conditioner started. Herbert. Herbert. - [Peter] It's working, McLaren. - Don't worry. I know when I'm done for. Leduq, carry on with the calculations. - [Announcer] Distance
50,000 kilometers. Distance 50,000 kilometers. - Go on. Don't waste precious time on me. I'm way beyond saving. But there's still
a chance to save humanity. - [Leduq] It's okay, the
air conditioner's working. Be ready to transmit
in five minutes. - Just a moment, Copenhagen. It's okay. The calculator is working. Stay on the line now. Glasgow, Gibraltar, Ankara, the calculator's working. Hold the line, hold the line. I repeat, the
calculator is working. In five minutes we'll be
transmitting range data. - Calling Cape Shark. Calling Cape Shark. Are you there? Request information re firing
data for the Near East sector. It's urgent. Answer needed, Cape Shark. (ticker tape clacking) - Stuart, data for Madrid. Time of launching oh
three one one hours 25. Coordinates four
three eight nine two. Repeat. - [Announcer] Orientation
vertical flight. Set your coordinates
four three zero. Liquid oxygen squad to
your control panels. Liquid oxygen squad to
your control panels. - [Announcer] Attention,
five minutes to launching. All personnel to safety zone. All personnel to safety zone. - [Announcer] Launching
pad set and lacked. Launching pad set and lacked. - [Announcer] Distance
30,000 kilometers. Distance 30,000 kilometers. - [John] Calling all
stations on circuit. Calling all stations on circuit. There remain four
minutes to launching. (radar pulsing) At this moment, the safety of the
human race is entrusted to the very weapons
that were created for its own destruction. Let us commend ourselves to God. (radar pulsing) (suspenseful music) (sirens wailing)
- It's all yours. (switches clicking) (rocket firing) (alarm wailing) (rockets firing) - Cape Shark calling. Stand by, Near East
sector, stand by. There are now four
seconds to zero. (rockets firing) - [Sergei] Come here, quick. Look, there it is. (missiles detonating) (radar pulsing) - Brisbane here,
rockets launched. Brisbane to Cape Shark. Launching's affected. - Quick, everyone, look at this! (missiles detonating) (radar beeping) - We're saved. We're saved, Mary. Stuart, transmit the news
to all stations on circuit. - [Dennis] Geiger! You've come back, Geiger!
- Attention, attention. This is Cape Shark calling
all stations on circuit. This is Cape Shark calling
all stations on circuit. Radar observations now show
that the massive asteroids have now disintegrated.
- Geiger! Geiger, Geiger!
- The remaining fractions of meteors have
dispersed into space. All aircraft equipped
with instruments for measuring radioactivity
will take off immediately. The order to stand down
applies as from now to all launching sites
and observation posts. - [Dennis] Geiger! Geiger! - Yes, the sun is rising. A few hours ago and we
were asking ourselves if we'd ever see it again. (sweeping music)
