Harry's War (1981) - full transcript

Taxes are the lifeblood
of this nation.

Collecting taxes
is a thankless job.

As officers and agents
of the Internal Revenue Service,

we are more than just
an arm of the government.

We are the heart and hands
of the United States Treasury.

There is, however,
an increasing number

who willfully disregard
their obligation,

resist the payment of taxes,

and even openly criticize
the Internal Revenue Service.

Washington, and all of us,
are gravely concerned

over this growing contempt
for taxes.



Agents are here
with the Director
to discourage noncompliance

through investigation,
prosecution

and other statutory sanctions
within our broad authority.

[chattering]

Harry, what
are you doing?

- They've already started
the meeting.
- Yeah, I know, I know.

- Listen,
will you grab this end?
- What?

Yeah, go out there
and stretch it apart, will you?

Harry, we're late.
Would you come on?

Watch it, watch it.
Don't let it hit the ground.

Look, the janitors are supposed
to be doing this, not us, Harry.

Janitors. You know
where I found this flag?

I found it wadded up...

...in a corner



on the floor.

The American flag.

Can you believe that?

Unbelievable.

Thanks.

Harry, when we get in there,
I want you to remember
what Roth said, all right?

- The pension plan...
- Okay.

- Hey, Harry, how's that
for special delivery?
- Thanks, Charlie.

Aunt Beverly?

- Your vote's gonna make
all the difference.
- [man]...meeting under way.

I hope everyone's here today
because, as I'm sure
you all know,

we're going to hold
an informal session

on pension plan revision.

Just to keep everyone clear
on this, I'll read...

- Harry, come on.
What are you doing out here?
- Huh? Say, I gotta go.

Here.

[sighs]

One, two, three. Good.
All right.

Now turn around.

- And...
- [classical piano music]

Hi, Daddy.

[Kathy]
Good. Thank you.

Well?

- He comes walking in,
and then he goes to sleep.
- Mm-hmm.

And a bird comes
and picks him up
and flies away to the castle.

That's right.
That's absolutely right.

Why don't you open the door,
stupid?

- Hello, Shelly.
- Mom, it's for you.

How's school? Uh...

- Well, how are you anyway?
- Fine.

- Fine. Is this yours?
- Mm-hmm.

- Were you playing
the queen today?
- Mm-hmm.

Well, this
is for the queen.

[gulping sound]

- What are you doing here?
- I'm visiting the queen.

Go and play, sweetheart.

Mmm.

I thought we agreed that
until all this is settled...

- I just wish, just once...
- I know, I know. I'm sorry.

Let's not go into it.
I called and nobody answered.

I'm driving down
to St. George tomorrow.

I wanted to take
the kids. Simple.

You've had the kids
twice this month already.

Yeah. Well, it's hard
to divorce your kids.

I don't want a divorce.

Will you go
in the other room?
Shelly?

- Can't we go?
- Go where?

Yeah. Why don't we all go?

Harry, we're...

I'm not going to...

to St. George.

[sighs]
I guess they can go
if they want to.

It's up to them.

Mm-hmm.
Well, I guess it's just
you and me, Your Majesty.

[Kathy]
I don't want her
going without you.

- Mom!
- Oh, come on. It'll be fun.

I'll show you where I grew up.

- When will they be back?
- I'm not sure.

Oh. I'm going to meet
an old friend of mine.

A lady named Beverly Payne.

Can you kids be ready
by 8:00?

- Harry?
- Thank you, dear.

Uh, Kathy, thank you.
See ya.

Well, seems like
I've always known Beverly.

We got to be really good friends
when I was about nine.

When my mom died.

Was she divorced?

I don't know.

She was alone most
of the time, so was I.

Hmm.

We needed each other,
I guess.

For four
or five years there,

she was my Aunt Beverly,
and I was her Button.

Button? Oh, brother.

[chuckling]
Yeah, she never
called me Harry.

That was a long time ago.

But you know...

...she was really good
to me when I needed it.

Hmm-hmm-hmm.

Um, you kids stay here
for a while, okay?

Oh, can't we go?

Well, I want to see
if she still likes children

before I turn you two
loose on her.

Okay, Button.

[gunshot]

You stand up like that,

you're gonna get
yourself killed.

Huh?
Does Beverly Payne
still live here?

You tax boys, you never learn.

Tax? I'm-I'm not...

M-My name is Harry Johnson.

I-I'm an old friend.
She wrote me a letter.

I'm... I'm Button.

Button?

Hey, it's them, Beverly!
It's Button!

Button?

Aunt Beverly?

[chuckling]
Button.

- Surprised?
- Oh, I should say so!

I wasn't expecting you.

Why didn't you tell me
that you were coming?

Let me look at you.

Oh, I can't see anything
with these glasses.

They always put the line
right where you look.

If I had known that was you,
I never would have...

- You look older.
- You've changed a lot too.

- Well...
- You don't look older though.

My blood is old, four eyes,
and my sinuses are...

- Are these your children?
- Yeah.

Harry, where's
their mother?

- She's...
- Mothers should stay
with their children nowadays.

All this liberation
is just ruining family life,
you know that?

- Kathy and I decided that...
- Well, you all look hungry.

Are these children
getting enough potassium?

Oh, this leg.
I got to get off of it.

Well, we're having stew tonight.

- Here's a friend for you.
- [meowing]

Here you go.

Now come on in,
and we'll feed you
in a jiffy.

Oh.
[sighs]

Stairs are getting taller
every day.

[man coughing]

[coughing continues]

[toilet flushes]

Hello, everybody.
Come on in.

How's Joseph?

[woman] He's fine.
Coming home from the hospital
maybe Wednesday.

[Beverly]
Oh. You girls go and sit
over there by Billy.

Welcome to the mission,
brother.

- Thank you.
- You're in good hands.

- She'll help you.
- Van, shush.
Time for the blessing.

Dear Lord, with knowledge
thy hand in all things.

We thank you for these foods
from thy earth.

Protect us from sin
and the Russians.

And please forgive
the secret rulers
if you can.

And give us the strength
to preserve our freedoms

and to endure all things.

Prolong the inevitable
and bless the food. Amen.

Now we have
some new friends here tonight.

Get up and introduce yourself.

Tell them your name.
Come on. Don't be shy.

Up, up, up.

Hi.
[clears throat]

You can...
call me Draper.

[chuckles]
This is Draper, everybody.

Oh. Hi, I'm Harry Johnson.
These are my children,
Shawn and Shelly.

- Stand up, dear.
- Who is it?

Oh, this is Button.
He's an old, old friend of mine.

We hope he's going
to be here with us.

Now eat and enjoy
the Lord's patient bounty
in the shadow of the famine.

Tell him about
the nuclear fireball.

Oh, yeah.
Well, the desert sands
are gonna fuse

into one great sheet
of radioactive glass
capping off the wells.

And then they'll retaliate,

and that'll poison
public opinion
and open up the door to war.

Will you pass the bread?

Sure ain't like war
used to be.
We used to have fun.

Now they started on me
eight years ago.

Right after Russia
buried the bombs.

- Bombs?
- The cobalt bombs.
Under the fault.

I've never had an audit,
and then Scelera came.

- Scelera?
- Yes. Tax agent.

He'd work, you know,
a day here, two days there.

He even stayed for stew
one time.

It just went on for months.

You have to provide them
with a place to work.

- Did you know that?
- Mmm.

Well, he couldn't find anything.

But that didn't mean anything.

He said he had a feeling,
you see.

And so he couldn't quit
snooping around.

- It was just driving me crazy.
- Well, you know what they say.

The two things you can count on
are death and taxes.

Ah. Well, they're
the same thing, Button.

He never let go.

And he was talking to everybody
about strange old Beverly Payne.

This just...
Insulting questions, you know?

Like I was
some kind of criminal.

People hardly even talk to me
anymore.

"The IRS was thrown out
on its ear today

by the irate proprietor
of Beverly's Antiques
and Surplus.

If he comes back,
Mrs. Payne was quoted,

I'll bite his ear off and...
staple it to my 1040 form."

[chuckles softly]
Looks like he believed you.

Then about a month ago,

I received a deficiency notice

for $192,654.

Wow.

I want you to take it over,
Button.

What do you mean, take it over?

Everything. Look around you.

I just...
I can't handle it anymore.

I'm a mailman.

I wouldn't have
the slightest idea
what to... how to...

I don't know the difference
between an antique
and a piece of junk.

Well, there's not
much difference.

[clearing throat]

Oh, thanks.
That's okay.
I'll take it now.

- I just thought I'd help.
- Oh, no, no, no.

She don't ask
or expect nothing.

You know, she's been
feeding folks

for the last 12 years
every Saturday.

That's why I help.
I ain't missed her stew
since '65.

- Why?
- Why? It's good stew.

- And it's kinda home.
- No, I mean...

Well, why
does she do all this?

Oh! This ain't nothing.

Oh, she gives away
stoves, fridges, TVs,
all sorts of things.

Anybody who needs 'em.

She never took a penny.

It's sort of a mission.

Is it always like tonight?

Always stew.
Ain't always pie.

[chuckling]
No. I mean...

...all that political stuff.

She always preach like that?

That ain't preaching.
That's just Beverly.

Well, you can't give
your whole life away.

If you don't take it,
they will.

Now I don't mind a fight,
but I just...

- I don't like to lose.
- Oh, you're not gonna lose.

This is America.
Nobody can take
your property from you.

It's...
We have the Bill of Rights.

Yes. Well, if the boys
who wrote that knew
what was going on,

they'd all go to Canada.

This is just
a misunderstanding.

All we'll do is we'll
just talk to them.

[sighs]
Oh, Button, Button, Button.

Bless your faithful heart.

You just refuse to see
any evil in the world,
don't you?

Oh, well.

[sighs]
Guess I...

...shouldn't expect
to change you.

I just thought
you'd be excited,
that's all.

Good night, Harry.

Harry's Antiques.
[chuckles]

- [knocking]
- Yes?

Oh, I'm sorry.

Don't get up, don't get up.

I'll do it.

[clicks tongue]
Aw...

Thank you.

"She waved an old battle-ax,

and they picked up
their guns and ran."

Their guns.

Do you have any idea

how much we spend
on our public image?

This kind of publicity
sets us back a million dollars.

Most people are not even aware
that we're allowed
to carry guns.

Now you cannot afford this,
Ernie. Drop it.

Croft, I'm con...

I'm convinced that
that woman is wealthy.

She owns half
of World War II out there.

Hiding behind
this phony mission,

she pays no taxes.

Possibility of conviction
is an absolute requisite

in all cases
falling under the directive.

- Now you know that.
- We're building probabilities.

She's a classic case.

Trust me.

Who is this Johnson?

Probability?

- Uh...
- Huh? Sorry.

- Hi.
- Oh, hi.

The kids told me
you were leaving.

I brought a box
of your stuff.
From the garage?

Oh. Have you...
Have you had lunch?

No, I...

Look.

I feel really dumb
coming over here like this.

I just thought
I ought to...

...say good-bye,
at least.

You don't have to feel dumb.

Don't you think
you ought to take
a sick leave or something?

See how you like it.

Before you throw
your whole life up for a...

...a junkyard.

It's not a junkyard.

Besides, you're the one
who was always after me
to take chances.

You're not doing it
for me.

Besides, I didn't say
take chances.

- I said assert yourself.
- Every time I did,
you stopped me.

Alaska?
That was ridiculous.

Well, somehow
I thought you'd be excited.

Well, I'm surprised.

I'm...
This is gonna work out.

I'm telling you.
I just know it.
I have a feeling.

[sighs]
This Beverly must be
quite a woman.

Yeah. She is, you know?

She... She's really something.

I didn't want to say
anything about it in there.

I hope I did the right thing.
I just heard that...

Yeah. Some discretion is wise.
I think you did well, really.

Let's just keep it...

- It seems to me if we really...
- We'll talk about this,
all right?

Good. Be right back.

[Ernie]
Hey, that was
a great question.

- Ron.
- Hi. How are you?

Your contribution
was way out of line in there.

But it's true. I...

Well, the codes are
so full of exceptions
and complexities

that it doesn't
make any sense.

The opinions
that you choose to voice

in a room
full of Washington morons
and district policy

are two
entirely different things.

- Ernest?
- You didn't clear
any of that stuff with me.

Walking on the edge,
you know that?

- Come here.
- Yeah?

[Ernie]
Boy, what a schedule
you've got.

- Back to Washington?
- One more regional symposium.

It was an inspiring speech.
Really. Everybody said.

I was just talking
to Hamill.

Gave fire and purpose
to the new directive.

Really wonderful.
I got it.

You know, with your
target roster
for investigations,

it is clear that you
are way ahead
of all of us in this.

And just one more thing, Ernie.
Off the record.

Now we both know that you're
the logical appointment
for district director.

But I would very carefully
consider this whole
Beverly Payne matter.

It's over, Croft.
Trust me.

She is right there.

Example number one.

[humming softly]

- [door shuts]
- Hi.

- How was school today?
- Boring.

And what
did you do today?

Well, I wrote a letter
to Aunt Beverly,

but since I couldn't write,
I drawed a picture.

Whoa. That's pretty.

- Is Aunt Beverly pretty?
- Uh-huh.

How old is she?

Oh, about old as Mommy.

Does she look like me?

No, 'cause she's real big
up here.

You are Treasury officers.

Special agents.

Croft went crazy
when he saw this.

"Battle-ax."

[snickering]

Let me tell you
something, Pond.

I'm gonna be director
of this district,

whatever it takes.

And I'm not gonna let
your inabilities

stand in my way.

Is that clear
enough, Pond?

I want the Payne property
locked up.

Sorry.

- May I help you?
- Yes.

But I'm not sure I know
who I have to see.

Well, you must have
some idea what you want.

Well, yes.
I have a friend.

Well, actually,
she's a business associate.

Her name
is Beverly Payne.

And for
the last 12 years...

- May I have your name, please?
- Johnson. Harry Johnson.

[typing]

[whirs]

I'll be right back.

Sure.

- [hums softly]
- [phone rings]

- [whistling softly]
- [clicks tongue]

So, the guy
that I finally talked to

said he wasn't sure
why the contributions
would be disallowed.

The IRS makes mistakes
like this all the time.

He set a conference up
so that we can sit down

and straighten
the whole thing out.

- Yes. And if we don't?
- Then we have to go
to tax court, he said.

Ha. Well,
guess who will win?

Well, we will.

Any jury in the world
will come down on our side.

There's no jury
in the tax court.

There's just a judge.

There's a tax judge,

and a whole room
full of IRS attorneys.

- Are you sure?
- Oh, yes.

The only way to get
to a real court

is to pay the money first.

$190,000?

And then you have
to sue the government
to get it back.

Well, that doesn't
seem right.

Well, the way things are
and what's right

are very seldom the same.

Beverly says before we get
one of those IBCM missiles
out, whammo.

One circle and the Russian
cosmo-deals'll burn 'em.

With particle
missile burners.

That's very dumb.
That don't make no sense.

Hey, listen, boy.
You're eating her stew.

Oh, Billy, a man's belief

has nothing to do
with his stomach.

We've been fed fiction
so long for truth,

we think fiction is better.

They control the newspapers,
TV, everything.

Tell him about
the "lie-zer" beams, Beverly.

Well, they're our salvation.

Because if we could destroy
the cosmo-spheres

with our landing site lasers...

Oh, he's not interested in that.

[Kathy]
Shawn?

Before they ran into
this "thermer" boomer problem...

[Beverly]
Thermal-blooming, Billy.
Thermal-blooming.

I told you 90 times.

She's more crazy
than you are.

Hey, listen.

You can say
anything you want about me.

Don't you say anything
about Beverly.

[Beverly shouts]

Oh, Billy! So rude!

Here, you dropped this.
What is this?

Is this
a tape recorder?

Oh, it's-it's nothing.
I'm...

I'm... I'm sorry.

- I really am.
- Oh!

It's a job.
That's all.

- Draper.
- That's all it is.

I'm...

Beverly, wait a minute.
Look...

- Wait a minute!
Beverly, look! No!
- Beverly...

[shouting continues]

- Wait a second!
- Wait, wait, wait.

- No, wait. Wait a minute.
- [shouting continues]

[Harry]
No! Get out of here. Ow.

- Ow.
- Stop it.

Hello, dear.

Beverly...

Kathy,
this is Beverly.

Beverly, this
is my...

- Mother of my children.
- Oh, you're just in time
for stew.

Come on in, please.

We were just discussing

the thermal-blooming problems
with laser weapons.

Well, sit down,
sit down.

You like stew?

This is home.

Well, you're going
to have to share a pillow.

You'd think with all of this,
I'd have an extra pillow.

Oh, I hate them
to kill the ducks,
but I don't like foam.

- We can't stay.
- Of course you can stay.

I've already got
the children tucked in.
They're very comfortable.

- But we're not...
- What?

I'm... We're almost divorced.

Oh.

Well, almost divorced
is still married.

From a cranky old woman

who's been going to bed alone
for 33 years,

I think you better take
some advice.

Share the pillow.

Good night.

[Harry]
Oh, the possibilities

of this place
are really phenomenal.

Come on in.

See, I have this idea

to clear out
all that junk up there...

Come here.
I'll show you.

...and make it a lunch place,
or something.

Like sandwiches. Simple stuff.
Here. Come on.

- Let me show you.
- Harry.

We've really got to go.

Can't you wait
till Beverly gets back?

You promised we could play
hide-and-go-seek.

- Great idea. Mommy's it.
- Uh-uh. I don't want to play...

- Oh, yeah, you do.
- Look, it's too dangerous with
all this stuff around here.

No, it's not dangerous at all.
Now don't peek.

All right. Just one time.
Then we're leaving.

- Okay. All right.
- Now be careful.

- Let's go, guys.
- Okay, I'm counting.

[Shelly]
Here's a good spot to hide.

In here.

I can't hide in there.
It's too small.
You hide in there.

Here I come, ready or not!

- What are you doing?
- Shh! Playing
hide-and-seek. Quiet.

Those are land mines
you're sitting on, son.

Ooh. Whoa.

Well, let me see.

You've already sprung one.

[gasps]

Billy. Well, they... they
can't be active, can they?

We'll know when you get up.

You know, I remember
a couple of guys in France

who tried this once.

- Both got killed.
- Oh, my...

- Easy, now. Easy.
- That's so sad.

- Gotta get hold
of the pin. Easy.
- Yeah.

[whispering]
Easy. Easy.
Okay, I got it.

[whispering]
Easy. Easy.

[timer rings, stops]

It's diffused.

It says "diffused" on it.

It's painted right there.
It says "diffused."

Worst kind.

Maybe there's water
in that barrel.

- Easy.
- Will it work?

[indistinct]
I don't remember.

- [mirthless chuckle]
- Yeah. Easy.

- I got hold of the pin.
- Okay.

Easy. [grunts]

Easy. Easy, Harry.
Very easy now.

[meows]

[meowing]

[meows]

- [Kathy] Shelly?
- That's not fair.
You're supposed to look.

[Shelly]
Mom?

Shel?

Are you all right?

[soft groan]

Oh, honey.

[soft grunt]
Come on.

[soft grunt]

Go!

[hissing]

Get in the car.

What happened?

- It's a long gray belly.
Antipersonnel mine, ma'am.
- Shh. Shh.

K-Kathy, wait, wait.
Kathy, wait a minute,
wait a minute.

[Kathy]
They are never
coming here again.

[Harry]
It was an accident, sweetie.

You know, I came here
hoping that we...

[growls] Never mind.

- Kathy, wait a minute.
Can't we talk about this?
- No!

Be cheaper
to buy the store.

Start by paying this.

[register dings]

$440 for the last stuff.
Bounced higher than a kite.

It bounced?

It's been attached.

What do you mean,
attached?

I mean your bank account
has been seized

under orders
from the IRS.

They can...
They can do that?

See, it's simple.
I've got over $600
in the account.

Excuse me.
You had me do
this one last week.

Yes, but this won't work.

Look. When you do
885F manually,

you can't fill out 25
through 29 on 5226.

- It doesn't say that.
- Please. Just do it again.

Now listen. It's my break.
She'll take care of you
over here.

But I have a...

Uh...

What did you want now?

I just explained it all
to the...

- I'm Harry Johnson.
- And you're whose attorney,
Mr. Johnson?

No. I'm here for myself.

Could I talk to somebody,
please?

It says here that Mr. Hamill,
the guy you're supposed to...

Well, he's not here today.

He's auditing my books,
and he hasn't the slightest idea

why my bank account
has been attached.

[clicks tongue]

You have to pay your taxes,
Mr. Johnson.
[chuckles softly]

You ought to see
Hamill's supervisor.

Thank you.

Now without the file,
it would be impossible.

- But you'll be notified.
- What do you mean notified?

Are you going to give me
a note to buy groceries?

How do I run my business?

You'll have
to excuse me now.

But talk to Hamill.

Well, I...

I talked to Hamill.

Excuse me.
I'd like to talk
to the director.

- The director's canceled
his appointments.
- I just need that much time.

I have two questions.
They have attached my bank...

Does it occur to you
that something else
is going on here?

- I just want to talk to him
for two minutes.
- There's absolutely no way.

Call back next week.
[to caller] I'm sorry.

Now we were...
Yes. Uh-huh.
[typing]

Okay.
Mm-hmm.

Excuse me, Mr. Director.
My name is Harry Johnson.

- I have been in this building
for three hours...
- What are you doing?

- [man] Who is this, Rodney?
- I'm talking to the director.

- You can't do that.
- Yes, I can.

What's going on out there?

I've been here
for three hours,
trying to talk to somebody.

- Give me...
- I'm trying to...
Let me talk to the machine!

- You can't go in there!
- Sir, I'm sorry to barge in
on you like this.

- But something is happening
that I can't...
- Rodney, call Security.

Oh, please, Mr. Director.

My name is Harry Johnson,

and for three hours,
I've been...

I know who you are, Johnson.

You were...
You were here before.

No. That's something else.
Look, I have been under an...

Taxes,
Mr. Johnson,

are what we pay
for a civilized society.

It is the duty of every citizen
to properly report and fully pay

his fair share
of that responsibility.

The measures
this office takes

are legal, fair
and necessary.

Wait. There's some mistake here.

If there is a mistake,
Mr. Johnson,

your cooperation
in the Beverly Payne matter

will be very beneficial.

Your problems
are still little ones.

[door shuts]

[Harry]
So, it's really
pretty simple.

The amount of what
she has given away

is considerably more
than the deductions
taken over the years.

That includes the appliances
and the furniture.

But it doesn't include
Saturday night stew.

Well, for instance,

there is
a farm laborer's wife
and three children that have...

Objection.
Your Honor...

Sustained.
Again, Mr. Johnson,

please restrain
these feelings of fondness

for the defendant
and her friends.

I fear it's never been
entirely clear

to Mr. Johnson
that whether or not Mrs. Payne

made the alleged contributions
is really not at issue.

- We concede
your grossly belabored point.
- Oh.

The district has ruled,
Your Honor,

that Beverly's mission
is not exempt

under sections 501(c)(3)
or 170(c),

but is rather clearly

a political
organization

and as such is not eligible
for charitable contributions.

She produced a weapon
and ordered us off the property.

Had you properly
identified yourselves?

There could have been
no mistake.

What were her specific words,
do you recall?

Something about showing us

what the right to bear arms
was all about.

She quoted the Constitution?

- Yes.
- Thank you, Mr. Pond.

Oh, one thing.
Did you bring charges
against Mrs. Payne?

No.

Mr. Scelera felt
it would be

beneath the benevolence
of the service

to bring charges
against a woman

in her emotional condition.

[Beverly]
...all that going.

And the [indistinct]
conspiring to keep
the President under sedation.

Remember?
I told you that last week.

And out of control
until after the first strike.

Yes. Who wants
more rolls? All right.

And then, you see,
their destructive plan

is gonna be fully operational.

Well, who's got the butter?
Pass it on down...

Whose voice is that?

Beverly Payne's.

- And you've been denied
credit at the bank.
- My account is attached.

You know that.
You attached it.

And you're being investigated
by the Internal Revenue
Service now?

- It was a routine audit.
- Yes or no will do.

- No.
- But you are being audited.

Your Honor, may I object
from here?

Well, I'll
just overrule.

Mr. Johnson, do you know
what this is?

It's Beverly Payne's will.
A copy.

- Have you ever read it?
- No.

But you know
what's in it.

No.

"No."

Mr. Johnson, do you expect
this court to believe
that you are the sole heir

to Beverly Payne's
estate,

her close confidant,

her advocate,

and you don't know?

Are you an attorney,
Mr. Johnson?

No.

Have you ever read
the Internal Revenue Code?

Well, you know,
I did try.

Do you know there are
36,048 pages in there,

and the print's really small.

I mean, it's really...

Have you
any possible qualification

other than your own personal
interest in her estate

to argue in a court of law?

- Is that question
really pertinent?
- Most pertinent, Your Honor.

When this court knows
what Mr. Johnson knows
about Mrs. Payne,

we'll know the size
of the iceberg.

Your Honor, I don't
understand all of this.

[judge]
Just answer
the question.

Well, I'm not qualified
to be here,
if that's what he means.

About that much,
he's right.

It's just all so confused.

We're talking about things
that I don't...

It's just been blown up
and out of proportion.

- Just get back in
the witness box and sit down.
- Your Honor, please.

For one minute,
may I be forgiven
the formalities of the court

and just explain
this whole thing?
Just explain it.

Your Honor, this proceeding is
an embarrassment to the bar.

[judge]
Very well. You may continue.

Your Honor, I'm sorry.

I've made such a farce
of this whole thing.

No one has more respect
for the law than I do.

I know you have
more important things to do.

I didn't want to bother...

I thought it was simple,
that's all.

I... I brought
Aunt Beverly's papers down here

to show you
about the deductions.

But I see
that's not what it's about.

He said that Beverly Payne's
mission was not charity,
but politics.

Your Honor, she doesn't care
whether people agree
with her or not.

People are hungry,
so she helps them, that's all.

Is she going
to be taxed for that?

Well, I mean, in a way,

aren't deductions
supposed to encourage people

to look after each other
so the government won't have to?

Well, I just don't think
she should be taxed...

...for trying
to help people.

That's all.

Mrs. Payne,
your attitude and actions

represent a flagrant violation
of our tax laws.

For example,
Code Section 7201, 7203.

Evasion of taxes,
failure to keep records
and supply information.

Concealing property
subject to levy,

ignoring summons,
and most seriously,

the forcible interference
with the administration
of our tax laws.

It is therefore
the considered decision
of this court

that the position
of the Internal Revenue Service

is upheld and sustained.

- The court is now adjourned.
- Not adjourned.

You call this justice?

Pompous nincompoop.

This is just a travesty.

- Damn it.
- Bailiff. Bailiff.

You call yourselves
a court?

Well, you're not.
You're nothing.

Where is conscience?
Where is justice?
Where...

Where is anything
that will have...

[choking]

- Harry, is she all right?
- [Beverly groans]

- Is she all right?
- I don't know.

[crying]

Oh, Button.

Oh, so much
I didn't tell you.

It's not over.

Do you know
how much I love you, Button?

- Yeah, it's all right.
- Oh.

It's all right, it's all right.
It's oxygen, it's oxygen.

It's all right.
I'm here.

- [bells ringing]
- [baby cries]

[crying continues]

I'm sorry about Beverly Payne,
Johnson, sincerely.

I am.

Isn't killing her
enough for you people?

Look, you blame us, I know.

But it's not
our fault, Johnson.

Beverly Payne
frustrated the system.

So the system fought back
with every...

Look, Johnson, people
who ram their heads
against a wall

eventually die.

Privilege of freedom,
I guess.

This is a privilege
of freedom, huh?

Don't be stupid.

People like Beverly Payne
destroy themselves.

I came here
to offer you a compromise.

Compromise?
This is my property!

This property
was illegally transferred

in anticipation of death.

Look, either way,
it belongs to us.

You're wrong. You are wrong!

What do you think
this country is about, Johnson?

It's about housing.

Education.

Defense. Welfare.

Medicare.

Highways.
Social Security.

It's about taxes,
Johnson.

She was...

She was a fool.

Leave. Leave.

- Johnson, don't...
- Now!

Well, then you're
the fool, Johnson.

I'm the United States Treasury.

What are you?

I'm...

What...

You can't beat the United
States Government, Johnson.

Not in a million years.

Your taxes will be paid.

We get it one way.

We get it another.

But we will get it.

Oh, by the way, Johnson.

You're trespassing here.

- [meowing]
- Shh.

[rooster crows]

[man on radio]
Good morning.
It's 7:00.

This is KJAC radio-TV,
and your morning update.

And a beautiful morning
it is.

High today will be
in the upper 60s,

and the skies
will be clear and sunny.

Following the news
this morning,

Public View
will discuss taxes,

friend or foe,
with our special guest,

Internal Revenue Service
District Director
Ernie Scelera.

So we hope you join us
for that.

It should be interesting.

Headlining the news
this morning...

[continues, indistinct]

[zipper zips]

- Hi. Roger Scofield.
- Hi, Roger. Ernie Scelera.

Nice to be
asked here tonight.

Look, the main thing
I want to avoid

is this whole
Beverly Payne business.

Her collapse
in the courtroom.
All that.

- Your people promised me
you'd let that alone.
- Mm-hmm.

Okay, I have some
supplementary materials here.

Okay, this is a list
of the recommended questions

that will bring out
the essential points
that I want to hit.

These are
of particular importance.

These right here? Okay.
Excuse me.

Good morning.
I'm Roger Scofield,

and this is Public View.

Last week, a woman
collapsed and died
in tax court.

The new District Director
of the Internal Revenue Service
is here to discuss that...

...and other matters
in the Public View.

Now we worked with Mrs. Payne
hand in hand over many years

to try and solve some
of the problems that she had.

It was a sincere effort.

But she did die

after an emotional outburst
in tax court.

There's no connection.

The Internal Revenue Service

is the single
most important part

of the United States
government.

There are two million people
who file no income tax returns.

So far they have gone
unprosecuted,

but we're gonna change that.

The Constitution
simply didn't contemplate

the requirements
of our contemporary society.

Taxes are a part of life,
and they will be collected.

The so-called power
of the IRS

is necessary
to ensure collections.

Some people insist
on fighting against the system,

but they only destroy
themselves.

Never have we been
in more complete...

...control of taxpayers
than we are now.

And we intend to keep moving...

...in that direction.

We still have a few...
small... problems.

I have something to say!

Get a camera
over here.

Turn around
here on two.
Right here, sir.

I declare war

on the Internal Revenue Service
of the United States.

I'm challenging
the right of the IRS

to assess, harass, intimidate

and seize property
of the citizens

without due process.

[siren wailing]

I'm challenging the right
of the IRS to destroy people.

People like Beverly Payne.

Move it out.
Move it out.

The God that gave us life

gave us liberty
at the same time.

I think that most of you
people will understand...

- Is it a new show
or something?
- No.

...is trying to keep
those liberties alive.

I declare war
on the IRS

and all the... little men
who've become their tyrants.

[Harry]
...at the same time.

I think most
of you people...

It's Dad.

Mommy, Mommy, come here.
Daddy's on television.

We Americans have risen up
against tyranny before

and we will
rise up again.

In the words
of another patriot,

"We will gain the inevitable
triumph, so help us God."

It's time that somebody
did something.

Stop him. Stop him!

I'm not a part of this.
I'm just watching.

He tried to kill me,
you idiot.

I am the-- God--
Federal Government. Move!

Get him now!
Get him in your car!

- Wait a minute.
- Get in your car!

Hold it.
Hold it.

Go! Go!

Open the door.
Open the...

[siren wailing]

You buffoon!

I love it.

Get that thing over, mister.

Get it over there!

Do you hear me?

Pull it over!

Pull it over!

[siren continues]

[chickens clucking]

[siren wailing]

Hold it up now.
Come on. Hold it up.

All right now.
Hold it right there, son.

Now listen to me.

I hate to pay taxes
just like you do.

Now we can work something out.
I mean, this is...

Now, boy, listen.

You're getting...
getting into trouble.

Don't you start
that thing up.

Hey, hold it.

Stop it! Stop!

Stop it!

You fool!

Well, damn!

Crap. You hit it.

Oh, my car.

Yeah. Yes.
I'm... I'm dimly aware...

[phone ringing]

...of some problems.

Senator, I assure you
that there's no problem.

There's been some flap.
Yeah.

- Yeah.
- [woman] Mr. Scelera,
line three.

Just... Just a second.

Hello? Who is this?
Do I need you?

Oh, hi.
Did you find Johnson?

[woman]
I assure you Mr. Scelera
has the matter...

Well, where did you look?

Clowns didn't even
check out there.
Why not?

[all talking]

Oh, yes.
They're on their way
out there right now.

Pull your people out.
I'm sending mine in.

- No. I don't...
- Hey, please.

Can I have
a statement, sir?

[all talking]

- No. Hold it.
- [phone ringing]

Nobody says boo to the press
but me. Got it?

You guys leak this thing,

and you're going to be
patrolling school crossings.

I assure you that Mr. Scelera
has the matter well in hand.

- [woman] Treasury Department,
line three.
- Hello? Yeah.

There are three more
from the press here.

Hold it.
No statements.

I want those people
out of here.

They get nothing.

And listen...

That's another thing.
I want a total blackout
on this thing.

No statements.
Nothing.

Oh now, hey.
Don't worry about her.

- She won't let us down.
- I'm sorry. I missed that.

[people talking]

Just one statement
from you.

[reporters clamoring]

What the devil
have you done?

You realize
what you have started?

You could be single-handedly
responsible for the destruction

- of income taxes
in our country.
- Call you back.

This whole damn system
works on a bluff. You know that.

Once it's blown, we go back
to a constitutional
government, Ernie.

You'll be selling shoes.

Why did you let her die
in our court?

[sighs]

Don't be ridiculous.
Where would he get
a land mine?

Where'd he get a tank?

Oh, come on.
He's bluffing.

[hissing]

[panting]

* Oh, say can you see
by the dawn's early light... *

We're sitting ducks.
They're all around us.

Gettin' out of here.

[stammering]

* At the twilight's
last gleaming *

* Whose broad stripes
and bright stars *

* Through the perilous fight

* O'er the ramparts
we watched *

* Were so gallantly
streaming? *

* And the rockets' red glare

* The bombs bursting in air

* Gave proof
through the night *

* That our flag
was still there *

* Oh, say does that
star-spangled banner yet wave *

* O'er the land of the free

* And the home of the brave? *

- Mr. Scelera.
- That's okay. It's okay.

What's so secret?

No secrets. No secrets.

We'll cooperate with you guys
any way possible.

We like the press.

It's just that in consideration
for the guy's privacy,

figured it'd be better...

Hey. Off the record, okay?

Sure.

Guy is crazy.
Really sad.

They took him into custody
last night.

They moved... moved him
to the hospital

for psychiatric examination.

The war with Harry Johnson
is over.

Then why
all the security?

[cow moos]

Because he planted
explosives.

This whole hill
is a bomb.

The governor has
very kindly given me

the National Guard
to clean it up,

but they're not here yet.

You understand?

This is
Special Officer Crawley.

She'll be in charge here.

Any further questions you
may have, she can answer.

- Tight. All right?
- Mm-hmm.

Move it, Paul.

Johnson, it's 10:15.

You got less than an hour
to be out of there.

Do you
understand me?

Major Andrew.

- You Crawley?
- Yes.

I'm damned offended

about the politics you used
to get me out here.

They suggested we could depend
on your full cooperation.

Reckless driving.

Unlicensed vehicle
on a state highway.

200 dollars' damage to a barn
and four dead chickens.

What the hell do you want
with the army?

He's declared war
on the Internal Revenue Service.

Well, if declaring war
is against the law,

he should be in jail,
not conquered.

Lady, you're talking
to the United States Army.

And you are talking
to the United States Treasury,
Major Andrew.

I don't think
he's coming out of there.

Let me have that bullhorn.

Hey there, young fella.

Can you hear me?

Look. Look, son.

We don't wanna have to do
anything drastic now.

Why don't you
just come on out,

and let's talk
this whole thing over?

Are you listening?

- Sir.
- Good night!

It's not the first.

You want me
to hard-charge in there
with the whole damn army

and blast some demented boy
shooting arrows?

They're messages.

It's the same
every time.

Then why don't you get him
the damn TV cameras?

There's a press blackout.

Well, by the saints,
I won't do it.

I think you will, Major.

If you want him alive,
you get him out of there.

When I come back,

I'm gonna level
that cracker barrel.

[cocking weapons]

[gunshots]

[hissing]

[gagging]

[coughing]

[sighs]

[Billy]
I don't believe those tax guys
are telling me the truth.

He ain't in the hospital now.
I'm telling you.

I called the hospital.

[Kathy]
Billy.

Billy.
Where's Harry?

I don't know, but I feel
like I'm being left out
of this war.

You mean he isn't here?

I think they got him
pinned down up there. Yeah.

[whispers] Like
[indistinct] in 1943. Yeah.

Billy.
Billy, is he all right?

I don't know.

But he's gonna be
the next president.

If they don't
get to him first.

I can't believe this.

[sighs]
Billy, we gotta help him.

What do we do?

I think it's time
to reenlist.

[no audible dialogue]

[no audible dialogue]

Are you sure?

They won't do nothing
with the kids and all of us.

Come on. Get in here.

Ooh. It stinks in here.

There used to be cows in here
when it was a dairy.

Shh.

Watch that.
Watch it.

That's a mine.

I never knowed no woman
to come through here
for me like this.

Uh-oh. There's another one.

[screams]

Hide yourselves.
Somebody's coming.

[Kathy]
Over there.
Get down.

[screams]

[banging, clattering]

Harry. Harry!

Kathy?

Oh. Are you all right?

You got her?

That man scared me
out of my wits.

What's that?
Which man was that?

[screaming]

Are you crazy?
There's children here.

Oh, geez.

They ain't supposed
to be shooting at kids.

I'm telling you something.
That guy's in trouble.

[explosion]

Billy, why did you
bring 'em here?

Kids, come on.
Take 'em down to the cellar.

[Shawn]
We saw you on TV.

- It was my idea.
- Your idea?

You get down
to the cellar too.

Oh, no. Look, Harry,
I thought of 50 ways
to say this to you,

a-a-and I can't...

You look wonderful.

You picked a funny time
to visit, you know.

I should explain.
I want to explain.

Don't say anything.

You're here.

I'm sorry.

You can't stay here.

You don't understand
what's going on.

[whispers]
Hey. Hey.

You know, if all the people
who ever tried to do anything,

tried to right some wrong,

had any idea
how it was going to turn out,

I don't think they'd ever begin.

I was just sure that everybody
would understand, you know?

Well, if you're counting
on anybody hearing about this,

it's gonna end right here.

What do you mean?

Well, they got you
blacked out like London '41.

Everybody thinks you're
tucked away in the nuthouse.

Oh, great.

You've got to tell 'em.

Course you ain't too bad
with that arrow slinging.

Billy, listen to me.
Can you get out of here again?

Listen. Some day I'm gonna
tell you some real war stories.

All right. Tell the TV,
tell the papers,
tell the radio, tell everybody.

Get them out here.

People have got
to know about this.

It's the only chance
we've got.

- Right, skipper.
- Okay.

[groans]

[vehicle approaching]

It's the army.

I don't think they know you're
just trying to make a point.

[man giving commands]

Major Andrew.

We don't want
this property damaged.

It belongs
to the U.S. Treasury.

I'll handle it, Crawley.

They're the only ones
who know we're here.

You don't suppose that
they could just erase us

and nobody would
know, do you?

Oh, you gotta
get out of here.

Roger.

Unit C ready
and standing by, sir.

Set the charges.

Attention in the house.
This is your last warning.

Surrender
or we will attack.

Surrender or we will attack.

Wait for me.

Okay, kids.
Let's go.

Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.

It's about time.

They're coming out this way.

I seen 'em. Follow me.

I'm sorry, sir.

We are under army orders.

What are you doing?

[automatic gunfire]

[Harry]
Get down!

Get back! Get back! Get back!

[Kathy]
Stay down.

The tunnel is mined, sir.

Send Unit B
and the sweep to Unit C.

B Sweeper to Charlie.

Hey.

Hey, man, give me a hand.
My arm's stuck.

Hey. Psst.

There are kids in there.

Come on.
Take 'em to the cellar.

You'd think the U.S. Army

could have one man
in custody by now, Major.

Two little children.

There are two little children
in there, you maniac.

Why didn't you tell me
he had hostages?

Hostages? What are
you talking about?

There couldn't be.

Attention all units.

This is Major Andrew.

The enemy has hostages.
Repeat, repeat.

There are two kids
in that house.

Pull back and stand by.

All right.
Step down.

Got her, honey?

- Oh.
- [meows]

Now, listen.
No matter what happens,
stay down there.

I'm just gonna try
to talk to them

to explain this thing.

That's the United States Army
out there.

How do you say
I'm sorry for a war?

Whatever happens...
I love you all.

Be careful.

[Crawley]
Major, I insist
that you continue.

That man must be
brought into custody.

There are no hostages.

You shut up.

Please shut up!

Why in the hell

did they ever send
a woman out here anyway?

My sex is not
an issue here, Major.

It most certainly isn't.

Stand by
for hostage negotiation.

Major, do you realize

that that man has assaulted
federal officers,

rescued government property
under force of arms?

The only thing
that I realize, Crawley,

is that I might...

...I just might be
on the wrong side in this war.

[vehicles approaching]

[man shouting]

Charge, you mother!

Thank you, Sergeant.

Chief, we're going to do
a network thing here and...

How are you?
Good to see you again.

- We got a job to do.
- We have a press thing up here.

- You're doing a wonderful job.
- I'm doing the very best...

[man]
Stay tuned to this channel

for further updates
on the war...

Excuse me.
We're doing a network thing.

- Excuse me please.
- Ladies and gentlemen,
please!

- Ladies and gentlemen...
- We don't know exactly...

[Crawley]
This is federal property!

This is federal property!
You understand?

- [Sheriff]
Stop it!
- [gunshot]

Now hold it!

We'd like to have
your cooperation, please,

by standing back
behind the lights!

Now there's a subject
up there with hostages!

He's dangerous,
and he's armed!

I told you Scelera
said no press.

They can't be here!

Well, you tell 'em then.

Get on that step.

This is federal property,
and you are trespassing.

I'm a federal officer.

I want... I demand
that you leave at once.

You are unauthorized
to take pictures.

I said... Do you understand?
Get out!

Out! Out!
Get out!

[Andrew]
Johnson, can you hear me?

Son, we still
don't want to hurt you.

You understand?

You gotta trust me, Johnson,
and you can.

Release the hostages.

Let them kids go.

Johnson, you hear me?

Informed sources here
say the hostages

are actually Johnson's family

who have joined him
in this courageous last battle

to keep his home.

There've been no formal charges,
as far as we can tell,

no court orders.

Only demands from the IRS.

And they've refused comment.

All America is watching tonight.

Some here
call this "Harry's War."

But could it be that he is
actually fighting for us all?

Hold it.
Hold it.

He wants
to exchange hostages.
He'll make a deal.

There are no deals.

Get those cameras
out of here.

The man is a criminal.

He'll trade the hostages
for the district director.

No. I am
in charge here.

Go get Scelera.

Yes, sir.

- Mr. Scelera.
- Mr. Scelera.

Why did you
claim Johnson...

Who actually owns the house?
You or probate?

Come on, guys. I've had
no time to prepare a statement.

- Give us one statement.
- Okay, okay. One comment.
That's it. Okay?

The Internal Revenue Service,

in the interests
of Mr. Johnson's privacy,

has made every effort

to handle this very difficult
problem quietly.

But Harry Johnson
is a sick man.

He's a dangerous man.

He has repeatedly

violated the law.

He has abused
his rights.

He's refused

to cooperate,
and he's taken this final,

desperate, illegal,
self-destructive course. Huh?

Has he actually
broken the law

or just the IRS code?

Gentlemen, I'm here to try
and save some hostages.

All right? I just cooperated
with you. Now please.

That's the new
district director

of the Internal
Revenue Service.

Someone broke security.

I can't believe
you were this stupid.

If the press gets to him...

Do you realize
what you've done?

- I forgot the cat.
- Don't worry about the cat.

Now listen.
When you get outside,

find Billy and just
get out of here.

What are you
gonna do?

Talk to them.
Try to appeal to reason.
I don't know.

Listen. If anything
happens, take this,

get it to every TV station
and newspaper you can find.

Send it to everybody
you ever heard of,
including the president.

[crowd chattering]

[Harry]
You first.

Go on.

Turn around.

[man]
No questions.
Clear it.

[Sheriff]
Get back! Get back!

He's crazy!
He's a madman!

I am no madman.

I admit that I'm
a little angry.

But I've never
been more sane

or seen things
more clearly

or understood things
so well.

You said you wanted
to make a deal?

I want
an honest hearing.

You've got it.
I give you my word.
I promise.

You promise?

What are you
talking about?

Who are you
to promise me anything?

Are you a judge?
You tried to prosecute me.

Are you trying
to judge me now too?

I want them to judge.

Don't be ridiculous.
That's impos... It's illegal.

Illegal, is it?

A trial by a jury
of my peers.

That's guaranteed to me
by the Constitution.

Is the IRS
more important than that?

Look, Johnson...

Is the IRS

above the Constitution
of the United States,
Mr. Scelera?

[crickets chirping]

Okay.

The case
of Harry Johnson

versus the Internal
Revenue Service.

- You all right?
- You can all see
the government's case.

I'm looking right
down the barrel of it.

My case is so simple
it frightens people like this.

With all their might
and machinery

and rules and confusion,

they never bother
with the one fact
that's so simple.

Who told them they could tax us?

Who gave them
the power to tax us?

Did you?
I didn't.

I'm not at war
with this country.

I'm not even particularly
against taxes.

But when Mr. Scelera
and his people

think they have
the right

to come in here
and seize my property

without the due process
of law,

well, something's...

Something's
the matter.

If I were accused
of murder,

I'd have more legal rights
than I knew what to do with.

But when the IRS
audits you,

they make you think
you don't have
any rights at all.

They make their own laws.

And they
administer them,

and they enforce them,

and they prosecute them,
and they judge them.

All that power
in one place. Boy.

Hitler would have loved the IRS.

So would Napoleon
and Caesar.

They'd understand it.
I don't.

Government doesn't have
any right to do anything
but what we give it.

And they're supposed
to protect us

from what the IRS is doing
in the name of government.

That's what this
is all about.

That's all.

[applause, cheering]

[applause, cheering continues]

[crowd chanting]
Harry! Harry! Harry!

[chanting grows louder]

Get him! Get him! Get him!

Arrest him,
you dumb shits! Get him!

Arrest him!
Get your hands off me.

[explosion]

[screams]

No! That's my husband!

[Andrew]
Pull out! Pull out!

Get those civilians out!
Move, move, move!

Harry!

[screaming]

- Let go of me!
- Hold it.

- [explosions]
- [screaming]

Get these people out.
Let's go.

[explosion]

This is
the most repugnant scene
you have ever witnessed.

The house is burning.
The man is still alive
in there, we think.

There has been no attempt
to try to rescue him.

Absolutely unbelievable.
There is complete panic.

Don't panic!
Wait a minute.

Let go of me!

I'm the federal government.
God damn it!

Get your hands off me!

[explosions continue]

Sir.

[clattering]