When Worlds Collide (1951) - full transcript

Narrator: Needles in
a heavenly haystack.

There are more
stars in the heavens

than there are
human beings on Earth.

Through telescopes, men of
science constantly search

the infinitesimal corners
of our solar system,

seeking new discoveries,

hoping to better understand
the laws of the universe.

Observatories dedicated
to the study of astronomy

often are set in
high and remote places,

but there is none more remote
than Mount Kenna Observatory

in this part of South Africa.



If our calculations
prove to be correct,

this will be the most frightening
discovery of all time.

These two bodies have traveled
almost a million miles in two weeks.

Is that Randall?

I hope so.

Stanley, I want Randall to
leave as quickly as possible.

All the plates are ready, cataloged
and marked for identification.

Here are tonight's
plates, Doctor.

Good. Include them.

I told Professor Hendron I'd
send as much detail as we had.

Paul, Stanley.

It won't be necessary to tell
Randall what he's carrying.

Z-5-M-A-P, Dave Randall from
Johannesburg, Cabin Monoplane.

Request permission
to land. Over.



Hello, Randall. This is Russ
Curtis, Mount Kenna field.

Visibility fine.
Take runway three.

Approach from southwest at 500.

There's a car waiting here to take you
up to Dr. Bronson at the observatory.

Over.

Over.

Thank you, Mount Kenna field.

Hello, Randall.
How are you, Stan?

You must have been held up
at Mount Kenna field.

We knew you arrived
two hours ago.

Oh, I had a friend's aunt
for a passenger.

I had to get
the old lady home first.

I'm Emery Bronson.
Hello, Doctor.

You've been well recommended
to us, Mr. Randall.

You shouldn't have taken
much recommendation.

I understand all you want
is a package delivered.

Did you bring your passport
to the United States?

Yes.

But who gets delivery of what?

Your recommendations said I could
depend on a lack of curiosity.

Dr. Bronson, I don't care
what you're doing or why.

All I want to know is where do I
go, and how soon do I get paid?

I didn't mean to be rude.

It's just that secrecy
is very important now.

You'll fly your plane to Lisbon,

then take the transatlantic
clipper to New York.

The delivery will be made
to Dr. Hendron

at the Cosmos Observatory.

Here are several poses
of Dr. Hendron.

The delivery must be made to
him personally. Remember that.

To Dr. Hendron only.

Right.

You'll require this
for expenses.

I'm supposed to get paid
$1,500 plus the expenses.

Hendron will pay you
on delivery.

Time is all that counts.

The money doesn't matter at all.

With me, Doctor,
money always matters.

Perhaps now,

but the day may arrive when
money won't mean anything.

Not to you, nor anyone.

When that happens to me,
I'll be six feet under.

Good luck, Randall.

There was another radiogram for you
at the last stop, Mr. Randall.

Thank you.

I hope you're
enjoying your trip.

Yeah, it's very nice. Thanks.

Honestly, the inspection takes
longer than the trip abroad.

I brought Clara a few things.
She's so appreciative.

50% duty? I'd rather junk
the stuff right here.

I think that's the man,

the one carrying the black box.

I'll see.

David Randall?

That's right.

May I see your passport, please?

Thank you.

Fine.

I'll handle this, Jim. Give
him his luggage, will you?

That brown one over there.

Right this way, please.

Here's your man.

How do you do?
I'm Joyce Hendron,

Professor Hendron's daughter.

We're to go straight
to the observatory.

This is better than having
a motorcycle escort.

You'll need a pass
to get out of the building.

The pass.

Thank you. You're welcome.

Right this way, Mr. Randall.

Donovan: Mr. Randall!
Oh, Mr. Randall!

Mr. Randall, I'm Donovan
from the sentinel.

Some other time.

We've raised our offer
to $7,500.

Here's a check to your order.

No, thanks. I'm working
on a better offer.

I can't imagine how the Sentinel

even had a hint
about your errand,

but it's difficult to keep
secrets from the newspapers.

I'm glad you turned them down.
You know what it would mean

if the public had this
information prematurely.

Of course.

We've been praying
Dr. Bronson is wrong,

that these pictures will show
some error in his calculations.

Mmm-hmm.

Don't you find yourself wishing?

Wouldn't you almost
rather not know?

On, it's better to know.

I wish I had your courage.

But I'm frightened.

As frightened as all those
people would be if they knew.

I haven't the courage
to face the end of the world.

Joyce.

I'm glad you waited for me.

So am I.

Tony, this is Mr. Randall.
Dr. Drake.

How are you? How do you do?

Alice, didn't my father know
Dr. Drake was here?

I told Alice not to bother him.
He has some people with him.

It's a special meeting of
the observatory's trustees.

They'll want to
see you right away.

You smoke?

Yeah, thanks. I'll try one.

Have a south African one.

You part of this deal, Doctor?
This stargazing?

No. No, I confine my gazing to
the eye, ear, nose, and throat.

I'm an M.D.

I gather you're not
an astronomer, either.

Me? No, I'm just
a high-priced messenger boy

who's beginning to have doubts

about the sanity of astronomers.

They ought to stick to making wrong
predictions about the weather.

Astronomy is
a very exact science.

Maybe so, but when
they start telling me

doomsday is just around the
corner, we part company.

Who's been telling you that?

Mr. Randall?
Come right this way.

Hello, Tony. Come along,
if you want to.

Please. One second.

Please, I have people waiting.

I'm supposed to make sure.

Oh, yes, of course.

They check.

Who told you that,
about doomsday?

Why, Doc, I thought you were
practically a member of the family.

Put it on the desk,
Randall. Please.

Oh, thank you, dear.

Dr. Bronson said
I was to get $1,500.

I'll take care of it.

This is supposed to be COD.

Hold still, please.

Thank you.

Would you mind waiting in
the anteroom, Mr. Randall?

He knows all the details, dad.

Dr. Bronson and I have
no secrets from each other.

Bronson been at this study
a long time?

Two years.

But I first heard
from him 10 days ago.

He wanted me to
check his findings.

Give this data to DA.

"D" for differential,
"A" for analyzer.

Differential analyzer. DA.

Naturally.

We'll check these
through the viewer.

Dr. Henaron, the key.

Later, Randall, later.

Sometimes I wish I didn't know
Bronson's capabilities so well.

He rarely leaves
any margin for error.

This was Bronson's first
discovery, Bellus, a star,

a dozen times
larger than our Earth.

Bellus has been approaching
Earth at tremendous speed.

Bronson's second discovery,
a new planet.

Bronson named it Zyra,

and his measurements show this
new body revolves around Bellus

more rapidly than Earth
revolves around the sun.

Hmm, this is in
the constellation of Scorpio.

Dr. Frye, notice the position
of these new bodies.

Yes. Yes, I see.

But here again, Bellus and
Zyra have changed position.

Now, just how fast
they've been moving

and their eventual destination

are among
the mathematical problems

now being determined
by our differential analyzer.

We'll have the results
in a few hours.

Zyra is about the same size
as our Earth.

Both these bodies are coming
into our solar system.

If Bronson's readings are correct,
they will destroy the Earth.

How far away from us are they?

The calculator will be precise.

I would estimate
about three billion miles.

Billion?

Let people start worrying
100 years from now.

Mr. Randall,
you've been flying ships

faster than sound
for many years.

These bodies are moving
thousands of times faster.

They could be upon us
in less than one year.

Now, I repeat, all this depends

on Bronson's findings
being correct.

The planet Zyra
will pass very close to us,

close enough to
influence the tides.

Oceans will be torn
from their depths.

Tidal waves
hundreds of feet high

will sweep in from the coasts.

There will be giant earthquakes.

Handfuls of people may survive
if provisions are made.

We'll make them,
every possible effort.

Whatever help my factories can
give, we will give gladly.

It will be useless.

Soon after, Bellus will come into
direct collision with the Earth.

Our world will end.

There is no error.

I always wanted to do this.

Want to try it?

It's funny, I keep thinking about a Mr.
Simmons.

One of those incurable cases.

I used to wonder how he felt

the day he asked me how
much longer he had to live.

Now, I think I know.

Joyce?

Yes?

Let's not put off
getting married.

There isn't any reason
to wait now, is there?

I promised dad I'd wait.

There'll be so much to do.

Darling, your father will be
the first to agree with me.

The time that's left
should be ours.

We're entitled to be that selfish
when we know what's coming.

I'd feel better if I
talked to dad first.

He'll be home
the day after tomorrow.

Dr. Drake? Yes.

There is a call for you.
They said it was the hospital.

Oh, thank you. Excuse me.
I'll be right back.

Now, I never used to believe
my mother's stories

about Americans being
the most progressive people.

I thought she was boasting
because she was born here.

But this is proof of progress.

They charge for drinks

by the inch.

Look, stargazer,
arithmetic's your department.

Now, how much is seven times
two-and-a-half dollars, huh?

Real progress,
$17.50 per bottle.

Want to tell me something,
stargazer?

What is it?

You and the doctor
going to get married?

I don't know.

Maybe you could tell me
where I could find out.

Why?

I'd like to stop being
just an interested bystander.

Bronson gets in tomorrow. I'll
have to tell him how right he was.

He said the day was coming

when money wouldn't
mean a thing to me.

May I trouble you
for another light?

Thank you, madam.

This is the day.

Money to burn.

Oh!

As chairman of this assembly,

I have a very definite
duty to perform.

I do not intend questioning the
scientific accuracy of your statement.

I am not a scientist and thus,

I am not qualified to question
your findings.

But I must ask one question,

that all the delegates here
want answered.

I hope I have your confidence.

You are satisfied
that there is no error?

You are confident that
all the facts are correct?

Yes, sir.

The effect of Zyra's passing

should be felt about 1:00
on the afternoon of July 24th.

Mister Chairman -

I wish to put a question
to the learned doctor

what about
the giant star, Bellus?

Can the doctor tell us when
this second body will threaten?

Nineteen days later.

Bellus will crush the Earth
on the morning of August 12th.

This is not
a publicity-seeking campaign.

We are completely aware

that most of our colleagues
ridicule our findings.

But believing what we do,

we have no choice
but to ask for this hearing.

Mr. Chairman,

we are here to give these gentlemen
the hearing they requested.

Therefore I ask you,
Dr. Hendron,

if it is with complete certainty

that you tell us the world
will end on next August 12th?

Precisely that, sir.

A civilization almost

as old as time itself
will be wiped away?

All human life will be destroyed?

There is a possibility,
a very remote one,

that a few people may be saved.

The world will be destroyed, but
a few people will be saved?

The world, our world, will
come to an end on August 12th,

in slightly more
than eight months.

There is no margin
for error in that, sir.

But we believe that the planet
Zyra once contained living matter.

We believe, and this is
theory, not certainty,

that some form of vegetation
may still exist on Zyra.

You are proposing that we all
pack our trunks and move to...

Zyra?

No, sir. But we are hoping

that, with God's
help and guidance,

a few people
may do exactly that.

A 20th-century Noah's ark, huh?

Yes, one or more of them, as many
as can be built in this short time.

Eventually, as Zyra and Bellus
speed closer toward us,

even a layman will be able
to see the danger.

Much as a train
looms up in the distance,

in an instant, it is upon you.

With enough funds,
labor, and material,

Dr. Frye believes
that rocket ships

can be built to fly to Zyra,
which will be closest to us.

But, remember, eight months is
very little time for construction.

Only if work begins
immediately can this be done.

If you wait until the danger
is visible to the naked eye,

it will be too late to escape.

Bellus and Zyra will be upon
us and crush the Earth.

That is the most absurd.

Dr. Ottinger, of the
Estabrook Observatory.

Gentlemen,

my colleagues, Dr. Felix Zenta,

Professor of Astronomy
at Cornwall University,

and Dr. Jonathan Wilson,

President of the International
Planetary Research Institute,

and I have examined
the photographs and data

submitted by Drs. Hendron
and Bronson.

Our findings show
there is no cause for alarm.

No reason
to spend billions of dollars

to build spaceships
which never will be needed.

And suppose they were built?

Do either of you believe that
spaceships can fly to any planet?

It is theoretically possible.

I, too, believe
in theories, Doctor,

but when you tell me flying to
another planet is a possibility,

you're out of
the realm of theory.

You're in a dream world
of the impossible.

Even if the world were to end

would it be less unpleasant
to die out in space

than here on firm ground?

The world will not end.

Certainly, these new bodies
will pass our planet.

Heavenly bodies frequently do.

But we are still here.

Predicting the end of the world

is an annual crackpot event
in our society,

an attempt to corner
the newspaper headlines.

But I did not expect a man
of Dr. Hendron's background

to join this
headline-hunting parade.

Read all about it!

End of the world
just around the corner!

Read all about it! Get your...

Let's be thankful
for small favors.

The subcommittee didn't
believe a word we told them,

but at least they
didn't ridicule us.

No one believes us.

How will we ever interest
enough private capital?

It's hopeless.
I believe you, Bob.

I'll buy you a start
on your rocket ship.

At my age, I'll
settle for the satisfaction

that I contributed toward salvaging
something from our old world.

Hey, I'm older and
richer than you are.

I'll arrange the lease
on a large enough camp,

one of the government's
old proving ground sites.

Why, between Marsden and me, you'll
have enough to start construction.

Wonderful, Spiro. Wonderful!

I'll arrange the details
for our next meeting.

Right. Super.

Gentlemen.

Have you got a minute, dad?

I'm marking time.

We have an appointment
with Sydney Stanton.

Is he going to give you the
rest of the money you need?

I hope so. He phoned
for the appointment.

Tony's outside.

Well, I'm sure
he didn't come to see me.

He wants to marry me now.

I don't blame him.

Isn't marriage
what you want, honey?

Oh, I've liked Tony

more than any other man.

I was always sure we would get
married one of these days.

Joyce, dear, there isn't
time for uncertainty.

You have to
answer this question.

Do you want to spend what time
is left with Tony, as his wife?

I wish I could answer it.

I suppose it
really doesn't matter.

And it is what Tony wants.

Not what you want?

I don't know that, either.

Oh, dad, I'm so mixed up.

I can't think straight.

Do I know this subject
of your confusion?

Dave Randall.

I don't know why,
when, or where, dad.

I've told myself
I like being with him

only because he's someone
new, someone different.

Yes?

Woman: Mr. Stanton is here.

Tell Dr. Frye,
and send in Mr. Stanton.

You told me to answer the question
for you, Joyce, remember?

Let Tony wait
a while longer. And you,

you give me two minutes
after Stanton leaves

to figure out a good excuse to
keep Dave Randall right here.

Oh, thanks, dad. Thanks.

Dr. Hendron.

Mr. Stanton.

This is Dr. Frye.

Doctor of what?

Dr. Frye is the Dean of the
eastern school of technology.

All right,
I'm in here safe and sound.

Go outside and
read the magazines.

What about this Noah's ark?

Will it get to that new planet?

In theory.

On the calculation of some engineers,
such a flight is possible.

Two of your observatory
trustees, Marsden and Spiro,

tell me that you have
an equipped campsite,

but you need money
to finish building the ship.

A great deal of money. Millions.

Amounts don't stagger me.

I'm just weighing
the percentages.

Your word against the word of other
astronomers, Wilson, Ottinger, Zenta.

I've talked to them.

They think you're a crackpot.

I know.

It will mean liquidating
some of my business interests.

It may mean the salvation
of a civilization.

Their salvation
doesn't interest me!

Mine does.

I'm no humanitarian like your
friends, Marsden and Spiro.

I just don't relish dying.

What are the chances of
existence on this new planet?

We don't know. We can
only hope they're good.

Millions for theories.

The end of the world is
no theory to us, Mr. Stanton.

If I thought it was,
I wouldn't be here.

All right, I'll pay for the rest
of your ark. Hendron: Splendid.

One thing, I select
the people who'll go with us.

This won't be
a commercial liner.

There may be space
for 40 or 50 human beings,

some machinery and livestock,

the minimum needs
to begin a new life.

You're not qualified
to select those people.

Nevertheless,
I reserve that privilege.

Make up your mind.

It is made up. You admit
you don't relish dying.

You're willing to put up this
money as life insurance.

The guarantee that
if the world ends,

you'll be among the few with a
chance to reach this new world.

That makes my proposition
a simple one.

Your money for your life.

We'll do the picking
together, half and half.

No. Why not?

Why should you set yourself up

as the only one
to give life or take it away?

The proposition still stands.

Your money for your life.

You know I can't refuse.
Build it.

"Herzog, Mason,
Fitzsimmons, Brown,

"Parson, Grossman,
Stone, Ising, Matisse,

"Garson, Marachek, Van Dyke,
Duvall, Ortego, Cassinelli."

You are the men selected.

Gentlemen,

this is a rough
design of our ship.

Now, instead of taking off in the
customary manner, straight up,

we will conserve fuel by using a
mile-long slide to give us impetus.

For this slide,
the ship will be cradled

on a rocket-propelled
undercarriage,

which will be automatically
released at the end of the run.

At approximately this point, the
wing engines will be turned on,

and here, the full power
of all engines will be used

to carry us out of the
gravitational pull of the Earth.

We will then be in free ascent,
and no power will be used

until we reach the
gravitational pull of Zyra,

at which time the ship will be
operated as a normal aircraft.

Similar rocket ships are also being
constructed in other countries.

Now, about our camp
and its working conditions.

Dave Randall, who is assisting Dr.
Hendron, will talk to you about that.

Dave. Thank you, Dr. Frye.

First, I want to say
you men were selected

because you are the top
engineering students here.

The agricultural students,
our mechanics,

all our men and women
were picked this way.

The project needs you because
you are fine technicians.

You are healthy.

You are free to
make your own decision.

There is no guarantee that
the ship will reach Zyra,

but those who will
make the flight

will be chosen by lot sometime
before the worlds collide.

Now, only about 40 persons
can be taken,

and already, there are more than 600
people working on this project.

Go down in the bunker first.

Man on PA: Joyce Hendron, please take
your new arrivals to dormitory C.

Got the cards for this group?

Yes, sir.

Are my cards ready, Jerry?

Right here, Miss Hendron.

All right, fellows, this way.

Thanks. I'll leave these
at the clinic.

Follow me, girls.

Dr. Frye, there is a call for you
from the microfilm laboratory.

Eddie: Julie!

Attention, new arrivals.

I'll see you later.

Attention, please.

Check in at the medical clinic
within 30 minutes.

Attention, new arrivals.
Attention, please.

Check in at the medical clinic
within 30 minutes.

Dr. Bronson, please.

Dr. Bronson, will you go
to the chart room?

Attention, main garage.

Two jeeps are needed immediately
at the foot of the ramp approach.

Animals now waiting for
unloading oh east end side.

Hello, Tony.

Joyce!

Did you have a nice trip?

Seventy new people.

Where's dad?

Dr. Ottinger asked him
to come to New York

for a conference
with Wilson and Zenta.

Oh, well, I'll put these
new cards in the file.

Is this the new design?
That's right.

The drawings came
while you were away.

Bronson tells me Ottinger and
the other doubting thomases

have jumped over to
our side of the fence.

That will put an end to the
newspapers calling me a lunatic.

"Stanton's Folly."

With time running out on them,

they'll wish they had
a fleet of Stanton's follies.

No. They admit our calculations

on Zyra and Bellus are correct,

but they insist our flight
is an impossibility.

Even in other countries
where ships are being built,

most scientists say
the flight isn't possible.

And you?

I believe as I did before.

In theory, it should work...
Always theories.

Jigsaw puzzles on paper.

Aren't you fellows
ever positive?

Only about doomsday.

A representative
of the government

will warn the people tomorrow.

Provisions will be made to evacuate
them to mountain locations.

What provisions have you made to
protect us when the panic starts?

I haven't thought about it.
I have.

I don't deal in theories.
I deal in realities.

Ferris! Ferris!

Yes, sir? Bring in those boxes.

I brought enough rifles
to stop a small army.

There won't be any
panic in this camp.

Stop theorizing.
Once the havoc is over,

every mother's son
remaining alive

will try to get here
and climb aboard our ship.

People are more
civilized than that.

They know only a handful
can make the flight.

You've spent too much time
with the stars.

You don't know
anything about living,

the law of the jungle,
the human jungle.

I do. I've spent my life at it.

You don't know what your civilized
people will do to cling to life.

I do, because I know I'd cling
if I had to kill to do it.

And so will you.

We're the lucky ones, the handful
with a chance to reach another world.

And we'll use those guns.
You'll use them, Doctor,

to keep your only chance
to stay alive.

Ferris. Ferris!

Man on TV: There can be no
question that some crisis impends.

The secretary is on his way
from the committee room.

We will have his message
in a moment or two.

Secretary: My friends, it is
imperative that you listen closely,

for this is a matter
of life or death.

Your lives, the lives
of everyone on Earth.

At 1:00 on July 24th,

Zyra, a new planet, will
pass so close to the Earth,

it will cause vast destruction.

There is no doubt
about the coming of Zyra.

Remember, there is no doubt.

By 1:00 on that day,

all populations must have been
evacuated from coastal areas.

Plans have been made, and all
that can be done will be done.

When I was a kid, I read a book

about the world
coming to an end.

I remember being so scared,
I didn't dare go to sleep.

And in the morning,
the sun came out

and everything looked so
wonderful, I forgot the story.

Life was beautiful
all over again.

The same sun will be shining
on the new world.

Look, stargazer, I don't
figure in this new world.

For the past couple of months, you
and I have been telling recruits

that the few who will make the trip
will be needed in the new world.

Scientists like you and your father,
Tony, farmers and mechanics,

you have things to offer, but you
won't be needing aerial taxi drivers

for another hundred years.

Dad promised me that...

Dad said we'd need you.

Thanks.

Thanks, but Noah would have
turned down my application fast.

But Dave...

I'm not applying for this trip.

Use a little arithmetic.

The ship's cargo is limited.
Every pound will count.

I weigh as much as
a couple of lambs,

three dozen chickens,
one healthy farmer.

We're coming in. Better see
that they're strapped down.

Randall calling plateau tower.
Come in, please. Over.

Man 1 on radio: Schedules of
train, bus, and plane departures

will be made available...

Man 2: Plateau tower.

Man on PA: Attention, please.
Attention, please.

The commanding general
will speak to you. Stand by.

General:
This is an official order.

The evacuation will now
proceed in an orderly manner.

There will be planes
enough for all.

Women and children
will be loaded aboard first.

Families will not be
separated for long.

I repeat this.

Families will only be separated

for the duration of
the evacuation flight.

Women and children will now
proceed to the designated planes.

Man on TV: Never before
in the history of the world

has humanity felt
so close to God.

As Zyra inexorably
rushes toward us,

perhaps to destroy the Earth,

men and women of
all races and creeds

pause to think,
to pray, and to atone.

As the evacuation
of coastal cities progressed,

tales of individual acts
of heroism and sacrifice

poured into newspaper offices.

With few exceptions,
transportation and utility workers

volunteered to
remain at their posts

until the evacuation
is completed.

Overnight, populations of inland
cities were more than doubled.

Deserted, the once-great city
of New York is a ghost town.

Ten million mighty, roaring
machines suddenly shut off,

waiting for
the approach of Zyra.

The silence, an eerie foretelling
of the destruction to come

at 1:00, the hour of doom.

According to your figures,

by how we were supposed to feel
the effects of Zyra's passing.

Tidal waves,
oceans torn from their beds.

Millions of dollars
for a false alarm.

Ottinger called you a crackpot.

I think all you scientists
are crackpots.

Nothing is going to happen.

Ferris.

Joyce, are you all right?

Yes, dad. I'm over here.

Man on PA: Attention!
The ship is breaking loose!

Emergency crews to ramp!
Emergency crews to ramp!

Move those I-beams
to the ship! Come on!

Go to the crane! Use the hook
to stop the undercarriage!

Right.

Lower the block!

Look out! The crane is falling!

Bronson.

Man on radio: This is
emergency camp nine again.

Is anyone left?
Can anyone hear us?

We are located 11 miles
due north of Middletown.

Emergency camp nine repeating...
About 100 miles from here.

There is a desperate need here
for drinking water.

Anything else for
the helicopter, Doctor?

Yeah, those boxes.
I'll bring the rest.

Repeating.
We are remaining on the air.

Repeating. Can anyone hear us?

We need drinking water
and medical supplies,

plasma, penicillin and sulfa.

You needn't come along, Randall.

I can fly a helicopter.

I've done a lot of
this parcel dropping.

I can handle it without you.

You sound as if somebody
rubbed you the wrong way.

That's an excellent diagnosis.

Would you like to
prescribe a cure?

You're the doctor. You name it.
Now or later?

We need drinking water and
medical supplies desperately!

Plasma, penicillin, sulfa.

Later.

Come on.

Is anyone left?
Can anyone hear us?

What's that?

For a minute, Doc,
I thought maybe now

was that "later" you mentioned.

I gave it a passing thought.

We cannot postpone
the inevitable.

This meeting was called

to choose those who will make
the attempt to reach Zyra.

As most of you already know,

our human cargo must be restricted
to 7,000 pounds, 44 persons.

Every pound consumes fuel,
a commodity we cannot waste

if the flight is
to have any chance.

About 900 pounds
already have been spoken for.

Mr. Stanton, Dr. Frye, my daughter,
myself, Dr. Drake, and Mr. Randall.

Unless there is some objection,

we intend including
another 40 pounds.

Our latest addition to the camp.

Now to again emphasize
our fuel problem,

most of it will be consumed in
overcoming Earth's gravitational pull.

But once this has been accomplished,
engines will be turned off

until we come into the gravitational
pull of the new world.

But then, in turning the ship
completely around,

every ounce of fuel will be
needed to avoid crashing.

Dr. Frye and I hope we have
worked out a sound plan.

For the sake of efficiency,
it would be unwise

for one man to know
he is not to go,

whether the man working at his
side is among the fortunate few.

In this envelope
is a list of numbers,

the numbers of
those who will go.

In these boxes, we have
placed numbered disks.

The one on the left for the
women, the other for the men.

Each of you will select
and keep one disk.

This list will be posted on
the dormitory bulletin boards

shortly before the takeoff.

Is this plan satisfactory?

If there are no objections,
please start the drawing.

This is the men's box.

Your box here.

You pick both numbers.

This is the women's box.

You're already listed.

Hello, Dave.
I've been looking for you.

Not to quarrel about
your sense of ethics,

just to ask you why.

I haven't any more right
to a ride on that ship

than any other man in this camp.

I'll Grant you that. I'll even
admit my motive was a selfish one.

I want to do things
according to Hoyle, Dave,

but, well, Joyce is
pretty important to me.

And to me.

I'm glad.

I'd do anything to insure
her chances, wouldn't you?

It isn't a free ride for Joyce.

She's qualified to go.

No more than some others.

We're stretching the point because
she's important to both of us.

But why not, for her sake, stretch the
point a bit farther to include you?

No.

Now, look, Doctor, I've wrestled
with this thing for weeks.

I can give you a dozen
reasons why I shouldn't go.

Can you give me one good
reason to include me?

She wants you, Dave.

That'll change.

Tony will be there.

She's used to having him around.

They would have been married if
I hadn't come into the picture.

Anyhow, why worry?
Maybe I drew a lucky number.

You didn't take any number
from that box.

I had the exact number
of disks in it,

one for every man and woman,
except the six people I named.

If you had taken a number,
we would have been one short.

OK, Doctor,

the drawing is over.

You can't open a new one
or issue new numbers

without starting a revolution
among the lucky winners.

It's about time I donated
something to this setup.

I won't be needed.
I never have been.

Anyhow, I didn't give up much
by not drawing.

What's one chance in 600?

Leaving me will save fuel.

Let it stay that way.

And, Doctor, I hope you won't
say anything to Joyce.

Good night.

Man on PA: Attention, everyone.

Bellus growing larger,
getting closer every hour.

And with every hour, the time left
to us gets shorter, so hurry.

More welders are needed by
number three construction crew.

Please rush.

Less than seven days left.

We're falling behind schedule.

Trucks are waiting to load
plasma and medical supplies.

They should have been aboard now.
Hurry! Hurry!

Attention, please. Less than
six days left to Bellus.

We're still falling
behind schedule.

Number five construction crew,
report to the main bunker. Hurry.

Now, this engine's all right.

Let's try this one.

I'll take it.

It'll work out all right, Joyce.

Please.

Everyone, only 79 hours left
before the collision with Bellus.

We're still more than
three hours behind schedule.

Make it up! Hurry!

Worried?

No.

This ship is
really put together.

If anything can make it to the
new world, this one will do it.

Dave? Yeah?

How long would it take to learn
this flight panel board?

A few weeks, maybe.

But Dr. Frye knows the inside and
outside of every knob on the panel.

He can operate it
almost in his sleep.

I hope so.

What'll happen
when he blacks out?

Everyone will black out
in the fast climb.

But the direction will be set.
This will hold you on course.

All the way to Zyra?

No, but far enough.

The blackout
won't last too long.

A few minutes, tops.

This is no time to start
doubting the ship, Doc.

I'm not. I know how well
it's been put together.

The trouble is, I just learned
how Frye's put together.

Hmm?

His chance of coming out
of a blackout isn't good.

Well, I've seen
older men make it.

His heart won't hold together.

No coronary condition like his
could stand that pressure.

When did you discover that?

Yesterday, when I made
his cardiograph test.

I haven't told anyone yet,
not even Frye.

Well, don't.

It won't help to scare everyone.

Like doomsday,
that can't be avoided.

We can't let Frye
handle this flight.

Look, Doc, maybe...

Maybe... no.

Dr. Hendron and Frye
must be told.

I can't take
that responsibility.

That isn't what I wanted to say.

No, I mean, you're right. You'll
have to tell them, I guess.

There's no other choice.

Anything happens to Frye
when we get out into space...

I don't suppose it makes any difference
crashing from 1,500 miles up

or dying right here on Earth
when Bellus hits.

Either way,
you're just plain dead.

After the blackout, one of
the technology students,

Eddie Cummings, maybe,
could take over

if Frye tells him what to do.

If Frye is able to tell him
after the blackout.

Look, Dave, you're hedging. Why?

We both know who else
can handle this flight.

Maybe not as good as Frye,
but good enough.

You haven't any doubts about being
able to fly this ship, have you?

No, I can fly her.

Well, there isn't anyone else.

Dave, you're our life insurance.

If Frye doesn't make it, you'll
be able to land the ship.

For months, I've tried to find a
legitimate reason to go along.

I never could.

Maybe things were meant
to happen this way.

Diagnose it any way you want.

All I know is,
I feel a lot easier

not having to tell Frye
the news about himself.

Be right back.

Dave: Joyce!

This is the last
of the chloroform.

Put it somewhere handy
to the animal pens.

You gonna give the animals
a Mickey Finn, Doc?

If we don't, the pressure
will drive them mad.

This way, they'll stay
strapped down.

Wouldn't want to see them kick
the ship apart, would you?

No, sir.

I'll never forget what you
did for Dave and me, Tony.

Well, I told you the doctor
would fix everything.

Come here, whatsis.
Come on, now.

Well, where are you from, boy?

He's mine!

Where'd you get him, Mike?

Downtown.

You mean, down at the airfield?
Uh-huh.

He was walking around.

I hate to remind you, but you said
the doctor could fix everything.

Oh, that's right,
I did, didn't I?

Well, let's weigh him.

Incidentally, he's a she.

Joyce: Nine pounds, two ounces.

Sure. Whatsis is gonna pinch-hit
for a couple of plump chickens.

Isn't that wonderful?

Man on PA: This is urgent!

Twenty-three hours left, and we're
still 32 minutes behind schedule!

Those posted to make
the attempt to reach Zyra

report without delay
to Dr. Drake.

Well, what did you expect?

My number! It's on!

It's on the list!
Julie, I'm on the list!

Julie!

Julie! Julie! My number!
I'm on the list!

Julie!

No, Julie, no.

Now, remember, if we delay the takeoff
tomorrow as long as possible,

Zyra's position will form
a perfect orbit with ours.

I hope we can retain that extra
fuel to keep us flying over Zyra

while we look for landing room.

Zyra will be about here
in relation to Earth.

If you can hold the ship
to this curve,

we will be able to meet her
orbit and run on a parallel.

The fuel will last much
longer with less cargo.

Why risk our necks
by taking so many people?

You and that chair
weigh 186 pounds.

That's worth a lot
of fuel, Mr. Stanton.

Would you like to
donate that weight?

No more than you want to donate
your life or your daughter's.

I paid for finishing this ship.

Without me, you would have been wiped
out with the rest of the world.

Before you opened
your pocketbook,

you tried to make this
a personal enterprise,

a private rocket ship
for your own special use.

This project was started
by real humanitarians,

by Marsden and Spiro.

They gave their money
with no strings attached.

You're not here
under any special license.

You're always shouting
for facts, not theories.

Well, remember these facts.

Our chance of reaching
the new world is as thin

as your chance of ever
becoming a humanitarian.

If we do make it, will
there be a place to land?

Will the air be fit to breathe?

Will there be water?
Vegetable life?

Men and women here have been praying
for God's help and guidance.

Not your kind of
hypocritical praying,

but the kind that comes
from deep inside a man.

I'm sorry. I'll come back later.

No, no, Eddie. Come right in.

We can't put things
off till later.

I just wanted to leave this
for someone else to use.

He has a girl. Julie Cummings.

I guess he doesn't
want to leave her.

There's that extra fuel.
He must weigh close to 180.

You heard him volunteer
to stay behind.

Shut the door.

You're not taking it from him.

He turned it back
of his own free will.

Get out, Ferris. The other
side of the door for you!

Ferris: Shut up.

This is one of
the good ones, isn't it?

I'm sorry. The people
have all been selected.

I'm going, too.

Put that gun down.

I'd almost rather
kill you than go along.

For seven years, ever since I
started pushing this chair around,

I've hated your insides.

You're a very easy man to hate.

I'd like to reason things out
with you, Ferris.

- You see...
- No!

You three are
running things here.

You're going to tell
everybody I'm going.

This is my number.

That's all the reasoning
I want to know.

And if I don't go...

He was going to kill us.

You d better give it to me.

I told you this would happen.

And not just Ferris. There'll
be others, all of them.

They won't just sit still
and wait to die here.

He may be right.

Now, this one's dead and there's
been a lot of bad feeling.

One boy was stabbed right
after the list was posted.

There's been a couple of fistfights.
I told you.

It's dog-eat-dog,
the law of the jungle.

I guess we can't
risk his being right.

What do we do now?

Well, we can move the women on
board, lock the ramp gates.

The men can wait outside the
ship until we take off.

The guns are in my room,
boxes of them.

That's out.

We'll have to move people and
animals as quietly as possible.

Dave?

There's a girl...
Julie Cummings.

Tell her there's been
a mix-up in the listing.

She and Eddie Garson are going.

We'll gamble on less flying
time over the new world.

Let me tell you...
Don't say it, Stanton!

Don't say anything.

The last dawn.

I think we can start boarding.

All right, everyone,
inside the ship!

I'll bring Mr. Stanton.

And why should our lives
be decided by a raffle?

How do we know
the drawing wasn't fixed?

It should have been
done by voting!

Let's take the ship
away from them!

Hey, Mike! Gangway, boys.

Here are the guns
old man Stanton left.

Mike: That's all we need!
Let's go!

Grab a gun.

Wait, fellows, there's no sense in this!
We all agreed to the drawing!

Listen to him! Listen!

You can take the ship, sure.
Then what?

Only 40 of you can get away.
Don't you see?

Then the rest of us will get
rid of that 40 and the next 40

until we kill each other, or we all
get caught when the worlds collide.

Stick around till the collision
puts you out of your misery.

Come on!

Get me on board.

You were right, Mr. Stanton.

You're a better judge
of people than I am.

Get me on board.

No, Hendron. What are you doing?

Stop him!

Hendron, what are you doing?

No. Wait! Help!

Dr. Hendron! Get on board!
Hurry! Get on board!

Hold the gangplank! Dr. Hendron!

Hold the ramp! Wait!

We're the extra fuel
they might need, Stanton.

The new world isn't for us.
It's for the young.

Dave! The ship
is moving! Stand by!

Frye: We're out
of the pressure zone.

The engines are off.

We're on course.

You invented those
cardiographs for my benefit.

Yours and Joyce's.

How's it look?

A quarter full.
Better than we expected.

We'll need every bit of it.

Or we'll hit the new world
head-on at ten miles a second.

We're getting close.

In a minute or two,
we'll feel the pull.

Turn the ship.

Start all engines.

We're slowing.

Can I cut one engine?

Not yet. Keep them all going.

We're using fuel too fast.
We have no choice!

Keep all the engines going.

The ship has turned
for landing, Dave.

Take over.

Frye: Thirty-five thousand.

30 thousand.

Twenty-five.

Cut wing engines one and six.

Frye: Twenty-two thousand.

20.

I'm going to level off.

Brace yourselves!
We're leveling the ship!

Anywhere. Land anywhere.
We've got to.

Not yet.

Check your belts!

Fuel's gone.

There's an opening!

There go the engines.

I'll bring it around
and try to glide in.

It looks frozen.

I hope so.

We're going to find out.

We made it!

We're here!

We're on Zyra!

Let's get out!

Congratulations!
A wonderful landing!

Nice going!

Dave, wait!

Don't open the outer door until
we've tested the atmosphere.

We'll get a sample
through the airlock.

Never mind. Good air or bad,
it's the only place we can go!

We better wait here.

Best air I ever tasted.

Break out the gangplank!

Mike! Where is he?

Hey, Mike, don't you want
to see the sunrise?

Our first citizens.

And they're all mine.
Dave: They sure are.

Tony: Every one.

Well, let's leave whatsis
and the puppies here.

Now, let's go look
at the first sunrise, huh?