F. P. 1 Doesn't Answer (1933) - full transcript

- Hotel Atlantic?

Give me the hall porter.

Listen there,
there's a gentleman

waiting for me in the hall.

An odd-looking gentleman
called Sunshine.

Yes, sir,
hold on, please.

Hello.

You!

Telephone.

Number two.

- Oh, there you
are, now, Sunshine,



call up some of
the morning papers.

Tell them there's a story.

At the Lennartz Shipyard,
between 11:00 and 11:05 tonight.

Lennartz Shipyard, yes.

It's a story with a kick
in it, you might get hurt.

Don't go to sleep
while you are doing it.

Keep my name out
of it, and uh...

- May I be in on this?
- On what?

- Whatever it is at
the Lennartz Shipyard.

- Lennartz Shipyard?

- Hello!

Are you not there?

All right, good night.

- I'm afraid you are
making a mistake.



- Oh, I see.

Excuse me.

- As a matter of fact, I did
have an appointment at 11:00.

In a more convenient
place than a shipyard.

Fortunately I was
putting it off.

My luck is marvelous.

Would you like to dance?

- No, thank you.

As a matter of fact, I have
an appointment at 11:00 too.

- Do you know who that is?

That's Ellissen,
the famous airman.

He's just flown back from
Australia in record time.

- Excuse me, Mathias, I
must talk to you a moment.

- Claire, not in the
middle of a hand.

- Oh--
- Sorry.

- Conrad--
- Darling, I can't stop.

I'm losing.

Two, no trumps.

- Pass.
- That did it.

- All right.

My car, please.
- Boy?

Car for Miss Lennartz.

- Now look here, boys,
have I ever let you down?

No.

Hey, we're from the press.

What's going on here?

- Nothing ever goes
on while I'm about.

Oh.

- There, what did I tell you?

Mm hmm.

F-P

one.

- Hello.

What's going on here?
- I don't know.

The fire brigade turns up--
- Oh look!

There's a light on up there.

- Oh, there you are.

They have surrounded the crooks.

They're fighting like madmen.

You have a very nice camera
there, what about a picture?

Come on, hurry up.

And now you call the
police, good night.

- Property of B. Droste,
Lieutenant Commander.

Telephone, 4432.

- Hello?

Yes, Commander Droste speaking.

What, Lennartz Shipyard?

Stolen, tonight?

No one knew my
drawings were there.

Certainly, I'll
come along at once.

Lennartz Shipyard.

- Commander Droste, what
exactly was in the file?

- I think that's a matter
for the police alone.

- You need have no
scruples, commander.

This is Mr. Mathias
Lennartz and his brother,

Mr. Konrad Lennartz.

- The files contained
the drawings of a project

on which I've been working
for years, called the FP1.

It seems that no one here
had time to look at them.

- Who is this Commander Droste?

A lieutenant
commander, really.

- Just what is this FP1?

- I hardly think the
lady would be interested.

- In fact you'd
rather I wasn't here.

- Sir, she's our sister.

It's as much her
business as ours.

- I'm sorry, I merely thought
it would be very entertaining.

After all, it's a
purely technical matter.

- Commander Droste
is perfectly right.

If it is a purely
technical matter,

I shall probably
be bored to tears.

Good night.

There she is now.

What's going on?

- Anything yet?

- Do they know who the thief is?

- The thief?

No.

No!

No, they haven't
the slightest idea.

- The FP--
- Good evening, Major Ellisen.

Hello.

- I'm sorry to
disturb your supper,

but it appears you're a thief.

This evening you broke
in to the Lennartz Yard.

- The Lennartz Yard again.

I knew you had an interest
in that old shipyard.

- Yes, you're quite right.

As a matter of
fact, I own exactly

33 and third percent of it.

You see, I'm Claire Lennartz.

Oh.

Now you have
disturbed my supper.

- It may disturb
you further to know

that at this moment the
police are making inquiries.

- Oh, I see, you came here
to warn me, thank you.

- Oh, no, I didn't.

I came for the
designs of the FP1.

- And if you don't get them?

I suppose you are going
to call the police

and get me arrested.

- I don't care what
happens to you.

I want those plans to be found.

- Really?

Is that all you want?

Then we both want
the same thing.

Well, before you
call the police,

would you be good
enough to get on

to that shipyard of yours?

- Hello.

- If your brothers are
in the filing office,

it would be a good
idea if they went up

just one flight of stairs
to the floor above.

- Into my office?

Really, I've got to?

For some unexplained reason
we've got to go into my office.

- Good lord.

- What's all this about?

- Just a minute.

Your brothers are now
only halfway upstairs.

They won't have any
difficulty about getting in.

- Already open.
- No!

- Hello.

Is that Miss Lennartz?

- They're in the office now.

- Well it would be
a very good idea

if they would pay
attention to the blotter

which is bang in front of them.

You're to pay
attention to the blotter,

which is bang of front of you.

Those
are my drawings!

The FP!!

- Thank you, gentlemen.

- Now for some good hot coffee.

I've earned it, haven't I?

- Well, you've called
out the fire brigade,

broken into our offices,

disturbed the whole town
in the middle of the night.

Yes, I think you've
earned it, all right.

However, if you're not too
interested in your coffee,

why did you--
- Why did I

steal the drawings that
I didn't steal at all,

yes.
- Yes.

- Of course, it must
seem rather odd to you.

You see, Droste and I have
known each other for years.

Everything that men
could go through

between heaven and earth,

we went through together.

And after the war, Droste
lost himself in his drawings.

But I climbed into my airplane

and fluttered around
the globe a few times.

And every time I'd come home,

there sits Droste, getting
more and more hopeless,

waiting for someone
to build his FP1.

But

your captains of industry won't
even look at his drawings.

They don't seem to
know progress means.

Suddenly I had a
tremendous idea.

I'll fetch the
file with FP1 on it

from the furthest corner
of the filing office,

and just by carrying it
up one flight of stairs,

prove to the
captains of industry

that there is something
new in the world.

- Well,

you certainly chose a very

a roundabout way
of getting there.

- Hmm.

What else can you do nowadays?

- I think it was
marvelous of you to do it.

Well, Droste
would do the same for me.

- You know,

I feel a little
ashamed of myself.

- Why?

Because you thought I was
a gang of crooks, huh?

- Mm hmm.

- That's my fate.

Always misunderstood.

Are you gonna help
us with the construction?

- No, I'll let
Droste do all that.

But when the FP1 is ready,

I'm going to the
first to land on it.

If they ask me nicely.

- Yes, but what are
you going to do now?

- I'm starting on a big
expedition tomorrow.

Canada, Finland, Alaska.

Perhaps stopping in
at the North Pole.

- Oh, I see.

- Good evening.
- Good evening.

- Evening.
- Evening.

- Should we go outside?

- Mm hmm.
- I want to talk to you.

I wish you'd been at
the meeting, what a
tremendous battle.

They could all prove on paper

that the FP1 couldn't be built.

If I'd been a man I
might have believed them.

What about fellow Droste?

He's as stubborn as
an old professor,

and as shy as a schoolboy.

Well, what did
you want to say just now?

It's about this
dropping in at the North Pole.

Why don't you give up this
eternal wandering around?

Why should I?

- A man can't always
live in a hotel.

You ought to have a
home and a background.

Don't you realize there are
other things in the world

besides breaking records
and hunting elephants

and flying across oceans.

- Other things?
- Mm.

- Why, isn't that enough?

- Well just now
you're a popular hero.

But that sort of
thing doesn't last.

This rushing 'round the globe
doesn't get you anywhere.

You oughta settle down.

- Not at all.

This life suits me beautifully.

I can't settle down.

- Is there nothing
you mind leaving?

- Eh?

Yes.

There is something here.

Why, Elephant!

Ellissen!

- We ought never
to have a waited.

I hate being late
for a conference.

- We ought to have Ellisen here.

I mean, after all,
if it wasn't for him,

there wouldn't be any
FP1 to confer about.

- I wouldn't say that.

- Hello, hello!
- Hello.

- Hello, Droste.
- How do you do?

Are you
ready, Major Ellisen?

- No, I'm not coming.

I'm not the sort of
man for conferences.

- What did I tell you?
- What?

Now look here, I'm sorry if I...

- Anyway you'll be
there, Miss Lennartz.

- I'm afraid I wouldn't
be very interested.

You see it's a purely
technical matter.

- Oh, come along, Ellisen,
I want you to be there.

- I'm very sorry,
there's another reason.

I am booked up for this evening.

We're
waiting, Droste.

- Bye.
- Goodbye.

- So long, Ellissen.
- Goodbye.

- Why don't you go with them?

- Because I have a
supper engagement.

- What, here?
- Yes, here.

- Couldn't you put it off?

- No I can't put it
off, it's with you.

Is it marvelous?

Is it an amazing thing?

The meteor works.

There's a new model

7,000 TK

at my disposal

for a non-stop flight

of the world.

- It'll make a
marvelous picture.

- Sunshine, you old devil.

There's some new for you!

Non-stop, right
'round the world!

Nobody's done that yet.

Get hold of the bill.

Pack the trunk!

I am setting out at once.

- Hello.

Hold the line a minute.

The lady.

- What lady?

- 10 o'clock sharp.

- Hello.
- Claire.

Claire, do you know
what's happened?

- No, what?

- I am going to be the
first to fly non-stop

'round the world.

Yes.

Look at that.

- Yes, but

I thought you wanted to--

- To drop in on the North Pole?

Oh, well I will cancel that.

I have got something
more important to do.

Just a minute,

hello, porter.
- Hello.

- Telephone to
the flying ground.

Let them tune up my machine.

I'm starting in half
an hour, no, no, no no.

Just send a telegram.

The Meteor Works,
you know the address.

Accept offer,
arriving immediately.

And send the bill, come on,
hurry up, hurry up there.

Claire, I'm awfully sorry.

There was something I
was going to tell you.

But never mind, I
will be back soon.

I don't know exactly
when, just a few days.

How are you going to get home?

Oh.

That's all right, I've
got my car outside.

I only came because I thought...

Well, it doesn't matter.

Don't bother.

- Claire, when,

well, goodbye.

Claire, goodbye.

- Ellissen always
talks like that.

He'll be back in three days.

And then he stops
away three years.

- What I shall say to
Captain Droste is this:

This FP1 ain't natural,
that's what I shall say.

And for why?

Because if it had been
natural to have an island

in that particular
spot, there'd've been
one there already,

and there wouldn't be a
need for a second one.

- Then what would you tell him?

- You tell him about my tooth.

I ain't superstitious,
but you mark my words.

Every time this tooth is
bad, something awful...

Now I remember the last time.

What about
a little work up there?

Come on, get going!

- Yes, and tell that fellow
if he turns up again,

I'll break his neck.

You understand that?

- What's the matter?

- That man has been
hanging around the place,

trying to take photographs.

They're just showing
him the way out.

- There, I'll fix ya if
I catch you here again.

how a
man like that got in here.

- You don't have
anything to be proud of.

I've been chucked out
by better men than you.

- We've gotta double
the watch, Lubin.

I don't like the look of things.

- Double the watchmen?

Just because of a miserable
little photographer?

Now what harm can he do?

- Oh, it's not only
because of that.

What do you make of that?

- That's from the front bows.
- Exactly.

Cut clean away!

I found it in 412, between
the double flooring.

Now that can't all
be bad workmanship,

you know, it's impossible.

Someone's playing around with
those before they arrive.

Have you
told the police?

- No, I haven't, and
I'm not going to.

We'd better settle
this ourselves.

It took years to gain the
public confidence in the FP1.

We can't afford to risk
losing it like that.

All right, Lubin,
put on another shift.

From now on, we
work day and night.

Right.

- Hello.
- Hello.

- I'm awfully glad you came.

Things are going
extremely well and, and--

- And you're an
extremely poor liar.

Things aren't going well.

- But, they are,
really they are.

- Oh, Droste.

Can't you tell me?

What is going on here?

- Some important drawings
were stolen here.

Two days later they
turned up again.

Two days'd be plenty
of time to copy them.

These are the plans of
the sprinkler system,

for putting out fire.
- Mm hmm.

You see, there
are spies in industry

as well as war.

- But no one else
can build the FP1.

- No, but they can destroy it.

From the first day, something's
been working against me,

something I can't
lay my hands on.

What it is I don't know.

Vested interests,

international concerns,

perhaps some great
trust or combine.

Something impersonal,
without a soul.

You see, progress sacrifices
the old order of things.

That's why progress
always has its enemies.

- Our confidential man has
carried out his orders.

But his work's been intercepted

and the results you require
have not been achieved.

- Inform our confidential man

that no further measures
are to be undertaken

for the present.

- These people can't be caught.

And if you did catch anyone,

it would be some
fool of a workman

who wants to earn a
little extra money,

and who knows nothing at all
about the whole business.

But I'll beat them, all right.

We'll build the FP1 in
spite of all of them.

In two years, you'll have
forgotten all about this.

And the FP1'll be
stationed in mid-Atlantic

with airplanes coming to
it from all over the world.

You know who'd be the
first to land on it?

- No, who?
- Ellissen.

- Ellis--
- Of course, Ellisen.

Oh, he'll turn up
again, all right.

He's been missing before.

And always when people
least expect him,

he returns to civilization.

- Well I hope you're right.

Oh, I wish I could do
something to help you.

- You have helped, a great deal.

In fact,

you've helped more than anybody.

- How?

- By be believing in my
ideas from the very start.

And if you go on
believing, we can't fail.

- Of course I will.

- Lennartz Yard,
calling Captain Droste.

- He's not here,
send 'round for him.

Calling Captain Droste.

Calling Captain Droste.

Calling Captain Droste,
Calling Captain Droste.

Lennartz Yard, calling
Captain Droste.

- Amber, which one?
- In there, sir.

Droste speaking.

- Lennartz Yard here.
- Good morning, gentlemen.

- It's good evening
where we are, Droste.

- Yes, of course.

Well everything's
in perfect order.

You can send your airliners
whenever you like.

We're absolutely ready for them.

- Hello.

How are you?

- Hello.

Hold on a second.

I'm awfully glad
you're there too.

- Are things really all right?

- Yes, really.

Promise me
nothing's happened.

Oh dear, I've been
so worried about you.

- Have you really, Claire?

- Mm.

- Then perhaps I can
tell you something I,

well I've wanted
to tell you, only,

well it's easier now that
I'm miles away from you.

Listen Claire, we only
have a half minute more.

I...

you...

Well I'd better tell
you when I see you.

- Oh, no no, no tell me now.

We'll be cut off in a minute.

- Well, Claire, I
wanna tell you that--

Hello?

- Hello?

Oh.

Oh.

- Ellissen!

Ellissen!

Man, where have you been
all this time, how are...

- Good evening, Major Ellissen.

Where on earth have
you turned up from?

Well, I suppose you
know we've built the FP1

and it's already in position.

- Yes, I've heard all about it.

- We've just been
speaking to Droste.

- I wanted to be
here before but,

but I really couldn't manage it.

- Anyway, I'm glad
you're here now.

- Well where have you
been all this time?

Come along and tell us about it.

Yes.

Please.

- Give me your hat.
- Thanks.

Sit down, won't you?

Cigarette?

- Oh yes, where have
I been all the time.

Well, it's a long story.

A non-stop flight, as you know,

that

stopped.

And then, what happened then?

Oh, yes, my friend
the governor of Manila

wanted me to go
cruising with him.

And then we made a
trip to the South Seas

and from there we went on to um,

to um,

let me see.

Where was it?

Oh never mind, I'll tell
you some other time.

- Well, why don't you
have dinner with us?

We can talk about things then.

- Yes, yes do.

- That's a good idea.

- And now if you'll
excuse me, Ellissen,

I've got a good deal to do.

- Of course.

- Conrad, you've got to
see the press association.

- Oh, yes.

Right you are, see you later.

- You're quite right.

I was making it all up.

You told me my luck
wouldn't last forever.

After I crashed in Alaska,

I didn't say where I was.

I didn't like to.

You see, I've never
failed before.

I had no plane.

I had no money.

I didn't want to
come home a failure.

I tried one thing after
another, but nothing succeeded.

Once your luck's out,

it stays out.

I've had plenty of time

to think of what you told me.

You remember, Claire?

Now I understand.

I'm giving up this
wandering around.

I'm going to work.

I'm going to settle down,
I'm going to do everything

you think I should.

- Don't you think
we'd better go now?

Mathias will be waiting.

- Claire.

I'm going to do everything I
should have done two years ago.

I've learned my lesson.

I'm never going to fly again.

Are you glad, Claire?

Don't say it's too late.

And it's going all right.

But you must stick by me.

I must have someone,

you understand.

- You've been away a long time.

- Don't answer now.

I wouldn't expect you

to decide your whole life
at a moment's notice.

But if you decide,

you can find me

in St. Pauli's Hotel.

- Weather report
from St. George, sir.

Just come in.

- Mm, looks rather bad
for us, doesn't it?

We ought to take
on more water ballast.

- Oh, it's not necessary.

- What are we drawing now?
- 120 feet.

- If we're going
to have a storm,

we should take every precaution.

- Yes, Lubin's right, we
ought to be deep in the water.

Take in another 50,000 tons.

They're letting
water into the float.

- That means they
want to lie deeper.

And that means we're
going to have a storm.

- There you are, I told ya.

She knows.

- It's been tampered with.

Someone's been taking an
impression of that lock.

- Aw, surely not.

There's no one
here who'd want to.

- Oh isn't there?

For two years they've
left us alone.

Now it begins again.

- After all, out here...

Suppose they smuggled one
of their men on board.

- Send the article's
command room.

I'll go over that list
and account for everybody.

- Right.

- Flashlight.

Hey!

What are you doing down there?

- I've just found
something, food, water,

and signal lights
hidden away here.

- I see.

All ready for
somebody to get away.

Are these boats always guarded?

- Yes, sir.

I wonder if he could--

And it's
about time, too.

Yes, I've
been watchin' ya.

Always
nosing around here.

Look
out, the Captain!

- What's the matter?
- Here.

Who is this man?

- They caught
him rooting around
in the engine room.

- Haven't I seen you before?

- Probably.

I wasn't always a
cleaner of door handles.

Formerly I was a private
photographer to Major Ellissen.

The well-known aviator.
- Yes.

- Besides, Lubin and
I are old friends.

- What?
- Oh, yes.

You once kicked me
out of the Lennartz Yard.

I can't say that I like
working with him very much.

But I had to be on the spot
to take the first photograph.

- Oh, I see.

You're the one that's
been amusing himself
with flashlights.

- Yep.

- From now on, confine your
attention to door handles.

- If I kick you out of the FP1,

you won't come back
again so easily.

You ever heard of sharks?

- Mr. Droste, the wireless
operator has been taken ill.

What?

- Typical signs of poisoning.

He must have swallowed something
with scopolamine in it.

- Mac.

Mac.

What have you been eating?

What have you been eating?

- In the canteen.

Coffee.

- Well, do the best
you can, Doctor.

We'd better keep it quiet.

I'll be in the wireless room
if you want me for anything.

Right.

Lubin, what
are you doing here?

- I've just taken over until
the other operator arrives.

- Never mind, never mind.
- It's a bit warm in here.

Funny business, isn't it?

I was with the poor
fellow in the canteen,

only an hour ago.

- Yes, the doctor didn't
understand it at all.

I wonder what's behind all this.

Wasn't the transmitter
working just now?

- No, everything was quiet.

- Well I heard something.

I'm gonna send for a fresh crew.

- If the call's late,

we shall miss the
first act of the opera.

- Good.
- What do you mean good?

- Well, you never
know your luck.

- Hello.

Am I late again?
- Oh, no.

Oh.
- Oh.

We've still
got 20 minutes to spare.

The shot-way won't be
free till half past nine.

- I tell you it's
someone who's being paid

to work against us.

Some fool who thinks
he can sink the FP1.

- He can hardly sink it
just by copying a key.

- Not even the key to the?

All he'd have to do is
open the flood valves,

fix the diesel so we
couldn't close them again,

and there's nothing to
prevent the FP1 from filling.

- Sinking, like a tin
man with a hole in it.

Droste,
nonsense.

You're trying to pull
my leg.

He can't be that much of a fool.

He'd have to sink with it.

- Not if he had a
motorboat all prepared

with food and drink
and signal lights

so that he could get away
to sea and find a ship.

Where's
he going to find a ship?

The Atlantic's a
big place, Droste.

- Well I'm not
taking any chances.

I'm going to close the
flood valves at once.

Who is this meant...

- Keep quite still

or I'll shoot.

- Oh.

So that's what you're
gonna do, is it?

- Come on, Droste.

Give it up, there's
nothing you can do.

In 36 hours there won't be
anything here but water,

just as it was before

Captain Droste had
his great inspiration.

- I see.

That's why the wireless
operator was off duty tonight.

So that the message
that was meant for you

shouldn't get into
anyone else's hands.

So simple.

By the way, Lubin,

how much are they paying you?

- More than I'd earn on
your FP1 in 100 years.

Come on, Droste,
put up your hands!

And stand up.

Stand!

- Hello, hello, Lennartz
Shipyard calling.

Hello, hello!

- Droste!

- Hello, Droste.
- Droste!

Droste!

Don't you understand,
it's Droste!

No, it's.

- Droste!
- Darling.

- Droste.

Droste.

Droste.

- The FP1 doesn't answer.

We'll
send out an SOS.

There must be a ship
somewhere about.

- You know we can't do that.
- But why not?

We've had
all this out before.

It would spoil
everything if the public

were alarmed just
before the opening.

- We must do something.

If we can't send out an SOS,
then we must send out a plane.

Oh we must!
- We can't!

- We can, and I'm
going with him.

- Claire, you're making
too much of this.

There'll be some
perfectly simple explanation

if you'll only
wait till morning.

No one's going to fly
halfway across the Atlantic

at five minutes' notice.

- In any case, you
couldn't get a pilot

at this time of night.

- Oh yes I could.

There's one I could get.

- Yes?

- There's a lady to see you.

- Claire.

I began to think you
weren't coming and then...

But you have come, Claire.

- I want you to do
something for me.

- I'll do anything for
you, you know that.

Anything between
heaven and earth.

- I want you to
take me to the FP1.

I've got a plane ready.

- Claire, why are you
worrying about the FP1 now?

- They're in great danger,
Droste and everyone.

- Is that why you came to me?

- I've no one else to help me.

- If I do fly, that means

you're giving me
my chance again?

- Yes.

- Look.

- That's the FP1!

Remember, I
told you I'd be the first

to land on it!

If they asked me nicely.

What's happened to
everyone down there?

- Aren't you going to land?
- Of course.

Are you all right?

- Yes, I'm, I'm all right.

- Fine.

Hello!

Let's go up.

, huh?

Gas.

Uh huh.

That's where it came
from, sprinkler plan.

- Droste!

- Droste.

Come on, tell us,
what's the matter?

Hmm?

What's happened?

Not so bad, no.

It's not so bad.

Water.

I'll get water.

Oh, my dear.

My very dear, dear.

Oh my dear.

- Uh huh.

Sunshine!

What are you doing here?

Hmm, that better?

- Yes, thanks.

- What's that?

water
running in the floats.

- What for?

- Just ballast.

It's been running
ever since last night.

- We must stop it.

Where's the control room?

- 323.

- Come on.

- I believe it's here.
- Well pull the door.

It's closed.

- Still coming in.

There's no power.

The flood valves
can't be closed.

- Our confidential man
has completed his work.

No messages have been
sent out from the FP1

for the last 12 hours.

- We may therefore rest
assured that the FP1

is now a matter of past history.

And our
confidential man?

- Was informed that the
steamer Marshall Tennyson

would pick him up.

And the
steamer Marshall Tennyson?

- Was of course never sent out.

- The flood valves have been
open for nearly 23 hours.

We've taken in
156,000 tons of water.

- That means we can
keep afloat for between

16 and 17 hours.

Where's Ellissen?

- I don't know, I think
he's by the plane.

- And what about the crew?

- Another couple of hours,

and we shall all
have been done in.

Aint that right?

- The whole gunwale has
been shot to pieces.

- There isn't a drop
of oil on board!

- Quiet.

You don't need to drown.

Have you forgotten that Droste

has supplied you
with motorboats?

The motorboats!

No one is
going to leave the FP1.

The first man to make
a move will be shot.

- Let me pass.

Put those guns away.
- I'm in command here.

- You were in command.

But I didn't fly
here to amuse myself.

I flew here because I was told

that human lives were in danger.

And I'm going to see that
those lives are saved!

get in the boats!

- Wait!

Do you think I'll give
up the FP1 like that?

Never.

There's nothing to
be alarmed about.

We can float until
tomorrow morning.

I'll send out the planes,
they can pick up a ship.

The propellors
are smashed!

The motorboats!

- Well, aren't you going?

I'm afraid I won't
be able to escort you

this time.

- Ellissen!

Why did you send those men away?

Don't you realize
there's nothing we now?

- Certainly.

And I'm very glad.

In 12 hours we will have
finished with everything.

You and me and,

we three.

You who helped to start the FP1

will come to an end with it.

I rather
like that idea.

If I have lived my life,
just as soon die with it.

- What's the matter
with you, Ellissen?

- Claire knows what's
the matter with me.

I will leave her to explain it.

Call me when we start to sink.

I don't want to miss
the end of Droste's FP1.

- We must try and
fix up one machine

with what parts we can find.

Let's get to work, I
want to leave at sunrise.

- All right, ready?
- Yeah, yeah.

Right, up!

Up!

Up!

It's
your move, go on.

- Check.

What's the matter?

Are you worrying about
your precious life?

Things are getting a
bit warm, aren't they?

- Yes,

they are.

- What are you doing?

Get out!

Get out!

Leave me alone.

- You oughta be thankful

you don't have to
go up in this plane.

- No one'll go up in that.

It's only a few spare parts
tied together with string.

Do you know the only way
to get that to go up?

Blow it up with gunpowder.

- There are only 15
and a half gallons

of petrol in Major
Ellissen's plane.

- 15 and a half gallons?

Well I can get a fair
distance on that.

- Then put it in this one.

- What a good story.

Whilst the FP1 is sinking,

Major Ellissen, the
once-famous airman,

allows his friend Droste,
with a broken shoulder,

to attempt the flight.

It'll make a marvelous picture.

- He won't start
in that machine!

No one could!

No one with any sense
would attempt it!

- You know more about airplanes

than all the rest of
them put together.

Why don't you help Droste?

- I'm sick of Droste
and you and everyone.

I'd have done
anything for Droste,

but he was to clever for me.

He's been playing his own game.

And for that, everything
that meant anything

in my life has gone.

He's just been fooling me.

They have all been fooling me.

- That isn't true.

When I came to you
the other night

and asked you to save the FP1,

I almost told you the truth.

- What is the truth?

- That I love Droste.

I'd make any
conditions you like.

You can let Droste
attempt this flight,

even though you know he
hasn't got a chance, or...

Oh well, we're
entirely in your hands.

It seems you are in
command, after all.

I'm going, Claire.

I've come to say goodbye.

- Oh, please.

Please don't go just yet.

I want to talk to you first.

- And why now?

We can talk about
it when I get back.

Oh I can't
let you fly, I can't.

- Listen, Claire, listen.

I've got to go,
don't you understand?

I've got to find a
ship with enough oil

to start the diesels and
close the flood valves.

It's our only chance.

- Yes, but,

please, please
don't go just yet.

I must talk to you now.

- You really imagine you
can make that thing fly?

Look at the fuselage!

It's not properly braced.

The controls are all flabby.

You'd better put
this in a museum.

That's a funny-looking key.

There's no pressure.

* Da da da dee

Just give the prop a twist.

Contact!

There you are, I told
you it was no good.

Not one kick in her.

- Oh, don't be unhappy
about it, Claire.

It really doesn't matter.

I'll be back in a
few hours and...

Bye.

- Let her roll!

Airplane on the port quarter!

- You must tell,
ready for the diesels.

What sort of
a boat is this anyway?

And where are you going?

- We're bound for
Chile, to hunt condors.

- What?

My dear good fellow, you
won't find condors in Chile.

You must go up to Peru.

But even there, you
won't find them alone.

Without me.

And I'll go with you.

I have plenty of time now.

I'll show you the way.

If you ask me nicely.