Harry's War (1981) Movie Script

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.

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.

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!

[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.

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]

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.

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!

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.

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.

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]

Harry's War (1981) - full transcript