The Brain Machine (1977) - full transcript
Several people volunteer for a scientific experiment about mind-reading and memory, but the experiment goes horribly wrong.
(woman)
I don't know why you
ever have to go to a gym.
(man)
I don't have to go.
You see, there are
exactly 128 steps
to the underground lab
and coming down twice a day
would equal jogging
about two miles, I guess.
Exclude Sundays and holidays
that would be exactly--
Don't tell me.
I've had more truth
than I can manage lately.
What do you mean?
Additions to the program?
Mm, yes.
I didn't ask
for those additions.
Well, who did?
Roth, I suppose.
Well, what's on the menu
for today?
The four subjects.
Roth's finally
made his decision.
(dialing telephone)
(phone ringing)
General's office.
Internal security here.
Put me through
to the General immediately.
Yes?
Let's go to scramble, sir.
(electronic beeping)
Go ahead.
What's the trouble?
Someone has broken
into the top secret files.
Do you know what's missing?
Two things, sir:
the brain machine file
and Dr. Krisner's
project file.
Then it's probably Krisner.
Nobody else would
connect those two files.
If it is Krisner,
he knows that his project
is nothing more
than a guinea pig
to test the brain machine.
How do you want me
to handle this?
Get Krisner.
I'll have Saxon and his men
secure the grounds.
And send my car,
I'm coming back.
(woman)
We've got all this truth
business programmed
and punishment for the
subjects if they tell a lie
but how are we gonna know
if they tell the truth?
Don't ask me, love.
We get the money
to do what we want to do.
Then we have to do
some of the things
the higher-ups want done.
Why don't you give me
a quick rundown
on our four lucky winners?
Okay, there's four
out of 147 applicants,
so they ought to be
what we need.
(slide advances)
Minnie Lee Parks, age 22.
Birthplace, Tennessee.
One year of college.
Rated low academically.
Single.
No previous marriage.
No immediate family.
Kinda cute.
Kinda dumb, just my type.
Well, she is.
(slide advances)
Judd Reeves.
Age 31.
Born in Pennsylvania.
Truck driver,
bartender, carpenter.
Well, he's versatile.
Army service,
honorable discharge.
No immediate family.
Think he's kind of cute too?
(slide advances)
Emory Neill, age 44.
Post-graduate work
in seminary.
Contributing editor
to various
religious publications.
Serious automobile accident
two years ago.
No immediate family.
(slide advances)
Willard West.
Age 26.
Father, medical doctor.
Mother, Ph.D.
in literature.
I.Q. above 150.
Star athlete in high school.
Held no permanent position.
Traveled since graduation
from college five years ago.
Inherited large estate
when both parents were
killed in a plane crash.
No immediate family.
Okay, if you'll
get the lights,
we'll start programming
our subjects.
What's all that about?
Dr. Krisner.
(alarm wailing)
Sam, I think maybe you
better cover the trace road.
Here he comes.
Get moving.
Have you got enough men
out there to stop Krisner?
He can't get away now, sir.
What happened?
Must have discovered
our plans for his project.
That's all I can figure.
Saxon, get those files.
I don't care what it takes.
Yes, sir.
Mobile 3 out.
Mobile 3, Mobile 3,
this is Mobile 4.
I spotted him-- he's at the end
of the trace road.
(thunderclap)
(gunshot)
(dog barking)
Send the chief to my office
and call Washington.
Tell the Senator
we've had an emergency.
I'll be in touch with him
as soon as I can.
Take the General's
briefcase inside.
(man)
Yes, sir?
The General wants the chief.
Report to him on the double
in his office.
Can we tie in on schedule?
We can, but not
without problems.
What problems?
Fail-safe, it's a
specially designed system.
We can't bypass it.
There's no problem
if it's not activated.
But if it is activated,
the computers take complete
control of both projects:
the E-box and C.I.C.
In my opinion, sir,
that's a very big risk.
(phone ringing)
Come on, Roth.
Come on.
(horns honking)
Dr. Roth's office.
Sorry, wrong number.
(woman)
Mr. Saxon to see you, sir.
Send him in.
Yes, sir.
Were all the documents
in Krisner's briefcase?
The documents
are all here, sir.
Now, what about
Dr. Krisner?
I've already got
the right team on Krisner.
They'll take care of him.
(phone rings)
Hello?
Yes.
But you don't understand.
I've got to reach
the Senator.
Is there any way I--
No.
No, I'll call him later.
My secretary received
a phone call.
Krisner was trying
to reach me.
Krisner tried
to reach you? When?
This morning.
Do you know where he is?
He knows my work on the
Environmental Committee,
but I hope to God he doesn't
tie me in with this.
Frankly, I'm concerned now
with whether we should stop
the brain machine tests.
No, we shouldn't
stop anything, Senator.
We're changing to our
standby project, Dr. Roth.
You think Roth
suspects anything?
No, he thinks his project
was set up
by the Environmental
Committee.
Then he doesn't tie you in
in any way.
Will this change mean
you'll need more funds?
Roth will, but we've
got enough to handle it.
Good.
You know I'm sticking my neck
out a long way, General,
because I believe
this country
is riddled with enemies,
inside and outside.
Your machine may be
the only defense.
I certainly hope so, sir.
You know it's not
vigilance anymore, General.
It's surveillance.
Eternal surveillance
is the price of liberty.
That's why I'm willing
to go all the way with you.
Thank you, Senator.
"Dear Senator--
"What I am about to write you
is more horrible--"
(door knob rattling)
(gasping)
No, no--
(phone ringing)
General's office.
(intercom buzzes)
Yes?
Krisner's dead, sir.
(woman)
Yes, sir.
Fill out a special
administrative transfer
for Dr. Krisner.
He's been transferred.
And send a memo of this
to all personnel at E.C.C.
Mr. Saxon to see you, sir.
I'll be there shortly.
This matter is closed.
You take care of this.
We simply can't go
with this project, sir.
The subjects
are all wrong for us.
They're totally programmed
for environmental research.
You said yourself
that it was dangerous.
Otherwise we would have never
selected Krisner's project.
We're going with Roth.
But that's impossible,
sir, it won't work.
Make it work.
Welcome to the
Environmental Control Center.
You have a copy
of regulations.
Three things
you must memorize:
One: You are a member
of a team;
Two: You have access
only to the E wing.
You must not enter
the area of other projects.
You received a name tag which
you will wear at all times--
you will not wear this
in the E-box;
Three: Truth is the most
vital aspect of this program
for which you have
volunteered.
You mean the whole truth?
Yes.
About everything?
Yes.
(laughs)
Golly.
This experiment
is gonna get an X rating.
(all laugh)
Okay, calm down.
Our study is one of survival.
You have volunteered
to be a part of something
of vital importance.
The scientific study
of man and his environment.
Are there any questions?
Uh, yeah.
You said volunteered.
I, uh--
I thought we was being paid.
You're right, Mr. Reeves.
You are a paid volunteer.
We've accepted only people
with no immediate family
because there is less
chance for embarrassment
over confidential matters,
and we must have the truth,
all of it, not part.
I believe you know
my assistant, Dr. Portland.
Excuse me, Dr. Roth,
but there's an urgent call.
Saxon, research control.
Saxon-- it's a call
I've been waiting for.
I requested more funds.
Excuse me, I'll be
just a moment.
Saxon, Roth.
How've you been?
Fine, Dr. Roth, and you?
Waiting for your call.
We're almost ready.
Yes, well, that's what
I'm calling about.
Your work has interested
some very big people.
Well, I'm glad to hear
about that.
These people would like
some cooperation from you.
But I thought
it was understood
that I was to be left alone
until I could report
my complete findings.
Yes, I know, I told them that
but they insisted.
Tell them my answer is no.
I'd think twice before
I'd give that answer, Roth.
You need funds.
I have your requisition
right in front of me now.
Don't tie my hands.
You know damn well
why I'm out of funds.
These people have power and
they're not afraid to use it.
The truth is you know
where they've got me.
(laughs)
You said it, I didn't.
(slide advances)
Ugly.
(slide advances)
Fun.
(slide advances)
Music.
(slide advances)
Woman.
(chuckles)
Why did I say "woman"?
A cemetery shouldn't
make me say that.
Don't question
your responses.
Just relax
and respond freely.
Well, it doesn't make sense.
Please, Father Neill.
Not Father-- not Father.
I'm sorry-- Reverend.
Are you all right?
Yes.
You were recalling
something vividly.
Was it pleasant or painful?
Both.
Let's try the screen again.
(slide advances)
Woman.
(chuckles)
I, uh-- I thought it.
I tried not to say it and--
I'm gonna let Dr. Roth
take over at this point.
I just want to see
what he thinks.
Aren't you considerably more
comfortable with Dr. Roth?
Where's Roth?
What?
Where is Roth?
I can't hear you.
Where's Roth?
He's in Accounting,
but I definitely would not
disturb him right now.
New funds?
I think he's got 'em.
Would, uh, you take over
the interview
with Reverend Neill?
Why, what's wrong?
Well, he's--
uptight about something.
We've really selected
some strange subjects.
(birds chirping)
Give me your weapon.
If you wanted to
protect yourself,
which weapon
would you choose?
That's a P-38.
I'd take it, you know.
Take it.
Now, take a closer
look at this.
A very clever
bugging device.
Testing 1-2-3.
(chuckles)
I think I changed my mind.
I'd rather have this.
In certain situations,
things like this
can be real effective.
That's the correct weapon,
all right.
But at best it's only
one percent effective.
If you really want
to know your enemy,
you got to know
what he's thinking.
Not what he's saying.
"If I could hear the music
I heard when I was young,
I wouldn't be out of step."
Are you quoting someone?
Yes.
Who?
Myself.
One of my sermons.
You feel you're out of step?
Yes.
In here or everywhere?
(chuckles)
It's myself.
Then it's everywhere.
Are you trying to get back?
I, uh...
I suppose so.
I don't know, I...
Maybe that's why I applied.
I...
At times you have
a speech impediment.
Yes.
This impediment,
this hesitation.
Is it from childhood?
I don't know, uh...
what it was.
I can't explain it.
I, uh...
I just don't know, maybe...
maybe God knows, I don't.
I...
Doctor, I don't think
I better go on with this.
I, uh... I don't think
I'm a good subject.
I, uh... I thought that it
was going to be different.
I'm not a good subject.
On the contrary,
you're excellent.
Not perfect.
Thank you.
Doctor, uh...
May I ask you a question?
Yeah, it's your time.
Do you ever pray?
Often, in my own way.
Why?
Well, I guess
I don't want to take
any unnecessary chances.
Our attitude on that matter
is fairly close.
What is my attitude?
You know man exists and
you believe God exists,
but you're not sure
which one created the other.
(groans)
(gasps softly)
No.
Roth knows something
little Morris doesn't know.
Anyway in the land
of the blind
a one-eyed man's a king.
Nuts?
No, thanks.
(Minnie Lee screaming)
What the hell?
Minnie Lee.
(Minnie Lee screaming)
What's wrong, Minnie Lee?
What happened?
Someone was here.
In my room!
He was trying to feel--
What the--?
What's all the racket?
I don't know.
(yawning)
(door opens)
What is it?
I thought I heard
someone screaming.
I heard something.
I want a lock on my door.
I want a lock.
Okay, dear, but you go
back to sleep now.
(sobbing)
Oh, please don't go.
Please don't leave me.
You just lay there
and go back to sleep.
(crying)
Don't wake up Dr. Roth.
She's had a nightmare,
that's all.
I understand.
Is everything all right?
Is there anything we can do?
Did any of you hear anything
before she screamed?
No, I was sleeping.
Is she all right?
Maybe there's something
I could do to help?
No, Dr. Portland's
with her right now.
You-- she just had
a nightmare, that's all.
You gentlemen
go back to sleep.
It's nothing.
Good night.
(Roth)
Why did you lie, Reeves?
I didn't lie.
You lied, Reeves.
What is the one word we've
tried to impress upon you?
What one word?
Truth.
Say it again.
Truth.
You've never been in jail?
Reeves, you have
a police record.
You've also been
in reform school.
What about the army?
The, um... the army?
You were a troublemaker
there too.
What do you think
we are, incompetent?
You don't think
we check things out?
The truth, Reeves.
Absolute accuracy.
One lie can cause us
a lot of trouble.
Look, I didn't lie exactly.
I was put inside a jail.
But when I said I was
never in jail,
it was because
I didn't do nothing.
I was innocent.
Have you ever been
booked for theft?
I never stole nothing
in my life-- but food.
And that's not stealing
if you're hungry enough.
You're dismissed
from the project.
You gotta let me do this.
Please.
What you may have done
in your life
is no great matter to us.
The truth is everything.
Everything!
Now, do you completely
understand this?
Yeah.
Are you pleased?
Well, I'm satisfied,
but old Roth isn't.
Well, it's another
change of D-day.
No, not necessarily.
It just means we're gonna
go through every checkpoint
and every phase again.
What's bothering him?
Everything.
(chuckles)
That's impossible.
This place gives me
the all-overs.
Doctors running around
like a chicken
with its head cut off.
And last night,
I know I wasn't dreaming.
And these guards, they
make me think of tombstones.
It's like we were gonna be
buried or something.
Not like we were,
as if we were.
Like is never followed
by a complete predication.
You better not let me
in your room alone
'cause I wouldn't
just be touching you.
And when I left,
you wouldn't be screaming.
You'd just smile.
This is where
the real danger lies.
Feeding impulses
into the upper and lower
cortex of the brain
can be dangerous.
Carol, you'd be
in there also.
You're vulnerable.
Biofeedback training
will help me.
The others, well, that's
why we're experimenting.
Like another redaction of
impulse feed on all stages?
Yes, if you don't mind.
Carol, get my Phase III
impulse breakdowns
on my desk.
(click)
(man)
Yes, sir?
Are we ready to test
the first patch-in?
We need more time, sir.
I'm still worried about
the fail-safe circuits.
But we can try it
if you say so.
Then try it.
(zapping)
What the hell?
Go to standby.
Standby.
Not responding.
Check sections E.
Sections E circuits
not responding.
Well, don't just
stand there, Dr. Portland!
Call engineering!
(zapping)
Hold it!
It's back.
(high-pitched whirring)
(dialing phone)
(phone rings)
Dr. Roth's office.
This is Williams.
Engineering.
Hold on.
Engineering.
Yes.
We checked out all of
the circuits in E-cell.
Everything seems to be okay.
I'm going over next to--
Hold on just a second.
I think I've
run across something.
He's found something.
(screaming)
(electricity zapping)
(breathing rapidly)
(phone rings)
Yeah?
Carol! How'd you know
where I was?
The computer shut down again
and we had an accident.
I'll be right there.
What happened?
An accident.
Who was it?
One of the men from
electrical engineering.
He was checking
the circuits.
He found something.
That.
We blew it.
We blew it.
Today's the first time
I ever yelled at you.
I know.
How long did it take
for you to forgive me?
A few minutes or an hour
or-- have you forgiven me?
I forgave you
before it ever happened.
(instrument pinging,
heart beating)
You're wonderful.
Your work, you.
(pinging and heartbeat continue)
Do you hear him?
(chuckles)
Yes.
Feel him.
(thunder rumbling)
Do you like trees?
Woods?
I don't know.
Yeah, I guess so.
I mean, I'm not
in love with them.
Not like my father.
My father really
loved trees.
He liked the woods,
the shadows, walking.
The first thing I clearly
remember is a tree.
It was enormous.
And my father was
leaning back against it.
His eyes were closed.
Geez, I was like four.
(both chuckle)
What kind of tree?
I don't remember.
I don't remember
anything about it
except the trunk,
how big it was.
Mmm.
Yeah.
The bark was smooth
like a poplar.
It was too dark
for a poplar.
He had, uh,
given me a knife.
And I remember opening it,
but I didn't cut
on that tree.
I just stood there
and thought about
how long it would take me
to cut it down
with that knife.
I clearly remember
thinking that--
Did you get along well
with your parents?
Well, my parents
left me alone.
When I wrote poetry,
my mother didn't
sneak around and read it.
When I played football,
my father didn't keep
bragging to the world
how good I was.
(chuckles)
Were you good--
at either one?
Sure, sometimes
I was good at both.
(chuckles)
Do you know anything
about the brain?
Nope.
Your brain has
the strongest impulses
of any subject
we've tested.
Is that good or bad?
Neither one.
Nature doesn't make
moral judgments.
It simply balances
the books, I think.
We're losing it.
The computers
are overriding us.
Emergency, emergency.
All sections.
How'd your father--
(alarm beeping loudly)
(alarm bell clanging)
(alarm sounds continue)
Damn it,
what's happened now?
We're dead-- it quit.
I've lost total power
twice-- why?
Roth, I don't know,
could be anything.
We're checking it out.
You do that.
What the hell
is going on, Roth?
I don't know,
but I intend to find out.
Computers have
total control.
(zapping and clicking)
Control returning.
C.I.C.'s impulse
is to normal.
(sighs)
It's up to them now.
They have control.
Why do they
have to keep asking
all those
personal questions?
To ascertain the truth,
sweetheart.
Well, what's that
got to do with pollution
and population explosion?
You haven't been
listening properly.
You see the truth
is everything.
Truth will clear the water,
banish the smog,
lower the birth rate,
break down DDT
and benefit the world.
(Minnie Lee)
Dr. Roth didn't say all that.
(Willard)
Well, I can say all that.
Why did you volunteer?
I wanted to do
something for my country.
Your what?
(laughs)
(sighs)
I wanted to do something
for my country.
Well, of course you did.
That's because
you have vision.
And where there is no vision,
the people perish.
(man)
Now, each day in E-box will
represent five years of time.
Now, you've all been briefed
on a number of problems,
discomforts and possible
dangers involved.
Now, the population explosion
is going to be simulated,
not by increasing the number
of people in the box,
but by decreasing the space.
The walls will actually
move inward
toward the service module.
Now, certain pollutants
will be added to the area
and noise levels
will fluctuate.
Any questions?
Now, we'll be doing
many things.
We'll be measuring
the tiniest electrical
impulses of your brain
and we'll be sending impulses
back into the box.
You know the magic
of this computer
enables us to formulate and
insert into this experiment
calculations that would have
taken many great minds
many years to perform.
This may look
like a very simple device,
however that's not the case.
Now, Dr. Portland has taken
this very simple device
and developed for this project
an impulse sensor
which conducts to the computer
every vital function
of your body,
like blood pressure,
heartbeat and so on.
As you know, Dr. Portland
will be instructing you
on rest, sleep
and exercise periods,
all of which
are very necessary.
Are there any questions?
Um... yeah.
When it's hooked up in there,
is it ever gonna shock us?
You shouldn't feel a thing.
Dr. Morris--
I've changed my mind.
I, uh--
I don't want to go.
Why?
It's, uh...
it's just that I, uh...
I'd feel lost
without my collar.
Dr. Roth?
I think we can make
an exception in this case.
Thank you.
(phone ringing)
They're ready to go
into the E-box, General.
Good.
What are my orders now, sir?
Stand by.
As all of you know
in your briefings,
this safety device is simple.
In the face
of any emergency,
anyone can just
break the glass.
That's all there is to it.
Simple.
But I'd like to underscore
in your minds
the consequences
can be far-reaching.
That of a major matter,
this experiment will be
immediately aborted.
With a minor matter, that you
will receive no further money.
How do you feel, Reverend?
Much better now.
Thank you.
(door sliding shut)
(mechanical whirring)
(man)
Yes, sir?
Begin Stage I
brain probe procedure.
Stage I only.
Repeat, Stage I only.
Right, sir.
(instruments beeping)
This is C.I.C. Control.
We have visual.
Visual, roger.
Integrating audio MX4-5-2.
Audio MX4-5-2, roger.
Effect T minus 20
and counting, mark 10.
Roger.
T minus 20 marking 10.
Mark 10, 9, 8, 7, 6,
5, 4, 3, 2, 1--
integrate.
Why don't you take a break?
I could use one.
Let's take a look
at our children first.
Okay.
Let's take a look at
service module camera 2.
Camera 2, hold on--
nothing.
(rhythmic beeping)
Camera 2, operational
and functioning.
Stage one of operation
is complete.
The others.
Roger-- negative.
That can't be--
let's see.
Damn it.
Try Carol's station.
There, hold it now.
We got Carol again.
Well, at least we're
not completely blind.
Look, shake it down
and see if you can
find out why
the service module
cameras won't work.
I'm gonna get some rest.
Camera 3.
Cameras 4 and 5.
This is C.I.C. Control.
We have control of
the service module cameras.
Integrate cameras
on 20 and counting.
Mark 10.
Roger-- Cameras 2
through 5 in sequence.
Marking 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Subject 1 in mode phase III.
Integrate C.I.C. circuit
to probe status.
Roger.
Tape is rolling.
Probe status C.I.C.
circuit integrated.
(electrical buzzing)
Easy, easy.
Reduce modulation by 5.
We have a sensitive
subject here.
Modulation minus 5--
Mark.
(buzzing stops)
(gunshot, woman screams)
(Minnie Lee)
Daddy, we did it.
(chuckles)
What are you doing up?
Standing watch.
I hope I didn't
wake you up.
No, you didn't.
Anything wrong?
No, I'm all right.
I'm just not
sleepy I guess.
I was thinking.
About me?
About my granddaddy.
Somebody wrote a song
about my granddaddy once.
It was a ballad
and it told the story
about this man who was poor.
And he made a lotta money
selling burial insurance.
And he bought this mortuary
and a pair
of alligator shoes.
And he'd go downtown
and he'd meet these people
who put him down,
like the banker
and he'd say: Business bankers
are mighty and high--
We have a good probe.
Audiovisual clear.
Monitoring Subjects 1 and 4.
Roger, tape is still rolling.
Stop tape roll.
One minute to Zebra.
Stand by.
Roger, tape roll stopped.
One minute to Zebra,
standing by.
Stand by service module
camera 3.
Roger, camera 3.
We have Subject 2.
Interlock tapes.
Integrate C.I.C. probe,
status mark 10 and counting.
10 and counting.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Mark and integrate.
(buzzing, Reeves gasps)
(explosions and gunfire)
(printer clacking)
What the hell?
(bell dinging)
Yes?
Dr. Portland--
This computer,
I don't quite understand it.
It's...
Roth's sleeping and
if it isn't too important,
I'd rather not wake him.
Well, go on, what is it?
Well, the computer's
kicked out a question here
on Subject #1, C.I.C. NSC25.
It's a question of previous
marriage, true or false.
What do you make of it?
Minnie Lee, our programmee,
she's #1.
Possibly impulse receiving.
Let's ask her.
Whatever you say.
Should I get Roth?
No, you can
follow it through.
It seems routine to me.
Here she is now.
Did I do something?
(laughs)
No, Minnie Lee,
just routine.
Dr. Morris
would like to ask you
a question
from the computer.
Do you mind?
I guess not.
Minnie Lee,
this is Dr. Morris.
Were you ever married?
(laughs nervously)
No, Dr. Morris.
I told you that before.
I was never married.
I don't know what it is.
I don't know what I said
to cause any trouble.
I've never been married.
It was annulled.
I told you the truth!
I've never been married.
When something is annulled,
it's like it ain't never
happened before.
My daddy said
it weren't a marriage.
That's what my daddy said.
And he was hurt
worse than anybody.
And I don't like you saying
I told lies
and messed up everything!
When I told my daddy
about the baby,
it was too late.
(sobbing)
After it was annulled.
He didn't know
about the baby.
He wouldn't have
had it annulled.
You...
you can't annul a baby,
except by killing him.
And that's what I did.
And when my--
my daddy found out,
it just killed him.
(sobbing)
Don't you see?
I killed my baby.
And my daddy too!
(printer clacking)
(crumpling paper)
Portland?
Yes?
We've got another one.
Judd Reeves.
Who the hell do you think
you are, man?
Morris, what is this?
Your version of
"Truth or Consequences"?
I assure you, Mr. West,
that this is in line
with the program.
Dr. Morris is just following
questions from the computer.
What do you mean
calling me a liar?
Judd--
Listen, if you're trying to
brainwash me, man,
you're crazy.
They tried that in the army
and they couldn't beat
nothing out of me.
Judd--
Merriman was, was killed.
He was killed,
you scientific birdbrain!
You shove that
up your computer, Morris.
Or just come down here
and I'll shove it
down your throat for you.
No, I didn't kill him.
He killed himself!
Judd, calm down.
Now, listen, you just
stay away from me,
you scientific bitch!
Judd, that's enough.
Oh, boy.
Judd--
This is what
I've been waiting for.
Calm down.
Come on, Willy Boy.
Come on.
I'm gonna smash that
pretty face of yours.
Judd?
(piercing tone,
all screaming)
C.I.C. Control,
emergency, emergency!
All-circuits overload.
(tone continues)
(all screaming)
They'll go mad.
Morris, stabilize the impulses!
I'll go insane!
Shut down C.I.C. circuits
one through five.
Roger, one through five
C.I.C. circuits closed.
Roth! Roth!
What?
It's out of control!
Bio... feedback...
Bio... feed...
(zapping,
tone changes to low buzzing)
At least she's still alive.
We didn't bargain
for this.
Man, at least I didn't.
Let's get him to his bed.
Forgive me.
(sighs)
Oh God, forgive me.
How is the oxygen?
(Portland)
Maximum-- no trouble there.
Impulse-ending status?
We have to hold the impulse.
We can't take another
overload like that.
Reduction imprints
are normal...
and the computer's normal.
Everything's functioning.
Even the service module
cameras are working.
I don't understand it.
There had to be
an overload somewhere.
Morris, shake the computer
down and see-- Saxon.
I wonder.
I'll be right back.
--I just had five human beings
go through unnecessary hell
because of some kind
of malfunction.
We've checked everything
on our end with no results.
Now, something is happening
and it's not us.
Now, I want to know
and I want to know now.
Do you understand?
There is nothing I can do.
(whoosh, clacking)
It started again.
This is C.I.C. Control,
Subject 3
in mode phase III.
Integrate C.I.C.
circuit to standby.
Integrate T minus 20
and counting-- mark.
C.I.C. circuits--
probe status standing by.
Marking 20 and counting.
Let's go for a total brain probe
on this subject.
Yes, sir.
I'll be right down.
Roll tape.
Integrate C.I.C.
circuit probe mode III.
Mark T minus 10
and counting.
Roger, mark T minus 10,
tape rolling.
6, 5,
4, 3, 2,
1, integrate.
(zapping)
(grunting)
(woman)
You're not ashamed, are you?
(Neill)
Why should I be?
You know, Reverend,
this God thing.
My husband says that--
I was talking
about a personal God.
Aren't you afraid God
will strike you dead?
You sound like
you don't believe
in a personal God, do you?
No.
What?
A minister and
you don't believe in God?
I am talking about
a personal God.
Are you kidding me?
No, I'm not kidding you.
One, two, three, four.
St. Peter only
denied him three times.
I am speaking
about a personal God.
He does not exist,
so let's just let it go
at that, okay?
No...!
Well, here we go again.
Okay.
Now maybe we'll find out
just what's going on.
(Neill)
What have you done?
No one could know this about me.
I didn't mean to, I...
Oh, not Brother Neill.
(crying)
You can't do this to me.
Only God shall know my sins.
You're not God.
You can't do it to me.
A man who dares
enter the infinite
must be willing to suffer
the consequence.
God's wrath
shall fall on your head.
You and--
your kind.
I do not have-- to--
suffer this blasphemy.
I-- a man has a right to hide
his innermost thoughts
from mere mortal men, uh--
Well, God is my witness.
My sins--
(tearfully)
are between God and me.
I don't have to
put up with this.
I want out.
You hear?
God in heaven.
I want out.
(Portland)
No, don't!
(latches clicking)
You fool!
(alarm bell ringing)
Saxon, you're killing
these people.
You're going to kill them
unless you open those doors!
Don't you understand,
I've lost all control.
This damn machine
has gone berserk.
The information you want
is classified
and you're not cleared
for national security
controlled secrets.
You listen to me
and you listen well.
I'm not going to have the death
of five people on my hands.
(alarm blaring)
Emergency, emergency.
It should be opening.
Negative!
Subject has
activated fail-safe.
Computers have
total control.
The fail-safe.
It's got to work.
Dr. Portland and I
designed it.
Negative read-out--
fail-safe not responding.
(walls creaking)
More!
You can't stop it.
Yes, we can!
We've got to stop it!
Terrific, they're not
even gonna pay us.
Judd!
Okay, Portland.
You get those
fingers of yours
punching on those buttons
and get me out of here!
It's all right, Judd,
it's all right!
They'll get us out.
Not with my crummy luck,
they won't.
I'm gonna die
and I know it!
Take it easy.
The hell you say!
I know I'm gonna die
and so are you.
Judd!
We're not gonna die,
not if we don't want to.
It's that simple.
So is dying!
Cerebrum Impulse Converter.
It actually converts
brain impulses
into exact pictures
of thought.
Audio and visual.
Jesus.
Mortality.
You stupid fools.
No man, no human
ever believes
they're going to die.
That's a question of faith.
That's, that's
the paradox in mankind.
No one really believes
they'll ever die.
Don't you understand?
Faith, human faith to
a computer doesn't compute.
Yes, we understand that-- now.
We made a mistake.
No! No! No...!
Oh, no.
Let's get her down.
We've got to get her down.
(tearfully)
Roland--
It's Minnie Lee.
She just hanged herself.
(creaking continues)
Roth!
Look!
Look at what you've done!
You've-- you've answered one
more question for science.
Has it been worth it?
Did you learn something?
Look at your truth.
Garrison here.
(General)
Seal off the E wing.
Isolate Roth and Saxon
in the computer lab.
I'm coming over.
What?
I'm sorry, sir,
but you've been confined
to the computer room
until further notice.
Those people
are dying down there.
But we have our orders.
Orders?
Get out of my--
(thud, Roth grunts)
I'm very sorry, sir.
But would you go back
into the room-- now?
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want--
Jesus, cut that babbling.
He maketh me lie down
in green pastures--
Stop it!
Stop it, Merriman!
He leadeth me
beside the still water--
(whispers)
Roland--
Roland...
Don't answer me.
Shut up, Merriman!
Judd-- he's losing it.
He thinks Reverend Neill
is Lieutenant Merriman.
Through the valley,
the shadow of death--
You've been on my back
since boot, boy.
I will fear no evil--
Do you hear me?
I'll kill you!
Roth, we've got to get
those people out of there.
We've got to stop this.
We've got to stop it!
Thou anointest my head
with oil--
That's what you've been
telling us, huh, lieutenant?
We're all killing machines!
My cup runneth over--
But you forgot something.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me--
We're also dying machines!
But by God--
--dwell in the house
of the Lord--
You're gonna die first,
you bastard!
You're gonna die first!
Die, you bastard, die!
Judd, for God's sake!
Get away from me!
Get away!
Judd!
Merriman!
Reverend?
No!
(creaking continues)
Roth--
I'm gonna kill you, Saxon!
I'm gonna kill you!
You listen to me, Roth.
And you listen good!
(screaming)
Dr. Portland!
If he could break in
that service module,
we could get 'em
out of there.
That's it!
Willie! Willie!
The service module--
You've got to get inside.
You've got to break
into the service module.
Scientific bastard.
(crashing, alarm wailing)
Come on, let's get to the hatch.
We can break 'em out that way.
Let's go.
I'm sorry, sir,
but we have orders
not to let anyone
out of this room.
I'm overriding those orders.
But you don't have
that authority.
What do you mean?
I'm the head of this project.
I order you to let us pass.
But my orders don't come
from you or this project.
Now, don't move.
Hold it, hold it!
Don't anybody move.
(alarm wailing)
Let's go!
(zap)
(alarm stops)
You have to kill me
before I'll die.
She's down here.
Carol! Carol!
(zapping and creaking)
(Portland)
No!
The walls!
The walls, they've come in!
(zapping continues)
(explosion)
Oh, my God.
(door opens)
What are we going to do
about this, sir?
This won't be easy
to cover up.
(man)
Winds reached a velocity
of 80 miles per hour.
The damage was estimated
to be more than
one million dollars.
And this just in:
The National Environmental
Control Center
reports that
Dr. Roland Roth,
world-famous authority
on the human brain
was electrocuted
along with six others
when a patient broke from
an experimental therapy area,
ripped through
a protective panel
and exposed himself
and the other victims
to 500,000 volts
of electricity.
Along with Dr. Roth,
the dead include
his two assistants,
Dr. Carol Portland,
Dr. Elton Morris,
three other patients
and Willard West,
a patient who apparently
went berserk
during a routine experiment,
shouting "I can't die.
"I am immortal.
I am God."
This is Cornell Wood.
That's tonight's late news.
Good night.
("The Star-Spangled Banner"
plays)
That was a good
news release, General.
Very effective.
How did you handle Saxon?
He was transferred.
Well, the machine works.
That's the important thing.
And this is
only the beginning.
But I suggest you get it
out of there
within the next 24 hours.
It'll be out.
You understand,
no matter what happens,
I don't know
about anything
except the
environmental test.
I don't know why you
ever have to go to a gym.
(man)
I don't have to go.
You see, there are
exactly 128 steps
to the underground lab
and coming down twice a day
would equal jogging
about two miles, I guess.
Exclude Sundays and holidays
that would be exactly--
Don't tell me.
I've had more truth
than I can manage lately.
What do you mean?
Additions to the program?
Mm, yes.
I didn't ask
for those additions.
Well, who did?
Roth, I suppose.
Well, what's on the menu
for today?
The four subjects.
Roth's finally
made his decision.
(dialing telephone)
(phone ringing)
General's office.
Internal security here.
Put me through
to the General immediately.
Yes?
Let's go to scramble, sir.
(electronic beeping)
Go ahead.
What's the trouble?
Someone has broken
into the top secret files.
Do you know what's missing?
Two things, sir:
the brain machine file
and Dr. Krisner's
project file.
Then it's probably Krisner.
Nobody else would
connect those two files.
If it is Krisner,
he knows that his project
is nothing more
than a guinea pig
to test the brain machine.
How do you want me
to handle this?
Get Krisner.
I'll have Saxon and his men
secure the grounds.
And send my car,
I'm coming back.
(woman)
We've got all this truth
business programmed
and punishment for the
subjects if they tell a lie
but how are we gonna know
if they tell the truth?
Don't ask me, love.
We get the money
to do what we want to do.
Then we have to do
some of the things
the higher-ups want done.
Why don't you give me
a quick rundown
on our four lucky winners?
Okay, there's four
out of 147 applicants,
so they ought to be
what we need.
(slide advances)
Minnie Lee Parks, age 22.
Birthplace, Tennessee.
One year of college.
Rated low academically.
Single.
No previous marriage.
No immediate family.
Kinda cute.
Kinda dumb, just my type.
Well, she is.
(slide advances)
Judd Reeves.
Age 31.
Born in Pennsylvania.
Truck driver,
bartender, carpenter.
Well, he's versatile.
Army service,
honorable discharge.
No immediate family.
Think he's kind of cute too?
(slide advances)
Emory Neill, age 44.
Post-graduate work
in seminary.
Contributing editor
to various
religious publications.
Serious automobile accident
two years ago.
No immediate family.
(slide advances)
Willard West.
Age 26.
Father, medical doctor.
Mother, Ph.D.
in literature.
I.Q. above 150.
Star athlete in high school.
Held no permanent position.
Traveled since graduation
from college five years ago.
Inherited large estate
when both parents were
killed in a plane crash.
No immediate family.
Okay, if you'll
get the lights,
we'll start programming
our subjects.
What's all that about?
Dr. Krisner.
(alarm wailing)
Sam, I think maybe you
better cover the trace road.
Here he comes.
Get moving.
Have you got enough men
out there to stop Krisner?
He can't get away now, sir.
What happened?
Must have discovered
our plans for his project.
That's all I can figure.
Saxon, get those files.
I don't care what it takes.
Yes, sir.
Mobile 3 out.
Mobile 3, Mobile 3,
this is Mobile 4.
I spotted him-- he's at the end
of the trace road.
(thunderclap)
(gunshot)
(dog barking)
Send the chief to my office
and call Washington.
Tell the Senator
we've had an emergency.
I'll be in touch with him
as soon as I can.
Take the General's
briefcase inside.
(man)
Yes, sir?
The General wants the chief.
Report to him on the double
in his office.
Can we tie in on schedule?
We can, but not
without problems.
What problems?
Fail-safe, it's a
specially designed system.
We can't bypass it.
There's no problem
if it's not activated.
But if it is activated,
the computers take complete
control of both projects:
the E-box and C.I.C.
In my opinion, sir,
that's a very big risk.
(phone ringing)
Come on, Roth.
Come on.
(horns honking)
Dr. Roth's office.
Sorry, wrong number.
(woman)
Mr. Saxon to see you, sir.
Send him in.
Yes, sir.
Were all the documents
in Krisner's briefcase?
The documents
are all here, sir.
Now, what about
Dr. Krisner?
I've already got
the right team on Krisner.
They'll take care of him.
(phone rings)
Hello?
Yes.
But you don't understand.
I've got to reach
the Senator.
Is there any way I--
No.
No, I'll call him later.
My secretary received
a phone call.
Krisner was trying
to reach me.
Krisner tried
to reach you? When?
This morning.
Do you know where he is?
He knows my work on the
Environmental Committee,
but I hope to God he doesn't
tie me in with this.
Frankly, I'm concerned now
with whether we should stop
the brain machine tests.
No, we shouldn't
stop anything, Senator.
We're changing to our
standby project, Dr. Roth.
You think Roth
suspects anything?
No, he thinks his project
was set up
by the Environmental
Committee.
Then he doesn't tie you in
in any way.
Will this change mean
you'll need more funds?
Roth will, but we've
got enough to handle it.
Good.
You know I'm sticking my neck
out a long way, General,
because I believe
this country
is riddled with enemies,
inside and outside.
Your machine may be
the only defense.
I certainly hope so, sir.
You know it's not
vigilance anymore, General.
It's surveillance.
Eternal surveillance
is the price of liberty.
That's why I'm willing
to go all the way with you.
Thank you, Senator.
"Dear Senator--
"What I am about to write you
is more horrible--"
(door knob rattling)
(gasping)
No, no--
(phone ringing)
General's office.
(intercom buzzes)
Yes?
Krisner's dead, sir.
(woman)
Yes, sir.
Fill out a special
administrative transfer
for Dr. Krisner.
He's been transferred.
And send a memo of this
to all personnel at E.C.C.
Mr. Saxon to see you, sir.
I'll be there shortly.
This matter is closed.
You take care of this.
We simply can't go
with this project, sir.
The subjects
are all wrong for us.
They're totally programmed
for environmental research.
You said yourself
that it was dangerous.
Otherwise we would have never
selected Krisner's project.
We're going with Roth.
But that's impossible,
sir, it won't work.
Make it work.
Welcome to the
Environmental Control Center.
You have a copy
of regulations.
Three things
you must memorize:
One: You are a member
of a team;
Two: You have access
only to the E wing.
You must not enter
the area of other projects.
You received a name tag which
you will wear at all times--
you will not wear this
in the E-box;
Three: Truth is the most
vital aspect of this program
for which you have
volunteered.
You mean the whole truth?
Yes.
About everything?
Yes.
(laughs)
Golly.
This experiment
is gonna get an X rating.
(all laugh)
Okay, calm down.
Our study is one of survival.
You have volunteered
to be a part of something
of vital importance.
The scientific study
of man and his environment.
Are there any questions?
Uh, yeah.
You said volunteered.
I, uh--
I thought we was being paid.
You're right, Mr. Reeves.
You are a paid volunteer.
We've accepted only people
with no immediate family
because there is less
chance for embarrassment
over confidential matters,
and we must have the truth,
all of it, not part.
I believe you know
my assistant, Dr. Portland.
Excuse me, Dr. Roth,
but there's an urgent call.
Saxon, research control.
Saxon-- it's a call
I've been waiting for.
I requested more funds.
Excuse me, I'll be
just a moment.
Saxon, Roth.
How've you been?
Fine, Dr. Roth, and you?
Waiting for your call.
We're almost ready.
Yes, well, that's what
I'm calling about.
Your work has interested
some very big people.
Well, I'm glad to hear
about that.
These people would like
some cooperation from you.
But I thought
it was understood
that I was to be left alone
until I could report
my complete findings.
Yes, I know, I told them that
but they insisted.
Tell them my answer is no.
I'd think twice before
I'd give that answer, Roth.
You need funds.
I have your requisition
right in front of me now.
Don't tie my hands.
You know damn well
why I'm out of funds.
These people have power and
they're not afraid to use it.
The truth is you know
where they've got me.
(laughs)
You said it, I didn't.
(slide advances)
Ugly.
(slide advances)
Fun.
(slide advances)
Music.
(slide advances)
Woman.
(chuckles)
Why did I say "woman"?
A cemetery shouldn't
make me say that.
Don't question
your responses.
Just relax
and respond freely.
Well, it doesn't make sense.
Please, Father Neill.
Not Father-- not Father.
I'm sorry-- Reverend.
Are you all right?
Yes.
You were recalling
something vividly.
Was it pleasant or painful?
Both.
Let's try the screen again.
(slide advances)
Woman.
(chuckles)
I, uh-- I thought it.
I tried not to say it and--
I'm gonna let Dr. Roth
take over at this point.
I just want to see
what he thinks.
Aren't you considerably more
comfortable with Dr. Roth?
Where's Roth?
What?
Where is Roth?
I can't hear you.
Where's Roth?
He's in Accounting,
but I definitely would not
disturb him right now.
New funds?
I think he's got 'em.
Would, uh, you take over
the interview
with Reverend Neill?
Why, what's wrong?
Well, he's--
uptight about something.
We've really selected
some strange subjects.
(birds chirping)
Give me your weapon.
If you wanted to
protect yourself,
which weapon
would you choose?
That's a P-38.
I'd take it, you know.
Take it.
Now, take a closer
look at this.
A very clever
bugging device.
Testing 1-2-3.
(chuckles)
I think I changed my mind.
I'd rather have this.
In certain situations,
things like this
can be real effective.
That's the correct weapon,
all right.
But at best it's only
one percent effective.
If you really want
to know your enemy,
you got to know
what he's thinking.
Not what he's saying.
"If I could hear the music
I heard when I was young,
I wouldn't be out of step."
Are you quoting someone?
Yes.
Who?
Myself.
One of my sermons.
You feel you're out of step?
Yes.
In here or everywhere?
(chuckles)
It's myself.
Then it's everywhere.
Are you trying to get back?
I, uh...
I suppose so.
I don't know, I...
Maybe that's why I applied.
I...
At times you have
a speech impediment.
Yes.
This impediment,
this hesitation.
Is it from childhood?
I don't know, uh...
what it was.
I can't explain it.
I, uh...
I just don't know, maybe...
maybe God knows, I don't.
I...
Doctor, I don't think
I better go on with this.
I, uh... I don't think
I'm a good subject.
I, uh... I thought that it
was going to be different.
I'm not a good subject.
On the contrary,
you're excellent.
Not perfect.
Thank you.
Doctor, uh...
May I ask you a question?
Yeah, it's your time.
Do you ever pray?
Often, in my own way.
Why?
Well, I guess
I don't want to take
any unnecessary chances.
Our attitude on that matter
is fairly close.
What is my attitude?
You know man exists and
you believe God exists,
but you're not sure
which one created the other.
(groans)
(gasps softly)
No.
Roth knows something
little Morris doesn't know.
Anyway in the land
of the blind
a one-eyed man's a king.
Nuts?
No, thanks.
(Minnie Lee screaming)
What the hell?
Minnie Lee.
(Minnie Lee screaming)
What's wrong, Minnie Lee?
What happened?
Someone was here.
In my room!
He was trying to feel--
What the--?
What's all the racket?
I don't know.
(yawning)
(door opens)
What is it?
I thought I heard
someone screaming.
I heard something.
I want a lock on my door.
I want a lock.
Okay, dear, but you go
back to sleep now.
(sobbing)
Oh, please don't go.
Please don't leave me.
You just lay there
and go back to sleep.
(crying)
Don't wake up Dr. Roth.
She's had a nightmare,
that's all.
I understand.
Is everything all right?
Is there anything we can do?
Did any of you hear anything
before she screamed?
No, I was sleeping.
Is she all right?
Maybe there's something
I could do to help?
No, Dr. Portland's
with her right now.
You-- she just had
a nightmare, that's all.
You gentlemen
go back to sleep.
It's nothing.
Good night.
(Roth)
Why did you lie, Reeves?
I didn't lie.
You lied, Reeves.
What is the one word we've
tried to impress upon you?
What one word?
Truth.
Say it again.
Truth.
You've never been in jail?
Reeves, you have
a police record.
You've also been
in reform school.
What about the army?
The, um... the army?
You were a troublemaker
there too.
What do you think
we are, incompetent?
You don't think
we check things out?
The truth, Reeves.
Absolute accuracy.
One lie can cause us
a lot of trouble.
Look, I didn't lie exactly.
I was put inside a jail.
But when I said I was
never in jail,
it was because
I didn't do nothing.
I was innocent.
Have you ever been
booked for theft?
I never stole nothing
in my life-- but food.
And that's not stealing
if you're hungry enough.
You're dismissed
from the project.
You gotta let me do this.
Please.
What you may have done
in your life
is no great matter to us.
The truth is everything.
Everything!
Now, do you completely
understand this?
Yeah.
Are you pleased?
Well, I'm satisfied,
but old Roth isn't.
Well, it's another
change of D-day.
No, not necessarily.
It just means we're gonna
go through every checkpoint
and every phase again.
What's bothering him?
Everything.
(chuckles)
That's impossible.
This place gives me
the all-overs.
Doctors running around
like a chicken
with its head cut off.
And last night,
I know I wasn't dreaming.
And these guards, they
make me think of tombstones.
It's like we were gonna be
buried or something.
Not like we were,
as if we were.
Like is never followed
by a complete predication.
You better not let me
in your room alone
'cause I wouldn't
just be touching you.
And when I left,
you wouldn't be screaming.
You'd just smile.
This is where
the real danger lies.
Feeding impulses
into the upper and lower
cortex of the brain
can be dangerous.
Carol, you'd be
in there also.
You're vulnerable.
Biofeedback training
will help me.
The others, well, that's
why we're experimenting.
Like another redaction of
impulse feed on all stages?
Yes, if you don't mind.
Carol, get my Phase III
impulse breakdowns
on my desk.
(click)
(man)
Yes, sir?
Are we ready to test
the first patch-in?
We need more time, sir.
I'm still worried about
the fail-safe circuits.
But we can try it
if you say so.
Then try it.
(zapping)
What the hell?
Go to standby.
Standby.
Not responding.
Check sections E.
Sections E circuits
not responding.
Well, don't just
stand there, Dr. Portland!
Call engineering!
(zapping)
Hold it!
It's back.
(high-pitched whirring)
(dialing phone)
(phone rings)
Dr. Roth's office.
This is Williams.
Engineering.
Hold on.
Engineering.
Yes.
We checked out all of
the circuits in E-cell.
Everything seems to be okay.
I'm going over next to--
Hold on just a second.
I think I've
run across something.
He's found something.
(screaming)
(electricity zapping)
(breathing rapidly)
(phone rings)
Yeah?
Carol! How'd you know
where I was?
The computer shut down again
and we had an accident.
I'll be right there.
What happened?
An accident.
Who was it?
One of the men from
electrical engineering.
He was checking
the circuits.
He found something.
That.
We blew it.
We blew it.
Today's the first time
I ever yelled at you.
I know.
How long did it take
for you to forgive me?
A few minutes or an hour
or-- have you forgiven me?
I forgave you
before it ever happened.
(instrument pinging,
heart beating)
You're wonderful.
Your work, you.
(pinging and heartbeat continue)
Do you hear him?
(chuckles)
Yes.
Feel him.
(thunder rumbling)
Do you like trees?
Woods?
I don't know.
Yeah, I guess so.
I mean, I'm not
in love with them.
Not like my father.
My father really
loved trees.
He liked the woods,
the shadows, walking.
The first thing I clearly
remember is a tree.
It was enormous.
And my father was
leaning back against it.
His eyes were closed.
Geez, I was like four.
(both chuckle)
What kind of tree?
I don't remember.
I don't remember
anything about it
except the trunk,
how big it was.
Mmm.
Yeah.
The bark was smooth
like a poplar.
It was too dark
for a poplar.
He had, uh,
given me a knife.
And I remember opening it,
but I didn't cut
on that tree.
I just stood there
and thought about
how long it would take me
to cut it down
with that knife.
I clearly remember
thinking that--
Did you get along well
with your parents?
Well, my parents
left me alone.
When I wrote poetry,
my mother didn't
sneak around and read it.
When I played football,
my father didn't keep
bragging to the world
how good I was.
(chuckles)
Were you good--
at either one?
Sure, sometimes
I was good at both.
(chuckles)
Do you know anything
about the brain?
Nope.
Your brain has
the strongest impulses
of any subject
we've tested.
Is that good or bad?
Neither one.
Nature doesn't make
moral judgments.
It simply balances
the books, I think.
We're losing it.
The computers
are overriding us.
Emergency, emergency.
All sections.
How'd your father--
(alarm beeping loudly)
(alarm bell clanging)
(alarm sounds continue)
Damn it,
what's happened now?
We're dead-- it quit.
I've lost total power
twice-- why?
Roth, I don't know,
could be anything.
We're checking it out.
You do that.
What the hell
is going on, Roth?
I don't know,
but I intend to find out.
Computers have
total control.
(zapping and clicking)
Control returning.
C.I.C.'s impulse
is to normal.
(sighs)
It's up to them now.
They have control.
Why do they
have to keep asking
all those
personal questions?
To ascertain the truth,
sweetheart.
Well, what's that
got to do with pollution
and population explosion?
You haven't been
listening properly.
You see the truth
is everything.
Truth will clear the water,
banish the smog,
lower the birth rate,
break down DDT
and benefit the world.
(Minnie Lee)
Dr. Roth didn't say all that.
(Willard)
Well, I can say all that.
Why did you volunteer?
I wanted to do
something for my country.
Your what?
(laughs)
(sighs)
I wanted to do something
for my country.
Well, of course you did.
That's because
you have vision.
And where there is no vision,
the people perish.
(man)
Now, each day in E-box will
represent five years of time.
Now, you've all been briefed
on a number of problems,
discomforts and possible
dangers involved.
Now, the population explosion
is going to be simulated,
not by increasing the number
of people in the box,
but by decreasing the space.
The walls will actually
move inward
toward the service module.
Now, certain pollutants
will be added to the area
and noise levels
will fluctuate.
Any questions?
Now, we'll be doing
many things.
We'll be measuring
the tiniest electrical
impulses of your brain
and we'll be sending impulses
back into the box.
You know the magic
of this computer
enables us to formulate and
insert into this experiment
calculations that would have
taken many great minds
many years to perform.
This may look
like a very simple device,
however that's not the case.
Now, Dr. Portland has taken
this very simple device
and developed for this project
an impulse sensor
which conducts to the computer
every vital function
of your body,
like blood pressure,
heartbeat and so on.
As you know, Dr. Portland
will be instructing you
on rest, sleep
and exercise periods,
all of which
are very necessary.
Are there any questions?
Um... yeah.
When it's hooked up in there,
is it ever gonna shock us?
You shouldn't feel a thing.
Dr. Morris--
I've changed my mind.
I, uh--
I don't want to go.
Why?
It's, uh...
it's just that I, uh...
I'd feel lost
without my collar.
Dr. Roth?
I think we can make
an exception in this case.
Thank you.
(phone ringing)
They're ready to go
into the E-box, General.
Good.
What are my orders now, sir?
Stand by.
As all of you know
in your briefings,
this safety device is simple.
In the face
of any emergency,
anyone can just
break the glass.
That's all there is to it.
Simple.
But I'd like to underscore
in your minds
the consequences
can be far-reaching.
That of a major matter,
this experiment will be
immediately aborted.
With a minor matter, that you
will receive no further money.
How do you feel, Reverend?
Much better now.
Thank you.
(door sliding shut)
(mechanical whirring)
(man)
Yes, sir?
Begin Stage I
brain probe procedure.
Stage I only.
Repeat, Stage I only.
Right, sir.
(instruments beeping)
This is C.I.C. Control.
We have visual.
Visual, roger.
Integrating audio MX4-5-2.
Audio MX4-5-2, roger.
Effect T minus 20
and counting, mark 10.
Roger.
T minus 20 marking 10.
Mark 10, 9, 8, 7, 6,
5, 4, 3, 2, 1--
integrate.
Why don't you take a break?
I could use one.
Let's take a look
at our children first.
Okay.
Let's take a look at
service module camera 2.
Camera 2, hold on--
nothing.
(rhythmic beeping)
Camera 2, operational
and functioning.
Stage one of operation
is complete.
The others.
Roger-- negative.
That can't be--
let's see.
Damn it.
Try Carol's station.
There, hold it now.
We got Carol again.
Well, at least we're
not completely blind.
Look, shake it down
and see if you can
find out why
the service module
cameras won't work.
I'm gonna get some rest.
Camera 3.
Cameras 4 and 5.
This is C.I.C. Control.
We have control of
the service module cameras.
Integrate cameras
on 20 and counting.
Mark 10.
Roger-- Cameras 2
through 5 in sequence.
Marking 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Subject 1 in mode phase III.
Integrate C.I.C. circuit
to probe status.
Roger.
Tape is rolling.
Probe status C.I.C.
circuit integrated.
(electrical buzzing)
Easy, easy.
Reduce modulation by 5.
We have a sensitive
subject here.
Modulation minus 5--
Mark.
(buzzing stops)
(gunshot, woman screams)
(Minnie Lee)
Daddy, we did it.
(chuckles)
What are you doing up?
Standing watch.
I hope I didn't
wake you up.
No, you didn't.
Anything wrong?
No, I'm all right.
I'm just not
sleepy I guess.
I was thinking.
About me?
About my granddaddy.
Somebody wrote a song
about my granddaddy once.
It was a ballad
and it told the story
about this man who was poor.
And he made a lotta money
selling burial insurance.
And he bought this mortuary
and a pair
of alligator shoes.
And he'd go downtown
and he'd meet these people
who put him down,
like the banker
and he'd say: Business bankers
are mighty and high--
We have a good probe.
Audiovisual clear.
Monitoring Subjects 1 and 4.
Roger, tape is still rolling.
Stop tape roll.
One minute to Zebra.
Stand by.
Roger, tape roll stopped.
One minute to Zebra,
standing by.
Stand by service module
camera 3.
Roger, camera 3.
We have Subject 2.
Interlock tapes.
Integrate C.I.C. probe,
status mark 10 and counting.
10 and counting.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
Mark and integrate.
(buzzing, Reeves gasps)
(explosions and gunfire)
(printer clacking)
What the hell?
(bell dinging)
Yes?
Dr. Portland--
This computer,
I don't quite understand it.
It's...
Roth's sleeping and
if it isn't too important,
I'd rather not wake him.
Well, go on, what is it?
Well, the computer's
kicked out a question here
on Subject #1, C.I.C. NSC25.
It's a question of previous
marriage, true or false.
What do you make of it?
Minnie Lee, our programmee,
she's #1.
Possibly impulse receiving.
Let's ask her.
Whatever you say.
Should I get Roth?
No, you can
follow it through.
It seems routine to me.
Here she is now.
Did I do something?
(laughs)
No, Minnie Lee,
just routine.
Dr. Morris
would like to ask you
a question
from the computer.
Do you mind?
I guess not.
Minnie Lee,
this is Dr. Morris.
Were you ever married?
(laughs nervously)
No, Dr. Morris.
I told you that before.
I was never married.
I don't know what it is.
I don't know what I said
to cause any trouble.
I've never been married.
It was annulled.
I told you the truth!
I've never been married.
When something is annulled,
it's like it ain't never
happened before.
My daddy said
it weren't a marriage.
That's what my daddy said.
And he was hurt
worse than anybody.
And I don't like you saying
I told lies
and messed up everything!
When I told my daddy
about the baby,
it was too late.
(sobbing)
After it was annulled.
He didn't know
about the baby.
He wouldn't have
had it annulled.
You...
you can't annul a baby,
except by killing him.
And that's what I did.
And when my--
my daddy found out,
it just killed him.
(sobbing)
Don't you see?
I killed my baby.
And my daddy too!
(printer clacking)
(crumpling paper)
Portland?
Yes?
We've got another one.
Judd Reeves.
Who the hell do you think
you are, man?
Morris, what is this?
Your version of
"Truth or Consequences"?
I assure you, Mr. West,
that this is in line
with the program.
Dr. Morris is just following
questions from the computer.
What do you mean
calling me a liar?
Judd--
Listen, if you're trying to
brainwash me, man,
you're crazy.
They tried that in the army
and they couldn't beat
nothing out of me.
Judd--
Merriman was, was killed.
He was killed,
you scientific birdbrain!
You shove that
up your computer, Morris.
Or just come down here
and I'll shove it
down your throat for you.
No, I didn't kill him.
He killed himself!
Judd, calm down.
Now, listen, you just
stay away from me,
you scientific bitch!
Judd, that's enough.
Oh, boy.
Judd--
This is what
I've been waiting for.
Calm down.
Come on, Willy Boy.
Come on.
I'm gonna smash that
pretty face of yours.
Judd?
(piercing tone,
all screaming)
C.I.C. Control,
emergency, emergency!
All-circuits overload.
(tone continues)
(all screaming)
They'll go mad.
Morris, stabilize the impulses!
I'll go insane!
Shut down C.I.C. circuits
one through five.
Roger, one through five
C.I.C. circuits closed.
Roth! Roth!
What?
It's out of control!
Bio... feedback...
Bio... feed...
(zapping,
tone changes to low buzzing)
At least she's still alive.
We didn't bargain
for this.
Man, at least I didn't.
Let's get him to his bed.
Forgive me.
(sighs)
Oh God, forgive me.
How is the oxygen?
(Portland)
Maximum-- no trouble there.
Impulse-ending status?
We have to hold the impulse.
We can't take another
overload like that.
Reduction imprints
are normal...
and the computer's normal.
Everything's functioning.
Even the service module
cameras are working.
I don't understand it.
There had to be
an overload somewhere.
Morris, shake the computer
down and see-- Saxon.
I wonder.
I'll be right back.
--I just had five human beings
go through unnecessary hell
because of some kind
of malfunction.
We've checked everything
on our end with no results.
Now, something is happening
and it's not us.
Now, I want to know
and I want to know now.
Do you understand?
There is nothing I can do.
(whoosh, clacking)
It started again.
This is C.I.C. Control,
Subject 3
in mode phase III.
Integrate C.I.C.
circuit to standby.
Integrate T minus 20
and counting-- mark.
C.I.C. circuits--
probe status standing by.
Marking 20 and counting.
Let's go for a total brain probe
on this subject.
Yes, sir.
I'll be right down.
Roll tape.
Integrate C.I.C.
circuit probe mode III.
Mark T minus 10
and counting.
Roger, mark T minus 10,
tape rolling.
6, 5,
4, 3, 2,
1, integrate.
(zapping)
(grunting)
(woman)
You're not ashamed, are you?
(Neill)
Why should I be?
You know, Reverend,
this God thing.
My husband says that--
I was talking
about a personal God.
Aren't you afraid God
will strike you dead?
You sound like
you don't believe
in a personal God, do you?
No.
What?
A minister and
you don't believe in God?
I am talking about
a personal God.
Are you kidding me?
No, I'm not kidding you.
One, two, three, four.
St. Peter only
denied him three times.
I am speaking
about a personal God.
He does not exist,
so let's just let it go
at that, okay?
No...!
Well, here we go again.
Okay.
Now maybe we'll find out
just what's going on.
(Neill)
What have you done?
No one could know this about me.
I didn't mean to, I...
Oh, not Brother Neill.
(crying)
You can't do this to me.
Only God shall know my sins.
You're not God.
You can't do it to me.
A man who dares
enter the infinite
must be willing to suffer
the consequence.
God's wrath
shall fall on your head.
You and--
your kind.
I do not have-- to--
suffer this blasphemy.
I-- a man has a right to hide
his innermost thoughts
from mere mortal men, uh--
Well, God is my witness.
My sins--
(tearfully)
are between God and me.
I don't have to
put up with this.
I want out.
You hear?
God in heaven.
I want out.
(Portland)
No, don't!
(latches clicking)
You fool!
(alarm bell ringing)
Saxon, you're killing
these people.
You're going to kill them
unless you open those doors!
Don't you understand,
I've lost all control.
This damn machine
has gone berserk.
The information you want
is classified
and you're not cleared
for national security
controlled secrets.
You listen to me
and you listen well.
I'm not going to have the death
of five people on my hands.
(alarm blaring)
Emergency, emergency.
It should be opening.
Negative!
Subject has
activated fail-safe.
Computers have
total control.
The fail-safe.
It's got to work.
Dr. Portland and I
designed it.
Negative read-out--
fail-safe not responding.
(walls creaking)
More!
You can't stop it.
Yes, we can!
We've got to stop it!
Terrific, they're not
even gonna pay us.
Judd!
Okay, Portland.
You get those
fingers of yours
punching on those buttons
and get me out of here!
It's all right, Judd,
it's all right!
They'll get us out.
Not with my crummy luck,
they won't.
I'm gonna die
and I know it!
Take it easy.
The hell you say!
I know I'm gonna die
and so are you.
Judd!
We're not gonna die,
not if we don't want to.
It's that simple.
So is dying!
Cerebrum Impulse Converter.
It actually converts
brain impulses
into exact pictures
of thought.
Audio and visual.
Jesus.
Mortality.
You stupid fools.
No man, no human
ever believes
they're going to die.
That's a question of faith.
That's, that's
the paradox in mankind.
No one really believes
they'll ever die.
Don't you understand?
Faith, human faith to
a computer doesn't compute.
Yes, we understand that-- now.
We made a mistake.
No! No! No...!
Oh, no.
Let's get her down.
We've got to get her down.
(tearfully)
Roland--
It's Minnie Lee.
She just hanged herself.
(creaking continues)
Roth!
Look!
Look at what you've done!
You've-- you've answered one
more question for science.
Has it been worth it?
Did you learn something?
Look at your truth.
Garrison here.
(General)
Seal off the E wing.
Isolate Roth and Saxon
in the computer lab.
I'm coming over.
What?
I'm sorry, sir,
but you've been confined
to the computer room
until further notice.
Those people
are dying down there.
But we have our orders.
Orders?
Get out of my--
(thud, Roth grunts)
I'm very sorry, sir.
But would you go back
into the room-- now?
The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not want--
Jesus, cut that babbling.
He maketh me lie down
in green pastures--
Stop it!
Stop it, Merriman!
He leadeth me
beside the still water--
(whispers)
Roland--
Roland...
Don't answer me.
Shut up, Merriman!
Judd-- he's losing it.
He thinks Reverend Neill
is Lieutenant Merriman.
Through the valley,
the shadow of death--
You've been on my back
since boot, boy.
I will fear no evil--
Do you hear me?
I'll kill you!
Roth, we've got to get
those people out of there.
We've got to stop this.
We've got to stop it!
Thou anointest my head
with oil--
That's what you've been
telling us, huh, lieutenant?
We're all killing machines!
My cup runneth over--
But you forgot something.
Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me--
We're also dying machines!
But by God--
--dwell in the house
of the Lord--
You're gonna die first,
you bastard!
You're gonna die first!
Die, you bastard, die!
Judd, for God's sake!
Get away from me!
Get away!
Judd!
Merriman!
Reverend?
No!
(creaking continues)
Roth--
I'm gonna kill you, Saxon!
I'm gonna kill you!
You listen to me, Roth.
And you listen good!
(screaming)
Dr. Portland!
If he could break in
that service module,
we could get 'em
out of there.
That's it!
Willie! Willie!
The service module--
You've got to get inside.
You've got to break
into the service module.
Scientific bastard.
(crashing, alarm wailing)
Come on, let's get to the hatch.
We can break 'em out that way.
Let's go.
I'm sorry, sir,
but we have orders
not to let anyone
out of this room.
I'm overriding those orders.
But you don't have
that authority.
What do you mean?
I'm the head of this project.
I order you to let us pass.
But my orders don't come
from you or this project.
Now, don't move.
Hold it, hold it!
Don't anybody move.
(alarm wailing)
Let's go!
(zap)
(alarm stops)
You have to kill me
before I'll die.
She's down here.
Carol! Carol!
(zapping and creaking)
(Portland)
No!
The walls!
The walls, they've come in!
(zapping continues)
(explosion)
Oh, my God.
(door opens)
What are we going to do
about this, sir?
This won't be easy
to cover up.
(man)
Winds reached a velocity
of 80 miles per hour.
The damage was estimated
to be more than
one million dollars.
And this just in:
The National Environmental
Control Center
reports that
Dr. Roland Roth,
world-famous authority
on the human brain
was electrocuted
along with six others
when a patient broke from
an experimental therapy area,
ripped through
a protective panel
and exposed himself
and the other victims
to 500,000 volts
of electricity.
Along with Dr. Roth,
the dead include
his two assistants,
Dr. Carol Portland,
Dr. Elton Morris,
three other patients
and Willard West,
a patient who apparently
went berserk
during a routine experiment,
shouting "I can't die.
"I am immortal.
I am God."
This is Cornell Wood.
That's tonight's late news.
Good night.
("The Star-Spangled Banner"
plays)
That was a good
news release, General.
Very effective.
How did you handle Saxon?
He was transferred.
Well, the machine works.
That's the important thing.
And this is
only the beginning.
But I suggest you get it
out of there
within the next 24 hours.
It'll be out.
You understand,
no matter what happens,
I don't know
about anything
except the
environmental test.