The Swarm (1978) - full transcript

[intense music]

[engine revving]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[door shuts]

[dramatic music]

[door closing]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]



[door opens]

[door opens]

[switches flickering]

[switches flickering]

[switches flickering]

Red-Two to Topkick.

[instrumental music]

Stand by.

Red-Two reporting, sir.

- Slater here.
- General.

All personnel dead, sir.

No enemy force

on site.

Only security breach,
a civilian van on the base



but no driver to be found.

Any evidence
this was a preemptive CW strike?

No, sir.

Coming in.

Go on in!

[engine revving]

[helicopter whirring]

[dramatic music]

[helicopter whirring]

[music continues]

(male #1)
Sergeant.

[music continues]

Who the hell are you?

Relax, Major, please.

Take your finger off the trigger
and I will explain.

- That your van out by the gate?
- Yeah.

How'd you get into the complex?

It's a complicated story,
it starts a year ago

but, um, let's skip that.

Let me tell you about last night

and this morning.

Search him.

What's that?

Man your positions.

Sunflower seeds.

Get it analyzed.

Who is this?

The, uh, van driver, sir.

Well, what the hell
is he doing here?

Sir, unidentified force.
Range, 30 miles.

- Closing from what direction?
- Not closing, sir, outgoing.

Check him out.

And tell him
to put his hands down.

Yes, sir.

What have you got?

Estimated speed

seven miles per hour, sir.

Seven miles per hour?

Whatever it is, it's big.

Slater to Air-Search One.

Contact and identify
outgoing objects

bearing 183 degrees.

Distance, 30 miles

estimated speed,
7 miles per hour.

[intense music]

(Slater on radio) Repeat,
that's seven miles per hour

not seven hundred.

Air-Search One to Topkick,
roger.

[helicopter whirring]

Air-Search One to Topkick.

We have visual contact.

Identify.

A black mass.

A moving black mass.

Zero altitude, dead ahead.

- They're hitting us!
- Oh, my God!

Well, what...
We're outta...

We're outta control!

[both screaming]

[music continues]

[helicopter whirring]

[crashing]

[helicopter whirring]

Oh, my God! Bees! Bees!
Millions of bees!

Air Search 2-8 to Base.

Bees! Millions of bees!

- Bees?
- Yes!

(man on radio)
They're all around me now.

All over the canopy,
trying to get in!

Well, get above 'em, man!
Take it up!

Ah, I can't, sir!
I'm losing power!

Oh, my God!

[screaming]

[helicopter whirring]

[explosion]

He's down, sir.

Good Lord.

Call Hastings Air Force Base.

Have them scramble
and track those bees.

- This is Captain...
- Major!

Get me Hastings.

Bring him in here!

Hastings, this is Captain Cord

of Marysville Missile Complex.

This is a top priority order
from General Slater.

Scramble all aircraft
and track a swarm of bees

some 30 miles
from missile complex.

Yes, bees!

Now, what's his story?

- "Bradford Crane," sir.
- Is that all?

PhD,
Institute of Advanced Study

Princeton, via Cambridge.

English?

American
for the last eight years.

Well, Dr. Crane...

...you're in big trouble.

What the hell are you doing
in this complex?

I saw the swarms coming up
early this morning.

There were so many,
they almost blotted out the sun.

I followed them, but when
I got here, they were gone.

Then I saw
the missile gates open

and I thought, perhaps,
they'd flown down in here.

So I came to see
if there was anybody still alive

if I could help.

- What did you find in his van?
- Scientific equipment, sir.

What kind?
Sabotage, explosives? What?

Biological, sir.
None of it looks lethal.

Of course,
we're still checking it out.

- Who are you?
- I'm an entomologist.

- Bugs?
- Insects, General.

Look, what I do for a living
is not important.

What is important, critical

is that there are probably
other invading swarms.

And what these bees did here

they can do again
all over the Southwest

and, ultimately,
all over the country.

Are you trying to tell me
bees killed the men here?

Yes, just like they knocked
your two choppers down.

I don't know what happened
to my two choppers, not yet

but I do know
that thousands of people

are stung by bees every year.

And it's damn rare
if anybody dies from bee stings.

Then they have to be
African bees, then, don't they?

The African killer bees?

- Yes.
- Not likely, Crane.

I've read reports
on their progress.

If they ever do manage to come
this far north

it's ten years away
at the earliest.

Oh, yes? By whose timetable,
General, yours or theirs?

Crane,
either you're some crackpot

or there's a direct tie-up

between what's happened in this
complex and your being in it!

Yes, well, we can clear that up
fast, and we had just better.

Now you kick on
your visual-com system

and patch through to Dr. Connors
in the White House.

Arthur Connors,
the President's adviser?

That's him.

You trying to cite him

as your authority

for being in this complex?

Dr. Connors
hasn't the foggiest idea

whether I'm on, off,
on top of, or under this complex

but I have to speak to him
and I mean, right now!

- Lock him up!
- Yes, sir.

General.
Thank God you got here, sir.

- What?
- This is Dr. Anderson, sir.

She managed to get six missile
men into the hospital bunker

and closed the interlock in time
to isolate them.

- Oh.
- Two of them are dead.

The other four
are still critical.

I need antitoxins.

I have cardiopep compound
in my van.

Cardiopep?

I just read an article
in the medical journal

about cardiopep

by some scientist named Crane,
I think.

Our preliminary results
are most encouraging.

- You're Crane?
- Yes.

Our tests indicate
that cardiopep

normalizes irregular heartbeat.

Now, wait a minute, we're not
using experimental substances

on these men.

But, sir, this is his area.

It seems to me
that if he feels--

Captain, I don't give a damn
what he feels.

You're the doctor, you tell me
what antitoxins you need

I'll have 'em here
in less than 30 minutes.

Well, that's the problem, sir,
I don't really know.

None of the usual procedures
seem to be helping.

I need to talk
to an immunologist.

Get Atlanta on the horn.

National Center
for Disease Control.

The best immunologist
in the country

is Walter Krim, in Virginia.

You'll find his card
in my wallet. Call him.

- Go ahead.
- I know him very well.

I'd be pleased to talk to him,
if you let me.

Alright.
Go with him. Go with him.

Now, what happened here,
Captain?

I'm sorry, sir.
You mean, you don't know?

Well, uh, not-not exactly.

We were attacked by bees.

Attacked?

I was in the hospital bunker
when I heard the alarm.

I turned on
the video-control unit

saw what was happening.

Our men above ground

were literally covered
with bees.

I used an air-conditioning duct
to get over to pod-3

and lead the stand-by crew out.

The bees attacked us when
we reached the hospital bunker.

I managed to get six men inside.

Hm...

Well, it's damn hard to believe

that insects have accomplished

what nothing in the world
could've done

except, germ warfare
or a neutron bomb...

...neutralize an ICBM site.

[bees buzzing]

[engine revving]

Okay, let's go. Come on, Paul.

- Alright.
- Wow. Isn't this beautiful?

Neat.

Here, Paul, take this.

- Here you go, hon. Hm.
- Thanks, babe.

Hey, Paul,
look at that over there.

I think there's a waterfall
we can go to afterwards.

[birds chirping]

[intense music]

- Hand the cups, please. Thank you.
- Sure.

Paul, would you go to the car
and get the thermos?

Sure, mom.

- Go away.
- Yeah, it's just a bee.

If you leave 'em alone,
they won't bother you.

They're into everything.

[bees buzzing]

I'll get them.

Get out of the way, honey.

Think that's enough.
You're gonna wreck the food.

[sighs]

I'm hungry.

Oh, it's hot.

Mm.

- Hey, wait for Paul.
- I can't. I'm starving.

Mom, dad, look!

[bees buzzing]

Oh!

[screaming]

Dad! Come on, get in the car!

[Screaming]
Run!

[dramatic music]

[screaming]

[groaning]

[groaning]

[screaming]

Mom!

Dad!

[bees buzzing]

Mom!

[bees buzzing]

Mom!

Da-a-ad!

[intense music]

[engine revving]

Mom! Dad!

Mom!

Oh..

[engine revving]

[device beeping]

General Thompson
coming on-screen.

General, we've received
and decoded your report.

Now, we're having
credibility problems

with that portion which relates
to the nature of the attack

specifically,
with your statement

it was not a preemptive
chemical warfare strike.

We can find no evidence
of that, sir.

Your suggestion that the attack
is of natural origin.

Now, what the hell is that?

Sir, I'm having
the same problem

accepting the fact
that swarms of bees attacked--

Has that civilian with you
been cleared, General?

No, sir.

Then what the hell is he doing

in our complex?

Well, after the alert

when I arrived
with my special defense unit

he was already
inside the complex.

Claims he walked in
through the open gate.

I am Dr. Brad Crane,
an entomologist.

I have asked your man here
to check my credentials

with Dr. Arthur Connors
in the White House.

So far nobody believes me

and I have been placed
in custody.

General,
every minute now is precious.

We have been invaded by an enemy

far more lethal
than any human force.

Well, Dr. Crane, we're gonna
check with the White House.

Dr. Connors had better know you

for your sake.

[device beeping]

[car honking]

[engine rumbling]

- Afternoon, Felix.
- Afternoon, ma'am.

How are you feeling today?

Now that you're here,
I'm just doin' fine. Thank you.

Nicely said.

Well, everything's looking
mighty pretty, Maureen.

- And that's including you.
- Thank you, Clarence.

The wire and the pliers, please.

Oh.

Felix, you think
that riggin' of yours

is gonna
keep my banner up there?

Uh, Clarence, just because
you're the mayor of Marysville

that doesn't make you
an engineer.

Now, don't you be worrying
about my rigging, Clarence.

She'll stay up there
in a hurricane.

Now, I was just thinking

how corny your banner reads.

Makes us all look
like a bunch of hicks.

Look, nobody ask you
to leave Houston

and come here to retire,
you know?

Now, Clarence, that's not nice.

Well, we've been doing just fine

with our Flower Festival
for years

until this master mechanic
and all-around-genius

came here to tell us all
how to run things.

Well, actually,
the sign is sort of hicky

but that's what
people expect from us.

The hammer, too.

That's why they flock here
by the thousands each year

to see the parade

and all our beautiful
flower floats.

That's right,
we'll grant you, Felix,

this isn't Pasadena.

I mean, it isn't the Rose Bowl

but it's, by golly

a pretty fair
country-town imitation.

I'll tell you one thing
I do approve of.

This year's theme. Love.

Now, that was Clarence's idea.

That's right.

Well, everybody's got to have
one good idea

now and then.

- Even Clarence.
- Now look, Felix.

[car honking]

[tires screeching]

[car honking]

Mom, dad.

[car honking]

[tires screeching]

[breathing heavily]

[tires screeching]

[car honking]

[tires screeching]

[panting]

[crashing]

[clattering]

[indistinct yelling]

Paul.

[breathing heavily]

They-they killed
my mom and my dad!

[breathing heavily]

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

We'll do the best we can, sir,
and thank you, sir.

- Captain Jones you have online?
- Yes, General.

[device beeping]

General Thompson
coming on-screen.

Dr. Crane...

...your credentials
have been authenticated.

Nothing more?

Well, I confess
to being surprised

over the turn of events

but the president
has instructed me

to place you in direct command

of all operations

relating
to this present emergency.

What are the limits
to my authority?

[sighs]

None.

General Slater.

Yes, sir.

You will provide Dr. Crane

with full cooperation.

You will give him
the full equipment

whatever facilities, manpower
he needs.

All this
to be made available to him

without question.

Without question, sir?

Affirmative.

- Dr. Crane.
- Yes?

The president's adviser,
Dr. Connors

told me he'll personally be
calling you within an hour.

And I'd like to join with him
in wishing you good luck.

Thank you.

[device beeping]

Major, when you checked

the non-lethal equipment
in my van

did you by any chance
come across a beat-up briefcase?

Yes, sir.

Are you familiar
with its contents?

Yes, sir,
an inventory of the contents

is in the process
of being typed.

Correction, sir.
Was being typed.

Thank you.

I want the particular file

that I'd marked Personnel

to give to General Slater.

Yes, sir.

And while you're about it

could I have my leather pouch,
please?

The one
with the sunflower seeds in it.

Sergeant, would you get
the items he requested?

The file contains
the names, addresses

and telephone numbers
of everyone I want flown in.

Just tell them the war
that I've always talked about

has finally started.

- Mm-hmm.
- Hm.

That's all, huh?

- And they'll drop everything?
- I'm counting on it.

- Anything else?
- Yes.

In that same briefcase

there is a list of equipment.

And I'd appreciate it if you got

the Pentagon's
top procurement man on the job

and had him get everything
on that list flown down here

not later
than this time tomorrow.

Why here?

Because we're setting up
headquarters here, General.

Time is the one thing
we're short on.

Now, I want to talk
to the survivors, please.

Take Dr. Crane
to Captain Anderson.

Yes, sir.
Would you come with me, please?

Yes.

[sighs]
Brother.

Major...

...I believe you were
an investigative officer

in Intelligence prior
to your assignment to me, right?

That's correct, sir.

Okay.

I'm assigning you
to this Dr. Crane

as his personal
military liaison.

Watch every move he makes.

Build me a dossier on him.

I can't believe
he just happened to be here

at the exact moment

a swarm of bees hit this complex

and that he'd already prepared

with such remarkable foresight...

...a list of personnel
and equipment

to be flown in here.

It does seem strange, sir.

You stay
with the son of a bitch.

Yes, sir.

[device beeping]

(Anderson) This man is the
most stable of the four

but his heart rate
is still 120.

Take another blood sample
from these men

just before Dr. Krim gets here.

That'll be, uh,
three hours at the outside.

Infirmary. Major Baker.

Mm-hmm.

Well, hold on a minute.

Captain Anderson.

Dr. Anderson.

Oh, my God!

Yes.

Yes.

- I'm leaving right now.
- What is it?

[panting] The bees are
moving toward Marysville.

They've killed all
the Durant family, except Paul.

- I must go to him.
- Yes, I-I'll go with you.

Major, you drive.

[engines revving]

[indistinct chattering]

[indistinct chattering]

Paul Durant.

- C-4.
- Thank you.

[screaming]

[breathing heavily]

Ah, there's a bee in here!

Please, help!

[screaming]

There's a bee in here!

[screaming]
Get him out of here!

- Paul, take it easy, Paul.
- Please. Please!

Get him away! Kill him!
There's a big bee...

- Paul.
- Doctor.

Would you let him go, please?
Let him go.

- Do what he says, Tomas.
- Back away.

- Back away.
- There's a bee. Help.

Paul, Paul, listen to me.

There is no bee,
no bee in this room.

No, there isn't.

You are having a nightmare.

Only a nightmare.

Can you hear me, Paul?

The bee is not real.

I..
Paul, I promise you it isn't.

Now reach out

and it will go away.
You'll see.

Now, please, Paul, reach out.

Reach out, Paul.

Please trust me.

Reach out.

Further. Go on.

There.

You see, Paul?

No bee.

Everything I tried failed.

I was afraid
I was gonna lose him.

I know how special he is to you,
Dr. Anderson, so I called you.

- Thank you.
- How many times was he stung?

I removed two stingers
from him.

Well, that's one break.

At least
he's not pump full of venom.

But he's delirious

muttering about this giant bee
all the time.

I-it was, it was big!
It was really big.

About half the size
of this room.

Shh, shh. It's gone now, Paul.

It was only in your mind

and he won't be back.

I have to go.

Dr. Crane.

Thank you for helping me.

[door shuts]

[engine revving]

Contact the complex, please.
Two things.

General Slater
must assign helicopters

to start a search pattern

radiating out from the site

where the Durant family
were attacked

but the helicopters
must take no aggressive action

if they spot any swarms.

We're gathering information
at this point

not counter-attacking.

- Clear?
- Clear.

Second item,
have the complex call me

the moment
that Dr. Krim is about to land.

[engine revving]

[helicopters whirring]

Here come your choppers,
as ordered.

Thank you, General.

No, thanks.

High in potassium,
low in sodium.

Terrific.

[helicopters whirring]

Sergeant, start your patterns.

Start your dispersal pattern
in sectors A and B.

Report immediately
any sighting of swarms.

(man on radio)
Roger.

[helicopters whirring]

If you tell us what you're
looking for, we'll try to help.

I'm looking for bees, General.

Unfortunately,
they washed down the Durant car

before we got to it.

Look.

Doesn't look like a bee to me.

Plastic.

It's a piece of a plastic cup.

There are pieces
all around here. Look.

Look, there, there, there.

What's so significant
about that?

I'm afraid to speculate...

...but...I think

the bees did this.

You-you saying
these bees eat plastic?

No, no, but I'm wondering.

Pure American honey bee
has a weak mouth.

They couldn't even
break the skin of a grape

but it looks like this species

is tearing up plastic cups

possibly, to line their hives.

Now, if this is true

they didn't just get here.

I mean, the invasion
didn't just now begin.

They have been here some time...

...breeding, increasing.

SQ?

Well, suppose these bees

are using plastic
to insulate their hives.

- No bee is that smart.
- Hm.

Suppose these African bees are.

[helicopter whirring]

- Walter!
- Ah.

Got a message for you
from Mrs. Krim.

I know, Carol is furious at me

for dragging you back to work,
right?

She wants to know if you think

I'm the only immunologist
in the world.

Well, that's what
you've always told me.

You're ready to go to work,
Dr. Krim?

Now I am, Dr. Crane.

[chuckles]

Oh, uh, this is General Slater.

Hello, doctor.
Just let me know what you need.

We'll be right on it.

Thank you, General.
We've got to move fast.

I agree, and in my opinion

the fastest move
is a quick knockout.

Not necessarily, General.

It's only the final result
that counts.

Thank you, Brad.

[wheelchair squeaking]

[wheelchair squeaking]

These hallucinations
seem to be disappearing.

That's right.

None of the patients
have had a recurrence

in the past couple of hours.

Well, you're doing
everything you can for them.

Just keep these IVs going.

Yes, sir.

Is there any other antitoxin
we could've used?

If this fellow behind me
is right

and the bees that stung 'em
were Africans

the answer's probably no.

Got nothing in our bag for them,
not yet anyway.

Maybe Cardiopep might have eased
their palpitations

but it's no final antidote.

Be sure and call me if
there's any change in these men.

Yes, sir.

They don't look very good,
do they?

I'm afraid not.

[wheelchair squeaking]

So you still
refuse to oil this thing, huh?

I don't intend to be stuck
in this damn thing forever.

You've finally met
some miracle healer or what?

I'm studying Tibetan levitation.

In a few hundred years or so

I expect to be able
to just float around.

You still writing dirty books?

Not this year.

Raunchiest thing I ever read,
that paper of yours

on the mating habits
of Bombus medius.

Yeah, those queen bees
really are something.

Sergeant, this is Dr. Krim.

The two officers
with Major Baker

are doctors Richards and Moore.

And until they finish their
work, you don't admit anyone.

[device beeping]

[wheelchair squeaking]

Have someone
oil these wheels later.

Brad.

You okay, Brad?

- Yeah.
- You go on now.

I'll handle this part
and call you when I'm ready.

Walter...

...thanks for coming over here
so quickly.

(Baker)
Problem, doctor?

About what?

Well, I noticed that, uh

Dr. Crane seemed uneasy in here.

Can't imagine
why anybody'd be uneasy

around all these dead men.

Can you, Major?

Well, is the man coming
or isn't he?

Yes, sir, the general is coming

but you still have to wait
outside.

[engine revving]

[brakes squeaking]

What the hell is this
about shutting off our water?

Are you the man in charge here?

That's right.
I'm General Slater.

Well, I'm Jud Hawkins.

I asked these tin soldiers
of yours if I could see my son

and they tell me
it's impossible, no way.

Who is your son?
Why do you think he's here?

Because he was stupid enough

to join your damn outfit,
that's why.

His name is Mark,
Airman Mark Hawkins

and he's stationed here

and I want to see him.

Well, I'm afraid that might
not be possible, Mr. Hawkins.

- Not just yet.
- Well.

I'll tell you
what makes it possible.

Me being the county engineer.

That makes it right now,
can do, possible.

- Do you understand me, General?
- Out of the question.

Look, I throw the switches
that controls

all that damn water
in this county

and, by God, I'll shut yours off

unless I get to see my son.

I'll shut this whole damn base
down in ten minutes.

Why, you won't even have enough
water to flush your toilets

when I get through with you.

I'm not sure you have
the authority to do that

to a federal installation.

Well, while you're checking
with your superiors to find out

if I've got the authority

I'm gonna be
a-turning those valves.

Now you listen to me, General.

The word in town
is that them same bees

that killed the Durant family
this afternoon

killed a whole lot of men
on this base here this morning.

Now, I wanna see my son.

I want to find out if he's alive

and I mean right now!

Alright, Mr. Hawkins.

Open it up.

[Slate opens]

Come with me.

[dramatic music]

Anything?

The toxic content
in their tissue

is the highest I've ever found.

It's even more virulent
than the venom

of the Australian
brown-box jellyfish.

If that baby taps you, you got
two minutes to say your prayers.

Well, I...

- That's it, then?
- Yup.

Looks like your nightmare
has finally arrived.

The combined venom
delivered by the stingers

of three or more of these bees

may be a fatal dosage
to the average human being.

The victim would be unconscious
in a minute.

We've been fighting a losing
battle against the insects

for 15 years...

...but I never thought
I'd see the final face-off

in my lifetime.

And I never dreamed

that it would turn out
to be the bees.

They've always been our friends.

Until this species evolved.

Sir, General Slater
is just outside

with next of kin
of one of the dead men.

He wants to come in here?

He said it was imperative.

[music continues]

Alright.

[music continues]

[music continues]

[sobbing]
Oh, God! No!

[sobbing]

[music continues]

I'm afraid you can't take him,
Mr. Hawkins.

The only way you can stop me to

is to shoot me...

...and I'd thank you
if you would.

[music continues]

[Hawkins sobbing]

[helicopter whirring]

Hubbard. Dr. Newman.

Thank you for coming so quickly.

Glad to help, Dr. Crane.

Crane, I think you should know
I came here reluctantly.

Well, that's better
than not at all...

...now, isn't it?

This way, gentlemen.

Would you
excuse me a moment, please?

Major Baker,
when the others arrive

give them 30 minutes,
no more, to shower and unpack...

...and then have them go
to the briefing room.

- Very well, sir.
- Gentlemen.

Rude son of a bitch, isn't he?

Never even introduced us.

You'd think he was a general.

He's asked
for the duty watch tapes.

Why?

Well, he seems to know
all about the fact

that there's an automatic,
round the clock

taping system in the duty room.

He wants to audit the tape
for the period

just prior to the bee attack.

I've already played them back.

Not a damn thing on it
that'll help us.

Alright, go ahead.
Let him hear it.

And stay with him.

- Build up that dossier.
- Yes, sir.

(male #2 on recorder) So, what
are you gonna do about Rita?

(male #3 on recorder)
She's been slinging hash at Pete's

long enough.
I'm gonna marry her.

(male #2) Hey, guys
don't do that anymore

just 'cause
they're gonna have a kid.

(male #3)
Hey, man, I love Rita.

I'd marry her whether we were
gonna have a kid or not.

(automated voice on recorder)
At the tone, mark 0-4-30.

[beeping on recorder]

(male #2) It says here
on the watch order

we're scheduled to run a test
on the alarm system

right after the 0-4-30 mark.

(male #3)
Okay. Stand by.

Activating.

[alarm blaring on recorder]

What alarm system is that?

It's a fallback system

in case we lose the phone lines
or radio contact.

[alarm continues]

What's that?

Just the alarm.

No, listen, listen.

[buzzing on recorder]

(male #2 on recorder) Jerry,
do you hear what I'm hearing?

- Yeah.
- Duty officer.

- What is it?
- Right away, sir.

(Jerry on recorder)
A couple million chain saws!

[male #4 screaming on recorder]

(Jerry)
That came from the corridor.

Cover me. I'll go look.

(male #2)
Je-Jerry! Behind you!

- Ah!
- My God!

Dr. Crane,
they're ready for you now, sir.

Okay.

Keep the tapes on the machine.

I want to hear them again.

[machine beeping]

[machine beeping]

[indistinct chatter]

How's Paul doing?

Recovering, thank you.

That's good.

[indistinct chatter]

Good morning,
ladies...gentlemen.

Please forgive
the haste and the secrecy...

...with which
you have been summoned here.

The fact is...

...we have been invaded
by a mutant species

of the African killer bee.

Crane, if I may.

Yes, Dr. Hubbard?

As you know, I was sent
by the President here

to help out but I think
you are dead wrong.

Now, I was one of
the first people sent to Brazil

to study the situation
when the African killer bee

began proliferating there.

Incidentally, we'd prefer
to call these mutants

the Brazilian bee,
not the African.

Yes, I'm very well
aware of that, Dr. Hubbard.

(Dr. Hubbard)
Well, I've been keeping track

of their, uh,
progress North

and I can assure you,
there is no evidence whatsoever

that they've yet crossed
Central America.

Let alone...arrived here.

Apparently, they came directly

across the Caribbean
from Venezuela.

There have been
three hurricanes

in that ocean tract
in the past season.

Any one of them
could have swept the bees in.

Much of the land around here

is given over to the
cultivation of flowers.

A perfect breeding ground.

[indistinct chatter]

Gentlemen,
with all appropriate respect

for the men who died here...

...there is no proof

that the bees that killed them
were Brazilian.

Or, if you insist, African.

What we call 'em is not
as important as what they are.

And what they are quite clearly
is a mutant species

of the original
African killer bee.

Dr. Krim will explain.

The autopsies confirm

that the venom...

...is deadlier than anything
we've ever encountered.

It appears there's enough poison

in just four stings

to...kill the average person.

Well, I will not dispute
my learned colleague

but it takes 26 tests
to differentiate

between the domestic bee
and the African.

How many tests
have you made so far?

Major.

You are now looking
at the final test

that I made this morning...

...from the one dead bee

that we found.

You'll please notice
the 18-vein intersection

on the forewing...

...and the 17 separate angles

of the hamuli.

Only one bee...

...has that configuration...

...and that
is the African killer bee.

[indistinct chatter]

Major.

Dr. Hubbard...

...I would appreciate it
if you would

head up
our environmental team.

Dr. Newman will be in charge

of the genetic counter-attack.

Dr. Krim
will try to develop

a mass antidote...

...in order to save the lives

of future victims.

Because of the danger
to nearby Marysville

if the bees
launch another attack...

...I've invited
his honor Mayor Tuttle

and the school superintendent
Miss Schuster

to attend this briefing.

Any comment?

Mayor Tuttle.

Thank you.

In the view
of what you've told us

I'll set up a meeting
of the town council

as soon as possible.

Uh, first thing
I'll see to is that our

air-raid warning system
is repaired.

It hasn't worked
in...quite some time.

Then if the bees
should come back

at least we'll be able to warn
our people to take shelter.

(Dr. Crane) A very practical
approach, Mayor Tuttle.

Miss Schuster.

Well, the whole idea
of those killer bees

comin' back
is absolutely petrifying.

I'll alert all my teachers

to be prepared for the worst.

I do appreciate
your thoughtfulness

in asking us to this briefing.

Thank you, Dr. Crane.

(Dr. Crane)
You're welcome, Miss Schuster.

Any further comment?

Uh, what is our timetable?

Eight-hours on,
eight-hour off

round the clock,
seven days a week.

No, no, I meant, uh..

What's the length
of our program?

Uh, how long
can we expect to be here?

Until we have destroyed...

...the African bee...

...or it has destroyed us.

[instrumental music]

[panting]

[sighs]

[music continues]

[clattering]

[music continues]

Psst! Hey!

- Hey, you guys ready?
- Yeah, we're ready!

Well, c'mon, give me
the binoculars and let's go.

Okay, let's go.

[music continues]

- Mornin'.
- Hi!

Hi, boys!

Morning, Rita.

Morning, Mr. Austin.

Instead of the usual

I'll just have coffee
this morning.

- Alright.
- I'll get it, Rita.

Morning, Felix!

A man would think you'd let her
have some time off, Pete.

At least let her go
to the missile base and...

...pick up Jerry's things.

I told her!

I even said to her,
I said "Rita...

"...why don't you go home
for a few days

pull yourself together."

But she said...

"...If I was to go home...

"...stare at them four walls

"knowin' I'd never
see Jerry again...

"...I'm just liable
to take his service pistol

"and blow my head off."

Now, that's what she said.

No, I reckon
she's better off here

pretending it never happened.

Pretending them killer bees
never got up here.

I bet I can guess
what school teacher

them roses belongs to.

[chuckles]

You don't need
no crystal ball for that.

Yup, the way I hear it is

Maureen is favorin' you
over Clarence.

- I sure am counting on it.
- Yes, sir.

The gossip is the odds
have shifted in your favor.

Now, them is my kind of odds.

[laughs]

- Well, I gotta be goin'.
- So soon?

Yeah, but I'll be seein' you.

- Okay, have a good day.
- Yeah, thank you.

[instrumental music]

- Oh, Maureen.
- Mornin', Felix.

- Got you some roses.
- Oh, Felix.

They are lovely.

I usually get apples.

[chuckles]

Oh, Maureen. I, uh...

Something wrong, Felix?

Oh, Maureen,
I'm not too good with words...

...but I am a retired
master mechanic...

...and my education...

...well...it's all
in these hands.

[music continues]

And I know you know
what I'm trying to say.

Your roses speak for you.

Most eloquently.

Thank you.

And I'm mindful of it.

Then there is hope for me?

Oh, look at the time.
I'd better hurry.

How'd it look
for me to be late for school?

[chuckles]
Let me help you.

And I'll keep your roses
near me.

[chuckles]
Thank you.

As a reminder.

Thank you.

(Felix)
I'll be seeing you real soon.

You will.

- Bye.
- Bye.

[music continues]

[bees buzzing]

[dramatic music]

[sighs]

We'll come back later.

We have to plan this just right.

'Cause these aren't
just any old bees.

[buzzing continues]

This is your reporter,
Anne MacGregor.

We're about to
leave for Marysville

to investigate the report
of an unusual

and savage attack by bees
at a family picnic.

It resulted in the death
of a mother and father

and serious injury
to their young son.

My next report will be
from Marysville...

- Kill it.
- Yes, sir.

We've picked up
a massive swarm, sir.

On this scale that puts it only
200 miles from Houston.

I can have choppers there
in half an hour.

We'll eliminate them
before they get away.

With what?

Airborne chemical agents.

May we talk? Alone?

Sure.

I don't recall our discussing

the need
to use chemicals agents.

Now, listen...

My orders are to assist you

in your scientific endeavors.

Not to consult with you
on military matters...

...which are none of your
damn concern, sir!

General, please.

These bees, General,
are of joint concern.

And they are killing Americans

without reference
as to whether or not

they have a serial number

and are expected to salute you!

So there will be no airdrops
of any kind...

...until I give the okay!

Your okay, huh?

Then just possibly
I can persuade you

to attack this particular swarm.

Now that we know where it is...

...attack and eliminate it!

Possibly, if you can explain
to me...

...how you airdrop chemicals

without killing
the native insect life.

If your chemical
will kill the African bee

it will also
kill the American bee, right?

Right.

And better a few American bees

than a lot of American people.

That is the point, General!

The honey bee
is vital to the environment!

Every year in America

they pollinate six billion
dollars worth of crops!

If you kill the bee,
you're gonna kill the crop!

If you kill the plants,
you'll kill the people!

No! No, General!

There will be no airdrop

until we know exactly
what we're dropping...

...and where...and how!

Excuse me.

What about the airdrop, sir?

Sir?

- The 0-4-30 mark.
- Okay.

(Jerry on recorder)
Stand by. Activating.

[ticking]

[buzzing on recorder]

(male #2 or recorder) Jerry,
do you hear what I'm hearing?

(Jerry)
Yeah. What is it?

Sounds like a couple million
chain saws!

[male #4 screaming on recorder]

(Jerry) That came from the corridor.
Cover me.

I'll go look.

(male #2)
J-Jerry! Behind you!

[male #4 screaming on recorder]

My God!

[Jerry screams on recorder]

Oh, God, no! No!

[bees buzzing]

[dramatic music]

Come on, let's get them!

[panting]

We've got to kill them
this time!

Ready, now!

[bottles shattering]

Let's get out of here!

[buzzing]

[music continues]

[bees clinking]

[music continues]

[car engine revving]

[sighs]

I can't imagine where he's gone.

We've looked everywhere.

He's been running a fever.

I got him back to the clinic
right after the funeral

but the minute I left,
he disappeared.

We'll find him.

With everything else you've got
on your shoulders

you really didn't need this too.

I know I'm taking you away
from all your responsibilities.

Paul is one of them.

Besides...

...I like being with you.

You're the one positive thing
that's happened to me here.

I like that.

I really do.

What is it?

[dramatic music]

Look.

The bees.

They're heading toward
Marysville.

[indistinct chatter]

- Wait.
- Hey, wait for me.

[instrumental music]

- I'll beat you outside!
- No, you won't.

Now, Miss Cook?

In a minute, Mr. Tuttle.

Is this what you want?

No, I need a note
from your mother.

(Miss Cook)
Now, Mr. Tuttle.

Oh, thank you.

Would you excuse me?

That'd be alright.

Well, Clarence,
who's minding the store?

[exhales] Maureen, how long
have we known each other?

Clarence, maybe
you'd better sit down.

Uh, no, no, thanks,
I'll stand. How long?

Well, I can remember you
in short pants.

But I just soon not figure out
how long ago that was.

In all that time,
have you ever heard me beg?

[laughs]
Oh, not you, Clarence.

You're the original
high-spirited, independent soul.

Uh. Well, Maureen...

...I'm willing to beg now.

[telephone rings]

Yes? Blue will do.

Where was I? Uh...

Oh, yeah.

Maureen, I want you to marry me.

[instrumental music]

Oh, Clarence...

...do sit down.

Uh, you just name the date
and I'll make

all the arrangements.

Well, I'm not sure
I'm the wife you need.

Oh, you'd make the best wife
in the world.

Well, Clarence,
I think I'm already married

completely married
to this school.

Maureen, I love you.

Oh, I know people look at me
and think I'm just an old man

behind the aspirin counter
but in my heart

I'm as young as I ever was.

Maybe younger.

And I want
to take care of you.

Oh...

Thank you, Clarence.

Well, I guess I have to choose,
don't I?

I, uh...I guess that's about
what it comes down to.

[telephone rings]

Please hold the calls.

Maureen, I, I know
I may not win out...

...because, for
all my pretending

I can't stand Felix, I...

...I know he's a fine man

and he'd make a good husband.

But I know one thing...

...I love you.

I always have...

...and I'll, I always will.

No matter...what you decide.

How lucky I am.

Well...

...alright.

I'll give you both my answer

before the end
of this school term.

How's that?

That's, uh,
fair enough, I guess.

Oh, I...I brought these for you.

Thank you.

[music continues]

[engine revving]

Why'd they send us
varsity way out here?

Any stringer could've
covered this story.

You're wrong, Hal.

This isn't just a story
about a family killed by bees.

Something else is going on
around here.

I can feel it.

We're first national news people
on the spot.

Okay, Anne, if you say so.

Well, let's check in.

[horn blows]

Get back.

[tires screeching]

(male #5) Yeah, I've got it
right here in front of me.

- The African bees!
- Call you back.

The African bees that killed

Paul's mother and father
are back!

Get everyone inside
and everything locked up!

You call the park!
You call the ball field!

I'm calling the school!

[siren blaring]

(Crane)
Get inside! The bees are coming!

[clamoring]

[sirens blaring]

Get inside!
The killer bees are coming!

Everybody get inside.
Do you understand?

Maureen, those killer bees
are coming in.

Get all the kids off the
playground into the building.

Don't you understand?

The killer bees are coming!
Get inside immediately.

(Anderson) Get all the children!
Get them inside!

(Crane) Take any children
you see with you!

Quickly, get inside!

Quickly, take your children
with you!

If you see any children alone,
take them in!

Get inside the house!

Keep all the air conditioning
vents closed

and don't let anybody out
until you get

an all clear from me.

I understand.

I'll do it immediately.

Attention. Attention.

This is Miss Schuster.

Please listen very carefully.

A swarm of killer bees
is coming this way.

I want every teacher
and every student

to close off whatever area
you may be in

at this very moment.

[screaming]

[buzzing]

[dramatic music]

[children screaming]

Children! Children!
It's all right.

It's alright.

Quiet. Quiet.

[buzzing continues]

[crying]

[buzzing continues]

Here they come.
Inside, fast.

Get it all on tape!

[sirens blaring]

Close your windows,
close your doors!

Stay inside!
Please, listen to us!

Run!

[buzzing continues]

[music continues]

[screaming]

[screams]
Brad!

Get some ice!

[buzzing continues]

[music continues]

[screaming]

[buzzing continues]

[music continues]

[screaming]

[glass shatters]

They're coming in here!

[screams]

- Is there a freezer?
- Yes, around this way.

Get in it.

[screams]

Mr. Harris! He's locked it!

Hey!

[sobbing]

- Is he crazy?
- He's afraid.

Mr. Harris is afraid
of everything!

Aren't we safe in here?

I don't know.

No, the air conditioning is on.

They'll come through the vents.

Just a minute.

It's 40 degrees in here.
We'll be alright for a while.

Bees don't function well
in temperatures under 50.

[panting]

Helena!

Helena?

[panting]

Helena?

[groans]

This is Anne MacGregor
reporting from Marysville.

The swarm left behind it
a devastated community.

The town's people
are still reeling

under the impact
of the vicious raid

that left many of their friends
or relations dead or dying.

Marysville have been preparing
for its annual Flower Festival.

And authorities speculate the
nearby fields in full bloom...

(Frank) This is Frank
Blair in New York.

We are awaiting a statement

from the President's
chief adviser

Dr. Arthur Connors
in the White House.

Dr. Connors is currently
evaluating data

from Bradford Crane...

...said to be one
of the leading authorities

on the deadly African bee.

Crane is now at the scene
of the tragedy.

- Dr. Krim.
- Are we able to locate him?

We're trying to get to him
on our mobile units.

Please, stand by, sir.

(Frank on TV)
Every opening into homes

churches, schools, and offices

is being closed tight.

Scientific authorities
are warning

against overreacting
to the threat.

Scientists are of the opinion

that the Marysville tragedy
is a freak

localized phenomenon

and could not possibly
be repeated.

(male #6)
Take it easy.

Okay, there we go.

[clamoring]

(female #1)
Come this way.

[indistinct chatter]

(male #7)
Clear the way, please.

[sirens blaring]

[telephone rings]

- Hello.
- Krim here.

Oh, hi, Walter, it's Brad.

I just heard about Helena.

- Is she alright?
- Still unconscious.

- Not good.
- How are things back there?

Damned unsettling
development here.

One of those four survivors
of the initial attack...

Yes?

Higgins, the airman...

...with only two stings,
he just died.

- What happened?
- I don't know.

He was doing fine. I was even
thinking of releasing him.

Within the matter of minutes

his condition turned critical.

All the classical signs
of cardiovascular failure.

He was gone
before we could reverse it.

Keep those three survivors there

until we could plot some kind of

recovery versus relapse pattern.

How bad is it in Marysville?

About as bad as it can get.

Two hundred and sixteen dead...

...thirty-three victims
still alive.

We haven't got a count yet on
the number of stings...

Tomas...

We're too damn busy
trying to stabilize 'em.

[whispers]
Dr. Crane.

I'm sorry.
I've got to go, Walter. Bye.

Is it me you're seeing,
or a bee?

[chuckles]
You.

- Uh, Dr. Crane.
- Yes?

General Slater is out front

on the horn with Washington.

He requests your presence, sir.

Alright, I'll be back.

- I'll be up.
- Oh, no, you won't.

Paul.

Paul, what's the matter?

It's all my fault.

I threw firebombs at the swarm.

Oh, Paul.

Paul.

You know you're going to have
to tell Dr. Crane.

[sighs]

[sniffles]

Well, I'd like to, General

but the civilian Crane
is in charge.

I just follow orders.

(Thompson)
I'll check 'em out back here.

Right, I'll keep in touch.

(Crane)
General.

Well, Crane...

...it's panic time
from coast to coast.

If we'd gone after the bees
right at the beginning

instead of wasting time

tooling up those
science teams of yours

we wouldn't be in this
damn mess!

Okay, if you were in charge,
what would you do?

I'd evacuate this area.

Put up roadblocks
across the state.

And spray the hell
out of every tree

and bush
from here to the gulf.

Right, now let's take that
a piece at a time.

Why evacuate?

Your Dr. Hubbard
was out collecting

live Africans.

He has brought 'em back
to the complex.

- Many?
- Thousands.

How'd he manage that?

They were on the surface
of the lake outside the town.

Thirsty and exhausted.
Well, that's good news.

- We need specimens.
- Now, hold it. Hold it.

I don't see it that way.

The rest of that
particular swarm

could still be in the area.

- Major.
- Sir.

- Get the final body count.
- Yes, sir.

- General.
- Yes.

You haven't answered
my question yet.

- What question?
- Why evacuate?

I've been trying to tell you...

...when that swarm finds out
some of their friends

have been taken captive

they might come back
to Marysville.

Are you endowing these bees
with human motives?

Like saving their fellow bees
from captivity?

Or seeking revenge on mankind?

I always credit my enemy

no matter what he may be...

...with equal intelligence.

Okay.

Evacuate Marysville,
but not the complex.

We will not waste our time
moving our facilities!

- Agreed.
- Now...

About this, um...

...spraying every bush and tree

between here and the gulf...

...how will you manage that?

Send out aircraft.

With radar and pesticides

I'd track down and destroy
every African swarm

in this country,
wherever they are!

- Sir.
- Major?

Two hundred
and thirty-two dead, sir.

"Two hundred
and thirty-two dead."

I know that, General.

But how will you prevent
the wind from carrying

your pesticides across cities

parks, farms and schools?

Sometimes, you have to choose

the lesser of two evils.

Ridiculous, General!

You want action and so do I!

Well, we do it my way!

Now, give it a chance!

(Paul)
Dr. Crane!

Dr. Crane!

- I gotta talk to you.
- Okay.

It was my fault...

...what happened here
with the bees.

I knew where they were...

...and I should've told you.

Yeah.

Why didn't you, Paul?

Because they killed my family!

I wanted to get 'em.

And I did!

I got a lot of 'em.

And the rest of them
flew in the air and...

Hey. Hey, hey, hey, Paul.

Come on.

I'd have done the same thing.

- Mm-mm.
- The exact same thing.

[exhales]

You gotta believe me.

Now...look at me, Paul.

Look at me.

When I was a little younger
than you...

...just about seven...

...we had a fire where we lived.

And I lost my mother
and father...

...that night.

It's not good
to have to grow up...

...without a mother and father.

You can ask me.

I know firsthand.

I know a lot of unlucky kids

all over the world have to...

...but it sure
isn't recommended, you know.

Now...

...why don't you go back
upstairs...

...and just...

...sort of keep an eye
on Dr. Anderson for me?

Hm?

- Will you do that? Okay?
- Yeah, okay.

Good boy.

Okay, go.

- Dr. Crane.
- Yes?

Anne MacGregor.
Can you give us 90 seconds?

What could I possibly tell you
in 90 seconds, Miss MacGregor.

Just tell us everything
you can, doctor

no matter how long it takes.

Give me one second
for my lead-in.

This is Anne MacGregor.
I'm outside the medical clinic

in Marysville, Texas,
with me is Dr. Bradford Crane

who is field director
for Dr. Connors

the President science adviser,
well, Dr. Crane...

...how can you keep a repetition
of this terrible tragedy

from happening in other parts
of the country?

Do you have any answers
for us yet on that?

At the moment, none.

Do you mean that the death toll

from killer bee attacks
can spread?

There is that possibility. Yes.

What is the government doing?

What are your science teams
working on?

Positive ways to isolate
and eliminate invading swarms.

What positive ways?
Can you be specific, doctor?

That's tough to do
in 90 seconds, Miss MacGregor.

Take all the time
you want, doctor.

I'm afraid that's the point.

We really don't have
any to spare.

Would you excuse me, please.

Thank you, Dr. Crane.

(Anne)
Anne MacGregor.

Marysville, Texas.

[engine revving]

[intense music]

[engine revving]

[buzzing]

[door buzzes]

[bees buzzing]

(Hubbard)
DC ready.

Not exceeding five volts.

(Krim)
Testing dry volts.

Good.

DC activated.

- How's it going?
- We'll be ready in a minute.

(Hubbard)
Honey-coated.

Three volts at 0.5 amps.

(Krim)
Okay, bring on the gladiators.

I'll stir them up.

[bees buzzing]

(Krim)
Pesky little devils.

Spread 'em all over the grid.

They're getting ready to attack.

[buzzing continues]

(Krim) They're stinging
the hell out of the grid.

We're getting plenty
of venom now.

Great, we need all we can get.

[buzzing continues]

If there's a positive side
to the tragedy at Marysville...

...it's gonna be these Africans
and the queen bees.

With all this venom,
I can really go to work

on an antidote.

That's fine.

But, Hubbard...

...can you have your poison
pallet ready by morning?

By morning?

I don't see how.

Well...

That makes your deadline
even earlier, Walter.

Smells like bananas.

See how fast it dries.

[door buzzes]

- Any further complications?
- No, sir.

Dr. Anderson has just examined
them, and they're doing well.

Dr. Anderson? When did
she get back on her job?

A short while ago, Major.

I couldn't rest at the clinic

knowing I had
sick patients here.

Besides, Dr. Martinez says,
I'm fine.

Well, good.

Captain,
I've been planning on, uh

having a little
private talk with you.

Yes, Major.

It's about the civilian, Crane.

I've, uh,
received confidential reports

about your association with him.

Reports which indicate
that your relationship

is now of a personal nature?

I wasn't aware you had assigned
anyone to spy on me.

Has Crane asked you anything

about our operations here

no matter how indirect?

Why should he?

Dr. Crane is a highly
respected scientist

and has been appointed
by the President

to head this project.

Ah-ha, but still, Captain,
it might be advisable

for you to discontinue
the relationship.

With all due respect, sir

what I do on my off-duty time
is my own business

and does not concern
the Air Force.

I shall continue to see
whomever I wish.

[door buzzes]

Thank you.

The doctor wants to say goodbye.

Doctor?

Oh, yes, Rita.

About the baby...

...you're both fine.

- Oh, good.
- Real fine.

Thank you.

Please sit down. Sit down.

[instrumental music]

With everything
happening around here

I haven't had a chance
to tell you

how sorry I am about Jerry.

Thank you, doctor.

I'll write to you.

Let you know about the baby.

Do you have a place to go?

Not really.

They just gave everyone
orders to leave.

Of course, there isn't really
very much to stay for, is there?

- Well...
- Goodbye, doctor.

I really have to go.
The bus is waiting.

- Let me walk you to the door.
- I'll see myself out.

- Goodbye.
- Good luck.

Thank you.

[music continues]

(male #8) Only one suitcase to a
person, please. Move it along.

Not since the 30s,
when families by the thousands

fled the Oklahoma Dust Bowl

has a thriving
American community

had to be totally evacuated.

Not even flood, fire,
or hurricane

have turned
a whole section of a state

into a no man's land,
until today.

(male #8) ...with a number
you've been issued.

[indistinct chatter]

- Slow down.
- That's it. Move right along.

On the stairs, please!
Move forward.

(male #9) Take your time
now, just take your time.

Eddie, have you seen
Ms. Schuster?

No, sir.

(male #10)
Continue on up to the stairs.

Uh, Hal, have you seen
Ms. Schuster?

No, sir, I haven't.

[indistinct chatter]

You boys lose somethin'?

Maureen, you never did have
a good concept of time.

And remember,
even on our first date

we didn't get a chance to see
the whole double feature.

I was so afraid you wouldn't
want to get this straight.

Well, here I am. Shall we go?

- Yeah.
- Let go. I had a hold first.

Now, look, Felix,
I was carrying her books

long before you showed up
in Marysville. Now, you let go!

Now, Clarence, Felix,
y'all promised me

there'd be no more
fussing between you.

And this surely
isn't the time for it.

Let go.

(male #11)
Alright, just follow the line.

Yeah, follow the line.

[indistinct chatter]

[bus horn blaring]

[whistle blows]

[bus horn blaring]

(Anne)
Everything that they hold dear

because of killer bees.

Imagine having such a natural

phenomenon to do something
to a...

Take this.

Give me a hand with her.

- Get her in the car.
- Ah.

Is the hospital here operating?

- Yeah.
- Right over this way...

(Rita)
Thank you.

(male #12)
Right over here...

- You alright?
- Yes, its better now.

- We'll get you there.
- Thank you very much.

(Anne)
Hold on.

[engine starts]

(Rita)
Oh, hurry.

[siren wailing]

You enter the car

with the number
you've been issued.

That car's number is five! Five!

Let's get this train
the hell out of here.

Those damn bees
could be back any minute.

- Yeah, you.
- Where the devil is Crane?

Don't worry, sir

he'll be here in time

to take credit
for the evacuation.

Let me tell you something,
Major.

I don't tolerate my staff saying
things behind a man's back.

If you think
Crane's a glory jockey

tell him, not me.

But if you're trying
to butter me up

by slurring a man I consider
dangerously misguided

I don't need a pat in the ass
from you or anybody else.

Yes, sir.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Am I walking too fast for you?

No, I'm fine. Just fine.

Don't overdo it.

Dr. Martinez said
you had a close call.

How sad.

How very, very sad.

You know, Marysville was such
a happy little town.

[sighs]
Ritz's Bookstore.

I used to work there
when I was in high school.

Everything was happy then.

But that was so long ago.

Shh. Hey.

[train horn blaring]

[indistinct chatter]

You know, you can tell
a lot about a man

by the way he shuffles cards.

Thank you, Clarence.

It wasn't meant to be
a compliment, Felix.

Maureen, would you like
to cut the cards?

Something bothering you?

What's wrong, Maureen?

I've got a sudden feeling I'll
never see Marysville again...

...or any of my children.
It's frightenin'.

Well, now, Maureen,
that isn't like you.

You're always the optimist.

Always looking at the bright
side of things.

Sure, we'll be home soon

and this will all seem
like a bad dream to you.

That's right.

Well, I suppose that's so.

But I can't shake this feeling

that something's closing
in on all of us.

Now, now, Maureen.

Uh, come on, deal, Felix.

- Sandwiches?
- Uh, no, thanks.

(Felix)
No, thank you.

[train horn blaring]

[bees buzzing]

- Ed?
- Yeah?

There's a bee in here.

A bee?

- Don't take any chances.
- Maybe he wants the apple.

(Ed)
Well, then give it to him.

Hey!

Goddamn! What will I do now?

Don't move.

Don't get him mad!

[screams]

No, Charlie!

[screaming]

[dramatic music]

[woman screaming]

[people screaming]

[screaming continues]

[screaming]

[explosion]

For God sake, Crane, when are we
gonna stop this massacre?

Our first airdrop is scheduled
in half an hour.

And I've seen what you are
planning to drop.

Those damn poison pellets
of yours won't get us anywhere.

Excuse me, General,
those are my damn poison pellets

and I think they'll work.

And I'm counting on them
working, General.

Or we fall back to almost
impossible odds.

My coming up
with a mass antidote

which might never be perfected.

Thank you, gentlemen,
for your support.

But, uh, Captain...feed this
into the computer.

African bees attack a train...

...seventy miles
northwest of Houston.

Now, give me a revised
time fix, please.

General, I know how you feel.

Especially
because of what just happened.

But right now we are ready to
drop millions of lethal pellets

without harming either the
population or the plant life.

I'll support that.

So will I.

But what we need is every
helicopter that you have.

Alright, you've got them.

Revised timetable
coming through, sir.

[instrumental music]

[bees buzzing]

[music continues]

They're not touching
the pellets!

They're not touching
the pellets!

They seem to sense it's
something that will kill them.

They're brighter
than we thought.

They always are.

Maybe you should have
tried Bourbon

and branch water
and got them drunk.

[thinking] It's all my fault.
I threw firebombs at the swarm.

[thinking] It's all my fault.
I threw firebombs at the swarm.

[instrumental music]

You've got a beautiful six and
a half pound beautiful daughter.

[chuckles]
Thank you.

I guess
it's true what they say...

That a woman sort of falls
in love with her doctor

at this time.

[chuckles]

I hope you will feel
the same way tomorrow.

And the day after.

And all of the days after.

[instrumental music]

[flatline]

Paul!

[dramatic music]

Tomas! Tomas!

[music continues]

[music continues]

[sobbing]

Helena.

Why this one?

In the whole damn world,
why this boy?

My God, Brad,
what good is all that science?

All that equipment at the base?
All those doctors?

What good are you?

[sobbing]

I didn't mean that.
You know I didn't.

[sighs]

Paul was my first case
when I was the town doctor.

He wanted to be
an archaeologist.

He would've been a terrific one.

I'm sure of it.

You didn't tell me that
three of the four survivors

at the base had died.

Well, you had other problems.

And you didn't tell me

that there's a syndrome
of relapse

among the survivors...shortly
after they've been stung.

A fatal relapse.

Some do recover.

A small percentage.

But some do.

Some.

Well, the odds
are better than none.

(Slater) Well, you dropped
your poison pellets

and the Africans spit at them.

Now, they're moving towards
Houston faster than expected.

General,
you should know the enemy

is always expected
to do the unexpected.

- Yeah.
- Dr. Crane.

Oh, Major Baker.
Let's hear your rundown.

"Three steel mills,
seven oil refineries

"two beet sugar plants
and a nuclear power center.

"Plus 46 towns,
not including Houston

are now directly
in the path of the Africans."

We'll have to evacuate the towns
and close the factories.

Well, I can tell you right now,
we're gonna have trouble

with that nuclear power plant.

No way
they'll shut down voluntarily.

Millions of people
in the area need the energy.

If we don't shut them down,
the bees will.

Well, I'll check with Washington

and see if I can get
an official directive.

Brad, I know most of the key
executives at that plant.

I've fought them in court often
enough on environmental issues.

I'll fly in and try to jaw bone
some sense into them.

Might be a lot quicker
than Washington.

Okay. You got it. Thank you.

Miss.

More bad news?

Everything we tried has failed.

Our last hope
is your mass antidote.

How close are you, Walt?

I've tried it
on all these rabbits.

It knocks hell out of them.

These are the only two
still alive.

Think I'm on the right track

but I need more time to
experiment.

If you can't perfect it, Walt...

...we might just as well
pack it in right away

and ship out to New Zealand.

What we need is something
that people can self-inject

if they get stung
by an African bee.

And we need it right now.

Alright, alright.
I get the picture.

First thing in the morning,
I'll try it on a human being.

Like who?

We're trying to come up
with volunteers.

- Like me?
- Forget it.

Walter, it'll may be take
two or three days to convince

anybody how much
we need human guinea pigs.

Meanwhile,
I am here and I am convinced.

I'm not ready for you yet.
When I am, I'll let you know.

Okay.

Oh, and, uh, Walter

will you please start eating
the food they serve here?

It has been specially weighed
and measured to ensure

you get enough energy for
the long hours that you work.

What the hell
does a man have to do

to get a simple beer
and a pizza around here?

All a man has to do, Walter,
is ask.

[instrumental music]

All my notes are right here,
Brad,

on the desk
next to the recorder.

They contain the exact
instructions, and I mean exact

on how to prepare the antidote
that I have developed.

Every experiment
with its individual notes...

...and conclusions
is documented in this text.

I'm going to test
the serum on myself.

Why?

Because you're just damn fool
enough to make me try it on you.

It's my antidote,
so it'll be my risk.

First,
I'm going to inject myself

with the same input of venom

I'd receive from the stings
of six toxic bees.

That's double the amount
that anybody has been

able to take and survive.

Then I'm gonna see if I'll still
be able to use

the self-injector
with my serum

or whether muscular stiffness
will make it impossible.

I'll dictate the rest of this
to the other recorder.

[dramatic music]

[beeping]

I'm all ready.

Physiograph is recording,
everything is laid out.

[dramatic music]

The weal is rising instantly.

Now, from the moment of being
stung, a frightened victim

medically inexperienced,
would need about 60 seconds

to get the self-injector
from pocket or purse

pull up a sleeve, waste a few
seconds hesitating

because he was afraid of the
needle, and finally put it in.

I'm going to give myself
the same 60 seconds.

[clock ticking]

Heartbeat rising rapidly.

Heartbeat now 140.

I've put the antidote on the
table right in front of me.

Fifty-five seconds since
I administered the venom.

I'm gonna start reaching for it.

It won't move.

My arm feels like
it's-it's strapped to my side.

[heavy breathing]

[instrumental music]

Heartbeat, 160.

Close to outer limit.

Dropping now.

Good.

Good!

140...

130...

Going to normal.

120.

Look, dropping now.

Dr. Krim, what are you doing?

You missed the tough part.

[panting]

How much of a dosage
did you take?

About six stings' worth.

Dr. Krim.

Respiration still high,
but not abnormally so.

Well, let's see now.

I administered
the antidote about

sixty-six seconds after
the venom was injected.

The antidote works.

My God it works.

Dr. Krim.

[beeping]

Now here's something.

The four
physiological responses.

They are swinging from normal

to some really spooky levels.

They don’t seem
to want to stay down, do they?

In fact, they're turning bad.

All of them.

Heart rate, rising again.

Oh, 130.

140.

150.

- Oh, my God.
- Oh.

Losing, losing respiration.

First sign, respiratory arrest.

[dramatic music]

Oh!

[flatline]

Doctor.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Walter.

Oh, Walter.

[sobbing]

[crying]

[instrumental music]

There it is.

I just don't understand
your request.

You will. You will.

Have you any idea, doctor,
the consequences

if I ask Washington
for permission to shut down?

Less disastrous
than not shutting down.

Look at all this.

Don't you realize we supply
power over a 500-mile area

and purify the drinking water
of seven million people?

Yes, sir, I do realize that,
but I don't think you realize

how critical this situation is.

What's more,
there's nothing here

that could possibly attract
those bees of yours.

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

The infrared rays could signal

and act like a beacon.

No, no, no, doctor. See this.

Billions of dollars
have been spent

to make these nuclear plants
safe. Fail-safe.

The odds against anything going
wrong are astronomical, doctor.

I appreciate that, doctor,
but let me ask you.

In all your fail-safe techniques

is there any provision against
an attack by killer bees?

[siren blaring]

Andrews here.
Come in, control.

[blaring continues]

Control, this is Andrews.
What's happening?

[blaring continues]

[bees buzzing]

[men groaning]

Control, go to manual!

The bees. Let's get
the hell out of here!

No, no, no! This way.

[men groaning]

[bees buzzing]

[screaming]

Aah!

[siren blaring]

[screaming]

[explosion]

Crane?

Crane!

I've been authorized
by the president

to close down your operation.

From now on,
the war against the Africans

will be under military
direction.

The way it should've been
from the first.

- What's the ETA now?
- General?

I'll say this for you, Crane...

...you tried.

In spite of what
you might think...

...I kind of hoped
you'd pull it off.

Please arrange
protective crating

for the two oscilloscopes

and personally fly with them
to Houston.

I'll see you there
with the tapes

and the rest of the equipment.

I'll be there.

I haven't surrendered yet,
General.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[dramatic music]

(Frank on radio) Estimating
that more than 600,000 people

have already been evacuated
from Houston.

Elsewhere, in the nation
people stayed indoors

or went to church.

But mostly
between their prayers

they watched the weather.

And there, there was good news
for most of the country

other than Texas.

Temperatures
continued plunging

and cold air coming down
with an Alaskan Front

was keeping the Africans
confined to the Texas area.

This is Frank Blair
reporting from...

[radio turns off]

Who would've thought the bees

would become the first alien
force...to invade America?

[music continues]

- Where are you going, sir?
- Air Force Headquarters.

- Go right ahead, sir.
- Thank you.

[music continues]

[music continues]

Now that you're here without
the president's authority

how can you possibly help?

Well, the least I can do
is try.

[music continues]

General.

Hello, Crane.

- Doctor.
- General.

I'm, uh, really glad
you're here for the finale.

Is there anything
I can do to help?

I'm not sure, but come with me.

Very impressive.

By tomorrow
there'll be no more Africans.

At least
not in the Houston sector.

Have you really found a way
to stop them?

I hope so. If we can do it here,
we can do it anywhere.

This is really a dress
rehearsal, a set procedure

for any future
African challenges.

This is Houston computerized.

And this is Houston.

You see, the bees have formed
almost a complete circle.

Billions of them.

And that's what
we've been waiting for.

Waiting for what?

The battle plan
is to get them

all into one area
and then zap 'em!

Take a look over here.

Captain. Doctor.

- Major.
- Major.

You planned your arrival
perfectly.

Here they come.

[bees buzzing]

Freeze it.

- Prepare to use the neutracide.
- Neutracide?

That's right.

General, if you use that

nothing will grow out there
for the next ten years.

Why worry about shaving
when somebody's about

to cut your head off? Go!

- General?
- Crane.

Leader One to all aircraft

deliver your cargo
on target...now!

[aircraft droning]

They're coming through.

They have learned
to live with it.

I was afraid of this.

They've become immune
to any pesticide.

[siren blaring]

So..

The occupation of Houston
has begun...

...and General Thaddeus Slater
is your first officer in history

to get his butt kicked
by a mess of bugs.

[sighs]

You got any of that
birdseed left?

[siren blaring]

As I said before...they're high
in potassium, low in sodium.

And as I said before, terrific.

How long can they live
in the city?

If they get food and water...

...they might just decide
to stay here forever.

[siren blaring]

The Defense Department
in Washington, DC

has just confirmed
the tragic news.

With the approval
of the White House

and as a matter of last resort,
the city of Houston

will suffer massive man-made
burning before daybreak.

This agonizing decision
was reached

in accord with all opinions

from the armed forces
and leading scientists involved

in the overwhelming, but to date
fruitless countermeasures

being attempted to destroy
the African killer bee

which has virtually brought
the southwest to a standstill.

The burnout is scheduled
to be handled

by flamethrowers
within a matter of minutes.

Light them up!

Move out! Move out!

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Burn them out!

[music continues]

[bees buzzing]

Listen to them.

They're still out there.

Billions of them.

It's as if it were their city.

Even though Slater's been at it
for 24 hours

with every flamethrower
and soldier he can get.

When you talk about the bees,
it sounds almost

as if you admire them.

I do. They never fail
to astonish me.

It's as though a broad range
of contingencies...

...has been planned for
by the Creator...

...and programmed into them...

...for an endless future.

Making them...the true
inheritors of the Earth.

A world without people.

Maybe the Creator was equally
obliging toward us

and programmed into us
the ability to beat them.

Well,
I wish He'd give us a clue.

Here. Let me.

Hmm. Right there, that's lovely.

This is better
than eight hours' sleep.

How would you know? You haven't
had eight hours' sleep in weeks.

Hm...

Listen. Listen.

- What is it?
- The bees.

Why are they making that sound?

That's the hunger tone.

It causes them to mass together

as if by community they can
destroy whatever their enemy.

Cold, hunger, anything.

I wonder...if there's
another sound

that's part of their ritual.

That might cause them to...

- Helena? Helena?
- Ah...

Helena, what's the matter?

Darling?

[siren wailing]

[wailing continues]

[man screaming]

[tires screeching]

[explosion]

I don't know
what else we can do.

I'm very sorry.

Please, God...let her live.

Sir, can we really count
on a scientist who prays?

I wouldn't count on one
who doesn't.

- You can forget the dossier.
- Yes, sir.

[bees buzzing]

Street Fighter to Topkick!
Come in, Topkick, come in!

Topkick, can you read me?

You two, come here.

I can't get through
to the General!

Too much interference!
Damn bees!

Listen, get back
to headquarters.

Tell General Slater we need
more reinforcements now!

Go!

[breathing heavily]

[scraping]

[intense music]

[scraping continues]

[music continues]

[screams]

[dramatic music]

[music continues]

[glass shattering]

[screams]

[explosion]

[music continues]

[bees buzzing]

[bees buzzing]

You wonder, don't you?

Houston on fire.

Will history blame me
or the bees?

- My compliments, General.
- On what for God's sake?

On being able to maintain
a long-term...

...historical perspective.

Well, Crane, at this point

there's no other
viable perspective.

- Our time is up.
- Not quite, General.

We're ready
with a final experiment.

Please don't give up.

Okay.

Thank you.

[bees buzzing]

(Crane) We'll do
another half dozen of these

and if we don't have any luck

we'll get some sleep
and start after lunch, okay?

(Newman)
Okay.

(Crane) And now, what's this?
We've not had this before.

Look at this, doctor.
Look.

Something's coming. Here we go.

- I think we've done it.
- I don't believe this.

Yes, we have.

- General, we've done it.
- What?

Look, we've got a match.
By God, we've got a match.

You understand, General,
we've discovered

two identical sound patterns.

No, I don't understand.

What the hell has that
to do with killing bees?

What you are hearing now is
the African bee's mating sound.

But listen to this.

This one was made by the sonic
alarm system at the missile base

not by the bees,
but they sound exactly alike.

It was the sonic alarm system
at the missile base

which drew them in.

It was the similarity
that confused them.

But when it stopped, they left.

I still don't understand.

General, the sonic alarm system

happens to be an
exact duplicate of the duet

between the queen bee
and the young queen bee

challenging her domain.

But bees can't hear.

That's right.
They go by vibration.

But to the other bees,
the sonic alarm

felt like the vibration
of a ritual they had to attend.

Then you're saying,
our alarm system

attracted the bees
into the complex?

That's right,
and we'll use this very sound

to pull them out of Houston.

Okay, I'm convinced.

[dramatic music]

[screaming]

Kill the bees!
Don't hit the man!

No! Get it up!

[screaming]

[music continues]

[glass shattering]

[screaming]

[bees buzzing]

[indistinct chatter]

[screaming]

[music continues]

[bees buzzing]

[man screaming]

General? General!

- What is hell is going on?
- The bees have broken inside!

Now what?

- You two get going!
- Not without Helena.

We'll take care of her.
Now get the hell out of here.

Use that new weapon
you've come up with. Go!

Slater. Dodge Airfield.
Code seven. Fast!

[screaming]

- General!
- Get out!

I'm going to get Helena,
if I don't make it

you know what has to be done!

Okay.

[dramatic music]

[indistinct chatter]

[bees buzzing]

[screaming]

Major!

There's no time for that.
Let's go, put this around you.

Drop those. Drop those.

[music continues]

- Newman.
- Go, Brad, go.

Move out.

[screaming]

General?

[groaning]

[music continues]

(man on radio) Dr. Crane, this is
Dodge Field, air tower number two.

We read General Slater's
instructions loud and clear.

We're prepared to assist
in every possible way

Please come in, Dr. Crane.
Please come in.

Do you read me? Do you read me?

- Affirmative.
- Very good.

Load the choppers
with the sound horns

and spread the big oil slick
over the gulf, acknowledge.

- Roger.
- Out. Let's go.

To all air force tankers.

Spread your oil
over the Gulf of Mexico.

Four minutes to flaming.

[dramatic music]

[helicopter whirring]

- Ready when you are, doctor.
- Fine.

Dr. Crane, is this alright here?

Yes, that's fine.
ls there one on the other side?

- Yes, sir.
- Well, please hurry.

Won't the noise of the
helicopter drown out your sound?

No, it's an
entirely different sonic level.

All set, sir.

[music continues]

[engine whirring]

Rescue Five to Alpha One,
come in, please.

Ditch sound floats.
Ditch sound floats.

[sonic buzz]

Rescue Five to Alpha Two,
come in.

[sonic buzz]

Rescue Five to Alpha Three.

[sonic buzz]

Pilot,
get us to the firing point

as quickly as you can.

Here they come.

[bees buzzing]

[bees buzzing]

(man on radio)
Operation Sonic Drop complete.

All aircraft clear at target.

Okay, thank you.

Fire it now, fire now.

Fire 1, fire 2, fire 3,
fire 4, fire 5!

[explosion]

Did we finally beat them?

Or is this just
a temporary victory?

I-I don't know.

But we did gain time.

If we use it wisely,
and if we're lucky.

The world might just survive.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

[music continues]