The Terrorists (1975) - full transcript

Yes, that is undeniably correct.

And in our country...

Yes, Minister.

We must dispose of the
problem as soon as possible.

Well, I agree, but we...

As soon as possible.

Yes, I agree, but the
British have told us nothing.

This is a terrible situation.

It is, indeed,
a grave situation.

A very grave situation.

Ah... Minister,
I am aware of that...



Then act accordingly.

Yes, sir.

Captain Barnes, the Minister, as you've no
doubt gathered, is extremely disturbed...

he feels this situation
is getting out of hand,

and I'm bound to say I
agree with him for once.

This is not the sort of behaviour we
expect from a friendly government.

Indeed, I shall go
so far as to say...

Mr Bernhard.

We have found out
who the man is.

He's the leader of a
terrorist group in England.

During the past few years
he's been responsible

for the killing of almost
one hundred people.

His name is Martin Shepherd.

Obviously he's not a
hot-headed student.



He's a professional...
highly organised.

Yes, yes, even in Scandinavia
we've heard of Martin Shepherd...

Captain, I don't wish to make your position
any more intolerable than it is already.

But Shepherd has held the British
Ambassador at gunpoint since yesterday.

Now, I understand that you
visited with these terrorists and

had conversations with them at
seven o'clock this morning...

and I am asking you formally to tell
me what you know about this kidnapping.

I recorded this earlier today.

The London police are holding
five of my associates.

If the British Government
wish to secure the

release of their Ambassador
to Scandinavia...

they must free these men,

and arrange safe conduct
for them to Amsterdam.

When these terms have
been complied with,

you will place a military
aircraft at my disposal...

and provide me with parachutes.

If you do not meet these
terms within twelve hours...

I shall execute one
of the hostages.

I shall then repeat
exactly these same demands.

You see now why London had to
know who they were dealing with.

He will do what he says.

And now that they've
found it's Shepherd,

what has London decided?

They will release Shepherds men.

They have, in fact,
agreed to everything.

Not even token resistance...

Captain?

The British Government will not
sacrifice the life of its Ambassador!

Well, you must do
as you think best.

This is a British affair.

Not ours.

That isn't quite
everything, Mr Bernhard.

Can we rely on your co-operation in the
matter of the parachutes and aircraft?

Do we have a choice?

I'll recommend that you get
all the assistance you need.

My government is anxious
to dispose of this problem.

Thank you, sir.

I must be getting back to
the Ambassador's house.

Our Head of Security, Colonel Tahlvik,
will be briefed as soon as possible.

You know Tahlvik, of course.

Nils Tahlvik and
I are old friends.

He will regard this as
a surrender, you know,

and he won't like that.

I have my orders, Mr Bernhard.

Of course.

The atmosphere is still
tense here at the British

Ambassador's residence
in the mountains.

Some of the local people are still
waiting around to see what happens...

and after several hours of inactivity
there's a development at last.

Captain Barnes is now approaching the
house for a third meeting with the gunmen.

With him for the first time,
perhaps significantly, is

the Scandinavian Head of
Security, Colonel Tahlvik.

Hands on the wall.

This is Colonel Talhvik,
he's in charge of Security.

I know who he is.

Stay where you are.

Are you all right, sir?

Yes, thank you, Frank.

What's the decision?

Well?

London has agreed.

- To what?
- Everything.

All charges against your
people have been dropped.

They were released from custody and flew
out of England an hour ago for Amsterdam.

You understand, of course... we won't be
moving out till I verify that they're safe.

That is understood.

In the meantime, you'll
deliver the parachutes.

The Ambassador will be dropping
with us, so don't try any tricks.

The Ambassador will
bale outwith you?

Palmer will be left
at the dropping zone.

After we've landed and are clear
you'll be told where that is.

I shall be all right,
Colonel Tahlvik.

I have no war with sick old men.

What about this end?

You'll get what you need.

A minibus will take you
from here to the airport.

The Government has placed a
Hercules at your disposal.

A Hercules will do-

Right.

That's all.

Wait.

What about the servants?

They return with the plane.

No.

They return with the plane.

They do not go on
board the plane.

You will release them
at the airport...

or you can stay here and rot.

So far, so good.

You call total surrender good?

We don't surrender,
Nils; Shepherd does.

London called. We know where
he's going to bale out.

I'm sorry, Nils.

Sorry?

I should have told you
we knew about Marigold.

Knew about what?

The place where they're
going to bale out.

Marigold - it's a code name.

I should have told you before we went in.
I'm sorry.

You were right not to tell me.

If I'd known, I might
have said something...

got them suspicious.

I might.

Regular Air Force
issue, no problem.

Good.

It's time to call Amsterdam.

Shepherd planned them all

every one.

Why isn't he in prison?

No evidence. Shepherd
doesn't leave any. He's

been making fools of
the police for years.

But now we have him.

I've got his voice on tape.

On my evidence he'll go to
prison for the rest of his life.

Oil refineries, power
stations blown up.

Telephone exchanges destroyed.

Two British airports bombed,
arterial roads sabotaged.

To date, one hundred
innocent people killed.

I'm calling Amsterdam 64237115.

Who are you?

This is Sunflower. Are you safe?

Hello, Sunflower.

It worked like a dream.

- Good.
- We're all here.

You know what to do.

Split up and be careful.

As soon as you release the hostages
the police will be looking for you.

We're moving out now -

from this moment,
you're on your own.

We shall drop as arranged.

Marigold will go
ahead as planned.

We understand, Sunflower.
Good luck.

We've got him!

Ladies and gentlemen...

in a few moments we
shall be landing.

Kindly observe...

are securely fastened
and that your seats...

are in an upright position.

Thank you.

Tower from Mike Tango Oscar.
We have the runway in sight.

We clear to land?

Mike Tango Oscar,
all clear to land.

Wind two four zero
degrees, five knots.

Mike Tango Oscar.

I'm sorry, sir, but you
must remain in your seat.

Sir!

Take me to the Captain.

Air speed - plus five.

Captain Denver...

your aircraft is wired up to explode.
You will do exactly as I say.

Now, when we touch down,
I want you to come to rest

on the runway furthest from
the terminal buildings.

Air speed - plus eight.

Mike Tango Oscar. Landing
time three zero, you're

cleared in first taxiway
right, parking Golf Three.

There's some smoke from
your main landing gear.

Mike Tango Oscar, Tower.
Do you read?

Alert the fire station.

Fire station on standby.

Tango Oscar, do you read?

Crash alarm.

Crash alarm.

Mike Tango Oscar.
Tower, do you read me?

Get over to that far runway.

I say again... Mike Tango
Oscar, do you read me?

Mike Tango Oscar, negative.
Left turn, turn to the right.

All clear?

Clear right-hand side.

Well, that's as far as it'll go.

He took off the anti-skid.

Now, that, Captain, will be
your last deliberate mistake.

I can't think straight
with a gun in my neck.

Oh, you'd better learn to.

Now, listen.

There are four of us and
we're all wearing these.

I press that...

and this plane goes
up in two seconds.

And you with it.

That's right.

Any whiff of gas through
the air intake, any

smart-alec trick like
that, and I detonate.

Now, get control and tell them what's
happened, and let me speak to them.

Get the Inspector.

Sir.

Shepherds coming out
in sixty seconds.

Now, move.

Right, sir.

Stand by, Tower.

- Tower?
- Tower here.

53-57-78.

No questions, no
debates - do it.

Right, now, let's move out.

Walk normally.

Don't rush,

just get into the van.

Hello.

Sunflower, this is Petrie.

Marigold is blown. They
know about Marigold.

The police know where
the dropping zone is.

Petrie - where are you?

I'm here - at the airport. I've
hijacked a plane to get you out.

Stay where you are. Do not
leave the Ambassador's house.

How the hell did
they blow Marigold?

The pigs have got Chris.

They're warming all over
Marigold waiting to get you.

Understood, Ray.

Thank you.

Just sit tight.

Back into the house!
Get back into the house!

Come on! Come on!

What's gone wrong?

Close the gates.

The police are waiting
for us at the other end.

What the hell do we do?!

We're not going to crack just because
the police have got lucky for once.

- How did they find out?
- Quiet!

How'd they find out...
What the hell do we do?

I don't know...

and I don't care.

We keep our heads.

Someone has come to get us out.

Petrie has hijacked a plane.
He's at the airport.

You can trust him.

He knows what he's doing.
We sit tight.

We've just got to hold out and make sure
that if anybody breaks it's them, not us.

- Right.
- Right.

This is where it starts
to get difficult.

You've lost the initiative.

You are forced,

to rely on someone else.

That isn't difficult.

You don't think so?

Waiting...

that's the worst part.

Is it?

We've been waiting for the last two days.
We've weathered that.

Yes...

but then, your fate was
in your own hands. Now

you have to rely on
someone called Petrie.

He makes one mistake...

and you are dead, my friend.

We are dead...

my friend!

Despite the rocky landing,
this plane is quite safe.

You are in no danger.

The Captain removed the anti-skid
device, and has blown all the tyres.

This means that the
wheels will have to be

replaced before the
plane can take off again.

We are therefore obliged to detain
you on board for the time being.

If you look round, you will see
three men standing in the gangway.

If you obey their
instructions...

keep calm...

and remain seated...

we are confident that we shall be able
to release you all within a few hours.

Don't give them anything
until I get there.

I want to know where the flight
originated, stopovers, if any.

I want to know how many
passengers are on board.

What name did he give?

- Ray Petrie - Petrie...?

Ray Petrie?

Tahlvik.

General.

You know Bernhard from the
Ministry of the Interior?

You're going to the airport?

Yes.

The hijackers wish to
exchange the passengers for

the terrorists in the
British Ambassador's house.

Now, it's the Government's view
that we yield to their demands.

We do not wish to be involved in the
domestic politics of other nations.

If we give in now we'll have another
hijack next week... and the week after.

We'll become a soft
touch for any blackmailer

who's prepared to use this kind of...
piracy.

If we try to resist, a hundred innocent
people might well be blown to pieces.

We couldn't justify
such bloodshed.

In a situation like this
the Government is powerless.

There's another important
fact we must not forget.

What is that, General?

There's an election coming up.

Our national security becomes a farce
if we throw away the rule of law.

This isn't a war
game, Colonel Tahlvik.

There isn't any acceptable
level of casualties.

Absolutely right, Bernhard.

Captain Barnes!

Tahlvik, politicians and civil
servants hate to be argued with.

I never do it.

As a result, they do
exactly what I want.

The Ambassador was a British
affair; this hijack is ours.

Here are your orders.

You will delay our surrender
to the last possible moment.

You will try to
overcome the hijackers.

In doing so...

you will not endanger the
life of a single passenger.

Is that clear, Tahlvik?

Perfectly clear, sir...

and quite impossible.

Good.

We understand each other.

I have a strong aversion
to a bunch of foreign

anarchists holding
the country to ransom.

And Bernhard?

Try diplomacy.

If that fails - improvise.

You're in charge, Tahlvik.

Drink?

Take it.

Do you want some sweets?

You too?

Yes take one.

Take one.

I say...

isn't anyone going
to do anything?

Like what?

Good God, man, we can't
all just sit here!

We've been hijacked...

Hey!

Hey, are you onto have a go?

Have... a... go!

You forgot to tell the passengers
the plane is wired to explode.

I didn't forget.

Are you going to tell them?

Captain, I have every intention
of avoiding panic back there.

At the moment most people don't
even know what's going on.

I intend to feed them just enough
information to keep them settled.

No rough stuff, keep them informed,
and they won't be a problem.

And you're not going to be a
problem either, are you Captain?

You seem to be in command.

That's right.

Now, refuel and supplies
for a six-hour flight.

Right.

Oh - and the tyres.

We need a special jack
to change all the wheels.

You should've thought of that before
you removed the anti-skid device.

I did.

Get one.

Anything else?

Such as?

A flight plan to Cuba?

All in good time, Captain.

All in good time.

Well, what do we do?

We do exactly as he says.

You know our policy.

This man's a... professional.

From London...?

Get the airline to Telex the passenger
list through to the Control Tower.

What did Bernhard
say back there?

I think he was trying to summarise
the duties of a military attache.

You mean, keep out of it?

He's not very keen on
the military, is he?

Who is?

What did the General want?

He wants us to do
the impossible.

Sign here...

Are you in charge of these men?

Who the hell are you?

Only swear at people, Inspector,
when you know that you outrank them.

I'm Colonel Tahlvik.

I'm in charge.

Get these rifles out of sight.

I was following
routine procedure.

How many hijacks
have you dealt with?

This is the first.

The first.

So don't let's talk about
“routine procedure”, hm?

It's also my first...

so I shall need all
the help I can get.

Matson?

Yes. Head of the
Airport Authority.

All right, Matson,
I want this tower cleared

of everyone and
everything but essentials.

I want to speak to the pilot.

Here's a blanket, sir.

Thank you.

I'm afraid I cannot allow the doors
to be closed, but if you'd all

like to move further back in the
plane, you'll be much warmer.

Come on, back we go.

I shall stay where I am.

Now, so far, I've seen two men,
but I'm told there are four.

They seem to be going about
it pretty professionally.

The passengers are
quiet, Colonel Tahlvik.

Stand by, Tower.

Tahlvik...!

Who's this?

I asked for refuelling.
Now, where is it?

It's in hand.

Let's start by cutting
out the bullshit.

One - we need fuel
for a six-hour flight.

Two - we need drinking water.

Three - we need a special jack
and a new set of wheels because...

Captain Denver here deliberately
sabotaged the plane on landing.

Now, you have until five thirty.

There will be no extension
to this deadline.

Do you read me, Tahlvik?

Tahlvik!

I'm going to lunch.

If this plane is not
ready to leave by five

thirty with my friends
on board, it goes up.

And you will be to
blame, Colonel Tahlvik.

Shall I close down the airport?

No, no, keep it open.

Denver's right -
he's a professional.

Why couldn't we get a
nice simple basket case?

What about the jack?

We haven't got one.

Why not?

There's never any call.

Well, there is now.

Try the military... but, uh...
get it.

It'll take time.

Take all the time you want - as
long as it's here within two hours.

Frank, get onto Scotland Yard
- Special Branch people.

Check out this Ray Petrie.

I'd like to know who
we're dealing with.

Know if anyone's in there?

Oh... So sorry... get
out of your way...

Okay.

NO!

And you let a fool
like that take you?

Go on.

And stay in there!

Ladies and gentlemen, we have had
one man trying to play the hero.

I must therefore warn you...

we can destroy this plane in one second.
All of you and ourselves.

And we will if we have to.
So, please - no more heroes.

He's regarded as somewhat
of a national hero.

His decision today to keep the airport
open will be regarded as controversial.

But Colonel Tahlvik is no
stranger to controversy.

In 1968, serving on a
peace-keeping force in

Cyprus, he caused an
international incident

when he arrested some prominent
politicians for smuggling arms.

“We cannot throw away the book of rules
just because it suits us to do so.

This applies both to
individuals and to governments.”

Despite the uproar then, Tahlvik
maintained that since the

politicians had broken the law,
they must face the consequences.

There he is - over there.

Colonel Tahlvik is
married with two children.

He is a keep-fit enthusiast and is a
former cross-country skiing champion.

His appointment as Head of
Security was rumoured to

have been opposed by the
Ministry of the Interior;

it's said that the Ministry
wanted a civilian in the job.

The Government's decision
to release the gunmen

holding the British
Ambassador couldn't have

been welcomed by this
uncompromising man.

And now, placed in charge...

Colonel Tahlvik - Mrs Palmer.

I was out of the house when it
happened, and the police have refused...

I saw the Ambassador this morning.
He's well.

He's not well, Colonel.

My husband is dying.

His heart...

he's living on borrowed time.

He has a year to live.

He knows about it.

He has a year...

if he avoids any kind of strain.

Well, we are doing
what we can...

No, you're not. He's already been
held hostage for two whole days.

And now there'll be more delays - more
waiting more strain which he cannot endure!

Colonel...

in thirty years as a diplomat's wife I
have never broken the rules of the game.

But I am breaking them now.

I'm begging you to
let these men go.

They're killing my husband as surely as if
they were putting a rope round his neck.

Let them go.

They'll be caught
somewhere, somehow!

Let them go from here!

I couldn't stop her, Nils.

Petrie wants a two-way police
radio for himself and Shepherd.

Give Shepherd his - but hold on to Petrie's
till I tell you, and get one for me.

Meanwhile, let us ask some of
the members of the public how

they would want the authorities
to handle this hijack.

Oh, and Matson - I'd like an office.
Anything will do.

Yes.

I don't see any problem really,
you know, I mean, we just...

get rid of these foreign
gangsters, and we...

save the lives of innocent
bystanders, y'know?

I mean, er, there's no problem...
I don't think so, anyway...

Denver says they're
stiff with guns.

What the hell is
London Airport doing?

What kind of security are
they carrying out? Hm?

Check if they're using
Magnetometers, will you?

Yes, all right.

Go on, now.

Well, now, Nils.

Well?

Thousand to one.

What odds do your men accept?

Two thousand to one.

How many commados did you bring?

Ten.

Fetch me your best man.

Okay.

What time is it... please?

Nearly two.

We'd counted on being
out of here by now.

Do you need the pills?

No...

they're for an emergency.

You put one between my teeth.

It wouldn't be very convenient for you,
would it, if my heart were to give out now?

We still have your housekeepers.

Policeman coming.

It's a radio!

- Petrie.
- Hello

Your radio's coming out.

Let the women and
children off, Petrie.

At least you can do that.

No.

Good God, man, show some mercy.

It's up to you, Tahlvik.

Give us our comrades,
and everyone gets off.

What guarantees do I have
you'll keep your word?

Well, none...

you're going to
have to trust me.

Hello, Sunflower. Message. Over.

Hello, Sunflower. Message. Over.

Hello, Sunflower. Message. Over.

Hello, Sunflower. Message. Over.

Hello, Sunflower. Message. Over.

Hello, Sunflower. Message. Over.

Hullo, Sunflower.

Send your message. Over.

The pilot, screwed up
the wheels on landing.

They have to be changed.

How long will it take?

I've got it in hand - no sweat.

Keep on this frequency. Out.

Colonel Tahlvik!

What are you trying to do?

- Get her out of here.
- Come on...

They'll kill my husband
if you try to stop them!

They'll kill everyone!

Post a man outside that door.

And no-one comes in here
unless I say so, is that clear?

Denver.

Captain, how are you?

Alone, Colonel.

One of my men is under
your forward hold.

Bring him in when you can.

Tower...

I'm getting quite warm now.

I can confirm that the, uh,
auxiliary power is working normally.

Mm - things are hotting
up quite nicely.

Captain Denver...

You're a very lucky man.

You might've been hurt.

Tahlvik...?

Yes?

I promise you, Tahlvik, the
next one you send will die.

This is Captain Barnes
of the British Embassy.

We are negotiating the release
of your men with the authorities.

But I warn you...

They will refuse outright if
you cause any loss of life.

Is that clear?

It's clear to me. But
is it clear to Tahlvik?

You tell him.

Base here... the low-profile jack you
requested will be sent as soon as possible.

- Donner.
- I've located the jack, Colonel.

Good.

Your best man, and they
saw him all the way.

Impossible.

Then what went wrong?

He kept to the blind side.
They couldn't have seen him.

Someone did.

Yes...

bunker.

There's someone out there.

Journaliste! Paris Match...

Journaliste! Paris Match...

My camera...

There's someone out
there somewhere,

telling them every
bloody move we make.

Have the police search every building
that overlooks the airfield. The lot.

Big place.

Colonel Tahlvik, it's
just come to my attention

that you are wilfully
disobeying your orders...

and in doing so you've almost
killed a hundred passengers.

I'm on my way to the airport
and I'm telling you now to

start carrying out the
instructions you've been given.

D'you understand, Tahlvik?

Do I make myself clear?

There is to be no further...

He's in the tunnel.

Donner.

I hope you agree Colonel,
that there is only one way to

handle this situation, and
that is to do nothing rash.

Colonel, you want the
whole airport searched?

Yes.

At the very least
it'll take five hours.

Well, that's no good.

I'm sorry, but you appreciate the
area and the buildings involved.

I must find that look-out
before Shepherd gets here.

Yes.

We'll have to narrow
down the area of search.

Where is Colonel Tahlvik.

No-one goes in there.

My name is Bernhard. I am from
the Ministry of the Interior.

I don't care who you are.

Would you please go inside
and inform him that I'm here.

I can't do that.

Orders.

Try it.

I've always wanted to
punch one of you people.

Captain Barnes.

Excuse me.

I insist on seeing
Colonel Tahlvik.

There's a Petrie down here.

Yes, I'm waiting to hear if
London know anyone of that name.

There's three others with him.

See if London can identify
any of the other passengers.

Forget the women and children.
Prune it down. Use your head.

Yes?

The jack has arrived, Colonel.

Good. Keep it out of sight.
And Matson...

I'm expecting a
call from Petrie.

- Keep the channel free.
- Right.

Tahlvik?

Yes?

What the hell do you think you're
playing at? Pull those troops back.

They get anyway near
us and I'll blow this

plane up. You think I'm
kidding, then try it.

Tahlvik, do you hear me?

Yes, I hear you.

I'm pulling them back.

And what about this bloody jack?

Won't be long now.

Better not be. You
have two hours.

The sneaky bastard...

Matson.

Have the jack sent out now.

You are, I take it...

the people who caused so much trouble
in Britain, these past few years.

The sabotage,

and the killing...

Of which you disapprove?

That is self-evident.

You served four years with
Tito's Partisans in Yugoslavia.

Your job, I assume, was
to sabotage and to kill.

But that was war.

So is this.

You were fighting to destroy a system you
considered evil, of which you disapproved.

So am I.

And what do you intend...

after you have destroyed it?

I shall stop fighting.

That's self-evident.

Get Petrie.

Hallo, Sunflower. Message. Over.

Sunflower, send your message.
Over.

We're coming out now.

We have three hostages who
will bring us to you. Over.

Wait. The wheels still
have to be replaced.

Listen, Sunflower, leave it a bit
longer until we're ready to take off.

Right now, we're stronger apart.

I'm your insurance...
you're mine. Okay?

Right.

That's the right one...
special low-profile jack.

Hallo, Tango Victor X-ray.

I can't see anybody, Colonel.

- Park at the end of the line.
- Wilco.

He's in one of those aircraft.

They've got another
plane out there.

I think they must be onto me.

I'm taking off now. Good luck.

They're on to George.

He's leaving us.

You know what to do.

I'm following him, Colonel.

Tahlvik! So you got rid of my look-out.
Big deal.

Well, where the hell d'you
think that's got you?

At five-thirty I
blow this plane up.

And then there'll be no-one for
you to play soldiers with Colonel.

Hm.

Now, keep your eyes open.

Victor X-ray.

Go ahead, Colonel.

Check his registration.

Wilco.

He's good.

So are you... and you're faster.

He'll be off-radar
in the mountains.

I want to know where he lands.

Wilco.

I'm closing in, Colonel.

His registration is...

Bravo - India - Mike.

Matson, find out
who owns that plane.

I'll check it with the
Aviation Registry, Colonel.

He's flying in a circle.

India Mike is owned by Nordair.

They've leased it
to a British pilot.

Name?

George Rawlings.

And he's British. Get
on to Scotland Yard.

Scotland Yard -
Criminal Record Office.

Er, Matson, Chief of Scandinavian
Airport Authority here.

Check, please, on George Rawlings. Holder
of Pilot's Licence No. AJ6 656571B.

He must be heading
for Lake Blufell.

It's the only place
he can land on skis.

How far is that?

About eight minutes. Colonel,
he's heading north...

30 degrees east. It
must be Lake Blufell.

Scotland Yard have a
file on George Rawlings.

Contact the police... in
the Lake Blufell area.

They have seven minutes.

Thank you, Victor X-ray.
Return to base.

Keep tracking him. Let me know.

Tahlvik...

Not now, Bernhard.

I've - er - ahem -
heard from London.

Oh, yes?

Do you want to hear it?

Mm.

Number one - London
Airport have not only had

all their Magnetometers
going full blast...

but since the Ambassador
was taken hostage,

anyone coming here has
been stripped naked.

Number two?

Number two - Scotland Yard have known
about someone called Petrie for two years.

They know he's involved
with Shepherd's group

but, like Shepherd he's
never been arrested.

Well, now...

He must be rather clever.

He must also be rather lucky.

He travels under his own name...

He just walks through the
tightest security checks...

Takes a plane to a place
where his friends are

holding the British
Ambassador to ransom...

It's a most extraordinary
thing, certainly.

Brings an arsenal of guns, enough
explosive to blow up the plane...

he isn't just lucky, Frank,
he's a walking bloody miracle.

It is rather odd.

It didn't take Colonel Tahlvik
very long to discover just how

many British pilots there are
who have a criminal record...

and not a very good record.
Mr Rawlings...

there's one aspect of your
career which intrigues me.

Oh, yeah? What's that, then?

Two years ago you were
arrested in the Persian Gulf,

having flown an aircraft from India which
had been involved in gold smuggling.

I think you'll find I was never
charged with that of fence.

And you can check that
outwith whoever you like.

Exactly.

Joe!

Thirty minutes.

Your time's up, Tahlvik. The
wheel's will be ready in thirty

minutes, and if my friends
are not on board by that time,

the plane and the
passengers will be blown up.

I'm waiting, Tahlvik.

Your friends will be released.

They will have safe
conduct to the airport.

Hallo. Sunflower?

Hallo, Petrie, this is Sunflower.
What's happening?

Ready and waiting.
Come on in, brother.

You have safe
conduct all the way.

I don't need safe conduct.
I'm bringing the hostages.

Out.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to tell
you that the authorities have co-operated.

You should therefore be
free to leave this plane in

about thirty minutes. Thank
you, for your patience.

Gold smuggling... and
they dropped the charges.

Why would they do that?

Because they got
something in return.

Who are “they”?

The British.

Thank you.

You are... who?

British Embassy, sir.

Papers.

Out.

What are you doing here?

Waiting to deliver diplomatic
mail to the Queen's Messenger.

He's on that plane, sir.

Usually he drops incoming mail
and picks up the outgoing-

- those.

But now...

And where do you
exchange these things?

On the tarmac.

The Queen's Messenger belongs
to the Diplomatic Corps.

I pick him up by the plane.

That's the rules, sir.

What's the name of this,
er, Queen's Messenger?

Brigadier Hislop.

Colonel Tahlvik...

In thirty-five minutes' time
that plane will explode.

Precisely, Colonel.

You've spent hours
ignoring your orders, and

the result is we're
facing our deadline.

You've had a good run, Tahlvik.
You've made your point.

I'm not hereto make points.

I'm here as Head of Security.

Unless you transfer the terrorists
to the aircraft at once,

I'm going to relieve
you of your command.

Transfer began ten minutes ago.

Travelling in a light-blue minibus...
with you in ten minutes.

Sunflower...

Maintain contact
until you get here.

Proceeding. No difficulty.

Okay.

Hello, Petrie... hello, Petrie.

Pull over...

Come on...

Cover him!

Move it

What's happening?

Right... move it... hurry it up!

Come in, Sunflower!

Where are you, Sunflower?

Where are you?

Sunflower...

Sunflower, where are you?
Come on in... come in.

Went through a tunnel.
Can you hear me?

Okay. Hear you fine now.

Come on in.

Hello, Petrie. Hello, Petrie.
Damn!

Mike... get out there!

Get that truck moving!
Come on, hurry up!

Let me do it.

Sit down!

Sit down, love... stay in your seat.
Stay there.

Control them, will you?

Hello, Petrie...

We are inside the perimeter now.

Drive right up to the steps.

This is it.

Tower from Tango Oscar.

The bus is here but I still haven't
been told where we're going.

Have you any idea?

They've been switched!

Did they hear?

We were lucky.

We heard, but no-one else did.

Get rid of that bus, Mike.

Right, Ray. I'll do it now.

Leave it to me.

Okay, let's go, let's go.

Get it moving.

Shut it!

Captain Denver!

She gets it first!

Denver!

Well, Colonel, you seem to
have done it - except that...

one of them has a
gun on my stewardess.

Let me talk to them.

You're through, Colonel.

My men will withdraw.

That was criminal.

Colonel Donner...

Yes?

- Donner...
- Sir?

It didn't work.

Bring them in.

Yes, sir.

No tricks this time.

Hello, Petrie,
this is Sunflower.

Sunflower.

We're still in business.

Mrs Palmer... I have agreed

to the demands of the hijackers.

You asked me to
let those men go...

I wouldn't do it.

It's not in my nature.

Despite what you might think...

I've been trying
to protect lives,

not waste them.

I'm a soldier.

I can't give in, just because
there's a gun to my head.

But the gun isn't at your head.
The gun is at my husband's head.

I never accused you
of wasting lives.

But you take risks with
other people's lives.

A commanding officer is not always required
to put his own life in the balance.

He can be an armchair general.

Gerald spent four years fighting
a hand-to-hand war in Yugoslavia.

He was captured,
he was tortured...

his heart never
recovered from it.

He was a soldier.

Men like you merely play a game.

I failed, General.

Is anyone hurt?

No, no-one was hurt.

No casualties?

No, and no shots
were fired at all.

No... not one.

You're a very lucky man.

I promise you, Tahlvik, the
next one you send will die.

Your men with the authorities.
But I warn you...

they will refuse outright if
you cause any loss of life.

Is that clear?

Scotland Yard's known about someone
called Petrie for two years...

They know he's involved
with Shepherd's group

but, like Shepherd, he's
never been arrested...

Marigold. it's a code-name...

Waiting to deliver diplomatic
mail to the Queen's Messenger...

He's on that plane, sir...

Who are “they”?

The British.

This is Captain Barnes
of the British Embassy.

You can't win 'em all.

No, Frank.

You can't win them all.

Palmer must be in
pretty bad shape by now.

D'you think...

if I offered to take
Palmer's place...

they'd agree?

I think Shepherd would be very
pleased to get you on board.

After all, Frank...

on your evidence he'll go to
prison for the rest of his life.

He'll want you on board, if only
to throw you off at 30,000 feet.

Now, Petrie...

he wouldn't kill you.

Petrie knows the rules.

But I warn you, they
will refuse outright if

you cause any loss of life.
Is that clear?

What was that, Frank?

A reminder?

I don't know what you mean.

I mean, it's you - the British - who've
been holding my country to ransom...

I mean that your man Petrie was ordered
by London to hijack that plane...

but he mustn't kill anyone;
“No-one must be hurt”.

It doesn't matter what happens to a
hundred helpless passengers in the process.

We are negotiating the release
of your men with the authorities.

But I warn you, they will refuse
outright if you cause any loss of life.

Is that clear?

It's clear to me, but
is it clear to Tahlvik?

It is clear.

Very clear.

How long did Petrie work undercover
to get close to Shepherd?

Two years?

Where was their dropping zone?

You said you'd
discovered where it was.

London had no idea where
Shepherd was going to bale out...

and Petrie could only tell
them the code-name... Marigold.

Now, that's why you hijacked that
plane - just to get Shepherd.

I'm Her Britannic
Majesty's Messenger.

I am carrying diplomatic mail.

You, Brigadier,
are under arrest.

May I remind you I have
diplomatic immunity!

That privilege ceased
the moment you carried

one of these aboard
a civil aircraft...

stuffed with guns.

Hello, Tower...

request permission to take off.

- Tahlvik!
- Yes?

Colonel, I am prepared to exchange
the Ambassador for another hostage.

Ok.

Who do you want?

The British Military
Attaché, Captain Barnes.

I'll go find him.

Good news, Frank.

Petrie wants you
instead of Palmer.

Very well.

Sit down!

You bloody fool!

You did what you were
told, obeyed orders...

Don't you understand there
are orders you must not obey?

Mike Tango Oscar.

Hello, Tower.

Captain Barnes is coming out.

Start pressures are okay.

Collision light is on.

Starting number-two engine.

Welcome aboard...

Captain Barnes.

That's not Barnes!

Kill the bastard!

Your friend here didn't
come to save you, Shepherd.

You've been betrayed.

Ray Petrie is a policeman.

Pig!

What's happening?

Don't shoot!

Careful...

that's a detonator.

Where is the Ambassador?

Ambassador...

Sir...?