Voyage of Terror (1998) - full transcript

[AIRCRAFT SWOOSHING]

MAN: It keeps nudging down,
Falcon 7.

Slide below.

Keep them bracketed.

MAN 2: Will do, sir.

PILOT: [IN A FOREIGN ACCENT]
Here, ease it down.
I request permission to land.

MAN 1: You'll get it.
Just keep your pattern.

PILOT: I must land.
I am low in fuel.

PILOT: I must land.

We know that.
Hang on, Captain.

MAN: They just
keep circling, sir.



Because they are not
authorized to land.

High level contact with the
American Secret Service

indicate news of
dramatic development
in the hijacking crisis.

No further word
from Egypt

since official announcements
that the hijackers
have been allowed

to leave that country.

Destination unknown.

In spite of
official denials,
informed sources

at the White House confirmed

a US Military operation
has been launched.

Have you any clue what
the Italians are up to, General?

I have no idea
why they won't
let us land, Colonel.

They closed
the airport!

Any alternatives?



The Egyptian carrier
is low on fuel.

Negative.

We have our orders.
Sooner or later,
they'll let us land.

PILOT: I sure hope, so.

What is the situation?

PRESIDENT: Get me
Prime Minister
Craxi in Rome, please.

LADY: Yes, sir.

[PHONE RINGING]

MAN: Hotel Raphael.

PRESIDENT: Mr. Craxi's
suite, please.

MAN: The Prime Minister
is sleeping at this hour.
Who's calling?

PRESIDENT: The President
of the United States.

Please tell him
it's quite urgent.

[LIGHT SWITCH CLICKS]

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

Good evening,
Mr. President.

I'm sorry to disturb you
at this hour,
Mr. Prime Minister.

But it is a matter
of vital importance.

I have to inform you,

we have a standoff situation
at Sigonella.

I understand you
perfectly.

What can I do for you,
Mr. President?

I'm asking you, as head
of the Italian government,

to authorize
the Egyptian aircraft

to land at Sigonella
NATO base,

together with the American
aircraft, now escorting it.

Are you sure of the identity
of those aboard
the Egyptian aircraft?

Beyond the
shadow of a doubt.

In that case,
we are pleased
to cooperate, Mr. President.

I'll permit
them to land.

Falcon 7, we have a,
go force them down, now.

I copy, sir.
We'll get them down.

Hang on.

PILOT: US Commander
to Egypt air carrier.

Start you approach, Captain.
You have a four minute
touch down.

It seems that the Italians
are going to let us land.

Falcon 7 here,
to operations.

Egyptian Civil aircraft
is touching down now.

We'll keep patrolling
the air space.

She's all yours,
General.

Affirmative,
Falcon 7.

Well, gentlemen,

we have done it.

Let's go down there
and get them.

We're gonna take
these bandits home with us.

[WHIRRING]

KHALEED: Get down!
Get down everybody.

[FAINT SIRENS BLARING]

MAN: Nobody is to embark
or disembark without
my orders.

[SHOUTING ORDERS
IN ITALIAN]

[SIRENS BLARING]

[AIRCRAFT SWOOSHING]

Look, look,
Americans.

Bridge down.
At me. At me.

GENERAL:
Follow that aircraft.
Move it. Move it.

[FOOTSTEPS SOUNDING]

MAN: All right. Let's go.
Move it. Move it.

MAN: Move it. Move it.
This way.

Colonel Annicchiarico.
Commander of this base.

I request that you
withdraw your men,

and order them
back on the plane.

Colonel.

General Davies,
I have orders
to take custody

of the terrorists
aboard this aircraft.

Whose orders
may I ask?

The government of the
United States of America.

We are not
in America here.

This is a NATO Base.

Which I have the honor
of commanding,

and which
is on Italian soil.

Are you saying
you'd order your men

to prevent the capture
of these terrorists?

Using any means
necessary?

I will do whatever
I consider
my duty to ensure

the international law,

and Italian jurisdiction
are upheld.

[WHIRRING]

Looks pretty hot down there,
what do you think?

We're a lot
better off up here, sir.

Get me
Washington.

I'm on the runway
at Sigonella.

The commander of the base
refuses to hand over
the hijackers.

He says the Italians
have jurisdiction

over the Achille Lauro
terrorists.

GENERAL: Do we wanna
use force?

What do we do,
Mr. President?

Call Rome. I want to speak
to Prime Minister Craxi.

Mr. President,
some of the passengers
are leaving Egypt now.

General Davies,

passengers from the ship
should be there

in approximately
three hours,

to identify
the terrorists.

[PHONE RINGING]
Keep your men where they are.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Craxi, sir.

PRESIDENT: Mr. Craxi,
I need your hep again.

Hold on.

[MAN SHOUTING ORDERS]

COLONEL:
[GIVING ORDERS IN ITALIAN]

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

[TRAIN CHUGGING]

MAN: Slow down. Wait.

Salaam alaikum.

No, he will carry the case
with all the weapons.

I am here
to set things
in motion.

I do not
participate.

Once we are aboard,
you do not know me

and only Molqi
may contact me.

All right, you three,
you may start boarding now.

You're certain they do not
suspect our real plans?

They believe they are
going to die in Israel.

Good.

See you.

MAN: Jincia!

What are
you doing?

I'm so sorry,
excuse me.
I'm so sorry.

Come on,
Jincia.

Excuse me.

Luciano, where
are you going?

Luciano, my ticket.

MAN: Hey, giovanotto,
young man,

MAN: Young man!
Your suitcase.

MAN: You have to
check it in
over there.

MAN: It will be delivered
to your cabin.

Grazie.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

Excuse me.

Ah, mon Dieu.
Crowds, smells...

Let's hope at least
our cabin is clean.

Please darling,
you promised to relax
and enjoy the cruise.

We need it,
Pierre.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

MAN: You're
American?

Yes.
Alone?

Sorry my friend,
you are too late.

Oh, honeymoon.

Yes.
No.

He's a
perfect stranger.

But a charming liar.

You see?
You're too late.

If you
don't mind.

Hi, I'm Cheryl.

Michele.

I'm Helmut.

Your passport,
please.

CHERYL: Thank you.

MAN: Your passports, please.

MAN: Gentlemen,
your passports, please.

[PHONE RINGING]

Salaam Alaikum.
This is Petros
here from Genoa.

PETROS: All is well.
The goods
have been delivered.

And we will
leave on time,
Inshallah.

MAN: Excellent.

Will there be any problem
when your partners discover

that the goods are not being
delivered where they thought?

PETROS: Everything has been
dealt with. I have
verified it myself.

I don't need to tell how
important the success
of this deal is for all of us.

Good luck.

And to you too.

MAN: Heads up, heads up,
coming through.

MAN: Thank you,
thank you.

MAN: Excuse me,
excuse me.

Hey, watch it,
watch it, watch it.

Thank you,
thank you.

MAN: Faster, faster.

[LAUGHTER]

Oh, I know I'm in Italy.
I'm being kidnapped.

What's your
name, son?

Antonio.

Antonio, huh?

Antonio, you drive
too damn fast.

You have no respect
for "Stop" signs,

and you go
right through
red lights.

You're like
all Italians.

But, you're one
helluva driver.

Thank you,
sir.

Antonio?
Si, Signora?

My husband seems to like you,
and I promise you
that doesn't happen very often.

So I would appreciate it
if you would help me
look after him on the ship.

I mean, it's too much for me,
all those ramps up and down.

Anyway, he likes
the open air,
and...

I can't stand
the sun.

Fine for me,
Signora.

If it's okay for...

You be my
personal Ferrari.

Okay,
thank you, sir.

If you need help,
please call.

What's all
this crap about

not liking
the sun, huh?

You know something
that the doctors
haven't told me?

[WATER RUNNING]

Leon,
I can't hear you.

I said, "Do you know something
that the doctors
haven't told me?"

[SOFT INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC PLAYING]

Here we are.

One, two,
three, four...

All these are the clerks?

Si.

Okay,
here's your key.

Thank you.
Buongiorno.

[SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY]

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

Check
your weapons,

Why?

Do as I say.

[SHIP HORN HOOTING]

[TRUMPET PLAYING]

[WOMAN SINGING
IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

Hi, Cheryl.

Oh, one minute.

So, who won?

BOTH: Me.

We tied.
We cheated.

Of course.
But we are not finished, yet.

Ah!

Yeah.

I have to get
back to work.

Okay.
I'll see you later.

Yeah, at the bar. Bye.
Bye.

Okay. Let's take it from...
the second verse.

Right.
Okay?

[SOFT, MELLOW MUSIC PLAYING]

* Could heaven mean

* This harm on me

* These two hearts
Beating as one

* This true love
We have begun

* Forever and eternally

* Sounds heavenly
In love to me

* Could heaven...

What's a nice...

May I have the pleasure
to dance with your wife?

Marilyn,
you won first prize.

I have a telegram.

Just came from Israel.
Some old friends of mine.

I'd like to
read it to you.

Before Marilyn
gets back.

Here we are.

"There was
a young lady
named Gloria,

who went down on the
Andrea Doria..."

Leon, we got
ladies present.

You've heard
it before.
I know.

But you haven't
heard this one.

To a wonderful trip.

ALL: Aww!

[RAISING A TOAST
IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

Nice people,
those Americans.

American Jews.

What difference
does that make?

Obviously
none to you.

[LOUD LAUGHTER]

So, you're from
New York City?

Yes, the East Village.
Do you know it?

Oh, yes.

In fact, you could say,
I'm part American, too.

Most of my bothers and sisters
were born in the United States.

Oh.

LADY: Jincia!

Can I dance, too?
Mommy, please?

No, signorina.
You are going straight
to your bed.

Now, Grandma
will tuck you in.

Now be a
good girl.

See you
in the morning.

But not
too early.

[APPLAUSE]

Hello.
Hi.

Wanna dance?
Okay.

No.

Something wrong?
[SPEAKS ITALIAN]

I'm a...
What?

Sea sickness.

I'm fine.

[JOVIAL MUSIC PLAYING]

Let's dance.

No.

Show us
what you can do.

All right.
You asked for it.

Go on. Dance.
Go on.

I'm going.

Oh, come on, dance.
Try to enjoy yourself.

How can you
enjoy this?

Everybody else
is doing it.

But not me.
Forget it.

I need some air.
Have fun.

Good evening,
Captain.

Good evening.

What's this?
A komboloi.

A Greek rosary.
To wish you
a pleasant journey.

If I am not mistaken,
we've seen you on the
Lauro before, Mr...

Petros.
Floros Petros.

You have
a good memory,
Captain De Rosa.

Good night.

Good night.

[JOVIAL MUSIC CONTINUES]

[SOFT, POIGNANT MUSIC PLAYING]

Where the hell am I?

Ah! It's a beautiful
sunny day.

What a great way
to start a cruise, Leon.

My father
used to say,

"If you wanna sleep in peace
marry a woman with
low blood pressure."

[LAUGHS]

Come on.

Rise and shine.
Get moving.

You can sleep at home for free.
In here, you're paying for
every minute.

Now, come on.

Get moving.

There's a whole
new world out there, Leon.

Now.
Agh!

Some days I think
this is all a bad dream.

I'll wake up one morning.
Call for the dog.
Go running in the park.

Come on, Leon.
Come on.

Come on, pull.
Come on.

Where do you think
you're going, young lady?

Come here.

[CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

Oh! Mmm.

[GUN SHOTS]

Pull.

[GUN SHOT]

Pull.

[GUN SHOT]

[PIERRE SPEAKS FRENCH]

MAN: Yeah, not bad.
Not bad.

Pull.

[GUN SHOT]

Pull.

Ah!

[APPLAUSE]

Did you see that?
Yeah, we showed them.

[LAUGHTER]

Your turn, Stead.
Let's get out of here.

We two haven't
finished yet.

Ah, but I
have to leave.

Hey, Leon,
where're you going?

You want us
to lose the war?

Oh, dear. [SIGHS]

You're tired, sir?
Is that why you stop?

No, no. Just quit
while you are ahead.

I might make another
double like that,
if I live to be a thousand.

You're only joking, sir.
You're a wonderful shooter.

Wonderful shot?
You should've seen me
during the war.

You ever heard of
Pearl Harbor.

You were there, sir?
Well, just move over

and I'll show you
what I did.

I was the first one on my ship
to see those Jap zeros
coming down on our ship.

I ran to the bridge,
I got the machine gun,

I began firing
at them right away.

[MAKING MACHINE GUN NOISES]

[LAUGHTER]

I got two of the bastards
before I was hit.

So you are a hero
of the war?

[LAUGHS] No, Ferrari.
I'm only kidding.

I was wounded
in New York City's
combat zone.

But that was
after the war.

I was hit in the heart
by cigarettes, booze,
cholesterol.

You name it.

You know,
fate's a funny girl.

Too bad, she couldn't have
finished the job.

Oh, no sir. You must
never talk like this.

For me it is enough
to be alive.

Blind or deaf...

Even without arms,
or legs is...

Without anything.

Well, maybe not
without anything.

But, uh...

No. No. Maybe not.

You have
a beautiful wife.

She loves you
very much.

You can see it.
She's always looking
to be sure you are there.

Like she's almost afraid
to not find you.

Sorry, sir.
Have I said
something wrong.

Oh, you're a good kid,
Ferrari.

I must remember
to make our bookings.

We don't want
to miss the Pyramids.

You're joking.
Arabs, smells...

Filth, camels.

No, it's not
for me, Margo.

Not for me.

But it is for me, Pierre.
And I don't care whether
you come or not.

What's the matter
with you?

How kind of you
to finally ask.

I have brought up
three children for you.

I have given you
my love and loyalty.

I have put up with your
existential crisis
and your affairs.

For 20 years
I have permitted you

to teach me things
I know better than you.

[WAITER SPEAKS ITALIAN]

Perfecto.

This cruise
was not so much a gift,

as a sort of bone you threw
to me to keep me quiet.

I knew that.

What is the
matter with me?

Maybe I'm tired
of you, Pierre.

Or maybe
I'm tired of us.

I shall be
thinking about it
at the Pyramids.

You always say no.

[LAUGHTER]

Don't worry.
I'll save you!

[SPLASH]

Oh!

Hi.

Hi.

Come back.
Where are you going?

Listen, Cheryl,
if you like,

later we can all go together
to see the Pyramids.

No, I've
seen them.

You two go.

Are you
mad at me?

Cheryl!

I need some
time alone, anyway.

I get it.

It is me.

I just
need to think.

Fine.

No, Helmut,

I like you.

I do.

Hey! What
about me?

You too, Michele.
Maybe that's the...
I don't know...

Listen, I have an idea.
Today you will
spend it with Helmut,

and tomorrow
with me.

But I don't see
how that could...

Oh, the best man wins.
I love it.

Oh, I don't.

It is not
a game.

When the tourists
disembark in Alexandria,

I will leave the ship
at the very last moment.

Pretending
to be worried.

When the boys ask
what has happened,

you will say,
"The steward came
into the cabin

and saw the weapons."
That's what you suspect.

So you must take
immediate action.

Or you will be
captured.

I hope they
believe me.

Even Arafat
will believe you.

Alena, my love,
there are so many things
I would like to tell you.

But I'm here
only to fight.

And that's how I want you
to remember me.

Sometimes I dream
of the day

when I'll be able
to shake an Israeli's hand.

Look into his eyes
and say,

"Let's stop fighting.
Let's find a solution."

But it's not possible.

We want everything
and so do they.

For us,
there is no country
called Israel.

There is only Palestine.
And he day after tomorrow,
I will be there.

And I will fight
our enemy.

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

MAN: Bedding service.
Can we make the beds?

No, thank you.

MAN: Do you need
some towels?

I said,
"No, thank you."

It's not necessary.

Ah! Less work
for me.

I've been trained to clean up
big stations with standard.

To hell with them.
[SPEAKS ITALIAN]

[MUMBLING IN ITALIAN]

[SHIP HORN HOOTING]

MAN: Mr. Petros, I have your
photographs and your negatives.

Thank you,
very much.

MAN: Okay.
Thank you, sir.

You have my card
if you need anything else.

[WAVES SPLASHING]

So, you'll be
a good girl, huh?

And do as your
Grandma tell you, okay?

Yes, Mummy.

We'll be
back tomorrow.

I wish you
were coming, too, Mama.

No. No. I will be
just fine with Jincia.

Don't worry.

Goodbye.
Enjoy yourself.

Daddy!
Thank you.

Oh, I appreciate it so much,
Mama. You'll never know, really.

I know. I know.
Bye, Mama.

Bye bye.
Bye bye, baby.

We'll see you
tomorrow in Port Said.

Bye bye.

[BELLS SOUNDING FAINTLY]

ANTONIO: We're over here.

I wish she didn't
insist on going.

The sun is murder.

Cover yourself
with that scarf.

Put it on your neck.
Okay.

Okay, I go.

Thank you,
Antonio.

Enjoy your day.

See you tomorrow
in Port Said.

LEON: Oh, dear.
It's warm.

LEON: Not so
fast, Marilyn.

LEON: Not so fast.

MARILYN: What's the matter,
Leon? You all right?

LEON: I'm all right.

LEON: All this noise
and confusion.

MARILYN: Look, honey.
We don't have to go.

I mean, it might be too tiring.

LEON: Listen, darling.

You can't come to...

You can't come to Egypt
and not go to see the Pyramids

and the Sphinx.

Quit fussing.

Look, Leon. I think you're going
because you think I wanna go.

I mean, I-I-I couldn't give
a damn. All I want
is to be with you.

Oh, God.

I don't know
what I wanna do.

Okay, Leon,
we're gonna go back
to the ship.

Your guests won't mind.

Wait a minute,
I'm all right.

Leon we're gonna
go back to the ship.

I think
it's best.

Now, let's just take
one day at a time.

Look, we'll just
keep the Cohens company.

Oh.
Okay?

Marilyn,
over here!

Rose, we're gonna
take a rain check.

So, you have
a great time.

We'll see you tomorrow
at Port Said.

Don't worry.
We'll bring you
a nice souvenir.

Bring back
a belly dancer.

[BUS DOOR SWISHES SHUT]

I thought they
were dying to see
the Pyramids.

Poor Marilyn. She really
doesn't look too well.

What?

Look, I don't wanna
talk about it.

Today's our day.
Let's have a good time,
okay?

You're right.
To hell with Leon.

If I find a belly dancer,
I'll keep her for myself.

You would.

[CHUCKLES]

I am sorry I'm late.
But I must go ashore.

But you are not
on the list for the tour,
Mr. Petros.

No, I'm afraid
I have to leave
this beautiful cruise.

PETROS: My wife is sick.

No, no, I already
have my passport.

LADY: All right, go ahead.

Thank you.
Shukr.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

[DOOR OPENS]

What's going on?

I just saw Petros
leaving the ship now.

We've been found out.
I believe a steward
saw the arms.

He can't have.

I'm telling you, he did.
He saw us.

If he had, they would have
arrested us by now.

Shut up.

I am the leader,
and I tell you
we have no choice,

but to hijack this ship.

It's crazy.

This is not our plan.

I have a new plan.

You mean,
just the four
of us, alone?

On such
a big ship?

That is why,
they will never know how many
of us there really is.

Well.

There aren't so many
passengers aboard now.

So,
we can
do it?

For what?

And why
an Italian ship?

Huh? Why?

It's Israel who
we must fight.

We are to free
our brothers.

What difference does it make
whether we make our stand
from here

or from Israel?

I am a soldier,

and I don't want to fight
against unarmed people.

For us they are
our enemies.

All of them.

We are
at war, brother.

[SHIP HORN HOOTING]

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

Who is it?

[KNOCKING CONTINUES]

I thought I wouldn't
see you again.

Well...

I couldn't
stay away.

I'm glad.

But I'm
also still...

I'll see you
in the restaurant.

I'll be
waiting.

MICHELE: So, first round
is yours.

Come on,
I'll buy you
a champagne.

Thank you.
But the next round
is mine.

[SPLASHING]

ANNOUNCER: Ladies
and gentlemen, tomorrow
we will reach Port Said.

Those of you who wish
to visit the city,

please contact
the purser's office.

Thank you.

[ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITALIAN]

[ANNOUNCEMENT IN FRENCH]

[LAUGHTER]

[GUN SHOTS BEING FIRED]

Come.

[GUNSHOTS]

On the floor!

ANNOUNCER: Captain De Rosa
is requested
on the bridge at once.

Captain De Rosa
on the bridge at once.

Captain
What's going on?

Someone is firing
the machine gun!

What?
Yes!

And shouts are coming
from the restaurant.

Oh, my God.

Put your
uniform on.

Yes, sir.

[GUN SHOTS FIRING]

TERRORIST:
On the floor.
On the floor.

[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]

TERRORIST:
Back on the bridge,
who's marking?

Now.

Yeah.

What happened?

How many
are they?

[CRYING]

Are you hurt?
Huh?

Move.
Everybody.

[MACHINE GUN FIRING]

Fire!

Captain, we are taking this ship
in the name of Arafat's PLO.

We have nothing
against the Italians.

But anybody who
tries to stop us,

will be killed.

We will blow up
this whole ship.

There are many
of us, understand?

Yes.

But you've got to understand
that we have more than
300 people on this ship.

There is bound
to be panic.

I'll do
what I can.

But your men...
have to keep
very, very calm.

My men
are soldiers.

Stop the ship,
now.

Stop
the engines.

Move.

MAN: Captain.

CAPTAIN: Attention please.
Your attention, please.

This is Captain De Rosa
speaking.

All passengers
and crew members,

the ship has been taken over
by a group of Palestinians.

We are no longer underway.

I ask that you
all remain calm.

No one is to
take any action.

It might endanger his life.
And the life of others.

[SPEAKING IN ARABIC]

Please proceed
to the dining area.

Don't be afraid.

Proceed to the
dining hall at once.

[CAPTAIN SPEAKING IN ITALIAN]

[ANNOUNCING THE
SAME MESSAGE IN FRENCH]

This is the
Captain speaking.

If we follow
instructions carefully,

nothing will
happen to us.

I assure you.

All passengers and off duty
crew members who are
still in their cabins

in the after part
of the ship,

must proceed immediately
to the main dining hall.

Passengers and crew members in
the after part of the ship...

TERRORIST: All right.
Stop. Stop.

TERRORIST:
Stop. Nobody move.

TERRORIST:
Everybody down.
Right where you are.

TERRORIST: Go on.

TERRORIST: Don't you
hear me?

TERRORIST:
I said, down.

Keep quiet.

[SPEAKING IN A
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

CAPTAIN: So much
for our artillery.

MAN: [WHISPERING]
No, still have
a gun in my cabin.

If I can find an excuse
to go and get it.

CAPTAIN:
And then what?

Suppose they've
really planted
their explosives?

Look, we don't even
know how many they are.

What you need here
is some brain work.

They're only
young boys.

We've got to try
and reason with them.

We've got to
get out of this mess.

Without
any more shooting.

TERRORIST: Walkie talkie.
You have walkie talkie?

Hand them out.

Take it.

Do you hear me?

-Hello?
-I hear you.

Up. Up.

Move. Move.
Get up. Get up.

Move. Faster.
Faster. Go on.

Move everybody,
move.

CAPTAIN: No, no, no, no.

My second
in command,

my radio operator.

And the bridge staff
must stay here.

Keep your eye on them.

Okay.

Everybody, out.
Out.

Do what
they ask.

And nobody
will get hurt.

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

[COUGHING]

TERRORIST: The Captain
comes with me.

TERRORIST: The rest
of you stay here.

TERRORIST: Go on.
Go on.

Be calm.

Keep calm.
Nothing will happen
if you keep calm.

Get all of them
to the ball room.

I want everybody
in the ball room now.

But the ball room
is on the upper deck.

I know that.

It means we move
these people
through this ship.

Will you
shut up?

You have enough men,
to make sure
there are no incidents?

You're trying
to be clever.
I'm on to you.

TERRORIST:
We have the whole ship
under control.

[GUNSHOTS]

[PEOPLE SCREAMING IN PANIC]

TERRORIST: Assadi!

[GUN FIRING]

[GUN SHOTS]

TERRORISTS: Go. Go.
Go. Go.

[GUN SHOTS]

[SCREAMING] Go.
Take him out.

Go!

[PEOPLE SCREAMING
IN PANIC]

[GUNSHOTS]

TERRORIST: Move!

Keep calm.

How can you let them
herd us sheep?
Why don't your men do something?

This is not
a warship, sir.

And my crew
is mostly clerks
and stewards.

This way,
calmly.

Calmly, please.

CAPTAIN: Calmly.

TERRORIST: Go, go.

TERRORIST: Move, move.

TERRORIST: Come on.

LADY: Help me.

Come on.

Cheryl. She must hiding
in the cabin. We got
to get her before he does.

Oh, wait,
wait, wait.

TERRORIST: Move. Move.

LADY: Peter. Peter.

TERRORIST:
Go. Go. Go. Go.

Come on. Come on.

TERRORIST: Go. Go.

TERRORIST: Move.

TERRORIST:
Move now.
Faster.

TERRORIST:
Move, move. Move!

TERRORIST: Come on!
Run! Run!

TERRORIST: Come on.
Come on.
Go. Go. Go.

TERRORIST: Upstairs.
Upstairs. Come on.

TERRORIST: Everybody.
Up. Up. Up. Faster.

TERRORIST: Okay.
Move. Move. Move.

TERRORIST:
Move. Move. Move.

TERRORIST:
Fast. Fast.

TERRORIST: Move.
You and you.
Help him up.

You know, Ferrari,
we chose the
Achille Lauro

because it's better equipped
for people in wheel chairs.

Move. Quickly!

Bastard.

You want to
get us all killed?

Shut up.

You can thank your
beloved Israel for
getting us in this mess.

Shut up
and keep
moving.

LEON: We'll talk
about Israel later.

[EXHALES]

[GUNSHOTS]

TERRORIST: Over here,
everybody come.

TERRORIST: Go.
Go. Go. Fast.

TERRORIST: Come on.
Come on, everybody.
Everybody.

[GUNSHOTS]

[PEOPLE SCREAMING]

[GUNSHOTS]

CAPTAIN: Wait!

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

TERRORIST: Get in.

[PEOPLE SCREAMING]

[GUN FIRING]

[GUNSHOTS]

TERRORIST: Stay quiet.

[SPEAKING IN ARABIC]

Come on.

TERRORIST: Shut up.
Go. Go. Go. Faster. Faster.

[HELMUT WHISPERING]
Michele...

We have to
warn Cheryl.

TERRORIST: Come over
here, faster.

You. Come
with me.

Come
with me.

[GUN FIRING]

Fast!
Shut up!

You, too.
Come. Come.

TERRORIST:
Fast, fast, fast.

Get up.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

[DIALING ON THE PHONE]

[PHONE RINGING]

[PHONE RINGING]

Cheryl.

Helmut?

HELMUT: Don't leave
your cabin.

Keep out
of sight.

I'll try to
get to you later.

But where are you?
What's going on?

Later.

And please
don't hang up.

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

[WHISPERING]
I understand.

WOMAN: Ah!

MAN: What is
that, Percy?

[PEOPLE PANICKING
AND SCREAMING]

Down here.
Down here.

Stop it.

CAPTAIN:
For heaven's sake,
stop it.

You have no right
to torture people
like this.

If anybody panics,

we'll have a massacre
on our hands.

Is that
what you want?

Answer me!

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

She's in
her cabin.

The Captain
knows.

Do you
love her?

Do you?

[GRIM MUSIC CONTINUES]

Out.

Out.

[SHRIEKS]

Help!

Somebody
help me!

TERRORIST:
Shh. Shh.

Please! Ah!

Get off me.

Get off me.
Don't touch me.

Get off me.
Get off me.

No.
Don't touch me.

Shh!

[CRYING] Don't!

Stop where
you are.

Do it again
and you will see what happen.

She goes with the others.
No.

You can wait
for the lady
to get dressed.

You all right?

Helmut?

Yes? I'm here.

Everything's fine.

[EXHALES IN RELIEF]

She's
all right.

Ah!

Move!
Move! Move!

Move!

Close the door!
I'll come...

[GUN FIRING]

Don't shoot.
Easy.

Okay. Okay.

[CRYING AND TALKING
INDISTINCTLY]

Easy.

It's nothing
serious.

It's nothing
serious.

Okay. Okay.
Up. Go. Come.

This is
Captain De Rosa
speaking.

At 1300 hours today,

the passenger ship,
Achille Lauro

was taken over

by a commando group
belonging to the Palestinian
Liberation Organization.

In exchange
for the release

of the ship and its passengers
the hijackers demand

the liberation of
50 Palestinian prisoners

now held in Israeli jails.

[WHOOSHING]

COLONEL: No. This goes...

Colonel, sir.
You are urgently
wanted in the radio room.

What's happened?

All bases are
on the alert, sir.

There is a terrorist action
in progress. A hijacking.

Which airline?

It's not a plane, sir.
It's...

Achille Lauro
with 300 people aboard.

COLONEL: Good God!
A ship!

Once again the
innocent become victims in

in a brutal, senseless war,

between factions
that care nothing
for human life.

The question the world
is asking now are,
"What about the people?"

Over 300 hundred hostages
trapped on a ship designed
for their pleasure and comfort.

The passengers left Genoa
expecting to follow
this route.

But the hijackers took control
of the ship as it left
Alexandria.

The pleasure cruise
became a living hell.

How can the
people be saved?

[ARABIC MUSIC PLAYING]

ANNOUNCER: We interrupt
this broadcast for an important
news bulletin.

At 13:00 hours today
a Palestinian
commando group

hijacked the
Italian passenger
ship, Achille Lauro,

with over
300 passengers aboard.

It seems that
they are asking for...

[TALKING AND LAUGHTER]

[NEWS BROADCAST
IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

STREET VENDOR:
Want? Very rare.
Very nice.

Mademoiselle.

Antique. Genuine.

MAN: George, just like you.

[LAUGHTER]

[FOOTSTEPS]

[SWOOSHING]

PILOT: We are
lifted now.

Minute rendezvous,
90 minutes.

The irony of
this terrible event

is that the Achille Lauro
is an Italian ship

That country has long been
a friend to he Arab world.

Sympathetic
to their problems.

Now Italy's call
seems to be a betrayal
of that friendship

and an outraged world.

The Italian
Prime Minister Craxi

has called an extraordinary
cabinet meeting

to face the choice.

Military action
or diplomatic negotiations.

United States has exerted
very strong pressure on

the Italian government
to stage a surprise
military action.

However the Italian cabinet
remains firm

insisting on finding
a peaceful
diplomatic solution.

[WHOOSHING]

[WHOOSHING]

[WHIRRING]

[NEWS IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

In this many hours
the Achille Lauro
has still not be located.

The military might
of the western powers
seems helpless.

Any news from
reconnaissance?

No one has sighted
the ship yet, sir.

[SIGHS]

Total silence
on their radio?

Mm-hmm.

Nobody's heard anything
from them since
that one message.

They seem
to have vanished.

Grandma.

Grandma.

I want to go
the bathroom.

Huh?

I want to go
the bathroom.

Bathroom.
Please.

GIRL: I want to go
the bathroom.

GRANDMA: Let the child
go to the bathroom.

GRANDMA: Please.

TERRORIST: No. No.

[CROWD TALKING INDISTINCTY]

[PEOPLE SHOUTING]

Stop!

Stop!

[GUNSHOT]

[PEOPLE SCREAMING IN PANIC]

[GUNSHOTS]

We must take them
to the bathroom.
At least the women.

Calm down,
okay?

Okay?
I'll take her.

TERRORIST: Okay?

Okay.

Shut up.

Only the women.

TERRORIST:
Eight at a time.
Okay.

One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.

TERRORIST: That's it.
For now.

TERRORIST:
Come. Okay?

TERRORIST:
Come. Come.
That's it.

Hey, what
about us?

Do it in
the orchestra.

Sons of bitches.

Come on,
everybody.

Leon, they'll make
an exception for you.

I'll go ask him
when he comes back.

He seems
almost human.

No.

I don't want a thing
from them bastards.

Speaking
of bathrooms,

as soon as we get back home,
I'm going to redo one of ours.

I want a Jacuzzi.

And what's more,
I can't stand that damned
flowered wallpaper.

What color
do you want?

Lilac. I think.

I was hoping
you'd say pale yellow.

No. Lilac.

But none of those
damn flowers.

None of those
damn flowers.

[WHIRRING]

[FAINT LOCAL MUSIC PLAYING]

LADY: Let us off,
please.

MAN: Ooh! What is that?

Excuse me,
please.

Where are you?
They are here to board the ship.

Hey, Carla,
look at the policemen.

Our ship
is not here.

Carla.

LADY: Your attention, please.
Your attention, please.

Everybody. The police wants
everybody to go back on the bus.

What's going on?
What's happening here?

Please understand that the ship
has been taken over
by a group of terrorists.

ALL: What!

MAN: What the hell
are you talking about?

Our child
is on that ship.

Jincia is there.

Please help us
and go on the bus.

What about
the passengers?

Yeah. What about
the passengers?

It will be okay,
please.

Go on the bus.

Jinny.

LADY: What's going on?

LADY: Please, everybody
back on the bus. Please.

LADY: Everybody, please.

[WHIRRING]

TERRORIST: We are
waiting instructions,
Syria.

TERRORIST: Please reply. Syria.

TERRORIST: Please reply.

I've got
something.

OPERATOR: I will give you
the coordinates.

TERRORIST: Syria. We are
waiting instructions.

Please reply.

TERRORIST: We are waiting
instructions, Syria.

Thirty two. Thirty East.

Syrian Base here.
Syrian Base here.

KHALEED: I'm receiving
you loud and clear.

We have a message
form the Captain of the ship.

We have a message
from the Captain of the ship.

Did everything
go according plan?

Were there
any incidents?

TERRORIST: No, none.
Everything is fine.

Continue the operation
as planned.

KHALEED: Let the ship
head for the Port of Tartus.

Once there you will open
negotiations with the Syrians.

For an exchange
of hostages.

I'll join you when you
reach an agreement.

Thank you, Syria.

[PHONE CLICKS]

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

We did it.

We have the problem of what
Arafat's going to do
when he learns the truth.

He'll never turn on
his own Palestinian brothers.

He'll have to accept things
whether he likes it or not.

Could be.

The Achille Lau appears to be
headed for the coast of Syria.

She can't get there
before tomorrow morning.

Now, assuming that
we get the authorization act,
I suggest...

a sea based attack
outside the territorial
waters of Syria,

using a team of frogmen
backed up with
helicopter support.

This way,
Your Excellency.

The foreign minister
has a visitor at the moment.

Oh!

The American ambassador
asked to see him.

Ah!

If you don't mind,
I'd like a few words
with my Italian colleague.

Of course.

It was a
short meeting.

The Syrian Foreign minister
was caught off guard when
I told him the Achille Lauro

was headed
for his coast.

Do you have any
concrete basis
for thinking

the Syrians
are not acting
in good faith?

We picked up
a radio message
from a Syrian base

ordering the ship
to head for Tartus.

I told them
they better drop
any such idea.

Syria cannot go
granting asylum
to those bandits.

Or even allow
the ship to dock.

I'm with
you there.

It is vital that no sympathy
be shown toward an action
against the innocent civilians.

I want you to know
we are ready to take
military action

in a defense of
the US citizens
held hostage.

I hope Italy's position
is equally firm.

I want you
to know,

if it is decided
that military action
is unavoidable,

the ship is Italian,
remember.

So any action
will be undertaken
by Italy.

And no one
but Italy.

I want you to be clear
that Italy's first concern

is to avoid the shedding
innocent blood.

And we will do all we can
to reach a peaceful solution.

MAN: Excuse me,
but the minister is waiting,
Your Excellency.

Excuse me.

We'll continue
this later.

I will call you later.

[KNOCK AT DOOR]

Come in.

Ah, Your Excellency.

Please.

I imagine you know
the reason for my visit, sir.

The Achille Lauro
is at this moment
heading for Syria.

Yes, so I gather
from your American colleague.

Why Syria?

Maybe they are hoping
to receive some kind
of assistance or support?

Exactly what is it
you are trying to say?

The hijackers
claim to be
PLO guerrillas.

And we all know
that some of the more extreme

Palestinian groups
are based in Syria.

Syria grants asylum
to her persecuted Arab brothers.

But I categorically
reject the suggestion

that my government
has anything to do
with a group

whose identity
we do not even know.

I assume your government
also disapproves
for the act of piracy,

performed aboard
an Italian cruise ship.

Of course we do.
We condemn it entirely.

Very good.

Then there will be no problem
over issuing a public statement

expressing
your condemnation.

Our President is in
Prague at the moment.

I will inform him
of the situation

and pass on the requests
of the Italian government.

[ARABIC MUSIC PLAYING]

[ARABIC MUSIC
CONTINUES PLAYING]

He said there many,
but I've seen only
four of them.

Me, too.
But it's a big ship.

Do you think
they'll try something?

From the outside
to free us?

I'm sure
they're considering it.

But it can't be
an easy decision.

Then what
about my gun?

Ah, a revolver.
They have Kalashnikovs.

I suppose I could manage
to disarm this boy.

You want
to give it a try?

Of course,
I do.

But they have
grenades, kerosene,

and more than
300 hostages.

You're right, sir.

Could we have it
a bit down?

No.

It's stop you
from going to sleep.

There's no
danger of that.

I couldn't close
my eyes tonight

even if you glued
them down.

It's a beautiful song
from my country.

I love songs.

Passports.

Who has
the passports?

Well, um...

some of the passengers
have their own,

but most of them
are with the purser.

I want all the passports
in the lounge now.

Go. Go. Go. Go.

Stay. Stay. Stay.

Stay.

Go.

But I want
to stay with her.

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

TERRORIST: Stay.

TERRORIST: Go. Go.
Stay.

TERRORIST: Over there.
Over there.

Passport.

I couldn't find it.

I looked everywhere
in our cabin.

I lost it.

Where is
her passport?

CAPTAIN: Please.

Please,
keep calm.

Don't worry.

We'll find it.

She's American?

No, not American.
Australian.

Right, ma'am?

Go with
the others.

Americans stay
and the Jew.

You.

I am French.

A French Jew.

No, no, no.

Then why are you
so nervous?

No. No. I'm not Jewish.
I swear I'm not.

You are Jewish.

No, I swear.
I'm not.

You're making
a mistake.

How can I
make you believe me?

You don't know
your Jews buddy.

Now this is
a Jewish face,

Jewish?

And American.

TERRORIST: Stay.

Stay.
Join the others.

Maybe you know now
what it's like to be inside
the skin of a Jew for a moment.

I said,
"Go join
the others."

TERRORIST: If we are
attacked tonight,

you will all die.

British,
American,
Jews.

They are
my people's enemies.

CAPTAIN: Enemies
are people who fight.

These people
are innocent civilians.

Their only fault is having
one passport,

rather than another.

If our
conditions are met

and nobody launches
an operation against us,

then all passengers
will be freed.

We will cooperate
in every way.

You need
not worry.

Worry?

We do not worry.
It is you who should worry.

Because you
all want to live.

But we boarded the ship
prepared to die.

[YAWNING]

[COUGHING]

Leon.

Why don't you
try to get some rest?

I'm not sleepy.

I'm watching
our enemy.

They all look
so young.

MARILYN: That one
can't be
more than a boy.

[SIGHS]

MARILYN: Do you think he knows
what he's doing?

You can
bet he knows.

He got a gun
and he knows
how to use it.

[SIGHS]

They look
more frightened
than we are.

I was frightened
too during the war.

But it didn't
stop me from killing.

You know it's ironic?

It's the kind of thing
you watch on television at home

or read about
in the newspapers.

And now here it is
happening to us.

Doesn't
seem possible.

[SIGHS]

[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]

But you know...

I would like
to talk to them.

Ask them a few questions.
Who know, maybe...

maybe something
would happen.

It's a nice idea,
Leon.

He wouldn't
listen to you.

We're symbols, Leon.
We're not people.

My dearest heart,

what would you know...

Well, if they could act
like human beings instead of...

I don't know...

It just
seems to me

that the world
is big enough.

That there could be
a place for them.

[WHOOSHING]

[SPEAKING ITALIAN]

What does
it say?

What does
it say?

We are inside of
the Syrian coast.

The Port of Tartus
is over there.

Assadi! Assadi!
We've reached Syria.

Assadi!

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

[YELLING] Syria!

Syria!

Syria!

TERRORIST: Eat. Eat.

We're in Syria?

Hey. Hey. Hey.

Hey!

[JUBILANT MUSIC PLAYING]

Is it good?
This is good.

I just got it.

I got it.

What?

Bathrooms.
Wallpaper.

Lilac.

I hate lilac.

[LAUGHING]

Leon.

Oh, darling.

[CHAIN CLANKING]
[WATER SPLASHING]

Micro set four
and a half,
Captain.

Thank you.

TERRORIST: Request
radio contact.

Give your
call signals.

I want to speak
to our representative
of Syrian government.

CAPTAIN: Call Syria.

Already
on the line, sir.

Captain De Rosa,

the passengers ship
Achille Lauro calling.

The spokesman of the group
has taken over our ship.

Wants to speak
with an official representative
of your government.

We took
80 passengers hostages.

You understand Arabic,
don't you?

A little.

Get it on tape.
I gotta listen to this.

And we demand that you free
50 Palestinian hostages.

He's reading a communique
announcing a successive...
Wait a moment.

Something's wrong.

How you do this to us?
We are your brothers
and this is how you treat us.

What are
they saying?

I don't
understand too well.

But the
tone's changed.

The Syrians
are treating him
like dirt, Captain.

They say
he's a bandit.

There will be
no negotiation.

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

What did
he say?

He's going to start killing
the passengers one every hour.

Nobody move.
Nobody.

TERRORIST: If he move,
kill him.

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SPEAKING ARABIC OVER RADIO]

TERRORIST: Aah!

[GUNSHOTS]

[PEOPLE SCREAMING IN PANIC]

American! British!
And Jews!

[GUNSHOTS]

TERRORIST: Now it's
your turn.

[CHILDREN CRYING]

British, Americans,
Jews. Up.

You are a Jew.
Jew, up!

[PEOPLE SCREAMING]

There.
Get out of here! Go!

TERRORIST: When we
signal, stand.

[GUN FIRING]

TERRORIST:
You and you. Up!

Go over there.
Quick!

Shh.

[GASPS IN FRIGHT]

Take it.

Take it. Take it.

Take it. Press.

Press. Press.

If you let it drop,
you die.

[CHERYL BREATHING HEAVILY]

We all die.

We all die!

Nice.

Go.

Go. Shh. Shhh.

Shh.

You.

No!

I lied to the Captain.
I'm not an Australian.

I'm an
American Jew.

There.

Stubborn
old girl.

Move!

Please.

[PEOPLE SCREAMING IN PANIC]

Don't move!

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

Help that man up, quickly.
Quickly. Quickly. Come on.

Help that man up.
Quickly. Move.

Up. Up. Up.

Move.

Move.

Ow!

Hey! Hey!

That man stays.
Come.

No.

Come. Come.

No! Leon!

Leon. Don't worry, honey.
Don't worry.
You'll be safer here.

I'll be all right,
sweet heart.

Don't worry.
Oh!

Easy. Easy.

That man
stays down.

Okay. Okay.

Okay. Go back.
Go back.

Go back. You, too.
Leave it. Leave it.

Leave it. Leave it.
Go back. Go. Go back.

Please, my wife.
Will you see that
she covers herself?

The sun. The sun
is terrible for her,
you understand?

You see,
she is a
very sick woman.

Please see to it
that my wife
covers herself.

The sun is terrible
for her.
And the heat.

The heat
is torture.

What would it cost you
to let her stay with me?

My wife
has cancer.

Let us
stay together.

We haven't...

We haven't been separated
for a single night or a day
in 30 years.

Let us
stay together.

Doesn't matter
what you do to us.

As long as
we're together.

Son of a bitch.
Son of a bitch.

Move. Move.
Move. Now.

Move. Move. Move.

Let's go.
Let's go.

TERRORIST: Come on, everybody.
Move.

TERRORIST:
Move. All over
the place.

Move. Move.

Ah!

Move. Move.

Let's go. Let's go.
Move. Move.

Move. Move.

Go. Go. Go.

Go! On the ground.
Hands up!

TERRORIST: All of you.
You, too!

On the ground. Everyone.
Hands above your head.

You, too. On the...
On the head.

Shh. Shh.
Give it to him.

Don't be
afraid.

Open. Give it.
Don't scared.

Give me that.

That's it.

Nice.

Okay.

Now get down.
Nice. Hands up
on your head.

Marilyn!

All right?

TERRORIST: Shut up.
Everybody.

[GRENADE BLASTING THE AIR]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

Since the Syrians let us down,
we'll begin killing passengers.

Look, listen to me.
I can help you.

I can negotiate
for you.

Perhaps if they
hear my voice...

Music.

Put on
some music.

[OPERATIC MUSIC PLAYING]

[CROWD MURMURING]

[OPERATIC MUSIC CONTINUES]

TERRORIST: You!

TERRORIST: Bring that man
up now.

TERRORIST: Move it.

Now they will see
that we are serious.

Molqi.

Molqi.

Molqi! Can you
hear me?

LEON: Where
are you taking me?

Go!

One.

Two. Three.

Push. Ferrari.

Push.

TERRORIST: Faster. Faster.

TERRORIST: Faster.

Molqi. This is
Assadi speaking.

ASSADI: Can you
hear me? Molqi?

ASSADI: Please answer me.
Where are you going?

ASSADI: Molqi!

MOLQI: Now, go away.

Go away!

MOLQI: Move!

[OPERATIC MUSIC CONTINUES]

What do you want
on your headstone?

Jew?

[GUN COCKING]

[MUSIC INCREASES IN PACE]

What do want
on yours?

Bastard.

[GUNSHOT]

[GLASS SHATTERS]

[GUNSHOT]

If you move
I will kill you.

[MUSIC GETS FASTER]

American.

That was
the first one.

Call the Syrians
again.

This is the passenger ship,
Achille Lauro calling Syrian
Port authorities.

Come in,
please.

Syrian port authorities,
come in please.

Do you think they
really killed an American?

The passengers
seem calm.

I think he's bluffing
to frighten us.

I certainly
hope so.

But look
at his shoes.

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SOFT, POIGNANT MUSIC PLAYING]

[SHATTERED GLASS BEING MOVED]

[CRYING]

MAN: This is a representative
of the PLO.

MAN: Calling from
the cruise ship,
Achille Lauro

I got something.
506. 43 Megahertz.

... now confirmed
what I have just said.

CAPTAIN: This is the Captain
of the Achille Lauro, speaking.

The Palestinian commando,
now in control of this ship

has informed me,

that one of the hostages
has been executed.

CAPTAIN:
If the commando
doesn't receive,

adequate guarantees,

of the immediate release

of the 50
Palestinian prisoners,

they will execute
one hostage,
every hour.

Beginning
from this moment.

[WHOOSHING]

General Davies, sir.

The Syrians
are answering
from Tartus.

"Leave Syrian
territorial waters
immediately.

Or we will fire
on the ship."

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

The terrorist wants
some explanation.

"Why? Why?
We are your brothers."

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

"I repeat, 'Leave our
waters immediately.'

That's all.
Over and out."

I'm picking up
a news broadcast.
Listen.

Starting with Arafat,

practically
all the Arab leaders have
condemned the hijacking.

calling it
the work of pirates.

Libya's Colonel Gaddafi

has passively approved
the criminal action.

While news is still...

We leave here now!

Are you sure?
Maybe we didn't
understand each other.

Start the engines.

What course?

We are
going to Libya.

Massa.

Prepare to re-anchor.

Yes, sir.

You. Throw the body
in the sea.

Move, or I'll kill you, too.

Move!

[CRYING] Please.

I am not able.

Go help.
Go on.

Throw the body
in the sea. Now.

[GUN COCKING]
Move!

Throw that body
in the sea. Now!

TERRORIST: Go on.
Throw him.

Throw it in.

[SPLASH]

The chair also.
Throw it in.

Now!

Change yourself.

Change yourself
and clean the deck.

[GUN COCKING]
Everything clean.

Remember, if you talk.
We will find you
and we will kill you.

Even in 20 years.

Never speak
a word to anyone.

[WHEEL SPINNING]

RADIO NEWS:
In the middle east,

Palestinian terrorists
take over
Achille Lauro.

PLO Chairman, Yasser Arafat
issued an official statement
condemning the hijacking

the Italian ship.
Adding that the terrorists
are not members of the PLO,

but common criminals.

He asks that they be
given no support of any kind.

Syrian authorities
have already refused
to give the hijackers...

[BANGS TABLE]
We are alone now!

The provision
is a fiasco.
A fiasco.

Even the Syrians don't want
anything more to do with us.

That's not all.

I just spoke with Tunis.

Arafat discovered
the truth

and is out to get
all the people responsible.

[PHONE RINGING]

I'll go.

[PHONE CONTINUES TO RING]

Yes?

Yes.

Of course.

I see.

That's right.

I'll leave
at once.

He's turning the whole thing
around to his own advantage.

Arafat is sending me
to represent
the PLO negotiations

with the man
on the Achille Lauro.

What!

He's making
me responsible.

For seeing that all
the hostages are freed,

without any bloodshed.

He's got you right
in the middle.
No way yo can win.

Of course,

you could hide
in Syria or Lebanon.

And be
hunted forever?

No.

Perhaps I'd be safe
if I do what he says.

What can he do to a man
who saved hundreds

of human lives
in the name of the PLO?

We're moving.
Bring them down
to the lounge.

Molqi. Molqi.

What have you done
with the sick man?

You didn't kill him?
Was he alive?

[WHISPERING]
Are you crazy?

Bring them
to the ground.

Why did
you do it?

You are not here
to question me,
so keep your mouth shut.

It's going
to be okay.

Now, go.

Up. Up. Up.

Everybody up.

We are
going back.
Come on.

You want to move over there.
Come on everybody.

TERRORIST: Up. Up.

TERRORIST: Come on. Come on.

TERRORIST: Go. Go. Go.

TERRORIST: Come on.
Go. Go. Go.

[VOICES OF PEOPLE TALKING]

Leon. Didn't take
his medicine.

[PEOPLE TALKING
AND LAUGHING IN RELIEF]

Antonio.

Where's Leon?

I don't know.

You don't know?

I'm sorry.

Sir, I want you to tell me
what you've done
with my husband.

I beg you.
Please.

Go.
Answer me.

In English
you son a bitch.

[PEOPLE SCREAMING]

Calm down, please.
Calm down.

Do you
want to die?

Lets all
calm down.

Everybody.
Everybody.

Calm.

Calm.

Now the lady
is going to
calm down.

And come with us
and sit down
with all the others.

Where is...
where is Leon?

Please.
Where did they take him?

I've got a feeling
that you know...
these people...

even more
nervous than we are.

And if we provoke them,
there could be a real massacre.

This one seems to be
more human than the others.

Let me speak
to him, okay?

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Can we
speak to you?

What?

Mrs. Klinghoffer
wants to know

where her
husband is.

Oh, yes.

He is...

He's all right.
He's all right

Well, I mean, where is he?
Where did you take him?

Oh, he is, er...
in the hospital.

In the hospital?

You mean,
he fell sick?

No. He okay.

Only a little...

Pain?

Yes. Right.
But he is
take medicine.

Tranquilizer.

So now...

he is sleep.

I have
to go to him.

Please I want
to be with him.

No, you can't.

It's not possible.

But...
I'm telling you...

He's all right.

Please.

Believe me.

He is all right.

Believe me.

[POIGNANT MUSIC PLAYING]

[CAR PICKING UP SPEED
AND MOVING]

[SIRENS BLARING]

Right.

Washington
on the line, sir.

Mr. President.

I have just met with
Prime Minister Craxi.

I told him that after
the terrorists declaration
that they had killed a hostage,

my government was calling for
immediate military action.

And will he take
that action?

No, sir.

He stated that before
ordering such an operation,

that could cause
a massacre
among the hostages,

that his government
wanted to explore
every possible alternatives.

And he made it clear
that any military action,

against the Achille Lauro
would be carried out
by Italian forces.

I want you to tell
the Prime Minister,

that I shall
give him 24 hours.

After which,
the United States
reserves the right

to launch a unilateral
military operation.

Yes, sir.

[ADHAN BEING CALLED OUT]

Hello?
Italian Embassy?

Yes. My name is
Luciano Serafini

I am one of the passengers
from the Achille Lauro.

What's going on?

No! Can't you
give us any
information?

We know
absolutely nothing.

Janu come quickly.
The news is on the radio.

All right, I'll call back.
Thank you. Bye.

It's your turn.

The Achille Lauro,
there have been
conflicting reports

as to what
actually happened.

A Portuguese
radio relay station

claims to have picked up
a message from the hijackers,

announcing the execution
of one of the hostages.

ALL: [COLLECTIVELY GASPING]

There are also some
unconfirmed reports

that special forces
are to launch an attack
during the night.

Frantic diplomatic exchanges
between the countries

most concerned
over the terrorist actions

seem to be at a dead mark.

Each claiming
its jurisdictional rights
in the matter.

Further news
on the hijacking of
the Achille Lauro

will be given at the next
Voice of America, news roundup.

All the women.
Wake up.

British.

Americans.

Jews.

On your knees.

Hands behind
your heads.

Cohen. Stanley.

Me.

[GUN COCKING]

ALL: No!

TERRORIST: It's your turn.

NO!

Are you afraid?
Yes.

Orson. Jack.

I am here.

Sherman. Abbot.

I'm here.

Jacobi. David.

Here.

No, no.
Please.

Adams. Cheryl.

Yes.

Ah!
[THUD]

[FEW PEOPLE COUGHING]

Cohen Stanley.

Come here.

ALL: Ah!

[PEOPLE GASPING IN FEAR]

Now. Now
think carefully.

Think carefully
about what your doing.

If you kill
any of the hostages,

you will be giving them
a good excuse
to launch a military action.

If your aim
was to draw
the world's attention,

you've already
succeeded.

But if you really
think it is necessary
to kill someone

to show how
strong you are,

you will stop with nothing.
You will have to kill
somebody important.

The Captain.

Represents the ship.

So...

you should
kill the Captain.

Lets go on deck.

Captain.

[WOMEN CRYING]

Ah! Ah! Ah!

TERRORIST: All right.
Everybody down.

Down. Everybody.

Molqi. Molqi.

Khaleed radioed that
we are allowed to go Libya.

He wants
to talk to you.

To give you
our new course.

Khaleed?
Yes, yes. It was him.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

Khaleed
is waiting.

We're
changing course.

You are a very
lucky man, Captain.

Let's go.

You still
need that thing?

Nevaratashe here.

Inform His Excellency
that we are intercepting
secret signals

through the Achille Lauro.

CAPTAIN: Okay.
Can you hear me?

Is that you,
Khaleed?

Can you hear me?

I hear you, Khaleed.

I think it's going to be
possible to negotiate.

We must salvage
what we can.

You have to go
back to Egypt.

Port Said.

It will taken
as a gesture of goodwill.

You understand?

Yes.

It is very important
to let people know

that you have not harmed
the passengers or crew.

You understand
what I'm saying?

Yes, I understand
perfectly.

I promise
I will bring
you all home.

Safe and sound.

This Khaleed talks like
he's behind the hijacking.

We know he is one
of the leaders of the
radical faction of the PLO.

And yet...

Arafat sent him
to negotiate
with the terrorists.

What does it mean?

Trouble
within the PLO?

A double cross?
What's going on?

I don't know.

Captain.
We are changing course.

Back to Egypt.
Port Said.

Something happen?

Things are
looking better
for all of us.

Does that mean

there will not be
any more executions?

Anymore?
I do not understand.

Have you maybe seen
an act of violence
being committed on the ship?

Captain, a little while ago,
you said you represent
this whole ship

and everybody on it.

This is your chance
to bring them all safely.

Don't waste it.

None of us have slept
for over 48 hours.

Your mind can begin
to play nasty tricks on you.

[EXHALES]

You're from Napoli.

Have your kitchen
make some good spaghetti.

We love spaghetti
and Italians.

That is one of the reasons
why we chose
your beautiful ship.

MAN: Good morning, gentlemen.

I'm sure you realize
I invited you here,

as the representatives
of the countries

with the most citizens
aboard the
Achille Lauro.

The ambassador
from Italy.

from United States.

Great Britain,
and the ambassador
from Germany.

Thank you so
much for coming
on such short notice.

Please sit down.

To start with I can tell you,
that the first message
received from the ship

concerning
an alleged killing
was incorrect.

It is now
affirmed,

that all is well.
And there has been no violence
and no victims.

Who says this?

The Captain.

A man with a machine gun
pointed at his head
will say anything.

The message
continues.

The hijackers want to negotiate
the release of the ship
and its hostages.

And PLO is ready
to send someone

to mediate
with the terrorists.

That would
be amusing.

If it weren't
so preposterous.

But does this
mean that the PLO

is admitting its
connection with
the terrorists?

Lets say that Arafat
and his people think

that the pirates
could be part of a lunatic,
splintered group.

Fanatics.

Who took
independent action,

That's why they're offering
to reason with them.

Such seems
an acceptable basis
for a negotiation

If they are talking about
unconditional surrender

as being no violence.
I agree.

Too many ifs,
and trust me,

too many games.

And who is this suddenly
peace loving mediator?

And when does he arrive?

ARAB MINISTER: He should be
arriving now in Port Said.

He is a minor
military leader.

But he is much respected
by the more extreme alliance
of the organization.

He should be the very man
to negotiate with the pirates.

He is known as Khaleed.

But his real name
is Abbas.

Abu Abbas.

Captain.

Captain, energy
and patrol boats.

There.
Look.

[SHIP HORN HOOTING]

Must be Khaleed.
But it could be a trick.

Bring everybody on the deck,
stay undercover, and shoot
if they attack

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

[SHIP HORN HOOTING]

[PEOPLE TALKING AT ONCE]

This is Captain Abu Abbas
of the PLO.

I want to speak
with the Captain of the ship.

I'm Captain De Rosa.

I have been given the task
of persuading the Palestinians

who are aboard
to release the ship

and its passengers
peacefully.

That's what
we're all hoping for.

But you have
to understand

that we do not assume
this responsibility.

If they have committed
some more serious crime,

in that case,
things would become
very complicated.

Everything depends
on what you tell me.

You understand
Captain De Rosa?

I understand.

Everything is fine.

Can you give me
your word

that there has been
no act of violence?

[GRIM MUSIC PLAYING]

One seaman
was accidentally injured.

But not seriously.

Accidentally harmed.

ABBAS: Please describe
the gravity of the incident.

CAPTAIN: He fell
and fractured his leg?

Excuse me.
Where is the sick bay?
I got to find my husband.

The sick bay
is two decks down.

But try to be
patient, Signora,
you can't go down now.

It's not possible now.
Look there.

CAPTAIN:
You have my word.

Everybody on
board is well.

KHALEED: That is a relief.

Can I speak
to the leader
of the Commando.

Khaleed.

I want to know if the American
and the Italian ambassadors

are with you.

[SPEAKING IN ARABIC]

Prepare to
leave the ship.

And before you go,

I want you to apologize
to the Captain and all
the prisoners.

And that's an order.

Thank you,
Captain De Rosa.

[PEOPLE SHOUTING JUBILANTLY]

Helmut.

Michele.

Bravo.
You were
very good.

Yes, you were.
Bravo. Bravo.

Prisoners.

We are prisoners
in this damn ship too.

We are pawns.

Cards in
a stack deck.

In a dirty game being played
a long way from here.

[BANGS DOOR]

Cattle fodder.
That's what we are.

All of us.

Don't you
understand?

Don't you
understand?

Well gentlemen,
please accept our apologies,

for the inconvenience.

We took food, drinks,
cigarettes.
We are not bandits.

We pay our debts.

With good
Yankee dollars, too.

We pay all
our damage.

All of it?

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

They just
can't walk away
so easily.

Take. That's a souvenir.
Take it.

Take it to remember.
Souvenir.

You know what
you can do
with your souvenir.

Nice.
Bravo. Bravo.

Captain,
there is a
call from Rome.

Who is it?

Prime Minister Craxi,
sir.

Hello.

Yes, Mr. Prime Minister.

Captain De Rosa speaking.

Thank you.

Yes, it's all over.

Everyone on
board is fine.

But we have
a passenger missing.

Leon Klinghoffer.

An American.

CAPTAIN: Yes, we can't
find him.

CAPTAIN: For the time being,
I'm listing him as
"Missing".

Have the minister of justice
draw up an immediate request
of extradition

for the four terrorists.

Top priority. Advise our
ambassador in Egypt at once.

[ADHAN BEING CALLED OUT]

I received two applications.
One from the Italian government,

and one from
US government

Both requesting
extradition
of the four hijackers.

Murderers would be
more accurate.

Even if
that's true,

we didn't know about it
when we took them into custody.

But now
we know
the truth.

And we want
to make sure,
justice is done.

I'm sorry but it's too late
to do anything about it.

We already handed over the
Achille Lauro hijackers
to the PLO representatives.

They left Egypt.

Left?
Where to?

[EXHALES]

Maybe PLO headquarters
in Tunis?

Yes. That would be it.

Yes. Yes. Tunis.

[CHAMPAGNE CORK POPS]

[SOFT INSTRUMENTAL
MUSIC PLAYING]

What happened?

Are you
all right?

Yeah.

Better than
I was before.

[SOFT, MELLOW,
MUSIC PLAYING]

[TRAFFIC AND CLAMORING]

[SPEAKING IN A
FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

Officer, The PLO sent me
to take charge of these men.

Our police have to
question them first.

I am waiting
for my superiors now.

Can I have a word
with the leader of the group
while we wait.

Yes,
all right.

Thank you.

Is what you said
about the ship's radio true.

That you
killed an American?

Yes. When the Syrians said
that they did not want
to negotiate,

I had to show them
that I meant business.

Of course.

But did anybody
see the killing?

No.

And when we got to Tartus
and they made us leave

I had them throw
the body in the sea.

Way out
into the sea.

Good. Good.
They will
never find it.

And if they don't find it,
they can't accuse of
anything.

Enter.

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[CAMERA FLASHING]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

Listen to me.

Get this straight.
All of you.

You volunteered
for a service and mission
in Israel.

And you took
over the ship

because the steward
discovered you.

They'll never find the dead man,
and you know nothing about him.

That's your story
for the Egyptians
and the Arafat too.

If you care
about your lives,

make sure
you stick to it.

You're a liar.
And you tricked us.

And I know the truth now.
And I'm not going to play
your game anymore.

Yellow bastard.

Stop it. Stop it.

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

You betrayed
the codes of the PLO.

We will make sure
you will stand trial for this.

We had no choice,
the steward saw our arms.

You'll be judged
by the Palestinian court.

And you'll pay
for your mistakes.

I tell you,
a steward saw
the arms.

We had no choice.
But I have.

Traitor.
I'm telling you...

And no one's
going to pay.

For we came. You liar.
You tricked us.

You think you won, huh?
You think you won
with this game?

You're finished.

[CAPTIVES TALKING INDISTINCTLY]

Excuse me Ma'am,
but the terrorists
and other people are denying

that your husband
was actually killed

They're saying that maybe
he just got sick during
the hijacking

and fell
into the sea

My husband was murdered
and thrown in the sea.

How come you're so sure,
Mrs. Klinghoffer?

The Captain
told me.

Yes, but the Captain
didn't actually see
the killing.

My husband was murdered
and thrown in the sea.

We believe you, Ma'am.
But you realize
without the body,

it won't be easy
to make the charge stick.

Yes, I know.

Well, I'm personally convinced
that the hijackers

will have the courage
to come forth

and tell the truth.

I don't think they can keep
such a terrible burden
hidden inside for very long.

Suppose, just suppose,
they don't confess?

Well, I have
courage in the law.

In my...

They killed an old man,
they killed a cripple.
A man who couldn't fight back.

My husband was killed
in cold blood and thrown
in the sea.

Yes, but, excuse me, Ma'am,
have you considered
the legal aspects?

No court in the world
will accept just
simple hearsay.

General Davies,
Cairo has intercepted a call.

No, no. Before them
it must be on that Egypt
ambassador plane

I told the Ambassador
that the Achille Lauro
hijackers already left Egypt.

No, no. The Americans
and Italians must be crazy,

if they think
we can hand them
those Palestinians.

Don't they realize
that Egypt's
an Arab country?

The PLO would say
it's a betrayal
of our own brothers.

No, no.
Absolutely not.

No. No. They must
take the blame.
I'm sorry. Goodbye.

They're still on Egypt.
They never left.

It was a lie.

Now, we make
our move.

Those people are not
home free yet.

Yes, Colonel. I think
we've got the break
we've been looking for.

We've intercepted
a conversation from Cairo

between the Egyptian
Foreign minister
and one of his aides.

The four Achille Lauro
hijackers and their leader

Abu Abbas are still
in Egyptian territory,

despite declarations
to the contrary.

GENERAL: They are leaving
Cairo at 2200 hours tonight
local time,

on an Egypt air
common carrier
passenger plane.

Yeah. Right.

General Davies
is on the line
Mr. President.

We've just got
the final confirmation
we've been waiting for.

The aircraft
left Cairo

and the murderers
are on board.

Get them.

General Davies,
the president says,

"Get them."

[SOLEMN MUSIC PLAYING]

May I?

Yes.

Reporting now.
ETA is 0400.

[BUZZING OF AIRCRAFTS]

[FAINT BEEPING]

Falcon 7 to base.

We're approaching
civil air route
number 18

Have a passenger
at 11 o'clock an my radar.

Be there, baby.
Be there.

I see it now.

I'll be on it
in less than a minute.

Falcon 6 targeted
at 8000 feet.

Affirmative,
Falcon 7.

I'm in position,
Falcon 7.

Thank you.

Falcon 7 to base,
we've got the plane
bracketed.

Right on, sir.

Congratulations
Falcon 7 and company.

Do we let him know
we're here, sir?

By all means,
Falcon 6.

Greetings.
It's show time.

Ah!

TERRORISTS: Look. Airplanes.

MAN: Americans.

Contact base.
Contact base.

I can't. They've jammed
our communication system.

Are you
with me?

It's outrageous.

This is an Egyptian
civil aircraft.

They can't do this.
This is piracy.

We've already
told them that.

And what
did they say?

Follow us,
or we'll
bring you down.

Falcon 7 here.
What our
destination please?

Hang on.

Anywhere from Cyprus.

They've refused
landing permission, Sir.

And the nearest NATO base
is Sigonella, Sicily.

Falcon 7 escort
the plane to

Sigonella airbase.
That's eastern Sicily.

We'll be
following you.

GENERAL: When we get there,
we'll take them in custody.

I copy.

Can you finally tell us
where we're going?

Yes, of course.
You're going to Sicily.

Where you'll be
able to identify
to terrorists.

This way, madam.

Any identification?
Not so far.

How many of them?

Three plus one, and
They're heading this way.

PRESIDENT: I'm asking you
as head of the
Italian government,

to authorize
the Egyptian aircraft,

with the murderers
and hijackers onboard

to land at Sigonella
NATO base.

together with the
American aircraft
now escorting it.

Are you sure of the identity
of those abroad
the Egyptian aircraft.

Beyond the shadow
of a doubt.

In that case
we are pleased
to cooperate, Mr. President.

I'll permit them
to land.

Falcon 7, we have a,
go force 'em down, now.

I copy, sir.
We'll get them down.

Hang on.

PILOT: US Commander
to Egypt air carrier.

Start your
approach, Captain.

You have a four minute
touch down.

It seems that the Italians
are going to let us land.

[PHONE BUZZING]

It's the headquarters, sir.
They have orders from
Prime Minister Craxi.

Yes.

Colonel Annicchiarico
speaking.

Yes, Sir.
Yes.

Yes, I understand
the situation perfectly.

If they
really are aboard,

they will be turned over
to nobody but
an Italian magistrate.

Yes, sir.
Don't worry.

Radio, Catanio.
This is an emergency.

I want all personnel
on the main runway.

Battle alert?
And battle alert.

Exactly.

Catanio, on the line.
Thank you.

Falcon 7
in operations.

Egyptian civil aircraft
is touching down now.

We'll keep patrolling
the air space.

She's all yours,
General.

Affirmative,
Falcon 7.

[WHIRRING]

Get down.
Get down, everybody.

COLONEL: Nobody is to embark
or disembark
without my orders.

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

Look. Look.
Americans.

[VEHICLES REVVING]

GENERAL: Move it. Move it.

GENERAL: All right. Let go.

GENERAL: Move it.
Move it.

Move it.
Move it.

Colonel. General Davies.
I have orders to take custody.

Terrorists are
aboard this aircraft.

Whose orders
may I ask?

The government of the
United States of America.

We are not
in America.

This is a NATO base.

Which I have
the honor
of commanding.

And which
is on Italian soil.

Are you saying
you'll order your men,

to prevent the capture
of these terrorists?
Using any means necessary?

I will do whatever
I consider my duty

to ensure that international law
and Italian jurisdiction

are upheld.

Get me
Washington.

I'm on the runway
at Sigonella.

The commander
of the base refuses

to hand over
the hijackers.

He says that the Italians
have jurisdiction over

the Achille Lauro
terrorists.

GENERAL: Do we want
to use force?

What do we do,
Mr. President?

Call Rome.
I want to speak to
Prime Minister Craxi.

Mr. President,

some of the passengers
are leaving Egypt now.

General Davies,

passengers from the ship
should be there in
approximately three hours,

to identify
the terrorists.

Keep your men
where they are, Walter.

Mr. Craxi, sir.

Mr. Craxi,
I need your help again.

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

[VEHICLES REVVING]

Another 50 men are on the way
from head quarters.

The district attorney
is coming.

Thanks.

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

I'm requesting that you
authorize the commander

of the Sigonella airbase
to hand the murderers

of the American citizen
Leon Klinghoffer

over to the authorities
of the United States.

I understand your feelings,
Mr. President.

But I'm afraid
that I cannot grant
your request.

The crimes were committed
aboard an Italian ship.

And under International law
this means that

that the accused
are liable for trial

by my country's courts.

We will depend upon
your government

to see that
justice is done.

PRESIDENT:
We have no desire
to act unilaterally.

[WHIRRING]

Come on dear.
Try and get
some rest now.

You know
that Italian boy
on the ship

he...

and Antonio.

Leon called him his

personal Ferrari.

He told me that
even to the very end,

Leon stood up
to them.

He died like a man,
Marilyn

He'll laugh out loud
if he heard that.

He must've been afraid
like anyone else when
he knew he was gonna die.

But I'm sure of one thing.
He never lost his dignity.

He says said, " A man's
got to keep his self respect
whatever happens."

I'm sure
he did, Marilyn.

We thought they were
my last days, not his,

[CRYING SOFTLY]

Coffee, ma'am?

Oh, thank you.

We'll be landing
within the hour, ma'am.

The terrorist have left
their aircraft by the time
we get there.

Do you want to carry
your identification
as soon as possible

or do you wanna
rest first?

No, I'd like to do it
first thing. In fact
I just have to.

Of course.
I understand.

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

[SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

Take a seat.

No, thank you.

Your honor,

Your country' port authorities
refusing to allow my shop

to sail.

I know,
Captain.

And I feel very sorry
for that.

Yes, but I have more than
700 people to get back
to Genoa.

Your buses are free
to go where they wish.

If anyone need
to leave Egypt
urgently,

they can
take a plane.

In other words, Egypt
is holding my ship hostage.

A second hijacking.

You should be more careful
in your choice of words,
Captain.

Hijacking is what
your fellow countrymen

and their American
allies are doing

are doing at this moment
with the civil aircraft,

belonging
to my country.

The Achille Lauro
will remain under
Egyptian authority

[PHONE RINGING]

Only until necessary
investigation
has been completed.

Hello. Hello.

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

[SPEAKING ARABIC]

They're calling you
for a moment.
It's urgent.

What's going
on here?

We thought we were free.
But we are still hostages.

Khaleed.

I would remind you
that according
to International law,

the ship
is Italian territory.

And any
investigation

falls under the sole
jurisdiction of country.

And I would
remind you,

that my country guaranteed
the surrender
of the four terrorists.

After your own
formal declaration
hat no more serious crime

had been committed
aboard the
Achille Lauro.

I spoke with a gun
pointed at my head.

So, you admit
that you lied?

If I lied,

so did the man
who questioned me
from your patrol boat,

And tell me Your Honor,
how many other people

also lied,
as you put it.

Lets leave it,
Captain.

We can only make
things worse.

That's a good advice,
Captain.
Good advice.

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

General Davies.
Some hot coffee.

No.

No,
thank you.

The commander of the base
wants to see me.
And wants the passenger list.

Are you sure it's
not a trick
by the Americans?

To make you open
the hatch?

I take full responsibility
for your safety.

In here you
are under
Egyptian territory

and under my
government's protection.

Hey, our brother,

how much
did you sell us for?

Tell your people
to watch their tongues.

Okay.

But you and your government
had better remember that
the eyes of the whole Arab world

and not only
the PLO are on you.

And you will be judged
for what you do today.

Saeed Iman, I represent
the government of Egypt.

Colonel Annicchiarico,
commander of the base.

I have with me General Davies
and the district attorney

from Syracuse.

You have no objection
if they are present
at our discussion

do you?

On the contrary,
I take this opportunity
to express Egypt's shock

and indignation
at such an unwarranted
act of piracy

on the part of a country
like the United States
that we regard our friends.

I'm a soldier.
I follow orders.

You have complaints? File
them from a diplomatic channel.

I hold it jointly responsible
for this violation
of international law, Colonel.

I formally request
that you allow
our aircraft to leave.

Yes. But after you allow us
to identify the passengers
you have aboard.

We have reason
to believe

that the Palestinians
responsible for
hijacking the

Achille Lauro and the killing
of one if its passengers

are aboard
your aircraft.

You also have the leader
of the
Palestine Liberation front

one Abu Abbas ,
alias Khaleed,

Abu Abbas is protected
by diplomatic immunity.

So he is aboard?

The hijackers must be
handed over to us.

I'll have to consult
my government
before taking any decision.

The telephone
is at your disposal.

Marshallo,
take this gentlemen
to the phone.

And now they let us
decide what happens.

We don't
meddle anymore.
If you have indeed.

Shut your
mouth!

The enemy
is right outside.

And what
we are doing?

Hiding in here
like rats.

Let's attack
them, Captain.

They will kill us.
But who know show many
we can take with is.

Like we were
going to do in Israel,
Captain.

Well, I'm ready.

What about you?

You sound like
a hysterical woman.

And you are
a liar and a traitor,

I swear,
if we get out of this,

I will
have you shot.

[EXCLAIMING IN ANGER]
[SPEAKING IN ARABIC]

[SPEAKING IN ARABIC]

It's a delicate
situation.

Are you willing to hand over
your men to
the Italian authorities?

Can't we persuade
them to let us leave?

Even if we could,
I wouldn't do it.

Think about it.
As long as we are here,

we have some protection
from the Italians.

But as soon as
we take off,

the Americans
will catch s again.

And who knows
how things will end
next time.

At least here,
every minute that passes
is in your favor.

If they were ready to go
all the way with the
military action.

They would have
done so immediately,
I'd say.

And in any case,
before turning over
your men,

the Americans
must leave.

That is the condition
which I told the Americans
that we will not renounce.

GENERAL: Yes, sir.

Yes, of course
I understand.

Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.

Captain.

[SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

Yes, sir.

Colonel, my detachment
is leaving Sigonella

three of my men
and I will stay as

observers, if you have
no objection.

Not at all.

[MAN SHOUTING ORDERS
IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE]

They are going.

The sons of dogs
are leaving.

They leave,
but we stay.

KHALEED: This is a great
victory, bothers.

A slap in the face
for Yankee arrogance.

But the Italians,
they will put us in prison.

The dead man
will have been
eaten by sharks.

You just deny
everything.

They cannot accuse you
if there is no corpse.

Anyway, you will
have a trial.

With newspapers,
radio, television.

So the whole world
can see you.

And you can tell them
the reasons of our struggle.

We'll do it,
Khaleed.

We know
you will never
abandon us.

Don't worry.
You won't be
inside for long.

In a few month's time,
we will hijack a plane

belonging to the country
holding you.

And force them
to release you.

I promise.

US Troop transport
leaving Sigonella.
Please reconfirm.

NATO air route.

This is Davies.

I'm on the runway
at Sigonella.
The doors just opened.

They're coming out.

You just say a word,
I swear I'll kill you.

Yeah.

[TIRES SCREECHING]

[WHIRRING]

Those are just
the henchmen.
You know that.

Their leader
is still on
this plane.

[CAMERA FLASHING]

We did not
kill anyone.

I never saw an American
on the ship in a wheelchair.

I have only 16 years.

I know nothing
about that American.

If what you say is true,
it is not we who kill.

My job on the ship
was to guard
the passengers.

I do not know anything
about a murdered American.

I remember an American woman
came to me and said,

she cannot
find her husband
in the ship.

The Captain said,
"Maybe the man was scared
and fell in the sea."

All Americans
are cowards.

Signor.

Mrs. Klinghoffer?
Yes.

My condolences,
Madam.

We require
formal
identification

to avoid any question
of a mistrial.
You understand?

But if don't feel up to it,
the other witnesses
will be sufficient.

No, I want to look
them in the face.

Oh, yes.
Very well.

Mow, Mrs. Klinghoffer

you recognize
any of these men,

as those who took part
in the hijacking
of the Achille Lauro.

Him.

Him.

Him.

Him.

Liar.

Well, gentlemen,
my job is over.

The Achille Lau hijackers
are in the hands of Italian law.

Goodbye.

Just a
minute.

What about their leader?
Yes?

Aren't you even
gonna question the man?

Their leader?
Abbas. Abu Abbas.

He's on that plane.

The others simply
followed his plan.

He was the architect
behind the whole thing.

He's right there.

Excuse me, General,
but you have sufficient proof
of what your saying?

No, they're building
a file in Washington.

But we have
the conversations recorded.

What can I say?

I need proof.

If and when you have
something concrete,

we'll examine it.

Remember Mr. Abbas
has a diplomatic passport,
and is under our protection.

I demand that you authorize
the immediate departure
of our plane.

In fact, as things stand,
I have no legal justification
foe refusing.

That's insane.

I have no legal grounds
for holding that aircraft,
General.

As far as I'm concerned,
it has permission to leave.

[FOOTSTEPS WALKING AWAY]

I can't
believe it.

All this,
for nothing.

Not for nothing.

We have four of them.
That's a good beginning.

I know how
you feel, General.

I feel
the same way.

But there are no winners
or losers here.

Just soldiers
doing their duty.

Annicchiarico

you are one tough,
obstinate son of a bitch,

and you are an officer
I would like to have with me.

Maybe you'll like to have
that coffee now, General?

I'd like to have
a cup of coffee with you.

Okay.

[WHIRRING]

There is a great deal
of conjecture

as to the true motives
of the Lauro hijacking.

Apart from the unfortunate
Klinghoffer incident,

several middle east experts
feel that Palestinian prisoners
held in Israeli jails

was just a ploy.
A cover for a more...

News round up
with Dino Moran

The general criminal court
has handed down sentences for

the four Palestinians
responsible

for the hijacking
of Achille Lauro

and the slaying of
Leon Klinghoffer.

Al Assadi who disassociated
himself from the others

and made a full confession
has been given a sentence of
15 years.

Molqi, Fatayer, and Al-Asker
have been given sentences

ranging from 20-30 years.

One of the organizers on board
was this man know as
Floros Petros.

His real identity has
never been established.

Nor does
any photograph exist.

We are showing you a drawing
made by a police artist

based on the Al Assadi
identification.

Abu Abbas the ring leader
of the whole operation

and military chief
of the four terrorists

has been given
a life sentence in Italy.

But he remains free

and in fact occupies
a major position of power

within the PLO.

A few days ago
in an interview in Algiers

Abbas made
the following statement.

Who? That American?

Oh. I don't know
anything about him.

Probably jumped
in the sea to rake a swim.

We remind you
that days after
the killing

where the terrorists
were emphatically denying
any knowledge of

Klinghoffer's death

his body was discovered
on a Syrian beach

and handed over
to the
American authorities.

Sadly Marilyn Klinghoffer.
Leon's widow

did not live long enough
to see his killers
brought to justice.

In fact she
had been ill
for sometime

and survived her husband
by only three months,

Now I know I'm in Italy.
I'm kidnapped.

I ran to that bridge,
I grabbed that machine gun
and started firing.

Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta
Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta

Ta-ta-ta-ta-ta
Chik. Chick.

I got two of them bastards
before I was in.

Antonio, you drive
too damn fast.

And you go right
through red lights.

You're one
hell of a driver.

Thank you, sir.

* So long ago

* So far away

* Two hearts in love

* And stars above

* And make-believe

* As soft as slow

* I sail away

* Come back with me

* Across the sea
Of memories

* Do you remember

* Those golden days

* Come sail away

* Come sail away