Since the beginning
of recorded time,
man has sought to
conquer the sky,
to touch the stars.
For centuries, men of
genius had sought to
emulate the majestic
flight of God's creatures.
Leonardo da Vinci dreamed of a flying
machine and said "There shall be wings."
Jules Verne wrote
of flying machines,
of radar, electronic communication,
television, and even rocket bombs.
The dreams of these men however
were not as strange as the
contraptions man devised in his
first efforts to conquer the sky.
This machine tried to beat
the air into submission.
This one tried to frighten
the sky into surrender.
Traffic problem?
Just fly over the guy
in front of you.
Like this.
This inventor had something.
Broken bones.
This man is in a hurry.
He's late for dinner.
But he'll eat standing up.
From all this groping, some flying
machines actually began to fly.
Some still did not.
Then with the Wright brothers first
successful conquest of the air
man truly became.
Master of the World.
I'm bored, you hear me, bored!
Worlds full of action...
revolution, exploration, war!
But do you and I have any part of it?
No, we don't!
- Agreed, agreed.
- We're living in a cemetery.
This is the most boring and monotonous
town in the entire United States.
Morgantown, Pennsylvania, a place
where nothing could possibly happen.
- Wha...what's that?
- An earthquake!
- In Pennsylvania?!
- Look, look, the mountain!
The mountain! It's erupting!
Run for your lives!
The whole town's blowing up!
Come near, ye nations, to hear;
And hearken, ye people...
let the earth hear, and
all that is therein.
For the indignation of the
Lord is upon all nations,
and His fury upon
all their armies.
He shall utterly destroy them!
Will you kindly be quiet!
This meeting of the London Balloon
Society will kindly come to order!
Mr. President!
Quiet, gentlemen!
Quiet, quiet, quiet! Quiet!
Mr. President!
The Chair recognizes Mr. Evans!
If I may continue?
You may continue, sir,
if you can conduct
yourself as a gentleman...
and not as a howling banshee!
I believe the point being made,
Mr. President, was the following:
In the matter regarding
at which end of the new
balloon the propeller
should be installed!
It should be installed
in the front!
Pardon me, miss.
Miss!
Pardon me.
Would you point out
Mr. Prudent, please?
Oh, my father.
- Your father?
- Yes.
That's him.
The one with the gavel.
Thank you.
And the other gentlemen
is my fiance, Mr. Evans.
I cannot see, sir,
any evidence to support your
highly dubious contention
that the propeller should
be installed in the front.
How long's this go on?
Sometimes for 2 or 3 days.
Uncommon balderdash, sir.
Historical evidence has
shown conclusively...
that the most efficient propellers are
installed in the rear of the balloon.
In the rear?!
In the front, in the front!
Mr. Strock, I'm glad
to see you, sir.
My butler told me you were here.
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.
Quite all right, sir.
Now, sir, what can I do for you?
Well, as I wrote in my letter, I work
for the department of the Interior.
Now they've ordered me to find out
what's inside the Great Erie.
You see, if the people of Morgantown
face some calamity of nature...
they must be informed of the
danger which threatens them, sir.
And do your geologist actually believe that
there's a volcano inside that mountain?
Why no, sir.
They regard it as highly improbable.
You see, the Appalachian system
is nowhere volcanic in origin.
But still, the violent trembling of
the earth and that roaring noise...
something caused them, sir.
And the voice, Mr. Strock,
volcanic action?
Couldn't say, miss.
And the alleged quotation from scriptures,
that's all very interesting, sir.
All very interesting!
But I fail to see how we
can be of any help to you.
It's been established that the
Great Erie is impossible to climb.
I come to you therefore with the hope of
acquiring the use of your new balloon.
So that the crater may be
inspected from the air, sir.
Of course, yes, yes, me.
Well, you see, after all,
I'm not the last word.
This is Mr. Evans, who
is my partner and the
co-sponsor of the
project and the flight.
My apologies, sir.
I approach you both then.
The United States government petitions
the use of your new balloon, sir.
I hardly see how we can risk
landing it in a mountain crater.
Shouldn't be necessary, sir.
By using a telescope, the
investigation can be made from aloft.
You know, while the balloon is
passing over the crater, sir.
That's all very well
and good, young sir,
we should be delighted to let
the government use our balloon...
except for the fact that there are certain
details that are stopping her completion.
- Such as, Mr. Prudent?
- Such as the location of the propeller.
Only an idiot would maintain that the
propeller should be in the front!
Father, father!
I'm sorry, my child.
- Sir, may I make a suggestion?
- Of course.
- Why not install a propeller in the rear?
- Never!
- Oh, yes!
- And one in front as well, sir.
I think that's a fine idea.
Of course, it's a splendid idea!
As a matter of fact, I
thought of that myself.
Mr. Evans and I will pilot the balloon,
and my daughter will accompany us.
Your daughter, sir?
Of course, of course, she
always goes with us.
There's no danger.
We're not going to
descend into the crater.
Here is to the success
of our venture.
Out with the ballast!
- First time aloft, Mr. Strock?
- Yes, sir.
Does the altitude bother you?
Not at all, I find it interesting.
- Where was this built, sir?
- In one of my factories.
Why, you're in
munitions, aren't you?
Yes, yes, and we manufacture
cannons, rifles, pistols,
powder, high explosives,
and the like.
For our government?
Primarily yes, but of
course we also sell to any
government who has the
money to pay for it.
Why, I notice the name of
Prudent on this knife.
- One of your products?
- Yes, that's one of our best sellers.
We ought to be getting
close by now.
See anything yet?
There it is!
Don't be alarmed, miss.
Wishful thinking, Mr. Strock?
Miss?
What makes you
think I'm alarmed?
- Excuse me, father, may I?
- Why certainly, my dear.
Is he annoying you, Dorothy?
I think it's the
other way around.
See anything yet?
Well, there seems to be
something inside the...
Look!
Steer it away from the crater!
It's our only chance!
I can't. I can't!
Everybody down on the floor
and brace yourselves.
Oh, I'm sorry, Miss Prudent.
- Who is it?
- Strock.
What are we doing here?
I don't know, miss, I don't know
what either of us is doing here.
Or where "here" is even.
The crash!
Father!
Let me help you.
- Are you in pain, miss?
- My back is...
Father?
Father...
Propeller in the rear...
as always and don't argue with me!
I will not be... ow!
- Did you hurt yourself?
- Of course I hurt myself.
Dorothy?
Phillip!
- Here, Father.
- Thank you, dear.
Where the devil are we anyway?
Looks like a ship's cabin.
Can you get it unlocked?
I already have, but it seems
to be bolted on the outside.
Maybe I can cut through one of these
shutters and stick my hand through it.
- This is very strange.
- What's strange about it?
Look at that.
It isn't wood, yet...
it isn't metal either.
Huh? Give it here. What is it?...
Come with me!
Are we on a ship?!
Answer me!
You were asked a
question, my good man.
- Best do as he says, gentlemen.
- This way.
Come, dear, come.
Must be a ship from
the size of it.
A riverboat.
We were shot down in a mountain crater,
how the devil could we be on a riverboat?
A flying ship!
- A heavier than air ship.
- Impossible!
On the contrary, not only
possible, but actual.
You are be carried through
space by a ship of several
tons weight, at a speed of
some 150 miles per hour.
150...!
And why exactly are we being
carried though space, Mister?...
Robur!
The name is Robur, sir.
Welcome aboard the
Albatross, good people.
As to why you are all here,
the reason is twofold.
Primarily, left within
the carter of that
mountain, you would most
likely have perished.
And secondarily, in the
unlikely event that
you had survived the
crash of your balloon...
Which crash you caused!
In of necessity, sir.
However, since you did
survive the crash...
had you managed to make your
way back down that mountain
you might have given knowledge
of what you had seen.
Why should you fear that?
That, sir, is my concern alone.
And is it your concern alone,
sir, that we, as American
citizens, have been wantonly
fired upon and then abducted?
Well, you can scarcely regard yourselves
as victims of an abduction, sir...
since you are free to come and
go on this ship as you choose.
Do you ever intend to
release us, Mr. Robur?
At the appropriate time, miss.
- And when will that be?
- When I am ready, sir.
But surely you must
all be hungry.
Turner will show you
where to freshen up.
Dinner will be in a half hour.
This is Tapage, our chef.
Mademoiselle. Messieurs.
And your names, good people,
what might they be?
Perhaps you'd better
identify yourself first.
Well, I thought I
had done so, sir.
A name is no
identification, sir.
Where are you from, your
background, your nationality?
Well, as to that, sir.
I have no nationality.
No nationality!
No, sir, my crew and myself like to think
of ourselves as citizens of the world.
Oui, Monsieur.
My name is Dorothy Prudent
and this is my father.
Prudent?
And this is Mr. Evans, my fiance.
John Strock, sir.
Well, it is my pleasure
to meet all of you.
I'm afraid I cannot say
the same for myself.
It was this ship then, that caused
the trembling of the Great Erie?
Yes, Mr. Strock, it was.
I hoped that it caused no undue
alarm to the people of that area.
They thought it was
a volcano, sir.
A volcano, did they?
Well, I'm sorry about that.
However, we were compelled to perform
certain maintenance operations.
But surely you gentlemen must
be curious about my ship.
Having flown to that mountain crater
by the outmoded means of a balloon.
Outmoded!
You question this, sir?
Emphatically and categorically!
Even if you could perform the
navigation, which you could not...
it would take 10 years for a
balloon to circuit the Earth.
The Albatross can
do it in 10 days.
No, gentlemen, no, the day
of the balloon is behind us.
The future belongs to
the flying machine.
These engines not only drive our
suspensive and propulsive blades...
but they supply our ship
with light and heat as well.
What is there source of power?
Electricity, created by a
mass of metal cutting
through what I call the
magnetic force lines.
Fantastic! Incredible!
Come this way.
Why does he need an armory?
150 feet long by 20 wide.
Quite literally a ship of the sky,
complete with deck and cabins and crew.
But you said before that the
ship weighs several tons.
Surely it must weigh
more than that!
And it would indeed, Mr. Strock, were
this ship not built entirely of paper.
Paper? That's ridiculous!
Not at all, sir.
Straw paper, impregnated
with dextrin and clay and...
squeezed in a hydraulic press.
Now, if you will follow me.
This is our control center.
The very heart of the Albatross.
And here we have the
viewer of our telescope.
A system of powerful
prismatic lenses.
Each one adjustable by
one of these levers.
And now...
if you will all make
yourselves secure...
I would like to demonstrate for
you the ships maneuvering ability.
First, the vertical lift...
All right, Mr. Alistair,
the vertical lift.
If you will please note
the height meter...
we have now reached 6,000 feet.
Now... level off.
Hold on tightly, please...
a left turn.
Now... a right turn.
What was that?
Take the wheel, Mr. Alistair.
It was your own voice, miss.
You accidentally opened
the voice magnifier.
That explains the
voice the people of
Morgantown heard, coming
from the Great Erie.
A voice quoting from the Bible.
Yes, sir.
Yes, it was I, the...
voice magnifier was
inadvertently left open.
What's the purpose of the
voice magnifier, Mr. Robur?
Now, as to speed...
Full propulsive
power, Mr. Alistair!
Take the wheel, Mr. Alistair.
The wind pressing
against this vane...
actuates the needle which
indicates the speed.
We have now reached a speed
of 203 miles an hour...
which is quite fast
enough for now.
Resume normal speed,
Mr. Alistair.
Take the wheel.
Quite impressive, sir.
The government would be most
interested in your ship.
Yes, I'm sure they would.
Are we to infer from that, sir, that you
do not intend informing our government?
Regarding this ship, I shall
inform no government at all, sir.
You 3 gentlemen will
share this cabin...
and you, miss, will
be quartered here.
You will each find a change
of apparel in your cabins...
but unfortunately, miss, there
is no female clothing available.
Please regard the
Albatross as your home.
And I only ask that you try in no way
to interfere with its operation.
Now, good afternoon.
If you'll excuse me.
I wouldn't wear that stuff,
it's a badge of servitude.
This ship...
this is like living in a dream.
More likely like a nightmare.
What does he need an armory for?
And that telescope,
and the machine he uses
for enlarging the voice.
And what was it he
fired at our balloon?
I wish I knew, I could make
millions manufacturing it.
Well, what are we going to do?
- Then what would you suggest?
- Make plans for our escape.
It's 6,000 feet in the air.
I caution you, sir, do not
tax my patience too far.
The point is, Mr. Prudent,
sooner or later
this ship has to land for
repairs or supplies.
We must make certain that
when this occurs we're
prepared to use the
moment to our advantage.
And how do we know it has to...
how do we know it has to land?
Well, it landed in that
mountain crater, didn't it?
It may have been the
first time in years!
By Fate, sir, I do believe this blaggard
has convinced you his ship is magical.
He has...
he has.
It is... magical!
What happened?
Please, monsieur.
Robur, you know, he
don't warn me...
when he has plans to do
tricks with the Albatross.
And voila... chaos!
Pots and pans keep
tumbling on my poor head.
Grease is spilled all
over the galley!
And the oven door...
the oven door
oven door fly open...
Souffle... everywhere, eh!
Climatically...
a snowfall of souffle.
Ah, no, too much!
Mr. Tapage...
- Oui, monsieur.
- This Mr. Robur...
I suppose he's an American.
Confidentially, I have
heard said that he is
an ex-minister of the
Argentina Republic.
- Huh?
- Oh?
Ah, oui... oui.
But, on the other hand...
I've heard it also said...
confidentially...
that he is a former Lord
of the British Admiralty.
At other times, a former
Viceroy of the Indies,
ex-president of the United
States of America...
- a former French ambassador to Istanbul...
- Thank you, thank you!
Thank you for why?
I want to help, monsieur.
You have been no end of help.
Thank you very much.
Hey, but remember, monsieur, anytime you
want help, Tapage is at your service.
That bad, miss?
Oh, I'm sorry, did
I startle you?
Yes.
We're leaving the country!
Father, we're crossing
the Atlantic!
The Atlantic!
Why, this is outrageous!
I'll see that fellow Robur clapped in irons
for this if it's the last thing I do!
Oh, look, a boat!
Ship ahoy!
You! Boat!
This is Prudent of Philadelphia!
We're... we're being abducted!
Notify the President!
Notify Congress!
This is Prudent...
of Philadelphia!
Prudent of Philadelphia?
- The arms manufacturer?
- And what business is that of yours, sir?
This is the father of all irony.
Isn't it enough that we're your
prisoners, must you spy on us as well?
Sir, the lookout reports
a warship ahead.
A warship?
- Return to your station.
- Yes!
Phillip, can you not learn
to control your temper?
Please keep it in check
until it's wanted.
I've heard enough
from you too, sir!
Phillip...
Now why should he concern
himself with warships?
And what the devil business is it
of his that I manufacturer arms?
It's an American ship, sir!
Does it matter what flag
it flies, Mr. Turner?
It is time to begin.
Take her down!
Take her down within
hailing distance!
He's heading directly for it!
What the devil is
going on here?!
Hold her at 300 feet and hover.
Officers and crew of the American
war vessel, this is Robur speaking.
You have exactly 20 minutes
to evacuate your ship!
At the end of that time
it will be destroyed!
I give you this warning because I
bear no malice toward any man aboard!
Believe me in what I say!
I do not exaggerate!
In 20 minutes your ship
will be sent to the bottom.
Your time commences... now!
All right, Mr.
Turner, take us up!
Attention all crew,
stand by for bomb run!
Attention all crew,
stand by for bomb run!
- He can't be serious.
- Can't he.
This is your last warning!
Abandon your ship
before it's too late!
Tell me when we're directly
above them, Mr. Turner.
We're directly over them, sir.
Sir, we're directly over them.
- Better get her inside.
- Yes.
I'll talk to that maniac myself!
Gone...
as if it never existed.
It never should have
existed, Mr. Turner.
It is better destroyed.
Destroyed.
Feeling better?
I suppose it's shock of
what we saw this afternoon.
I can still hardly believe it.
I know, I feel the same.
- Where's Father?
- In the dining hall.
Why aren't you?
I wouldn't sit at the same
table with that butcher!
Mr. Strock?
That he should eat with
Robur is no surprise to me.
- Why do you hate him so, Phillip?
- I don't hate him, Dorothy, I...
it's not that important to me...
I have contempt for him,
because he's a coward.
- Perhaps he's only waiting...
- For a propitious moment?
No, my dear...
It's the duty of a gentlemen to show
his colors at the very start...
danger or no.
Not to wait for the convenience
of safe opportunity.
But let's not talk of
this, you must be hungry.
Not very.
But you have to eat.
I'll go to the galley and
fetch you some supper.
And you expect us
to believe, sir...
that because you gave
that ship warning...
that your actions of this
afternoon were justifiable?
I expect nothing, sir.
What you did was an act
of pure barbarism.
And were it not for the
love I bear my daughter,
and for the respect
and esteem in which
I hold Mr. Evans and Mr. Strock, I would
rather the four of us perish in the sea...
than that this hell ship be preserved for
the commission of further atrocities.
Was it not an atrocity
that that warship was
built for the sole
purpose of destruction.
And do you consider yourself, sir,
a government unto yourself,
that you can condemn other nations
and wantonly declare war upon them?
I am a man unto myself,
Mr. Prudent, who has
declared war against war.
That is my purpose, sir!
The purpose for which
this ship was built.
To end for all time the
scourge of warfare.
But you...
Bah!
How do you propose
to do that, sir?
By using the threat of
invincible power, Mr. Strock.
Or if necessary, by using that power
itself, as you saw this afternoon
I have already notified the leaders
of your government and instructed
them to make plans to scrap their
navy and immobilize their army.
The government of Great Britain
will be similarly notified.
Every major government in the world
will be given the selfsame ultimatum.
Disarm or perish!
You, sir, are mad!
Quite, quite mad!
How like the reasoning of
your kind, Mr. Prudent.
All well and sane to be the owner
of factories, the products of which
cause the violent deaths of
millions in war time, and in peace.
But to kill hundreds
or even thousands...
with the aim of ending such
deaths for all time...
this is madness?
And, sir...
do you consider a man
who makes a weapon...
responsible for the action
of the man who buys it?
Yes, I do, sir!
All men are responsible
to all other men!
That Robur is mad, utterly
and completely mad.
Threatening to
destroy the world.
Mr. Prudent, I should
like a word with you, sir.
All right, son,
speak your mind.
This is for your ears alone.
Don't be silly, Mr. Strock
is one of us!
Is he, sir?
Of course he is, we have no
secrets from each other!
Very well...
against my better judgment however.
I just heard from the cook that
the water tanks are empty...
and they're to be refilled
tomorrow morning over Ireland.
In Ireland!
We must take advantage
of that landing Mr. Prudent
it may be our only
chance to escape.
Yes, it may, it may.
You look something less
than elated, Mr. Strock.
I'm sorry, I can't
join you, gentlemen.
What!
We understand, only too well.
Think what you will, Mr. Evans.
If Robur is informed about
our plans for escape...
I shall kill you, Mr. Strock.
Phillip!
I must confess, I do not
understand that man at all.
What is there to understand?
- Come, let's make our plans.
- Yes, I'm not so keen about this Ireland.
- Why?
- Well, I'm not very popular there.
You see, some years ago, much
against my better judgment, I...
I sold arms to the British.
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Father told me what
happened last night.
About the plan to...
About the plan to escape.
Do you really intend
to stay aboard?
I have no choice, miss.
Even if escape is possible, of
which I'm not at all sure...
it can in no way
jeopardize Robur's plans.
I don't understand.
Well, since I represent our
government, I can't look for escape.
I must remain aboard and do
what I can to stop Robur.
Then you believe his
ambition's an evil one.
His ambition, no...
but his method, yes!
I suppose you're right.
Still, there is something kind
of wonderful about his dream.
Oh, Father also told me what
Phillip said last night.
- I'm sure he didn't...
- That isn't important, miss...
but what is important is the
escape you're planning.
Are you sure...
- Thank you, Phillip.
- Good morning, Father.
Good morning, my dear.
Mr. Strock.
Good morning.
Ahh... Ireland!
Ireland!
Your decision still
stands, Mr. Strock?
Yes, it does.
Phillip, Mr. Strock is
remaining on board...
It isn't necessary
to explain, miss.
No, it isn't.
The choice is yours of course.
We'll need the use of
your knife however.
Have you carefully thought
this out, Mr. Evans?
Your knife, please.
You're not responsible for
yourself only, Mr. Evans.
Your knife.
I hope you know
what you're doing.
- Are we doing the right thing, Phillip?
- Has his cowardice affected you too?
He is not a coward.
He's remaining on this ship
to stop Robur.
Is that the goal of a coward?
- Is that what he told you?
- Do you doubt it?
He'll do nothing against Robur...
nothing!
- But he hasn't...
- It isn't important, Dorothy...
our escape is.
You have the knife, let's
not waste anymore time.
Shield me, both of you.
Attention all crew members...
report to your stations
for taking on water.
Attention all crew members...
report to your stations
for taking on water.
Lower the water hose.
Hey, what the devil is he doing?
You said we were gonna land.
I don't understand.
He's not going to land at all.
Look... look!
They're going to pump
the water up to the
ship through a hose.
This changes everything.
- No... no, we can still make it.
- How?
For that matter, it
improves our chances.
The current of the river will
carry us out of their range.
And they certainly can't land
on the water to pursue us.
This is all very well, my
dear boy, but I can't swim.
I'll help you.
We could break our backs jumping
from this height, Phillip.
Not if we're careful.
Well, it's now or never, do you want to
remain aboard this ship permanently?
- No, of course not.
- I'll go first.
Hold it!
Move along.
Take your hands off
me, young man.
I shall report you to
your superior officer.
I'll kill you, Strock,
I swear I will.
Whose idea was this escape?
- Mine!
- That's not true!
Miss Prudent and her father
had nothing to do with it.
You no doubt think I admire your courage
in assuming the responsibility,
well, you are quite
mistaken, Mr. Evans.
Your kind of gentlemanly
naivete is repugnant to me.
Stay out of my way, Mr. Evans!
I have work to do...
and I will brook no
interference from anyone!
From anyone, do you hear me?!
You will perhaps remember that when
you have been properly disciplined.
You're not frightening me, sir!
Mr. Turner, take
him to the ropes!
Just a moment, sir.
You assured me there
would be no reprisal.
And there will be
none, Mr. Strock.
As captain of the Albatross,
I would be well within
my rights to have Mr. Evans
executed on the spot!
But your intercession
has spared him that.
However, he will be taught
for once and for all...
the foolishness of tampering with me.
Take him to the ropes!
Rope him up, Mr. Shanks.
- All right, lower him!
- No!
- No!
- Lower him!
Well, sir, I trust
you're satisfied!
- Surely you don't think...
- I don't care to listen to your excuses!
They're as worthless
as your punishment.
Is this how you
hold life sacred?
15 minutes, Mr. Turner.
Get him up!
Do you hear what I said?!
Get him up!
Put him over as well!
No, please!
You can't do that.
He's not a young man. He can't...
Have a care, Mr. Strock.
Your position is not so secure...
Perhaps you would like
to take his place.
No one takes my place!
All right... drop him!
I said I'd kill you...
Use your head man, we can't
hope to survive if you don't.
We can't survive anyway, but at least
I'll get the satisfaction of...
Turner!
What is that vibration?
Turner, the steering cabin!
Mr. Turner, quick,
we're losing height!
- 15 minutes... 15 minutes!
- Yes, sir!
Those thunderheads...
get the captain up here, he
was down in the bow hold.
Mr. Turner wants you, sir.
We're heading into thunderheads.
Mr. Turner, what seems
to be your trouble?
Sir, we're losing height,
and I have full power.
Gentlemen, will you please all go
immediately to your emergency posts!
Now... now is our
chance to get them up.
- I can't see them anymore!
- They're lost in the clouds.
- All right.
- Pull!
Well, apparently we're
in the clear, gentlemen.
Call them and ask them
to resume normal power.
Yes, sir.
Engine room. Engine room.
Resume normal power.
Take over the wheel.
Those men!
Those two men!
We've got to get Mr. Strock up.
He's still down there.
Come here. You take that handle.
Those two men!
They're still down there!
Both of you, Mr. Alistair!
Mr. Turner, go down!
Get them up!
It's both of them!
So what matters the wreckage
in a small cabin, when
we are trying to prevent
the wreckage of the world!
Yes? Who is it?
I am Mr. Prudent, sir.
I'd like a few words with you.
- How are the young men?
- As well as can be expected.
Well, sir, what do you want?
I'm here to offer you the sum of
10 million dollars, if you will
return this ship to the United States
and surrender it, and yourself.
I can guarantee you full
amnesty if you comply with...
- Seems to amuse you, sir.
- Not really, sir.
10 Million dollars.
That's most generous.
Well, what do you say?
What if I were to tell you that I could get
20 million dollars from Great Britain?
Then I should tell you, sir, that my
government will better any offer...
Enough, Mr. Prudent! Enough!
It is quite obvious that
you do not understand
me and in all probability
you never will.
Do you actually believe that I
started this project of mine...
with the aim of ultimately selling
out to the highest bidder?
You are a fool Mr. Prudent.
I beg you pardon!
And worse than that, you are a cynic!
A man who has come to regard money as
the solution to all human problems.
Here is the text of a leaflet which
we will soon drop on London.
Quote: To the British
Government...
You will, upon receipt of this message,
commence a program of disarmament.
Which is to include the scuttling
of all Royal Navy ships...
the demobilization of
all ground forces and
the elimination of all
arms and ammunitions.
Failure to comply...
But I'm sure you get
the point, Mr. Prudent.
You will be stopped, sir.
As surely as there's a heaven
above us, you will be stopped!
And who is going to
stop me, Mr. Prudent?
You?
Mr. Evans?
Mr...
Yes...
Perhaps...
How are you feeling?
Oh, a little worse for wear.
No wonder.
How's Mr. Evans?
Asleep.
John...
Why did you tell Robur
about our plan to escape?
When I knew you'd never make it.
It would've been difficult
enough had the ship landed...
but hovering 20 some feet
above a river, Dorothy.
Then you did it to save us.
Mostly to save you.
Would you like some hot soup?
Yes, yes, thank you.
Come in.
How are you, Mr. Strock?
I'm all right, Mr. Robur.
And Mr. Evans?
I don't know, he's still asleep.
I have come to offer you
my apology, Mr. Strock.
I realize that that is hardly
compensation for what you went through.
However...
I admire you, Mr. Strock.
You do what feel you must do without
caring whether you alienate anyone or...
whether they
understand you or not.
That is my way.
That is the only way for
a man of dedication.
I know that you would
like to stop me, sir.
For that reason, my impulse
is to have you destroyed.
My desire, on the
other hand, is to...
have you join me.
You're an intelligent
man, Mr. Strock.
Surely you must appreciate
my ultimate objective?
I would also have to believe in your
method of achieving this objective.
I don't.
What alternative
method is there,
that would not require
centuries more of...
of violence and bloodshed?
Enough!
It is too long to wait!
With courage and daring...
worldwide peace can
be achieved now!
Not with my help, Mr. Robur.
Is that final, sir?
Yes, it is!
Then shall I have you executed?
Mr. Robur, you're the
captain of the ship.
Will you give me your word
of honor, sir, that you
will not try, in any way,
to interfere with my work?
That is the only chance
remaining to you, Mr. Strock.
Yes.
I'm satisfied.
If you should change your
mind about joining us...
I shall always be glad
to welcome your help.
You survived to...
once more knuckle down to him.
No good to smile at me, Mr. Strock, I heard
you promise not to interfere with him.
Did you?
What would you say, Mr.
Evans, if I told you...
that I will not only
interfere with him,
but I will stop him.
I heard you give your
word of honor to him.
This is the world
we're living in...
not a drawing room, so don't speak
to me about words of honor!
We happen to be prisoners on
the ship of a man who would
willingly destroy the world in
order to save it, Mr. Evans!
The world!
Reality!
Now open your eyes
and look at it hard!
What should I have done?
Proclaimed in ringing gentlemanly tones
that I would resist him to my last breath?
Well, believe me, Mr. Evans, that last
breath would be shortly forthcoming.
It was risk enough to refuse
joining forces with him!
And I think that was a mistake!
If I had joined forces with him I could've
found his weaknesses more easily.
Now I'll have to work
in the dark, Mr. Evans,
but at least I'm alive to do so.
Perhaps somewhat less than a
perfect gentleman, but alive!
- Without honor, sir.
- Oh, honor be damned, Mr. Evans!
Stop this!
How dare you talk that way to
the man that saved your life!
- What?!
- Yes, your life!
Your rope broke and he carried you
until he was pulled aboard again!
And as for you, Mr.
"I have a job to do" Strock,
if every man in the world
were as ruthless as you...
- I didn't...
- I don't care what you meant!
Here, feed yourself!
Mr. Robur, Turner calling.
- Yes!
- London ahead, sir.
- Are the leaflets ready for dropping?
- They are, sir.
- Very well, and Mr. Turner...
- Sir?
- Ready the bomb racks!
- Yes, sir!
Attention, all crew!
Attention, all crew!
All hands, report to
your battle stations!
Repeat...
All hands, report to
your battle stations!
- Bomb rack all loaded, sir.
- All right, stand by!
Bombs all ready, sir.
- Drop the leaflets.
- Yes, sir.
Drop the leaflets!
What's he dropping?
He's dropping leaflets on the British
government, telling them to disarm.
- You shouldn't be up.
- I'm all right.
- Is that London?
- Yeah...
we're headed straight
up the Themes.
All right, take us
down, Mr. Turner.
To within hailing
distance, and hover.
You below, this is
Robur speaking!
You have exactly 20 minutes
to evacuate the area!
At the end of that time, every
vessel in sight will be destroyed!
Do exactly as I say,
you have no choice!
You cannot harm my ship!
You can however save your lives!
The bombs are in position, sir.
Take us away from
here, Mr. Turner.
I think it's time we faced
the situation as it is.
There is little, if any,
likelihood of escaping.
And at the same time I don't
see that we can merely
sit by and watch Robur
decimate the entire world.
And what else can
we do, Mr. Strock?
Destroy the Albatross.
And ourselves with it?
We'll have to decide
which is more important,
our own survival or
that of the world.
I suggest a vote.
Then I vote for the
destruction of the Albatross.
My dear child, have you thought
over carefully what you're saying?
No...
if I thought it over, I
might change my vote.
Very well then...
I too vote to destroy
the Albatross.
And I vote... for destruction.
- Is it unanimous, Mr. Evans?
- Unanimous.
We may as well die friends.
I thank you for saving my life,
only to destroy it again.
Then it's decided.
At the first opportunity...
we'll destroy the Albatross...
and all she carries.
- Sir?
- Yes?
We're almost there.
- Is everything ready?
- Yes, sir.
Today we meet our greatest
challenge, Mr. Turner.
The ending of a war.
I can see both armies
in the telescope, sir.
- They're at the other end of the valley.
- Thank you, Mr. Turner.
Approximately how far
away are they, Mr. Turner?
I can't see them from here, sir!
Tell them to give us more propulsive
power or we won't be able to stop them!
Engine room, give us
more propulsive power!
Today is going to be a very busy day.
I will not be able to cook later on so...
you better eat
whatever you can, eh!
Now what the devil do
you suppose that is?
My pots!
See what's happening.
All right, Mr. Turner, take the wheel.
Hover.
War...
They want war...
I'll show them war.
Take us lower, Mr. Turner.
- Lower, sir?
- You heard me!
- But sir, if we go any lower...
- Mr. Turner, you do as I say!
- Sir, we'll get hit by our own bombs!
- Turner, will you let go of me!
Miss Prudent... inside.
Mr. Prudent!
Alistair, get up here!
The captain's wounded!
John!
Don't go out there!
Steer north!
Mr. Prudent!
We'd better get inside, sir!
Mr. Prudent! Mr. Prudent!
Mr. Prudent!
Mr. Turner, sir!
Mr. Turner!
- What is it?!
- I can't get the ship any higher.
Then leave it where it is.
Don't bother me!
But look ahead, sir!
Then turn her around!
I can't, she'll only turn about
a few degrees to either side!
I'm coming up!
They won't work.
We'll have to land!
We can't, the winds will bash us
into the bottom of the canyon.
Engine room... engine room!
Give us more propulsive power!
Our forward overhead blades
are not functioning!
Engine room... engine room!
Give us more power on the vertical lift!
Mr. Turner, we need
more altitude!
We can't, sir, the suspensor
blades are working at maximum.
- We can't turn around, nor can we land!
- Well, stop all forward motion, then.
If we go any slower,
sir, we'll fall!
There just isn't enough power
in the overhead blades!
Engine room!
See if you can give us more
power in the overhead blades.
Try and give us more altitude!
Mr. Turner!
Get all of the crew members
to stand by with the poles!
Emergency, all crew members!
Out on deck and stand
by with poles.
Repeat, out on deck and
stand by with poles!
All right, out on deck, all of you!
All right, you men, ward her off
on the starboard, ward her off.
All right, stave us off then.
Now, stave us off
on the starboard!
Stave us off, push
hard, push hard!
Keep the prow sharp
up, Mr. Turner!
We must get into position
to fire the rocket!
- Keep her that way.
- We're through!
Yes...
Yes, Mr. Alistair, we're through!
We should be able to reach
that island within the hour.
Have enough of the overhead blades
been repaired so that we can hover?
- Yes, sir.
- Then we'll stay aloft...
then anchor ourselves
to the island...
if we work all night, we should be
able to complete the repairs by dawn.
- Shouldn't you be resting, sir?
- Yes, I will, I will.
Mr. Turner...
I'm a...
sorry about what
happened before, I...
I had no right to jeopardize
everyone's life.
You were wounded, sir.
You didn't know what
you were doing.
Thank you.
Didn't know what I was doing.
Mr. Turner.
See that your anchor crew
is ready with the hook.
Yes, sir.
Attention, all crew members!
Proceed to your repair stations!
I repeat, all crew members,
proceed to your repair stations!
Hover at 150 feet!
Drop the hook, Mr. Turner!
Easy with that pulley.
Easy with that pulley!
It looks like now is the time to
destroy the Albatross, gentlemen.
Why now?
Because the crew's too occupied
to keep a close watch on us.
And because we may have a chance
to escape at the same time.
- How?
- Down the anchor rope.
- Of course!
- But first the ship.
Dorothy and Mr. Prudent, would
you wait in the cabins, please?
Quite right, come dear.
Watch that pulley,
the lines bowing!
- Mr. Evans, you come with me.
- Right!
Two of the blades are
fused together, sir.
It might be quicker if we used a
small explosive to remove them.
Very well, Mr. Turner, go down to the
armory and get what you need.
Yes, sir.
Give me a piece of that rag.
It's the first mate.
- Get some rope.
- Right.
That should give us
about 15 minutes.
All clear.
All of you, down the rope!
- I shall go first.
- Be careful, Father.
I will, dear, you
be careful too.
John, what about you?
I have to go back to the
armory and set the fuse.
Be careful.
- Take care now.
- You too, Phillip.
I will.
- The charge is set, sir.
- All clear up there?
All right, clear, you men.
Clear away.
What was that?
It seems to be
coming from in here.
It's Shanks.
Lower corridor, sir.
Yes?
Shanks was tied up and thrown into a
storage room by two of the prisoners.
- Mr. Turner!
- Yes, sir.
Go bring the prisoners up here.
If they aren't in their
cabins, look below.
Yes, sir.
All crew members!
Be on the lookout
for the prisoners.
When you find them, bring them to
the steering cabin, immediately!
All crew members!
Be on the lookout
for the prisoners.
When you find them, bring them to
the steering cabin, immediately!
- We gotta move out of here.
- But we can't... where is he?
I don't know, but you heard
them, they're searching for us.
Come on, we've gotta move out of here.
I'll explain it to you later, come on.
Mr. Turner!
One of the prisoners just
started down the anchor rope.
- Mr. Robur... Mr. Robur!
- Yes!
At least one of the prisoners escaped
down the anchor rope, likely all of them!
Crank us down, Mr. Turner.
Put every crewman
on that island!
I want them back!
Come on, come on,
crank her down!
It's too late now!
Please, Phillip, please!
- Take her, will you, sir?
- All right.
Mr. Turner, stay where you are!
I'll put you back on the island!
Mr. Robur! Turner, sir!
What happened?
The prisoners must have set some kind
of a bomb before they left, sir.
The damage, Mr. Turner?
What was the damage, Mr. Turner?!
She's finished, sir.
Are you sure?
There's nothing we can do, sir.
The fire's out of control!
Have all my men stand
by, Mr. Turner.
Have them ready the life rafts...
and prepare to abandon ship.
Strock...
If only he'd joined me.
I want to thank you for
your loyalty, Mr. Turner...
gentlemen.
Abandon ship!
Come in.
I thought I ordered
you to leave!
Begging your pardon, sir...
the only order you've ever
given that we couldn't obey.
Mr. Turner... gentlemen...
I'm glad you came back.
Thank you, sir.
Our flight is almost over now.
And He shall judge
among the nations...
and shall rebuke many people...
and they shall beat their
swords into plowshares...
and their spears
into pruning hooks.
Nation shall not lift up
sword against nation.
Neither shall they learn war...
anymore.