Invaders from Mars

'The heavens, once an object of superstition, awe and fear,

'now a vast region for growing knowledge -

'the distance of Venus, the atmosphere of Mars,

the size of Jupiter and the speed of Mercury.

'All this and more we know.

'But the heavens have kept their greatest mystery -

'what sort of life, if any, inhabits these planets?

'Human life or life extremely lower in the scale or dangerously higher.

'Forever seeking the answer to this question is the preoccupation of scientists everywhere -

'scientists famous and unknown,

'scientists in great universities and in modest homes...

'..scientists of all ages.'

ALARM RINGS

MUFFLED RINGING

-What are you doing, darling?

-It's all right, Mary.

I'll put the coffee on. >

It's four o'clock in the morning!

-Four o'clock? The alarm went off.

-You've been dreaming.

The alarm's set for 7.30 as usual.

Oh, that boy!

-David!

-Gee, Dad, I didn't mean to wake you.

-Do you know the time?

I know, but Orion's only in the zenith every six years!

Move over!

Ain't that something?

Boy! That is sure clear.

You can always spot Rigal and Bellatrix, but nebula...

< Back to bed!

-I was just telling him...

-So I saw. It's not enough that I married a scientist, my son has to be one too!

-Come on, David.

-Can't I stay up a bit longer?

-At this hour?!

-But...

Not another peep until your mother gets you up.

Or your father will! When I get woken early, I sleep late! Night.

-Night, Mom. Night, Dad.

-You go to sleep.

I will.

Goodnight, son.

RUMBLE OF THUNDER

HIGH-PITCHED BUZZING

LOW HUMMING

Gee whiz!

CRASHING

Dad! Dad!

-What is it?

-Something landed out in the sandpit - a big light.

-What?!

-I'll show you.

-Didn't Mother ask you to stay in bed?

-I did! It woke me up.

There was a bright light and... It landed right out there.

-You were dreaming. If a meteor fell, you would hear it for miles!

-It didn't fall, it landed. I saw it!

-It was a spaceship or something.

-How big was it?

-As big as...

-An aeroplane?

-Bigger!

Well, there's nothing out there now.

-Not now, but there was.

-Climb into bed, son.

THUNDER ROLLS

-This is all your imagination, son.

-I saw it!

-What did it look like?

I can't say exactly. There was this light, then this humming noise.

-First thing, we'll go and look, and if we find it, we'll call General Mayberry.

-But...

-In the morning!

OK.

That's a fella. Goodnight.

-What's the matter, dear?

-You go back to sleep.

-Is David OK?

-Sure.

-Sorry I woke you.

-What are you doing up?

-Nothing. I'll be back in a few minutes.

-George, what is it?

Well, David said he saw something land out back. He seems so convinced.

-What does he mean "land"?

-Well, he said he saw a bright light and...

He's not the type to imagine things, and the work at the plant IS secret. We have to report anything unusual.

-There were rumours...

-Rumours?

-I can't discuss it. I'll take a look.

HIGH-PITCHED BUZZING

George!

George!

George!

George!

George!

-Mrs MacLean, where is your son?

-He's asleep. I didn't wake him.

Your husband just wandered into the fields and disappeared?

-It sounds insane, but just look for him.

-Did he ever disappear before?

-Of course not.

-No offence, but you know how scientists are...

-He is an engineer, not a book professor!

-Please, if you'll only look...

-OK, lady. We need the facts to make a report.

Let's go.

There ain't nobody here.

Flying saucers, disappearing scientists! What next?!

- Let's get back. - Suits me. I could use a coffee.

"George MacLean".

- Then he was out here! - Yeah, you take the north side.

There goes the coffee!

Hey, Jackson!

Jackson!

Hey, Jackson. Where did you go?

Hi, Mom.

-Did you have a good sleep?

-Gosh, yes. What time is it?

-Nearly eight.

-Where's Dad?

-He left early.

-Oh, gosh...

-Don't cuss. I'm tired.

Any chance of a coffee?

-George, you're safe! I was worried.

-I thought he'd gone to the plant?

-Never mind! What happened?

-I went to see Bill Wilson.

-In your pyjamas?

-In my pyjamas, obviously.

Period.

-Where's your other slipper?

-I said "period"!

Well, I guess we'd better tell those policemen.

-What policemen?

-I called them. They're out there looking for you.

-Call them, David...

-Stay where you are!

-Are they out there now?

-Yes.

-What happened?

-I wish you'd please learn to mind your own business.

-Sorry.

-Those policemen...

-They'll ask questions I can't answer.

-Why can't...?

-Can I have my coffee?

-Say, Dad, did you see anything?

-Let's not start that nonsense again!

-Hey, Dad.

-Now, what?

-What happened to your head?

-Nothing. I caught it on a barbed wire fence.

-Barbed wire?

-But there isn't...

-Barbed wire, I said!

Now, you get your clothes on.

Yes, David, hurry and get dressed. I want you to do some errands.

-I'm sorry...

-Is this your husband?

Yes, I'm George MacLean. Sorry about the trouble.

Think nothing of it. You feel all right?

GEORGE: Yes, I'm fine.

Then we won't report this.

-We'll forget this, won't we, Mary?

-Yes. Would you like coffee?

Don't be silly - they have important work to do.

- Yeah, you too. - Yes, I know.

See you around.

-What are you gaping at?

-They talked as though you're in some sort of a plot together!

-Don't talk nonsense.

I thought I told you to get dressed!

Well, what is it?

-I was just looking for Mom.

-She's dressing.

-What do you want?

-Nothing.

-What are you up to?

-Nothing. Just playing.

Go to Andy's house - play there.

David!

Come here.

I want to warn you not to spread stories about things you imagined out in those fields. Understand?

-What was that?

-Your son said he was going to Andy's.

-Shall we go into town?

-Come outside first. There's something I want to show you.

HE KNOCKS

-Mrs Wilson, is Mr Wilson home?

-Why no, David, he's out of town.

-Are you sure? My father said he saw him this morning.

-You're mistaken.

-He hasn't been around today. Is something wrong?

-Mrs Wilson...

-Kathy's gone!

-What are you talking about?

-Out by the sandpit, something pulled her down.

-Talk sense. What happened to her?

-It's the truth. There's something out there.

-Where is she?

What happened?!

Nothing, Mother. I just picked you some flowers.

-David, how could you scare me!

-I'm sorry, Mrs Wilson.

-I should think so...

-I'm sorry.

Mrs Wilson! Mrs Wilson! Your house is on fire!

David MacLean, I've...

MRS WILSON: I'll call the fire department!

HE COUGHS They won't help. Someone's put gasoline down there.

That's impossible - our gasoline's in the garage.

There's gasoline there.

< That's what's burning.

- Kathy, were you in the cellar? - No, Mama.

State 43559, please.

PHONE RINGS

Hello?

Hello, David.

No, I'm sorry. Professor Kelston is out.

Do you know when he'll be back?

Well, we expect him this afternoon.

Oh, gee. Never mind, thank you.

OK, Mr Mitchell, thanks. Come back.

Jim! Jim!

Hello, David.

-You gotta help. They got Kathy and my dad.

-Who? What?

-I saw it land...

-Wait up.

-"Land"?

-A spaceship or something. I saw it!

-Are you being funny?

-No, it's the truth. They did the same to the policemen.

-Who did what?

-Please, Jim, we gotta help Dad.

-All right, David, take it easy.

-Where you going?

-I'm going to make a call.

-You're going to call Dad! You mustn't!

-Don't worry.

I gotta see the chief, right away.

-Must be important.

-Please, I gotta see him!

-Settle down. What's the trouble? You can tell me.

-I need the chief.

Anyone who wants to see the chief has to tell me why first.

-I can't, there's no time. Besides... Oh, please!

-Besides what?

-You wouldn't believe me.

-But the chief will?

What's the trouble, Mac?

You got me!

The kid's got something so important he can only tell you.

Are you the chief?

-That's me. What can I do for you?

-I need to talk to you alone.

In here.

What's on your mind?

-Well, sir, it's kinda hard to explain but...

-What's your name?

David MacLean, sir.

-Are you George MacLean's boy?

-Yes, sir, but don't call my father.

Finlay, come in here.

-Just a minute!

-Let me outta here!

Put him in detention. His old man will come and get him.

What's biting him? He's out of his mind.

Take it easy.

It's on his neck! Don't let him get my father.

They'll drag me down like they did to Kathy.

Are you leaving?

Did you lock that kid up? He's really scared.

His old man will take care of him. I'll get hold of him.

Hello, Doc. Sergeant Finlay.

Come over, will ya? I got a kid - something's eating him.

I don't know, but he's really scared.

Thanks.

Hi.

-Who are you?

-I'm Doctor Blake, David.

What kind of doctor? I'm not sick.

Sergeant Finlay said you had a story - a confidential story.

Doctors are like ministers - you can tell them anything. He thought I might do.

Can I see the back of your neck?

What nonsense is that?

Sure you can.

Help yourself.

-All right?

-Yes, I guess so.

Well?

I'll only tell YOU.

All right?

Sure. We'll get on fine, won't we, David?

If you have any trouble, just yell.

-Now.

-It started last night. I was looking through my telescope...

That's the truth. They're under there but I don't know what they do.

And then people act differently?

Gosh, yes. There's no-one like my dad, but today he acted like somebody I never saw before.

-You ask my mom, she'll tell you.

-I had that idea.

-You believe me?

I don't know. It sounds so unbelievable and yet...

-Wait here, David.

-Don't leave me!

I'll be right back.

Don't lock it - I won't run away.

I know, but I have to obey the rules.

-Well?

-It's a new one on me.

Did two policemen report George MacLean's disappearance and the search behind his house?

No.

-But wouldn't they have to report it, even if he turned up?

-You have to report everything...in quintuplicate!

-Is the chief in?

-No, he's not back yet.

-Can I use his phone?

-Help yourself.

-Thanks.

-I'm Mrs MacLean.

-Well, I'm glad you're here.

-I saw Chief Barrows at the bank. He said David was here.

-He's here. He had a little scare. I'll get him.

Hello, Stu?

Hi, Pat.

Yeah.

Well, sure I know David.

He just called me, but I was out. He used to use our telescope before things got so "hush-hush"!

Well, no, not David. He's a pretty realistic young fella.

Sure you can, Pat. I'll wait.

David tells me he's seen a spaceship!

Mom! Mom!

Come, David.

-No!

-Stop this foolishness!

-You've caused enough trouble. Come on.

Just a minute! Sergeant, that boy is not to leave.

-Who are you?

-I'm Doctor Blake and your son is in my care.

-He is not.

-Chief Barrows told...

-I don't care. He stays here.

Has he been talking about those science fiction magazines? He's out of control.

Your son has a high temperature and his heart action is abnormally fast.

-He has every symptom of polio. I'm having him removed to the isolation ward.

-No, he has to go with us.

We'll see tomorrow.

Now you listen to me - we don't want you telling those idiotic stories. Understand?

-George, we can't leave him...

-Sssh!

Never mind, it can't be helped now. Come on.

Mom, too.

That's the coldest pair I ever saw.

They're not - they're wonderful. They've done something awful to 'em.

All right, son. I'll take you to the hospital.

It's OK, he's fine. It's a good thing I spoke to Stuart Kelston and he said you're the scientific type.

-You know Dr Kelston?

-He's my favourite astronomer.

-Let's go before we get into trouble.

-But the chief...

-Say he's in my care.

Hello, operator - Kelston, priority 8-14.

Close circuit, Coral Bluffs-127.

-What is all this?

-Are you going to do something for my folks, sir?

I hope so, David. I hope so.

Hello.

General Mayberry.

Oh.

Will you tell him to call the moment he comes in?

This is WJ-738. Thank you.

I was afraid maybe you'd laugh at me.

I'm not laughing, David.

What do you think it's all about?

What David thought it was?

Possibly.

-A spaceship!

-But from where?

From outer space. Come here, let me show you.

This part of the universe contains at least 22 planetary systems

-conceivably within reach of us.

-Where's the sun?

Our sun? It isn't shown here.

-If it were, it would be about this size.

-That small?

-That's right.

You see, we're not very much in the overall scheme of things, Pat.

Let's take the star Wolf-359.

It has an Earth of its own, and it's only a few billion miles away.

That's hardly round the corner.

It doesn't seem possible that a spaceship could get here from there.

Could be they don't need any fuel.

That's right, David. It's quite possible that they have a means of power unknown to us.

-What is that?

-Saturn! The spaceship could stop on Saturn first

and use it as a base of operations.

Jupiter would be a more likely spot, David.

Or even the moon. It's nearer.

But if a spaceship landed on the moon, couldn't we see it?

Not if it landed on the far side.

We can only see the face of the moon.

The other side has always been a dark secret.

Pat, I mention these other solar systems merely to indicate

that life can and does exist on other planets as well as our own.

If at the present moment we have invaders from outer space,

they've probably come from one of the nearer planets.

-Mars?

-That's a reasonably safe assumption, David.

Here's one of our artists' conception of a Martian landscape.

Grass, lakes, vegetation.

They've got oxygen in their atmosphere, and water vapour too.

-And ice caps at either pole, just as we have.

-What's the temperature?

Oh, it may go up to about 50 during the day,

and drops considerably below zero at night.

What does all of this mean?

That some sort of life exists on Mars.

But it looks so bleak and deserted.

On the surface, yes.

You see, Mars is an old and perhaps dying world.

There was life on Mars a long time before there was life on Earth.

Do you think there are people actually living there,

watching us and spying on us?

It's the firm belief of many scientists that the Earth

has been under systematic and close-range observation

-for more than 200 years.

-But do you think so?

People the world over have been reporting unidentifiable objects

in the sky since the time of George Washington.

As we know, in recent years, the sightings have become more numerous.

Remember the strange object we saw that night through the telescope?

After one of our rockets was fired off?

I certainly do, David.

Perhaps our distant neighbours are becoming alarmed.

It's only recently that we've begun experimenting with these rockets.

David, about that object that you saw this morning.

Approximately how large was it?

Maybe 150 feet in diameter - maybe bigger.

That could be what we call Type 2.

You speak as though there were known spaceships.

-Do you recall ever seeing anything like this?

-No.

What are they? Meteors?

Meteors flying in formation?

Those are the Lubbock Lights. Countless people saw them.

They flew in over Texas, turned in unison and flew away.

Their speed was incredible. Their flight was controlled.

Here, I'd like you to take a look at these newspaper clippings.

There we are. The Lubbock Lights, two photos.

Taken by different people.

-I saw this picture in the Herald.

-Spaceships in formation?

Gee, lookit here!

There's three above that Air Force captain, Captain Mantell.

He was in a plane over Kentucky when he practically ran into a saucer.

January 7, 1948.

A round object, estimated to be at least 250 feet in diameter.

He radioed in and chased it. Kept calling in all the time. Then...

Then what?

His plane just blew up. Blown to pieces!

Disintegrated. The wreckage was scattered nearly a mile.

Disintegrated? How? What happened?

Nobody knows, Pat. Not even the military.

I don't care what anybody says. The guys in that saucer had a ray gun.

They got scared of Mantell, that's what.

Why should anybody be afraid of him?

I couldn't say, Pat.

They were trying to avoid Mantell's plane, but he kept after them.

His last radio report indicated that he was within close range.

It's amazing, these saucers.

Spotted by sane, competent observers in every quadrant of the globe.

These are all reports that no expert has been able to explain.

Look! The US Coastguard took this saucer photo.

Here's one of the same type, taken over Germany.

Yes, that's the most common type reported. We've designated it Type 1.

Here, let me show you.

It's a simple type of disc, clean, with no fins or canopy.

It's considered to be non-pilot-carrying,

equipped with some kind of radar or a viewing transmitter.

-It isn't the kind I saw.

-No?

Let's see if we can find the clipping concerning Captain Clarence Childs

and his co-pilot. I think it's dated sometime in July 1948.

-It's back further. You're in 1950.

-Yes, sir.

Here it is.

"Burning object hurtles over Robins Air Force base, Macon, Georgia."

It was a projectile-like craft trailing a varicoloured exhaust.

"Seen by scores of people on the ground,

"and observed an hour later by two pilots flying towards Atlanta."

Here's what they saw.

-Jiminy! Where did you get these?

-They were sent to me by a friend,

who confidentially is the security officer for Project Saucer.

Say, this is slick. Those pilots really saw this?

According to the story, it almost ran into them.

That's the model for Type 3.

It's been seen a number of times.

It isn't the one I saw.

Neither is that one.

Stu, how could a thing like this fly? It's not possible.

The pattern has been seen by too many reliable people, and described,

for us to deny its existence.

I bet they know how to set up a whole magnetic field or something.

According to these stories, they can do anything.

There's another type. They're called...

That's it!

That's exactly what I saw, Dr Kelston.

Same shape, colour - even the bubble!

-You're positive, David?

-Yes, sir. Absolutely!

Our research radar has spotted a ship like this twice in six weeks.

PHONE RINGS

Hello? Kelston speaking.

The General hasn't called in yet?

That's strange.

Yes.

-Yes, perhaps you'd better try to locate him.

-Stu?

Where DO you think the spaceship that David saw came from?

It could be from a mother ship.

In a free orbit, just above the Earth's atmosphere.

But where's this mother ship from?

David, from the Earth's point of view,

-which planet is nearest to us right now?

-Venus?

Correct. But I should have said, which planet is nearest to us

-in its particular orbit?

-Mars.

-Right.

Only about 30 million miles away.

-And here we are, moving around the sun.

-Going 100,000 miles an hour!

If we ever left our orbit, we could reach Mars within a few days.

Let's take a look through the telescope.

If Mars ever left their orbit, they could reach us.

100,000 miles an hour - wouldn't the friction burn them up?

In space there's no atmosphere, so no friction.

But a spaceship - where could it go?

-It went right in the ground, I saw it!

-It can't be underground.

"Can't" is what our grandparents said about the airplane.

Besides, we know nothing about these people. If they are people.

What do you mean?

There we are.

I'm not allowed to look through a telescope any more.

Special occasions make special conditions.

We do know this. There isn't enough oxygen on Mars,

and the surface is too cold to support human life as we know it.

There is a theory, consequently, that their cities are underground,

near some central core of heat, or that they live in spaceships.

-You don't believe that.

-I'm a scientist.

-But it can't be proved.

-It can't be disproved, either.

Could you disprove, for example, that the Martians have bred a race

of synthetic humans to save themselves from extinction?

Synthetic humans?!

The theory calls them "mutants".

Mutants? What would they want here?

Coral Bluffs?

There you are. It's focused now.

A rocket? I thought they were testing some sort of atomic device.

It is an atomic device.

The highest-powered rocket ever conceived.

You see, once we can shoot a rocket far enough into space,

it will just anchor there.

Then, it's only a matter of time before we set up

interplanetary stations equipped with atomic power

and operated by remote control.

And if any nation dared attack us, just by pushing a few buttons

we could wipe them out in minutes.

-And you think it's on account of the rocket...?

-Well,

put the shoe on the other foot. Say you're a Martian.

With the aid of these mutants, you've developed a way of life

to save your race. Giant ships floating in space

with sufficient oxygen to sustain life.

Then the inhabitants of another planet

start shooting powerful rockets, endangering your zone of survival.

Wouldn't you want to do something?

-But Stu, it's fantastic!

-So was the aeroplane. But look how it adds up.

-What's David's father?

-He's an engineer over at the plant.

What's made at that plant, David?

Gosh, I don't know. Dad won't ever talk.

Because the plant your dad works at is where the whole motor assembly

-for that rocket was made.

-What did they want with little Cathy Wilson?

Nothing, David.

-But Cathy's father is Dr William Wilson.

-The physicist?

The man who conceived that rocket, and whose house was burned down.

What did they do to Cathy? How did they make her set fire to her house?

What have they done to my mother and father?

Dr Kelston, you know them. You know how nice they are.

I don't know the answer to that one, David.

Not yet. But we'll find out.

Now, let's take a look at the place you saw that light disappear.

The fence, the wooden fence!

It used to stretch all the way across the sandpit.

I hadn't noticed it before - it's gone!

I'll increase the magnification.

The path stops too!

Dad!

Closer, Dr Kelston!

What?

-It's General Mayberry!

-The one you tried to get on the telephone?

Yes, he's in demand at Coral Bluffs.

Dad sent for him. He's trying to stop the Martians.

-Dad! Oh, Dad! Just like Cathy.

-Oh, not his father.

They have got his father. Now they've got General Mayberry!

Kelston. Priority A-14. Coral Bluffs, 127. And hurry.

Colonel Fielding, please.

Right.

Get me the Chief of Staff at the Pentagon. Be back in a second.

Two more companies for the plant.

Three more at Coral Bluffs.

Two more at the magnesium works.

Good. I want you personally...

Yes, sir. Anything else, sir?

Right, sir.

Get me the Chief of Police.

I don't know, Colonel. The Chief left here some time ago

and we haven't been able to contact him since.

We've been trying to reach his car by shortwave.

No, sir. Officers Blaine and Jackson are out of circulation too.

I don't know where they are.

Yes, sir. It'll be handled in strictest confidence.

Thank you, sir.

That was Colonel Fielding, in charge of the taskforce at Coral Bluffs.

Off the record, he's ordered an all-points alarm on MacLean,

the chief, MacLean's wife, Blaine and Jackson, and General Mayberry.

You know, I'm awful glad I don't have to pick up the general.

Generals can get awful unpleasant.

MUSIC PLAYS

Then you came, sir, and that's all.

Thank you, David. That was a very clear account.

Now, can you tell us where we can find the little Cathy girl?

The one who set fire to her house? Where does she live?

Just down the road. It burned down.

-Mr Turner would know where they are, though. He's their neighbour.

-Good.

I'd like you all to come with me.

Poor woman, she's almost out of her mind. She loses her home, then her little girl, just like that!

-She died instantly?

-Yes. One minute she was playing, next, she keeled over, as if she'd been poleaxed!

-OK, thank you.

-Wait. What was the report on the cause of her death?

-Cerebral haemorrhage.

-I see. Thank you, Mr Turner.

-Where's Rinaldi?

Still in the house, sir.

Colonel, I'd like to look at that girl.

Cerebral haemorrhage doesn't make sense for a young child like that, but if she has a scar on her neck...

Yes. I'll have my driver take you. Any authority you need to get past the police, Jones will be it.

-We'll be at MacLean's.

-Thank you.

ENGINE STARTS

-Did you get that order through?

-Yes, sir.

-There it is - where the fence ends.

-Try to be exact.

Just where in relation to the fence?

-I don't know...

-It's hard to tell. We saw General Mayberry disappear from another angle.

-I'll show you...

-We're as close to that spot as anyone's going for now. See if these will help.

Yes. Yes, that's the spot.

A path used to go across the sandpit too, just like the fence.

-That's where they got Kathy too.

-Can I look, sir?

There.

-You suppose there could be a trap door?

-If there is, it's well-concealed!

No, sir, there's no trap door. Something would show - a crack or something. There's nothing out there.

-What do you think?

-Do you mean, do I think a spaceship crashed there?

-Yes.

-Let me ask YOU a question -

how would it get underground without smashing?

-Well, if they had some sort of ray...

-Like an X-ray?

-Uh-huh.

-Some radioactive ray that could eat through the earth.

-Well, we'll soon find out. Rinal...

Where did Rinaldi...?

Hello, Clary, are you all briefed?

-Yes, but...

-No "buts", it's all true.

-Hello, Roth.

-Hello, sir.

-Captain Roth is our electronics expert.

Dr Kelston thinks the spaceship is underground. Is it possible?

-Theoretically, but we can't harness infra-red waves on this planet...

-We assume they're not from this planet.

We'll see if they have a transmitter that can generate infra-red rays, like we generate short wave radio.

They could melt right through the earth or anything else.

-That would be a destructive weapon.

-And there would be no effective counter-weapon.

May I ask, what are our orders?

To secure all installations here against attack.

And to explore beneath that sandpit out there.

Where was it General Mayberry disappeared?

-Right there, where that fence ends. Take a look with these.

-Thank you.

-There's Sergeant Rinaldi out there!

-He's always sticking his neck out.

You'd think he'd know better!

HIGH-PITCHED BUZZING

That sound!

Here, give me these!

GUNSHOT

Aaagh.

Aaaaaaagh!

-They've got him! He's gone!

-You can't go out there!

-Rinaldi's been with me 20 years.

-Let him be the last one they get.

We may have no counter-weapon, but they'll get a fight!

INAUDIBLE

As soon as the rest of the lights arrive, I want three more trained on that spot. Keep it surrounded.

No-one goes near there until I give the word.

-Sweep the entire area. Those devils might pop up somewhere else!

-CAR APPROACHES

Sergeant, I thought I issued orders no-one is allowed to...

-It's you, Doctor! Find anything?

-Yes, very interesting.

The autopsy showed this - it WAS cerebral haemorrhage.

What do you make of this?

It's seems to be a crystal attached to platinum.

-Where was it?

-In the skull. It exploded, causing a haemorrhage.

-That's what killed her.

-Mom. Dad.

Son, such a complicated device isn't just to kill people.

It involves surgery we've never known possible.

I think this device attached to the brain could be a method of control.

We've made white mice follow directional impulses with high-frequency oscillation...

The Martians could be giving instruction to people

they've operated on and they'd do exactly as they're told?

Possibly. And when they've served their purpose,

-they could loose a wave that would detonate that bulb in the brain.

-No!

His parents have been operated on.

-Colonel, I think we can reproduce this.

-What for?

-We could get in on their wavelength.

-And intercept the messages?

No, they would be meaningless to us,

-but we could locate their point of origin.

-Well, get going!

-Yes, sir.

Please, sir, please hurry!

Colonel.

Fielding here.

-INDISTINCT VOICE ON PHONE

-Great.

No, nothing else.

The Armistead plant has just been blown up.

SIREN WAILS

Halt!

Stand back! Don't touch him! Let's go.

What happened to him? He was all right and then...

Yes, go on. No, take them to the morgue.

They got Jackson and Blane, the two cops.

They had that thing in their necks.

-They're the ones that blew up the plant.

-Were they killed?

No. They died like the little girl.

Please, God, let them find Mom and Dad before they do something awful.

I don't want them to die too.

WHISTLE BLOWS

Halt!

Halt or I fire! Give 'em a near miss.

GUNSHOT

You idiots, I'm General Mayberry!

Suffering cats! It is!

We got orders to bring you in, so drop what you got and hands up, both of you.

Holy mackerel, what was that?!

Those suitcases must've been loaded with nitro-glycerine!

CAR APPROACHES

For you, Colonel.

Fielding here.

Both of them blown to bits.

Yes, sir, the rocket's OK. Any further orders?

No, no further orders, just carry on.

-Our men just got...

-ENGINES ROAR

Tanks - in a normal war, they're a beautiful sight!

Major Clary, if they've got a ray down there, I don't know what our tanks will do, but we'll find out.

Have them surround the whole area. Tell Lieutenant Blair to plant C2 charges where Rinaldi disappeared.

Colonel's orders - surround field, all tanks surround field.

ALL ENGINES SHUT DOWN

Right here.

All right, men, start digging.

Yes, Brandon, what is it?

Nothing, Doctor Wilson, I just didn't expect you to be here. >

Sir, we're all deeply sorry about little Kathy. What can one say? >

Thank you, Brandon. Are you sure you want to work? >

You wouldn't rather... > Be somewhere else?

No, thank you, Brandon. I always work at night. I must go on.

Goodnight, Brandon.

Goodnight, sir. >

-You can't park here, lady.

-Something's wrong with the car. Could you see if a wire's loose?

I'm no mechanic, but I'll take a look.

Put your foot on the starter.

-ENGINE STRAINS Is your ignition on?

-Oh, I'm sorry!

Keep that motor running!

GUNSHOT, SMASHING GLASS

SIREN WAILS

TYRES SQUEAL

Step on it, Corporal. Get them to hospital.

It's a chamber. Give me a flashlight.

-Let me go first.

-I give the orders!

The rest of you can follow me!

-Are you all right, Colonel?

-I think so.

Come down by rope. It's a long drop.

All right!

-What do you make of it?

-They must have a ray - one that blasts through the earth and fuses it as well!

-The earth's almost phosphorescent.

-But it's fading.

-Maybe the ray's losing power.

-So where's Rinaldi?

They must have made a tunnel and sealed it up again.

Which leaves us knowing as little as we did when we got in here.

All right, get ready to haul away! OK, come on!

They've moved from here. Did you have any luck?

We've rigged the original crystal to a variable oscillator. Here.

If it hasn't been damaged, it should give off some vibration.

-Hell, they can't be very far away. Try it.

-Yes, sir.

PHONE BUZZES

WXBY. Sergeant Funstan here. Go ahead.

-Hold it. I'll find out. Dr Blake here?

-I'm Dr Blake.

This is for you.

Dr Blake... Oh, who's operating?

Good. He knows how the wires are attached.

Call me the minute it's over, will you?

-David's parents are in the operating room. I think I'd better tell him?

-Yes, I think you should.

-Getting cold, David?

-I'm all right, if only...

If only you get news of your mother and father, hmm?

Let's take a little walk, David.

-They've found your parents.

-Where? Are they OK? They're not like Kathy?

-No, they're not dead.

-Can I see them?

-Not yet. Dr Metzler's going to operate.

-He's a fine brain surgeon.

-Brain surgeon?!

There's no reason why he shouldn't be able to remove the crystal.

And they'll be safe and nothing can happen to them,

-like what happened to Kathy!

-They'll be all right.

-When'll I know?

-Dr Metzler's not there yet.

-Not there yet?!

-You have to be patient. He has to come all the way from Middletown.

-That's an hour away!

-No-one here can do the operation.

-In an hour, the Martians could...

David, try not to think about it. They'll be all right.

Nobody's getting anywhere out there! They can't locate anything...anybody!

The Martians, we've got to stop the...

LOUD HUMMING

Run! Fielding! Over here! Over here!

Colonel, quickly! Over here!

Mutants!

Agh!

-Agh! No!

-No, let me go!

-Want us here, sir?

-Just wait a minute.

Let me go! Let me go! Stop!

Colonel Fielding!

-Keep trying. They can't have gone very far.

-Nothing here. They've already gone.

They disappeared? They were here just a minute ago!

We won't save them by blasting more holes when the Martians have already left. Come on.

Agh!

Stop! Let me go! Let me go!

-We've located them.

-Lieutenant, set off your charges there.

Major, I want your tanks to fire shells from the opposite side of that field. Make lots of noise.

-Let them think that's where we're hunting them.

-Yes.

-Maybe they'll still be here when we blast.

Sergeant Rinaldi!

What is your name?

David. You know me.

-Not you. YOU - what is your name?

-But you know - I'm Dr Blake.

What are they doing up above?

LOUD EXPLOSIONS

What are they doing?

-MORE EXPLOSIONS

-Who is he?

Mankind - developed to his ultimate intelligence.

These are his slaves - existing only to do his will.

Just as you will.

-What are they doing up there?

-I don't know.

-You will tell him in a few moments.

Let's go.

EXPLOSIONS

Agh!

Let her go!

Let her go!

If you've done anything to my Mom and Dad, I'll...

Come on, step on it! On the double!

EXPLOSION

Stop! Let me go!

Stop! Stop...!

Let me go!

Colonel Fielding! Colonel Fielding!

RUMBLING EXPLOSIONS

Colonel Fielding! Colonel Fielding! Colonel Fielding!

-Colonel Fielding! Colonel Fielding!

-It's the boy! Come on!

What in the name of time is that?

Blast it!

Come on!

Aagh!

Come on!

Aagh!

Get clear!

-Pat, are you all right?

-Unnh...

LOUD HUMMING

They're getting ready to take off. Set up enough charges to blow this thing back to Mars.

-Where's David?

-And Rinaldi...

-I don't know.

Form as many squads as it takes, comb every tunnel leading out of here.

We'll give you a signal. As soon as the charges are set, this ship goes sky-high.

-I'll take her topside.

-Right.

Colonel Fielding! Colonel Fielding!

Colonel Fielding!

Come on! Step on it! Search every tunnel! We've got to find Rinaldi and the kid.

When the colonel gives the signal, get back here on the double!

Colonel Fielding! Colonel Field...!

-Hold it!

-What is it, sir?

I thought I heard something.

Go ahead.

This place is crawling with them big apes!

Get everyone out. Everyone out but Jack!

You and I will try and hold 'em. Warn the colonel.

HE BLOWS WHISTLE

That's emergency retreat. How much longer?

We're set, sir. When shall I set it for to fire?

Six minutes, that'll give us time to get above.

Let's move!

Let's seal it up. Give me a grenade.

If there's any of those apes left,

they won't get in to that detonator now.

Colonel Fielding! They've sealed the escape tunnel!

If we don't release the detonator, we'll be blown to smithereens.

But we can't get back in the spaceship!

-How much longer, Lieutenant?

-Three minutes.

-Start digging!

You got to hit 'em right in the puss with the grenades if you want to stop them, Major.

Just blow 'em apart.

Here they come! >

Hold it! It's the kid! Come on!

A couple more and we're blowing this place up. We've got to get out of here!

- It's Rinaldi. He's alive! - Take him, but hurry!

-Why the hurry? There's no way out.

-There is - with this.

-How much longer?

-Just under two minutes.

-How much time now?

-90 seconds.

He's just out, Colonel. Stay with him.

-Can you work it, David?

-Yes, sir.

-Give him a hand. All right, stand clear!

Come on!

Hurry up, everybody! All right, send the boy up first. Easy!

-I'll take Rinaldi.

-Get back! The whole thing's going to blow!

-Let's go!

EXPLOSIONS SUBSIDE

Oh, David, with the control point destroyed,

nothing can happen to your mother and father now.

-They're going to be all right.

-Gee, thanks.

-Goodnight, David.

-Shh, the little man has had a busy day.

THUNDER RUMBLES

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd