Red Tails


Red Tails

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Transcript


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Germans. Let's get 'em!

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Where are the damn fighters going?

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RADIO CHATTER

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They've gone chasing scalps, leaving us unprotected again.

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Damn those glory-grabbing bastards!

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Bandits! Hundreds of them! Six o'clock!

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Is there anything left of our escort?

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Negative, boss.

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Damn it! Why don't they worry about us?

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I can't believe this! It never fails.

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AIRMAN SCREAMS

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THEY SHOUT

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HE SCREAMS

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Oh, no. Stay with me.

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SCREAMING

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FRANTIC RADIO CHATTER

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AIRMAN SCREAMS

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This is Bouncing Betty. Engine three is out.

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We're falling back. Two, you take lead position.

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Need the extinguisher.

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Hank!

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Mayday! Mayday! Prepare to bail out.

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I repeat, prepare to bail...

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HE SCREAMS

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SCREAMING

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ENGINES APPROACH

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Red One to Red Two, come in.

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'Are you awake over there, Lightning?'

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HE YAWNS

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Yeah, yeah, sorry. Boy, I need a nap!

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Well, look alive. Wouldn't want you to miss this war.

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War is hell. What we're doing is just boring as hell.

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Whoever she was, I hope she was worth losing sleep over.

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Oh, trust me, she was worth it!

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'Junior. Junior, you OK?'

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Fine as wine, Red One. The sky is blue and my guns are hot.

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'Joker, you all right?'

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Nope. I feel like I'm flying my grandfather's Buick.

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Coolant indicator's all over the map.

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And to think I was as happy as a church lady when I got this plane.

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All right, Red Four, you're done. Take it on home.

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Come on now, Captain, this gauge over here is a piece of crap.

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Captain, let me give it a looky before you send him back.

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He's not trailing any oil or water.

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Seems to me like he's just got a bad indicator.

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Come on, Easy. Let me fly, sir, please?

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You know it ain't gonna be no fun without me.

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All right. OK. You stay on, Red Four.

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You stay on, but you keep an eye on it, all right?

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Thank you, sweetheart. Just my luck I get stuck with the flying wreck.

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Another P-40 from Uncle Sam's junkyard.

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It looks like we got a truck up there.

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It's got German markings.

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-Junior, it's your turn.

-'Yes, sir!'

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Prepare to feel the wrath of the Ray Gun.

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I'm on your wing, Junior!

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Come on.

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GUNFIRE

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You see that?

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Congratulations, kid. You killed yourself a truck.

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Woohoo! We can go back victorious(!)

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Everybody, form up. We're going home.

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Uh...

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Easy, I see something. It's a train! 11 o'clock.

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I don't think it's German. I don't see any guns.

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Looks like they're moving livestock to me.

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No. It's military.

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It's camouflaged.

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It could just be cows.

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You don't want to shoot up no cows if you don't have to.

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Unless y'all planning on a barbecue.

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Nobody sees any guns?

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I'm telling you, Easy, that's a munitions train.

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And I bet it's armed to the teeth.

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You grown-ups better think fast. It's headed for that tunnel.

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All right. Only one way to find out. Let's go get it.

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Wait. Easy, we've got to take it head-on,

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low, so their guns can't hit us.

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It's my decision, Lightning. Stay in formation.

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SOLDIERS SHOUT

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Schnell! Schnell!

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Looks like these cows are armed.

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Stay in front of it!

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Die, you Nazi dogs!

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Dang! Those cows just shot up my wing!

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No sweat. No sweat.

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If that train makes it into the tunnel, they'll stop in there.

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Where's Lightning?

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'Where the hell are you, Lightning?'

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Taking the train from the front, like you should have done.

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THEY SPEAK GERMAN

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Come on. Come on. Come on.

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Gotcha!

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Oh, oh...

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-Whoa! Shit!

-ENGINE STUTTERS

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Whoa!

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Whoo!

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Nothing like a good old Georgia ass-whupping.

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Just trying to keep you boys inspired.

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'How's this headline for inspiration?'

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"Negro Pilot Dies Because He's Too Stupid To Follow Orders."

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LIGHTNING LAUGHS

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Your plane looks like it's been through a shredder.

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How are you going to explain THAT to Coffee?

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By explaining to him that I'm the one who blew up the train.

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You boys go on ahead. I've spotted something.

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HE CHUCKLES

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ENGINE SPUTTERS

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Lightning destroyed another one.

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Look at that mess. Look at that mess.

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I guess we'll be working all night again.

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RADIO: 'It's been a long time since you've seen your sweetheart.

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'Too bad she's dancing with someone new.

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'This is Axis Mary coming to you from Berlin with your favourite music.'

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# Never thought that you would be

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# Standing here so close to me

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# There's so much I feel that I should say

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# But words can wait

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# Until some other day. #

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How about one time you bring my plane home without wrecking it?

0:11:230:11:26

Good morning, Mr Coffee.

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You keep tearing up my planes like this,

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you're gonna be wearing your balls for a necktie.

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See, I can't let you do that, cos I just saw a goddess

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who's gonna bear my beautiful children.

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You're a clown, Lightning. You need to grow up. We can't afford to

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have any more planes taken off the line with your stupid...

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What is this? What did you do?

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Oh, man! Where did that come from?

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-What happened was...

-Sticks!

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Come see what this clown did to the plane.

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I can see what you're thinking.

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What the hell is this? Did somebody throw a train at you?

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Coffee, I can see you're upset.

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Maybe we should talk about this another time.

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Oh, we got a new recruit here!

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Hey there. You lost, son?

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I was looking for Jimmy Wayans.

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Uh, Jimmy got shot down must've been, what, two weeks ago?

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I believe so.

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Well, is Uly Douglas here?

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Uh-uh.

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Furball's dead, son. Crashed on takeoff.

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You're just a bad-luck Chuck, aren't you?

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Everybody you know ends up on the wrong side of the dirt.

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Don't pay him no mind, boy. My name's Smokey.

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This here's Neon, this is Joker.

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Flight Officer Maurice Wilson, sir!

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You can leave all that saluting, son. You're home now.

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Seeing as how everybody you know dead,

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-you might as well bunk with us.

-Wait. Wait. Wait.

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Just don't bad luck us before you get up in this Jeep now.

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-Yes, sir.

-I'm trying to live.

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-Come on, Maurice.

-Come on, boy.

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-Come on, boy, get in there!

-Hold on.

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Come on, Maurice.

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-Wait, you've got to back up.

-THEY LAUGH

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How'd it go up there, Ray?

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I'm telling you, Deacon.

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Lightning almost got himself killed AGAIN today.

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He's one crazy pilot.

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I'm going to pray for him if we ever get to see any real combat.

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Well, hey, I see you here after every mission.

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I'm sure your prayers are helping.

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Thanks, Deke.

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Black Jesus,

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we thank you for bringing Red Squadron back home to us.

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WHOOPING AND CHEERING

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APPLAUSE

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Lightning's usual elegant work.

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Although I understand your plane

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didn't fare any better than the train.

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Sir.

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That old Lightning don't never have his brakes on.

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Questions, gentlemen.

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Does it really matter, sir?

0:14:140:14:16

- Lights up. - Here we go.

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What was your question?

0:14:200:14:23

What we do, how well we do it, does it matter?

0:14:230:14:26

NERVOUS LAUGHTER

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Strafing runs and coastal patrols.

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They got us out here using planes to mop floors, fellas.

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I don't normally go in for loose talk,

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but we won't even be doing that for long.

0:14:370:14:41

Ain't that why Colonel Bullard went stateside?

0:14:410:14:44

The Colonel's business stateside is above your grade.

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All due respect, sir,

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but are they back there deciding if they should shut us down?

0:14:480:14:50

- Just a rumour, Winky. - You know this how?

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Pass it up.

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Read it, Easy. Out loud.

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Go ahead, son.

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EASY CLEARS THROAT

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"The use of Negroes in the Army Air Corps may yet be halted.

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"A report has been forwarded calling the performance by Negro pilots

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"unsatisfactory."

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MURMURS OF DISSENT

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"A plan to assign the Negroes to routine convoy cover may be

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"all that remains for those who seem to have neither the intelligence

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"nor the proper reflexes for such a complicated task

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"as fighter pursuit. The great Tuskegee..."

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"The great Tuskegee experiment

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"to allow the Negro type to fly airplanes has failed."

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And you all thought what?

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You'd sign up,

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you get shiny boots, a uniform,

0:16:100:16:13

and that'd be the end of 100 years of bigotry?

0:16:130:16:15

You're Coloured men in a White man's army.

0:16:150:16:17

It's a miracle you're flying fighters in Italy

0:16:170:16:20

and not mopping latrines in Milwaukee!

0:16:200:16:23

You want it straight?

0:16:230:16:25

Yes, the old man's stateside, fighting the good fight.

0:16:250:16:30

And when he comes through for us,

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we better be damn sure we're ready to do the same for him.

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Any of you feel otherwise, any of you want to wash yourselves out,

0:16:360:16:41

well, Negro, please do so,

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and I'll have you on the next thing smoking back home

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to make room for the men who want to stand and fight.

0:16:450:16:48

Get your head up, son.

0:16:510:16:53

You're fighter pilots.

0:16:550:16:57

Watch the rest of the film.

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Learn something.

0:17:030:17:05

When we came under your command, Colonel,

0:17:130:17:15

you stated very clearly that we would never find Negroes

0:17:150:17:18

who could pass a pilot's exam,

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make it through flight school, survive basic combat.

0:17:210:17:24

A combat record which, to this point...

0:17:240:17:27

We've done all of that.

0:17:270:17:28

To this point,

0:17:280:17:29

I don't believe your boys have scored a single aerial kill.

0:17:290:17:32

Because you have not assigned us a single forward mission.

0:17:320:17:36

It's damn hard to shoot down the enemy

0:17:360:17:38

100 miles behind the front lines.

0:17:380:17:40

As a matter of fact, when will we be assigned to bomber escorts, Colonel?

0:17:400:17:45

There have been any number of reports of poor discipline.

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Which is in every newspaper and magazine in the country.

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We have enough race troubles as it is

0:17:510:17:53

without these sons of bitches in the press throwing fuel on the fire.

0:17:530:17:56

How an unofficial assessment of the Tuskegee programme

0:17:560:18:00

made its way to newspapers and magazines

0:18:000:18:02

may be worthy of its own hearing, sir.

0:18:020:18:05

Colonel Tomlinson,

0:18:050:18:06

you've been supporting this experiment from the beginning,

0:18:060:18:10

but I'm afraid you're just gonna have to suffer its failure.

0:18:100:18:14

We're given hand-me-down planes,

0:18:140:18:16

ordered to attack targets that have already been bypassed,

0:18:160:18:20

fly patrols where the enemy hasn't been seen for months.

0:18:200:18:24

Now we've done every lowdown, dirty job you've handed us,

0:18:240:18:28

hoping that we would just limp along and go away.

0:18:280:18:31

We will not go away.

0:18:310:18:33

We have a right to fight for our country,

0:18:340:18:37

the same as every other American.

0:18:370:18:39

So you shut us down,

0:18:390:18:41

or you let us fly.

0:18:410:18:44

RADIO: # Soldier boy.

0:18:440:18:46

# Oh, do you think about me, soldier boy?

0:18:460:18:51

# How could you ever...? #

0:18:510:18:53

What?

0:18:540:18:56

Don't give me that look.

0:18:560:18:58

What the hell were you doing up there today?

0:18:580:19:00

Beating up on Hitler. Winning the war. I got the train, didn't I?

0:19:000:19:04

I love you like a brother, Joe.

0:19:060:19:07

But you disobey my orders again, I'm gonna have to write you up.

0:19:070:19:10

For what? For being right?

0:19:100:19:11

I told you those guns were there. You almost got yourself killed.

0:19:110:19:14

No, I followed protocol.

0:19:140:19:15

You went for the glory. There's a difference.

0:19:150:19:18

Now you may not need me to get you through this thing alive,

0:19:180:19:20

but Joker, Junior, the rest of the squad just might.

0:19:200:19:23

OK. OK. You're right, I'm wrong. I'm sorry.

0:19:230:19:26

What you in such a hurry for anyway?

0:19:270:19:30

I saw a girl.

0:19:300:19:33

The most beautiful I have ever seen.

0:19:330:19:36

Just can't let them alone, can you?

0:19:360:19:39

No more than you can let that bottle alone.

0:19:390:19:41

You got your way of getting through the war, and I got mine.

0:19:430:19:47

I wonder what your pops'd say to that.

0:19:490:19:52

We can just leave him out of this.

0:19:520:19:54

He's got you in a pressure cooker, man. Graduating college at 20,

0:19:540:19:58

4.0, and now a captain?

0:19:580:20:00

Pushing yourself mighty hard to please him.

0:20:000:20:03

-Didn't I just say we can leave him out of this?

-All right.

0:20:030:20:06

Besides, I drink cos I got to bunk with your crazy self.

0:20:060:20:10

You bunk with me cos I'm the best pilot in the whole damn Army,

0:20:100:20:13

and you're just hoping you're gonna learn something.

0:20:130:20:15

If I'm not mistaken, I'm the flight leader,

0:20:150:20:18

-which would make you my wingman.

-Smarter doesn't make you better.

0:20:180:20:21

Better at what? Busting up Coffee's planes?

0:20:210:20:23

Romancing the ladies, for one. Now if you're done whining,

0:20:230:20:26

I have got a pass to do that very thing right now.

0:20:260:20:28

-Lightning. Can I ask you something?

-What?

0:20:280:20:31

What's going to happen when you go home and the women speak English,

0:20:310:20:34

and they understand just how full of bullshit you are?

0:20:340:20:37

What's this?

0:20:390:20:40

Something to celebrate you being old enough to know better.

0:20:400:20:44

Ha!

0:20:510:20:52

Italian for Beginners?

0:20:520:20:55

How many cartons of smokes this set you back?

0:20:550:20:57

A simple "thank you" wouldn't hurt.

0:20:570:20:58

And a "happy birthday" would have been fine.

0:20:580:21:00

Knowing you, you're just tired of me

0:21:000:21:01

embarrassing myself in front of the signorinas.

0:21:010:21:03

Yeah, that might be it.

0:21:030:21:05

How you feel?

0:21:070:21:08

A whole lot more than one year older.

0:21:080:21:11

-Thank you.

-Happy birthday.

0:21:110:21:14

INDISTINCT CHATTER

0:21:140:21:16

It's tight.

0:21:180:21:19

Pilots got you all hot and bothered. Come on.

0:21:220:21:25

Coffee!

0:21:250:21:26

Coffee!

0:21:260:21:28

We got three planes, the hydraulic pumps are shot.

0:21:290:21:33

-LOUD SQUELCH

-Oh!

-Oh!

0:21:330:21:34

Two more got bad governors.

0:21:340:21:35

Grab a piece of that tape and put it over that hose.

0:21:350:21:38

THEY GRUNT

0:21:380:21:39

What are you doing, Lightning?

0:21:410:21:43

What? What did you say?

0:21:430:21:44

Come on, Lightning.

0:21:440:21:45

I need it back by nightfall!

0:21:470:21:48

And ask if she's got a sister!

0:21:480:21:50

Yeah, a blind one!

0:21:500:21:52

HE KNOCKS

0:22:040:22:05

I'm sorry to bother you.

0:22:120:22:14

I flew around your house this morning.

0:22:140:22:16

Io non parlo inglese.

0:22:160:22:18

OK.

0:22:190:22:20

HE IMITATES PLANE ENGINE

0:22:220:22:23

SHE SPEAKS ITALIAN

0:22:270:22:28

Right, you...

0:22:310:22:32

Si.

0:22:320:22:34

That was me. I'm Joe.

0:22:340:22:36

-Joe.

-Yeah.

0:22:360:22:37

-D'accordo. Sofia.

-Sofia, right. Nice to meet you.

0:22:370:22:41

WOMAN SPEAKS ITALIAN

0:22:410:22:44

SOFIA SPEAKS ITALIAN

0:22:460:22:49

-Thanks.

-Mama.

0:22:490:22:51

SOFIA SPEAKS ITALIAN

0:22:510:22:53

Little. Joe Little.

0:22:590:23:01

THEY SPEAK ITALIAN

0:23:010:23:04

I hope I'm not intruding, ma'am.

0:23:040:23:07

MAMA SPEAKS ITALIAN

0:23:070:23:08

Thank you.

0:23:110:23:13

Ah!

0:23:130:23:14

Ah!

0:23:200:23:22

MAMA LAUGHS

0:23:220:23:23

MAMA SPEAKS ITALIAN

0:23:250:23:26

Hold on. I want to ask you something.

0:23:290:23:33

HE ASKS QUESTION IN ITALIAN

0:23:330:23:36

SOFIA SPEAKS ITALIAN

0:23:390:23:40

Yeah? You wanna...?

0:23:400:23:42

How?

0:23:420:23:44

Oh, how? I got a Jeep. You want to come for a drive?

0:23:440:23:48

Dove?

0:23:480:23:49

What's dove?

0:23:510:23:52

Dove.

0:23:520:23:54

Is that a yes?

0:23:540:23:56

SOFIA SPEAKS ITALIAN

0:23:560:23:58

MAMA GASPS

0:23:580:24:00

Si!

0:24:000:24:02

You want to bring your mother?

0:24:020:24:04

It's going to be tougher than I thought.

0:24:060:24:08

MAMA SPEAKS ITALIAN

0:24:080:24:11

SMOKEY SINGS

0:24:230:24:25

What you going with? I got two pair.

0:24:250:24:28

-And three of clubs.

-I don't care what you have,

0:24:280:24:30

you'll never be able to beat me, son. You ain't got enough in the head.

0:24:300:24:33

I can't lose. I don't even know why y'all try.

0:24:330:24:36

You just got here, Maurice. I hope you're learning something.

0:24:360:24:39

Hope at least you're learning by now

0:24:390:24:40

not to play poker with people that cheat.

0:24:400:24:42

I ain't cheating.

0:24:420:24:44

You cheat.

0:24:440:24:45

I don't want to learn how to play cards,

0:24:450:24:47

I want to learn about combat flying.

0:24:470:24:49

Dogfights and tricks for switching it up on them Jerries, you know?

0:24:490:24:52

What the hell you think it is we know about dogfighting?

0:24:530:24:56

The White boys are the only ones

0:24:560:24:57

get to tangle it up with the Jerries around here.

0:24:570:24:59

But they don't talk to us much, so...

0:24:590:25:01

Experience is a cruel teacher. Gives the exam first, then the lesson.

0:25:010:25:06

You know what?

0:25:060:25:07

-I decided when I get home...

-Yeah.

0:25:070:25:10

...people ask me about the war, I'm going to just make stuff up.

0:25:100:25:13

Hell, I already do! Ask me what I killed - seven trucks, five Jeeps,

0:25:150:25:19

and one of those motorcycles with the sidecar on them.

0:25:190:25:23

My record look like the inventory down at the motor pool.

0:25:230:25:26

How the hell am I gonna go back home and tell my dad

0:25:260:25:28

all I killed were traffic?

0:25:280:25:29

He'll whup my ass!

0:25:290:25:32

What's that?

0:25:320:25:33

It's my Buck Rogers X-38 disintegrator pistol.

0:25:330:25:35

Makes me feel like...you know,

0:25:360:25:40

like I can't lose.

0:25:400:25:42

-Here, try it.

-No. No, thanks, Junior.

0:25:420:25:44

I don't really like to fool with other people's good luck charms.

0:25:440:25:49

What's the matter?

0:25:490:25:51

Nothing.

0:25:510:25:52

Look, I don't like being called Junior.

0:25:540:25:57

I want the tag Ray Gun. I'm not a kid.

0:25:570:26:00

I did two years at Howard

0:26:000:26:01

before I even enrolled in the Tuskegee programme.

0:26:010:26:05

HE SIGHS

0:26:050:26:06

I'm going to be an engineer.

0:26:060:26:09

What about you?

0:26:090:26:10

Well, my dad's a judge.

0:26:100:26:14

He wants me to go to law school, so I guess I'm gonna do that.

0:26:140:26:17

You ought to just give it up! Go back to where you came from.

0:26:170:26:20

I'd rather be up there killing Jerries

0:26:200:26:22

than down here playing games with you, Joker.

0:26:220:26:24

Look, don't be in a hurry to get to the killing part, Maurice.

0:26:240:26:28

Tell me something. You scared of dying?

0:26:280:26:30

I don't know.

0:26:330:26:34

I am.

0:26:360:26:37

Every time I close the lid on that canopy,

0:26:400:26:42

I feel like I'm shutting the lid on my own coffin.

0:26:420:26:45

I tell you something else,

0:26:460:26:47

the pilot that tells you otherwise is either a liar

0:26:470:26:51

or too foolish to know any better.

0:26:510:26:53

Amen.

0:26:540:26:55

It's useless. All this talk for another study, another inquiry.

0:26:560:27:02

"Politics is the art of..."

0:27:020:27:05

Major Kessel's political science class, the quote that he used...

0:27:050:27:08

He said, "Politics is the art of postponing a decision

0:27:080:27:11

"until it is..."

0:27:110:27:12

"..no longer relevant."

0:27:120:27:14

Colonel Mortamus stumbled badly.

0:27:170:27:19

If he hadn't embarrassed the brass by leaking that report to the press,

0:27:190:27:24

they probably would have let you wither and die.

0:27:240:27:26

His politicking bought you time.

0:27:260:27:29

For what?

0:27:300:27:32

Operation Shingle.

0:27:320:27:34

Air cover for a beach landing.

0:27:340:27:36

It's your chance to go up against German fighters.

0:27:360:27:40

I'll say this, Jack...

0:27:410:27:42

..even when your hope is false, it sure is grand.

0:27:430:27:47

I'm serious, AJ. I can get that for you.

0:27:470:27:50

If you stick your neck out how far?

0:27:520:27:53

I don't want you to put your career on the line for me, Jack.

0:27:560:28:00

A little less tin on my uniform is the least of it.

0:28:000:28:04

If I get you the mission,

0:28:040:28:06

your men have got to put something on the board.

0:28:060:28:08

They come through or Mortamus and the brass

0:28:080:28:10

will have all they need to shut the whole thing down.

0:28:100:28:15

You get us that mission,

0:28:150:28:17

we will light up the board.

0:28:170:28:19

Has this flight order been verified?

0:28:260:28:28

Yes, sir. It came directly from Colonel Bullard in Washington.

0:28:280:28:32

Check it again. Get the flight leaders together.

0:28:320:28:35

Sir.

0:28:350:28:36

The Colonel got us an opportunity. Gather around, gentlemen.

0:28:380:28:42

Attacking another train, sir?

0:28:420:28:44

Or did we graduate to minding a truck convoy this time?

0:28:440:28:48

Operation Shingle.

0:28:480:28:50

It's an ambitious landing

0:28:510:28:52

off the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea at Nettuno.

0:28:520:28:55

We've been given the frag order to provide air cover for the landing.

0:28:580:29:01

-CHEERING

-Yeah!

0:29:010:29:02

Whoo!

0:29:020:29:03

I'm gonna have so many of those little swastikas on my plane,

0:29:040:29:07

they're gonna think it's camouflage.

0:29:070:29:08

We will repay the old man with victory, hear me?

0:29:080:29:11

ALL: Yes, sir!

0:29:110:29:12

Full briefing at 0400. On the flight line at 0530.

0:29:120:29:16

Good luck, gentlemen.

0:29:160:29:17

Junior, where you at, boy? You're gonna miss the flight.

0:29:290:29:32

'I know I'm late. I'm coming.'

0:29:320:29:33

We're a long way from Memphis, but Black Jesus is here with me,

0:29:330:29:36

and he says it's gonna be a successful mission.

0:29:360:29:38

Now does that mean we're gonna shoot down a bunch of Jerries,

0:29:380:29:41

or we gonna come back in one piece,

0:29:410:29:42

or Lightning gonna pick up some girls along the way?

0:29:420:29:46

No more pick-ups for me, boys. I swear to you, I am in love.

0:29:460:29:51

Love? Swearing? Both bad luck in my book.

0:29:510:29:54

-JUNIOR:

-'I can't believe I made it. Don't tell Easy I was late.'

0:29:570:30:00

-They all set?

-All ready, sir!

0:30:060:30:09

Send them off.

0:30:090:30:10

Yeah!

0:30:260:30:27

Hallelujah. The saints are marching in!

0:30:300:30:33

SMOKEY CHUCKLES

0:30:330:30:34

Watch me become an ace today, boys.

0:30:510:30:53

Lightning, did you just say you're gonna become an ass today,

0:30:530:30:56

or an ace? I couldn't quite hear what you...

0:30:560:30:58

'Was it ass or ace? I couldn't hear.'

0:30:580:31:00

I think you heard him right, Smokey.

0:31:000:31:02

All right, men, cut the chatter.

0:31:020:31:04

Jesus. Would you look at that!

0:31:160:31:20

DULL THUD OF NAVAL GUNS

0:31:200:31:23

Oh, my goodness. Just like in the newsreels.

0:31:230:31:26

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

0:31:330:31:35

Keep your eyes peeled for the Jerries.

0:31:450:31:47

Bogies inbound, 12 o'clock.

0:32:010:32:02

And they're closing in mighty fast!

0:32:020:32:05

TRANSLATION FROM GERMAN:

0:32:080:32:10

All planes, hold formation.

0:32:120:32:14

Hold on.

0:32:220:32:24

Come on, come on, come on.

0:32:240:32:25

Any time, Red One.

0:32:300:32:31

Drop tanks!

0:32:350:32:36

Oh, shit!

0:32:420:32:44

'I'm shaking them! There's two more!'

0:32:450:32:47

Yes. They're cutting left!

0:32:470:32:49

'Put a little hitch in his giddy-up!'

0:32:490:32:51

'I'm feeling good now!'

0:32:510:32:52

'Remember, keep the beachhead clear.'

0:32:520:32:54

'It's clear'.

0:32:540:32:56

'Straighten up over there, Junior.'

0:32:560:32:58

Let's go, Lightning. I'm on one.

0:32:590:33:01

'I'm behind you. Break right!'

0:33:010:33:03

I got him. I got him.

0:33:030:33:04

Get on the inside, Easy! Get on the inside.

0:33:040:33:07

Come on, slip just a little.

0:33:160:33:18

Come on, tighter, tighter.

0:33:210:33:23

GUNFIRE

0:33:230:33:24

HE LAUGHS

0:33:290:33:31

Congratulations, Captain.

0:33:310:33:32

You are the first Negro to shoot down a Jerry! Whoo!

0:33:320:33:36

Ha-ha!

0:33:360:33:37

Junior! Straight ahead now.

0:33:390:33:42

There's my swastika.

0:33:420:33:44

I'm on your wing.

0:33:440:33:46

Come on, baby, just move a little bit closer.

0:33:500:33:52

All I want is a little bitty kiss.

0:33:520:33:54

Just give me a little peck on the cheek. Yeah!

0:33:540:33:56

Mwah!

0:33:560:33:57

Good shot.

0:33:580:34:00

HE CHUCKLES

0:34:040:34:05

BULLETS CLATTER

0:34:050:34:06

Oh, hell.

0:34:080:34:09

Joker, there's one on my tail!

0:34:170:34:18

OK, listen, Junior. Buttonhook right, and I'm gonna go left.

0:34:180:34:22

Come on.

0:34:220:34:23

GUNFIRE

0:34:230:34:25

No touchdown for you today, Fritz.

0:34:330:34:34

PILOT SCREAMS

0:34:410:34:43

Junior, you're all clear, buddy.

0:34:430:34:45

Deke, on your right!

0:34:470:34:48

I see him.

0:34:480:34:49

Let's give those newspapers something to write about.

0:34:550:34:58

Tennessee says hello!

0:35:030:35:04

There's the squad leader. I'm gonna take him out.

0:35:150:35:17

Careful. He's good.

0:35:200:35:21

GUNFIRE

0:35:210:35:22

You're letting him get away, Lightning!

0:35:240:35:26

I'm just toying with him.

0:35:260:35:28

This is for you, Pretty Boy, with your bright yellow nose!

0:35:280:35:31

Come on, boy. Line it up. One shot.

0:35:310:35:33

Holy crap!

0:35:410:35:42

How'd he do that?

0:35:440:35:46

-'Get him off me!'

-I'm on him.

0:35:460:35:48

-'Get him off me!'

-Get out of the way, Lightning!

0:35:480:35:49

Open your throttle.

0:35:490:35:51

Come on, man! Take him out!

0:35:530:35:56

'I can't get a clear shot. Hold on.'

0:35:560:35:58

Drop to your right.

0:36:000:36:01

All right! I got him.

0:36:050:36:06

Oh! Thank you, Lord.

0:36:060:36:08

And there I was thinking you didn't love me any more.

0:36:100:36:13

He's headed home to mama.

0:36:130:36:14

You thinking what I'm thinking?

0:36:180:36:20

'If you're thinking I should finish him off'

0:36:200:36:21

'so we can get back to the beachhead, yes.'

0:36:210:36:24

Or we could follow him.

0:36:240:36:26

We could go after their airdrome.

0:36:260:36:27

I don't know, Lightning. We got orders. You know that.

0:36:290:36:32

Come on, Easy. I'm talking about a Jerry airbase.

0:36:320:36:34

Dozens of planes! You're saying no?

0:36:340:36:37

All right. I'll trust your instincts this time.

0:36:370:36:40

But we're running low on fuel. We're gonna follow for five minutes.

0:36:400:36:42

You got that? Five minutes.

0:36:420:36:44

HE LAUGHS

0:36:440:36:46

Joker, you back there?

0:36:460:36:48

We're still back here.

0:36:490:36:51

Junior?

0:36:510:36:53

I'm ready for a turkey shoot.

0:36:530:36:54

Achtung! Mayday! Mayday!

0:37:050:37:07

SIRENS WAIL, SHOUTING OVER TANNOY

0:37:080:37:10

OFFICER SHOUTS IN GERMAN

0:37:130:37:15

ENGINES TURN OVER

0:37:160:37:17

There it is, boys. Get your scorecards ready.

0:37:190:37:22

Gotta knock out those fighters before they take off.

0:37:520:37:54

Got to take those guns out first.

0:37:540:37:56

THUD OF FLAK GUNS

0:37:560:37:57

SHOUTING IN GERMAN

0:37:570:37:59

GUNFIRE

0:38:070:38:08

Everybody, form up.

0:38:120:38:13

Here we go!

0:38:170:38:19

Brand-new 109s.

0:38:190:38:20

Not-so-brand-new 109s.

0:38:340:38:36

HE LAUGHS

0:38:360:38:37

Whoo! Like ducks in a row.

0:38:370:38:40

Argh!

0:38:430:38:44

All right. Two at once!

0:38:570:38:59

That's nothing. Watch me get four this time.

0:39:060:39:08

SCREAMING

0:39:130:39:14

Touchdown!

0:39:390:39:41

'We're running low on fuel.'

0:39:410:39:42

No time for celebration.

0:39:420:39:44

Whoo!

0:39:500:39:51

The Ray Gun strikes again.

0:39:510:39:53

Junior, watch out for that flak!

0:39:530:39:54

FLAK GUN THUDS

0:39:540:39:57

Ugh!

0:39:570:39:58

ENGINE SPUTTERS

0:39:580:40:00

HE GROANS

0:40:010:40:02

Good job, Lightning.

0:40:070:40:08

'Washington brass won't be able to ignore this.'

0:40:110:40:14

Hey! What happened to Junior?

0:40:440:40:46

There he is.

0:40:460:40:47

Three o'clock high. He's trailing oil.

0:40:470:40:50

Red One to Red Three. Junior, come in.

0:40:500:40:52

I took something in the leg.

0:40:540:40:56

Something in my head.

0:40:560:40:58

Level off, Junior, or you're gonna stall out.

0:40:590:41:03

All right.

0:41:030:41:04

BIRDS CHIRP

0:41:080:41:09

DISTANT ENGINES

0:41:160:41:17

Oh, yeah!

0:41:320:41:33

CHEERING

0:41:350:41:36

Yeah!

0:41:420:41:44

Yeah!

0:41:440:41:45

Yes!

0:41:480:41:49

HE SIGHS

0:41:540:41:55

Whoa!

0:42:080:42:09

They done shot down the whole Luftwaffe, didn't they?

0:42:100:42:13

Yes, they did, huh? Those hotshots sure did.

0:42:130:42:15

HE WHISTLES

0:42:150:42:17

Never doubted it.

0:42:220:42:23

Did I make it?

0:42:260:42:28

Yeah, you made it, damn knucklehead. Should have let you crash.

0:42:290:42:31

You'll be OK.

0:42:310:42:33

No surprises, Ray Gun. You get healthy, all right?

0:42:360:42:38

Luck is with you, Ray!

0:42:380:42:40

I think we can cautiously declare the landing a victory.

0:42:480:42:52

It's a slog, but the ground troops are holding. Colonel Bullard.

0:42:520:42:57

Sir.

0:42:570:42:58

Your boys chalked eight kills in the air,

0:42:580:43:01

63 aircraft destroyed on the ground.

0:43:010:43:03

No losses in their first wave.

0:43:030:43:04

Outstanding. Pass along my congratulations.

0:43:040:43:07

Thank you, sir.

0:43:070:43:09

Action reports and assessments by 1500.

0:43:090:43:12

Colonel.

0:43:170:43:18

Eight German fighters

0:43:200:43:21

or 80 German fighters,

0:43:210:43:23

it still doesn't change what I think of you and your boys.

0:43:230:43:27

We don't care.

0:43:270:43:28

Respect the uniform.

0:43:310:43:33

Believe me, sir, that is all I have respect for.

0:43:360:43:39

It's not as bad as all this.

0:43:480:43:50

Leg's good, eye's fine. In a week's time,

0:43:500:43:54

I'll be able to see fine out of one eye and mostly out of the other.

0:43:540:43:58

Mostly?

0:43:580:43:59

Is that what you want me to tell Stance?

0:44:000:44:02

"Sir, Ray Gun has one and a half eyes' worth of ability."

0:44:020:44:04

Look, come on. I landed a plane blind.

0:44:060:44:10

-Lightning...

-Hey, don't get me in this.

0:44:100:44:14

If the flight surgeon won't clean-bill you,

0:44:140:44:16

what do you expect me to do?

0:44:160:44:18

Just talk to him. He listens to you.

0:44:180:44:21

I mean, you got the same respect on this base as the old man, so...

0:44:220:44:28

I'd rather be dead than on the ground.

0:44:380:44:40

Easy, you're the best friend I got.

0:44:430:44:45

Please don't do this to me.

0:44:450:44:47

General Luntz, Colonel Bullard.

0:44:500:44:52

Thank you, Lieutenant.

0:44:520:44:54

-Colonel, please.

-Thank you.

0:44:590:45:01

No, thank you, sir.

0:45:020:45:05

Colonel, I'm in a hell of a fix with our target in Europe.

0:45:050:45:07

Our boys are getting cut to shreds.

0:45:070:45:10

I read the action report from Operation Shingle.

0:45:110:45:14

Eight kills in your first wave.

0:45:160:45:19

13 in all.

0:45:190:45:20

That's a right trick.

0:45:200:45:23

Colonel, I'll give it to you straight.

0:45:230:45:26

I can't afford the kind of losses my bombers have been suffering.

0:45:260:45:29

Do you have film of the air cover your bombers are getting now, sir?

0:45:290:45:32

We need to change the way we fight.

0:45:360:45:38

I need pilots who will fly close and tight to the heavies all the way.

0:45:390:45:44

Not put my men in harm's way by chasing rabbits.

0:45:450:45:48

So you're asking me to tell my men not to shoot down Jerry fighters?

0:45:480:45:52

I'm asking them to put the bombers ahead of themselves.

0:45:520:45:55

I don't care if they never splash another Jerry fighter.

0:45:550:45:58

I need to get my heavies to the target and back.

0:45:580:46:01

The losses from enemy air, I believe my men can get that down, sir.

0:46:010:46:04

If you can bring back one or two more of my planes every mission...

0:46:050:46:09

Sir, I believe we can cut your losses by 70% or 80%.

0:46:090:46:13

Colonel, the word is you're arrogant.

0:46:140:46:16

If "arrogant" is the only word people use to describe me now,

0:46:170:46:21

I would say I think I'm making progress.

0:46:210:46:24

HE CHUCKLES

0:46:240:46:25

Can you help us? I'm asking you man to man.

0:46:370:46:40

Can you help save lives?

0:46:400:46:42

We need new planes.

0:46:420:46:45

No more hand-me-downs.

0:46:450:46:46

If you get us new planes,

0:46:470:46:50

we can help your boys.

0:46:500:46:52

I got a bullet right through my canopy. I ought to be dead, y'all.

0:46:560:47:00

But nothing happened to me though. It's Black Jesus, I'm telling you.

0:47:000:47:03

Oh, go on with that. Let's play.

0:47:030:47:06

Don't sass Black Jesus, now you might need him one day.

0:47:060:47:08

What happened to you is luck. Just luck.

0:47:080:47:11

Lords of Poker,

0:47:110:47:13

Black Jesus, White Jesus,

0:47:130:47:15

Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, all of them!

0:47:150:47:18

I done lost all my damn money. Something is wrong.

0:47:180:47:21

Ain't that right.

0:47:210:47:22

How about you just get wise?

0:47:220:47:25

There is no special mojo running the world.

0:47:250:47:27

Things just are how they are.

0:47:270:47:29

Us getting shot up and the people

0:47:290:47:31

we're protecting not caring a thing for it.

0:47:310:47:33

I hear that.

0:47:330:47:34

You talk real tough, Joe Little. Real cold.

0:47:340:47:37

Well, reality's a little chilly.

0:47:370:47:39

-Is that right?

-Let's play!

0:47:390:47:40

Let me tell you about this cold, hard brother.

0:47:400:47:42

While y'all trying to get by with your whiskey and cigarettes,

0:47:420:47:45

-guess what he's doing with his rations?

-What's that?

-What he doing?

0:47:450:47:48

Trading them all for lingerie to spoil his old lady.

0:47:480:47:50

Oh, really?

0:47:500:47:51

-Perfume, silks.

-Aw!

0:47:510:47:52

That tease!

0:47:520:47:55

Yeah, well, lucky in love and lucky at cards.

0:47:550:47:59

Right...like...that. Boom!

0:47:590:48:02

Man, you are so beautiful.

0:48:230:48:27

Of course, you have no idea what I'm saying.

0:48:310:48:35

Sei molto bello.

0:48:350:48:36

Non hai idea di quello che sto dicendo, vero?

0:48:390:48:42

I...

0:48:450:48:46

I love you.

0:49:120:49:14

Oh, uh...

0:49:160:49:17

Wow, that's...

0:49:180:49:20

Uh...

0:49:210:49:22

-Uh...

-Sh!

0:49:240:49:25

CHATTER AND MUSIC

0:49:340:49:35

PIANO PLAYS

0:49:430:49:44

MUSIC AND CHAT STOP

0:49:470:49:48

What are you doing here? This is an officers' club.

0:49:530:49:56

I am an officer.

0:49:560:49:58

This is a Whites-only officers' club.

0:49:580:50:02

You're off the reservation, pal.

0:50:020:50:04

Try the Italian dance hall near the main plaza.

0:50:060:50:10

Hey. Go home, nigger.

0:50:100:50:13

I got what I came for. Good night.

0:50:140:50:16

CROWD ERUPTS

0:50:320:50:34

Am I going to be court-martialled?

0:50:460:50:48

I don't know.

0:50:500:50:52

I'm sure you trying to start a race riot won't help you...

0:50:520:50:54

I was finishing what they started!

0:50:540:50:56

Wrong or right, we got regs to live by.

0:50:560:50:57

And you throwing punches, busting them up, gets you what?

0:50:570:50:59

A good feeling, Easy. Right here.

0:50:590:51:02

A throb that says I didn't choke on what they were feeding me.

0:51:020:51:05

-How do your heart feel?

-You say "they" like it's all of them.

0:51:050:51:07

Same as always. "Shuffle along, cause no strife.

0:51:070:51:10

"Don't scare the ofays by speaking out."

0:51:100:51:12

Some other time I'd have stood

0:51:160:51:17

-with you, side by side.

-Some other time?

0:51:170:51:19

But you put a minute's worth of righteousness ahead of a whole war!

0:51:190:51:21

Ugh!

0:51:210:51:22

Same old Joe Little.

0:51:220:51:24

Still getting into the wrong fights for the wrong reasons.

0:51:240:51:27

Your reasons any better?

0:51:270:51:29

You spent your whole life being one big, lousy Atlanta Compromise.

0:51:320:51:36

Well, go sell that somewhere else. I'm not buying it.

0:51:360:51:39

I've come bearing gifts.

0:52:250:52:26

I'm all ears, sir.

0:52:260:52:29

Bomber escort. New P-51s.

0:52:290:52:31

You did it. You really did it, sir.

0:52:310:52:34

-Come on. Let's get some food. I'm hungry.

-Welcome home, Colonel.

0:52:340:52:36

SHOUTING AND CHATTER

0:52:360:52:38

Lieutenant Little. What am I going to do with you?

0:53:030:53:06

Everything's a fight, isn't it?

0:53:090:53:12

It must be so goddamn exhausting being you.

0:53:120:53:15

You know something, Joe Little?

0:53:180:53:21

You're a punk.

0:53:210:53:22

You remind me...

0:53:260:53:28

..of one of those kids from a comic strip.

0:53:290:53:32

Walking around...

0:53:330:53:35

..pushing his sleeve up one arm...

0:53:360:53:39

..hand balled in a tight fist...

0:53:400:53:42

..walking and looking at the world through a squint.

0:53:440:53:47

Always looking to knock something down just because it's standing.

0:53:480:53:53

It's right there.

0:53:560:53:58

It's right there.

0:54:020:54:04

You really want to knock something down?

0:54:040:54:07

Try using that.

0:54:090:54:10

Because I will tell you straight, I don't have anything against you.

0:54:140:54:19

I have the highest expectations for you.

0:54:190:54:23

Lieutenant Little,

0:54:320:54:35

I need everyone on this next mission.

0:54:350:54:37

And you're lucky you're the best damn pilot we've got.

0:54:370:54:41

Report to your unit.

0:54:410:54:43

# Bless you

0:54:440:54:46

# For being an angel

0:54:460:54:49

# Just when it seemed

0:54:510:54:54

# That heaven was not for me

0:54:540:54:58

# Bless you, for building... #

0:54:590:55:03

They let you out, huh?

0:55:100:55:11

Or did you bust out?

0:55:130:55:14

Very funny.

0:55:140:55:15

Look...

0:55:180:55:19

..I said some things.

0:55:210:55:22

Yeah, you did.

0:55:220:55:24

I didn't mean them.

0:55:260:55:28

Yeah, you did.

0:55:280:55:29

You know me. Act first, think later.

0:55:310:55:34

Well, nobody's perfect.

0:55:360:55:38

We good?

0:55:400:55:41

Yeah, we're good.

0:55:430:55:44

HE SIGHS

0:55:500:55:51

I figured it out.

0:55:540:55:57

What? That throwing punches doesn't solve your problems?

0:55:570:56:00

No.

0:56:000:56:01

That manoeuvre Pretty Boy pulled on me, got on my tail,

0:56:020:56:05

I figured out how to do it.

0:56:050:56:07

Fancy trick flying will only get you killed.

0:56:090:56:11

Or make me an ace.

0:56:110:56:13

The American pilots flying escort now go for every kill they can score.

0:56:180:56:23

That's how they were trained. That's how they fight.

0:56:230:56:27

Here's how we change up the strategy. Lights up.

0:56:280:56:31

At all costs, under every circumstance,

0:56:320:56:35

you protect the heavies.

0:56:350:56:37

Colonel.

0:56:370:56:38

We signed up to shoot Germans, not babysit planes.

0:56:400:56:43

You signed up to follow orders.

0:56:430:56:47

One bomber, that's ten men.

0:56:470:56:49

You getting one Jerry so you can put a cross on your plane,

0:56:490:56:54

that doesn't balance that.

0:56:540:56:56

We count our victories

0:56:570:56:58

by the bombers we get to their targets.

0:56:580:57:02

By the husbands we return to their wives.

0:57:020:57:05

By the fathers we get back to their children.

0:57:060:57:10

What has not changed, what will never change,

0:57:100:57:13

from the last plane, to the last bullet, to the last minute,

0:57:130:57:17

to the last man, we fight.

0:57:170:57:19

We fight!

0:57:210:57:22

ALL: Yes, sir!

0:57:220:57:23

We've secured new aircrafts. P-51s.

0:57:310:57:34

EXCITED CHATTER

0:57:340:57:35

The best the AAF's got.

0:57:350:57:37

As soon as we get the A-OK, we'll begin ferrying them in from Bari.

0:57:370:57:41

Dismissed.

0:57:430:57:45

Yahoo!

0:57:450:57:46

Say cheese, say cheese.

0:57:590:58:00

Woohoo! My, my, my!

0:58:010:58:04

Hey, Maurice! How are they flying?

0:58:040:58:06

Like angels.

0:58:080:58:09

I don't know any angels with six .50-calibre machine guns.

0:58:090:58:12

All right, men, get your manuals. Get familiar.

0:58:120:58:15

-Coffee!

-Yes, sir.

0:58:150:58:16

We'll need them all marked up and ready to fly.

0:58:160:58:19

It's taken care of.

0:58:190:58:21

The Major says paint their tails bright red, so they stand out.

0:58:210:58:24

Like the Red Baron.

0:58:240:58:26

-Loud and proud.

-Appreciate it.

0:58:260:58:28

Beautiful.

0:58:320:58:33

EXCITED CHATTER

0:58:330:58:34

# Blue skies smiling at me

0:58:390:58:43

# Nothing but blue skies do I see. #

0:58:430:58:48

This will definitely make the group distinctive.

0:58:480:58:51

Bright red tails and Black pilots?

0:58:520:58:55

You can't call us nothing else but distinctive.

0:58:550:58:58

# From now on

0:59:000:59:02

# Never saw the sun shining so bright

0:59:040:59:07

# Never saw things going so right... #

0:59:070:59:11

What do you think?

0:59:110:59:12

It's like it's speeding even when it's sitting.

0:59:120:59:15

I never even met a girl as beautiful as this plane.

0:59:170:59:21

Well, take good care of her.

0:59:210:59:22

What do you mean?

0:59:230:59:25

I twisted the flight surgeon's arm.

0:59:250:59:27

Got you back on the roster. You going up with us next mission.

0:59:270:59:33

JUNIOR LAUGHS

0:59:330:59:34

Uh...

0:59:360:59:37

Sorry. Thank you, sir.

0:59:370:59:39

I'm going to tell the guys.

0:59:390:59:41

Heavenly Father, we thank you for this glorious day.

1:00:121:00:15

We ask that you send your angels down to surround us

1:00:151:00:18

as we fly through the sky.

1:00:181:00:20

We know that it's part of your master plan

1:00:201:00:22

that we've made it all the way from Tuskegee here to Ramitelli.

1:00:221:00:26

We are very confident in our abilities,

1:00:261:00:28

but we ask that you give us the vision, the sight,

1:00:281:00:32

and the speed and power to make it through this mission.

1:00:321:00:34

All the airmen say, "In Jesus' name we pray." Amen.

1:00:341:00:38

-ALL:

-Amen.

1:00:381:00:39

Nothing's difficult! ALL: Everything's a challenge.

1:00:391:00:41

-Through adversity... ALL:

-..to the stars!

1:00:411:00:43

From the last plane, to the last bullet,

1:00:431:00:45

to the last minute, to the last man, we fight!

1:00:451:00:46

-ALL:

-We fight!

-We fight!

-We fight!

-We fight!

-We fight!

1:00:461:00:49

GUNSHOT

1:01:551:01:56

Anybody got eyes on the bombers?

1:02:441:02:47

Uh...

1:02:471:02:48

We are all by our lonesome, Red One. Think we screwed up.

1:02:481:02:52

Right on target, and according to my reckoning, 32 seconds early.

1:02:521:02:56

We're here. They're not.

1:02:561:02:58

Maybe the bombers turned back.

1:02:581:03:00

Damn! Maybe they went on without us.

1:03:001:03:02

Red One, there they are.

1:03:051:03:07

Nine o'clock low.

1:03:071:03:08

Junior, head on over to the bomber leader.

1:03:121:03:15

-'Let him know we're friendlies.'

-Roger that.

1:03:151:03:18

Bogies! Three high.

1:03:231:03:24

'Everybody, on your guns.'

1:03:241:03:26

'Counting close to 70 chicks. We got one coming down.'

1:03:261:03:29

Hold your fire. They're ours.

1:03:321:03:34

Red tails? I don't recognise the markings.

1:03:341:03:38

He's Coloured.

1:03:381:03:39

Yeah, right.

1:03:391:03:41

Hell if I'm joking! Look.

1:03:411:03:43

Jesus Christ. They can't all be Coloured.

1:03:451:03:47

One fighter group of all Negro pilots? I don't believe it!

1:03:471:03:50

What the hell do we do?

1:03:521:03:54

Tacoma One to all planes. Everybody's eyes open.

1:03:541:03:57

'I don't think our fighter escort is gonna be much help this trip.'

1:03:571:04:00

Fighters, four o'clock.

1:04:221:04:24

They're not attacking. Let them go.

1:04:241:04:26

Let them go?

1:04:261:04:27

Our orders are to stay with the bombers.

1:04:271:04:30

Uh. What? What? You're breaking up.

1:04:301:04:32

You heard Colonel Bullard. Forget the prize, save the lives.

1:04:321:04:36

God, I hate this war.

1:04:361:04:38

Look at that. Those Red Tails are staying put.

1:04:401:04:43

They're giving up glory to save our asses.

1:04:431:04:46

Here we go, Lightning.

1:04:561:04:57

Right behind you.

1:04:571:04:58

Where did this jackass come from?

1:05:041:05:06

Get out of there, Lightning! Come on, get out of there!

1:05:141:05:17

Don't you worry about me. I'm just playing with him.

1:05:171:05:20

Stop fooling around! Damn it, I'm coming.

1:05:201:05:23

'No, you're not. Stay put.'

1:05:231:05:24

I'm gonna show him a little trick I learned.

1:05:281:05:30

Whoo! Ha-ha!

1:05:381:05:40

Lightning, when are you gonna learn this is not a game?

1:05:401:05:44

Coming up on anti-aircraft guns.

1:05:471:05:49

Those Jerries are hightailing it out of here.

1:06:031:06:05

Flak's getting thick.

1:06:051:06:07

Break off. Circle clear of the flak until the bombers return.

1:06:071:06:10

Good luck, bombardiers!

1:06:131:06:14

BOMBS WHISTLE

1:06:241:06:25

All bombs away! Let's get the hell out of here.

1:06:321:06:35

Here they come. Form up.

1:06:371:06:39

Hey, Junior! You got a bandit on your left! Get out of there.

1:06:491:06:52

I'll take him.

1:06:521:06:53

'Junior, get out of there!'

1:06:531:06:55

Where is he? I can't see him!

1:06:551:06:56

Ah!

1:07:001:07:01

Junior, where are you? Are you all right?

1:07:031:07:05

I'm all right! I'm all right!

1:07:051:07:07

Junior, you're on fire!

1:07:071:07:09

Junior, get out of the plane!

1:07:091:07:11

Junior!

1:07:111:07:12

Come on, Junior, bail!

1:07:161:07:17

Geronimo!

1:07:231:07:24

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

1:07:371:07:38

We didn't lose a single plane.

1:07:521:07:54

Well, that's a first.

1:07:541:07:56

Red One, Deke's trailing fuel!

1:07:591:08:01

Don't look good.

1:08:011:08:03

Deke, talk to me. What's your status?

1:08:041:08:07

I'm all right.

1:08:071:08:08

I got gas spraying everywhere, but I think I'm gonna be OK.

1:08:081:08:12

I'm a little dizzy, but other than that, I'm fine.

1:08:121:08:16

All right, listen up.

1:08:161:08:19

I'll give escort to Deke. Everybody else head back to base.

1:08:191:08:22

No, I'll stay. I'm his wingman. I'll stay.

1:08:221:08:24

Let me take him, Easy. God, I hate this mask!

1:08:241:08:27

It's my call, Lightning.

1:08:271:08:29

Your calls have been a little off lately.

1:08:291:08:31

What? What are you talking about?

1:08:311:08:33

Junior shouldn't have been up here.

1:08:331:08:36

You got a problem with the way I'm running this squad,

1:08:361:08:38

you talk to Bullard about it, all right?

1:08:381:08:40

Until then, I'm in control.

1:08:401:08:42

And my order for you right now is to head back to base.

1:08:421:08:44

Damn!

1:08:461:08:48

All right, Deke, you'll be all right.

1:08:481:08:50

I'll see you back at the ranch. You got Black Jesus with you, boy!

1:08:501:08:53

Thanks, Smokey.

1:08:531:08:55

Well, get me home, Easy.

1:09:021:09:05

No, sir. You're going to get yourself home.

1:09:051:09:07

What the hell put the Captain in such a bad mood?

1:09:111:09:13

He gets like that sometimes.

1:09:131:09:15

He knows good and well he shouldn't have let Junior fly.

1:09:151:09:18

That boy was half blind.

1:09:181:09:19

We're almost home.

1:09:211:09:23

I hope we meet up with those Red Tails next time.

1:09:231:09:25

Listen, boys, the bombers have passed their safe point.

1:09:251:09:28

Our mission is over. Let's head back to base.

1:09:281:09:31

You guys are taking the long way.

1:09:431:09:44

I'm going to take a short cut down the coast.

1:09:441:09:47

Come on now, Lightning. Ain't no need to get all crazy.

1:09:471:09:50

You know you got to stay with your squadron.

1:09:501:09:51

You stay with the slow-ass squadron. I'm running low on fuel.

1:09:511:09:54

And what if you turn up missing?

1:09:541:09:56

Then I'll have to break it to Major Stance.

1:09:561:09:58

-Well, break it to him gently.

-'Great, great, great!'

1:09:581:10:02

One's a drunk and the other one does whatever the hell he wants to do.

1:10:021:10:05

Smokey, stay with him.

1:10:051:10:07

'And keep him out of trouble.'

1:10:071:10:09

Don't worry. I'll stick with him.

1:10:091:10:11

My head, it hurts.

1:10:161:10:19

We're almost there, Deke.

1:10:191:10:21

Stay with me.

1:10:211:10:22

Easy, I got blood all over me, but I'm not bleeding.

1:10:251:10:29

You're gonna be OK. I'm right above you.

1:10:291:10:33

Captain, I'm getting real dizzy.

1:10:331:10:36

I need to rest a minute.

1:10:361:10:38

No, no. Stay alert, Deke. I'm here with you.

1:10:391:10:42

I can't really see anything!

1:10:421:10:45

Everything's all blurred! I got double vision.

1:10:451:10:49

You're slipping, Deke! Deke, you're slipping! Steady up!

1:10:491:10:53

All right.

1:10:541:10:56

All right.

1:10:571:10:58

You're diving, Deke. You need to pull back on your stick.

1:11:091:11:11

Pull up, Deke, pull up!

1:11:141:11:16

Deke, listen to me! Pull back on your stick now!

1:11:181:11:20

'Pull up, Deke, pull up!'

1:11:201:11:22

Pull up?

1:11:221:11:24

Oh, I'm pulling up! I'm pulling up!

1:11:241:11:29

Come on!

1:11:291:11:30

I must have passed out!

1:11:351:11:36

I need you to stay with me, OK? Stay with me.

1:11:401:11:43

-'Just keep talking.'

-All right.

1:11:431:11:46

Lightning, look! German destroyer, moving to the north!

1:11:581:12:02

I still got ammo. How about you?

1:12:061:12:08

Nah. You need about a 500-pound bomb to put a dent in that thing.

1:12:081:12:13

Plus, that baby got very, very big guns.

1:12:131:12:16

Just watch me.

1:12:161:12:18

Lightning, no, all right? Don't be crazy.

1:12:181:12:21

If the big guns don't kill you, your plane will get messed up,

1:12:211:12:24

'and Coffee is gonna kill you.'

1:12:241:12:26

Relax, Smokey. Worrying too much will kill you.

1:12:261:12:29

Flugzeug!

1:12:341:12:36

SIRENS WAIL, SHOUTING

1:12:361:12:37

All right! That was fun! OK, come on now, time to go home.

1:12:551:12:58

Just one more pass.

1:12:581:13:00

How do you like that, Mr Hitler?

1:13:111:13:13

Lightning, you a damn fool! But I love you! Come on.

1:13:131:13:16

Ramitelli to Subsoil Red One. Do you read?

1:13:261:13:29

'I got Red Four with me, he's busted up pretty bed.'

1:13:291:13:31

Stay alert, Deke. Stay alert.

1:13:341:13:36

Ramitelli, have a fire truck standing by. He's leaking fuel.

1:13:361:13:39

I repeat, he's leaking fuel.

1:13:391:13:41

This is Major Stance.

1:13:431:13:45

Circle a half-mile out and have Red Four bail.

1:13:451:13:48

Flight surgeons will be there waiting.

1:13:481:13:50

'Copy that.'

1:13:501:13:51

You're gonna put it into a left bank, and you're up and out. All right?

1:13:531:13:56

I can't get the canopy open!

1:13:591:14:01

Easy!

1:14:041:14:05

Listen, Deke, the only thing between you living and dying is that canopy.

1:14:051:14:08

Now, get it open!

1:14:081:14:09

I can't open it!

1:14:101:14:12

I can't open it!

1:14:131:14:15

Red Four cannot open his canopy. I repeat, he cannot open his canopy.

1:14:151:14:19

I'm gonna have to bring him in.

1:14:191:14:21

Roger that.

1:14:211:14:22

Sweet Jesus,

1:14:261:14:28

don't let this happen to me.

1:14:281:14:29

OK. OK.

1:14:321:14:34

'All right, Deke. Flaps down.'

1:14:341:14:37

Flaps down.

1:14:371:14:38

There you go.

1:14:421:14:43

Level off, level off!

1:14:481:14:50

I'm levelling.

1:14:511:14:53

Help me, sir. I'm covered in fuel!

1:14:541:14:56

I'm coming around behind you, Deke.

1:14:561:14:58

All right, now get your gear down.

1:15:021:15:04

Easy! I think I'm coming in too hot!

1:15:131:15:16

I don't want to die! I'm not ready!

1:15:161:15:19

Just relax. Just relax. Level off, Deke.

1:15:191:15:22

Too fast. I'm going too fast!

1:15:251:15:27

Nose up! Nose up!

1:15:291:15:31

Come on!

1:15:321:15:33

Drop your throttle! Nose down!

1:15:371:15:39

'Nose down!'

1:15:391:15:41

No! No!

1:15:411:15:43

Shit!

1:16:021:16:03

SIRENS WAIL

1:16:061:16:08

Deke!

1:16:171:16:18

INDISTINCT SHOUTING

1:16:281:16:30

Smoke cloud on the left.

1:16:421:16:44

You don't think that's Deke, do you?

1:16:491:16:51

-Who was it?

-Deke.

1:17:211:17:22

It was Deke.

1:17:241:17:25

-Oh, shit.

-An engine fire.

1:17:251:17:27

Gas leak must have caught on the landing.

1:17:271:17:30

But I talked to the medics, they said he's gonna be all right.

1:17:301:17:32

-Must have been a spark.

-What?

1:17:321:17:35

You've been drinking.

1:17:361:17:38

-You're going to blame this on me?

-Tell me you haven't been drinking.

1:17:381:17:41

-I got him down!

-Say it!

1:17:411:17:42

I got him down alive! You don't blame this on me!

1:17:421:17:46

I did everything I could do!

1:17:461:17:48

Joe! Joe!

1:17:481:17:50

All back, Colonel.

1:18:421:18:44

The good news is Lieutenant Watkins survived the fireball landing.

1:18:441:18:47

He's in critical.

1:18:471:18:48

Do they think he's gonna make it?

1:18:481:18:50

Yes, sir.

1:18:501:18:51

60% third-degree burns.

1:18:511:18:54

We're sending him back home.

1:18:541:18:55

I brought the background on the captured flyer,

1:18:571:19:00

Lieutenant Ray Gannon.

1:19:001:19:02

His mother's name is Dorothy. Father is Thomas.

1:19:021:19:05

His wife's name is Thelma. They have a little girl, Adele.

1:19:051:19:09

In particular, Ray loved to fly.

1:19:091:19:12

More than any pilot we have, he loved to be in the air.

1:19:121:19:16

TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS

1:19:161:19:17

Here is the new prisoner your captain requested,

1:20:041:20:07

Lieutenant Ray Gannon.

1:20:071:20:10

A pilot with the 332nd.

1:20:101:20:13

Where the hell did you come from?

1:20:151:20:17

Lieutenant!

1:20:201:20:21

Sit down.

1:20:271:20:29

So, I bet you're wondering why I picked you to bunk with us.

1:20:341:20:37

It's not something I care to think about.

1:20:371:20:40

Don't worry.

1:20:411:20:43

It's not so we can hang you or anything.

1:20:431:20:46

I chose you because I know you can't be a German spy,

1:20:461:20:49

being Coloured and all.

1:20:491:20:51

We're in the middle of a rather delicate operation,

1:20:511:20:54

and we don't need any new white faces.

1:20:541:20:56

You'll be treated no differently than any other man here.

1:20:561:20:59

Any problems, you tell me.

1:20:591:21:00

Come on! Let's go! Move, move, move!

1:21:051:21:09

Line it up! Let's go!

1:21:091:21:12

I welcome you to the 332nd Fighter Group. You're a long way from home.

1:21:141:21:18

CHEERING

1:21:181:21:20

Jerry's going down!

1:21:221:21:23

I'm telling you, Lightning sunk it.

1:21:231:21:25

-That is a destroyer.

-Shit, Lightning's crazy!

1:21:251:21:27

Here it comes!

1:21:321:21:34

Whoo!

1:21:341:21:35

I came around for a second pass. Watch this.

1:21:351:21:38

CHEERING

1:21:381:21:40

ALL: We fight! We fight! We fight! We fight! We fight!

1:21:451:21:48

DOG BARKS

1:22:241:22:25

Mm.

1:22:461:22:47

SHE SPEAKS ITALIAN

1:22:511:22:52

My best friend.

1:22:571:22:59

He...

1:23:001:23:01

He almost caused the death of one of our pilots.

1:23:021:23:05

I don't know what to do.

1:23:091:23:11

I am so glad I found you.

1:23:251:23:27

I want you to stop, Easy.

1:23:551:23:57

Stop what?

1:23:571:23:59

You can't drink on duty.

1:23:591:24:00

I told you, what happened to Deke wasn't my fault, all right?

1:24:001:24:02

No-one cares what you do when you're in town.

1:24:021:24:04

How you relax is your business.

1:24:041:24:05

This coming from a guy who flies like he's got some kind of death wish.

1:24:051:24:09

You're a piece of work, Joe.

1:24:091:24:11

You ignore me up there then all of a sudden you expect me

1:24:111:24:13

-to listen to you down here.

-All right, all right, all right.

1:24:131:24:17

Tell you what. I'll make you a deal.

1:24:191:24:21

You promise to ditch the bottle...

1:24:231:24:26

..I'll promise to fly right.

1:24:271:24:29

And follow my orders.

1:24:311:24:33

And follow your orders.

1:24:381:24:40

Happy?

1:24:421:24:44

Very happy.

1:24:441:24:46

I can't wait to hear her sweet singing!

1:25:011:25:03

You guys can go chase skirt. I'm going to Sofia's.

1:25:031:25:06

What did you say, about three miles?

1:25:081:25:10

-Odds of us getting pinched?

-I won't even take that action.

1:25:101:25:13

MAN: Hey, flyboys!

1:25:131:25:15

That trouble. Keep walking. Come on.

1:25:151:25:18

Don't just walk away from me.

1:25:181:25:19

-He picked the wrong day.

-Let's go.

1:25:191:25:22

Hey, come over here!

1:25:221:25:24

What?

1:25:281:25:29

You guys.

1:25:301:25:32

You're the Red Tails, right?

1:25:331:25:35

You know, Red Tails?

1:25:381:25:39

Coloured boy flyers?

1:25:391:25:41

Well, I wouldn't necessarily say it like that, but who's asking?

1:25:411:25:46

Chester Barnes, 98th Bomb Group.

1:25:461:25:49

You guys flew a little top cover for us about a month ago.

1:25:491:25:52

A little run over Ploiesti?

1:25:521:25:54

It was the best goddamn flying I've ever seen, gentlemen.

1:25:541:25:57

And we guys, well, we feel that we owe all you boys a drink.

1:25:571:26:00

Why don't you come and join us? Come on.

1:26:021:26:04

Come and join them?

1:26:081:26:10

What's he saying?

1:26:101:26:11

Come on. Drinks are on us.

1:26:121:26:15

Well, I'll be damned.

1:26:151:26:17

I guess the dance hall will have to wait.

1:26:171:26:20

-How you doing?

-Much obliged.

1:26:211:26:23

# He was a famous trumpet man from out Chicago way

1:26:291:26:32

# He had a boogie style that no-one else could play

1:26:321:26:35

# He was the top man at his craft

1:26:351:26:37

# But then his number came up and he was gone with the draft

1:26:371:26:40

# He's in the army now a-blowin' reveille

1:26:401:26:43

# He's the boogie woogie bugle boy of Company B

1:26:431:26:46

# They made him blow a bugle for his Uncle Sam

1:26:461:26:49

# It really brought him down because he couldn't jam

1:26:491:26:51

# The captain seemed to understand... #

1:26:511:26:54

All right, boys, listen up!

1:26:541:26:56

These fellas are the Red Tails.

1:26:561:26:59

They're the guys who have been giving us an escort.

1:26:591:27:02

First drink is on me, fellas. Whatever you'd like.

1:27:021:27:05

Hanson, Travis J.

1:27:091:27:12

Samuel George.

1:27:121:27:13

Me and the boys over here are with the 463rd Bomb Group.

1:27:131:27:17

Glad to meet you, man.

1:27:171:27:18

You flew with us over Brux. Appreciate you getting us home.

1:27:181:27:21

Hey, have you guys run into any of those new jet pursuit fighters?

1:27:251:27:29

We haven't been that lucky.

1:27:291:27:31

Well, we've been that unlucky.

1:27:311:27:33

Those babies go so fast you can't even see them.

1:27:331:27:36

I got one spare one, sir. I got one...

1:27:401:27:44

INDISTINCT

1:27:441:27:46

You know,

1:27:461:27:48

we say "Coloured."

1:27:481:27:50

But that's not what you prefer?

1:27:501:27:54

No, no. The word is...

1:27:541:27:56

ALL: "Negro."

1:27:561:27:57

When you get upset, when you get mad, you turn red, right?

1:28:001:28:04

When you get envious or sick, you turn green.

1:28:041:28:08

When you become cowardly, you turn yellow.

1:28:081:28:10

And y'all got the nerve to call us Coloured.

1:28:101:28:12

LAUGHTER

1:28:121:28:13

INDISTINCT ITALIAN CHATTER

1:28:201:28:22

I want to ask you an important question.

1:28:471:28:50

Um...

1:28:501:28:51

HE SPEAKS ITALIAN

1:28:511:28:53

OK.

1:28:531:28:55

SHE SPEAKS ITALIAN

1:28:551:28:56

Vuoi sposarmi?

1:29:071:29:10

Um...

1:29:151:29:17

Vuoi sposarmi?

1:29:171:29:18

Will you marry me?

1:29:211:29:23

SHE SPEAKS ITALIAN

1:29:241:29:26

SHE SIGHS

1:29:311:29:33

Uh...

1:29:331:29:34

Time to think.

1:29:371:29:40

Oh.

1:29:421:29:44

OK.

1:29:471:29:48

When you get to the other side, don't wait.

1:29:571:29:59

Just run for the woods, OK? Go!

1:29:591:30:01

Remember, run for the woods!

1:30:011:30:04

It's Ray Gun, he's back with the batteries.

1:30:041:30:06

Any problems?

1:30:061:30:07

They won't even know they're missing.

1:30:071:30:09

Divide the batteries among those who have flashlights.

1:30:091:30:12

You've been a great help, Ray Gun.

1:30:121:30:13

I guess there's a lot more to you Coloureds than I thought.

1:30:131:30:17

We...

1:30:171:30:19

We want you to travel with us.

1:30:191:30:21

Oh, I can't. I'll stick out like a pig in a poultry shop.

1:30:211:30:25

I'll draw attention to you guys.

1:30:251:30:28

Thank you.

1:30:281:30:29

I'll go alone. But...

1:30:291:30:31

..here, take my dog tags.

1:30:331:30:35

Get them back to my unit.

1:30:351:30:38

You're a wily sucker, Ray. At least they won't see you in the dark.

1:30:381:30:42

Good luck, Lieutenant.

1:30:421:30:45

-Safe journey, Captain.

-Good luck, Ray.

1:30:451:30:47

Good luck.

1:30:471:30:48

Remember, run for the woods.

1:30:501:30:52

OK, let's go.

1:30:521:30:54

DOGS BARK

1:31:011:31:02

Was ist das!

1:31:371:31:39

-Run, Miller, run!

-Halt!

1:31:391:31:41

HE SHOUTS IN GERMAN

1:31:411:31:43

Halt!

1:31:431:31:45

Halt! Halt!

1:31:451:31:46

# Hot tamales, and they're red hot Yes, she got them for sale

1:31:501:31:55

# Hot tamales, and they're red hot Yes, she got them for sale

1:31:551:31:58

# I got a girl, she's long and tall

1:31:581:32:00

# Sleeps in the kitchen with her feets in the hall... #

1:32:001:32:03

Sticks on metal ain't music. It ain't.

1:32:031:32:06

I like music.

1:32:061:32:07

Aww! Coffee, were you always mean as hell,

1:32:071:32:10

or you just get like that with old age?

1:32:101:32:12

I once was a happy man. Never did not have a smile on my face.

1:32:121:32:16

That was before you guys started tearing up my beautiful planes.

1:32:161:32:19

I could tolerate the P-40s.

1:32:191:32:21

But these new babies getting beat up? It breaks my heart.

1:32:211:32:24

Come on, Coffee. I only came back with two holes this time.

1:32:241:32:27

Uh. Six. Six holes.

1:32:291:32:31

Well, that ain't nothing compared to what's gonna happen to you

1:32:311:32:33

when you run into those jets those bomber jockeys was talking about.

1:32:331:32:37

I ain't afraid of no jets.

1:32:371:32:39

Don't go trying your old tricks, Lightning.

1:32:391:32:41

If you end up too close behind one of those jets,

1:32:411:32:43

the turbulence alone will blow your Black ass right out of the sky.

1:32:431:32:46

Trust me, I'm gonna be the first one to shoot one of those things down.

1:32:461:32:49

And I'll be the second.

1:32:491:32:50

My advice is, you see one, you run like hell.

1:32:501:32:53

The only thing in life that makes me want to run like hell

1:32:531:32:56

-is you, Coffee.

-LAUGHTER

1:32:561:32:57

That's gonna get you killed out there. I'm not dancing with you.

1:32:591:33:04

The target is a tank factory on the outskirts of Berlin.

1:33:041:33:08

Shut that down, you shut down Jerry's ability

1:33:081:33:12

to shore up a Berlin defence.

1:33:121:33:14

General Campbell's wing will be leading the bombardment.

1:33:141:33:17

You have recon on the area?

1:33:171:33:19

In the air, we're expecting everything the Luftwaffe's got,

1:33:191:33:22

100s, 109s, 190s.

1:33:221:33:24

A possibility of 262s, German jet fighters.

1:33:251:33:28

-Jet fighters?

-The boys are gonna love this one!

1:33:281:33:30

The target area isn't your concern.

1:33:321:33:35

The 52nd will escort the General's planes into Berlin.

1:33:361:33:39

Is there a reason, sir?

1:33:411:33:43

1,600 miles to Berlin and back. The fighters need to take it in stages.

1:33:431:33:47

With external fuel tanks, the 51s can make it.

1:33:471:33:50

I guarantee our pilots can.

1:33:501:33:52

I'd prefer the Red Tails take the leg where we need protecting.

1:33:521:33:55

Our first major air offensive over Berlin.

1:33:551:33:58

From a propaganda point of view,

1:33:591:34:02

a lot of attention gonna be paid to this and a lot of ink spilled.

1:34:021:34:05

And Negro pilots aren't part of that story.

1:34:051:34:08

Colonel, AJ.

1:34:101:34:12

This is coming from way above me.

1:34:141:34:17

If you didn't have my respect,

1:34:171:34:18

I wouldn't be talking to you face-to-face.

1:34:181:34:21

But we don't win this war, all my regard,

1:34:211:34:25

everything that you and your men have done...

1:34:251:34:28

..none of it means a thing.

1:34:301:34:32

Colonel.

1:34:401:34:42

Please see to it that the General gets to his plane.

1:34:421:34:45

Sir.

1:34:451:34:47

You like it?

1:34:561:34:58

I want you

1:35:031:35:09

stay in Italia.

1:35:091:35:11

You want me to stay?

1:35:141:35:16

Does that mean...

1:35:191:35:22

Does that mean you'll marry me?

1:35:221:35:24

Yes. Marriage.

1:35:251:35:27

SHE GIGGLES

1:35:301:35:31

I love you.

1:35:341:35:36

I can't believe it.

1:35:401:35:42

SHE GIGGLES

1:35:431:35:44

I'm getting married.

1:35:461:35:48

OK, we're going to throw it, all right? There you go.

1:35:541:35:57

There you go. All right. Throw!

1:35:591:36:01

I'm looking for Captain Julian.

1:36:211:36:24

Right here.

1:36:241:36:25

You the one they call Easy?

1:36:281:36:30

I guess some people do. What can I help you with?

1:36:301:36:34

I'm Captain Miller. I was in prison with Lieutenant Gannon.

1:36:341:36:38

He asked me to give his tags to you.

1:36:381:36:40

Four of us got out.

1:36:441:36:46

The deal was, if we made it and he didn't,

1:36:461:36:48

I'd get his dog tags back to his unit.

1:36:481:36:50

Ray was a good man.

1:36:521:36:53

To whoever it matters, you tell them from me -

1:36:541:36:58

Ray was the best soldier I ever met.

1:36:581:37:00

Thank you.

1:37:021:37:03

A moment, Colonel.

1:37:201:37:22

What is it, Captain?

1:37:241:37:26

Ray Gannon's dog tags, sir.

1:37:301:37:32

A soldier brought it by today. He and Ray were prisoners together.

1:37:341:37:39

They got out from under the Germans but...

1:37:401:37:42

..Ray didn't make it.

1:37:431:37:45

Sir, Ray Gun wasn't fit when I put him back in rotation.

1:37:501:37:54

The flight surgeon wouldn't clean-bill him,

1:37:541:37:56

so I talked my way right past him.

1:37:561:37:58

I just don't feel like I'm fit to lead the squad any more.

1:38:031:38:06

I've made so many mistakes.

1:38:101:38:12

No, you've made one big mistake.

1:38:121:38:14

That self-pity of yours, that's your weakness.

1:38:141:38:18

But it ends right here, right now.

1:38:181:38:21

You man up, you lead your squad.

1:38:211:38:23

Every decision that you make isn't gonna always be the right one.

1:38:241:38:28

All right, this is it.

1:38:371:38:40

For the first time, the bombers are going all the way to Berlin.

1:38:401:38:43

They'll be up against 109s and 262s the new jet fighters.

1:38:431:38:49

LAUGHTER AND WHOOPING

1:38:491:38:52

Whoo!

1:38:521:38:53

Unfortunately, we're only going to escort them

1:38:551:38:57

on the first leg of their mission,

1:38:571:38:59

so I don't expect you'll see much action.

1:38:591:39:02

You will rendezvous with the relief escorts at 0830.

1:39:021:39:05

I know this is disappointing to you. It's not the job you wanted.

1:39:051:39:09

But those are your orders.

1:39:091:39:11

-Understood?

-ALL: Yes, sir!

1:39:111:39:13

Full briefing at 0400. On the flight line at 0530.

1:39:131:39:16

Spread the word, gentlemen.

1:39:161:39:18

Julian. A moment.

1:39:181:39:20

Captain, if your relief doesn't arrive,

1:39:271:39:29

as squadron leader, it's your call.

1:39:291:39:31

If you think you can make it.

1:39:311:39:34

Sir.

1:39:341:39:35

That is all, son.

1:39:351:39:37

We're past the rendezvous point.

1:40:211:40:22

Tail gunner, has the 52nd squadron arrived?

1:40:221:40:24

No, sir. No sign of them.

1:40:241:40:27

Anybody got eyes on our relief fighters?

1:40:271:40:29

Not a dang thing, Red One.

1:40:291:40:32

Are we going all the way, sir?

1:40:321:40:34

Fuel-wise, we're looking good.

1:40:341:40:36

But I'm guessing the hours there and back,

1:40:361:40:38

it'll definitely be one for the record books.

1:40:381:40:41

Come on, Easy. It's Berlin.

1:40:411:40:44

Let's go. We can make it.

1:40:461:40:49

All right, gentlemen. Brace yourselves.

1:40:511:40:54

We're going the distance.

1:40:541:40:56

Yeah! We fight!

1:40:561:40:58

Ha-ha! Watch out, Hitler, here we come!

1:40:581:41:01

Just remember, we're here to protect the bombers.

1:41:011:41:04

Under all circumstances, we stay on mission.

1:41:041:41:07

What's that about?

1:41:091:41:11

I think we've got the Red Tails for the duration.

1:41:111:41:14

By my reckoning, we're deep into Germany.

1:41:211:41:24

It's a little creepy we haven't seen any fighters yet.

1:41:241:41:26

Maybe they found out we were flying escort

1:41:271:41:30

and decided not to show up.

1:41:301:41:32

That'd be nice.

1:41:321:41:34

Wouldn't mind that, would you, baby?

1:41:341:41:36

Colonel! It's from Mission Control.

1:41:441:41:47

The 52nd didn't make the rendezvous. They didn't join up with the 5th.

1:41:471:41:50

Did our boys turn back?

1:41:511:41:53

No, sir. They're headed on to Berlin.

1:41:531:41:55

I gave Captain Julian the option.

1:41:551:41:58

Headquarters wants to know if we're gonna call them back.

1:41:581:42:02

Yes, sir!

1:42:021:42:04

Oh, shit! Jets! We got jets!

1:42:331:42:35

What the hell?

1:42:391:42:40

What? Oh, no!

1:42:411:42:42

Maurice!

1:42:481:42:50

Mama!

1:42:501:42:51

Break! Break! Break!

1:42:521:42:53

Here we go.

1:42:531:42:55

Nine o'clock low! Nine o'clock low!

1:43:031:43:06

I see them.

1:43:061:43:07

We're losing them!

1:43:111:43:13

I got the throttle wide open! They're too damn fast!

1:43:131:43:16

Son of a bitch! Those babies are gone.

1:43:181:43:21

I'm losing power!

1:43:281:43:29

Stay left! I'll get him! I'll get him!

1:43:291:43:32

This is for Maurice!

1:43:351:43:37

Yeah!

1:43:411:43:42

Brilliant! Smokey, brilliant!

1:43:441:43:47

Easy, we got one crossing in front of us.

1:43:561:43:58

Start firing, he'll fly right into it.

1:43:581:44:00

I know. I got him.

1:44:001:44:01

-These jets ain't nothing.

-'We need more speed.'

1:44:081:44:11

Let's get some altitude.

1:44:111:44:12

Easy, right there! Ten o'clock!

1:44:231:44:25

I got him! I got him!

1:44:271:44:29

Now that's how it's done!

1:44:361:44:38

Argh! Ugh!

1:44:431:44:45

Smokey! Smokey!

1:44:471:44:49

I'm all right. I'm all right!

1:44:501:44:52

HE LAUGHS

1:44:521:44:54

I'll be damned! They missed me!

1:44:541:44:56

No holes in me, baby! Whoo! Come on.

1:44:561:44:59

Now we're losing power on engine four.

1:45:051:45:07

That's it for us, guys. We're turning around.

1:45:071:45:09

We got a straggler. Two o'clock.

1:45:161:45:18

Oh, I see him!

1:45:181:45:20

I'm on it, Red One. We'll get down there and cover him.

1:45:211:45:24

Lightning, form up. I'm going back. We got a crippled bomber to protect.

1:45:311:45:35

Easy, you got Pretty Boy on your tail. I'm coming around.

1:45:371:45:40

Where? I don't see him!

1:45:401:45:42

Argh! Damn it!

1:45:461:45:47

I'm headed right for you!

1:45:531:45:55

I've got him! I've got him!

1:45:571:45:59

Get out of my way!

1:45:591:46:00

What the hell are you doing?

1:46:001:46:02

Dive right now! Dive.

1:46:021:46:03

Whoo!

1:46:171:46:18

That's the end of Pretty Boy!

1:46:201:46:23

Urgh.

1:46:231:46:24

HE GROANS

1:46:281:46:29

Sure got him good!

1:46:331:46:35

Ha! You did it!

1:46:351:46:38

You got that son of a bitch.

1:46:381:46:39

Did you say Lightning shot down Pretty Boy?

1:46:411:46:43

Woohoo!

1:46:431:46:44

Give 'em hell, Lightning!

1:46:441:46:46

You just might be the best pilot that ever lived!

1:46:461:46:48

'Now get your ass back here and help us with this bomber.'

1:46:481:46:51

'We're an our way back to you, Joker.'

1:46:511:46:53

It was a crazy move. You almost got yourself killed.

1:47:001:47:03

I think I did get myself killed.

1:47:041:47:08

What are you talking about?

1:47:081:47:09

I...I don't think I'm going to make it, Easy.

1:47:091:47:14

What do you mean, you're not going to make it?

1:47:151:47:18

'Don't talk like that!'

1:47:181:47:20

There's a lot... There's a lot of blood.

1:47:201:47:23

Listen to me. Just hang in there. I'm gonna get you back, all right?

1:47:251:47:28

'Just stay focused. I'm gonna help you.'

1:47:281:47:30

I can't breathe. I can't breathe.

1:47:321:47:35

'Come on now. We've gotten out of worse scrapes than this.'

1:47:351:47:40

I screwed up.

1:47:401:47:41

I screwed up.

1:47:411:47:43

I don't care about that. I'm right here with you.

1:47:431:47:45

We can do this together. Come on.

1:47:451:47:47

Easy.

1:47:471:47:48

Gruesome Twosome.

1:47:511:47:53

Lightning! Lightning, talk to me!

1:47:531:47:56

Lightning, don't you do this to me!

1:47:561:47:58

'Lightning? Lightning, look at me!'

1:47:581:48:02

I love you.

1:48:021:48:03

I'm sorry, Sofia.

1:48:031:48:05

Lightning, pull up! Pull back on your stick!

1:48:221:48:25

Lightning, pop the canopy! Pop the goddamn canopy!

1:48:291:48:32

Get out of the plane, Lightning, that's an order!

1:48:351:48:38

Get out of the plane!

1:48:381:48:39

Damn you, Lightning!

1:48:491:48:51

Easy.

1:48:581:48:59

Easy.

1:49:011:49:02

'Easy, do you read me?'

1:49:061:49:08

Easy!

1:49:101:49:11

Stay on mission!

1:49:131:49:14

Do you copy?

1:49:171:49:18

We need you back here.

1:49:211:49:23

We need you.

1:49:271:49:28

'For God's sake, tell me you still out there.'

1:49:291:49:32

I'm OK. I'm on my way down.

1:49:321:49:35

Red One.

1:49:401:49:42

Lightning's with you, right?

1:49:421:49:44

Lieutenant Little is dead.

1:49:511:49:53

Lightning?

1:50:401:50:41

Marty?

1:51:481:51:50

HE SIGHS

1:51:581:51:59

The expectations placed upon you men are high.

1:52:181:52:22

Lieutenant Little

1:52:221:52:24

exceeded those expectations.

1:52:241:52:27

We should not be discouraged by his death,

1:52:271:52:30

but be all the more encouraged by his life.

1:52:301:52:33

The acts of bravery by him

1:52:331:52:36

will make us stronger.

1:52:361:52:38

It will inspire us to fight harder,

1:52:381:52:41

to make this world free.

1:52:411:52:43

Because we are on the side of God Almighty!

1:52:431:52:46

Let us pray.

1:52:471:52:49

Hey! Hey, guys!

1:52:501:52:52

Hey! Guys!

1:52:561:52:59

I know you didn't forget about me already!

1:53:011:53:04

I've been to hell and back...

1:53:041:53:05

..so you will no longer call me Junior.

1:53:071:53:10

From now on you will address me as the fabulous Ray Gun.

1:53:101:53:15

How'd you do it, man?

1:53:161:53:18

-SMOKEY:

-I'll be damned!

1:53:181:53:19

Ray! Ray Gun!

1:53:241:53:26

Boy, you look good.

1:53:261:53:27

CHEERING

1:53:271:53:29

In the name of the President of the United States,

1:53:461:53:49

a Distinguished Unit Citation has been conferred upon

1:53:491:53:52

the all-Negro 332nd Fighter Group

1:53:521:53:55

for outstanding performance of duty in conflict with the enemy.

1:53:551:53:59

By the conspicuous gallantry,

1:53:591:54:01

professional skill and determination of the pilots,

1:54:011:54:04

together with the outstanding technical skill

1:54:041:54:07

and devotion to duty of the ground personnel,

1:54:071:54:09

the 332nd has reflected great credit on itself

1:54:091:54:13

and on the Armed Forces of the United States.

1:54:131:54:16

We salute you.

1:54:161:54:17

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