Crack in the World (1965) Movie Script
Mr. Charles...
The project entrance
is half a mile further on.
I know, Mrs. Sorenson. I wanted to
stop here to take a better look at that.
That's your drill
tower, isn't it?
Yes, it is.
What's that missile
doing up there?
I thought we came here to
discuss with your husband
the possibility of using
an atomic warhead.
Half a missile, Sir Charles.
If you look closely,
you'll see it's not armed.
I'm sure Dr. Sorenson will be
able to explain it to your satisfaction.
Yes, I'm quite sure he will.
This way.
This will take us down
to Center of Operations.
Dr. Sorenson will
meet you there.
We prepared a
demonstration, a progress report
and what we have to achieve.
Tell us, Mrs. Sorenson
your husband feels that the
project finally is about to prove itself.
You're a scientist
in your own right.
Do you share his confidence?
We all do.
The entire staff is behind him.
How far down is
Central Operations?
In about two miles.
It's the deepest natural
shaft in the earth.
That's why we're here.
Since we studied
the earth's crust,
it's only natural we should
wish to get as deep as possible.
You haven't made much progress
in the last few weeks, we understand.
No, in recent weeks
we haven't gained much.
As a matter of fact,
in the last 17 weeks
you haven't gained
an inch, isn't that right?
This entire area is pressurized
and air conditioned, of course.
Otherwise the temperature
would be well over 200 degrees.
Now I can see where
all that money went!
These instruments relay
impulses that have picked up
from the various
distant places indicated.
This is Professor
Gupal, from India.
He's in charge of
all seismographs.
Here, on this TV screen, we
can monitor any part of the project,
also any major
network on the globe.
This is John Masefield,
Columbia University, United States.
Mr. Charles!
My husband's second in command.
Would you please inform Dr. Sorenson
the commission has arrived?
Sorry to disturb your reading
Stephen, but we're finished.
Dr. Sorenson, the
commissioners are here.
Well, thank you, Angela,
I'll be in in just a minute.
Now, the same
time tomorrow, Bill?
No.
Look at your hand!
Maybe you better
put something on it.
A soothing ointment?
It ought to cover it up.
You know the commissioners
might be a little squeamish.
You've had a big dose of X-rays.
Just about the limit
that you can take.
Alright, I'll lay off a day.
Two days?
Friday?
Get yourself another doctor.
No, they always
say the same thing.
I'm not trying to play
Russian Roulette, Bill.
I've only been married
a little over a year.
You know "September Song"?
"And these few precious
days I'd spend with you."
I think of that song.
Someone once said...
If a man had a chance to spend
his life fishing, making love...
watching things grow and didn't
choose to do it, he was mad.
I made that choice
a long time ago.
Alright Stephen,
you win. Saturday.
Better make it early!
Saturday is going
to be a busy day!
We're firing the
missile on Saturday.
Has the commission approved?
No, not yet.
But it will.
Oh. Reynolds...
You don't want the commissioners
to think we're all mad scientists.
Dr. Sorenson, please come
to Center of Operations.
I am coming.
You all know the purpose
of our target is the magma.
If we can succeed in bringing
this molten mass to the surface,
under controlled conditions, we'll
have all the energy we could use.
All the electricity for
all kinds of industries.
We've drilled
down to this point.
The only thing that stands between
us now and success is this thin layer.
Nevertheless, that thin layer
has held us up for 17 weeks.
No drill that exists
will bore through it.
Not the toughest steel
or the hardest diamond.
Conventional
explosives are useless.
What do you mean conventional
explosives are useless?
I mean there are other types.
I was thinking of a
thermonuclear device.
The United States' defense
department has made available to us
a missile, capable of delivering
a blast effect of 10 megatons.
Which is enough in our opinion
to break through this last
barrier between us and success.
And you asked us here to
give you permission to fire?
Yes.
You must be pretty
sure of yourself.
We saw the missile
already in positioning.
It was quite a shock.
Then you must have also noticed
that the actual warhead was not in place.
Are you as sure of this project's success
as you seem to be of our permission?
Isn't there some risk involved?
Yes. Yes, there is, some.
Gentlemen, I'm not going
to try to conceal from you the
fact that the project's geologist
Ted Rampion, one of my former
students, does not agree with me.
He has developed
a Rampion theory,
which like all theories of
course, has not been proven.
I asked him to
address you here today,
but he had a previous
engagement... with a volcano.
However, his theory is that the
crust has already been cracked
by the numerous underground
explosions set off by the nuclear powers
in their years of testing.
He believes that an
atomic blast at this depth
now runs the risk of
doing this to the earth.
Far-fetched, huh?
We think so, too.
The rest of the
staff and I believe
that an atomic missile would
penetrate the crust more like this.
A missile would burn
its way through the crust.
To obtain limitless energy
has been a dream of mankind
for about thousands of years.
Now, for the first time, we can obtain
it without poisonous waste material
without spoiling our oceans.
We have within our grasp the
limitless clean heat of the inner earth.
And if this pilot plan is successful,
we can transform all the continents
and make a life of plenty for all
mankind for the foreseeable future.
The decision,
gentlemen, is up to you.
I hope you don't mind
bunking down here, dear.
After all, I could not
very well put Sir Charles...
That's alright.
Anything for the cause.
- Here, let me.
- No, I can manage.
The rash is getting
worse, isn't it?
Oh, it will be alright.
Take a vacation, this
tension is psychosomatic.
Yeah, I could
break some hazards.
Are you worried?
No, it's the commission.
They're acting up.
Is Rampion's theory
bothering you?
No, it's the budget,
the thought of it.
I could blow up the whole
world with their weapon
if I did it cheaply enough.
That reminds me.
I forgot to tell you.
There's a letter for
you, there, on my desk.
From Rampion.
Thank you.
From Tukamoa. Message
from the bottom of a volcano.
Help!
Oh, aren't you going to read it?
Tomorrow.
I thought you were
worried about him.
If he can write,
he hasn't fallen in.
That's very logical.
You read it.
Not addressed to me.
Stephen, for the umpteenth
time, Ted Rampion is not my pinup.
He's young, brilliant, dances
divinely and plays very good tennis.
But he isn't the one I picked.
I picked you.
You are my husband.
You picked him once.
That was before I took
thermodynamics with you.
And picked an old man with
two left feet and no talents
to speak of physical
or otherwise.
Stephen...
this afternoon, when you
were talking to the commission
about changing the face of the
world and the future of humanity,
I made a decision,
an important one.
And?
I want a baby, Stephen. Now.
I want something of
my own to worry about.
Humanity can take
care of itself for a while.
Well, there are so many
things to do, Maggie.
It's just little time.
It doesn't take
all that much time.
I mean being parents.
We could take him to work with
us he could play with the slide ruler.
I'm not a young man anymore.
If anything should happen
to me you'd be left...
with a part of you
for the rest of my life.
Stephen!
- Hi, Steele.
- Hello, Dr. Rampion.
When did that happen?
They flew the missile
down a few days ago.
You're just in time
for the fireworks!
But the commission
what about their OK?
The commission's
been here and gone.
Didn't you know?
Looks as if I wasn't
suppose to know.
Not until it was all over.
You mean the old man
wanted you out of the way?
What does it look like to you?
To the Center of Operations.
As fast as you can.
You have the figures yet
on residual radioactivity?
We'll have them ready
for you in half an hour.
Half an hour?
Better get Obermeyer
to help you.
Maggie can handle it.
We don't cover for
favoritism, especially my wife.
They must have turned them down.
No, he's just nervous because
he hasn't heard from them yet.
Can I help you?
Dr. Sorenson, this
cable just arrived.
It's from Sir Charles.
Hello, Stephen.
Hello, how are you Ted?
I've seen the missile.
Yes.
You decided to go ahead.
You had to get
me out of the way.
You weren't taking any chances.
No.
No.
I just didn't want the
commissioners to become involved
in a long drawn out highly technical
discussion we just don't have the time.
What's the hurry, Stephen?
Can't you wait for
another Nobel Prize?
As a scientist, I'd
like to take a year.
Two years.
But as an administrator, I know
that if we don't produce some concrete
results here soon, this project
is going to be closed down!
You're not worried
about our job!
Now they care about
the idea our idea.
If this happens, it
will be written off
completely from another
generation, at least!
You'll save the
world or destroy it.
You're mad, Stephen.
You want to play God!
Hello, Ted.
Maggie.
I'm sorry about the delay.
That's all right. Thank you.
- See you later.
- Don't go, Maggie.
There's something
I want you to hear.
It's alright, Maggie.
It's all in the family.
What is it?
I'm going to the commission,
over Stephen's head.
I'm going to stop him if I can.
Don't you see? Don't you see?
The insane risk you are taking?
It was a decision that had to be made,
and as head of the project, I made it.
It was a decision you had
absolutely no right to make.
Not without being
one-hundred percent certain.
Oh, I know. The
famous Rampion Theory.
But the fact still remains that no other
member of the project will support you.
No other member of the
staff will stand up against you!
Ted, your objections were
raised to the Commission.
Sure, Stephen explained my
point of view... and disposed of it.
You couldn't afford to let me do my
own talking and present my own evidence.
That might have upset your plot.
Yes, it might have.
You're right about that.
You were frank with us, Stephen.
Let's see if you were just
as open with the commission.
You're too late, Ted.
The commission has
already given us the go ahead.
It's not too late.
When do you fire the missile?
The missile will be
fired Saturday morning.
Perhaps... I can help you?
Where is the report I turned
in on the documentation.
If you wish to take it to the
commission go right ahead.
This is on my own.
I resigned as of now.
He's so sure.
Do you think if you called a meeting
and opened the question to discussion...
Maybe you should
have resigned with him.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Come in!
You can't leave like this.
It will be difficult for you to get
another job. They'll label you a crackpot.
I can always sell
newspapers. If there are any.
What's wrong with those?
Now they've got holes in them.
I'll fix them.
If the world is gonna
come to an end...
at least you won't get caught
with holes in your socks.
That's a comforting thought.
Ted, you can't quit Stephen now.
You owe it to him.
Do I?
Well, he's got out on a
limb too many times for you.
The scholarships,
the research grants.
And the professorship in Tokyo
so he could be alone with you.
By then, it was over
between you and me anyway.
Only I didn't know it.
It just happened that
way, nobody planned it.
He plans everything.
He's got a computer mind.
Did he suggest this visit?
I'm here on my own!
I came because he needs you.
He's been working
under a terrible strain.
There is a limit to how
one man can carry.
I can't stay, Maggie.
And I'm not fighting
among personal grounds.
I'm fighting because I'm right.
Of course! You're only doing
what you think you have to do.
You're both such
noble scientists.
Attention all personnel.
The missile will be fired
in nine minutes from... now.
Alright, fellas. Take your
places. Nine minutes to go.
Check the P.A. system.
1, 2, 3, 4, testing. 1, 2, 3,
4 testing. 1, 2, 3, 4 testing.
Check the tape.
Eight and a half
minutes to go, Jack.
I know what time it is.
I thought you couldn't
see with your gloves on.
Alright, Stephen. That's all.
Alright, Bill, I can manage.
Well, in about eight
minutes we'll have an answer.
Don't you want to wish me luck?
There's something I
must tell you, Stephen.
There's no stopping the disease.
It's out of control.
Is it malignant?
Yes.
Why didn't you tell me before?
I wasn't sure. Now I am.
I didn't know how you'd take it.
How did you expect me
to take it? Stop the project?
No, I'll go on with my work.
After all, how many men had had the
opportunity to turn the page in history?
Newton, Pasteur, Einstein.
If you can look at it that way.
Good luck, Stephen.
Thank you, Bill.
Positions, everyone.
Six minutes to go.
All channels clear.
Instruments on full automatic.
Six minutes to firing time.
Check your instruments.
Yes?
Dr. Rampion is
here to see you, sir.
Oh, good. ask him to come in.
Come this way.
Hello, Dr. Rampion,
how very nice to see you.
Come in, did you
have a smooth flight?
Yes, quite busy, thank
you. Did you get my cable?
Oh, yes, I got your cable.
Gave me quite
a turn, I must say.
You shouldn't send
cables like that.
You never know who's
going to read them.
I'm serious, that missile must
not be fired. You've got to stop it.
The commission's already decided.
I'm afraid it's out of my hands.
Delay it 24 hours.
Give me a chance
to prove my case.
Look, these are echo soundings and deep
vibration tests made in the fault area.
Now, compare them
with normal soundings.
You see the difference?
What causes the difference?
They're due to flaws, stresses,
tiny fissures in the mantle.
Probably the result of many
years of underground atomic testing.
Another major explosion
and even deeper,
and these tiny fissures
will become cracks.
Suppose the Masato Trench
splits open under the ocean.
A crack a thousand miles long
bringing super heated magma
in contact with the ocean.
Earthquakes, tidal waves, mass
destruction on an apocalyptic scale!
You showed this
work to Dr. Sorenson?
Two months ago.
Curious he didn't
explain it to us.
Didn't he bring it up?
Oh, yes he did. But he didn't
seem to make it very important.
Put through an urgent
call to Tanganyika.
I want to speak to Dr. Sorenson.
One minute to zero.
Make a final check
of all the points.
Positions four,
five, nine, report in.
Five: All clear.
Fuel bombs all clear.
On your way! Nine: All clear.
All clear, sir.
40 seconds to zero.
Circuit One.
Circuit Two.
30 seconds to zero.
Circuit Three.
Outside call for
Dr. Sorenson, urgent!
Not now, secure all telephones!
20 seconds to zero.
Circuit Four.
Circuit Five.
Ten seconds.
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Zero!
It's magma!
Yes?
Yes, I think I can get
through now. Hold on.
It's Sir Charles, from London.
Sorenson speaking.
Hello, Sorenson,
can you hear me?
Go ahead, Tanganyika. Go ahead.
Yes, I can hear you quite well.
Sorenson, I want this
shot postponed. Delayed.
We've had second thoughts back
here. We're calling a panel of consultants.
Well, I'm afraid it's
too late for that now, sir.
The missile has been fired.
We hit magma!
You did?
Ask him about the side effects.
Did he notice anything
out of the ordinary?
Any side effects, anything
out of the ordinary?
No, everything went
off according to plan.
As of now, I would say the
shot is an unqualified success.
Well, Sorenson. You know far
more than I do about what this means.
My profoundest congratulations!
Well, thank you, sir.
Thank you very much.
I called a press
conference for tomorrow.
You chaps can prepare a news
release by that time, I suppose.
I think so, I don't see why not.
Of course you know you'll have
correspondents popping in on you like flies.
You just have to put
up with that, I guess.
No trouble at all.
Oh, and by the way. If
you see my friend Rampion,
tell him to get back
here. His work is piling up.
Yes, I will if I see him.
And once again, many
congratulations. Goodbye!
He did it. The old boy did it.
A new era.
You know, somehow, it's
harder to take in when it's real
then when it's pure speculation.
I'm sorry I bothered
you, Sir Charles.
Nonsense. You did
quite right. Though...
I'm very glad you have mistaken.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Ah, there, in the
middle under the magma
is the wall that has crusted
itself over like a cooling volcano.
There's no chance of it
starting up again, is there?
No, that's not likely.
The borehole has provided itself
with a very solid cap, like concrete.
Can we take some
pictures now, Dr.Sorenson?
Just a minute.
Can we take some closeups
of the magma, Dr. Sorenson?
Oh, yes, go ahead.
I'm so glad you came back.
Congratulations, Stephen.
I'm glad you're back
Ted. We missed you.
Well, I was wrong.
I suppose it's that
stubborn streak in me.
But you know? I still
can't help thinking that...
You are stubborn, aren't you?
No, it wasn't just
stubbornness. I was scared.
Don't think I wasn't
scared myself.
But you went ahead anyway.
Making a decision like
that, would scare anyone.
But we had to know.
Well, how about taking a
peak into the future? Come on.
Nickel, molybdenum,
manganese, iron.
And not ore,
already melted down.
The metals alone would
start up whole new industries.
And all these metals,
they're only a bonus.
The heat we'll use
to generate electricity.
We just have to
separate the metals.
That's it, exactly.
There's something
strange going on up there!
Must be animals moving fast.
A big herd.
Maybe a grass fire.
Maybe smoke.
I don't see any.
What else could scare them?
Let's go find out.
They're running scared.
No fire.
I can't figure it out.
I think I can.
The first turn we hit at 5
am it lasted 11 seconds.
The second turn we hit about an
hour later. They were both force 9.
Force 9?
Have you located
the epicenter yet?
11 degrees east about 320 miles.
The nearest town
is Port Victoria.
"Here are the earliest
reports from Port Victoria."
"The earthquake left
a burning ruin of a city
which this morning was a thriving
community of 50,000 people."
"At 5:00 am, local
time, the shocks began."
"Damage to property
was estimated
close to 200 million dollars,
and the number of
homeless was put at 17,000."
"All roads to the
city are destroyed."
"Since dawn, fleets of
helicopters have been flying in
with medical agents and
supplies for the engines."
"The number of
victims is not known."
But preliminary estimates give a
figure of 5,000 dead or missing."
"Normal programs will be interrupted to give
later on the spot reports from Port Victoria
as they are received
by the station."
"Meanwhile, we go back
to our scheduled program."
You're thinking you were
right all along, aren't you?
I don't think that's the point.
The question is
are we responsible?
There have been
earthquakes in that area before.
We have no proof that this
one was caused by our bomb.
Markov, get me the fact
sheet on Port Victoria.
Where is Port Victoria?
Here.
That's 250 miles on the borehole
where the missile was fired.
What proof have we that there's
any connection between the two?
None.
Not yet.
"Earthquake tremors
recorded in 1890, 1903, 1920."
"A series of
earthquakes in 1934."
"No subsequent activities."
Seems they were
all ready for this.
Dr. Sorenson, this just
came in to communications.
Kutamauan.
Where is Kutamauan?
It's an island east
of Porto Vitoria.
Look up Kutamauan.
"Kutamauan has been hit by a
violent tremor and a tidal wave.
Wiped out!
"Loss of life: 7,000."
What is the record
of earthquake activity?
None. No earthquake
activity ever.
They're all on the
line of the Masato fault.
I expect the next tremor along
here, near Sheer Water island.
I'm going out there to look at the
ocean floor for signs of any activity.
I'm taking Steele.
Anything you need.
Right.
Steele, wire ahead to get
the observation sub ready.
Tell them to check
the pressure changes.
We're going deep.
I'll take care of the cameras.
Right.
"Sheer Water
Island, severe shock."
Take it down deeper.
Over that shoulder ahead.
I hope this thing
holds together.
Deeper. There's something down
there. Just follow that disturbance.
5.000 feet.
Outside temperature 200 degrees.
We're getting there.
Haven't you had enough?
No!
Well, I have.
We're going up.
We took this
photograph at 5,000 feet.
We took this one at 7,000 feet.
And this one at 9,000 feet.
Direct observation and analysis of
samples being brought to the surface
lead us to the conclusion that a deep
fissure has opened in the ocean floor.
And this final proof.
This photograph taken
at the deepest point.
Can I see the negative?
Is it moving?
Along the Masato Trench.
How fast?
At about 3 miles per hour.
Then the Rampion Theory is
no longer a theory, it's a fact.
Which means you were
right. And I was wrong.
Well gentlemen, the
evidence speaks for itself.
I don't know if we can stop a
destruction that's been unleashed,
but we must face the fact
that we have caused a
crack in the earth's crust.
A crack in the world!
Gentlemen... gentlemen...
Let's fall apart, we
have work to do. Please.
We must hear Dr. Rampion
complete his report.
You were saying that the
crack is extending to the east.
Along the Masato Trench.
It's following a geological
flaw in the earth's crust.
Known as the Masato Fault,
that runs from here
to the tip of India.
And veers across Indonesia and terminates
off the Australian Continental Shelf.
How do you know the
crack will stop there?
We don't.
What if the crack keeps
going right around the world?
What happens then?
Where the landmasses split,
the oceans will be sucked in.
And the colossal pressure generated by the
steam will rip the earth apart and destroy it.
You mean... the world
will come to an end?
The world, as we know it, yes.
As a cloud of astral dust will continue
to move within the solar system.
It isn't possible!
It's insane!
You took a calculated risk, which
was more risk than calculation.
Didn't you, as an officer,
ever take a calculated risk?
As an officer, I can.
You, a civilian, cannot.
I always said we should not have
left this in the hands of civilians.
Gentlemen...
Please, we have work to do.
We're all responsible. All
of us who voted to go ahead.
And all the powers who provoked
the disaster by underground testing.
Dr. Rampion was the
only one who was against it.
The question now is not who is to blame,
but how we can stop the catastrophe.
At present we don't know
any way we can stop it.
First we have to learn and
understand the natural forces involved.
And, if possible, find some way to
control them in the time committed to us.
What is being done, now?
Every university, every scientist, every
thinking military leader, is helping us.
Is there anything
that we can do?
Pray!
- Hi, Ted, welcome back.
- Hi.
Hi, Masefield.
Hello there, Ted.
How did London take it?
They all look to us to
come up with something.
How about Numy and Reynolds?
Have they gotten anything?
Reynolds would like to
try his nuclear capsule.
Give me a report on
the latest eruptions.
That's the one we discarded months ago
because the opening wasn't big enough.
I think I can increase
it now to four feet.
How long will it take
you to get down 10 miles?
Two months, with luck.
That's too little or too late.
By then the crack will be
halfway around the world.
No. We have to relieve
the pressure right now.
Another tremendously bigger
scale than a four foot hole.
Speaking.
Oh, yes, Dr. Sorenson.
The spectrographs?
But we sent them in.
Oh, the spectrographs on
the Alamogordo and Bikini?
Yes, yes, we have them here.
Very well, I'll
send them right in.
Thank you.
Get all spectrographs on the early atomic
explosions and one on the hydrogen bomb.
How's the pain?
It keeps me from concentrating.
That codeine doesn't seem
to be effective anymore.
I'll give you
something stronger.
Take one to start. With a severe
pain, you can take as many as two.
More than that, and you
might not come out of it.
You've been following the
news reports, haven't you, Bill?
Yes.
How many dead so far?
38,000 more or less.
More or less!
Less than Hiroshima.
Less than the death
rate for lung cancer.
We were trying to help.
Didn't work.
Nobody is infallible.
No, I was in a hurry.
Couldn't bear the thought of
someone else finishing my work.
I told you I was
not to be disturbed.
But Doctor, it's Mrs.
Sorenson. She's here.
I can't see her.
Stephen, I must
talk to you, please.
You haven't told her?
That's not of kindness.
- She has a right.
- I'm not being kind.
I don't want her pity.
Please, Maggie!
Bill, do you mind?
I gave orders. I was
not to be disturbed.
Stephen, please!
What's happening?
Why did you come?
You want to call me a
murderer to my face?
I didn't come to call you anything.
I came to see how you are.
- You made a mistake, an honest one.
- No, I didn't make any mistake.
What I did, I did deliberately.
I knew there was a
risk and I accepted it.
I was so sure of success!
And you can't face it. But
your judgment was wrong.
Is that why you lock
yourself for three days
and nights, refusing to see
anyone or talk to anyone?
I was working.
Did... Rampion send you?
Stephen!
He's been put in
charge of the project.
You're right, they pretty
well had to fire me, I suppose.
You're lucky, my dear.
You got off the
sinking ship in time.
I can't complain that you have
weakness for successful men, can I?
After all, that's the way I
took you away from him.
Oh, Stephen, I loved you!
Not the great man, you.
It's very kind of you, my dear.
Stop hiding. Please, don't shut
me out. Let me stay with you!
I'm not hiding, Maggie.
The fact is... there's
nothing more I want from you.
Stephen, don't!
Also, I'm afraid there's
nothing more I have to give.
I'm sorry...
I thought...
I'm sorry!
Put the spectrographs there.
If you are making a comparison,
the Oakridge pictures are here on top.
Welcome back, Ted.
How did you know
what I was looking for?
Just logic.
There can only be one reason
why you're checking all these facts.
- To find a common occurrence in all of them?
- Or the absence of an occurrence.
Here, let me show
you what I'm looking for.
I've assembled a few of
the early atomic explosions.
For study purposes all these shots have been
slowed down 100 times their original speed,
and the action is reversed.
This way, the actual
atomic explosion
appears at the end of each
piece of film with a blinding flash.
Now, this flash, later
analyzed in a spectrograph,
gives us exact information about
the components of the explosion.
Now look at this.
This is a spectrograph of
a normal atomic explosion.
This is a spectrograph of our own explosion
when the magma came to the surface.
Notice the difference.
Hydrogen in
considerable quantities!
- But you didn't use a hydrogen bomb!
- Right.
Where did the hydrogen
come from? That is our question.
From the magma. No, from
a pocket below the magma!
Exactly, that was my deduction.
That's why our explosion
was greater than we expected.
That's why it cracked the crust.
Our problem is to harness the
same source of energy to stop it.
With that energy we could blow a
hole big enough to take the pressure off!
Not only take the pressure off, but if we
could find a spot in the path of the crack
with sufficient hydrogen and set off an
explosion there, we could stop it cold.
Then when the crack
gets there, it stops.
Where do you figure
on blowing this hole?
A volcanic island on the
Masato Trench: Tukamoa.
It's directly in the
path of the crack.
If we can stop Tukamoa erupting
before the crack gets there,
we stand a chance
of stopping it.
Yeah, but how do
you start up a volcano?
- With a nuclear bomb!
- Another bomb?
Now this where you job comes in.
We have to shield the bomb against
heat to avoid premature explosion.
What kind of heat?
Molten lava.
How long does the
shield have to hold up?
While the bomb is sinking
below the lava. About 45 minutes.
25. Thirty tops.
Can you give me 35?
I'll try, but I'd hate to be the
guy holding the stopwatch.
How are you going
to place the bomb.
By hand.
You mean somebodys going down
inside a volcano and drop this thing?
It will be a team of volunteers.
You're crazy!
- Have you had a better idea?
- Any of you?
This is what we'll do.
How deep are we going, Ted?
Low enough to drop the
bomb directly into the lava.
I knew I shouldn't have
volunteered for this job.
These suits have only
been tested to 1,000 degrees.
Yeah, I know. Now there
are some ledges down there.
The hardest part will be
to get the bomb over them.
Tomorrow I'm taking
this suit to the tailor.
Call observation
on Fortune Island.
Tell them to send the helicopter
back and have it standby.
Headquarters, Fortune Island.
Send helicopter
and standby here.
Helicopter on its way.
Have you...
Ask him if he has
holes in his socks.
Maggie wants to know if
you have hole in your socks.
Tell her my socks are OK.
Somebody darned them.
Once I release the bomb
down there, we are committed.
We have six minutes to get up,
nine minutes to get to the helicopter.
That leaves us 20 minutes to
evacuate everyone to Fortune Island.
Hold it!
Lift the bomb six inches.
OK. Steele, push.
OK, lower away.
Hold it!
Simpson, come down here
and use the cable over the ledge!
Hook me up, I'm going down.
Lights.
That does it.
Take us down.
Take the bomb up a foot.
Take it up!
Alright, Steele. Push.
Lower away.
Alright, let it go
down. Easy. Steady.
Full stop!
We're at 400, Ted.
You told me to hold it.
Yes, I know.
We gotta go deeper.
There's another ledge to clear.
OK Steele, let's push it.
It's hung up.
I'll go down and free it.
Lower me five feet.
Don't cross over Steele!
Stay along the side!
Steele!
Oh, my God.
His cable snapped.
Steele is gone.
Ted, Ted. You
want to call it off?
No!
I'm taking the safe yield.
Pick me up five feet!
Ted...
Ted!
He doesn't answer.
Bring him up fast.
Hold it!
He's out cold. Pick us up!
Keep it coming.
Steady!
Keep it going.
Stand-by to swing him free.
Get the bottles off.
Oxygen!
Get him to the oxygen, quick!
He's not breathing.
How do you feel?
Medium rare...
Get him back to
the island, quick.
Let's get the hell out of here!
Maggie!
Maggie!
Two minutes to go!
All scientists to
take their positions.
Have you got all the
recorders running?
OK.
Protective glasses!
I hope that stops it.
The crack has stopped!
It's all over.
Let Rampion and his team
know that they've succeeded.
Oh, and send a message to London
and take them off the hook, too.
They must have been in the
same kind of sweat we've been.
If that stuff breaks, I'll
take it out of your paycheck!
Well, things are back
to normal again, I see.
Ted!
Maggie wants to see you.
What's the matter?
I don't know.
Dr. Evans called her
on the radio phone.
I don't know what he
said, but it hit her hard.
Ted, it's Stephen...
He's ill.
Very ill.
Stephen.
He kept it a secret
from everyone, even me.
He said it wasn't serious.
Dr. Evans has been giving him
x-ray treatment to keep him working.
It hasn't helped.
It's out of control.
What did the doctor say?
A week.
Maybe less.
Ted!
Ted. I've got to go to him...
Alright.
I'll give you a hand.
Indian Ocean!
Where is the epicenter?
Where are the strongest shocks?
They come from the Indian Ocean!
Yes, but where in
the Indian Ocean?
Get Rampion on the hotline and get
a fix from Greenwich on the shocks.
Rampion here.
We've had a... force
eight earthquake here.
In our zone.
Indian ocean.
- When did it happen, before or...
- After that.
The...
the crack...
has not been stopped.
It's changed direction,
but it's still moving.
Did you locate the epicenter?
Yes, it's halfway.
Between Tukamoa
and Sheer Water Island.
Then it's turned doubled
back towards the coast.
Yes, It... it's...
Morrison! Morrison!
Sorenson! Stephen!
Sorenson, can you hear me?
Stephen!
Masefield here.
Listen, Rampion.
What happened?
Fainted.
Masefield.
Do you know what
he wanted to tell me?
Yes.
The crack is moving
twice as fast as before.
Alright, Masefield.
Contact London.
Tell them what happened.
Don't hold back on anything.
Yes, sir.
I'm on my way back.
Have all seismograph records and wave
intensity analysis ready when I get there.
Yes, sir.
You had it all?
Yeah.
Let's get back.
Angela, how is he?
Oh, he won't let anyone in.
I stay around just in case.
Look, you better get some rest.
Oh, no, no I couldn't.
I'll stay. Come on.
I am tired, Maggie.
But what if he asks for me?
I'll tell him I sent you to bed.
Thank you, Maggie.
Who is it?
It's me, Maggie.
Did you... come for the wake?
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have said that.
Can't we be decent
to each other now?
You can. I still
haven't learned.
Please Stephen, don't.
Why did you come?
To be kind?
No.
No, I came because I...
I wanted something for myself.
I wanted our being together
to have meant something.
You want me to say I'm
sorry? Is that what you want?
I don't know.
Yes.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I hurt you.
I'm sorry for everything!
Could I fix anything
to say you're sorry?
One little cup!
No, but it matters anyway.
It matters to me.
I'm... a little tired.
I think I'll close my eyes.
Do you want me to leave?
Please, stay.
Thank you.
"Political leaders throughout
the world are in agreement."
"In a joint communique, issued
simultaneously in Washington,
Paris, Moscow and London, they
say that if the crack encircles the globe,
it will mean the end of us all."
"But here in Saint
Peter's square, Rome,
countless thousands keep
vigilant pray for divine aid."
"From these scenes of devotion,
we move now to New York"
Where are the reports?
You didn't do so
well in your volcano!
Ah, forget it! So we're right
back where we started from.
Take a look at this.
Even New York?
Shut that thing off.
Clear this mess up!
Give them a hand.
How is he?
What's the latest?
I don't understand!
Signals are getting weaker.
I just sent Maggie to check
through the relay connections.
Weaker? Not stronger?
But I thought the crack
was headed in our direction!
Yes, I know, but the
signals are weaker.
Either the shocks are dying down,
or the crack is leaving this area.
All the relay
lines are in order.
Dr. Rampion! Dr. Rampion!
Point Albert reports unusual volcanic activity
about seven miles south, on the beach.
How far from here is that?
About 21 miles.
Marlkov, Brandt, get the open
Land Rover with the two-way radio.
Come on, Maggie, we have to
measure speed and direction!
There it is!
Rampion Mobile Unit reporting
seven miles south of Port Albert.
It's changing direction!
Give me sections 31 and
30 on the detailed map.
Temperature rising.
140 F.
Temperature rising
1-4-0 degrees.
It's picking up speed.
All of section 30 has to
be evacuated immediately.
We're moving out!
Evacuate section 30 immediately.
Rampion Mobile
Unit moving in land.
It's another crack!
They seem to be converging!
Yes, on the project!
Go give me section 31,
the district below Port Albert.
There's been no activity in
that section. Nothing whatsoever.
There will be in
about half an hour.
There are two fissures now. Or
rather, two ends of the same crack.
One of them has changed
direction, and as the other one does,
if they're extended...
Where will they intersect?
At the burrow
were it all started.
A circle cut out of
the earth's crust?
Yes, and it will break away.
Acting as a safety valve
of immense proportion.
20,000 square miles of the Earth's
surface thrown out into space.
And the effect on
the Earth's rotation?
Do you think the
Earth can survive?
No one has ever observed
the birth of a moon, Masefield.
They've got to be stopped.
They're headed into the crack!
Stop it! Stop it! You're
heading for the crack!
You're heading for the crack!
Stop it, stop it! You're
heading for the crack!
We have to stop
them in the village!
Evacuate section 28!
Evacuate section 28! I
repeat: Evacuate section 28!
Let's get back to the project.
Reynolds, where
was Rampion last?
Section 31, south of Windover
about seven miles from here.
- Do you think he's been cut off?
- I don't know.
What about the project?
It will have to be evacuated.
It's coming too close.
"Attention all
personnel out all levels."
"Beginning immediately. The
project is to be evacuated."
"Leave all circuit breakers on."
"Disconnect all instruments."
"The different levels will be
evacuated according to their numbers."
We can't get through in this road.
We have to go around the other way!
Mary, Mary! Where are you?
Masefield, where's my husband?
He left with the others.
At least I think he did.
He's down there! I tried to
get him to go, but he wouldn't.
Maggie, where are you going?
He's down there!
Sorenson!
- Stephen!
- Maggie,what are you doing here?
You've got to get
her out of here!
- You're coming with us!
- No, I have work to finish!
Once in a billion years a moon is
born, that's what's happening now.
It may destroy the
earth. It may save it.
Whatever happens, I've
got to be here and record it!
We can't leave you, Stephen!
Don't you realize that the two
cracks are going to meet here?
They'll meet at the borehole,
in a vortex outside the circle.
I saw the whole face
of this touch the ground!
Alright! You better take
the microphone records.
I'll get them.
Would you... get
my medicine, please?
It's on my desk.
Stephen!
Stephen!
Ted! Ted! He's
locked himself in!
Open the door!
Destroyed the mechanism!
Sorenson! Stephen!
Sorenson!
I'll keep recording everything
that happens, as long as I can.
Sorenson, the whole project is going!
Now, open the door and come out with us!
If you survive, you'll find
all my records in the safe.
If everything goes, it
doesn't matter anyway!
Give me your hand!
Hold on!
Please, help me!
Help me please!
Help me!
The project entrance
is half a mile further on.
I know, Mrs. Sorenson. I wanted to
stop here to take a better look at that.
That's your drill
tower, isn't it?
Yes, it is.
What's that missile
doing up there?
I thought we came here to
discuss with your husband
the possibility of using
an atomic warhead.
Half a missile, Sir Charles.
If you look closely,
you'll see it's not armed.
I'm sure Dr. Sorenson will be
able to explain it to your satisfaction.
Yes, I'm quite sure he will.
This way.
This will take us down
to Center of Operations.
Dr. Sorenson will
meet you there.
We prepared a
demonstration, a progress report
and what we have to achieve.
Tell us, Mrs. Sorenson
your husband feels that the
project finally is about to prove itself.
You're a scientist
in your own right.
Do you share his confidence?
We all do.
The entire staff is behind him.
How far down is
Central Operations?
In about two miles.
It's the deepest natural
shaft in the earth.
That's why we're here.
Since we studied
the earth's crust,
it's only natural we should
wish to get as deep as possible.
You haven't made much progress
in the last few weeks, we understand.
No, in recent weeks
we haven't gained much.
As a matter of fact,
in the last 17 weeks
you haven't gained
an inch, isn't that right?
This entire area is pressurized
and air conditioned, of course.
Otherwise the temperature
would be well over 200 degrees.
Now I can see where
all that money went!
These instruments relay
impulses that have picked up
from the various
distant places indicated.
This is Professor
Gupal, from India.
He's in charge of
all seismographs.
Here, on this TV screen, we
can monitor any part of the project,
also any major
network on the globe.
This is John Masefield,
Columbia University, United States.
Mr. Charles!
My husband's second in command.
Would you please inform Dr. Sorenson
the commission has arrived?
Sorry to disturb your reading
Stephen, but we're finished.
Dr. Sorenson, the
commissioners are here.
Well, thank you, Angela,
I'll be in in just a minute.
Now, the same
time tomorrow, Bill?
No.
Look at your hand!
Maybe you better
put something on it.
A soothing ointment?
It ought to cover it up.
You know the commissioners
might be a little squeamish.
You've had a big dose of X-rays.
Just about the limit
that you can take.
Alright, I'll lay off a day.
Two days?
Friday?
Get yourself another doctor.
No, they always
say the same thing.
I'm not trying to play
Russian Roulette, Bill.
I've only been married
a little over a year.
You know "September Song"?
"And these few precious
days I'd spend with you."
I think of that song.
Someone once said...
If a man had a chance to spend
his life fishing, making love...
watching things grow and didn't
choose to do it, he was mad.
I made that choice
a long time ago.
Alright Stephen,
you win. Saturday.
Better make it early!
Saturday is going
to be a busy day!
We're firing the
missile on Saturday.
Has the commission approved?
No, not yet.
But it will.
Oh. Reynolds...
You don't want the commissioners
to think we're all mad scientists.
Dr. Sorenson, please come
to Center of Operations.
I am coming.
You all know the purpose
of our target is the magma.
If we can succeed in bringing
this molten mass to the surface,
under controlled conditions, we'll
have all the energy we could use.
All the electricity for
all kinds of industries.
We've drilled
down to this point.
The only thing that stands between
us now and success is this thin layer.
Nevertheless, that thin layer
has held us up for 17 weeks.
No drill that exists
will bore through it.
Not the toughest steel
or the hardest diamond.
Conventional
explosives are useless.
What do you mean conventional
explosives are useless?
I mean there are other types.
I was thinking of a
thermonuclear device.
The United States' defense
department has made available to us
a missile, capable of delivering
a blast effect of 10 megatons.
Which is enough in our opinion
to break through this last
barrier between us and success.
And you asked us here to
give you permission to fire?
Yes.
You must be pretty
sure of yourself.
We saw the missile
already in positioning.
It was quite a shock.
Then you must have also noticed
that the actual warhead was not in place.
Are you as sure of this project's success
as you seem to be of our permission?
Isn't there some risk involved?
Yes. Yes, there is, some.
Gentlemen, I'm not going
to try to conceal from you the
fact that the project's geologist
Ted Rampion, one of my former
students, does not agree with me.
He has developed
a Rampion theory,
which like all theories of
course, has not been proven.
I asked him to
address you here today,
but he had a previous
engagement... with a volcano.
However, his theory is that the
crust has already been cracked
by the numerous underground
explosions set off by the nuclear powers
in their years of testing.
He believes that an
atomic blast at this depth
now runs the risk of
doing this to the earth.
Far-fetched, huh?
We think so, too.
The rest of the
staff and I believe
that an atomic missile would
penetrate the crust more like this.
A missile would burn
its way through the crust.
To obtain limitless energy
has been a dream of mankind
for about thousands of years.
Now, for the first time, we can obtain
it without poisonous waste material
without spoiling our oceans.
We have within our grasp the
limitless clean heat of the inner earth.
And if this pilot plan is successful,
we can transform all the continents
and make a life of plenty for all
mankind for the foreseeable future.
The decision,
gentlemen, is up to you.
I hope you don't mind
bunking down here, dear.
After all, I could not
very well put Sir Charles...
That's alright.
Anything for the cause.
- Here, let me.
- No, I can manage.
The rash is getting
worse, isn't it?
Oh, it will be alright.
Take a vacation, this
tension is psychosomatic.
Yeah, I could
break some hazards.
Are you worried?
No, it's the commission.
They're acting up.
Is Rampion's theory
bothering you?
No, it's the budget,
the thought of it.
I could blow up the whole
world with their weapon
if I did it cheaply enough.
That reminds me.
I forgot to tell you.
There's a letter for
you, there, on my desk.
From Rampion.
Thank you.
From Tukamoa. Message
from the bottom of a volcano.
Help!
Oh, aren't you going to read it?
Tomorrow.
I thought you were
worried about him.
If he can write,
he hasn't fallen in.
That's very logical.
You read it.
Not addressed to me.
Stephen, for the umpteenth
time, Ted Rampion is not my pinup.
He's young, brilliant, dances
divinely and plays very good tennis.
But he isn't the one I picked.
I picked you.
You are my husband.
You picked him once.
That was before I took
thermodynamics with you.
And picked an old man with
two left feet and no talents
to speak of physical
or otherwise.
Stephen...
this afternoon, when you
were talking to the commission
about changing the face of the
world and the future of humanity,
I made a decision,
an important one.
And?
I want a baby, Stephen. Now.
I want something of
my own to worry about.
Humanity can take
care of itself for a while.
Well, there are so many
things to do, Maggie.
It's just little time.
It doesn't take
all that much time.
I mean being parents.
We could take him to work with
us he could play with the slide ruler.
I'm not a young man anymore.
If anything should happen
to me you'd be left...
with a part of you
for the rest of my life.
Stephen!
- Hi, Steele.
- Hello, Dr. Rampion.
When did that happen?
They flew the missile
down a few days ago.
You're just in time
for the fireworks!
But the commission
what about their OK?
The commission's
been here and gone.
Didn't you know?
Looks as if I wasn't
suppose to know.
Not until it was all over.
You mean the old man
wanted you out of the way?
What does it look like to you?
To the Center of Operations.
As fast as you can.
You have the figures yet
on residual radioactivity?
We'll have them ready
for you in half an hour.
Half an hour?
Better get Obermeyer
to help you.
Maggie can handle it.
We don't cover for
favoritism, especially my wife.
They must have turned them down.
No, he's just nervous because
he hasn't heard from them yet.
Can I help you?
Dr. Sorenson, this
cable just arrived.
It's from Sir Charles.
Hello, Stephen.
Hello, how are you Ted?
I've seen the missile.
Yes.
You decided to go ahead.
You had to get
me out of the way.
You weren't taking any chances.
No.
No.
I just didn't want the
commissioners to become involved
in a long drawn out highly technical
discussion we just don't have the time.
What's the hurry, Stephen?
Can't you wait for
another Nobel Prize?
As a scientist, I'd
like to take a year.
Two years.
But as an administrator, I know
that if we don't produce some concrete
results here soon, this project
is going to be closed down!
You're not worried
about our job!
Now they care about
the idea our idea.
If this happens, it
will be written off
completely from another
generation, at least!
You'll save the
world or destroy it.
You're mad, Stephen.
You want to play God!
Hello, Ted.
Maggie.
I'm sorry about the delay.
That's all right. Thank you.
- See you later.
- Don't go, Maggie.
There's something
I want you to hear.
It's alright, Maggie.
It's all in the family.
What is it?
I'm going to the commission,
over Stephen's head.
I'm going to stop him if I can.
Don't you see? Don't you see?
The insane risk you are taking?
It was a decision that had to be made,
and as head of the project, I made it.
It was a decision you had
absolutely no right to make.
Not without being
one-hundred percent certain.
Oh, I know. The
famous Rampion Theory.
But the fact still remains that no other
member of the project will support you.
No other member of the
staff will stand up against you!
Ted, your objections were
raised to the Commission.
Sure, Stephen explained my
point of view... and disposed of it.
You couldn't afford to let me do my
own talking and present my own evidence.
That might have upset your plot.
Yes, it might have.
You're right about that.
You were frank with us, Stephen.
Let's see if you were just
as open with the commission.
You're too late, Ted.
The commission has
already given us the go ahead.
It's not too late.
When do you fire the missile?
The missile will be
fired Saturday morning.
Perhaps... I can help you?
Where is the report I turned
in on the documentation.
If you wish to take it to the
commission go right ahead.
This is on my own.
I resigned as of now.
He's so sure.
Do you think if you called a meeting
and opened the question to discussion...
Maybe you should
have resigned with him.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Come in!
You can't leave like this.
It will be difficult for you to get
another job. They'll label you a crackpot.
I can always sell
newspapers. If there are any.
What's wrong with those?
Now they've got holes in them.
I'll fix them.
If the world is gonna
come to an end...
at least you won't get caught
with holes in your socks.
That's a comforting thought.
Ted, you can't quit Stephen now.
You owe it to him.
Do I?
Well, he's got out on a
limb too many times for you.
The scholarships,
the research grants.
And the professorship in Tokyo
so he could be alone with you.
By then, it was over
between you and me anyway.
Only I didn't know it.
It just happened that
way, nobody planned it.
He plans everything.
He's got a computer mind.
Did he suggest this visit?
I'm here on my own!
I came because he needs you.
He's been working
under a terrible strain.
There is a limit to how
one man can carry.
I can't stay, Maggie.
And I'm not fighting
among personal grounds.
I'm fighting because I'm right.
Of course! You're only doing
what you think you have to do.
You're both such
noble scientists.
Attention all personnel.
The missile will be fired
in nine minutes from... now.
Alright, fellas. Take your
places. Nine minutes to go.
Check the P.A. system.
1, 2, 3, 4, testing. 1, 2, 3,
4 testing. 1, 2, 3, 4 testing.
Check the tape.
Eight and a half
minutes to go, Jack.
I know what time it is.
I thought you couldn't
see with your gloves on.
Alright, Stephen. That's all.
Alright, Bill, I can manage.
Well, in about eight
minutes we'll have an answer.
Don't you want to wish me luck?
There's something I
must tell you, Stephen.
There's no stopping the disease.
It's out of control.
Is it malignant?
Yes.
Why didn't you tell me before?
I wasn't sure. Now I am.
I didn't know how you'd take it.
How did you expect me
to take it? Stop the project?
No, I'll go on with my work.
After all, how many men had had the
opportunity to turn the page in history?
Newton, Pasteur, Einstein.
If you can look at it that way.
Good luck, Stephen.
Thank you, Bill.
Positions, everyone.
Six minutes to go.
All channels clear.
Instruments on full automatic.
Six minutes to firing time.
Check your instruments.
Yes?
Dr. Rampion is
here to see you, sir.
Oh, good. ask him to come in.
Come this way.
Hello, Dr. Rampion,
how very nice to see you.
Come in, did you
have a smooth flight?
Yes, quite busy, thank
you. Did you get my cable?
Oh, yes, I got your cable.
Gave me quite
a turn, I must say.
You shouldn't send
cables like that.
You never know who's
going to read them.
I'm serious, that missile must
not be fired. You've got to stop it.
The commission's already decided.
I'm afraid it's out of my hands.
Delay it 24 hours.
Give me a chance
to prove my case.
Look, these are echo soundings and deep
vibration tests made in the fault area.
Now, compare them
with normal soundings.
You see the difference?
What causes the difference?
They're due to flaws, stresses,
tiny fissures in the mantle.
Probably the result of many
years of underground atomic testing.
Another major explosion
and even deeper,
and these tiny fissures
will become cracks.
Suppose the Masato Trench
splits open under the ocean.
A crack a thousand miles long
bringing super heated magma
in contact with the ocean.
Earthquakes, tidal waves, mass
destruction on an apocalyptic scale!
You showed this
work to Dr. Sorenson?
Two months ago.
Curious he didn't
explain it to us.
Didn't he bring it up?
Oh, yes he did. But he didn't
seem to make it very important.
Put through an urgent
call to Tanganyika.
I want to speak to Dr. Sorenson.
One minute to zero.
Make a final check
of all the points.
Positions four,
five, nine, report in.
Five: All clear.
Fuel bombs all clear.
On your way! Nine: All clear.
All clear, sir.
40 seconds to zero.
Circuit One.
Circuit Two.
30 seconds to zero.
Circuit Three.
Outside call for
Dr. Sorenson, urgent!
Not now, secure all telephones!
20 seconds to zero.
Circuit Four.
Circuit Five.
Ten seconds.
Nine.
Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
Zero!
It's magma!
Yes?
Yes, I think I can get
through now. Hold on.
It's Sir Charles, from London.
Sorenson speaking.
Hello, Sorenson,
can you hear me?
Go ahead, Tanganyika. Go ahead.
Yes, I can hear you quite well.
Sorenson, I want this
shot postponed. Delayed.
We've had second thoughts back
here. We're calling a panel of consultants.
Well, I'm afraid it's
too late for that now, sir.
The missile has been fired.
We hit magma!
You did?
Ask him about the side effects.
Did he notice anything
out of the ordinary?
Any side effects, anything
out of the ordinary?
No, everything went
off according to plan.
As of now, I would say the
shot is an unqualified success.
Well, Sorenson. You know far
more than I do about what this means.
My profoundest congratulations!
Well, thank you, sir.
Thank you very much.
I called a press
conference for tomorrow.
You chaps can prepare a news
release by that time, I suppose.
I think so, I don't see why not.
Of course you know you'll have
correspondents popping in on you like flies.
You just have to put
up with that, I guess.
No trouble at all.
Oh, and by the way. If
you see my friend Rampion,
tell him to get back
here. His work is piling up.
Yes, I will if I see him.
And once again, many
congratulations. Goodbye!
He did it. The old boy did it.
A new era.
You know, somehow, it's
harder to take in when it's real
then when it's pure speculation.
I'm sorry I bothered
you, Sir Charles.
Nonsense. You did
quite right. Though...
I'm very glad you have mistaken.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
Ah, there, in the
middle under the magma
is the wall that has crusted
itself over like a cooling volcano.
There's no chance of it
starting up again, is there?
No, that's not likely.
The borehole has provided itself
with a very solid cap, like concrete.
Can we take some
pictures now, Dr.Sorenson?
Just a minute.
Can we take some closeups
of the magma, Dr. Sorenson?
Oh, yes, go ahead.
I'm so glad you came back.
Congratulations, Stephen.
I'm glad you're back
Ted. We missed you.
Well, I was wrong.
I suppose it's that
stubborn streak in me.
But you know? I still
can't help thinking that...
You are stubborn, aren't you?
No, it wasn't just
stubbornness. I was scared.
Don't think I wasn't
scared myself.
But you went ahead anyway.
Making a decision like
that, would scare anyone.
But we had to know.
Well, how about taking a
peak into the future? Come on.
Nickel, molybdenum,
manganese, iron.
And not ore,
already melted down.
The metals alone would
start up whole new industries.
And all these metals,
they're only a bonus.
The heat we'll use
to generate electricity.
We just have to
separate the metals.
That's it, exactly.
There's something
strange going on up there!
Must be animals moving fast.
A big herd.
Maybe a grass fire.
Maybe smoke.
I don't see any.
What else could scare them?
Let's go find out.
They're running scared.
No fire.
I can't figure it out.
I think I can.
The first turn we hit at 5
am it lasted 11 seconds.
The second turn we hit about an
hour later. They were both force 9.
Force 9?
Have you located
the epicenter yet?
11 degrees east about 320 miles.
The nearest town
is Port Victoria.
"Here are the earliest
reports from Port Victoria."
"The earthquake left
a burning ruin of a city
which this morning was a thriving
community of 50,000 people."
"At 5:00 am, local
time, the shocks began."
"Damage to property
was estimated
close to 200 million dollars,
and the number of
homeless was put at 17,000."
"All roads to the
city are destroyed."
"Since dawn, fleets of
helicopters have been flying in
with medical agents and
supplies for the engines."
"The number of
victims is not known."
But preliminary estimates give a
figure of 5,000 dead or missing."
"Normal programs will be interrupted to give
later on the spot reports from Port Victoria
as they are received
by the station."
"Meanwhile, we go back
to our scheduled program."
You're thinking you were
right all along, aren't you?
I don't think that's the point.
The question is
are we responsible?
There have been
earthquakes in that area before.
We have no proof that this
one was caused by our bomb.
Markov, get me the fact
sheet on Port Victoria.
Where is Port Victoria?
Here.
That's 250 miles on the borehole
where the missile was fired.
What proof have we that there's
any connection between the two?
None.
Not yet.
"Earthquake tremors
recorded in 1890, 1903, 1920."
"A series of
earthquakes in 1934."
"No subsequent activities."
Seems they were
all ready for this.
Dr. Sorenson, this just
came in to communications.
Kutamauan.
Where is Kutamauan?
It's an island east
of Porto Vitoria.
Look up Kutamauan.
"Kutamauan has been hit by a
violent tremor and a tidal wave.
Wiped out!
"Loss of life: 7,000."
What is the record
of earthquake activity?
None. No earthquake
activity ever.
They're all on the
line of the Masato fault.
I expect the next tremor along
here, near Sheer Water island.
I'm going out there to look at the
ocean floor for signs of any activity.
I'm taking Steele.
Anything you need.
Right.
Steele, wire ahead to get
the observation sub ready.
Tell them to check
the pressure changes.
We're going deep.
I'll take care of the cameras.
Right.
"Sheer Water
Island, severe shock."
Take it down deeper.
Over that shoulder ahead.
I hope this thing
holds together.
Deeper. There's something down
there. Just follow that disturbance.
5.000 feet.
Outside temperature 200 degrees.
We're getting there.
Haven't you had enough?
No!
Well, I have.
We're going up.
We took this
photograph at 5,000 feet.
We took this one at 7,000 feet.
And this one at 9,000 feet.
Direct observation and analysis of
samples being brought to the surface
lead us to the conclusion that a deep
fissure has opened in the ocean floor.
And this final proof.
This photograph taken
at the deepest point.
Can I see the negative?
Is it moving?
Along the Masato Trench.
How fast?
At about 3 miles per hour.
Then the Rampion Theory is
no longer a theory, it's a fact.
Which means you were
right. And I was wrong.
Well gentlemen, the
evidence speaks for itself.
I don't know if we can stop a
destruction that's been unleashed,
but we must face the fact
that we have caused a
crack in the earth's crust.
A crack in the world!
Gentlemen... gentlemen...
Let's fall apart, we
have work to do. Please.
We must hear Dr. Rampion
complete his report.
You were saying that the
crack is extending to the east.
Along the Masato Trench.
It's following a geological
flaw in the earth's crust.
Known as the Masato Fault,
that runs from here
to the tip of India.
And veers across Indonesia and terminates
off the Australian Continental Shelf.
How do you know the
crack will stop there?
We don't.
What if the crack keeps
going right around the world?
What happens then?
Where the landmasses split,
the oceans will be sucked in.
And the colossal pressure generated by the
steam will rip the earth apart and destroy it.
You mean... the world
will come to an end?
The world, as we know it, yes.
As a cloud of astral dust will continue
to move within the solar system.
It isn't possible!
It's insane!
You took a calculated risk, which
was more risk than calculation.
Didn't you, as an officer,
ever take a calculated risk?
As an officer, I can.
You, a civilian, cannot.
I always said we should not have
left this in the hands of civilians.
Gentlemen...
Please, we have work to do.
We're all responsible. All
of us who voted to go ahead.
And all the powers who provoked
the disaster by underground testing.
Dr. Rampion was the
only one who was against it.
The question now is not who is to blame,
but how we can stop the catastrophe.
At present we don't know
any way we can stop it.
First we have to learn and
understand the natural forces involved.
And, if possible, find some way to
control them in the time committed to us.
What is being done, now?
Every university, every scientist, every
thinking military leader, is helping us.
Is there anything
that we can do?
Pray!
- Hi, Ted, welcome back.
- Hi.
Hi, Masefield.
Hello there, Ted.
How did London take it?
They all look to us to
come up with something.
How about Numy and Reynolds?
Have they gotten anything?
Reynolds would like to
try his nuclear capsule.
Give me a report on
the latest eruptions.
That's the one we discarded months ago
because the opening wasn't big enough.
I think I can increase
it now to four feet.
How long will it take
you to get down 10 miles?
Two months, with luck.
That's too little or too late.
By then the crack will be
halfway around the world.
No. We have to relieve
the pressure right now.
Another tremendously bigger
scale than a four foot hole.
Speaking.
Oh, yes, Dr. Sorenson.
The spectrographs?
But we sent them in.
Oh, the spectrographs on
the Alamogordo and Bikini?
Yes, yes, we have them here.
Very well, I'll
send them right in.
Thank you.
Get all spectrographs on the early atomic
explosions and one on the hydrogen bomb.
How's the pain?
It keeps me from concentrating.
That codeine doesn't seem
to be effective anymore.
I'll give you
something stronger.
Take one to start. With a severe
pain, you can take as many as two.
More than that, and you
might not come out of it.
You've been following the
news reports, haven't you, Bill?
Yes.
How many dead so far?
38,000 more or less.
More or less!
Less than Hiroshima.
Less than the death
rate for lung cancer.
We were trying to help.
Didn't work.
Nobody is infallible.
No, I was in a hurry.
Couldn't bear the thought of
someone else finishing my work.
I told you I was
not to be disturbed.
But Doctor, it's Mrs.
Sorenson. She's here.
I can't see her.
Stephen, I must
talk to you, please.
You haven't told her?
That's not of kindness.
- She has a right.
- I'm not being kind.
I don't want her pity.
Please, Maggie!
Bill, do you mind?
I gave orders. I was
not to be disturbed.
Stephen, please!
What's happening?
Why did you come?
You want to call me a
murderer to my face?
I didn't come to call you anything.
I came to see how you are.
- You made a mistake, an honest one.
- No, I didn't make any mistake.
What I did, I did deliberately.
I knew there was a
risk and I accepted it.
I was so sure of success!
And you can't face it. But
your judgment was wrong.
Is that why you lock
yourself for three days
and nights, refusing to see
anyone or talk to anyone?
I was working.
Did... Rampion send you?
Stephen!
He's been put in
charge of the project.
You're right, they pretty
well had to fire me, I suppose.
You're lucky, my dear.
You got off the
sinking ship in time.
I can't complain that you have
weakness for successful men, can I?
After all, that's the way I
took you away from him.
Oh, Stephen, I loved you!
Not the great man, you.
It's very kind of you, my dear.
Stop hiding. Please, don't shut
me out. Let me stay with you!
I'm not hiding, Maggie.
The fact is... there's
nothing more I want from you.
Stephen, don't!
Also, I'm afraid there's
nothing more I have to give.
I'm sorry...
I thought...
I'm sorry!
Put the spectrographs there.
If you are making a comparison,
the Oakridge pictures are here on top.
Welcome back, Ted.
How did you know
what I was looking for?
Just logic.
There can only be one reason
why you're checking all these facts.
- To find a common occurrence in all of them?
- Or the absence of an occurrence.
Here, let me show
you what I'm looking for.
I've assembled a few of
the early atomic explosions.
For study purposes all these shots have been
slowed down 100 times their original speed,
and the action is reversed.
This way, the actual
atomic explosion
appears at the end of each
piece of film with a blinding flash.
Now, this flash, later
analyzed in a spectrograph,
gives us exact information about
the components of the explosion.
Now look at this.
This is a spectrograph of
a normal atomic explosion.
This is a spectrograph of our own explosion
when the magma came to the surface.
Notice the difference.
Hydrogen in
considerable quantities!
- But you didn't use a hydrogen bomb!
- Right.
Where did the hydrogen
come from? That is our question.
From the magma. No, from
a pocket below the magma!
Exactly, that was my deduction.
That's why our explosion
was greater than we expected.
That's why it cracked the crust.
Our problem is to harness the
same source of energy to stop it.
With that energy we could blow a
hole big enough to take the pressure off!
Not only take the pressure off, but if we
could find a spot in the path of the crack
with sufficient hydrogen and set off an
explosion there, we could stop it cold.
Then when the crack
gets there, it stops.
Where do you figure
on blowing this hole?
A volcanic island on the
Masato Trench: Tukamoa.
It's directly in the
path of the crack.
If we can stop Tukamoa erupting
before the crack gets there,
we stand a chance
of stopping it.
Yeah, but how do
you start up a volcano?
- With a nuclear bomb!
- Another bomb?
Now this where you job comes in.
We have to shield the bomb against
heat to avoid premature explosion.
What kind of heat?
Molten lava.
How long does the
shield have to hold up?
While the bomb is sinking
below the lava. About 45 minutes.
25. Thirty tops.
Can you give me 35?
I'll try, but I'd hate to be the
guy holding the stopwatch.
How are you going
to place the bomb.
By hand.
You mean somebodys going down
inside a volcano and drop this thing?
It will be a team of volunteers.
You're crazy!
- Have you had a better idea?
- Any of you?
This is what we'll do.
How deep are we going, Ted?
Low enough to drop the
bomb directly into the lava.
I knew I shouldn't have
volunteered for this job.
These suits have only
been tested to 1,000 degrees.
Yeah, I know. Now there
are some ledges down there.
The hardest part will be
to get the bomb over them.
Tomorrow I'm taking
this suit to the tailor.
Call observation
on Fortune Island.
Tell them to send the helicopter
back and have it standby.
Headquarters, Fortune Island.
Send helicopter
and standby here.
Helicopter on its way.
Have you...
Ask him if he has
holes in his socks.
Maggie wants to know if
you have hole in your socks.
Tell her my socks are OK.
Somebody darned them.
Once I release the bomb
down there, we are committed.
We have six minutes to get up,
nine minutes to get to the helicopter.
That leaves us 20 minutes to
evacuate everyone to Fortune Island.
Hold it!
Lift the bomb six inches.
OK. Steele, push.
OK, lower away.
Hold it!
Simpson, come down here
and use the cable over the ledge!
Hook me up, I'm going down.
Lights.
That does it.
Take us down.
Take the bomb up a foot.
Take it up!
Alright, Steele. Push.
Lower away.
Alright, let it go
down. Easy. Steady.
Full stop!
We're at 400, Ted.
You told me to hold it.
Yes, I know.
We gotta go deeper.
There's another ledge to clear.
OK Steele, let's push it.
It's hung up.
I'll go down and free it.
Lower me five feet.
Don't cross over Steele!
Stay along the side!
Steele!
Oh, my God.
His cable snapped.
Steele is gone.
Ted, Ted. You
want to call it off?
No!
I'm taking the safe yield.
Pick me up five feet!
Ted...
Ted!
He doesn't answer.
Bring him up fast.
Hold it!
He's out cold. Pick us up!
Keep it coming.
Steady!
Keep it going.
Stand-by to swing him free.
Get the bottles off.
Oxygen!
Get him to the oxygen, quick!
He's not breathing.
How do you feel?
Medium rare...
Get him back to
the island, quick.
Let's get the hell out of here!
Maggie!
Maggie!
Two minutes to go!
All scientists to
take their positions.
Have you got all the
recorders running?
OK.
Protective glasses!
I hope that stops it.
The crack has stopped!
It's all over.
Let Rampion and his team
know that they've succeeded.
Oh, and send a message to London
and take them off the hook, too.
They must have been in the
same kind of sweat we've been.
If that stuff breaks, I'll
take it out of your paycheck!
Well, things are back
to normal again, I see.
Ted!
Maggie wants to see you.
What's the matter?
I don't know.
Dr. Evans called her
on the radio phone.
I don't know what he
said, but it hit her hard.
Ted, it's Stephen...
He's ill.
Very ill.
Stephen.
He kept it a secret
from everyone, even me.
He said it wasn't serious.
Dr. Evans has been giving him
x-ray treatment to keep him working.
It hasn't helped.
It's out of control.
What did the doctor say?
A week.
Maybe less.
Ted!
Ted. I've got to go to him...
Alright.
I'll give you a hand.
Indian Ocean!
Where is the epicenter?
Where are the strongest shocks?
They come from the Indian Ocean!
Yes, but where in
the Indian Ocean?
Get Rampion on the hotline and get
a fix from Greenwich on the shocks.
Rampion here.
We've had a... force
eight earthquake here.
In our zone.
Indian ocean.
- When did it happen, before or...
- After that.
The...
the crack...
has not been stopped.
It's changed direction,
but it's still moving.
Did you locate the epicenter?
Yes, it's halfway.
Between Tukamoa
and Sheer Water Island.
Then it's turned doubled
back towards the coast.
Yes, It... it's...
Morrison! Morrison!
Sorenson! Stephen!
Sorenson, can you hear me?
Stephen!
Masefield here.
Listen, Rampion.
What happened?
Fainted.
Masefield.
Do you know what
he wanted to tell me?
Yes.
The crack is moving
twice as fast as before.
Alright, Masefield.
Contact London.
Tell them what happened.
Don't hold back on anything.
Yes, sir.
I'm on my way back.
Have all seismograph records and wave
intensity analysis ready when I get there.
Yes, sir.
You had it all?
Yeah.
Let's get back.
Angela, how is he?
Oh, he won't let anyone in.
I stay around just in case.
Look, you better get some rest.
Oh, no, no I couldn't.
I'll stay. Come on.
I am tired, Maggie.
But what if he asks for me?
I'll tell him I sent you to bed.
Thank you, Maggie.
Who is it?
It's me, Maggie.
Did you... come for the wake?
I'm sorry.
I shouldn't have said that.
Can't we be decent
to each other now?
You can. I still
haven't learned.
Please Stephen, don't.
Why did you come?
To be kind?
No.
No, I came because I...
I wanted something for myself.
I wanted our being together
to have meant something.
You want me to say I'm
sorry? Is that what you want?
I don't know.
Yes.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I hurt you.
I'm sorry for everything!
Could I fix anything
to say you're sorry?
One little cup!
No, but it matters anyway.
It matters to me.
I'm... a little tired.
I think I'll close my eyes.
Do you want me to leave?
Please, stay.
Thank you.
"Political leaders throughout
the world are in agreement."
"In a joint communique, issued
simultaneously in Washington,
Paris, Moscow and London, they
say that if the crack encircles the globe,
it will mean the end of us all."
"But here in Saint
Peter's square, Rome,
countless thousands keep
vigilant pray for divine aid."
"From these scenes of devotion,
we move now to New York"
Where are the reports?
You didn't do so
well in your volcano!
Ah, forget it! So we're right
back where we started from.
Take a look at this.
Even New York?
Shut that thing off.
Clear this mess up!
Give them a hand.
How is he?
What's the latest?
I don't understand!
Signals are getting weaker.
I just sent Maggie to check
through the relay connections.
Weaker? Not stronger?
But I thought the crack
was headed in our direction!
Yes, I know, but the
signals are weaker.
Either the shocks are dying down,
or the crack is leaving this area.
All the relay
lines are in order.
Dr. Rampion! Dr. Rampion!
Point Albert reports unusual volcanic activity
about seven miles south, on the beach.
How far from here is that?
About 21 miles.
Marlkov, Brandt, get the open
Land Rover with the two-way radio.
Come on, Maggie, we have to
measure speed and direction!
There it is!
Rampion Mobile Unit reporting
seven miles south of Port Albert.
It's changing direction!
Give me sections 31 and
30 on the detailed map.
Temperature rising.
140 F.
Temperature rising
1-4-0 degrees.
It's picking up speed.
All of section 30 has to
be evacuated immediately.
We're moving out!
Evacuate section 30 immediately.
Rampion Mobile
Unit moving in land.
It's another crack!
They seem to be converging!
Yes, on the project!
Go give me section 31,
the district below Port Albert.
There's been no activity in
that section. Nothing whatsoever.
There will be in
about half an hour.
There are two fissures now. Or
rather, two ends of the same crack.
One of them has changed
direction, and as the other one does,
if they're extended...
Where will they intersect?
At the burrow
were it all started.
A circle cut out of
the earth's crust?
Yes, and it will break away.
Acting as a safety valve
of immense proportion.
20,000 square miles of the Earth's
surface thrown out into space.
And the effect on
the Earth's rotation?
Do you think the
Earth can survive?
No one has ever observed
the birth of a moon, Masefield.
They've got to be stopped.
They're headed into the crack!
Stop it! Stop it! You're
heading for the crack!
You're heading for the crack!
Stop it, stop it! You're
heading for the crack!
We have to stop
them in the village!
Evacuate section 28!
Evacuate section 28! I
repeat: Evacuate section 28!
Let's get back to the project.
Reynolds, where
was Rampion last?
Section 31, south of Windover
about seven miles from here.
- Do you think he's been cut off?
- I don't know.
What about the project?
It will have to be evacuated.
It's coming too close.
"Attention all
personnel out all levels."
"Beginning immediately. The
project is to be evacuated."
"Leave all circuit breakers on."
"Disconnect all instruments."
"The different levels will be
evacuated according to their numbers."
We can't get through in this road.
We have to go around the other way!
Mary, Mary! Where are you?
Masefield, where's my husband?
He left with the others.
At least I think he did.
He's down there! I tried to
get him to go, but he wouldn't.
Maggie, where are you going?
He's down there!
Sorenson!
- Stephen!
- Maggie,what are you doing here?
You've got to get
her out of here!
- You're coming with us!
- No, I have work to finish!
Once in a billion years a moon is
born, that's what's happening now.
It may destroy the
earth. It may save it.
Whatever happens, I've
got to be here and record it!
We can't leave you, Stephen!
Don't you realize that the two
cracks are going to meet here?
They'll meet at the borehole,
in a vortex outside the circle.
I saw the whole face
of this touch the ground!
Alright! You better take
the microphone records.
I'll get them.
Would you... get
my medicine, please?
It's on my desk.
Stephen!
Stephen!
Ted! Ted! He's
locked himself in!
Open the door!
Destroyed the mechanism!
Sorenson! Stephen!
Sorenson!
I'll keep recording everything
that happens, as long as I can.
Sorenson, the whole project is going!
Now, open the door and come out with us!
If you survive, you'll find
all my records in the safe.
If everything goes, it
doesn't matter anyway!
Give me your hand!
Hold on!
Please, help me!
Help me please!
Help me!