High Value Target: The Hunt for Saddam (2026) s01e03 Episode Script
Blood Ties
1
♪
♪
♪
♪
- Six months of dead ends.
I can't shake
this sinking feeling
that we're not
going to catch him.
The man has vanished.
On the streets,
spontaneous demonstrations
turned into riots.
Every day, another gunfight.
♪
We hope finding Saddam
might reduce the violence.
Analysts claim that he had
at least three lookalikes.
I used to call them Huey,
Dewey, and Louie.
If we find Saddam Hussein,
it might suppress some
of the violence.
♪
♪
Saddam ruled his family
like he ruled the country--
based on fear
and loyalty to the clan leader.
If he sensed betrayal,
he cut it out, root and branch.
I mean, how do you interrogate
a man like Yusuf,
who grew up in that?
I'm lost.
Everyone here knows it.
♪
♪
- Good. Thank you.
- Coming through.
[ Distant screaming ]
- Saddam kept his prisoners here.
Watch your step.
Taste of their own medicine.
- Oh, you don't like that,
do you?
[ Dog barking ]
[ Thudding ]
[ Indistinct shouting ]
- Add some more make-up there.
It's okay, sweetie.
It's just make-up.
We'll clean it soon.
- Just about ready?
- I don't know.
♪
[ Electricity crackles ]
♪
- Yeah.
What'd you say?
♪
♪
Hey!
Stop it!
♪
Hey! Cut it out!
Let's put some clothes on him.
- [ Sighs ]
- Goddamn it!
[ Speaking global language ]
You shouldn't have been
treated this way.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- He's asking about his family.
- Will you help us?
I can help you and your family.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- [ Speaking global language ]
- He doesn't want to help.
- Yusuf, let's stop
playing games.
I know you speak English,
so let's speak English, okay?
Hey, hey, hey!
Just give him time to answer.
- If you say pretty please.
- I don't want that shit,
do you understand?
Look, I know you've worked
for Saddam since '98.
You were photographed with him
in August that year,
in October, March '99.
- I don't work for Saddam.
He works for me.
He works for all Iraqis.
- You were his bodyguard,
and then you were photographed
with him again
on April 4th in Al-mansour.
- Answer the man.
- You mistaken me, sir.
- Hey, hey! Stop it!
Goddamn it! Stop it!
I told you to stop that shit.
There's no need for it.
Pick him up! Pick him up!
- This isn't the U.N.
You'll find out how it works
here soon enough.
- Goddamn it.
- Mohammad Amir Yusuf,
I know that
you're Saddam's third cousin.
I want you to listen to me
very carefully right now.
The United States is prepared
to pay you $25 million U.S.
to tell us where Saddam
is hiding.
- my mother
for that kind of money.
- [ Scoffs ] Shit.
- In a cave
behind the spider web,
concealed by trees
and breeding nests.
- What cave? Where?
- He is mocking us.
Prophet's escape to Medina.
- He says he wants to die
a martyr.
- Can you translate this
so there's no misunderstanding?
If you show us
where Saddam is hiding,
you'll become a rich man
and you get to see
your family again.
You don't have to be
afraid of him anymore.
He has no power over you.
The sooner you tell us
where he is,
the sooner I can keep
your family safe.
I can't protect them now.
Your wife and your daughter--
how old is she now?
9? 10?
Polly, show him.
You don't love Saddam.
You're afraid of him.
- And so should you.
Your bombs didn't stop him.
Your spies didn't kill him.
- The night we fled the city,
your soldiers shined a light
in his eyes.
Three times, they let us pass.
Not the dark, not the mud,
not the cold
could slow Saddam down.
With both hands, he gives you
everything you wish for
in this world.
- And that's
how he destroys you.
Don't try to find
Saddam Hussein.
Go home if you value your life.
Go and just pray your God.
If you value your life,
don't find him.
- Go through the mud?
- Just pray your God.
- Don't you ever
put your hands on me.
- Hey, hey, hey!
- That's enough! Hey, hey!
- What the hell, man?
You think we're gonna
get correct information
when you beat the shit
out of him like that?
- Hey! What is this?
Calm down, you two.
- The stakes are real live here.
So, your bitch ass rules
of etiquette don't apply.
Any one of us could get dead
like that. [ Snaps fingers ]
Grow a pair!
- you, Doyle.
Macho man bullshit.
Give me a map.
Get a map, man.
- What are you thinking, John?
- Saddam's last public appearance
was April 9th.
U.S. soldiers were coming in
from the West.
So, why didn't he just go east
and get out as fast as he can?
- How do you know he didn't?
- Well, Yusuf said they looked
U.S. soldiers in the eyes
three times on his way out.
They must have passed
three perimeters.
Doyle!
When did you take the palace?
- On the ninth.
- What time of day?
- Midday.
- Midday?
- Yeah.
Perimeter was here.
- But Yusuf said
they used flashlights,
which means they
must have been at night,
so at least six hours before.
So, where would
the perimeter have been?
- Here.
- Did it rain that night?
- No.
- You sure?
- Yeah.
- So, why did they drive
through mud?
- It's the Tigris. They must have
gone in the river.
- But how? In a boat?
Would he have one?
- To go where, Kuwait?
- So, you're Saddam.
Paranoid. Every day the same.
You're a creature of habit.
Every day, same food,
same people.
Now you're on the run.
Where do you go?
Tigris? Tikrit?
- He's not here.
The army's been there in Tikrit,
turned over every rock.
- More than once.
- Okay, so,
what did Saddam think
is gonna happen to him?
- We're missing something.
Tikrit.
Tigris.
It's the river of his youth.
It's where he played
with his brothers.
- Let's go.
- He's in Tikrit, right?
This is a simple choice.
You either take the $25 million
and your family,
or after we capture Saddam--
and you realize
we're going to capture him,
it's just a matter of time--
we're going to let everyone know
that you helped us catch him.
A spy.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- What about my family?
- We'll fly them
wherever you say.
I give you my word.
And they will be
waiting for you, Yusuf,
with more money than any
of us will see in our lifetime.
- This is what's gonna happen
if you play ball.
We're gonna parade you
through the prison
so everyone sees you.
And then in a few days,
we'll let you go.
You can go meet your family,
and then we'll spread the rumor
that you got executed.
[ Conversation
in global language ]
You don't have a choice.
Just tell us.
- Ad-Dawr farm.
- No, no, no, no, no, no.
We've been there already.
- He's hiding.
You won't find him.
- You're lying.
- I'm not.
He's there.
Ad-Dawr farm.
- That's the farm that he hid in
September 1959
after he tried
to assassinate Qasim.
Untie him.
Thank you.
Let's go to the farm.
[ Knock on door ]
- Sir.
- Iraq just beat Kenya.
Can you believe that shit?
Alright, three amigos.
What do you got for me?
- We got a lead on Saddam.
- And this one's actually
from a credible source.
- [ Chuckles ] Yeah?
Alright, well, convince me.
- Sir. Sir.
Sir!
It's a huge mistake
not following up on this lead.
- I've already been there
three goddamn times.
April 17th. June 9th--
- Yeah, we know, sir.
But with all due respect,
back then,
we were looking for any
Baathist leader we could find.
- And again after
Desert Scorpion in July.
Now, unless you three just think
we're a bunch of dumbass grunts
with nothing better to do--
- Sir, it's a place full of
hiding spots. We need to go.
- I don't know what
another trip there buys us.
I swear to God.
- I mean, could we have
missed something?
This is the first time
we've been told
by someone categorically close
to HVT1.
- It's just another asshole
that wants $25 million, John.
- Colonel, this is different.
- How?
- We broke his bodyguard.
- What?
- And he's HVT1's cousin.
- You broke his bodyguard?
- Yes, sir.
- And you really want to spend
all your credit
on this search op?
You stand behind this intel?
- Yeah.
- Stand by.
Sergeant!
- Yes, sir.
- Get me Doyle on the line.
I want rotors up at 18:00.
Copy?
- Copy that, sir. Right away.
- This is on you.
- Let's go.
- Let's go!
- Nixon! Humvee's are
already at the rally point.
I do not trust this prick
to ID him.
- Yeah.
Sir, ask him these questions.
Only Saddam himself knows
the answer to those.
And he's got tattoos
on his right hand.
It's a crescent and two dots.
Tribal tattoos.
Then he's got a big scar
on his left calf.
- What if it's one
of his doubles?
- There's no doubles.
That's bullshit.
- Let's go.
[ Soldiers shouting ]
- Come on, Yusuf, we've had
this conversation already,
and we're not repeating it.
Thank you.
Just trust us.
Nobody will recognize you.
- What's wrong with him?
- He doesn't want to go.
He says Saddam will kill
his family.
We can't depend on him.
- You got to be kidding me.
- Major Doyle!
Ready to roll, sir!
- Get in the chopper.
- What?
- "What" is not
a valid field response.
Colonel's waiting.
This mission's on you.
Get in the chopper.
- Come on, John.
John, don't be a hero.
- Stay alert, John.
- I don't have training for this.
- What?
- I don't have training for this.
- No shit.
♪
♪
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♪
♪
- Please, sir, stay with me.
[ Camel groans ]
- Check door right!
Yeah, yeah.
- Evacuate the area.
- Roger.
- I want my CP set right here!
Let's move! Go!
- Clear, clear, clear!
Go, go, go, go, go, go!
[ Child screams ]
- He's not here. Again.
- All clear.
♪
♪
- We all clear?
- Clear?
- All clear.
- Is that the owner?
- Yes, sir.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- Clear!
- All clear?
- All clear!
- [ Speaking global language ]
- [ Speaking global language ]
- I think Saddam's there.
I need you to get there now.
Go on.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- Go on.
- Stand by.
- Stand by.
- This is the owner
of the farm.
He claims he doesn't know
anything.
- Where's Saddam?
- [ Speaking global language ]
- No Saddam!
- Great job, John.
More Intel that costs
$25 million for nothing.
- He's here.
- You see, Nixon,
I told you Yusuf lied.
We stay here long enough,
we're exposed, sir.
- Alright, give the order.
We're gonna pull out.
Call it out, John.
Everybody, let's move.
Get ready to go!
- John, is it true Saddam built
a network of tunnels
under Baghdad?
- Yeah.
It could be like a whole city.
- Like a James Bond villain's
secret underground lair?
- Yeah.
- Helicopter's ready, sir.
- Sir.
- What?
- Sir.
He's got to be underground.
Alright, we got to--
we got to look one more time.
- What do you think
we've been doing?
- Let's look specifically
for air shafts.
- You heard the Colonel!
Move out!
- We got--
- Standby.
- We're already here, sir.
- You got six mikes.
You find Saddam Hussein.
I don't care if you got to
raise him from the dead.
Bring his ass here.
We're gonna do one more sweep,
one more.
- We're looking for air shafts,
tunnels, underground, whatever.
- Copy.
- Let's move out. On me!
- Stand down on the radio.
♪
♪
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♪
- Got something.
♪
♪
Sir. I found something.
♪
♪
- Hello?
- [ Speaking global language ]
- Shh!
- [ Speaking global language ]
[ Gun cocks ]
- [ Shouting in global language ]
- One, two.
- I think I am fair.
- [ Speaking global language ]
I am Saddam Hussein,
president of Iraq.
- He wants to negotiate.
- Is that him?
Get this piece of shit
to the helicopter.
We'll ID the target
when we get back to base.
- Sir, we need a picture.
- We do not have time.
- The Iraqi people
need to see this, sir.
We need a picture.
Please!
- Sir, for posterity.
The world has got to see this.
- Then take the damn picture.
Go!
- Hold him up!
[ Camera shutter clicks ]
- We need to go-- now!
Move out!
♪
♪
- We're sure it's him, right?
♪
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♪
[ Radio chatter ]
♪
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♪
♪
- Go, go, go, go.
♪
♪
- [ Groans ]
- Okay, check the man's
right hand for tattoos.
It should be a crescent
and two dots
between his thumb
and his forefinger.
Okay, now check his left calf
on the inside.
He's got a big scar there.
[ Breathing heavily ]
- [ Speaking global language ]
- He's asking you
to identify yourself.
- I'm here to ask questions,
and you need to answer
truthfully.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- What was your French
doctor's name?
- [ Speaking global language ]
- Iraq has the best doctors
in the world.
Why would I need a French one?
- When was the last time
you saw your wife, Sajida?
- [ Speaking global language ]
- The women are none
of your concern.
- That's not what he said.
He said the women separated.
- Yes, Major.
It's an idiom which means
"the women are
none of your concern."
- Okay, just stay focused.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- He's just calling me a traitor.
- Your uncle, Kheirollah Talfah.
What was his grandfather's name?
- [ Speaking global language ]
- What's the point
of these questions?
- The point is,
I just blow your brains out.
Now answer the questions.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- I am President Saddam Hussein
of Iraq,
whether you like it or not.
Who are you?
- [ Shouting in global language ]
- He's demanding an answer.
♪
- That's him.
That's him.
[ Telephone rings ]
- Hello?
John?
Are you there?
Talk to me.
- We got him.
- What? Oh, my God!
- Yeah, we got him.
And listen, it's because of
your stupid Bond obsession.
- Don't be silly.
- No, I'm serious.
- Oh!
Oh! It's over.
I can't believe it.
- I can't believe it, either.
- I am so proud of you.
- Listen, I-I got to go.
I'll call you soon, okay?
- I love you.
- I love you, too, so much.
[ Knock on door ]
Okay. Bye.
- I'll love you, too,
if you get off the phone.
- He got him!
- Good afternoon.
Yesterday, December the 13th,
at around 8:30 p.m.
Baghdad time
the United States
military forces
captured Saddam Hussein--
alive.
The vast majority
of Iraqi citizens
wish to live
as free men and women.
This event brings
further assurance
- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.
- that the torture chambers
are gone forever.
The operation was based
on the superb work
of intelligence analysts
who found the dictator's
footprints in a vast country.
Our servicemen and women
and our coalition allies
have faced many dangers
in the hunt
for members
of the fallen regime.
Their work continues,
and so do the risks.
Today, on behalf of the nation,
I thank the members
of our armed forces
and I congratulate them.
I also have a message
for all Americans--
the capture of Saddam Hussein
does not mean the end
of violence in Iraq.
- Ladies and gentlemen
- We still face terrorists.
- Will you all
put your hands together.
Our handsome and modest hero,
Mr. John Nixon.
[ Cheers and applause ]
You did it!
- Rock star!
- There he is.
The man who caught Saddam.
- Cal.
- [ Laughs ]
- Cal, what are you doing here?
- I came to save you
from all the attention.
- This is my little brother's
best friend.
Proud of you, man.
Charlie would be, too.
His big bro just cuffed
the biggest mother of our time.
Ace of spades, baby.
- Yeah.
That's crazy.
Wait.
An oak leaf, Major?
- Yeah. That's crazy, right?
I mean, who would have thought
we'd go from
sneaking into Ranger games
at the Garden
to all this damn sand?
- Yeah.
Desert Storm was a long time
ago, but I was
You know, a day doesn't go by
without me thinking about him,
how he saved all his men.
I always looked up to him.
- He loved you.
- I know.
But I want him
to look up to me, you know?
- He did.
Really is.
- Yeah.
♪
- C'est la vie!
♪
- So put your back into it
and let your mind go ♪
You gotta run
right through it ♪
Don't make my mind go crazy ♪
I know you gone crazy ♪
I know you gone,
I know you gone crazy ♪
♪
♪
♪
[ Telephone rings ]
- Hey, Charles?
- Huh?
- The phone.
Do you mind?
Would you get it?
- Uh. Oh. Yeah. Sure.
Hello.
- Hey, Daddy.
Wait.
What are you doing at the house?
Is everything okay? Bec's okay?
- Yeah, she's just fine.
She's sitting here
watching some TV.
I thought I'd come over here
and intercept your next call.
- A-ha.
Listen, I was gonna call you,
but it's just been
a little crazy.
Um, it's--
it's still a little crazy.
- Becs-- she said it was--
- What?
- [ Sighs ]
She-- She said it was you.
- W-What are you talking about?
- You-- You're the one
who found him.
Hold on, hold on.
- I-I-It's all over the news.
I'm so happy.
I wish I could tell everyone.
- Yeah, well,
I guess you just did.
- Well, I--
- [ Scoffs ]
He's not going to say anything.
- No, no.
- When are you--
When are you back?
- Sorry. Sorry, baby.
It's a little crazy.
It's-- Sorry.
It's a-- it's a--
It's a little party
going on here,
as you can hear.
Um, baby
I'm coming home for Christmas.
- That is the best present
I could ask for.
Oh, hey.
We'll see you for Christmas.
- I'll call you real soon, okay?
I love you, bye-bye.
- Whoo-hoo!
♪
- And we continue
our coverage now
on the capture
of Saddam Hussein.
People all over the world
celebrating the capture
of the ex-dictator of Iraq,
but nowhere with more joy
than in Iraq.
- Today I had the chance
to clamber into the tyrant's
last hiding place.
- The former dictator is
now almost certain
to be put on trial in Iraq,
and some officials
are already saying
that he could face
the death penalty.
- [ Knock on door ]
- Get up, baby!
Time for breakfast!
Hey, baby!
Come on, baby, let's go, go, go!
You did it! You're the hero.
- Rise and shine!
- I'm coming! Shit.
- Come on, my man!
Whoo!
♪
- Hey, John!
- Hey, hey.
- Good work, John.
- Hey, what's up?
- Nixon.
- Hey.
[ Both chuckle ]
- You got him.
- Yeah, we got him.
[ Both chuckle ]
- Uh, look, I, uh,
I never really doubted you.
I, uh, I knew you were smart.
Solid job.
- Thank you.
Sir, are you gonna be the one
to interrogate Saddam?
- No, the FBI team
will be here in 30 days.
They'll pump Hussein
like an oil well.
- 30 days? A month?
- Yeah.
- That's gonna give him
time to prepare.
I mean, the first 36 hours,
they're the most crucial.
- Nixon, there's a moment
where the hunter gives way
to the chef.
- Agreed, but Saddam
has been preparing
for his potential capture
for years.
The insurgency is growing
stronger by the day.
We got to get on this.
- [ Sighs ]
Insurgency is the Army's job.
Priority is to find the WMD.
- So, what, we're just gonna
waste a month to ask him?
That just sounds
like bullshit politics.
- That's how this works.
If you don't like it, you should
have stayed in your cubbyhole
instead of begging Angela
to have me get you over here.
- I didn't beg to come here, alright?
I came here
because I want to be of service,
because I know this guy
better than anyone.
And that's the reason
why we got him.
- Hey, what's going on?
- And you just want to trash
the only opportunity
we have to interrogate him
while he's still vulnerable
and confused?
- Do you think you can get him to
lead us to the WMD?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
I'll talk to Angela.
But you better get those WMDs.
- I'm so sorry.
Can I talk to you for a second,
John?
Sorry.
Come-- Come-- Come with me.
You're getting played.
Do you realize this?
Stillwell is covering
his own ass.
If this fails, you go down.
If you care at all
about what I have to say,
take that win
and go home a hero.
- Alright. John.
In case you weren't aware,
we've been here for months.
Empty labs, abandoned silos,
cellars filled
with friggin' sand.
There's nothing here.
- Nobody believes
there's anything in here, John.
Nobody.
- Do you?
- I get the opportunity
to confront Saddam firsthand.
It's what I've dedicated
my life to.
It's why I came here.
You think I'm just gonna
walk away
without even trying?
No.
- Time to babysit
the CIA assholes.
- Morning.
- Sure you can handle this?
Let's go.
- Listen up.
You may not take
the prisoner's photograph.
You may not request
the prisoner's autograph.
You may not accept anything
from the prisoner.
You may not give anything
to the prisoner.
Don't forget
who you're dealing with.
He'll kill you
if he gets the chance.
Give me your lanyards.
No names, no ID.
♪
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♪
- Six months of dead ends.
I can't shake
this sinking feeling
that we're not
going to catch him.
The man has vanished.
On the streets,
spontaneous demonstrations
turned into riots.
Every day, another gunfight.
♪
We hope finding Saddam
might reduce the violence.
Analysts claim that he had
at least three lookalikes.
I used to call them Huey,
Dewey, and Louie.
If we find Saddam Hussein,
it might suppress some
of the violence.
♪
♪
Saddam ruled his family
like he ruled the country--
based on fear
and loyalty to the clan leader.
If he sensed betrayal,
he cut it out, root and branch.
I mean, how do you interrogate
a man like Yusuf,
who grew up in that?
I'm lost.
Everyone here knows it.
♪
♪
- Good. Thank you.
- Coming through.
[ Distant screaming ]
- Saddam kept his prisoners here.
Watch your step.
Taste of their own medicine.
- Oh, you don't like that,
do you?
[ Dog barking ]
[ Thudding ]
[ Indistinct shouting ]
- Add some more make-up there.
It's okay, sweetie.
It's just make-up.
We'll clean it soon.
- Just about ready?
- I don't know.
♪
[ Electricity crackles ]
♪
- Yeah.
What'd you say?
♪
♪
Hey!
Stop it!
♪
Hey! Cut it out!
Let's put some clothes on him.
- [ Sighs ]
- Goddamn it!
[ Speaking global language ]
You shouldn't have been
treated this way.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- He's asking about his family.
- Will you help us?
I can help you and your family.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- [ Speaking global language ]
- He doesn't want to help.
- Yusuf, let's stop
playing games.
I know you speak English,
so let's speak English, okay?
Hey, hey, hey!
Just give him time to answer.
- If you say pretty please.
- I don't want that shit,
do you understand?
Look, I know you've worked
for Saddam since '98.
You were photographed with him
in August that year,
in October, March '99.
- I don't work for Saddam.
He works for me.
He works for all Iraqis.
- You were his bodyguard,
and then you were photographed
with him again
on April 4th in Al-mansour.
- Answer the man.
- You mistaken me, sir.
- Hey, hey! Stop it!
Goddamn it! Stop it!
I told you to stop that shit.
There's no need for it.
Pick him up! Pick him up!
- This isn't the U.N.
You'll find out how it works
here soon enough.
- Goddamn it.
- Mohammad Amir Yusuf,
I know that
you're Saddam's third cousin.
I want you to listen to me
very carefully right now.
The United States is prepared
to pay you $25 million U.S.
to tell us where Saddam
is hiding.
- my mother
for that kind of money.
- [ Scoffs ] Shit.
- In a cave
behind the spider web,
concealed by trees
and breeding nests.
- What cave? Where?
- He is mocking us.
Prophet's escape to Medina.
- He says he wants to die
a martyr.
- Can you translate this
so there's no misunderstanding?
If you show us
where Saddam is hiding,
you'll become a rich man
and you get to see
your family again.
You don't have to be
afraid of him anymore.
He has no power over you.
The sooner you tell us
where he is,
the sooner I can keep
your family safe.
I can't protect them now.
Your wife and your daughter--
how old is she now?
9? 10?
Polly, show him.
You don't love Saddam.
You're afraid of him.
- And so should you.
Your bombs didn't stop him.
Your spies didn't kill him.
- The night we fled the city,
your soldiers shined a light
in his eyes.
Three times, they let us pass.
Not the dark, not the mud,
not the cold
could slow Saddam down.
With both hands, he gives you
everything you wish for
in this world.
- And that's
how he destroys you.
Don't try to find
Saddam Hussein.
Go home if you value your life.
Go and just pray your God.
If you value your life,
don't find him.
- Go through the mud?
- Just pray your God.
- Don't you ever
put your hands on me.
- Hey, hey, hey!
- That's enough! Hey, hey!
- What the hell, man?
You think we're gonna
get correct information
when you beat the shit
out of him like that?
- Hey! What is this?
Calm down, you two.
- The stakes are real live here.
So, your bitch ass rules
of etiquette don't apply.
Any one of us could get dead
like that. [ Snaps fingers ]
Grow a pair!
- you, Doyle.
Macho man bullshit.
Give me a map.
Get a map, man.
- What are you thinking, John?
- Saddam's last public appearance
was April 9th.
U.S. soldiers were coming in
from the West.
So, why didn't he just go east
and get out as fast as he can?
- How do you know he didn't?
- Well, Yusuf said they looked
U.S. soldiers in the eyes
three times on his way out.
They must have passed
three perimeters.
Doyle!
When did you take the palace?
- On the ninth.
- What time of day?
- Midday.
- Midday?
- Yeah.
Perimeter was here.
- But Yusuf said
they used flashlights,
which means they
must have been at night,
so at least six hours before.
So, where would
the perimeter have been?
- Here.
- Did it rain that night?
- No.
- You sure?
- Yeah.
- So, why did they drive
through mud?
- It's the Tigris. They must have
gone in the river.
- But how? In a boat?
Would he have one?
- To go where, Kuwait?
- So, you're Saddam.
Paranoid. Every day the same.
You're a creature of habit.
Every day, same food,
same people.
Now you're on the run.
Where do you go?
Tigris? Tikrit?
- He's not here.
The army's been there in Tikrit,
turned over every rock.
- More than once.
- Okay, so,
what did Saddam think
is gonna happen to him?
- We're missing something.
Tikrit.
Tigris.
It's the river of his youth.
It's where he played
with his brothers.
- Let's go.
- He's in Tikrit, right?
This is a simple choice.
You either take the $25 million
and your family,
or after we capture Saddam--
and you realize
we're going to capture him,
it's just a matter of time--
we're going to let everyone know
that you helped us catch him.
A spy.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- What about my family?
- We'll fly them
wherever you say.
I give you my word.
And they will be
waiting for you, Yusuf,
with more money than any
of us will see in our lifetime.
- This is what's gonna happen
if you play ball.
We're gonna parade you
through the prison
so everyone sees you.
And then in a few days,
we'll let you go.
You can go meet your family,
and then we'll spread the rumor
that you got executed.
[ Conversation
in global language ]
You don't have a choice.
Just tell us.
- Ad-Dawr farm.
- No, no, no, no, no, no.
We've been there already.
- He's hiding.
You won't find him.
- You're lying.
- I'm not.
He's there.
Ad-Dawr farm.
- That's the farm that he hid in
September 1959
after he tried
to assassinate Qasim.
Untie him.
Thank you.
Let's go to the farm.
[ Knock on door ]
- Sir.
- Iraq just beat Kenya.
Can you believe that shit?
Alright, three amigos.
What do you got for me?
- We got a lead on Saddam.
- And this one's actually
from a credible source.
- [ Chuckles ] Yeah?
Alright, well, convince me.
- Sir. Sir.
Sir!
It's a huge mistake
not following up on this lead.
- I've already been there
three goddamn times.
April 17th. June 9th--
- Yeah, we know, sir.
But with all due respect,
back then,
we were looking for any
Baathist leader we could find.
- And again after
Desert Scorpion in July.
Now, unless you three just think
we're a bunch of dumbass grunts
with nothing better to do--
- Sir, it's a place full of
hiding spots. We need to go.
- I don't know what
another trip there buys us.
I swear to God.
- I mean, could we have
missed something?
This is the first time
we've been told
by someone categorically close
to HVT1.
- It's just another asshole
that wants $25 million, John.
- Colonel, this is different.
- How?
- We broke his bodyguard.
- What?
- And he's HVT1's cousin.
- You broke his bodyguard?
- Yes, sir.
- And you really want to spend
all your credit
on this search op?
You stand behind this intel?
- Yeah.
- Stand by.
Sergeant!
- Yes, sir.
- Get me Doyle on the line.
I want rotors up at 18:00.
Copy?
- Copy that, sir. Right away.
- This is on you.
- Let's go.
- Let's go!
- Nixon! Humvee's are
already at the rally point.
I do not trust this prick
to ID him.
- Yeah.
Sir, ask him these questions.
Only Saddam himself knows
the answer to those.
And he's got tattoos
on his right hand.
It's a crescent and two dots.
Tribal tattoos.
Then he's got a big scar
on his left calf.
- What if it's one
of his doubles?
- There's no doubles.
That's bullshit.
- Let's go.
[ Soldiers shouting ]
- Come on, Yusuf, we've had
this conversation already,
and we're not repeating it.
Thank you.
Just trust us.
Nobody will recognize you.
- What's wrong with him?
- He doesn't want to go.
He says Saddam will kill
his family.
We can't depend on him.
- You got to be kidding me.
- Major Doyle!
Ready to roll, sir!
- Get in the chopper.
- What?
- "What" is not
a valid field response.
Colonel's waiting.
This mission's on you.
Get in the chopper.
- Come on, John.
John, don't be a hero.
- Stay alert, John.
- I don't have training for this.
- What?
- I don't have training for this.
- No shit.
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
- Please, sir, stay with me.
[ Camel groans ]
- Check door right!
Yeah, yeah.
- Evacuate the area.
- Roger.
- I want my CP set right here!
Let's move! Go!
- Clear, clear, clear!
Go, go, go, go, go, go!
[ Child screams ]
- He's not here. Again.
- All clear.
♪
♪
- We all clear?
- Clear?
- All clear.
- Is that the owner?
- Yes, sir.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- Clear!
- All clear?
- All clear!
- [ Speaking global language ]
- [ Speaking global language ]
- I think Saddam's there.
I need you to get there now.
Go on.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- Go on.
- Stand by.
- Stand by.
- This is the owner
of the farm.
He claims he doesn't know
anything.
- Where's Saddam?
- [ Speaking global language ]
- No Saddam!
- Great job, John.
More Intel that costs
$25 million for nothing.
- He's here.
- You see, Nixon,
I told you Yusuf lied.
We stay here long enough,
we're exposed, sir.
- Alright, give the order.
We're gonna pull out.
Call it out, John.
Everybody, let's move.
Get ready to go!
- John, is it true Saddam built
a network of tunnels
under Baghdad?
- Yeah.
It could be like a whole city.
- Like a James Bond villain's
secret underground lair?
- Yeah.
- Helicopter's ready, sir.
- Sir.
- What?
- Sir.
He's got to be underground.
Alright, we got to--
we got to look one more time.
- What do you think
we've been doing?
- Let's look specifically
for air shafts.
- You heard the Colonel!
Move out!
- We got--
- Standby.
- We're already here, sir.
- You got six mikes.
You find Saddam Hussein.
I don't care if you got to
raise him from the dead.
Bring his ass here.
We're gonna do one more sweep,
one more.
- We're looking for air shafts,
tunnels, underground, whatever.
- Copy.
- Let's move out. On me!
- Stand down on the radio.
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
- Got something.
♪
♪
Sir. I found something.
♪
♪
- Hello?
- [ Speaking global language ]
- Shh!
- [ Speaking global language ]
[ Gun cocks ]
- [ Shouting in global language ]
- One, two.
- I think I am fair.
- [ Speaking global language ]
I am Saddam Hussein,
president of Iraq.
- He wants to negotiate.
- Is that him?
Get this piece of shit
to the helicopter.
We'll ID the target
when we get back to base.
- Sir, we need a picture.
- We do not have time.
- The Iraqi people
need to see this, sir.
We need a picture.
Please!
- Sir, for posterity.
The world has got to see this.
- Then take the damn picture.
Go!
- Hold him up!
[ Camera shutter clicks ]
- We need to go-- now!
Move out!
♪
♪
- We're sure it's him, right?
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
[ Radio chatter ]
♪
♪
♪
♪
- Go, go, go, go.
♪
♪
- [ Groans ]
- Okay, check the man's
right hand for tattoos.
It should be a crescent
and two dots
between his thumb
and his forefinger.
Okay, now check his left calf
on the inside.
He's got a big scar there.
[ Breathing heavily ]
- [ Speaking global language ]
- He's asking you
to identify yourself.
- I'm here to ask questions,
and you need to answer
truthfully.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- What was your French
doctor's name?
- [ Speaking global language ]
- Iraq has the best doctors
in the world.
Why would I need a French one?
- When was the last time
you saw your wife, Sajida?
- [ Speaking global language ]
- The women are none
of your concern.
- That's not what he said.
He said the women separated.
- Yes, Major.
It's an idiom which means
"the women are
none of your concern."
- Okay, just stay focused.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- He's just calling me a traitor.
- Your uncle, Kheirollah Talfah.
What was his grandfather's name?
- [ Speaking global language ]
- What's the point
of these questions?
- The point is,
I just blow your brains out.
Now answer the questions.
- [ Speaking global language ]
- I am President Saddam Hussein
of Iraq,
whether you like it or not.
Who are you?
- [ Shouting in global language ]
- He's demanding an answer.
♪
- That's him.
That's him.
[ Telephone rings ]
- Hello?
John?
Are you there?
Talk to me.
- We got him.
- What? Oh, my God!
- Yeah, we got him.
And listen, it's because of
your stupid Bond obsession.
- Don't be silly.
- No, I'm serious.
- Oh!
Oh! It's over.
I can't believe it.
- I can't believe it, either.
- I am so proud of you.
- Listen, I-I got to go.
I'll call you soon, okay?
- I love you.
- I love you, too, so much.
[ Knock on door ]
Okay. Bye.
- I'll love you, too,
if you get off the phone.
- He got him!
- Good afternoon.
Yesterday, December the 13th,
at around 8:30 p.m.
Baghdad time
the United States
military forces
captured Saddam Hussein--
alive.
The vast majority
of Iraqi citizens
wish to live
as free men and women.
This event brings
further assurance
- Thanks.
- Mm-hmm.
- that the torture chambers
are gone forever.
The operation was based
on the superb work
of intelligence analysts
who found the dictator's
footprints in a vast country.
Our servicemen and women
and our coalition allies
have faced many dangers
in the hunt
for members
of the fallen regime.
Their work continues,
and so do the risks.
Today, on behalf of the nation,
I thank the members
of our armed forces
and I congratulate them.
I also have a message
for all Americans--
the capture of Saddam Hussein
does not mean the end
of violence in Iraq.
- Ladies and gentlemen
- We still face terrorists.
- Will you all
put your hands together.
Our handsome and modest hero,
Mr. John Nixon.
[ Cheers and applause ]
You did it!
- Rock star!
- There he is.
The man who caught Saddam.
- Cal.
- [ Laughs ]
- Cal, what are you doing here?
- I came to save you
from all the attention.
- This is my little brother's
best friend.
Proud of you, man.
Charlie would be, too.
His big bro just cuffed
the biggest mother of our time.
Ace of spades, baby.
- Yeah.
That's crazy.
Wait.
An oak leaf, Major?
- Yeah. That's crazy, right?
I mean, who would have thought
we'd go from
sneaking into Ranger games
at the Garden
to all this damn sand?
- Yeah.
Desert Storm was a long time
ago, but I was
You know, a day doesn't go by
without me thinking about him,
how he saved all his men.
I always looked up to him.
- He loved you.
- I know.
But I want him
to look up to me, you know?
- He did.
Really is.
- Yeah.
♪
- C'est la vie!
♪
- So put your back into it
and let your mind go ♪
You gotta run
right through it ♪
Don't make my mind go crazy ♪
I know you gone crazy ♪
I know you gone,
I know you gone crazy ♪
♪
♪
♪
[ Telephone rings ]
- Hey, Charles?
- Huh?
- The phone.
Do you mind?
Would you get it?
- Uh. Oh. Yeah. Sure.
Hello.
- Hey, Daddy.
Wait.
What are you doing at the house?
Is everything okay? Bec's okay?
- Yeah, she's just fine.
She's sitting here
watching some TV.
I thought I'd come over here
and intercept your next call.
- A-ha.
Listen, I was gonna call you,
but it's just been
a little crazy.
Um, it's--
it's still a little crazy.
- Becs-- she said it was--
- What?
- [ Sighs ]
She-- She said it was you.
- W-What are you talking about?
- You-- You're the one
who found him.
Hold on, hold on.
- I-I-It's all over the news.
I'm so happy.
I wish I could tell everyone.
- Yeah, well,
I guess you just did.
- Well, I--
- [ Scoffs ]
He's not going to say anything.
- No, no.
- When are you--
When are you back?
- Sorry. Sorry, baby.
It's a little crazy.
It's-- Sorry.
It's a-- it's a--
It's a little party
going on here,
as you can hear.
Um, baby
I'm coming home for Christmas.
- That is the best present
I could ask for.
Oh, hey.
We'll see you for Christmas.
- I'll call you real soon, okay?
I love you, bye-bye.
- Whoo-hoo!
♪
- And we continue
our coverage now
on the capture
of Saddam Hussein.
People all over the world
celebrating the capture
of the ex-dictator of Iraq,
but nowhere with more joy
than in Iraq.
- Today I had the chance
to clamber into the tyrant's
last hiding place.
- The former dictator is
now almost certain
to be put on trial in Iraq,
and some officials
are already saying
that he could face
the death penalty.
- [ Knock on door ]
- Get up, baby!
Time for breakfast!
Hey, baby!
Come on, baby, let's go, go, go!
You did it! You're the hero.
- Rise and shine!
- I'm coming! Shit.
- Come on, my man!
Whoo!
♪
- Hey, John!
- Hey, hey.
- Good work, John.
- Hey, what's up?
- Nixon.
- Hey.
[ Both chuckle ]
- You got him.
- Yeah, we got him.
[ Both chuckle ]
- Uh, look, I, uh,
I never really doubted you.
I, uh, I knew you were smart.
Solid job.
- Thank you.
Sir, are you gonna be the one
to interrogate Saddam?
- No, the FBI team
will be here in 30 days.
They'll pump Hussein
like an oil well.
- 30 days? A month?
- Yeah.
- That's gonna give him
time to prepare.
I mean, the first 36 hours,
they're the most crucial.
- Nixon, there's a moment
where the hunter gives way
to the chef.
- Agreed, but Saddam
has been preparing
for his potential capture
for years.
The insurgency is growing
stronger by the day.
We got to get on this.
- [ Sighs ]
Insurgency is the Army's job.
Priority is to find the WMD.
- So, what, we're just gonna
waste a month to ask him?
That just sounds
like bullshit politics.
- That's how this works.
If you don't like it, you should
have stayed in your cubbyhole
instead of begging Angela
to have me get you over here.
- I didn't beg to come here, alright?
I came here
because I want to be of service,
because I know this guy
better than anyone.
And that's the reason
why we got him.
- Hey, what's going on?
- And you just want to trash
the only opportunity
we have to interrogate him
while he's still vulnerable
and confused?
- Do you think you can get him to
lead us to the WMD?
- Yeah.
- Okay.
I'll talk to Angela.
But you better get those WMDs.
- I'm so sorry.
Can I talk to you for a second,
John?
Sorry.
Come-- Come-- Come with me.
You're getting played.
Do you realize this?
Stillwell is covering
his own ass.
If this fails, you go down.
If you care at all
about what I have to say,
take that win
and go home a hero.
- Alright. John.
In case you weren't aware,
we've been here for months.
Empty labs, abandoned silos,
cellars filled
with friggin' sand.
There's nothing here.
- Nobody believes
there's anything in here, John.
Nobody.
- Do you?
- I get the opportunity
to confront Saddam firsthand.
It's what I've dedicated
my life to.
It's why I came here.
You think I'm just gonna
walk away
without even trying?
No.
- Time to babysit
the CIA assholes.
- Morning.
- Sure you can handle this?
Let's go.
- Listen up.
You may not take
the prisoner's photograph.
You may not request
the prisoner's autograph.
You may not accept anything
from the prisoner.
You may not give anything
to the prisoner.
Don't forget
who you're dealing with.
He'll kill you
if he gets the chance.
Give me your lanyards.
No names, no ID.
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪
♪