20,000 Leagues Under the Sea script

I say there ain't no monster, but we need men.

And just to treat you fair and square, we're paying double wages and a bonus,

from Frisco to Shanghai and back, all found.

All dead, you mean!

Don't sign with him, mates.

You can't buy off the monster with double wages and a bonus.

You'll never get back to Frisco to collect your pay.

I got a man here that sailed on the Golden Arrow and lived to tell about it.

Come on, Billy.

Tell 'em what you saw.

It was the monster, all right.

A cable's length long from beak to tail.

And it came a-bellerin' out of the night,

with one big eye like a lighthouse.

Whoosh! We're stove in to starboard.

Kapp! We're smashed to port.

And then it come up amidships.

It broke our backs and sunk us.

Forty poor sailor men drowned dead.

The point is, this thing is a ship killer.

It's a miracle old Billy's alive today.

- Tell 'em about his teeth, Billy. - As big as a mainsail, I swear.

And his breath... Ooh, his breath was like a furnace.

Ooh, you got a pretty strong breath yourself, me easy-talkin' friend.

You mind answering a few questions? I'm a harpooner by trade.

Monsters interest me. All kinds.

Keep away from him, you noisy sea lawyer!

I just wanna smell his breath. I can already smell yours.

Whew!

Boiled down for his oil, lads, there'd be free grog for all hands,

if you can swallow it on top of his tall yarns...

There! There they are!

- Stop it! - Come on, Casey.

This is no place for a clergyman's son.

Hey, Minnie!

Hey, Daisy, come on!

Let's shove off!

Hey, what are you guys doing to me?

Don't bother unloading. Sailing's been cancelled.

Cancelled again?

This is ridiculous. We'll see about this.

- Driver, you wait here. - Yes, sir.

Is it true about the sailing being cancelled?

Unfortunately, yes, Professor Arronax. The crew deserted this morning.

We just have to get to Saigon. Isn't there some other ship?

Not a thing. I'm sorry. Next.

Halfway around the world from Paris, and now this happens.

There's nothing we can do about it.

Except pack and unpack. That's all I've been doing now for a month.

Professor.

At any rate, San Francisco will have the honour of your company a while longer.

I'm from the Bulletin. These gentlemen are from the Globe and the Post.

How do you do?

We're interested in your opinion of this monster.

My opinion. Frankly, sir, they're low at the moment.

But, actually, gentlemen, I don't know any more about it than you do.

Oh, Professor. Just a moment.

Yes?

Professor, what does the National Museum in Paris think about it?

I cannot answer that.

We heard this expedition of yours was to gather facts about the monster.

I'm afraid you were misinformed.

My reasons for going to the Orient are purely scientific,

if I ever get there.

Professor, doesn't the giant narwhal reach a length of 80 feet?

Ask a fish.

If we could go deep enough,

we'd all be surprised at the creatures down there.

Could such a creature destroy a ship or drag it under?

Well, it might if it were big enough.

Don't you print that. Please be careful, Professor.

Well, gentlemen, I shall prepare a statement later.

You do not deny then that such a monster could exist. Is that correct?

- I'm not denying anything. - Are you sure?

- What are you drawing? - A sketch of the monster.

Thank you, Professor.

- Good day. - Good day, sir.

Now put the wings on it.

Look what they've done to me. I made no such claims as this.

- Look at this drawing. - I knew it.

"Living horrors of the deep were described today

by Professor Arronax of the Paris National Museum."

Why, this is the most far-fetched nonsense yet.

Far-fetched?

I think the proportions are about right on the monster.

Hmm? You're not serious, Professor.

I don't mean flying off with the ship in its mouth.

But the general size...

Come to think of it, it is a rather interesting conception.

Excuse me. Professor Arronax?

No more reporters. You've done damage enough.

Professor's very busy now.

I'm not a reporter. I represent the United States government.

United States government?

May I come in?

- May he come in? - Of course, sir.

- Please do come in, Mr. Howard. - Thank you.

I'll be brief, Professor.

Your destination is The Orient, and you've been delayed.

What if we could get you there, but by a roundabout route,

a cruise of three or four months through the South Seas?

- Would you accept? - I would be interested, yes, naturally.

Sit down.

Thank you.

I can see no reason

why you shouldn't consider yourselves guests of the U.S. Government...

until we can set you ashore at Saigon.

May I ask why have you honoured the professor this way?

The honour is ours.

As the foremost authority on the sea, you can be an excellent observer.

Your observations will influence public opinion.

We can either confirm or deny certain rumours.

I knew it. It concerns the monster.

- Is that true? - Very much so.

According to the papers, you seem to believe the rumours.

No. The professor's been misquoted outrageously.

Yes, I'm afraid I was misquoted.

However, I have an open mind on the subject.

All the better. Your reports would be unbiased.

You see, other nations, besides ours, are forming expeditions.

But I'd like to think ours has the advantage,

if for no other reason than you might consent to join us.

- That's very kind of you. - We accept.

Good.

Professor, if you don't mind, I'd like you to come downstairs

and meet Captain Farragut.

He's in command of the warship upon which you're sailing.

I might add that he has some rather strong ideas

on the subject of sea monsters.

- You mean that his mind is not open? - Most emphatically not.

We headed south, and excitement ran high.

Every man aboard was on the lookout, and the watch was kept day and night.

Regardless of his own feelings in the matter,

Captain Farragut left nothing to chance.

With traditional thoroughness, the plan was to cut the South Pacific into squares

and search each square.

For the first month, we steamed in circles,

crossing and recrossing our course.

There was no sign of our quarry.

False alarms were common,

and they didn't help our morale.

Blow!

Off the weather bow!

For endless days and nights, we scoured the South Pacific.

Our hopes began to wane.

It came as no surprise...

when Captain Farragut on the night of December 8, 1868,

summoned us to the ward room.

Gentlemen, I believe my obligation to this legend has been dispatched.

I offer these charts in evidence.

They represent an accurate record...

of three and a half months cruising under steam...

in search of a sea monster.

In my considered opinion, no such monster exists or ever did.

- Are you abandoning the search? - There's no other choice, Professor.

If we've gained nothing else, we can at least give the lie to those rumours

and make the newspapers retract their exaggerations.

It doesn't seem to me we have proved anything one way or the other, Captain.

I don't feel justified in wasting further time.

My decision stands.

We'll set you ashore in Saigon.

Gentlemen.

Cheer up, Professor.

You'll forget all about fishing when you see the gals in Saigon.

I thought they promised you a boon if you harpooned this monster, Mr Land.

Knowing full well I couldn't collect it.

When I get back, I'm shipping out on the first whaler that'll take me.

I won't get rich, but I won't be sitting around, picking my teeth with my harpoon.

Maybe we are lucky. It might have sunk us.

You scare me.

Be a good loser, Professor. The fish that got away is always the biggest one.

What a pity, Professor.

I know you had visions of that monster mounted in the National Museum.

Got a whale of a tale to tell you, lads

A whale of a tale or two

'Bout the flapping fish and the girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale, and it's all true

I swear by my tattoo

There was Mermaid Minnie

Met her down in Madagascar

She would kiss me

Anytime that I would ask her

Then one evenin' her flame of love blew out

Blow me down and pick me up

She swapped me for a trout

Got a whale of a tale to tell you, lads

A whale of a tale or two

'Bout the flappin' fish and the girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale, and it's all true

I swear by my tattoo

There was Typhoon Tessie

Met her on the coast of Java

When we kissed I bubbled up like molten lava

Then she gave me the scare of my young life

Blow me down and pick me up

She was the captain's wife

Got a whale of a tale to tell you, lads

A whale of a tale or two

'Bout the flappin' fish and the girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale, and it's all true

I swear by my tattoo

There was Harpoon Hannah

Had a face that made you shudder

Lips like fish hooks

And a noise just like a rudder

If I kissed her

And held her tenderly

Held her tenderly

There's no sea monster big enough

To ever frighten me

Got a whale of a tale to tell you, lads

A whale or a tale or two

'Bout the flappin' fish and the girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale, and it's all true

I swear by my tattoo

Ahoy! Ship off the starboard bow!

Hard over! Head for that ship!

Boatswain's mate, pipe all hands to rescue stations.

Aye-aye, sir.

All hands to rescue stations!

I'm thinking she went down with all hands.

Poor devils.

Not a living soul left.

What could have caused such an fearsome explosion?

Black powder and worse. A whole shipload of the stuff.

Would could have set it off, though? She must have struck something.

Or could it be that something struck the ship?

What do you mean something struck her?

- You meaning a monster, ain't ya, mate? - Aye! It might be the monster.

Monster? I've seen more monsters in my Aunt Gussie's fishbowl

than on this whole cruise.

- Sure it's the monster! - It is the monster!

Pipe down on deck!

I must insist, Professor,

that you keep these fish stories to yourself.

On deck, floating object off the larboard quarter.

There's the monster!

Drummer boy, beat to general quarters.

Set compressors and prime!

Look alive there! Get your range and fire. What's the matter?

- She's showing up her heels, sir. - Well, hit her in the heels. Fire!

Aye, aye, sir. Rudder out smartly.

We hit her, sir! She's turning!

She's turning around!

Mr Land, into the longboat with you.

Stand by to lower away.

Professor! Hang on!

Hang on!

Hey, don't leave us! Help!

Help!

Help!

They are disabled. They cannot help.

But they must! Help!

Help!

Help!

Can you see anything, anything at all?

No. Wait till this fog lifts.

I'm getting numb all over.

Look, Professor. There's something over there.

- What is it? - I don't know. It looks like the monster.

I don't care what it is, as long as it floats.

Who could have conceived such a miracle? A submarine boat.

You mean a submerging boat?

This is incredible.

Men have dreamed about such miracles.

You know something? I don't like this at all.

Ahoy! Is anyone aboard?

It... It seems deserted.

I think we are asking for trouble, Professor.

Why don't we wait? Maybe somebody will come up.

No. If we wait, this thing is liable to sink under us.

- Huh? - It's quite able to, you know.

Hello.

Is anyone down there?

Why, it's as bright as day.

And it isn't oil or gas either.

There is great genius behind all this.

Yes, and great evil.

Don't forget this is an engine of destruction.

Hello.

Hello.

Ahoy! Anybody there?

Ahoy, there! Is anybody aboard?

Did you hear that, Professor?

Somebody's calling from the outside.

- Come on. - Wait.

Look at this.

Give me a hand with this line, mate.

Grab this oar. Why, Ned, it's you.

- Anybody else get off? - Yes, the professor is down below.

Well, he really got his monster.

The ship seems deserted, but I have a feeling not for too long.

Personally, I'm in no mood to meet the owners.

I'm not anxious to get in their company myself.

I'll take my chances in the open sea, if it's all the same with you.

My sentiment exactly. Let me call the professor.

Give me a hand first. Grab that oar.

We got to flop this over.

Hold it.

Big.

I've never seen a barge like this before.

Hey, this looks like the galley.

- Cook's day off, too. - Let me call the professor.

Professor.

Professor.

- Professor!

Can you hear me?

Professor.

Professor.

Professor.

Professor.

Professor, where are you?

Hello. I'm in here.

Where?

I didn't think I'd ever see you again.

What is it?

Burial ceremony under the sea.

Ned Land is here with a boat.

- Yes. That tall one must be the leader. - They'll be coming back any moment.

Get away!

Help!

Help!

- Search the boat. - Aye, sir. Come with me.

Take him!

Sink that longboat.

Mind your shovin', mate.

You are from the warship that attacked me, are you not?

We were under the impression that this was a monster,

not a craft of human invention.

This is Ned Land, master harpooner.

My apprentice, Conseil,

and I am Pierre Aronnax of the Paris National Museum.

Professor Aronnax.

I've heard of you and studied your writings.

It is fortunate that your background differs slightly

from that of your companions in crime.

You may remain. Take the others on deck.

Wait am minute. What are you gonna do with us on deck?

I did not invite you. You came as an enemy to destroy me.

That is not true. They've done no harm.

Don't blame us because the warship shelled you.

- I demand a fair trial. - You've had your trial.

The sea brought you. The sea shall have you back.

Mind your shovin'! Easy, mate!

But you cannot do this. This is not civilised.

I'm not what is called a civilised man, Professor.

I have done with society for reasons that seem good to me.

Therefore, I do not obey its laws.

But I am as guilty as they are.

I will grant you that both of them and me, too,

enlisted to track down what we thought to be a monster.

But we are no more guilty than the rest of the world.

I would consider that guilty enough.

You have a great deal to learn, Professor.

Your book is brilliant,

but it lacks scope.

You've carried your work as far as terrestrial science permits.

The real story of the ocean depths begins where you left off,

wonders that defy my powers of description.

The secrets that are mine alone,

but which I would be willing to share with you.

At the expense of my companions' lives?

I'm sorry. You'd have to choose between them and me.

Then I cannot accept.

Professor, I regret your choice.

Take him up!

- And secure for sea. - Aye, sir.

- All stations ready! Prepare for diving. - Yes, sir.

- All stations ready. Prepare for diving.

Ahead slow.

- What's he up to, Professor? - I don't know.

- Trim your forward ballast. - Trim your forward ballast.

Three degrees down.

Three degrees down.

All engines stop! Surface and stand by.

- Pick up those two men in the water. - What about the other one?

Take them all below and confine them to quarters.

I found out what I wanted to know.

Esmie. There. There.

There. Now, kiss.

Now, off you go, Esmie. Come in, gentlemen.

Be seated, please.

Thank you.

Professor.

You may serve them.

Your clothes are being dried and will be returned to you shortly.

In the meantime, avail yourselves of my humble hospitality.

Humble, he calls it.

- You do right well for yourself, mate. - You may call me Captain Nemo.

I'd like to express our gratitude, Captain. We are grateful to be alive.

I want none of your gratitude. You're all on the strictest probation,

and I'd advise you not to attempt escape.

You understand your position?

I don't know. A prisoner has the right to escape, hasn't he?

- That is correct. - And a guest don't need to.

I guess that makes us a little bit of both, huh?

Consider that a fortunate compromise, then, Mr Land.

I tolerate no guests aboard the Nautilus,

and you already know the fate of prisoners.

The food is delicious, isn't it, Professor?

Oh, very good. Never tasted better.

There's a fork on your left, Mr Land, or aren't you accustomed to utensils?

I'm indifferent to 'em.

May I ask how you are able to set such a table as this, Captain?

These dishes come entirely from my ocean kitchen.

There is nothing here of the earth.

How remarkable. This tastes like veal.

The flavour deceives you. That is fillet of sea snake.

Huh?

I suppose this isn't lamb, then.

That is brisket of glowfish with sea squirt dressing basted in barnacles.

It's very good.

In fact, it's better than lamb.

My cook excels in preparing these various products.

You're not finished, are you?

Well, uh, just the main course.

Pass the cream, mate, huh?

The cream is, of course, milk from the giant sperm whale.

And those delicious fruits are actually preserves made from sea cucumbers.

Well, I'd never have guessed it. They are excellent.

Eat your pudding, Mr Land.

I ain't sure it's puddin'.

What is it?

It's my own recipe, saut?of unborn octopus.

Geez!

Nothing here's fit to eat! Saut?of unborn octopus.

Since we are nearing the island of Crespo,

you'll have an opportunity of selecting your own food.

You mean, we're getting off this submarine?

For a brief hunting expedition.

- Well, That suits me fine. - Me, too.

- When do we start, mate, uh, Captain? - Almost immediately.

These two will join the expedition. Will you prepare them?

Aye, sir.

- Accept one of these cigars, Professor. - Thank you.

Delightful smoke.

Different somehow. Havana?

Seaweed.

I cannot accuse you of not making us comfortable, Captain.

In a way, though, I feel like a condemned man who has eaten his last dinner,

and a very good one, too.

Thank you.

I am still curious as to the reason you spared our lives.

In your case, I wanted to test your loyalty to your companions.

I may have use for such misplaced devotion.

Misplaced?

It comforts me to know that your life was not too dear a price to pay

for the love of your fellow man.

I don't understand.

At the moment, I don't intend that you should.

But I may have use for you.

And until I make up my mind, you should have ample diversion here.

You have literature,

art treasures, my collections,

and even music, if you so desire.

Ah!

We're almost at the island of Crespo.

All this was once an island.

Although it is now sunk, it is nonetheless fertile.

- We do our hunting and farming here. - Underwater?

The sea supplies all my wants.

Fine way to go huntin'. I knew there'd be a catch to this.

Seems you can't do anything on this boat without getting wet.

I feel like I'm keeping a fish out of work.

Wait a minute. Where you going with this?

What are you gonna do with that?

An expedition from the Nautilus.

The pair you see trying to keep pace are your companions.

It's a new experience for them. They'll learn quickly.

- Would you like to join them? - Indeed, yes!

I would like to meet these wonders face to face.

Very well. I'll introduce them to you.

A strange twilight world opened up before me

and I felt as the first man to set foot on another planet,

an intruder in this mystic garden of the deep.

Captain Nemo and I were not alone.

There were hunters and farmers from the submarine,

gathering a harvest at the bottom of the sea.

I could only marvel at his ingenuity

and envy him his rule over this forgotten reach of nature.

He had an abundance of various substances

necessary to sustain life,

An underwater larder filled to overflowing,

and all Captain Nemo would take.

I can't believe that! Captain, we left a treasure out there!

A chest of gold, silver and diamonds!

You were sent to get food! You can't eat pieces of eight!

I can eat anytime!

You place an absurd value on the cheapest of human commodities.

Aboard the Nautilus, we use such baubles for ballast.

Ballast?

Well, I could sure lighten this ship.

The greatest treasures of all, Mr Land, lie in a sound mind and a full belly.

When you're sent for food, don't stoop to pick up pennies.

You've been picking them up, and picking them up good.

- You forget yourself. - Don't try my patience.

Rather than watch your every move, I know a much easier solution to the problem.

Crying waste!

Oh.

Ned, Professor wants to see you.

Yeah?

Close the door, please.

Don't think for a minute that was an empty threat he made.

You are going to get us all killed if you keep antagonising him.

Look at the trouble you got into wandering off that way.

- Why did you do it? - Ask him. He went with me.

That was scientific interest. I had no idea he was after treasure.

Oh, no?

You even helped carry the chest out, you liar.

We mustn't quarrel amongst ourselves. We must stay together.

- It's our only chance. - Chance? For what?

I know what you want, Professor. This crazy iron skillet's turned your head.

You want to play a waiting game, hoping to learn Nemo's secrets.

I believe you owe the world that much, Ned.

- Have you a better plan? - Yeah.

I want to get off.

Of course I don't mind going with my pockets full.

I can't believe you could be so foolish.

Why not? He's got a king's ransom aboard here.

And don't call it stealing, because that's the way he got it.

If we could take this thing over, we'd be rich.

I'd have a ship of me own,

and you wouldn't have to be starving along on a professor's pay.

Don't look at me with those soft-boiled eggs.

I caught the grin of gold in them when that chest busted.

Ned, listen to me.

I want you to forget this idea.

Promise me that you won't start anything on your own.

I won't promise that, Professor.

At least try my way first.

I know I can win the captain's confidence, but I need time, and I need your help.

Can I count on you?

All right. Well, I go this far.

I won't try any one-man mutiny. Yet.

It is the best way, believe me.

There's one thing you ought to know, Professor.

Nemo's cracked.

I've yet to see the day you can make a deal with a mad dog.

So while you're feeding him sugar, I'll be figuring a plan to muzzle him.

Fool.

He simply cannot grasp the significance of all this.

Here we are within reach of the most fabulous discoveries of all time,

and he patters of gold, escape.

Trivialities. Nonsense.

- That depends on your point of view. - What do you mean by that?

I just think that Ned values his life above scientific achievement.

His life means nothing.

Nor does mine or yours, compared to what's behind all this.

We can't have him crossing Nemo.

Today we encountered a fearsome storm.

An ordinary vessel would have suffered heavy damage.

Safe and serene,

the Nautilus cruised beneath the tempest.

There was much to occupy me,

so I left my apprentice to deal with Ned Land.

Although he had apparently settled down,

I knew he bore constant watching.

Aye, sir, I'll check all decks below.

Got a whale of a tale to tell you, boys

- A whale of a tale that's true

'Bout the flappin' fish and the girls I've loved

On nights like this with the moon above

Cute, isn't she?

As the voyage continued,

the Nautilus and its motive power

excited my utmost curiosity.

At my host's invitation, I inspected the ship.

He seemed determined to show me everything.

We went to the very heart of the vessel,

the propulsion unit.

It was apparent that Captain Nemo has discovered

what mankind has always sought,

the veritable dynamic power of the universe.

This secret alone gave him mastery of the sea.

I can hardly believe it,

how one could conceive and build such a craft.

And in a single stroke,

harness power beyond the wildest dreams of science.

Why, such a secret could revolutionise the world.

Or destroy it.

See how peaceful it is here.

The sea is everything,

an immense reservoir of nature where I roam at will.

With seeming indifference,

Captain Nemo held the key to the future of the world.

As I studied him,

I became aware that powerful forces were at work within this strange man.

Think of it.

On the surface, there is hunger and fear.

Men still exercise unjust laws.

They fight, tear one another to pieces.

A mere few feet beneath the waves, their reign ceases,

their evil drowns.

Here on the ocean floor is the only independence.

Here I am free.

Imagine what would happen if they controlled machines,

such as this submarine boat.

Far better that they think there's a monster

and hunt me with harpoons.

After travelling 10,000 leagues under the sea,

I still had not solved the mystery of Captain Nemo.

But then one day he asked me to go ashore with him.

I felt at long last I was to have my answer.

The prison camp of Rorapandi, the white man's grave.

I thought it had been abolished.

Nothing is abolished that turns a profit to that hated nation.

You'll see better what I mean through this.

What is in those sacks they are carrying?

Nitrates and phosphate for ammunition, the seeds of war.

They're loading a full cargo of death,

and when that ship takes it home, the world will die a little more.

I was once one of those pitiful wretches you see down there.

Look at it again.

I don't want you to forget what you've seen here today.

I've seen enough.

It's burned everlastingly in my memory.

I did not escape from there alone.

There were others, and most of them are still with me.

The crew of the Nautilus?

They are dedicated men with a plan for living

but also a plan for dying.

We seized one of their ships and fled beyond maps,

a place known to me simply as Vulcania.

Vulcania? It sounds remote.

Remote and useful.

It was there that we built the Nautilus.

You will have the privilege of seeing all this first-hand.

When our mission is completed, the Nautilus is going home.

They're getting up steam, sir.

Very good.

That ship that flies no flag sails with the tide.

But the evil in its hold will never reach its destination.

- You have your orders. - Aye, sir.

- Go to your stations. - Go below, Professor.

- You are going to sink that ship? - I said go below!

Stay in your quarters!

Stand by engines.

Half ahead.

Collision speed, full!

Collision speed, full!

Professor?

Are you all right?

All those men, they didn't even have a chance.

They were sailors, same as me,

slaughtered by that monster you're trying to make friends with.

Ned, don't.

I don't know how you feel, Professor,

but I feel like a knife that's just stabbed a friend in the back.

Go to your quarters.

I've had a bellyful.

Damage report, sir.

Rudder and starboard diving planes disabled.

Muster a repair party. We'll make temporary repairs here.

Aye, sir.

I asked you to leave, Professor.

You also asked me ashore,

to show me man's inhumanity to man.

Why? To justify this?

You are not only a murderer. You are a hypocrite.

The proof lies out there.

You call that murder? Well, I see murder, too!

Not written on those drowned faces out there,

but on the faces of dead thousands!

There are the assassins, the dealers in death. I am the avenger.

Is murder a right reserved for that hated nation

that has taken everything from me?

Everything but my secret,

the secret of my submarine boat and the energy that propels it.

They tried. They cast me into prison, and when they failed...

When they failed,

they tortured my wife and young son to death.

Do you know the meaning of love, Professor?

I believe I do.

What you fail to understand is the power of hate.

It can fill the heart as surely as love can.

I'm sorry for you.

It's a bitter substitute.

The explosions scattered everything all over the place.

I was just trying to tidy up.

- Professor, I'd like to speak to you. - About what?

Well, I believe things have gone far enough.

Murder means nothing to him. I think he enjoys it.

You're sure of that, are you?

Quite sure?

I can only judge him by what I've observed.

It is not your place to judge. You don't know anything about the captain.

He's already said that he has use for me.

What's more important, the world has a use for him.

And I must make him understand it.

When he does, he will judge himself far more harshly than you ever can.

Is that clear?

Whatever you say, Captain.

Now, please go out and leave me alone.

What did you call me? "Captain?"

Yes, I did.

And I must say, there is a certain resemblance.

- Seen enough? - I want to talk to you.

You little spying hyena. Did the professor put you up to this?

It's the professor I want to tell you about!

You were right. Nemo's won him over.

You bet I was right. And I was right about you spying on me.

I've known all along that you were stealing food and treasure.

I didn't tell a soul. I was glad you did it. We may need it.

We? Since when do I need you?

We need each other. Ned, I want to be friends.

"I wanna be friends." I wanna escape.

So do I, with you.

And we have to save the professor in spite of himself.

You once said you had a plan. Well, have you?

- Yeah, I got a plan. - Well?

Trouble is, it won't work.

I can't figure how they navigate this barge.

Nothing's written down. No courses, no bearings, nothing.

If we could figure where we're heading, we'd have a chance.

That's no problem.

When I was reading the professor's journal, I learned about Nemo's plans.

We're heading for a place called Vulcania.

- Vulcania? - Yeah, that's Nemo's base.

Why didn't you say so? This is what I've been waiting for!

- It was? - Sure!

Vulcania!

I got to take a look at those charts.

Why not?

I'll need all hands.

- You keep a watch. - Aye, sir.

- Keep your eye peeled for the mate. - Aye, sir.

Hey, Ned.

Ned, put them back. He's coming.

- Shh! - All right, all right!

Hurry up. Hurry up. He's coming!

Whew! That was close, mate.

Very.

- This is Nemo's cabin. - Yeah.

He does do right well for himself.

Maybe...

Let's get out of here. If they find us in his cabin, we're...

- What is it? - Get me a pencil and paper quick.

- What for? - I think I found something.

Yes?

See? All the distances are measured from that point.

That's right.

Get me those calipers, quick.

Let me see if I can work this out. Now, longitude...

- Quiet! - Quiet.

Here. Here. Have a cigar.

Hey, she likes 'em!

- You want another? Give me a kiss. - You have quite a way with animals, huh?

I do better with women. And they don't eat cigars like...

- Be quiet!

- You feed her. - All right.

I'll give you a cigar. All right. Here. Have one.

Yes, I love you, too. I find you some more.

- Stop playing with her! - I'm not playing!

Shh!

You just be quiet. Be a nice girl.

Now, eat them slowly. You don't have to be needy.

- We'll complete repairs at base. - He's coming.

Let's go.

- Resume speed at 50 fathoms. - Resume speed at 50 fathoms.

Esmie.

I've got to do some research. I'll need some specimens. Get 'em.

- Specimens? What kind? - The ones in bottles. Go on. Beat it.

- And don't get caught. - No.

Ned, you've got everything here, from the rarest nudibranchs to oysters.

Oysters are out of season. Dump 'em in the sink. I want the bottles.

You can't do that. These are priceless.

You're not thinking of putting messages into these bottles?

Why, that went out with Robinson Crusoe.

You've forgotten this is the 19th century.

Somethin' else I forgot.

That's for spyin' on me.

Don't let me catch you padding the shadow of my stern again. Remember that.

I don't like bashin' anybody, but you had it comin', lad.

And I thought we were friends.

Sure we're friends!

- Go ahead. Hit me. - Hmm?

- Hit me. - You mean that?

Sure. Go ahead. You can't miss it.

Now we are friends.

Oh, all right, shipmate!

Now I'll tell you what I had in my mind.

This may be old stuff... tossing messages in bottles and settin' 'em adrift...

but I've of heard of it workin'.

- Alcohol. - Very pure alcohol.

We'll just drain the polliwogs out and save the grog.

It's priceless.

Oh.

Anyhow... Hold this, lad.

This chap I knew got shipwrecked in the Bahamas.

Him and a lady passenger alone on an island.

Well, they had plenty of time on their hands,

so they began writin' notes,

puttin' 'em in old rum bottles and settin' 'em adrift.

One of them got through and they was rescued.

What is the matter with you?

I swallowed it.

There was a Flabellina Oculina in there.

Poor thing.

Flabellina Oculina.

She won't answer her helm, sir.

Astern, full!

- What's happened? - We seem to have run aground.

What's happened?

An accident, Captain?

Our faulty rudder's put us on a reef. The tide will float us free by evening.

We're off the coast of New Guinea. Would you like to go ashore?

No, thank you. The last time we went ashore, it was a prelude to murder.

- Check for leaks. - Aye, sir.

Throwin' away a chance like that.

The professor's losin' his ballast.

Smell it. Sweet as an angel's kiss.

Dry land, mate. Coconuts, mangoes and...

native girls hungry for affection.

I'd give anything to shake hands with a tree again.

So would I. And so would the professor.

I know how badly he wants to collect specimens,

but he won't ask any favours from Nemo.

What's wrong with you going instead?

Nothing. What about you?

Me? I'm a collectin' fool.

There's no harm in asking.

No harm at all, mate.

Captain, I wondered,

as long as the professor is not going ashore, if I could go in his place.

I'd like to collect specimens and take some notes.

- You feel qualified? - Qualified?

For years, the professor and I have been working together.

- And I can row, sir. Got a strong back. - And a strong desire to escape.

Who, me? I'm no deserter. Happy to be aboard, sir.

- Very well. Permission granted. - Thank you.

But stay on the beach. The natives are cannibals.

They eat liars with the same enthusiasm as they eat honest men.

- Break out the skiff. - Aye, sir. Break out the skiff.

Shove off!

I don't see any native girls hungry for affection.

Take it easy.

Hey, Ned. We're not supposed to leave the beach.

Who's leaving it?

Hey!

- Come here, quick. - What is it?

Look. A trail through the jungle.

You had this in mind all the time. You want to escape.

What do ya say? It's a cinch!

I don't think so, or Nemo wouldn't have let us come ashore.

Don't forget the cannibals.

Belay the cannibals. He said that to scare us.

Besides, I couldn't leave the professor.

I figured that.

Look at me. I can't get through that jungle. You'll go faster alone.

- Hope you make it, Ned. - I'll make it.

And I'll have every gunboat in the navy hunting Nemo.

We'll be laughing about this, havin' a drink together in Frisco.

Good luck, Ned.

Give my best to the professor.

Hey!

Hey, wait for me!

Hey!

Wait for me!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey!

Hey, cannibals! Hundreds of cannibals!

Captain! Captain!

- Scores of boats! - We're under attack!

Naturally. Since you invaded their privacy,

they have every right to invade ours.

They're coming aboard. Get me a harpoon, quick.

Close the hatch!

I'll give the commands on this boat, Mr Land!

- Stand aside! - Aye, sir.

- I got to see this. - This is amazing.

Hey, Captain, that's one way to keep guests from droppin' in.

A mild charge of electricity.

Not very hospitable, but harmless.

And speaking of hospitality, you have abused mine for the last time.

How's that?

- You've continuously disobeyed my orders. - Who, me?

I told you once the fate of prisoners.

But since you insist on being treated as one,

I have no choice but to oblige you.

- Take him in charge. - What's this all about?

You left the beach with the intention of escaping.

You only came back because the natives forced you to.

- You're going to regret that choice. - Ship rounding the headland, sir.

When we clear this reef, I'll see that you trouble my existence no longer.

I should have taken my chances with the cannibals.

A warship.

- A warship? - Put him under guard below.

Take him below.

All engines ready.

- We must break free of the reef. - Aye, sir.

Lighten ship and drop all ballast.

Get below! They'll be shelling us in a moment.

Aye, sir.

- Astern, full! - Astern full it is, sir.

Let me out of this... Let me out of this glory hole!

Professor! Professor!

- A warship, professor. - Warship?

We're breaking out!

- Man the watertight doors. - Aye, sir.

Man the watertight doors!

They're shutting the door.

Wait!

- Wait! - Let us out!

Wait! We are in here!

Wait!

Take the wheel.

How much water in the power compartment?

Five feet and rising, sir.

Break out the spare shaft.

Break out a spare shaft! We must use leverage.

Bring it thwartships.

Put the aft end under the leak. Hands up with the hoist.

Take up the slack.

Take a strain.

Professor.

Look. The dials aren't moving.

We've gone too deep.

- Stand by with braces! - Aye, sir!

Place braces!

Braces in place, sir!

Man your stations! Start engines!

The air will clear now that the fans are operating again.

- Are you all right? - Yes, thank you. Much better.

- Have we stopped sinking? - Fortunately.

There are limits beyond which man and his puny efforts cannot survive.

We exceeded them by 5,000 feet.

We're deeper now than man has ever been before.

Giant squid astern, sir!

Emergency speed, all engines!

- We're fouled. Full repellent charge! - Aye, sir.

- Prepare another charge. - Sorry, sir. All elements burned out.

Then we shall have to fight on the surface. Assemble all hands in the chart room.

Aye, sir.

Drop all ballast. Diving controls, full up position.

You'll be fighting at close quarters with the most tenacious of all sea beasts.

Stay clear of the tentacles.

They'll seize anything within reach and hang on to the death.

The only vital spot is directly between the eyes.

Forty feet and surfacing, sir.

Stand by.

Stand back!

Quick! The forward hatch!

Take your men down the starboard side! You men, come with me!

Give me a harpoon!

I'll walk behind it.

Stay back here!

Stand clear!

Throw me another iron!

Watch it!

Your hand!

Well, I'll be... Are you hurt bad, mate?

What's up? What happened?

Mr Land.

You saved my life.

Why?

That's a good question.

There's only one thing a fella can do

when he's made a mistake as big as this.

What?

Get drunk.

And the girls I've loved on nights like this with the moon above

A whale of a tale, and it's all true

I swear by my tattoo

Glad to see you like music, too. We got a lot in common.

Thank you, baby. How about a drink?

Okay.

Hey! Would you like a Flabellina Oculina?

I've tried 'em. Very good.

Want some?

Esmeralda, you're the only one on this barge who understands me.

Give us a kiss.

Your whiskers tickle. Let me see your whiskers.

You oughta shave, honey. You're beginning to look like Nemo.

Let's try it again. Let's try it again.

There was old man Nemo

Fed his crew on worms and fishes

Eels for breakfast

Slimy cold on seaweed dishes

When they ate it

They knew it wasn't beef

But eat they did the brisket squid

A-smellin' like a reef

Not so loud, Ned. Not so loud.

She loves those Flabellinas Oculinas.

I am happy you're out of jail, Ned.

Yeah, I got the run of the ship. Big-hearted Nemo.

The professor's very happy, too.

After all, it's the first time Nemo has shown any gratitude.

We don't want none of his gratitude!

We don't want none of his gratitude!

This is awful.

You can tell him that for the both of us.

Do we, Esmeralda, huh?

Come on.

I'm gonna take a little nap here. You lie down there.

Wrap yourself up good. I don't want you to catch cold.

Good night, Esmie.

My apprentice tells me you have taken my journal.

May I ask why?

I keep no log,

and I was frankly curious to read your account of the giant squid,

in particular, my narrow escape and rescue.

According to you, Mr Land is a hero in the best tradition of cheap fiction.

That can only be true if you consider your life cheap.

I might have expected you to say that.

Actually, he regrets saving my life as much as I would regret saving his.

The only difference is that I wouldn't have tried.

It is that difference that gives Ned Land a human dignity you no longer possess.

- May I tell you something? - You seem determined to. Go ahead.

You protest too much.

I know you were deeply touched by Ned's gesture,

but you are ashamed to admit it.

You cannot tolerate a faith in humanity,

because if you do, all this, the structure of your very existence,

which you built on hate and vengeance,

all this will collapse around the naked lie of your life.

You are a beaten man, at war with the dictates of his heart.

And you are a very gullible man, Professor.

Gullible?

Yes, too easily swayed by sentiment...

individual good deeds over bad, the crude extremes.

The world is more complex than that,

and good must not be measured on a scale as small as Mr Land's brash heroics.

What he would do one day, he would gladly undo the next.

To be of benefit, goodness must be constant, forever building.

It must have strength.

What you seek is perfection.

- You will never find it. - I have already found it.

Here. It is the world outside that is imperfect.

If men and nations had this goodness that I speak of,

I would be willing to share all this...

my records, everything.

Have you considered sharing it?

That's the only reason that you're alive today.

From the moment you came aboard the Nautilus,

I had hoped that you would be the key to a plan I had in mind.

I had intended using you as an emissary.

But now I don't know.

- Is it that you don't trust me? - No!

But you are ever the optimist.

Do you really believe they would lay down their arms and abolish their slave camps?

Yes, I think I could persuade them. Let me try.

We are nearing Vulcania.

I want you to see the extent of these secrets

for which they have hounded me,

the knowledge which costs the lives of those dearest to me,

the power which is still mine.

Enough energy to lift mankind

from the depths of hell into heaven...

or destroy it.

Perhaps then you will feel less inclined to barter such a prize.

We will discuss it at that time.

We've raised the island, sir.

- Why have we stopped? - There are warships ahead.

- Bearing what flag? - No flag, sir.

Very well.

There's your answer, Professor.

We've been ambushed by the very forces you wished to trade with.

Their boarding parties have already landed.

This is a dark hour for history, Professor.

They'll be over the summit in half an hour, sir.

I estimate 20 minutes.

Everything must be destroyed before they reach the lagoon.

- Ready to dive! - Aye, sir. Diving stations.

- Ahead full! - Diving stations.

Four degrees down.

- All engines stop! Break out the skiff. - Aye, sir.

What's all the excitement, Captain?

- What is it, Professor? - We are at the base.

The island is surrounded by warships.

- By warships? - Warships!

Shove off.

- Have everything in readiness aboard. - Aye, sir.

Take cover!

Look! They're coming.

- I'm gonna let 'em know we're here. - No, Ned, don't!

Hey! Hey!

You up there, we're friends!

Don't shoot! We're friends, I tell ya!

We're the ones that threw the bottles over!

Hey, we're friends! We sent the messages!

That's gratitude for you, after all we did for 'em.

Then it was you who decoyed those warships here.

Somebody had to strike a blow for freedom.

We did what we thought was right.

Right? You fools!

This is going to cost the world the greatest discoveries of all time.

He's gone ashore to destroy everything.

Hey, Professor... Destroy everything?

That sounds like he's gonna plant a bomb or something.

- Every man to his station. - Every man to his station.

Stand by engines. Prepare for diving.

Aye, sir. Prepare for diving.

Shall I take over?

Half ahead.

Four degrees down.

Ahead full.

Slow on engines.

All controls eight degrees down.

Lash the wheel.

Aye, sir. Lash the wheel.

Captain.

We are taking the Nautilus down for the last time.

We understand, sir, and we're with you.

Wait a minute. I don't understand. What's that gotta do with us?

I'm dying, and the Nautilus is dying with me.

- Professor? - Yes.

In a matter of minutes,

an explosion, such as the world has never known,

will destroy my island and all its works forever.

That is why I have brought the Nautilus...

here,

to its last, deep resting place.

Here at least we will die in peace.

Let every man go to his quarters and remain there.

Why do you take us down with you?

- Lock them in their quarters. - Aye, sir. Take them out.

I don't want to die. Don't let him do it.

I want no part of this!

Captain, you cannot do this.

There is more at stake here than just our lives.

Yours was a dream of the future come true.

I beg you to reconsider.

A power greater than mine makes that impossible.

But there is hope for the future.

When the world is ready

for a new and better life,

all this will someday come to pass...

in God's good time.

I'm sorry, Ned.

Don't give up, mates! We're no part of any suicide pact!

Put him in his cabin.

I've taken over the ship. Let's get outta here.

We're on the surface. Stand by.

Let's get the skiff out and shove off.

- Professor, where ya goin'? - My journal.

- The island's gonna blow up any second. - I must get my journal.

Shove off.

What's the matter? Is he hurt?

We forgot Esmie.

Esmeralda, come on. Quick!

Come on. Come on.

In the boat. Come on. In the boat.

There she blows!

Sorry I had to wallop you, Professor.

Wasn't time to stop for souvenirs.

Perhaps you did mankind a service, Ned.