(Plane engines roaring)
- (McVay) Fire! - (Cavanaugh) Fire!
- (Explosions) - (Sirens blaring)
(Gunfire)
- Eleven o'clock! - Eleven o'clock!
- Fire! - Fire!
(Gunshots)
Fire party to the bow!
- Twelve o'clock! - (Cavanaugh) Twelve o'clock!
- (McVay) Fire! - Fire!
- (McVay) Brace for impact! - Brace for impact!
- (Crashing) - (Rumbling)
- Damage report! - (Standish) Damage report!
Fire party to the bow! Fire party to the bow!
Fire party! Damage report now!
(Fire crackling)
(Men screaming)
- (Distant planes) - (Cigarette lighter clicking)
(Film projector whirring)
Japs blew the crap out of us at Pearl Harbor.
We cowboyed up, turned the tables on 'em.
Ain't a whole lot of quit in them, either.
Gave as good as they got. Iwo Jima, Okinawa...
Where's this all going?
Mainland ground invasion's only gonna stretch this war out even longer.
Truman's in his third month as president. Honeymoon's about over.
America wants this war to end.
End quickly.
Jesus. Are you talking about the atomic bomb?
Send a message loud and clear. Drop it right on Hiroshima. Military target.
Ostensibly, yes.
But you'll kill every man, woman, and child.
Not to mention the radioactive fallout.
Even if the bomb works, and there's no guarantee that it will,
you can't fly it to Japan.
(Man 1) We motorboat the son of a bitch.
To Tinian, Philippine Sea.
With all due respect, we know their Navy's stretched thin.
But the Japanese will spot a fleet.
Not a fleet. No escorts. One ship. A fast ship.
Alone? Unprotected?
That's a damn suicide mission.
If it works,
they're heroes.
Who do you have in mind?
There will always be war.
Until we kill off our own species.
The difference between us and them
is that we want to do our duty and then go home.
The man who flew his kamikaze plane into the bow of our ship
knew he wasn't going home.
He was on a suicide mission,
using his body as ammunition.
God help all of us when we face an enemy like that.
(Paper crumpling)
In a few days, it's my birthday.
My best gift would be just to see you again, my dear Louise.
- Paul. - (Paul) Sir.
Can you please get this off to Western Union?
Aye, aye, sir.
(D'Antonio) So, you've been sweet on this girl since the fourth grade
and you ain't asked her out yet?
You don't get it. A sophisticated debutante like her?
Hell, you wouldn't know what I mean.
You have to prove yourself. That's why I got to get that promotion.
(D'Antonio) Oh, what? She wouldn't like you without a promotion?
You know, while you're plotting and planning,
you know what's happening out there?
Life.
So, live it, my friend.
Holy smokes! Daddio's got big pockets!
(Doorbell ringing)
- (♪ Big band music playing) - Brian Smithwick.
(Bama) Judge Bazemore. How are you, sir?
This here is my friend, Mike.
(D'Antonio) Hell of a place you got here, sir.
I was telling my boy, Bama, it's like that movie.
(Imitating Rhett Butler) "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn. "
Oh, forget it.
Mike D'Antonio. Good to meet you.
He's from New York, sir.
Brian, why don't you step into my office?
There's some gentlemen there who would like to meet you.
Alonzo, show Mike up to the parlour.
And tell those girls to turn down that racket.
(Girls cheering and giggling)
(Judge Bazemore) Brian, is it true that we might be finally invading Japan?
Well, that has been the rumour now for a while, sir. They don't really tell us much.
I've heard that we have crippled the Japanese Imperial Navy.
(Bama) Well...
Much in large part to the men of the USS Indianapolis.
(Men together) Hear, hear!
You think the war's going to continue, son?
I don't really know, sir. Do you have a son in the military?
Heavens no, son. He's got money in steel.
- (Men laughing) - That's right. War's good for business,
and business is good for America.
- We're proud of you, son. - Thank you, sir.
- (♪ Big band music playing) - (D'Antonio) Five, six, seven, eight.
You girls ready?
(Girls exclaiming)
Bama, could use a little help over here.
Nah, nah. You go ahead and make a fool of yourself. I'm fine right here.
(Girls giggling)
Your friend is teaching the dance society girls the latest dance craze from New York.
(Girls exclaiming)
Not bad, huh?
Whoo!
Whoa!
He's a gas.
(Girls giggling)
- (Plane engines roaring) - (Saws buzzing)
(McWhorter) All right, I want to close on the ranks
of a damned Rolls-Royce. All right?
- She's the crown jewel of the Navy. - (Metal clanking)
Good job, sailor, good job.
Okay, we're gonna get this boat looking brand spankin' new.
Let them Japs know they didn't hurt nobody.
They didn't do nothing to us, OK?
Good job, sailors.
No holes in my shoes and no holes in my boat. Hey!
It's gonna take two surgeons six hours to get my size-10 boot out of your ass
if you don't get a move on, FNG.
- It means friggin' new guy. - Sir.
Carry on. Congratulations, McWhorter.
- I heard the news. - Yeah.
- Boy, right? - Can't wait to meet him.
He's nine pounds and 13 ounces of rompin', stompin' dynamite.
And the wife's fine, too, sir.
Outstanding. How we doing here?
Well, the Japs put a pretty big hole in the ship,
but the... The big guns are fine, sir.
(Indistinct chatter)
Sir. Lieutenant Standish reporting for duty, again, sir.
Ready to turn these sailors into lean, mean fighting machines.
And may I say my father, Admiral Percy Standish, sends his regards.
(Alarm blaring)
(Man announcing over PA) All hands, standby.
All hands standby on deck.
Looks like you got the damage from that Zero repaired pretty quickly.
Yes, sir. We finished it today.
The fact that you lost only nine men is a solid testament to you and your crew.
Nine too many.
Ready to get out there again, Captain?
Admiral, I have nine new officers
and 250 new enlisted men,
but we will press through work-up and be ready for sea.
(Man) This way, this way.
Captain.
President Truman has chosen you to lead a highly-classified mission.
This is not a combat mission.
(Parnell) You will carry two pieces of highly-classified cargo
to Tinian at best speed,
stopping only at Pearl Harbor to refuel.
You leave tomorrow.
Where do we pick up our escort?
Charlie,
this mission could save millions ofAmerican lives.
It is top secret. There will be no escort.
Does this have something to do with the Manhattan Project?
(Parnell) Open that tomorrow.
After you've weighed anchor.
As of 0500 tomorrow,
this ship is under the direct command of the President of the United States.
Good luck, Captain.
- (Film reel spinning) - (Dramatic music playing)
(Men grunting onscreen)
(Objects clattering onscreen)
(Sailor 1) Hey. Get your butt out of my seat.
(Sailor 2 whispers) Excuse me. Sorry.
Hey, Garrison.
(Quinn) Look. Lookit. That's that cracker that's been messin' with you.
You told everybody you was gonna whip his ass.
What you gonna do?
(Chuckling)
What?
Hey. It's still a diamond. I'll get her a better one when I can afford it.
It's not about the damn ring.
I can't believe you're about to pop the question in front of the Judge.
You even thought about this?
You've known her three months.
I thought y'all was just having fun.
Oh, yeah. We're having lots of fun.
Besides, when have you ever known me to be scared of a judge?
- You miss 100♪% of the... - Shots that you don't take.
Yeah, I know.
- (Indistinct chatter) - (♪ Piano music playing)
Just don't forget to call them sir and ma'am. All right?
Hey. You're gonna be our best man.
(♪ Big band music playing)
(Men cheering)
(Deuce) Oh, yeah. There we are.
(Alvin) You have no shot right now, no shot.
OK, double or nothing. Double or nothing!
...Kamikaze planes was coming down on us from everywhere, you know.
Look, and I'm firing back. See, I'm like... (Mimics gunfire)
Planes in the air. Planes are coming down.
- (Chattering and singing) - (Piano playing)
(West) I'm comin'! Next round's on you! I ain't your huckleberry.
- (Man vomiting) - (Woman) Ew!
How's a young fella gonna know how much he can drink,
unless he knows how much he can't?
(Theodore) It's 1945. Our ship is docked in San Francisco for repairs.
The streets are alive.
And the sailors, we're on the town tonight.
(Clara) D'Antonio, Daddy didn't mean it!
Yeah? Well, it sure as hell sounded like he did, Clara.
(Clara) Please, wait!
Mike!
- D'Antonio! - What?
- Would you stop and listen to me? - I'm listening.
You need to give Daddy a chance. He just needs some time!
Oh, so, you never told your parents you were slumming it, I guess?
That's not what this is. You know that's not what this is.
That's exactly how they looked at me!
A feisty young lady in red pursued a sailor...
(Clara) I care about you.
(Theodore) While another one seemed to pursue her.
- (Men grunting) - (Woman screaming)
(Sailor 1) Nail him. Yeah. (Sailor 2) Come on, come on, come on.
(Connor) Whoa, whoa. Hey.
Mess hall boy knows about boxing.
They fighting! Hey y'all, they fighting!
That's not fair, you can't hold that against me.
D'Antonio. D'Antonio. There's a fight.
There's a fight. There's a fight. There's a fight!
- Stay right here. Stay right here. - Mike!
(People clamouring)
(Man) Show 'em what for!
Which one of you wants to get sliced open first?
You really need that thing?
I'm flattered.
Three against five. My little friend here makes it even.
- Garrison, maybe we shouldn't. - Shut up!
- You know I got bad kidneys. - Shut up, Quinn!
Back up, boys.
I said back up, now!
All right. Fair fight. You and me.
You wouldn't know nothin' about fair.
We ain't on the ship now, peckerwood.
They move, cut 'em. You don't, I cut you.
(Grunting)
(Quinn) Come on, come on. Get up, get up.
(Indistinct chatter)
(Paul) Garrison, it's not worth it.
(Sailor) Come on!
Come on, man.
- Hey, there's a fight down there! - (Sailors exclaiming)
(Screaming)
I got the coloured one. I got the coloured one.
(Sailor) Get him, Garrison!
(Paul) Stop, already!
(Indistinct yelling)
(D'Antonio) Back off! Back off! I told you!
(Gasping)
(Screaming indistinctly)
(Clara) Mike!
(Shuddering and gasping)
(Whistles blowing)
(MP) Break it up!
Stand back!
Stand down!
(Paul) Hey! Listen up! Listen up!
Where you going? My guy was winning!
Hey, hey, hey! We just got word, OK? We're shipping out!
- (Man) What? - Captain's orders. OK?
- (Horn honking) - (Paul) We just got word.
We need to get back to the ship.
- (Clara) Mike! - (D'Antonio) Clara!
Clara.
What happens between us is between us.
(Judge Bazemore) Clara, let's go.
I am not my father.
- And you really mean that? - Yes.
D'Antonio!
D'Antonio! We gotta hoof it!
- (MP) All right! - No, no.
- (MP) Come on. - No. This isn't how it's supposed to be.
- I love you! - I love you, too!
(MP) Now, sailor!
- (Judge Bazemore) Clara. - (D'Antonio) I'll be back!
For those of you who are new to the Indianapolis,
I am your captain.
Without me, you are worthless.
You are my crew.
And without you, I am worthless.
Our success,
our very survival,
is contingent upon our functioning together as one cohesive unit.
We have the complete confidence and trust
of the Commander-in-Chief.
As well we should. Understood?
(Sailors) Yes, sir!
- Am I understood? - (Sailors) Yes, sir!
(Camera shutter clicks)
(McVay) The Indianapolis is a heavy cruiser,
designed to take out enemy ships and aircraft.
But our guns are useless against submarines.
That's why, normally, we are sent out with an escort of destroyers in front of us
that act as blockers.
Theirjob is to detect and destroy enemy subs
with depth charges before they can get to us.
Many of the crew are mere boys
with no idea of the danger we face out here at sea.
If we are fired upon by an enemy sub,
and if, miraculously, we spot it early enough,
we have at maximum four minutes before the torpedo arrives.
Our main defence is to get the ship water-tight,
point station Zebra, so any hull rupture doesn't spread and sink us.
For this secret mission, we are, in effect, a glorified postal service,
delivering two packages with no protection.
But mine is not to reason why.
(Whispers) Go ahead.
- Hey. W division... - Hmm.
Seven seconds faster than everybody else. Even without you.
(Connor) Bullshit!
- Hey, farm boy. Chew on that for a second. - (Quinn and Garrison laughing)
Ahh, eat that.
- That's gold. - (Garrison) You want some of these biscuits?
Concerned about submarines, sir?
Hard to hit what you can't see.
If I may, protocol would be to zig-zag, sir.
- Not so effective against Kaitens. - Kaitens?
It's a new Japanese weapon. A manned suicide torpedo.
Like an underwater Kamikaze plane.
If the enemy fires a Kaiten, they can recalibrate your position on the fly.
We're faster than their subs, but not their Kaitens.
(Speaking Japanese)
(Steam hissing)
(Metal clanking)
(Indistinct chatter in Japanese)
General Quarters!
(Sailors shouting indistinctly)
(Sailor) Pick it up. Come on.
(Sailor) Move it!
(Alarm blaring)
(Speaking Japanese)
(Kaiten pilot speaking Japanese over telephone)
(Breathing deeply)
- Battle station! - Battle station!
- (Alarm blaring) - (Sailors clamouring)
(Grunting)
(Groaning)
(Alarm blaring)
(Sailor 1) Man your stations!
Ready! Aim!
(Sailor 1) Ammo, Ammo!
It's in. Go!
(Sailor 2) Ready! Fire! Fire! Fire!
(Sailor 1) Fire! Fire! Fire! Fire! Come on!
(Speaking Japanese)
(Officer exclaiming)
- (Standish) Time! - (Clock ticking)
Group W can stand down.
I want the big guns to run it again in the dark.
W, drill is over! Isolate the power in sectors five, six and seven!
- We did it! We did it! - (All cheering)
Run the test again!
All right. All right, limp dicks.
- Captain says we go again. - (Sailor) Come on!
(Quietly sobbing)
(Man speaking indistinctly)
(Quinn) Theo!
Man, you are as dumb as a bucket of bolts.
Oh, hell, boy. Everybody knows that.
Look here, which one is, uh, Standish's?
- Is it this one here? - No, no, no, no.
- That's McVay's. - OK.
(Clears throat)
(Theodore) You are nasty.
Man, Quinn. What are you doing?
- All right. - That's too much.
(Chuckles) No.
I hope he like the pie.
Captain.
Good work on the guns today.
Thank you, sir.
What do you put in this delicious pie, Theodore?
- I'm afraid that's classified information, sir. - (Chuckles)
- Set it down, imbecile. - Yes, sir.
Is it too hot, sir?
(Indistinct radio chatter)
So, 42 seconds on the big guns, sir.
Four minutes and 36 seconds on Zebra.
- Run it again? - Negative.
All ahead best speed.
All ahead, Bendix.
(Indistinct chatter)
Hey, y'all are really lucky. I cut my right cross today.
Doing what? Changing your tampon?
Yeah, laugh it up, you mutt.
(Alvin) OK. $75, Deuce.
That's another 50 to Sanchez.
Right? 25 to Quinn.
(Mumbling)
Shit.
(Sailor 1) Anybody know where we're going after we drop cargo off?
- (Sailor 2) Why the hell do you care? - (Sailor) It's just a question, jeez.
(Sailor 3) Nobody took your bag, you idiot.
Are you worth $850, you shiny devil, huh?
(Sailor) Alpha. Romeo. Tango.
Sir?
Where are we headed after the drop?
Not my concern.
Or yours.
(Sanchez) Hey, so what's in the crate, huh?
I hear it's toilet paper for General MacArthur.
So, why'd you join the Marines?
To kill people.
- You requested cereal, Chief? - (McWhorter) Yeah.
Hey, Lindy here has a confession to make.
This asshole wanted to join the Army.
But he ended up in the Navy.
And he doesn't know how to swim.
Now, tell him why he doesn't need to know how to swim.
Because we won't be going in the water, sir?
- (Men laughing) - Hey, son.
Do you have any idea how old this ship is?
It's 13 years old. Now, 13 is an unlucky number.
Now, we have the unlucky privilege
of carrying God-knows-what, with no protection, across the ocean.
So, you don't need to swim, cos if you go in the drink,
and the Japs don't get you... Here. The sharks will.
Sharks, sir?
Sí, señor.
The great white shark, the very top of the food chain.
No natural enemies.
An ancient killer left over from the dinosaur age
when there was still a big food supply in the water.
Go that way, you guys.
Now up on the land, by some evolutionary accident,
we developed these big brains, and, uh, we invented weapons.
So we got used to being at the top of the food chain.
But once you step in that salt water,
right back to the bottom of the food chain.
Even if you swim well, we look pathetic to sharks.
They think we're wounded, split up the middle, you know?
Five rows of dagger-like teeth.
And jaws that can bend steel.
(Growls)
(Chuckles) It's OK.
But apparently we're not good eating. Of course,
they don't know that until they shred us up pretty good,
we're bleeding everywhere, and nothing turns a shark on more
than blood.
- (Metal clanking) - (Objects clattering)
- Sorry. - Yeah.
I was sent down here for an engine room punch.
XO sent you?
- Uh, yes, Chief. - Yeah?
- Look at that nose.
Look at that nose.
Look at it.
(Groaning)
You be thankful you didn't get an engine room punch in the nose.
- (Deuce) Yes, Chief. - Yeah, there you go.
I wouldn't worry about it, though.
Our luck will hold.
As long as we have our little white dove of peace here.
She's our good luck charm.
All right, back to work!
Captain wants the boat at top speed!
(Sanchez) Chief, doves have longer tail feathers.
That's a pigeon.
I know. My father raises pigeons.
Hmm.
(McVay) We accomplished our mission,
reaching Tinian in record time with zero casualties.
I fear the cargo we were dropping off could change the nature of war forever.
Our next assignment would be to return to combat.
But we were still being denied our escort.
(Motor humming)
(Engine turning over)
(Coughing)
(Men cheering)
(West) The best chaplain we ever had!
(All) ♪ For he's a jolly good fellow
♪ For he's a jolly good fellow
♪ Which nobody can deny ♪
(All cheering and applauding)
Congrats on your last tour, Chaps.
Thanks, boys.
I think I'm gonna take this one back in my quarters.
- (Sailors exclaiming) - (Bama) Oh, come on! Don't go, Chaps!
Come on, short timer. Stay with us!
I do appreciate Deuce for not sneaking any unclothed women in here tonight.
- (Sailors laughing) - Listen up.
Standish is on the prowl.
All right? So, keep it down.
Alvin, I know that's tough for you.
Hey. I'm innocent as a dove, Father. You know me.
(Sailors laughing)
Thanks, fellas.
(Creaking)
(Metal clanking)
Admiral, I understand that we are to sail to Leyte.
Now that we have delivered the packages, can we please have our escort?
Charlie, how can you have an escort?
You were never here.
(All chanting and cheering)
Who am I, huh, huh?
(Clear throat and imitating Standish) Hey!
- I'll have y'all know... - (All laughing)
That I graduated second in my class at the Naval Academy!
Woo! (Blows raspberry)
And I'm gonna turn you into lean, mean fighting machines!
(Sailors laughing and whooping)
Attention on deck!
Signalmen!
Where did you get that alcohol?
It's actually mine.
Is that so?
And the liquor on his breath?
Is that yours, too?
Swab up that giggle water.
We're shipping out!
There will be no liberty, we've received our orders!
And you'll all be on mess hall duty, effective immediately.
This isn't a minstrel show!
This is the United States Navy!
And I graduated first in my class, by the way.
(Ship horn blowing)
What in the hell? That ain't your bag.
No, it's Alvin's. I think he took the ring.
D, you're gonna get busted.
I checked Sanchez and West.
Nothing.
Shit.
Hey, thanks for helping me out the other night with Standish.
Yeah, I wouldn't want you to jeopardize your promotion.
All right, look.
The whole reason that this ship is on a course
is cos they chartered a plan and they followed it.
So, it's lucky Clara didn't get a chance to say yes.
Because I'm incapable of making a plan.
Incapable of supporting her.
I'm just saying, maybe things turned out for the best.
My plan is to find the son of a bitch that stole my ring
and marry her the second I get off this ship.
And I don't care what her parents, or you, or anybody else has got to say.
(Sanchez) Hey, are you the kid that does the diving?
Oh, you mean the all-knowing Brian Smithwick?
Yeah, that's him.
Yeah, I do a little diving.
OK, man. We want to know about sharks.
I've been telling Lindy here that sharks don't really bother you unless you're bleeding.
If you're bleeding, it's a problem.
I get nosebleeds.
(Bell dinging)
Captain's on the bridge.
Captain, some of the men are sleeping on deck again.
Let them. Their racks are hotter than Hades.
- Visibility? - Just this side of poor, sir.
Got a fog rolling in.
Let's get through this weather as quickly as possible.
Cease zig-zagging until the fog clears.
- Full speed ahead. - Aye, aye.
Standish?
(Cavanaugh) Full speed ahead.
Full speed ahead, boys.
Full speed ahead.
I hear you put 24 men on mess hall duty for a week.
Yes, sir. I'm gonna write them all up as well.
The Japanese are an extremely disciplined adversary, sir.
- If we are to defeat... - Sometimes,
it's better to be respected than feared.
(Speaking Japanese)
(♪ Jazz music playing)
- D'Antonio? - What?
- Night watch is that way. - He took the ring.
- What? - The engagement ring.
Deuce took it. When he pulled me out of the fight.
- Pick-pocketing son of a bitch. - Oh, come on. Deuce?
Ugh, you smell like a distillery.
Might as well go on and admit you was scared, boy.
Scared?
- Of you? - (Garrison chuckles)
- You hit like a girl. - Ooh.
Next time I'm scared of a fight will be the first damn time.
Boy, you better be glad them MP's saved your ass from us.
Else we'd have to take you like this here chicken bone here, boy.
Thank you, Mr Big Talker.
Whatever you do to that there flight deck buzzard bone?
That's exactly what I'm gonna do to you when I get out of this cage,
and I catch you alone.
- (Laughing) - (Mimics gagging)
(Connor) You suck that bone like you've done that before.
(Speaking Japanese)
(Crewmen chattering)
(Rumbling)
- (Steam hissing) - (Equipment clicking)
(Indistinct chatter)
Lady luck is a friend of mine.
Open up and let it shine.
(Sailors chattering and laughing)
Come on now. Here we go.
Here we go, come on.
(All exclaiming)
(Speaking Japanese)
(Metal clanking)
(Groaning) Oh, yeah, Doc. Yeah. Yeah.
Deuce! Where's my ring?
- What the hell are you talking about? - (D'Antonio) Oh, no!
- You know what I'm talking about. - I don't know what you're talking about.
(Exclaiming)
(Explosion)
(Sailors yelling)
(Grunting)
(Alarm blaring)
General Quarters!
- (Speaking Japanese) - (Clanking)
- (Rumbling) - (Yelling)
- Out of the way! - (Screaming)
- (Gasping) - (Sizzling)
(McVay) Reports!
All comms are down, sir!
I tried to stop the engines, but I don't know if the signal went through!
Stay calm! Cavanaugh, keep trying to get through.
- (Cavanaugh) Yes, sir. - (McVay) Standish.
I want eyes on the damage.
You heard the Captain! Go!
- Aye, sir. - Go!
Fire control. Fire control, now.
Hoses. Starboard side!
- Get that fire out! - (Grunting)
- (Explosions) - (Glass shattering)
(Screaming)
Shut the engines down! Shut 'em down!
(Screaming)
(Indistinct shouting)
- (Alarm blaring) - (Man coughing)
Are we getting through?
The radios are down, but I jerry rigged the wires, sir.
- You sent the SOS out? - Yes, sir.
Look at the needles. They're moving.
Good work. Carry on!
(Screaming)
(Indistinct yelling)
Let's go! Don't touch it with your hands!
- (Screaming) - I told you not to touch it!
- Come on! Come on! Come on! - (Grunts)
Come on, we gotta go. We gotta go!
(Speaking Japanese)
(Crewmen cheering)
(Radio operator) USS Indianapolis trying to establish any and all contact.
Does anybody copy?
- Anything? - I don't know, sir.
- (Explosion) - Keep trying.
- (Operator) Yes, sir. - Damage control?
It's dead, sir.
This is USS Indianapolis. Does anybody copy?
This is USS Indianapolis. Trying to establish any contact.
Indianapolis. Indianapolis. Do you copy? This is Leyte.
What's going on?
Three calls, sir. One caller identified himself as the captain. I dispatched three tugboats...
On who's command? Pull them back!
We don't send anyone out until we get confirmation of their position!
That could be an enemy sub trying to draw us out!
- Yes, sir. Yes, sir. - Is that understood?
- (Alarm blaring) - (Sailor) Keep pulling!
(Indistinct shouting)
We're not gonna be able to fight this one off. She's going down.
Pass the word! Abandon ship!
Abandon ship!
(Man) Abandon ship!
(Grunting)
(Coughing)
(Rumbling)
(Metal groaning)
(West) Help me, Father. Help me, Father.
Help me, Father.
I hear you!
(Grunting)
Help me, Father, I'm scared!
Abandon ship! Abandon ship!
Captain's orders! Abandon ship!
Grab the documents now!
Aye, aye, sir!
All hands on deck, abandon ship!
- (Connor) Get it open! You hear? - (Garrison) Get it open!
(Connor) Get those keys!
(Garrison) Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!
(Indistinct chattering)
(Garrison) Hey, come on, come on, come on.
(Connor) Come on! Help me, too! Help me, too!
Hey! Hey, hand me the key.
- (Explosion) - (Grunting)
Come on! Come on!
- (Explosion) - (Rumbling)
The keys! I dropped the keys. I can't find them!
(Connor) Hey, give me the key!
Hey! Come on! No, no, no, no, no, no!
Hey, man, you can't leave me here!
Please, come back! Please!
- (Alarms blaring) - (Coughing)
Come on, come on.
(Coughing)
Go. Up top, up top, up top.
(Quinn) Let's go! Let's go!
(Coughing)
All right. Come on, let's go. Let's go! Come on! You got it. Come on!
(Connor) Please, come back! Please! Help!
Garrison, please. Come on, man, you gotta come back for me!
- Come on! Let's go! - (Grunts)
Garrison, please, help me! Come back, man! Help!
- (Explosion) - (Screaming)
(Indistinct yelling)
Bama! Toss the documents!
Holy shit! He gave the order?
- (Sailor 1) Abandon ship! - (Sailor 2) Abandon ship!
- (Grunting) - (Connor) Help!
(Panting)
- (Sanchez) Help me with the raft! - (Grunts)
- (Explosion) - (Grunting)
(Gasping)
- (Connor) Help! - (Screaming)
(Connor) Garrison! Garrison, wait! Get the keys, man!
You gotta get me out of here, man.
Hold the light! Hold the light, all right?
Get the keys!
Garrison, hurry up!
Watch out! Take... Come here.
Come on!
- (Rumbling) - (Metal groaning)
- (Clanging) - We're locked in!
(Both) Help! Help! Hey! Hey!
(Rattling)
(Explosions)
(Sailor) Abandon ship!
Swim away from the ship as fast as you can! As soon as you hit the water!
- Try to stay clear of the oil! - (Splashing)
Cavanaugh, jump!
(Sailors screaming)
That is an order!
(Indistinct screaming)
- (Metal groaning) - Oh, shit, the ship's breaking.
The ship's breaking. It's breaking.
(Pounding)
(Alarm blaring)
- I'm sorry, man. (Muttering) - (Garrison) It's all right. Come on, man.
Pray with me. Pray.
Our Father...
- You should have left me. I'm sorry, man. - Hallowed be Thy name.
I'm sorry, man. I'm sorry I got you killed.
- Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done. - I'm sorry.
- (Explosions) - (Grunting)
(Sailors screaming)
(Metal groaning loudly)
- (Gasping) - (Indistinct screaming)
(Screaming)
Go! Go! Go! Jump! Jump!
(Explosion)
(Sailor) I can't hold on!
(Screaming)
(Sailors screaming)
- (Grunting) - (Screaming)
(Ship creaking loudly)
(Gasping)
(Screaming)
(Distorted screaming)
Hello?
Hello!
Can anyone hear me?
- (Buzzing) - (McVay over radio) Hello?
Can anyone hear me?
(Panting)
(Grunting)
Paul?
(Screaming)
- (Sailor) Keep your head up. Come on. - (Gasping and coughing)
Kick with me now. Kick with me.
There you go. Get your head on this.
- Come on, man. Keep your head up. - (Gasping)
- Keep your head up. - (Choking)
Oh, God.
(All screaming)
- (Gasping) - (Screaming)
This is not safe. We gotta get to the rafts.
Sir, are you crazy? We can't leave this thing.
This thing will sink.
That's an order.
No.
(Sanchez) Get Lindy in the raft.
- Get him up. - (Lindy panting) I can't swim. I can't swim.
- (Gasping) - What sunk us?
It had to have been the Japs.
They might still be out there looking to finish us off.
- Did a signal go out? - It had to.
Someone will know we're missing.
They'll come rescue us, boys.
- They'll come rescue us. - (Grunting)
(Panting) You guys OK?
The Captain make it?
He went down with the ship.
Attention, men! Attention!
If you are able-bodied and in a raft, get out now!
The rafts are for injured men and officers!
Bring all of the provisions over here!
Now!
(Indistinct shouting)
Now!
(Gunshot)
Get out of that raft! Go help the injured men into the raft now!
Hold on!
Rabbit. Hey, you made it.
Campbell! Campbell!
- (Panting) - Medicine. I need it.
You made it. Rabbit, you made it.
You got some morphine, huh? Hey.
Hey. We made it.
(Moaning)
Ow! Ow!
Rabbit. Ain't this a hell of a thing, though? Huh?
(Moaning)
(Screaming)
Gotta keep the leg elevated! Keep it elevated!
Okay.
Don't go away. (Sobbing) Rabbit, please don't go away.
- I'm not going. I'm not going. - Rabbit, please don't go away.
How's my little boy?
- He's good. - Yeah?
- He's strong. - Yeah?
- Like his daddy. - He is?
Don't go away. Don't leave me here, man.
I'm not. I'm not leaving you.
(All yelling)
(Flare gun firing)
(Adrian) What I'm saying, Fireplug, is if you gotta leave a woman,
you always make sure she thinks she left you.
Yeah, and how do you do that?
That requires a level of sophistication that you have not yet acquired, my friend.
(All yelling)
Calm down! Save your energy! Calm down!
You too good to flag a plane, sir?
Oh, you think me waving would have made the difference?
I'll kill you!
- I will have you court-martialled, sailor! - Go ahead!
If we get rescued! And if we get rescued,
- it won't be by a plane! - (Indistinct screaming)
Let's all cool off! We're going to get rescued soon!
Hey, these men look to us on how to conduct themselves.
We need each other.
We need to get the life jacket off the doctor.
(Panting)
(Softly) Father, bless his soul. In the name of the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost.
(Fireplug) How much longer are we gonna circle? An hour? A day?
Keep looking.
It's nine men lost on one plane, Lieutenant.
It's beyond a needle in a haystack.
Even with coordinates. We barely have enough fuel to get back to base.
(Man over radio) Playmate, this is Paleiu. Do you copy?
You got eyes on that plane?
That's a negative, sir. Request a few more beats out here.
Negative. You've been out there too long as it is. Bring it back.
(♪ Sailor playing harmonica)
- (Coughing) - (Indistinct chatter)
Quinn!
Your head looks like 40 miles of bad road. We gotta get you in the raft.
Uh-uh! No. Not with him.
No. Keep playing. Keep playing.
(♪ Harmonica continues)
Theo, what in the hell you writing in that book now, boy?
"Dear Mama, I should've learned how to swim. "
(All laughing)
- "Now my black ass is gonna drown. " - (All laughing)
(Alvin) What are you all laughing at, huh?
We're all gonna die, you know. You know that, right?
I mean, the funny part is, you mess hall boys are dying for a country
that doesn't give a shit about you or your people.
Yeah, well, I ain't waiting for no white folks
or anybody else to care for me.
I just knew the streets of Detroit wouldn't.
I'm telling you, man, I would've died out there.
Same here.
Streets of Galveston killed my pa and my little brother.
Plus, I wanted to get out, see the world,
- chase some foreign tail. - (All laughing)
I second that.
Hey. You take notes, you hear?
Adventure. Sex.
You put that in your book, it'll sell like hotcakes.
- You might even have a New New Testament. - (All laughing)
(All gasp)
(Distorted screaming)
- (Theodore) Quinn! - (All yelling)
Let's go over there!
(JP) Get in the rafts! Get in the rafts!
(All yelling)
Everybody out of the water!
Get out of the water!
You men, out of the water! What are you doing?
You stop swimming and get out of the water! Where the hell is he going?
(Standish) What happened?
(Speaking Japanese)
(Intermittent beeping)
(Grunting)
May the Lord bless you and keep you, may he shine his face upon you.
In Thy name, amen.
(Gasping)
(Coughing)
(Gasping)
Lord God, take, take my soul.
Thank you, God.
(Screaming)
(Screams) Get off me, God damnit!
- There's something out there! - Sharks!
- Theodore. Theodore. - Get off me.
- Have you seen any other groups? - I was in a big group!
A hundred or more of us.
- Which direction? - That way.
(Screaming)
(McWhorter) Son of a bitch! Son of a...
Peel that open and inject him.
I'll just head out a little ways. I won't be gone long.
See if I can find them.
No. Wait... Captain!
- Don't leave us! - Talk to him! Distract him!
- (Screaming) - Wait, sir! Sir!
- Captain! - Help me! (Sobbing)
- (Groaning) - (Sobbing)
(All singing) ♪ Amazing grace
♪ How sweet the sound
♪ That saved a wretch like me
♪ I once was lost... ♪
(Screaming)
Oh, Christ have mercy on me!
"The kid wandered into the mess hall with a gleam in his eyes.
"Rolled the dice and said, "Lady Luck is a friend of mine, open up and let it shine. "'
- What are you doing? - (Sobbing) I'm reading.
- What? - Reading.
You're gonna have to do better than that. I'm fucking dying.
- OK, OK. I'm sorry. - Do better than that. Do better...
"The first time I saw her, it was on Market Street in San Francisco.
"You could spot her red dress from a mile away. "
Little tight dress or what?
Sure, sure. Tight dress. So tight.
Leaving little to the imagination.
- Did you write that? - Yeah. It's my book.
That's good. Read it again.
(McWhorter moaning)
"First time I saw... " Sir, please. Stay with me. Stay with me.
I'm gonna read to you. I'm gonna read to you. OK? OK?
"She was so... "
"She was safe. She knew.
"'I will not be defined by what I face,
"'but by how I face it. "'
(Theodore) "It was as if she was a fallen angel... "
(McWhorter) Angel in the sky?
"... sent to watch over us... "
(Theodore) "'Kiss me with your eyes,' she teased.
"Every molecule in this sailor's body ached for her touch... "
(McVay) Tie us together!
Found more men and supplies.
These two say they drifted away from the same group as you, Theodore.
How you men doing?
This young man's telling a story. Making this old sailor blush, McVay.
(All laughing)
So, go on, man. Does he take her or what?
(McVay) Carry on.
"'I'll give you all the love this life allows,' she whispered.
"And with that, she spread herself beneath him, finally guiding him home. "
(Thunder rumbling)
(McVay) Dearest Louise.
It's been two days at sea and no sign of rescue.
I fear I have let the men down.
I try to find little things to give them hope.
- Spam. - But even that is in short supply.
House speciality.
God damn.
This baboon ass tastes like a two-inch steak.
We'll open one can a day.
Splash some sea water on your head.
Let the breeze cool you down.
Don't drink it. It'll make you crazy.
(Sailor coughing)
It is bordering on impossible that a plane would spot us.
But still, at the slightest sound, I look up to the sky.
- (All laughing) - (Man talking on screen)
(D'Antonio) I taught her a couple of dance moves.
Man,
she sure can dance.
Clara is the cutest thing, man.
Do you know what she used to call me, Bama?
No.
I don't wanna hear it.
(Retching)
I told you! Not in the raft, shitbird!
(Screams)
(Indistinct shouting)
(D'Antonio) What the hell!
Help me!
- Stop! Stop! You ain't scaring them off! - (Panting)
You're ringing the dinner bell.
(McVay) I couldn't use my Annapolis ring as a fishing lure
because we need it for good luck.
But I could use my wedding ring.
Because my wife would understand. You see, she likes to fish.
Might even like it more than I do.
How'd you guys meet?
You aren't gonna use this for one of your creative stories, are you?
(Chuckles) No, sir.
At the Chevy Chase Club, outside Washington, DC.
The band was playing Pennies From Heaven, and I saw her.
(Chuckles)
She was singing to herself.
She's everything to me.
Well, I'm sure you miss your family, too.
Have you ever told her?
- How you just told me? - Told her what?
How you feel about her.
I try to write to her.
- Words don't come easily for... - (McWhorter yelling) Not yet!
I got a baby boy I ain't never seen! No! No, angels!
No! No, angels! Please! Please, God!
Hold it tight. Hold it tight.
(McWhorter) Don't let me die here without seeing him!
- Hold my hand. - (McWhorter sobbing) I don't wanna die!
Don't let me die without letting me see my baby.
(Shinto priest speaking Japanese)
(Breathes deeply)
(Sobbing)
Captain?
It's OK.
Fleet is coming.
Get some rest.
- (Speaking Japanese) - (Intermittent beeping)
Attention! If anyone was coming to save us,
they would've been here by now!
An island has been spotted a few miles away.
That's impossible.
We're somewhere in the Philippine Sea.
You don't know where we are.
We're gonna catch a current, we're gonna ride it over to that island.
The Captain would want us to stay together.
The Captain is dead!
You understand? I am in charge now!
I need a few good men
who are tired of being shark bait to join me now!
You, come on over here.
You, come on over.
Obviously, we can't take anyone who's bleeding.
I'm sorry, Chap.
I promised my mama I'd come home safe.
(Standish) Come on, men! Swim on over.
And Waxman, I'm gonna leave you in charge of the wounded.
And those two troublemakers over there you seem to have such an affinity for.
What about leaving us some supplies, sir?
Oh, we'll leave you with that extra raft.
Don't you worry. We'll send help.
What about you, Marine?
I will stay with the padre.
Very well, then.
Everybody grab an oar. Let's paddle. All in unison now. Let's go.
I know we're tired.
The island's over there!
All right. God bless!
Row! Row! Come on, men!
(Clara) Mike! Mike!
Mike, are you out there?
We're here!
- Bama. Bama. - Mike!
- Bama, wake up. They're here. Bama! - (Bama grunts)
We're getting out of here. They're here.
- (Both panting) - (Bama) It's Clara! It's Clara! It's Clara!
- (Thunder rumbling) - (Grunting)
(D'Antonio) Bama. Hey.
Calm down. Hey. Hey.
You were just hallucinating. Calm down. Hey.
Calm down. You were just hallucinating. Calm down, buddy.
I love her, Mike.
I love Clara!
(Sobbing)
I always have.
Since Sunday school at First Baptist.
And I...
And I was gonna make something of myself.
- What's that? - (Screaming)
(D'Antonio) Look out for the sharks. Get in the raft. Get in the raft.
It's gonna flip. Go on the other side.
(D'Antonio screaming)
- (Connor) Damn. That stinks, man. - (Gasping)
Probably been dead for a good two hours or so.
- Gonna take his vest. - (Grunting)
Oh, gee, that's the kid. Theodore.
It's his book, man.
Shark took his poor head clean off.
You think it's just luck? Who lives and who dies?
It was his time.
(Chuckles) I'm hoping that I'm too bad for heaven and too good for hell.
I think people make up religion to make themselves feel better.
Mmm-hmm.
Can't be a God.
Not with the stuff that I seen.
At least not one that cares.
Death. Evil.
I saw a man sacrifice his life for another man.
(Sniffs)
I ain't telling you what to believe, brother. I...
I just know there's a lot of good in the world,
and I want to get back to it.
- You said your girl? - Mmm-hmm.
Is it true she's the Michigan state arm wrestling champion?
(Chuckling)
- Two years in a row. - (Both laughing)
Don't get out of line with her.
Do you think this is gonna mess up my dance game?
Well, it's called the Lindy hop.
(Both chuckle softly)
What if she doesn't believe I bought her a ring?
Then you'll get her another one.
And you'll give it to her.
She's great. Great girl, right?
Take care of her.
- What? - Promise me, Bama. Take care of her.
Hey, you stop.
Listen, Bama. Remember on the ship?
You told me to slow down.
I didn't listen.
And I grabbed the hatch.
I burned my hands, Bama.
Melted my skin.
I never listen.
You were doing what you thought you were supposed to be doing.
And I got her in trouble.
That's why... The ring...
(Quietly sobbing)
Nice girl like that.
(Whispering) Mike?
Mike?
(Crying)
Mike?
Hey.
(Crying) Don't...
(Screaming)
Help!
Hey, we've got company.
West. West.
(West) They're all dead. Standish. Cavanaugh.
- Sharks everywhere. - (Waxman coughing)
West, you're OK.
Forgive me, Chap. (Crying) I'm so sorry.
- It's OK. You're safe. You're safe. - I'm so sorry.
No! (Yelling)
(Panicked chattering)
(West) Get out of the water! Swim!
Get out!
(Screaming)
No!
God damnit!
(Indistinct shouting and sobbing)
(McVay) It is the fourth day. And many men have simply given up.
I've seen the strongest boys,
their lives full of promise,
succumb to our horrible circumstances.
Others of us feel as though we are losing our minds.
(Sailor screaming)
(Distant screaming)
(♪ Playing harmonica)
Garrison. Garrison. Is that a hallucination?
That son of a bitch is close. Can you see it?
Tell me you see that.
Help! Over here! Over here!
- I can't see. I can't, I can't see. - Garrison.
I can't see any... I can't see anything.
Wave right here. He's coming!
(Both) Help! Help!
I'm getting nothing but static, sir.
It's that antennae. I thought you had it looked at.
I did.
Goddamn antenna winch.
Look, look down!
We're above something. I think it's an oil spill from a Japanese sub.
Let's circle back. Get ready to drop.
(Engine roaring)
They saw us! They saw us! They saw us.
Dropping to 150. Hang on!
Are you sure it was a Japanese submarine, sir?
Who else would be out here?
You got eyes on this? On my go!
Are you seeing this, Skipper?
You seeing, seeing this?
He doesn't see us.
Sees the oil.
(Hollis) And drop in three, two, one.
Wait! Wait!
There's got to be 100 men out there. Spread out over miles.
Get on the radio. Now!
(Hollis) Palau, this is Gambler 17.
We are flying over hundreds of boys in the water!
I repeat. We are flying over hundreds of boys in the water!
(Carroll over radio) Gambler 17, copy this. We have to follow protocol.
The Japanese could be out there.
(Fireplug) Lieutenant! Lieutenant!
Sir, Lieutenant! Lieutenant! Sir!
We just got a call in. (Panting)
There's something in the water. Could be the plane we're looking for, sir.
Find all the water we have. Food, too. Medical supplies.
God knows how long they've been down there.
(Fireplug) Do you see what I see?
There are men everywhere! The Japs must've sunk a ship!
Japs might still be out there waiting to sink any ship that comes along!
Those boys need help now.
Sir, request permission for a no-no.
(Carroll over radio) Negative, Lieutenant.
Do not land that plane in open ocean.
You can't risk that kind of damage.
I'm gonna land this plane.
Land the damn plane, Lieutenant.
Hang on!
Holy shit!
These guys are doing a water landing.
We're almost out of fuel, sir. We have to go.
(Chuck) 10-4. Heading back to base.
He saw us! He saw us!
- (Laughing) - (Screaming)
(Muttering weakly)
(Rumbling)
(Water splashing)
(Engine sputtering)
(Fireplug) We're taking on water!
(Adrian) Holy shit.
Pick up the single swimmers.
Lieutenant, wouldn't it be faster to pick up the ones in groups?
It'd be a hell of a lot faster,
but they stand a better chance of survival in big groups.
Hey, son! What's your name? What happened here?
Brian Smithwick.
Signalman First Class aboard the USS Indianapolis.
(Fireplug) Even out. Straight. Lieutenant, the cabin's getting full.
(Adrian) There's more on the way. Don't forget this tail.
- We can put some on there. Watch that cleat. - (Fireplug) Yes!
We're going home!
(Sobbing) Are you serious? Don't lie to me, man.
(Bama) Hey, wait. That's our skipper.
Thank you...
For landing.
(Adrian) We got room for a few more.
I'm OK.
Get my men
out of the water!
(Adrian over radio) It's the USS Indianapolis.
That... That can't be.
It shouldn't be, but it is. This is a class A clusterfuck.
Somebody is gonna pay for this.
If I were you, I'd send every ship you got before the sharks get at the rest of them.
I don't know how many more I can fit on this plane.
You're putting them on the plane?
You'll never get off the water!
You kidding me? The plane's shot, hoss. Shot to shit.
We're taking on water. We're lucky to be afloat.
If you don't wanna consider sending a ship for these boys, send one for me.
(McVay) I don't understand why it took so long.
At last, relief came.
There wasn't enough room on the plane for all the survivors,
but soon the ships followed.
The Bassett, the Ringness, the Talbot, the Register,
the Delfilho, and the Cecil J. Doyle.
That's exactly what I want.
Our hero ship that delivered the bomb in record time
got sunk four days ago.
What? How many survived?
317.
879 men lost their lives.
Command screwed the pooch on three SOS calls from the Indianapolis.
That's not including an intercepted message from a Japanese I-58 that did the sinking.
Son of a bitch.
The Japanese are on the verge of surrender.
And that's due in part to the Indianapolis.
I don't want to hear about the sinking in the press
till I'm damned good and ready.
Japs surrender, we'll just mention it in a news dump.
Bury it below some positive news.
There will still be an investigation. Too many lives were lost.
With the Pearl Harbor inquiry going on, now ain't the time to be raising questions
about military incompetence.
Or you just suggest we indict the big blue dick?
No.
I'm saying the press and the public will want somebody's head on a platter.
Then we'll give 'em someone.
(Sailor) I wanna go home!
Hey, I just wanna go home!
Where's the doctor?
- I need the doctor! - (Nurse) Just lie back, sir.
Signalman?
Yes, sir.
Did your friend make it? The boy you jumped over with?
(Sailor moaning and sobbing)
(Coughing)
(McVay) Through some terrible twist of fate,
it turns out that I am one of the only officers that survived.
Many of those that died were our dear friends.
It will be a tremendous burden for you to have to tell their wives
that all their husbands perished,
while yours, the Captain, lived.
(Sailor) Did anybody see Cavanaugh? Did Cavanaugh make it?
(Whispers) Garrison, nine o'clock. Nine o'clock.
It's the kid.
It's Theodore, you dummy.
- (All laughing) - Theodore.
You little turd!
We found your book on a dead guy, man.
I gave it to a sailor for comfort.
I ain't ready to go down God's toilet bowl yet.
I found that in the gutter.
Two weeks ago. Can you believe that?
Thanks.
Don't... Don't thank me.
I was gonna come here, and I was gonna tell you that I didn't know whose it was.
(Crying) But I knew... I knew it was D'Antonio's.
I was gonna pawn it to, to pay some debt.
I'm not just like some everyday, normal kinda asshole, Bama.
I'm a special kind.
(Sobbing)
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
(Crowd cheering)
(Broadcaster) The waris over.
Atomic bombs have been dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki,
and Japan has surrendered to the Allied powers.
(McVay) The packages we delivered worked with devastating accuracy.
The men in the USS Indianapolis returned home.
(Broadcaster) A joyous day indeed.
Ticker tape parades are the order of the day for all our brave American Gls,
both those who came back and those courageous boys who have given their lives.
(McVay) Not all of them with good news.
For them, the war was over.
Mom!
(McVay) But for me, the battle was just beginning.
(Thunder rumbling)
(Phone ringing)
(Woman over telephone) My boy, my baby boy...
- (Man shouting) - (Screaming)
(Muffled grunts)
- (Phone ringing) - (Thunder rumbling)
McVay residence.
(Man over telephone) I hope you burn in hell for what you did.
Just hang up, Chuck.
Burn in hell!
We need you back, Charlie.
Me. Your boy.
We need you.
A lot of boys needed me.
You did all you could.
(Engine humming)
(Clara) I hear you got your promotion.
(Bama) I turned it down.
I'm, uh, moving to Washington, D.C. Going to law school.
Might even help my uncle on his next campaign.
(Chuckles) Well, I wish you all the luck in the world, Brian.
You deserve it.
Clara, I, um...
I've been through just about the scariest thing
that a man can face out there in the ocean.
And I don't know that that's something I'm ever gonna get over.
You see, I've been afraid to live my life to the fullest.
- I've been afraid a long time. - (Door opening)
Afraid of what?
(Indistinct news broadcast playing)
Just, well, not being good enough.
You know. About being rejected.
Rejected? By who?
By you, Clara.
I have been in love with you since the day that we met.
And I, um...
(Gasping)
Marriage?
Brian, Mike and I are having a...
A baby. Yeah, I know.
But you see, Mike was like a brother to me.
And that baby is gonna need a father.
And so, I would be honoured if you would at least consider being my wife.
You don't... You don't got to love me back or anything like that.
And we might never be as rich as your folks.
But we could start a fresh life in D.C.
I know you already got one ring. But I thought maybe two is better than one.
After all he's been through, they're putting him on trial.
Sounds like they're looking for a scapegoat.
Louise, it... It's complicated.
- What's complicated? Admiral. - Captain.
- Would you gentlemen like some tea? - Thank you, Louise.
(News broadcast playing)
(Parnell) Charlie, as far as they were concerned,
you were on a secret mission under the command of the President.
And since their orders were to never announce arrivals,
they will argue that they were not supposed to announce non-arrivals, either.
So, what now?
I found outside counsel.
What I'm about to tell you
can't ever leave this room.
Four days before your ship was sunk by the Japanese,
there was another US ship in those same waters.
The USS Underhill.
She was torpedoed and sunk.
Point being, you should've had an escort.
You should've had sonar.
Charlie, I am so sorry.
The trial will be in Washington.
(People cheering)
This one right here, fellas, is to being back on solid ground.
(All cheering)
And to never seeing another shark again.
(All cheering)
To wishing our captain luck in this bullshit trial.
- (All cheering) - To all the good men we lost at sea.
(All) Amen.
- (♪ Big band music playing) - Excuse me, boys?
See something you like, Alvin?
Oh, no, yeah, no. I, uh...
I recognise one of those rings.
But, uh, not the other one.
I got it from my husband, Bama.
Your husband? Oh.
You got something you wanna say, Alvin?
Wasn't that D'Antonio's girl?
Yeah, she was. So?
I mean, fella married his buddy's pregnant girlfriend?
That's... He's a better man than me.
Yeah. I'll drink to that.
Hey, McVay's trial starts at 0900!
Think we ought to be there about an hour early.
(Indistinct shouting)
(Reporter 1) Sir? Sir? Are you expecting to be court-martialled?
- (Crowd chanting) McVay must pay! - Sir, answer the question!
(Reporter 2) Do you feel personally responsible for the loss of your men?
(Crowd continues chanting outside)
Captain McVay, you're being accused of hazarding your ship
by failing to zig-zag as an evasive manoeuvre
and failing to abandon ship in a timely manner.
For the benefit of the court. How do you plead?
Not guilty.
(Audience whispering)
When the ship was hit, did you hear any directives from your captain?
I went to the bridge. Commander Cavanaugh was there.
He told me that Captain McVay had given the order to abandon ship.
But you never got the order from Captain McVay?
- Well, not initially, but... - Thank you, sir. That'll suffice.
No further questions, Your Honour.
(Whispers) Why didn't you object? That was military protocol.
(Gavel banging)
Captain McVay, what, pray tell, is your theory on zig-zagging?
Not so effective against Kaitens.
(Cavanaugh) It's a new Japanese weapon.
A manned suicide torpedo. Like an underwater Kamikaze plane.
Hard to hit what you can't see.
And on that night?
(McVay) Let's get through this weather as quickly as possible.
Cease zig-zagging until the fog clears. Full speed ahead.
Tell us about the sequence of events the night you were struck.
We'd been hit. The question was how bad.
The Indianapolis is a strong ship. She's built like a floating tank.
We had survived multiple attacks before. So we had to assess the damage.
General quarters!
We had no electrical.
You sent the SOS out?
Pass the word! Abandon ship!
So, you called abandon ship about six to eight minutes after you were struck?
How did you personally abandon ship?
(McVay) Go! Go!
Can anyone hear me?
Paul?
(McVay) It was the last I saw of my men that night.
And the last I saw of our ship.
Nothing further, Your Honour.
(Crying softly)
We wish to call to the stand, the only submarine commander
who is relevant to this case, because he was there.
The United States Government calls Captain Hashimoto
of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
(Audience murmuring)
(Murmuring continues)
- (Judge) Order in the court! - (Gavel banging)
Order in the court!
(Ryan) Captain Hashimoto.
You understand that you are under oath to tell the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
But, you're not Christian, are you?
Shintoist. We believe that the soul exists after death.
And yes, I understand the difference between truth and falsehood.
Very well.
Tell us about your actions on the night in question.
(Speaking in Japanese)
Did you fire your Kaitens?
(Speaking in Japanese)
(Audience murmuring)
So, the USS Indianapolis was sunk
- using conventional torpedoes? - Yes.
In your opinion, if the ship had been zig-zagging,
would it have made a difference?
No. We were too close.
I fired six torpedoes. He had no chance to escape.
No further questions, Your Honour.
(Crowd chanting) McVay must pay! McVay must pay!
(Judge) Call to order! Please rise.
On the first count. Failure to give the order to abandon ship in a timely manner,
we find the defendant, Captain Charles Butler McVay III, not guilty.
- (Gavel banging) - (Crowd murmuring)
(Scattered applause)
What does that mean? What happened?
They only announce the not guilty verdicts.
He's been found guilty of hazarding the ship by failing to zig-zag.
(Gasping)
They court-martial our captain and didn't mention all of our dead?
We should be building them a monument.
Charlie, I want you to know I'd rather this played out differently.
(Indistinct, angry murmuring)
Hundreds of ships were sunk during the war.
And yours is the only court-martial? It stinks.
(McVay) Thank you.
(Reporter) Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Who's that guy?
I need a few minutes alone.
Captain McVay! Captain! Captain! How do you feel about this
being the worst Naval disaster in history?
- Captain... - Captain, please,
you were denied your choice of an attorney...
This would never happen in Japan.
If the roles were reversed, you would not be called in to testify
on anyone's behalf.
Was there anything I could've done?
You were exposed. We were there.
As a Commander in the Imperial Japanese Navy,
it was my duty to kill you.
But as a man,
I have regrets.
I had a good idea of what we were carrying.
I, too, did my duty.
But as a man,
I find no honour in it.
I often wonder how things would be if I had stopped you
before you completed your mission.
We have learned to forgive each other as former adversaries.
Perhaps one day,
we can forgive ourselves as men.
(Theodore) They say we won the war.
In my opinion, we'll really win when there is no more war.
(Garrison) And just like there were different groups of survivors in the water...
(Connor) There are different groups on land today.
(Alvin) Every year, we survivors gather together to honour our fallen brothers.
Even though they're gone, they'll be with us forever.
(Bama) Our new mission is to try to make sure
that even future generations
never forget the price that we all pay for freedom.
(McVay) Time marched on.
And I eventually lost my dear Louise.
And the memories of all the boys we lost at sea never faded.
- And the phone... - (Phone ringing)
...never stopped ringing.
(Ringing continues)
(Gunshot)
The first day, we must've had 120, 150 sharks around us all day long.
It's a horrifying experience, being in the water,
don't know if they're coming to get you.
If you hit those sharks in the eyeball,
it really hurt them and they left you alone.
And you could see down in the water maybe 50 feet,
and they'd go down there and just thrash back and forth in pain.
Whenever they said there were sharks in the area,
I always pulled my legs up and froze.
And I was petrified.
I saw so many sharks eating men that I never will like them.
I think they're horrible.