WEBVTT 1 00:00:00,116 --> 00:00:01,408 VALERY LEGASOV: What is the cost of lies? 2 00:00:04,075 --> 00:00:05,200 Who is to blame? 3 00:00:09,784 --> 00:00:10,867 It doesn't matter. 4 00:00:11,450 --> 00:00:12,909 WOMAN: It doesn't look right. 5 00:00:15,825 --> 00:00:16,950 MAN: We taste metal. 6 00:00:17,575 --> 00:00:19,742 ENGINEER: I think there's graphite on the ground. 7 00:00:20,367 --> 00:00:21,408 You didn't see graphite. 8 00:00:22,033 --> 00:00:25,617 (YELLING) You didn't because it's not there! 9 00:00:27,742 --> 00:00:31,617 We seal off the city. Contain the spread of misinformation. 10 00:00:31,700 --> 00:00:32,909 (APPLAUSE) 11 00:00:33,116 --> 00:00:34,408 (PHONE RINGS) 12 00:00:35,617 --> 00:00:36,742 (MUFFLED GROANING) 13 00:00:38,158 --> 00:00:39,825 (RINGING CONTINUES) 14 00:00:43,325 --> 00:00:45,700 BORIS SHCHERBINA: (ON PHONE) Secretary Gorbachev has appointed a committee 15 00:00:45,784 --> 00:00:47,991 to manage the accident. You're on it. 16 00:01:03,659 --> 00:01:05,617 (wind blowing softly) 17 00:01:05,700 --> 00:01:08,617 (dosimeter clicking faintly) 18 00:01:24,659 --> 00:01:26,825 ♪ ♪ 19 00:01:33,241 --> 00:01:36,283 (man reading poem in Ukrainian, over radio) 20 00:01:56,325 --> 00:01:58,533 (man continues reading poem over radio) 21 00:02:16,659 --> 00:02:19,241 (door opens, closes) 22 00:02:22,116 --> 00:02:24,241 (footsteps approaching) 23 00:02:29,867 --> 00:02:31,533 (turns off radio) 24 00:02:33,367 --> 00:02:35,408 You work too hard. 25 00:02:36,700 --> 00:02:41,325 -Where is everyone? -Oh, they refused to come in. 26 00:02:41,408 --> 00:02:43,909 -Why? -It's Saturday. 27 00:02:47,033 --> 00:02:49,367 -Why did you come in? -I work too hard. 28 00:02:49,450 --> 00:02:51,241 It's boiling in here. 29 00:02:55,950 --> 00:02:58,867 (dosimeter alarm buzzing) 30 00:03:03,533 --> 00:03:04,909 (buzzing stops) 31 00:03:06,075 --> 00:03:08,617 Eight milliroentgen. A leak? 32 00:03:08,700 --> 00:03:09,950 No. 33 00:03:10,867 --> 00:03:13,367 It would've gone off before. It's coming from outside. 34 00:03:13,450 --> 00:03:15,075 The Americans? 35 00:03:16,700 --> 00:03:19,033 (wind blowing) 36 00:03:36,784 --> 00:03:39,116 (machines humming) 37 00:03:43,825 --> 00:03:45,950 (whirring) 38 00:03:46,617 --> 00:03:50,283 (printer clacking) 39 00:03:55,825 --> 00:03:58,325 Iodine 131. 40 00:03:58,408 --> 00:04:02,241 It's not military. It's uranium decay, U-235. 41 00:04:02,325 --> 00:04:03,825 Reactor fuel? 42 00:04:06,367 --> 00:04:09,991 Ignalina. Maybe, uh, 240 kilometers away. 43 00:04:10,075 --> 00:04:12,659 (rotary phone dialing) 44 00:04:17,492 --> 00:04:18,700 (line rings) 45 00:04:18,784 --> 00:04:20,575 Yes, this is Ulana Khomyuk 46 00:04:20,659 --> 00:04:23,158 with the Institute of Nuclear En-- 47 00:04:23,241 --> 00:04:24,909 Looking for--? 48 00:04:24,991 --> 00:04:27,950 (man speaking indistinctly over phone) 49 00:04:29,492 --> 00:04:32,116 -All right, stay calm. -Man (over phone): Don't tell me to stay calm. 50 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:34,158 (man continuing indistinctly) 51 00:04:35,991 --> 00:04:38,784 They're at four. It's not them. 52 00:04:38,867 --> 00:04:41,575 -Who's the next closest? -It's Chernobyl, but that's not possible. 53 00:04:41,659 --> 00:04:43,241 They're 400 kilometers away. 54 00:04:43,325 --> 00:04:45,450 That's too far for eight milliroentgen. 55 00:04:45,533 --> 00:04:47,158 They'd have to be split open. 56 00:04:47,241 --> 00:04:49,367 Maybe they know something. 57 00:04:49,450 --> 00:04:51,575 (rotary phone dialing) 58 00:04:54,450 --> 00:04:56,325 (line ringing) 59 00:04:57,033 --> 00:04:59,659 -Iodine. -Could it be a waste dump? 60 00:04:59,742 --> 00:05:01,116 Khomyuk: No. 61 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:03,575 We'd be seeing other isotopes. 62 00:05:03,659 --> 00:05:06,742 Nuclear test? Uh, new kind of bomb? 63 00:05:06,825 --> 00:05:10,158 We'd have heard. That's what half our people work on here. 64 00:05:11,617 --> 00:05:16,367 Something with the space program like a satellite or...? 65 00:05:16,450 --> 00:05:18,158 (line ringing) 66 00:05:18,241 --> 00:05:20,367 No one's answering the phone. 67 00:05:22,116 --> 00:05:25,241 (line ringing) 68 00:05:28,575 --> 00:05:31,200 ♪ ♪ 69 00:05:31,283 --> 00:05:32,450 (ringing continues) 70 00:05:32,533 --> 00:05:34,617 (sirens wailing) 71 00:05:40,492 --> 00:05:43,200 -Zinchenko: Get everyone started on an IV. -We don't have enough. 72 00:05:43,283 --> 00:05:45,283 -All the children then. -But we don't have enough! 73 00:05:45,367 --> 00:05:46,784 As many as you can. 74 00:05:46,867 --> 00:05:50,575 -Zinchenko: Where's the old man? -He's set up a burn ward in 16. 75 00:05:51,158 --> 00:05:54,533 (noisy chattering) 76 00:06:04,241 --> 00:06:05,825 What are you doing? What is that? 77 00:06:05,909 --> 00:06:08,033 Milk. It's milk. Much better than water. 78 00:06:08,116 --> 00:06:09,617 No, no, no. Stop. Stop! 79 00:06:09,700 --> 00:06:12,200 -What are you doing? -These are radiation burns! 80 00:06:12,283 --> 00:06:14,492 Their clothes are contaminated! 81 00:06:14,575 --> 00:06:16,075 Help me! 82 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:18,659 Get it all off. 83 00:06:18,742 --> 00:06:19,825 (moaning) 84 00:06:19,909 --> 00:06:21,950 We're taking it down to the basement. 85 00:06:24,867 --> 00:06:26,492 He was a firefighter from Chernobyl. 86 00:06:26,575 --> 00:06:28,116 Can you stop pushing, please? 87 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:30,033 (muffled shouting) 88 00:06:30,116 --> 00:06:33,575 -(crowd shouting) -Soldier: We have our orders! 89 00:06:33,659 --> 00:06:36,200 -Disperse! -Hey, there! Get him! 90 00:06:36,283 --> 00:06:38,200 (Lyudmilla shouts indistinctly) 91 00:06:38,283 --> 00:06:40,700 Woman: Why you keeping us out here? 92 00:06:40,784 --> 00:06:42,909 (clamoring) 93 00:06:44,367 --> 00:06:46,283 (clamoring) 94 00:06:49,450 --> 00:06:51,492 ♪ ♪ 95 00:07:34,700 --> 00:07:36,617 (door opens, closes) 96 00:07:36,700 --> 00:07:38,450 Professor Legasov? 97 00:07:38,533 --> 00:07:40,158 Oh, no, not yet. 98 00:07:40,241 --> 00:07:42,575 They're finishing up some other business. It'll be a few more minutes. 99 00:07:42,659 --> 00:07:45,408 -Can I get you some tea? -No, I'm fine. Thank you. 100 00:07:45,492 --> 00:07:48,283 Would you care to read Deputy Chairman Shcherbina's report while you wait? 101 00:07:48,367 --> 00:07:50,158 Certainly. Thank you. 102 00:07:54,200 --> 00:07:57,200 (door opens, closes) 103 00:08:17,825 --> 00:08:19,909 (paper rustles) 104 00:08:23,408 --> 00:08:26,450 ♪ ♪ 105 00:08:29,200 --> 00:08:31,241 (pages rustling) 106 00:08:42,533 --> 00:08:44,575 ♪ ♪ 107 00:08:47,408 --> 00:08:49,075 (door opens) 108 00:08:49,659 --> 00:08:51,742 Kremlin Aide: All right, Professor. They're ready. 109 00:08:52,991 --> 00:08:54,784 Professor Legasov? 110 00:09:03,325 --> 00:09:05,450 ♪ ♪ 111 00:09:19,909 --> 00:09:22,116 Gorbachev: You have my support. 112 00:09:28,450 --> 00:09:30,367 Gorbachev: Thank you all for your duty to this commission. 113 00:09:30,450 --> 00:09:33,533 We will begin with Deputy Chairman Shcherbina's briefing, 114 00:09:33,617 --> 00:09:37,241 and then we will discuss next steps if necessary. 115 00:09:37,325 --> 00:09:39,200 Thank you, comrade General Secretary. 116 00:09:39,283 --> 00:09:43,408 I'm pleased to report that the situation in Chernobyl is stable. 117 00:09:43,492 --> 00:09:46,867 Military and civilian patrols have secured the region, 118 00:09:46,950 --> 00:09:49,116 and Colonel General Pikalov, 119 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:52,033 who commands troops specializing in chemical hazards, 120 00:09:52,116 --> 00:09:54,158 has been dispatched to the plant. 121 00:09:54,241 --> 00:09:56,784 In terms of radiation, plant director Bryukhanov 122 00:09:56,867 --> 00:10:00,200 reports no more than 3.6 roentgen. 123 00:10:00,283 --> 00:10:02,575 I'm told it's the equivalent of a chest X-ray. 124 00:10:02,659 --> 00:10:05,742 So if you're overdue for a check-up... 125 00:10:05,825 --> 00:10:08,533 -And foreign press? -Totally unaware. 126 00:10:08,617 --> 00:10:11,241 KGB First Deputy Chairman Charkov assures me 127 00:10:11,325 --> 00:10:14,408 that we have successfully protected our security interests. 128 00:10:14,492 --> 00:10:16,867 Gorbachev: Good. Very good. 129 00:10:16,950 --> 00:10:19,533 Well, it seems like it's well in hand, so... 130 00:10:20,700 --> 00:10:23,575 if there's nothing else, meeting adjourned. 131 00:10:24,533 --> 00:10:26,367 -No! -(pounds table) 132 00:10:28,033 --> 00:10:30,158 Pardon me? 133 00:10:30,241 --> 00:10:32,575 Uh, we can't adjourn. 134 00:10:32,659 --> 00:10:35,033 This is Professor Legasov of the Kurchatov Institute. 135 00:10:35,116 --> 00:10:36,991 Professor, if you have any concerns, 136 00:10:37,075 --> 00:10:39,075 feel free to address them with me later. 137 00:10:39,158 --> 00:10:42,991 I can't. I am sorry. I'm so sorry. 138 00:10:43,075 --> 00:10:46,116 Page three, the section on casualties. 139 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:47,325 Uh... 140 00:10:47,408 --> 00:10:50,241 "A fireman was severely burned on his hand 141 00:10:50,325 --> 00:10:52,700 "by a chunk of smooth, black mineral 142 00:10:52,784 --> 00:10:55,116 on the ground, outside the reactor building." 143 00:10:55,200 --> 00:10:57,283 Smooth, black mineral-- graphite. 144 00:10:57,367 --> 00:11:00,075 There's-There's graphite on the ground. 145 00:11:02,241 --> 00:11:05,325 Well, there was a... a tank explosion. There's debris. 146 00:11:05,408 --> 00:11:08,283 -Of what importance--? -There's only one place in the entire facility 147 00:11:08,367 --> 00:11:11,575 where you will find graphite: inside the core. 148 00:11:11,659 --> 00:11:13,325 If there's graphite on the ground outside, 149 00:11:13,408 --> 00:11:15,617 it means it wasn't a control system tank that exploded. 150 00:11:15,700 --> 00:11:18,200 It was the reactor core. It's open! (inhales) 151 00:11:21,408 --> 00:11:23,991 Um, Comrade Shcherbina? 152 00:11:24,075 --> 00:11:26,241 Comrade General Secretary, I can assure you 153 00:11:26,325 --> 00:11:28,033 that Professor Legasov is mistaken. 154 00:11:28,116 --> 00:11:30,492 Bryukhanov reports that the reactor core is intact. 155 00:11:30,575 --> 00:11:32,991 -And as for the radiation-- -Yes, 3.6 roentgen, 156 00:11:33,075 --> 00:11:35,742 which, by the way, is not the equivalent of one chest X-ray, 157 00:11:35,825 --> 00:11:38,075 but rather 400 chest X-rays. 158 00:11:38,158 --> 00:11:40,408 That number's been bothering me for a different reason, though. 159 00:11:40,492 --> 00:11:44,450 It's also the maximum reading on low-limit dosimeters. 160 00:11:44,533 --> 00:11:47,283 They gave us the number they had. 161 00:11:47,367 --> 00:11:50,116 I think the true number is much, much higher. 162 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:52,909 If I'm right, this fireman was holding the equivalent 163 00:11:52,991 --> 00:11:55,033 of four million chest X-rays in his hand. 164 00:11:55,116 --> 00:11:57,492 Professor Legasov, there's no place for alarmist hysteria-- 165 00:11:57,575 --> 00:11:59,533 It's not alarmist if it's a fact! 166 00:11:59,617 --> 00:12:02,909 Well, I don't hear any facts at all. 167 00:12:02,991 --> 00:12:05,533 All I hear is a man I don't know 168 00:12:05,617 --> 00:12:08,700 engaging in conjecture in direct contradiction 169 00:12:08,784 --> 00:12:10,909 to what has been reported by party officials. 170 00:12:10,991 --> 00:12:14,367 I'm, uh... I apologize. 171 00:12:14,450 --> 00:12:16,867 I didn't mean, uh... 172 00:12:16,950 --> 00:12:20,575 (clears throat) Please, may I express my concern 173 00:12:20,659 --> 00:12:23,659 as calmly and as respectfully as I-- 174 00:12:23,742 --> 00:12:26,825 -Professor Legasov-- -Gorbachev: Boris. 175 00:12:27,867 --> 00:12:29,700 I will allow it. 176 00:12:38,742 --> 00:12:40,659 Legasov: Um... 177 00:12:42,158 --> 00:12:44,950 An RBMK reactor 178 00:12:45,033 --> 00:12:49,241 uses uranium 235 as fuel. 179 00:12:49,325 --> 00:12:54,116 Every atom of U-235 is like a bullet 180 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:56,325 traveling at nearly the speed of light, 181 00:12:56,408 --> 00:12:58,909 penetrating everything in its path: 182 00:12:58,991 --> 00:13:02,116 woods, metal, concrete, flesh. 183 00:13:02,200 --> 00:13:05,283 Every gram of U-235 holds 184 00:13:05,367 --> 00:13:08,241 over a billion trillion of these bullets. 185 00:13:08,325 --> 00:13:09,784 That's in one gram. 186 00:13:09,867 --> 00:13:13,158 Now, Chernobyl holds over three million grams, 187 00:13:13,241 --> 00:13:15,867 and right now, it is on fire. 188 00:13:15,950 --> 00:13:20,283 Winds will carry radioactive particles across the entire continent, 189 00:13:20,367 --> 00:13:22,283 rain will bring them down on us. 190 00:13:22,367 --> 00:13:25,450 That's three million billion trillion bullets 191 00:13:25,533 --> 00:13:29,492 in the... in the air we breathe, 192 00:13:29,575 --> 00:13:32,825 the water we drink, the food we eat. 193 00:13:34,492 --> 00:13:38,825 Most of these bullets will not stop firing for 100 years. 194 00:13:38,909 --> 00:13:42,200 Some of them, not for 50,000 years. 195 00:13:42,283 --> 00:13:45,991 Yes, and, uh, this concern 196 00:13:46,075 --> 00:13:50,241 stems entirely from the description of a rock? 197 00:13:54,533 --> 00:13:55,909 Yes. 198 00:13:58,241 --> 00:13:59,533 Hmm. 199 00:14:02,617 --> 00:14:04,408 Comrade Shcherbina... 200 00:14:05,450 --> 00:14:07,784 I want you to go to Chernobyl. 201 00:14:07,867 --> 00:14:09,991 You take a look at the reactor, you personally, 202 00:14:10,075 --> 00:14:11,909 and you report directly back to me. 203 00:14:11,991 --> 00:14:14,200 A wise decision, comrade General Secretary-- 204 00:14:14,283 --> 00:14:16,867 Gorbachev: And take Professor Legasov with you. 205 00:14:17,742 --> 00:14:19,075 Shcherbina: Uh... (chuckles) 206 00:14:19,158 --> 00:14:22,283 Forgive me, comrade General Secretary, but I-- 207 00:14:22,367 --> 00:14:24,742 Do you know how a nuclear reactor works? 208 00:14:26,784 --> 00:14:28,158 -No. -Gorbachev: No. 209 00:14:28,241 --> 00:14:31,367 Well, then how will you know what you're looking at? 210 00:14:31,450 --> 00:14:33,492 Meeting adjourned. 211 00:14:47,283 --> 00:14:51,867 ♪ ♪ 212 00:14:51,950 --> 00:14:54,116 (helicopter blades whupping) 213 00:15:25,867 --> 00:15:27,991 ♪ ♪ 214 00:15:32,533 --> 00:15:34,116 How does a nuclear reactor work? 215 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:37,158 -What? -Shcherbina: It's a simple question. 216 00:15:38,492 --> 00:15:40,325 It's hardly a simple answer. 217 00:15:40,408 --> 00:15:44,325 Of course, you presume I'm too stupid to understand. 218 00:15:44,408 --> 00:15:47,700 So I'll restate: Tell me how a nuclear reactor works, 219 00:15:47,784 --> 00:15:50,659 or I'll have one of these soldiers throw you out of the helicopter. 220 00:16:00,784 --> 00:16:04,617 A nuclear reactor makes electricity with steam. 221 00:16:04,700 --> 00:16:08,241 The steam turns a turbine which generates electricity. 222 00:16:08,325 --> 00:16:10,283 Where a typical power plant 223 00:16:10,367 --> 00:16:12,241 makes steam by burning coal, 224 00:16:12,325 --> 00:16:14,659 a nuclear plant... 225 00:16:19,825 --> 00:16:24,408 In a nuclear plant, we use something called fission. 226 00:16:24,492 --> 00:16:30,450 We take an unstable element like uranium 235, 227 00:16:30,533 --> 00:16:32,492 which has too many neutrons. 228 00:16:32,575 --> 00:16:35,408 -A neutron is, uh-- -The bullet. 229 00:16:37,408 --> 00:16:39,200 Yes, the bullet. 230 00:16:40,033 --> 00:16:42,867 So, bullets are flying off of the uranium. 231 00:16:42,950 --> 00:16:44,283 Now... 232 00:16:44,367 --> 00:16:49,200 if we put enough uranium atoms close together, 233 00:16:49,283 --> 00:16:53,659 the bullets from one atom will eventually strike another atom. 234 00:16:53,742 --> 00:16:56,825 The force of this impact splits that atom apart, 235 00:16:56,909 --> 00:17:00,200 releasing a tremendous amount of energy, fission. 236 00:17:00,283 --> 00:17:03,033 -And the graphite? -Ah, yes. 237 00:17:03,116 --> 00:17:06,991 The neutrons are actually traveling so fast-- we call this "flux"-- 238 00:17:07,075 --> 00:17:11,867 it's relatively unlikely that the uranium atoms will ever hit one another. 239 00:17:11,950 --> 00:17:16,909 In RBMK reactors, we surround the fuel rods with graphite 240 00:17:16,991 --> 00:17:21,991 to moderate, slow down, the neutron flux. 241 00:17:25,450 --> 00:17:27,158 Good. 242 00:17:27,241 --> 00:17:30,283 I know how a nuclear reactor works. 243 00:17:31,825 --> 00:17:34,283 Now I don't need you. 244 00:17:36,909 --> 00:17:39,075 (helicopter blades womping) 245 00:17:43,408 --> 00:17:46,283 (noisy chattering) 246 00:17:50,784 --> 00:17:52,575 (voices clamoring) 247 00:17:52,659 --> 00:17:56,241 -Can you help me? I need to find my husband. -No. Not now. 248 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:01,700 -Mikhail! -Lyudmilla. 249 00:18:01,784 --> 00:18:03,367 -(infant screaming) -Take her. 250 00:18:03,450 --> 00:18:05,283 Take her away from here, please. 251 00:18:05,367 --> 00:18:07,991 -Get away from them! You want to get sick? Go! -Mikhail: Oh my God. 252 00:18:08,075 --> 00:18:09,408 Please take her, please take her. 253 00:18:09,492 --> 00:18:11,241 -(infant screaming) -Please take her, please. 254 00:18:11,325 --> 00:18:13,700 Please! Please! 255 00:18:13,784 --> 00:18:15,492 Please take her! 256 00:18:20,825 --> 00:18:23,533 Excuse me, I am Vasily Ignatenko's wife. 257 00:18:23,617 --> 00:18:26,909 He's a fireman. Ignatenko. 258 00:18:26,991 --> 00:18:30,492 Ignatenko, Sixth Paramilitary Fire and Rescue Unit. 259 00:18:30,575 --> 00:18:33,492 I need to find him. Please. 260 00:18:36,617 --> 00:18:38,200 Major Burov: Ignatenko... 261 00:18:38,283 --> 00:18:40,784 He's being transported by helicopter to Moscow. 262 00:18:40,867 --> 00:18:42,659 Hospital number six. 263 00:18:42,742 --> 00:18:44,867 Why, is he all right? Can I see him? 264 00:18:44,950 --> 00:18:46,450 You want to see him? Go to Moscow. 265 00:18:46,533 --> 00:18:48,825 But they're not letting us leave here. 266 00:18:51,367 --> 00:18:53,659 Tell them Major Burov allows it. 267 00:18:55,200 --> 00:18:58,200 -Oh. When are they taking him? -Now. 268 00:19:00,700 --> 00:19:03,659 (helicopter blades whupping) 269 00:19:23,784 --> 00:19:25,909 ♪ ♪ 270 00:19:28,991 --> 00:19:31,033 Pilot: We're approaching the power plant. 271 00:19:36,909 --> 00:19:38,867 Legasov (mutters): What have they done? 272 00:19:39,950 --> 00:19:41,991 Can you see inside? 273 00:19:42,075 --> 00:19:44,909 I don't have to. Look. 274 00:19:44,991 --> 00:19:46,909 That's graphite on the roof. 275 00:19:46,991 --> 00:19:49,325 The whole building's been blown open. 276 00:19:49,408 --> 00:19:50,659 The core's exposed! 277 00:19:50,742 --> 00:19:52,659 I can't see how you can tell that from here. 278 00:19:52,742 --> 00:19:54,158 Oh, for God's sakes. 279 00:19:54,241 --> 00:19:55,659 Look at that glow! 280 00:19:55,742 --> 00:19:58,408 That's radiation ionizing the air! 281 00:19:58,492 --> 00:20:00,116 Well, if we can't see, we don't know. 282 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:01,825 Get us directly over the building! 283 00:20:01,950 --> 00:20:03,533 -Boris, if we fly... -Don't you use my name! 284 00:20:03,617 --> 00:20:05,909 ...directly over an open reactor, we'll be dead within a week! 285 00:20:05,991 --> 00:20:07,450 Dead! 286 00:20:08,408 --> 00:20:09,617 Pilot: Sir? 287 00:20:09,700 --> 00:20:12,784 Get us over that building, or I'll have you shot! 288 00:20:13,450 --> 00:20:15,617 (indistinct radio transmission) 289 00:20:16,450 --> 00:20:18,492 If you fly directly over that core, I promise you, 290 00:20:18,575 --> 00:20:21,325 by tomorrow morning, you'll be begging for that bullet. 291 00:20:28,325 --> 00:20:29,909 (grunts) 292 00:21:05,283 --> 00:21:08,784 (muffled chatter, laughter) 293 00:21:09,325 --> 00:21:11,533 Perhaps if you came back another day. 294 00:21:16,533 --> 00:21:18,909 Just wonderful. 295 00:21:18,991 --> 00:21:21,408 Khomyuk: Deputy Secretary Garanin. 296 00:21:21,492 --> 00:21:25,659 Ulana Khomyuk of the Byelorussian Institute for Nuclear Energy. 297 00:21:25,742 --> 00:21:27,075 What a pleasure. 298 00:21:27,158 --> 00:21:30,033 -Let me introduce-- -I'm here about Chernobyl. 299 00:21:32,033 --> 00:21:33,450 Such a lovely time. 300 00:21:33,533 --> 00:21:36,867 -Visit again soon. -Chulkov: I will. Thank you. 301 00:21:49,033 --> 00:21:51,991 Garanin: I must tell you, this is why no one likes scientists. 302 00:21:52,075 --> 00:21:54,825 When we have a disease to cure, where are they? 303 00:21:54,909 --> 00:21:58,617 In a lab, noses in their books, and so Grandma dies. 304 00:21:58,700 --> 00:21:59,991 But when there isn't a problem, 305 00:22:00,075 --> 00:22:01,533 they're everywhere, spreading fear. 306 00:22:01,617 --> 00:22:03,991 -I know about Chernobyl. -Oh? 307 00:22:04,075 --> 00:22:06,950 I know that the core is either partially or completely exposed. 308 00:22:07,033 --> 00:22:09,450 -Whatever that means. -And that if you don't immediately 309 00:22:09,533 --> 00:22:12,283 issue iodine tablets and then evacuate this city, 310 00:22:12,367 --> 00:22:14,991 hundreds of thousands of people are going to get cancer, 311 00:22:15,075 --> 00:22:17,408 and God knows how many more will die. 312 00:22:17,492 --> 00:22:19,200 Yes, very good. 313 00:22:19,283 --> 00:22:21,325 There has been an accident at Chernobyl, 314 00:22:21,408 --> 00:22:23,533 but I've been assured there is no problem. 315 00:22:23,617 --> 00:22:25,533 I'm telling you that there is. 316 00:22:25,617 --> 00:22:27,575 I prefer my opinion to yours. 317 00:22:27,659 --> 00:22:30,950 I'm a nuclear physicist. 318 00:22:31,033 --> 00:22:32,617 Before you were Deputy Secretary, 319 00:22:32,700 --> 00:22:34,367 you worked in a shoe factory. 320 00:22:35,492 --> 00:22:39,075 Yes, I worked in a shoe factory. 321 00:22:40,116 --> 00:22:42,241 And now I'm in charge. 322 00:22:44,408 --> 00:22:47,241 "To the workers of the world." 323 00:23:08,950 --> 00:23:11,492 Stable iodine will keep your thyroid 324 00:23:11,575 --> 00:23:13,950 from absorbing radioactive iodine. 325 00:23:15,116 --> 00:23:17,909 Take one a day for as long as they last. 326 00:23:17,991 --> 00:23:19,700 And go east. 327 00:23:19,784 --> 00:23:22,241 Get as far from Minsk as you can. 328 00:23:55,825 --> 00:23:57,492 Fomin: It's overkill. 329 00:23:57,575 --> 00:23:59,492 Pikalov's showing off to make us look bad. 330 00:23:59,575 --> 00:24:02,617 Bryukhanov: It doesn't matter how it looks. 331 00:24:02,700 --> 00:24:04,991 Shcherbina is a pure bureaucrat, 332 00:24:05,075 --> 00:24:07,075 as stupid as he is pigheaded. 333 00:24:07,158 --> 00:24:09,492 We'll tell him the truth in the simplest terms possible. 334 00:24:09,575 --> 00:24:11,283 We'll be fine. 335 00:24:14,825 --> 00:24:16,367 Pikarov! 336 00:24:41,700 --> 00:24:44,575 Comrade Shcherbina, Chief Engineer Fomin, 337 00:24:44,659 --> 00:24:46,617 Colonel General Pikalov, and I 338 00:24:46,700 --> 00:24:47,950 are honored at your arrival. 339 00:24:48,033 --> 00:24:49,283 Deeply, deeply honored. 340 00:24:49,367 --> 00:24:52,325 Naturally, we regret the circumstances of your visit, 341 00:24:52,408 --> 00:24:54,575 but, as you can see, we are making excellent progress 342 00:24:54,659 --> 00:24:56,200 in containing the damage. 343 00:24:56,283 --> 00:25:01,450 We have begun our own inquiry into the cause of the accident, 344 00:25:01,533 --> 00:25:04,533 and I have a list of individuals 345 00:25:04,617 --> 00:25:07,408 who we believe are accountable. 346 00:25:29,450 --> 00:25:30,950 Bryukhanov: Professor Legasov, I understand 347 00:25:31,033 --> 00:25:33,367 you've been saying dangerous things. 348 00:25:33,450 --> 00:25:35,241 Fomin: Very dangerous things. 349 00:25:35,325 --> 00:25:37,659 Apparently, our reactor core exploded. 350 00:25:38,325 --> 00:25:42,575 Please, tell me how an RBMK reactor core explodes. 351 00:25:44,450 --> 00:25:46,784 I'm not prepared to explain it at this time. 352 00:25:46,867 --> 00:25:49,742 As I presumed, he has no answer. 353 00:25:49,825 --> 00:25:52,325 It's disgraceful, really. 354 00:25:52,408 --> 00:25:55,909 To spread disinformation at a time like this. 355 00:26:01,950 --> 00:26:04,659 Why did I see graphite on the roof? 356 00:26:04,742 --> 00:26:06,867 Graphite is only found in the core, 357 00:26:06,950 --> 00:26:10,408 where it's used as a neutron flux moderator. 358 00:26:10,492 --> 00:26:11,909 Correct? 359 00:26:12,867 --> 00:26:16,325 Fomin, why did the Deputy Chairman see graphite on the roof? 360 00:26:17,575 --> 00:26:19,367 Well, that... that can't be. 361 00:26:20,241 --> 00:26:22,909 Comrade Shcherbina, my apologies, but graphite... 362 00:26:22,991 --> 00:26:24,200 that's not possible. 363 00:26:24,283 --> 00:26:26,533 Perhaps you saw burnt concrete. 364 00:26:26,617 --> 00:26:28,408 Now there you made a mistake, 365 00:26:28,492 --> 00:26:31,116 because I may not know much about nuclear reactors, 366 00:26:31,200 --> 00:26:32,825 but I know a lot about concrete. 367 00:26:33,659 --> 00:26:36,158 -Comrade, I assure you-- -I understand. 368 00:26:36,991 --> 00:26:39,617 You think Legasov is wrong. 369 00:26:39,700 --> 00:26:41,659 How shall we prove it? 370 00:26:42,950 --> 00:26:46,200 Our high-range dosimeter just arrived. 371 00:26:46,283 --> 00:26:49,241 We could cover one of our trucks with lead shielding, 372 00:26:49,325 --> 00:26:51,659 mount the dosimeter on the front. 373 00:26:57,450 --> 00:27:00,659 Have one of your men get as close to the fire as he can. 374 00:27:00,742 --> 00:27:02,408 Give him every bit of protection you have. 375 00:27:02,492 --> 00:27:04,784 But understand that even with lead shielding, 376 00:27:04,867 --> 00:27:06,867 it may not be enough. 377 00:27:08,700 --> 00:27:10,575 Then I'll do it myself. 378 00:27:15,241 --> 00:27:17,200 Good. 379 00:27:21,742 --> 00:27:24,408 ♪ ♪ 380 00:27:54,116 --> 00:27:56,200 (tires screech) 381 00:27:59,116 --> 00:28:01,408 (engine revving) 382 00:28:20,700 --> 00:28:22,825 (chains shattering) 383 00:28:41,909 --> 00:28:43,950 ♪ ♪ 384 00:28:49,408 --> 00:28:51,450 ♪ ♪ 385 00:29:14,991 --> 00:29:16,825 He's back. 386 00:29:45,742 --> 00:29:47,950 It's not three roentgen. 387 00:29:48,033 --> 00:29:49,784 It's 15,000. 388 00:29:49,867 --> 00:29:52,533 Bryukhanov: Comrade Shcherbina-- 389 00:29:52,617 --> 00:29:54,075 What does that number mean? 390 00:29:54,158 --> 00:29:56,325 It means the core is open. 391 00:29:56,408 --> 00:29:58,867 It means the fire we're watching with our own eyes 392 00:29:58,950 --> 00:30:00,450 is giving off nearly twice the radiation 393 00:30:00,533 --> 00:30:02,367 released by the bomb in Hiroshima. 394 00:30:02,450 --> 00:30:04,241 And that's every single hour. 395 00:30:04,325 --> 00:30:07,408 Hour after hour, 20 hours since the explosion, 396 00:30:07,492 --> 00:30:08,950 so 40 bombs worth by now. 397 00:30:09,033 --> 00:30:10,367 Forty-eight more tomorrow. 398 00:30:10,450 --> 00:30:13,283 And it will not stop. Not in a week, not in a month. 399 00:30:13,367 --> 00:30:14,867 It will burn and spread its poison 400 00:30:14,950 --> 00:30:17,659 until the entire continent is dead. 401 00:30:20,784 --> 00:30:23,033 Please escort Comrades Bryukhanov and Fomin 402 00:30:23,116 --> 00:30:25,450 to the local party headquarters. 403 00:30:25,533 --> 00:30:27,075 -Thank you for your service. -Comrade-- 404 00:30:27,158 --> 00:30:28,533 You're excused. 405 00:30:29,575 --> 00:30:31,367 Dyatlov was in charge. 406 00:30:32,241 --> 00:30:34,116 It was Dyatlov! 407 00:30:34,200 --> 00:30:36,825 -Tell me how to put it out. -We'll use helicopters. 408 00:30:36,909 --> 00:30:39,659 -We'll drop water on it like a forest fire. -No, no. You don't understand. 409 00:30:39,742 --> 00:30:42,033 This isn't a fire. 410 00:30:42,116 --> 00:30:43,950 This is a fissioning reactor core 411 00:30:44,033 --> 00:30:46,325 burning at over 2,000 degrees. 412 00:30:46,408 --> 00:30:47,991 The heat will instantly vaporize the water-- 413 00:30:48,075 --> 00:30:51,241 -How do we put it out? -(sighs) 414 00:30:52,450 --> 00:30:54,408 You are dealing with something 415 00:30:54,492 --> 00:30:58,950 that has never occurred on this planet before. 416 00:31:00,909 --> 00:31:02,450 Boron. 417 00:31:03,825 --> 00:31:05,825 Boron and sand. 418 00:31:05,909 --> 00:31:08,533 Well, that'll create problems of its own, 419 00:31:08,617 --> 00:31:10,700 but I-I don't see any other way. 420 00:31:10,784 --> 00:31:12,867 Of course, it's going to take thousands of drops, 421 00:31:12,950 --> 00:31:15,533 because you can't fly the helicopters directly over the core, 422 00:31:15,617 --> 00:31:16,991 so most of it is going to miss. 423 00:31:17,075 --> 00:31:19,200 -How much sand and boron? -(scoffs) Well, I can't be-- 424 00:31:19,283 --> 00:31:23,200 -For God's sake, roughly! -Five thousand tons. 425 00:31:23,283 --> 00:31:26,158 And obviously, we're going to need to evacuate an enormous area-- 426 00:31:26,241 --> 00:31:28,158 Never mind that. Focus on the fire. 427 00:31:28,241 --> 00:31:30,991 I am focusing on the fire. 428 00:31:31,075 --> 00:31:35,200 The wind, it's carrying all that smoke, 429 00:31:35,283 --> 00:31:37,033 all that radiation. 430 00:31:37,116 --> 00:31:40,116 At least evacuate Pripyat. It's three kilometers away. 431 00:31:40,200 --> 00:31:42,116 -That's my decision to make. -Then make it. 432 00:31:42,200 --> 00:31:44,867 -I've been told not to. -Is it or is not-- 433 00:31:44,950 --> 00:31:46,742 I'm in charge here! 434 00:31:46,825 --> 00:31:48,492 This will go much easier if you talk to me 435 00:31:48,575 --> 00:31:49,825 about the things you do understand 436 00:31:49,909 --> 00:31:52,659 and not about the things you do not understand. 437 00:31:56,408 --> 00:31:57,909 Where are you going? 438 00:31:57,991 --> 00:32:01,825 Shcherbina: I'm going to get you 5,000 tons of sand and boron. 439 00:32:09,700 --> 00:32:11,825 There's a hotel. 440 00:32:14,492 --> 00:32:16,991 ♪ ♪ 441 00:32:38,075 --> 00:32:40,200 (phone ringing) 442 00:32:55,575 --> 00:32:57,575 (music playing over speakers) 443 00:33:04,367 --> 00:33:06,825 (woman chattering indistinctly) 444 00:33:07,617 --> 00:33:09,700 I'd prefer one of those. 445 00:33:17,742 --> 00:33:19,575 Woman: Superstitious? 446 00:33:28,408 --> 00:33:30,241 Moscow? 447 00:33:33,700 --> 00:33:36,075 Are you here because of the fire? 448 00:33:40,367 --> 00:33:42,909 Anything we should be worried about? 449 00:33:46,909 --> 00:33:48,283 (sighs) 450 00:33:48,367 --> 00:33:49,950 No. 451 00:33:56,909 --> 00:33:58,283 (glass taps bar twice) 452 00:34:00,450 --> 00:34:01,950 Ah. 453 00:34:14,950 --> 00:34:17,784 (wind blowing) 454 00:34:31,158 --> 00:34:34,408 (trees rustling) 455 00:34:38,659 --> 00:34:40,991 (helicopters whupping) 456 00:34:48,033 --> 00:34:50,200 (indistinct radio transmissions) 457 00:34:54,367 --> 00:34:57,033 Pilot (over radio): We're in position. Approaching drop. 458 00:34:58,158 --> 00:35:00,283 Stasiuk: (over radio): Clear to proceed. 459 00:35:01,659 --> 00:35:04,867 Pilot: Copy. We'll go one by one in rotation. 460 00:35:10,033 --> 00:35:12,158 Remind them about the perimeter. 461 00:35:15,659 --> 00:35:17,825 They cannot fly directly over the fire. 462 00:35:17,909 --> 00:35:20,116 A minimum of a ten-meter perimeter. 463 00:35:20,200 --> 00:35:21,617 Pilot: Ten meter perimeter. Copy. 464 00:35:21,700 --> 00:35:23,241 Lead One, per pre-flight: 465 00:35:23,325 --> 00:35:26,033 maintain minimum ten-meter perimeter. 466 00:35:26,116 --> 00:35:27,200 Lead One: Copy that. 467 00:35:27,283 --> 00:35:29,950 Forty meters... 35... 468 00:35:30,033 --> 00:35:31,283 30... 469 00:35:31,367 --> 00:35:33,533 (radio static crackling) 470 00:35:34,909 --> 00:35:37,116 No, no, no! They're too close! 471 00:35:37,200 --> 00:35:38,991 They can't get over the fire. How are they supposed-- 472 00:35:39,075 --> 00:35:40,950 The wind will have to carry it. 473 00:35:41,033 --> 00:35:43,909 Tell them, they cannot go over the core. 474 00:35:46,325 --> 00:35:47,575 Stasiuk: Lead One is too close. 475 00:35:47,659 --> 00:35:49,533 I repeat, they are too close. 476 00:35:50,200 --> 00:35:52,033 Pilot: Copy. 477 00:35:52,116 --> 00:35:54,950 Lead One, you are inside the perimeter. 478 00:35:55,033 --> 00:35:58,158 Lead One: Did not copy. Signal's breaking up. 479 00:35:58,241 --> 00:36:00,575 (radio static crackling) 480 00:36:00,659 --> 00:36:03,075 Pilot: Lead One? 481 00:36:03,158 --> 00:36:04,742 Do you copy? 482 00:36:04,825 --> 00:36:06,742 Lead One, do you copy? 483 00:36:06,825 --> 00:36:08,950 Lead One, come in. 484 00:36:09,033 --> 00:36:10,825 Do you copy, Lead One? 485 00:36:10,909 --> 00:36:12,617 Lead One! 486 00:36:14,158 --> 00:36:16,742 (helicopter engine whines) 487 00:36:18,075 --> 00:36:20,116 ♪ ♪ 488 00:36:24,241 --> 00:36:26,367 ♪ ♪ 489 00:36:30,450 --> 00:36:33,116 Stasiuk: Sir? What do I tell the others? 490 00:36:35,450 --> 00:36:37,325 Is there any other way, Legasov? 491 00:36:37,408 --> 00:36:40,825 (distant helicopters thrumming) 492 00:36:40,909 --> 00:36:42,950 ♪ ♪ 493 00:36:45,950 --> 00:36:47,825 Send the next one in. 494 00:36:49,241 --> 00:36:51,283 Tell them to approach from the west. 495 00:36:52,367 --> 00:36:55,492 Stasiuk: Lead Two, approach from the west. 496 00:37:05,659 --> 00:37:07,784 ♪ ♪ 497 00:37:14,075 --> 00:37:16,200 (phone ringing) 498 00:37:16,283 --> 00:37:18,909 Marina: Kurchatov Institute Laboratory Four. 499 00:37:18,991 --> 00:37:23,450 (over phone): Marina Gruzinskaya, it's Ulana Khomyuk from Minsk. 500 00:37:25,659 --> 00:37:28,241 Oh, yes, how nice of you to phone. 501 00:37:28,325 --> 00:37:30,241 -It's been too long. - It has. 502 00:37:30,325 --> 00:37:32,909 I was actually calling about our friend. 503 00:37:32,991 --> 00:37:35,241 -You know, the one in the country. - Oh, yes, of course. 504 00:37:35,325 --> 00:37:39,075 I wanted to see how he's doing. It's so hot there right now. 505 00:37:39,158 --> 00:37:41,575 Yes, it's extremely hot, 506 00:37:41,659 --> 00:37:42,991 but his nephews are flying down, 507 00:37:43,075 --> 00:37:45,075 and they always bring cool weather. 508 00:37:45,158 --> 00:37:46,784 Oh? Which nephews? 509 00:37:47,533 --> 00:37:51,575 Simka, who's 14, and little Boris, who's five. 510 00:37:51,659 --> 00:37:52,867 Well, that's wonderful. 511 00:37:52,950 --> 00:37:54,742 Though children can make you even hotter 512 00:37:54,825 --> 00:37:56,575 when they're crawling all over you. 513 00:37:56,659 --> 00:37:58,075 Maybe I should visit them. 514 00:37:58,158 --> 00:37:59,950 No, they don't want visitors. 515 00:38:00,033 --> 00:38:02,325 I'm sorry, um, I have to get back to work. 516 00:38:02,408 --> 00:38:04,825 It's very busy right now. Goodbye. 517 00:38:07,659 --> 00:38:10,200 They're dropping sand and boron on the fire. 518 00:38:11,200 --> 00:38:12,742 It's what I would do. 519 00:38:14,533 --> 00:38:16,241 Yes, I'm sure it is. 520 00:38:38,533 --> 00:38:40,200 Dmitri: Where are you going? 521 00:38:41,241 --> 00:38:42,700 Chernobyl. 522 00:38:47,492 --> 00:38:50,158 (door opens, closes) 523 00:38:50,241 --> 00:38:53,033 It's been smooth. Twenty drops. 524 00:38:53,116 --> 00:38:55,283 (distant helicopters thrumming) 525 00:38:59,075 --> 00:39:00,533 What? 526 00:39:03,367 --> 00:39:06,408 There are 50,000 people in this city. 527 00:39:06,492 --> 00:39:11,116 (sighs) Professor Ilyin, who's also on the commission, 528 00:39:11,200 --> 00:39:14,075 says the radiation isn't high enough to evacuate. 529 00:39:14,158 --> 00:39:15,825 Ilyin isn't a physicist. 530 00:39:15,909 --> 00:39:18,909 Well, he's a medical doctor. If he says it's safe, it's safe. 531 00:39:18,991 --> 00:39:21,450 -Not if they stay here. -We're staying here. 532 00:39:21,533 --> 00:39:25,950 Yes, we are, and we'll be dead in five years. 533 00:39:26,033 --> 00:39:28,283 (distant helicopters thrumming) 534 00:39:33,909 --> 00:39:36,367 I'm sorry, I... 535 00:39:36,450 --> 00:39:37,991 I'm sorry. 536 00:39:59,033 --> 00:40:00,950 (phone rings) 537 00:40:04,325 --> 00:40:06,450 (phone rings) 538 00:40:09,617 --> 00:40:11,991 (phone rings) 539 00:40:14,991 --> 00:40:16,325 (phone rings) 540 00:40:16,408 --> 00:40:17,700 Shcherbina. 541 00:40:18,450 --> 00:40:20,617 (distant helicopters thrumming) 542 00:40:23,033 --> 00:40:25,283 (man speaking indistinctly over phone) 543 00:40:29,158 --> 00:40:30,492 Thank you. 544 00:40:36,659 --> 00:40:40,533 A nuclear plant in Sweden has detected radiation 545 00:40:40,617 --> 00:40:43,700 and identified it as a byproduct of our fuel. 546 00:40:44,825 --> 00:40:47,492 The Americans took satellite photos. 547 00:40:48,450 --> 00:40:51,742 The reactor building, the smoke, the fire. 548 00:40:51,825 --> 00:40:53,367 (sighs) 549 00:40:54,450 --> 00:40:56,367 Shcherbina: The whole world knows. 550 00:41:02,950 --> 00:41:05,533 The wind has been blowing toward Germany. 551 00:41:06,950 --> 00:41:09,533 They're not letting children play outside... 552 00:41:11,408 --> 00:41:12,991 in Frankfurt. 553 00:41:15,367 --> 00:41:17,533 (boys chattering outside) 554 00:41:24,617 --> 00:41:26,492 Want a smoke? 555 00:41:41,909 --> 00:41:44,492 Peter Jennings: There has been a nuclear accident in the Soviet Union 556 00:41:44,575 --> 00:41:46,325 and the Soviets have admitted that it happened. 557 00:41:46,408 --> 00:41:47,950 The Soviet version is this: 558 00:41:48,033 --> 00:41:49,450 One of the atomic reactors 559 00:41:49,533 --> 00:41:52,116 at the Chernobyl Atomic Power Plant near the city of Kiev 560 00:41:52,200 --> 00:41:54,784 was damaged, and there is speculation in Moscow 561 00:41:54,867 --> 00:41:57,075 that people were injured and may have died. 562 00:41:57,158 --> 00:42:00,283 The Soviets may have been fairly quick to acknowledge the accident 563 00:42:00,367 --> 00:42:03,659 because evidence in the form of mild nuclear radiation 564 00:42:03,742 --> 00:42:07,784 had already reached beyond the Soviet borders to Scandinavia. 565 00:42:40,742 --> 00:42:46,158 (woman announcing over loudspeaker, in foreign language) 566 00:42:48,784 --> 00:42:50,950 (announcement continuing) 567 00:43:03,991 --> 00:43:06,450 (announcement continuing) 568 00:43:07,158 --> 00:43:09,200 (alarms blaring) 569 00:43:15,325 --> 00:43:17,492 (announcement continuing) 570 00:43:20,200 --> 00:43:22,325 ♪ ♪ 571 00:43:38,700 --> 00:43:41,533 (announcement continuing) 572 00:43:55,659 --> 00:43:57,991 ♪ ♪ 573 00:44:00,533 --> 00:44:02,700 (announcement continuing) 574 00:44:07,533 --> 00:44:09,659 ♪ ♪ 575 00:44:13,367 --> 00:44:15,492 (girl crying) 576 00:44:16,492 --> 00:44:18,867 (announcement continuing) 577 00:44:30,241 --> 00:44:32,367 ♪ ♪ 578 00:44:49,241 --> 00:44:52,450 (announcement continuing) 579 00:44:52,533 --> 00:44:54,575 ♪ ♪ 580 00:45:09,492 --> 00:45:12,617 ♪ ♪ 581 00:45:19,700 --> 00:45:22,325 (siren wailing) 582 00:45:24,325 --> 00:45:26,450 (announcement continuing) 583 00:45:41,784 --> 00:45:45,991 (announcement continuing) 584 00:45:49,033 --> 00:45:51,158 (announcement fading) 585 00:45:57,283 --> 00:45:59,325 ♪ ♪ 586 00:46:06,325 --> 00:46:08,492 (distant helicopters thrumming) 587 00:46:22,408 --> 00:46:24,825 I said turn around. This is a restricted zone. 588 00:46:24,909 --> 00:46:29,283 -I'm from the Byelorussian Institute for Nuclear Energy. -Do you have permission? 589 00:46:29,367 --> 00:46:31,617 Listen to me, I need to speak to someone urgently. 590 00:46:31,700 --> 00:46:34,075 Turn around right now, or I'll arrest you. 591 00:46:34,158 --> 00:46:35,909 If you arrest me, you should take me 592 00:46:35,991 --> 00:46:38,200 to the highest possible authority. 593 00:46:42,700 --> 00:46:45,241 Legasov: We have to start a radiological survey. 594 00:46:45,325 --> 00:46:49,533 Sector by sector, on foot, dosimeters in hand. 595 00:46:51,158 --> 00:46:52,909 Are you all right? 596 00:46:55,533 --> 00:46:56,867 Of course. 597 00:46:58,075 --> 00:46:59,408 Comrades-- 598 00:46:59,492 --> 00:47:02,116 The guards arrested this woman at the south checkpoint. 599 00:47:02,200 --> 00:47:06,450 -I'd have put her in a cell-- -But he thought you should know that I know. 600 00:47:06,533 --> 00:47:08,325 I know that your reactor core is exposed. 601 00:47:08,408 --> 00:47:11,325 I know the graphite is on fire, the fuel is melting, 602 00:47:11,408 --> 00:47:13,325 and you're dropping sand and boron on it, 603 00:47:13,408 --> 00:47:16,659 which you probably thought was smart, but you've made a mistake. 604 00:47:16,742 --> 00:47:19,825 Ulana Yuriyvna Khomyuk, Chief Physicist, 605 00:47:19,909 --> 00:47:22,200 Byelorussian Institute for Nuclear Energy. 606 00:47:22,283 --> 00:47:25,533 And you are Valery Alexeyevich Legasov? 607 00:47:25,617 --> 00:47:28,158 Smothering the core will put the fire out, 608 00:47:28,241 --> 00:47:31,033 but the temperature will eventually increase-- 609 00:47:31,116 --> 00:47:32,659 Legasov: Believe me, I'm perfectly aware. 610 00:47:32,742 --> 00:47:34,784 But I estimate at least a month 611 00:47:34,867 --> 00:47:36,784 before it melts through the lower concrete pad, 612 00:47:36,867 --> 00:47:38,784 -which gives us time-- -No, you don't have a month. 613 00:47:38,867 --> 00:47:40,575 You have approximately two days. 614 00:47:41,492 --> 00:47:44,700 Yes, the fuel would take a month 615 00:47:44,784 --> 00:47:46,825 to reach the concrete pad here. 616 00:47:46,909 --> 00:47:50,408 But first... it's going to burn through 617 00:47:50,492 --> 00:47:52,867 the biological shield here by Tuesday. 618 00:47:52,950 --> 00:47:55,950 And when it does, it's going to hit these tanks-- 619 00:47:56,033 --> 00:47:57,325 bubbler pools, reservoirs-- 620 00:47:57,408 --> 00:48:00,575 Reservoirs for the ECS. I understand your concern, 621 00:48:00,659 --> 00:48:02,575 but I confirmed it with plant personnel. 622 00:48:02,659 --> 00:48:06,241 -The tanks are nearly empty. -No, they were nearly empty. 623 00:48:06,325 --> 00:48:09,784 Each of these points here, here, and here 624 00:48:09,867 --> 00:48:11,867 all drain to the bubbler pools. 625 00:48:11,950 --> 00:48:14,492 I'm guessing that every pipe in the building ruptured. 626 00:48:14,575 --> 00:48:17,533 And then there are those fire engines that I saw on the way in. 627 00:48:17,617 --> 00:48:19,742 The fire hoses are still connected. 628 00:48:19,825 --> 00:48:22,867 They've been gushing water into the structure this whole time. 629 00:48:22,950 --> 00:48:24,909 The tanks are full. 630 00:48:26,909 --> 00:48:29,450 The tanks are full. 631 00:48:31,991 --> 00:48:34,200 (speaking foreign language) 632 00:48:58,408 --> 00:48:59,659 (door opens) 633 00:49:08,450 --> 00:49:12,742 I have ten minutes, then I'm back on the phone 634 00:49:12,825 --> 00:49:15,742 apologizing to our friends, 635 00:49:15,825 --> 00:49:18,991 apologizing to our enemies. 636 00:49:19,075 --> 00:49:22,408 Our power comes from the perception of our power. 637 00:49:22,492 --> 00:49:26,116 Do you understand the damage this has done? 638 00:49:26,200 --> 00:49:29,408 Do you understand what's at stake? 639 00:49:31,033 --> 00:49:32,367 Boris. 640 00:49:34,450 --> 00:49:38,867 Professor Legasov will deliver our briefing. 641 00:49:40,533 --> 00:49:42,033 There is some good news. 642 00:49:42,116 --> 00:49:44,784 The air drops are working to douse the fire. 643 00:49:44,867 --> 00:49:48,617 There's been a reduction in radionuclide emissions, 644 00:49:48,700 --> 00:49:50,533 but the fire will not be extinguished 645 00:49:50,617 --> 00:49:53,492 for at least another two weeks. 646 00:49:55,408 --> 00:49:58,408 There is also an additional problem. 647 00:49:59,950 --> 00:50:01,700 Nuclear fuel doesn't turn cold 648 00:50:01,784 --> 00:50:04,450 simply because it is not on fire. 649 00:50:04,533 --> 00:50:06,158 In fact, the temperature will likely rise 650 00:50:06,241 --> 00:50:08,950 as a result of the blanket of sand we've dropped. 651 00:50:09,033 --> 00:50:11,825 The uranium will melt the sand, 652 00:50:11,909 --> 00:50:13,617 creating a kind of lava 653 00:50:13,700 --> 00:50:16,991 which will begin to melt down through the shield below. 654 00:50:17,075 --> 00:50:18,617 You have made lava? 655 00:50:21,283 --> 00:50:23,408 I anticipated this. 656 00:50:24,909 --> 00:50:27,200 I believed there was time to reinforce 657 00:50:27,283 --> 00:50:29,325 this lower concrete pad 658 00:50:29,408 --> 00:50:30,867 before the lava reached the earth 659 00:50:30,950 --> 00:50:32,492 and contaminated the groundwater. 660 00:50:32,575 --> 00:50:35,659 But as it turned out, I was worried about the wrong thing. 661 00:50:35,742 --> 00:50:37,617 Uh, um... 662 00:50:37,700 --> 00:50:41,283 It was my understanding that these large water tanks 663 00:50:41,367 --> 00:50:43,950 under the reactor were essentially empty. 664 00:50:44,033 --> 00:50:47,116 This is Ulana Khomyuk of the Byelorussian Institute. 665 00:50:47,200 --> 00:50:49,492 Thanks to her insight, we are now aware 666 00:50:49,575 --> 00:50:52,867 that the tanks are, in fact, full. 667 00:50:52,950 --> 00:50:56,825 Of water. Why is that a problem, professor? 668 00:50:58,033 --> 00:50:59,492 (clears throat) 669 00:51:01,116 --> 00:51:02,784 When the lava enters these tanks, 670 00:51:02,867 --> 00:51:05,200 it will instantly superheat and vaporize 671 00:51:05,283 --> 00:51:08,950 approximately 7,000 cubic meters of water, 672 00:51:09,033 --> 00:51:12,533 causing a significant thermal explosion. 673 00:51:12,617 --> 00:51:14,575 How significant? 674 00:51:14,659 --> 00:51:18,533 We estimate between two and four megatons. 675 00:51:18,617 --> 00:51:21,909 Everything within a 30-kilometer radius 676 00:51:21,991 --> 00:51:23,659 will be completely destroyed, 677 00:51:23,742 --> 00:51:27,075 including the three remaining reactors at Chernobyl. 678 00:51:27,158 --> 00:51:30,659 The entirety of the radioactive material in all of the cores 679 00:51:30,742 --> 00:51:33,825 will be ejected at force 680 00:51:33,909 --> 00:51:36,950 and dispersed by a massive shock wave, 681 00:51:37,033 --> 00:51:42,241 which will extend approximately 200 kilometers 682 00:51:42,325 --> 00:51:45,617 and likely be fatal to the entire population of Kiev 683 00:51:45,700 --> 00:51:47,742 as well as a portion of Minsk. 684 00:51:47,825 --> 00:51:50,742 The release of radiation will be severe 685 00:51:50,825 --> 00:51:54,075 and will impact all of Soviet Ukraine, 686 00:51:54,158 --> 00:51:57,784 Latvia, Lithuania, Byelorussia, 687 00:51:57,867 --> 00:52:01,116 as well as Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, 688 00:52:01,200 --> 00:52:03,867 Romania, and most of East Germany. 689 00:52:07,533 --> 00:52:10,408 What do you mean "impact"? 690 00:52:11,200 --> 00:52:13,742 For much of the area, a nearly permanent disruption 691 00:52:13,825 --> 00:52:16,367 of the food and water supply, 692 00:52:16,450 --> 00:52:19,450 a steep increase in the rates of cancer and birth defects. 693 00:52:19,533 --> 00:52:22,991 I don't know how many deaths there will be, but many. 694 00:52:23,075 --> 00:52:24,950 For Byelorussia and the Ukraine, 695 00:52:25,033 --> 00:52:27,367 "impact" means completely uninhabitable 696 00:52:27,450 --> 00:52:30,867 for a minimum of 100 years. 697 00:52:34,700 --> 00:52:38,116 There are more than 50 million people 698 00:52:38,200 --> 00:52:40,950 living in Byelorussia and Ukraine. 699 00:52:41,033 --> 00:52:42,867 Sixty, yes. 700 00:52:47,241 --> 00:52:48,991 And how long before this happens? 701 00:52:49,075 --> 00:52:52,950 Approximately 48 to 72 hours. 702 00:52:56,408 --> 00:52:58,825 But we may have a solution. 703 00:52:58,909 --> 00:53:00,700 We can pump the water from the tanks. 704 00:53:00,784 --> 00:53:04,200 Unfortunately, the tanks are sealed shut by a sluice gate, 705 00:53:04,283 --> 00:53:06,408 and the gate can only be opened manually 706 00:53:06,492 --> 00:53:08,033 from within the duct system itself. 707 00:53:08,116 --> 00:53:11,283 So we need to find three plant workers 708 00:53:11,367 --> 00:53:12,950 who know the facility well enough 709 00:53:13,033 --> 00:53:14,659 to enter the basement here, 710 00:53:14,742 --> 00:53:18,991 find their way through all these duct ways, 711 00:53:19,075 --> 00:53:21,158 get to the sluice gate valve here, 712 00:53:21,241 --> 00:53:25,700 and give us the access we need to pump out the tanks. 713 00:53:25,784 --> 00:53:28,533 Of course, we will need your permission. 714 00:53:28,617 --> 00:53:30,659 My permission for what? 715 00:53:30,742 --> 00:53:33,200 Uh, the water in these ducts, 716 00:53:33,283 --> 00:53:36,116 the level of radioactive contamination-- 717 00:53:36,200 --> 00:53:38,617 They'll likely be dead in a week. 718 00:53:40,367 --> 00:53:44,116 We're asking for your permission to kill three men. 719 00:53:52,283 --> 00:53:53,659 Well... 720 00:53:53,742 --> 00:53:56,325 Comrade Legasov... 721 00:53:56,408 --> 00:54:00,158 (clears throat) all victories inevitably come at a cost. 722 00:54:36,450 --> 00:54:38,533 (dogs panting) 723 00:54:44,617 --> 00:54:46,659 ♪ ♪ 724 00:55:02,909 --> 00:55:05,033 (wind blowing) 725 00:55:25,283 --> 00:55:29,116 Legasov: And open the sluice gate valve... here. 726 00:55:29,200 --> 00:55:31,200 The valve will be difficult to operate, 727 00:55:31,283 --> 00:55:33,116 so we'll need three men 728 00:55:33,200 --> 00:55:36,742 who will need to know the basement layout. 729 00:55:36,825 --> 00:55:40,784 And, of course, any volunteers will be rewarded. 730 00:55:40,867 --> 00:55:45,283 A yearly stipend of 400 rubles. 731 00:55:51,367 --> 00:55:56,325 And, uh, for those of you working in reactors one and two, promotions. 732 00:55:56,408 --> 00:56:00,158 Why are reactors one and two still operating at all? 733 00:56:00,241 --> 00:56:02,325 My friend was a security guard that night, 734 00:56:02,408 --> 00:56:03,991 and, uh, she's now dying. 735 00:56:04,075 --> 00:56:06,700 And we've all heard about the firemen. 736 00:56:06,784 --> 00:56:10,784 And now you want us to swim underneath a burning reactor? 737 00:56:11,575 --> 00:56:13,700 Do you even know how contaminated it is? 738 00:56:13,784 --> 00:56:15,283 (clears throat) 739 00:56:15,784 --> 00:56:17,659 I... I don't have an exact number. 740 00:56:17,742 --> 00:56:20,617 You don't need an exact number to know if it'll kill us. 741 00:56:21,241 --> 00:56:23,158 But you can't even tell us that. 742 00:56:24,450 --> 00:56:26,867 Why should we do this? For what, 400 rubles? 743 00:56:26,950 --> 00:56:28,784 (murmurs in agreement) 744 00:56:30,408 --> 00:56:33,158 You'll do it because it must be done. 745 00:56:37,742 --> 00:56:41,116 You'll do it because nobody else can. 746 00:56:43,450 --> 00:56:47,116 And if you don't, millions will die. 747 00:56:48,283 --> 00:56:51,241 If you tell me that's not enough, I won't believe you. 748 00:56:52,450 --> 00:56:56,533 This is what has always set our people apart. 749 00:56:56,617 --> 00:56:59,825 A thousand years of sacrifice in our veins. 750 00:57:00,659 --> 00:57:03,450 And every generation must know its own suffering. 751 00:57:04,492 --> 00:57:07,241 I spit on the people who did this, 752 00:57:07,325 --> 00:57:09,950 and I curse the price I have to pay. 753 00:57:12,075 --> 00:57:14,492 But I'm making my peace with it, 754 00:57:14,575 --> 00:57:16,325 and now you make yours. 755 00:57:16,408 --> 00:57:19,158 And go into that water. 756 00:57:21,241 --> 00:57:22,909 Because it must be done. 757 00:57:22,991 --> 00:57:25,158 (distant helicopters thrumming) 758 00:57:40,158 --> 00:57:41,700 Ananenko. 759 00:57:46,033 --> 00:57:47,533 Bezpalov. 760 00:57:52,700 --> 00:57:54,533 Baranov. 761 00:57:56,742 --> 00:57:58,867 ♪ ♪ 762 00:58:14,533 --> 00:58:16,617 ♪ ♪ 763 00:58:42,241 --> 00:58:44,408 (distant helicopters thrumming) 764 00:58:53,241 --> 00:58:55,283 ♪ ♪ 765 00:59:27,825 --> 00:59:29,950 ♪ ♪ 766 00:59:49,367 --> 00:59:51,492 (dosimeters clicking) 767 00:59:53,825 --> 00:59:55,950 (door shuts) 768 00:59:59,158 --> 01:00:00,367 (grunts) 769 01:00:47,075 --> 01:00:48,991 (dosimeter clicking) 770 01:01:13,367 --> 01:01:14,408 (grunts) 771 01:01:41,700 --> 01:01:43,533 (dosimeter's clicking grows louder) 772 01:01:57,533 --> 01:01:59,617 (dosimeter crackling loudly) 773 01:02:09,241 --> 01:02:10,617 (grunts) 774 01:02:14,116 --> 01:02:15,825 -(clicking grows louder) -(water gushing) 775 01:02:15,909 --> 01:02:16,950 (grunts urgently) 776 01:02:23,241 --> 01:02:24,742 (grunts) 777 01:02:33,617 --> 01:02:35,784 (dosimeter clicking rapidly) 778 01:02:37,492 --> 01:02:39,784 -(tapping) -(grunting) 779 01:02:44,700 --> 01:02:46,950 (dosimeters clicking loudly, rapidly) 780 01:02:48,659 --> 01:02:49,700 (grunts) 781 01:02:51,700 --> 01:02:53,784 (dosimeters clicking loudly, rapidly) 782 01:02:53,867 --> 01:02:56,116 (men panting) 783 01:02:56,200 --> 01:02:57,158 (tapping) 784 01:02:57,241 --> 01:02:59,075 -(panting) -(tapping) 785 01:02:59,158 --> 01:03:01,325 (loud, rapid clicking continuing) 786 01:03:01,991 --> 01:03:04,241 -(tapping) -(rapid, heavy breathing) 787 01:03:04,325 --> 01:03:05,659 (silence) 788 01:03:13,492 --> 01:03:15,533 ♪ ♪ 789 01:03:33,533 --> 01:03:35,575 ♪ ♪ 790 01:04:05,408 --> 01:04:07,533 ♪ ♪ 791 01:04:32,575 --> 01:04:34,617 ♪ ♪ 792 01:05:10,283 --> 01:05:11,825 ♪ ♪ 793 01:05:47,950 --> 01:05:51,116 VALERY LEGASOV: The immediate danger is over. 794 01:05:52,116 --> 01:05:54,283 Now, I'm afraid the long war must begin. 795 01:05:54,867 --> 01:05:56,742 NIKOLAI BRYUKHANOV: How many men do you require? 796 01:05:57,575 --> 01:05:59,867 Approximately 750,000 men. 797 01:06:02,784 --> 01:06:04,867 ULANA KHOMYUK: I've worked the numbers over and over, 798 01:06:05,158 --> 01:06:06,991 and I always get the same answer. 799 01:06:08,950 --> 01:06:10,033 It's not possible. 800 01:06:11,450 --> 01:06:14,367 LEGASOV: We have to pursue every possibility. 801 01:06:15,533 --> 01:06:18,283 No matter what or who is to blame. 802 01:06:18,991 --> 01:06:22,241 Because if we don't find out what happened that night... 803 01:06:24,116 --> 01:06:25,200 it will happen again. 804 01:06:33,200 --> 01:06:35,241 The valve will be difficult to operate, 805 01:06:35,325 --> 01:06:36,617 so we'll need three men. 806 01:06:38,408 --> 01:06:39,450 Ananenko. 807 01:06:40,408 --> 01:06:41,450 Bezpalov. 808 01:06:43,158 --> 01:06:44,075 Baranov. 809 01:06:45,241 --> 01:06:47,617 CRAIG MAZIN: The water was very irradiated. 810 01:06:47,700 --> 01:06:50,033 And there was no expectation that they would survive. 811 01:06:50,367 --> 01:06:51,909 And they did it nonetheless. 812 01:06:55,325 --> 01:06:56,575 JOHAN RENCK: For me to shoot that, 813 01:06:56,659 --> 01:06:59,367 I really didn't want some kind of big ambient light 814 01:06:59,450 --> 01:07:01,492 so that you can see everything that's going on 815 01:07:01,575 --> 01:07:04,075 and you kind of make it into some spectacle. 816 01:07:04,408 --> 01:07:06,991 But for me, it was always about authenticity, 817 01:07:07,075 --> 01:07:09,575 and the visceral feel of being with these divers 818 01:07:09,659 --> 01:07:11,991 in this pitch-darkness, not really seeing anything else 819 01:07:12,075 --> 01:07:13,784 but what's being lit by the flashlights 820 01:07:13,867 --> 01:07:17,075 and the reflections in the water from those flashlights. 821 01:07:19,950 --> 01:07:21,575 I'm a nuclear physicist. 822 01:07:23,283 --> 01:07:25,241 EMILY WATSON: Ulana Khomyuk is not a real person. 823 01:07:25,325 --> 01:07:26,617 She's an invented character. 824 01:07:26,825 --> 01:07:30,867 An amalgam of the scientists at the time in the Soviet Union 825 01:07:30,950 --> 01:07:32,659 who worked together. 826 01:07:32,742 --> 01:07:34,241 I'm here about Chernobyl. 827 01:07:34,909 --> 01:07:36,241 MAZIN: One of the challenges of... 828 01:07:36,325 --> 01:07:37,742 creating any kind of historical fiction 829 01:07:37,825 --> 01:07:39,867 is compressing the amount of people involved. 830 01:07:39,950 --> 01:07:42,742 I needed a character to represent the hundreds 831 01:07:42,825 --> 01:07:46,408 of scientists who came together to try and figure out 832 01:07:46,492 --> 01:07:48,909 how to stop Chernobyl from getting worse, 833 01:07:48,991 --> 01:07:50,367 to clean it up, and then 834 01:07:50,450 --> 01:07:52,283 to determine how it happened in the first place. 835 01:07:52,575 --> 01:07:54,950 Smothering the coal will put the fire out, 836 01:07:55,033 --> 01:07:56,617 but... you've made a mistake. 837 01:07:57,867 --> 01:07:59,158 MAZIN: These were scientists 838 01:07:59,241 --> 01:08:02,325 that understood that they were trying to solve a mystery 839 01:08:02,408 --> 01:08:05,450 in a system that did not want them to solve the mystery. 840 01:08:05,533 --> 01:08:07,075 They were put on trial. 841 01:08:07,450 --> 01:08:09,033 Scientists involved in this were threatened, 842 01:08:09,492 --> 01:08:12,909 their families were threatened, and yet, they did it anyway. 843 01:08:13,241 --> 01:08:16,492 Because, I think, they understood as scientists, 844 01:08:16,575 --> 01:08:19,742 that the truth was no longer something that could be 845 01:08:19,825 --> 01:08:22,325 hidden away, that it was now too late. 846 01:08:22,909 --> 01:08:24,533 I prefer my opinion to yours. 847 01:08:25,533 --> 01:08:27,241 Before you were deputy secretary, 848 01:08:27,325 --> 01:08:28,867 you worked in a shoe factory. 849 01:08:32,200 --> 01:08:35,575 JARED HARRIS: Because Legasov has the scientific understanding 850 01:08:35,659 --> 01:08:36,659 of what has happened, 851 01:08:36,909 --> 01:08:39,241 he immediately is given the responsibility 852 01:08:39,325 --> 01:08:41,325 of trying to figure out, "Well, what do they do next?" 853 01:08:41,533 --> 01:08:45,033 He hasn't owned it yet, as in terms of it's his problem. 854 01:08:46,158 --> 01:08:47,700 Anything we should be worried about? 855 01:08:48,367 --> 01:08:50,075 HARRIS: He has a choice at that point, 856 01:08:50,367 --> 01:08:52,408 to tell them the truth or to lie. 857 01:08:52,700 --> 01:08:54,700 (SIGHS) No. 858 01:08:56,033 --> 01:08:58,825 That's sort of the point that he steps into the story. 859 01:09:00,033 --> 01:09:00,909 Up until that point, 860 01:09:01,241 --> 01:09:03,283 he was an innocent who was plucked from his life 861 01:09:03,367 --> 01:09:04,909 and plunked into this situation. 862 01:09:04,991 --> 01:09:06,533 But the moment that he lies, 863 01:09:06,784 --> 01:09:09,991 he now owns responsibility for the outcome. 864 01:09:10,533 --> 01:09:12,700 ♪ (DRAMATIC MUSIC INTENSIFIES) ♪