FADE IN
Scrolling text over a map of WWII Europe.
INSERT:
World War II, October 1943
The Allies have begun the attack on the Axis, having
succeeded in taking Southern Italy. As the troops move
steadily north towards Germany, the Axis begins to feel
the pressure. Adolf Hitler orders that all experimental
weapons be put into active service. Hitler believed he
could turn the tide of the war by exploiting all of his
scientific advances.
FADE TO:
EXT. BLUE SKIES AND CLOUDS - DAY
A perfect sky with rolling clouds.
OPENING CREDIT SEQUENCE:
From through one of the clouds comes roaring a dark green
B-17 right over the camera. It's called the Lucky Rita
for Rita Hayworth.
Trailing behind it are two German Messerscmitt 109's
firing rapid fire at it.
Slightly lower in formation are two slower, wounded and
smoking B-17's.
INT. COCKPIT, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
CAPTAIN JAMES BURKE, mid 30's and ruggedly handsome, is
at the controls. Aviator glasses on and his Captain's hat
slightly tipped.
CAPT. BURKE
How many bogey's do we still have on
our tail ?
In the co-pilot's seat is Lt. JERRY "HEDDY" HEDLIN, mid
20's with glasses and dirty blonde hair. Heddy is very
panicked.
HEDDY
We have two more Krauts, sir. They
haven't turned back yet.
CAPT. BURKE
What do you say we give these boys a
turn, son ?
HEDDY
Yes sir.
CAPT. BURKE
We need to get them away from those
other two 17's.
EXT. B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
The B-17 starts a slow turn to it's right and heads into
a cloud cover.
The Messerschmitt's follow one at a time, making a ballet
like dive.
When they come out of the cloud, the B-17 is no longer
the prey, but the hunter behind them.
INT. MAIN CABIN, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
Sgt. Tommy "TEX" Wallace, the side gunner is holding onto
the other side gunner, Sgt. J. "SHRIMP" Simpson. TEX is
in his mid twenties and very, very tall & muscular.
SHRIMP is small, but not frail, he just appears that way
next to TEX.
TEX
Now we got 'em ! Two little birdies
comin' in on my side. Everyone get
ready !
EXT. B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
The smaller German planes are much faster than a B-17,
but the B-17 is much more heavily armed.
The side gunners and the belly turret fire an enormous
barrage on the Messerschmitt's as the pass by. The second
plane explodes in a fiery death.
The first plane makes one last pass firing and ripping
holes into the hull of the B-17, and there are several
shots fired back at it, but it slips away above the
clouds.
INT. COCKPIT, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
Burke removes his aviator glasses as the turbulence and
the controls get harder to hold.
CAPT. BURKE
Heddy ! Heddy !
HEDDY
Yes sir ?
CAPT. BURKE
Get your hands on these controls and
help me bring her back under control.
(into radio mike)
How's everyone doing back there ?
Miscellaneous voices all respond.
TEX
(V.O. from radio)
Captain ?
CAPT. BURKE
Yeah, Tex.
TEX
(V.O.)
It's Shrimp sir. He got hit on the last
pass. The goddurn bastard got him.
CAPT. BURKE
Hang in there, son. Get me a damage
report and radio the base. We're coming
in low.
EXT. AIRFIELD, SOUTHERN ITALY - DAY
A temporary airstrip in a grassy field has been made up,
and there's a wooden air tower erected.
A General's jeep pulls up to the tower.
GENERAL HOWE, white hair, '60's with a cigar permanently
attached to his lower lip, steps out of the jeep. All the
officers and enlisted men salute.
EXT. AIR TOWER - DAY
Several OFFICERS are staring at the Northern horizon with
binoculars, standing on the tower ledge as Gen Howe walks
by. A low ranking TECH OFFICER with a headset
approaches.
TECH OFFICER
Sir, all birds accounted for sir,
except the Lucky Rita.....
GEN. HOWE
Captain Burke's plane... I knew it.
TECH OFFICER
They are very low on fuel sir.
The RADAR TECH walks out from the tower.
RADIO TECH
We have them sir, high wind on their
tail.
INT. COCKPIT, B-17 LUCKY RITA BOMBER - DAY
The whole plane is in pretty bad shape. It's rattling and
creaking. Bullet holes can be scene with the light
flowing through.
CAPT. BURKE
Tex, how's he doing back there ?
INT. MAIN CABIN, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
The crew is scrambling about with a first aide kit.
TEX
(into radio mike)
He's hanging in there Captain, but he's
lost a lot of blood.
CAPT. BURKE
(V.O. from radio)
We've got a good wind, but we're down
to two engines.
Shrimp howls in pain as they put the bandages on him.
TEX
Hang in there, partner.
EXT. B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
The B-17 LUCKY RITA is slowly slanting downward through
the clouds.
EXT. AIR TOWER - DAY
The same group of four or five men are still staring
through the binoculars.
GEN. HOWE
Can they make it ?
GENERALS AIDE
With these winds ? Yes, even with two
engines.
INT. COCKPIT, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
BURKE is sweating bullets, Co-Pilot HEDDY takes them off
his glasses to wipe the sweat.
CAPT. BURKE
Keep her steady.
HEDDY
She's not holding together. We're
losing altitude. I think this is it.
CAPT. BURKE
She'll make it. She's made it through
worse than this.
BURKE gets out of his seat and moves to the rear.
INT. MAIN CABIN, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
Most of the crew is around TEX, who's kneeling beside
SHRIMP on the floor. The plane is heavily shot up. Bullet
casings are strewn everywhere, obviously they are
returning from a fierce battle.
CAPT. BURKE approaches and kneels in close to Shrimp.
CAPT. BURKE
How ya doin' kid ?
SHRIMP
(straining)
Not so good, sir.
Are you sure heading back into hostile
airspace was a good idea, sir ?
CAPT. BURKE
You're gonna make it, son.
CAPT BURKE looks up to Corporal D. "BOWIE" Bowman, the
radio controller and emergency medical man. BOWIE shakes
his head "no chance in hell".
CAPT. BURKE (CONT'D)
We're about 12 minutes from landing,
kid. We have no radio, but they know
we're coming. You hang in there. That's
an order.
SHRIMP
(attempts a smile)
Yes, sir.
SHRIMP salutes. CAPT BURKE begins to walk back to the
cockpit. BOWIE walks beside him.
BOWIE
(whispering)
Sir, he's not going to be able to walk
again even if he survives.
CAPT. BURKE
Yes, he will Lieutenant.
BOWIE
Sir, he has a bullet lodged in his leg
and two holes in his stomach, I'm no
expert, but it doesn't look good.
CAPT. BURKE
I said he'll make it.
BOWIE
Sir,.....
CAPT. BURKE
(yelling)
NO. You will attend to him right now.
No member of my crew has permission to
die until I give the order. Make sure
he's okay through this landing. It's
going to be rough.
CAPT BURKE re-enters the cockpit.
EXT. B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
B-17 LUCKY RITA lowers even more, close to the ground
where the trees are almost touching the belly of the
plane.
INT. COCKPIT, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
A large popping noise catches BURKE's & HEDDY's
attention.
HEDDY
(looking out his side of the
plane)
We just lost number two engine.
BURKE adjusts the fuel and hops back into his pilots
seat.
CAPT. BURKE
I've got it. We're bringing her down a
little earlier than we expected. So
much for a runway landing.
HEDDY & CAPT BURKE make all kinds of frantic adjustments
to controls & BURKE gets on the intercom to announce
CAPT. BURKE (CONT'D)
Everybody hang on, we're landing now.
EXT. AIR TOWER - DAY
GEN. HOWE and the Entourage watch as the plane come into
view.
GENERALS AIDE
(points)
Here they come now sir.
INT. COCKPIT, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
CAPT BURKE is nervous but balanced. HEDDY is shaking. The
plane is rattling louder and louder.
INT. MAIN CABIN, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
The whole crew is hanging on for dear life as the angle
drops more.
TEX holds SHRIMP tightly and protects him from falling
parts and debris.
TEX
Hang on Partner !
EXT. B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
The plane is dropping more and begins to get very close
to the ground far in front of the landing strip.
EXT. AIR TOWER - DAY
The General and all the people watch as the B-17 descends
more.
INT. COCKPIT, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
BURKE is trying to control the shaking plane. The wheel
is wild in his hands.
CAPT. BURKE
Landing gear down. Landing gear down !
HEDDY hits the control.
EXT. BELLY, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
the Landing gear lowers slowly.
EXT. AIR TOWER - DAY
More of the tower techs have come out to watch this
landing.
The B-17 starts to float to the left a little at first,
then a lot.
GENERALS AIDE
Sir, he seems to be missing the runway.
INT. COCKPIT, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
Burke puts his whole body into holding down the wheel,
but it won't turn.
CAPT. BURKE
Everybody hang on !
Heddy puts his shoulder into the pull as well and the
nose begins to go up.
INT. MAIN CABIN, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
Everyone braces and straps down. Tex pulls Shrimp even
closer.
EXT. B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
the B-17's wheels hit the grass and the plane nearly
shakes apart as the rough ground causes everyone to be
toppled over. It's much like a car wreck.
EXT. AIR TOWER - DAY
Everyone lowers their heads in disappointment. The
emergency crews begin to run to the jeeps and trucks.
INT. MAIN CABIN, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
Everyone flies around the cabin. Packings and ammo all
fly about the cabin.
INT. COCKPIT, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
CAPT BURKE bumps his head and HEDDY is knocked about.
Their seat belts hold them in their chairs.
EXT. B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
The B-17 LUCKY RITA begins to slow down its landing and
begins to veer off to its right and comes to a halt just
shy of the tree line.
EXT. AIR TOWER - DAY
The General takes the cigar out of his mouth.
GEN. HOWE
Send the emergency crew to them now.
INT. COCKPIT, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
BURKE slowly looks up.
CAPT. BURKE
We made it. We made it ! I'm going to
check on Shrimp.
BURKE immediately gets out of his chair and moves to the
main cabin.
INT. MAIN CABIN, B-17 LUCKY RITA - DAY
Everyone is lying in crash positions and covered with
dirt and debris.
CAPT. BURKE
Everyone accounted for ?
CREW
Yes sir,yes sir. Here, sir.
CAPT. BURKE
Tex ? Tex ? Help me get them outta
this.
A panel has fallen on them. The crew all gathers together
and lift it off. Underneath TEX is cradling SHRIMP.
CAPT. BURKE (CONT'D)
Tex you okay , pal ?
TEX
He's gone sir. He's ....... gone.
CAPT BURKE stares down in pain and disbelief. TEX is
devastated. The ground crew enters and begins to escort
everyone out. BURKE does not move.
EXT. FIELD HEADQUARTERS - NIGHT
A few men patrol outside, a jeep pulls up with two MP's
escorting Capt. Burke inside.
INT. HQ, GEN. HOWE'S OFFICE - NIGHT
CAPT. BURKE enters the office and the guards wait
outside. GEN. HOWE is behind his desk and beside him is
COL.
SCHUMAKER, forties and balding with black hair, &
CORPORAL SCHMIDT, early twenties with a definite
Eurocentric look about him.
GEN. HOWE
Please sit, Captain.
CAPT. BURKE
Thank you , sir.
He sits.
GEN. HOWE
That was some stunt you pulled today.
CAPT. BURKE
I lost a good man today, sir. I feel
the theatrics were not for anyone's
benefit.
GEN. HOWE
You did a bomb run, then proceeded to
return to battle when you saw
additional bogey's attacking the rear
formation. That is what the medal; of
honor is for.
CAPT. BURKE
No, sir.
GEN. HOWE
No ?
CAPT. BURKE
Sir, I did what I could. But I lost a
man under my command.
GEN. HOWE
You saved fourteen lives by sacrificing
one member of your own crew. This is
war and this is how it is won.
CAPT. BURKE
Sir, permission to ask a question ?
GEN. HOWE
Granted.
CAPT. BURKE
I do not wish to debate ethics, sir. I
have never lost a man under me before
and I have flown......
COL. SHUMAKER
thirty three missions. Not one man
lost. It's an incredible record. I am
Colonel Shumaker, O.S.S., Army
Intelligence. We have been keeping
track of you.
CAPT. BURKE is perturbed, but silent.
COL. SHUMAKER
You were recruited by the US Army Air
Corps and you excelled in flight
school. You flew a tour of duty and
were noticed by General Patton.
He favored you. Were it not for his
special attention, you would have been
placed in the stockade. You were
grounded for disciplinary reasons and
disobeying a direct order.
CAPT. BURKE
Our men needed everything we had.
COL. SHUMAKER
You disobeyed a direct order and flew
when you were expressly forbidden to
fly.
CAPT. BURKE
I was trying to......
COL. SHUMAKER
You saved the lives of two thousand
men.
Burke does not like anyone dictating his life's story to
him.
CAPT. BURKE
Sir, what is this in regards to ?
COL. SHUMAKER
We are here because intelligence has
intercepted multiple communique's from
Germany.
A slide show is now shown with SHUMAKER running the
commentary.
COL. SHUMAKER (CONT'D)
Germany is threatened. They are pulling
all of their resources to build super
weapons. There's several weapons in the
works, but this one stands out. The
communique was to Japan requesting
technicians and equipment.
A slide of a small base and an airstrip is shown.
COL. SHUMAKER
The resistance has sent us these photos
of a base on the Swiss and German
border just Northeast of Italy. There
is definitely a few Japanese engineers
here. We don't know what it is they are
building, but preliminary testing has
already been done. It's project name is
DAEDALUS.
CAPT. BURKE
How do you know ?
COL. SHUMAKER
We sent a bomber to destroy this base
and they were destroyed without
warning.
CAPT. BURKE
What ?
COL. SHUMAKER
The mission was proceeding exactly as
it should, then nothing. We lost
contact.
SCHMIDT
We believe that they are working on a
secret aircraft. It's believed it may
turn the tide in the war if the
DAEDALUS project is completed.
GEN. HOWE
Captain Burke, we are launching another
mission to bomb the airfield and the
base that houses whatever this is. We
want you to take this mission.
CAPT. BURKE
Me ? I've flown every mission with my
crew and we're one man down. We need
time to break in a new side gunner.
COL. SHUMAKER
Sgt. Schmidt will be your new gunner.
CAPT. BURKE
You're kidding. Look, if you tried this
once, what makes you think it will
succeed this time ?
COL. SHUMAKER
Schmidt is our insurance. The last
mission may have been fouled up by a
saboteur. The Nazi's may have
infiltrated the mission. We did not
have one of our men on the last
mission. We won't make the same mistake
twice.
SCHMIDT
I am fully trained on the .50 caliber
weapon, sir.
CAPT. BURKE
You want us to go into a combat
situation deep into enemy territory
with a green gunner. Our crew has a
rhythm, a way of working together. It's
fine tuned and practiced on the
battlefield. We can't just throw
somebody else in here and expect the
team to flow like it used to.
COL. SHUMAKER
You'll need him. He speaks fluent
German and will insure your survival
once you cross the front lines. He can
pass as a German. You, too speak German
do you not Captain ?
CAPT. BURKE
Yes sir, my grandfather was...
COL. SHUMAKER
A German defector before the Great War.
We know. Schmidt here is fully briefed
on all our intelligence information. He
will be your replacement gunner. You
may decline this mission. This is not
an order. But no other pilot and crew
have your qualifications.
BURKE gives SCHMIDT a resentful look as the briefing
continues.
GEN. HOWE
Captain, because of the risk involved
and the special nature of this
operation, we are at liberty to offer
you this.... If the mission is
successful, we will transfer your crew
to Hawaii to transport supplies to and
from California.
COL. SHUMAKER
You'll be able to visit your wife and
daughter. How old is she now ?
CAPT. BURKE
Four, sir.
COL. SHUMAKER
You've been in the service for three
years. That must be hard.
CAPT. BURKE
I'll have to think this over, sir.
GEN. HOWE
The mission must be under way with the
next twenty four hours. We'll need your
answer by 2100 hours.
(pause)
We are retiring the B-17 next month.
CAPT. BURKE
Excuse me, sir ?
GEN. HOWE
The O.S.S. informs us that two new
model planes are going to be making all
future bombing runs. The B-17's have
sustained too high a loss for us to
keep sending them up so that we only
get back half on every mission. Don't
worry, son. We won't be sending you up
in a new plane, you can have the Lucky
Rita for the flight.
CAPT. BURKE
Thank You, sir.
GEN. HOWE
Dismissed.
Captain Burke & Schmidt salute and then leave.
GEN. HOWE
Do you think he will accept ?
COL. SHUMAKER
He'll accept. No one would refuse after
this many successful flights. He'll
start to feel his luck is beginning to
run out.
GEN. HOWE
What are his odds ?
COL. SHUMAKER
A hundred to one.
EXT. BARRACKS - NIGHT
This is a makeshift building where the enlisted men from
the plane crews are kept. It's much like large tents with
green coverings (Ala M*A*S*H*).
INT. BARRACKS - NIGHT
Most of the crew is playing poker around the beds. TEX is
dealing. HEDDY has a horrible poker face. Most of the
rest of the crew is playing as well. BOWIE is on his bunk
reading.
Also playing poker with a stogie hanging from his lips
and with the most money in his pot is Private STANLEY
"SPOON" JANTZ, early twenties with a New Jersey accent.
Another poker player is the fresh faced, and innocent
DAVEY JONES, late teens, who has no need for a call sign,
is being taken advantage of in the game.
The final poker player is JOSEPH "RED" MCKINNEY from
Boston and still quite Irish, with his red hair. He is a
grim little man in his mid twenties.
TEX
(lays his cards down)
Deuces are wild gentlemen.
SPOON
I like them there cards.
DAVEY JONES
Then quit talkin' about them and start
bettin'. Put your ante in Red
HEDDY
Raise you ten.
RED
Call. What's the movie tonight ? Anyone
know ?
TEX
That damned Gone With The Wind again. I
won't sit through that malarkey again.
I see your ten and raise you five.
Over in the bunks, there is "MILES" O'MALLEY, the
navigator, who is another young pup.
Miles is placing shaving cream in the palm of the hand of
a sleeping ROBERT "LOCKHEED" LOCKE, mid twenties and a
bit over weight, he is the top gunner & engineer. Bowie
watches with one eye still in his book.
BOWIE
If he wakes up, he's gonna hurt you.
MILES
(foaming up a small mountain
of shaving cream in the
snoring LOCKHEED's hand)
Then that's the trick.
The poker table look over to see what Miles is up to.
Everyone starts to laugh as Lockheed puts shaving cream
all over his head in his sleep. Then he stirs and wakes
up.
LOCKHEED
What in Sam Hill ??!!??
(realizing)
Miles ! You're as dead as a dog on the
tracks !
MILES
You snooze, you lose. Jesus boy, look
at you.
LOCKHEED
What ?
MILES
How in the hell did you make it past
basic training ? You're fat as hell !
LOCKHEED
I have an engineering degree, moron.
CAPT. BURKE enters, no one rises or salutes. They've
flown together so much that the formalities are invalid
at a poker game. It's a revered event for these men.
HEDDY
Hey, Captain.
TEX
Evening, sir.
BOWIE
Good to see you, sir.
CAPT. BURKE
Starting without me , Eh ?
SPOON
How bad was it sir ?
CAPT. BURKE
No scratches, no scars, my friend.
HEDDY
They still afraid you'll call in that
favor from Patton ?
CAPT. BURKE
It seems everyone steers clear of
General Patton. What George wants
George gets.
SPOON
No time in the stockade ?
CAPT. BURKE
None.
SPOON
Pay up everyone.
Everyone takes out a dollar and pays SPOON begrudgingly.
SPOON collects the money and smiles.
SPOON (CONT'D)
Sorry, Captain, but I couldn't help
starting up a pool.
CAPT. BURKE
What were the odds ?
SPOON
Red bet you were spending a month and
we went down from there.
BURKE smiles.
CAPT. BURKE
How much time were you betting on ?
SPOON
Three days, the lowest of them all.
CAPT. BURKE
Sound off, gentlemen, what were your
bets ?
TEX
One week.
BOWIE
Nine days.
DAVEY JONES
Five days.
HEDDY
Twelve days.
CAPT. BURKE
Well, now. "Oh ye of little faith".
(takes the cards)
I'll deal.
Everyone gets up from the table as he starts to deal.
SPOON
I'm out.
TEX
(fakes stretching and
yawning)
Boy, I sure am tired all of a sudden. I
think I'm gonna hit the bricks.
DAVEY JONES
(leaves table)
Too rich for my blood.
CAPT. BURKE
What ? Come on now guys . Who's your
buddy ? Who's your pal ?
SPOON
With all due respect sir, you win every
time you play. No one's beaten you, and
no one will.
TEX
I suspect your a cheatin', but I ain't
gonna accuse my superior officer
without evidence.
CAPT. BURKE
A wise decision Tex. All right then, if
you aren't gonna show your Captain the
proper respect in giving your money
away in a friendly hand of poker, let's
get down to brass tacks. Everybody
huddle up.
The crew gather around.
CAPT. BURKE
I just met with the General. We have an
opportunity here, gentlemen. How does
cutting our tour of duty short by six
missions sound ?
TEX
What ? How ?
HEDDY
No joke, Captain ?
CAPT. BURKE
How does a tour of duty hauling
supplies from Hawaii to Los Angeles
sound ?
TEX
Captain that sounds down right
stupendous !
SPOON
I can be bettin' back at the track in a
few weeks !
HEDDY
What's the catch ?
CAPT. BURKE
Oh, there's a catch all right. We have
to go on a special mission. There is a
bombing run on the German/Swiss border.
RED
How we 'supposed to get there ?
CAPT. BURKE
We have to fly low and fast.
TEX
What in Sam Hill's on the border that
needs blown apart, sir ?
CAPT. BURKE
The Nazi's are building a weapon. Army
Intelligence believes it could turn the
war around for the Germans. They want
us to bomb it. If we get it done, we
are off to Hawaii for sun and fun. But
this is no ordinary bombing run. We'd
be on our own. No support. The Allies
are tied up on other fronts. Are you up
for it ?
BOWIE
Spoon, what are our odds ?
SPOON
I'd say fifty fifty. And as you know I
am a bettin' man. I say we do it.
Everyone nods in agreement except TEX and HEDDY.
HEDDY
I don't like it.
LOCKHEED
Oh no.
RED
Not again. You say that before every
flight !
HEDDY
We don't need to take extra chances
like this. We're doing great the way we
are. Six more standard flights and
we're done, not one VERY risky solo
flight. I wanna see my family again.
TEX
Sir, what about a replacement side
gunner ?
CAPT. BURKE
I forgot to mention it. Special Ops has
assigned us a gunner.
DAVEY JONES
What ?
TEX
"Assigning" ? Some wet nose know
nuthin' watchin' my six ? I don't know
Capn'. I just don't know.
CAPT. BURKE
Now I'm not saying this mission isn't
risky, but if Army Intelligence is
willing to believe in us, I'm likely to
think they know what I know.
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