Transcript: (1x21) The Hill

From Bravo 3/44th

Directed by: Robert Iscove

Written by: Steven Phillip Smith

See the Episode Guide

[1:41] R & R On The Beach

GOLDMAN: Just like From Here to Eternity, huh?

RAINES: But I’m not Deborah Kerr, and I don’t think anyone would mistake you for Burt Lancaster.

GOLDMAN: It happens all the time, all the time.

RAINES: It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?

GOLDMAN: Yeah.

GOLDMAN: I keep thinking about the platoon.

RAINES: Well we’re only here until tomorrow, so I think we’re entitled to enjoy today.

GOLDMAN: It’s gonna require a special effort, though, to keep my mind occupied.

RAINES: I think I can handle it.

GOLDMAN: You think so? I don’t know. I don’t know.

[3:35] Romantic Dining

GOLDMAN: Thank you.

WAITER: You’re welcome, sir.

RAINES: To the real life. I think I could get used to this.

GOLDMAN: And to us. You’re gonna be with me.

RAINES: It’s just so hard to think about a future after 'Nam. Sometimes I think I’m gonna be in that hospital for the rest of my life.

GOLDMAN: Hey, I’m gonna make it back. It’s weird, but I was thinking about it on the beach today. I’m gonna get out of there.

RAINES: Will you still stay in the Army?

GOLDMAN: You’re not listening to me. I said I’m gonna get out of there, and I want you to marry me.

[4:25] Trouble In Paradise

CAPTAIN 173rd: How can you say that? I can't believe you’re doing this to me.

RAINES: Wasn’t he on the plane?

WOMAN: Please, don't make a scene.

GOLDMAN: Yeah, he’s a captain with the 173rd.^[1]

CAPTAIN 173rd: I don’t care about making a scene! I’ve been in the jungle for seven months, and you meet me here to tell me it’s over? Welcome home, soldier.

WOMAN: Please, the last thing I wanted to do was to hurt you.

CAPTAIN 173rd: Oh, thank you. That’s just a little side benefit. What did you think, I’d feel good about it?

WOMAN: I can't take this anymore.

[5:15] Ain't Life Grand

CAPTAIN 173rd: You can't take it anymore? She can't take it anymore. She runs off with Jody while I’m fighting a war, and she can't take it anymore.

GOLDMAN: I’m sorry.

CAPTAIN 173rd: You’re sorry. She’s sorry. Everybody’s sorry. Well, buddy, I ain’t sorry, 'cause I get to go back to Vietnam and serve my country, and now I don’t have to worry about anybody gettin' upset if Charlie eats my lunch. Ain’t life grand?

GOLDMAN: Hey...

GOLDMAN [to waiter]: Hey—hey—uh, let me handle this, alright?

GOLDMAN: Sir, you don’t wanna do this.

CAPTAIN 173rd: Who the hell are you?

GOLDMAN: Just a lieutenant from the 196th. Don’t do this to yourself, man.

CAPTAIN 173rd: She’s done with me. Just like that. What the hell did I do to deserve this?

GOLDMAN: I don’t know. Busting this place up isn’t the answer. Come on, I’ll buy you a drink somewhere. Someplace else.

[6:08] I Tried To Help

RAINES: Come on back to bed.

GOLDMAN: I was just thinkin’ about that guy.

RAINES: It’s sad, I know. But you did all that you could do.

GOLDMAN: Yeah, I put him in bed, talked to his wife. She was really kinda nice, you know?

RAINES: Things happen. It’s not really a matter of blaming anyone.

GOLDMAN: How about blaming the war?

RAINES: Maybe it would have happened even without the war.

GOLDMAN: It’s not just him. You know, guys losing their wives and their girlfriends. It’s guys losing their lives, and their limbs, get their emotional life ripped to shreds. And for what? I mean, it just gets harder and harder. I don’t see any good comin’ out of this.

RAINES: We got each other. That’s somethin’ good come out of all this.

GOLDMAN: Amen.

[7:54] Meanwhile Back In The Jungle

GOLDMAN: How you guys doin' up here, huh?

BAKER: Oh, never better, sir. Just sweatin' out those poisons that pollute our body and weaken our mind.

GOLDMAN: (laughs) Don't listen to him, Mitchell; he'll have you eating the local insects in with your c-rats.

MITCHELL: Hey, I ain't listenin' to nuthin' but all that gunfire up there, man. Hey, what is this place, anyway, huh?

BAKER: It's Hill 1000. It's a thousand feet from top to bottom.

GOLDMAN: Well, maybe 998 after that napalm last September.

[9:19] Hill 1,000

BAKER: We took it once before.

MITCHELL: Then why we takin' it again?

BAKER: 'Cause we left it after we took it.

MITCHELL: Say what?

HORN: That's the way we fight this war, Mitchell. We give things up so no one will think that we're the bad guys.

MITCHELL: Hey, don't be messin' with my head like that, alright, man?

GOLDMAN: We can't occupy every hill we take, Horn.

HORN: Well then it seems kinda stupid to take 'em.

GOLDMAN: I'll tell you what, Horn. When they put you on Westmoreland's staff, then you can figure out how to win this thing. Now, let's go.

[9:48] First Squad Going Home

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Take it easy, Woodside. C'mon, Fuller, you're gonna be alright. Yeah, okay. Come on.

JOHNSON: You guys first squad?

G.I.: Yeah.

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Here you go.

JOHNSON: How bad?

G.I.: Got shot, he'll make it if we can get him on a dustoff.

TAYLOR: Hey, what's goin' on up there, man?

G.I.: We done had three KIA already, and I ain't seen one lousy Cong yet.

JOHNSON: They dug in?

G.I.: Man, who knows? It's so thick up there, you can't even see three feet in front of ya. Could be ten, maybe 10,000 VC. What we're doin' up there in the first place, man, I'll never know.

[10:27] Creepy, Man, Just Creepy

JOHNSON: This is creepy, man. It’s just too creepy.

TAYLOR: Let it go, baby. It's just another operation.

ANDERSON: Alright, Johnson.

JOHNSON: Yeah.

ANDERSON: Take a break, now. Percell, when we move out, you've got the point.

JOHNSON: I heard that, Sarge. Dan, that's one you can have, boy.

[10:56] This Your Photo?

ANDERSON: This yours?

ANDERSON: How was the R & R?

GOLDMAN: Well it’s sorta like the war. You know, it's okay for the moment, but a little bit cloudy in the future. I hope that bird's seein' more than we are.

[11:15] Talk To The Bird In The Sky

PILOT [on radio]: Bravo-two-six. This is Spider-two-niner. Over.

GOLDMAN: Roger, two-niner. This is two-six. Go.

PILOT [on radio]: Two-six, give me a sit-rep. Over.

GOLDMAN: We're about two hundred meters from the summit. Go.

PILOT [on radio]: Roger, two-six. Proceed same heading another fifty meters. First platoon's comin' down, and arty will soften the top. You go in after that. Over.

GOLDMAN: Two-niner, what's it look like up there? Go.

PILOT [on radio]: Can't be too many, two-six. Canopy's so thick we can't even see muzzle flashes. Let me know when you've covered the fifty meters. Out.

GOLDMAN: Roger, out. Oh boy, I just came back from R & R just in time. Alright, Sergeant, let's rock 'n' roll.

[11:55] Let's Rock and Roll

ANDERSON: Percell! Let's get it done!

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Okay.

ANDERSON: Go that way.

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Yeah.

[12:18] First Platoon Going Downhill

PERCELL: Lieutenant, first platoon's comin' down.

LT. FERGUSON: Your turn, Myron.

GOLDMAN: What's it like up there, Pete?

FERGUSON: Oh, I wish I could tell ya. All we're gettin' is small arms fire and grenades. There's nothin' big up there.

GOLDMAN: What's the size of their force?

FERGUSON: Probably a platoon, but that's just a guess. It's like fightin' ghosts. I don't know about you, Myron, but I didn't sign up to fight ghosts. Go easy.

GOLDMAN: Yeah.

FERGUSON: I'll see ya.

GOLDMAN: Yeah.

[13:10] Let's Go Fight Ghosts

GOLDMAN: Ten meters, Sergeant.

ANDERSON: Yessir.

GOLDMAN: Make sure the men get good positions; I don't want anybody gettin' greased by our own artillery.

ANDERSON: I heard that.

[13:50] Keep Your Head Down, Cherry!

MITCHELL: Hey, what's happening, man? I don't like this stuff.

TAYLOR: Just keep your head down, brother, and play follow the leader. We'll take care of ya.

MITCHELL: Hey, what's up there?

TAYLOR: Victor Charlie, brother. It's like King of the Mountains. He's up there now, but we're about to run him off.

BAKER: They'll be back later, though.

MITCHELL: Oh man.

MITCHELL: Aah aah aaah aaah!

TAYLOR: (?) Stay down!

MITCHELL: Snake bit me, man, (?)

TAYLOR: Stay down, Mitchell!

MITCHELL: Aaah, it bit me!

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Taylor! (sounds like, What's happening), man?

TAYLOR: Stay down! Relax, Mitchell. Mitchell! Come on, man. Mitchell!

ANDERSON: Taylor, what the hell's wrong with him?

TAYLOR: I don't know, Sarge. He said snake, but I don't see one. Mitchell, Mitchell!

ANDERSON: Return to your weapon. Come on, Taylor.

TAYLOR: Mitchell!

ANDERSON: Taylor!

TAYLOR: Mitch—!

[14:23] Snakes Kill You Fast

HORN: Damn, that pit viper's venom kills you faster than the electric chair.

PILOT [on radio]: Bravo-two-six, this is Spider-two-niner. Over.

GOLDMAN: Roger, two-niner. Go.

PILOT [on radio]: Two-six, we're dropping five-zero and firing for effect. Keep your heads down, it'll be danger close. Over.

GOLDMAN: Two-niner, I got a man down from a snake bite. Go.

PILOT [on radio]: Roger that, two-six. Bring him down with you after the assault. We can't be waitin' on these yardbirds. Out.

GOLDMAN: Yeah, right. Alright, keep your heads down!

[15:00] Keep Your Heads Down

RUIZ: Madre mia.

JOHNSON: Man, how close they gonna get with that stuff?

RUIZ: Close enough to shave with, brother.

BAKER: You see anything, Danny?

PERCELL: Nuthin'.

BAKER: Whoever's up there's gotta be hamburger by now.

PERCELL: You've been here too long to believe that, Baker.

BAKER: Wishful thinkin'.

[15:45] I Will Call You From Hilltop

GOLDMAN: Affirmative two-nine, I'll radio from the top. Out.

GOLDMAN: Two more rounds and we go. I want an online assault all the way to the summit.

ANDERSON: Alright, I'll put people on the flank. Let’s go.

ANDERSON: Johnson, we're goin'. Ruiz, you're gonna cover.

GOLDMAN: Let's do it, Sergeant! Go!

ANDERSON: Up the hill! Let's go, let's go!

GOLDMAN: Go, go, go!

ANDERSON: Move, move, move, move! Keep it spread, keep it spread! Go, go! Keep it goin', keep it goin'! Move, move!

[17:11] VC Out To Lunch

ANDERSON: Alright, everybody, set up a perimeter guard! Keep your eyes open!

GOLDMAN: Johnson.

JOHNSON: It's clean.

ANDERSON: Aw, hell, LT. They're gone. They didi'd.

GOLDMAN: Goddamnit. They were here, they were shootin' at us!

ANDERSON: Oh sure, they were here. There's sandal prints all over the place.

GOLDMAN: There's some blood...

ANDERSON: No bodies, LT. There ain't no bodies here, there ain't no bodies anywhere around here. Well maybe we're lucky. But next time somebody's gonna be unlucky when they gotta come all the way back up this hill to take it again. We can't get 'em to stay in one place.

GOLDMAN: Run away, live to fight another day.

ANDERSON: Alright, what are we supposed to do in the meantime, huh? We supposed to leave now? Or raise the flag like at Iwo Jima, huh? Hey, we took the hill, LT! The only thing that got took here was us!

GOLDMAN: Sergeant, put a lid on it.

[17:47] Bring Me The Radio

GOLDMAN: Horn, Horn, Horn.

PILOT [on radio]: Bravo-two-six, this is Spider-two-niner. Over.

GOLDMAN: Roger, two-niner. Go.

PILOT [on radio]: Whatcha got, two-six?

GOLDMAN: I got zip, two-niner. Over.

PILOT [on radio]: Say again, two-six?

[18:08] Read My Lips! I Got Zip

GOLDMAN: I say I got zip, two-niner. I got an abandoned bunker, I got no enemy. The enemy is gone. Over.

PILOT [on radio]: What's the body count? Over.

GOLDMAN: I got nuthin', two-niner! I say again, I got nuthin'! I got no body count, I got no bodies, I got no body parts. Nobody's here. I don't even have any shell casings. Do you read me? Over.

PILOT [on radio]: Uh, roger, two-six. Standby.

[18:25] Meanwhile Back At Camp

HORN: I bet the Cong's back up there, already.

GOLDMAN: Orders are orders, Horn. There's nuthin' I can do about it. I can't stage a sit-down strike.

HORN: It's so stupid! Four guys died on that hill. We turn around, we walk away. I wanna know why.

GOLDMAN: Look, Horn, I realize every decision in this Army is not Phi Beta Kappa. They had us clear the hill so they could spray it with defoliants and Charlie's got no place to hide.

HORN: Well then, why didn't we do that in the first place?

GOLDMAN: I don't know, Horn. They failed to let me in on it, they failed to let me in on it.

HORN: Well maybe they can tell Mitchell's parents, or the parents of the guys in the first platoon. I mean, what did those guys die for?

GOLDMAN: I know it's tough, Horn, but just let it be.

HORN: Yeah? Well what about—

GOLDMAN: Horn, let it be!

[19:35] Unhappy Campers

SOLDIER: Sir.

LT. BIGGS: Whoa, there, soldier. Aren't you forgetting something? I asked you a question, Specialist.

HORN: I don't know what you've been doing today, sir, but we've been out fightin' the war, and the last thing I need is a salute.

BIGGS: I asked you a question.

ANDERSON: Excuse me, sir.

BIGGS: What is it, Sergeant?

ANDERSON: With all respect, sir, these men are all very tired. We lost some of our people today, and usually, at the firebase, we don't salute the officers.

BIGGS: I appreciate what you've been through, Sergeant. I really do. But this is not a firebase, and we can't let all our discipline go just because we had a bad day.

ANDERSON: Yes, sir.

[20:27] I Want A Proper Salute

BIGGS: Now, I want this soldier to render a proper hand salute to a superior officer.

ANDERSON: Do it, Horn. Now, look here, Horn, now, there ain't gonna— There's no gettin' around this, now. You're gonna have to give the lieutenant his salute, and then we can get on back to barracks and get this dirt cleaned off us, and get on about our business. Come on, get it done.

BIGGS: Soldier!

ANDERSON: Look, sir, we—

BIGGS: Stay out of it, Sergeant! Dismissed! Come back here, soldier!

BIGGS: I don't know where you learned to salute, and I don't much care how lax discipline is in your platoon. But you're gonna give me a proper hand salute, and you're gonna hold that salute until I return it. And if we have to, we'll stay out here until you get it right.

HORN: Yes, sir. AFTERNOON, SIR!

BIGGS: Afternoon, Specialist. Carry on.

[21:44] In The Barracks

TAYLOR: Well, I know one thing. I'm gonna go over to the club, wash this nasty funk off me, and get me a case of beer. Y'all welcome to join me if you like.

ANDERSON: Well as funky as you are, Taylor, that could take you a couple hours.

TAYLOR: Yeah, I just wanna get over there and see that stripper. Start thinking about all the joy I'm gonna bring them girls in Sin City tomorrow.

ANDERSON: Well now, wait a minute, y'all. Now, you might have to wait 'til tomorrow afternoon on this Sin City business, 'cause you got an awards ceremony tomorrow morning right before breakfast.

HORN: Awards ceremony?

ANDERSON: Yeah, awards ceremony. All these valiant warriors here among you are gonna get some medals to pin on your chests. That way when you go on back to the World, you can impress the women.

HORN: I don't believe this. What are we gonna get for today, Sarge? The Silver Shaft with a cow pie cluster?^[2] Man, this army's gettin' to be too much for me.

ANDERSON: Aw, come on, Horn. Lighten up a little bit, you're gonna give yourself a hernia here. Now, I want y'all looking your best, now, 'cause you all are good soldiers. You're damn good soldiers, and that ain't nuthin' to be ashamed of.

[22:48] Award Winning Ranks

CAPT. LEWIS: Staff Sergeant Clayton E. Anderson, the Silver Star, for gallantry and heroism in ground combat in the Binh Khe Valley, 9 December 1967. Sergeant Anderson took his flamethrower, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, single-handedly assaulted and destroyed the NVA position, saving his platoon and killing a large number of enemy soldiers. His heroism also resulted in the discovery of critical intelligence that saved other American lives. Sergeant Anderson’s actions are in the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army. The Purple Heart, for wounds sustained in action.

DALBY: Congratulations, Sergeant.

ANDERSON: Thank you, sir.

LEWIS: Private First Class Daniel Percell, the Bronze Star for heroism in ground combat. With complete disregard for his own personal safety—

DALBY: Congratulations.

LEWIS: In the face of enemy fire—

PERCELL: Thank you, sir.

LEWIS: He gallantly rescued a downed pilot from behind enemy lines. He is a credit to himself...

LEWIS: Private Alberto Ruiz, the Bronze Star for valor. With the rest of his unit pinned down, Private Ruiz unselfishly ran from his position to rescue his fallen comrade. His actions are in the highest tradition of military service…

LEWIS: Private First Class Marcus Taylor, the Army Commendation Medal for heroism in ground combat. While cut off from his unit, he single-handedly assaulted a fortified enemy...

LEWIS: Specialist Fourth Class Roger Horn, the Army Commendation Medal for valor. With complete disregard of his personal safety, he saved the life of a fellow soldier…

LEWIS: Specialist Fourth Class Marvin Johnson, the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in action behind enemy lines in the Binh Tre Valley (?), 6 August 1967...

JOHNSON: Thank you, sir.

LEWIS: Private Scott Baker, the Bronze Star for heroism in ground combat—

BAKER: Thank you, sir.

LEWIS: Private Baker escaped from the enemy in the A Shau Valley,^[3] and was instrumental in destroying an enemy convoy, 8 September 19—

LEWIS: Lieutenant Myron Goldman, the Bronze Star for valor. Lieutenant Goldman's actions are in the highest tradition of military service, and reflect credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

[25:06] How Can They Believe In Me?

GOLDMAN: I’m not buying it. You know, I’m supposed to be the platoon leader. I’m supposed to know what’s going on. Instead, I know absolutely nothing.

ANDERSON: LT, now, the men don’t expect you to have all the answers, they just expect you to do your job.

GOLDMAN: No, but how are they supposed to have any confidence in what I’m telling them, when I don’t have any confidence in what I’m telling them myself? I can't keep sending them out on missions that have absolutely no purpose.

ANDERSON: LT, those are the orders.

GOLDMAN: Yeah, but I don’t believe in the orders, and neither do you. Horn’s absolutely right, and I gotta write a letter to the parents of the guys that we lost. "Dear Mrs. Mitchell, I’m sorry your son died in Vietnam, but it wasn’t the Viet Cong that killed him, it was a— you know, a damn snake."

ANDERSON: Now, wait a second. LT, I gotta tell you somethin’ here. You’re gonna make yourself crazy.

[25:44] May I Interrupt?

RAINES: Am I interrupting?

GOLDMAN: No, it’s okay.

RAINES: Can I talk to you?

GOLDMAN: Yeah, we’re done now.

ANDERSON: (in mid-gesture, not looking like done)

GOLDMAN: (slapping Anderson with his cap, like, "Go away")

ANDERSON: (going away, like, "I'm gone")

RAINES: This isn’t exactly how I planned it, but you’re here and I don’t know when you’re movin’ out, so... Here it goes. I’m not gonna marry you, Myron. I can't.

GOLDMAN: Now, wait a minute. Wait, just—

RAINES: No, no, no—

GOLDMAN: Hang on, hang on, wait, let—

RAINES: Let me talk. Just let me get this out.

GOLDMAN: Okay.

RAINES: I’ve really tried to think this through, and I’m tryin’ to put that fear out of my mind that the next dead guy coming in could be you. But I can't, and I cannot live every day in that fear, and I won’t pretend I can. It’s just not fair, to me or to you. I’ve put in for a transfer, so I’ll be leaving as soon as it comes in. I’m sorry.

GOLDMAN: Wait—wait a minute, c’mon. I love you, you know?

RAINES: I know.

[27:22] Bravo In Sin City

BAKER: (?)

TAYLOR: She looked like Ruiz.

JOHNSON: You kissed her.

HORN: Hey, you guys, I think I’m gonna go AWOL. I’m gonna hang out with this baby-san 'cause I love her so much.

TAYLOR: Yeah, Horn, yeah.

HORN: I mean, she treats me better than Uncle Sam.

RUIZ: Hey, there’s gonna be new girls down at the Dixie, man.

HORN: Ah, I don’t want any new girls. I like this one. I’m a bona fide war hero. I’m a real war hero. I’m gonna make your country safe for democracy. I’m gonna protect your virtue.

PERCELL: Come on, Horn.

JOHNSON: Horn, you’re makin' a fool of yourself, man.

HORN: Me? Making a fool of myself? Man, this is the most sensible thing I’ve done since I’ve been in country. I made a fool of myself walking up Hill 1000. And so did you... and you... and you and you. We all made fools of ourselves winning these stupid little things.

[28:36] Sarge's Chariot

ANDERSON: Damn, y'all look like a nice, cheery group. What’s goin’ on here?

BAKER: I think, uh, Horn’s gonna get married, Sarge.

HORN: Yeah, and stay in this country 'cause I love it so much.

ANDERSON: Well Horn, I got some good news, and I got some bad news. The good news is it’s a nice day to get married; the bad news is you ain’t getting married today. Y’all better sober up, because we’re movin' out at first light.

HORN: Where, Sarge? Back to Hill 1000?

ANDERSON: Damn, that boy’s psychic.

PERCELL: Look, you’re jokin’, huh?

ANDERSON: No.

HORN: I want some answers, Sergeant. I want ‘em now.

ANDERSON: Hey, Horn, haven’t you heard? In the Army you get orders, you don’t get answers.

PERCELL: So we’re goin’ back.

ANDERSON: The dinks shot down a chopper that was spraying the area. Now we gotta go secure the hill.

PERCELL: And we’re elected.

ANDERSON: Hey, we know the terrain.

HORN: Yeah, and we’ll never forget it. God...

[29:26] Yuk! What Is This Stuff?

SOLDIERS: (conversing quietly)

JOHNSON: This is spooky, man. No sign of the pilot. It's like the jungle just swallowed him up.

TAYLOR: Stuff sure smells sweet, don't it?

BAKER: This is some serious poison, dude. I mean, I won't be filling my canteen from a local stream.

TAYLOR: Ah, man, it ain't no big thing.

BAKER: Oh yeah? I'd think even Marcus Taylor would be afraid of something that kills a hundred 200-foot trees.

HORN: I wonder if they're gonna spray this stuff all over this country.

BAKER: Sure, turn this place into a desert, man. Little guys would have no place to hide.

HORN: They'd go underground, Baker. They’ll always find a way. Always.

[30:28] Let's Get Outta This Stuff

ANDERSON: Alright, come on, let's get up outta this stuff. Alright, y'all, we're headed up. Recon's already taken fire, and they reported seein' NVA regulars up there.

TAYLOR: How many, Sarge?

ANDERSON: I dunno. One squad, maybe two. But I tell you what, we gotta be careful up there; they're not just on the top. Reconnaissance says they’re in the valleys, too. They're gettin' ready for a major push.

TAYLOR: Then let's get up there, Sarge, and kick their butts back to Hanoi.

ANDERSON: Oh, bless your heart, Taylor, that's a point man's enthusiasm. Why don't you lead the way? Baker, you got slack. Johnson, cover the rear, will ya? Keep your eyes open. Let's do it.

[31:05] Back To Hill 1,000

G.I.: I'm okay. Thanks, man.

RUIZ: Feels like we've been through this movie before, huh?

PERCELL: Yeah, and it's gettin' old in a hurry.

[32:30] Hillside Ambush

NVA SOLDIERS: [speaking in Vietnamese quietly]

RUIZ: Cover!

GOLDMAN: McNair!

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Medic!

ANDERSON: Taylor!

TAYLOR: Yo!

ANDERSON: Can you see where I’m firing?

TAYLOR: Yo!

ANDERSON: Blooper!

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Stay down, stay down! Keep cover!

ANDERSON: Come on, come on.

ANDERSON: We got 'em.

[33:34] Goldman Gives Orders

GOLDMAN: Horn, get the XO on the line. Tell ‘em we got two men down. I want Dudley and McNair, I want them in those ferns over there, we’ll get 'em on the way back. We’re movin’ up twenty meters, then we’re gonna hold our position through an air strike. Sergeant!

ANDERSON: Yo!

HORN [on radio]: Bravo-six, this is Bravo-two-six...

GOLDMAN: I don’t want one single dink slipping around our flanks. I want ‘em all.

RADIO: Go ahead, two-six.

HORN: Two men, KIA...

ANDERSON: Oh yeah.

HORN [on radio]: Twenty meters to our November. LT requests TAC air at Alpha Lima 30-79. Over.

RADIO: Roger, two-six. TAC air at Alpha Lima three-zero-seven-niner.

[34:12] Firebirds Over The Hill

GOLDMAN: That one shook loose a filling.

HORN: Shook loose my brains.

GOLDMAN [to Johnson]: Hey...

HORN: Johnson, you okay?

JOHNSON: I can't take much more of this.

GOLDMAN: Relax, Johnson, at least we’re not up there with recon.

ANDERSON: Ain’t nothin’ shakin’ but the peas in the pod.

TAYLOR: Yeah, and they wouldn’t be shakin’ if mama hadn’t put the wood in the stove.

[34:56] Passing On The Hill

SOLDIER: You alright?

HORN: Oh God, what happened to him?

JONES: The boy lost his head, that’s what.

GOLDMAN: That’s not funny, soldier.

JONES: Well excuse me, sir. One of those 750-pounders that zoomie was dropping blew up in a tree. A piece sliced his head right off. Six other guys took shrapnel, too. Charlie ought to leave us alone to beat each other to death. C’mon, Earl, let’s get off this hill.

SOLDIER: You got it.

[35:38] I Quit!

GOLDMAN: Horn... What are you doin’, Horn?

HORN: I’m not goin’, Lieutenant. I’m sorry. I’m just not doin’ it.

GOLDMAN: I haven’t got time for this, Horn. Come on.

HORN: Well then you’d better move on out, 'cause I’m not going not matter what you say.

ANDERSON: What’s goin’ on?

HORN: It’s so stupid, Sarge. We’ve taken this hill twice, and we’ve abandoned it twice. For what?

ANDERSON: Because those are orders, Horn—

HORN: For nuthin’! You know that. I’m not gonna sacrifice my life for nuthin’.

ANDERSON: Alright, now, Horn, don’t blow it here. Now, listen to me. If you’re tired and you need a break, I can clear it with the LT.

HORN: I don’t need a break. I’m finished. Period. I’m sorry, guys. I just can't do this anymore.

ANDERSON: Horn, listen to me. Do you know what this means?

HORN: I’ll take the consequences.

[36:34] Where Do You Get Off, Horn

GOLDMAN: Get these men moving now, Sergeant. Come on!

ANDERSON: Alright, come on, come on. Up the hill, come on, get up there…

GOLDMAN: Horn...

ANDERSON: Alright, come on, come on. Let’s go.

GOLDMAN: Where the hell do you get off walking out on these guys, huh? They’ve always been there for you—always. Now, come on. You don’t wanna do this. You don’t wanna ruin your life, Horn, and believe me, this is gonna ruin your life.

HORN: I’ll take the chance.

GOLDMAN: Get on down the hill. We’ll deal with this back in Chu Lai.

[37:14] Yellowbellies, Beware

SGT. BOYLE: What’s this I hear about some yellow-belly refusing to fight? This the coward? You don’t want to fight no more, boy?

HORN: Yeah, that’s right.

BOYLE: Somebody ought to shoot you down right here.

ANDERSON: That’s my man. This is family here. Now, you get out of my house.

HORN: It’s okay, Sarge, let him. At least I’ll know who did it, and what's it’s for. But if I die on this hill, I won’t know who did it, and I sure as hell won’t know the reason why.

ANDERSON: Let’s get up the hill. Come on, move it, move it! That’s you, too, Sergeant.

[38:07] Taylor Is Hit!

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Straight to the top!

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Go! Go!

NVA SOLDIERS: [speaking in Vietnamese]

GOLDMAN: Keep ’em online, Sergeant, online!

TAYLOR: Agh, ah!

ANDERSON: Taylor? Alright, Taylor, get down out of this mess.

TAYLOR: I’ll be alright, Sarge.

ANDERSON: Not a while, you won’t.

TAYLOR: I can still fight.

ANDERSON: Get on down the hill, Taylor! We’ll pick you up with the wounded later. You done good, you done good.

ANDERSON [o.s.]: Watch yourselves!

SOLDIERS [o.s.]: Move, move, move! . . . Keep that right flank covered! . . . Go!

[39:08] Poetry Eases Troubled Mind

HORN [reciting "The Drum" by John Scott]:

I hate that drum’s discordant sound,

Parading round, and round, and round:

To thoughtless youth it pleasure yields,

And lures from cities and from fields,

To sell their liberty for charms

Of tawdry lace, and glittering arms;

And, when Ambition’s voice commands,

To march, and fight, and fall in foreign lands.

HORN: Taylor...

[39:54] Taylor Are You Alright?

HORN: Are you alright?

TAYLOR: I’ll be okay.

HORN: What’s it like up there?

TAYLOR: It’s bad. I think Charlie’s gonna try to hold on to it this time.

HORN: How are the guys?

TAYLOR: Our guys are fine. A few others down.

HORN: That’s too bad.

HORN: Damn!

[40:36] Back In The Game

HORN: See you later, Taylor.

TAYLOR: What are you doin’? Horn. Horn. Horn!

HORN: Look, Marcus, I don’t believe in this war–I never did, I never will. But I do believe in helping my friends. I guess that’s worth fighting for.

[41:05] Charge That Hill

SOLDIER [o.s.]: Go, go, go, go!

BAKER: Ruiz, cover me!

RUIZ: Go, Baker, go!

JOHNSON: Baker, Ruiz!

BAKER: We got to get closer!

RUIZ: I know, I know. I’ll cover you, okay?

BAKER: Ah! No way, man! No way.

JOHNSON: Okay look, sit tight. They can't get to us here.

RUIZ: Yeah, and now we can't get out.

ANDERSON: Baker, what’s going on up there?

BAKER: Bunker, Sarge!

ANDERSON: Aw, man, it ain’t gonna work from here. I’m gonna try somethin’ else.

[41:58] Horn Makes His Move

SOLDIERS [o.s.]: Field of fire, field of fire! . . . Medic! . . .

[42:42] Package Delivery

JOHNSON: Horn!

RUIZ: Horn, get outta there!

(various shouts of: "Alright, come on! Horn! Horn! Come on, come on!" followed by whooping)

[43:02] Bunker Go Boom!

JOHNSON: Where the hell did you come from?

HORN: A good question. Hey, guys, I need some help.

BAKER: Medic, medic!

JOHNSON (?): Come on, come on.

ANDERSON: Alright, Ruiz, Baker, go check the bunker there, go on. How’s he doin’?

MEDIC: He’ll live, but we gotta get him outta here.

ANDERSON: Yeah, but how bad is he?

MEDIC: His war’s over, that’s for sure.

ANDERSON: Horn, how come you came back up here?

HORN: I knew you needed my help.

JOHNSON: We took the hill, Horn. We took it back thanks to you, man.

HORN: Let’s see if you can hold on to it this time.

ANDERSON: Yeah, third time’s a charm.

GOLDMAN [o.s.]: We’re digging in up here. Over.

RADIO: Evacuate the area. Colonel Dalby’s on his way for inspection.

GOLDMAN [o.s.]: I don’t believe this.

[43:51] Let's Dig In

ANDERSON: Alright, let’s get dug in here.

GOLDMAN: Forget it.

ANDERSON: Sir?

GOLDMAN: I said, forget it. We’re not digging in, we’re going back down the hill.

JOHNSON: What?

BAKER: Oh man!

ANDERSON: Wait, this has got to be somebody’s idea of a joke, right?

GOLDMAN: I wish it was. Saddle the men up. The colonel’s coming up the hill.

ANDERSON: What, did he give you any idea why?

GOLDMAN: You know better.

[44:13] Give The Hill Back

ANDERSON: Alright, Second Platoon, form up here. Come on, listen up, I’m only gonna say this one time. We’re headed back down the hill. That’s right. Come on, Percell, you lead the way, come on.

RUIZ: I don’t suppose you could—

ANDERSON: Don’t ask me questions, Ruiz. I ain’t got any answers.

[44:48] Danny Has A Question, Sir

DALBY: Good job, soldier.

DALBY: Good work, men.

GOLDMAN: Sir.

DALBY: Lieutenant. A job well done, men.

PERCELL: Colonel?

DALBY: Yeah. What is it, soldier?

PERCELL: Why do they keep having us take this hill, and then giving it right back to the enemy?

BIGGS: Soldier, I don’t think that you’re—

PERCELL: Colonel, please! Answer my question.

DALBY: Objectives change. When you don’t have the whole picture, it’s hard to understand.

PERCELL: Sir, you pinned medals on my chest yesterday. I think I’m willing to give my life for my country, but I’ve gotta know that it matters.

DALBY: Of course it matters.

PERCELL: A lot of men lost their lives on this hill, sir. One of my best buddies got all shot up, and we go and give it right back to the enemy. It’s as if it were all for nothing!

DALBY: I think you’re out of line here, soldier.

PERCELL: Just remember, sir, that our lives mean somethin’, too.

PERCELL [to Biggs]: Good afternoon... sir!

End

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