[bell ringing]
Good morning.
Heather. Uh, how are you doing today?
Good to see you. Uh, seats.
Who's ready? Who's not ready?
Well, here we are. In light of the fact that
this is our last session, I thought that we might
diverge from the syllabus a bit.
How many here would consider yourselves to be darwinians?
Oh yes, I expected as much from Rev. Leblanc.
Darwinism, might very Well
put his seminary school out of business.
What if I told you that I have something
that might very well prove one, or yes, reverend,
both theories?
D.N.A.:
blueprint for the finest Architectural design
ever made, the human body.
Obviously, some blueprints are better than others.
Take Heather and Ben, for example.
They had a better designer for the for the sequences
that code for physical attributes. Take a look.
They have thick hair, good bone structure, lean bodies,
but...
I might venture to say that my own architect
was better at the sequences that code for intelligence.
[all laughing]
Now, please don't be insulted.
I'm not saying you're not smart.
I'm just saying that I'm smarter. Or you would be here
and I would be there.
Oh, you give me a few years, professor. I'll be up there.
Yes, Ben, I'm sure you will.
But do you know what you will be teaching?
The same way that we study the periodic tables
in chemistry class now,
soon we will be studying a vast map of the human genome.
Just last month, the last part of the genome was mapped.
There is one remaining question, and that,
ladies and gentleman, is what we are going to discuss.
Tell me, who knows what an intron is?
Introns are the extra genetic material in our D.N.A.
That haven't been mapped because
they don't seem to code for anything.
Right. Right. That's very Good.
Now, there are some creationists that believe
that introns are a message from god.
I've never heard that before, Martin.
Now, Peter, would I lie to you?
They believe that if we can decode the intron message,
we would find more commandments from God.
But there are others who believe that the intron codes
for the things we used to have during our evolution,
like gills, for example.
Well, what do you think the introns are, professor?
I thought you would never ask, Ben.
I think the extra D.N.A. Codes for our future evolution.
I think it codes for what we are about to become.
And I intend to prove it.
How?
Do you remember our 5th session, when we discussed.
The use of retro-viruses to deliver protein
that would activate certain genetic Sequences.
Well, I've been working on it for the past year,
and I have developed a retroviral activator
that activates introns.
I have in my hand the key to our future selves.
Excuse me, Dr. Nodel.
Ah, Dean Hardwick.
Well, let's give a warm welcome
to a man who is lucky enough to have the genetic sequences
for both, good looks and good brains.
How do you intend to test this new activator of yours?
Well, actually, I have already tested it.
But don't worry, boss. I haven't tested it on humans.
So, I want you to listen to what I have to say.
I am urging you not to discuss this
with anyone outside of this group
because I don't think that our Dean would appreciate
the human uproar that will follow it.
Ladies and gentlemen, I bring you...
the Evolution.
(student) My god, it has feet!
(male narrator) There is nothing wrong with your television.
Do not attempt To adjust the picture.
We are now controlling the transmission.
We control the horizontal and the vertical.
We can deluge you with a thousand channels
or expand one single image to crystal clarity.
And beyond.
We can shape your vision to anything
our imagination can conceive.
For the next hour
we will control all that you see and hear.
You are about to experience the awe and mystery
which reaches from the deepest inner mind
to The Outer Limits.
[whooshing]
(narrator) Perhaps we should ask ourselves,
will the next leap of science be a step into the future?
Or a plunge into the abyss?
[murmuring]
You could've warned me this was coming, Martin.
Would you have shown up?
You know I'm completely opposed to this research.
It's... it's abhorrently heretical.
I'm gonna have to petition the university
to stop this research.
I expect no less, but we all have to do what we have to do.
Peter, say hi to your wife.
[sighing]
(female announcer) the staff meeting today is moved to 5:00, room one...
so, now you're doing animal Experiments
without permission.
What, are "Free the big mouth Bass" People
are gonna start setting up pickets?
We have rules, Martin.
Displays like that are what keep the students
intrigued in the subject.
Or you would rather not have them
flocking to my classes in this department.
I was going through the ROSTER for next semester,
and noticed you didn't put yourself in for any classes.
Yes, that's right.
May I ask why?
Because I want to spend the extra time
devoted to my new Research.
The problem is, it puts me in a difficult bind, Martin.
You're my biggest selling point
to draw the best and brightest students
to this university, to this department.
Not to mention alumni money.
Right. Now just, uh, keep pouring it on.
Aw, Martin...
Look...
I just don't have much time left.
What does that mean?
Nothing.
Doug, I'm about to make a major breakthrough
That's gonna make history.
How? Please tell me how.
You'll never get approval for human testing
on something so radical.
You'll be lucky if you even get approval
for animal testing.
I'll get approval.
With the proper computer models, lab testing,
animal testing, I will get approval.
Just check my contracts. I'm allowed to take off
whatever semester I want to do my research.
[sighing]
(Greeson) Well, you seem in perfect health to me.
Are you sure about your genetic test?
Yes, Phil, I'm absolutely sure.
I drew my own blood on 3 separate occasions.
I did my own genetic Workup each time.
And each time the Marker for Wilson's disease came up.
So, obviously, I know that I'm going to get the disease,
it's just a question of time.
So tell me, please, have you checked everything?
What about the liver function, reflexes,
corneal coloration, copper content?
Well, your copper levels are a touch high.
You're sitting here telling me there are no symptoms.
Elevated copper is the first one.
Well, I knew you'd over react.
Everyone can have elevated copper Levels
from time to time, without Wilson's disease.
There's no decolorization of the cornea, no tremors.
Probably in a few years I'll start to get tremors. They'll take over.
A few years later, my liver's gonna go, then what?
Hold on. You're not hearing me.
I have so much to do in my life.
My research hasn't started,
my relationship with My son is crap.
Have you told him?
No, I'm not gonna tell anybody
until I can't hide the SYMPTOMS any longer.
And I don't want you to say anything to anybody, either.
Oh, Paul. Sorry I'm late.
It's ok, Dad. I just got here.
I learned a long time ago, when you say 1:00,
figure 1:30.
Ah, well...
so how you been?
Oh, I'm good. You?
Fantastic.
So tell me about mother.
She as good as she makes out to be?
Yeah. She's fine.
She tells me that you have a new girlfriend.
I, uh, I guess mom also told you about my plans.
What makes you say that?
Well, why else would you ask me to lunch, dad?
I mean, let's face it. I haven't seen you once
since I started school here 3 months ago.
Well, you don't exactly make any efforts
to see me either, Paul.
But now, you suddenly want to have lunch.
I'm guessing, because mom told you I'm leaving school.
Well, she did mention something about it,
so why don't you just tell me about it yourself?
Ok.
I'm bored here, Dad. I feel like my life's on hold.
There's so much I want to see, accomplish in the real world.
I... I don't wanna waste 4 years before I can get started.
So, what are you gonna do? You're just checking out,
you're just quitting?
I told hope you wouldn't understand.
Hope? Hope. That's your new girlfriend?
You have to meet her, Dad. She... she is the best.
Hope has made me see life for what it really is.
You know, a... a big wonderful Adventure.
Well, Yes. Hope is right.
It is a big, wonderful adventure.
But it's adventure that needs to have a solid foundation,
like a college education.
That's not what hope thinks. She... she thinks
she learned more from life than she did from college.
And... and to this day,
she really regrets wasting those 4 years.
Do... do you mind it I ask you how old hope is?
Hope? She's 30.
30.
30 like in 11-years-older-than-19 kind of 30?
You're telling me that this girl, I mean, this woman,
who is 30 years old, and who finished college,
is telling my son that he shouldn't graduate?
What are you supposed to do for a living, flip burgers?
And what would I do with a degree, huh?
Teach? Waste my life doing research
that no one will ever hear of, or... or... or care about?
[mumbling]
You're gonna deny it?
You've spent the past 20 years making obscure discoveries
that, I'm sorry, dad, will not change the world.
That's a nice thing to say.
And at what cost? Your life?
Living your life?
Will you really treasure the 3 months
you spent zeroing in on a Gene for nearsightedness
when you could've watched your son pitch 3 no-hitters in little league?
How about the year you spent finding just 1 of 10 genes
responsible for acne?
It was psoriasis.
Whatever. That one cost you your marriage.
Well, that is not fair.
You missed out, Dad.
You're missing the great adventure of life.
It is passing you by.
Yep.
Well...
well, I... look, I didn't mean to say...
No, it's fine. It's fine.
You should say what you mean. Get it off your chest.
That's what people are supposed to do.
Dad?
Yep?
Hope would really love to meet you.
[chuckling] Hope. I bet she would.
All right.
(Dean) You'll never get approval for human testing
on something so radical.
(Paul) You've spent the past 20 years making obscure discoveries,
that, I'm sorry, dad, will not change the world.
So tell me, Martin,
what are we learning from this?
Aside from the fact that you were doing nothing
but wasting your time?
[knocking on door]
♪ ♪ [music playing]
Dad. Hey. What're you doing here?
Well, I just came to see how my kid lives.
You wanna come in?
Mmm-hmm.
I'm... I'm sorry it's such a mess.
Well, it wouldn't be a dorm if it wasn't such a mess.
Actually, it's a lot bigger than I thought it would be.
Uh, you didn't come here to see my room, Dad.
Oh. Well, uh...
you said that hope wanted to meet me.
Yeah. So?
Well, I think it's a pretty good idea.
So, how about Friday, my place, 7:00?
It's a date.
Cool.
[chuckling]
You never cease to amaze me, you know that, dad?
I never cease to amaze myself.
[door closing]
(Greeson) This is the M.R.I. Of your head.
And that's a normal one.
(nodel) So, does this somehow explain my headaches?
Your cerebrum and cerebellum are becoming more convoluted
in order to fit more Grey matter surface
within the confines of your cranium.
I don't follow.
Well, I don't either, exactly.
If you study various Species' brains, you'll see that
the higher the mammal, the bigger their brains are,
and the more convoluted they are to fit the cranium.
So, what are you saying?
You're saying that my... my... my brain is swelling?
No, Martin, I'm saying it's Growing.
Uh, maybe it's, I don't know, evolving?
(nodel) I must read this material. I have to read it.
I don't know why I'm driven to read this material,
this volume of Material.
So, rev. Leblanc is pretty worked up
over your fish demonstration.
He wants me to put a hold on your research,
pending a review.
Can you hold him off?
Will you teach a class next semester?
I'll tell you what. I'll teach a small research seminar,
with 8 advanced Students.
20, and I'll fend off the reverend.
This is not a negotiation.
8 advanced students, and you fend him off.
Deal.
May I ask what changed your mind?
I figured I could use the students
to assist me in my research,
and they could learn something at the same time.
Sounds Good.
One more thing. I handpick the students myself,
and the moment that you question my methods
is the moment the seminar is cancelled.
[bell tolling]
[people chattering]
All right, quiet down.
All right, now, I... first of all,
I want to thank you all for coming. I appreciate it.
As you know, there are only 8 people
that I'm choosing to do this research,
and there are very specific requirements
In order to qualify for this study.
What is the study, Dr. Nodel?
I'm sorry, but only the 8 will know.
This seems to be a large group,
I'm gonna have to narrow it down a bit.
So, any of you who are wearing glasses,
please raise your hand. With glasses?
Ok. Thank you. You're dismissed.
Don't try to lie, because I'm gonna check your eyes later,
so it's a waste of time, yours and mine.
Ok, all of you who have s.A.Ts under 1,400,
g.P.As under 3.9, thank you very much,
you're dismissed also.
We'll check the records,
so none of you waste my time or yours.
All right, let's begin. 5 at a time.
[murmuring]
All right. You stay. The rest of you dismissed.
Why not me? It's because I'm fat, isn't it?
Yes, that's right. As I told you before,
there are specific mental
as well as physical qualifications for this class.
Thank you for coming. You come with me.
That didn't hurt.
Dismissed. Dismissed. Bye-Bye.
You go. You come with me.
There you go.
Ben, you stay.
You come with me. The rest of you are dismissed.
Now.
Relax.
[gasplng]
[groaning]
[sighing]
I'm not evolving.
No, this is something else.
(nodel) Tell me, Brittany.
What do you think of my intron theories?
I think they're really cool.
And would you feel comfortable
traveling with me to do field research?
Absolutely. If I can afford it.
Tell me, would you trust me completely
to do whatever I tell you,
no matter how strange it may seem?
That's a weird question.
Would you?
Yeah, I guess.
I admire you, probably more than anyone.
I'm glad you feel that way.
So do you have any ties
that would keep you from going away for a long time?
What do you mean?
Well, I mean, would anyone miss you
if you were to leave campus for a long time?
You mean like a girlfriend, or family?
Mmm, no. Not really.
That's Good. That's very, very good.
[murmuring]
Ben?
Yeah?
Don't you think this is getting kinda weird?
What? The interview process?
Yeah. I mean, I don't know what questions he asked you,
but mine were pretty strange.
I felt like I was interviewing
to join one of those cults or something.
"Do you trust me?
Would you be willing to travel with me if necessary?"
he's just checking our loyalty, Heather.
I really don't see anything wrong with that.
Besides, he did say this was his most important Research.
Doesn't want a bunch of scared students screwing it up.
But he was dropping people for physical ATTRIBUTES:
Too fat, too tall, bad skin, bad eyesight.
What does any of that have to do
with Qualified to be in a class?
I came to this university to study genetic engineering
for one REASON: Dr. Martin Nodel.
He's the best-known genetics researcher in the world.
The man is a genius.
And most geniuses are eccentric as hell.
I know, but...
this could be the most important genetics research
we'll ever have the opportunity to be involved in.
Now, if you want to let his eccentricities scare you away,
that's your problem. Personally,
I don't care how strange things get.
I'm not lettin' anything take it away from me.
[bell ringing]
(nodel) In your independent interviews,
all of you said how much you trusted me.
Well, this is the final round,
and the purpose is to test how much you can learn
to trust each other.
So, let's form 2 large circles,
men on the outside, women on the inside. Let's go.
All right, this is a trust exercise.
The women are gonna keep their bodies rigid.
They will fall backwards without looking back,
into the arms of the man behind them. So, let's go...
No, it's not funny. There's nothing funny about this.
Heather, why don't you start? Just fall. Fall.
That's right. Ok. Now you're turn.
Let's go. Fall, Fall. Brittany. Fall!
That's right.
All right, start walking.
Just remember to keep your hands down. That's right.
Just... just walk. That's right. Just walk.
Keep your hands down. Now, let's just trust.
Fingers Under. Lift!
Yes. Very Good.
We are going to be spending a great deal of time together,
in very intimate, cramped quarters.
Which means, we have to put aside modesty.
Tell me, anybody have a problem with that?
No.
(nodel) No? Modesty?
No.
All right. 2nd: You all said during your interview that
you had no previous surgery, no bodily alteration.
What about that? Anybody want to change their story? No?
Anybody?
(all) No.
Ok. Now for the final exercise.
Will you all please disrobe.
[murmuring]
[all chuckling]
You're kidding, right?
No. No. No, I'm not kidding.
In front of everyone?
I'm not stripping in front of Everyone.
Wait a second. I know this is uncomfortable,
but we're all going to be
spending a lot time together, and we have to...
yes, we have to expose ourselves
to each other completely.
Not just our outward bodies, but our inner selves.
So we have to share our deepest, darkest secrets.
I'm sorry, but this has just stepped
way beyond the kinky line for me.
Hold on, Derek.
Now, this isn't just a test in trust.
This is the only way I can tell if you've had surgery,
and to make sure you have no dermal Blemishes.
Dermal blemishes? What does that mean?
That means, uh, scars, it means tattoos,
it means birthmarks, whatever.
We have to keep it down to a minimum.
The requirements are very specific
to serve as good Specimens.
Good specimen?
A-all right, subjects. We're gonna be subjects
and observers in the study.
I'm sorry. I can't do this. I'm outta here.
That's fine. You can go if you want.
Just remember you signed a nondisclosure agreement.
No one gets to know about this.
Yeah? Up yours.
[door closing]
[girl chuckling]
What exactly are you looking for, Dr. Nodel?
Scars, birthmarks, potential skin cancers,
tattoos.
That disqualify me?
That alone? No.
How did you get that scar, Brittany?
Oh, that? I... I had my appendix out.
Oh, you did, did you? Had your appendix out.
I thought you said you had no surgery.
I'm gonna have to disqualify you.
Why?
Because I can't trust you.
Because I need whole people, as they naturally evolved.
[traffic humming]
What are you going to do? What are you going to do?
You only have 6. You're supposed to have 8.
No ifs ands, or buts!
[groaning]
Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
[groaning]
Oh, my God.
They aren't random.
(nodel) Congratulations.
I'm happy to inform you that you are the students
who will be participating in my research seminar.
And I want to thank all of you for participating
in all of this with me.
Here's a list of supplies that you need to bring,
and a map for how to get to the place
to meet me tomorrow night at 7:00.
I don't want anyone to know about this.
Is that understood?
Um, but, Dr. Nodel. There are only 6 of us.
Yes, Heather, that's correct. I'm aware of that.
I have until tomorrow to find 2 more.
Leave for the rendezvous point as soon as possible.
It's a long drive, and I will see you there. Thank you.
All right, let's go.
[knocking on door]
Dad.
Paul! Hi.
You forgot, didn't you?
Oh, damn! Paul...
[slghing]
I apologize.
You ok?
Yeah, I'm fine. Hope?
Yes. Hi.
Yes. Yes. Come on in. Come on. Come on in.
I have better plans for us tonight. Yes.
(Paul) Ok, Dad. Can you please tell us where you're taking us?
I'm taking you to a very special place
in the mountains in the Southern part of the state.
Don't worry, it's a nice place.
But why? W-Why are we going there?
We have to have 8.
You may not fit all the requirements,
but it's better than showing up with 6.
What's he talking about?
Paul, I am so happy that you
are going to be one of the 8.
You'll see your father's work,
his finest accomplishment in person.
Maybe then you won't think my work is a waste of Time.
Now, I... I never said that, exactly.
Just that, you know, you gotta get out more
Yeah. Hope? Paul Tells me that
you lecture him about exploring life all the time.
I hope he doesn't see it as a lecture.
I don't. No. I... I consider it inspiration.
Hope, you talk about living life.
You are about to see something that you have never seen.
Something that most people will never see.
And what would that be?
Well, hope, if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise.
So just don't worry. We'll be there before morning.
You'll understand everything then.
[students chatterlng]
[Nodel laughing]
I am so happy to see all of you!
Oh, I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long.
This is my son, Paul!
And This is his girlfriend, hope.
So, you have enough supplies for a few days of clothing
and food and, what, yes. You told nobody, as instructed,
that you're gonna be here in this place. Right?
Yeah. With All due respect, sir,
I think you owe us all an explanation about that.
Frankly, most of us are pretty creeped out with this cloak and dagger stuff.
Cloak and... well, I apologize if you think my methods
have been cloak and Dagger.
Look, I have been taking orders from a higher source.
I don't even know what I've been doing
the last couple of weeks.
I just have to trust my own Instincts.
Is this some kind of a cult thing?
I have been experimenting to find a way
to activate the intron sequences of human D.N.A.
Now, because of the regulatory climate,
I knew I couldn't use a human volunteer,
so I tested it on myself.
Wait, wait. You injected that stuff that made
fish grow legs into your own blood Stream.
That's correct. At first, I didn't see any effect.
And then, something started to happen.
My brain started to evolve, for want of a better word.
And this new Brain started to tell me to do things.
Like what?
Like, find 8 young Volunteers. 4 men, 4 women.
Your brain told you to do this?
Yes, Heather. You find that so strange?
Millions of years of evolution have told birds to migrate,
have told young mammals to nurse,
have told bears to hibernate.
Well, I am evolving to know things!
So, did your brain tell you to bring us here?
Something else, Heather, told me to do this.
You know what it was? It was this!
(Paul) Oh, my god, dad!
What is it?
Wait. It... it looks like a map.
Right, Ben. It's a map. It's a paleogeographical map.
A what?
It's a map that measures the plate tectonics in this area.
There are 2 cordilleran mountain ranges
that meet in this area.
That's what created those cliffs over there.
This map on my back
was designed to bring us to this location.
Why?
To find something, Heather.
To find something wonderful.
Something that will inform us about our past and our future.
And we're gonna find it, Heather!
We're gonna find it at first light!
All right. This is crazy, Dad.
We've been lookin' all day. You don't even know what for.
Here we go. Come on.
Everybody with me?
W-Well, aren't the voices in your head
telling you anything?
There aren't any voices, Paul. It doesn't work that way.
It's just an urge, a desire to do something.
Ok. Here we go.
Wow.
Oh! Ok.
What's this?
I don't know. Let's take a look. Come on.
(Paul) Dad, it looks like a door.
Well, let's see what's inside.
[door creaking]
Now what?
Now we find another way in. Come on, let's go.
(Ben) Hey, what's goin' on?
Oh, my God.
Whoa!
I take it you're the one in charge here?
Well, in a manner of speaking, yes. I'm Dr. Martin Nodel.
Dr. Arnold Dewitt. U.S. Marine corps Scientists.
Mind telling me why you're out here?
I guess we're searching for the very thing
that your men are guarding. It's through that door.
I don't know what you're talking about, doctor.
Now, tell me why you're here, please.
I was drawn to this place.
Why here? This place isn't even on any map.
It is on one map. Hope, be quiet.
No, hope. Do tell.
Show him, Dr. Nodel.
H-How did that happen?
You say that led you here?
That's right.
Excuse me a moment.
What's in there?
I don't know. I just made it up.
I figured they were guarding something
that we must be looking for.
Given your condition, uh, you might be of some value to us.
I'd like to show you something.
Well, I would love to see it,
as long as all of my students can go.
Sorry, can't do that.
Well, then, I'm sorry.
All of us came this far, so we're all going in.
I can force you, you know.
Well, if you want to know what that thing is inside,
then we all go in. It's that simple.
Fine.
[beeping]
What is it?
That's what I was hoping you'd tell me, doctor.
I have no idea. Where is it from?
We found this underground at this location,
after world War li.
We've been studying the object ever since.
It won't move from that spot in 3-dimensional space.
We tried digging underneath it,
and it just stays at this exact height.
What's supporting it?
Can't figure that out either.
Best guess is some kind of magnetic field.
And the object is impenetrable.
We tried lasers and diamond plates, ultrasound,
x-rays, you name it.
We have no idea what, if anything, is inside of it.
Have you tried to carbon date it?
Can't get a sample. It's too hard.
But based on the surrounding geographic strata,
we figure it's about 60 million years old.
60 million! It predates humans.
By about 57 million years.
May I?
By all means.
[buzzing]
[groaning]
Dad! Dad!
[screaming]
[groaning]
[distorted voice] If we are communicating with you today,
then our experiment has worked.
You are the final result of our great experiment in hope.
We seeded your planet with Our own genetic material
to continue our race in you,
to see if you evolved
socially, scientifically, physically, as we did.
To see if your society would evolve to a life of war,
destruction, as we did.
To see if you would use your intelligence and inventiveness
for good or for evil.
We knew that when you reached the appropriate level of intelligence,
you would activate the remainder of our experiment
in Your own D.N.A.
That, in turn, would lead you to this craft.
At that time, you would return, report to us,
tell us of your world as it evolved
without our interference.
If you have done as we intended,
there should be the one who has transformed
and 8 More.
Good examples of what our seed has wrought.
Young and healthy enough to withstand the journey
using This vessel that you see before you now.
This vessel will launch in 10 of your minutes.
We look forward to welcoming you back home.
[whooshing]
You ok?
[whooshing]
[all exclaiming]
(Dr. Dewitt) Get some stairs over there! On the double!
(soldier) Yes, sir.
Are you all right?
You still think I'm wasting my time?
I guess not.
Well, then, I'm ok.
So you ready to go?
When can we go?
This could be very dangerous.
They could have left that message as much as
60 million years ago, or they could be dead or gone,
or at the very least,
they could have forgotten about the experiment.
Now, I intend to go,
but I can't expect any of you to join me.
The decision has to be entirely yours.
Like I said, when do we go?
Right now.
I believe it's safe.
It's so warm in here.
This is great.
My god, this is... This is incredible
ok, this is gonna be a long trip.
Think you can handle it with your old man?
Unless you'd rather I stay here and flip burgers.
I hope you'll come.
I don't really fulfill the requirements.
To hell with the requirements.
We need someone who has your attitude about life.
Show those people on that other planet
what the human spirit really is.
Besides, my son likes you.
(narrator) the more we learn about the universe around us,
the more we realize how little we truly know.
But we will only find what wonders await us
if no false walls are built around our explorers
and no false restraints applied
to the unquenchable human thirst to know it all.