The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell

You chose the hard way, Colonel. 554 00:38:17,599 --> 00:38:20,101 I know it, and I haven't got a chance, 555 00:38:20,101 --> 00:38:23,105 but I want to go through with it anyway. 556 00:38:23,105 --> 00:38:25,609 Sound crazy, don't I? No, sir. 557 00:38:25,609 --> 00:38:28,112 No, I, uh, I think I understand. 558 00:38:28,112 --> 00:38:30,615 Have the members of the court been announced? 559 00:38:30,615 --> 00:38:33,619 Just came through. I saw General Guthrie downstairs. 560 00:38:33,619 --> 00:38:35,622 So did I. 561 00:38:37,123 --> 00:38:39,627 What does he have to do with it? 562 00:38:39,627 --> 00:38:42,631 He's been appointed the president of the court. 563 00:38:45,635 --> 00:38:48,138 Who are the other members? 564 00:38:48,138 --> 00:38:50,641 A regular who's who of the army. 565 00:38:53,144 --> 00:38:56,148 "Maj. Gen. George L. Irwin, Gen. Slade, Gen. Graves, 566 00:38:56,148 --> 00:38:59,152 Gen. Ford., Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Gen. Bolling." 567 00:39:00,654 --> 00:39:03,157 There's not a flying officer among them. 568 00:39:03,157 --> 00:39:06,161 Sir, have you considered taking on a civilian counsel? 569 00:39:06,161 --> 00:39:09,165 You're entitled to one, you know. 570 00:39:09,165 --> 00:39:11,167 Could use the heavy artillery, huh? 571 00:39:11,668 --> 00:39:15,172 Well, honestly, sir, I don't think we can afford to overlook any possibility. 572 00:39:15,673 --> 00:39:17,676 Big name? The biggest possible. 573 00:39:23,684 --> 00:39:26,688 I've never had to go outside the army before. 574 00:39:39,203 --> 00:39:42,708 Why, Col. Mitchell! It's so good to see you again, sir. 575 00:39:42,708 --> 00:39:45,712 You look as well as ever, Mrs. Sturges. Is Congressman Reid in? 576 00:39:45,712 --> 00:39:48,215 Yes, he is. Go right in. Thank you. 577 00:39:49,717 --> 00:39:52,220 Hello, Frank. 578 00:39:52,220 --> 00:39:55,224 Billy! It's about time you showed up. 579 00:39:55,224 --> 00:39:58,228 Well, you finally did it. You kicked 'em where it really hurts. 580 00:39:58,228 --> 00:40:00,230 I'm proud of you. 581 00:40:00,230 --> 00:40:03,735 I hope you're here for the reason I think. Gonna let me handle this? 582 00:40:03,735 --> 00:40:06,238 You're stuck with me. I've been counting on it. 583 00:40:06,238 --> 00:40:10,243 Been preparing since you got in your jam. I'm ready to go to court tomorrow. 584 00:40:10,243 --> 00:40:13,247 Let's see what section they've thrown at you. 585 00:40:13,247 --> 00:40:16,251 I thought so. Article 96, the catch-all clause. 586 00:40:16,251 --> 00:40:20,256 Covers everything from kicking a horse to kissing a sergeant. 587 00:40:20,256 --> 00:40:23,761 "Conduct prejudicial to the good of the service," my eye! 588 00:40:23,761 --> 00:40:25,764 This is the way I see it. 589 00:40:25,764 --> 00:40:29,769 We won't wait for the court-martial to start in on us. We'll open up on them first. 590 00:40:29,769 --> 00:40:34,274 We'll call a press conference, we'll issue a statement, blast the navy out of the water. 591 00:40:34,775 --> 00:40:36,778 Then we'll take on the general staff of the army-- 592 00:40:37,278 --> 00:40:38,780 No, Frank, no. What's the matter? 593 00:40:39,280 --> 00:40:41,784 I don't like it. I don't want it. I won't fight that way. 594 00:40:42,284 --> 00:40:44,788 This is what you've been fighting for all these years-- 595 00:40:45,288 --> 00:40:47,792 a chance to get recognition for the air service, 596 00:40:48,292 --> 00:40:50,796 to tell the people about the importance of air power. 597 00:40:50,796 --> 00:40:53,800 You haven't changed your mind about that, have you? 598 00:40:53,800 --> 00:40:56,804 No, I haven't. I want a new air program and a new air service. 599 00:40:56,804 --> 00:40:59,807 But I don't want to wreck the army to get it, or the navy either. 600 00:40:59,807 --> 00:41:04,814 I don't understand you, Billy. In a fight like this, it's all or nothing. 601 00:41:07,818 --> 00:41:10,822 I don't see it that way. I see. 602 00:41:10,822 --> 00:41:13,825 You want to kick the army in the pants, but do it politely. 603 00:41:13,825 --> 00:41:16,829 All I want is a chance to tell the whole tragic story... 604 00:41:17,329 --> 00:41:18,832 of this country's air defense. 605 00:41:19,332 --> 00:41:20,834 All I want is my day in court. 606 00:41:21,335 --> 00:41:22,837 And that's exactly what you'll get-- 607 00:41:23,337 --> 00:41:25,841 one day, with Gen. James Guthrie as president of the court. 608 00:41:26,341 --> 00:41:27,843 Have you heard about Guthrie? 609 00:41:28,344 --> 00:41:31,347 What do you think I do around Washington, warm a chair? 610 00:41:31,347 --> 00:41:33,350 What can I do? 611 00:41:33,350 --> 00:41:36,855 Challenge him for prejudice and kick him off the cou