1996
On July second, a massive alien spacecraft arrives, deploying destroyers that obliterate major cities after scientist David Levinson deciphers a countdown signal. Survivors, including President Whitmore and Captain Steven Hiller, regroup at Area 51, discovering the aliens are parasitic resource harvesters. David devises a plan to upload a computer virus into the alien mothership, disabling their shields and making them vulnerable. On July fourth, a global counterattack successfully uploads the virus, allowing human forces to destroy the remaining alien destroyers and secure humanity's independence.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Independence Day opens with a looming alien spacecraft over the moon, quickly establishing global panic and military mobilization.
Open full beat sheetConstance Halbrook is listed as Communications Director. Sharp, aggressive, President's advisor. In the parsed data, Constance Halbrook is connected to 11 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
11 scenes / 11 dialogue linesThomas J. Whitmore is listed as President of the United States. Young, idealistic, former Gulf War pilot. In the parsed data, Thomas J. Whitmore is connected to 11 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 6.
11 scenes / 10 dialogue linesDavid Levinson is listed as Cable repairman / Scientist. Brilliant, eccentric, environmentalist. In the parsed data, David Levinson is connected to 10 scenes, 12 dialogue lines, 12 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
10 scenes / 12 dialogue linesSteven Hiller is listed as Marine Corps Captain / Pilot. Confident, skilled pilot, aspiring astronaut. In the parsed data, Steven Hiller is connected to 9 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
9 scenes / 4 dialogue linesGeneral Grey is listed as Commander in Chief U.S. Space Command. Military leader, pragmatic. In the parsed data, General Grey is connected to 8 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
8 scenes / 2 dialogue linesJasmine Dubrow is listed as Exotic dancer. Steve's girlfriend, mother of Dylan. In the parsed data, Jasmine Dubrow is connected to 7 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 13.
7 scenes / 11 dialogue linesMoishe Levinson is listed as David's father. Opinionated, chess-playing retiree. In the parsed data, Moishe Levinson is connected to 7 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 22.
7 scenes / 1 dialogue linesAlbert Nimziki is listed as White House Chief of Staff. Political, hawkish, former NASA head. In the parsed data, Albert Nimziki is connected to 6 scenes, first appearing around scene 6.
6 scenes / 0 dialogue linesDr. Okun is listed as Area 51 Lead Scientist. Hyper-energetic, eccentric researcher. In the parsed data, Dr. Okun is connected to 5 scenes, 11 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
5 scenes / 11 dialogue linesRussell Casse is listed as Crop duster pilot. Alcoholic, claims to have been abducted by aliens. In the parsed data, Russell Casse is connected to 2 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 35.
2 scenes / 3 dialogue linesAn alien craft approaches the moon, casting a shadow over the Apollo landing site.
Technicians at the S.E.T.I. Institute detect a strange signal coming from the moon.
Dr. OkunGeneral Grey is briefed on the massive object slowing down in orbit.
General GreyPresident Whitmore speaks with his wife while his daughter sleeps.
Thomas J. WhitmoreDavid Levinson plays chess with his father Moishe.
David Levinson, Moishe LevinsonPresident Whitmore and his staff discuss the incoming alien threat.
Thomas J. Whitmore, General Grey, Constance Halbrook, Albert NimzikiThe President and his staff witness the alien craft casting a shadow over the White House.
Thomas J. Whitmore, Constance HalbrookSteve wakes up at Jasmine's house and prepares to leave.
Steven Hiller, Jasmine DubrowDavid realizes the alien signal is a countdown to an attack.
David Levinson, Moishe LevinsonThe President addresses the nation while David tries to warn Constance.
Thomas J. Whitmore, Constance Halbrook, David LevinsonDavid arrives at his father's house to get a ride to Washington.
David Levinson, Moishe LevinsonSteve says goodbye to Jasmine and Dylan before leaving for base.
Steven Hiller, Jasmine DubrowJasmine and Dylan escape their car as the wall of destruction approaches, eventually finding shelter in a maintenance alcove.
Jasmine DubrowRussell and Miguel discover Troy is sick from missing his medicine.
Russell CasseCaptain Watson briefs pilots on the counter-attack against the alien craft.
Steven HillerPresident Whitmore and Constance discuss the war and the President's wife.
Thomas J. Whitmore, Constance Halbrook, General GreyDavid gets air sick while Moishe talks to Constance.
David Levinson, Moishe Levinson, Constance HalbrookSteve and Jimmy engage the alien ship, but their missiles are ineffective.
Steven HillerAlien attackers destroy the El Toro base.
Steve lures an alien attacker into the canyon and destroys it, then punches the alien pilot.
Steven HillerJasmine escapes the tunnel in a maintenance truck.
Jasmine DubrowThe President and his staff debate using nuclear weapons against the aliens.
Thomas J. Whitmore, David Levinson, Moishe Levinson, Albert Nimziki, General Grey, Constance HalbrookJasmine rescues the First Lady from a crashed helicopter.
Jasmine DubrowThe President and his team tour the Area 51 facility and see the alien ship.
Thomas J. Whitmore, Dr. Okun, David Levinson, Moishe Levinson, Constance HalbrookJasmine and Margaret discuss their lives and futures while waiting at a camp fire. Dylan joins them.
Jasmine Dubrow, Constance Halbrook, Steven HillerDr. Okun and assistants attempt to examine an alien, which wakes up and attacks.
Dr. Okun, General Grey, Albert Nimziki, Thomas J. WhitmoreSteve steals a transport helicopter.
Steven HillerThe President communicates with the alien through Okun before the military kills it.
Thomas J. Whitmore, Dr. Okun, General Grey, Albert NimzikiDavid and Constance have a tense conversation about the President's decision.
David Levinson, Constance HalbrookSteve and David approach the Mother Ship and prepare to upload the virus.
Steven Hiller, David LevinsonThe President leads the attack squadron toward the alien craft.
Thomas J. Whitmore, General GreyConstance and Mitchell discuss the plan and the safety of the compound.
Constance Halbrook, Albert NimzikiSteve and David dock inside the Mother Ship and upload the virus.
Steven Hiller, David LevinsonRefugees evacuate to the hangar as the alien ship approaches.
Constance Halbrook, Jasmine Dubrow, Moishe Levinson, Albert Nimziki, Dr. OkunRussell arrives in his bi-plane to help the President.
Thomas J. Whitmore, Russell Casse, General GreyWhat was it, Roswell? You had the space ship, the bodies, everything locked up in a bunker, the what is it, Area fifty one. That's it! Area fifty one. You knew and you didn't do nothing!
Funny, it used to scare me when I thought about the future. Guess it doesn't really matter anymore.
Can we negotiate a truce? is there room for co-existance? Can there be peace between us?
I wanted a career. Didn't you ever want to be part of something special?
Do not engage until we've confirmed the package has been delivered.
Can we get some ventilation in here? I can't take this smell.
You can't be seriously considering firing nuclear weapons?
Don't be. I'm not. It's good money. 'Side, he's worth it.
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