“The Soldiers”

Screenplay

By: Brynna Giadrosich

Open Door Productions

In affiliation with
Latta productions

EXT-OUTSIDE-DUSK

MUSIC- EXCITING

MUSIC starts off with the credits over black.

Fade to landscape shots—have a castle-like building in there somewhere. Stock footage, maybe? Camera zooms over grass, still showing beginning credits. As it crests over a hill, a huge battle is seen raging below.

Well-armored medieval soldiers fight bandits. Bandits are dressed with thrown-together outfits of jerkin and helmets with some shoulder guards. There is very little evidence of any other type of protection such as chain mail or shields on the bandits.

Many screams and clashes of swords are ringing trough the field. A few stragglers of bandits can be seen running away from the main fight. Camera goes over the battle below and zooms closer to a man standing atop the hill overlooking the battle. He wears a helmet with two spikes coming off of it like horns. He is covered in armor—and we realize the only well-protected person isn’t even fighting.

Camera pans behind the man to look over the field where he is looking. He is off-center to the right. Another man runs up, filling the space to the left, and the camera is centered between them, covering the battle at the same time.

EXCITING MUSIC STOPS

SOUNDS OF THE BATTLE CAN BE HEARD

ERIK

(out of breath and has blood on his clothes and sword)

Sir! The main line was cut off! We are outnumbered! What are your orders?!

BANDIT LEADER

(Grabs ERIK by the collar)

Swine! You dare suggest that we give up?! I thought I had a troop of brave men, but it seems that I am ordering a group of cowards!

ERIK

(Stuttering rapidly)

S-sir, n-n-no sir! I w-would n-never suggest g-giving up s-sir!

(throws an awkward salute, as the BANDIT LEADER still has him by the collar)

BANDIT LEADER

(Spits to the side)

Pah, worthless dog!

(throws ERIK to the ground roughly)

Go back to the battle, and the next person that approaches me better have news that we won!

ERIK almost falls down the hill in his haste to get back to the battle. The title “THE SOLDIERS” appears on screen. The camera follows him down the hill, but then leaves him as he rejoins the fray.

CUT

Camera is HANDHELD at this point. It dodges through the crowd, then centers in on one soldier who is fighting against bandits. The soldier’s eyes are set and determination is obvious as he faces against the bandits who have surrounded him.

He wears a light brown tunic with chainmail underneath and black pants. A worn-out breastplate covers the front of him, but it is a bit rusted in spots, indicating he might be a little short for money. He swings a sword, and a small round shield is attached to his back. A pouch hangs off his broad belt, but does not get in the way. Sturdy boots round off his outfit.

All bandits charge as one towards the soldier, who leaps forward, surprising them. The soldier yanks the shield off his back in the same move, knocking BANDIT #1 to the ground, stabbing him through in a silent thrust. BANDIT #2 approaches from the right side, lifting his axe to bring down on the soldier, who sidesteps swiftly, swinging his sword at BANDIT #2 and #3 at the same time in a half-circle.

The fight continues until the last bandit is stabbed through the stomach. He is not killed instantly.

All fighting sounds fade. No sound is heard except for the soldier’s heavy breathing and the surprised gasping of BANDIT #5. The bandit grabs the blade jutting from his middle and steps back a pace, startling the soldier, who lets go of the blade’s hilt. Sound is focused only on the soldier’s breathing, which grows heavier as he watches the man die.

As BANDIT #5 dies, sounds cut very suddenly back into existence. The fighting sounds are more in the distance, and for now, the soldier is safe. He reaches out to flip the bandit over. The eyes are open, and the soldier yanks his gaze away from the sight.

The soldier’s hair hangs in front of his eyes. It is matted with sweat and blood. The soldier yanks his sword out of the stomach of the bandit and stands up slowly, leaning on the sword for support.

Footsteps are heard behind him, and he turns quickly, pulling a dagger out of his boot. But then he straightens quickly and salutes, still breathing heavily and shaking.

MUSIC- SAD

His CAPTAIN stands before him. The captain’s face is dirty and stained as well.

CAMERA goes back to steadicam.

THE CAPTAIN

What’s troubling you, Brian?

BRIAN

In all honesty sir…

(glances away)

…permission to speak freely?

THE CAPTIAIN

Permission granted, private.

BRIAN

Sir, we outnumbered the bandits nearly ten to one. We’ve already occupied most of their desert bases and pushed them away from the settlers. They have nowhere else to run. Must we continue fighting?

THE CAPTAIN

(shakes head)

Attacking us wasn’t a good idea, and it wasn’t a battle they could win, but they deserved everything they received today. They are thieves and murderers. Hopefully, what’s left of them will change their ways, but until then, we have to protect this land and its citizens.

(looks at Brian closely)

Whatever problems you’re having with the morality of this, don’t. We saved the lives of innocents today, even if we couldn’t save all of them. You did your part and did it well; for that I commend you. And that’s all you need to concern yourself with.

BRIAN

(looks at dead bandit who died slowly)

I killed that man.

(Looks up at THE CAPTAIN.)

I killed people.

THE CAPTIAN

(harshly)

That’s enough of that, private. They were trained to kill all their lives. The simple fact that you survived is an accomplishment. If you’ve ever done battle with a man or monster before today, you’d know that there is no difference between them and the people we fought when they have the same goal: to kill you first.

(scratches chin)

What you are doing is right, and you must recognize that. We both took an oath that said we would follow orders given and to do whatever was in our power to protect this land, every bit of it.

(Looks out over the land. Sun is casting late shadows over everything.)

I trust men who tread where I tread and risk what I risk.

BRIAN

(nods head)

Distant voice calls out to the captain, who stands up and turns, acknowledging the call by lifting his hand up to the off-screen speaker.

CAPTAIN starts to walk away from BRIAN. Camera pans to walk in front of the captain, facing him, and the silhouette of Brian can be seen standing.

MUISC FADES

BRIAN

Sir? With this entire battle over with now, can things go back to the way they were?

CAPTAIN

(stops mid-stride and pauses for a moment)

Can you?

CAMERA stays still as the captain walks off-screen. Brian stays where his is.

GENERAL MACE (V.O.)

We need to assign more troops from the King’s Army…

CUT

INT. WAR ROOM-DAY

Two men are huddled over a map in the middle of a small room. It is sparsely furnished, but a plethora of scrolls and books scatter the room. A tall man with a mustache—General Mace—and his advisor, a small man, stand over the map. This is a much safer location than the battle. Flat lighting and washed out colors.

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE WILL TAKE THE CAMERA AROUND THE ROOM IN ONE EXTENDED STEADICAM SHOT.

GENERAL MACE

…in the upper regions of the Kingdom. Our numbers are growing thinner. Bandits are going to attack there any day now, and I don’t want them getting through to the middle of the Kingdom.

ADVISOR

Yes, this war has depleted our army somewhat, General Mace.

GENERAL MACE

We need someone to take the message to the King. We need reinforcements badly. Go find a group from the post recommendations for the day, Advisor.

As ADVISOR leaves with a quick nod to the general, a stout man with a large belly comes in.

CUT TO:

GENERAL MACE (CLOSE-UP)

(sighs)

This war is going on far too long. Ever since the bandits attacked us, we’ve been fighting to keep them at bay. How can they not be beaten yet?

ADVISOR enters holding a scroll. He hands it to the GENERAL who looks at it for a few moments, walking around the room. He nods and snaps it shut.

GENERAL MACE

You have chosen well, Advisor. Send three of Captain Sean’s men to the King with the message.

CUT TO:

INT. BUNK ROOM-NIGHT

STEADICAM shots. The camera pans down a line of bunk beds where sleeping soldiers are snoring. The camera continues down the aisle until we get to the next-to-last bunk. Brian sleeps there. As we close in, he awakens suddenly, sweating.

He sits up, breathing heavily. It is obvious he has had a nightmare. He wipes a hand through his messy hair.

A noise from the next bunk over catches his attention, and Brian turns to see a soldier sitting up. This is his brother, NATHAN.

NATHAN

(whispering)

Still can’t sleep, Brian?

(swings legs over side of the bed to face him)

BRIAN

(shakes head and lays down on his back with his hands behind his head)

It’s that same dream. I can’t seem to get it out of my head. It keeps coming back to me, over and over. It’s just a threatening presence.

NATHAN

(tilting head to one side)

Nothing new at all? No clues, no hints as to what it could be? Can you even tell me what it looks like? I mean, I am your brother, maybe we can figure it out together.

BRIAN

(closes eyes)

No, it’s just a shadow.

NATHAN

(flops back down onto the bed)

It’ll be okay. I’m sure it’s just a dream.

BRIAN

(after a moment)

Sure.

(hears Nathan fall back to sleep with snores)

Just a dream.

CUT TO BLACK

MUSIC- LIGHTHEARTED CAMP MUSIC

Metal spatula is heard being hit against a metal pot. Loudly.

CUT TO:

INT. BUNK ROOM-MORNING

Light fades in slowly. Groans can be heard through the bunk room as the soldiers are rudely awakened from their slumber. Brian slowly gets up and sees Nathan is already gone. Brian pulls on his nearby tunic over his undershirt. He is already wearing his pants.

The camera follows him outside the tent.