Apocalipsis Now Ingles

8/14/2019 Apocalipsis Now Ingles

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APOCALYPSE NOW

Screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola

Produced by Francis Ford Coppola

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Michael Herr

John Milius

Cast List:

Marlon Brando Colonel Kurtz

o!ert "u#all Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore

Martin Sheen Captain Willard

Frederic Forrest Chef

Al!ert Hall Chief

Sa$ Botto$s Lance

Laurence Fish!urne Clean

"ennis Hopper Photojournalist

Harrison Ford Colonel

P%ME&AL SWAMP ' EALY "AWN

It is very early in the dawn – blue light filters through the jungle and across a foul swamp. A mist

clings to the trees. This could be the jungle of a million years ago.

Our VIEW !VES CL!SE" , through the mist, #IL#I$% D!W$ to the tepid water. A small

bubble rises to the surface; then another. uddenly, but !uietly, a form begins to emerge; a

helmet. "ater and mud pour off revealing a set of beady eyes just above the mud. #rinted on a

helmet, in a psychedelic hand, are the words$ %&oo' (iller.% The head emerges revealing that the

tough)loo'ing soldier beneath has e*ceptionally long hair and beard; he has no shirt on, only

bandoliers of ammunition – his body is painted in an odd camouflage pattern. +e loo's to the

right; he loo's to the left; he loo's I$#! C&E"& , and slowly sin's bac' into the swamp,

disappearing completely.

Our VIEW '!LDS , "e begin to 'E&" natural, though unrecogniable ()$%LE S!)$DS , far

off in the distance. "e P&$ #! "EVE&L a clump of logs half submerged in the swamp; and part

of what seems to be a -alstaff beer can in the mud. A hand reaches out, and the beer candisappears. As we #IL# )P , we $!#ICE that the log is hollow and houses the rear of a )/0

machine gun, hand painted in a paisley design.



1ow the VIEW !VES &W&*+ &C"!SS the ancient growth, P&S# the glimmer of what seems

to be another soldier hiding in ambush, wearing an e*otic hat made from birds and bushes.

&C"!SS to a dar' trail where the legs of those in blac' pajamas move silently across our ever

#I%'#E$I$% VIEW. Their feet, boots and sandals leave no impression; ma'e no sound. A slight

flic'er of light reveals a pair of eyes in the foliage across the path, waiting and watching.

The VIEW P)S'ES &L!$% WI#' the 2ietnamese, !VI$% ,&S#E" &$D ,&S#E" WI#' them, until suddenly, directly in front about ten feet away, an enormous &E"IC&$ clad in rags

and bushes and holding a 34 gauge automatic shotgun casually at his side, steps in front of them.

+e smiles laconically, and 56AT O7T ,IVE S'!#S that rip #'"!)%' )S. 5y the second

shot, the whole jungle blaes out with &)#!&#IC ,I"E.

Out VIEW #)"$S as the men around us are thrown and torn, screaming and scattering into the

jungle. ore &E"IC&$S appear; une*plainably, out of the growth. It is now that we fully SEE

the biarre manner in which they are dressed. ome wear helmets, others wear strange hats made

from feathers and parts of animals. ome of them have long savage)loo'ing hair; other crew)cut

or completely shaved; they wear bandoliers, fla' jac'ets, shorts and little else. They wear

ontagnard sandals or no shoes at all, and their bodies and faces are painted in biarre

camouflage patterns. They appear one with the jungle and mist, ,I"I$% I$#! )S as they move.

The soldier we saw earlier emerges from the swamp, dripping mud, his &C'I$E %)$

-L&S#I$% ,I"E.

"e begin to move !uic'ly with one 2ietnamese, breathlessly running for his life; we !VE I$#!the jungle with him, only to be impaled on a large spear of a smiling &E"IC&$ painted and

wearing feathers li'e an Indian. !)" VIEW ,&LLS WI#' him to the ground, S#&"I$%)PW&"DS , as ,L&E and E.PL!DI$% )D scatter above us. en scream and die around

us. The screams amid the %)$,I"E and E.PL!SI!$S are piercing and terrible, as though the

jungle itself is frightened.

An &E"IC&$ wearing a jungle hat with a large #eace ign on it, wearing war paint, bends

TO"A89 7, reaching down #!W&"D )S with a large 'nife, preparing to scalp the dead.

!)" VIEW !VES &W&* , along with the running sandals of a 2ietnamese soldier, !VI$%,&S#E" &$D ,&S#E" , only to be stopped by still another of the savage)loo'ing &E"IC&$S

with primitive ornamentation, wearing only a loin)cloth and green beret. +e opens his flame)

thrower directly !$ )S and the 12A soldier and we are incinerated in flame, bright psychedelic

orange)red flame. Outrageous, loud, electric 8O:( 7I: !VE"W'ELS the

S!)$D#"&CK $

MA%N (%(LE:

)APOCALYPSE NOW)

(%(LE SE*+ENCE

The C"EDI# #I#LES proceed as the ,L&$E C!$S)E )S , growing more intense, brighter,

more vivid, purifying; transforming into an intense white heat that we can barely loo' at, li'e the

sun itself.

Then it E.PL!DES , brea'ing apart, and shattering once again. It begins to cool, as the #I#LES

C!$#I$)E. It is as though WE &"E !VI$% through the white center of cooling flame,

forming a spinning web, and becoming more distant. The #I#LES C!$#I$)E.

"e are !VI$% #!W&"D planetary nebulae; !VI$% through the stars; !VI$% closer to

the arth. "e can -&"EL* 'E&" the )SIC now.

"e !VE CL!SE" to the earth; beautiful, covered in clouds, as though SEE$ from a satellite.

The #I#LES C!$#I$)E.



"e are !VI$% CL!SE" to the earth; through the soft clouds, close enough that we can

&KE !)# the "estern +emisphere; CL!SE" to 1orth America; CL!SE" , to America, then

:alifornia; 6os Angeles, S#ILL CL!SE" to the odd, finger)li'e shapes of $

E,(- MA%NA "EL EY

The VIEW finally SE##LES O1 a partically lu*ury cabin cruiser harbored at a particular doc'

late in the day.

It is large, pleasure boat$ The people are rela*ing in bathing suits and towels and robes. They are

drin'ing coc'tails, and snapping pictures. The boat belongs to the head of a large American

:orporation, and this is his party. This man, C'&"LIE , is sitting, his shirt off to catch some of

the late sun. Others have their faces smeared with white suntan oil that reminds us of war paint.

:harlie is going on and on $

CHAL%E

--- %t.s cra/0 ' su1ar is up to 233 dollars a ton ' su1ar4

LAWYE

What a!out oil5

CHAL%E

Food6 oil ' loo76 let $e sho8 0ou so$ethin1- (his is the

econo$0 o9 the +nited States in t8o 0ears '

+e ta'es a newspaper, draws a circle.

CHAL%E

<continuing=

(his is West er$an0-

<he draws another, bigger circle=(his is Japan-

<another , bigger=

(his is %tal0-

<a dot=

(his is %ran-

<a very big circle=

And this is Saudi Ara!ia--- %n t8o 0ears5

<a gigantic circle=

"o 0ou understand5

ACCO+N(AN(

What.s to pre#ent it5

CHAL%E

Ma0!e nothin1- But %.ll tell 0ou6 % didn.t !uild a t8o;!illion;

dollar co$pan0 in the last t8ent0 0ears !0 doin1 nothin1-

We can protect our interests-

<pause, for a drin'=

We are still the $ost po8er9ul nation in the 8orld-

Militaril0-

+e leans to his associates, in a half)whisper.

CHAL%E

<continuing=

You 7no8 !od01uard< he 8as a captain in &iet Na$- You

tal7 to hi$6 e=cept he 8on.t tal7- (his 7ind o9 $an can 7ill

0ou 8ith his pin70- A nice >uiet 9ella6 thou1h-



The VIEW -E%I$S #! P)LL &W&* from this group.

CHAL%E

<continuing=

Carries a attach? case at all ti$es- You 7no8 8hat.s in it5

<another sip=An %n1ra$ Machine pistol-

&radually, :harlie>s voice softens as we !VE &W&* , and a $EW V!ICE , the voice of

someone thin'ing, C!ES I$ !VE" it $

CHAL%E W%LLA" @&-O-

% don.t ta7e chances6 and Bullshit- You can 7ill neither

should this countr0- With the rid1e o9 0our i9 8e.re stron16

8e should hand to the throat< 0ou protect our interests6 and

can crush a s7ull 8ith 8e should ha#e the respect 0our

7nee--- !ut 0ou o9 the 8orld6 e#en i9 it can.t 7ill an0!od0

8ith ta7es another 8ar6 0our pin70-

The VIEW !VE &L!$% the guests of this small party$ #ictures being ta'en, some people are

swimming. It is the good life. 1ow WILL&"D/S V!ICE #"&CK D!I$&#ES.

W%LLA" @&-O-

(he attach? case has !een e$pt0 9or three 0ears6 !ut it

$a7es hi$ sa9e to thin7 there.s a $achine pistol in it- %

don.t li7e auto$atic 8eapons- (he0 a$- % sa8 a 9riend o9

$ine 1et ripped open !ecause he 9lic7ed his M;D to

auto$atic6 and it a$$ed- Ho8 $uch $one0 did the

contractors $a7e on the M;D5

Our VIEW IS !VI$% through the people on the boat; some reading, flirting, drin'ing.

W%LLA" @&-O-

<continuing=

He li7es to hear stories a!out Na$- % tell hi$ % can.t<

the0.re not cleared- (he truth is he 8ouldn.t understand-

"e can now SEE a &$ with his -&CK #! )S , loo'ing the opposite way. An attach? case

resting near to him. "e !VE CL!SE" .

W%LLA" @&-O-

<continuing=

(here.s no 8a0 % can tell the$--- 8hat reall0 happened o#er

there- % 8ouldn.t.#e !elie#ed it i9 so$eone.d told $e-

"e are now "ES#I$% on his bac'. Occasionally, he sips from a beer, but we cannot see his face.

W%LLA" @&-O-

<continuing=

(here 8as onl0 one part that $attered ' 9or $e6 an08a0- %

don.t e#en 7no8 i9 % re$e$!er all o9 it- % can.t re$e$!er

ho8 it ended6 e=actl0 ' !ecause 8hen it ended % 8as insane-

"%SSOL&E (O:

E,(- A S(EE( %N SA%ON ' "AY

A aigon boom street in late 3@/. There are bars and shops for servicemen; the ric'shaws, the

motorbi'es. Our VIEW !VES #!W&"D one particular officer; -0L0 WILL&"D , in uniform, a



:aptain of the Airborne, followed by four or five 2ietnamese 'ids trying to shine his shoes and sell

him things.

W%LLA" @&-O-

But % 7no8 ho8 it started 9or $e ' % 8as on - and - in

Sai1on< $0 9irst ti$e south o9 the "M in three $onths- %

8asn.t sure6 !ut % thou1ht this 1u0 8as 9ollo8in1 $e-

"illard loo's bac'.

H%S &%EW

An American CIVILI&$.

ME"%+M &%EW

"illard duc's into a bar.

%N(- (HE SA%ON BA ' "AY

1ot much in this place – a bar, linoleum flooring, a few tables and chairs, and a ju'e bo*. The

lounge is fairly crowded. "illard ta'es off his cap and wal's !uietly past the soldiers at the bar.

ome of them, catching sight of his ribbons, stop tal'ing as he moves by.

An I$,&$#"* C&P#&I$ enters the bar, buys a couple of drin's and approaches "illard>s

table.

CAP(A%N

Ho8 a!out a drin75

W%LLA"

Sure6 than7s-

+e sits down at the table with the drin's.

CAP(A%N

Winnin1 the 8ar !0 0oursel9-

W%LLA"

<he calls for the waiter=

Part-

CAP(A%NWhich part is that5

W%LLA"

M0 part-

<to the waiter=

Beer6 8ith ice and 8ater-

CAP(A%N

(hat.s 1ood 1in-

W%LLA"

%.$ sure it is6 !ut % had hepatitis-

CAP(A%N

"elta5



W%LLA"

No-

CAP(A%N

North5

W%LLA"

Yeah- Wa0 north-

CAP(A%N

What unit 8ere 0ou 8ith5

W%LLA"

None-

CAP(A%N

an1ers6 eh5

W%LLA"Sort o9-

The ()KE -!. starts -L&"I$%. Annoyed , "illard loo's over his shoulder.

CAP(A%N

Were 0ou Lon1e an1e econ '

W%LLA"

No ' % 8or7ed too 9ar north 9or LP-

+e reaches into his shirt poc'et for a cigarette, and the :aptain leans over the table to light it for

him. "illard notices the CIVILI&$ on the street has glanced in the bar, then enters and sits down

at a table by the doorway.

CAP(A%N

(hat.s >uite an arra0 o9 ri!!ons---

W%LLA"

Let.s tal7 a!out 0ou-

CAP(A%N

% 8as an FO 9or the 2th-

W%LLA"

(rac7s5

CAP(A%N

Yeah-

W%LLA"

Fat- (hat.s real 9at-

CAP(A%N

So$eti$es-

W%LLA"

At least 0ou al8a0s ha#e enou1h 8ater- Ho8 $an0 1allons

does each one o9 those da$n thin1s carr05

CAP(A%N

(hirt0 ' so$eti$es 9i9t0-



W%LLA"

You 7no86 % can re$e$!er once6 1ettin1 !ac7 !elo8 the

"M ' and the 9irst A$ericans 8e ran into 8ere a trac7

s>uadron- % ust couldn.t !elie#e ho8 $uch 8ater the0 had-

We.d !een che8in1 !a$!oo shoots 9or al$ost a 8ee76 and

!e9ore that6 9or t8o 8ee7s6 8e.d !een drin7in1 an0thin1 'rain 8ater6 ri#er shit6 stu99 ri1ht out o9 the paddies- And

there 8ere these 1u0s standin1 !0 their truc7s spillin1

8ater all o#er- % could.#e 7illed the$-

<solemnly=

% s8ear to od % 8ould ha#e6 too6 i9---

CAP(A%N

% didn.t 7no8 8e had units up there in North &ietna$-

W%LLA"

We do-

CAP(A%NHo8 lon1 8ere 0ou up there5

W%LLA"

A lon1 ti$e-

CAP(A%N

A 0ear5 Waiter another !eer-

W%LLA"

% 1o up on $issions- Listen Captain6 !u0 $e all the !eer 0ou

8ant6 !ut 0ou !etter tell that asshole o#er there 0ou.re not

1oin1 to 9ind out an0$ore a!out $e-

"illard glances over his shoulder and indicates the :ivilian. The :ivilian is given a sign by the

:aptain. +e rises and comes over to the bar.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

What do 0ou 8ant5

C%&%L%AN

<indicating the Army jeep=%9 0ou.re B-L- Willard6 Gth econ roup6 8e.d li7e 0ou to

co$e 8ith us-

W%LLA"Whose orders5

CAP(A%N

Head>uarters Corps ' G3th A-S-A Battalion ' S;2 '

Co$;Sec ' %ntelli1ence ' Nha (ran1-

W%LLA"

Who are 0ou5

C%&%L%AN

(he a1enc0-

"illard loo's at the :ivilian a moment, and then wal's right out toward the jeep without saying

another word. The :ivilian follows.



E,(- HEL%COP(E ' "+S

A dar'ly painted % ')E*% "!&"S over low paddies and jungle before emerging onto an open

plain. It crosses a barbed wire and sand)bagged perimeter and lands in a heavily fortified,

concealed compound.

W%LLA" @&-O-

(he0 too7 $e to so$e place outside Nha (ran1---

%ntelli1ence Head>uarters 9or all operations in South East

Asia- %.d 8or7ed 9or %ntelli1ence !e9ore '

Armed men jump from the +uey – among them "illard. A large camouflaged cover is moved,

revealing an underground corridor – they enter.

F+LL SHO( ' +N"EO+N" PLO((%N OOM

A door swings wide – "illard steps through and comes to attention, bloc'ing the view of the room.

A strange reddish light pervades. The room is covered with plastic maps and filled with smo'e.

The whole place has been hewn out of the ground itself and there is a sense of the cut)bac' jungle

growth slowly reclaiming it.

W%LLA"

Captain B-L- Willard6 ;G Head>uarters6 reportin1 as

ordered6 sir-

COLONEL @O-S-

O7a06 Willard6 sit do8n-

"illard sits in a chair that is set in a center of a bare concrete floor. Across from him, around

steel des's and tables sit several men. The nearest one, a C!L!$EL puts his cigar out on thebottom of his shoe – behind him sits a &(!" and a seedy)loo'ing CIVILI&$.

COLONEL

Ha#e 0ou e#er seen this o99icer !e9ore6 Captain Willard5

+e points to the ajor.

W%LLA"

No6 sir-

COLONEL

(his 1entle$an or $0sel95

W%LLA"

No6 sir-

COLONEL

% !elie#e on 0our last o! 0ou e=ecuted a ta= collector in

ontu$6 is that ri1ht5

W%LLA"

% a$ not presentl0 disposed to discuss that6 sir-

MAJO

&er0 1ood-

+e turns to the :olonel and nods his approval. The :olonel gets up and goes to a large plastic

map.



COLONEL

You 7no8 $uch a!out Special Forces< reen Berets6

Captain5

W%LLA"

%.#e 8or7ed 8ith the$ on occasions and % sa8 the $o#ie 6sir-

The officer smiles at this.

COLONEL

(hen 0ou can appreciate Co$$and.s concern o#er their '

shall 8e sa0 .erratic. $ethods o9 operation-

<pause=

% ha#e ne#er 9a#ored elite units6 Captain6 includin1 0our

paratroopers or 8hate#er- Just !ecause a $an u$ps out o9

an airplane or 8ears a sill0 hat doesn.t 1i#e hi$ an0

pri#ile1es in $0 !oo7 ' not in this $an.s ar$0-

MAJO

We didn.t need .e$ in orea ' no sir6 1i#e $e an Ohio 9ar$

!o0 and an M; arand6 none o9 this 9anc0 crap ' no sir-

C%&%L%AN

<stopping him=

Maor-

COLONEL

We ha#e Special Forces A detach$ents all alon1 the

Ca$!odian !order- (8o here and another one here '

t8el#e or 9ourteen A$ericans ' prett0 $uch on their o8n<

the0 train and $oti#ate Monta1nard nati#es< pic7 theiro8n operations- %9 the0 need so$ethin16 the0 call 9or it6

and 1et it 8ithin reason- What 8e.re concerned 8ith is

here-

CLOSE &%EW ' ON (HE MAP

COLONEL

(he A detach$ent at Nu Mun1 Ba- %t 8as ori1inall0 a

lar1er !ase6 !uilt up alon1 the ri#er in an old Ca$!odian

9ortress- (he area has !een relati#el0 >uiet 9or the past t8o

0ears ' !ut '

ME"%+M &%EW

COLONEL

--- Captain6 8e 7no8 so$ethin1.s 1oin1 on up there ' Maor

'

The ajor loo's at some papers in front of him.

MAJO

Co$$unications naturall0 d8indled 8ith the lac7 o9 &-C-

acti#it06 this is routine6 e=pected--- !ut si= $onths a1o

co$$unication #irtuall0 stopped-

COLONEL



A!out the sa$e ti$e ' lar1e nu$!ers o9 Monta1nards o9

the M.Non1 descent !e1an lea#in1 the area ' this in itsel9 is

not unusual since these people ha#e 9ou1ht 8ith the hade

(ri!e that li#ed in the area 9or centuries- But 8hat is

unusual is that 8e !e1an to 9ind hade re9u1ees too ' in the

sa$e sa$pans as the M.Non1s- (hese people aren.t a9raid

o9 &-C- (he0.#e put up 8ith 8ar 9or t8ent0 0ears ' !utso$ethin1 is dri#in1 the$ out-

MAJO

We co$$unicate 8ith the !ase in9re>uentl0- What the0

call 9or are air stri7es6 i$$ediate ' al8a0s at ni1ht- And 8e

don.t 7no8 8hat or 8ho the air stri7es are called on-

W%LLA"

Who5

MAJO

You see6 no one has reall0 1one into this area and co$e

!ac7 ali#e-

W%LLA"

Wh0 $e5

MAJO

Walter urt/6 Lieutenant Colonel6 Special Forces- We

understand 0ou 7ne8 hi$-

+e puts (urt> dossier in "illard>s hand.

W%LLA"

Yeah-

COLONEL

He.s co$$andin1 the detach$ent at Nu Mun1 Ba-

The :olonel gets up and wal's over to a tape recorder, flic's it on. The recording is first S#&#IC

– the &I" C!$#"!LLE" then as's for more information on target coordinates – it all sounds

very routine, military. Then a frantic V!ICE comes on, tal'ing slurred, li'e someone dumb,

e*cept very fast.

&O%CE

<on tape=

+p 2 ' 3 ' 1i#e it to $e >uic7 ' Mar7 9lare ' a99ir$ati#e

da$n ' %$$ediate recei#e ' hearin1 auto$atic 8eapons

9ire $an---

%)$,I"E is 'E&"D and a lower, slower V!ICE in bac'ground.

SECON" &O%CE

Blue "elta 9i#e (his Bi1 hine ' three Need that ordinance

i$$ediatel0 odda$n 1i#e it to $e i$$ediate Christ ' Bi1

hino ' Blue od ' "elta da$n ' 1odda$n-

A heavy -)"S# of &)#!&#IC WE&P!$S ,I"E – I$S&$E L&)%'#E" – S#&#IC , and

faintly, very faintly we 'E&" '&"D "!CK )SIC – more S#&#IC – suddenly a low, clear

V!ICE peaceful and serene, almost tasting the words.

(H%" &O%CE

(his is Bi1 hino si= ' Blue "elta-



MAJO

(hat.s Colonel urt/-

+( @&-O-

% 8ant that napal$ dropped in the trees ' spread it a$on1

the !ranches- We.ll 1i#e 0ou a 9lare ' an oran1e one '

!ri1ht oran1e-<static=

We.d also li7e so$e 8hite phosporous6 Blue "elta- White

phosporous6 1i#e it to $e-

S#&#IC interrupts – the ajor turns the machine off.

W%LLA"

% onl0 $et urt/ once-

C%&%L%AN

Would he re$e$!er 0ou5

W%LLA"Ma0!e-

COLONEL

What 8as 0our i$pression o9 hi$5

"illard shrugs.

C%&%L%AN

You didn.t li7e hi$-

W%LLA"

An0one 1ot a ci1arette-

The ajor offers him one; they wait as he lights up, thin's.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

% thou1ht he 8as a la$e-

COLONEL

A la$e5

W%LLA"

(his is 0ears a1o6 !e9ore he oined Special Forces6 % 1uess-

We had an ar1u$ent-

COLONEL

A!out 8hat5

W%LLA"

% don.t 7no8- He 8as a la$e6 that.s all-

COLONEL

But 8h05

W%LLA"

He couldn.t 1et throu1h a sentence 8ithout all these !i1

8ords< a!out 8h0 8e 7ill-

COLONEL

Well6 he.s 7illin1 no8-



W%LLA"

Ma0!e-

C%&%L%AN

What does that $ean5

W%LLA"

Ma0!e it.s not urt/- % don.t !elie#e he.s capa!le o9 that- %

ust don.t !elie#e it-

COLONEL

%t.s 1ot to !e urt/-

C%&%L%AN

(he point is that urt/ or so$e!od0 attac7ed a South

&ietna$ese an1er Platoon three da0s a1o- Last 8ee7 a

econ helicopter 8as lost in the area ' another too7 hea#0

da$a1e ' direct 9ire 9ro$ their !ase ca$p-

W%LLA"

Our econ 9li1ht5

C%&%L%AN

Ours-

W%LLA"

(ouch0-

C%&%L%AN

You can see6 o9 course6 the i$plications6 i9 an0 o9 this ' e#en

ru$ors lea7ed out-

W%LLA"

You 8ant $e to clean it up ' si$ple and >uiet-

C%&%L%AN

E=actl0 ' 0ou.ll 1o up the Nun1 i#er in a Na#0 P-B-- '

appear at Nu Mun1 Ba as i9 !0 accident6 re;esta!lish 0our

ac>uintance 8ith Colonel urt/6 9ind out 8hat.s happened

' and 8h0- (hen ter$inate his co$$and-

W%LLA"

(er$inate5

C%&%L%AN(er$inate 8ith e=tre$e preudice-

F+LL &%EW ' ON (HE "EL(A

A waterway leading out to the ocean – it is bro'en and divided into hundreds of channels, islands,

water farms.

A 1avy patrol boat <#.5.8.= is waiting by a doc' area. This is small, light craft, very fast, and

heavily armed. Its men stand at attention in a small and simple military ceremony. "illard

approaches them in battle)dress$ Tiger suit, full field pac', forty)five, helmet, )3/. The boat

commander salutes "illard.

ME"%+M &%EW



"e hear the introductions faintly, )$DE" "illard>s V!ICE.

W%LLA" @&-O-

% $et the P-B-- cre8< the0 8ere prett0 $uch all 7ids6

e=cept 9or Phillips6 the Chie9 ' unner.s Mate (hird Class

L- Johnson ' Lance Johnson< unner.s Mate (hird Class J-Hic7s ' (he Che9 ' adio Operator Second Class (- Miller<

the0 called hi$ Mr- Clean-

W%LLA"

Chie96 tr0 to 7eep out o9 8here 8e.re 1oin1 ' Wh0 8e.re

1oin. and 8hat.s 1onna !e the !i1 surprise-

CH%EF

All ri1ht 8ith $e6 % used to dri#e a ta=i-

W%LLA"

Let.s 1o-

The :hief nods. They all brea' formation and jump aboard and otherwise go about their wor'.

The twin diesels 'ic' up – and t he boat moves away from the doc'. The :hef jumps aboard;

6ance mans the forward twin fifty)caliber machine guns – they wave to the guards on the doc' and

move away into the comple*ity that leads to the ocean.

"%SSOL&E (O:

F+LL &%EW ' S(OMY SEA

The boat slams through the heavy sea ; hurtling off the top of a wave and crashing full into the

trough of another.

ME"%+M SHO( ' BOA( COCP%( ' W%LLA" AN" CH%EF

"illard holds on to whatever he can – he loo's very pale. "ater crashes over the bow and

drenches everyone. The :hief mans the wheel and the E$%I$ES W'I$E. 6ance climbs bac'

from his position. +e loo's at "illard, who just stares ahead into space, swallowing.

"%SSOL&E (O:

LON SHO( ' BOA( ' "+S

The dus' is spectacular through the bro'en storm clouds – the sea is calm again.

"%SSOL&E (O:

&%EW ON (HE BOA( ' POCEE"%N +P (HE COAS(

The :hief is at the helm – "illard approaches him.

CH%EF

(he "elta closes o99 to us a!out ten $iles out o9 Hau Fat-

We.ll !e a!le to pic7 up so$e supplies ' !it % thin7 there

are onl0 t8o points 8e can dra8 enou1h 8ater to 1et into

the Nun1 i#er- %t.s all Charlie.s tur9 9ro$ there on out-



W%LLA"

We.re 1onna ha#e so$e help to 1et in the ri#er- You 7no8

these 8aters6 Chie95

CH%EF

.Bout si= $onths a1o % too7 a $an up to Lo Mun1 Brid1e-

He 8as re1ular Ar$0 too- Shot hi$sel9 in the head- %!rou1ht his !od0 !ac7 do8n-

W%LLA"

Shot hi$sel9- What 9or5

CH%EF

Beats $e ' the sun 8as too $uch 9or hi$6 or the $ud- Who

7no8s5

#ause, loo'ing at "illard.

CLOSE SHO( ' ON W%LLA"

uddenly, his attention is diverted – there is a slow buffeting, as if the air around them is being

suc'ed out and replaced !uic'ly. The boat sha'es slightly. There is a distant "!LLI$% $!ISE

li'e interrupted thunder. All the men have stopped whatever they>re doing – stand up and loo' out

toward the shore and the green jungle hills beyond. The buffeting and $!ISE C!$#I$)ES –

they all stand silently – suddenly it stops.

W%LLA"

Arch li1ht-

CHEF

% hate that ' E#er0 ti$e % hear that noise so$ethin1 terri!le

happens-

CH%EF

An0!od0 see so$e s$o7e5

CLEAN

(oo 9ar inland-

LANCE

(here the0 are-

+e points up to the s'y.

F+LL SHO( ' ON (HE SY

"ay up – past any clouds and barely discernible, we SEE the blac' silhouettes of four 5)B4

bombers, their vapor trails streaming white against the dar' blue s'y.

CLEAN

Charlie don.t e#er hear .e$- Not till it.s too late ' don.t

ha#e to hit 0ou neither6 concussion.ll do it 9or a >uarter

$ile or !etter- Burst 0our ears ' suc7 the air outta 0our

lun1s-

F+LL SHO( ' BOA( ' CEW



They are loo'ing up. "illard sits down, unconcerned. +e ta'es out the dossier given him by

:omec. +e flips through the letters and other documents.

W%LLA" @&-O-

(he dossier on A detach$ent had letters 9ro$ urt/. 8i9e

and the 8i#es and 9a$ilies o9 his $en- All as7in1 8here to

send 9uture $ail6 understandin1 the necessar0 silence dueto the nature o9 their 8or7 ' None o9 the $en had 8ritten

ho$e in hal9 a 0ear-

Occasionally, in the b.g., we ,EEL the terrifying buffeting of the distant -123 -!-I$%.

CLOSE ' ON W%LLA"

tudying, e*amining a report.

MON(AE ' P%C(+ES OF +(

(urt> face evolves through the various stages of his career as represented in the pictures in the

dossier, as "illard reads$

W%LLA" @&-O-

Lieutenant urt/ has sho8n a dedicated and 8ell;

disciplined spirit- He is a 9ine o99icer6 co$!inin1 $ilitar0

e99icienc0 ' 8ith a !road !ac71round in the Hu$anities6

the Arts and Sciences---

Another picture of (urt in &ermany, standing ne*t to the 3/3st #etroleum upply &roup sign.

W%LLA" @&-O-

<continuing=--- He #ie8s his $ilitar0 career as the dedication o9 his

talents to !rin1in1 our #alues and 8a0 o9 li9e to those

dar7er6 less 9ortunate areas in the 8orld-

A S'!# of (urt at jump school.

W%LLA" @&-O-

<continuing=

--- % 9eel Captain urt/. re>uest 9or Special Forces trainin1

is hi1hl0 unusual in re1ard to his past hu$anitarian

concerns6 and his so$e8hat li!eral politics6 thou1h % can

see no reason to den0 it-

A CL!SE S'!# of (urt with &reen 5eret on in the 2ietnam jungle. +is face is blan' and

vacant.

W%LLA" @&-O-

<continuing=

--- We 9eel Maor urt/. need to !rin1 a sense o9 Western

culture to the !ac78ard peoples o9 these areas 8ill !e o9 use

in accordance 8ith our .&ietna$i/ation. pro1ra$s---

MO&E %N (O (urt> empty eyes until the photograph is just a -L)""ED &SS !, D!#S.

"%SSOL&E (O:

E,(- HA+ FA( ' AN A"&ANCE S(A%N AEA



W%LLA" @&-O-

One da0 later 8e ca$e to an ad#anced sta1in1 area alon1

the coast- (his 8as our last chance to pic7 up supplies

!e9ore approachin1 the $outh o9 the Nun1 i#er-

The VIEW !, #'E C!&S#LI$E leading up along the long loading doc's at +au -at, anadvance staging area for operations %5rute -orce% and %ailed -ist.%

verywhere are tents – oil drums – sandbagged bun'ers – helicopters – tan's – guns – men.

1obody builds advanced staging areas li'e the Americans.

As the #.5.8. approaches the doc'ing area, 6ance notices something.

LANCE

He0-

They loo' as a :hris)craft speeds by pulling a fancy water)s'ier who waves as he slaloms by. The

men just loo' at one another.

&%EW ON (HE "OC

The #.5.8. pulls in – the men scan the busy surroundings.

CH%EF

Lance ' % 8ant 0ou to 1o 8ith the Captain an. 1et three

e=tra dru$s o9 9uel and $a0!e scroun1e so$e $ore 3

cali!er-

LANCE

Yeah ' loo7 at those uni9or$s-

F+LL SHO( ' PAA"E O+N"S ' (OOPS

A platoon drills in the hot, lay sun; they are clean and pale, in contrast to 6ance and the others,

just off the airplane.

CH%EF

Poor !astards6 ha#e a lon1 0ear to 1o-

The troops turn and march #!W&"D )S with si* wee's of Advanced Infantry Training to bac'

them up.

F+LL SHO( ' "OC ' P-B-- ' CEW

They are tying up at the doc' – a young SE"%E&$# is filling cut papers concerning them and

tal'ing with "illard.

SEEAN(

% don.t 7no8 an0thin1 a!out these papers6 sir-

W%LLA"

(he0.re in order ' it.s per9ectl0 clean ' ust chec7 8ith

Co$Sec;%ntel li7e % said-

SEEAN(



Well6 0ou 7no8 % don.t ha#e the priorit0 to do that6 sir- %t

sa0s here not to contact Co$;Sec;%nt- Who.s 0our

co$$andin1 o99icer5

W%LLA"

i1ht no8 ' % a$-

SEEAN(

Well 8ho the hell #eri9ies that5

W%LLA"

% do-

+e signs it !uic'ly, leaving the ergeant totally confused.

CH%EF

No shit ' 8hat.s all the acti#it0 9or around here5

SEEAN(

(he sho8 '

W%LLA"

What sho85

SEEAN(

Bi1 sho8 in the parade 1rounds this noon ' so$e !oss stu99

'

W%LLA"

(his ' Bo! Hope or the li7e '

SEEAN(

No sir6 % thin7 ' this.ll !e a little !it di99erent '

CH%EF

Where.s it 1onna !e5

+e points –

F+LL SHO( ' PAA"E O+N"S ' PE"ES(AL

A large, well)built pedestal has been erected – this is surrounded by a deep moat filled with punji

sta'es and garnished with concertina wire. It is empty –

"%SSOL&E (O:

F+LL SHO( ' PAA"E O+N"S ' (OOPS

The entire area around the pedestal and right up to the wire is mobbed with seething American

fighting men. ome of these boys have just gotten here – others have been in the jungle for months.

All have one thing in common, to see and if possible grab an American girl. Their need far

surpasses that of the run)of)the)mill rapist, pervert, or child)molester. To counter their need of

course are the moat, punji sta'es and barbed wire – but implementing this are seven %riot control

positions% e!uipped with the latest in teargas launchers, attac')trained &erman shepherds and

assorted psychological warfare aides. ven so armed, the great mass of wild men are right up to

the wire.

FOWA" AEA



Cammed in the crowd

CHEF

%t.s reall0 too $uch ' % $ean %.#e collected e#er0 picture o9

her since she 8as Miss "ece$!er-

CLEAN

Yeah ' 0ou can reall0 1et hun1 up on the$ li7e the cat in

the "elta-

CH%EF

What cat5

CLEAN

One that 8ent up 9or $urder ' he 8as an Ar$0 Ser1eant-

CH%EF

% ne#er heard a!out that-

CLEAN

Yeah ' he reall0 du1 his Pla0!o0 $a16 $an ' % $ean li7e he

8as there 8hen it arri#ed ' He ust 7ne8-

CHEF

So 8hat happened5

CLEAN

He 8as 8or7in1 A--&-N- patrols and had one a the$ little

coc70 1oo7 asshole Lieutenants ' an0ho86 the Lieutenant

too7 his ne8 Pla0!o0 one da06 sat on the end o9 the doc76

and 8ouldn.t 1i#e it !ac7-

CHEF

Yeah ' t0pical A--&-N-

CLEAN

(hen 8ent too 9ar ' he sat there and starts $utilatin1 the

center9old- Po7in1 pins in her an. all that- Ser1eant sa0s6

don.t do her li7e that- You lea#e 0our shitt0 little hands o99

that 1irl- oo7 Lieutenant sa0s Fuc7 0ou in &ietna$ese '

Ser1eant sa0s6 don.t do that a1ain- You.ll 8ish 0ou hadn.t-

(hen he stood up6 9lic7ed his iron to roc7 and roll and 1a#e

the little /ero a lon1 !urst throu1h the Pla0!o0 $a1- Man6

it !le8 hi$ clean o99 the doc7 ' Hell6 ust the $a1a/ine 8as

9loatin. there all 9ull o9 holes-

CH%EF

(he0 nail hi$ 9or it !ad5

CLEAN

He.s in the L-B-J- ' didn.t 1i#e hi$ no $edals or nothin1 '

In the bac'ground, we begin to 'E&" a SWELL of #W! #'!)S&$D &LE V!ICES; the

E$%I$ES of four helicopters approaching. All heads turn s'ywards while one descends onto the

pedestal 'ic'ing up a lot of dust and general resentment. On the nose and doors of the blac' +uey

are painted large #layboy rabbits. -inally the blades are trimmed and a strange silence descends

over the men. The door of the copter slides partially open – two young &reen 5erets step out with

)3/>s to varied catcalls. "hen this abates a young, e*tremely well)dressed man emerges. +e is

the epitome of a +ollywood &%E$#. +air is combed impeccably and free of dandruff – clothes



are formal but hip – shoes are shined – Duite some dude – his presence causes some stirring but

seems to strangely !uiet the man.

+e wal's over to the microphone.

AEN(

%.d li7e to sa0 hello 9ro$ all o9 us up here6 to all o9 0ou outthere- All o9 0ou 8ho.#e 8or7ed so hard durin1 Operation

Brute Force ' Paratroopers ' %n9antr0 ' Air$en ' Medics '

Marines ' and Sailors- And % 8ant 0ou to 7no8 that 8e 9eel

proud o9 0ou and 7no8 ho8 hard 0our o! is- (o pro#e it '

8e.#e !rou1ht so$e entertain$ent 8e thin7 0ou.re 1onna

li7e: (he Pla0$ate o9 the Year and her t8o runners up4

+e pulls open the door and three unbelievably beautiful se* playmates in fringed go)go outfits

leap out and start dancing to the :reedence :learwater 8evival singing %uy D.%

MON(AE ON (HE %LS AN" MEN

&A%O+S SHO(S as the girls dance in an incredibly erotic manner – smiling.

The faces of the &.I.>s pass – their jaws drop – some loo' almost horrified. :hef is hypnotied –

r. :lean cries. :hief mouths unspo'en obscenities with sentimental tenderness.

Others grab the air in front of them. "ith each movement their need increases by the s!uare.

F+LL SHO( ' PE"ES(AL ' %LS ' MEN

They crush forward starting to scream – men fall on the wire – the guards in the %riot control

positions% forget – the attac' dogs are trampled. The mob as one surges forward onto the wire.

en scream and fall into the moat, which is filling up fast. The Agent sees this all as he has seenit before. +e casually pulls the pin of a smo'e grenade; the girls retreat into the copter – he

follows, then the two &reen 5erets. The "!#&"S W'I$E – the blac' #layboy +uey lifts off just

as the first craed men reach it. They grab frantically for the wheels, but miss. The +uey wheels

up into the blue s'y, leaving them all below.

uch are the ways of war.

C+( (O:

E,(- F+LL &%EW ' "AY

The #.5.8. moving further up the primitive coastline. There are few signs of civiliation; novillages, no boats – just the overwhelming presence of the jungle.

W%LLA" @&-O-

(8o da0s out o9 Hau Fat6 there 8as nothin1 !ut us and the

coastline- % 9elt li7e % had set o99 9or the center o9 the earth---

uddenly, :hief loo's out, ahead.

CH%EF

S$o7e4

W%LLA"

Where5

They all turn. :hief points up the coast.



F+LL SHO( ' (HE COAS(L%NE

A thic' train of blac' smo'e rises from the green jungle.

W%LLA"Blac7 s$o7e--- secondar0 !urnin1-

The :hief grabs field glasses.

CH%EF

Yeah ' 9ishin1 #illa1e ' helicopters o#er there- Hue0s6 lots

o9 .e$-

W%LLA"

First Air Ca#alr0- (he0.re the ones 1onna 1et us into the

i#er-

F+LL SHO( ' (HE BEACH AN" &%LLAE

A vast field of devastation – smashed and smo'ing palm trees – deep, ragged craters – gutted and

burning huts – shattered sampans and bodies washing around in the surf.

ME"%+M SHO( ' BEACH ' W%LLA" AN" CEW

They wade through the water to the beach where they are met by a heavily armed group of men.

Overhead jets swoop by ,I"I$% "!CKE#S , the $!ISE drowning out "illard>s attempt at

conversation with some of the men.

"e can>t hear any of the tal', but we notice that the ergeant turns up to a particular +uey, and

points to it.

F+LL SHO( ' HEL%COP(ES

Three +ueys swoop in low – they are heavily laden with machine guns – roc'ets and

loudspea'ers. The two outside copters hover, while the center copter lands, raising a lot of dust. It

cuts its rotors and the other copters pull up and off to the side. Two armed soldiers jump from the

doors and stand with guns ready. Then a tall, strong loo'ing man emerges. +e wears a well)cut

and neatly)stretched tiger suit. It is C!L!$EL WILLI& KIL%!"E – tough loo'ing, well)

tanned, with a blac' mustache.

+e crouches over, holding his hat in the rotor wash. It is no ordinary hat but a 6.A. 9odgers

baseball hat. +e wal's out, and then starts to his full immense height and with his hands on his

hips he surveys the field of battle. +is eyes are obscured by mirror)fronted sunglasses.

%LOE

<bellowing=

Lieutenant: Bo$! that tree line !ac7 a!out a hundred

0ards ' 1i#e $e so$e roo$ to !reathe-

A 6ieutenant and radio man nod and rush off.

CLOSE &%EW ON W%LLA"

+e was not !uite prepared for this.



&%EW ON %LOE

Turning to his %)&"DS

%LOEBrin1 $e so$e cards-

+A"

Sir5

%LOE

Bod0 cards6 0ou da$n 9ool ' cards4

The soldier rushes over and hands him two brand new pac'ages of playing cards wrapped in

plastic. Two other soldiers get out of the copter and wal' over. They are well)tanned and carry no

weapons. They seem more casual about the :olonel than anyone else. The ergeant wal's up,

leading "illard, the :hief and 6ance.

W%LLA"

<formally=

Captain B-L- Willard6 sir ' Gth econ roup ' % carr0

priorit0 papers 9ro$ Co$;Sec %ntelli1ence Corp ' %

!elie#e 0ou understand the nature o9 $0 $ission-

%LOE

<not loo'ing up=

Yeah ' Na (ran1 told $e to e=pect 0ou ' 8e.ll see 8hat 8e

can do- Just sta0 out o9 $0 8a0 till this is done6 Captain-

+e crac's the plastic wrapping sharply – ta'es out the dec' of new cards and fans them. The

:olonel strides right past "illard with no further ac'nowledgement. The others follow,

(AC%N &%EW

The :olonel wal's through the shell)poc'ed field of devastation. oldiers gather around smiling;

as (ilgore comes to each 2.:. corpse he drops a playing card on it – carefully pic'ing out which

card he uses.

%LOE

<to himself=

Si= a spades ' ei1ht a hearts ' %sn.t one 8orth a Jac7 in this

8hole place-

The :olonel goes on about this business.

(AC%N ON %LOE

oving through the corpses, dropping the cards.

On of the two tanned soldiers rushes up and whispers something to him. +e stops.

%LOE

What5 Here- You sure5

The soldier points to 6ance, who immediately puts down the card he was holding. (ilgore strides

over to the young man, who almost instinctively moves closer to "illard.



%LOE

<continuing=

What.s 0our na$e6 sailor5

LANCE

unner.s Mate6 (hird Class ' L- Johnson6 sir-

%LOE

Lance Johnson5 (he sur9er5

LANCE

(hat.s ri1ht6 sir-

(ilgore smiles – stic's out his hand.

%LOE

%t.s an honor to $eet 0ou Lance- %.#e ad$ired 0our nose;

ridin1 9or 0ears ' % li7e 0our cut!ac76 too- % thin7 0ou ha#e

the !est cut!ac7 there is-

LANCE

(han7 0ou6 sir-

%LOE

You can cut out the sir6 Lance ' %.$ Bill il1ore ' %.$ a

1oo90 9oot-

&%EW ON W%LLA"

+is entire, top priority mission has been put in the bac'ground.

%LOE @O-S-(his is Mi7e 9ro$ San "ie1o and Johnn0 9ro$ Mali!u '

the0.re 1ood solid sur9ers ' none o9 us are an08here near

0our class6 thou1h-

6ance blushes, sort of mumbling than's.

W%LLA"

M0 orders are 9ro$ Co$;Sec %ntel ' B-L- Willard6 Gth

econ '

%LOE

Just hold up a second6 Captain ' %.ll 1et to 0ou soon enou1h

' We.#e 1ot thin1s to do here-

"illard eats it, for now. (ilgore puts his hand on 6ance>s shoulder, and continues flipping the

cards indiscriminately on the bodies as they tal'.

%LOE

<continuing=

--- 8e do a lot o9 sur9in1 around here- Li7e to 9inish up

operations earl0 and 9l0 do8n to &un1 (au 9or the e#enin1

1lass- Ha#e 0ou e#er sur9ed the point at &un1 (au5 % li7ed

the !each !rea7s around Na (ran1 a lot ' 1ood le9ts-

+e passes a twisted gun emplacement with about five bodies – sprin'les cards all over them.

%LOE

<continuing=



--- 8e 7eep three !oards in $0 Co$$and Hue0 at all ti$es-

You ne#er can tell 8hen 0ou.re 1onna run into so$ethin1

1ood- % 1ot a 1u0 in Ca$ au Ba0 that can predict a s8ell

t8o da0s in ad#ance- We tr0 to 8or7 it in-

+e stops at a particularly wild)loo'ing 2iet :ong who has died with his mouth agape – staring

wild)eyed in horror at the s'y. (ilgore pauses.

%LOE

<continuing; to himself=

Hell6 that.s an Ace i9 % e#er sa8 one-

+e puts the card in the gaping mouth.

CLOSE &%EW O&E (HE &%E( CON

"e SEE the :olonel and the others wal' off – the dead 2iet :ong and card are in the immediate

foreground. The card has the shield of the :A2 printed beautifully, and above it the motto$

%9AT+ -8O A5O2%

%LOE

Where.#e 0ou !een ridin16 Lance5

LANCE

% ha#en.t sur9ed since % 1ot here-

%LOE

(hat.s terri!le ' 8e.ll chan1e that ' %.d li7e to see 0ou 8or7

' %.#e al8a0s li7ed 0our cut!ac7< 1ot a hell o9 a le9t turn6

too-

"%SSOL&E (O:

E,(- (HE HEL%COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO(

"illard is sitting with (ilgore on a couple of chairs by a table set up in front of the command

copter.

verywhere we SEE armed men, sandbags, barbed wire, oil drums etc. +ueys are constantly

"!&"I$% over. &"#ILLE"* -!!S in the far distance. (ilgore loo's at the map.

%LOE

Wh0 the hell 0ou 8anna 1o up to Nu Mun1 Ba 9or5

W%LLA"

% 1ot !ored in Sai1on-

%LOE

What.s the 9urthest 0ou !een in5

W%LLA"

Haiphon1-

%LOE

Haiphon15 Shit6 0ou u$p in5

W%LLA"

No- Wal7ed-



%LOE

What.d 0ou do 9or supplies5

W%LLA"

<he shrugs=

Mercenaries ' a1ents6 traitors ' the0 put out caches-

%LOE

Can 0ou trust the$5

W%LLA"

No- (he0 put out t8o or three 9or e#er0 one % needed- When

0ou 1et to the one 0ou.ll use6 0ou ust sta7e it out- %9

so$ethin1 9eels 8ron16 0ou ust pass it up- On one $ission6

% had to pass up three and ended up li#in1 on rats and

chocolate !ars-

%LOE

Nu Mun1 Ba- Last % heard6 Walter urt/ co$$anded a

reen Beret detach$ent at Nu Mun1 Ba-

W%LLA"

When did 0ou hear5

%LOE

.Bout a 0ear a1o5 %s urt/ still ali#e5

W%LLA"

Who 7no8s-

%LOE

See$s to $e he 1ot hi$sel9 9ra11ed- i heard so$e 1runt

rolled a 1renade in his tent- Ma0!e a ru$or- Hellu#a $an 're$ar7a!le o99icer- Walter urt/ 8oulda !een a eneral

so$e da0- eneral o9 the Ar$0- Shit6 Head o9 the Joint

Chie9s o9 Sta99- "id 0ou 7ne8 urt/5

W%LLA"

% $et hi$-

%LOE

"on.t 0ou a1ree5

W%LLA"

He $usta chan1ed4

<pointing to the map=% 1ot to 1et into the Nun1 i#er6 here or here-

%LOE

(hat #illa1e 0ou.re pointin1 at is 7inda hair0-

W%LLA"

Hair05

%LOE

% $ean it.s hair0 ' the0 1ot so$e prett0 hea#0 ordnance6

!o0 ' %.#e lost a 9e8 recon ships in there no8 and a1ain-

W%LLA"

So5 % heard 0ou had a 1ood !unch o9 7illers here-



%LOE

And % don.t intend to 1et so$e o9 the$ che8ed up ust to

1et 0our tu! put in the $outh o9 the 1odd$an Nun1 i#er-

You sa0 0ou don.t 7no8 urt/5

W%LLA"

% $et hi$-

%LOE

You tal7 li7e hi$- % don.t $ind ta7in1 casualties6 Captain6

!ut % li7e to 7eep $0 ratio ten to one in this unit ' ten Con1

to one-

W%LLA"

You.ll 9ind enou1h Con1 up there-

%LOE

What a!out this point here5

+e puts his finger on the map.

%LOE

<continuing=

What.s the na$e o9 that 1odda$n #illa1e ' &in "rin "op

or Lop< da$n 1oo7 na$es all sound the sa$e-

+e motions to one of his surfers.

%LOE

<continuing=

Mi7e6 0ou 7no8 an0thin1 a!out the point at &in "rip

"rop5

M%E

Boss le9t-

%LOE

What do 0ou $ean5

M%E

%t.s reall0 lon1 le9t slide6 !rea7s on the short side o9 the

point ' catches a south s8ell-

LANCE

Nice-

"illard loo's at 6ance – then at (ilgore.

%LOE

Wh0 the hell didn.t 0ou tell $e a!out that place ' a 1ood

le9t-

<to "illard=

(here aren.t an0 1ood le9t slides in this 8hole6 shitt0

countr0- %t.s all 1odda$n !each !rea7-

M%E

%t.s hair06 thou1h- (hat.s 8here 8e lost Mc"onnel ' the0

shot the hell out o9 us- %t.s Charlie.s point-

%LOE

Ho8 !i1 it is5



M%E

Si= to ei1ht 9eet-

(ilgore gaes out across the par'ed helicopters.

%LOE<to himself=

A si=;9oot le9t-

"illard nudges 6ance – who gets the idea.

LANCE

Boss- What.s the 8ind li7e-

M%E

Li1ht o99 shore ' reall0 hollo8-

W%LLA"

We could 1o in to$orro8 at da8n ' there.s al8a0s o99;shore 8ind in the $ornin1-

CH%EF

(he dra9t o9 that ri#er $i1ht !e too shallo8 on the point-

%LOE

Hell6 8e.ll pic7 0our !oat up and la0 it do8n li7e a !a!06

ri1ht 8here 0ou 8ant it- (his is the Ca# !o0 ' air$o!ile- %

can ta7e that point and hold it as lon1 as % li7e ' and 0ou

can 1et an08here 0ou 8ant up that ri#er that suits 0ou6

Captain- Hell6 a si= 9oot le9t-

<he turns to an advisor=

You ta7e a 1unship !ac7 to di#ision ' Mi7e6 ta7e Lance8ith 0ou ' let hi$ pic7 out a !oard6 and !rin1 $e $0 Yater

Spoon ' the ei1ht si=-

(OM

% don.t 7no86 sir ' it.s ' it.s '

%LOE

<hard=

What is it5

(OM

Well6 % $ean it.s hair0 in there ' it.s Charlie.s point-

(ilgore turns and loo's to "illard, e*asperated.

W%LLA"

Charlie don.t sur9-

F+LL SHO( ' HEL%COP(ES ' "AWN

"hat seems li'e hundreds of +ueys standing, their rotors churning a great wind – Inside, the men

of the 3st :avalry Airmobile – toughest unit in 2ietnam.

(ilgore>s helicopter is being loaded with ammunition and has surfboards strapped underneath.

ME"%+M &%EW



(ilgore strides up to the side door, dressed for battle. +e loo's out, around. +e turns to his door

%)$$E" .

%LOE

Ho8 do 0ou 9eel6 !o05

+NNE

Li7e a $ean $other9uc7er6 sir-

+e turns to his 8.T. man.

%LOE

Let.s 1o-

F+LL &%EW

+elicopter rotors build up speed – gas turbines belching fire from their jet pipes – dust flying as

fifty helicopters rise; "!&" !VE" C&E"& and deploy into attac' formation.

NEW &%EW

+elicopters moving #'"!)%' the ,"&E$ almost a dance of dragonflies.

%N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ' %LOE6 W%LLA"6 O(HES

"illard loo's ahead – (ilgore sits near the door. 5elow they see the jungle whis' by and they are

suddenly over the ocean, low and fast.

MON(AE

CLOSE SHO(S of roc'et pods – mini)guns in biarre loo'ing mounts.

CLOSE SHO(S of the three surfboards strapped below the command helicopter, ne*t to the

fearsome weaponry.

And finally, CLOSE SHO(S of the men – nervous, e*cited very few of them really scared – they

fondle their rifles, grenade launchers, anti)personnel grenades, claymore mines; plastic e*plosives

cord; flame)throwers; )/0 machine guns; e*pandable roc'et launchers; mortars and bayonets.

%N(- COMMAN" COP(E

(ilgore cranes his nec' and almost leans out to watch the waves – then he sits bac' rela*ed.

%LOE

<to "illard=

We.ll co$e in lo8 out o9 the risin1 sun ' We.ll put on the

$usic a!out a $ile out-

W%LLA"

Music5

%LOE

Yeah- Classical stu99 ' scares the hell out o9 the slopes ' the

!o0s lo#e it-



ME"%+M SHO(

P!V behind the PIL!# and C!1PIL!# – the ocean rushes below.

P%LO(

Bi1 "u7e si= to Ea1le (hrust ' turn on coordinates ;3 'niner6 assu$e attac7 9or$ation-

The helicopter ban's into a tight turn and bears toward the coast.

A"%O @&-O-

Ea1le (hrust 9or$ation tar1et 2I33 0ards ' !e1in psch;8ar

operations-

CLOSE SHO( ' LO+"SPEAES

The ocean rushes below as suddenly the L!)DSPE&KE"S -L&"E out "agner>s %8ide of the

2al'yries.%


-rom the water we SEE the massive grouping of +ueys – gun)ships – troop carriers – medevac

and recon – "!&" over low in battle formation -L&"I$% out %8ide of the 2al'yries.%

%N(- HEL%COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ;CEW

P!V behind pilot –

P%LO(33 ' D33 0ards ' 33 ' Co$$ence 9irin1-

The whole copter sha'es.

E,(- &%E( CON F%SH%N &%LLAE ' F+LL SHO(

A 2ietnamese coastal fishing village built along the beach and palm trees – with rice paddies

behind. This village commands a delta where ocean and river merge.

ampans are pulled into a cover where they are being unloaded. "e SEE bun'ers with 1.2.A.

regulars ambling about.

uddenly we 'E&" the distant )SIC – veryone stops; they stare out to see. en scream

orders – women run from huts bearing ammunition and rifles – verywhere there is activity to

prepare for the defense of the village.

:amouflage is removed from anti)aircraft emplacements. #eople feverishly unlimber weapons of

all types and run to tunnels and trenches.

The )SIC %"!WS L!)DE" with the ,&I$# S!)$D of "!#!"S

E,(- (HE HEL%COP(E FOMA(%ON ' AE%AL &%EW

:oming directly at us; W&%$E" -L&"I$%.



H%H ANLE

6oo'ing down through the helicopters as they approach the village.

%N(- HEL%COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ' CEW

P!V behind pilot

P%LO(

33 0ards ' D33 ' 33 ' co$$ence 9irin1-

The whole copter sha'es.

E,(- HEL%COP(ES ' MON(AE

"e SEE roc'ets "!&" from pods – &C'I$E %)$S "&##LE – grenade launchers P!)$D

away – and I$I1%)$S pour streams of lead and tracers with the S!)$D of a DIESEL '!"$.


P!V behind lead gunship.

They "!&" in over the beach streaming ,I"E from doors, pods and nose – The ground is alive

with smo'e and fire – a hut E.PL!DES. The leads ship ban's sharply up over the trees – men

run below S'!!#I$% bac'.

ME"%+M SHO( ' AN(%;A%CAF( EMPLACEMEN(

E.PL!SI!$S crash around – the )SIC and S!)$D of the C!P#E"S almost drown themout. The gunner ,I"ES frantically – C!P#E"S are "!&"I$% over – %)$,I"E rips around.

The gunner is blown away.

ME"%+M CLOSE ON W%LLA"

As the ship he is in swoops down, its &C'I$E %)$S ,I"I$% into the village.

ME"%+M SHO( ' SWOOP%N COP(E

The #ilot leans out and S'!!#S a charging 2.:. in the head with his .E, then duc's bac' in.

CO;P%LO(

We.re do8n6 Ea1le (hrust ' 8e.re hit- We 1ot a hot L--

here-

-)LLE#S "IP through the ple*iglass. The #ilot ,I"ES bac'.

CO;P%LO(

<continuing=

Hell o9 a hot L-- Need i$$ediate air stri7e on the tree

line6 Ea1le (hrust-

%N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA"6 %LOE6 O(HES

(ilgore has 8.T. e!uipment – he leans out near the door gunner.



%LOE

Bi1 "u7e Si= to Hell.s An1els Four ' !rin1 it in on alon1

tree line and huts-

A"%O @&-O-

Hell.s An1els Four to Bi1 "u7e Si= ' 8e.ll need 1reens$o7e ' su11est 0ou ha#e the FAC $ar7 it-

%LOE

Ha#en.t 1ot ti$e6 Hell.s An1els ' la0 it ri1ht up the tree

line-

F+LL SHO( ' JE( S*+A"ON

-our -)F+ #hantoms peel off and strea' toward the coast.

%N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' &%EW ON W%LLA" AN" %LOE

%LOE

Fuc7in1 sa#a1es-

W%LLA"

Who5

%LOE

(he ene$0- Who else5

HEL%COP(E.S PO& ' (HE JE(S

The jets strea' by below laying in huge gobs of orange napalm along the trees.

%LOE @O-S-

<on radio=

&er0 1ood6 Hell.s An1els ' su11est 0ou 9ollo8 8ith cannon

9ire-

%N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO(

They circle the battle.

A"%O @&-O-(his is Ba7er "elta Four ' Captain hit !ad ' need dust;o99-

ecei#in1 hea#0 auto$atic 8eapons 9ire 9ro$ huts a!out

thirt0 0ards to our le9t-

%LOE

Bi1 "u7e Si= to Ba7er "elta Four ' hold ' 8e.re ri1ht o#er

0ou-

+e turns to door gunner.

%LOE

<continuing=

i1ht alon1 the doors6 !o0-

The gunner ,I"ES leaning out –



%LOE

<continuing=

Fine--- 9ine--- little hi1her- (hrou1h the roo9< 0eah6 that.s

1ood-

+e leans bac' in.

%LOE

<continuing=

"idn.t an0!od0 !rin1 $e an0 !o$!s6 1renades6 cla0$ores

or an0thin15

L%E+(ENAN(

You didn.t tell $e to6 sir-

%LOE

<grumbling=

You shoulda 7no8n-

uddenly, -)LLE#S S&S' through the copter – #le*iglass S'&##E"S; the copter vibrates

and turns sharply. (ilgore is thrown down where he hangs on.

%LOE

<continuing=

Sonu#a!itch ' an0!od0 hurt5

W%LLA"

Auto$atic 8eapons 9lashes alon1 those trees ' pro!a!l0

ele#en $illi$eter 1uns and A;G.s-

%LOE

(he trees6 eh---

+e grabs the 8.T.

%LOE

<continuing=

Ea1le (hrust Four ' Bi1 "u7e Si=- Join $e in spra0in1

so$e trees-

A"%O @&-O-

A99ir$ati#e6 Bi1 "u7e Si= ' We.re e#en 1ot so$e roc7ets

le9t-

%LOE(a7e her in lo86 Lieutenant-

F+LL SHO( ' (HE (EES6 HEL%COP(ES

The two helicopters swoop up out of the smo'e and blast the trees with "!CKE#S , &C'I$E%)$S and %"E$&DE L&)$C'E"S.

Other copters join – The 2.:. brea' and run through the rice paddies in the f.g. – -)LLE#S

E.PL!DI$% around them – they scream and fall ,I"I$% bac'.

%N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ' %LOE6 W%LLA"



(ilgore loo's out as three 2.:. brea' and run through the rice paddies – the helicopter turns and

follows them – the door gunner swings out and -L&S#S two of them into the mud. +e ta'es a

bead on the third.

%LOE

Hold it6 !o0-

+e puts his arms across the sights – the gunner swings bac' inside.

%LOE

<continuing=

(a7e her up to K33 9eet6 Lieutenant-

They rise above the paddy – the man below runs for all he>s worth. (ilgore motions to the door

gunner who steps aside. (ilgore buc'les himself into the gunner>s harness.

%LOE

<continuing=

i9le-

A hand passes him a )3/.

%LOE

<continuing; hard=

M0 ri9le6 soldier-

There is some fumbling and then a hand passes him a E00 "eatherby agnum with a ebra wood

stoc' – mother of pearl inlays and a variable power scope. (ilgore ta'es it and opens the bolt.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

Amaed at these proceedings.

&%EW ON %LOE

As he loads the rifle with huge cartridges. +e gets into the sling and slams the bolt shut.

MO&%N PO& ON (HE &-C-

+e is running hard, but starting to sin' into the mud. The +uey D"!$ES overhead, its huge

shadow behind him on the mud. +e turns and ,I"ES with a pistol.

%N(- COP(E ' ME"%+M SHO( ' %LOE6 W%LLA"

(ilgore leans out; pulls the gun in tight – ta'es careful aim and the :ong is -L&S#ED flat into

the paddy.

(ilgore leans bac', opens the bolt, ejecting the spent cartridge out the door. +e hands "eatherby

bac' into the copter.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

The gaudy rifle passed by him.

SOL"%E @O-S-

(hat.s 26 sir-



W%LLA"

An0one 1ot a card5

omebody hands "illard the dec'. +e ta'es a card and flips it out of the copter, never lifting his

gae from (ilgore.

"%SSOL&E (O:

F+LL SHO( ' BA((LEF%EL" ' (HE CA&6 &-C-

Americans run through the hooches ,I"I$% and throwing %"E$&DES. +elicopters swoop

overhead – (E#S "!&" by – 7niformed 1.2.A. regulars burst from a tunnel entrance and charge

the Americans. The S'!!#I$% is at point blan' range – automatic, as the 2.:. are cut down.

%N(- COMMAN" COP(E ' %LOE6 W%LLA"6 LANCE6 E(C-

(ilgore leans out carefully, loo'ing over the battlefield. +e has the 8.T.

+e leans bac', deliberately avoiding "illard to spea' to 6ance.

%LOE

(he L--.s coolin1 o99 9ast ' 8e.ll $o#e in another co$pan0

an. then 8e.ll o8n it-

<he laughs to himself=

Charlie.s point-

+e loo's out toward the ocean.

%LOE

<continuing=ood s8ell-

LANCE

What6 sir5

%LOE

% said it.s a 1ood s8ell ' hell o9 a 1ood s8ell .!out si= 9eet-

Let.s 1et a loo7 at it-

6ance loo's at "illard and then agrees.

F+LL SHO( ' COP(E6 S+F

The pilots are used to this – they ban' sharply and swoop in on the lineup of waves, coming in low

over the point and strea'ing down a long, lined)up green wall as if surfing it. They tip up over and

up at the last minute as the wave brea's.

"%SSOL&E (O:

F+LL SHO( ' BEACH H+(S6 SOL"%ES

Americans line up blindfolded 2iet :ong and 1.2.A. regular troops outside a burning hut.

%)$,I"E is DIS#&$# and sporadic – an occasional !"#&" round SC"E&S in. A soldier

yells in 2ietnamese in a southern accent and the prisoners are marched away. Other soldiers are

already setting up heavy weapons emplacements – B0 cal machine guns etc. Three +ueys "!&"

in, fanning the smo'e with their wind. The center one, the command ship, lands. (E#S SC"E&



over and the two gunships pull up at 400 feet. Another +uey ooms in low and lands behind the

:olonel>s. The doors open, guards jump out, chec' the situation, and out steps (ilgore and 6ance.

-rom the other copter are more guards, (ilgore>s surfers and others of the #.5.8. crew. "illard

follows.

F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N(

They stride out across the debris)strewn beach. (ilgore stands majestically on the point watching

the waves. A S'ELL SC"E&S overhead.

SOL"%E

%nco$in14

They all dive, e*cept (ilgore. +e is watching a big set – the S'ELL E.PL!DES in the water

about a hundred yards away, sending up a huge geyser of spray. (ilgore is unmoved.

%LOE

Loo7 at that-

They loo'.

LANCE

(his L-- is still prett0 hot6 sir6 $a0!e 8e ou1hta stand

so$e8here else-

(ilgore pays him no mention.

W%LLA"

%.$ 8aitin1 9or the 9uc7in1 !oat6 Colonel-

%LOE

<without loo'ing=%t.ll 1et here6 soldier-

+e turns to i'e and Cohnny who have their faces in the sand.

%LOE

<continuing=

Chan1e-

M%E

Wh;8hat5

%LOE

Chan1e ' 1et out there ' % 8anta see i9 it.s rida!le ' chan1e-

M%E

%t.s still prett0 hair06 sir-

%LOE

<bellowing=

You 8ant.a sur96 soldier5

+e nods yes wea'ly.

%LOE

<continuing=

(hat.s 1ood6 !o06 !ecause it.s either sur9 or 9i1ht-



They turn and hurry off – (ilgore grabs an )3 from one of the guards. They all thin' he>s going

to shoot the surfers or someone. They move bac' uneasy.

%LOE

<continuing=

%.$ 1onna co#er 9or .e$ ' that.s all-

+e coc's the weapon. 6ance loo's around uneasily. The :olonel wal's over.

%LOE

<continuing=

You thin7 that section on the point is rida!le6 Lance5

LANCE

% thin7 8e ou1ht to 8ait 9or the tide to co$e in-

A S'ELL SC"E&S !VE" – they all hit the dirt e*cept for (ilgore. It E.PL!DES throwing

sand through the air. (ilgore leans down yelling over the $!ISE.

%LOE"oesn.t happen 9or si= hours-

6ance loo's up at him terrified, holding onto his helmet.

%LOE

<continuing=

(he tide ' doesn.t co$e in 9or si= hours-

"%SSOL&E (O:

F+LL SHO( ' S+F ' M%E AN" JOHNNY

They wal' through shallows carrying brightly colored boards. They loo' very scared. (E#SSC"E& overhead, ,I"I$% C&$$!$S. +elicopters wheel by carrying out wounded.

They wear olive drab surfing trun's with the :av>s shield on the left leg. The same shield is

emblaoned on the boards along the word %Airmobile%. They edge into the water and paddle

through the mild shorebrea'.

F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N( ' S+FES

They paddle up the point in the calm channel – the beautiful waves brea'ing beyond them.

CLOSE SHO( ON JOHNNY6 M%E

They paddle on their stomachs, 'eeping low – breathing hard and constantly loo'ing around

scared out of their minds.

ME"%+M SHO( ' %LOE AN" LANCE

(ilgore loo's at them with his field glasses. 6ance 'ind of sits below ta'ing cover in a shell hole.

%LOE

(he0 9ar enou1h5

LANCE

Sure ' 9ine '



(ilgore turns and ta'es a giant electric megaphone from a waiting lac'ey.

%LOE

<through megaphone=

(hat.s 9ar enou1h ' pic7 one up and co$e on in '

F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N(6 S+FES

They line themselves up on the point. A good set is building. i'e turns stro'es into it – ta'es off –

drops to the bottom and turns – trims up into a tight section – everything right e*cept he 'eeps

loo'ing around frantically.

CLOSE SHO( ON LANCE AN" %LOE

Another S'ELL SC"E&S over and E.PL!DES down the beach. 6ance loo's over at "illard.

LANCE<to himself=

Ma0!e he.ll 1et tu!ed-

W%LLA"

What5

LANCE

Ma0!e he.ll 1et inside the tu!e ' 8here ' 8here the0 can.t

see hi$-

A SE"IES of S'ELLS "!&" in.

W%LLA"%nco$in14

6ance duc's – puts his hands over his head. The S'ELLS SC"E& over (ilgore and out

towards the point. (ilgore loo's through his glasses – two E.PL!SI!$S in the water are

'E&"D.

%LOE

Son o9 a !itch-

6ance loo's up and out toward the point in horror.

F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N(

Two surfboards float in the channel bobbing up and down on the waves.

ME"%+M SHO( ' LANCE AN" %LOE

LANCE

<to himself=

(he tra1ed0 o9 this 8ar is a dead sur9er-

"illard loo's over, beginning to thin' 6ance is cray, too.

W%LLA"

What.s that5



LANCE

Just so$ethin1 % read in the Free Press-

%LOE

(he0 ust $issed a 1ood set ' the chic7en shits4

6ance loo's up.

F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N(6 S+FES

They come up near their boards and climb on – smo'e hangs over the water.

%LOE @O-S-

<megaphone=

(r0 it a1ain6 0ou little !astards-

BAC (O SCENE

+e turns to "illard.

%LOE

<continuing=

%.$ not a9raid to sur9 this place- %.ll sur9 this place-

CLOSE SHO( ON %LOE

+e turns, glowering to his lac'eys.

%LOE

Brin1 that -(-6 soldier-

+e grabs it.

%LOE

<continuing=

Bi1 "u7e Si= to Hell.s An1els ' 1odda$it6 % 8ant that

treeline !o$!ed ' 0eah ' napal$ ' 1i$$e so$e napal$ '

son;o9;a;!itch ' 0eah6 %.ll ta7e H-- or C-B-+-.s i9 0ou 1ot

an0 o9 the$ ' ust !o$! .e$ into the Stone A1e6 !o0-

+e throws the 8.T. bac' to a soldier – another S&LV! W'IS#LES over – everyone drops.

%LOE<continuing; to himself=

Son;o9;a;!itch-

As the S'ELLS E.PL!DES on the beach behind him, (ilgore raises his )3/ and EP#IES it

full automatic in the general direction of the trees. +e mumbles a few unintelligible swear words

and jams a new clip into his rifle turning to 6ance –

%LOE

<continuing=

We.ll ha#e this place cleaned up and read0 9or us in a i9906

!o0- "on.t 0ou 8orr0-

+e ,I"ES another clip as the (E#S SC"E& overhead.



F+LL SHO( ' %&E ' COP(ES

A s'y)crane without pod descends slowly toward us – the #.5.8. hangs below it.

The :hief, r. :lean and :hef stand watching this sight along with other soldiers. A man guides

the descending copter till the boat settles carefully in the shallows. The :hief and others leap

aboard; unshac'le the hoists – load on ammunition and fuel. The battle is still going on aroundthem. They all loo' up as a wadge of P'&$#!S strea' over low and peel off one by one to

begin their bombing run.

F+LL SHO( ' PHAN(OMS ' MON(AE

#hantoms "&KE the trees with 40 mm C&$$!$S – ,I"E five inch "!CKE#S in salvo – %5ull

#up% ISSILES – drop +.. <high e*plosives= and :.5.7>s <:luster 5omb 7nits= and finally an

immense amount of $&P&L.

F+LL SHO( ON (HE P-B--

The :hief is at the helm –the engine starts; :lean and :hef wor' feverishly, duc'ing for cover

every)so)often when an E.PL!SI!$ hits nearby. The boat begins to bac' out of the shallows.

The E.PL!SI!$S of $&P&L are reflected on their faces; the 8OA8 of the -I8 drowns out

almost everything.

CH%EF

For1et that e=tra dru$ ' it.s too da$n hot-

CLEAN

Clear on star!oard ' Where.s Lance an. the Captain5

CH%EF

% sa8 that Colonel.s Hue0 on the point '

Two 'ELIC!P#E"S SC"E& over ,I"I$% "!CKE#S.

CH%EF

<continuing=

Let.s ust 1et outta here-

F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N( ' %LOE6 W%LLA" 6 LANCE6 O(HES

(ilgore watches the waves with his field glasses – smo'e drifts over.

6ance crouches below. "illard is up loo'ing off in another direction. S'ELLS SC"E& over,but even their noise is drowned out by the fierce S'"IEK of the P'&$#!S and the deafening

-L&S# of 'I%' E.PL!SIVES. "illard stares at the tree line where it comes down to the river.

The (E#S are ma'ing a hell of the tree line; a hell of fire and bustling steam that nothing could

live in. "illard>s glance goes further downriver through the blac' smo'e and there merging in the

river – small and vulnerable, is his boat.

W%LLA"

<to 6ance=

Loo7- (here it is< the !oat-

6ance loo's over – a tremendous relief on his face. 5ut still there remains the threat of (ilgore,

standing star' against the s'y. "illard silently motions 6ance toward the boat.

LANCE

<whispers=



He.ll 7ill us-

W%LLA"

He can.t 7ill us-

<realiing as he says it=

We.re on his side-

(ilgore ,I"ES another clip at the tree line, and then strides bac' without loo'ing at them.

%LOE

<almost to himself=

You s$ell that-

<louder=

You s$ell that5

LANCE

What5

%LOE

Napal$6 !o0 ' nothin1 else in the 8orld s$ells li7e that '

They reflect the glow from the burning trees.

%LOE

<continuing; nostalgically=

% lo#e the s$ell o9 napal$ in the $ornin1- One ti$e 8e had

a hill !o$!ed 9or 2 hours- % 8al7ed up it 8hen it 8as all

o#er< 8e didn.t 9ind one o9 .e$--- not one stin7in1 1oo7

!od0- (he0 slipped out in the ni1ht ' !ut the s$ell ' that

1asoline s$ell ' the 8hole hill ' it s$elled li7e---

<pause=

--- #ictor0---

+e loo's off nostalgically.

W%LLA"

You 7no86 so$e da0 this 8ar.s 1onna end--

%LOE

<sadly=

Yes6 % 7no8-

uddenly he senses something – he stops – lifts his hand – then frantically lic's his fingers and

puts them up in the air.

%LOE<continuing=

(he 8ind '

LANCE

What5

ure enough there is a rushing breee that increases.

%LOE

<rising maniacally=

Feel it ' it.s the 8ind ' it.s !lo8in1 on shore ' %t.s on shore4

+e leans down and practically grabs 6ance.

%LOE



<continuing; screaming=

%t.s 1onna !lo8 this place out- %t.s 1onna ruin it---

W%LLA"

(he 7id can.t ride slopp0 8a#es-

They turn and stare out to sea.

F+LL SHO( ' (HE PO%N( ' S+FES

The wind has changed. Instead of blowing spray bac' over the waves and hollowing them out, this

strange wind is causing white caps and cross chop.. reducing the swell to slop. i'e and Cohnny

lay low on their boards, overjoyed.

W%LLA" @O-S-

(he 7id can.t stand slopp0 8a#es-

ME"%+M SHO( ' (HE BEACH ' LANCE6 %LOE6 W%LLA"

W%LLA"

You don.t e=pect this 7id to ride that crap6 do 0ou5 He.s a

1odda$n artist6 he needs so$ethin1 to 8or7 8ith---

lapping 6ance on the shoulder.

LANCE

Yeah6 %.$ an artist6 1odda$it4

%LOE

<apologetically=

Yeah ' 0eah6 % can understand ho8 0ou 9eel-

+e turns toward the trees.

%LOE

<continuing=

%t.s the napal$ ' it.s causin1 the 8ind ' ruinin1 $0 per9ect

le9t-

+e staggers off toward the trees followed by his guards and other lac'eys.

%LOE

<continuing; mumbling=

(he napal$ ' ruin ' napal$ $0 per9ect le9t ' $0 per9ectle9t point !rea7 ' napal$ '

6ance motions with his eyes to "illard.


The #.5.8. along the river shallows – The :hief and crew waiting and yelling.

ME"%+M &%EW ON W%LLA" AN" LANCE

W%LLA"

Are 0ou 9inished sur9in15



LANCE

Yeah--- than7s-

W%LLA"

Want to sa0 1ood!0e to the Colonel5

LANCENah-

W%LLA"

(hen let.s 1et the hell out o9 here-

They brea' and run li'e hell toward the boat in the distance. !)" VIEW #"&CKS with them.

They are cheered by the crew – suddenly, "illard sees something and stops... 6ance continuing. In

a pile of e!uipment that the +ueys have left are two surfboards – "illard loo's at them.

LANCE

No ' no6 Captain-

W%LLA"Which one.s the Colonel.s5

LANCE

(he Yater ' the clear one 8ith the thin strin1er-

"illard glances over to it with determination. There is still !"#&" ,I"E coming in between

him and the board. uddenly, "illard ma'es a run for it.

CH%EF @O-S-

%nco$in14 %nco$in1 ' son;o9;a;!itch-

The "!)$DS brac'et the #.5.8. and line up the beach toward "illard. +e stands there and

doesn>t move, the surfboard under his arm. The shells 'ic' up sand. 6ance has dropped. -ragments whistle by, one rips a chun' of foam and fibreglass from the rain of the board.

W%LLA"

<calm=

(his one 6 Lance5

LANCE

Yeah6 Jesus Christ4

Once again, "illard ta'es off fast as hell with the board under his arm. 6ance follows toward the

boat, through the water. "illard hands the board up to r. :lean, and they both scamper abroad,

e*hausted and relieved.

CLEAN

What.d 0ou that 9or5

W%LLA"

When % 8as a 7id %6 ne#er had a Yater spoon-

r. :lean stuffs the board in the stern B0 :al. mount. The boat turns – E$%I$ES ")$$I$%

'&"D and "!&"S !,, toward the deeper water of the river – the board clearly visible on the

stern.

"%SSOL&E (O:

F+LL SHO( ON (HE %&E ' P-B-



The #.5.8. "!&"S -* going down the river at full speed. It is swerving and ig)agging to avoid

potential enemy fire.

ME"%+M SHO( ON (HE CEW

They all are in full battle positions – their twin fifty :al. guns turning; warily covering the jungledban's. The :hief is at helm – "illard crouches against some armor plate, huddled with his )3/

ready. :hef is behind him at the radio. 6ance leans bac' from his forward turret.

LANCE

<yelling=

Ma0!e 8e !etter sta0 in under the trees till dar7 ' 8e 1ot

his Yater-

W%LLA"

He didn.t loo7 li7e he.d ta7e that sittin1 do8n-

They all loo' up into the s'y – e*pecting the worst.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

Let.s put so$e distance !et8een us and Charlie-

The :hief nods.

CH%EF

Lance '

LANCE

Yeah-

CH%EFWh0 don.t 0ou roll us a !i1 oint5 % thin7 the Captain.d li7e

that-

They all loo' at "illard uneasily. After a suspenseful pause, "illard smiles$

W%LLA"

(a7e one a $ine '

+e fishes into his breast poc'et – pulls out a huge cigar)sied joint. They all smile – "illard lights

up.

"%SSOL&E (O:

F+LL SHO( ' (HE P-B--

It ig)ags away from us down the river at high speed.

"%SSOL&E (O:

F+LL SHO( ' (HE (EES6 BOA(6 CEW ' N%H(

The boat is hidden under some trees along the river ban'. The men wait tensely listening –

LANCE

You hear it a1ain5



Yes6 sir '

W%LLA"

Wh0 the0 call 0ou that5

CHEF

Call $e 8hat6 sir5

W%LLA"

Che9 ' is that .cause 0ou li7e $an1oes an. stu995

CHEF

No6 sir ' %.$ a real che96 sir ' %.$ a sauciere '

W%LLA"

A sauciere '

CHEF

(hat.s ri1ht6 sir ' % co$e 9ro$ Ne8 Orleans ' % 8as raised

to !e a sauciere--- a 1reat sauciere- We speciali/e in sauces<$0 8hole 9a$il0- %t.s 8hat 8e do- % 8as supposed to 1o to

Paris and stud0 at the Esco99ier School< % 8as sa#in1 the

$one0- (he0 called $e 9or $0 ph0sical so % 9i1ured the

Na#0 had !etter 9ood-

W%LLA"

What are 0ou doin1 out here5

CHEF

Coo7 school ' that did it-

W%LLA"

Ho85

CHEF

(he0 lined us all up in 9ront o9 a hundred 0ards o9 pri$e

ri! ' $a1ni9icent $eat6 !eauti9ull0 $ar!led--- (hen the0

started thro8in1 it in these !i1 cauldrons6 all o9 it ' !oilin1-

% loo7ed in6 an. it 8as turnin1 1ra0- % couldn.t stand it- %

8ent into radio school-

They move into a slight clearing.

W%LLA"

<whispering=

*uiet '

:hef crouches close – redies his )3/. "illard gestures that he heard something; he points.

ME"%+M SHO( ' "%FFEEN( ANLE

PAN SLOWLY over jungle – E$D "EVE&LI$% "illard and :hef.

W%LLA"

<silent=

(here---

+e points – motions :hef to move away – they cover the spot. A few yards from them they hear

something move. It is obviously no small jungle creature. They wal' toward a patch of blac'

elephant grass; their guns at the ready. They loo' at each other. "illard is cold, methodical,



doing something he 'nows well. There is a noise again – some of the growth rustles. +e and :hef

move a distance apart, and join in stal'ing the probable 2.:. "illard directs the :hef with hand

gestures, and bird and cric'et sounds. They move stealthily, closing the ape* of their triangle on

the hunted. The two men drop low into the elephant grass, and remain motionless. Then "illard

ma'es the cric'et noise, and they move closer. "illard>s left hand edges out along the )3/>s far

end, so that he only has to point the finger of that hand and he will hit what he wants. +e ma'es

another command and they rush the trapped enemy.

ME"%+M SHO( ' (HE ELEPHAN( ASS ' W%LLA" AN" CHEF

uddenly there is a ")S'I$% S!)$D – The grass folds down !uic'ly toward them – willard

plants his feet and from the hip lets go ,)LL &)#!&#IC. The :hef retreats ,I"I$% short

-)"S#S into the grass – the grass folds almost to "illard – then a huge tiger leaps out at them;

snarling magnificently. They ,I"E wildly, emptying their clips.

CHEF

%t.s a $other9uc7in1 ti1er ' 1odda$n---

+e turns and bolts through the jungle, as scared as a man can be.

CHEF

<continuing; screaming=

odda$n ' Jesus Christ ti1er ' $other9uc7in1 ti1er '

ohhhhhhhhh '

"illard jams another clip in his gun and bac's out of the clearing, covering the bushes and runs,

scared out of his head as well.

F+LL SHO( ' (HE BOA( ' (HE CEW

They all are armed – 6ance has the twin B0>s pointed into the jungle. :hef comes screaming out ofthe brush, throws his rifle into the boat and dives headfirst after it.

CHEF

<hysterical=

Ohhhh ' ti1er4 Oh 1odda$n4 %t.s a ti1er4 Jesus Christ4

odda$n6 a ti1er4 Ohhhhhhhh-

The :hief tries to grab him; ta'es his gun away, but is unable to ta'e a hold of the :hef, as he

slithers around the boat, trying to find safety. "illard follows from the jungle – The :hef is

moaning and stares off into the night.

LANCE

What.s this ti1er shit5

W%LLA"

No shit--- % thin7 % shot the hell out o9 hi$-

LANCE

You thin75

W%LLA"

% 8asn.t loo7in1-- % 8as runnin1-

CLEAN

Was a !i1 ti1er ' no shit5

W%LLA"

Who stopped to $easure hi$ ' let.s 1et the hell out o9 here-



CHEF

A $other9uc7in1 ti1er ' % could.#e !een 7illed-

The E$%I$E "!&"S to life – the #.5.8. pulls away with great speed.

CH%EFYou 9or1ot the $an1oes6 didn.t 0ou5

CHEF

Man1oes5 (here as a 9uc7in1 ti1er in the 8oods ' %

could.#e !een eaten ali#e- %.$ ne#er 1oin1 into that un1le

a1ain- % 1otta re$e$!er ne#er 1et out o9 the !oat< ne#er 1et

outta the !oat-

They move off; swallowed by the dar'ness. The ()$%LE $!ISES remain, as !)" VIEW-E%I$S a !VE I$#! the jungle.

W%LLA" @&-O-

He 8as ri1ht6 the Che9 ' ne#er 1o into the un1le6 unless0ou.re read0 to 1o all the 8a0-

"%SSOL&E (O:

E,(- (HE BOA( %N MA%NA "EL AY ' N%H(

"illard, thin'ing, his -&CK #! )S. uddenly, he turns around, and we SEE his face.

W%LLA" @&-O-

What 8as in the un1le5 What 8as there6 8aitin1 9or $e5

+e lights the cigarette; the light of his match illuminating his face momentarily. There is something different about him; a maturity, a cool inner peace.

W%LLA" @&-O-

<continuing=

--- urt/ 8as in there- Or 8as he< 8as it urt/5 He 8as ust

a na$e to $e no8< % couldn.t re$e$!er a 9ace6 a #oice ' he

ust didn.t add up to $e- all his li!eral !ullshit a!out the

end o9 sa#a1er0 ' and the role o9 our culture6 our 8a0 o9

li9e---

"illard loo's toward the group of people on the boat – there is still some )SIC. They tal' and

drin' and laugh.

W%LLA" @&-O-

<continuing=

Our 8a0 o9 li9e ' % reall0 started to loo7 9or8ard to $eetin1

urt/ a1ain-

"%SSOL&E (O:

WA(EWAY ' MO&%N FOWA" ' "AY

"e 'E&" $

A"%O



Must re$e$!er that 8e o8e our than7s 9or these to the

8onder9ul ser#ices o9 the +-S-O- ' here.s another oldie '

this one dedicated---

&%EW ON CHEF

5y himself on the #.5.8.; he has wiped mud under his eyes to 'ill the glare; it is incredibly hot. +e

is barechested, wearing a hat made of a banana palm.

A"%O

--- to the 9ire tea$ at An he 9ro$ their 1roo#0 C-O- Fred

the Head '

&%EW ON (HE O+P

A"%O

(he ollin1 Stones and )Satis9action---)

CHEF

Outa si1ht-

The S!$% -L&"ES !$ – they all dig it.

PAN (O "illard, sitting alone in the rear, reading from his file on (urt. "e "EVE&L 6ance in

the b.g., water)s'iing behind the #.5.8., slaloming bac' and forth on his single s'i to the )SIC

– jumping the wa'e occasionally.

NEW &%EW ' ON (HE P-B--

6ance water)s'iing to %atisfaction.%

&%EW ON CLEAN

Alert, at the rear of the boat – his )3/ ready, just in case.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

"illard opens a letter from the pac'et.

"e can SEE it is a private correspondence – feminine writing on the envelope.

W%LLA" @&-O-

(he dossier o9 a "etach$ent contained letters 9ro$ the

9a$ilies and 8i#es o9 urt/. $en (here 8ere letters 9ro$

urt/. 8i9e as 8ell-

CLOSE SHO( ' ON (HE LE((E

It is addressed to :olonel "alter (urt – in the corner is the return address of rs. :olonel

"alter (urt – "illard>s hand fushes through the pac'et and comes up with a picture of a very

attractive, thirty)five year old American 5eauty... he is classically American.

CLOSE SHO( ' ON W%LLA"



"illard loo's into some empty tents – loo's around the dreary muddy camp. Two soldiers pass.

W%LLA"

Soldier ' 8here.s 0our C-O-5

SOL"%E

Stepped on a !oo!0 trap6 sir ' 1ot !lo8n all to hell '

W%LLA"

Well 6 8ho.s in co$$and here5

SOL"%E

% don.t 7no8 ' don.t ha#e an0 idea ' %.$ ust the ni1ht $an

'

+e turns and wal's off babbling incoherently –

W%LLA"

What a!out 0ou6 soldier5

The soldier he was tal'ing to turns around smiling idiotically and ma'ing animal noises. +e

stumbles off after his friend.

ME"%+M SHO( ' "%FFEEN( ANLE ' W%LLA"

+e loo's around disgustedly

&O%CE @O-S-

<whispering=

Captain '

"illard turns around loo'ing for where the voice came from.

&O%CE @O-S-

<continuing=

O#er here6 Captain '

+e turns to see the +ollywood Agent under the flap of a large tent so that he won>t get wet. +e

wears the same clothes as before, but is much dirtier. +e motions "illard into the tent.

%N(- (EN( ' ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA"6 AEN(

They duc' inside – it is dar' and damp.

On cots around a stove sit the three playmates and the pilot. The nearest one, C&#'* , a blonde,

pic's leeches out of her feet. The other two, #E""I and L*$D& , play cards with the helicopter

pilot. "illard loo's over the situation.

AEN(

You ca$e in on that !oat6 didn.t 0ou5

W%LLA"

Yeah '

AEN(

Where are 0ou headed5

W%LLA"

What.s it $atter5 et to the point-



AEN(

Loo7 ' 0ou 7no8 the 1irls ' (hat.s (erri ' she 8as

pla0$ate o9 '

W%LLA"

Yeah6 % cau1ht 0our sho8 at Hau Fat-

They all loo' over.

AEN(

Oh ' % see ' Well6 1irls6 this is Captain ' eh '

W%LLA"

Captain Willard ' 1o ahead-

AEN(

Loo7 ' 8e 1ot in a little trou!le ' the0 rudel0 too7 our

helicopter 9or MedE#ac 8or7 on this ' uh Operation Brute

Force ' (he0 ust !rou1ht it !ac7 this $ornin1-

W%LLA"

Yeah-

AEN(

Well % $ean li7e the0 also too7 our 9uel ' We.#e !een here

t8o da0s-

W%LLA"

"read9ul-

AEN(

Loo7 ' the 1irls could 1et 7illed ' 8e.re not supposed to !ethis close co$!at6 % $ean real co$!at-

W%LLA"

Well '

AEN(

We could use so$e 9uel ' ust a hal9 dru$ ' ust enou1h to

1et us out a here-

W%LLA"

We need all our 9uel-

+e turns and starts to leave.

AEN(

But6 Captain6 thin7 8hat these 1irls ha#e done 9or the !o0s

' thin7 o9 ho8 the0.#e ris7ed '

"illard is almost out of the tent.

(E%

Captain '

+e turns around.

(E%

<continuing=



%t.s reall0 rou1h here ' Captain ' 8e.re ust not !uilt 9or it

'

The #ilot laughs.

P%LO(

(hat.s rich '

(E%

"o us a 9a#or ' %.d do one 9or 0ou ' i9 % could '

"illard just stares at her – even though she>s in jeans and field jac'et she is something to see –

The Agent ta'es "illard aside – Terri goes bac' to the others.

AEN(

Loo7 ' 0ou 7no8 8ho that is6 Captain ' 0ou 7no8 8hat

she.s sa0in1 ' 0ou.ll ne#er see stu99 that 1ood outside o9 a

$a1a/ine 9or the rest o9 0our li9e-

W%LLA"%.$ not that 9ond o9 !londes ' $a0!e % li7e !runettes '

AEN(

(a7e 0our pic7 ' the0 all li7e 0ou ' % can tell '

W%LLA"

% li7e all o9 the$ '

AEN(

ood ' li7e % said6 ta7e 0our pic7-

W%LLA"

% said % li7e all o9 the$-

AEN(

No8 ust a second ' %.$ doin1 0ou a 9a#or6 !udd0 ' 8hat.re

0ou tr0in1 to pull5

"illard turns to leave again.

W%LLA"

We need all our 9uel an08a0-

AEN(

Wait ' 8ait ' don.t 1et up ti1ht ' 8hat % $eant 8as 8e.d

need a 8hole dru$ 9or that '

W%LLA"

Sit do8n ' 8e.ll tal7 a!out it-

"illard sits down on a metal chair – motions the Agent to do li'ewise.

AEN(

What.s there to tal7 a!out ' this 8hole thin1 dis1usts $e-

W%LLA"

M0 $en '

AEN(

What4



W%LLA"

(hat.s 8hat there is to tal7 a!out ' $0 $an ' % ta7e a 1ood

care o9 $0 $en '

The girls are trying to pretend they>re not listening – the helicopter #ilot is cac'ling to himself.

AEN(You.re out o9 0our s7ull '

W%LLA"

We ha#e a lot o9 pride in our unit '

AEN(

Ho8 9ar do 0ou thin7 0ou can push ' 8hat 7ind o9 people

do 0ou thin7 '

W%LLA"

Esprit de corps '

AEN(No ' a!solutel0 not '

W%LLA"

One 9or all ' all 9or one '

AEN(

You can 7eep 0our 9uc7in1 9uel '

"illard gets up.

W%LLA"

You $a7e so$e o9 0our closest 9riends in the ar$0 ' 8ar

has a 8a0 o9 !rin1in1 $en to1ether-

AEN(

et out '

W%LLA"

Men o9 all races ' nationalities '

+e gets up and starts out.

AEN(

(8o dru$s '

"illard turns around slowly.

AEN(

<continuing=

(8o 8hole dru$s '

W%LLA"

We can use so$e 9i9t0 cali!er and a D too '

AEN(

% don.t 7no8 8hat 0ou.re tal7in1 a!out ' et 9uc7ed '

W%LLA"

% 8ill ' % assure 0ou that ' You 1ot a 9i9t0 on that H;KG '

lea#e the a$$o in !o=es ' %.ll 1et $0 $en to !rin1 the 9irst

dru$ 8ith .e$ '



+e turns to go under the tent flap.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

Ha#e the 1irls 9reshen up a !it ' co$! their hair ' put on

so$ethin1 ' 0ou 7no8 8hat % $ean '

+e leaves.

F+LL SHO( ' P-B-- ' CEW

They are all wor'ing on patching the boat and cleaning it up in general. r. :lean sits in

foreground, cleaning an )3/.

CLEAN

You 7eep this thin1 in this condition an. it.s 1onna a$6

Lance ' $ar7 $0 8ords-

LANCE

Wh0 don.t 0ou 1o pet the 8ater !u99aloes ' 1et o99 $0 !ac7-

5ehind them on the beach stand several water buffaloes eating mud or whatever they do. They are

painted jungle brown and green camouflage with grey bottoms – on their sides the words have

been stenciled in blac'$

%3 ach –

5uffalo, "ater 5)3A

7.. Army 1o. 3B4E@%

"illard wal's through them down to the boat.

CH%EF

Care9ul6 Captain6 the0.#e !een 7no8n to char1e-

W%LLA"

All ri1ht % 1ot a little surprise 9or 0ou '

They all loo' up.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

%.#e arran1ed 8ith those people 8e sa8 at Hau Fat to 1i#e

us so$e 3 cali!er in trade 9or a couple a dru$s o9 9uel '

CHEF

No shit-

W%LLA"

Che9 ' since 0ou.re such a 9an o9 Miss "ece$!er.s % thin7

0ou should !e detailed 8ith Lance and Clean to ta7e the

9irst dru$ up there-

CHEF

% don.t !elie#e 0ou '

CH%EF

What.re 0ou tr0in1 to sa06 Captain '

W%LLA"



You.ll see soon enou1h ' 1et 1oin16 sailor '

CH%EF

No shit ' hot da$n '

%N(- (EN( ' ME"%+M SHO( ' LYN"A6 CHEF

+e has followed her into the tent awe)struc' – she casually starts unbuttoning her fatigue jac'et

and ta'ing off her pants. he just stands there, his arms at his sides.

CHEF

%.#e 1ot e#er0 one o9 0our pictures ' %.#e 1ot the center9old

' the Pla0$ate.s re#ie8 ' the Pla0$ate o9 the Year run;o99

' e#er0thin16 e#en the calendar '

LYN"A

Well6 1et undressed and let.s 1et it o#er 8ith '

CHEF% can.t !elie#e it ' %.d a ne#er e#en 1ot to see 0ou i9 it 8asn.t

9or this 8ar '

he lies down on the cot in only her panties.

CHEF

<continuing=

You 8ouldn.t $ind ' uh 7inda drapin1 that ac7et o#er 0ou

sort o9 the 8a0 0ou 8ere in the calendar6 8ould 0ou5

LYN"A

Co$e on ' cut this crap ' % 1otta 1et !ac7 to Sai1on '

CHEF

Just let $e loo7 a8hile ' % ust don.t !elie#e '

C+( (O:

%N(- (EN( ' CLOSE SHO( ' LANCE6 CA(HY

They have just finished ma'ing love. :athy loo's very pleased. 6ance finishes tying his boots – she

draws on his bac'. +e gets up – starts to leave.

LANCE

Well ' uh than7s ' see 0ou around-

CA(HY

Yeah-

+e leaves – she pulls herself up and starts combing her hair – r. :lean wal's in.

CA(HY

<continuing=

Who are 0ou5

CLEAN

%.$ ne=t '

he shrugs.



"%SSOL&E (O:

%N(- (EN( ' ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA"6 (E%

+e finishes tying on his boots – pulls on his jac'et – his gun belt and pic's up his )3/. he loo's

up at him –

W%LLA"

Ma.a$ ' %.d li7e to than7 0ou 9or 8hat 0ou an. all 0our

9riends ha#e done 9or us ' % 8ant 0ou to 7no8 that $e an.

the $en appreciate 0ou co$in1 all this 8a0 ' ris7in. 0our

li#es ' li#in1 unco$9orta!l0 an. doin1 all 0ou can to

entertain us- % 8ant 0ou to 7no8 personall06 Miss6 that 9or

the past 9e8 $inutes 0ou ha#e $ade $e 9eel at ho$e-

he pic's up a shoe to throw at him. he turns, e*its foreground.

W%LLA"

<continuing=Just 8anted to sa0 that6 $a.a$-

The S'!E CL&$%S off his helmet.

C+( (O:

E,(- (HE P-B-- APPOACH%N "O L+N B%"E ' F+LL SHO( ' N%H(

The boat edges in toward the wrec'ed bridge in the distance. Along the ban's are sandbagged

fortifications with 7.. soldiers in them. There is a bright fire burning uncontrolled in the

distance; the spar's and white light from welding on the bridge momentarily lights up the night.

W%LLA" @&-O-

(8o da0s and ni1hts later6 8e approach the "o Lun1

Brid1e-

&%EW ON (HE FACES OF (HE P-B-- CEW

"atching. verywhere are wrec'ed boats – parts of trun's stic'ing out of the water – smashed

helicopters on the ban's. The bridge is in a state of siege. ortars and roc'ets arc through the

night indiscriminately and rip through the nearby jungle. oldiers are everywhere – scurrying

from trenches, carrying materials for the bridge or tending to the wounded, the maimed and the

dead. 6ight automatic WE&P!$ ,I"E is 'E&"D occasionally. The #.5.8. edges in under the

span of the old bridge. oldiers run up through the water. They are obscured in the dar'ness.

SOL"%E

% 1otta 1et out a here ' %.ll pa0 ' % 1ot $one0-

CH%EF

et a8a0 9ro$ this !oat-

W%LLA"

Who.s 0our C-O-6 soldier5

The oldier duc's bac' and runs away.

SOL"%E

Fuc7 0ou6 0ou.ll 1et 8hat.s co$in1 to 0ou-



Other men approach the boat. A young LIE)#E$&$# steps forward.

L%E+(ENAN(

Captain Willard5

W%LLA"

(hat.s $e-

L%E+(ENAN(

Captain Willard ' 8e 1ot these 9ro$ Nha (hran1 t8o da0s

a1o ' the0 e=pected 0ou here then '

+e hands up a plastic bag, ma*imum security mar'ings, "illard ta'es it.

L%E+(ENAN(

<continuing=

You don.t 7no8 ho8 happ0 that $a7es $e6 sir-

W%LLA"

Wh05

L%E+(ENAN(

No8 % can 1et out a here ' i9 % can 9ind a 8a0 out-

W%LLA"

We.ll !e needin1 so$e supplies and 9uel ' do 0ou 7no8

an0!od0 8ho can 1i#e $e a hand5

L%E+(ENAN(

%.d ust clear out as soon as % could i9 % 8ere 0ou6 sir-

(he0.re 1onna start 8or7in1 on the !rid1e 8ith torches

a1ain- Charlie 8ill start thro8in1 it in hard '

W%LLA"

What is this !rid1e5

L%E+(ENAN(

%t.s o9 strate1ic i$portance 9or 7eepin1 the hi1h8a0 into

Bat Shan open ' the 1enerals don.t li7e to ad$it that Bat

Shan is surrounded-

+e points to the men getting ready to wor'.

L%E+(ENAN(

<continuing=

E#er0 ni1ht 8e !uild it and !0 3I33 the0.#e !lo8n it up ' itand a lot o9 1ood $en ' But the 1enerals li7e to sa0 the road

is open ' ha4 No!od0 uses that road e=cept Charlie-

+e turns and splashes off into the dar'ness.

L%E+(ENAN(

<continuing=

(his is the cesspool o9 hell-

SOL"%E @O-S-

%nco$in1-

S'ELLS W'IS#LE !VE" and C"&S' into the bridge – E$ SC"E& in the distance – the

E.PL!SI!$S are thunderous.



CH%EF

<yelling=

All ri1ht ' Lance6 1o 8ith the Captain an. see 8hat 0ou can

scroun1e '

"illard climbs out with 6ance.

CH%EF

<continuing; to "illard=

Better $a7e it 9ast6 sir ' 8e don.t reall0 need $uch

an08a0-

"illard nods and they scurry off the ban' under the bridge.

ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA"6 LANCE

They dash up the emban'ment and along the barbed wire on the edge of the road. S'ELLS

SC"E& overhead, they don>t 'now where to run.

&O%CE

Strai1ht ahead6 son;o9;a;!itch-

They dive towards the voice.

CLOSE SHO( ' (ENCH

They dive in, a S!LDIE" is crounched in foreground holding his buddy who is crying

uncontrollably.

SOL"%E

You ca$e ri1ht to it6 son o9 a !itch '

W%LLA"

Son;o9;a;!itch6 sir-

The oldier doesn>t respond.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

Where.s 0our chie9 suppl0 o99icer5

SOL"%E

Be#erl0 Hills '

W%LLA"

What5

SOL"%E

Strai1ht up the road ' a concrete !un7er ' Be#erl0 Hills '

8here else 0ou thin7 he.d !e5

W%LLA"

C.$on '

There is an apparent lull and they dash out along the road. uddenly to their right an 145

S#&"#S !PE$I$% )P from a sandbagged emplacement.

SOL"%E @O-S-

et 0our asses do8n6 !udd0-



They drop and crawl to the slit trench and run up to the emplacement. everal S!LDIE"S man a

)/0. One has a sniper rifle – another tries to spot for the &unner. "illard and 6ance edge up

along the trench. "illard trips.

&O%CE

Watch 0our 9eet6 asshole '

"illard loo's down.

&O%CE

<continuing=

You stepped on $0 9ace-

LANCE

We thou1ht 0ou 8ere dead-

&O%CE

(he 8hole 8orld lo#es a s$art ass-

They move ahead more carefully. The &unner -L&S#S away into the night, there is a pile of

brass cases about three feet high ne*t to him. -inally he stops swearing to himself.

W%LLA"

What.re 0ou shootin1 at6 soldier5

+NNE

oo7s-

+e turns and sees it>s an officer.

+NNE

<continuing=%.$ sorr06 sir-

W%LLA"

%t.s all ri1ht6 ser1eant ' 8hat.s out there5

+NNE

(he0 8ere tr0in. to cut throu1h the 8ire ' % 1ot .e$ all %

thin7-

O(HE SOL"%E

Oh 0eah ' listen-

There is a low moaning SC"E& from out in the wire – it stops for a minute then continueshideously.

+NNE

He.s tr0in1 to call his 9riends ' send up a 9lare-

The potter does, it arcs up, then bathes them in eerie light. The &unner ,I"ES a long -)"S#.

SPO((E

(hose are all dead6 stupid6 he.s o!#iousl0 underneath .e$ '

They thin' about this as the flare goes out. The SC"E&I$% gets more intense.

+NNE

Wa7e up the oach-



The potter moves down to where a tall lan'y S!LDIE" is leaned up against the trench. +e 'ic's

him hard several times. 8oach wa'es and just loo's up. On his helmet are the words$ %&O9

56 9O".%

OACH

Yeah6 $an-

SPO((E

Slope in the 8ire ' hear hi$-

+e listens, he does, he nods.

SPO((E

<continuing=

Bust hi$-

8oach gets up somewhat annoyed but very cool. +e saunters up the machine gun dragging his )

G@ which has paisley designs all over it.

+NNE Hear hi$5

OACH

Sure 6 0eah-

+NNE

You need a 9lare '

OACH

No6 it.s cool-

+e opens the breech of his shotgun)li'e weapon and plun's the big slug into it. +e snaps it closed

then rests it across his forearm over the trench – he listens to the SC"E& , calculating.

OACH

<continuing=

He.s close ' real close-

+e adjusts his sights so that the gun is aimed high into the air. +e listens again then ,I"ES. The

%"E$&DE W'IS#LES off into the night. There is a sharp E.PL!SI!$ that cuts off the scream.

Then the #')D of bodies or pieces of bodies coming down around them.

OACH

<continuing=

Muhhh Fuhhh---

+e staggers bac' down the trench to go to sleep.

F+LL SHO( ' P-B-- ' B%"E ' CLEAN6 CHEF

They stand in the shallows waiting for "illard and 6ance. :lean is nervous, he constantly chec's

his )3/. S'ELLS W'IS#LE by and C"&S' in the distance.

CHEF

ee/6 % 8ish the0.d hurr0-

A S!LDIE" comes up on his way with some others to start building the bridge.

SOL"%E

He06 !udd06 that !oat still runs6 eh5



CLEAN

Yeah6 it still runs-

SOL"%E

"o $e a 9a#or !udd06 please-

CLEAN

What is it5

+e ta'es out a handful of crumpled envelopes.

SOL"%E

Send these out 8hen 0ou 1et !ac7 to the 8orld-

+e puts them in :lean>s hand.

SOL"%E

<continuing=

%t.s to e#er0one % reall0 7ne8 ' the 9irst 1irl % scre8ed ' $0!rother ' !est 9riend ' % 8anted to tell .e$ ho8 $uch %

eno0ed 7no8in1 .e$ ' it.s !een a 1reat t8ent0 0ears- %

1otta let .e$ 7no8-

CLEAN

What.re 0ou as7in. $e 9or ' put .e$ in the 9irst helicopter

co$es in to$orro8-

SOL"%E

No!od0 co$es in here-

+e points up at the mountain ridges.

SOL"%E

<continuing=

(he N-&-A- K2th ' o#er there the K3th ' on that hill 8e

counted 9ourteen di99erent 1uns in one $inute ' the0 1ot

roc7ets $ortars6 snipers in those trees6 there.s a $illion o9

those shitt0 little !astards out there ' 8e.re all 1onna die-

+e grabs :lean and loo's at him with a maniacal urgency.

SOL"%E

<continuing=

%.$ 1onna !e dead-

:lean ta'es the letters.

SOL"%E

<continuing=

You 1ot a chance in that !oat ' !0 $ornin1 0ou could !e

9i#e $iles do8n the ri#er-

CLEAN

We ain.t 1oin. do8n the ri#er-

The oldier loo's at him as if he is jo'ing.

CLEAN

<continuing=

What.s up ri#er 9ro$ here an0ho8 '



"illard practically hangs off forward with a long pole, warding off the big debris moving toward

the #.5.8. :lean joins him, helping.

W%LLA"

<shouting to :hief=

What a!out duc7in1 into one o9 those tri!utaries till this

ri#er slo8s do8n5

CH%EF

Who 7no8s 8hat.s up there5

W%LLA"

Can.t !e an0 8orse than this- What do 0ou thin75

CH%EF

% thin7 this ri#er 8ants to ta7e us ho$e 9ast- %.$ practicall0

1oin. in re#erse-

"illard points his pole in the direction of the mouth of a tributary.

W%LLA"

Well6 1et in there-

CH%EF

(his 8hole area is lous0 8ith &-C- ' We don.t stand a

chance- Le$$e turn around and 8e.ll !e in Hau Fat in si=

$inutes-

There is a really loud W'&CK against the hull. "illard really mad, throws the pole at the :hief,

who duc's.

W%LLA"

et in there4

CH%EF

(his is $0 cre8 and $0 9uc7in1 !oat6 and %.$ the

responsi!le part0-

W%LLA"

et in there no8 or %.ll !ur0 0ou in this ri#er-

It>s clear that "illard will 'ill the :hief if he doesn>t do as he says.

CH%EF

<finally relents, turns the helm=

You.re 9uc7in1 cra/0- You.re 1oin1 to 1et us all 7illed-

The #.5.8. navigates through the rush and into the mouth of the tributary.

"%SSOL&E (O:

E,(- (HE (%B+(AY ' P-B-- ' A%N

8ain is pouring down, but the #.5.8. is slowed down to a snail>s pace by +yacinths, literally

across the waterway.

"illard, :hef and :lean in the water, cutting through them with machetes.

&%EW ON LANCE



&%EW ON LANCE

6ance>s twin guns return the ,I"E. The :hief moves to one of the heavy guns and joins 6ance in

returning the ,I"E.

&%EW ON (HE MEN %N (HE WA(E

#ushing, cutting. 5ullets S&S' and E.PL!DE around. :lean climbs onto the boat, and leaps

onto a gun emplacement.

ME"%+M &%EW

1obody really 'nows where the erratic fire is coming from.

CH%EF

<bac' at the helm=

Ele#ate Lance6 in the tree- No6 % sa8 another-

CHEF

(hirt0 $eters up6 Lance< % sa8 the 9uc7in1 9lash-

6ance grits his teeth, ,I"I$% –

CLOSE SHO( ON CLEAN

PO& BEH%N" CLEAN

+e -L&S#S short bursts of tracers into the jungle, cutting it to salad. uddenly more tracers from

another direction – :lean swings around – -)LLE#S smash against his shield and rip chun's from the surfboard. +e -L&S#S a long heavy burst at the jungle – trees crumble.

CLEAN

%.$ rippin1 .e$6 $an6 son;o9;a;!itch6 it.s a$$ed6 oh od6

it.s a$$ed-

:lean is riddled by &C'I$E %)$ ,I"E.

:hief runs to r. :lean – it is obvious that he is dead. +e loo's angrily to "illard.

"illard and :hef are practically through. "illard leaps up, as :hef finishes the last stro'es. +e

moves toward the coc'pit.

W%LLA"

(hro8 $e that ordnance-

:hef throws him an )G@ and several shells – "illard opens it, jams a huge projectile and pulls

himself over the edge of the coc'pit.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

i#e $e so$e 7ind a 9ield a 9ire '

-)LLE#S rip by.

CHEF

<e*hausted=

We.re throu1h-



+e climbs aboard and collapses.

CHEF

<continuing=

Oh6 od '

LANCE

<firing=

% ain.t 9inished4 % ain.t 9inished4

W%LLA"

Brin1 that !o8 ordnance into those trees-

+e jams his gun up as he sees a flash and ,I"ES – there is a low #O# and a "+IT6 as the

%"E$&DE arches into the jungle.

PO& ' BEH%N" (HEM

+e ,I"ES another burst as the %"E$&DE E.PL!DES brightly. There is another #O# and

"+IT6 , another -L&S#. A large tree falls, just as the craft speeds up through the thinning

growth. "e 'E&" strange SC"E&I$% from the trees and jungle, hideous !&$S and terror)

filled C"IES.

CLOSE SHO( ON (HE CH%EF

+e jams the throttle forward – the boat surges ahead. "illard ,I"ES another %"E$&DE from

his )G@.


The boat slams through the hyacinth growth, moving through the river, ,I"I$% -&CK at unseen

enemy in the jungle.

"%SSOL&E (O:

F+LL &%EW ON (HE P-B-- ' (W%L%H(

The boat moves ahead at half speed through a wide, flat area in the river.

ME"%+M &%EW

The men sit around, e*hausted, brutalied, wounded. They loo' li'e animals, but they are rela*ed,

because they 'now they>re too far from the ban's to be shot at.

They smo'e pot and eat silently. 6ance smo'es a joint and loo's at his gun. plotches of paint

have been blown away from the armor shield – pieces of dec' are ripped and ragged around the

mount. The boat is a floating wrec'.

:lean>s body is being prepared in a plastic sac' by :hief. All of the men are silent.

:hef comes up from below; he has been wounded in the shoulder.

CHEF

(here.s so$e !ad holes6 $an6 and the crac7s ' 8ater.s

co$in1 throu1h the crac7s- Food.s shot to hell-



W%LLA"

Ho8 $uch is le9t5

CHEF

Less than hal9 ' sure is a $ess do8n there-

:hief has been silent by the body of :lean in a plastic sac'.

W%LLA"

And the 1rass5

CHEF

Still 1ot a lot o9 that stu99 9ro$ Nha (ran1- But 8e.re

runnin1 lo8 on the other-

:hief pushes :lean>s body into the river.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

+e notices something in the distance.

W%LLA".S PO&

A light.

ME"%+M &%EW

"illard stands up, pointing up the river.

W%LLA"

He0-

They all loo' over.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

(hat.s a li1ht do8n there '

CHEF

Yeah6 it is-

CH%EFWhat the hell is it5

W%LLA"

%n the $iddle o9 the un1le ' a 1odda$n li1ht-

F+LL SHO( ' (HE P-B-- ' (HE (W%L%H(

The #.5.8. approaches the distant light – which seems to be on the doc' of an overgrown

plantation building.

&%EW ON W%LLA"6 CH%EF

training to see; he uses field glasses.



PO& ' (HO+H (HE LASSES

eems to be some figures standing on the doc'. The figures pull bac' behind some drums.

BAC (O SCENE

W%LLA"

Watch it4

They duc' as S'!#S "I$% !)# from the doc', stitching the water across the #.5.8.>s bow. The

crew crouches, guns trained on the doc' as the boat still approaches.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

(he0.re not Con1-

CH%EF<over the loud)hailer=

We.re A$ericans-

Another -)"S# , closer.

CHEF

Ma0!e 0ou shouldn.t sa0 8e.re A$ericans5

"illard stares at the doc' and building, trying to figure it out.

W%LLA"

Che96 tr0 0our French-

:hief hands the loud)hailer to :hef, who shrugs and shouts$

CHEF

Nous so$$es A$ericains '

ilence.

CHEF

<continuing=Nous ne #oulon pas #ous a1resser-

&%EW ON W%LLA"

+e loo's through the glasses.

PO& (HO+H (HE LASSES

&radually, a small group appears from behind the drums on the doc'.

W%LLA" @O-S-

French Nationals ' the0 $a0 not !e too 9riendl06 thou1h-

BAC (O SCENE

"e drift closer to the doc'. The :hef starts enjoying spea'ing -rench.



CHEF

Nous so$$es A$ericains ' nous so$$es des a$is '

There is silence as the boat drifts closer. Then$

FENCHMAN<shouting out=

&ous parle/ Francais co$$e une #ache espanole-

CHEF

<to himself=

% thou1ht it 8as prett0 1ood6 $0sel9-

CH%EF

What.d he sa05

CHEF

Said % spea7 French li7e a Spanish co8-

FENCHMAN @O-S-

Laisser to$!er #os ar$es '

CHEF

Put the 1uns strai1ht up ' stand a8a0 9ro$ the $ounts-

W%LLA"

"o it-

They do.

FENCHMAN @O-S-

&ous pou#e/ approcher $ais douce$ent '

CHEF

(a7e her in slo8-

F+LL SHO( ' "%FFEEN( ANLE ' "OC

The men on the doc' move forward, cautiously. They are a young man, P'ILIPPE , about 4B,

strong and handsome, save for a scar down on the side of his face and through his left eye, which

is covered by a patch. +e is dressed in a tiger suit and the red beret of the -rench colonial para)

troops. Also of the red beret are 'E$"* Le,EV"E , a bearded, dar')loo'ing man of EB, and

#"&$ V&$ K&C , a middle)aged half)breed slave. They all bear automatic weapons and

suspicious in their eyes. As the boat pulls up to the doc', another -renchman joins the group,obviously the head man, %&S#!$ DE &"&IS , about fifty, small and delicate, with a strength

about him.

PH%L%PPE

Hands on the heads-

CH%EF

% can.t steer 8ith $0 1odda$n 9eet-

CHEF

He06 the0 spea7 A$erican-

AS(ON

Who is the co$$andin1 o99icer5



CH%EF

% '

W%LLA"

% a$ ' %.$ Captain B-L- Willard- (his is Chie9 Warrant

O99icer Phillips ' it.s his !oat- We 8ere shot up !ad

do8nri#er and need repairs and 9ood ' 8e can pa0 0ou in1old-

AS(ON

Philippe '

#hilippe moves to another position – (ac grabs the rope from the dec' and ties it to the doc'.

LANCE

%.ll help 0ou 8ith '

PH%L%PPE

"o not $o#e '

&aston loo's at the s'yward pointed twin fifties admiringly.

AS(ON

Fi9t0 cali!ers6 eh6 Captain '

W%LLA"

As % said6 8e can pa0 0ou in 1old-

AS(ON

Entirel0 unnecessar06 Captain-

+e puts down his gun – the others do li'ewise –

AS(ON

We share a co$$on ene$0 ' 0ou are our 1uests-

<he steps bac'=

% a$ aston de $arais ' this is $0 9a$il0.s plantation- %t

has !een such 9or 2 0ears- %t 8ill !e such a9ter % die- (his

is $0 son6 Philippe ' he has 9ou1ht in Al1eria and held the

ran7 o9 Captain- And Henr0 LeFe#re ' a ser1eant< he 8as

at "ien Bien Phu- M0 personal ser#ant6 (ran &an ac '

Then he motions to the trees. A young man in a tiger suit and three women come forward from

different positions – all wear bush clothing and bear weapons.

AS(ON<continuing=

M0 0oun1est son ' Christian '

CLOSE SHO( ' CH%S(%AN

+e carries an )/0 machine gun in his hand – a belt of ammunition trailing off behind him.

AS(ON

Christian.s 8i9e ' Ann;Marie '

A tall girl, good)loo'ing, but severe – she carries an )3/.

AS(ON

<continuing=



F+LL SHO( ' PLAN(A(%ON ' W%LLA"6 AS(ON6 O(HES

&aston stops, points to a guest house off the main structure which is a typical jungle plantation

house, save the many sandbagged gun emplacements and barbed wire.

AS(ON

A suita!le acco$$odation 9or 0our $en6 captain ' 0ou 8ill6

o9 course6 !e >uartered 8ith us '

+e indicates that the men should follow #hilippe. The :hief is hesitant.

W%LLA"

o ahead '

#hilippe leads them on, muttering.

AS(ON

Captain6 this 8a0-

"illard follows – they wal' over past the house and toward the jungle, approaching a huge crater,

300 feet across and about thirty feet deep. The bottom is filled with water and young -rench and

2ietnamese children swim in it. On the opposite rim, sit two men and a woman with machine guns.

&aston strides up and loo's down at the crater with pride.

AS(ON

<continuing=

Ma1ni9icent6 eh6 Captain5

"illard loo's.

AS(ON<continuing=

%t is #er0 1ood ' there is no current ' %t is #er0 1ood- % ha#e

ne#er seen one li7e it in all %ndochina- % 8as in Paris 8hen

it arri#ed ' do 0ou 7no8 8hat $i1ht ha#e caused '

W%LLA"

Loo7s li7e a t8o thousand pound to $e- Yeah6 a t8o

thousand pound !o$!-

AS(ON

No6 %.#e seen those in Nor$and0- (his is $uch !etter-

<pause=

M0 countr0 ' $0 countr0 could ne#er ori1inate this-Ma1ni9icent-

&aston stands in serious admiration for this feat; "illard loo's between him and this big hole in

the ground in amaement.

%N(- WOMEN.S SHOWE ' E&EN%N

A foreman>s shower from the old plantation days. The :hief steps out of it, refreshed, though still

e*hausted. 6ance stands there, about to step in, absolutely filthy, ca'ed with blood. +is reaction is

odd; rather than just stepping into the shower, he seems almost frightened, reluctant to step in.

:hef is waiting behind him.

CHEF

A hot sho8er6 hot da$n-



+e pushes him forward into the water. The dirt and ca'ed mud go swirling off his face and

shoulders, and he rela*es as though he suddenly remembers what a shower is.

E,(- (HE "OC ' P-B-- ' E&EN%N

5attered and torn – a few of #hilippe>s 2ietnamese guard at the boat.

%N(- W%LLA".S *+A(ES ' E&EN%N

A beautiful uropean room with tall ceilings. till elegantly furnished, although old and decaying.

"illard sits in a comfortable chair in the corner of the room, loo'ing out over the carpet, the bed

with its elegant spread; the wash basin; the bidet. +is battle dress is blac' with muc', with

bloodstaines and burns.

+e rises from the chair and steps to a dresser above which is a large mirror. There is an album on

the marble top of the dresser. +e turns to a page at random.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

+aggard, loo'ing down at the album.

W%LLA" @&-O-

% 8ondered ' ho8 lon1 has this roo$ !een li7e this< ho8

lon1 has the 9urniture !een standin1 in these places5

&%EW ON (HE ALB+M

ome old photographs of people standing around a car in the 40>s in front of the plantation.

Another picture shows a child playing by the rubber trees near the plantation.

W%LLA" @&-O-

Was it li7e this si=t0 0ears a1o5 Ei1ht0 0ears5 But here6

e#en ei1ht0 0ears is nothin1-

+e turns the page,

The plantation being built. #ictures of the framing, s'eletal against the s'y and jungle.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

-ascinated

W%LLA" @&-O-

%t 8as un1le6 once< and it 8ill !e un1le6 a1ain---

&%EW ON (HE ALB+M

Only the very beginnings of the house; the first structures. Then another picture of the jungle site

where it was to be built.




+e loo's up and sees his own face, reflected in the garish mirror. +e barely recognies himself.

ME"%+M &%EW

"illard loo's at himself in the mirror, in this odd, out)of)time room.

%N(- "%N%N OOM O+P ' (AC%N SHO(

(AC "OWN the long table, covered with delicious food. The #.5.8. crew sits with others of

the 9e arais group. The table is headed by t. 6e-evre. :hef>s face lights up as he regards the

wonderful uropean)style food.

CHEF

(his 9ood is 8onder9ul4 % can.t !elie#e the che9 is a slope-

<turning to :lean=

So$e $ore5

Opposite the table, sitting ne*t to the :hief, 6ance reaches hungrily for bread and other food withhis hands.

CHEF

<continuing=

He0 ' Lance-

LANCE

Huh5 Oh- +$6 8ould0a--- 8ould0a pass $e the ice;a;roni6

please-

And then he loo's to his friends for approval.

O+ &%EW E&EALS that behind a transparent sil' curtain there is another, more elaboratetable, where the 9e arais family is dining with "illard.

O+ &%EW MO&ES through the curtain and settles in a EDI) VIEW of the group.

The men rise as a very attractive woman enters the room. "illard finally does as well, and she

moves to the chair ne*t to him.

AS(ON

o=anne6 % hope 0ou are 9eelin1 !etter-

O,ANNE

Je #ais !ien $aintenant-

AS(ON

Ma0 % present Captain Willard5 He is o9 a paratroop

re1i$ent- You 7no8 the di99erence !et8een a paratrooper

and a re1ular soldier6 don.t 0ou 6 $0 dear5

O,ANNE

<smiling and ta'ing "illard>s hand=

Yes6 the0 co$e 9ro$ the s70-

he sits – there>s an uneasy silence.

"illard is caught with this e*otic woman on one side of him, and the ongoing conversation on the

other. +e is forced to face toward &aston, and drawn to loo' at 8o*anne.



W%LLA"

% 8ould li7e to 7no8 $ore a!out the--- uh6 pla>ue---

#hilippe turns around, points to an elaborately scripted wooden pla!ue with various tallies on it.

AS(ON

Attac7s repulsed6 as % 8as sa0in1-<hard=

(his is onl0 9or this 8ar6 Captain- &iet Con1 ' G< North

&ietna$ese re1ular 9orces ' < South &ietna$ese ' 2I '

re1ular 9orces and other8ise-

<pause=

A$ericain ' D- O9 course6 the0 8ere6 perhaps6 $ista7es6

Captain-

W%LLA"

O9 course- % ' Once 8e $a7e our repairs6 8e could send

8ord6 8e could ha#e 0ou e#acuated 9ro$ here-

AS(ONCaptain5

W%LLA"

You.ll 1et !lo8n outta here so$e da0-

AS(ON

We 8ill ne#er .e#acuate.6 Captain ' this is our ho$e-

%ndochina is ours< it has !een so 9or a hundred and t8ent0;

one 0ears6 there is so$ethin1 to sa0 9or that-

W%LLA"

(he &ietna$ese thin7 it.s theirs ' % 1uess the A$ericans

do6 too-

AS(ON

But 8e ci#ili/ed it- A place !elon1s to those 8ho !rin1 li1ht

to it6 don.t 0ou a1ree-

W%LLA"

% al8a0s thou1ht the French ca$e here to 1et the ru!!er-

PH%L%PPE

E=cuse $e6 % $ust attend to $0 $en-

+e gets up, and leaves abruptly – followed by his wife.

O,ANNE

Ma0 % as7 8here the Captain is 1oin1 in his little !oat5

W%LLA"

We 8ere 1oin1 upri#er 8hen 8e 1ot cau1ht in a stor$6

$a.a$-

AS(ON

+pri#er5 Wh0 upri#er5 (here is nothin1 there6 onl0 un1le-

W%LLA"

"o 0ou 7no8 that un1le5

AS(ON



When % 8as a !o06 $0 9ather 8ould ta7e $e there6 to hunt-

(here are a 9e8 sa#a1es6 !ut no $an can li#e there6 no

8hite $an-

W%LLA"

What a!out an A$erican na$ed urt/5

There is a pause.

AS(ON

We ha#e ne#er heard o9 hi$-

&aston rises, and ta'es 8o*anne>s hand.

AS(ON

<continuing=

Bon nuit6 o=anne ' !on nuit6 Captain-

"illard turns.

W%LLA"

ood ni1ht-

&aston leaves. "illard and 8o*anne are left alone. The servants clear the table.

O,ANNE

You $ust reali/e6 Captain ' 8e ha#e lost $uch here ' %6 $0

hus!and- aston ' his 8i9e and son-

W%LLA"

%.$ sorr0 to hear that-

O,ANNE<rising=

Co1nac5

W%LLA"

% should !e chec7in1 on the !oat-

O,ANNE

(he 8ar 8ill still !e here to$orro8-

he wal's out of the room.

W%LLA"

<thin'ing=% 1uess so-

+e follows.

%N(- S%((%N OOM ' F+LL SHO( ' W%LLA" AN" O,ANNE

8o*anne sits, pouring a brandy, while "illard stands.

O,ANNE

"o 0ou $iss 0our ho$e6 Captain5 Ha#e 0ou so$eone

there5

W%LLA"

No- Not reall0-



I was discharged from the army four years ago. I went home, wasted some time, bought a ustang

ach 3, drove it a wee'. Then I re)upped for another tour. 1o, everything I love is here.

O,ANNE

(hen 0ou are li7e us-

he reaches out to him; indicating that he sit.

O,ANNE

<continuing=

What 8ill 0ou do a9ter the 8ar5

W%LLA"

% ust 9ollo8 $0 9ootsteps6 one at a ti$e6 tr0in1 to ans8er

the little >uestions and sta0in1 a8a0 9ro$ the !i1 ones-

O,ANNE

What.s a !i1 >uestion5

W%LLA"

urt/-

<pause=

% 7no8 0ou.#e heard o9 hi$-

O,ANNE

Yes-

W%LLA"

What did 0ou hear5

O,ANNE

(hat stran1e thin1s--- terri!le thin1s ha#e occurred aroundthis A$erican6 urt/-

W%LLA"

What thin1s5

O,ANNE

aston 8ould ne#er tell $e- %t 8as a su!ect not to !e

spo7en o96 Captain-

W%LLA"

Yes-

O,ANNE"id 0ou 7no8 ' deeper in the un1le6 upri#er ' there are

sa#a1es5

W%LLA"

% 7no8-

O,ANNE

But Captain6 % $ean ' canni!als-

A long pause. Then she loo's at the cognac she poured for him.

O,ANNE

<continuing=

What a pit06 0ou don.t drin7- Since $0 hus!and died6 there

are so $an0 thin1s % $ust do alone-



he ta'es a sip.

"illard moves to the -rench doors, which have been left partly open to let a breee in. +e steps

onto a terrace overloo'ing the river.

E,(- (HE (EACE ' ME"%+M &%EW ' W%LLA" ' N%H(

A machine gun emplacement is situated on the terrace covering the front of house, from the river.

O,ANNE

<from the sitting room=

Are 0ou 8ar$6 Captain5

W%LLA"

(he ri#er is !eauti9ul-

In fact, we "E&LI6E that he is chec'ing the boat.

W%LLA".S PO&

The #.5.8. is under guard by a couple of &aston>s 2ietnamese.

ME"%+M &%EW ON W%LLA"6 O,ANNE

he, thin'ing it romantic to tal' about the river, comes up behind him.

O,ANNE

% spend hours 8atchin1 that ri#er 9ro$ $0 !edroo$

8indo8- %t 9ascinates $e-

he moves her body close to his; and, in a moment, he is 'issing her.

CLOSE ON W%LLA"6 O,ANNE

One eye steals another loo' at the #.5.8.

&%EW ON (HE P-B--

Two of the guards leave – two remain, getting ready for the long night.

&%EW ON W%LLA"6 O,ANNE ' ON (HE (EACE

+is hands wander over her body as she clings to him. Then she ta'es his hand, and leads him bac'

into the sitting room, and up the stairs.

%N(- O,ANNE.S OOM ' F+LL &%EW

It is dar'. he leads him into her room and closes the door. +e stands there. In the center of the

room is a large canopied bed with mos!uito netting hanging down over it. The windows also have

netting and barbed wire – there is a .E0 calibre machine gun mount in the far one. +e loo'

around. she goes over to the bed, and turns down the sheets. Then she slips out of her dress and

stands there facing him.



+e puts down his gun and strips off his shirt. he lays down on the bed and watches him.

O,ANNE

% ha#e !een lonel0 here6 Captain-

+e moves to her, slipping into the bed. )3/ is leaning against the wall in his reach.

FA"E O+(

E,(- O,ANNE.S (EACE ' N%H(

"e can VIEW into the room, as "illard has silently slipped out of her bed, and is a dar' sinister

figure 'neeling in final preparations for going out in the night.

"ithout a sound, he comes out to the terrace, and scales down the wall of the old building,

disappearing into the dar'ness.

E,(- (HE "OC ' P-B-- ' N%H(

Two 2ietnamese guard the #.5.8. – suddenly, feet first, the first disappears into the thic'et.


In the thic'et; we realie he has just 'illed the man with a 'nife. "illard stal's the second guard

and ma'es !uic' wor' of him with his 'nife. +e even enjoys it. ilently, he drags the body out of

sight.

ME"%+M &%EW ON (HE P-B--

The dar' figure boards the boat silently. +e disappears into the hold.

NEW &%EW

+e lifts out several cases of supplies, wor'ing !uic'ly, with a grace that indicates he is a man who

has done his best wor' alone, and at night.

C+( (O:

%N(- O,ANNE.S OOM ' CLOSE SHO( ' W%LLA" ' MON%N

+e sleeps soundly alone in the bed – we 'E&" S!E!$E moving around in the room. +e

wa'es suddenly –

P+LL BAC (O E&EAL 8o*anne combing her hair and buttoning up her blouse. he notices

he is awa'e and smiles.

O,ANNE

% 8ill 9i= 0ou !rea79ast-

+e starts to get up.

W%LLA"

%.$ a9raid % 8on.t ha#e ti$e ' % 1otta '

O,ANNE



When 0ou reach the !oat 0ou 8ill 9ind that hal9 0our 9i9t0

cali!re stores ' a case o9 1renades6 a $ortar and t8o M;

D.s and a case o9 clips are !ein1 trans9erred to us !0 0our

order-

+e stops – seemingly stunned.

W%LLA"

So that.s it-

O,ANNE

You $a0 thin7 8hat 0ou 8ish6 Captain6 !ut % li7e 0ou #er0

$uch-

he turns to go.

W%LLA"

What i9 % sa0 no-

O,ANNE(hen Philippe 8ill ha#e to 7ill all o9 0ou-

he leaves.

E,(- "OC ' F+LL SHO( ' W%LLA"6 O(HES

+e wal's down onto the doc'. &aston>s men are transferring ammunition bo*es.

&aston is standing with #hilippe, who are covering the :hief and crew with )3/>s.

AS(ON

(8o o9 $0 $en deserted last ni1ht- %t happens 9ro$ ti$e toti$e- % assu$e $0 dau1hter told 0ou o9 our conditions-

W%LLA"

Your dau1hter-

CH%EF

(he0 ta7in1 hal9 our a$$o6 Captain ' said it 8as 0our

orders-

+e pauses for a second.

W%LLA"

(hat.s ri1ht ' % did-

The :hief spits in the water disgustedly and starts the engines. "illard loo's hard at &aston.

W%LLA"

% 1uess this is 8hat $en o9 8ar do ' eh5

AS(ON

We endure6 captain ' 0ou can !lo8 up the house and 8e

8ill li#e in the cellar ' destro0 that and 8e.ll di1 a hole in

the un1le and sleep on it- Burn the 9orest and 8e.ll hide in

the s8a$p- all the 8hile6 8e do !ut one thin1 ' clean the

!lood o99 our !a0onets-

<pause=

Au re#oir6 Captain-



LON SHO( ' "OC ' P-B--

"illard climbs on board and it pulls away.

E,(- P-B-- ' ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA"6 CH%EF

The -!&# "!&"S out across the river. The :hief loo's over at "illard. They stare at each other

for a moment.

CH%EF

Ne=t ti$e 8e 1et in a 1ood 9ire 9i1ht ' %.d li7e to 7no8 ho8

she 8as6 Captain-

"illard just smiles at the :hief. he leans over and pulls up a floorboard – the men stare in

amaement; it contains the contents of all those ammo bo*es. .B0 calibre; clips; grenades.

CHEF

Hol0 shit-

CLEAN

What did 0ou put in all those a$$o !o=es5

W%LLA"

oc7s6 sand ' those t8o $en 8ho deserted-

CH%EF

When.d 0ou do it5

W%LLA"

While 0ou 8ere sleepin1-

+e lets the board drop.

"illard moves to the bac' of the boat.

F+LL SHO( ' P-B-- ' %&E6 CEW

The river has narrowed and runs swifter – the water dar' and deep. The trees are higher in this

area and much of the river is shaded on one side. There is no undergrowth, just the tall trees and

ferms. They move ahead at half speed, alert, ready for anything.

W%LLA" @&-O-

We $o#ed deeper and deeper into the un1le- %t 8as #er0>uiet there- %t 8as li7e 8anderin1 on a prehistoric planet6

an un7no8n 8orld--- 8here the $en thou1ht the0 cra8led

to6 % don.t 7no8- For $e6 8e cra8led to8ard urt/ '

e=clusi#el0-

"illard loo's out ahead and points.

They all turn their guns in that direction.

WE PAN (O E&EAL a small village of huts along the ban'.

F+LL SHO( ' "%FFEEN( ANLE ' &%LLAE

PO& OF (HE P-B--



They pass in front of the village which is rundown and completely deserted. The huts are on stilts

to avoid the flooding of the river – they are just s'eletons of what they once were.

CHEF @O-S-

Flood-

CH%EF @O-S-

No ' $ost o9 .e$ are still standin1 ' $i1ht.#e !een disease-

W%LLA" @O-S-

% don.t 7no8 ' there.d still !e so$e si1n ' it.s ust li7e the

one this $ornin1-

"%SSOL&E (O:

PO& BOA( ' F+LL SHO( ' J+NLE

The canopy of trees grows taller and stretches out across the river filtering the sun. The forestitself has grown dar'er and more twisted with ferns and creepers. trange birds fly out of the trees

as the boat passes – a huge sna'e slips along an overheading limb. The depth of the jungle is dar',

ominous – yet cool and strangely inviting.

F+LL SHO( ' BOA( ' J+NLE

uddenly the river widens, the trees give way to marsh and as they emerge into the light a strange

shadow falls upon the boat. It is the shadow cast by an enormous vertical tail section of a 5)B4

bomber thrusting out from the mud. #ieces of aluminum hang loosely from it, o*idiing in the sun.

:reepers have already started to grow up around its heights – the jungle is claiming it. 5ut once

under its shadow, they have passed a gateway. A gateway to paradise.

The river widens and the trees at its edge are soft and seductive. The hills beyond are purple and

lush. trange orange colored water)fowl swim laily out of their way. The water itself is glass

smooth and blac' as if there were no bottom. The sun is warm and the breee gentle and laced

with wild gardenians. It is indeed the most peaceful valley in all the world and each man loo's

upon it and has never 'nown such a sense of peace and well)being.

ach man in his heart feels a need to stay – his soul cries to stop – stop their madness – this spiral

into hell.

+ere is all that can be had of earth. 5ut no hand moves. The boat drifts on its own toward a hole

at the end of the clearing. A hole into the jungle from which a dar'ness permeats. The boat follows

the river into this hole.

"%SSOL&E (O:

F+LL SHO( ' P-B-- ' %&E ' "AWN

The s'ull looms in the foreground – the #.5.8. is pulled bac' about seventy yards – arly morning

mist still hangs on the water – as it clears, we SEE another post and s'ulls on the opposite ban', It

is strangely !uiet.

CH%EF

All ri1ht6 Lance '

6ance>s #WI$ ,I,#IES split the silence as they P!)" into the s'ulls on the opposite ban' –

uddenly there is a tremendous E.PL!SI!$ and SEC!$D&"* !$ES from the jungle as



shrapnel rips into the jungle and water from CL&*!"E I$ES obviously set to cover the

mound of s'ulls. The smo'e clears.

LANCE

(he other one '

W%LLA"No ' lea#e it '

CH%EF

Wh0 ' Charlie put it there to 7ill '

W%LLA"

(hta.s not Charlie.s 8or7 '

There is silence.

W%LLA"

Whoe#er put .e$ there didn.t do it to 7ill people ' (he0 put

.e$ up as si1ns '

CH%EF

Si1ns5

W%LLA"

Yeah ' li7e 7eep out '

"illard motions – the :hief accelerates – they move ahead past the smo'ing mound.

E,(- (HE %&E ' FO ' "AY

The #.5.8. pushed deeper into this mysterious area. ist swells in and around the river, as theboat moves into an obscure fog. The :hief cuts the engine, and they coast.

W%LLA" @&-O-

(o8ard the ni1ht o9 the 9i9th da0 out o9 "o Lun1 Brid1e6

8e ud1ed oursel#es a!out ei1ht $iles 9ro$ urt/. !ase-

E#er0thin1 8as still6 the trees6 the creepers6 e#en the !rush

see$ed li7e it had !een chan1ed into so$e 7ind o9 stone- %t

8as unnatural6 li7e a trance- Not a sound could !e heard- %

!e1an to thin7 % 8as dea9 ' then the 9o1 ca$e suddenl06 and

% 8as !lind too-

The boat disappears in the thic' fog.


"e catch glimpses of him, even though we are close.

W%LLA"

Listen-

CH%EF

What is it5

W%LLA"

Listen-



They are silent. "e can 'E&" the most ominous S!)$D C!I$% ,"! #'E -&$KS. The

%"!&$I$% , !" W&ILI$%... of ')$D"EDS !, E$0

CH%EF

(he0.re on the !an7s o9 the ri#er-

&%EW ON LANCE

-rantically, he swings the twin fifties around.

LANCE

Jesus4

&%EW ON CH%EF

"e can barely SEE him – in and out of the fog.

CH%EFNo6 Lance- Not 8hile 0ou can.t see-

&%EW ON W%LLA"

6istening. The S!)$D IS #E""I-LE , '!""I,*I$%.

CH%EF

Will the0 attac75

W%LLA"

%9 the0 ha#e !oats--- or canoes--- the0.d 1et lost in the 9o1-

We can.t $o#e either ' 8e.ll end up on the shore-

CHEF

od---

LANCE

Sounds li7e hundreds o9 the$-

W%LLA"

Shhhhhh-

The C'!")S !, %"!&$S in unbearable. 5ut it is not a hostile chant; or a war chant, but

rather the S!)$D !, ')&$ &$%)IS'.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

%t doesn.t sound hostile ' it sounds li7e the0.#e seen us

co$in1 and it sounds li7e ' % don.t 7no86 a 9uneral- % don.t

understand-

&%EW ON LANCE

A glimpse of him, almost in tears. "e then SEE glimpses, fog moving, of all the men on the #.5.8.

"%SSOL&E (O:

ME"%+M &%EW ' (HE P-B--



MO&%N (HO+H the thinning mist. The 1avy craft proceeds cautiously.

W%LLA" @&-O-

(8o hours a9ter the 9o1 li9ted6 8e $o#ed slo8l0 to a spot 8e

thou1ht 8as rou1hl0 a $ile and a hal9 !elo8 urt/.s ca$p-

We approached a lon1 sand;!an7 stretchin1 do8n the$iddle o9 the ri#er-

CH%EF

Which 8a05 i1ht or le9t5

W%LLA"

Who 7no8s5 i1ht-

CH%EF

Loo7s prett0 shallo8-

The #.5.8. moves toward the right)most channel. :hef ta'es a long pole and begins sounding

depth.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

The men are really tense now – 6ances swivels his gun from ban' to ban'. :hief 'eeps his fingers

on an )3/. "illard ta'es out the #!P SEC"E# pac'et he received at 9o 6ung. Tears it open.

"e !VE I$ !$ him.

W%LLA"

<reading=

+pon reachin1 o!ecti#e- (ar1et 7e0 personnel and

co$$ence operation- Should di99icult0 arise 9ro$ 8hich

e=traction is i$possi!le6 !rea7 radio silence Co$;SecCo$$and code Stron1 Ar$ ' indicate pur1ati#e air stri7e

' code ' Street an1-

<pause=

Pur1ati#e air stri7e4 Pur1ati#e4 (he0.d 7ill $e too4

uddenly :hef lays out flat on the bow. +undreds and hundreds of slender stic's fly onto the

#.5.8. rattling against the boat.

CH%EF

Shit4 Fuc7in1 arro8s4 (he0.re shootin1 9uc7in1 arro8s at

us-

CLOSE ON W%LLA"

6oo'ing toward the ban's.

W%LLA".S PO&

-rags of men – na'ed limbs, arms, breasts, glaring eyes entangled in the dense jungle gloom. And

hundreds of pathetic wooden arrows flying out toward them.

&%EW ON (HE P-B--

:raily ig)agging up the river in the midst of the childish assault.



W%LLA"

Steer her ri1ht-

&%EW ON (HE P-B--

Arrows hitting the dec'. The men open up everything they>ve got. 6ance is ,I"I$% the two fiftieswildly.

W%LLA"

eep 1oin1--- 7eep 1oin1- (he0.re ust 9uc7in1 stic7s4 Chie96

sta0 at the hel$-

5ut :hief seems out of control – he lets the clip of his )3/ go. Then slowly lets the rifle fall out of

his hands, and falls to "illard>s feet, a primitive spear having caught him right through the ribs.

"illard loo's down in horror.

&%EW ON CH%EF

6aying at "illard>s feet – the long spear through him, bleeding onto "illard>s boots. +e loo's up

at "illard, about to say something.

CH%EF

A spear5

+e dies.

ME"%+M &%EW ON (HE P-B--

The men are still craily ,I"I$% into the empty jungle long after those who attac'ed beat their

retreat.

W%LLA"

Stop it- Stop it4

lowly he pulls his boots from under :hief. They are absolutely soa'ed in blood. +e is stunned –

sits down and begins to unlace the bloody boots, and ta'e them off.

LANCE

Chie9.s dead-

"illard unlaces the other boot, and holds the bloody boot in his hand.

W%LLA" @&-O-%t 8as the stran1est thin1 ' % don.t 7no8 that % can e=plain

it- (8o o9 $0 $en dead6 and all % could thin7 o9 8as

8hether urt/ 8as dead too- (hat.s all % 8anted: to see

urt/6 to hear urt/-

+e starts to wipe the blood off the boot.

W%LLA" @&-O-

<continuing=

So$eho86 in the $iddle o9 this--- carni#al6 urt/ had 1ro8n

into so$ethin1 ' a 1i9ted o99icer< a 1reat $an- So$eho86 he

8as the onl0 li1ht in this hopeless6 hopeless dar7ness- And

no8 % 8as too late ' he 8as pro!a!l0 1one6 disappeared---

!0 a 1renade rolled into his tent ' or !0 so$e spear on the



head- Christ6 % 9elt li7e ho8lin1 li7e those ani$als in the

9o1-

E,(- (HE BOA( A( MA%NA "EL EY ' N%H(

The people at :harlie>s coc'tail party on the boat. ome flashbulbs are going off. ome people aredancing to the )SIC. O+ &%EW MO&ES SLOWLY (OWA" "illard, on the edge of the

party.

W%LLA" @&-O-

Here the0 are in Los An1eles- E#er0thin1 is sa9e- (here.s a

super$ar7et around the corner6 the police station around

the other- %t 8ould see$ ridiculous to the$ that % 8as shot

to hell !ecause % had lost the pri#ile1e o9 listenin1 to the

$0sterious Colonel urt/-

<pause=

O9 course % 8as 8ron1- He 8as 8aitin1 9or $e- urt/ 8as

ali#e and he 8as 8aitin1 9or $e-

"%SSOL&E (O:

E,(- (HE %&E ' P-B-- "AY

The #.5.8. moving up the river. The men are practically in a trance now, loo'ing at the ban's of

the river. They don>t even ma'e an effort to touch their weapons.

WHA( (HEY SEE

+undreds and hundreds of ontagnard natives – dressed in the most ornate and primitive

manner$ feathers, parts of birds and animals; cod)pieces – all in body and face paint of the most savage nature. 5ut there is a purity about them, men and boys, standing passively watching the

small 1avy craft flying the strange flag of red, white and blue.

&%EW ON (HE P-B--

The men of the crew are not the same men who began this voyage. Their manner is lifeless as

though in a trance. The various decorations and paraphenelia that they have pic'ed up along the

way seem oddly relevant to the savages that stand before them. The :hef has made a hat of

birdfeathers; 6ance>s face has been painted with mud under the eyes to bloc' the glare of the sun.

+e wears certain animal s'ins; trin'ets; some animal teeth. Their uniforms have been torn and

patched throughout the difficult journey. They start to move to their gun positions.

W%LLA"

Just stand here 8ith $e 8here the0 can see us- "o nothin1-

&%EW FOM BEH%N" (HE P-B--

MO&%N SLOWLY (OWA" the fantastic human wall of feathers and war paint, standing on

canoes across the river. The men on the crew stand in a group, their hands visibly without

weapons. The natives standing across the river ma'e no hostile gestures as they approach. They

accept the small boat moving toward them with a sort of inevitability. The boat moves closer,

approaches the wall of feathers – which slowly and automatically gives away, in almost a ritual of

birth, undulating, allowing the little boat to penetrate.

&%EW ON W%LLA"



us on his face <to protect it from the sun=, the palms of some jungle vegetation protecting his

head, he loo's something li'e a tribal chieftain himself. +is intuition was right. +e senses that

they would be allowed to pass.

F+LL &%EW ON (HE %&E

+undreds of ontagnards who had been lining the river now run, absolutely silently, along the

ban's, 'eeping pace with the #.5.8. There is no hostility in these faces, only curiosity and a sort of

grief.

&%EW ON W%LLA"6 (HE CEW

They loo' up toward the ban'.

(HE% PO&

The temple at $) )$% -& , a fortified encampment, built around the ruins of a former

:ambodian civiliation. tone walls, barbed wire, crac'ed pyramids and rows and rows of

scher)li'e sandbags arranged in an endless mae around the fortress.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

+e pic's up his field glasses and loo's through.

W%LLA".S PO& ' (HO+H LASSES

A sign entangled in the barbed wire – its lettering strict and military$

%-O78T+ #:IA6 -O8:

IIO1 -)4

17 71& 5A%

The %L&SSES P!V !VES "EVE&LI$% another sign written in a wild psychedelic hand.

%O78 OTTO$ A#O:A6H# 1O"%

The P!V !, #'E %L&SSES !VE once again and come upon an astonished sight, a blac'

man dressed in a tatter of colored fabrics, feathers, and an Australian bush hat. +e loo's

something li'e a multi)colored harle!uin waving frantically to the #.5.8. The P!V !, #'E%L&SSES !VE !,, of him.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

1ot believing what he>s just seen.

(HE LASSES PO&

Once again the young blac' man is now waving his Australian hat.

&%EW ON (HE P-B--

"illard shouts out to the strange greeter.



W%LLA"

We.#e !een attac7ed-

A+S(AL%AN

<shouting bac'=

% 7no86 % 7no86 it.s all ri1ht- Co$e in this 8a0- %t.s $ined

o#er there- (his 8a0- %t.s all ri1ht-

"illard loo' at :hef who is at the helm. +e shrugs and they do as this man says. The #.5.8. moves

towards the water>s edge where there is a doc' covered with concertina wire. The odd Australian

stands waving his hat, guiding them safely in.

A thic' greasy smo'e hangs from fires that burn near the fort; fresh shell craters indicate a recent

battle. 1ear the doc' there is a tangled clump of corpses – half submerged in the water. Other

piles of bodies lie about, some of them on fire. -ire literally burns from out of the ground. :hef

nods at the bodies.

CHEF

Charlie5

W%LLA"

Loo7s that 8a0-

CHEF

<loo'ing at the Australian=

Who.s he5

W%LLA"

od 7no8s-

The boat pulls up. The Australian harle!uin hops on board; the crew regards him with their dar'

faces splattered with mud and blood.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

Who the hell are 0ou5

A+S(AL%AN

Moon!0- ot an0 Winstons5

W%LLA"

Moon!0 8hat5

A+S(AL%AN

Moon!06 Gth !attalion6 o0al Australian e1i$ent6 (as7

Force- E=;Corporal Moon!06 deserted-

W%LLA"

<incredulously, indicating the hundreds of

natives=

What is this5

MOONBY

Oh6 the0.re si$ple enou1h people- %t.s 1ood to see 0ou6

!a!0- No!od0 has an0 Winstons5

:hef automatically offers oonby a "inston.

MOONBY

(his !oat.s a $ess-



W%LLA"

Where.s urt/5 % 8ant to tal7 to hi$-

MOONBY

Oh6 0ou don.t tal7 to Colonel urt/-

<he puffs, then smiles=

You listen to hi$- od6 these are 1ood- % 7ept these peopleo99 0ou6 0ou 7no8- %t 8asn.t eas0-

W%LLA"

Wh0 did the0 attac7 us5

MOONBY

Si$ple- (he0 don.t 8ant hi$ to 1o-

W%LLA"

You.re Australian5

MOONBY

Pre;Australian6 actuall0- But %.d di1 1oin. to Cali9ornia- %.$Cali9ornia drea$in.-

W%LLA"

<almost to himself=

So urt/ is ali#e-

MOONBY

urt/- % tell 0ou6 that $an has enlar1ed $0 $ind-

+e opens his arms wide, to indicate the breadth of his mind>s e*pansion.

MOONBY

<continuing=But le$$e tell 0ou6 he is the $ost dan1erous thin1 in e#er0

8a0 that %.#e co$e on so 9ar- He 8anted to shoot $e- (he

9irst thin1 he said is6 .%.$ 1oin1 to shoot 0ou !ecause 0ou

are a deserter-. % said % didn.t desert 9ro$ 0our ar$06 %

deserted 9ro$ $0 ar$0- He said6 .%.$ 1oin1 to shoot 0ou

ust the sa$e-.

W%LLA"

Wh0 didn.t he shoot 0ou5

MOONBY

%.#e as7ed $0sel9 that >uestion- % said to $0sel96 8h0 didn.t

he shoot $e5 He didn.t shoot $e6 !ecause % had a stash li7e0ou 8ouldn.t !elie#e- % hid it in the un1le< the 8ealth o9 the

Orient: Mariuana ' Hashish ' Opiu$ ' cocaine ' uncut

Heroin< the old o9 the olden (rian1le- and Acid ' %

$a7e oolaid that $a7es purple O8sle0 co$e on li7e piss-

No8 %.$ urt/. o8n "isciple ' % listen he tal7s- A!out

e#er0thin14 E#er0thin1- % 9or1ot there.s such a thin1 as

sleep- E#er0thin1- O9 lo#e6 too-

CHEF

Lo#e5

MOONBY

Oh6 no6 not 8hat 0ou thin7--- Cos$ic lo#e- He $ade $e see

thin1s ' thin1s6 0ou 7no8-



The whole time oonby is chattering on, "illard has pic'ed up his field glasses and scans the

fortress.

W%LLA".S PO& ' (HO+H (HE F%EL" LASSES

en in small groups, huddled over food. 1ow he settles on the entrance in the temple. There are sta'es in front, and on top of them are horrible shrun'en heads.

BAC (O SCENE

W%LLA"

Sounds li7e he.s 1one cra/0-

MOONBY

No6 Colonel urt/ couldn.t !e cra/0 ' i9 0ou heard hi$

tal76 ust last 8ee76 0ou.d ne#er thin7 he 8as cra/0-

W%LLA"%s that 8here he is5 B0 the shrun7en heads-

W%LLA"

%s that 8here he is5 B0 the shrun7en heads-

MOONBY

(hose heads6 0es- Well6 the re!els---

W%LLA"

<to his men=

We.re 1oin1 ashore- (ie her up ' and lea#e 0our 1uns up6

Lance-

LANCE

What5

W%LLA"

Brin1 0our ri9les6 that.s all-

<loo'ing at oonby=

(a7e us to hi$-

MOONBY

i1ht on ' he.s !een 8aitin1 9or '

W%LLA"

And shut up-

oonby nods and shrugs, and hops off the #.5.8. "illard and the men follow.

MO&%N &%EW ' W%LLA"6 MOONBY AN" (HE CEW

As they proceed closer to the fortress)temple, men appear where a moment before there was only

jungle.

They are mostly ontagnards, but far more savage loo'ing than any we>ve seen before. They wear

only loinclothes and bandoliers of ammunition. their bodies are painted in strange patterns. They

carry Army )3/>s, 8ussian A()FG>s and a wide variety of 'nives and clubs. "omen emerge from

the brush as well. they are armed and e!ually primitive loo'ing. Interspersed among them are a

few taller men with paler s'ins, with the remnants of Army insignia on them. The paint on their

bodies is, if anything more biarre. "e C!$#I$)E #! !VE &C"!SS the entire group up to



the stone gates of the fort, where thirty or so more are seen silhouetted against the s'y. "illard

and his men loo' up at people more primitive and more savage than any since the time of :aptain

:oo'.

They encounter, in the center of the group, what once appears to have been an American. he is

tall, gaunt, wears a fla' jac'et, but is otherwise na'ed, save a loincloth. +is face is dar'ened from

dirt, battle smo'e, strange camouflage patterns. +is hair and beard are long, matted with mud and grease. +e carries an A()FG decorated with scalps and human ears. "illard approaches this

beast, who seems shy and retiring.

W%LLA"

Who are 0ou5

MOONBY

<brea'ing in=

His na$e is---

W%LLA"

%.$ not e#er 1oin. to tell 0ou to shut up a1ain-

oonby shuts up. The &$ tries to spea', but nothing comes out. +e is dumbstruc'ed at seeing

them, as they are to see him.

MAN

Col!0- E=ec- o99icer6 A;(ea$--- Special Forces- F;I2 ' Col-

Walter urt/6 co$$andin1-

W%LLA"

What happened here5

COLBY

What ' happened here-

W%LLA"

Charlie5

COLBY

N&A re1ulars- (he0.re co$in1 a1ain toni1ht- (et ' their

!i1 ' assault-

"illard is the man in the middle – he doesn>t 'now what to say to this man, but he understands the

forces that pounded him. +e ta'es his arm.

E&ESE ON COLBY

6oo's at "illard, not understanding.

E&ESE ON W%LLA"

i* months later, and he and :olby would be identical.

W%LLA"

%.$ ta7in1 0ou !ac7-

oonby slaps himself in the head with his hand.

MOONBY

Oh6 no6 don.t sa0 that-



COLBY

(a7e us !ac7- (a7e us !ac74 But6 the operation ' the tea$-

Colonel urt/ has such plans 9or ' the tea$-

W%LLA"

(a7e $e to hi$6 Maor-

:olby starts, and then, seeing the shrun'en heads on poles, he turns, agitated, to "illard$

COLBY

% had nothin1 to do 8ith these operations ' % did not do the

plannin1 ' none o9 us did- %t 8as all Colonel urt/ ' he 8as

the 1enius- You.ll see ' the 1enius o9 our Colonel- He should

!e $ade a eneral6 don.t 0ou thin75 A eneral5 %t.s---

uddenly, frightened, he stops. "ithout loo'ing "illard 'nows that (urt is standing behind him.

+e turns.

(urt has stepped out from his head!uarters$ +e is a powerful man, though obviously very ill. +e

slowly attempts to pull the remnants of his uniform together, though it is ripped and bloodied, andnow combined with primitive ornaments designating him a tribal chief, as well as his 7..A.

:olonel>s insignia. +e is feverish, with long blonde hair and beautiful features. +is eyes almost

hypnotie. +is midsection is bandaged from what seems to be a serious wound.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

This is not what he e*pected. +e is !uiet, and then, automatically, he comes to an attention.

W%LLA"

Colonel urt/6 % 1uess-

+(%.$ urt/-

W%LLA"

<he salutes=

Captain B-L- Willard reportin1 his presence6 sir-

&%EW ON +(

6oo'ing at him a long time. Then he returns the salute, and simply$

+(

At ease---<pause, as he regards him=

Sit do8n-

ME"%+M &%EW

There is, of course, no chair or anything li'e a chair. 5ut behind and around him, (urt>s men

begin to sit on the ground, cross)legged. -inally, "illard sits as well. Then (urt does.

oonby lights a joint, and passes it respectfully to (urt – throughout the scene, the joint is

passed from man to man, ritualistically.

+(

<slowly=

Wh0 did 0ou co$e to--- $0 pro#ince-



W%LLA"

We 8ere attac7ed ' do8n ri#er- We need supplies and

$edical help-

+(

You 8ere not co$in1 here6 to see $e5

W%LLA"

<finding it more and more difficult to go

on with this lie=

No ' no6 sir-

+(

You ca$e up $0 ri#er ' in that s$all !oat- So si$ple- %

al8a0s thou1ht the 9inal ustice 8ould co$e 9ro$ the s706

li7e 8e did-

<pause=

You are the 9inal ustice6 aren.t 0ou5

W%LLA"

What do 0ou $ean6 Colonel5

+(

<gently=

What other reason could 0ou ha#e co$e5 A Captain-

an1er- Paratrooper- raduate o9 the econdo School- A$

% ri1ht a!out these thin1s5

W%LLA"

You 7no8 0ou.re ri1ht-

There is a clear, incredible intelligence about this man.

+(

(hen the A1enc0 approached 0ou- Ma0!e in a !ar in

*uinon or Plei7u- Si$ple- A 0ear.s pa0 9or one li9e-

Perhaps a #illa1e elder6 or a ta= collector- No!od0.s orders

!ut 0our o8n- E=citin1 8or7-

CLOSE ON W%LLA"

+e remains silent.

CLOSE ON +(

+e smiles.

+(

You.#e spent to$e at the o0al (rac7in1 School o9

Mala0sia- % can tell 9ro$ the 8a0 the laces on 0our !oots

are tied- % understand 0ou6 Captain- We understand each

other-

There is a long pause, as the two men regard each other. Then "illard reaches to his holstered .

FB – withdraws it, and places it on the dirt before (urt, as an act assuring (urt that he is not an

assassin.

W%LLA"



"o 0ou 7no8 $e5

+(

Yes-

(urt reaches down; ta'es the .FB – and without another word or gesture, shoots and 'ills a man.

+(

<continuing=

"o 0ou 7no8 $e5

+e throws the .FB bac' on the dirt. 8ises, and wal's bac' into the cavernous head!uarters behind

the shrun'en heads. oonby scampers off after him, a respectful distance behind. ven "illard is

stunned.

CHEF

Hol0 shit-

E,(- +(.S O+(POS( ' F+LL &%EW ' (W%L%H(

9otted with campfires; ontagnard families – it is li'e a primitive civiliation.

&%EW BY (HE (EMPLE WALL

"illard is alone by a campfire – his )3/ leans by a wall ne*t to him. +e is e*hausted.

6ance sleeps by the fire, a little distance away. :hef approaches, crouches down.

CHEF

Captain ' the0.#e !een pro!ed all this 8ee7 ' Con1 and

N&A re1ulars- (here.s 1onna !e a !i1 o99ense an0 ti$e-

W%LLA"

% 7no8-

6ance stirs; starts to wa'e up.

CHEF

What are 8e doin1 here5

W%LLA"

urt/- %.$ supposed to 7ill hi$6 ust li7e he said-

+(Yeah6 % can see that- He.s 9uc7in nuts '

W%LLA"

Yeah-

CHEF

He 7illed that 1u0 8ithout 9eelin1 an0thin1-

W%LLA"

Not a thin1-

CHEF

When 0ou 7ill Con16 don.t 0ou 9eel so$ethin1-

W%LLA"



Sure-

<thin'ing=

ecoil--- % 9eel the recoil o9 $0 ri9le-

"illard rises. :hef loo's at him, confused and frightened.

F+LL SHO( ' WALL ' W%LLA"6 CHEF 6 LANCE

"illard wal's along the top of a thic' wall – sandbagged and dug out every so often for an )/0

or a mortar emplacement.

"ild loo'ing savages man these guns, and seem to bow to "illard as he passes.

W%LLA"

(his is 1ood ' triple o#erlappin1 9ields o9 9ire ' 8alls so

thic7 ordinar0 artiller0 ust cleans the $oss o99 their

sur9aces-

A woman tentatively moves to "illard, bowing, and then runs off to her bun'er.

WE AE (AC%N with them as they move past the groups of people, huddled by their fires...

men, women and children. 'ulls, shrun'en and otherwise hang from every hut – adorn every

sandbagged bun'er – dried scalps hang from barbed wire. A child is chewing on a big piece of

almost raw meat.

W%LLA"

<continuing=

%.#e done thin1s6 8hen % 8as alone in the un1le ' that %

ne#er told an0one a!out-

They continue past amount where the shattered wrec' of half a helicopter is laying. It has been

altered and fortified with sandbags and concertina wire. The wrec' lays on its side so that a G./4mini)gun that was mounted there stic's up above the sandbags. The emplacement is built on a

mound so the gun commands a clear field of fire into the jungle beyond.

ome Americans, barely recogniable because of their beards and savage manner, sit near the

gun. everal ontagnard children giggle at their feet and play with bayonets.

CHEF

(his is e#il ' e#il6 Captain- We.re all 1onna die here-

W%LLA"

Yeah6 % 7no8-

CHEF% don.t 1et it ' You said 0our $ission 8as to 7ill hi$- Let.s

do it6 an. 1et our asses outta here- (his urt/ is ruinin1 the

8ar< % $ean6 this don.t loo7 1ood 9or A$erica4

W%LLA"

<lost in his thoughts=

--- he.s an a$a/in1 o99icer-

CHEF

You 1ot to 7ill this sonu#a!itch ' Lance and $e6 8e don.t

understand none o9 this ' Jesus6 Captain ' % don.t 8anna

die here ' "o it >uic7-

6ance just stands there; his eyes vacant.. +e sort of nods, suc'ing a joint.



W%LLA"

Yeah- % 7no8-

+e thin's.

%N(- +( HEA"*+A(ES ' N%H(

&%EW FOM %NS%"E – "illard approaches the sta'es with the shrun'en heads. :hef and

6ance with him. "illard steps in – 6ance and the :hef crouch outside, waiting.

W%LLA".S &%EW

An austere stone savern in the temple$ (urt>s head!uarters. lectric lights hanging in odd

contrast to the ancient stone. "e SEE what is left of the maps and other military charts – they had

been tac'ed up on big boards, but have now fallen into decayed disuse.

There are other indications of the modern head!uarters this had been. 1ow all those things are no

longer important. (urt sits alone, slumped bac' in a wic'er chair. There is a large wooden planning table ne*t to him, with maps, lamps and a pile of debris that is practically garbage.

There are native decorations to ward off evil spirits; and graffiti on the stone walls, things ranging

from %2iet 1am, love it or leave it% to !uotes of 1ietsche %1othing is true – everything is

permitted.%

oonby, who had been crouching in a corner, moves to "illard.

MOONBY

He.s asleep ' don.t !other hi$-

+(

%.$ a8a7e-

"illard steps in closer. (urt loo's to oonby.

+(

<continuing=

You- et out-

oonby hesitates – not wanting to leave him alone with "illard.

+(

<continuing; suddenly=

% said 1et the 9uc7 out4

<to himself=

%.$ 1oin1 to 7ill the little 8eirdo $0sel9 to$orro8-<he shows some pain when moving his

midsection=

He.s onl0 sta0ed ali#e this lon1 !ecause he.s a 1ood orderl0

and $edic- He 7no8s ho8 to use a h0poder$ic-

W%LLA"

You.re 1onna 1et hit toni1ht6 !ad ' a 8hole re1i$ent o9

N&A re1ulars-

+(

(hat.s ri1ht6 the little 1oo7;pric7s- But the0 are no!le little

1oo7;pric7s6 no!le- Because the0 9i1ht 8ith their 1uts6 li7e

ani$als- And 9or an idea4 (hat.s rich- We 9i1ht 8ith

in1enious $achines and 9ire6 li7e ods6 and 9or nothin1-

But %.ll call in a $aor !lotto airstri7e toni1ht- We.ll ha#e



oursel#es a hellu#a airstri7e toni1ht6 a li1htsho8- Ho8 do

0ou li7e (he "oors. )C.$on Ba!0 Li1ht M0 Fire---)

"illard shrugs.

+(

<continuing="o 0ou5

W%LLA"

Yeah6 % li7e it---

+(

% lo#e it-

+e rests bac', grinning.

W%LLA"

You.#e 1one cra/0-

+(

<angrily=

No- M0 thin7in1 is clear-

<calmly=

But $0 soul has 1one $ad-

uddenly (urt is seied with a terrible pain from his stomach wound. +e groans horribly,

clutching at it. +e literally falls from his chair onto the dirt floor.

+(

<continuing=

M0 1ut ' Oh6 Christ6 $0 1ut4

"illard leans over him; chec'ing the seriousness of the wound.

E,(- (HE HEA"*+A(ES ' N%H(

6ance is crouching by the stone entrance – :hef leans in, witnessing the proceedings inside.

CHEF

<muttering=ill hi$ ' co$e on6 8h0 don.t 0ou 7ill hi$

%N(- (HE HEA"*+A(ES ' ME"6 &%EW ' +( AN" W%LLA" ' N%H(

"illard e*amining the wound.

+(

<in pain=

Oh shit ' on the ta!le< $orphine-

"illard moves to the table, opens the medical pac'et. +e ta'es out a morphine capsule, leans over

the writhing (urt and injects him with the drug.

+(

<continuing; loo'ing up in pain=

You see ho8 stupid it 8ould ha#e !een to !lo8 out $0

!rains5 %.$ d0in1 9ro$ the 1ut an08a0-



"illard !uic'ly prepares another shot. (urt, truly frightened, holds up his hand.

+(

<continuing=

No ' % don.t 8ant to sleep- % 8ant to thin7- Water- i#e $e

8ater-

W%LLA"

You can.t ha#e 8ater a9ter $orphine-

+(

Still pla0in1 !0 the rules-

<almost affectionately=

You.re a da$n 1ood 7iller-

W%LLA"

<still holding the second morphine=

Ho8.s the pain5

+(Ho8.s 0ours5

W%LLA"

% can handle it-

+(

Pain is eas0 to handle ' !ut no!ilit0-- the no!ilit0 o9 a $an

is ud1ed !0 ho8 $uch (ruth he can handle-

W%LLA"

What (ruth5

+((he truth that 0ou 8ere sent here to $urder $e6 ans so 9ar

0ou ha#en.t done it- And do 0ou 7no8 8h05

<loo's at him=

Yes6 0ou 7no8 8h0-

<he loo's=

Your $ission $a7es a!out as $uch sense as those idiots

8ho sent 0ou on it- Asshole4 Sch$uc74 Ho8 lon1 does it

ta7e 0ou to 9i1ure out that no!od0 7no8s 8hat the0.re

doin1 here-

<coldly=

E=cept $e-

+e rests bac'. The drug is beginning to ta'e effect.

+(

<continuing=

i$$e 8ater-

W%LLA"

No 8ater-

+(

You 7no8 8hat 0ou.re doin15 You are inter9erin1 8ith $0

plans4

+e crawls in pain toward the canteen "illard watches him impassively.

+(



<continuing=

(his 8ater.s 1ot Moon!0.s acid in it '

+e drin's sloppily from the canteen, water spilling all over. Then he throws the canteen to

"illard.

+(<continuing=

"rin7 it ' drin7 it 9or toni1ht- (hin7 o9 it- A 8hole

re1i$ent o9 those shitt0 little Con1;War- (otal 8ar ' 8ar

li7e 0ou.#e ne#er 7no8n it- %t.s !eauti9ul ' 0ou.ll lo#e it-

(rust $e-

E,(- (HE HEA"*+A(ES ' ME"%+M &%EW ' LANCE AN" CHEF ' N%H(

"e can SEE into the head!uarters$ (urt offers the canteen to "illard. :hef is terrified – 6ance is

stoned out.

CHEFLance ' the 9uc7er.s not 1onna do it-

+(

odda$n ' You.#e 1otta di1 napal$ on Speed6 too- %t.s

spectacular6 0ou.ll see-

6ance stands up holding his )3/, loo's into the cavern with :hef.

%N(- HEA"*+A(ES ' N%H(

"illard stands there, holding the morphine needle in his hand.

+(

Loo7 into the un1le- You can.t ' it.s too terri!le- You ha#e

to s$ear 0oursel9 8ith 8arpaint to loo7 at it ' 0ou ha#e to

!e a canni!al-

<whispered=

(hat.s 8h0 8arpaint 8as in#ented- (hen it !eco$es 0our

un1le-

"illard shoots himself in the arm with the morphine.

W%LLA"

Ho8 did 8e 1et here5

+(

Because o9 all the thin1s 8e do6 the thin1 8e do !est ' is lie-

W%LLA"

% thin7 a lie stin7s-

+(

Oh Captain6 that is so true-

W%LLA"

Stin7s- % could ne#er 9i1ure '

<he drin's from the canteen=

% could ne#er 9i1ure ho8 the0 can teach !o0s ho8 to !o$!

#illa1es 8ith napal$ ' and not let the$ 8rite the 8ord

.9uc7. on their airplanes-



"illard drin's more of the 69 water.

+(

<angrily=

You could ne#er 9i1ure it !ecause it doesn.t $a7e sense-

W%LLA"

Fuc7 no-

+(

%.ll tell 0ou 8hat $a7es sense4 Air stri7es4 White

Phosphorus4 Napal$4 We.ll !o$! the shit out o9 the$ i9

the0 don.t do 8hat 8e 8ant-

W%LLA"

We.ll e=ter$inate the 9uc7ers4

:hef steps into the +ead!uarters – he is terrified. +e draws his bayonet.

CHEF

Captain ' 7ill hi$-

+(

(hin7 o9 it ' 9or 0ears6 $illions o9 0ears6 sa#a1es 8ith

pathetic painted 9aces 8ere scared shitless that 9ire 8ould

rain do8n 9ro$ the s70- And 1odda$n6 8e $ade it happen-

od !less "o84

CHEF

ill hi$4

:hef rushes at (urt with his bayonet – instinctively, "illard %)$S him – then there is additionalautomatic ,I"E. :hef is being riddled by bullets.

&%EW ON LANCE

+e has let loose with his )3/ at :hef, li'e some sort of mindless, programmed 'iller.

LANCE

<firing=Hot da$n4

Then he stops – :hef falls to the dirt – there is an instant of silence, then$

E,(- OF (HE (EMPLE A( N+ M+N BA ' N%H(

The 9oors begin %6ight y -ire%, loud and overwhelming, as illuminating flares light up the

blac'ness.

ME"%+M CLOSE &%EW

Of enormous loudspea'ers protected behind spirals of raor)sharp concertina wire. %6ight y

-ire% is blasted out to the enemy, poised to attac'.

ANO(HE LO+"SPEAE



:annibal)painted men in savage decorations wait. 5ayonets are fi*ed. en are stoned to acid,

injecting speed, sniffing cocaine, eating grass, smo'ing hashish in water pipes. One loo's up to

the s'y.

E%S &%EW

A roc'et illuminates the s'y, strobing, as in a psychedelic hallucination.

&%EW ON (HE SOL"%E

SOL"%E

Wo8---

Another behind him is chanting the word $&P&L softly to himself.

ME"%+M &%EW ON (HE A(E

"illard strides out of the dar'ness, into the positions around the gate. +e loo's li'e a magnificent

warrior – &enghis. All the men$ ontagnards, fierce Americans, even the savage men of the

#.5.8. crew either bow, salute or 'neel before "illard. The color pulsates around the edge of the

image, red and green, mauve and purple.

"e SEE 6ance; waiting, with his weapons – garlands of teeth around his nec', his face painted.

F+LL &%EW ' MON(AE

nemy &"#ILLE"* -L&S#I$% away at the fortress.

CLOSE SHO( ' A MO(A

A hand drops a shell and it ,I"ES.

CLOSE SHO( ' OCE( LA+NCHE

It ,I"ES. E.PL!SI!$S around the fort, red and orange and blue and green. They hit and grow,

outward li'e some sort of cosmic flower.

CLOSE SHO( ' A FLAME;(HOWE @ON (AN

hoots out a stream of burning napalm that loo's li'e a death ray gun, radiating outward with ice)

blue energy.

SHO( ON LO+"SPEAES

5lasting out music.

ME"%+M CLOSE &%EW ON YO+N SOL"%ES

"ith the )SIC , li'e those people you see listening to radios in their cars.

SHO( ON (HE COMMAN" B+NE ' W%LLA" 6 +( 6 O(HES



In SL!W !#I!$$ hells W'IS#LE in and E.PL!DE on the walls in the compound. The men

behind them are setting up roc'et launcher <missile= . verywhere metal and roc' and flame fly

and it is beautiful to see.

"illard loo's through the infra)red sniper scope.

W%LLA" ' %NFA;E" PO&

trange, luminescent images of 1orth 2ietnamese approaching the outer perimeters. Thousands of

them.

F+LL SHO( ON +(

+(

Mini;1un- Col!0- Ser1eant- Mini;1un-

ME"%+M SHO( ' M%N%;+N

A SE"%E&$# in feathered head)piece and wildly painted operates the mini)gun with several

native helpers. S'ELLS -)"S# around them. "hen they ,I"E the S!)$D is incredibly loud

and steady li'e a high)pitched foghorn. A solid stream of molten lead seems to pour into the

dar'ness as G000 rounds a minute rip into the enemy. The pass of the lead reaches out in beautiful

patterns as the ergeant sweeps the area. The sergeant laughs maniacally as the %)$ resumes

,I"I$% , right up to the moment he is blown to eternity by an all)engulfing 30Bmm shell.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

*hilarated, and moving with the )SIC0

W%LLA"

Napal$-

:olby pushes a row of plungers$ Advancing 12As illuminated by napalm drums, phosphorescent

napalm E.PL!DES beautiful, li'e a magnificent firewor'.

&%EW ON +(

+(

Cla0$ores6 cla0$ores-

The S!)$D DIS#!"#ED of tremendous '!WLI$% E.PL!SI!$S penetrate the trac' ofLI%'# * ,I"E one after another. (urt>s face is illuminated by each of these. +is face seems to

change from one grotes!ue primitive face to another, as though the whole history man'ind is

evolving in front of us.

The SC"E&S of maimed and dismembered men almost penetrates the I$C"EDI-L* L!)D

)SIC and we 'E&" (urt>s men L&)%'I$% and SC"E&I$% in delight.

(urt loo's out over the field of slaughter.

F+LL SHO( ' N&A CHAE

Through wires and claymore glass, each wilder and more e*treme. They burn in the pools of

luminescent napalm but press relentlessly on. S'ELL -)"S#S overhead. They chant to

themselves as they advance. 12A have reached the walls and throw down scaling ladders and



start up. uddenly the s'y is bright with flares which produce weird psychedelic light. 5lared out

at tremendous volume over and above the DI$ !, -&##LE is %6ight y -ire%.

F+LL SHO( ' WALL ' E&EYBO"Y

The Americans and ontagnards stand up screaming. purred by )SIC , they charge up. )3/>sin both hands, blasting, 'ic'ing, bayoneting, gouging, splitting throats, biting nec's, both sides

collide in the utter and most horrible savagery.

ME"%+M SHO( ' W%LLA"

tanding on the wall -L&S#I$% as bodies fall around him; he thrusts his bayonet into one

attac'er, removes it with a foot and stabs another. -rom him he ta'es his A(FG and 56AT more

as they come.

ME"%+M SHO( ' LANCE

The 2: rush his position. "illard trips a claymore that -L&S#S most of them to shreds. ore fill

in. 6ance opens up ,)LL &)#!&#IC . "illard and 6ance move down to the nest wall,

,I"I$% , bodies tumbling over.

6ance is caught in a C"!SS,I"E and hit several times. +e pulls himself up – ,I"ES a final

-)"S# and then falls under the enemy>s feet.

&%EW ON MOONBY

ees this and scampers off into the jungle, muttering madly to himself.

ME"%+M &%EW ' W%LLA" A( (HE -(-

houting into the radio

W%LLA"

Code ' Street an1 ' Street an14 Pur1ati#e air stri7e<

Street an14

+e turns and runs bac' through the compound with the receding ontagnards. S'ELLS are

E.PL!DI$% everywhere. The light patterns are fantastic. en fall, 2iets brea' over the walls

and charge. They crouch and rip into them ,)LL &)#!&#IC. They brea' the charge and

continue cutting their way through the 12A masses li'e torches through metal.

F+LL SHO( ' COMMAN" POS( ' +(

(urt watches as invaders swarm through his domain. "omen and children rush upon him now.

(urt flic's some switches and the whole north wall E.PL!DES in overwhelming ,I"E. The

gates are uprooted. The stone lions tumble, crushing men below. (urt coc's an )3/ and wal's

off the bun'er.

&%EW ON W%LLA"

"atching this spectacle.

ME"%+M SHO( ' "%FFEEN( ANLE ' +(



+e rounds the shadow wall.

(urt sees a group of 2iets and rushes up and prepares a machine gun mount. They don>t see him.

+e braces the gun at his side and steps out.

+(<yelling=

Charles4

They stagger and fall, shattered and bleeding, save one who>s merely lost his weapon. (urt loo's

at him, his gun empty. +e drops it and flips open the flap of his holster. The 2iet soldier goes for

his pistol. (urt beats him to the draw and blows him into the night. +e moves over to pic' up the

12A light machine gun. +olding it at his hip, he stands atop one of the ruined walls and ,I"ESinto the masses. +is native men see him and rush for the chance to die beside him. They are

!uic'ly encircled by onrushing 2iets and are being overrun. The machine gun jams and (urt

grabs a rifle. "hen it>s empty and the bayonet is off he wields it as a club.

ME"%+M SHO( ' LOW ANLE ' +(

Ta'ing swings with his rifle, standing atop the wall and battering the oncoming enemy li'e 9avy

:roc'ett at the Alamo.

F+LL &%EW ' (HE FO(ESS

The air stri'e hits with all its force. 5alls and rain of fire sweeps down on the temple, the enemy,

everything. It is the biggest firewor' show in history.

The wall (urt was standing on, and he falls with it. "illard sees this and ma'es his way toward

him as the air stri'e continues. All around us is a spectacle of )SIC and light and fire and

overwhelming color.

(AC%N SHO( ON W%LLA"

-ollowing (urt>s trail in the mud. +e has crawled on all fours bac' into the jungle to die. +e

stal's (urt into the jungle; moving around and cutting off the crawling (urt

+(

o a8a0 ' hide 0oursel9-

W%LLA"

What are 0ou doin15

+(

oin1 !ac7 ' to the un1le to die-

W%LLA"

%.$ ta7in1 0ou !ac7- You can still li#e-

+(

% had i$$ense plans-

W%LLA"

%.$ 1onna 1et 0ou out o9 here-

+(

% 8as on threshold o9 1reat thin1s-



+(

"o % not5

E,(- %&E ' ME"%+M &%EW

The boat moves as though naturally carried by the river.

+(

M0 ri#er--- $0 people--- $0 un1le--- $0 ideas--- $0

countr0--- $0 8i9e---

<he loo's at "illard=

--- $0 death-

W%LLA"

You had i$$ense plans--- i$$ense plans---

+(

Yes---

W%LLA"

%.$ ta7in1 0ou !ac7-

(urt loo's up to him, then an e*pression of overwhelming intense and hopeless terror, hopeless

despair. A whisper at some image, at some vision, he cries out twice, a cry that is no more than a

breath.

+(

(he horror6 the horror-

"e 'E&" the distant S!)$D of 'ELIC!P#E"S approaching. The S!)$D of "!#!"S in the

distance. They loo' up, craning their eyes at the s'y. :olby points.

COLBY

(here-

Over the jungle mountains the small formation of EDEV&C helicopters hooping toward them.

COLBY

<continuing=

Ho8 did the0 7no85

W%LLA"

(he0 $ust ha#e seen the 9ire-

The helicopters are closer now but high up. Two of them brea'ing off, spiraling in #!W&"D )S.

COLBY

(he0.re co$in1 to rescue us- (he0.re Mede#ac-

CLOSE SHO( ON W%LLA"

+e stares up at the s'y.

W%LLA"

<to himself=

(he0.re co$in1 to ta7e us !ac7-

:opters directly overhead.



W%LLA"

<continuing=

Yeah-

COLBY

Colonel urt/6 he.s dead-

W%LLA"

Yeah-

+e raises his )3/ and ,I"ES the entire clip at the approaching rescue helicopter.

F+LL SHO( ' (HE COP(E

It frantically pours on the power and wheels up to the s'y.

F+LL SHO( ' W%LLA"6 COLBY

W%LLA"

Yeah-

:olby ta'es his rifle and joins "illard in ,I"I$% at the retreating American helicopters.

HEL%COP(E.S PO& ' ON (HE BOA(

The men in the boat ,I"I$% &# )S as we fly further into the air, the boat getting smaller and

smaller.

W%LLA" @&-O---- "on.t re$e$!er a lot a!out $0 reha!ilitation--- !ut % 8as

sent !ac7 to the 8orld !e9ore the 9all o9 Sai1on---

E,(- MA%NA "EL AY ' E,(EME H%H ANLE ' N%H(

MO&%N "OWN bac' to the pleasure boat at the arina.

#ause. "illard is very silent.

W%LLA"

% ne#er ans8ered >uestions a!out urt/ ' % 1a#e the$ a

9e8 o9 his uni$portant papers ' !ut 9or the $ost part %sa#ed e#er0thin1- (here 8ere other letters6 personal ones

8ritten earlier to his 8i9e- % !rou1ht the$ to het- % 8atched

the 9all o9 Sai1on on tele#ision in a !ar in Ala$eda---

E,(- CAL%FON%A NE%HBOHOO" ' "AY

A bright clear day in a scrubbed)clean :alifornia neighborhood. ome 'ids are playing in the

street.

"illard, years later, dressed as a civilian, proceeds past the lawn to the attractive home, carrying

a pac'et under his arm. +e passes a lan'y, young teen)aged boy wor'ing on a motor)scooter.

"illard loo's at him. The boy loo's bac'.

W%LLA"



Hi-

Then the door opens, and K)"#6/S WI,E is standing at the door. he is still beautiful, blonde,

and dressed in mourning even though she doesn>t wear blac'. There is a sense of purity about her,

though she is not young.

+(.S W%FECo$e in6 Captain Willard-

+e enters.

%N(- +(.S HOME ' "AY

verything good and secure and desirable about America.

he stands in the center of the room, a little nervous.

+(.S W%FE

Can % 1et an0thin1 9or 0ou5

There are pictures of (urt, not too many... but he is there in the various stages of his career.

Then she sits suddenly, and "illard sits by her.

+(.S W%FE

<continuing=

"id 0ou 7no8 hi$ #er0 8ell5

W%LLA"

You 1et to 7no8 each other prett0 8ell out there-

+(.S W%FEAnd 0ou ad$ired hi$5

W%LLA"

He 8as a re$ar7a!le $an- %t 8as i$possi!le not to '

+(.S W%FE

Lo#e hi$--- Yes6 it is true- (hat.s the hard part 9or $e--- %

7ne8 hi$ !etter than an0one--- % 7ne8 hi$ !est-

W%LLA"

You 7ne8 hi$ !est-

+(.S W%FEYou 8ere his 9riend--- You $ust ha#e !een6 i9 he had 1i#en

0ou this---

<the pac'et=

%9 he sent 0ou to his ho$e- He 8as the !est this countr0 had

' he 8as '

W%LLA"

Yes6 % 7no8---

+(.S W%FE

%.ll ne#er 1et o#er it ' But %.ll al8a0s re$e$!er hi$---

W%LLA"

Both o9 us---



+(.S W%FE

Men loo7ed up to hi$---

<she loses herself in a thought=

He died as he li#ed---

W%LLA"

His death 8as ' 0es6 he died as he li#ed-

+(.S W%FE

Were 0ou 8ith hi$6 8hen---

W%LLA"

Yes % 8as--- He said his last 8ords to $e-

#ause.

ME"%+M CLOSE SHO( ON W%LLA"

A little of the madness is still with him. +e 'nows what she will as'.

+(.S W%FE

What 8ere the05

ME"%+M CLOSE SHO( ON +(.S W%FE

+(.S W%FE

(ell $e-


8emembering that incredible day moving down the river.

Our VIEW L!!SE$S

+(.S W%FE

(ell $e 8hat he said-

+( @&-O-

(he horror4 (he horror4

W%LLA"

He spo7e o9 0ou6 $a.a$-

+e sits there loo'ing at her.

E,(- (%H( H%H ANLE ON (HE MA%NA "EL EY BOA(

The coc'tail party is brea'ing up. "illard is one of the few guests left.

"e !VE ,"! "illard standing alone on the dec' of the boat. oving bac' through the

departing guests. :harlie is getting ready to leave himself. "e !VE CL!SE" to "illard.

"%SSOL&E (O:

E,(- (HE %&E ' P-B-- ' "AY



The boat floating down the river. (urt>s body; an e*hausted, half)dead :olby. And '!LDI$%

(urt, "illard. "e 'E&" the 9oors> %The nd% as we present the E$D #I#LES.

FA"E O+(

(HE EN"

Apocalipsis Now Ingles

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