角斗士英文电影剧本

角斗士电影剧本： 角斗士电影剧本： GLADIATOR - The Movie ***************************************** AT THE HEIGHT OF ITS POWER, THE ROMAN EMPIRE WAS VAST, STRETCHING FROM THE DESERTS OF AFRICA TO THE BORDERS OF NORTHERN ENGLAND. OVER ONE QUARTER OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION LIVED AND DIED UNDER THE RULE OF THE CAESARS. IN THE WINTER OF 180 A.D. EMPEROR MARCUS AURELIUS' TWELVE-YEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE BARBARIAN TRIBES IN GERMANIA WAS DRAWING TO AN END. ONE FINAL STRONGHOLD STANDS IN THE WAY OF ROMAN VICTORY AND THE PROMISE OF PEACE THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE. * * * * * * * * OPENING SCENE - Close up - a rough weathered hand lightly brushes the tops of wheat as the man walks through the tall wheat towards a woman (his wife) and child (his son). In the background can be heard the faint laughter of a child. The man dressed in Roman soldier uniform, is General Maximus. He quickly leaves this pleasant vision to return to Germania where the armour-suited General stands amidst the mud and burned forest, cloaked in a fur cape that protects him from the cold winter air. The General contemplates the battle that is to take place. Turning to join the troops, a small Robin catches his eye as it sits on a bare twig and then flies away. The General Maximus smiles, watching as though a remembrance of his life as a farmer when life was peaceful and innocent, but he is quickly brought back to the reality of the cold day...and to the soldiers who await his signal to begin the battle. [SCENE: Germania - prebattle. As the cavalry rides past Maximus, soldiers are lining up for battle. Maximus walks along the ranks of the army. The soldiers rise as he approaches, looking at him with great respect and admiration. At the top of the hill, overlooking the battle field, sits Caesar Marcus Aurelius atop his horse, surrounded by the Roman Praetorian guards. Back on the battle field, Maximus approaches and addresses Quintus and Valerius.] MAXIMUS: Lean and hungry. Still nothing? QUINTUS: Not a sign. MAXIMUS: How long has he been gone? VALERIUS: Nearly 2 hours. VALERIUS: Will they fight, sir? MAXIMUS: We shall know soon enough. [Quintus looks over at the soldiers readying the catapults.] QUINTUS: Soldier, I ordered you to move those catapults forward, they're out of range. MAXIMUS: Range is good. QUINTUS: The danger to the cavalry... MAXIMUS [interrupts]: It is acceptable, agreed? [In the distant, the cries of the barbarians can be heard - "ihr seid hunde" (you are dogs!). A horse rides towards them with a headless horseman on its back....] MAXIMUS: They say no. [The white and bloodied horse rides within the ranks of the men. A barbarian comes to the forefront of the German lines, waving the horseman's head, tossing it into the mud....] GERMAN BARBARIAN: Ihr seid verfluchte hunde! (You are damned dogs!) [As the barbarian calls out his cry, his mangy band of barbarians emerge from the forest, shaking and waving their spears and shields, ready to fight.] QUINTUS: People should know when they're conquered. MAXIMUS: Would you, Quintus? Would I? [Maximus bends down and picks up a handful of dirt, bringing it to his nose to smell. He looks to the side and sees his WOLF OF ROME eagerly watching him. They steady their gaze as though communicating with each other. Maximus rises and mounts his horse, turning to Quintus and Valerius.] MAXIMUS: Strength and honour. QUINTUS: Strength and honour. VALERIUS: Strength and honour. MAXIMUS: At my signal, unleash hell. [He rides off. His wolf breaks free from the handler, charges after Maximus, running along side the horse.] QUINTUS: Load the catapults; infantry form up for advance, archers ready. CHIEF ARCHER: Archers! CENTURION: Nock! ARCHER: Nock! [Maximus rides up into the forest where the cavalry await, his wolf running closely at his side. Maximus stops and addresses the men....] MAXIMUS: Fratres..., three weeks from now I will be harvesting my crops, imagine where you will be and it will be so. Hold the lines, stay with me. If you find yourself alone riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled, for you are in Elysium and you're already dead!!!. [The men laugh.] Brothers, what we do in life echoes in eternity. [Barely seen, a soldier hands Maximus his helmet. Maximus turns to an archer and nods, giving the signal to "unleash hell" and a flaming arrow is shot through the sky. Back on the battlefield, the flaming arrow is witnessed and all hell breaks loose....] ONAGER CENTURION: Pull, Pull! SHOUT: Cohorts ready sir! 1st CENTURION: Archers, ignite! 2nd CENTURION: Ignite! 1st CENTURION: Archers, draw! ONAGER CENTURION: Loose! [Scorpions fire, onagers let loose, flaming arrows, defiant cheers from the mob. As Maximus leads the thundering cavalry down through the trees, shouts can be heard from Maximus and his men....] MAXIMUS: Hold the line! SOLDIER: Make ready. MAXIMUS: Hold the line! [More archer battle scene....] MAXIMUS: Stay with me! Stay with me! [III Felix Legion advancing, then tortoise formation, then barbarian charge. Maximus' wolf leaps through a wall of flames. The cavalry reaches the Germans. Swords are flying as they attack each other. Maximus charges at a barbarian, slicing his head off as his sword becomes impaled in a tree. Maximus' horse is felled when a barbarian thrusts a lance in its path causing Maximus to fall hard, into the mud, amongst the soldiers. Maximus looks stunned, but as a German attacks him with his axe, Maximus parries each thrust before lashing out and cutting the German's legs from under him. The German collapses. Another German charges Maximus, who is still on the ground. Maximus manages to slide past the oncoming sword thrust. He punches the soldier, than stabs him. He climbs to his feet, still stabbing at the wounded German. Maximus starts running, but collides with another legionary. Maximus turns towards the startled legionary, who can only stand there agape as Maximus raises his sword in a feral scream. Maximus recognizes the legionary as one of his own men, and gives him a fierce smile.] [Scene cuts to the barbarian warlord -- barbarian warlord finishes off a legionary, but before he has time to recover, another legionary rushes and stabs him in the side. The barbarian stumbles, but does not fall. Another soldier strikes him from the other side, but he still does not fall. Finally, a soldier strikes him from behind, a vicious thrust from above into his neck. Scene cuts to a centurion who falls from his horse, then back to Maximus. Maximus punches a German twice, before slashing him across the chest with his sword. Maximus hears another German's scream coming from behind. Startled, he turns to see a barbarian, whose clothes and chain mail are aflame, charging towards him with an axe. Maximus parries the first swing, but goes down. As the barbarian raises his axe for the final swing, a charging cavalryman rushes by with a timely swing of his sword, and the barbarian falls, saving Maximus from death. Another barbarian sees Maximus and charges, but only to be stopped in midswing by the WOLF OF ROME, who leaps at him, biting his hand and fending him off of Maximus. It is a chaotic scene of soldiers running around, wrestling with each other. We hear the wolf's growls in the background. We see Maximus and other soldiers stabbing, fighting feverishly. Wide cut to a scene with dozens of soldiers fighting, with two standards of the Felix Legion thrust into the ground. We see one particular scene where a legionary kneels after stabbing a German, but himself falls as a German swings a sword at him. Cuts back to Maximus stabbing a soldier, then looking around, breathless, but looking for more enemies.] [We see a scene where a cavalryman falls from his horse, dead, and unhelmed. Another scene with a legionary, crying. Maximus and another legionary gathering themselves between the standards. The battle is over, with legionaries wandering, slaying wounded Germans. Maximus raises his sword, crying out, "Roma Victa!" Other legionaries raise their swords and cheer. Maximus stands amongst the dead and wounded, the remaining Roman soldiers at his side as he raises his sword and, exhausted, again cries out for all to hear....] MAXIMUS: Roma victa! CENTURION: Roma victa! [At the top of the hill, Caesar Marcus Aurelius slowly leans his head back in relief of the victory.] [Scene change - roadway, guarded armoured wagon is slowly moving along. In it, Commodus and Lucilla, as they make their way to their father, Marcus Aurelius.] COMMODUS: Do you think he's really dying? LUCILLA: He's been dying for ten years. COMMODUS: If he weren't really dying he wouldn't have sent for us. LUCILLA: Maybe he just misses us. COMMODUS: And the Senators...he wouldn't have summoned them if.... LUCILLA: Peace, Commodus. After two weeks on the road your incessant scheming is hurting my head. COMMODUS: He's made his decision, he's going to announce it! He will name me.... The first thing I shall do...when...is honour him with games worthy of his majesty. LUCILLA: For now, the first thing I shall do is have a hot bath. [There is a knock on the wagon as it comes to a halt. An unseen attendant calls out - Your Highness. Commodus steps out.] ATTENDANT: We look to be almost there, Sire. [A battle weary soldier approaches the wagon] Sire. COMMODUS: Where's the Emperor? SOLDIER: At the front, Sire. They've been gone for 19 days. The wounded are still coming in. [Commodus calls to the guard - "My horse!" Commodus mounts his horse, looks back at Lucilla and hesitantly asks - "kiss?" to which she kisses her hand and tosses her hand his way.] [Scene change back to the battle field. Maximus has found his sword impaled in the tree during battle. He removes the sword and as he turns, Marcus walks up amidst the soldiers as they stand and bow in his honour. Marcus walks to Maximus.] MARCUS: You have proved your valour yet again, Maximus. Let us hope, for the last time. MAXIMUS: There is no one left to fight, Sire. MARCUS: There is always someone left to fight, Maximus. Tell me, how can I reward Rome's greatest General?   [The battle weary Maximus, face splattered with the blood of his enemy, body drained from the exertion of the battle, thinks momentarily and simply replies.] MAXIMUS: Let me go home? MARCUS: Ahh. Home. [Marcus and Maximus, walk together through the debris of the battle, amidst the soldiers who are cheering as they pass.] MAXIMUS: They honour you, Caesar. MARCUS: It is you, Maximus. They honour you. [Maximus stops momentarily and raises his sword overhead. The army cheers even loader. In the distant, Commodus and his guards atop their horses, witnesses Maximus with his father, hears the cheers and quickly races down to them.] COMMODUS: [Quickly dismounting his horse, he approaches Marcus.] Have I missed it. Have I missed the battle? MARCUS: You have missed the war. COMMODUS: Father, congratulations. I shall sacrifice 100 bulls to honour your triumph. MARCUS: Save the bulls, honour Maximus. He won the battle. COMMODUS: General. MAXIMUS: Highness. COMMODUS: Rome salutes you and I embrace you as a brother. It has been too long old friend. MAXIMUS: Highness. [With head bowed. Commodus turns to his father.] COMMODUS: Here, father, take my arm. MARCUS: I think it is time...for me to leave.  [Commodus appears embarrassed that his father would not accept his help, and looks at Maximus with envy and scorn. Marcus gets on his horse and Maximus quickly hands his sword to Quintus while he assists Marcus in settling onto his horse.] MARCUS [to Maximus]: So much for the glory of Rome. [And Marcus Leaves....] [SCENE CHANGE to tent where party is taking place. Music and laughter fill the air. Maximus enters, washes his hands in a bowl of water, seemingly stained with the blood of the battle. Maximus looks into the crowd and sees Marcus and Commodus within. He then moves toward Quintus....] QUINTUS: General! MAXIMUS: Still alive? QUINTUS: Still alive. MAXIMUS: The gods must have a sense of humour. QUINTUS: The gods must love you. VALERIUS: Back to your barracks, General, or to Rome? MAXIMUS: Home. The wife, the son, the harvest. QUINTUS: Maximus the farmer. I still have trouble imagining that. MAXIMUS: You know, Quintus, dirt cleans off a lot easier than blood. COMMODUS: [as he approaches Maximus] Here he is. MAXIMUS: Highness. COMMODUS: [Making introductions.] Senator Gaius, Senator Falco. Beware of Gaius, he will pour honeyed potion in your ear and you will wake up saying Republic! Republic! GAIUS: Well, Rome WAS founded as a Republic. COMMODUS: Yes and in a republic, the senate has the power. But Senator Gaius is not influenced by that, of course. FALCO: Where do you stand General, Emperor or Senate? MAXIMUS: A soldier has the advantage of being able to look his enemy in the eye, Senator. GAIUS: You know, with an army behind you, you could become extremely political. COMMODUS: I warned you, but I shall save you. Senators. [He pulls Maximus away and they leave the Senators. Commodus continues his conversation with Maximus.]  I'm going to need good men like you. MAXIMUS: [Cautiously asking] How may I serve you, Highness? COMMODUS: You are a man who knows what it is to command. You give your orders, the orders are obeyed, and the battle is won. But these senators, they scheme and squabble and flatter and deceive. Maximus we must save Rome from the politicians. [Glancing over to where Marcus is and back to Maximus.] Can I count on you, when the time comes? MAXIMUS: [Following Commodus' glance, he looks over at Marcus and back to Commodus.] Highness, when your father releases me I intend to return home. COMMODUS: Home, well no one has earned it more. Don't get too comfortable - I may call on you before long. Lucilla is here - did you know? [A look of concern over Commodus' remarks about future service, followed with surprise about Lucilla overcome Maximus as Commodus continues....] She has not forgotten you. And now you are the great man. [SCENE CHANGE - Lucilla and her maid are seen peering out from the tent to where Commodus and Maximus talk. Eyeing Maximus, Lucilla murmurs Maximus. Marcus enters the tent and they quickly stop when he catches their attention.]  MARCUS: If only you had been born a man. What a Caesar you would have made. LUCILLA: Father [as she walks to him and kisses his cheek]. MARCUS: You would have been strong. I wonder, would you have been just. LUCILLA: I would have been what you taught me to be. MARCUS: Oh. How was your journey? LUCILLA: Long - uncomfortable. Why have I come? MARCUS: I need your help...with your brother. LUCILLA: Of course. MARCUS: He loves you, he always has and... he will need you now, more than ever. [A contemplative pause by Marcus and he continues as they walk arm in arm....] Enough of politics. Let us pretend that you are a loving daughter and I a good father. LUCILLA: This is a pleasant fiction, isn't it? [SCENE CHANGE - camp, fire pits warm the air, light snow falls, Maximus walks, greeting and congratulating the men as they rest, eat, and sharpen their swords. Maximus approaches his horse stroking its head and his attention is caught by the sound of swords clashing amongst the trees. He sees Commodus and his guards, shirtless, as they exercise sword maneuvers in the cold. Commodus is an excellent swordsman.] [SCENE CHANGES to Marcus's tent where Marcus sits hunched over his desk, writing on a tablet. Maximus enters and Marcus does not look up.] MAXIMUS: You sent for me Caesar? [No response. Maximus turns to look at the weak and old Marcus.] Caesar? MARCUS: Tell me again Maximus, why are we here? MAXIMUS: For the glory of the empire, Sire. MARCUS: Ah yes, ah yes. I remember. You see that map, Maximus? That is the world which I created. For 25 years, I have conquered, spilt blood, expanded the empire. Since I became Caesar I have known four years without war - four years of peace in 20. And for what? I brought the sword, nothing more. MAXIMUS: Caesar, your life... MARCUS: Please, please don't call me that. Come here and sit. Let us talk now, together now. Very simply, as men. Well, Maximus, talk. MAXIMUS: 5,000 of my men are out there in the freezing mud. 3,000 are cleaved and bloodied. 2,000 will never leave this place. I will not believe they fought and died for nothing. MARCUS: And what would you believe? MAXIMUS: They fought for YOU and for Rome. MARCUS: And what is Rome, Maximus? MAXIMUS: I have seen much of the rest of the world. It is brutal and cruel and dark. Rome is the light. MARCUS: Yet you have never been there. You have not seen what it has become. I am dying, Maximus. When a man sees his end he wants to know that there has been some purpose to his life. How will the world speak my name in years to come? Will I be known as the philosopher, the warrior, the tyrant. Or will I be remembered as the Emperor who gave Rome back her true self? There was once a dream that was Rome, you could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish. It was so fragile and I fear that it will not survive the winter. Maximus, let us whisper now. Together, you and I. You have a son? [Maximus nods.] Tell me about your home.   [Maximus looks a bit surprised at the invitation to hear of his home, but eagerly and proudly describes it -- a peaceful happiness overcome him as he speaks.] MAXIMUS: My house is in the hills above Trujillo. Very simple place, pink stones that warm in the sun. Kitchen garden that smells of herbs in the day, jasmine in the evening. Through the gate is a giant poplar. Figs, apples, pears. The soil, Marcus, black ...black like my wife's hair. Grapes on the south slopes, olives on the north. Wild ponies play near the house, they tease my son. He wants to be one of them. MARCUS: Maximus, when was the last time you were home? MAXIMUS: 2 years, 264 days and this morning. MARCUS: I envy you, Maximus. It is a good home. Worth fighting for? [Maximus nods yes and Marcus rises.] There is one more duty that I ask of you before you go home. [Maximus quickly rises, the soldier that he is; respectfully, to attention.] MAXIMUS: What will you have me do Caesar? MARCUS: I want you to become the protector of Rome after I die. I will empower you, to one end alone, to give power back to the people of Rome and end the corruption that has crippled it. [Shock and bewilderment overcome Maximus. He tries to keep from displaying these feelings. Hearing no response, Marcus continues.] Will you accept this great honour that I have offered? MAXIMUS: With all my heart, no. MARCUS: [Tenderly holding Maximus' head with both hands]: Maximus, that is why it must be you. MAXIMUS: But surely a prefect, a senator, somebody who knows the city, who understands her politics.... MARCUS: But you have not been corrupted by her politics. MAXIMUS: And Commodus? MARCUS: Commodus is not a moral man, you have known that since you were young. Commodus cannot rule. He must not rule. You are the son that I should have had. Commodus will accept my decision. He knows that you command the loyalty of the army. MAXIMUS [Nearly speechless]: I need some time, Sire. MARCUS: Yes. By sunset, I hope, you will have agreed. Now embrace me as my son and bring an old man another blanket. [SCENE CHANGE - As Maximus leaves Marcus' tent he hesitates outside, with a troubled look upon his face. Lucilla steps out from the adjacent tent. She appears to have been waiting for him.] LUCILLA: My father favours you now. MAXIMUS: M'lady. LUCILLA: T'was not always so. MAXIMUS: Many things change. LUCILLA: Many things, not everything. [Maximus turns to leave.] Maximus, stop. Let me see your face. You seem upset. MAXIMUS: I lost many men. LUCILLA: What did my father want with you? MAXIMUS: To wish me well before I leave for home. [Again, he turns to leave.] LUCILLA: You are lying. I could always tell when you were lying because you were never good at it. [Maximus looks back at her sharply and approaches.] MAXIMUS: I never acquired your com