TROY
by
David Benioff
February 21, 2003
FADE IN:
1 EXT. THESSALIAN VALLEY - DAY 1
A mangy, bone-thin DOG lopes across the broad valley
floor, sniffing at the ground. At first the scene
appears bucolic: tall grass, patches of wildflowers, blue
sky above.
But as the dog keeps running we see signs of conflict. A
spear, half imbedded in the earth, rises at an angle. A
bronze helmet, cracked and bloodied, lies on its side.
The dog pauses to sniff the helmet then continues his
search. Finally he stops, hackles on his back rising,
ears pricked up. He growls, and we see what the dog sees.
Dozens of CROWS have descended into a shallow ravine.
They squabble and peck, clustered around something on the
ground.
The dog growls louder and charges at the crows. The black
birds flap away to safety, shrieking in protest.
A DEAD SOLDIER lies facedown in the ravine. Whatever
armor he wore was stripped away, leaving his body to the
elements.
The dog walks slowly to the dead man, sniffing at the
corpse's hands. The dog whines and licks the man's
fingers.
Something in the air disturbs the dog, who looks up. And
now we hear it, faintly, in the distance. HOOF BEATS and
chariot wheels, marching men, the clank of bronze armor
and weaponry.
The dog runs, abandoning his dead master.
1A THE MYCENAEAN ARMY 1A
five thousand strong, storms into the valley from the
south. Armored with bronze breastplates, helmets and
shields, the soldiers glitter in the morning sun.
Riding alongside the infantry are dozens of horse-drawn
CHARIOTS, each holding a DRIVER, a SPEARMAN and an
OFFICER.
On the opposite side of the valley, three thousand
THESSALONIAN SOLDIERS march into view. The Thessalonians
are less disciplined, their armor and weaponry less
impressive.
(CONTINUED)
2.
1A CONTINUED: 1A
When each army reaches the battlefield they stop and stare
one another down, two hundred yards distant.
1B A MYCENAEAN CHARIOT AND A THESSALONIA CHARIOT 1B
emerge from their respective sides and meet at the center
of the field.
AGAMEMNON, king of the Mycenaeans, rides in his chariot
with a DRIVER and a SPEARMAN. Agamemnon holds a gold
SCEPTER, symbol of command. His breast plate is engraved
with an Alpha.
His counterpart in the Thessalonian cart, TRIOPAS (60),
does not project equal confidence. He eyes the size of
the Mycenaean army with evident unease. He holds his own
SCEPTER.
Both kings step down from their chariots and approach each
other. They stare at one another for several seconds.
Agamemnon smiles and looks into the sky.
The crows wheel overhead, cawing.
AGAMEMNON
It's a good day for the crows.
TRIOPAS
I told you yesterday and I'll tell
you again today. Remove your army
from my land.
Agamemnon smiles again and turns to examine the valley.
AGAMEMNON
I like your land. I think we'll
stay.
(beat)
I like your soldiers, too. They
fought bravely yesterday. Not
well, but bravely.
TRIOPAS
They'll never fight for you.
AGAMEMNON
That's what the Messenians said,
too. And the Arcadians. And the
Epeians. They're all fighting for
me, now.
(CONTINUED)
3.
1B CONTINUED: 1B
TRIOPAS
You can't rule the whole world,
Agamemnon. It's too big. Even for
you.
Agamemnon surveys Triopas's army.
AGAMEMNON
I don't want to watch another
massacre. Let's end this war in
the old manner.
(beat)
Your best fighter against my best.
For the first time, Triopas looks hopeful.
TRIOPAS
And if my man wins?
AGAMEMNON
We'll leave Thessaly for good.
(beat)
I'm a generous man. If mine wins,
you keep your throne. But Thessaly
falls under my command, to fight
with me whenever I call.
Triopas considers before nodding. He shouts to his army.
TRIOPAS
Boagrius!
The Thessalonians murmur and step aside. A giant emerges
from their midst, BOAGRIUS, a foot taller than the other
men, his face gouged with old knife scars. He marches out
to his king.
TRIOPAS
Here is my champion.
Agamemnon raises his eyebrows as the giant comes closer.
AGAMEMNON
(shouting to his army)
Achilles!
The Mycenaeans murmur amongst themselves, looking for
Achilles. Nobody emerges. Agamemnon frowns.
TRIOPAS
Boagrius has this effect on many
heroes.
(CONTINUED)
4.
1B CONTINUED: (2) 1B
AGAMEMNON
Be careful whom you insult, old
king.
An OFFICER on horseback gallops from the Mycenaean ranks
to the center of the field. He bows his head to
Agamemnon.
OFFICER
Achilles is not with the army.
Triopas laughs and looks up at Boagrius, who chuckles.
AGAMEMNON
(furious)
Where is he?
OFFICER
I sent a boy to look for him.
2 EXT. WOODS - DAY 2
A BOY (12) on a roan HORSE gallops through the woods.
3 EXT. MYCENAEAN CAMP - DAY 3
The boy rides into the camp. Scores of tents stand on the
banks of a river. The only men around are COOKS tending
fires and ARMORERS, mending armor and weapons.
The boy dismounts at one large tent in the corner of the
camp. He pulls open the tent flap and steps inside.
4 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - CONTINUOUS 4
The boy pauses for a moment inside the tent, eyes
adjusting to the dim light. Evidently last night was a
wild party. Jugs of wine are everywhere, and the remains
of a large feast.
Sleeping on a fur rug are two NAKED WOMEN and one NAKED
MAN, tanned arms and legs entwined. The boy sidesteps
shards of a broken jug. He bends to tap the sleeping
man's shoulder.
Before his fingers make contact, a hand shoots out, grabs
his wrist, and pulls him to the rug. The boy finds
himself flat on his back with a dagger to his throat.
(CONTINUED)
5.
4 CONTINUED: 4
ACHILLES
Shh.
The boy stares into the eyes of ACHILLES (30), who seems
to have barely moved. Somehow he managed to seize the boy
and put a knife to his throat without waking the women.
ACHILLES
(whispering)
I was having a good dream.
(beat)
A very good dream.
The boy nods, dumb with fear. Achilles has the lean,
efficient physique of a boxer. His face and body are dark
from a summer spent in the sun.
BOY
King Agamemnon sent me. He
needs --
ACHILLES
I'll speak with your king in the
morning.
BOY
But my lord -- it is morning.
Achilles frowns. He stands and walks naked to the tent
flap, holds it open and stares at the empty encampment.
BOY
They're waiting for you.
5 EXT. MYCENAEAN CAMP 5
Achilles prepares for battle, strapping on his
breastplate. The boy assists him, fixing the bronze
greaves to his legs.
BOY
Are the stories about you true?
They say your mother is an immortal
goddess.
Achilles lifts up his shield. He slips his left forearm
into the leather straps on the inside of the shield.
BOY
They say you can't be killed.
(CONTINUED)
6.
5 CONTINUED: 5
ACHILLES
I wouldn't be bothering with the
shield then, would I?
BOY
The Thessalonian you're fighting
-- he's the biggest man I've ever
seen.
Achilles mounts the boy's horse.
BOY
I wouldn't want to fight him.
ACHILLES
That's why no one will remember
your name.
Achilles gallops away, leaving the boy standing alone.
6 EXT. THESSALIAN VALLEY 6
Agamemnon confers with his OFFICERS on the battlefield,
including KING NESTOR (65), his trusted advisor.
When Achilles rides into view the Mycenaean soldiers
CHEER. Some cry out his name. Agamemnon and his officers
turn to watch Achilles dismount and approach them.
AGAMEMNON
Perhaps we should have our war
tomorrow, when you're better
rested?
Achilles ignores the king and examines the waiting giant.
AGAMEMNON
I should have you whipped for
impudence.
Achilles wheels on the king.
ACHILLES
Who's giving the whipping?
He walks toward Agamemnon, fingers curling over the hilt
of his sword. Nestor slides in between Achilles and the
king.
NESTOR
Achilles.
(CONTINUED)
7.
6 CONTINUED: 6
Achilles, nostrils flared, eyes narrowed, stares at
Agamemnon. Neither man is willing to turn away.
ACHILLES
(to Agamemnon)
Why don't you fight him yourself?
Wouldn't that be a sight, a king
who fights his own battles?
NESTOR
Achilles.
Achilles finally turns and looks at him.
NESTOR
Look at the men's faces.
Achilles surveys the faces of the battle-weary soldiers.
NESTOR
You can save hundreds of them. You
can end this war with a swing of
your sword.
(beat)
Think how many songs they'll sing
in your honor.
(beat)
Let them go home to their wives.
The soldiers, awed in his presence, stare at Achilles. He
finally turns and walks toward Boagrius.
Agamemnon watches Achilles with undisguised hostility.
AGAMEMNON
(to Nestor, under
his breath)
Of all the warlords loved by the
gods, I hate him most.
NESTOR
We need him, my king.
AGAMEMNON
For now.
6A ACHILLES 6A
When Achilles is forty yards from the giant, Boagrius
turns to his army and shakes his spear over his head.
They cheer, slamming their bronze swords against their
bronze shields.
(CONTINUED)
8.
6A CONTINUED: 6A
Achilles keeps coming. He looks up at the circling crows.
Boagrius turns and throws his spear. The bronze spearhead
glitters in the sun, blazing straight for Achilles.
Without breaking stride, Achilles raises the shield. The
spearhead blasts through the bronze skin of the shield,
through the thick leather on the underside, stopping
inches from Achilles' face.
Achilles keeps coming.
Boagrius hoists a second spear and hurls it, grunting with
effort. Again Achilles raises his shield, again the
spearhead tears through the shield but does not harm
Achilles.
Achilles casts aside the shield and keeps coming.
Boagrius unsheathes his tremendous bronze sword. He opens
his mouth, lets loose a battle cry, and charges at
Achilles.
When Boagrius raises his sword, Achilles lunges forward
with terrifying speed. It does not seem possible that he
could close the gap between them so quickly, but he does,
thrusting his sword straight through Boagrius'
breastplate.
Achilles pulls his sword from the giant's chest and
continues walking toward the Thessalonian line, never
looking back.
Boagrius stares down at the hole in his breastplate.
Blood pumps out, pouring down the polished bronze. He
topples over.
The Mycenaean Army ERUPTS with exultant victory cries.
Achilles now stands in front of the massed Thessalonian
troops. He searches from face to face. None of the
soldiers are willing to make eye contact with him.
Finally Triopas steps out of the ranks.
TRIOPAS
Who are you, soldier?
ACHILLES
Achilles, son of Peleus.
(CONTINUED)
9.
6A CONTINUED: (2) 6A
TRIOPAS
Achilles. I won't forget the name.
Triopas offers Achilles the heavy gold SCEPTER.
TRIOPAS
The ruler of Thessaly carries this
scepter. Give it to your king.
ACHILLES
He's not my king.
Achilles walks west, away from both armies. The soldiers
watch him go in silence.
7 EXT. IONIAN SEA - DUSK 7
We're high above the wine-dark sea, gliding north. Soon
the Peloponnesian coast comes into view. The only break
in the shoreline is the inlet of Laconia, and we follow it
inland.
The inlet ends in a natural harbor where several tall-
masted warships are beached, sails unfurled, oars locked
and rowing benches empty. Dozens of smaller fishing boats
are scattered about the harbor.
On top of the highest hill, overlooking all Sparta, stands
a thick-walled PALACE. Torch-bearing SENTRIES, wearing
plumed helmets and carrying long spears, man their posts.
MENELAUS (V.O.)
Princes of Troy, on our last night
together, Queen Helen and I salute
you.
8 INT. PALACE OF SPARTA - RECEPTION HALL - CONTINUOUS 8
MENELAUS (40), king of Sparta, stands at the head of a
massive table that spans the length of a hall lit by
torches. A battle-scarred warrior, Menelaus is already
halfway drunk.
Beside Menelaus sits his wife, HELEN (25), wearing a white
gown, head bowed, half listening to her husband. Fresh
flowers are woven into her hair. Her beauty is so extreme
she seems to exist in a separate realm.
(CONTINUED)
10.
8 CONTINUED: 8
The only woman in the room and the only one wearing white,
Helen shines amidst the unwashed WARRIORS of Sparta and
Troy. All sit at a table laden with platters of roasted
game birds, whole fish, octopi, suckling pigs and bowls of
fruit.
Menelaus holds his gold wine goblet in the air, toasting
his honored guests, HECTOR (35) and PARIS (25).
Hector is not the best-looking man in the room, nor the
largest, but the intensity of his expression, the regality
of his bearing, confirms that he is a born leader.
Paris is the best-looking man in the room, by a long shot.
He's not paying attention to Menelaus. He's staring at
Helen.
MENELAUS
We've had our conflicts before,
it's true. We've fought many
battles, Sparta and Troy. And
fought well!
Menelaus's soldiers cheer drunkenly. For a moment Helen
looks up and meets Paris's gaze.
MENELAUS
But I've always respected your
father. Priam is a good man, a
good king. I respected him as an
adversary, and I respect him now as
my ally.
More cheering, this time from the entire assembly.
MENELAUS
Hector, Paris, young princes, come,
stand, drink with me.
Hector stands. Paris does not. He's still staring at
Helen. Hector nudges his brother's shoulder. Paris
stands.
MENELAUS
Let us drink to peace.
Hector nods to Menelaus and raises his cup.
HECTOR
Peace between Troy and Sparta.
(CONTINUED)
11.
8 CONTINUED: (2) 8
The king and the princes drink deeply and slam their empty
cups to the table.
MENELAUS
May the gods keep the wolves in the
hills and the women in our beds.
All the men in the hall cheer and rise to their feet.
GUESTS
To Sparta! To Troy!
A band of MUSICIANS strike up their instruments; SERVANTS
roam the hall filling goblets with wine.
POLYDORA (20), one of Helen's handmaidens, leads a dozen
attractive YOUNG WOMEN into the banquet hall.
The warriors howl at the sight of the women. Soon each of
the handmaidens is flanked by drunken soldiers.
Menelaus grabs Hector in a bear hug. Hector gamely
accepts the embrace. When the king releases him, both men
spill a few drops of wine from their cups onto the floor.
They drink the rest of their wine. Menelaus grips
Hector's upper arm. SERVANTS refill the cups.
MENELAUS
A strong arm. Thank the gods we
made peace -- I've seen too many of
my men struck down with this arm.
HECTOR
Never again, I hope.
MENELAUS
Only one man works a sword better
than you. The son of Peleus the
Argonaut.
HECTOR
Achilles.
MENELAUS
That madman would throw a spear at
Zeus himself if the god insulted
him.
(CONTINUED)
12.
8 CONTINUED: (3) 8
Menelaus indicates Polydora, who stares at Hector openly.
MENELAUS
You see that one over there? I
picked her just for you. She's a
little lioness.
Menelaus grins at the girl, who lowers her eyes and
smiles. Helen notices this silent exchange but ignores
it, conversing instead with another HANDMAIDEN who sits
beside her.
HECTOR
Thank you. My wife waits for me in
Troy.
MENELAUS
My wife waits for me right there.
He leans forward to whisper conspiratorially in Hector's
ear.
MENELAUS
Wives are for breeding. You
understand? For making little
princes. Come, enjoy yourself
tonight.
Helen stands and walks out of the reception hall.
Menelaus does not notice. Hector does. He raises his cup
to Menelaus.
HECTOR
You make excellent wine in Sparta.
Menelaus laughs and drinks with Hector.
Paris excuses himself from the Spartan generals he's been
speaking with and heads outside -- in the same direction
as Helen. Hector watches with mounting agitation.
9 INT. HELEN'S CHAMBER - NIGHT 9
The room is lit by a dozen tall candles. Helen removes
the flowers from her hair and drops them into a bowl of
water. She hears a sound and looks up. Paris stands in
the doorway.
For several breaths they are silent, staring at each
other.
(CONTINUED)
13.
9 CONTINUED: 9
HELEN
You shouldn't be here.
Paris closes the door behind him.
PARIS
That's what you said last night.
HELEN
Last night was a mistake.
PARIS
And the night before?
Helen continues removing the flowers from her hair but she
cannot hide a half-smile.
HELEN
I've made many mistakes this week.
He approaches her.
PARIS
Do you want me to go?
His hands are on her now, sliding down her bare neck, down
her back, resting on her hips. His mouth is very close to
her ear. Helen closes her eyes.
HELEN
(whispering)
Yes.
Paris kisses her neck, her ears, her closed eyes. The
tightness we saw in her face when she sat by her husband's
side is gone, replaced by ecstasy.
PARIS
(whispering)
Where should I go?
She kisses him back now and there's a hunger in her
kisses, something close to violence in her desire. She
lifts off his tunic and pulls him nearer.
HELEN
(whispering)
Away. Far away.
In a moment the white gown slips to her feet. He stares
at her naked body in wonder. He opens his mouth to speak
but she kisses him full on the lips. They sink onto the
bed.
14.
10 INT. PALACE - RECEPTION HALL - NIGHT 10
As more and more wine gourds are emptied, the scene grows
rowdier. An impromptu choir of Spartan and Trojan
soldiers drunkenly sing battle songs.
Polydora sits on Menelaus's lap. She whispers in his ear
while he laughs and drains another cup of wine. Bits of
roasted boar fleck his thick red beard.
Hector sits nearby, half engaged in conversation with
several Spartan generals. He's clearly not happy that his
brother's still missing.
11 INT. HELEN'S CHAMBER - NIGHT (LATER) 11
Helen lies naked on her bed. In the candlelight her
flanks are mapped with copper trails of sweat. She
watches Paris, who stands bedside pulling on his clothes.
PARIS
I have something for you.
From his tunic he pulls a necklace of baby pearls threaded
with silver. He sits beside her in bed.
PARIS
Pearls from the sea of Propontis.
Paris strings the pearls around her neck.
HELEN
They're beautiful.
(beat)
But I can't wear them. Menelaus
would kill us both.
PARIS
Don't be afraid of him.
HELEN
I'm not afraid of dying. I'm
afraid of tomorrow, watching you
sail away and knowing you'll never
come back.
She runs her fingers across his jaw line.
HELEN
Before you came to Sparta I was a
ghost. I walked and I ate and I
swam in the sea, but I was a ghost.
(CONTINUED)
15.
11 CONTINUED: 11
PARIS
You don't have to fear tomorrow.
Helen watches him, unsure what he means.
PARIS
Come with me.
For a long moment they stare into each other's eyes.
HELEN
Don't play with me, prince of Troy.
Don't play.
The sounds of footsteps and laughter outside the door
startle them. Paris halfway unsheathes a KNIFE hanging
from his belt.
Whoever's walking by the door passes without stopping.
Paris sheathes his knife, kneels beside the bed and takes
her hand.
PARIS
If you come we'll never be safe.
Men will hunt us and the gods will
curse us. But I'll love you.
Until the day they burn my body I
will love you.
Helen stares into Paris' eyes, contemplating the
impossible.
12 INT. PALACE - COURTYARD - LATER 12
A group of TROJAN SOLDIERS lies on goatskins and furs
around a bonfire built in the middle of the courtyard.
Some sleep; some continue to drink and sing old Trojan
songs.
Hector stands by the fire, conferring with TECTON (30), a
bull-necked captain of the elite Apollonian Guard.
HECTOR
Make the proper offerings to
Poseidon before we sail. We don't
need any more widows in Troy.
TECTON
Goat or pig?
HECTOR
Which does the Sea God prefer?
(CONTINUED)
16.
12 CONTINUED: 12
TECTON
(smiling)
I'll wake the priest and ask him.
Tecton bows and exits the courtyard. Hector sees Paris
slinking past the bonfire, sneaking toward his quarters.
HECTOR
Paris!
Paris turns, smiles and waves, acting as if he hadn't seen
Hector before. He ambles over to join his brother.
HECTOR
You should get to bed. We won't
sleep on land again for weeks.
PARIS
I have no trouble sleeping on the
seas. The sea nymphs sing
lullabies to me.
HECTOR
And who sang lullabies to you
tonight?
Paris freezes for a moment but quickly regains his poise.
PARIS
Tonight? Tonight was the
fisherman's wife. A lovely
creature.
HECTOR
I hope you didn't let the fisherman
catch you.
PARIS
He's more concerned with the fish.
Paris smiles and starts to walk away but Hector holds him.
HECTOR
You do understand why we're in
Sparta?
PARIS
For peace.
(CONTINUED)
17.
12 CONTINUED: (2) 12
HECTOR
And you do understand that
Menelaus, King of Sparta, is a
powerful man? And that his
brother, Agamemnon, King of
Mycenae, commands all the Greek
forces?
PARIS
What does this have to do with the
fisherman's wife?
Hector seizes Paris's face between the palms of his hand.
Not a violent gesture, exactly, but not gentle, either.
HECTOR
Paris. You're my brother, and I
love you. But if you do anything
to endanger Troy I'll rip your
pretty face from your pretty skull.
He kisses Paris on the forehead.
HECTOR
Get some sleep. We sail in the
morning.
Paris, a bit shocked by the encounter, stumbles away.
13 EXT. IONIAN SEA - DAY 13
The TROJAN SHIP sails over the waves.
14 EXT. SHIP'S DECK - DAY 14
The winds are strong. Nobody needs to row. SAILORS tend
the sails or play dice.
Hector stands in the bow, leaning against the rail,
whittling a WOODEN LION. Paris joins him.
PARIS
A beautiful morning. Poseidon has
blessed our voyage.
Hector looks at the blue sky for a moment.
(CONTINUED)
18.
14 CONTINUED: 14
HECTOR
Sometimes the gods bless you in the
morning and curse you in the
afternoon.
Paris watches his brother work the wood. When Paris
speaks again his tone is more sober than we've heard it
before.
PARIS
Do you love me, brother?
Hector rests his knife on the deck and smiles.
HECTOR
What have you done now?
PARIS
I need to show you something.
Paris walks toward the staircase leading inside the ship.
Hector watches him for a few seconds and then follows.
15 INT. TROJAN SHIP 15
Paris pauses in front of his cabin door.
PARIS
Before you get angry with me --
HECTOR
Open the door.
Paris opens the door. Helen, wearing a hooded robe, sits
on the edge of a hammock, swinging slightly. She stands.
Hector stares at her in disbelief. He turns and glares at
Paris.
HECTOR
If you weren't my brother I'd kill
you where you stand.
PARIS
Hector --
Hector is already out the door. Helen looks at Paris.
HELEN
We'll never have peace.
PARIS
I don't want peace. I want you.
(CONTINUED)
19.
15 CONTINUED: 15
He kisses her -- a desperate, hungry kiss, the two of them
against the world -- then turns and follows his brother.
16 INT. PALACE OF SPARTA - HELEN'S BEDCHAMBER - DAY 16
Menelaus, followed by ten SOLDIERS, storms into Helen's
room.
17 INT. HELEN'S BEDCHAMBER 17
He finds Polydora polishing the queen's jewelry. Menelaus
grabs her arm roughly. She's terrified.
MENELAUS
Where is she?
POLYDORA
Who, my king?
Menelaus draws his sword.
MENELAUS
I swear by the father of the gods
I'll gut you here if you don't tell
me.
The handmaiden tries to speak but no words come out.
Fortunately for her, HIPPASUS, (50), a royal advisor,
enters the room at that moment followed by an old
FISHERMAN (65).
HIPPASUS
She left with the Trojans, my king.
Menelaus stares at Hippasus, who swallows and gestures at
the fisherman. The fisherman looks as if he'd rather be
fishing.
HIPPASUS
The old man saw her board their
ship.
Menelaus releases the handmaiden and stares at the
fisherman.
MENELAUS
The Trojans?
(CONTINUED)
20.
17 CONTINUED: 17
FISHERMAN
With the young prince. Paris.
She --
Menelaus holds up his hand. The fisherman shuts up.
Everyone watches the king, waiting for an explosion, but
the news -- strangely -- seems to focus him.
MENELAUS
Get my ship ready.
18 EXT. TROJAN SHIP 18
Hector walks quickly toward the stern, Paris right behind
him. The PILOT mans the rudder.
HECTOR
(to pilot)
Turn us around. Back to Sparta.
PARIS
Wait, wait.
Hector spins on his brother.
HECTOR
You fool.
PARIS
Listen to me --
Hector shoves his brother backwards. The older brother's
physical power is obvious. SAILORS watch in awed silence.
HECTOR
Do you know what you've done? Do
you know how many years our father
worked for peace? How many
brothers and cousins he lost on the
battlefield?
PARIS
I love her.
The muscles in Hector's jaw bulge against his cheeks.
HECTOR
Say another word and I'll break
your arm. This is all a game for
you, isn't it?
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
21.
18 CONTINUED: 18
HECTOR (CONT'D)
You roam from town to town, bedding
merchants' wives and temple maids -
- you think you know something
about love? What about your
father's love? You spat on him
when you brought her on this ship.
What about love of your country?
You'd let Troy burn for this woman.
Paris starts to speak but Hector raises a warning finger.
HECTOR
I won't let you start a war for
her.
PARIS
May I speak?
(beat)
What you say is true. I've wronged
you. I've wronged our father. If
you want to bring Helen back to
Sparta, so be it. But I go with
her.
HECTOR
To Sparta? They'll kill you.
PARIS
Then I'll die fighting.
Hector laughs bitterly. He grabs the collar of Paris's
tunic.
HECTOR
That sounds heroic to you, doesn't
it? To die fighting. Tell me,
little brother, have you ever
killed a man?
PARIS
No.
HECTOR
Have you ever even seen a man die
in combat?
PARIS
No.
Hector's face is flushed with anger. Paris tries to look
away but Hector won't let him.
(CONTINUED)
22.
18 CONTINUED: (2) 18
HECTOR
I've killed men, brother. I've
watched them dying, I've heard them
dying, I've smelled them dying.
(beat)
There's nothing glorious about it,
nothing poetic. You think you want
to die for love, but you know
nothing about dying. You know
nothing about love.
PARIS
All the same, I go with her.
Hector releases his brother. He stares at the sea.
PARIS
I won't ask you to fight my war.
Hector shakes his head, still staring into the waves.
HECTOR
You already have.
For a long time Hector is silent. Finally he turns to the
pilot, who awaits the prince's command.
HECTOR
To Troy.
Hector walks away from his brother.
19 EXT. MYCENAE HARBOR - DAY 19
Three WARSHIPS are anchored in the harbor.
Menelaus, followed by Hippasus and a retinue of SOLDIERS,
climbs the long stone staircase that leads to the walled
city of Mycenae, a citadel hewn from the hilltop rock.
20 INT. MYCENAE CITADEL - THRONE ROOM - DAY 20
Menelaus and his followers enter the throne room.
Treasures from various conquests fill the room: statuary
and urns and intricate gold work. Armed GUARDS stand at
their posts.
(CONTINUED)
23.
20 CONTINUED: 20
Only Agamemnon is seated, on a beautiful throne carved
from solid oak. Two robed NOBLES are addressing him when
Menelaus enters -- they move away as the Spartans
approach.
Agamemnon stands. The two kings embrace.
AGAMEMNON
Your messenger came two days ago.
I know what happened.
Menelaus's face darkens, his rage barely submerged.
MENELAUS
I want her back.
AGAMEMNON
Of course you do. She's a
beautiful woman.
MENELAUS
I want her back so I can kill her
with my own two hands. I won't
rest until I've burned Troy to the
ground.
AGAMEMNON
(smiling)
I thought you wanted peace with
Troy.
MENELAUS
I should have listened to you.
AGAMEMNON
Peace is for the women and the
weak. Empires are forged by war.
MENELAUS
All my life I've stood by your
side, fought your enemies. You're
the eldest, you reap the glory --
this is the way of the world. But
have I ever complained, brother?
Have I ever asked you for anything?
AGAMEMNON
Never. You're a man of honor.
Everyone in Greece knows this.
(CONTINUED)
24.
20 CONTINUED: (2) 20
MENELAUS
The Trojans spat on my honor. An
insult to me is an insult to you.
AGAMEMNON
And an insult to me is an insult to
all Greeks.
MENELAUS
Will you go to war with me,
brother?
Menelaus reaches out his hand. Agamemnon looks into his
eyes. Finally he nods and clasps hands with his brother.
21 INT. MYCENAE CITADEL - THRONE ROOM - NIGHT 21
Agamemnon paces the vast, torch-lit room. Nestor sits at
a wooden table. Spread out on the table before him is a
rough map of Greece and environs, painted on a tanned goat
skin.
AGAMEMNON
I always thought my brother's wife
was a foolish woman. But she's
proven to be very useful. Nothing
unifies a people like a common
enemy.
NESTOR
The Trojans have never been
conquered. Some say they can't be
conquered.
AGAMEMNON
I haven't tried yet.
(beat)
Old King Priam thinks he's
untouchable behind his high walls.
He thinks the Sun God will protect
him. But the gods only protect the
strong.
(points at map)
If Troy falls, I control the
Aegean.
NESTOR
Hector commands the finest army in
the east. And Troy is built to
withstand a ten-year siege.
(CONTINUED)
25.
21 CONTINUED: 21
AGAMEMNON
There won't be a ten-year siege.
I'll attack them with the greatest
force the world has ever seen. I
want all the kings of Greece and
all their armies.
(beat)
Send emissaries in the morning.
Nestor stands and prepares to leave.
NESTOR
One last thing.
(beat)
We need Achilles and his Myrmidons.
Agamemnon shakes his head.
AGAMEMNON
Achilles can't be controlled. He's
as likely to fight us as the
Trojans.
NESTOR
We don't need to control him. We
need to unleash him. The man was
born to end lives.
AGAMEMNON
Yes, he's a gifted killer, but he
follows no king. He threatens
everything I've built.
(beat)
Before me Greece was nothing, a
province of warlords and cattle
raiders. I've brought all the
Greek kingdoms together -- with the
sword when necessary, with a treaty
when possible. I've created a
nation out of fire-worshippers and
snake-eaters.
(beat)
I build the future, Nestor.
Achilles is the past, a man who
fights for no flag, a man loyal to
no country.
Nestor waits a respectful moment before replying.
(CONTINUED)
26.
21 CONTINUED: (2) 21
NESTOR
Your words are true. But how many
battles have we won off the edge of
his sword?
(beat)
This will be the greatest war the
world has ever seen. We need the
greatest warrior.
Agamemnon thinks about it, pacing the room. Finally --
AGAMEMNON
There's only one man he'll listen
to.
NESTOR
I'll send a ship in the morning.
22 EXT. ITHACA - DAY 22
A lean, bearded SHEPHERD (40) sits on a hillside looking
over the Ionian sea.
Beside him sits his faithful hunting dog, ARGOS. They
watch a troop of EMISSARIES climb the steep hill. The
emissaries are panting for breath by the time they reach
the hilltop.
EMISSARY #1
Greetings, brother. We were told
King Odysseus is here in the hills.
SHEPHERD
Odysseus? That old bastard drinks
my wine and never pays.
EMISSARY #2
You ought to respect your king,
friend.
SHEPHERD
Respect him? I'd like to punch him
in the nose. He's always pawing at
my wife, trying to tear her clothes
off.
The emissaries, embarrassed, begin walking away. The
shepherd watches them go.
(CONTINUED)
27.
22 CONTINUED: 22
SHEPHERD
(to Argos the dog)
I hope Agamemnon's generals are
smarter than his emissaries.
Emissary #1 turns to look at the shepherd.
EMISSARY #1
What did you say?
The shepherd scratches behind Argos's ears. The dog wags
his tail happily.
SHEPHERD
You want me to help you fight the
Trojans.
EMISSARY #1
You're --
Emissary #1 exchanges glances with his compatriots.
They're confused. Finally the chastened emissaries bow.
EMISSARY #1
Forgive us, King Odysseus.
Odysseus stands and looks down at his dog.
ODYSSEUS
Well, I'm going to miss my dog.
EMISSARY #2
King Agamemnon has a favor to ask
of you.
Odysseus smiles and rubs his dog's head.
ODYSSEUS
Of course he does.
23 EXT. SEASIDE CLIFF - LATE AFTERNOON 23
Achilles stands in the ruins of an ivy-covered temple on a
cliff above the sea, sparring with his cousin Patroclus
(17). Both men wield wooden practice swords.
Patroclus is a talented, lean, flashy young fighter. His
sword whirls in the air like a thing alive.
Achilles, by contrast, is the apotheosis of the efficient
combatant, wasting no energy, waiting for weakness.
(CONTINUED)
28.
23 CONTINUED: 23
Patroclus presses in on the attack. Achilles tilts his
head to avoid one thrust, side-steps to avoid another.
Spying a momentary opening he lunges forward and taps
Patroclus' belly with the tip of his wood sword.
ACHILLES
You're getting fat, cousin.
Patroclus grins and relaunches his attack, sword spinning
with blazing speed. Achilles ducks beneath an arcing
swing and sword-taps Patroclus on the back.
ACHILLES
Fancy swordplay. The girls must be
impressed.
Patroclus grunts and charges in again. This time a
genuine duel develops, featuring splendid repartee and
parrying.
PATROCLUS
A little nervous, aren't you?
ACHILLES
Terrified.
Achilles raises his right hand and Patroclus lifts his
sword to parry the blow -- but Achilles no longer holds
his sword in his right hand.
Sword in hisleft hand, Achilles taps Patroclus on the
chest. Patroclus stares down at the wood blade.
PATROCLUS
You told me never to switch sword
hands.
Achilles rolls his head to loosen his neck.
ACHILLES
By the time you know how to do it,
you won't be following my orders
anymore.
Achilles tosses aside the sparring sword. He cocks his
head as if listening to some distant sound. Patroclus,
oblivious to the noise, practices his swordplay.
Achilles' foot curls around the wood shaft of one of the
spears lying on the ground. In one impossibly fast
motion, he flips the spear into the air with his foot,
catches it, and throws in the opposite direction from
where he was looking.
(CONTINUED)
29.
23 CONTINUED: (2) 23
The bronze warhead blazes between the temple's walls and
drives into the trunk of an old fir.
Only now do we see Odysseus, leading a black horse,
standing inches from the quivering shaft of the spear
blocking his path. He stares at the spear for a moment
before ducking his head under the shaft and walking
forward.
ODYSSEUS
(smiling)
Your reputation for hospitality is
fast becoming legend.
ACHILLES
I don't like that smile, my friend.
It's the smile you smile when you
want me to fight in another war.
(beat)
Patroclus, my cousin -- Odysseus,
king of Ithaca.
ODYSSEUS
Patroclus, son of Menoetius?
The boy nods. Odysseus grips Patroclus's shoulder.
ODYSSEUS
I knew your parents well. I miss
them.
Patroclus nods again, looking at his feet.
ODYSSEUS
Now you have this one watching over
you, eh? Learning from Achilles
himself -- every boy in Greece must
be jealous.
(to Achilles)
We need to talk.
ACHILLES
Tell me you're not here at
Agamemnon's bidding.
Odysseus hesitates. Achilles shakes his head.
ACHILLES
How many times have I done the
savage work for the King of Kings?
And when has he ever shown me the
respect I've earned?
(CONTINUED)
30.
23 CONTINUED: (3) 23
ODYSSEUS
I'm not asking you to fight for
him. I'm asking you to fight for
the Greeks.
ACHILLES
Why? Are the Greeks tired of
fighting each other?
ODYSSEUS
For now.
ACHILLES
The Trojans never did anything to
me.
ODYSSEUS
They insulted Greece.
ACHILLES
They insulted one Greek, a man who
couldn't hold on to his wife. What
business is that of mine?
ODYSSEUS
Your business is war, my friend.
ACHILLES
(angry)
Is it? Am I the whore of the
battlefield? Can my sword be
bought and sold?
(beat; calmer)
I don't want to be remembered as a
tyrant's mercenary.
ODYSSEUS
Forget Agamemnon. Fight for me.
My wife will feel much better if
she knows you're by my side. I'll
feel much better.
PATROCLUS
Is Ajax going to fight in Troy?
ODYSSEUS
Of course. You've heard of Ajax,
eh?
PATROCLUS
They say he can fell an oak tree
with one swing of the axe.
(CONTINUED)
31.
23 CONTINUED: (4) 23
ACHILLES
Trees don't swing back.
Odysseus chuckles, but he's alert to the boy's enthusiasm.
ODYSSEUS
We're sending the largest fleet
that ever sailed -- a thousand
ships.
PATROCLUS
A thousand ships! Prince Hector,
is he as good a warrior as they
say?
ODYSSEUS
The best of all the Trojans. Some
say he's better than all the
Greeks, too.
(beat)
Even if your cousin doesn't come,
Patroclus, I hope you'll join us.
We could use a strong arm like
yours.
Patroclus beams with pride and looks at his cousin.
Achilles wraps his arm around Odysseus's shoulders and
leans closer to the Ithacan. The embrace is friendly, but
there's no mistaking the power in Achilles' grip.
ACHILLES
Play your tricks on me, if you'd
like. But leave my cousin out of
it.
ODYSSEUS
You have your sword, I have my
tricks. We play with the toys the
gods give us.
Odysseus goes back to his horse and mounts.
ODYSSEUS
We sail for Troy in three days.
(beat)
This war will never be forgotten.
Nor will the heroes who fight in
it.
Patroclus, eager but frustrated, watches him ride away.
32.
24 EXT. BEACH - SUNSET 24
Achilles makes his away across the sandy hillocks. He
spies a woman in the distance.
25 EXT. SEASHORE - SUNSET 25
Achilles finds his mother, THETIS (45), standing in the
surf. Her long black hair is streaked with gray. She
sees a shell that she likes and stoops down to pick it up.
ACHILLES
Mother.
Thetis turns and smiles at Achilles.
THETIS
I thought I'd make you another
seashell necklace.
ACHILLES
I haven't worn a seashell necklace
since I was a boy.
Thetis looks at Achilles' bare neck.
THETIS
Don't you like them anymore?
Achilles spots a good shell. He hands it to his mother.
THETIS
Oh, that's a pretty one.
She surveys the beach for more pretty shells.
ACHILLES
They want me for another war.
Thetis bends down and scoops up a silvery shell.
ACHILLES
Are you listening?
THETIS
Yes, my sweet. Another war.
ACHILLES
Patroclus wants to go.
THETIS
Patroclus has never seen war.
(CONTINUED)
33.
25 CONTINUED: 25
Thetis examines the shells in the palm of her hand.
Finally she stands and looks at her son.
THETIS
If you stay here, with me, with
your family, you'll have a long,
peaceful life. You'll marry,
you'll have children, and your
children will have children.
They'll love you, and when you're
gone they'll remember you. But
when your children are dead, and
their children after them, your
name will be lost.
Thetis reaches up to touch her son's cheek. Her eyes are
clear, her voice steady. She speaks these lines with no
hesitation, no doubt.
THETIS
If you go to Troy, no one will earn
more glory than you. Men will tell
stories of your victories for
thousands of years. The world will
remember your name.
Achilles stares at her, his eyes burning. These are words
he's wanted to hear since the day he was born. His mother
waits a moment before speaking again. The words hurt her.
THETIS
But if you go to Troy, you'll never
come home. You'll die there.
ACHILLES
And you know this, mother?
THETIS
I know it.
Achilles looks out to the sea. Thetis, tears in her eyes,
smiles bravely.
THETIS
Whenever your father came home from
war, he'd stare at the sea, just
like that.
(beat)
He never stayed for long.
In the distance Achilles sees a white sail. He fixates on
the lonely spot of white on the endless expanse of dark
water.
34.
26 EXT. AEGEAN SEA - DAY 26
We soar above the greatest armada the world has ever seen.
ONE THOUSAND SHIPS sail east, crowding the sea, churning
the waves with their keels.
The white sails are painted with the signs and emblems of
the various nationalities represented in this alliance.
One ship sails slightly out of formation. Alone amongst
the entire fleet, this ship's sail is black.
27 EXT. ACHILLES' WARSHIP - DAY 27
Achilles stands in the prow of his boat, staring east.
Patroclus stands behind him, wearing a new SHELL NECKLACE.
28 EXT. TROY - DAY 28
Hector, Paris, Helen, and an entourage of SOLDIERS walk
through the gates of Troy.
The city is magnificent, a wonder of white-washed walls,
lush gardens, and towering STATUES of the gods. ZEUS,
APOLLO, APHRODITE, and POSEIDON stand eighty feet high in
the four corners of the main square.
The princes' return is a holiday for the Trojans.
Thousands of ONLOOKERS line the road, cheering. Other
well-wishers, standing on the roofs of houses, throw
flower petals.
Paris holds Helen's hand and occasionally whispers in her
ear, pointing out various sights, but Helen looks nervous.
People in the crowd, mystified by her appearance, point at
her and whisper amongst themselves.
Helen holds her head high and pretends to ignore the
murmurs and stares. Hector looks at her. She carries
herself like a queen -- but she's gripping Paris's hand
with white knuckles.
29 EXT. PALACE OF TROY 29
At the bottom of a long staircase leading into the palace,
four APOLLONIAN GUARDS, wearing horsehair-plumed helmets,
are mounted on beautiful WHITE HORSES.
(CONTINUED)
35.
29 CONTINUED: 29
Hector reunites with his wife, ANDROMACHE (30), pale
skinned and dark eyed. He holds her to his chest; she
closes her eyes, and they stand like that for a long time.
A NURSE standing nearby holds Hector's ten-month-old son,
SCAMANDRIUS. Now Andromache takes the baby from the
nurse. Hector stares into the boy's wondering eyes and
puts his finger in the boy's hand.
HECTOR
He has a good grip.
ANDROMACHE
He's just like his father. He even
hates peas.
While this reunion is going on, Paris embraces his father,
PRIAM (70), king of Troy. Priam is a regal-looking man
with a shock of white hair and sharp blue eyes. He adores
Paris.
PARIS
Father, this -- is Helen.
Helen bows her head, paying respect.
PRIAM
Helen? Helen of Sparta?
Both Helen and Priam now look at Paris.
PARIS
Helen of Troy.
If Priam is disturbed by this revelation, his face doesn't
betray it. He leans forward and kisses the former queen
on both cheeks. Helen didn't know what to expect -- she's
flustered and gratified at the same time.
PRIAM
I've heard rumors of your beauty.
For once, the gossips were right.
Welcome.
HELEN
Thank you, good king.
PRIAM
Come, you must be tired.
He leads them up the stairs and into the palace.
36.
29A INT. ENTRANCE HALL (PALACE OF TROY) 29A
BRISEIS, a seventeen-year-old girl with an aristocratic
demeanor, wearing the white robes of a temple acolyte,
approaches the royal family. Paris smiles when he sees
her.
PARIS
Briseis! Beloved cousin, your
beauty grows with each new moon.
Briseis, cheeks flushing, dips her knees in deference.
Hector approaches her now, arms open. Briseis's face
lights up. She hugs the eldest prince. Hector kisses the
top of her head.
HECTOR
Did you miss me, little swan?
Briseis nods. Hector pinches the sleeve of her robe.
HECTOR
A servant of Apollo now?
PRIAM
The young men of Troy were
devastated when she chose the
virgin robes.
Briseis' cheeks turn bright red.
BRISEIS
Uncle.
Priam laughs and kisses the girl's forehead. He takes
three goblets of wine from a SERVANT holding a silver
platter and hands them to Hector and Paris, keeping one
for himself.
PRIAM
I thank the gods for your safe
return.
The king and the princes spill a few drops of wine.
PRIAM, HECTOR AND PARIS
For the gods!
They drain their goblets.
30 INT. PRIAM'S MEETING HALL - DAY 30
The camera glides down the long hall, past tall columns
and marmoreal depictions of the Olympians.
(CONTINUED)
37.
30 CONTINUED: 30
At the far end of the hall, Priam stands by an open
archway looking over the city. Hector sits at a table
that could seat fifty men.
PRIAM
It's the will of the gods.
Everything is in their hands.
(beat)
But I'm surprised you let him bring
her.
HECTOR
If I'd let him fight Menelaus for
her, you'd be burning a son's body
instead of welcoming a daughter.
Priam closes his eyes at these words.
PRIAM
We could send peace envoys to
Menelaus.
HECTOR
You know Menelaus. He'd spear your
envoys' heads to his gate.
PRIAM
What would you have me do?
HECTOR
Put her on a ship and send her
home.
Priam thinks for a moment, staring out at his city.
PRIAM
Women have always loved Paris and
he's loved them back.
(beat)
But this is different. Something
has changed in him. If we send her
back to Menelaus, he'll follow.
Hector stands and joins his father in the archway. He
gestures outside. The city of Troy teems with life, the
CITIZENS going about their business.
HECTOR
This is my country. These are my
countrymen. I don't want to see
them suffer so my brother can have
his prize.
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
38.
30 CONTINUED: (2) 30
HECTOR (CONT'D)
(beat)
It's not just the Spartans coming
after her. By now Menelaus has
gone to Agamemnon, and Agamemnon's
wanted to destroy us for years.
Once we're out of the way he
controls the seas.
PRIAM
Enemies have been attacking us for
centuries. Our walls still stand.
HECTOR
Father.
(beat)
We can't win this war.
PRIAM
Apollo watches over us. Even
Agamemnon is no match for the gods.
HECTOR
How many battalions does the Sun
God command?
PRIAM
Don't mock the gods.
Hector opens his mouth to argue but holds his tongue.
PRIAM
When you were very young you came
down with scarlet fever.
Hector nods impatiently. He's heard this story before.
PRIAM
Your little hands were so hot. The
healer said you wouldn't last the
night. I went down to Apollo's
temple and I prayed until the sun
came up.
(beat)
That walk back to the palace was
the longest of my life. But I went
into your mother's room and you
were sleeping in her arms. The
fever had broken.
(beat)
I promised that day to dedicate my
life to the gods. I will not break
my promise.
(CONTINUED)
39.
30 CONTINUED: (3) 30
Hector takes a deep breath. He knows Priam has decided.
PRIAM
For thirty years I've worked for
peace. Thirty years.
(beat)
Paris is a fool sometimes. I know
that. But I'll fight a thousand
wars before letting him die.
Hector looks past the city to the sea. The waters are
empty now, but he knows what's coming.
HECTOR
Forgive me, father. But you won't
be the one fighting.
He bows and leaves the old king alone in the great hall.
32 INT. PARIS'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT 32
Paris paces about the room. Helen stands in the archway
looking out to the dark sea. The wind blows through her
hair.
HELEN
They're coming for me.
(beat)
The wind is bringing them closer.
Paris stops pacing and stares at her.
PARIS
What if we left? Tonight, right
now, what if we went down to the
stables, took two horses and left.
Ride east, keep riding --
HELEN
And go where?
PARIS
Away from here. I could hunt deer,
rabbit. I could feed us.
HELEN
This is your home --
PARIS
You left your home for me.
(CONTINUED)
40.
32 CONTINUED: 32
HELEN
Sparta was never my home. My
parents sent me there when I was
sixteen to marry Menelaus, but it
was never my home.
Paris, excited with his new-hatched plan, barely listens.
PARIS
We'll live off the land. No more
palaces for us, no more servants.
We don't need any of that.
HELEN
And your family?
PARIS
We'd be protecting my family! If
we're not here there's no need for
a war.
HELEN
Menelaus won't give up. He'll
track us to the end of the world.
PARIS
He doesn't know these lands. I do.
We can lose ourselves in a day.
Helen stands and kisses him on the lips.
HELEN
You don't know Menelaus. You don't
know his brother. They'll burn
every house in Troy to find us.
They'll never believe we've left --
and even if they do, they'll burn
Troy for spite.
Paris considers her words and finally nods.
PARIS
Then I'll make it easy for him to
find me. I'll walk right up to him
and tell him you're mine.
Helen wraps her arms around Paris and rests her chin on
his shoulder.
HELEN
You're very young, my love.
(CONTINUED)
41.
32 CONTINUED: (2) 32
PARIS
We're the same age!
HELEN
You're younger than I ever was.
33 EXT. TROY - DAWN 33
The sun rises above Troy and the Trojan countryside.
33A IN THE MAIN SQUARE 33A
dozens of SUPPLICANTS kneel before the statue of Poseidon
and lay down their offerings: bundles of flowers; small
carvings; goatskins filled with wine.
33B SOLDIERS 33B
prepare a series of fortifications at the beach. Men
carrying torches ignite giant pumice urns filled with
burning pitch. Others hammer long spikes deep into the
sand to hinder enemies rushing up from the beach.
There is little conversation and the men look tense.
Everything is touched with an air of extreme urgency.
33C A TEMPLE OF APOLLO 33C
overlooks the beach.
33D INSIDE THE TEMPLE 33D
two PRIESTS carve strips of fat from a roasted PIG and lay
them on the god's altar, muttering chants as they perform
the ritual.
Briseis, the temple acolyte, stands beside the priests,
pouring ceremonial wine on the stone floor.
33E MERCHANTS 33E
in the marketplace set up their stalls and display their
goods: wine, olive oil, dates, figs, nuts and spices.
The BRONZESMITH hammers a bronze sword into shape.
42.
33F A SHEPHERD 33F
watches over his herd of SHEEP.
33G A FARMER AND HIS SON 33G
lead a team of yoked OXEN to the fields.
33H FOUR FISHERMEN 33H
in a small boat, a mile from shore, spread their nets in
the water.
34 EXT. GUARD TOWER - DAWN 34
Two SENTRIES stand in a guard tower on a corner of Troy's
city walls, sipping hot broth from bowls. A large flag,
emblazoned with Troy's HORSE EMBLEM, flies above the
tower.
Sentry #1 blows steam off his soup. He raises his eyes,
blinks and squints into the distance. He bolts upright.
Sentry #2 stands and follows his partner's gaze out to the
sea. Both of them stand slack-jawed.
34A A THOUSAND GREEK WARSHIPS 34A
clog the horizon, sailing straight for Troy.
34B SENTRY #2 34B
grabs a gong tapper and begins hammering the brass gong
hanging from the tower's lintel. Sentry #1 still stares
at the swarm of ships. No Trojan has ever seen such a
force.
34C SENTRIES 34C
in other guard towers hammer their warning gongs.
35 INT. HECTOR'S CHAMBER - CONTINUOUS 35
Hector sits on a rug by his bed, beside his wife
Andromache, watching his son.
The boy plays with the WOOD LION Hector carved on the
journey back from Sparta.
(CONTINUED)
43.
35 CONTINUED: 35
The city bells begin to ring.
Hector looks at his wife and walks to the balcony, where
he can see over the city walls to the Aegean.
He sees a thousand enemy sails. For a moment he stares at
the armada before hurrying back into the palace.
36 INT. PRIAM'S MEETING HALL - DAY 36
Priam kneels before a grand statue of Zeus in the great
hall. The Thunder God, his stone face a mask of rage,
thunderbolts clutched in his stone hands, stares down at
the old king.
Listening to the bells, Priam takes a deep breath and Looks up
into Zeus's eyes. The father of the gods stares back.
37 EXT. TROY - DAY 37
Panic in the streets of Troy. Merchants quickly pack away
their goods; mothers run into the streets looking for
their children; young men hurry to the armory.
38 EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY 38
A mad rush to get inside the safety of the city walls.
38A THE FARMER AND HIS SON 38A
hastily load provisions onto a wagon.
38B THE SHEPHERD 38B
hurries his herd toward the Trojan gates. He's joined by
hundreds of COUNTRY DWELLERS racing for sanctuary.
38C THE FISHERMEN 38C
row desperately for shore.
39 EXT. AEGEAN SEA - DAY 39
The armada draws closer to shore. One ship sails far
ahead of the rest. Its sail is black.
44.
40 EXT. ACHILLES' WARSHIP 40
Achilles' OARSMEN holler encouragement to their shipmates
and check to see that their boat is safely in the lead.
Achilles stands in the prow, scanning the Trojan shore.
Patroclus stands beside him. EUDORUS (40), a Myrmidon
lieutenant, approaches Achilles.
EUDORUS
Should we wait for the others?
Achilles marks the progress of the other ships. The
nearest is a quarter-mile back.
Those MYRMIDONS (Achilles' countrymen and comrades) not
rowing are suiting up for battle.
ACHILLES
They brought us here for a war,
didn't they?
EUDORUS
Yes, my lord. But Agamemnon --
Achilles stares at his officer until the man bows his
head.
ACHILLES
Do you fight for me, Eudorus? Or
Agamemnon?
EUDORUS
For you, my lord.
ACHILLES
Then fight for me. And let the
servants of Agamemnon fight for
him.
41 EXT. AGAMEMNON'S WARSHIP 41
Agamemnon, Nestor and Menelaus stand in the ship's prow.
MENELAUS
Whose ship is that?
Nestor shields his eyes from the sun and looks.
Nestor
Black sail. Achilles.
They watch Achilles' ship approach the beach.
(CONTINUED)
45.
41 CONTINUED: 41
AGAMEMNON
What is that fool doing? He's
going to take the beach of Troy
with fifty men?
42 EXT. TROJAN BEACH FORTIFICATIONS - DAY 42
The TROJAN ARCHERS check their catgut strings one last
time.
43 EXT. TROJAN ARMORY - DAY 43
Tecton dismounts at the door of the armory and runs
inside.
44 INT. TROJAN ARMORY - DAY 44
The cavernous building is crowded with armaments: racks
and racks of spears, swords, breastplates, and shields.
Hector watches as hundreds of male CITIZENS rush into the
armory and are issued weapons by TROJAN SOLDIERS. The
faces of the men reflect fear, excitement, and resolve.
Tecton approaches the prince and bows.
HECTOR
The Apollonian Guard?
TECTON
Waiting at the city gates.
HECTOR
Good.
Hector grabs the captain, LYSANDER, overseeing arms
distribution.
HECTOR
How long before the army is ready?
LSYANDER
Half our men are still coming in
from the countryside. We have to
arm them, we have to match them
with the right officers --
HECTOR
How long?
(CONTINUED)
46.
44 CONTINUED: 44
LSYANDER
(taking a deep breath)
Noon?
HECTOR
Make it sooner.
We've never seen the prince in martial mode before. He
looks different: eyes harder, mouth set and unsmiling.
HECTOR
I want patrols to scour the
countryside. Check every home,
every pasture. I want every Trojan
brought inside the walls. If they
can't walk, carry them.
Lysander bows his head. Hector walks swiftly away,
followed by Tecton. Lysander and the other Trojans watch
their prince with silent respect. There is no doubt who
leads the city.
45 EXT. ACHILLES' WARSHIP 45
Though the oarsmen continue to pull, everyone is now
armored. Achilles sees Patroclus, armed and ready to
fight.
ACHILLES
Where are you going?
PATROCLUS
To fight the Trojans.
Achilles shakes his head and takes Patroclus' spear.
ACHILLES
You're not ready.
PATROCLUS
I am ready. You taught me how to
fight.
Achilles rests his hand on the back of the boy's head.
ACHILLES
And you're a good student. But
you're not a Myrmidon yet.
He gestures to the Myrmidons around them.
(CONTINUED)
47.
45 CONTINUED: 45
ACHILLES
These are the fiercest soldiers in
Greece. Each of them has bled for
me before.
(beat)
I can't fight the Trojans if I'm
worrying about you, cousin. Guard
the ship.
Patroclus looks about the deck. The only unarmored man
aboard is an old, ONE-LEGGED COOK, mending spears.
Patroclus angrily strips off his breastplate and drops it
to the deck.
46 EXT. GATES OF TROY - DAY 46
Hector and Tecton gallop through the gate. They rein in
their horses and look over the elite Apollonian Guard,
eighty of Troy's finest soldiers, riding well-groomed,
snorting mounts.
When Hector speaks his voice is clear and steady.
HECTOR
All my life I've lived by a code,
and the code is simple.
(beat)
Honor the gods.
(beat)
Love your woman.
(beat)
And defend your country.
The men roar.
HECTOR
Troy is mother to us all. Fight
for her!
The men roar and thrust their spears into the air. Hector
leads the charge to the beach.
47 EXT. ACHILLES' WARSHIP - DAY 47
Achilles stands in his ship's bow, scanning the Trojan
dunes. He turns to face his men. He smiles.
ACHILLES
Myrmidons, we are brothers of the
sword. I'd rather fight alongside
you than any army of thousands.
(CONTINUED)
48.
47 CONTINUED: 47
The Myrmidons cheer. Achilles points his sword toward
Troy.
ACHILLES
Do you know what's waiting beyond
that beach?
(beat)
Immortality.
The Myrmidons raise their swords and cry out with one
voice.
The oarsmen give one last mighty pull on their oars and
beach the tar-caulked keel of the warship on Trojan sand.
Achilles puts on his helmet, grabs a coiled rope anchored
to a bronze cleat, and rappels down to the beach. The
Myrmidons follow him, tossing the ropes off the deck and
shimmying down to the beach.
48 EXT. TROJAN BEACH FORTIFICATIONS - CONTINUOUS 48
The archers behind the fortifications watch the Myrmidons
climb down from their ship.
Their CAPTAIN raises his hand: wait... wait...
CAPTAIN of archers
Now!
The archers rise and release their arrows.
49 EXT. TROJAN BEACH - CONTINUOUS 49
Hundreds of arrows whistle through the air. Four of the
Myrmidons climbing down cry out as arrows hit them; they
tumble into the sea. Other arrows rip into the packed
sand or zip harmlessly into the water.
The Myrmidons, clustered together and holding their
shields above their heads, look to Achilles. Achilles
makes a hand signal. Half his men split off and run to
the fortifications on their left, howling like wolves as
arrows rain down.
50 EXT. ACHILLES' WARSHIP - CONTINUOUS 50
Patroclus huddles under the railing beside the cook as
arrow after arrow screams by. A flaming arrow hits one of
the sails, and then another. The sails begin to burn.
(CONTINUED)
49.
50 CONTINUED: 50
ONE-LEGGED COOK
Help me get the sails down!
The cook limps over to the sails, ignoring the arrows that
rain around him. Patroclus takes a deep breath and runs
in a crouch to the cook. Together they lower the burning
sails.
51 EXT. TROJAN BEACH - DAY 51
Achilles sprints toward the archers, half his men behind
him. The archers let off another volley. More Myrmidons
fall.
52 EXT. AGAMEMNON'S SHIP - DAY 52
Agamemnon, Menelaus, and Nestor watch the battle from the
prow of their ship. They're still half a mile away.
AGAMEMNON
(in awe despite himself)
The man wants to die.
We hear SHOUTS of "Achilles!" from the other ships, a
great clamor as men bash the flats of their swords against
their shields and cheer their hero on.
Agamemnon hears the cheering. He grits his teeth and
glares at the distant Achilles. Nestor notices
Agamemnon's barely concealed fury. He speaks quietly, so
no one else can hear.
NESTOR
Give him his battle. You'll take
the war.
AGAMEMNON
Give him too many battles and the
men will forget who's king.
53 EXT. TROJAN PLAIN - DAY 53
Hector and his men near the high dunes, galloping at
breakneck speed.
54 EXT. TROJAN BEACH - CONTINUOUS 54
Achilles, three arrows in his shield, sprints across the
sands. Arrows tear through the air about him. No man
alive can run with Achilles.
(CONTINUED)
50.
54 CONTINUED: 54
He leaps over the fortification, sword flashing before his
feet ever touch the ground. The archers crumple to the
ground as Achilles' sword cuts through them.
In a moment the Myrmidons catch up to Achilles and lay
into the archers. Within seconds they massacre them.
Achilles turns and nods to the temple: the next target.
Eudorus gasps for air. Achilles regards him with
amusement.
ACHILLES
Breathe, my friend.
Eudorus takes two deep breaths. Achilles dashes for the
temple. His Myrmidons follow behind.
54A EXT. TEMPLE OF GOLD 54A
The archers at the temple unleash a fusillade of arrows.
Every few yards another Myrmidon falls. Several of them
are wounded, but if they're not dead they keep moving
forward.
55 EXT. AJAX'S SHIP - CONTINUOUS 55
Ajax's ship is one hundred yards from shore. Legendary
AJAX (30) -- a huge man, brutally muscled, head shaved,
face and body scarred -- stands in the prow, watching
Achilles.
AJAX
Look at him, hogging all the glory.
He walks over to his rowers, grabs an oarsmen on the front
bench under the armpits and tosses him away. Ajax sits,
grabs the oar handle, and begins rowing maniacally, the
veins in his massive arms bulging through the skin.
AJAX
Row, you lazy whores, row! Greeks
are dying!
The oarsmen redouble their efforts and the ship leaps over
the waves toward the shore.
56 EXT. TROJAN BEACH DUNES - DAY 56
Hector and the Apollonian Guards rein in their horses atop
the dunes. Hector sees Ajax's ship plowing into the
beach. Hundreds of other ships are close behind.
51.
56A EXT. BEACH DEFENCES 56A
The Trojan archers rain arrows down on Ajax's ship.
Several flaming arrows catch in the hull and begin to
burn.
56B EXT. TROJAN BEACH DUNES - DAY 56B
TECTON
We can't hold the beach, my prince.
Hector sees where Achilles and the Myrmidons are heading.
HECTOR
They're trying to take the temple.
TECTON
No believer would spill blood in
Apollo's temple.
Hector, increasingly uneasy, watches Achilles dodge
arrows. He turns and points to the spot where Ajax's ship
has landed.
HECTOR
(to an Apollonian officer)
The archers need help. Burn as
many ships as you can, but don't
sacrifice yourself. Bring the men
back to the city.
The OFFICER bows and leads 60 Guards to the
fortifications.
HECTOR
(to Tecton)
Follow me.
He gallops toward the temple, Tecton and his men behind
him.
57 EXT. TEMPLE OF APOLLO - DAY 57
Achilles, his shield now quilled with arrows, hurls his
spear. It catches the closest archer just above the
breastplate, tearing through the man's throat.
The archers near by throw down their bows and take up the
spears racked behind them.
(CONTINUED)
52.
57 CONTINUED: 57
But Achilles is already upon them, cutting them down with
ruthless precision. Every time his bronze sword flashes
through the air another Trojan falls, and Achilles keeps
sweeping through them, his face painted with Trojan blood.
The other Myrmidons are fighting beside their leader now,
and the Trojan archers are no match for the Myrmidons in
hand to hand combat. Soon the temple area belongs to the
Greeks.
58 EXT. AJAX'S SHIP - CONTINUOUS 58
Ajax and his men rappel down the ship's hull while arrows
rip into wood and flesh.
Ajax carries a giant battle-axe and a shield twice the
size of most men's.
When he reaches the surf he doesn't wait for his men; he
roars and charges at the archers in the dunes.
59 EXT. TEMPLE OF APOLLO - CONTINUOUS 59
Achilles, not even breathing hard after the slaughter,
removes his helmet and rests it on the wall. The
surviving Myrmidons search the grounds, dispatching any
dying Trojans.
Eudorus hurries over to Achilles' side.
EUDORUS
The temple is secure.
ACHILLES
The Sun God is the patron of Troy,
our enemy. Take whatever treasure
you can find.
The Myrmidons cheer and rush the temple.
EUDORUS
With your permission, my lord --
ACHILLES
Speak.
Eudorus gestures to the sun above them.
EUDORUS
Apollo sees everything. Perhaps
it's not wise to offend him.
(CONTINUED)
53.
59 CONTINUED: 59
Achilles nods and walks over to the towering statue of
Apollo in front of the temple.
Eudorus watches in horror as Achilles climbs atop the
statue and beheads Apollo with a swing of his sword.
60 EXT. TROJAN BEACH - CONTINUOUS 60
Hector and Tecton rein in their horses.
TECTON
He dares attack Apollo?
Hector spurs his horse and races toward the invaders,
followed by his twenty men.
The other sixty Apollonians gallop to Ajax's landing spot.
61 EXT. TEMPLE OF APOLLO - CONTINUOUS 61
Achilles gazes at the sky as if waiting for the sun to
blast him for blasphemy. Nothing happens.
Hearing hoofbeats, Achilles turns and spots Hector and his
men, two hundred yards away.
ACHILLES
(to Eudorus)
Get inside the temple, warn the
men.
Eudorus hurries to warn his comrades.
ACHILLES
Eudorus! Wait, wait a moment.
The Myrmidon captain stops. Achilles hefts a spear,
judges the distance, and throws.
One hundred yards from Achilles, the spearhead finds its
mark: Tecton's breastplate. Tecton is knocked from his
horse and skewered to the ground. He clutches at the
wooden shaft, not comprehending his fate.
Hector reins in his horse and stares at his fallen
captain. The man is finished. Hector turns to look at
Achilles.
Eudorus's eyes are wide. No other man alive could have
thrown a spear that far or that accurately.
(CONTINUED)
54.
61 CONTINUED: 61
ACHILLES
Now you can go.
Eudorus runs inside the temple.
Hector kicks his horse and gallops toward Achilles. His
men cry out and follow him. Achilles waits. Hector
raises his own spear. When he is fifty yards away, he
throws.
At the very last moment, Achilles bends his head to one
side, an almost lackadaisical movement. The spear rips
through the air occupied by Achilles' head half a moment
before.
Achilles smiles.
Hector draws his sword and charges, his men right behind
him. Achilles walks, with insulting insouciance, into the
temple.
A series of high steps lead inside the temple. Hector and
the Trojans dismount and proceed cautiously to the temple.
62 EXT. TROJAN BEACH - DAY 62
An arrow sticks out of Ajax's leg but he doesn't seem to
notice it. He bulls forward, giant shield held in front,
and slams into the Trojan ranks.
Where Achilles is all grace and speed, Ajax is brute
force. Parrying his blows is useless: his battle axe
splits bronze shields, bronze swords, bronze helmets.
The sound of his axe carving through a breastplate and the
man beneath the breastplate is like nothing else on earth.
As Ajax drops another Trojan, he lifts his ax to the
heavens.
AJAX
I am Ajax, breaker of stones,
widow-maker of Salamis! Look upon
me, Trojans, and despair!
The Apollonians join the fight against the Greeks. The
Guards are far better than the archers at hand-to-hand
combat.
55.
63 INT. TEMPLE OF APOLLO - DAY 63
Hector and his men enter the temple. Eyes adjusting to
the gloomy light, they gingerly advance. All is quiet.
Evidence of looting is everywhere.
At the back of the temple, stairs lead up to the altar
room. Hector walks toward the stairs. Blood trickles
down the steps. Hector raises his eyes.
Achilles stands atop the staircase, both hands wrapped
around the hilt of his sword, the sword point resting on
the top step. He stares down at Hector.
WAR CRIES explode through the temple. The Myrmidons burst
from their hiding places and rush the Trojans.
Hector is an obvious target. Two Myrmidons charge him,
their spears leveled.
If Achilles is the apotheosis of martial grace, Hector is
something altogether different -- a man of ordinary gifts
who has become an extraordinary warrior by dint of
experience, endless training, and powerful intelligence.
As the Myrmidons charge he waits. At the last moment he
swings his sword, slicing both spearheads from their
shafts. The Myrmidons stare at their decapitated spears.
Hector doesn't give them a chance to recover. He pounces,
sword flashing, and both men fall to the temple floor.
Achilles watches from the top step. Hector begins running
up the stairs. Achilles disappears inside the altar room.
Another Myrmidon bounds up the stairs after Hector. The
prince wheels about and kicks the Myrmidon in the
breastplate. The soldier tumbles down the steps. Hector
continues up the stairs.
64 EXT. TROJAN BEACH - DAY 64
As more Greek ships make landfall, the Apollonian officer
sees that their position is no longer defensible.
APOLLONIAN OFFICER
Back to the city! Back to the
city!
The Trojans begin to retreat. The archers still turn to
fire whenever there's time. Mounted Guards haul fleeing
archers onto their horses.
56.
65 INT. ALTAR ROOM - DAY 65
Hector finds the bodies of two PRIESTS. They lie on the
stone floor, limbs splayed, throats slit.
Sitting atop the altar, half-hidden by the shadows, is
Achilles. He's a terrible sight to behold, splattered
with blood, his bronze sword still dripping.
ACHILLES
You must be very brave or very
stupid, to come after me alone.
(beat)
You must be Hector.
Hector stares at Achilles a moment before kneeling by the
dead priests' bodies.
ACHILLES
A private audience with the prince
of Troy. I'm flattered. Do you
know who I am?
HECTOR
These priests weren't armed.
Hector closes the eyes of the murdered priests. Achilles
jumps down from the altar and looks at the bodies.
ACHILLES
I didn't kill them. Cutting old
men's throats -- there's no honor
in that.
HECTOR
Honor?
(spits)
Children and fools fight for honor.
I fight for my country.
Hector charges. Achilles dances back, staying just out of
reach. Achilles looks relaxed, almost playful.
HECTOR
Fight me.
ACHILLES
Why kill you, prince of Troy, with
no one here to see you fall?
Achilles backs out of an archway opening onto the bright
day outside. Hector follows.
57.
66 EXT. TEMPLE OF APOLLO - CONTINUOUS 66
Down at the beach, scores of Greek ships are on the sand.
HECTOR
Why did you come here?
Achilles gestures at the invading flotilla.
ACHILLES
They'll be talking about this war
for a thousand years.
HECTOR
In a thousand years even the dust
from our bones will be gone.
ACHILLES
Yes, prince. But our names will
remain.
A band of bloodied Myrmidons, led by Eudorus, emerges from
the temple. Hector, surrounded by enemies, warily backs
off.
EUDORUS
(to Achilles)
The Trojans are dead.
ACHILLES
Go home, prince. Drink some wine.
Make love to your wife. Tomorrow
we'll have our war.
HECTOR
You speak of war as if it's a game.
But how many wives wait at Troy's
gate for husbands they'll never see
again?
ACHILLES
Perhaps your brother can comfort
them. I hear he's good at charming
other men's wives.
Hector stares at Achilles and the Myrmidons for another
moment before walking away.
EUDORUS
Why did you let him go?
ACHILLES
It's too early in the day for
killing princes.
58.
67 EXT. TROJAN BEACH - DAY 67
Thousands of Greek soldiers on the beach watch as the
Trojans retreat, many of the archers riding behind their
Apollonian saviors.
Hector mounts his horse and rides back toward the city.
When the Greeks see Achilles climbing onto the temple's
roof they stare in awe, silent.
Achilles raises his bloodied bronze sword toward the sun.
The CLAMOR that erupts from the beach is deafening.
Thousands of men cheering and yelling his name: Achilles!
Achilles!
68 EXT. AGAMEMNON'S SHIP - DAY 68
Agamemnon, still aboard his ship, waits for the gangplank
to be lowered. His dark eyes are cold and hateful as he
listens to the men cheering.
69 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - LATER 69
Soldiers tug more and more ships onto the sand. From the
landed ships, primitive cranes are already beginning to
lower boxes of provisions, military materiel, and horses.
Achilles walks across the beach, carrying his helmet,
accepting the congratulations of the troops. Ajax,
shirtless, strides over.
AJAX
Achilles!
Achilles halts. For a moment there seems to be tension in
the air. Everyone watches. Ajax gives Achilles a bear
hug.
AJAX
You're as fearless as a god.
ACHILLES
The gods are immortal. What do
they have to fear?
Ajax laughs and releases Achilles.
AJAX
I'm honored to go to war with you.
Achilles nods and grips the big man's thick arm.
(CONTINUED)
59.
69 CONTINUED: 69
ACHILLES
I don't have to worry about my back
with you behind me.
Achilles continues walking. He sees Odysseus walking down
a gangplank from his ship to the beach.
ACHILLES
(calling out)
If you sailed any slower, the war
would be over.
ODYSSEUS
I don't mind missing the beginning
of the war -- as long as I'm here
at the end.
Achilles smiles and keeps walking. He arrives at the
Myrmidon's newly established base. Patroclus, Eudorus,
and the other surviving Myrmidons greet Achilles.
EUDORUS
We have something to show you.
Achilles follows Eudorus and the grinning Myrmidons to a
large tent twenty yards inland from their beached ship. A
few Myrmidons hammer the last tent pegs deep into the
sand.
Eudorus holds open the tent flap. Achilles looks at his
captain for a moment before entering the tent.
70 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - CONTINUOUS 70
No rugs have been laid down yet, so loot from the temple
has been stacked on the sand: gold chalices, black
amphorae, woven tapestries, goatskins filled with sacred
wine.
But Achilles does not look at this plunder. Bound by the
wrists to the center pole of the tent is Briseis, dressed
in her white robes.
Terrified but trying to retain her composure, she returns
Achilles' stare. Robes torn, hair disheveled, bleeding
from the lip: she still possesses her innate dignity and
strength. Something changes in Achilles' eyes when he
looks at her.
(CONTINUED)
60.
70 CONTINUED: 70
EUDORUS
The men found her hiding in the
temple. They thought she'd...
please you.
ACHILLES
Leave us.
Eudorus bows and exits.
Achilles pulls a small, sharp knife from his belt.
Briseis stares at the blade.
Achilles walks over to her and cuts the ropes that bind
her. She sits back, rubbing the chafed skin of her
wrists, still watching Achilles. He sheathes his knife.
ACHILLES
What's your name?
Briseis stares at him but doesn't answer. Achilles
becomes aware, for the first time, that he's covered in
blood. He wipes a hand across his face. Briseis looks
about the tent, as if searching for a way out.
ACHILLES
You're safer in this tent than out
there. Believe me.
BRISEIS
You killed Apollo's priests.
ACHILLES
I've killed men in five countries.
But never a priest.
BRISEIS
Then your men did.
(beat)
The Sun God will have his
vengeance.
Achilles removes his bronze grieves.
ACHILLES
What's he waiting for?
Briseis is stunned by such blunt blasphemy but she can't
take her eyes off him, because Achilles, after all, is
Achilles.
BRISEIS
The right time to strike.
(CONTINUED)
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