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                                      DEFIANCE


          
                                     Written by

                           Clayton Frohman & Edward Zwick

          

          

          FADE IN:

          1 NEW YORK CITY - PARK AVENUE - NIGHT - 1982 1
          A TAXI pulls over to a curb where an ELDERLY MAN waits with
          his MIDDLE-AGED SON in THE RAIN.

          MIDDLE-AGED SON
          (as they climb in)
          23rd and Lex.
          The CABBIE grunts a reply.

          MIDDLE-AGED SON (CONT'D)
          How ya doin', Papa, you doin'
          alright?

          ELDERLY MAN
          Fine, fine...

          MIDDLE-AGED SON
          This is just a check-up, okay?
          Doctor Katz says you'll outlive us
          all.
          (looks out the window)
          Traffic isn't bad. We should be
          back in time to watch the Mets.
          He notices his father is STARING, wide-eyed, at the cabby's
          HACK LICENSE. We glimpse only the last name..."Bielski."

          MIDDLE-AGED SON (CONT'D)
          Papa? .Papa, what is it?
          IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, the old man catches the furtive
          eyes of the cabby.

          ELDERLY MAN
          ...You. Can it be?
          The eyes in the mirror look away. And then back.

          ELDERLY MAN (CONT'D)
          Bielski. Can it possibly be?
          As we PUSH IN on the eyes in the mirror, we HEAR THE

          DESPERATE RASPING SOUND OF PANTING.

          CUT TO:

          2 A MAN RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE THROUGH THE WOODS. 2
          Bombs EXPLODE all around as he passes dead bodies and BURNT-
          OUT VEHICLES. Without slowing he discards a WW II Red Army
          helmet, a field jacket, a heavy pack, anything that might
          impede his flight. He glances back up over his shoulder.
          The sky is filled with BOMBERS. He runs on.

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-18-07 2.

          3 OMITTED 3

          4 THE VILLAGE OF NALIBOKI 4
          A typical Eastern European shtetl. LOCAL POLICE help German
          Einsatzgruppen, mobile killing squads, round up Jews.
          PEASANTS beat them with sticks as they are herded into lines.
          One man tries to run and is beaten.
          Others look on, or look away with indifference as they are
          loaded onto waiting trucks.

          5 TWO MEN HIDE IN THE NEARBY WOODS (ZUS & ASAEL BIELSKI) 5
          We study their faces: a turbulent portrait of impotent rage,
          terrible fear, overwhelming grief, and secret relief.

          ASAEL
          Where are they taking them?

          ZUS
          --Shveig! Shveig!

          ASAEL

          BUT--

          ZUS
          Just shut up! Please...

          6 AN ALLEY WAY IN NOVAGRUDOK 6
          The man we last saw in flight (TUVIA BIELSKI) wearing the
          remnants of his uniform, slips down a cobble-stoned street.
          He ducks into a doorway as A PATROL passes by.

          6A A REMOTE FARM 6A
          Zus and Asael move warily through a barnyard. A tethered
          dog BARKS furiously. A farmer challenges them.

          WALENCKI
          (in Russian; subtitles)

          WHAT DO YOU WANT?
          Walencki brandishes a pitchfork.

          ASAEL
          (in Russian; subtitles)
          Some food...?

          WALENCKI
          They are looking for you people.
          The two brothers glance nervously around.

          WALENCKI (CONT'D)
          Get away from here! GO!
          ZUS, the older of the two brothers, takes a menacing step
          toward the farmer but his younger brother holds him back.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 3.

          6A CONTINUED: 6A

          ASAEL
          Zus. Let's go.
          As they retreat toward the woods, Zus warns the farmer.

          ZUS
          We'll be back.

          7 A BOURGEOIS APARTMENT -- DAY 7
          Tuvia is getting dressed as AN ATTRACTIVE WOMAN -- his wife,
          RIFKA -- stands by the window, smoking a cigarette.

          TUVIA
          And no news of my brothers?

          RIFKA
          They are used to trouble, they'll
          be all right.

          TUVIA
          If you stay, you'll have to go to
          the ghetto.

          RIFKA
          I can get false papers and pass as
          a gentile. So can you.
          Tuvia shakes his head, no. He finishes dressing. Theirs
          is a relationship long past passion.

          RIFKA (CONT'D)
          Will you at least stay tonight?

          TUVIA
          I need to see to my family. Will
          you come?

          RIFKA
          To the country? No.

          CUT TO:

          8 A MODEST MILL - LATER THAT DAY 8
          A PAIR OF LEGS lie motionless behind a trough. Beyond, A
          MAN'S TORSO. Zus and Asael stare in mute horror.

          ASAEL
          Papa-- Gottenyu...
          Flies buzz about dead LIVESTOCK. A WOMAN'S BODY lies nearby.

          9 IN THE HOUSE 9
          A still portrait of a life interrupted.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GREEN Revision - 10-14-07 4.

          9 CONTINUED: 9
          A table set for dinner. Candles lit. An open book. A
          NOISE from a cupboard. Zus grabs a hatchet.
          From the root cellar, a YOUNG BOY, 14, appears. His face
          is dirty and tear-streaked. They go to embrace him.

          ASAEL
          Aron.
          The boy (ARON) recoils. He is disoriented and WILL NOT

          SPEAK.

          9A EXT. MODEST MILL - MOMENTS LATER 9A

          Loaded down with possessions, Asael hurries back to the
          woods. Zus pauses long enough to pry the mezuzah from the
          door.

          CUT TO:

          10 THE FOREST AT DUSK 10
          Aron stares mutely straight ahead. Asael is shaking
          uncontrollably and crying. Zus is at a loss what to do.

          ZUS
          Stop it...
          But Asael is lost in a confusion of grief and panic.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Stop it. STOP IT!
          Finally Zus grabs him in a gesture halfway between violence
          and comfort...and holds him as Asael rocks back and forth.

          CUT TO:

          11 THE NALIBOKI FOREST AT DAWN - VIEWED FROM ABOVE 11
          A million acres of dense, impenetrable woods and swamps.

          12 ASAEL AND ARON SLEEP HUDDLED ON THE GROUND 12
          The sound of a FOOTSTEP. They sit up in terror.

          TUVIA
          If I was a German you are dead.

          ASAEL
          Tuvia!
          Asael leaps up to embrace him as if he were salvation itself.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          Papa and Mama. They killed them.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           TAN Revision - 9-10-07 5.

          12 CONTINUED: 12
          Asael clings to him. Even Aron allows himself to be held.
          Tuvia hold them silently. Zus appears, hatchet in hand.

          ZUS
          Big brother returns.
          Tuvia and Zus look at each other warily.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          You saw them?
          Yes. Tuvia saw them. Zus takes the mezuzah from his pocket,
          tosses it to Tuvia.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Welcome home.

          13 LATER - THE NALIBOCKI FOREST - A LOAF OF STALE BREAD 13
          is torn apart by filthy hands as they move through the trees.

          ASAEL
          Are you going back to the army?

          TUVIA
          There is no more army.
          Asael worships his big brother.

          ZUS
          Hope at least you killed a few.
          Tuvia just stares at him.

          ASAEL
          What is it like? To be in a war?

          TUVIA
          It wasn't war. It was something
          else.
          Zus eyes him carefully.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Where is Sonia and the baby?

          ZUS
          Horodysze. Hiding in a cellar.
          I'll bring her when it is safe.
          Where is Rifka?

          TUVIA
          In Novgrudok. She wouldn't leave.

          ZUS
          You are still separated?

          TUVIA
          She is still my wife.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           YELLOW Revision - 7-30-07 6.

          13 CONTINUED: 13

          ZUS
          Your rich wife.
          Zus chews with the open-mouthed relish of a peasant.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          So why exactly have you come back?
          Tuvia just stares at him. The reason is obvious as he holds
          his younger brothers.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          You have a plan?

          TUVIA
          No. Do you?

           CUT TO:

          14 POURING RAIN - A NEW HIDE-OUT (CAMP #1) 14
          Shivering and miserable, they are trying to start a fire.
          Asael's few remaining matches are sodden.

          TUVIA
          Is there anything left to eat?
          Only a few potatoes in Asael's bag. WORMS writhe among
          them.

          ASAEL
          Zus finished the last of the sausage.
          Tuvia glares at Zus, who glares back. Sibling rivals.

          ZUS
          Stankowicz' farm is closest.

          ASAEL
          He has dogs.

          ZUS
          Fuck the dogs. Wilencki then.

          TUVIA
          You think Wilencki is going to give
          us food?

          ZUS
          No. We take it.

          TUVIA
          How?

          ZUS
          We...Take...It.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-18-07 7.

          14 CONTINUED: 14

          TUVIA
          And he tells the police.

          ZUS
          I have run from the police my whole
          life. Do you really think it's a
          good time to stop?
          A moment of decision. Who holds the balance of power?

          ASAEL
          We know these woods. They'll never
          find us in here.
           Tuvia looks at his brothers. He has been outvoted.

           CUT TO:

          15 THE SMALL FARMHOUSE 15
          where Zus and Asael first tried to get food. Asael waits
          outside, anxiously on guard.

          16 INSIDE 16
          The farmer (WALENCKI) who threatened them with the pitchfork
          sits eating a simple dinner.
          Zus and Tuvia burst in. Zus brandishes a hoe.

          ZUS
          (in Russian; subtitles)
          We want food. Be quick about it!

          WALENCKI
          (in Russian; subtitles)
          You again!

          ZUS

          NOW!

          WALENCKI
          Sure, sure. Take what you want...
          Tuvia begins to stuff provisions into a sack.

          ZUS
          Where is your gun, farmer?

          WALENCKI
          I have no gun.
          Zus grabs a dinner plate and SMASHES IT IN THE FARMER'S

          FACE.

          ZUS

          WHERE IS YOUR GUN?
          Holding his bloody face, the farmer cowers in fear.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 8.

          16 CONTINUED: 16

           WALENCKI
           Please...
           Zus kicks him.

           WALENCKI (CONT'D)
           I beg you...

          TUVIA

          ZUS--

          ZUS
          He's lying.
          He kicks him again. The farmer begins to weep.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          You're lying!
          Zus dumps the remains of the farmer's dinner onto him.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          If I hit you once more, you will
          shit your pants. Twice and you
          will never shit again.
          The farmer knows Zus won't hesitate.

          WALENCKI
          Up there...
          Zus kicks the man aside. Above the stove is an old rifle.
          Zus grabs it, points it at the farmer.

          ZUS
          We were never here.

          CUT TO:

          17 THE BROTHERS 17
          running through the woods. Zus raises the rifle in triumph.

          TUVIA
          He was willing to help us.

          ZUS
          He's lucky I didn't crush his head.

          (MORE)

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           TAN Revision - 9-10-07 9.

          17 CONTINUED: 17

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Fucking Polack. I've eaten shit
          from these people long enough!

          TUVIA
          This is your plan? To terrorize
          every anti-Semite in Belorussia?

          ZUS
           No. Some I will kill.

           CUT TO:

          18 ANOTHER PART OF THE FOREST 18
          Aron has been left alone. He holds a STICK which he "shoots"
          like a gun -- kachew -- as he creeps from tree to tree.
          Aron freezes. SOMETHING is moving in the trees. He
          crouches. A dark blur. An animal? It moves off. He follows.
          The shape appears again. It's a SMALL GIRL, roughly Aron's
          age. Aron waves at her. The girl stares, then runs off.
          Aron hurries after her into a wooded grove, then stops short.

          A PILE OF NAKED CORPSES.
          Overflows a newly-dug trench. The small girl runs to A
          MIDDLE-AGED MAN with a crude Star-of-David sewn to his
          tattered coat. He holds an OLDER GIRL, 14, in his arms.
          Nearby, three or four OTHERS emerge from hiding. Starved,
          in tatters, the living waiting to die.

          CUT TO:

          19 A CLEARING (CAMP #1) - LATER 19
          where the three brothers gorge themselves on stolen food.
          Someone FARTS loudly.

          ZUS
          Ah...

          ASAEL
          You know what Papa would do when
          you did that at table...
          Tuvia smacks Zus on the head, taking on a gruff voice.

          TUVIA
          Peasant.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           TAN Revision - 9-10-07 10.

          19 CONTINUED: 19
          Tuvia imitates his father's criticism of Zus. Asael laughs.
          Zus can't help but laugh as well. Even in grief there is
          laughter. A glimpse of ties that bind them.

          ASAEL
          I can't believe Papa's dead.

          ZUS
          Bernicki.

          ASAEL
          The police captain?

          TUVIA
          We don't know he did it.

          ZUS
          He always had it in for Papa.

          TUVIA
          We don't know he did it.

          ZUS
          So we will go and ask him if he
          did.

          ASAEL
          Koscik has a pistol. He showed it
          to me once.

          ZUS
          One pistol isn't enough. We need
          rifles. Machine guns.

          TUVIA
          Machine guns? You're going to take
          on the whole German army?

          ZUS
          Just because you didn't...
          The SOUND of footsteps. Zus jumps up cocking the rifle.
          ARON emerges from the trees. And then, behind him, THE
          SURVIVORS he discovered among the corpses.
          THE MIDDLE-AGED MAN holds a teenage GIRL by one hand and
          carries his younger daughter.

          MIDDLE-AGED MAN
          The child is hurt.
          The brothers stare at him. Wary and unwelcoming.

          TUVIA
          Set her down.
          The man lowers the child to the ground. She isn't moving.

          MIDDLE-AGED MAN
          I am Avram Rubinski. This is my
          daughter. She-- The Germans--

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 11.

          19 CONTINUED: (2) 19
          He cannot bring himself to say the words. OTHERS shuffle
          forward, still in shock, barely able to speak their gratitude
          as Tuvia offers chunks of bread and cheese. The man tries
          to feed his daughter. She is barely alive.
          Asael turns to Aron. Gently.

          ASAEL
          Where did you find them?
          Aron still won't speak. Asael addresses the other girl.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          Your sister is sick?

          LITTLE GIRL (RACHEL)
          They kept her for a week.
          We fill in the rest.

          ZUS (O.S.)

          TUVIA--
          Zus has moved out of earshot. Tuvia joins him.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          We cannot feed them.

          TUVIA
          I'll go ask Koscik for food.

          ZUS
          And the pistol.

          TUVIA
          And the pistol.
          Without another word, he starts off.

          ZUS
           Remember to say please.

           CUT TO:

          20 A RUSSIAN-MADE MAHKAROV REVOLVER. 20
           Koscik, a rotund, florid-faced Pole, hands it to Tuvia.

           KOSCIK
           I have only four bullets.

           (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           BLUE Revision - 6-26-07 12.

          20 CONTINUED: 20

          TUVIA
          I cannot thank you enough.
          They sit in Koscik's warmly-lit kitchen. Koscik's WIFE
          stands silently by the stove, glaring at Tuvia.

          KOSCIK
          Your father was a good man.

          TUVIA
          He said the same of you.
          Tuvia can't help but notice Koscik's wife giving him the
          evil eye. Koscik produces a bottle of vodka.

          KOSCIK
          Ignore the bitch.
          (raising the bottle)
          To the dead. God rest their souls.
          (in Russian; subtitles)
          Bitch-- Do you want vodka?
          His wife just glares at him.

          KOSCIK (CONT'D)
          I live with this, can you imagine?
          HEADLIGHTS sweep over the window. A CAR is fast approaching.

          KOSCIK (CONT'D)
           Hide yourself. ...The barn.

          21 TUVIA HURRIES ACROSS THE COURTYARD AND INTO THE BARN. 21

          22 IN THE LOFT 22
          He climbs a ladder and is startled to find FIVE MORE MEN
          AND WOMEN in hiding. They stare in mute terror.

          23 OUTSIDE THE BARN 23
          Koscik greets A BELARUSSIAN POLICE CAPTAIN and his SONS as
          they exit the car. They speak in Russian, with subtitles:

          KOSCIK
          Working late, boys.

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          Hunting Jews. Our new bosses are
          very organized.
          Koscik offers the bottle.

          KOSCIK
          Hunting can work up a thirst.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 13.

          23 CONTINUED: 23

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          Fifteen in one day. The council is
          offering a year's free tax for every
          one you turn in. -

          KOSCIK
          A Jew is worth that much? Do you
          pay more for a fat one?
          They laugh appreciatively.

          24 IN THE LOFT 24
          A man COUGHS then shrugs an apology. Tuvia glares at him.

          25 BACK TO THE COURTYARD 25

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          Caught five of them hiding in a
          ditch. Smelled so bad I was afraid
          the Germans wouldn't want them.

          KOSCIK
          Maybe for a reduced price.
          More laughter. More vodka.

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          You know the Bielski's?

          KOSCIK
          Sure.

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          We missed two when we visited the
          parents.

          26 IN THE LOFT 26
          Tuvia listens to this casual talk of his parent's death.

          27 BACK IN THE COURTYARD 27

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          Anybody caught helping them is in
          for it. You know this, Koscik?

          KOSCIK
          Do I look like an idiot? Don't
          answer so quickly...
          More laughter. The Police Captain looks at his watch.
          Yawns.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 14.

          27 CONTINUED: 27

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          Been at it since dawn. The wife
          doesn't like these long nights.
          He tries to hand back the bottle to Koscik.

          KOSCIK
          Keep it.

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          Bribing an officer of the law?
          Maybe you have more of this black
          market vodka hidden in the barn?

          KOSCIK
          Take a look. And clean out the cow
          shit while you're back there.
          The policeman laughs and climbs back into the car.

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          You'll keep your eyes open, yes?

          KOSCIK
          Good hunting.

          28 MOMENTS LATER - IN THE BARN 28
          Koscik and Tuvia speak in harsh whispers.

          KOSCIK
          --If the laborers find them tomorrow,
          I will be denounced--

          TUVIA
          What am I supposed to do with--

          KOSCIK
          Take them into the forest--

          TUVIA
          --And feed them how? I can't care
          for my own family.
          Behind them, several of the REFUGEES have emerged from their
          hiding place. They stare at Tuvia balefully.

          29 MOMENTS LATER - BY THE ROADSIDE 29
          The refugees are loaded with provisions. A young man, PINCHAS
          ZUCKERMAN, has a tethered GOAT. Another man carries a violin
          case. Koscik hands Tuvia another bottle of vodka.

          TUVIA
          Those men? They were the ones who
          killed my parents?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 15.

          29 CONTINUED: 29
          Koscik doesn't want to tell him. Finally he nods, yes.

          KOSCIK
          You people. Why is it so fucking
          hard to be friends with a Jew?
          They embrace.

          TUVIA
          Imagine being one.
           Tuvia leads his motley band toward the woods.

           CUT TO:

          30 A FOREST TRAIL - DAY 30
          Tuvia leads them. He notices an OLD MAN staring at him.

          OLD MAN
          You sat in back.
          Tuvia just looks at him.

          OLD MAN (CONT'D)
          In school. I am Shimon H'aretz.

          TUVIA
          I thought you were dead.

          SHIMON
          I am at least half-dead.
          (after a moment)
          I heard them speaking of your
          parents. I am very sorry.
          Tuvia shakes his head.

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          And the other brothers? What was
          his name, the wild one?

          TUVIA
          Zus. He's with the other two.

          SHIMON
          You are hiding here? In the forest?
          Tuvia nods.

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          There has been trouble before maybe?
          With the police?
          Tuvia doesn't answer.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE BLUE Revision - 9-17-07 16.

          30 CONTINUED: 30

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          So now you go to the forest. A
          wise choice.

          TUVIA
          For a dumb schoolboy, you mean.

          SHIMON
          My whole life I presumed to teach
          others the right way to live. I
          had no doubt: this is God's way,
          this isn't. You'll forgive me if
          recent events have somewhat shaken
          my resolve.

          TUVIA
          It is just like school, I don't
          know what you're talking about.
          (touching him)
          Teacher...Come... Come.
          (gesturing to the

          FOLLOWERS)
          Please.

          CUT TO:

          31 OMITTED 31

          32 THE CLEARING - LATER THAT DAY 32
          The new arrivals squat by a fire where potatoes are cooking
          in the ashes. Everyone shares from the soup pot. There
          aren't enough spoons to go around.
          Shimon offers Aron something to eat.

          SHIMON
          Here... You're not hungry?
          Aron doesn't respond.

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          The little one does not talk?

          ASAEL
          He saw. Things.

          TUVIA, MEANWHILE
          stares fixedly as Avram digs his daughter's grave. The gun
          is still in his belt. Zus is constructing a shelter.

          ZUS
          I send you for food and you bring
          more mouths to feed.

          TUVIA
          You send me?

          ZUS
          Did you at least get the gun?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GREEN Revision - 10-14-07 16A.

          32 CONTINUED: 32
           Tuvia shows him.

           TUVIA
          Only four bullets.

          ZUS
          Then we'll have to make them count.
          Zus heads for the food. Asael is trying to start a fire
          but the kindling is wet.

          SHIMON
          Here...
          Shimon takes a book from his coat, rips out pages covered
          in Hebrew and crumples them into the fire. They burst into
          flame.

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          The Psalms have many uses.

          ZUS SITS AMONG THE NEWCOMERS
          watching as they eat hungrily.
          Tuvia stops near Avram DIGGING a grave before heading out
          of the camp. We realize Avram's daughter has died while
          Tuvia was away. THE SOUND OF DISTANT THUNDER.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE BLUE Revision - 9-17-07 17.

          33 A LONE FARMHOUSE - DUSK 33
          Tuvia stands in the driving rain, shaking. He stares at the
          lit windows.

          34 INSIDE THE HOUSE 34
          The POLICE CAPTAIN we saw earlier eats dinner with his WIFE
          and TWO SONS. They speak in Russian.

          WIFE
          You worked late.
          The man nods, his mouth full of food.

          WIFE (CONT'D)
          Tomorrow is Sunday. You have a day
          off, yes?

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          (still chewing; nods)
          ...Fucking SS never sleeps...
          The door OPENS slowly. They all look up.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           YELLOW Revision - 7-30-07 18.

          34 CONTINUED: 34
          Tuvia stands on the threshold, dripping wet, a spectral
          figure. He holds the pistol at his side.

          TUVIA
          You know who I am?
          The policeman says nothing. His wife is instantly terrified.
          One of the SONS stands. Tuvia turns the gun on him.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Sit.
          The son obeys. The SOUND of the rain on the tin roof is
          deafening. Tuvia turns back to the Police Captain.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          And you know why I am here.

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          ...what are you talking about?

          TUVIA
          You have no idea what I'm talking
          about...

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          If they say find someone, I find
          him. It's my job.

          TUVIA
          To find Jews.

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          Or lose my job.

          TUVIA
          And it's a good job, isn't it? You
          like your job.

          POLICEMAN
          I was always fair with your family.
          ...Everyone knew you were smuggling
          this and that. But I looked the
          other way.
          (in desperation)
          ...Ask your father.

          TUVIA
          My father? You don't talk about my
          father...
          Tuvia places the pistol against the man's forehead.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Down on your knees.

          (MORE)

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 19.

          34 CONTINUED: (2) 34

          TUVIA (CONT'D)

          (BELLOWING)

          ON...YOUR...KNEES...PIG!
          The policeman begins to weep.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          For my parents, David and Beila
          Bielski... for my brothers and all
          the others--

          POLICE CAPTAIN
          Please.... I beg you...
          One of the man's SONS makes a move toward Tuvia. Tuvia
          SHOOTS him in the chest. His mother SCREAMS. The Policeman
          suddenly starts to stand. Tuvia backs away, shoots him.
          And then the other son. It is all over in seconds.

          35 OMITTED 35

          36 TUVIA STANDS THERE, FROZEN 36
          The police captain's wife is prostrate and KEENING over her
          dead family in Russian.

          WIFE
          Kill me, too!
          Tuvia should indeed kill her, too. To avoid being
          identified.

          TUVIA
          Tell them who did this.

          CUT TO:

          36A EXT. POLICE CAPTAIN'S HOUSE - DUSK 36A

          The rain still pours down on the house as Tuvia runs away.

          37 A FOREST TRAIL - STILL RAINING 37
          Tuvia pushes through dense forest. Branches rake his face.
          Finally he leans against a tree. We move CLOSE on his face.

          TUVIA
          Riboynoy shel oylam, riboynoy shel
          oylam...
          (closes his eyes)
          Lord of the universe, forgive me, I
          have murdered -- but they were
          monsters and did not deserve to
          live.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE BLUE Revision - 9-17-07 20.

          38 NEXT MORNING - A LOW FOG CLINGS TO THE FOREST FLOOR 38
          Zus awakens, sodden and stiff. He looks at the group, now
          numbering fourteen. People sleep huddled together: Asael
          holds Aron; Avram keeps his surviving daughter close.
          And there is Tuvia -- sitting by the fire. Zus takes the
          pistol from Tuvia's belt. Checks the cylinder.

          ZUS
          Only one bullet left.

          TUVIA
          His sons.
          Zus nods his approval.

          ZUS
          How was it?

          TUVIA
          What?

          ZUS
          To kill them. It was good, no?

          TUVIA
          Shut up.
          Tuvia stares into the fire. He is dirty and tired. Zus
          looks around.

          ZUS
          What are we going to do with these
          others?

          TUVIA
          I don't know--

          ZUS
          The women will slow us down. And
          your old teacher--

          TUVIA
          You're afraid he's going to beat
          you for forgetting your homework.

          ZUS
          We have to be able to keep moving,
          and quickly.

          TUVIA
          I agree. But they're here.
          They consider their predicament.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GREEN Revision - 10-14-07 21.

          38 CONTINUED: 38

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          We'll sleep farther up the trail.
          If anyone comes, they'll find them
          first. The gunshots will give us
          time to escape.

          ZUS
          Alright. But no more.

          TUVIA
          No more.

          CUT TO:

          39 SEVERAL MORE REFUGEES 39
          stumbling into camp behind Tuvia, who carries a heavy sack
          of provisions. Zus gives Tuvia a look.

          TUVIA
          I know. I know... Tamara, you
          remember Cousin Zus. Please, go
          sit down by the fire. And this is
          Lazar -- Isabel's youngest...
          Tamara is pleasant-looking but emotionally wounded.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          This is Isaac Malbin. From Minsk.
          Malbin is sweet-faced with little round Trotsky glasses.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Asael, find them something to eat.

          ASAEL!
          Zus takes Tuvia aside.

          ZUS
          Tuvia, I have pity for them all,

          BUT--

          TUVIA
          They are family.

          ZUS
          And how will we feed this family?

          TUVIA
          We'll water the soup.
          One of the new arrivals is a DARK-HAIRED BEAUTY. Tuvia and
          Zus watch her pass. Zus is particularly interested.

          ZUS
          And this one, is she family?

          TUVIA
          No.
          By the fire, the veterans pepper the newcomers with

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GREEN Revision - 10-14-07 A21.

          39 CONTINUED: 39
          questions.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE BLUE Revision - 9-17-07 21A.

          39 CONTINUED: (2) 39

          MIRIAM
          You are from Lida! Is Isadore Korein
          alive?

          LOVA
          There are so many in the ghetto, I
          don't know...

          TAMARA
          Does anyone have news from Vilna?

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE BLUE Revision - 9-17-07 22.

          40 OMITTED 40

          40A ANOTHER DAY (CAMP #1) 40A
          Food, such as it is, is being handed out to SEVERAL NEW
          ARRIVALS. Asael brushes Aron's hair. Rachel sits beside
          her grieving father. She looks at Aron. He looks back.
          Nearby, Tuvia and Malbin are building a shelter. Malbin is
          hopelessly inept. A wall COLLAPSES.

          TUVIA
          Fuck me! Have you never used a
          hammer?

          MALBIN
          Uh. No.

          TUVIA
          What is it you do, then?

          MALBIN
          I suppose...you'd have to say...I
          was...am...an intellectual.

          TUVIA
          This is a job?

          MALBIN
          I published a small magazine...
          actually a journal...well, more
          like a pamphlet.
          Zus passes them, his arm around the dark-haired beauty.

          ZUS
          Tuvia, this is Rona. Rona is my
          forest wife.

          TUVIA
          I see. Congratulations.
          Zus winks and walks past. Malbin and Tuvia watch them.

          MALBIN
          Interesting concept.

          TUVIA
          As long as his village wife stays
          in hiding.

          MALBIN
          Nice to know there are some things
          even Hitler can't destroy.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE BLUE Revision - 9-17-07 23.

          40A CONTINUED: 40A
          Suddenly the camp grows quiet.
          TWO YOUNG MEN who have emerged from the forest, their clothes
          dirty and torn. One of them aims an army-issue rifle.

          ZUS
          Hello, boys, what can we do for
          you?

          YOUNG MAN #1
          Food. We want food.
          Everyone remains still. Zus eyes his own rifle nearby.

          ZUS
          These little shits are holding us
          up.
          The Young Man motions his partner to take Zus's rifle.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          You little shits have the balls to
          shoot me?
          In response, the young man CHAMBERS A ROUND.

          TUVIA
          This is all the food we have. You
          are welcome to share.

          ZUS
          No.

          (MORE)

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
          YELLOW Revision - 7-30-07 23A.

          40A CONTINUED: (2) 40A

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          I want to see if this little shit
          will shoot me. You like shooting
          Jews, you little shit?

          YOUNG MAN #1
          You are Jews?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GREEN Revision - 8-8-07 24.

          40A CONTINUED: (3) 40A

          ZUS
          No. We're the Gestapo, you little
          shit.

          TUVIA
          Come. Sit. Put down your guns.

          ZUS
          Or perhaps you'd prefer I shove
          them up your ass.

          TUVIA
          Where are you from?
          The young man glares at Zus. Then, to Tuvia:

          YOUNG MAN #1
          Horodyszcze.
          The name freezes Zus in his tracks. His wife is there.

          PERETZ
          We haven't eaten in two days. My
          name is Peretz, this is Jacov.

          JACOV
          Two days ago there were three
          thousand Jews in Horodyszcze. Now
          there are fifty. Me and him, we
          hid in a wall.

          ZUS
          You know a woman there, Sonia
          Bielski?
          The men look at one another.

          JACOV
          We knew her.
          Zus can hardly bring himself to ask the next question.

          ZUS
          ...There was a child.
          Jacov shakes his head. Sorry.
          Zus leans his head against a tree. After a moment he begins
          to BEAT HIS HEAD against it until BLOOD pours down his face.

          ASAEL
          (to the newcomers)
          His family.
          Tuvia puts his arms around his brother. Zus's shoulders
          begin to heave. Soon his body convulses with deep wracking
          sobs. He is absolutely unself-conscious in his grief.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GREEN Revision - 8-8-07 25.

          40A CONTINUED: (4) 40A

          ZUS
          So many dead.

          TUVIA
          I know.

          ZUS
          Mama. Papa.
          Their heads are close together, their faces wet with tears.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Why not us?

          TUVIA
          I don't know.

          ZUS
          I thought they'd be safe. I should
          have been with them.

          TUVIA
          No.

          ZUS
          I could have protected them.
          Tuvia just holds him. He, too, is crying quietly.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Better to be rabbits? Hunted?
          Hiding? No...
          Zus breaks free of Tuvia's embrace and walks away.

          41 LATER - BY THE FIRE 41
          Jacov and Peretz are eating. Between ravenous bites--

          PERETZ
          We are looking for partisans.

          JACOV
          What is the name of your otriad?
          Tuvia laughs ruefully.

          ASAEL
          What is an 'otriad?'

          TUVIA
          An armed brigade.

          JACOV
          We heard the Russians are beginning
          to organize.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 26.

          41 CONTINUED: 41

           TUVIA
           Here?

          JACOV
          And also in the Lipicanska.

          ASAEL
          Then we are the Bielski Otriad.
          You want to join?

          PERETZ
          (looks around)
          The Russians are fighters.

          JACOV
          --But you need a gun to join them.
          Without a gun you are nothing.
          They sabotage railroads and kill
          Germans.

          ZUS (O.S.)
          We will kill all the Germans you
          can handle. Starting tonight.
          They stare up at him, his face a mask of blood and filth.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          If you're not afraid to use that
          rifle.

          42 MOMENTS LATER - JUST OUTSIDE OF CAMP -- 42
          Zus is loading Wilencki's gun.

          TUVIA
          --we must get what we need without
          killing. We can't make more enemies--
          Zus concentrates on opening the breach.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          --It won't bring your family back
          to life. Or Mama. Or Papa.

          ZUS
          Blood for blood. You had your
          revenge.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 27.

          42 CONTINUED: 42

          TUVIA
          And I can still see their faces.

          ZUS
          'Vengeance is mine.' Who said that?

          TUVIA
          So this is God's work you're doing,
          Zussie?

          ZUS
          No. Only YOU can play God. Save a
          few lives, take a few others...

          TUVIA
          We cannot become...like them.

          ZUS
          If only...
          (a hard look)
          Are you coming with us or not?

          TUVIA
          Us?

          ZUS
          Peretz and Jacov.

          (POINTEDLY)
          Asael, too.
          Tuvia looks over at Asael, who looks away.

          TUVIA
          (to Zus)
          You are making the decisions now?
          A stand-off. Zus stares back at him. The struggle for
          command has grown more obvious.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          We wait for dark.

          CUT TO:

          43 A BURNING TRUCK 43
          Lights up the night sky. A MAN comes running out of a
          tavern, the same man who loaded Jews onto trucks in an
          earlier scene.

          MAN
          My truck! WHO DID THIS TO MY TRUCK?
          Tuvia, Zus and the others appear out the shadows.

          TUVIA
          We did.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GREEN Revision - 8-8-07 28.

          43 CONTINUED: 43
          The man stops short at the sight of their weapons.

          MAN
          Who are you?

          (REALIZING)
          You don't understand. They made me
          give them my truck...
          Zus FIRES. Jacov and Peretz follow suit. The man goes
          down. They throw his DEAD BODY onto the burning truck.

          CUT TO:

          43A A CLUSTER OF HOUSES - LATER THAT NIGHT 43A
          Zus and Peretz are backing out of an open doorway, FIRING
          BACK INSIDE AS THEY GO. From within, the sound of SCREAMS.

          ZUS

          THIS IS WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU

          COOPERATE WITH NAZI SCUM..!
          FACES appear furtively at the windows of nearby houses.
          Zus addresses the little neighborhood, delirious with joy.

          ZUS (CONT'D)

          WE ARE THE BIELSKI OTRIAD! WE ARE

          JEWS! YOU LIKE TO KILL JEWS! HERE

          WE ARE! WE ARE THE BIELSKI'S!

          TELL THEM!
          Tuvia looks around warily. This is getting out of hand.

          CUT TO:

          44 A ROADSIDE DITCH - LATER THAT NIGHT 44
          Tuvia and Asael lie in on one side of a road. Tuvia has
          looped ONE END OF THE WIRE around a post.

          45 IN THE DITCH ON THE OTHER SIDE 45
          Zus, Peretz, and Jacov WRAP THE WIRE to a tree.

          46 UP AHEAD 46
          The lights of a MOTORCYCLE, a GERMAN COURIER.

          47 IN THE DITCH 47
          Tuvia waits until the BIKE is almost upon them. Then he
          TIGHTENS the WIRE so it stretches INVISIBLY ACROSS THE ROAD.

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 29.

          48 THE MOTORCYCLIST IS GARROTED 48
          by the wire. His bike goes sliding away as the Bielski's
          swarm him, KILLING HIM with the last bullet from the
          Mahkarov.
          ZUS rummages through the downed-bike's saddlebags. He finds
          a beautiful KNIFE and lifts it up triumphantly.

          PERETZ
          Look--!
          MORE HEADLIGHTS fast approaching.

          TUVIA
          Hide! Everyone!
          They all scramble back into the ditch, dragging the dead
          courier with them.

          49 A GERMAN STAFF CAR 49
          approaches. As its headlights pick up the downed motorcycle,
          it slows and pulls off to the side --

          50 DIRECTLY OVER THE DITCH 50
          Where Tuvia and Zus are concealed. From within the car, we
          hear VOICES SPEAKING GERMAN. A YOUNG PRIVATE gets out and
          walks up the road to investigate.

          PRIVATE
          (in German; subtitled)
          It's one of ours, but no one is
          here. Maybe he was drunk?
          From the car, an SERGEANT yells a reply.

          SERGEANT
          (in German; subtitled)
          Move it off the road before the
          convoy passes. I'll report the
          sonuvabitch.
          As the soldier drags the bike off the road, AN OFFICER steps
          out of the car and lights a cigarette.
          He's followed by the Sergeant. He carries a Schmeisser
          SUBMACHINE GUN dangling from his shoulder.

          51 IN THE DITCH - ZUS 51
          can see the Sergeant's feet peeking out over the ditch.

          A STREAM OF PISS
          Cascades onto him. He tries to inch his body away...

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 30.

          51 CONTINUED: 51

          THE PISSING SERGEANT
          catches the flicker of MOVEMENT below, SEES Zus lying in
          the ditch. Stunned, he tries to zip up his fly. It catches.
          ZUS LEAPS UP brandishing the KNIFE. He's on the Sergeant
          before he can get the gun off his shoulder. Stabbing him
          through his greatcoat, the BLADE BREAKS OFF IN HIS HAND.
          MEANWHILE, THE LIEUTENANT drops his cigarette, reaching
          under his coat for a pistol. Tuvia TACKLES him. The GUN
          skids away. They roll around on the road, CLAWING, PUNCHING,
          BITING. Tuvia SLAMS the man's head against the pavement.

          52 UP THE ROAD 52
          The Private sees Asael and Peretz coming at him. Jacov
          follows with his rifle. The Private turns and runs down
          the road. They give chase.

          53 FROM INSIDE THE CAR 53
          Another OFFICER is in the back seat with A WOMAN. He reaches
          for his gun, stands up in the seat and begins FIRING WILDLY
          at Tuvia. TUVIA ROLLS UNDER THE CAR, avoiding the burst.
          MEANWHILE, ZUS USES THE HANDLE OF THE KNIFE to BREAK the
          Sergeant's nose. He RIPS the SCHMEISSER away, firing point-
          blank into the man, whose greatcoat CATCHES FIRE.

          INSIDE THE STAFF CAR
          The officer takes close aim at Tuvia, just as ZUS TURNS THE
          MACHINE GUN on the car BLOWING OUT THE WINDOWS, killing the
          Officer and the woman -- and saving his brother's life.

          54 MEANWHILE, DOWN THE ROAD 54
          Jacov fires at the Private, MISSES. The man keeps RUNNING.
          Jacov fires again. MISSES AGAIN.
          FINALLY his THIRD SHOT hits him in the leg. The Private
          keeps running. Limping now.

          JACOV
          I got him!
          Peretz and Asael can now catch up to the soldier.

          FROM FAR AWAY
          We SEE them knock the Private to the ground, KICKING him
          until Jacov catches up to them and FIRES A FINAL SHOT.

          

          

          

          
           GREEN Revision - 8-8-07 31.

          55 BACK AT THE STAFF CAR 55
          Tuvia stands, out of breath.

          TUVIA
          Stupid! The gunfire could be heard
          for miles.

          ZUS
          He was pissing on my head.
          Zus is high from the killing, covered in the dead man's
          blood. He begins calling out orders.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Peretz, Jacov, check the car for
          guns...
          (to Tuvia)
          This one's yours.
          He presents him with the Schmeisser as if it were a trophy.
          Tuvia accepts it, checking the gun efficiently.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          I'll check his pockets for more
          ammo.

          TUVIA
          Hurry--!

          AT THE STAFF CAR
          Peretz and Jacov emerge with two MACHINE-PISTOLS, several
          BOTTLES OF SCHNAPPS and a beautiful LEICA CAMERA.

          JACOV
          They were on their way to a party!
          They toss one bottle to Zus and another to Tuvia.

          56 UP THE ROAD 56
          Asael stands over the dead Private. He isn't much older
          than Aron.

          57 BACK AT THE STAFF CAR 57
          ZUS rifles the pockets of the dead Sergeant for ammo. He
          finds cigarettes and the man's wallet. He opens it.

          ZUS
          Welcome to Belarus, herr Henkel.
          A CHAMPAGNE CORK POPS as Peretz and Jacov toast their
          victory.

          PERETZ
          Now we are real Partisans...

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 32.

          57 CONTINUED: 57

          JACOV
          To the Bielski Otriad!

          58 SUDDENLY - ANOTHER SET OF HEADLIGHTS 58
          are rounding the bend. Troop trucks. The Staff Car was
          leading A CONVOY.

          TUVIA
          Into the fields! RUN!
          Tuvia pulls Peretz off the road, but Jacov reloads his rifle
          and begins to FIRE at the approaching trucks.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Jacov, NO!
          THE TRUCKS STOP. Troops pour off and begin RETURNING FIRE.
          Jacov is CUT DOWN by a MACHINE GUN.
          Peretz, Zus, and Tuvia race into the WHEAT FIELD. It's not
          clear if they can make it into the woods. A FLARE IGNITES
          OVERHEAD turning the wheat fields BRIGHT WHITE in flickering
          incandescence. Malbin is almost paralytic with fear.
          ASAEL doesn't know which way to run. He plunges into the
          WHEAT FIELD...but ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD.
          ONE OF THE TRUCKS drives forward, CUTTING HIM OFF, using
          its SPOTLIGHT to reveal him. FIFTEEN SOLDIERS start after
          him.

          59 SEEN FROM ABOVE 59
          We watch as they CONVERGE on him.

          TUVIA, ZUS AND PERETZ
          Have almost made it into the woods when PERETZ IS HIT. He
          falls. Tuvia and Zus pick him up and half-carry, half-drag
          him into the sanctuary of the forest.

          TUVIA
          Zus. His rifle.
          Zus races back to pick up Peretz's weapon.

          60 ASAEL, MEANWHILE 60
          has realized his mistake. He tries to circle back toward
          the woods but the SOLDIERS move to CUT HIM OFF. He is fast,
          but not fast enough. We realize he isn't going to make it.

          61 IN THE WOODS 61
          Tuvia and Zus look at the scene with mounting horror.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE PINK Revision - 9-27-07 33.

          61 CONTINUED: 61

          TUVIA
          Asael...
          He rips the rifle from Zus's hands. For a moment we think
          he's going to go back after him. Instead, he wedges the
          rifle into a tree-trunk and takes careful aim...

          THE SPOTLIGHT SHATTERS
          Plunging the field into darkness as the flare burns out.
          ASAEL seizes the moment and dives to his knees, disappearing
          from view and CRAWLING NOW rather than expose himself.
          AN IRRIGATION DITCH is nearby. Frantically he DIGS into
          the soft mud on its banks. As he scrapes his hands raw, he
          can HEAR his pursuers drawing near, CALLING OUT to one
          another.

          CUT TO:

          62 THE FOREST CAMP - DAWN 62
          A somber mood. Tuvia watches someone scrape at the porridge
          congealed in an empty pot. OTHERS stare listlessly into
          space. ONE MAN chews on a piece of leather, ANOTHER sucks
          on an old chicken bone.
          Zus, meanwhile, is in the middle of a nasty drunk from the
          captured schnapps. Nearby, Aron shares his ration of bread
          with Rachel. Little enough, but a connection is made.
          Peretz lies nearby. Malbin is trying to comforts him.
          There is nothing that can help him. Malbin looks to Tuvia.

          SHIMON
          They thought you were bringing food.
          Tuvia just stares at him.

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          Did the farmers stop you?
          Still no answer from Tuvia.

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          They had guns? Dogs?

          TUVIA
          No.

          SHIMON
          I don't understand.
          Tuvia says nothing. Nearby, a child cries in hunger.

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          The Talmud says if you save a life
          you must take responsibility for
          it.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE PINK Revision - 9-27-07 34-34A.

          62 CONTINUED: 62

          TUVIA
          Again I have no idea what you are
          talking about.
          Around them, the beseeching eyes of so many hungry faces.

          SHIMON
          I think you do.

          VOICE
          You are the Bielski's?
          A MAN stands in the clearing. BEN ZION GULKOWITZ is tall,
          well muscled, a rifle strapped over his shoulder.

          ZUS
          How'd you get past the Lazar?

          BEN ZION
          Who?
          Zus stands unsteadily, then lurches into the woods, leaning
          on an occasional tree for support. He finds the erstwhile
          sentry --LAZAR -- ambling toward him.

          ZUS
          You shit! You worthless shit!
          Zus punches him, knocking him the ground. In a sloppy,
          drunken frenzy, Zus SLAPS him again.

          TUVIA
          Enough!

          ZUS
          He walked right by you! Someone
          could have been killed!
          Tuvia pulls Zus off him.

          TUVIA
          I said, enough!
          (to Lazar)
          Get up! Get up!

          ZUS
          If we were real partisans he'd be
          shot.

          TUVIA
          He made a mistake!

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE PINK Revision - 9-27-07 35.

          62 CONTINUED: (3) 62

          ZUS
          MISTAKE! We cannot make mistakes!
          As Zus goes for Lazar again, Tuvia roughly PULLS HIM OFF.
          Zus goes flying, tripping over, landing on his ass.

          TUVIA
          That's right, Zus. No mistakes.
          Like last night.
          (looks at him)
          First they will torture Asael...and
          then they will hang him.
          Tuvia walks away, leaving his brother on the ground.

          63 BACK IN CAMP 63
          Tuvia rejoins them. Ben Zion looks up at him.

          BEN ZION
          You are Tuvia Bielski.

          TUVIA
          You know me?

          BEN ZION
          I am Ben Zion Gulkowitz.
          Ben Zion is besieged by questions about friends and family.

          MIRIAM
          Pardon me, you are from Vilna. My
          sister lives on Passaya Street.

          BEN ZION
          The SD came without warning.
          Hundreds were taken. No one knows
          where.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE PINK Revision - 9-27-07 36.

          63 CONTINUED: 63
          THE WOMAN begins to cry.

          MIRIAM
          My poor sister...dear God, no...
          Meanwhile, Peretz's MOANING ceases. A woman grumbles:

          WOMAN #1
          We'd be better off in the ghetto...

          TAMARA
          At least here we are safe.

          LOVA
          There at least we had hope...

          SHIMON
          No. Here, we have hope.
          A FEW MORE join in, grumbling their dissatisfaction. Others
          take the opposite position. These are Jews, after all, and
          arguing is a revered sport and a pastime. It escalates.

          WOMAN #1
          We are hungry!
          This is a defining moment for Tuvia. When at first he
          speaks, it is awkward, ineffectual amid the growing tumult.

          TUVIA
          I know we have no food. But
          tomorrow... tomorrow will be another
          mission.

          RONA
          Look what happened the last time.

          TUVIA
          That was a mistake! But the mistakes
          we made will not be made again!
          More objections. Tuvia must raise his voice to be heard.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          We could be here a long time. And
          we have to prepare.

          LOVA
          How?

          TUVIA
          Better security. Better at getting
          food and information--
          (talking over their

          OBJECTIONS)
          --at making shelters. Whatever is
          needed. We all participate. We
          don't work against each other.
          At this he looks directly at Zus. Daring him to object.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE PINK Revision - 9-27-07 36A.

          63 CONTINUED: (2) 63

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          I want to kill Nazis, too, but
          we...just...cannot afford revenge.
          Not right now. We cannot afford to
          lose friends like Jacov and Peretz.
          A small voice speaks up.

          ARON
          Or Asael.
          Everyone stares. It is the first time Aron has spoken.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE PINK Revision - 9-27-07 37.

          63 CONTINUED: (3) 63

          TUVIA
          Or Asael. We... We--
          (trying to hold it

          TOGETHER)
          --cannot lose anyone.
          He looks from face to face. Filthy, ravaged, many of them
          with tears in their eyes. This is what they need --
          leadership, faith, something to believe in.
          And gradually, his tentativeness and awkwardness is replaced
          by something else. A new voice. From deep inside.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          ...We will map out where we've been
          so as to not visit the same farms
          too often. And we take only from
          those who can afford to give, and
          leave those who can't alone.

          LOVA
          The poorest farmer has more than
          us.

          TUVIA
          True. But what I am saying is...
          what I mean is... We are not thieves.
          (his resolve growing
          with every word)
          Or murderers. We may be hunted
          like animals but we will not become
          animals.
          (looks at them all)
          We have all chosen this -- to live
          free, like human beings, for as
          long as we can. Each day of freedom
          is an act of faith. And if we die
          trying to live, at least we die
          like human beings.
          His mission statement. A vision of their future.
          Everyone nods in mute acknowledgement. Zus lowers his head.
          The shift in power between them has occurred. Tuvia has
          emerged as the undisputed leader.

          CUT TO:

          64 OMITTED 64

          64A FALL IN THE FOREST 64A
          The trees take on color as if in celebration of their coming
          together.

          65 KOSCIK'S FARM 65
          All is quiet as Tuvia, Zus and Ben Zion watch from the woods.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 38.

          65 CONTINUED: 65

           TUVIA
           Now.
          They leave their cover and approach warily, guns at the
          ready.

          66 OUTSIDE THE HOUSE 66
          Koscik's wife looks up from her garden and glares at them.

          TUVIA
          Hello.
          She refuses to be flattered. In Russian:

          KOSCIK'S WIFE
          In the barn.

          67 IN THE BARN 67
          Zus calls out.

          ZUS
          Koscik, put your pants back on and
          leave those sheep alone.
          He steps into the shadows to find:

          KOSCIK HANGING FROM A THRESHING HOOK
          that has been driven through his chest. A sign attached to
          the hook reads (in Polish) "JEW LOVER."

          CUT TO:

          68 KOSCIK'S NEWLY-DUG GRAVE 68
          is just beyond the barn. Tuvia finishes piling on the last
          shovelful of earth. Koscik's wife stares straight ahead.

          TUVIA
          I'm sorry.

          KOSCIK'S WIFE
          (a monotone)
          Come.

          69 A ROOT CELLAR 69
          dug into a hillside. Overgrown with tall grass it is
          undetectable. Koscik's wife opens the heavy door, revealing
          ASAEL, who emerges blinking into the bright light.

          TUVIA
          Thank God.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE PINK Revision - 9-27-07 39.

          69 CONTINUED: 69
          Zus pulls his lost brother into a mighty embrace.

          ASAEL
          Zus.... ZUSSIE... I can't breathe.
          Zus lets him go and Asael reaches back into the root cellar.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          Look.
          Two LOVELY YOUNG WOMEN -- BELLA and CHAYA -- emerge,
          tentative and scared. Though their dresses are dirty, it is
          obvious they were once expensive. Zus eyes them
          appreciatively.

          ZUS
          Asael... Well, well..

          ASAEL

          (BLUSHING)
          Shut up. Look at this--
          He has two more rifles and a large box of ammunition.
          Tuvia turns to Koscik's wife, deeply moved.

          TUVIA
          Thank you.

          KOSCIK'S WIFE
          (turning away)
          Go.

          CUT TO:

          70 A FOREST TRAIL 70
          They head for home. Zus walks beside Bella.

          BELLA
          --and then we fell into this horrible
          bog. Chaya saved me. Honestly, I
          can't swim at all.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 40.

          70 CONTINUED: 70

          ZUS

          (MESMERIZED)
          Then I will teach you!

          BELLA
          We must have got lost a dozen times.
          I was absolutely resigned to die.

          ZUS
          No...

          BELLA
          Tell him, Chaya. Was it not the
          absolute worst? And that farmer,
          Mr. Koscik, kept making the most
          vulgar jokes, he said any girl who--
          As they continue out of earshot, it appears as though Zus
          would be happy to listen for hours.

          DISSOLVE TO:

          71 A TOWERING PINE FOREST 71
          Aron and Rachel are walking through the woods. For a brief
          moment, viewed through the eyes of the young, we see these
          woods as a magical place. Strange mushrooms, gnarled roots,
          an enormous spider's web glistening with dew.

          72 THE CAMP HAS BEGUN TO SHOW PROGRESS 72
          Sentries are posted. Zus expertly helps with the building
          a bunker ("zemylanka"). There's a more permanent kitchen,
          a wash trough, a clothesline. Pinchas tends his goat.
          Though primitive and raw...a haven.

          SHIMON AND MALBIN ARE DIGGING A HOLE
          Their bickering will become for them, as time goes on, a
          sport and a pastime.

          MALBIN
          You're trying to tell me all politics
          is meaningless.

          SHIMON
          In the West a monster with a little
          mustache, in the East a monster
          with a big mustache. This is all I
          need to know about politics.

          MALBIN
          Your messiah will have a mustache,
          too, and a full beard.

          SHIMON
          No. The messiahs are all in
          politics, and they're killing us.
          Zus unloads two cut and stripped trees.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 40A.

          72 CONTINUED: 72

          ZUS
          What's killing me is all your
          talking. Back to work.
          Malbin and Shimon go back to work.

          MALBIN
          And Roosevelt? He has no mustache.

          SHIMON
          My life in these woods is much easier
          because of Mr. Roosevelt, thank
          you.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 41.

          73 WALKING THROUGH THE CAMP TUVIA AND ASAEL 73
          review their plans.

          TUVIA
          We need to know what's going on in
          the villages, how the Germans patrol,
          who the informers are--
          He realizes that Asael is not fully concentrating; instead
          he is watching as Chaya walks past.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Are you listening to me?

          ASAEL
          Yes.

          TUVIA
          What's her name?

          ASAEL
          Chaya. [I believe.]

          TUVIA

          (YELLING)

          CHAYA!
          He waves as Chaya turns to look in their direction. Asael
          smiles, embarrassed.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          So talk to her.

          ASAEL
          I hardly know her.

          TUVIA
          You spent three days in a cellar!
          Asael blushes, returns the focus to their prior conversation.

          ASAEL
          Malbin says the Piznarksi granary
          is full. We need two guns at
          least...

          TUVIA
          Whose turn to go?

          ASAEL
          Zus.

          TUVIA
          You go along, just to make sure he
          understands my orders.
          Asael nods.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          (re: Chaya)
          Go on...Go!

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 A41-41A.

          73 CONTINUED: 73
          Asael heads toward Chaya.

          74 NEAR A SHED ROOF - BEN ZION 74
          We notice a FEW NEW FACES. Their number has exceeded twenty.
          Among them are two lumbering, dark-skinned men, ARKADY and
          MOTL LUBCZANSKI. Ben Zion is showing Lazar and the other
          newcomers how to clean a weapon.

          BEN ZION
          This is not a gun. It is Bar
          Kochba's spear. It is Ehud's sword.
          You fix the patch to the rod--
          They do as he instructs.

          BEN ZION (CONT'D)
          --then run it through the barrel...
          and don't lose the patch in the

          BARREL--
          Lazar looks up, sheepishly.

          LAZAR
          I lost my patch.
          ARKADY LUBCZANSKI whispers contemptuously to his brother,

          MOTL...

          ARKADY LUBCZANSKI
          The village idiot.
          Zus shoves Arkady out of the way and approaches Lazar, who
          cowers. But rather than abuse him, Zus removes the patch
          from the rifle and hands it back to him.

          LAZAR
          Thank you, Zus.

          ZUS
          (returning the rifle)
          It's nothing.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 42.

          75 OMITTED 75

          76 A ROADSIDE - NEXT DAY 76
          KISSELY is a MILKMAN with bright red hair and a bushy
          mustache. He leads a horse-drawn CART laden with milk cans.
          ZUS AND THE OTHERS rise up out of the ditch. In Russian:

          ZUS
          (a pleasant tone)
          Good morning, friend. Getting an
          early start to market? Could you
          possibly spare us a bit of milk?
          Zus' tone is belied by the rifle in his hand.

          KISSELY
          This is what I'm required to give
          the Germans. If I don't meet my
          quota they'll shoot me and my family.
          Zus is tempted to shoot him himself.

          ASAEL
          (to Zus)
          Leave half. He can't go to the
          Germans empty-handed.
          Zus glares at Asael.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          Tuvia's orders.
          Zus shakes his head, climbs onto the wagon and begins
          removing cartons.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE PINK Revision - 9-27-07 43.

          76 CONTINUED: 76

          ZUS
          (to the milkman)
          We are so grateful, comrade, for
          your cooperation. What a lovely
          coat. Is that a fur collar?

          CUT TO:

          77 ZUS, NOW WEARING THE MILKMAN'S COAT 77
          joins the others lugging milk cans along the forest path.

          LAZAR (V.O.)

          HALT! WHO GOES THERE!
          Zus shakes his head. Lazar stands, pointing his weapon.

          ZUS
          Lazar, you can see it's us, you
          idiot. You only ask, 'who goes
          there' when you don't know who it
          is.

          LAZAR
          Sorry, Zus.

          78 THE CAMP 78
          is a beehive of activity. Shimon and Malbin are digging.

          MALBIN
          Even Spinoza said existence can be
          substantiated by empirical evidence.

          SHIMON
          All your secular learning, yet you
          know nothing of life.

          MALBIN
          How can you say this? Learning is
          my life.

          SHIMON
          And for every fact that goes in
          your head, another comes out your
          rear end.
          CHAYA and BELLA receive the bounty from the foragers.

          BELLA
          Milk, eggs -- Chaya, our brave men
          have brought us a feast!

          ZUS
          Blintzes! You will make me blintzes!
          She bestows her best smile upon him.

          79 BY THE FIRE 79
          New arrivals are being shown around by Ben Zion.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 43A.

          79 CONTINUED: 79
          A MAN and WOMAN cry out with joy at an unexpected reunion.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE PINK Revision - 9-27-07 44.

          79 CONTINUED: (2) 79
          ARKADY LUBCZANSKi approaches Chaya.

          ARKADY
          I don't think we've been properly
          introduced. Arkady Lubczanski.

          CHAYA
          Hello.

          ARKADY
          You are Chaya?

          CHAYA
          ...Yes.

          ARKADY
          You are getting along all right?
          Anything you need? An extra blanket?

          CHAYA
          Oh. Well... Yes, that would be
          nice.

          ARKADY
          You'll have it by tonight. Something
          nice and soft.
          (smiles at her)
          I couldn't help but notice you don't
          have a husband yet.

          CHAYA
          (somewhat taken aback)
          Yet?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 44A.

          79 CONTINUED: (3) 79

          ARKADY
          Most of the woman have already
          chosen. They haven't told you about
          this?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 45.

          79 CONTINUED: (4) 79

          CHAYA
          No. But thank you for explaining
          it.
          She hurries away. Malbin sits down wearily beside Shimon.

          MALBIN
          Descartes at least provided for the
          subjective nature of experience.
          He takes a spoon from his sock.

          SHIMON
          Yes. You annoy me therefore I exist.

          MALBIN
          You are not eating?

          SHIMON
          By my best calculation, today is
          High Holiday. I am fasting.
          Malbin can't believe this. He rolls his eyes and digs in.
          One of the NEWCOMERS has brought a violin. He begins to
          play. A bittersweet melody. People stop talking and listen,
          eyes filling at this reminder of a sweeter, civilized time.
          Ben Zion has left the new arrivals and approached Tuvia.
          He looks grave. Tuvia immediately knows something is wrong.

          TUVIA
          What is it?

          BEN ZION
          The new ones, they are from
          Novagroduk. Your wife--
          Tuvia tenses. Ben Zion hesitates...

          BEN ZION (CONT'D)
          They say...She was killed last week.
          (at a loss)
          I'm sorry.
          Tuvia nods. No outward display of grief. An awkward moment.

          TUVIA
          Thank you for telling me.
          (changes the subject)
          We have to dig a trench around the
          new zemylanka. If it rains I'm
          afraid water will seep in.
          Tuvia clearly cannot deal with his news.

          BEN ZION
          I'll see to it, then.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 46.

          79 CONTINUED: (5) 79
           Tuvia nods and walks away.

           CUT TO:

          80 ARON AND RACHEL WALK THROUGH THE WOODS - CONTINUOUS 80
          Cathedral light cuts through the trees forming visible
          shafts.

          ARON
          Jacob's ladders. Like in his dream.
          Asael says you can see the angels.
          They walk on, eventually coming upon RAILROAD TRACKS. A
          TRAIN is rounding the bend, headed in their direction.

          RACHEL
          Can we stay to watch?

          ARON
          If we hide.
          They move back into the trees as the train NEARS: a slow-
          moving engine pulling a line of WOODEN CATTLE CARS.

          RACHEL
          Is that a Nazi train?

          ARON
          If we had some dynamite we could
          blow the shit out of it.

          RACHEL
          (with undisguised

          AWE)
          ...Just like your brothers.
          Aron can't help but be pleased by this notion.
          Then, as the train passes, they can see HANDS gripping the
          small barred windows. And every now and then a gaunt,
          desperate FACE.
           They stare in astonishment.

           CUT TO:

          81 OMITTED 81

          

          

          

          
          SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 47.

          81A UNDER A SHELTER -- CONTINUOUS 81A
          Tuvia sits alone. Outside, the SOUND of the violin
          continues. Shimon comes to sit beside him.

          SHIMON
          I am sorry for your loss.
          Tuvia nods. He is deep inside himself.

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          Do you want to say the Kaddish?
          When at last Tuvia speaks, it is almost to himself.

          TUVIA
          She was a beautiful woman. But
          cold. Not a day went by she didn't
          remind me I wasn't a good provider.
          For years it wasn't really a marriage
          at all. And now...
          He lowers his head. All Shimon can do is sit beside him.

          82 THE PERIMETER OF THE CAMP - CONTINUOUS 82
          Bella takes Chaya aside.

          BELLA
          You have lipstick? Please, I know
          you have some left.
          Chaya digs in her pocket and produces a tiny remnant. Bella
          dabs it on and casually approaches Zus, who is on guard
          duty.

          BELLA (O.S.) (CONT'D)
          May I join you?

          ZUS
          Of course.

          BELLA
          You get lonely out here?

          ZUS
          I like the woods.
          LAUGHTER and MUSIC waft through the trees.

          BELLA
          I'm a little scared out here.
          Zus knows an opportunity when he sees one. He offers her a
          drink from his bottle of vodka.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 48.

          82 CONTINUED: 82

          BELLA (CONT'D)
          I've never tried it.

          ZUS
          Go ahead.
          She drinks, refuses to grimace. Drinks again. Zus laughs. -
          Bella touches the rifle in his arms.

          BELLA
          Why is there a rule against women
          having guns?

          ZUS
          There aren't enough for the men.

          BELLA
          Women need guns, too.

          ZUS
          What for?

          BELLA
          For protection.

          ZUS
          Women have men for protection.
          Bella bites her lip. She's a virgin but also realistic.

          BELLA
          I want protection.
          She steps closer and takes Zus's hand...under her coat...onto
          her breast...never taking her eyes off him.

          BELLA (CONT'D)
          You will take good care of me? You
          will be my commander.

          83 OMITTED 83

          84 MEANWHILE - DEEP IN THE FOREST 84
          Aron and Rachel are walking back from the train tracks.
          Suddenly he senses movement, freezes:
          ARMED POLICEMEN are advancing through the trees.
          Aron and Rachel bury themselves beneath piles of leaves
          until the police pass by, then he grabs her hand and dashes

          OFF--
          ARON RUNS through the woods like a deer. She follows.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 49.

          85 IN THE CAMP 85
          He bursts in, SCREAMING.

          ARON

          MEN WITH GUNS!
          Chaos.
          People panic, search for family members, grab whatever they
          can carry,
          ZUS AND BELLA emerge from the woods where they have lain
          together for the first time. He grabs his rifle.
          TUVIA tries to maintain order.

          TUVIA

          ONLY FOOD AND GUNS! FOLLOW ASAEL!
          Asael clutches Chaya's hand. Rounding up others.

          ASAEL
          Don't panic. THIS WAY!. GO.

          ZUS

          QUIET! NOT ANOTHER WORD!!!
          THE POLICEMEN begin FIRING. TWO of the group are KILLED.
          Tuvia roughly pushes people deeper into the woods.

          TUVIA
          Lova, Ben Zion -- stay with us.
          Asael, keep them moving. Don't
          stop!
          THE POLICEMEN enter the camp. A submachine gun RAKES a
          shelter. KISSELY has found the escape trail into the woods.

          KISSELY
          This way--

          86 THE FOREST IS DEATHLY STILL 86
          Tuvia and Zus usher the group across the river and up the
          embankment.

          TUVIA
          Go! Go! Move!
          (holding back)
          Isaac, keep them moving! Zus, Asael,
          Ben Zion...
          Tuvia motions for them to take defensive positions while
          the others escape.-
          The policemen emerge hurriedly through the trees and begin
          crossing the river.
          SHOTS rings out. A Policeman goes down. The German Soldier
          is shot in the leg. They are dragged from the water.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 49A.

          86 CONTINUED: 86
          An edgy silence. From the trees a VOICE calls out in Russian--

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 50.

          86 CONTINUED: (2) 86

          VOICE (ZUS)

          LEAVE NOW AND WE WON'T SHOOT THE

          REST OF YOU!

          POLICEMAN

          DON'T BE A FOOL. THERE ARE HUNDREDS

          OF US!

          ZUS

          THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF US! WHO IS

          THE FOOL?
          The policemen exchange apprehensive looks.

          TUVIA

          WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

          POLICEMAN

          KARELITZ!
          The confrontation changes languages.

          BEN ZION

          I'M FROM KARELITZ, TOO. I LIVED BY

          THE SLAUGHTER HOUSE.

          POLICEMAN

          MAYBE I KNOW YOU. SHOW YOURSELF!

          BEN ZION

          YOU FIRST!
          Derisive laughter from the trees.

          POLICEMAN
          Give us Bielski and the rest of you
          can go free!
          Behind a tree, Tuvia is surprised by the mention of his
          name.

          TUVIA
          You are from Belarussia, pig! Why
          do you work for the Germans against
          your own people?

          KISSELY
          For the same reason you steal from
          the poor. To survive.
          ANOTHER SHOT RINGS OUT. Kessely is hit in the arm.

          KISSELY (CONT'D)
          Shit.

          ZUS
          Next one is to the head!

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 51.

          86 CONTINUED: (3) 86

          TUVIA
          Soon it will be dark... See how you
          find your way home then!
          The policemen are having similar thoughts.

          SUDDENLY - A POLICEMAN BREAKS AND RUNS AWAY
          Soon it's a full-scale retreat.

          AFTER A MOMENT
          Tuvia, Zus, Lova & Ben Zion emerge. Zus picks up the dead
          German's machine pistol.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          They'll be back.
          (looks around)
          We have to find a new camp.

          ZUS
          Next time just draw them a map.

          TUVIA
          What does that mean?

          ZUS
          It means -- we should have killed
          the fucking milkman. Your policy
          of diplomacy is shit.
          Zus is breathing hard, full of the adrenaline of battle.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          ...Two are dead. Winter is coming
          and now we have no shelter. Why?
          Because you don't have the stomach
          to do what must be done.
          He walks away.

          CUT TO:

          87 OMITTED 87

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 52.

          88 THE NOVEMBER WIND WHISTLES THROUGH THE BARE FOREST (MONTAGE) 88
          as the group trudges along -- weighed down by cooking gear,
          food, guns, etc. Asael takes the iron cauldron from Chaya.
          Zus and Bella walk side-by-side. Pinchas leads his goat.

          MALBIN
          Where is he taking us? My feet are
          going to fall off.

          SHIMON
          A great rabbi once said, "wherever
          I go, I am always going to the land
          of Israel."

          MALBIN
          Well, maybe rabbis should give better
          directions.
           Tuvia walks alongside but apart.

           CUT TO:

          89 A HILLSIDE 89
          The group is sprawled on the ground. Four people share a
          single cigarette. Shimon and Malbin hardly have the energy
          to argue. Pinchas feeds his goat. Tuvia walks among them.

          TUVIA
          Rest and eat. I need volunteers
          for a scouting party.
          Zus raises his hand. Tuvia nods in grudging gratitude.
          However mixed his feelings, Zus can always be counted on.

          CUT TO:

          90 A FORK IN THE TRAIL 90
          Tuvia looks at Zus, who shrugs. They are in unfamiliar
          territory. As they move cautiously forward:

          A MAN IN A RED ARMY TUNIC
          steps into the path, holding an automatic rifle. He WHISTLES
          softly. More ARMED MEN materialize, surrounding them.

          GRAMOV
          (in Russian; subtitles)

          WHO ARE YOU?
          Tuvia instantly grasps the situation. He salutes.

          TUVIA
          (in Russian; subtitles)
          A brigade of independent fighters
          searching for our comrades.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 52A.

          90 CONTINUED: 90
          Zus almost does a double-take at Tuvia's bluff.

          GRAMOV
          What brigade?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           YELLOW Revision - 7-30-07 53.

          90 CONTINUED: (2) 90

          TUVIA
          We belong to the Bielski otriad.

          GRAMOV
          We know of you. Jewish bandits.
          Zus's finger tightens on the trigger of his submachine gun.

          ZUS
          I'll take the two on the left...
          Tuvia maintains his composure.

          TUVIA
          I'm sure we can clear up this
          misunderstanding with your commander.

          CUT TO:

          91 THE OCTOBER OTRIAD BASE 91
          A primitive tent camp. RUSSIAN PARTISANS move about, quiet
          and cold-eyed men wearing remnants of Red Army uniforms.
          Zus can't help but be impressed by the array of weaponry.
          VICTOR PACHENKO emerges from a tent. A former lieutenant,
          dashing in a fur cap and long officer's coat. He addresses
          them in Russian.

          VIKTOR
          I am Viktor Panchenko, commander of
          the October otriad. We have had
          complaints of a Jewish gang stealing
          from villages loyal to us.
          (a steely look)
          How do you respond to these charges?

          TUVIA
          When you take food it is from loyal
          supporters. When we do, you call
          it stealing.

          VIKTOR
          We are soldiers.

          TUVIA
          And we fight a common enemy. The
          motherland doesn't distinguish
          between Jews and non-Jews.
          Viktor is amused by this bit of Soviet dogma.

          VIKTOR
          But Jews do not fight.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GREEN Revision - 10-14-07 54.

          91 CONTINUED: 91

          TUVIA
          These Jews do.
          Viktor appraises Tuvia for a moment.

          VIKTOR
          We will see. Select your best
          fighters and send them to us.
          Zus looks at Tuvia, knowing he has no choice.

          TUVIA
          We are honored to be of service.
          Tuvia and Zus SALUTE and head back the way they came.

          ZUS
          (under his breath)
          So we're partisans now.

          TUVIA
          As if we have a choice.

          CUT TO:

          91A NEW CAMP (CAMP #2) 91A
          Has taken root. People hard at work building zemylanka.

          92 THE NEW CAMP (CAMP #2) 92
          Tuvia and Malbin are working together on a new bunker.
          Malbin expertly nails a header across a doorway.

          TUVIA
          (throwing a smaller

          HAMMER)
          Here.

          MALBIN
          If my friends at The New Socialists'
          Club could see me now...
          (shakes his head)
          I haven't read a book in months.

          TUVIA
          I haven't read one in years.
          Malbin looks up from his work.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          I wasn't a very good student. You
          can ask Shimon.

          MALBIN
          .I did.
          Tuvia laughs ruefully. Considers him for a moment.

          TUVIA
          Yet you accept me as Commander.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GOLDENROD Revision - 10-21-07 55.

          92 CONTINUED: 92
          Malbin thinks about it for a moment.

          MALBIN
          Who else?
          Tuvia nods. Good point. They continue working.

          MALBIN (CONT'D)
          Might I make an observation?
          Tuvia gestures, go ahead.

          MALBIN (CONT'D)
          We need to be strong, but--

          TUVIA
          ...But--?

          MALBIN
          Other things are important, too.

          TUVIA
          Such as?
          Malbin tries to think how best to put it.

          MALBIN
          Community.
          Tuvia considers the word. As if trying it on for size.

          TUVIA
          You have more ideas? About all
          this?

          MALBIN
          ...A few.

          TUVIA
          I'm listening...

          93 MEANWHILE, THE WOMEN WATCH AS ASAEL LEADS IN NEW ARRIVALS 93

          BELLA
          More mouths to feed.

          RONA
          More young bodies to keep us warm.
          One ot them, a young man, YITZHAK SHULMAN, RIPS the yellow
          Star-of-David off his coat and kneels to KISS THE GROUND.

          SHULMAN
          Which one is Tuvia Bielski?
          Someone points Tuvia out. Shulman hurries over and kisses
          Tuvia's hand. Zus is drinking nearby with his cronies.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GOLDENROD Revision - 10-21-07 55A.

          93 CONTINUED: 93

          SHULMAN (CONT'D)
          None of us knew if you really
          existed. I am from Baranowicze.
          They are going to liquidate the
          ghetto.
          Chaya bursts into tears. Asael puts his arm around her.

          CHAYA
          My parents--
          Zus catches Tuvia's glance to Malbin. Tuvia turns back to
          Shulman.

          TUVIA
          We'll do what we can.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GOLDENROD Revision - 10-21-07 56.

          93 CONTINUED: (2) 93
          Shulman tries to kiss Tuvia's hand once again, but Tuvia
          takes his hand, instead, and shakes it.
          CHAYA looks deeply into Asael's eyes.

          CHAYA
          You will help my parents?

          ASAEL

          I...I...

          CHAYA
          I've seen you looking at me. If
          you were to rescue them, I would
          do... anything...you--
          Asael is completely undone by the starkness of this.

          ASAEL
          No. I mean, yes. All right.

          94 ZUS CATCHES UP TO TUVIA 94
          and grabs him as he walks away. Their hushed tones belie
          the growing chasm between them.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GREEN Revision - 8-8-07 57.

          94 CONTINUED: 94

          ZUS
          And what exactly does that mean,
          'do what we can.'

          TUVIA
          We must send for whoever is left
          alive.

          ZUS
          And if it is a hundred? Six hundred?

          TUVIA
          Then we will provide.

          ZUS
          And when the Germans follow these
          hundreds and slaughter us.

          TUVIA
          I won't let that happen.
          Tuvia exchanges a glance with Malbin. Zus catches it. He
          has sensed Malbin's growing influence.

          ZUS
          You won't let that happen.

          TUVIA
          No. I'll bring them out myself.

          ZUS
          From the ghetto.

          TUVIA
          Yes.

          ZUS
          Pan Tuvia. Rabbi Tuvia. Allow me
          to kiss your hand...
          Tuvia tries to pull his hand away, but Zus holds him.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          You think Pachenko wants hundreds
          more of us in the forest?

          TUVIA
          I cannot have you contradicting
          me... Not when others are around.
          (looks around)
          Our family must stick together.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           TAN Revision - 9-10-07 58.

          94 CONTINUED: (2) 94

          ZUS
          And who is it that's risking our
          family, and for what? For the sake
          of these--
          (gestures at the new

          ARRIVALS)
          --Malbushim.

          TUVIA
          Don't call them that.

          ZUS
          That's who comes to us from the
          ghetto. Empty clothes.
          Bloodsuckers.

          TUVIA
          They are people. Jews.

          ZUS
          Pretentious Jews. Jews who stuck
          up their noses and wouldn't give us
          the time of day when we passed them
          on the street. Jews who went out
          of their way to keep their daughters
          locked away from our dirty hands.

          (SAVAGELY)
          You think your old teacher will
          give you a good grade because you
          saved his worthless ass! They accept
          you as their leader only because
          they are too weak and full of shit
          to help themselves.

          TUVIA
          --What about Bella?
          Tuvia looks over at Bella, who is anxiously watching.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          --You think she'd be with you if it
          wasn't for what is happening here?
          Zus glares at him, but tries to control himself.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          --Is it love Zus?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE SALMON Revision - 10-21-07 59.

          94 CONTINUED: (3) 94
          Zus is sick of talk. He PUNCHES Tuvia in the face. Tuvia
          is rocked but still he goads his brother.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          You are the man of her dreams? The
          Romeo of Novagrudok?
          Zus can't take anymore. He charges Tuvia, who sidesteps
          and SLAMS him in the gut. All the frustration of the past
          months, not to mention years of sibling rivalry, translates
          into fists and elbows.
          Ben Zion moves to break it up. Tuvia and Zus turn on him.

          ZUS
          Is this your business?
          Zus gains the upper hand and starts to beat the crap put of
          Tuvia. Finally, in desperation Tuvia rolls away and picks
          up a rock. He is about to slam it into his brother's head
          when suddenly he stops himself.
          The two brothers look at each other, both breathing heavily --
          realizing that they have crossed some line.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          (calls out)
          Ben Zion. Krensky. Lova. Israel.
          Let's go.
          (to Tuvia)
          We are going to join the real
          partisans.
          He looks at Asael.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Are you coming?
          Asael looks at one brother, then the other. Once again, he
          is in the middle. He looks at Chaya, then back at Zus.

          ASAEL
          No.

          ZUS
          Good. I'll dance at your wedding.
          He stops by Bella's side, touches her arm, then disappears
          down the trail. The others follow.

          CUT TO:

          95 THE OUTSKIRTS OF NOVOGRUDOK 95
          Tuvia and Asael feel naked outside the safety of the forest.
          In the distance the city looms.

          95A THE STREETS OF NOVOGRUDOK 95A
          Tuvia and Asael pass by the barbed wire and machine-guns of
          the guards and dogs manning the barrier to the ghetto.

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 59A.

          96 THE WALLS OF THE NOVOGRUDOK GHETTO 96
          Tuvia and Asael climb over a dilapidated wall.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 60.

          97 THE DESERTED STREETS OF THE GHETTO 97
          People peer out from behind shuttered windows. Others hurry
          to get off the street. Tuvia consults a hand-drawn map.

          TUVIA
          This way.

          98 OMITTED 98

           98A EXT. FOREST - DAY 98A

          Zus, Lova and Ben Zion march alongside the Russians
          Partisans.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 61.

          99 AN APARTMENT IN THE GHETTO - DAY 99
          that might once have been home to a family-of-four now HOUSES
          fifteen. Tuvia and Asael are deep in conversation with
          several ELDERS of the ghetto Council

          ELDER #1
          We are not so naive as to believe
          they won't kill some of us. But
          all the Jews? It makes no sense.
          They need us to work. In the
          factories. The labor camps.
          Tuvia notices A PRETTY GIRL standing on a chair in order to
          hear. Her name is LILKA and we will soon come to know her.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           YELLOW Revision - 7-30-07 62.

          99 CONTINUED: 99

          TUVIA
          There are rumors. Of death camps.

          ELDER #1
          We too have heard of such places.
          But have you seen them yourself?
          Can you tell me, with absolute
          certainty, that we are not just as
          likely to die out there with you in
          the woods with Winter coming on...?
          Someone WHISTLES from the street below. A tense moment.
          Another whistle. All clear.

          ELDER #1 (CONT'D)
          --Do you think we haven't all
          considered running away? For every
          one that leaves they kill twenty.
          How can I sacrifice thousands for
          the sake of a few?"
          Tuvia looks at them, rubbing his face in concentration.

          TUVIA
          What if we were to take all of you?

          ELDER #1
          The old, the sick? There are
          thousands. How will we live?

          TUVIA
          We will protect you. We have made
          alliances with the Russian Partisans.

          ELDER #1
          They are as bad as the Nazi's. You
          are too young to know the pogroms--

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GREEN Revision - 10-14-07 63-63A.

          99 CONTINUED: (2) 99
          Tuvia SLAMS HIS FIST on a table.

          TUVIA
          YOU WANT TIME? Fine, I give you a
          day. A month. Maybe a year. To
          live!
          (to an older couple)
          Your daughter is out there with us.
          (to another woman)
          Your husband is waiting for you.
          An old orthodox RABBI stands nearby.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Rabbi?

          RABBI
          We...are waiting for God.
          Tuvia looks at him in disbelief. Such madness is
          incontrovertible. A suspended moment.

          LILKA
          I am going.
          This breaks the log jam. Several others join in, "We are
          coming," "Us, too," etc. Tuvia nods his acknowledgment.

          CUT TO:

          100 A COURTYARD IN THE NOVOGRUDOK GHETTO - NIGHT 100
          A crude tunnel has been dug through a ghetto wall. PEOPLE
          squeeze through into the adjoining alley. Behind them, a
          hundred more await their turn.
          Out in the alley, Asael stops them momentarily as a car
          goes by at the end of the street, then gives the all-clear.
          Tuvia takes Lilka' hand and helps her pass through. Their
          eyes meet for just a moment.

          CUT TO:

          100A OMITTED 100A

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GOLDENROD Revision - 10-21-07 63B-63C.

          101 THE FOREST CAMP 101
          The new ARRIVALS file in. Men wear citified coats and some
          women have furs. They eye the veterans, thinking, 'how
          dirty they are'; the veterans eye them warily, wondering,
          'How will we feed them?'
          A handmade sign reads, "New Jerusalem." Chaya is re-united
          with her parents. She holds Asael's arm and looks up at
          him with absolute rapture. She is his.
          Malbin is collecting valuables. One WELL-DRESSED WOMAN is
          reluctant to part with her jewelry.

          WELL-DRESSED WOMAN
          But they were my grandmother's...

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 64.

          101 CONTINUED: (2) 101

          MALBIN
          And now they belong to the otriad.
          Everyone sacrifices for the sake of
          the collective. We can trade these
          for food or weapons. Next...
          Nearby, Shimon is INTERVIEWING another line of arrivals.

          SHIMON
          --How about carpenters? Any
          bootmakers? Seamstresses?

          ARRIVAL #1
          I am an accountant.

          SHIMON

          (DEADPAN)
          That should come in handy. Next...

          RIVA
          I am a nurse.

          SHIMON
          Ahhh...welcome. And you, tateh?
          OPPENHEIM is an old man with thick glasses.

          OPPENHEIM
          I am a watchmaker.
          Tuvia has walked over to observe.

          TUVIA
          Can you repair guns?

          OPPENHEIM
          Guns? No.

          TUVIA
          (hands him a rifle)
          See if you can fix this trigger.
          Oppenheim slips on a pair of spectacles and studies the
          mechanism. It sticks. He digs into his pocket and produces
          a small file and expertly begins to shave the metal spur.
          He tests it, then hands it back to Tuvia, who CLICKS the
          trigger.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          You have a new profession.
          A murmur of appreciation ripples through the group as Shulman
          appears -- leading A MAGNIFICENT WHITE HORSE.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GOLDENROD Revision - 10-21-07 65.

          101 CONTINUED: (3) 101

          SHULMAN
          Look what we found running free.
          Must have belonged to an aristocrat.

          TUVIA
          My God, she's beautiful.
          (strokes her flanks)
          May I?
          He mounts her easily, urges her around the perimeter,
          greeting the new arrivals. Heads turn as he trots past.
          He is the center of attention, and he knows it. And likes
          it.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Friends, we are happy to see you
          safely among us. But there are
          many things you must learn about
          living here...
          All attention turns to him. The Lubczanski brothers grumble
          to each other, none too pleased with Tuvia's show-boating.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Once you are settled, you'll be
          assigned work duties. Everyone
          works, no exceptions.

          101A INTERCUT IMAGES 101A
          Of people being introduced to various tasks: shoemaking,
          sewing, cooking. Asael teaching them to use guns.

          TUVIA
          We will help supply the Russian
          Partisans by making clothes,
          repairing guns.

          101B BACK TO TUVIA ON HORSEBACK 101B
          Malbin catches his eye and winks -- clearly this has been
          part of their "strategy" discussions.

          TUVIA
          Women will learn to use weapons and
          fight alongside men.
          Tuvia takes a rifle from Asael and holds it aloft.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          This is not a gun. It is Bar
          Kochba's spear. It is Ehud's sword.
          You will all learn to protect
          yourselves.
          A LITTLE BOY holds Lilka's hand and looks up at Tuvia in
          wonder. He cuts an iconic figure.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GOLDENROD Revision - 10-21-07 65A.

          101B CONTINUED: 101B

           LITTLE BOY
           (to Lilka)
           He is a Jew?
          Lilka is equally struck -- although there is something more
          than wonder in her regard. She nods.

          TUVU
          Pregnancies are forbidden. We cannot
          accommodate an infant's needs. Our
          bunkers are overcrowded so you will
          have to build new ones.
          He looks out over the sea of expectant faces.

          TUVIA

          (CONTINUING)
          ...This is the one place in all of
          Belorussia where a Jew can be free.
          (looks out over them)
          We will make again, here in this
          forest, the life that was taken
          from you. We welcome you into our
          community.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 66.

          101C LATER - TUVIA IS WALKING HIS HORSE BESIDE THE RIVER 101C
          when Riva stops him.

          RIVA
          You are Tuvia Bielski? You are
          really him?
          (Tuvia nods

          TENTATIVELY)
          You are a hero. A Maccabee.
          She vigorously shakes Tuvia's hand and walks away. Tuvia
          catches his reflection in the water. And likes it.

          102 THE CAMP AT DAWN - TO ESTABLISH 102

          102A IN AN UNDERGROUND BUNKER - DAWN 102A
          Lilka awakens to find TEN WOMEN wedged in beside her --
          back to front -- like spoons.
          Idly, she begins to ITCH her scalp. Then her leg. In the
          pale morning light she sees that she is crawling with lice.
          She SCREAMS. The women around her wake up, terrified.

          LILKA
          Get them off! Get them off me!

          CHAYA
          What? Where?

          LILKA

          EVERYWHERE! OH, MY GOD, OH, MY

          GOD...

          RIVA
          Lice need somewhere to sleep, too.
          The others LAUGH, but Lilka is on the verge of hysteria.
          She stumbles out, stepping on several others as she goes.

          102B OUTSIDE THE BUNKER 102B
          Crying, she tears at her clothes -- only to discover Tuvia
          and OTHERS staring at her with interest. She is mortified.

          102C LATER THAT DAY 102C
          THE WOMEN wash clothes in the stream. Lilka is by the
          riverbank, scrubbing furiously. Tamara works beside her.

          TAMARA
          You get rid of them quicker if you
          boil them.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
          CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 66A.

          102C CONTINUED: 102C
          Lilka is grateful for this bit of camp wisdom.

          BELLA
          Tamara, come on in, it's freezing
          and slimy and horrible.
          Tamara shakes her head, no.

          RIVA
          So modest...

          BELLA
          ... So last night I dreamed I was
          taking a real bath. With hot water.

          RACHEL
          And soap.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           YELLOW Revision - 7-30-07 66B.

          102C CONTINUED: (2) 102C

          RIVA
          And bubbles.

          CHAYA
          Oh, take me to that dream!

          RIVA
          I was dreaming of shoes...

          CHAYA
          Shoes, Riva?

          RIVA
          There was a man in a shop on Grudek
          street... and the way he caressed
          my feet when I tried on his shoes...
          Riva swoons. The women burst into ribald laughter. The
          SOUND of a horse. They look to the opposite bank where:
          TUVIA RIDES BY on his horse. Lilka can't help but stare.

          BELLA
          Doesn't take a fortune teller to
          know what Lilka's dreaming about...
           Lilka blushes furiously. The women laugh even louder.

           CUT TO:

          103 A FLAT STRETCH OF TRAIN TRACK 103
          Gramov shows Zus how to plant a disk-like CONTACT MINE.

          GRAMOV
          --buried underneath with this

          DETONATOR--
          (indicates a finger-
          like protrusion)
          --almost touching the rail. As the
          train passes, its weight causes
          pressure on the detonator, and then--
          (very loud; in English)

          BOOM!
          Zus falls over, startled. Gramov laughs. Partisan humor.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE YELLOW Revision - 10-8-07 67.

          104 FOREST CAMP #2 104
          Chaya is on kitchen detail with Tamara.

          TAMARA
          Yesterday, potatoes with beets,
          Today, beets with potatoes. Special
          treat tomorrow...potato soup. With
          beets.
          Not far away, Arkady and several others have created a
          primitive still -- turning potatoes into vodka.

          ARKADY
          We love potatoes, don't we, boys!
          Here, put some hair on your chest!
          They give Aron his first taste.

          NEARBY
          Bella is walking, arm in arm, with Asael.

          BELLA
          So...a little bird told me that a
          certain someone is waiting...for
          another certain someone to ask a
          certain question... Go on...
          She indicates Chaya by wiggling her eyebrows in her
          direction. Asael shakes his head but heads in that
          direction.

          104A NEARBY 104A
          Asael "happens" to bump into Chaya.

          ASAEL
          Hello, Chaya.

          CHAYA
          Hello, Asael.

          ASAEL
          May...I help you?

          CHAYA
          Wash clothes? I... don't think so.
          An awkward moment as he stands there watching her.

          ASAEL
          Chaya... I...was...wondering...if...
          maybe...you...I mean... you and I--

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GREEN Revision - 10-14-07 67A.

          104A CONTINUED: 104A

          CHAYA
          I accept.

          ASAEL
          You do?

          CHAYA
          I do.

          104B ANOTHER DAY 104B
          Asael and Chaya are getting married. A LIGHT SNOW is falling
          as they say repeat their vows as Shimon instructs. Their
          breath condenses in the cold.

          ASAEL
          Behold thou art consecrated unto me
          by this ring according to the Laws
          of Moses and Israel.
          But rather than a ring, Asael gives her a shiny new rifle.
          As the ceremony continues, we:

          104C INTERCUT: A TREE LINE OVERLOOKING A MUDDY ROAD 104C
          Zus, Ben Zion and several BIELSKI FIGHTERS hide alongside
          TEN RUSSIAN PARTISANS as a GERMAN TROOP TRUCK approaches.
          Pachenko watches as Zus follows the approaching truck through
          binoculars, then cocks the heavy machine gun.
          The truck SLOWS TO A CRAWL as it encounters an overturned
          PEASANT CART blocking the road.

          104D BACK TO THE WEDDING 104D
          As Asael kisses the bride, Tuvia is staring not at the
          newlyweds but rather at Lilka, who has washed and let down
          her hair. She glances up and meets his eye, then looks
          away.
          As Asael crushes the traditional glass underfoot:

          104E ZUS OPENS FIRE. 104E
          The driver SLUMPS over the wheel and the truck careens lazily
          off the road.
          GERMAN SOLDIERS spill out, blindly returning fire as Zus's
          fighters SWARM down the hill. Several are HIT right away.

          104F INTERCUT: THE GROWING ECSTASY OF THE WEDDING CELEBRATION 104F

          WITH THE FRENZY OF BATTLE.
          People dance and sing, their joy juxtaposed with the
          murderous intensity of the firefight, their twirling
          movements a cracked mirror of the death agonies of fighters
          of both sides as they are hit and fall.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE SALMON Revision - 10-21-07 67B.

          104F CONTINUED: 104F
          Some of the inexperienced Jewish fighters freeze, some fire
          their weapons blindly. Ben Zion does well. ZUS RUNS AMONG
          THEM, fiercely EXHORTING them to attack.

          ZUS
          Get up! Move! SHOOT OR I'LL SHOOT

          YOU...

          FROM A VANTAGE POINT IN THE ROCKS
          Viktor watches, heartened by Zus' natural aggression.
          GERMAN SOLDIERS TAKE COVER behind the overturned truck
          effectively RETURNING FIRE. Several partisans are KILLED.
          ZUS PULLS A POTATO MASHER GRENADE from his belt and RUNS AT
          THE TRUCK in a mad headlong assault.

          ZUS (CONT'D)

          ARRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
          He ROLLS THE GRENADE under the truck and dives away as it
          EXPLODES. The remaining Germans RAISE THEIR HANDS.
          CHEERING PARTISANS leap into the truck, capturing an arsenal
          of rifles and ammo. THE JEWISH FIGHTERS join in the looting.
          Boots, coats, blankets, etc.
          Zus approaches the wounded and captured German prisoners,
          kneeling in surrender, hands behind their necks.
          Without hesitation, he shoots them, point-blank, one after
          another.
          VIKTOR approaches Zus, who salutes.

          VIKTOR
          You are related to Bielski?

          ZUS
          I am a Bielski, too.
          Viktor looks at him appraisingly.

          VIKTOR
          Indeed.
          He walks away. Zus has found a home.

          104G LATER - THE OTRIAD SINGS AND DANCES ON 104G
           as SNOW continues to fall. The young marriage is a
           celebration of hope over despair.

           DISSOLVE TO:

          105 OMITTED 105

          AND AND

          106 106

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE SALMON Revision - 10-21-07 68.

          107 OMITTED 107

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE SALMON Revision - 10-21-07 69.

          108 OMITTED 108

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 70.

          109 THE RUSSIAN WINTER (MONTAGE- MUSIC OVER) 109
          SNOW covers the camp. A driving wind. Bundled in scarves,
          overcoats and as many layers as they can wear, Bella and
          Chaya break ice in a pot. Tamara takes FROZEN LAUNDRY from
          a line.
          In a bunker, Malbin and Shimon shiver under a shared blanket.
          Women and children stare blankly into space.
          Riva unwraps rags from a man's foot and examines his toes,
          BLACK with frostbite.
          Asael and Tuvia are making their rounds. They pass Aron
          and Rachel who have built a snowman which they top off by
          adding a German helmet with a bullet hole in it.

          109A IN A STORAGE AREA 109A
          Asael shows Tuvia the last few potatoes.

          ASAEL
          There is talk of returning to the 
          ghetto.

          TUVIA
          Madness.

          ASAEL
          They've barely eaten in days. Even
          when our food missions manage to
          get through, there are armed patrols.
          Farmers who once helped us now guard
          their barns with shotguns.
          Tuvia considers for a moment.

          TUVIA
          Send out more missions. And bring
          shotguns.
          Tuvia sets off. In every face he passes, there's misery
          and accusation in the shivering bodies and trembling blue
          lips. Children stare at him with sunken, haunted eyes.

          109AA A MAKESHIFT STABLE 109AA
           Tuvia visits his beautiful horse. He unties him.

          109AB LATER - IN THE FOOD LINE 109AB
           A whisper runs through the group..."meat"..."what kind?"..."
           Where'd it come from?"
           Tuvia watches them eat hungrily.

          109B OMITTED 109B

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE SALMON Revision - 10-21-07 71.

          109C OMITTED 109C

          AND AND

          109D 109D

          109E A STABLE - NIGHT 109E
          Snow falling outside. Several partisans are singing. Zus
          is drinking heavily with Viktor; they take pinches of salt
          with each swallow. Viktor finishes a bottle, tosses it.

          VIKTOR
          Another dead soldier!
          Zus looks at him, bleary-eyed, confused. Viktor explains:

          VIKTOR (CONT'D)
          More dead soldiers than empty
          bottles.

          ZUS
          (slurring his words)
          That is so...Russian.
          He cracks open another bottle and takes a big slug.

          VIKTOR
          At least you drink like one.

          ZUS
          'A Jew can't drink, a Jew can't
          fight.' What is it we are good at,
          Viktor? Dying. That is what we
          are good at.

          VIKTOR
          So tell me about this brother of
          yours...

          ZUS
          .Asael?

          VIKTOR
          You are such an idiot.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 71A.

          109E CONTINUED: 109E

          ZUS
          I know who you mean... The Great
          Tuvia Bielski. Savior of the Jews
          and all around Big Shit.

          VIKTOR
          You compete with him.

          ZUS
          He competes with me.

          VIKTOR
          My older brother and I have the
          same relationship.

          ZUS
          He is a Big Shit also?

          VIKTOR
          A soldier.
          (a long moment)
          He was killed in the first hour of
          the German invasion.
          This sobers them up a bit.

          109F IN THE ZEMYLANKA 109F
          LILKA is shivering, her eyes inward and unfocused.

          TUVIA
          Lilka?

          LILKA
          Sorry, Tuvia. I was...thinking.
          It's nothing.
          He looks at her intently, knowing there's more.

          LILKA (CONT'D)
          ...Every time new people come into
          camp, I keep hoping... even though,
          I know...
          (her teeth are

          CHATTERING)
          ...I'm sorry.

          TUVIA
          Everyone here has lost someone.
          She looks up at him, helpless to be so revealed.

          LILKA
          You too?

          TUVIA
          (a small nod)
          Here...
          He takes off his wool coat and puts it around her shoulders.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GOLDENROD Revision - 10-21-07 71B.

          109F CONTINUED: 109F

          LILKA
          No. Today I go on my first food
          mission.
          Tuvia's order has consigned her to this dangerous duty.

          TUVIA
          I will have Asael send someone else.

          LILKA
          No. I must go now. I want to go.
          She is clearly scared but desperate not to show it. He
          reaches into his belt and hands her a revolver.

          TUVIA
          You know how to use this?
          She nods. Leaving, she passes the Lubczanski brothers, who
          are on their way in.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE SALMON Revision - 10-21-07 72.

          110 ON MOTL AND ARKADY 110

          MOTL LUBCZANSKI
          She is a tasty one, your aristocrat.

          TUVIA
          She is not my aristocrat.

          ARKADY LUBCZANSKI
          No? We were told, 'hands off,'
          property of the Commander.
          Tuvia just stares, daring him to continue.

          111 LATER THAT DAY 111
          Tuvia walks past the now-empty stable heading into the woods.
          A voice calls out of the misty snow.

          VOICE

          HALT! WHO GOES THERE--!

          TUVIA
          Lazar. I am coming from camp. The
          danger is from those coming to camp.

          LAZAR

          (SHEEPISH)
          Sorry, Tuvia...

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 73.

          111 CONTINUED: 111

          TUVIA
          No sign of the food mission?

          LAZAR
          Not yet.
          Tuvia looks anxiously into the deep woods.

          111A MEANWHILE - DEEP IN THE WOODS 111A
          Lilka and Shulman are walking backwards, retracing their
          steps to obscure their footprints in the drifting snow.

          SHULMAN
          We mustn't have any tracks leading
          back to base.
          He loads two sacks of food onto her shoulders.

          SHULMAN (CONT'D)
          Stay on this side of the creek until
          you reach the river then up the
          hill.
          (points the way)
          I'll wait here for the others.
          She nods and trudges on toward camp through waist-deep snow.

          112 BACK IN CAMP - OUTSIDE A MAKESHIFT INFIRMARY 112
          As they head toward a zemylanka, Riva is briefing Tuvia on
          the sick. Every now and then, he glances toward the woods.

          RIVA
          --several cases of pneumonia...
          Also I'm beginning to see signs of
          scurvy. No one's had a vegetable
          in weeks.

          LAZAR
          Tuvia!
          Lazar is dragging a WOUNDED MAN back into camp.

          RIVA 
          Bring him to the infirmary.
          Tuvia glances back toward the woods. Looks at his watch.

          RIVA (CONT'D)
          ...Shulman will look after her.
          He looks up. She looks at him sympathetically. Apparently
           his interest in Lilka isn' quite as secret as he imagines. 

          112A BACK TO THE WOODS 112A
          Exhausted, cold and alone, Lilka is becoming increasingly
          disoriented in a snowy landscape where every tree looks

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE SALMON Revision - 10-21-07 73A.

          112A CONTINUED: 112A
          alike. She turns in a circle, trying to decide which way
          to go.
          A MANGY DOG appears out of nowhere, its coat matted, its
          ribs showing, a wild look in its eye. It GROWLS ferociously.

          LILKA
          Shoo-- Shoo--

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 74.

          112A CONTINUED: (2) 112A
          But the dog, as ravenous as she, smells the food and won't
          back down. It inches forward, FOAMING at the mouth.
          Lilka tries to step back but the dog LUNGES, snapping its
          jaws. It's terrifying. She looks desperately for help.
          Suddenly the dog LEAPS at her. She turns away and it rips
          a sack from her shoulder, knocking her down. Viciously it
          begins tearing the sack apart in search of the food within.
          A SHOT RINGS OUT. The dog drops.
          Lilka holds the smoking gun in two hands. Grimly, she pockets
          the weapon, picks up the sack of food, and starts off.
          Reconsidering, she walks back and hoists the dead dog onto
          her shoulder, too. More food.

          112B IN THE INFIRMARY 112B
          Riva bandages Edjelman's head. Tuvia looks at all the sick.

          TUVIA
          What's wrong with them all?

          RIVA
          If it's typhus we're in trouble.
          The lice are carriers.

          ASAEL
          The partisans have ampicillin. But
          they say they need it for themselves.
          In the background Lilka enters, face scratched, blood smeared
          hands and arms -- like some kind of primitive huntress.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          (sees he is distracted)
          Tuvia...

          TUVIA
          Medicine for typhus. I heard you.
          I'll go see Viktor right away.
          On his way out, he passes Lilka, who is being looked after.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Are you all right?

          LILKA
          Fine.
          (handing him the gun)
          Thank you.
          Tuvia can clearly see that she is shaken -- but he has no
          time to ask more. He has to find out about the medicine.

          TUVIA
          I must go.

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 75.

          113 THE PARTISAN ENCAMPMENT (TO ESTABLISH SNOW) 113

          114 INSIDE A TENT 114
          Viktor, Gramov and Zus are poring over a map of the area.

          VIKTOR
          --and every time we try to move,
          they radio back to police HQ which
          houses the transmitter...here.

          ZUS
          --So we attack the transmitter.

          VIKTOR
          Yes, yes, my Hebrew warrior. Except
          for the troops in Stankiewcze and
          the machine guns out front.
          THE TENT FLAP OPENS. Tuvia enters. He has developed a cough.

          VIKTOR (CONT'D)
          Two Bielski's in one room! To what
          do we owe this honor?

          TUVIA
          We have sickness. I need ampicillin.

          VIKTOR
          This medicine is reserved for
          fighters.

          TUVIA
          If typhus breaks out in our camp,
          it may spread to yours.

          VIKTOR
          I will have to take that chance.
          Zus looks from one immovable force to the other.

          TUVIA
          I must insist. Comrade.

          VIKTOR
          You'd better not.
          Zus is watching this dick-measuring with keen interest.

          ZUS
          There would be medicine in the police
          headquarters at Stankiewcze, yes?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           BLUE Revision - 6-26-07 76.

          114 CONTINUED: 114
          He looks to Gramov, who looks to Viktor, who nods.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Tuvia and I grew up there.
          (looks at Tuvia)
          Perhaps the Bielski otriad will
          volunteer to take out the
          transmitter.
          Viktor looks from Zus to Tuvia.

          TUVIA
          Of course.
          Zus grabs his submachine gun.

          ZUS
           Krensky, Ben Zion. Let's go.

           CUT TO:

          115 THE TOWN OF STAKIEWICZE 115
          is quiet at midnight on this snowy evening.

          116 IN A BACK ALLEY 116
          Tuvia and Zus sit in the cab of an old truck, its exhaust
          sending plumes of condensation into the freezing night.

          ZUS
          Well...
          He looks into the back where the others wait, anxiously
          clutching their weapons. Tuvia tries to hold back a cough.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Stay with the truck. And make sure
          it's in gear when we get back.

          TUVIA
          I'm going in with you.

          ZUS
          I give the orders tonight.
          Across the square, the police station looms.

          TUVIA
          You don't have to do this.

          ZUS
          I don't?
          (a bitter laugh)
          What about the typhus?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           PINK Revision - 7-18-07 77.

          116 CONTINUED: 116

          TUVIA
          So more die. They will anyway.
          A grim smile from Zus. Tuvia is broken up inside.

          ZUS
          I have been given this mission by
          my superior officer.
          He starts to get out the cab. Tuvia reaches into his pocket,
          takes out the mezuzah that once blessed their parents' home.

          TUVIA
          Zus...
          (hands him the mezuzah)
          For luck.
          Zuz pockets it and joins the others creeping into the
          shadows.
          But rather than follow them into the police station, we
          HOLD on Tuvia's face. Suddenly we HEAR The sound of gunfire.
          Then nothing. Ten seconds. More gunfire. Twenty. It is
          excruciating. Thirty. The longest CLOSE-UP in film history.

          117 INTERCUT - FLASHES OF WHAT IS HAPPENING INSIDE... 117
          Ben Zion bursts in and opens fire, killing two policemen.
          Krensky jumps the counter and smashes the transmitter.
          A policeman appears behind them on the stairs and shoots
          Krensky in the back. Ben Zion whirls and kills him.

          117A TUVIA WANTS TO HELP. HE PULLS HIS GUN, UNLOCKS THE DOOR. 117A

          OPENS IT. STOPS. HE HAS PROMISED TO WAIT WITH THE TRUCK.
          Zus, meanwhile, rummages cabinets, looking for ampicillin.

          BEN ZION
          Let's GO!
          In the back room, Zus keeps rummaging. A window EXPLODES.
          Ben Zion is hit. Mortally wounded, he sinks to his knees,
          returning fire as Zus reappears.

          118 TUVIA WATCHES 118
          as Zus bursts out the door. He races to the truck and
          struggles into the passenger seat, BLEEDING FROM HIS

          SHOULDER.

          ZUS
          Go. GO!

          TUVIA
          What about the others?!

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           PINK Revision - 7-18-07 77A.

          118 CONTINUED: 118

          ZUS

          GO, DAMN YOU!

          119 IN THE TRUCK (TRAVELING) 119
          From his coat Zus takes out a BLOOD-SOAKED PACKAGE.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 78.

          119 CONTINUED: 119

          ZUS
          Medicine.

          TUVIA
          The others?

          ZUS
          Fighters die so that malbushim may
          live, that's what you believe, yes?
          Tuvia absorbs the accusation as if taking a punch.

          TUVIA
          So you're a communist now, Zus?
          Zus lays his head back on the seat, closes his eyes.

          ZUS
          Communist, Zionist, Manicurist,
          what difference does it make? You
          got your medicine.

          TUVIA
          Come back to us.
          Zus won't look at him.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          You are my brother.

          ZUS
          So you remember.

          CUT TO:

          120 A MOURNER'S CIRCLE IN THE TREES 120
          for Ben Zion and Krensky. Shimon addresses the group.

          SHIMON
          Merciful God, we commit our friends
          Ben Zion and Krensky to your care.
          We have no more prayers, no more
          tears. We have run out of blood.
          Choose another people
          We PAN PAST the familiar faces.

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          We have paid for each of your
          Commandments. We have covered every
          field and stone with ashes. Sanctify
          another land.
          (looks at them)
          Choose another people. Teach them
          the Deeds and the Prophecies. Grant
          us but one more blessing -- Take
          back the gift of our holiness.

          

          

          

          
           YELLOW Revision - 7-30-07 79.

          121 IN A ZEMYLANKA - LATER THAT DAY 121
          Tuvia is still drinking heavily. He is COUGHING STEADILY,
          his face sweaty with fever.
          The SOUND of angry voices from outside the bunker.

          122 OUTSIDE - IN THE FOOD LINE 122
          Arkady Lubczanski has pulled a knife on Asael, who backs
          away, STUMBLING into a group of bystanders.

          ARKADY
          Next time, I cut off your nose,
          pisher.
          Tuvia emerges from his bunker. He is weaving a bit and his
          words are slurred.

          TUVIA
          Whassa problem, Arkady?

          ARKADY
          Those who risk their lives to bring
          back food deserve a larger portion
          than those who risk nothing.

          ASAEL
          Everyone gets the same portion.

          ARKADY
          Not when you're serving, pisher. I
          see you digging to the bottom of
          the pot for your little forest cutie
          and her parents...

          ASAEL
          She is my wife!

          TUVIA
          Policy is...Same for all. If someone
          is stealing he'll face consequences.
          Asael is astonished that Tuvia would go against him in public
          and embarrassed by his public drunkenness.

          ASAEL
          What consequences?
          Others are closely watching this test of Tuvia's authority.

          TUVIA
          Reduced rations for one week.
          (a beat)
          Both of you.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 80.

          122 CONTINUED: 122

           ARKADY

           WHAT?!

          TUVIA
          (in his face)

          ARE YOU QUESTIONING MY DECISION?
          Arkady is tempted to take him on. But he backs down.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          (raises his voice)
          This matter is settled. Everybody
          back in line.
          People are staring at him.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)

          WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT? BACK IN

          LINE!
          His eyes meet Lilka's. She looks away. Asael takes Tuvia's
          arm and pulls him aside.

          ASAEL
          Tuvia, I would never--

          TUVIA
          Yes. I know.

          ASAEL
          Then why am I to be punished...?
          Tuvia just takes another swallow from his bottle.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          Fischer is with them. So is Levine.
          On food missions, they take first
          for themselves and only bring back
          what's left over--
          Tuvia's head is throbbing. He closes his eyes.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          --and they spread rumors, that you
          are power-hungry and corrupt, that
          you take whatever woman you choose--
          (Tuvia can't help
          but laugh)
          --that we keep gold for ourselves,
          and that--
          He stops himself.

          TUVIA
          --What?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 81.

          122 CONTINUED: (2) 122

          ASAEL
          ...that you drink too much and are
          no longer fit to lead us.

          TUVIA
          .Maybe they're right.
          Asael looks at him. No longer the brother he once idealized.

          ASAEL
          Zus would have punched him senseless.

          TUVIA
          Zus.

          ASAEL
          I miss him.

          ß TUVIA
          He has made his choice.
           He reels away toward the woods.

           CUT TO:

          122A IN HIS ZEMYLANKA - LATER 122A
          Tuvia is lying in his bunker, vomiting and burning up with
          fever. Shimon has brought him soup.

          SHIMON
          Drink this.

          (WINKS)
          From the bottom of the pot.
          Tuvia can barely get the soup down.

          TUVIA
          ...the way they look at me... with
          their pasty faces. Let them starve,
          we're all going to die out here
          anyway.

          SHIMON
          Not easy being the big boss. Moses
          was a lonely man when he led us out
          of bondage.

          TUVIA
          ...Moses.

          SHIMON
          So I'm a sucker for a biblical
          allusion. But what is society
          without leaders. Without leaders,
          we falter.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 81A.

          122A CONTINUED: 122A

          TUVIA
          I am not a leader.

          SHIMON
          Neither was Moses, but somehow that
          seemed to work out.

          CUT TO:

          123 THE PARTISAN CAMP 123
          Several partisans are singing a drinking song while Zus
          silently soaks his feet in a bucket. Lova walks in. His
          face is black and blue.

          ZUS
          Lova, what happened? Who did this?
          Lova sits and buries his head in his hands.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Lova. Tell me. Who?

          LOVA
          Gramov. Two others. I used the
          officer's latrine.

          ZUS
          For this they beat you?
          Lova is trying not to weep.

          LOVA
          They said they wouldn't shit in the
          same hole as a Jew.
          Zus gets to his feet.

           CUT TO:

          123A INT. PANCHENKO'S TENT -- MOMENTS LATER 123A

          Zus bursts in to find Panchenko deep in conversation with
          Gramov and others. They look up at the intrusion.

          ZUS
          Forgive me, Commander.

          PANCHENKO
          Zus. Join us.
          He offers him a glass of vodka. Zus doesn't take it.

          ZUS
          I want to report the mistreatment
          of a comrade.
          Gramov looks up. Zus meets his eye.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GOLDENROD Revision - 10-21-07 81B.

          123A CONTINUED: 123A

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          This man beat Comrade Lova -- for
          no reason at all.

          GRAMOV
          I had a perfectly good reason. He
          is a Jew.
          The other men LAUGH. Panchenko frowns at Gramov.

          PANCHENKO
          --and you are an ignorant Tartar.
          (offers Zus vodka)
          Ignore him. Here...

          ZUS
          Anti-semitism is a violation of
          Party discipline.
          Panchenko sighs. Does he really have to deal with this?

          PANCHENKO
          He's right, Gramov. Apologize to
          the Jew.

          GRAMOV
          I apologize, Jew.

          PANCHENKO
          There. You see?
          (...a command)
          Now drink up.
          Zus doesn't know what to do. He accepts the vodka.

          124 EXT. THE BIELSKI CAMP (TO ESTABLISH) 124

           Guards ring the snowy perimeter.

          125 OMITTED 125

          126 THE BLURRED IMAGE OF AN ANGEL FRAMED BY A HALO OF SUNLIGHT 126
          as it swims into focus. Tuvia opens his eyes. It is Lilka.
          She sits beside him, mopping his forehead with a cool rag.

          LILKA
          Your fever broke in the night. The
          medicine helped.

          TUVIA
          How long was I asleep?

          LILKA
          Two days.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 81C-83.

          126 CONTINUED: 126

          TUVIA
          And you've nursed me the whole time?

          LILKA
          Chaya helped.

          TUVIA
          Did you study nursing at university?

          LILKA
          We devoted ourselves to more
          essential knowledge -- like Greek
          Philosophy and Latin.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 84.

          126 CONTINUED: (4) 126

          TUVIA
          I never went to university.

          LILKA
          What kind of work did you do?
          Before.

          TUVIA
          My wife's father had a store. Before
          the Race Laws.
          (looks at her)
          She is is dead.

          LILKA
          I'm sorry.

          TUVIA
          Tell me more about university.

          LILKA
          It all feels like a dream. I spent
          months trying to master Chopin's
          nocturnes.

          TUVIA
          I'd love to hear you play.

          LILKA
          You know Chopin?

          TUVIA
          Who doesn't? Chopin the butcher
          from Novogrudok.

          LILKA

          (LAUGHS)
          If you're well enough to tease me,
          you're well enough to eat. I'll
          see what's for supper.
          She gets up to go.

          TUVIA
          Thank you, Lilka.

          127 OUTSIDE TUVIA'S BUNKER 127
          THE LUBCZANSKI'S have taken the fullest advantage of Tuvia's
          illness. There are now TWO LINES of people waiting for
          food.
          The malbushim line up like prison inmates. Lazar looks into
          his bowl -- two beans floating in a scummy broth.

          IN THE SHORTER LINE
          Motl, Arkady, Fischer, Levine and a few others are enjoying
          real food. Lazar calls out from the other line.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 85.

          127 CONTINUED: 127

          LAZAR
          Hey, Arkady This isn't soup, it's
          piss.

          ARKADY
          I will piss on your head and you 
          will say it's raining. Eat it. 
          The rest of Lubczanski's cabal laughs.
          TUVIA emerges from his bunker. The first thing he sees is
          Asael, whose face is BATTERED AND SWOLLEN.

          TUVIA
          What happened?
          Asael just looks over at the food line -- where Arkady has
          grabbed Chaya by the waist -- to the delight of the others.
          Tuvia strides over to them.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          What is this?

          ARKADY
          New policy. Fighters get better
          food.

          TUVIA
          Against my orders...

          ARKADY
          You are no longer Commander. Sorry.
          Tuvia nods, considering his remark for a moment.

          AND THEN TAKES OUT HIS PISTOL AND SHOOTS ARKADY IN THE CHEST!
          He then turns the gun on Motl and the others -- they
          literally cower in fear. He raises his voice to those
          watching.

          TUVIA
          As long as I am the leader of this
          group, you will obey my commands. 

          THERE WILL BE NO MORE COMPLAINING! 

          NO MORE SITTING! NO MORE DOING 

          NOTHING. ANYONE WANTS TO LEAVE, 
          THEY LEAVE. NOW! The rest work. 
          Every morning we get up and we work. 
          WE WORK. In the snow and the cold 
          and the dark. Tomorrow we begin to 
          build ten new zemylanka, we double 
          the number of food missions. 
          ...We work.
          (looks down at Arkady)
          Take his body into the woods and
          leave it for the wolves.
          He turns and walks away. As he passes the food lines, people
          subtly move out of his way and whisper after he is gone.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 85A.

          127 CONTINUED: (2) 127
          Whereas once he was greeted warmly by all, now his isolation
          is complete. 
          He is the Commander.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 86.

          127A TUVIA CAREENS THROUGH THE TREES 127A
          Tripping over roots, and finally leaning against a tree, he
          is mumbling, almost incoherent -- part prayer, part
          profanity.

          DISSOLVE TO:

          128 OMITTED 128

          129 THE FIRST BUD OF SPRING 129
           struggles through patches of snow. Ice drips from branches.

          130 OMITTED 130

          130A THE OTRIAD 130A
          Takes a group portrait. The forest is green again.

          131 THE SUNSHINE IS WARM 131
          on the women's bodies as they bathe in the river.

          CHAYA
          Who has the soap? I know there was
          a little left?

          BELLA
          Use the sand. It's good for your
          skin.

          RIVA
          And what skin! And already married,
          too!
          Bella laughs. Chaya splashes her playfully with water.

          BELLA
          I've turned into a skeleton.

          CHAYA
          And you were always so worried about
          staying slim.

          BELLA
          When we get out of this forest I am
          going to eat only cake and grow as
          big as a house.
          Tamara appears. She's wearing a long overcoat.

          LILKA
          Join us. At least the sun is warm.
          (Tamara turns away;
          Lilka joins her)
          Tamara?

          TAMARA
          I can't, Lilka...
          (lowers her voice)
          I'm pregnant.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE SALMON Revision - 10-21-07 86A.

          131 CONTINUED: 131

          LILKA
          I had no idea.

          TAMARA
          I've kept it hidden for months but
          now it's obvious. No one can know.
          They move away from the others. Tamara shows her.

          TAMARA (CONT'D)
          It could come any day.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 87.

          131 CONTINUED: (2) 131

          LILKA
          ..Who is the father?

          TAMARA
          I--- It was when I was escaping. A
          man with a gun stopped me. I thought
          he was a Partisan. He told me to
          follow him and he took me to this
          place...
          The memory overwhelms her. She begins to break down.

          TAMARA (CONT'D)
          Inside me something broke....I wanted
          to die. Every night I have
          nightmares -- what will happen when
          Tuvia finds out.

          LILKA
          He will understand.

          TAMARA
          No. You mustn't tell him!

          LILKA
          I won't. Don't worry.
          (touches her arm)
          What are you going to do?
          Tamara's eyes fill with a new resolve.

          TAMARA
          I feel this new life inside me.
          It's the only thing keeping me going.
          I won't give it up, I'll kill myself.
          Lilka puts her arm around her.

          131A IN THE DEEP FOREST -- ARON IS OUT HUNTING 131A
          From his belt hang the pelts of two dead rabbits.
          He hears A SOUND. Three GERMAN SOLDIERS are putting
          camouflage on their helmets. Beyond, A GERMAN ARMORED
          COLUMN. The assault is coming.

          CUT TO:

          132 THE CAMP 132
          where Shimon and Malbin are playing chess. Shimon has
          developed a bad cough.

          MALBIN
          You call that a move?

          SHIMON
          I call it an inevitable conclusion
          based on unimpeachable reasoning.

          (MORE)

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GREEN Revision - 10-14-07 A87.

          132 CONTINUED: 132

          SHIMON (CONT'D)
          The question, my friend the Genius,
          is what are you going to do about
          it.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 87A.

          132 CONTINUED: (2) 132

          MALBIN
          I'm thinking about what I'm going
          to do about it.

          SHIMON
          Aha! I got him!

          MALBIN
          You didn't get me. You think you
          got me? How about this?

          SHIMON

          (GOBSMACKED)
          Who would make a move like that?

          MALBIN
          A genius maybe.
          Tuvia has been listening nearby. Aron races into the camp.

          ARON
          Tuvia...
          We SEE Aron whispering in Tuvia's ear.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE SALMON Revision - 10-21-07 88.

          132 CONTINUED: (3) 132

          TUVIA
          (calls out)
          Asael!
          Asael comes running.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Get a message to Zus. He's got to
          tell Viktor they're coming.

          CUT TO:

          133 OMITTED 133

          133A EXT. CAMP PERIMETER - DAYS LATER 133A

          Tuvia stands peering out into the forest. Asael joins him.

          ASAEL
          Lazar spotted another patrol.
          They're getting closer.
          Tuvia nods. Suddenly, he HEARS a strange sound. An animal?

          TUVIA
          Do you hear that?

          134 IN THE WOMEN'S ZEMYLANKA 134
          We HEAR the SOUND for what it is... The cry of a newborn.
          A baby boy in this mud manger. Riva and Lilka have assisted.
          Tamara holds her new baby to her breast.
          Suddenly -- the blanket serving as a door is SWEPT ASIDE.
          TUVIA stands there. Tamara cries out and shields the baby.
          Lilka springs up and pushes him back outside.

          135 OUTSIDE THE BUNKER 135
          Tuvia walks angrily. Lilka keeps up.

          LILKA
          She promises not to take extra
          food...

          TUVIA
          This is against my orders.

          LILKA
          So you are going to shoot her, too?
          Tuvia stares at her. He has never seen this side of her.

          LILKA (CONT'D)
          Please, Tuvia. The baby is all she
          has to live for.

          TUVIA
          I cannot allow it.
          He turns away.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE SALMON Revision - 10-21-07 88A.

          135 CONTINUED: 135
          Lilka SPINS him around, surprising him with her strength
          and the strength of her passion.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           PINK Revision - 7-18-07 89.

          135 CONTINUED: (2) 135

          LILKA
          You must let it live!

          TUVIA
          I cannot keep the living alive.
          Tamara and the man who fathered
          this child are responsible for its
          fate.

          LILKA
          She was raped by the Nazis.
          Tuvia closes his eyes. He is tired of being in charge,
          tired of being the arbiter of other peoples' fate.

          LILKA (CONT'D)
          ...You tell us to hold onto our
          humanity. Not to become like
          animals. What better way than by
          bringing a life into this world of
          suffering and death. It's our only
          hope.
          Tuvia is undone by her intensity. The very nearness of
          her. The smell of her newly-washed hair. The glow of her
          skin.
          He looks at her. And nods in surrender.

          LILKA (CONT'D)
          Thank you, Tuvia.
          She kisses him. A chaste kiss of gratitude.
          She pulls back and they look into each other's eyes.
          The next kiss is something entirely different.

          TUVIA
          Lilka...

          LILKA
          I knew what was expected of the
          women here -- yet you never touched
          me...

          TUVIA
          Shhh..

          LILKA
          I'm not afraid of anything, Tuvia.
          I'm not even afraid of you.
          They kiss deeply.

          136 IN TUVIA'S BUNKER - LATER 136
          Lilka lies in his arms.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GOLDENROD Revision - 10-21-07 90.

          136 CONTINUED: 136

          TUVIA
          The Germans are coming into the
          forest. I don't know what is going
          to become of us.

          LILKA
          It doesn't matter. If I had stayed
          in the ghetto I'd be dead. You
          saved my life.

          TUVIA
          No. You have saved mine.
          He reaches for her but before they can begin to make love
          again-- THE BLANKET DOOR IS PUSHED ASIDE. Malbin is there.

          MALBIN
          Oh... ..I..... Hello, Lilka.

          LILKA
          Hello, Asael.

          TUVIA
          Yes?

          MALBIN
          We've caught one.

          CUT TO:

          137 A GERMAN SS SCOUT, HANDS TIED BEHIND HIS BACK 137
          is led into the clearing. He wears the same uniform as
          those who marched the villagers into the forest for
          execution.

          ASAEL
          He's a scout.

          TUVIA
          They're coming for us.
          Group members have begun to gather around him. They begin
          to hurl insults -- schtik drek, paskudnyak -- as the hapless
          man is pushed to his knees.

          ASAEL
          We found this in his pouch.
          He hands Tuvia a sheaf of documents -- including a map.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 91.

          137 CONTINUED: 137

          TUVIA
          Entrance points, wetlands, obstacles.
          (hands it to Shimon)
          You read this.

          SHIMON
          (re: the documents)
          They've assigned an entire division
          to surround the forest.
          A tidal wave is coming.

          ASAEL
          Don't they have a war to fight?

          SHIMON
          (still reading)
          Assault begins in two days.
          Passover. How fitting.
          Meanwhile, some of the group have begun TORMENTING the man.

          MOTL
          Monster!
          He kicks him in the head.

          SHULMAN
          Bulvan!
          Shulman PUNCHES him in the face.

          GERMAN COURIER
          Bitte....Bitte...

          TUVIA
          (to Asael)
          Did you reach Viktor?

          ASAEL
          He's on his way.
          The tormenting of the poor courier is gaining intensity.

          MALBIN

          TUVIA--
          The German lets loose a torrent of pleading.

          GERMAN COURIER
          Ich habe frau und kinder!

          SHIMON
          He says he has a wife and children.
          Lazar picks up a stick. The German tries to crawl away;
          the crowd blocks his escape, pushing him back into the
          center.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 91A.

          137 CONTINUED: (2) 137

          LAZAR
          So did I!

          RIVA
          If you let him go, he will lead
          them back here.
          Tuvia looks at Malbin. What to do?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 92.

          137 CONTINUED: (3) 137

          MALBIN
          Ask if he'll promise not to reveal
          our location.
          Shimon translates.

          SHIMON
          Sie mussen versprechen nicht zu
          sagan wo wir sind.
          The man looks up at him, pleadingly.

          GERMAN COURIER
          Nein....Nein...

          SHULMAN
          He'll say anything.
          He breaks the stick across the man's back.

          LAZAR
          We want justice...

          MOTL
          Justice...
          Soon it is a chant: "Justice! .Justice!" Tuvia looks at
          their faces. Only months ago they were decorous, civilized.
          Now they are hungry, almost feral. Murderous.
          Bella has been silently watching. She steps into the circle,
          looks down at the terrified German man.

          BELLA
          My son's name was David. David
          Kagan.
          We SEE now that she is holding a sharpened hoe.

          BELLA (CONT'D)
          He was fifteen. He had blue eyes.
          She raises it above her head.

          BELLA (CONT'D)
          He played the piano.
          She swings with all her might. The others watch with a mix
          of thrilled horror and perverse delight. A line has been
          crossed. Riva steps forward, holding a large shovel.

          RIVA
          My sister's name was Ellie...
          As she swings the shovel, the CAMERA begins to back away.
          Miriam steps forward, carrying a large rock.

          MIRIAM
          My husband was Meyer...
          The group closes in, obscuring our view of the body. Aron
          can't take any more. He runs off into the woods.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 A92.

          137 CONTINUED: (4) 137

           MOTL
           My parents, Sol and Raya.

           (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 92A.

          137 CONTINUED: (5) 137

          AVRAM
          For my daughter, Sonya.

          MORDECAI
          For my mother.

          RACHEL
          My sister.

          LILKA
          My whole family.

          ALL

          JUSTICE! JUSTICE! .
          Tuvia closes his eyes. He has done nothing to stop it.
          Asael looks at Malbin and Shimon. They are undone by what
          they have witnessed. Tuvia walks away.
          Behind them, the group separates -- staring at the lifeless
          body on the ground. And then they look at each other, their
          blood lust sated, beginning to reckon with what they have
          done. What they have become.

          138 TUVIA STANDS ALONE IN THE FOREST, HIS FACE IN SHADOW 138
          He sees Aron, squatting beside a tree, crying silently.
          Tuvia kneels beside him, cradling him.

          TUVIA
          Reeboynoy shel oylum... Lord of the
          Universe. We have done unspeakable
          things yet still I seek your mercy...
          He HEARS something. Malbin waits at the edge of the forest.
          His face is drawn and pale from what has just happened.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GREEN Revision - 10-14-07 93.

          138 CONTINUED: 138

           MALBIN
           Viktor is here.

           CUT TO:

          139 VIKTOR AND ZUS 139
          are waiting in the clearing. Tuvia approaches. He and Zus
          nod to each other but do not speak. It is excruciating.
          Tuvia and Viktor walk into the woods. Zus waits with other
          BODYGUARDS as Asael joins them. Zus wears a Nazi jacket.

          ZUS
          He doesn't look good.

          ASAEL
          I could say the same about you.
          Where'd you get the jacket?

          ZUS
          Let's just say the former owner no
          longer had need of it.
          Zus winks. The other bodyguards stare impassively.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          Embrace me.
          Asael looks confused for a moment, then embraces him.

          ZUS (CONT'D)

          (WHISPERING)
          Hide this.
          (shoves a revolver
          into his pocket)
          Wolnicky stores ammunition for us
          in his barn. There's no guard.
          He slaps Asael fondly on the cheek and rejoins his comrades.

          140 VIKTOR AND TUVIA 140
          sit on a downed tree and converse in Russian, with subtitles:

          VIKTOR
          You found these on the prisoner?
          Tuvia nods. Viktor studies the scout's documents. Tisking.

          TUVIA
          We can't fight an entire division.

          VIKTOR
          The battle on the Eastern Front has
          begun. The more troops we engage
          here, the fewer they have to attack
          the Motherland.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE GREEN Revision - 10-14-07 93A.

          140 CONTINUED: 140

          TUVIA
          We've done our part for the
          Motherland.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           BUFF Revision - 9-2-07 94.

          140 CONTINUED: (2) 140

          VIKTOR
          My orders are to take command of
          all partisan operations. You will
          bring the rest of your fighters to
          me.

          TUVIA
          And the others? Old people, women
          and children.

          VIKTOR
          In war there are casualties.

          TUVIA
          And if I refuse?

          VIKTOR
          You are officially a deserter. Do
          you know the policy on dealing with
          deserters?
          Viktor unfolds a paper flyer from his pocket.

          VIKTOR (CONT'D)
          ...The Germans are offering fifty
          thousand marks for information
          leading to your capture.
          (hands it to him)
          Not a very flattering likeness.
          Too Jewish.
          Viktor rejoins his bodyguards, turns back for a last word.

          VIKTOR (CONT'D)
          Have your men in my camp by tonight.
          He walks off. Asael takes the wanted poster from Tuvia.

          ASAEL
          I wouldn't show this around. There
          are some who'd turn you in for less.

          CUT TO:

          141 LATER - A SPOTTER PLANE BUZZES HIGH ABOVE - HUNTING 141
          Down below, Viktor and the Russian partisans have struck
          their tents and hidden beneath the sheltering trees.
          Viktor's gaze follows the plane. He gives an order into a
          field radio. Zus has been listening.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           SALMON Revision - 8-19-07 95.

          141 CONTINUED: 141

          ZUS
          You want them to find Tuvia's camp.
          Viktor just looks at him.

          ZUS (CONT'D)
          You're deliberately sacrificing
          them so we can remain safe?

          VIKTOR
          No. So we can keep fighting.
          Everyone must sacrifice in the
          struggle.

          ZUS
          Those are my brothers.

          VIKTOR
          I am your brother! He is your
          brother! Comrade Zus. Your Jewish
          sentimentality is heart-warming,
          but counter-revolutionary.
          Zus has secretly known he would hear these words. He grips
          his rifle but holds his tongue.

          BACK TO:

          142 THE SPOTTER PLANE -- FLIES OVER THE BIELSKI CAMP 142
          Tuvia stares up at it. Have they been spotted?
          Shimon is sitting nearby with a group of children. He looks
          pale. His cough is worse. He is very ill.

          SHIMON
          ...but the children of Israel were
          afraid to leave Egypt. Until Moses
          said, 'Do not trust in me, trust in
          God.' He will take care of you'
          (a wrenching cough)
          And so tomorrow we celebrate the
          Passover by sitting around and
          arguing just as we have done for
          centuries.
          Tuvia stares at them, a curious expression on his face.
          Malbin comes to stand beside him.

          MALBIN
          (looking at the plane)
          Did it see us?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           PINK Revision - 7-18-07 96.

          142 CONTINUED: 142

          TUVIA
          Tomorrow is Passover. Yes?

          MALBIN
          ...How should I know?

          TUVIA
          Moses. The Exodus.
          Malbin doesn't get it at first.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          --He left before Pharaoh could stop
          them.
          Now Malbin understands. He looks at Shimon.

          MALBIN
          You want to move them all? The
          old, the sick. They'll never make
          it.
          It isn't the first time Tuvia has consigned people to their
          death, and apparently it won't be the last.

          TUVIA
          We leave now. Spread the word.

          143 MOMENTS LATER - THE BIELSKI CAMP 143
          is a blur of activity as everyone mobilizes for evacuation.
          Sacks and cooking equipment is tied onto impromptu packs.
          Asael and Malbin coax the older people into motion--

          ASAEL
          Come, tateh--

          OPPENHEIM
          But my tools--
          The SOUND of approaching aircraft. Tuvia searches the sky.
          Riva pairs each of the elderly with a child. Tamara tucks
          her newborn under her coat.
          The SOUND of the approaching aircraft grows LOUDER. People
          look up, shielding their eyes. Then from out of the sun,
          two ominous silhouettes:

          STUKA DIVE BOMBERS!

          TUVIA

          TAKE COVER!

          144 THE SCREAMING WHISTLE OF THE FIRST BOMBER 144
          panics the crowd.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 97.

          144 CONTINUED: 144
          Some race into the forest; others are frozen. Tuvia grabs
          people and bodily drags them to cover.
          STRAFING 20MM CANNON chew up the ground.
          Several people are hit before they can reach cover. Lilka
          herds everyone she can into:

          145 A BUNKER 145
          where people crowd in like sardines. Chaya and Riva gather
          children around them. They hear the WHISTLE of an incoming
          shell....BOOM! Dirt from the roof rains down on them.

          146 BOMBS BEGIN TO RAIN DOWN 146
          Dirt and debris everywhere. AN INCENDIARY SHELL HITS high
          in a tree. Its branches burst into flame.
          An hysterical woman leaps out of a bunker and is BLOWN APART.

          147 MEANWHILE - IN VIKTOR'S CAMP 147
          Zus listens helplessly to the distant sound of bombs dropping
          on his brothers.

          148 BACK IN THE BIELSKI CAMP - A DIRECT HIT ON A ZEMYLANKA 148
          It explodes into a million pieces. Wood shrapnel everywhere.
          Where once was a bunker, now there is only a gaping crater.
          Tuvia races into the maelstrom to help the wounded.

          AN EXPLOSION KNOCKS HIM DOWN
          He tries to clear his head but he cannot focus. ALL SOUND
          FADES AWAY to be replaced by a high-pitched hum.

          149 TUVIA'S WORLD IS IN SLOW-MOTION 149
          Falling dirt and debris, tumbling bodies, exploding bunkers --
          a surreal effect.

          150 IN REAL TIME -- THE CAMP IS BEING TORN APART 150
          Cowering in safety, Malbin sees Tuvia lying in the open and
          gathers his courage -- RACING through danger to his side.

          MALBIN
          Are you alright?
          Tuvia shakes his head, points to his ears. He cannot hear.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 98.

          150 CONTINUED: 150

          MALBIN (CONT'D)

          ARE...YOU...ALRIGHT?
          When Tuvia speaks, his WORDS sound DULL and MUFFLED.

          TUVIA

          MUST...GO!

          MALBIN

          ...WHAT?

          TUVIA

          THE GERMANS...COMING...!
          Malbin looks around, panicked. Asael appears out of the
          smoke, yells at Malbin above the din.

          ASAEL
          Get them out of the bunkers!
          Malbin runs off. Asael helps Tuvia to his feet. A nearby
          explosion SHOWERS THEM with dirt as they CRAWL to safety.
          The world RAMPS BACK TO NORMAL SPEED at a dizzying rate.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          We need to hold them off...until
          the rest are safe.
          Tuvia still can't hear. Asael pantomimes firing a rifle.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)

          ...HOLD...THEM...OFF!
          Tuvia nods, trying to clear the buzzing in his head.

          TUVIA

          ...MACHINE GUN...

          ASAEL
          With Levine and Miriam... There.
          (points out positions)
          Lazar, Rosa, and Schmuel. There
          and there.
          (Tuvia nods)
          And me.
          Tuvia shakes his head, no.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          Yes.
          He runs off. Still clearing his head, Tuvia regains his
          footing -- suddenly realizing the the bombing has stopped.

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 98A.

          151 AT THE ENTRY WAY TO A ZEMYLANKA 151
          Malbin appears, eyes wild.

          MALBIN
          Everybody out! Now!
          But the group's natural reaction is to stay huddled in safety

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 99.

          151 CONTINUED: 151

          MALBIN (CONT'D)

          THE COSSACKS ARE COMING!
          This gets the job done. People begin to crawl out.

          152 OTHERS EMERGE FROM THE BUNKERS 152
          YOUNG PEOPLE holding hands with OLD, PARENTS with CHILDREN
          on their backs. Tuvia urges Lilka and Bella to hurry them
          into the woods.

          153 MEANWHILE -- THE ASSIGNED DEFENDERS, MEN AND WOMEN ALIKE 153
          take up their assigned positions: Levine mans the heavy
          machine gun behind a log; Lazar, Miriam and Rosa in the
          trees.
          Tuvia anxiously waits for the last of the women and children
          to disappear into the forest.

          A SUDDEN SILENCE DESCENDS - EVERYONE LOOKS TO THE SKY
          Tuvia realizes the bombers have broken off their attack.
          He knows the ground troops will soon follow.
          He turns to Asael, grabbing his shoulders.

          TUVIA
          Don't try to fight... Just slow
          them down. Then join us.
          Asael nods. No need for more words. They embrace fiercely.
          Asael pushes Chaya toward Tuvia.

          ASAEL
          Take her.
          She resists, clinging to his arm for a moment.

          TUVIA
          Come.
          He forces her to join him and catch up to the others.

          154 THE CAMP 154
          is eerily quiet as the dust begins to settle. The defenders
          check their weapons with grim efficiency. They are no longer
          inept innocents; they have become warriors.

          155 DEEPER IN THE WOODS 155
          Tuvia catches up with the fleeing group and urges them on.

          156 MOMENTS LATER -- THE DEFENDERS WAIT ANXIOUSLY 156
          We study their faces. Beautiful in their stoic acceptance.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 99A.

          156 CONTINUED: 156
          SUDDENLY -- A FUSILLADE from the woods. Rosa falls dead.
          The defenders RETURN FIRE. Levine fires the machine gun;
          Miriam feeds the belt.

          157 UP AHEAD WITH THE FLEEING GROUP 157
          Tuvia hears small arms fire. He knows what it means.

          

          

          

          
           BUFF Revision - 9-2-07 100.

          158 BACK AT THE CAMP 158
          The rear guard action can't hold out for very long. Tree
          by tree, they begin to fall back.
          Asael fires blindly into the murky shadows. The SOUND of a
          man crying out.
          Then Levine is hit. Miriam pushes him out of the way and
          TAKES OVER. She expertly kills several assault troops who
          appear out of the woods.
          The rest of the attackers TAKE COVER.

          159 WITH THE FLEEING GROUP 159
          Malbin waits anxiously for Tuvia, clutching a map.

          MALBIN
          (struggling to control
          his panic)
          This swamp here...goes...for miles.

          TUVIA
          Show me.

          160 BACK AT THE CAMP 160
          Lazar runs from tree to tree, keeping up a steady stream of
          fire. He is surprisingly brave. Until A GRENADE flies out
          of the woods and lands at his feet, killing him instantly.
          The Assault Troops have begun to outflank them. Asael is
          suddenly in jeopardy. Sara sees the danger.

          MIRIAM

          GO!
          Miriam keeps their ATTACKERS pinned down as the two men
          race for new positions. Then she is hit. She keeps firing
          anyway, her finger locked on the trigger even as she is
          dying.
          More troops begin firing from their flank. Asael has no
          choice but to break off. They race into the woods.

          161 BACK TO THE FLEEING GROUP 161
          Tuvia hears the guns go silent. This, too, has meaning.

          162 A RISE REVEALS THE IMMENSITY OF THE KRASNAYA GORKA SWAMP 162
           Malbin stares at what lies ahead.

           MALBIN
           Oh, my God...

           (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           TAN Revision - 9-10-07 100A.

          162 CONTINUED: 162

          TUVIA
          Are the others back yet?
          (Malbin looks
          stricken; he shakes
          his head)
          ..Asael?
          Malbin shakes his head once more. Asael is not coming back.
          Chaya begins to weep. Riva comforts her.

          SHULMAN
          We've got to keep going!

          BELLA
          The Germans will be here any minute!

          MALBIN
          (to Tuvia)
          Do we wait...a while?

          MORDECAI
          We could hide...

          MAN #3
          I say, fight them here.

          MOTL
          Yes. Fight!

          SHULMAN
          That's crazy!
          Tuvia is in hell. If he waits for Asael, he risks them all
          being caught. Suddenly it all falls apart. Tuvia sinks to
          his knees as if his legs can no longer bear his weight.

          MALBIN
          Tuvia--?
          Tuvia can't speak. He has no more answers. Nothing to
          say. He stares at the impenetrable swamp. The end of the
          line.
          The sudden vacuum of leadership is felt by them all. They
          stare at one another, anxious and rudderless.

          WOMAN (ZOE)
          My father cannot make it.

          RONA
          There are snakes--
          Tamara's newborn is crying. She tries to comfort it. An
          old woman stares at the swamp in terror.

          MAN #1 (FROHMAN)
          The children...

          SHULMAN
          We'll put them on our shoulders.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           TAN Revision - 9-10-07 100A1.

          162 CONTINUED: (2) 162

          BELLA
          Tuvia, what do we do?
          Oppenheim is petrified. Rona is crying.

          MALBIN

          TUVIA--
          And still Tuvia is silent.
          More arguing. A general MURMUR of dread is rising.
          Malbin goes to kneel beside Shimon, who is covered in sweat --
          undone by the forced march.

          MALBIN (CONT'D)
          What's wrong with him?

          SHIMON
          (fighting for breath)
          ...He... ..is... ..tired.
          Malbin hears something, looks up.

          FROM HIGH ABOVE - THE SPOTTER PLANE APPEARS
          They have been found. Lilka kneels beside Tuvia.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           TAN Revision - 9-10-07 100B.

          162 CONTINUED: (3) 162
          She takes his hand silently.

          LILKA

          COME--
          He shakes his head.

          TUVIA
          You have a weapon?
          She shows him her revolver. He checks the clip, then looks
          into her eyes.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Use it on yourself before you let
          them take you.
          She nods gravely. Suddenly a VOICE interrupts.

          VOICE
          Why are we stopping?
          Everyone turns. It's Asael. Back from the dead. He hands
          off a wounded comrade to Riva's care.

          ASAEL

          (WILD-EYED)
          They're coming!
          (to Tuvia)
          Why aren't we moving?
          Tuvia looks up at him, lost. Almost helpless.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          We must keep going!

          TAMARA
          In there?

          RONA
          It is impossible!
          More murmuring. Asael raises his voice.

          ASAEL
          Nothing is impossible! What we
          have done is impossible!
          The murmuring quiets.
          Asael meets Tuvia's eyes. He is literally willing his older
          brother to be strong for them, as he has been, time and
          again.

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          God will not part these waters. We
          will do it ourselves.

          RONA
          But how?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GOLDENROD Revision - 8-16-07 100B1.

          162 CONTINUED: (4) 162

          ASAEL
          Not by miracles. By our strength.

          (MORE)

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 100C.

          162 CONTINUED: (5) 162

          ASAEL (CONT'D)
          (turning to the man
          beside him)
          Take the rope from your pack.
          (confused; he obeys)
          Now, you....give me your belt.

          SHULMAN
          We don't have enough rope.

          ASAEL
          We'll link arms. Make a chain. A
          human chain.

          MOTL
          What are you talking about?
          Tuvia is deeply moved. His little brother has become a
          man. Once more, he finds his voice.

          TUVIA
          Each person takes care of the other.
          (meeting Asael's eye)
          .Give him your belt.
          Asael nods at Tuvia gratefully. The group is hushed,
          apprehensive. Then:

          ONE MAN
          Removes his belt and offers it to Asael.

          ANOTHER STANDS, HOLDING HIS BELT
          And then another. One by one they offer them. There is
          something quietly heroic in the gesture.
          Tuvia looks at the group, looks away, fighting back emotion.

          

          

          

          
          SALMON Revision - 8-18-07 100D-100E.

          162A THEY WADE IN, WAIST HIGH 162A
          People link arms and hold on for dear life yet still they
          flounder. A man goes under, is pulled up. A harrowing
          undertaking.

          162AA THE BELTS ARE ROPED ACROSS THE DEEP POOL 162AA
          People cling to it as they drag themselves, hand over hand.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
          DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 101.

          162B SOMEONE CLIMBS OUT TO WALK ALONG THE BANK. 162B

          TUVIA
          No tracks on land. Get back in.
          It is almost impossible to make any progress. Especially
          when one is weak and malnourished.

          162C IN A DEEP BOG 162C
          The mud sticks to their clothes, faces. Soon they are
          indistinguishable from their surroundings.
          When one person sinks in the muck, it takes three to get
          him back on his feet. The column slows.
          Tuvia gestures for them to keep moving. They can't.
          Literally cannot. He begins to physically push them on.
          Sometimes harshly. Eventually they are moving again.

          CUT TO:

          163 A GHOSTLY LANDSCAPE 163
          Gnarled bare trees shrouded in mist. They trudge forward,
          their expressions wan and empty. Tuvia find Malbin and
          pulls him aside.

          TUVIA

          (WHISPERING)
          How much farther?
          Malbin shrugs his shoulders. Who knows...?

          163A THE WATER IS ALMOST HEAD HIGH 163A
          Parents hoist children onto their shoulders, hold weapons
          overhead as they claw at tall reeds to propel themselves
          forward, step by tortuous step.
          SHIMON clings to a tree. His wracking cough is terrifying
          and he is deathly pale.

          TUVIA
          Come...
          Shimon can't catch his breath, he just shakes his head, no.
          He can't go on. Tuvia half-drags, half-carries him onward.

          CUT TO:

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 102.

          164 A SPIT OF LAND IN THE SWAMP - DUSK 164
          They rest, eat what little food is left. A litter carrying
          Shimon is deposited on dry ground. He is barely alive.

          MALBIN
          Is he...?
          Tuvia shakes his head. It's only a matter of time. The
          Spotter Plane drones overhead.

          TUVIA
          Take off your glasses. Reflections.
          Tuvia moves off to check on the others.

          MALBIN
          Shimon, listen to me, the physical
          plane is just an illusion. Only
          the spiritual plane is real.

          SHIMON
          (fighting for breath)
          No. The physical plane is where
          man acts to redeem himself.

          MALBIN
          You've redeemed yourself enough,
          you should shut up now.

          SHIMON
          Look who's talking about shutting
          up... I need to tell you something.

          MALBIN
          (leans closer)
          What is it?

          SHIMON
          You shouldn't think so much. The
          world around you is beautiful.

          MALBIN
          (stunned; looks around)
          This world?

          SHIMON
          Even this one.
          Tuvia has come to sit beside Lilka. She leans into him.

          TUVIA
          We're lost.

          LILKA
          No. ..No.
          She puts her arms around him.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           CHERRY Revision - 9-2-07 102A.

          164 CONTINUED: 164
           They hold each other and drift off to sleep.

           CUT TO:

          165 AT NIGHTFALL - A SQUAD OF GERMAN SOLDIERS 165
          sit around a campfire at the edge of the swamp.

          FROM NEARBY
          The LIGHTS of their fire can be seen flickering through the
          reeds as the ragged column MOVES SILENTLY past.

          TUVIA
          Not a sound. Pass the word.
          We watch as the ORDER is passed down the line.
          Parents hold hands over their childrens' mouths. Shimon is
          carried on an improvised litter made of branches.

          CUT TO:

          166 A FOREST CROSSROADS 166
          Panchenko and a few others are on horseback. Behind them
          the rest of the Partisans are marching away.
          Zus and the Jewish fighters are on foot, awaiting orders.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 103.

          166 CONTINUED: 166

          PANCHENKO
          You will hold this crossroads until
          the brigade has completed its
          retreat.
          Zus looks around at the position.

          ZUS
          For how long?
          Panchenko's orders are never to be questioned.

          PANCHENKO
          Until you are ordered to withdraw.

          ZUS
          And if we cannot hold the position?
          Panchenko looks at Gramov, who stands nearby cradling a
          submachine gun.

          PANCHENKO
          Comrade Gramov will enforce
          discipline, if necessary.
          Gramov smiles. The implications are clear: nobody retreats.

          PANCHENKO (CONT'D)
          You have served us well, Comrade.

          ZUS
          (a wintry smile)
          I am so honored, Comrade.
          Panchenko wheels his horse and gallops off. Zus and his
          men take cover in the woods.
          In the distance we can HEAR the unmistakable SOUND of
          approaching armor. Lova kneels beside Zus.

          LOVA
          What are we doing here? Zus?
          Half a mile down the road, A TANK rumbles into view.

          LOVA (CONT'D)
          Tell me. Who are we doing this
          for?
          With a shaking hand, Zus tries to light a Molotov cocktail
          but his matches are wet. He reaches into his pocket for
          more. Instead he finds the mezuzah that was once affixed to
          his family's door.
          As he stares at it, the SOUND of the approaching tank grows
          louder.

          BACK TO:

          

          

          

          
           YELLOW Revision - 7-30-07 103A-105.

          167 THE KRASNAYA GORKA SWAMP 167
          empties at last into a shallow river. On the opposite bank
          is dry land, and beyond, the deep forest. And safety.
          The bedraggled group makes their way across.

          168 OMITTED 168

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GREEN Revision - 8-8-07 106-106A.

          169 ON THE OPPOSITE BANK 169
          Asael pulls people up onto dry ground. They lie there,
          freezing and exhausted. Some cannot control their shivering.

          SHULMAN
          What's next...Sinai?
          Tuvia can't help but laugh. Soon they are all laughing.
          It ripples throughout the group. Joyous. Contagious. An
          overwhelming feeling of relief.
          They are safe.
          Tuvia lies on the ground. All the adrenaline has suddenly
          left his body. Then Aron appears, tugging at his sleeve.
          Shimon is asking for him.
          Tuvia kneels down beside his teacher, whose eyes are closed.
          Malbin is weeping quietly. Who will he argue with?

          SHIMON
          (a whisper)
          .Tuvia...

          TUVIA
          Right here.
          Shimon is at the end.

          SHIMON
          ...Something...to say...

          TUVIA
          Shhhh...

          SHIMON
          ...no...please...
          (finding the strength)
          I almost lost...my faith....but
          you...were sent..by God..to save
          us.

          TUVIA
          Ridiculous.

          SHIMON
          I know... ... But just...in case... .I
          thank....HIM... .and I thank you.
          He closes his eyes.
          It's too much for Tuvia. Hard as he tries, he cannot stop
          the tears from filling his eyes.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GREEN Revision - 8-8-07 107.

          170 SUDDENLY -- UP THE RIVERBANK 170
          Trees begin to FALL OVER -- as if pushed by a dinosaur.

          A PANZER TANK
          emerges onto the banks, less than a quarter-of-mile away.

          ITS TURRET BEGINS TO SWIVEL
          The menacing gun turning in their direction.

          171 THE GROUP IS CAUGHT OUT IN THE OPEN. 171
          THE TANK ROARS FIRE. The first round EXPLODES among them.
          Several are killed.

          TUVIA
          Back to the river!
          He pushes people down. They cling to the banks, cowering.
          THOSE WITH WEAPONS take cover, using the embankment as if
          it were the lip of a trench.
          They RETURN FIRE -- old men, young women, even some children.

          172 A SQUAD OF GERMAN INFANTRY ADVANCES 172
          behind the tank, using it as protection.
          Aron kills one. But the Germans are well-trained. They
          direct a withering fire -- forcing the partisans to keep
          their heads below the embankment.

          BUT THE TANK IS UNSTOPPABLE
          It turns its attentions on the riverbank -- its first round
          SAILS OVERHEAD, sending up a huge geyser of water.
          But the next round PLOWS INTO THE EARTH, tearing a huge
          chunk of earth and killing two of the brigade.
          TUVIA grabs a satchel and begins filling it with grenades.
          He throws the satchel over Malbin's head, grabs his arm and
          races, crouching low, beneath the lip of the riverbank.
          Asael provides covering fire. So do Lilka, Chaya and the
          women alongside the men.

          UP AHEAD
          A stand of trees hides Tuvia from view as he climbs out of
          the river and heads into the forest. He pulls Malbin down
          just as A SQUAD OF GERMAN INFANTRY approaches and begins to
          set up a heavy machine gun.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           GREEN Revision - 8-8-07 107A.

          172 CONTINUED: 172
          Tuvia POPS UP behind them, spraying them with his submachine
          gun. He then turns the heavy machine gun on the infantry
          advancing behind the tank -- to devastating effect.
          But now, the tank turns its attention to Tuvia. Its machine
          gun begins to chew up the forest, forcing Tuvia to take
          cover.
          Without pausing to think, Malbin grabs a grenade from the
          satchel and races toward the tank.
          It falls pitifully short, exploding harmlessly as Malbin is
          cut down.

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE BLUE Revision - 9-17-07 108.

          173 TUVIA IS NOW ISOLATED AND PINNED DOWN 173
          Bullets tear chunks out of trees as he tries to take cover.

          THE TURRET SWIVELS IN HIS DIRECTION
          It is only a matter of moments before he is dead.

          WHEN SUDDENLY FROM OUT OF THE WOODS
          Zus and the rest of Jewish fighters emerge, firing on the
          run. Without regard for his own life, Zus charges.
          The German infantry is caught in a cross-fire as the Bielski
          brigade climbs out the river, firing wildly.
          Zus guns down the tank commander manning the machine gun
          from the open hatch. Jumps onto the tank and DROPS A GRENADE
          inside. An EXPLOSION of BLACK SMOKE BILLOWS.
          Zus stands up amid the billowing smoke. He sees Tuvia who
          is staring back at him.

          174 BOTH GROUPS MEET - THE DESTROYED TANK SMOLDERS NEARBY 174
          Asael is the first to reach Tuvia, who is carrying the German
          assault machine gun.

          TUVIA
          Only weapons and ammunition! Spread
          the word.
          Tuvia hands him the machine gun.

          ASAEL
          Anything else?
          Tuvia looks at him. Is he fucking with him? Just a little.

          TUVIA
          Go on.
          Lilka is carrying a small child.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Lilka, please help. We've got to
          get the injured into the forest.

          LILKA
          What about the dead?

          TUVIA
          Everybody gather your things! We
          have to get out of the open!
          Nearby, Aron removes the machine from the tank and hands it
          to Zus. Bella approaches. Zus embraces her.
          Tuvia seizes one of the German rifles. He yells to Shulman.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Shulman! Weapons only! Tell them.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE BLUE Revision - 9-17-07 108A.

          174 CONTINUED: 174
          Shulman follows Tuvia's order.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          (throwing the weapon)
          You've been promoted.
          Congratulations!
          Tuvia turns, sees Bella with Zus. They see him. Zus hands
          Bella the machine gun from the tank and approaches.

          TUVIA (CONT'D)
          Where is the rest of your unit?

          ZUS
          Good question.

          TUVIA
          You are going back?

          ZUS
          No.
          They look at each other. So much unsaid. No time to say
          it.

          TUVIA
          We've got to build a new camp.
          Zus nods.

          ZUS
          Perhaps you have room for one more?

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE BLUE Revision - 9-17-07 109.

          174 CONTINUED: (2) 174
          Tuvia reaches out his arms and they embrace fiercely.

          175 IN THE DEEP WOODS - LATER 175
          They walk in silence. Lilka comes to walk beside him,
          resting her head on his shoulder as they walk.
          Tuvia looks up at the shafts of light slanting through the
          towering trees, as if allowing himself to appreciate its
          beauty for the first time.
          Suddenly, he stops, listening, puzzled.

          TUVIA
          Don't you hear it?

          ZUS
          What...?

          TUVIA
          Nothing. Isn't it beautiful?
          We HOLD on Tuvia. He has aged ten years in one.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           PINK Revision - 7-18-07 110.

          175 CONTINUED: 175
          But for now he allows himself a brief moment of satisfaction.
          We might even see the ghost of a smile. But it is short-
          lived as Asael appears by his side and we see concern once
          again clouding his face. Another problem to attend to.
          And as THE CAMERA BEGINS TO PULL AWAY he is already hurrying
          to catch up with the others.
          As they all disappear from sight into the sheltering darkness
          of the woods, these words appear on screen:

          THEY LIVED IN THE FOREST FOR TWO MORE YEARS.

          IN THEIR NEW CAMP THEY BUILT A SCHOOL, A HOSPITAL, A NURSERY.

          AND STILL MORE CAME TO FIND THEM.

          AT THE TIME OF LIBERATION, TWELVE HUNDRED WALKED OUT OF THE

          FOREST.

          DISSOLVE TO:

          176 THE OPENING SCENE - NEW YORK CITY - 1982 176
          Park Avenue. Traffic. More words on screen:

          ASAEL JOINED THE RUSSIAN ARMY AND DIED SIX MONTHS LATER.

          ZUS AND TUVIA EMIGRATED TO THE UNITED STATES.
          In the taxi, THE ELDERLY MAN thrusts his hand through the
          slot in the Plexiglas window separating him from the driver.

          ELDERLY MAN
          Here is money. I can get more. So
          much more. Take it, please.

          CAB DRIVER
          No, no...
          Indeed, when the CABBIE speaks, though the voice is older
          and somewhat frail, we recognize it as Tuvia's.

          ELDERLY MAN
          What else can I give you, do for
          you?

          AGED TUVIA
          Nothing, it isn't necessary.
          Tears stream down the elderly man's cheeks.

          ELDERLY MAN
          We are alive because of you.
          (looks at his son)
          My children. His children. So many.
          .Thousands.

          (CONTINUED)

          

          

          

          
           DOUBLE CHERRY Revision - 11-1-07 111.

          176 CONTINUED: 176
          Behind them, HORNS are HONKING. This is New York City.

          AGED TUVIA
          Please, the traffic...

          ELDERLY MAN
          Bless you, Tuvia Bielski. May the
          Lord bless you and keep you all the
          days of your life.

          THE CAB PULLS AWAY FROM THE CURB INTO THE RAIN -

          MIDDLE-AGED SON
          Papa, who was that man?
          The Elderly Man watches the cab pull away, wiping his eyes.

          ELDERLY MAN
          That wasn't a man. That was an
          angel.
          As the cab pulls away, the CAMERA CRANES UP until it is
          lost in an anonymous sea of traffic. These words appear on

          SCREEN:

          TUVIA BIELSKI NEVER SOUGHT RECOGNITION FOR WHAT HE DID.

          HE DROVE A CAB IN NEW YORK CITY FOR TWENTY YEARS.

          TUVIA AND LILKA REMAINED MARRIED UNTIL HIS DEATH IN 1987.

          FADE OUT.

          

          

          

          
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Defiance



Writers :   Clayton Frohman  Edward Zwick
Genres :   Action  Drama  Thriller  War


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