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Главная>Киносценарии>Троя/ Troy

Сценарий фильма Троя/ Troy на английском языке бесплатно (часть 2)

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Троя/ Troy

70.

77 CONTINUED: 77

PARIS

You're a great king because you love your country so much. Every blade of grass, every grain of sand, every rock in the river -- you love all of Troy. (beat) That's the way I love Helen. Priam nods and contemplates the goddess of beauty.

PRIAM

I've fought many wars in my time. Some were fought for land, some for power, some for glory. (beat) I suppose fighting for love makes more sense than all the rest. Paris says nothing, but his father's words seem to relieve a great burden from his shoulders.

PRIAM

But I won't be the one fighting. He hands Paris the bundle. Paris, curious, begins unwrapping the cloth. Finally the object is uncovered: a shining sword, expertly forged, inscribed with the seal of Troy.

PARIS

The Sword of Troy.

PRIAM

My father carried this sword, and his father before him, all the way back to the founding of Troy. The history of our people was written with this sword. (beat) Carry it with you tomorrow. Paris holds the sword up and it glows in the moonlight.

PRIAM

The spirit of Troy is in that sword. As long as a Trojan carries it, our people have a future.

78 INT. HECTOR'S CHAMBER - NIGHT 78

Hector sits on the bed beside Andromache, who nurses their baby boy.

(CONTINUED)

71.

78 CONTINUED: 78

Hector looks exhausted. He stares at his son.

HECTOR

He has no idea what's happening.

ANDROMACHE

Thank the gods.

HECTOR

The man who killed Tecton outside Apollo's temple -- I've never seen a spear thrown like that. An impossible throw. A long beat until Andromache breaks the silence.

ANDROMACHE

Briseis was in Apollo's temple this morning. Hector stares at Andromache.

HECTOR

Are you sure? She nods, swallows hard, and closes her eyes. After a moment Hector, his eyes full of sorrow, runs his hand through her long hair.

HECTOR

I need to see my brother.

ANDROMACHE

Don't go.

HECTOR

I need to speak with him.

ANDROMACHE

I mean tomorrow. Don't go. You've fought enough. Let other men go out there.

HECTOR

You think I want to fight, my love? I want to see my son grow tall. I want to see the girls chasing after him.

ANDROMACHE

Just like they chased his father?

(CONTINUED)

72.

78 CONTINUED: (2) 78

HECTOR

He's much more handsome than I ever was.

For a moment they sit quietly, watching their son.

ANDROMACHE

I lost seven brothers in the Spartan Wars. You'd think I'd be good at losing by now. (beat) I can't lose you. I won't survive. Hector stares at her for a beat before pulling her close and kissing her. Everything is in this kiss, their entire past. Andromache finally lets him go and Hector walks out the door.

79 INT. PALACE HALL - LATER 79

As Hector walks to Paris's room, he spies someone in a dark cloak sneaking down the candle-lit hallway -- an assassin?

HECTOR

Wait! The cloaked figure looks back and then runs. Hector chases. The fugitive runs through the archway at the end of the corridor and into the garden.

80 EXT. PALACE GARDEN - CONTINUOUS 80

Hector runs into the garden. He's far faster. He seizes his quarry and pulls aside the fugitive's cowl. It's Helen.

HECTOR

Helen? By the light of the moon he examines her face. The stress of recent weeks has taken its toll, but the shadows beneath her eyes make her face more compelling than ever. Embarrassed by the awkwardness of their position, Hector stands and helps Helen to her feet.

HECTOR

What are you doing out --

(CONTINUED)

73.

80 CONTINUED: 80

Helen runs. Hector catches her again after a few strides.

HELEN

Let me go.

HECTOR

Where? Helen struggles against Hector's grip, but it's useless.

HELEN

Let me go! Helen, still struggling, begins to cry. Hector pulls her to his chest. She cries for real now, violently sobbing, her mouth muffled against Hector's body.

HECTOR

Shh. Shh.

HELEN

I saw them burn. I saw them burning on the pyres. (beat) It's my fault.

HECTOR

No.

HELEN

It is. You know it is. All those widows. I still hear them screaming. Helen takes a deep breath. She manages to control herself.

HELEN

Their husbands died because I'm here. Hector can't deny this. Helen pushes herself out of his grip.

HELEN

I'm going down to the ships.

HECTOR

No. You're not.

(CONTINUED)

74.

80 CONTINUED: (2) 80

HELEN

I'll give myself back to Menelaus. He can do what he wants -- kill me, make me his slave. Anything's better than this.

HECTOR

It's too late for that. You think Agamemnon cares about his brother's marriage? This is about power. Not love.

HELEN

Paris is going to fight in the morning.

HECTOR

Yes.

HELEN

Menelaus will kill him. Hector looks away, the words hurting him.

HELEN

I won't let that happen.

HECTOR

It's his decision.

HELEN

No. No. I can't ask anyone to fight for me. I'm no longer queen of Sparta. Hector bows to Helen and kisses her hand.

HECTOR

You're a princess of Troy. And my brother needs you tonight. Helen stares at Hector in wonder. The words seem to bolster her spirit, and she smiles though her eyes are still wet. She nods, touches his arm and goes back to the palace.

81 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - DAWN 81

Up and down the beach thousands of GREEK WARRIORS prepare for battle. Despite their vast numbers, the men are oddly quiet, each absorbed with his own thoughts.

(CONTINUED)

75.

81 CONTINUED: 81

CLOSE ON SEVERAL FACES -- these are men we haven't seen before and probably won't see again, not kings or heroes but ordinary men preparing for battle.

One warrior prays with eyes closed, mumbling the words, kneeling in the sand. A second man inspects each arrowhead in his quiver. A third sits in the sand, snapping seashells.

82 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - LATER - DAY 82

Achilles sits cross-legged, arms held straight out in front of him, palms up. His bronze sword is balanced on his palms. Patroclus and Eudorus, armored for battle, enter the tent. Achilles does not look away from his blade. Though the sword must be heavy, his arms do not tremble.

EUDORUS

My lord? The army is marching.

ACHILLES

Let them march. We stay.

EUDORUS

But the men -- Achilles turns to glare at him and Eudorus falters.

EUDORUS

-- the men are ready.

ACHILLES

Agamemnon spat on my honor yesterday. I promised that girl her safety and he stole her from me. Let him fight the Trojans today. Eudorus and Patroclus exchange glances. Eudorus bows to Achilles and exits the tent. Patroclus remains behind.

ACHILLES

When I was very small I saw my father kill a man with his bare hands. Patroclus doesn't know how to respond to this.

(CONTINUED)

76.

82 CONTINUED: 82

ACHILLES

There's so much blood in a human body.

Achilles flips the sword in the air and catches it by the hilt. He examines the edge.

ACHILLES

You're ready to fight, Patroclus?

PATROCLUS

I am. Achilles rests his sword on the ground. He stares at Patroclus for a moment before speaking.

ACHILLES

You're ready to kill? Patroclus hesitates.

ACHILLES

At night I see their faces. All the men I've killed. I see them standing on the far bank of the River Styx. (beat) They're waiting for me. Patroclus stands absolutely still. He's never heard his cousin speak this way before.

ACHILLES

Some nights I walk among them. When I wake I can still hear their words. (beat) They say, "Welcome, brother." Achilles inspects the knuckles of his fist.

ACHILLES

Never hate the men you fight. All of us are mortals. All of us, wretched things, tumbled crying from our mother's loins. (beat) Only the gods are free from sorrows.

PATROCLUS

I hate no one, cousin.

(CONTINUED)

77.

82 CONTINUED: (2) 82

ACHILLES

Good. (beat) I taught you how to fight. But I never taught you why to fight.

PATROCLUS

I fight for you.

ACHILLES

And who will you follow when I'm gone? Patroclus hesitates, unsure how to answer.

ACHILLES

Most soldiers battle for kings they've never met. They do what they're told; they die when they're told to die.

PATROCLUS

Soldiers obey.

ACHILLES

We don't have much time to walk in the sun, Patroclus. After this life comes the underworld, an eternity telling stories to other shades. Don't tell them you died following some fool's orders.

PATROCLUS

And what should I tell them?

ACHILLES

Tell them your name. If your life has been worthy, they'll know the rest.

83 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - DAY 83

One thousand ARCHERS stand in various positions on the broad city walls, quivers of arrows by their sides. TROJAN CITIZENS also crowd atop the walls, quiet and sober. Priam sits in a grandstand beneath a blue canopy. Seated by him are CITY LEADERS, including Velius and Archeptolemus. Helen stands apart from everyone else. No one is overtly hostile to her, but behind her back people stare and whisper.

78.

84 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 84

Below the walls, on the broad field that stretches down from the city gates, the TROJAN ARMY has amassed. In the front, Hector and General Glaucus sit astride their horses.

The soldiers are disciplined and well-outfitted, arranged in tight formation. Paris rides out to join Hector. Hector examines Paris's face.

HECTOR

Are you sure you want to do this?

PARIS

I started this war. Paris searches the faces atop the city wall. He finds Helen. CLOSE on Helen. The wind is blowing hard, ruffling her cloak, her hair. There is love in her eyes, and fear and exhaustion. Paris stares up at her for a long time before turning away. A low, ominous RUMBLE grows steadily louder. Hector hears it first. He looks down the vast sloping field toward the sea. Now the other soldiers hear it, and then the citizens atop the walls. All speech ceases. The Trojans quietly wait. The rumbling resolves into the steady beat of WAR DRUMS.

84A EXT. BEACH - DUNES 84A

And now we see them, fifty thousand GREEKS. The reflection of sunlight off fifty thousand bronze shields, fifty thousand bronze helmets and chest plates, is spectacular -- the army looks like a river of lava, flowing uphill.

84B EXT. WALLS OF TROY 84B

The Trojan soldiers don't quiver or waver, but the expressions on their faces betray their anxiety. The Greek army is more than twice the size of the Trojan army.

79.

85 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - CONTINUOUS 85

The citizens shield their eyes from the brightness. They exhibit their nervousness more openly than the soldiers. One OLD WOMAN moans softly, her hand over her mouth.

86 EXT. BLUFF - DAY 86

Patroclus, Eudorus, and the rest of the Myrmidons climb to the top of a tall bluff near the beach. From here they can see the broad battlefield a mile away.

87 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY 87

The Greek army halts just beyond arrow range. A delegation of kings -- Agamemnon, Nestor, Menelaus, Odysseus, and Ajax -- on CHARIOTS proceeds to the center of the battlefield. Odysseus looks over his shoulder and then yells to Ajax.

ODYSSEUS

Where's Achilles? Ajax looks around and shrugs.

87A EXT. BATTLEFIELD BETWEEN ARMIES 87A

Hector and Paris spur their horses and canter out to meet the Greeks. The brothers speak without looking at each other.

HECTOR

Menelaus is a bull. He'll charge you. Paris nods.

HECTOR

He's stronger than you, so try not to fight him up close. Keep your distance. Use your quickness. Paris leans over and tries to spit, but his mouth is too dry.

HECTOR

Brother? Paris, his face ashen, looks at Hector.

HECTOR

You don't have to do this.

(CONTINUED)

80.

87A CONTINUED: 87A

Paris shakes his head and continues riding toward Menelaus.

88 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - DAY 88

Helen, alone, views the battlefield. An old, spotted hand takes her elbow. She turns and looks into Priam's eyes.

PRIAM

Sit with me. Helen follows the king to his grandstand and sits beside him. She's aware of people staring at them but he seems oblivious.

PRIAM

All my life I've prayed against this day.

HELEN

Yes, my king.

PRIAM

Call me father, dear child. Startled by this affection, she hesitates before responding.

HELEN

Forgive me, father. For... She pauses, staring out at the vast Greek army.

HELEN

...bringing this. Priam shakes his head and smiles sadly.

PRIAM

I blame you for nothing. Everything is in the hands of the gods. (beat) Besides, how could I blame anyone for falling in love with Paris? Helen looks out at the battlefield, fixing on Paris, at this distance a tiny figure on horseback. Priam takes her hand.

81.

89 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY 89

Hector and Paris ride up to the Greek kings. Menelaus stares at Paris, his fingers tapping the hilt of his sword. Paris does not make eye contact.

The kings step down from their chariots and the Trojan princes dismount from their horses. Both armies are lined up several hundred yards apart. Agamemnon surveys the Trojan army.

AGAMEMNON

I see you're not hiding behind your high walls. Valiant of you. Ill- advised, but valiant.

HECTOR

You come here uninvited. Go back to your ships. Go home.

AGAMEMNON

We've come too far, Prince Hector.

MENELAUS

Prince? These are not princes. What son of a king would accept a man's hospitality, eat his food, drink his wine, and then steal his wife in the middle of the night?

PARIS

The sun was shining when your wife left you. Menelaus draws his sword. He points it at the city walls.

MENELAUS

She's up there watching, isn't she? Good. I want her to watch you die. Agamemnon places a hand on his brother's arm.

AGAMEMNON

Not yet, brother. He makes a sweeping gesture, indicating his entire army.

AGAMEMNON

Look around you, Hector. I've brought all the warriors of Greece to your shores.

(CONTINUED)

82.

89 CONTINUED: 89

NESTOR

You can still save Troy, young prince.

AGAMEMNON

I have two wishes. If you grant them, no more of your people need to die. First, give Helen back to my brother. Second, Troy must submit to my command, to fight for me whenever I call.

HECTOR

You want me to look upon your army and tremble. Well, I see them. I see fifty thousand men brought here to fight for one man's greed.

AGAMEMNON

Be careful, boy. My mercy has limits.

HECTOR

I've seen the limits of your mercy. And I tell you now that no son of Troy will ever submit to a foreign ruler.

AGAMEMNON

Then every son of Troy shall die.

PARIS

There is another way. Everyone watches Paris now.

PARIS

(to Menelaus) I love Helen. I won't give her up. And neither will you. So let's fight our own battle. Let the winner take Helen home, and that will be the end of it.

AGAMEMNON

A brave offer. But not enough. Menelaus pulls Agamemnon aside and speaks to him out of the others' earshot.

MENELAUS

Let me kill this little peacock.

(CONTINUED)

83.

89 CONTINUED: (2) 89

AGAMEMNON

I didn't come here for your pretty wife. I came for Troy.

MENELAUS

And I came for my honor. His every breath insults me. (beat) Let me kill him. When he's lying in the dust, give the signal to attack. I'll have my revenge and you'll have your city. Agamemnon ponders the offer. He nods. They rejoin the others.

MENELAUS

(to Paris) I accept your challenge. And tonight I'll drink to your bones. He walks over to his chariot and grabs his shield. Hector helps Paris into his helmet and speaks quietly to him.

HECTOR

He doesn't have the stamina he once did. Make him swing and miss. He'll tire. Paris nods. He turns toward Menelaus but quickly turns back and grabs Hector's arm.

PARIS

Hector! Hector waits. Paris opens his mouth but no words come out. He tries again.

PARIS

If I fall -- tell Helen -- tell her --

HECTOR

I will.

PARIS

Don't let Menelaus hurt her. Make him swear --

HECTOR

Think about your sword and his sword. Nothing else.

(CONTINUED)

84.

89 CONTINUED: (3) 89

Hector hugs him close for a moment and releases him. Paris walks toward the center of the field, where Menelaus waits.

89A PARIS'S POV 89A

It's difficult to see from inside your bronze helmet. Your peripheral vision is severely restricted, and the nose guard bisects your vision. Your breathing sounds amplified, impossibly loud and half- panicked. But there's no turning back. Menelaus stands in the center of the vast battlefield, patient and menacing, carving the air with lazy strokes of his sword. You look back and see Hector. Hector nods, trying to encourage you, but he looks worried. Behind Hector is the Trojan army, twenty-five thousand silent men. Behind the army is the city of Troy. Atop those walls, beneath that blue canopy, your father is watching, and the woman you love. You turn back to Menelaus. He's smiling at you.

89B BACK TO SCENE 89B

Menelaus charges at Paris and swings mightily, trying to knock the prince's head from his shoulders. Paris manages to duck beneath the flashing blade. Menelaus fights with little art and great savagery, exploiting his superior strength. Paris is quicker. He nearly surprises the bigger man with a fast sword thrust, but Menelaus dominates the fight, hammering Paris's shield with a furious barrage of blows. Paris steps away and tries another thrust, but this time Menelaus sidesteps and smashes Paris in the jaw with the hilt of his sword, knocking the prince's helmet off. Paris falls, blood leaking from his nose and mouth. Hector, frustrated and powerless to help, tries to will his brother to victory.

HECTOR

(under his breath) Get up. Get up.

85.

89C EXT. GREEK LINES 89C

Ajax and Odysseus, standing together, watch the bloodied prince. Ajax looks disgusted, Odysseus amused.

AJAX

This is the prince of Troy? In Salamis, the women fight better.

ODYSSEUS

But they're not as pretty.

90 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - CONTINUOUS 90

Helen, unable to sit, now stands at the wall, watching her lover battle her husband. Priam stands beside her.

91 EXT. BLUFF - CONTINUOUS 91

Patroclus and the other Myrmidons watch the battle.

EUDORUS

Menelaus still knows how to fight.

92 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 92

Menelaus swings at the fallen prince but Paris is able to block the blow with his shield and scramble to his feet. Menelaus points to the sky. Three CROWS circle above.

MENELAUS

You see the crows? (beat) They've never tasted a prince before. The Spartan's mind games are working -- Paris wears the face of a man who doesn't want to fight. He swings clumsily and Menelaus manages to catch his wrist. The Spartan grins and raises his sword for the kill. Paris lashes out with his free hand, punching the Spartan hard in the jaw. Menelaus grunts and shoves the Trojan away. He spits out a tooth. He's no longer smiling.

92A ODYSSEUS AND AJAX 92A

exchange a quick glance: not bad.

86.

92B MENELAUS 92B

But Menelaus bores in again, blow after blow. Finally his bronze blade bites into Paris's thigh. Paris staggers backward, blood flowing down his leg. He swings desperately but Menelaus parries, knocking the sword from Paris's hand. Paris stares at his fallen sword, five feet away. Paris runs. Menelaus snarls and chases after him.

93 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - CONTINUOUS 93

The citizens seem shocked that their prince and hero would flee before a Greek assailant. They look at each other and whisper, glancing at Priam, curious to see his reaction.

PRIAM

(to himself) Fight him, son. Fight him. Helen stares at the battlefield, her face unreadable.

94 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 94

Paris runs to Hector, gasping for breath, the blood pouring down his face and leg. He falls to his knees before his older brother. Hector stares at Paris and then at Menelaus, who has stopped seven feet from the princes.

MENELAUS

Fight me, you coward! Fight me! Paris, unable to look at either man or speak, trembles by his brother's side. Hector, completely at a loss, lays his hand on Paris's head.

MENELAUS

We have a pact. Fight!

CUT TO:

94A EXT. GREEK LINES 94A

AGAMEMNON signals for the DRIVER of his chariot.

AGAMEMNON

The Trojans have violated the agreement. We march.

(CONTINUED)

87.

94A CONTINUED: 94A

The driver nods. Agamemnon hops onto the chariot and they ride toward the army to deliver the orders.

CUT TO:

94B EXT. BATTLEFIELD 94B

HECTOR looks from his brother to the enraged Menelaus.

MENELAUS

This is not honor. This is not worthy of royalty. Hector looks at his brother but Paris is not looking at anybody. He gasps for breath, the blood streaming from his wounds. Hector glances at the Greek army, then back to Paris.

MENELAUS

If he doesn't fight, Troy is doomed.

HECTOR

Paris. Paris shakes his head, blood dripping from his nose.

PARIS

No. No.

HECTOR

(to Menelaus) The fight is over.

MENELAUS

The fight is not over. Stand back, Prince Hector. Hector stares at the king, judging his intentions.

MENELAUS

I'll kill him at your feet. I don't care.

HECTOR

He's my brother. Menelaus charges, sword raised overhead. In one motion Hector draws his own sword and plunges the point through Menelaus's breastplate. Menelaus's momentum carries him forward, until his breastplate touches the hilt of Hector's sword.

(CONTINUED)

88.

94B CONTINUED: 94B

Menelaus, eyes wide open, stares down at the blood which now begins rushing down his armor. He looks up at Hector. Hector pulls his blade out. Menelaus falls to the ground.

CUT TO:

94C EXT. GREEK LINES 94C

AGAMEMNON standing on his chariot in front of his army, sees his brother fall. For a moment the vast field is silent. Agamemnon SHOUTS. A wordless cry of rage, echoing from the Greek lines to the walls of Troy. He points toward Hector. The entire Greek army surges forward. Hollering with a collective violence powerful enough to make the ground tremble, fifty thousand soldiers charge at Hector.

CUT TO:

94D EXT. BATTLEFIELD 94D

sees them coming. The ground he stands on trembles with the concussive force of Greek feet and horses' hooves.

HECTOR

Paris. Paris still seems to be in a state of shock.

HECTOR

Get up! Get up. The avalanche of Greek infantry is getting closer. Paris finally gets to his feet but runs in the wrong direction, toward the Greeks.

HECTOR

Paris! What seems to be a sprint to suicide turns out to be something different: Paris grabs the fallen sword of Troy from the ground, dangerously close to the charging Greeks. He turns and dashes back to Hector. The princes mount.

(CONTINUED)

89.

94D CONTINUED: 94D

The Greeks are almost upon them. Brandishing their spears and screaming their war cries, all of them vie for the glory of felling the Trojan princes.

The closest Greeks launch their spears. One whistles by Hector's ear. He spurs his horse. The princes gallop toward the city.

CUT TO:

94E EXT. GREEK LINES 94E

ODYSSEUS watches this chase with trepidation.

ODYSSEUS

Our men are too close to the walls.

CUT TO:

94F EXT. WALLS OF TROY - BELOW 94F

GLAUCUS the Trojan general, sees that the princes have gained some distance from their pursuers. He calls to an OFFICER standing on the city wall.

GLAUCUS

ARCHERS!

95 EXT. BLUFF - CONTINUOUS 95

Patroclus turns and sees Achilles, standing on a high rock behind the other Myrmidons. We don't know how long Achilles has been watching the battle.

ACHILLES

Pull back, you fool.

96 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 96

The Greek army continues to charge at full speed. One thousand TROJAN ARCHERS notch their arrows and pull back their catgut strings.

GLAUCUS

Now! One thousand bronze-tipped arrows soar into the air, a deadly swarm of hornets that rises toward the clouds before descending on the charging Greeks.

(CONTINUED)

90.

96 CONTINUED: 96

Hundreds of Greeks fall. The Trojan archers let loose another swarm of arrows. The arrows fall with a great HISS. Many find their mark, biting into the throats and faces of the Greeks.

The Greek army, so overwhelming seconds ago, is now struck with chaos. The men in the front turn back, realizing they've become targets, while the men in back still push forward. In this confusion of foot traffic the arrows continue to fall, a rainstorm of bronze. Agamemnon, standing on his chariot in the middle of his frenzied troops, tries to maintain order, but his shouts go unheard above the general roar. The driver of his chariot falls, an arrow through his neck. Agamemnon grabs the reins and tries to steer the chariot, but so many men are running about, so many bodies litter the ground, that maneuvering is extremely difficult.

CUT TO:

96A EXT. WALLS OF TROY 96A

HECTOR AND PARIS have reached the city walls, where Glaucus and the army wait for them. Hector grabs Paris's arm.

HECTOR

Get inside the city. He slaps Paris's horse. Paris, head bowed, rides away. Hector turns to his army. He shouts to them at the top of his lungs.

HECTOR

The commander of the Greeks wants the Trojan army to fight for him! The Trojan mood becomes more and more bellicose.

HECTOR

Would any man here like to fight for Agamemnon?

TROJANS

NO!

Hector raises his sword and points it at the Greeks, who retreat from the arrow fusillade in disarray.

(CONTINUED)

91.

96A CONTINUED: 96A

HECTOR

For Troy!

TROJANS

TROY!

The Trojans charge. Hector, on horseback, reaches the Greeks first. His sword cuts down everyone within reach. The Trojan infantry attacks the Greeks, whose line has been broken by the rain of arrows. The Trojans take advantage of their enemies' panic. Hector's plan has succeeded.

97 EXT. BLUFF - CONTINUOUS 97

Achilles is unable to stand still. His fingers twitch as he watches the battle; he paces back and forth and curses. Patroclus and the Myrmidons avoid looking at their leader.

ACHILLES

Get them in line... get them in line...

98 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 98

Odysseus, meanwhile, works to reorganize the troops.

ODYSSEUS

Selepius! Bring your men back into line! Ajax, standing nearby, sees Hector chopping his way through the Greeks. Ajax runs at Hector. Two TROJAN SOLDIERS try to intercept Ajax. The mighty Greek swings his huge battle axe. The blade cuts clean through the first soldier's arm and halfway through his torso. The second soldier hacks at Ajax but the big man blocks the sword with his shield and then uses the shield to ram the soldier's face. Blood sprays from the Trojan's crushed skull. Both soldiers fall dead to the ground. Hector, battling a Greek INFANTRYMAN, doesn't see Ajax coming. Ajax grabs Hector's horse's bridle and tugs hard, the veins in his arms bulging beneath the skin.

(CONTINUED)

92.

98 CONTINUED: 98

The horse tries to buck but Ajax twists the horse's head till it falls. Hector falls with the horse, tumbling to the dirt. The Greek infantryman he had been fighting stabs at him.

Hector rolls away and manages -- while flat on his back -- to swing his sword, chopping off the infantryman's feet just above the ankles. The infantryman screams and falls. Ajax releases the horse, raises his axe, and swings at the fallen Hector. The prince gets his shield up just in time. Ajax's axe cleaves through the shield, splitting the bronze into two even halves. Hector stares at the halved shield, discards it, and jumps to his feet. The two fighters circle each other while thousands of soldiers around them battle to the death.

AJAX

So you're the best of the Trojans? Hector, looking for an opening in the brute's defenses, says nothing. Ajax charges, swinging his battle axe. Hector ducks below the axe and lunges forward with his sword, but Ajax -- quick despite his size -- sidesteps, grabs the smaller man in a bear hug and squeezes. Hector turns red. The sword falls from Hector's hand. Ajax grins. Hector slams his helmeted head forward, butting Ajax in the face. Ajax staggers back, blood spraying from his nose, his axe falling to the ground. Hector struggles to regain his equilibrium. Ajax growls and launches himself at the prince. Hector snatches a spear off the ground and positions it just as Ajax dives at him. The spear pierces Ajax's armor, driving through his belly and out his back. Hector holds the shaft steady. Ajax stares down at his wound. He seems more irritated than anything else. Ajax places his two big hands on the spear shaft, right where the spear enters his body. He breaks the spear in two, snapping the solid wood like a twig. Half a spear still sticking out his back, Ajax swings the shaft, clobbering Hector in the side of the head, sending the horsehair-plumed helmet flying.

(CONTINUED)

93.

98 CONTINUED: (2) 98

Hector, dazed, falls to one knee. Ajax whacks him again on the back of his neck. Hector crawls forward blindly. His hands brush over the blade of his dropped sword.

Hector springs up, driving his sword into Ajax's gut, just below the big man's breast plate. Hector withdraws his sword. Both men see the ground drenched with Ajax's blood. Ajax backhands Hector with the broken spear shaft, cracking the prince in the jaw and dropping him again. Ajax grabs Hector, hoists him upright and begins throttling the prince. Ajax spits a great wad of blood and smiles, teeth washed red. Hector tries to kick at Ajax, but Ajax's thumbs dig deeper and deeper into Hector's throat. Hector's eyelids begin to flutter as he chokes. But the Salamisian king has lost too much blood. He sinks slowly to his knees. Hector is forced to his knees as well. Finally Ajax's eyes roll back. He topples onto Hector, hands still locked on the prince's throat. Hector undoes the death grip. He squirms out from under Ajax's corpse and stands.

99 EXT. BLUFF - CONTINUOUS 99

Patroclus and the Myrmidons watch Ajax fall with disbelief. Achilles cannot bear to watch any longer. He walks away. None of his men dare look at him.

100 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY 100

The Trojans are routing the Greeks. With two of their kings already fallen, the Greek force is in disarray. Odysseus sees Agamemnon speeding by on his chariot. Odysseus runs and manages to leap onto the chariot. The two kings shout at each other above the commotion of battle.

ODYSSEUS

We need to retreat! Agamemnon surveys the battlefield and his battered forces.

(CONTINUED)

94.

100 CONTINUED: 100

AGAMEMNON

My army has never lost a battle.

ODYSSEUS

If we don't fall back you won't have an army! Agamemnon seems dazed by the turn of events. Finally Odysseus hollers to whichever CAPTAINS can hear his voice.

ODYSSEUS

Back to the ships! Back to the ships! The captains take up this cry, shouting orders to their men. The Greeks retreat. The Trojan soldiers give a mighty shout as they pursue their enemies.

101 EXT. WALLS OF TROY 101

The people cheer. Nobles and commoners embrace as brothers.

102 EXT. BATTLEFIELD 102

Hector, still on foot, leads his men as they chase down the fleeing Greeks. Several thousand Greeks have fallen.

103 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT 103

The Greeks get back to their trenches, the bulk of the force still intact. ARCHERS in the Greek rear guard, manning the trenches, now raise their bows and prepare to fire. Hector, eager to avoid the mistakes his Greek counterparts made earlier, holds up his hands and BELLOWS to the troops.

HECTOR

Halt! The Trojan army stops just outside the Greek archers' range. Lysander, the Trojan captain, stands beside Hector.

(CONTINUED)

95.

103 CONTINUED: 103

LYSANDER

We have them on the run, my prince.

HECTOR

We're almost in range of their archers. You saw what our arrows did to them. (beat) Have the men gather our fallen. When they're done, send an emissary to the Greeks. They can collect their dead without fear of assault.

LYSANDER

Would they have done the same for us?

HECTOR

Of course not. That's why Troy is worth defending. Hector turns and heads back to the white city.

104 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - LATER 104

Thousands of BODIES litter the broad field. We see them first from high above, their bronze armor gleaming in the failing sunlight. CLOSE on several of the dead men's faces. The living haul the dead from the battlefield. HORSES are used to pull wagonloads of bodies. Fathers or sons or brothers or friends say their goodbyes and wash the dead men with washcloths and buckets of water. The sun sinks into the ocean. Both sides build funeral pyres for their fallen. When a body is loaded onto the pyre, a relative or friend places two COINS on the dead man's eyes. Dozens of SALAMISIANS view Ajax's body. They weep as they pass by, each man kneeling to kiss their fallen king's hand.

104A EXT. BATTLEFIELD - FUNERAL PYRESS 104A

Agamemnon stands before the body of Menelaus.

(CONTINUED)

96.

104A CONTINUED: 104A

He places two coins on Menelaus's eyes. He steps down from the pyre, accepts a torch from a CAPTAIN, and sets the pyre on fire.

AGAMEMNON

I will burn their city before I leave, brother. I promise you that. As the sky grows dark, the dead burn on the beach and inside the walls of Troy.

105 INT. PARIS'S BEDCHAMBER -NIGHT 105

Paris flinches as Helen, using needle and thread, stitches his leg wound. His face is bruised, his eyes red.

PARIS

You think I'm a coward. Helen, concentrating on her stitching, says nothing. Paris flinches as the needle pierces his skin.

PARIS

I am a coward. (beat) I knew he would kill me. I knew it. You were watching, and my father, my brother, all of Troy -- it didn't matter. The shame didn't matter. (beat) I gave up my pride, my honor. Just to live.

HELEN

You challenged a great warrior. That took courage.

PARIS

I betrayed you. Helen inspects her work. The black stitches are a little ragged, but they seem secure.

HELEN

Menelaus was brave. He lived for fighting. And I hated him from the day I married him until the day he died.

(CONTINUED)

97.

105 CONTINUED: 105

Helen leans forward until her lips are inches from Paris.

HELEN

I don't want a hero, my love. I want a man to grow old with. She kisses him and there is great tenderness in her kiss. A knock on the door. Helen looks up. Another knock.

HELEN

Come in. Hector enters the room. He examines Paris's leg.

HECTOR

(to Helen) Well stitched. (to Paris) You have a talented woman. (beat) I thank the gods you're alive, little brother.

PARIS

I wanted to make you proud of me. He grips Paris' shoulder.

HECTOR

You will.

106 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - NIGHT 106

Thousands of campfires constellate the beach. Tens of thousands of exhausted soldiers stare into the flames.

107 INT. AGAMEMNON'S TENT - NIGHT 107

Nestor sits at a table, poring over the map of Troy. Odysseus lies in a hammock strung between two of the tent poles, eating olives and spitting out the pits. Agamemnon paces the rugs that floor the tent. His usual air of supreme confidence is gone, replaced by agitation.

AGAMEMNON

They're laughing at me in Troy. Old Priam and the others, drunk on victory. They think I'll quit these shores, sail home at first light.

(CONTINUED)

98.

107 CONTINUED: 107

ODYSSEUS

Maybe we should. Agamemnon spins and glares at Odysseus.

AGAMEMNON

Flee like a whipped dog?

ODYSSEUS

The men believe we came here for Menelaus's wife. He won't be needing his wife anymore.

AGAMEMNON

(furious) My brother's blood still wets the grass and you insult him?

ODYSSEUS

It's no insult to say a dead man is dead.

NESTOR

If we leave now we lose all credibility. If the Trojans can beat us so easily, how long before the Hittites invade?

ODYSSEUS

You're right. But if we stay, we stay for the right reasons. (to Agamemnon) We stay to protect Greece, not your pride. Your private battle with Achilles is destroying us.

AGAMEMNON

Achilles is one man. What good could he --

ODYSSEUS

Hector is one man. Look what he did to us today.

AGAMEMNON

Hector fights for his country. Achilles fights only for himself.

ODYSSEUS

I don't care about the man's patriotism. I care about his ability to win battles.

(CONTINUED)

99.

107 CONTINUED: (2) 107

NESTOR

(to Agamemnon) He's right. The men's morale is weak.

ODYSSEUS

Weak? They're ready to swim home.

AGAMEMNON

Even if I wanted to make peace with Achilles, the man won't listen. He's just as likely to spear me as speak with me.

ODYSSEUS

I'll talk to him in the morning. Agamemnon thinks about it for a moment and nods.

NESTOR

He'll want the girl back.

AGAMEMNON

He can take the damned girl. I haven't touched her.

ODYSSEUS

Where is she?

AGAMEMNON

I gave her to the men. They needed some amusement after today. Odysseus and Nestor exchange worried looks.

108 EXT. GREEK CAMPFIRE - NIGHT 108

A band of battle-weary, drunken SOLDIERS stand by a campfire. They're exhausted, caked with dirt and their comrades' blood. They shove Briseis back and forth between them. Each man she bounces into tears off a strip of her robes, which are now filthy rags barely covering her body. Her face seems to have shut down. She has a bruise below one eye and her hair is wet with wine. The soldiers stare at her with a mix of hostility and lust.

APHAEREUS

You Trojan whore.

(CONTINUED)

100.

108 CONTINUED: 108

ECHEPOLUS

We should kill her now, keep her from breeding any more Trojan bastards.

APHAEREUS

No, she's Agamemnon's property. (tearing off a sleeve) What's this? A virgin's robe?

HAEMON

You won't be needing that much longer. Haemon squats by the fire, holding an iron in the flames. He pulls out a branding iron in the shape of Agamemnon's seal: a white-hot ALPHA. He carries it toward Briseis.

HAEMON

Hold her down. Briseis sees the hot iron and begins to struggle, screaming and kicking at the men. Four of the soldiers pin her down.

HAEMON

Why are you kicking, girl? Better to be a Spartan slave than a Trojan priestess. Briseis claws Haemon in the face. He growls and punches her.

HAEMON

Come on, come on, hold her down. The soldiers hold her in the sand. Haemon steadies the hot brand and searches for the best place to mark her. When the brand is inches from her arm someone grabs the iron, pulls it out of Haemon's hands and then slams it down on the man's head. Haemon collapses. Achilles stands alone, unarmed save for the branding iron. By firelight he looks ferocious. Echepolus stumbles backward.

ECHEPOLUS

Achilles. Aphaereus spits in the sand. He draws his sword.

(CONTINUED)

101.

108 CONTINUED: (2) 108

APHAREUS

There's one of him and ten of us. Achilles swings the iron, almost too fast for the eye to follow. Aphaereus's face collapses. He falls to the beach.

ACHILLES

Nine. The other soldiers run. Achilles lifts Briseis to her feet. More gently than we would have believed possible, Achilles brushes the sand from her face and hair.

ACHILLES

Can you walk? Briseis nods. Achilles, arm around her shoulder, leads her away from the campfire.

109 EXT. ACHILLES' TENT - NIGHT 109

Eudorus and Patroclus are waiting when Achilles and Briseis get to the tent.

ACHILLES

Get me food and water. And a new robe. Eudorus bows. Patroclus watches Achilles and Briseis enter the tent.

110 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - LATER 110

Achilles sits near Briseis, watching her. She's clean now, dressed in a new robe -- a man's robe, far too big for her. Platters of fruit and roasted meats sit near her, along with pitchers of wine and water. Briseis doesn't touch any of it.

ACHILLES

You should eat. Briseis says nothing.

ACHILLES

Did they hurt you?

BRISEIS

What do you think?

(CONTINUED)

102.

110 CONTINUED: 110

ACHILLES

I saw you fight them. You have courage.

BRISEIS

To fight back when people attack me? A dog has that kind of courage.

ACHILLES

I like dogs more than people. Briseis stares into Achilles' eyes. He's not used to people meeting his gaze. He stares back at the girl, intrigued.

BRISEIS

Why did you choose this life?

ACHILLES

What life?

BRISEIS

This... to be a great warrior.

ACHILLES

I chose nothing. I was born and this is what I am.

BRISEIS

But you must enjoy it.

ACHILLES

Does the scorpion feel joy when he stings the beetle? (beat) I doubt it. I doubt he feels anything at all.

BRISEIS

But you're not a scorpion. You're a man.

ACHILLES

And you're a woman in love with a god. Where was Apollo when those men tried to scar you?

BRISEIS

Do you enjoy provoking me?

ACHILLES

Yes.

(CONTINUED)

103.

110 CONTINUED: (2) 110

They watch each other, Achilles smiling, Briseis angry.

ACHILLES

You've dedicated your life to the gods, yes? Briseis, glaring at him, doesn't answer.

ACHILLES

Zeus, God of Thunder. Athena, Goddess of Wisdom. You serve them?

BRISEIS

Of course.

ACHILLES

And Aries, God of War, who blankets his bed with the skins of men he's killed? Briseis pauses, caught in the trap.

BRISEIS

All the gods are to be feared and respected. For a long beat they are silent, staring at each other. The air between them is charged with more than mere contention.

BRISEIS

What do you want here in Troy? You didn't come for the Spartan queen.

ACHILLES

I want what all men want. I just want it more. Achilles takes an apple and unsheathes a dagger. He tosses the apple in his hand. On the third toss he whips his knife-hand up and across and neatly catches four apple quarters. He offers a quarter to Briseis. Stunned, she slowly shakes her head. Achilles shrugs and eats the sliced apple.

(CONTINUED)

104.

110 CONTINUED: (3) 110

ACHILLES

I'll tell you a secret-- something they didn't teach you in your temple. The gods envy us. They envy us because we're mortal, because every moment might be our last. Everything is more beautiful for the doomed. He stares at her with such intensity she must look away.

ACHILLES

You will never be lovelier than you are right now. And we will never be here again. Briseis is quiet for a moment. She rubs the ripe purple grapes on the platter beside her.

BRISEIS

I thought you were a dumb brute. She looks into Achilles' eyes.

BRISEIS

I could have forgiven a dumb brute.

111 EXT. BEACH - NIGHT 111

It's quiet now. Only a few campfires burn under a full moon.

112 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - LATER 112

Achilles lies on his back on a deer skin, sleeping. Briseis kneels beside him. In the candlelight we see the glint of a bronze blade. She holds the knife near his throat. Achilles open his eyes.

ACHILLES

Go on. Briseis holds the blade against his skin.

ACHILLES

Nothing is easier.

BRISEIS

Aren't you afraid?

(CONTINUED)

105.

112 CONTINUED: 112

ACHILLES

Every mortal dies. Today or fifty years from now, what does it matter in the face of eternity?

BRISEIS

You'll kill more men if I don't kill you.

ACHILLES

Many of them. For several seconds she holds the knife to his throat. Finally she puts it down.

BRISEIS

May Apollo forgive me. Achilles pulls her closer and they kiss. He slowly slides the robe off her shoulders. Briseis -- eyes closed, lips parted -- trembles as Achilles unveils her. For a moment she hesitates but soon hesitation evaporates and she presses her body against his, kissing his throat, his chest, his hands. Their hunger for each other is stronger than gods and nations.

113 EXT. BAY - DAWN 113

Rosy-fingered dawn appears. The seagulls cry above the waves.

114 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - MORNING 114

Achilles watches Briseis sleep. She looks very young and fragile, her face bruised, her eyelids fluttering as she dreams. Achilles watches her with great tenderness. Eudorus opens the tent flap. Sunlight streams in. Achilles puts a finger over his mouth. Eudorus sees Briseis and nods. Achilles gently pulls the blanket over her naked shoulders. He stands and exits.

115 EXT. ACHILLES' TENT - CONTINUOUS 115

Odysseus waits for Achilles outside the tent.

(CONTINUED)

106.

115 CONTINUED: 115

ACHILLES

(to Eudorus) Have the men start loading the ship. We're going home.

Eudorus, surprised, looks at Odysseus for a second before bowing to his commander and walking away.

ODYSSEUS

You found the girl?

ACHILLES

I found her.

ODYSSEUS

Is she hurt?

ACHILLES

Not as badly as those who hurt her. Achilles stares at the sea. Seagulls patrol the skies.

ACHILLES

Do you miss your wife, Odysseus?

ODYSSEUS

Always.

ACHILLES

I've never missed anyone in my life. I used to think it was a weakness, needing someone else.

ODYSSEUS

We all need someone else. Right now, Greece needs you.

ACHILLES

Greece got along fine before I was born and Greece will be Greece long after I'm dead.

ODYSSEUS

I'm not talking about the land. The valleys, the mountains -- they don't care what we do. The men need you. You should have seen the slaughter yesterday.

ACHILLES

I saw it. And I saw who led the men to slaughter.

(CONTINUED)

107.

115 CONTINUED: (2) 115

ODYSSEUS

Agamemnon... is a proud man. But he knows when he's made a mistake.

ACHILLES

The man sends you to make his apologies? He doesn't understand honor. What are you doing in thrall to that pig of a king?

ODYSSEUS

The world seems simple to you, my friend. But when you're a king, very few choices are simple. Ithaca cannot afford an enemy like Agamemnon.

ACHILLES

Am I supposed to fear him?

ODYSSEUS

You don't fear anyone, that's your problem. Fear is useful. (beat) Stay, Achilles. You were born for this war.

ACHILLES

My life is war. Is that what you think?

ODYSSEUS

Am I wrong? Achilles stares at the sea again.

ACHILLES

A week ago you were right. But things are less simple today.

ODYSSEUS

Women have a way of complicating things. Achilles smiles. He turns to Odysseus and clasps his hand.

ACHILLES

Of all the kings of Greece, I respect you most. But in this war you're a servant. And I refuse to be a servant any longer.

(CONTINUED)

108.

115 CONTINUED: (3) 115

ODYSSEUS

Sometimes you need to serve in order to lead. I hope you understand that one day.

Odysseus walks away. Achilles watches him go and then turns back toward his tent. He sees that Patroclus has been standing by the tent throughout the previous conversation.

PATROCLUS

We're going home?

ACHILLES

We leave at noon. He tries to enter his tent but Patroclus grabs his arm and blocks his path. Achilles stares at Patroclus' hand. Patroclus releases him but doesn't move out of the way.

PATROCLUS

If Poseidon curses us and our ship goes down, what will I tell the shades in Hades? That I died running from this war, abandoning our countrymen?

ACHILLES

Our countrymen?

PATROCLUS

Yes, our country! We're Greek, cousin. I broke bread with these men, I drank their wine, I listened to their jokes. These are our comrades. We cannot desert them. (beat) Your feud with Agamemnon is tearing this army apart. And your reputation suffers. The men are talking -- Achilles' eyes narrow as his temper rises.

ACHILLES

If my blood wasn't in your veins --

PATROCLUS

But your blood is in my veins.

(CONTINUED)

109.

115 CONTINUED: (4) 115

ACHILLES

I gave you an order, cousin. We leave at noon.

Achilles opens the tent flap.

PATROCLUS

If you command us not to fight for the king of kings, so be it. But please don't ask me not to fight for Greece. (long beat) When the shades hear my name I want them to know I led a worthy life. Achilles, face inscrutable, watches his cousin walk away.

116 INT. PRIAM'S MEETING HALL - MORNING 116

The notables we've seen in this room before -- Priam, Hector, Glaucus, Velior, Archeptolemus -- are gathered again.

ARCHEPTOLEMUS

The omens are gathering. The directive is clear.

HECTOR

Fight for your country. That's the only directive.

PRIAM

(to Hector) The last time the high priest spoke to us he prophesied a great victory for Troy. We won a great victory. Let him speak. (to Archeptolemus) What course of action do you recommend?

ARCHEPTOLEMUS

The gods favor our cause. Now is the time to destroy the Greek army.

PRIAM

Glaucus?

(CONTINUED)

110.

116 CONTINUED: 116

GLAUCUS

Their morale is battered. Hit them now, hit them hard, and they will run.

VELIOR

I must admit, I overestimated the Greeks. They lack discipline and courage. Hector, frustrated and weary, rubs his eyes.

HECTOR

The Myrmidons did not fight yesterday. There must be dissension among the Greeks. But if we attack their ships, we'll unify them. (beat) If they decide to attack, let them. They can't breach our walls. We'll beat them back again. (beat; to Priam) Yesterday the Greeks underestimated us. We should not return the favor today. Priam meditates on this conflicting advice. He stands and paces about the room. He turns to Archeptolemus.

PRIAM

You're confident about the meaning of these omens?

ARCHEPTOLEMUS

The desecration of his temple angers Apollo. The gods have cursed the Greeks. Two of their kings have already gone down to the dust. Priam continues pacing, hands clasped behind his back.

PRIAM

Prepare the army. We attack at noon.

HECTOR

We're making a mistake, father. Father and son face each other across the long table.

PRIAM

Prepare the army.

111.

117 EXT. ACHILLES' WARSHIP - LATER - DAY 117

Achilles' ship has already been hauled into the shallow water, ready to depart. Myrmidons climb the gangplank, carrying gear onto the ship's deck.

118 INT. ACHILLES' WARSHIP - DAY 118

Briseis sits in the cabin watching Achilles tie a hammock to a peg. Something has changed between them. She looks at him with undisguised tenderness.

BRISEIS

Am I still your captive?

ACHILLES

Captive is a harsh word. You're my guest.

BRISEIS

In Troy, guests can leave whenever they want.

ACHILLES

Strange custom. Achilles takes her hand and inspects her uncalloused palms.

ACHILLES

You've never worked the fields. Never chopped wood, never carried a milk pail. These are the hands of royalty. Achilles raises his own hands and shows them to her.

ACHILLES

My hands are gates to the underworld. (beat) All my life I've walked with Death. But I grow tired of his company. (beat) Come with me to Larissa. A hint of a smile crosses her lips.

BRISEIS

Larissa. Is that where you're from? (beat) It's a pretty name.

(CONTINUED)

112.

118 CONTINUED: 118

ACHILLES

I thought I'd never see it again. (beat) Before I left home my mother told me my fate.

BRISEIS

(sincere) She speaks with the gods?

ACHILLES

She knows things. (beat) She told me if I stayed home I'd have a long, peaceful life. And if I came to Troy, life would be short... but my name would never be forgotten.

BRISEIS

And you chose Troy.

ACHILLES

But what if Fate brought me here for another purpose? What if I had to go to war to find peace? (beat) To find you? She cups his face between her palms, pulls him closer, kisses his lips. For a moment they gaze at each other, until the sounds of WAR CRIES, HORNS, and BATTLE DRUMS fill the air. Achilles raises his head and listens, his face hardening. Briseis, alarmed, watches him.

119 EXT. AGAMEMNON'S TENT - DAY 119

Agamemnon, Nestor, and Odysseus exit the tent. The beach is a frenzy of activity. Thousands of men rush to their positions, hastily arming themselves. The kings look to the high dunes.

120 EXT. HIGH DUNES - CONTINUOUS 120

Hector and his APOLLONIAN GUARDS, on horseback, crest the dunes and look down on the Greek encampment. 25,000 TROJAN FOOT SOLDIERS march behind Hector. He gives a signal. The force halts.

113.

121 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - CONTINUOUS 121

The GREEKS, plainly nervous, swarm to the long trench they've dug. The Trojans crushed them yesterday. Now they're back.

121A EXT. HIGH DUNES 121A

The Trojan ARCHERS pull their bows off their shoulders and notch their arrows.

121B EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT 121B

The Greek archers notch their arrows. Odysseus stands with his ITHACANS, waiting to battle. A cry starts up on the far end of the Greek line and grows steadily louder. Odysseus looks in that direction. A glittering figure has stepped forth from the Myrmidon camp, clad in the beautiful and distinctive armor that every man in the Greek army recognizes.

ODYSSEUS

Achilles. All down the Greek line we hear the cheer building to a roar. Agamemnon, hearing the commotion, turns and sees the shining warrior. He watches the spectacle with mixed emotions. Eudorus, standing with several Myrmidons, is thrilled by his leader's unexpected arrival.

EUDORUS

Arm yourselves, men. The Myrmidons quickly and excitedly arm themselves.

121C EXT. HIGH DUNES 121C

The Trojans are not aware of this energy. Hector raises his sword and points at the Greeks. The Trojan army charges. When they are within range the Trojan archers release, sending a volley of arrows over the heads of their comrades. The Greek archers release at the same time. Two flocks of arrows cross in the sky and swoop down on the men below. Dozens of Greeks and Trojans fall to the sand.

114.

121D EXT. GREEK BEACH DEFENSES 121D

But now the glorious bronzed figure of Achilles leaps over the trench, sunlight reflecting off his polished armor. He raises his sword to the sky. A great, violent ROAR rises from the Greek army. When he runs toward the Trojans the Greeks jump from their positions and follow. The two armies collide. Unlike the grassy field the men fought on yesterday, today's battle takes place on the sand, and sand is everywhere. Horse hooves kick up clouds of sand. Men struggle for footing in the loose sand. Red blood puddles on the yellow sand. But much more is different than the terrain. Now the Greeks have a leader. The Myrmidons are at the forefront, battling with a ferocity most Trojans have never seen before. A Trojan OFFICER, spear raised, gallops toward the figure of Achilles. Before the Trojan can throw, Eudorus hurls his spear, catching the officer in the neck. The man goes down. Odysseus, immersed in combat, sees this. He hesitates for a moment and in his distraction is nearly cut down by an axe-wielding Trojan. They fight. After Odysseus dispatches the man, he looks back toward the glittering figure of Achilles. Something's making him uneasy. A Trojan swings his sword at the shining warrior, narrowly missing a clean decapitation. The Greek hero thrusts his spear and guts the Trojan. The Myrmidons surge forward, hacking their way through the Trojans. The Greek army steadily pushes the Trojans back, picking up more and more momentum. Now it is the Trojans who seem frightened, unsure where the Greeks found this intense spirit. Glaucus, the Trojan general, on horseback, shouts to Hector.

GLAUCUS

The gods are with them today! We should fall back! Hector, fighting, does not answer.

(CONTINUED)

115.

121D CONTINUED: 121D

The Myrmidons are getting closer to the elite Apollonians. Hector notices them now. He notices the beautiful armor of their leader, notices the leader hop nimbly from the path of a charging Trojan and cut the man down.

HECTOR

(to himself) Achilles. Hector goes after him. He grips the reins and guides his horse toward the Myrmidons. His Apollonians, clustered about him protectively, move in that direction as well.

121E EXT. GREEK BEACH DEFENSES 121E

The two elite forces clash. These men are experts, wielding their spears and swords with superior skill. Hector's horse stumbles in the deep sand. Hector abandons his mount, leaping down to the beach, running for the shining warrior. A Myrmidon intercepts him. Their battle is quick-- Hector kills him with a sword thrust. Now he is face to face (or helmet to helmet) with the figure of glorious Achilles. The two men, breathing heavily from the combat, stand still for a moment. The intricately-worked bronze of Achilles' helmet, breastplate, and shield all shine bright. He's a difficult man to stare at for long. Now he charges, sword raised. They fight. And though the battle continues all around them, everyone seems to be aware of the duel taking place. The shining warrior is quicker than Hector and lighter on his feet, swinging again and again, a blaze of bronze. Hector fights patiently, parrying the blows, waiting for an opening. The sword of Achilles whistles over Hector's head, swung so hard that the man wielding it cannot protect himself. Hector takes full advantage, swinging quickly, his blade carving the soft flesh just beneath Achilles' helmet. A long question mark of blood whips out of the cut throat. The man falls.

(CONTINUED)

116.

121E CONTINUED: 121E

Everything seems to stop. Though the battle is still underway and thousands of individuals are still fighting for their lives, a collective gasp of despair comes from the Greeks.

Odysseus, stunned, stares at the body on the ground. Hector stands next to the fallen man. He wedges the tip of his sword inside the bronze helmet and lifts it off. Patroclus is dying, trying to breathe as his throat floods with blood. His eyes are panicked. Hector stares down at the dying boy, at the blood-soaked

SEASHELL NECKLACE.

For a moment they stare at each other, the victorious prince of Troy and the dying boy in the sand. The sounds of Patroclus' gurgling breaths visibly upset the prince. With an anguished cry he raises his sword and brings it down. We don't see the blade hit, but the boy's suffering ends. Hector sees a stunned Odysseus standing nearby. The Greeks have pushed the Trojans back from the beach, onto the grassy inland plains, but now combat has halted.

HECTOR

Enough for one day? Odysseus nods. Hector calls out to Glaucus.

HECTOR

Arms down! Back to the city! Glaucus relays the call. Odysseus calls to his CAPTAINS.

ODYSSEUS

Arms down! Arms down! To the beach! Odysseus sheathes his sword and approaches. He crouches by Patroclus and closes the dead boy's frightened eyes. Hector and Odysseus look at each other for a beat. Hector mounts his horse and leads his men home. The two sides retreat. Eudorus hurries over and kneels beside the dead boy.

EUDORUS

We were going to sail home at noon.

(CONTINUED)

117.

121E CONTINUED: (2) 121E

ODYSSEUS

I don't think anyone's sailing home now.

122 EXT. ACHILLES' WARSHIP - LATER 122

Eudorus walks up to the ship, takes a few deep breaths, and calls to his commander.

EUDORUS

Achilles! Achilles emerges from the ship's cabin and walks to the bow. He descends the gangplank to the beach. Briseis follows. Eudorus bows. Achilles examines his captain. Eudorus is sweaty and dirty, his hands caked with dried blood. His helmet is off but he still wears his armor.

ACHILLES

You've been fighting.

EUDORUS

My lord --

ACHILLES

You violated my command.

EUDORUS

No, my lord. There was a mistake.

ACHILLES

A mistake? I ordered the Myrmidons to stand down. You led them into combat?

EUDORUS

I didn't lead them. Eudorus cannot meet his commander's gaze.

ACHILLES

Who did?

EUDORUS

We thought you did. Now Achilles can tell, staring at his captain's face, that something is very wrong. He looks around the encampment. All the men returning from combat avoid looking at Achilles.

(CONTINUED)

118.

122 CONTINUED: 122

ACHILLES

Where's Patroclus?

EUDORUS

We thought it was you, my lord. We -- he wore your armor. Your shield, your grieves, your helmet. (long beat) He's dead, my lord.

ACHILLES

You're lying.

EUDORUS

Never, my lord. Never. He looked like you. He even moved like you. We all followed --

ACHILLES

Lies.

EUDORUS

He fought well, my lord. With great courage. But Hector came after him. Achilles' nostrils are flared, his eyes narrowed.

EUDORUS

If I could have saved him -- Achilles hits Eudorus hard in the mouth. The captain falls to the sand. Achilles looms above him, fists clenched. Eudorus holds his mouth. Blood is already beginning to stream out.

ACHILLES

Liar!

EUDORUS

My lord, I saw him fall. Achilles seizes Eudorus by the hair and hauls him to his knees. He snatches Eudorus's sword and raises it. Briseis grabs Achilles' shoulder.

BRISEIS

Don't! With his free hand Achilles grabs her throat. She claws at his wrist. Her feet spasm and kick inches off the ground.

(CONTINUED)

119.

122 CONTINUED: (2) 122

Eyes bulging, she stares at him. Whatever kindness she'd seen in his eyes before, whatever tenderness, it's gone now.

Achilles drops her. She sags to the ground, gasping for breath, beginning to sob. Achilles releases Eudorus. The captain remains on his knees, watching his lord.

ACHILLES

Dead?

EUDORUS

Hector cut his throat. Achilles walks to a dead campfire where the Myrmidons cook their dinner. He drops Eudorus's sword and kneels in the ashes, grabs handfuls of the soot, and blackens his face. Achilles stands, grabs the sword, and walks toward the sea. Everyone stares at him. He keeps walking as the waters lap at his ankles, his knees, his waist. The waves are high, crashing down on him, but Achilles does not turn from them. He swings the sword, chopping through the surf, slicing the crests off the waves, groaning as he fights. The soldiers on the beach stare at him. Achilles battles the sea.

123 EXT. PALACE GARDEN - NIGHT 123

Hector, carrying a torch, leads Andromache through the lower garden, down a staircase descending from the shrine of Apollo to a door half-hidden by climbing vines. He opens the door.

124 INT. PALACE OF TROY - SUBTERRANEAN LEVEL - NIGHT 124

Andromache follows Hector into the palace's dark recesses.

ANDROMACHE

Where are you taking me? Hector leads her until they reach a bronze-banded oak door. He opens the door, revealing the mouth of a dark tunnel.

(CONTINUED)

120.

124 CONTINUED: 124

HECTOR

You remember how to get here?

ANDROMACHE

Yes.

HECTOR

Next time you come, follow this tunnel. There's nowhere to turn, so you can't get lost. Keep walking.

ANDROMACHE

Hector --

HECTOR

When you get outside you'll be on the south side of the Scamander River. Follow the river till you see Mount Ida. Keep Ida to your west, walk south, and you'll get to Lyrnessus. (beat) The Greeks won't go that far inland.

ANDROMACHE

You're frightening me. Hector stares into the darkness of the tunnel.

ANDROMACHE

Hector. (beat) Why are you telling me this?

HECTOR

If I die --

ANDROMACHE

No --

HECTOR

If I die, I don't know how long the city will stand.

ANDROMACHE

Don't say that.

(CONTINUED)

121.

124 CONTINUED: (2) 124

HECTOR

If the Greeks get inside the walls, it's over. They'll kill all the men. Doesn't matter how old, they'll pull grandfathers from their beds and carve their lungs out.

ANDROMACHE

Please --

HECTOR

Doesn't matter how young. They'll throw the babies from the city walls. Andromache closes her eyes.

HECTOR

The women they'll take for slaves. And that will be worse for you than dying.

ANDROMACHE

Why are you saying these things?

HECTOR

I want you to be ready. I want you to get our boy, get him, and come here. Save as many others as you can, but you get here, you go down these stairs, and you run. (beat) Do you understand? She nods. The flickering flame of the taper throws giant shadows on the stone walls.

HECTOR

I killed a boy today. (beat) He was too young. Much too young.

125 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - NIGHT 125

Patroclus's body lies atop a massive funeral pyre, dressed in a simple white frock.

(CONTINUED)

122.

125 CONTINUED: 125

Achilles, clean now, all the soot washed away by the sea, scrubs Patroclus's face with a damp cloth. As fastidious as a mother, Achilles scrubs away the dried blood on the boy's lips, the dirt on his chin, the crusted blood on his cut throat. He removes the SHELL NECKLACE. Agamemnon stands with Nestor in the crowd surrounding the pyre. Agamemnon watches the rite with ill-concealed pleasure.

AGAMEMNON

That boy just saved the war for us. Odysseus stands nearby. Melancholy and fatigue age his face. When the boy is clean Achilles pulls two COINS from a leather pouch. He places one coin over each of the dead boy's eyes. He kisses the boy's forehead and descends from atop the pyre. Eudorus hands him a torch and Achilles sets the pyre on fire.

126 EXT./INT. MONTAGE - NIGHT 126

We visit all our characters tonight. First Achilles, standing by the burning pyre, watching his cousin burn. Briseis sits nearby, watching Achilles watch the fire.

126A AGAMEMNON 126A

sits in his tent, carving X's on the map of Troy, his jaw taut as he ravages his painted enemy.

126B PRIAM 126B

stands on a palace balcony, staring over his city.

126C HECTOR 126C

stands by his son's crib, watching the boy sleep.

126D HELEN 126D

lies in bed. She hears a noise -- phhhthck! phhhthck! -- repeated over and over at brief intervals. She rolls out of bed and walks to the arched window.

123.

126E DOWN BELOW IN THE PALACE GARDEN 126E

Paris practices his archery, shooting a target again and again by moonlight.

127 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - DAWN 127

Achilles, still standing in the same place, watches the remaining wood of the pyre collapse. He walks to his tent. On the way he passes Briseis. She has fallen asleep on the sand. He sees the bruises on her throat where his hand throttled her. As usual, the expression on his face is unreadable. He stares at her for another moment and walks away.

128 EXT. ACHILLES' TENT - DAWN 128

Achilles finds Eudorus sleeping outside his tent.

ACHILLES

Eudorus. Eudorus blinks, unsure where he is, then rouses himself as he recognizes his master's voice. He struggles to his feet.

EUDORUS

My lord.

ACHILLES

I need my armor. Eudorus nods and rushes off.

129 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - DAWN 129

Eudorus helps Achilles prepare, clasping on his greaves.

130 INT. HECTOR'S CHAMBER - DAWN 130

While his wife and child sleep, Hector clasps on his greaves. INTERCUT between Achilles and Hector, clamping on their breastplates, arm guards, helmets, etc.

131 EXT. SHRINE OF APOLLO - MORNING 131

The small shrine on the palace grounds is designed so that the summer sun rises above the sculpted Apollo's head.

(CONTINUED)

124.

131 CONTINUED: 131

Hector kneels in front of Apollo's statue, head bowed. When he raises his face he's almost looking into the sun.

132 EXT. ACHILLES' TENT - MORNING 132

Achilles exits his tent, fully armed. Eudorus is behind him. The SOLDIERS are beginning to stir and they stop in their activity now and stare at him. Two MYRMIDONS tether a CHARIOT to a large black HORSE. The work finished, they step back as Achilles hops into the chariot. Eudorus attempts to hop on behind him.

ACHILLES

No. Eudorus looks at his commander for a second and backs away.

ACHILLES

(to the Myrmidons) Rope. A Myrmidon hands him a coil of braided ROPE and retreats. Briseis steps into view. Her eyes are shadowed from lack of sleep. She stares up at Achilles and he looks at her. She looks fragile today, her pale throat purpled with bruises.

BRISEIS

Don't go. Achilles watches her in silence.

BRISEIS

Hector is my cousin. He's a good man. (beat) Take me to Larissa with you. But don't fight him. Please don't fight him. (beat) We could have a life together, but not if you choose this path. (beat) You can walk away from war. We can walk away. Achilles gazes at her, considering her words.

(CONTINUED)

125.

132 CONTINUED: 132

He tugs the reins and the horse begins trotting toward Troy.

133 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - DAY 133

The CROWDS start to fill the viewing areas above the city walls. Priam and his COUNSELORS sit below the blue canopy. Paris sits near them, but not with them. He doesn't look at anybody and people are careful to avoid looking at him. Hector stands alone at one of the wall's turreted corners, staring toward the sea.

134 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY 134

Achilles rides his chariot across the vast grassy field.

135 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - CONTINUOUS 135

Hector watches the lone chariot approach.

136 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 136

Achilles stops one hundred yards from the walls. He steps from the chariot and walks toward Troy, helmet by his side.

137 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - DAY 137

An ARCHER standing beside Hector notches an arrow.

HECTOR

No. Hector looks for Glaucus, standing farther down the wall. He gives the old general a hand signal. No attacks.

138 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY 138

Achilles stands alone in the vast field. He looks up at the Trojan CITIZENS staring down at him.

ACHILLES

Hector! In the background, we see hundreds of GREEK SOLDIERS crest the high dunes.

126.

139 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 139

ACHILLES

Hector! Louder and louder, his voice echoing above the silent city.

ACHILLES

HECTOR!

(beat)

HECTOR!

(beat)

HECTOR!

140 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - CONTINUOUS 140

Hector walks over to his father. Achilles keeps bellowing his name. Hector kneels before his father and kisses his hand.

HECTOR

Father. Forgive me for any offenses. I've served you as best I could. Priam stands, beckons for Hector to rise, cups Hector's cheeks in his palms and kisses Hector's forehead.

PRIAM

May the gods be with you.

Hector hesitates for a moment, then bows and turns to go.

PRIAM

Hector! Hector turns back. Father and son look at each other. For a moment we think Priam will be unable to speak. Finally:

PRIAM

No father ever had a better son. The words deeply move Hector. He bows again and moves on. He passes by Glaucus, who bows to the prince.

GLAUCUS

Apollo guard you, my prince. Hector claps the general's shoulder and keeps walking. He stops beside Paris. They embrace.

PARIS

You're the best man I know.

(CONTINUED)

127.

140 CONTINUED: 140

HECTOR

You are a prince of Troy. Hector grips Paris's arm tighter and stares into his eyes.

HECTOR

I know you'll make me proud. Hector kisses Paris's forehead and continues on his way, pulling his helmet onto his head.

140A EXT. STAIRS 140A

waits for him above the stairs leading to the city gates. She holds their baby boy Scamandrius.

HECTOR

You remember what I told you?

ANDROMACHE

You don't have to go. You don't --

HECTOR

You remember what I told you. Andromache hasn't slept. Her hair is a wild tangle; her eyes are rimmed red. She nods. She holds her son up to his father. The boy doesn't see his father, he sees something terrifying, a man with a bronze face and a plume of horsehair. Scamandrius begins to CRY. Hector removes his helmet. Now the boy sees his father. He giggles and reaches out. Hector takes the boy in his arms and holds him. He kisses the boy's fuzzed head and closes his eyes for a moment. Finally he hands the baby back to Andromache. He smiles at his wife. She grabs him by the back of the head and presses his face to hers. Her mouth is open, her eyes closed, her body slack against his. Finally he disengages himself. He walks away from her. She and Scamandrius stare after him, but he never looks back.

140B EXT. GATES (INSIDE CITY WALLS) 140B

He walks down the long staircase descending from the walls. He stops at the massive city gates. The GATEMEN begin pulling the long chains that open the gates.

(CONTINUED)

128.

140B CONTINUED: 140B

He senses someone behind him. He turns. Helen stands ten feet away, her unearthly beauty greater than ever. As the heavy gates rise, Helen and Hector stare at each other, never blinking, never looking away.

Finally the gate is lifted. Hector bows to Helen and fits his helmet on his head. He leaves the city. Helen watches him go.

141 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY 141

Hector walks toward Achilles. Everything is very quiet. The people on the walls are hushed. Even the birds seem reverent. Thousands and thousands of Greeks now line the high dunes, making the valley an enormous amphitheater ringed with spectators from the dunes to the walls of Troy. Achilles stands motionless. The two men are alone on the great field. Hector stops twenty feet away from Achilles.

HECTOR

I've seen this moment in my dreams. Achilles, expressionless, stares at the prince.

HECTOR

I'll make a pact with you, with the gods as our witnesses. Let us pledge that the winner will allow the loser all the proper funeral rituals.

ACHILLES

There are no pacts between lions and men. Achilles tosses aside his helmet -- an insulting gesture, impugning Hector's combat skills.

ACHILLES

Now you know who you're fighting. Hector pauses a moment before removing his own helmet and tossing it aside.

HECTOR

I thought it was you I was fighting yesterday. I wish it had been you. But I gave the dead boy the honor he --

(CONTINUED)

129.

141 CONTINUED: 141

ACHILLES

You gave him the honor of your sword. (beat) You won't have eyes tonight. You won't have ears, or a tongue. You'll wander the underworld, blind, deaf, and dumb. And all the dead will know: this is Hector, the fool who thought he killed Achilles. Achilles draws his sword. Hector draws his. They charge. We've seen extraordinary fighting before, but we've never seen this -- a prowess so extreme as to be hypnotic. Two better swordsmen have never clashed. All their lives, all their training and past battles, have led to this moment. Nothing is wasted. No flourishes or balletic leaps or spins. Every swing is a death blow countered. The rapidity of the exchange is breathless. The bronze blades hiss as they split the air. They swing with such power that sparks fly whenever a sword scrapes a shield.

142 EXT. HIGH DUNES - DAY 142

Agamemnon, Nestor, and Odysseus stand with their men. For the moment all machinations and intrigues are forgotten. Each of them knows this fight will be remembered forever, and each watches quietly.

143 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY 143

Hector lunges forward and from our angle it appears that he has skewered Achilles. Hector's face is inches from Achilles. Achilles appears unperturbed. Hector looks down. Achilles has trapped him, allowing Hector's sword to miss his side by inches and then clamping down on Hector's sword arm. Hector tries to yank his sword free but cannot. Achilles stabs at Hector's face and Hector ducks at the last moment, the sword point puncturing the air above his head. Achilles releases Hector and takes another mighty swing.

130.

144 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - CONTINUOUS 144

Andromache sits with Scamandrius, her back against the wall. She cannot watch. Her boy, blissfully unaware, coos happily and plays with his mother's long hair.

145 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 145

Achilles, sensing the advantage, moves in a step too close. Hector sees an opening and slashes. Achilles jumps back at the last possible moment, but Hector's blade gouges out a long strip of bronze from Achilles' breastplate. Both men swing. Their swords lock and for a moment everything is still. Achilles' face is inches from Hector's. Hector is sweating and breathing heavily. Achilles is not. Achilles shoves Hector and relaunches his attack. While Hector still fights ably, he's clearly tiring. As Achilles' blows force Hector back, the prince steps on a rock, trips, and falls. Achilles stands above him.

ACHILLES

Get up, prince of Troy. I won't let a stone take my glory. Hector stands. He knows his energy is fading fast. So he spends everything on one last try. He charges, swinging with explosive fury, putting all his might into each blow. When the barrage is finished and Hector pauses for a breath, he sees that Achilles, unhurt, has parried everything. Now Achilles bores in, swinging. Hector blocks and blocks, but doesn't have the stamina for a new assault. Achilles lunges. Hector raises his shield. The sword plunges through the seven layers of oxhide, plunges through the hammered bronze of the shield, the bronze of the breastplate, all the way into Hector's heart. Hector looks down at the blade. He looks at Achilles. There is no mercy or remorse on the man's face. Hector falls.

146 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - CONTINUOUS 146

Priam reacts as if he received the blow, clutching at his chest and reeling backward.

(CONTINUED)

131.

146 CONTINUED: 146

Paris presses forward, gripping the edge of the wall so hard his knuckles turn white. Andromache hears the GROANS of the crowd. She covers her ears and clamps her eyes shut. Scamandrius stares at her, baffled.

147 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 147

Hector lies on his back. Achilles pulls out his bloody sword and walks to his chariot. Hector blinks. The sun, now high in the sky, is blinding. Hector stares into the sun and dies. Silence. Silence everywhere. No victory cry from the Greeks. Achilles returns in the chariot. He jumps out with the coil of rope. He ties Hector's ankles together, then ties the other end of the rope to the back of the chariot.

148 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - CONTINUOUS 148

Something hardens in Paris's face. Whatever callowness we've seen before seems to ebb away as he watches Achilles abuse Hector's body. Priam and his subjects watch in horror.

PRIAM

My boy... my boy... Andromache sits against the wall, knees tucked against her chest, face against her knees. Scamandrius begins to cry. Helen kneels by Andromache. She picks up the baby and soothes him. Helen takes Andromache's hand. Andromache looks up. Her eyes are a terrible thing to see.

HELEN

Let's go inside. Andromache allows Helen to pull her to her feet. Helen, holding the baby in one arm, guides Andromache away.

149 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - CONTINUOUS 149

Achilles whips his horse and the chariot starts rolling, dragging Hector through the grass.

132.

150 EXT. WALLS OF TROY - CONTINUOUS 150

Priam's legs give out. Glaucus and Paris catch him before he falls and carry him toward the shade beneath the blue canopy.

151 EXT. HIGH DUNES - DAY 151

Achilles rides his chariot over the crest of the dune. The Greek army parts like the Red Sea, solemn and silent.

152 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - DAY 152

Achilles rides into camp. The Greek soldiers gather round to stare at Hector's body. Achilles doesn't look at anyone. He unties the rope and hauls Hector by hand across the sands. Odysseus stands nearby, amongst the men. A few of the soldiers laugh, seeing the Trojan prince laid low.

SOLDIER 1

He doesn't look so glorious now. Odysseus turns and glares at the soldier, who shuts his mouth. Odysseus walks away. Achilles drags Hector's body to his tent, dumps him there, and walks inside.

153 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - CONTINUOUS 153

Briseis kneels in the center of the tent, palms pressed together, eyes lowered in prayer. She opens her eyes and looks up when Achilles walks in. He looks more beast than man, splattered with Hector's blood. Briseis sees Achilles' face and knows what happened. For the first time her strength deserts her. She looks very young, very childlike as she begins to cry. He regards her for a moment before going to his bedding and lying on his back. We stay on his face as Briseis weeps.

154 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - NIGHT 154

All but the sentries are sleeping. No campfires burn as a fat moon rises above the sea.

133.

155 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - NIGHT 155

Achilles, now clean, sits in the center of the tent, sharpening his sword. Briseis sits in a far corner. She's been crying for hours, her eyes red and swollen.

BRISEIS

You lost your cousin. And now you've taken mine. Achilles looks up at her.

BRISEIS

When does it end? Achilles continues sharpening his sword.

ACHILLES

It never ends. Briseis stares at him for a moment and leaves the tent. Achilles quits his sharpening. Now there is nothing but silence, nothing but a bronze sword for company.

156 EXT. TROJAN BEACH - NIGHT 156

Briseis sits on the beach, facing the moonlit sea.

157 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - NIGHT 157

Achilles still sits alone, his eyes empty. He hears a rustling at the tent flap. An old man wearing a hooded robe steps inside. The old man pulls his hood down. It's Priam.

ACHILLES

Who are you? Priam seems physically hurt by the sight of Achilles. For a moment it seems he will collapse again. But he wills himself onward, walking to Achilles' chair. He sinks to his knees, takes Achilles' hands, and kisses them. Achilles observes all this with curiosity.

PRIAM

I have endured what no one on earth has endured before. I kissed the hands of the man who killed my son.

ACHILLES

Priam?

(CONTINUED)

134.

157 CONTINUED: 157

Priam nods. Achilles stands, helping the old man to his feet.

ACHILLES

How did you get in here, old king? The sentries --

PRIAM

I know my own country better than the Greeks, I think.

ACHILLES

You're a brave man. If Agamemnon knew you were here, he'd have your head on a spit.

PRIAM

Do you really think death frightens me now? I watched my eldest son die, watched you drag his body behind your chariot. Priam stares at Achilles, and for the first time since we've known him, Achilles looks away.

PRIAM

Give him back to me. He deserves the honor of a proper burial. You know that. Give him to me.

ACHILLES

He killed my cousin.

PRIAM

He thought it was you. He defended his country. How many cousins have you killed? How many sons and fathers and brothers and husbands? How many, brave Achilles? (beat) I knew your father. He died before his time. But he was lucky not to live long enough to see his son fall. Achilles does not respond. We cannot read his expression.

(CONTINUED)

135.

157 CONTINUED: (2) 157

PRIAM

You've taken everything from me. My eldest son, heir to my throne, defender of my kingdom. (beat) I can't change what happened. It's the will of the gods. But give me this small mercy. Achilles looks into the old man's eyes. Priam tries to blink back his tears but fails.

PRIAM

I loved my boy from the moment he opened his eyes till the moment you closed them. (beat) Let me wash his body. Let me say the prayers. Let me place two coins on his eyes for the boatman.

ACHILLES

If I let you walk out of here, if I let you take him, it doesn't change anything. You're still my enemy in the morning.

PRIAM

You're still my enemy tonight. But even enemies can show respect. Achilles nods.

ACHILLES

I admire your courage, old man. You're a better king than the one leading this army. Meet me outside in a moment.

158 EXT. ACHILLES' TENT - MOMENTS LATER - NIGHT 158

Achilles, carrying a torch and a white shroud, walks to the spot where Hector's body lies. He crouches beside the dead prince. Death has not robbed Hector's face of its dignity. A small sand crab approaches the body and Achilles shoos it away. He shoves the butt end of the torch into the sand.

(CONTINUED)

136.

158 CONTINUED: 158

Achilles rubs his eyes with his hand and takes several deep breaths. When he removes his hand, we see something remarkable: Achilles' eyes are wet with tears.

For a moment he seems unsure what to do. Finally he begins wrapping the white sheet around Hector's body.

ACHILLES

We'll meet again soon.

159 INT. ACHILLES' TENT - LATER - NIGHT 159

Priam, deep in his grief, sits with his head bowed. He hears noiases outside. He stands and exits the tent.

160 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - CONTINUOUS 160

Achilles gently loads Hector's body, now wrapped in the shroud, onto a moonlit chariot. Priam walks to the chariot. Four Myrmidons, keeping a respectful distance, stand guard.

ACHILLES

Your son was the best I've fought. I want you to know that. (beat) In my country the funeral games last twelve days.

PRIAM

It's the same in my country.

ACHILLES

Then no Greek will attack Troy for twelve days. The prince deserves that honor. Achilles, hearing footsteps, turns. Briseis emerges from the shadows. Priam is stunned.

PRIAM

Briseis? Priam wraps his arms around her, thrilled she's alive.

PRIAM

We thought you were dead, little swan.

(CONTINUED)

137.

160 CONTINUED: 160

After a moment Briseis turns and looks at Achilles. Nobody speaks for a long beat. Tears shine in Briseis' eyes.

ACHILLES

You'll be safe behind the Trojan walls. Achilles reaches into his tunic and pulls out the SHELL NECKLACE that Patroclus had worn. He fastens it around her delicate neck, where the purple bruises are still visible. He speaks quietly to her, too softly for Priam to hear.

ACHILLES

If I hurt you -- it's not what I wanted. (long beat) You gave me one night of peace in a lifetime of war. She stares up at him, her young face mapped with conflicting emotions. Finally, Achilles turns to Priam.

ACHILLES

Go. No one will stop you, you have my word. Priam gets in the chariot. Briseis still looks at Achilles.

PRIAM

Come, my girl. Priam reaches down and helps her onto the chariot. He seizes the reins and they're off, the Myrmidons escorting them to safety. Achilles stares at Briseis until she's gone.

161 INT. AGAMEMNON'S TENT - DAY 161

Agamemnon paces about his tent in a murderous fury. Odysseus, Nestor and several AIDES stand in attendance.

AGAMEMNON

(shouting) Achilles makes a secret pact and I have to honor it?! What treason is this?

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

138.

161 CONTINUED: 161

AGAMEMNON (CONT'D)

(fairly spitting the words) Consorting with the enemy king! Giving him twelve days of peace. Peace! Their prince is dead; their army is leaderless. This is the time to attack!

NESTOR

Even with Hector gone, we have no way to breach their walls. They can wait ten years for us to leave.

AGAMEMNON

I will smash their walls to the ground. If it costs me forty thousand Greeks, Zeus hear me, I will smash their walls to the ground. Nestor and Odysseus exchange troubled glances.

162 EXT. CAMPFIRE - DAY 162

Odysseus sits with his ITHACANS by the fire. The men eat a breakfast of grilled fish. The soldier sitting beside Odysseus whittles with a sharp knife. Odysseus watches the man work. The Soldier notices his king's attention. He smiles and holds up a small WOOD

HORSE.

SOLDIER

For my boy back home. Odysseus nods, never taking his eyes off the toy horse.

163 EXT. AGAMEMNON'S TENT - DAY 163

Hundreds of Greeks eat breakfast on the beach. Several of them turn to watch Odysseus, who rushes to Agamemnon's tent and disappears inside.

164 EXT. MAIN SQUARE OF TROY - NIGHT 164

A giant pyre has been built in the city square. Thousands of CITIZENS are gathered around to watch. No crowd has ever been more silent. The city has lost its favorite son.

(CONTINUED)

139.

164 CONTINUED: 164

Hector lies atop the pyre, dressed in a woven robe of white and gold, his hair washed and oiled, his skin gleaming and clean. His face is undamaged. Two coins rest above his eyes.

Priam stands at the base of the pyre, holding a lit torch. His hand trembles. He is unable to light the pyre. Finally Paris grips his father's shoulder. Paris takes the torch from Priam and lights the kindling. Helen, Andromache, and baby Scamandrius sit nearby. Andromache's face is completely blank. She stares dully at the quickening fire. Helen holds Scamandrius in her lap. The boy plays with the WOOD LION his father made for him.

165 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - NIGHT 165

By torchlight, we see Greeks stripping planks from two burnt shells of warships. Others pry spikes out of the fortifications. Odysseus watches the men carry the planks and bundles of spikes to an ever-growing pile. Achilles approaches him.

ACHILLES

Wily Odysseus. You've found a way to make the sheep invite the wolves over for dinner.

ODYSSEUS

This is war.

ACHILLES

Agamemnon will kill them all. Men, women, children -- all of them. You know that. Achilles walks away. Odysseus follows him.

ODYSSEUS

I'm the king of Ithaca, not Troy. My loyalty is to Ithaca. If this plan works, the war ends in a night. And my men can sail home to their wives. Achilles keeps walking, Odysseus pacing after him.

(CONTINUED)

140.

165 CONTINUED: 165

ODYSSEUS

It's not Troy you're worried about, is it? It's one Trojan. One Trojan girl.

Achilles halts. He stares at Odysseus for a long count.

ACHILLES

I've always liked you. But if that girl dies because of your plan, you will never sail home to your wife. Achilles turns and leaves. Odysseus takes a deep breath.

166 EXT. ACHILLES' TENT - LATER 166

Achilles arrives at his tent and finds Eudorus polishing his armor. Eudorus jumps to his feet.

ACHILLES

Eudorus. (beat) Forgive me. Eudorus blinks. No one has ever heard these words from Achilles' mouth before.

ACHILLES

I should never have struck you. You've been a loyal friend all your life.

EUDORUS

I hope I never disappoint you again.

ACHILLES

Rouse the men. You're taking them home.

EUDORUS

Aren't you coming with us?

ACHILLES

I've got one more battle to fight. Eudorus hesitates, watching his lord. Finally:

EUDORUS

She's worth fighting for. We'll march behind you.

(CONTINUED)

141.

166 CONTINUED: 166

ACHILLES

All that's left is the slaughter. I don't want to see my men fouled with children's blood. (beat) Go, Eudorus. This is the last order I give you. After a long pause, Eudorus bows deeply to his commander.

EUDORUS

Fighting for you has been my life's honor. Achilles grips his lieutenant's shoulder and strides away.

167 EXT. GUARD TOWER - DAWN 167

Twelve days later. The SENTRIES are at their posts, warming their hands over a brazier. The sky begins to lighten. Sentry 1 stares down to the sea. He hurries to the edge of the tower and squints into the morning fog. Sentry 2 looks at him and then joins him.

SENTRY 1

They're gone. It's true. All the Greek ships are gone from the beach. All the tents have been struck, all the chariots taken away, every last man -- gone. Nothing's left on the beach but a strange wooden structure.

168 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - DAY 168

Priam, Paris, Glaucus, Archeptolemus, and Velior, all on horseback, lead the Apollonian Guard onto the beach. The soldiers -- still wary of an ambush -- surround their leaders, protecting them from attack. The Trojan leaders dismount. Slowly they approach a WOODEN HORSE standing forty feet high.

(CONTINUED)

142.

168 CONTINUED: 168

The beach is deserted save for the bones of burnt-out ships, a few stray arrows, the remnants of the camp fires, and corpses -- dozens of Greek bodies scattered in the sands.

Each of the cadavers is covered with large black sores. The Trojans inspect the bodies, keeping a wary distance.

PRIAM

Plague.

GLAUCUS

Don't get too close, my king.

ARCHEPTOLEMUS

This is the will of the gods. Everyone turns to look at the high priest.

ARCHEPTOLEMUS

They desecrated the temple of Apollo and Apollo desecrated their flesh. The Greeks could fight our swords and arrows, but they can't fight the god's plague. Glaucus shakes his head and laughs.

GLAUCUS

They thought they'd come here and sack our city in a day. And look at them now, fleeing across the Aegean. Priam stares up at the great horse.

PRIAM

What is this?

ARCHEPTOLEMUS

An offering to Poseidon. The Greeks are praying for a safe return home.

GLAUCUS

I hope the Sea God spits on their offering and lets them all drown at the bottom of the sea.

ARCHEPTOLEMUS

This is a gift. We should bring it to the temple of Poseidon. All the men stare at the towering horse.

(CONTINUED)

143.

168 CONTINUED: (2) 168

PARIS

I think we should burn it.

VELIOR

Burn it? My prince -- it's a gift to the gods.

GLAUCUS

The prince is right. I'd burn all of Greece if I had a big enough torch.

ARCHEPTOLEMUS

I warn you, good men. Be careful what you insult. Our beloved prince Hector had sharp words for the gods and a day later Achilles' sword cut him down. Priam turns to look at the high priest.

PARIS

(glaring at Archeptolemus) Burn it, father. Archeptolemus ignores Paris and speaks directly to Priam.

ARCHEPTOLEMUS

Forgive me, my king. I mean no disrespect. But I don't want to see any more princes of Troy incur the gods' wrath. All the men look at Priam. He stares at the massive horse.

PRIAM

I will not watch another son die.

169 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY 169

Dozens of Trojan soldiers tugging long ropes pull the massive horse across the grassy plain.

170 EXT. GATES OF TROY - DAY 170

The soldiers drag the horse through the gates. The citizens of Troy watch from atop the walls and inside the city proper.

144.

171 EXT. MAIN SQUARE OF TROY - DAY 171

The horse now stands near the statue of Poseidon wielding his trident, beside his temple on one corner of the city square.

The square is crowded and jubilant. Soldiers and citizens celebrate their great victory, drinking wine in the streets, waving torches and Trojan flags, singing songs. Paris and Helen sit on the palace stairs, watching the crowd.

PARIS

Look at them. You'd think their prince had never died. Helen takes his hand.

HELEN

You're their prince. (beat) Make your brother proud. Her comment echoes the words Hector spoke to him before his death. Paris nods solemnly. Helen rests her head on his shoulder. They sit quietly as the crowds sing in the street.

172 EXT. BEACH ENCAMPMENT - DUSK 172

An abandoned DOG lopes along the beach, stopping to sniff each Greek corpse. Finding one dead man he seems to recognize, the dog licks the cadaver's face. The "sore" on the dead face is licked clean. The sores are masterful forgeries, applied with squid ink and dried blood.

173 EXT. CLIFFS OF HELLESPONT - NIGHT 173

A TROJAN RIDER on horseback trots south, away from distant Troy. He looks toward the Hellespont. Something catches his eye. He frowns and guides his mount toward the cliff's edge. We rise above him and look down at the Hellespont. By the light of the moon, nearly one thousand GREEK WARSHIPS harbor in the deserted bay. The rider stares at the ships in horror.

145.

174 EXT. MAIN SQUARE OF TROY - NIGHT 174

The square is empty now, all the revelers gone home. The wood horse waits in the moonlight. We witness something strange: ropes, anchored inside the horse, fall to the ground.

Soldiers emerge from the horse and slide silently down the ropes: Achilles, Odysseus and ten other Greek soldiers. None of them wear the bright, clanking bronze armor. Their swords and spears are wrapped in lambskins. Odysseus leads a team of Ithacans across the square. Quiet as shadows, they creep up on the sentries guarding the main gate. Another team moves toward the guard towers. Achilles stands alone in the dark square, watching his compatriots set off on their deadly missions. Finally he turns and moves in the opposite direction, toward the palace. He's on a different mission.

174A EXT. CITY GATES 174A

Two Ithacans cut the gate sentries' throats. The soldiers begin pulling the chains to raise the city gates.

174B THE TROJAN RIDER 174B

gallops to Troy. The Greeks see him coming and look to Odysseus for guidance. The rider, still at some distance, shouts to the men at the gates.

TROJAN RIDER

They're still here! The Greeks are still here! They sailed up the Hellespont! Odysseus hurls his spear. It flies through the bars of the gate and into the rider's throat, knocking him from his horse. The horse, panicked, gallops away.

175 EXT. GUARD TOWER - CONTINUOUS 175

One of the sentries, hearing the commotion, wakes up. Groggy, he looks over the edge of the tower -- into a Greek's face. The Greek, one hand on the ladder, stabs the sentry. Another Greek crawls into the tower and kills the second sentry.

146.

176 EXT. GATES OF TROY - CONTINUOUS 176

The Greeks pull the gates open. They wave their torches, a signal. Looking into the distance, we see something shifting in the darkness, coming closer and closer.

The Greek army, shadows in the dark, charges toward the city at a sprint, silent. Thousands upon thousands of warriors running quietly as panthers. Like water bursting through a dam, the Greeks blast through the gates, swords and spears raised.

177 EXT. PALACE OF TROY - NIGHT 177

Briseis leans against a balustrade, staring toward the beach. She wears a blue robe and the seashell necklace. She hears NOISES from the city gates and turns. On a flagpole above the highest guard tower, the Trojan flag is burning.

178 EXT. TROY - NIGHT 178

All over the city, the Greeks carry out their raids, killing sentries at their posts, setting buildings on fire with torches, opening the stable doors and shooing all the frightened horses into the streets.

178A NEW ANGLE 178A

Soon the city is in chaos. Fires burn out of control. Screams begin to echo down the alleyways, first just a few, then more and more, until it seems the entire city is screaming.

178B ACHILLES 178B

runs through the burning city, keeping to the shadows.

179 INT. PRIAM'S MEETING HALL - NIGHT 179

Priam stands on the balcony, watching his beautiful city burn, watching the destruction of his life's work.

180 EXT. TROJAN ARMORY - NIGHT 180

Trojan soldiers begin to straggle in, but they're not prepared for this. Many are unarmed and all look terrified. Four Trojans run to the armory doors and throw them open.

(CONTINUED)

147.

180 CONTINUED: 180

They dive back as a BLAST of heat rushes out the door. The armory is aflame, fires eating at the wood-beamed ceiling, devouring thousands of spears on their racks.

181 EXT. TROJAN STREETS - NIGHT 181

FAMILIES of terrified civilians stagger through the streets in their bedclothes. MOTHERS clutch their CHILDREN's hands. OLD WOMEN flee their burning buildings. The women scream when they see Achilles running toward them, sword drawn. But pillaging is the last thing on his mind.

182 INT. PALACE HALLWAYS - NIGHT 182

Briseis hurries through the hallways. Outside, past the archways, the white buildings of Troy are on fire. We hear the screaming of a dying city.

183 EXT. MAIN SQUARE OF TROY - NIGHT 183

Agamemnon stands in the very center of Troy, head tilted back, watching with delight as the beautiful city burns.

AGAMEMNON

I promised you, brother. (yelling to his troops) Burn it all!

184 INT. PARIS'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT 184

Paris suits up for battle. He grabs his bow and quiver of arrows. Helen watches him. Andromache enters the room, Scamandrius in her arms.

ANDROMACHE

We have to run.

HELEN

Where?

ANDROMACHE

I'll show you. Paris looks at Helen.

HELEN

Come, my love. Come with us.

148.

185 EXT. STREETS OF TROY - NIGHT 185

Odysseus battles his way down the street, leading the Greeks against a contingent of half-armored Trojans. The Trojans are too dazed to offer much resistance.

186 EXT. PALACE GARDEN - NIGHT 186

Andromache, carrying her baby and a lit torch, leads Helen, Paris, and other WOMEN and CHILDREN down the staircase to the vine-tangled door. Andromache pulls it open.

187 INT. PALACE OF TROY - SUBTERRANEAN LEVEL - NIGHT 187

Andromache leads the Trojans to the bronze-banded door. She opens the door, revealing the dark tunnel.

ANDROMACHE

It's a long walk. Helen and the others enter the tunnel. Paris does not. He stands just outside the door.

PARIS

I stay.

HELEN

No --

PARIS

My father will never abandon the city. I can't leave him.

HELEN

The city is dead! They're burning it to the ground! Paris looks at the huddled refugees. They're a timid lot, terrified and weak. AENEAS (14) looks stronger and braver than the rest. He's supporting his ELDERLY FATHER.

PARIS

What's your name?

AENEAS

Aeneas.

PARIS

Do you know how to use a sword? Aeneas nods. Paris pulls out the sword of Troy.

(CONTINUED)

149.

187 CONTINUED: 187

PARIS

The sword of Troy. I wasn't so good with it, but it's a fine sword. (beat) As long as it's in a Trojan's hand, our people have a future. (hands sword to Aeneas) Protect them, Aeneas. Find them a new home.

AENEAS

I will. Andromache touches Paris's arm.

ANDROMACHE

Briseis wasn't in her room.

PARIS

I'll find her. Andromache kisses him. She turns and leads the way through the tunnel. The Trojans follow. Aeneas bows to Paris and helps his father as their long journey begins.

HELEN

I'll stay with you. Paris pushes her gently toward the door.

PARIS

Go.

HELEN

Don't leave me. Please don't leave me.

PARIS

How could you love me if I ran now?

HELEN

Please --

PARIS

We will be together again. In this world or the next, we will be together. He kisses her hard, pushes her through the door and closes it. He kisses the wood, turns and runs toward the battle.

150.

188 INT. PALACE OF TROY - NIGHT 188

Briseis runs down a long corridor. We hear cries from the massacre outside.

BRISEIS

Paris? Andromache? She stops mid-stride. A riderless WHITE HORSE rounds the corner and bolts toward her, eyes crazed, muzzled foamed with spittle. Briseis backs against the wall. The terrified horse gallops past her.

189 EXT. PALACE OF TROY - NIGHT 189

ACHILLES

BRISEIS! BRISEIS!

Achilles scales the high wall surrounding the palace and jumps to the other side. He's spotted by an Apollonian. The Guard charges. Achilles cracks him in the face with the hilt of his sword. The Guard falls. Achilles grabs him and hauls him to his feet, sword at his throat.

ACHILLES

Briseis -- where is she? (louder) Where is she?!

APOLLONIAN #2

I don't know... please, I have a son. Achilles shoves him away.

ACHILLES

Get him out of Troy. The Guard, stunned to find himself alive, finally runs. Achilles rushes into the palace.

190 EXT. PALACE STAIRS - NIGHT 190

Odysseus and his men fight their way up the palace stairs. The Trojans resist heroically. They die heroically. Agamemnon stands behind his troops, hollering orders.

AGAMEMNON

No one escapes! No one!

151.

191 INT. PALACE - RECEPTION HALL - NIGHT 191

Outside we hear the screams and battle cries. Glaucus stands with fifty of his men, the last line of defense. He walks through their ranks, clasping hands with each man.

GLAUCUS

You men are soldiers. Leading you has been an honor. Paris runs into the hall. Glaucus smiles and clasps hands with the prince. Glaucus addresses the men.

GLAUCUS

The boatman is waiting for us. I say, let him wait a little longer! The men roar as the Greeks spill into the reception hall.

191A THE TROJANS 191A

attack. For a few moments they drive the Greeks back. Paris notches an arrow and fires. A Greek falls, an arrow through his throat. But too many Greeks pour through the doors. The Trojans fight bravely, especially Paris, who fires quickly and accurately. Odysseus engages Glaucus and quickly kills the old general. The surviving Trojans retreat farther into the palace.

192 INT. MEETING HALL - NIGHT 192

Dozens of Greeks charge into the hall, seizing whatever treasures they can carry and smashing whatever they can't. Priam, armed with a sword, rushes into the hall. He sees two Greeks grabbing small GOLD FIGURINES of the gods from their wall sconces. He raises his sword.

PRIAM

Have you no honor? No respect for the gods?

(CONTINUED)

152.

192 CONTINUED: 192

Before Priam can move forward he is speared from behind, the spearhead tearing through his back and out his chest. He falls. Agamemnon stands above him. He yanks his spear free.

AGAMEMNON

I wanted you alive, old king. I wanted you to watch your city burn.

PRIAM

Please... the children... spare the innocents...

AGAMEMNON

Let Hades decide who's innocent. He walks away, leaving the old man to die alone on the floor.

193 INT. SHRINE OF ZEUS - NIGHT 193

Archeptolemus kneels beneath the statue of Zeus. He stands when a band of Greek soldiers close in on him.

ARCHEPTOLEMUS

Beware, my friends. I am a servant of the gods. A soldier chops him down and hurls the priest's body over the balustrade.

194 EXT. PALACE GARDEN - NIGHT 194

Briseis runs into the garden, looking for a friendly face. No one's in sight. She runs to the lower garden. She doesn't notice Agamemnon, stained with Priam's blood, standing in an archway of the burning palace, watching her.

195 INT. PALACE HALLWAYS - NIGHT 195

Achilles races through the palace, ignoring the fire and smoke, searching the faces of the terrified women he passes.

ACHILLES

Briseis! Briseis!

153.

196 EXT. PALACE GARDEN - NIGHT 196

Briseis kneels by Apollo's statue, ignoring the inferno around her.

AGAMEMNON (O.S.)

Too late for prayer, priestess. Briseis does not look up. Agamemnon grabs her long hair and pulls her to her feet. He holds his sword to her throat. Two of his BODYGUARDS stand behind him.

AGAMEMNON

Your parents should have taught you to stand for a king.

BRISEIS

They did.

AGAMEMNON

You wore a white robe when I last saw you. No more? Did brave Achilles ruin you for the temple? Briseis does not look at him or answer. He pulls her close.

AGAMEMNON

I almost lost this war because of your little romance. I want to taste what Achilles tasted.

197 INT. PALACE - NIGHT 197

Achilles, running past the bodies of dead Trojans, looks through an archway and sees Briseis in Agamemnon's hands. He dashes outside.

198 EXT. PALACE GARDEN - NIGHT 198

AGAMEMNON

(whispering in Briseis' ear) You'll be my slave in Mycenae. A Trojan priestess scrubbing my floors. And at night -- He tears her robe. Briseis pulls her hand out of her sleeve. She's holding a ceremonial DAGGER. She drives the dagger into the side of Agamemnon's neck. His eyes bulge. She rams the dagger deeper. Agamemnon falls to the ground, clutching at his neck.

(CONTINUED)

154.

198 CONTINUED: 198

The bodyguards stare at their dying king in disbelief. Briseis runs. The bodyguards pursue her. Briseis stumbles and falls. She looks behind her. One of the bodyguards raises his sword, ready to split Briseis in half. Before he can bring down his sword, his head flies from his shoulders. As the man falls, Achilles whirls around and dispatches the other bodyguard, bronze sword glittering in the moonlight.

199 INT. PALACE - CONTINUOUS 199

Paris, bow in hand, looks out an archway to the garden and sees Achilles -- the man who killed his brother -- splattered with blood, sword in hand, standing over Briseis.

200 EXT. PALACE GARDEN - CONTINUOUS 200

Achilles looks down at Agamemnon's corpse, lying in puddled blood a few feet away. He looks back to Briseis.

ACHILLES

Come with me. Before she can answer her eyes go wide. She sees Paris, in the upper garden, notching an arrow.

ACHILLES

Come. I'll protect you. Paris pulls back the catgut string. Briseis screams:

BRISEIS

No! Paris fires. Briseis's scream distracts him -- the arrow sails off course, hitting Achilles above his heel, tearing through the tendon. Achilles staggers, turns, and sees Paris. Achilles snarls and heads for him. Paris shoots again. Achilles tries to dodge but the torn tendon in his heel slows him down. The arrow rips through his side. Achilles keeps limping forward.

BRISEIS

Stop! Paris! Stop!

(CONTINUED)

155.

200 CONTINUED: 200

Paris releases another arrow. Now Achilles doesn't even try to dodge. The arrow sinks deep into his chest. Achilles keeps coming. He knows this is the end. A small smile crosses his face. He has waited for this moment his entire life. He marches toward his destiny. Paris notches another arrow. His hands are shaking but he fires again. This one drills deep into Achilles' belly.

BRISEIS

Stop! Achilles keeps coming. Paris reaches for another arrow. His quiver is empty. Aeneas has his sword. The palace around them is burning, lighting their faces. Blood pours from Achilles' wounds. The arrow shafts stick out of him. Any other man would have already fallen. But he keeps coming, relentless, his face a mask of grim purpose. Briseis runs in front of her cousin Paris and shields him with her body. Achilles lifts his bloody sword.

BRISEIS

No more. Briseis does not move. For several seconds the great warrior and the young girl stare at each other.

BRISEIS

No more killing. Achilles looks at the seashell necklace she wears.

BRISEIS

No more. Achilles raises his sword and brings it down hard, burying its bronze blade in the soil of the garden.

ACHILLES

No more. He reaches out and rubs the shells of her necklace.

ACHILLES

My mother made this necklace.

(CONTINUED)

156.

200 CONTINUED: (2) 200

He sinks to a sitting position on the grass. He pulls the arrows out of his body and tosses them aside. Briseis sits beside him. She cradles his head in her arms while all Troy burns around them.

ACHILLES

You have to get out.

BRISEIS

Shh.

ACHILLES

Get out. She kisses his lips, running her fingers across his jaw.

BRISEIS

There's no way out. Achilles stares at Paris.

ACHILLES

There's always a way out for the princes. Paris tries to lift Briseis to her feet but she refuses.

ACHILLES

Briseis. She leans closer. He's losing too much blood, his strength is fading, but he summons his remaining energy to speak.

ACHILLES

I chose this night... but you will see the sun again. I want you to live. Her face is full of sorrow and love. He touches her lips, his fingers trembling as his body fails. She kisses him.

ACHILLES

Live. She doesn't want to go but he pushes her gently away. Finally she nods.

BRISEIS

Because of you.

(CONTINUED)

157.

200 CONTINUED: (3) 200

She turns and follows Paris down the stairs toward escape. Achilles watches her intently until he sees she's safely away. He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes.

Hordes of rampaging Greeks storm the garden, burning anything that will burn, hollering their victory cries. Achilles sits alone in the garden. He shivers, hugging himself for warmth, waiting.

201 EXT. MAIN SQUARE OF TROY - DAWN 201

The Greeks are victorious. The beautiful city of Troy is a ruin. Trojan PRISONERS are led off in chains. Greek soldiers carry gold treasures from the lavish temples and palace. Funeral pyres fill the square. One pyre, taller than the rest, rises in the center of the square. Odysseus stands atop the highest pyre, staring down at the body of Achilles. For a long time Odysseus looks at the dead man's face. He knows the world will never see another Achilles. Finally he reaches inside his tunic, pulls out two coins, and places them over Achilles' eyes.

ODYSSEUS

Find peace, my brother. Odysseus climbs down from the pyre. A LIEUTENANT hands him a torch and Odysseus starts the fire. The dry wood quickly catches. Black smokes rises toward the circling crows. CLOSE on Odysseus as he watches his friend burn.

202 EXT. SCAMANDER RIVER - DAWN 202

A small band of Trojans marches east toward the rising sun. Helen and Paris, Andromache and Scamandrius, Aeneas and the others -- alive. They walk toward Mount Ida. Briseis walks behind the others. She stops for a moment and looks back toward the ruins of Troy.

(CONTINUED)

158.

202 CONTINUED: 202

CLOSE on Briseis for a beat. And then we see what she sees: the black smoke from Achilles' pyre rising above the smoldering city, rising above the circling crows, and finally fading away into the deep blue sky.

FADE OUT.

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