Scene 17 ~ Pippin's Task

Scene moves to the streets of Minas Tirith. Gandalf
and Pippin are rushing through them.
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GANDALF: |
Peregrin Took my lad, there is a task now to be done. Another
opportunity for one of the Shire folk to prove their great worth.
(He leads Pippin to the base of a great watch tower.
Gandalf puts his hand on Pippin’s shoulder.) You must not fail me.
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Pippin runs over to the
cliff face and begins to climb up to the beacon.
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Scene 18 ~ Osgiliath Invaded

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The scene changes to the
river at Osgiliath. Soldiers are going about routine business; cooking on an
open fire, sharpening blades etc. The camera follows Faramir moving through
the ruined buildings.
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FARAMIR: |
It’s been very quiet across the river.
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MADRIL: |
The Orcs are lying low. The garrison may have moved out. We’ve sent
scouts to Cair Andros. If the Orcs attack from the North, we’ll have some
warning.
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The scene changes to show
Orcs silently rowing through the river. The camera moves in on a
particularly grotesque Orc.
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GOTHMOG: |
Quiet.
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Scene changes back to the
soldiers in the ruins.
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SOLDIER: |
We need 10 more.
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The camera pans across
the river, showing the Orcs sneaking up on the men of Gondor. Finally, a
soldier spots them on the river.
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GOTHMOG: |
Kill him.
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An Orc fires an arrow at
the soldier who falls down backwards amongst the rest. Faramir and Madril
hear the fall and run towards the noise. Faramir sees the dead soldier with
the Orc arrow sticking out of him.
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FARAMIR: |
They’re not coming from the North! To the river quick, quick!
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DAMROD: |
Go, come on!
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Camera moves across to
the chief, grotesque Orc.
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GOTHMOG: |
Faster! (The Orcs row much faster and they
arrive at Osgiliath just as the soldiers are there to meet them)
Draw swords. (The Orcs begin to disembark from their
boats, whilst the men wait behind the pillars. They jump out and engage the
Orcs. Fighting ensues.)
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SOLDIER: |
Hold! Hold them!
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The fighting is fierce,
but the men are badly outnumbered. More and more Orcs pour into Osgiliath.
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Scene 19 ~ The Lighting of the Beacons

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Meanwhile, back at the
beacon in Minas Tirith, Pippin is just arriving at the top of the cliff and
climbs onto the beacon itself.
He climbs up the beacon and reaches up to try to reach a burning lamp.
Gandalf watches from below. As Pippin pulls on the oil container to try to
reach up, the rope breaks and oil pours down onto the dry straw. Pippin
reaches the lamp and drops it onto the beacon.
He watches with satisfaction as it begins to burn, then suddenly he realises
his danger and moves off the beacon quickly to avoid being set alight.
The soldiers on guard suddenly notice that the beacon is alight.
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SOLDIER: |
What?
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They move towards the
fire in astonishment, watching it burn.
Gandalf smiles with satisfaction when he sees it. He runs out over a
parapet and looks out into the distance.
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GANDALF: |
Amon Dîn.
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He watches as a beacon
blazes forth on the distant mountains.
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SOLDIER: |
The beacon! The beacon of Amon Dîn is lit.
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Gandalf laughs, pleased.
Denethor sees through a window and retreats looking very unhappy.
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GANDALF: |
Hope is kindled!
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The beacons are lit all
across the mountains until finally one, that can be seen by Aragorn in
Edoras, goes up in flames.
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Scene 20 ~ Theoden's Decision

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Aragorn spots the beacon
alight and runs into the Great Hall. He bursts through the door shouting.
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ARAGORN: |
The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit!
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Theoden and his generals
turn to him.
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ARAGORN: |
Gondor calls for aid.
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There is a hesitation
where the camera moves from person to person ending on Theoden.
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THEODEN: |
And Rohan will answer! Muster the Rohirrim.
(Eomer bows to him and leaves. The bell rings out to gather the Rohirrim
together. Theoden leaves the hall hurriedly in full armour.)
Assemble the army at Dunharrow, as many men as can be found. You have two
days.
(he speaks to Eomer as he walks at his side. He grabs him by the shoulder
to bring him face to face) On the third, we ride for Gondor… and
war. (Eomer leaves)
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EOMER: |
Forward!
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SOLDIER: |
Very good sir.
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THEODEN: |
Gamling.
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GAMLING: |
My lord!
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Theoden walks over to
him.
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THEODEN: |
Make haste across the Riddermark. Summon every able-bodied man to
Dunharrow.
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GAMLING: |
I will. (He leaves)
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Theoden watches over the
mustering of the men. Scene changes to
Aragorn and Eowyn both tending to their own horses.
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ARAGORN: |
Do you ride with us?
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EOWYN: |
Just to the encampment. It’s tradition for the women of the court to
farewell the men. (Aragorn moves a blanket to reveal
Eowyn’s sword. She snatches it down back over it and looks at him.)
The men have found their captain. They will follow you into battle. Even
to death. You have given us hope. (she smiles at him
and Aragorn turns away uneasy.)
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The scene changes to
Merry holding his sword out in both hands.
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MERRY: |
Excuse me! (Theoden turns to him) I have
a sword. Please accept it! (He kneels before Theoden
King) I offer you my service Theoden King.
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Theoden moves over to him
and raises him up.
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THEODEN: |
And gladly, I accept it. (He smiles at Merry)
You shall be Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan. (Merry
smiles gleefully and turns away)
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The scene changes to
Legolas and Gimli once more on a horse together.
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GIMLI: |
Horse men! I wish I could muster an army of Dwarves, fully armed and
filthy.
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LEGOLAS: |
Your kinsmen may have no need to ride to war. I fear war already
marches on their own lands.
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The cameras show the
soldiers getting ready to leave. Merry is trying to get his small horse to
move. The camera moves to Theoden King who looks at the standard flying in
the breeze.
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THEODEN: |
(thinks) So, it is before the walls of
Minas Tirith the doom of our time will be decided.
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Aragorn mounts his horse.
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EOMER: |
(shouting at the soldiers) Now is the hour,
Riders of Rohan. Oaths you have taken. Now fulfil them all, to Lord and
Land! Hah!
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The Riders gallop from
Edoras. Merry gallops along with them too.
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