Scene 25 ~ Peregrin of the Tower Guard

Scene changes to show Pippin sitting on a bench in his
full Guard of the Citadel uniform. His feet dangle as the bench is too high for
him.
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PIPPIN: |
What were you thinking Peregrin Took? What service can a Hobbit offer
such a great lord of men?
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FARAMIR: |
(approaching through a door) It was
well done. A generous deed should not be checked with cold counsel.
(Pippin jumps up and Faramir approaches him)
You are to join the tower guard.
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PIPPIN: |
I didn’t think they would find any livery that would fit me.
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FARAMIR: |
It once belonged to a young boy of the city. A very foolish one who
wasted many hours slaying dragons instead of attending his studies.
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PIPPIN: |
This was yours? (smiling)
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FARAMIR: |
Yes, it was mine. My father had it made for me.
(He adjusts Pippin’s tunic)
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PIPPIN: |
Well, I’m taller than you were then. Though, I’m not likely to grow
anymore, except sideways. (They laugh together)
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FARAMIR: |
It never fitted me either. Boromir was always the soldier.
(His smiles fades) They were so alike he and
my father. Proud, stubborn even, but strong.
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PIPPIN: |
I think you have strength of a different kind. And one day your father
will see it. (Faramir smiles.)
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Scene 26 ~ Allegiance to Denethor

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Scene changes to show
Pippin on his knees before the steward’s chair. Faramir stands back
watching the proceedings.
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PIPPIN: |
Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor in peace or war, in living
or dying, from (he hesitates over the words, the
camera moves to Denethor’s smiling face) … from this hour henceforth
until my lord release me or death take me.
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DENETHOR: |
And I shall not forget it! (He stands up and
approaches Pippin) nor fail to reward that which is given.
(He offers Pippin his ring on his finger, Pippin
closes his eyes and kisses it. Denethor lifts Pippin’s face by the chin.)
Fealty with love. (He walks over to a table)
Valour with honour. Disloyalty with vengeance.
(He turns and looks at Faramir and sits at the table,
helping himself to food.)
I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defences. Defences
that your brother long held intact.
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FARAMIR: |
What would you have me do?
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DENETHOR: |
I will not yield the River and Pellenor unfought. Osgiliath must be
retaken.
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FARAMIR: |
My lord Osgiliath is over run.
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DENETHOR: |
Much must be risked in war. Is there a Captain here who still has the
courage to do his lord’s will?
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Pippin looks at Denethor
alarmed.
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FARAMIR: |
You wish now that our places had been exchanged. That I had died and
Boromir had lived.
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DENETHOR: |
Yes, I wish that. (He drinks from a goblet.)
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Faramir stands quietly
upset for a moment.
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FARAMIR: |
Since you are robbed of Boromir I will do what I can in his stead.
(He bows deeply and turns to leave the hall. Pippin
watches him open mouthed. Faramir turns back to his father.)
If I should return, think better of me father.
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DENETHOR: |
That will depend on the manner of your return. (Faramir
walks from the room.)
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Scene 27 ~ The Parting of Sam and Frodo

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The scene changes to the
Pass of Cirith Ungol. Frodo and Gollum are asleep but Sam is lying trying
to fight sleep off. He finally loses the battle and drops off. Gollum
opens his eyes, instantly awake. He sneaks over and opens the back pack.
He reaches in and takes out all the lembas wrappings.
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GOLLUM: |
Ech!
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He recoils and then
returns to what he was doing. He crumbles the lembas over Sam as he sleeps
and then throws the rest over the cliff. Sam wakes suddenly aware of
Gollum.
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SAM: |
What are you up to? Sneaking off are we?
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GOLLUM: |
Sneaking? Sneaking? Fat Hobbit is always so polite. Smeagol shows
them secret ways that nobody else could find and they say “sneak!” Sneak?
Very nice friend, oh yes my precious very nice , very nice!
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SAM: |
Alright! Alright! You just startled me is all. What were you doing?
(He looks over the cliff.)
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GOLLUM: |
Sneaking.
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SAM: |
Fine, have it your own way. (He shakes Frodo by
the shoulder) I’m sorry to wake you Mr Frodo but we have to be
moving on. (Frodo sits up.)
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FRODO: |
It’s dark still.
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SAM: |
It’s always dark here. (He feels in the pack for
the lembas, there is just a leaf wrapping left.) It’s gone!
(He searches some more) The elven bread!
(He looks at Frodo)
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FRODO: |
What? That’s all we have left!
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Sam looks at Gollum.
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SAM: |
He took it. He must have.
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GOLLUM: |
Smeagol? No, no, not poor Smeagol. Smeagol hates nasty elf bread.
(Frodo looks at him.)
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SAM: |
You’re a lying rat! What did you do with it?
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FRODO: |
(looking at Sam suspiciously) He doesn’t
eat it. (He stands up) He can’t have taken
it.
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GOLLUM: |
Look, what’s this? (He brushes lembas
crumbs off Sam’s shoulder) Crumbs on his jacketses. He took it!
(pointing) He took it! (He jumps down in front
of Frodo) I’ve seen him, he’s always stuffing his face when master’s
not looking.
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Frodo glares at Sam
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SAM: |
That’s a filthy lie! ( he hits Gollum)
You stinking, two faced sneak! (Sam grabs him by the
throat and starts punching him.)
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FRODO: |
Sam!
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SAM: |
Call me…(He continues to punch Gollum)
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FRODO: |
Stop it! (Sam punches him some more. Frodo pulls
him off)
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SAM: |
I’ll kill him!
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FRODO: |
Sam, no! (He collapses down)
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SAM: |
Oh my! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to go so far. I was just
so, so angry! Here just… let’s just rest a bit.
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FRODO: |
I’m all right.
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SAM: |
No. No you’re not all right, you’re exhausted. It’s that Gollum. It’s
this place. It’s that thing around your neck. (Frodo
looks at him suspiciously) I could help a bit. I could carry it for
a while (camera focuses in on Frodo’s suspicious eyes),
carry it for a while (showing Sam’s mouth in close up)
I could carry it… I could carry it… Share the load… share the load… share
the load (a voice echoes in Frodo’s head. He shoves
hard at Sam.)
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FRODO: |
Get away!
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SAM: |
I don’t want to keep it. (Frodo stands up away
from him eyeing him suspiciously) I just want to help.
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Gollum appears from
behind Frodo.
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GOLLUM: |
See? See? He wants it for himself. (Frodo looks
at Sam, very suspicious now)
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SAM: |
Shut up you! (He stands up) Go away! Get
out of here!
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FRODO: |
No Sam! It’s you! (Sam looks at him upset)
I’m sorry Sam. (Gollum watches from behind Frodo with
a sly smile on his face)
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SAM: |
(crying) But he’s a liar! He’s poisoned
you against me.
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FRODO: |
You can’t help me any more.
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SAM: |
You don’t mean that.
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FRODO: |
Go home.
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Sam backs off and sits
down sobbing. Frodo turns away and goes back to climbing the stairs.
Gollum follows him, sneering at Sam as he passes by him. |
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Scene 28 ~ The Sacrifice of Faramir

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The scene changes to
Minas Tirith. The soldiers of Minas Tirith are leaving to go and try to
retake Osgiliath as Denethor has ordered. Faramir leads his men. The
people are upset to see them go. They throw flowers under the horses
hooves.
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GANDALF: |
(shouts) Faramir! Faramir!
(He pushes through the crowd towards him) Your
father’s will has turned to madness. Do not throw away your life so
rashly.
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FARAMIR: |
Where does my allegiance lie if not here? This is the city of the men
of Númenor. I will gladly give my life to defend her beauty, her memory,
her wisdom.
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Gandalf watches as his
horse walks away.
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GANDALF: |
Your father loves you Faramir. (speaking to
himself) He will remember it before the end.
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Camera pans around to
watch them leaving through the huge gates of Minas Tirith. They form up in
a long line to attack Osgiliath, walking forward steadily. They break into
a gallop as they approach the outpost. The camera moves to show the Orcs in
the ruins. They see the approaching army. The camera moves back and forth
between the Orcs and the oncoming army. The
scene changes showing Pippin in attendance waiting on Denethor who is still
eating at the table. He looks at Pippin.
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DENETHOR: |
Can you sing Master Hobbit?
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PIPPIN: |
(looking alarmed) well, yes. At least well
enough for my own people. But we have no songs for great halls and evil
times.
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DENETHOR: |
And why should your songs be unfit for my halls? Come, sing me a song.
(He continues to eat)
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PIPPIN: |
Home is behind, The world ahead, (while he sings
the scene changes to show the army bearing down on Osgiliath) And
there are many paths to tread, Through shadow, to the edge of night
(Faramir screams out the charge, silently)
Until the stars are all alight. (The Orc archers draw
their bows in readiness. Denethor eats his chicken) Mist and shadow
cloud and shade, All shall fade, All shall (the Orc
leader shouts the order to fire and the Orcs release their arrows whilst
Denethor bites a tomato. The juice/blood runs down his chin) …fade.
(Pippin’s voice falters he looks at Denethor as he
continues to bite his tomatoes, closes his eyes and cries.)
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The scene changes to show
Gandalf sitting alone staring into space.
Scene changes again to Osgiliath. The Orcs are pushing huge siege towers
over the bridge.
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ORCS: |
March, march! March, march march!
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