GLADIATOR角斗士.doc

GLADIATOR by David Franzoni FIRST DRAFT REVISED April 4, 1998 FADE IN: EXT. NEAR THE GERMAN FRONT - 180 A.D. - DAWN The rising sun unveils steep hills and luxuriant mountains untouched by man. Snow flurries dart in the frigid air and on the horizon CROWS gather. EXT. DIRT ROAD A column of Praetorian Cavalry flank two enclosed wagons as they rattle along a rock and log accordion road. On all sides a forest rises like some kind of primordial soul: limitless and dark. With every step steam whooshes from the nostrils of the horses. The first wagon halts as a Praetorian Guard jogs back. He straightens his tunic and helmet and raps on the wooden door as the second wagon stops behind. The door swings aside and another Praetorian Guard leans out. 1ST PRAETORIAN GUARD Sir, we must be getting near. INT. FIRST WAGON LUCIUS AELIUS AURELIUS COMMODUS huddles in the back of the wagon: Dark hair, handsome, beard; as Commodus rises we see hes a large, powerfully built young man and though barely twenty years old he already has the caution and arrogance of a Caesar. Opposite A GAUNT MAN climbs from a heap of blankets: GALEN of PERGAMUM, probably the most frozen, unhappy man on earth. The wagon is lined with pillows and blankets. Baskets of bread and dried fruit are stacked in one corner and an oil lamp hangs from a pivoting cleat like the swinging lamp in a ship. 2ND PRAETORIAN GUARD Caesar, were nearly there. EXT. WAGON Commodus steps down and pulls his cape up against the bitter cold. Galen follows, curiously overcoming his natural hatred of discomfort. TRIBUUS, burly Praetorian Guard commander salutes Commodus and leads him to the edge of a gully. Tribuus is an old-timer for whom Commodus is just another royal pain-in-the-a