The Birth Of A Nation Page #18

Catherine regards her with compassion.

CATHERINE:

Me too...

A long beat until-

Catherine pulls a wet shirt from the clothes basket, pins itto the line. They silently work in tandem.

5/8/15 - PINK 103

145 EXT. DISMAL SWAMP - DAY 145

Militia men scour the swampy woods. We spot John Clark amongthem crossing a trickling creek. He slows to a stop, looks tohis left and right.

146 EXT. DISMAL SWAMP -DAY (VISION 4) 146

Nat kneels in prayer. A SOUND from behind and his eyes open. *

He turns to find a YOUNG BOY we recognize as YOUNG NAT, *

painted royal blue. (The scene mirrors Nat’s childhood *

vision). Demonic sounds permeate the forest. Nat stands,

strides towards his younger self, placing a protective hand *

in front of him. WIDER to reveal Nat is alone. He stalks *

toward us and past camera. *

147 EXT. FARMER’S MARKET - WOOD AND SEED - DAY 147 *

Several stores have reopened. General childs sits under a *

military tent as his boots are shined. A few militia men *

loiter nearby. Scattered locals crisscross the dusty square. *

FURTHER AWAY *

Nat enters an empty frame. We take in his sunken eyes and *

gaunt frame as he lumbers forward. His bullet wound festers,

spilling puss.

ANGLE ON *

A WHITE MAN who spots Nat. *

WHITE MAN *

Hey! *

As he sprints toward Nat, others also recognize him, breaking *

into hysterics. The white man arrives to nat, wasting no time *

in connecting a wild blow to Nat’s face. *

Dozens more follow suit, until a massive mob has formed, *

raining blows onto Nat’s body. A woman rips at his shirt as *

the energy of the lynch mob intensifies, until-*

BANG!

The crowd freezes. We REVERSE to reveal GENERAL CHILDS, holds

the smoking gun. He’s flanked by his lieutenant.

GENERAL CHILDS:

I know you’re angry, trust me, I

understand. But, this man has

committed mass murder and will

stand trial.

(CONTINUED)

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147 CONTINUED:
147

As he approaches, the mob reluctantly backs off. GeneralChilds arrives to Nat who lies in a bloody heap. Thelieutenant and another soldier rip Nat to his feet and away.

*

*

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104

148 OMITTED 148 *

(CONTINUED)

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148 CONTINUED:
148 148 CONTINUED: 148

*

149 INT. JERUSALEM - CELL - DAY 149

Nat sits eyes fixed forward. A SHERIFF appears at the bars.

SHERIFF:

It’s time.

150 EXT. JERUSALEM - COURTHOUSE - DAY 150

Follow a YOUNG BOY (7) as he crosses cobblestone road, up aflight of stairs, pushing his way through a surrounding mob.

As he steps onto a cross-bridge, we rise above him to reveal-

THE COURTHOUSE SQUARE. Hundreds crowd in front of a stage-

like platform, others watch from roofs, windows and stairs.

151 EXT. JERUSALEM - COURTHOUSE - DAY 151

Nat is led up a narrow staircase and onto the wooden

platform. He studies the multitude of people. *

ANGLE ON *

A viewing platform, where Nat spots John Clark who stands at *

the flank of General childs. A million words unspoken. Nat’s *

eyes then drift to Jasper who stands amongst patrons. Nat *

studies Jasper who struggles to hold his gaze.

Nat’s face softens a beat, as he offers the faintest nod of

forgiveness. The sheriff motions for the roaring crowd to

settle. Within minutes, the area is near silent, save a few

scattered slurs.

SHERIFF:

(to Nat)

Somethin’ you’d like to say to *

these people first? *

Nat regards the people. Then, with a firm voice-

NAT:

I’m ready.

The sheriff exits and the crowd’s energy escalates to near

fever pitch. The UNDERTAKER fits a noose around Nat’s neck.

Draws the rope of the pulley and Nat’s body rises several

feet above the platform.

SOUND DROPS. Not a limb or a muscle moves as Nat hangs still

as a stone.

(CONTINUED)

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151 CONTINUED:
151 151 CONTINUED: 151

CLOSE On Nat’s face as he stares forward, as if frozen. UNTIL

(CONTINUED)

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151 CONTINUED:
(2) 151 151 CONTINUED: (2) 151

-

Something above catches his eye. His eyes flit upward towardsomething we don’t yet see.

Nat’s POV to reveal-

A WHITE DOVE CIRCLES JUST ABOVE.

ON NAT. Even through the pain, the slightest smile grows.

Seconds later, we watch his eyes slowly CLOSE.

ON JASPER, who squeezes his eyes shut, his body tremblingthrough sobs.

PUSH IN on Jasper. CLOSER until his face fills the frame.

We watch as he AGES before our eyes. His features mature, hisjaw widens, age lines crawl across his brow. He slowly openshis eyes and we see Jasper, now a grown man. The shame gone,

only a fierceness remains.

We slowly pull back as sound gradually returns. Muffledblasts and explosions permeate. We continue our pull toreveal

152 EXT. BATTLEFIELD - DAY 152

Jasper dons a blue FORAGE HAT and SACK COAT, white-knucklinga bayonet-fitted rifle. We reveal other black soldiers oneither side. A massive AMERICAN FLAG ripples in the BG. The *

explosions are now deafening as the group of men clinch theirjaws in anticipation. After an arduous beat-

VOICE (O.C.)

CHARGE!

Jasper and his fellow soldiers belt out battle cries as theyrush the camera, bayonets pointed. Jasper raises his rife andBANG! A cloud of smoke takes us to-

BLACK:

SUPER:

After Nat Turner’s hanging, his body was skinned and

dismembered. His skin was sewn into wallets and purses, hisflesh churned into grease- all to be sold at the localmarket.

5/8/15 - PINK 106A

153 EXT. UNKNOWN -DAY 153

NAT TURNER, healthy and strong, stands staring into camera

for a long beat

(CONTINUED)

4/9/15 -WHITE 107

153 CONTINUED:
153 153 CONTINUED: 153

SUPER:
A prophet. A preacher. An American hero. His flesh wasdestroyed, but Nat Turner’s legacy of resistance will live onforever.

CUT TO BLACK:

THE END:

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