Isle of the Dead Page #2

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The General puts his hand on Oliver's arm.

GENERAL:

Listen ——

Both men are silent in an attitude of listening - from

outside can be heard distantly the screaming and groaning of

the wounded.

GENERAL:

You know that sound, Oliver?

OLIVER:

I heard the same sound at

Ladysmith, at Nukden, Port

Arthur. What do you expect

after a battle?

GENERAL:

You were at those battles as a

spectator — — I wonder if you can

think what that sound might mean to

me —— those men out there —— dead

or dying —— by my order -- because

I willed it so.

CLOSE TWO SHOT — Oliver and the General. Oliver holds up the

lantern and tries to peer into the darkness. The General

starts off and Oliver falls into step behind him. They pass a

sentry who salutes. Only the lighted lantern can be seen as

they go into the darkness.

EXT. BATTLEFIELD - NIGHT

The CAMERA in SET UP TO SHOOT PAST the heaped-up dead. The

only illumination is the lantern which Oliver carries, he and

the General pick their way between the dead.

ANOTHER ASPECT of the battlefield - an ox cart loaded with

the dead, some of them tied to the rear axle by their naked

legs. Two men, in the hooded coats worn by the infantry of

the Balkan allies, are busy loading the cart. They look up,

astonished, as the General and Oliver pass.

STILL ANOTHER ASPECT of the battlefield — the General pauses

as if to search out his way and then starts off determinedly

toward the left. Oliver takes two long strides to catch up

with him. The CAMERA DOLLIES WITH them. Oliver lifts the

lantern and gestures outward with it.

OLIVER:

Over there, isn't it?

The General nods and starts off again rapidly, Oliver

following.

EXT. THE MAINLAND BEACH - NIGHT

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