The Polar Express

Synopsis: This is the story of a young hero boy on Christmas Eve who boards on a powerful magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home. What unfolds is an adventure which follows a doubting boy, who takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole; during this ride, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery which shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Director(s): Robert Zemeckis
Production: Warner Bros. Pictures
  Nominated for 3 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 23 nominations.
 
IMDB:
6.6
Metacritic:
61
Rotten Tomatoes:
55%
G
Year:
2004
100 min
$162,800,000
Website
40,911 Views


NARRATOR:
On Christmas Eve, many years ago...

...I lay quietly in my bed.

I did not rustle the sheets.

I breathed slowly and silently.

I was listening for a sound I was afraid I'd never hear.

The ringing bells of Santa's sleigh.

[SIZZLES]

[GASPS]

[JINGLING]

[CLANGING]

[JINGLING]

DAD:
All right. All right, Sarah...

...you had your water.

Now let's get you upstairs and into bed.

SARAH:
But... But... But, I have to...

He said Santa would have to fly faster than the speed of light...

...to get to every house in one night. And to hold everyone's presents...

...his sled would be bigger than an ocean liner.

DAD:
Your brother said that? He was just kidding you. He knows there's a Santa.

SARAH:
He said he wasn't sure. He wasn't sure if Santa was for real.

DAD:
Of course Santa's for real. He's as real as Christmas itself.

MOM:
But he won't come...

...until you're sound asleep, young lady.

Sweet dreams.

DAD:
Santa will be here before you know it.

So go to sleep.

[JINGLING]

[HUFFS]

Mm-hm.

"Stark, barren.

Devoid of life."

[FOOTSTEPS]

DAD:
He's gotta be asleep by now.

MOM:
He used to stay awake all night...

...waiting for Santa.

DAD:
Think those days are just about over.

MOM:
That would be sad if that were true.

DAD:
Yeah, an end of the magic.

MOM:
Merry Christmas, sweetheart.

DAD:
See, he's out like a light.

An express train wouldn't wake him up now.

[THINKING] "End of the magic"?

[TICKING]

[TICKING STOPS]

[RUMBLING]

[WHISTLE BLOWING]

[CHUGGING]

[BRAKES SQUEALING]

[TRAIN CREAKING]

CONDUCTOR:
All aboard!

All aboard!

Well? You coming?

Where?

Why, to the North Pole, of course.

This is the Polar Express.

The North Pole?

I see.

Hold this, please.

Thank you.

Is this you?

Yeah. Well, it says here...

...no photo with a department-store Santa this year, no letter to Santa.

And you made your sister put out the milk and cookies. Mm-mm.

Sounds to me like this is your crucial year.

If I were you, I would think about climbing onboard.

Come on, come on, come on. I've got a schedule to keep... Oh.

Suit yourself.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

[CONDUCTOR CLEARS THROAT]

KIDS [SINGING]:
'Cause that's the way things happen On the Polar Express whoo, whoo, the whistle blows That's the sound of her singing Ding, ding, the bell will ring Golly, look at her go You wonder if we'll get there soon Anybody's guess

'Cause that's the way things happen On the Polar Express When we get there We'll scream, "Yay!"

We'll arrive with A bang, bang, bang Boom, boom, boom Laughing all the way With a comfy seat and lots to eat Boy, it's just the best Wish it wouldn't ever have to end with a little luck, we'll be on time There's no need to stress

'Cause that's the way things happen On the Polar Express

Hey. Hey, you. Yeah, you. Do you know what kind of train this is?

Huh? Train.

Do you know what kind of train this is? Well, do you?

Uh.... HERO GIRL: - Of course.

It's a magic train.

We're going to the North Pole. KNOW-IT-ALL: - I know it's a magic train.

Actually it's a Baldwin 2-8-4 S3-class steam locomotive...

...built in 1 931 at the Baldwin Locomotive Works. It weighs 456,1 00 pounds and....

Are we really going to the North Pole?

KNOW-IT-ALL:
- Hey, look, everybody! Mm-hm. Isn't that wonderful?

Herpolsheimer's! Herpolsheimer's!

[KIDS CHEERING]

Wow, look at all those presents. I want all of them.

It's so Christmassy and cozy and beautiful!

CONDUCTOR:
Tickets.

Tickets, please.

Tickets.

Ticket, please.

Try your pocket.

Try your other pocket.

Thank you, sir.

KID:
Hey, watch out, there.

Thank you, sir.

Uh-uh-uh. That is a public-address microphone. It is not a toy.

KNOW-IT-ALL:
Boy, that guy sure likes to show off.

Look what that wise guy punched on my ticket.

"L-E." What the heck does that mean? Next stop, 11 344 Edbrooke.

We're heading for the other side of the tracks.

CONDUCTOR:
Well? You coming?

Ah, it's just another pickup.

That's weird. I thought you were supposed to be the last one.

CONDUCTOR:
Why, to the North Pole, of course.

This is the Polar Express.

Suit yourself.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Hey, that kid wants to get on the train.

Come on!

Hurry up!

We have to stop the train.

HERO GIRL:
- I don't know how. Pull the emergency brake!

[GROANING]

Who in the blazes applied that emergency brake?!

He did.

You.

In case you didn't know, that cord is for emergency purposes only.

And in case you weren't aware, tonight is Christmas Eve.

And in case you hadn't noticed, this train is on a very tight schedule.

Now, young man, Christmas may not be important to some people...

...but it is very important to the rest of us!

But... But...

He was just trying to stop the train so that kid could get on.

Hmm.

I see. Young man, is that what happened?

Well....

Let me remind you we are on a very tight schedule.

And I've never been late before...

...and I am certainly not going to be late tonight.

Now, everybody, take your seats, please!

Thank you.

[TRAIN SHUDDERS]

Your attention, please.

Are there any Polar Express passengers in need of refreshment?

KIDS:
- Me! Me! Me! I thought so.

[TAP DANCING]

Hot, hot CONDUCTOR: - Oh, we got it Hot, hot Hey, we got it Hot, hot Say, we got it Hot chocolate Hot, hot Oh, we got it Hot, hot So we got it Hot, hot Yo, we got it Hot chocolate Here we've only got one rule Never, ever let it cool Keep it cooking in the pot Then you got Hot chocolate

Rate this script:4.3 / 8 votes

Robert Zemeckis

Robert Lee Zemeckis is an American film director, film producer, and screenwriter who is frequently credited as an innovator in visual effects. more…

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Submitted on August 05, 2018

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