THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY: The Complete Screenplays with Storyboards
Page 12
INT. SECURITY CONTROL ROOM, ARKHAM ASYLUM – MOMENTS LATER 242
The SWATs enter the control room, grab the Guard, move to the control room, unlock the cells …
INT. CORRIDOR, ARKHAM ASYLUM – CONTINUOUS 243
The electronic locks clang open.
INT. VARIOUS CELLS – CONTINUOUS 244
A rogue’s gallery of criminal lunatics, including Zsaz, react to the doors unlocking. Zsaz, curious, moves to the door …
INT. BEDROOM, RACHEL’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS 245
Rachel stirs. On her bed, fully clothed. Trying to remember a strange dream. She sees the two vials of antidote sitting on her bedside table. Hurries to her feet.
INT. CORRIDOR, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 246
Rā’s al Ghūl turns to Wayne.
RĀ’S AL GHŪL
You have no illusions about the world, Bruce. When I found you in that jail you were lost. But I believed in you. I took away your fear, and showed you a path. You were my greatest student … it should be you standing at my side, saving the world.
WAYNE
I’ll be standing right where I am now – between you and the people of Gotham.
Rā’s al Ghūl looks at Wayne, hard. A door closing.
RĀ’S AL GHŪL
No one can save Gotham. When a forest grows too wild, a purging fire is inevitable, and natural.
Rā’s looks at his Men. Nods. The Men start setting fire to the drapes. Flames rise, smoke gathering at the ceiling …
Tomorrow the world will watch in horror as its greatest city destroys itself. The movement back to harmony will be unstoppable this time.
WAYNE
You’ve tried to attack Gotham before?
RĀ’S AL GHŪL
Of course. Over the ages our weapons have grown more sophisticated … With Gotham we tried a new one … Economics.
Wayne stares at Rā’s al Ghūl, realizing.
WAYNE
You created the depression twenty years ago.
RĀ’S AL GHŪL
(nods)
Create enough hunger, and everyone becomes a criminal. But we underestimated certain of Gotham’s citizens … such as your parents.
Wayne stares at Rā’s al Ghūl, enraged. Rā’s smiles.
Unfortunate casualties of the fight for justice. Gunned down by one of the very people they were trying to help. Their deaths galvanized the city into saving itself, and Gotham has limped on ever since. We’re back to finish the job.
EXT. EXERCISE YARD, ARKHAM ASYLUM – CONTINUOUS 247
Inmates emerge. The two SWATs set charges on the back wall.
INT. ABANDONED HYDROTHERAPY ROOM – CONTINUOUS 248
Gordon searches the room.
Boom! An explosion echoes …
EXT. EXERCISE YARD, ARKHAM ASYLUM – CONTINUOUS 249
Gordon and another Detective race out the back door – Flass and several Uniforms are examining the hole in the wall.
GORDON
They’re all gone?
Gordon looks through the hole … into the Narrows. The other Cops suit up and check weapons.
How many were in maximum security?
FLASS
Dozens … serial killers, rapists, assorted sociopaths.
GORDON
Get ’em to raise the bridges, we don’t want any getting off the island.
FLASS
(sarcastic)
Sure, I’ll raise the bridges … as soon as we get every available unit over here to help us find the homicidal maniacs running loose out there.
They pass through the wall, heading into the Narrows.
INT. CORRIDOR, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 250
Rā’s squares up to Wayne.
RĀ’S AL GHŪL
And this time, no misguided idealists will be allowed to stand in the way. Like your father, you lack the courage to do all that is necessary. If someone stands in the way of true justice, you simply walk up behind him and stab him in the heart …
Wayne and Rā’s stare at each other … A shadow drops behind Wayne as he spins, grabbing the Ninja’s throat –
Rā’s draws a sword from his cane –
Wayne, holding the Ninja, spins to block the killing stroke – the sword slicing into his arm and side as he wraps his arm around the sword, grasping it painfully.
WAYNE
Perhaps you taught me too well.
RĀ’S AL GHŪL
Or perhaps you’ll never learn …
Rā’s al Ghūl smashes the cane/scabbard against a column – Wayne looks up –
To mind your surroundings as well as your opponent.
A burning ceiling beam comes crashing down onto Wayne, pinning him.
Rā’s looks down at Wayne, unconscious, pinned under burning timbers. Rā’s bends, pulls his sword from Wayne’s grasp.
Justice is balance. You burned down my house and left me for dead. Consider us even.
EXT. FRONT DOOR, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 251
Rā’s walks out of the burning building. Motions to a Ninja.
RĀ’S AL GHŪL
No one comes out. Make sure.
He walks towards the open doors of a waiting truck. Climbs in the back. Inside two SWATs flank a large industrial machine – the microwave emitter.
INT. STUDY, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 252
Wayne, unconscious, pinned by burning timbers, flames rising.
EXT. SIDE DOOR, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 253
A Ninja guards the side door, staring into the flames …
Whack! He goes down … Alfred is standing there, nine-iron in hand. He looks down at the Ninja.
ALFRED
I sincerely hope you’re not from the Fire Department.
Alfred rushes into the burning house.
INT. STUDY, WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 254
Alfred moves to Wayne, tries to shift the burning wood from Wayne’s chest. He moves to Wayne’s face. Slaps it, hard.
ALFRED
Master Wayne! Master Wayne!!
Wayne’s eyes flicker open. He pushes, but can’t move.
(Exasperated.) Sir, whatever is the point of all those push-ups if you can’t even –
Wayne glares at Alfred, forces the weight from his chest. Wayne and Alfred push through the burning room. Wayne jabs at the flaming piano keys …
INT. WROUGHT-IRON SPIRAL STAIRCASE – CONTINUOUS 255
Alfred and Wayne crawl onto the lift.
EXT. WAYNE MANOR – CONTINUOUS 256
The burning house collapses …
INT. WROUGHT-IRON SPIRAL STAIRCASE – CONTINUOUS 257
Smoke and flames explode through the passage – Alfred yanks the lever, dropping them out of the heat – they speed down …
INT. BATCAVE – CONTINUOUS 258
… landing hard. Smoldering. Wayne stares up the spiral: high above, sparks and firelight. The crash of collapsing timbers echoes down as Wayne Manor dies. Tears form in Wayne’s eyes.
WAYNE
(whispers)
What have I done, Alfred? Everything my family … my father built …
Alfred struggles to Wayne, removes his jacket. Wayne’s shirt is thick with blood.
ALFRED
(hoarse)
The Wayne legacy is more than bricks and mortar, sir.
Wayne stares up at the glowing shaft. Lost in his despair. Alfred rips Wayne’s shirt open … a large gash in his arm.
WAYNE
I thought I could … help Gotham … but I’ve failed …
Alfred rips the shirt. Binds the wound.
ALFRED
And why do we fall, sir?
Wayne looks at Alfred’s bruised, smudged, yet dignified face.
ALFRED
So that we might better learn to pick ourselves up.
Wayne looks up at his old friend.
WAYNE
Still haven’t given up on me?
Alfred offers him a trembling hand.
ALFRED
&nb
sp; (conviction)
Never.
EXT. BRIDGE TO ARKHAM/NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 259
An army of police vehicles and Mounted Police pour across. Rachel argues with a Police Officer.
POLICE OFFICER
Look, lady, we’re about to raise the bridges – you won’t have time to get back over –
RACHEL
Officer, I’m a Gotham City District Attorney with information relevant to this situation – so let me pass.
EXT. ALLEY, THE NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 260
Flass and two Cops tackle a Lunatic. Residents watch from doorways. A Resident shouts.
RESIDENT
Harassment! I see harassment!
Flass points his gun at the Resident.
FLASS
Wanna see excessive force?
GORDON
Flass, cool it!
COP
(o.s.)
Gordon, there’s someone to see you.
Gordon turns. Rachel is there.
GORDON
What’re you doing here?
RACHEL
Our mutual friend sent me with this … it counteracts Crane’s toxin.
She pulls out the syringe. Gordon takes it, curious.
Hopefully you won’t need it.
Gordon frowns, looking around at the volatile slum.
GORDON
Not unless he’s got some way of getting that crap into the air. Thanks. Now, please, get off the island before they raise the bridges.
Gordon motions to the Cop, who leads Rachel away.
EXT. BRIDGE TO ARKHAM/NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 261
The Police Officer moves towards the bridge control booth. Signals. A SWAT truck squeals up. The Police Officer turns. Looks at them. Rā’s al Ghūl is in the passenger seat. The Police Officer waves them on.
POLICE OFFICER
All right, last one across!
Rā’s al Ghūl checks his watch. Nods at the driver.
INT. MONORAIL STATION – CONTINUOUS 262
The Train Driver checks his watch. Hits the intercom.
TRAIN DRIVER
(over loudspeaker)
This train is no longer in service.
Passengers groan, get to their feet.
EXT. BRIDGE TO ARKHAM/NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 263
All five bridges steadily rise up. Cutting off the island.
INT. THE BATCAVE – CONTINUOUS 264
Close on: black, scalloped gauntlets thrust onto purposeful hands. A dark cloak whipped around strong shoulders. A graphite cowl placed over an implacable face.
Bats flutter as an engine roars to life …
EXT. WATERFALL – CONTINUOUS 265
Moving in on water tumbling hypnotically …
The Batmobile explodes through the water, rocketing onto the opposite bank.
INT. MONORAIL TRAIN ABOVE FOGBOUND NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 266
The Driver looks down, stopping the train above the Narrows.
EXT. NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 267
Rachel follows the Cop down an alley which opens up into a square at the base of a monorail tower. A SWAT van is parked there, surrounded by SWATs in a defensive ring. Rachel spots a Little Boy tugging at the arm of a Large SWAT. It is the same Little Boy the Batman encountered earlier.
LITTLE BOY
I can’t find my mom.
The Large SWAT shoves the kid to one side as the van doors open – the Little Boy stumbles back – Rachel rushes over.
RACHEL
Hey! What the hell are you doing?!
Rachel picks up the kid, looks up at the Large SWAT.
Hey, you!
The Large SWAT turns, pulls his sidearm, pointing it at Rachel …
RĀ’S AL GHŪL
(o.s.)
Gentlemen …
Large SWAT turns, as do the others, spreading … Beyond them Rachel can see Rā’s al Ghūl step down from the truck, standing next to the microwave emitter …
Time to spread the word … and the word is …
Rā’s al Ghūl rests his hand on the machine’s switch …
Panic.
Rā’s hits the button – a wave of energy pulses from the machine.
Manhole covers burst into the air – fire hydrants explode – pipes rip – SWATs crouch – Rachel huddles over the Little Boy.
EXT. ALLEY, THE NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 268
Gordon and Flass hit the deck as pipes and sewers explode.
INT. WATER BOARD CONTROL ROOM, WAYNE TOWER – CONTINUOUS 269
An Older Technician and a Younger Technician monitor the system, Young Tech’s feet up on the desk. Lights flash – the Younger Technician jerks upright.
YOUNGER TECHNICIAN
Jesus! The pressure … it’s spiking …
The Older Technician looks over. The Young Technician points.
Right there.
Older Technician comes over.
OLDER TECHNICIAN
That’s the water main under the Narrows … something’s vaporizing the water.
YOUNGER TECHNICIAN
How?
OLDER TECHNICIAN
The temperature’s going through the roof!
EXT. THE NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 270
Rachel crawls through the steam with the Little Boy …
Rā’s al Ghūl calmly watches steam pour from every orifice of the Narrows … Steam filling the streets as fog … He puts on his gas mask. The Ninjas follow suit.
EXT. ALLEY, THE NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 271
Gordon reaches into his pocket, coughing on the fog. Flass turns around in the fog, blind, panicking – he points his gun at shapes emerging … Residents, piling outside.
FLASS
Hold it! Stay back!
Gordon pulls out the pneumatic syringe – injects himself … The Residents stare at Flass, wide-eyed, terrified.
Flass makes eye-contact with a Teenager who blinks – to Flass: his eyes become pools of black …
FLASS
Down on the ground! Now!
GORDON
Flass, he’s unarmed!
Flass cocks his weapon, aiming at the Teenager, trembling …
Wham! – Gordon takes Flass to the ground – they tear at each other – Flass gets his hands around Gordon’s throat – Gordon elbows his face, knocks him cold. Gordon drags him to a drainpipe. Handcuffs him to it.
EXT. NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 272
Rachel crouches in a doorway, holding the Little Boy, who is clutching something, crying, looking around, terrified.
RACHEL
It’s okay, it’s okay … no one’s going to hurt you.
VOICE
(o.s.)
Of course they are …
Rachel turns – a massive shape emerges from the mist … a horse – dragging from the stirrup … a dead Cop. The rider:
Crane, in burlap mask, Crown Prince of the Insane. Other shapes emerge from the fog behind him, Arkham Inmates.
RACHEL
Crane!
CRANE
(shakes head)
Scarecrow …
Rachel grabs the Little Boy, who drops what he was clutching: Batman’s optic. Rachel dives into the fog carrying him – Crane gallops after …
Rachel runs blindly down the alley clutching the Little Boy – they hit a dead end. Rachel pushes the shivering child down. Turns to face Crane, who towers over them on horseback.
CRANE
Let me help you …
The horse rears up, hooves high.
RACHEL
Try shock therapy.
She fires her taser at Crane – the barbs catch in the sacking of his mask, arcing between his eyes … Crane lolls back in the saddle. The horse turns, dragging the limp Crane into the fog. The Inmates scatter.
INT. MONORAIL TRAIN ABOVE FOGBOUND NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 273
The Driver looks down, stopping the train above the Narrows.
EXT. BRIDGE TO ARKHAM/NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 274
Loeb and a L
ieutenant get out of a car at the blockade. Staring across: fog hangs over the island.
LOEB
(into radio)
What the hell’s going on in there?
EXT. NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 275
Gordon, on the other end, looks over to the Gotham side.
GORDON
We need reinforcements – Tac teams, SWATs, riot cops – get ’em in masks and –!
LOEB
(over radio)
Gordon, all the city’s riot police are on the island with you!
GORDON
Well, they’re completely incapacitated –
EXT. BRIDGE TO ARKHAM/NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 276
Loeb looks at the raised bridge.
LOEB
There’s nobody left to send in …
Behind Loeb, unnoticed, the Batmobile arcs across the river …
EXT. NARROWS – CONTINUOUS 277
Gordon does not see the headlights in mid-air behind him …
GORDON
So I’m on my own –?
The Batmobile smashes through the balustrade, sending Gordon sprawling … The car opens – Batman emerges.
Nice landing.
Batman approaches.
Rachel’s in there … the Narrows is tearing itself to pieces.
BATMAN
This is just the beginning. They intend to destroy the entire city.
GORDON
They’ve incapacitated all of the riot police here on the island.