The crowd is not cheering but screaming … The Mayor’s box explodes …
The Receiver, nearing the touchdown, glances back – sees Armageddon – the entire field is now a smoking mass of rubble, but for one strip of turf … Mercenaries pour out of the tunnel, creating a gauntlet …
INT./EXT. CRUISER ON GOTHAM STREETS – CONTINUOUS 162
Blake’s cruiser swerves to avoid eruptions of asphalt. An eruption tosses Blake’s cruiser onto its roof.
EXT. GOTHAM RIVER – CONTINUOUS 163
All bridges, except the Gotham Bridge, suffer controlled demolitions.
INT. LOCKER ROOM TUNNEL – CONTINUOUS 164
Bane steps into the smoking stadium, a gladiator walking into the arena … TV cameras swing onto him. Passing a dead umpire, he takes the man’s headset – surveys the screaming crowd, lifts an arm for silence, raises the mike to his mask.
BANE
Gotham, take control of your city …
INT./EXT. OVERTURNED CRUISER ON GOTHAM STREET – CONTINUOUS 165
Blake squeezes out of his cruiser, reaches in for the radio.
BLAKE
Foley?
FOLEY
(over radio)
Jesus, Blake! Every cop in the city’s down in those tunnels!
BLAKE
(realizes)
Not every cop …
Blake pulls the shotgun from his cruiser – flags down a car.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS 166
Gordon’s heart-rate monitor alarms. Gordon wakes, groggy …
INT. HOSPITAL LOBBY – CONTINUOUS 167
Patients and Doctors crowd the entrance. Mercenaries with automatic weapons force their way in – hit the stairwell.
INT./EXT. CAR GOTHAM STREETS – CONTINUOUS 168
Blake drives, swerving around dazed and terrified people. Flames and smoke billow from the sewers.
EXT. GOTHAM HOSPITAL – CONTINUOUS 169
Blake races up to the hospital entrance.
INT. CORRIDOR, GOTHAM HOSPITAL – CONTINUOUS 170
Two Mercenaries move room to room, searching.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS 171
Gordon pulls himself out of his bed, wheeling his IV.
INT. CORRIDOR, HOSPITAL – CONTINUOUS 172
Blake jumps into the corridor, gun raised. Shots echo down the hall – Blake sprints.
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM – CONTINUOUS 173
Blake leaps into the room, gun high – freezes as warm metal touches the base of his skull.
GORDON
(o.s.)
Clear the corners, rookie.
Blake turns. Gordon holds his service weapon. The Mercenaries are on the ground, dead.
GORDON
Get my coat, son.
EXT. GOTHAM STADIUM – CONTINUOUS 174
Mercenaries pull the glowing core onto the field.
BANE
This is the instrument of your liberation …
INT. PENTAGON WAR ROOM – CONTINUOUS 175
Analysts and military personnel assess the situation.
ANALYST
Satellite shows a radiation spike …
ANALYST 2
Whatever it is … it’s nuclear.
EXT. GOTHAM STADIUM – CONTINUOUS 176
The Mercenaries thrust Dr. Pavel to his knees before Bane.
BANE
Identify yourself to the world.
DR. PAVEL
Dr. Leonid Pavel, nuclear physicist.
Bane turns Dr. Pavel’s head for the cameras.
INT. PENTAGON WAR ROOM – CONTINUOUS 177
Armed Forces and Intelligence staff scramble to verify.
CIA ANALYST
Pavel was confirmed dead – plane crash on an Agency pull-out of Uzbekistan … But it certainly looks like him –
He points to a monitor with a photo of Dr. Pavel. An Air Force General rubs his chin, thinking, nervous.
EXT. SKIES ABOVE GOTHAM – CONTINUOUS 178
F-22’s streak over the river, sizing up the island.
EXT. GOTHAM STADIUM – CONTINUOUS 179
Bane rests his powerful hand on Dr. Pavel’s shoulder.
BANE
Tell the world what this is.
DR. PAVEL
A fully primed neutron bomb. With a blast radius of six miles.
BANE
And who can disarm this device?
DR. PAVEL
Only me.
BANE
Thank you, Doctor.
Bane snaps Dr. Pavel’s neck in front of the world.
BANE
The bomb is armed, the bomb is mobile, the identity of the triggerman is a mystery. One of you holds the detonator – we come not as conquerors, but as liberators to return control of this city to the people. At the first sign of interference from the outside world or of people attempting to flee, this anonymous Gothamite, this unsung hero, will trigger the bomb. For now, martial law is in effect. Return to your homes, hold your families close, and wait. Tomorrow you claim what is rightfully yours.
Bane turns, leaves the field, followed by his men.
INT. PENTAGON WAR ROOM – CONTINUOUS 180
The General breaks the silence.
GENERAL
Pull back the fighters, start high-level reconnaissance flights. And get the President on the line.
EXT. GOTHAM BRIDGE – SUNSET 181
Mercenaries hold the bridge. A tank rolls across from the mainland, soldiers behind. The Lead Mercenary uses a bullhorn.
LEAD MERCENARY
Tanks and planes cannot stop us detonating our device. Send an emissary to discuss terms of access for supplies and communication.
A Captain steps forward, walks to the apex of the bridge.
CAPTAIN
How many of you are there, son? (Nothing.) You don’t have enough men to stop twelve million people leaving that island.
LEAD MERCENARY
No, we don’t. But you do.
CAPTAIN
Why in the hell would we help you keep your hostages?
LEAD MERCENARY
If people start crossing this bridge Gotham gets blown to hell.
The Captain considers this. Troubled.
EXT. SKIES ABOVE GOTHAM – CONTINUOUS 182
As night falls the F-22’s peel away from the fire-ringed city. The voice of the President echoes across the airwaves …
PRESIDENT
(over radio)
The people of our greatest city are resilient. They have proven this before, they will prove this again …
INT. STONE CELL, UNDERGROUND PRISON – CONTINUOUS 183
Wayne stares at the old TV. At his burning city.
PRESIDENT
(over TV)
We do not negotiate with terrorists, but we do recognize realities …
Wayne starts to cry.
INT. CAR – CONTINUOUS (NIGHT) 184
Blake drives the deserted streets. Gordon is slumped in the passenger seat, listening.
PRESIDENT
(over radio)
As the situation develops, one thing must be understood above all others … People of Gotham, we have not abandoned you.
BLAKE
What does that mean?
GORDON
It means we’re on our own. I have to get in front of a camera –
BLAKE
Sir, they’ll kill you the second you show your face –
GORDON
The Mayor’s dead. I’m the symbol of law and order. Bane says he’s giving Gotham back to the people – they need to know that I could lead.
BLAKE
Bane’s never going to let that happen –
GORDON
Then he’ll show his true colors.
BLAKE
And you’ll be dead.
Gordon says nothing.
EXT. GOTHAM STREET – DAY 185
Three camouflage Tumblers roll down the deserted street.
EXT. BLACKGATE PRISON – MOMENTS L
ATER 186
A crowd of news crews has gathered. Guards in the towers look down, apprehensive. The Tumblers roll up, stopping in front of the gates. Bane emerges from the lead Tumbler.
BANE
Behind you stands a symbol of oppression. Blackgate Prison …
INT. CELLBLOCK, BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 187
Prisoners strain to hear Bane’s words. Selina is there.
BANE
(o.s.)
Where a thousand men have languished for years. Under the Dent Act. Under the name of this man –
EXT. BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 188
Bane holds up a photo of Harvey Dent.
BANE
Harvey Dent. Held up to you, and over you, as a shining example of justice and good …
INT. BLAKE’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS 189
Gordon sits watching Bane’s speech. Blake gathers supplies.
BLAKE
We’re gonna keep moving you, till we can get you in front of a camera –
EXT. BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 190
Bane sets fire to the picture of Dent …
BANE
But they supplied you a false idol. A straw man. To placate. To stop you tearing down this corrupt city …
INT. CELLBLOCK, BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 191
The Prisoners start cheering, shouting.
BANE
(o.s.)
… and rebuilding it the way it should have been rebuilt generations ago …
EXT. BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 192
Bane drops the burning picture.
BANE
Let me tell you the truth about Harvey Dent. In the words of Gotham’s Police Commissioner, James Gordon …
INT. BLAKE’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS 193
This gets Blake’s attention. Gordon watches, uneasy …
EXT. BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 194
Bane unfolds the pages of Gordon’s undelivered speech …
BANE
‘The truth about Harvey Dent is simple in only one regard – it has been hidden for too long. After his devastating injuries, Harvey’s mind recovered no better than his mutilated face. He was a broken, dangerous man, not the the crusader for justice that I, James Gordon, have portrayed him to be for the last eight years. Harvey’s rage was indiscriminate. Psychopathic. He held my family at gunpoint, then fell to his death in the struggle over my son’s life. The Batman did not murder Harvey Dent – he saved my boy. Then took the blame for Harvey’s appalling crimes, so that I could, to my shame, build a lie around this fallen idol.’
INT. BLAKE’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS 195
Blake stares at the TV, Gordon’s face lowers into his hands …
BANE
(voice-over)
‘I praised the madman who tried to murder my own child.’
EXT. BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 196
The crowd is silent, stunned, as Bane continues to read.
BANE
‘The things we did in Harvey’s name brought desperately needed security to our streets … But I can no longer live with my lie. It is time to trust the people of Gotham with the truth, and it is time for me to resign.’
Bane folds the papers. Looks out to the stunned crowd.
Do you accept this man’s resignation?
Individuals in the crowd start shouting ‘Yes!’
INT. CELLBLOCK, BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 197
Prisoners cheer, pounding against the bars. Selina watches …
EXT. BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 198
BANE
Do you accept the resignation of all the liars?! All the corrupt?!
More and more of the crowd is chanting ‘Yes!’
INT. BLAKE’S APARTMENT – CONTINUOUS 199
Blake turns to Gordon, who stares at the TV.
BLAKE
Those men, locked up in Blackgate for eight years, denied parole under the Dent Act. Based on a lie.
GORDON
A lie to keep a city on fire from burning to the ground. Gotham needed a hero, someone to believe in –
BLAKE
Not as much as it does now. But you betrayed everything you stood for.
GORDON
(looks at Blake)
There’s a point. Far out there. When the structures fail you. When the rules aren’t weapons any more, they’re shackles, letting the bad get ahead. Maybe one day you’ll have such a moment of crisis. And in that moment, I hope you have a friend like I did. To plunge their hands into the filth so you can keep yours clean.
BLAKE
Your hands look plenty filthy to me, Commissioner.
Gordon stares at him. Blake goes back to packing.
EXT. BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 200
Bane signals a Tumbler – its turret turns to the prison doors.
BANE
We take Gotham from the corrupt. The rich. The oppressors of generations who’ve kept you down with the myth of opportunity. And we give it to you, the people. Gotham is yours – none shall interfere. Do as you please …
The Tumbler fires, blowing the doors to hell.
But start by storming Blackgate and freeing the oppressed … Step forward, those who would serve …
Bane’s men surge through the burning gates …
INT. BLACKGATE PRISON – CONTINUOUS 201
Selina watches as Prisoners stream out of open cell doors. She makes her way quietly through the excited throng.
BANE
(voice-over)
For an army will be raised …
Mercenaries hand out weapons to escaping Prisoners …
EXT. PARK BOULEVARD – DAY 202
As Mercenaries shoot open locks, people storm into expensive apartment buildings overlooking the park …
BANE
(voice-over)
The powerful will be ripped from their decadent nests …
INT. BEAUTIFUL OLD GOTHAM APARTMENT – DAY 203
People ransack the apartment …
BANE
(voice-over)
… and cast into the cold world the rest of us have known and endured …
EXT. PARK BOULEVARD – DAY 204
Wealthy people are herded onto the street by Mercenaries …
BANE
(voice-over)
Courts will be convened …
INT. STOCK EXCHANGE – DAY 205
A kangaroo court is in session, presided over by a Criminal we recognize from Blackgate. Bane watches from the gallery …
BANE
(voice-over)
The spoils will be enjoyed …
INT. ELEGANT APARTMENT, PARK BOULEVARD – DAY 206
Tough-looking Revellers crack open champagne – spraying it, swigging it – Selina amongst them, watching …
BANE
Blood will be shed …
INT. SEWERS – DAY 207
Hundreds of Police living underground. Dividing up supplies lowered by ropes … Ross opens a pack of supplies.
BANE
(voice-over)
But the police will live, until they are ready to serve true justice …
EXT. GOTHAM STADIUM – NIGHT 208
Moving in on the bright glow of the core …
BANE
(voice-over)
This great city will endure …
Close enough to see the flickering digits of its countdown …
BANE
(voice-over)
Gotham will survive.
Mercenaries load the core into the back of a black truck.
INT. STONE CELL, UNDERGROUND PRISON – DAY 209
Wayne rolls off his cot. Grunts. The Prisoner realizes Wayne is trying to do a push-up. From the next cell, the Blind Prisoner says something …
PRISONER
He says you must first straighten your back.
The Prisoner helps Wayne roll over, painfully.
WAYNE
How would he know?
&nb
sp; PRISONER
He was the prison doctor. A morphine addict who incurred the displeasure of powerful people. Including your masked friend.
WAYNE
How?
PRISONER
Many years ago, during a time of plague, Bane was attacked by the other prisoners. The doctor’s fumbling attempts to repair the damage left him in perpetual agony. The mask holds his pain at bay.
WAYNE
Is Bane the child you spoke of? Was he born here?
PRISONER
The legend is that there was a mercenary working for the local warlord who fell in love with his daughter. They married in secret.
The Prisoner takes a rope – ties it under Wayne’s arms.
PRISONER
When the warlord found out, he condemned the mercenary to this pit. But then exiled him instead …
Insert cut: the Mercenary is dropped at the side of a barren road. He starts to walk.
PRISONER
The mercenary understood that the warlord’s daughter had secured his release, but he couldn’t know the true price of his freedom. She had taken his place in the pit.
THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY: The Complete Screenplays with Storyboards Page 34