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THE REVENANT
Written by
Mark L Smith
Based on the novel by
MICHAEL PUNKE
September 26, 2007
Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice.
- Samuel Johnson
Based on a true story
FADE IN:
EXT. UPPER MISSOURI RIVER/1820'S - EVENING
ANGLE ON A SINGLE COTTONWOOD LEAF... brown and crisp...
clinging to its empty branch... the solitary sign of life on
an otherwise barren tree.
A gust of wind... the leaf breaks free... flutters down,
landing in the slow current of the Missouri. The last leaf
of the fall, taking its final journey south.
As it floats along the surface, rising and falling with the
current, all we can hear is the river's gentle movement...
the trickle of water... the splash of timid rapids... until
DISTANT VOICES invade this world... soft at first, but
growing louder... LAUGHTER... SINGING.
And then our leaf CRASHES INTO A WOODEN BOARD... the BOW OF A
BOAT. We hear the VOICES EVEN CLEARER... MEN'S VOICES, as we
rise up the bow... see it's a FLATBOAT BEACHED ON A SANDBAR
at the center of the river.
Beyond the flatboat are the voices... TWENTY MEN of the Rocky
Mountain Fur Company, making camp along the shore... hauling
wood, building campfires, pitching squares of canvas for
makeshift rooftops. And this camp is full of life because
these are some of the first men to ever see this untouched
wilderness... men with a whole new world just waiting for
them to claim their share.
EXT. CAMP - EVENING
CAPTAIN ANDREW HENRY, (late 20's), dressed in a buckskin
jacket with long fringe... thick belt pulled tightly around
his waist with two pistols and a knife hanging from it. He
stands out among the others... like an imposter pretending to
be a member of some exclusive club. He pulls off one of his
gloves... examines the BLOOD-FILLED BLISTERS lining his palm.
From across the camp, JOHN FITZGERALD, (40's), solid and
thick... dark eyes of a killer, watches Henry. He nudges
MACE BOONE, (40's), a thief in a previous life.
FITZGERALD
Likely got a splinter. Can't
figure what to do without Mama here
to pull it out for him.
Boone chuckles... spits in Henry's direction.
2.
BOONE
Need a doc, Captain?
Henry looks up... sees Fitzgerald and Boone grinning at him.
He slides his glove back on.
HENRY
Gather more wood.
Fitzgerald waits for Henry to turn, then gives his back an
exaggerated salute.
FITZGERALD
(under his breath)
Shame my Pap was a broken down
drunk. Else he could've bought me
a Captain's job too.
Boone snickers. Fitzgerald stomps his boot onto a branch,
easily snaps it into two easy-to-carry pieces.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
We got a plan for these fires,
Captain, or are we roastin' berries
all the way up to Fort Union?
HENRY
Glass and the others will be back
with some game, Fitzgerald. Just
make sure you have the fires ready.
FITZGERALD
My supper's in the hands of a
hermit nigger, a kid and a dummy.
Hell, my belly feels full already.
Fitzgerald's boot CRACKS another branch... and when it does,
we hear the EXPLOSION OF A GUNSHOT.
CUT TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS - EVENING
And a CLOUD OF SMOKE surrounding the LONG BARREL OF AN
ANSTADT RIFLE.
The smoke fades, and at the other end of the rifle we see the
face of HUGH GLASS, (40's), African-American, one eye still
closed, as the other calmly stares down that barrel.
VOICE (O.S.)
Shit fire, you got him, Mr. Glass!
3.
Glass lowers the rifle, as PIG GILMORE, (30's), fat and
filthy, races past.
PIG (CONT'D)
Square as a barn door.
JIM BRIDGER, (17), young eyes that have already seen a lot,
nods to Glass as he follows Pig.
Glass watches Pig and Bridger trot through the trees to a
fallen ELK. Glass walks calmly after them, graceful in this
world... his rifle so comfortable in his hand it's like he
was born with it there. Pig crouches over the dead elk...
grins up at Glass.
PIG (CONT'D)
Right where you said he'd be.
BRIDGER
But bigger than we figured. Gonna
be a load to haul back to camp.
PIG
Have to split it up I reckon.
GLASS
Yep. Bridger'll take the tail, and
Pig you haul the rest.
And Fitzgerald was right about Pig being a little slow,
because he just nods... pulls out his knife to cut the tail
off for Bridger.
Bridger and Glass exchange a smile... until Glass notices
something... steps over the elk, his eyes locked on the
ground beside it. He runs a finger over the dirt... touches
a broken twig.
BRIDGER
Another one close by?
Glass doesn't answer... studies the track... feels the nearby
brush... inhales the scent from his hand. Bridger and Pig
watch him... exchange a confused glance. And then in a flash
of movement, Glass is on his feet, racing away.
PIG
Hugh?
Glass just keeps running. Pig and Bridger chase after him.
CUT TO:
4.
EXT. CAMP - EVENING
The men building fires... laughing... enjoying themselves.
Boone on the outskirts, gathering branches.
CUT TO:
GLASS - TEARING THROUGH THE WOODS...
...dodging trees... leaping over fallen logs... loading his
Anstadt as he runs.
BRIDGER AND PIG - CHASING AFTER GLASS...
...but not as gracefully. Pig trips... slams to the
ground... scrambles back to his feet to continue on.
CUT TO:
BOONE - CARRYING AN ARMLOAD OF WOOD INTO CAMP...
...seeing other men playing cards. He stops along the edge
of camp, drops the wood to the ground.
BOONE
No rule says I'm the only one
that's gotta gather this shit.
The other men don't even notice. Then an ARROW WHIZZES
THROUGH THE AIR from behind Boone... THWACK... it hits him in
the back of the neck... erupts out the front of his throat.
Boone stands frozen... confused... reaches up and grabs the
bloody arrow... finally drops to his knees. And that's when
a TRAPPER looks up... sees Boone on his knees, holding that
arrow, his mouth open like a dying fish.
AND BEYOND BOONE ARE FORTY ARIKARA WARRIORS CHARGING THROUGH
THE TREES... FEATHERS RISING FROM THE MOHAWKS SPLITTING THEIR
SHAVED HEADS... FACES PAINTED FOR BATTLE.
TRAPPER
`REE!
WHOOSH... AN ARROW SAILS INTO THE TRAPPER'S CHEST, sending
him flying backward. The camp explodes into chaos... men
YELLING... grabbing for weapons... stumbling over each other
as they duck behind trees.
5.
HENRY - PULLING THE PISTOLS FROM HIS BELT...
...taking aim at the attacking figures.
The Arikara pour into camp, arrows flying... knives and
hatchets swinging. And this is a massacre... the Arikara
wading through the trappers... stabbing... clubbing...
scalping. This once peaceful world is filled with a sickening
mix of war cries and screams of death.
Fitzgerald rises up from behind a log... aims his rifle...
BOOM... takes down one of the warriors. He starts reloading
as ANOTHER WARRIOR charges him... draws back his knife.
Fitzgerald pours the powder, but knows he isn't going to make
it in time... the warrior leaps toward him...
...BOOM... it's like the warrior hits an invisible wall...
flies back to the ground, very dead. Fitzgerald spins...
sees Glass and his Anstadt right behind him.
GLASS
GET TO THE BOAT!
Fitzgerald takes off... flips his rifle around, swings it
like a club across a warrior's head... WHACK!
GLASS (CONT'D)
(TO HENRY)
THE BOAT, CAPTAIN!
Henry shoves a TRAPPER toward the water. An arrow drives
into the trapper's leg... he goes down. Henry lifts the man
to pull him into the river, but several more arrows bury in
the man's back... he falls limp. Henry FIRES HIS PISTOLS,
dropping the WARRIOR.
Bridger and Pig join Glass... splash into the river, SHOOTING
back at the attacking Arikara. The water deepens, and they
start swimming toward the flatboat.
ARROWS HISS into the water all around them.
Glass is still in the shallows... aims his pistol... BAM...
shoots an oncoming warrior... spins after the other men...
joins them as they near the flatboat.
A final TRAPPER charges down the shore behind them. SEVERAL
WARRIORS pursue him.
TRAPPER
WAIT!
6.
He aims his pistol over his shoulder as he runs... pulls the
trigger... CLICK... pulls it again... CLICK. But he's too
scared to stop his finger... CLICK... CLICK... CLICK...
THUD... as a hatchet buries in his back. He crashes face
first into the shallows.
The Arikara leader, (ELK'S TONGUE), animal bones braided into
his mohawk, a NECKLACE OF HUMAN EARS around his neck,
straddles the dying man. Elk's Tongue grabs the Trapper by
the hair, and CUTS OFF HIS LEFT EAR, then holds it up to
Glass and the others, as he SCREAMS HIS WAR CRY.
Glass and the men shove the flatboat off the sandbar... start
scrambling aboard, as arrows dart past them... drive into the
wooden boat.
Suddenly a WARRIOR EXPLODES FROM THE WATER... tackles Bridger
as he climbs up the side of the flatboat... jerks him back
into the river. Bridger flails in the water... watches the
warrior raise his hatchet high to slam down... just as Glass
SLAMS THE BUTT OF HIS ANSTADT into the back of the Warrior's
head.
The Warrior collapses under the surface. Glass grabs
Bridger's hand... drags him up onto the deck.
BRIDGER
Thank you.
But Glass is already gone... FIRING BACK AT THE ARIKARA, as
the current carries them away.
VOICE (O.S.)
HEY!
Pig looks over the side... sees a frantic WILLIAM ANDERSON
gripped to the edge. Pig pulls him onto the boat.
Fitzgerald and Glass grab LONGPOLES... shove them against the
river's bottom to pick up speed.
Henry stands on deck, watching as Elk's Tongue yanks a DYING
TRAPPER's head back by his hair to peel away his scalp.
Henry drops his eyes... can't watch. The TRAPPER'S SCREAM
ECHOES OVER HIM.
EXT. MISSOURI RIVER/FLATBOAT - LATER
Quiet and dark... the battle long over. The flatboat floats
with the gentle current. The NINE SURVIVING TRAPPERS are
scattered around the deck...
7.
Glass digging an arrow out of WALLACE MURPHY'S SHOULDER...
Fitzgerald poling on one side with Anderson on the other...
STUBBY BILL VANCE and Pig standing patrol with their
rifles... Bridger doctoring a badly WOUNDED TRAPPER... and
Henry standing at the front of the flatboat, staring off
blankly.
FITZGERALD
What's the plan, Captain?
Henry's still lost in those screams.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
Captain! What the hell do we do
now?
Henry snaps out of his stare... turns to the men... obviously
doesn't have an answer.
ANDERSON
We're just floatin' farther from
Fort Union.
Henry's eyes instinctively look to Glass.
GLASS
The Missouri's no good. Not if the
`Ree's running it.
FITZGERALD
So we just float the hell down to
Mexico or wherever else this river
takes us?
GLASS
We get ourselves safe outta range,
then track another course up.
FITZGERALD
Add weeks to the trip.
BRIDGER
Better that than endin' up scalped
on the side of the river.
FITZGERALD
(shoving him away)
Shut up, kid, you don't get no say
in this.
Bridger starts to respond, but Fitzgerald's angry glare stops
him.
8.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
(back to Henry)
And in case you hadn't noticed,
Captain, we're twelve men short of
what we were.
(off the badly wounded
TRAPPER)
Thirteen before long.
HENRY
I understand our situation, Mr.
Fitzgerald. We do like Glass
said... put some distance between
us and the Arikara, then chart a
course to Fort Union.
Fitzgerald MUMBLES UNDER HIS BREATH... rolls those dark eyes
to Anderson. Glass gives Henry a nod.
EXT. MISSOURI RIVER/FLATBOAT - NIGHT
ANGLE ON THE BADLY WOUNDED TRAPPER... NOW DEAD...
...as hands push the body over the side of the boat. It
splashes into the water... floats downstream.
We PULL BACK... see that the flatboat is beached along the
bank of the river. Glass and Pig watch the body drift away.
PIG
Reckon it's better `an lettin' the
`Ree find him... take his ears...
slice what's left all to shit.
Glass nods... steps down off the boat to Henry and the
others. They're gathered around a map spread out on the
ground. Henry runs his finger along a THIN BLUE LINE.
HENRY
So we hike west to the Grand, then
follow it up to Fort Union.
FITZGERALD
On foot? You got any idea how long
that's gonna take? It'll be winter
before we get there.
ANDERSON
Unless we come across a post...
trade for some horses.
9.
GLASS
No posts that far out.
FITZGERALD
So if we do this, we do every step
with our own feet.
HENRY
We make camp here for the night,
then load supplies and head out for
the Grand at first light.
(BEAT)
And gather extra blankets `cause
there won't be any fires.
More GRUMBLING from Fitzgerald and Anderson, as they move
toward the cover of trees. Bridger walks up beside Glass.
BRIDGER
Thank you... for what you done back
there.
GLASS
You'd have done the same for me.
Bridger nods... he hopes so.
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
Pig on watch... sitting at the base of a tree, rifle across
his lap, eyes wide, scanning the darkness. All clear. He
peers back to camp... Fitzgerald, Anderson, Stubby Bill, and
Murphy wrapped in blankets... passing a bottle of whiskey
around. Bridger across from Fitzgerald, poking at the dirt
with a stick. Henry is off to one side, still studying that
map. Glass sits against a tree, cleaning his Anstadt rifle.
Fitzgerald watches Glass a beat, then...
FITZGERALD
You treat that Anstadt sweeter than
any woman, Glass.
STUBBY BILL
Never seen a woman that could stop
a `Ree from three hundred feet.
ANDERSON
I knew a particular big-breasted
redhead in Boston that might come
close.
10.
The others manage a small laugh. Glass just keeps working on
that rifle.
FITZGERALD
Bring it over here for me to have a
look.
Glass doesn't look up... wipes a rag down the barrel.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
Did you hear what I said, boy?
Still nothing from Glass. And Fitzgerald doesn't like
that... the tension's growing.
BRIDGER
(MUMBLING)
You seen it before.
Fitzgerald turns that mean, drunken glare on Bridger.
FITZGERALD
What'd you say, kid?
Bridger hesitates a beat... until the other men's eyes force
a response.
BRIDGER
(SOFTLY)
I said you shoulda already got a
look when he saved you with it
earlier.
The camp falls still... nobody talks to Fitzgerald like
that... especially when he's drunk. There isn't a sound
except for Glass working methodically on his rifle...
...until the SWISH OF BLADE OVER LEATHER, as Fitzgerald tears
the blade from his belt... flings it into the dirt between
Bridger's legs... AN INCH BELOW HIS CROTCH.
Fitzgerald stares at Bridger, daring him to react. But
Bridger's too scared... doesn't, so Fitzgerald just smiles.
FITZGERALD
You're lucky you ain't a man yet.
(off the blade)
Else that mighta nicked somethin'.
A few NERVOUS CHUCKLES from the others, hoping this is over.
And it is, because Fitzgerald reaches over and pulls the
knife away... cleans the dirty blade on Bridger's leg.
11.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
And unlike you, I don't need savin'
by him or nobody else. Remember
that.
Fitzgerald stands... wobbles just a bit. He slides the knife
back into his belt, then steadies his drunken gaze on Glass.
The others exchange nervous glances... uh-oh.
Fitzgerald walks to Glass... snaps his fingers for Glass'
Anstadt.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
Lemme see what's so special `bout
that shooter of yours.
Nothing from Glass, so Fitzgerald grabs the barrel, but Glass
holds firm.
GLASS
Middle of workin' on it.
FITZGERALD
Well you can stop workin' on it,
and let me have a look like I said.
Fitzgerald gives another tug, but Glass' grip only grows
tighter. His eyes roll up to Fitzgerald... make it clear he
isn't giving up his rifle. And they hold that stare just as
hard as they're holding Glass' rifle.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
You forget your place?
GLASS
Best I can tell, my place is right
where I want it... on the smart end
of my rifle.
Fitzgerald realizes the barrel he's holding is aimed right at
his stomach, while Glass' hand seems suddenly very close to
the trigger. But Fitzgerald's pride and that whiskey won't
let him lose this tug of war.
FITZGERALD
I'd be careful if I was you, boy.
And this thing's about to turn real ugly... until...
HENRY
That's enough, Fitzgerald. Go
sober up and get to sleep.
(MORE)
12.
HENRY(CONT'D)
If you're passed out when we break
camp tomorrow, I leave you here.
Fitzgerald holds his glare on Glass, then releases the rifle,
shoving it back at Glass. He glances to Henry, and throws
back a big gulp from the bottle just for spite, before
backing away from Glass.
FITZGERALD
That's the trouble with this part
of the world. No mirrors. Niggers
forget what color they are.
Glass ignores Fitzgerald... goes back to his rifle.
Fitzgerald tosses the bottle at Anderson, then jerks his
blanket up... walks off to sleep by himself.
Glass glances up from his work... just long enough to give
Bridger a nod.
EXT. CAMP - LATER
Fitzgerald sleeping off that whiskey. The others snoring in
a cluster at the center of the camp. Henry lies there
awake... looks across to Glass, still sitting against the
tree, a HANDRAWN MAP in his lap, as his eyes pierce the
darkness. Henry eases over to Glass.
HENRY
Can't sleep either?
GLASS
Never like closin' my eyes when I'm
not sure who'll be standin' over me
when I open `em.
HENRY
I keep thinking about Boone and the
others... how maybe I should've had
us make camp further up river.
GLASS
The tracks I saw... those `Ree had
been tailin' us for a while. They'd
have gone as far north as it took.
(BEAT)
You're a good man, Captain. Soon
as you realize that, these others
will too.
Henry likes hearing that... still isn't sure it's true.
13.
HENRY
Your years trappin' and guidin' out
here... have you had much
experience with the Arikara?
GLASS
Enough to try and stay outta their
way.
HENRY
(motions to Glass' map)
But you know this country well
enough to get us past them... up to
Fort Union?
GLASS
I been here a long while. Whether
that gets us to Union or not...
Henry waits for more... doesn't get it. So he just nods and
starts back to his blanket.... stops.
HENRY
What Fitzgerald said earlier... he
doesn't speak for the rest.
GLASS
He wasn't wrong. Truth is that's
what I prefer about this country...
it's got no eye for the color of a
man's skin.
HENRY
(BEAT)
Try to get some sleep, Hugh.
Henry climbs back under his blanket. Glass just sits there
looking at the map.
ANGLE ON GLASS' MAP...
...primitive at best. Sketched mountains... winding blue
lines for rivers... small dots are scattered about with names
beside them... "Brazeau", "Talbot", "Union". And DOZENS OF
TRIANGLE PINE TREES have been drawn, representing the endless
wilderness.
We TIGHTEN ON THOSE TRIANGLES until we're lost in them.
DISSOLVE TO:
14.
EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY
Thick with trees. Henry leads the men single file through
the woods. They each have a canvas sack of supplies over one
shoulder, and their rifle in their hands.
The only sound is their feet crunching the dried leaves, and
even that seems too loud as their eyes dart about, searching
for any sign of attack.
STUBBY BILL
Shouldn't we have hit the Grand by
now?
HENRY
We'll reach it soon enough. Glass
said to keep this course.
FITZGERALD
Glass said. Too bad I don't see
him.
PIG
That's on account he's up ahead
makin' sure it's clear, and you get
to keep your ears.
Fitzgerald throws Pig an angry glance.
FITZGERALD
Or he's run off and left us.
BRIDGER
He wouldn't do that.
Fitzgerald GRUNTS... doesn't believe that.
FITZGERALD
My bet, that nigger's used to
runnin'.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Glass moves slowly through the brush, almost gliding...
subtle twists and turns to avoid branches and leaves...
careful not to leave his scent behind. And his eyes cut
through the trees as he moves... digging for any sign of
movement.
He spots something at his feet... crouches down, running his
finger over the SMALL ANIMAL TRACK in the dirt.
15.
O.S. RUSTLING snaps his head up... to the TREMBLING OF
BUSHES... growing harder... whatever's in there is coming
toward Glass. He calmly raises his rifle... presses the
stock firmly against his shoulder... closes one eye as he
takes steady aim down the long barrel...
...to the shapes rumbling out of the brush... TWO BEAR CUBS
playfully wrestling.
Glass lowers the Anstadt... looks past the cubs for something
else... but the woods are empty. A SUDDEN FEAR FILLS GLASS'
EYES...
...he spins... right into the GIANT GRIZZLY SWINGING ITS PAW
AT HIM... hitting him across the side of the neck. The
animal's razor claws tear into Glass' throat, as the force
sends him flying through the air.
Glass sails into a thick tree... the CRACK OF HIS LEG
SNAPPING against the trunk. The rifle falls from his hand.
The Grizzly lets out a massive ROAR... charges Glass. Glass
crawls to the Anstadt... grabs it... has just enough time to
tilt the rifle toward the bear... BOOM.
CUT TO:
HENRY - HEARING THE BLAST.
HENRY
UP AHEAD!
Henry takes off at full sprint. The other men follow.
CUT TO:
GLASS - AS THE BEAR LEAPS ON TOP OF HIM...
...tosses Glass aside with a powerful swing. Glass hits the
ground with a PAINFUL THUD. He starts CRAWLING AWAY, pulling
the KNIFE from his belt as the bear rises up like a giant
behind him... swings... tears its claws across Glass's back,
shredding deep into his flesh.
Glass is fighting for his life now... flailing with the
knife... slicing it across the bear's paw as it whips past
him. The wound slows the bear enough for Glass to start
crawling again.
But the Grizzly doesn't give Glass the chance... ROARS... is
on him in a flash, a BLUR OF CLAWS AND FANGS... tearing
across Glass' head... ripping into his face... his chest.
16.
Glass drives his knife into the bear again... deep... trying
to tear through the layers of flesh to something more vital.
CUT TO:
HENRY - LEADING THE CHARGE THROUGH THE FOREST.
CUT TO:
GLASS AND THE GRIZZLY - FIGHTING THIS EPIC BATTLE...
...locked in a death grip... tumbling along the ground...
trading violent blows... Glass' blade versus the Grizzly's
claws and fangs... snapping small trees as they roll over
them... toward the edge of a steep embankment...
... and ROLL DOWN... spinning over and over... each ROARING
AT THE OTHER... Glass pounding the knife into the bear again
and again as they fall... neither willing to surrender as
they careen down the slope at a dizzying pace, then SLAM TO
THE BOTTOM WITH A CRUNCH. And the forest falls still...
Glass hidden somewhere beneath the massive animal... both
deathly motionless.
EXT. WOODS - DAY
Bridger's the first to reach the battleground... sees the TWO
FRIGHTENED BEAR CUBS SCURRY AWAY. He follows the bloody
ground and crushed underbrush to the top of the slope...
looks down to the mass of flesh at the bottom.
BRIDGER
Christ Almighty.
Henry, Pig, and the others reach the edge.
HENRY
Glass!
No answer. And all they can see is the bear, so they scan
the trees.
PIG
HUGH!
Still nothing. So Bridger takes off down the slope... losing
his balance but rolling back to his feet. He reaches the
bear... sees GLASS' MANGLED ARM STICKING OUT FROM BENEATH IT.
17.
BRIDGER
He's down here!
Bridger uses all his strength to push the bear off, as the
other men scramble down. But Bridger can't budge the massive
carcass... not until Stubby Bill and Pig join in... shove the
animal over, revealing the bloody mass that is Hugh Glass...
...his throat is torn wide open... scalp peeled back from
just above his eyebrows, hanging off the skull... stomach and
chest a gruesome design of gashes and cuts. His right leg
is snapped, the jagged bone jutting out through the skin.
Bridger's legs give out... he drops to a knee and vomits.
MURPHY
Oh, Jesus.
STUBBY BILL
He's tore to pieces.
The men stare down at Glass' corpse.
ANDERSON
Least he took that Grizz down with
him.
FITZGERALD
Wished he'da done it without firing
his rifle. If there wasn't no `Ree
around before, there will be now.
And that's all Pig can stand... he TACKLES FITZGERALD... they
roll to the ground. And in a flash Fitzgerald is on top,
raining punches down on Pig... turning his face into a bloody
mess.
Henry and Anderson grab Fitzgerald... drag him off.
HENRY
THAT'S ENOUGH!
Then somehow, GLASS GASPS... this horrible, GUTTURAL MOAN.
BRIDGER
Holy Christ, he's alive.
Henry and Bridger fall to their knees beside Glass. Glass
looks up at the men, tries to focus through the blood and
pain. His breathing is just a GURGLING WHEEZE... bubbles
forming along the deep gashes in his throat with each gasp.
18.
HENRY
Get me some water.
Stubby Bill tosses Henry his canteen. Henry empties it over
Glass' throat... his face and scalp. The water hits the
wounds and immediately transforms to blood.
BRIDGER
Oh, Jesus... Jesus.
Glass lifts a trembling hand to his throat... feels the
gaping wound. His eyes widen in horror. He COUGHS... the
air splashes blood up from the open wounds in his throat.
HENRY
It's okay, Hugh.
(pushing Glass' hand away)
You're going to be fine.
Henry spins his head away from Glass.
HENRY (CONT'D)
(WHISPERS)
I need some rags before he bleeds
out.
Pig whips a shirt from his bag... shreds it.
HENRY (CONT'D)
And your whiskey.
Pig tosses a bottle to Henry. Henry pours it over the
gashes. The BURNING PAIN arches Glass... he CRIES OUT in
that same horrific moan.
HENRY (CONT'D)
Hold him down, Bridger, goddammit.
Bridger throws his weight against Glass' shoulders.
HENRY (CONT'D)
The rest of you spread out... scout
a circle around us. Fitzgerald,
you and Anderson take west and
north. Murphy and Mike south and
east. Watch for anyone that
might've heard that shot.
And for the first time, Henry seems like a leader of men...
firm... in complete control... just as Glass said he would
be. So the men hurry off to their positions.
19.
PIG
What about me, Cap?
HENRY
Get down here and help me tie off
these wounds best we can.
Pig shakily joins Henry in wrapping the wounds. The blood
keeps seeping out, soaking the rags.
PIG
It won't stop bleedin'.
HENRY
Shut up, Pig.
(TO GLASS)
We're fixing you up, Hugh.
Glass is like a shredded rag doll... dazed eyes staring up at
them as they work on his wounds... wrapping the rags around
his throat... laying his scalp back over his skull, and tying
another rag around it and under his jaw to hold it in place.
Bridger wipes the blood from Glass' face.
BRIDGER
It's gonna be fine, Mr. Glass.
Henry glances down to the PUDDLE OF BLOOD spilling out over
his knees... oozing out from beneath Glass.
HENRY
Roll him over... easy.
They gently push Glass onto one side, revealing DEEP, JAGGED,
GASHES running across the width of Glass' back. Henry stares
at the open flesh, ready to panic again... but he doesn't.
Instead he looks to Pig.
HENRY (CONT'D)
Get me the kit. We need to stitch
his back up.
BRIDGER
What about the rest of him?
HENRY
He's losing more blood back here.
(off the throat)
And I don't know what to do with
that yet.
20.
Pig digs out a thick needle and spool of black thread...
hands it to Henry. Henry grabs the whiskey bottle.
HENRY (CONT'D)
I'm sorry for how this is about to
burn, Hugh.
Henry pours the whiskey over Glass' back. And the pain must
be excruciating, because Glass lets out a HORRIBLE WAIL.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODS - CONTINUOUS
Fitzgerald and Anderson standing watch together in the trees.
Glass' scream erupts through the trees, and they both
immediately crouch down to a knee... out of sight to anyone
out there that might have heard that.
ANDERSON
They're torturin' the poor bastard.
FITZGERALD
And riskin' gettin' us killed in
the process. Proper thing would be
to end it for him quick.
ANDERSON
`Less he could pull through.
FITZGERALD
You seen what that grizz did to
him. Shit, Glass'll be dead inside
a hour. We all will be if he keeps
screamin' like that.
EXT. WOODS - LATER
SERIES OF SHOTS
HENRY, BRIDGER AND PIG WORKING OVER GLASS... Bridger and Pig
pressing Glass' scalp down, as Henry slides the needle and
thread through the skin, suturing the wound.
HENRY CLEANING GLASS' SHREDDED THROAT.
BRIDGER AND PIG HOLDING THE SCREAMING GLASS DOWN AS HENRY
SNAPS GLASS' LEG BACK IN PLACE.
21.
FITZGERALD PEERING BACK THROUGH THE TREES... to Henry
doctoring Glass. Fitzgerald shakes his head in anger...
turns back to the darkening forest.
EXT. WOODS - EVENING
Glass rests unconscious on the ground. Two branches act as a
splint on his leg. A blanket covers his body... his face is
like a swollen, disfigured, Frankenstein's monster...
stitches of black thread holding it in place.
Henry crouches a short distance away from him, rinsing his
hands under a canteen. Bridger and Pig stand beside him.
BRIDGER
What now?
HENRY
We wait. Does he have any kin you
know of?
PIG
He keeps to hisself. Never
mentioned none.
HENRY
Go get the others. Tell `em we're
making camp here for the night.
Pig starts hustling away.
HENRY (CONT'D)
And gather some wood, but make sure
it's dry. We don't want much smoke
when we cook that grizzly.
ANGLE ON THE MASSIVE BEAR...
...lying dead on the ground, its claws and fangs soaked with
blood... Glass' blood.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
And what's left of the grizzly... its fur cut away... slabs
of flesh butchered from its skeleton.
A fire burns at the center of camp... a chunk of meat roasts
above the flame. The men sit around the fire...
22.
Murphy reaches up... tears a strip of meat from the roast,
tossing it in his mouth. The men are silent... the pall of
Glass' attack still hanging over them.
Bridger rises... walks to the Grizzly... crouches down over
it, grabbing the animal's enormous paw. It dwarfs his own
hand, as he examines the claws. Bridger pulls out his
knife... stretches the claw out to its full length, and CUTS
IT OFF AT ITS BASE.
FITZGERALD (O.S.)
What makes you think you earned a
claw?
Bridger turns with a start... sees Fitzgerald standing over
him, meat in his hand... his lips shiny with the grease.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
You didn't take that grizz down.
BRIDGER
It ain't for me.
Bridger stands... walks over to the sleeping Glass. Pig's
already crouched beside him. Bridger lifts Glass' small
leather POSSIBLES BAG from beside the Anstadt rifle... drops
the claw inside... throws a look back to Fitzgerald.
Pig holds his palm out just above Glass' mouth.
PIG
I can feel some air outta his
mouth. Maybe Captain sealed up his
throat proper, huh?
(off Bridger's silence)
Whatta you figure his odds are,
Jim?
Bridger stares down at what's left of Glass.
BRIDGER
Long.
EXT. WILDERNESS - MORNING
The sun peeks over the horizon, sending an orange glow across
the treetops.
EXT. CAMP - MORNING
ANGLE ON GLASS...
23.
...unconscious but alive... his raspy breaths are weak and
staggered. The SHADOWS OF MEN hover over him...
...because Henry and the others surround Glass, staring down
at him.
MURPHY
What that bear did to him... I
didn't expect he'd last this long.
ANDERSON
I seen a fella go a week once after
a lion jumped him. Fever finally
finished him off.
STUBBY BILL
Whatta we do, Cap?
A long beat, then...
HENRY
We give him his chance.
Henry turns and walks away.
EXT. CAMP - NIGHT
The fire has burned down to nothing. The men sleep scattered
about. Murphy stands just outside of camp, rifle ready,
keeping watch.
Glass lies there awake... eyes wide open... a living corpse.
And his breathing is just as labored as before... raspy,
blood-soaked strains.
Fitzgerald tosses and turns, listening to Glass' gurgling.
FITZGERALD
You ain't doin' him or us no
favors, Captain, lettin' him suffer
that way.
Henry's awake, but doesn't answer. He's holding his pistol
in his hand, as he stares at Glass... thinking the same thing
Fitzgerald just said. But he doesn't move... not yet.
Fitzgerald angrily wraps a blanket around his head, muffling
the sound. Bridger sits beyond him... smiles at Fitzgerald's
misery, as he attaches the BEAR CLAW TO A THIN LEATHER
STRAP... a necklace.
24.
EXT. CAMP - MORNING
Bridger kneels over a SHIVERING GLASS, holding wet rags on
his head. Pig and Henry stand over them, watching.
Fitzgerald, Anderson, Murphy and Stubby Bill sit huddled
across camp.
ANDERSON
Fever's hit. Won't be long now.
FITZGERALD
I seen a bad one drag on days.
ANGLE ON GLASS...
...eyes open... he can hear every word.
FITZGERALD (O.S.) (cont'd)
Insides shut down... flesh starts
to spoil and turn. Ain't no way
for...
HENRY (O.S.)
Quiet, Fitzgerald.
FITZGERALD...
...points a stick at Glass.
FITZGERALD
(TO HENRY)
We keep sittin' here watchin' him
die, only gives the `Ree more
chance to find us.
Henry doesn't answer... just keeps staring down at Glass.
BRIDGER
He's burnin', Cap. Water turns to
boil as soon as it touches him.
Henry considers this, then...
HENRY
Pig, take Anderson and scout ahead.
Grand should be just west of here.
Find us the best route.
FITZGERALD
Tryin' to buy Glass time don't make
sense for the rest of us, Captain.
25.
HENRY
(TO PIG)
Get movin'.
Pig nods... grabs his gear. He and Anderson take off out of
camp. Henry turns... walks over to Fitzgerald and Stubby
Bill.
HENRY (CONT'D)
(WHISPERS)
You two can start digging a grave.
Fitzgerald tosses the stick away.
FITZGERALD
Least it's a step in the right
direction.
EXT. CAMP - LATER
Fitzgerald is covered in dirt and sweat, standing knee deep
in Glass' grave. Stubby Bill stands over him.
FITZGERALD
Any coyote digs that deep deserves
the meal.
He takes Stubby Bill's hand... pulls himself out.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
Glass won't know the difference no
ways.
Pig and Anderson walk back into camp.
PIG
Found it, Cap. Right where Glass
had us headed.
ANDERSON
No more than a mile or so out.
Henry looks to Bridger, still doctoring Glass.
HENRY
We could build a litter. Haul him
with us.
ANDERSON
It's rocky and steep goin'.
Henry looks to Pig for an honest answer.
26.
PIG
Marshy and thick on the other side.
We could try it, but...
Pig shakes his head.
FITZGERALD
I signed on as a trapper, not a
goddamn mule.
BRIDGER
(TO HENRY)
Shape he's in... I don't see no way
he'd make bein' drug.
Henry nods, his mind racing for a solution. And before long,
his hand is back on that pistol. He pulls it from his belt.
The other men all drop their heads... except for
Fitzgerald... he's ready to see this end.
Henry stares down at Glass.
HENRY
Lay that rag over his eyes, Mr.
Bridger.
BRIDGER
But, Captain.
HENRY
Do it.
Bridger hesitates, then reaches to fold the wet rag down over
Glass' wide open eyes. And Glass must know what's happening,
because his eyes roll up to Bridger's... his lips try to form
a word... his hand digs its fingers into the dirt beside him.
CUT TO:
GLASS' POV - ON BRIDGER...
...the boy looking away as he pulls the rag over our eyes...
everything goes black.
HENRY (O.S.)
Step clear, Mr. Bridger.
A LONG BEAT in the dark, waiting for that gunshot, then...
BACK TO SCENE
27.
Henry standing over Glass... pistol aimed down. His hand
trembles slightly.
Pig turns away... presses his hands over his ears.
Bridger takes a few steps back... stares at Henry.
Henry struggles to steady his aim, until finally it calms...
because he's thought of something else.
HENRY (CONT'D)
There's a seventy dollar bonus from
the Rocky Mountain Fur Company to
the two men that stay with Glass...
see this through. Then give him a
proper burial.
BRIDGER
I'll stay with him... money or not.
PIG
Same here.
HENRY
I can't let you stay back, Pig.
Without Glass, I'll need you to
scout.
Henry looks to the others... they all drop their eyes... not
interested.
HENRY (CONT'D)
Just need one more.
FITZGERALD
Two won't stand much chance against
a party of `Ree, Captain, and
seventy dollars won't buy me a new
setta ears.
HENRY
A hundred then.
Still nothing from the others.
BRIDGER
They can have my share too. I owe
Glass that at least.
FITZGERALD
That case I'll hang back with the
kid. I don't mind fallin' a day or
so behind for two hundred.
28.
HENRY
But Glass is to be cared for until.
Understood?
FITZGERALD
(motions to Bridger)
I'll let the young doctor do his
job.
Henry hesitates... doesn't like this, but knows it's the best
option left.
HENRY
The rest gather your gear.
Bridger reaches down... lifts the rag from Glass' face.
Their eyes meet... Bridger gives Glass a nod.
EXT. CAMP - LATER
Henry and the others are loaded and ready to leave. Pig
bends down over Glass.
PIG
I'll see ya at Fort Union, Hugh.
Glass's glazed eyes focus on Pig. He moves the only thing he
can... BLINKS a "yes" back at him.
HENRY
(to Fitzgerald and
BRIDGER)
As long as necessary.
BRIDGER
I'll look after him.
Henry turns... leads the men into the trees... toward the
Grand... toward Fort Union.
EXT. CAMP - NIGHT
What's left of a small fire is nothing but smoldering ash.
Bridger crouches beside Glass, pouring a thin stream of broth
between his lips. Fitzgerald reaches in... grabs Glass'
Anstadt leaning against the tree.
FITZGERALD
I'll take first watch.
29.
BRIDGER
Not with his rifle.
FITZGERALD
Trust me, kid, he ain't gonna be
needin' it tonight.
Fitzgerald disappears into the trees.
EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY
Pig stands on a ridge, scouting a course. He waves back to
Henry and the others. They start toward him.
EXT. CAMP - EVENING
Glass conscious on the ground... that same labored breathing.
CUT TO:
GLASS' POV - ON FITZGERALD...
...smiling down at Glass as he grabs the Anstadt, holds it...
runs his hand down the barrel, as comfortable as if it were
his own.
FITZGERALD
You were right to protect this.
Then he disappears... and we're left alone, staring up at the
branches above us... the evening sky... accompanied by Glass'
deathly breaths.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS/CREEK - DAY
Bridger kneels beside the stream, filling canteens.
EXT. CAMP - DAY
Fitzgerald sits bored against a tree, twisting a knife in his
hands... flipping it point first into the dirt... grabbing...
repeating... twist... flip... thwack. And as he does, his
eyes are locked on Glass.
30.
Finally, Fitzgerald snaps the knife from the dirt, stands,
and walks over to Glass. Glass is asleep. Fitzgerald
crouches down over him... eyes his red, infected wounds.
FITZGERALD
(WHISPERS)
When are you gonna die, boy?
Fitzgerald reaches out with the blade... gently touches one
of the threads holding Glass' throat together. And when he
does, GLASS' EYES FLY OPEN... focus on Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald doesn't even flinch... just holds that knife tip
there against Glass' throat.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
I'm nearly a week behind Henry's
bunch on accounta havin' to tend to
you. Be easier on us all if you'd
take that last breath.
The two men hold a stare... until Fitzgerald pulls back the
knife... grabs a bloodstained rag from beside them... balls
it up in his fist.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
I could help ya with that if you'd
like. Muzzle ya right now... end
all this sufferin' quick and easy.
Nobody'd ever know you give up.
Fitzgerald moves the rag over Glass' nose and mouth... holds
it there, just inches above.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
You just gimme a blink if you want
me to do it.
Glass locks his eyes on Fitzgerald's... both men unblinking.
A DROP OF BLOOD hangs from the rag... finally falls... lands
on Glass' lips.
Fitzgerald almost smiles, waiting for the inevitable... as
Glass stares back, fighting the urge to blink.
Suddenly Bridger's hand clamps down on Fitzgerald's shoulder.
Fitzgerald spins... startled.
BRIDGER (O.S.)
What's goin' on?
31.
Fitzgerald jumps with a start, sees it's Bridger, and is
pissed that Bridger scared him... and interrupted his
business. He rises quickly, planting his meaty hand in
Bridger's chest, and SLAMMING HIM BACK AGAINST A TREE.
FITZGERALD
Don't you ever question me, you
little piss-ant.
Bridger tries to fight back, but Fitzgerald's too strong...
holds him pressed against the tree... slams a heavy elbow
into Bridger's mouth, splitting his lip.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
I'd just as soon leave both you and
your nigger here to rot. `Cept
killin' you ain't worth givin' up
your share.
(LEANS CLOSER)
But that don't mean I can't be
coaxed into changin' my mind.
Fitzgerald shoves him away... Bridger stumbles and falls.
Fitzgerald tosses the bloody rag at him.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
And I was just doin' your job...
cleanin' him up.
Fitzgerald grabs Glass' Anstadt, almost daring Bridger to say
something. Of course Bridger doesn't. Fitzgerald walks
toward the trees.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
Why don't ya pour some more broth
down his throat... keep him alive
another week so we can fall farther
back. End up walkin' all the way
to Fort Union on our own. `Ree
would love to poach on just two.
(turns to Bridger)
I promise ya, you'll look a helluva
lot worse than Glass when they're
done with you.
Bridger watches him disappear into the trees... wipes the
blood from his lip with a trembling hand.
DISSOLVE TO:
32.
EXT. WILDERNESS - NIGHT
From high above the trees. The world is silent... peaceful...
until SEVERAL STARTLED CROWS shoot up from the treetops.
CUT TO:
BLACK...
...the sound of FRENZIED BREATHING.
FITZGERALD (V.O.)
(PANICKED WHISPER)
Bridger! Get your ass up!
Dim light fills the frame... then FITZGERALD'S FACE right in
front of us.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
`Ree.
BRIDGER - SCRAMBLES UP FROM UNDER HIS BLANKET, WIPING THE
SLEEP FROM HIS FRIGHTENED EYES.
BRIDGER
What?
FITZGERALD
Keep quiet. I was down at the
creek... there's twenty of `em at
least, comin' this way.
BRIDGER
Oh, shit. Whatta we do?
FITZGERALD
We run. Now.
And Fitzgerald's just whispering, but it's with such power
that Bridger has no response... watches as Fitzgerald gathers
his bag, starts throwing in food and supplies. Bridger is
scared out of his mind... does the same... grabs for his
rifle, resting near Glass.
Bridger freezes... in his panic, he'd forgotten all about
Glass. And now the wounded man's eyes stare up at him...
understanding perfectly what's happening around him.
BRIDGER
What about Glass?
33.
FITZGERALD
He's on his own, same as us.
BRIDGER
I can't leave him.
FITZGERALD
Then I'm talkin' to a dead man.
Glass gives Bridger the slightest of nods... go. But
Bridger's frozen... doesn't know what to do... until
Fitzgerald shoves him back to life.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
Move.
Glass reaches out a weak hand out for his Anstadt... clawing
for his weapon. Bridger starts to hand it to Glass, but
Fitzgerald grabs it first.
BRIDGER
What're you doin'? He needs that.
FITZGERALD
He couldn't hold it if you tarred
it to his hands.
Glass strains to hold out his trembling hand for his gun.
BRIDGER
It's his goddamn rifle! That's all
he's got!
FITZGERALD
And more than he'll need.
Fitzgerald scoops up Glass' knife as well.
BRIDGER
We can't leave him with nothin'.
But Fitzgerald is already sprinting away... disappearing into
the trees. Glass stares after him, his once-calm eyes
suddenly filled with a rage. And Bridger's frozen again,
lost between duty and fear... until finally, he just shakes
his head and takes off into the trees.
Glass's empty hand falls back to the ground... he tries to
yell out in anger, but his throat EXPLODES IN PAIN. His hand
digs into the dirt... pulls him over onto his side. He flops
over to his stomach... GASPS IN PAIN...
34.
then using his one good arm, drags himself over the dirt, his
healthy leg pushing weakly at the ground, trying to propel
him forward... a futile chase after Fitzgerald and Bridger...
...inch by inch... farther than he's been in days. But it's
still only a few yards, and now he lies in the open... a
clear target for the Arikara.
Then he spots that hole... the grave Fitzgerald dug for him.
He grunts into action... grabs SEVERAL, THIN BROKEN BRANCHES
from the ground, then claws forward, each movement
excruciating... until finally, he reaches the hole, and ROLLS
INTO IT... lands with a PAINFUL CRUNCH.
He rests there a moment, trying to regain any ounce of
strength. Finally he fights through the pain... shoves the
branches back up... spreading them across the hole as
camouflage... a thin veil, but all that Glass has.
He lies there defenseless... INSIDE HIS OWN GRAVE. Hiding...
listening for the Arikara's arrival... waiting to die.
CUT TO:
GLASS' POV - OUT OF THE GRAVE... TIGHT AND CLAUSTROPHOBIC...
JUST THE NIGHT SKY THROUGH THOSE BRANCHES... AND THE SOUND OF
HIS PAINFUL BREATHS.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS - MORNING
Cold and grey. Fitzgerald crouches beside a small fire,
warming his hands. WHISPS OF SMOKE rise into the sky.
FITZGERALD
We ran the better part of six
hours. Had to gain some ground on
Henry and them others.
Bridger sits at the base of a tree, not listening...
staring... his mind replaying the desertion of Glass over and
over. He notices the smoke.
BRIDGER
Best douse that smoke before them
`Ree spot it.
FITZGERALD
We put enough distance between us
and them. And it's too damn cold
to go without one.
35.
BRIDGER
All we know, they hoofed it through
the night same as us.
FITZGERALD
(shakes his head)
A dozen `Ree can't make the time us
two did.
Bridger looks back to the trees... then considers something,
stares at Fitzgerald a beat, before...
BRIDGER
It was twenty earlier.
FITZGERALD
What?
BRIDGER
When you woke me... you said you'd
spotted twenty `Ree.
FITZGERALD
A dozen... twenty. I wasn't in a
mood to count feathers. Hell, one
`Ree woulda been too many.
Fitzgerald empties his canteen over the fire, killing the
flames. Bridger stares at the water pouring out.
BRIDGER
What was you even doin' down at the
creak in the middle of the night?
(BEAT)
I'd already brought plenty a water.
Fitzgerald doesn't answer. Bridger tightens his grip on his
rifle... slowly rises.
BRIDGER (CONT'D)
Answer me.
FITZGERALD
Don't start questionin' me on
accounta you feelin' guilty `bout
leavin' your nigger buddy behind.
Bridger musters up all the courage he can... aims his rifle
at Fitzgerald.
BRIDGER
ANSWER ME OR I BLOW YOUR DAMN HEAD
OFF!
36.
Fitzgerald stares back at Bridger and his rifle... eyes
taking in everything... a snake sizing up its prey. Then
Fitzgerald stands... takes a step toward the boy.
FITZGERALD
What're you askin'? Why it was you
turned your back on Glass? Why you
let him die to save your own sorry
skin?
(BEAT)
`Cause you was scared shitless,
that's why.
BRIDGER
The `Ree... did you see `em?
(off Fitzgerald's silence)
DID YOU SEE `EM?
FITZGERALD
(MOVING CLOSER)
Not a one.
Bridger CRIES OUT... starts to pull the trigger, when
Fitzgerald's hand flashes out, grabbing the barrel, and
shoving the butt back into Bridger's face... THWACK.
The force of the blow knocks Bridger back to the ground, but
Fitzgerald holds his grip on the rifle barrel... flips it
around to aim it at the boy. Blood drips down Bridger's head
as he stares up at his rifle pointed down.
Fitzgerald's finger tightens on the trigger.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
So that there is the answer to your
question.
And Fitzgerald PULLS THE TRIGGER... AND BRIDGER SQUEEZES HIS
EYES SHUT IN FEAR... THEN CLICK. Bridger opens his eyes...
sees Fitzgerald sneering down at him.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
And the next time you aim to kill
somebody, kid, best remember your
gun won't fire without a flint.
Fitzgerald tosses the rifle back at Bridger, and turns away.
Bridger's face flushes with rage and humiliation... he
charges Fitzgerald from behind... tackles him to the
ground... starts pounding Fitzgerald with punches.
A few of them land, but it's only a moment before Fitzgerald
is back in control... HEAD-BUTTING Bridger off of him...
37.
tossing him away, then KICKING BRIDGER IN THE STOMACH...
AGAIN. He grabs his knife... is ready to finish Bridger
off...
...but Fitzgerald is smart enough to know that out here, two
are safer than one... even when one is just a kid. He starts
walking away.
BRIDGER
I'm goin' back for him.
FITZGERALD
Far as we ran all night, you
couldn't find Glass with dogs and a
map. And I don't believe you
really want to. `Cause after
leavin' him to die the first time,
I doubt he'd be too happy to see
you now.
Fitzgerald digs at the dirt with the knife... covers the
fire's remains.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
And just so we're clear. If you
try to backtrack without me
knowin', or ever get so guilty you
feel the need to tell somebody.
Fitzgerald looks at Bridger... hard... evil.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
I'll have no choice but to gut you
from nuts to nose.
Fitzgerald stares his point home, then shoves the blade into
his belt, and stands.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
Now let's go.
Bridger wipes the blood from his face, then throws one last
glance behind him before following Fitzgerald.
EXT. CAMP - MORNING
Empty and quiet... no sign of life... until GLASS' HAND RISES
BETWEEN THE BRANCHES. His fingers dig into the earth,
pulling himself up from the hole... a dead man climbing out
of his own grave.
He rolls out to the ground... arches in pain when his back
hits the cold, hard surface.
38.
Glass lies there shivering, regaining what little strength he
has, then rolls over... starts dragging himself again with
that one good arm. He makes it to the blanket... wraps it
around him.
Glass rests there in the center of camp... unable to move...
his eyes scanning the surroundings... no food... no water...
and he's wide open in this clearing... an easy target for any
predator. So he grabs his Possibles bag and GUNPOWDER HORN,
and drags himself toward the cover of brush.
And every movement takes all the will Glass has... a push
with his good leg followed by a pull with his healthy arm...
inch by inch... foot by foot... sweat pouring down his face
as he finally reaches the cover of the trees... continues
on... dragging himself across the forest floor in a
desperate, hopeless crawl for survival.
But finally it's too much for Glass... the fever and pain
overwhelm him. He collapses... falls unconscious.
EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY
Glass lies in the dirt, weak... dehydrated... starving. He
looks at his hands... scratched and bloody from clawing his
weight.
He unwraps his small, leather Possibles bag... dumps it to
the ground, revealing it contents... flints, a straight
razor, his map, and a LEATHER NECKLACE WITH THE SIX-INCH BEAR
CLAW attached. Glass grabs the razor... cuts SEVERAL THIN
STRIPS FROM THE BLANKET, and wraps them around his hands.
He shoves the rest back in the bag, and does the only thing
he can do... start crawling again... push with his healthy
leg... pull with his good arm.
EXT. WILDERNESS - LATER
Glass dragging himself up a steep slope... over rocks... the
jagged edges catching the wounds... tearing the primitive
stitching. The gashes rip wider... blood oozes down, leaving
a crimson trail dripping down the rock behind him.
EXT. WILDERNESS - NIGHT
The wind is howling through the trees. Glass lies beneath a
cluster of brush... shivering... bleeding. Every aching
breath creates a puff of smoke in the cold, night air.
39.
EXT. MARSH - DAY
Thick with a sea of four-foot high Cattails... like miniature
cornstalks. Looking down from above the marsh we see a two-
foot wide path of crushed plants that reaches the center of
the marsh, and stops.
We tighten on the end of the path, until we see Glass lying
among the Cattails. He's sawing off one of the stalks with
the straight razor... peeling away the husk, and eating the
tender flesh beneath.
Mosquitoes move in clouds around him... over his face...
arms. But Glass' injured body only allows him one action at
a time, so the mosquitoes have their fill of him, as he gnaws
on the Cattail.
EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY
Glass pulling himself along the ground... stopping to tear a
FEW BERRIES from a plant, and shove them in his mouth. He
flinches as he swallows. He starts to move again, but
freezes... listens... RUSHING WATER.
Glass digs his fingers into the ground with new energy...
pulls himself toward the sound... up over a ridge... and
there it is at the bottom of the ridge...
...THE GRAND RIVER... WATER. Glass crawls down toward it.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - DAY
Glass drags himself to the river's edge, cupping handfuls of
water and rubbing it over his parched lips... withstanding
the pain to gulp it down.
As he does, Glass notices a FISH hovering in the shallows
beside him. He makes a desperate grab for the fish, but it
darts easily away.
Glass cups more water to his mouth, but with each drink, he
feels the water leak from a hole in his throat... run down
his neck. He leans out over the surface to check his
reflection... barely recognizes the swollen, stitched-
together, disfigured face staring back at him. He fights off
the urge to vomit... pulls the razor from the leather bag,
and cuts more strips of blanket, soaking them in the river,
then cleaning his wounds.
40.
He runs a finger up to his shredded throat... around the
open, wet hole. He cups another handful of water to his
mouth... strains to swallow, then feels the liquid GURGLE OUT
OF THE HOLE.
Glass shoves the cloth against the wound... tries to press
the flesh together... no good. He dumps out his Possibles
bag... stares at the meager contents. He picks up one of the
flints... looks to the powderhorn.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - LATER
ANGLE ON A SMALL CLUMP OF DRIED GRASS...
...as Glass SPARKS one of the flints... ignites the grass.
As the fire grows, Glass pours a handful of GUNPOWDER from
the horn, and RUBS IT ALL OVER THE HOLE IN HIS THROAT.
He lifts several small blades of burning grass... a miniature
torch. And only then do we realize what he's about to do...
because he stares at the flame a beat, then raises it toward
his gunpowder-covered throat.
The flame nears the black powder, and LEAPS OFF THE GRASS,
igniting the powder, and SETTING GLASS'S NECK ON FIRE.
Glass falls back to the ground in agony... TRIES TO SCREAM,
but his burning, shredded vocal chords won't allow him.
The gunpowder sizzles and burns... the flame spreads...
Glass' flesh sears... melts. And the pain is too much for
Glass... he passes out.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - NIGHT
ANGLE ON GLASS... looking dead beside the river, but we know
he's alive because we can hear those same painful, raspy
breaths.
And then we hear something else... an O.S. RATTLING, growing
LOUDER... FASTER... BUZZING... until Glass' eyes flash open.
CUT TO:
GLASS' POV - ON A RATTLESNAKE COILED INCHES FROM HIS FACE.
Glass stares back in horror... has time to throw up his arm
in protection as the snake STRIKES... SINKS ITS FANGS INTO
HIS FOREARM.
41.
He shakes it free, but can't escape the snake's next
strike... locking its jaws onto Glass' burned throat. Glass
opens his mouth to scream.
CUT TO:
EXT. GRAND RIVER - DAY
And Glass' eyes flying open in the glaring sun, as he awakens
from his nightmare... looks to his arm... no snake. His hand
instinctively jumps to his melted throat. No bites.
But that's when he hears it... we all do... that same
RATTLING FROM HIS DREAM. Glass slowly turns his head toward
the sound...
...and there's a RATTLESNAKE COILED just a few feet away.
Only it isn't poised to attack Glass. It's facing the other
way, its target a FIELD MOUSE, trapped against a rock.
The snake attacks, sinking its fangs into the mouse. The
field mouse tumbles over... quivers as the poison runs
through its body, then dies.
As Glass watches the snake begin to make a meal of the mouse,
his hand grips a rock. He drags himself toward the occupied
snake... raises the rock high, then SMASHES IT DOWN ON THE
SNAKE'S HEAD.
Glass immediately pulls the razor from his bag, and slices
off the rattlesnake's head, the field mouse still lodged
halfway inside. Glass then drags the razor down the length
of the snake... digs his fingers under the fresh seam, then
peels the outer layer down off the rattler.
With the skin still hanging off the round tube of flesh,
Glass BITES INTO THE SNAKE, tearing off a chunk of meat. He
gobbles it down, slowing only to painfully swallow the food
past his injured throat.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - LATER
ANGLE ON THE REMAINS OF THE SNAKE...
...the head, skin, and not much else.
GLASS - at the water's edge, drinking... touching his
charred, melted throat... no leaks. He opens his Possibles
bag... pulls out the GRIZZLY CLAW NECKLACE... stares at it a
beat, then slips it over his head.
42.
He drags out the map... spreads it on the ground, then throws
a glance around him... fingers the point on the blue line...
a rough guess of his location.
ANGLE ON THE MAP...
...Fort Union at the top... hundreds of miles north. Fort
Brazeau south... but not nearly as far away.
Glass gazes north up the Grand, as if he can see Fitzgerald
and Bridger just ahead of him. Then he looks back down to
his reflection in the water... battered and scarred. He
looks to his leg... all but worthless for now... his one good
arm. It's clear he's not ready to take revenge on anyone.
So Glass shoves the map back into the bag... ties it around
his arm with the powderhorn and blanket, then grabs a THICK,
FALLEN LOG, and rolls it into the river. Glass crawls in
behind it... deeper, until the current grows strong enough to
carry the weight of his mangled body downstream.
Glass drapes his healthy arm over the log, and starts
floating... letting the river do the work. He watches the
land move past him faster than it has in days... and without
all the agony of every move.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - DAY
Winding through the open prairie. Glass hangs onto the
log... floats with the gentle current.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - EVENING
The sinking sun casts an orange glow over the water. Glass
floats downstream... past a HERD OF ELK grazing along the
riverbank. The animals don't even notice him.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - NIGHT
Dark... the moon hidden behind clouds. A heavy mist hangs
over the river. Glass is draped across the log, eyes
closed... letting the slow current carry him south. But then
his eyes open... because he hears something... a LOW RUMBLE.
Glass looks to the river banks... too foggy to see anything
clearly. The RUMBLE GROWS LOUDER. He peers ahead... too
dark to see much... just ANOTHER SPLINTERED LOG floating in
front of him, its one jagged branch rising up in the air.
43.
But then THE LOG VANISHES. Glass squints through the fog,
scanning the surface. But it's gone... the water's empty...
that LOW RUMBLE GROWS EVEN LOUDER.
Glass looks to the water beside him... a BRANCH GLIDES PAST
AT A HIGHER SPEED. And now Glass knows what's coming, but
it's too late... because the world suddenly turns upside
down, as Glass tumbles over the edge of a TWENTY FOOT
WATERFALL.
He spirals downward... crashes into the rushing current.
He's washed forward with the suddenly violent rapids. They
pull him under the surface, then toss him GASPING back out.
The river carries him blindly through the mist... tossing...
turning... SLAMMING HIM INTO A HUGE BOULDER... CRACK... he
spins off, swept away headfirst... the foaming water sucking
him down the rocky gauntlet.
He tumbles over more boulders... his Possibles bag snaps
loose... Glass makes a grab for it, but is suddenly flipped
down another set of falls.
The Possibles Bag is lost in the raging river.
Glass sinks beneath the surface, then floats back up, as the
rapids calm... spit Glass to the gentle shallows. His body
drifts face-down toward shore.
And just when we're sure Glass has to finally be dead, his
arm reaches up from the water... he digs his fingers into the
muddy bank, and drags himself out of the river.
Glass collapses unconscious to the ground, his body shrouded
in that mist.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - DAY
TIGHT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF GLASS' FACE... the right still
pressed into the muddy bank. The sun beats down... then
SHADOWS APPEAR... BOUNCE ACROSS HIM... something is standing
over Glass.
And then a VULTURE'S HEAD DROPS INTO FRAME...
...latches its beak onto Glass' cheek... tugs at it...
stretches it. Glass' eyes pop open... we PULL BACK to see
THREE VULTURES surrounding Glass' body, pecking and clawing
at his battered wounds.
44.
Glass swings his good arm, knocking one of the vultures away.
He tries to cry out, but only that PRIMITIVE HISS ERUPTS from
his throat.
The vultures dance away from his flailing... aren't willing
to give up their meal so easily... dart in for quick attacks
on his flesh.
Glass grasps a branch... swings at the birds, beating them
back. The vultures give up the battle... fly away.
Glass crumbles back to the ground... squints up into the
sun... the SILHOUETTES OF THE VULTURES CIRCLING ABOVE HIM...
waiting for him to die.
Glass looks down to his wounds, again oozing blood. He
glances around... sees a ridge just a few hundred yards away.
At the base of the ridge, a GIANT BOULDER has broken free,
creating a partial cave. Glass starts crawling toward it.
And if it's possible, he looks even closer to death now than
when he started this journey.
EXT. CAVE - DAY
No more than ten feet deep, but enough to hide from
predators. Glass drags himself as far back in the recess as
he can... collapses against the rock wall.
INT. CAVE - DAY
Glass gathers loose sticks and grass into a small pile...
begins sparking rocks together to build a fire.
INT. CAVE - LATER
The fire burns beside Glass, as he TEARS A SINGLE THREAD of
cloth from the tattered blanket, then feeds it through a tiny
hole in a JAGGED, NEEDLE-SIZED SLIVER OF SHARPENED ROCK... a
man-made needle and thread.
Glass goes to work on the open wounds of his chest...
piercing his skin with the rock... wincing with pain as he
tugs the thread through the fresh hole in his skin... pierces
the other side of the wound, then pulls the flesh tightly
together... before repeating the excruciating process all
over again... pierce... pull... pierce... tighten.
45.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - NIGHT
The moon's glow reflects off the water.
INT. CAVE - NIGHT
ANGLE ON GLASS' HAND...
...holding a small sharp stone, and SCRATCHING LETTERS INTO
THE CAVE'S ROCK WALL.
WE PAN DOWN TO THE GROUND... still listening to the
SCRATCHING OF THE ROCK as we glide across the dirt... reach
the fire... its flame warm and strong. We TIGHTEN ON THE
FIRE, until WE'RE INSIDE IT... and then WE PULL BACK...
...and we see the fire has long died away... just black ash.
The O.S. SCRATCHING has silenced. We glide back across the
cave floor... to Glass unconscious on the ground. And above
him on the wall, we see what he had been scratching...
"Robbed and left to die by Fitzgerald and Bridger. If find
eether kill for Hugh Glass"
We hold on those words a beat, then...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. GRAND RIVER - DAY
DROPS OF RAIN dot the surface. THUNDER RUMBLES... the rain
grows heavier.
EXT. CAVE - NIGHT
Rain pouring... gullies of water run down the ridge, spewing
over the mouth of the cave. But inside, Glass doesn't
stir... lying there just as we last saw him.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - DAY
Rain coming down in buckets. The river's raging.
EXT. WILDERNESS - NIGHT
Clouds drift across the moon... the storm has ended.
46.
EXT. CAVE - DAY
Sunny and clear. A rabbit hops along... stops for a moment
outside the cave. Beyond it, Glass is still sprawled on the
cave floor... he must be dead. The rabbit continues on past.
INT. CAVE - DAY
TIGHT ON GLASS' FACE... as his eyes flutter open. He stares
straight ahead, unmoving.
EXT. CAVE - DAY
Glass crawls out of the crevice... shields his eyes from the
sun, as he takes in the scene.
The river has sunk back to normal, leaving the banks battered
and muddy. The water is thick and brown with all the flooded
earth it pulled up.
Glass uses all his strength to rise up to his knees, then
higher... onto his healthy leg. He braces himself against a
tree. He's still crooked and hunched over, but for the first
time since the Grizzly attack, he looks more like a man than
an animal. He bends down... picks up a BROKEN TREE BRANCH.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - DAY
Glass limps along the bank... beside the brown water stirred
up from the flood. He moves along the washed-out area,
searching for food... grabs some plants... tears them from
the ground to chew on the roots.
He continues on... spots a DEAD SNAPPING TURTLE drowned in
the flood, frozen on its back. Glass kneels down to pick up
the turtle... sniffs it. As he does, he spots something
across the river... a DEER, staring back at him.
Glass slowly raises his IMAGINARY RIFLE... takes careful aim
at the deer... pulls the trigger. If only he had his Anstadt.
But then the deer's head snaps... to something beyond Glass.
Glass follows the animal's eyes... turns to the ridge... and
the FIVE ARIKARA WARRIORS STANDING AT GLASS' CAVE.
Glass drops flat to the ground behind a tree uprooted in the
flood. He looks back across the river... THE DEER IS LONG
GONE.
47.
Glass inches his head up over the tree... to the warriors now
crouched outside the cave... studying the tracks.
Glass' eyes jump to the soft dirt along the river... HIS
FOOTPRINTS CLEAR... an obvious trail leading right to him.
He throws a glance around... nowhere to run even if he could.
So he starts backing into the river on his stomach... feet-
first... dragging a small branch over the tracks around him,
wiping them away as he moves. And his eyes are locked on the
Arikara... watching to see if they spot him.
But they haven't yet, and Glass keeps sliding backward...
five feet off shore... only three feet deep in the murky
water and sludge. But if he goes any further, the current
will catch him... pull him into the next set of violent
rapids... and make him a clear target.
The Arikara follow the tracks down from the cave.
Glass sinks neck-deep into the water... the Arikara keep
coming... near the river. So Glass drops beneath the surface.
CUT TO:
UNDERWATER -
And Glass' eyes spread wide... searching the muddy water. He
grabs a LARGE ROCK... rolls onto his back, and places the
rock on his stomach, its weight holding him firmly to the
river bottom.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - DAY
ANGLE ON THE ARIKARA WARRIORS... following Glass' tracks to
the edge of the river... looking out over the brown river.
CUT TO:
UNDERWATER -
Glass pressing his head back against the bottom... staring up
through the cloudy water... to the FIVE SHADOWS STANDING ONLY
A FEW FEET AWAY.
EXT. GRAND RIVER - CONTINUOUS
The Arikara... unknowingly standing just above Glass...
looking back to the tracks... scanning the water. But the
surface is empty, and the river's too thick with mud to see
anything below.
48.
But they keep looking... and we're waiting for Glass to
explode from the river, gasping for air. But he doesn't...
and they keep scanning for what seems an eternity, until
finally, the warriors turn... start walking back up the path.
Behind them, Glass' face inches to the surface... pulls in
some oxygen... watches as they fade into the trees.
Then Glass rolls the rock away... starts moving deeper into
the river... fighting the current to grab rocks and
boulders... pulling himself to the other side.
EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY
Glass limps through the trees, still dripping with the muddy
water of the Grand.
EXT. WILDERNESS - LATER
Glass is on his knees, desperately grabbing for a TINY FIELD
MOUSE. The rodent escapes into a hole. Glass claws at the
ground after it. He's starving to death.
EXT. WILDERNESS - NIGHT
The rain beating down through the trees. Glass huddles in a
cluster of bushes, trying to stay dry... shivering in the
cold. He reaches out from the cover, grabbing his moccasin
boot standing in the rain. He pulls it in... slurps back the
rainfall that it's caught.
EXT. PRAIRIE - EVENING
Glass limps slowly across the rolling prairie. He's weak...
starving... isn't going to make it much further. He drops to
his hands and knees.
And then he feels something... the ground almost trembling
under his hands. He watches his hands quiver with vibration.
A RUMBLE BUILDS. Glass strains to hear... looks to the crest
of a hill... labors up the gentle slope toward the sound.
EXT. PRAIRIE/HILL - EVENING
Glass reaches the crest... looks over the other side to a
HERD OF BUFFALO THUNDERING ACROSS THE PRAIRIE.
49.
An incredible site... hundreds of massive creatures... their
hooves tearing up the earth, leaving a cloud of dust behind
them.
Behind the herd, a PACK OF WOLVES FIGHT OVER A FALLEN
BUFFALO.
Glass lies in the high grass, watching the wolves SNARL AND
SNAP over the remains. And he eyes that buffalo... the
closest he's been to food in days.
EXT. PLAINS - NIGHT
The five wolves rest around the downed buffalo, their snouts
bloody from the meal. Suddenly, one of the wolves' heads
snaps up... bares its teeth... SNARLS.
And then we see what the wolf is growling at... Glass...
limping out of the shadows toward the animals, holding a
BURNING SAGE BUSH IN EACH HAND... like giant FLAMING HANDS
clawing in the night.
The wolves jump to their feet, unsure of what's approaching.
They growl at Glass. But Glass keeps coming... doing his
best to YELL... more like GROWL back at the wolves. He
swings the flaming brush, tossing glowing sparks through the
air.
The wolves spread out, instinctively surrounding Glass. But
Glass singles out each one... charges, waving the flames...
driving each wolf back.
Four of the wolves back away, but the leader holds its
ground... even moves toward Glass... only a few feet away...
SNARLING... bloody jaws ready to attack, but still not sure
what its up against.
Glass shakes the flames at the wolf... it SNAPS AT GLASS'
ARM. Glass swings the other... slams the fiery plant across
the wolf's head.
The wolf YELPS... leaps back... starts to run away, but turns
back... makes another charge at Glass. But Glass is ready...
throws the flaming ball of sage at the wolf, then clubs it
with the other. The animal's fur begins to burn.
The frightened wolf has had enough... rolls on the ground,
then spins to join the rest of its pack. They run a safe
distance, then stop... keeping a watch on Glass.
50.
Glass drags the burning sage bushes along the ground,
igniting the grass and brush... creating a foot-high flaming
wall between him and the wolves.
He stretches the flame into a circle, a fiery ring surrounds
the fallen buffalo.
The wolves have seen enough... turn... race away from the
flames.
As the grass around him burns, Glass drops the sage plants...
attacks the buffalo remains, tearing away bloody chunks of
flesh from the carcass, and shoving them into his mouth... a
starving animal that's finally found food.
EXT. PRAIRIE - NIGHT
From high above the prairie... Glass and the buffalo at the
center of that glowing ring of fire.
EXT. PRAIRIE - DAY
The wind's gusting... bending the high golden grass over on
its side. Glass moves slowly across, pulling his collar up
to shield his face from the cold winds. He spots something
in the distant sky ahead... a THIN LINE OF BLACK SMOKE.
Glass picks up his pace... hope spurring him on.
EXT. BURNED ARIKARA VILLAGE - DAY
The charred, skeletal remains of a tribe's village... just
black posts where tee-pees once stood... a half-burned log
lodge still smokes, sending that black line into the sky.
Glass limps through the graveyard of structures... all signs
of life in this village long gone. He searches a basket...
pulls out a BLANKET... wraps it around his shoulders.
INT. LODGE - DAY
Glass steps into the smoky warmth of the lodge... black and
empty. He slides down to the floor... unwraps strips of
roasted buffalo from what's left of his blanket. He starts to
take a bite, when SOMETHING DARTS PAST THE DOORWAY TO THE
BACK ROOM. The O.S. SHUFFLING OF FEET.
Glass freezes... he isn't alone. He rises... grabs a
splintered post like a spear... eases toward the doorway...
raises the post to swing...
51.
...and sees the SMALL PUPPY standing in the back room. The
dog takes off around a crumbled wall. Glass follows it.
INT. LODGE/BACK ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Glass limps across the room... turns the corner of the
crumbled wall... and sees the dog slide to a stop beside an
ANCIENT ARIKARA SQUAW, huddled in the corner, her bony arms
outstretched in front of her in weak defense. And her eyes
are SOLID WHITE... the old woman is blind. She CRIES OUT A
CHANT over and over... her death chant, as she waits for this
stranger to kill her.
Glass stands frozen... confused. He tries to speak, but his
throat still won't let him. He crouches down in front of the
old woman... reaches for her hand, but she flails him away.
He grabs her again... gently... just holds it until she
calms... studying the woman... her hollow face all skin and
bones... she's obviously dying.
He pulls the strip of buffalo meat from his pocket... pushes
it into the squaw's hand. She immediately jerks it to her
mouth... and that's when Glass sees the WOMAN HAS NO TEETH...
she can't eat.
Glass turns to an old pot tipped over on the floor.
EXT. BURNED ARIKARA VILLAGE - DAY
Glass carries the pot toward a nearby stream. The dog
scurries out behind him... follows Glass to the water.
INT. LODGE/BACK ROOM - DAY
The pot boils over burning logs. Glass dips a cup in,
pulling out a warm broth. He carries it to the squaw, still
sitting in the corner... takes her hand, placing the cup in
it for her. She gulps the liquid back.
Glass goes back to refill the cup. The old woman MUMBLES
SOMETHING we can't understand... over and over, as Glass
brings the cup back to her. He tries to ease it into her
hand, but the woman pushes it away... slides her hand up
Glass' arm to his face... patting it... MUMBLING THOSE SAME
WORDS... thanking Glass.
52.
EXT. BURNED ARIKARA VILLAGE - EVENING
Glass carries several blankets toward the lodge. The puppy
trails behind him, biting at one of the corners... hanging on
as Glass pulls him across the dirt.
INT. LODGE - EVENING
Glass enters the back room with the blankets... stops when he
sees the old woman slumped over to the floor, her white eyes
frozen open in a lifeless stare.
EXT. BURNED ARIKARA VILLAGE - NIGHT
Glass has stacked several burned posts into a crude pyre at
the edge of the village. The squaw lies atop the pyre,
covered in the blankets he gathered for her. Glass stands
beside the pyre, a FLAMING TORCH in his hand. The puppy
rests at his feet.
EXT. DISTANT RIDGE - CONTINUOUS
THREE INDIANS sit on horseback, watching Glass light the
pyre... the flames rise into the night.
EXT. BURNED ARIKARA VILLAGE - NIGHT
Glass crouches... pets the dog, as he watches the flames
spread... engulf the woman.
ANGLE ON THE GLOWING EMBERS...
...floating into the night. Beyond the sparks, we see
something else... THOSE THREE INDIANS GALLOPING TOWARD THE
VILLAGE... FAST.
And now Glass sees them too... knows it's too late to run, so
he just stands there. But the dog's seen enough... darts
away.
Glass watches the Indians ride into the village... their
braided hair and dress is different than the Arikara we've
seen earlier, because these are SIOUX WARRIORS, and Glass
knows it.
The Sioux surround Glass on horseback... stare down at Glass.
The lead warrior (SPOTTED HORSE), (30's), poised and strong,
points to the flaming pyre... says something to Glass.
53.
Glass tries to answer... can't... touches his scarred throat.
Spotted Horse slides gracefully off his horse. The other two
warriors, (THREE FEATHERS and RUNNING FOX) do the same...
close in on Glass.
Glass stands firm. Spotted Horse says something else to him.
Again, Glass touches his throat... holds his jacket out from
his sides... no weapons. Spotted Horse studies Glass hard...
reaches out, wiping his finger down Glass' cheek, almost
testing to see if the color comes off.
One of the other warriors pats Glass' hair... smiles... says
something to the others. Spotted Horse and the other warrior
join him, each touching Glass' hair.
Then Spotted Horse spots Glass' necklace... the grizzly claw
hanging from it. He examines the enormous claw, then nods to
Glass' stitching and scars.
SPOTTED HORSE
Griz-lee.
Glass hears the familiar word... nods. Three Feathers pulls
a WHITE SPECK from the back of Glass' neck... holds it up to
Spotted Horse.
Spotted Horse jerks out his knife. Glass is confused...
holds up his hand, as he takes a step back. But Three
Feathers and Running Fox grab Glass... secure him... pull his
jacket down off his shoulders, exposing his shirt, as Spotted
Horse walks around behind Glass... raises the knife... Glass
GROWLS A PLEA... but Spotted Horse slices the knife down
Glass' back... just cutting open his shirt... and revealing a
MASS OF WHITE WORMS... MAGGOTS... COVERING THE DEEP GASHES ON
GLASS' BACK.
The three warriors exchange glances... they've obviously
never seen anything like this. Glass sees their reaction...
throws a nervous glance... what?
Three Feathers runs his hand across Glass' back, dragging a
HANDFUL OF WORMS for Glass to see. As Glass' eyes widen in
panic, Spotted Horse SLAMS THE BUTT OF HIS KNIFE against
Glass' head.
Glass drops to his knees... makes a dazed grab for Spotted
Horse... misses... and Spotted Horse HITS GLASS AGAIN. Glass
tumbles unconscious to the dirt.
Spotted Horse says something to the others... they grab
Glass' limp arms... drag him toward the horses.
54.
EXT. SIOUX VILLAGE - NIGHT
Dozens of glowing campfires dot the prairie, along with a sea
of tee-pees, their willow poles fanning against the night
sky. Animal hides and painted designs decorate the various
tee-pees and lodges. SIOUX CHILDREN laugh and play about the
village... freeze when they hear Spotted Horse and the other
riders splash across the stream.
The warriors ride into the village, Glass' body tossed over
the back of Three Feather's horse. The children race to them.
ANGLE ON GLASS... regaining consciousness... eyes blinking...
trying to focus.
CUT TO:
GLASS' POV - FROM THE BACK OF THE HORSE...
...to the children's eager faces swarming around him...
studying this strange face.
Spotted Horse - YELLING SOMETHING at the children... they
back away from Glass... fall into line behind the riders.
Sioux MEN and WOMEN watch as the procession moves past... to
a tee-pee set away from the rest... its hide walls decorated
with wild lightning bolts and buffalo and vaguely human
figures circling the sun.
An OLD MEDICINE MAN, gnarled and leathery, a DEAD RAVEN tied
in his long hair, his naked chest painted with red and black
stripes, steps out of the tee-pee. He eyes Glass, as Three
Feathers and Running Fox carry him inside.
Suddenly, the Medicine Man begins CHANTING.
CUT TO:
A FLURRY OF IMAGES ACCOMPANIED BY THE MEDICINE MAN'S V.O.
CHANTING...
LEATHER STRAPS SNAPPING AROUND GLASS' WRISTS AND ANKLES...
stretched tight.
Glass, naked, on his stomach at the center of the tee-pee,
his arms and legs outstretched, secured to wooden stakes in
the ground. The white worms cover his back.
55.
The Medicine Man... CHANTING... waving burning sticks in the
air.
A THICK LIQUID BOILING IN A POT... the Medicine Man's twisted
hand reaching a gourd container in... filling it with the
steaming mixture.
The liquid POURING OVER GLASS' BACK.
GLASS' FACE... arched to the sky... twisted in horrible pain.
He SCREAMS THAT HORRIBLE GROWLING CRY.
MORE IMAGES... even faster... the CHANTING more frantic...
A SIOUX WOMAN,(WAKI), staring down.
HANDS wiping a GREEN SLUDGE over Glass' neck... chest.
The Medicine Man dancing... chanting... shaking sticks lined
with RATTLESNAKE TAILS.
The moonlight shining through the tee-pee, illuminating the
images of the buffalo and dancing shapes.
Waki gently pouring fluid into Glass' mouth.
The Medicine Man holding the SEVERED HEAD OF A SNAKE...
lightly sinking the fangs around the wounds on Glass' throat.
GLASS' EYES... wide open... rolling up white into his head.
AND THE CHANTING STOPS... the world goes dark.
EXT. YELLOWSTONE RIVER - DAY
Cutting through the open prairie. Snow-covered peaks touch
the sky in the distance.
Fitzgerald and Bridger trudge their way across the prairie,
dressed in furs. They rise up a steep slope... reach the
top, and spot the cluster of log buildings inside a massive
thirty-foot tall wooden fence. Fort Union.
Bridger smiles... relieved.
FITZGERALD
`Bout goddamn time.
They start down the slope. Fitzgerald grabs Bridger's arm...
firmly.
56.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
And we're understood on
everything... Glass' dyin' in his
sleep... us buryin' him like was
agreed.
Bridger doesn't respond. Fitzgerald doesn't like that.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
You're as guilty as me in leavin'
him. Don't you forget that. You
got a future up here. No sense
tossin' it away when he was as good
as dead already. Shit, all we did
was skip the funeral.
Bridger pulls his arm free... continues on.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
I won't take to givin' up that two-
hundred on accounta you gettin'
weak-kneed.
Bridger keeps walking. Fitzgerald follows behind.
INT. FORT UNION - DAY
Like a small town surrounded by a log wall. The main TRADING
POST BUILDING is busy... TRAPPERS, SIOUX, all with things to
trade. But most of the life is in the FORT UNION SALOON next
door... crowded with customers downstairs, and just as busy
in the whores' rooms upstairs.
A small village of tents rests off to the side of the
buildings, holding the overflow of traffic.
INT. SALOON - DAY
Fitzgerald and Bridger enter the crowded room... squeeze
their way to the bar.
FITZGERALD
Twice the folks here than when we
left.
BRIDGER
We should go see Captain Henry.
FITZGERALD
Far as we hiked... we got time for
a drink on the company's tab.
57.
PIG (O.S.)
Jim!
They spin... see Pig, Murphy and Stubby Bill sitting at a
table. Pig scrambles up... rushes to Bridger, locking him in
a big bear hug.
PIG (CONT'D)
You made it! I was scared the `Ree
mighta caught up to ya.
FITZGERALD
If your fat ass could get through,
we didn't have no worries.
Pig glares at Fitzgerald... watches him walk to the table,
joining the others.
PIG
(off Fitzgerald, to
BRIDGER)
Had to be a helluva long walk for
you.
Bridger nods... Pig has no idea.
PIG (CONT'D)
Hugh?
Bridger hesitates a beat, then just shakes his head.
PIG (CONT'D)
Guess we all knowed how it would
turn out. Did he suffer much more?
Another long beat, then...
BRIDGER
I hope not.
A PROSTITUTE walks down the stairs... stops on the landing,
waiting for her next customer. Fitzgerald spots her...
grins.
FITZGERALD
(TO BRIDGER)
Maybe we best go see Henry, kid. I
just got a itch to spend the first
of my two-hundred.
The other men laugh. Not Bridger.
58.
INT. ROCKY MOUNTAIN FUR COMPANY OFFICE - DAY
Henry sits at his desk. Fitzgerald and Bridger stand across
from him. The others... Pig, Anderson, Murphy, and Stubby
Bill crowd the room behind them.
FITZGERALD
I won't pretend to been his friend,
but I respect any man that fights
the way he done.
HENRY
And the grave?
FITZGERALD
We had those extra days so we went
deeper... covered it in rocks. To
keep the scavengers off him.
HENRY
Any sign of hostiles?
FITZGERALD
Not a one.
The words are like a punch in the gut to Bridger. He can't
take the pain... opens his mouth to speak, but Fitzgerald
beats him to it.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
Truth is, I was worried `bout `Ree,
and ready to get movin', but
Bridger here argued to stay and
make a cross for the grave.
Bridger's head snaps to Fitzgerald... don't make this worse.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
So that's what we did.
Pig reaches up... gives Bridger a pat on the back. But to
Bridger, it feels like a red-hot blade.
HENRY
Glad to hear you pulled your
weight, Mr. Bridger. I knew you
would.
FITZGERALD
More than his share, Captain.
59.
And now Fitzgerald has snared Bridger into his lie. Bridger
drops his eyes to his feet.
HENRY
Speaking of shares.
Henry turns to a SAFE resting against the wall. Fitzgerald
watches as Henry spins the dial... locks in the combination,
then pulls the latch. The safe door swings open...
...revealing STACKS OF CASH.
Fitzgerald's eyes lock on all that money. Henry pulls out a
handful... starts counting them out onto the desk.
HENRY (CONT'D)
Am I to assume the agreed
arrangement didn't change?
FITZGERALD
Fortunate for me, it did not.
HENRY
Well thank you both for your
courage and honor. You have done
yourselves proud.
Fitzgerald swipes up his pile of bills. Henry drops a couple
bills in front of Bridger.
HENRY (CONT'D)
You're owed something for what you
did.
Bridger stares down at the bills a beat, then snatches
them... pushes his way out of the office before he might have
to look someone in the eye.
FITZGERALD
He's beat hisself up most of the
trip... wishin' he'da done more.
HENRY
We all saw the shape Glass was in.
There was no more to be done.
FITZGERALD
That's what I been tellin' him.
60.
INT. BUNKHOUSE - DAY
Empty, except for Bridger curled up on his cot, squeezing
those crumpled bills in his hand, crying.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. TEE-PEE - DAY
Glass sleeps under a buffalo robe. His eyes flicker open.
CUT TO:
GLASS' POV - ON THE BUFFALO AND DANCING FIGURE DESIGNS
SHADOWED THROUGH THE TEE-PEE.
GLASS - His hand reaching up to his throat. It looks much
better than we last saw. And the stitches are gone from his
face, now just long, pink scars. He stiffly raises himself
up... remembers his back... struggles to reach behind him...
scarred but clean... no maggots.
He looks beside him... sees BUCKSKIN PANTS AND SHIRT resting
on the ground... waiting for him.
EXT. TEE-PEE - DAY
ANGLE ON GLASS... dressed... pushing his way out through the
flap of the tee-pee... limping out into the midday sun, and
shielding his eyes. He looks like a man that hasn't seen the
light of day for weeks.
Glass adjusts to the brightness... stares in wonder at the
scene.
And then we see what Glass is looking at, and understand his
reaction... the entire village is blanketed in snow. The
Sioux VILLAGERS move about, wearing heavy skins and furs.
A WOMEN'S O.S. VOICE turns Glass...
...to WAKI, the woman from the images, walking toward him,
bundled in fur. She says something else we can't
understand... points to Glass' feet. Glass looks down... to
his BARE FEET BURIED DEEP IN THE SNOW. He hadn't noticed.
And then Waki smiles... a sweet, pretty smile. She takes his
hand... leads him back into the tee-pee.
61.
INT. TEE-PEE - CONTINUOUS
Glass and Waki enter. She pulls a pair of moccasins from a
basket... hands them to Glass.
He slips them on, then presses his fingers against his
throat... almost trying to hold it all inside to make it
work, then...
GLASS
(scratching and rough)
Thank you.
Waki doesn't understand... just raises a cup of liquid...
says something, then touches his throat... motions for him to
drink. Glass sips the drink... grimaces... shakes his head,
trying to give the cup back, but Waki refuses... points at
his throat, and motions for him to drink. Glass stares in
the cup a beat, then gulps it back... shakes his head.
GLASS (CONT'D)
Bad medicine.
Waki smiles... hands him his BEAR CLAW NECKLACE. Glass nods
in thanks, then achingly lifts his arms up to slip it over
his head.
GLASS (CONT'D)
How long have I been here?
Waki just stares back... no idea what Glass said.
GLASS (CONT'D)
You're Sioux. I only know a bit a
Pawnee.
Glass stumbles through a sentence of Pawnee. Waki shakes her
head... throws a jumble of Sioux back at him.
GLASS (CONT'D)
The snow... my healin'.
(points to himself)
Me.
(points to the ground)
Here. How long?
Waki shakes her head again. Glass leads her outside.
62.
EXT. SIOUX VILLAGE - CONTINUOUS
Glass points to the sun overhead, then raises both hands,
fingers outstretched.
GLASS
How many suns? Ten?
Waki studies Glass... the sun... begins to understand. She
nods... SAYS A WORD... holds up all ten of her fingers.
GLASS (CONT'D)
Ten suns?
Then Waki closes her hands into fists... opens them again...
closes them again... SAYS A DIFFERENT WORD.
GLASS (CONT'D)
Christ.
Glass glances around... for the first time, notices Sioux MEN
and WOMEN staring at him. Children freeze in the middle of
their play... all eyes locked on Glass. TWO SMALL BOYS, (NEW
MOON and LITTLE ONE), repeat the same TWO WORDS to each
other...
BOYS
Tatanka Wicasa.
...over and over.
Glass stares back, unsure. Then...
SPOTTED HORSE (O.S.)
Buff-A-lo Man.
Glass turns... sees Yellow Horse stepping out of a tee-pee.
Spotted Horse (cont'd)
(very broken english)
What they call you.
(points to Glass' hair)
Fur of Buff-A-lo.
Glass touches his hair... nods... smiles. The children smile
and laugh now too... repeat the words LOUDER.
GLASS
You speak English.
SPOTTED HORSE
Need words when trade with whites.
63.
GLASS
Well I'm grateful for you bringing
me here... havin' them care for me.
(off Spotted Horse's nod)
Now if you could point me which way
it is you do your tradin'... with
the whites.
SPOTTED HORSE
(POINTS)
Whites. Bra-zo.
GLASS
Fort Brazeau? That's where I'm
tryin' to get. Is it far from here?
Spotted Horse doesn't understand. Glass motions into the
distance.
GLASS (CONT'D)
Far? Long way?
Spotted Horse points to a horse, then holds up three fingers.
GLASS (CONT'D)
Three days on horse?
Spotted Horse nods... looks Glass over, and shakes his head.
SPOTTED HORSE
Not walk. Hides soon.
Glass doesn't understand... until Spotted Horse points to a
ROW OF BUFFALO HIDES hanging from a line.
Spotted Horse (cont'd)
We trade Bra-zo.
Glass stares at the tanning hides, then down at his leg.
Finally, he nods. Spotted Horse starts walking... waves for
Glass to follow.
Spotted Horse (cont'd)
Come. Eat.
Glass follows after him. The children sneak in behind,
giggling as they tail Glass across camp.
Glass glances back... New Moon and Little One duck behind a
tee-pee... wait for him to continue before they scoot back
out after him.
64.
INT. CHIEF'S LODGE - NIGHT
Glass, Spotted Horse, Three Feathers, Running Fox and OTHER
WARRIORS sit around a fire, eating with CHIEF RED HAWK, the
Medicine Man, and several other TRIBAL ELDERS.
GLASS
The men stole my rifle.
The Sioux don't understand. Glass reaches over, taking
Spotted Horse's plate.
GLASS (CONT'D)
They took. They took...
Glass aims an imaginary rifle.
GLASS (CONT'D)
...my rifle. My gear.
Now Spotted Horse understands... translates for the others.
GLASS (CONT'D)
They left me to die. So I mean to
find `em both. Get my rifle back.
Spotted Horse translates again. Red Hawk nods, studying
Glass.
Red Hawk SAYS SOMETHING to Glass... motions to the BEAR CLAW
NECKLACE. Glass looks to Spotted Horse.
SPOTTED HORSE
Red Hawk ask who kill griz-lee.
Glass touches his chest. Red Hawk nods, impressed. Glass
points to the JAGGED SCARS running up Red Hawk's neck to a
MISSING RIGHT EAR.
GLASS
Grizzly?
Red Hawk smiles... shakes his head.
RED HAWK
Arikara.
That word, Glass understands. Red Hawk rambles a long
sentence in Sioux. The other members LAUGH.
65.
SPOTTED HORSE
He say Arikara take right ear of
Sioux. Left ear of whites. Not
know what they take from you.
Glass smiles along with the others. They continue their meal.
EXT. SIOUX VILLAGE - DAY
Snow falls over Glass, as he stands outside the tee-pee,
flexing his injured leg... putting more weight on it...
testing its recovered strength.
Suddenly, a SPEAR PLANTS INTO THE GROUND BETWEEN HIS FEET.
Glass turns, startled... sees Spotted Horse, Three Feathers,
Running Fox, and several OTHER WARRIORS staring at him.
Glass' eyes jump from the spear to the warriors, unsure.
Spotted Horse strides to Glass... grabs the spear, then spins
it sideways... stares at Glass, until a smile spreads across
Spotted Horse's face... he holds the spear out to Glass.
SPOTTED HORSE
Buff-A-lo Man hunt with Sioux?
Glass relaxes... nods... takes the spear from Spotted Horse.
Three Feathers hands a BUFFALO HIDE to Glass... motions for
Glass to put it on.
THREE FEATHERS
Tatanka Wicasa.
Glass wraps the hide around him. The Warriors smile and nod.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
A world of silent white... like we're inside a giant snow-
globe. The sky is emptying all the snow it has over us...
pouring down... the only sound comes from the flakes hitting
the already fallen snow. The pale trunks of Cottonwoods rise
up from the white ground.
Then out of the white... a SHAPE APPEARS... a GIANT WOLF
WALKING ON ITS HIND LEGS. But as the wolf comes closer, we
see it's not a wolf at all... it's THREE FEATHERS, wearing
his WOLF SKIN. He CRIES OUT... HOWLING WILDLY.
A few yards beside him, another WARRIOR is doing the same...
CHANTING... beating his spear against the Cottonwoods as he
walks.
66.
GLASS - WEARING THE BUFFALO HIDE...
...walking slowly through the trees, carrying the spear.
Yellow Bear is beside him... motions for Glass to spread out.
FROM ABOVE THE TREES...
...we see the fur-covered warriors are formed into a wide
circle... and slowly converging... YELLING... pounding their
spears... making as much noise as possible, as they tighten
their ring.
POV FROM THE BRUSH...
...watching DISTANT CHANTING WARRIORS pushing through the
trees. V.O. SNORTING... our POV darts sideways... charges
through the brush... slides to a stop when we see Running Fox
moving toward us... spins back another direction.
GLASS - MOVING THROUGH THE FOREST...
...the falling snow clinging to his face... covering the
buffalo hide.
And then a MASSIVE SHAPE BLASTS through the trees ahead of
him. Glass freezes, his grip tightening on the spear. He
looks to Spotted Horse, who nods... YELLS OUT, beating his
spear against the trees, and motioning for Glass to do the
same.
Glass is apprehensive at first... just lightly tapping his
spear. But as the other warriors' chants grow, Glass gets
caught up in the hunt... begins beating the trees... YELLING
as loud as his throat will allow.
THE WARRIORS - EYES PIERCING THROUGH THE SNOW... CHANTING...
BEATING THE BUSHES.
OUR LOW POV AGAIN - RACING CHAOTICALLY THROUGH THE BRUSH...
...to Spotted Horse waving his spear... back over the snow...
to Three Feathers SCREAMING... we spin again... crash through
bushes, then suddenly TUMBLE... DROP THROUGH THE SNOW.
67.
GLASS - HEARING THE ANIMAL'S WAIL...
...seeing Spotted Horse pick up his pace... start trotting
forward. Glass does the same... all the hunters converging
around a LARGE BLACK HOLE IN THE SNOW...
...and the ELK trapped at the bottom.
The warriors cry out victoriously... begin DRIVING THEIR
SPEARS INTO THE TRAP, killing the animal.
EXT. SIOUX VILLAGE - EVENING
The elk roasts over a fire at the center of the village.
Glass sits alone outside the tee-pee, using the sharp tip of
the spear to carve into a small chunk of wood.
As he carves, New Moon and Little One sneak around the tee-
pee behind him... watch Glass work. Glass hears them
GIGGLING... doesn't react... just keeps carving... tilts the
long handle of the spear as he works, tapping the side of the
tee-pee, and SHAKING LOOSE A CLUMP OF SNOW DOWN ONTO THE
BOYS.
The shocked boys freeze in the cold... wipe the snow from
their faces to see Glass grinning at them. The little boys
charge Glass, leaping onto him... wrestling him to the
ground, as they squeeze his hair.
BOYS
Tatanka Wicasa! Tatanka Wicasa!
Spotted Horse stands across the village, watching Glass and
the boys play in the snow.
EXT. SIOUX VILLAGE - NIGHT
Glass stands at the edge of the village, carving at the wood
with the spear tip, and watching the Sioux from a distance.
Yellow Bear sees him... approaches, carrying his SON on his
shoulders. The little boy gnaws on a strip of meat.
Spotted Horse holds out a bowl of food to Glass.
GLASS
Thank you.
SPOTTED HORSE
Good hunt.
68.
GLASS
Yes.
Glass smiles up at Spotted Horse's son.
SPOTTED HORSE
You. Fam-i-lee?
GLASS
(shakes his head)
No.
SPOTTED HORSE
No wom-an?
(pointing to son)
Wakayaja?
A long beat, then...
GLASS
No. Not for a long time.
Glass continues eating... watches Spotted Horse bounce the
giggling little boy on his shoulders.
EXT. SIOUX VILLAGE - DAY
Glass steps out of his tee-pee, whittling with the spear tip.
He glances up... freezes because he sees several Sioux
pulling the hides from the line... rolling them up to carry.
Spotted Horse (O.S.)
Bra-zo.
Glass turns to Spotted Horse, pointing to the hides. Glass
nods... looks back to the last of the hides being pulled
down... doesn't seem as excited as he once might have been.
EXT. SIOUX VILLAGE - LATER
Spotted Horse and Three Feathers sit atop their horses.
Three Feathers holds the reins to another horse packed with
hides. An empty horse stands beside them... waiting for
Glass.
Glass is leaning over to New Moon and Little One... handing
them the CRUDE BUFFALO CARVING he made from the wood.
GLASS
(taps his chest)
Tatanka Wicasa.
69.
The little boys smile. Glass nods to Waki, then waves to Red
Hawk and the Medicine Man. They return it... watch Glass
climb onto his horse.
Glass, Spotted Horse and Three Feathers ride out of the
village.
EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY
Glass, Spotted Horse and Three Feathers ride along a high
ridge, surrounded by empty snow-covered wilderness. They
have the world to themselves.
EXT. CAMP - NIGHT
Glass crouches over a shallow, five-foot long hole surrounded
by deep snow. The hole is filled with small fires and rocks.
And he's watching Spotted Horse and Three Feathers tossing
rocks into their own matching holes, then dragging the dirt
back into them. Spotted Horse throws a glance back to Glass,
making sure he understands.
Glass nods... pulls the dirt back in, covering the flames.
He watches Spotted Horse spread a blanket over the warm
ground, then does the same. He sits on the mound of dirt...
leans back against a tree... feels the warmth rise up from
beneath him.
He nods to Spotted Horse, who is already resting under his
blanket.
GLASS
Nice.
SPOTTED HORSE
(NODS)
Nice.
Glass pulls the buffalo hide around himself... keeping watch.
SPOTTED HORSE (cont'd)
Sleep. No Arikara.
Glass nods... but still doesn't close his eyes. Spotted
Horse tosses his knife over beside Glass. Glass takes it...
nods to Spotted Horse.
SPOTTED HORSE (cont'd)
Me sleep.
70.
Spotted Horse rolls over, turning his back on Glass...
trusting him with the knife. Three Feathers does the same.
Glass just stares out into the night.
INT. FORT UNION/BUNKHOUSE - NIGHT
Dark and quiet... except for the SNORING of a few men.
Fitzgerald sleeps on his cot. A shadow glides across him...
hovers over his face.
Fitzgerald's eyes blink open.
CUT TO:
FITZGERALD'S POV...
...on GLASS STANDING OVER HIM... his scarred face calm and
deadly... raising a knife to drive down into Fitzgerald's
chest.
FITZGERALD
No... please.
But Glass swings the blade.
CUT TO:
EXT. WILDERNESS - MORNING
And Spotted Horse shaking Glass awake from his dream. Glass'
hand flies up, the knife gripped. But Spotted Horse grabs
his arm... stops it in mid-swing... holds it until Glass
realizes it was a dream... relaxes.
SPOTTED HORSE
We go.
Glass calms... nods.
EXT. FORT BRAZEAU - DAY
Just a small cluster of log buildings sitting along the banks
of the Missouri. Dozens of tee-pees and tents are set up
outside the complex.
Glass follows Spotted Horse and Three Feathers into the camp.
BEGGING INDIANS and DRUNK TRAPPERS paw at the men as they
ride past, pleading for handouts.
71.
One of the Indians grabs for the hides. Three Feathers
plants his foot in the Indian's chest... shoves him back into
the snow.
They continue on... climb off their horses outside the
TRADING POST. Three Feathers stays to guard the hides, as
Spotted Horse and Glass enter.
INT. TRADING POST - DAY
A small, dingy room lined with shelves, all stacked high with
pots, pans, dry goods, whiskey, blankets, weapons... anything
that can be traded. KIOWA BRAZEAU, (60's), French-Canadian,
stands behind the counter... looks up when the BELL over the
door RINGS... sees Spotted Horse with Glass behind.
BRAZEAU
(thick French accent)
Bon jour, Spotted Horse. You come
with many hides I hope.
(off Spotted Horse's nod)
We make good trades then.
Brazeau's eyes lock on Glass... stares at him, unsure.
BRAZEAU (CONT'D)
Monsieur Glass?
GLASS
Good to see you again, Mr. Brazeau.
BRAZEAU
Jesus Christ, what happened to your
goddamned face?
GLASS
Had a tussle with a grizzly.
Glass shakes Brazeau's hand. Brazeau studies his face...
notices the Bear Claw Necklace... smiles.
BRAZEAU
And now the grizzly, he don't look
so good either, eh?
Glass shakes his head.
BRAZEAU (CONT'D)
(off Spotted Horse)
You run with the Sioux these days?
72.
GLASS
They looked after me for a spell.
I'm on my way to catch back up with
Captain Henry... at Fort Union.
Needed to trade for some supplies
on the Company's credit if I could.
BRAZEAU
Oui, of course. Anything you like.
Glass pulls down a KENTUCKY LONG RIFLE.
GLASS
We can start with this.
INT. TRADING POST - LATER
Glass is loaded with gear. He signs a ticket for Brazeau.
BRAZEAU
You can pick up the horse at the
livery in the morning.
(off Glass' nod)
I wish I could give you a room for
the night, but...
Brazeau looks to SEVERAL TRAPPERS standing across the room,
glaring at Glass.
BRAZEAU (CONT'D)
I cannot risk the trouble of
letting a colored stay inside.
Glass glances to the trappers... one of them spits in Glass'
direction... makes some MONKEY SOUNDS... daring Glass to
respond. Glass just turns away.
GLASS
Won't be the last night I sleep on
the ground.
Glass nods to Brazeau, then walks out.
BRAZEAU
Take care of that face, Glass.
EXT. TRADING POST - DAY
Spotted Horse and Three Feathers sit on their horses. The
other horses are now packed with new goods. Glass
approaches.
73.
GLASS
(points to the tents)
You stay here tonight?
Spotted Horse shakes his head... motions back toward the
wilderness. Then he points to the trading post... the
TRAPPERS.
SPOTTED HORSE
Your people?
Glass looks back to all the white faces... trappers, drunks,
prostitutes. He shakes his head.
GLASS
No.
SPOTTED HORSE
You come then.
Spotted Horse taps his own chest... points back the way they
came. Glass hesitates, almost like he's considering it...
then he shakes his head again... points the opposite way.
GLASS
Fort Union.
Spotted Horse stares at Glass a long beat, then...
SPOTTED HORSE
You spend your life hunting enemy.
Enemy wins.
GLASS
It will be over soon.
Then Glass pulls the Bear Claw Necklace off... hands it to
Spotted Horse. Spotted Horse holds it... then proudly slides
it over his head.
GLASS (CONT'D)
(IN SIOUX)
Thank you.
Spotted Horse raises his hand in goodbye, then spins his
horse and starts away. Three Feathers does the same. Glass
returns it... watches them ride off.
EXT. FORT BRAZEAU - NIGHT
Glass is in the trees beyond the tents and tee-pees...
crouched on the ground...
74.
dragging the dirt back over the fire and rocks. He slides up
onto the mound... feels the warmth, and smiles... just a
little.
EXT. MISSOURI RIVER - MORNING
Glass rides a PAINT MARE along a ridge overlooking the river.
Fort Brazeau stands in the distance behind him.
EXT. OPEN COUNTRY - DAY
Snowy and cold. Glass leads the line of riders through the
snow.
EXT. FORT UNION - EVENING
But you can't tell if it's day or night through the blizzard.
Fitzgerald, Pig, Anderson, Bridger, Murphy and Stubby Joe
trudge through the snow in their snowshoes... finally reach
the bunkhouse.
INT. BUNKHOUSE - EVENING
Anderson shoves the door closed against the wind... latches
it. The men look worn and battered... wind-burnt faces,
icicles in their beards.
FITZGERALD
I had enough of this cold as hell
shit.
ANDERSON
What'd you figure when ya signed on
outta that St. Louis whorehouse you
was workin'? That you was headin'
off to paradise?
Pig snorts a laugh at Fitzgerald's expense.
FITZGERALD
I tell ya what I figured, I figured
I'd be somewhere the piss wouldn't
freeze before I got it outta my
pecker.
BRIDGER
Figured wrong.
75.
Fitzgerald throws Bridger a glare... wants to throw more, but
Bridger's returning the stare... hard... so Fitzgerald
decides he'd better not push it.
FITZGERALD
Waste a time to check traps in this
weather... while Henry sits warmin'
his ass on the stove in his office.
STUBBY BILL
Why don't you go tell him that,
Fitz? Then start your hike back to
St. Louie.
FITZGERALD
Shit, I walked up here, I got no
problem walkin' back.
MURPHY
Contracted for twelve months. We
all did.
FITZGERALD
Henry can shove that contract up
his toasty warm ass, or I'll do it
for him.
The others laugh at Fitzgerald's rambling.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
You don't think I will?
The men shake their heads. Fitzgerald grabs his gloves...
starts strapping his snowshoes back on.
ANDERSON
Just give that fat little whore
you're so sweet on a couple extra
bits... she'll have you thinkin'
it's Spring already.
The men laugh as Fitzgerald walks out... leaves the door wide
open for the cold wind to pour over the others. Pig scurries
over, shoving it closed.
As the other men gather around a table to play cards, Bridger
pulls a JOURNAL from under his cot... falls onto the cot, and
starts writing.
INT. ROCKY MOUNTAIN FUR COMPANY OFFICE - EVENING
Fitzgerald enters... looks around the empty office.
76.
FITZGERALD
Hello? Captain?
The place is empty. Fitzgerald eyes Henry's desk... then
past his desk... to the SAFE... its door CRACKED OPEN...
STACKS OF MONEY visible inside.
Fitzgerald glances around... looks back to that safe.
EXT. FORT UNION - NIGHT
Dark and quiet. The snow has stopped.
INT. BUNKHOUSE - NIGHT
Fitzgerald eases up from his cot... looks around at the
sleeping men.
EXT. FORT UNION - NIGHT
Fitzgerald slips out of the bunkhouse door... across the
compound... toward the front gate.
MURPHY (O.S.)
Where're you headed?
Fitzgerald looks up... sees Murphy in the Blockhouse on
sentry duty.
FITZGERALD
To the river, Murphy.
Murphy squints down into the shadows.
MURPHY
That you, Fitzgerald?
FITZGERALD
Left my rifle down there... don't
want it out all night.
MURPHY
That weren't too smart.
FITZGERALD
Just don't take a shot at me when I
come back in.
MURPHY
We'll see.
77.
Murphy waves Fitzgerald out.
FITZGERALD
Not that you'd hit me if you tried.
Murphy fakes a laugh... raises his rifle down at Fitzgerald.
CUT TO:
POV DOWN MURPHY'S RIFLE...
...on Fitzgerald moving toward the river... disappearing into
the darkness.
EXT. MISSOURI RIVER - NIGHT
Out of sight from the fort. Fitzgerald slides the ANSTADT
FROM UNDER HIS COAT... hurries down the bank... searches
under the brush and snow... pulls out an OVERTURNED CANOE.
He drags it to the icy edge... slides it across the ice
toward the middle of the river, where the water still hasn't
frozen over. The ice CRACKS UNDER HIS FEET. Fitzgerald
climbs in the canoe... pounds the ice with the oar, breaking
it loose.
The current seeps through the cracks... catches the canoe,
pulling it to the center of the wide river... sends
Fitzgerald shooting south. He throws a glance back at the
shadow of Fort Union in the distance... growing smaller.
EXT. WILDERNESS - DAY
Clear blue sky. The sun glistening off the snow-covered
ground. Glass is bundled under furs, as he rides through the
snowy trees.
EXT. WILDERNESS/CAMP - NIGHT
Tucked under the rooftop of trees. A small fire burns.
Glass sits on his fire-bed, looking over a map.
An O.S. SNORT from the Paint Mare, tied to a tree. Glass
looks over in time to see the horse's ears perk up.
With his eyes searching the darkness, Glass slowly reaches
over... grabs his rifle. Then he drops to his stomach...
slides backward into the brush.
78.
Glass peers through the brush... the woods seem empty...
until SEVERAL DARK SHAPES APPEAR... moving through the
distant trees... coming straight toward Glass' camp.
Then an O.S. SNAP BEHIND GLASS... he glances back in time to
see an ARIKARA WARRIOR SWINGING A HATCHET.
Glass spins his rifle... shoves it into the stomach of the
Warrior as he swings... BOOM... the Warrior flies back.
The dark woods suddenly ERUPT IN WAR CRIES... Arikara appear
from all sides... charge toward the camp.
Glass scrambles up... races toward the Paint Mare as ARROWS
AND GUNSHOTS FLASH THROUGH THE AIR ALL AROUND HIM.
Glass swings up onto the Paint Mare... spots ELK'S TONGUE
leading the charge... the necklace of ears hanging around his
neck. And Elk's Tongue's eyes are locked on Glass... almost
like he remembers him.
Glass takes off through the forest.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Glass hanging onto the paint mare, as she gallops through the
trees... the animal's nostrils spread wide, pulling in all
the oxygen it can.
Glass glances back... sees SHAPES BEHIND HIM... HORSES...
ridden by Elk's Tongue and eight other warriors.
Glass digs his heels into the horse, squeezing every ounce of
speed from her legs... pushing her toward the clearing up
ahead... throwing another glance back... then looking in
front of him, and realizing it isn't a clearing at all...
...it's the edge of the world.
The paint mare explodes from the trees, then runs out of
ground... because she's just galloped off the side of a
cliff.
The horse sails downward toward a thick forest of trees, its
legs flailing for something to stand on.
Glass drops the rifle to grip the horse's mane, hanging on
for what seems an endless fall.
79.
The mare SLAMS LEG-FIRST INTO THE TREE-TOPS with Glass still
on her back. The Paint Mare SQUEALS as she drops into the
snow-covered trees, carrying Glass with her.
CUT TO:
EXT. FOREST - CONTINUOUS
And the horse comes crashing through the branches... the
massive limbs slowing her fall... snapping off as her body
hits and twists... tosses Glass away.
The Paint Mare continues her deadly descent, the trees
tearing at her body... catching her head... SNAPPING her
neck.
Glass slams off a branch... tumbles to the ground with a
thud. The Paint Mare hits the snow beside him... very dead.
Glass struggles to breath... finally GASPS... sucks in the
oxygen. He lays there a moment... stares up through the
trees...
...to Elk's Tongue and the others staring down from the top
of the cliff... with no way to get to Glass.
Glass rises to his knees... glances around for his rifle...
lost. He flinches with what must be broken ribs... drags
himself up, and staggers to the horse... pulls his knife and
cuts the snowshoes from the back of the saddle.
He throws the snowshoes over his shoulder... continues on,
through the woods... alone... in the middle of nowhere...
again.
EXT. OPEN COUNTRY - DAY
From high above... the small shape of Glass making his way
over the snowy ground... heading toward TWO DISTANT SHACKS.
EXT. FORT TALBOT - DAY
A makeshift town on the banks of the Missouri. Two
ramshackle structures... the General Store and a tattered
livery stable filled with horses.
80.
INT. FORT TALBOT/GENERAL STORE - DAY
More like a saloon that sells a few supplies. A gang of
TRAPPERS drink and play cards. A RUNTY MAN stands behind the
counter, watching them...
...until the door blows open, and in steps Glass. He pulls
the fur hat away from his face, and what a sight he is...
scarred face stiff from the cold... ice frozen in his beard.
The room falls silent... everyone staring at Glass. Until
TRAPPER #1 snorts a laugh. Glass limps to the counter. All
eyes follow him.
GLASS
(struggling to make his
frozen lips move)
I'm Hugh Glass of...
RUNTY MAN
We don't serve niggers.
Glass stares at the Runty Man a beat, then...
GLASS
Of the Rocky Mountain Fur Company
on my way to Fort Union.
RUNTY MAN
I don't care if you was with Lewis
and Clark headed for the new world.
We don't serve niggers.
GLASS
All I need is a horse and enough
supplies to...
TRAPPER
Ice musta froze up his ears, `cause
he ain't listenin' to you, Cees.
GLASS
...to get me to Fort Union. I can
sign a draft made good by Captain
Henry.
The Runty Man just stares at Glass... grins a TOOTHLESS GRIN.
RUNTY MAN
What the fuck happened to your
face, boy? You try to slice all
the black off?
81.
TRAPPER #2
Maybe we oughta help him do it
right.
FAT TRAPPER
Best get on your way, boy.
Glass stares back at the men for a long beat, then...
GLASS
I'm Hugh Glass of the Rocky
Mountain Fur Company, and all I
need is...
RUNTY MAN
(to the trappers)
Do you believe this shit?
Trapper #1 and Trapper #2 pull the SKINNING KNIVES from their
belts... start toward Glass.
FAT TRAPPER
Hell, I warned ya.
GLASS
All I need...
And that's when Trapper #1 grabs for Glass, but in a flash of
movement that catches them all off-guard, Glass has is own
knife pulled and JAMMED UNDER TRAPPER #1's CHIN.
Everyone freezes.
GLASS (CONT'D)
...is a horse and enough supplies
to get me to Fort Union.
Then Glass slides Trapper #1's PISTOL from his belt... aims
it at the other men.
GLASS (CONT'D)
And this shooter here. All made
good by Captain Henry and The Rocky
Mountain Fur Company.
EXT. FORT TALBOT - DAY
The snow pours down on the Runty Man and the trappers, as
they stand outside, rifles aimed into the distance.
RUNTY MAN
Shoot him, goddammit!
82.
TRAPPER #2
I can't get a clear look.
RUNTY MAN
Shoot `em both!
The Runty Man snatches one of the rifles... BOOM... fires a
wild shot past the riders.
CUT TO:
GLASS - GALLOPING AWAY ON HORSEBACK...
...with Trapper #1 sitting backward on the horse behind him.
Glass has the pistol jammed into his ribs, and keeps glancing
back to the men growing smaller behind him.
Finally, Glass shoves the man off the back of the horse.
Trapper #1 tumbles into the snow.
The RUMBLE OF DISTANT GUNSHOTS... too far away to reach
Glass, who just keeps racing north.
CUT TO:
THE RUNTY MAN - WATCHING GLASS ESCAPE.
RUNTY MAN
Get after the son of a bitch!
The trappers exchange glances... don't move.
TRAPPER #2
It's cold as hell, Cees.
FAT TRAPPER
And he did say to put it all on the
Rocky Mountain tab.
The Runty Man glares at the trappers.
EXT. OPEN COUNTRY - EVENING
Glass riding the horse at a trot through the snow.
EXT. FORT UNION - NIGHT
Thick with fog, and silent as death. The moon fights its way
through the mist, sending an eerie glow over the fort.
83.
EXT. FORT UNION/BLOCKHOUSE - NIGHT
Stubby Bill sits dozing in a chair, his rifle across his lap.
O.S. CRUNCHING... getting louder... loud enough to nudge
Stubby Bill awake. He sits up... peers over the wall, but
can't see anything in the fog... just hears the CRUNCHING
MOVING CLOSER... FOOTSTEPS IN THE CRISP SNOW.
CUT TO:
STUBBY BILL'S POV...
...on the blanket of fog hanging in the air... that same
CRUNCHING, as a SHADOW APPEARS... growing clearer... a FIGURE
walking... leading a horse behind him... appearing out of the
mist like a ghost... GLASS.
STUBBY BILL - STARES DOWN IN SHOCK...
...sure his eyes are betraying him. But then Glass looks
straight up at Stubby Bill, and there's no doubt.
STUBBY BILL
Jesus Christ.
INT. BUNKHOUSE - NIGHT
Dark and quiet... just Pig's snoring rattling the silence.
Suddenly the door kicks open... SLAMS into the wall... and
there's GLASS' SILHOUETTE FILLING THE DOORWAY.
GROANS from the awakened men... hands moving through the dark
for oil lamps... turning them bright... until the room's
fully lit... and they all see Glass standing there... eyes
floating across the room, searching for a target.
The men just stare back at him, like they're all part of the
same dream.
Except for Bridger, who's propped up in his cot like he's
been waiting all night... waiting every night... for Glass to
appear in that doorway.
BRIDGER
I'm sorry.
Glass raises the stolen pistol... aims it at Bridger. And
the young man doesn't flinch... almost as if he wants to make
sure Glass doesn't miss.
84.
The other men just watch in silence, not sure what the hell's
going on.
Glass holds his aim on Bridger's face... a face that's
haunted him... kept him alive.
GLASS
You took everything I had... left
me to die.
Glass walks toward Bridger, the gun still raised... each step
of his feet on the wood floor is like the thud of an
executioner's drum.
MUMBLING from the other men, as they watch this ghost reach
Bridger... stand over him, the pistol aimed down.
GLASS (CONT'D)
Why?
BRIDGER
I was scared of dyin'.
(BEAT)
But every day since, I've wished I
had.
Glass' finger tightens on the trigger, ready to make
Bridger's wish come true.
The rest of the bunkhouse watches this execution in wide-
eyed, stone silence, afraid to move.
GLASS
There wasn't no `Ree that night,
was there?
A long beat, then...
BRIDGER
No.
Glass PISTOL WHIPS BRIDGER, knocking him to the floor. And
before Bridger can crawl away, Glass in over him... those
aching, frozen fists beating mercilessly down on Bridger.
And Bridger doesn't fight back... just does his best to cover
up, but the blows keep coming, and Bridger's face is covered
in blood...
...just as Henry runs inside, half-dressed from where Stubby
Bill awoke him. Henry grabs Glass... pulls him off.
Glass spins... jams his pistol right in Henry's face.
85.
HENRY
Hugh. Wait.
Glass is crazy with rage... barely stops himself from pulling
that trigger. But finally, he calms... his arm sinks,
lowering his aim. He glances around the bunkhouse.
GLASS
Where's Fitzgerald and my rifle?
HENRY
Deserted two days ago. Along with
about five hundred dollars of
company money.
(BEAT)
Let's get some coffee to warm you
up.
(to Glass, but looking at
BRIDGER)
I wanna hear what happened.
Glass looks back to Bridger... they hold a long stare, until
Glass walks out.
BRIDGER
Wait. Please!
But Glass and Henry disappear, leaving Bridger alone with all
those eyes burning into him. Bridger looks to Pig, but Pig
just lowers his eyes... can't even look at the boy.
The men step into their boots and furs... file out after
Glass and Henry... leaving Bridger alone in the bunkhouse.
INT. ROCKY MOUNTAIN FUR COMPANY OFFICE - NIGHT
Glass sits by the warmth of the stove, sipping coffee.
Henry's behind he desk, with the other men scattered around.
GLASS
I cut the shoes loose of her, and
hiked over to Fort Talbot.
STUBBY BILL
Christ almighty.
GLASS
And you may hear from the fella
there about a stoled horse and
supplies charged to you.
86.
HENRY
We'll take care of it. You should
go settle in.
MURPHY
There's a couple fair whores next
door that'll ease the miles on ya,
scars or not.
Stubby Bill gives Murphy an elbow.
ANDERSON
Jesus, Murph.
MURPHY
I just meant I'd go roust one of
`em for ya if you wanted.
GLASS
She can take the night off, but I
wouldn't mind the use of her bed.
HENRY
(TO MURPHY)
Go clear out a room. The rest head
on back to bunk.
Murphy hustles out. The others move toward the door, each
stopping to shake Glass' hand, or give him a pat on the back.
PIG
I told ya I'd see ya up here. You
remember that, Hugh?
GLASS
I do, Pig. You must have a little
gypsy in ya.
Pig grins and nods.
PIG
I'll see ya in the mornin'.
Pig exits, leaving just Glass and Henry, sitting in a beat of
silence, until...
HENRY
Can I talk you outta what you're
planning?
Glass doesn't answer... just stands, placing the coffee cup
on the table.
87.
GLASS
Thank you for what you done for
me... stitchin' me back together...
givin' me a chance.
HENRY
I'm offerin' you another right
now... to stay here... let this
thing go.
GLASS
(BEAT)
He thinks he let me die. But he
don't know that he's the one that's
kept me alive... for the chance of
findin' him... makin' him pay for
what he done.
HENRY
The law will make Fitzgerald pay.
Glass stares out the window... his SCARRED REFLECTION stares
back at him.
GLASS
You told me once that other men
didn't think like him.
(BEAT)
But the truth is, most do. I seen
it my whole life... the looks folks
give... the whisperin'. I watched
my wife and son die from the fever
on accounta no white doctor would
care for `em. Wasn't no different
to them than if their neighbor's
dog was sick.
(BEAT)
So I don't figure nobody's gonna
care much that Fitzgerald took some
dyin' nigger's rifle, and left him
in the middle of nowhere.
(turns to Henry)
Do you, Captain?
Henry doesn't answer... because he knows Glass is right.
GLASS (CONT'D)
I thank you for the coffee.
Glass walks out. Henry just sits there.
88.
EXT. FORT UNION - DAY
Glass, Pig and Murphy stand by Glass' horse, as he ties off
his supplies.
MURPHY
He said he was goin' to get his
rifle...
And then Murphy catches himself... shrugs.
MURPHY (CONT'D)
Your rifle. But he never showed
back up. The next day I figured
him mighta fell in, but then Pig
seen the canoe was missin'.
PIG
And the Captain found the money
gone.
GLASS
I'll make my way down river. See
what turns up.
Glass pulls the cinch tight around the horse. Stubby Bill
comes waddling toward them.
STUBBY BILL
The kid's gone... gear and all.
Musta slipped out before light.
Stubby Bill waves Bridger's journal at them.
STUBBY BILL (cont'd)
Just left this on his bunk.
Henry takes the journal... flips it open.
HENRY
(READING)
"Every day I think about what I
done. I want to tell Pig and the
others the truth but am afraid what
they'll think of me. I look at
Fitzgerald and want to kill him but
am afraid to try. I am a coward
and wish he hadn't been lyin about
the Ree that night. I wish they
had come and kilt us both."
Glass considers the words a beat, then swings onto his horse.
89.
GLASS
If I run across the boy, I'll send
him back your way.
Glass sees Henry on horseback, trotting toward them.
GLASS (CONT'D)
Where're you headed?
HENRY
Fitzgerald stole five hundred
dollars. Rocky Mountain Fur
Company wants him too.
GLASS
I can do this on my own.
HENRY
I know you can. But maybe you
won't have to.
Glass stares at Henry a beat, then finally just pulls his
horse around... heads for the river. Henry nods to Pig and
Murphy as he follows after Glass.
EXT. ROCK LEDGE - DAY
From above Fort Union. Our POV on Glass and Henry riding
south along the icy river.
And then we see our POV is Bridger's... standing along the
ledge, loaded with all his gear. He watches the riders
another moment, then turns... hikes the opposite direction...
leaving Fort Union behind forever.
EXT. FORT TALBOT/GENERAL STORE - DAY
The Runty Man behind the counter. A few of the same Trappers
drinking... playing cards. Just another day at Fort Talbot.
The door swings open, and a FUR-COVERED FIGURE enters.
RUNTY MAN
We ain't got no food to spare,
friend, if that's what you're
lookin' for.
The figure pulls back his furs, and we see it's Fitzgerald...
cold and miserable.
90.
FITZGERALD
Then what the hell have ya got?
RUNTY MAN
Whiskey and blankets mostly.
Weather's held back deliveries.
Fitzgerald throws a glance to the Trappers.
FITZGERALD
Gimme a couple bottles then.
Goddamn ice shredded my boat. Been
walkin' for two days.
The Runty Man hands Fitzgerald the bottles. Fitzgerald pops
one... gulps some down.
FITZGERALD (CONT'D)
How much for one of them horses out
there?
RUNTY MAN
Horses ain't cheap this time a
year.
FITZGERALD
Whatever the price, Rocky Mountain
Fur Company's good for it.
And those words stop everything. The Trappers all turn from
their game. The Runty Man glares at Fitzgerald.
RUNTY MAN
You're the second son of a bitch
come in here makin' that claim.
And the first one left a bad taste.
FITZGERALD
That right? Well I don't know
nothin' about that. Just that I
need a horse.
RUNTY MAN
So did this other fella. So he
stole one... along with Lange's
pistola.
Trapper #1 nods to Fitzgerald.
FITZGERALD
Fine then, I'll pay cash for the
horse. How much?
91.
RUNTY MAN
How `bout you pay for your friend's
too.
TRAPPER #1
And my shooter.
FITZGERALD
Wasn't my friend.
Trapper #1 stands up.
TRAPPER #1
Then from where I stand, you don't
got no friends at all.
The other Trappers glare at Fitzgerald. The Runty Man just
grins that toothless smile of his. Fitzgerald's in a bind,
and he knows it.
FITZGERALD
Yeah, okay. I'll collect from him.
How much?
RUNTY MAN
How `bout we say eighty...
(sees Fitzgerald doesn't
ARGUE)
...five.
Fitzgerald starts digging into his pocket.
FITZGERALD
You boys are leavin' me with
nothin'. Better be a helluva
horse.
RUNTY MAN
Pick of the litter.
The Runty Man snatches the cash.
RUNTY MAN (cont'd)
And when you see that scarred-up
nigger, you tell him he'd best not
show up here again.
Fitzgerald freezes... not sure he heard correctly.
FITZGERALD
When I see who?
92.
RUNTY MAN
The black son of a bitch that
robbed me. You tell him that.
A long beat, then...
FITZGERALD
Scarred up, you say... and headed
up to Union?
RUNTY MAN
That's what he told us. Seemed
real anxious to get there too.
FITZGERALD
(NODS)
I'll make sure to give him the
message when I find him.
EXT. FORT TALBOT - DAY
Fitzgerald sits on the horse, staring back over the ground...
his LINE OF TRACKS LEADING THROUGH THE SNOW. He turns...
looks south, then back to the tracks.
Finally, Fitzgerald digs his heels into the horse. The
animal takes off, right along Fitzgerald's tracks in the
snow... right back toward Glass.
EXT. MISSOURI RIVER - DAY
Thick ice along the edges, tapering to a narrow stream of
flowing water at the very center.
Glass and Henry ride along the snow-covered bank.
HENRY
Hugh.
Henry points. Glass follows his finger along the river... to
a CANOE resting on the bank ahead. They dismount... examine
the canoe... the letters "RMFC" painted on the side.
HENRY (CONT'D)
That's it.
Glass runs his mittened hand along the gashes in the wood.
GLASS
Ice tore it up.
93.
Glass looks to the FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW, leading deep into
the trees. He glances up to the sky... clear and blue.
GLASS (CONT'D)
If the snow holds off, we'll have a
good trail to track.
HENRY
What's out that direction? Talbot?
GLASS
And the Missouri. Doubt he'd risk
the river with the `Ree. Likely
grab a horse, and cross over
high... take his chances goin' east
against the weather. When'd you
say he skipped out?
HENRY
Three days ago now.
GLASS
We best pick up our pace.
They climb back onto their horses... trot into the trees.
EXT. OPEN COUNTRY - DAY
Glass and Henry gallop across, their path dead on
Fitzgerald's tracks.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
The snow is shallow here, the ground protected by the trees.
There's a black spot where a fire once burned, and footprints
all over the place. Glass is off his horse, crouched,
studying the site... lifting the charred chunks of wood.
HENRY
This was Fitzgerald camped here?
GLASS
Couple nights back. But these
tracks aren't all his.
HENRY
He's travelin' with somebody?
94.
GLASS
(shakes his head)
Came in after. Prints are smooth.
Mocassins.
Henry throws Glass a look... he knows what that means.
GLASS (CONT'D)
Could be Sioux... Blackfoot even.
HENRY
But you figure they're `Ree.
GLASS
I don't figure nothin', Captain.
But whoever it is, they're a good
day behind Fitzgerald.
Glass walks, leading his horse, as he follows the tracks away
from camp. Henry rides after him.
GLASS (CONT'D)
And they're on his trail too, so we
should keep it quiet... don't
announce we're back here.
HENRY
You told me once you knew enough to
keep away from the `Ree.
GLASS
I do.
HENRY
You figure this is smart then?
Glass swings up onto his horse.
GLASS
You're welcome to head back,
Captain.
Glass trots off. Henry watches him a beat, then throws a
glance into the trees... follows after Glass.
EXT. WILDERNESS/CAMP - NIGHT
Glass kneels on the ground, building a fire-bed... dragging
the dirt over the fire and rocks. Henry's under a blanket,
watching him.
95.
HENRY
What if we find Fitzgerald... and I
ask you not to do this?
Glass spreads a blanket over the ground.
GLASS
Don't ask me.
Glass settles in on the warm earth. Henry just keeps
watching him.
EXT. WILDERNESS/CAMP - LATER
ANGLE ON HENRY...
...asleep under the blanket. O.S. RUSTLING sends his eyes
flashing open. He raises up... rifle ready.
He glances at Glass, who puts a finger over his lips.
HENRY
(WHISPERS)
`Ree?
Glass doesn't answer... just keeps searching the brush.
Henry's groggy eyes dart around the night... spots MOVEMENT
IN THE BRUSH.
HENRY (CONT'D)
There!
GLASS
Wait!
But it's too late... Henry fires... BOOM... the shot explodes
through the night...
...and the DEER leaps away.
Henry looks to Glass... shakes his head... sorry.
HENRY
So much for stayin' quiet.
CUT TO:
96.
FITZGERALD - SQUATTING BESIDE A SMALL FIRE...
...staring out into the darkness, as the GUNSHOT ECHOES OVER
HIM. Fitzgerald immediately throws dirt over the flames.
EXT. WILDERNESS/CAMP - NIGHT
Glass and Henry are loaded up, back on their horses.
HENRY
Guess you would've been better off
on your own.
GLASS
We needed to pick up some time
anyways.
The two riders disappear into the dark trees.
EXT. WILDERNESS/CLEARING - NIGHT
Glass and Henry riding across a meadow. Glass stops... tilts
his head back to sniff the air.
HENRY
Whatta ya got?
GLASS
Smoke.
Glass pulls some snow from his horse's mane... tosses it in
the air, and watches it blow to the side.
Glass turns his horse toward the breeze... squints out into
the night.
GLASS (CONT'D)
No more than mile out that way.
(pulls his rifle)
I'll head in from the west... you
take the east.
HENRY
What if it's `Ree?
GLASS
Then we leave `em be... meet back
up here.
97.
Henry nods... Glass takes off at a trot. Henry veers the
other direction... splitting up across the snow.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Splinters of moonlight shoot through the pines. Glass on
horseback, walking through the trees... appearing and
disappearing.
He spots something in the distance... the slightest of glows.
Glass eases off his horse... wraps the reins around a branch.
EXT. WILDERNESS - NIGHT
Henry's already off his horse... leading it through the
trees... searching as he walks.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Glass moves silently through the darkness... rifle poised to
aim and fire... just like the first time we saw him,
perfectly comfortable in this world.
His eyes shine in the darkness, drifting back and forth...
picking up everything.
He reaches the glow... the remains of a campfire. The
slightest bit of dying smoke rises into the air. Glass
crouches down, studying the surround ground... HOOF-PRINTS
blended in with the other tracks.
EXT. WILDERNESS - NIGHT
Henry's horse is making too much noise with each step. He
stops walking... wraps the reins around a tree... walks back
around the horse...
...AND THERE'S FITZGERALD STARING AT HIM...
...Glass' Anstadt aimed and ready to fire.
FITZGERALD
Didn't figure an important man like
you to be away from your stove on a
night as cold as this, Captain.
You lost?
Henry just stares back at Fitzgerald and that rifle. His
eyes drift to his own rifle, still strapped onto his saddle.
98.
HENRY
I'm here to save your life.
FITZGERALD
I done told you boys... I don't
need savin' by you or nobody else.
Henry knows he's only got one chance... he makes a grab for
the rifle.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Glass running his fingers across the tracks. Suddenly an
O.S. GUNSHOT EXPLODES IN THE DISTANCE. Glass spins to it...
races back through the trees toward his horse.
EXT. FOREST - NIGHT
Glass at full gallop through the woods... veering between
trees... ducking branches.
EXT. WILDERNESS - NIGHT
Glass charges from the forest... spots Henry's horse standing
in the trees... tears through the snow toward it... leaps off
the still-moving animal in a fluid slide... hits the ground
with his rifle ready...
...and sees HENRY'S BODY face-up in the snow.
Glass drops to a knee... scans the darkness, as he slides
over to Henry...
...and we see he's a bloody mess... a GUNSHOT WOUND in his
chest leaking out onto the snow... HIS HEAD SCALPED... LEFT
EAR SLICED OFF.
Glass stands back up, turning in a circle, as he peers into
the distance around him. But there's nothing out there.
Glass SCREAMS in rage.
He turns back to Henry... crouches down over him.
GLASS
You shouldn't a come.
As Glass looks at Henry, he notices something... takes Henry
by the chin, and tilts his head. And HENRY'S RIGHT EAR HAS
BEEN CUT OFF AS WELL.
99.
Glass stares at Henry a beat, then squints out into the
forest.
GLASS (CONT'D)
(repeating Spotted Horse's
words under his breath)
Arikara take right ear of Sioux.
Left ear of whites. Not know what
they take from you.
EXT. WILDERNESS/CLEARING - NIGHT
Glass on horseback, leading Henry's horse behind him across
the snow-covered meadow. Henry's fur-covered body is draped
over the saddle.
EXT. FROZEN RIVER - NIGHT
A thick layer of ice covers the narrow river, thinning just a
bit at the center. Glass kneels near the middle, chopping at
the thick ice to get to the water beneath. He makes a
hole... dips his canteen down into it, glancing around into
the darkness.
Then Glass turns... stares up a slope into the dark forest
beyond... like he knows what's waiting for him there.
He walks to the horses, tied in the trees at the base of the
slope... Henry still laying across the saddle of his horse in
his bloody furs.
Glass SNAPS A BRANCH FROM A FALLEN TREE... looks back up that
slope.
EXT. WILDERNESS - NIGHT
OUR POV FROM DEEP IN THE FOREST...
...watching from the shadowy brush, as Glass appears up over
the distant slope... riding through the trees, with Henry
draped over the horse behind.
The forest is quiet... just the CRACKING of crusty snow and
branches under the horses' hooves.
Then BOOM... as the ANSTADT BARREL WE HADN'T SEEN BESIDE US
FLASHES IN THE NIGHT...
...and Glass tumbles off his horse.
100.
The horses prance around with a start, then settle... and
then FITZGERALD RISES FROM THE BRUSH BESIDE US... eases
toward the horses, reloading the Anstadt as he moves.
He reaches Glass, face down in the snow... his furs covering
him.
And Fitzgerald has that rifle aimed, ready for Glass to
suddenly roll over firing...
...but Glass doesn't move. Fitzgerald nudges him with his
boot, then crouches down... grabs Glass by the shoulder, and
pulls him over...
...and there's HENRY'S LIFELESS FACE HIDDEN BENEATH THE
FURS... and that BROKEN BRANCH sticking up along his back.
ANGLE FROM BEHIND HENRY'S HORSE...
...on the REST OF THE BRANCH RIGGED TO GLASS' SADDLE to hold
Henry upright...
...and then what we thought was Henry flung over the second
horse... MOVING... the bloody fur-covered arm lifting a
rifle... the head raising up... it's GLASS... taking aim...
...as Fitzgerald realizes what's happened... spins with the
Anstadt...
...to Glass laying across the horse... rifle dead set on
Fitzgerald... BOOM... BOOM... both rifles explode...
...Fitzgerald goes flying backward into the brush.
Fitzgerald's wild shot hits Henry's horse, sending it rearing
up, tossing Glass to the ground.
But Glass is on his feet in a flash... reloading as he
charges into the brush...
...but FITZGERALD IS GONE.
Until the flash of movement behind Glass... he turns... as
the butt of the Anstadt whips through the air... WHACK...
clubs him across the head, sending him tumbling down the
slope to the frozen river.
Fitzgerald swings the Anstadt back over his BLOODY SHOULDER,
snatches up his knife, and charges down the slope to finish
Glass off.
101.
EXT. FROZEN RIVER - NIGHT
Glass lies on the ice, barely conscious. Blood oozes down
his head... over his eyes. He wipes it away to see
Fitzgerald barreling down toward him.
Fitzgerald dives in attack, but Glass kicks up his leg,
sending Fitzgerald flying over... SLAMMING into the frozen
river, his head CRACKING THE ICE.
Glass rips the knife from his belt... moves after Fitzgerald,
his feet slipping and sliding under him.
Fitzgerald rises to his feet... the men charge like two wild
animals... crash into each other... knives flailing.
They roll along the ice, blades glistening... slicing through
furs... across flesh.
Fitzgerald thrusts his knife down... plants it through the
back of Glass' hand, pinning it to the ice. Glass CRIES
OUT... drops his own knife to pull Fitzgerald's out. As he
does, Fitzgerald kicks Glass in the face, sending him sailing
back... sliding to the center of the river.
The thin ice around him splinters... cracks. Glass looks
up... sees Fitzgerald stalking toward him, HOLDING BOTH
KNIVES now. Glass is trapped...
...until he pounds his elbow down on the weakened ice... it
begins to give... he pounds it again and again... Fitzgerald
speeds up to get to Glass in time... raises one of the
knives, as Glass shatters the ice... drops beneath the
surface.
Fitzgerald rushes after him, but the ice cracks under his
feet, forcing him back.
CUT TO:
UNDERWATER...
...and Glass just under the ice, floating with the current.
His fingers search for a hole, but there's nothing.
CUT TO:
102.
FITZGERALD...
...making his way down the river, peering through the ice,
searching for Glass. He spots something... stops... leans
close to make out the shape... it's GLASS' FEET.
Then suddenly, GLASS' FIST EXPLODES THROUGH THE ICE AT
FITZGERALD'S FEET... grab Fitzgerald's leg, pulling him down.
Fitzgerald crashes to the ice... it splinters around him...
gives away, and he sinks into the icy water... but the
ANSTADT STRAPPED AROUND HIM CATCHES ON THE ICE... holds him
against the current.
Glass drags himself from the water... stands... stares down
at Fitzgerald trapped in the hole... his face looking up at
Glass through the ice. Glass lifts one of the fallen
knives... stands over Fitzgerald.
FITZGERALD
(through the water and
ICE)
Help me!
(off Glass' stare)
Glass... please!
Glass hesitates a beat, staring at him, just as he did with
Bridger that night in the bunkhouse. And then Glass leans
down... grabs the Anstadt to pull Fitzgerald up.
Except Glass SLICES THE BLADE ACROSS THE STRAP OF THE
ANSTADT, sending Fitzgerald floating away under the ice, as
Glass holds on to the Anstadt.
CUT TO:
FITZGERALD...
...floating under the surface... pounding at the ice as he
drifts, until his swinging slows... stops... his body drifts
away.
EXT. FROZEN RIVER - NIGHT
Glass stands on the ice, blood dripping down his face,
holding his Anstadt. He begins to tremble... not from the
cold, but from finally reaching the end of this journey. His
eyes begin to fill with tears...
103.
...and then he sees ELK'S TONGUE, and SEVERAL OTHER ARIKARA
WARRIORS watching him from the other side of the river.
Glass and Elk's Tongue exchange a long stare, until finally
Glass SCREAMS OUT.
GLASS
I am Tatanka Wicasa! I have killed
whites and I have killed Arikara
and I have killed grizzly! AND I
WILL KILL YOU!
Elk's Tongue doesn't move... just stares back at Glass...
soaked in blood and water. Then Glass CRIES OUT at the
warriors again.
GLASS (CONT'D)
COME ON!
But the Arikara don't attack... don't move at all... until
Elk's Tongue gives Glass the SLIGHTEST OF NODS, then turns...
they disappear back into the trees.
Glass watches them fade away, then collapses to his knees on
the icy river... exhausted in every possible way.
He begins to cry.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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