"1968" hangs over a starry sky accompanied by "The Blue
Danube" by Strauss. Falling from the sky, we pass another
year, lettered on the cinema marquee - "2001" with "A Space
Odyssey" beneath. The elegant theater doors fly open as a
stoic, bearded man in a black suit strides out down the red
carpet. His expression impenetrable, his obsidian eyes
intensely focused dead ahead. This is STANLEY KUBRICK, 40. A
man of deep passion and dedication, talent, wit and control.
Both sides of the carpet swim with a sea of onlookers,
flashing camera bulbs and crying out to him. From the left
come the singing of praises, from the right come the screams
of admonishment. He marches forth, undisturbed.
VARIOUS CROWD MEMBERS
Brilliant!
Boring!
Perfection!
Pretentious!
A real trip, man!
A real fumble, sir!
Masterful!
Masturbatory!
Artful!
Asshole!
You're unbeatable!
You're inscrutable!
I love you Stanley!
I hate you Kubrick!
Hitting the end of the line, he turns back to face the
crowd, gives a mocking salute, then climbs into his waiting
black sedan. Viewed from above, it’s rectangular shape
mirrors the black monolith from 2001.
Slowly, one crowd member withdraws a late 18th century
pistol, points it across and fires. The round explodes into
another’s chest, who spins and dies dramatically. The crowd
around him rages as they withdraw their own 18th century
weapons and retaliate. Everyone pulls pistols, rifles and
swords as they storm at each other, shooting and stabbing.
Screaming and dying. An operatic tableau.
2.
Then, from the dark beyond the doorways of the theater, a
figure emerges, glimpsed through flashes in holes between
the melee. The man who embodies Kubrick's next obsession...
NAPOLEON.
INT. KENT HAMLIN'S OFFICE - DAY
The MGM Studios logo looms large on the wall behind the desk
of its Head of Production, KENT HAMLIN, 50'S, here at
Elstree Studios, London. He's a small man in a big office.
Stanley sits opposite with his research assistant and
friend, BOB GAFFNEY, 38, fiercely loyal, compassionate, and
eager to learn. Kids in the principal's office.
HAMLIN
You're only in pre-production and
your film is already out of
control!
STANLEY
I can assure you, Mr. Hamlin, as
you should very well know,
NOTHING is out of my control.
HAMLIN
You may think that, but I'm on this
side of the desk. I know your
reputation, Mr. Kubrick. Everyone
does. You may be some GRAND
DICTATOR on set, but in this
office, I'm in charge. And I am
having issues.
STANLEY
That much is apparent.
HAMLIN
Don't be so smug. Twenty-oh-one
went millions over budget and
released years behind schedule. You
got lucky before to inherit
directing duties on Spartacus once
it was already filming, but this is
an even larger period piece and
thus far you have NO script,
NOTHING constructed, NO costumes
made or actors in place, yet the
production is LEAKING money left
and right.
(MORE)
3.
HAMLIN (CONT'D)
You’ve got teams storming through
Europe, incurring travel and
lodging costs, shooting hundreds of
rolls of photography, shipping them
here, EXPRESS, from every corner…
buying up historical documents… now
these are PRICEY historical…
hundreds of books, samples of 18th
century fabrics… I hear you’ve even
had containers of DIRT sent to you!
Now WHY are we shipping dirt to you
internationally?
STANLEY
I believe, Mr. Hamlin, that you are
in serious danger of losing sight
of the forest for the trees.
HAMLIN
You’re not shipping TREES are you?!
STANLEY
No, but were I to, it would
assuredly be as necessary as the
rest of it. The details are VITALLY
important. The level of fidelity,
to even the most MINUTE aspect is
INSTRUMENTAL to the success of the
final product. This isn’t some
nickelodeon we’re making, Mr.
Hamlin. This must BE Napoleon's
life. That which SURROUNDS a man
also SHAPES him. The TRUTH of the
man, the heart of him, the WHYs
behind the WHATs, that's the story
I'm telling. And because of that,
this is to be, and I say this
without a modicum of hyperbole,
simply, THE GREATEST MOVIE EVER
MADE.
HAMLIN
I...
STANLEY
Now, to assuage your financial
concerns...
He lights a cigarette, stands and paces the room. Reassuring
himself as much as he's reassuring this stuffed suit.
(MORE)
4.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
While pre-production research has
been vast, the shoot itself shall
be a relatively simple affair...
(CONT'D)
Interiors will be done on location,
as the various palaces and other
locales still exist largely
unaltered and preserved. This may
be accomplished inexpensively, with
a very small crew such as you might
find on a documentary production...
Large scale exterior scenes will be
shot in Yugoslavia or Romania…
(CONT'D)
Exteriors with fewer characters
will be shot here, employing 2001’s
rear projection technique for the
sense of scope…
(CONT'D)
Deep background players will
utilize a new wardrobing technique
developed from nearly
indestructible paper cloth upon
which the uniform patterns may be
applied. Cost saving, yet
effective. Principles of course
will don authentic costumes...
He walks to the front of Hamlin's desk, towering over him.
(CONT'D)
Now, despite your MISguided
MISgivings MISter Hamlin, I am
quite aware that I retain the full
confidence of the PRESIDENT of MGM,
Mr O’Brien, who, unless I’m very
much mistaking, is still your
SUPERIOR, in every sense of the
word. This is my story to tell. I
tell the stories. That's why I'm on
this side of the desk. Therefore, I
request, with all the equanimity
and grace that I can muster, for
you to kindly GET OFF MY ASS.
He snuffs his cigarette on the desk right next to ashtray.
Hamlin sits back, slack-jawed and deflated. Bob cannot
contain his exuberance and lets out a loud "Ha!"
5.
HAMLIN
I, uh, well, yes, that all sounds
in order.
Stanley backs off, he's won the day. Bob leaps up to follow.
STANLEY
Will there be anything else?
HAMLIN
Well, uh, no.
They turn to leave, their work done. Enemy vanquished.
HAMLIN (CONT'D)
Oh, well, actually there is the
matter of the twenty-oh-one sets.
Our stages are still filled with
them. It's been months and we've
been waiting on...
STANLEY
Burn them.
HAMLIN
Excuse me?
STANLEY
Destroy them. The sets, the
costumes, the models, the props,
all of it. I don’t want to run the
risk of them being repurposed in
any INFERIOR future projects. My
film's aesthetic was unique and I
intend to keep it that way.
He heal turns and exits. Bob gives a patronizing farewell
wave to the battered Hamlin.
Genres:
["Drama","Biography","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
2 -
Nostalgia and Urgency
INT. MGM ELSTREE HALLWAY/ LOBBY - DAY
Stanley marches ahead as Bob trails, bursting with energy.
BOB
You were like a prizefighter in
there! That was a masterclass...
STANLEY
Strength must be met with strength,
Bob. My picture, my terms.
BOB
Well, you definitely bought some
time.
6.
A petite MGM assistant meets them at the end of the hall.
BOB (CONT'D)
Say, let’s go take a turn around
the old sets before they’re gone.
STANLEY
I'm not much for looking back, Bob.
I'm only as good as my next
feature.
BOB
Says the man who personally checks
every single print that goes out to
theaters. Come on. It'll be good to
remind ourselves what all this
bullshit actually leads up to.
STANLEY
(Teasingly)
Very well. I'll indulge you.
BOB
(To MGM assistant )
Could you let us in the studio
space?
MGM ASSISTANT
Of course, right this way.
STANLEY
I remember.
INT. MGM ELSTREE STUDIO / 2001 BEDROOM SET - DAY
Overhead lights flicker on as they enter. Bob hurries off.
Stanley half smiles and wanders into the large, white
bedroom set; walls, bed and Black Rectangular Monolith all
covered in plastic tarps. He walks slowly over to the
monolith, pulls off the tarp, reaches out and touches it
tenderly. Like visiting an old lover.
BOB
(O.S.)
Oh man, HAL’s brain…
He turns to see Bob standing in front of the tall, narrow,
tarp covered “HAL’s Brain” set. Bob points up to a rafter.
BOB (CONT'D)
Remember that stunt guy, Weston?
Passed out right up there. Almost
asphyxiated.
7.
STANLEY
That's nothing. On Fear and Desire
the whole lot of us almost
asphyxiated on the insecticides we
were using for fog. Looked great
though.
BOB
Let’s aim for zero asphyxiations on
this one.
Stanley "knocks on wood" three times against the monolith
which is, in fact, made of wood. Bob laughs.
BOB (CONT'D)
Ooh, I’m gonna go walk the airlock.
He jumps down and scurries off. Stanley lights a cigarette
as he sits down on the foot of the bed. He slowly lays down
and closes his eyes before being roused by the sound of a
man emphatically clearing his throat. His eyes open to find
that now standing in front of the bed, in place of the
monolith, is Napoleon Bonaparte himself.
NAPOLEON
We really should be getting back to
work.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
3 -
Reflections of a Fallen Emperor
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - AFTERNOON
A white-gloved hand fingers the spines of the HUNDREDS of
volumes of texts on a massive bookshelf. The hand belongs to
the very subject of all these books... Napoleon.
NAPOLEON
What a novel my life has made! What
a grand collection of words. I used
to read on Caesar, now they read on
ME! I can’t say I’m surprised.
Stanley sits at his messy desk, writing in a black notebook.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
I do find it disturbing though how
often I’m painted a VILLAIN. There
are some romantics who see me as I
really am, but en masse…
Stanley twiddles his pen and strokes his beard, searching
his mind for an insight that stubbornly refuses to surface.
8.
STANLEY
Tell me, aside from your final
defeat at Waterloo, what would you
consider your greatest failure?
NAPOLEON
Others failed ME. I never...
Stanley fixes him with a stare, not buying his bullshit.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
(gesturing to the books)
It's not in these?
STANLEY
Not that I can recall at the
moment...
NAPOLEON
(defiant)
Then I clearly must not have...
(Sighing)
...Ask Felix.
Stanley loads a page into his yellow typewriter and types:
"Dear Felix,
Were Napoleon willing to self
reflect, what, apart from Waterloo,
might he consider his greatest
failure?
Regards,"
He signs, seals, and addresses the letter then adds it to a
large stack of others, all addressed to Prof. Felix Markham,
which he grabs on his way out.
STANLEY
Stay here, if you don't mind.
NAPOLEON
I'll do my best.
Genres:
["Historical Drama","Biographical"]
Ratings
Scene
4 -
A Slice of Life and Pressure
INT. KUBRICK KITCHEN - AFTERNOON
CHRISTIANE KUBRICK, 36, slices onions at the kitchen island.
She's thoughtful, tender, quick-witted and full of light,
sporting short, dark brown hair and a smart top. Stanley
enters quietly, sets the envelopes down, grabs a Polaroid
camera from a counter and holds it up as he approaches.
9.
STANLEY
Fromage!
Christiane, startled, whips around, knife in hand and is met
with the camera's flash. Stanley laughs loudly as the
picture ejects into his waiting hand and begins to develop.
Christiane speaks with a light German accent...
CHRISTIANE
Jesus, Stanley! I could’ve stabbed
you.
STANLEY
(Dryly)
I’m willing to suffer for my art.
He shows her the photo and she looks terrified in it,
holding the large kitchen knife by her face. She grabs it
and laughs.
CHRISTIANE
Hardly your best work.
STANLEY
Well Christiane, you can only do so
much with the subjects available.
She laughs and hits him with the photo.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
What are you making?
CHRISTIANE
Bubble and Squeak.
STANLEY
You certainly do.
CHRISTIANE
It’s an old English dish. Lots of
taters. You’ll love it.
STANLEY
I love YOU.
CHRISTIANE
Because I bubble and squeak?
STANLEY
Because you sparkle and shine. And
squeak.
They kiss, then she notices the envelopes on the counter.
10.
CHRISTIANE
More?
STANLEY
He knew what he was getting into.
CHRISTIANE
Oh I doubt that very much. How many
is this?
STANLEY
Oh I don’t know, a hundred.
CHRISTIANE
At least that. I can't understand
why you don’t simply call. You
spend hours on the phone.
STANLEY
Exactly. Imagine receiving such a
deluge of calls from me. He’d,
quite reasonably, never pick up.
However, he graciously responds to
our gentlemanly correspondence.
CHRISTIANE
Well, there’s at least one back
today. And a stack of other stuff.
Something there from MGM.
She gestures with the knife to the kitchen table. He ambles
over and sifts through the mail.
STANLEY
Package from Terry... would you
mind?
He hands her a slim box addressed to him from Terry Southern
which she opens with the kitchen knife. We don’t see inside.
CHRISTIANE
I like Terry. I’ve always liked
Terry. A real SOUTHERN gentleman.
STANLEY
You love that joke.
CHRISTIANE
I do love that joke. Looks like a
book.
STANLEY
Bonaparte or one of his?
11.
CHRISTIANE
No, something different.
STANLEY
No time for diversion right now.
Add it to the pile.
CHRISTIANE
I think I’ll read it.
STANLEY
Be my guest. Terry’s been on me to
meet with Jack Nicholson. Says the
work he’s doing on Easy Rider is
extraordinary.
CHRISTIANE
Are you gonna meet him?
STANLEY
Perhaps. I still have my heart set
on Hemmings. Or perhaps Holm.
I like Holm.
He opens the MGM letter and reads.
CHRISTIANE
Can’t hurt to meet him.
He ignores this, demeanor darkening as he reads on.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
Do you want carrots in this?
There’s not normally carrots but we
could go wild and…
STANLEY
Hold on.
She chops more onions as he stops and crumples the letter.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Well, shit.
CHRISTIANE
Shit what?
STANLEY
BONDARCHUK.
CHRISTIANE
Am I supposed to…
12.
STANLEY
Sergei Bondarchuk. He’s directing a
Napoleon film for De Laurentiis.
CHRISTIANE
With MGM?
STANLEY
No, they would never undercut me
like that. Paramount.
CHRISTIANE
So what? There're lots of films
about him.
STANLEY
And they’re all awful. The only
decent one was “War and Peace”.
CHRISTIANE
So this will just be another awful…
STANLEY
Bondarchuk MADE “War and Peace”.
CHRISTIANE
Oh. Well, so what.
STANLEY
This alters the playing field. I no
longer have only the pressures of
making my film, but also of
achieving victory over Bondarchuk.
And he.. he could, quite possibly,
DO IT.
CHRISTIANE
He could do HIS version of it.
STANLEY
Hm...
CHRISTIANE
What he could never do... is make a
STANLEY KUBRICK FILM.
He sits at the table, uncrumples the letter and re-reads it.
She comes and runs her hands through his thinning hair.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
Don't stress my love. Your hair
will fall out... what's left of it.
This breaks his sour mood. He chuckles and kisses her hand.
13.
STANLEY
You know you're the only one who
ever gets to see me doubt.
Thankfully, for your sake, it's not
a common occurrence.
CHRISTIANE
(Laughing)
Well you deserve your confidence.
And I... deserve a clean husband.
The kids will be home soon and you
need a shower.
STANLEY
Join me?
CHRISTIANE
What part of the kids will be home
soon… just leave the door open.
She kisses him.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
That way I can hear you bubble and
squeak.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
5 -
A Night of Film and Family
INT. KUBRICK PROJECTION ROOM - NIGHT
In a room filled with hundreds of film canisters, Stanley
loads a reel, threads it through and starts the projector.
INT. KUBRICK SCREENING ROOM - NIGHT
He then descends the stairs, joining his wife and daughters,
VIVIAN, 8, ANYA, 9, and KATHARINA, 15, in the theater seats
before the flickering screen. They share bowls of popcorn.
KATHARINA
(Dripping teenage
sarcasm)
Sooo, what piece of Napoleonic
cinema are you gracing us with
tonight?
STANLEY
(Lightly)
Smartass.
The music starts. The kids perk up.
ANYA
Wizard of Oz! But daddy, you hate
this one.
14.
STANLEY
Well, kiddo, just because you don’t
like something, doesn’t mean you
can’t learn something from it.
ANYA
I love it!
Anya snuggles into his shoulder as he steals a piece of
popcorn from her bowl and pops it in his mouth.
INT. KUBRICK UPPER HALL - NIGHT
Stanley carries a sleeping Vivian, and Christiane a sleeping
Anya while Katharina walks ahead of them into her bedroom.
KATHARINA
Night, you two.
CHRISTIANE
Gute nacht darling.
STANLEY
See you in the morning.
KATHARINA
Ha! Like you’re up in the morning.
Continuing down the hall, the Kubrick parents carry the
young children into their shared bedroom.
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - NIGHT
As the couple enter their own bedroom, he takes her into a
brief impromptu waltz. She giggles and spins off to plop
down on the bed.
CHRISTIANE
Ahh... There’s no place like home.
STANLEY
Overly sentimental, yet without the
slightest doubt, invariably true.
She pulls off her top, revealing a black bra, then goes to
the adjoined bathroom and starts brushing her teeth. He sits
on the bed as his thoughts wander back to his film.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
I've been toying with the idea of
having Napoleon address the
audience at times. Voice-over, in
addition to the third-person
narration.
(MORE)
15.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
A chance to explore his inner
thoughts directly. Something to set
us apart and dive deeper in.
Historical films are.. hell,
history itself is, by its very
nature reductive. Striping the
truth down to simple facts. Merely
presenting the events is not enough
to paint the picture of...
CHRISTIANE
You're doing it...
STANLEY
I... sorry. I can't help it. With
Bondarchuk... MGM... I truly must
deliver something that...
She climbs seductively onto the bed to break the spell.
CHRISTIANE
"No...
STANLEY
(acquiescing)
"No Napoleon in the bedroom."
She nods as she straddles him. Take THAT Napoleon!
STANLEY (CONT'D)
And what kind of... discourse...
would you prefer... in the
bedroom...?
She flicks off the bedside lamp. Now, silhouetted by the
window’s moonlight, the pair embrace in a passionate kiss
and lay down as lovers do.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
6 -
Morning Moments in the Kubrick Kitchen
INT. KUBRICK KITCHEN - MORNING
Bob scrambles eggs while the Kubrick children sit at the
kitchen table taking Polaroid pictures of each other, making
faces and laughing as Christiane enters.
BOB
Breakfast is up!
The girls run over and he plates some eggs and sliced fruit
for each. Christiane grabs her own plate and does the same.
CHRISTIANE
Thank you Bob.
16.
BOB
My pleasure. Is the maestro up yet?
CHRISTIANE
What do you think?
They share a little laugh as Bob places bananas and wrapped
sandwiches into three lunchboxes for the kids.
BOB
Well, since he's up so early when
we're filming and stays up so late,
I suppose he deserves some dream-
time in between. What about you?
How’s the latest?
CHRISTIANE
Coming along. I’m really working on
capturing the light. Would you like
to see it?
BOB
Very much. I have a lot to get done
this morning, but it’ll be my
reward at lunchtime.
CHRISTIANE
It’s so wonderful having you back
for this one. How’s the family
getting settled?
BOB
Good, good. I mean it’s not New
York, but it has its charms.
Stan says you may become permanent
settlers.
CHRISTIANE
I think so this time. It's really
everything we want. Beautiful,
quiet…
BOB
Rainy…
CHRISTIANE
New York’s rainy!
BOB
Different type of rain. The rain
here is so… British.
17.
CHRISTIANE
(Laughing)
Right, instead of cats and dogs it
rains bangers and mash.
BOB
Something like that.
CHRISTIANE
You boys still working on the
cabinet?
BOB
Yes indeed.
CHRISTIANE
Can you imagine having every day of
your life poured over and filed
away like that?
BOB
Me, no. But given who you’re
hitched to... who knows. Give it a
couple hundred years and someone
will probably have you both
dissected on little notecards too.
CHRISTIANE
(Laughing)
Strangely, I bet you’re right. He’s
really cementing his place, isn’t
he?
BOB
One of the greats.
CHRISTIANE
One of the greats.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
7 -
Morning Routine at the Kubrick Estate
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - MORNING
Bob enters with a leather side bag draped on his shoulder,
opens it as he moves to the bookshelf and returns a few
Napoleon books. Searching, he finds the next needed volumes
and carefully places them in his bag.
Moving to a wooden file card cabinet, he takes out a stack
of notecards from his bag and methodically opens some of the
tiny drawers. He sifts through the cards and places them in
the proper locations.
18.
On them are written dates in the late 1700s and early 1800s,
names of those in Napoleon's orbit (Josephine, Nelson,
Barras, etc.), and short descriptions of what happened that
day in the life of the subject; where they traveled,
conversations had, details of battles fought...
After closing the final drawer, he looks around the room and
lets out a large sigh. It’s going to be another very long
day. He moves to a chess board, which is arranged mid-game,
considers it for a moment then moves a white knight with a
satisfied grin. Ha, who is he kidding. He never wins.
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD/ BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - MORNING
Bob exits the expansive late 19th Century Victorian Mansion
and traces across the sprawling grounds to the OLD HORSE
STABLES, which have been converted into a BUSINESS OFFICE,
with red-painted barn exterior intact.
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - MORNING
A golden retriever pants on a dog bed in the corner. Several
over-worked research assistants also pant as they work at
desks, talk on phones, examine books and letters, and type.
Among them is ANDROS EPAMINONDAS, 25, a man of boundless
enthusiasm. Bob stumbles in, pretending his bag is the
heaviest thing he’s ever carried. He “struggles” to lift it
and lets it fall with a thud on the desk in front of Andros.
BOB
I feel like Sisyphus.
ANDROS
“It’s been a hard day’s night, and
I’ve been working like a dog!”
JOHN LENNON wrote to us! Well, Mr.
Kubrick. Says he watches 2001 every
week. Can’t get enough. He wants to
set up a meeting about making a
Lord of the Rings film!
BOB
Lord of the Rings?
ANDROS
I don’t get it either, but there
you are. Meet the Beatles! Now,
this is exciting to me.
BOB
I can see that. File it away I
guess.
19.
Andros places a blank paper over the letter and traces
Lennon's signature. Bob grabs a French Napoleon biography
out of his bag and hands it to another researcher who
wearily accepts.
BOB (CONT'D)
You’re on French duty today, Brian.
BRIAN
(sighing disappointedly)
...Magnifique.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
8 -
A Playful Morning in the Studio
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
Stanley sleepily groans at the 12:09pm on the clock radio.
INT. KUBRICK BATHROOM - AFTERNOON
He lathers, rinses and talks to himself.
STANLEY
Start with his teddy bear... end
with it too? Is that too Citizen
Kane? Is there such a thing as TOO
Kane?... And Russia...must ask
Felix about the horses.
Horses...horses... can Ian Holm
even ride a horse?... Who the hell
is Bondarchuk going to get for...
He exits the shower and Napoleon hands him a towel.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Merci.
INT. CHRISTIANE’S STUDIO - AFTERNOON
Christiane paints a beautiful floral bouquet. Stanley
appears in the doorway behind and admires quietly.
CHRISTIANE
I can feel your stare.
STANLEY
It's lovely. I really must feature
your work in my own sometime.
CHRISTIANE
I'll give you a reasonable price.
He chuckles.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
Didn't you wear that yesterday?
20.
He looks down at his patented button up shirt, loose black
jacket and baggy pants. Who cares what he looks like?
STANLEY
Hm? Oh, I don't know.
CHRISTIANE
Stanley, we have money, yet you
insist on dressing like a balloon
vendor! I swear, you'd be happy
with eight tape recorders and one
pair of pants.
STANLEY
I... can't refute you on that.
CHRISTIANE
(Laughing)
Jan called when you were still
sleeping, by the way. They're doing
well. Exhausted, but trudging
along.
STANLEY
Well, they're sending back
excellent work. Andrew produced
some amazing reference shots from
Versailles. Your brother's no
slouch either, but Andrew really
has an eye for it.
CHRISTIANE
I'm sure he's thrilled for the
chance to show off for you. They
all admire you greatly, you know?
I'm not quite sure you realize the
affect you have on people.
STANLEY
Tell that to Kent Hamlin at MGM.
He'd just as soon have a noose
around my neck. Thankfully, I've
got O'Brien eating out of the palm
of my hand...
Bob approaches briskly from the hall.
BOB
There she is.
CHRISTIANE
Hi Bob. What do you think?
21.
BOB
(Earnestly)
Magnifique! Really beautiful,
Chris. You're really capturing the
light. Sorry, but I have to steal
him.
CHRISTIANE
Take him. And see if you can get
him to buy some new clothes.
He looks at Stanley's outfit and, seeing nothing abnormal,
gives him a sniff. They shrug at each other as she shakes
her head with a smile.
Genres:
["Drama","Biographical"]
Ratings
Scene
9 -
Rallying the Team
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - AFTERNOON
Stanley and Bob exit down the stairs of the mansion and
stroll the grounds. As they talk, Stanley reaches into Bob’s
front shirt pocket, takes out a pack of cigarettes, removes
and lights one before returning the pack. Bob is unfazed. It
happens often.
STANLEY
Did you move?
BOB
Yes. Uh, Knight to Queen 3.
STANLEY
(Smiling)
You fell for my gambit. I’ll have
you mated in four moves.
BOB
I don’t doubt it. So, there's
something you need to know.
STANLEY
You don't usually preface, Bob.
What's going on?
BOB
We lost two researchers. About an
hour ago.
STANLEY
You can't find them?
BOB
You know what I mean. Henry was
working the cabinet cards one
second, then he just... snapped.
(MORE)
22.
BOB (CONT'D)
Screamed some bullshit about it
being pointless and that we're
wasting our time and no one needs
this many details, then he stormed
out. We were all shell shocked,
just stood there. Then Brian, that
asshole, just calmly stood up and
left after him.
STANLEY
Huh.
BOB
Yeah. I think maybe... it's just
been a lot. It's been a long
stretch, Stan, and some of em in
there are losing sight.
STANLEY
Come...
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - AFTERNOON
The men enter and the researchers all stand as a sign of
respect.
STANLEY
I hear we had a disruption today. A
defection. Jarring, to be sure. I
want you all to know that the work
you are doing here is vital. Equal
to my own. Well, close to. And it
is my hope that you are getting
something from it as well. When our
endeavor is complete, it will be
your efforts up there on the
screen. Take pride in that. Own it.
And, due to our personnel loss
today, redouble those efforts.
Questions?
Andros begins to raise the Lennon letter but lowers it again
when shot a head shake from Bob.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Very well. You're doing wonderful
work. I appreciate your continued
service. Now, I'll let you
continue.
He places a hand on Bob's shoulder then exits.
23.
BOB
Alright, you heard the maestro.
Let's make some music.
The researchers get back to work in a flurry of activity.
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE FRONT - AFTERNOON
EMILO D’ALESSANDRO, 27, a steadfast and kind factotum with a
slight Italian accent, polishes one of Stanley's cars and
straightens up as he sees him pass.
EMILIO
Good afternoon there, Mr. Kubrick!
Stanley heads over to Emilio and shakes his hand.
STANLEY
You’re my new driver, correct?
EMILIO
Yes sir. Emilio D’Alessandro.
STANLEY
Call me Stanley. Now, Emilio,
prior to this, you were a race car
driver, were you not? Formula one
from my understanding.
EMILIO
(surprised he knows this)
Yes sir!
STANLEY
Stanley. Now, do you follow the
rules of the road, Emilio? The
street signs? The speed limits?
EMILIO
Certainly, Mr. Kubrick, I...
STANLEY
Stanley.
EMILIO
Stanley. Sorry. I am not a race car
driver in the streets by any means.
They’d take away my license in a
heartbeat anyway.
STANLEY
Good, good. Though I admit I prefer
NOT to venture out too frequently.
Everything I need, I have here.
(MORE)
24.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
You may not be very busy... say,
Emilio, do you have any interest in
the art of writing?
EMILIO
Writing? I've never really thought
about...
STANLEY
Good writing always starts with
research...
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery"]
Ratings
Scene
10 -
Balancing Act
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - AFTERNOON
Emilio plops down at a desk with an imposing stack of books
in front of him and Bob places a hand on his shoulder.
BOB
Welcome to the War Room! Did he
grill you?
EMILIO
Grill me?
BOB
Stan has this thing he likes to do
with new people. Just barrages them
with questions. Catches them off
guard. Puts em on the back foot.
Sees how they respond.
EMILIO
Oh, no. He did know about me
though. It was nice he took the
time.
BOB
He vets people. You're here for a
reason, Emilio. We all are.
Andros waves to him as Emilio smiles and opens one of the
books.
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE POOL AREA - NIGHT
The Kubrick girls splash and swim in the large pool as their
parents boil in the hot tub, siping glasses of wine.
STANLEY
I'm sure Bondarchuk isn't losing
men.
25.
CHRISTIANE
It's a lovely night, Stanley, must
you torture yourself right now?
STANLEY
I'm behind. I feel it. Even with
everything we're doing, I still
haven't cracked him. And the clock
is ticking. MGM is releasing the
press release tomorrow announcing
that Napoleon is my next feature.
And I still need to write the
script. I need to start production.
I need to release first. I need...
CHRISTIANE
You NEED to relax. I've never seen
a man so tense in a hot tub... What
if you took a break?
STANLEY
I can't take a day off. I'm
already...
CHRISTIANE
Not a day. I mean a break from
Napoleon all together. Have them
delay the press release. Focus on
something else. Another project.
Another film. Something smaller.
Something that feels less personal.
STANLEY
That's...
CHRISTIANE
Everything will still be there when
you return to it. Everything you've
put in. But you'll come back
refreshed. With fresh eyes.
STANLEY
I... I can't even fathom... I'm in
it now. THIS is the thing. THIS is
the project. You're asking me to
take a break from breathing. And
Bondarchuk will...
CHRISTIANE
Since when have you ever allowed
another man to dictate what you do
with your films? Look, it's an
idea. Sleep on it. But spend the
rest of the night with ME.
26.
They kiss and when they separate, between their heads,
standing outside the hot tub, are Napoleon's boots.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
11 -
A Battle of Minds and Merriment
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - NIGHT
The illuminated bedside clock reads 12:38am. Christiane lays
face down on the bed as her nude figure rises and falls with
each gentle snore. Stanley, his button up shirt already on,
pulls up his baggy trousers, leans over to kiss her sleeping
shoulder blade then quietly exits the room.
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - NIGHT
A giant print of a Napoleonic war painting fills one wall.
Stanley enters, his hair sticking up messily in many
directions, and stands at the center of the painting. The
sounds of battle cry out through the air. Shots fired.
Horses stomping. People yelling, charging and dying.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. FORMER BATTLEFIELD - DAY
The battle sounds slowly die down, replaced by the calm of
dawn. Stanley stands upon a hill in the distance,
silhouetted by the brilliance of sunrise.
He strokes his beard, then pulls a director’s viewfinder to
his eye and surveys the former battlefield before him. Then
Napoleon steps forward, brings a spyglass telescope to his
eye and extends it to its full length. The two, in profile,
gaze through their respective lenses, off to an unseen
horizon. After a beat, Stanley lowers his viewfinder and
Napoleon follows suit. The Emperor winks at the Director who
slowly nods back. He's made up his mind to continue.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - DAY
"1969" hangs in a clear blue sky. Jazz music plays as the
sun blazes over the expansive backyard which hosts a huge
party. A banner reads "WELCOME HOME 'TROOPS'".
Groups of partygoers are partygoing around. Katharina
awkwardly flirts with an older boy. The younger Kubrick
girls chase other kids around as Emilio drives the grill.
The researchers and groups of family friends play yard
games.
27.
Bob, Christiane, her brother JAN HARLAN, 32, serious-minded,
confident and German, and ANDREW BIRKIN, 24, ambitions,
sarcastic and brash, laugh at the antics of the actor PETER
SELLERS, 44.
BOB
Maybe you should play Bonaparte,
Peter.
CHRISTIANE
Oh, yes! You've already got the
Clouseau voice.
Sellers instantly drops to his knees and thrusts his hand
into the front of his jacket.
SELLERS
(Mock French accent)
Shock Le Bleu! Ne-vur have I seen
such a soirée before!
The group laugh as Napoleon walks up behind Sellers, aims an
18th century pistol at the back of the kneeling actor’s head
and fires to no effect. Stanley smiles as he watches from a
picnic table before Andros, sitting opposite, thrusts his
head into his line of sight.
ANDROS
Now, Ringo, I’m sure, would be a
hobbit. He looks like a little
hobbit. John, maybe the Wizard. Or
George…he seems like a Wizard.
Paul, an elf? He’s the cute one. Or
I dunno maybe they’re all hobbits.
Your choice I'm sure, Mr. Kubrick.
STANLEY
Everyone calls me Stanley, Andros.
You don't need to...
ANDROS
I could never, sir. I admire you
too...
STANLEY
Checkmate.
Andros stands and angles his view around the board.
ANDROS
Wait. Wait. If I… my bishop
here…no, damn.
Napoleon now stands behind Stanley, hands on his shoulders.
28.
NAPOLEON
Another victory.
STANLEY
Maybe next time, Andros.
He pulls a pen and small black notebook from his pocket and
writes.
ANDROS
So, anyway, do you think you’ll
meet with them? Mr. Lennon's been
writing every few months. Well,
writing back to me. They're still
keen. I think it could be really…
He is not paying any attention, focused on what he’s
writing. Andros gets the hint.
ANDROS (CONT'D)
We’ll talk about it later maybe…
I’m going to… yeah…
Andros walks away and happily joins another group of
partygoers. The top of the notebook page reads “Andros” as
Stanley writes a row of chess notations from memory,
detailing each move from the game just played. In a side
margin he scribbles "Beatle thing?"
NAPOLEON
Now, where were we?
He takes out another notebook and flips to a bookmarked page
labeled “The Egyptian Campaign”
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
Ah yes, Egypt. Many a sight
unseeable in Paris. As my troops
pummeled the Mamelukes, I had Denon
sketching the battle. Excellent
work, I kept them and looked back
fondly…
STANLEY
(Taking notes)
Now, it was there that Junot
revealed his account of Josephine’s
infidelity with Captain Charles.
Napoleon walks off and Stanley pockets the notebook as he
follows. They march through the yard, away from the guests.
29.
NAPOLEON
He first wrote of it to me in an
anonymous letter in Milan, of which
he denied knowledge.
STANLEY
Right, but it was there that he
confessed to actually hearing the
coupling.
NAPOLEON
Correct. From his adjoining room.
STANLEY
And, now, this was the turning
point in how you viewed... I mean
your letters to her prior were
flowery and passionate…
NAPOLEON
(Quoting a letter to
Josephine)
“By what magic have you captivated
all my faculties, concentrated in
yourself all my existence? It is a
kind of death, my darling, since
there is no survival for me except
in you.”
STANLEY
And you felt that...
NAPOLEON
At the time, very deeply.
STANLEY
Yet you yourself were no stranger
to adultery…
NAPOLEON
What of it? A brief transaction on
a couch, requiring only a few
moments of privacy.
STANLEY
But for her to… it was a betrayal.
NAPOLEON
While a man may want a slut for his
mistress, he does not want her for
his wife.
Stanley stops walking, pulls a hand held tape recorder out
of his pocket and dictates.
30.
STANLEY
(Dictating)
“While a man may want a slut for
his mistress, he does not want her
for his wife”
CHRISTIANE
(O.S)
Excuse me?!
He turns to see Christiane has approached from behind with a
friend, CONNIE. Napoleon is gone.
STANLEY
Merely a quote, gathered in my
research. He had such a complex…
(To Connie)
Apologies for the lewdness.
CHRISTIANE
Stanley's working on a Napoleon
film. Even during parties
apparently…
STANLEY
Right, yes, I’ll rejoin the
merriment.
CHRISTIANE
This is Connie. Her kids go to
school with Viv and Anya.
CONNIE
Yeah, they’re somewhere around
here. Probably hassling your dogs.
They’re nuts about dogs.
STANLEY
Now that I can understand. Pleased
to meet you, Connie. I’m Stanley.
They shake hands, then start walking back to the party.
CONNIE
Thank you for having us. You have
such a lovely home. I’m sure George
would love to, George is my
husband, I’m sure he’d love to talk
film with you. He’s a massive fan.
Not that I’m not, it’s just he’s a
massive fan.
31.
STANLEY
I’d be happy to talk film with
George.
CONNIE
Oh, he’ll be thrilled. He’s quite
taken with Peter Sellers over there
as well.
STANLEY
One of the most gifted comedic
performers I’ve ever encountered.
On Strangelove I had to bite a
handkerchief to stop myself from
ruining takes with laughter.
Connie chuckles. They hear the kids yelling from off in the
distance. Christiane’s ears perk up and she shouts to them…
CHRISTIANE
Girls! Stop that right now!
(To Connie)
Excuse me…
She hustles off leaving Connie and Stanley strolling. He
begins his barrage of new-person grilling...
STANLEY
Tell me, Connie, what do you think
of Dostoevsky?
CONNIE
Dostoevsky?
STANLEY
Mmm…
CONNIE
Well, I uh, suppose I don’t think
of him much at all.
STANLEY
Hm. How do you feel about the
monarchy?
CONNIE
Oh, pointless. I mean I know
they’re just a meaningless
figurehead, but we’re paying for
all that crap. They say they bring
in as much money through tourism
and all that but I don’t know
anyone, none of my friends anyway,
that care for them. Stuffy, inbred…
32.
STANLEY
Do you think Russia will ever use
the bomb?
CONNIE
Um. I hope not. I hope it wouldn’t
be here at least, but...
STANLEY
What’s the greatest film you’ve
ever seen?
CONNIE
Uh, one of yours? Ha, no uh sorry,
probably Gone With The Wind?
I think Clark Gable…
STANLEY
Ford or Ferrari?
CONNIE
I don’t really…
STANLEY
Do you think Apollo will make it,
Connie? How do you feel about NASA
being built on the back of Nazis?
CONNIE
Oh, I hadn’t heard that. That's
shocking... I hope those men make
it though. I can’t imagine my
husband going…
STANLEY
Any filmmakers in your family?
CONNIE
No.
STANLEY
Christiane’s uncle was a filmmaker.
CONNIE
Oh that’s great, you must have a
lot in common.
STANLEY
He made propaganda for Goebbels.
CONNIE
Oh god…
33.
STANLEY
Got off. Following orders. Lovely
family actually.
CONNIE
I…
STANLEY
What’s your favorite gun?
As they approach the partygoers...
BOB
I'm just saying it must have been
nice jet-setting around for months
while we did all the work.
ANDREW
What can I say? I guess he just
likes me better. You're working out
of a horse barn, right?
SELLERS
Boys, boys, I'm sure daddy loves
you both.
CONNIE
George!
He sees his wife with Stanley and runs over.
CONNIE (CONT'D)
Stanley, George. George, Stanley.
I’m gonna get a drink.
(Quietly to George)
Good luck.
She hustles off as George enthusiastically shakes Stanley's
hand.
GEORGE
Wow, Mr. Kubrick. This is an honor.
Lolita is my favorite film.
STANLEY
Good, good. Stay away from the
girls then.
GEORGE
Huh? Oh, ha! That's dark.
STANLEY
Now, George, tell me, what do you
think of Dostoevsky?
34.
GEORGE
Uhhh…
Genres:
["Historical Drama","Biographical"]
Ratings
Scene
12 -
A Night of Laughter and Uncertainty
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - NIGHT - LATER
Most guests are gone. Stanley, Christiane, Sellers, Andros,
Jan, Andrew, Bob, and Emilio sit at a picnic table.
STANLEY
It will be extraordinary. Imagine
the irony of having a British team
shooting off fireworks right here
for the 4th of July. Now THAT will
be a party.
The group laughs.
ANDREW
Oh shit, I've got something funny.
So, we’re touring the Palace of
Versailles... can I tell this
story?
JAN
Must we?
CHRISTIANE
Now we have to hear it.
SELLERS
Oh pretty please.
JAN
Ja gern. I suppose it's worth the
laugh.
ANDREW
Alright! So, there’s this... stick-
up-her-ass, chip-on-her-shoulder…
JAN
Hoity-toity...
ANDREW
Right, and she had to show us
around and there was nothing she
could do because Jan sorted out all
the papers.
JAN
She hated us.
(MORE)
35.
JAN (CONT'D)
(To Stanley)
Hated you.
STANLEY
What did I do?
JAN
She wasn’t too keen on what Paths
of Glory had to say about the
French military.
Napoleon pops his head in.
NAPOLEON
Pardon? What are you saying about
the French military?
STANLEY
Not yours.
ANDREW
So anyway, she’s guiding us around,
room to room, and then we’re in
this vast ballroom. I’m taking
stills, Jan's running 35 mil.
JAN
Oh Gott...
ANDREW
When out of nowhere comes the
loudest, longest trump I’ve ever
heard.
Everyone laughs.
ANDROS
You... in a palace?
JAN
Alright, alright. In my defense, I
didn’t know how escargot would
affect my system.
SELLERS
Pardon me, madam, the snails seem
to have got the better of me.
Laughs all around.
ANDREW
Did I mention it echoed?
36.
More laughs.
JAN
Yes, yes, urkomisch...hilarious...
regardless, it was an incredibly
fruitful trip.
STANLEY
Oh, unquestionably so. Andrew, your
photos alone were breathtaking.
ANDREW
Thanks. That means a lot. And, we
come bearing gifts.
JAN
Ja, Indeed!
Andrew reaches into a side bag, pulls out an 8x11" package
wrapped in plain brown paper, tied in twine, and hands it
over to Stanley. He looks to Bob, "see what I got daddy".
STANLEY
(Noting the wrapping)
Trip to the butchers I see.
Rectangular cut?
ANDREW
Oh, it’s plenty meaty.
He unwraps the gift revealing the bound pages of a script.
The cover page reads:
WATERLOO
Screenplay by
Sergei Bondarchuk
H.A.L Craig
Vittorio Bonicelli
and
Mario Soldati
SHOOTING DRAFT
STANLEY
(Stunned)
How?
ANDREW
Right place, right time.
37.
JAN
We liberated it from one of their
oblivious gophers. Poor soul must
have got quite the reaming.
ANDREW
Figured it would help negate any
unnecessary redundancies.
STANLEY
They're not... already filming?
JAN
I thought you knew...
Stanley is shaken, but tries not to show it as he lights a
cigarette. Christiane sees the issue instantly and squeezes
his shoulder for support.
STANLEY
Well... well done gentlemen. An
extraordinary act of piracy... if,
uh... you'll excuse me a moment...
He squeezes Christiane's hand then traces off down the lawn.
BOB
Sounds like you all had quite the
adventure.
JAN
A lot of fun. A lot of work. A lot
of instructions and struggling to
get it all right.
BOB
So, a Stanley Kubrick production.
JAN
Every inch.
Andrew looks at his side bag.
ANDREW
Oh, Stanley, wait up!
He jogs off to catch up with Stanley.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
13 -
The Ring's Allure
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE SIDE - NIGHT
Stanley smokes and walks towards the front of the property
with Napoleon tracking behind. Andrew catches up.
38.
STANLEY
Unbelievable...
ANDREW
Yeah. You sure know how to throw a
party.
STANLEY
Hm.
ANDREW
So... I have myself a bit of a
problem.
STANLEY
Hm? Oh. Well, Andrew, I’m nothing
if not a solver of problems.
ANDREW
Right. Now, don’t be mad. I was
able to get my hands on something
quite special.
STANLEY
Go on.
ANDREW
A ring. His ring.
Stanley stops and Andrew follows suit.
STANLEY
Authenticated?
ANDREW
Absolutely.
Stanley pats him on the back.
STANLEY
Now, that's something old
Bondarchuk doesn't have. Top notch,
Andrew. Let’s see it.
ANDREW
Ok. Now, don’t be mad…
He takes his hand out of his pocket revealing Napoleon’s
ring on his finger.
NAPOLEON
How dare he, that’s ours.
39.
STANLEY
Figured you play emperor for the
day?
ANDREW
It’s stuck.
STANLEY
Stuck?
ANDREW
Yeah, I’ve tried…
He pulls at it but it won’t budge over the knuckle. Stanley
grabs his hand and yanks at it...
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Oww!
Stanley fixes his stare on the ring with Gollum-like
intensity and strokes his beard.
STANLEY
Come...
Genres:
["Historical Fiction","Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
14 -
Shears of Tension
INT. KUBRICK ESTATE GARAGE - NIGHT
The garage doors roar up, letting the men in. The space has
been largely converted into an editing suite with monitors,
film splicing equipment, etc. In one corner is a section of
garden tools. Stanley closes the garage doors behind them.
ANDREW
Do you have some sort of special
lubricant… I didn’t use anything
because I didn’t wanna risk
tarnishing…
STANLEY
I have something somewhere. Take a
seat.
Andrew sits at the edit bay and rubs the ring as Stanley
digs through some toolboxes behind him.
ANDREW
This is some set up. It's so
convenient having everything right
here. I'd love if you'd walk me
through everything...
STANLEY
Of course. The edit is most
enjoyable.
(MORE)
40.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
The research and the edit. Shame we
have to go through the headache of
shooting the damn thing in between…
if it didn't take so damn long to
make a, well at least for me to
make a film...It's such a burden to
get everything just right...ah,
here we are.
Andrew spins around just as Stanley pulls out a large pair
of hand held GARDEN SHEARS.
NAPOLEON
Now we’re talking.
ANDREW
Ha, that's...
Stanley isn't laughing as he walks slowly towards him,
clipping the shears together. Andrew bolts up.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
Hey, whoa...
STANLEY
We all suffer for our art, Andrew.
Andrew runs around to the other side of the garage, not sure
what the obsessive director is capable of.
ANDREW
Stanley, come on, stop messing
around...
STANLEY
Consider it the first cut of the
film.
Napoleon looks on with manic glee as Stanley circles,
snapping the shears open and closed, his own eyes filled
with mania as well.
ANDREW
You can't honestly… stop looking at
me like that...
STANLEY
I can do whatever I want.
Andrew's cornered...
ANDREW
What the hell's gotten into you...
41.
STANLEY
You're scared...
ANDREW
Fuck yes I’m scared! I know how far
you go to...
STANLEY
You’re sweating…
ANDREW
Fuckin’ A I am!
STANLEY
Thus, your hands are sweating,
Andrew. Simply pull it off.
Still brimming with adrenaline, he looks down at his
shaking, sweaty hand, grabs the ring, twists it around and
works it off his finger. It falls to the floor and rolls to
Stanley's feet. He scoops it up, tosses it in the air and
catches. Napoleon claps as he admires the ring.
NAPOLEON
Bravo!
STANLEY
It’s a very nice piece.
ANDREW
Jesus Christ, Stanley!
STANLEY
I solve problems, Andrew. It’s what
I do.
Andrew bends over and catches his breath. When he
straightens himself, he's laughing.
ANDREW
Goddamn, you had me. My future
flashed before me as Captain Hook.
STANLEY
Well, rest assured I probably would
have never done it.
ANDREW
Probably?
Genres:
["Drama","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
15 -
Reflections of Caesar
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE GARAGE - NIGHT
ANDREW
Oh, one more thing…
42.
He opens his side bag to pull out another wrapped box that's
a bit heavy and hands it over.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
I’m glad I never got this stuck on
or you’d have chopped off my head.
Stanley opens the box. We don't see contents yet.
NAPOLEON
Surely Caesar would have seen this
as a bad omen.
ANDREW
His death mask, well a replica.
Stanley stares silently down at the mask with melancholy.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
What’s wrong? I thought you’d love
it. It’s not exactly the kind of
gift that’s easy to return.
STANLEY
I do love it. It’s just with...
nevermind. Thank you, Andrew.
Truly.
ANDREW
Of course. Well, I’m gonna go back
and find Jan. He'll be relieved
about the ring. He almost killed me
too. You coming?
He continues to stare at the mask.
STANLEY
I’ll be along.
Andrew heads out, chuckling to himself.
ANDREW
Crazy son of a bitch.
It is now just Stanley and Napoleon, standing in what feels
like a cold and bleak night.
NAPOLEON
Well, let’s have a look.
He tilts the box to show Napoleon.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
No, do it proper…
43.
Stanley lifts the death mask out, allowing the box to fall
to the ground, then brings it to his face. He now stands
alone, his face visaged by the Emperor's own, with Napoleon
nowhere in sight. His voice echoes in the air...
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
(O.S.)
You’re a natural.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
16 -
Creative Tensions in Stanley's Study
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - DAY
The death mask now hangs on the wall of the study as Stanley
paces the room with a frantic energy and flips through
highlighted pages of Bondarchuk's Waterloo script. Getting
an idea, he throws it down, pulls a book from the shelf,
tears out a page, brings it to his typewriter and pounds the
keys. "Symphony No. 3 in E Flat, Op. 55 ‘Eroica’: 1. Allegro
con brio” blares from the record player. Napoleon dances and
spins around to the music as Kubrick furiously types.
STANLEY
Yes! Yes, this'll get him! He's
focusing on the wrong... the fool!
NAPOLEON
What music is this? It’s grand.
STANLEY
Hm? Oh, a bit of the old Ludwig
van. He wrote it about you.
NAPOLEON
Me? Well of course he did! He
clearly was no slouch.
STANLEY
No! Dammit! That's too similar to
Gance...
He crumples and tosses his typed page
STANLEY (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
He retitled it, by the way, and
removed the dedication in 1804 when
you crowned yourself emperor. Not
everyone can abide a man such as
yourself.
NAPOLEON
That petulant… I found the crown
laying in the gutter! I simply
picked it up… Oh, this is garbage
really. Now that I’m hearing it.
Dreadful noise.
44.
STANLEY
It helps me think. You see, the
battles shall play like vast,
lethal ballets. Like grandiose
music. Now, combine that, contrast
it, with the sordid reality, the
brutality of it, the human
consequence, and we’ll have
something special. Attractive
atrocities.
NAPOLEON
The only atrocities were my
defeats.
STANLEY
There’s something fascinating about
being simultaneously repulsed and
compelled. Your life has it all.
All the elements of a superb story.
Glamour, betrayal, sex, death,
power...
NAPOLEON
You had me at sex…
STANLEY
Other productions have shied away
from the sex. We’ll embrace it.
NAPOLEON
And the power… I must be seen for
what I am. The most powerful figure
to have ever stomped this earth.
STANLEY
I warn you, I won't shy away from
that arrogance either.
NAPOLEON
Arrogance is only ambition
misunderstood.
STANLEY
Ambition overreached, perhaps.
Never coming to fruition.
NAPOLEON
I bent the world to my will,
Kubrick. I shaped the very world
you have today.
45.
STANLEY
Yet there is but a single word that
the world of today associates most
with your name...
NAPOLEON
...Emperor? ...Champion?
Stanley picks up the Bondarchuk script and points to the
title. WATERLOO.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
Poppycock. Whose side are you on
anyway?
STANLEY
I’m... agnostic.
NAPOLEON
Bullshit.
STANLEY
I'm not trying to tell my audience
what to think. I want to show you
as you are, unbiased, and let them
decide what to make of you.
NAPOLEON
It’s a coward who sits on the
fence.
STANLEY
It's simply that the world has more
than one dimension. We’ll do bad
things with good intentions and
vise versa. It's my endeavor to
show more than just the things you
did but your reasoning behind them.
NAPOLEON
And YOU know my reasoning? YOU can
grasp the truth of me because
you...
STANLEY
Because I...
NAPOLEON
...Tell me. Stanley. Do you LIKE
me?
He sits back and strokes his beard, considering the question
but his train of thought is quickly interrupted by a shout
from the hall.
46.
DAVID
(O.S)
Stanley!
KUBRICK
Study!
DAVID WALKER enters in a bluster and throws a large
portfolio down on the desk. Costume illustrations pour out
featuring women in elegant Empire line dresses, breasts
exposed.
DAVID
I’m done.
STANLEY
You’ve finished all the, um…
DAVID
I am done with this production! I
am tired of being your personal
pornographer. I design for the
ballet. I design for the opera.
STANLEY
This was quite an operatic period,
David. The dresses must...
DAVID
Everyday it’s breasts. Draw more
breasts. They aren’t spilling out
right, David. Draw more breasts.
This one’s too fat, David.
Draw more breasts.
STANLEY
It was the fashion of the day,
David. This is for Barras’s salon.
It’s Napoleon’s introduction to the
decadence of the elite. They have
to be perfect.
DAVID
Then draw them yourself!
He storms to the door then turns back.
DAVID (CONT'D)
No more breasts!
He exits in a huff. Stanley leafs through the illustrations
as Napoleon looks over his shoulder.
47.
NAPOLEON
Nice tits.
STANLEY
Quite.
Genres:
["Historical Drama","Biographical"]
Ratings
Scene
17 -
A Break from Stress
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - DAY
Bob approaches Andrew as he sits, feet propped, eating an
apple, reading a biography on J.M. Barrie.
BOB
That's not one of ours.
ANDREW
Fuckin' A, Bob. I'm on break.
BOB
Whoa, I'm just busting chops.
(trying to connect)
So do you... uh... oh! Did you see
that there's a new Bond flick
coming out?
ANDREW
Yeah, no Connery! What the hell?
BOB
Right? How are they gonna
replace... oh shit! Did you hear
that Stan's been thinking about
giving Napoleon a Scottish accent?
ANDREW
What??
BOB
He said the French will have
English accents and Napoleon will
be Scottish because it sounds more
working class and he was from
Corsica. And he still wants to set
him apart.
ANDREW
But... why? That'll just be
confusing.
BOB
Yeah. I don't know. He doesn't
think people want to hear French
accents for three hours.
48.
ANDREW
Ha! Still, he's doing all this to
get everything perfect and then
he's gonna do that?
BOB
His brain is just different. If I
could climb in there... I mean he's
a genius. I'd loot the place.
ANDREW
Man... you sure he's not just, uh
"busting chops?"
BOB
Yeah. I mean I don't think so.
Huh...
ANDREW
Sounds like you got got.
BOB
That's not... whatever, what was my
point...Oh, all I'm saying is,
Connery's available... Can you
imagine?
ANDREW
(mock Scottish)
Ha! Jo-SHA-phine, my name'sh
BONDaparte, James BONDaparte.
They laugh loudly then Andrew notices that Bob's several
days unshowered.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
How you holding up? You're looking
kinda... ripe...
Bob sniffs himself.
BOB
I'm good. Fine. Tired. Stan's been
pulling his hair out. Makes things
stressful.
ANDREW
Yeah. Hey, you been pulling your
hair out too? I'm seeing this bald
spot...
BOB
(laughing)
Shut up.
49.
ANDREW
No, no, really, right there. Bob
pattern baldness.
BOB
(with a chuckle)
I'm going back to work.
He fusses with his hair as he goes to join Andros.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
18 -
Tension and Tenderness in the Kitchen
INT. KUBRICK KITCHEN - NIGHT
Christiane washes dishes, Stanley dries them.
STANLEY
It's ridiculous!
CHRISTIANE
Not everyone's cut out for...
STANLEY
He's meant to be a professional.
Preliminary costume tests are
supposed to happen next month. Now
they must be postponed. Ian Holm's
taken two months of riding lessons,
now he's moving on to another
project because he can't wait
around forever. Hamlin's calling
from MGM every other day,
practically deranged...
CHRISTIANE
Stanley.
STANLEY
What... what do I do?
CHRISTIANE
Take a BREAK, my love. The universe
is telling you that this isn't the
right time. Listen.
STANLEY
The universe? No, we have an
understanding, the universe and I.
CHRISTIANE
Let's just pack up and go to New
York. See everyone. A month, maybe.
STANLEY
A month?!
50.
CHRISTIANE
A real break. Relax, read. Maybe
see if anything catches your eye
that you'd rather...
STANLEY
It's off the table, Christiane. I
have too much invested. Have spent
too much time and energy to
simply... you can do what you
please.
CHRISTIANE
You've read hundreds of books on
him, Stanley. Have thousands of
notes. Tens of thousands of photos
about it all. Your treatment is
Sixty-nine pages for god's sake.
It's basically a biography onto
itself. But you still haven't
written the script. Doesn't that
tell you something?
STANLEY
It's all just facts. It's
mechanical. I need to get to the
emotional. The core of him. The
why. All of those things are pieces
of the puzzle but there's a million
ways to arrange them. A million
pictures they could paint. Yet
there are still pieces missing. And
it has to be there. The truth. I
just need more. The information
will lead to insight. Eventually.
CHRISTIANE
Can we at least do movie night?
Spend some time together without
the French third wheel in the room?
STANLEY
Hm? Oh, I’m actually screening
Gance's film again tonight.
CHRISTIANE
He’s living completely rent free up
there, you know. And that Little
Corporal is a costly tenant.
51.
STANLEY
(Reflectivity and almost
defensively)
"Little Corporal". Come now. He was
only 5’ 2” by French measurement of
the time In reality he was as tall
as me. The very name “Le Petit
Caporal” itself was a term of
endearment from his troops owing to
the fact that he would walk amongst
them and…
He stops when he finds Christiane smiling and shaking her
head at him.
CHRISTIANE
...Rent free.
He half smiles.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
Will I see you before bed?
STANLEY
I’ll do the shorter cut. Around
four hours.
CHRISTIANE
Oh, is that all?
STANLEY
...I'm aware of who I am,
Christiane. And you know who you
married. I need to get this right.
I'm the only one who can.
She puts her arms around him.
CHRISTIANE
Wake me?
They kiss.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
19 -
Intrusion at the Kubrick Estate
INT. KUBRICK SCREENING ROOM - NIGHT
The French national anthem plays from Abel Gance’s 1927
Napoleon film as Napoleon, seated next to Stanley, watches
eagerly and eats popcorn.
NAPOLEON
C’est incroyable.
STANLEY
It’s terrible.
52.
NAPOLEON
Terrible?
STANLEY
It’s well shot and, for the time,
innovative, technically speaking,
but the story, the performances…
it’s a very crude picture.
NAPOLEON
Then, why do you study it?
STANLEY
Just because you don’t like
something, doesn’t mean you can’t
learn something from it.
NAPOLEON
I presume you intend to best it?
On their screen, a cannonball finds its explosive mark.
STANLEY
Blow it out of the water.
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - NIGHT
Stanley kisses the nude shoulder blade of a gently sleeping
Christiane, who wakes, rolls over and finds his lips with
hers. As they passionately embrace, Napoleon sits in a
corner chair, watching them and eating popcorn. The "no
Napoleon in the bedroom" rule has clearly been broken. The
little corporal is indeed living rent free.
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - DAY
A gunshot cracks loudly and the bullet slams into the chest
of a black silhouette paper target attached to a large bale
of hay. Stanley lowers a rifle from his shoulder as,
stationed on either side of him, Jan and Napoleon
simultaneously say...
NAPOLEON & JAN
Nice shot.
Jan lines up his own shot and fires a shoulder hit. Stanley
nods as Napoleon loads an 18th century musket.
STANLEY
I received a fascinating letter
from a fan the other day.
JAN
You must receive many.
53.
STANLEY
Quite a few, yes. I always keep
them, but I rarely reply. This one
however... I'm actually meeting her
tomorrow.
JAN
Her?
STANLEY
Come now Jan. You know that I only
have eyes for your sister.
JAN
I know. I also know where you keep
your guns.
STANLEY
(Chuckling)
Well, this woman is a professor of
Art-History. Wrote me a lovely
letter detailing her appreciation
of Strangelove. And, unbelievably,
she is the first person to have
ever been able to explicitly
articulate the sexual nature of its
structure, from intromission to
last spasm.
JAN
Slim Pickens bucking around on a
falling bomb, this is a ... "spasm"
to you?
STANLEY
Surely you must be aware what the
French call an orgasm...
JAN
"La Petite Mort"...
STANLEY
"The little death". Fitting no? A
complete loss of conscious control
at the end of such a passionate,
boisterous endeavor.
(Jan chuckles)
At any rate, I'm going to plumb her
expertise for a while. Get a feel
for how the art works of the time
may have played a role in shaping
Napoleon's worldview. It's an
entirely unexplored aspect...
54.
INTRUDER
(O.S.)
Excuse me.
The men whip around and come face to face with an intruder
who, seeing the guns, throws his hands up. Napoleon aims and
fires anyway, though his shot, immaterial, has no effect.
INTRUDER (CONT'D)
Oh, hey, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
NAPOLEON
(Unheard but by Kubrick)
Well, come on. Shoot him!
JAN
Who the hell are you? How did you
get in here?
INTRUDER
My name is Tony Jacobson, I’m a
freelance reporter out of Ilford.
Well, tryna be. There’s a hole in
the fence, uh, down that way. I
didn’t mean to… well, I’m looking
for Stanley Kubrick.
NAPOLEON
Some reporter! He doesn’t even know
what you look like.
STANLEY
(to Napoleon)
There are few who do.
JAN
Stanley Kubrick?
INTRUDER
Yes sir, the um, film director. I
had a tip that he lives out here.
JAN
Which somehow gives you the right
to break in and trespass?
INTRUDER
I tried the front gate first. Look,
I’m really sorry, I’m just
desperate to get an interview. My
family needs the bread.
STANLEY
Jan…
55.
Jan grabs him by the shirt collar and hustles him away.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
20 -
A Night of Intrigue and Laughter
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE FRONT GATE - DAY
INTRUDER
Look, I'm really sorry. I just need
a break. My family's going through
a lot. Do you know which house is
his? He doesn't really do
interviews, so if I could land...
Jan hands him 40 pounds.
JAN
Buy your family some food.
INTRUDER
Oh man. Thanks, man.
JAN
Now get the fuck out and don’t come
back.
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - DAY
Napoleon stands beside as Stanley strokes his beard.
NAPOLEON
Merde.
STANLEY
Seconded.
NAPOLEON
What now?
They look up at the massive estate.
STANLEY
We fortify.
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - NIGHT
In the woods behind the home, workers reinforce lengths of
fence while others on ladders install motion activated flood
lights pointing at the yard from the mansion. They flick on
with powerful, blinding spots, finding Stanley and Napoleon
standing central in one looking upwards toward the house.
NAPOLEON
You should really spread a rumor
that you shot the trespasser. No
better security than that.
56.
CUT TO:
INT. BRITISH MUSEUM - DAY
Emilio examines a busty sculpture as Stanley and LEGRACE
BENSON stroll amongst the paintings.
STANLEY
...So I shot him.
LEGRACE
You didn't!
STANLEY
No, I suppose not. Feel free to
tell people that I did, though.
Adds a layer to my mystique.
LEGRACE
Ha! Well, I think your mystique is
plenty layered as it is, Mr.
Kubrick. I'm utterly surprised you
reached out to meet me.
STANLEY
I appreciate intelligence.
LEGRACE
(laughing)
Well, you must have many who seek
your company for that very same
reason.
STANLEY
I didn't invite you here to stroke
my ego, Dr. Benson. I want to pick
your brain on some matters of art
history in relation to my upcoming
production, but first, I must
ask... what do you think of
Dostoevsky?
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE FRONT - AFTERNOON
Andrew, Andros, Jan and Bob toss a football around the yard.
ANDROS
... I'm just still not really clear
about what a producer actually
does.
57.
ANDREW
Depends really. Mostly they bitch
about money.
ANDROS
That's a job?
BOB
He's kidding. Well, kinda. They
basically run the show. Pitch
projects, gather talent, get
investors, coordinate with studios,
approve locations; the big ideas
and nitty gritty stuff.
ANDROS
But that sounds like Mr. Kubrick
and he's a director.
JAN
He's both, mein freund.
The ball goes long and hits the front gate. As Andros jogs
to pick it up, they see a man in a suit approaching.
JAN (CONT'D)
Another damn reporter?
They all walk to the gate and regard the man with suspicion.
SUIT
Which one of you is Stanley
Kubrick?
BOB
Who's asking?
The suited man withdraws an envelope.
SUIT
I'm meant to deliver this to him
personally.
Bob decides to have some fun. The rest catch on and step
forward, one by one, Spartacus style.
BOB
I am Stanley Kubrick.
ANDREW
I am Stanley Kubrick.
JAN
I am Stanley Kubrick.
58.
ANDROS
Oh, right! I'm Mr. Kubrick as well.
SUIT
Yeah, great, I saw that movie too.
Can you just make sure he gets
this?
He hands Bob the letter, and walks away, whispering
"Pricks". The gang bust out laughing.
BOB
Oh, Stan's gonna love this.
Close on the envelope, marked only with a golden MGM logo.
MATCH CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
21 -
Defiance in the Face of Adversity
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - EVENING
The envelope, now opened, sits on the desk as Stanley reads
the letter gravely. He lights a cigarette and stares blankly
ahead then slowly raises his eyes to meet Napoleon's.
STANLEY
...There’s been a regime change at
MGM. My greatest champion has been
deposed... they've dropped us. I’m
afraid... you may be dead.
Napoleon considers this and paces the study as Stanley
smokes and rereads the letter. He stares at a large portrait
of himself, then turns back.
NAPOLEON
Fuck em.
Stanley turns to him.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
Truly, fuck them. This is ours not
theirs. VICTORY belongs to the most
PERSEVERING. WE SOLDIER ON.
Stanley takes a moment then lifts the letter and pokes his
burning cigarette right through the center of it. The small
hole shimmers and expands as the flame catches.
STANLEY
...We soldier on.
59.
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - NIGHT
It's dark and very late as Stanley enters and sits on the
bed next to his sleeping wife.
STANLEY
Christiane...
CHRISTIANE
(Barely waking enough to
murmur)
Hm?
STANLEY
Nevermind....
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - NIGHT
He lays on the sofa and closes his eyes as Napoleon tucks
him in with a blanket.
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE FRONT - AFTERNOON
Car pulls up. Anya, Vivian, and Katharina all exit with
backpacks and run to house. Emilio exits and stands by door.
The girls all shout back "Thanks Emilio"
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - AFTERNOON
Stanley, with dark bags beneath his eyes, pours through
notes as he smokes, types, then tears up the page. Suddenly,
he's startled by his desk phone ringing, which he picks up.
We only see his side of conversation.
STANLEY
Yes?
BONDARCHUK
Greetings, Stanley.
STANLEY
Who…?
BONDARCHUK
Apologies, this is Sergei...
STANLEY
Bondarchuk.
BONDARCHUK
Please, you can just call me
Sergei. We're both equals, no need
for formalities.
60.
STANLEY
And what then would be your
informal reason for threatening to
pull your money out of Romania if
they even speak to me about
shooting there? I hear things.
BONDARCHUK
I would never do such a thing. I
threatened to have them killed.
STANLEY
You're that afraid of me making...
BONDARCHUK
It's an empty threat, regardless.
I'm sure MGM can negotiate with…
Oh, that's right I forgot about
MGM. I hear things too. Tough
break.
STANLEY
I've read your script, Sergei, you
have no understanding of…
BONDARCHUK
How have you read…?
STANLEY
...no understanding of the man at
all. He's nothing but words to you.
To me…
BONDARCHUK
To you he's not even words yet. So
I've heard. Perhaps you really do
need a novel to base your script
on, like with all your other films.
I can recommend some…
STANLEY
Like War and Peace?
BONDARCHUK
I hear that one's been done.
STANLEY
Never saw it.
BONDARCHUK
I'll have to send you a copy. You
can watch it with your wife. Third
wife if I'm not mistaking.
61.
STANLEY
Perfection is worth the wait.
BONDARCHUK
And you've been waiting all your
life to make this film haven't you?
Tick-tock. Is it perfect yet?
Stanley remains silent.
BONDARCHUK (CONT'D)
Oh damn, hate to cut this short but
I'm needed on set. You must
remember that feeling. I'm sure
you'll get back to one some...
STANLEY
Perfection is worth the...
BONDARCHUK
Goodbye, Stanley.
STANLEY
You can call me Mr. Kubrick.
He slams the phone down, then looks at his notes, sees
something that doesn't click, grabs the page and takes it to
the card cabinet where he rips through the drawers before
finally finding the needed notecard. He checks the card
against the page and thunders off.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
22 -
Fractured Focus
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - AFTERNOON
The office is at a dull hum as the researchers work when the
door flys open and Stanley storms in flapping the notecard
and page of notes. The researchers stand.
BOB
Stan! Hey, what's going on?
STANLEY
Who did this?
BOB
Who did...
STANLEY
THIS! This right here. On this
page, we have Josephine
accompanying Napoleon in Paris, but
the card for that very same day
places her ALL THE WAY across the
country at her mother's cottage!
So, WHICH IS IT?!
(MORE)
62.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
She can't have been in two places
at once.
The air is sucked out of the room. The researchers search
each other's faces... This is not his usual behavior.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Well? How am I supposed to do MY
work when YOU'RE NOT doing yours
properly? I don't have time to comb
through every text to re-capture
every detail because someone
SCREWED UP. So WHO did it?
BOB
Hey, the buck stops with ME,
alright, Stan. I must've let it
slip through. The CABINET is the
chronology. Always double checked.
Whatever that says is correct. I'll
find it again just to be sure.
STANLEY
Very well.
He exits without another word and Bob turns to his staff.
BOB
It's alright. It's alright. I'll be
right back.
He jogs out as Andrew turns to Andros.
ANDREW
The fuck was that?
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - AFTERNOON
Bob hustles to catch up with Stanley through a light London
rain.
BOB
Stan, Stan!
STANLEY
What is it, Bob?
BOB
What is it with YOU?
STANLEY
I'm quite alright.
63.
BOB
You don't seem alright.
STANLEY
I'm in no mood for conversation,
Bob.
BOB
Come on, Stan, talk to me. What's
going on?
STANLEY
I have work to do. Get me that
information on Josephine. If you'd
please.
He thrusts the notecard and page into Bob's chest then walks
off toward the house where Napoleon waits in the doorway.
Bob is left alone, wet and somewhat wounded.
INT. KUBRICK ESTATE LOWER HALL - NIGHT
Stanley storms the halls, chucking a tennis ball at the
walls as Napoleon marches after.
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - NIGHT
Bob is alone, pouring through books, referencing the
notecard and paper from earlier, as he speaks on the phone
to his wife.
BOB
...well, it's my job, honey. Plus
it's... exactly... don't say that
like it's a bad thing, he's... I'll
see her before school... well
BEFORE I come here. Then I'll wake
her up... because it's my JOB! ...
I know. I'm sorry. I'll be... yeah,
when I can... you too...
He hangs up with a long sigh then gets back to work.
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - NIGHT
Stanley works frantically, his appearance ragged. He
crumples papers and throws them angrily to the ground,
chucks his tennis ball, chain smokes, obsessively counts and
tallies the number of troops in Napoleonic paintings, reads,
tears pages and types. Each keystroke rings louder and
louder until they sound like gunshots blasting.
64.
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - NIGHT
ANYA
Mama... Mama..
Anya shakes her mother awake.
ANYA (CONT'D)
I had a bad dream...
CHRISTIANE
(Sleepily)
Oh, baby... it's okay.. Stanley
could you...
She rolls over to pat her husband awake, but finds that he's
not there. The clock reads 2:37am.
Genres:
["Drama","Mystery","Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
23 -
Balancing Act
INT. KUBRICK UPPER HALL - NIGHT
Christiane exits the girls' room, softly closes the door
behind her then makes her way down the hall.
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - NIGHT
She peeks into the hurricane-struck study. The ashtray says
he'd been up all night. Piled dishes with half eaten
sandwiches teeter on the brink of collapse. She navigates
the islands of crumpled papers and books on the floor to the
couch where he sleeps. She sighs, and kisses him on the
forehead. Turning to leave, she catches a glimpse of the
typed page sticking from his typewriter. It simply says...
"Dear Felix,
Why..."
INT. WARNER BROS. OFFICE - DAY - 10AM LOCAL TIME
The Warner Brothers logo hangs behind as an exec speaks into
her phone. We don't hear the other side of the conversation.
EXEC
I'm sorry Mr. Kubrick. We admire
you greatly, in fact we'd love to
work with you, but people simply
aren't interested in watching
anyone who writes with a feather...
(MORE)
65.
EXEC (CONT'D)
of course I know that, and if you
get it made, I'd personally be
first in line to see it, but I'm
telling you, it wouldn't be a long
line behind me...I know...I KNOW...
listen, come to me with something
else, something modern, and I'll be
happy to talk... it really isn't.
I'm sorry.
INT. KUBRICK KITCHEN - EVENING - CONT -5PM LOCAL TIME
Stanley, on phone, same conversation.
STANLEY
Well then, I hope you do enjoy it
when you see it. Thank you for your
time.
He slams the phone down and pushes aside a plated sandwich
as Christiane enters, moves to the sink and scrubs paint off
her hands.
CHRISTIANE
Who was that?
STANLEY
(Distant)
No one.
CHRISTIANE
Alright.
He heads to the door.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
I've been talking to that art
agent... she said there's a chance
at me actually getting a gallery
show. I'm not sure, it wouldn't be
for a few months anyway, but...
STANLEY
You never know with these things...
He turns again to exit.
CHRISTIANE
Stanley...
STANLEY
Hm?
66.
CHRISTIANE
We're going to New York for a bit.
STANLEY
I told you, I can't...
CHRISTIANE
You don't have to, if you really
can't. But I'm going. With the
girls. We need to have... a
break... from this energy.
STANLEY
But...
CHRISTIANE
Please come with us. We’ll trade
our plane tickets for a ship. You
won't have to fly. It’s what you
need.
STANLEY
I can’t halt my momentum.
CHRISTIANE
You can’t type on the ocean?
STANLEY
My books are here, my
correspondence with Felix, the
research, the work…
CHRISTIANE
What is it with this one?
STANLEY
What...?
CHRISTIANE
You've scrapped projects before.
The safe-cracker one, the Mosby
Rangers, God, even the one about my
UNCLE! You moved on. What makes
this different?
STANLEY
It's not just MY work I'd be
scrapping, everyone else...
CHRISTIANE
They're all paid. It's a job. Yes,
they've done a lot of work, but it
is just a job to them.
(MORE)
67.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
They'd be just as happy to start
working on the next one.
STANLEY
Well, it's not just a job for me.
CHRISTIANE
I know. You throw yourself so
deeply into every... and that's
wonderful, you make beautiful art.
But everyone is just spinning their
wheels. The researchers, department
heads, even you. You have more than
enough to...
STANLEY
It's not... It wouldn't be perfect.
This one needs to be perf...
CHRISTIANE
What about perfect being the enemy
of good? You know how much things
change once you get on set anyway
And you've never written a script
on your own before. Why don't you
bring on someone to... What makes
this so special?
STANLEY
I... can't articulate...
CHRISTIANE
Stanley, all you do is articulate!
He remains silent.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
Listen. Come, or don't. It's fine.
But Jan's coming... and Bob’s
coming too. His wife is dying to
get back for a visit.
Napoleon peers out from behind her and gives him a stern
look. “Control the situation”
STANLEY
Unacceptable. I need them here.
CHRISTIANE
They need a break, Stanley. Bob
works 14 hour days.
(MORE)
68.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
Jan was all over Europe for months
more than planned and as soon as he
got back was right back into...
STANLEY
You can have one.
CHRISTIANE
It’s not for me… I don’t get to
decide that for them! You don’t get
to decide that for them either.
STANLEY
They can go in shifts then.
CHRISTIANE
You have a literal stable full of
assistants!
He deflates and softens his demeanor.
STANLEY
Christiane... Without you here...
I... don't know who I'll be. I NEED
this right now. And I need
someone... To at least... keep me
from falling.
CHRISTIANE
(Touched by his
vulnerability)
Oh, Stanley...I’ll speak with them.
About taking turns.
Genres:
["Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
24 -
Ping Pong and Pain
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - AFTERNOON
Stanley and Jan play ping pong on an outdoor table as
Napoleon watches.
JAN
Why haven't you told the others?
STANLEY
I don't want to overturn the apple
cart unnecessarily. We'll find
another studio... I just need you
to lay tracks with your contact at
U.A.
JAN
Ja, that may take some time. He's
not the most reliable. Also, I
really DO need this vacation.
69.
STANLEY
That's fine, Jan. Do as you must.
I'll keep pushing forward. Finish
as much as possible with my own
finances. Even if I have to hustle
chess in the park for money. We'll
have to make some cuts, but we WILL
finish pre-production. That's a
third of the work they won't have
to worry about. Any studio would be
foolish not to take that deal.
Where are we with the Romanians?
JAN
The call is all set up. Took quite
a while to even get this far. They
didn't have the best experience
with Bondarchuk's crew.
STANLEY
But you were able to...
JAN
I controlled the situation. Helped
that there are German speakers in
the chain of command that I was
able to talk with directly. You
won't have that advantage.
STANLEY
I'll make due with the translator.
When’s the call?
JAN
Next Friday. 9am our time. I'm
leaving on Tuesday but Bob will be
back.
STANLEY
9am, how dreadful.
JAN
If you want to try and negotiate
another time, be my guest. It’s not
so easy getting on a head of
state’s schedule.
STANLEY
That’ll be fine, Jan. How do I
address him?
JAN
Mr. President. Or President
Ceausescu.
70.
STANLEY
Does he know who I am?
JAN
Only by reputation. We’ve never
opened anything in Romania.
STANLEY
Can we send him something? Lolita
perhaps. I’m sure he’s familiar
with Nabokov…
JAN
We thought about that, we just
don’t have the time to arrange it.
STANLEY
Very well.
JAN
I sang your praises quite highly
though. Even getting the meeting…
STANLEY
I understand. Well done... You know
my grandmother was Romanian. Maybe
that’ll help grease the...
Jan hits the ball hard and Stanley goes long for it. His
foot finds a divot in the ground and twists with a cracking
sound as he falls down in agony. Jan rushes over.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Shit!
NAPOLEON
Merde!
JAN
Scheisse! Are you alright?
STANLEY
I don’t know. Hurts like hell.
JAN
Let’s get you up…
Jan helps lift him up but he cries out as soon as he puts
weight on the foot.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
25 -
Determination in Adversity
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - EVENING
Stanley lies in bed as Emilio props up his foot, now firmly
wrapped in a cast.
71.
EMILIO
Another pillow? Or is that good?
STANLEY
That should do. Thank you, Emilio.
EMILIO
Of course. What else can I get you?
STANLEY
I'll need the typewriter please.
And... I'm sure I'll think of
something else, but that will do
for now.
EMILIO
Perfect.
STANLEY
Wait. Emilio, how good are you at
delivering bad news?
EMILIO
I...
STANLEY
I need you to relay something
unpleasant to the researchers...
nevermind. I won't put it on you.
EMILIO
Okay, thank you.
Stanley writes a note.
STANLEY
Just give this to Andrew. He can
tell them. He seems to have the
right temperament for this kind of
thing.
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - EVENING
Workers work as Emilio sheepishly enters, pulls Andrew
quietly aside and hands him the handwritten note.
EMILIO
From Stanley.
Andrew reads, shocked and disappointed, then pats Emilio on
the shoulder and stands at the front of the room.
72.
ANDREW
Everyone. Hi, yeah. Alright. I'm
afraid I have some bad news.
RESEARCHER
Stanley's a clutz, we know.
The other researchers laugh, except for Andros.
OTHER RESEARCHER
Got his ass kicked by the grass!
More laughs. Andrew's job just got a lot easier.
ANDREW
Laugh it up. Last laughs you're
gonna have in here.
They stop laughing and look to each other with confusion.
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - AFTERNOON / NEW YORK HOTEL ROOM - DAY
Stanley's still laid up, but now with typewriter on a bed-
tray as he talks to Christiane on the phone. We cut between
them. She is in a large New York hotel room.
STANLEY
Absolutely not. Finish your trip. I
really insist. I have enough people
here to take care of me. You and
the girls will have a much better
time there right now than here. How
are they?
CHRISTIANE
I must admit they're loving it.
Seeing old school friends, doing
stupid tourist things we never did
when we lived here. But Stanley,
it's not just the ankle... Jan told
me about MGM.
STANLEY
Of course he did...
CHRISTIANE
Why didn't you tell me? I would
have never left in the first...
STANLEY
Because nothing has changed,
Christiane. Everything is moving
forward.
(MORE)
73.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
I’m gathering all the ammunition I
can to make the next pitch
irresistible. I intend to have a
screenplay, a star and an army
behind me. I won't allow
any...Napoleon was once the
greatest man on the face of the
planet. Not the nicest, not the one
who did the most good. But the most
INTERESTING. The most INFLUENTIAL.
The one who made the BIGGEST MARK
on his time.
CHRISTIANE
(Getting it)
...And he was defeated.
STANLEY
I won't be defeated, Christiane. I
refuse that outcome. Not by a
STUDIO. Not by BONDARCHUK. Not by
ANYONE. Myself included. I'm done
standing in my way.
CHRISTIANE
...Well then, Stanley... You just
sold your first ticket.
STANLEY
I didn't have it already?
CHRISTIANE
(jokingly)
I'm not much for movies.
STANLEY
But darling, this isn't a movie...
this... is a STANLEY KUBRICK FILM.
Bob bursts into the room carrying a bouquet of flowers.
BOB
Never fear, Bob is here!
STANLEY
Bob just walked in. Well, burst.
Talk more tonight?
CHRISTIANE
I'll be counting the hours...
(MORE)
74.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
(Quoting Napoleon)
“It’s a kind of death, my darling,
since there is no survival for me
except in you.”
STANLEY
You've been reading your Napoleon!
CHRISTIANE
I wrote it down, special, for the
trip. Bob helped me find a good
one.
STANLEY
You're remarkable. Until then...
He hangs up.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Welcome back, Bob. How was the old
stomping ground?
BOB
As dirty and perfect as we left it.
How long you going to be hobbled?
STANLEY
Oh, four, five weeks.
BOB
Jesus, Stan. You really pinged when
you should have ponged there.
STANLEY
Indeed. Struck down in my prime.
BOB
Hey, I'm... shit, I'm so sorry
about MGM.
STANLEY
He told you too?
BOB
They're missing out on the greatest
damn...
STANLEY
It's fine... I don't look back,
Bob.
75.
BOB
Right. Well, looking forward then!
I was thinking about our
conversation about lenses and your
idea to shoot this with natural
light. So when I was there I got in
touch with one of the NASA guys who
helped on 2001 and he told me about
this lens they developed to shoot
stills of the dark side of the moon
from orbit. Zeiss Planar 50mm.
Thing's got an F stop of 0.7!
STANLEY
Point 7!
BOB
This baby could shoot in nothing
but candlelight.
STANLEY
That's marvelous! Now, can we
connect it to my Mitchell BNC?
BOB
There’s the rub.
STANLEY
We’ll make it happen. If they can
put it in space, I’m sure we can
put it on my camera.
BOB
There’s one more issue… there's
only ten of em... and I mean
anywhere.
STANLEY
Then I suppose we better only
purchase three. Leave a few for the
space boys.
BOB
Ha! Wait, you’re serious…
STANLEY
Always.
BOB
But without that MGM money…
STANLEY
I’ll front it. Pay myself back once
we get picked up.
(MORE)
76.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Maybe Universal... seems
appropriate. Make the deal.
BOB
I’ll do my best.
STANLEY
Try to do my best, Bob. It’s even
better.
BOB
(Laughing)
You got it boss.
He turns to exit.
STANLEY
Bob...
BOB
Yeah?
STANLEY
I'm... sorry if I... I appreciate
you, that's all.
Bob smiles then remembers, "Oh!" and brings the flowers to
the bedside table. He puts a hand on Stanley's shoulder and
looks down at the cast.
BOB
Want me to sign it?
Stanley just stares up at him, deadpan.
BOB (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
Gotcha.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
26 -
Playful Ambitions
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - AFTERNOON
Andros and Andrew are tossing a football between them.
ANDREW
...I read the book. Stanley’s
friend, uh, Terry Southern, wrote
it.
ANDROS
Well, the movie’s coming out later
this year. Starring the goodly
Peter Sellers and… wait for
it…Ringo!
77.
ANDREW
You’re obsessed.
ANDROS
Come on, everyone’s obsessed.
ANDREW
You know I A.D.’d on the Magical
Mystery Tour flick, right?
Andros, suddenly dumbstruck, forgets to catch the football
which bounces off his chest.
ANDROS
You must tell me everything.
Bob sees them from across the yard as he exits the home.
BOB
Shouldn't you boys be working?
ANDREW
How were the colonies?
BOB
A hoot. Hoot and a half. How's it
been here?
ANDREW
Half a hoot.
ANDROS
I'd give it a full hoot.
ANDREW
Yeah, not that bad. He's finally
fully focused on writing the actual
script so we're kinda done
researching unless he needs
something specific he can't find.
ANDROS
And I met Audrey Hepburn! Well, Mr.
Kubrick did. But I saw her!
BOB
Josephine?
ANDREW
Woulda been, but she's taking a
break from acting I guess. Still
classy of her to stop by.
78.
BOB
So what have you been working on?
ANDREW
Arranging meetings, working on the
finances, talking to studios...
ANDROS
You know, producer stuff.
BOB
Wait, studios? He told you?
ANDREW
Kinda had to when he had me let the
rest of the researchers go. Said
"we're homeless and we're
destitute, but we're not dead yet."
Then he told us to fix the first
two parts.
BOB
Damn. Well, alright. Let's go work
on the first two parts.
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
27 -
Checkmate of Ambition
EXT. ROCKY SHORE - DAY
Waves crash against the rocky shore beneath a gray and
overcast sky.
NAPOLEON
(O.S.)
As much as I enjoy this game, I
must confess, it irks me terribly.
Moving along the shore we find Napoleon and Stanley with a
chess board, mid-game, balanced on a rock between them. It’s
a tableau right out of Bergman’s “The Seventh Seal”
STANLEY
Oh?
NAPOLEON
The opposing armies are of the
exact same size and strength. The
terrain is mercilessly flat. The
positions of every troop, equally
visible to each commander. There’s
no tactical advantage to be had.
STANLEY
It requires you to check yourself.
To temper your excitement when you
see a good move that feels right.
(MORE)
79.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Instead of plunging forward with
your first instinct, you must sit
back and take the time to see if a
better move reveals itself. See,
you, your own ego can be your
greatest weakness. Believing in
your own infallibility.
NAPOLEON
I am infallible.
STANLEY
Then how did you fail?
NAPOLEON
Hurry up and move.
STANLEY
You’re a gambler, Napoleon. So
assured that fate is on your side.
Do you know why you failed in
Russia?
NAPOLEON
Are you going to move?
STANLEY
Nails.
NAPOLEON
Nails?
STANLEY
The wrong nails. For the horses’
hooves.
NAPOLEON
Nails…
STANLEY
Didn’t allow for the proper
purchase in the climate.
NAPOLEON
The ice has always baffled me.
STANLEY
Probably the wrong horses as well.
Quick in warmer climes, less hearty
in the cold.
NAPOLEON
Move your piece…
80.
STANLEY
Simple oversights. It’s why I learn
every detail. How everything works
and why. The cameras, the lenses,
the lights, the construction
materials, the psychology of the
actors... Why I control everything
so tightly. I am NOT a gambler.
NAPOLEON
I brought a CONTINENT to its knees.
I was CHARLEMAGNE. I was ALEXANDER
THE GREAT. YOU put pictures on
walls. And you're lying to
yourself. Your every pursuit has
been a gamble. You've always gone
for broke and many times haven't
gotten the payout you sought.
STANLEY
Even still, I get into their heads.
NAPOLEON
I got into their HEARTS!
STANLEY
And you NEEDED that, now, didn’t
you?
NAPOLEON
My INTELLECT was UNPARALLELED. My
VICTORIES, COMPLETE. My ROMANCES,
LEGENDARY. My RULE, JUST. Why
WOULDN'T they love me?
STANLEY
Your OBSESSIONS, overwhelming. Your
desire for POWER, all encompassing.
Your view on humanity, PESSIMISTIC.
NAPOLEON
Sound like anyone you know?
Stanley knows. And he fears it. He sits back and strokes his
beard.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
(raising his voice)
DO YOU LIKE ME, Kubrick?
He knows the question is really "Do you like yourself?" A
question he's not prepared to answer. At his silence,
Napoleon rises in frustration and sweeps the chessboard
clean, scattering pieces on the rocks and into the surf.
81.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
You take too long!
DISSOLVE TO:
Genres:
["Historical","Drama"]
Ratings
Scene
28 -
Philosophy and Compassion
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - NIGHT
Stanley, typewriter on a bed tray, talks aloud to himself as
he types.
STANLEY
Napoleon continued...Man is BRUTAL
by nature. Impassioned and governed
by untethered EMOTION. Therefore,
any government attempting to base
itself solely on reason, on logic,
is destined to fail. POWER. The
pursuit of it, the wielding of it,
without pretense, that's a TRUE
foundation. An unshakable
cornerstone. SHAPE THE WORLD TO
YOUR WILL... and watch them thank
you for it.
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - EVENING
Andrew and Andros are both on phones.
ANDROS
Of course! Absolutely his first
choice...
ANDREW
No, I've already talked to her, who
I need to talk to is... that's
right... who the hell leaves the
office at...? Oh shit, is it really
that late?
ANDROS
Fantastic!
He flips open a planner.
ANDROS (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
How is next Tuesday?... no problem,
Wednesday? Okay... Thurs...
ANDREW
You don't happen to have a home
number that I can... no, not
normally I'm sure, but he wouldn't
be mad, this is for Stanley Kub...
82.
ANDROS
Wonderful! I'm so excited to meet
him! I mean Mr. Kubrick is so
excited... yes when he arrives,
just ask for Andros Epaminondas and
I'll show... Ep-am-in...
ANDREW
Well, what's YOUR home number?
Bob strolls in as they both hang up their calls. Andros does
a little dance, Andrew hangs his head in defeat.
BOB
Gonna need a hand...
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - EVENING
The three men stare down at a large pile of cardboard boxes,
labeled "'N' Script Notes", each filled with notebooks.
Andros immediately drops to his knees, enthusiastically
picks up a notebook and starts combing through.
ANDREW
Remind me why we do this again?
BOB
Because...
ANDREW
I know, I know.
Andrew and Bob kneel and join the hunt.
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - NIGHT
Emilio stands at the foot of the bed, taking notes.
STANLEY
After you feed the dogs, you’re
going to have to take care of
Freddie and Leo.
EMILIO
Which ones are Freddie and Leo?
STANLEY
Two of the cats. Freddie's orange
and Leo's black with the white
spot.
EMILIO
Right.
83.
STANLEY
They’ve been fighting terribly.
You’ll need to set them up in
separate rooms. At least two closed
doors between them or else they’ll
drive each other mad all night and
me along with them.
EMILIO
(Writing)
...Two doors...
STANLEY
They’ll each need food, water and a
litter box in there. Freddie the
dry food, Leo the wet.
EMILIO
(Writing)
…Wet…
STANLEY
I’ll need a selection of books from
downstairs in the morning. I’ll get
you a list. You’re strong, right
Emilio?
EMILIO
Hm?
STANLEY
Physically. You work out?
EMILIO
Uh, yes. I guess so.
STANLEY
Excellent. I’ll need you to bring
up the television as well please.
EMILIO
(Sighs then writes)
T.V…
Emilio checks his watch and shakes his head.
STANLEY
Somewhere to be?
EMILIO
Nothing. Just home. My daughter has
been very ill.
84.
STANLEY
With what affliction?
EMILIO
We’re not sure. Doctor can’t pin it
down. My poor wife has been up all
hours taking care of her.
STANLEY
The doctors here are atrocious. I
have a friend in New York, Dr.
Hershel. He’ll be on the next
flight out.
EMILIO
(Shocked)
What?
STANLEY
For your girl. I’ll call right
away.
EMILIO
That’s an unbelievably kind
thought, but you can’t do that.
STANLEY
Of course I can. I introduced him
to his wife. He owes me one.
Assuming they’re still together.
EMILIO
That… that’s just incredible! I
can’t even begin… how can I repay
you?
STANLEY
I won’t hear any talk of payment,
Emilio. Just take care of the
animals.
EMILIO
Absolutely! And I’ll grab that TV
right away!
STANLEY
(Stroking his beard)
You know what. Forget moving the
TV.
Gazing up a long, empty staircase, sounds of exertion come
from off screen. After a few beats, from the hall at the top
of the stairs, Emilio appears, straining and sweating as he
carries Stanley in his arms. The men look at each other,
then down the staircase as Emilio exhales a deep breath.
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - NIGHT
Emilio carries Stanley in. As they enter, Andros, Bob and
Andrew, all sitting on the floor, look up from the stacks of
notebooks they are rummaging through.
EMILIO
Wait, you’re all still here?
Bob and Andros jump up to help the sweaty, strained Emilio
get Stanley to the couch.
EMILIO (CONT'D)
You couldn’t have helped with the
stairs?
BOB
We didn’t know.
ANDROS
You’re a fit one huh?
They help Stanley down to the couch. Emilio sweats, pants
and bends over to catch his breath.
ANDREW
(From the floor)
I found it!
He waves a notebook, then reads...
ANDREW (CONT'D)
“Marie-Louise arrives a week before
the marriage ceremony. She’d never
in her life been permitted to even
spend time alone with a man before.
Napoleon’s impetuosity caused the
marriage to be consummated that
night.
(MORE)
86.
ANDREW (CONT'D)
He remarked that she had a fine
time and 'giggled her way straight
through’”
NAPOLEON
(Revealed next to Stanley
on couch )
She really did, you know. Marry a
German girl, that’s what I say.
They make the best wives in the
world - good, sweet, naive and
fresh as a rose.
STANLEY
(To Napoleon)
I did marry a German girl.
(To Andrew)
Excellent. Thank you Andrew.
BOB
It was a group effort.
STANLEY
Well, that’s all I needed. Emilio,
you can bring me back up now.
Emilio’s jaw falls open.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Kidding, Emilio. I’ll be down here
for the remainder of my
recuperation.
Emilio wipes his brow.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Do fetch my typewriter though,
please.
Emilio sighs and turns but Andros stops him and charges out.
ANDROS
I’ve got it.
EMILIO
Thanks. I’ll go tend to the
animals.
STANLEY
I’ll call you as soon as Dr.
Hershel arrives.
87.
EMILIO
Thank you again. Stanley.
Immensely.
STANLEY
Give my love to your family.
Emilio smiles and exits. Andrew takes a beat then...
ANDREW
So... Scottish?
Genres:
["Drama","Historical","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
30 -
Excitement and Support
INT. NEW YORK HOTEL ROOM / KUBRICK KITCHEN - MORNING
Christiane talks quietly on the hotel phone while the girls
sleep. Intercut with Stanley in his kitchen.
CHRISTIANE
Well, I did save one piece of
news...
STANLEY
My breath is bated.
CHRISTIANE
It's happening!
STANLEY
You...
CHRISTIANE
Full gallery show, twenty pieces.
It's end of next month so I won't
have a lot of time to prep when I
get back but... it's...
STANLEY
Thrilling isn't it?
CHRISTIANE
More than I even expected. Sharing
your art... It's...
STANLEY
Elating.
CHRISTIANE
Yes.
STANLEY
Be proud, Christiane. I am. Even
when my mind is elsewhere. My heart
is with you.
88.
CHRISTIANE
I know it. Do you want me to wake
the girls so you can say hi?
STANLEY
(Checking his watch)
Let them sleep. I've got the call
in a moment. I'll be in touch
later.
CHRISTIANE
I can't believe you dragged
yourself out of bed.
STANLEY
Well, I make everyone else suffer
for my art, best I lead by example.
CHRISTIANE
(Laughing)
I love you, Stanley.
STANLEY
As I you. Give the girls a kiss.
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - MORNING
A dog sloppily licks Andros' face as he rubs behind its
ears.
ANDROS
No, you're the best. No, you're
best! Okay, okay, we're both the
best!
Andrew reads his J.M. Barrie biography and takes notes on
notecards in the same format of the card cabinet notes. Bob
doodles Josephine giving a peace sign to Napoleon who wears
sunglasses and smokes a cigarette, saying "you've come a
long way, Baby!" Stanley enters on crutches and they all
look up expectantly. He takes a leisurely turn around the
office, looking at pictures and notes.
BOB
(Unable to wait longer)
Well, come on! How’d it go with the
Romanians?!
Stanley looks up casually.
STANLEY
Hm? Oh...30,000.
89.
BOB
30,000 dollars? For how many
troops?
STANLEY
Hm? No… 30,000 troops. 45 if they
can get their recruitment numbers
up.
ANDREW
Holy shit...
BOB
That’s a whole goddam army!
ANDROS
How did you...
STANLEY
And of course whatever filming
locations we require.
ANDREW
Fuckin’ A!
BOB
You've gotta give us the blow-by-
blow.
Stanley picks up Bob's sketchbook and flips through landing
on a picture of him, minus his beard, with a speech bubble
saying “That was great. Perfection. Do it again.”
STANLEY
Modern art?
Bob grabs it, embarrassed.
BOB
Sorry, old doodles from set. Sorry.
STANLEY
Don’t be. I said those things.
Often. Though, do you think I
should shave again?
BOB
I like the beard.
ANDROS
Me too.
Andrew gives the tilting hand “maybe” gesture. Stanley
chuckles.
90.
STANLEY
Well, the beards have it. Now... we
have an army, but still a battle
ahead. And I have a script to
finish...
He heads to the door then turns back.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
And Bob, I’ll need you to get a
hold of flu vaccines. 30,000. 45
if they get their recruitment up.
He exits and Bob sits down, draws a beard on the doodle and
adds a speech bubble saying “30,000 flu vaccines”.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
31 -
Creative Chaos: The Birth of 'Napoleon'
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - DAYS AND NIGHTS
FAST MOTION MONTAGE:
Set to "WILLIAM TELL OVERTURE"
Stanley hobbles in, sits down and begins typing away
furiously.
Napoleon paces the room.
Stanley listens to a tape recorder. Ejects tape, digs
through a stack of tapes, puts in a new one and plays it.
Listens. Types. Ejects. Loads. Types. Types. Types.
Napoleon throws a tennis ball against the wall.
Cats fight with each other. Emilio runs in and chases them
out of the room.
Stanley types. Papers fly. Screenplay pages stack up.
A doctor saws off his cast with a handheld electric saw.
He paces, throws tennis ball against the wall, gets an idea
and runs to the typewriter. Types.
The girls run in and hug their dad.
Screenplay pages pile up.
Christiane brings in a sandwich. They kiss, then move to the
couch for a bit of the old "in out, in out"
Napoleon reads from a biography on himself as Stanley types.
Stanley and Jan play chess.
91.
Napoleon sits at the typewriter, Stanley gets an idea and
shoves him aside as he takes the seat and types.
He and Andrew play chess.
Stanley types.
Chess with Andros.
Types. Types. Types.
Music stops as we…
CUT TO:
INT. KUBRICK LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
The finished 148pg script thumps down on the coffee table.
"NAPOLEON written by Stanley Kubrick". Christiane puts down
the book she was reading.
CHRISTIANE
You’re…?
STANLEY
It’s never really, but... yes. For
now.
She flips through the pages.
CHRISTIANE
May I?
STANLEY
Please do.
CHRISTIANE
Give me a few days, I want to read
it a bunch. Take it all in.
Katharina enters.
KATHARINA
Hey mom, can you help me with my
history paper?
CHRISTIANE
(Waving the script)
I’ve got some homework of my own.
But your father…
KATHARINA
You’re actually free?
92.
STANLEY
At your service, kiddo.
KATHARINA
Do you know anything about history?
Her parents share a smile and from the corner, Napoleon lets
out a large “HA!”
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE FRONT - AFTERNOON
Andros sports a blue suit coat and black slacks as he
nervously adjusts his only tie. The front gates open as a
limousine drives up towards him. He steadies himself and as
we hear the car door open, he says...
ANDROS
(Fumbling)
Good Afternoon Nister Micohlson,
right this way...
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - AFTERNOON
JACK NICHOLSON wanders around as he waits. He picks up a
tennis ball and tosses it up and down a few times, looks
over all the books, the notes, the portraits of Napoleon,
then stuffs his hand into the front of his jacket, mimicking
a painting. Stanley approaches unseen and shouts…
STANLEY
(O.S.)
Jack!
Jack turns quickly, hand still stuffed in front of his
jacket and is met with a Polaroid flash. The photo ejects
and Stanley sets down the camera.
JACK
Stan the man!
They shake hands then Stanley looks at the photo and holds
it next to the Napoleon picture.
JACK (CONT'D)
Not bad. You should be a director.
STANLEY
And you… could be an actor.
JACK
Well, I’m tryin’
STANLEY
We keep fooling em don’t we?
93.
JACK
That we do, that we do. You’re
really in with both feet here, huh?
STANLEY
Only way to go in.
JACK
I agree. That Space Odyssey picture
was a marvel by the way. My ex wife
said I would’ve been a shoe-in to
play one of the apes.
STANLEY
(laughing)
Well, let’s talk about you playing
a man...
Genres:
["Drama","Biographical","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
32 -
Contrasting Worlds: Art and Exhaustion
INT. LA'RENZ ART GALLERY - DAY
A finely dressed curator shows Christiane through the
gallery, some of her framed paintings are on tables as
workers measure wall space. She is suddenly struck by the
awe of it. The reality sinks in. Pride. Joy. Elation.
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - DAY
Stanley snaps a Polaroid of man in a background actor paper
costume, checks it, pulls up a viewfinder, angles around him
then turns to the costumer.
STANLEY
Amazing this is paper. The coloring
is still a bit off though. Send the
reference photos of the paintings
to the manufacturer again please.
Actually bring them yourself,
double check everything there.
They walk away past a group of three women in Empire line
dresses, breasts exposed.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
These are all fine.
Stanley continues down the yard to a table full of prop guns
and pulls up a pistol. Napoleon steps forward and holds up
his own pistol. Stanley compares the two, then turns to
propmaster.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
The barrel should be a quarter inch
longer.
94.
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - EVENING
It's a hot night and everyone is worn down.
BOB
Andros, where are we with the
camera tests?
ANDROS
Saturday for the Zeiss Planar.
Everything else, I've got for
Sunday.
ANDREW
Some weekend.
BOB
What's a weekend?
ANDREW
(Checking his watch)
I think that's it for me today.
I've got calls with wardrobe
tomorrow morning and am working
with the front projection crew the
rest of the day.
ANDROS
May I be excused as well? My hand
may actually fall off.
BOB
Yeah, Andros. Great work today. I
guess I'll head home too. I can do
a few more script runs tonight, see
if I can find anywhere to get that
budget down more. See you both in a
couple winks.
Andrew and Andros head out as Bob loads a heavily
highlighted and notated script and a couple binders into his
bag. He looks around the office and sighs, then flips off
the light and exits. A moment later the lights flick back on
as he comes back in, tosses his bag back on his desk and
leaves it there. Tonight is his. Not Napoleon's.
Genres:
["Drama","Art","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
33 -
A Warm Welcome Home
INT. GAFFNEY HOME - NIGHT
As Bob enters his well decorated and cozy home, his wife
SHERRY looks up from the TV while his daughter runs over and
leaps into his arms.
DAUGHTER
Daddy!
95.
BOB
Peanut Allergy!
SHERRY
You're home early. Well, for you.
BOB
Am I too late for dinner?
DAUGHTER
I had hamburgers.
BOB
Plural?
SHERRY
I'll fix you something.
BOB
I'll get it.
DAUGHTER
Can we play my new game?
BOB
We can do anything you want
tonight, Peanut Allergy.
DAUGHTER
Yay!
An acoustic instrumental cover of "Space Oddity" plays...
She runs off and Bob gives his wife a good smooching.
INT. FRENCH RESTAURANT - NIGHT
Music continues over as...
Jan gives Andrew notes on a script, but it's not Stanley's.
The cover reads "UNTITLED J.M. BARRIE BIOGRAPHY FILM -
WRITTEN BY ANDREW BIRKIN" The script is set aside as a
waiter comes over and places a tray in front of Jan then
pulls off the silver lid. ESCARGOT. Andrew laughs a little
too loudly and the other patrons look at him. Jan chuckles
despite himself.
INT. ANDROS APARTMENT - NIGHT
The apartment could easily be mistaken for a dorm room, with
its unframed movie and band posters tacked to the walls.
Amongst them, of course, posters of The Beatles, but also of
Stanley's films. He's a fan.
96.
Music continues over as...
Andros sits alone at a chessboard, mid-game and moves a
white piece, then bolts to the other side, considers the
board, shakes loose his stiff wrist, picks up a "Chess
Strategy" book, reads and moves a black knight.
INT. EMILIO APARTMENT - NIGHT
Music continues over as...
Emilio's wife, Janette, watches from the kitchen table as he
dances with his HEALTHY daughter, Marisa. He reaches a hand
out for her to join them and together they all sway, spin
and laugh.
HARD CUT TO:
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - NIGHT
No more music. The room is dark and the only sound is
Stanley drumming his fingers on his chest as he and Napoleon
lay next to each other in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Suddenly, the overhead light flips on. Napoleon has vanished
as Christiane moves to the bed, holding the script.
STANLEY
...And?
CHRISTIANE
Do you want my honest opinion?
STANLEY
There’s no other type of opinion.
She climbs on top of him and whispers…
CHRISTIANE
It’s a masterpiece.
HARD CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Family","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
34 -
The Gamble of Dreams
INT. GARY LIFTON OFFICE - DAY
GARY LIFTON, United Artist's bespeckled, leisure-suited Head
of Production sits behind his desk. Stanley and Bob sit
across.
LIFTON
It’s fine.
BOB
Fine?
97.
LIFTON
As in this script is fine. It’s
serviceable.
Stanley sits back, deflated. All his work... fine? Bob leans
forward, unabiding.
BOB
Serviceable? It’s the best damn
script I’ve ever read.
LIFTON
Then I’ve likely read more scripts
than you, Mr. Gaffney.
BOB
Who do you think you… do you know
who you’re talking to here?
STANLEY
Bob…
LIFTON
That’s why we’re here. I’ve enjoyed
your work, Mr. Kubrick. Hell,
United Artists have released, what,
three of your pictures? But costume
dramas are fading out of fashion.
The youth today are a major market.
They don’t want stuffy, historical
fare. They want James Bond.
Something flashy. And the mature
crowd want mature pictures. The
new, gritty stuff. Midnight Cowboy.
Easy Rider.
BOB
Easy Rider?!
He slaps Stanley on the back and the maestro perks up.
STANLEY
As a matter of fact, I've met with
Jack Nicholson very recently about
playing lead for me.
LIFTON
...And?
STANLEY
He's absolutely invested in it.
Positively immersed. Took several
books. Calls with questions. Thinks
it’s a FINE script.
98.
LIFTON
Hm… he’d be a draw, sure, but as a
rising star he’d add to an already
bloated budget. And this
breakdown…30,000 Romanians?
BOB
45. They’ve been recruiting.
LIFTON
45…
STANLEY
This is a large, sweeping picture
we have on our hands here. This
isn’t any man’s life, Mr. Lifton.
This is NAPOLEON. The greatest...
LIFTON
(Interrupting)
That’s another thing. As I’m sure
you’re aware, Paramount has its own
Napoleon picture, uh “Waterloo”,
releasing in a few months.
De Laurentiis, Bondarchuk.
STANLEY
Completely different. My script
doesn’t even mention the word
“Waterloo”.
LIFTON
What does that have to do with...
listen. Gentlemen. Bottom line is
in the dollars and cents. The “art”
of it all, the sweeping vistas or
whatever, the pageantry, to me,
that’s beside the point. I wouldn’t
care if the script was horseshit as
long as I thought you could turn a
profit. And of that, I am simply
not convinced.
Stanley hangs his head, the fight has gone out of him.
Lifton runs his hands through his hair in consideration.
LIFTON (CONT'D)
Are you a gambling man, Mr.
Kubrick?
Stanley raises his head as Napoleon now stands behind him,
squeezing his shoulders. Gambling man?
99.
LIFTON (CONT'D)
We do WANT to work with you again.
So, I’ll give you a proposition. If
you keep this script between us,
don’t shop it around anywhere else,
we’ll wait and see.
STANLEY
... Wait for what?
LIFTON
“Waterloo”. If that film is a
success, turns a profit, proves
that audiences have a taste for it,
we’ll give you the go ahead to make
yours. Everything you’re asking
for, WITH Jack Nicholson. But walk
away now, and we’re off the table.
BOB
What a crock of… come on Stan, I’m
sure Universal or even…
STANLEY
... They’ll all have the same
concerns…
BOB
So we’re supposed to root for a
competing film? Stake our future on
Bondarchuk?
STANLEY
(His prior fear now
turned into his only
lifeline)
He could, quite possibly, DO IT.
Lifton spreads his hands, “what’ll it be?"... Stanley
strokes his beard, looks to Napoleon and lights a cigarette.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
35 -
Haunted Reflections
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - DAY
Bob storms in.
ANDREW
How’d it go?
BOB
(Pissed off)
BONDARCHUK!
100.
ANDROS
…Am… am I supposed to know what
that means?
EXT. KUBRICK BACKYARD - DAY
Stanley smokes and paces while Napoleon sits at a table on
the deck.
NAPOLEON
Any film about me will surely be a
success. You did the right thing.
STANLEY
I blinked. I'm not accustomed to
blinking... I'm too in my head.
YOU'RE too in my head.
He walks to the pool, stares down at his reflection in the
water then throws his cigarette in, causing his reflected
face to ripple outwards.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
...I don't know. I DON'T KNOW IF I
LIKE YOU. To be honest, I don't
even want to know. I don't like
what either answer says about ME...
Napoleon sits back. He knew it. He lights his own cigarette.
Stanley runs his hands through his hair and sighs.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
I need you to go. For a while. I
can’t have you rattling around in
here the whole time we wait.
NAPOLEON
You think you can ignore me? Just
like that?
STANLEY
I must. For my own sanity.
NAPOLEON
Well... I refuse to be dismissed.
Stanley brushes past him and into the home.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
(Shouting after)
Bonne Chance!
101.
INT. KUBRICK ESTATE LOWER HALL - DAY
Stanley walks the halls in a daze, glancing into his study
before continuing on. Napoleon stands in the middle, head
tilted down, eyes intensely up. Cinema's "Kubrick Stare"
He wanders the estate. Each doorway he passes opens into
another room with Napoleon standing central in each, staring
out to him.
His young children run past him, Vivian filming with a Super
8 camera.
ANYA
Hi Daddy!
VIVIAN
Bye Daddy!
The girls run off.
He turns a corner and at the end of a long hall stands
Napoleon.
NAPOLEON
Come now, Stanley... you'll think
of me, Forever…
INT. CHRISTIANE’S STUDIO - DAY
Christiane paints on a large canvas which faces away from
the door. Stanley enters and looks around with paranoia.
Thankfully, No Napoleon in sight.
CHRISTIANE
How did it go?
STANLEY
Fine.
CHRISTIANE
So, they're on board?
STANLEY
Hm? Oh. Not... not yet. More...
negotiations. I'm not sure I put my
best foot forward. I'm not even
sure I put MY foot forward.
CHRISTIANE
How do you mean?
102.
STANLEY
Nothing. Nevermind. I'm sure it
will be fine.
CHRISTIANE
They'll be lucky to land it.
STANLEY
Hm. Yes... It's... important to be
lucky...
CHRISTIANE
Well, I'm just putting the
finishing touches on this one.
Switching it out with the front
garden one for tomorrow. The purple
and green... I know it's last
minute but...
STANLEY
Yes... nothings ever finished...
CHRISTIANE
Come see...
He comes to find it's a gorgeous, vibrant painting featuring
Napoleon, sitting in their garden. He closes his eyes
tight... LEAVE ME ALONE! When he looks again, Napoleon is
gone, with himself painted in his place.
STANLEY
(Running his hand through
his thinning hair)
I... look sad... and bald.
CHRISTIANE
(Teasing)
Well, I can only do so much with
the subjects available.
STANLEY
(Half smiling)
It's... a masterpiece.
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
36 -
Descent into Madness
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - NIGHT
Christiane sleeps while Stanley stares at the ceiling. Then,
soft music comes drifting into his ears. The Beethoven piece
about Napoleon. "Symphony No. 3 in E Flat, Op. 55 ‘Eroica’:
1. Allegro con brio”. He gets up to investigate.
103.
INT. KUBRICK UPPER HALL - NIGHT
The music grows louder as Stanley makes his way through the
halls.
INT. KUBRICK ESTATE STAIRCASE - NIGHT
Stanley decends, music ascends.
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - NIGHT
The music blares so loudly it hurts his ears. He goes to the
record player, but it's empty and turned off. He searches
the room... the music is coming from his TYPEWRITER. He
SHAKES IT but it REFUSES TO STOP. He POUNDS ON THE KEYS but
it won't quit. Finally, he picks up a copy of his SCRIPT and
BLUDGEONS THE MACHINE over and over with it. The MUSIC
suddenly STOPS.
Breathing heavily, he looks down at the now battered script,
pages ripped off from the assault. He's about to put it down
as he sees a TYPO. He grabs a pen and crosses out the word,
writing it correctly in the space above. Then he starts
flipping through the script. He sees a bit of dialogue he
dislikes, crosses the whole thing out and starts writing in
the margins.
He continues flipping and writing in the script, getting
smaller and smaller in the frame as we float back from the
room...
FADE TO:
SOUNDS AND VISIONS RAPIDLY FLASH:
BLACK VOID - STUNT GUY IN SPACESUIT HANGS FROM WIRES, HIGH
UP, UPSIDEDOWN- CHOKING FROM LACK OF AIR
OPULENT CINEMA FROM EARLIER - THE CROWD RAGE AT EACH OTHER
WITH 18TH CENTURY WEAPONS
KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - THE INTRUDER HAS HIS HANDS UP.
STANLEY RAISES HIS RIFLE AND FIRES
BLACK VOID - CLOSER ON STUNT GUY AS GASPING BREATHS FOG THE
SPACESUIT HELMET
STANLEY'S STUDY - THE MGM LETTER BURNS FROM THE CIGARETTE
HOLE, CATCHING FIRE TO STACKS OF PAPERS AROUND IT
104.
KENT HAMLIN'S OFFICE - HAMLIN YELLS "YOU MAY BE SOME GRAND
DICTATOR ON SET, BUT IN THIS OFFICE..." THEN HIS CHEST
EXPLODES - BLOOD SPRAYS THE MGM SIGN BEHIND - STANLEY HOLDS
HIS RIFLE WITH A BLOOD SPATTERED FACE
STANLEY'S STUDY - NOW COMPLETELY ABLAZE - FIRE EATS ALL THE
PAINTINGS, THE BOOKS, THE CARD CABINET, EVERYTHING... THE
FLAMES BEGIN CREEPING THROUGH THE HALLWAYS
BLACK VOID - CLOSER AND CLOSER ON STUNTMAN'S GAPPING,
SILENTLY SCREAMING MOUTH
BATTLEFIELD - DAWN - STANLEY SWEEPS A RIFLE AROUND IN ALL
DIRECTIONS. SUDDENLY A GUNSHOT! HE FALLS TO THE GROUND,
BLEEDING FROM THE CHEST. A MAN WALKS FORTH, CASTING A SHADOW
OVER HIS BODY. FOLLOW UP FROM THE APPROACHING BOOTS, TO
NAPOLEON'S UNIFORM, THEN TO THE FACE... STANLEY'S OWN FACE.
HE SMILES, POINTS HIS PISTOL DIRECTLY DOWN AT US AND FIRES.
CUT TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Psychological Thriller"]
Ratings
Scene
37 -
Art and Absence
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - AFTERNOON
On the couch, Stanley is shaken awake by Christiane.
CHRISTIANE
Did you hear me?
STANLEY
Hm?
CHRISTIANE
I'm heading over now to make sure
everything is set. I'm going to
stay downtown for a while after, so
I probably won't see you until
tonight.
STANLEY
Hm... Tonight...
CHRISTIANE
Alright! Well, this is it! Wish me
luck my love.
STANLEY
Yes.. always.
She kisses his forehead then heads out as he sleepily rises
and sees the script that has fallen on the floor. Suddenly
Napoleon is seated at the typewriter.
105.
NAPOLEON
We really should be getting back to
work.
Stanley sits back down, grabs and opens the script.
INT. LA'RENZ ART GALLERY - AFTERNOON
Christiane walks through her exhibit with a wide smile. She
comes upon a wall, examines it thoughtfully then calls over
the curator and asks to switch the location of two
paintings. It is done for her.
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - AFTERNOON
Stanley continues rewriting the script. Now, making changes
on almost every page he encounters.
EXT. LA'RENZ ART GALLERY - EVENING
A line of well-to-do gallery-goers stretches around the
corner. Christiane peeks her head out the front door and
bubbles and squeaks with excitement.
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - EVENING
Stanley paces and writes in the script. Napoleon paces the
opposite direction.
INT. LA'RENZ ART GALLERY - NIGHT
The gallery is abuzz with guests drinking champagne and
chatting. Andros, Jan, Bob and Sherry are among them.
Christiane nods and smiles at a passing guest then checks
her watch and frowns. Stanley is noticeably absent. The
curator approaches with a married couple.
CURATOR
Here she is. Mrs. Kubrick, the
Florences...
MRS. FLORENCE
It's a masterpiece.
CHRISTIANE
Hm? Oh, this one? Thank you!
MRS. FLORENCE
Incredibly bold... We just bought
it.
CHRISTIANE
Oh! Well, thank you very much! I'm
so glad you...
106.
MR. FLORENCE
It's a thrill to have a Mrs.
Stanley Kubrick.
CHRISTIANE
Oh. Well...thank you.
MR. FLORENCE
When can I meet him?
She gives a tight lipped smile, with "fuck you" eyes.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
38 -
From Frustration to Inspiration
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - NIGHT
As Stanley continues his obsessive editing, Napoleon sits at
the typewriter, pounding away at the keys. They click and
clatter, but no words appear on the page. The key strokes
grow louder.
STANLEY
Would you stop that!
Napoleon keeps typing.
NAPOLEON
You take too long.
STANLEY
I'm doing everything I... stop
that!
Napoleon stops typing, but the rhythmic ticking continues.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
I said...!
He sees that Napoleon has stopped, the ticking is coming
from his watch. He notes the time with a start.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
No!... Damn you!
Grabbing his coat, he almost falls over books as he races
out of the room yelling...
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Emilio!!
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE FRONT GATE - NIGHT
Kubrick's sedan rockets off leaving Napoleon standing at the
gate. FINALLY LEFT BEHIND.
107.
INT. LA'RENZ ART GALLERY - NIGHT
A small crowd envelopes Christiane.
DICKHEAD
And the colors... so vibrant! Do
you think it was some sort of
stargate? What does it mean?
ASSHAT
Surely he told you. Where is he? I
must know.
CHRISTIANE
I'm going to tell you about my...
COCK
And the space baby at the end! The
womb! Only a man like him could
conceive of such a thing!
INT. KUBRICK SEDAN - NIGHT
Emilio grips the wheel, white knuckled, as Stanley rides
shotgun.
STANLEY
Faster!
EMILIO
Yes sir!
They are thrown back in their seats as Emilio guns it, pedal
to the metal.
INT. LA'RENZ ART GALLERY - NIGHT
Christiane is now completely engulfed by "art lovers".
PRICK
What an artist! The ending of
Strangelove, alone... That was the
greatest ending I've ever...
SONUVABITCH
No! Paths of Glory! The girl
singing at the end! That was the
greatest ending of ALL TIME!
CHRISTIANE
... I WAS the girl singing at the
end...
108.
STANLEY
(O.S, Loudly)
AND YOU'RE WRONG...
Everyone turns to look as Stanley hastily strides in.
STANLEY (CONT'D)
... that was the greatest BEGINNING
of all time.
The crowd parts like the Red Sea as he goes to his wife.
CHRISTIANE
Our beginning...
STANLEY
I'm so sorry I'm late.
CHRISTIANE
You're here. That's what matters. I
wanted you to see this next part.
She turns to the crowd.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
Well! Now that you're all gathered
here, let me tell you about MY art.
You see, I was born into NAZI
GERMANY. And as a young girl, I was
FORCED to join the HITLER YOUTH.
The audience is suddenly captivated by her story and
strength with which she delivers it.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
They were DARK TIMES full of DREAD
and DESPAIR. Even when the sun was
shining, the world was COLD and
GREY. But my parents had A LIGHT...
They sang opera. And people
LISTENED, ENRAPTURED by these
voices, COMMANDING the room, NOT TO
SPIT HATE, but to SPARK JOY. It was
then I knew that ART could SAVE ME.
So, I became a SINGER MYSELF. A
DANCER. An ACTRESS. An artist. That
LIGHT lifted the clouds of grey
from my life. Now, I GIVE you the
COLORS I NEVER had in my youth. I
GIVE you the VIBRANCE, the BEAUTY
... I GIVE YOU THE LIGHT!
109.
The crowd erupts in applause. Collectors scatter to examine
her vibrant art with newly focused eyes. Others surround
her, asking questions, this time only about her own work.
DISSOLVE TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Biography"]
Ratings
Scene
39 -
Balancing Dreams and Responsibilities
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE FRONT - DAY
"1970" hangs on a cumulus cloud, early morning sun rays
spilling out from behind, we track down to front of home.
INT. KUBRICK KITCHEN - MORNING
Stanley has breakfast with his family. Laughs all around.
EXT. KUBRICK ESTATE BACKYARD - AFTERNOON
Stanley tosses football with Bob, Andros, and Jan. He goes
long for the ball and pretends to trip to the ground. They
all run over to him, now holding his ankle in "pain". Then
he laughs and jumps up. Everyone laughs.
INT. KUBRICK ESTATE LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON
Stanley films Anya and Vivian playing piano.
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - NIGHT
Stan sits on couch reading a script, jotting notes.
Christiane pokes her head in and waves him over. He sets
down script- it's Andrew's script - Stanley has crossed out
"Untitled J.M. Barrie Biography Film" and written "The Lost
Boys?"
As he leaves the study, he passes a calendar with Oct 27
circled red. The days leading up are X'd out. He walks back
to it, puts an X through the 26th. We move in on the red
circled date and...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - AFTERNOON
Bob, Andrew, Jan and Andros brainstorm. A whiteboard up
front says, "JUST-IN-CASE IDEAS"...
JAN
How about something else with
Clarke? They worked well together.
BOB
Another Sci-fi? I don’t think he
wants to retread the same ground.
110.
JAN
He did have that idea for the
Artificial Intelligence piece,
though. That’s science fiction.
BOB
Hm. Okay maybe. Throw it on the
board.
Andros writes “A.I.” on the board.
ANDREW
There was this one good book he
lent me... what was... oh… Burning
Secret.
JAN
He's considered developing that for
a long time actually... mark it
down.
Andros writes “Burning Secret”
BOB
Or what about that kinda smutty one
by Schnitzler. He’s talked about
that for a while too. What’s it
called?
JAN
Traumnovelle.
Andros writes “TROMnovelle”.
JAN (CONT'D)
T-r-a-u-m. It’s German. Dream
Novel.
Andros corrects it to “Traum”, then writes something
underneath, blocked by his body.
BOB
He’s talked a about a Nazi thing
for a long time... Started some
stuff once.
Andros writes "Nazis" then moves aside and they see the
hidden thing he'd written. “Lord of the Rings”
BOB (CONT'D)
No. Pass.
ANDROS
But we can get them back together!
111.
Everyone just looks at him. Andros sighs and erases it.
BOB
What else has he read lately?
The door swings wide and Stanley enters. He looks over the
board, and to his men.
BOB (CONT'D)
Just some ideas, you know...
STANLEY
Fine work gentlemen. Not just
these, but the last... God, it's
been TWO YEARS. I'm thankful for
ALL OF IT. For EACH OF YOU...
But now... Go see BONDARCHUK. Drive
that box office up. Our future here
hinges on his success. Hell, buy
TWO tickets. Laugh at all the stuff
he gets wrong.
BOB
Are you coming with us?
STANLEY
I'm going tonight. Alone. No
distractions.
ANDROS
I can be a distraction.
STANLEY
Just know... all of your work...
EVERYTHING you've put in... No
matter what happens, whether we get
to share it or not... you've
ALREADY made the GREATEST MOVIE OF
ALL TIME.
This lands in their hearts. They each have a moment of
appreciation and pride set in as Stanley looks between them.
Then...
STANLEY (CONT'D)
Now get the hell out of here. What
are you waiting for?
They hop to and bolt for the door, each patting Stanley on
the shoulder as they head out. Then he's alone. He takes a
slow stroll around the office, looking at the work. Photos,
paintings, books, notes. The fate of all this work hinges on
the film he's seeing tonight. He lands on Bob's sketchbook
and flips through.
112.
Humorous sketches of Napoleon and Andrew and Andros, then a
final one of himself, with a speech bubble... "Try to do my
best, Bob. It's even better."
Genres:
["Drama","Comedy"]
Ratings
Scene
40 -
Facing the Past
INT. KUBRICK BEDROOM - NIGHT
Christiane spoons her husband in bed.
STANLEY
I can stay.
CHRISTIANE
No. You need to go. You need to
KNOW. It's okay that you need to
know. I want you to know.
STANLEY
I'm torn. He's filled my head for
so long. But you exiled him when I
couldn't alone. And I'm so grateful
you did. But now that we're here...
WHICH of his exiles do you think
this was? Has he been at ST. HELENA
waiting to DIE or in ELBA, waiting
to ESCAPE, with the HUNDRED DAYS of
FREEDOM in between, out in the
world, making his FINAL STAND...
CHRISTIANE
Which do you wish it to be?
STANLEY
As much as I've needed the break...
I'm forced to admit to myself... I
still WANT those HUNDRED DAYS. To
give him his freedom, if only for a
moment. To SHARE him... to SHARE
that part of MYSELF, with the
world. It's torture to have so much
control over my films, but for the
one that means the most to me left
up to the fate of something I can't
control. I don't want all I've done
to be in vain.
CHRISTIANE
NOTHING you do is in vain, Stanley.
It's all for a reason.
STANLEY
(Looking at the clock)
Well...
113.
CHRISTIANE
Yeah. Are you sure you don't want
me to come along?
STANLEY
I need to do this part on my own.
CHRISTIANE
I understand. I put some
peppermints in your pocket. So you
don't have to buy candy.
STANLEY
How'd I get so lucky?
CHRISTIANE
Good question... Ask Felix.
STANLEY
(Laughing)
Alright... I'll see you after.
CHRISTIANE
I'll be right here.
Genres:
["Drama","Romance"]
Ratings
Scene
41 -
Reflections of Defeat
EXT. KUBRICK SEDAN - NIGHT
Emilio pulls up and stops in front of cinema, Stanley in
front seat. They nod to each other then Stanley exits.
INT. SECOND CINEMA - NIGHT
Stanley sits in a HALF-FILLED theater as the light from the
film flickers across his "KUBRICK STARE". Cannonballs
explode off screen as his face grows closer and closer,
until his eyes fill ours. His focus and intensity is
unparalleled. Over his eyes we...
LONG DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SECOND CINEMA - NIGHT
“WATERLOO” lettered on the marquee covers his EYES as they
fade away.
Falling down from the marquee, we find moviegoers yawn and
grumble as they exit. Finally Stanley walks out alone. The
doors are locked up behind him and the marquee lights shut
off one by one.
He matches a cigarette to life and watches the smoke as it
evacuates his lungs, twists up and drifts away into the
starry sky. Casting his eyes back down, he gazes around the
London streets. Then Napoleon steps out from beside him.
114.
The pair look, together, off yet again to an unseen horizon.
Stanley stamps out his cigarette and walks away from the
Emperor.
EXT. SIDEWALK - NIGHT
Stanley walks the streets of London alone, head hung, hands
in his pockets.
STANLEY
(O.S.)
Skip to the end...
CHRISTIANE
(O.S. Reading a newspaper
review)
Alright. Let's see...
“...and while there’s plenty of
spectacle to be had, Bondarchuk
revels in the grandiosity of
battle, it comes at the expense of
the rest of the picture. The
characters are almost second-hand
props, wooden and uninteresting. If
you’re going to make a period
piece, it needs charm. See Butch
Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The
very name, “Waterloo”, is
synonymous in our culture with
failure. Defeat. Therefore, in this
reviewer’s opinion, the title is
one of the only things the film
gets right. With a $25 million
dollar budget, projections have it
on course to lose, and lose big.
The age of the costume drama may be
dead. And this is the bomb that
killed it.” ... Stanley, I...
STANLEY
It's over.
DISSOLVE TO:
Genres:
["Drama","Historical"]
Ratings
Scene
42 -
Perseverance and Love
INT. BUSINESS BARN OFFICE - DAY
Bob, Jan, Andrew, Andros and Emilio enter and methodically
remove all the Napoleon research from the office. They take
down the photos and paintings, box the thousands of papers
and notecards, the piles of books and notebooks. ANDREW
packs his J.M. BARRIE BOOK AND SCRIPT, now highlighted and
dog-eared, into his bag. ANDROS folds and pockets a piece of
paper from his desk labeled "PRODUCER DUTIES" with a list
written beneath.
115.
BOB picks up his sketchbook, still open to the page Stanley
left it on; his caricature saying "TRY TO DO MY BEST, BOB.
IT'S EVEN BETTER". Bob chuckles at this then "KNOCKS ON
WOOD" upon the desk. Wishing to be that "BEST".
INT. STANLEY'S STUDY - EVENING
Stanley sits, wearing the "KUBRICK STARE" as Napoleon smokes
a cigarette and paces back and forth in front of him. He
throws it down and stomps it out as he finally speaks...
NAPOLEON
Fuck em.
He sits on the couch next to Stanley.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
Ces't la vie, mon ami. We simply
used the wrong nails for the
climate this time. Happens to the
best of us. And believe me, WE are
STILL the best of us. WE SOLDIER
ON.
Napoleon stands, no longer a "LITTLE CORPORAL". He LOOMS
LARGE, as TALL AND COMMANDING AS ANY EMPEROR OR GENERAL HAS
EVER BEEN.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
DO NOT ALLOW ONE LOSS TO DEFINE
YOU. VICTORY belongs to the most
PERSEVERING. WE SOLDIER ON. WE are
the ones that SHAPE THE VERY WORLD
AROUND US. Not because it's our
DESTINY, but because it's our WILL.
WE SOLDIER ON. And the WORLD... THE
WORLD WILL THANK US LATER.
Stanley gratefully assimilates this sentiment and with a
mutual respect, locks eyes with Napoleon.
NAPOLEON (CONT'D)
Goodbye, Stanley. I LIKE YOU.
Napoleon removes his hat and bows.
STANLEY
(Quietly)
Au revoir.
Christiane enters carrying a book. Napoleon is gone. On her
way to the couch she passes the wall where the giant
Napoleon picture once hung. Now, in it's place, are several
of HER bright, vibrant landscape and garden paintings.
116.
She tenderly sits next to him and snuggles her head into his
shoulder.
CHRISTIANE
Hi.
STANLEY
Hi.
CHRISTIANE
How are you feeling?
STANLEY
... I'll soldier on.
She snuggles into him more, proud and relieved. No more
Napoleon talk now...
CHRISTIANE
I've booked another showing for
next month. Did the whole deal
under the name "SUSANNE
CHRISTIANE". There's no chance
they're doing any of it because of
you. They have no idea who I am.
And they wanted me ANYWAY. They
LOVED them.
STANLEY
They... saw THE LIGHT.
They kiss. For them, as it always has been, LOVE is the
LIGHT.
CHRISTIANE
I am a bit nervous, though. It's a
joint exhibition, with another
artist... I'm not sure how mine
will hold up against...
STANLEY
Are you serious? You have something
the other can simply never have...
CHRISTIANE
Hm? What's that?
STANLEY
CHRISTIANE KUBRICK ART.
They kiss again. God, they're good together.
117.
CHRISTIANE
Thank you, Stanley. Alright. Now
I... am going to go make some art
in the kitchen. Something tasty.
Something that bubbles and squeaks?
STANLEY
... Magnifique! I'll be along in a
moment.
She heads to the door then turns back.
CHRISTIANE
Oh, I almost forgot...
She tosses the book on the table in front of him.
CHRISTIANE (CONT'D)
I was digging around and I found
this book I read a long while back.
One Terry sent you. Figured it'd be
good to have something different to
clear your head. Watch out, it’s
wild.
He watches her as she leaves, lights a cigarette and looks
around the room. It's been quite the ride. He didn't like
the outcome, but even if you don't like something, it
doesn't mean you can't learn something from it... Then,
finally, he looks down at the book on the table... He turns
it around for the title to face him... A CLOCKWORK ORANGE.
The opening of Beethoven's "Symphony No. 9 in D minor"
springs forth. Flashes between his face and the book.
Finally, he slowly looks back up, right at us...
KUBRICK STARE. Though this time, he is SMILING.
CUT TO BLACK...
Epilogue:
“We’ll Meet Again” by Vera Lynn plays under text on Black...
118.
BOB GAFFNEY and his family returned to New York, where it
rained cats and dogs. He founded Bob Gaffney Productions
where he produced and directed hundreds of popular
television commercials.
ANDREW BIRKIN is now a respected author and filmmaker,
notably of an adaptation of Peter Pan and a docudrama of its
author J.M. Barrie. He also wrote and directed another of
Stanley's unrealized projects, Burning Secret.
ANDROS EPAMINDONDAS assisted on Stanley's films A Clockwork
Orange, Barry Lyndon and The Shining. He later produced a
film starring… Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
EMILIO D'ELASSANDRO remained Stanley’s driver, personal
assistant and close friend for the next 30 years, later
authoring a book about their time together. He continued to
follow the speed limits and rules of the road.
CHRISTIANE KUBRICK, along with her brother, JAN HARLAN, has
helped archive and release thousands of pages of her late
husband’s photos, notes and research… including those on
Napoleon. Her own art appeared in two of his films as well
as in galleries around the world. She now shares her light
by teaching painting courses at the Kubrick estate in
Hertfordshire, England.
STANLEY KUBRICK would return to the idea of producing his
Napoleon film over the next several years. While it never
materialized, much of the research influenced his work on
Barry Lyndon. He passed away peacefully in his family home
at the age of 70, days after finishing his final film, Eyes
Wide Shut. He considered it the greatest movie he ever made.
He is now widely regarded as one of the best and most
influential filmmakers of all time.