"FORREST GUMP" -- by Eric Roth
"FORREST GUMP"
Screenplay by
Eric Roth
Based on a novel by
Winston Groom
EXT. A SAVANNAH STREET - DAY (1981)
A feather floats through the air. The falling feather.
A city, Savannah, is revealed in the background. The feather
floats down toward the city below. The feather drops down
toward the street below, as people walk past and cars drive
by, and nearly lands on a man's shoulder.
He walks across the street, causing the feather to be whisked
back on its journey. The feather floats above a stopped car.
The car drives off right as the feather floats down toward
the street.
The feather floats under a passing car, then is sent flying
back up in the air. A MAN sits on a bus bench. The feather
floats above the ground and finally lands on the man's
mudsoaked shoe.
The man reached down and picks up the feather. His name is
FORREST GUMP. He looks at the feather oddly, moves aside a
box of chocolates from an old suitcase, then opens the case.
Inside the old suitcase are an assortment of clothes, a
pingpong paddle, toothpaste and other personal items.
Forrest pulls out a book titled "Curious George," then places
the feather inside the book. Forrest closes the suitcase.
Something in his eyes reveals that Forrest may not be all
there.
Forrest looks right as the sound of an arriving bus is heard.
A bus pulls up. Forrest remains on the bus bench as the bus
continues on.
A BLACK WOMAN in a nurse's outfit steps up and sits down at
the bus bench next to Forrest. The nurse begins to read a
magazine as Forrest looks at her.
FORREST
Hello. My name's Forrest Gump.
He opens a box of chocolates and holds it out for the nurse.
FORREST
You want a chocolate?
The nurse shakes her head, a bit apprehensive about this
strange man next to her.
FORREST
I could eat about a million and a
half of these. My momma always said,
"Life was like a box of chocolates.
You never know what you're gonna
get."
Forrest eats a chocolate as he looks down at the nurse's
shoes.
FORREST
Those must be comfortable shoes.
I'll bet you could walk all day in
shoes like that and not feel a thing.
I wish I had shoes like that.
BLACK WOMAN
My feet hurt.
FORREST
Momma always says there's an awful
lot you could tell about a person by
their shoes. Where they're going.
Where they've been.
The black woman stares at Forrest as he looks down at his
own shoes.
FORREST
I've worn lots of shoes. I bet if I
think about it real hard I could
remember my first pair of shoes.
Forrest closes his eyes tightly.
FORREST
Momma said they'd take my anywhere.
INT. COUNTRY DOCTOR'S OFFICE - GREENBOW, ALABAMA - DAY
(1951)
A little boy closes his eyes tightly. It is young Forrest as
he sits in a doctor's office.
FORREST (V.O.)
She said they was my magic shoes.
Forrest has been fitted with orthopedic shoes and metal leg
braces.
DOCTOR
All right, Forrest, you can open
your eyes now. Let's take a little
walk around.
The doctor sets Forrest down on its feet. Forrest walks around
stiffly. Forrest's mother, MRS. GUMP, watches him as he clanks
around the room awkwardly.
DOCTOR
How do those feel? His legs are
strong, Mrs. Gump. As strong as I've
ever seen. But his back is as crooked
as a politician.
Forrest walks foreground past the doctor and Mrs. Gump.
DOCTOR
But we're gonna straighten him right
up now, won't we, Forrest?
A loud thud is heard as, outside, Forrest falls.
MRS. GUMP
Forrest!
EXT. GREENBOW, ALABAMA
Mrs. Gump and young Forrest walk across the street. Forrest
walks stiffly next to his mother.
FORREST (V.O.)
Now, when I was a baby, Momma named
me after the great Civil War hero,
General Nathan Bedford Forrest...
EXT. RURAL ALABAMA
A black and white photo of General Nathan Bedford Forrest.
The photo turns into live action as the General dons a hooded
sheet over his head.
The General is in full Ku Klux Klan garb, including his horse.
The General rides off, followed by a large group of Klan
members dressed in full uniform.
FORREST (V.O.)
She said we was related to him in
some way. And, what he did was, he
started up this club called the Ku
Klux Klan. They'd all dress up in
their robes and their bedsheets and
act like a bunch of ghosts or spooks
or something. They'd even put
bedsheets on their horses and ride
around. And anyway, that's how I got
my name. Forrest Gump.
EXT. GREENBOW
Mrs. Gump and Forrest walk across the street.
FORREST (V.O.)
Momma said that the Forrest part was
to remind me that sometimes we all
do things that, well, just don't
make no sense.
Forrest stops suddenly as his brace gets stuck. Forrest's
brace is caught in a gutter grate. Mrs. Gump bends down and
tries to free Forrest. Two old cronies sit in front of a
barber shop and watch.
MRS. GUMP
Just wait, let me get it.
Mrs. Gump struggles to pull the stuck brace from the grate.
MRS. GUMP
Let me get it. Wait, get it this
way. Hold on.
Forrest pulls his foot out of the grate.
MRS. GUMP
All right.
Mrs. Gump helps Forrest up onto the sidewalk. She looks up
and notices the two old man.
MRS. GUMP
Oooh. All right. What are you all
staring at? Haven't you ever seen a
little boy with braces on his legs
before?
Mrs. Gump and Forrest walk along the sidewalk past the two
old men. Mrs. Gump holds tightly onto Forrest's hand.
MRS. GUMP
Don't ever let anybody tell you
they're better than you, Forrest. If
God intended everybody to be the
same, he'd have given us all braces
on our legs.
FORREST (V.O.)
Momma always had a way of explaining
things so I could understand them.
EXT. OAK ALLEY/THE GUMP BOARDING HOUSE
Mrs. Gump and Forrest walk along a dirt road. A row of
mailboxes stands left.
FORREST (V.O.)
We lived about a quarter mile of
Route 17, about a half mile from the
town of Greenbow, Alabama. That's in
the county of Greenbow. Our house
had been in Momma's family since her
grandpa's grandpa's grandpa had come
across the ocean about a thousand
years ago. Something like that.
Mrs. Gump and Forrest walk along the Gump Boarding House
driveway.
FORREST (V.O.)
Since it was just me and Momma and
we had all these empty rooms, Momma
decided to let those rooms out. Mostly
to people passing through. Like from,
oh, Mobile, Montgomery, place like
that. That's how me and Mommy got
money. Mommy was a real smart lady.
MRS. GUMP
Remember what I told you, Forrest.
You're no different than anybody
else is.
Mrs. Gump heads Forrest to the porch. She bends down to look
Forrest in the eye.
MRS. GUMP
Did you hear what I said, Forrest?
You're the same as everybody else.
You are no different.
INT. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL / PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - DAY
PRINCIPAL
Your boy's... different, Mrs. Gump.
Now, his I.Q. is seventy-five.
MRS. GUMP
Well, we're all different, Mr.
Hancock.
The principal sighs, then stands up.
INT. HALLWAY
Forrest sits outside the principal's office and waits.
FORREST (V.O.)
She wanted me to have the finest
education, so she took me to the
Greenbow County Central School. I
met the principal and all.
The principal stands in front of Mrs. Gump. Forrest, sitting
left, listens.
PRINCIPAL
I want to show you something, Mrs.
Gump. Now, this is normal.
The principal holds up a chart with a designations according
to I.Q. and points to the center of the graph, labeled
"Normal." A red line below the normal area is labeled "State
Acceptance." The principal points to the section below the
acceptance line labeled "Below."
PRINCIPAL
Forrest is right here. The state
requires a minimum I.Q. of eighty to
attend public school, Mrs. Gump.
He's gonna have to go to a special
school. Now, he'll be just fine.
MRS. GUMP
What does normal mean, anyway? He
might be a bit on the slow side, but
my boy Forrest is going to get the
same opportunities as everyone else.
He's not going to some special school
to learn to how to re-tread tires.
We're talking about five little points
here. There must be something can be
done.
INT. HALLWAY
Forrest sits outside the principal's office.
PRINCIPAL
We're a progressive school system.
We don't want to see anybody left
behind.
INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE
PRINCIPAL
Is there a Mr. Gump, Mrs. Gump?
MRS. GUMP
He's on vacation.
EXT. GUMP BOARDING HOUSE - NIGHT
Forrest sits on a swing outside the house. Loud organic male
grunts are heard coming from inside the house. Forrest sits
on the swing as the grunts continue. The principal steps out
of the Gump House and wipes the sweat from his face.
Forrest is sitting on the porch.
PRINCIPAL
Well, your momma sure does care about
your schooling, son. Mm-mm-mm.
The principal wipes the sweat from his neck, then looks back
at Forrest.
PRINCIPAL
You don't say much, do you?
Forrest grunts, imitating him. The principal, embarrassed,
turns and walks away.
INT. GUMP BOARDING HOUSE/FORREST'S BEDROOM
Mrs. Gump reads from the book "Curious George" as Forrest
sits on the bed and listens.
MRS. GUMP
Finally, he had to try it. It looked
easy, but, oh, what happened. First
there...
FORREST
Momma, what's vacation mean?
MRS. GUMP
Vacation?
FORREST
Where Daddy went?
MRS. GUMP
Vacation's when you go somewhere,
and you don't ever come back.
Forrest lies down on his bed and looks up.
FORREST (V.O.)
Anyway, I guess you could say me and
Momma was on our own.
EXT. GUMP BOARDING HOUSE - DAY
A cab driver closes the trunk of the car as two women walk
toward the house. A milkman steps down from the porch.
FORREST (V.O.)
But we didn't mind. Our house was
never empty. There was always folks
comin' and goin'.
MRS. GUMP (V.O.)
Suppa.
INT. GUMP BOARDING HOUSE
Mrs. Gump steps forward and speaks to all the boarders.
MRS. GUMP
It's suppa, everyone. Forrest...
A MAN WITH A CANE steps left across the hall.
MAN WITH CANE
My, my. That sure looks special.
Mrs. Gump looks into a sitting room and informs the boarders
about dinner.
MRS. GUMP
Gentlemen, would you care to join us
for supper? Hurry up and get it before
the flies do. I prefer you don't
smoke that cigar so close to mealtime.
FORREST (V.O.)
Sometimes we had so many people
stayin' with us that every room was
filled with travelers. You know,
folks livin' out of their suitcases,
and hat cases, and sample cases.
MRS. GUMP
Well, you go ahead and start. I can't
find Forrest.
Mrs. Gump walks up the stairs.
MRS. GUMP
Forrest... Forrest...
FORREST (V.O.)
One time a young man was staying
with us, and he had him a guitar
case.
Mrs. Gump looks into Forrest's room. She hears singing coming
from another room and walks over to a closed door. Mrs. Gump
opens the door, revealing a young man with long sideburns as
he plays the guitar and sings. Forrest holds onto a broom
and dances oddly. The young man is ELVIS PRESLEY.
ELVIS PRESLEY
(sings)
"Well, you ain't never caught a
rabbit, and you ain't no friend of
mine."
Forrest's legs rock back and forth to the guitar.
MRS. GUMP
Forrest! I told you not to bother
this nice young man.
ELVIS
Oh, no, that's all right, ma'am. I
was just showin' him a thing or two
on the guitar here.
MRS. GUMP
All right, but your supper's ready
if y'all want to eat.
ELVIS
Yeah, that sounds good. Thank you,
ma'am.
Mrs. Gump leaves and closes the door. Elvis sits back down.
Forrest stands left, and looks himself in a mirror.
ELVIS
Say, man, show me that crazy little
walk you just did there. Slow it
down some.
Forrest begins to dance again as Elvis plays the guitar and
sings.
ELVIS
(sings)
"You ain't nothin' but a hound, hound
dog..."
FORREST (V.O.)
I liked that guitar.
Forrest dances as he watches himself in the mirror.
FORREST (V.O.)
It sounded good.
ELVIS
(sings)
"...cryin' all the time"
Forrest rocks up and down on his braced legs, then begins to
step.
ELVIS
(sings)
"You ain't nothin' but a hound dog..."
FORREST (V.O.)
I started moving around to the music,
swinging my hips. This one night me
and Momma...
EXT. GREENBOW - NIGHT
Mrs. Gump and Forrest walk along a sidewalk. A television
inside a store window reveals Elvis Presley as he performs
"Houng Dog" on a stage.
FORREST (V.O.)
...was out shoppin', and we walked
right by Benson's Furniture and
Appliance store, and guess what.
The television reveals Elvis as he thrusts his hips and sings.
ELVIS
(sings)
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog...
Mrs. Gump and Forrest watch the television. Elvis dances
around in the same manner Forrest did. A woman in the audience
screaming and applauding.
ELVIS
(sings)
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog...
MRS. GUMP
This is not children's eyes.
Mrs. Gump walks away, pulling Forrest with her. Forrest stops
and takes one last look. Elvis continues to perform over the
television.
ELVIS
(sings)
"Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
and you ain't no friend of mine."
FORREST (V.O.)
Some years later, that handsome young
man who they called "The King," well,
he sung too many songs, had himself
a heart attack or something.
EXT. SAVANNAH/BUS BENCH - DAY
Forrest is still sitting on the bus bench. The black nurse
looks at him.
FORREST
Must be hard being a king. You know,
it's funny how you remember some
things, but some things you can't.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD/ALABAMA - MORNING (1954)
Mrs. Gump and Forrest wait for the school bus. The bus pulls
up as Mrs. Gump prepares Forrest for his first day of school.
MRS. GUMP
You do your very best now, Forrest.
FORREST
I sure will, Momma.
FORREST (V.O.)
I remember the bus ride on the first
day of school very well.
The bus driver opens the door and looks down. Forrest walks
to the steps of the bus and looks at the bus driver. She is
smoking a cigarette.
BUS DRIVER
Are you comin' along?
FORREST
Momma said not to be taking rides
from strangers.
BUS DRIVER
This is the bus to school.
FORREST
I'm Forrest Gump.
BUS DRIVER
I'm Dorothy Harris.
FORREST
Well, now we ain't strangers anymore.
The bus driver smiles as Forrest steps up into the bus.
INT. BUS
Forrest steps up onto the bus. Mrs. Gump waves to Forrest as
the bus drives away. Forrest begins to walk down the aisle.
TWO YOUNG BOYS look up from the seat.
BOY #1
This seat's taken.
BOY #2
It's taken!
Forrest looks around. A larger girl slides over so Forrest
can't sit next to her. She shakes her head. Forrest looks to
the other side where a boy sits alone on a larger seat. They
boy glares up at Forrest.
BOY #3
You can't sit here.
FORREST (V.O.)
You know, it's funny what a young
man recollects. 'Cause I don't
remember being born.
EXT. SAVANNAH/BUS BENCH - DAY
Forrest continues talking as he sits on the bus bench.
FORREST (V.O.)
I, I... don't recall what I got for
my first Christmas and I don't know
when I went on my first outdoor
picnic. But, I do remember the first
time I heard the sweetiest voice...
INT. BUS - MORNING (1954)
Young Forrest is still standing in the aisle on the bus.
FORREST (V.O.)
...in the wide world.
GIRL
You can sit here if you want.
Forrest looks back at JENNY CURRAN, a young girl about
Forrest's age.
FORREST (V.O.)
I had never seen anything so beautiful
in my life. She was like an angel.
JENNY
Well, are you gonna sit down, or
aren't ya?
Forrest sits down next to Jenny.
JENNY
What's wrong with your legs?
FORREST
Um, nothing at all, thank you. My
legs are just fine and dandy.
FORREST (V.O.)
I just sat next to her on that bus
and had conversation all the way to
school.
JENNY
Then why do you have those shoes on?
FORREST
My momma said my back's crooked like
a question mark. These are going to
make me as straight as an arrow.
They're my magic shoes.
FORREST (V.O.)
And next to Momma, no one ever talked
to me or asked me questions.
JENNY
Are you stupid or something.
FORREST
Mommy says stupid is as stupid does.
Jenny puts her hand out toward Forrest. Forrest reaches over
and shakes her hand.
JENNY
I'm Jenny.
FORREST
I'm Forrest Gump. Forrest Gump.
FORREST (V.O.)
From that day on, we was always
together. Jenny and me was like peas
and carrots.
EXT. OAK TREE - DAY
Young Jenny and Forrest run toward a large oak tree.
FORREST (V.O.)
She taught me how to climb...
Jenny sits on a large branch and calls down to Forrest.
JENNY
Come on, Forrest, you can do it.
Forrest dangles from the branch.
FORREST (V.O.)
...I showed her how to dangle.
Jenny and Forrest sit on a tree branch and read.
FORREST
"...a good little monkey and..."
FORREST (V.O.)
She helped me to learn how to read.
Forrest hangs upside down from a branch and swings back and
forth. Forrest's braces are wedged in the tree.
FORREST (V.O.)
And I showed her to swing.
EXT. OAK TREE - NIGHT
The silhouete of the oak tree, Jenny and Forrest as they sit
on a branch.
FORREST (V.O.)
Sometimes we'd just sit out and wait
for the stars.
FORREST
Momma's gonna worry about me.
Jenny puts her hand on Forrest's hand.
JENNY
Just stay a little longer.
FORREST (V.O.)
For some reason, Jenny didn't never
want to go home.
FORREST
Okay, Jenny. I'll stay.
FORREST (V.O.)
She was my most special friend.
INT. SAVANNAH/BUS STOP - DAY
Forrest nods as he remembers.
FORREST
My only friend.
Forrest continues talking to the black woman. She doesn't
seem to be listening as she reads her magazine. She looks up
from her magazine.
FORREST
Now, my Momma always told me that
miracles happen every day. Some people
don't think so, but they do.
EXT. OAK ALLEY - ANOTHER DAY (1954)
Jenny and Forrest walk. A dirt clod hits Forrest in the back
of the head. Jenny looks as Forrest rubs his head. THREE
YOUNG BOYS get off their bikes and pick up more rocks.
BOY #1
Hey... dummy!
Forrest is hit in the eye with another dirt clod. Forrest
falls backward onto the ground as the boys glare at him.
BOY #2
Are you retarded, or just plain
stupid?
BOY #3
Look, I'm Forrest Gump.
Jenny helps Forrest back up. Boy #1 and Boy #2 throw more
dirt clods at Forrest.
JENNY
Just run away, Forrest.
Another dirt clod hits Forrest in the arm.
JENNY
Run, Forrest!
Forrest tries to run along the road, but his braces makes it
impossible. He hobbles along as Jenny yells after him.
JENNY
Run away! Hurry!
Boy #1 and Boy #2 turn back toward the bikes.
BOY #2
Get the bikes!
BOY #3
Hurry up!
The boys pick up their bikes and ride after Forrest.
BOY #3
Let's get him! Come on!
BOY #2
Look out, dummy, here we come!
The boys ride after Forrest. Jenny stands and watches.
BOY #2
We're gonna get you!
JENNY
Run, Forrest! Run!
Forrest hobbles along the dirt road.
JENNY
Run, Forrest!
Forrest looks over his shoulder. The three boys race on their
bikes.
BOY #1
Come back here, you!
Forrest begins to run faster with his braces on. Forrest
continues running as the boys chase him. Blood drips down
from a cut on his head. The boys on the bikes are gaining on
Forrest. Forrest hobbles along. He begins to gain speed.
JENNY
Run, Forrest! Run!
SLOW MOTION --
Forrest runs from the chasing room. He looks over his shoulder
in fear.
The boys on the bikes peddle faster as they gain on Forrest,
running.
Forrest tries to run even faster to get away. Suddenly his
braces shatter, sending steel and plastic flying into the
air.
Forrest runs and look down at his legs in surprise.
Forrest continues to run faster as the metal braces and straps
fly off his legs.
Forrest runs free of his braces and begins to pick up speed.
The chasing boys ride over the remains of Forrest's braces.
FORREST (V.O.)
Now, you wouldn't believe it if I
told you.
EXT. SAVANNAH/ BUS BENCH - DAY
FORREST
But I can run like the wind blows.
The black woman continues to read her magazine. Forrest smiles
as he remembers.
FORREST
From that day on, if I was going
somewhere, I was running!
EXT. OAK ALLEY - DAY (1954)
Forrest sprints away from the boys. The boys stop the chase
and watch in disbelief. Forrest is already at the far end of
the road, clear of the chasing boys.
BOY #2
He's gettin' away! Stop him!
Boy #1 throws his bike down in frustration. Forrest runs
across a field.
EXT. COUNTRY ROAD
Forrest runs past a chain gang in their prison uniforms.
They are cutting at the weeds on the side of the road.
EXT. GREENBOW
Forrest runs across the street. THE TWO OLD MEN sit in front
of the barber shop.
OLD CRONY
That boy sure is a running fool.
EXT. JENNY'S HOUSE
Forrest runs down a driveway toward Jenny's small house.
FORREST (V.O.)
Now remember how I told you that
Jenny never seemed to want to go
home? Well, she lived in a house
that was as old as Alabama. Her Momma
had gone up to heaven when she was
five and her daddy was some kind of
a farmer.
Forrest knocks on Jenny's door.
FORREST
Jenny? Jenny?
Forrest look around the field at the left. He notices Jenny
and runs toward her.
FORREST (V.O.)
He was a very lovin' man. He was
always kissing and touchin' her and
her sisters. And then this one time,
Jenny wasn't on the bus to go to
school.
Forrest runs to Jenny.
FORREST
Jenny, why didn't you come to school
today?
JENNY
Hsh! Daddy's takin' a nap.
Jenny grabs Forrest's hand and runs into the field. Jenny's
DAD drunk, steps out onto the porch and shouts.
JENNY'S DAD
Jenny!
JENNY
Come on!
JENNY'S DAD
Jenny, where'd you run to? You'd
better come back here, girl!
Jenny's dad steps out toward the field. Jenny leads Forrest
into the thick tobacco field. Jenny's dad runs through the
field searching for Jenny with a liquor bottle in his hand.
JENNY'S DAD
Where you at?
Jenny and Forrest run into a corn field as Jenny's dad tries
to chase her.
JENNY'S DAD
Jenny! Jenny! Where you at? Jenny!
Jenny drops to her knees and pulls Forrest down with her.
JENNY
Pray with me, Forrest. Pray with me.
JENNY'S DAD
Jenny!
JENNY
Dear God, make me a bird so I can
fly far, far, far away from here.
Dear God, make me a bird so I can
fly far, far, far away from here.
FORREST (V.O.)
Momma always said that God is
mysterious.
JENNY'S DAD
Jenny! Get back here!
FORREST (V.O.)
He didn't turn Jenny into a bird
that day. Instead...
EXT. TRAILER PARK/ALABAMA - DAY (1955)
A police officer escorts Jenny to her grandmother's trailer.
Jenny's grandmother meets Jenny outside and leads her toward
the trailer.
FORREST (V.O.)
...he had the police say Jenny didn't
have to stay in that house no more.
She went to live with her grandma
just over on Creekmore Avenue, which
made me happy 'cause she was so close.
EXT. GUMP HOUSE - NIGHT (1955)
Jenny climbs over a second-floor railing and enters the house.
FORREST (V.O.)
Some nights, Jenny'd sneak out and
come over to my house, just 'cause
she said she was scared. Scared of
what, I don't know...
INT. GUMP HOUSE/FORREST'S BEDROOM
Jenny lies in bed next to young Forrest. She hugs him.
FORREST (V.O.)
...but I think it was her grandma's
dog. He was a mean dog. Anyway, Jenny
and me was best friends...
EXT. GREENBOW/OAK ALLEY - DAY (1961)
Forrest and Jenny are teenagers now. They walk along an
oaklined road.
FORREST (V.O.)
...all the way to high school.
Suddenly Forrest is hit in the back with a rock. Forrest and
Jenny turn around.
OLDER BOY #1
Hey, stupid!
JENNY
Quit it!
A teenage boy throws another rock as a pickup truck pulls up
behind him. Jenny turns and looks at Forrest.
JENNY
Run, Forrest, run!
OLDER BOY #1
Hey. Did you hear me, stupid?
JENNY
Run, Forrest!
Forrest drops his books and runs down the road. The teenage
boy jumps into the back of the pickup truck with another boy
as the truck speeds after Forrest. Jenny steps left and gets
out of the way.
OLDER BOY #2
Come on, he's getting away! Move it!
JENNY
Run, Forrest! Run!
OLDER BOY #1
You better be runnin', stupid.
Forrest runs along the road. The truck speeds after him.
OLDER BOY #2
Come on, dummy!
OLDER BOY #1
Haul ass, dummy!
Older Boy throws rocks at Forrest.
OLDER BOY #1
Yeah, you better be runnin'!
INT. TRUCK
BOY
Ya-hoo!
EXT. OAK ALLEY
The boys in the back of the truck throw rocks at Forrest as
they drive up to him.
OLDER BOY #1
Move it, jack rabbit!
The truck follows right on Forrest's heels. A rebel flag
license plate adorns the truck's grill.
OLDER BOY #1
Come on!
Forrest runs along the road as the truck chases him. The
boys in the back of the truck pound on the roof as the truck
turns right, after Forrest. The truck drives into a field.
Forrest runs toward a fence.
BOY
Run! Faster! Yeah! Go! Go! Come on,
Forrest! Yeah!
JENNY
Run, Forrest!
Forrest leaps over a five-foot fence as the boys try to catch
him.
EXT. SAVANNAH/BUS BENCH - DAY (1981)
Forrest looks left as he continues telling his life story.
FORREST
Now, it used to be, I ran to get
where I was goin'. I never thought
it would take me anywhere.
EXT. HIGH SCHOOL/ROAD - DAY (1961)
Forrest runs along the road in front of the high school. The
truck continues to chase him as the boys pound on the roof.
OLDER BOY
Come on. Whoo-hoo!
The truck speeds past Forrest as he turns from the road and
runs onto the high school football field. Forrest runs across
the field during a football scrimmage.
In the stands watching the scrimmage is the legendary
University of Alabama football coach BEAR BRYANT, wearing
his trademark plaid hat.
A group of assistant coaches sit around him, as well as the
high school football coach. The quarterback throws the ball
into the air.
Forrest runs past the quarterback. The receiver catches the
ball. Forrest runs past the receiver as an opposing player
tackles the stunned receiver.
The football coach stands, followed by the assistant coaches.
FOOTBALL COACH
Who in the hell is that?
HIGH SCHOOL COACH
That there is Forrest Gump. Coach.
Just a local idiot.
Forrest runs under the field goal post and through the end
zone.
FORREST (V.O.)
And can you believe it? I got to go
to college, too.
EXT. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA STADIUM - DAY (1962)
The crowd roars with excitement as a football is kicked off.
The football players run around on the field. The crowd of
cheering fans create a huge sign that reads: "GO."
Forrest is in a University of Alabama football uniform. He
looks up into the cheering crowd as his teammate fields the
kickoff. The teammate runs over to Forrest and hands him the
ball.
FOOTBALL COACH
Okay! Run!
The football coach, the assistants, and Alabama players cheer
for Forrest.
FOOTBALL COACH
Run, you stupid son-of-a-bitch! Run!
Forrest runs across the field. He speeds past the defending
players. Forrest runs past the opposite players. The crowd
cheers wildly, holding up cards, making a large sign that
reads: "Go."
They turn the cards over, creating the word: "ALABAMA." The
football coach runs along the sidelines as he yells.
FOOTBALL COACH
You stupid son-of-a-bitch! Run! Go!
Run!
Forrest cuts and runs toward the sidelines. Two opposing
players collide. The football coach, the assistants and the
players all motion for Forrest to run toward the end zone.
FOOTBALL COACH
Run! Turn! Go!
Forrest turns up the sidelines and runs toward the end zone.
Some opposing players fall down. Forrest runs along the
sidelines. The opposing players try to catch him.
Forrest runs into the end zone as an opposing player dives
at his feet. The referee holds up his arm, signaling a touch
down. The crowd cheers wildly.
Forrest continues to run, smashing through the band members,
then all the way toward the team tunnel. The football coach
looks at an assistant coach.
FOOTBALL COACH
He must be the stupidest son-of-a-
bitch alive. But he sure is fast!
FORREST (V.O.)
Now, maybe it was just me but college
was very confusing times.
INT. GREENBOW/BARBER SHOT - BLACK & WHITE TELEVISION (JUNE
11, 1963)
An anchorman named CHET HUNTLEY appears over the television.
CHET HUNTLEY
(on TV)
Federal troops enforcing a court
order integrated the University of
Alabama today.
EXT. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA - DAY
Forrest walks through a crowd of people.
CHET HUNTLEY
Governor George Wallace had carried
out his symbolic threat to stand in
the schoolhouse door.
GOVERNOR WALLACE
We hereby denounce and forbid this
illegal and unwarranted action by
the central government.
INT. GREENBOW/BARBER SHOP
A black & white television reveals George Wallace as he stands
in the doorway of the schoolhouse.
KATZENBACH
(on TV)
Governor Wallace, I take it from
that, uh...
EXT. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Forrest steps over to a young man as the crowd looks at the
demonstration.
KATZENBACH
...statement that you are going to
stand in that door, and that you are
not going to carry out the orders of
this court, and that you are going
to resist us from doing so. I would
ask you once again to responsibility
step aside and if you do not, I'm
going to assure you...
FORREST
Earl, what's going on?
EARL
Coons are tryin' to get into school.
FORREST
Coons? When raccoons try to get on
our back porch, Momma just chase 'em
off with a broom.
EARL
Not raccoons, you idiot, niggas. And
they want to go to school with us.
FORREST
With us? They do?
Forrest walks toward the schoolhouse.
INT. COACHES' OFFICE
A football coach looks at a black and white television as a
newsman outside the schoolhouse speaks to the camera.
NEWSMAN
(on TV)
...block the doorway, President
Kennedy ordered the Secretary of
Defense then to use the military
force.
BLACK AND WHITE FOOTAGE
The footage cuts to Governor Wallace as he speaks to General
Graham.
NEWSMAN
Here by videotape is the encounter
by General Graham, Commander of the
National Guard, and Governor Wallace.
Forrest stands next to George Wallace and listens.
GOVERNOR WALLACE
We must have no violence today, or
any other day, because these National
Guardsmen are here today as Federal
Soldiers for Alabamans. And they
live within our borders and they are
all our brothers. We are winning in
this fight because we are awakening
the American people to the dangers
that we have spoken about so many
times, just so evident today, the
trend toward military dictatorship
in this country.
EXT. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Some of the Alabama policeman and citizens clap their hands
as the National Guardsmen stand at attention with their
weapons in front of them. Forrest walks through the crowd.
Two black students were being led toward the schoolhouse.
NEWSMAN
And so at day's end the University
of Alabama in Tuscaloosa had been
desegregated and students Jimmy Hood
and Vivian Malone had been signed up
for summer classes.
The young black girl drops one of her books. Forrest notices
and steps past the policeman toward the book on the ground.
Forrest steps out from the crowd and picks up the book. He
brings it up to the girl.
FORREST
Ma'am, you dropped your book. Ma'am.
INT. COACHES' OFFICE - NIGHT (1963)
A coach looks at the television. The television reveals
Forrest as he stands at the schoolhouse door. He looks around,
then waves.
CHET HUNTLEY
(on TV)
Governor Wallace did what he promised
to do. By being on the Tuscaloosa
campus, he kept the mob from gathering
and prevented violence.
An assistant coach looks at the television, then at the other
coaches.
ASSISTANT COACH
Say, wasn't that Gump?
The football coach and two assistant coaches look. Forrest
dries himself off with a towel as he steps from the showers.
CHET HUNTLEY
(on TV)
NBC News will present a special
program on the Alabama integration
story at 7:30 p.m. tonight...
ASSISTANT COACH
Naw, that couldn't be.
FOOTBALL COACH
It sure as hell was.
CHET HUNTLEY
...standard Eastern Daylight Time.
Now a word from Anacin.
Forrest steps up to the coaches' area and grabs a clean towel.
The coaches turn and stare at Forrest. Forrest gives them
one of his silly waves, then walks away.
COLOR FOOTAGE - Governor Wallace waves to the crowd as he
stands behind a podium with his wife.
FORREST (V.O.)
A few years later, that angry little
man at the schoolhouse door thought
it would be a good idea, and ran for
President.
COLOR FOOTAGE - Governor Wallace mingles in a crowd. Gunshots
are fired, wounding him. Some men wrestle the shooter. Wallace
lies wounded on the ground.
FORREST (V.O.)
But, somebody thought that it wasn't.
EXT. SAVANNAH/BUS BENCH - DAY (1981)
Forrest sits on the bench as the black woman looks at him. A
WHITE WOMAN with a bay sits left.
FORREST
But he didn't die.
A bus pulls up to the bus stop. The BLACK WOMAN looks down
at her watch.
BLACK WOMAN
My bus is here.
FORREST
Is it the number 9?
BLACK WOMAN
No, it's the number 4.
The Black Woman gets up and steps over to the bus.
FORREST
It was nice talkin' to you.
The white woman sits closer to Forrest.
WHITE WOMAN
I remember when that happened, when
Wallace got shot. I was in college.
FORREST
Did you go to a girls' college, or
to a girls' and boys' together
college?
WHITE WOMAN
It was co-ed.
FORREST
'Cause Jenny went to a college I
couldn't go to. It was a college
just for girls.
EXT, GIRLS' COLLEGE/JENNY'S DORM - NIGHT (1963)
Forrest sits outside Jenny's dorm in the rain.
FORREST (V.O.)
But, I'd go and visit her every chance
I got.
A car pulls up. A song is heard from the radio. Forrest,
holding a box of chocolates, looks at the car. The two people
inside the car begins to kiss and embrace each other. Jenny
is inside the car with a boy. She leans back against the
passenger side door as they struggle to get comfortable.
JENNY
Ouch! That hurts.
Forrest gets up and runs toward the car. He tries to look in
the window as he steps over to the driver's side door. He
opens the door and begins to punch the boy inside. Jenny
jump out of the car and runs over to Forrest.
JENNY
Forrest! Forrest! Forrest, stop it!
Stop it!
BILLY
Jesus!
JENNY
What are you doing?
FORREST
He was hurtin' you.
Jenny's date, named BILLY, gets out of the car angrily.
BILLY
What the hell is going on here?
JENNY
No, he's not!
BILLY
Who is that? Who is that?
JENNY
Get over there!
Jenny turns and looks at Billy. He shoves Jenny's hands away
from him.
JENNY
Billy, I'm sorry.
BILLY
What in the hell, git, would you git
away from me!
JENNY
Don't... Wait a second!
BILLY
Git, just git away from me!
JENNY
Don't go! Billy, wait a second!
Billy gets back into the car.
JENNY
He doesn't know any better!
Billy pulls away as Jenny steps toward Forrest.
JENNY
Forrest, why'd you do that?
Forrest holds out the box of chocolates.
FORREST
I brought you some chocolates. I'm
sorry. I'll go back to my college
now.
JENNY
Forrest, look at you! Come on. Come
on.
Jenny grabs Forrest hand and leads him toward the dorm.
INT. JENNY'S DORM/HALLWAY
Jenny and Forrest sneak to Jenny's door.
FORREST
Is this your room?
JENNY
Shh!
Jenny unlocks the door and they step inside.
INT. JENNY'S DORM ROOM
Jenny pulls a robe off of her sleeping roommate's bed. Jenny
hands the robe to Forrest, sitting on Jenny's bed.
JENNY
Do you ever dream, Forrest, about
who you're gonna be?
FORREST
Who I'm gonna be?
JENNY
Yeah.
FORREST
Aren't I going to be me?
JENNY
Well, you'll always be you, just
another kind of you. You know? I
want to be famous.
Jenny picks up a towel, then walks back toward Forrest. Jenny
dries the water from her hair.
JENNY
I want to be a singer like Joan Baez.
I just want to be an empty stage
with my guitar, my voice... just me.
Jenny takes off her slip and sits on the bed next to him.
She is only wearing her bra and panties. Forrest looks at
Jenny like he's never seen a woman in her underwear before.
JENNY
And I want to reach people on a
personal level. I want to be able to
say things, just one-to-one.
Forrest looks down at Jenny's breasts. Jenny realizes that
he is looking at her.
JENNY
Have you ever been with a girl,
Forrest?
FORREST
I sit next to them in my home
economics class all the time.
DJ
(over radio)
You're listening to WHHY in
Birmingham, the clear A.M. voice of
Northern Alabama. I'm Joel Dorn...
Forrest looks at Jenny as she removes her bra. Forrest looks
away, a bit shamed. Jenny takes his hand and guides it up to
her breast.
DJ
(over radio)
...coming to you on a night that is
anything but clear. The weatherman
says that rain's gonna fall all night
long so stay with us, get warm, get
cozy, get under the covers to the
cool sounds of WHHY.
Forrest looks over at Jenny's breasts, the shudder as he has
an orgasm.
FORREST
Ohh... Oh... I'm sorry. Sorry.
JENNY
It's okay.
DJ
(over radio)
...444-6789, with ya till sunrise,
playing the music you want to hear
when you want to hear it. If you
have a request or dedication, give
us a call. We guarantee you'll hear
your requests within one hour.
Forrest breathes heavily. Jenny puts her bra back on.
JENNY
It's all right.
Jenny leans over and puts her head on Forrest's shoulder.
DJ
(over radio)
Candy is on the line tonight. Candy's
answering the phones, give Candy
your request, your dedication, and
ask her why she won't go out with
me, would you? Here's more music.
JENNY
It's okay.
FORREST
Oh, I'm dizzy.
A song is coming over the radio. Jenny hugs Forrest.
JENNY
I bet that never happened in home
ec.
FORREST
No.
Jenny laughs and kisses Forrest on the cheek. Forrest and
Jenny hug on the bed as Jenny's roommate pretends to be
asleep, but is listening, horrified, with her eyes open.
FORREST
I think I ruined your roommate's
bathrobe.
JENNY
I don't care. I don't like her,
anyway.
EXT. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA/FOOTBALL STADIUM - DAY (1963)
Forrest runs across the field as the defending team chases
him. The crowd yells for Forrest. They flip a sign that reads:
"Go Forrest."
CROWD
Run! Run! Run!
Forrest runs along the field. The crowd cheers.
CROWD
Run! Run! Run!
Forrest runs into the end zone. The band members rush toward
Forrest with their hands up, signaling him to stop. The crowd
flips over cards, creating a sign that reads "STOP."
CROWD
Stop!
Forrest stops in the end zone as he hears the crowd yells.
The band motions for Forrest to stop and stay in the end
zone. A group of defending players fall over each other in
the end zone. Forrest looks as the crowd cheers wildly.
FORREST (V.O.)
College ran by real fast 'cause I
played so much football.
BLACK AND WHITE PARAMOUNT NEWSREEL - DAY (1963)
The White House with the words "The eyes and ears of the
world Paramount News" superimposed.
FORREST (V.O.)
They even put me on a thing called
the All-America Team where you get
to meet the President of the United
States.
BLACK AND WHITE NEWSREEL
PRESIDENT KENNEDY holds an autographed football as the All-
American Team stands behind him. Forrest is among the players
in suits.
ANNOUNCER
(over newsreel)
President Kennedy met with the
Collegiate All-American Football
Team at the Oval Office today.
INT. WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION AREA - DAY (1963)
The All-American players mingle around the food table. Forrest
steps up to the table. A large spread of food and soda is on
the table.
FORREST (V.O.)
Now, the real good thing about meeting
the President of the United States
is the food.
Forrest takes a bottle of Dr. Pepper from the buffet table.
Numerous bottle of Dr. Pepper are displayed on the table. A
servant opens the bottle for him.
FORREST (V.O.)
They put you in this little room
with just about anything you'd want
to eat or drink. And since number
one, I wasn't hungry, but thirsty...
Forrest begins to guzzle the Dr. Pepper.
FORREST (V.O.)
...and number two, they was free, I
musta drank me about fifteen Dr.
Peppers.
Forrest sets down an empty Dr. Pepper bottle next to a large
number of other empty bottles. Forrest holds his stomach and
burps.
BLACK AND WHITE FOOTAGE - President Kennedy shakes hands
with the All-American football players.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY
Congratulations. How does it feel to
be an All-American?
1ST PLAYER
It's an honor, Sir.
Another player steps up to the President and shakes the
President's hand.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY
Congratulations. How does it feel to
be an All-American?
2ND PLAYER
Very good, Sir.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY
Congratulations. How does it feel to
be an All-American?
3RD PLAYER
Very good, Sir.
The player walks away. Forrest steps up to the President.
The President shakes his hand.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY
Congratulations. How do you feel?
FORREST
I gotta pee.
President Kennedy turns and smiles.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY
I believe he said he had to go pee.
INT. WHITE HOUSE/BATHROOM
Forrest urinates in the bathroom, then lowers the lid and
flashes. Forrest washes his hands, then notices an autographed
photo from Marilyn Monroe and a photo of John with his brother
Bobby.
FORREST (V.O.)
Sometime later, for no particular
reason, somebody shot that nice young
President when he was ridin' in his
car.
ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE - DAY SLOW MOTION - President Kennedy rises
in a convertible and smiles.
FORREST
And a few years after that...
ARCHIVAL FOOTAGE - Robert Kennedy stands at a podium as people
around him applaud.
FORREST (V.O.)
...somebody shot his little brother,
too, only he was in a hotel kitchen.
EXT. SAVANNHA/BUS BENCH - DAY (1981)
Forrest sits on the bench and shakes his head.
FORREST
It must be hard being brothers. I
wouldn't know.
EXT. UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA - DAY - GRADUATION DAY (1966)
Students in their caps and gowns step forward the podium to
receive their diplomas. Forrest's name is called. He steps
up and accepts his diploma.
DEAN
Forrest Gump.
FORREST (V.O.)
Now can you believe it? After only
five years of playing football, I
got a college degree.
The dean shakes Forrest's hand vigorously. Forrest looks out
into the crowd.
DEAN
Congratulations, son.
Mrs. Gump, sitting in the audience, cries.
FORREST (V.O.)
Momma was proud.
Forrest and Mrs. Gump have their picure taken in front of a
large statue. A military recruiter spots Forrest and steps
up to him.
MRS. GUMP
Forrest, I'm so proud of you. Here,
I'll hold this for you.
Mrs. Gump takes the diploma from Forrest. The recruiter slaps
Forrest on the shoulder and hands him some military
literature.
MILITARY RECRUITER
Congratulations, son. Have you given
any thought to your future?
FORREST
Thought?
Forrest looks at a pamphlet with a photo of "Uncle Sam" and
the caption "EXCELLENT CAREERS FOR EXCELLENT YOUNG MAN. Apply
now at your local U.S. Army Recruiting Center."
FORREST (V.O.)
Hello, I'm Forrest...
INT. ARMY BUS - DAY (1966)
Forrest steps onto the army bus. Rain pours outside as the
army bus driver yells at Forrest.
FORREST
...Forrest Gump.
ARMY BUS DRIVER
Nobody gives a hunk of shit who you
are, fuzzball! You're not even a
lowlife scum sucking maggot! Get
your faggoty ass on the bus. You're
in the Army now!
Forrest is about to sit on the first available seat, but the
recruit sitting there refuses Forrest.
RECRUIT #1
This seat's taken.
Forrest tries to sit on the next seat, but the 2nd recruit
slides over, blocking him.
RECRUIT #2
It's taken.
Forrest steps forward, looking much like he did on his first
bus ride to school years ago.
FORREST (V.O.)
At first, it seemed like I made a
mistake.
A large black recruit with a strange look on his face, much
like Forrest's, looks up from his seat. His name is BUBBA.
FORREST (V.O.)
...seeing how it was my induction
day and I was already gettin' yelled
at.
Bubba moves his case over, making room for Forrest to sit
down.
BUBBA
You can sit down... if you want to.
FORREST (V.O.)
I didn't know who I might meet or
what they might ask.
Bubba hands Forrest a handkerchief.
BUBBA
You ever been on a real shrimp boat?
FORREST
No, but I been on a real big boat.
BUBBA
I'm talkin' about a shrimp catchin'
boat. I've been workin' on shrimp
boats all my life. I started out my
uncle's boat, that's my mother's
brother, when I was about maybe nine.
I was just lookin' into buyin' a
boat of my own and got drafted. My
given name is Benjamin Buford Blue.
Bubba and Forrest shake hands.
BUBBA
People call me Bubba. Just like one
of them redneck boys. Can you believe
that?
FORREST
My name's Forrest Gump. People call
me Forrest Gump.
FORREST (V.O.)
So Bubba was from Bayou La Batre,
Alabama, and his momma cooked shrimp.
INT. LOUISIANA/KITCHEN - DAY (1966)
Bubba's mother, a robust woman in a cook's uniform, carries
a bowl of shrimp into a dining room. She sets it down on a
table in front of a wealthy white man.
FORREST (V.O.)
And her momma before her cooked
shrimp.
INT. SOMEWHERE IN THE SOUTH/KITCHEN - DAY (EARLY DAYS OF
SLAVERY)
Bubba's grandmother carries a bowl of shrimp into a dining
room. She sets it down on a table in front of a wealthy white
man.
FORREST (V.O.)
And her momma before her momma cooked
shrimp, too. Bubba's family knew
everything...
INT. ARMY BUS - DAY (1966)
FORREST (V.O.)
...there was to know about the
shrimpin' business.
BUBBA
I know everything there is to know
about the shrimpin' business. Matter
of fact, I'm goin' into the shrimpin'
business for myself after I get out
the Army.
FORREST
Okay.
INT. BARRACKS - DAY
A DRILL SERGEANT is in Forrest's face as Forrest stands in
line with the other recruits.
DRILL SERGEANT
Gump! What's your sole purpose in
this Army?
FORREST
To do whatever you tell me, Drill
Sergeant!
DRILL SERGEANT
Godamnit, Gump! You're a goddamned
genius! That's the most outstanding
answer I've ever heard. You must
have a godamned I.Q. of a hundred
and sixty! You are godamned gifted,
Private Gump!
The Drill Sergeant moves down the line to the next man.
DRILL SERGEANT
Listen up, people...
FORREST (V.O.)
Now, for some reason, I fit in the
Army like one of them round pegs.
It's not really hard. You just make
your bed real neat and remember to
stand up straight.
DRILL SERGEANT
That is one very intelligent
individual! You lock your scuzzy
bodies up behind that private and do
exactly what he does and you will go
far in this man's army!
FORREST (V.O.)
And always answer every question
with "Yes, Drill Sergeant!"
DRILL SERGEANT
Is that clear?
FORREST & RECRUITS
Yes, Drill Sergeant!
ANOTHER DAY
The recruits are sitting at the base of their bunks assembling
their rifles. Bubba speaks to Forrest.
BUBBA
What you do is you just drag your
nets across the bottom. On a good
day, you can catch over a hundred
pounds of shrimp. If everything goes
all right, two men shrimpin' ten
hours, less what you spends on gas,
you can...
Forrest finishes assembling his rifle as the other recruits
are still working on theirs.
FORREST
Done, Drill Sergeant!
DRILL SERGEANT
Gump!
The Drill Sergeant rushes up to Forrest.
DRILL SERGEANT
Why did you put that weapon together
so quickly, Gump?
FORREST
You told me to, Drill Sergeant.
The Drill Sergeant looks at his stop watch.
DRILL SERGEANT
Jesus Christ! This is a new company
record. If it wouldn't be a waste of
such a damn fine enlisted man, I'd
recommended you for O.C.S., Private
Gump. You are gonna be a General
some day, Gump! Now, disassemble
your weapon and continue!
The Drill Sergeant walks away as Forrest begins to disassemble
his rifle. After the Drill Sergeant walks past Bubba, Bubba
looks up at Forrest. Bubba continues talking about shrimp in
his slow southern drawl.
BUBBA
Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is
the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue
it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute
it. There, uh, shrimp kabobs, shrimp
creole...
ANOTHER DAY
Bubba and Forrest shine their boots.
BUBBA
...shrimp gumbo, panfried, deep fried,
stir fried. There's pineapple shrimp,
lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper
shrimp...
ANOTHER DAY
Bubba and Forrest are on their hands and knees as they scrub
the floor with toothbrushes.
BUBBA
...shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp
salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp
burger, shrimp sandwich... that's,
that's about it.
NIGHT
Bubba lies in his bunk and looks up quietly.
FORREST (V.O.)
Nighttime in the Army is a lovely
time.
Forrest lies in his bunk and looks up.
FORREST (V.O.)
We'd lay there in our bunks, and I'd
miss my momma. And I'd miss Jenny.
A young private tosses a Playboy magazine onto Forrest.
YOUNG PRIVATE
Hey, Gump. Get a load of the tits on
her!
Forrest pick up the magazine and turns the page, revealing
Jenny as she poses with a school sweater on, and that's all.
The pictorial is titled: "Girls of the South." Forrest looks
up with shock. He cranes his head up for a closer look.
FORREST (V.O.)
Turns out, Jenny had gotten into
some trouble over... some photos of
her in her college sweater. And she
was thrown out of school.
SONG
"My baby does the hanky-panky..."
INT. NASHVILLE/NIGHT CLUB - NIGHT (1966)
Forrest, in his army uniform, steps into the foyer of the
club.
FORREST (V.O.)
But that wasn't a bad thing. Because
a man who owns a theater in Memphis,
Tennessee, saw those photo and offered
Jenny a job singing in a show. The
first chance I got, I took the bus
up to Memphis to see her perform in
that show.
EMCEE steps out onto the stage.
EMCEE
That was Amber, Amber Flame. Give
her a big hand, guys. Good job, Amber.
And now, for your listening and
viewing pleasure, direct from
Hollywood, California, our very own
beatnik beauty, let's give a big
round of applause to the luscious
Bobbie Dylan.
CROWD
Bobbie... Bobbie...
The emcee walks back off the stage and the curtain opens,
revealing Jenny as she sits on a stool on the stage. She
holds a guitar up and begins to play. She is topless.
JENNY
(sings)
"Yes, and how many seas must the
white dove said, before she sleeps
in the sand."
FORREST (V.O.)
Her dream had come true. She was a
folk singer.
JENNY
(sings)
"Yes, how many times must the
cannonballs fly before they're forever
banned."
MAN #1
You gotta lose the guitar, darling.
MAN #2
Hey, come on, baby. Shake it up.
Shake it up now.
MAN #3
Hey, somebody ought to get her a
harmonica.
The men laugh.
JENNY
(sings)
"The answer, my friend is blowing in
the wind. The answer is blowing in...
MAN #
...skin, honey. This isn't Captain
Kangaroo.
MEN
Yeah! Come on!
Man #5 reaches up and tries to stick some money in Jenny's
shoe.
MAN #5 :
Hey, honey, I got something here for
you.
Jenny kicks his hand. He yells angrily as he sits back down,
then tosses his drink on her.
MAN #5
Goddamnit!
JENNY
Hey! Hey! Stupid jerk! I'm singing a
song here. Polly, get out here!
MAN #
Hey, show us some stuff, honey!
JENNY
Shut up! Oh, shut up!
Forrest walks up to Man #5 and grabs him and tosses him down
on the ground. Man #4 tries to grab Forrest, but Forrest
shoves him down too.
JENNY
Forrest, what are you doing here?
What are you doing?
Forrest climbs up onto the stage and picks Jenny up, guitar
and all, and carries her.
FORREST
Come on.
JENNY
What are you doing? Forrest, let me
down!
Jenny struggles and frees herself from Forrest. Forrest steps
back in surprise. Jenny shoves the guitar at Forrest. Jenny
walks off as Forrest holds the guitar. He follows after her.
EXT. MEMPHIS BRIDGE - NIGHT
Forrest follows Jenny over a bridge outside the night club.
JENNY
You can't keep doing this, Forrest.
You can't keep tryin' to rescue me
all the time.
FORREST
They was tryin' to grab you.
JENNY
A lot of people try to grab me. Just --
you can't keep doing this all the
time!
FORREST
I can't help it. I love you.
JENNY
Forrest, you don't know what love
is.
Jenny turns and looks over the bridge.
JENNY
You remember that time we prayed,
Forrest? We prayed for God to turn
me into a bird so I could fly far,
far away?
FORREST
Yes, I do.
JENNY
You think I can fly off this bridge?
FORREST
What do you mean, Jenny?
JENNY
Nothing.
Jenny turns and looks at the light of an approaching vehicle.
She steps into the street.
JENNY
I gotta get outta here.
Jenny runs and flags down the approaching vehicle.
FORREST
But wait. Jenny!
JENNY
Forrest, you stay away from me, okay?
You just stay away from me, please.
A pickup truck pulls over as Jenny looks at the driver.
JENNY
Can I have a ride?
DRIVER
Where you going?
JENNY
I don't care.
DRIVER
Get in the truck.
FORREST
So bye-bye, Jenny. They sendin' me
to Vietnam. It's this whole other
country.
Jenny walks toward Forrest. She looks at the driver.
JENNY
Just hang on a minute.
Jenny walks up to Forrest.
JENNY
Listen, you promise me something,
okay? Just if you're ever in trouble,
don't try to be brave, you just run,
okay? Just run away.
FORREST
Okay. Jenny, I'll write you all the
time.
Jenny takes a last look at Forrest, then climbs into the
truck. Forrest watches Jenny in the pickup as it drives away.
FORREST (V.O.)
And just like that.
EXT. GREENBOW/GUMP BOARDING HOUSE/RIVER - DAY
Forrest, dressed in his uniform, sits on a log and looks out
at a river.
FORREST (V.O.)
...she was gone.
Mrs. Gump walks toward Forrest and sits down next to him on
the log. Forrest leans down, placing his head on his mother's
shoulder.
MRS. GUMP
You come back safe to me, do ya hear?
EXT. VIETNAM/MEKONG DELTA - MORNING (1967)
The shadow of a helicopter over the rice field below. A
soldier is manning a gun from inside the helicopter. The
solider looks left, Forrest and Bubba ride in the helicopter.
EXT. FIREBASE/4TH PLATOON
The helicopter circles overhead, then lands at the firebase.
SONG
"Some folks are born made to wave
the flag. Ooh, they're red, white
and blue. And when the band plays
"Hail to the Chief," ohh, they point
the cannon at you all. It ain't me.
It ain't me. I ain't no Senator's
son, no. It ain't me. It ain't me..."
Bubba and Forrest jump out of the helicopter with their gear/
They walk and look around oddly.
FORREST (V.O.)
Now, they told us that Vietnam was
gonna be very different from the
United Sates of America.
The soldier places a case of beer on a large stack of cases.
He takes two beers out and walks away. In the background,
soldiers are barbecuing steaks and drinking beer.
FORREST (V.O.)
Except for all the beer cans and the
barbecue, it was.
BUBBA
Y'know, I bet there's shrimp all in
these waters. They tell me these
Vietnams is good shrimp. You know,
after we win this war, and we take
over everything we can get American
shrimpers to come on here and shrimp
these waters. We'll just shrimp all
the time, man. So much shrimp, why,
you wouldn't believe it.
Lieutenant DAN TAYLOR steps out of a tent. Shirtless, he
holds a roll of toilet paper in his hand.
LT. DAN
You must be my F.N.G.'s.
BUBBA AND FORREST
Morning', sir!
LT. DAN
Ho! Get your hands down. Do not salute
me. There are goddamned snipers all
around this area who would love to
grease an officer. I'm Lieutenant
Dan Taylor. Welcome to Fourth Platoon.
Lt. Dan looks at Bubba.
LT. DAN
What's wrong with your lips?
BUBBA
I was born with big gums, sir.
LT. DAN
Yeah, well, you better tuck that in.
Gonna get that caught on a trip wire.
Where you boys from in the world?
BUBBA & FORREST
Alabama, sir!
LT. DAN
You twins?
Forrest and Bubba look at each other oddly, they don't get
the joke.
FORREST
No, we are not relations, sir.
LT. DAN
Look, it's pretty basic here.
Lt. Dan starts to walk. Bubba and Forrest grab their gear
and follow him.
LT. DAN
You stick with me, you learn from
the guys who been in country awhile,
you'll be right. There is one item
of G.I. gear that can be the
difference between a live grunt and
a dead grunt.
Lt. Dan stops and looks at the boys.
LT. DAN
Socks, cushion, sole, O.D. green.
Try and keep your feet dry when we're
out humpin'. I want you boys to
remember to change your socks wherever
we stop. The Mekong will eat a grunt's
feet right off his legs.
Lt. Dan steps over to a large black soldier named SERGEANT
SIMS.
LT. DAN
Sergeant Sims! Goddamnit, where is
that sling-rope I told you to order.
SGT. SIMS
I put in requisitions at Battalion.
LT. DAN
Yeah, yeah, yeah, well you call those
sonabitches again, call them again
and again and again. I don't care
how much it takes...
FORREST (V.O.)
Lt. Dan sure knew his stuff. I felt
real lucky he was my lieutenant. He
was from a long, great military
tradition. Somebody in his family
had fought and died in every single
American war.
EXT. VALLEY FORGE/THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR - DAY (1778)
A distant relative of Lt. Dan's, wearing a revolutionary war
uniform, falls dead in the snow.
EXT. GETTYSBURG/THE CIVIL WAR - DAY (1863)
Another relative, wearing a civil war uniform and bearing a
striking resemblance to Lt. Dan, falls down dead.
EXT. NORMANDY/WORLD WAR II - DAY (1944)
Another relative, wearing a World War II, falls down dead on
the beach at Normandy.
EXT. VETNAM/MEKONG DELTA/FIREBASE - DAY (1967)
LT. DAN
Goddamnit, kick some ass!
SGT. SIMS
I'm on it, Lieutenant.
LT. DAN
Get on it!
Lt. Dan steps back up to Bubba and Forrest.
FORREST (V.O.)
I guess you could say he had a lot
to live up to.
Lt. Dan walks along the walkway and Bubba and Forrest follow.
LT. DAN
So, you boys are from Arkansas, huh?
Well, I've been through there. Little
Rock's a fine town. Now, go shake
down your gear, see the platoon
sergeant, draw what you need for the
field.
Lt. Dan steps inside the latrine, still holding the roll of
toilet paper.
LT. DAN
If you boys are hungry, we got steaks
burnin' right here.
Lt. Dan sits down out of sight in the latrine, then stands
up, looking at the boys.
LT. DAN
Two standing orders in this platoon.
One, take good care of your feet.
Two, try not to do anything stupid,
like gettin' yourself killed.
Lt. Dan sits back down out of sight in the latrine. Bubba
and Forrest look at each other.
FORREST
I sure hope I don't let him down.
EXT. RICE FIELD - ANOTHER DAY
Forrest, Bubba, and other soldiers in the Fourth Platoon
walk across the rice field. Some Vietnamese rice farmers are
working as the soldiers walk past.
FORREST (V.O.)
I got to see a lot of countryside.
We would take these real long walks.
EXT. JUNGLE/DIRT ROAD - ANOTHER DAY
Forrest's unit walks along a dirt road.
SONG
And we were always lookin' for this
guy named Charlie. I can't get no
relief.
Suddenly Lt. Dan holds up his fist, a signal for the unit to
stop. He motions for them to get down.
LT. DAN
Hold it up!
SGT. SIMS
Hold up, boys!
Forrest gets down and looks around.
FORREST (V.O.)
It wasn't always fun. Lt. Dan always
gettin' these funny feelings about a
rock or a trail, or the road, so
he'd tell you to get down, shut up!
LT. DAN
Get down! Shut up!
FORREST (V.O.)
So we did.
Lt. Dan motions for the lead soldier to get down. Lt. Dan
crouches down. Lt. Dan looks at the soldiers and points to
his eyes. He lies down on the dirt road and crawls.
FORREST (V.O.)
Now, I don't know much about anything,
but I think some of American's best
young men served in this war. There
was Dallas, from Phoenix. Cleveland,
he was from Detroit.
CLEVELAND
Hey, Tex. Hey, Tex. Man, what the
hell's going on?
Tex holds up his hand, motioning that he doesn't know.
FORREST (V.O.)
And Tex was, well, I don't remember
where Tex come from.
LT. DAN
Ah, nothin'. Fourth Platoon, on your
feet! Still got ten clicks to go to
that river.
Forrest stands up and begins to walk with the platoon.
LT. DAN
All right, move out! Comin' out.
Look alive out there.
FORREST (V.O.)
The good thing about Vietnam is there
was always someplace to go.
LT. DAN (V.O.)
Fire in the hole!
EXT. VIETNAM/VIET CONG FOXHOLE - ANOTHER DAY
Lt. Dan walks away as Forrest rushes over, aims two pistols
in the hole, then climbs inside.
FORREST (V.O.)
And there was always something to
do.
LT. DAN
Mount 'em up.
SGT. SIMS
Spread out! Cover his back.
ANOTHER DAY - The platoon walks through a rice paddy, waits
deep in water. It begins to rain.
FORREST (V.O.)
One day it started raining, and it
didn't quit for four months.
EXT. JUNGLE
The rain pours down on Forrest and Bubba as they sit in a
foxhole.
FORREST (V.O.)
We been through every kind of rain
there is. Little bitty stingin'
rain...
ANOTHER DAY - The platoon walks through the jungle as rain
pours down on them.
FORREST (V.O.)
...and big ol' fat rain.
ANOTHER DAY - The platoon shelters themselves as they walk
through the wind and rain.
FORREST (V.O.)
Rain that flew in sideways.
ANOTHER DAY - Forrest and other soldiers walk chest-deep
through a river. The rain splatters back up from the river,
hitting the soldiers. Forrest holds his hand up to protect
his face.
FORREST (V.O.)
And sometimes rain even seemed to
come straight up from underneath.
EXT. ENCAMPMENT - NIGHT
The rain pours down on the men of the platoon as they sit in
a camp. Bubba sits down next to Forrest.
FORREST (V.O.)
Shoot, it even rained at night.
Bubba leans his back up against Forrest's back.
BUBBA
Hey Forrest...
FORREST
Hey Bubba...
BUBBA
I'm gonna lean up against you, you
just lean right back against me.
BUBBA
This way, we don't have to sleep
with our heads in the mud. You know
why we a good partnership, Forrest?
'Cause we be watchin' out for one
another. Like brothers and stuff.
Hey, Forrest, there's somethin' I've
been thinkin' about. I got a very
important question to ask you. How
would you like to go into the
shrimpin' business with me?
FORREST
Okay.
BUBBA
Man, I tell you what, I got it all
figured out, too. So many pounds of
shrimp to pay off the boat, so many
pounds for gas, we can just live
right on the boat. We ain't got to
pay no rent. I'll be the captain; we
can just work it together. Split
everything right down the middle.
Man, I'm tellin' you, fifty-fifty.
And, hey, Forrest, all the shrimp
you can get.
FORREST
That's a fine idea.
FORREST (V.O.)
Bubba did have a fine idea.
ANOTHER NIGHT - Some soldiers patrol the area. Forrest lies
in a pup tent and writes a litter as the rain pours down. He
uses his flashlight to see.
FORREST (V.O.)
I even wrote Jenny and told her all
about it. I sent her letters. Not
every day, but almost. I told her
what I was doin' and asked her what
she was doing, and I told her how I
thought about her always.
EXT. JENNY'S GRANDMOTHER'S TRAILER - DAY
Jenny steps out of the trailer with a backpack and a guitar.
She hugs a hippie guy, then jumps into the back of a
Volkswagen bus with another guy.
FORREST (V.O.)
And how I was looking forward to
getting a letter from her just as
soon as she had the time I'd always
let her know that I was okay.
EXT. VIETNAM - NIGHT
Forrest writes a letter in his tent.
FORREST (V.O.)
Then I'd sign each letter, "Love,
Forrest Gump."
EXT. JUNGLE - DAY
The Fourth Platoon makes their way through the jungle and
rain.
SONG
"There's something happenin' here.
What it is ain't exactly clear.
There's a man with a gun over there,
telling' me I got to beware."
FORREST (V.O.)
This one day, we was out walking,
like always, and then, just like
that, somebody turned off the rain
and the sun come out.
Forrest looks up as the sun suddenly appears. Forrest's
platoon is attacked. A bullet kills the soldier standing
next to Forrest. Bombs explode all around as the soldiers
scramble to the ground.
LT. DAN
Take cover!
Forrest crawls over a berm as bullets fly overhead and explode
all around him. Forrest rolls over and pulls his pack off
Lt. Dan lies next to Forrest.
LT. DAN
Get that pig up here, goddammit!
BUBBA
Forrest, you okay?
Two soldiers with a machine gun fire into the jungle. Lt.
Dan shouts into the radio. Forrest begins firing his weapon
into the jungle.
LT. DAN
...Strongarm, please be advised...
Two soldiers pull a wounded soldier into the jungle.
BUBBA
Medic, we got a man down!
LT. DAN
Strongarm, this is Leg Lima 6, over!
LT. DAN
Roger, Strongarm, be advised we have
incoming from the treeline at point
blue plus two. A.K's and rockets...
The machine gunner fires into the treeline. Another soldier
helps him with the ammunition. The machine gun jams.
SOLDIER WITH BIG MACHINE GUN
Misfire! Misfire!
LT. DAN
Goddammit, Mac! Get that pig unfucked
and get it in the treeline!
A rocket explodes on the machine gunner and the other soldier,
killing them. Forrest looks down and covers his head as
rockets explodes all around him.
LT. DAN
(into radio)
Ah, Jesus! My unit is down hard and
hurting! 6 pulling back to the blue
line, Leg Lima 6 out! Pull back!
Pull back!
BUBBA
Forrest! Run! Run, Forrest!
LT. DAN
Pull back!
BUBBA
Forrest! Run! Run, Forrest! Run!
Run!
SGT. SIMS
Pull back! Let's go!
Lt. Dan gets up and grabs Forrest by the collar.
LT. DAN
Run, goddammit, run!
The platoon gets up and runs toward the cover of the jungle.
Rockets explode all around the field. Forrest runs into the
jungle. The soldiers run through the jungle as bullets explode
all around. A soldier is blown up by a rocket. A soldier
runs through the jungle. Forrest runs past the soldier.
SOLDIER
Medic! Medic! Jesus, can I get a
medic?
FORREST (V.O.)
I ran and ran, just like Jenny told
me to.
Rockets explode in the jungle as Forrest runs out toward a
clearing.
FORREST (V.O.)
I ran so far and so fast that pretty
soon I was all by myself, which was
a bad thing.
FORREST
Bubba!
Forrest turns around, then runs back into the jungle.
FORREST (V.O.)
Bubba was my best good friend. I had
to make sure he was okay.
Rockets explode in the jungle. Forrest runs back into the
jungle to look for Bubba.
1ST SOLDIER
Any friendlies out there?
2ND SOLDIER
Yeah, I've got three over there.
1ST SOLDIER
Where the hell are you?
Forrest stops and aims his weapon. He looks around, scared.
FORREST
Bubba?
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