THE WILD BUNCH
Written by
Walon Green & Sam Peckinpah
February 12th, 1968
1.
FADE IN:
OUTSKIRTS OF A SOUTH TEXAS RAILROAD YARD (SAN RAFAEL)
A TRAIN ROARS PAST REVEALING IN THE DISTANCE FIVE MET RIDING
TOWARD CAMERA along the tracks. In CLOSE F.G. is.the back
part of a sign.
NARRATOR
To most of America in 1913, the Age
of Innocence had arrived and the
stories of the Indian Wars and the
Gold.RuSh and the Great Gunfighters
had become either barroom ballyhoo
or front-porch remiraiscences... .But
on both sides of the $io Grande men
still lived as thia7 had in the 1 70's
and 1 80's -- unchanged. men in a
changing land.
THEY WEAR THE KHAKI UNIFORMS OF THE UNITED STATES CnVALJRY..
The horses bear the government brand and the saddles are
regulation.
PIKE BISHOP,. wearing lieutenant's bars, rides slightly ahead
of the others. He rides stiffly; always slightly in pain...
Pike is a not unhandsome, leather-faced man in his early
forties. A thoughtful, self-educated top gun with a penchant
for violence who is afraid of nothing - except the. changes
in himself and those around him.
Make no mistake, Pike Bishop is not a hero -- his values are
not ours -- he is a gunfighter, a criminal, a bank. robber, a
killer of men. His sympathies are not for fences, for
trolleys.and telegraphs or better schools. He lives outside
and against society because he believes in that way of life
and if he has moments of sympathy for others, moments of
regret, t hey ' are short lived. He is not a 'good man'
according to the righteous... To them he is totally bad,
and he wouldn't have it any other way.
Next to him DUTCH ENGSTROM wears the uniform of a sergeant.
Dutch is big„ good-natured with a fast gun hand, strong
loyalty and, like Pike, a bone deep distaste for rules and
regulations. He can sing,. has more than his share of charm,
but believes in nothing except two men, and Pike is one.
Behind them ride two brothers, LYLE and TECTOR GORCH,
dressed as corporals. Lyle and Tector are big, tough, hot
tempered and sudden. They work together, eat together and
CONTINUED
2.
2 CONTINUED
sometimes sleep together with the same whore. Brutal,
vicious in a fight, illiterate,. they are always pressing
for an advantage and once they get it -- they never let go.
They are without loyalty or honor, to anyone except each
other and that is limited.
A fifth man wears the single stripe of a PFC. This is. AL'GEL.
Angel is a good-looking, bilingual Mexican boy in his middle
20's who has seen so much blood and violence and cruelty
under Diaz that he rebelled -- but his rebellion was not with
Villa or Obregon, his was a one-man revolution against them
all. He believes in his family, his village and the inherent
dignity of. man (some men at least). " He is faster than his
companions with a gun -- and a better shot -- but he can't.
laugh at the loss of love or suffer the loss of pride --
Mexican pride - a pride that can kill him, but if it does,.
he will have no regrets.
REACHING THE SIGN THE MEN STOP. Witut.speaking they, begin
to brush off their clothing and get their uniforms in order.
4 THE SIGN READS IN RAILROAD LETTERS: SAN RAFAEL, TEXAS
And underneath, someone has printed:
W�LCO ME TO SAN RAFAEL
THE SEVENTH OLDEST TOWN IN SOUTH TEXAS
FOUNDED 1703, POPULATION 5
1914, POPULATION 2682
STAY ON AND GROW WITH OUR COMMUNITY
PIKE' AND ' DUTCH STARE FOR A MOMENT AT THE SIGN, slightly
bemused. _
DUTCH
Make you feel welcome?
PIKE
(DRYLY)
It helps..
TEC TOR
What's it say?
ANGEL
(baiting him)
It invites us to stay with the community
and grow. It is here, perhaps with time
and small miracle -- that you could be
taught to read.
CONTINUED
3.
5 CONTINUED
Tector looks at Angel for a long moment, then turns to Pike.
TECTOR
I never enlisted to serve with no
smart-mouthed kid.
ANGEL
Nor I with dogs.
DUTCH
(grinning at Pike)
ITd like to transfer to another unit --
there seems to be dissension in the
ranks.
PIKE
(t0 Teotor and Angel)
Itll transfer both of you -- just one
more word.
They look at him silently. He means it. Finally Tike spurs
his horse and the group sta'ts for town, CAMERA PANNING. THEM
PAST. THE STATt.ON A�M BOXCARS into a side street.
EXT.. MAIN SQUARE OF SAN RAFAEL DAY
THE SQUARE. SHOWS THE MEXICAN/SPANISH INFLUENCE AND.IS CROWDED
with weekend visitors. Men,. women and children are. milling
about, shopping and idly trading gossip.. The town.has the
look of turn of the century Americana along with its.Spanisn
heritage. The group of soldiers enter almost unnoticed.-
Riding downethe street they pass:
A LARGE TENT IN FRONT OF WHICH IS A BANNER ANNOUNCING a
W.C.T.U. meeting, which, according to the SOUNDS of the bass
drum and a sermon denouncing rum, is presently going on
inside.
SPEAKER (OS)
Leviticus. 10.9. Do not drink wine or
strong drink thou,nor thy sons with
thee least ye die. It shall be a
statute forever. Look. not though. upon.
the. wine when it. is red when it giveth
his color in the cup when it moveth
itself aright at the last it biteth
like a serpent and stingeth like an
adder.
CONTINUED
CONTINUED
SPEAKER (OS) (CONTID)
(THEN)
That is in the good book.. but here in
this town, it is five cents a glass.
Five cents a glass, does anyone think
that that is really the price of a
----drink? The price of a drink let him
decide who has lost his courage and his
pride and who lies a govelling heap
of clay not far removed from a beast
today.-
CONGREGATION (OS)
I hereby solemnly procaise, God helping
me, to abstain from all di stilled, fer-
mented and malt ligi34rs3 including wine,
beer and cider, and to employ all proper
means to discourage the Ilse of and.
traffic in the same.
AS THE GROUP RIDES AROUND THE SQUARE,. THREE. SOLDIERS,
ABE,. PHIL AND BURT, at the hitching rail on one side of the
street,. turn and keep pace with the group on horseback.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE SQUARE THREE OTHER SOLDIERS,
BUCK, FRANK AND CRAZY LEE, DO THE SAME.
10 PIKE AND HIS GROUP RIDE PAST THE GENERAL STORE AND THE
SALOON. AT T�- END OF THE STREET, THEY DISMOUNT ACROSS FROM
THE YELLOW AND BROWN RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING. As
they swing out of the saddle the other ' soldiers' join them.
1l.' PIKE AND HIS COMPANIONS REMOVE EMPTY SADDLE BAGS FROM their
horses and step onto the boardwalk or sidewalk that surrounds
the'square. Some passersby look curiously.
PIKE
(after a moment, a little
AWKWARDLY)
Fall in -- and follow me.
The men,. with the 'exception of Tector, Phil and Abe, shuffle
into a ragged column of twos.
CHANGE
2/12/68
5.
12. PIKE MOVES DOWN THE FILE, looks around.
BUCK
Real quiet, 'sir.'
Pike looks at the horses, then at:
13, THE SIGN OVER THE ENTRANCE OF A BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET
It reads: PECOS AND SOUTH TEXAS R.R.
14. PIKE PAUSES. FOR A MINUTE and behind him the men surreptitious-
ly touch their holstered forty-five automatics. Pike leaves
the boardwalk, crossing toward. the railroad office. Tector
and Phil stay with the horses.
PIKE AND DUTCH, LOOKING AROUND AS THEY LEAVE. THE BOARDWALK,
ACCIDENTALLY BUMP INTO A LADY SHOPPER, WHO DROPS HER PACIKAGE.
PIKE
(removing his hat)
Beg pardon, Ma'am.
DUTCH
(as she stops)
Let. me, Ma'am.
Dutch picks up the package, Pike offers the lady his arm.
She hesitates, accepts. Pike and Dutch, followed by the
others, lead her across the 'street.
16. ON THE ROOF OF THE BUILDING OPPOSITE THE RAILROAD OFFICE ARE
TEN. MEN STRETCHED OUT BEHIND THE FALSE FRONT T_DLY WATCHING
THE CROWD BELOW, THEIR RIFLES AT THEIR SIDES Behind them.
on the flat of the roof are open bedrolls, and the remains of
at least three meals. It is hot., they have been there a -long
time, and they are tired.
17., PAT HARRIGAN, A DAPPER, SELF-IMPORTANT, BACK=SHOOTING RAIL-
ROAD EXECUTIVE SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEN -- ALL RAGGED
HARDCASES -- frowns a little as he watches the soldiers in
the street below. It is. hotter than hell on the tin roof and
he is sweating heavily. He turns, edges forward, then nudges:
18, DEKE THORNTON SITTING NEXT TO HIM, his back against the wall,
Thornton is a hard-bodied, quiet-spoken man, with a lined
face and the embittered manner of someone who has changed
sides to stay alive and while part of his life has gone out
of him with the change, the personal integrity by which he
has lived is still. intact.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/27/68
6.
18 CONTINUED'
HARRIGAN
(HARSHLY)
The soldiers sit up -- take a look!
Thornton straightens, turns slowly, looks -- stiffens a
little.
HARRIGAN
Pike?
THORN TON
(after a long moment)
He's there.
The bounty hunters react and prepare to fire. Over this shot
is the sound of Pike calling to Thornton -- from the past.
19 PIKE REACHES THE DOOR AND WITHOUT PAUSING, murmurs 'goodbye'
to the lady and enters, followed by the others,
20 ON THE ROOF, HARRIGAN WHIRLS ON HIS MEN as they begin aim-
•ing, ready to fire..
HARRIGAN
(HISSING)
Hold your fire; -- We wait till they come
out -- catch them in the act.
(to Thornton)
Then.you kill him or go back to Yuma;
Thornton turns toward him, his.face white, remembering-
INT. PRISON CELL - DAY AND NIGHT - (MONTAGE EFFECT)
JAIL DOORS CLANGING SHUT
20A THORNTON, WRISTS LASHED TO THE BARS OF THE CELL'S window,
is being whipped by a guard.
20B THORNTON on the rock pile is making little ones of big ones.
EXT. SAN RAFAEL - ROOF TOP DAY
21 T.C. & COFFER, TWO OF THE MEN, POINT TOWARD TECTOR.AND PHIL
.standing by the horses.
COFFER.& T.C.
(SIMULTANEOUSLY)
I can nail himl
THORNTON
(SAVAGELY)
He said wait.
T.C.
(WHINING)
What if they go.out back?
COFFER
(DISGUSTEDLY)
It's covered, you two-bit rednecked peckerwood.
The men settle slightly. Thornton remains tense -- then turns as:
7.
22 THE W.C.T.U. BAND AND PARADE START UP AT THE END OF THE
STREET ACROSS THE SQUARE.
HARR IGAN
That's all we needed:
INT. PAY OFFICE - DAY
23 THE PAYMASTER IS REPRIMANDING A CLERK.
PAYMASTER
What -you meant to do does not interest
me What you did --
Then, seeing:
24 PIES AND THE OTHERS waiting, he steps to the ody window,
smiling with the thought that their visit means. military
business for the railroad. His mood. changes as the men draw
their\guns and Pike steps towards him.
PAYMASTER
(reaching for air)
What is it?...What do you want?
25 DUTCH., LYLE AND THE. OTHER MEN SWIFTLY MOVE behind the
counter. Pike ignores the paymaster and turns to:
26 CRAZY LEE STRINGFELLOW,. a young, compulsive killer with just
enough sense to. pour piss out of a boot (if the instructions
were printed on the heel: (the instructions are -- to pour,
tip!)
PIKE
If they move, kill them.
C.L. grins happily and squats on the floor, his 12 gauge
pump shotgun angled up at:
27 THE TERRIFIED PAYMASTER, HIS TWO ASSISTANTS AND MARGARET, A
HATCHET-FACED HARRIDAN IN HER FIFTIES i,iho enters the office
carrying. a.wrapped package and is instantly shoved into. a
corner with the other prisoners.
28 ON THE STREET -- THE W.C.T.U. BASS DRUM BOOMS CLOSER as the
parade picks up kids and other scoffing supporters as it
moves around the square. . People and their children are
crowding through the trees to the boardwalk to watch the band.
and group of believers following the_,. in a formation that is
almost as rigid as. their song and their faces.
8.
29 ON THE ROOF TOP -- HARRIGAN AND THORNTON NERVOUSLY WATCH THE
BAND.. THE OTHER MEN EQUALLY TENSE KEEP THEIR RIFLES TRAINED
ON THE DOOR.
EARRIGAN
Damn them!
The parade moves toward the saloon.
THO RNTO N
They should have been told:
HARRI GAN
Told-what!? Sus t how. long do you think
anyone in this manure pile can keep his
mouth shut?
Before Thornton can answer:
30 T..C.. SHIFTS TO CHANGE POSITION and his hand. touches the tin
roof, ,causing him to.yelp with pain.. The others snap a look
in his. direction, then freeze as:
31 'VECTOR ON THE BOARDWALK. LOOKS UP,. SEES NOTHING, leans back
against a rail watching the horses and the hymn singers.
After a moment, he smiles a little, beating time,. as he
remembers some forgotten march he watched from his daddy's
shoulders.
32 IN THE PAY OFFICE -- ANGEL CROSSES TO THE WINDOW AS THE NOISE
FROM THE PARADE GROWS LOUDER. He looks out Behind hi::
3.3 PIKE AND THE OTHERS ARE LOADING SACKS OF SILVER into their
saddle bags. They are almost ready to. leave.
The paymaster, his assistants and the customer, their hands
still up, watch C.L.
MARGARET
Trash -- Filthy trash!
C.L.
(gently.)
You just. hush now --
ANGEL
People marching and singing coming
down the street -- going to pass near
the horses.
CONTINUED
33 CONTINUED
C
PIKE
(GRINNING)
Well, we'll just join in.
Angel, turning away, hesitates, looking up through the window
AT:
34 SUNLIGHT GLEAMING OFF THE BARREL OF A GUN ON THE ROOF ACROSS
THE STREET
ANGEL
Rifles -- one -- no three,. maybe
more, on the roof.
35 PIKE QUICKLY CROSSES TO THE WINDOW AND LOOKS OUT.
PIKE
Waiting for us
(SOFTLY)
Son of a bitch
He turns and crosses quickly to the back door. Dutch
follows. Pike opens it a little, looks ou.t at.
EXT. REAR OF OFFICE'- DAY
36 FRA? BUILDINGS AND BARE ADOBE HUTS SURROUNDED BY TRASH AND
TIN CANS AND AMONG THEM THE INDISTINCT. FIGURES OF RIFLES AND
HATS -- they are surrounded. -
37 IN THE OFFICE -- DUTCH JOINS PIKE AT THE DOOR and looks out,
then curses softly.
DUTCH
How in hell could they have known
we were coming?
PIKE
How in hell do I know?
DUTCH
Where do we go?
-PIKE
Out front -- that's where the horses
are..
He shuts the door, crosses toward the paymaster.
CONTINUED
10.
37 CONTINTJED
C.L.
We go ing..out back, Mr. Bishop?
PIKE
No, son -- we got company there too --
(as the boy looks at him)
-Besides, when I travel, I like my feet
to dangle.
C.L.
(indicating the prisoners)
I kill 'em-now?
PIKE
(after a moment)
No. You just hold them here and wait
as long as you can -- after the shooting
starts.
C.L.
111-1 hold 'am till hell freezes over
or you say different !
Pike, pushing the frightened paymaster in front of him,
hesitates., looks. at C.L., then continues to . the door, grabs
the handle, looks back again.
38 C.L."IS CROUCHED IN FRONT OF THE TWO ASSISTANTS AND MARGARET.,
singing to himself, happy as a clam.
39 DUTCH, ANGEL AND THE OTHERS look at Pike. They are ready.
40 PIKE JERKS OPEN THE DOOR,. KICKS THE terrified paymaster out
into the street.
ON THE ROOF -- THE BOUNTY HUNTERS OPEN FIRE AS THE DOOR FLIES
OPEN AND THE PAYMASTER STUMBLES OUT INTO THE STREET INTO THE
MIDST OF THE BAND,. screaming as the gunfire cuts him down.
The marchers are frozen for a brief instant, then scatter in
terror as:
42 PIKE AND THE OTHERS BURST OUT THE DOOR, FIRING AT THE MEN ON
THE ROOF. -- RTJNNING TO THEIR HORSES. through the' screaming,
terrified marchers.
.11 11.
IN THE OFFICE -- C.L. WATCHES THE ASSISTANTS AND MARGARET,.
IGNORING THE RIFLE SLUGS THAT SMASH THROUGH. THE BUILDING AND
INTO THE OFFICE. The sound of the band is drowned out by
gunfire and screams. C.L. frowns a little.
C.L.
They was playing "Gather at the
River." You know that one?
(as they quickly nod assent)
Then sing it Z
AND THEY DO, ALL OF THEM, THEIR VOICES RISING. WITH FERVOR and
C.L. joins them, marching up and down,. waving the shotgun in
time to the music.
A SERIES OF ANGLES
THE STREET IS A CONFUSED MELEE AS THE BANDITS RUN FOR THEIR
HORSES, TRADING FIRE WITH THE BOUNTY HUNTERS.
MEN AND WOMEN, MARCHERS, BANDSMEN AND SPECTATORS RUN FOR
COVER, some collide with the bandits,. some hit by the cross-
fire fall wounded in the dusty road.
PIKE AND MEN FIRING BACK, REACH THEIR HORSES.
PHIL IS SHOT,. GOES`, DOWN FIRING -- IS HIT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND
DIES.
TECTOR GORCH IS WOUNDED HIGH ON THE SHOULDER AND IGNORES IT,
STANDING CALMLY, % F IR IN G UP AT THE A B USHERS WITH HIS 30.06.
A MAN IS HIT ON THE ROOF AND SCREAMS AND PITCHES FORWARD,
falling.to the street. below as.
ANGEL AND LYLE BOTH FIRING rapidly, almost simultaneously,
kill. one. man and then another. Two others are wounded by
the bandits' fire.
THE NIGHTMARE OF A PARADE CONTINUES - TO MILL AS THE FLEEING
BANDITS MOUNT their plunging horses.
HARRIGAN AND THE BOUNTY HUNTERS CONTINUE A BARRAGE OF FIRE
THEN :
THORNTON TENSES, RECOGNIZING PIKE. He hesitates, then lifts
his gun to fire.
PIKE, HAVING DIFFICULTY MOUNTING HIS HORSE, LOOKS UP,
HESITATES, recognizes Deke, then snaps off a shot which
misses Thornton and kills SHEP, a bounty hunter firing
beside him. Thornton fires and:
CONTINUED
12.
45-
53 CONTINUED
THE TUBA PLAYER, RUNNING WITH HIS INSTRUMENT IN FRONT OF PIKE
is hit and falls into the street..
THE WILD BUNCH SWING ONTO THEIR HORSES AND WHEEL them around, I
but two are hit, Burt is barely able to control his hors 1,
theother , Abe , dies with his animal
PIKE MOUNTS AND GALLOPS HEADLONG INTO THE FRANTIC CROWD, some.
of his men. following, others splitting off in different
directions.. Behind them,. two lie dead in the street.
54 IN THE OFFICE -- C.L., SINGING,. MARCHING WITH THE ASSISTANTS,
stops, looks out • the window, laughs with delight at the
excitement, turns:.
55 THE TWO ASSISTANTS AND MARGARET ARE RUNNING FOR THE BACK DOOR.
He-lifts his shotgun, yells for them to halt.
56 IN THE STREET - FRANK, WOUNDED EARLIER, FALLS FROi HI S
HORSE, dumping his laden saddle bags. His. foot hangs in the
stirrup and his horse drags him after the others. The horse
is shot and goes down -- Frank struggles to his feet, is out
down as:
57 DUTCH,. FOLLOWING BEHIND, SWINGS DOWN AND PICKS UP THE BAG,
then spurs through the crowd, past Frank and into the tent.
Horse, man and tent go down in a cloud of dust and canvas.
Then, the horse,. Dutch still in the saddle, rises, breaks
clear and races away.
58. A WOMAN, 'BLIND WITH TERROR, SPINS TO THE GROUND as she runs
into Pike I s horse as it slides to: a halt as Pike • turns to
help Dutch.
A TERRIFIED CHILD STANDS and holds its ears, screaming as the
horses thunder past.
60 ON THE ROOF --• THE BOUNTY HUNTERS CONTINUE FIRI NG , IGNORING:
61 HARRIGAN AND THORNTON. AS THEY TRY TO STOP THEM, KICKnr G T-B:'IR
RIFLES ASIDE, dragging them. away from the wall -- but the :.r
fight them off and. keep firing.
13.
62 AT THE FAR END OF THE STREET -PIKE AND. HIS MEN EMERGE FROM
THE CLOUD OF DUST THAT covers the shambles of-the ambush, and
ride for the edge of town.
63 ON ANOTHER STREET A CITIZEN AIMS A PISTOL AND FIRES. The
shot hits'. I
61 BURT'S HORSE, CAUSING THE ANIMAL TO CAREEN WILDLY. It
crashes through the railing and falls, throwing Burt through
the glass window of a store.
65 . IN THE OFFICE -- C.L. QUIETLY RELOADS HIS GUN:
66 AS THE BUNCH NEAR THE. EDGE OF TOWN -- A FARMBOY STANDS UP IN.
A BUCKBOARD AND FIRES A SHOTGUN INTO THE FACE OF BUCK.
I
67 THE BIRDSHOT CATCHES BUCK IN THE FACE,.:: BLINDING HIM... He
screams and reels in the saddle..
68 LYIE. GORCH KILLS THE BOY WITH ONE SHOT- .. and rides on.
69 BUCK HANGS DESPERATELY ONTO THE HORN as- his horse follows the
others.
70 ON THE ROOF -- THO RNTON AND HARRIGAN FINALLY FORCE the bounty
hunters to cease firing after the wild bunch.
71. .PASSING THE RAILROAD. STATION ON THE FAR SIDE. OF TOWN -- PIKE
PULLS UP HIS HORSE AND WHEELS around to see if they are being
followed, kicking loose a lady's shawl tangled in his stirrup.
72 NOBODY IS FOLLOWING - NOT YET.. Pike spurs his horse and
rides away, the others following.
(The six bandits remaining are Pike, Dutch, the Gorch
brothers, Angel and Buck, now blinded..)-.
A SERIES OF ANGLES. OF
73- THE CARNAGE LEFT BY THE GtJNFI IT
75
WOMEN AND CHILDREN are sobbing hysterically while townspeople
move among the dead and dying, ineptly trying to help.
CONTINUED
14.
73-
75 CONTINUED
THORNTON LOOKS AT THE SHAMBLES, then turns away sickened and
slowly follows as the:
BOUNTY HUNTERS SCRAMBLE down from the roof.
76 IN THE PAYMASTER'S OFFICE -- C.L., HIS GUN RELOADED, LOOKS
AROUND THE OFFICE, humming softly.
77 REACHING THE STREET -- THE BOUNTY HUNTERS RUN TOWARDS THE
DEAD BANDITS followed by Harrigan..
78 THORNTON MOVES SLOWLY BEHIND THEM, cursing. softly as he.
watches the men rush to bodies like a. puck of wild. dogs in
a gut wagon -- they smell. blood and have forgotten the leash..
79 COFFER AND THE SOUTHERNER,. T.C. NASH, are stripping the
pockets of one body while arguing over whose shot killed the
man. Harrigan runs toward them.
COFFER
Well, just dig it out and see. if it
ain't my,... 06 S
HARRI GAN
(pointing to the paymaster)
You stupid damn fools! ... How could you
shoot this employee and let the others
get away?
T. C.
(QUICKLY)
I didn't shoot that old. boy...-My first
shot killed this man. right here.
COFFER
(overlapping, crossing
to another body)
He's lying'. Him and them others was
shootin' that old 'employee' full of
holes while I was droppin' this bandit
and them others too -- I must've killed
all three of 'em, sir, while --
CONTINUED
15.
79- CONTINUED
THORNTON
(interrupting him as T.C.
and the others protest)
Harrigan:.. He shot the old an -
(WEARILY)
Maybe we all did.
(crossing to him)
But by God the next time you plan
your massacre a little more carefully
...or I'll begin it with you!
HARRIGAN
(FURIOUS)
You'll begin a trip back to Yuma Prison
if you don't learn to keep your mouth
shut l Why - in hell didn't you kill Pike
when you had the chance?
But Thornton doesn't answer -- he turns, listening to:
C.L. (OS)
(SINGING)
"Shall we gather at the river
Where bright angels rise and fall
Shall we gather at the river
When the work's all done next fall?"
80 THORNTON AND HARRI GAN WHIRL ,AND RUN FOR THE OFFICE FOLLOWED
BY SIMPKINS (the town marshal and trombonist in the W. C.T.U.
band), FRAY, his deputy, and the bounty hunters.
81 IN THE PAYMASTER'S OFFICE -- C.L. IS MARCHING AROUND SINGING,
THE . SPRAWLED BODIES OF THE ASSISTANTS AND MARGARET are near
the back door. C . L. turns as the men burst in :
C.L. •
Sing.' "Shall we gather at the river --"
82 THO.RNTON FIRES AND C.L. STAGGERS, falls to one knee,. the
shotgun dragging on the floor, his face mirroring shock and
surprise.
C.L..
Well, how'd you like to kiss my sister's
black cat's ass.
Harrigan fires. C.L. slumps, goes down on the other knee.
More bounty hunters burst into the room.
CHANGE
2/27/68
16.
83 C.L. LAUGHS, FALLS FLATS ROLLS AND BEGINS TO PUMP THE SHOTGUN
and everybody dives for cover and opens fire, riddling him
with bullets.
84 BUT HE TAKES THE MARSHAL, the deputy and one bounty hunter
with him before he is cut to pieces.
85 HARRIGAN AND THORNTON LOOKING DOWN at the shambles in the
room, turn as:
86 WAINSCOAT, THE MAYOR, ENTER, FOLLOWED BY A GROUP OF SHOCKED
AND IRATE TOWNSPEOPLE. BENSON, a beefy redneck rancher,
curses bitterly as he crosses to Harrigan.
BENSON
We're holding you -- your whole damned rail-
road responsible for this carnage --
HARRIGAN
Mr. Benson...o
WAINSCOAT
(almost screaming)
Innocent people are dead ...women
mangled -- dying --because you used
our town as a battlefield; You're
going to pay, sir -- your-railroad
is going to pay for our blood;
HARRIGAN
(blowing up)
Without the railroad this place would
still be a lousy little pueblo, so
don't make any threats to me;
BENSON
(topping him)
You can't ambush innocent people. on
our street!
HARRIGAN
(YELLING)
We were preventing a robbery and.attempt-
ing to capture a band of outlaws...
WAINSCOAT
(LOUDER)
You lured that gang in here... the rail-
roadts been blabbing about a big silver
payload for weeks;
HARRIGAN
We represent the law!
CHANGE
2/27/68
17.
MORE IRATE CITIZENS BURST INTO THE OFFICE. Thornton moves
through them-out the door.
88 IN THE STREET -- HE STOPS, looking at the dead and dying,
LISTENING:
BENSON (OS)
If it takes vigilantes -- if it takes
federal troops -- I'll stop you and
----your hired killers..
HARRIGAN (OS)
I can. assure you that there won't be
any more trouble... . My men will follow --
BENSON (OS)
(cutting him off)
Your men enter this town again and
they will be shot on sight;
Thornton ignores them, slowly rolling a cigarette, looking
after Pike.
Harrigan exits, crosses to Thornton.
HARRIGAN
I pulled. you out of jail to get- that
bunch -- and you failed --
THORNTON .
(INTERRUPTING)
You gave the ordersl If you want the
job done right -- you keep the hell
out of it next time - You and the
rest of your railroad trash" I'll do
it -- but my way. - -
HARRIGAN
What.makes you think there'll be a
next time for you? What makes you
think you're not going back behind
bars for twenty more years?
Thornton's face twists as he hears again the clanging of cell
doors and the whimpering of prisoners..
THORNTON
Because I'm all you've got
(then, softly)
Because I know him.
(turning away bitterly)
Because you know I'll get him -- I'll
kill him rather than go-back.
CONTINUED
18.
88 CONTINUED
HARRI GAN
Twice .he' s made a fool of me - He never
will again.
(then, turning to Thornton)
You know why you're here --
(before Thornton can
ANSWER)
Not because you're good -- because I
want him dead -- at your hands -- the
hands of his old friend, his partner --
THO RNTON
(after a moment)
IT 11 get him -- you have my word.
EXT. DRY ARROYO - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON EFFECT)
89 THE WILD BUNCH RIDES DOWN A STEEP TRAIL INTO A DRY ARROYO
They are weary, but determined. Buck, last in line, covered
with blood, is swaying in the saddle. Although severely
wounded, he still clutches the bags of silver.
90 REACHING THE BOTTOM OF THE ARROYO THE MEN SPUR their horses
across the d r y stream bed and up the steep bank on. t he other
side.
91 DUTCH AND PIKE ARE IN THE LEAD. BEHIND THEM THE OTHERS LUNGE
UP IN SINGLE FILE. Angel, second to last, reaches the top,
turns as:
92 BUCK, NOW COMPLETELY BLIND, FALLS BACKWARD OVER THE REAR OF
HIS HORSE, HITS THE GROUND AND SOMERSAULTS BACKWARDS TO THE
BOTTOM, still clutching the saddle bags.
93 ANGEL PULLS UP and calls to Pike.
ANGEL
Fijate.
94 BUCK, ON HIS HANDS AND KNEES, MOANS WITH PAIN as he attempts
to crawl up the slope.
95 PIKE RIDES DOWN TO HIM,. SWINGS OFF EIS HORSE and stands
looking down.
CHANGE
2/12/68
19.
96 THE BLIND MAN, HEARING HIM,, gropes in his direction.
97 PIKE GENTLY TAKES THE BAGS OF SILVER. OUT OF BUCK'S HAND.
Buck lurches forward, grabbing at Pike who steps back, Pike
crosses to his horse, and painfully climbs into the saddle.
BUCK
(dying, almost incoherent
with pain)
I kin still -ride...I can't see, but I
kin ride...
- (then)
No, I can't --
(.then, yelling)
Finish it, Mr. Bishop.
98 PIKE. DRAWS HIS GUN P41 D FIRES
99 BUCK, ON HIS KNEES, • IS CAUGHT SQUARE BY THE. SHO T AND HURLED
OVER BACKWARDS. He slides several feet over the smooth,
round pebbles of the wash, then is still.
Pike turns his horse and spurs it . up the slope.
100 THE MEN WATCH SILENTLY AS PIKE RIDES UP. and halts. They
don't move, all looking down-at-Buck.
PIKE
(after a. long moment,
trying to cover the loss)
You boys want to move on -- or stay here
and give him a 'decent burial'.?
TECTOR
(the sentimentalist)
Well,. he was a good man --
PIKE
(BITTERLY)
He's dead!
(THEN)
And he's got a 'lot of 'good men? back
there to keep him company.
LYLE
Too damn many.
DUTCH
(SOFTLY)
I'd like. to say a. few kind words for
all the departed -- then perhaps a hymn
or two would be in order -- followed by
a' church supper with a choir. CONTINTED
20.
100 CONTINUED
LYLE
(riding away)
Crazy bastards -- both of you l
Tector follows his brother, cursing..
101 PIKE AND DUTCH LOOK AT EACH OTHER silently -- try to grin --
finally make it -- then follow. The bunch is attentive, but
now certain that they are not being closely followed, they
can relax a little..
Pike and Dutch are side by side.
PIKE
(WEARILY)
,Ten years ago it was some shaky
drunk with a tin badge that hid
in the g1n mill till you cleared
town with your grab...Now, they're
I
c waitin'. for you --
: DUTCH
With old friends. '
LYLE
(pulling back to'
join them)
Old friends?
DUTCH
Deke Thornton.
LYLE
I thought he was your partner?
PIKE
(SHORTLY)
He was -- but he got old and tired
and when that happens, things change.
DUTCH
'He changed -- you didn't.'
CHANGE
3/21/68
20-A
101-A INT. DENVER HOTEL SUITE - NIGHT.
The following scenes will be superimposed over 101 and 102.
The suite consists of three adjoining rooms and is very
plush indeed,
TWO VERY BEAUTIFUL-YOUNG WOMEN in revealing night dress are
hindering more than helping, a somewhat loaded Pike Bishop
as he attempts to get into his clothes. The ladies are
giggling. and there is a great deal of grab-ass between the
three. -
101-B THORNTON, fully dressed and looking very sharp in his big
city clothes, enters from one of. the adjoining rooms.
ELIZABETH, a tall, lovely near-naked,.dark-haired girl,
follows him and takes his arm possessively. For a moment
both watch:
101-C PIKE'S girls'effectively stop his half-hearted attempts and
begin disrobing him.
THORNTON
(SHARPLY)
Come on pardner, let's get out
of here. -
PIKE
(Grinning at him)-
You.sound like you're all caught
up,
THORNTON
Caught up enough to know we've
overstayed our welcomes
PIKE
(Suddenly angry)
What in hell is the matter with
you?
ELIZABETH
Stay -- please,
'PIKE
(CONTINUES)
We've got money.to spend and
not a worry in the worlds
(THEN)
They're not going to look for
us in their own backyard,
(CONTINUED)
CHANGE
3/21/68
20-B
101-4 (CONTINUED):
THORNTON
How can you be. so damned sure?
He shakes off the girl, crosses to a sideboard, pours a
drink..
PIKE
(FLATLY)
That's my business -- being sure.
There is a knock at the door and. Thornton whirls. Elizabeth
throws the bolt.
THORNTON
(SAVAGELY)
Hold it!
PIKE
(GRINNING)
Relax -- just a little champagne
I ordered.
101-D ELIZABETH. STICKS. OUT HER TONGUE AT THORNTON AND OPENS THE.
DOOR and gunfire fills the room as:
101-E A DEPUTY SHERIFF STEPS INTO THE DOORWAY-AND SHOOTS THORNTON
high on the shoulder. Thornton. is knocked sprawling... The
Deputy moves into the room (followed by three other men)
and fires at Pike but misses, as.
101-F PIKE SLIPS PAST the screaming women into an adjoining room.
The other men pursue.P.ike as the Deputy bends down and
snaps Thornton's wrists together with handcuffs. The sound:
of gunfire is heard from the street outside, then two of
the men re-enter the room. The Deputy looks up..
DEPUTY
Get him?
The man shakes his head.
101-G THORNTON, HIS FACE TWISTED WITH PAIN AND BITTERNESS, makes
no attempt •to struggle as he .is pulled to his feet and
moved out the door.
21.
102, THEY ARE SILENT, RIDING, EVEN LYLE is embarrassed by this
betrayal.
PIKE
He's had five years on the r ck pile,
Dutch -- and twenty more to u go --
that.can hurt a man.
LYLE
(after a moment)
Say -- I've heard it's like the.old
times in Argentina...3utch Cassidy
down. there making a killing...
PIKE.
Bolivia...but it'll be over there
too, pretty soon. Those :pining
companies will bring down a bunch
.of hardcases and Butchtll get his..
(THEN)
..Every one of us is worth a year of
drinking and whoring to any fool that
can read a wanted poster and carry a
gun.
DUTCH
(SOFTLY)
Deke Thornton isn't just. any fool that
can carry a gun and read-a wanted
poster.
PIKE
Fo -- but he takes a dim view of 20
more years in the Carcel --
(THEN)
We can hope he ain't on. our tail -- but
don't bet on it..
LYLE
(HAPPILY)
Tector and I have been stealing since
the big depression and we ain't never
been caught. This Thornton don't bother
us nohe..
PIKE
(WEARY)
I don't really give a damn about Deke
Thornton...I just know that I'd surely
like to aet the hell off. this horse.
CUT TO:
107 THORNTON-LOOKS AT HIM WHITE WITH ANGER, then .c ntrols it -
he is trapped. Finally, he nods and moves away, then stops
and turns back, his anger almost beyond any control.
THORNTON
Tell me, Mr. Harrigan.-- how does
it feel?
(as Harrigan looks at him)
Getting paid for it?
(stepping closer)
-Getting paid to sit back and hire
your killings with the law's arms
around you? How does it feel to
be so damned right;?
HARR IGAN
(after a moment, coldly)
Good, Mr..Thornton...it feels good.
THORNTON
(SOFTLY)
You dirty son of a bitch.
HARRIGAN
(grinning at him)
You have 30 days to get him -- or 30 days
to Yuma. You're my Judas Goat, Mr. Thornton.
(motioning to the bunkhouse)
Use them -- lead them -- get Pike --
then kill them off. When you come back,
I: want all of them head down over a
saddle.
(pointing to the bunkhouse
AGAIN)
All of them -•- head down over a- saddle.
(as Thornton starts to speak)
30 days.
Heturns and walks away whistling.
DISSOLVE TO.-
EXT. BORDER RAILROAD CULVERT AREA (AFTERNOON EFFECT)
108 THE WILD BUNCH PULLS UP at the railroad which marks the
border and look out into Mexico.
ANGEL
(SOFTLY)
Mexico lindo.
LYLE
What's so 'lindo° about it.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
22.
INT. RAILROAD BUNKHOUSE - DAY
103 DEKE THORNTON STANDS A LITTLE BEHIND HARRIGAN WHO IS SEATED
AT A SMALL DESK IN FRONT OF THE OTHER BOUNTY HUNTERS,
The interior of the room is tawdry, disorderly and smells
bad. The bare walls are decorated with pin-ups from the
Police Gazette.
The men sit attentively on the bunks. and.foot lockers.,
Harrigan is marking beside their names in a large ledger
book. After making a 'notation, he looks up..
HARRIGAN
The hard money value of the men
killed less my commi.sson amounts
to. one hundred and fifty dollars.
104 THE MEN MUMBLE AND SHIFT. Harrigan holds up four wanted
posters. The bounty hunters move closer for a better look.
HARRIGAN
Bishop... .Engstrom... .Lyle and Tector
Gorch...are worth a total of four
thousand five hundred dollars -- and
you let them all ride outs
(after a moment)
Any one'of these pelts would not only
clear you with the company,.but would
mean a bundle of cash to raise hell
with.
Harrigan stands, crosses to the door.
T.C.
How '.bout a little liquor money for
tonight, Mr. Harrigan?
HARRIGAN
There won't be any tonight -- you
move after them in ten minutes --
(turning back)
Get them -- get Pike and youtre rich.
(then).
But if one of you quits on me I'll pay
a thousand dollar bonus to the man who kills
him.
105 THE MEN SILENTLY BEGIN TO PACK THEIR BELONGINGS. Harrigan
motions to Thornton, then exits.
23.
EXT. RAILROAD YARD DAY
106 HARRIGAN AND THORNTON WALK AWAY FROM the bunkhouse into the
deserted railroad yard..
HARRIGAN
Why should I let you go with them?
THORNTON
(WEARILY)
We've'been over that before, Mr.
Harrigan.
HARRIGAN
You could just ride off -- even join
him again -- you'd like that, wouldn't
.you?
THORNTON
What I like and what I. need are two
different things.
(THEN)
'Listen -- I don't want to go back to
prison, Mr. Harrigan,... .not ever -- but
it.has to be my way...
HARR IGAN
All right..
THORNTON
I need good men: You saw what happened
today.
HARRIGAN
(FLATLY)
You'll use what you have.
(THEN)
And you'll see it doesn't happen again
or I'll see you dead or rotting for -the
rest of -- you try
your life behind bars
to run -- I'll be after you and so will.
they.
THORNTON
(ANGRY)
I gave you my word.
HARRIGAN
We'll -see what it's worth -- five
minutes.
2
108 CONTINUED
TECTOR
Just more of Texas as far as I'm concerned.
ANGEL
You have no eyes.
And he rises ahead with Pike and'Dutch across the tracks
into Mexico.
CUT TO:
EXT. ARROYO SECO - BUCK'S FACE - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON)
109 IT IS A MASS OF DRIED BLOOD WHICH THORNTON WIPES AWAY WITH
HIS GLOVED HAND, then looks up at the eight bounty hunters
who are sitting on their horses watching him.
THORNTON
(wear4.ly) V
All rightt... .How many of you killed
this one?
110 COFFER SWINGS OFF HIS HORSE FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL OTHERS.
COFFER
I knowed I wounded' three -- but
I wasn't sure about --
THORNTON
(as the others yell in
PROTEST)
Jabali:...
111 JABALI, AN AGING NAVAHO INDIAN trots up to.him'.
THORNTON
This pelt should clear you up -- take
him back to town...and tell Harrigan
to get me a list of every Army garrison
and payroll schedule on the border.
(to.the.others, crossing to
his horse)
We got another half hour of light and
they might be just up ahead counting
their money.
26.
EXT. BANDIT CAMP - DAY (SUNSET EFFECT)
112 PIKE AND HIS MEN RIDE INTO THE RUINS OF A SMALL RANCHERO.
A young boy takes their horses while an old.man and his
wounded son (the father of the boy) watch. Behind them,
an ancient woman pays no attention as she slaps tortillas
into shape. Two small children watch, big-eyed.
;113 THE MEN ARE QUIET WITH FATIGUE AS THEY DISMOUNT AND TIE. j
THEIR HORSES.. FREDDY SYKES, a skinny old man in tattered range
clothes, crosses to Pike as he unloads his saddle bags.
SYKES
Them others ain't comin'?
PIKE
No.
SYKES
(after a moment)
None of 'em?
111 PIKE TAKES THE BAGS OUT OF THE CORRAL TO THE FIRE that burns
near an adobe wall and drops them on a poncho, watches as
the others do the same.
SYKES
(joining him again; worried)
But I got horses and gear for all
them fellers like you said --
PIKE
They won't need them -- we will.
Sykes thinks this over, finally nods. a little and turns away.
115 LYLE AND HIS BROTHER AND DUTCH STAND in a half. circle around
the poncho. waiting. Angel, the last, drops his saddle bag,
then crosses to the wall and drops down to rest. For a long
moment the men look down.a-t the pile of saddle bags.
LYLE
About the sharing up...
PIKE
(WEARILY)
The sharing up's going to be the
some as always.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
27.
115 CONTINUED
LYLE
(whining; pointing to
ANGEL)
Tector and I don? t like the idea of him
getting the same as us...He's just
starting out and this is our stake for
new territory.
Pike looks at him silently. He has heard this kind of
argument many times in the past and it is obvious he is sick
to death of it. Lyle finally looks awa- at his brother;
TECTOR
And I figure a 'share to that old
man for watching the horses is a
share too much.
ll& PIKE TAKES A KNIFE OUT OF HIS BELT, opens a saddle bag,.
takes out a sack of silver, kneels to slit the bag open.
LYLE
You hear me, Pike? -- I said it
ain't fair...
Pike stands,. flips the knife into the ground, faces the
brothers.
P IKE
(SOFTLY)
If you two boys don't like equal
shares why in hell don't you just
take it all?
They look at him silently.
117 DUTCH DRIFTS AWAY A LITTLE TO TIE SIDE OF PIKE. •SYKES
MOVES OUT OF THE BACKGROUND, a buffalo gun now dangling
from one arm. The brothers tense. Angel laughs softly.
PIKE
(almost a whisper)
Well,..why don't you answer me, you
dapnned yellow.-livered trash?
The brothers fide, et., look at each other.
LYLE
Ah.--' Pike, you know...
CONTINUED
28.
117 CONTINUED
PIKE
(his voice a whip)
I don't know a damned thing except
I either lead this bunch or I end
it -- right now;
LYLE
No, sir -- we divide just as you
say.
Pike looks at them a moment, then picks up his knife and
alicea open a bag and -turns it upside down and dumps the
contents onto the spread-out poncho watching as:
118 STEEL WASHERS POUR 01 0 THE PONCHO
119 THE GROUP IS SILENT IN DISBEL'EF staring at the pile of
worthless steel. Hykes eases up, takes a cautious look.
TECTOR
Rings:, Steel rings!
DUTCH.
(quietly).
Washers!
120 PIKE TURNS AWAY. LYLE TAKES ANOTHER BAG AND CUTS INTO IT.
More-washers pour out. _
PIKE
(under his breath)
Son of a bitch!
121 LYLE'S BOOT FLASHES INTO THE PILE. The washers fly in all
directions. Lyle whirls on Pike.
LYLE
Washers...we shot our way out of
that town for a dollar's worth of
steel holes.
He kicks into the pile and scatters Washers across the
clearing.
PIKE
They set it up:
CONTINUED
29.
121. CONTINUED
LYLE
(yelling).
Who the hell is 'they!!?
SYKES
(laughing; cackling)
'They?': by 'they, are just plain
and fancy 'they.' 'They.'
(dancing around them his
high laughter splitting
the night)
Caught you, didn't they? Tied a tin
can to your tail -- didn't they?
Lead you in and waltzed you out -- Oh
my what a bunch -- big tough ones --
standing around with a handful of
holes -- a thumb up your ass and a
big grin to pass the time of day with.
122 TECTORSWINGS AT HIM, BUT THE OLD MAN DUCKS, then falls and
rollsaway, still laughing. Tector starts'to follow, Pike
stepsbetween them.
PIKE
Railroad men -- Pinkertons -- bounty
HUNTERS
(THEN)
.Deke Thornton.
SYKES
(in disbelief )
Deke Thornton? -- He was with. them?
LYLE
(as Pike doesn't answer;
QUIETLY)
How come you didn't know?
123 PIKE TURNS AWAY. DUTCH LOOKS AT PIKE QUESTIONINGLY, THEN
ALL TURN as the SOUND of laughter comes from behind.
ANGEL IS SITTING AGAINST-THE WALL LAUGHING.
ANGEL
.(to Tector)
Hey, gringo; You take my share.
125 TECTOR WHIRLS, HIS HAND FLASHING FOR HIS GUN.
30.
126 BEFORE HE CAN DRAW ANGEL'S. EXPRESSION TURNS serious and a
gun is suddenly in his hand covering the big outlaw. Angel
smiles again...then pleads mockingly.
ANGEL
Don't kill me, gringo ...por favor...
Take my share of the 'silver' -- but
--
don't kill me, please.
Tector tenses, almost snarling with rage..
PIKE
,k for it I
Tector-, looking at Angel's gun, half turns to Pike.
PIKE:
(continuing; softly)
Go on, fall apart!
Lyle and Tector hesitate, their hands on their guns -- Dutch
moves back into the shadows of the firelight, his rifle
drifting across Tector.
127 ANGEL SMILES AND SLOWLY replaces his gun.
\ DUTCH
Let's walk soft, boys...
128 LYLE, STILL MORE THAN HALF READY TO GO FOR HIS GUN,
hesitates.
129 TECTOR LOOKS AT PIKE, DUTCH, ANGEL, T.HEN slaps his gun into
his holster -- and moves away, but his hand is never far
from the weapon..
130 THE GROUP STANDS MOTIONLESS FOR A MOMENT, THEN SYKES REACHES
INTO HIS COAT, LIFTS OUT A BOTTLE,. SITS BY THE FIRE and
hands'it to Dutch.
Dutch sits by Sykes, takes a drink, offers the bottle to
Tector, Tector hesitates, then hunkers down and drinks.
Slowly the others.follow suit.
DUTCH
(as the bottle moves around)
What's our next move?
CONTINUED
31,
130 CONTINUED
PIKE
Agua Verde is the closest three
days maybe -- then we sell the extra
stock -- get some griib and the news
and drift back to the border -- maybe
a payroll -- maybe abank --
LYLE
(GENTLY)
Maybe that damned railroad:
TEC TOR
That railroad sire bsi hell ain't
getting 4ny easier. •
SYKES
(QUIETLY)
And we,ain't getting any younger.
For a moment, it looks like he'll get a smart answer in
return, then:
Lyle drinks and lifts the bottle to Angel who.crosses to.the
fire,. drinks and passes it to Sykes.
PIKE
(FINALLY)
.We got to start thinking beyond
our guns -- theft days are closin'
fast.
LYLE
(without malice)
All your fancy planning and talk
damn near got us shot to pieces
for.some lousy bags of washers...
Now this was goin.' to be our last
job before we head south ...We spent
all our time and money getting ready
for this.
PIKE
(DRYLY)
You spent your time and money running
whores in Hondo while I spent my stake
setting it up.
LYLE CALMLY PICKS UP A WASHER, flips. it to (or at) Pike who
catches it, looks at it, through it, drinks, tosses it back
on the pile.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/23/68
32.
131 CONTINUED
PIKE
(TRUTHFULLY)
Looks like I'd have been better
off running whores than making plans9
stealing horses and buying uniforms.
1.32 THE MEN ARE SILENT FOR A LONG MOMENT. Then they break into
soft laughter which builds slowly.
LYLE
(after a moment)
He --.he was making plans while me
and Tector was --
He breaks up and can't continue.
DUTCH
(his laughter growing)
,-While you was getting your bell
rope pulled by --
(standing; almost choking)
By two -- mind you, two -- Hondo
whores -- while Pike's dreaming of
washers - you're matching two of
them -- in tandem
And the wild bunch falls apart in laughter -- even Pike is
caught, but as he laughs, he knows that they are together
again.
EXT. DESERT - DAY (SUNSET EFFECT)
133 DEKE THORNTON AND THE BOUNTY HUNTERS ARE GROUPED AROUND A
- FIRE EATING..
T.C.
How close you figure we are?
THORNTON
Not close enough... They're across the
border by now. -
COFFER
Deke - you rode with. Pike -- what
kind of a man are we up against?
THORNTON
(after a long moment; softly)
The best --
(THEN)
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/27/68.
330
133 CONTINUED
THORNTON (CONT tD )
He's never got caught. -
(after a moment)
And he won't be if you boys don't
learn your trade. -
FESS
How was it -- then mm
(as Thornton looks at him)
You know -- in the old days? I only
come out here last spring.
THORNTON
(after a long moment)
You can saddle up or shut up -- take
your choice --
COFFER
(after a long moment)
"What will he do?
THORNTON
That's what I have to figure.
COFFER
Maybe they'll split up.
THORNTON
No -- not 'that. bunch. They'll try
again. - -
T.C.
How do you know?'
But Thornton doesn't answer.
EXT. PIKE'S CAMP - NIGHT
134 PIKE AND DUTCH ARE SIDE BY SIDE IN THEIR blankets listening
to Angel play the guitar. For several moments they are.
silent, then:
PIKE
Didn't you run some kind of mine --
in Sonora?
DUTCH
Yeah, I helped run a little copper --
nothing for us there except day wages,
if it was running now -- which it ain't.
CHANGE
2/12/68
3L..
135 PIKE FINDS IT.IMPOSSIBLE TO get comfortable. Groaning and
wincing with pain he shifts on the bedroll.
PIKE
Why in the hell, did you ever quit it?
DUTCH
Why in hell are you still goin'?
PIKE
I don.'t know"any better -- maybe
don't want any better,
(then, after a moment)
Hell, I wouldn't know what to do
with 'better' if it poked me.in the
eye with a sharp stick.
DUTCH
(laughing softly)
You -never gave it :a chance9 Pike.
PIKE
(ANGRY)
I threw away more chances in one
year that you will see in your
whole.l.ife -- but that don't mean
you have. to ' be a damn fool like me.
Dutch sits up, rolls and lights a cigarette.
DUTCH
You got a halfway hard mouth, partner.
PIKE
What in hell do you want me to-say ,-?
DUTCH
Just don't give me, no lectures..
They are silent -- finally:
PIKE:
This was going to be my last, too...
I'm not getting around any better --
like the red-haired lady said to the.
white-haired judge -- 'I only got so
many miles left -in my backside, Your
Honor, and I aim to keep it moving
while I'm still young enough to feel.
what it's there for.'
(a.s Dutch -laughs softly)
I'd like to make a good score -. then
back off. CONTINUED
35.
135 CONTINUED
DUTCH
Back off to what?
(as Pike doesn't answer)
Any real ideas for a next one?
Pike closes his eyes and leans back.
PIKE
Pershing. has. got men spread over
the whole border. Everyone of those
garrisons is going to be.gptting
payroll.
DUTCH
That kind of information is kind of.
rough to come by.
PIKE
(sitting up)
Well -- I don't figure it's going to
.be easy, but it can be done.
DUTCH.
They'll be waiting for us.
PIKE
I wouldn',t have it any other way.
CUT TO:
EXT. THORNTON'S CAMP - NIGHT
136- MOST OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS ARE ASLEEP, only'Thornton and Cof -
fer are awake. Thornton sits up,.begins to roll a cigarette.
COFFER:
If he's in old Mex -- do we follow
him?
- THORNTON
No.
COFFER
Why not ?..
THORNTON
He'll be back.
COFFER
Harrigan ' said something about
thirty days --
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
36.
136 CONTINUED
THORNTON
(after a moment)
That's what he said,
CUT TO:
137 EXT.. PIKE'S CAMP - NIGHT
DUTCH
You must have hurt that railroad
pretty bad -- they spent a lot of
time and money getting that ambush set
up for us.
PIKE
(smiling at the memory)
Well, I caught up to them -- two or
three times -- There was a man named
Harrigan -- He had a certain way of
doing things -- So I made him change
his ways -- when you do that to a
narrow man -- he can't live with it -
from then on he's got to change you --
break you -- just to prove he's.right --
there-'s a hell of a lot of people, Dutch --
that just can't stand to be wrong.
DUTCH
Pride, I guess
PIKE
I guess -- but they can't ever forget
it -- that pride that being wrong
or learn by it.
DUTCH
(after a long moment)
And you -- and me --did we learn --
being wrong today?
PIKE
(SOFTLY)
Well, I surely hope to God we did.
138 SYKES CROSSES TO PIKE, GIVES HIM a cup of coffee, moves
away,
DUTCH
Where'd you find him?
-CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/6 8
37.
138 (Cont,)
PIKE
.(softly)
That toothless old wreck was a real
gun about twenty years back --
used to run with Thornton and me
killed his share and more -- around
----Langery -- Ambushed stages all along
that old board highway.,.He had those
Swede immigrants so scared theyQd
starve rather than go to town and
by beans for their kids, and there
wasn't a sheriff in. the territory
to take issue --
He laughs, drinks the coffee and gags..
PIKE
(CONTINUING)
And he ain't changed -- only now-he
does his killing with a coffee cup.
Dutch laughs and then both lean back listeningas:
139. ANGEL, WRAPPED IN HIS SERAPE LEANING AGAINST THE-WALL, plays
the great ranchero songs of old Mexico.,
140 LYLE.AND TECTOR ARE ALSO AWAKE and listening.
DUTCH
(softly) -
Pike, I wouldn?t have it no other
-way aither.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DESERT SAND DUNE. AREA - DAY
141 PIKE AND THE OTHERS (NOW DRESSED FOR THE TRAIL) RIDE ALONG
THE'TOP-OF A HIGH DUNE;. They are tired and dirty.
Near the edge they dismount to lead their horses to the
bottom. -
1L.2 THE SAND IS LOOSE AND THE FOOTING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT as they
start down in single file, Sykes is last, he leads his own
horse, a pack animal, and three of the empties.
38.
143 SUDDENLY SYKES SLIPS AND LOSES HIS-FOOTING. He falls
FORWARD:
PULLING THE FIVE HORSES DOWN WITH HIM.. Unable to
control his slide he collides with/Tector who is next in
line. Tector's fall starts a p fain reaction in which
all the men slide to the bottom of ttLe hill.
145 PICKING UP SPEED THEY TUMBLE TO THE BOTTOM and land in
a giant cloud of. dust. There. is a: profusion of coughing
and swearing as the men and-animals struggle to their
feet..
146 TECTOR STANDS,. CURSES AT SYKES,. then picks up a. stone
and throws it at.the old man who is hit and falls
backward.
147 PIKE GRABS TECTOR'AND SWINGS HIM AROU3D...
PIKE
Leave him alone!
TECTOR
(R'AVING)
Hats goin' to get pis killed -- get
rid of him!
PIKE
(his anger growing)
We don.'t get rid of nobody
we stick together -- just like
it used to be -- when you side
aman you stay with him --
(shaking him)
If you can't do that you're worse
than some animal -- you're finished --
we're finished -- all of us!
Tector looks at him silently.
148 PIKE TURNS TO MOUNT THE HORSE. Placing his foot in
the stirrup he stiffly starts to swing on. The leather
breaks and. he falls under the animal. Landing on his
back, he lets out a loud shriek.
39.
1.9 THE OTHER N'EN LOOK DOWN AT HIM AS TEEM MOUNT. Dutch,
ready to mount his horse hesitates, but doesn't move to
help.
150 PIKE STRUGGLES TO HIS FEET. None of them move forward
to help him and he doesn't expect them to. He is
visibly miserable as he recovers the reins of his
animal and tears off the.broken leather.
151 LYLE AND TECTOR GRIN A LITTLE. Sykes turns away.
TECTOR
(PIOUSLY)
'Pears 'Brother Pike' needs help,
Brother Lyle.
LYLE
Riding with 'Brother Pike' and old
.man Sykes makes a man wonder if it
ain't time to pick up his chips
and-find another game.
TECTOR
(suddenly yelling
at Pike)
How in hell are you going to side any-
body if you can't get on a horse.
152 PIKE LOOKS AT THEM, THEN STEPS onto the makeshift stirrup
and mounts, concealing his pain, taking a few seconds to
gather up the reins and position himself. In the b.g.,
Dutch swings onto his horse.
PIKE
Were about two hours from the
Santa Caterinas.
He turns and rides toward the mountains, the men following.
153 SYKES RIDES UP BESIDE PIKE
SYKES
That was a mighty fine talk you
gave the boys 'bout stickin' to-
gether.
(as Pike doesn't
ANSWER)
CONTML ED
40.
153 CONTINUED
SYKES (CONT'D)
That Gorch was near killin' me
or me him --
(THEN)
Damned old fool like me's not worth.
takin' along.
PIKE
We started together -- we'll end it
together.
SYKES
By God, that's the way I see it --
that's the way it's always been with
me...Sorry 'bout Deke - never
figured him that way,
(then, as Pike
doesn't answer)
Back in. San. Rafael -- my boy how' d.
he do?
They ride for a while in silence as: Pike. thinks this over,
finally:. _
PIKE
Your boy2
SYKES
C.L. -- Clarence Lee -- my daughter's
boy ---not too bright, but a good boy --
He handle higself all right? -- I told
him -- you do -- just what Mister Bishop
says -- Did he conduct hisself well?
PIKE
(after a long moment)
He did fine --
(THEN)
Why didn't you tell me he was your
grandson?
SYKES
Well, you had enough on your mind
He had to pull his weight just like
the rest of us -- just wanted to know
he didn't let you down -- run. when
things got hot --
PIKE
(after a moment)
No ---he did fine...just fine.
DISSOLVE TO:
CHANGE
2/1./68
)}1 A
EXT. BORDER ` R A ILROAD CULVERT AREA) - DAY
THORN TON AND THE BOUNTY HITTERS follow the wild bunch's
154
trail. They are hot and tired and with the exception of
Thornton,.. are apprehensive.
Coffer pulls up, calls to Thornton:
COFFER
That culvert -- good place for them
----to make an ambush.
THORNTON
Go on - ride up and find out.
Coffer hesitates, his -ayes wide with fear. Thornton draws
his gun, pulls back the hammer.
THORNTO1
(SAVAGELY)
Go onl
Coffer rides forward.
THORNTON
(to the others)
Next time I want advice from any of you
scum I'll ask for it -- until then, keep .
your mouths shut and do what y-ou' re to ld%
COFFER
(turning back, calling)
All clear"'--
155 THORNTON RIDES UP TO THE CULVERTS HALTS, DISMOUN-TS, STEPS
INTO the shade, the others follow suit.
COFFER
From here on, its Mexico, Mr, Thornton.
T.C.
Do we follow?
THORNTON
What's the closest town of any size2
COFFER
(POINTING)
Agua Verde -- maybe two or three days.
(then, pointing in the
apposite direction)
Juarez -- five -- six days hard riding,
THORNTON
What's in Agua Verde?
CONTINUED
155 CONTINUED
COFFER
Mexicans -- what else.
(then quickly, as Thornton
turns on him)
Headquarters for Huerta regulars.
fighting Obregon, led by an old time
bandit named Mapache.
Thornton thinks about this, then mounts and rides back in
the direction they have come from.
COFFER
Don't-we follow?
THORNTON
No -- we wait.
T.C.
(MOUNTING)
How long --• Mr. Thornton.
THORNTON
'Twenty-eight days.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DESTROYED HACIENDA (SAN CARLOS)-•- DAY
'156 THE BANDITS ARE RIDING under'a broad sky across through a
destroyed pueblo filled with silent ghostlike people, four
or five crying children, vultures and four men hanging
from a tree. In the distance is a high range of mountains.
Angel spurs his horse and rides up beside Pike.
DUTCH
(to Pike)
We're not going to find much down here.,
That damned Huerta' s scraped it clean.
ANGEL
(in Spanish)
May he die the death of a thousand
traitors.
, ( then)
My village is up there ...in those
mountains.
PIKE
So --?
CONTINUED
43.
156 CONTINUED
ANGEL
I wish to visit my f amily...I can do
it and meet you in Agua Verde a day
of ter you get there.
PIKE
How?
ANGEL
Going this way, you will. have to turn
east when you get south of the range...
I-know the way to cross the mountains.
DUTCH
If you know a shorter way..': show us.
Angel looks away and is silent for several seconds.
PIKE
Ashamed of having us meet your people?
ANGEL
(SINCERELY)
Yes.;..They don' t know about zny life
when I am out of the village.
Pike and Dutch both laugh softly, then Pike pulls up at a .
watering trough and dismounts as his horse begins to drink.
PIKE
Far as Ifm concerned, you can go,
LYLE
(dismounting, joining
THEM)
Far as I'm concerned -- he goes he
dontt come back.
DUTCH
That sounds right to me..
PIKE
Looks like I'm outvoted.
157 TECTOR JOINS THEM
TECTOR
(DISMOUNTING)
Whatfs the problem?
PIKE
Wants to visit his folks alone -- thinks
we're a little rank for his people.
CONTINUED
14k.
157 CONTINUED
I
LYLE
(as Tector drinks beside
his horse)
I think he can go straight to hell.
TECTOR
Probably wants to get a bunch of his
_people and waylay us!
DUTCH
And take what?
Tector thinks this over, doesn't answer.
PIKE
(to Angel)
How do' you want it?
ANGEL
(after a long moment)
I invite you to my village -- my home.
(then, looking at Tector
and Lyle)
Any violence -- any disrespect -- and
I will. kill you.
Tector and Lyle look at him without expression for a moment,
then:.
LYLE
You got a sister?
ANGEL
...Yes.
LYLE
I would be proud to.make her acquaint-
ance -- and. that of your Mama, too.
TECTOR
(trying not to laugh)
And your Grandmaw too, sonny...
Angel looks at them, then mounts, rides toward the mountains
AS-WE:
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. DRY ARROYO -'DAY
158 THORNTON AND HIS BOUNTY HUNTERS are riding back past the place
where Buck died. The men are sullen,. some almost openly
defiant.
CONTINUED)
45.
158 CONTINUED
T.C.
We go back with our tail between our
legs Harrigan will have our hides.
THORNTON
(PATIENTLY)
They'll be coming back -- and we'll
be waiting for them.
C OFFER
(WHINING)
We was supposed to go after them --
Thornton reins up, looks at Coffer, who looks quickly away.
THORNTON
You have something to say?
Coffer instantly lifts his hands in submission and shakes
his head. Then, after a moment:
COFFER
They say Freddy Sykes is with them --
you rode with the old man, didn't you,
Mr. Thornton -- you and Pike and the
old man?
But Thornton rides on and doesn't answer.
CUT TO:
EXT. ANGEL'S VILLAGE - DAY
159 TECTOR AND LYLE ARE SEATED ON THE GROUND trying to duplicate
the intricacies o£ a very complicated cat's cradle demon-
strated to them by ROCIO, the lovely bright-eyed 13 year old
sister of Angel. Both men are drinking tequilla, but both
are sober, entranced and completely dominated by the girl.
All three straighten as:
160 CARMEN, ANGEL'S MOTHER, CALLS from a nearby fire where she
is preparing food with her mother.
CARMEN
Miha -- trigame auga.por los frijolesl
The girl jumps to her feet, hands both men a bucket (or olla)
and leads.them down the bank to the river. (The natural
beauty of this location should contrast with other landscapes
in the picture. This village and its inhabitants represent
a complete and green contrast to the arid world of the
wild bunch),
CWGE8
46.
161 AN GEL AND PIKE SEATED IN THE THATCHED SHADE OF A RAMADA WITH
DON JOSE, ANGEL'S GRANDFATHER, WATCH SILENTLY. SYKES IS A
FEW FEET AWAY. Angel watches dully,. his eyes mirroring his
agony. Pike laughs softly, watching.
PIKE
Hard to believe.
DON JOSE
Not so hard -- we all dream of being
a-child again -- even the worst of us --
perhaps the worst most of all..
PIKE
(looking: at him)
You know us, then --
DON JOSE
I know myself only -- where I have been,
what I have done.
PIKE
Like to ride with us, old man?
And for a moment, the old man's eyes flash as he watches:
162- DUTCH AND THREEVILLAGERS SHOEING a very small, very mean
16L. mule. All four have been drinking a little and are thoroughly
enjoying themselves as is the mule as he pitches and knocks
them all sprawling..
DON JOSE
-- I am too old.
(almost cursing, indicating
SYKES)
.Too old even to ride beside this
ancient gringo.
165 SYKES LAUGHS AND DRINKS
SYKES
Hell, you ain't so old; partner.
166 ANGEL STANDS, TURNS TO THEM
ANGEL
(BITTERLY)
And the soldier. who shot my father
what was his name?
CONTINUED
.? .
166 CONTINUED
DON JOSE
They were many -- who shot -- your father
resisted like a man and died like a man --
names in this matter have no importance.
(to Pike proudly)
I killed one;
(as Pike looks at him)
I lie -- I ran --
SYKES
Joe --'by God I like you. I like a
man who tells the truth.
ANGEL
(IMPATIENTLY)
And the leader -- how was he called?
DON JOSE
(after a moment)
Mapache.
ANGEL
That is.name enough.
PIKE
The Federal. troops they don? t.
protect you --
ICON JOSE
They were Federal troops; -- commissioned
by the traitor Huerta -- seven of the
village were killed --.our horses and
cattle and corn stolen -- all in the name
of Huerta, the killer of our President
Francisco I.. Madero -- In Mexico, Senor -
these are the years of sadness.
ANGEL
(after a long moment,
STANDING)
And Teresa?
DON JOSE
Gone.
ANGEL
(WHIRLING)
They took her?
CONTINUED
4$ .
166 CONTINUED
DON JOSE
No -- she went with them because she
wished to. She became the woman of
Mapache -- and others -- she went with
them laughing -- Drunk with wine and love.
Angel, knowing it's true, turns and moves away. Pike looks
after him.'
167 DON JOSE HANDS SYKES THE BOTTLE, SYKES DRINKS, HANDS IT TO
PIKE who drinks.
DON JOSE
To him she was a goddess. To be wor-
shipped from afar -- with music and
flowers -- a deity to be followed and
adored at a dis -nee but Mapache
-' knew she was a mango -- ripe and waiting...
PIKE
-So Angel lives with a dream -- while
Mapache eats the mango --
DON JOSE
Just so -
( THEN)
You have been there -- with the dream?
PIKE
Many times -- and with the mango too.
SYKES
(CACKLING)
You just bet he has, Joe.
PIKE
I never could carry a candle to you,
old timer.
DON JOSE
(to Pike)
And. which do you prefer, the dream or
the taste?
PIKE
I dream when I sleep -- and eat when
I'm hungry.
DON JOSE
(laughing with Sykes)
Just so • -- the both of you and Map-ache
and I --
49.
168 ANGEL, SOME DISTANCE AWAY, watches evening come upon the
quiet village and watches:
169 TECTOR AND LYLE moving from the pond carrying water, now
surrounded by a dozen laughing children.
70 DUTCH AND THE THREE OLD MEN trying to pound a horseshoe
an the mule.
1.71 HIS MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER AND other village women now
basting a kid cooking over the coals and:
172 PIKE,. SYKES AND HIS-GRANDFATHER laughing in the ramada.
17 3 ANGEL TURNS AWAY, his eyes suddenly blind with tears,.
Then,-turns and crosses to his Grandfather..
ANGEL
Where is Mapache?;
CUT TO:
EXT..-RAILROAD YARDS\ SAN RAFAEL. DAY (SUNSET EFFECT)
'17L. THORNTON LEADS THE BOUNTY HUNTERS ALONG THE RAILS toward the
bunkhouse. They have been riding a long time. The men are
tired and bitter. Suddenly Coffer draws his gun and points
it at Thornton's back.. For a moment it. looks as if he will
shoot, then Thornton pulls up sharply,. and kicks his. horse
to one side as:
175 HARRIGAN STEPS OUT OF THE BOXCAR (OR STATION OFFICE)
stands waiting. Coffer's gun has disappeared.,
THORNTON
Ride ahead, all of you.
And they do, riding toward Harrigan as we.,
CUT TO:
EXT. ANGEL 'S VILLAGE - NIGHT
176 MOST OF THE VILLAGE IS gathered around three or four fires
eating the young goat meat... drinking tequilla and mescal,
- watching:.
CHANGE'.
2/ ,2/68
50.
177 TECTOR AND LYLE dance a Mexican Virginia reel as
178 SYKES BLOWS ACCOMPANIMENT with harmonica along with two
of the local guitar players.
179 THE VILLAGERS CHEER THEM ON, THEN TWO PRETTY GIRLS (ANNA
AND LINDA) JUMP UP and. dance with the- Gorch brothers,
learning the steps from the willing, if surprisingly
bashful, teachers.
180 PIKE, A PIECE OF GOAT MEAT IN HIS HAND LISTENS TO. THE-
MURMURING OF CARMALITA, A RATHER PLUMP AND QUITE PRETTY
YOUNG GIRL, seated between him and Dutch. Angel, across.
the fire, raises his voice and repeats the question:.
ANGEL.
You must tell me.- where Map ache?
181 HIS GRANDFATHER, WATCHING PIKE AND DUTCH AND CARMALITA,
laughing softly to himself, finally turns, his smile fading.
DON JOSE
Why do you wish to know -- for your
father - or the whore?
Pike looks up as Angel fights within himself to find an
answer,
PIKE
(FINALLY)
It doesn't make any difference, kid
our business is in Agua Verde
For a moment Angel looks like he will explode, then he
lifts a bottle of tequi.lla in salute to Pike.
ANGEL
As you say, Jefe - to Agua Verde and
'our business.'
CUT TO:
EXT.. AGUA VERDE PLAZA - DAY
182 PIKE AND THE-OTHER It N ARE WATERING THEIR HORSES under the
shade of several large trees in the main plaza of Agua Verde,.
The town itself is dull and sun colored like. the surrounding
country. Its most remarkable features are a great deal of
soldiers exiting and entering a cantina-like building and
a small, aging, ornate, church.
51.
18 3 SYKES PURCHASES A TACO FROM A SMALL BOY and gums at it
while the contents run into his beard.
18. PIKE LIFTS A STIRRUP FROM HIS SADDLE on the hitching rail
and examines the repair, then puts it on his horse. Tector.
and Lyle squat in the shade working at making a cat's cradle.
Angel is talking quietly to three Mexican peons some distance
away. •.
185 DUTCH LEAVES. THE BUILDING and joins Pike.
DUTCH
All soldiers - not a bounty hunter
in sight.
PIKE
We'll go. have a drink, then try and
sell the horses.
SYKES
'Who'.s going to buy -- looks to me like.
this place has been picked clean.
ANGEL
(joining Pike)
He's been here;
186 THE HORSES PUT THEIR EARS BACK and whinny nervously as an
incredible noise is heard off scene. The men snap their
heads.around and look at:
187 A HUGE CLOUD OF DUST FROM THE EDGE OF T1 014N MOVING DOWN THE
STREET towards the plaza. Inside is the almost ghostlike
appearance of a 1912 or 1913 touring car. Four mounted men
are riding on each side and a host of small.children are
running, screaming, behind it.
188 THE CAR PULLS UP IN FRONT OF THE CANTINA-LIKE BUILDING.
SIX MEN GET OUT AND TWO OF THEM INSTANTLY BEGIN DUSTING
AND POLISHING. The mounted guards. take up positions around
the vehicle. The group shows deference to a large man
wearing general's braid. -EL 'MAPACHE. Next to him is his
second in command, ZAMORRA. The third man dressed in white
linen is MOHR, a German military advisor. With him is ERNST,
his aide.
189 PIKE AND THE OTHERS WATCH with interest as the men enter a
cantina-like building. Then without a word they cross the
CONTINUED
52.
189 CONTINUED
street, drawn to the vehicle. Angel is tense, knowing
that his man has arrived.
PIKE
I seen one just like this in Waco...
LYLE
Run on steam?
PIKE
No...alcohol:...or gasoline.
190 FREDDY SYKES EDGES UP CLOSE TO PIKE. He is anxious to make
a. statement and he speaks to him as he walks around the car.
SYKES
Pike... .I heard about one they got up
north that. kin fly;
Pike nods sagely. Te.ctor Gorch on the other side of the
car hears the remark.
TECTOR
(SCORNFULLY)
.That was a balloon ,you damned old fool.
PIKE
No,. the old man's right. They -got t em
now with motors and wings -- cover 60
miles in less than an hour...goin' to
use them in the war, they say.
(as T(ector looks at
him astonished)
This could cover. 30 miles in an hour --
' cording to the road, of course.
DUTCH
That could run a horse right into the
ground.
PIKE
Not that easy -- these automobiles can't
stand.any rough ground -- or hot sun
like a horse ---they're for show mostly.
191 TECTOR TOUCHES A FENDER AND ONE of the guards spurs toward
him, cursing in Spanish. Tector backs off,. hands in the air.
TECTOR
I was just going to touch th.,e damn
thing, not marry it.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/27/68
53.
191 CONTINUED
ANGEL
Un gigante de miquina -- Ha de tenor
una fuerza tremenda.
(A giant of a machine -- What force it
must have)
GUARD
-La fuerza.do 1,000 caballos.
(The force of 1,000 horses.)
ANGEL
Y el dueno -- un general por lo menos.
(And the owner -- a general at least.)
GUARD
Mapache? Mis que un general - un hombre
hecho para reinar todo Mexico, si Dios quiere.
(Mapache? More than a general -- a man
to.rule all of Mexico if God wills.)
192 ANGEL SMILES AT THE MAN, TURNS AND CROSSES TOWARD. THE
CANTINA. PIKE STOPS HIM.
PIKE
You're here with us,pardner -- any
business you got with the general comes
after we finish ours -- and that is
selling horses..
ANGEL
(after a moment, shrugging)
As you wish.
He turns away, Pike grabs him, jerks him back,
PIKE
(GENTLY) _
You make.one move to trouble and I'll
-kill you -- understand -- we stick
together.
DUTCH
(before Angel can answer)
Angel -- who does this thing belong to?
ANGEL
(with due respect)
Es el carrazo oficial de.su excelencia
el Generalisimo Mapache.
Dutch turns smiling and tells the others.
DUTCH
The official carrazo of the Pache
Generalisimo. CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/32/68
51..
192 CONTINUED
PIKE
Let's get some beer and talk to the
general about his automobile and our
extra horses,,.nice and easy.
The men turn and follow him into the cantina.
INT. CANTINA - DAY
193 THE CANTINA IS A LARGE MANY LEVELED ROOM IN A HALF DESTROYED
HACIENDA FILLED WITH MEXICANS wearing the uniforms of
Huerta,' s counter-revolutionary army and their ladies,,
A small mariachi band wanders among the. tables. playing folk.
songs of the era. In certain areas horses are stabled.--
a blacksmith shop is working, guns are being repaired, knives
and bayonets sharpened..,and food is being cooked for the
troops by their women. Kids, as .always,. are very evident.
19L. MAPACHE AND HIS GROUP ARE SEATED AT A TABLE which is in' a
covered area raised above the others. It is obvious from.
his position and respect accorded him that he is the local
.boss of the area.' The German officer, Mohr, and Ernst, are
'sitting on one side of him. Lieutenant Zamorra is seated
on the other side. Herrera is close by.
1.95. PIKE AND THE OTHERS MOVE TOWARDS A CORNER of the cantina
eyeing the Mexicans with the kind of caution that men who
are vastly outnumbered generally show.. They sit quietly
at a table, ignoring the suspicious looks of the soldiers.
196 AT MAPACHE'S LONG TABLE, the General and the Germans watch
them with pointed interest. Mohr nudges Mapache and asks
who they are. Mapache shr ugs -- he doesn't know,
197 EMMA, A PRETTY WAITRESS, CROSSES TO PIKE'S table to take
their order.
EMMA
Diga?
PIKE
Beers.. six cervesas,
EMMA
Como?
Angel remains silent, looking at the General,
'CONTINUED
55.
197 CONTINUED
DUTCH
Seii cervesas.
The girl leaves to' get the order. The men at the table look
around the cantina. At a nearby table a group of men are
throwing dice and laughing loudly. The mariachis are gather-
ing around Mapache.. Lyle shifts in his chair to look at them.
198 MAPACHE IS LAUGHING AND DRINKING. The German. leans close
to Zamorra and speaks in Spanish.
MOHR
Do you know these Americans?
ZAMORRA
No.
The German settles back in his.chair and. begins placing
a cigarette in a holder.
1.99 TECTOR AND LYLE LOOK SUSPICIOUSLY AROUND AT THE MEXICANS
in the cantina. The other men tired from the trail only
half listen to them as the girl serves beer.
TECTOR
Probably talking about us behind our
backs.
200 DUTCH TURNS TO PIKE WHO IS QUAFFING a large beer.
DUTCH
I'm down to about twenty in silver...
PIKE
The G3neralisimo has cleaned this part
a of the country ...He ought to have it
to spare.
DUTCH
Generalisimo hell -- he's just a damn
bandit grabbing all he can for himself.
PIKE
(GRINNING)
Like some others I could mention?
DUTCH
No sir -- we don't.hang nobody or
torture them -- I hope the people
here kick him and the rest of the scum
like him right into-their graves.
56..
201 ANGEL SITTING QUIETLY WITH HIS GLASS OF BEER WATCHES
MAPACHE, his eyes burning with hatred.
ANGEL
We will if it takes a thousand years:
Then suddenly, he reacts to the sound of a girl's voice off
scene.
TERESA
Vamos:...te va. gustar el Alenman:
Angel. spins around in his chair watching as:
202 TWO PRETTY MEXICAN GIRLS, TERESA AND RASA, laughing and
giggling, pass-the table.
ANGEL
.Teresa;
He reaches out and grabs the better looking of the two by
the arm.
LYLE (OS)
Hey,. boy...you know them cuties?
Teresa recognizes him,: then pulls away,
TERESA
DEFAME:
ROSA
Llamo los otros!
TERESA
No, Vete, ahorita vengo;
Pike and Dutch tense as Angel stands and jerks her toward
him, -
PIKE
Let her go!
203 ANGEL LOOKS AT THE GIRL, furious and hurt..
ANGEL
Djaste el pueblo;
TERESA
Si deje el pinche pueblo. Y ahora
vivo con el generalisimo;
She jerks away from Angel and starts toward the other table.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/27/68
57.
203 CONTINUED
Angel. watches her go. In the b.g.,the group of Mariachis
playing loudly have moved around Mapache's table.. No one
there seems. to have seen the action.
PIKE
Take it easy!
He places a hand on Angel's shoulder.
DUTCH
(to Angel)
Que pasa::
PIKE
His sweetheart --
ANGEL
(still. watching Teresa)
"She was my woman and she left the
village.,
20L . TERESA SPLITS THE MARIACHIS AND STEPS-UP BESIDE EL MAPACHE
and begins kissing his ear..
TECTOR
(LAUGHING)
Sure ain't your woman no more.'
LYLE "
Just look at her licking that, big devil's ear.
Angel watches, his rage growing, then stands -- Pike goes
for-him., .. but too late..
ANGEL
(HISSES)
Put a!
In a split second he draws and fires.
205 TERESA HAS JUST'S.TARTED TO SIT ON THE BIG MAN'S LAP WHEN
THE BULLET FROM THE FORTY-FIVE CATCHES. HER IN THE STOMACH
and hurls her to the floor. The others at the table duck
for cover, their guns coming out.
206 ANGEL IS STARING AT THE GIRL AS PIKE T"EROWS A PUNCH DIRECTLY
into the side of his head dropping him onto the floor, knock-
ing him out. The others stand, hands an -theirguns,
58.
207 THE ENTIRE AREA IS COMPLETELY SILENT. SEVERAL SOLDIERS
ARE STANDING WITH THEIR GUNS COVERING PIKE AND THE OTHERS.
Mapache and the'others slowly rise, look at Angel, now
realizing who shot the girl.
208 MAPACHE STARTS TOWARDS THEM. He pushes over chairs and shoves
people aside as he approaches the group. Zamorra9 the Germans
and other members of his retinue are close on his heels.
209 PIKE AND THE OTHERS ARE SILENT AND UNMOVING AS MAPACHE STEPS
up to the'table and quickly scans the group.. Angel gets to
his knees9 Mapache kicks him in the.head and when Angel. falls
back, stamps him several times with his boot,, steps away.
One of Mapache's men starts to bash Angel's head with a rifle`
butt,. Mapache stops the man with a gesture,. then turns to
the others.
MAPACHE
Qua basura es este?
Mapache again. kicks Angel..
ZAMORRA
Why did he try to kill His Excellency...?
PIKE
He didn't, he was. after the girl...
Mapache is having difficulty understanding. He looks at
Z'amorra with a puzzled expression.
ZAMORRA
La.muchacha,..
DUTCH
Era su novia;
The Mexicans immediately respond to Dutch's explanation.
Both Z.amorra and Mapache smile.
O MAP ACHE
(PLEASED)
His fiancee??...
PIKE
He went a little crazy when he saw
her with you.
Mapache laughs. His ego is pleased with the idea that.he
had taken someone's woman. He turns and explains grandly
in Spanish to the rest of. the cantina.
MA PA CHE
Mato su vieja porque salio con El Mapache;
The soldiers in the cantina laugh and ad lib their response..
59.
210 PIKE. AND DUTCH TRY TO SMILE as do the Gorch brothers and Sykes.
211 MOHR IGNORES them, looking with interest at the U.S..Army
.45 pistols that the men are wearing.
MOHR
(.to Pike)
Are you men in Agua Verde for business?
PIKE.
Thought we might sell a few horses.
MOHR
You must have been associated with
the American Army, is that riot so?
Tector and Lyle snicker slightly at the remark. Mapache and
Zamorra turn, listening carefully to the conversation.
The cantina is silent.
DUTCH
-No -- were not associated with anyone...
MOHR
I see,..1 was curious because of.the
equipment which you are carrying.
(as they look at him)
That pistol is restricted for use'by
army personnel. It can't be purchased
or even owned... legally.
-PIKE
(GUARDEDLY)
Is that so? - -
MOHR
You're surprised at my interest?
(then as Pike doesn't answer)
Weapons are a specialty of mine.
Mohr bows his head slightly and clicks his heels barely audib3y,
MOHR
I am Commander Frederick Mohr-of the
Imperial German. Army. For the last six-
months I have been in Mexico helping
fight against the revolutionaries.
212. ANGEL ON THE FLOOR IS CONSCIOUS, but uimoving., listening to
what is being said. Several of Mapache's men stand around him.
MOHR
Unfortunately your government has chosen
to aid the rabble in their so-called
struggle for liberty...
PIKE
I. never heard of any American troops
fighting down here...
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
60.
212 CONTINUED
MOHR
They are aiding in diplomatic channels...
It would be very useful to us if we knew
of Americans who did not share their
government's naive sentiments.
PIKE
We have vez"y'few sentiments in common
with our government.
MAPACHE
Qua diga?
MOHR
(Xn Spanish)
Generalisimo, I think we should ask
these gentlemen to have a drink with us.
And Pike, understanding. that much Spanish, smiles as we.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BAR - NIGHT
213 A MARIACHI IS BLOWING HARD AND SAD INTO A TINY BRASS
TRUMPET AS he looks at the body of Teresa being dragged
out. Emma and.Rosa'are still very much in evidence..
214 AT MAPACHE'S TABLE, PIKE, DUTCH, LYLE, TECTOR AND SYKES are
all seated at the raised table on the dais..,. Mapache seated
at one end is tired and looks half asleep,.
In the b.g. Angel can be seen still on the floor. A couple
of guards are sitting near him.
2,15 SEVERAL MARS. ARE SPREAD OUT on the table.
Emma and Rosa crying softly, watch as the dead body of the
girl. is dragged through a door at one end of the room.
Zamorra is seated.next to the German listening intently,
PIKE
Of all those garrison rail spurs that
ofie is the easiest to hit -- But I've
got to figure where we can get out with.
the wagon.
CHANGE
2/12/68
61.
216 HE POINTS TO A PLACE ON THE MAP, looks at Dutch who shrug,
doubtfully,
DFTCH
(to ZRmorre)
Why do you want us to
hit a train that's so close to the
border ...The General could take an
army up there and get it.
MOHR
President Huerta is anxious to better
relations with the U.S. -- not destroy
them. -
PIKE
Arms shipments are generally. kept secret
...how did you find out about this one?
ERNST
Mapache has a superb intelligence force..
(indicating Mohr)
Organized under the supervision of my
superior officer.
ZAMORRA
(drinking, laughing)
Gentlemen., we are quite well organized
and well able to pay $10,000 in gold.
(as• they react)
If you are not able to do the work we
will find someone else,
PIKE
' (as the others react)
I -- we can do 'it , , ,
(THEN)
But we're going to need special equipment.
ZAMORRA
Our accountant will arrange everything.
SOHR
(smiling at Mapache)
Soon you will be the best armed general
in Mexico.
Mapache raises his glass In a toast,
MAPACHE
A la conquistat.,.
Pike nudges Lyle who raises his glass; the other men follow
suit. Mohr smiles and elegantly raises a drink.
CONTINUM)
62.
216 CONTINUED
MOHR
PROSIT
ERNST
Prosit:a I
217 PIKE AND DUTCH.DRINK, put down their glasses.
PIKE
With your permission ...I need a bath.
ERNST
(GRINNING)
With my permission -- You all need a
bath.
LYLE
Well,. .I don't need no bath...Tector
and me need'some of them senoritas.
(to Zamorra)
How 'bout that boy, can you fix us up?
ZAMORRA
Porque no?
Zamorra yells to JUAN. JOSE, an aide, standing nearby.
ZAMORRA
Oye!...Traeles unas viejas! Andale!
MOHR
(STANDING)
Gentlemen, you will excuse me, I'm
sure.
21$ PIKE AND DUTCH LOOK AT HIM,. THEN STAND.
DUTCH
I'm sure.
219 DUTCH FOLLOWS PIKE TO ANGEL where they lift him off the
floor.
PIKE
We better get him cleaned up...
CHANGE
2/27/68
63.
220 MAPACHE CROSSES QUICKLY TO THEM, drawing his gun.
PIKE
Por favor, General -- but I need him.
MAPACHE
I"give you someone much better.
PIKE
(FLATLY)
I choose my own... withyour permission.
Zamorra joins Mapache, looks at Pike whose hand is close to
his. gun, turns to the General.
-ZAMORRA
Mi jefe, deje que se lo lleven..
Mapache replaces his gun.
MAPA CHE
Take him. It is not important to
me -- take him!'
Then he.looks away as:
221 JUAN JOSE APPROACHES THE TABLE.WITH TWO BEAUTIES, ANNA
and LUCHA. Lyle and.Tector turn.and react with delight.
TECTOR
Hey! ...Here come our sweeties!
LYLE
(laughing softly)
More than enough to go around...
(as one girl sits
on his lap)
And then some!
He turns" and beckons to Pike and Dutch who, with Sykes, are
carrying Angel out of the saloon, but they ignore him.
CUT TO:
IN-T. BOX CAR DAY
222 HARRIGAN AND THORNTON ARE SEATED AT A TABLE STUDYING PAYROLL
SCHEDULES. MUNITION SCHEDULES AND NAPS. The other bounty
hunters are scattered around the car grumbling about the
inaction.
CONTINUED
614..
222 CONTINUED
HARRIGAN
And you want to gamble everything this
one shipment will be attacked?!
THORNTON
If they're in Agua Verde that's what
- --they'll go for.
HARRIGAN
If?! Why not Juarez?
THORNTON
Because we would have heard::.
(then, patiently)
If they are in Agua Verde they will have
seen Mapache.
HARRIGAN
(DISGUSTED)
And.who in the hell_is Mapache?
THORNTON
A killer for Huerta who calls himself
a.general.-- with enough guns he can
become a power in northern Mexico -
my guess is Pike will try and get
them f or • him.
HARRIGAN
The train will be guarded by regular
troops!!
THORNTON
Not regulars --.green recruits and not.
worth a damn! I'll need twenty trained
men -- not recruits or this gutter trash
you.'ve given me.
HARRIGAN
You'll get the job done with what you
have -- that'p our bargain.
(then looking at the
CALENDAR)
Twenty-four days.
CUT TO:
INT. STEAM HUT - DAY
223__ AN ANCIENT WOMAN POURS A BUCKET OF WATER ONTO THE STONES IN
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
65.
223 CONTINUED
GENTER OF AN ADOBE STEAM HUT. The structure is about twenty-
five feet in diameter with a small. open oven in the center
surrounded by a great deal of rocks. Light comes in through
a tiny hole in the center of the ceiling which also allows
smoke to escape.
PIKE, ANGEL AND DUTCH are sitting on a bench against one
wall. Angel has been cleaned up, but looks beaten.
225 SYKES IS IN ONE CORNER, thoroughly enjoying himself.
The men are all nude and stark white against the mud.' color of
the walls. As the woman exits, Dutch stands and empties a
bucket of water over' himself -and the others. They all gasp
with relief. All have towels around their waists and none
are completely sober. Pike's leg is heavily scarred and he
is in pain. He stands and drinks, gets closer to the fire9
massaging his leg.
DUTCH
I don't see how you stand it
PIKE
Some day I'm going to build me one of
these and live in it.
(then to Angel)
I don't know why I • didn' t just let him
kill you.
ANGEL
( IRATE)
I'm not going to steal guns for that
devil to rob and kill my people again.
DUTCH
Very 'noble .
SYRE S
I didn't see no tears runnin' down your
face when you rode in from San Rafael.
ANGEL
(ANGRY)
They were not my people -- nor yours --
I care about my people, my villag.e,
Mexico.
CHANGE
2/12/68
65A.
226 ANGEL GETS UP OFF THE BENCH and dumps a bucket of water on
his head. Pike looks at. Dutch. Both drink from a bottle.
SYKES
Listen, bog, you ride the trail with
us your village don't count -- if it
does- -you jest don't go along.
ANGEL
Then I don't go along!
CHANGE
2/12/68
66.
227 PIKE AND DUTCH LOOK AT ANGEL through the steam.
DUTCH
One load of guns isn't going to stop him
from raiding villages.. You ought to be
thinking about all that money you'll have.
PIKE
(EXPANSIVELY)
Take them a large bag of gold when it's
over.
DUTCH
A small bag.
PIKE
Move them a thousand miles away and buy
them a ranch --. two -- three, ranches.
DUTCH
One -- a very Small ranch.
ANGEL
They'll never leave...You see, it's
their land -- and no one will, ever
drive them away.
SYKES
(sblemnl4),
I'll drink to that sentiment -- and to.
love --
(singing softly)
But when all is said and done --
I!11 drink to -- gold.
DUTCH
Salud'.
CUT TO:
INT. BODEGO - NIGHT
228 IT IS LONG AND NARROW AND SHADOWY and Lyle, Tector and their
two ladies are exploring it very carefully and with great
dignity -- candles in hand.
LYLE
The dons of Spain built-this some three
hundred years ago --
He belches, then looks about in awe at the huge casks.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/27/68
67.
228 CONTINUED
TECTOR
Itm all for them dons'.
229 TECTOR SUDDENLY SWINGS A MATTOX ON TO a six foot cask
which rests on top of two others of equal height, it
bounces out of his hand. He draws his gun and fires as
does Lyle. Liquid gushes down.
229A LYLE STEPS UNDER IT, lifts his face, drinks, then drags:
his lady beside him.
LYLE
(as the torrent pours
over them removing his
HAT)
Have a dollop, honey -- there's enough
here for both of us.
And. she does, tasting the good wine:; laughing.
CUT TO:
INT. STEAM HUT - NIGHT
230 PIKE AND DUTCH EXCHANGE LOOKS AND HAVE ANOTHER DRINK, AS
ANGEL PALES.. Both are ready to write Angel off. and forget
about the problem.
ANGEL
Would you give someone a gun to
kill your mother, or your father,
or your brother?
231, DUTCH LOOKS AT PIKE. Pike thinks it over. Both have.
another pull on the bottle.
PIKE
Son -- twenty thousand cuts a lot
of. family ties.
ANGEL
No -- you gringos are no different.
I have seen how Lyle takes care of
his brother.
He takes the bottle, drinks, then throws it on the rocks.
CONTINUED
68.
231 CONTINUED
ANGEL (CONT' D )
My people don't have guns so Mapache
takes the food out of their mouths
and clothes off their backs. With
guns my village could fight, If I
could take guns to my people I would
go with you -- but not just for
gold,
232 THE MEN ARE MOMENTARILY SILENT. Angel lifts a bucket
of water, spills part of it on his head, passes it to Sykes
who drinks a little of the water, spits it out, puts the
bucket down, pours two bottles of tequilla into it,
drinks. again -- smiles, passes it to Angel, who drinks
and passes it on.
DUTCH
(DRINKING)
.Al]. we'd need is for El Mapache to
find out we armed some village...
SYKES
Let him find out.' Mr. Bishop --
(as P �ke looks
a t\ him )
You know as well as I there ain't no
way of collecting from Mapache 'cept
off a lot of dead bodies -- mostly
ours, the way he thinks.
Pike considers this -- looks at the old man, finally
nods .
ANGEL
I would take guns ...if Mapache found
out, you would say I stole them,
DUTCH
How many cases of rifles did Zamorra
say were in that shipment?
PIKE
Twenty.
DUTCH
Give him one.
CONTINUED
69.
232 CONTINUED
PIKE'
(after a long moment)
You can have one case and one case of
ammo, You'll give up your share of the
gold.
DUTCH
__-He'll have to show up with us. when we
deliver..,.
ANGEL
I' will:..
PIKE
(SOFTLY)
i. know. you will...
Then. they all turn as:
233 TECTOR AND.LYLE AND THEIR LADIES enter, somewhat wet and
stained with wine.
LYLE.
(awkwardly) '
I' d like. you to meet my fiancee.
TECTOR
(tears in his eyes)
They just got engaged.
234 FOR A MOMENT THE GROUP:is frozen,-looking at the.bride to
be, her bridesmaid and:the best man. and groom,.. then all
stand., together and bow.
PIKE
Pleasure-, Ma' ain.
ANGEL
Tanto gusto, senorita.
DUTCH
Mucho gusto, senorita..
SYKES
(softly to himself).
Son of a bitch.
(THEN)
Trot them on in, boys -- I' :m hell on
packin' mules, but I'm 'a delight with,
.a pretty girl.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/27/68
00
234 CONTINUED
Tector and Lyle and their girls look at him as both Pike
and Dutch nearly fall off the bench, laughing too hard to
drink their health as we:
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BROKEN DESERT AREA (DEEP ARROYO) - DAY
235 PIKE AND DUTCH ARE RIDING AHEAD OF A LARGE. WAGON (LOADED
WITH BARRELS) DRIVEN BY SYKES. The others are riding.
behind. The walls of the arroyo tower above the men.
Pike is tense in the saddle as the pain in. his leg becomes
almost. unbearable.
DUTCH
You never told me how you got all
tore up like that...
236 PIKE REFLECTS FOR A MOMENT. His face is almost white.;
Then he reaches in his saddle bag and pulls out a bottle.
He drinks, passes the bottle to Dutch..
PIKE
I met a woman I wanted to marry...
Pike 'grins a little at what now seems an absurd thought.
236A SUPERIMPOSED OVER THE. SCENE IS PIKE IN JUAREZ:
INT. KITCHEN v NIGHT
236B PIKE. COMES IN THROUGH THE KITCHEN-DOOR WITH AN ARM LOAD
of groceries and too much to drink.
236C AURORA STANDS WAITING FOR HIM. She is very beautiful and
very angry..
PIKE
Buenas no the s mi amor.
Aurora swings and catches him full handed across the face9
the groceries scatter on the floor -- Pike bounces off the
wall,. looks at her, tries to grin.
PIKE
Your husband due back?
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/27/68
71.
2360 CONTINUED
AURORA
No, never you are late -- two days
late.
Pike is startled by this, starts to protest, realizes it is
true, tries to make apologies. Aurora turns and stalks off.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT
236D -PIKE IS SHOVING POTS AND PANS AROUND, attempting'to cook
dinner, while Aurora sits watching stony faced until he
.turns away, then she can hardly keep from giggling.
AURORA
(FINALLY)
You need help?.
PIKE
No!
He picks up a pan with a hot handle, drops it, spilling hot
stew or soup on his foot, hops around cursing looking at
the shambles on the stove and on the floor.'
236DD AURORA STANDS LOOKING AT HIM WITH LOVE, then smiling softly
crosses to the side-board and pours him a drink. He takes
it, suddenly both are laughing.
CUT TO:
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
PIKE AND AURORA STAND IN THE SEMIDARKNESS SLOWLY DISROBING.
Suddenly Pike embraces her and pulls her to the bed. They
begin to make love, then:
THE DOOR SMASHES OUN AND LUKE, a skinny bad mouthed Texan
steps into the room, a_double barreled shot gun in his
hands ready to fire.
AURORA SCREAMS and throws herself in front of Pike. Luke
fires, the charge killing her as Pike dives out of bed --
jumping for his gun on a nearby table.
LUKE FIRES AGAIN, the blast catching Pike across the thigh
and knee. Pike goes down. Luke crosses to the bed and
sits watching him writhing almost bleeding to death on the
floor.
CHANGE
4/23/68
71A.
236 1 OVER THE ABOVE IS THE FOLLOWING DIALOGUE:
PIKE
She had a husband and I should have had
enough sense to kill him. He wasn't around
and I got careless. One night he.walked in
on us - - got her with the first shot. He
caught me here with the second then the
damndd coward turned and ran.
236J EXT. DESERT AREA - DAY
DUTCH
You didn't catch up with him?
PIKE
Not yet but there-hasn't been.a day or an
hour that I haven't thought about getting
him - - he didn't want that woman he just.
wanted to kill somebody - - well, he killed
her - - not me and I'll see him dead
for it.
I
(Then yelling back)
Move along, Freddy - - we've got a long way
to go:
He turns back to Dutch, takes the bottle,.. drinks deeply and
puts it away.
PIKE
This is the last go round - - this time
we do it right.
CUT TO:
M.
CHANCE
2/27/68
71B.
EXT. DESERT - DAY (DAWN EFFECT)
237 A TRAIN CHUGS ACROSS THE FLAT STRETCH of desert. The small
steam. locomotive pushes a flatbed and pulls a succession
of three cars.
Another flat, a passenger and a cattle. The train moves
toward the only object in sight:
238 A RICKETY TRACKSIDE WATER TOWER AND MAINTENANCE SHOP
239 IN FRONT OF THE ENGINE TWO ARMY ORDINANCE GUARDS RIDE ON
THE-FLAT car, wearily checking the track for obstructions.
ON THE SECOND,FLAT CAR TWO MORE ARMED GUARDS sit on crates
of weapons and..arnmunition, gazing at the passing scenery.
INT. PASSENGER CAR - DAY
241 THORNTON AND NINE OTHER BOUNTY HUNTERS SLOUCHED ON THE.
WOODEN BENCHES.WIDE AWAKE.
\-I
72...
214.2 AT THE REAR OF THE CAR, A DOZEN VERY YOUNG ARMY RECRUITS
are sprawled across the seats near their beefy first
sergeant, FRANK MC HALE who is snoring loudly.
INT. CATTLE CAR : DAY
214.3. THE CATTLE CAR IS LOADED WITH THE HORSES OF THE SOLDIERS
AND THE BOUNTY HUNTERS.
The soldiers' horses are roach-maned and unsaddled. I
At one end of the car, the railroad livestock man is asleep
on a pile of straw, an empty jug at his side. The animals
of the bounty hunters are standing saddled, with the cinches
loosened.
INT. PASSENGER CAR - DAY
244 THE TRAIN SLOWS AND A FEW OF THE SOLDIERS. lift their heads
and look out the windows.
Seeing nothing but the vast empty plain, they quickly resume
their slumber.
245. THE BOUNTY HUNTERS TENSE.- THORNTON STANDS, looks out...
nothing,' but:
214.6. A RICKETY WATER TOWER AND TINY maintenance shack -- no horses,
wagons, nothing.
INT. PASSENGER CAR
214.7 THORNTON TURNS back to his seat.
EXT.. TRAIN - DAY
248 THE ENGINE PULLS TO A STOP UNDER THE RICKETY TOWER. THE
FIREMAN CLIMBS OUT OF THE CAB AND ONTO THE TENDER. He
reaches up and grabs the lanyard and lowers the spout.
219 THE FIREMAN FINDS HIMSELF GAZING DIRECTLY INTO THE BARREL OF
A SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN: HELD BY ANGEL. The fireman gasps
and-takes a step back.
250 ANGEL SLIDES OFF THE SPOUT AND ONTO the tender. He covers
the fireman and the `two man crew. The- crew -urns and Angel
smiles aiid puts his .f_nger to his l 1ps, then gestures. The
firemanand the crew begin to take on grater,
73.
PIKE, DUTCH AND LYLE step out 'from behind the maintenance
shack and climb swiftly onto the tender. Pike slips toward
the engine compartment.
252. DUTCH TURNS TOWARDS THE GUARDS ON THE flatcar behind the
engine.
253 LYLE SCRAMBLES AROUND THE ENGINE TO HANDLE the two men on
the.flat car in front.
DUTCH LOOKS DOWN AT TEE GUARDS ON THE SECOND FLAT CAR.
THEY ARE LOUNGING WITH THE GUNS SEVERAL FEET AWAY.
He whistles an.d they look up. While he covers them:
255 ANGEL CLIMBS DOWN from the tender onto the flat car over the
crates toward the coupling Joining the flat to the passenger
car.
256 ON THE FRONT FLAT CAR the two- guards turn, freeze as Lyle
moves around .the .front of the engine and whistles., his
shotgun covering. them.
25? IN THE CAB, PIKE IS\STANDING WITH his hand on the throttle
looking up at Dutch.
25$. AT THE COUPLING -ANGEL GRABS. THE PIN and starts to pull on it.
259 IN THE CAB PIKE. WA TC HES� DUTCH , WHO WAVES HIS HAND, motion-
ing .Pike to ease the train back. Pikes hand moves on the
throttle..
260 THE COUPLING MOVES SLIGHTLY AND. ANGEL LIFTS THE IN.
-INT. PASSENGER CAR - DAY.
263:: THORNTON- FROWNS AS THE CAR moves slightly. He stands, and
walks toward the front of the car. Through the window on
the. door, he sees:
262 ANGEL SCRAMBLING OVER THE CRATES TOWARDS THE TENDER.
263 THORNTON DUCKS BACK AND STARTS TO DRAW HIS . gun,..: pauses and
turns back into the car.' Silently he gestures to the
bounty hunters.
The soldiers in the back of the car continue to sleep as
Thornton and his men move past them toward the horse car.
REACHING THE SERGEANT, still snqring loudly, Thornton hesi-
tates, then decides against it and enters the horse car.
265 IN THE CAB, PIKE EASES THE THROTTLE FORWARD.
266 THE ENGINE AND. TENDER AND FLAT CAR PULL" SLOWLY away from
the passenger and cattle car.
267 THE GAP IS BECOMING LARGER BETWEEN THE PASSENGER-CAR AND
THE FLAT CAR WHEN DUTCH SEES:
268 A 'MAN JUMPING A HORSE OUT OF THE CATTLE CAR. It is one of
the bounty hunters. Another horse quickly follows. Dutch
turns and yells.
DUTCH
They're coming;
269 GORCH ON FRONT OF THE. LOCOMOTIVE WHIRLS AROUND and looks
back for an instant as Dutch yells. The two guards jump
for their weapons. Lyle turns back,'watches them, then
kills both as they pick up their rifles.
270 IN THE CAB, PIKE POURS ON THE COAL.
271 STEAM POURS OUT OF THE. CYLINDERS AND THE WHEELS SPIN ON
THE RAILS...
272 AS THE WHEELS GAIN TRACTION AND TEIE TRAIN LURCHES FORWARD,
DUTCH PITCHES FORWARD, FALLING OVER THE EDGE BETWEEN THE
TENDER AND THE FLAT CAR, turning in the air, catching the
tender with his hands and his feet precariously balanced
on the coupling.
273 OVER THE RAILS, DUTCH HANGS ONTO THE IRON HAND GRIP ON THE
BACK OF THE TENDER. His feet are bracing him on the bounc-
- ing coupling. He is inches above the rail.
75.
27I, ON THE FLAT CAR THE TWO GUARDS SCRAMBLE OVER THE CASES
AND GRAB THEIR GUNS. They start .forward.
275 DUTCH LETS GO and, hanging on with one hand, manages to get
his gun out of the holster. He fires blindly over the edge,
IN TAE .CAB, PIKE .AND ANGEL WHIRL at the sound of the shot.
Pike instantly kicks the engineer and fireman out of the
cab, then turns to•c'limb onto the tender..
ANGEL
(ahead of him)
Yo V07;
Pike hesitates, then turns back to the throttle.
27.6 DUTCH DUCKS AS SHOTS FROM THE GUARD splinter wood nearh=s
face.. He is barely able to hang on. and. is slipping down
closer to' the rails.
EXT. PASSENGER CAR - DAY
277 SOLDIERS ARE POURING' OUT OF THE PASSENGER CAR WATCHING:
278 IN THE DISTANCE THE TRAIN AND THE PURSUING BOUNTY HUNTERS.
Hurriedly, they enter the cattle car.
INT. CATTLE CAR - DAY
279 A3,. THEY REMOVE THEIR HORSES, SOME TRYING to resaddle in
the car.
EXT. TRAIN COUPLING-
28.0 DUTCH PULLS THE TRIGGER AND HIS .45 clicks empty..
281 THE GUARDS. EDGE FORWARD TO FINISH HIM.
282 ANGEL FIRES AND ONE GUARD DROPS SCREAMING OFF THE FLAT CAR,
The other guard panics and scrambles back over the crates.
A second shot catches him in the small of the back, hurling
him over the edge of the car.
283 ANGEL RUSHES FORWARD, and bracing himself on a stanchion,
grabs Dutch by the jacket and pulls him aboard.
76.
EXT. LIVESTOCK CAR - DAY
284 THE RECRUITS ARE SCRAMBLING around outsi de.the car. Some
are climbing in through the open door. Inside the horses
can be heard kicking and neighing.
SGT. MC HALE
(SCREAMING)
Order; Dammit;,..Corporal9 get those
---men out of that car, ..get the animals
OUT;
(then, looking off)
Corporal -- ride back to the telegraph
at Todos Malos and tell tam that
Pinkerton gang has robbed the train
and we are in pursuit:
As the corporal mounts and rides off, the sergeant .contin"--ns
to watch:
285 THE TRAIN ROLLS OFF INTO THE DISTANCE FOLLOWED BY THE
BOUNTY HUNTERS.
286 THORNTON LEADING HIS MEN IS ABOUT a mile and a half behi^c.
the train.
287 THE TRAIN NEARS A WAGON ROAD WITH A NARROW BRIDGE THAT
CROSSES IT AND SUDDENLY the wheels lock. With a shower of
sparks it slides to a stop beside:"
288 A LARGE WAGON ON THE RIVERSIDE OF THE CROSSING. The
bandits scramble off the train and begin loading cases of
guns onto the waiting wagon. Sykes and Tector Gorch assist,
them. The wagon is directly beside the car and the unload-
ing is very rapid.
289 PIKE CLIMBS TO THE TOP OF THE-.CAB WATCHING:
290 THE CLOUD OF DUST OF THE APPROACHING BOUNTY HUNTERS. He
yells down to the men:
PIKE
Get the guns off and get on, out of here;
He turns and scrambles down inside the cab.
Outside the men quickly finish loading and the wagon pulls
up alongside the cab.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/27/68
77.
290 CONTINUED
DUTCH
We're ready!
PIKE
Not yet - I want to return e. favor..
He.•yanks the throttle into reverse and jumps off the
locomotive onto the wagon.
291. THE HEAVILY LOADED WAGON WINDS DOWN A STEEL TRAIL INTO
THE CANYON BESIDE THE SMALL RICKETY BRIDGE.
In the b.g.., the train picks up speed heading back towards
the scene of the robbery.
292 THE BANDITS PULL THE WAGON UP BESIDE THE RIVER BANK WHERE
THEY. HAVE. PRE-RIGGED A CABLE CROSSING.
In perfect order Dutch and Angel begin attaching the ropes
to-the tongue of the wagon as Sykes unhitches.
293 THE BOUNTY HUNTERS RIDE THEIR HORSES DOWN A: STEEP SLOPE
AS THE TRAIN RUSHES PAST.
29l� WITH ANGEL LEADING, THE..HORSES ARE PULLED into the river.
Large barrels on the side of the wagon serve as floatation
gear. The current catches it and begins to swing it on
the rope downstream and across the river..
295 THE BOUNTY HUNTERS ARE RAPIDLY CLOSING THE GAP. In the
distance. they can see the bandits, now in mid-stream,
296 OUTSIDE THE CATTLE CAR, RECRUITS ARE LINED UP saddling
their horses.
297 INSIDE, THREE OF THEM ARE STILL CHASID THEIR PANICKY.
HORSES AROUND.
CHANGE
2/27/68
78 e.
298 OUTSIDE, A SOLDIER YELLS:
SOLDIER
Sergeant; They're coming back...
LOOK;
299 THE ENGINE IS ROARING TOWARD THEM FROM THE DISTANCE.
MC HALE
(realizing what is
-HAPPENING)
Get those horses away from the car!.
(running to the car)
Get them out of there;
300 INSIDE THE CAR, THE MEN HAVE CAUGHT AND SADDLED ONE HORSE.
Which.is now bucking, the saddle hanging under its belly.
The other rears as the Sergeant yells again.
MC HALE
Get out ; ...The engine's coming !
And It is at about forty miles an hour. The Sergeant turns
and runs.
301 INSIDE THE MEN RUSH FOR THE DOOR
302 ON THE TRACK THE ENGINE SLAMS INTO THE CARS.
303 IN THE CATTLE CAR, HORSES AND 14EN ARE HURLED AROUND IN
THE CAR by the impact.
30. THE HORSES REHITCHED, PIKE AND THE OTHERS ?"WORK TO FREE THE
WAGON BOGGED IN THE MUD ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE RIVER.
305_ ON THE OPPOSITE BANK, THE BOUNTY HUNTERS PULL UP AND BEGIN
FIRING.
306 ANGEL, LIGHTING A BIG CIGAR MOVES AWAY FROM PIKE AND THE
OTHERS.
307 PIKE ROPES ONTO THE' WAGON FROM the front and pulls with
his horse.
308 SYSES IS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND DUTCH is next-to him, lying
prone. on the wagon returning the fire of the bounty hunters.
CHANGE
2/27/68
79.
309 LY'LE AND TECTOR ON HORSEBACK SPUR.up.to the wagon.
PIKE
Get on those rear. wheels'.
The Gorch brothers scramble down into knee-deep water and
begin to push.
310 DUTCH AIMS AND FIRES.
311 A MAN STAGGERS OUT from half cover and drops to his knees,
312 DUTCH FIRES AGAIN and another man drops. The bounty
hunters back up.and hunt better cover.
313 THORNTON SPURS FOR THE SHAKY BRIDGE.
313A ANGEL, HIDDEN IN THE BRUSH AT THE FAR END OF THE BRIDGE.,.
puffs on the cigar watching, Thornton..
313B THREE FUSES ARE-IN HIS HAND. HE LIGHTS ONE WITH HIS CIGAR.
314 IN THE RIVER BELOW THE BRIDGE, PIKE AND HIS MEN PUSH AND
heave against the wagon slowly moving. it up onto-the
bank. Then:
314A SEEING THORNTON STARTING ACROSS THE BRIDGE, PIKE raises
his.rifle but the range is far and the wagon has begun
to move.
315 THORNTON FORCES his terrified animal across the tottering
structure, then whirls as a bullet whines past his head.
The shot has come from behind. Above and through the trees
he can see:
316 THE CAVALRY DISMOUNTING AND CONTINUING to fire.
317 THE BOUNTY HUNTERS WHIRL around and return the-fire.
THORNTON
(YELLING)
Don't shoot; ...It's the army, you
idiots; -
But his words are drowned out in a volley-of firing.
Some of the soldiers start for the bridge. Three or
four of the bounty hunters quickly mount and spur on to
the bridge after Thornton.
I
CHANGE
2/27/68
80.
318 THORNTON FORCES HIS animal forward, stops, recognizing:
319 PIKE AT THE WAGON. PIKE looks at him a moment, then -yells at
his men and pulls the wagon up out of the mud and labor s
up the slope,
320 ANGEL WATCHES THE FUSE BURNING under the bridge toward the
far banks where the bounty hunters are beginning to fall
back to the water:
321 THORNTON FOLLOWED BY THREE OTHER BOUNTY HUNTERS rides forward..
Angel lights the remaining two fuses, mounts and spurs after
Pike and the wagon.
322 SOME OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS PUSH THEIR HORSES DOWN THE SLOPE Ta-
WARD THE WATER AWAY FROM THE SOLDIERS, who led by McHale, are
closely flanking them. The firing is general now.
323 THE WAGON GOES UP THE RIM OF A GULLY, then down the other
side and out of sight..
324 . IN THE COVER OF THE GULLY, DUTCH AND THE GORCH BROTHERS mount
up and follow Sykes up the gully.
3 PIKE TURNS HIS HORSE, SPURS BACK THE WAY HE CAME. At the top
pulls. up as Angel joins.him. Both turn, watch. as:
325 FIVE STICKS OF DYNAMITE GO OFF in the shallow water on the
far side of the river among-the bounty hunters..
Horses go down, men. are thrown into the river. It is a sham-
bles. A few bounty hunters struggle dawnstream,
326 THORNTON, TWO THIRDS ACROSS THE BRIDGE pulls up, looks back as
do the three bounty hunters behind him, then at:
327 THE DISTANT FIGURES OF PIKE AND ANGEL. Pike lifts his hat i
a mocking' salute.
328 BENEATH THE BRIDGE, THE TWO FUSES REAC.E THE DYNAMITE AND THE
BRIDGE EXPLODES, blowing Thornton'and the three bounty
hunters into the river,
329 PIKE WATCHES WITHOUT EXPRESSION. ANGEL GRINS WITH SATISFACTION.
Finally both turn and ride after the wagon followed by scat-
tered ineffective shots of the soldiers,
330 ON THE FAR SIDE OF THE RIVER, MC HALE STOPS A GROUP OF SCLDIISS
from following on horseback.
MC HALE
Halt... '. Halt dammit;
That is-Mexico -- and . we can't
go there -- not yet.
CHANGE
2/27/68
81.
EXT. BOUNTY HUNTERS' CAMP (RIVER AREA) - DAY (SUNSET EFFECT)
331 THE BOUNTY HUNTERS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THORNTCN HAVE RE-
GROUPED ON THE MEXICAN SIDE OF THE RIVER, still wet and dazed
from the river. A huge mesquite wood fire is burning in the
centre of came and several men have placed boots and articles
of clothing around it. Three horses, unsaddled, are tied to
a picket line in the b.g.
T. C.
Sure would like to get ahold of my fool
horse,
COFFER
SomeMex kid's probably ridin' him home
right now,
JESS
I don't see how I could'a lost both my
boots; .They always was hard as hell
to gat on but that little ole river just
sucked 'em right off;
T.C.
•That little ole dynamite helped some,
ROSS
They was waiting for us.
COFFER
Dollars to doughnuts that same kid
that's ridin' T.C.'-s horse is wearing
your-boots right now,
332 JESS THINKS THIS OVER, THEN REACHES QUICKLY FOR HIS SHIRT
EXTENDED ON A POLE TOWARDS THE FIRE, WHICH HAS BEGUN TO BURN.
He-drops it onto the sand and stamps on it. The men watch9
silent, but slightly amused,
T. C.
What do you reckon we ought'a do now?.
.,.Go back?..,Them soldiers was shooting
at us,
JESS
You see Thornton;.,. I never did see him
come up',
T. C.
See him;... I was with him; But I never
seen him come up either,.
COFFER
If you're•asking me, I think we ought'a
go after them bandits and make that swim.
worth something.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/27/68
82.
332 CONTINUED
ROSS
(the fourth
bounty hunter)
I'd like to take some good pelts
back.. or at least maybe steal
something down here.
T. C.
----Why go back at all -- just rob
every Mez' we see.
-.COFFER
You don't know this country -- step
out of line and every Mex you see will
be shooting your ass full of holes.
T. Co
Well, I'm sure as hell going to steal
me a horse;
333 THORNTON IS STANDING ON THE EDGE OF THE CLEARING looking at
the men around the f ire. He is tired and has obviously ridden
a long way, and shows the affects of the explosions ripped
clothes, a bloody gash on his face -- a twisted knee that is
bad enough to make him limp through the remainder of the film.
THORNTON
Steal as some grub -- I got the
horses.
33. THE MENWHIRL AROUND AT THE s o and of Thornton' s voice,
T.C.
Hey... you find my horse;
ROSS
.We thought the dynamite must've got
you or them . soldiers.
JESS
Or that damned river.
THORNTON
"Them soldiers" are going to get us all
if they ever get the chance...Who
started firing at them?
The men look at one another momentarily.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/27/68
83.
331 CONTINUED
COFFER
(LYING)
Well, Old Huey started firing up.at
tem. I even tried to stop him...
Then one of them bandits nailed him
from across the river,
ROSS
Them soldiers started shooting first:
Thornton, without answering, steps to the fire,
THORNTON
How many rifles? And how much
ammunition?
AD LIB
(as they look)
Got mine...damn little...twelve
rounds.„Itm clean,..44ts but no
301 30 t s, . - . I}O round - lost mine.
THORNTON
We'll use what we got.
COFFER
Are we going after-them?
THORNTON
We are; -- unless youtd like to go
back. and face a firing squad.
JESS _
(WHINNING)
How, in-hell am I goin' to fight
without boots?
THORNTON
Your problem.
(THEN)
Saddle up -- we're riding out..'
In the b.g., a horse whinnies as the men look at him dumb-
founded.
JESS
Now...?
THORNTON
NOW;;
And they jump as we:
CUT TO:
CHANGE
2/27/68
84,
EXT. ROUGH COUNTRY NEAR (THE RIVER) - DAY (SUNSET EFFECT)
4
335 DUTCH IS EXAMINING THE HOOF OF ONE OF THE WAGON HORSES. PIKE
is beside him. Sykes is still on the reins, Angel is sitting
on the cases of guns. The Gorch brothers are both riding '14
horses on either side. Dutch looks up, shakes his head.-
PIKE
Lyle; .Put your horse in the traces!
336 LYLE HANDS A BOTTLE OF WHISKEY TO TECTOR and nudges his horse
forward.-As he swings off, it is obviaeas that he is a little
drunk,
PIKE.
And you better dry out -- we got no
cause to celebrate.
TECTOR
Well, we got all them guns,. Pike.
PIKE
And we got a hell of a long way to go
'with a considerable number of people
just waiting to take 'em away.
337 LYLE AND DUTCH BEGIN PUTTING LYLE'S HORSE INTO THE TRACES.
SYKES
Where's the General supposed to meet
us? -
PIKE
Agua Verde -- or before -- and when he
does, don't look for no open arms.
DUTCH
What about Thornton and them others?
PIKE
Last I saw he was ridin' four sticks of
dynamite into the river.
SYKES
Don't count on him stayin' t.ere.
- (as Pike looks at him)
You know him --.I know him he'll
be along.
PIKE
(after a long moment)
Yeah he'll be along.
85.
338 HE CROSSES SLOWLY TO HIS HORSE, his weariness showing, puts
his foot in the stirrup, hesitates.
R
339 THE GROUP WATCHES SILENTLY.
140 PIKE STEPS UP INTO THE SADDLE, the pain twisting his face.
For- a long moment no one moves, then:
LYLE FULLS. A BOTTLE out of his. jumper, hands it to Pike. 34-
Pike drinks, hands it'to Sykes who drunks, hands it to Angel
who drinks,. hands it with a touch of a smile to Tector who
hesitates, then half grins himself; drinks and hands it to
Lyle. Lyle looks at the bottle, upends it over his mouth, a
few drops spill out into his mouth, looks at the bottle in
disbelief, tosses it gently aside.
LYLE
(to Pike , simply)
It'll be a cold day in hell 'fore
-I do that again. -
And suddenly they are all laughing.
PIKE
Let's move.-
And they do, still chuckling-as we.;
CUT TO:
INT. MEXICAN RAILROAD STATION - DAY (SUNSET EFFECT)
342 A TELEGRAPH'OPERATOR SNAPS AWAKE as a message comes over the
wire..-. As the machine clicks, he diligently writes the mes-
sage. When he is, finished he hands it to JUAN, a' small.: boy .
who` is dressed in a poorly fitting uniform. -
OPERATOR
Porel generalisimo: Andale!
The boy runs out of the building and into the street.
EXT. MEXICAN RAILROAD STATION DAY
343 MANY UNIFORMED SOLDIERS ARE DEPLOYED AROUND THE TRAIN while
they load horses into old boxcars -- also loading are:
CHANGE
2/27/68
86,.
344 WOUNDED SOLDIERS, MAPACHE? S CAR AND WOMEN AND. CHILDREN AND
OTHER. CIVILIANS who are. part of Mapache's encampment, Most
climb'on top. of the box cars where they set up housekeeping..,.
building f ires, ' cooking food -- ignoring the sporadic rifle.
fire that is beginning to grow in volume as
345 THIRTY' OR FORTY BIG HATTED REVOLUTIONARIES probe for the
weakness of Mapache's position at the railroad station.
Note: Mapache's soldiers show signs of having recently suf-
fered a beating and it..is obvious that they are retreating...
346 JUAN RACES FROM THE OFFICE THROUGH TEE SOLDIERS TOWARD THE
END OF THE TRAIN where:
347 MAPACHE'STANDS LOOKING OVER THE NEARBY HILLS with field
glasses. Beside him are his lieutenants,. one MAYOR (PEREZ),
the two Germans and ten or twelve soldiers. One- soldier is
hit and falls dying.
PEREZ
Mi general -- tenemos que irnos.'
ZAMORRA
Par favor.
Mapache ignores them.
Juan,•rushing'toward Mapache, almost falls as Herrera jerks
him to a halt..
JUAN
(OFFICIOUSLY)
Telegrama de San Antonio para su
exaelencia, el general. (A telegram
from San"Antonio for his excellency,
the General.)
HERRERA
(reaching for the
MESSAGE)
Yo to llevo;
347A JUAN PULLS IT AWAY. HERRERA.GRINS, and. understanding his
wish to: deliver it personally, steps aside. Juan runs to
Mapache, skids to a halt and salutes.
JUAN
Mi General... telegrama de San Antonio.
The general returns the salute solemnly and opens the paper,
reads it.
MAPACHE.
Los-gringos se robaron el tren;
CONTINUED
87,
3!7 CONTINUED
ERNST
(to his companion,
MOHR)
Was sagt er?
Mohr smiles. Mapache is obviously pleased. He looks up at
the Germans.
MAP ACHE
The gringos take the guns...
MOHR
Sie haben die Geware gestclen!
ERNST
Ach so;...Gut -
(patting Mapache
on the shoulder)
Sehr gut.mein General!
MOHR
(indicating the
approaching Villistas)
It is important this news be kept
from Villa until the guns are in
our hands.
ZAMORRA
(beginning to panic
as the firing grows
HEAVIER)
We must go:
MAPACHE
(shouting towards
the mountain in
SPANISH)
The next time I will. destroy you
(turning to Herrera;
in Spanish)
Send men immediately to meet the
guns on the road to Agua Verde --
take possession and return here.
HERRERA
And if the gringos object --?
MAPACHE
(SIMPLY)
Kill them.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
88,
347 CONTINUED
MOHR
(in English)
My General -- if they are success
ful in this venture possibly they
can be useful in others,
Mapache thinks this over, turns to Herrera. Nearby another
man is hit and falls.
MAPACHE
(in Spanish)
Bring them back with you -- over-
come their objections -- reason
with them - convince them of our
good intentions.
HERRERA in Spanish)
And if they still object?
MAPACHE. (in Spanish)
Kill them;
3?+8 HERRERA SALUTES AND LEAVES. Mapache gestures:and the others.
quickly jump aboard the train. Mapache is the last, looking,
back at the hills with hatred as the Villistas charge and
we:.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ROCKY HILL NEAR BROKEN ARROYO COUNTRY - DAY
R
349 DUTCH IS LYING PRONE BEHIND SOME ROCKS trying a paper cone
over the front of a pair of U.S. Army binoculars. Pike
stands beside him, With the cone adjusted he rolls over and
looks out across the valley plain broken with arroyos.
DUTCH
Still heading east.
PIKE
Are they bluffing. or did they
really miss it?
DUTCH
I'd say they missed it..
350 THROUGH THE BINOCULARS THE BOUNTY HUNTERS ARE WINDING ACROSS
THE ARROYOS
89.
(i 351. DUTCH AND PIKE SNAKE BACK FROM THE LIP OF THE ROCKY hill that
dominates the area.
I
352 THE WAGON IS BELOW THEM hidden in a gully. The other men
are lounging underneath it. Pieces of brush are tied behind
the rear wheels of the wagon to brush away the trail. Pike
and Dutch stand and move back toward the wagon.
DUTCH
Only five left -- didn't figure
them to come down after us. How
much can we be worth?
PIKE
A lot depends on how hungry they
are...
(THEN)
You- stay up there and look for
bighats.,..I'm going to start.
..'rigging the fireworks.
Dutch: turns, crawls back and lifts the glassese Pikewalk
down near the wagon and. prods. Angel., who.is sleeping _:
his boot.
PIKE
1. need some-help.
353 ANGEL QUICKLY GETS TO HIS FEET and follows Pike. to the
wagon. Pike reaches into a box near the seat and removes
a piece of fuse.
PIKE
Get that case of explosives near
the back.
Angel climbs on the wagon. Lyle, hearing him,.crawls out
from underneath. His brother also awakens and starts moving
around. Sykes, hat. over his eyes, looks up but doesn't move..
LYLE
Whatta you want with the dynamite?
PIKE
Protection.
(as they look at
HIM)
I figure the General will plan to
collect without payment, then kill
us if we have. any objections. The
only reason he might change his
mind is if something could happen
to these guns.
CONTINUED
90.
353 CONTINUED
Angel hands Pike a case of explosives.
PIKE
Now I'm goin' to make it real
easy for something to happen.
35L PIKE SETS THE BOX ON THE GROUND and pries open the lid. He
begins setting the sticks on the ground next to the box.
Angel gets down and Pike hands.him a coil. of baling wire.
PIKE
Wrap these in pairs and put a
fuse cap between them.
Angel takes the first two and starts to work on them.
355 LYLE WATCHES FOR A MOMENT THEN NUDGES HIS BROTHER and climbs
on the wagon and begins looking over the.boxes... One is much
bigger than the others and of a different shape.
356 ANGEL AND PIKE ARM THE DYNAMITE STICKS in the shade of the
wagon..
ANGEL
Men from my village will meet
us tomorrow.
Pike looks up, angered.
PIKE
You told them about our trail?
ANGEL
I. don't need to tell them...They
know where we are.
Q.
PIKE'
How?
Angel puts the charge down and looks off at the horizon.
ANGEL
This country has many people, but
they have learned to live without
being seen.
(aftera moment)
Anyplace where a farmer has a field
...or a man has sheep in the moun-•-
.tains..or a boy watches a herd of
goats.
CONTINUED
91.
356 CONTINUED
- There is a noise off screen and they both look up,
357 TECTOR AND LYLE, using the heavy-bladed Bowie knives, have
pried open the strange shaped box. Lyle, his eyes bright,
reaches in..
TECTOR
Pike -- take--a look --
358 LYLE STRUGGLES, LIFTS UP A MACHINE GUN OF THE PERIOD.
LYLE
-You know how to work one of
these things?
Pike stands,,then grins a little-and crosses to the wagon.
PIKE
.Whatever I don't know, I'm
going to learn.
CUT TO:
EXT. VALLEY DAY
359 THE BOUNTY HUNTERS NOW IN AN AREA OF BADLANDS have stopped
on a small rise and are looking out over miles of the same
type of country.
JESS
I don't know how we lost 'em
except maybe in that big valley
where the ground was. so hard.
COFFER
There wasn't but one way they
could have taken a wagon out
of there, this here is it.
THORNTON
They didn.'t take it out...
T.C.
We, ain't gonna make it too much
further without something to eat.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
92.
359 CONTINUED
THORNTON
(QUIETLY)
We didn't lose them -- I could
point to them now.
(as they whirl,
looking around)
Sit still, dammitl
(as they quiet)
You think Pike and old Sykes haven't
been watching us -- you think if we
hadn't.turned off they wouldn't just
have sat back and let us walk into
it -- six of them hid and all the.
guns.and ammunition they need -- you
think I wasn't sweating blood they
wouldn't try and hide their trail!
They look at him silently, almost frightened by his vehemeno e
THORNTON
They know what this is all about --
and. what. do I have -- nothin' but
you damned egg sucking chicken
stealing gutter rats -- with less
than 60 rounds of ammunition be-
tween you,
T.C.
Listen, Mr. Thornton -- I don't
have to take any talk like that.
JESS
I don't neither;
THORNTON
You'll take it! You don't even
have enough sense to keep your
damned boots on.
(then, quietly)
We're after men' -- and I wish to
God I was with them.
(after a moment)
You make any more mistakes and
I'm going to ride off and let
you die.
They are silent looking at the ground -- after a moment,
Thornton turns his horse and rides off slowly. They follow.
'93 -
360 A SERIES OF ANGLES
Showing the wagon moving into a deep arroyo. Pike is now
driving.
EXT... BOTTOM OF DEEP ARROYO
361 SYKES IS AT THE REINS OF THE WAGON, PIKE BESIDE HIM. The
horses are at a walk. Angel, Dutch'are mounted,. the Goruh
brothers are lying on top of the wagon, one on each side of
a bulky tarp-covered object.
PIKE
(looking off)
Hold up 1..
362 TWENTY-MEXICAN SOLDIERS RIDING OUT FROM A BEND IN THE ARROYO
SOME DISTANCE AWAY. Seeing the wagon, they pull up.
363 PIKE SLIDES INTO THE FRONT SEAT NEXT TO..SYKES.. Without a
word,. Sykes lights his cheroot and Pike. reaches behind him
and takes the end of a fuse.
Angel and Dutch let their rifles drift over.
DUTCH
Mapache' s?
PIKE
Just hope. they don't belong to
Villa.
3614. HERRERA, THE LEADER OF THE MEXICANS, WALKS HIS HORSE A FEW
steps forward and waves his hand.
(Note: He speaks English, but. badly, very badly)
HERRERA.
Ho.lal...We are friends...We are
from. -el generalisimo Mapac hie;
PIKE
Tell that one in front to come. over
here ...Alone!
DUTCH
Oyel Jefe, ven to solitol
CONTINUED
94.•
364: CONTINUED
The Mexican turns to his companions for a short discourse.
Then he turns and. rides toward the men on the wagon.
HERRERA
I.coming,..We are friends...
all of us...I bring love and
affection from el general --
We are comrades -- you and he
-- all of us.
365 PIKE, DUTCH AND THE OTHERS watch silently as he rides up to
the wagon.
366 HERRERA STOPS AND REMOVES HIS HAT', smiles, looks at. the
heavily loaded wagon.
HERRERA
Que bueno -- What bravery you.
have.to have done this magnifi
cent act for the liberty of
Mexico.
Angel laughs, spits, Herrera.looks at him for a moment,
smiles, shrugs, turns to Pike.
HERRERA
I am to escort you to the general.
367 NOBODY ANSWERS AND NONE OF THE GUNS pointed at him are
lowered, he seems undisturbed.
HERRERA
Tell me what is you wish?
366 PIKE LIFTS THE END OF THE FUSE
PIKE
(to Dutch)
Tell him to-come closer!
HERRERA
I hear -- I am coming,- my friend.
95€¢
369 HERRERA STILL GRINNING BROADLY edges his horse closer to
the wagon.. Pike holds the burning end of the cheroot about
an inch from the fuse.
370 HERRERA SEES THE FUSE AND QUICKLY follows it back to the
wagon with. his eyes.
371 THE WHOLE WAGON IS RIGGED TO BLOW, dynamite and fuse all
over it.
372 PIKE LIFTS THE CHEROOT AND THE FUSE
PIKE
You see this?
He tickles. the end of the fuse-with the dead ash on his
cigar.
HERRERA
, Q uidado.1
PIKE
Itts-a: very fast fus.e..,any
trouble and no guns for the
general.
Herrera is solemn as he ponders for a moment, then begins
to 'smile.
HERRERA
Heyl...very smarts:: That's
very smart for you-damn gringos...
So nobody can rob the guns!
PIKE
Nobody:..nunca nadiel
DUTCH
(after a moment)
Don't you think you should tell
your soldiers?
The Mexican makes a face as if he doesn't understand.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
96.
372 CONTINUED
HERRERA
Why? I am not afraid,,,they
are not afraid -- you blow up
the wagon you die -- or we
kill you pretty soon -- but
we are amigos __
PIKE
(QUIETLY)
Now,
DUTCH
Show.him&
373 TECTOR AND LYLE JERK THE TARP OFF. TI MACHINE GUN. Lyle
arms it.
371k. HERRERA. LOOKS AT THE GUN and his eyes widen. He. turns,
HERRERA
Oyen muchachos3,.,Tienen la
.caretta como bomba.con unfisible;
,,.y machina38
Still smiling he turns back to Pike and Dutch.
HERRERA
El general. waits an Agua-Verde..,
to meet with you,
PIKE
Go on back-and tell the General
that one of us will. be there
tomorrow for-the trade..1,any
trouble -- no gunsb
Herrera takes one last look at the guns. then he wheels his
horse and. rides off.
CHA
X/1298
97.
375 PIKE TURNS. TO THE OTHERS AS THEY begin to relax.
PIKE
This isn°t over yeti
376 HERRERA RIDES HIS HORSE TO THE BEND IN. THE RIVER then,
reaching his men,•reins his horse up and-turns him around.
He whistles loudly and calls out :
HERRERA
Muchachos...
377 FIFTY SOLDIERS FROM HIDDEN POSITIONS ON TOP OF BOTH sides of
the arroyo ride out and look down.
378 BEHIND THE WAGON 30 MORE APPEAR,. STOP.
HERRERA
(after a.moment, laughing)
YAMOSI
All the soldiers whirl and ride away.:
379 PIKE AND THE MEN breathe a sigh'of relief as. the Mexicans.
ride off . ,
PIKE
(to Angel and Dutch)
Ride ahead a hundred yards and check
the washes...
(to Tector)
You and I will cover the flanks --
(to Lyle)
Keep on the gun -- watch the rim.
SYKES
(as Pike steps off the
WAGON)
Give sue that cigar --
(.as Pike does)
Anything moves, I blow her sky high.
LYLE
(sittin•g up)
Listen, old man
PIKE
(grinning at Sykes)
I'll tell you when --
CUT TO:
CHANGE
2/12/68
98.
380 EXT. BLUFF - DAY
THORNTON 9 COFFER AND T . C. are down behind some rocks.
Thornton is looking DOWN THE ARROYO with binoculars while-
Coffer covers the glasses with his hat.
THORNTON
Movin' fast -- looks like they bluffed
off about 50 federal es --
(then sliding back)
Why due east?
(as Coffer shrugs)
Well, let's go find out.
T.C.
(trying to conceal his hate)
Beggin' your pardon, Mr. Thornton --
but our stock needs water and grain --
and. so do we.
THORNTON
(after a moment)
I don't give a damn about you -- but
I.. do about the stock.
He turns and slides down. the bluff. Coffer and T.C. look at
each. other, then follow.
EXT. BANDITS' CAMP,- NIGHT
381- ANGELS CROUCHING NEAR THE W EEL. 0F' THE WAGON RESPONDS
382. SUDDENLY TO AN OWL.'S CALL. He rises and crosses to Pike,
who is sitting near a tree with a rifle across his lap.
There is rjo fire, but enough. moonlight to see.
ANGEL
My people are here for the guns.
Pike looks at him then looks around the camp.
PIKE
Where?
Angel smiles, then turns and calls softly.
ANGEL
Ignacio?...Quien hablas por mi pueblo?
Distinctly Indian voices answer from the surrounding tangled
undergrowth.
VOICES
Si Angeleit o ...Soy Ignacio -•- Ya estamos 1
99.
383 PIKE AND THE OTHERS MOVE INTO COVER, their guns coming out.
Lyle in the wagon traverses the machine gun.
ANGEL
(to the others)
They have come for the guns.
DUTCH
We haven't heard from Tectnr..
• • PIKE
(from the shadows.)
Call-'em in.
ANGEL
Vengan, Muchachos
384. THE MEN LOOK AROUND. IT IS STILL, SILENT,... NOTHING MOVES, ..�.
then suddenly:
385 A PEASANTS DRESSED IN WHITE is standing near the thicket.
Lyle and Sykes turn.
386 ANOTHER IS STANDING BEHIND THEM. Then:
387 THREE MORE ARE CROSSING TO THE WAGON, TECTOR GAGGED AND
BOUND BETWEE[1 THEM. As they enter the clearing, they
politely remove their hats. Soon there are five, two of
them are leading a 'small donkey. Angel crosses to them as
they group in the center of the clearing. All carry
machetes.
PIKE
(his gun out, still
hidden in the shadows)
Cut him loose
388 ANGEL SPEAKS, LED BY IGNACIO, THEY QUICKLY FREE TECTOR and
hand him his weapons with murmured apologies. Tector looks
at them, whistles, softly.
TEC TO R
Never saw anything like it -- never
heard Iem, never saw 'em..
ANGEL
(to Pike)
They apologize and ask you to forgive
them for their lack of trust but only
by caution do they remain alive --
CONTINUED
100.
388 CONTINUED
TECTOR
Hell, I forgive them! I just want to
join 'em!
389 PIKE JOINS DUTCH AND THEY WATCH quietly.. They have mis-
trusted people for so long themselve,g they can understand
mistrust in others. Freddy Sykes laughs s.oi'tly.
390 ANGEL AND THE INDIANS cross to the wagonE:
ANGEL
(climbing on the -wagon)
Lievas•una caja de rifles.
(Take a case of rifles.)
PIKE
(crossing to him)
Don't break that fuse...
Angel lifts a crate.
ANGEL
I won't.
Pike looks at Ignacio waiting to take the crate, the man's
machete glints in the moonlight.
PIKE
They part of your village?
ANGEL -
They are part of the village but not
from it -- they are puro indio --
and these mountains belong to them.
PIKE
How long have they been around?
ANGEL
What ?
PIKE
How long have they been following us...
close?
391 ANGEL EASES THE RIFLE CRATE DOWN, TWO PEONS TAKE IT. He
turns to Ignacio.
ANGEL
Cuanto tiempo nos sigas?
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
101.
391 CONTINUED
The Indian begins a big explanation in a dialect only Angel
understands.
IGNACIO
Desde ante ayer, cuando salli-eron de la
llanura grande. Hey otros.grupo de
gringos... ellos se fueron a uno Ranchito.
Pike looks at Angel.
ANGEL
They've been. with us since we left the
big plain...He says those others went
to a little. Ranch.
DUTCH.'.
(joining them)
Ever see anyone that could sneak around
, like these S
Angel uncovers a case of munitions and hands it down,
SYKES
They fought-'paches for a thousand
years -- that's a sure way to .learn..
PIKE
If they ever get armed and led, this
whole country'll go up in smoke.
SYKESS
(SOFTLY)
That it will, son, that it will.
392 THE INDIANS ROPE THE TWO CASES ON THE BURRO. They work
smoothly, each man knowing his job. Angel. climbs down off
the wagon, murmurs a farewell to Ignacio and the others, and
they disappear into the shadows.
DISSOLVE TO :
EXT. SQUARE (AGUA VERDE) - DAY (LATE AFTERNOON EFFECT)
393 THE FUSE BURNS DOWN ON A SKY ROCKET AND THE MISSILE SHOOTS
INTO, THE AIR AND EXPLODES. A burst of laughter follows.
39LE. MAPACHE AND HIS MEN are playing with fireworks while they
wait for the guns.
CHANGE
2/12/68
102.
395 TWO SOLDIERS DRAG FORWARD A PEON (SEEN BEFORE WITH DUTCH IN
ANGEL'S VILLAGE). One of them waves aloft a shotgun and
tells Mapache that it belonged to the man.. Mapache, com-
pletely absorbed in lighting a Roman candle, answers without
turning.
MAPACHE
Matalo l Pues l.. .
-(Then kill him!)
396 MAPACHE LIGHTS THE FUSE AS THE TWO SOLDIERS THROW THE MAN
.down on the ground and shoot him.
As he dies, Mapache lights the Roman candle and shoots it
into the air, then at tha soldiers who run for cover,
REVEALING:
397 PI KE . RIDING IN THROUGH THE MAIN GATE.
398 THE GENERAL SEES PIKE AND CROSSES TO HIM IMMEDIATELY, laugh-
ing with pleasure. Mohr and the other-.Germans run to: join
him: as does Zamorra and Herrera.
MAPACHE
Gringo 1. You bring the- guns l
(s houting to his men)
Ya estan los gringos y las armas l`
(The gringos are here with the guns i)
(then noticing the wagon
is nowhere in sight)
(to Zamorra).
Donde estan las arthas?
Zamorra looks up at Pike.
ZAMO RRA
The guns?
PIKE
Don't worry we got ' em...hidden. As
soon as I. get 'my share of the gold
I'll tell you where four cases are...
$2500 worth..
(THEN)
The others are waiting at the wagon
and unless I r eturn pretty damn quick
they. blow it.
'Zamorra smiles, admiring Pike's caution.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
103.
CONTINUED
MAPACBE
(LAUGHING)
You fix it pretty damn good. You
fool Mel
ZAMORRA
Our accountant will pay you immediately.
Zamorra turns and yells to Herrera.
ZAMORRA
Trae la caja!
(Bring the strong box!)
MAPA CHE
When you come with all my guns?
PIKE
Quicker I get back, the quicker the
next load'll get here.
399 HERRERA BRINGS A SMALL WOODEN STRONG BOX. Kneeling on the
ground he opens it and counts out two small bags of gold,
and hands them to Zamorra. Zamorra hands them to Pike.
PIKE
About two.. miles up the arroyo ... three
cases of rifles, one of ammunition,
are in the brush behind it.
ZAMORRA
(to Herrera)
Trae las armas
Herrera runs for his horse.
MOHR
I understand you have a machinegun
PIKE
Our contract was 16 cases of rifles
and 8 of ammunition -- for $10,000 --
not a machine gun.
(then, as Maps the frowns)
It is our gift to the General.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
104.
I
399 CONTINUED
Zamorra translates this for Mapache who beams at Pike. with
genuine pleasure.
MAPACHE
(meaning it)
You fight con Mapache,h, g macho
_dinero -- muchachas bonitas --
la vida dulcet
.ZAMORRA
The General wishes you to join
him. -- and become rich he
respects you.
PIKE
(turning to go)
I'll think it over.
ZAMORRA
Esperate.
(SMILING)
'Wait, por favor...In case he
cant find them.
400 PIKE LOOKS AT HIM, LOO KS AT MAPA CHE
MAPACHE
(to Pike in
SPANISH)
GO
(to Zamorra)
I trust him.
Zamorra shrugs, Pike grins then turns and rides out..
= . CAMP (NEAR AGUA VERDE) - DAY.
401 A BOTTLE SLAMS AGAINST A ROCK AND THE CAMERA WHIP PANS TO
SHOW Tector Gorch leaning on the wagon grinning.
They are in,.a small shallow depression
between two hills.. High enough to provide a vantage
point of the village and the surrounding area--- hidden
enough by brush and broken country to provide maximum
cover.
105.
402 SYKES SEATED NEAR THE ROCK picks glass shards from his
clothes, turns to Tector.
SYKES
(after a moment)
Pike must have found you. under a
rock somewheres.
TECTOR
(GRINNING)
You going to whip me?
SYKES
Nope - But you better hope I don't
get riled enough to start . ggin'
you when this is over.
TECTOR
You'll never get a chance to dry
gulch me, old man.
SYKES
(grinning at him)
We'll see.
LYLE
(to' Tector)
Take the watch. --
403 DUTCH, CAREFULLY EXAMINING TWO GRENADES, looks up as Te c for
Gorch. moves up the bank of the wash.
LYLE
(crossing to Dutch)
He's been gone a 1 ong time
(then.)
What's t ha t? .
DUTCH
Grenade -• you pull this pin then
throw it and find a hole- From
what. I hear it gets the job done.
LYLE
We could have used a fear of them
in San Rafael..
TECTOR
(calling).
Pike's co min 1
404 DUTCH GETS TO HIS FEET, putting the grenades in his jumper
pocket and crosses. to meet Pike, as he rides in.
DUTCH
{.calling)
Any trouble?
PIKE
Just carryin' all this weight.
He hold's up two bags of gold.
TECTOR.
He' gate it a...Look,. Lyle, he's carryin'
golds Pike -- I want to go next..
405 PIKE RIDES HIS HORSE INTO THE: CAMP AND DISMOUNTS
PIKE
(to Lyle)
You and your brother take in the
next' load, and the machine gun -
'then Dutch and Angel. Sykes,. you
follow them and pick up the pack
horses...leave the wagon.
DUTCH
How's the, generalis imo?
PIKE
( DISMOUNTING)
Openin' boxes. like he thinks it's
Christmas.
EXT. AGUA VERDE - DAY.
406 MAPACHE WAITS AS TWO MEN BRING HIM THE MACHINE GUN, the
weapon cradled between them. Zamorra awkwardly feeding a
belt into the breech,. finally gets it ready to fire. The two
Germans are watching with amusement and disdain. In the b.g,f
Lyle and Te.ctor are. riding out the gate.
MOHR
It must be mounted on the tripod...
Mapache ignores them,.' grabbing the butt of the gun.
MOHR
Er ist dock verrukt
107.
407 ZAMORRA SHOVES HOME THE BOLT AND MAPACHE PULLS THE TRIGGER.
The gun suddenly.comes alive and the two men holding it are
bounced around the area by the wild. reco it .
408. THE GUN SWINGS WILDLY, MAPACHE HANGING ON -= his finger
locked down. on the trigger.
409 THE GERMANS. AND OTHER BYSTANDERS DIVE FOR COVER as bullets
clatter- through the area-. Finally the two soldiers, 'unable-.
to support it, let it drop to the ground.
BUT MAPACHE STIML HANGS ONTO THE TRIGGER AND THE WEAPON
continues firing. Now like a rivet gun driving bullets
into the earth,
DISSOLVE TO:
E= .. AGUA VERDE - DAY
411 DUTCH AND ANGEL ENTER THE COURTYARD. Mapache, Zamorra and
Herrera watching the Germans mount the. gun on the tripod,
turn; then Herrera crosses to his horse and mounts, waiting.
DUTCH
We brought the last of it.
Mapache gestures. Zamorra hands two bags of coin to Dutch
who opens theca -- locks - it's gold.
DUTCH
At the head of the.arroyo -- in
the wagon.
Zamorra speaks to Herrera, who rides off with ten or twelve
soldiers.
DUTCH ,
(turning to go)
You can keep the wagon - we'll
take the horses.
MAPACHE
Como no...?
I
412 SUDDENLY ANGEL, WATCHING HERRERA RIDE THROUGH THE ARCH,
TENSES. A group of soldiers are beginning to slowly close
the massive iron gates.
ZAMORRA
How many cases did you take 'from
the train?
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
108 .
412 CONTINUED
DUTCH
Fourteen. We lost two on the trail.
MAPACHE
(laughing, points at
Angel; in Spanish)
He stole them. ..He stole them for his
people. The mother of his girl told us.
I lost the girl, so now she gives me an
Angel.
413 ANGEL WHIRLS HIS HORSE AND SPURS FOR T GATEWAY, BUT AS HE
APPROACHES,. THE HEAVY WROUGHT IRON DOORS begin to swing shut..
MAPACHE
No lo matez b...Lo quiero vivo
414 AS ANGEL NEARS THE GATE, A SOLDIER SWINGS A LARIAT AND CATCHES
THE TWO FRONT FEET OF HIS HORSE.
445 THE - HO RSE GOES OVER JUST SHORT OF THE ARCH SLAMMING ANGEL
into the wrought iron gate.
A group of soldiers pick him up and drag him back.
416 DUTCH SITS ON HIS HORSE UNMOVING, apparently unconcerned as
Angel is brought before Mapache.
MAPACHE
Supieron ellos?
417 ANGEL LOOKS AT DUTCH, THEN SHAKES HIS HEAD.
ANGEL
No S...Yo los robe mientras dormian.
ZAMO RRA
(.to Dutch)
Ee took two cases when you were asleep...
418 MAPACHE LAUGHS, highly pleased at the idea of a Mexican
robbing the Americans.
MAPACHE
(to Angel, in Spanish)
Next time be more careful who you shoot
-- the mother of your sweetheart became
angry when you killed her daughter. --
so she betrayed you -- que fam-ilia, eh? CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
109.
418 CONTINUED
DUTCH
(interrupting him)
I'm wasting time here.
MAPACHE
(turning to him).
Y Angel?
DUTCH
He's a thief,-- you take care of him.
MAPACHE
(gesturing at the gold)
Dame lo.
DUTCH.
(ANGRY)
Wiat for? l We delivered.
ZAMORRA
Two cases short -- one bag, por favor.
419. DUTCH THINKS ABOUT THIS VERY. BRIEFLY, then tosses him a bag.
MAPACHE
Un vieje Bien..
DUTCH
Yeah.
He turns and rides off, Angel watching him.
EM. ARROYO - DAY
120 SYKES IS HELPING HERRERA AND HIS SO LDIER S LOAD THE CASES ONTO
PACK ANIMALS AS DUTCH RIDES UP.
DUTCH
(QUIETLY)
They got Angel... some people would betray
their mothers for two dollars and one drink.
(THEN)
Unhitch and bring the horses - leave the wagono
SYKE S
We got to get him out.
DUTCH
(ANGRILY)
How -- ?
But. Sykes can't answer and Dutch rides off.
CHANGE
2/12/68
110.
EXT. BADLANDS - DAY
421 THORNTON, BELLIED DOWN ON A RIDGE TOP, WATCHES THROUGH BINOC
ULARS AS DUTCH, better than a mile away, disappears in the
distance.
The others are. mounted at the bottom of a small ravine below
him.
THO RNTO N
(turning to them)
Dutch Engstrom...going from the village.
COFFER
$1000 dead or alive.
T.C.-
Bet they sold the guns.
THORN TON
,,-Coming out one at a time.
i (then, crossing to his horse)
We'll get down at the bottom of the wash
and see if we can thin the odds a little.
He mounts and they ride off.
EXT. CAMP - DAY
DUTCH HAS DISMOUNTED AND IS TALKING TO PIKE AND THE OTHERS.
On a ridge above camp, using binoculars, they look across the
badlands below and at the town far in the distance.
LYLE
Well, he had guts --
PIAE
(SOFTLY )
We're just lucky he didn't talk.
DUTCH
Yeah - he played his string out right
to the end.
TECTO R
He loved that girl!
LYLE
Her own Mama turning him in -- just like
Judas --
423 PIKE LOOKS AT HIM A LONG MOMENT, then turns away.
DUTCH
Sykes says we got to go after him.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
111.
423 CONTINUED
LYLE-
How in hell. can we do that? They
got guns and 200 men.-.. Besides,
chances are he's dead by now.
PIKE
(FINALLY)
_-No wag... no' way at all.
LYRE
(POINTING)
There's Sykes.
424 PIKE LIFTS THE GLASSES WATCHING:.
425 SYKES IN THE FAR DISTANCE RIDE TOWARD THEM.
EXT. BADLANDS - DAY
3 .26 SYKES, MOUNTED BAREBACK ON A HORSE AND LEADING THE OTHERS,
trots up the dim trail. toward the hideout.
1 27 THORNTON AND HIS HUNTERS, THREE. M O WATCH from the
cover of brush-covered ridge some distance away, then:
428 JESS CHANGING HIS POSITION TO GET A BETTER SHOT, STICKS HIS-
BARE FOOT IN A SMALL CLUMP OF CHOLLA -- He. jumps at the fiery
pain and nearly falls, and for an instant:
429 HIS RIFLE CAN BE SEEN OVER THE TOP OF THE RIDGE.
430 SYKES TENSES FOR A BRIEF INSTANT AS . THE SUN HITS THE BARREL
OF THE RIFLE and he catches the reflection in his- eye.
Then he has spurred his horse into the brush at the side of
the trail.
431 THORNTON CURSES AND RUNS TO HIS HORSE as the bandits open
fire.
432 PIKE AND THE OTHERS WATCH SYKES SPUR INTO THE BRUSH. TINY
PINPOINTS OF LIGHT APPEAR IN THE ROCKS ABOVE HIM. After a
moment the noise of firing•reaches them.
.Dutch takes the glasses, watching.
CHANGE
2/12/6-8
112.
433 THORNTON AND THE OTHERS SPUR after Sykes, firing.
434 THEN SYKES IS HIT and falls forward over the horse's withers.
EXT. BADLANDS - MOVING SHOT - DAY
435 THE BOUNTY HUNTERS THUNDER after Sykes.
COFFER
(yelling).
I got him -- I got him.'
Thornton is silent, his face bitter.
436 PIKE GRABS THE GLASSES,. WATCHES THE BOUNTY HUNTERS ride after
Sykes.
LYRE
,Maps the ?
DUTCH
Thornton - they got Sykes. He's hit bad.
(then, turning away)
Daum Deka Thornton to hell..
PIKE.
(SOFTLY)
What. would you do in his place.
gave his word.
DUTCH
(turning on him,
almost yelling)
Gave his word to a railroad.
PIKE
It'-9 his word2
DUTCH
That ain.'t what counts -- it's who you
give it t o l l
LYLE
(as Pike doesn't answer)
We kin stay right up here and kick
hell out of 'em.
Pike turns and. looks over the camp.
PIKE
No water.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
113.
436 CONTINUED
DUTCH.
Make a run for the border?
PIKE
They'd be after us every step of
the way -- I know Thornton. No,
I'm tired of being hunted -- we go
back to Agua Verde and let the
General take,.. care of those boys.
LYLE
You're'cra-zy:...He'd just as soon
kill us as break wind..
PIKE
He's so tickled with the guns
he'll be celebrating for a week
and happy to do us a favor.
Thornton ain't going after us in
there. While they're busy pick-
ing over Freddy) we'll.'
take the back trail off this
mountain and head for town.
The others look at him silently. Finally:
DUTCH
We take our gold?
PIKE
We take one sack to pay our way.
Bury the rest -- together.
They think this over, then nod.
EXT. BADLANDS - DAY
437 THE BOUNTY HUNTERS CRASH through the brush into a small
clearing, then split up, looking for tracks. The country
around them is a maze of rocks and thick mesquite and
chaparral. Sykes' horse, blood running. down its flanks,
is standing in the clearing,-grazing.
T.,C.
He can't be far.
COFFER
Lots of blood over here -- then
it stops and no tracks.
CONTINUED
437 CONTINUED
T. C.
We'11 find him. Ten dollars says
he's dead by now.
THORNTON
.It'll take us a day to find him if
he is -- if he isn't, he's holding
a gun on us right now.
438 THE IAN TENSE,-THEIR WEAPONS coming up.
THORNTON
We'll go after the others.
JESS
Just leaving him here? He's worth
money.
THORNTON
(softly, bitterly)
Jess, you come back tomorrow and
watch the buzzards. They'll show
you where he is -- you might even
get a pair of. boots.
Jess thinks this over and grins, then the smile fades.
JESS
But what if he ain't dead?
THORNTON
Your problem..
He turns his horse and rides away,. the others following,
439 SYKES, HIDDEN IN THE ROCKS and brush above them,•slowly
lowers his rifle and sags back. His leg is dark with dried
blood and he's weak. Around the wound is a crude bandage
made from his shirt -- with a tourniquet twisted tightly
above it. After a moment, there is a noise and he looks
away at:
440 THE FIGURE OF A MEXICAN PEON -- BLURRED AND INDISTINCT
AGAINST THE RAYS of the late afternoon sun, a machete
dangling from his hand.
EXT. CAMP AREA - DAY
PIKE AND THE OTHERS NOW MOUNTED, look over the camp.
CHANGE
2/12/68
115.
IT APPEARS UNTOUCHED
TECTOR
If I. didn't bury it, I wouldn't know
where to look.
P=
Come on.
They ride off. Fora longmoment the clearing is quiet,then:
443. ENERO, A YOUNG MEXICAN BOY steps out of the brush.
EXT. HACIENDA COURTYARD AGUA VERDE DAY
MAPACHE'S SOLDIERS ARE HAVING A VICTORY CELEBRATION in:tha
courtyard of the hacienda. A fire:is burning and pigs and
goats are. being barbecued.
445 MAPACHE, ZAMORRA AND THE GERMANS are sitting at the table..
446 TWO SOLDIERS LEAD ANGEL (who has been badly beaten) down into
the courtyard. His hands are tied, and he is, stumbling with
fatigue. They tie a long rope from his neck to. the pack
saddle of a donkey. One of.the soldiers calls.to Mapache.
1ST.SOLDIER
Ya•listo, mi General!
447 MAPACHE.GETS UP FROM THE TABLE and crosses to the area where.
he can. view the.whole courtyard. Zamorra and the Germans
join him.
448 THE. SECOND SOLDIER steps to the animal and leads it at a run
around the. courtyard, Angel dragging behind it. Mapache and
the'others watch without expression.
EXT. PLAZA GATE.- DAY
L. 4:8A PIKE' AND DUTCH AND THE GORCH BROTHERS dismount and enter,
EXT. COURTYARD DAY
449. THEY MOVE INTO THE COURTYARD AND STOP, watching the animal
dragging Angel around. Finally. the soldiers. and animal stop,
exhausted, in a
CONTINUED
2 T1�2G68
116.
CONTINUED
corner of the yard and the soldiers return to their party
atmosphere. Angel lies unmoving.
PIKE
I hate to see an animal treated like
that.
DUTCH
(SAVAGELY)
No more than. I do 0
PIKE
Maybe we- could buy him.
They are silent for a long moment. Finally:
LYLE
Just thinking about him is asking
.for trouble.
PIKE
We,could use another gun.
450 MAPACHE, ZAMORRA AND THE GERMAN ADVISORS NOW GROUPED around
the fire see the men.
MAPACHE
Los Bandi'dos Gringos...Come here,
AMIGOS:
451 PIKE AND THE OTHERS PUSH THROUGH the large group of festive
Mexicans towards the table. As they walk toward Mapache:
452 ANGEL IS DRAGGED PAST THEM by two soldiers and dropped in
front of the general.
MAPACHE
(LAUGHING)
You come for your friend?
Pike and the others stop.a few feet away.
PIKE
I want to buy him back...
Dutch and the others look at him surprised,
PIKE
(CONTINUING)
I,'11 pay you his share of the gold.
CONTINUED
117.
452 CONTINUED
ZAMORRA
We kept his share of the gold.
MAPACHE
Oyen muchachos...'.Quiere comprar
el traidor este ;
- (Listen boys...He wants to buy
this traitor)
The soldiers respond with laughter.
MAPACHE
How much?...He don't look. wotth too
much...Levantasel
Two men jerk Angel to his feet. He is groggy and unre=
sponsive.
MAPACHE
Maybe he won't live too long'.
PIKE
I'll give half my share to get him
back.
MAPACHE
(LAUGHS )
No, I don't. need gold... .I don't sell
that one.
453 MAPACHE TURNS AWAY and mumbles something to Zamorra.
PIKE
You've had your fun with him...
ZAMORRA
(cutting him. off)
El g3neralisimo is happy with victory!...
Zamorra grabs a bottle of tequilla ofd' the table and tosses
it to Pike.
ZAMORRA
Go and drink... .there are women in.
the village...But don't be foolish.
and change his mood.
454 PIKE HOLDS THE BOTTLE and looks at the table, seething with
anger. Then,. suddenly he calms.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
118.
454 CONTINUED
PIKE
Want to go hunting, General?
Mapache looks at him confused.
PIIE
(pointing)-
Five government men out there -
Policio - they want the guns back.
Mapache turns to Zamorra who translates..
MAPACHE
(to Herrera happily,
in Spanish)
Five gringos want to take our guns
Maten los..
HERRERA
S , mi. General. f.
He turns,'barks orders to his men, then mounts and rides out,
followed by twenty soldiers.
DUTCH
Goodbye,. Thornton.
455 ZAMORRA GESTURES AND JUAN JOSE crosses. to them...
3RD SOLDIER
Quieren muchachas?
Pike looks at Angel for a moment, then turns away..
PIKE
Why not?.
The group moves through the celebration out the main gate
and into the village beyond.
EXT. CAMP GROUND - DAY
456 THORNTON IS ON THE RIDGE TOP SEARCHING THE BADLANDS WITH
HIS GLASSES as his men search the area behind and. below him.
COFFER
Don't look like nobody was ever. here,
T'.C.
(pointing at horse tracks)
Well, they was.
Then they look up as:
CHANGE
2/12/68
119.
457 THORNTON RUNS DOWN THE SLOPE TOWARD THEM
THORNTON
Army patrol -- coming this way.
Instantly the men mount and ride out.
DISSOLVE TO :
INT. NATIVE HUT - DAY
458 PIKE IS SPRAWLED OVER A NATIVE HAMMOCK, drunk.. He lifts a
bottle of mescale and takes a drink.
459 ON THE FLOOR OF THE HUT A SAD BUT NOT UNATTRACTIVE WOMAN is
sitting looking at a handful of silver in her hand. In one
corner a baby whines as the flies bother it.
Through an open door leading to another room,.the drunken
voices of the Gorch brothers can be heard as they bargain
with DELORES, a very reluctant prostitute.
LYLE (OS)
You said dos for two.
TECTOR (O.S )
And here's.your dos and one'to grow on
'cause y ou did real well, honey.
DELORES (OS)
Doce -- es mas que dos dace para cada
uno. _
460 PIKE WATCHES THE WOMAN AND THE BABY FOR A MOMENT LONGER THEN
SUDDENLY SWINGS OUT OF THE HAMMOCK and steps into the ad-
joining room.
461. LYLE GORCH LOOKS UP AT HIM BLEARILY FROM A HAMMOCK. Tector is
on the floor embracing the disheveled woman.
Pike watches them, weaving a little:
PIKE
(FINALLY)
Let's get Angel...
462 TECTOR•IMMEDIATELY REACHES.FOR HIS GUN and stands as if he
has just been given an important order by a commanding offi-
cer. Lyle rises more slowly, begins to check the.-loads in
his pistols.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
120.
462 CONTINUED
LYLE
Why not?
Pike turns and moves through. his room. Tector and Lyle follow.
Behind them the.woaian begins her complaints again.
EXT. NATIVE HUT - NIGHT
46.3 PIKE AND THE GORCH BROTHERS COME THROUGH'THE DOOR. DUTCH IS
SITTING WITH A'BOTTLE BACK AGAINST THE WALL listening. to the
plaintive sound of a distant guitar.. He.looks up as they
come out.
DUTCH
(RISING)
Angel?...
PIKE
Yeah.
464 THEY CROSS TO THEIR HORSES, THEIR DRUNKENNESS LESSENING with
every step.
Pike and Dutch pull rifles. or shotguns from their saddle scab-
bards as do . Lyle.and-Tector,. then they move up the village
street..
465 FOUR MEN IN LINE AND THE AIR OF IMPENDING VIOLENCE IS SO
STRONG around them that as they pass through the celebrating
soldiers, the song and the laughter begin to die.
INT. RUINED HACIENDA - NIGHT
466 MAPACHE, THE GERMANS, ZAMORRA, HERRERA AND SIX OR SEVEN of
their officers and a handful of women are seated-at a long
center table.. Food and liquor bottles are spilled every-
where, the mariachi band plays for:
466A CHITA, A SCARED, NOT UNATTRACTIVE GIRL who is trying to
please the general by dancing on the table.
At other tables are more officers and perhaps thirty or so
enlisted men. The machine gun mounted on its tripod is in a
far corner..
467 ANGEL LIES ON THE FLOOR, nearly unconscious, almost unrecog-
nizable from. the beating he has taken..
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
121.
467 CONTINUED
F
Mapache watches the dancer, then angrily kicks her off the
table. She falls heavily to the floor, then Mapache seeing"
468 PIKE AND THE OTHERS ENTER THROUdH THE LARGE ARCHES and s. 'and
watching.
MAPACHE
(half angry)
Hey, bandidos? What you want?.
ZAMORRA
(QUICKLY)
Hey, this
(pointing to Herrera)
Dog lost those gringos you wanted -
but.we kill 'em tomorrow -- naw. you
go on and get out of here;
PIKE
We want Angel;
Mapache stares at them without answering.
ZAMORRA.
You are very stupid...very stupid!
464 SUDDENLY MAPACHE LURCHES UP FROM THE TABLE, CROSSES TO ANGEL
AND LIFTS HIM TO HIS FEET. Half dragging him, he steps in
front' of the Americans. Around him many of the soldiers are
rising. -
470 PIKE WATCHES UNMOVING AS MAPACHE PROPS up Angel from behind,
grins at them.
MAPACHE
You want him..,?
He takes a knife and cuts the rope binding. Angel's hands.
471. ANGEL-BARELY ABLE TO STAND, REACTS with disbelief..
472 PIKE AND DJTCH WATCH without a movement, without a sound.
MAPACHE
(SOFTLY)
Take him...
473 TECTOR AND LYLE IGNORE MAPACHE, THEIR eyes drifting over the
Mexicans who are slowly edging forward,some beginning to grin.
122.
474 ZAMORRA, STILL SEATED at the table pours himself a drink,
the clink of the glass against the bottle loud in the
silence. Beside him the.Germans rise slowly.
Mapache, still holding Angel from behind, leans over his
shoulder and whispers in his ear:
MAPACHE
(GENTLY)
Vete, Angelito:..te esperan. los.
gringitos...
475 ANGEL STANDS FAST, then curiously he takes a step forward.
476 PIKE. AND THE OTHERS REMAIN MOTIONLESS
477 ANGEL'S FACE BEGINS to brighten with hope and he takes
another step,. then:
478 MAPACHE GRABS HIM.BY THE HAIR and his other hand flashes
across the boy's throat as he shoves Angel-into the Americans,
the blood splattering them from his severed throat.
.479 AS PIKE STEPS BACK TO AVOID-Angel's falling body, he draws
his forty-five automatic and fires twice into Mapache.
480 THE BULLETS DOUBLE HIM AND HURL HIM INTO.HIS MEN. As he
CRUMPLES:
481 DUTCH.FIRES INTO THE TOP OF HIS. HEAD, then the room explodes
with gunfire.
,482 ZAMORRA AND TWO OF THE OTHERS scramble for cover while
drawing.
Mohr runs for the machine gun. R�fle fire erupts from the
courtyard as the soldiers rush forward and die as:
483 ONE OF DUTCH'S GRENADES explodes amongst them.
484 PIKE, FIRING WITH AMAZING rapidity empties his ,45, shoves
it in his belt, cocks the lever on the rifle, moving slowly
but steadily into the shadowed corners of the room -- kill-
ing men, firing, being shot at and hit in return.
CHANGE
2/12/68
123.
485 DUTCH EMPTYING his .44, throwing another grenade, is hit,
draws his .45, continues firing, moving with Pike, covering
his back.
486 THE SOLDIES HUNT COVER and die -- more pour in from the
courtyard and die caught in the cross fire.
487 TECTOR AND LYLE YELLING with the lust of battle charge toward
the table, emptying their guns.
488 MOHR.REACHES THE MACHINE GUN, begins firing. Kills a number
of soldiers as it gets away from him.
489 PIKE KILLS HIM with his last two rifle shots and the German
dies with his finger locked. on the trigger.
490 THE GUN SWINGS, cutting a swath of death across the room,
killing s.ix soldiers,wzunding Dutch.
491 PIKE: THROWS THE RIFLE. as he slips a. now clip in the .45,
whirls as:
.492 ZAMORRA PUTS three rounds into Dutch.
493 PIKE KILLS ZAMORRA AND HERRERA, then a soldier has driven a
bayonet through his gut and into the wall.
494 DUTCH, ON THE FLOOR, KILLS THE SOLDIER
495' MEXICANS CONTINUE FIRING AT THE AMERICANS from all sides and
the Gorch brothers, badly wounded,. but still on their feet
still are blasting away at them from the middle of the room,
then Tector, laughing, picks up. the screaming, terrified
Chita and, rushes the crowd, using the woman for a shield.
She tosses her head and dies as bullets slam into her soft
body, then he is.hit again and goes down on one knee.
496 A SOLDIER, UNSEEN BY.TECTOR', steps into a doorway. He aims
at Tecto'r with a revolver and fires Into him from several
feet away. The bullets tear into Tector and he drops the
woman and dances out into the room. As he is hit. from all
sides, he whirls around, seeing:
CHANGE
2/12/68
12th.
497 THE MAN IN THE DOORWAY, he fires his last shot into the man's
body. The man plunges forward screaming. Tector stands up
straight as bullets pour into him. Finally, he crumples fast
and falls,
:; 498 LYLE., HIT SEVERAL TIMES, SCREAMING WITH RAGE, standing over
Tector is wild-eyed, firing madly into the crowd. A bullet
splashes into his cheek and he runs..at. the nearest of his
attackers, firing, scattering them, killing most,
499 TECTOR RISES, CLICKS HIS EMPTY pistol at. the mob. A soldier
rushes him from behind with a machete and the cross fire of
his own men kills him as he swings the weapon into TectorPs
back. Tector falls to the floor,. writhing in pain, cursing,
pulling down a soldier, strangling him as he dies,
500 LYLE STAGGERS, BULLETS PUMPING into him, then falls - dead
before he hits the ground. The soldiers continue to fire
into. his body,
501 DUTCH LIFTS A SOLDIER AND TOSSES him against the wall, then
falls as bullets cut into him. He rolls, then.crawls under
the tables dragging the useless lower half'of his body. Al-
thotgh in pain, he is grinning strangely. He removes a car-
bine from a dead soldier and. props himself on a bench. Taking
careful aim,, he fires and a 'soldier drops screaming-.and.
kicking. Methodically he aims and fires again, and again and
again, a man dying each time he pulls the trigger..
502. PIKE WATCHES AS HE TENSES, FINALLY JERKS THE BAYONET out of
his body, runs firing at five of the soldiers. who are rushing
the room -- kills two,. reaches the machine gun, pulls Mohr
away from the gun, ,jerks back the bolt. and staggers as a
soldier empties his pistol into him from behind, Pike him-
self turns and dies,
503 DUTCH SWINGS THE RIFLE, firing, crippling the soldier, then:
504 ANOTHER SOLDIER, HIS UNIFORM STAINED WITH BLOOD, draws his
knife and hardly able to move, falls on Dutch -- the weight
of the.fall-burying the weapon deep into Dutch's back.
Crumpled together, both.men die,
EXT. COURTYARD - NIGHT
505 FOR A FEW SECONDS THERE IS STILL sporadic gunfire as the re-
maining soldiers fire into the bodies of the wild bunch..
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
125.
505 CONTINUED
Then it stops. A mortally. wounded man suddenly screams in
agony and writhes on the floor and dies. Another, pistol in
hand, rises, staggers to the gateway, teeters for a moment,
then falls, firing blindly into the. dust. Somewhere outside
the wall, a cur yelps and runs away into the night,
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. AGUA VERDE - GATE..- DAY
505A THE BOUNTY HUNTERS led by Thornton, ride through. It appears
deserted, _
EXT. HACIENDA COURTYARD - DAY
506 IN THE COURTYARD A SMALL GROUP OF WOMEN wrapped in. black
robosas are burning candles and moving. among the dead bodies.
that spill out of the large room of the hacienda and into the
yard. It is a scene of carnage, blood now black in.the sun,
a million flies and the walls lined with waiting vultures.
There is no sign of soldiers anywhere.. A few of the bodies
have been dragged into the courtyard. Most, including Pike,
Dutch and the others, including Mapache, lie where they fell.
507 THE BOUNTY HUNTERS, LED BY THORNTON, RIDE UP TO THE ARCHES
AND DISMOUNT, their horses snorting nervously at the smell of
blood and the stench of death. At-the end of the courtyard
where five corpses are heaped in a small Di13, a lone vulture
stands. patiently near them.
As the bounty hunters approach and the-.bird labors reluctantly
into flight, the men dismount.
Thornton, looking in through the broken wall, turns away.
Coffer and T.C. enter, whistle softly..
COFFER
It's them.
THORNTON
You'd have.one hell of a time proving
that.a week from now, in Texas.
-COFFER.
We could try...Hell, a pelt's a pelt,
it don't matter what condition it's in.
T.C.
Picked clean -- not a gun on 'em.,.
Thornton walks slowly among the bodies.
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
126.
507 CONTINUED
T.C. '(OS)
This boy here's got some gold in his
teeth... .Let me see your knife, Coffer.
COFFER
(crossing to Thornton)
em. _Hey, Thornton, should we load up?
THORNTON
(walking away)
Suit yourself,
T.C.
We going to wait here for Jess or
meet him on the way?
But Thornton doesn't answer; reaching his horse, he mounts
and. rides away.
Coffer and T.C,. and Ross look after him..
ROSS
(pointing to the bird
on the walk)
If Jess is counting on buzzards to.
lead him to. old Sykes, he's got a
long wait -- we got 'em all..
They laugh and go to work.
EXT. GATE - AGUA VERDE - DAY
508 THORNTON COMES THROUGH THE GATE, ties his horse, sits down,
his back against the wall. Except for a dog and two.silent
women, the village appears deserted.
Thornton rolls a cigarette, begins to smoke it.. waiting.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT'. GATE AGUA VERDE AFTERNOON
509 COFFER, ROSS AND T.C.-ride out leading four pack animals, each
carrying a body.
Thornton looks up, he doesn't move.
COFFER
You ain't comin'?
CONTINUED
CHANGE
2/12/68
127.
509 CONTINUED
Thornton shakes his head.-
T. C..
(NERVOUS)
Maybe we better wait here for Jess,
COFFER
----.No we 9.11 pick him up on the way --
I -want to-get out. of this goddamned
place -- anyways these boys will start
going ripe on us by tomorrow --. we got
to' move --
(then; to Thornton)
You sure you ain't coming?
Coffer shrugs and drinking out ofa half-full tequi.lla bottle,
rides off, followed by the others who ignore Thornton as
completely as he does them,
DISSOLVE TO�
EXT. GATE - AGUA VERDE - LATE AFTERNOON
510 THORNTON HASN'T MOVED. Then from the. distance come three
slow-paced rifle shots -- Thornton sits up -- waits, then
there is a fourth -- Thornton settles back,
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. GATE - AGUA VERDE - EARLY EVENING
511. THE SUN HAS PASSED THE MOUNTAINS AND AS the light goes
a cold wind kicks dust across the empty street of the
village.. Thornton stands, looking off at:
512 FREDDY.SYKES, DON JOSE, ENERO, THE YOUNG GOAT HERDER,
IGNACIO;.and a handful of Angells compadres sit watching
him. They are leading the bounty hunters' horses, the
sacks of gold are tied to Sykes' saddle.
SYKES
Didn't expect to find you here,
Deke.
THORNTON
Why. not -- I sent 9 em.back -- that's
all I said I'd do.
CONTINUED
128.
512 CONTINUED
SYKES
They didn't et far --
(THEN)
You the one that shot me?
THORNTON
Don't know -- does.it make any
difference?
SYKES
(after a moment)
I reckon not.
(THEN)
What are;. your plans?
THORNTON
Drift around down here -- try and.
stay out of jail --
SYKES
Well,, come along -- we got some work
to do --
(riding away)
It ain't like it used to be,. but it's
better than nothing.
513. THORNTON TAKES A DEEP BREATH, THEN HALF GRINS, unties his
horse, then mounts and follows.
FADE OUT.
THE END
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