Andrew Allen - Writing Showcase 003 - Project Redwall Revival - Initial Intro and First Scene Script

Below you will see my interpretation of a movie script start for a Redwall film. 

Please note, all characters and location are owned by Brian Jacques and The Redwall Abbey Company Limited

Enjoy!

FADE IN: 

EXT. SCARY FOREST - NIGHT

We focus in on a figure running through the forest. The scene keeps cutting between a black screen and the figure. We can hear her breathing fast as she holds something close to her chest. Again, a black screen. We cut back and we see the figures face now. A mouse mother (MATTHIAS MOTHER) holding her babe close to her chest. She glances back, fear still in her eyes as she runs faster. Again, a black screen. Back to the scene, we see her running ever harder, this time we see figures moving in the shadows of the trees, creepy red eyes darting back and forth. Black screen again. We see the mouse mother burst through the forest line, ahead of her, the entrance way to REDWALL ABBEY. She runs with all her might and collapses at the foot of the ABBEY GATE.. 

EXT. REDWALL ABBEY - ABBEY GATE - NIGHT

We see FATHER ABBOT, an older mouse wearing a large green tabbard and thick rimmed spectacles and CONSTANCE, a large badger wearing an similar tabbard but blue, an apron and a yellow headscarf,  rush to the footsteps of the ABBEY GATE, where MATTHIAS MOTHER has collapsed, breathing heavily. 

FATHER ABBOT

Good heavens my child, what on earth has happened here? Are you alright?

MATTHIAS MOTHER

My child... Matthias... Please, keep them safe.. Where is Myrtle? Where is my sister?...

CONSTANCE

(TO MATTHIAS MOTHER)

Ain't no Myrtle here I'm afraid my dear. Please. Lie still.

CONSTANCE kneels in front of MATTHIAS MOTHER, stopping her from getting up any furhter. Both FATHER ABBOT and CONSTANCE look very concerned. There is a CRASH OF THUNDER as it starts to RAIN

MATTHIAS MOTHER

Myrtle... Please, look after him... Matthias... Matthias...

MATTHIAS MOTHER falls unconscious

Baby crying can be heard from the small bundle of blanket at the side of the fallen mouse. 

FATHER ABBOT picks up the bundle. We see a small mouse babe inside, crying for a moment, then yawning and rubbing his eyes as he snuggles further in the blanket trying to get warm

FATHER ABBOT

Dear heavens... Constance, get her inside quickly.. We'll do all we can.

CONSTANCE nods and grabs MATTHIAS MOTHER carefully in her arms. 

FATHER ABBOT and CONSTANCE both move into the Abbey as the RAIN continues to pour

FOCUS IN ON FATHER ABBOT as he looks over MATTHIAS

FATHER ABBOT (CONT'D)

Matthias you say.. Well.. It seems we have been expecting you... 

FADE OUT.

REDWALL

FADE IN

INT. ABBEY CORRIDOR - DAY

Enter MATTHIAS, a younger mouse in an oversized monk's habit and sandals far too large for his feet, sparring with an imaginary sword in his left hand, and a basket of nuts in his right

MATTHIAS

I am Martin the Warrior, chosen protector of Redwall! Feel my blade! Take that! And that! And.. And.. Whoa!... 

MATTHIAS stumbles and falls. LOUD CRASH.

MATTHIAS falls at the feet of FATHER ABBOT MORTIMER (FATHER ABBOT) - an older mouse with a brown habit and a large bushy white moustache. The nuts go everywhere. MATTHIAS stares up at the ABBOT

MATTHIAS (CONT'D)

Oh Father Abbot! I'm so sorry! I tripped over my Abbot, father Habit... I mean... Oh dear... 

MATTHIAS frantically tries to gather the nuts back into the basket

ABBOT MORTIMER's stern gaze at MATTHIAS turns to a chuckle as he bends over to help the young mouse

ABBOT MORTIMER

Matthias my dear boy, whatever am I going to do with you?.. You need to learn patience, and to watch your surroundings more. If you are going to be accepted as a full member of the Abbey you need to learn... Where are you off to now my boy?

Cut to MATTHIAS walking towards the side of the ABBEY CORRIDOR wall. Hung on there, we see a large TAPESTRY that depicts the history of REDWALL

INT. TAPESTRY - DAY

ABBOT MORTIMER walks to join MATTHIAS at the TAPESTRY

MATTHIAS

Oh father Abbot, if only I could be like Martin the Warrior. He never stumbled of fell - he was the most courageous of us all!

MATTHIAS sighs, looking longinly at the tapestry where Martin the Warrior is depicted. ABBOT MORTIMER smiles looking at MATTHIAS

ABBOT MORTIMER

Ah my dear boy. You have much to learn. Walk with me and let me tell you the story of Martin, and, of our order here

MATTHIAS and ABBOT walk together further down the corridor. Other mice walk past the corridor as they walk by, with ABBOT MORTIMER bowing slightly and nodding at them as they pass

ABBOT MORTIMER (CONT'D)

Martin the warrior indeed was a courageous fighter. He was there for us when we needed him and helped fend off vermin in our hour of need. We do owe him a great debt. This is the story that mostly circulates amongst the dibbuns here at Redwall. But, there is another side most people don’t know. There is a reason any mouse or resident of Redwall is safe throughout this land. We are known as healers, keepers of peace and willing to help any that need, friend or foe. In the last battle, Martin was badly wounded. Mice brought him to the Abbey and tended to his wounds and healed him. Once Martin was healed however, something came over him. In that moment, he forsook the way of the warrior, and hung up his sword. That was when our order first began. We took an oath that day to do no harm to any creature unless it was absolutely necessary. Since that day, the name of Redwall has spread far and wide as a place of shelter and safety

ABBOT MORTIMER sighed, looking at MATTHIAS who is staring intently now at the father, listeninig to his story

ABBOT MORTIMER (CONT'D)

So you see my dear boy. There is no need for violence if you treat everyone as equal as possible, and help whenever you can. I am sorry

ABBOT MORTIMER looks at MATTHIAS, as he sighs, staring back at the tapestry slightly heartbroken and crestfallen

Smiling and nudging MATTHIAS, he turns MATTHIAS to look at him

ABBOT MORTIMER

There is however, a heroic task I think you can help me with. For as you know it is the Summer of the Late Rose, and many festivities lie Ahead. Go and tell Brother Alf that fish is on the menu today, and as such, I think a fishing trip is in order, and he’ll more than likely need a hand. Some grayling should suffice! Off you run now my boy. He’ll be waiting in the kitchens for you I’m sure

MATTHIAS leaps to his feet

MATTHIAS

Oh thank you Father! I won't disappoint you!

MATTHIAS runs down the corridor, almost tripping again as he rounds a corner

ABBOT MORTIMER sighs as he looks back at the tapestry

ABBOT MORTIMER

Ah that boy. Such determination and ambition the likes of which hasn't been seen here in a long time

ABBOT MORTIMER walks down the corridor and turns towards his study

END