The Princess Bride

INIGO, Fezzik, AND VIZZINI

Staring at the other boat.

VIZZINI

(explaining with as much logic as he can muster)

Probably some local fisherman out for a pleasure cruise at night through eel-infested waters.

And now as a sound comes from their boat they turn as we
 

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BUTTERCUP

Diving into the water, starting to swim away.

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THE BOAT

And Vizzini screaming.

VIZZINI

Go in, get after her!

INIGO

I don't swim.

FEZZIK

(to the unasked question)

I only dog paddle.

VIZZINI

Veer left. Left. Left!

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BUTTERCUP

Still close to the boat, switching from a crawl to a silent breast stroke. The wind dies and as it does, something new is heard. A not-too-distant high-pitched shrieking sound. Buttercup stops suddenly, treads water.

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THE BOAT

VIZZINI

Do you know what that sound is, Highness? Those are the Shrieking Eels – if you doubt me, just wait. They always grow louder when they're about to feed on human flesh.

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BUTTERCUP

Treading water, still not far from the boat. The shrieking sounds are getting louder and more terrifying. Buttercup stays silent.

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THE BOAT

VIZZINI

If you swim back now, I promise, no harm will come to you. I doubt you will get such an offer from the Eels.

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BUTTERCUP

And she's a gutsy girl. The shrieking sound is louder still, but she doesn't make a sound. Behind her now, something dark and gigantic slithers past.

She's scared, sure, petrified, who wouldn't be, but she makes no reply –

– and now a SHRIEKING EEL has zeroed in on her –

– and now she sees it, a short distance away, circling, starting to close –

– and Buttercup is frozen, trying not to make a movement of any kind –

– and the Eel slithers closer, closer –

– and Buttercup knows it now, there's nothing she can do, it's over, all over –

– and now the Eel opens its mouth wide, and it's never made such a noise, and as its great jaws are about to clamp down –

GRANDFATHER (O.S.)

She doesn't get eaten by the Eels at this time.

And the second we hear him:

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THE SICK KID'S ROOM

The Kid looks the same, pale and weak, but maybe he's gripping the sheets a little too tightly with his hands.

THE KID

What?

GRANDFATHER

The Eel doesn't get her. I'm explaining to you because you looked nervous.

THE KID

Well, I wasn't nervous.

His Grandfather says nothing, just waits.

THE KID

Well, maybe I was a little bit concerned. But that's not the same thing.

GRANDFATHER

Because I can stop now if you want.

THE KID

No. You could read a little bit more... if you want.

He grips the sheets again, as the Grandfather picks up the book.

GRANDFATHER

(reading)

"Do you know what that sound is, Highness?"

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VIZZINI

We're back in the boat.

VIZZINI

Those are the Shrieking Eels.

THE KID (O.S.)

We're past that, Grandpa.

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THE SICK KID'S ROOM

THE KID

You read it already.

GRANDFATHER

Oh. Oh my goodness, I did. I'm sorry. Beg your pardon.

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BUTTERCUP

Treading water.

GRANDFATHER (O.S.)

All right, all right, let's see. Uh, she was in the water, the Eel was coming after her. She was frightened. The Eel started to charge her. And then -

And we're back where we were at the last moment we saw her, Buttercup frozen, the Shrieking Eel, jaws wide, about to clamp down as we

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A GIANT ARM

Pounding the Eel unconscious in one move, then easily lifting Buttercup.

PULL BACK TO REVEAL

The boat and Fezzik, Buttercup being deposited on the deck.

VIZZINI

Put her down. Just put her down.

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INIGO

Pointing behind them.

INIGO

I think he's getting closer.

Vizzini, tying Buttercup's hands.

VIZZINI

He's no concern of ours. Sail on!

(to Buttercup)

I suppose you think you're brave, don't you?

BUTTERCUP

(staring deep at him)

Only compared to some.

DISSOLVE TO:

 
The boat at dawn
 

Being followed closely by the black sailboat, which we can see for the first time is being sailed by a MAN IN BLACK, and his boat almost seems to be flying.

INIGO

Look! He's right on top of us. I wonder if he is using the same wind we are using.

VIZZINI

Whoever he is, he's too late –

(pointing ahead of them)

– see?

(big)

The Cliffs of Insanity.

And once he's said the name...

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THE CLIFFS OF INSANITY AT DAWN

They rise straight up, sheer from the water, impossibly high.

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THE TWO SAILBOATS

In a wild race for the Cliffs and the Man In Black is closing faster than ever, but not fast enough, the lead was too great to overcome, and as Inigo sails with great precision straight at the Cliffs

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THE BOAT

Being pursued.

VIZZINI

Hurry up. Move the thing! Um... that other thing. Move it!

(staring back now)

We're safe – only Fezzik is strong enough to go up our way – he'll have to sail around for hours 'til he finds a harbor.

There is much activity going on, all of it swift, expert, economical. Fezzik reaches up along the Cliff face, grabs a jutting rock, reaches behind it. Suddenly there is a thick rope in his hands. He drops back to the boat, gives the rope a freeing swing and

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THE CLIFFS

The rope goes all the way to the top.

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INIGO

Hurrying to Fezzik. He straps a harness to him, then lifts Buttercup and Vizzini in the harness. Finally, he himself gets in the harness. All three are strapped to Fezzik like papooses.

And he starts to ascend the rope, carrying them all along with him as he goes.

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THE MAN IN BLACK

Sailing in toward the Cliffs of Insanity, watching as Fezzik rises swiftly through the first moments of dawn.

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THE TOP OF THE CLIFFS, LOOKING DOWN

FEZZIK'S GROUP is only faintly visible far below. This is the first time we've gotten the real vertigo feeling and it's a gasper.

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FEZZIK CLIMBING ON

Buttercup is almost out of her mind with fear.

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THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE CLIFFS

Fezzik is moving right along; however high they are, he's already over a third of the way done.

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THE MAN IN BLACK

Leaping from his ship to the rope, starting to climb. He's impossibly far behind, but the way he goes you'd think he didn't know that because he is flying up the rope, hand over hand like lightning.

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VIZZINI AND THE OTHERS

INIGO

(looking down)

He's climbing the rope. And he's gaining on us.

VIZZINI

Inconceivable!

He prods Fezzik, who nods, increases his pace.

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THE MAN IN BLACK

Roaring up the rope, and
 

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LONG SHOT – THE CLIFFS

And the Man In Black is cutting deeply into Fezzik's lead.

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VIZZINI AND THE OTHERS