Army of Darkness

ASH

Sheila... it's over for me. I don't belong here and I'm going home. I didn't have what it took. It's over.

He bows his head and moves off.

A high pitched SHRIEK is heard!

ALL HEADS

Look to the sky.

TWO WINGED DEADITES

Possessed women with bat-like wings, swoop down.

TEN VILLAGERS

Scream as they flee from the winged beasts.

WINGED DEADITE #1

Like a delta winged F-15, it banks towards Sheila.

ASH

No!

ASH

Faces to intercept. He plants himself between Sheila and the beast.

WINGED DEADITE #1 – POV

As it swoops at Ash.

ASH

Opens his steel hand, then clamps it closed again on the handle of his sword.

ASKEW ANGLE

The immense shadow of the broad winged Deadite falls over Ash.

ASH

Swings his sword upward.

CLOSE SHOT – THE BLADE

Severs the tip of the Beast's rotted wing.

THE FLYING DEADITE

Shrieks in pain as it soars over Ash. No longer aerodynamically sound, it crashes to the ground.

A GROUP OF WARRIORS

Fire their arrows into the beast, pegging it to a tree. The bone white eyes of the creature darken.

ASH AND ARTHUR

Spin to the sound of a woman's SCREAM.

SHEILA

In the clutches of WINGED DEADITE #2.

SHEILA

M'Lord Ash! Help me!

The beast flies off with the fair maiden, soaring over the castle wall and into the distance.

ASH

Shakes his fist at the receding beast.

ASH

Damn you!

THREE MOUNTED SCOUTS

Come riding in through the castle doors.

SCOUT

An army of the dead! They have gathered in the wilderness and come this way.

ARTHUR

How far from here?

SCOUT

But two days ride.

ARTHUR

Then these winged ones are only the first of them.

WISEMAN

Perhaps we should go from this place while we can.

GOLD TOOTH

We could be safe in the mountains.

WARRIORS

Yes! To the mountains! We must flee! They'll take our souls!

ANGLE ON

BLAMMITY-BLAM!

All eyes look to...

ASH

Who stands on a high castle wall, clutching his smoldering shotgun.

ASH

Go ahead and run. Run home and cry to mama. I'm through runnin'. I stay, we stay and fight.

ARTHUR

Takes a challenging step forward.

ARTHUR

How will we stop an army of the dead at out castle walls? How will you fight that? ! With more words? Most of out people have already fled. We are but forty men.

ASH

We'll get Henry the Red and his men to fight with us.

ARTHUR

We shall not stand in battle, alongside the likes of him. Our honor will not allow it.

ASH

Then you'll die. Honor and all. Now who's with me?

THE CROWD

Is silent as they consider Ash's words. Then from the rear, the Village Blacksmith steps forward.

BLACKSMITH

I'll stand by you.

A WARRIOR

Steps forward. Then another.

WARRIOR #7

You may count on my steel.

WARRIOR #8

And mine!

THE CROWD

Steps forward vowing their allegiance to the cause.

ARTHUR

Reluctantly joins them.

EXT. GRAVEYARD – STOP MOTION ANIMATION – NIGHT

EVIL ASH directs teams of skeletons to dig at the graves.

EVIL ASH

Dig! Dig faster! I want every black hearted, worm infested, son of a bitch that ever died in battle! We'll storm their castle and take the book! Then my lads, eternal life shall by ours!

STOP MOTION ANIMATION – THREE SKELETONS

Hoist up a stone casket from the ground and with rusted swords pry it open, releasing another skeleton who stands to join their ranks.

TWO ARMORED SKELETONS

Push a bruised Sheila to her knees before Evil Ash.

CLOSE ON SHEILA

Looking up to Evil Ash in fear. His bony finger comes down into frame and strokes her lovely cheek. She pulls away in revulsion.

EVIL ASH

Looks down at her with lust.

EVIL ASH

Why ain't you a sweet little thing?

His bony digit caresses her lips.

SHEILA

Don't touch me! You foul thing!

EVIL ASH

Your gonna learn to live me missy.

SHEILA

The Promised one will come for you.

SKELETAL EVIL ASH yanks her to her feet.

EVIL ASH

Darlin' I'm gonna save him the trouble.

He clutches her squirming body in a bony embrace.

EXT. GRAVEYARD – LONG SHOT

Silhouetted by the large full moon, Evil Ash forces his kiss upon Sheila. Around them, the skeletons sharpen their swords on tombstones.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. VAST VISTA OF BARREN LAND – DAY

Ash rides toward the castle of Henry the Red that can be seen in the distance.

WIDE SHOT – ASH

Is suddenly intercepted by FOUR OF HENRY'S HORSEMEN. They surround him.

HENRY WARRIOR #1

He wears the insignia of Arthur!

HENRY WARRIOR #2

Slay him!

The draw their swords when...

HENRY THE RED

Rides up between his warriors and Ash.

HENRY

Stay your arms!

Henry turns to Ash.

HENRY

T'is the stranger who spared me from the pit. What brings you?

ASH

The Army of the Dead.

HENRY

What of them?

ASH

They're headed towards Arthur's castle. We need your help. Fight with us.

HENRY

So you are a vassal of Arthur now? You have taken up sides with him against me.

ASH

The only side I'm takin' is the one that's gonna stop those things.

Henry laughs.

HENRY

Why should I endanger my people to save my enemy?

ASH

Because after they finish with Arthur they'll come after you. Together, we've got a chance. Besides, you owe me.

EXT. A CRAGGY MOUNTAIN TOP – NIGHT

EVIL ASH AND SHEILA ride side by side on skeletal steeds. Sheila lifts her black veil, revealing bone white eyes, set into a face now the texture of cracked leather. She looks with admiration to...

EVIL ASH