Army of Darkness

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. LANDSCAPE OF CRACKED GROUND 1500MM LENS – DAY

Arthur's castle in the distance. In the foreground, five men on horseback appear over a ridge, thundering toward us. Their long wool capes billowing up behind them in the wind.

CLOSER ON RIDERS – TRUCKING SHOT

Arthur and Wiseman John ride, flanked by two of Arthur's Warriors. CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL...

ASH wears an iron breastplate with the insignia of Arthur's army that compliments his new spring-powered iron hand. His chainsaw juts from it's saddle holster on the horse's back. Ash's cape billows as he rides.

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. MOUNTAIN – DAY

The Horsemen wind down a trail. Suddenly the horses rear up. The men gain control of the frightened steeds.

ASH

What's going on?

ARTHUR points to...

THE TRAIL THAT LIES BEFORE THEM

It disappears abruptly into a swirling wall of mist that emits an eerie whistling.

WISEMAN JOHN

This is the edge of the land ruled by the Dark Spirit. This path will lead you to an unholy place. A cemetery. There, the Necronomicon awaits.

ASH

Anxiously eyes the wall of swirling mist.

THE TWO WARRIORS

Finish placing saddlebags of water and food onto...

... ASH'S HORSE which nervously pounds the earth with it's hooves.

WARRIOR #1

Lord Arthur, he is supplied. Now I beg of you, let us leave this foul place.

ARTHUR

A moment.

WISEMAN JOHN

Moves close to Ash.

WISEMAN JOHN

As thou removest the Book from it's cradle, you must recite these words. Clatto, Verata, Nicto.

ASH

Clatto Verata Nicto. Okay.

WISEMAN JOHN

Repeat them.

ASH

Clatto Verata Nicto.

WISEMAN #1

Again.

ASH

I got it. I got it. I know your damn words. All right? Now you get this straight: I get the book, you send me back. That's the deal. After that I'm history.

Ash rears up on his horse and gallops into the mist

ARTHUR AND WISEMAN JOHN

Watch as Ash disappears.

IN A SEA OF MIST

The sound of THUNDEROUS HOOFS. A form materializes out of the fog: It is Ash.

CLOSER ON ASH

He whips the horse.

ASH

HAAAAAA!

ANGLE ON ASH

He gallops past. CAMERA PANS as he disappears into the thick fog.

FADE OUT

EXT. TRAIL'S ENTRANCE TO WOODS

ASH rides out of the wall of mist. He finds himself on a trail leading into a thick forest.

EXT. WOODS

LONG SHOT – Ash rides slowly on through the darkening woods.

CLOSER ONASH

He hears a sound and look to...

A SECTION OF WOODS

A branch SCRAPING against the bark of a tree.

ASH

Hears a woman's soft laughter. He glance to...

A BUBBLING BROOK

And nothing more.

THE EVIL FORCE POV

Powers through the woods toward Ash.

ASH

Kick his steed and bolts.

THE EVIL FORCE

Sweeps over the forest floor, gaining velocity.

ASH

Frantically weaves his horse around storm felled trees which jut from the ground.

THE EVIL FORCE

Rips through the trees, splintering them to toothpicks. It burrows underground, and resurfaces, always closing upon Ash.

ASH

Jerks upon the reins and his steed leaps a fallen tree. He gracefully leaps a second tree. But as he leaps over the third, he is ripped off the horse by a low branch. He falls hard to the mud as the horse gallops off.

He groggily stands and stumbles onward.

THE EVIL FORCE

Follows Ash down a wooded trail.

ASH

Running for...

EXT. WOODEN SHED

... a grain storage house in the clearing ahead.

ASH

Comes upon the shed's door. Locked. He heaves his body against it but it won't give.

INT. SHED – CLOSE ON INTERIOR DOOR

A log, that serves as the door's bolt, holds fast.

THE EVIL FORCE