The Odyssey

1.
THE ODYSSEY
adapted from Homer by
Nicholas Meyer
I
2.
February 14, 1995

3.
PART I
The Rage of Poseidon

4.
1.
FADE IN - THE SEA
SUCCESSIVE SHOTS - DISSOLVING...
*BOILING, ROLLING - GREEN, DARK BLUE, WINE PURPLE, then SLATE

GREY, CURLING like a MOUNTAIN falling on top of us, the stuff of
NIGHTMARES...
TITLE OVER:
This is the story of a man who wanted to go home...
MORE VISIONS OF THE SEA...UNDULATING...BY MOONLIGHT...WITH

LIGHTNING and RAIN...then -
TITLE OVER:
THE ODYSSEY
*The WATER becomes CALM and TURQUOISE - we are in the AEGEAN,

the isles of Greece...
Now a WAVE CRASHES ON SHORE, bringing us up to a WHITE BEACH

with trees above, REVEALING
A RAVISHINGLY BEAUTIFUL GIRL of 16
as she emerges from the woods and runs happily towards the surf,
where she stops in surprise.
HER POV
something lying in the water, sloshing about...
WIDER
2.
she moves down to where the WAVES CRASH ONSHORE, WASHING

OVER...
THE NAKED BODY OF A MAN. The girl studies the corpse, whose arms
and legs writhe with the movement of the waves -
HER POV (CLOSER)
he's forty-five, muscular, grizzled, an unkempt beard and greying

hair, matted and sopping - it too undulates with the tide. His skin is
a salt-encrusted hide.
CLOSER
the girl bends and attempts to tug the man up the beach.
CU THE MAN
his eyes FLICKER, then OPEN
HIS POV
the troubled face of an innocent girl peering down, then backing off
with recognition and alarm. She SCREAMS...
THE RIVER MOUTH
nearby. TEN YOUNG WOMEN stand in the fresh water, washing

LAUNDRY and spreading clothes upon rocks to DRY...
In response to the SCREAM they look up in alarm. One starts RUNNING

towards the sound and the others follow...
3.
ON THE BEACH
the GIRLS emerge running but are startled to a stop by what they
see:
THEIR MISTRESS
squatting on her knees amid the pounding surf, propping up the

exhausted MAN. She sees her companions.
THE GIRL
Help me! (they hesitate) HELP ME.
It is a command. They race to the shore and help drag the MAN out of
the brine.
WATER spews from his lungs. He coughs. They help him sit up.
He squints at his rescuer, trying to see...
Slowly her beautiful smiling features come into FOCUS...
THE MAN
(a hoarse croak)
Are you a goddess, too?
They giggle at the suggestion, though the girl is clearly flattered -

as he intended her to be. He looks about...
THE MAN (cont'd)

What place is this?
THE GIRL
This is the kingdom of Phaeacia.
(proud) I am the princess Nausicaa.
4.
THE MAN
Happy the parents of so beautiful a
maid. (realizing) I blush to appear
before you thus.
He coughs again; can barely speak. She melts.
THE GIRL
Whatever misfortune you have endured,
you are safe now. Here...
She gives him some of the laundry, a TOGA with which to drape
himself. With hands accustomed to the task, he covers his
nakedness.
NAUSICAA (cont'd)
Now, you look quite presentable - well
almost.
She laughs. So open. So friendly. So innocent. They all smile at

him. One produces a leather flask of FRESH WATER, which the
stranger GULPS greedily, spilling as he drinks.
NAUSICAA (cont'd)
Now I have told you my name - you must
tell me yours.
CU CLOSER
Long pause. He looks at her sadly. Another croak -
THE MAN
Nobody. (off her look) My name is
5.
Nobody.
He volunteers no more. The girls look at one another, some

suppressing another urge to giggle. Nausicaa extends her hand.
After a moment's hesitation, the man CLASPS it.
WIDER
They help him to his feet and begin to lead him to the trees. As they
are about to withdraw to the woods, he turns and faces the ocean as
Nausicaa watches, wondering.
CU THE MAN
THE MAN
The sea is my enemy.
He's mesmerized by the WAVES. Gently she pulls him away.
LATER
ON THE ROAD
Nausicaa drives in her little mule-driven CHARIOT; the stranger

walking beside her, struggles to keep up. The WOMEN follow,
chattering and watching the two.
NAUSICAA
(gaily)
I think you must be enchanted...
The notion dimly startles him.

6.
THE MAN
Enchanted?
NAUSICAA
Under a spell of some sort. You know.
You are well-spoken and bear yourself
as one accustomed to authority, yet I
find you with nothing to call your own
save your skin. (shrugs) Perhaps it's
only my imagination - about the spell, I
mean. (tests it) "Nobody..."
He looks at her.
THE MAN
You have much imagination?
NAUSICAA
I am told I have a great deal too much.
THE MAN
(looks dead ahead)
Imagination - imagination can be a
curse.
NAUSICAA
(unheeding)
I am waiting for my prince.
THE MAN
(looks around)
Where is he?
NAUSICAA
7.
No, foolish man. I mean the prince who

will one day carry me off this
island and make me queen of his own.
At this phrase, the Man looks pained, then, before he can answer, she
sees something ahead -
NAUSICAA (cont'd)
Stranger, do you hear what I say?
THE MAN
(touched by her)
I hear, my lady.
NAUSICAA
Then attend me well. We are coming to
the town and to the palace of my father,
King Alcinous. You must walk farther
behind my chariot. No, farther still,
(waves her hand), for I do not wish to
cause gossip among the common folk -
"Nausicaa has found a man for herself
on the BEACH..." (impatient) You know...
The Man can hardly suppress his smile, but he falls back
amongst the women folk as they approach the TOWN.
THE MAN
(a harsh whisper)
Athena be my shield...
EXT. THE TOWN - DAY

8.
SEVERAL ANGLES
Nausicaa's chariot wends its way through the high street and the
TOWNSFOLK watch the unkempt MAN trotting behind it, the WOMEN
running and giggling, still further back, barely suppressing hoots of
laughter at the whole thing.
No expression on the faces of the TOWNSFOLK as they watch the

little procession travel uphill towards the PALACE.
It's not a big kingdom but it seems comfy...
CU A RAZOR SCRAPING A BEARDED CHEEK
SEVERAL SHOTS
*THE MAN being CLEANED. WASHED. His GREY BEARD TRIMMED. His
body SCRAPED and OILED, his hair carefully untangled and COMBED. -
(We see the PARTS, but not the entire result.) All this grooming is
performed by smiling WOMEN. Then -
ALCINOUS' VOICE OVER

Hear us, Great Poseidon, Earth-shaker,
lord of the wine dark sea, from whose
bounty we take our nourishment...
CU BLOOD RED WINE
poured into an ornate GOBLET before the FEARSOME BUST of

POSEIDON, his features threatening in green bronze...
WIDEN TO REVEAL
9.
INT/EXT. KING ALCINOUS' PALACE - EVENING
The SUN low on the sea's HORIZON, visible in the distance.
Nausicaa's father, a handsome man with an intelligent face, wears

the royal DIADEM as he holds a GOBLET of wine before the altar of
the God, the distant OCEAN, behind...
ALCINOUS (cont'd)
...accept this libation from our hands...
to thee, O Poseidon, we offer our thanks
and gratitude for our happiness...
Alcinous pours the DARK WINE into a brazier before the STATUE with
its implacable snarl.
THE STRANGER'S FACE
cleaned up, but we still don't have a total look at him - only his
extreme REACTION to the statue and the toast as it is echoed by
Alcinous' COURTIERS -
COURTIERS
Poseidon! Lord of the wine dark sea!
PAN DOWN TO THE STRANGER'S FIST
*clenching at Poseidon's name... the STATUE seems to grimace just

for him...
ALCINOUS
10.
plunges a TORCH into the LIBATION BRAZIER and FLAME erupts,

filling the SCREEN. Then -
ALCINOUS' VOICE OVER

I trust you have dined well, stranger...
WIDEN TO REVEAL
The BANQUET TABLE - LATER
groaning even with leftovers. The King and his guests recline on
COUCHES as they conclude their meal. All DINERS are MEN, save
smiling Nausicaa. They are served by WOMEN.
ALCINOUS (cont'd)
...and that the pleasures of our table
have restored you a little to yourself. I
do not address you by name since you
desire to remain unknown to us.
Now we see THE MAN. What a transformation! He wears a proper

TOGA and ROBES that seem inately appropriate. Clearly this is
SOMEBODY, not NOBODY. When he speaks he no longer croaks; his
VOICE and ELOQUENCE will be the most compelling evidence of his
stature.
THE MAN
(spreads his empty hands)
Since even the clothes I stand in are not
my own, I can only repay such
generosity with my gratitude. To both
11.
of you (his look includes the rapt

Nausicca), I owe my life.
As for my name, I withhold it only to
spare you, for it is accursed.
Nausicaa can't get enough. Her eyes shine.
ALCINOUS
In Phaeacia we honor the wishes of our
guests; nameless shall you remain. (an
awkward pause) Come, our hospitality
is not yet exhausted. (he claps his
hands) Demodocus! Sing for us. His
songs will wrap us in dreams.
The Man bows and resumes his couch as an attractive WOMAN leads
in the BLIND poet, DEMODOCUS, who uses a STAFF to help TAP his
way. The woman carries the minstrel's LYRE for him.
As the GUESTS watch, the bard is seated and takes his instrument.
He stares blindly at the setting SUN, his sightless eyes bathed in its
golden glow.
DEMODOCUS
What poem will you hear, lord king?
*NAUSICAA
Troy! Let us hear tales of the Trojan war and
of that beauteous queen, Helen, she whose
face launched a thousand ships and sent all
the heroes of Greece in search of glory.
12.
The stranger's face twitches at this request.
ALCINOUS
(laughs, eats a grape)
You are an innocent, my child. The
Greeks went in search of gold, not glory.
NAUSICAA
(a moan)
Oh, father...
ALCINOUS
(sententious)
'Twas the Gold of Troy, not the face of
Helen that all your heroes coveted. (to
his guest) Sir, you seem to be a man of
the world: do I not speak the truth?
THE MAN
(heavily)
Indeed, many say that Trojan treasure
provoked the siege.
NAUSICAA
(beseechingly smiling)
Even so. I put it to you, stranger: will
you not second my request and add your
voice to my own? Which is better -
bitter truth or the beauty of romance?
Nausicaa gestures to the blind poet who sits immobile, waiting to be
instructed. Finally, sadly -
THE MAN
I am certain your father can deny you
13.
nothing, lady.
ALCINOUS
Oh, very well. Demodocus, let us hear
of Troy -
The poet collects himself and touches the LYRE delicately...
CU HIS FINGERS
plucking deftly at the STRINGS...
DEMODOCUS
Muse of poets! Give to my voice the
magic of inspiration, that my words
may pierce the hearts of all listeners
and therein paint pictures of life.
(pause) "Helen,
wife to Menelaus, King of Sparta, was
raped by Paris, Prince of Troy.
As the poet begins, PUSH INTO HIS DEAD EYES, REVEALING -
INT. HELEN'S BEDCHAMBER, SPARTA - NIGHT
The rape of Helen and her abduction - a scene charged with brutal
eroticism as she surrenders to Paris' ardor...legs, tongues, breasts,
arms, loins - a mating of God-like perfections and violence, a
coupling that will be paid for in BLOOD...
The HEARTBEATS OF PASSION grow ominously louder to accompany

their love-making, becoming the DRUMS OF WAR, then -
EXT. PLAINS OF TROY - DAY

14.
TEN THOUSAND GREEKS, their armor CLASHING, their HORSEHAIR

PLUMES waving, march towards the HUGE WALLS of TROY, leaving
their FLEET of ships beached behind them...
*DEMODOCUS' VOICE (cont'd)

"...and all the heroes of Greece sallied
forth to bring her home. From Arcadia,
Corinth and Thessaly they came.
Agamemnon, Lord of Mycenae,
commanded the Greek
armada. With him went Nestor, King of
sandy Pylos, Menelaus of Sparta, valiant
Achilles and cunning Odysseus, Lord of
Ithaka...
We see these supermen, fighting furiously as the poet describes

them upon the battlefield before Troy... they throw their JAVELINS,
whip the HORSES of their racing CHARIOTS, draw their BOWS, use
their SWORDS...
DEMODOCUS'S VOICE (cont'd)

"For ten years they laid siege to the
impregnable city, and one by one they
tasted death before its virgin walls,
their souls departing their bodies for
Hades and the underworld...
SLOW MOTION
STUNT MONTAGE as the Greek heroes DIE, by spear, by

sword...Achilles is last, STRUCK in the HEEL by an ARROW as he
pitches over his CHARIOT in agony...
15.
CU ONE WARRIOR
watching, amidst the battle, beneath his plumed helmet, his face
concealed by his faceplate. Only his eyes are familiar as they peer
from the fighting up to the WALLS...
DEMODOCUS' VOICE (cont'd)

"And still the citadel defied them.
(pause) Then it was that that man
skilled in all ways of contending,
cunning Odysseus, brought to bear the
power of his mind...
CU THE MAN
listening to the tale. We are close enough to recognize those

piercing EYES...
DEMODICUS (cont'd)
Of all the heroes, he alone possessed
that special quality of thought and
foresight that men call - imagination..."
In remembrance - or pain - the man CLOSES HIS EYES.
BLACK.
SOUND OVER
the crash of DISTANT SURF, the CRY of GULLS...

16.
EXT. MOUNTAIN TOP, ISLE OF ITHAKA - DAY
looking down at the harbour below the green hillside from a great
height. Nestled in port, a SPARTAN GALLEY...
Below us on the hill, a WOMAN scrambling hastily upwards...
THE MAN
*who watches from his vantage point. The face belongs to Alcinous'
guest - but he's TWENTY YEARS YOUNGER, handsome, BLACK-HAIRED
and CLEAN SHAVEN, but beauty is not his most striking feature, it's
brains. You can almost hear the wheels going around...
Next to him a frisky YOUNG DOG...
We see the WOMAN CLOSER
She's carrying a BABY in her arms as she hurries up the mountain

path.
And she's a beauty. Her name is PENELOPE.
PENELOPE
Odysseus...husband...
She's gasping for breath as she joins him. He goes hastily to help
her the last part of the way. Now we know his name.
ODYSSEUS
My love, be careful...
PENELOPE
They're here...from Sparta..!
17.
She's starting to cry -
PENELOPE (cont'd)
They want you to go with them... to
bring Helen back from Troy...
He holds her, lets her sob as he looks unhappily down at the ship in
the harbor. TWO WELL-DRESSED MEN can be made out, walking
ashore...
ODYSSEUS
I must go with them.
PENELOPE
But why? Why?
ODYSSEUS
(tender)
Before I met and fell in love with you,
my own best beloved, I was, as you
know, a suitor for the hand of Helen,
that is now queen of Sparta.
PENELOPE
(bitter)
So was every prince in Greece.
ODYSSEUS
Exactly. And to forestall a quarrel over
her choice of husband, a horse was
sacrificed, and standing over its bloody
quarters each of us swore to uphold and
defend the honor of that husband,
18.
whoever he might be. Now King

Menelaus is calling due the debt.
PENELOPE
(turning away)
And who devised this dreadful pact?
ODYSSEUS
(heavily)
I did. Come, be of good cheer, this war
cannot last long...
He puts an arm around her waist from behind...
PENELOPE
That is what men say of every war, but
I think the shortest war lasts long for
widows - (re the baby) and orphans...
ODYSSEUS
Penelope -
PENELOPE
How long must your son wait to learn if
his father is dead or alive? You will go;
you will have adventures and memories.
You will live or die. We will only wait.
ODYSSEUS
I swore an oath. I have no choice.
She slips from his embrace and faces him.
PENELOPE
19.
No choice? Are you made of stone? A

stone has no choice. A man has a choice
because a man has a BRAIN. A man can
THINK. It was you who taught me that -
and I loved you for teaching me.
ODYSSEUS
But my oath...
PENELOPE
Did you not swear an oath to me? Are
you not king of this kingdom? Does a
king owe his subjects nothing? What
becomes of us if you heed your oath to
Menelaus? THINK.
He stares at her. She's a match for him, alright.
ODYSSEUS
Penelope...Penelope... you are too clever
even for me. (sighs) Go. Greet our
guests. Bring them here. Let me see
what can be done...
He kisses her, wiping the tears from her cheeks. This is a passionate
couple. The BABY makes a NOISE. Odysseus laughs and gives him a
kiss, as well. Pats his DOG. Happy family...
INT. ODYSSEUS' FEASTING HALL/THRONE ROOM, ITHAKA - DAY
a large, well-appointed room, which will later be the site of

20.
dreadful events. Its whitewashed walls are adorned with WEAPONS

of every description - spears, bows, swords, arrows.
FEATURED behind the THRONE is an ENORMOUS BOW, different from

the rest. We'll come back to it - in twenty years.
To one side, SCRUBBING THE WALLS, is a BEAUTIFUL and modest

young girl (14), MELANTHE... Awed, she watches discreetly as
AGAMEMNON (35) and NESTOR (45) stand together, waiting, their

huge helmets crooked in their arms. The GREAT DOORS are swung
open and Penelope enters, still carrying the baby, followed by
EURYCLEIA, his NURSE (she's about forty)...
PENELOPE
Thank you, Melanthe.
Acknowledging, Melanthe scurries from the room as Penelope move

forward to greet her visitors...
The visitors bow low... Nestor is older, distinguished...
AGAMEMNON
Queen Penelope...
NESTOR
Your majesty...
PENELOPE
My Lord Agamemnon, my lord Nestor; I
bid you welcome to Ithaka. It is not
often that kings come calling.
NESTOR
Would that our visit betokened some
21.
joyous occasion...
AGAMEMNON
My brother's wife has been abducted by
the Trojans.
PENELOPE
The news has already reached us...
AGAMEMNON
An army to rescue her is gathering at
Aulis - to be commanded by me.
NESTOR
Your husband once promised that -
PENELOPE
I know what he promised. Eurycleia,
take Telemachus. I will conduct these
princes to my husband.
She hands the infant TELEMACHUS to his NURSE as the men exchange
glances, then starts out of the room without looking back. They
follow and Eurycleia and the baby bring up the rear.
EXT. GREEN FIELD, ITHAKA - DAY
Penelope leads the men atop a hill to where they gape with
astonishment -
THEIR POV
ODYSSEUS, wearing a CAP WITH BELLS, tries, absurdly, to PLOW the

field with an ASS yoked to an OX. The uneven team can only manage
22.
to go in circles as Odysseus giggles.

The DOG is yapping in distress, knows something's wrong...
The visitors look at each other, dumbfounded. Penelope is herself

astonished; Eurycleia likewise amazed.
NESTOR
Your majesty - Lord Odysseus...
ODYSSEUS
Ah, ah, ah, ah...
AGAMEMNON
Odysseus, what ails you?
He responds with gibberish, hawking and spitting, rolling his eyes til
the whites flash...
NESTOR
Is it possible? My lord...? (amazed)
Look, that's not grain!
Crazy faces from Odysseus as he talks to himself... and sows the

ground before him - WITH SALT. The DOG keeps BARKING...
EURYCLEIA
(starts to cry)
Salt! My master sows the earth with
salt! To think that I, who raised him as
now I care for his son, should live to
see this day... woe...woe...
AGAMEMNON
My lord, do you hear us?
23.
He pays them no heed as the ridiculous PLOW continues in circles,

the SILVER BLADE breaking up the ground in RINGS.
AGAMEMNON (cont'd)
(hard pressed)
Are we to believe that noble Odysseus
has lost his wits?
Odysseus cackles. Nestor eyes the troubled Penelope.
PENELOPE
My lord, you have guests from Sparta...
No response except Odysseus now foams at the mouth...
Nestor eyes the SUN, high overhead. He is thinking.
Abruptly he snatches little TELEMACHUS out of Eurycleia's arms and

runs before the PLOW.
As Penelope and the nurse GASP, Nestor puts the tiny baby directly
in the path of the advancing SILVER BLADE, which is about the slice
him in half.
Penelope SCREAMS and tries to move forward to his rescue, but

Agamemnon holds her fast, despite her struggles.
Nestor similarly prevents Eurycleia from moving...
Odysseus sees his son on the ground; his expression changes.
ODYSSEUS
24.
Hold!
With all his might he restrains his crazy team, which still tries to
go forward, dragging Odysseus with them.
CU PENELOPE
frantic -
CU THE BLADE
getting close to little Telemachus as
CU ODYSSEUS
straining to pull the team to a STOP, which he does -
CU THE BLADE
just inches from his smiling son. The DOG sits; WHIMPERS.
CU ODYSSEUS
covered with sweat - not a laugh in him. He picks the boy up, hugs
him and kisses him tenderly; looks sadly at Nestor.
ON NESTOR and AGAMEMNON
also sad. Nice try. Agamemnon releases Penelope.
NESTOR
Forgive me...
25.
CU PENELOPE
her eyes glisten, then...
ODYSSEUS' VOICE OVER

Athena, hear me...
DISSOLVE TO:
BUST OF ATHENA
WIDEN TO REVEAL
TEMPLE OF ATHENA, ITHAKA - DAY
as Odysseus, fully armed and plumed, kneels before her.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
...grey-eyed Goddess of wisdom. Before
you I prostrate myself. Be my
patroness and protector, that I may live
to see my home again.
CU ATHENA
the marble expression beneath her helmet MORPHS to a small SMILE.
Kneeling, Odysseus does not see it...

26.
EXT. HARBOR - DAY
Odysseus' WARSHIP, loaded with his ITHAKANS, their supplies, and

armor, is making ready to sail. As Nestor and Agamemnon watch,
Odysseus says goodbye to his little family, embracing sobbing
Eurycleia, patting his DOG, who wags its tail. He kneels and kisses
the feet of ANTICLEIA, his handsome MOTHER, who holds herself
proudly -
ANTICLEIA
Athena protect you, my son...
ODYSSEUS
And you, my mother...
She makes the sign of benediction over his head... he rises

and goes finally to Penelope and little Telemachus, who cries at the
sight of him.
ODYSSEUS
I frighten him...
PENELOPE
Not you. The nodding horsehair plume
and the helmet which conceals you... it
frightens me, as well...
He removes the helmet, pulls from its plume a hunk of RED

HORSEHAIR and gives it to the baby, who clutches it. Then he faces
his wife and takes her hand...
CU THEIR HANDS
ODYSSEUS
27.
(looks her in the eye)

I WILL COME HOME.
PENELOPE
(simple but firm)
I WILL WAIT FOR YOU.
After embracing, he races up the gangplank to the ship, which makes

ready to cast off as Odysseus' family and other WOMEN OF ITHAKA
and their CHILDREN watch, with set faces.
BARKING, Odysseus' DOG tries to run up the gangplank but tear-

streaked Eurycleia holds him back.
ROPES cast off, SAIL lowered from its spar... its design:
THE HEAD OF THE GODDESS ATHENA is blazoned at the center.
Penelope and Odysseus looking at each other...
CU TELEMACHUS'
little baby face against Penelope's bosom, asleep. In his tiny fist, he
clutches the RED HORSEHAIR...
DISSOLVE TO:
THE SHIP
on the distant horizon, vanishing...
DISSOLVE TO:
CU THE FACE OF A TEN YEAR OLD BOY

28.
standing atop the green peak of ITHAKA, where we saw his father
watching the harbor ten years before.
Around his neck, worn as a necklace, is the bit of faded RED

HORSEHAIR, long since woven into a short braid. TELEMACHUS looks
out to sea with wordless longing. As always, the
horizon is empty. Stay on Telemachus. He wishes he could see.
PUSH TOWARDS THE EMPTY HORIZON...
DISSOLVE TO:
the FARTHER SHORE
EXT. EMPTY BEACH - DAY
where
THE ENORMOUS WOODEN HORSE
sits alone before the walls of Troy.
The Greek fleet has disappeared and the WIND HOWLS desolately as
Trojans emerge from the safety of their walls and cautiously
approach the enormous structure.
DEMODOCUS' VOICE OVER

"And so it was that after ten years'
fighting, the Trojans came face to face
with the imagination of Odysseus."
TROJAN SOLDIERS have discovered SYNON, (35) cowering nearby.

29.
Dragged forth, they crowd round the starving, terrified man.
SYNON
The Greeks have given up. The siege is
abandoned and they have sailed for
home, leaving their dead behind. You are
the victors.
The Trojans look at each other, amazed at this news.
KING PRIAM
And who are you?
SYNON
My name is Synon. They judged me
traitor and coward and so left me
behind. I throw myself upon your mercy,
great king.
He flings himself at the feet of Priam, who considers.
KING PRIAM
What is this?
ie: the giant horse.
SYNON
Their gift to Athena, Goddess of
wisdom, to grant them safe passage
home - built large so as to prevent you
taking it within your gates and
completing your triumph.
30.
VOICES
Pull down the walls...! Breach the walls!
We'll have our triumph..!
ANOTHER VOICE
Make way...
A STERN-FACED OLDER PRIEST and HIS TWO SONS thread their way
through the crowd.
KING PRIAM
Lacoon - what says our high priest?
LACOON eyes the cringing Synon with contempt. He goes up to the
wooden horse and RAPS it with his staff. It ECHOES.
LACOON
Beware Greeks bearing gifts.
As the crowd considers this there is a GASP. People turn to the

OCEAN, where
TWO ENORMOUS SEA SERPENTS
emerge from the surf and slither directly to Lacoon and his sons. As
the Trojans watch, stepping back in horrified amazement, the
SERPENTS wind themselves about Lacoon and his sons and STRANGLE
all three. When they are finished, the SERPENTS, the PRIEST and his
SONS have all turned to STONE.
KING PRIAM
On behalf of his niece, Athena,
Poseidon, Earth-shaker, lord of the wine
dark sea, has been offended by our
31.
priest. Poseidon bids us seize our prize!
At this command, the Trojans CHEER, produce ROPES and, in a SERIES

of SHOTS, begin dragging the enormous horse towards the walls of
Troy, leaving the STONE STATUE behind...
AT THE GATES
MASSES of TROJANS are widening the entrance, literally pulling

down the walls before our eyes. The HUGE GATE tumbles crashing
down, dust everywhere...
THE HORSE moves majestically, ominously forward as Synon
watches...
THE HORSE
is pulled inside the walls as an ORGY erupts. These people have been
under siege for ten years. As NIGHT FALLS the party becomes more
frenzied, around and beneath the mute giant structure. MEN, WOMEN,
BOYS, GIRLS - everyone drinking and fornicating. Not merely men
with women, but also with other men. Finally -
DISSOLVE TO:
LATER - STILL NIGHT
silence. The ground and streets strewn with hundreds of PASSED OUT
REVELERS...
SEVERAL ANGLES
Troy's defenseless population - FEATURE the BREACH in the wall as

we find Synon, slowly opening one eye, then the other. He looks
around, then UP...
32.
CLIMB SLOWLY UP BENEATH THE HORSE, SYNON'S POV.
THE HORSE'S BELLY
a trap door opens as we CLOSE IN TO
ODYSSEUS
peering out. He wears his terrifying helmet. Only his eyes and mouth
visible. He smiles at what he sees.
A stream of Greek warriors steal down a ROPE from the horse's

belly. Odysseus runs atop the walls and signals with a FLAMING
TORCH.
HIS POV
a MILLION LIGHTS on the NIGHT HORIZON - the GREEK FLEET.
Odysseus smiles.
DEMODOCUS' VOICE OVER

"And so it was that wily Odysseus
accomplished what ten years and ten
thousand warriors could not, and
brought about the fall of Troy.
EXT. ALCINOUS' BANQUET - NIGHT
lit by TORCHES now as the poet chants, stroking the LYRE...
DEMODOCUS (cont'd)
"The city was sacked and put to the
33.
sword. In time all the heroes that lived

returned to their homes and
destinies. It is now ten years again
since the Greek victory and only
princely Odysseus, cunning architect of
their triumph is unaccounted for,
MISSING, his wife abandoned for
TWENTY YEARS to a life of - "
ODYSSEUS
Stop.
He is standing in their midst, his eyes flooding TEARS.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
I beseech you.
They all look at him.
ALCINOUS
I see the tale affects you, friend.
NAUSICAA
Had you relatives in Troy?
Odysseus has to struggle for the words. Finally -
ODYSSEUS
I am that wretched man of whom you
sing. (off their looks) I am Odysseus.
CU DEMODOCUS' HANDS
slowly leave the STRINGS of the lyre...

34.
Stunned reactions from the GUESTS and SERVANTS.
NAUSICAA'S EYES
are popping from her head. Alcinous half rises -
ALCINOUS
Odysseus?
ODYSSEUS
Aye, Odysseus. Odysseus, the clever,
the cunning, the tale-teller, that man
"skilled in all ways of contending..."
Odysseus, who thought man the measure
of all things BECAUSE HE HAD WHAT
ANIMALS LACK - A BRAIN. God's gift
and for shame to ignore it...
He laughs bitterly.
The guests are sitting up at his declaration, amazed.
ALCINOUS
Odysseus...but... ten years! What
circumstance has so delayed your
return? And what brings you to our
shores, bereft of all you possess?
CU ODYSSEUS
he looks at the Princess NAUSICAA, her radiant young face, her eyes
wide with compassion, her lips parted... Finally:
ODYSSEUS
I could not tell the difference between
intelligence and wisdom.
35.
* THE WOODEN HORSE, towers over the burning city of Troy as we

PAN OVER TO WHERE
EXT. PLAINS OF TROY - NIGHT
*ALONE, Odysseus staggers drunkenly on the beach as the surf

washes over his feet. He is covered in BLOOD.
*ODYSSEUS
(shouting)
A man can do anything! ANYTHING! Do
you hear, O Gods? A man can forge his
own destiny. I DO NOT NEED YOU! I NEED
ONLY MY MIND!
He laughs, hiccoughs, takes another drink, and leans up against the

statue of the dead priest and his sons, twined about with sea
serpents.
The TIDE is IN; waves LAP the base of the statue. Odysseus slides
down the side of the statue, to where the surf mingles with the
BLOOD on his body...
In the TORCHLIGHT a SHADOW passes over him and he looks blearily

up. The SOUND OF THE WAVES FADES TO SILENCE...
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
Who's that?
VOICE
(a terrifying whisper)
Odysseus, you have offended me - ME,
that was your truest ally.
36.
ODYSSEUS
Who -
VOICE
I am Poseidon, Earth-shaker, lord of the
wine dark sea. You have blasphemed...
Odysseus squints, confused, disoriented. A giggle -
ODYSSEUS
(protesting)
But I took the city... I!
POSEIDON
With my help. Or have you forgot?
The SHADOW lengthens, rising impossibly HUGE, to blot out the

contorted features of the dead priest, frozen in stone.
POSEIDON (cont'd)
Without me to silence this priest and
his sons, your plan would have failed.
But you do not give thanks. A man is
nothing without the aid of God.
Odysseus, trying to sober up, wipes his mouth with the back of his
hand.
POSEIDON (cont'd)
Now attend as I pronounce your fate: for
your foolish pride, you never more shall
37.
reach your home. You shall be nothing

and nobody. No more shall you see your
wife and son. Obstacle upon obstacle
shall I heap in your path. The sea itself
shall do my bidding - and if you
overcome one hurdle I shall place
another behind it - until at last you and
all your followers join the army of the
dead in Hell.
As Odysseus stares in helpless terror, the SHADOW recedes. Almost

at his heels, HORDES of drunken Greeks, carrying all sorts of GOLD
and TREASURE, spill onto the beach, find him, cheer him and put him
on their shoulders, crying "ODYSSEUS!"
They carry him in triumph around the statue created by the God who
is now to be his nemesis as Troy BURNS behind them.
ODYSSEUS
(crying above the babble)
I am accursed!
One of his men, ELPENOR, (an immature 27 year old), on whose

shoulders he rides, hears.
ELPENOR
What?
ODYSSEUS
Poseidon has spoken to me. Here. Now. I
am condemned! All who follow me will
die.
ELPENOR
(laughs)
My lord, you are drunk!
38.
ODYSSEUS
I am doomed - so are you all...The sea
god has spoken.
PERIMEDES
(chubby, maybe 36)
My lord, no god has spoken here.
(laughing) It's just your imagination!
The word goes around to his drunken men: "Odysseus is imagining

things!" Under the circumstances, the idea convulses them. End on
Odysseus' dismayed features...
*ODYSSEUS' VOICE OVER

Drunk with triumph, my men paid no
heed to my warning...they could not
know that soon we would set sail for
Hell... As for my son, little Telemachus,
I could only imagine what sort of Hell
was to be his...
EXT. ODYSSEUS' PALACE COURTYARD - DAY
*Telemachus, aged ten (as we last saw him), is playing with small
WOODEN SOLDIERS in the SUNLIGHT entry way to the great
*THRONEROOM & BANQUETING HALL. The DOG is asleep.
As always, he wears the FADED RED HORSEHAIR NECKLACE...
A SHADOW falls across him and both look up, startled.
VOICE
Is your mother home?
39.
Telemachus squints up, trying to see. The DOG snarls...
TELEMACHUS POV
TWO YOUNG MEN (20's) smile down at him. They are handsome, well
dressed - but something is odd, perhaps it's a sort of casual
arrogance. Young nobility. One of them pets the dog.
TELEMACHUS
Who are you?
lst MAN
My name is Antinous...
The second man kneels with ominous intimacy before the boy.
2nd MAN
My name is Eurymachus. Yours is
Telemachus, isn't it?
TELEMACHUS
My father is the king.
Eurymachus, wide-eyed, makes a show of looking around.
EURYMACHUS
Is he now? The king, indeed? (smiles)
Where is he?
TELEMACHUS
He's - away.
Antinous kneels on his other side; pushes the dog away.

40.
ANTINOUS
Where are the king's men? There's none
here but nursemaids and grandfathers...
TELEMACHUS
They went to the war. With father.
ANTINOUS
Father's been gone a long time.
EURYMACHUS
Can you remember your father?
ANTINOUS
Can your mother remember him?
DOES she remember him?
EURYMACHUS
Perhaps he's dead.
ANTINOUS
(to Eurymachus)
After all this time? And in a war? Yes,
he must be dead. (to the boy) Do you
know what that makes your mother, my
son? It makes her a widow.
EURYMACHUS
A rich widow.
They look at each other.
ANTINOUS
I wonder what's for lunch.
41.
EXT. AN ISLAND - DAY
with Odysseus' SHIP nearing it...

Poseidon, lord of the wine dark sea
wasted no time in his campaign to
destroy me.
ON DECK
Odysseus, next to POLITES, (very thin; he's 40, a born pessimist)

stares at the island. Next to him is EURYLOCHOS, 40, a sober second
in command.
POLITES
I see nothing.
ODYSSEUS
(shades his eyes)
So much the better. We seek no trouble;
only food and fresh water.
SEVERAL SHOTS
Odysseus' ship approaches the island.
CU THE SAILORS' FACES
as they search for tell-tale signs. What is this place?

42.
EXT. BAY - DAY
Odysseus' ship drops its ANCHOR with an ECHOING SPLASH...
ON DECK
ODYSSEUS
Elpenor, pick ten men and we'll go
ashore. The rest stay aboard and make
ready to sail on the instant, should we
meet trouble.
He fetches forth a LEATHERN WINESKIN -
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
Let us take some sweet wine - we may
have to trade with the natives...
The men take their full WINESKINS...
EURYLOCHOS
How long will you be gone?
ODYSSEUS
(considers)
If we have not returned in three days,
you must sail without us.
Reactions to this.
ON THE ISLAND
Odysseus, Elpenor and the men, 12 in all, march off the beach, with
weapons and skins for water, baskets, etc. Polites shakes his head
43.
unhappily - a bad idea...
SEVERAL ANGLES
as they penetrate the interior of the island. It is mountainous,

craggy above the tree line. They look about.
ONE MAN stops, looks at the ground, eyes wide.
HIS POV
a SHEEP HOOF PRINT - only HUGE. His hand fits in it!
THE OTHERS LOOK
there are MANY HUGE SHEEP TRACKS.
lst MAN
Sheep.
2nd MAN
(looks around)
Where there's game there's water.
ELPENOR
(smiles; to Odysseus)
Mutton tonight.
ODYSSEUS
(frowns)
Whoever saw sheep this big?
They move on. Odysseus stops, looks -

44.
ABOVE THEM ON THE MOUNTAIN
the MOUTH OF A CAVE - also large...
Frowning, Odysseus waves his men forward towards it.
INT. CAVE - DAY
Cautiously, Odysseus and his men enter. The place is deserted but
inhabited - there is a LARGE BED of SKINS, IMPLEMENTS and
ENORMOUS SHEEP PENS. A HUGE CAMPFIRE SMOLDERS...
Neatly arranged are CHEESES and other supplies, stacked...
ELPENOR
Look - here's plenty for all. Let's seize
what we can and flee.
Wondering, Odysseus attempts to lift an ENORMOUS STAFF.
ELPENOR (cont'd)
(nervous)
Lord Odysseus..!
Suddenly a DISTANT RUMBLING is HEARD...
The men look at each other, bewildered. The GROUND BEGINS TO

SHAKE as the RUMBLING becomes ENORMOUS.
Odysseus tries to lead his men out of the cave, but they are
scattered by the arrival of a HERD OF GIANT FLEECY SHEEP. Their
BLEATINGS and BAAS ECHO, like elephants bellowing...
Before the men can recover and renew their attempts to escape, a
45.
ONE-EYED GIANT, twelve feet in height or more, enters the cave and
ROLLS a HUGE BOULDER across the cave mouth with a THUNDERING
NOISE, blocking the EXIT.
They are trapped.
Odysseus motions to his men and they do the best they can to
conceal themselves as the giant closes his SHEEP in their pens, and
throws huge LOGS to restoke his dying FIRE.
In the fire's GLARE he espies his visitors.
The ONE EYE in the middle of his forehead blinks, surprised.
GIANT
Who are you?
They don't answer, terrified by his BOOMING VOICE.
GIANT (cont'd)
You are pirates, come to rob me...
Odysseus steps forward, his empty hands outstretched.
ODYSSEUS
We are no pirates but soldiers returning
to our homes from the siege of Troy. A
storm has blown us from our course and
thrown us upon your mercy. In the name
of Zeus, king of the gods, we invoke
your hospitality.
The monster stares at him with his one baleful eye.

46.
GIANT
Zeus? King of the gods? I am
Polyphemous, son of Poseidon, Earth-
shaker and lord of the wine dark sea...
Odysseus takes this in, unhappily...
ODYSSEUS
Son of Poseidon -
POLYPHEMOUS
Even so, we Cyclops recognize no gods
but ourselves, for who are as mighty as
we? (pause, then, with elephantine
cunning) Where have you moored your
ship?
Elpenor starts to tell him but Odysseus is faster.
ODYSSEUS
Our ship is at the bottom of the ocean,
split apart by the storm which drove us
to your shores... These men alone have
survived the wrath of your mighty
father...
Polyphemous looks at Odysseus and his men.
POLYPHEMOUS
Not for long.
With one swift motion, he reaches out, GRABS TWO MEN and DASHES
OUT THEIR BRAINS on the rocks by his fire.
47.
CU ODYSSEUS and ELPENOR
eyes wide with shock. As they watch, Polyphemous EATS the TWO
DEAD men. All we HEAR is an awful CRUNCHING, then a resounding
BELCH. Odysseus and his men are stunned - it all happened so fast.
Polyphemous wipes his victims' juices off his mouth with the back
of his hand. He yawns. You don't want to look to closely at his
gaping mouth.
As Odysseus and his horrified companions watch, Polyphemous rolls

onto his furs and skins and soon goes to sleep.
Quietly Elpenor slides his SWORD out of its sheath. He starts

forward but Odysseus grabs him.
ODYSSEUS
Wait -
ELPENOR
What for? Breakfast? Now's our
chance!
ODYSSEUS
(frantic whisper; holds him)
Think. THINK! If we kill him, we will
never escape this place.
He points to the HUGE BOULDER blocking the cave mouth.
Elpenor is stunned. So are the rest of the men. They withdraw into a
frightened knot, leaving Odysseus to squat by the waning fire and
stare at his enemy, THINKING...

48.
It was a long night - made longer by the

melancholy prospect that I would die
horribly in this lonely
(cont'd)
place... and never lay eyes again on my
beloved wife and innocent son... that
Poseidon would win...
THE SUN APPEARS ON THE HORIZON
EXT. ODYSSEUS' SHIP - DAWN
The MEN watch the SUNRISE.
POLITES
Second day...
He follows Eurylochos' gaze to the hillside. No sign.
A BELCH OVER brings us back to -
CU A FINGER POPPING MORE FOOD INTO A MOUTH
WIDEN TO REVEAL
POLYPHEMOUS
finishing breakfast - two more of Odysseus' men.
CU ODYSSEUS' HORRIFIED FACE
more crunching sounds. The BELCH again.

49.
The SHEEP are now BLEATING NOSILY to go out. In response,

Polyphemous rises ponderously and goes to the STONE.
Odysseus watches carefully. There's a THUNDERING NOISE
and a SHAFT OF DAYLIGHT hits his face as Polyphemous ROLLS the

BOULDER away from the cave-mouth, but stands GUARD at the EXIT
as he shoos his HUGE SHEEP outside with piercing WHISTLES that
cause Odysseus and his remaining men to clap their hands over their
ears to protect them from the NOISE.
Then, grinning, he follows them, rolling the STONE in place and

stopping the mouth of the cave like a cork in a bottle.
SEVERAL OF THE MEN
sit crying, hopelessly. Odysseus walks about the cave, surveying the
same familiar objects. Elpenor stares at him.
ELPENOR
We are doomed.
ODYSSEUS
We still have our brains.
lst MAN
(bitter)
For how long?
ODYSSEUS
Athena, grey-eyed goddess, be my
50.
guide...
He instantly TRIPS on something: the HUGE STAFF he saw when they

arrived. He tries again to lift it; waves to his men.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
Help me. Quickly.
The seven remaining men and Elpenor help lift the staff.
ODYSSEUS
Bring it to the fire and heat the end -
ELPENOR
What for?
ON ODYSSEUS
ODYSSEUS
To make a sharp point.
Puzzled reactions to this, but
SEVERAL ANGLES
the staff end toasting in the fire and the men taking turns hacking at
it with their swords until they've whittled a sharp, hard, blackened
SPEAR tip. An exhausting day's work.
LATER
They are panting and frightened as the GROUND RUMBLES...
2nd MAN
51.
(terrified)
He's coming..!
ODYSSEUS
Quick - hide this.
The MEN pull the huge STAKE to one side and cover it with rushes as
THE BOULDER is pushed aside and the FLOCKS come BELLOWING in,
followed by Polyphemous, who rolls the STONE back...
Odysseus and his remaining men have little choice but to stand there
as the monster surveys them. It's going to be two for dinner - but
which two? Finally -
POLYPHEMOUS
Suppertime.
Odysseus, Elpenor and the men, tears streaming down their faces,
force themselves not to move. They are SHAKING...
Suddenly, as before, a HUGE HAND, snatches two of the men, one

them was our "lst MAN".
STAY ON ODYSSEUS and ELPENOR
as they force themselves to listen to the hideous CRIES and then the
CRUNCHING. Then silence, except the FIRE and the SHEEP and GOATS
giving out the occasional BLEAT. Finally -
ODYSSEUS
Perhaps you would like something to
wash down your food.
Off the giant's questioning look, Odysseus pours some of his WINE
52.
into a BUCKET and hands it to the giant, who swigs it down in an

instant. After a moment, he smiles.
POLYPHEMOUS
Good.
ODYSSEUS
Have some more.
*He motions to his men - they empty ALL THEIR WINE into a *VAT.
Impatiently the giant waits, then seizes the vat and downs the
entire contents with a GLUG. He hiccoughs, then -
POLYPHEMOUS
What is your name?
ODYSSEUS
(fractional pause)
Nobody.
POLYPHEMOUS
Nobody?
ODYSSEUS
(casual)
I am called Nobody. Mother, father,
friends - everyone calls me Nobody.
POLYPHEMOUS
Nobody - that wine was good. I shall
eat you last, Nobody.
ODYSSEUS
You are too kind.
53.
POLYPHEMOUS
You're funny.
ODYSSEUS
Am I?
Another staring contest, but the wine is potent; Polyphemous' eyelid

droops; he stares some more, than rolls over onto his back, pulling
ANIMAL SKINS over him.
Odysseus watches without expression. His five men gather next to

him, breathless. Everyone FREEZES. Then the giant begins to SNORE.
Still Odysseus waits. Then, he motions with his hand to bring forth
the stake -
THE FIRE
the TIP is re-immersed in the FLAMES until it GLOWS...
Odysseus nods, satisfied...
With great effort they extricate and position the STAKE, climbing
onto one of the GOAT PEN FENCES so that we are
ABOVE THE MONSTER'S CLOSED EYE
looking down at it, as Polyphemous moves in his sleep.

They FREEZE, fearful of discovery, but he does not wake.
Odysseus positions the point, like a DRILL. He looks at his men - they
at him. He nods...
With a mighty THRUST, they shove the STAKE directly down!

54.
BLOOD squishes up, covering Odysseus, followed by a SCREAM.
Polyphemous sits up, the STAKE sticking out of where his EYE used
to be. He tugs it from the smoking socket and his SCREAMS ricochet
off the walls as he staggers about, stumbling into his SHEEP PENS,
stampeding his flocks in the cave; the NOISE and CHAOS is
stupendous.
As Polyphemous thrashes wildly, Odysseus and his men must be

nimble to avoid being crushed by the monster or his HERD. One of the
MEN is TRAMPLED because he isn't fast enough.
EXT. CAVE - NIGHT
some distance away as can HEAR the BELLOWING. REVEAL
SEVERAL OTHER CYCLOPS
at their evening meal, reacting to the NOISE.
POLYPHEMOUS' VOICE
Help! Help me!
The CYCLOPS look at each other, puzzled.
CYCLOPS
(yelling)
Polyphemous? Polyphemous!
2nd CYCLOPS
(standing)
What has happened?
55.
POLYPHEMOUS' VOICE
(a wail of pain and fury)
I am blind! He has blinded me!
The Cyclops look at each other, puzzled...

CYCLOPS
WHO has blinded you?
POLYPHEMOUS
Nobody!! Nobody has blinded me!
lst CYCLOPS
Nobody??
POLYPHEMOUS
Nobody has blinded me! Ahhh..!
The Cyclops can't make it out, shrug, go back to their dinner,

mumbling "Nobody". The distant NOISES subside.
INT. POLYPHEMOUS' CAVE - NIGHT
Polyphemous crawls around on all fours, whimpering, clutching his

forehead where his eye used to be...
POLYPHEMOUS
Nobody - I'll get you, do yo hear me? If
it's the last thing I do, I'll get you...
Odysseus watches, impassive, says nothing to give his position

away.
THE HORIZON
56.
the SUN appears...
EXT. ODYSSEUS' SHIP - SUNRISE
Eurylochos and the rest of the CREW watch the SUN come up.
PERIMEDES
Third day.
POLITES
He said we should leave on the third
day...
EURYLOCHOS
(torn)
Not yet...
He looks over to the island... no sign...
INT. POLYPHEMOUS' CAVE - DAY
The SHEEP are BLEATING something FIERCE, crowding at the

entrance, wanting to get out as per their routine.
Polyphemous stands by the stone, unsure, his hands reaching out,

trying to find his mutilators.
POLYPHEMOUS
Nobody! Nobody, you'll stay here til you
rot. Do you hear me? Til you ROT.
Odysseus hears alright. He waits as Polyphemous reluctantly pushes

the STONE to one side. The SHEEP start out but Polyphemous stays by
the cave mouth, stroking each one, top and sides as it goes past...
57.
Odysseus shows his men what to do. They each take one of the fleecy
sheep and grab onto the wool from BELOW THE BELLY, allowing
themselves to be DRAGGED out past Polyphemous' inquiring hands on
inspection.
Odysseus grabs the belly of BIG RAM and goes last, looking up
anxiously...
HIS POV
traveling under the sheep as Polyphemous' HUGE FINGERS come NEAR,

blindly feeling, like tentacles from a GIANT SQUID...
POLYPHEMOUS
Ares, you are always first to leave the
cave - why are you last, today?
The RAM can only BLEAT, not give Odysseus away...
Once the RAM has passed, Polyphemous rolls the rock back.
POLYPHEMOUS
Nobody? Nobody? I can wait...
He sits there, the picture of grief...
EXT. POLYPHEMOUS' CAVE - DAY
as the SHEEP emerge, Odysseus and his men drop off their bellies,
standing, brushing themselves clean...
ODYSSEUS
Quick now, herd them to the ship before
they weigh anchor...
58.
SEVERAL ANGLES
as the FOUR remaining MEN, acting like sheep dogs, move the large
SHEEP downhill towards
ODYSSEUS' SHIP
where they are indeed sadly ready to make sail.
PERIMEDES
Look!
They see the SHEEP and Odysseus and four men only, running.
EURYLOCHOS
Where are the rest?
Odysseus drives one of the sheep aboard -
ODYSSEUS
All dead except for these. Weigh
anchor! Hurry!
INT. POLYPHEMOUS' CAVE - DAY
POLYPHEMOUS
(mutters to himself)
Are you hungry yet, Nobody? You will
be...
ODYSSEUS' VOICE
(from far off)
Can you hear me, son of Poseidon? It is
59.
I, Odysseus, who repaid your hospitality

by taking your eye!
Polyphemous straightens up, in SHOCK. With increasing speed, he

fumbles for the mouth of the cave; rolls back the STONE-
ODYSSEUS VOICE (cont'd)

Polyphemous! We have escaped your
clutches and you must know that it was
the King of Ithaka, who brought you low!
EXT. POLYPHEMOUS' CAVE - DAY
The monster emerges, turning his head in the direction of Odysseus'

VOICE. FAR BELOW Odysseus' ship is leaving the island and Odysseus
is yelling up from the deck...
ODYSSEUS
Polyphemous! Can you hear me? I am
ODYSSEUS! Tell your father I AM NOT
NOBODY!
Polyphemous, in a rage, pulls up an enormous ROCK..
ON ODYSSEUS' SHIP
Elpenor tries to restrain Odysseus.
ELPENOR
In heaven's name, my lord, do not
antagonize him. You've had your
victory...
60.

I would not listen. I was drunk with
foolish pride at my own cleverness and
rage against the monster...
ODYSSEUS
(in a frenzy)
He killed my men! And I have
repaid him! Polyphemous, where is your
eye? Is Odysseus wearing your eye?!
Tell your father!
OUTSIDE HIS CAVE
Polyphemous has heard the direction of the VOICE. He HURLS the

HUGE STONE DOWN in the DIRECTION OF ODYSSEUS' SHIP.
ODYSSEUS and HIS MEN
react to the sight of the huge ROCK hurtling towards them.
WIDE ANGLE
as the ROCK plunges into the sea BEHIND Odysseus' ship, the SPRAY
DRENCHING EVERYONE LIKE A TIDAL WAVE, we CUT TO:
INT. BANQUET HALL, ITHAKA - DAY
There are now SIX YOUNG MEN eating. Antinous and Eurymachus have
been joined by FOUR SIMILAR TYPES. They're having a good meal - as
little Telemachus watches with old (50) EUMAEUS, a shepherd, who
acts as the boy's protector.
61.
MELANTHE, now older, less innocent, less shy, reaches past

Eurymachos, to pour him some WINE; discreetly he squeezes her; she
smiles, allowing herself to be pawed...
Antinous, in the act of chewing, catches Telemachus staring at him.

(Around the boy's neck he still wears the FADED HORSEHAIR BRAID
NECKLACE.)
ANTINOUS
What are you looking at?
Telemachus says nothing. Eurymachus laughs.
EURYMACHUS
He's measuring you for your coffin.
ANTINOUS
(to Eurymachus)
Is that so?
He regards Telemachus unpleasantly.
ANTINOUS (cont'd)
Boy. Come here. COME HERE.
Telemachus is uncertain. Eumaeus rises.
EUMAEUS
The lad has done nothing. Leave him
alone.
ANTINOUS
Hold your tongue.
62.
EUMAEUS
When Lord Odysseus returns -
WHAM! In a flash Antinous has flung a LAMB BONE at the head of the
older man, cutting him open so he BLEEDS.
VOICE
That will do.
They look. It's Penelope. The men rise awkwardly.
EURYMACHUS
Your majesty, we -
ANTINOUS
(overlapping)
Majesty, this fool insulted me...
Penelope ignores them as she surveys the SIX MEN.
PENELOPE
(to the newcomers)
Also suitors to my hand?
An overlapping mumble of "Yes, your majesty..." her contempt for

them is withering. Finally -
PENELOPE
(without expression)
Come, Telemachus.
Obediently, Telemachus rises and trails his mother out of the room.
63.
ANTINOUS
(calls after her)
Your husband is dead, my lady...
She keeps walking.
EURYMACHUS
We will stay until you choose one of us
to sit on his throne...
ANTINOUS
...and lie in your bed..!
ON PENELOPE
she hesitates slightly in her step, then keeps walking.
PENELOPE
(to herself)
Then you will stay a long time.
The suitors' POV
Penelope and the little boy disappear down the hall.

All unaware of my poor wife's misery, I
redoubled my efforts to defy Poseidon's
curse and reach home...
SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
ODYSSEUS' SHIMMERING REFLECTION IN A POND. WIDEN TO REVEAL
EXT. A LARGE FRESH WATER POND - DAY

64.
a pleasant clearing on a green island...
Odysseus, with a large LEATHERN SACK is about to dip into the pond
for some water...
ODYSSEUS' VOICE OVER (cont'd)

We still needed fresh water. It was
while stopping to obtain some on an
uninhabited island, that I encountered a
rare piece of good fortune...
Odysseus stares into the clear WATER, but instead of his reflection
he sees that of a jovial grinning MAN...
Startled, Odysseus turns to see who is next to him. No one.
By the time he turns to look again at the water, the GRINNING MAN is
RISING UP OUT OF IT, LAUGHING and DRIPPING. He is Falstaffian in
appearance and temprement, bedecked with garlands and lily-pads...
GRINNING MAN
Did I startle you? Come, admit you
were startled.
ODYSSEUS
Entirely...
GRINNING MAN
I am Aeolus, King of the Winds. I was
fishing. This is my island. All winds
begin here, big and little, the tempests
and the breezes - I send them all on
65.
their way. You are trespassing. Did you

know that?
ODYSSEUS
I assure you, I did not. I am Odysseus,
king of Ithaka. After ten years' absence,
I seek only to reach my home once
more...
AEOLUS
(impressed)
Odysseus! That clever fellow who
dreamed up the wooden horse that
toppled the walls of Troy?
ODYSSEUS
(with irony)
That clever fellow...
AEOLUS
Who has not heard of your deeds - or
your cunning! But how is it that with
all your brains you alone, of all the
Greek princes, have not yet returned
home?
ODYSSEUS
I offended the lord of the wine dark sea,
Poseidon, and he has decreed that I
never see my wife or son again...
66.
AEOLUS
Poseidon - tush, that bully. My cousin.
I am not afraid of him. (confidential)
The sea is nothing without the wind to
move it. Did
you know that? (Odysseus shakes his
head). Well, let us see what we can do.
You've been away from your family long
enough. May I borrow that waterskin?
Odysseus hands him the large water bag.
AEOLUS (cont'd)
Now watch - we'll soon have you on your
way. You'll be home in no time.
He stretches forth one arm to the sky - his other he inserts into
Odysseus' SACK...
From the sky AEOLUS plucks DARK WIND CURRENTS and lets them
flow into his outstretched PALM and travel across his broad
shoulders INTO THE SACK - one WIND after another, as Odysseus
watches with amazed delight. Aeolus laughs hugely at his own
cleverness.
When ALL THE WINDS but one have descended into the SACK, Aeolus
straps the top TIGHT with a LEATHER THONG, kneeling on the
STRUGGLING WINDS to close the knot securely.
AEOLUS (cont'd)
There. I have left only the West Wind
free. In nine days it will blow you and
your ship to Ithaka.
67.
ODYSSEUS
How can I repay your kindness?
AEOLUS
Tush, giving me the chance to foil that
bullying cousin of mine is payment
enough. Good luck to you...
He steps into the pond as he say this and slowly sinks into it,
leaving Odysseus, bemused, looking for him there.
Not seeing him, Odysseus clutches the SACK, which is now quite
heavy, and lugs it towards the shore...
EXT. BEACH - DAY
as his men watch, Odysseus returns to the ship, dragging a LARGE

LEATHERN BAG. The men look at each other, curious.
ELPENOR
My lord, let us help...
They rush to assist him but he brushes them gruffly aside.
ODYSSEUS
Let go. I can manage...
Unceremoniously, he lugs the SACK past his wondering crew.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
(points)
See how the wind sits fair. Do not stand
idle; raise the sail and seize our
chance. Home, lads! HOME.
68.
With a shout the CREW races to obey.
SEVERAL SHOTS
of the SHIP getting underway and speeding in fair weather before a

brisk breeze. They are scudding along - DAY turns into SUNSET...
EURYLOCHOS
My lord, shall we trim the sail?
ODYSSEUS
(smiles)
She runs well enough and there's a clear
moon - keep her before the wind and let
her carry us to Ithaka.
POLITES
But in the dark, can you be sure -?
ODYSSEUS
Trust me.
Puzzled, the CREW obeys...
Odysseus sits in a chair on deck, next to the TILLER, one hand resting
on top of THE SACK... He looks about. All is in order. Satisfied, he
allows his eyes to close...
As the men work, they can't help looking at their chief, asleep, his
hand resting on the mysterious BUNDLE...
EXT. SEA - NIGHT
FAINT CANDLE and TORCHLIGHT REVEAL ODYSSEUS' SHIP holding

course beneath the tranquil moon...
69.

For eight days we sailed thus, our
progress home rapid and unimpeded. I
believed I had beaten Poseidon -
EXT. DECK - NIGHT
Odysseus, asleep, sits in his chair, his hand still on the SACK - as
several members of the CREW gather and study him.

There is something about intelligence
that inspires suspicion. That man who,
like a chessplayer, can think three
steps ahead, is viewed as calculating
and therefore cold, and therefore not
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
to be trusted. He engenders neither
affection nor faith. While I slept, my
intelligence fomented folly.
ELPENOR
(softly)
What's in the sack?
POLITES
Treasure...
PERIMEDES
Aye, he must be keeping it for himself...
70.
Eurylochos says nothing but it is clear that he too, is troubled by the

sack and Odysseus' protective hand on it.
EXT. HORIZON - DAWN
in the distance, an island, familiar, green...
EXT. ODYSSEUS' SHIP - DAWN
nearing the island...
POLITES
Look!
They crowd the gunwale and stare in happy disbelief.
PERIMEDES
Ithaka...
ELPENOR
Home...
EURYLOCHOS
Look - you can see morning fires on the
beach! The fishermen breakfasting! Hey!
HEY!!! HELLO! WE'RE HOME!!
True enough. They are close enough to home to see PEOPLE on the
BEACH burning wood and SMOKE coming from the interior. They are
home. They've made it.
MEN start to weep. Polites et al turn to tell Odysseus.
Odysseus stirs in his chair but doesn't wake. His hand is still on the
71.
bag. They look at each other; now or never...
PERIMEDES
At least let's see what's inside.
EURYLOCHOS
It's his.
ELPENOR
Ours.
PERIMEDES
We fought side by side with him for ten
years.
POLITES
Aye. We've gone every step of the way
with him and shared all the same risks...
Their logic seems irrefutable. They steal forward, Ithaka

tantalizingly close in the background, and creep close to where
Odysseus sleeps.
CU THEIR HANDS
gently extricating the SACK from beneath Odysseus' limp hand.

Struggling with the difficult KNOT, eager fingers pluck it apart.
The MEN are gaping with greedy anticipation.
CU THE TOP OF THE BAG OPENED
and WHOOSH! - A STRONG CURRENT of DARK AIR ERUPTS, sending

them falling backwards with CRIES of surprise and ALARM -
72.
The COMMOTION wakes Odysseus, who looks around, even as the BAG
continues to ERUPT with DARK SWIRLING SHAFTS OF AIR.
ODYSSEUS
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?
He tries desperately to close the SACK but the eruptions are too
strong. More and different winds are ESCAPING..! Their force throws
Odysseus to the deck.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
Fools. You FOOLS!
The WINDS ARE ALREADY SWIRLING INTO CHAOS, the SKY DARKENING,
THE SAIL LUFFING MADLY. RAIN, THEN LIGHTNING, THUNDER - and
whole ball of wax as the ship is overtaken by contrary elements.
As the terrified men watch, their ship is seized, turned hither and
thither - TWO MEN THROWN OVERBOARD - and sent scudding in the
OPPOSITE DIRECTION, the SAIL RIPPING, OARS SNAPPING - all the
storms at sea rolled into one...
The CREW'S attempts to shorten sail, to pull OARS - all quite

useless...
The SAIL with ATHENA'S IMAGE is ripped in pieces...
EXT. SEA - DAY
The huge STORM tosses Odysseus' SHIP like a bobbing cork.
ON DECK
73.
Odysseus directs his terrified CREW. FOUR MEN clutch the RUDDER;
others work at furling the SAIL; others use OARS to keep up some
way and so stay in some control.
ODYSSEUS
Pull! PULL..!
The MEN strain at the OARS, terrified...
SUPPLIES, ANIMALS etc. get BLOWN or WASHED overboard!
Also THREE MORE MEN, screaming as they are swept away - the
storm continues to LASH the wretched ship...
SEVERAL ANGLES
of the tempest, then through the clouds on the HORIZON, a distant

ISLAND... Odysseus sees it; points...
DISSOLVE TO:
LATER
the storm is abating, the ISLAND getting nearer...
SEVERAL ANGLES
the storm subsiding into an eerie stillness as Odysseus' ship nears

the island...
EXT. COVE - DAY

74.
HIGH POV DOWN
as Odysseus' ship enters the little bay...
EXT. COVE - DAY
CU THE PROW of ODYSSEUS' SHIP
gently nudges into the sandy beach - a natural harbor, pretty and
sheltered. Silence. Almost unnatural silence after all the roar of the
tempest...
RISE FROM THE HULL
to the gunwales, where Odysseus and his men look over the side,
trying to make out where they are... Finally -
ODYSSEUS
Wait here.
Seizing a SPEAR, he leaps onto the sand. The CREW shouts protests,
frantically waving him to come back.
PERIMEDES
In heaven's name, my lord, do not
endanger yourself - !
EURYLOCHOS
(overlapping)
Remember our dead comrades..!
POLITES
(overlapping)
75.
Should anything happen to you...
ODYSSEUS
DO WHAT I SAY.
Chastened, they watch him set out, their faces frozen...
SEVERAL ANGLES
as Odysseus explores. The island seems pretty flat, in contrast to

Polyphemous' home. It is also densely WOODED.
A LARGE BRILLIANTLY COLORED BIRD
startles Odysseus with a sudden appearance and a MOURNFUL CRY.

Odysseus tries to move forward but the bird flaps its wings in his
face, crying dolefully. Puzzled, Odysseus looks about in other
directions -
Perceiving a LARGE TREE, he elects to climb it. The colorful bird

leaves, still cawing...
SEVERAL ANGLES
of Odysseus' climb, until he is way up and able to look...
HIS POV
the island appears deserted - but wait: there's a COLUMN OF SMOKE

floating tranquilly up from the center of the woods.
ODYSSEUS
studies the smoke. A NOISE STARTLES him. He looks down -

76.
HIS POV
below him a HUGE STAG stares directly up at him.
Odysseus smiles and hefts his SPEAR. The stag looks sadly up at him
but makes no move to flee. Odysseus throws straight and true; the
spear STRIKES the animal with a THUD.
CU HANDS SCRAPING
desperately at a SHELLFISH... WIDEN TO REVEAL
EXT. COVE- DAY
THE CREW unsuccessfully scavenges for seafood near their beached

ship. A SOUND directs their attention to where-
EXT. COVE - DAY
Carrying the stag on his shoulders, Odysseus emerges from the

woods to the beach. His men CHEER at the sight of him, running to
help him with their meal... forget clams!
LATER - SUNSET
camped on the beach, the stag roasts on a spit and the men eat
gratefully. Odysseus surveys them and his handiwork proudly; their
morale is coming back as their stomachs fill.
EURYLOCHOS
Delicious...
77.
POLITES
I never tasted better...
PERIMEDES
We must hunt for more...
ODYSSEUS
I saw smoke.
QUICK REACTIONS
from the men, alarmed.
POLITES
Smoke?
ODYSSEUS
(nods)
In the woods. Someone lives here.
EURYLOCHOS
Let them not know of us, my lord.
ELPENOR
Aye, remember the Cyclops...
ODYSSEUS
THINK. What choice have we? How do
we find our way home unless we can
determine where we are? (off their
looks) There are forty of us
78.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
yet remaining. Tomorrow we will
divide ourselves in two groups. One
party will stay with the ship -
POLITES
And the other?
ODYSSEUS
Will investigate the smoke. In that way,
should some evil befall, half of us
should still be able to flee this place.
(before they can speak) If you had
trusted me, we would not be here.
He walks off, leaving his men to commiserate.
PERIMEDES
(sadly)
I just want to go home.
POLITES
What do you think HE wants? (they look
at him, alone on the beach) He has a
wife and son he's never seen but once.
He longs for them as we long for our
families...had we been less greedy we
would be there now.
They know it. The sun BLEEDS on the horizon...
CU ODYSSEUS
stares out at the TWILIGHT, just a hint of BLUE-RED. Where's his

79.
family? What has become of Penelope and Telemachus?
CU TWO STONES
shaking inside ODYSSEUS' HELMET - one BLACK, one WHITE.
WIDEN TO REVEAL
EXT. ODYSSEUS' SHIP - DAY
the MEN watch as Odysseus swirls the clacking STONES about in his
helmet...
ODYSSEUS
Black means go; white means stay. (he
faces Eurylochos) Close your eyes.
Eurylochos closes his eyes and reaches into the helmet.
CU EURYLOCHOS' HAND OPENING
holds THE BLACK STONE. His face goes pale.
LATER
Odysseus and his half the CREW watch somberly as Eurylochos leads
Polites, Elpenor and their reluctant troop off the beach.
EXT. THE WOODS - DAY
as Eurylochos' men wait beneath another large tree, looking up to

where Eurylochos is climbing.
ELPENOR
80.
Can you see it?
EURYLOCHOS
I see it.
He shimmies down, rapidly, waves them cautiously forward.
SEVERAL ANGLES
of the anxious men edging their way through the woods. One sniffs -
the smell is pleasant.
lst CREWMAN
Smell. Smell that?
2nd CREWMAN
Smells like...
3rd CREWMAN
Roast pork...
They sniff the pleasant aroma. One grins...
4th CREWMAN
Someone is dining well. Come on.
They move forward with renewed energy. SUDDENLY POLITES freezes,

his eyes wide with fright.
POLITES
Look!
A LION
81.
right in front of them. Almost before they can react -
ELPENOR
Over there!
A BEAR
Now the men whirl about; they are surrounded by ANIMALS. Lions,
Bears, Pigs.
The ANIMALS are closing in on the MEN, but they behave oddly. They
do not menace the men, nor do they growl; instead they appear
friendly, fawning, servile, even.
A LION brushes up against Polites, quite docile.
A BEAR'S PAW
gently touches Eurylochos' face...eye-to-eye contact.
A BOAR
rubs up against Elpenor like a cat...
A WOLF
trots up like a dog and licks one of their HANDS...
And from ALL, a kind of MEWING, moaning sound.
The men look at each other, dumbfounded.
EURYLOCHOS
82.
(quietly)
Forward...
The men move forward, surrounded by the ANIMALS, who trot

amiably alongside like pets, TAILS wagging, towards
A WHITE MARBLED PALACE
glimpsed through the woods. The men react to its beauty - and the
SMOKE rising from the chimney. Eurylochos is uneasy.
EURYLOCHOS
Let us return to the ship...
POLITES
Why? That is no cave of horrors. No
Cyclops lives here...
ELPENOR
(on the contrary)
Someone is preparing a feast.
Murmurs of assent from the men. Reluctantly Eurylochos goes

forward, looking anxiously about... the ANIMALS following...
SEVERAL ANGLES
the magnificent villa REVEALS ITSELF in layers of successive detail

to the advancing men.
They now travel paths lined with GORGEOUS FLOWERS...
POLITES
Surely we have entered paradise...
83.
EXT. A COLUMNED HOUSE - DAY
in a clearing as the men arrive. The villa is white, palatial, covered

with freize-work and marbled terracing... everything is beautiful...
how came it here?
Emerging from the house, also in white, is a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN. She

has luxuriant DARK HAIR, wreathed in GOLD...
She is neither frightened of the animals nor surprised by the sight of

the TWENTY MEN. She strokes the mane of a LION.
WOMAN
I bid you welcome.
They can only gape.
WOMAN (cont'd)
Be not afraid. I am called Circe. (no
response from the surprised men)
Should I fear YOU?
POLITES
You need not fear us. We are the men of
Lord Odysseus, returning home to Ithaka
from Troy...
Circe claps her hands. ATTRACTIVE WOMEN SERVANTS appear,

carrying TOWELS, FRESH CLOTHING...
CIRCE
Noble gentlemen, please avail
yourselves of my poor hospitality.
Inside is food and drink - all you can
84.
consume after your perils and

privations at war and on the sea. (they
hesitate) Please. My house is yours. I
long for guests.
Her graceful outstretched arms are too irresistible an invitation.

The men go forward and follow her inside, murmuring thanks and
wonderment at their good fortune -
EXCEPT EURYLOCHOS
who flattens himself against a tree, suspicious, and watches from

his hidden vantage point. After the men enter the house, Circe
returns and rudely SHOOS the ANIMALS away, talking to them in an
indecipherable tongue... scourging them with an IVORY stick...
Sadly the ANIMALS return in different directions to the forest. A

Lion walks forlornly past his hiding place...
INT. CIRCE'S BANQUET HALL - DAY
The men enter and gape at the sight. TWENTY TWO GOLDEN CHAIRS
and place settings await them. A feast laid on.
CIRCE
Seat yourselves, noble travelers...
They don't need to be told twice, but head for the chairs.
EXT. CIRCE'S VILLA - DAY
From his concealment, Eurylochos tries to make sense of it all.

85.
What can this mean? He goes back to looking at the house, where a
FEAST is underway. He can see the MEN being served by the WOMEN.
SOUNDS of LAUGHTER and increasing BOISTEROUSNESS from within.
INT. CIRCE'S BANQUET HALL - DAY
Presiding at the head of the table, smiling, Circe watches.
The MEN are loosening up fast, drinking WINE as quickly as the

Women can pour it for them, dribbling it, grabbing for the delicious
FOOD, their clumsy, greedy fingers making a fine mess of all the
beautifully prepared delicacies.
POLITES
Um...delicious...
He belches.
ELPENOR
(another belch)
I could eat such food forever...
More belching from various quarters.
Circe smiles at her Serving Women. They smile back. When the
Women pass her with their WINE PITCHERS, she sprinkles A BLUE
POWDER in them... nobody notices...
SEVERAL SHOTS
Eurylochos' men pigging out. Food smeared everywhere...
INT. ITHAKA BANQUET/THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
ANTINOUS & EURYMACHUS, PLUS 18 MORE SUITORS

86.
a TOTAL of TWENTY, doing the same thing, gorging themselves,

looking much like Odysseus' men, making pigs of themselves at
Circe's...
They are raucous and MELANTHE now is quite brazen, no longer the
innocent girl scrubbing the walls. And she is not the only YOUNG
SERVING WOMAN who now allows herself to be fondled... WHOOPS OF
LAUGHTER as these "suitors" begin making love to the servants on
the food-covered tables...
MELANTHE
(laughing)
Oh, yes... yes..!
CU PENELOPE'S HANDS
hesitating at her LOOM, as Melanthe's LAUGHTER ECHOS from below.
WIDEN TO REVEAL
INT. PENELOPE'S CHAMBER - NIGHT
Penelope at her ENORMOUS LOOM. Penelope stares at her dream.
PENELOPE'S POV THE HUGE TAPESTRY
a beautiful work: Odysseus being blessed by Athena, also his SHIP -

all intricately designed, even to the missing piece of horsehair
plume on her husband's helmet. She's an artist.
Anticleia, Odysseus' MOTHER, sits stiffly in one corner, dressed in
87.
black, motionless.
In another corner, Eurycleia, the nurse, mends clothing.
MORE LAUGHTER.
Standing in the doorway, slightly older, Telemachus.
TELEMACHUS
Why do you permit them?
Long pause. Penelope does not move.
ANTECLEIA
She cannot prevent them.
Another pause. The boy turns and leaves.
Penelope whirls to the floor and buries her head in her mother-in-
law's lap, sobbing.
PENELOPE
He is dead.
Anticleia stays rigid; stiffly strokes Penelope's hair.
ANTICLEIA
He said he would return.
PENELOPE
He is dead.
ANTICLEIA
You must pray that he is not.
88.
PENELOPE
I have prostrated myself before Zeus to
intercede on his behalf...
EURYCLEIA
(abruptly)
Not Zeus. (off their looks) It is not
power your husband worships, but
wisdom...
Penelope lifts her face up at this, thinking. MORE LAUGHTER from

below.
PENELOPE
(wooden)
Swine.
The sound of a SNORT OVER -
INT. CIRCE'S HOUSE - DAY
Odysseus' men are now completely besotted. The hilarity and gorging
is at its height... food thrown back and forth - you can hear the
occasional SNORTING...
Slowly Circe RISES, an enigmatic smile playing about her features.

She lifts her IVORY WAND from her place setting.
Walking unnoticed, she taps first ONE MAN, then another, on the
shoulder, working her way genteelly around the table, always
smiling...
On the MEN -
89.
BRISTLES APPEAR...
A NOSE disappears into a goblet but emerges as a SNOUT...
ARMS BECOME FORE-TROTTERS AND PAWS...
EARS BECOME POINTED...
BACKS BENT...
CLOTHING RIPS...
VOICES BECOME OINKS...
Before our eyes and before the eyes of the astonished (hidden)
Eurylochos, Circe's guests metaMORPHose into PIGS.
The men register astonishment, dismay - but it is too late. They
regard one another with HORROR as they witness their own
transformation...
Circe and her servants shake their heads and laugh aloud.
As Eurylochos watches in disbelief, Circe and her maids rudely shoo

the GRUNTING PIGS out of her house and around the corner, scourging
their pig behinds with her wand...
Eurylochos stealthily manages to follow so he can SEE
THE PIGS herded into filthy STYS behind the house...
Laughing, Circe and her maids scatter ACORNS before them...
Eurylochos has seen enough. He starts to RUN. And run! AND RUN! He
90.
tears through the woods, tripping, falling, scrambling up again,

HOWLS of fear bubbling up his throat as trees, bushes and rocks go
headlong past his mad flight...
PENELOPE'S VOICE OVER

To thee, grey-eyed Goddess of Wisdom...
CU STATUE OF ATHENA
looking down in her temple to the prone Penelope.
PENELOPE (cont'd)
...I make supplication. I do not know if
my lord be alive or whether he sleeps
with the dead in Hades. Tell me only
that he lives, and living spare him for
my eyes. Protect him. Shield him from
harm. Send him back to me and to his
son. For the sake of our love do this...
CU BUST OF ATHENA
who appears to be listening...
EURYLOCHOS' VOICE OVER

(gasping for breath)
...and then, as I watched, she -
EXT. ODYSSEUS' SHIP - NIGHT
by torchlight, Odysseus listens to tearful Eurylochos GASP out his

tale. The other men crowd round.
EURYLOCHOS (cont'd)
91.
....struck them about the shoulders with

her ivory wand and changed them into
hogs. Polites, Elpenor -ALL! Now they
dine on acorns..!
Incredulous reactions from the men; Odysseus listens.
EURYLOCHOS (cont'd)
(crying now; sobbing)
On my life I swear this. The animals we
encountered along our way, the very
stag we ate last night - all MEN, under
her evil enchantments...
REACTIONS FROM THE MEN
to what they ate last night...
Odysseus studies Eurylochos, then pours him some WINE, which the
wretched man gulps down. Odysseus rises decisively.
EURYLOCHOS
Where are you going?
He's asking for all of them.
ODYSSEUS
To rescue my men.
A CHORUS of PROTESTS as Eurylochos jumps up and lays a desperate

hand on Odysseus' arm, beseechingly.
EURYLOCHOS
My lord, you are our king. If you desert
92.
us now you will not escape Circe's fate

and without you none of us shall see our
homes again.
70.
ODYSSEUS
(simply)
I am king of you all.
EXT. WOODS - NIGHT
illumined by the MOON, Odysseus moves through the magical night. He

passes a TREE but after he goes by a SLENDER MAN emerges from
behind it, SILVER-HUED in the moonlight. He wears a WINGED CAP
and short CLOAK. In one hand, he holds a STAFF topped by TWO
SMALL WRITHING SNAKES...
SLENDER MAN
Odysseus, lord of Ithaka...
Odysseus turns, slightly surprised. He just passed this tree; where

was the man?
ODYSSEUS
Who calls my name?
SLENDER MAN
One sent by your patroness, the grey-
eyed Goddess...
Odysseus looks at his FEET - WINGS protrude from his ankles.

93.
*ODYSSEUS
You are Hermes, messenger of the Gods.
HERMES
You know what lies before you? Are you in
such a hurry to meet your fate?
ODYSSEUS
(heavily)
I have already met my fate.
HERMES
Still clever, but not yet wise, I see. You
must learn the difference between Fate
and Faith.
Hermes bends down and plucks a PLANT from the ground.

HERMES (cont'd)
(proffers the plant)
Here is an herb called Moly, whose
medicine will protect you from the
magic of the sorceress. Use it and
remember your patroness from whom it
comes.
CU THE SPRIG
as Odysseus' hand reaches to take it in the moonlight.
ODYSSEUS
What must I do?
HERMES
Before you eat or drink from Circe's
94.
hands, chew the leaf and no harm will

come to you...
He falls into step with Odysseus. They pass another TREE.
ODYSSEUS
And then?
HERMES
And then you must take her to bed.
ODYSSEUS
Make love to her?
HERMES
Else she'll betray you unto death...
ODYSSEUS
But I cannot...
But Hermes doesn't reappear on the other side of the tree. Odysseus,
startled, backtracks - no sign of the messenger.
By MOONLIGHT, Odysseus studies the herb, turning the leaf, then
tucking into the breastplate of his armor...
ODYSSEUS
I thank thee, Goddess...
SEVERAL ANGLES
of Odysseus' progress through the woods towards the VILLA and the
tantalizing SMOKE.
EXT. CIRCE'S VILLA - NIGHT

95.
She's out there, motionless. Not surprised by him. All around her,
still as statues - LIONS, BEARS, WOLVES, BOARS.
CIRCE
I have been waiting for you, great
Odysseus.
ODYSSEUS
For how long?
CIRCE
(easily)
All my life. Your coming was foretold
by my dreams. (smiles) And by your men.
Odysseus surveys the menagerie briefly...
ODYSSEUS
Where ARE my men?
CIRCE
Asleep. They were hungry. And tired.
So I fed and sheltered them.
ODYSSEUS
(smiles back)
I am hungry, too. Will you feed me?
CIRCE
It will be my pleasure.
She takes his arm and leads him into the house - the animals watch
them go with glittering eyes - a LION SHEDS A TEAR...
96.
INT. CIRCE'S VILLA - NIGHT
Gone are the TWENTY GOLD CHAIRS and THE LONG TABLE. The set has
in effect between re-dressed. A SMALL TABLE with TWO INTIMATELY
CONJOINED CHAIRS has been lavishly set - FOR TWO. Candle light
gleams and the aura is intimate and romantic.
Circe leads Odysseus to one of the chairs. He sits, throws one leg
over a chair arm and watches as she makes him comfortable ...pours
him WINE - surreptitiously adding a dose of BLUE POWDER to it... He
studies her appreciatively.
ODYSSEUS
Tell me how it is that so beautiful a
woman lives alone here on this deserted
isle?
She sets a plate of FOOD before him...
CIRCE
(shrugs)
A matter of choice, I assure you. I have
given up all hope of meeting the man of
my dreams. I find most men are beasts.
Or pigs. Do you object to my candor?
As her back is turned to get the WINE, Odysseus pulls out the LEAF
and chews it.
97.
ODYSSEUS
On the contrary. Candor to me is as rare
as fine wine.
This as she proffers him a handsome GOBLET.
CIRCE
Here is the finest.
She takes another for herself, twines her arm into his so that they
drink with arms linked. Her lips glisten with sensuality and
anticipation...
CIRCE (cont'd)
Your very good health...
ODYSSEUS
(drinks; savors)
Unusual vintage...
CIRCE
Unique...
ODYSSEUS
(another swallow)
Potent...
CIRCE
(breathless)
You've no idea...
This woman is most attractive. She watches tenderly, lovingly, as

Odysseus begins to eat. Notices -
98.
ODYSSEUS
You do not join me?
CIRCE (cont'd)
I have already dined. (notices) You eat
no pork?
ODYSSEUS
Forgive me: I have taken a vow to
consume no meat of any kind - but of all
else I gladly partake.
He eats with gusto, drinks some more, ignoring her as she stealthily
produces her ivory WAND and subtly strokes his shoulder with it,
kissing his neck amorously at the same time... her whisper belies the
meaning of her words...
CIRCE
(softly)
Go to your sty - wallow there with your
friends...
He ignores her, goes on eating. Nothing happens. Circe's eyes widen

in alarm. She moves to back off -
In a flash Odysseus is up, grabs her by her luxuriant tresses and

shoves the point of his SWORD to her breast, knocking over the table
and its seductive finery...
ODYSSEUS
Beautiful Circe, the man of your dreams
has come.
CIRCE
(terrified)
99.
You - you are not changed..!
ODYSSEUS
It is you who will be changed.
He makes to run her through, pressing the SWORD...
CIRCE
Spare me, I beg you. Whatever you wish,
if it is within my power I will do it..!
ODYSSEUS
Undo the enchantments of all your
victims or I sacrifice you on the spot to
great Athena.
He forces the terrified woman to the ground where she clasps his
legs in supplication and tears...
CIRCE
Alas, I cannot undo ALL my
enchantments, for most have long since
taken root...
Odysseus pulls her up by the hair -
ODYSSEUS
My men, then - and all of them, or you
die.
Off her look -
CU A YELLOW POWDER
100.
strewn into a LONG PIGS' TROUGH
WIDEN TO REVEAL
EXT. THE STYS - NIGHT
Odysseus holds a TORCH high and watches as Circe adds the YELLOW
antidote to their feed...
The PIGS see Odysseus and hasten to him SQUEALING so LOUDLY that
he must cover his ears for the awfulness of the SOUND.
CIRCE
(gently)
Eat. Eat...
After a moment's hesitation, they plunge in and start scarfing down.

Odysseus watches. The NOISE they make is disgusting. Then his eyes
widen -
The TWENTY PIGS at the TROUGH slowly change back into MEN,
standing erect, naked, and clean, their own eyes wide with
wonderment and wet with TEARS... they stare at their hands.
At each other...
Odysseus himself weeps at the sight, looks over at Circe -
The enchantress herself is moved. Her eyes fill with TEARS and she
stares at Odysseus -
INT. CIRCE'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT

101.
Odysseus and Circe make passionate love. Odysseus is still crying...
LONG DISSOLVE TO:
DOUBLE EXPOSURE - as Odysseus and Circe make love -
EXT. COVE - DAY
THE RESTORED CREW
runs down joyfully to their COMRADES on Odysseus' beached ship.

Those left behind, run screaming and laughing forward to welcome
back the men they had assumed lost forever. The reunion of these
hardy mariner/soldiers is most touching.
Eurylochos stares with wonder and disbelief, eyes filled.

DISSOLVE BACK TO:
INT. CIRCE'S BEDCHAMBER - DAY
Odysseus and Circe lie spent together. She is asleep, satiated. His
eyes are open, staring up. She realizes.
CIRCE
You dream of home.
ODYSSEUS
Are you seer as well as sorceress?
CIRCE
(sadly)
A woman in love requires no such
magical powers.
102.
ODYSSEUS
To what sad destiny have I abandoned
my wife and son?
CIRCE
(identifying; sorrowful)
What is the name of your wife?
ODYSSEUS
Penelope. I shall never see her again;
the God Poseidon has decreed my fate.
CIRCE
If it is your fate, why do you struggle
against it?
ODYSSEUS
That too is my fate. To struggle.
(thinks) Perhaps it is the fate of all
men. Perhaps we are all doomed to
struggle.
CIRCE
(tenderly)
I heard Odysseus was a clever man. I
had not heard he was a wise one.
ODYSSEUS
(sadly)
Wisdom has been forced upon me. The
lessons that life teaches are hard but
they will be learned.
CIRCE
(thinks; looks at him)
103.
I could not love a man til I met you. And

I know I cannot keep you. Knowing this,
will you trust me?
He looks at her.
ODYSSEUS
I will trust you...
CU A LOTUS BLOSSOM. WIDEN TO REVEAL
INT. CIRCE'S BANQUET TABLE - NIGHT
ALL of Odysseus' men are seated. In front of each man a GOLD PLATE.
On each plate is a LOTUS BLOSSOM. They look at her.
CIRCE
(smiles)
Trust...
They look at Odysseus. After a moment's hesitation, he eats the

flower. They all do the same. Silence. Nothing changes...
CIRCE (cont'd)
(to Odysseus)
What is your name?
ODYSSEUS
My name? My name is...(he struggles
with a smile to recall)... Nobody?
Circe turns to Elpenor.
CIRCE
And yours?
104.
ELPENOR
I - don't know...
He doesn't seem bothered by the fact - just bemused.
CIRCE
(to Eurylochos)
Where have you come from?
Eurylochos starts to answer, smiles gently, throws up his hands.

She turns to Polites...
CIRCE (cont'd)
Where were you going?
POLITES
Going..?
None of them can remember. Circe rises...
CIRCE
Before you resume your journey you all
need rest. The Lotus Blossom will help
you. In the meantime, my house, my
goods, all are at your disposal for as
long as you wish...
CU THE LOTUS
MUSICAL MONTAGE -
The pleasant passage of time on Circe's enchanted isle.
Odysseus and his men GALLOP HORSES, riding through FIELDS of

105.
MULTI-HUED FLOWERS... they run laughing along SANDY BEACHES

....walk through the enveloping FOREST and admire the sunlight
dappling through the leaves; remark on the plumage of beautiful
BIRDS... Circe takes the arm of Odysseus, and smilingly points out
the dreamy wonders of her home.

And so we rested... time passed and we
had no thought of it... the seasons
changed and we rejoiced to witness the
colors altering, and also the sky...
As he describes, LEAVES turn color, so does the SKY... TIME is

PASSING...WINTER COMES with CHEERFUL FIRES and SONGS...
Odysseus and his men are relaxed and happy; they interact with the
maid-servants in respectful ways; they help cook...

...and finally came the SPRING!
FLOWERS BURST THEIR BUDS, BIRDS FLY BACK, TREES PUT FORTH
GREEN SHOOTS and Odysseus and his men hold FOOT RACES in FULL
ARMOR on the BEACH... it's good to stretch!
Laughing at the end of his race, Odysseus pulls off his HELMET...
something startles him... he looks:
CU HIS HAND
has found the place on his helmet which is missing a chunk of

HORSEHAIR PLUME. His fingers tentatively explore the gap.
PAN UP TO ODYSSEUS' FACE

106.
as he tries to remember...
CU THE HORSEHAIR BRAID NECKLACE
still worn around Telemachus' neck. WIDEN TO REVEAL
EXT. ITHAKA - DAY
Telemachus must be fifteen, but he still wears his father's emblem

as he practices throwing JAVELINS at a target as old Eumaeus
coaches him. Nearby the OLD DOG pants in the sun...
EUMAEUS
Good! Good!! You have your father's gift!
For a moment the youth seems pleased, but then, as he fetches his
SPEARS out of their TARGETS, his eyes fall to the scene BELOW...
HIS POV
on the BEACH there must now be FIFTY SUITORS, reveling, turning a

BOAR on spit. It's spring in Ithaka as well and the display is a
continuation of the on-going orgy of sex and the depletion of King
Odysseus' goods.
Eumaeus comes up behind Telemachus and they watch together.
TELEMACHUS
What good is one spear against fifty?
He stomps disconsolately off, leaving Eumaeus with no answer, to

gaze angrily down at the beach party...
107.
ON THE HILL ATOP ITHAKA
Odysseus' favorite spot. Penelope stands, gazing to the horizon. She

turns when Telemachus appears.
TELEMACHUS
I've been thinking...
PENELOPE
(smiles)
A family trait...
TELEMACHUS
Mother, you must think, too. They grow
more numerous and more bold.
They will eat us out of house and home.
Our flocks, our herds... they will
consume my father's kingdom and my
birthright. Think. What would father
do?
ON PENELOPE
only now we WIDEN TO REVEAL
*INT. BANQUET/THRONE ROOM - EVENING
Penelope is on the THRONE, dressed in full regalia.
PENELOPE
I have made my decision.
REVERSE REVEALS
108.
the FIFTY SUITORS, swaying in from their party, startled by

the sight of her on the throne, in command. They are HEAVIER.
ANTINOUS
You have chosen one of us to wed?
His arm is around Melanthe, who giggles defiantly at her mistress.
PENELOPE
I have in my chamber a tapestry on
which I labor. It is the funeral shroud of
my husband. When that shroud is
complete I will make my choice.
They are slow to take it in, then LEOCRITUS, another of the suitors
smiles.
LEOCRITUS
You have worked long at that tapestry.
It must be nearly finished.
Penelope says nothing. Another Suitor -
AMPHINOMUS
Or why else would you mention it?
Penelope remains inscrutable, then rises and pushes through them.

They still are intimidated enough to part for her.
LEOCRITUS
(joyful to the others)
Soon. SOON!
Laughter behind her. From the doorway, Telemachus watches, then

withdraws - but not before Antinous and Eurymachus see.
109.
ANTINOUS
That cub is growing teeth.
EURYMACHUS
Aye - he bears watching...
CU PENELOPE'S HANDS
at work. She is UN-WEAVING her tapestry by TORCHLIGHT, pulling it

apart... Penelope is unraveling Odysseus...
WIDEN TO REVEAL
as Telemachus watches approvingly. He absently touches the

necklace at his throat -
CU ODYSSEUS
looks up suddenly from his helmet. He remembers. Looks out to sea

and the fine line of an anonymous horizon...
ODYSSEUS
Penelope...
He turns off the beach as his men watch, wondering.
CU THE CREW IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS
as one by one, they too blink with returning memory... Questions in

their expressions - how long have they been here? Where are they?
INT. CIRCE'S BEDCHAMBER - DAY

110.
Circe emerges from her bath, glistening like Aphrodite from the sea,
as Odysseus enters, still in his armor. She smiles.
CIRCE
My love...
Seeing his expression, her smiles fades. She realizes.
CIRCE (cont'd)
(tears forming)
The spell of the Lotus is broken.
ODYSSEUS
(kneels beside her)
You have given me rest. Now that rest
is over.
She falls sobbing on his chest. He holds her.
CIRCE
I am powerless against the might of
Poseidon. Here you are safe!
ODYSSEUS
Here I am less than a man - if know who
I am and do nothing to BE what I am.
CIRCE
I cannot help you...
ODYSSEUS
111.
Then tell me who can. Who can tell me

how to go home?
CIRCE
Only one man - the blind prophet,
Tiresias.
He looks at her, astonished.
ODYSSEUS
But Tiresias is long dead.
CIRCE
I know.
ODYSSEUS
He sleeps in Hades.
CIRCE
(trembling)
I know.
His expression changes; it starts to sink in. He holds Circe in his

arms as she weeps...
Abruptly there is a CRASH-BANG elsewhere in the house, followed by

CRIES of ALARM. Odysseus and Circe react.
EXT. CIRCE'S HOUSE - DAY
the CREW are gathered around something as Odysseus approaches and

makes his way through them to -
ELPENOR
lying dead with a broken neck. Near him a LADDER...

112.
ODYSSEUS
His neck is broken. (looks up) What
happened?
PERIMEDES
He fell - from the roof. But what he was
doing there, none us saw...
EURYLOCHOS
Poor Elpenor. I guess we'll never know...
CU ODYSSEUS
exchanges looks with tear-stained Circe...
ODYSSEUS
Oh, yes, we will.
SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
ODYSSEUS' SHIP
once more on the high seas...
CIRCE'S VOICE OVER

Sail south - until you reach the river
Oceanus, that borders the edge of the
world...
SEVERAL SHOTS
each becoming progressively more STYLIZED, as ODYSSEUS' SHIP

follows Circe's instructions... the SKY becomes BLOOD RED, the SEA
BLACK as the current of OCEANUS picks up and carries the ship
before it... then the SKY itself turns BLACK...
113.
CIRCE'S VOICE OVER (cont'd)

The river will carry you to the island of
Persephone. No man lives there for fear
of falling into the chasm which crosses
it, the fiery abyss which leads to the
gate of Hell...
The SHIP reaches the unearthly island, with its huge VOLCANIC
CRACK, belching RED LAVA. SMOKE EVERYWHERE makes it truly the
entrance to Hell. Everything is RED and BLACK...
The MEN, streaming sweat from the HEAT, stay aboard as Odysseus,
with a BLACK RAM in tow, follows directions...
Under the instructions we can hear the CREW calling-
POLITES
My Lord, do not do this -!
EURYLOCHOS
This is blasphemy -!
PERIMEDES
No man has looked upon the face of Hell
and lived to tell of it - my lord..!
Odysseus ignores them, moving further inland with the RAM.

Leave your men behind and take only a
black ram, which you must sacrifice
after you have dug a shallow pit next to
the chasm.
114.
Odysseus tethers the frightened ram and starts digging. He truly

looks like one of the damned. Again, in stylized fashion, TIME
PASSES and the pit is dug. The images grow progressively more
hallucinogenic.

When you have dug the pit, fill it with
the blood of your sacrifice. The odor of
it will attract the dead, but do not let
them drink. Make them tell you what you
wish to know as the price for their
thirst. And remember, only Tiresias can
direct you... Athena keep you, brave
Odysseus...
The pit is dug. Odysseus holds up the Ram and slits its THROAT,
allowing the spurting BLOOD to fill the pit so that it becomes a
DARK POND. Our images are glimpsed through sulfurous SMOKE and
incredible HEAT...all stylized by now, almost like the illustrations on
Greek vases and freizework.
A NEW OMINOUS SOUND IS HEARD
and the very GROUND BEGINS TO SHAKE...
The CREVICE OPENS WIDER, BELCHING SMOKE...
and UP THROUGH IT APPEARS...ELPENOR!!! He is dead. His eyes are

CLOSED but he sees... Odysseus' eyes widen in shock...
ODYSSEUS
115.
Elpenor!
When Elpenor speaks, his VOICE ECHOES oddly...
ELPENOR
Odysseus... let me drink...
His wraith wants to taste the BLOOD in the pond but Odysseus draws
his SWORD and waves back the spectre. He's terrified.
ODYSSEUS
You may not drink.
Elpenor moans, an unearthly wail... tries for the blood...
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
You wasted no time getting here. How
came you to die?
ELPENOR
Through foolishness. I fell asleep on Circe's
roof, basking in the sun. Suddenly I woke,
forgot where I was, and missed the ladder.
Odysseus, let me drink, for pity's sake...
ODYSSEUS
Back. You may not drink. Send me the
shade of Tiresias and I will say prayers
for your soul. When I
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
reach Ithaka I shall plant in the green
earth the oar that you pulled in life
aboard my ship...that oar shall be your
grave marker...
He swings his sword, cutting the ghost of Elpenor in two; the shade
116.
vanishes and another rises out of the crevice...

****
117.
AGAMEMNON
I smell Life! O let me drink!
Odysseus is astonished at the sight of Agamemnon...
ODYSSEUS
Great Agamemnon, leader of the Greeks!
I thought you still alive!
He's so surprised he almost forgets to get between Agamemnon and

the blood but remembers just in time; slashes with his
SWORD, but not before the GHOST has bitten him, making his
shoulder BLEED...
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
Back! You may not drink! (amazed)
Agamemnon, I had thought you safe at
home after all our adventures...
AGAMEMNON
So I should have been but that I was
betrayed and slaughtered like an ox at
my homecoming...
ODYSSEUS
(stunned)
Murdered...by whom?
The worst WAIL yet - the ground trembles with it...
AGAMEMNON
BY MY WIFE!
ODYSSEUS
Your wife? Clytemnestra?
118.
AGAMEMNON
And her perfidious lover, Aegisthus -
they stabbed and slashed and gutted me,
mingling my blood with my bath water...
O let me taste of life..! One drop...
ODYSSEUS
(shaking)
You may not drink. O great Agamemnon, I
can hardly believe what you say. Can it
be that your homecoming was so marred
with treachery?
AGAMEMNON
Only pray that yours will be no worse,
cunning Odysseus. Where is YOUR wife?
Has Penelope been true or does she even
now conspire your death with another
husband? Has
she not already slain your son so
another man's issue may inherit all you
possess?
Odysseus is so distracted by this thought that his eyes bulge and

Agamemnon almost reaches the pool of blood...
ODYSSEUS
(slashes madly)
Send me Tiresias! SEND TIRESIAS
BEFORE I LOSE MY WITS!
He is sobbing and slashing at the same time. Again the ground

shakes, smoke belches, the heat gets hotter, then-
ANTICLEIA appears! She's crying...

119.
ODYSSEUS
Mother!!!
ANTICLEIA
O let me drink, my son. Only let me
taste of life once more...
Tears stream down his face too; this is the hardest of all.
ODYSSEUS
Mother, you may not drink, but only
speak: when I set sail for Troy you were
alive...
ANTICLEIA
I died for grief of you, Odysseus...
ODYSSEUS
And Penelope? Telemachus? Tell me of
them. On my knees, I beseech you ...is my
wife yet faithful to me?
ANTICLEIA
While I lived I knew her to be true, and
the boy, as well...
ODYSSEUS
Thank the Gods...
ANTICLEIA
But disaster waits for you like an actor
in the wings, my son. Suitors for the
hand of Penelope crawl over your house
like a horde of locusts - brutish young
men feast upon your flocks and herds,
120.
they gorge upon your cattle, sucking the

lifeblood from your property and your
son's inheritance. They insult your
queen and ravish her servants... One day
they may convince your loving wife that
you are indeed dead, and when that day
comes-
Odysseus drops his sword to cover his ears.
ODYSSEUS
Enough! Your words pierce my soul like
daggers. O that I had never left the
things I truly loved. O that I had been
wise enough to understand the value of
what I held IN MY HANDS..!
He clenches his very hands before him, lost, sobbing.
Anticleia swirls towards the blood. Odysseus leaps up, snatches up

his sword, screaming from his vitals...
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
TIRESIAS!! Mother stay back!
He stabs at his mother with the sword...
LAVA EXPLODES
in fiery red-gold sparks from the crevice as TIRESIAS appears,

older, larger, more impressive than all the rest.
TIRESIAS
Who calls the prophet of Thebes?
ODYSSEUS
(desperate, frantic)
121.
I, Odysseus, King of Ithaka!
TIRESIAS
(with contempt)
Lord of Cunning, Trickery and Guile.
Imagination! I know what kind of man
you are - I detest you. You have no code,
no honor. You lie, dissemble, pretend and
cheat. You live by your wits instead of
your strength.
ODYSSEUS
Yes!
TIRESIAS
Teller of tales. Your allegiance is
expedience. You will say anything to
achieve your goal. You would rather
scheme than fight.
ODYSSEUS
I use my brain! Why else do I have it?
TIRESIAS
You think you can defy fate because you
have a brain?
ODYSSEUS
Not anymore. Therefore I come to you.
TIRESIAS
To be clever is not to be intelligent; to
be intelligent is not to be wise.
ODYSSEUS
122.
All you say is true. I know nothing.
Pause. Tiresias surveys him, mollified.
TIRESIAS
What do you want?
ODYSSEUS
I WANT TO GO HOME.
TIRESIAS
It is not written.
ODYSSEUS
THEN WRITE IT NOW. I WANT TO GO
HOME. TELL ME HOW TO REACH MY HOME.
TELL ME AND YOU SHALL DRINK YOUR
FILL - YOU AND ALL THIS ACCURSED
COMPANY - ONLY TELL ME NOW!
TIRESIAS
Your path is littered with danger, son of
Laertes. Poseidon, Earth-shaker, lord of
the wine dark sea has prophesied your
doom...
ODYSSEUS
You tell me what I already know. I did
not dare a thousand hazards to listen to
my fate, but to defy it. A MAN CAN DO
ANYTHING.
TIRESIAS
If you can do anything, sail west by
123.
north from this place and see if you can

escape the clutches of the Sirens...
ODYSSEUS
What are they?
TIRESIAS
Women of surpassing beauty, whose
songs lure sailors all unwilling to their
deaths upon the rocks...
ODYSSEUS
What do they look like, these women?
TIRESIAS
You will not see them, only hear their
enchanted music... no man yet has eluded
their voices...
ODYSSEUS
But if I did?
TIRESIAS
Then you must pass the straits of
Scylla and Charybdis - to your right,
Scylla, a six-headed dragon that feasts
on human flesh, to your left, Charybdis,
a giant maelstrom that thrice daily
sucks down to the ocean's depths even
the largest vessels...
ODYSSEUS
How must I avoid them?
TIRESIAS
It is impossible to avoid both... one or
other must consume you...
124.
ODYSSEUS
And then?
TIRESIAS
And then..? You will never reach "and
then"...
ODYSSEUS
But WHEN I do? What then?
TIRESIAS
THEN USE YOUR... IMAGINATION!
The ground QUAKES more than ever with Tiresias' laughter.
ODYSSEUS
Drink. DRINK! Drink one, drink all!
Taste of Life and raise your cups to that
man skilled in all ways of contending,
for I will outwit all gods and
prophesies and see my home!
He waves them all in a swirling mass towards the pool of blood and
they PLUNGE IN with NOISY SHRIEKS. The SMOKE and FLAMES take
over and everything goes BLACK...
EXT. ODYSSEUS' SHIP - DAY
The HEAT and SMOKE are suffocating the men; the NOISE is deafening
and the GROUND SHAKING all about them... they must YELL to hear one
another...
POLITES
Let us leave this place!
125.
EURYLOCHOS
No!
PERIMEDES
He is dead!
EURYLOCHOS
We have betrayed him once..!
POLITES
It is no betrayal if he does not exist! If
we stay we shall die as well, our ship
catch fire and none of us see home..!
Odysseus emerges from the morass of smoke and flame.
ALL
Odysseus!
As the quaking ground makes it hard for him to walk, he stumbles

towards the ship and heavily regains the deck - they have to hold
him up.
ODYSSEUS
Steer West by North... let us leave these
waters...
EURYLOCHOS
What have you seen?
ODYSSEUS
(looks at him)
Myself.
126.
He collapses in their arms.
WIDE ANGLE
as the ship backs off the accursed isle of Persephone.
SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
A FLOCK OF SHEEP ON THE GREEN HILLS OF ITHAKA - DAY
REVEAL EUMEAUS' SHEPHERD'S HUT - DAY
DRIFT INSIDE WHERE
Eumaeus is SHEARING A RAM held by Telemachus, 15. The SNIPPING

of the SHEARS punctuates their talk.
EUMEAUS
(releasing the ram)
He's happy enough -
TELEMACHUS
That is because he's a sheep.
EUMAEUS
(pulling another forward)
True enough, young master...
TELEMACHUS
Eumeaus...
SNIP. SNIP...
127.
EUMEAUS
Aye, my prince? Hold him steady now.
Be useful...
Telemachus obeys. SNIP. SNIP...
TELEMACHUS
Why did my father leave us? (off his
hesitation) Antinous says-
EUMEAUS
Antinous! Speak not to me of that
rogue. It is sacrilege for your father's
name even to pass through that man's
lips. Antinous. Eurymachus...
He spits. Telemachus is thoughtful. SNIP. SNIP...
TELEMACHUS
You haven't answered my question.
EUMEAUS
Why do you ask it?
TELEMACHUS
(pause)
Because I do not wish to hate my father.
(looks at him) So tell me.
EUMAEUS
Gather this up and put it in the basket
first.
Telemachus gathers up the shorn FLEECE and turns to put it in the

128.
basket, giving Eumeaus time to wipe his forehead and think of an

answer. The old man is taxed by this question.
EUMAEUS
Your father made a promise - he felt
that promise must be honored.
TELEMACHUS
More than us? More than his love for
us?
EUMAEUS
Listen to me, boy - I raised your father
and I know him as I know myself. No
man left more unwilling for war than
he. Did you know he pretended to be
mad so as not to go?
Telemachus stares at the sheep...
TELEMACHUS
So mother tells me...
EUMAEUS
She does not lie - his sham was only
exposed when your life was in danger
and he dropped the pretense at once.
(pause) He swore he would return.
TELEMACHUS
(rubs the shorn fleece
between his fingers)
It is easy to swear...
129.
EUMAEUS
(gently behind him)
You hate him?
TELEMACHUS
(finally)
I miss him. Is he alive? Dead? Where is
he? What is he doing?
CU A HAND MELTING WAX INTO A BOWL, A SMALL FIRE BENEATH
WIDEN TO REVEAL
ON DECK Odysseus systematically melting and manipulating WAX

with his fingers. The ship is back to reality, sailing the high seas
again. The sky is blue; the breeze cool and good.
His men watch, mystified. Odysseus looks up briefly and scans the
clear horizon... He hasn't much time...
ODYSSEUS
Listen carefully. Each man must come
forward and stop his ears with this wax
until he hears nothing.
EURYLOCHOS
But why?
ODYSSEUS
Because I say so. Soon we will pass an
island of rock. Not until we are safe
may any man remove the wax.
POLITES
How will we know when we are safe?
130.
ODYSSEUS
(fractional hesitation)
I will use no wax. You must tie me to
the mast. (off their looks) And whatever
I do you must pay no heed, nor alter
course, even should I go mad. Ignore all
my gestures. Bind me more tightly.
When I seem calm again, then - and only
then - release me.
EURYLOCHOS
Let one of the other men assume this
risk, my lord.
ODYSSEUS
No.
PERIMEDES
Why?
ODYSSEUS
(sad smile)
Because I am who I am.
He hands off a clump of WAX. Hesitating briefly, Eurylochos takes it

and starts wadding it in his ears. The others form a line to receive
the stuff...
DISSOLVE TO:
ODYSSEUS being strapped securely to the MAST.
ODYSSEUS
131.
Tighter. TIGHTER.
They can't hear him. Good. He is satisfied.
EXT. SEA - DAY
The SHIP draws near an ISLAND OF ROCK - alone, barren. The WIND
DIES. The MEN must ROW...
AT THE MAST
Odysseus starts to HEAR. He looks over to the ROCKS...
A SOUND, more like a HUM than music per se, RINGS in his ears. He
tries to shake his head; the SOUND gets stronger. It is a single note,
held by the voices of WOMEN...
In his BLURRED VISION Odysseus sees NAKED WOMEN, draped in

flowing transparent material, sprawled on the ROCKS. He blinks,
shakes his head, trying to rid himself of the sight and the sound -
which gets STRONGER...
ODYSSEUS
Come about. COME ABOUT! Very well,
listen to me; I made a mistake. There is
no need for these precautions. Untie
me... I SAY UNTIE ME. NOW...
The men hear and see nothing. The man at the Tiller holds her steady
and calm. The CREW on the masthead look serenely out to sea. The
MEN at the OARS row in efficient unison.
During these SHOTS WE HEAR NOTHING AT ALL. Eurylochos looks over

at Odysseus and SEES
132.
Odysseus YELLING and screaming his HEAD OFF, writhing in his bonds,
his eyes starting out of his SWEAT-COVERED head...
ALL IN SILENCE. Eurylochos closes his eyes; rows...
EXT. SEA - DAY
The ship is right next to the rocks now, passing...
AT THE BASE OF THE ROCKS
an enormous collection of HUMAN BONES, THOUSANDS, bleached

white, with RAGGED PIECES OF CLOTHING washed about by the surf...
CU ODYSSEUS
SCREAMING...
ODYSSEUS
COME ABOUT! STOP! O GODS I OFFER MY
SOUL! TAKE MY SON AND WIFE AS MY
SACRIFICE! TAKE EVERYTHING FROM ME,
ONLY COME ABOUT!
HIS BLURRED VISION
the BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, WAVING LANGUIDLY TO HIM - COME, COME...

the HUMMING is now quite PAINFUL... He tries to reach his arms to his
ears to clap his hands over them, but the ropes that tie him to the
mast make that impossible. He is FORCED to hear, beating his head
against the mast until it BLEEDS.
Eurylochos and Perimedes are tightening his BONDS, all in SILENCE.

133.
BLOOD OOZES under the chafing ropes. Odysseus' wild eyes meet
theirs. They blink back their tears; the rest keep ROWING, ignoring
him...
SEVERAL ANGLES
as the ship SLOWLY passes the island of rock...
DISSOLVE TO:
PENELOPE'S TAPESTRY
depicting Odysseus' ship - a very similar image...
LAUGHTER FROM DOWNSTAIRS...
CU PENELOPE'S HANDS
undoing the tapestry; rapid, accustomed movements. A KNOCK.
WIDEN TO REVEAL

Penelope reacts, startled by the knock, her hands frozen. She look
down at
CU THE WORK
starts using the SHUTTLE to PUT BACK the tapestry, so she is

building it up again...
PENELOPE
Come.
134.
Melanthe enters as per her evening ritual. She bears her mistress' night
clothes... While not outright disrespectful, something in her manner
which suggests insolence... her hair
is disheveled, also her clothing, just a bit... a little perspiration, too...
ANOTHER BURST OF LAUGHTER
Penelope has resumed her "work". Melanthe comes over behind her
and surveys it. Finally -
MELANTHE
The work goes more slowly, my lady...
PENELOPE
(after a pause)
It is difficult.
MELANTHE
I thought you had finished that section.
No answer; the SHUTTLE goes between warp and woof, making little
noises as it travels. Abruptly Penelope stops; rises.
PENELOPE
I'll weave no more tonight.
She walks to her mirrored dressing table and disrobes.

Melanthe watches Penelope studying her body in the MIRROR; it
doesn't take much to read her mistress' melancholy thoughts.
Melanthe admires her nakedness, still beautiful. She helps Penelope
on with her nightclothes...
In her transparent peignoir, Penelope seats herself at the dressing
135.
table and hands Melanthe her BRUSH without once looking at her.
Melanthe sets about undoing her mistress' tresses and brushing her
hair. ANOTHER LAUGH from the carousers below. Melanthe smiles
and looks off - then catches Penelope's look at her in the MIRROR.
Finally -
MELANTHE
You disapprove of me, my lady.
PENELOPE
Because you sleep with Antinous who
wishes to marry me?
MELANTHE
You have fifty suitors - the flower of
the kingdom, the finest manhood of
Ithaka do you squander, and none left
over for the rest because you will not
choose...
PENELOPE
I am not free to choose.
MELANTHE
Surely you must hate your husband, who
made you neither wife nor widow...
PENELOPE
Antinous is not so handsome as he was,
I think. He has grown sleek and fat with
gorging... as for the rest...
MELANTHE
136.
The king abandoned you to a living

death. We cannot all maintain our
virtue as you, my lady. Life is for the
living. It goes on. We all must live...
PENELOPE
Brush harder, Melanthe. I do not feel
your strokes...
MELANTHE
And what of the boy, your son? Does
Telemachus thrive in such a house, an
object of scorn and ridicule to all?
Surely you hate Odysseus for
condemning you to an ignominious fate...
PENELOPE
Why is it so important to you that I hate
my husband? What comfort for your
actions could you derive if I told you
that I hated him?
Melanthe hesitates, her eyes fall. Penelope takes the brush herself
and uses it on her hair, calmer now -
PENELOPE (cont'd)
I could no more hate Odysseus than hate
myself, Melanthe. It is you, I worry
about and pray for, not Telemachus or
me.
MELANTHE
Me?
137.
Penelope rises and walks down the corridor to her bed. Melanthe
follows, confused, anxious...
PENELOPE
I pray for you all - when my lord
returns...
MELANTHE
(honestly moved)
My lady you delude yourself. He will
never return. Only choose, I beg you!
Choose and end this torture.
Penelope climbs into her BED, a beautiful and ingenious piece of

furniture with a LIVING TREE growing through the floor which forms
one corner and supports its canopy...
PENELOPE
My husband built this bed...
MELANTHE
I know, lady...
Melanthe arranges the cushions, the blankets...
PENELOPE
See how ingeniously he made a living
tree part of it...
MELANTHE
I see, lady...
138.
PENELOPE
You see nothing, child. That tree still
lives...
ON HER PILLOW ENELOPE
looks at Melanthe.
PENELOPE (cont'd)
Do you know what faith is, Melanthe?
MELANTHE
(shakes her head)
Do YOU?
Penelope can't answer; she turns away, her eyes filled with tears.
After looking at her back a moment, Melanthe shrugs and runs back
towards the LAUGHTER DOWNSTAIRS.
REVERSE ANGLE ON PENELOPE TURNED AWAY
silent TEARS course down her cheeks...
CLOSE ON ONE TEAR, WHEREIN WE SEE
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SEA - DAY
Odysseus' ship approaching an extensive landmass - there's an

opening between TWO OPPOSING WALLS OF CLIFF...
Odysseus looks unhappily at the strait, then turns, climbs up to the

poop deck and faces his men.
ODYSSEUS
Now listen to me. Here is the needle we
must thread if we are to get home. To
139.
starboard, the high cliffs wherein a six

headed monster dwells; to port, the
whirlpool that thrice daily may claim
us all...
The men are aghast at this news.
EURYLOCHOS
There must be another way; we can sail
round -
ODYSSEUS
There is no way but this; no other
choice but this: the monster or the
maelstrom... We are between a rock and
a hard place - the sea god will have it
so.
ANOTHER CREWMAN
But you said -
ODYSSEUS
I said I was accursed - but in Troy you
would not listen. Now make your
choice.
They hesitate; the sounds of BREAKERS getting nearer...
PERIMEDES
I say the monster. Six heads can eat but
six men - a maelstrom can sink us all.
A chorus of Aye's greets this idea. Finally -

140.
ODYSSEUS
(to the helmsman)
Starboard...
SEVERAL ANGLES
as Odysseus' ship, hewing to starboard, enters the towering

CLIFFS...the men looking up anxiously as they make slow ROWING
progress through the terrifying pass.
THEIR POV CLIFFS LOOKING UP
Above them is a large HOLE in the rock, a CAVE MOUTH...
No one speaks. Maybe she won't hear them...
SEVERAL ANGLES THE MEN, THE SHIP, THE OARS...

Only the oars dipping and the splash of water against the rocks...
The men start to relax; they're going to make it...
SUDDENLY THE CAVE MOUTH EXPLODES WITH SCYLLA -
her SIX HIDEOUS HEADS on endless stalks of necks arch out from her
lair and SEIZE SIX HAPLESS MEN IN HER JAWS...
PERIMEDES is one.
SCREAMING from the VICTIMS but also their comrades, who look on
in horror... as she chews and swallows her writhing food.
In short order she peers out again, ready for seconds...
EURYLOCHOS
141.
The maelstrom is quiet, my lord. Steer

port. PORT!
A frantic chorus of Aye's and calls for Port greet this.
Scylla's heads re-emerge, stretching forth in search of additional

victims... Odysseus can't bear it and the pleas.
ODYSSEUS
Port. PORT!
Frantically, as the HELMSMAN shifts the tiller, the remaining men

pull for their lives to PORT...
Just out of reach of the snarling Scylla, who strains in their

direction but stays in her cave...
POLITES
We made it. We -
They are aware now of being pulled...
Odysseus looks over the side - the maelstrom is forming...
ODYSSEUS
Pull. PULL!
SEVERAL ANGLES
of the rowers bent at the hapless task. Odysseus grabs an oar

himself and strains against the wall of rising water into which his
ship is rapidly sinking and swirling-
WIDE HIGH ANGLE

142.
the giant maelstrom sucking Odysseus' ship as if it were no more

than a toothpick.
INSIDE THE MAELSTROM
the terror-stricken CREW realizes their hour has come...Eurylochos,

Polites... ALL...
SUDDENLY a TON of WATER cascades DOWN, inundates the entire

vessel and crew... MEN are carried off in every direction...
UNDERWATER
and pulled to their deaths...
ODYSSEUS
himself is whirled about violently in the wash - there's nothing he

can do; he's at the mercy of Charybdis...
Suddenly he crashes into a portruding BRANCH from a TREE growing

out of the rockface. He grabs the BRANCH and holds on for dear life
as the WHIRLPOOL sucks everything down beneath him...
CU ODYSSEUS' HANDS
holding on to the wet branch, gripping, slipping...

AFTER SEVERAL MOMENTS
the maelstrom starts fill up RAPIDLY - an EXPLOSION of WATER...
which RIPS ODYSSEUS from his BRANCH and pushes him into the air
on GIANT WATERSPOUT.
143.
He comes crashing down onto the water's surface, almost

unconscious, near a PIECE OF MAST, which he manages to grab, more
dead than alive...
He looks about - he alone is living.
BEFORE HIM
the end of the strait and something that looks like OPEN SEA. He
tries to swim but hasn't the strength.
WIDE HIGH ANGLE
The log with the lone man clutching it, flows out to sea.
REVERSE ANGLE FROM OUTSIDE THE STRAIT
Odysseus, unconscious by now, emerges on the current with his log,

out to sea again...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. BEACH - SUNSET
A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN (35) clad in skins and leaves, her skin darkened
with the sun, he black hair wet and falling naturally about her,
(there's a FLOWER in it), walks, carrying FRUIT. She looks like a
castaway...
In a way, she is. She sees the MAST stuck upright in the sand;
attached to it, a man in ragged clothes - a crucified Odysseus.
She approaches, squats next to him, untangles the lines that entwine
144.
him, gently pulls debris off him; he opens his eyes.
ODYSSEUS
Where am I?
WOMAN
On my island.
ODYSSEUS
Who are you?
WOMAN
I am Kalypso.
ODYSSEUS
You live here? (looks about) Alone?
KALYPSO
Quite alone. I am a goddess...
ODYSSEUS
(struggles up)
If you are a goddess, help me.
KALYPSO
Who are you?
ODYSSEUS
I am - Nobody...
KALYPSO
I cannot help you. I can only keep you
company. This paradise is my kingdom,
but I may never leave it.
145.
He looks at her; slowly sits up, stares at the sun, setting in the sea.
She watches him, pitying him... Finally, as the tears roll silently -
ODYSSEUS
I understand. Poseidon, you have won.
A man is nothing without the aid of God.
KALYPSO
That is wisdom.
ODYSSEUS
It comes too late.
KALYPSO
(looks around)
This island is pleasant. The weather is
temperate, food is fresh and plentiful.
(shows him some) Time will pass
without you're knowing it...
ODYSSEUS
Good, for I will never see my home
again. Or son. Or wife.
He rises, walks to the edge of the sea and shouts -
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
Athena, hear me! In memory of my once
commended virtues - intelligence and
strength - that made me beloved of the
Gods, I appeal to you: take care of my
family. Protect my loving wife. Guard
and guide my son; be his friend. Show
146.
him the path to manhood as you showed

that path to me. Only make him better
than you made me. Make him WISE.
Athena do you hear my prayer? Make him
WISE!
Kalypso comes up behind him. Gently she leads him down the beach
as the sun sets into twilight.
We RETREAT INTO A HIGH AERIAL SHOT
as Kalpyso's island gets smaller and smaller in the dark...
SUPERIMPOSE:
END CREDITS OVER PENELOPE'S TAPESTRY OF ODYSSEUS' JOURNEY
END PART I
147.
1.
THE ODYSSEY
adapted from Homer by
Nicholas Meyer
I
2.
February 14, 1995

3.
PART II
The Wisdom of Athena

4.
1.
EXT. BEACH - SEMI-DARKNESS
THE SURF CRASHING
A MAN is walking towards us as we HEAR -

Athena, hear me! In memory of my once
commended virtues - intelligence and
strength - that made me beloved of the
Gods...
INT. TEMPLE OF ATHENA, ITHAKA - DAWN
The HEAD OF ATHENA, listening...

I appeal to you: take care of my
family...Protect my loving wife...
ON THE FLOOR BELOW AS
the SHADOW of Athena's STATUE grows LONGER...and LONGER...

Guard and guide my son; be his friend...
Show him the path to manhood as you
showed that path to me...
ANOTHER ANGLE
as the STATUE ITSELF passes by us on its way...
PAN TO REVEAL
THE STATUE IS GONE...

2.
Only make him better than you made

me... Make him WISE...
EXT. BEACH - DAWN
The MAN getting nearer...

Athena, do you hear my prayer? Make
him WISE!
The rising SUN REVEALS THE MAN
TELEMACHUS (19), not Odysseus!
He is handsome, intelligent-looking, though his face is branded with

his unhappy history. When has he smiled?
Not today. Now he squints at something strange...
TELEMACHUS' POV
coming towards him on the beach, floating, rather than walking,

is...the goddess Athena..!
TELEMACHUS REACTS
blinks. Refocuses...
TELEMACHUS POV
The goddess MORPHS into a MAN OF FORTY, who holds up a hand in

greeting, smiles... When he talks, his voice is ODD - there is, after
all, a goddess inside his body...
3.
MAN OF FORTY
Telemachus?
TELEMACHUS
(confused)
Do I know you?
MAN OF FORTY
My name is Mentor. I am a friend of your
father's.
TELEMACHUS
My father... (he looks about, still
puzzled) How did you come here?
MENTOR
My ship just landed from Taphos.
TELEMACHUS
(nothing quite makes sense)
But - you recognized me?
MENTOR
You bear more than a passing
resemblance to great Odysseus.
TELEMACHUS
Entirely superficial, I assure you.
MENTOR
I'm certain you're being modest. (looks
about) What are you doing here, if I may
ask?
4.
TELEMACHUS
Uh, walking...
MENTOR
(gently pointed)
It would be good to eat a meal cooked on
dry land...
Telemachus reacts to this... he's inviting himself. A series of

conflicting emotions crosses his face, embarrassment at the
prospect, but also something else - happiness?
TELEMACHUS
Be my guest.
INT. ODYSSEUS' PALACE - MORNING
The SUITORS, still holding at about fifty, at their morning

activities, playing CHECKERS on the HIDES of animals they have
killed, having breakfast, cleaning weapons, etc...
SOME are even having an ARCHERY contest...
A HUGE BEGGAR we'll come to know as IRUS walks about, scrounging

scraps like the dog he is, and laughing at himself, playing the fool
for the amusement of the mob...
SERVANTS bustle, setting the tables (again!) sponging down the

excesses of last night.
ANTINOUS and EURYMACHUS
are playing CHESS, when Antinous looks up, sees, and nudges
Eurymachus, who also looks up -
THEIR POV
5.
Telemachus has entered with Mentor, who surveys the place with
tactful astonishment.
TELEMACHUS
This way...
He barges through the Suitors, who watch - this is the first time
Telemachus has ever brought a guest to their feasts.
He seats Mentor and himself in such a way as turns them from the
prying eyes of the group, and puts a footstool beneath Mentor's feet.
TELEMACHUS
Melanthe. MELANTHE.
Startled by his peremptory tone of command, she comes over.
MELANTHE
My lord?
TELEMACHUS
Wash the feet of my guest. Bring him
food.
Melanthe can't help looking over at Antinous.
TELEMACHUS (cont'd)
(sees the look)
Do as I command.
Antinous nods, slightly.
MELANTHE
Aye, my lord...
She fetches the SILVER BOWLS and sets about removing Mentor's leg
armor and washing his feet...
Mentor looks about at the riot of boorish activity.

6.
MENTOR
I did not mean to intrude. Are you
celebrating? Is this some sort of
feast?
Telemachus flushes. Another SERVANT brings food.
TELEMACHUS
It is a feast that never ends because my
mother does not know if my father is
alive or dead. (off Mentor's puzzled
look) These vultures are suitors to the
hand of Queen Penelope, who cannot
bring herself to accept any of them. So
here they perch, eating us out of house
and home - and I too weak to prevent
them. Thank you, Melanthe.
Melanthe reluctantly leaves. Mentor waits until she's gone.
MENTOR
(studies the young man)
You think your father dead? I do not.
Oh, he may be stranded somewhere, held
captive on some barbarous isle,
perhaps, but he will return. (off
Telemachus' look) Oh, yes, return, I
promise you. And then - woe to all this
princely heap.
He jerks his head in the direction of the swilling mob.
TELEMACHUS
7.
(struggles to conceal his

excitement)
My father...alive? (thinks) But even
should he see these shores again, how
could he hope to reclaim what is his
without help? (realizes) I must help
him.
MENTOR
Ah, Telemachus, you are growing up
fast. This is what I hoped you would
say.
TELEMACHUS
But how? How can I help?
Mentor studiously begins to eat, looking "normal"...
MENTOR
Send forth heralds to summon an
assembly of the first families of the
realm, and there call upon these suitors
to disperse to their homes or face the
consequences. (throws them a look) It
won't do any good, but you will have
warned them. What follows will not be
on your conscience.
He starts to put on his sandals.
TELEMACHUS
And then?
MENTOR
Ask for a small ship and set forth to seek news
of your father. Visit first Nestor, King of sandy
8.
Pylos. He was Odysseus' old comrade-in-arms.

If he can give you no information, journey inland
and ask King Menelaus of Sparta. If you learn
your
father's alive, so much the better;
return here and be ready to greet him; if
he is dead, then rear him a funeral
mound and honor his memory...
TELEMACHUS
What if there is no news?
MENTOR
Until and unless your father returns,
you are master here - time to be a man,
Telemachus.
TELEMACHUS
Your advice sounds good to me, but first
I must sacrifice to Apollo, the lord of
Life, that he may show me some sign.
MENTOR
(smiles)
An excellent idea, but pray not to
Apollo. (off his look) Seek out Athena,
grey-eyed goddess of wisdom, for it is
she who ever loved your father. (he
rises; loudly) I thank you for your
hospitality, young prince. No, stay. I
can see my own way out.
He bows and leaves, threading his way past Antinous and

9.
Eurymachus, who wait until he is gone, then look at Telemachus,

whose face is shining with new prospects.
ANTINOUS
Telemachus.
Telemachus looks at him coolly.
ANTINOUS (cont'd)
Who was that man?
TELEMACHUS
A friend.
EURYMACHUS
Did he bring news of your father?
TELEMACHUS
(smiles)
Rest easy, Eurymachus. I know my
father is dead. You have nothing to
worry about.
He leaves, leaving Antinous, Eurymachus, Melanthe and the others,

puzzled in his wake. Since when has he accepted the fact of his
father's death?
INT. TEMPLE OF ATHENA - DAY
Telemachus walks into the temple and prostrates himself in the

traditional manner.
10.
TELEMACHUS
Athena, hear me.
He looks up and frowns in surprise.
TELEMACHUS' POV
The STATUE OF ATHENA is nowhere to be seen. Only the EMPTY

PEDESTAL. Telemachus walks over to it, wondering, then turns and
hastens from the temple, his decision made.
EXT. STREETS and HILLS OF ITHAKA - DAY
HERALDS SHOUT as PEOPLE listen, startled by their words.
HERALD(S)
By royal decree, the nobles of Ithaka are
commanded to meet this day in the
great chamber of public assembly..!
SEVERAL SHOTS of the repeated command.
INT. GREAT ASSEMBLY CHAMBER - DAY
a CIRCULAR ROOM with TIERS of SEATS
CROWDED with representatives of the first families of Ithaka, all of

them puzzled at this convocation.
AEGYPTIUS, an aged councillor, takes the SPEAKER'S SPEAR and steps

to the center of the floor.
11.
AEGYPTIUS
This is the first time our assembly has been
convened since the departure of King Odysseus,
almost twenty years ago. What has occurred
that merits this convocation? Are we
threatened with attack? Is the kingdom under
siege? Who has summoned us to this place? And
why?
Telemachus moves forward and takes the staff.
TELEMACHUS
Venerable sir, it is I, Prince Telemachus, who
invokes your presence. My motives are personal.
As all here know, my royal father is presumed
dead and my reluctant mother is plagued by
suitors from this and other islands. Fifty of
them are presently encamped in our house, and
there they squat, consuming all within - and I
powerless to stop them.
The suitors, seated in a group, glare at Telemachus.
TELEMACHUS (cont'd)
I therefore come before this body
officially to demand their expulsion
from the home of he who was once your
lawful ruler. Let these... sponges be
ordered to disperse and leave my
mother in peace.
He jabs the SPEAR into the GROUND and walks out of the center of
the hall. The ASSEMBLY murmurs sympathetic agreement with the
young's speech.
12.
CU HANDS GRABBING THE SPEAR FROM THE GROUND.
WIDEN TO REVEAL
ANTINOUS, defiantly facing the assembly.
ANTINOUS
There are two sides to every story. We
suitors are not the disgraceful parasites you
depict - the fault lies with your respected
mother, (over the UPROAR), YES! Queen
Penelope, who keeps us all dangling year
after year. It is the Queen who is to blame for
this deplorable situation. Some time ago she
told us she would make her choice of husband
when she finished weaving the funeral shroud
of King Odysseus, on which she has labored lo
these many years. Our hearts went out to her
loving labor and patiently we waited for it to
be concluded. Now I have learned by secret
intelligence that everything the queen weaves
by day she UN-weaves by night!
Sensation in the chamber, which Antinous relishes. In the audience,

Melanthe smiles at her lover...
ANTINOUS (cont'd)
Is this straightforward dealing? (he
walks to Telemachus, smirking) Let me
speak plainly: we are suitors for your
mother's hand, no more, no less. When
Queen Penelope chooses a husband, the
rest will depart. If you would have us
13.
gone, young prince, order your mother to

make her choice. If not, hold your peace.
Abruptly, he throws the speaker's SPEAR to Telemachus, who

catches it.
TELEMACHUS
Bold words, Antinous, and easy to say,
since you know well I could never bring
myself to give such an order to a woman
who still believes her husband lives.
MEDON, another elder, comes forward and takes the spear.

MEDON
I had two sons. One went with King
Odysseus and perished at Troy; the
other sues for the hand of Queen
Penelope. Under the circumstances I
cannot order him to leave your house.
The families of those who died at Troy
ought to merit something for their
tragedy.
Murmurs of agreement. Telemachus is not going to get the vote. He

watches Antinous et al, smiling at him.
TELEMACHUS
(takes the spear back)
In that case, I have another appeal. Let
this assembly provide me with a small
ship. I will seek news of my father.
(breath) If I learn of his death, I will
return and order my mother to marry.
14.
Murmurs from the chamber. Eurymachos steps forward and rudely

wrests the spear from Telemachus.
EURYMACHUS
My lords, this is nothing more than another
delaying tactic - another tapestry to weave
and unweave. Let us not put ourselves to the
expense of a boat to find out what we already
know, and lose more precious time.
Murmurs of agreement as Telemachus watches. No surprise.
TELEMACHUS
Then hear me. In my father's name and
in my own I warn these shabby men: you
stay in my house at your peril. If you
persist in trespassing, you will die.
There's a tic of SILENCE in response to this. Telemachus starts out

of the hall.
ANTINOUS
Gentlemen, I believe we have just heard
the roar of a lion...
Telemachus keeps walking, as LAUGHTER BUILDS BEHIND HIM...
INT. TELEMACHUS' CHAMBER - NIGHT
Telemachus lies in bed, wide awake, listening...
EXT. TELEMACHUS' CHAMBER - NIGHT

15.
TWO SUITORS stand outside his room. Antinous and Eurymachus are
with them.
ANTINOUS
Stand here all night. See he doesn't
leave.
INT. TELEMACHUS' CHAMBER - NIGHT
Telemachus listens as
EURYMACHUS'S VOICE
If he tries to escape, kill him.
Telemachus slowly rises from his bed, trying to make no noise. He

goes to the window of his room and looks down.
TELEMACHUS' POV
it's a long way down...
Telemachus returns to his bed and starts twisting the sheets,

hooking one end around a bedpost. It's a tricky business and he
freezes once, worried he has attracted attention.
Satisfied, he throws the sheet end out the window.
EXT. TELEMACHUS' APARTMENTS - NIGHT
The sheet only goes half way down! Nonetheless, Telemachus slides
down.
ON THE "ROPE" TELEMACHUS

16.
sees TWO MORE SUITORS standing guard some ways off, their backs
to him. Holding his breath, he drops quietly -
TO THE GROUND.
INT. INN - NIGHT
The PEOPLE of ITHAKA, (mainly fishermen at this place), drink and

talk.
The door opens. Telemachus enters. They stop talking.
CU TELEMACHUS
TELEMACHUS
Men of Ithaka - how long will you be
ruled by a mob?
Eumeaus, the shepherd, is among them. He stands, dashing his drink

to the ground.
EUMAEUS
No longer.
After a pause, other men start standing, as well.
INT. EURYCLEIA'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT
Eurycleia asleep. Suddenly a hand goes over her mouth. She sits up,
wide-eyed. It's Telemachus, who slowly removes his hand, holding a
finger across his lips.
TELEMACHUS
17.
I need the key to the store-room.
Off her look -
INT. PALACE CORRIDORS - NIGHT
The aged nurse and Telemachus steal quietly down the halls,
tiptoeing through the GREAT HALL, where the Suitors, having had
their usual meal, are drunkenly sleeping it off.
They don't wake as Telemachus and Eurycleia move past them on

their way to -
EXT. STORE-ROOM - NIGHT
as Eurycleia UNLOCKS the door. The MEN who have volunteered to help
Telemachus stand in line and withdraw supplies for the voyage as -
EURYCLEIA
At least bid your mother farewell-
TELEMACHUS
NO. She'd only worry that I'll disappear
like my father. (off her look) I won't.
Tell her that when she wakes... and give
her this for me.
He kisses her. She holds on for dear life.
EXT. HARBOR - NIGHT
20 MEN piling onto a small SHIP, Eumaeus among them. He is stopped

by Telemachus.
18.
TELEMACHUS
You stay ashore, old friend.
EUMAEUS
But -
TELEMACHUS
Rowing is young men's work. I need you
here. Be my eyes and ears. When I return
I will visit you first.
Eumaeus nods reluctantly.
EUMAEUS
May the Gods protect you, master.
TELEMACHUS
Amen to that.
EXT. HARBOR - NIGHT
the boat being run out - big enough for twenty OARS...
LATER
by MOONLIGHT the little ship is quietly rowed out of the harbor...
ON DECK TELEMACHUS
smiles for the first time. This is more like it -
TELEMACHUS
19.
(a whisper)
Raise the sail.
EXT. HARBOR - NIGHT
The SAIL goes up as the ship leaves Ithaka...
DISSOLVE TO:
A COUPLE MAKING LOVE
on a splendid bed, covered with LAVISH FURS...
The WOMAN, writhing in ecstasy is Kalypso. The MAN beneath her is

Odysseus.
WIDEN TO REVEAL
INT. KALYPSO'S CAVERN - NIGHT
a treasure trove of goods, jewelry, silks and gold, a veritable

cornucopia of luxury, the bed at its centre.
Kalypso collapses next to Odysseus. They lie there for a time,

motionless. Then, she quietly traces her hand over a SCAR on his
chest.
KALYPSO
Where did you get this?
ODYSSEUS
Troy.
KALYPSO
(another scar)
20.
And this?
ODYSSEUS
From the Cyclops.
She finds another.
KALYPSO
This one?
ODYSSEUS
I was bitten by a ghost...
KALYPSO
Here's another. Also from Troy?
It's a long GASH on the inside of his RIGHT CALF.
ODYSSEUS
(smiles, remembering)
I was fourteen and hunting in the forest.
A wild boar attacked me.
She turns him over and inspects his back - it is pure skin, unbroken.
His face is turned away from her.
KALYPSO
I see you have never run from a fight.
Odysseus says nothing. She leans over, kisses him on the back of his
neck, then silently, she leaves the bed and he
lies there by himself. He hears her HUMMING softly as she dresses.
He stares into space.
21.

Kalypso had spoken the truth. The
island WAS pleasant and time did pass.
All would have been well, if only I could
have burned my memory. I had no way of
knowing that my life was about to
change - again...
HIGH AERIAL SHOT - DAY
We are GLIDING RAPIDLY OVER THE SEA, DESCENDING, as we approach

Kalypso's Island... the ocean gives way to land and TROPICAL JUNGLE
as we DESCEND into the midst of it where
Kalypso is harvesting FRUIT. There's a NOISE as we land and she

turns, reacting to us, going pale.
KALYPSO
You. Why have you come here?
REVEAL HERMES
HERMES
You know why.
KALYPSO
You cannot take him from me.
HERMES
Athena has conferred with father Zeus.
It is time for him to go.
22.
KALYPSO
(desperate)
He will never succeed; Poseidon has
decreed it.
HERMES
Poseidon is away.
KALYPSO
Away?
HERMES
(smiles)
In love. Come, you must help him.
KALYPSO
He will not go. He loves me.
HERMES
(fractional pause)
We shall see.
He leads the way and she follows, reluctantly.
SEVERAL SHOTS
as they make their way to the shore. There, sitting with his back to
us, is Odysseus. Hermes and Kalypso look at each other - Hermes
waves her forward; he himself steps into the trees and vanishes.
Odysseus stares at the sea, TEARS streaming down his face. Kalypso
sits next to him, strokes his arm lightly.
KALYPSO
23.
Can there still be water for so many

tears? I would have thought by now
your eyes were dry as desserts. (he
doesn't answer) Do I never make you
happy?
ODYSSEUS
(finally)
Sometimes. I would be lying if I said
you didn't. You are loving beyond men's
dreams and beautiful beyond imagining.
KALYPSO
Odysseus, listen to me. (he looks at
her) I can make you immortal.
ODYSSEUS
(startled)
Immortal.
KALYPSO
(urgent)
Yes - like me, always to be young, beautiful,
to be a god yourself and never know infirmity,
grief or age...
ODYSSEUS
(tempted)
Never to know grief...
KALYPSO
We can make love, pleasing each other
24.
forever...
ODYSSEUS
(caresses her cheek)
If - ?
KALYPSO
If only you promise to love me and stay.
ODYSSEUS
(smiles)
Immortal?
KALYPSO
(eyes shining)
Love for all eternity. Am I not
desirable? The Gods themselves dream
of me.
ODYSSEUS
(sadly)
I'm only a man. I can only desire what
mortals dream of...
KALYPSO
(the light fades)
Home.
ODYSSEUS
Yes.
KALYPSO
Your wife.
25.
ODYSSEUS
Yes...
KALYPSO
Your child...
ODYSSEUS
Yes...
She puts her head in her hands for a long time, then lifts it up,
blinking away her own tears.
KALYPSO
I will help you.
She rises to walk away but he grabs her hand; looks up.
ODYSSEUS
(suspicious)
Why? Why now?
She looks down at him.
KALYPSO
Because I must.
She withdraws her hand and walks into the trees. Surprised by this
turn of events, Odysseus follows her...
EXT. CLEARING - DAY
A LARGE STAND OF FIR TREES
as Kalypso leads Odysseus to it. He regards the trees with wonder.

26.
ODYSSEUS
I never saw these.
KALYPSO
I did not intend you to.
He looks at her.
ODYSSEUS
I will need tools.
KALYPSO
You shall have them.
A BANGING OVER
EXT. TELEMACHUS' ROOM DOOR - DAY
as Antinous BANGS on it.

ANTINOUS
Telemachus?
He looks at the others.
ANTINOUS (cont'd)
Break it down.
A DOZEN SUITORS hurl themselves at the door, which smashes open,

REVEALING
Telemachus' empty room - with the SHEET strung out the window.
Antinous reacts goes forward to the window and looks down, in time
27.
to see Leocritus running BELOW and shouting up -
LEOCRITUS
He's taken a ship and twenty men went
with him!
ANTINOUS
(stunned)
Bound for?
LEOCRITUS
No one seems to know...
EURYMACHUS
(also at the window)
Or they're not saying... I didn't think the
boy had it in him...
ANTINOUS
I told you one day that cub would bare
his fangs...
There's a GASP from behind and they turn -
Penelope stands on the threshold.
ANTINOUS
Your son has fled, madam.
Ignoring him, Penelope moves forward through the Suitors and the
room. Gently she touches the bed where the sheet is entwined and
follows the sheet to the window and over the sill.
28.
She sits on the sill, looking at the room full of Suitors.
PENELOPE
Now I have lost all.
She buries her head in her hands.
INT. BANQUET HALL - DAY
The Suitors are taking counsel together.
LEOCRITUS
We don't even know where he's headed.
ANTINOUS
Sparta, any fool can see that. He'll go to
Menelaus and ask for an army to see him
home.
EURYMACHUS
Menelaus will never give him troops -
he's too old for campaigning now.
ANTINOUS
We can't take that chance. We must
prepare for the boy's return.
LEOCRITUS
How prepare?
EURYMACHUS
A ship must be outfitted to intercept
him.
29.
ANTINOUS
Correct. Let it stay beyond the point,
just outside the harbor. Telemachus
has proven himself a rash adventurer -
and accidents befall adventurers. The
son of Odysseus won't be the first
member of his family never to reach
home. (pause) But he will be the last.
Silence as they contemplate this.
EURYMACHUS
And once the boy is out of the way..?
ANTINOUS
Then Queen Penelope has no heir. She
MUST remarry.
He starts briskly out as -
EXT. THE BANQUET HALL - DAY
Eurycleia has been listening. Now she moves quickly off...
EXT. ITHAKA HARBOR - DAY
The SUITORS' killer ship puts out to sea... Leocritus with the
30.
Helmsman.
LATER
The killer SHIP conceals itself, disappearing around the point

outside the harbor.
INT. PENELOPE'S BEDCHAMBER - DAY
Sprawled on her bed, the queen sobs convulsively. Eurycleia stands

next to her, stroking her mistress.
EURYCLEIA
Lady, be comforted, your son is escaped
from this den of rogues.
PENELOPE
(lifts her head)
But if he lives he will return - and you
tell me they lie in wait to kill him...
ON EURYCLEIA
what can she say? She watches, helpless, as Penelope sobs.
PENELOPE (cont'd)
(frantic)
Odysseus! Odysseus, my love, come
back to me! End this endless torment...
SOUNDS OF AN AXE OVER
CU AN AXE CHUNKING INTO A TREE - WIDEN TO REVEAL

31.
EXT. FIR TREE GLADE, KALYPSO'S ISLAND - DAY
Odysseus, covered with sweat, FELLING yet another FIR, which

CRASHES down, joining its neighbors on the ground...
ON THE CRASH CUT TO:
FOUR RIDERS ON SADDLESS HORSES
racing down a stretch of sandy beach in glorious sunshine.
One of the riders is Telemachus.
SEVERAL ANGLES OF THE RACE
WIDEN TO REVEAL
EXT. BEACH, PYLOS - DAY
where aged King Nestor and his beautiful grand-daughter,

PEISISTRATA, watch the race from beneath a colorful MARQUEE.
Before them is a table set with LUNCHEON and DRINK. SERVANTS
hover behind them.
NESTOR
He rides well - the son of Odysseus...
Peisistrata's eyes are shining as Telemachus wins the race, the

THREE other riders bringing up the rear.
Telemachus rides his lathered mount over to the tent, where he

32.
slides off, handing the reins to a RETAINER.
TELEMACHUS
(breathless)
My thanks.
The man leads off the horse...
NESTOR
(smiles)
You have beaten my grandsons again.
TELEMACHUS
It is not hard to win on so magnificent a
steed, majesty.
The three other YOUNG MEN come in, all breathless and hot.
SERVANTS offer towels as they sit down to their meal.
lst YOUNG MAN

Well, Telemachus, it seems true what
they say about the men of Ithaka.
TELEMACHUS
What do they say of us?
lst YOUNG MAN

That the men of Ithaka are to be
reckoned with.
Telemachus smiles, pleased.
NESTOR
Your father was certainly to be
33.
reckoned with.
A sobering reminder.
PEISISTRATA
Do you look like your father?
TELEMACHUS
(embarrassed)
Alas, I cannot say. All I have of him is
this horsehair necklace, made from the
plume of his helmet, before he sailed
for Troy. (to Nestor) You have no news,
then, of my father?
NESTOR
I wish it were otherwise. All the
chiefs sailed from Troy with their own
ships and men. Many had adventures,
but all who survived the war returned
safely to their homes.
TELEMACHUS
Except my father.
NESTOR
Have you spoken with Menelaus? He may
have news where I have none.
TELEMACHUS
I plan to visit him next.
NESTOR
I shall lend you my chariot for the
journey.
34.
TELEMACHUS
You are more than kind.
NESTOR
It is nothing for the son of my old
friend. All I have is yours. You may stay
in Pylos as long as you wish, an honored
guest...
2nd MAN
(laughs)
Stay. Eat. The day is perfect. Apollo
sits in his sun chariot and all's right
with the world.
TELEMACHUS
(rises)
Excuse me.
And he goes out of the tent onto the beach where he stares at the
horizon.
One of the MEN makes to get up and join him, but Nestor holds his
arm.
NESTOR
Not now.
LATER
35.
Afternoon. Telemachus is still on the beach. Behind him the tent is

being dismantled by the Servants. He is joined by Peisistrata.
PEISISTRATA
Walk with me.
They walk.
PEISISTRATA (cont'd)
Do you know that you stare at me?
TELEMACHUS
I?
PEISISTRATA
At lunch. Last night at supper.
TELEMACHUS
Forgive me. You are so lovely.
PEISISTRATA
Are there no lovely girls in Ithaka? (no
answer) Do you see that I stare at YOU?
She stops, looks up. Kisses him. He returns the kiss.
Long. Ardent.
LATER
EXT. PYLOS BEACH - NIGHT
The MOON is up. Telemachus and Peisistrata sit, their backs to us.
She leans against him.
PEISISTRATA
36.
Stay. (off his look) Here. With us. What

would happen if you stayed? Your
mother would remarry...
TELEMACHUS
Possibly...one day...
PEISISTRATA
Life would go on. YOU could go on. My
grandfather loves you for your father's
sake as well as for your own. My
brothers love you; I love you...
TELEMACHUS
You...
PEISISTRATA
we could make a life together - a NEW
life...
TELEMACHUS
And my father?
PEISISTRATA
He made his choice. You make yours.
TELEMACHUS
But -
PEISISTRATA
Telemachus, listen to me. He abandoned
you. It's been twenty years. How long
must you be loyal to his memory?
Telemachus kisses her passionately, rolling over on top of her in the
37.
sand, laughing.
TELEMACHUS
The world is a fine new place.
PEISISTRATA
Where all things are possible...
TELEMACHUS
I never knew what it was to be happy.
PEISISTRATA
Be happy, Telemachus...
They start to make love. Abruptly, he sits up.
TELEMACHUS
I can't.
CU TELEMACHUS
racing overland in Nestor's CHARIOT...
WIDEN TO REVEAL
The CHARIOT heading for a LARGE CITY with an ACROPOLIS...

SPARTA... In contrast to the speedy chariot -
EXT. KALYPSO'S ISLAND - DAY
Odysseus, wearing a harness like a beast of burden, drags the last of

his timber towards the shore...
LATER
38.
ON THE SHORE
the LOGS are being lashed together; Odysseus works like a man
possessed - sitting on the beach unhappily, Kalypso watches him...
INT. MENELAUS' PALACE - NIGHT
a FEAST IN PROGRESS. We find Menelaus, older (!) and heavier than

when we last saw him, eating.
His guests, like himself, are grizzled OLDER WARRIORS.
A SERVANT approaches and whispers in his ear. Menelaus arches his

eyebrows in surprise. Says something to the Servant. Claps his
hands for silence.
MENELAUS
A stranger is at our door and begs
admittance.
Reactions of curiosity among the MEN DINERS. Menelaus looks.
TELEMACHUS, travel-stained, but obviously a man of quality, stands

on the threshold, between two columns.
Menelaus eyes him narrowly - something familiar.
MENELAUS (cont'd)
Friend, you are welcome to my house.
39.
TELEMACHUS
You do not even know my name.
MENELAUS
There is no need - unless you care to
tell it. On my long voyage home from
Troy I was frequently cared for by
generous hosts who never demanded my
identity as the price for their
hospitality. Sit. Eat.
He nods to SERVANTS, who escort Telemachus to a couch. He's a bit

wide-eyed - this is a more sophisticated world than any he has seen
before.
The ritual of FOOT-BATHING proceeds...
TELEMACHUS
You are more than kind. I fear I
interrupt a celebration...
MENELAUS
My daughter is to be married to the son
of my old friend, Achilles. (smiles) A
bachelor supper.
TELEMACHUS
Achilles...
A WARRIOR
Twenty years ago this year we set sail
for Troy...
2nd WARRIOR
How like yesterday it seems...
40.
3rd WARRIOR
And yet how much has happened. How
many have gone to join the army of the
dead.
The feast has turned a bit somber.
MENELAUS
My own brother among them. King Agamemnon
survived ten years at Troy and made it safely
home, only to be murdered by his own wife.
TELEMACHUS
Was his murder unavenged?
MENELAUS
His son avenged it.
Telemachus licks his lips, the example of Agamemnon's son clearly

before him. An awkward pause, then -
TELEMACHUS
Did you know King Odysseus?
MENELAUS
Did I KNOW him?
He is amused - as are his courtiers.
MENELAUS (cont'd)
He was my brother in arms. I loved him well.
(thinks) And yet -
41.
TELEMACHUS
What.
MENELAUS
He was never really one of us.
TELEMACHUS
How do you mean?
MENELAUS
Odysseus was - what shall I say? a dreamer. He
made a vow to help me in my quest and he kept
his vow and fought hard. And when fighting did
not avail, he used his cunning to help us take the
city - but always he dreamt of something else.
TELEMACHUS
Of what?
MENELAUS
(simply)
Home. He dreamt of home.
Telemachus cannot suppress a sob. Menelaus is startled.
MENELAUS (cont'd)
You weep, young man. Why?
VOICE
Because he is the son of Odysseus.
Telemachus reacts, looks up, as does Menelaus to where

42.
A WOMAN STANDS BETWEEN THE COLUMNS. Her shape is beautiful, but

she keeps her face concealed in SHADOW - we will never see that
face - HELEN.
MENELAUS
His - can this be prince Telemachus?
HELEN'S VOICE
Can you not see the resemblance?
MENELAUS
I knew there was something...
Telemachus...
TELEMACHUS
You do not object to my visit?
MENELAUS
By no means. (dryly) Had it not been for
your father, I would never have
recovered my most prized possession.
The WOMAN IN THE SHADOWS...
MENELAUS (cont'd)
How can I help his son?
TELEMACHUS
I need to know whether my father is
alive or dead.
CU DARK SURF
racing up to where Odysseus' RAFT is complete. There's a mast and

43.
CRUDE SAIL, made from material supplied by Kalypso.
WIDEN TO REVEAL
EXT. KALYPSO'S BEACH - NIGHT
The sea is calm, a full MOON is out. Odysseus is making preparations

to leave, strapping on SUPPLIES, etc.
ODYSSEUS
The tide is coming in - we'll float off in
a minute... I'll steer by the stars...
KALYPSO
Are you so impatient to leave me that
you cannot wait for day?
ODYSSEUS
I must go while Poseidon sleeps and the
sea is calm. When he discovers me I
shall pay.
KALYPSO
We both shall pay. And you will die.
ODYSSEUS
All men will die; I want to die trying.
KALYPSO
Trying what?
ODYSSEUS
To be a man.
44.
He kisses her long and hard - then breaks away and floats free his
raft, casting off the line that held it and pushing out through the
mild surf as Kalypso watches, her eyes glistening in the moonlight.
KALYPSO
(soft)
You ARE a man.
SEVERAL SHOTS
as Odysseus and the raft get further out to sea. He's doing all right...
the sail billows out, he gets his bearings and stares up at the stars,
infinite, distant, mysterious.

And so I began what was to be the final
leg of my endless journey...
An OMINOUS CLOUD CROSSES THE MOON...
Odysseus frowns, looking at it...
INT. MENELAUS' PRIVATE APARTMENTS, SPARTA - NIGHT
Menelaus has just heard Telemachus' story.
MENELAUS
But this is monstrous. Fifty, you say?
TELEMACHUS
Consuming everything like rats.
Menelaus thinks. Telemachus looks off at

45.
HELEN, who sits with them, though her face is VEILED.
HELEN
(soft)
Mine is no longer the face that launched
a thousand ships.
TELEMACHUS
Forgive me. I did not mean to stare.
MENELAUS
(ignoring)
Is it men you want - troops?
TELEMACHUS
No. Thank you, but no. I have no wish to
use foreign soldiers on Ithakan soil to
gain my rights.
MENELAUS
A good answer. What then?
TELEMACHUS
Have you any news of my father? Could
he be alive?
MENELAUS
(thinks; finally)
Yes. He could. On my journey home
from Troy we had many adventures -
during one of them I met Proteus, the
Old Man of the Sea, servant to Poseidon,
the Earth-shaker. He told me that
Poseidon had marooned your father on
46.
an island.
TELEMACHUS
(not daring to hope)
An island?
MENELAUS
With a sea nymph for company.
TELEMACHUS
My father, alive... (he swallows, forces
himself to be calm)... do you really think
such a thing is possible?
MENELAUS
(shrugs)
I believed it when I heard it.
TELEMACHUS
(sobered by the thought)
But - even if he lives, how can he hope
for escape or rescue from an unknown
island..?
HELEN
You must not give up hope. Your father
is the most resourceful man who ever
lived.
MENELAUS
She's right. In the meantime, may I
offer you a word of advice?
TELEMACHUS
47.
I would welcome it.
MENELAUS
Do not return to Ithaka the way you
came. (off his look) The men you fight
are not fools.
He rises and goes to a COLORFUL COWHIDE MAP depicting the

Peleponensus, emphasizing SPARTA, the road to PYLOS and ITHAKA,
with its HARBOUR facing the Greek peninsula.
Menelaus takes a DAGGER and outlines his proposition.
MENELAUS (cont'd)
When you set course for home, land on
the farther side of the island, where
they won't be lying in ambush for you.
Then send your ship on its way without
you.
Telemachus studies the map, then regards Menelaus.
TELEMACHUS
Wise counsel. I thank you for it.
(pause) And I know my father thanks you
- wherever he is.
THUNDER OVER
EXT. SEA - NIGHT
or is it day? Hard to tell because the most furious storm is raging,

tossing Odysseus and his raft about like a cork.
48.
LIGHTNING FLASHES and the raft seesaws precariously above and

beneath mountainous WAVES as the SAIL is shredded, then the MAST
SNAPPED - as one by one Poseidon's power whittles away at
Odysseus' flimsy contraption.
Now the ROPES joining the LOGS together SHRED and the raft itself
disintegrates beneath Odysseus' feet...
Odysseus looks up, terrified, in time to see a MOUNTAIN OF A WAVE

DESCENDING UPON HIM IN HORRIFYING SLOW MOTION...
As we watch Odysseus being consumed by Poseidon, churned about

underwater and virtually drowning -
SLOW DISSOLVE TO:
Odysseus lying in the water on a beach, as at the beginning of this

story.
It's the same scene with which we opened, only seen now from
Odysseus' POV.

Once again, Poseidon had won. The rest
of my sad tale, I believe you know.
The young girl, NAUSICAA, comes down, spies him in the water and
begins her efforts at rescue...
EXT. KING ALCINOUS' BANQUET - DAWN

49.
They have been listening to Odysseus all night.
Alcinous and his courtiers are all equally affected.
Stunned is more like it. They are shocked, to a man.
Even the singer, blind DEMODICUS, has wept.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
Of my kindly rescue by your brave and
beautiful daughter you are already
aware.
He smiles a sad, exhausted smile, eyes the guttering TORCHES, the

coming of day...
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
The night is finished - and so am I.
Long pause. Everyone is thoughtful. Someone mumbles "Unhappy

man" and others murmur in agreement. Finally -
ALCINOUS
You say your story is over - but it isn't,
not while you live. What will you do
now?
ODYSSEUS
Does it make any difference? No matter
what I do, I will not see my home.
Perhaps by now it is mine no longer.
Nausicaa has tears streaming down her cheeks.

50.
NAUSICAA
Then this will be your home. (off his
look) Marry me. (before he can answer)
Marry me and I will love you as she did.
Better.
She kneels before him, taking his hands in hers and kissing them,
crying on them. Odysseus is infinitely touched. He looks over at
Alcinous.
ALCINOUS
(smiles)
I could not ask for a better son-in-law.
ODYSSEUS
Oh, but you could - and you (Nausicaa) a
better husband. Tiresias was right: I AM
a liar and deceiver and a schemer.
NAUSICAA
Your purpose was always honorable.
ODYSSEUS
(tenderly)
Not always. But even if it were,
I am no match for you.
NAUSICAA
I LOVE YOU.
ODYSSEUS
(more tender still)
I think you are the greatest trap
51.
Poseidon has set for me. Am I to get

past the Cyclops and Circe, elude the
Sirens and the call of Hell, avoid
maelstroms and monsters, only to
become ensnared by your innocence?
NAUSICAA
(sobbing in his arms)
Please. PLEASE...
ODYSSEUS
(strokes her hair)
You forget: I was offered immortality,
to become a God myself, were I to forgo
my quest. If I am not to be a god,
neither will I be another woman's
husband. (to Alcinous) I want to go
home.
Silence, only broken by the sobs of Nausicaa. Finally-
ALCINOUS
Then go home you shall, noble Odysseus.
I myself will provide you with a ship
and crew - the journey from here to
Ithaka is not
a long one.
ODYSSEUS
I thank you but I must decline your
generous offer and fend for myself.
Anyone who helps me risks the anger of
Poseidon. As one who has experienced
that anger first hand, I do not
52.
recommend it.
Alcinous walks before the green statue of Poseidon and

contemplates the grim visage. Then -
ALCINOUS
I will take that risk. Before this
evening was begun we made sacrifice to
the God. If he does not honor our
devotions he cannot be worthy of them.
Tomorrow you will sail for home,
Odysseus.
ODYSSEUS
(moved)
I thank you, great King - and I know my
son, wherever he is, thanks you, as well.
EXT. ROAD FROM SPARTA - DAY
Telemachus, in his chariot, going away from Sparta, returning to

Pylos and his ship...
SEVERAL SHOTS
of his journey...
EXT. HARBOR OF PHAEICIA - DAY
Alcinous and Odysseus make ready to board as the ship prepares to

sail. Various well-wishers have come to see Odysseus off and he
53.
says goodbye to the COURTIERS who so sympathetically listened to

his story...
Including Nausicaa, who stands apart from the rest.
Odysseus sees her, comes up and takes her hands.
ODYSSEUS
Well...
NAUSICAA
I was so sure.
ODYSSEUS
Sure?
NAUSICAA
That you were my prince. The one I'm
waiting for.
ODYSSEUS
(smiles)
He'll be here one day... One day soon...
NAUSICAA
(crying)
But he won't be you.
ODYSSEUS
He'll be better.
NAUSICAA
Was I not beautiful enough?
54.
ODYSSEUS
Beautiful? The most beautiful. Even
Helen herself could not compare...
NAUSICAA
(laughs through her tears)
Liar.
ODYSSEUS
There, you see? Nausicaa, thank you -
whatever happens to me, thank you for
saving my life, for showing me simple
goodness. I will remember.
He kisses her tenderly on the cheek and then rushes up the gangway
where Alcinous tactfully waits.
As Nausicaa watches, the SAILORS cast off and the ship starts to
move...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. HARBOR, PYLOS - DAY
where Telemachus is saying farewell to Peisistrata. Like Odysseus,

he holds the girl's hands in his own.
PEISISTRATA
You'll come back? You promise?
TELEMACHUS
I want to...
55.
PEISISTRATA
I'm so frightened. I love you so much...
He kisses her hands.
TELEMACHUS
You are the only sweetness I have ever
known. I'll remember...
Abruptly he tears himself away and races aboard, stopping to kneel

before old Nestor and kissing his hand, as well.
As Peisistrata watches, the SAILORS cast off, the ship begins to

move and Telemachus, at the rail, waves to her...
DISSOLVE TO:
DOUBLE EXPOSURE
One opposite sides of the SCREEN, Nausicaa and Peisistrata, both

tear-stained, watch by the shore...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ITHAKA - DAY
seen on the near horizon. WIDEN TO REVEAL
ALCINOUS' SHIP
with its crew. ALCINOUS turns to the CAPTAIN.
ALCINOUS
56.
Ithaka?
CAPTAIN
Aye, sir.
ALCINOUS
Where is the Lord Odysseus?
The Captain gestures to where Odysseus sleeps on deck in the

sunshine.
CAPTAIN
He sleeps like a babe.
ALCINOUS
(smiles)
No need to wake him.
EXT. ALCINOUS' SHIP - DAY
as it approaches the coast of Ithaka.
ON DECK
Odysseus is still asleep.
LATER
THE SHIP GENTLY NUDGES a stretch of BEACH.
ON BOARD
Alcinous signals and SEVERAL CREWMEN lift the sleeping Odysseus

on his pallet and gently carry him ashore.
57.
EXT. ITHAKA - DAY
the MEN carry him off the beach and set him down gently beneath the
shade of an OLIVE TREE.
Alcinous kneels beside the sleeping man.
ALCINOUS
(quietly)
Good luck, wanderer. You are home at
last.
Odysseus stirs but doesn't wake. Alcinous signals his men and they
move off...
LATER
EXT. OLIVE TREE - DAY
THICK MIST ROLLS IN FROM THE SEA. The chill causes Odysseus to
wake. He looks around in puzzlement. FOG everywhere.
Odysseus stands, realizing he is on land. FOOTSTEPS in the FOG tell

him someone is approaching. He squints.
HIS POV
through the fog a YOUNG SHEPHERD approaches, stops at the sight of

Odysseus, who thinks fast.
ODYSSEUS
Greetings friend...
YOUNG SHEPHERD
58.
And you, stranger...
ODYSSEUS
I pray you, do not think me mad but can
you tell me the name of this place?
YOUNG SHEPHERD
You do not know where you are?
ODYSSEUS
If I did I would have no need to ask.
YOUNG SHEPHERD
This is the kingdom of Ithaka.
ODYSSEUS
(poker-faced)
Ithaka indeed? I have heard of it.
YOUNG SHEPHERD
(puzzled)
How did you get here and not know your
destination?
ODYSSEUS
I will tell you the truth. I come from Crete
and there I killed a man who tried to rob me. I
made my escape, paying Phoenician sailors to
carry me beyond the reach of the law. We
encountered a great storm which drove us
from our course and then discovered this
island where we stopped for water. I must
have fallen asleep and they pushed off again
without me.
59.
The Young Shepherd laughs - and laughs, and laughs -
YOUNG SHEPHERD
Odysseus, teller of tales, will you never
cease to employ your imagination?
Before Odysseus' astonished eyes, the shepherd metaMORPHoses into

the goddess ATHENA, complete with her Helmet and Spear - she is
the statue come to life...
ATHENA (cont'd)
(still amused)
I do declare there was never so devious
a man since the world was framed.
ODYSSEUS
Athena!
He kneels before her.
ATHENA
Yes, your grey-eyed protector. Could not
recognize me?
ODYSSEUS
How could I, when you took care that I
should not? Is this really
Ithaka? Or is this another island and
another cruel trick of the sea God?
60.
ATHENA
You are home, Odysseus.
He trembles with the news. Bends over and kisses the earth.
The Goddess watches compassionately as he lies there, his body

shaken with sobs. She sits next to him under the tree, crooking the
spear in her arm. They are boon companions.
ODYSSEUS
Home.
ATHENA
Aye, home - you have beaten Poseidon, but
all's not done yet. Your house is infested with
vermin. You will have to plan carefully if you
are to regain your kingdom and your wife.
ODYSSEUS
Will you help me?
ATHENA
As always, for I could never resist the
appeal of your ingenuity. (sighs) You
and I, what can I say? a match that
should have been made in heaven. What
a pity you are merely mortal.
ODYSSEUS
(tactful)
My loss, surely. You are the only woman
61.
who has ever truly understood me.
ATHENA
(without rancor)
Liar. Your wife understands you
perfectly. Or you would not struggle so
to rescue her.
ODYSSEUS
True. (pause as they acknowledge this,
then -) What do you suggest?
ATHENA
(thinks)
My advice is this: first visit old
Eumaeus.
ODYSSEUS
My shepherd?
ATHENA
He has remained faithful to you and can
tell you how things stand at your
palace.
ODYSSEUS
A good plan. (he rises) Where is my son?
ATHENA
On his way back from Sparta. (off his
look) He went there in search of news
of you.
ODYSSEUS
Good lad. And his mother?
62.
ATHENA
Still pines for her husband.
Odysseus, moved, takes this in, then stands and looks at himself in
the fine clothes Alcinous has given him.
ODYSSEUS
I would do better to disguise myself,
rather than appear like this.
ATHENA
I agree. If you were recognized now it
might be awkward.
She passes a hand over Odysseus from top to bottom and he MORPHS
into an OLD BEGGAR in appearance, wrinkled, with shabby clothes. He
has an old leathern satchel and a staff.
ATHENA (cont'd)
Now your own mother wouldn't know
you.
ODYSSEUS
(grim)
She did. I have one other question...
He turns, but Athena is vanishing in the mist...
ATHENA'S VOICE
I have done all I can for you, beloved
friend. Now live by your wits - that's
what they're for.
63.
Odysseus nods, understanding, and trudges into the mist in the

opposite direction.
MORE MIST, REVEALING
EXT. THE SUITORS' SHIP - DAY
with Leocritus aboard, wrapped in his cloak, ill-tempered, freezing

and BORED. They huddle in angry silence until -
LOOKOUT
Off the starboard bow - it's Prince
Telemachus' ship!
Instantly everyone is up and alert. Sure enough, they are poking out
of the shore mist and the open sea is visible - and there, not far off,
is Telemachus' ship.
LEOCRITUS
Man the oars! Give chase!
Every man scrambles to his post; the HORTATOR beats the rhythm
and the killer ship flies across the water in pursuit of her quarry.
THE OARS FLASH IN THE WATER
LEOCRITUS licks his lips in anticipation; draws his SWORD.
SPEARS handed out to the MEN... BOWS STRUNG...
TELEMACHUS' SHIP proceeds unconcernedly on her way, oblivious to

the overtaking pursuer.
The SHIPS MEET and Telemachus' vessel is boarded by Leocritus and

64.
his men, all armed and ready for a fight.
ON BOARD TELEMACHUS' SHIP
the atmosphere is slightly anticlimactic. The MEN, who appear to be

FISHERMEN-types, look astonished at the behavior of the boarders,
swinging over, pirate-fashion.
LEOCRITUS
Where is Prince Telemachus?
FISHERMAN
WHO?
EXT. MIST COVERED ROCKY SHORE, ITHAKA - DAY
Telemachus, on shore, where he was dropped earlier, strains to HEAR

the altercation between ships. Too far off. Shrugging, but smiling at
his own cleverness, he starts climbing inland, disappearing INTO the
MIST as...
EXT. MOUNTAINSIDE, ITHAKA - DAY
Odysseus emerges OUT of the MIST near the tree line.
EXT. EUMAEUS' HUT - DAY
where Eumaeus, sitting on his porch, spies him. His eyes narrow in
suspicion at the Beggar approaching.
ODYSSEUS
Good day, friend.
EUMAEUS
65.
And you.
ODYSSEUS
Is there a shepherd hereabouts, Eumaeus
by name?
EUMAEUS
Who seeks him?
ODYSSEUS
One who calls himself a friend of Lord
Odysseus.
Eumaeus shifts his eyes quickly, checking out the landscape, then -
EUMAEUS
Come inside.
He holds the door open and lets Odysseus pass within, pulling him by
the sleeve and closing the door quickly...
INT. EUMAEUS' HUT - DAY
the place is dark and the Beggar keeps to the shadows. Eumaeus
silently bustles, setting forth a wooden CUP, filling it from a
goatskin and putting a dish of scraps before him. He throws a log on
the fire...
EUMAEUS
It's not much...
ODYSSEUS
(eating)
66.
Hunger makes the best sauce. I thank

you.
As he eats, Eumaeus studies him.
EUMAEUS
Have we met, then?
ODYSSEUS
I think not. I am a stranger here.
EUMAEUS
Where is my master? Do you know?
ODYSSEUS
(shrugs)
Over the seas. The God Poseidon stands
between him and his homecoming. How
fares his kingdom?
EUMAEUS
Badly. (off Odysseus' look) Aye, badly -
his wife's besieged by villains who have
taken over the palace. They wallow in
the king's property and insist that she
marry one or other but she refuses.
Miserable woman.
ODYSSEUS
(intense)
Those evil men -
EUMAEUS
67.
I do not blame them.
ODYSSEUS
(startled)
Who then?
EUMAEUS
I blame the master. When the cat's
away the mice will play. What business
had he to abandon his wife and kingdom
while he went in search of glory?
ODYSSEUS
(chastened)
What business indeed. But you love him
still.
EUMAEUS
Aye, I'm still the king's man, much good
may it do me.
ODYSSEUS
You can never tell - the king might
return.
EUMAEUS
(bitter laugh)
You may as well say that sheep will fly.
ODYSSEUS
(eating; casual)
But if he did - who is there still loyal
to him, besides yourself?
68.
EUMAEUS
A handful only. Eurycleia, his aged
nurse; me, his son, of course, and
Philotius, his cowherd. Melanthe,
handmaid to Penelope, sleeps with the
insolent Antinous - and some of the
other women are sluts beside.
Odysseus takes this in - not a lot to work with.
Eumaeus picks up his shepherd's staff.
EUMAEUS (cont'd)
I must tend my flocks. Sit here and
rest. For my master's sake treat this
place as your own. I will return when
the sun is down.
He starts out the door, opening it to face Telemachus.
TELEMACHUS
Eumaeus!
EUMAEUS
My prince! You are safe!
He kneels at the young man's feet, clasping his legs.
EUMAEUS (cont'd)
The Gods be thanked. I feared for you.
Telemachus looks over at the Beggar; then smiling, he tenderly

raises the shepherd.
69.
TELEMACHUS
Rise, faithful friend. You have a visitor,
I see.
EUMAEUS
One who calls himself a friend to your
father, my prince.
Telemachus comes forward and extends a HAND.
TELEMACHUS
I am well pleased to meet a friend of
my father's. Have you news of him?
Odysseus slowly takes the HAND. His own shakes...
CU THEIR HANDS CLASPING.
ODYSSEUS
Are you indeed Telemachus, son of
Odysseus?
TELEMACHUS
(grim smile)
I fear that is my unhappy fate.
ODYSSEUS
I have waited long for this moment.
TELEMACHUS
Do you know if my father lives?
ODYSSEUS
70.
He lives and I will relate what I know.

But first let this good man go to your
mother and tell her you have come safe
home. I'm sure she also worries for your
safety.
TELEMACHUS
I had come here to ask that favor.
Eumaeus, will you visit my mother?
EUMAEUS
I will, young master.
He starts out, then turns -
EUMAEUS (cont'd)
(to Odysseus)
You are sure we haven't met before?
ODYSSEUS
A long time ago, perhaps.
Satisfied with this answer, Eumaeus leaves. Telemachus pours

himself some wine from the goatskin as his father watches.
TELEMACHUS
So - you know my father...
ODYSSEUS
I know him well.
TELEMACHUS
What is he like?
71.
ODYSSEUS
Like?
TELEMACHUS
I have never seen him; only heard
stories - stories from my mother, my
nurse - the old man...
He gestures with his head to the departed shepherd.
TELEMACHUS (cont'd)
They tell me how strong he was, how
brave, how wise...
ODYSSEUS
Not wise. (off Telemachus' look) He
was many things, but he was not wise.
Clever. yes, clever I grant you. (sighs)
At the beginning, he knew everything
but he understood nothing.
TELEMACHUS
And now?
ODYSSEUS
And now - (thinks) he knows that he
does not know, and that he hopes is the
commencement of wisdom.
Silence as Telemachus contemplates this and Odysseus studies his

son. He drinks.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
What took you from Ithaka, if I may
72.
ask?
TELEMACHUS
I went abroad, hoping to learn of my
father's whereabouts - something you
seem to know...
ODYSSEUS
Your father is on his way home.
TELEMACHUS' eyes widen with excitement.
TELEMACHUS
On his - are you certain?
ODYSSEUS
Quite certain. He will be here any time
now.
Odysseus watches as Telemachus rises, trembling with excitement

and starts pacing the hut.
TELEMACHUS
I - I find it hard to believe... this isn't
some kind of trick...
ODYSSEUS
No trick, I assure you... he's on his way...
TELEMACHUS
On his way - after all this time... I have
forgotten what it is to hope... It's been
so long... can it really be that... my
father..! (he stops short) Great heavens.
73.
ODYSSEUS
What?
TELEMACHUS
He will be killed.
ODYSSEUS
What?
TELEMACHUS
(increasingly agitated)
You are a stranger here and do not
comprehend what has happened in my
father's absence. Our house is overrun
with so-called suitors, all petitioning
for the hand of my mother and my
father's crown. If they discover his
whereabouts they will certainly try to
kill him. (he grabs the beggar
forcefully) I must find my father and
warn him. Can you take me to him?
Please. If you
are his friend, help me save him.
Odysseus holds his son by the arms.
ODYSSEUS
74.
There is no need, Telemachus. Your

father is already safe.
TELEMACHUS
Safe? I don't understand.
ODYSSEUS
Look at me. LOOK.
As Telemachus, caught in his father's arms looks, Odysseus reaches

with a trembling hand, and grasps the FADED HORSEHAIR necklace at
his son's throat.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
When you were a babe in my arms, the
plume on my helmet frightened you.
With my hand I tugged off a shank of red
horsehair and put it in your tiny fist
before I sailed for Troy.
TELEMACHUS' eyes start out of his head. The beggar's wrinkles have
disappeared - in their place: Odysseus.
TELEMACHUS
Father..!
ODYSSEUS
(weeps)
My son.
They embrace long and hard. Telemachus weeps, as well.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
Can you forgive me?
75.
TELEMACHUS
I forgive you, father. All my life I have
waited to forgive you.
They look at each other, cry and then laugh; hug again.
When they part, Odysseus is a beggar once more, though his cheeks
are wet with Odysseus' tears. Telemachus blinks in astonishment.
ODYSSEUS
The goddess Athena has offered me this
disguise against the time when we take
our revenge.
TELEMACHUS
Revenge - but - father, we are two
against FIFTY...
ODYSSEUS
(smiles grimly)
It will require some planning. And
before we plan we must have
information. In the meantime no one
must know I am here. Do you
understand? No one.
TELEMACHUS
What about mother?
ODYSSEUS
Especially your mother. Her happiness
would betray us. Now - are you with
me?
76.
Telemachus smiles broadly.
TELEMACHUS
I'm with you. To the death.
They clasp each other again.

EXT. ITHAKA HARBOR - DAY
The "killer" ship has returned and a disgruntled Leocritus is

debarking, throwing his cloak over his shoulder and marching
hurriedly to his CHARIOT, which drives off at a gallop for the palace.
INT. GREAT HALL, ITHAKA - DAY
The Suitors are at their usual fun and games. Abruptly

their hi-jinks subside.
Antinous, who is chatting with Melanthe and Eurymachus, is slow to

pick up on the silence.
Then all three look.
Telemachus stands in the doorway. They are stunned by the sight.

Smiling slightly, he threads his way through them.
ANTINOUS
Welcome back, prince. Did you find your
father?
Behind him, a commotion as Leocritus rushes up to the same

threshold and yells -
LEOCRITUS
77.
He got away!
Antinous rolls his eyes - points.
Leocritus sees Telemachus, who favors him with a mocking bow.

Eurymachus recovers for them.
EURYMACHUS
We were all so worried for your safety,
Telemachus, lest you perish at sea, like
your father...
ANTINOUS
Such news would devastate your loving
mother...
TELEMACHUS
(faces them)
I cannot tell you all how touched I am by your
concern - for my well-being.
Telemachus' smile is chilling, as he proceeds out the DOOR at the

other and of the hall.
When he is gone, the suitors crowd round Antinous, their natural

leader.
LEOCRITUS
Now what?
ANTINOUS
Did he bring troops with him?
78.
LEOCRITUS
He brought no one.
Silence as they wait for Antinous to think.
ANTINOUS
The plan remains unchanged.
AMPHINOMOS, another suitor, more sensitive than the rest, is

appalled.
AMPHINOMOS
You mean kill him - here?
Antinous regards him coolly -
AMPHINOMOS (cont'd)
But he is the prince - you cannot do
this...
EURYMACHUS
It's a little late to be developing
scruples, Amphinomos.
AMPHINOMOS
But -
ANTINOUS
You wish to desert us?
AMPHINOMOS
79.
I? Uh, no. NO.
ANTINOUS
Then let us be patient. An opportunity
will present itself. When the boy is
dead, his mother's proud spirit will be
broken. (looks about) Where is he?
INT. PENELOPE'S CHAMBER - DAY
Telemachus hugs Eurycleia, who weeps for joy.
EURYCLEIA
My prince..!
Then he embraces his mother, who clutches him passionately.
PENELOPE
You frightened me so.
TELEMACHUS
No harm has come to me, mother. I'm
back, safe and sound. I bring you
greetings from Menelaus of Sparta and
queen Helen.
PENELOPE
That woman began my troubles. Did you
learn anything of your father?
Telemachus hesitates, then -
TELEMACHUS
No. Nothing.
She sags; he holds her, conscience-stricken.

80.
TELEMACHUS (cont'd)
But I have invited a guest to our house.
(off their looks) A beggar.
EXT. ITHAKA - DAY
A WELL FEATURED
Eumaeus and Odysseus (as the Beggar), walk along the rocky road
towards the citadel. Odysseus in rags, with his staff, makes a
pathetic sight.
They stop at the WELL and Eumaeus offers Odysseus the use of
it, letting him pull up the bucket.
At the same time a GOATHERD arrives with his flock and

unceremoniously, shoves Eumaeus out of the way.
MELANTHIUS
Move off!
He starts drawing water for himself.
Eumaeus is on the ground; Odysseus helps him up.
ODYSSEUS
This is strange courtesy...
MELANTHIUS
Who the devil are you?
He pokes Odysseus rudely, forcing him back.

81.
EUMAEUS
He is a friend of the lord Odysseus.
MELANTHIUS
Pigshit. Odysseus has no friends. He's
dead.
He drinks the water greedily from the bucket...
EUMAEUS
He still has friends.
MELANTHIUS
Meaning you, you stiff-necked ass? (re
Odysseus) He's a beggar and he's going
to whine for scraps at the Palace.
Aren't you? Aren't you?
He trips Odysseus and kicks him viciously in the ribs.
CU ODYSSEUS
on the ground, clutching his side, gasping...
ODYSSEUS
You say true, sir. Would not king
Odysseus feed a poor - ?
MELANTHIUS
There IS no king Odysseus, you idiot.
Have you no hearing? And those that
reign in his place feed only themselves.
He flings the remainder of the bucket at Odysseus, soaking him...

82.
He yells at his goats, shoves Eumaeus out of his way, and presses
on... Eumaeus helps Odysseus to his feet and they survey the
departing goatherd.
EUMAEUS
He's one who made his peace with the
suitors. I apologize for him...
ODYSSEUS
No need...
But he'll remember. They move on their way.
CU A DOG
lying filthy and dying in the sun, FLIES buzzing...
WIDEN TO REVEAL
EXT. STEPS TO ODYSSEUS' PALACE - DAY
where the dog with the mangy coat lies, ignored by the comings and
goings of all and sundry.
The palace has a trashed feel; it is casual, dirty - practically turned

into a gymnasium for the suitors and their games.
Odysseus and Eumaeus approach - Odysseus is stunned by the
appearance of his estate.
He looks at the dog, squints, and comes forward slightly, his

expression one of disbelief.
EUMAEUS
83.
That is Argos. He was the favorite

hound of the master.
ODYSSEUS
(kneels)
Argos...
CU ARGOS' EARS
prick up slightly, more like a twitch -
ARGOS opens his EYES, sees the Beggar, feebly wags his tail and
STRUGGLES to rise. We can barely recognize the dog we saw before
Odysseus sailed for Troy...
As Odysseus watches, transfixed, his eyes glistening, the dog inches

its way towards him, WHIMPERING...
CU ODYSSEUS' HAND
stretches forth to touch the dog; pat it.
The dog collapses dead at his feet.
Odysseus gently strokes his corpse.
Eumaeus frowns unhappily.
EUMAEUS
Wretched creature. A bad sign that he
did not live to see his master again.
Come.
He pulls Odysseus forward. Odysseus looks back at his beloved pet,

wipes tears from his eyes, then turns and heads into the great
courtyard and hall.
84.
INT. HALL - DAY
Men gorging themselves everywhere, fondling servants, telling dirty

jokes, drinking, playing games, lifting weights, throwing spears, etc.
EUMAEUS
Sit here.
He leaves Odysseus inconspicuously by the GREAT DOOR as he goes

forward. Odysseus checks out the door - there's a big OUTSIDE BOLT.
Handy to know. He watches as Eumaeus approaches Telemachus at
the other end of the hall where he eats alone and speaks to him.
Telemachus looks his way and then puts food on a plate for Eumaeus
to bring back to Odysseus.
The Suitors slowly begin to notice as Eumaeus crosses the hall with
food for the beggar at the door.
Telemachus watching...
Eumaeus is about to hand the plate to Odysseus, when
FROM BEHIND, Antinous, abruptly spins Eumaeus around, dashing the

FOOD to the ground -
ANTINOUS
What do you think you're doing, old man?
How dare you bring this mangy creature
in here among us? You, who complain
that we squander your master's
inheritance. Do you propose that we
share it with a beggar?! Throw the
85.
rascal out before I turn the dogs loose

on him.
The Suitors roar their approval.
TELEMACHUS
Just a moment.
He rises and crosses to Antinous.
TELEMACHUS (cont'd)
This man is my guest - here at my
invitation, which is more than I can say
of you. Leave him alone or you'll pay
dearly.
Antinous is flabbergasted into silence by Telemachus, who has never

spoken in this way before.
Telemachus turns to the beggar politely.
TELEMACHUS (cont'd)
Feel free to take your bowl before each
man here. I assure you we are both
perfectly safe in this house.
He eyes Antinous, daring him to dispute his invitation.
ODYSSEUS
Thank you, master...
86.
Antinous whirls abruptly back to his place as
Odysseus, carrying his begging BOWL stops before each SUITOR in

turn, looking them in the eye. The meal has turned somber with the
suitors trying to avoid eye contact but throwing bits and pieces of
their meal into the BOWL.
ODYSSEUS
Thank you kindly, generous princes
...thank you for taking pity on a poor
man... such hospitality for one less
fortunate then yourselves... so kind...
As he moves past them, Odysseus eyes the WALL behind:
HIS POV THE WALL
IT IS COVERED WITH WEAPONS: SWORDS, SHIELDS, SPEARS, BOWS...
Odysseus takes this in. The ARMS will have to be removed...
Odysseus comes before Amphinomos, the only relatively decent man

among them - his guilty expression proclaims his conscience.
Odysseus holds out the bowl and stares.
Amphinomos alone puts COINS into the bowl.
ODYSSEUS
Thank you, my prince.
He starts to move off, then returns to Amphinomos.

87.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
You look as if you do not belong here, my
lord. Among these men...
Amphinomos starts at the remark; maybe he's about to say

something, when Odysseus swings his bowl before Antinous.
ODYSSEUS (cont'd)
And you, noble lord? Will you not assist
a poor beggar? I was once even as
yourself - rich and powerful, with many
men to command...
ANTINOUS
You're spoiling my dinner.
Long pause, eyeball to eyeball. Finally -
ODYSSEUS
What a pity.
Odysseus turns his back on Antinous, who suddenly flies into a rage
and hurls his FOOTSTOOL at Odysseus' unsuspecting BACK, knocking
the old man forward, almost off his balance as the food in the dish
goes flying...
ALL THE SUITORS rise in spontaneous CHORUS of protest at this

cowardly action.
ANTINOUS
(tops the uproar)
He insults me..! He insults us all!
88.
TELEMACHUS' hand reaches for his SWORD, but he catches his

father's EYE and controls himself.
Odysseus ambles back to his place at the door, picking up the food
scraps from the ground and stuffing them into the bowl and thence
to his mouth from his place by the door.
The Suitors are confused by this turn of events; no one

seems quite sure how to get the party back on track.
VOICE
(booming)
Who seeks to usurp my place?
Odysseus looks up, amid the growing LAUGHTER.
Standing in the doorway is ANOTHER BEGGAR, a HUGE BULLY and

braggart we have glimpsed before, called IRUS. Irus is a big favorite
with the Suitors, who are relieved by his sudden appearance. He
clowns and plays to them, harrumping, wiggling his rear end, etc.
ANTINOUS
Ah, Irus, our beggar of choice! Here's
one who would assume your role and
position.
EURYMACHUS
Aye, he'd replace you as our chief
jester!
LAUGHTER.
Furious, Irus looks down at Odysseus kicks him sharply. Presents his
rear end and imitates a FART with his mouth.
89.
IRUS
Begone, vagabond. Only room for one of
us to ply his trade in this place. I'm one
of the family.
MORE LAUGHTER.
ODYSSEUS
(quietly)
Not the royal family.
IRUS
(furious)
Begone I say or I'll thrash you.
Odysseus slowly looks up.
ODYSSEUS
Indeed?
He rises.
VOICES
A fight!... A beggars' duel!
Make room!... etc.
The prospect of a beggars' fight brings the party to life, with the
Suitors SHOUTING and space being instantly cleared before the
tables as men yell their BETS.
VOICES
Now this is more like it!...Two to one on
Irus!.. make that three to one and you're
on..! Go Irus! Give it to him..! etc.
90.
Irus takes off his shirt - he's a big man, alright, and angry. Odysseus
starts to remove his shirt and Irus takes a huge poke at him before
he's ready, knocking him down.
Before Odysseus can recover, Irus kicks him. Odysseus can only save
himself by hanging on to the big man's foot.
Odysseus recovers, turns and stares at Irus, who instinctively knows

he's in trouble. Slowly Odysseus pulls off his shirt.
Underneath, Odysseus' body is surprisingly well-muscled. Irus

blanches at the sight.
Irus tries to walk out of the circle, but Telemachus, smiling grimly,
prevents him. He turns back to Odysseus.
As the Suitors call encouragement, the two beggars circle one

another.
VOICES
Take him!...Go! What's the matter?
etc.
Telemachus watches, breathless.
Irus makes a move - in a second the two beggars are locked,

grappling as the Suitors yell their heads off...
The fight, however, is suddenly over - Odysseus rams Irus with a

fist in the gut, doubling him over, then flips him to the ground where
he lies, motionless.
91.
Stunned silence. Leocritus, who's nearest, inspects Irus.
LEOCRITUS
He's dead. His neck's broken.
Collective shock. Then -
ANTINOUS
He's... murderer!
TELEMACHUS
Not so fast. The fight was fair.
EURYMACHUS
True. Well, friend, I see you have
qualities. What a pity you use them only
to cringe and beg. Were you in a mood to
work, I could pay you well for your
labor.
Odysseus walks slowly over to Eurymachus, who cringes a bit, in

spite of himself, as the beggar with the muscled chest draws near.
ODYSSEUS
In the first place - I am not your friend.
Panicked, Eurymachus hurls a WINE PITCHER at Odysseus, who ducks.

The PITCHER hits another Suitor, who draws his SWORD, enraged. All
the Suitors start to draw their weapons.
ANTINOUS
Enough! Stop - in five more minutes
he'll have us at each other's throats...
92.
this beggar from Hell.
TELEMACHUS
I agree. We've had enough excitement
for one day. Clear the hall. Go home.
Do your "wooing" in the morning after
the Feast of Apollo. GO.
Uncertain, the Suitors start clearing out as Telemachus stands next

to the beggar.
Eumaeus is grinning from ear to ear.
As Amphinomos walks tentatively past him, Odysseus looks him in

the eye.
ODYSSEUS
(quietly)
Don't come back tomorrow. You don't
belong with these men.
Frightened, unsure, Amphinomos keeps walking. Odysseus resumes

looking at the floor as the suitors pass, until he is joined by
Telemachus, who stands next to him, watching them go. Odysseus
addresses his son without looking up.
ODYSSEUS
(quietly)
The walls need cleaning.
TELEMACHUS
What?
ODYSSEUS
93.
We must get rid of all these weapons.

Tell your servants to wash the walls.
Have all the weapons taken to the
storeroom and locked away in the
meantime.
TELEMACHUS
Aye...
ODYSSEUS
If anyone asks after them, say they're
being cleaned...
EXT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT
Eurymachus walks out but is grabbed by Antinous -
ANTINOUS
Tomorrow - after the feast of Apollo...
EURYMACHUS
An accident...
ANTINOUS
The boy - AND the beggar...
Eurymachus nods. Good idea...
INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT
Telemachus still standing next to his father as the last of the

Suitors leaves.
TELEMACHUS
What about the tables? They could be
94.
used as shields...
ODYSSEUS
True... have them taken outdoors to be washed
and dried in the open air...
Telemachus nods. The Suitors have gone and now the SERVANTS
enter and begin cleaning up the day's debris. SEVERAL carry out Irus,
the dead beggar.
TELEMACHUS
(loudly)
This place looks like a sty. Look, the
walls are filthy with smoke. Take down
the weapons and store them until the
walls have been scrubbed clean and
whitewashed.
SERVANT
Aye, master...
He instructs the rest and they begin removing the weapons from the
walls and carrying them out of the hall...
ODYSSEUS
Mind you see them locked where none
can get to them...
Telemachus nods again, and issues more instructions.
TELEMACHUS
You there. I want the tables removed as
well. They are filled with crumbs and
95.
stains. See they are scrubbed with lye

and stored in open air until I send for
them.
Another SERVANT nods and the TRESTLED TABLES begin to be carted

off by many hands...
Odysseus watches, satisfied, then turns to his son.
ODYSSEUS
I will stay here by the fire. Sleep well.
You will need your strength tomorrow.
TELEMACHUS
(nods; then -)
There's no other way, is there?
ODYSSEUS
Can you think of one? Thinking is
better than fighting.
TELEMACHUS
(hesitates, then -)
Goodnight - father.
ODYSSEUS
Telemachus. (he turns) You have warned
them.
TELEMACHUS
More than once.
He follows out after the weapons and the tables. Odysseus settles
96.
himself down by the FIRE in a ragged heap as the MAIDS quietly go

about scouring the room.
A SHADOW FALLS OVER HIM.
He looks up: it's PENELOPE.
Impossible to state the conflicting emotions crossing Odysseus'

face. He struggles to his feet...
ODYSSEUS
Your majesty...
PENELOPE
You need not rise, old man. I do not stand on
ceremony. You are welcome to my hearth. I have
heard about you from my son and from old
Eumaeus. We do not often have visitors here in
Ithaka. I long to hear your news...
But as Odysseus looks at her, the SOUND of her VOICE turns into a
kind of MUSIC and her smile causes him to lose the sense of her
words. Twenty years he's waited to hear that VOICE, see that smile.
A TEAR ROLLS DOWN HIS CHEEK. Penelope reacts. Odysseus hastily

wipes the tear with the back of his hand.
ODYSSEUS
I beg pardon, noble queen. Sometimes my own
troubles come too near my memory...
Penelope smiles and draws up a footstool, sitting next to him by the

fire. He remains on the floor at her feet.
PENELOPE
I have no difficulty understanding what you say. I
97.
have cried myself to sleep for the man I love every

night these twenty years.
ODYSSEUS
Odysseus?
PENELOPE
(stares at the fire as he
watches her)
My poor vanished lord. Bad enough I do
not know whether he is alive or dead -
for years I have been forced to endure
the presence of odious men in my home,
my "suitors," they like to call
themselves, though not one of them is
worthy to lick my husband's feet. (she
looks at him) Have you no news of my
husband?
ODYSSEUS
(hard to say)
How I wish I did, my lady.
She closes her eyes briefly with these tidings.
PENELOPE
Your news was the straw I clung to last.
My hopes are now at an end. I have put
these wicked men off for years with
one trick after another; I can deny them
no longer. I will have to choose one or
together they will empty the treasury
and murder my son.
98.
ODYSSEUS
How will you make your choice? May an
old man know?
Penelope thinks about this.
PENELOPE
My husband left his hunting bow behind
when he set sail for Troy, but I
remember how adept he was in the use
of it. (smiles) He could align twelve
axe-heads together and shoot an arrow
through every one of them. (she surveys
the empty hall) Tomorrow is the feast
day of the God Apollo. To celebrate I
will arrange a contest with Odysseus'
bow and the axe-heads. And I shall
marry whoever is able to duplicate his
feat - (swallows) though that marriage
break my heart in a thousand pieces...
Odysseus thinks about this. They stare into the fire together. Then -
99.
ODYSSEUS
There are many suitors. You will need a
lot of arrows...
PENELOPE
Yes.
ODYSSEUS
I had a wife. I loved her above all else
in this world.
PENELOPE
Where is she?
He extends his hand, almost touching her knee.
ODYSSEUS
Sometimes she seems so close I could
reach out and touch her.
(withdraws his hand, then -)
Can you forgive your husband?
Long pause.
PENELOPE
For leaving me this fate? I try to
forgive him. I understand why he left
for Troy, though I curse the name of
that place and the wicked woman who
forced him to go there.
ODYSSEUS
100.
Were you happy? Once?
PENELOPE
No woman ever was so happy. Now my
happiness seems like a dream I can
barely remember - but the fading
memory is all that comforts me...
ODYSSEUS
He was wrong to go, I think. He should
have stayed with you.
PENELOPE
(mild)
It is not for you to judge. Nor me.
ODYSSEUS
Then you DO forgive him.
PENELOPE
Always and forever.
They sit there, staring at the fire. Together.
Eurycleia approaches.
EURYCLEIA
My lady -
PENELOPE
(roused from her reverie)
Ah, yes, Eurycleia. Can we not offer our
guest a proper room, a bed and fresh
clothing? He has no need to sleep here
before the fire...
101.
ODYSSEUS
I assure your majesty; most of my life
I've done with less than this. I am
content.
PENELOPE
(rises)
Is there nothing we can offer to a weary
traveler?
ODYSSEUS
You are most kind... perhaps the old
woman who stands beside you will wash
my aching feet...
PENELOPE
Eurycleia...?
EURYCLEIA
Aye, my lady.
PENELOPE
Will you excuse me? I must speak with
my servants...
ODYSSEUS
Certainly, your majesty.
Penelope moves off to supervise her servants and their cleaning.
Odysseus sits on the vacated footstool and Eurycleia pours water

from the pot on the fire into a nearby ornate basin.
102.
EURYCLEIA
You've come from far away, then?
ODYSSEUS
Very far...
Odysseus stares after Penelope, watching her instructing her

servants as Eurycleia sits at the hearth and starts to bathe his
filthy feet and legs.
EURYCLEIA
My queen had hoped you brought news of
her beloved husband...
ODYSSEUS
I know...
CU ODYSSEUS' FEET
as Eurycleia soaps the legs - suddenly, her FINGERS TOUCH THE SCAR
where the BOAR attacked him, aged fourteen..!
CU EURYCLEIA
she stares at the SCAR, then
drops his foot in the basin with a SPLASH and looks up in wild
surprise, catching Odysseus' eye.
EURYCLEIA
Lord Od-
103.
He leans down and covers her mouth with his hand.
ODYSSEUS
Not a word. If I am discovered I die like
a dog.
He takes his hand away. Her eyes are filled with tears. She says
nothing but intently scrubs the old man's feet...
Penelope, finished giving instructions, starts out past them on her

way to bed...
PENELOPE
I wish you a good night's rest,
stranger...
ODYSSEUS
And you, your majesty. May your
sorrows soon be at an end.
The remark touches Penelope. She hesitates, then goes out.
EURYCLEIA
(not looking up)
Can we not tell her?
ODYSSEUS
Tomorrow. Tonight I need your help in
another matter. (off her look) Eumaeus
and the cowherd Philotius can be relied
upon, is it not so?
104.
EURYCLEIA
Even though they both suppose you dead,
they are still loyal to you, master.
ODYSSEUS
Good. I need you to talk to them for me.
He leans forward and whispers. Her eyes widen.
INT. PALACE CORRIDOR - NIGHT
By the STORAGE CLOSET.
The SERVANTS finish stacking the WEAPONS in the CLOSET.
Melanthe is the last to deposit weapons. She closes the door and
locks it, turning around to face
TELEMACHUS, who puts out his hand for the key.
Wondering, Melanthe hands it over to him and Telemachus tucks it

away. He walks off, leaving her uneasy and puzzled. CU THE BIG
TAPESTRY OF ODYSSEUS WOVEN BY PENELOPE: THE TAPESTRY IS
FINISHED.
INT. PENELOPE'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT
Penelope lies awake, thinking about tomorrow...
INT. TELEMACHUS' ROOM - NIGHT
Telemachus is also awake...

105.
INT. GREAT HALL - NIGHT
Lying by the dying fire, Odysseus contemplates the next day.
INT. TEMPLE OF ATHENA - NIGHT
The EMPTY PEDESTAL in the MOONLIGHT...
EXT. SEA - DAWN
as THE SUN rises out of the water.
CU BANNER OF APOLLO, DRIVING HIS SUN CHARIOT, flapping...
WIDEN TO REVEAL
EXT. ODYSSEUS' PALACE - MORNING
As the GIANT BANNER is HOISTED INTO PLACE...
Several SHOTS as preparations for Apollo's FEAST are made.
MEN CHOPPING WOOD...making cooking fires...
RAISING MORE BANNERS...
CATTLE and GOATS HERDED towards the palace by Melanthius and

Philotius...
Eumaeus walking towards the palace, looking anxiously about.
A PROCESSION OF MULES LADEN with OLIVES, GRAIN and other

106.
FOODSTUFFS...
WOMEN GRINDING GRAIN FOR BREAD, SCOURING THE TABLES,

POLISHING THE SILVER CUTLERY...
SERVANTS HANGING GARLANDS OF FLOWERS everywhere, draping the

outer walls and columns with floral arrangements...
INT. GREAT HALL - DAY
EURYCLEIA supervising WOMEN WHITEWASHING THE BARE WALLS. The

room has been stripped of all furniture, save the THRONE...
SEATED BY THE DOOR, Odysseus, still in his beggar's garb, watches

these preparations. Holding his BOWL, he looks out to all the activity
in the courtyard where -
EXT. PALACE - DAY
The SUITORS, in a body, dressed in their finery, walk towards the

palace, talking and laughing...
Odysseus narrows his eyes and focuses in on -
Antinous, Eurymachus and Leocritus are talking animatedly and

seriously amongst themselves within the main body of the suitors,
plotting, evidently...
Penelope, aided by servants, arraying herself with unusual

care. She looks exquisite, more lovely than we have seen her.
107.
Melanthe is awed - she hasn't seen the queen so beautiful in some

time...
INT. TELEMACHUS' ROOM - DAY
Telemachus is also dressing carefully. He puts on his SWORD

SCABBARD and briefly examines the BLADE before slamming it into
its SHEATH. He studies himself in the mirror, holding out his own
hand to see if it is steady.
EXT. BANQUET HALL - DAY
Eumaeus takes up a lounging position OUTSIDE the GREAT DOORS, a

piece of straw between his teeth...
EXT. OPPOSITE DOOR, BANQUET HALL - DAY
Philotius helps Eurycleia carry SOMETHING LARGE AND HEAVY,

WRAPPED IN A BEARSKIN...
They set the BEARSKIN down just inside the door and Philotius takes
up the comparable position to Eumaeus, just OUTSIDE the door,
looking nervously about as Eurycleia catches his eye and leaves him...
EXT. PALACE, SHRINE OF APOLLO - DAY
LOTS OF PEOPLE GATHER to WORSHIP AT THE SHRINE as the SUN

comes up...
THE PRIESTS SING THEIR HYMN as the Suitors, et al, listen to their
devotions...
A LARGE BLACK BULL is brought to the ALTAR.

108.
The HYMN to APOLLO ends.
Antinous goes up before the BULL and pulls forth his SACRIFICIAL
KNIFE, holding it aloft.
ANTINOUS
To thee, God Apollo, lord of Life and of
the Sun, do we make sacrifice!
He slits the animal's throat and the Priests catch the sacred BLOOD
in a SILVER BOWL...
ANTINOUS (cont'd)
Prosperity be ours!
There is a surprised murmur. Antinous turns -
THEIR POV
A BLACK CLOUD has CROSSED THE SUN.
Antinous looks up. The SKY has got quite dark; ominous. People
murmur; it is a bad sign. A VOICE is HEARD in the CROWD: "A black
day will it be - for somebody."
Antinous is unnerved by the sky. Nevertheless -
ANTINOUS
And now - to the feast!
The Suitors move towards the palace as the CROWD disperses.

109.
EXT. GREAT HALL - DAY
the Suitors file inside without noticing Eumaeus casually leaning

nearby...
INT. HALL - DAY
As the suitors enter, they are perplexed.
All the tables and chairs are gone. The walls are bare.
Instead, 12 AXE-HEADS have been aligned down the length of the

middle of the room.
Penelope sits on the THRONE. Next to her stands Telemachus.
On Penelope's LAP rests a large BOW. Nearby MANY ARROWS...
Seated inconspicuously by the great door - Odysseus.
ANTINOUS
What is the meaning of this? Where is
the feast?
PENELOPE
The feast is to come.
Behind the Suitors the Great Doors close. They turn briefly,
confused, then back to the queen.
PENELOPE (cont'd)
And one of you will have much to
110.
celebrate. My widowhood is this day at

an end. (rises with the bow) Here is the
hunting bow of my lord King Odysseus.
With this weapon he could fire an arrow
through 12 axe heads...
CU THE AXE HEADS...
PENELOPE (cont'd)
Whomsoever of you can string this bow
and fire a shaft through these axe heads
- him will I marry.
She hands the BOW to Telemachus and starts out towards the back
doors.
Her action rouses the surprised Suitors to life.
EURYMACHUS
My lady. (she turns) Will you not stay to
witness this contest?
PENELOPE
The result will make no difference to
me.
She starts to leave - but Antinous appears before her, cutting off
her exit. He seizes her hand.
ANTINOUS
It will make a great difference. To me.
He pulls her hand up and kisses it. SLOWLY, never taking his eyes
from hers.
111.
Odysseus looks at his begging bowl.
Suppressing shudder, Penelope withdraws her hand and leaves.
The Suitors are perplexed but pleased. They drift down towards
Telemachus and the bow...
Odysseus never looks up...
LEOCRITUS
I will shoot first...
VOICES
Why you?... Let me... No, ME!... etc.
A quarrel over precedence with the bow breaks out...
EXT. PALACE HALL - DAY
as the Suitors argue amongst themselves, Penelope walks

majestically down the corridor.
Philotius stands by the CLOSED DOOR in the background, also looking

casual and inconspicuous...
The Suitors still clamoring to be first with the Bow...
Penelope enters. Like an automaton, she strips off her DIADEM and
112.
JEWELRY. She lies down on her bed. She can faintly HEAR the NOISE
below - then her EYES SHUT and the NOISE FADES AWAY TO SILENCE...
Leocritus has got the BOW and a line of sorts has formed...
Eurymachus and Antinous are at the end of it...
TELEMACHUS
Are all agreed? Leocritus, your turn,
then is first.
Odysseus watches...
Leocritus attempts to bend the bow in order to string it.
The BOW will not bend.
The Suitors watch - they had not expected this.
SEVERAL MOMENTS pass as Leocritus does his best. He finally gives

up with a sharp exhalation of breath.
Telemachus conceals a smile.
Leocritus angrily hands the BOW off to the next man, AMPHINOMUS,
who steps forward and does his best...
No luck... He strains and strains...
Odysseus looks down at his begging bowl...
AMPHINOMUS gives up and thrusts the bow at the next man...

113.
Penelope sleeps a DEEP SLEEP in total SURREAL SILENCE...
ANOTHER SUITOR struggles with the bow - quite a few have tried and
failed by now, standing off to one side...
Odysseus eats from his bowl...
Telemachus stays poker-faced...
Antinous watches as yet another SUITOR struggles. He's thinking...
EXT. GREAT HALL DOORS - DAY
Eumaeus looks around... the courtyard is now deserted...
EXT. SKY - DAY
The sun still obscured by angry BLACK CLOUDS... the day is getting
DARKER by the minute...
Eurymachus now strains to string the bow, the veins standing out on
his red forehead.
The Bow will not yield.
With a GASP Eurymachus releases it to Telemachus who hands it to

Antinous.
114.
Antinous studies the bow, then carries it over to one of the TORCHES
and bases the wood back and forth over the flame.
ANTINOUS
The wood is stiff from years of
idleness.
All watch as the Bow passes back and forth over the flame.
Odysseus, too...
Finally, Antinous is ready to make his effort. And quite an effort it

is, too...
The Bow begins to bend...
As the Suitors crowd round to see, Antinous keeps straining to pull

down the top end, towards the LOOP in the BOWSTRING...
CU THE LOOP GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE BOW END...
CU ANTINOUS' muscles rippling...SWEAT pouring...
The MEN watching...
ANTINOUS' FACE, GRIMACING...
CU THE LOOP GETTING CLOSER, TREMBLING WITH ANTINOUS' EFFORTS...
Abruptly, Antinous lets go, hurling the Bow away from him, bent
over double and gasping with his attempt.
CU A PAIR OF HANDS
115.
picking up the Bow.
WIDEN TO REVEAL
Odysseus, the beggar, holding it.
ODYSSEUS
Too many years of easy living have
made you soft, Antinous.
They all look over to where Odysseus holds the bow.
ANTINOUS
(gasping)
I'd like to see you do it, old man...
Odysseus purses his lips into a smile, accepting the challenge. He

comes forward next to the throne - and the supply of ARROWS - as
the Suitors, almost in a trance, watch...
He holds the bow lovingly, strokes it like a faithful pet.
As Telemachus watches, Odysseus neatly bends the Bow and strings

it. A Gasp from the Suitors.
The Suitors are transfixed as Odysseus takes up an ARROW and

stations himself, aiming at the 12 AXE HEADS.
CU THE AXE HEADS
CU EURUMACHUS AND ANTINOUS
watching, struck with wonder...

116.
Odysseus, kneels, aims... and SHOOTS...
The ARROW FLIES, zipping through the 12 AXE HEADS!
The Suitors can only stare - as
Odysseus, straightens up AS HIMSELF, his wrinkles GONE...
ODYSSEUS
Odysseus is home.
Amazed, Antinous nonetheless draws his SWORD...
ANTINOUS
Not for long... kill him!
But before he or anyone can move, Odysseus has let fly another
arrow...
STRAIGHT INTO ANTINOUS' THROAT!
A great CRY goes up from the SUITORS as
EXT. GREAT HALL, FRONT ENTRANCE - DAY
Eumaeus reacts and SLAMS DOWN THE BOLT, locking the HALL and
EXT. GREAT HALL, BACK ENTRANCE - DAY
Philotius does the same thing with the BACK DOOR BOLT. The suitors
are sealed with their fate.

117.
EURYMACHUS
You fools, there are 49 of us! Come on!
The Suitors draw their SWORDS.. but another ARROW stops

Eurymachus, throwing his bloody body back into the arms of his
followers...
ODYSSEUS
Forty-eight...
TELEMACHUS flips back the BEARSKIN, REVEALING -
A SUPPLY OF JAVELINS...
As the Suitors attempt to regroup, Telemachus hurls a JAVELIN into

their MIDST, goring another one...
Odysseus lets fly another ARROW...
The Suitors look at the BARE walls - the weapons have gone!
VOICES
We are betrayed..!
Whether they try going forward or rushing around the room, the
arrows and the javelins are finding them...
EXT. GREAT HALL DOOR - DAY
A FURIOUS POUNDING ON THE DOOR, accompanied by terrified

SCREAMS from within.
Eumeaus stays at his post. SERVANTS come running, including

Melanthe, wide-eyed, who hears the SCREAMS.
118.
MELANTHE
NO!
She tries to push past Eumaeus, who throws her violently off...
He produces a SPEAR of his OWN as the SERVANTS GAPE...
Melanthe runs off...
EXT. GREAT HALL, REAR DOOR - DAY
Philotius listens without expression to the NOISES and POUNDING

from within...
EXT. WEAPONS CLOSET - DAY
Melanthe runs toward the CLOSET, but Eurycleia gets there first,
standing before it... SCREAMS heard nearby...
MELANTHE
Let me - !
But Eurycleia throws her back. Hysterical, Melanthe attacks the

older woman; they wrestle...
SCREAMS in the distance as the SHADOW of the STATUE LENGTHENS

ON THE FLOOR as
Athena returns to her pedestal -

119.
Silence. Penelope sleeps...
EXT. WEAPONS CLOSET - DAY
Melanthe desperately wrestles with Eurycleia, pulling a KNIFE on the

old woman. The women wrestle for the KNIFE - then Melanthe's eyes
widen in shock and BLOOD burbles from her mouth and she slides
down the front of Eurycleia, the KNIFE protruding from her gut...
ATHENA'S BODY PASSING CLOSE before us on its way back to its

pedestal, screams ECHOING...
SWORDS DRAWN IN A PHALANX, TWENTY-FIVE SUITORS ALIVE

frantically attempt to charge Odysseus and his son...
Odysseus keeps shooting and Telemachus throwing spears at them,
who are dying, slipping on their own BLOOD...
WIDE REVEAL
The temple with the Statue as before, alone in the place - her work
completed... More SHOUTS, as...
In SLOW MOTION the ballet of death proceeds. Odysseus has almost

run out of ARROWS and Telemachus out of SPEARS...
120.
Odysseus sights Amphinomus and Amphinomus' eyes widen - he

shouldn't have come back with these men -
THE ARROW goes into his open MOUTH...
Now the fighting is hand to hand as Odysseus picks up a SWORD from

the BEARSKIN and
FATHER AND SON, back to back, fight off the remainder of the
Suitors, who rush them now there's no more ARROWS...
EXT. GREAT HALL REAR DOORS - DAY
Melanthius, the traitorous goatherd is fighting with Philotius, trying

to unbar the door...
Philotius throws Melanthius to the marbled floor and bangs his head
there. Again and again...
EXT. GREAT HALL FRONT DOOR - DAY
The PALACE SERVANTS stand motionless, facing the barred front

doors, where Eumaeus stands impassive, his arms across his chest,
(though he still carries his spear).
The SOUNDS within are growing FAINTER, LESS FREQUENT. The NOISE
of CLASHING STEEL more INTERMITTENT and also the CRIES of MEN
growing fainter. More time between them.
Then SILENCE. No one moves.
INT. PALACE CORRIDORS - DAY
Eurycleia hurries. The silence is eerie...

121.
Penelope still asleep. Eurycleia enters and goes to the bed.
EURYCLEIA
My lady. MY LADY.
She pushes Penelope gently, then more. Penelope opens her eyes from
a stuporous slumber, looks about.
PENELOPE
What is it?
EURYCLEIA
He is home.
PENELOPE
What? Who?
EURYCLEIA
Your husband. (off her look) Yes. Lord
Odysseus.
Penelope sits up, trying to focus. She sees the BLOOD on Eurycleia's
gown. Now she's awake.
PENELOPE
There's blood. What has happened?
EURYCLEIA
I tell you, lady - your husband has
returned. He has avenged you and
reclaimed his throne..!
122.
Penelope closes her eyes briefly.
PENELOPE
Do not tease me, nurse. I have lived too
long to be the butt of your attempts at
humor.
EURYCLEIA
Lady, I do not tease. I saw him myself,
and the scar on his leg from when he
was a boy... You must come down...
Penelope is angry. Gets up.
PENELOPE
You were the last one I would have
expected to help these evil men with
their stupid jokes. Very well, I will
come with you - but afterwards I will
have words with you for this cruelty.
She starts out of the room, followed by Eurycleia...
EXT. HORIZON - SUNSET
The SUN emerges from BENEATH a row of GREY CLOUDS so as to set

brilliantly in the SEA...
MANY OF ODYSSEUS' SUBJECTS watch, their faces bathed in the

purifying red glow of the sunset...
EXT. GREAT HALL REAR DOOR - DAY

123.
Penelope and Eurycleia approach to find Philotius on guard at the

bolted door, the body of Melanthius on the floor.
Penelope sees the body. Then -
PENELOPE
Open the door.
Philotius eyes Eurycleia, who nods. He unbars and swings wide the
door...
CU PENELOPE
her eyes widen in shock.
PENELOPE'S POV THE GREAT HALL
AWASH IN RED, BODIES EVERYWHERE, the WALLS SPECKLED SCARLET.

Only TWO LIVING SOULS - TELEMACHUS and a MAN she hasn't seen
before, both of them covered in BLOOD, gasping for breath...
Penelope comes forward...
CU A PORTION OF HER GOWN TRAILING THROUGH THE RED...
She looks around, then at the man.
PENELOPE
Who are you?
ODYSSEUS
Your husband.
She approaches, looks at him - he's a wreck. Even though no longer

disguised as an old man, he's so covered with blood as to be
124.
unrecognizable.
TELEMACHUS
Mother, it's true...he's come back...
She looks at him so closely... then -
PENELOPE
I do not know you. (before he can
answer) I think you are another
impostor.
She walks carefully about, inspecting the corpses.
PENELOPE (cont'd)
(re the bodies)
More determined than most, but still
you are not my husband...
ODYSSEUS
(turning to face her)
If you do not know me, then everything I
have done for more than ten years, all
the hardships I have endured, the
comrades I have lost, the men I have
slain - if you do not know me, all my
efforts are for nothing...
She stops circling; comes up to him.
PENELOPE
I do not know you.
TELEMACHUS
125.
He drew the bow.
She flinches at this news. Falters. Looks at him.
PENELOPE
It cannot be.
ODYSSEUS
It is. I am.
PENELOPE
I will not believe...
ODYSSEUS
Put me to the test.
He watches her as she thinks, surveying the carnage.
Finally -
PENELOPE
(to Telemachus)
Have the servants carry down my
wedding bed.
Telemachus hesitates, then starts to obey. Odysseus stops him.
ODYSSEUS
This they cannot do.
PENELOPE
Why, what should you fear? If you are
who you say you are?
126.
ODYSSEUS
If I am who I say I am, and you sleep in
the same bed I built for our wedding,
there is yet a living tree whose trunk
forms one corner of that bed.
Penelope's eyes fill with tears.
PENELOPE
That was my test.
ODYSSEUS
Does that tree still live?
PENELOPE
It still lives...
She starts to shake...
ODYSSEUS
Then do you know me?
PENELOPE
(choking)
I know you...
They look at each other.
ODYSSEUS
I. AM. SORRY. TO. HAVE. KEPT. YOU.
WAITING. SO. LONG.
PENELOPE
Odysseus...
127.
She faints into his arms. He picks her up, light as a feather, and
strides out of the room. Telemachus is left with the devastation. He
looks up to see all the SERVANTS GAPING.
TELEMACHUS
Burn these bodies. Light fires with sulphur to
fumigate this place, then let the doors be closed
and sealed for this chamber shall never be used
again.
He throws down the last spear with a CLANG and walks through them
from the room...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. ITHAKAN MOUNTAINSIDE - DUSK
Eumaeus herds his SHEEP home at the end of the day...
From his vantage point, he can see the SMOKE from Odysseus' palace
as the place is purified... He smiles...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. BANQUET HALL - DAY
Burning, filled with BLACK SMOKE and FLAME...
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. PALACE - EVENING

128.
Eurycleia and Philotius sit calmly, watching the SUN set into the
sea.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. HARBOR, PYLOS - EVENING
Telemachus rushes off his ship into the waiting arms of Peisistrata.
They embrace, passionately, kissing, laughing...
INT. PENELOPE'S BEDCHAMBER - NIGHT
Penelope and Odysseus, kneeling opposite each other on their bed are
locked in each other's arms, their eyes shining with wonderment and
happiness.
PENELOPE
I never thought to see you again...
ODYSSEUS
Nor I you.
PENELOPE
And yet, somewhere, I could never give
up hope...
ODYSSEUS
Nor I.
PENELOPE
Was that wise?
ODYSSSEUS
Loving you is all the wisdom I have or
129.
ever hope to have.
They kiss.
PENELOPE
You must tell me everything -
everything that happened.
He smiles.
ODYSSEUS
That's a very long story.
PENELOPE
I will hear it, though it takes a lifetime
to tell.
They kiss again - she draws back, concerned.
ODYSSEUS
What is it?
PENELOPE
Odysseus, you have slaughtered the
flower of Ithakan nobility. The word
will get out soon enough. There will be
Hell to pay.
ODYSSEUS
(grim; realizes)
Will you stay by my side?
PENELOPE
Forever. But what will happen?
130.
He kisses her -
FREEZE FRAME
DISSOLVE TO:
SAME IMAGE -
Odysseus kissing Penelope in the TAPESTRY -
TITLE OVER:
But that's another story...
FADE OUT...

The Odyssey

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The Odyssey

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1.

adapted from Homer by

February 14, 1995

The Rage of Poseidon

FADE IN - THE SEA

SUCCESSIVE SHOTS - DISSOLVING...

*BOILING, ROLLING - GREEN, DARK BLUE, WINE PURPLE, then SLATE

This is the story of a man who wanted to go home...

MORE VISIONS OF THE SEA...UNDULATING...BY MOONLIGHT...WITH

*The WATER becomes CALM and TURQUOISE - we are in the AEGEAN,

Now a WAVE CRASHES ON SHORE, bringing us up to a WHITE BEACH

A RAVISHINGLY BEAUTIFUL GIRL of 16

something lying in the water, sloshing about...

she moves down to where the WAVES CRASH ONSHORE, WASHING

HER POV (CLOSER)

he's forty-five, muscular, grizzled, an unkempt beard and greying

his eyes FLICKER, then OPEN

THE RIVER MOUTH

nearby. TEN YOUNG WOMEN stand in the fresh water, washing

In response to the SCREAM they look up in alarm. One starts RUNNING

squatting on her knees amid the pounding surf, propping up the

Slowly her beautiful smiling features come into FOCUS...

They giggle at the suggestion, though the girl is clearly flattered -

THE MAN (cont'd)

He coughs again; can barely speak. She melts.

She laughs. So open. So friendly. So innocent. They all smile at

Long pause. He looks at her sadly. Another croak -

He volunteers no more. The girls look at one another, some

He's mesmerized by the WAVES. Gently she pulls him away.

Nausicaa drives in her little mule-driven CHARIOT; the stranger

The notion dimly startles him.

No, foolish man. I mean the prince who

EXT. THE TOWN - DAY

No expression on the faces of the TOWNSFOLK as they watch the

It's not a big kingdom but it seems comfy...

CU A RAZOR SCRAPING A BEARDED CHEEK

ALCINOUS' VOICE OVER

CU BLOOD RED WINE

poured into an ornate GOBLET before the FEARSOME BUST of

INT/EXT. KING ALCINOUS' PALACE - EVENING

The SUN low on the sea's HORIZON, visible in the distance.

Nausicaa's father, a handsome man with an intelligent face, wears

THE STRANGER'S FACE

PAN DOWN TO THE STRANGER'S FIST

*clenching at Poseidon's name... the STATUE seems to grimace just

plunges a TORCH into the LIBATION BRAZIER and FLAME erupts,

ALCINOUS' VOICE OVER

The BANQUET TABLE - LATER

Now we see THE MAN. What a transformation! He wears a proper

of you (his look includes the rapt

Nausicaa can't get enough. Her eyes shine.

The stranger's face twitches at this request.

The poet collects himself and touches the LYRE delicately...

plucking deftly at the STRINGS...

INT. HELEN'S BEDCHAMBER, SPARTA - NIGHT

The HEARTBEATS OF PASSION grow ominously louder to accompany

EXT. PLAINS OF TROY - DAY

TEN THOUSAND GREEKS, their armor CLASHING, their HORSEHAIR

*DEMODOCUS' VOICE (cont'd)

We see these supermen, fighting furiously as the poet describes

DEMODOCUS'S VOICE (cont'd)

STUNT MONTAGE as the Greek heroes DIE, by spear, by

DEMODOCUS' VOICE (cont'd)