Corpse Bride
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MAYHEW Aye, with you gone and all. They didn’t want to waste the cake.
VICTOR Barkis Bittern? But … But, how could she?
MAYHEW Time to pick up the pieces and move on, I suppose. SKELETON (O.S.) Hey, mate! Speakin’ of pickin’ up the pieces … come give us a hand with this table!
MAYHEW So much for ‘eternal rest.’ He walks off to help as Victor digests this new
information. The Corpse Bride watches Victor with growing concern — his thoughts have already returned to Victoria.
INT. VICTORIA’S BEDROOM (LAND OF THE LIVING) – SAME
TIME Finis and Maudeline speak to a pale, trembling Victoria.
MAUDELINE That’s enough, Victoria. The wedding has been planned for months. All my relatives, direct descendants of the Duke, are probably in their carriages right this moment!
(DISMISSIVE) This is just a small change. It won’t make any difference.
(FAINTLY) But, mother …
(INTERRUPTING) Barkis will make a fine husband.
VICTORIA I don’t love Barkis.
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And I remind irrelevant!
MAUDELINE you, that is The wedding is on, plan. They close the door, sealing her in the room.
INT. EVERGLOT DRAWING ROOM – DAY
Barkis stands proudly in front of the mirror, lips curled into an arrogant sneer, as Hildegarde hovers around him, pins in her mouth, making adjustments to the high- collared wedding suit. Barkis’ sneer quickly transforms into an obsequious smile as Finis enters the room.
BARKIS I must thank you again, sir, for the unexpected honor of …
(STRAIGHTENING his own tie in the mirror) Cut the small talk. You’re an Everglot now, and Everglots do not mince words. I expect this wedding to come off without a hitch. Do I make myself clear?
BARKIS Absolutely, sir. Without a hitch. Crystal clear, sir.
FINIS Excellent.
(PIOUSLY) I shall not disappoint you, sir.
(POINTEDLY) Most certainly not in remembering my vows. He jumps as Hildegarde has, apparently by accident, poked him with a pin. He glares at her. She looks back at him, the soul of innocence. Barkis returns his gaze to the mirror, and smiles approvingly at his own reflection.
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EXT. TOWNSQUARE (LAND OF THE DEAD) – PERPETUAL
TWILIGHT The party is about to begin. Corpse Bride is putting on the finishing touches, when Elder Gutknecht approaches her.
ELDER GUTKNECHT Very good indeed. I’ve always thought people worried too much about the ceremony and not enough about the celebration.
CORPSE BRIDE Well, it was a very quick ceremony. She tucks a dead flower in his lapel.
ELDER GUTKNECHT As it should be. In my day, we didn’t bother with cups and candles. Rubbish, all of it. How does anyone keep it straight when they say their vows?
(PLAYFULLY) Lucky for me, I didn’t have to. I was rather silent! Elder Gutknecht stops. Dust drifts off him.
ELDER GUTKNECHT Excuse me?
CORPSE BRIDE (a little more
HESITANTLY) I was rather silent?
ELDER GUTKNECHT You didn’t say your vows? No … ?
ELDER GUTKNECHT But, my child, you must both say the vows for the marriage to be binding. They stare at each other.
(SLOWLY) What are you saying?
ELDER GUTKNECHT My dear, you’re not really married. He’s free to go. Corpse Bride looks around wildly at all the wedding feast preparations, the crowds of the Dead, already beginning to congregate, and at Victor, now wild and handsome, with
Boots trotting alongside. She looks back at Elder Gutknecht, distraught.
ELDER GUTKNECHT The moment he realizes he’s not really married, he’ll simply drift back.
CORPSE BRIDE But surely. . . surely there’s some way to fix this? Please help me!
ELDER GUTKNECHT You’ll have to complete the ceremony by saying your vows.
CORPSE BRIDE I’ll say them right now! Elder Gutknecht shakes his head. What?
ELDER GUTKNECHT His vows were spoken in the land above. You too, must say your vows among the living. Corpse Bride stares at him. Her knees wobble.
CORPSE BRIDE We’ll never get up there without him knowing. If he finds out … He’ll leave! How can I explain it? The Elder scratches his skull, wafting a faint cloud of dust.
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ELDER GUTKNECHT Perhaps, my dear, it is time to accept that some things are not meant to be.
CORPSE BRIDE I’ve been waiting my whole life, and my whole after-life for this! I’m not giving up now. We’re going up there. And we’re going up now.
ELDER GUTKNECHT Wait. Please be reasonable … Even if I could allow it, you said yourself he’d be suspicious.
EXT. TOWN SQUARE (LAND OF THE DEAD) – MOMENTSLATER
The Dead have gathered around the statue. Corpse Bride is on top of the horse as she addresses the crowd.
CORPSE BRIDE Listen up, people! Listen up! There’s been a change of venue! Grab what you can and follow me. We’re moving this party.
SCISSORHEAD Where?
CORPSE BRIDE Upstairs! The crowd reacts with surprised GASPS and confused MURMURING…
FRESHLY-DEAD WOMAN Upstairs? I didn’t know we had an upstairs here. Why?
(TALKING FAST) For the moonlight! I was thinking we could … repeat our vows up there … like the first time we met. It would be so romantic …
He listens to her rapid-fire, used-car salesman pitch.
CORPSE BRIDE And you could say good-bye to everyone properly …
(RESIGNED) If it means that much to you. He smiles to Corpse Bride and extends his arm to her. Corpse Bride beams, giddy with relief.
Back among the living? Is it possible?
SKELETONGIRL Sounds creepy. Let’s go. The crowd CHEERS, and excitedly rush to gather up their stuff. Elder Gutknecht looks very concerned.
ELDER GUTKNECHT Oh, dear … The Dead Tinsmith straightens his tie, and combs the single strand of hair on his head, trying to make himself present ab le for the journey.
NEWANGLE Bonejangles and the Skeletons gather their instruments.
ANOTHERANGLE Black Widow and Maggot crawl out of Corpse Bride’s ear, pulling with them a gossamer sheet of fabric.
BLACK WIDOW We thought you needed a proper wedding veil.
(GENUINELY TOUCHED) Thank you.
MAGGOT It’s woven from your tears. They are so strong and wispy.
CORPSE BRIDE It’s beautiful. She starts to cry happy tears.
BLACK WIDOW So now she wants a gown. As the bugs put the veil on, we…
INT. VICTORIA’S BEDROOM- EVENING
Another wedding veil, carried by Hildegarde. She enters, finding Victoria slumped on the edge of her bed.
(GENTLY) Miss Victoria, we must leave for the church … Victoria looks up. She’s been crying.
VICTORIA Yesterday, I thought my wedding would be happy. Now I feel like I’m caught in the tide, pulled out to sea.
HILDEGARDE The sea leads to many places, dearie. Maybe you’ll land somewhere better.
(PRE-LAP) With this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine.
INT. VILLAGE CHURCH- EVENING
A somber, ponderous bleakness pervades, accentuated by the sound of LUGUBRIOUSORGANMUSIC.
Victoria stands dully at the altar, wearing her austere ivory wedding gown. The portrait of the Duke has been brought to the church and placed in a seat of honor, as if to witness the ceremony. Finis and Barkis wear formal wedding suits and towering top hats.
BARKIS With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine. He slides an ornate ring onto her finger. The silent CROWDsits, stiff and starched in their grey suits and dresses. Among them, we FIND Hildegarde. Pastor Galswells nods at Victoria. With a deep breath, she takes a candle from the table.
VICTORIA (almost a whisper) With this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine. She slides a gold ring onto Barkis’ chubby finger. He offers a saccharine smile, as much for the crowd as
anyone.
PASTOR GALSWELLS I now pronounce you, man and wife. Barkis leans in for a kiss. Victoria turns her cheek at the last moment, lest he kiss her lips.
INT. EVERGLOT DINING ROOM – NIGHT
THE DINNER a funeral.
EVERYTHING party is being held with all the formality of Multiple salad forks. Finger bowls. placed just so.
The only sound is the occasional TINKLE of GLASS and
SILVERWARE.
Maudeline is in her element, and works the crowd, who sit chewing the bland meal like wax statues.
Barkis tries to take Victoria’s hand, but she pulls away.
EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE (LAND OF THE LIVING) – NIGHT
The village is still and quiet. The Town Crier is out lighting the street lamps.
Then, the CLATTER of HOOVESon cobblestones. The Town Crier looks up to see Van Dort’s carriage coming over the bridge, racing towards the village at breakneck speed. It barrels through the gates and circles the square on two wheels. Shocked villagers peer from their windows. The CARRIAGESMASHESinto the statue. Resorting to his default behavior, the Town Crier pulls out his BELL and starts RINGING.
TOWNCRIER VAN DORT FAMILY CARRIAGECRASHES IN VILLAGE SQUARE! NO SURVIVORS! A beat later, the very shaken Van Dort parents emerge from the cab in.
TOWNCRIER TWO SURVIVORS!
(EXPLAINING) Our driver, Mayhew, expired while at the reins.
NELL Quite rude! The Crier RINGS his BELL again.
TOWNCRIER UNGRATEFULSURVIVORSBLAMEVICTIM!
WILLIAM (to no one in
PARTICULAR) So much for impartiality.
TOWNCRIER IN OTHER NEWS, THE DEADWALKTHE EARTH!
WHIP PAN BACK DOWNthe street, CARNIVALis marching this way. party, just arrived. where a NOISY, JUBILANT It’s the dead wedding
INT. EVERGLOTDINING ROOM- NIGHT
Barkis Bittern stands, holding up his wine glass for a toast. Normally, he’d have to wait for the room to grow silent, but it’s already library-quiet.
BARKIS As many of you know, it was a quick courtship for Victoria and I. But love is like that — spontaneous and unexpected. Unbridled! Serendipity may have brought us together, but no force on Earth could ever tear us apart. Just then, some of The Dead SMASHthrough the WINDOWS. Amid the SCREAMS, the Hanged Man tries to restore calm.
HANGEDMAN Sorry to bust in, but we need some tables. We’ve got a celebration of our own. Skeletons and ghouls lift several tables, carrying them right out the door, along with the plates and silver. Amid the commotion, Victoria and Hildegarde run from the room. Maudeline strives gamely to maintain her composure, until the Hanged Man lurches up to her and rips his head through the painted portrait.
HANGEDMAN We haven’t been properly introduced, have we? It’s me! The Duke! He strikes the same heroic pose frame hanging around his neck. horrified silence. as his portrait, the There is a shocked and Maudeline SCREAMS– more from the horror of the revelation than anything else.
MAUDELI NE You … the Duke?
HANGEDMAN Darling, how do you think you got this very grand house, and all your lovely ‘family heirlooms’? Noticing Victoria’s absence, Barkis goes looking for her.
HANGEDMAN Come on, you stuffy buggers! The real party’s happening down the hill!
EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE – NIGHT
It’s been transformed beyond recognition into a brightly- colored, pulsating party zone. The Green Grocer’s racks of lettuce heads are now skulls, while the skeleton children run with bolts of fabric from the Widow Munch’s seamstress shop. To the consternation of the watchmaker, Wellington is re- setting all the CLOCKS to RING at once. Down the street, Paul the Head Waiter leads a crew of ghouls through the baker’s shop, spraying frosting everywhere. Amid this tumult, we FIND Corpse Bride and Victor. He looks around, smiling.
VICTOR I like this place better already. Realizing the undead mean them no harm, The Living are gradually warming up to the situation. Nell is swept into the revelry, caught up dancing with the Dead Dwarf General. Pulling mother away, Victor introduces them to Corpse Bride.
VICTOR Mother, Father. This is Emily.
WILLIAM (going with it) Pleased to meet you. .’—– NELL What’s your last name, Emily?
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CORPSE BRIDE Merrimack.
NELL Why, the Merrimacks are a Yen good family. Their grandfather was an Earl!
WILLIAM Well done, Victor!
CORPSE BRIDE We’re just about to get married …
… again. Up near the statue — and the crashed carriage — Elder Gutknecht stands at a makeshift altar. Corpse Bride and Victor join him. Elder Gutknecht flips through his book.
ELDER GUTKNECHT Let’s skip the boilerplate and get straight to the vows. Living first.
Corpse Bride slips off her ring, and hands it to Victor.
VICTOR With this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine. With this candle, I will light your way in darkness. With this ring, I ask you to be mine. He slides it back on her finger. She smiles, but there’s a trace of guilt there.
ELDER GUTKNECHT Now, you.
CORPSE BRIDE With this hand I will lift your sorrows. Your cup will never empty, for I will be your wine … As Corpse Bride speaks, she sees Victoria off to the side, watching with quiet horror.
ELDER GUTKNECHT Go on, my dear.
Shaken, Corpse Bride continues with her vows.
CORPSE BRIDE With … with this candle I will light your way in darkness.
She pauses, then … She stops.
CORPSE BRIDE With this … Victor looks puzzled, waiting for her to continue.
VICTOR What’s wrong? The Corpse Bride looks up at Victor. She smiles as a tear rolls down her tattered cheek.
CORPSE BRIDE Ihi.Ji is wrong . She takes off the ring and hands it to him. In her eyes we see a sad tenderness for the fleeting love that almost was, and an acceptance that it never could be.
CORPSE BRIDE I love you, Victor, but you’re not mine. My dreams were taken from me. Now I’ve stolen them from someone else. Only now does Victor follow her gaze across to…
VICTOR Victoria! She slowly walks towards them.
VICTORIA I thought you H.e..r..e. married.
VICTOR I heard you were too. She holds up her hand, revealing the ornate wedding ring. Corpse Bride reacts with alarmed confusion.
CORPSE BRIDE Where did you get that ring!? Barkis comes up behind his wife …
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BARKIS Victoria, I … You! You were strangled me.
CORPSE BRIDE the highwayman who You took my ring!
Barkis looks over to the Everglots, and Pastor Galswells, who have just arrived.
BARKIS Nonsense. I’m a respected attorney…
CORPSE BRIDE The ring has my name on it. Check the inscription. Victoria pulls it off her finger, and reads the
VICTORIA ‘For Emily, with all my love.’ With a sudden rage that surprises him, Victor launches himself at Barkis.
VICTOR Murderer! He lands a few blows before Barkis sloughs him off. Barkis makes a break for it, but suddenly finds caught by one of Black Widow’s sticky threads. to the ground, where everyone pounces on him. Victoria turns to Pastor Galswells.
VICTORIA I want an annulment.
PASTOR GALSWELL Done.
HE FALLS Victoria and Corpse Bride exchange their is said, but the real hand-off is clear. smiles at Victor. rings. Nothing
Meanwhile, there’s still a tussle over Barkis. Both the living and the dead want a piece of him.
MAGGOT You disgusting piece of filth! I would not crawl through your entrails!
POLICEMEN pull Maggot off. They lift up Barkis, carrying him away. This doesn’t please the dead.
PAUL THE HEAD WAITER
We should have him! He hurt our friend!
ELDER GUTKNECHT It’s their world, their rules. He is living.
MAGGOT Not forever. Black Widow CALLS AFTER Barkis …
BLACK WIDOW We’ll be seeing you.
Amid all the chaos, Corpse Bride simply walks away. We settle on Victor and Victoria, watching her leave.
VICTORIA I feel terrible for her. To lose so much.
VICTOR I think she’s finally free.
EXT. VILLAGE FOOTBRIDGE – DAWN
Corpse Bride crosses the bridge alone. Soon she is obscured by the fog flowing around her.
EXT. FOREST – DAWN
As Corpse Bride moves through the trees, her veil catches against the bark. She twists back on herself, slowly spinning, caught up in the gossamer threads. Before long, the veil has wrapped around her like a cocoon. She’s completely hidden inside. We see the cocoon vibrate. A metamorphosis is clearly occurring. Suddenly, the cocoon breaks open.
One hundred brilliant butterflies emerge, rising in the wind.
Much like the start of the movie, we FOLLOWthem as they fly. Their journey takes them back to…
EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE- DAY
… where a wedding is taking place. Victoria slides a ring over Victor’s finger. As they lean in for their kiss, they both notice the butterflies overhead. They watch them for a moment, somehow knowing.
