Pirates of the Caribbean – the Curse of the Black Pearl
with the courtesey of Nevoreiel
here still with her introduction
Screenplay by Terry Rossio and Ted Elliott
For everyone’s reading pleasure, here it is, the script for “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”. It took me hours to complete typing it all up by ear. So there will certainly be mistakes and there is a large share of missed words entirely. Post it wherever you want just give me credit. Enjoy and if you have a correction, e-mail it to me and I will fix it ASAP.
Other Notes (please read before e-mailing me, maybe your query has been already answered): There has been more discrepancy in the word ‘parley’, ‘parlay’, or a French version. The Disney book uses ‘parley’ so that’s the one I’ll be using. Of course, a great big thank you to those who’ve sent in corrections and comments. I update when I’ve amassed a considerable amount of updates. [NEW] This recent correction is mostly from the captions on the DVD, so the lines should be mostly correct and complete.
SCRIPT LAST UPDATED: April 22nd, 2004 (8:05 pm EST) Nevoreiel
*****
Scene 1: (Dream sequence of Will ‘s rescue)
Young Elizabeth [standing at the bow of a ship and singing] …We pillage, we plunder, we rifle and loot. Drink up me ‘earties yo ho! We kidnap and ravage and don’t give a hoot. Drink up me ‘earties yo ho! Yo ho, yo ho a pirate’s life for me. We extort, we pilfer, we filch and sack. Drink up – [ Gibbs puts his hand on her shoulder which surprises her]
Gibbs Quiet, missy! Cursed pirates sail these waters. You don’t want to bring them down on us, now, do ya?
Norrington Mr. Gibbs , that will do!
Gibbs She was singing about pirates. Bad luck to be singing about pirates with us mired in this unnatural fog. Mark my words.
Norrington Consider them marked. On your way.
Gibbs Aye, Lieutenant. It’s bad luck to have a woman on board, too… even a miniature one.
Young Elizabeth I think it’d be rather exciting to meet a pirate.
Norrington Think again, Miss Swann . Vile and dissolute creatures, the lot of them. I intend to see to it that any man who sails under a pirate flag or wears a pirate brand gets what he deserves – a short drop and a sudden stop. [ Elizabeth glances at Gibbs who mimes a hanging]
Governor Swann Lieutenant Norrington , I appreciate your fervor, but I’m, uh, I’m concerned about the effect this subject will have upon my daughter.
Norrington My apologies, Governor Swann .
Young Elizabeth Actually, I find it all fascinating.
Governor Swann Yes. That’s what concerns me.
Young Elizabeth [sees a parasol and then a piece of wreckage with a boy on it in the water] Look! A boy! There’s a boy in the water!
Norrington Man overboard! Man the ropes. Fetch a Hook! Haul him aboard. [they get him on board] He’s still breathing.
Gibbs [spots burning ship] Mary , Mother of God!
Governor Swann What happened here?
Norrington It’s most likely the powder magazine. Merchant vessels run heavily armed.
Gibbs A lot of good it did them. Everyone’s thinking it. I’m just saying it. Pirates.
Governor Swann There’s no proof of that. It was probably an accident.
Norrington Rouse the Captain immediately! Heave to and take in sail. Launch the boats.
Sailor Heave to!
Governor Swann Elizabeth , I want you to accompany the boy. He’ll be in your charge. Take care of him. [she nods and walks over to the young Will ]
Young Elizabeth [Will awakes, grabbing her wrist] It’s ok. My name’s Elizabeth Swann .
Young Will W-W-Will Turner .
Young Elizabeth I’m watching over you, Will . [ Will faints, she notices medallion and examines it] You’re a p-pirate. [hides it when Norrington approaches]
Norrington Has he said anything?
Young Elizabeth His name is William Turner . That’s all I found out.
Norrington [to sailors] Take him below.
[ Elizabeth studies the medallion closer and upon looking up sees a ship with the black flag flying at its mast; she closes her eyes]
[End dream]
Scene 2: (A beautiful dress and an impressive sword)
[ Elizabeth awakes and decides to take out the medallion from a hiding place in her bureau drawer; she puts it on; there’s a knock on the door]
Governor Swann Elizabeth ? Are you alright? Are you decent?
Elizabeth [hides medallion in the bodice of her nightgown, throws on a robe] Yes, yes!
Governor Swann Still abed at this hour? [opens the curtains and the window] It’s a beautiful day. I have a gift for you. [reveals dress]
Elizabeth Oh, it’s beautiful!
Governor Swann Isn’t it?
Elizabeth May I inquire as to the occasion?
Governor Swann Does a father need an occasion to dote upon his daughter? [to the maids] Go on. Actually, I, um…I had hoped you might wear it for the ceremony today.
Elizabeth The ceremony?
Governor Swann Captain Norrington ‘s promotion ceremony.
Elizabeth I knew it!
Governor Swann Commodore Norrington, as he’s about to become! [the maids lace Elizabeth up into a corset] A fine gentleman, don’t you think? He fancies you, you know. Elizabeth? How’s it coming?
Elizabeth It’s difficult to say.
Governor Swann I’m told it’s the latest fashion in London
Elizabeth Well, women in London must’ve learned not to breathe.
Servant Milord, you have a visitor.
[ Will studies a sconce and upon touching it, a piece comes off in his hand; he buries it in the vase that’s holding canes and umbrellas]
Governor Swann [walks downstairs after the servant] Ah, Mr. Turner , good to see you again.
Will Good day, sir. I have your order. [opens case and takes out the sword]
Governor Swann [takes the sword and unsheathes it] Well.
Will The blade is folded steel. That’s gold filigree laid into the handle. If I may. [balances the sword] Perfectly balanced. The tang is nearly the full width of the blade. [flips the sword and presents it gracefully to the Governor]
Governor Swann [takes the sword] Impressive. Very impressive. Ah, now, Commodore Norrington is going to be very pleased with this. Do pass my compliments on to your Master. Hmm?
Will I shall. A craftsman is always pleased to hear his work is appreciated.
Governor Swann [enter Elizabeth ] Oh, Elizabeth , you look absolutely stunning.
Elizabeth Will! It’s so good to see you. I had a dream about you last night.
Will About me?
Governor Swann Yes, well, is that entirely proper for you to…?
Elizabeth About the day we met, do you remember?
Will How could I forget, Miss Swann ?
Elizabeth Will, how many times must I ask you to call me Elizabeth ?
Will At least once more, Miss Swann , as always.
Governor Swann There. See? At least the boy has a sense of propriety. Now, we really must be going. [gives Elizabeth a parasol] There you are.
Elizabeth Good day, Mr. Turner .
Governor Swann Come along.
Will Good day… [Elizabeth and the Governor exit, Will trailing after them, they leave in a carriage] … Elizabeth .
Scene 3: (A most excellent entrance, the debate, and the proposal)
[Jack stands on the mast of his boat, noticing that it’s filling up with water he jumps down to bail it out; notices three pirate skeletons hanging with a sign “pirates ye be warned” and pays homage to them; reaches the port, his boat sinking lower and lower until he is at the dock and is able to simply walk off the boat’s mast]
Harbormaster [to Jack ] What – hey. Hold up, there, you. It’s a shilling to tie up your boat at the dock. [they both look at the sunken boat] And I shall need to know your name.
Jack [hands him three shillings] What d’ye say to three shillings… and we forget the name?
Harbormaster Welcome to Port Royal , Mr. Smith . [ Jack sees the Harbormasters money pouch and takes it]
[Norrington’s promotion ceremony] Shouted orders to soldiers: Two paces march! Right about face! Present arms! [Norrington walks to get his promotion, unsheathes his new sword]
Murtogg [spots Jack ] This dock is off limits to civilians.
Jack I’m terribly sorry. I didn’t know. If I see one, I shall inform you immediately. [tries to continue on his way but is again thwarted] Apparently there’s some sort of high toned and fancy to do up at the fort, eh? How could it be that two upstanding gentlemen such as yourselves did not merit an invitation?
Murtogg Someone has to make sure this dock stays off limits to civilians.
Jack It’s a fine goal to be sure but it seems to me that a… [shifts again] a ship like that [points out the Dauntless] makes this one here a bit superfluous, really.
Murtogg Oh, the Dauntless is the power in these waters, true enough, but there’s no ship as can match the Interceptor for speed.
Jack I’ve heard of one, supposed to be very fast – nigh un-catchable…the Black Pearl.
Mullroy Well…there’s no real ship as can match the Interceptor.
Murtogg The Black Pearl is a real ship.
Mullroy No, no it’s not.
Murtogg Yes, it is, I’ve seen it.
