The Fifth Element
An original script
by
Luc Besson
Revisions by
and
Robert Mark Kamen
August 1995 Draft
Gaumont and Les Films du Dauphin
FADE IN:
1 EXT. DESERT NILE RIVER VALLEY - DAY
Somewhere in the Nile at the edge of the desert.
CREDITS ROLL
WRITTEN: EGYPT 1913
OMAR and his mule zigzag along the bottom of sun scorched dunes.
2 EXT. TEMPLE EXCAVATION - DAY
The mule and the boy finally reach a camp. A few tents dwarfed by a huge
temple door jutting out of the sand. The camp is deserted except for
some kids by the temple entrance holding large mirrors, reflecting light
into the temple.
Omar leaves his mule in the shade, seizes two goatskins and slips inside
the temple.
3 INT. TEMPLE - DAY
Omar makes his way uneasily down a pillared corridor that opens into a
vast room where an old scientist stands on a small wooden ladder in front of
the wall across the room. PROFESSOR MASSIMO PACOLI. A young man is beside
him, BILLY MASTERSON, age 25, an American student. He has a large sketchpad in
his hands. Behind them AZIZ, age 10, whose job is to hold the last
mirror which shines light into the expansive room.
PROFESSOR
(deciphering)
"..when the three planets are in eclipse.."
His fingers trace across the wall which is covered with symbols and
strange hieroglyphs as he deciphers.
"..the black hole like a door is open...
Evil comes ... sowing terror and chaos..."
See? The snake, Billy. The Ultimate Evil
... make sure you get the snake!
The Professor points emphatically to the snake, the symbol of Evil,
coming through the door between the three planets in eclipse. C.U.
Billy's hand sketches the snake quickly. He is a natural artist.
BILLY
And when is this door opening snake act
supposed to occur?
The Professor's fingers touch the signs.
..if this is the five..and this the thousand..
He calculates.
Every five thousand years..
(kidding)
So I have some time..
He reaches for the pad.
ANGLE ON: Omar. Standing at the entrance to the chamber with the water
bag, entranced by the sight. A skeletal hand falls on his shoulder. Omar
turns to an ancient PRIEST in a rough milled black cannock.
PRIEST
I will take it to them my son.
Startled but obedient, Omar gives the water bag to the Priest.
Go with God.. be safe from Evil..
The Priest makes the sign of the Cross on the boy's forehead, dismissing
him.
As soon as he is gone, the Priest turns a worried eye to the Professor.
ANGLE ON: The Professor is back to translating, Billy to sketching.
"..then arrange the elements of life against
the Terror just so.."
His fingers run on.
"..Water..fire..earth..air..four
elements around the fifth.."
His fingers fall on the one element that has a human shape, surrounded by
all the others.
The Priest opens the water skin and begins to pour a vial of powder into
the skin.
ANGLE ON: Aziz falling asleep. The mirror falls, the light fails.
Aziz! Light!
The boy struggles to stay awake. The mirror comes up.
Lord forgive me.. they already know too,
much..
"..in which all the history of the Universe resides
..all the strength..all the hope..Protect us from
Evil.."
PRIEST (V.O.)
Amen..
The Professor turns to the Priest who is pouring water into a tin cup
from the skin.
Father.. it in the most extraordinary thing..
the greatest find in history..can you imagine
the implications.
Only too well... here you must be
parched..
He hands the cup to the Professor. The Professor takes it, has it almost
to his lips when..
I mean look.. it is like a battle plan..
In his excitement he does not drink, much to the Priest's chagrin.
Here the Good.. Here the Evil..
As the Priest looks up, Aziz the mirror boy, tips his mouth under the
water skin, drinking the leakage.
Here..
He points to the Five Elements.
A weapon against evil. Amazing! I am
going to be famous.
Then let us toast to your fame! Here Billy..
The Priest hands Billy a cup.
Drink!
To fame.. salud..
The Professor raises the cup to drink, and then...
We cannot toast with water.. Billy !
...
missolgarock