Below is the script for the homemade movie about the Crusades in its entirety. I wrote it nearly two years ago, making changes every so often as needed. We never got around to filming due to our busy schedules and most importantly, the lack of a video camera. Hopefully we can get around to setting a date for filming sometime in the Spring, but from the look of things, we’ll probably have to wait until school vacation.

***Title***

Neighborhood Kids

Productions Present:

A

Denault / Ethier / Hofmann

Film

 

The Crusader’s Tale

 

First 5 minutes: Macar de Tier will be shown walking through the woods. (Camera will show this for several minutes from different angles)

*Walking through the woods*

Second 3-5 minutes: Macar will approach an open area (Where his family used to live) He will run in from the tree line falling to his knees in the middle of the sand. He will scream “NOOOO!!!” He will read the tombstone which will have the name of his parents on it.

(Macar will run in towards the camera, )

Macar: my family…..

(Camera will then show Macar kneeling from a distance. )

*Making a fist *

Macar: NOOOOO!!!

Third 2 minutes: Macar will sorrowfully leave the site to go to a priest.

Macar: I must find out what truly happened here…

*Gets up, heading down the path to go and visit the priest*

Fourth 5-8 minutes. Macar meets with the priest. The priest recognizes him and tells him the story of his family. The de Tier family is his adopted family. His true mother died giving birth to him and his true father was a knight who was in his first stages of leprosy and gave Macar to the de Tier family for care. The priest tells Macar that he can find his true father, the leper.

Macar: *Macar will approach the home of the old priest* *Knocking on the door* Father? Father? Are you there?

Priest: Yes. yes one moment.

(Camera will show door opening from the inside of the house)

Priest: Who are you? And state your business!!

Macar: I am the son of de Tier, I have come to inquire about their deaths.

Priest: de Tier, de Tier…. Ah Yes!!! The Tall farmer, with the son of half a mind.

Macar: *Chuckles* that would be me.

Priest: Come in, Come in, do make yourself comfortable.

Macar: Thank you, *sits in nearby chair*

Priest: So, you have come to inquire about their deaths?

Macar: Yes I have.

Priest: They’re dead you know…

Macar: *Sighs* That is why I am here…

Priest: Oh yes, that’s why you were here. *Shakes head* sorry, sorry.

Priest: But first, there is something I must tell you. Pardon me, what is your name again?

Macar: Macar de Tier

Priest: Ok, Macar, your father is a knight. Your mother died giving birth to you. And your father was in the first stages of leprosy, and he gave you to the de Tier family for care.

Macar: *Blankly stares*

Priest: Yes, I know it might be a little too fast for you. But that’s the truth, every last word of it.

Macar: *Blankly stares*

Priest: He still lives. Wandering the woods.

Macar: TELL ME WHERE I CAN FIND HIM!!

Priest: He lives around the west side of the Brentwood Forest.

Macar: *Stands up heading toward the door*

Priest: But remember. Your father is a leper.

Macar: Yes, I understand. There is the danger of contracting the disease, but I would gladly take the risk in order to see my father.

Priest: In order for your father to know you. You must give him the name “De Tier”

Macar: yes, thank you Father. Pray that I will find him if he still lives.

*Macar heads out the door*

Priest: Oh yes, he lives…..he lives.

*The priest then closes the door*

Fifth 5 minutes: Macar travels through the woods, and comes upon his father (THE LEPER) His father is dying and he gives Macar his blessing and tells him the story of what happened. The father then hugs his son, and starts down the road.

*Macar is shown crossing a brook, and he heads up the hill following along the narrow path. As he is traveling down the path he hears the familiar cry of a leper.*

Leper: Unclean! Unclean!

Macar: Who goes there?

Leper: Stay back!

Macar: *Standing in the middle of the road* my name is De Tier!

Leper: de Tier? Did you say “De Tier”?

Macar: Yes! Macar de Tier. I seek my father, the leper.

Leper: *Sitting on the side of the road* then you need not look no further

Macar: Father? *He then pulls the man into hug*

Leper: No!!! You’ll catch it!!!

Macar: *Backing away* I forgot.

Leper: You are my son, and there is no gift that I can give you.

Macar: Father, you may give me your blessing.

Leper: *Chuckling* A blessing??? *sits down* *Laughs* From a cursed man???

Macar: Cursed or not cursed, you are still my father.

Leper: Then I bestow my blessing on you: “Et Nominees Patris et Filius et Spiritus Sanctus.

Macar: *kneels on one knee and makes the sign of the cross*

Leper: *Getting up* Son, there is something which you must do. God has sent you to me for a purpose.

Macar: And what may that purpose be? Tell me! So that it may be done.

Leper: *Sighs deeply* But first! You must enter the purification!

Macar: *Raises eyebrow* The purification?

Leper: *Stands up, and starts to walk down the road, his back turned to Macar* In time my son, In time. God has called you to be a greater person than thou knowest.

Macar: Father! Wait! *Runs down the road after him* What be your last name? That I may seek you out when the purification has been complete.

Leper: *Stops for a moment, removing a small crucifix from around his neck.* Take this *Hands Macar the Crucifix* In time, I shall return for it.

Macar: *Taking the crucifix* I don’t understand.

Leper: There are many things which you do not comprehend at this point in time.

Macar: And why is that?

Leper: In time you will come to understand this and many things. In time my son. *Walks down the road, leaving Macar standing there with the Crucifix in his hands*

Macar: Goodbye, my father…

Sixth 5 minutes: Macar continues on his journeys. Soon he is attacked by robbers and injured on his hand. He notices that he feels no pain. (A sign of leprosy, numbness to pain) So he returns to the priest, being unsure what to do.

*Macar is shown traveling down the path. After a few minutes he comes upon two men standing in the middle of the road*

Macar: Good sirs, may I inquire as to the direction to “Farmer‘s Inn”?

Robbers: *Laughing* “Good SIRS?” *Laughing mockingly*

Macar: *Macar decides to leave them, and tries to pass them on the path. One robber deliberately stands in front of him* Please move, I must be on my way!

Robber: *Draws sword*

Macar: *Also draws sword*

Robbers: *Both men charge forward at Macar*

Macar: *Ducks and slashes at the robber charging on his left side. Striking him dead. He then swings around to confront the other man, who lashes at him, Macar quickly parrying*

Robber: I see that you have some skill with a blade.

Macar: *Bring his sword down on the man, the man blocks the blow*

Robber: *Makes a quick move in which he slashes Macar’s hand.

Macar: *Quickly makes a small circle around the man’s blade, driving it into his chest. * *Man falls down dead.* *Macar then notices that his hand is cut, but he feels no pain.*

Macar: *Stares blindly at his hand. He then heads down the road to see the old priest.*

Seventh 4 minutes: Macar confronts the priest asking for a cure. The priest says that there is no cure for leprosy. But the priest counsels him to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and to spend the time there praying for a miracle. So Macar covers the wound and sets out.

Macar: *Knocking frantically on the door* FATHER!!! FATHER!!!! OPEN THE DOOR!!

Priest: *Opens the door* What is it now??? *He then realizes that it is Macar at the door* Oh! Its you, Macar, do come in.

Macar: *Quickly runs in* Father, I was attacked by robbers, my hand has been injured, but I feel no pain.

Priest: *Shakes his head in disbelief* That is not a good sign at all. *The priest opens a large book of ailments and plagues* No pain, (numbness) *He mutters under his breath*

Macar: *Sits down as the priest looks over the book*

Priest: *In a loud screeching voice* HERE IT IS!!!!

Macar: *Jumps out of his chair*

Priest: *turning to Macar* Oh dear, I’m sorry, didn’t mean to scare you like that.

Macar: No, its fine.

Priest: Ok, well, from what this says…

Macar: What does it say?

Priest: What does what say?

Macar: The bloody book!!

Priest: *Raises a finger up* A book never says, it is written in. So you mean to say: “What have you read?”

Macar: YES, YES!!! Now tell me while I’m still young!

Priest: *Raises eyebrow* You have, *sighs* Leprosy.

Macar: *Slams his fist on a table* FROM MY FATHER!!

Priest: Don’t take your anger out on your own father.

Macar: Why not? There is no cure for leprosy!

Priest: *Chuckles* You of little faith.

Macar: *Stares at the priest in wonder*

Priest: I cannot help you, but if the Lord wills it, you can be cured. Go to the Holy Land, on a pilgrimage. Pray and ask for Our Lord’s guidance.

Macar: I shall.

Priest: But remember, God’s will must be done in all things….

Macar: Takes nearby clothe and bandages the hand.

Priest: Take care that no one knows of this. But go, my son. I shall pray for a cure.

Macar: *Gets up and opens the door* Thank you father, God Bless you!

Priest: God Bless you too my son, *Makes the Sign of the Cross, blessing Macar as he sets out.*

Eighth 10 minutes: Macar then sets out for the Holy Land alone. As he journeys he is ambushed by outlaws, and is rescued by a stray Knight on his way to the Crusades. The Knight convinces Macar to join him, unaware of his leprosy. So the two set out for the Holy Land together.

Macar: *Walking through the woods* 1 min,

Macar: *Walks past a large tree, as he passes it, an arrow whizzes past his head* OH……*Macar then turns to run, as he runs, three men give chase to him.*

Macar: *Turns to fight the three men after a short runs.* *Macar draws his sword* *Just then, an arrow strikes the first man in the chest.*

Sir Guy de Lenclin: HA! *One man turns to face him just as his sword goes flying into his chest.*

Macar: *Runs his blade through the third and last man.*

Sir Lenclin: *Pulls sword out of the dead man.*

Macar: *Sheaths his sword* Thank you. Sir?

Sir Lenclin: Lenclin, Sir Guy de Lenclin.

Macar: Macar, Macar de Ytier.

Sir Lenclin: Pleasure to meet you Sir.

Macar: And you too. *Shakes hand*

Sir Lenclin: *Sheaths sword* So what brings you to these parts?

Macar: I seek passage to the Holy Land.

Sir Lenclin: Joining the Crusade? Are you?

Macar: Err… *Clears throat* Yes! Of course!

Sir Lenclin: Really?

Macar: Yes, why do you ask?

Sir Lenclin: Our paths cross yet again.

Macar: *Stops walking and rubs his chin* That’s very interesting. OH well! *Continues walking*

Sir Lenclin: So, tell me about yourself Macar.

Macar: Well, there isn’t much to tell.

Lenclin: Come on! There has got to be something!

Macar: Well, I used to live on a farm with my family, that would be before the Crusade.

Lenclin: I used to fight in the Holy Land, that would be before the Great Crusade. I was but a soldier fighting in small skirmishes, that is where I learned to use this. *Points to sword.*

Macar: AH..I see.

Lenclin: I fought with many a great soldier then. Like Sir Godfrey de Blendil, and Sir……..

Macar: Godfrey! Why does that ring a bell? Was he?

Lenclin: He was a courageous man, but he fell.

Macar: How so?

Lenclin: He discovered the location of the Holy Grail, the chalice from which Christ drank from at the last supper. He planned on ransoming it to the Church, so he brought it with him to Europe. Upon arriving he hid it, but it was then that he was cursed. God called down upon him the scourge of leprosy…..*Macar makes a quick unnoticeable glance at his bandaged hand.*……

Macar: I see *Thinks about his father.* No…it couldn’t be.

Lenclin: What was that?

Macar: Oh, nothing, just reminiscing.

Lenclin: Before you go any further, how is your skill with the blade?

Macar: I told you, I was in the Crusade.

Lenclin: Oh, yes, sorry about that. *Smacks forehead.*

Ninth 2 minutes: (Camera shows Macar and the knight traveling)

Tenth 10 minutes: Finally reaching the Holy land, Macar kneels to pray, as he does so the other knight keeps watch. As this happens a party of Turkish raiders attack. (Battle at the gravel pit, on the rocks, hill side and in the brook.) Sword fight ensues. At the end the knight is wounded, and Macar removes the bandages on his hand to cover the Knight’s wound, and realizes that his leprosy has been cured. (The rotting flesh on his hand is healed).

*Macar and Lenclin come down the valley into the desert.*

Macar: *Stops* It is here where I need to pray, before we journey on.

Lenclin: Ok, Ill go scout ahead.

Macar: *Kneels to pray.*

*Camera films from in front of Lenclin, so the viewer is able to see Macar kneeling in the distance.*

Lenclin: *Climbs over the top of the hill. He stops to view the distance.*

Macar: *Is kneeling, makes the sign of the cross.*

Lenclin: *As he stands on the hill, 3 men appear from the tree line to the right, charging at Lenclin.* Macar!!!! Turks!!! *He draws his sword, blocking the blow of the first man.*

Macar: *Hearing the cry of his friend, he gets up, drawing his sword. He then determines from where the cry came from. He runs off toward the hill.*

Lenclin: *In a quick move, he brings his sword down and cuts off the first Turk’s leg. He turns to face the next opponent.*

Macar: LENCLIN!!!!!

Lenclin: *Turns to face Macar, as he does so he is struck across the chest by the Turkish blade.*

Macar: NOOOOO!!! *Macar watches helplessly as his friend is knocked to the ground.*

Lenclin: Macar! Run while you can!

Macar: *Slowly stepping towards the camera.* A True soldier never runs. *Macar then raises his sword for the first strike. He brings it down in a quick swing, avoiding the Turk’s parry. The blow instantly kills the man.*

*Macar then swings around, barely blocking the strike.*

*The Camera shows Macar and the Turk fighting, zooming out from the distance.*

*The fight ensues, the Turk makes a quick lunge at Macar. Macar dodges the strike spinning around to strike the man’s side.*

*The man blocks it sending a quick kick into Macar’s stomach.*

*Macar is knocked to the ground.*

*He takes a quick glance at the Turk, and makes a roll, narrowly avoiding the Turk’s sword.*

*Macar then quickly jumps to his feet, he then bashes the Turk in the face using the broad part of the cross guard on his sword.*

*The Turk is stunned for but a moment, but quickly counteracts by swinging his blade across towards Macar’s head.*

*Macar ducks, avoiding the blow by a mere inch.*

*He then drives his sword into the Turk’s stomach, all the way to the hilt.*

*The Turk falls to his knees, grabbing for his stomach.*

*Macar then pulls on his sword, giving the dying Turk a strong kick on the chest, dislodging the sword from his body.*

*Macar then sticks his blood stained sword into the ground.*

*He then kneels before it, uttering a silent prayer.*

Macar: *Makes the sign of the cross* May God forgive me for what I have done.

*Macar then looks up, to the right.*

*Remembering that Sir Lenclin was wounded, he gets up and runs over to his bloody body.*

*Macar reaches Lenclin, and kneels on the side of the knight.*

*He gently turns him over.*

Macar: Lenclin, Lenclin, answer me!

Lenclin: *His voice chocked with blood and pain.* Macar, this is the end for me, I’m a dying man.

Macar: No, you’ll live through it.

Lenclin: No, God has called me, my time has come.

Macar: *Hangs his head in despair.*

Lenclin: *Chuckles* You fight like your father.

Macar: You? You knew my father?

Lenclin: Yes, I “knew” him.

Macar: Why do you say, “knew?”

Lenclin: Macar…Your father was Sir Godfrey de Blendil.

Macar: *Swallowing slowly* I see….

Lenclin: He was the one that went after the Holy Grail. Since then, he and the whereabouts of the Grail have been lost.

Macar: *Smiles slightly* No, I’ve seen him nigh a month ago.

Lenclin: Then you must return the Grail.

Macar: I see, but how?

Lenclin: *Coughs* You must return to… *Lenclin draws his dying breath.*

Macar: Lenclin? *Grabs Lenclin by his shoulders* No…..

*Camera shows Macar in the distance, holding Sir Guy de Lenclin in his arms.*

*(Optional scene.) *Macar then buries Lenclin.*

*Macar then sheaths his sword and heads back toward the opening of the valley, back towards his home in Europe.*

So Ends “The Crusader’s Tale”….