Page One: “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” (2003)

Screenplay by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio, screen story by Ted Elliott & Terry Rossio and Stuart Beattie and Jay Wolpert

The movie version of the opening:

This is some efficient writing. Note what the writers accomplish in one page:

• Establish the era and the pirate theme
• Introduce Elizabeth and her fascination with pirates
• Use a song from the Disney theme park ride
• Introduce Gibbs, Norrington, and Governor Swan
• Set up for the discovery of young Will Turner floating in the sea

All this while using colorful scene description: A gray, impenetrable wall of fog… formidable, frightening, twenty-five gun ports on a side… born old, skin a dark leather… clutches her shoulder, startling her… a man of obvious high station. It’s not only efficient writing. It’s also entertaining.

All the more reason to read the script here.

FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!

Page One is a daily Go Into The Story series featuring the first page of notable movie scripts from the classic era to contemporary times. Comparing them is an excellent way to study a variety of writing styles and see how professional writers start a story.

For more Page One posts, go here.

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