Peter Jackson's 1st Draft King Kong Script (1996)

[Stacy Dohm]

SMASH CUT TO

EXT. BROADWAY/NEW YORK - NIGHT

"KING KONG - the EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD" in HUGE NEON LIGHTS on the
marquee of a large Broadway THEATRE.

The STREET is busy, with a LARGE CROWD flocking outside the THEATRE ...
TAXI'S unloading PEOPLE in TUXEDOS and EVENING DRESS. The GLITTERATI of
NEW YORK have turned out for this one. SCALPERS are selling tickets
outside the door.

INT. THEATER AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

The AUDIENCE are settling in their seats ... USHERS working the ailses.
It is a GRAND OLD THEATRE with spectacular DECOR and a capacity of
about 1200. Tonight is a FULL HOUSE.

An USHER shows an ELDERLY LADY to her seat.

ELDERLY LADY
Is this one of Mr Denham's cute little animal pictures?

USHER
This is not a motion picture, Madam. It's more in the nature of a
personal appearance.

A COUPLE are sitting together ... The HUSBAND has clearly come under
duress ...

HUSBAND
(checks watch)
The Yankees'il be in their second innings. This had better be worth it!

INT. DENHAM'S OFFICE/THEATRE - NIGHT

TWO BURLY SECURITY GUARDS deliver the BOX OFFICE TAKING'S in cash to
DENHAM ... He is dressed in a TUX and looks much rested since his Skull
Island adventures.

DENHAM
Thanks fellas.

DENHAM loads the cash into HIS SAFE.

JACK (O.S.)
Hey, Denham!

JACK is standing in the office doorway, UNCOMFORTABLE in his TUX.
Looking very

JACK (CONT'D)
Payment in advance. That was the deal.

DENHAM stuffs a WAD OF CASH into an ENVELOPE.

DENHAM
Two grand, Jack. You'll be able to retire on that!

Slips the ENVELOPE into his TOP POCKET.

JACK
Not me. Thought I'd head out west ... get into some Redwood country.

DENHAM
How about Ann? Is she going with you?

JACK shakes his head.

JACK
Haven't seen her - not since we got back.

DENHAM
She's got a bit of an attitude, that girl. She's turned down a bunch of
money. Too bad ... it would've been a great angle - "Beauty and the
Beast".
(shakes head)
I must be getting old - I thought you two had something going there.

JACK shrugs ...

JACK
I don't need anyone tagging along with me.

INT. BACKSTAGE - NIGHT

DENHAM and JACK are walking through a BUSY BACKSTAGE AREA. A PRESS
OFFICER runs up to DENHAM.

PRESS OFFICER
The press are clambering to come backstage, Mr Denham! Take some photos
of Kong.

DENHAM
Let'em wait. They'll have their opportunity when the curtain goes up!

DENHAM pats JACK on the back.

DENHAM (CONT'D)
Are you nervous Jack?

JACK
Nab- Let's get it over with.

CUT TO

INT. THEATRE AUDITORIUM - NIGHT

The THEATRE is packed ... The AUDIENCE HUSH as the LIGHTS DIM. A GIANT
CURTAIN covers the STAGE, with just a single MICROPHONE to one side.

ANNOUNCER (0. S)
(loudspeaker)
Ladies and gentlemen ... Mr Carl Denham!

MUSIC strikes up and the CROWD APPLAUD as DENHAM strides onto the stage
in the GLARE of the SINGLE SPOTLIGHT. He steps up to a MICROPHONE.

DENHAM
(amplified)
Ladies and gentleman ... If anybody here is of faint disposition, or
weak heart I suggest you take this opportunity to leave the auditorium.

The CROWD MURMUR NERVOUSLY ... but of course, NOBODY leaves!

DENHAM (CONT'D)
(amplified)
We all hear tales of adventure we scarcely believe ... but seeing is
believing, and tonight you will see Kong - the living proof of our
adventure! An adventure in which thirty-six of our party met terrible
deaths! Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to you the man
who felled the mighty beast armed only with a native spear! Mr Jack
Driscoll!

BIG APPLAUSE as another SPOTLIGHT finds JACK stepping onto the stage
... His earlier bravado has vanished - he looks VERY NERVOUS! He joins
DENHAM at the MICROPHONE.

DENHAM (CONT'D)
(amplified)
Well, Jack ... what is it like to risk your life to save a beautiful
woman?

JACK looks out over a sea of 1200 faces ... he hesitates. DENHAM'S
smile wavers as he realizes JACK has dried up with stage fright!

DENHAM (CONT'D)
(amplified)
Did you fear for your life?

JACK
(long pause)
Yeah.

The AUDIENCE CHUCKLE.

DENHAM
(amplified)
It must have been terrifying?

JACK
(long pause)
Yeah.

The AUDIENCE LAUGH. DENHAM puts his hand over the MIC and whispers
angrily at JACK.

DENHAM
(whispers)
Grand a word! Thanks for nothing, pal!

DENHAM turns back to the AUDIENCE ...

DENHAM (CONT'D)
(amplified)
Ladies and gentleman! It is now time to see for yourselves ... One who
was a King and a God of the world he knew, but who now comes to
civilization as a captive - as an exhibit to gratify mankind's
insatiable curiosity. Ladies and gentlemen ... Look upon Kong - the
Eighth Wonder of the World!!!

With a dramatic flourish, DENHAM waves his arm at the CURTAIN ... It
slowly rises, as MUSIC strikes up.

KONG is REVEALED ... His SITS SLUMPED, HEAD turned away from the
AUDIENCE. This is a BOWED, BROKEN SPIRIT ... not the mighty ape we were
expecting to see.

His WRISTS are MANACLED, attached by long lengths of THICK CHAIN that
lead to the BEAM of the BIG STEEL SCAFFOLD he sits on. Other MANACLES
and CHAINS secure his AN/ANKLES and WAIST.

There is BIG GASP from the AUDIENCE. KONG'S sheer size is SPECTACULAR.

DENHAM looks a little ANXIOUS at KONG'S LETHARGY.

DENHAM (CONT'D)
Don't be alarmed, Ladies and Gentleman Those chains are made of chrome
steel!

KONG continues to SIT ... he picks at his TOES. DENHAM steps past JACK,
towards the WINGS, WHISPERING to STAGEHANDS...

DENHAM (CONT'D)
(whispering)
Get him on his feet!

INSERT HUGE ELECTRICAL WINCHES start GRINDING BACKSTAGE ... winding in
KONG'S WRIST CHAINS onto big drums.

KONG'S ARMS are pulled up towards the STEEL BEAM ... He is hauled to
his feet, arms out-stretched - to APPRECIATIVE MURMURS from the CROWD.
His HEAD is slumped.

DENHAM strides towards KONG ... armed with a LONG POLE with a sharp
METAL BARB. He prods KONG in the stomach ...

KONG ROARS ... The AUDIENCE LAUGH and APPLAUD. JACK looks
uncomfortable.

DENHAM jabs him in the SIDE ... KONG ROARS and rattles the CHAINS. The
AUDIENCE CHEER.

DENHAM edges towards closer, TOUCHING KONG'S LEG.

DENHAM (CONT'D)
Am actually laying my hand on the twenty-five foot gorilla.Ladies and
gentlemen! I am touching the beast!

ANN
(angry yell)
Take your filthy paws off him -you ignorant pig!

DENHAM looks ALARMED as ANN strides down the AILSE from the BACK of the
THEATRE.

KONG RECOGNIZES ANN! He ROARS and pulls on his CHAINS.

DENHAM races over to the MIC in an attempt to pass this off as part of
the show.

DENHAM
(amplified)
Ladies and gentlemen! Miss Ann Darrow ... the bravest girl I have ever
known!

The CONFUSED AUDIENCE starts to APPLAUD ...

ANN
(angry yell)
Show's over everybody! Go home !

The APPLAUSE dies away.

ANN (CONT'D)
(angry yell)
What are you waiting for? You've seen the big monkey humiliated. Go on
... go home!

Nobody moves.

ANN (CONT'D)
( screaming)
Get the hell out of here.''!

DENHAM
(amplified nervous chuckle)
Now Ann ...

SOME PEOPLE STAND and STEP into the AILSES, but nobody actually leaves
... all eyes are on ANN as she bounds up ONSTAGE ...

ANN
You're hurting him - let him down

JACK steps forward ...

JACK
Ann!

ANN pushes JACK away.

ANN
(yelling)
Let him down!

ANN hurries over to KONG ... he is VERY AGITATED. She gently STROKES
HIS LEG.

ANN (CONT'D)
(gentle)
It's ok. You're going to be ok. I'm not going to let them hurt you.

DENHAM whispers BACKSTAGE.

DENHAM
(excited whisper)
Jet the press in . .. This is great!

ANN has EYE CONTACT WITH KONG ... he is CALMING DOWN.

NOISY MOB of 50 JOURNALISTS and PHOTOGRAPHERS suddenly stream onto the
STAGE.

DENHAM (CONT'D)
Here's your angle, boys "Beauty tames the Beast"!

FLASHBULBS POP ... A BABBLE OF QUESTIONS are thrown at ANN!

JOURNALIST' S BABBLE
Smile Ann'. Have you got a pet name for the monkey?  What does he eat?
Come a little closer, Miss Darrow!

ANN
(yelling)
Bugger off!

DENHAM grabs her arm ... Without breaking his GRIN, he hisses in her
ear ...

DENHAM
(angry whisper)
Just a couple of photos, you
Ungrateful little ****!

DENHAM drags ANN away from KONG! He ROARS! FLASHBULBS POP! ANN starts
crying ..- KONG is getting ANXIOUS .. flinching against the CONSTANT
FLASHES. DISTORTED JOURNALIST'S FACES ...

JOURNALISTIC BABBLE
Smile Ann! ... Smile!

DENHAM
Come on Ann - Snap out of it'.

DENHAM SLAPS HER ON THE CHEEK ... ANN FLINCHES

[Stacy Dohm]

A DEAFENING ROAR!!! DENHAM looks up AWE-STRUCK as KONG STARTS TEARING
FREE of his CHAINS in SLOW MOTION!!!

The AUDIENCE SCREAM and PANIC ... The JOURNALISTS SCATTER, sweeping ANN
off the STAGE, into the STALLS.

With a MIGHTY FLOURISH, KONG rips off the WAIST RESTRAINTS and IS FREE!
The AUDIENCE are BLOCKING the EXITS in their PANIC ... The THEATRE is
PACKED!

The STAGE has cleared apart from DENHAM who stands mesmerized by KONG
... he steps back fearfully, falling on his bottom. KONG BEATS HIS
CHEST, ROARS ... and STEPS ONTO DENHAM!! DENHAM'S ARMS and LEGS SPASM
beneath KONG'S FOOT as he is GROUND INTO OBLIVION!

KONG LEAPS from the stage into the FRONT ROWS ... He STOMPS and RIPS UP
SEATS - with people still in them!

ANN is in danger of being CRUSHED BY THE CROWD who are FLOODING TOWARDS
a SIDE EXIT DOOR ... She falls under feet ... JACK suddenly pulls her
up and hugs her as the TIDE pushes them towards the door.

KONG is below the BALCONY LEVEL ... He uses AMAZING STRENGTH to PUSH
THE BALCONY UP, sending DOZENS OF PEOPLE plummeting into the STALLS. He
THROWS a HUGE PIECE of BALCONY at a CROWD OF PANICKING PEOPLE.

KONG sees ANN and JACK stream out of the EXIT DOOR to the street beyond
...

EXT. BROADWAY - NIGHT

JACK pulls ANN - CRYING and PROTESTING - down the SIDEWALK.

Behind them, the VAST THEATRE WALL explodes onto the street, showering
PEOPLE and CARS with BRICKS and STEEL ... KONG strides into the MIDDLE
OF THE ROAD!!!

CARS drive into KONG'S LEGS ... he smashes his fists onto ' their
ROOFS.  OTHER ... pile into each other ... into SHOP FRONTAGES - it's
MAJOR PANIC TIME.

CAR WINDSCREEN POV ... KONG STOMPS on the CAR in FRONT, LIFTS FOOT and
STOMPS over CAMERA.

EXT. ALLEY - NIGHT

JACK hurries down an ALLEY., still towing ANN. She is ANGRY ...
TEARFUL.

ANN
Jesus Christ ! How could you do this to him? How could you do this?

JACK
(agitated)
Come on, come on! We gotta keep moving!

ANN
( sobbing)
He's gonna die! They'll kill him!

JACK
(angry)
Take to look out there ..- Have you seen what he's done? You're talking
about a crazy animal!

ANN
(screaming)
You're the animals - all of you!

She pulls away from JACK.

ANN (CONT'D)
I'm going to him!

JACK blocks her path.

JACK
I can't let you do that ...

JACK socks ANN on the JAW ... she collapses into his arms!

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

JACK runs - with ANN SLUNG OVER HIS SHOULDER - towards a CAB in the
middle of A BUSY STREET - TRAFFIC is snarled up due to KONG'S rampage a
couple of blocks away -although there is no sign of KONG on this
street.

INT. CAB - NIGHT

JACK slides ANN into the CAB.

JACK
(urgent)
Get the hell outta here!

CAB DRIVER
Listen buddy ... I can only go as fast as the guy in front!
(honks horn)
What is this ... Is the president in town?

JACK
There's a twenty-five foot gorilla on the loose.

Looking from the BACK SEAT as the CAB DRIVER turns to JACK.

CAB DRIVER
And I'm Rudolph Valentino!

KONG STRIDES INTO THE STREET AHEAD!

CLOSE ON CAB DRIVER'S face as he sees KONG! Without hesitation, he
leaps out of the CAB and flees into the night!

POV from BACK SEAT OF CAB ... As KONG comes closer -OVERTURNING CARS
and SMASHING HIS FISTS on them. PANICKED DRIVERS PILE into each other.
JACK desperately tries his door, but they are WEDGED IN by CARS either
side.

KONG LIFTS THE CAR directly in front - HIGH ABOVE HIS HEAD, throwing it
into a BUILDING.

JACK clambers over the FRONT SEAT ... as KONG leans over his CAB -
LIFTING IT UP!

KONG'S HUGE EYES glance in the WINDOW as he prepares to THROW THE CAB
... He sees ANN!

EXT/INT. STREETS/CAB - NIGHT

ROARING with TRIUMPH, KONG gently lowers the CAB down.

CLOSE ON JACK'S FOOT depresses ACCELERATOR.

WHEELS are SPINNING WILDLY at the moment the CAB touches down on the
STREET ... In a CLOUD OF BURNING RUBBER, the CAB rips free of KONG'S
GRIP, speeding down the ROAD, weaving in and out of the path cut by
KONG'S DESTRUCTION.

KONG BOUNDS AFTER THE CAB, running on FOURS with incredible speed.

JACK crosses an INTERSECTION, driving up on the SIDEWALK to get a
CLEARER DRIVING LANE ... PEDESTRIANS scatter - not only from the CAB,
but from KONG who is in HOT PURSUIT.

The CAB SLEWS across the STREET, disappearing up a TINY ALLEY., only
just wide enough for the CAB, but TOO NARROW for KONG.

JACK glances back at KONG ROARING with frustration at the ALI.ALLEY
ENTRANCE.

EXT/INT. HERALD SQ/CAB - NIGHT

JACK speeds out of the ALLEY and CROSSES the TRAFFIC FLOW, causing much
BRAKING and HORN action. He gets SLOWED in THICK TRAFFIC ...

KONG LEAPS from a 7 STORY BUILDING onto the street ... RIGHT IN FRONT
OF JACK'S CAB!!!

JACK SWERVES onto the SIDEWALK, accelerating straight through a PLATE
GLASS DISPLAY WINDOW into...

INT. MACYS - NIGHT

MACYS DEPARTMENT STORE!!!

ANN groggily WAKES ... as JACK steers the CAB wildly through AILSES of
CLOTHING, scattering SHOPPERS in all directions!

KONG CRASHES INTO the SHOP in PURSUIT! The 15 foot height is too low
for him to stand, but he BOUNDS ALONG on his KNUCKLES.

JACK sends the CAB into a couple of TIGHT TURNS ... at the speed KONG
is traveling, he SLIDES on the POLISHED FLOORS at each turn, wiping out
an area the size of a tennis court before regaining his grip.

JACK rounds a bend and DRIVES straight into a CAMPING EQUIPMENT
DISPLAY!  TENTS collapse - covering the CAB, before it. SLAMS into a
WALL.. JACK and ANN are thrown forward on IMPACT.

KONG slides around the corner and BOUNDS PAST THE COVERED CAB ... He
desperately looks around for JACK and ANN ... getting ANXIOUS and
ENRAGED! KONG smashes his way out of MACYS, into 35th STREET.

ANN rises in the back seat.

JACK
It's ok, we're safe. He's out on the street ... What are you doing?

ANN climbs out of the car and HEADS TOWARDS THE STREET!

ANN
Goodbye Jack ...

JACK runs after her.

JACK
Are you nuts? Come on - I'm not gonna let you get killed!

EXT. 35TH STREET - NIGHT

ANN walks into the middle of the road ...

ANN
He won't harm me ...
(yelling)
Kong !

KONG is 50 yards away ... he sees ANN, ROARS and WALKS TOWARDS her on
his KNUCKLES.

JACK runs up to ANN. Go ... Please Ann, I ...care about you! Ann ......
love you.

ANN stares at him for a long moment ... KONG is looming up behind her.

ANN (CONT'D)
Jack ... you don't know what love is.

KONG'S HAND gently lifts her up ... without breaking his stride, KONG
walks straight past JACK.

JACK
Ann ... Ann!

ANN
It' s alright Jack ... it' s alright.

JACK watches ANN disappear into the night ... TEARS well up in his EYES
... for a moment he angrily fights them off . . .

JACK STARTS CRYING. They are the tears of a 17 year old boy alone in
the battlefield ...

JACK slides down the wall of the EMPTY STREET, head in hands, SOBBING
LOUDLY.

EXT. MID-TOWN/STREETS & ROOFTOPS - NIGHT

[Stacy Dohm]

KONG is moving along a ROOFTOP - about 10 STORIES HIGH. He is holding
ANN close to his breast. He looks down at the STREETS - now largely
DESERTED. All around him the MANHATTAN SKYLINE resembles some GAUDY
PRIMEVAL LANDSCAPE.

SUDDENLY . . .

BAM! BAM! BAM ... HEAVY MACHINE GUN FIRE RICOCHETS all around. KONG
ROARS ... ANN clutches his FINGERS as he BOUNDS along the ROOFS at HIGH
SPEED! A SEARCHLIGHT suddenly swings onto KONG from BELOW ...

ARMY VEHICLES are RACING along the QUIET STREETS ... An ARMORED CAR is
firing at KONG ... followed by a TRUCK carrying a MOBILE SEARCHLIGHT.

The STREETS are TEEMING with these VEHICLES as the ARMY spreads out
across town in the hunt for KONG.

As BULLETS WHIZZ around him, KONG LEAPS ACROSS THE STREET - 10 stories
high! He LANDS on the opposite ROOFTOP and BOUNDS AWAY ...

ANOTHER SEARCHLIGHT FINDS HIM! ... And ANOTHER! The ARMY are closing
in. MACHINE GUN FIRE rips past him as he LEAPS another GREAT DISTANCE
across the STREET. ANN clings on, her EYES TIGHTLY SHUT.

ARMORED CARS and MOBILE SEARCHLIGHTS coverage on KONG ... He has RUN
OUT OF ROOFTOP ... ahead of him, across the CAVERN of 34th STREET,
rises the SHEER WALL of the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING!!!

KONG leaps across the CHASM, crashing into the SIDE of the EMPIRE STATE
BUILDING! GLASS RAINS DOWN 12 STORIES TO THE STREET as KONG uses
WINDOWS for HAND AND FOOT HOLDS. He is ONE-HANDED - his other hand
still holding ANN protectively to his CHEST.

FOUR SEARCHLIGHTS swing onto KONG ... A MOBILE ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN
screeches to a HALT on 34th STREET -this is obviously the army's
KILLING WEAPON OF CHOICE. Within seconds the LARGE GUN TARGETS KONG ...

POV Looking up CROSS-HAIRS at KONG, high on the side of the building -
a total SITTING DUCK.

GUNNER
Ready to fire, sir!

COMMANDER
How many points do we get for a big monkey?

The GUNNERS LAUGH ... the COMMANDER raises his BINOCULARS to watch the
spectacle.

COMMANDER (CONT'D)
Stand by ...

AT THAT MOMENT ... KONG ROARS DEFIANTLY at the SOLDIERS, swinging ANN
out over the street.

COMMANDER (CONT'D)
(shocked)
Hold your fire! He's carrying a woman!!

The ORDER is shouted down the STREET to the ASSEMBLING SOLDIERS.

SERGEANT
(yelling)
Hold your fire!!!

KONG carefully places ANN on his BROAD SHOULDER ... she GRABS HOLD OF
HIS FUR.

The MILITARY watch helplessly as KONG starts climbing the EMPIRE STATE
BUILDING.

CUT TO

EXT. 39TH STREET - NIGHT

JACK is several blocks away, unaware of the situation at the Empire
State Building.

He wanders down an EMPTY STREET ... a few ABANDONED CARS are dotted
around, but all is QUIET. His shoulders are slumped, his stride falters
... he looks like a BROKEN MAN.

A VEHICLE APPROACHES ...

JACK turns as a MILITARY POLICE CAR pulls up along side him.

MP
For Chrissake buddy! Get your ass inside - there's a goddamn gorilla on
the loose!

JACK doesn't react ... he keeps on walking.

MP (CONT'D)
(angry)
Hey! Did you hear me, mister?

A 2nd MILITARY POLICE VEHICLE pulls up ...

2ND MP
Hey Bill ... you gotta hear this! The stupid ape's climbing up the
Empire State Building carrying a goddamn woman on his shoulder! Naval
planes are being dispatched from Wrights Field at dawn.  Guess the boys
want a little target practice! Orders are to blow the son of a ****
away as soon as he puts the girl down!

The 2nd VEHICLE ROARS AWAY ...

CLOSE ON JACK, still walking as the 1st MILITARY POLICE VEHICLE cruises
up along side ...

MP
Ya want a tip, buddy? Get down to Fifth Avenue ...they blow that ugly
**** off building there's gonna be bits gorilla all over the street!
It'll take the sanitation department a week to clean it up!

The MP LAUGHS LOUDLY as the VEHICLE ROARS AWAY, leaving JACK alone in
the street. He is outside a CINEMA -showcasing some new epic movie
about World War One Flying Aces. An overly romanticized POSTER features
a Jean Harlow type in an embrace with a pilot.

The STREETS are wet ... LIGHTS glisten off the surface. JACK pauses -
glancing at the reflection ...

POV WET STREET ... the UNDERSIDE OF AN AIRPLANE is reflected in the
water!

JACK slowly looks up ...

TWO OLD AIRPLANES have been strung high across the street to promote
the movie ... a FOKKER TRIPLANE ... and a SOPWITH CAMEL!

CLOSE ON JACK'S REACTION ...

CUT TO

The SOPWITH CAMEL lands with a bounce on the street! JACK has released
the support ropes ... he hurries over to the PLANE, quickly assessing
it's condition.

KID (O.S.)
That thing can't fly, mister!

JACK is surprised to see a little AFRICAN-AMERICAN KID -about 8 years -
emerge from the shadows. He is clearly a HOMELESS URCHIN.

KID (CONT'D)
They wouldn't hang it on wires if it was still working.

JACK is peering into the cockpit.

JACK
I'm not so sure, kid.

CUT TO

EXT.EMPIRE STATE BUILDING/MANHATTAN - PRE DAWN

WIDE SHOT ... KONG climbing the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, silhouetted
against the LIGHTENING SKY. He is nearing the top.

LOOKING DOWN ... ANN clings to KONG'S SHOULDER, a DIZZYING 1000 foot
drop to the street below.

KONG scales the final 130 feet of the Empire State Building - the
airship mooring mast - and CLIMBS ONTO the STEEL DOME AT the TOP. He
gently places ANN down on the LIP and STANDS on TWO LEGS ...

WIDER ... KONG BEATS HIS CHEST, ROARING DEFIANTLY!

WIDER ... KONG is a SPECK on the summit of the HUGE building,
surrounded by the vista of MANHATTAN ... his ROAR echoes over the city.

EXT. 39TH STREET - DAWN

KONG'S ROAR REACHES JACK ... HE PAUSES FOR A MOMENT, THEN HURRIES TO
THE PLANE, CARRYING A CONTAINER OF PETROL NE HAS JUST SIPHONED FROM A
CAR.

KID
They used to fly these in the war, mister.

JACK
Is that right?

JACK pours PETROL into the plane's GAS TANK.

KID
Are you gonna start it up?

JACK
Yeah.

KID
Why?

JACK
Coz of something I lost.

KID
What's that?

JACK
Compassion.

KID
What's compassion, mister.

JACK kneels down in front of the KID ...he takes the KID'S HAND and
presses it against his chest.

JACK
It's this. When you grow up, bad things may happen, but you don't ever
wanna lose touch with your heart. Now go and give the propeller a turn
- nice and slowly.

The KID runs around to the propeller ... JACK reacts to the sound of
DISTANT PLANE ENGINES.

EXT.EMPIRE STATE BUILDING/MANHATTAN - DAWN

Looking at MANHATTAN from the HARBOR ... The Empire State Building
rises from the MIDTOWN area like a giant solitary finger, reaching for
the heavens.

SIX NAVAL BIPLANES suddenly ROAR INTO SHOT, sweeping low over the
DOWNTOWN BUSINESS DISTRICT ... and closing in on KONG. These are TWO-
SEATERS, armed with TWIN MACHINE-GUNS for the PILOT, and a flexible
MACHINE GUN for the OBSERVER.

A COLD WIND blows ANN'S hair as she stands on the lip of the dome,
watching the PLANES approach. KONG is UNEASY about these BUZZING
PREDATORS as they CIRCLE above him.

CLOSE ON NAVAL PLANE COCKPIT ... the LEAD PILOT talks to the others via
an RT.

LEAD PILOT
(over RT)
Here we go, boys! The NAVAL PLANES peel off into an ATTACKING DIVE at
KONG.

DOWN GUN-SIGHTS ... drifting left and right as KONG grows in size ...
LOCKED ON!

CLOSE ON PILOT'S FINGER on trigger.

KONG is suddenly FEARFUL ... he INSTINCTIVELY REACHES FOR ANN, holding
her protectively!

LEAD PILOT (CONT'D)
(over RT)
Pull out! Pull out! He has the girl!

The PLANES split to either side of KONG, ZOOMING close by with a
deafening roar.

EXT. 39TH STREET - DAWN

CLOSE ON .. The SOPWITH CAMEL'S Gnome rotary engine SPINS, COUGHS and
DIES.

JACK is at the FRONT of the PLANE, desperately SPINNING the PROPELLER
with both hands, trying to kick the plane into life. The KID is sitting
in the cockpit.

JACK
(urgent)
Flick the switch again!

JACK SPINS THE PROP ... the engine COUGHS, blows out a CLOUD OF BLACK
SMOKE ... and ROARS INTO LIFE!!

JACK lifts the KID out and clambers into the cockpit! The engine NOISE
is LOUD ... propeller wash blasts his hair and clothes.

KID
(yelling)
Hey mister! You dropped this!

The KID picks up JACK'S ENVELOPE - containing the 2 grand- off the
road. He offers it to JACK.

KID (CONT'D) (CONT'D)
(yelling)
You wanna be more careful.

JACK hesitates ... he SMILES at the KID.

JACK
(yelling)
It's your lucky day, kid! Stand back!

The KID steps back, clutching the ENVELOPE as JACK OPENS THE THROTTLE.
The ENGINE WINDS UP and the SOPWITH CAMEL starts moving down 39th
street!

It BUILDS UP SPEED VERY QUICKLY, racing past ABANDONED CARS and
BUILDINGS ... The TAIL LIFTS OFF THE GROUND ...

SUDDENLY!

A MILITARY VEHICLE DRIVES across an INTERSECTION directly in front of
the PLANE! JACK pulls back on the stick and the SOPWITH CAMEL LURCHES
INTO THE AIR! It SKIMS over the VEHICLE, CLIMBING into the air rapidly!

EXT.EMPIRE STATE BUILDING/MANHATTAN - DAWN

KONG is getting ANGRY at the BUZZING PLANES around him ... He puts ANN
DOWN on the DOME! Circling

ANN
( yelling)
No! Pick me up! Kong!

KONG ROARS at the PLANES, as if issuing a CHALLENGE.

The LEAD PILOT waves to the OTHER PLANES.

LEAD PILOT
(over RT)
Ok ... this time! Here we go ...

The NAVAL PLANES PEEL AWAY for the ATTACK ... They dive towards KONG
... lining him up in their sights ...

KONG ROARS at them ... ANN is screaming ...

ANN
NO!!!

AT THAT MOMENT ... JACK'S SOPWITH CAMEL zooms right past KONG and ANN,
flying STRAIGHT AT THE NAVAL PLANES!!! JACK is VISIBLE in the cockpit,
HAIR BLOWING in the wind.

ANN (CONT'D)
(yelling)
Jack!!

The NAVAL PLANES are forced to SCATTER in ALL DIRECTIONS as the tiny
SOPWITH CAMEL meets them HEAD-ON!!

JACK TURNS TIGHTLY and flies at the REGROUPING NAVAL PLANES, sending
them into disarray!

LEAD PILOT
(over RT)
Ignore the cowboy ... Go for the ape! Go for the ape!

The SIX NAVAL PLANES fly at KONG from different directions! MACHINE
GUNS START FIRING! JACK throws his plane around like a MADMAN, trying
to deflect their AIM.

KONG ROARS, and SNATCHES at the NAVAL PLANES as they ZOOM by ... he
FLINCHES as he is HIT BY BtU-LETS! ANN SCREAMS!

JACK DIVES at a NAVAL PLANE, causing it to TURN SHARPLY -straight into
KONG'S GRIP! KONG grabs the NAVAL PLANE, RIPPING IT'S WINGS OFF! He
hurls it down towards the street!

JACK nearly hits the LEAD PILOT, who desperately veers away!

LEAD PILOT (CONT'D)
(over RT)
Let's take this guy out!

The NAVAL PLANES OPEN FIRE on JACK ... he DODGES around the SKY,
avoiding STREAMS OF TRACER FIRE ... nearly hitting the TOP of the
CHRYSLER BUILDING!

JACK'S LUCK runs out ... The SOPWITH CAMEL shudders as BULLETS SMASH
INTO IT'S ENGINE. BLACK SMOKE streams out as JACK quickly loses
control.

JACK knows it's all over ... he GRIMLY STEERS his CRIPPLED PLANE
straight at a NAVAL PLANE attacking KONG ...

With a CRUNCH, JACK'S WHEELS clip the NAVAL PLANE'S WING, sending it
spinning out of control! The NAVAL PLANE SMASHES into the side of the
EMPIRE STATE BUILDING!

JACK'S SOPWITH CAMEL flips on it's BACK ...

CRUUMMP!!! KONG GRABS JACK'S PLANE! He waves it above his head JACK
FALLS OUT OF THE COCKPIT! He slides down KONG'S' out-stretched arm,
rolls on his shoulder and just manages to GRAB THE FUR ON KONG'S BACK -
preventing a 1000 foot fall to the street!

ANN
( shocked)
JACK!!!

JACK dangles and swings as KONG continues to SWAT at the ATTACKING
PLANES! MACHINE GUN FIRE strikes KONG in the BACK, just below JACK'S
FEET. KONG SLUMPS, giving JACK the chance to ROLL OFF HIS BACK ... JACK
lands on the DOME, SLIDING TOWARDS THE EDGE!!

ANN REACHES OUT, grabbing his HAND. She pulls JACK to safety!

AT THAT MOMENT ... KONG PICKS ANN UP. JACK can only watch as KONG
TENDERLY HOLDS HER ... the great ape is WEAKENED by BULLET HITS and
clearly in PAIN ... yet he looks mesmerized at ANN as her long blonde
hair blows in the wind.

The NAVAL PLANES are regrouping in the distance ... The FOUR remaining
PLANES turn towards KONG and form a straight line.

LEAD PILOT
(over RT)
We are ignoring the girl! I repeat ... ignore the girl. She's going
down with the ape! Here we go!

The NAVAL PLANES start their ATTACK RUN!

JACK can see what's coming ...

JACK
(desperate yell)
Ann! They are going to shoot! Ann!

KONG looks down at JACK ...

He very gently lowers ANN and returns her to JACK. JACK HOLDS ANN
tenderly as she starts SOBBING.

KONG looks FEARFULLY AT THE APPROACHING PLANES ... He is BREATHING in
GASPS ... very DISTRESSED.

ANN
Kong'. Look at me ... please

KONG looks at ANN ... He gently touches her hair. She clutches his
FINGERS, hugging them, trying COMFORT HIM. TEARS STREAM DOWN HER FACE
...

ALL. SOUND FADES AWAY ... except for a gentle breeze ...

ANN (CONT'D)
(singing softly)
Lullaby ... and good-night, Go to bed and sleep tight ...

The FEAR leaves KONG ... he looks at ANN with TENDERNESS and LOVE. She
fights back the urge to burst into tears.

ANN (CONT'D)
(singing softly)
Close your eyes, start to yawn, Pleasant dreams until dawn.

CLOSE ON KONG ... he SUDDENLY WINCES SOUND CRASHES BACK IN ... with the
DEAFENING ROAR of the PLANES flying past.

For one last precious second ANN HUGS KONG'S HAND ... he slowly topples
back ... disappearing off the side of the building.

ANN SOBS with GRIEF ... JACK gently takes her in his arms ... she
buries her face in his chest.

EXT. FIFTH AVENUE - MORNING

CROWDS are gathering to STARE at KONG'S BODY ... we only see his HAND
on the edge of frame.

A POLICEMAN ushers people away ...

POLICEMAN
Come on folks ... it's all over. The airplane's got him.

PUSH IN ... to an OLD LADY standing in the crowd. She shakes her head
sadly ...

OLD LADY
It wasn't the airplanes ... it was beauty killed the beast.

The OLD LADY turns and slowly walks away from CAMERA.

FADE TO BLACK.

THE END

http://geocities.com/scifiscripts3/scripts/kingkong.txt