savage_jouney--1st_draft_by_louis

SAVAGE JOURNEY

Written by-

Louis Sihler

Louis Sihler 332 Younglove Ave. Santa Cruz, Ca. 95060 (831) 425-8537 WGA # 727765

1.

FADE IN:

INT. BEDROOM - DAY

A pretty young woman named VIRGINIA REED MURPHY fitfully closes the door and sits down on a bed near a window.

Virginia's hair, a lovely blend of light and dark streaks, is up in a bun and she wears a blue bridesmaid dress.

We HEAR sounds of a party going on downstairs. Virginia's little sister, PATTY, is celebrating her new marriage.

Virginia looks tired. She rests her head against the bedboard and looks at the window.

It is 1856 in Santa Cruz, California. People walk along the wooden planks of the streets. Wagons breeze by and stir up little whirlwinds of dust and cheery blossoms; people duck for cover.

Virginia's eyes feel heavy as she leans against the bedboard. She lays down on the bed to rest. She closes her eyes and begins to mumble.

VIRGINIA (to self)

We had only a few drops left I We had to make it through the night! We must reach the other wagons! We will die of thirst! We will all certainly perish...

SLOW DISSOLVE TO: EXT. INDEPENDENCE MISSOURI - DAY

It is early morning on May 12th, 1846. Large groups of people are assembled near a wagon called the, "Pioneer Palace Car." It is a luxurious wagon with a fire stove, bunk beds and spring seats.

MARGRET REED, a rough-worn, delicate woman, weeps. JAMES REED, 45, brown hair and beard, shakes the hands of the friendly crowd.

CONTINUED

2

Little Virginia Reed, 12, plays with her sister Patty, 8, dark, expressive eyes.

One of the Reed's hands, BAYLIS WILLIAMS, young and strong, loads barrels of flour and dried fruit onto a wagon.

His sister, ELIZA, somewhat awkward and shy, carries folded blankets to the wagon. She watches the young men around her as she walks and almost trips over a mound.

ANOTHER ANGLE

of the Donner brothers. GEORGE, 63, greying hair, is talking to his brother JACOB, older, slightly frail.

GEORGE I want you to take it easy, Jacob. Your health is too fragile to not be takin' seriously.

Jacob steps up onto his wagon.

JACOB Don * t worry about me, brother. You fret too much. Stop being a mother hen!

GEORGE I just don't want anythin' bad to happen to you on our trip. You can understand that, can't you?

JACOB If I feel bad, I'll make sure and tell you, George.

GEORGE Thanks, that's all I ask.

AT GEORGE'S WAGON

TAMSEN DONNER sits on a buckboard. She is a well educated woman who works as a teacher.

She has a short frame, but a fiery disposition. George approaches the wagon.

TAMSEN What were you discussing with Jacob, George?

CONTINUED

3.

GEORGE I was tellin' him to watch himself. I want nobody gettin' sick on this trip, if we can help it.

AT JIM'S WAGONS

Jim is checking his teams. The oxen, six paired up at yokes, bawl and kick at the dirt. They always seem agitated.

George approaches Jim, smiles and points west.

GEORGE Are you ready to head for California, Jim?

Jim looks at the crowd of people assembled.

JIM As ready as I am ever going to be, I suspect.

GEORGE (smiles)

We have a dauntin' task ahead of us, but I think we'll make it fine.

They shake hands and wave to the weeping and cheering crowd.

George heads back to his wagon. Jim steps up to the "Pioneer Palace Car" and kisses a continuously weeping Margret. He pulls the reins and the oxen move, slobbering and straining under the load.

AT GEORGE'S WAGON

George whips his oxen on and they move with the same discontented disposition.

WIDE SHOT

of the wagon train, stretched on for two miles.

EXT. GEORGE'S WAGON - DAY

George drives as Tamsen sits. Their daughter, FRANCES, 6, brown hair, pokes her head through the wagon cover.

CONTINUED

4.

FRANCES Mommy? How much longer till we stop?

TAMSEN Just a little while from now, baby. You just lay down and rest.

FRANCES Okay mommy.

She pulls her head back.

EXT. ELM GROVE KANSAS - NIGHT

The train pulls into camp.

EXT. CAMPFIRE - NIGHT

Tamsen is cooking over the carapfire. Her daughters, GEORGIA, 4, and ELIZA, 3, sit eating bread.

George eats soup by the wagon.

GEORGE This is good, Tamsen. It's just like at home.

LUKE HALLORIN, 29, brings over some wood. He has consumption and does not look well.

LUKE I have some firewood for you, ma'am.

TAMSEN Thanks, Luke. You can just lay it here by the fire.

He puts the wood down and tilts his hat.

LUKE Ma'am.

EXT. ELM GROVE KANSAS - MORNING

We HEAR a rifle FIRE. SAMUEL SHOEMAKER from Springfield, Ohio is in an uproar.

CONTINUED

5.

SHOEMAKER Hey! Listen up! There's an Indian in the camp!

The train stirs and people file around. The Indian, •who is carrying a colorful spear, yells something in his native tongue.

INDIAN (fiercely)

Enemy!

He raises his spear and shakes it. Shoemaker takes out his pistol and raises it towards the Indian.

Jim Reed grabs his arm and pulls it down. The gun FIRES.

JIM No Shoemaker!

The Indian runs off.

SHOEMAKER Why did you stop me?

JIM Do you want to get us all killed? We have to be careful with these Indians. We don't know what they are capable of.

Shoemaker reholsters his gun.

SHOEMAKER My mistake, Mr. Reed.

The people in the camp breathe a sigh of relief.

EXT. GARDNER KANSAS - DAY

A campfire is burning dried out cow pies. This makes the air fill with an unmistakable smell.

LAVINA MURPHY, the matriarch of a large family, cooks over the fire. Many in the group look up to her.

PATRICK BREEN, 66, Irish, brings her some scriptures.

CONTINUED

6.

BREEN I have some scriptures for you, Mrs. They are of the Psalms.

LAVINA Oh, thank you, Mr. Breen. I'm sure I'll have many hours of joy reading them.

Her daughter, HARRIET PIKE, young and nubile, brings her some kindling.

LAVINA (continuing)

Mr. Breen, have you met my girl, Harriet?

BREEN No, I have not.

He shakes her hand.

BREEN (continuing)

Nice to meet you young lady. Are you the praying sort?

HARRIET Yes, my husband and I are.

BREEN (pats her hand)

Good, that's good. I better get back to my brood. Need to keep their ears fixed on the word of the Lord.

LAVINA (touches his hand)

Yes, Mr. Breen, this is true.

He raises his hat and walks away. Harriet giggles a bit. Lavina looks at her and smiles.

LAVINA (continuing)

Pious man, Harriet.

INT. REED WAGON - DAY

Margret's mother, SARAH KEYES, coughs blood onto a handkerchief.

CONTINUED

7.

Patty holds near her. She is an elderly woman, who is sick from consumption.

PATTY How are you feeling now, grandma?

Virginia sits next to Patty.

VIRGINIA Don*t bother grandma Patty. She is sleepin'.

SARAH It's okay children, I'm not feeling too bad.

PATTY See, I told you Virginia, grandma is feeling fine.

VIRGINIA How are you feel in' grandma?

SARAH I'm just feeling a bit tired.

Patty hugs Sarah and she laughs.

EXT. BIG BLUE RIVER - DAY

Tarnsen is picking flowers as camp is set up. She is joined by CHARLIE STANTON, 29, small frame. Charlie is an intelligent, but not well educated man He presses flowers into a book.

CHARLIE This is quite a lovely specimen.

He holds up a purple flower.

TAMSEN Oh, yes, that is lovely, Charlie. Please put it in the book.

CHARLIE As you wish.

He places the flower gently between the pages.

ANGLE ON JIM

CONTINUED

8.

who stands by a large rock, which has been etched by many passing emigrants.

Jim carves out a message.

"J.F. Reed 26 May, 1846"

EXT. REED WAGON - DAY

Jim helps Sarah out of the wagon. He is helped by JIMMY REED JR., a tough, impatient young man.

They rest her over a quilt, laid under a tree. Margret kneels down and holds her hand.

MARGRET You rest, momma.

Sarah touches her face lightly.

SARAH Thank you, dear. I think I'll just rest here a spell.

MARGRET (tears up)

Okay, ma.

Little TOMMY REED runs up and jumps on his grandma's lap. She is startled a bit.

SARAH Oh! Aren't you a strong young man?

Tommy smiles at her.

INT, REED WAGON - DAY

Sarah is lying in her bed, breathing heavily. Patty opens the wagon cover and brings her an apple.

PATTY Grandma, I brought you something to eat.

She lies there, speechless.

CONTINUED

9.

PATTY (continuing)

Grandma! What is wrong?

Patty jumps out of the wagon and returns after a few moments with her parents.

MARGRET Momma! Momma! What is wrong!? Jim, there is something wrong!

Jim puts his hand to her chest.

JIM She is struggling to breathe.

Margret grabs Sarah and weeps.

MARGRET Don't leave us, momma! Don't leave!

EXT. BIG BLUE CAMP - DUSK

Patrick Breen speaks over Sarah's grave.

BREEN "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

Breen steps away from the grave. Patty places a handful of flowers on her coffin.

Tommy and Jimmy are brought up to the grave by Jim. They drop a handful of dirt each.

Margret steps up to the grave.

MARGRET Momma... we shall all miss your love. You brought sunshine to our lives, we shall remember you always.

She kisses a flower bouquet and places it on the coffin.

The camp walks away as Jim grabs a shovel and buries Sarah.

CONTINUED

10.

ANOTHER ANGLE

of the Reed family watching Jim bury her. They all weep.

MARGRET We have to go on children. Momma always told me life was for the living. She would've wanted us to go on to California and start a new life.

EXT. LARGE RIVER - DAY

The train is crossing a river.

WILL EDDY, 29, intelligent, crosses in his wagon. His wife, ELEANOR, a young mother of two, sits by him.

ANTOINE, a young, dark skinned, hand from New Mexico, rides ahead on horseback.

WILL How's the water look?

Antoine looks back.

ANTOINE It's a little rough, but I think you can get through.

WILL All right, I'm coming through.

Antoine signals him through. The wagon pushes deeper in the river.

The spaces between the rocks are large and the wagon tilts dramatically as it passes the rocks.

ELEANOR (screams)

Oh! Careful Will!

Will touches her arm.

WILL I'm trying to be, dear.

CONTINUED

11.

The wheels continue to cross. Antoine watches from the bank. Slowly, the wagon makes it across the river.

Finally, they pull out of the river and Eleanor gives Will a big kiss.

EXT. WINDLASS HILL - DAY

The train has encountered Windlass Hill. The hill is very treacherous and difficult to cross.

One wagon is staked with its hind wheels up. A rope is attached to the hub.

JACOB DOWNER'S WAGON

is coming up the hill. A rope is attached to his wagon, as it slowly climbs up the hill.

ON THE HILL

Jim, George and a few other men turn the wheel and bring the wagon up.

The work is strenuous. They turn the wheel as hard as they can.

AT THE WAGON

it is in a precarious position. If the rope breaks, the wagon will go rolling backwards with the oxen dragging along.

The wagon slowly makes it up the hill. After a few moments, it reaches the top.

Jacob steps down from the wagon and breathes a sigh of relief.

JACOB Good work, boys. That was fearsome for a spell. I was worried for awhile we wouldn't make it.

GEORGE You kept very calm, brother.

Jacob's hands shake, as he shakes the hands of the men.

12.

EXT. KAW RIVER - DAY

CHARLES BURGER, German, drives a wagon for another German, named WOLFINGER. Mr. Wolfinger is very wealthy. He travels with MRS. WOLFINGER who wears elegant clothes and occasionally jewelry.

Their wagon waits to board a makeshift ferry the train has made.

JAMES SMITH who is a teamster for George Donner stands on the ferry. A signal is given from the other side of the bank.

SMITH Bring it across Burger.

BURGER Okay.

Burger pulls the wagon over the ferry.

SMITH Okay! Pull him across!

A rope pulls the ferry over to the other side. The ferry CREEKS as it crosses. Water blows across the deck.

SMITH (continuing)

Keep it up, he's looking good J

The ferry reaches the other side.

Another German named AUGUSTUS SPITZER leads Burger off the ferry.

SPITZER Okay! Pull it back over!

EXT. SOUTH FORK NEBRASKA - DAY

Tamsen writes a letter as George drives.

TAMSEN (V.O.) "Near the junction of the North and South Platte, June 16, 1846. My old friend: We are now on the Platte, two hundred miles from Fort Laramie. Our journey so far has been pleasant, the roads have been good and food plentiful.

(MORE) CONTINUED

1 J .

TAMSEN (V.O.) (CONT'D) The water part of the way has been indifferent, but at no time have our cattle suffered for it...

EXT. CAMPFIRE - MORNING

Tamsen is cooking over the fire. An Englishman named JOHN DENTON is taking a plate from Tamsen.

Two men, HIRAM MILLER and NOAH JAMES, are standing behind him with plates.

They have left Sangamon County, Illinois with the Donners.

TAMSEN (V.O.) We had this morning buffalo steaks broiled upon 'buffalo chips.' They had the same flavor they would have had upon hickory coals. Indeed, if I do not experience something far worse than I have yet done, I shall say the trouble is all in getting started. Yours, truly, Mrs. George Donner."

INT. BEDROOM - DAY (1856)

Virginia, sleeping, stirs a bit.

EXT. NEBRASKA TERRITORY - DAY (1846)

VIRGINIA (V.O.) Durin1 the same period we were travelin1 through Nebraska, a family named Graves was travelin* behind us. The Graves had a daughter named Mary Ann. She was very beautiful. One day...

FRANKLIN GRAVES is the patriarch of the Graves family. There are thirteen members in his family

CONTINUED

14.

As Franklin drives the wagon, a party of Pawnee Indians come up to them.

One PAWNEE tries to buy MARY ANN. She is a beautiful twenty year old. She has brown curled hair and brown eyes. The Pawnee signals that he wants to buy Mary Ann.

PAWNEE (in native tongue)

She is for me to take.

Her eighteen year old brother, BILLY, rides towards him.

BILLY She's not for sale.

The Indians grab Mary Ann's bridle and try to steal her.

BILLY (continuing)

Frank, get a rifle!

Her brother, FRANK, gets a rifle from a wagon. The Indians see the rifle and let her go. She comes riding back.

BILLY (continuing)

Are you okay, Mary Ann?

She is shaking.

MARY ANN I just need a second to calm down.

BILLY Those goddamn Indians.

EXT. FORT LARAMIE - DAY

The party arrives at Fort Laramie early. They proceed to set up camp.

The fort is in the foothills of the Rockies. It is the last outpost before entering the range.

There are many mountainmen and Indians. The Indians sell goods and the mountainmen buy.

CONTINUED

15.

Jim runs into a mountainman he knows. JIM CLYMAN is a wily sort. He served with Jim and Abe Lincoln in the war against Chief Black Hawk.

CLYMAN Jim Reed? Darn tootin1, is that you Jim Reed?

JIM Yes, it's ine. How are you old goat?

They hug.

CLYMAN Don't tell me, you're headin' west?

JIM Yes, we are. We left Springfield about six weeks ago.

CLYMAN Well, what do you know?


It is the Fourth of July. The people are having a picnic and they dance and socialize.

The Reeds eat with Clyman.

CLYMAN So, you're headin' to Californy. How's your travelin' been so far?

JIM It's been somewhat uneventful.

(beat) Have you ever heard of the Hastings' Cutoff?

CLYMAN The Hastings' Cutoff? What's that?

JIM There's a book written by Lansford Hastings that speaks of a southwest route.

CLYMAN I *ve never heard of that Jim.

CONTINUED

16.

JIM Well, my friend George Donner has a copy of the book with him.

CLYMAN I don't know about no southwest route, Jim. I sugges' you stay with the northwest route. You111 rue the day if you take this other route.

JIM Many in my party have faith in this route.

CLYMAN I don't want to tell you what to do, but believe me, I've been in Californy and I don't sugges' this route.


The Reed,Donner wagon train has been gone for a short time. Franklin Graves and his family are just about to leaver after spending a few days here.

A mass of Sioux Indians, with twigs in mouth signifying peace, escort the Graves out of the fort.

Fifty of the Sioux surround a Graves wagon. Some of the Indians try to steal trivial items. Billy is outraged and rides away.

EXT. SIOUX CAMP - DAY

Billy rides up to the Sioux CHIEF.

BILLY I need you to come with me! Your people are stealing from my family!

The chief grabs a shotgun and gets on his horse.

AT THE FORT

Billy and the chief are about a hundred yards away.

CONTINUED

CHIEF Whoop!

The Indians scatter, but one is too slow. The chief FIRES the shotgun and two pieces of buckshot hit his pony. One piece hits the Indian in the leg and he rides off.

The chief gives Billy a signal and rides off. Billy rides back to his family.

EXT. INDEPENDENCE ROCK - DAY

The train arrives at Independence Rock, which indicates they are 840 miles from Independence, Missouri.

The landmark, which looks like an upside down bowl, is notorious to passing emigrants.

People in the wagon train look at the names scrawled on the rock, as they slowly pass through.

VIRGINIA (V.O.) "Independence Rock, July 12, 1846. Dear cousin, I take this oppertuny to write to you and let you know that I am well at present and I hope that you are well. We are travelin1 along the Sweetwater River. Paw goes buffalo huntin' most everyday and kills two or three buffalo everyday. One day paw shot an elk. Some of our company saw a grizzly bear a few days ago...

EXT. SWEETWATER RIVER - DUSK

Some wagons pass the train going east.

VIRGINIA (V.O.) We are meetin' folks goin' east all the time. I am goin' to send this letter by a man comin' from California. We are all doin* well and in high spirits. I send my best love to you all, so I must close your letter, you are forever my affectionate cousin, Virginia E.B. Reed."

18.

EXT. INDEPENDENCE ROCK - DAY

The Graves family passes through.

EXT. SOUTH PASS - DAY

The oxen struggle up a very steep hill called the South Pass. A man on a horse rides up to them. He hands them a letter and rides off. George reads it

GEORGE "At the headwaters of the sweetwater. To all California emigrants now on the road. War between States and Mexico. Keep together so Mexicans can't get you. Head southwest to Fort Bridger, then to Salt Lake. I will be at Fort Bridger to take you to California."

EXT. LITTLE SANDY CREEK - DAY

Twenty wagons are leaving northwest for California

EXT. LITTLE SANDY CREEK - LATER

Luke is counting ballots. The party has voted to decide who will be captain. He counts the last ballot and they all gather around.

LUKE It looks like the winner is... George Donner.

There is a scattering of applause. Jim looks disappointed, but he shakes George's hand.

JIM Congratulations, George.

GEORGE Thank you, Jim.

(to crowd) Thank you for appointin' me your leader. I'll do my darndest to get us to California safely, thank you.

More applause.

19.

EXT. FORT BRIDGER - DAY

The party arrives at the fort. It is not much, just a few crude buildings.

Like most outposts, there is the usual assortment of Indians and mountainmen. The fort is run by an accomplished mountainman named JIM BRIDGER.

EXT. FORT - LATER

Jim and Margret are standing in front of a "lodging apartment." It consists of a small cubicle with a stack of buffalo hides on the floor.

MARGRET (peering in)

The children might be comfortable in here? It doesn't look like there is much breathing room, though.

JIM I'm sorry, Margret, it's all there is.

Margret notices Patty talking to an Indian squaw. The squaw is dirty and wears only a loin cloth.

MARGRET What are you doing?

The squaw looks for bugs on Patty's body.

MARGRET (continuing)

Leave her alone!

The squaw angrily walks away with a few children in tow.

JIM Perk up, Margret, we won't be here long.

INT. FORT - LATER

Jim is talking with Bridger. They sit at a table. Bridger pours himself a glass of whiskey.

JIM Do you know where Hastings is?

CONTINUED

20.

BRIDGER You want a snort?

JIM Wo.

BRIDGER Well... let's see... I outfitted his wagon train a few days ago, had about sixty-six wagons, I think.

JIM He said he would lead us to California.

BRIDGER He could be comin' back for you.

JIM (beat)

How's the road ahead?

BRIDGER Well, let's see... the injuns between here and California are no threat. They are mostly "diggers," they just like to steal. The "dry drive" is just ahead. It's about thirty miles across, maybe a mite more, you could cut grass at the springs, before you launched yourself into it and feed your animals all they wanted.

Jim looks disappointed.

EXT. FORT - DAY

Jim is talking to BAPTISTE TRUBODE. He is a small, dark young man, with protruding eyes.

JIM You can work some of my wagons as a teamster.

BAPTISTE Okay, sounds good.

CONTINUED

21.

They shake hands and Baptiste walks away.

A large, imposing man approaches Jim. WILL McCUTCHEN has been traveling from one wagon to another, he shakes Jim's hand.

McCUTCHEN Hi, Will McCutchen, I'm wondering if me and my wife can hook up with your outfit?

JIM Sure f no problem.

McCUTCHEN Great! You can call me Mac.

JIM Okay, Mac. Let me introduce you to the others.

McCUTCHEN Great.

EXT. FORT - DAY

An OLD SQUAW gives Margret a cake made of berries and grasshoppers as a TRAPPER notices.

TRAPPER It' s good.

MARGRET Really?

The squaw puts out her hand.

OLD SQUAW Two needles.

MARGRET Just a minute.

Margret goes to her bag and pulls out two needles and gives them to the squaw. The squaw leaves and Margret throws away the cake.

EXT. FORT - DAY

George is talking to Luke.

CONTINUED

22.

LUKE I•ve asked three wagons if I could ride with them, they all said no. I'm wondering if I can ride with you.

GEORGE I don't know, Luke, let me ask Tamsen.

George approaches Tamsen, who sits on a buckboard.

GEORGE {continuing)

Luke wants to ride with us. He can't make it on his horse any longer. He asked three other wagons, but they all have an excuse.

TAMSEN Sure, he can ride with us.

GEORGE Good, I'll tell him.

George walks back to Luke.

GEORGE (continuing)

She said it is fine Luke.

LUKE Thanks, George, I really appreciate it.

George walks back to Tamsen.

TAMSEN So, George, what's the plan?

GEORGE Well, considerin * Hastings hasn't shown up, we probably should be gettin* on.

TAMSEN He seems a wholly unreliable man to me George. I think Margret feels the same way.

CONTINUED

15.

GEORGE Well, others have faith in him. We should give it a try.

EXT. OPEN LAND - DAY

The party notices Hastings' wagon tracks.

EXT. OPEN LAND - LATER

Thirteen-year-old EDDIE BREEN rides his pony too fast. The pony falls and Eddie gets a compound fracture on his left calf.

PEGGY BREEN, his mother, runs to his side.

PEGGY Eddie! Oh, Eddie, you are hurt I Patrick!

Patrick Breen goes to Eddie's side.

BREEN It's a compound fracture. We're going to have to amputate.

Eddie moans.

PEGGY No!

BREEN There is no other way. We can't carry him like this on the wagon.

PATRICK DOLLAN steps forward. He is an unattractive man, with a toothy smile.

Pat is a wealthy Irish immigrant, with an easy going disposition.

PAT I'll ride back to the fort and get help.

BREEN What do you think misses?

CONTINUED

24.

PEGGY Yes, please Patrick, rapidly.

PAT •Tis but a short while before I return.

INT. FORT BRIDGER - DUSK

Pat steps into Bridger's cabin.

PAT Excuse me, sir, I need a surgeon.

BRIDGER Where the hell did you come from?

PAT I'm with Jim Reed.

BRIDGER Oh, okay, come with me.

EXT. A CAMP - NIGHT

Pat finally arrives with a SURGEON. He is an old, bearded man riding a mule.

He chews tobacco as he steps off his mule. He pulls out a bundle wrapped in canvas.

He leans down next to Eddie. He pulls out a meat saw and a knife.

SURGEON Hot up the fire.

Eddie screams.

EDDIE Don't cut my leg off!

PEGGY Patrick!

SURGEON (angry)

•Tis not my fault if you change your mind. I have to be paid.

CONTINUED

25.

Breen gets five dollars from his money bag and pays the surgeon.

The surgeon gets back on his mule, disappointed he can't cut the leg off. Peggy proceeds to make a splint.

EXT. BEAR RIVER VALLEY - DAY

The wagons slowly make their way through a great canyon. The wagon wheels make a loud ECHO as they move through the deep and steep canyon.

The canyon seems endless and Jim tries to calm the people down.

EXT. RED FORK CROSSING - DAY

The party is at a crossing of the Webber River. They find a note left by Hastings and Jim reads it.

GEORGE What does it say, Jim?

JIM It says the road ahead is impassable. He suggests a route around Webber Canyon.

The people give out a sigh.

EXT. WEBBER RIVER - NIGHT

The party rests at the entrance to Echo Canyon. Campfires burn and spirits are low. Pat tries to cheer the people up.

PAT Don't fret people! We'll be dancin' the jig in the valleys of Californy in no time at all.

Some of the people laugh.

AT A CAMPFIRE

The leaders of the party discuss their options.

CONTINUED

JIM I think we need to find Hastings.

GEORGE You really think we have to do that, Jim?

JIM Yes, I'll go alone if I have to.

McCUTCHEN One man is vulnerable to Indians out there. I don't know how my family will feel about it, Jim, but I will go with you.

CHARLIE I shall accompany you as well, Mr. Reed .

JIM Thanks, Charlie.

VIRGINIA I don't want you to go paw. You won't be safe!

JIM It will be okay, Virginia.

MARGRET Maybe, you should think of the children, Jim, why do you have to go?

JIM I just feel it is the right thing to do.

GEORGE We'11 take care of your family, Jim.

GEORGE Thank you George.

McCUTCHEN We should head out in the morning to make good time.

z , .

JIM I agree.

The people are silent.

JIM (continuing)

We will be okay.

EXT. WEBBER RIVER CAMP - DAY

Jim has been gone a few days. Margret is washing clothes over a hot pot.

EXT. WITH JIM - DAY

The men look for Hastings. The undergrowth is thick, the going hard.

EXT. A CAMP - DAY

LANSFORD HASTINGS is with his wagon train. They rest near a high peak.

Hastings is in his late twenties. He has an arrogant air about him. He is a lawyer by profession, but a general in his mind.

Hastings sees Jim and his men ride into camp.

HASTINGS Hello, there. Who may you be?

They dismount their horses.

JIM Hello, we are with a wagon train, not too far behind here, at the entrance to Echo Canyon.

HASTINGS Really? Did you see my note?

JIM Yes, that's what we are here about.

CONTINUED

2B.

HASTINGS Come, have some coffee, you look exhausted.

EXT. CAMPFIRE - DAY

Jira and his men sit with Hastings drinking coffee

HASTINGS So, what can I clarify for you?

JIM We weren't expecting to go the route ourselves.

HASTINGS You weren't? I'll tell you what. I'11 show you a route I think will be beneficial to you.

JIM Okay.

EXT. A BLUFF - DAY

Hastings and Jim are overlooking the Salt Lake from a bluff. He looks at a range.

HASTINGS (pointing)

Do you see that high peak?

JIM'S POV - PEAK

JIM Yes.

HASTINGS If you follow that peak backwards, it will take you back to the head of the Webber River and your campsite.

BACK TO SHOT

JIM You will not take us through it?

CONTINUED

29.

HASTINGS I must stay with my wagon train. Come back with me to my camp, I'll give you a fresh horse. Your men can stay with me a few days and bring some supplies back to your people.

JIM (beat)

If that is all you can offer.

HASTINGS Goodr let's get back to camp.

EXT. WASATCH MOUNTAINS - NIGHT

A flame lightens the night sky. Jim blazes a tree to make a landmark.

EXT. HASTING'S TRAIN - DAY

Hastings slowly makes his way along the Webber River. The wagons precariously drive down precipices on the river.

EXT. WEBBER RIVER CAMP - DUSK

The party watch Jim slowly ride into camp. Drawn, he searches for his family.

He slowly gets off his horse. People ask him what happened. George approaches him.

GEORGE What is it, Jim?

JIM It's not good, George. Hastings showed us a route, but he won't help us through it.

GEORGE What happened to your horse?

JIM He lent me a fresh one.

GEORGE And he took yours?

CONTINUED

JU.

Young MRS. McCUTCHEN steps forward.

MRS. McCUTCHEN Where is my husband?

JIM He is okay. He is resting with Charlie. They will join us as

, soon as they can with supplies.

The people look depressed.

EXT. WEBBER RIVER CAMP - DAY

George has convened a meeting.

GEORGE We need to decide what to do. We need to decide whether we turn around and take the normal route or go forward. We need to take a vote. SO, those in favor of turnin' around raise your hand.

A few hands are raised.

GEORGE (continuing)

Those in favor of goin' forward, raise your hand.

The majority raise their hands.

GEORGE (continuing)

May God be with us.

EXT. ECHO CANYON - DAY

Echo Canyon is hard going. The wagons pivot when they encounter large rocks. The canyon is dark and the walls are high. This spooks the oxen.

VIRGINIA (V.O.) There was absolutely no road, not even a trail. The canyon wound around among the hills...

EXT. RIVER - DAY

The party has placed willows across the river so the oxen can cross. The oxen bawl as the stubs dig into their feet.

VIRGINIA (V.O.) ... Heavy underbrush had to be cut away and used for makin' road bed... I used to enjoy cuttin' Christmas trees with paw, but if I never see another tree saw again, I'll be happy.

EXT. RIG MOUNTAIN - DAY

The oxen are doubled teamed. The mountain is a struggle, tempers flare.

Three wagons reach the party and George greets them.

GEORGE Hello, strangers.

The wagons stop to reveal the Graves.

FRANKLIN I've been whippin' to keep up with you. I'm Frank Graves and this is my family. From Lacon, Illinois. Goin' west, like everybody and would like to join if we can.

GEORGE Sure, you can hitch up.

FRANKLIN Thank you much.

EXT. TOP OF BIG MOUNTAIN - DAY

The party look over a grand view of Salt Lake Valley The view reveals flat deserts and high peaks.

Suddenly, Charlie and Mac come up a rise. They both look gaunt and weak. The people greet them. Mrs. McCutchen hugs her husband.

CONTINUED

J Z .

CHARLIE Hello, people. It's nice to see you.

MRS. McCUTCHEN Where have you been?

McCUTCHEN Lost in the mountains... I have some bad news.

TAMSEN What is it?

McCUTCHEN An even bigger mountain is next.

The people despair. They look at their wagon covers and notice they are tattered and torn.

INT. TAMSEN'S WAGON - DUSK

The party is trekking through the desert. Luke is seriously ill. He lays on a pallet. He is pale, thin and feverish. Tamsen nurses him on her lap.

LUKE (weakly)

There is something I want you to have... There's a small trunk in my saddle bags... There's fifteen hundred dollars in it. I want you to have it.

TAMSEN Thank you, Luke.

LUKE I die happy.

EXT. DESERT - DAY

A body lays in a hole wrapped in a buffalo robe. The body lays in a hole made of pure salt.

The people mourn and Jim says a few words over Luke's body.

CONTINUED

33.

JIM Luke was a Mason, so in the brotherhood of all Masons, we proclaim his body to the soil.

EXT. DESERT - DUSK

Tamsen goes through Luke's saddle bags. She pulls out a small tin trunk. She opens it up and finds $1,500 in gold and silver.

TAMSEN (to Luke)

I will start a school with this money, Luke, thank you.

EXT. TWENTY SPRINGS - DAY

The party has reached Twenty Springs. An assortment of holes blankets the landscape.

Some are a few inches wide, some a few feet. A bucket is dropped seventy feet down one hole. The hole refills as soon as the bucket is pulled up.

The people load wood and grass onto the wagons. They fill flour barrels with water.

People gather around Tamsen as she finds a tattered note glued to a board. She sits in the sand and pieces it back together. She reads it aloud.

TAMSEN "Two days, two nights, hard driving. Cross desert, reach water."

The people are speechless.

EXT. SALT LAKE - MIDDAY

The wagons sink in the hot sun. We notice that most water holes

The oxen are thirsty, are alkaline.

J^.

INT. JIM'S WAGON - NIGHT

Patty sleeps with her dog Cash. She is bundled up, the night is cold.

EXT. SALT LAKE - DAY

WALTER HERRON, an intense young man, mounts a horse. A teamster for Jim, he leaves the "Pioneer Palace Car. "


Two INDIANS follow the party. They make friendly signs and one of them imitates them and speaks gibberish. Jim laughs at their antics.

INDIAN Gee, haw, whoa.

EXT. SALT LAKE - NIGHT

The two Indians gather wood. One Indian puts out a small fire with a stick.


The two Indians are gone with two oxen. Some in the party are angry.

LEWIS KESEBERG is a tough German with beady eyes. He has a long beard and speaks with a heavy accent.

KESEBERG It's all your fault, Mr. Reed! You let Indians stay with us!

Jim looks perplexed.


George unyokes six oxen for a rest. They bolt out into the desert.

George attempts to chase them, but they are too fast. The other oxen look weak. George approaches Tamsen.

CONTINUED

J D .

GEORGE We'll have to throw over.

TAMSEN I'll throw out some furniture.

Tamsen throws objects onto the salty earth. George goes to the back of the wagon.

GEORGE I'm afraid you girls will have to walk.

The girls get out of the wagon.


Jim is riding a horse ahead of the party looking for water. He sucks on a deshelled, flattened bullet to keep hydrated.

He finds a water hole. He dismounts his horse and drinks excessively. His horse drinks as well.


Jim is riding back to the party. Baptiste and one of Jim's teamsters, MILT ELLIOT, meet up with him They are walking with just a few of his oxen.

JIM What's going on?

MILT Bad times, Jim. One of your horses laid down. As we were tryin' to get him back up, your oxen fled. We tried to gather them up all day. Meanwhile, the others went ahead.

JIM Where•s my family?

MILT We'11 go back for them.

Jim looks at him, concerned.

CONTINUED

MILT (continuing)

Your oxen couldn't take the thirst anymore, Jim. We felt it was best to leave the wagons there until we could regroup.

JIM (hurriedly)

I'll see you later.

He yanks the reins and his horse tears off.


Jim reaches his family. He dismounts his horse and hugs Margret. It is pitch black.

JIM I'm sorry for leaving you.

MARGRET It's okay, we're okay.

He picks up Tommy.

JIM Come on kids, we need to get to water.

VIRGINIA What about the wagons?

JIM I'll get them later. Let's get going!


The Reeds walk through the desert. A crazed young steer comes running out of the darkness. Patty screams. They notice Jacob's wagon and Jacob sees them.

JACOB I'm glad to see you are okay, Jim.

CONTINUED

JIM Where are the others?

JACOB They went ahead to a water hole.

JIM We'11 meet you there. I need to get my family to water«

EXT. WATER HOLE - NIGHT

The Reeds lay down in the cold, exhausted.


Milt searches for oxen in the intense sun. He sees what looks like an oxen and rides closer. He reaches it and discovers it is a bush.

EXT. WATER HOLE CAMP - DAY

The people are exhausted from looking for Jim's oxen.

JIM Well, I only have one ox and a cow. That's not enough to get my wagons back.

Franklin and Breen each bring Jim an oxen.

JIM (continuing)

Thank you Patrick, Franklin.

EXT. AT WAGONS - DAY

Jim puts two teams of oxen on one of his wagons.

EXT. AT WAGONS - LATER

Jim has dug a six foot square hole. He has unhitched a bed from one of his wagons.

CONTINUED

Jim places furniture and other valuables in the box. He places old clothing and broken furniture on the top and buries the hole.

EXT. WATER HOLE CAMP - DAY

George holds a meeting. We can see snow in the mountains.

GEORGE We need to get some help. I don * t want to get help from Fort Bridger. We need to send someone ahead to Sutter•s Fort. Who is willin' to go forward and get us help?

There is silence.

CHARLIE I will go.

McCUTCHEN I will go too.

The people clap and Pat laughs.

PAT rTis a funny sight. Little Charlie and Big Mac. 'Twould make a brass monkey laugh.

The people laugh.

EXT. WATER HOLE CAMP - LATER

McCutchen says goodbye to his wife.

McCUTCHEN I will be okay misses. I will be back with help.

Mrs. McCutchen cries as they kiss. McCutchen hugs his baby, HARRIET, and wells up with tears. After a moment, he mounts his horse.

Charlie is on his horse with the reins of a mule tied to his saddle.

CONTINUED

Tamsen touches Charlie's leg and they exchange glances.

The party watches as they ride out. Pat notices the somber mood of his friends.

PAT Everyone be cheerful. We'11 soon be in Californy, livin * like kings and queens, bonny Mary Ann Graves will be married to the richest rancher in the state and won't even be speakin' to the likes of us.

They all laugh.

EXT. HUMBOLT RIVER CAMP - DAY

The party has set up camp by the Humbolt River. Spirits are better. Eddie Breen runs around.

EXT. HUMBOLT RIVER - DAY

George and Jacob drive their wagons ahead of the rest. Their oxen are strong and wagons good.

EXT. GRAVELLY ROAD - DAY

CLOSE on oxen *s rump. We can see wounds covered in tar. The two Indians tried unsuccessfully to kill some of the oxen with poison arrows.

PULL BACK to reveal the party working up a steep ford by the Humbolt. The oxen are double teamed and the driving is hard. Franklin's wagon is in the front.

A young, married man, named JAY FOSDICK is second JOHN SNYDER, a teamster for Franklin, is third.

He is an athletic young man who is infatuated with Mary Ann. To impress her, Snyder has not double teamed. Milt is behind him with Jim's wagon.

Jay is attached to Franklin's wagon and he moves slowly.

CONTINUED

41 U .

MILT Why aren't you double teamed? Get your goddamn wagon out of my way!

SNYDER Kiss my ass!

Milt tries to pass Snyder and the lead yoke of the two teams gets tangled.

ANGLE ON JIM

who is hunting on horseback. He hears the argument and rides his horse up the hill.

SNYDER (continuing)

What the fuck are you doing!? You tangled up the oxen!

MILT If you weren't goin' so goddamn slow, I wouldn't have to pass!

Snyder whips Jim's oxen with his whip and Jim rushes forward.

JIM Stop that! Stop that!

SNYDER Get your animals out of my way!

JIM John, calm down! You can attach to ray team if you want help. Wait till we get to the top of the hill and we'll settle the matter.

SNYDER We'll settle it now!

Snyder hits Jim with the butt end of his whip as Margret watches in horror. He hits him a second time as Margret rushes to his side.

Margret stands between Jim and Snyder as Snyder raises his stock to hit Jim and instead hits Margret.

CONTINUED

Jim's face bleeds heavily and he can barely see Margret get hit.

JIM John! John!

Margret reels in pain. Jim pulls out his hunting knife in rage and stabs Snyder in the ribs.

Snyder staggers out of the wagon and Rreen rushes to his side. He puts his arms around Snyder.

SNYDER Patrick, I'm dead.

Jim tries to staunch the wound with a cloth.

SNYDER (continuing; quietly)

I am to blame.

MARGRET Jim, oh my God, come with me.

Jim throws the knife in the river. Margret, whose head bleeds as well, leads Jim to their wagon. Margret and the girls wrap his head in bandages.

Over the next fifteen minutes, Snyder dies.

EXT. GRAVELLY FORD CAMP - DAY

A meeting is held to decide what to do. Keseberg is livid and takes his oxen out of his yokes. He takes the tongue of his wagon and props it up with an oxbow.

KESEBERG String him up! String him up!

Milt and Will stand next to Jim with rifles. Jim is livid at their incongruity. He bares his neck.

JIM Come on gentlemen.

Keseberg looks at Jim, unhinged.

KESEBERG Look, he is bad. He killed Snyder. He must pay.

CONTINUED

The men talk out of earshot of Jim. They occasionally look at him.

After a few moments, the men approach him. Spitzer looks Jim sternly in the eye.

SPITZER We've decided what's to be done. You're to be banished.

JIM ' Banished!?

SPITZER You ought to be thankful it not worse. We don't want a man like you with us. We!re going to give you a horse and grub, but no rifle and you make up for what you've done by going over the mountains to Fort Sutter to send us help. That's what we decided.

JIM I'11 not go! It's a death sentence to send me over the mountains without a rifle!

KESEBERG We must string him up!

JIM I won*t leave my family! I don't know what you would do to them!

WILL I'll take care of your family, Jim.

Jim looks at his family.

JIM Okay... Will you at least let me help bury him?

No. SPITZER

EXT. CAMPFIRE - NIGHT

Jim is gathered around his family.

MARGRET (praying)

Dear Lord, please deliver Jim safely from this violent mood. Please deliver him safely to Fort Sutter and refuge for our weary souls.

EXT. REED WAGON - NIGHT

Milt and Will guard Jim's wagon as he sleeps.

EXT. GRAVELLY FORD CAMP - DAWN

Jim stands alone at Snyder's grave.

EXT. GRAVELLY FORD CAMP - LATER

Jim and his family hug and cry. After a few moments Jim gives Margret their money belt.

JIM I have taken a little.

He strokes Margret's face.

JIM (continuing)

Don't worry, I'll get through, I'11 be back.

His family cries as he mounts his horse. He gives a slight smile and rides off.

EXT. WEBBER RIVER - DAY

Jim rides his horse'along the river; he HEARS a VOICE.

VOICE Father!

CONTINUED

Jim turns his horse and sees Virginia and Milt. She has a bag and Milt carries a rifle. Jim dismounts his horse. Virginia rushes him and hugs him.

VIRGINIA We brought you a riffle and ammunition.

They hand him the items.

VIRGINIA (continuing)

There's some crackers in there too.

Jim kisses her.

JIM Thank you sweetheart.

VIRGINIA I know I'11 see you again.

He remounts his horse.

JIM Thank you, Milt. Take care of my family.

Milt tilts affirmatively. Jim smiles at Virginia and gallops off. Virginia watches him leave and her eyes well up with tears.


Will and his family walk on worn shoes. There is much loss and depravation and the Eddy family is on exception.

Will carries his young son, JAMES, on his shoulder Eleanor carries MARGRET.

The hardships show on Eleanor. A beautiful woman, she looks worn.

JAMES Poppa, I am thirsty. I want something to drink.

CONTINUED

Breen has a large barrel filled with water on the side of his wagon. Will approaches Breen's wagon.

WILL Mr. Breen, I need some water for ray children. Could I please have a small amount?

BREEN No f I have to conserve my water for my family and stock.

WILL Children should be put before animals, Mr. Breen.

BREEN I'm sorry , I cannot.

Will puts down James. He walks to a wagon and pulls out a rifle. He walks back to Breen.

He points the rifle at hira. Breen notices this and stops his wagon.

WILL If you don't let my children have water, I will kill you.

BREEN Okay, you can have some water.

Will lowers the rifle.

WILL Thank you.


Keseberg is driving his wagon. His wife PHILLIPINE sits by him. She has a slight bruise on her left eye.

Keseberg stops the wagon. On the wagon is a man named HARDCOUP, who is of Belgian descent. He is an unmarried man with two grown children and he is very wealthy.

CONTINUED

Keseberg steps down from the wagon and goes to the back. He opens up the wagon cover revealing Hardcoup

KESEBERG I need you out.

HARDCOUP Me? Why?

KESEBERG You are slowing me down. You are weak Hardcoup. Only the strong should keep going.

HARDCOUP I will get out and walk, but please don't leave me.

Hardcoup gets out. Keseberg slowly increases the speed of the wagon.


Jim is riding his horse. He sees a wagon lumbering ahead of him. He notices it is the Donners.

Jim rides up to them and surprises them.

JIM George, I've been banished.

GEORGE What do you mean, Jim?

JIM I've been put out of the wagon train for murder.

GEORGE For murder? That couldn't be, Jim. You wouldn't do that.

JIM I killed Snyder because he was hitting me and Margret. Our oxen got tangled and he became angry. I stabbed him unintentionally and they banished me.

CONTINUED

GEORGE It's bad Jim- The people hardly know what they're doin1. We're goin• to have breakfast and you can have it with us. Then we can talk some more... Things are bad, Jim.

EXT. CAMPFIRE - DAY

Jim has breakfast with the Donners and they are joined by Walter . He has been with the Donners since the "Pioneer Palace Car" was abandoned.

WALTER This is terrible Mr. Reed. How can they put you out of the wagon train, it was self defense!?

JIM I don't think they are thinking straight.

WALTER It is outragious! I will go with you Mr. Reed, if you will have me.

JIM Thank you, Walter.

George takes a note Tamsen has been writing and hands it to Jim.

GEORGE Jim, this is a note for Captain Sutter. It says that I will pay for relief, if he sends help as soon as possible.

JIM Okay.

GEORGE We will make it out of this, Jim.


The Donners have been waiting for the others. They see a train of wagons approaching.

GEORGE Hello.

WILL FOSTER, a son-in-law of Lavina, approaches George. The others slowly ride into camp.

FOSTER Hello, Mr. Donner.

GEORGE Hello, how are things with you? I met Jim, he *s gone on to Sutter's.

FOSTER Good, I don't know what some of us were thinking... I have to go back and find Hardcoup. He was left out a spell back by Keseberg, who said he wanted to walk. Keep an eye on my family, will ya?

GEORGE Sure.

Foster turns his horse and rides away.


Foster finds Hardcoup walking on swollen, bloody feet. He dismounts his horse.

FOSTER Are you okay, Mr. Hardcoup?

HARDCOUP Mr. Keseberg abandoned me.

FOSTER Really? He said you wanted to walk.

HARDCOUP He's stretching the truth.

EXT. HUMBOLT SINK - DAY

The party rests at the head of the Humbolt River. The oxen are grazing half a mile from the camp.

The men who have been guarding the oxen come in for breakfast.

AT THE OXEN

Attrition has lessened the stock. Many have been lost to poison arrows. The oxen eat and rest.

ANGLE ON INDIANS

who shoot poisonous arrows into the oxen. The oxen bawl loudly.

AT THE CAMP

the party hears the sound. They mount their horses and move out.

AT THE OXEN

the Indians have fled. Twenty-one oxen have been shot with arrows; some are dying, some in pain.

The men try to put the oxen in yokes. The badly wounded ones are roped and snubbed.

The men take out their knives and kill them. The situation is horrendous.

EXT. SIERRA MOUNTAINS - NIGHT

Jim and Walter tread along. They have been taking turns riding the horse. Jim walks, spreading feathers from game they have eaten. He hopes they will be seen by Margret.

They worry about Indians who have periodically shot arrows at them.

Walter chews some onion root as he rides the horse, he stops.

CONTINUED

WALTER Jim, I want to kill the horse.

Jim stops.

JIM Wait twenty-four hours, Walter. Then if we don't get food, I'll agree to it.

WALTER Kill it now!

JIM We must wait, Walter.

Walter jumps off the horse and rushes Jim. He tries to steal the rifle and succeeds.

Jim rushes him and gets the rifle back. They both lay down, exhausted.

EXT. SIERRA MOUNTAINS - DAY

Jim and Walter continue without the horse. Walter licks his fingers of tallow they found in an abandoned wagon.

JIM'S POV - THREE MEN

who are approaching on horseback. As they get closer, Jim can see it is Charlie with two Indians

LEWIS and SALVADOR are traveling with Charlie, with a few pack mules at their side.

JIM

smiles.

JIM Charlie!

Charlie sees Jim and laughs. He dismounts.

CHARLIE Hello, Jim.

CONTINUED

WALTER Have you anything to eat?

CHARLIE Yes, plenty. I made it to Sutter's and was provided provisions and two guides.

Charlie opens up a saddle bag and gives Walter some biscuits. Walter scarfs them down.

JIM Easy, Walter, don't eat too fast.

Jim takes a biscuit and eats.

JIM (continuing)

Where's Mac?

CHARLIE The exposure was too great. He is at the fort recovering. He'11 come with a rescue party of his own, as soon as he can.

Charlie points out Lewis and Salvador.

CHARLIE (continuing)

These two men are Lewis and Salvador.

They tilt their heads at Walter and Jim.


They are fine travelers. I would not have been able to get through without them.

JIM That is good... Charlie, I want you to get to the people as fast as you can, they need your help.

CHARLIE I will bring help to these starving people, or lay down my life.

CONTINUED

JIM Thank you, Charlie.

Jira shakes his hand.

EXT. TRUCKEE RIVER - NIGHT

Camp is made at the Truckee River. The Sierras are soon to be crossed.

Most of the party is in camp, a few stragglers have yet to show up.

Stragglers are a burden to the party considering their strained resources. Hardcoup was lost a second time, only to be left.

Spitzer and another German, JOSEPH RINEHART, arrive in camp. Mrs. Wolfinger approaches them.

MRS. WOLFINGER Where is my husband?

SPITZER Indians swept out of the mountains and killed him.

Mrs. Wolfinger is shocked.

MRS. WOLFINGER What?

EXT. TRUCKEE RIVER - DAY

Billy Graves and Lavina's other son-in-law, WILL PIKE, find Wolfinger's wagon along the river.

Keseberg told them Wolfinger was a short distance behind, as he rode into camp the previous night.

Billy rides his horse down by the river bank.

BILLY Mr. Wolfinger! Wolfinger!

There is silence. Billy rides back up the bank.

CONTINUED

BILLY (continuing; to Pike)

I don't see him anywhere.

PIKE There is no one in the wagon.

Billy looks around.

BILLY What a mystery.

EXT. TRUCKEE RIVER CAMP - DAY

Billy and Pike ride back into camp with Wolfinger's wagon. Mrs. Wolfinger runs toward them.

MRS. WOLFINGER Where is my husband?

Pike stops the wagon and steps off.

PIKE We couldn't find him, I'm sorry.

Mrs. Wolfinger bursts into tears.

MRS. WOLFINGER Then the Indians did get him!

Charles Burger puts his arm around her. She cries as he walks her away.


Little Charlie rides into camp and the people are happy to see him.

CHARLIE Hello, everyonel

He sees Margret and dismounts his horse.


Mrs. Reed, I have met up with Jim. He is on his way to the fort.

CONTINUED

Margret hugs Charlie.

MARGRET Oh, thank you, Charlie!

CHARLIE Yes, the Sierra is worse than the Wasatch, but it can be crossed.

EXT. SIERRA SUMMIT - NIGHT

We can see snow begin to fall.


Will Pike and Will Foster are getting ready to go over the Sierra for help.

Foster is cleaning a gun and Pike holds the bullets. Foster proceeds to hand Pike the gun.

ANGLE ON LAVINA

who cooks over a f ire.

LAVINA (yells)

More wood for the fire!

Foster turns his head towards Lavina as he hands Pike the gun.

We HEAR a loud BANG as the gun goes off. Pike falls on the ground, shot.

Harriet Pike and others rush over.

HARRIET Oh, my God!

(looks at Foster) What has happened, Will!?

FOSTER (in panic)

I was handing him the gun and it went off!

CONTINUED

Pike lays moaning on Harriet's lap. Her skirt is covered in blood.

NAOMI, 3, runs and hugs her father. Everyone is in shock.

EXT. TRUCKEE RIVER CAMP - LATER

Pike lays in a small trench. Foster buries him, with tears in his eyes. It begins to snow.


George is driving his wagon. The party slowly makes it up the mountains.

Tamsen and Frances are walking along the wagon. The wagon hits a boulder and the rear axel brakes.

The wagon sways and topples. A scream is heard from inside the wagon. Georgia and Eliza are inside.

George and Tamsen frantically search through the wreckage and hear only silence.

TAMSEN Georgia! Eliza!

GEORGE Kids, can you hear me?

There is no answer. After a few moments they find Georgia. She is so frightened, she is speechless.

TAMSEN Eliza!

There is no answer. Finally, they pull her out, unconscious, but breathing. Tamsen puts her arms around the children and weeps.

EXT. SIERRA MOUNTAINS - LATER

George and Jacob drag a tree towards the wagon.

CONTINUED

SERIES OF SHOTS

A) George and Jacob hew the tree into an axel.

B) They wrap coil around the axel. George cuts his right hand when his chisel slips.

Tamsen grabs some cloth. She wipes blood off the wound and wraps it.

GEORGE It is nothin'.


The rest of the party is moving on; time is of the essence.

Keseberg is riding a horse, his foot in a sling. His foot was injured earlier when he stepped on a thorn.

INT. SUTTER'S FORT - DAY

Jim and Walter reach the fort. The fort is much more luxurious than the previous forts they were in.

Jim meets CAPTAIN SUTTER, 43, dignified. Captain Sutter is a decent man, known for his generousity. He speaks with a light Swiss accent. Jim and Walter shake his hand.

JIM Hello, Mr. Sutter. I am James Reed. I am with Charlie Stanton and the others in the mountains.

SUTTER Yes, Charlie is a fine young man. Did you meet him on your way down?

JIM Yes, we did sir, but I would like to get more help to my people as soon as possible.

CONTINUED

SUTTER Yes, yes, I understand. I will do everything I can, but it is not much. I am afraid we are having a conflict with Mexico at the moment. We have enlisted and sent away most of our able bodied men. But, I will help you in some way.

JIM Thank you.

(beat) Where's McCutchen?

SUTTER McCutchen is well now and he can help you.

JIM Good.

INT. SUTTER'S FORT - NIGHT

Jim and Walter are warming by a fireplace. Sutter enters the room.

SUTTER I have bad news, Mr. Reed. Our forces in Monterey have been driven back to their ship. The situation is not well. You•ve been in war already yet. You can raise reinforcements.

JIM Okay.

Captain Sutter hands Jim a paper signed by others, agreeing to help in the war movement. Jim signs it.

WALTER I would like to do what I can to help, Captain Sutter.

SUTTER Good, we can use a strong man like yourself.

(MORE)

CONTINUED

SUTTER (CONT'D) (to Jim)

Now, this order requires that you gather up materials and reinforcements for Colonel Fremont. It is addressed to Captain Kern. He is commandant here at the fort.

JIM I will do all I can to help sir.

SUTTER Thank you.

EXT. ALDER CREEK - DUSK

The Donners limp into Alder Creek. They are ten miles into California, five miles from Truckee Lake.

It begins to snow, darkness soon approaching. George rallies the men together.

GEORGE Fast, boys, we need to build shelters!

SAM SHOEMAKER, from Springfield, Ohio, James Smith and Jacob hurriedly cut logs. They cannot overcome the loss of sunlight.

EXT. ALDER CREEK - NIGHT

It is dark and snowing. The men are cutting brush and making shelters. They place blankets and oxen skins on top.

INT. TAMSEN'S SHELTER - NIGHT

The children lay on beds made of brush and bed clothes. They are raised above the ground and the bed is held together with branches and stakes.

The ceiling begins to sag from the weight of the snow. George goes outside.

EXT. TAMSEN'S SHELTER - NIGHT

George wipes off the snow.


George enters, the children complain.

ELIZA We are hungry mommy!

FRANCES Please, let us eat something.

Tamsen boils some dried fruit over a pot. After a few moments the fruit is boiled.

Tamsen gives it to the children and they eat it.

FRANCES (continuing)

We want more!

Tamsen makes cups of water filled with sugar. She gives it to the children.

EXT. TAMSEN'S SHELTER - NIGHT

George is looking at the snow. It is two feet deep.


George steps back in. The children are asleep.

TAMSEN (whispers)

How is it out there?

GEORGE It is still snowin1. I think the snow is two feet deep.

TAMSEN When do you think it will stop?

CONTINUED

GEORGE I don1t know.

EXT. SUTTER'S FORT - DAY

Walter rides away to fight in the Mexican war. Jim watches him leave, with Mac at his side.

JIM Time is of the essence, Mac. The sooner we can deal with this war, the sooner we can get help to our loved ones.

McCUTCHEN I'm anxious to get back up there.

EXT. SACRAMENTO STREET - DAY

Jim and Mac ride down the street. They are followed by an ever increasing number of men, enlisted to fight in the war effort.

EXT. TRUCKEE LAKE - DAY

Members of the party arrive at the lake. It is snowing hard. People are in despair. They abandon their wagons and struggle to take provisions out.

EXT. SIERRA SUMMIT - DAY

Will Eddy and his family are at the summit. The snow is intense. He decides to turn around.

ANGLE ON CHARLIE

coming up the hill. He stops the Eddys.

CHARLIE Mr. Eddy, where are you going? You must try to get across. Others are coming with what they can.

WILL Do you see this weather, Charlie!? There is no getting across.

CONTINUED

CHARLIE You must try!

Will ignores him and Charlie, helpless, watches them walk away.


Jim and Captain Sutter stand outside of the fort.

THEIR POV - MOUNTAINS

which are covered in snow.

BACK TO SHOT

SUTTER It is bad, but you can make it.


Jim is at a corral. Two INDIANS assist him in gathering up twenty-six horses. Mac comes out of a barn with packs of provisions.

EXT. JOHNSON'S RANCH - DAY

Jim has reached Johnson's Ranch, which is a small shanty town in the foothills. He arrives in the falling snow with Mac and the two Indians.

EXT. BEAR VALLEY - DAY

Jim has reached Bear Valley, he sees smoke. He finds a crude, half tent, half pole, structure.

MR. and MRS. CURTIS step out of the shelter. Mr. Curtis is a crude, unintelligent man.

CURTIS Howdy! Me and the wife movin' westward. We came to this nice valley and thought we *d stay awhile. Then we were snow'd in, we're just about starvin'. Do you have any grub?

CONTINUED

JIM Sure, we are on our way to help some refuges in the mountains, but we'll help you out.

CURTIS We'll give you some of ours, little as we got.

Mrs. Curtis goes to a dutch oven. She opens the door and shows Jim a tempting smelling dish.

Jim and Mac sit down at a makeshift table and bench. Mrs. Curtis places pewter plates on the table. She places meat on the plates.

JIM What kind of meat is this?

MRS. CURTIS Try it.

Jim tastes the meat.

JIM It's good. What kind of meat is this?

MRS. CURTIS It's our pet dog.

Jim pushes the plate away. After a few moments Mac tastes the meat.

McCUTCHEN It•s not too bad.

Jim looks at Mac for a moment, then eats. Mrs. Curtis brings them some hot bread.

CURTIS It's all we got, no other dog. If you don't help us, we'11 starve. You are our angles from Heaven.

Jim goes to the saddle bags for provisions.

CURTIS (continuing)

Will you take me and the woman out when you get back?

CONTINUED

JIM I will... I'll leave nine horses and an Indian with you. I have too many horses.

CURTIS How long do you think before you'll be back?

JIM It might be a week. It might even be two weeks.


On the following day, Jim, Mac and an Indian are off. The horses struggle in the falling snow.


Jim and Mac are asleep. The horses graze on boughs. Jim wakes up, gets up and looks around.

He notices that three horses and the Indian are gone. He wakes up Mac.

JIM Mac, the Indian took three horses.

McCUTCHEN That fucking Indian has a lot of nerve. I'll get him.

Mac gets on his horse and rides off. Jim is upset at the setback.

EXT. BEAR VALLEY - NIGHT

Mac reaches the Curtis shelter. The horses are gone.

McCUTCHEN (yelling)

Curtis! Get the hell out here!

Curtis comes out of the shelter.

CONTINUED

McCUTCHEN (continuing)

Where are the horses?

CURTIS Are you takin' us back now? If you want the horses, I sent them back to the fort with the Indians.

McCUTCHEN Son-of-a-bitch!

Mac turns his horse and heads back up.


Mac makes it back to Jim and dismounts his horse.

McCUTCHEN Curtis wanted us to fail, Jim, so he tried to foul up our rescue.

JIM We can't waste another moment. We need to move out now!


Jim and Mac struggle up the mountains. The pack horses are exhausted and lay down to die.

They struggle to get one to its feet and succeed.


VIRGINIA (V.O.) My father really had a hard time strugglin' up the mountain. His spirits were low, but he was not goin' to fail us. That is what kind of paw he was.

Jim uses the horse to break a path in the falling, deep snow.


Jim and Mac are weak and exhausted.

CONTINUED

THEIR POV - PASS

which they can barely see through the falling snow.

JIM AND MAC

turn around and head back down.


They dig the horses out of the snow.


The Curtis' are waiting for them. Jim and Mac dismount their horses.

CURTIS Why didn't you get us out sooner?

Jim points out a horse.

JIM You see that pack horse there? Take charge of it and we•11 head back to the fort.

CURTIS I will not!

Mac approaches Curtis and hits him a few times. Curtis cowars on the ground.

McCUTCHEN I will not kill you Curtis, just do as you are told!

Curtis attends the pack horse. Jim approaches Mrs. Curtis.

JIM Please gather up your things, ma'am. We'11 be heading back.

MRS. CURTIS We should've left earlier.

She gathers her things.

EXT. ALDER CREEK - DAY

Tamsen exits her shelter• Baptiste is playing with the children and Tamsen approaches him.

TAMSEN Baptiste.

He stops and the kids run off.

BAPTISTE Yes, what do you want?

TAMSEN I want you to go to the main camp and get us some provisions.


A party of refugees are heading out of camp. Baptiste tries to catch up with them.

Will Foster's wife, SARAH, brings up the rear and Baptiste runs towards her.

BAPTISTE Where're you going?

Sarah turns around.

SARAH We're trying to make the pass.

BAPTISTE I * 11 go with you.


We see thirteen blanketed forms struggling to walk in the deep snow.

EXT. TRUCKEE LAKE NIGHT

The refugees return.


Baptiste returns to Alder Creek and Tamsen approaches him.

TAMSEN Where have you been? You have been gone five days!

BAPTISTE We tried to cross summit, we failed.

TAMSEN I expected you to come right back with food! I am disappointed in you !


Tamsen leaves the camp for Truckee Lake.


Tamsen falls after tripping on a large boulder in the deep snow. She lays there, out of breath.


Tamsen reaches the lake and notices lumps in the snow. She sees smoke coming from a lump.

TAMSEN'S POV - LUMP

She gets closer and notices it is a shelter. She notices steps leading down. t

TAMSEN

walks down the steps.

TAMSEN Hello!

MRS. GRAVES opens the door of the shelter. She has heavy creases in her face.

CONTINUED

She is a primitive, but capable woman. She sees Tamsen.

MRS. GRAVES Mrs. Donner.

TAMSEN Hello, Mrs. Graves, how are you?

INT. GRAVES SHELTER - DAY

Six children are laying on platform beds. They squint from the light as the door is closed.

MRS. GRAVES It's hard on the young'uns. But we'11 get them over the mountains.

TAMSEN Do you think so?

MRS. GRAVES (nods)

One knows such things... You got any hides left?

TAMSEN They're getting scarce.

MRS. GRAVES (nods)

Our'n eat them better now, especially the older children. Our people been goin' over the mountains, or tryin' to. Nobody's made it yet, but we will. No mountain can hold us back, you'11 see.

TAMSEN I hope so. The children must be got out.

MRS. GRAVES (nods)

They•11 get out and so'11 we.


Tamsen walks around the desolate camp. She sees footprints here and there.

INT. TAMSEN'S SHELTER - DAY

Tamsen enters her shelter. Her girls are asleep. George has developed a fever because of his wound

He lays on a bed and stirs.

GEORGE How are things in the main camp?

Tamsen sits down to rest.

TAMSEN Better, an escape party has set out on foot to get over the pass and everyone is hopeful•

GEORGE Did you hear anythin' about Jim Reed?

TAMSEN Not since Charlie saw him.

GEORGE They haven't heard anythin1 from him?

TAMSEN No.

INT. SUTTER'S FORT - NIGHT

Jim sits with his elbows on his knees and his hands around his head. He sits next to a fire with Captain Sutter.

SUTTER The snow was bad like I said, but more. If they have enough oxen to slaughter, they can make it.


Tarasen is collecting wood. She HEARS a VOICE shout and FOOTSTEPS walking in the snow.

She climbs up a steep snowbank and sees Salvador. He hands her a letter and she reads it.

CHARLIE (V.O.) "9th Dec. 1846: Mrs. Donner, Donnersvilie, Cal., Mrs. Donner: You will please send me number one: your best tobacco. The storm prevented us from getting over the mountains. We are now getting snowshoes ready to go on foot. I should like to get your pocket compass, as the snow is very deep and in the event of a storm, it would be very valuable. Milt and Mrs. Graves are coming right back and either can bring it back to you... The mules are all strayed off. If any should come around your camp - let some of our company know it at first opportunity. Yours, very respectfully, C.T. Stanton."


The party is preparing for the trip.

SERIES OF SHOTS

A) Franklin takes an ox bow and saws it into thin slices.

B) They weave the strips together to make snowshoes.

C) They practice walking on the shoes and they stumble and fall.

INT. MARGRET1S SHELTER - NIGHT

Baylis Williams lays dead in Margret's shelter, a victim of malnutrition.

EXT. TRUCKEE LAKE - NIGHT

A campfire burns. The people, filled with much apprehension, gather around and talk.

Pat Dollan, as usual, tries to cheer people up.

PAT What am I hearin1? Listen here, you folks, don't have fear in your bodies. We got across the Plains and we got over the Wasatch Mountains and we got across the Salt Desert, an' we can lick the pass.

There are a few smiles.


The snowshoers are about to leave and say their goodbyes. Lavina says goodbye to her two daughters.

LAVINA I will take care of the children, girls. You needn't worry.

Sarah and Harriet kiss their mother.

HARRIET Thank you, mother. We'11 see you soon.

SARAH We love you mother.

ANGLE ON MRS. GRAVES

who is talking to Mrs. McCutchen.

MRS. GRAVES You must leave Mrs. McCutchen. You need to stay strong and get help for your young'un.

MRS. MCCUTCHEN But, I am afraid to leave her.

CONTINUED

MRS. GRAVES I will take care of your child, you can depend on it.

MRS. McCUTCHEN Thank you, Mrs. Graves.

ANGLE ON PAT DOLLAN

who is talking with Patrick Breen.

PAT I want you to give my meat to Mrs. Reed. Please take them in and take care of them.

BREEN If you wish.

PAT Thank you.

Margret approaches Pat. She hands him a gold watch and a Mason emblem.

MARGRET I want you to take these, Pat. I appreciate your generousity... Tell my husband I am okay, if you see him.

She kisses him and Pat smiles.

ANGLE ON CHARLIE

as he inspects the people.

CHARLIE All ready!

He waves his hand and the snowshoers follow. The others wail as they leave. Margret watches them leave and looks up at the pass.

MARGRET•S POV - PASS

It is impressive and white in the morning sky.

EXT. WEST TRUCKEE LAKE - NIGHT

Young WILL MURPHY tires and turns around.


Joseph Rinehart lays dying in Tamsen•s shelter. Rinehart motions her closer as she comforts him.

RINEHART I have something to tell.

TAMSEN What is it, Mr. Rinehart?

RINEHART I kill Wolfinger. Me and Spitzer.

Tamsen freezes for a moment.

TAMSEN Well, I am sorry you did that, Mr. Rinehart- I think you should make peace with the Lord, don't you?

RINEHART Yes, make peace with the Lord. Please pray for me.

INT. JACOB'S SHELTER - NIGHT

Jacob Donner sits at a table. His head rests on his clasped hands. He is frozen in rigor.


The snowshoers camp within sight of the main camp. A fire burns on a platform of green logs.

The people lay on quilts and eat small rations.


The snowshoers walk wearily through the mountains. Mary Ann Graves sees something on a gorge.

CONTINUED

MARY AWN'S POV - GORGE

What appears to be smoke billows out of the gorge.

MARY ANN

MARY ANN Look! There is smoke! We should go that way!

The others look.

LEWIS It is not way.

MARY ANN Let's fire a gun! Someone might hear !

Will Eddy FIRES one shot from the rifle he carries. There is no answer.

MARY ANN (continuing)

Hello!

Franklin puts his arm around Mary Ann.

FRANKLIN Let's go, Mary Ann.

It begins to snow.

EXT. SIERRA MOUNTAINS - DAWN

The snowshoers travel down a deep slope. The snow is blindingly bright in the morning sunshine.

They trip and fall in the drifts. Lewis and Salvador cannot see the trail.

Charlie is weak and exhausted, he walks slow. The others try to wait for him.


Charlie sits at a campfire smoking a pipe.

CONTINUED

Charlie's snowshoes sit at his side. Mary Ann approaches him.

MARY ANN It's time to start, Charlie.

CHARLIE Yes, I know. I'm corning soon.

EXT. CAMPFIRE - LATER

Mary Ann walks back to Charlie, who has not moved.

MARY ANN Let's go, Charlie.

CHARLIE It's no good, Mary Ann. You go on without me, I'll be okay.

Mary Ann begins to cry.

MARY ANN Noooo... Charlie, you must come with us, you'll die. I don't want you to die, Charlie.

CHARLIE Don't fret for me, Mary Ann. You just move on, you can make it.

Mary Ann holds Charlie's hand and cries. He calmly smokes his pipe.


Will, tired, leads the snowshoers.

WILL I don't know which way to go.

FOSTER Why don't we take a break?

WILL Okay.

CONTINUED

They sit down to rest. Will takes off his pack and looks through it.

WILL (continuing)

I'll be damnned!

Mary Ann sits next to him.

MARY ANN What is it, Will?

He pulls out a bag filled with bear meat.

WILL It's from the bear I shot... There's a note.

SARAH What does it say?

Will reads it.

WILL "Your dear Eleanor."

He has tears in his eyes. Mary Ann holds him.

EXT. SAN JOSE - NIGHT

We see the brilliant glow of a cannon ball EXPLODE in the night sky. Mexican soldiers fly in the air as the ball impacts.

EXT. YERBA BUENA BAY - NIGHT

Jim is in a war boat with the U.S. Army. The boat moves in what is now San Francisco Bay. We are witnessing the "Battle of Santa Clara."


The snowshoers are in a blizzard. They stumble and fall in the snow drifts.

The group feels desperate as the wind HOWLS loudly.

INT. PATRICK BREEN SHELTER - NIGHT

HOLD CLOSE ON VIRGINIA'S FACE

as she sits in the Breen shelter. Breen is reading the Bible to the people.

BREEN "The Lord is my shepard; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enimies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Virginia is impressed with him.


Will sits down in the snow.

WILL Let's sit down and rest awhile.

Young MRS. FOSDICK sits by her husband, Jay.

MRS. FOSDICK I'm sooo tired.

JAY Maybe we should return. We're hardly eating. We can't go on like this.

MARY ANN I, for one, don't want to go back.

(MORE)

CONTINUED

MARY ANN (CONT'D) I can't stand to hear the cries of my brothers and sisters.

SALVADOR We need go on.

(beat) We no go onf we die.

PAT I agree with Mary Ann. We should be goin' on and get help to the folks in the mountains.

SARAH We should go on.

They look at each other.

WILL We'll go on.

INT. BREEN SHELTER - NIGHT

On Christmas Eve, many in the camp are gathered in the Breen shelter. The people try to ignore the stench, which grows greater everyday.

Peggy Breen passes out burning sticks, which act as a sort of candle. The light glow brightens the shelter. Children are gathered in a circle saying quiet prayers of Christmas.

Breen, as usual, reads from the Bible. Lately he has also been reading a prayer called, "The Thirty Days Prayer," which is in Latin. These words have built the people up, but the stress of their ordeal is getting to them and they look gaunt and worn.


The snowshoers gather together in a snowstorm. They try to warm themselves near a fire.

They feel desperate and look at each other wearily.

CONTINUED

WILL We need to make a decision.

MARY ANN What is it Will?

WILL We need to decide if we are willing to eat the dead.

FOSTER •Do you think it will come to that!?

WILL I think we should make slips and decide who will give their life for the rest of us.

SARAH That's crazy!

PAT We need to do it, Mrs. Foster. We can't go on like this.

Will takes a piece of paper and tears it into slips. He gives each person a slip.

They turn their heads from each other and one by one, reveal their slips.

Pat Dollan has the fatal slip. He is in shock, but he takes it well.

PAT (continuing)

Yes, here 'tis, me friends and it went to a good man.

They look at each other.

PAT (continuing)

Come on now, get out yer pistol.

They hesitate.

CONTINUED

PAT (continuing)

Don't be all day 'bout it, I'm gettin' cold.

They smile slightly -

PAT (continuing)

Come on! Out with yer pop gun.

They look at Will.

PAT (continuing}

Come on! Ain1t there a man among ya?

WILL Pat... Why don't you grab a pistol. We'll five paces and fight over.

PAT Sure! Anythin' to oblige a friend.

Will tries to hand Pat a pistol, he can't.


It is Midnight. The snowshoers are sleeping. Antoine sleeps closest to the fire.

He throws his arm into the fire. Will sees this and pulls his arm out.

He sets Antoine's hand across his chest. Antoine lays there motionless.


The storm is raging. The campfire sinks into the snow and they pile on more wood.

After a moment the fire sinks into a stream they built the fire over. The wind blows strong.

They struggle to rebuild the fire. After a moment, the fire is rebuilt.

and I each step off till it is

CONTINUED

ou *

They are bundled up in their blankets and quilts. They freeze, even with the heat of the fire.

They eat what food they have scrapped together. After a moment the wind SHRIEKS out a large gust.

The fire almost burns completely out. They wail. The green logs are scattered. They try to collect the wood.

INT. MARGRET'S SHELTER - DAY

It is Christmas Day. Margret has made a Christmas meal for her and her children.

The children are gathered around a crude table. Margret serves each of the children: Some dried apples, some rice, some white beans and a square of pork. The children gaze at it, enraptured.

MARGRET Children, eat slowly, there is plenty for all.

The children eat, happily.


George lays in his bed and stirs uneasily. The fever has gone up his arm.

Clothes hang from the ceiling; keeping the children dry is difficult.

The children drink cups of sugar water as Tamsen consuls them.

TAMSEN Don't fret, children. We will be in California soon. We will all be together in my new school and this all will be a memory.


The snowshoers are gathered around a fire. Franklin motions his daughters over to him.

SARA GRAVES has travelled with her father and sister with the snowshoers.

The two approach their father. He tries to talk over the DRONE of the storm.

FRANKLIN The end has come for me girls.

The girls give out a wail.

FRANKLIN (continuing)

I want you to cook and eat me after my death.

(pats Mary Ann's hand)

I will it!


The storm is raging. The snowshoers are in a desperate state.

WILL Let's sit in a circle facing each other!

They slowly get up and reposition themselves. They spread their quilts on the ground and sit, with their blankets pulled over their heads.


The storm rages on. Will returns to the circle after a short absence, to check the storm.

PAT (agitated)

We must get to the settlements! They are not too far!

CONTINUED

He pulls his boots off and runs into the snow. Will chases him and they struggle in the snow.

Will comes back to the circle. After a moment, Pat returns, breathing heavily.

The snowshoers are delirious. They grab at each other's fingers and bite them.

LEMEL MURPHY, 13, is in a trance.

JUMP CUT TO: EXT. SIERRA MOUNTAINS - NIGHT

The snowshoers are sitting before a great feast. There is no storm, no sound, with the exception of a tinny CHIMING sound.

Multiple colored lights shoot up from the feast. They cover all the colors of the spectrum.


Lemel thrashes about. His sister, SARAH, tries to hold him.

EXT. FEAST - NIGHT

Lemel frantically reaches for the food. He stuffs his face.


Sarah continues to hold Lemel down. After a few moments, he grows quiet.

Will looks at Pat.

WILL Pat, how are you holding up?

Pat sits with his head leaning forward. He does not respond to Will.


The storm has abated. The snowshoers are walking about the camp. Two lumps lay under the snow.

Will has a large knife; he unburies Pat's body. He proceeds to chop him up.

Lewis and Salvador watch in horror; they walk away from the camp.


The snowshoers are wet and miserable. They stay under their blankets.

Will attempts to light a fire, by striking a spark with his flint gun.

He has a powder horn around his neck. He strikes a spark and the powder horn EXPLODES.

His blanket catches on fire and he stomps it out. Sarah and Mrs. McCutchen, who were sitting by Will, have blackness on their faces.

Will bleeds from his face and hands.

WILL Are you two okay?

MRS. McCUTCHEN (breathless)

I think so.

Sarah tears a piece from her dress and wraps Will's wounds.

SARAH What happened?

WILL The goddamnned powder horn exploded. It was around my neck.

SARAH Well, thank God, it wasn't worse.

Will winces from the pain.


It is the following day. A fire, set in a dead tree, flames into the air.

The snowshoers are gathered around the fire. Burning branches fall from the top of the tree, but they ignore it.

Sarah, who left to urinate, returns to the fire. She is horrified to see Lemel's heart roasting on a stick; his body sliced up in the snow.


The human flesh dries over the fire. Mary Ann comforts Sarah, who is crying.

MARY ANN Don't worry, Sarah. Nobody will eat their kin.

Lewis and Salvador reluctantly eat human flesh. The snowshoers prepare to move on.


The snowshoers cross an ice bridge. It is a precarious crossing.

Mary Ann is in the front. We can see blood oozing from her shoes. Her feet are frozen.

MARY ANN'S POV - STREAM

below the ice bridge. It is a dizzying sight.

BACK TO SHOT

Mary Ann struggles to cross, her snowshoes make the crossing difficult.


Will is bringing up the rear.

CONTINUED

He slides down a steep hill in his snowshoes. He reaches the bottom of the hill and crashes in the snow.


The snowshoers gather at a summit.

THEIR POV - MOUNTAIN RIDGES

which stretch on for an eternity.

MRS. McCUTCHEN It goes on forever!

BACK TO SHOT

They sit down.

WILL I know we are tired, but we have to go on.

HARRIET I feel like I want to lay down and die.

WILL We just need to make it a few more miles, we can do it!


A body lays in a crude hole in the ground. It is the decomposing body of Charles Burger.

ANGLE ON LAVINA

who drags her dead son John out onto the snow. She is in tears as she struggles with the body.


The snow falls lighter on the snowshoers. They are much closer to the valley, but very weak.

CONTINUED

They sit in the snow and rest as a campfire burns. Jay approaches Will as he rests in the snow.

JAY (quietly)

There is food in the camp.

He looks towards the Indians.

WILL No! Lewis and Salvador have been of great use to us, we will not do that!

JAY The Indians should die so white men can live... Give me the rifle!

WILL We will cast lots to see who will die. But I cannot condone killing the Indians.

JAY It is necessary!

ANGLE ON LEWIS AND SALVADOR

Will approaches them.

WILL I think you two should flee. I think if you stay here you will be killed for food.

The Indians look at each other. They say something to each other in their native tongue and leave.


Margret, Virginia, Milt and Eliza Williams march in a single file out of camp. They are attempting to reach the summit.


Will and Mary Ann are hunting.

CONTINUED

They find an impression on the ground from a deer who slept there the previous night.

They look at each other, excited and Mary Ann begins to cry. They quietly head down a trail.

Will, who is weak, travels very slowly. They come to a fallen tree. Will steps over the tree one leg at a time, with much difficulty.

They see the deer about eighty yards away and begin to edge toward it. Will kneels and rests his elbow on his knee. His muscles shake, he tries another position and FIRES.

The deer takes off and they run to the deer's position. They notice a bloody trail.

ANGLE ON THE DEER

as it struggles to rise. Will and Mary Ann find it. Will staggers forward and gets out his knife as Mary Ann holds the horns. Will cuts the deer's neck and they both put their lips underneath and drink.

They sit and look at each other, thankfully. Their faces are smeared with blood.


Margret's party has slept all night on the snow. We can see Eliza Williams weakly return to the main camp.


Jay Fosdick lays dead in the snow. His wife is asleep next to him.


The bones of the consumed deer lay in the snow. Sarah accompanies Mrs. Fosdick to Jay's body. She travels much faster.


A campfire burns. Sarah holds a stick, with Jay's heart on it, over the fire.

Mrs. Fosdick reaches her and is in shock. She runs tries to stop Sarah.

MRS. FOSDICK No! How dare you!? Stop it right now!

Sarah pushes her away.

SARAH Get away from me! It's mine, you can't have it!

Mrs. Fosdick drops to her knees and bawls in agony


Virginia's feet bleed on the snow. She is very weak. Milt picks her up and carries her.


Milt reads his compass. He cannot figure out their location. The area is very rocky and treacherous.

There is a spooky quality about the area. Fallen trees, from avalanches, are everywhere.

MARGRET Well, what do you figure, Milt?

MILT I cannot tell if we are headin' in the right direction, or not.

Margret•shakes her head in resignation.

EXT. TRUCKEE LAKE - LATER

Margret and her party head back into camp. A storm looms on the horizon.

INT. MARGRET'S SHELTER - NIGHT

Margret cuts green rawhide into strips. She lays them on coals and waits for the hair to burn off.

Afterwards^ she scales both sides with a knife. She places the rawhide in a pot and boils it. After boiling a few moments a goo is formed.

She gives some goo to each of the children. They don't look pleased. They try to spice it with pepper.

Eliza lays in a corner of the cabin, depressed.


The snowshoers are in a desperate state. Their feet are bruised and bleeding.

They come upon bloody footprints and find Lewis and Salvador dying on the snow.

Will Foster is crazed and stumbles towards the Indians.

FOSTER They must die, so we can live!

The Indians do not resist as the others move on. The Indians try to get to their feet.

FOSTER (continuing)

You will have to die.

He takes his pistol and SHOOTS Lewis through the head, he then SHOOTS Salvador.

ANGLE ON SNOWSHOERS

Foster approaches them.

FOSTER (continuing)

We have meat.


The flesh from Lewis and Salvador roast over a fire. Foster, Sarah and Harriet sit, eating, at one corner of the camp.

Will, Mary Ann, Mrs. McCutchen and Mrs. Fosdick sit and eat on the opposite side of the camp.

They look the worse for ware as it starts to rain.

EXT. INDIAN CAMP - DAY

The snowshoers limp into an Indian camp. They see footprints everywhere. Indians watch indiscreetly from the bushes.

MARY ANN Those are human prints.

After a moment the Indians come out of the bushes. The Indian women and children cry as they look at the snowshoers.

EXT. INDIAN CAMP - DAY

It is the next day. The snowshoers have eaten some acorn bread. Will could only stomach bo iled grass. They feel stronger, but are still in dire straits.

ANGLE ON SNOWSHOERS

who are at a clearing. Will Foster and the women lay on the ground, with their eyes closed. Will tries to raise them.

WILL Get up! We have to go on. You can't just lay here and die.

They ignore him. Will looks at them sternly. He motions an INDIAN over to him.

WILL (continuing; to Indian)

I want to walk! Go on!

CONTINUED

The Indian puts his arm around Will and helps him walk. Will walks a few feet, his legs buckle.

Another Indian rushes to his side. They both help him to walk.

INT. HOUSE - DAY

Young HARRIET RITCHIE lives in this small house with her parents. They are among the emigrant residents of Johnson's Ranch.

Harriet HEARS a KNOCK on her door. She opens the door. Will and the two Indians stand in the doorway . She looks at him, in shock.

HARRIET Mother! Father!

MR. and MRS. RITCHIE come to the door. They see Will and wince.

They help him into the house and put him in a bed. The Indians leave. Harriet and her mother weep.


Two lumps lay under the snow. These are the bodies of two babies, Harriet McCutchen and Margaret Eddy.

INT. YERBA BUENA BAR - NIGHT

A meeting is held by Jim. The bar is filled with many sailors, who listen intently.

JIM My name is James Reed. I am here to ask for help for my family and friends in the mountains. These people have been in the mountains for...

(chokes up)

A minister named DONLEAVY takes over.

CONTINUED

DONLEAVY These people have been in the mountains about three months... Now, I do not exaggerate their plight. I have been in this place, just a year ago and it is a hard place, even in the summer.

The sailors begin to cry.

DONLEAVY (continuing)

We think the refugees are on Truckee Lake. We'll now pass the hat.

A bartender passes the hat around the room.

DONLEAVY (continuing)

Now, I would like to ask for volunteers.

Hands go up around the room.


A rescue party headed by, REASIN TUCKER, 40, has formed. DANIEL RHODES has returned from Sutter's Fort with men and provisions.

Cattle meat burns over a fire as horses and mules are prepared.

EXT. BREEN SHELTER - NIGHT

Lavina hurries out of the shelter with meat in her hands.

INT. MURPHY SHELTER - NIGHT

Lavina rushes into the shelter. One wall of the shelter consists of a large rock.

Lavina's young son, LANDRUM, lays, dying. A large boy, he is delirious. He has not been able to sustain himself on a small amount of food.

CONTINUED

His breathing is shallow. Lavina tries to introduce the meat to him.

LAVINA Dear, I've some meat for you.

He just moans.

LAVINA (continuing)

Oh, Landrum! Landrum!

She lays her head on his chest.

EXT. SACRAMENTO RIVER - DAY

Jim is joining a ferry. The ferry is captained by MIDSHIPMAN SELIM WOODWORTH. Supplies are loaded on.

It has been a rainy winter and the Sacramento plains are flooded, transport is difficult.

A cantankerous eighty-year-old directs the mission. CALEB GREENWOOD has spent all of his life in the mountains, which he knows like the back of his hand. He is dressed in rags and has a heavy beard.

CALEB Get those supplies on board... We * 11 never make it, but we can all die on the trail like men.


Eleanor Eddy is on the snow all by herself. She seems to be having a conversation.

ELEANOR I have nothing to live for. I just want to die.

She HEARS a VOICE.

VOICE Your husband is out there trying to get you help, you can't give up hope.

CONTINUED

Tears stream down her face.

ELEANOR My husband is dead... and so am I.


Milt lays dead as Margret and Virginia look at his body and cry.

MARGRET He was a good man, Virginia.

VIRGINIA He always took care of me.

Margret kisses his lips.

EXT. MULE SPRINGS - DAY

Tucker's rescue party reaches Mule Springs. The ground is wet from the constant rain.

This is a beautiful spot. Small springs flow from various locations on the grassy landscape.


Jim finds that a cache of food he left has been destroyed.


VIRGINIA (V.O.) We spent much of our time waitin' for a rescue. I would sit on top of our cabin watchin' for somebody to show up. One day...

Virginia sits on top of her shelter.

ANGLE ON TUCKER

who has reached the lake on foot.

CONTINUED

TUCKER'S POV - CAMP

Bodies lay everywhere under quilts. He notices the large lumps of snow, which cover the shelters-

He notices Virginia sitting on one of the shelters. Virginia sees him, jumps up and runs towards him.

VIRGINIA Are you from Heaven or California?

TUCKER

TUCKER (laughs)

Well, you could call California Heaven, if you wish.


The refugees have gathered around for food. Even though they are tired, the rescuers have to stop fights breaking out among the starving people.

Tucker is concerned. He approaches AQILLA GLOVER, his second in command.

TUCKER Aqilla, I want you to post guards on the food tonight.

GLOVER Okay.


Tucker marches out, Noah James, Mrs. Wolfinger; Jacob Donner's wife ELIZABETH and their boys, WILL HOOK, 12 and GEORGE DONNER JR.; and Tamsen's teen daughters, ELITHA and LEANNA DONNER.


Keseberg walks past Patty Reed as she crouches near the bones of her consumed dog, Cash.

CONTINUED

Keseberg approaches Tucker.

KESEBERG Mr. Tucker, please take me out with you. I am no good here, I cannot walk. My lame foot demand you take me.

TUCKER We cannot afford to carry JOVL, Mr. Keseberg. I will take your wife and child out , though.

Keseberg begins to cry.

KESEBERG That is something.


The refugee party marches for the summit. The snow is deep and they struggle.

Tommy Reed does his best to keep up as he walks in the footprints of those ahead. Patty also struggles to walk in the snow.

Jimmy Reed is ahead of his siblings and is stronger His mother walks ahead of him.

JIMMY I'm getting nigher to paw and something to eat, maw.

Glover turns around and looks at the Reed children. He walks back to Margret.

GLOVER I'm sorry, Mrs. Reed, but we can't take Patty and Tommy along. They'll have to go back.

MARGRET (distressed)

Mr. Glover, are you a Mason?

CONTINUED

GLOVER Yes, ma'am, I am.

MARGRET My husband is a Mason and I am going to ask you to do something for a brother Mason. Will you, when you get across the mountains to Bear Valley, come back and rescue my two at the camp?

GLOVER That's a pretty big order, ma'am.

MARGRET Will you, promise it on your record as a Mason!?

GLOVER Yes, ma'am, I promise.

Tommy begins to sob.

TOMMY I don't want to leave you, momma.

GLOVER (friendly; but firm)

We can't lose time, children.

He points out a rescuer named MOULTRY.

GLOVER (continuing)

You won't have to walk. We'11 carry you both.

Glover picks up Patty and puts her in a sling over his back. Moultry does the same with Tommy.

Patty looks at her mother as Glover walks away.

PATTY If you never see me again, mother, do the best you can.

Margret watches them leave and chokes up. She turns to Virginia and Jimmy. They join the rest, who have not stopped.


The refugees march on. ADA KESEBERG, Phillipine Keseberg's infant, begins to weaken. Her young son, Lewis, died at the lake.

Phillipine struggles to carry her, she cannot. She walks up and down the line, desperate for a man to carry her baby.

PHILLIPINE Will any of you, hold baby? I am so tired, baby is ill. I will give twenty-five dollars.

No one offers.

PHILLIPINE (continuing)

I will give gold watch.

A young, cocky, ship jumper, NED COFFEEMEYER, stops

NED There are other children to think of Mrs. Keseberg, but I will carry her for a time.

PHILLIPINE Oh, thank you!

She hands him the baby.


The refugees are in shock as they find a suspended cache destroyed. Footprints from wild animals are all over the snow.

EXT. CAMPFIRE - DAY

John Denton sits by a campfire smoking a pipe. He rests on a comfortable bed of pine boughs.

He is a well educated man, from a well off family.

CONTINUED

The others have gone on ahead. He reads a poem he wrote after the others left. SUPERIMPOSE a young English boy playing by a brook in the English countryside.

DENTON (V.O.) "But I am changed since I last gazed upon that tranquil scene. and sat beneath the old witch elm that shades the village green. And watched my boat upon the brook - It was a regal galley-And sighed not for a joy on Earth, beyond the happy valley. I wish I could once more recall that bright and blissful joy and to summon my weary heart the feelings of a boy. But now scenes on past delight, I look and feel no pleasure. As misers on the bed of death gaze coldly on their treasure."

End SUPERIMPOSURE to reveal Denton frozen in death


The refugees carry on. Jimmy is weak from all the walking.

As Margret walks she HEARS muffled VOICES ahead. Phillipine lunges forward.

PHILIPPINE (to Margret)

It' s your husband! They're here!

Margret peers forward. She cannot see who it is and moves closer.

MARGRET*S POV - JIM

who sees Margret and laughs.

MARGRET'S

legs buckle and she almost falls. Jim rushes to her. She drops to her knees, hugs his leg and weeps.

CONTINUED

VIRGINIA (V.O.) Mother knelt on the sno¥, while I tried to run and reach, poppa...

The children run to him.

VIRGINIA Bread ! Give us bread!

JIM Thank God! Thank God!

Margret stands up and they all hold each other tight.

JIM (continuing)

Where are the other children?

VIRGINIA (V.O.) When my father learned that two of his children were still at the cabins, he wanted to hurry on, so fearful was he that they might perish before he reached them.

MARGRET They were not strong enough to travel, my love.

JIM Are they alive?

MARGRET I hope so.

JIM Where are they?

MARGRET In the camp by the lake.

They kiss and look at each other fatefully.

MARGRET Have you got food?

JIM Yes! We have plenty for all.

EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - NIGHT

The people eat ravenously as the rescuers try to keep them calm. Refugees climb over each other for food.

Will Hook eats more than he should and doubles over in pain. Caleb Greenwood notices him.

CALEB In pain boy?

HOOK Yes.

Caleb goes to his saddle bag. He pulls out a satchel of tobacco and mixes some tobacco with some snow water in a tin cup. He takes it to Hook.

CALEB Here, drink this.

He hands him the cup and he drinks it. Hook vomits all the food he ate.

CALEB (continuing)

That'11 do ya. {smiles)

EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - NIGHT

Hook stuffs his face as the others sleep.

EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - DAY

Hook vomits after drinking more tobacco juice The camp is picking up. Margret says goodbye to Jim.

MARGRET Goodbye, husband.

(kisses him)

JIM I will see you again. I will give Patty and Tommy your love.

CONTINUED

They hug for a few moments and Jim walks away. Margret approaches Glover.

MARGRET Mr. Glover, I release you from your promise. You are a noble man and I thank you from the depths of my heart.

GLOVER I would have done what I promised, Mrs . Reed.

Margret smiles. Virginia stands in her rags and sorrowfully watches her father leave.

EXT. REFUGEE CAMP - DAY

The camp is virtually deserted, with the exception of a CAMP KEEPER, Will Hook and Will Murphy.

Will Hook is still too sick to travel. Will Murphy's feet are swollen and frostbitten.

ANGLE ON WILL HOOK

who is on his knees on the snow. His head is down and his elbows rest on his knees.

The camp keeper cooks breakfast.

CAMP KEEPER (to Hook)

Come on over here and get some grub!

He does not come.

CAMP KEEPER (continuing}

Murphy, get the boy over here.

Murphy painfully walks over to Hook, his feet bleed. He reaches Hook and touches his shoulder.

MURPHY Willie.

CONTINUED

Hook falls over, dead. The camp keeper walks over.

CAMP KEEPER Shit f that's a shame.

They run through his pockets and find biscuits and beef jerky.

CAMP KEEPER (continuing)

Well, we better bury the boy.


Patty sits on her shelter with her feet dangling.


Jim and his party are on a ridge overlooking the lake.

JIM'S POV - LAKE

It is a white expanse. Smoke pours out of several holes in the snow.

EXT. MULE SPRINGS - DAY

Tucker's party reaches Mule Springs. Jimmy Reed walks in the snow tracks with one foot. The other leg is bent at the knee dragging on the snow.


Patty sees Jim come into camp. She jumps up from the roof and runs to him. She falls in the snow and Jim rushes to pick her up.

PATTY Father! Father!

(in tears) I never expected to see you again when the cruel people drove you out of camp. But I knew that God was good and would do what is best.

CONTINUED

JIM We're okay Patty! We're okay.

PATTY Is dear momma living? Is Mr. Glover living?

JIM Yesf they are on their way home.

PATTY Did you know that Mr. Glover is a Mason? Masons must be good men. Is Mr. Glover the same sort of Mason we had in Springfield?

JIM Yes, he is.

PATTY He promised momma upon the word of a Mason that he would bring me and Tommy out of the mountains.

(beat) Oh r my dear poppa, I am so happy to see you.

JIM Where's Tommy?

PATTY He's in the hole.

INT. BREEN SHELTER - DAY

Jim steps into the darkened shelter and finds Tommy laying on a pallet. He is delirious.

TOMMY Who is the man Patty?

PATTY That's our father.

TOMMY Oh, I'm hungry.

JIM I've got food Tommy.

TOMMY Has he Patty?

Jim holds Tommy and weeps.


Jim hands Patty two dozen biscuits, which she holds in her apron. She runs off to distribute them.

INT. RREEN SHELTER - DAY

Patty and Tommy lay clean and dry in their beds. Jim kisses them both, tenderly.

EXT. KESEBERG SHELTER - DAY

Jim stands outside of Keseberg's shelter, which is attached to the Breen shelter.

He cries as he looks over the multilated body of Milt.

INT. KESEBERG SHELTER - DAY

Jim steps into the darkness and sees a figure.

KESEBERG What is it you need?

Jim pauses for a moment.

JIM I'm going to help you Keseberg.

KESEBERG I don't need it.


Mac sits on a stump and reads a note.

CONTINUED

MRS. McCUTCHEN (V.O.) "Dear husband, If you are reading this note you have reached the lake. I have left with a party in an attempt to escape the mountains. If all goes as planned, I "will see you at Fort Sutter. Please stay well and know I love you. Your loving wife, Misses McCutchen."

Mac folds up the note and puts it in his pocket.


Mac steps into the shelter. Jim pulls him to a corner.

JIM I'm trying to get Keseberg to undress, he's resisting me.

McCUTCHEN Mrs. Graves gave me a note from my wife.

JIM What does it say?

McCUTCHEN She left with a group earlier, hopefully she's made it to the fort.

JIM I hope so.

McCUTCHEN You need help with Keseberg?

KESEBERG (hears them)

I will not undress. I cannot.

McCUTCHEN (grabs him)

Take your clothes off!

Keseberg gives in and takes off his clothes. He eyes Jim and Mac fearfully as he undresses.


Lavina sits by the bodies of her dead kin. She is deranged.

ANGLE ON REST OF CAMP

as Breen plays his fiddle for the crowd in front of a large bonfire.


Jim and his men arrive at Alder Creek. He sees Baptiste carrying a leg. Baptiste proceeds to throw it on the ground.

JIM What was that, Baptiste?

BAPTISTE It's the leg of ox.

Jim looks at the leg, it is human.

JIM Whose leg is it?

BAPTISTE Jakie's.

Jim walks a few yards and finds Jacob's body.

JIM'S POV - BODY

His head is cut off, both legs removed and the chest is hacked open, with the heart and liver removed.

JIM

feels like vomiting. He walks a few more yards and sees Jacob's children sitting on the snow. Their faces are covered with blood as they eat the roasted heart and liver of their father.

Everyone in the rescue party is speechless.

CONTINUED

She shakes her head.

TAMSEN I can't leave him.

JIM I honor you for speaking that way, Tamsen, but I am afraid it'll turn out to be a bad decision.


CHARLES CADY and CHARLES STONE have been left by Jim. They cut wood for Tamsen as she approaches them.

TAMSEN Mr. Stone, Mr. Cady, I was wondering if I could persuade you to take my children out for payment?

CADY How much?

TAMSEN Five hundred dollars.

They glance at each other.

STONE The snow is very deep. The children would have to be carried on our backs.

CADY It's a long way to Sutter's Fort. If you have jewelry and valuables; we could carry them for you. You could claim them we you get to the fort.

Please wait the girls.

TAMSEN for me, as I ready

TAMSEN (CONT'D) He has grown progressively worse every since.

Jim looks saddened.

JIM Tarasen, could I see you outside?

EXT. TAMSEN1S SHELTER - DAY

Jim and Tamsen stand outside the shelter.

JIM There's a body over there.

(points) Is that the body of Jacob?

TAMSEN It is... Elizabeth hacked him up and cooked him herself. She has not eaten any herself. I don' t know how much longer she can go on. She's trying to stay strong for the children.

JIM (concerned)

I can take you and the girls out, Tamsen, but I can't take George. I hate to put it that way, but that's how it is.

TAMSEN I can't leave him, Jim. I couldn't do that.

JIM You must think of your girls.

TAMSEN I must think of George too.

JIM A storm's coming up. You must decide quickly, Tamsen. The weather can't hold.

CONTINUED


JIM (O.S.) Hello!

Jim steps into the darkened shelter. He sees Tamsen in the low light. She looks thin and drawn.

JIM (continuing)

Here I am.

Tamsen stares at him in the half light.

TAMSEN Jim Reed! Thank God, you got through!

JIM And I am here to help you Tamsen!

He glances at George, who lays in his bed.

GEORGE (weakly)

Tamsen, is that Jim Reed?

TAMSEN It is George. He got through to the fort and he•s come to rescue us .

George reaches out his hand and Jim takes it, he weeps.

GEORGE The children have been eating Jacob, Jim.

Jim shakes his head, affirmatively.

GEORGE (continuing)

Tamsen and the children Jim. Get them out.

TAMSEN (whispers)

George cut his hand on the way up, Jim.

(MORE)

Take out,

CONTINUED


Frances, Georgia and Eliza are in their best clothes. Tamsen combs their hair.

TAMSEN Tell your father goodbye and that you will wait for him in California.

George looks at his family.

GEORGE Goodbye, girls.

FRANCES Goodbye, poppa.

EXT. WEST TRUCKEE LAKE - DAY

Near a large rock Mrs. Graves buries $700 in gold coin.


JOSEPH JONDRO, MATTHEW DOFAR and HIRAM TURNER have been sent ahead by Jim to secure a cache of food, they rush to beat a storm.

EXT. SUMMIT VALLEY - NIGHT

The refugees have passed the summit and reached a valley. A large storm has caught them and the children cry. Breen leads in group prayer.

The refugees are exhausted and lay in the snow. Jim struggles to keep a fire up in the wind.

He pulls branches off trees. His green logs are continuously attacked by the wind.

The refugees use their bodies to guard the fire. Breen prays out to God.

BREEN Dear Lord, deliver us sinners. For we know not our sin.

CONTINUED

Jim piles on more wood. The glare of the fire is intense, snow blinds him as he works.

He builds a wall of snow to protect the refugees. He works very hard to keep the people alive.


Mrs Graves, who wears moccasins to warm her feet, lays with her husband and five children with their feet to the fire.

Their heads, covered with blankets to keep out the storm, lay behind the snow wall.

Mrs. Graves wears a shawl as she nurses her infant, ELIZABETH, who sits on her knees.

She has no milk left, but suckles the baby anyway. She dozes off.


Mrs. Graves wakes up and checks her baby, tossing snow off her blanket.

Embers from the fire flicker in the air and land on the blankets, she picks them off. The children, not sleeping soundly, talk in their sleep.


Peggy Breen is awakened by the sound of Mrs. Graves mumbling incoherently. She awakens Hiram Miller.

PEGGY Please, Mr. Miller, wake up.

HIRAM What? What is it?

PEGGY Could you please check on Mrs. Graves?

CONTINUED

After a few moments, Hiram gets up and approaches Mrs. Graves. He covers her with a blanket and wipes off the snow. Mrs. Graves does not speak.

He takes the infant back to bed with him.


Peggy awakens and checks on Mrs. Graves. Mrs. Graves throws one arm up feebly and rolls on her side.

Peggy watches Mrs. Graves for a few moments as she remains motionless. She gets up and approaches her and finds her cold.


It is the second night of the storm. The fire is a mere flicker. It has sunk and the logs are blown out.

Jim lays motionless in the snow, as the others sleep.

EXT. SUMMIT VALLEY - DAY

Peggy awakens and notices the lack of heat from the fire. She awakens Mac.

Mac works hard to rebuild the fire. After a few moments, the fire is rebuilt.

Others in the party awaken. Mac notices Jim laying in the snow and rushes to him.

Hiram's hands are frozen from the lack of fire, he shakes them to warm them up.

McCutchen (to Hiram)

I need help, help me.

Hiram rushes over and helps Mac carry Jim to the fire. They rub his hands and feet and try to revive him.

EXT- SIERRA MOUNTAINS - DAY

The cache is found. It has been violated by animals.


Tamsen puts Elizabeth's son SAMMIE in George's bed.

TAMSEN I buried Elizabeth and Lewis. I hope we can keep Saminie alive. . . It's so hard to be strong.

GEORGE We can't all be strong.

(beat) Frances is strong, isn't she?

TAMSEN Yes, she is a strong little woman. She will protect her sisters.


Mac sits with his back to the fire, trying to warm. He wears four shirts because of the cold.

Suddenly his shirt catches aflame. He realizes this and slaps out the flames.

EXT. SUMMIT VALLEY - LATER

The fire has sunk into a deep pit. Mac is at the bottom feeding the fire.

Young JOHN BREEN sits on a log above him. He is weak from the lack of food. He loses consciousness and falls head first into the fire.

Mac looks up and sees him falling and catches him. He rushes out of the hole to get help.


Young ISAAC DONNER lays dead between his sister, pretty MARY and Patty.

CONTINUED

ANOTHER ANGLE OF CAMP

Mrs. Graves, her infant Elizabeth and FRANKLIN GRAVES JR. all lay dead in the snow.

EXT. BEAR RIVER - DAY

The refugees are making progress toward food and shelter. As they walk through a deep canyon, Patty begins to weaken and collapses in the snow.

Jim sees her fall and runs to her. He pulls a mitten off his hand and pulls crumbs out of the thumb. He wets the crumbs to his lips and places them in Patty1s mouth.

PATTY'S POV - ANGELS

which float above her head, surrounded by brilliant stars.

CLOSE ON PATTY

PATTY (smiling)

Father, they are so beautiful. Oh they are so beautiful!

MAC

looks at Patty.

McCUTCHEN Why, Reed, Patty is dying.


which float around in formations.

PATTY There are troops of them, paw. They have white wings!

JIM

grabs a blanket and wraps it around Patty, he rubs her hands and feet.

CONTINUED


as they dissolve and disappear.

PATTY

PATTY (continuing)

They're going away! No! No!

Jim picks Patty up.

PATTY {continuing)

No poppa, I will walk.

He puts her down.

JIM (tears in his eyes)

It won't be long till you see your mother.

Patty proceeds to walk along Mary Conner, who burned her foot by a fire earlier and walks with a limp.


Will Eddy and Will Foster have recovered. They head back up to the refugees.


Cady and Stone reach Truckee Lake with the girls. They put the girls down and Frances holds her sisters close.

The two men walk over to another spot and whisper, occasionally looking at the girls.

FRANCES If they leave us, I can follow the tracks back to momma and she can come and take you back.

CONTINUED

The men take the girls to the Murphy shelter.


Eddy and Foster ride out of Midshipman Woodworth's cache camp.


GEORGIE FOSTER, 4, cries very loudly. Lavina tries to comfort her grandchild as Keseberg lies miserably in a corner.

KESEBERG Shut up little boy[

Georgie continues to scream.

KESEBERG (continuing)

Maybe child will stop crying if in my bed.

Lavina places him in Keseberg's bed.


Cady and Stone, wet and miserable, make their way down the Sierra.

EXT. BEAR RIVER - DAY

Eddy and Foster ride into camp and Jim greets them.

JIM Will! It's so good to see you!

They dismount their horses and Will shakes Jim's hand.

WILL Good to see you, Jim.

JIM Headed for the top?

CONTINUED

WILL I'm anxious to get up there.

JIM There' s plenty of need left, Will.

WILL Do you know anything of my wife?

JIM I'm afraid she's dead, Will.

Will tears up.

WILL What about my boy?

FOSTER And mine?

JIM As far as I know, they're both alive.

WILL ... We'11 go back with you to Bear Valley and then head back up.


The ground is covered with a fine grass that glistens green in the sun.

Refugees wash their face near a crystal blue stream. Fat beef hangs from the trees.

Woodworth hands out food to the starving people.

ANGLE ON PATTY

who takes a small wooden doll out of her dress. It is decorated with black eyes and hair.

She also pulls out a small salt container and a piece of linen and flowers, tied with a lock of her grandma's hair. She calmly sits down.

CONTINUED

PATTY (sighs)

Dolly... I am very happy.

She lays in the grass and laughs.


Eddy and Foster, accompanied by Hiram Miller, make their way up.


JOHN STARK, 6'6, 240 pounds, HOWARD OAKLEY, CHRIS STONE and WILL THOMPSON are with another rescue party. They slowly work their way up the Sierra.


The Rreen and Graves families remain at Summit Valley. Decaying bodies are strewn about the camp.

Their fire has sunk into a deep hole. A pine branch snakes its way down to the bottom, where the families lay.

Peggy passes out a small amount of tea to everyone. She mothers and encourages everyone in the camp.

The children watch as Breen reads from the Bible. Peggy throws more wood on the fire, it is cold.

She gives her infant, ISABELLA, snow water. She does her best to keep her clothing fresh.


As the people sleep, Peggy checks to see if they are all breathing, by putting her hand on their blankets.

She places her hand on her son JAMES' blanket. He is not breathing. She awakens her husband.

CONTINUED

PEGGY Oh! Patrick, man! Arise and help me! James is dying!

James lays there with his mouth wide open.

BREEN Let him die, he will be better off than any of us.

Peggy is shocked. She takes a piece of sugar and places it in James' mouth. She rubs his limbs.

He cannot swallow the sugar. She puts snow water down his throat and rubs his chest.

He swallows and convulses slightly. Peggy smiles as he stretches and opens his eyes.


Peggy looks up at the stars as Breen stirs.

BREEN . . . We should eat the dead.

PEGGY (gazing at stars)

I would rather see myself and my children die than do that.

BREEN I would rather live.

Breen climbs out of the hole to gather some flesh. Peggy covers her face.

He comes back after a few moments and proceeds to cook the flesh. Peggy continues to cover her face.

BREEN (continuing)

It's okay to eat the flesh.

We HEAR the sound of the flesh SIZZLING.


Peggy rests against a tree on the snow and looks around the desolate camp.

PEGGY'S POV - BODIES

The wind blows the quilt off the mutilated Mrs. Graves and her children.

PEGGY

recoils in horror at the sight. She feels dizzy as she HEARS faint VOICES in the distance.

She looks out over the snow and tries not to fall. The VOICES grow stronger.

PEGGY'S POV - SNOW

She sees the outline of three men on the snow. As they get closer she notices it is Eddy, Foster and Miller.

WILL (sees her)

There is Mrs. Breen alive yet, somehow!

PEGGY

smiles broadly and feels a great sense of relief.


Stark's party has reached Summit Valley. Eddy and his company have gone on to the lake with Will Thompson.

Stark watches LOVINA GRAVES cry over her mother's mutilated body.

The refugees sit eating food as a storm looms on the horizon. The provisions are low.

Howard Oakley and Chris Stone discuss the situation with Stark.

CONTINUED

OAKLEY Only Mrs. Breen and her son, John, can walk. What should we do?

STONE I think we should take the Graves children. Mrs. Breen won't leave without her whole family.

STARK We can't leave all these people.

OAKLEY Let's vote on it. Those in favor, say aye. I say aye.

STONE Aye.

Stark does not answer. He stands with his head down and his arms folded.

OAKLEY Stark?

STARK No, gentlemen, I will not abandon these people. I am here on a mission of mercy and I will not do half the job. You can all go if you want to, but I shall stay by these people while they and I live.


Tamsen has returned to the lake. The tops of the shelters are now visible. A gaunt figure walks across the snow.

TAMSEN Hello!

There is no answer.

TNT. MURPHY SHELTER - DAY

Tamsen finds her daughters in the shelter.

CONTINUED

Lavina, exhausted and half blind from picking wood on the bright snow, lays in a corner.

Tamsen holds and kisses the girls.

TAMSEN Are you all right my darlings?

Keseberg's voice booms to Tamsen.

KESEBERG You come here? The kinder cry.

TAMSEN They will do better now.

KESEBERG THey better... We have no food.

He gets up and leaves.

TAMSEN They abandoned you?

FRANCES It was horrible, mommy, Georgie Foster died and Mr. Keseberg hung him from the ceiling. Then, Jimmy Eddy died and Mr. Keseberg cut hira into strips and cooked him.

She hugs them close.

TAMSEN Oh, my God, girls! Have you stayed here the whole time?

FRANCES When we were put in the cabin, people were eating hides. Georgia began to cry and Mr. Keseberg told her to shut up or he would kill her.

Tamsen begins to sob.

FRANCES (continuing)

We went outside and found some biscuits.

(MORE)

CONTINUED

FRANCES (CONT'D) We then went out to sleep on some branches. We heard wolves. We were afraid to move. We woke up in the morning covered in snow

TAMSEN (hugs them)

It's all over now, my darlings.

Tamsen HEARS a SHOUT outside the shelter.

EXT. MURPHY SHELTER - DAY

Will and company ride into camp. Will dismounts and he and Tamsen look at each other and laugh and cry.

WILL Where is Jimmy?

TAMSEN I'm afraid he's dead, Will.

Will walks away and turns his back.


Will sits by the flicker of a campfire and watches the refugees eat like animals. He wipes tears from his eyes.

Through his blurred vision he thinks he sees Eleanor walking towards him, but sees it is Tamsen.

TAMSEN Are you okay, Will? You look like you saw a ghost?

WILL (rubs eyes)

I'm okay. What is it, Tamsen?

TAMSEN Will, are you going to take my girls out when you leave?

WILL Your girls are strong, Tamsen. I must get the others out first.

CONTINUED

TAMSEN Will, I want you to take the girls out.

WILL I'd like to Tamsen. But everyone wants to go and we can't take all of you.

TAMSEN I have fifteen hundred dollars.

She points to her money belt.

TAMSEN (continuing)

I will give it to you, if you take them out.

WILL I couldn't carry that much money, Tamsen, with the loads I have to pack. I don't want to add even a silver spoon to the weight. Rut they deserve it and I will take your girls out.

Will pauses a beat and looks at Tamsen.

WILL (continuing)

You•re strong, Tamsen. You come with me and help take care of the girls. We will start in the morning while the snow is still hard.

TAMSEN I can't, Will. I must go back to my husband.

WILL You don't want them to arrive in California as orphans, do you?

TAMSEN Of course not, Will. I must stay.

WILL Well, you've made your choice.

TAMSEN Can you wait till I go back and see my husband? Maybe he's better.

WILL I can't, Tamsen. That would take a day. We have to start early in the morning.

Tamsen smiles and walks away. After she leaves Eleanor sits next to him.

ELEANOR Hello, husband.

WILL (jumps back)

Eleanor! It can't be you!

ELEANOR It is, my love. Please sit back down. I have a few things to tell you.

He sits down and she holds his arm.

ELEANOR First of all. Jimmy and baby Margret are f ine. They are with rae. Don•t be sad about how we died. We are happy now. I want you to go on with your life. I don't want you to hold grudges. Can you do that for me?

WILL But , why do you want me to live without you... ?

She touches his lips.

ELEANOR Shhh...

She kisses him gently.

CONTINUED

ELEANOR (continuing; smiling)

Do I have your word?

WILL (cries}

Yes, you do.

ELEANOR Good . . . Remember we are just corporal beings passing through this Earth, everything's temporary.

She stands up and laughs.

ELEANOR (continuing)

See you in about forty or so years.

She walks into the darkness laughing happily. Will sits there and cries.


On an icy hill Tamsen says goodbye to her girls. She kisses each of them.

TAMSEN Goodbye, girls. May God deliver you safely to the valley. I may never see you again, but God will be with you.

Tamsen turns around and walks away.


Tamsen comes into the shelter. George lays in bed, Sammie at his side. George is near death.

TAMSEN Hello f George.

She sits by him and comforts him.

GEORGE (weakly)

Baptiste is gone. (MORE)

CONTINUED

GEORGE (CONT'D) He took your silk and silver spoons. He also took two guns

TAMSEN (beat)

Well, you'll be glad to know that the girls are heading home.

GEORGE It makes it easier.

TAMSEN Yes, it does.


Tamsen bathes George's arm in hot water, he awakens.

GEORGE (very weak)

Where's Sammie?

TAMSEN I've buried him, George.

George closes his eyes.


Tamsen cries as she carefully wraps George in bed sheets.


Stark and Eddy's parties reach Johnson's Ranch.

ANGLE ON JOHN AND JAMES EREEN

who sit near a small stream. James looks weak. His feet have been burned by fire, as well as frozen.

John looks happy as he watches the butterflies and geese fly overhead. California poppies bloom all over the landscape.


CLOSE ON BARREL OF GUN. PULL BACK TO REVEAL Keseberg holding the revolver in his mouth.

KESEBERG'S POV - LAVTNA

who lays dead. Her eyes are cloudy and she seems to be staring at him.

KESEBERG

winces as he attempts to pull the trigger. After a few beats he pulls the gun away. He pants breathlessly. Moonlight pours into the cabin.

SLOW DISSOLVE TO

INT. KESEBERG SHELTER - NIGHT

We can hear wolves howling. Keseberg HEARS a KNOCK on his shelter, he answers it, revealing Tarnsen.

TAMSEN Hello, Mr. Keseberg ... I just came to see if my children got out okay.

KESEBERG Children gone, left days ago.

TAMSEN Good .


Many days have gone by since the last relief. Tamsen sits in despair.

CLOSE ON HAND

which opens the ox hide at the door. Tamsen is startled. PULL BACK as Keseberg walks in the shelter.

KESEBERG Can I come in?

CONTINUED

TAMSEN My husband is dead... What do you want?

KESEBERG I will come in please.

TAMSEN What is it you want?

KESEBERG Just to come in.

He sits down.


Your husband is dead, that is bad. I have always liked, many horrible deaths. The whole trip is bad, but now comes mercy and I can help you to get out.

TAMSEN I don't need you Mr. Keseberg. I can get myself out.

KESEBERG Many things to carry, you have. The money... where is it? I will help you, we will be friends, is it not so?

TAMSEN Please go Mr. Keseberg.

She shows him out.

TAMSEN (continuing)

I have no money.

KESEBERG No... The money belt, where is it?

Tarnsen just looks at him.


You will not give it to me? (MORE)

KESEBERG (CONT'D) ..- We will see!

Tamsen jumps up and attempts to run. She hits her head on the top of the door and falls to the ground with a gaping head wound.

Keseberg panics for a minute, not knowing what to do. She moans in agony. He looks around the cabin, sees a log and without thinking plows her on the head, causing the wound to split open and splat blood all over the cabin.

He plops down on the floor, drops the log and bawls in shame.


A rescue party headed by a tough Indian fighter and Mexican war hero, WILLIAM FALLON, leaves the ranch.


Fallon's party reaches the lake on foot, having left the stock earlier.

The shelters stand out plainly now. There is no smoke coming from them, no people, no sound.

Scattered here and there are mutilated bodies. Human hair and bones and bits of clothes lay about

They come to the Murphy shelter.

FALLON We'll look inside.

INT. MURPHY SHELTER - DAY

They enter the shelter.

FALLON'S POV - SHELTER

Strips of flesh and bones are everywhere.

CONTINUED

FALLON

FALLON I think we better get out.

EXT. TAMSEN'S SHELTER - DAY

They have followed a trail which leads from Jacob's shelter to Tamsen's. One foot drags in the trail.

They look at each other as they notice a large kettle cooking human flesh.


They enter the shelter, it is a shambles. Silk, coffee, boxes of rifle caps, shoes and Tamsen•s books are scattered about.

George lays dead, with his head split open and his brain taken out.


On the following day Keseberg sits in his shelter eating flesh.

Fallon and his company enter as Keseberg casually eats.

FALLON (to Keseberg)

Where is everybody?

KESEBERG Everybody is dead.

FALLON Where is Mrs. George Donner? We expect to find her.

He takes another bite.

KESEBERG Dead, it is bad so many die.

CONTINUED

FALLON Where is Mrs. Lavina Murphy?

KESEBERG She died about a week after the last rescue party.

FALLON When did Mrs. George Donner die?

KESEBERG (shifty eyed)

I don't know exactly. It is hard to tell time. She came to my cabin one night. She had fallen into a stream, she was cold and wet. She wanted to see her children at the fort. I gave her a cup of coffee, rolled her a blanket and went to bed. When I woke she was dead.

Ned Coffeemeyer, ornery as ever, is among Fallon's party.

NED Then what happened?

KESEBERG I ate her. Her flesh was very good, ate four pounds of flesh from her body.

His eyes wonder indiscriminately.

FALLON Where is what is left of her body?

KESEBERG I suppose it is mixed up with the other bodies.

Fallon notices what seems to be two gallons of blood.

FALLON And, what is this?

KESEBERG There is fresh blood in dead bodies.

CONTINUED

FALLON . .. You killed Mrs. Donner.

KESEBERG (defensive)

No! I took care of her!

Will Foster is among Foster's party.

FOSTER Where is the money Mrs. Donner had?

KESEBERG I don't know, she must've hid it. I haven't it, nor the money, nor the property of any person, living or dead!

Foster finds a pistol, silks and jewelry he suspects belonged to Tarnsen. They search him and find $225.

FOSTER When did you get that?

KESEBERG It's my wife•s.

JOHN RHODES is among Fallon's party.

RHODES Mr. Keseberg, come with me.

Rhodes takes him to a corner of the shelter.

RHODES (continuing)

Things look bad. It will be much better if you tell what happened.

KESEBERG I told the truth.

RHODES These men want to hang you.

CONTINUED

KESEBERG I have nothing to fear -

He sits back down.

FALLON Where did you hide that money?

KESEBERG I have no money.

FALLON You have and you're going to tell us. You know where the Donner money is and damn you, you shall tell me! I'm not going to multiply words with you, nor say but little about it... Give me that rope.

Another ship jumper named JOE SELES gives Fallon a rope. He dangles it in front of Keseberg.

FALLON (continuing)

Where did you get that silk and jewelry?

KESEBERG It belongs to the people of California. I was taking it to them.

Fallon wraps the rope around his neck and squeezes Keseberg will not talk, Fallon squeezes more.

KESEBERG (continuing; choking)

Okay! I will confess all!

Fallon loosens the rope.


I don't know where it is, uh, I don't really know...

Fallon tightens the rope.

CONTINUED


I will talk!

EXT.,INT. KESEBERG'S SHELTER - DAY

The party is loading backpacks with goods. $273 is put into a bag, which was found at Alder.

Fallon walks into Keseberg•s shelter, as he uneasily eats left over brain and liver.

FALLON Time to go, Keseberg.

Keseberg gathers up bones and puts them in a box. He makes a sign of the blessing.

KESEBERG (to self)

I hope God will forgive me for what I've done, I couldn *t help it. And I may go to heaven yet.

As Keseberg walks out of the shelter Fallon approaches him.

FALLON Keseberg, when we first got to the lake, we found an ox well preserved in the snow, why didn't you eat it?

KESEBERG I couldn't see it.

FALLON You couldn't help but see it.

KESEBERG (beat)

It's too dry eating. Human lights and liver seem better and human brain make good soup.

EXT. WEST TRUCKEE LAKE - NIGHT

The party rests at a campfire. Keseberg has his own campfire a few yards away.

CONTINUED

Keseberg cooks his human flesh. The snow is melting rapidly. As Keseberg drinks his coffee, he notices some cloth in the snow.

He tugs at it and sees it is the decomposing body of Ada, he bursts into tears.


The party reaches Johnson•s Ranch. The green grass is tall and healthy and blows in the wind.

DISSOLVE TO: INT. BEDROOM - DAY (1856)

Virginia wakes up with tears in her eyes. She slowly gets up and opens the window.

She takes a deep breath of the salty and cold Pacific air. She hears the clamor going on downstairs.

She dries her eyes, sets herself and proceeds downstairs .

FADE OUT

THE END

Keseberg cooks his human flesh. The snow is melting rapidly. As Keseberg drinks his coffee, he notices some cloth in the snow.

He tugs at it and sees it is the decomposing body of Ada t he bursts into tears.


The party reaches Johnson's Ranch. The green grass is tall and healthy and blows in the wind.

DISSOLVE TO INT. BEDROOM - DAY (1856)

Virginia wakes up with tears in her eyes. She slowly gets up and opens the window.

She takes a deep breath of the salty and cold Pacific air. She hears the clamor going on downstairs.

She dries her eyes, sets herself and proceeds downstairs .

FADE OUT

THE END

savage_jouney--1st_draft_by_louis

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