Script

Letter Sequence

Black screen fades up in a circle to show the candle, and continues to expand until we see the full screen

CLOSE UP OF CANDLE. COMPLETE DARKNESS AROUND - CAMERA ZOOMS OUT AND TILTS DOWN ONTO BILLY WRITING A LETTER TO ELIZABETH - Narrative of what BILLY is writing.

BILLY

"Sweet incomparable Elizabeth,"

 

WHEN QUIL GOES IN THE INKWELL, CAMERA FOLLOWS BILLY's ARM AND ZOOMS OUT TO SHOW A MID SHOT OF LETTER FROM BEHIND BILLY'S SHOULDERS.

BILLY

" what a strange effect you have on my heart! I look back, and in every one point, every word and gesture, every letter, every silence, you have been entirely perfect to me, I would not change one word, one look."

 

MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF BILLY'S FACE.

"God knows I wish you happy, & when I quit you, or rather when you from a sense of duty to your husband & mother quit me, you shall acknowledge the truth of what I again promise & vow, that no other in word or deed shall ever hold the place in my affection which is & shall be most sacred to you, till I am nothing."

 

CUTS TO A TRACKING SHOT. CAMERA IS IN FRONT OF BILLY'S DESK. CAMERA PULLS SLOWLY BACK TO A LONG SHOT.

BILLY

 "You know I would with pleasure give up all here & all beyond the grave for you.  I was and am yours, freely & most entirely, to obey, to honour, love & fly with you when, where, & how you yourself might. 

 

Forever, Your Billy"

BILLY picks up the letter, seals it with wax and goes to leave.

CLOSE UP of BILLY blowing out the desk candle.

TITLE SEQUENCE

Camera is showing a light grey sky.  The Camera then TILTs downwards to show the fields of Goodnestone. The camera then PANs to the left slowly and smoothly.

Cross dissolve

Camera is then at the top of a row of trees - LONG SHOT.  The camera tilts down, following the tree's height, and then focuses on BILLY on his HORSE.

BILLY is riding towards Goodnestone Park Gardens, the home of PHILLIP JEFFORIES and his new wife ELIZABETH HARDING.

The camera pans round, following the Horse while it Gallops down the road. LONG SHOT - EXTREME LONG SHOT

Opening Sequence

BILLY continues to ride quickly through the fields of Goodnestone.

Close up of letter and reins in Billy's hand - camera pans to a MEDIUM CLOSE-UP of Billy's face.
CLOSE UP of HORSE's feet, which cuts to CLOSE UP of BILLY's face.
Extreme Long Shot of billy riding through field. Camera pans to follow Billy (stays in middle of shot)Stops when he goes behind trees

LONG SHOT of BILLY riding towards the camera.

Delivery of the Letter

MID SHOT of BILLY dismounting his horse. Tracking shot. CLOSE UP OF Letter in BILLY's hand.  CAMERA TRACKS BACKWARDS AS THE LETTER TRAVELS TOWARDS CAMERA. CAMERA THEN LIFTS AND SHOWS A MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF BILLY'S FACE. BILLY goes to give the Maid the letter.  CAMERA FOLLOWS THE LENGTH OF BILLY'S ARM, AND CONTINUES TO PAN ROUND TO SHOW THE MAID.

MAID

You know I can't take that.  He won't allow it.

MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF BILLY'S FACE. BILLY continues to hold out the letter steady. CAMERA GOES TO A CLOSE UP OF THE LETTER

MAID

She won't read it... you know that.

MEDIUM CLOSE-UP OF BILLY'S FACE. BILLY remains still.  Another CLOSE UP of the Letter

MAID

Ugh, you stubborn sod! (reflects) Alright, gis it here. Well, common!

MID SHOT OF BILLY handing over the letter to the Maid. MEDIUM CLOSE UP OF THE MAID

MAID

Now go on, get out of here! Go! Before he sees ya!

MID SHOT of BILLY getting onto his hore. LONG SHOT of BILLY riding out of shot. When BILLY is no longer in sight, the maid looks at the letter, CLOSE UP OF LETTER IN HER HAND. Maid then drops the letter to the floor. CAMERA GOES FROM HER HAND AND TILTS TO THE FLOOR. IT THEN FOLLOWS IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE LETTER FALLS, AND TILTS SO IT IS STRAIGHT AND SO IT IS floor level, AND THEN  TILTS slightly upwards to show the maid walking away in the distance.  The wind gets under the letter, and lifts it from the ground.  The Maid turns round to find the letter in the air.  The letter is out of reach.  It curves in the air and then Covers the camera's view.

Black Screen